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Historian Anne Applebaum, staff writer at The Atlantic,  host of their podcast "Autocracy in America" and author of Autocracy Inc. (Penguin, 2024) and offers her analysis of how President Trump and his administration are seeking to control elections, as well as science and culture, and why.   photo: "I Voted" sticker worn on lapel of fuzzy winter coat, shot during the November 2025 election in St. Paul, Minnesota.  (Funknendai, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)

In the tenth chapter of the book of Joshua, we read how, as Israel fought for occupation of the Promised Land at Gibeon, Joshua asked the Lord to stop the sun so that Israel could finish its battle. According to Joshua 10:13, the sun stopped in mid‑sky and did not set for nearly an entire day. According to the most accurate dating, this was about 1400 BC.Our modern scientific age knows that the earth, which weighs billions of tons, revolves around the sun while turning on its axis. In order for the sun to stand still in its apparent movement across the sky, the earth would have to stop spinning. The earth spins at a speed of about 1,000 miles per hour. If it were to suddenly stop, the force would rip the earth apart. All of this is what science tells us. And from these facts, science therefore concludes that the sun could not have stopped in its path across the sky. But this final conclusion is not scientific, even if all the other facts are true.Joshua 10 tells us that God made the sun stop in its apparent path. Science admits that it cannot tell us what God can or cannot do. Science can only tell us that it would be very unlikely for the sun to stand still in the sky. But Joshua 10:14 tells us this and more—this had never happened before and had not happened again at the time Joshua was written.It's not surprising, then, to learn that, according to Aztec lore from Mexico, virtually on the other side of the world, the sun failed to rise for an entire day in the City of the Gods around 1400 BC.Joshua 10:13"And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day."Prayer: Dear Lord, our age is a materialistic age where we deny what we cannot understand. I confess that I cannot understand how the sun could appear to stop in the sky, but I know that Your Word says that You did this great miracle. Grant me your Holy Spirit so that I may not be infected with the doubt that so permeates the world. Amen.REF.: Sitchin, Zecharia. How Jericho fell. The Christian News. Image: The Sun and the Moon Stand Still, Camden Press, CC0, Wikimedia Commons + Aztec calendar stone, Boston Public Library, PD, Wikimedia. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

The insured lives in a single-family home in Austin, Texas. While hanging a shelf on the wall in one of the bathrooms, the owner drilled right through the metal stud, directly into a plumbing pipe, causing water damage to the wall and to the carpeting on the floor. (Yes, you heard that correctly, carpeting…in the bathroom!) Should there have been some type of pipe protection near the stud? And, does code even allow carpeting in a bathroom?   Notable Timestamps [ 00:08 ] - The scenario involves a homeowner drilling into a metal stud and puncturing a plumbing pipe, causing water damage to the wall and bathroom carpet. [ 01:15 ] - The hosts discuss home "deal breakers" and vintage advertisements. [ 05:39 ] - PLRB's Building Code Address Report confirms Austin enforces the 2021 IRC and 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). [ 06:09 ] - Under the 2021 UPC, pipes within one inch of a metal stud must be protected by at least 18-gauge steel nail plates extending beyond the pipe's diameter to prevent drill punctures. [ 09:28 ] - The IRC clarifies that permits are not required for finish work such as carpeting. [ 09:56 ] - Code limits absorbent materials only at the actual tub or shower floor surface. In other words, carpet elsewhere in the bathroom is only prohibited by common sense and not by model building codes. [ 11:25 ] - While model codes allow bathroom carpeting, local ordinances may impose stricter sanitary rules, so adjusters should always verify municipal amendments before reaching conclusions. [ 13:52 ] - Ruth summarizes the key points of this episode. Your PLRB Resources Address Report https://members.plrb.org/building-codes What's New on the Building Codes Address Report? https://members.plrb.org/documents/whats-new-on-the-building-codes-address-report?query=address%20report Ask a Code Question https://members.plrb.org/building-codes/ask-building-code-questions Employees of member companies also have access to a searchable legal database, hundreds of hours of video trainings, building code materials, weather data, and even the ability to have your coverage questions answered by our team of attorneys (https://www.plrb.org/ask-plrb/) at no additional charge to you or your company. Subscribe to this Podcast Your Podcast App - Please subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast app YouTube - Please like and subscribe at @plrb LinkedIN - Please follow at "Property and Liability Resource Bureau" Send us your Scenario! Please reach out to us at 630-509-8704 with your scenario! This could be your "adjuster story" sharing a situation from your claims experience, or a burning question you would like the team to answer. In any case, please omit any personal information as we will anonymize your story before we share. Just reach out to scenario@plrb.org.  Legal Information The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate. Music: "Piece of Future" by Keyframe_Audio. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Font: Metropolis by Chris Simpson. SIL OFL 1.1. Icons: FontAwesome (SIL OFL 1.1) and Noun Project (royalty-free licenses purchased via subscription). Sound Effects: Pixabay (Pixabay License) and Freesound.org (CC0).

Marcin Kwieciński i Mikołaj Foks zapraszają na 68 odcinek, w którym rozmawiamy na temat gaszenia rodzinnych pożarów. Podpowiadamy które sprawy trzeba zaopiekować w pierwszej kolejności, a które można odłożyć na później.  Zapraszamy do posłuchania!  Pobierz materiały dodatkowe do podcastu:https://ogarnijchaos.pl/zarzadzanieczasemwrodzinie===> Po wysłuchaniu odcinka wypełnij ankietę i podziel się swoją opinią:  http://marcinkwiecinski.pl/068ankieta===> Materiały do podcastu: http://marcinkwiecinski.pl/068Credits:Rozmawiają: Marcin Kwieciński i Mikołaj FoksStrona Marcina Kwiecińskiego:(https://marcinkwiecinski.pl)Strona Mikołaja Foksa: (https://mikolajfoks.pl)Produkcja: Przemysław Goławski (https://golawski.net)Muzyka: Jakzzar – Servants (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Servants/Servants/)Efekty: nixeno, CC BY 4.0; LanDub, CC0

Marcin Kwieciński i Mikołaj Foks zapraszają na 69 odcinek, rozmawiamy o tym czego najbardziej brakuje w sytuacjach przeciążenia nadmiarem spraw rodzinnych. Podpowiadamy jak odzyskać siłę i energię do popychania spraw rodzinnych.Zapraszamy do posłuchania!Pobierz materiały dodatkowe do podcastu:https://ogarnijchaos.pl/zarzadzanieczasemwrodzinie===> Po wysłuchaniu odcinka wypełnij ankietę i podziel się swoją opinią: http://marcinkwiecinski.pl/069ankieta===> Materiały do podcastu:http://marcinkwiecinski.pl/069Credits: Rozmawiają: Marcin Kwieciński i Mikołaj FoksStrona Marcina Kwiecińskiego:(https://marcinkwiecinski.pl)Strona Mikołaja Foksa: (https://mikolajfoks.pl)Produkcja: Przemysław Goławski (https://golawski.net)Muzyka: Jakzzar – Servants (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Servants/Servants/)Efekty: nixeno, CC BY 4.0; LanDub, CC0

Marcin Kwieciński i Mikołaj Foks zapraszają na 67 odcinek, w którym rozmawiamy na temat pierwszych kroków, które należy wykonać, kiedy masz poczucie że zarządzanie czasem w rodzinie nie działa. Proponujemy konkretną metodę odzyskania kontroli nad chaosem spraw do załatwienia.  Zapraszamy do posłuchania!  Pobierz materiały dodatkowe do podcastu:https://ogarnijchaos.pl/zarzadzanieczasemwrodzinie    ===> Po wysłuchaniu odcinka wypełnij ankietę i podziel się swoją opinią:  http://marcinkwiecinski.pl/067ankieta  ===> Materiały do podcastu:http://marcinkwiecinski.pl/067Credits:Rozmawiają: Marcin Kwieciński i Mikołaj FoksStrona Marcina Kwiecińskiego:(https://marcinkwiecinski.pl)Strona Mikołaja Foksa: (https://mikolajfoks.pl)Produkcja: Przemysław Goławski (https://golawski.net)Muzyka: Jakzzar – Servants (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Servants/Servants/)Efekty: nixeno, CC BY 4.0; LanDub, CC0

WORT 89.9FM Madison · A Good Clerk is Hard to Find Alex Shur (photo by Nicholas Wootton) Between April, 2025 and February, 2026, thirteen towns, villages and cities in Wausau County, Wisconsin lost their municipal clerks due to retirement, only to have the new replacements resign within a few months.  That kind of turnover wreaks havoc on all kinds of functions for small communities, ranging from issuing dog licenses to running local, state and federal elections.  Votebeat Wisconsin's Alex Shur has dug into why nobody wants to be the town clerk anymore, and he joined the Monday Buzz on February 23, 2026. Photo of Wausau Town Hall (Wikideas1, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons) Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate hereThe post A Good Clerk is Hard to Find appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

For this holiday week, we'd like to prepare you for the upcoming PLRB Claims Conference, so we're sharing a classic episode featuring some highlights on what to expect. You might notice some details specific to the original date of taping, but we've lightly edited it to keep it relevant. We're looking forward to seeing you at the conference!    Let's say you're a service provider in the insurance industry. You've been attending PLRB Conferences for a few years, and you're thinking about taking the next step to increase exposure and build relationships with the right people in the industry.    Notable Timestamps [ 01:20 ] - Exhibiting and sponsoring at the PLRB Claims Conference can be an impactful option, and PLRB has a variety of offerings to help each service provider reach their goals. [ 01:50 ] - For our trivia question today, last year at the Claims Conference we had over 3000 attendees, and over 950 of those were insurance company staff. Of those, how many do you think were senior staff? [ 04:05 ] - The Insurance Services Expo includes a wide variety of exhibitors and sponsors, from traditional segments like independent adjusting and forensics to technology services like claims management software and AI solutions to other ancilliary services. [ 05:22 ] - Among other benefits, exhibiting and sponsorship can provide visibility, stature, and credibility as service providers build strong relationships in the industry. [ 06:30 ] - A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available to fit the needs of different service providers, from physical branding to digital signage to booth services. [ 07:50 ] - Service providers take full advantage of the benefits of the conference by attending educational sessions, doing their own entertaining, and making connections in the Expo. [ 08:37 ] - Unique opportunities like Wifi sponsorship and keycard sponsorship provide novel avenues to make connections with attendees. [ 09:15 ] - Return On Investment is a top concern for many service providers, and building relationships over time at the PLRB Claims Conference is often a fruitful experience for those who make the investment. [ 10:28 ] - The 2025 Claims Conference in Indianapolis provided plenty of space for conferencegoers to make connections. [ 11:50 ] - Many new offerings are anticipated, including-- as a show notes sneak peek-- creative services like social media templates and press releases. [ 13:30 ] - Tom provides a recap of the scenario and the points above. Your PLRB Resources Email sponsorship@plrb.org Contact Tom O'Dowd at todowd@plrb.org Prospective Sponsors: https://web.cvent.com/event/aa96efc9-539f-4558-bb0b-c31895d0abbf/websitePage:f7750b7c-c5d4-47e9-b3ba-24b0f244d6c8 Employees of member companies also have access to a searchable legal database, hundreds of hours of video trainings, building code materials, weather data, and even the ability to have your coverage questions answered by our team of attorneys (https://www.plrb.org/ask-plrb/) at no additional charge to you or your company. Subscribe to this Podcast Your Podcast App - Please subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast app YouTube - Please like and subscribe at @plrb LinkedIN - Please follow at "Property and Liability Resource Bureau" Send us your Scenario! Please reach out to us at 630-509-8704 with your scenario! This could be your "adjuster story" sharing a situation from your claims experience, or a burning question you would like the team to answer. In any case, please omit any personal information as we will anonymize your story before we share. Just reach out to scenario@plrb.org.  Sponsorship PLRB thanks Alacrity Solutions for its Diamond Sponsorship of the 2025 Claims Conference. "Insurance Claims Made Easy — Streamlined claims, repairs & recovery services built for speed. Trusted nationwide partner for insurance carriers & policyholders." Visit alacritysolutions.com! Legal Information The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate. Music: "Piece of Future" by Keyframe_Audio. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Font: Metropolis by Chris Simpson. SIL OFL 1.1. Icons: FontAwesome (SIL OFL 1.1) and Noun Project (royalty-free licenses purchased via subscription). Sound Effects: Pixabay (Pixabay License) and Freesound.org (CC0).

As hospitality races toward automation, the industry must confront a deeper question: what moral and legal status should intelligent service robots hold? Dr. Anna Mattila, along with our host Amit Sharma guide listeners through the complexities of robot personhood, liability, governance, and the shifting boundaries between technology and humanity.Reference papers:Sharma, A., & Mattila, A. (2026). Rights and Responsibilities of Hospitality Service Robots. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/10963480251393749Choi, S., Mattila, A. S., & Bolton, L. E. (2021). To Err is Human(-oid): How Do Consumers React to Robot Service Failure and Recovery?. Journal of Service Research, 24(3), 354-371. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094670520978798Music credit: "West in Africa" by John Bartmann is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License.

Posłuchaj, czego możesz się spodziewać w nadchodzącym sezonie!  Zapraszamy do posłuchania!  Credits: Rozmawiają: Marcin Kwieciński i Mikołaj FoksStrona Marcina Kwiecińskiego:(https://marcinkwiecinski.pl)Strona Mikołaja Foksa: (https://mikolajfoks.pl)Produkcja: Przemysław Goławski (https://golawski.net)Muzyka: Jakzzar – Servants ( https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Servants/Servants/) Efekty: nixeno, CC BY 4.0; LanDub, CC0

For Valentine's Day, Charlotte Cowles, financial advice columnist for The Cut, offers some personal finance advice for couples. Valentine's chocolates in Japan (Syced, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)

A supervisor leads a team of very needy CAT adjusters! Over the course of the year, the supervisor fields many questions as it comes up in their claims. Was there hail on X date? Was there lightning in the area? This hurricane is coming soon, where can I get news about it? Winter weather caused a slip and fall!! Where can I find information on wildfire perimeters and California evacuations? For help herding all these cats, we'll head to PLRB.org.   Notable Timestamps [ 00:00 ] - The episode introduces a scenario where a supervisor fields constant weather-related questions from cat adjusters, highlighting the need for a centralized, reliable source for hail, lightning, hurricanes, wildfires, and more. [ 02:15 ] - The team previews multiple scenarios—winter storms, hail, lightning, power outages, tornadoes, hurricanes, and wildfires—showing the breadth of searchable weather data available to support claim investigations. [ 03:16 ] - Using a winter slip-and-fall in Iowa City, Iowa, the report pulls verified storm data from the National Weather Service, including freezing rain reports and hourly observations to validate conditions on the date of loss. [ 07:42 ] - For hail damage in Illinois, radar-derived data and verified hail reports allow adjusters to map proximity, estimated hail size, and associated severe thunderstorm warnings tied to a specific date and address. [ 09:53 ] - Lightning reports provide daily probability percentages and satellite detection data, helping assess commercial equipment claims while noting limits in resolution and cloud-to-cloud versus cloud-to-ground distinctions. [ 12:25 ] - Power outage searches archive data every ten minutes via PowerOutage.us, identifying outage timing, affected customers, and likely storm causes—critical for business interruption investigations. [ 14:09 ] - A tornado case study of the Mayfield event demonstrates wind reports, damage points, and EF-scale path polygons, enabling precise analysis of storm track and intensity relative to a property. [ 17:31 ] - Wildfire tools include historical perimeters like the Garnett Fire, evacuation zones, thermal hotspots, smoke analysis from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data, and hurricane spaghetti models—underscoring a single portal for comprehensive weather intelligence. [ 17:49 ] - Dylan summarized upcoming PLRB Weather/CATs developments. Your PLRB Resources Weather/CATS Hub - https://members.plrb.org/weather-cat/ Employees of member companies also have access to a searchable legal database, hundreds of hours of video trainings, building code materials, weather data, and even the ability to have your coverage questions answered by our team of attorneys (https://www.plrb.org/ask-plrb/) at no additional charge to you or your company. Subscribe to this Podcast Your Podcast App - Please subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast app YouTube - Please like and subscribe at @plrb LinkedIN - Please follow at "Property and Liability Resource Bureau" Send us your Scenario! Please reach out to us at 630-509-8704 with your scenario! This could be your "adjuster story" sharing a situation from your claims experience, or a burning question you would like the team to answer. In any case, please omit any personal information as we will anonymize your story before we share. Just reach out to scenario@plrb.org.  Legal Information The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate. Music: "Piece of Future" by Keyframe_Audio. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Font: Metropolis by Chris Simpson. SIL OFL 1.1. Icons: FontAwesome (SIL OFL 1.1) and Noun Project (royalty-free licenses purchased via subscription). Sound Effects: Pixabay (Pixabay License) and Freesound.org (CC0).

Sezon 7 podcastu "Ogarnij Chaos®" nadchodzi! Premiara już 25 lutego 2026!  Zapraszamy do posłuchania!  Credits:  Rozmawiają: Marcin Kwieciński i Mikołaj Foks Strona Marcina Kwiecińskiego:(https://marcinkwiecinski.pl) Strona Mikołaja Foksa: (https://mikolajfoks.pl) Produkcja: Przemysław Goławski (https://golawski.net) Muzyka: Jakzzar – Servants ( https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Servants/Servants/) Efekty: nixeno, CC BY 4.0; LanDub, CC0 

A restaurant experienced a power outage lasting over an hour and a half. Because of the outage, they decided to close for the rest of the evening, claiming lost revenue from missed dinner service. PLRB weather tools will help us explore outage duration, date and time, location, and eventual cause. As we investigate, we'll encounter an efficient proximate cause issue, the electrical currents exclusion, and a fried squirrel.   Notable Timestamps [ 00:00 ] - The episode sets up a real-world insurance scenario: a restaurant closes after a 90-minute power outage and claims lost revenue, raising questions about cause, duration, and coverage. [ 00:38 ] - Investigating a power outage starts with verifying the exact date, time, duration, location, and cause, all of which are critical inputs for determining whether a claim may be payable. [ 02:29 ] - Using PLRB's power outage report, investigators can search by address and date range, view outages within a one-mile radius, and see results on an interactive map and data table. [ 03:14 ] - Outage data comes from utilities nationwide, gets updated every ten minutes, and covers about 87% of U.S. electric customers. This report helps establish whether an insured location likely lost power. [ 05:04 ] - The report shows outage IDs, UTC timestamps, customer counts, utility names, estimated restoration times, and potentially the confirmed cause, all exportable in a shareable PDF. [ 06:53 ] - Determining the outage cause is essential because many policies distinguish between natural events and artificial causes, which can directly affect coverage decisions. [ 08:19 ] - In this case, investigators found the outage was caused by a squirrel contacting electrical equipment, leading to arcing that damaged a transformer and knocked out power. [ 13:04 ] - The court rejected "but for" causation and made a ruling that did not invalidate the policy exclusion. [ 17:49 ] - Dylan summarized upcoming PLRB Weather/CATs developments. Your PLRB Resources Weather/CATS: Get a Power Outage Report - https://members.plrb.org/weather-cat/power-outage-report Case Law Review: City of West Liberty v. Employers Mutual Cas. Co., 922 N.W.2d 876 (Iowa 2/01/19) -  https://members.plrb.org/documents/city-of-west-liberty-v-employers-mutual-cas-co-2019 Employees of member companies also have access to a searchable legal database, hundreds of hours of video trainings, building code materials, weather data, and even the ability to have your coverage questions answered by our team of attorneys (https://www.plrb.org/ask-plrb/) at no additional charge to you or your company. Subscribe to this Podcast Your Podcast App - Please subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast app YouTube - Please like and subscribe at @plrb LinkedIN - Please follow at "Property and Liability Resource Bureau" Send us your Scenario! Please reach out to us at 630-509-8704 with your scenario! This could be your "adjuster story" sharing a situation from your claims experience, or a burning question you would like the team to answer. In any case, please omit any personal information as we will anonymize your story before we share. Just reach out to scenario@plrb.org.  Legal Information The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate. Music: "Piece of Future" by Keyframe_Audio. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Font: Metropolis by Chris Simpson. SIL OFL 1.1. Icons: FontAwesome (SIL OFL 1.1) and Noun Project (royalty-free licenses purchased via subscription). Sound Effects: Pixabay (Pixabay License) and Freesound.org (CC0).

Salmos 27:1"Jehová es mi luz y mi salvación, ¿de quién temeré? Jehová es la fortaleza de mi vida, ¿de quién he de atemorizarme? "Algunos investigadores holandeses han concluido que ciertamente uno puede comer para tener buen humor. No es cuánto se come, y en algunos casos el secreto es lo que no se come. Pero si uno está fácilmente frustrado y estresado, uno podría evitar estos estados de ánimo.Estos investigadores holandeses investigaban el triptófano, que el cerebro utiliza para hacer serotonina, un neurotransmisor que mejora el estado de ánimo. Ellos prepararon dos bebidas de chocolate, una que contenía una proteína de leche rica en triptófano y otra con caseína, otra proteína de la leche. Estos voluntarios que habían sido pre-evaluados por su susceptibilidad al estrés tomaron uno u otro de estas bebidas con el desayuno y luego otra vez más tarde en la mañana. Al medio día, mientras los voluntarios pasaban 20 minutos en una computadora realizando problemas matemáticos, había fuertes ruidos industriales que sonaban con gran estruendo en el fondo. Los investigadores evaluaron el estado de ánimo de cada sujeto, ritmo cardiaco, hormonas de estrés y niveles de serotonina en el cerebro. Ninguno de los sujetos que tomaron el chocolate rico en triptófano mostró ningún factor de estrés, sin importar cuan propensos eran al estrés por naturaleza. Otras investigaciones han mostrado que los alimentos que son ricos en azúcar o almidón también elevan la serotonina en el cerebro. Los investigadores concluyeron que simples modificaciones dietéticas que incluyen triptófano antes de los tiempos esperados de estrés puede ayudar a la persona en general a responder al estrés. También advierte que la proteína de la carne bloquea la absorción del triptófano en el cerebro.Aunque podemos echar todos nuestros temores y frustraciones sobre el Señor, es bueno saber que Él nos ha provisto de una forma de lidiar mejor con el fastidioso y diario estrés.Oración: Señor, yo pongo todas mis preocupaciones sobre Ti ya que Tu tienes cuidado de mí. Amén.Ref: Science News, "Stress‑prone? Altering the diet may help." Tryptophan structure, Science images, CC0, Wikimedia Commons + Chocolate drink background. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1235/29?v=20251111

You're a new exhibitor, and you're excited and anxious about your first visit to the PLRB Claims Conference. How will you handle the rushes of attendees and the breaks between them? How will you build relationships that will last after you leave the Expo floor? What tone will you strike with members? Gemcor has been attending PLRB since 1984, just three years after our dad founded the company. It's the one conference we commit to every single year, and today we'll share our perspective.   Notable Timestamps [ 00:58 ] - In this scenario, a new exhibitor is hoping for success at the upcoming PLRB conference. [ 03:27 ] - The team discusses their favorite conference locations. [ 07:59 ] - Successful exhibitors emphasize consistency and face-to-face connection as the core driver of lasting client relationships. [ 10:57 ] - Every conversation counts, even if someone isn't a potential client at that moment. [ 12:07 ] - Conferences surface real-time industry trends and information, from informal hallway conversations. [ 13:19 ] - Downtime isn't wasted time if it's used appropriately. [ 14:55 ] - Follow-up is critical to keep the momentum going after a conference. [ 16:40 ] - Booth presence matters: engaged, approachable exhibitors attract more meaningful interactions. [ 17:49 ] - Dana summarizes the key points above. Your PLRB Resources PLRB Events: Upcoming Events - https://members.plrb.org/events/ Claims Conference: Event Site - http://www.plrbclaimsconference.org/ Affiliate Membership: Which PLRB Affiliate Membership Is Right for You? - https://www.plrb.org/affiliate/ Employees of member companies also have access to a searchable legal database, hundreds of hours of video trainings, building code materials, weather data, and even the ability to have your coverage questions answered by our team of attorneys (https://www.plrb.org/ask-plrb/) at no additional charge to you or your company. Subscribe to this Podcast Your Podcast App - Please subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast app YouTube - Please like and subscribe at @plrb LinkedIN - Please follow at "Property and Liability Resource Bureau" Send us your Scenario! Please reach out to us at 630-509-8704 with your scenario! This could be your "adjuster story" sharing a situation from your claims experience, or a burning question you would like the team to answer. In any case, please omit any personal information as we will anonymize your story before we share. Just reach out to scenario@plrb.org.  Legal Information The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate. Music: "Piece of Future" by Keyframe_Audio. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Font: Metropolis by Chris Simpson. SIL OFL 1.1. Icons: FontAwesome (SIL OFL 1.1) and Noun Project (royalty-free licenses purchased via subscription). Sound Effects: Pixabay (Pixabay License) and Freesound.org (CC0).

Grocery stores, both physical and digital, quietly shape what we at, how much we spend, and how healthy our choices become. In this episode of allinfoodz, we explore how online grocery shopping influences nutrition, food waste, and equity, drawing on recent research with Dr. Yizao Liu. From algorithms to SNAP policy, we ask whether technology is helping people eat better—or simply nudging them differently.Music credit: "West in Africa" by John Bartmann is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License.

For this holiday week, we'd like to prepare you for the upcoming PLRB Claims Conference, so we're sharing a classic episode featuring some highlights on what to expect. You might notice some details specific to the original date of taping, but we've lightly edited it to keep it relevant. We're looking forward to seeing you at the conference!    A supervisor is leading a small but mighty teams of adjusters, and they're taking their team to Indianapolis this spring for the 2025 PLRB Claims Conference. The only problem? They've never been before and have no idea where to start.   Notable Timestamps [ 00:15 ] - One more salute to our once and future host, Alissha Watley. [ 00:40 ] - Our team of claims professionals is headed to Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN for the 2025 PLRB Claims Conference, held on March 31 to April 2. [ 01:50 ] - The team reminisces about past conferences and tornado alarms. [ 02:40 ] - Stop by the registration desk to get your badge. If you're in town on Sunday, check out the Orientation for First-Time Attendees, and then the Claims Conference Welcome Reception. [ 04:17 ] - On Monday morning, kick off with the general session "The Power of Uncertainty" by Renee Bruns of Renee Bruns Coaching & Consulting, LLC. [ 04:40 ] - The Insurance Services Expo is a great place to connect with new products and service providers. [ 05:11 ] - PLRB will be hosting a booth at the Claims Conference, featuring lightning talks from PLRB staff and guests. [ 07:30 ] - Select from over 100 educational sessions to choose from, across 14 educational tracks. Get your CE Credits and the training you need to succeed. [ 10:30 ] - Lunchtime! The lunch hour is a great chance to check out the Expo hall and build connections. Who said there's no such thing as a free lunch? [ 11:36 ] - On Tuesday, check out PLRB Presents for short impactful talks; Future of Insurance for a thought leadership panel hosted by PLRB CEO Bryan Falchuk; and the Women's Walk coordinated by Girls Give Back. [ 13:00 ] - On Wednesday, stick around for a Backyard BBQ Luncheon. [ 14:16 ] - Register at PLRB.org under the Events tab. [ 15:05 ] - Mike provides a recap of the scenario and the points above. Your PLRB Resources Visit plrbclaimsconference.org or download the PLRB app to register, find a hotel, sign up for your sessions, and more. Employees of member companies also have access to a searchable legal database, hundreds of hours of video trainings, building code materials, weather data, and even the ability to have your coverage questions answered by our team of attorneys (https://www.plrb.org/ask-plrb/) at no additional charge to you or your company. Subscribe to this Podcast Your Podcast App - Please subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast app YouTube - Please like and subscribe at @plrb LinkedIN - Please follow at "Property and Liability Resource Bureau" Send us your Scenario! Please reach out to us at 630-509-8704 with your scenario! This could be your "adjuster story" sharing a situation from your claims experience, or a burning question you would like the team to answer. In any case, please omit any personal information as we will anonymize your story before we share. Just reach out to scenario@plrb.org.  Legal Information The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate. Music: "Piece of Future" by Keyframe_Audio. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Font: Metropolis by Chris Simpson. SIL OFL 1.1. Icons: FontAwesome (SIL OFL 1.1) and Noun Project (royalty-free licenses purchased via subscription). Sound Effects: Pixabay (Pixabay License) and Freesound.org (CC0).

The insured felt like she did everything right. She insured the ring when she bought it, kept it scheduled on her policy, kept up with maintenance, and filed a claim right away when it was stolen. She even submitted the original appraisal for $22,000 so the insurance company would know how much to write on the check. So she was shocked when the insurance payout was only $14,000. Apparently diamonds are cheaper today, but she thinks: "shouldn't the appraisal lock in the cost?"   Notable Timestamps [ 00:45 ] - An insured may assume an appraisal amount guarantees payout, but jewelry claims often hinge on policy type and current replacement cost, not the dollar figure listed on the appraisal. [ 02:00 ] - Jewelry appraisals lack a single governing standard; credentials vary widely, making it critical for carriers to evaluate who prepared the appraisal and whether it meets insurer expectations. [ 04:20 ] - Premiums may be based on a scheduled value, yet replacement cost policies aim to restore the item itself, which can result in payouts lower or higher than the original appraisal. [ 06:10 ] - Clear communication from agents and adjusters about agreed value versus replacement cost policies can prevent frustration and disputes when a jewelry claim is settled. [ 08:10 ] - Replacement cost focuses on replicating the exact item—cut, color, clarity, and materials rather than paying the appraisal number, which can change with market conditions. [ 09:30 ] - It is the insured's responsibility to keep appraisals updated; insurers do not automatically adjust jewelry values for inflation or market shifts in metals and gemstones. [ 11:40 ] - Outdated or inflated appraisals can create claim friction, while modern update tools and reminders help carriers reduce underinsurance and improve customer satisfaction. [ 14:45 ] - Early education about policy limits, valuation methods, and appraisal updates builds trust, supports smoother claims handling, and leads to a more positive claims experience. [ 17:12 ] - Brennan summarizes the key points above. Your PLRB Resources CE Course: Jewelry Valuation & Adjustment - https://members.plrb.org/education/courses/jewelry-valuation-amp-adjustment Coverage Question: Agreed Value Settlement For Repair Of Jewelry - https://www.plrb.org/documents/wedding-ring-diamond-replaced-w-o-notifying-insurer-acv-for-original-ring-pcq-2009-10-08/?search=diamond%20value https://members.plrb.org/education/courses/a-deep-dive-into-a-premises-liability-claim-part-1 Employees of member companies also have access to a searchable legal database, hundreds of hours of video trainings, building code materials, weather data, and even the ability to have your coverage questions answered by our team of attorneys (https://www.plrb.org/ask-plrb/) at no additional charge to you or your company. Subscribe to this Podcast Your Podcast App - Please subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast app YouTube - Please like and subscribe at @plrb LinkedIN - Please follow at "Property and Liability Resource Bureau" Send us your Scenario! Please reach out to us at 630-509-8704 with your scenario! This could be your "adjuster story" sharing a situation from your claims experience, or a burning question you would like the team to answer. In any case, please omit any personal information as we will anonymize your story before we share. Just reach out to scenario@plrb.org.  Legal Information The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate. Music: "Piece of Future" by Keyframe_Audio. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Font: Metropolis by Chris Simpson. SIL OFL 1.1. Icons: FontAwesome (SIL OFL 1.1) and Noun Project (royalty-free licenses purchased via subscription). Sound Effects: Pixabay (Pixabay License) and Freesound.org (CC0).

Read Online“See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.” Mark 1:44Miracles amaze and inspire us. For that reason, it is common for people of faith to pray for them. They are acts of God's great mercy, but the miracles we pray for are not always part of God's plan. In today's Gospel, Jesus heals a leper who comes to Him, kneels down, and says, “If you wish, you can make me clean” (Mark 1:40). After that, Jesus' Sacred Heart is moved with compassion, so He says to the leper, “I do will it. Be made clean” (Mark 1:41). Once healed, Jesus does something that might surprise us: He tells the man not to tell anyone about the healing. Why the secrecy?This pattern of a divine manifestation of Jesus' power, followed by His command not to publicize the experience, is often referred to as Jesus' “Messianic Secret.” We see this invitation to secrecy especially throughout the Synoptic Gospels. For example, after Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ, Jesus “warned them not to tell anyone about him.” (Mark 8:30). Similarly, following the Transfiguration, He commands Peter, James, and John, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead” (Matthew 17:9). Even when Jesus silences demons who proclaim His identity, such as when they cry out, “You are the Son of God,” He “rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Messiah” (Luke 4:41).This pattern of secrecy highlights an important truth: Jesus' identity as the Messiah could not be fully understood apart from the Cross and the Resurrection. At this early stage in His ministry, publicizing His miracles risked distorting His mission, as many people expected a political or earthly Messiah. The fact that Jesus manifested His divine power at times led many to seek Him out for that power rather than for the real purpose of His mission. We must learn from this pattern and seek out Jesus for the right reasons.The Messianic Secret reminds us that while miracles reveal God's mercy and power, they are not ends in themselves. Rather, they point to the deeper truth of Christ's mission. He came to reconcile humanity to the Father through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. This truth calls us to embrace God's will over our own preferences, humbly recognizing that God's plan unfolds according to His ways and timing, not ours.Do you desire miracles in your life? It's understandable that when we encounter some heavy burden we might ask God to intervene and resolve the situation. God sometimes does so, but only when, in His wisdom, He sees that the answered prayer will bear the most important fruit He desires to bestow: the sanctification of our souls, leading to our salvation.If we want to be followers of Christ, it's important that we follow Him on His terms. The heart of the Gospel message is not, “Ask me for favors and I will grant them.” Rather, it is, “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Freedom from sin is more important than physical healings or resolutions to earthly issues. In fact, God often uses physical ailments and other crosses to deepen our trust in Him because they give us an opportunity to unite ourselves to His Passion. This leads to greater holiness and eternal blessings, rather than earthly and passing rewards. Reflect today on the miracles you might be hoping for in your own life. Are you willing to trust in God's wisdom and timing, even if His answer is not what you want? Rather than focusing solely on temporal favors, resolve to deepen your faith in Christ's mission. Commit to embrace His will, especially in moments of suffering or uncertainty, knowing that God's greatest desire is your salvation. Seek first His Kingdom, confident that His plan—whether through miracles, crosses, or quiet moments of grace—will always lead you to a deeper union with Him. All-powerful Lord, You can do all things. At times, You intervene and bring resolution to crosses. At other times, You call me to embrace those crosses with hope and trust, knowing that Your wisdom is far above my own. Please give me the grace I need to seek Your will above my own, trusting that You will work all things for good when I love You with all my heart. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Georg Pencz, CC0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

When Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, he changed the meaning and the blessings of John's baptism. As we are baptized into Christ, we receive the blessings of him being our representative and our substitute. Through that union with him, we receive life and salvation from the Father because the Spirit of God comes to be with us and we are adopted. We can now rejoice in the goodness and mercy of God the Father because Jesus was baptized and transformed baptism to be a gift and blessing to us.Image: The Baptism of Christ, Nicolás Enríquez, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Read Online“Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.” John 3:26–30John the Baptist's words are filled with humility and truth. Imagine the scene. John had acquired quite a following. His ministry was flourishing, and many people were coming to him to receive his baptism of repentance. Then, suddenly, Jesus appeared and began to gather His own followers, including some of John's disciples.Human weakness and sin led some of John's remaining disciples to feel envious and jealous as Jesus' ministry grew. They perceived Jesus' success as surpassing their own, leading them to desire what Jesus and His disciples had and feel discontented with their own circumstances. They were also jealous of the potential loss of their status within what seemed to be John's diminishing ministry.John, however, felt no envy or jealousy. He rejoiced greatly at Jesus' arrival because he knew that his ministry existed solely to point people to Jesus. The fulfillment of John's ministry was, in fact, its completion, as it gave way to the establishment and growth of Jesus' ministry. His final words to his disciples must continuously echo within our own minds and hearts: “He must increase; I must decrease.”We can apply John's humble words to our own souls by acknowledging that every good thing in our lives is a gift from God, not the result of our own efforts. For this reason, God's influence in our lives must increase while our control decreases. This is humbling because the closer we become united to Christ, the less we can take credit for our own actions. If God uses us, He deserves the glory, not us. Envy may tempt us to take credit for our own goodness and to feel discontent when others do not praise us. Jealousy may tempt us to hold on to self-righteousness, honors, and spiritual consolations when we are called to live more sacrificially and selflessly.Like John, as our Lord increases within us, exercising His sacred ministry within our souls, we must see ourselves as the best man at a wedding, rejoicing that the Groom has arrived, and pointing only to Him, rather than to ourselves. Just as John's mission was to prepare the way for Christ and then step aside, our efforts at conversion and repentance should culminate in Christ taking over. We must become His Body: His hands, His feet, and His heart. He must take over, and our will must become His will; our charity, His charity; our lives, His life. With Saint Paul, we must long for the day when we can cry out, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me…” (Galatians 2:20). Reflect today on the conclusion of John's ministry as the beginning of Jesus' ministry. See John's decrease and Christ's increase as a model for your own soul. Consider all the effort you have put into repenting, turning from sin, and turning to God. See that effort as preparation for Jesus to take over. Let Him take over, and give Him all the credit and glory. Pray that He increases in your life to the point that it is no longer you who lives, but Christ Who lives in you. My transforming Lord, You invite me to embrace the humility of Saint John the Baptist so that my human effort, my actions, and all that I am will diminish as You take over my life. Please humble me, Lord, and transform me, making me into Your Body in the world. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Master of the Life of Saint John the Baptist, RiminiDaderot, CC0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Swine & Dine Farms underwent a devastating loss when a ventilation system shut off, resulting in the deaths of 2,400 hogs. Swine & Dine didn't own the hogs: they were contract growers raising the hogs for an "integrator," the contract owner of the animals who is not suing for the value of the lost hogs. What liability coverage is available for these folks?   Notable Timestamps [ 00:41 ] - A ventilation failure led to the suffocation of thousands of hogs raised by a Contract Grower. [ 04:47 ] - This scenario centers on farm commercial liability policies, not property coverage. [ 05:20 ] - Standard farm liability forms often exclude damage to property in the insured's care, custody, or control, with narrow exceptions that may not fit contract grower operations. [ 07:45 ] - Adjusters should obtain and closely review the grower–integrator contract, as it may define ownership, responsibilities, and procedures that directly affect liability and coverage. [ 08:46 ] - Force majeure clauses can limit or eliminate liability when losses arise from events beyond a party's reasonable control, but their applicability depends on precise contract language. [ 11:08 ] - Coverage and defense issues may diverge, requiring careful coordination when contracts include provisions that could waive recovery even if coverage defenses exist. [ 12:51 ] - Brennan summarizes the key points above. Your PLRB Resources Recorded Webinar: Farm Bureau Town Hall Meeting - https://members.plrb.org/education/courses/farm-bureau-town-hall-meeting CE Course: Specialized Equipment Losses - https://members.plrb.org/education/courses/specialized-equipment-losses Listeners can email education@plrb.org for help navigating resources, requesting new content, or getting tailored curriculum support. Employees of member companies also have access to a searchable legal database, hundreds of hours of video trainings, building code materials, weather data, and even the ability to have your coverage questions answered by our team of attorneys (https://www.plrb.org/ask-plrb/) at no additional charge to you or your company. Subscribe to this Podcast Your Podcast App - Please subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast app YouTube - Please like and subscribe at @plrb LinkedIN - Please follow at "Property and Liability Resource Bureau" Send us your Scenario! Please reach out to us at 630-509-8704 with your scenario! This could be your "adjuster story" sharing a situation from your claims experience, or a burning question you would like the team to answer. In any case, please omit any personal information as we will anonymize your story before we share. Just reach out to scenario@plrb.org.  Legal Information The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate. Music: "Piece of Future" by Keyframe_Audio. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Font: Metropolis by Chris Simpson. SIL OFL 1.1. Icons: FontAwesome (SIL OFL 1.1) and Noun Project (royalty-free licenses purchased via subscription). Sound Effects: Pixabay (Pixabay License) and Freesound.org (CC0).

A turtle of great renown receives a great gift, and with that gift, a terrible burden no other turtle has ever known. Genre: Fable, Mythology   Excerpt:When Gaharalil slipped into the water, he was seized by a sensation. It rippled across the surface of his body, his skin. The spark of sensation bolted through his skin to his muscles, his belly, his heart. It flooded him with joy. It raised him up like a cresting wave. He floated in the sensation to the water's surface and beyond, up into the heavens, where the stars dwelt and all was wonder.   The Wheel of Fiction Turns. What did it land on this time?Each Season 9 story follows a theme chosen by the Wheel of Fiction. Thirteen spokes. Eight are the themes from previous seasons. One is "Turn Again." One is a wild card. And three are covered in question marks and will be revealed when the wheel lands on them. This episode landed on ELEMENTS. See a story trailer and a (satisfying) video of the wheel turning here: Gaharalil Find more stories and episodes featuring this theme here: Year of Elements.   TURTLE MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring the turtle?Here's the direct link: Smiling Turtle With Purple Flowers merch on TeePublic   Please visit my Store page for up-to-date info on where you can buy merchandise featuring my artwork: STORYFEATHER STORE The Store page also has sign-up forms for my two email newsletters: Storyfeather Gazette (if you'd like to keep up with the fiction I create)Fictioneer's Field Guide (if you'd like writing tips and guidance from me)  Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)   MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It's now available from Amazon as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover.You can also get there from my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE CREDITSStory: "Gaharalil" Copyright © 2022 by Nila L. PatelNarration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel  Music:"Adventure Track #1 (looped)" by ANDREW SITKOV (Intro & Outro)"Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)   Music by TRG Banks"Lake in the woods""The silver bus""Father Green""Packed lunch""Horse ride 4""Interchange""Great Aunt Henrietta"  Musci by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)"Scary Theme #3""Medieval Track #1""Medieval Theme 2""Adventure Track #1 (looped)" Tracks by Andrew Sitkov are part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev MarketMusic by TRG Banks is licensed under CC0 1.0 UniversalSound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarket Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.  Find more music by Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.netFind more music by TRG Banks at freemusicarchive.org/music/TRG_BanksFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com   Episode Art Description:Digital drawing. A turtle seen in left profile facing left, resting on a patch of green earth at the edge of a body of a water. The forelimbs are visible. The turtle's mouth is open wide. Bunches of purple flowers with five petals surround the turtle. The sky is bright and bare of clouds. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along the turtle's left forelimb.

This episode explores how legal frameworks are reshaping the future of foodservice. From climate disclosure to AI governance, Aramark's General Counsels Melissa Merkel and Aaron Skrypski walk us through the little-seen legal forces that increasingly influence sustainability, ethics, transparency, and innovation across the food system.Music credit: "West in Africa" by John Bartmann is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License.

When we started this Podcast back in August 2022, we, Calum and David, announced the theme to be “Anticipating and managing exponential impact”. We talked about three sub-themes: Developing the skills of exponential foresight; Distinguishing between scenarios, whether they were plausible or implausible, and whether they were desirable or undesirable; and thirdly, Supporting the community of collaborative exponential foresight. 126 episodes later, as we reach the transition between 2025 and 2026, it's a good time for the two of us to take stock.Accordingly, in this episode, we each pick out a number of events from the last 12 months which we see as potential signals of larger exponential impact ahead.Selected follow-ups:An MIT report that 95% of AI pilots fail spooked investors - by Jeremy KahnThe Shape of AI: Jaggedness, Bottlenecks and Salients - by Ethan MollickThe Road To Superintelligence - by CalumAI Doomers, Accelerationists & Scouts - Digital DisruptionThe Economic Singularity - book by CalumHow can better foresight actually improve the world? - Webinar in the series "From forecasts to levers"Disrupting the first reported AI-orchestrated cyber espionage campaign - AnthropicMajor Neuromorphic Computing projects - listed by ConsciumWhy AI Agent Verification Is A Critical Industry - by CalumClimate change and populism: Grounds for optimism? - LFP episode with Matt BurgessWhat's Our Problem? - book by Tim UrbanOpenAI and Retro Biosciences achieve 50x increase in expressing stem cell reprogramming markersProgress at LEVF, December 2025 - by DavidUK BiobankThe THRIVE Act - Regenerative Medicine FoundationMusic: Spike Protein, by Koi Discovery, available under CC0 1.0 Public Domain DeclarationC-Suite PerspectivesElevate how you lead with insight from today's most influential executives.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Read OnlineJohn the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.' I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.” John 1:29–31Though John grew up in the hill country of Judea near Jerusalem and Jesus grew up in Nazareth, it is very likely that their families visited each other regularly, allowing John and Jesus to spend time together as cousins. Despite this, when John first saw His cousin coming to him in the wilderness, he said, “I did not know him.” John did not fully understand who Jesus was—that He was the Messiah, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world—until John began his public ministry and witnessed the Holy Spirit descending upon his Lord, his cousin.What an awe-inspiring and joyous moment that must have been for John. He had discerned that his mission was to prepare the way for the Messiah, to be the Messiah's immediate precursor, preparing the way for Him. He embraced that mission and fulfilled it by preaching and offering a baptism of repentance to those who believed. He lived in the wilderness, fasting, praying, and anticipating the day the Messiah would arrive. Imagine his surprise and delight at that moment when he saw the Holy Spirit descend upon his cousin.Though the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in a singularly unique way, since He is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, John's experience offers us an invitation to remain vigilant as we await Jesus' ongoing coming among us. Though our Lord came and walked the Earth 2,000 years ago, He continues to do so today through His Body, the Church. Like John, we must be on the lookout, and when we see Him, we must cry out in faith, “Behold the Lamb of God!”The most important way our Lord comes to us is within the Mass. The priest repeats John the Baptist's familiar words as he holds up our Lord, hidden within the Sacred Host, for all to see. Additionally, our Lord comes to us as the Holy Spirit descends and makes Him known. This happens in sermons, reflections, Church teachings, within the charity of others' actions, through personal prayer, and in numerous other ways. We must see the Lamb of God every time He comes to us, ideally with the same wonder and awe that filled John's mind and heart during those first encounters. Reflect today on those sacred words with which we are very familiar: “Behold the Lamb of God…” As you do, ponder how often you personally “behold” Him. Are you filled with wonder and awe at Mass? Within your daily prayer? In the life of the Church and in the lives of faithful Christians you encounter? As we continue our Christmas season, which focuses on the Incarnation, make the words of the Baptist your own as you discover the ongoing presence of our Lord made possible through the Incarnation.My awe-inspiring Lord, because of Your Incarnation, You continue to be present in this world, coming to us and drawing us to Yourself. When Your cousin, John the Baptist, first saw the Holy Spirit descend upon You in the desert, he cried out, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” Please give me the eyes of faith I need to echo that cry as I encounter Your divine presence in my life. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Annibale Carracci, CC0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

In this conversation, Steve Fouts and Tr33 explore a quote by George Washington: “It's better to be alone than in bad company.” They discuss the claim of the quote, unpacking the nuances of solitude, comfort, and the complexities of social relationships. They emphasize the importance of self-awareness, unpack the subjective nature of what constitutes 'bad company,' and the potential for redemption in individuals often labeled as negative influences. The discussion highlights the balance between the need for companionship and the risks associated with negative social circles, ultimately emphasizing the importance of understanding oneself and the impact of one's choices.Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to the Quote01:24 - The Value of Solitude05:40 - Comfort vs. Discomfort11:10 - The Complexity of Bad Company15:40 - Counterclaims and Perspectives20:59 - Subjectivity of Bad Company25:29 - Reflections on Personal Experiences32:45 - Conclusion and Final ThoughtsImage Source: Gilbert Stuart, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:George_Washington_MET_87J_FRTS5M.jpg 

As you prepare your new year's resolutions, take a moment to ask, "What's your elevator pitch?" This holiday week, we're sharing a classic episode featuring an inspirational and thought-provoking scenario that you can bring into your personal and professional life. A claims adjuster is out at a party when they are asked: "So, what do you do for a living?" Our adjuster responds with just: "I'm in insurance claims." That's an "Oh no" moment. Turns out their cousin had a terrible experience on a claim and our adjuster is going to hear all about it, ending in: "You claims people are all cheaters!"  Notable Timestamps [ 00:36 ] - Today's scenario begins as an interpersonal encounter about explaining your career in insurance, but the elevator pitch is applicable even on claims. [ 02:05 ] - What our claims professional needed was an elevator pitch: a succinct, prepared, organized response. Whether at a party or at a claims site, our adjuster wants to know how to summarize their thoughts in a persuasive way. Ding Ding! Your elevator's here! Are you ready? [ 02:30 ] - Mike was asked: "what's your elevator pitch?" That was an "oh no" moment... [ 03:35 ] - An elevator pitch is a simple presentation that you give in the time it would take to ride an elevator: around 30 seconds. [ 04:18 ] - 1. Grab 'em at the beginning. Get their attention with a great opening. [ 04:25 ] - 2. Tell 'em what you're gonna tell 'em. Be organized in your thought process. [ 04:32 ] - 3. Hit 'em with your bid conclusion/sell/ask. Be brief and practiced. [ 05:11 ] - Alissha: "So, what do you do for a living?" Mike: 1. "I allow you to take the risks to make life worth living." 2. "Without insurance, you wouldn't be able to insure your home or car." 3. "We step in when bad things happen and we hope to get people back on their feet." [ 09:15 ] - Be prepared, be organized, be succinct. [ 10:00 ] - Let's say an insured has suffered a casualty loss. How can an elevator pitch help? 1. "I'm so sorry that this happened." Take a moment to express sincere empathy. 2. Review the medical records / facts. 3. "I know that this has impacted your life, so how about we take care of your damages?" [ 11:50 ] - What's the pitch for a hurricane loss? Again, start off with an emotional connection. Second, spell out the steps to get them back into the place they were before the accident. Third, conclude with the ask and what you need for the next steps. [ 13:35 ] - Mike applies the elevator pitch to auto claims handling. [ 15:42 ] - Mike provides a recap of the scenario and the points above. Your PLRB Resources Mike's PLRB Presents presentation on this topic: https://www.plrb.org/courses/pitching-in-an-elevator-2/lessons/pitching-in-an-elevator/ Webinar: Designing & Delivering Effective Business Presentations - https://www.plrb.org/courses/designing-delivering-effective-business-presentations/lessons/designing-delivering-effective-business-presentations/ Claims Chat: Why Should You Consider Claims as a Career? - https://www.plrb.org/courses/why-should-you-consider-claims-as-a-career/lessons/why-should-you-consider-claims-as-a-career/    Employees of member companies also have access to a searchable legal database, hundreds of hours of video trainings, building code materials, weather data, and even the ability to have your coverage questions answered by our team of attorneys (https://www.plrb.org/ask-plrb/) at no additional charge to you or your company. Subscribe to this Podcast Your Podcast App - Please subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast app YouTube - Please like and subscribe at @plrb LinkedIN - Please follow at "Property and Liability Resource Bureau" Send us your Scenario! Please reach out to us with your scenario! This could be your "adjuster story" sharing a situation from your claims experience, or a burning question you would like the team to answer. In any case, please omit any personal information as we will anonymize your story before we share. Just reach out to scenario@plrb.org. Legal Information The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate. Music: "Piece of Future" by Keyframe_Audio. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Font: Metropolis by Chris Simpson. SIL OFL 1.1. Icons: FontAwesome (SIL OFL 1.1) and Noun Project (royalty-free licenses purchased via subscription). Sound Effects: Pixabay (Pixabay License) and Freesound.org (CC0).

Summary: The faces of all whom they have lost are before them now, at the lip of the Singularity. Of Special Note: On tonight's Creature Legends, the Ti'Miri. Download Chapter 151: The Runner Download All Future Episodes, the Kaylana Miniature & Bonus Episodes --HERE-- The following recording for The Iron Realm Podcast by Katie Otten was showcased on tonight's episode: Custom Audio created for The Iron Realm by Katie Otten I edited tracks for volume, length, pitch, and mood. Katie's aforementioned audio is included with permission. Find Katie Otten online on: katieotten.com katieotten13 on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram The following music for The Iron Realm Podcast was contributed to The Iron Realm by Max at Coltrin Compositions: What is this Melody Lost Just Beeps The Entrance I edited tracks for volume, length, pitch, and mood. Find Coltrin Compositions online on: Max's Patreon Max's YouTube Max's aforementioned audio is included with permission. The following epic audio by Scribbler was featured during tonight's episode: Custom Audio created for The Iron Realm by Scribbler Johnny I edited tracks for volume, length, pitch, and mood. Click here to visit Scribbler on Twitter X Scribbler's aforementioned audio is included on The Iron Realm with permission. The following recording for The Iron Realm Podcast by Guinefurrie was showcased on tonight's episode under the CC Attribution License 3.0: Custom Audio created for The Iron Realm by Guinefurrie find Guinefurrie on FreeSound: Guinefurrie The following selection by AmeAngelofSin was featured during tonight's episoide: Custom Audio for The Iron Realm Podcast I edited tracks for volume, length, pitch and mood. Find AmeAngelofSin online on: X YouTube or email AmeAngelofSin at AMEANGELOFSIN AT GMAIL DOT COM AmeAngelofSin's aforementioned audio is included in accordance with Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Crediting the talented Blue Siren for the voice of Seera (from FreeSound dot org): Custom Audio for The Iron Realm The following recording for The Iron Realm Podcast by Alexandra Drotz Ruhn was gratefully heard upon tonight's podcast: Custom Audio created for The Iron Realm by Alexandra I edited tracks for volume, length, pitch, and mood. (find Alexandra at freesound.org) Click here to visit her page Alexandra's aforementioned audio is included in accordance with Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ My thanks as well for all audio featured under the cc0 license on tonight's podcast. The Iron Realm is intended for adult audiences. Listener Discretion is advised. The Iron Realm album art/website art was created from a public domain image/CC0 image from PixaBay. Audio on the podcast, unless otherwise noted, has either been created by the author or has been used in accordance with the Creative Commons Zero license. A new Iron Realm Podcast is released periodically and each is a labor of my love for Solo RPG Gaming. Enjoy and support the show. And fare ye well, Traveler of The Maze, in the light and in the dark. Subscribe to The Iron Realm Podcast!

Det spanska inbördeskriget utkämpades mellan 1936-39, åren före andra världskrigets utbrott. Kriget var i alla avseenden hänsynslöst och blodigt. Spanien skulle kunna uppfattas som en övningsarena för den tyska krigsmakten före andra världskriget.Konflikten visade upp alla inbördeskrigets karakteristika: summariska avrättningar av fångar, brutala övergrepp på civil befolkningen, hat och urskiljningslöshet mot politiska motståndare. I kriget dog åtminstone 500 000 människor – militärer och stridande.I veckans repris t av Militärhistoriepodden diskuterar historieprofessor Martin Hårdstedt och doktoranden Peter Bennesved, bägge verksamma vid Umeå universitet, olika aspekter av spanska inbördeskriget.Kriget väckte starka känslor över hela världen, men det blev högerdiktaturerna Tyskland och Italien som framförallt bidrog militärt till upprorssidan ledd av generalen Franco. Republiken fick hålla till godo med frivilliga och ett tvivelaktigt militärt stöd från Sovjetunionen. Västdemokratierna förhöll sig neutrala. På republikens sida deltog omkring 600 svenskar.Ur militär synvinkel är det italienska och tyska deltagande med trupper och materiel särskilt intressant. Både Mussolini och Hitler sände sammanhållna förband och rådgivare till nationalistsidan under Franco. Dessutom en hel del modern materiel. Mest känd är den tyska Condorlegionen som understödde nationalisterna och gjorde stora insatser genom att ge Francos trupper ett övertag i luften med sina moderna stridsflygplan. Frågan är om Spanien skulle kunna uppfattas som en övningsarena för den tyska krigsmakten före andra världskriget. I avsnittet diskuteras bland annat det verkliga värdet av de erfarenheter som de italienska och tyska insatserna verkligen gav.Den tyska bombningen av Guernica i april 1937. Vad hände egentligen och hur ska vi förstå bombningen? Händelsen leder in på frågor om det förändrade kriget och civilbefolkningens situation i händelse av ett storkrig i Europa vid tiden för spanska inbördeskriget. Spanska inbördeskriget gav brutala föraningar om vad ett systematiskt bombkrig mot civila mål skulle kunna innebära. På plats var svenskar som upplevde nationalistsidans anfall mot i stort sätt försvarslösa städer.Bild: Beväpnade civila från den republikanska sidan under slaget vid Irún 1936. Bilden visar hur civilpersoner deltog aktivt i försvaret mot de nationalistiska trupperna under det tidiga skedet av det spanska inbördeskriget. Slaget vid Irún var avgörande för kontrollen över gränsen till Frankrike, och dess utgång innebar att nationalisterna kunde bryta förbindelserna mellan republiken och omvärlden. Okänd fotograf. Bild: Republican forces during the Battle of Irún, 1936. Public domain (CC0). Källa: Wikimedia Commons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Featured on Bouska: The Hawk - by Mandy Munro GAME - by Laurence Klavan Yabberjack - by David Horn Our Audio License AntipodeanSF Radio Show by Ion Newcombe is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Featured Music Soaring Hawk by John Bartmann is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License. Puzzle by Drake Stafford is licensed under a Attribution License. Australian Wasteland by Eva Sсhlegel is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. Intro & Outro Music Celestial Navigation by Blue Dot Sessions is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License

Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans.” Matthew 10:17–18These words capture the essence of the martyrdom of Saint Stephen, the Church's first martyr, whom we honor today. The day after celebrating the birth of Christ, the Church, in her wisdom, reflects on the reality of persecution as a consequence of worshiping the newborn King.The Jewish community in Jerusalem was diverse, with traditional Hebraic Jews and Hellenistic Jews who were influenced by the Greco-Roman culture. As Jews began to convert to Christianity, a new unified community of believers emerged. Despite this unity, tensions arose, particularly when Hellenistic widows were neglected in the daily distribution of bread. To address this, the Apostles appointed seven deacons, with Stephen being the first, likely a Hellenist himself.Stephen, described as “a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit,” performed great wonders among the people. When confronted by Hellenistic Jews, he defended the faith with wisdom and courage, leading to his being dragged before the Sanhedrin. His eloquent defense angered his opponents, resulting in his stoning. In his final moments, Stephen commended his spirit to Jesus and prayed for his persecutors.At first, his martyrdom seemed a tragic loss that sparked a wave of persecution and scattered the Christian community throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. This dispersion, however, spread the Gospel beyond Jerusalem, leading to many new converts. What appeared to be a tragedy became a catalyst for the growth of the early Church.As we honor Saint Stephen, reflect on the truth that God permits evil only to draw greater good from it. If you face suffering or persecution, let today's feast inspire hope. Trust in God's plan, reject fear, and embrace His will, knowing that He can use every cross for His glory. Saint Stephen, you were a man filled with grace and power, deeply committed to Jesus and the proclamation of the Gospel. Please pray for me, that I will have your courage and faith so that God can use me to further His Kingdom by drawing many souls to Him. Saint Stephen, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Giovanni Andrea de Ferrari, CC0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Almost every serious discussion about options to constrain the development of advanced AI results in someone raising the question: “But what about China?” The worry behind this question is that slowing down AI research and development in the US and Europe will allow China to race ahead.It's true: the relationship between China and the rest of the world has many complications. That's why we're delighted that our guest in this episode is Kayla Blomquist, the Co-founder and Director of the Oxford China Policy Lab, or OCPL for short. OCPL describes itself as a global community of China and emerging technology researchers at Oxford, who produce policy-relevant research to navigate risks in the US-China relationship and beyond.In parallel with her role at OCPL, Kayla is pursuing a DPhil at the Oxford Internet Institute. She is a recent fellow at the Centre for Governance of AI, and the lead researcher and contributing author to the Oxford China Briefing Book. She holds an MSc from the Oxford Internet Institute and a BA with Honours in International Relations, Public Policy, and Mandarin Chinese from the University of Denver. She also studied at Peking University and is professionally fluent in Mandarin.Kayla previously worked as a diplomat in the U.S. Mission to China, where she specialized in the governance of emerging technologies, human rights, and improving the use of new technology within government services.Selected follow-ups:Kayla Blomquist - Personal siteOxford China Policy LabThe Oxford Internet Institute (OII)Google AI defeats human Go champion (Ke Jie)AI Safety Summit 2023 (Bletchley Park, UK)United Kingdom: Balancing Safety, Security, and Growth - OCPLChina wants to lead the world on AI regulation - report from APEC 2025China's WAICO proposal and the reordering of global AI governanceImpact of AI on cyber threat from now to 2027Options for the future of the global governance of AI - London Futurists WebinarA Tentative Draft of a Treaty - Online appendix to the book If Anyone Builds It, Everyone DiesAn International Agreement to Prevent the Premature Creation of Artificial SuperintelligenceMusic: Spike Protein, by Koi Discovery, available under CC0 1.0 Public Domain DeclarationC-Suite PerspectivesElevate how you lead with insight from today's most influential executives.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

During this time of year as many people are exchanging presents, I'm sure you're all wondering exactly how those various gadgets would be classified under the HO3 policy. So for this holiday week, we're sharing a classic episode featuring an excellent coverage scenario. The insured, a father of 4, was out buying Christmas gifts for his children. This year he decided to splurge and buy each of them a drone and an Apple Watch. On his way back home, he stopped to get gas, and when he went into the minimart for coffee, a thief stole everything out of the back seat. The insured notified the police and submitted a claim under his ISO 1991-edition HO3. The adjuster considers this to be a covered Theft loss, but she knows there are specific provisions in the policy for watches and aircraft. Notable Timestamps [ 00:17 ] - A theft claim is submitted for four drones and four smartwatches under the 1991 HO3. The question arises whether special provisions for aircraft and watches applies. [ 01:27 ] - The team debates the merits of drones and smartwatches, their capabilities for wall damage and dog-scaring, and the wisdom of being notified emails the instant they are received. [ 03:09 ] - A $1,000 special limit of liability applies to theft of "watches." Is an Apple Watch a watch? [ 03:42 ] - Alissha argues that smartwatches are too different from a basic time-telling watch, and is more like a phone. Smartwatches were likely not part of the original policy intent. [ 04:55 ] - Mike argues that it's called an "Apple Watch" -- its makers and users consider it a watch, even if it's more complex. [ 06:05 ] - The group quotes Shakespeare and Merriam-Webster; it tells the time and it's on your wrist, so… [ 06:30 ] - Grassie v. Merrimack Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 291 A.2d 254 (N.H. 1972) (watches that were inoperable and kept in display case were still subject to special limit of liability for theft of watches). [ 07:00 ] - Ambiguities are construed in favor of the insured. So both sides need to hire a good lawyer. [ 07:52 ] - How would the policy treat an iPhone strapped to your arm? Coverage C would likely provide full coverage for a smartphone. [ 09:51 ] -  "Property Not Covered" includes "aircraft"… but "model or hobby aircraft not used or designed to carry people or cargo" are covered.  [ 10:20 ] - Toy drones likely fall under hobby aircraft. [ 11:15 ] - This scenario looked at what's covered property, but a drone could also be a covered cause of loss, even if it destroys itself. [ 12:40 ] - Unlike BP and CP forms, there's no concern about the loss happening off-premises; homeowners get worldwide coverage for Coverage C. [ 14:19 ] - In the 2022 ISO form, a $2,000 special limit of liability applies to model or hobby aircraft. [ 15:51 ] - Under the recovered property provision, if the thief is caught after the amount is paid, the insured can choose to return the payment or have the insurer salvage the goods. [ 18:00 ] - Tim provides a recap of the scenario and the points above. Your PLRB Resources FAQ, Drones and First Party Property Coverage, http://search.plrb.org/?DN=60514 FAQ, Is a Drone an Aircraft Under the CGL Policy?, http://search.plrb.org/?DN=56440 Coverage Question on "Is An Apple Watch Considered A Watch Or A Computer?" - https://search.plrb.org/?dn=58826&src=gsa Employees of member companies also have access to a searchable legal database, hundreds of hours of video trainings, building code materials, weather data, and even the ability to have your coverage questions answered by our team of attorneys (https://www.plrb.org/container.cfm?conlink=sec/cq/default.cfm) at no additional charge to you or your company. Subscribe to this Podcast Your Podcast App - Please subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast app YouTube - Please like and subscribe at @plrb LinkedIN - Please follow at "Property and Liability Resource Bureau" Send us your Scenario! Please reach out to us with your scenario! This could be your "adjuster story" sharing a situation from your claims experience, or a burning question you would like the team to answer. In any case, please omit any personal information as we will anonymize your story before we share. Just reach out to scenario@plrb.org. Legal Information The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate. Music: "Piece of Future" by Keyframe_Audio. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Font: Metropolis by Chris Simpson. SIL OFL 1.1. Icons: FontAwesome (SIL OFL 1.1) and Noun Project (royalty-free licenses purchased via subscription). Sound Effects: Pixabay (Pixabay License) and Freesound.org (CC0).

Read OnlineBut the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.” Luke 1:13–15Unlike Saint Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary, Zechariah doubted the angel of the Lord's revelation. Our Blessed Mother encountered the Archangel Gabriel at the Annunciation and responded, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, and when Joseph awoke, “he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him” (Matthew 1:24).Today, we are given a similar scene to ponder. Zechariah and Elizabeth are identified as being “righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly” (Luke 1:6). In other words, Zechariah was a holy man of God. While he was standing at the altar of incense located in the Holy Place, just outside the veil of the Holy of Holies, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to him to announce that his wife had conceived a child in her old age. Gabriel further reveals, “He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God” (Luke 1:15–16).Given Zechariah's personal holiness and the extraordinary revelation he received from Gabriel, he should have believed what Gabriel said without hesitation. When he failed to do so, Gabriel said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words…” (Luke 1:19–20).This chastisement was clearly for Zechariah's benefit. Despite his lack of faith, God wanted him to participate in His divine plan of salvation. The chastisement was not a punishment in a punitive way. It was meant to instill greater faith in him, and it accomplished its purpose.Most of us are more like Zechariah than we are like our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph. Despite our best intentions and attempts to remain faithful to God's will, we stumble. When that happens, we must see any consequences as a gift of love from God. Chastisements come in many forms. They are meant to wake us up to a greater obedience to God's will. Reflect today on any ways that your sins have resulted in consequences. It takes deep humility to admit our sins and take responsibility for their effects. Though it is easy to be angry, to point the finger elsewhere, and to justify our actions, doing so is a rejection of God's loving chastisement meant for our good. Strive to imitate Zecharaiah by humbly changing when your sin results in consequences so that God can bring good into your life, even from a lack of faith and obedience to His will.Most merciful Lord, You chastise those whom You love so as to redirect them to Your holy will. When I sin, please help me to accept the consequences with humility and as a motivation to turn back to You in fidelity and love. Please make me holy in imitation of Zechariah, Saint Joseph, and our Blessed Mother. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: William Blake, CC0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

In this special alumni edition, three Penn Staters (Jill Ferguson '98, Jaden Crudup '25, and Alysha Foo '25) reflect on their unexpected career paths and the lessons they learned along the way. From operational leadership to legal strategy and organizational transformation, they offer candid stories about growth, purpose, and navigating an industry where people, food, and values intersect.Music credit: "West in Africa" by John Bartmann is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License.

Our guest in this episode is Stephen Witt, an American journalist and author who writes about the people driving the technological revolutions. He is a regular contributor to The New Yorker, and is famous for deep-dive investigations.Stephen's new book is "The Thinking Machine: Jensen Huang, Nvidia, and the World's Most Coveted Microchip", which has just won the 2025 Financial Times and Schroders Business Book of the Year Award. It is a definitive account of the rise of Nvidia, from its foundation in a Denny's restaurant in 1993 as a video game component manufacturer, to becoming the world's most valuable company, and the hardware provider for the current AI boom.Stephen's previous book, “How Music Got Free”, is a history of music piracy and the MP3, and was also a finalist for the FT Business Book of the Year.Selected follow-ups:Stephen Witt - personal siteArticles by Stephen Witt on The New YorkerThe Thinking Machine: Jensen Huang, Nvidia, and the World's Most Coveted Microchip - book siteStephen Witt wins FT and Schroders Business Book of the Year - Financial TimesNvidia ExecutivesBattle Royale (Japanese film) - IMDbThe Economic Singularity - book by Calum ChaceA Cubic Millimeter of a Human Brain Has Been Mapped in Spectacular Detail - NatureNotebookLM - by GoogleMusic: Spike Protein, by Koi Discovery, available under CC0 1.0 Public Domain DeclarationHow Hacks HappenHacks, scams, cyber crimes, and other shenanigans explored and explained. Presented...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For Interviews

Sod's Country Farms was raising 65,000 chickens when a fire burned down the poultry house. After a detailed investigation, the cause of the fire was undetermined. To further complicate matters, Sod's Country Farms didn't even own the chickens themselves, but raised them for a vendor. They want to know if the property loss of the  animals is covered-- and what policy would be most appropriate.   Notable Timestamps [ 00:00 ] - A poultry house fire destroys 65,000 chickens, but the insured doesn't own the birds. [ 03:30 ] - Contract Growing is common in agriculture, with farmers raising animals owned by vendors.  [ 05:20 ] - Under the ISO BOP, animals are generally excluded, but exceptions exist for animals owned by others and "boarded" by the insured. [ 07:00 ] - Courts may rely on dictionary definitions when policy terms like "boarded" are undefined. [ 09:00 ] - Adjusters should review the contract for risk transfer provisions, insurance requirements, and other-insurance clauses to understand responsibilities and potential overlap. [ 11:30 ] - Standard BOP coverage can fall short for farming operations. Specialized farm policies are designed to address poultry risks more directly through scheduling and declaration-based coverage. [ 13:30 ] - Declarations pages matter in agricultural losses. How buildings, poultry locations, and coverage types are defined can determine whether coverage applies or is excluded. [ 15:30 ] - Valuing large-scale poultry losses is complex, involving age, weight, market timing, pricing data, and delay to market, often guided by specific policy language on cash market value. [ 17:15 ] - Brennan summarizes the key points above. Your PLRB Resources Annotation: BP191 - Animals - https://members.plrb.org/documents/bp191-animals Podcast Episode: Don't Count Your Chicken Coops Before They're Insured - https://members.plrb.org/education/courses/dont-count-your-chicken-coops-before-theyre-insured Listeners can email education@plrb.org for help navigating resources, requesting new content, or getting tailored curriculum support. Employees of member companies also have access to a searchable legal database, hundreds of hours of video trainings, building code materials, weather data, and even the ability to have your coverage questions answered by our team of attorneys (https://www.plrb.org/ask-plrb/) at no additional charge to you or your company. Subscribe to this Podcast Your Podcast App - Please subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast app YouTube - Please like and subscribe at @plrb LinkedIN - Please follow at "Property and Liability Resource Bureau" Send us your Scenario! Please reach out to us at 630-509-8704 with your scenario! This could be your "adjuster story" sharing a situation from your claims experience, or a burning question you would like the team to answer. In any case, please omit any personal information as we will anonymize your story before we share. Just reach out to scenario@plrb.org.  Legal Information The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate. Music: "Piece of Future" by Keyframe_Audio. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Font: Metropolis by Chris Simpson. SIL OFL 1.1. Icons: FontAwesome (SIL OFL 1.1) and Noun Project (royalty-free licenses purchased via subscription). Sound Effects: Pixabay (Pixabay License) and Freesound.org (CC0).

Alex is a team leader working with a mix of experienced adjusters and brand-new claims professionals, some assigned to the field and others working behind a desk. Alex has to make sure his team has the training they need to approach their work with confidence. Luckily PLRB.org's Education Hub has everything they need to succeed.   Notable Timestamps [ 00:10 ] - The PLRB Education Hub supports team leaders like Alex with training for both new and experienced adjusters to build confidence in handling claims. [ 01:25 ] - Update #1: A new critical thinking course will help adjusters analyze information, decide when to bring in experts, and resolve claims fairly and in good faith. [ 02:20 ] - Update #2: The annual "Claims Resolution" webinar series will address ethics of automation, bad faith in AI, and how emerging tech affects investigations. [ 03:35 ] - Update #3: A new PLRB designation program aims to take adjusters from entry level through line-of-business-specific training with elective options. [ 05:05 ] - The Education Hub offers 200+ recorded webinars, podcasts, modules, and downloadable slide decks as an on-demand claims knowledge library. [ 06:35 ] - "Test Your Claims Knowledge" microlearning modules use flashcards, definitions, photos, and scenarios for quick, interactive training. [ 08:45 ] - Member companies can integrate PLRB courses, webinars, microlearnings, and even this podcast directly into their own LMS platforms. [ 12:55 ] - PLRB will help members curate custom courses by combining videos, quizzes, and interactives in any sequence to match specific training goals. [ 14:10 ] - The library includes 100+ non-CE modules, about 200 podcasts, some 250 recorded webinars, plus many shorter video series for flexible learning. [ 16:25 ] - Mike summarizes the key points above. Your PLRB Resources Upcoming Events: PLRB Conferences & More! https://www.plrb.org/events PLRB Education HUB: https://members.plrb.org/education Listeners can email education@plrb.org for help navigating resources, requesting new content, or getting tailored curriculum support. Employees of member companies also have access to a searchable legal database, hundreds of hours of video trainings, building code materials, weather data, and even the ability to have your coverage questions answered by our team of attorneys (https://www.plrb.org/ask-plrb/) at no additional charge to you or your company. Subscribe to this Podcast Your Podcast App - Please subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast app YouTube - Please like and subscribe at @plrb LinkedIN - Please follow at "Property and Liability Resource Bureau" Send us your Scenario! Please reach out to us at 630-509-8704 with your scenario! This could be your "adjuster story" sharing a situation from your claims experience, or a burning question you would like the team to answer. In any case, please omit any personal information as we will anonymize your story before we share. Just reach out to scenario@plrb.org.  Legal Information The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate. Music: "Piece of Future" by Keyframe_Audio. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Font: Metropolis by Chris Simpson. SIL OFL 1.1. Icons: FontAwesome (SIL OFL 1.1) and Noun Project (royalty-free licenses purchased via subscription). Sound Effects: Pixabay (Pixabay License) and Freesound.org (CC0).

Our guest in this episode is Holly Elmore, who is the Founder and Executive Director of PauseAI US. The website pauseai-us.org starts with this headline: “Our proposal is simple: Don't build powerful AI systems until we know how to keep them safe. Pause AI.”But PauseAI isn't just a talking shop. They're probably best known for organising public protests. The UK group has demonstrated in Parliament Square in London, with Big Ben in the background, and also outside the offices of Google DeepMind. A group of 30 PauseAI protesters gathered outside the OpenAI headquarters in San Francisco. Other protests have taken place in New York, Portland, Ottawa, Sao Paulo, Berlin, Paris, Rome, Oslo, Stockholm, and Sydney, among other cities.Previously, Holly was a researcher at the think tank Rethink Priorities in the area of Wild Animal Welfare. And before that, she studied evolutionary biology in Harvard's Organismic and Evolutionary Biology department.Selected follow-ups:Holly Elmore - substackPauseAI USPauseAI - global siteWild Animal Suffering... and why it mattersHard problem of consciousness - WikipediaThe Unproven (And Unprovable) Case For Net Wild Animal Suffering. A Reply To Tomasik - by Michael PlantLeading Evolution Compassionately - Herbivorize PredatorsDavid Pearce (philosopher) - WikipediaThe AI industry is racing toward a precipice - Machine Intelligence Research Institute (MIRI)Nick Bostrom's new views regarding AI/AI safety - redditAI is poised to remake the world; Help us ensure it benefits all of us - Future of Life InstituteOn being wrong about AI - by Scott Aharonson, on his previous suggestion that it might take "a few thousand years" to reach superhuman AICalifornia Institute of Machine Consciousness - organisation founded by Joscha BachPausing AI is the only safe approach to digital sentience - article by Holly ElmoreCrossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling High-Tech Products to Mainstream Customers - book by Geoffrey MooreMusic: Spike Protein, by Koi Discovery, available under CC0 1.0 Public Domain Declaration

Svensk militär började planera för en invasion av Danmark redan 1942, enligt officiella dokument. Oro fanns att det Tredje riket skulle orsaka ett blodbad i grannlandet när krigslyckan började vända. Med tusentals tyska soldater kvar i landet och Sovjetunionen på väg västerut förbereddes en militär operation för att landsätta svenska trupper på Själland och Bornholm.Operation Rädda Danmark byggde på antaganden om begränsat tyskt motstånd och låga förluster. Men den svenska regeringen visade egentligen aldrig något verkligt intresse för att ingripa militärt i Danmark. I slutändan hann britterna befria Danmark innan någon order om svenskt ingripande gavs.Detta är det andra av två avsnitt i podden Historia Nu om Operation Rädda Danmark. Programledaren Urban Lindstedt samtalar med författaren Marcus Törner om operationens bakgrund, strategiska överväganden – och varför den till slut aldrig genomfördes. Törner är aktuell med boken Operation Rädda Danmark – Sveriges hemliga plan att rädda Danmark (Historiska Media, 2025).Danmark ockuperades av Nazityskland den 9 april 1940 utan egentligt motstånd. Till skillnad från Norge satt den danska regeringen kvar vid makten och kungen stannade i landet. Inledningsvis var ockupationen relativt mild, men med tiden hårdnade det tyska förtrycket – och även det danska folkets motstånd ökade.Under våren 1945 närmade sig Nazitysklands sammanbrott. I Danmark fanns fortfarande betydande tyska ockupationsstyrkor, och hotet om en sovjetisk ockupation – eller en våldsam slutstrid på dansk mark – oroade svenska beslutsfattare.Sverige, som formellt varit neutralt under hela kriget, ställdes inför ett allvarligt säkerhetspolitiskt dilemma: skulle man passivt iaktta hur tyska och eventuellt sovjetiska styrkor drabbade samman i Danmark? Riskerna för civilbefolkningen och destabilisering i Öresundsregionen bedömdes som betydande. I detta sammanhang började man planera en militär intervention – ett tydligt avsteg från Sveriges tidigare hållning.Operationen bestod av två delar: Rädda Själland – en större landstigning på Själland där Köpenhamn ligger – och Rädda Bornholm, riktad mot den strategiska ön i Östersjön.Planen var omfattande: upp till 60 000 svenska soldater, omkring 6 000 fordon och över 1 000 transportfartyg skulle mobiliseras. Den svenska arméns III. kår – med 1:a och 9:e infanteridivisionerna, 7:e motorbrigaden och 8:e pansarbrigaden – var avsedda att delta.Bild: Den danska brigaden efter ankomst till Hellerup station i Danmark. Fotot visar den danska brigaden, som tränats i Sverige under den tyska ockupationen, vid deras återkomst till Danmark efter krigsslutet. Brigadens närvaro markerade ett symboliskt ögonblick av återupprättad nationell suveränitet.Källa: Okänd fotograf, Bild: Nationalmuseet Köpenhamn. Public Domain.Musik: Aksel Schiøtz framför Danmarks nationalsång "Der er et yndigt land" tillsammans med medlemmar ur Det Kongelige Kapel, 1945. Inspelningen är utgiven av His Master's Voice (katalognummer X 6982) och digitaliserad av Internet Archive med tillstånd av George Blood, L.P. (CC0-licens, ingen upphovsrätt).Sången, med text av Adam Oehlenschläger och musik av Hans Ernst Krøyer, uttrycker dansk nationalism och hembygdskärlek. Denna version spelades in kort efter andra världskrigets slut, vilket ger den en särskild historisk laddning.Klippare: Emanuel Lehtonen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a thoughtful hiatus, allinfoodz is back! Host Dr. Amit Sharma reflects on the podcast's journey since 2017 — from its roots in exploring the complex world of food systems to its renewed vision for the future. In this relaunch episode, Dr. Sharma introduces new producer and editor Alicia Skeath and shares what listeners can expect in the episodes ahead.Music credit: "West in Africa" by John Bartmann is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License.

President Andrew "Andy" Feinstein of the University of Northern Colorado joins us to discuss the changing landscape of higher education, where access, relevance, workforce expectations, and hospitality-inspired leadership converge to define the next generation of universities.Music credit: "West in Africa" by John Bartmann is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License.

Danmark hade i praktiken inget militärt försvar när Tyskland inledde Operation Weserübung den 9 april 1940. Den tyska invasionen ledde snabbt till att Danmark kapitulerade, utan att några egentliga strider utkämpades. Regeringen, kungen och militären valde att samarbeta med den tyska ockupationsmakten.För många tyska soldater blev stationeringen i Danmark ett tillfälle till vila och rekreation – ett liv på den så kallade ”gräddfronten”. Men med tiden växte motståndet bland den danska befolkningen, och ockupationen hårdnade successivt.Detta är det första av två avsnitt av podden Historia Nu om Operation Rädda Danmark. Programledaren Urban Lindstedt samtalar med författaren Marcus Törner om planens bakgrund, de strategiska övervägandena – och varför Operation Rädda Danmark till slut aldrig genomfördes. Törner är aktuell med boken Operation Rädda Danmark – Sveriges hemliga plan att rädda Danmark.Till en början präglades ockupationen av att den danska regeringen och kung Christian X satt kvar. Samhällets institutioner – från polisväsendet till rättsväsendet – fortsatte att fungera under dansk kontroll, även om tyskarna hade militär närvaro. Regeringen valde samarbete i syfte att skydda civilbefolkningen och bevara ett visst mått av självständighet. Tyskland å sin sida önskade stabilitet i ett strategiskt viktigt område.Även om vardagen förändrades – med ransoneringar, censur och mörkläggning – förblev stora delar av samhällsfunktionerna intakta. Skolor, butiker och myndigheter höll öppet. Kung Christian X:s dagliga ridturer genom Köpenhamn blev en symbol för nationell värdighet och kontinuitet trots ockupationen.Under de första åren (1940–1942) var motståndet begränsat: illegal press, mindre sabotage och underrättelseverksamhet. Men 1943 blev ett avgörande år. I augusti utbröt strejker och demonstrationer i flera städer – bland annat i Odense, Esbjerg och Köpenhamn – främst bland industriarbetare.Den tyska responsen blev brutal. I september 1943 upplöstes den danska regeringen, militären avväpnades och Tyskland tog full kontroll över landet. Samarbetsmodellen var därmed avslutad. I dess ställe följde en mer repressiv ockupation med ökande arresteringar, hårdare censur och våldsamma motåtgärder.Omslag: Kung Christian X dagliga ridtur utan livvakt i Köpenhamn under andra världskriget stärkte danskarnas nationella sammanhållning. Hans närvaro blev en tyst men tydlig protest mot den tyska övermakten. Bilden är tagen på hans 70-årsdag den 26 september 1940, Foto: C. Næsh Hendriksen, Den danske Kamp i Billeder og Ord, Odense: Bogforlaget Dana, 1945, s. 176.Bilden är public domain enligt dansk lag, då den inte betraktas som ett konstverk och är äldre än 50 år.Bildtext: Upplopp i Nørrebro, Köpenhamn, 1944 – under den tyska ockupationen av Danmark. Fotot visar dramatiken på stadens gator när motståndsrörelsen och civila konfronterade ockupationsmakten.Källa: Frihedsmuseets fotoarkiv; Frihedsmuseet, Köpenhamn, Danmark. Wikipedia, Public Domain.Musik: Aksel Schiøtz framför Danmarks nationalsång "Der er et yndigt land" tillsammans med medlemmar ur Det Kongelige Kapel, 1945. Inspelningen är utgiven av His Master's Voice (katalognummer X 6982) och digitaliserad av Internet Archive med tillstånd av George Blood, L.P. (CC0-licens, ingen upphovsrätt). Sången, med text av Adam Oehlenschläger och musik av Hans Ernst Krøyer.Klippare: Emanuel Lehtonen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jamie has been a property adjuster for some time now and is ready to graduate to larger and more complex losses involving hurricanes, construction defects, historic buildings, massive commercial structures, and more. Chris is a seasoned large loss adjuster looking to hone their practice in the casualty arena and network with others in their area. To address these questions, we'll take them to the PLRB Large Loss Conference.   Notable Timestamps [ 00:15 ] - The conference attracts adjusters ready to move into larger and more complex losses, giving them exposure to hurricanes, defects, historic buildings, and large commercial structures. [ 01:40 ] - Attendees include seasoned adjusters, newcomers to large loss work, EGAs, casualty specialists, and experts like engineers and forensic accountants, creating a fully integrated learning environment. [ 03:45 ] - Sessions use real or modeled claim scenarios to walk participants through years of handling, highlighting decision points, mistakes, successes, and insights from complex losses. [ 06:20 ] - Topics span property, casualty, liability, business interruption, food contamination, smoke damage, and multi-claimant events, ensuring relevance to a broad range of adjusters. [ 08:52 ] - Presenters use interactive tools—polling, role assignments, breakout groups, and scenario debates—to let attendees test coverage positions and compare investigative approaches. [ 11:45 ] - Networking is built into the event with receptions, meals, and vendor interactions, giving adjusters chances to reconnect with long-time colleagues and meet new industry partners. [ 13:15 ] - Intimate spaces and structured seating make it easy to meet people from across the country, fostering mentorship opportunities and cross-disciplinary conversations. [ 15:20 ] - Mike summarizes the key points above. Your PLRB Resources Upcoming Events: PLRB Conferences & More! https://www.plrb.org/events CE Course: A Deep Dive Into a Premises Liability Claim, Part 1 https://members.plrb.org/education/courses/a-deep-dive-into-a-premises-liability-claim-part-1 Employees of member companies also have access to a searchable legal database, hundreds of hours of video trainings, building code materials, weather data, and even the ability to have your coverage questions answered by our team of attorneys (https://www.plrb.org/ask-plrb/) at no additional charge to you or your company. Subscribe to this Podcast Your Podcast App - Please subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast app YouTube - Please like and subscribe at @plrb LinkedIN - Please follow at "Property and Liability Resource Bureau" Send us your Scenario! Please reach out to us at 630-509-8704 with your scenario! This could be your "adjuster story" sharing a situation from your claims experience, or a burning question you would like the team to answer. In any case, please omit any personal information as we will anonymize your story before we share. Just reach out to scenario@plrb.org.  Legal Information The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate. Music: "Piece of Future" by Keyframe_Audio. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Font: Metropolis by Chris Simpson. SIL OFL 1.1. Icons: FontAwesome (SIL OFL 1.1) and Noun Project (royalty-free licenses purchased via subscription). Sound Effects: Pixabay (Pixabay License) and Freesound.org (CC0).

In Old Saybrook, CT on December 16, 1957, between the hours of 2 and 3 A.M., a local teacher witnessed something incredible: outside her window, Mary M. Starr saw a spaceship with aliens inside. Her encounter was not the first. Leaving behind a trail of mysteries and murders, the Case of the Saybrook Blockheads is one of fear, greed, and secrecy.CREDITSAtomic Snapshots of Shared Memory.mp3 by  Geoff Keston is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License.Zinc by  CXR ATK is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.Manoeuvre by  CXR ATK is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Land-escape by  Safir Nou is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.  отдушинка by  Kosta T is licensed under a CC0 1.0 Universal License. SOURCEShttps://www.ufoinsight.com/aliens/encounters/alien-encounters-mary-starr-suzanne-knighthttps://bogleech.com/realalienshttps://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Old_Saybrook_BlockheadsSend the BCWPA a message!Support the showDo you have information, feedback, or a question? Submit a report.Grab a cryptid study, visit the Ballyraven store.

This holiday week, we're sharing a classic episode about the PLRB Building Codes department. The adjuster on a hail claim receives a long list of line items that are "required by code." Once the old shingles are torn off, they find rot and gaps in the sheathing, and the contractor says a thicker sheathing is now required by code.    Notable Timestamps [ 00:10 ] - Ice barriers, drip edges, a double felt underlayment... Searching the internet only leads the adjuster spiralling down a rabbit hole. [ 01:30 ] - What internet rabbit holes have you gone down? [ 04:28 ] - With PLRB's updated Address Report, members can provide an address and specify details such as rafter spans. [ 05:05 ] - PLRB's Building Codes Address Report provides the adopted building code for a specific address, ensuring it falls within the correct city boundaries (e.g., Parma, Ohio). [ 06:39] - Hail reports from NOAA are also included, allowing adjusters to confirm if hail was present in the area on the claim date. They also provide state-specific matching information, such as Ohio's "reasonable comparable appearance" standard. [ 08:27 ] - The report includes diagrams that visually differentiate between modern wood structural panels and older lumber sheathing (planks), explaining concepts like H-clips for edge support. [ 11:31 ] - The reports clarify requirements for common contractor-claimed line items, such as ice barriers, confirming if they are required (e.g., statewide in Ohio) and providing links to the source of this information. [ 14:14 ] - The "Ask a code question" button links to a form where building code experts will research the specific inquiry and provide citations and links back to the member. [ 15:44 ] - Ruth provides a recap of the points above. Your PLRB Resources Building Codes Hub & Address Report - https://members.plrb.org/building-codes FAQ: When is Double Underlayment Required? - https://www.plrb.org/documents/when-is-double-felt-underlayment-required/?search=When%20is%20Double%20Felt%20Underlayment%20Required? Ask a Building Code Question - https://www.plrb.org/building-codes/ask-plrb-building-code-question/ Employees of member companies also have access to a searchable legal database, hundreds of hours of video trainings, building code materials, weather data, and even the ability to have your coverage questions answered by our team of attorneys (https://www.plrb.org/ask-plrb/) at no additional charge to you or your company. Subscribe to this Podcast Your Podcast App - Please subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast app YouTube - Please like and subscribe at @plrb LinkedIN - Please follow at "Property and Liability Resource Bureau" Send us your Scenario! Please reach out to us at 630-509-8704 with your scenario! This could be your "adjuster story" sharing a situation from your claims experience, or a burning question you would like the team to answer. In any case, please omit any personal information as we will anonymize your story before we share. Just reach out to scenario@plrb.org.  Legal Information The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate. Music: "Piece of Future" by Keyframe_Audio. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Font: Metropolis by Chris Simpson. SIL OFL 1.1. Icons: FontAwesome (SIL OFL 1.1) and Noun Project (royalty-free licenses purchased via subscription). Sound Effects: Pixabay (Pixabay License) and Freesound.org (CC0).

While investigating a murder, a single-celled detective encounters bacterial filaments, proto-multicellular colonies, and a new concept called "love." Genre: Mystery, Science Fiction   Excerpt: "It's not an accident," Dina said. She spun out a flagellum to wave to him. Harry sighed. "I wouldn't be here if it was." He glanced over at the couple of uniformed diatoms who were keeping any floaters-by from getting too close a look at the crime scene. He glided toward Dina. "How's your day so far, Doc?" he asked. "Same as yours, I imagine. But much, much better than his." Dina moved out of the way, giving Harry a better view of the victim.   What story or stories am I revisiting in this episode? Each Season 8 episode is a standalone story, but it's connected to or inspired by a previous story through a character, a place, an object, a concept, a continuation of events (ahem, sequel), and so on. I've written at least a couple of previous stories about single-celled organisms doing and being more than they're expected. Here are those episodes: Amoeba: A Modern Fable Rise of the Prokaryotes   MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written?  I have a method. And I talk all about it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It's now available from Amazon as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. You can also get there from my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE   The Store page also has sign-up forms for my two email newsletters: Storyfeather Gazette (if you'd like to keep up with the fiction I create) Fictioneer's Field Guide (if you'd like writing tips and guidance from me)   Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)     MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork? Please visit my Store page for info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE   CREDITSStory: "The Unicellular Detective" Copyright © 2021 by Nila L. Patel Narration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production:  Nila L. Patel   Music: "Smoke" by RAFAEL ARCHANGEL (Intro & Outro) "Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)   Music by RAFAEL ARCHANGEL "Persistence With Beat" "So Cold" "Deep Dive" "Smoke" "Forgotten" "Persistence"   Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY* "Unsolved" "Inspector" "Trojan horse" "Under the mask" "Whispers" "Doubts" "Master" "Negociation (seamless)"   *These tracks are part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.   Music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev Market Music by Rafael Archangel is licensed under CC0 1.0 Universal Sound effects from AudioJungle, GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg) Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.   Find more music by Benjamin Carr and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more music by Rafael Archangel at Bandcamp Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com     Episode Art Description: Digital image. Cartoon depictions of anthropomorphized unicellular organisms in a line. From left to right, three filaments of cyanobacteria, a Stentor, a paramecium with flagella who's wearing a fedora, a slime mold, and a dinoflagellate with glasses. The rectangular image is made square with top and bottom borders that extend the background texture. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along inner side of the Stentor.

Benny's Liquor, Fireworks & Gunpowder Emporium went up in flames last night. Motion-detector alarms caught the fire and automatically notified the police, who found the fire and called the local fire chief, but by the time they arrived it was too late. Now his insurer claims he violated his Protective Safeguards Endorsement by installing burglary alarms instead of actual fire alarms. Benny doesn't recall anything about this, but apparently it's some paper he signed when he bought the policy. Key Takeaways [ 00:37 ] - Benny's shop burned down, and his insurer denied the claim due to a protective safeguards endorsement violation. [ 01:05 ] - Benny had a motion detector burglar alarm instead of the required fire alarm and does not recall agreeing to the protective safeguards endorsement. [ 06:09 ] - Protective safeguards endorsements require the insured to maintain the specific safeguards named in the policy schedule as a condition of insurance. [ 06:59 ] - If the insured knows of any suspension or impairment in the safeguards, they must notify the insurer or risk losing coverage. [ 08:29 ] - If a safeguard is shut off due to breakage or leakage, repairs must be completed within 48 hours for notification to the insurer not to be necessary. [ 10:47 ] - Courts often follow the strict policy language; simply having a different type of alarm, even if it detected the fire, is not considered compliant. [ 12:04 ] - The protective safeguards endorsement is often found in commercial property or farm coverage, and courts tend to enforce strict compliance. [ 15:15 ] - Coverage can be denied even if the breach of the safeguard duty did not affect the outcome of the loss because compliance is a condition of the insurance. [ 18:11 ] - Beth provides a summary of the key takeaways. Your PLRB Resources Coverage Question: Fire Loss Involving Protective Safeguards Endorsement - https://www.plrb.org/documents/fire-loss-involving-protective-safeguards-endorsement/ Law Review: New Hamilton Liquor Store, Inc. v. Amguard Ins. Co. - https://www.plrb.org/documents/new-hamilton-liquor-store-inc-v-amguard-ins-co-2020/ Employees of member companies also have access to a searchable legal database, hundreds of hours of video trainings, building code materials, weather data, and even the ability to have your coverage questions answered by our team of attorneys (https://www.plrb.org/ask-plrb/) at no additional charge to you or your company. Subscribe to this Podcast Your Podcast App - Please subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast app YouTube - Please like and subscribe at @plrb LinkedIN - Please follow at "Property and Liability Resource Bureau" Send us your Scenario! Please reach out to us at 630-509-8704 with your scenario! This could be your "adjuster story" sharing a situation from your claims experience, or a burning question you would like the team to answer. In any case, please omit any personal information as we will anonymize your story before we share. Just reach out to scenario@plrb.org.  Legal Information The views and opinions expressed in this resource are those of the individual speaker and not necessarily those of the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), its membership, or any organization with which the presenter is employed or affiliated. The information, ideas, and opinions are presented as information only and not as legal advice or offers of representation. Individual policy language and state laws vary, and listeners should rely on guidance from their companies and counsel as appropriate. Music: "Piece of Future" by Keyframe_Audio. Pixabay. Pixabay License. Font: Metropolis by Chris Simpson. SIL OFL 1.1. Icons: FontAwesome (SIL OFL 1.1) and Noun Project (royalty-free licenses purchased via subscription). Sound Effects: Pixabay (Pixabay License) and Freesound.org (CC0).