Podcasts about christmas day

Today is day 55 and we are in the section on the Second Article of the Apostles' Creed on Jesus Christ the Son of God. Today we are on the sixth line: “He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of The Virgin Mary” and studying question 55. 55. Why is it important to say that Jesus was born? It is important to affirm that he is one of us: truly human, born to a human mother, and raised in a human family. (Luke 2:41–52; Hebrews 2:17–18) We will conclude today with The Collect for Christmas Day found on page 600 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism. Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS. Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Australia's T20 World Cup campaign ends in disappointment, sparking a deep dive into selection calls, player form, and what went wrong. Menners and MacGill unpack the fallout, debate responsibility between players and selectors, and question whether arrogance and poor preparation played a role. The episode also covers the women's team's rare home series loss to India, major domestic cricket updates, and the future direction of Australian cricket. Key Topics (0:51) Australia eliminated from the T20 World Cup — immediate reactions and fallout (3:55) Selection decisions under fire — Smith, Renshaw and the “brains trust” debate (22:00) Super Eight stage and tournament structure discussion (26:14) Australian women lose home series to India — shifting power balance (33:17) Elise Perry's milestone and legacy in Australian cricket (35:37) Big Bash changes, Christmas Day cricket & global expansion debate (44:30) Domestic cricket roundup — Sheffield Shield, One-Day Cup and selection pressure Cricket Unfiltered Merchandise is Here! We've launched our official Cricket Unfiltered merch store thanks to a brilliant partnership with Exactamundo, a longtime supporter of the show.

Trip 42 Carp Fishing - 2025I managed to squeeze in a two-nighter just before Christmas, with conditions looking very promising on paper. Air pressure was rising steadily from 1005mb to 1016mb during the session, with a big jump forecast for Christmas Day itself. Temperatures were set to drop, rain was pushing through early on, and the main concern was a persistent NE, E, and SE wind.After walking the lake twice and seeing very little, I trusted my instincts and settled on the north bank after spotting a couple of carp show. I kept disturbance to a minimum, fishing small PVA mesh bags paired with pop-ups and wafters, rotating hookbaits to see what the carp preferred over the 48 hours.The first bite came mid-afternoon with a welcome 17lb 5oz mirror, followed the next evening by a proper winter reward—a stunning 24lb mirror carp after a tense battle around dead lilies and marginal snags.With fish showing across different areas of the lake, a swim move became necessary, reinforcing how important observation and mobility can be in winter. Despite active carp and near-perfect overnight conditions, it wasn't to be for another bite—but that's winter carp fishing.A challenging but rewarding pre-Christmas session, and one I thoroughly enjoyed.Thanks for watching.Until next time,RichardHappy New Year.

Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Rick Short, Board President of Box 55 Association, a nonprofit organization formed in 1952 with the mission "to serve Nashville Heroes with on scene hydration, nutrition, and body temperature regulation." During the interview, Rick explains the history of the association, which was established by Nashville Fire Department Chief John Ragsdale and Mayor Ben West. The organization has been serving the community since its inception and continues to support firefighters and first responders.First Responder Support Services - Rick explains that the organization supports first responders, particularly firefighters, by providing essential services mandated by federal law to reduce health risks associated with their work. They operate in Davidson County, serving 39 fire stations with two custom response vehicles, making around 400 responses annually. The vehicles are equipped with hydration supplies and warming beverages to help firefighters recover from stressful situations.Environmental Control and Emergency Services - Rick explained their environmental control equipment, including misting fans and heaters for extreme weather conditions in Tennessee. He describes their emergency response services, which include supporting various first responders like the Metro Nashville Police Department and Tennessee Highway Patrol, with approximately 400 responses in 2025.Volunteer-Powered - Box 55 Association has approximately 40 volunteer members who are available 24/7 to respond to emergencies via text, paging, and two-way radios on fire department frequencies. The first-line vehicle is staffed around the clock, and additional members respond in their personal vehicles to assist at the scene. Incidents can last anywhere from 30 minutes to multiple days, with an average duration of about two hours, though the longest response was 14.5 days during the Christmas Day bombing in December 2020.Support Strategies - Rick explains that he and his team receive constant positive feedback from first responders and community agencies. He emphasizes the importance of their work in supporting first responders during emergencies, including reducing physiological and psychological stress. Rick also describes their partnership with the National Fire Department EMS team, who provide medical support on scene. Jeremy asks how the community can support their efforts, and Rick suggests volunteerism and financial donations as ways for people to get involved.Volunteer Requirements and Financial Independence - Rick explains that volunteers for their organization just need to be physically capable and available to respond to calls, with training provided internally. He emphasizes that while a driver's license is required, no specialized license is needed, and senior volunteers are available to mentor others. Rick also discusses their financial independence as a 501c3, noting they rely on donations from various sources including unions and individuals, with significant expenses for maintaining two trucks and feeding crews during long operations.Community Support for First Responders - Rick discusses the challenges faced by first responders in the community, highlighting the breadth of incidents and the heroism displayed by firefighters, police officers, and EMS personnel. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the difficult situations they face and the need for community support to help them perform their duties effectively. Rick also stresses that while donations and support are crucial, they ultimately benefit the individuals on the front lines who risk their lives to save others. Rick encourages viewers and listeners to visit their website, Box55.org, to learn more about their work and get involved through volunteering or donating.Visit https://box55.org to learn more and to get involved with Box 55 Association.https://www.facebook.com/box55association/?ref=br_rs

The Matinee is open! Federal Stonecipher leads off the features with Sonic Society Season 18- 755- Christmas Day, Lilith's Children: 9- Deus ex Machina and Writing the West: Episode 15! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HAPPY CHRISTMAS FROM ALL OF US AT THE SONIC SOCIETY AND THE MUTUAL AUDIO NETWORK! This week we're thrilled to provide a little Christmas spirit with The Holiday Spirit from Will Anderson and Stacey Pattison, and a retelling of the classic A Gift of the Magi from Odyssey Audioworks™ and Richard Summers, Tanja Milojevich, Josh Price, and Amy Price. All the very best to you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our 2025 Christmas Day sermon on Matthew. Date: 25 December 2025 Speaker: Evan McFarlane Matthew 1:18-24; 2:1-12 www.stmatthews.com.au/unichurch

The Matinee is open! Federal Stonecipher leads off the features with Sonic Society Season 18- 755- Christmas Day, Lilith's Children: 9- Deus ex Machina and Writing the West: Episode 15! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HAPPY CHRISTMAS FROM ALL OF US AT THE SONIC SOCIETY AND THE MUTUAL AUDIO NETWORK! This week we're thrilled to provide a little Christmas spirit with The Holiday Spirit from Will Anderson and Stacey Pattison, and a retelling of the classic A Gift of the Magi from Odyssey Audioworks™ and Richard Summers, Tanja Milojevich, Josh Price, and Amy Price. All the very best to you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Poetry and baring the soul.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Arriving at her house, Leah and I carried my clothes up to the spare bedroom. I thanked Leah once again, then kissed her.Leah softly whispered, “Jorunn is downstairs!”I replied in the same whisper, “Then kiss me quietly.” And she did.I spent the remainder of the day doing my laundry, once Leah showed me how to use her Norwegian washing machine. Leah opened the clothes drying rack, and when done, I laid my clothes out to dry.For dinner, Leah prepared salmon fillets with boiled potatoes. As Jorunn and Leah washed the dishes, I sat on the center seat of the sofa, reflecting on the day. When they finished, both Jorunn and Leah rushed into the living room, extremely excited, and sat down on either side of me. Jorunn turned on the television and switched to Norwegian National Television. I wondered what the fuss was about.“Five more minutes,” yelped Jorunn.After a brief introduction, an old black-and-white movie started. Both Jorunn and Leah snuggled up tight against me and I put my arms around them. It felt great. The show, called “Dinner for One”, featured a 90-year-old countess celebrating her birthday. She invited four friends but outlived them all. Her butler decides to impersonate each of the four missing guests. As he slips into each of the roles, he drinks a toast, and quickly becomes intoxicated, leading to numerous sight gags. It felt good to laugh along with people again. It was rather short, and when it ended, Leah told me it was the most repeated television show of all time and is quite popular in Scandinavian countries and northern Europe.Leah and Jorunn went around rearranging and straightening Christmas decorations, then announced it was time to make Julekurver. I heard of them, but never actually made one. Made of paper, they are heart-shaped and filled with sweets.We quickly cleared the dining room table, then covered it with red and white paper, a plastic rule, a plastic circle, and scissor. Leah and Jorunn both moved quickly, folding a sheet of paper of each color, and I followed their action. Then it was time to measure and cut, and fortunately, they slowed down to allow me to keep up. Using a circle, we marked a half circle and cut the excess away. Then cut strips into the paper, not going all the way across. We wove the red and white papers together in a checkerboard pattern and unfolded them into a perfect heart shape. I thought the process rather inefficient and decided to show off my engineering skills from 3M by making a fancier one. As I unfolded it, Jorunn and Leah laughed, and a moment later, I discovered one way not to make a Julekurver.After a long and active day, I was tired, so I went to bed. Both Jorunn and Leah were talking softly in the living room as I drifted off to sleep.A nocturnal visitorDecember 23rd - Just Before MidnightI was startled awake when I heard my bedroom door close, followed by a soft, “Shush!”I listened closely in the total darkness for footsteps and heard someone approach my bed. Leah must be ready to resume what we started back at the hotel! A hand pulled back the covers, and instinctively I slid toward the middle of the bed to make space. Leah slid in next to me and drew the covers back over us.Leah moved and shifted, and a hand found the back of my head. I expected her lips to follow, and they did. Soft and gentle, a wonderful way for my nocturnal visitor to say hello. Leah told me at the hotel she did not want to feel rushed, so there was no urgency. Her lips retreated, and her hand slid down to caress my cheek, as delicate fingers gently stroked me.I reached out and found her left shoulder as Leah faced me, then marveled at the smoothness as my hand traced her arm downward. Approaching her hand, I extended further to touch her hip. I began softly rubbing, but her ass beckoned, and my hand moved to cup and squeeze her firm cheek. My fingers began shooting sensations of warmth, softness, and inner firmness directly to my brain. I pulled Leah tight against me and discovered she was already completely naked.Leah swung her left leg over me and moved to an upright position, straddling my crotch. Beneath my boxer shorts, my erect cock fought for release. Her hand found my cock within its shelter but did not liberate it. Instead, her hand pushed my cock flat against my lower stomach, and she slid forward, trapping it with the swollen outer lips of her pussy. Leah began slowly gyrating, and even through the fabric of my boxers, I felt her pussy lips spreading as they slid along either side of my hidden cock.The hushed sounds of Leah cooing and moaning barely reached my ears, as dampness built between us. I reached up with both hands, found her small breasts, and used my thumbs to tease her nipples to an erection. A heavy breath followed by a long ‘uh. Oh; Ah!’ brought me close to premature orgasm, but this was not what Leah wanted, so I held back.Leah must have sensed I was close. She stopped gyrating, lifted herself, and then began inching herself up my torso. She paused for a moment and sat on my chest, then her hands reached out to touch my face. Two fingertips began touring my facial features as if Leah wanted to memorize every feature of my face. In the darkness, my senses heightened, her fingers swirled, and circled, and glided over me. I never would have imagined how erotic it felt.Leah resumed moving higher, her knees passing over my shoulders until they rested on either side of my head. I reached up to confirm what lay just inches above my face and grazed the same hairy splendor I sampled back at the hotel. Inhaling deeply, I picked up traces of the same body wash on her thighs. I was ready to dive back in, so I reached up and grabbed Leah’s hips, then pulled her pussy down toward my awaiting tongue. I paused as her short curly hair began painting her scent onto my face. The scent of arousal overpowered my senses. But? Something strange? I froze. The contradiction awoke my twilight dream state.“Why did you stop, Gunnar?” From the darkness came Jorunn’s voice! The dream of Leah's nocturnal visit was replaced by the reality of a beautiful young woman revealing her devotion and desire to this 56 year old guy.I was stunned. I couldn’t reveal the real reason I stopped; was uncertainty. Jorunn’s pussy smelled different than Leah’s! I hadn’t noticed any difference between Leah’s and Jorunn’s tall, fit bodies. If there were any, they were undetectable in the darkness, especially with only my brief exposure to Leah. “I can’t do this with you, Jorunn.” I softly and sincerely spoke.“I want to make love to you tonight, Gunnar. More than anything in the world. Am I not pretty enough? Has not enough time passed since your wife’s funeral? You are the only man in the world I can love to, without fear of being hurt.”“Jorunn, you are an incredibly beautiful woman. For months, I fantasized about holding you in my arms, kissing you, and wishing to be exactly where I am now. But yesterday, I met your mother.”Jorunn asked, “Did she order you not to have sex with me?”I replied, “It’s not that. I think I’m falling in love with Leah. We spent a wonderful day together, and she swept me off my feet. If that love turns out to be mutual, I am prepared to pledge my heart totally to her and her alone. A lifetime commitment, one I will never dishonor. The only reason you and I got this far tonight is that in the darkness and my dream state, I thought you were Leah. I never would have done it otherwise.” But you are a lovely and desirable woman. I respect you and Leah. So much that I cannot be false to either of you. And I cannot dishonor myself, by doing what I know is dishonorable.”Jorunn shifted positions and lay next to me in the bed. In the darkness, Jorunn whispered, “You are so unlike my father. He always put himself first. I was ready to give myself to you tonight. You could have kept quiet and let it happen. Then lied about it to my mother in the morning. But you didn’t. You are a better man than my father ever was, and I know you will make my mother happy. Please don’t be afraid to give her, and yourself, a chance. She really needs someone like you in her life.”I heard a soft sob and reached out to touch Jorunn’s face. She was crying. Jorunn came into my bedroom tonight, looking for someone to love. She didn’t know about Leah and me, or what happened between us at the hotel. I very much doubt her mother would have told her. I admired what Jorunn just did. She was sacrificing her chance at love so that her mother might have one. Jorunn knew that she bore the duty to initiate affection, after so harshly rejecting my romantic advances, last week.Silence followed, before Jorunn finally said, “What you have shown me, Gunnar, is that there are still good men in this world. But I am still afraid to look for them.”I thought back to the day Jorunn and I went sledging. “Remember what you told me at Korketrekkeren? You don’t need to be afraid of looking for a man, Jorunn. What you need to be afraid of is being too afraid to try looking for a man. Promise me that you will push off, just like riding a sledge, and start looking. When you reach the bottom of that scary hill, you will no longer be afraid, and someone you love will be waiting there for you.”“I will, Gunnar. I promise. And thank you.” Jorunn climbed out of my bed and closed the door as she left.Christmas EveDecember 24 - MorningI woke up in the guest room bed. Hearing noises and holiday folk music in the kitchen, I dressed and went downstairs. Leah smiled and said, “God Jul!”, Norwegian's way of saying merry Christmas. Then she made me scrambled eggs with smoked salmon. Afterward, I enjoyed a slice of fruited Christmas Cake with coffee.“Leah, there is something I need to tell you. Jorunn came into my room last night looking for a man to love. In the darkness and my dream state, I thought it was you. It took a moment for me to realize it was Jorunn, and I stopped myself before going too far. Jorunn and I talked, and I confessed my love for you, to her. She understood, and asked that I give that love a chance. I want to do that. I asked Jorunn to no longer be afraid to look for love, and she agreed.”“Thank you for telling me, Gunnar. I have struggled to get Jorunn to go on dates after her father hurt her so badly. You must be a special man to find a place in her heart.”Leah sat down at the table with me, and continued; “I trust Jorunn, and now I trust you. So you will know, I will come to you tonight, bearing a lighted candle.”I said, “That sounds romantic.” My cock jolted to attention, under my trousers. I smiled and winked.Leah replied, “Wait until you see what I will be wearing.” She stood and returned to her baking, as the soft holiday music filled the busy kitchen. Leah's hips softly gyrated to the soft beat as she hummed with the lyrics.Jorunn came down later for breakfast, and after eating, she announced she would be working on edits and voiceovers for her recent videos. Since they were related to Christmas, she wanted to finish them to post them later tonight.Just before lunch, Leah led me back to the television and as we snuggled on the couch, she turned on “Tre Notter til Askepott”, a 1973 Czech reenactment of Cinderella, dubbed into Norwegian. The story was familiar, with Cinderella granted three wishes. It was enjoyable, but the dubbed dialog did not quite match the lips of the actors, so I needed to concentrate on what they were saying. Leah mentioned that this show is so popular in Norway, that storms of protest arose one year when they decided not to broadcast it. They ended up sending it out later in the holiday.Jorunn joined Leah and me for lunch. We ate Risengrynsgrot, which is rice porridge cooked with milk, sugar, and vanilla. We each had a bowl, and hiding in one of the three bowls was an almond. I suspected possible cheating such that I would be the one getting the almond, but as it turned out, Jorunn got the lucky bowl. As her prize, Leah gave Jorunn a chocolate-covered marzipan pig, an oddity for certain, but part of the tradition. There was porridge left over, and Leah said she would use it to make Riskrem, the delicious rice dessert eaten after tonight’s dinner. Solveig’s Riskrem was one of my favorite parts of the holiday season, and I was looking forward to tasting Leah’s.Leah turned to me and said, “If you want to eat, you must help in the kitchen.”Cooking was not something I knew very well, and after Leah led me into the kitchen, I let her know that. But since we were alone, I moved behind her, pulled her blonde hair aside, and nuzzled her neck.Leah said, “If you don’t stop, Gunnar, it will take longer before we eat.” But she wiggled her hips into my crotch before spinning out of my embrace.I helped Leah remove a large roasting pan from the refrigerator and put it in the oven. “That’s a strange-looking piece of meat,” I said.Leah replied, “It is called Ribbe, or roasted pork belly. It is one of the most popular Christmas meals in Norway. I scored the fat layer on top two days ago into a checkerboard pattern. Once cooked, the bottom meat stays tender while the cracklings on top get crispy.”Leah handed me a vegetable peeler and pointed to a bag of potatoes. I needed no further instructions on this. While I worked, Leah flittered around the kitchen, preparing the side dishes. She looked genuinely happy, and we talked and laughed and told tales of Christmases long ago.Just as we pulled the Ribbe from the oven, church bells began ringing from multiple sources. It was 17:00.“It seems like an odd time for church bells,” I said.Leah replied, “In Scandinavia, a new day traditionally starts at sundown, not midnight. Following the old ways, Christmas Day has arrived. It is time to eat.”Jorunn joined us in the mad flurry of activity as places were set, and food moved from the kitchen to the dining room. On the table was Ribbe, boiled potatoes, meatballs, gravy, sausages, sauerkraut, prunes, and lingonberries. Leah poured each of us a tall glass of juleøl, a dark spiced ale, brewed during Christmas all over Norway. She said at one time, a Norwegian king made it illegal to Not brew Christmas Ale. Everything was delicious, and I ate until I could stuff in no more.After dinner, we cleaned up and went into the living room to enjoy coffee, cookies, and a small bowl of Riskrem. I wondered why Leah brought out four bowls of Riskrem. Three topped with whipped cream and a berry sauce, one with only a blob of butter in the middle.Leah said, “We set out a bowl of porridge every Christmas for the fjøsnissen. The tradition evolved from the days when farming families would offer porridge to their barn elf, or nisse. The nisse takes care of the animals in the barn during winter so they don’t get sick. If you don’t do this, the fjøsnissen will play tricks on you.”As we nibbled, Jorunn set the bowl of porridge outside the front door for the fjøsnissen. Then we sat and watched an American Christmas movie on television. After it ended, Leah announced it was time to open the presents. I suspected this would happen and was glad I bought a gift for both Leah and Jorunn. We each dispersed, returned with our packages, and placed them under the Christmas tree.As expected, Leah and Jorunn shared the most gifts for each other, opening the usual mix of chocolates, clothing, and kitchen items. Then Jorunn handed me a gift from her. I opened it and found a DVD labeled, 'Christmas in Norway Tour’, along with a link and instructions to download the video if I preferred. Jorunn told me she made an hour-long video of all the things we did together over the past week, adding music and voiceovers so I would remember the now-completed tour. In exceedingly small letters, at the bottom of the instructions, I saw a link for a story with a similar name and suspected it might be one full of adjectives.Jorunn then opened my gift to her. I remembered the small camera she used this past week and bought her a new top-of-the-line digital camera. From her reaction, I did well.Leah then opened my gift to her. I purchased a genuinely nice Advent star to hang in her window, since she did not have one. It was large and electrically lit and after opening it, she wanted to hang it up right away, which we did. Then we went outside to see how it looked. Leah kissed me and whispered that the Advent Star possessed a special meaning for her this year, a sign of brighter days ahead.Seeing us standing outside, a Julenissen crossed the street and came up to us. The man, dressed in a red jacket with a matching pointed red hat, carried a cloth sack. He was older, and his white beard looked genuine.Jorunn yelled, “God Jul, Julenissen!”As the Julenissen joined us, Leah said, “Nice to see you again, Mr. Bjornstad.”The Julenissen opened a small cloth sack, pulled out a straw goat wrapped with red ribbons, and handed it to Jorunn. Leah explained that the Julenissen come around to houses on Christmas Eve to hand out presents and chocolate to the children. Often, more than one Julenissen would knock on your door during the evening. Unlike America, children get to meet the Julenissen in Norway.“It wouldn’t be the same this year without one of your julebukk!” said an excited Jorunn. Mr. Bjornstad had been coming to Jorunn’s house for a long time, and told us he likes to keep alive the old Norse traditions, such as the julebukk. In addition to handing out hand-made gifts, he tells folklore stories and tales from the days of the Vikings. What a wonderful thing to do to preserve the ancient Norse legacy of sagas and storytelling.Leah excused herself as Mr. Bjornstad started telling such a tale to Jorunn and me. He described Valhalla, where Odin and the brave warriors would train by day, and feast on roast boar and ale at night. Leah returned a moment later with four glasses of Aquavit. We toasted the season and sipped our Aquavit with the Julenissen after the story ended. We then sang a Christmas song together.Then we went back inside and watched the DVD that Jorunn made. The tour sounded exciting and full of fun, which indeed, it was. It also gave Leah another chance to see me in action. It was a full evening, and close to 23:00 when the DVD ended. We were all tired, and it was time for bed. Jorunn told us she was going upstairs to take a shower. Leah and I followed her up to our two bedrooms.A Single CandleDecember 24th - Late EveningFive minutes later, there was a knock on my bedroom door. Opening it, Leah stood there, holding a single candle, and wearing a lavender-colored silk nightgown and robe set. The half-sleeve wrap robe only partially covered her nightgown, leaving the lace-trimmed bustline and hem of her nightgown exposed. She put a finger to her mouth and whispered, “Shhh!” Then she led me by hand to her bedroom. The only light inside came from her single candle.My eyes quickly adjusted, or perhaps it was just my intent stare, “You look incredible.”Leah

Poetry and baring the soul.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Arriving at her house, Leah and I carried my clothes up to the spare bedroom. I thanked Leah once again, then kissed her.Leah softly whispered, “Jorunn is downstairs!”I replied in the same whisper, “Then kiss me quietly.” And she did.I spent the remainder of the day doing my laundry, once Leah showed me how to use her Norwegian washing machine. Leah opened the clothes drying rack, and when done, I laid my clothes out to dry.For dinner, Leah prepared salmon fillets with boiled potatoes. As Jorunn and Leah washed the dishes, I sat on the center seat of the sofa, reflecting on the day. When they finished, both Jorunn and Leah rushed into the living room, extremely excited, and sat down on either side of me. Jorunn turned on the television and switched to Norwegian National Television. I wondered what the fuss was about.“Five more minutes,” yelped Jorunn.After a brief introduction, an old black-and-white movie started. Both Jorunn and Leah snuggled up tight against me and I put my arms around them. It felt great. The show, called “Dinner for One”, featured a 90-year-old countess celebrating her birthday. She invited four friends but outlived them all. Her butler decides to impersonate each of the four missing guests. As he slips into each of the roles, he drinks a toast, and quickly becomes intoxicated, leading to numerous sight gags. It felt good to laugh along with people again. It was rather short, and when it ended, Leah told me it was the most repeated television show of all time and is quite popular in Scandinavian countries and northern Europe.Leah and Jorunn went around rearranging and straightening Christmas decorations, then announced it was time to make Julekurver. I heard of them, but never actually made one. Made of paper, they are heart-shaped and filled with sweets.We quickly cleared the dining room table, then covered it with red and white paper, a plastic rule, a plastic circle, and scissor. Leah and Jorunn both moved quickly, folding a sheet of paper of each color, and I followed their action. Then it was time to measure and cut, and fortunately, they slowed down to allow me to keep up. Using a circle, we marked a half circle and cut the excess away. Then cut strips into the paper, not going all the way across. We wove the red and white papers together in a checkerboard pattern and unfolded them into a perfect heart shape. I thought the process rather inefficient and decided to show off my engineering skills from 3M by making a fancier one. As I unfolded it, Jorunn and Leah laughed, and a moment later, I discovered one way not to make a Julekurver.After a long and active day, I was tired, so I went to bed. Both Jorunn and Leah were talking softly in the living room as I drifted off to sleep.A nocturnal visitorDecember 23rd - Just Before MidnightI was startled awake when I heard my bedroom door close, followed by a soft, “Shush!”I listened closely in the total darkness for footsteps and heard someone approach my bed. Leah must be ready to resume what we started back at the hotel! A hand pulled back the covers, and instinctively I slid toward the middle of the bed to make space. Leah slid in next to me and drew the covers back over us.Leah moved and shifted, and a hand found the back of my head. I expected her lips to follow, and they did. Soft and gentle, a wonderful way for my nocturnal visitor to say hello. Leah told me at the hotel she did not want to feel rushed, so there was no urgency. Her lips retreated, and her hand slid down to caress my cheek, as delicate fingers gently stroked me.I reached out and found her left shoulder as Leah faced me, then marveled at the smoothness as my hand traced her arm downward. Approaching her hand, I extended further to touch her hip. I began softly rubbing, but her ass beckoned, and my hand moved to cup and squeeze her firm cheek. My fingers began shooting sensations of warmth, softness, and inner firmness directly to my brain. I pulled Leah tight against me and discovered she was already completely naked.Leah swung her left leg over me and moved to an upright position, straddling my crotch. Beneath my boxer shorts, my erect cock fought for release. Her hand found my cock within its shelter but did not liberate it. Instead, her hand pushed my cock flat against my lower stomach, and she slid forward, trapping it with the swollen outer lips of her pussy. Leah began slowly gyrating, and even through the fabric of my boxers, I felt her pussy lips spreading as they slid along either side of my hidden cock.The hushed sounds of Leah cooing and moaning barely reached my ears, as dampness built between us. I reached up with both hands, found her small breasts, and used my thumbs to tease her nipples to an erection. A heavy breath followed by a long ‘uh. Oh; Ah!’ brought me close to premature orgasm, but this was not what Leah wanted, so I held back.Leah must have sensed I was close. She stopped gyrating, lifted herself, and then began inching herself up my torso. She paused for a moment and sat on my chest, then her hands reached out to touch my face. Two fingertips began touring my facial features as if Leah wanted to memorize every feature of my face. In the darkness, my senses heightened, her fingers swirled, and circled, and glided over me. I never would have imagined how erotic it felt.Leah resumed moving higher, her knees passing over my shoulders until they rested on either side of my head. I reached up to confirm what lay just inches above my face and grazed the same hairy splendor I sampled back at the hotel. Inhaling deeply, I picked up traces of the same body wash on her thighs. I was ready to dive back in, so I reached up and grabbed Leah’s hips, then pulled her pussy down toward my awaiting tongue. I paused as her short curly hair began painting her scent onto my face. The scent of arousal overpowered my senses. But? Something strange? I froze. The contradiction awoke my twilight dream state.“Why did you stop, Gunnar?” From the darkness came Jorunn’s voice! The dream of Leah's nocturnal visit was replaced by the reality of a beautiful young woman revealing her devotion and desire to this 56 year old guy.I was stunned. I couldn’t reveal the real reason I stopped; was uncertainty. Jorunn’s pussy smelled different than Leah’s! I hadn’t noticed any difference between Leah’s and Jorunn’s tall, fit bodies. If there were any, they were undetectable in the darkness, especially with only my brief exposure to Leah. “I can’t do this with you, Jorunn.” I softly and sincerely spoke.“I want to make love to you tonight, Gunnar. More than anything in the world. Am I not pretty enough? Has not enough time passed since your wife’s funeral? You are the only man in the world I can love to, without fear of being hurt.”“Jorunn, you are an incredibly beautiful woman. For months, I fantasized about holding you in my arms, kissing you, and wishing to be exactly where I am now. But yesterday, I met your mother.”Jorunn asked, “Did she order you not to have sex with me?”I replied, “It’s not that. I think I’m falling in love with Leah. We spent a wonderful day together, and she swept me off my feet. If that love turns out to be mutual, I am prepared to pledge my heart totally to her and her alone. A lifetime commitment, one I will never dishonor. The only reason you and I got this far tonight is that in the darkness and my dream state, I thought you were Leah. I never would have done it otherwise.” But you are a lovely and desirable woman. I respect you and Leah. So much that I cannot be false to either of you. And I cannot dishonor myself, by doing what I know is dishonorable.”Jorunn shifted positions and lay next to me in the bed. In the darkness, Jorunn whispered, “You are so unlike my father. He always put himself first. I was ready to give myself to you tonight. You could have kept quiet and let it happen. Then lied about it to my mother in the morning. But you didn’t. You are a better man than my father ever was, and I know you will make my mother happy. Please don’t be afraid to give her, and yourself, a chance. She really needs someone like you in her life.”I heard a soft sob and reached out to touch Jorunn’s face. She was crying. Jorunn came into my bedroom tonight, looking for someone to love. She didn’t know about Leah and me, or what happened between us at the hotel. I very much doubt her mother would have told her. I admired what Jorunn just did. She was sacrificing her chance at love so that her mother might have one. Jorunn knew that she bore the duty to initiate affection, after so harshly rejecting my romantic advances, last week.Silence followed, before Jorunn finally said, “What you have shown me, Gunnar, is that there are still good men in this world. But I am still afraid to look for them.”I thought back to the day Jorunn and I went sledging. “Remember what you told me at Korketrekkeren? You don’t need to be afraid of looking for a man, Jorunn. What you need to be afraid of is being too afraid to try looking for a man. Promise me that you will push off, just like riding a sledge, and start looking. When you reach the bottom of that scary hill, you will no longer be afraid, and someone you love will be waiting there for you.”“I will, Gunnar. I promise. And thank you.” Jorunn climbed out of my bed and closed the door as she left.Christmas EveDecember 24 - MorningI woke up in the guest room bed. Hearing noises and holiday folk music in the kitchen, I dressed and went downstairs. Leah smiled and said, “God Jul!”, Norwegian's way of saying merry Christmas. Then she made me scrambled eggs with smoked salmon. Afterward, I enjoyed a slice of fruited Christmas Cake with coffee.“Leah, there is something I need to tell you. Jorunn came into my room last night looking for a man to love. In the darkness and my dream state, I thought it was you. It took a moment for me to realize it was Jorunn, and I stopped myself before going too far. Jorunn and I talked, and I confessed my love for you, to her. She understood, and asked that I give that love a chance. I want to do that. I asked Jorunn to no longer be afraid to look for love, and she agreed.”“Thank you for telling me, Gunnar. I have struggled to get Jorunn to go on dates after her father hurt her so badly. You must be a special man to find a place in her heart.”Leah sat down at the table with me, and continued; “I trust Jorunn, and now I trust you. So you will know, I will come to you tonight, bearing a lighted candle.”I said, “That sounds romantic.” My cock jolted to attention, under my trousers. I smiled and winked.Leah replied, “Wait until you see what I will be wearing.” She stood and returned to her baking, as the soft holiday music filled the busy kitchen. Leah's hips softly gyrated to the soft beat as she hummed with the lyrics.Jorunn came down later for breakfast, and after eating, she announced she would be working on edits and voiceovers for her recent videos. Since they were related to Christmas, she wanted to finish them to post them later tonight.Just before lunch, Leah led me back to the television and as we snuggled on the couch, she turned on “Tre Notter til Askepott”, a 1973 Czech reenactment of Cinderella, dubbed into Norwegian. The story was familiar, with Cinderella granted three wishes. It was enjoyable, but the dubbed dialog did not quite match the lips of the actors, so I needed to concentrate on what they were saying. Leah mentioned that this show is so popular in Norway, that storms of protest arose one year when they decided not to broadcast it. They ended up sending it out later in the holiday.Jorunn joined Leah and me for lunch. We ate Risengrynsgrot, which is rice porridge cooked with milk, sugar, and vanilla. We each had a bowl, and hiding in one of the three bowls was an almond. I suspected possible cheating such that I would be the one getting the almond, but as it turned out, Jorunn got the lucky bowl. As her prize, Leah gave Jorunn a chocolate-covered marzipan pig, an oddity for certain, but part of the tradition. There was porridge left over, and Leah said she would use it to make Riskrem, the delicious rice dessert eaten after tonight’s dinner. Solveig’s Riskrem was one of my favorite parts of the holiday season, and I was looking forward to tasting Leah’s.Leah turned to me and said, “If you want to eat, you must help in the kitchen.”Cooking was not something I knew very well, and after Leah led me into the kitchen, I let her know that. But since we were alone, I moved behind her, pulled her blonde hair aside, and nuzzled her neck.Leah said, “If you don’t stop, Gunnar, it will take longer before we eat.” But she wiggled her hips into my crotch before spinning out of my embrace.I helped Leah remove a large roasting pan from the refrigerator and put it in the oven. “That’s a strange-looking piece of meat,” I said.Leah replied, “It is called Ribbe, or roasted pork belly. It is one of the most popular Christmas meals in Norway. I scored the fat layer on top two days ago into a checkerboard pattern. Once cooked, the bottom meat stays tender while the cracklings on top get crispy.”Leah handed me a vegetable peeler and pointed to a bag of potatoes. I needed no further instructions on this. While I worked, Leah flittered around the kitchen, preparing the side dishes. She looked genuinely happy, and we talked and laughed and told tales of Christmases long ago.Just as we pulled the Ribbe from the oven, church bells began ringing from multiple sources. It was 17:00.“It seems like an odd time for church bells,” I said.Leah replied, “In Scandinavia, a new day traditionally starts at sundown, not midnight. Following the old ways, Christmas Day has arrived. It is time to eat.”Jorunn joined us in the mad flurry of activity as places were set, and food moved from the kitchen to the dining room. On the table was Ribbe, boiled potatoes, meatballs, gravy, sausages, sauerkraut, prunes, and lingonberries. Leah poured each of us a tall glass of juleøl, a dark spiced ale, brewed during Christmas all over Norway. She said at one time, a Norwegian king made it illegal to Not brew Christmas Ale. Everything was delicious, and I ate until I could stuff in no more.After dinner, we cleaned up and went into the living room to enjoy coffee, cookies, and a small bowl of Riskrem. I wondered why Leah brought out four bowls of Riskrem. Three topped with whipped cream and a berry sauce, one with only a blob of butter in the middle.Leah said, “We set out a bowl of porridge every Christmas for the fjøsnissen. The tradition evolved from the days when farming families would offer porridge to their barn elf, or nisse. The nisse takes care of the animals in the barn during winter so they don’t get sick. If you don’t do this, the fjøsnissen will play tricks on you.”As we nibbled, Jorunn set the bowl of porridge outside the front door for the fjøsnissen. Then we sat and watched an American Christmas movie on television. After it ended, Leah announced it was time to open the presents. I suspected this would happen and was glad I bought a gift for both Leah and Jorunn. We each dispersed, returned with our packages, and placed them under the Christmas tree.As expected, Leah and Jorunn shared the most gifts for each other, opening the usual mix of chocolates, clothing, and kitchen items. Then Jorunn handed me a gift from her. I opened it and found a DVD labeled, 'Christmas in Norway Tour’, along with a link and instructions to download the video if I preferred. Jorunn told me she made an hour-long video of all the things we did together over the past week, adding music and voiceovers so I would remember the now-completed tour. In exceedingly small letters, at the bottom of the instructions, I saw a link for a story with a similar name and suspected it might be one full of adjectives.Jorunn then opened my gift to her. I remembered the small camera she used this past week and bought her a new top-of-the-line digital camera. From her reaction, I did well.Leah then opened my gift to her. I purchased a genuinely nice Advent star to hang in her window, since she did not have one. It was large and electrically lit and after opening it, she wanted to hang it up right away, which we did. Then we went outside to see how it looked. Leah kissed me and whispered that the Advent Star possessed a special meaning for her this year, a sign of brighter days ahead.Seeing us standing outside, a Julenissen crossed the street and came up to us. The man, dressed in a red jacket with a matching pointed red hat, carried a cloth sack. He was older, and his white beard looked genuine.Jorunn yelled, “God Jul, Julenissen!”As the Julenissen joined us, Leah said, “Nice to see you again, Mr. Bjornstad.”The Julenissen opened a small cloth sack, pulled out a straw goat wrapped with red ribbons, and handed it to Jorunn. Leah explained that the Julenissen come around to houses on Christmas Eve to hand out presents and chocolate to the children. Often, more than one Julenissen would knock on your door during the evening. Unlike America, children get to meet the Julenissen in Norway.“It wouldn’t be the same this year without one of your julebukk!” said an excited Jorunn. Mr. Bjornstad had been coming to Jorunn’s house for a long time, and told us he likes to keep alive the old Norse traditions, such as the julebukk. In addition to handing out hand-made gifts, he tells folklore stories and tales from the days of the Vikings. What a wonderful thing to do to preserve the ancient Norse legacy of sagas and storytelling.Leah excused herself as Mr. Bjornstad started telling such a tale to Jorunn and me. He described Valhalla, where Odin and the brave warriors would train by day, and feast on roast boar and ale at night. Leah returned a moment later with four glasses of Aquavit. We toasted the season and sipped our Aquavit with the Julenissen after the story ended. We then sang a Christmas song together.Then we went back inside and watched the DVD that Jorunn made. The tour sounded exciting and full of fun, which indeed, it was. It also gave Leah another chance to see me in action. It was a full evening, and close to 23:00 when the DVD ended. We were all tired, and it was time for bed. Jorunn told us she was going upstairs to take a shower. Leah and I followed her up to our two bedrooms.A Single CandleDecember 24th - Late EveningFive minutes later, there was a knock on my bedroom door. Opening it, Leah stood there, holding a single candle, and wearing a lavender-colored silk nightgown and robe set. The half-sleeve wrap robe only partially covered her nightgown, leaving the lace-trimmed bustline and hem of her nightgown exposed. She put a finger to her mouth and whispered, “Shhh!” Then she led me by hand to her bedroom. The only light inside came from her single candle.My eyes quickly adjusted, or perhaps it was just my intent stare, “You look incredible.”Leah

Poetry and baring the soul.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Arriving at her house, Leah and I carried my clothes up to the spare bedroom. I thanked Leah once again, then kissed her.Leah softly whispered, “Jorunn is downstairs!”I replied in the same whisper, “Then kiss me quietly.” And she did.I spent the remainder of the day doing my laundry, once Leah showed me how to use her Norwegian washing machine. Leah opened the clothes drying rack, and when done, I laid my clothes out to dry.For dinner, Leah prepared salmon fillets with boiled potatoes. As Jorunn and Leah washed the dishes, I sat on the center seat of the sofa, reflecting on the day. When they finished, both Jorunn and Leah rushed into the living room, extremely excited, and sat down on either side of me. Jorunn turned on the television and switched to Norwegian National Television. I wondered what the fuss was about.“Five more minutes,” yelped Jorunn.After a brief introduction, an old black-and-white movie started. Both Jorunn and Leah snuggled up tight against me and I put my arms around them. It felt great. The show, called “Dinner for One”, featured a 90-year-old countess celebrating her birthday. She invited four friends but outlived them all. Her butler decides to impersonate each of the four missing guests. As he slips into each of the roles, he drinks a toast, and quickly becomes intoxicated, leading to numerous sight gags. It felt good to laugh along with people again. It was rather short, and when it ended, Leah told me it was the most repeated television show of all time and is quite popular in Scandinavian countries and northern Europe.Leah and Jorunn went around rearranging and straightening Christmas decorations, then announced it was time to make Julekurver. I heard of them, but never actually made one. Made of paper, they are heart-shaped and filled with sweets.We quickly cleared the dining room table, then covered it with red and white paper, a plastic rule, a plastic circle, and scissor. Leah and Jorunn both moved quickly, folding a sheet of paper of each color, and I followed their action. Then it was time to measure and cut, and fortunately, they slowed down to allow me to keep up. Using a circle, we marked a half circle and cut the excess away. Then cut strips into the paper, not going all the way across. We wove the red and white papers together in a checkerboard pattern and unfolded them into a perfect heart shape. I thought the process rather inefficient and decided to show off my engineering skills from 3M by making a fancier one. As I unfolded it, Jorunn and Leah laughed, and a moment later, I discovered one way not to make a Julekurver.After a long and active day, I was tired, so I went to bed. Both Jorunn and Leah were talking softly in the living room as I drifted off to sleep.A nocturnal visitorDecember 23rd - Just Before MidnightI was startled awake when I heard my bedroom door close, followed by a soft, “Shush!”I listened closely in the total darkness for footsteps and heard someone approach my bed. Leah must be ready to resume what we started back at the hotel! A hand pulled back the covers, and instinctively I slid toward the middle of the bed to make space. Leah slid in next to me and drew the covers back over us.Leah moved and shifted, and a hand found the back of my head. I expected her lips to follow, and they did. Soft and gentle, a wonderful way for my nocturnal visitor to say hello. Leah told me at the hotel she did not want to feel rushed, so there was no urgency. Her lips retreated, and her hand slid down to caress my cheek, as delicate fingers gently stroked me.I reached out and found her left shoulder as Leah faced me, then marveled at the smoothness as my hand traced her arm downward. Approaching her hand, I extended further to touch her hip. I began softly rubbing, but her ass beckoned, and my hand moved to cup and squeeze her firm cheek. My fingers began shooting sensations of warmth, softness, and inner firmness directly to my brain. I pulled Leah tight against me and discovered she was already completely naked.Leah swung her left leg over me and moved to an upright position, straddling my crotch. Beneath my boxer shorts, my erect cock fought for release. Her hand found my cock within its shelter but did not liberate it. Instead, her hand pushed my cock flat against my lower stomach, and she slid forward, trapping it with the swollen outer lips of her pussy. Leah began slowly gyrating, and even through the fabric of my boxers, I felt her pussy lips spreading as they slid along either side of my hidden cock.The hushed sounds of Leah cooing and moaning barely reached my ears, as dampness built between us. I reached up with both hands, found her small breasts, and used my thumbs to tease her nipples to an erection. A heavy breath followed by a long ‘uh. Oh; Ah!’ brought me close to premature orgasm, but this was not what Leah wanted, so I held back.Leah must have sensed I was close. She stopped gyrating, lifted herself, and then began inching herself up my torso. She paused for a moment and sat on my chest, then her hands reached out to touch my face. Two fingertips began touring my facial features as if Leah wanted to memorize every feature of my face. In the darkness, my senses heightened, her fingers swirled, and circled, and glided over me. I never would have imagined how erotic it felt.Leah resumed moving higher, her knees passing over my shoulders until they rested on either side of my head. I reached up to confirm what lay just inches above my face and grazed the same hairy splendor I sampled back at the hotel. Inhaling deeply, I picked up traces of the same body wash on her thighs. I was ready to dive back in, so I reached up and grabbed Leah’s hips, then pulled her pussy down toward my awaiting tongue. I paused as her short curly hair began painting her scent onto my face. The scent of arousal overpowered my senses. But? Something strange? I froze. The contradiction awoke my twilight dream state.“Why did you stop, Gunnar?” From the darkness came Jorunn’s voice! The dream of Leah's nocturnal visit was replaced by the reality of a beautiful young woman revealing her devotion and desire to this 56 year old guy.I was stunned. I couldn’t reveal the real reason I stopped; was uncertainty. Jorunn’s pussy smelled different than Leah’s! I hadn’t noticed any difference between Leah’s and Jorunn’s tall, fit bodies. If there were any, they were undetectable in the darkness, especially with only my brief exposure to Leah. “I can’t do this with you, Jorunn.” I softly and sincerely spoke.“I want to make love to you tonight, Gunnar. More than anything in the world. Am I not pretty enough? Has not enough time passed since your wife’s funeral? You are the only man in the world I can love to, without fear of being hurt.”“Jorunn, you are an incredibly beautiful woman. For months, I fantasized about holding you in my arms, kissing you, and wishing to be exactly where I am now. But yesterday, I met your mother.”Jorunn asked, “Did she order you not to have sex with me?”I replied, “It’s not that. I think I’m falling in love with Leah. We spent a wonderful day together, and she swept me off my feet. If that love turns out to be mutual, I am prepared to pledge my heart totally to her and her alone. A lifetime commitment, one I will never dishonor. The only reason you and I got this far tonight is that in the darkness and my dream state, I thought you were Leah. I never would have done it otherwise.” But you are a lovely and desirable woman. I respect you and Leah. So much that I cannot be false to either of you. And I cannot dishonor myself, by doing what I know is dishonorable.”Jorunn shifted positions and lay next to me in the bed. In the darkness, Jorunn whispered, “You are so unlike my father. He always put himself first. I was ready to give myself to you tonight. You could have kept quiet and let it happen. Then lied about it to my mother in the morning. But you didn’t. You are a better man than my father ever was, and I know you will make my mother happy. Please don’t be afraid to give her, and yourself, a chance. She really needs someone like you in her life.”I heard a soft sob and reached out to touch Jorunn’s face. She was crying. Jorunn came into my bedroom tonight, looking for someone to love. She didn’t know about Leah and me, or what happened between us at the hotel. I very much doubt her mother would have told her. I admired what Jorunn just did. She was sacrificing her chance at love so that her mother might have one. Jorunn knew that she bore the duty to initiate affection, after so harshly rejecting my romantic advances, last week.Silence followed, before Jorunn finally said, “What you have shown me, Gunnar, is that there are still good men in this world. But I am still afraid to look for them.”I thought back to the day Jorunn and I went sledging. “Remember what you told me at Korketrekkeren? You don’t need to be afraid of looking for a man, Jorunn. What you need to be afraid of is being too afraid to try looking for a man. Promise me that you will push off, just like riding a sledge, and start looking. When you reach the bottom of that scary hill, you will no longer be afraid, and someone you love will be waiting there for you.”“I will, Gunnar. I promise. And thank you.” Jorunn climbed out of my bed and closed the door as she left.Christmas EveDecember 24 - MorningI woke up in the guest room bed. Hearing noises and holiday folk music in the kitchen, I dressed and went downstairs. Leah smiled and said, “God Jul!”, Norwegian's way of saying merry Christmas. Then she made me scrambled eggs with smoked salmon. Afterward, I enjoyed a slice of fruited Christmas Cake with coffee.“Leah, there is something I need to tell you. Jorunn came into my room last night looking for a man to love. In the darkness and my dream state, I thought it was you. It took a moment for me to realize it was Jorunn, and I stopped myself before going too far. Jorunn and I talked, and I confessed my love for you, to her. She understood, and asked that I give that love a chance. I want to do that. I asked Jorunn to no longer be afraid to look for love, and she agreed.”“Thank you for telling me, Gunnar. I have struggled to get Jorunn to go on dates after her father hurt her so badly. You must be a special man to find a place in her heart.”Leah sat down at the table with me, and continued; “I trust Jorunn, and now I trust you. So you will know, I will come to you tonight, bearing a lighted candle.”I said, “That sounds romantic.” My cock jolted to attention, under my trousers. I smiled and winked.Leah replied, “Wait until you see what I will be wearing.” She stood and returned to her baking, as the soft holiday music filled the busy kitchen. Leah's hips softly gyrated to the soft beat as she hummed with the lyrics.Jorunn came down later for breakfast, and after eating, she announced she would be working on edits and voiceovers for her recent videos. Since they were related to Christmas, she wanted to finish them to post them later tonight.Just before lunch, Leah led me back to the television and as we snuggled on the couch, she turned on “Tre Notter til Askepott”, a 1973 Czech reenactment of Cinderella, dubbed into Norwegian. The story was familiar, with Cinderella granted three wishes. It was enjoyable, but the dubbed dialog did not quite match the lips of the actors, so I needed to concentrate on what they were saying. Leah mentioned that this show is so popular in Norway, that storms of protest arose one year when they decided not to broadcast it. They ended up sending it out later in the holiday.Jorunn joined Leah and me for lunch. We ate Risengrynsgrot, which is rice porridge cooked with milk, sugar, and vanilla. We each had a bowl, and hiding in one of the three bowls was an almond. I suspected possible cheating such that I would be the one getting the almond, but as it turned out, Jorunn got the lucky bowl. As her prize, Leah gave Jorunn a chocolate-covered marzipan pig, an oddity for certain, but part of the tradition. There was porridge left over, and Leah said she would use it to make Riskrem, the delicious rice dessert eaten after tonight’s dinner. Solveig’s Riskrem was one of my favorite parts of the holiday season, and I was looking forward to tasting Leah’s.Leah turned to me and said, “If you want to eat, you must help in the kitchen.”Cooking was not something I knew very well, and after Leah led me into the kitchen, I let her know that. But since we were alone, I moved behind her, pulled her blonde hair aside, and nuzzled her neck.Leah said, “If you don’t stop, Gunnar, it will take longer before we eat.” But she wiggled her hips into my crotch before spinning out of my embrace.I helped Leah remove a large roasting pan from the refrigerator and put it in the oven. “That’s a strange-looking piece of meat,” I said.Leah replied, “It is called Ribbe, or roasted pork belly. It is one of the most popular Christmas meals in Norway. I scored the fat layer on top two days ago into a checkerboard pattern. Once cooked, the bottom meat stays tender while the cracklings on top get crispy.”Leah handed me a vegetable peeler and pointed to a bag of potatoes. I needed no further instructions on this. While I worked, Leah flittered around the kitchen, preparing the side dishes. She looked genuinely happy, and we talked and laughed and told tales of Christmases long ago.Just as we pulled the Ribbe from the oven, church bells began ringing from multiple sources. It was 17:00.“It seems like an odd time for church bells,” I said.Leah replied, “In Scandinavia, a new day traditionally starts at sundown, not midnight. Following the old ways, Christmas Day has arrived. It is time to eat.”Jorunn joined us in the mad flurry of activity as places were set, and food moved from the kitchen to the dining room. On the table was Ribbe, boiled potatoes, meatballs, gravy, sausages, sauerkraut, prunes, and lingonberries. Leah poured each of us a tall glass of juleøl, a dark spiced ale, brewed during Christmas all over Norway. She said at one time, a Norwegian king made it illegal to Not brew Christmas Ale. Everything was delicious, and I ate until I could stuff in no more.After dinner, we cleaned up and went into the living room to enjoy coffee, cookies, and a small bowl of Riskrem. I wondered why Leah brought out four bowls of Riskrem. Three topped with whipped cream and a berry sauce, one with only a blob of butter in the middle.Leah said, “We set out a bowl of porridge every Christmas for the fjøsnissen. The tradition evolved from the days when farming families would offer porridge to their barn elf, or nisse. The nisse takes care of the animals in the barn during winter so they don’t get sick. If you don’t do this, the fjøsnissen will play tricks on you.”As we nibbled, Jorunn set the bowl of porridge outside the front door for the fjøsnissen. Then we sat and watched an American Christmas movie on television. After it ended, Leah announced it was time to open the presents. I suspected this would happen and was glad I bought a gift for both Leah and Jorunn. We each dispersed, returned with our packages, and placed them under the Christmas tree.As expected, Leah and Jorunn shared the most gifts for each other, opening the usual mix of chocolates, clothing, and kitchen items. Then Jorunn handed me a gift from her. I opened it and found a DVD labeled, 'Christmas in Norway Tour’, along with a link and instructions to download the video if I preferred. Jorunn told me she made an hour-long video of all the things we did together over the past week, adding music and voiceovers so I would remember the now-completed tour. In exceedingly small letters, at the bottom of the instructions, I saw a link for a story with a similar name and suspected it might be one full of adjectives.Jorunn then opened my gift to her. I remembered the small camera she used this past week and bought her a new top-of-the-line digital camera. From her reaction, I did well.Leah then opened my gift to her. I purchased a genuinely nice Advent star to hang in her window, since she did not have one. It was large and electrically lit and after opening it, she wanted to hang it up right away, which we did. Then we went outside to see how it looked. Leah kissed me and whispered that the Advent Star possessed a special meaning for her this year, a sign of brighter days ahead.Seeing us standing outside, a Julenissen crossed the street and came up to us. The man, dressed in a red jacket with a matching pointed red hat, carried a cloth sack. He was older, and his white beard looked genuine.Jorunn yelled, “God Jul, Julenissen!”As the Julenissen joined us, Leah said, “Nice to see you again, Mr. Bjornstad.”The Julenissen opened a small cloth sack, pulled out a straw goat wrapped with red ribbons, and handed it to Jorunn. Leah explained that the Julenissen come around to houses on Christmas Eve to hand out presents and chocolate to the children. Often, more than one Julenissen would knock on your door during the evening. Unlike America, children get to meet the Julenissen in Norway.“It wouldn’t be the same this year without one of your julebukk!” said an excited Jorunn. Mr. Bjornstad had been coming to Jorunn’s house for a long time, and told us he likes to keep alive the old Norse traditions, such as the julebukk. In addition to handing out hand-made gifts, he tells folklore stories and tales from the days of the Vikings. What a wonderful thing to do to preserve the ancient Norse legacy of sagas and storytelling.Leah excused herself as Mr. Bjornstad started telling such a tale to Jorunn and me. He described Valhalla, where Odin and the brave warriors would train by day, and feast on roast boar and ale at night. Leah returned a moment later with four glasses of Aquavit. We toasted the season and sipped our Aquavit with the Julenissen after the story ended. We then sang a Christmas song together.Then we went back inside and watched the DVD that Jorunn made. The tour sounded exciting and full of fun, which indeed, it was. It also gave Leah another chance to see me in action. It was a full evening, and close to 23:00 when the DVD ended. We were all tired, and it was time for bed. Jorunn told us she was going upstairs to take a shower. Leah and I followed her up to our two bedrooms.A Single CandleDecember 24th - Late EveningFive minutes later, there was a knock on my bedroom door. Opening it, Leah stood there, holding a single candle, and wearing a lavender-colored silk nightgown and robe set. The half-sleeve wrap robe only partially covered her nightgown, leaving the lace-trimmed bustline and hem of her nightgown exposed. She put a finger to her mouth and whispered, “Shhh!” Then she led me by hand to her bedroom. The only light inside came from her single candle.My eyes quickly adjusted, or perhaps it was just my intent stare, “You look incredible.”Leah

This week on Australia's ONLY Christmas Podcast "Christmas Podding" we take you behind the scenes of the Aussie 36 hour Non- Stop Christmas Tradition that defines what we all eat as a country every Christmas Day. We'll take a deep dive and peel off some fun festive facts on the humble Christmas Tree. From origins to unknown fables on how it became to mean so much to so many on the day. plus We uncover a Christmas Crime and how an 8 year old girl put a sneaky plan together to catch Santa only to have her plans outwitted by a seasoned professional. With your Aussie Hosts Liam Renton and Ness Gibson talking all things Christmas All Year Round on Christmas Podding.

Clive Chesser, chief executive of PureGym, says surviving cancer fundamentally changed him as a leader — deepening his empathy and reshaping how he approached life, including changing career..His diagnosis came during an extraordinarily difficult period in December 2021. While leading his then pub business through a complex private equity transaction, he was experiencing persistent breathlessness and fatigue he initially attributed to long COVID. After noticing swollen lymph nodes in his neck, members of his family — several of whom are senior doctors — urged him to undergo further tests. He completed them just before finalising the business deal.Christmas brought what he describes as an unimaginable sequence of events. On Christmas Day, his father-in-law died while his wife isolated at home with COVID. Shortly afterwards, Chesser received confirmation that he had cancer in his lymph nodes. The following day, he says, he faced the hardest moment of his life: telling his three teenage children he had cancer.At the time, Chesser was marathon-fit, training regularly and running annually. That physical condition proved critical during treatment. His fitness enabled him to tolerate more aggressive radiotherapy and additional chemotherapy rounds, improving his chances of full recovery — which he ultimately achieved. The experience, he says, transformed his sense of purpose and made his subsequent appointment as PureGym's chief executive feel profoundly aligned with his personal journey.That personal conviction underpins what he describes as a broader fitness revolution reshaping the UK gym industry. Nearly half — 47% — of PureGym's January 2025 joiners were aged 25 or under, reflecting what Chesser sees as a generational shift in attitudes to health. Younger members, particularly Gen Z and Gen Alpha, are integrating fitness into their social identity. Gyms are becoming social hubs, not simply places to exercise, where mental wellbeing and community sit alongside physical strength.He describes a trend he calls “fitness snacking” — members moving fluidly between gyms, boutique studios and fitness events before returning to a core membership. Despite this apparent transience, average tenure stands at 19 months and is rising. Most new joiners are returning members, a notable fact given PureGym's no-contract, month-to-month model, where members actively choose to stay.Women are driving another significant shift in the market, moving away from cardio-dominated routines towards strength and conditioning. In response, PureGym has introduced more than 50 women-only workout spaces across the UK after research showed many women prefer environments where they feel more comfortable and less exposed. These areas exist nationwide and sit alongside screened lighter-weight zones designed to reduce intimidation for first-time users. While the majority of PureGym's 456 UK sites remain mixed-gender spaces, Chesser argues that offering choice has been critical to growth and inclusion.Chesser also delivers a critique of the Labour government's economic performance, arguing it has failed to deliver the long-term growth strategy promised before taking office. He points to National Insurance rises and the continued burden of business rates on bricks-and-mortar operators — including gyms and pubs — while online businesses face comparatively lighter structural costs.He draws a stark comparison between government and business leadership, noting that the UK has had six Prime Ministers in ten years — instability he likens to running a football club rather than a company built on rolling five-year strategies and careful succession planning. In his view, the government remains trapped in short-term crisis management rather than long-term economic planning.Presenter: Sean Farrington Producer: Olie D'Albertanson Editor: Henry Jones00:00 Fliss and Sean intro pod 01:50 Clive joins BBI 03:30 Growth on Gen Z gym users 10:20 Women only spaces and safety 16:00 Low cost model 25:20 Govt's 10 Year Health Plan 28:40 Clive's cancer journey 39:15 Frustration at govt's growth promises

(airdate: 2.5.26) Kelly Ripa reveals how a fight over Instagram photos with her kids spiraled into a four-hour Christmas Day silent treatment — because nothing says family bonding like emotional Wi-Fi loss. Meryl Streep admits slipping back into Miranda Priestly's wardrobe for The Devil Wears Prada 2 gave her high-heel PTSD and made her question gravity itself. And Jennifer Garner casually drops that she once bit a chunk out of a co-star's ear during a fight scene — yes, very Mike Tyson coded. Hollywood is unhinged, festive, and wearing couture… and we're here for all of it. Voted 6th Best Entertainment News Podcast! Because being #1 is soooo overrated. And @HalleBerry Listen to the daily Van Camp and Morgan radio show at: https://vancampandmorgan.com/stations buy us a coffee    

It's Monday, February 9th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus U.S. sends troops to Nigeria amid ISIS fight The U.S. has deployed a military team to Nigeria as part of a growing effort to assist in counterterrorism operations against Islamic State-linked terrorists. The move marks the first publicly acknowledged presence of American forces on the ground following U.S. airstrikes in Nigeria on Christmas Day, reports The Christian Post. A senior U.S. military commander told Reuters the deployment was carried out in agreement with the Nigerian government. Nigerian Defense Minister Christopher Musa confirmed that U.S. personnel were active in the country. Team USA skiers not proud of America because of Trump (Audio: Olympic theme song) American freestyle skiers are facing intense backlash on social media after comments made about representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy amid the Trump administration's recent immigration enforcement operations in the U.S., reports Fox News. Speaking to the media ahead of Friday's opening ceremony, two-time Olympian and Olympic gold medalist Chris Lillis, who's competing in the men's aerials, said, "I feel heartbroken about what's happening in the United States. I'm pretty sure you're referencing I.C.E. and some of the protests and things like that. I think that, as a country, we need to focus on respecting everybody's rights." And first-time Olympian Hunter Hess, who's competing in the men's free ski halfpipe, said, “It brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right now. … There's obviously a lot going on that I'm not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren't. "I'm representing my friends and family back home … all the things that I believe are good about the U.S. If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I'm representing it. Just because I'm wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the U.S.” The remarks elicited a strong response from Team USA supporters on social media. One wrote, "The anti-ICE, liberal athletes are already insufferable at the Olympics. If you're not proud to represent the red, white, & blue, stay home." Another wrote, "Chris Lillis and Hunter Hess should be sent back home immediately. They have insulted our entire nation on the world stage and should no longer be allowed to represent us." House Speaker Johnson: “Borders and walls are Biblical.” In response to Pope Leo's claim that Trump's deportation efforts are unbiblical, House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana was asked to defend President Trump's deportation of illegal immigrants Biblically. REPORTER: “Pope Leo has cited Matthew 25:35 to critique Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda. How would you respond to Pope Leo in Scripture?” JOHNSON: “Borders and walls are Biblical. From the Old Testament to the New [Testament], God has allowed us to set up our civil societies and have separate nations. Immigration is not something that's frowned upon in Scripture. In fact, it's welcome. We're to welcome the sojourner and love our neighbor as ourself. “When people cite passages out of the Old Testament, they say, well, you're supposed to take care of the sojourner and the neighbor, treat them as yourself, welcome then in. Yes, but that is an admonition to individuals, not to the civil authorities.” Speaker Johnson cited the book of Romans to bolster his point Biblically. JOHNSON: “The civil authorities are given authority under Scripture to maintain order. Romans 13 says that the ‘civil authorities are God's agents of wrath to bring punishment upon the wrongdoer.' And it says, ‘If you do right, you have no fear of the civil authorities.' “But those civil authorities are necessary. It's a calling. It's a calling to maintain order in society. And we have not had that. “When Biden and Harris opened the borders wide for four years, we had as many as 20 million illegals come across the country. And we all know many dangerous people -- hardened criminals, child molesters, rapists, murderers, all the rest, terrorists -- who came into the country. We did not take care of our borders. “Sovereign borders are Biblical and good and right and they're just. It's not because we hate the people on the outside. It's because we love the people on the inside.” Planned Parenthood drops lawsuit trying to get federal funding back Planned Parenthood has thrown in the towel on its efforts to preserve its primary federal funding, voluntarily dismissing its lawsuit against the defunding provision of the Trump administration's signature legislation, reports LifeSiteNews.com. Last July, President Donald Trump signed into law his “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, a wide-ranging policy package that includes a one-year ban on federal tax dollars going through Medicaid to any that provides abortions for reasons other than rape, incest, or supposed threats to the mother's life.  According to Operation Rescue, 54 abortion mills shut their doors in 2025, 36 of which were Planned Parenthood abortuaries. Planned Parenthood sued, alleging that even though it was not specifically named in the Trump defunding bill, it was effectively the only organization that qualified under the bill's language and that losing that money would cause “devastating” layoffs and location closures. Erik Baptist, an attorney with Alliance Defending Freedom, said, “The American people do not want their tax dollars propping up the abortion industry. … We will continue to stand against any attempts by the abortion giant to force Americans to fund dangerous procedures.” Actor Tim Allen ‘amazed' after reading entire Bible And finally, actor Tim Allen recently finished reading through the entire Bible word for word, reports FaithWire.com. On X, he wrote, “Finished the entire Bible. It's been a 13-month, word-by-word, page-by-page, no-skimming journey. Humbled, enlightened and amazed at what I read and what I learned. I will rest and meditate on so much.” Allen has recently been increasingly vocal about his Christian faith journey. He also sat down with fellow comedian Bill Maher for a conversation on Maher's “Club Random.” The “Home Improvement” star had quite a bit to say about the Apostle Paul and the downside of empty philosophy. ALLEN: “Without law, you don't know what sinful is. So, law was basically just to give you guardrails of what the world is. What you're going to find is the cycle of ignorance with philosophy. And that's where I've been in the last 20 years. Philosophy gets run in these circles. It can't explain anything really.” In Colossians 2:8, the Apostle Paul warns, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday, February 9th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

True Glitch in the Matrix Stories.▾ ABOUT THIS CHANNEL ▾I collect the internet's strangest real-life glitches in the matrix, "simulation errors,” time slips, and impossible coincidences. New videos twice a week▾ SUBMIT YOUR STORY ▾Have a firsthand glitch or unexplainable mystery?Send it to ► DarekWeberSubmissions@gmail.com(Please include how you want me to credit you)▾ SUPPORT THE CHANNEL ▾Patreon ► https://patreon.com/DarekWeberScaryStories?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinkJoin channel memberships ► https://www.youtube.com/@DarekWeber/membershipMerch ► https://darek-weber-shop.fourthwall.com/Join The 92 Newsletter and relive all of your favorite parts of the 90s, every week, for free ► https://the92.beehiiv.com/subscribe?ref=ME8BE7PKDc▾ TIME STAMPS ▾00:00 - Did we die? by u/Dull-Selection61504:08 - Am I going crazy? by Anonymous05:39 - Clove of garlic fell from the sky indoors and landed in front of me by Anonymous07:58 - First time poster - Christmas Day story by u/lawn1911:18 - Wrist Hair Vanished by u/KingFlippyNipsss15:20 - Motorcycle behind me disappeared… then reappeared miles later on a one-lane road with no alternate routes by u/Zealousideal_Card32618:24 - I saw my grandpa's hand hitting my window while he was out at lunch by u/heatherhowl21:15 - Vanishing cars, paranormal happenings and now apport phenomena... by Anonymous 25:52 - My cat somehow got outside when I never let him out by Anonymous29:24 - Commercial airplanes flying next to each other by Anonymous31:17 - Thing moving by itself by Anonymous34:04 - Hello▾ SOCIAL ▾► https://www.instagram.com/darekscary/▾ MUSIC CREDITS ▾► @repulsive1908 ▾ DISCLAIMERS ▾► Some stories are user-submitted and others are sourced from public forums with express permission to narrate. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily my own. This program is for entertainment purposes only. ► Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this site (or in this video) are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase or enroll in a subscription. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support the content I create. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases/enrollments. Thank you for your support!#glitchinthematrix #unexplainedmysteries #darekweber

The end of 2025 is upon us, and it's been a great year, but we still have so much more to talk about! So, in an effort to "clear our plate," today's show is focused on giving the "heave-ho!" to so many topics we've yet to discuss. To start, there's the Top Three Investment Strategies for 2026, by Capital Group; AI Exuberance by Vanguard; and the 2026 Global Outlook by BlackRock. Nathan and Dennis will then discuss the significant market opportunities identified by the previously mentioned firms. And after that … just when you thought you could only retain so much information … Heidi will discuss the new deduction for seniors from an interview with Ed Slott. As always, please text or call us during the show with your questions. If you prefer, call us up at the office … we'd love to speak with you. And be sure to tune in next week, on Christmas Day, when we'll be doing our yearly Christmas storytelling and playing our favorite music from this year.

New Epstein emails expose Andrew inviting him to "BP" for "dinner and lots of privacy"—introducing 26-year-old Russian women, Christmas Day family photo exchanges. Sarah's "shagging weekend" email about 19-year-old Eugenie leaves daughters "aghast." Photo surfaces of Andrew on all fours over woman lying on floor. Deep Crown on "institutional rot"—Epstein/Maxwell photographed at Sandringham, Ascot, Balmoral, attending Beatrice's 18th birthday: "Someone always knew. Machinery of monarchy protected Andrew's access to his proclivities." Second woman alleges Epstein sent her to Andrew at Royal Lodge, given Buckingham Palace tour. Andrew moved out "under cover of darkness" after Charles said "enough was enough"—rushed departure to "poky" Marsh Farm with mole problems, no live-in staff space.Sarah faces "housing crisis," must "lower expectations." Sarah's Trust charity closes. Prince Edward first royal to address files: "Always remember the victims." JD Vance "open" to Andrew testifying. Charles heckled: "Have you pressurised the police?" Jon Stewart: "Stripped of title prince. Ooh, such a penalty." Meghan's $62 chocolate sells out despite mockery. Netflix "two storage rooms packed" with As Ever—employees taking ten products home free. Harry/Liz Hurley planning double dates with Meghan/Billy Ray Cyrus. Kate reveals new 8-month-old puppy. Deep Crown's verdict: "Andrew is Charles's burden to bear, not William's."Palace Intrigue is your daily royal family podcast, diving deep into the modern-day drama, power struggles, and scandals shaping the future of the monarchy."Crown and Controversy: Norway" is covering the trial of Marius Borg Høiby as the Norwegian Royal Family is faced with multiple scandals of their own.Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here.

Back in April 2021 we covered news about a record breaking 25 Chinese air force aircraft including fighters and nuclear-capable bombers that entered Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ). At the time 25 seemed like an alarming number. It was the largest incursion by Chinese military planes into Taiwan's ADIZ to date.   Related Links: https://talkingtaiwan.com/chinas-alarming-gray-zone-tactics-around-taiwan-and-its-neighboring-nations-in-asia-ep-340/   To be clear these sorts of activities had been going on long before this and long before September of 2020 which about the time that Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense started to publicly report China's incursions.   The China's People's Liberation Army has shown no signs of letting up. The PLA's gray zone tactics, have also included the use of drones and balloons. Incursions by warplanes and naval ships into the airspace and waters surrounding Taiwan are now a daily occurrence.. And they have completely shattered the record 25 aircraft in Taiwan's ADIZ many times over.   Major military exercises have included the Joint Sword-2024A. Three days after Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te's inauguration in May 20 of 2024, China's PLA conducted two days of military exercises in the air and sea space around Taiwan.   More recently, at the end of 2025 on December 29 and 30, People's Republic of China (PRC) military forces carried out a large-scale exercise in the air and ocean areas around Taiwan called "Justice Mission-2025."  This two days of PLA military exercises involved at least 200 warplanes.   Unfortunately these types of gray zone tactics by China have become commonplace and while they have been more widely reported on, even more troubling are the other gray zone tactics that the PRC has been levying on Taiwan, which include the presence of Chinese owned and operated oil rigs in Taiwan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and on January 16th the New York Times reported that China quietly mobilized thousands of fishing boats twice already, most recently in the first few weeks of this new year.   Quoting from the New York Times, "By January 11, they had assembled into a rectangle stretching more than 200 miles. Maritime and military experts said the maneuvers suggested that China was strengthening its maritime militia, which is made up of civilian fishing boats trained to join in military operations."   This was not the first time, a month earlier on December 25th the Times reported that "about 2,000 Chinese fishing boats assembled in two long, parallel formations on Christmas Day in the East China Sea. Each stretched 290 miles long, about the distance from New York City to Buffalo, forming a reverse L shape"   According to the New York Times, "The unusual formations were spotted by Jason Wang, the chief operating officer of ingeniSPACE, a company that analyzes data, and were independently confirmed by The Times using ship location data provided by Starboard Maritime Intelligence."   In this episode of Talking Taiwan we will be speaking to Marvin Bernado, Maritime Domain Awareness Analyst at ingeniSPACE and Elva Wu, National Security Researcher / Imagery Analyst at ingeniSPACE.   About ingeniSPACE:   ingeniSPACE is a geospatial intelligence company integrating remote sensing data across multiple phenomenologies. We are an insight-as-a-service platform delivering all weather day-night multi-temporal understanding around the world. Our intelligence extends the "executive decision making time" that public sector and commercial leaders need to make well-informed decisions.   Related Links: https://talkingtaiwan.com/chinas-alarming-gray-zone-tactics-around-taiwan-and-its-neighboring-nations-in-asia-ep-340/  

In November 1916, when the great Somme offensive ground to its bloody halt, over 20,000 Australians would become casualties not from enemy fire, but from the winter itself.In this powerful episode, Mat McLachlan reveals the forgotten story of the Somme winter of 1916-17—an ordeal that historian Bill Gammage called "the worst experience the AIF ever endured." Through authentic accounts and personal testimonies, we follow Charles Bean through the devastated moonscape near Gueudecourt on Christmas Day, where the mud was so terrible he couldn't bring himself to wish the men a Merry Christmas; Private Albert Edwards enduring his first 56 hours in two feet of water on an empty stomach; and Private Herbert Harris, recording that most of his mates hadn't had dry feet for a month and some didn't even have socks.From the trench foot epidemic that claimed ninety percent of the 27th Battalion to the frozen nights when tea froze solid before reaching the front lines, from Captain Harry Murray's Victoria Cross action at Stormy Trench to the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, these men faced the most severe winter in northern France in thirty-six years.Why did more men become casualties from frostbite than from some battles? How did soldiers survive weeks in waterlogged trenches that sprouted grass from their sandbag walls? What kept them going through months of suffering designed to break them? Mat explores these questions through the actual words of the men who were there.A sobering testament to the Australians who held the line through the Somme's frozen hell—and a reminder that some victories come not from charging, but from simply refusing to break."We live in a world of Somme mud. We sleep in it, work in it, fight in it, wade in it and many of us die in it. We see it, feel it, eat it and curse it, but we can't escape it, not even by dying." - Private Ted Lynch, 45th BattalionEpisode Length: 28 minutesFeatures: Excerpts from Charles Bean's war diaries, Herbert Harris's diary entries, Albert Edwards's personal accounts, and on-location insights from the Somme battlefieldsPresenter: Mat McLachlan Producer: Jess StebnickiReady to walk in the footsteps of those who endured the Somme? Join Mat McLachlan on an exclusive river cruise that visits the battlefields of Waterloo, WWI and WW2 in 2027: https://battlefields.com.au/history-cruises/Find out everything Mat is doing with books, tours and media at https://linktr.ee/matmclachlanFor more great history content, visit www.LivingHistoryTV.com, or subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@MatMcLachlanHistory Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Originally aired April 15, 2018. Madonna Badger, who lost her three children and her parents in a devastating Christmas Day house fire, opens up to Oprah about how she found the strength and courage to live after the unthinkable tragedy. Madonna discusses the ever-present spiritual connection she feels to her children, her quest for answers and the legacy of love she knows will endure forever. She talks about how she puts one foot in front of the other in moments of grief. Madonna also shares a life-changing definition of grief and reveals three things that have helped her cope. Her journey to the light from the depths of despair will touch anyone's life and remind us all what it means to be grateful for what we have. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's episode, we have the privilege of hearing from Dr. Chelsea Romero (MD/MPH), a remarkable individual who has conquered incredible challenges. After living through a near-fatal postpartum hemorrhage on Christmas Day, she was then diagnosed with an ultra-rare, aggressive cancer that derailed her residency plans and pushed her into chemotherapy. Chelsea shares her advocacy for physician infertility, the emotional weight of fighting for life and motherhood, and her ongoing determination to return to residency.

This week we're discussing the Cleveland Abduction. Listen in as we discuss the case as well as the Castro family curse. Watch this episode on YouTube: youtube.com/@cultliter Call the Hotline: 747-322-0273 Buy my book: prh.com/obitchuary Come see me on tour: obitchuarypodcast.com Write me: spencer@cultliter.com Follow along online: instagram.com/cultliterpodcastinstagram.com/spencerhenry Join our patreon: Patreon.com/cultliter Check out my other show OBITCHUARY wherever you're listening now!  Sources:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_Castro_kidnappingshttps://www.cleveland.com/metro/2013/05/cleveland_city_prosecutors_cha.html#incart_river#incart_maj-story-1https://www.cnn.com/2013/05/06/us/ohio-missing-women-found/https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-xpm-2013-aug-01-la-na-nn-ariel-castro-michelle-knight-20130801-story.htmlhttps://www.latintimes.com/ariel-castro-relatives-puerto-rico-say-he-evil-and-there-demon-inside-him-127331https://www.cleveland.com/court-justice/2014/05/ariel_castro_files_kidnapper_a.htmlhttps://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/06/missing-women-ohio-found/2139873/https://web.archive.org/web/20130510110619/http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/floor-plans-detail-inside-of-seymour-avenue-home-where-3-cleveland-women-held-captive-for-10-yearshttps://www.cleveland.com/metro/2013/05/michelle_knight_plagued_by_tro.htmlhttps://newsfeed.time.com/2013/05/07/found-timeline-of-ohio-women-missing-since-2002/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10047663/Ohio-kidnappings-Michelle-Knight-forced-to-deliver-Amanda-Berrys-baby-on-Christmas-Day.htmlhttps://web.archive.org/web/20130507132144/http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland_metro/ohio-inmate-robert-wolford-gets-4-years-in-false-amanda-berry-search-tiphttps://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/cleveland-kidnapping-son-reveals-his-father-padlocked-doors-to-basement-because-we-weren-t-allowed-to-go-there-8605381.htmlhttps://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/07/castro-son-berry-dejesus/2140721/https://www.cnn.com/2013/09/04/justice/ariel-castro-cleveland-kidnapper-deathhttps://www.biography.com/crime/ariel-castrohttps://time.com/3836160/cleveland-kidnap-victims-recount-how-ariel-castro-could-have-been-stopped/https://www.cnn.com/2013/08/01/us/ohio-castro-key-moments/index.htmlhttps://www.cnn.com/2013/08/01/justice/ohio-cleveland-castro-home/index.htmlhttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/michelle-knight-cleveland-kidnapping-survivor-tells-dr-phil-i-was-the-most-hated-one/https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/apl-removes-3-dozen-animals-from-rescue-operated-by-abuse-survivorhttps://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/seymour-avenue-survivor-gina-dejesus-and-family-help-other-families-going-through-similar-situations Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Listen without inserted ads at www.patreon.com/dopeypodcastThis week on DOPEY! We get super Dopey all the way through this insane super long  - super raw episode! First we congratualte Tom B on 6 years! Then we hear the Anders Spotify comments! Then we get into the lisener dopey! Josh's terrifying Christmas Eve meth boofing disaster and Minnesota Matt's  first crack experience. Then we go down the crazy rabbit hole of relapse and redemption with old friend of the show and OG DOPE, Jed Payne from Church and Other Drugs as he tells his FULL RELAPSE STORY! From super fucked up situation after situation to recovery and healing the fam!All that and more on a super king size episode of that good old fucked up dopey show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nashville woke up to the strangest Christmas soundtrack imaginable in 2020: an RV parked on 2nd Avenue, a calm recorded warning to evacuate… and “Downtown” playing like a twisted holiday playlist no one asked for. We are going to walk through the accepted timeline of the Christmas Day bombing, what investigators say happened, and what the FBI concluded about the man behind it.Then we follow the story into the weird side streets, where reality starts to bend. Reincarnation loops. “High energy events.” Alleged reptilian watchers in the woods. A camping trip that turned into a front-row seat to paranoia, strange gear, and a belief that something evil was hiding in plain sight.We'll separate confirmed facts from internet fog, explore what fringe and UFO circles claim it all really meant, and bring it home with the uncomfortable truth: sometimes the most unsettling part isn't the conspiracy… it's how fast a mind can build one when everything else is falling apart. All that and more this week on Hysteria 51!Special thanks to this week's research sources:PRIMARY / OFFICIAL1) FBI Nashville Field Office. “FBI Releases Report on Nashville Bombing.” March 15, 2021.https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/nashville/news/fbi-releases-report-on-nashville-bombing2) FBI Nashville Field Office. “Seeking Information Concerning Operator or Owner of RV Linked to Explosion.” December 25, 2020.https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/nashville/news/seeking-information-concerning-operator-or-owner-of-rv-linked-to-explosion3) FBI Nashville Field Office. “FBI Memphis Special Agent in Charge Announces Identity of Remains Discovered in Nashville Explosion Site; Multi-Agency Investigation Continues.” December 27, 2020.https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/nashville/news/fbi-memphis-special-agent-in-charge-announces-identity-of-remains-discovered-in-nashville-explosion-site-multi-agency-investigation-continues4) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). “SAFE-COM and NCSWIC Release Communications Dependencies Case Study: Nashville.” June 13, 2022.https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/safecom-and-ncswic-release-communications-dependencies-case-study-nashville LOCAL / INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING5) Finley, Jeremy (WSMV4 Investigates). “FBI: Nashville Christmas Day bomber wanted explosion to break ‘reincarnation loop' (New photos show Anthony Warner's device…).” December 22, 2025.https://www.wsmv.com/2025/12/22/fbi-nashville-christmas-day-bomber-wanted-explosion-break-reincarnation-loop/6) Hall, Ben & Wisniewski, Kevin (NewsChannel 5 Investigates / WTVF). “Nashville bomber's bizarre writings reveal belief in aliens and lizard people.” January 4, 2021.https://www.newschannel5.com/news/newschannel-5-investigates/nashville-bombers-bizarre-writings-reveal-belief-in-aliens-and-lizard-people NATIONAL / WIRE REPORTING7) ABC News. “FBI report finds Nashville bomber wanted to kill himself, not motivated by terrorism.” March 15, 2021.https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/fbi-report-finds-nashville-bomber-wanted-kill-motivated/story?id=764710788) PBS NewsHour. “FBI says Nashville bomber driven by conspiracies, paranoia.” March 15, 2021.https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/fbi-says-nashville-bomber-driven-by-conspiracies-paranoia9) Associated Press. “FBI: Nashville bomber sent material to ‘acquaintances'.” (Published January 2, 2021.)https://apnews.com/article/us-news-bombings-8d59b300ed4b41d050a8cc86f500351a10) CBS News. “Nashville bomber sent writings espousing conspiracy theories to multiple people before explosion.” January 3, 2021.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nashville-bomber-anthony-quinn-sent-conspiracy-theories-to-people-before-explosion/11) Reuters. “Nashville bombing suspect may have believed in lizard people, aliens — source.” January 3, 2021.https://www.reuters.com/world/us/nashville-bombing-suspect-may-have-believed-lizard-people-aliens-source-2021-01-03/12) Reuters. “‘He was not on our radar': authorities search for motive in Nashville blast.” December 29, 2020.https://www.reuters.com/world/us/he-was-not-our-radar-authorities-search-motive-nashville-blast-2020-12-28/13) Reuters. “Motor home explodes in Nashville, possible human remains found near site.” December 26, 2020.https://www.reuters.com/world/us/motor-home-explodes-nashville-possible-human-remains-found-near-site-2020-12-26/14) NBC (via NBC San Diego). “Feds probing if Nashville bomber believed in lizard people conspiracy.” December 30, 2020.https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/national-international/feds-probing-if-nashville-bomber-believed-in-lizard-people-conspiracy/2483371/ FACT CHECKS15) Reuters Fact Check. “Debunking conspiracy links between Nashville explosion and Dominion.” December 29, 2020.https://www.reuters.com/article/world/fact-check-debunking-conspiracy-links-between-nashville-explosion-dominion-and-idUSKBN2931AJ/16) PolitiFact. “No, AT&T was not conducting an audit of Dominion Voting Systems machines in Nashville.” December 29, 2020.https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/dec/29/facebook-posts/no-t-was-not-conducting-audit-dominion-voting-syst/17) Associated Press Fact Check. “AT&T not conducting voting machine audit near Nashville after explosion.” December 28, 2020.https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-989820964118) WRAL. “Fact check: 3 conspiracy theories about the Nashville bombing.” December 30, 2020.https://www.wral.com/story/fact-check-3-conspiracy-theories-about-the-nashville-bombing/19450775/ CONTEXT / BACKGROUND19) Business Insider. “Lizard-people conspiracy theory origins (and why it resurfaced after the Nashville bombing).” January 7, 2021.https://www.businessinsider.com/lizard-people-conspiracy-theory-origin-nashville-bomber-qanon-2021-120) War on the Rocks. “The Nashville Bombing and Threats to Critical Infrastructure: We Saw This Coming.” December 31, 2020.https://warontherocks.com/2020/12/the-nashville-bombing-and-threats-to-critical-infrastructure-we-saw-this-coming/21) Domestic Preparedness (Kelly, Robert F. & Alexander, Dean C.). “Four Takeaways From the Nashville Christmas Bombing.” July 20, 2022.https://domesticpreparedness.com/cbrne/four-takeaways-from-the-nashville-christmas-bombing/22) DataCenterDynamics (Moss, Sebastian). “FBI does not believe Nashville bomber was targeting AT&T.” August 13, 2021.https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/fbi-does-not-believe-nashville-bomber-was-targeting-att/23) Axios. “Girlfriend told police Nashville man was building bombs year before explosion.” December 30, 2020.https://www.axios.com/2020/12/30/nashville-anthony-warner-bombsEmail us your favorite WEIRD news stories:weird@hysteria51.comSupport the Show:Get exclusive content & perks as well as an ad and sponsor free experience at https://www.patreon.com/Hysteria51 from just $1Shop:Be the Best Dressed at your Cult Meeting!https://www.teepublic.com/stores/hysteria51?ref_id=9022See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here we are for episode 804! We never got a chance to tell you about some of our more festive moments before the end of the year - so here they are... A drink's party with Charlotte and also what Paul and Calum got up to on Christmas Day! We also get to hear special messages from some of our surprise guest-stars! Thank you to all of them! Our next episode, #805 sees Bettina making a break for freedom - whilst Paul is looking for new recruits! Do  join us! Email us at shyyeti@yahoo.co.uk if you have comments - you can even send a sound-file and I'll include it. The music is by Udio and The Library Choir. Sound effects Pixabay. Logo by Owen O and Shy Yeti. All other content is Copyright Paul Chandler, 2026. Episode 804 was recorded on the 20th November 2025, with an additional introduction recorded on the 27th December 2025. Messages from our guests were recorded between the 21st November 2025 and the 12th January 2026. Extra material was recorded on the 25th December 2025.

On Christmas Day 2025, the US carried out missile strikes on suspected Islamist militants in Nigeria. They came after President Trump said he would intervene to protect Christians amid controversial claims of a “Christian genocide” in the country. The Nigerian government rejects such claims, saying both Muslim and Christian communities have been affected by insecurity in the country. Alex Last visits Plateau state in central Nigeria one area where ethnic and sectarian violence that has been the focus of US concern, to hear from both sides and meet those trying to bring peace.This episode of The Documentary comes to you from Assignment, investigations and journeys into the heart of global events.

On Christmas Day 2025, the US carried out missile strikes on suspected Islamist militants in Nigeria. They came after President Trump said he would intervene to protect Christians amid controversial claims of a “Christian genocide” in the country. The Nigerian government rejects such claims, saying both Muslim and Christian communities have been affected by insecurity in the country. Alex Last visits Plateau state in central Nigeria one area where ethnic and sectarian violence that has been the focus of US concern, to hear from both sides and meet those trying to bring peace.Produced and presented by Alex Last

On this week's episode Jacob, Brad and MTD talk about Five Nights at Freddy's and Five Nights at Freddy's 2. The guys start out by welcoming back MTD and Brad lets the listeners know he loves creating fake photos with MTD in them. They also confess that they watched these movies back to back on Christmas Day and wonder if there is any worse punishment than this. MTD tells them these movies sound like the worst movies they have watched. Brad confesses a weird flex he made to his buddies in 1990 about getting to go home and watch Rocky V. They then argue which pizza place was better Circus Pizza or Showbiz Pizza and then they wonder if they could pick up mom's at the pizza place if they all were single and in their 20's. You don't want to miss this episode and find out what the guys really think of these two movies.Follow Movie Torture here:https://www.instagram.com/movietorturepod/Buy Merch here:https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-hopecast-network-swag/This show is brought to you by The Hopecast Networkhttps://www.instagram.com/hopecastnetwork/

In this episode, Eddy and I realized that without physical drum magazines sitting around our studios, we've totally lost touch with what the major brands, besides our endorsements, are doing. So, we decided to fix that by taking a deep dive into companies that we are not sponsored by, starting with Pearl Drums!We answer the internet's most googled questions about the brand (Is Pearl actually good? Pearl vs. Tama?), and then—with an unlimited imaginary budget—we build our absolute dream Pearl kits from scratch.In this episode, we cover:The Dream Builds: I go with a Reference One and the Matt Halpern Signature Snare, while Eddy leans into nostalgia with a Maple/Gum kit and the Joey Jordison Signature Snare.The "Magazine Problem": Why it's so much harder to understand gear specs and innovation in the age of Instagram reels.Studio Update: I share the unfortunate news that my studio flooded on Christmas Day and that renovations are currently underway.Mentioned in this Episode:Pearl Reference One SeriesPearl Masters Maple/GumMatt Halpern Signature SnareJoey Jordison Signature SnareSupport the show

Send us a textWeek 16 put real pressure on the NFL playoff picture.James Cook, cooks in Cleveland, and Quinshon Judkins goes down with a brutal leg injury.Joe Burrow balls out in Miami.Cam Ward defeats the high school Chiefs team.Taysom Hill breaking records.Seahawks, Eagles, Bears, 49ers and Patriots clinch spots in the playoffs.We recap every Week 16 game, react to the moments that mattered, and look ahead to a massive Week 17 slate that includes three Christmas Day games and two Saturday matchup, all with postseason implications.No scripts. No filters. Just real reactions and real football talk.If you enjoy the show, hit that like button and drop your takes in the comments, it helps more than you know.Raw. Unfiltered.

Send us a textNFL Week 17, with two regular season weeks left, the playoff picture is officially tightening.We're breaking down every matchup, reacting to the Christmas Day games, and making our picks for this exciting week 17 slate...  plus a few raw predictions we're willing to stand on.Jared Goff and the Lions completely unraveled on national television Van Ginkel and Vikings Defense looking elite.Josh Johnson led a surprising rally for the Commanders against Dallas. Travis Kelce's potential final home game.Oh, and Snoop Dogg's holiday halftime show absolutely stole the spotlight.As the calendar flips, the stakes only get heavier. The Broncos are still pushing for the No. 1 seed.Giants and Raiders are locked in a quiet war for the top draft pick. Some teams are fighting to lock down home-field advantage, others are fighting to survive, and a few are already staring straight into the draft board.We don't do “expert analysis.”We're here to talk football, react honestly, and make picks we can actually stand on.Raw. Unfiltered. 

On Christmas Day 2006, police in Phoenix, Arizona, entered a quiet home expecting a simple welfare check. Instead, they found 21-year-old Heather Quan deceased, and 18-year-old Ryan Waller barely alive, suffering from a gunshot wound that went unnoticed at first. What followed changed the course of multiple lives, reshaped an Arizona law, and left two families searching for understanding in the aftermath of unimaginable violence.A video version of this episode is available on YouTube and SpotifyHow to support:For extra perks including exclusive content, early release, and ad-free episodes -Go to - PatreonHow to connect:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterTheme and Closing Track:Original compositions created for The Minds of MadnessPlease check out our sponsors and help support the podcast:Nutrafol - Start your hair growth journey with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month's subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code MADNESSUncommon Goods -  To get 15% off your next gift, go to Uncommongoods.com/madnessGrow Therapy - Whatever challenges you're facing, Grow Therapy is here to help. Visit GrowTherapy.com/MADNESS today to get started. Availability and coverage vary by state and insurance plan.Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/madnessQuince - Upgrade your wardrobe with pieces made to last with Quince. Go to Quince.com/madness for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Greenlight - Don't wait to teach your kids real-world money skills; start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at Greenlight.com/MADNESSMarley Spoon - This new year, fast-track your way to eating well with Marley Spoon. Head to MarleySpoon.com/offer/MADNESS for 45% off your first order and free delivery.Editing:Aiden WolfSources:https://www.maricopacountyattorney.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=541https://caselaw.findlaw.com/az-court-of-appeals/1600718.htmlhttps://law.justia.com/cases/arizona/court-of-appeals-division-one/2014/1-ca-cr-12-0858.htmlhttps://law.justia.com/cases/arizona/court-of-appeals-division-one/2009/1-ca-cr-08-0457.htmlhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c_lmx4LdNwhttps://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/1r/bills/sb1153s.pdfhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/228526929/ryan_thomas-wallerhttps://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/ryan-waller-case-prompts-law-change-in-arizonahttps://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/heathers-law-passes-after-tragic-phoenix-murder-6652176

In this special Listener Spotlight episode, Jay and Brian are joined by Lamont for a dive into one of the most important (and often overlooked) BBQ skills: shopping for beef. From timing your meat purchases to knowing how much to buy, where to buy it, and what to look for at the counter, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you cook with confidence. This week's highlight

We begin this week in  1970's Sardinia, where a quiet, deeply devout teenage girl began to wake up every night at exactly 3:00 a.m., convinced something terrible was standing next to her bed… watching her… and waiting to enter her. Then we head to Christmas Day, 1929, when a well-liked North Carolina farmer committed the unspeakable. Has it spawned paranormal activity? Then we find ourselves visiting the same house, ten years apart, both times the home is for sale and empty... or is it? Lastly, a sweet, sad and comforting tale of a couple so deeply connected, not even death can keep them apart. Do you want to get all of our episodes a WEEK early, ad free? Want to help us support amazing charities? Join us on Patreon!Want to be a Patron? Get episodes AD-FREE, listen and watch before they are released to anyone else, bonus episodes, a 20% merch discount, additional content, and more! Learn more by visiting: https://www.patreon.com/scaredtodeathpodcast.Send stories to mystory@scaredtodeathpodcast.comSend everything else to info@scaredtodeathpodcast.comPlease rate, review, and subscribe anywhere you listen.Thank you for listening!Follow the show on social media: @scaredtodeathpodcast on Facebook and IG and TTWebsite: https://www.badmagicproductions.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scaredtodeathpodcastInstagram: https://bit.ly/2miPLf5Mailing Address:Scared to Deathc/o Timesuck PodcastPO Box 3891Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816Opening Sumerian protection spell (adapted):"Whether thou art a ghost that hath come from the earth, or a phantom of night that hath no home… or one that lieth dead in the desert… or a ghost unburied… or a demon or a ghoul… Whatever thou be until thou art removed… thou shalt find here no water to drink… Thou shalt not stretch forth thy hand to our own… Into our house enter thou not. Through our fence, breakthrough thou not… we are protected though we may be frightened. Our life you may not steal, though we may feel SCARED TO DEATH." Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Scared to Death ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Taylor Swift and Blake Lively's text messages have been released for the ongoing legal battle between Blakey Lively and Justin Baldoni. Christmas Day 2025 wsa the highest streaming day on record!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OOTD on stormy rain Christmas Day 2025

What exercise have you started in January, and why are you going to stick to it this time? We're continuing with the positivity in 2026 and trying to ensure it continues all year. And you could already be doing exercise that you don't even know about! Plus, kebab shop rents, belly dancing, Christmas Day splits and supermarket tantrums. Send us a voicenote: 07468 286104 If you'd like to join our Diet Club, mark your weight loss with our exclusive certificates, get Extra Portions of this podcast and win CASH PRIZES go to patreon.com/noshameinagain or find us on the Patreon app. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OOTD in stormy rainy Christmas day

Singer-songwriter and Lyme disease advocate Jesse Ruben joins the Tick Boot Camp Podcast for an incredibly honest, emotional, and deeply educational conversation about chronic Lyme disease, identity loss, treatment failure, unconventional healing, relapse, nervous system trauma, and the role of music and community in survival. Jesse's journey spans more than a decade and includes misdiagnosis, years of antibiotic treatment, experimental therapies, remission, relapse during the pandemic, gut microbiome restoration, nervous system healing, and ultimately a renewed sense of purpose through advocacy and art. This episode is essential listening for anyone navigating chronic Lyme disease, supporting someone who is sick, or questioning whether healing is still possible. Jesse Ruben's Early Life and Music Career Jesse grew up outside Philadelphia, surrounded by music, creativity, and curiosity. While he jokes that his songwriting degree was “a very expensive, useless piece of paper,” the competitive creative environment of music school helped sharpen his storytelling voice. By his early 20s, Jesse was living in New York City, touring, running marathons, and building momentum as an independent musician. He had just completed his third New York City Marathon, was in peak physical condition, and his career was accelerating—until his health began to unravel. The Onset of Illness: When Lyme Disease Took Everything Jesse's first red flag appeared when he became short of breath climbing subway stairs, despite being a marathon runner. Soon after, nausea, dizziness, headaches, neurological symptoms, and crushing fatigue followed. On Christmas Day 2012, Jesse developed what seemed like a flu that never went away. Over the following months, symptoms escalated dramatically: Severe fatigue that made basic movement impossible Brain fog and memory loss Crawling sensations under the skin Air hunger and dizziness Anxiety, depression, and mood changes Weight loss and neurological dysfunction Despite seeing 15 doctors over nine months, Jesse received conflicting diagnoses ranging from vitamin deficiencies to fibromyalgia and lupus. Every test came back “normal.” Insurance denied coverage. Doctors told him he would “have to live with it.” During a national tour, Jesse was so debilitated that a friend physically lifted him onto the stage to perform, then carried him back to the van afterward. Eventually, through relentless self-research, Jesse discovered a symptom list online that finally connected the dots: Lyme disease. Diagnosis and Early Treatment Failure Jesse was ultimately diagnosed at the Morrison Center in New York City, where testing confirmed: Lyme disease Babesia Mycoplasma His initial treatment path included: 6 months of oral doxycycline 18 months of IV azithromycin Antiparasitics Mepron (for Babesia) Antifungals, antivirals, supplements, and Chinese herbs Despite years of treatment, nothing produced lasting improvement. Jesse describes his life during this period as being reduced to pill schedules, doctor visits, and survival mode. The Game Changer: Chelation and Ozone Therapy After nearly three years with minimal progress, Jesse's provider, Dr. Gerald (“Jerry”) T. Simons at the Morrison Center, suggested a more experimental approach: chelation combined with ozone therapy. Jesse underwent IV chelation and ozone therapy multiple times per week for several months. The results were dramatic. Nearly all of Jesse's symptoms resolved, and for the first time, he felt like himself again. Even years later, booster ozone treatments helped stop symptom flares before they escalated.

On Christmas Day, the United States launched a series of missile strikes in Nigeria, ostensibly against jihadist groups. In the weeks prior, Donald Trump had been claiming that Christians in Nigeria were being subjected to systematic attacks by such groups, and he framed these strikes as a "Christmas present" that killed jihadist leaders and destroyed terrorist camps. But that does not seem to have been the case. The strikes largely targeted an area in northwest Nigeria that is not home to any major jihadist group, and credible independent analysts have not found evidence of any deaths. Last week, a New York Times report found unexploded Tomahawk missiles lying in a field. So what is actually going on here? My guest today, Amaka Anku, is the head of Eurasia Group's Africa Practice. She was in Nigeria at the time of the strikes, which she said caused considerable bewilderment among Nigerians. We kick off by discussing what we know about the missile strikes and why the region targeted was politically convenient for both the American and Nigerian governments. We then have a longer conversation about what these American missile strikes say—and don't say—about Nigeria's multiple security challenges. Support the show! https://www.globaldispatches.org/

It's Wednesday, January 14th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Most dangerous countries for Christians: The 2026 Red List Global Christian Relief released its 2026 Red List of the world's most dangerous countries to be a Christian.  The report verified nearly 2,000 Christians were killed between November 2023 and October 2025. The country with the most killings of Christians was Nigeria. The country with the most violence and intimidation against churches was Rwanda. China led with the most arrests and sentences of Christians. Mozambique saw the most displacement of believers. And Mexico had the most abductions of Christians.  Other dangerous countries for Christians included the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Russia, Ukraine, and Vietnam. Psalm 37:14-15 says, “The wicked have drawn the sword and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to slay those who are of upright conduct. Their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.” Trump threatens Nigeria with more military strikes Speaking of Nigeria, the country could see more military strikes from the United States if violence against Christians continues. On Christmas Day last month, the U.S. launched deadly strikes in Nigeria against militants linked with the Islamic State.   U.S. President Donald Trump told The New York Times last Thursday, “I'd love to make it a one-time strike. But if they continue to kill Christians it will be a many-time strike.” Listen to President Trump's warning last November. TRUMP: “I'm hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians.” Texas banned tax-funded abortion travel Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton claimed victory last Friday in a case against San Antonio's abortion travel fund. The city established its so-called “Reproductive Justice Fund” last year to support women traveling to other states to kill their unborn babies. However, Texas subsequently passed a law to ban such funding. Attorney General Paxton commented on the case. He said, “I will always do everything in my power to prevent radicals from manipulating the system to murder innocent babies. … San Antonio's unlawful attempt to cover the travel and other expenses for out-of-state abortions has now officially been defeated.” Trump wants to ban institutional investors in single-family homes President Donald Trump is calling for Congress to ban large institutional investors from buying single-family homes. Such investors have acquired thousands of single-family homes since the 2008 financial crisis.  President Trump hopes his ban on institutional investors would make single-family homes more affordable. The median price for an existing home hit a record $435,300 last year. On Truth Social, he wrote, “People live in homes, not corporations.” More immigrants left America than entered in 2025 A report by the Brookings Institute estimates that more immigrants left the U.S. than entered it last year. The report suggests net migration fell by anywhere from 10,000 to 295,000 in 2025. It's the first time in at least 50 years that net migration was negative for America. 2026 is also expected to see negative net migration. Actor Timothy Busfield arrested on child sex abuse charges NewsNation has confirmed that Emmy-winning actor Timothy Busfield has surrendered to law enforcement after an arrest warrant was issued last week amid allegations of sexual abuse involving minors in New Mexico. According to a criminal complaint, two young actors allege that Busfield, age 68, touched them inappropriately while on set filming the Fox series “The Cleaning Lady” from 2022 to 2024, where Busfield was an Executive Producer. The court documents detail a pattern of grooming, where Busfield would allegedly shower the children with gifts and praise, while also kissing and fondling the boys in a bedroom on set. They were 7 and 8 years old at the time. Record high of U.S. independents A new Gallup survey found a record-high 45 percent of U.S. adults identified as political independents last year. The last time that Americans were evenly split between Republicans, Independents, and Democrats was 2005. Since then, identification with Republicans and Democrats has dwindled to 27 percent each.  The rise of political independents comes as younger generations are less likely to identify with a party. However, slightly more Americans still lean Democrat than Republican.  Christian homeless shelter allowed to hire like-minded staff And finally, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously in favor of Union Gospel Mission last Tuesday. The Christian homeless shelter in Washington state serves anyone but only hires employees who agree with their religious beliefs. A state anti-discrimination law would have required the mission to hire people who did not align with their beliefs. So, the mission challenged the law with the help of Alliance Defending Freedom. Jeremiah Galus, Senior Counsel with the Christian legal group, said, “Yakima Union Gospel Mission exists to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through its homeless shelter, addiction-recovery programs, outreach efforts, meal services, and health clinics. The Ninth Circuit correctly ruled that the First Amendment protects the mission's freedom to hire fellow believers who share that calling.” Hebrews 13:16 says, “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, January 14th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Thank you to our sponsors, Multichain Advisors and Mantle! Aave DAO on Christmas Day lost the vote to take control of Aave brand assets, but the fight is likely not over. In this Uneasy Money episode Aave Chan Initiative (ACI) founder Marc Zeller takes hosts Kain Warwick and Taylor Monahan inside the fight over one of DeFi's biggest names, teasing a “phase two” of the fight. Plus, why is Infinex's ICO getting so much flak and are claims of insider trading on Polymarket misguided? Hosts: Kain Warwick Taylor Monahan Guests: Marc Zeller, Founder of the Aave Chan Initiative (ACI) Links: Uneasy Money: Why Token Holders Have No Rights & Why Every DAO ‘Has Failed' Aave Labs Proposes Off-Protocol Revenue Sharing With Token Holders Aave's Rushed Governance Vote Draws Backlash Infinex Changes INX Token Sale Terms After Low Demand MegaETH Just Had Its Public Sale. Can It Succeed in Building a Web2-Like Experience? Polymarket Introduces Taker Fees in 15-Minute Markets Polymarket Resolves Issues After Polygon Network Disruption How to Trade Prediction Markets Without an Opinion on the Event Ethereum's Vitalik Buterin Says Blockchain Trilemma ‘Has Been Solved' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

INTRO (00:24): Kathleen opens the show drinking a 412 American Lager from the Springfield Brewing Company. She reviews her holiday season with family, fishing on Christmas Day in the Ozarks and day drinking with her cousins in Nashville for New Years.    TOUR NEWS: See Kathleen live on her “Day Drinking Tour.”   COURT NEWS (26:04): Kathleen shares news of Taylor Swift's “The End of An Era” docuseries success, Snoop Dogg performed a successful Christmas Day halftime show, and Post Malone performed outside of Posty's Bar in Nashville on New Year's Eve in Nashville.    TASTING MENU (5:01): Kathleen samples Wonder Cream Filled Chocolate Cupcakes, Dill Pickle Flavored Wonderful Pistachios, and Tasty Nate's Beef Tallow Game Day BBQ Fried Chips.    UPDATES (46:21): Kathleen shares updates on Meghan Markle's latest publicity issue, Take Back Power hits the Ritz Carlton in London, and the Louvre installs security bars.   FRONT PAGE PUB NEWS (54:44): Kathleen shares articles on the New York Times Top 5 Comedy Special to watch during the 2025 holidays, the possible serial killer in Houston has been active, Italy isn't ready to host the Olympics, Southwest Airlines experiences financial issues despite ending its free bag policy, Bonnaroo 2026 and Stagecoach 2026 headliners are announced, the Kansas City Chiefs are moving to Kansas, Michigan is cracking down on ticket bots, and Nostradamus and Baba Vanga's 2026 predictions are revealed.    HOLY SHIT THEY FOUND IT (54:05): Kathleen reads about an extremely rare flat-headed wild cat caught on camera in Thailand.    WHAT ARE WE WATCHING (43:45): Kathleen recommends watching “Members Only: Palm Beach” on Netflix.    FEEL GOOD STORY (1:26:02): Kathleen shares a story about a king penguin named Lala who became a local celebrity in Japan. 

Michael J Bennett and Jessica Piscatelli Robinson tell holiday stories that are new, true and kinda blue.  

We're back for our first new show of 2026. Bobby shares what new family Christmas tradition he took part in and how it will change once he and his wife have a baby. He also shares what he broke into on Christmas day. We talked about Morgan getting engaged over the Christmas break and she shared all the details. Lunchbox also gives his thoughts. Amy shares what her 2026 Word of the Year will be after last year it was ‘alignment’. We all go around the room and share what word will define us in the new year. A survey found the Top 10 New Year Resolutions for Americans in 2026. We use it in the round of a Bobby Feud!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's Headlines: Looks like there's no easing into this new year. Trump dramatically escalated his Venezuela fixation this weekend, launching major strikes in Caracas and having Nicolás Maduro pulled from his home and flown to federal detention in Brooklyn. Maduro was re-indicted on familiar narcotrafficking charges, while Trump bragged that the U.S. is effectively “running Venezuela now” alongside American oil companies. But instead of installing Trump's preferred opposition figure, Venezuela's Supreme Court tapped Maduro's vice president Delcy Rodríguez as interim leader. Before all that, the U.S. had spent weeks chasing a Venezuela-bound oil tanker — until Russia swooped in on New Year's Eve, added it to its registry, and painted a Russian flag on the side to shield it from seizure. Trump also hosted President Zelensky at Mar-a-Lago with Stephen Miller, Jared Kushner, and Pete Hegseth, claiming “progress” while simultaneously echoing outrage on Putin's behalf after a friendly call with him. Abroad, Switzerland's army chief warned the country couldn't withstand a major attack, protests in Iran turned deadly as Trump threatened to “intervene,” and Trump ordered Christmas Day strikes on ISIS militants in Nigeria. On the home front, Trump froze all childcare payments nationwide after citing a Minnesota welfare fraud case involving a small group of Somali immigrants — while simultaneously moving to garnish wages from millions of student loan borrowers in default starting in January. One notable check on his power: the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 against his National Guard deployments to several U.S. cities. Meanwhile, the newly released Jack Smith testimony says he had evidence Trump committed multiple felonies that could rise to treason before his cases were shut down — and the massive Epstein document dump is already under scrutiny for delays, missing records, and questionable redactions, including internal DOJ emails noting Trump flew on Epstein's plane more than previously known. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: NBC News: Maduro arrives in New York after capture in Venezuela NYT: How Trump Fixed On a Maduro Loyalist as Venezuela's New Leader NYT: Russia Asks United States to Stop Pursuit of Fleeing Oil Tanker NBC News: Trump and Zelenskyy project optimism about prospects for a Ukraine-Russia peace deal despite 'thorny issues' The Daily Beast: Putin Burns Trump With Embarrassing Details of Phone Chat Reuters: Army chief says Switzerland can't defend itself from full-scale attack PBS: Trump threatens to intervene in Iran if regime continues to kill protesters NYT: U.S. Strikes ISIS in Nigeria After Trump Warned of Attacks on Christians NYT: Trump and Netanyahu Exchange Praise After Meeting, Showing Few Signs of Strain CNN: Israel becomes first country to formally recognize Somaliland as independent state AP News: Trump's attacks on Minnesota's Somali community cast a spotlight on fraud cases The Guardian: Trump administration reportedly freezes all childcare payments to all states CNBC: Trump administration to start seizing pay of defaulted student loan borrowers in January WaPo: Trump ends effort to keep National Guard in Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland PBS: Read Jack Smith's full deposition on the decision to indict Trump Axios: Mike Pence's think tank poaches top Heritage staff as MAGA rift grows NBC News: Justice Department is reviewing 5.2 million pages of Jeffrey Epstein files NBC News: The president, the plane and the prince: Top takeaways from the 3rd Epstein files release Des Moines Register: Democrat wins Iowa Senate election, holding off GOP supermajority CNBC: USPS changes may delay postmark dates. What it means for your tax returns, ballots, bills and more Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Howard Beck and Raja Bell are back with another edition of Real Ones to review all the action from the Christmas Day games. The Lakers were blown out by the Rockets at home on Christmas Day 119-96. Is there a LeBron problem that might come to a breaking point before the season ends? The Thunder have lost four of their last six games with three of them being at the hand of the Spurs. Have the Spurs surpassed the Thunder in the West's hierarchy? Howard and Raja then discuss the rest of the action from Christmas Day, including Nikola Jokic's 56-point outburst and Cooper Flagg's development. (0:00:00) Intro (2:40) Raja's playing days on Christmas (7:28) FanDuel ad break (8:43) Lakers' disappointing Christmas game (28:34) Amazon Prime ad break (29:08) Thunder-Spurs rivalry (43:35) Mavs-Warriors (55:16) Cavs-Knicks (58:07) Wolves-Nuggets (1:00:26) Real One of the Week Hit the mailbag! realonesmailbag@gmail.com Hosts: Howard Beck and Raja BellProducers: Victoria Valencia and Clifford AugustinAdditional Production Support: Ben Cruz and Conor Nevins The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out ⁠rg-help.com⁠ to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details. Shopping. Streaming. Celebrating. It's on Prime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Christmas Day football was less than entertaining. Taylor has a rough show trying to figure out the Patriot's QB depth chart. Kyle Whittingham is reportedly the focus of Michigan's coaching search. Plus, Stugtoz, Mikey and Taylor talk it out before this weekend in the NFL. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.