Podcasts about coupon code

n this episode, I'll explain what almost all dividend investors get wrong, why chasing income can hold you back, and how to use dividends in a way that actually helps your portfolio support the life you're trying to build. Join the world's largest free Dividend Discord ➜ https://discord.gg/kkSr5FY Join my channel membership as a GenEx Partner to access new perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuOS-UH_s4KGhArN6HdRB0Q/join Seeking Alpha Affiliate Referral Link ➜ https://link.seekingalpha.com/2352ZCK/4G6SHH/ Click my FAST Graphs Link (Use coupon code AFFILIATE25 to get 25% off your 1st payment) ➜ https://fastgraphs.com/?ref=GenExDividendInvestor Please use my Amazon Affiliates Link ➜ https://amzn.to/2YLxsiW Thanks! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Support me & get Patreon perks ➜ https://www.patreon.com/join/genexdividendinvestor Use my Financial Modeling Prep affiliate link for awesome stock API data (up to a 25% discount) ➡️ https://site.financialmodelingprep.com/pricing-plans?couponCode=genex25

A Fortune 250 company's Salesman of the Year. Devoted husband. Faithful Catholic father and a 17-year addiction no one knew about, including his wife. John Edwards spent nearly two decades living two lives at once. He closed sales by day, chased down his dealer by afternoon, and kept the mask on at home so well that no one knew. It held together right up until the morning he sat in a jail cell on Good Friday with nothing left to control. This is the story of how a man hits the absolute bottom and finds out it was never the end of his story. Today, John Heinen and Devin Schadt sit down with John to talk about what actually drives addiction, why isolation is the devil's first move on a man, and how the wound of "am I enough" sends so many men looking for affirmation in all the wrong places. John Edwards is the founder of Pew Ministries and host of the Just a Guy in the Pew podcast. Get a signed copy of John Edwards' book: https://store.justaguyinthepew.com/collections/frontpage/products/power-made-perfect-finding-true-strength-in-christ-autographed-book Learn more - https://justaguyinthepew.com

Wedding season is here, and with every ceremony comes a carefully chosen soundtrack. From classical favorites to recent pop hits, wedding music often reveals something deeply personal about a couple's story, values, identity, and dreams. What does your wedding music say about you? And how may these songs continue to shape memories long after the wedding day is over? The next time you're at a wedding, listen closely – you might learn more about the couple than you realize. Links and notes related to this episode can be found at https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/micro62 Connect with us: Newsletter: https://mpetersonmusic.com/subscribe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnhanceLifeMusic/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enhancelifemusic/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpetersonpiano/ X: https://twitter.com/musicenhances YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@enhancelifemusic Sponsorship information: https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/sponsor Leave us a review on Podchaser.com! https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/enhance-life-with-music-909096 In-episode promo: Living Well with Dr. Michelle (https://livingwellwithdrmichelle.com/musicenhances) or use Coupon Code musicenhances10 for 10% off. (Or buy on Amazon https://amzn.to/4iaYE1e.)  

In this episode, I'll respond to an article that was just published in the Wall Street Journal about the death of dividends. Join the world's largest free Dividend Discord ➜ https://discord.gg/kkSr5FY Join my channel membership as a GenEx Partner to access new perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuOS-UH_s4KGhArN6HdRB0Q/join Seeking Alpha Affiliate Referral Link ➜ https://link.seekingalpha.com/2352ZCK/4G6SHH/ Click my FAST Graphs Link (Use coupon code AFFILIATE25 to get 25% off your 1st payment) ➜ https://fastgraphs.com/?ref=GenExDividendInvestor Please use my Amazon Affiliates Link ➜ https://amzn.to/2YLxsiW Thanks! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Support me & get Patreon perks ➜ https://www.patreon.com/join/genexdividendinvestor Use my Financial Modeling Prep affiliate link for awesome stock API data (up to a 25% discount) ➡️ https://site.financialmodelingprep.com/pricing-plans?couponCode=genex25

Affiliate Links   Dakota Lithium – LiPo batteries – 11 yr warranty. Dakota Lithium use Coupon Code: thehamradioguy   Hamstuffonline.com   American Filament   Use code HRG to give customers 5% off of up to 2 spools.   ABR industries – Coax https://abrind.com/?sld=w0met10   County Comms - Every day carry items https://countycomm.com/THEHAMRADIO   Ham radio Prep  https://www.HamRadioPrep.com/?rfsn=8918896.b362a3.  Use code HAMRADIOGUY.   Alpha Antenna.    https://www.alphaantenna.com/W0MET?aff=24   Bridgecom Systems https://www-affiliate-bridgecomsystems.goaffpro.com/    https://portal.referralcandy.com/FKVKH75/share_redirect?type=referral_link_email_click&location=reminder_email&message_id=1231229231   Big Poppa Smokers.  http://shrsl.com/4u7s0. FREEAFFBPS  Use code for Free shipping   Lido mounts https://www.lidoradio.com/pages/brands?sca_ref=8185043.zmqlAAzYNB you can also click on any link and use Coupon Code: HamRadioGuy   Spec 5 Meshtashtic https://specfive.com?sca_ref=8242389.ii7FfHThhfLNxdCl SOCIAL MEDIA   https://twitter.com/TheHamRadioGuy    https://www.patreon.com/TheHamRadioGuy   Email: W0MET@thehamradioguy.com   Sign up for the newsletter

Whether you're curating a summer reading list or just love a good book recommendation, this episode is for you! I'm sharing my 7 favorite nonfiction book releases of 2025 – 2 of which are going on my favorite-books-of-all-time list! From happiness and health to aging, friendship, and the finance book that shifted my perspective on spending – if you're looking for thought-provoking, life-enhancing reads to add to your summer stack, this episode is packed with inspiration.   Links and notes related to this episode can be found at https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/micro60 Connect with us: Newsletter: https://mpetersonmusic.com/subscribe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnhanceLifeMusic/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enhancelifemusic/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpetersonpiano/ X: https://twitter.com/musicenhances YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@enhancelifemusic Sponsorship information: https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/sponsor Leave us a review on Podchaser.com! https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/enhance-life-with-music-909096 In-episode promo: Living Well with Dr. Michelle (https://livingwellwithdrmichelle.com/musicenhances) or use Coupon Code musicenhances10 for 10% off. (Or buy on Amazon https://amzn.to/4iaYE1e.)  

In this episode, I'll show you my dividend income and explain why some people say I shouldn't love dividends, or even invest this way. And as I walk through my portfolio and spreadsheet, I'll show you a buy I made this week and talk through a risk that I think a lot of folks underestimate. After that, I'll use my British American Tobacco dividend payment history to explain why a weakening dollar can be good or bad, depending on your context. Then I'll share some insights into how stock ownership actually works on the backend and how that might be changing in the near future. Join the world's largest free Dividend Discord ➜ https://discord.gg/kkSr5FY Join my channel membership as a GenEx Partner to access new perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuOS-UH_s4KGhArN6HdRB0Q/join Seeking Alpha Affiliate Referral Link ➜ https://link.seekingalpha.com/2352ZCK/4G6SHH/ Click my FAST Graphs Link (Use coupon code AFFILIATE25 to get 25% off your 1st payment) ➜ https://fastgraphs.com/?ref=GenExDividendInvestor Please use my Amazon Affiliates Link ➜ https://amzn.to/2YLxsiW Thanks! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Support me & get Patreon perks ➜ https://www.patreon.com/join/genexdividendinvestor Use my Financial Modeling Prep affiliate link for awesome stock API data (up to a 25% discount) ➡️ https://site.financialmodelingprep.com/pricing-plans?couponCode=genex25

This stat should shake every Catholic father awake: 85 to 90 percent of kids raised in Catholic homes will leave the faith by adulthood. We've somehow accepted that as normal. It's not. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Greg Popcak, a Catholic counselor with over 30 years in the trenches and author of more than 20 books, to talk about what the families who beat those odds are actually doing differently. Greg walks me through the 12 research-validated habits that families who successfully pass on the faith all share in common, what he calls the Liturgy of Domestic Church Life. We get into why just dragging your kids to Mass and white-knuckling the family Rosary isn't enough if there's no joy behind it, why your kids need to experience the Faith as the source of the meaning in your home and not just the source of the rules. He breaks down what headship actually looks like when it's modeled after the ministerial priesthood rather than a dictator, and he tells a story from his time in Hong Kong about a father who tried to hug his daughter for the first time and she didn't even know what he was doing. Catholic Hom App — https://www.catholichom.com/ Catholic Counselors — https://catholiccounselors.com/ More to Life — Greg and Lisa's daily EWTN radio program https://www.ewtn.com/radio/shows/more2life Books by Greg Popcak: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001JS8324/allbooks FREE Handmade Wooden Rosary with Pardon Crucifix This Month for those joining CG+

This conversation was originally recorded in June 2024. Exorcist priest Fr. Chad Ripperger grew up working in his father's diesel mechanics shop, where he learned that reality doesn't care what you think or how you feel. A bolt either fits or it doesn't. A machine is either fixed or it isn't. And a man is either being formed or he's being stunted. In this conversation, Fr. Ripperger unpacks why young men today are trapped in adolescence, what the curse of Adam has to do with effeminacy, and how the simple act of learning to use tools and do hard work is the antidote to the softness crippling an entire generation. From the lessons his father taught him through one-liners and long days under the hood, to why men find such deep fulfillment in buying a new tool, to how his formation as a mechanic directly prepared him for his work as an exorcist, Fr. Ripperger connects the practical and the spiritual in a way only he can. If you're raising boys or trying to become the man you never had an example of, this one's worth your time.

Every man knows the difference between a morning that owns him and a morning he owns. In this episode, Devin Schadt and I walk through a practical seven-point framework for building a morning routine that actually holds. From the heroic minute and the science behind a fixed wake time, to what you put in your body before prayer, to why your evening examen the night before may be the most overlooked factor in how your next day unfolds. We get honest about what didn't work, like falling asleep face-down at 4:45 a.m., white-knuckling 18 months without caffeine, and trying to out-pray their wives out of competition rather than conviction. This isn't a productivity hack. It's a rule of life built on obedience, worship, and the promise that God doesn't bless leftovers. He blesses first fruits.

Define Success or Chase It Forever   Success feels endless until you define it. In this episode, Rocky sits down with Mitch Matthews, success coach and creator of the top 1% podcast Dream Think Do, to explore why high-achieving leaders and entrepreneurs struggle to articulate their dreams and how to build a business that actually fulfills you. Mitch shares the unlikely lessons from his 13-year-old self working at a bike shop in Iowa to his current work with organizations like Nike, NASA, and Disney. If you've hit your revenue goals but still feel empty, this conversation is for you.    Learning Insights  Success Is Closer Than You Think (But You Have to Define It). Most entrepreneurs are three feet from gold without realizing it. Define what success means to you in this current season and watch how quickly it becomes achievable.  Your Business Sequence Matters More Than Your Dream. Every successful business has a clear sequence that moves people from awareness to trust to investment. Most entrepreneurs can't articulate theirs, which is why they struggle to attract consistent clients.  Be Interested, Not Interesting. Stop trying to impress people with expertise. Start genuinely asking questions and listening. Curiosity creates connection far better than charisma ever will.  Permission Is a Self-Imposed Barrier. You don't need your boss, family, or industry to give you permission to pursue your next chapter. You just need to give it to yourself and start.  Dreams Are Season-Specific, Not Life-Long Absolutes. Just because you have a dream doesn't mean now is the right season. You can acknowledge it, prepare strategically, and wait for the right moment without guilt.    Why This Conversation Matters  This conversation matters because the majority of business owners operate from a default definition of success they never chose. They're chasing numbers inherited from their environment rather than defined by themselves. The most fulfilled entrepreneurs paused to ask: What does success actually look like for me right now? Understanding your sequence and building permission into your own narrative removes the shame from uncertainty while making your direction crystal clear.    Money Learning  Mitch's first job at 13 taught him that work equals income, and income equals freedom and choice. Later, when building his coaching business during the "sitcom life" (single income, two children, oppressive mortgage), he couldn't quit his day job. Instead, financial constraints forced him to be strategic about his sequence and message, allowing him to build a six-figure business in just five months on the side.    Key Takeaway  Define what success means to you in this season before you spend another year chasing it. Build a clear sequence that guides people from awareness to investment. Finally, give yourself permission to start your next chapter without waiting for external validation. Most entrepreneurs are closer to their goals than they realize—they just haven't named them yet.    About Mitch Matthews   Mitch Matthews is a success coach, speaker, and creator of the top 1% podcast DREAM THINK DO  where he helps high-achieving leaders and entrepreneurs dream bigger, think better, and do more of what they were put on the planet to do.   He's worked with organizations like Nike, NASA, and Disney, and he's the creator of The Authority Bridge™  a proven process that helps professionals turn their experience into a coaching and speaking business they love.    Links  Website: www.MitchMatthews.com   www.MitchMatthews.com/time   Coupon Code: richersoul  Podcast: DREAM THINK DO: https://mitchmatthews.com/blog/     To join thousands who receive Mitch's weekly "4 Things" email… you can go to: MitchMatthews.com/4things     "Discover 44 Proven Ways to Find Your First Life Coaching Clients (And Keep Them Coming!)" Guide: mitchmatthews.com/44ways   "Faith & Focus: 11 Prayers for Building a Business and/or a Coaching Organization You Love" Guide: mitchmatthews.com/11prayers    Instagram: @mitch.matthews    Facebook: @mitch.matthews.104    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchmatthews/       Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@richersoul  Richer Soul Life Beyond Money. You got rich, now what? Let's talk about your journey to more a purposeful, intentional, amazing life. Where are you going to go and how are you going to get there? Let's figure that out together. At the core is the financial well being to be able to do what you want, when you want, how you want. It's about personal freedom!  Thanks for listening!  Show Sponsor: http://profitcomesfirst.com/  Schedule your free no obligation call: https://bookme.name/rockyl/lite/intro appointment 15 minutes  If you like the show please leave a review on iTunes: http://bit.do/richersoul  https://www.facebook.com/richersoul  http://richersoul.com/  rocky@richersoul.com  Some music provided by Junan from Junan Podcast  Any financial advice is for educational purposes only and you should consult with an expert for your specific needs. 

So many women feel overwhelmed—but can't quite explain why. In this powerful conversation with coach Michelle Keil, we uncover the hidden weight of the "mental load" and why trying harder isn't the solution. Michelle introduces a surprisingly simple yet profound tool—doodling—that helps women step out of overthinking, reconnect with themselves, and make more intentional choices. If you've been carrying more than anyone can see, this episode will help you feel lighter, more aware, and deeply supported. For more information about Michelle and for links to access all she has to offer, please click HERE! View on YouTube, go HERE. Open Taps Reset HERE. Coupon Code for a free doodling class is "MOTHERLOAD" For more information and available downloads, go to: https://ldslifecoaches.com/ All content is copyrighted to Heather Rackham and featured coaches. Do not use without permission.  

Men today are doing everything they've been told, working hard, providing, staying faithful, yet they still feel disconnected or confused from their wives and children. In this episode, John Heinen and Devin Schadt sit down with Adam Lane Smith to uncover why. Drawing from the science of attachment theory, Adam exposes how a man can be highly capable on the outside while remaining emotionally isolated on the inside, and how that disconnect quietly shapes every relationship he has. They explore the hidden dynamics behind fading desire, emotional shutdown, and why so many men default to solving problems alone. Adam also lays out a clear framework for rebuilding connection in marriage, including the overlooked steps that either strengthen or slowly erode a wife's trust and intimacy. Adam Lane Smith - https://adamlanesmith.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AttachmentAdam

One thing every human craves is connection – but what if that feeling of being "in sync" with others isn't just emotional, but neurological? Discover how music taps into oxytocin and interbrain synchrony to create powerful moments of connection, alignment, and belonging. Links and notes related to this episode can be found at https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/micro58 Connect with us: Newsletter: https://mpetersonmusic.com/subscribe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnhanceLifeMusic/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enhancelifemusic/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpetersonpiano/ X: https://twitter.com/musicenhances YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@enhancelifemusic Sponsorship information: https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/sponsor Leave us a review on Podchaser.com! https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/enhance-life-with-music-909096 In-episode promo: Living Well with Dr. Michelle (https://livingwellwithdrmichelle.com/musicenhances) or use Coupon Code musicenhances10 for 10% off. (Or buy on Amazon https://amzn.to/4iaYE1e.)  

Macstock 2026 — With a Coupon Code! CES 2026: Cearvol Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids ViewSonic VP2788-5K — Almost as Nice as the Apple Studio Display at Half the Price CES 2026: Jason Howell Describes His Recording Setup Support the Show Security Bits — 12 April 2026 Transcript of NC_2026_04_12 Join the Conversation: allison@podfeet.com podfeet.com/slack Support the Show: Patreon Donation Apple Pay or Credit Card one-time donation PayPal one-time donation Podfeet Podcasts Mugs at Zazzle NosillaCast 20th Anniversary Shirts Referral Links: Setapp - 1 month free for you and me Wispr Flow - 1 month free for you PETLIBRO - 30% off for you and me Parallels Toolbox - 3 months free for you and me Learn through MacSparky Field Guides - 15% off for you and me Backblaze - One free month for me and you Eufy - $40 for me if you spend $200. Sadly nothing in it for you. PIA VPN - One month added to Paid Accounts for both of us CleanShot X - Earns me $25%, sorry nothing in it for you but my gratitude

In this week's episode, I answer questions I receive whenever I mention that STARFIELD is my favorite game of the 2020s. This coupon code will get you 50% off the audiobook of Half-Orc Paladin, Book #3 in the Half-Elven Thief series, (as excellently narrated by Leanne Woodward) at my Payhip store: HECTOR50 The coupon code is valid through April 20th, 2026. TRANSCRIPT 00:00:00 Introduction and Writing Updates Hello, everyone. Welcome to Episode 298 of The Pulp Writer Show. My name is Jonathan Moeller. Today is April 10th, 2026. Today I'm doing an FAQ about my experiences with Starfield, which is my favorite game of the 2020s. Before that, we will have Coupon of the Week and a progress update on my current writing, publishing, and audiobook projects. So let's start off with Coupon of the Week. This week's Coupon Code will get you 50% off the audiobook of Half-Orc Paladin, Book #3 in the Half-Elven Thief series (as excellently narrated by Leanne Woodward), at my Payhip store. That coupon code will be HECTOR50. And as always, the coupon code and the link to my Payhip store will be available in the show notes for this episode. And this coupon code will be valid through April 20th, 2026. So if you need a new audiobook for this spring, we have got you covered. Now for an update on my current writing, publishing, and audiobook projects. As of this recording, I am done with the first pass of editing through Blade of Wraiths and then starting on the second. It's taken a bit longer than I've wanted because I've had a lot of Real Life Stuff to do, but if all goes well, I'm hoping to have the book out in the second half of April, so hopefully not too much longer now. I'm also 19,000 words into Dragon-Mage, which will be the sixth book in the Rivah Half-Elven Thief series. Hopefully that will be out in May, if all goes well. No, that might slip to June, but I'm really hoping to get that one out in May. In audiobook news, Hollis McCarthy has started work on Cloak of Illusion, so hopefully if all goes well, we'll have that out to you in May sometime. In fact, I'm hoping that will come out concurrently with Dragon-Mage, because it's always nice when I can stack an ebook and an older audiobook in the series like that together. So that is where we're at with my current writing, publishing, and audiobook projects. 00:01:46 Main Topic: Starfield Now onto our main topic. This is ostensibly a podcast about writing and the business of writing, but I like video games, so we're going to talk about a video game this week. The reason for that is whenever I post about Starfield or share a screenshot from it, I frequently get a number of questions. I think it's because Starfield was an oddly divisive game when it came out. People have strong opinions about it and then have strong opinions about other people's strong opinions and I do not have these strong opinions myself. While I enjoy the game a great deal, if you don't like it, that's fine. There are lots and lots and lots of legitimate reasons to criticize Microsoft, which is the ultimate owner of Starfield. It's possible for two things to be simultaneously true that Microsoft has done a lot of sketchy things, and that Starfield is a good game that I enjoyed. I suspect it's a bit like enjoying a football game while at the same time knowing that the NFL is an unscrupulous cartel that could benefit from some thorough reforms. Despite that, I have to admit that I don't think it's super healthy to make gaming opinions, whether video games or sports games, a core part of your identity. A game in the end is just a fancy toy for amusement and idle moments. If God descended tomorrow and told me that Starfield would vanish from the face of the earth, I'd be rather disappointed, but my dinner would still taste just as good and my house would be just as warm. That said, I did enjoy the game quite a bit. Everybody needs a hobby and even I can't work every hour of every day. I wrote like a hundred novels in the last 10 years. Everyone has their own stresses in life, of course, but we seem to live in particularly stressful time these days, so a harmless hobby is a nice break from real life. The game's newest expansion came out a couple days ago on April 7th. And so with that in mind, I thought I would answer the most common questions I get whenever I post or talk about Starfield. Question: Did Starfield influence your Silent Order Science fiction series at all? No. But I'm always pleased when I get this question because it's easily answered. The final book of Silent Order came out on September the 4th, 2023, and Starfield came out on September 6th, 2023. I tried Starfield like the day after it came out, but I didn't actually start playing it in earnest until April of 2024, like I didn't actually finish the starter dungeon until April of 2024. So no, Starfield was not an influence on Silent Order. It would be fair to say that Silent Order was more influenced by James Bond, some H.P. Lovecraft, and Wing Commander: Privateer, which is actually our next question. Question: What initially drew your interest to Starfield? Part of the game reminded me a lot of Wing Commander: Privateer from the '90s, which was one of my favorite games back in the day. If you're not familiar with it, Wing Commander: Privateer was what's now called a "space trading sim" set in the Wing Commander universe. In all the previous Wing Commander games, you played as a Starfighter pilot fighting in the humans' war against the cat-like Kilrathi invaders. Your missions were assigned to you along with the specific ship you would fly for that mission. But in Privateer, you played a freelance captain with a rundown freighter. You can carry cargo, go bounty hunting, do mercenary work, trading, and just wander around the map following infinite procedurally generated missions from the Mission Board, the Merchants' Guild, and the Mercenaries' Guild. Eventually, you would have enough cash to upgrade your rundown ship to something better and configure it however you liked. There's a main plot, but you can totally ignore it and do whatever you want. I loved Privateer and I finished both it and the expansion. And of course, spent a lot of time doing the infinite procedurally generated quests. Starfield does the same thing, but with 30 years' worth of advancement of game design and technology improvements. In grand Bethesda game tradition, you don't even have to do any of the main plot lines. You can just wander around doing procedurally generated quests. It's like Privateer, but better and with ground-based quests as well. You can get out of your ship and walk around in a way you couldn't in Privateer. In Starfield, you can land at some random science outpost or industrial outpost and the inhabitants will have a quest for you. I've heard Starfield described as a "cozy game", since quite a few people enjoy just building their outposts and their ships and then decorating them like the science fiction version of Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley. In another sense, I suppose Starfield could be described as "cozy adventure". Granted, that might be a strange thing to say about missions where you machine gun space pirates, blow up their base, and then loot all their stuff, but Starfield is an excellent game for just puttering around. It's fun after a long day to play for an hour, take out some space pirates, upgrade your ship a little, maybe tinker with your outpost. And I do like, I have to admit, the main plot line and the various faction quests. Question: So the procedural generation stuff doesn't bother you? No. Procedural generation has been part of gaming forever and long before the civilizational blight that is modern LLM systems. Certainly there are points where the procedural generation of Starfield could be improved and it has been improved with patches, but I enjoy the randomness of it. Question: If you think Starfield is good, why did it have such mixed reviews? It did have some rough points at launch, like the lack of surface vehicles, the lack of city maps, and some weird choices for inventory management (among some other issues, though those were later patched or upgraded). I honestly think the game is better than the mixed reviews would indicate, and I also think the mixed reviews were a combination of different converging social factors, specifically, people's expectations of what they imagined the game would be versus what it actually was, its Xbox and PC exclusivity, and the unfortunate addiction to outrage culture in social media. As I mentioned before, I think it's obvious that we live in stressful times and for a variety of reasons that are beyond the scope of this episode, I think people are overall angrier and eager to lash out when a target presents itself, especially online. Additionally, I suspect a big part of the mixed reviews is that Microsoft has built up a lot of ill will since the launch of Windows 11 and Copilot, and Starfield is a convenient outlet for that. Like Outlook and Teams are widely hated software tools, probably some of the most hated software tools in the world, but your job forces you to use them and you can't do anything about it. It's more effective to criticize a consumer-facing business like video games than it is Outlook and Teams, since those tend to be sold in blocks of thousands of licenses to large institutional customers that don't particularly care what their employees think about Outlook or Teams. In fact, fun fact, while I was writing this episode, Outlook was causing problems on Artemis II, NASA's first manned mission to the moon in over 50 years. So there is yet another historical milestone for Outlook. Question: You've said repeatedly that you don't like multiverse stuff, yet Starfield's main plot revolves heavily around the multiverse. That's true. I don't really like multiverse stuff in fiction because it's hard to execute well without making the story pointless. If there are a billion parallel universes and somebody dies in one of them, so what? Just hop over one universe and find a new version of the dead guy. Multiverse and parallel universe plot lines are a bit like homemade lasagna or homemade spaghetti carbonara. It needs to be done by someone who really, really knows what they're doing, otherwise the end result is sad and unpleasant, indigestible, or outright disgusting. That said, multiverse as a game mechanic is actually the clever idea. Like we all know that if you really like a game, you're going to play it more than once. How many times have you replayed Skyrim? How many uncounted quintillions of times has the original Super Mario Brothers been replayed? Starfield rather cleverly builds that replaying into the game. You can start over in a new universe and play the game again, but this time your character has in- game foreknowledge of everything that's going to happen and that can affect the gameplay in fun ways. Question: Did you really lose 40 pounds while playing Starfield? Yes. Of course, the main factor was some lifestyle changes in terms of exercise and diet, but I did lose 40 pounds since starting to seriously play Starfield in April of 2024. The game was an excellent distraction instead of late night snacking, so I suppose I sublimated the snacking urge into blowing up space pirates. Question: Aren't you worried Starfield will influence or slow down your writing? Well, writers and other creatives draw inspiration from all sorts of places, but no, I'm not worried about that because Starfield draws so heavily on multiverse tropes and as I've mentioned a few times before, I don't really like multiverse stuff in fiction. In terms of productivity, I published a million new words in 2024 and again in 2025. Though in full disclosure, I will be surprised if I hit a million words in 2026 due to the amount of Real Life Stuff I will have to do this year, but admittedly that is Real Life Stuff unconnected to gaming or recreation and it's only April, so who can say how the rest of the year will play out? Question: Did playing Starfield so much take time away from reading? Probably not. In 2025, I read 69 books and by the end of March in 2026, I have read 15. Lots of people read more than I do, but 69 books in a year is still significantly higher than the American national average. In all honesty, I both read less and play fewer video games now than I did like 20, 25 years ago when I had way fewer responsibilities. Question: The expansion pack Shattered Space got mixed reviews, but you really enjoyed it. Why? I thought the concept was intriguing. "Religious leader builds machine to contact his conception of God and accidentally blows up half his capital city and creates a space time rift" is an interesting concept for both a game and for fiction. I also liked how the expansion pack went in depth into the crazy space cultists' home planet, which was a fun environment to play. Shattered Space is definitely Starfield on hard mode though. The game recommends it for Level 35 characters, but I think 50 might be better, if I'm honest. Question: If Starfield was a commercial failure, why do you play it? Well, "commercial success" and "I enjoyed this" don't necessarily overlap on the Venn Diagram, do they? Just because something is popular doesn't mean it is good and just because something is unpopular doesn't mean it is bad. That said, I don't think it's objectively correct to say Starfield is a commercial failure, regardless of one's opinion of the game. Microsoft is a ruthless corporate empire that has absolutely no qualms about cutting things that are liabilities, especially as more and more of its resources go into Copilot and LLM slop (though there are some indications that its AI focus is starting to loosen as reality begins to impose itself on the grand delusion of the AI powered future). Considering that in the two and a half years since Starfield came out, it's received a lot of patches, a lot of new free content, and two paid expansions, it's clear that the Lidless Eye of Microsoft has not turned towards Starfield in fiery wrath, especially since Microsoft laid off lots of people and shut down a bunch of its game studios during that time. People tend to focus on Steam rankings, but that's only a segment (if a very large segment) of the market. Various Starfield devs in interviews have said that the game is in the top 10 for played hours on Xbox Game Pass. Xbox Game Pass is really important to Microsoft, probably more important than the physical Xbox itself. So I don't think it's objectively true that Starfield is a commercial failure, though it definitely wasn't as successful as Skyrim or Fallout 4. Question: Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3) came out at about the same time as Starfield. Did you like Starfield better than Baldur's Gate 3? Yes. Question: What? Why? Everyone knows Baldur's Gate 3 is the better game. Baldur's Gate 3 is an excellent game. Well written, well designed, excellent voice acting, the works. That said, I also think Starfield is an excellent game and I just enjoyed it more. It's a matter of taste, I think, which is not quantifiable. BG3 is a big Larian/BioWare-style narrative RPG, which is kind of its own genre in the same way that a Bethesda RPG is also its own genre. I mentioned above that I enjoy the puttering around aspect of Starfield a great deal and BG3 doesn't offer as much space for that kind of puttering, some but not nearly as much. I have enjoyed that style of narrative RPG in the past. Dragon Age: Origins and Knights of the Old Republic were both excellent games I played back to back in 2009 or maybe 2008, back when I had more time for that kind of thing and I think they qualify as direct predecessors to Baldur's Gate 3. But these days, I like the freedom of puttering more, even if a game like BG3 offers an excellent interactive narrative. Additionally, I admit I got frustrated a lot with BG3 in a way I didn't with Starfield. In BG3, I kept frequently running into Total Party Kill situations, which is exasperating after you've sunk 20 or 30 minutes into a complicated combat encounter. So I think it's objectively and quantifiably true to say that Baldur's Gate 3 is significantly more popular than Starfield, but on the subjective level, I just enjoy Starfield more. Question: Do you like the soundtrack of Starfield? Oh yeah. It's some of my favorite writing music. For fun, go search on YouTube and watch the London Symphony Orchestra's concert of the Starfield soundtrack. The composer Inon Zur gets to conduct some of it. I'd say my favorite tracks are Into the Starfield, New Atlantis, The Safety of the Citizens, Freestar, The New Old Frontier (I think that plays in the Trackers' Alliance headquarters), Cydonia, Sublevels, Neon, and In Silent Orbit. The battle of music when you fight the Star Born is pretty great as well. I think it's called "Stars and Sacrifice", but I'm not 100% sure. I also quite liked the soundtrack for Baldur's Gate 3 as well, to return to an earlier question. Andrew Wincott totally deserved the BAFTA for "Raphael's Final Act." Question: If a Switch 2 port comes along of Starfield, will you buy it? I would wait for reviews, but honestly, I would be amazed if there was a Switch 2 port of Starfield. The Switch 2 is more powerful than its predecessor, but there's no denying that Starfield is a chunky, chunky game. Then again, I wouldn't have thought it was possible to get Cyberpunk 2077, Witcher 3, or Fallout 4 on the Switch, and apparently those are good ports, so I guess we'll see. Question: Favorite Quest in Starfield? The Mantis, Groundpounder, and the entire thing with the Terrormorphs. Also the whole freaky quest with the Crucible and the clones, that was some great '70s-style science fiction stuff. I enjoy any of the quests with Walter Stroud because he's a fun character, and also voiced by the actor who played Quark in Deep Space Nine in the '90s, back when I was playing Privateer. (Full circle moment!) Also fighting The Hunter for the last time is pretty great since he's such a smug Nietzschean jerk. One of the greatest moments in the game is how The Hunter is just chilling in a Spaceport bar and willing to have amiable conversations with you at the start of the game since he's killed alternate versions of you thousands of times before and isn't expecting trouble, so no reason not to have a civil chat over a drink. I also played through the new Trackers' Alliance plotline. If you get the premium edition of Starfield and its bonus 1,000 Creation Credits, I highly recommend you use them on the Trackers' Alliance expansion. It is a lot of fun. Question: Favorite ship in the game? The Razor Leaf and the Ecliptic Claymore. Also, this is a new addition, but I really like the Orchid you pick up from the fake Mantis Quest in the Trackers' Alliance Quest line. I think my favorite overall ship is the Shieldbreaker that you can buy on New Atlantis, but if you're going to buy a ship instead of stealing it, I think Walter's company Stroud-Ecklund (see above) has the best ships. Honestly, one of my favorite activities in Starfield is stealing ships from space pirates. It's always so much fun. Question: Favorite gun? The Magstorm hands down. Peace through superior firepower. The Magstorm is what I used for the final battle with The Hunter and then again for the final mission of Shattered Space. For stealth, the Hard Target with a suppressor and a scope. I've taken out entire pirate bases with the Hard Target and stealth mode. The one Starborn lady who sells stuff to you in New Universes has a really excellent stealth optimized version of the Hard Target in her inventory. I also really like the Urban Eagle pistol you get early in the Vanguard plotline, since it's usually the best gun in the game I found at that point. Conclusion I hope that explains why I enjoy Starfield and answers some of the questions people always seem to have whenever I mention it. I doubt anyone involved with Starfield will ever listen to this, but I would like to thank everyone who has worked on the game in any capacity: devs, artists, writers, composers, Q&A people, everyone. Thank you for all your hard work, which has given me a lot of enjoyment and mental escape during some very stressful times. So that's it for this week. I promise we will go back to writing related topics next week. Thank you for listening to The Pulp Writer Show. I hope you found the show useful. A reminder that you can listen to all the back episodes at https://thepulpwritershow.com. If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave your view on your podcasting platform of choice. Stay safe and stay healthy, and we'll see you all next week.  

In this episode I'll go over a safety checklist to hopefully help save your dividend portfolio before the next stock market crash. Join the world's largest free Dividend Discord ➜ https://discord.gg/kkSr5FY Join my channel membership as a GenEx Partner to access new perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuOS-UH_s4KGhArN6HdRB0Q/join Seeking Alpha Affiliate Referral Link ➜ https://link.seekingalpha.com/2352ZCK/4G6SHH/ Click my FAST Graphs Link (Use coupon code AFFILIATE25 to get 25% off your 1st payment) ➜ https://fastgraphs.com/?ref=GenExDividendInvestor Please use my Amazon Affiliates Link ➜ https://amzn.to/2YLxsiW Thanks! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Support me & get Patreon perks ➜ https://www.patreon.com/join/genexdividendinvestor Use my Financial Modeling Prep affiliate link for awesome stock API data (up to a 25% discount) ➡️ https://site.financialmodelingprep.com/pricing-plans?couponCode=genex25

We carry pain we can't name. It shows up as anxiety, anger, overwork, or the sense that no matter what we do, it's never enough. In this episode, John Heinen and Devin Schadt sit down with Dr. Bob Schuchts of the St. John Paul II Healing Center to explore what's really driving the unrest men feel and why pushing through it, numbing it, or ignoring it only makes it worse. From the gap between who we are on the inside and who we show the world, to the deep wounds of abandonment, powerlessness, and the need for validation, Dr. Bob opens up about his own panic attack, the moment one tear changed everything, and why healing isn't weakness. It's the doorway to becoming the man, husband, and father God created you to be.

Lent is over, but this isn't the end. It's the beginning. This Easter, let's look at what it means to live as a resurrected people, not just celebrate for a day. The question now is simple: will you return to old habits, or prepare your heart for Pentecost and the life Christ is inviting you into? Check out our newly refreshed Online Store: https://store.catholicgentleman.com/

In this episode, I'll explain why dividends matter, but so do total returns. Join the world's largest free Dividend Discord ➜ https://discord.gg/kkSr5FY Join my channel membership as a GenEx Partner to access new perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuOS-UH_s4KGhArN6HdRB0Q/join Seeking Alpha Affiliate Referral Link ➜ https://link.seekingalpha.com/2352ZCK/4G6SHH/ Click my FAST Graphs Link (Use coupon code AFFILIATE25 to get 25% off your 1st payment) ➜ https://fastgraphs.com/?ref=GenExDividendInvestor Please use my Amazon Affiliates Link ➜ https://amzn.to/2YLxsiW Thanks! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Support me & get Patreon perks ➜ https://www.patreon.com/join/genexdividendinvestor Use my Financial Modeling Prep affiliate link for awesome stock API data (up to a 25% discount) ➡️ https://site.financialmodelingprep.com/pricing-plans?couponCode=genex25

Men using the internet have no idea they are losing a war they never knew they were fighting. The algorithm is not neutral, it is rewarding outrage, feeding pride, and quietly rewiring the way men think, speak, and relate to God. Timothy Flanders, Editor-in-Chief of OnePeterFive, has lived inside this tension for years. He has built a major Catholic journal online while wrestling personally with what the digital world does to a man's soul. In this episode, John Heinen and Devin Schadt sit down with Timothy to lay out what Scripture actually demands of a man's words online, why Christians are often the worst offenders in the digital public square, and how fallen angels use social media to attack Catholic men in ways most would never recognize. Timothy introduces the Internet Promise, a set of commitments rooted directly in Scripture, and offers a concrete battle plan for men who are ready to stop being used by the internet and start using it for the Kingdom. Timothy FlandersPelican Plus: https://pelicanplus.com — COUPON CODE for 10% Off: PLUS OnePeterFive: https://onepeterfive.com The Meaning of Catholic: https://meaningofcatholic.com

In this episode of Into the Desert, Fr. Ken Geraci and John Heinen confront the tension at the heart of Palm Sunday: the same voices that cry “Hosanna” can quickly turn to “Crucify Him.” What looks like devotion can collapse under pressure, revealing how easily men drift with the crowd, seek approval, and abandon the path of Christ when it becomes costly. They press into the question: “Will I remain with Him when the path leads through suffering, rejection, and contradiction?” This is not about chasing hardship or proving strength. It is about surrendering preference and choosing the will of God over comfort, efficiency, and control. Because the Christian life is not built on the easy road or the hard road, but on obedience. And Holy Week reveals it clearly: every man must decide which voice he will follow, and whether his “Hosanna” will last when the Cross appears.

In this episode, I'll show you how I built generational wealth from scratch and how you can realistically do it too. I'll also walk through my portfolio's 5-year returns vs the S&P 500 now that Fidelity updated their charts. Join the world's largest free Dividend Discord ➜ https://discord.gg/kkSr5FY Join my channel membership as a GenEx Partner to access new perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuOS-UH_s4KGhArN6HdRB0Q/join Seeking Alpha Affiliate Referral Link ➜ https://link.seekingalpha.com/2352ZCK/4G6SHH/ Click my FAST Graphs Link (Use coupon code AFFILIATE25 to get 25% off your 1st payment) ➜ https://fastgraphs.com/?ref=GenExDividendInvestor Please use my Amazon Affiliates Link ➜ https://amzn.to/2YLxsiW Thanks! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Support me & get Patreon perks ➜ https://www.patreon.com/join/genexdividendinvestor Use my Financial Modeling Prep affiliate link for awesome stock API data (up to a 25% discount) ➡️ https://site.financialmodelingprep.com/pricing-plans?couponCode=genex25

We get this question all the time, what do I need to do to find a wife or get married? So often we find men waiting for the right woman to find them, the right opportunity to arrive, the right moment to finally step up. The problem isn't that they lack a desire; the problem is that they haven't yet done the interior and exterior work of becoming marriageable. In this episode, John Heinen and Devin Schadt cut through the noise and lay out five concrete frameworks every man needs to examine, from the physical to internal, if he's serious about becoming the kind of man a woman of character actually wants. They cover what a man's physical discipline communicates to a woman long before he opens his mouth, why work ethic is inseparable from self-mastery, how the interior life anchors everything else, what brotherhood has to do with your readiness for marriage, and why posture - how you position yourself in the world - may be the most overlooked trait of all.

Thanks for listening! Sponsor Fika Co https://www.etsy.com/shop/shopfikaco Coupon Code fruitful for 15% off!

Every father eventually faces a moment when his child pulls away. The distance grows, the relationship hardens, and most men respond in one of three ways. In this episode, John Heinen and Devin Schadt use the parable of the Prodigal Son to diagnose what's really happening beneath the surface: why rebellion cuts so deeply into a man's sense of worth, and what the wounds underneath his reactions are actually telling him. But this conversation doesn't stay in the failings we have, it moves toward the father who ran. John and Devin unpack what it looks like to stop protecting your ego and start pursuing your child, how to separate your hurt from their harm, and why asking for forgiveness is one of the most powerful things a father can do.

We start Lent with strong intentions. The fasting plan is clear. The prayer routine feels doable. The discipline is there. But somewhere in the middle of Lent, the struggle begins. The motivation fades, the routine breaks down, and we quietly give up. In this episode of Into the Desert, Fr. Ken Geraci and John Heinen explain why this exact moment is where real spiritual growth begins. The desert exposes the limits of self-reliance and reveals how much a man still depends on his own strength instead of God's grace. Instead of seeing failure as the end of Lent, this conversation reframes the struggle as the place where humility, surrender, and deeper conversion begin.

In this episode, I'll tell you about the only infinite money glitch that actually works, as I've been doing it for decades, and that's investing in quality dividend stocks. Join the world's largest free Dividend Discord ➜ https://discord.gg/kkSr5FY Join my channel membership as a GenEx Partner to access new perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuOS-UH_s4KGhArN6HdRB0Q/join Seeking Alpha Affiliate Referral Link ➜ https://link.seekingalpha.com/2352ZCK/4G6SHH/ Click my FAST Graphs Link (Use coupon code AFFILIATE25 to get 25% off your 1st payment) ➜ https://fastgraphs.com/?ref=GenExDividendInvestor Please use my Amazon Affiliates Link ➜ https://amzn.to/2YLxsiW Thanks! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Support me & get Patreon perks ➜ https://www.patreon.com/join/genexdividendinvestor Use my Financial Modeling Prep affiliate link for awesome stock API data (up to a 25% discount) ➡️ https://site.financialmodelingprep.com/pricing-plans?couponCode=genex25

The word "headship" has become so loaded that most men either weaponize it or abandon it entirely. In this episode, John Heinen and Devin Schadt cut through the cultural noise to recover what male leadership actually means, not as domination or control, but as a divine paradigm rooted in the very nature of God and modeled from the beginning in Adam, St. Joseph, and Christ Himself. Why do men of goodwill still feel confused about their role? This is Satan's playbook and plan of attack. What follows is a frank, theologically grounded unpacking of what Devin calls "charitable authority", the kind of leadership that doesn't demand compliance but authors the story of a family's glory by pouring itself out. The three P's of the leader of the family are examined not as a management framework but as a way of understanding the ransom a man pays so that his wife and children can be free.

Sponsor Fika Co https://www.etsy.com/shop/shopfikaco Coupon Code fruitful for 15% off!

As AI grows more powerful, the skills that set humans apart are coming into sharper focus. Author Susan Riley shares what research reveals about creativity, how it works in the brain, and why cultivating it may be the key to thriving in the future of work and learning. Links and notes related to this episode can be found at https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/episode230 Connect with us: Newsletter: https://mpetersonmusic.com/subscribe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnhanceLifeMusic/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enhancelifemusic/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpetersonpiano/ X: https://twitter.com/musicenhances YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@enhancelifemusic Sponsorship information: https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/sponsor Leave us a review on Podchaser.com! https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/enhance-life-with-music-909096 In-episode promo: Living Well with Dr. Michelle (https://livingwellwithdrmichelle.com/musicenhances) or use Coupon Code musicenhances10 for 10% off. (Or buy on Amazon https://amzn.to/4iaYE1e.)  

We can look disciplined on the surface while still clinging to comfort, control, security, and the illusion that what we have is our own. This conversation gets underneath the act of giving and presses on the deeper question: what am I holding onto? Fr. Ken Geraci and John Heinen talk about why almsgiving is more than generosity, why it exposes the heart, and how gratitude breaks the instinct to accumulate. If fasting teaches a man to master his appetites and prayer teaches him to abide in God, almsgiving teaches him to let go. It trains him to live open-handed before the Lord and to remember that everything he has has first been given. This is not just about money. It is about attachment, trust, possession, and whether a man lives like an owner or a steward.

We avoid thinking about death until it forces its way into the room. But what happens when a husband and father is suddenly told he has ninety days to live? In this episode, John Heinen and Devin Schadt examine the striking story of former Nebraska senator Ben Sasse, who recently revealed a stage-four pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Drawing from his candid interview reflecting on that moment, they explore how the ancient Christian discipline of memento mori, remembering death, cuts through ambition, noise, and distraction to reveal what actually matters in a man's life. Sasse speaks openly about regret, fatherhood, selfishness, and the urgency of redeeming time when the clock is no longer theoretical. John and Devin unpack his reflections through the lens of the Church's tradition, from Sirach's warning to “remember your last end” to the teaching of saints like Jerome, Augustine, and Alphonsus Liguori, while confronting the questions most men quietly push aside: what would change if you truly believed your days were numbered?

Prayer becomes one of two things: a religious obligation or a strategy to get results. But it's not a productivity tool. It's not emotional therapy. And it's not a way to convince God of anything. In this week's Lent series, Fr. Ken Geraci and John Heinen cut through the purpose of prayer. If fasting makes room, prayer is where union happens. Prayer is where control dies, and where a man learns to be with God instead of trying to manage Him. Fr. Ken breaks down why so many men stall in prayer: they measure success by feelings, clarity, or outcomes. But real prayer is about fidelity, surrender, and transformation. It is less about talking and more about consenting to be changed.

How a man treats women is never a side issue. It is one of the clearest revelations of his interior life, where it is at and even where it is going. In this episode, John Heinen and Devin Schadt explore why masculinity is tested not in dominance, intellect, or achievement, but in whether a man honors, protects, and reverences the feminine. From the way a man looks at women in public, to how he speaks about them in private, to how he carries the emotional and spiritual weight of his marriage, the conversation exposes the subtle ways men either elevate women to their proper dignity or reduce them for personal use. Do you protect or consume?   This episode moves beyond surface-level advice and into formation and practical use. John and Devin address lust, resentment, spiritual passivity, and the quiet temptation to withdraw when love becomes costly. They examine why a husband's response to his wife shapes the entire atmosphere of a home, and why a man's relationship with woman ultimately reflects something deeper about his relationship with God. The path forward is not control, but self-gift; not avoidance, but reverent strength.  

It's time for a reset to the entire purpose of fasting. John shares how he spent years fasting the wrong way, treating it like self-mortification for the sake of self-control. Until a spiritual director challenged him: fasting isn't mainly about proving you can suffer. It's about making room for loving union with Christ. Fr. Ken explains why the Church gives a minimal fasting prescription. It's meant to be doable for everyone, including children, the elderly, and those with health issues. But if you're able-bodied and serious about Lent, the question becomes: what is Christ actually inviting you to do?

In this frequently requested episode, I'll go over each of the dividend stocks in my multi-million dollar portfolio and share whether I believe them to be undervalued, fairly priced, or overvalued, which may help inform your own research as you decide whether now is the time to buy, hold, or sell. Join the world's largest free Dividend Discord ➜ https://discord.gg/kkSr5FY Join my channel membership as a GenEx Partner to access new perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuOS-UH_s4KGhArN6HdRB0Q/join Seeking Alpha Affiliate Referral Link ➜ https://link.seekingalpha.com/2352ZCK/4G6SHH/ Click my FAST Graphs Link (Use coupon code AFFILIATE25 to get 25% off your 1st payment) ➜ https://fastgraphs.com/?ref=GenExDividendInvestor Please use my Amazon Affiliates Link ➜ https://amzn.to/2YLxsiW Thanks! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Support me & get Patreon perks ➜ https://www.patreon.com/join/genexdividendinvestor Use my Financial Modeling Prep affiliate link for awesome stock API data (up to a 25% discount) ➡️ https://site.financialmodelingprep.com/pricing-plans?couponCode=genex25

You see over 5000 marketing messages every day. In 2025, hundreds of billions of emails were sent every day, notifications never stop, and research shows the average person switches attention every 47 seconds. We are conditioned to live and stay teathered to noise. But all of this keeps us separated from God. In addition, Scripture warns that men will render account for every careless word they speak (Matthew 12:36), and God Himself speaks not in the earthquake or the fire, but in the whisper. In this episode, John Heinen and Devin Schadt expose how noise is not neutral; it weakens men, fragments our attention, and keeps us from a purposeful life. Silence is not passivity. It is your strategic power. It is an interior dominion. It is the hidden strength of St. Joseph, the composure of Christ before Pilate, and the battleground where identity and mission are clarified. John and Devin break down silence within ourselves, silence before others, and silence before God, why most men resist it, and why the man who refuses silence forfeits confidence, peace under pressure, and grace.

This Ash Wednesday, Fr. Ken Geraci and John Heinen go straight to the heart of Lent's first command: repent and believe. We're focusing on two concrete actions that we avoid until we're desperate: a real examination of conscience and a clean, simple confession. Not scrupulosity. Not vague generalities. An honest inventory of blind spots, weak spots, compromises, and missed opportunities for virtue.

The holiday sparkle has faded, motivation is dipping, and music practice might be starting to feel like a chore. But what if this is actually the most important growth season of the year? In this Microhance episode, I'm sharing five simple, powerful ways to reset mid-year and help your child get the most out of music lessons – with habits that build not just musical skill, but confidence, resilience, and lifelong joy.   Links and notes related to this episode can be found at https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/micro54 Connect with us: Newsletter: https://mpetersonmusic.com/subscribe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnhanceLifeMusic/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enhancelifemusic/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpetersonpiano/ X: https://twitter.com/musicenhances YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@enhancelifemusic Sponsorship information: https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/sponsor Leave us a review on Podchaser.com! https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/enhance-life-with-music-909096 In-episode promo: Living Well with Dr. Michelle (https://livingwellwithdrmichelle.com/musicenhances) or use Coupon Code musicenhances10 for 10% off. (Or buy on Amazon https://amzn.to/4iaYE1e.)  

Men treat Lent as optional. However, if this were the case, Christ would NOT have begun His public ministry with the command to repent. Yet most Catholic men approach Lent as if it were extra credit — giving something up, struggling through forty days, and returning to the same patterns unchanged. In this episode, John Heinen and Devin Schadt discuss the real reason Lent exists. Penance is not a spiritual accessory, and conversion is not reserved for dramatic moments of crisis. Lent is ordered toward metanoia, a real turning away from sin and a deliberate turning toward Christ. Together, they clarify what penance actually means in Scripture and tradition, why many men resist it, and why discipline without direction produces little lasting fruit. Most importantly, they lay out a concrete three-step plan to help men structure Lent intentionally, not as a seasonal effort, but as a path toward becoming like Christ.  

In this episode Zack sits down with TJ, one of the owners of the Northwest Mountain Challenge, live from the Washington Sportsman's show to talk in depth about what the Northwest Mountain Challenge is and what people can expect in 2026. We will be at the Crystal Mountain, and it will be our first time at one of these big 3D archery shoots! We are stoked to get up there and hope to see a lot of folks over the 3 days at Crystal Mountain July 24, 25, and 26!   LINKS: KUIU GEAR - https://kuiu.sjv.io/GK1o7m EXO MOUNTAIN GEAR - https://exomtngear.com?ref=4 VORTEX OPTICS - https://alnk.to/cSJYlok MARSUPIAL GEAR - https://alnk.to/5FcU7YA ZOLEO - https://tinyurl.com/428ydbua PNWILD - https://www.pnwild.com/store-snytH DEVOS OUTDOOR LIGHTING - https://rstr.co/devosoutdoor/15643 COUPON CODES: GOHUNT STORE & MAPS & INSIDER - PNW OLLIN DIGISCOPE - PNWILD CANYON COOLERS - PNWILD10 VORTEX CLOTHING - PNW20 ZOLEO SATELLITE - PNWILD VELOTRIC E-BIKES - PNWildN2X01 PNWILD - YOUTUBE If you want to learn more about PNWild visit https://pnwild.com/ INSTAGRAM: @pnwild_ https://www.instagram.com/pnwild_/?hl=en FACEBOOK: / pnwild TIKTOK: @pnwild_ / pnwild_ Got questions? Send us an email! Email: contact@pnwild.com Find all our Partners, Coupon Codes, and product links at the link below: https://linktr.ee/pnwild

Pride among Catholic men rarely looks like arrogance. What men don't realize is that it surfaces as control, self-reliance, withdrawal, or even habits that appear virtuous on the surface. In this episode of The Catholic Gentleman, John Heinen and Devin Schadt are joined by Patrick O'Hearn to examine why pride is so difficult to recognize in ourselves, and why it quietly blocks growth in the spiritual life, marriage, and leadership. They unpack why the Litany of Humility remains one of the Church's most demanding prayers, and how it exposes attachments that many men don't realize they're carrying.

  Thank you for tuning in to Episode 313 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website. This week's segments included:   Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins From the Armchair Some Years Later Knitting in Passing KAL News Events Life in Focus On a Happy Note Quote of the Week   Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins   I mended Hattie's mittens (store bought) and added snaps to her mermaid's removable tail.   Granny Square Ski Helmet Balaclava Pattern: none Hook: I (5.5 mm) Yarn: Knit Picks Brava in Dove Heather & Marina, Big Twist Value Solids in Aqua, Vanna's Choice in Charcoal Gray + 1 unknown blue worsted weight acrylic yarn. Ravelry Project Page I did one square to practice and see how I liked the colors together. Originally had a pop of a lime green in there. Liked the colors but didn't love the square. I also used that square to see for the smaller skeins (~30g) would I have enough yarn. I made a second square and that one I really enjoyed. 7 colors- from center out- light gray, medium/bright blue, white, aqua, charcoal, marina (teal), white I made 8 squares. Check out this Instagram post from Grandma.era on how to seam them together. Chroma Twist Bulky in Cousteau for trim around the face and along the bottom edge. It was riding on the train with me in my AdoreKnit Pigskin Party bag. Did you see that Steph from Adoreknit donated 10% of her Down Cellar Studio KAL items to our FearLESS Living Fund? With your help she donated $613 in 2025!   On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins   Back to the Future Socks Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes. Micro-Sock Kit in the Back to the Future Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Back to the Future Sock set- gifted to me by Sue & Chelsea- part of their 4 Sundays of Advent yarn in 2025. About the Colorway- speckles of pink, orange, yellow purple and blue with a blue/purple mini. I cast these on before day trip up to Loon Mountain. I am almost to the heel of sock 1.   Traveler Sweater Pattern: The Traveler by Andrea Mowry ($9 pattern available on Ravelry & the designer's website) Yarn: Hazel Knits Small Batch Sport (90/10 SW/Nylon) in a sage green Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm) & US 4 (3.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Size: 3 Drawstring- fingering weight yarn- US 6 DPNs. I washed it several times, because it was bleeding yellow. I had to wash it several times before all of the rest of the dye let go.   Pucker Brush Farm BFL Sweater Spin Fiber: 16 oz of multi colored BFL roving from Pucker Brush Farm (purchased at Rhinebeck 2025), 4 oz Merino in a mustard color Ravelry Project Page I am planning to knit a Traveler sweater inspired by Emily Curtis' handmade version- click here for her Ravelry Project Page. I was thrilled to see a recent post on Emily's Instagram that she made a YouTube video about this spin/knit. I plied up about 8.5 grams of the BFL with the Finnsheep. 23 wraps (690 inches/19 yards) Knit up a swatch on a US 4 and got gauge almost exactly To knit another size 3 Traveler I think I need approximately 19 ounces of each fiber. I did a lot of spinning during the big snowstorm we got last weekend. I am so into it! I cleaned my wheel and wound off fiber onto storage bobbins.   Woolens & Nosh 2025 Advent Socks Yarn: Woolens & Nosh, 75/25 Superwash Wool/Nylon 2025 Advent Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Progress: worked on the foot of the second sock during game night at home   Log Cabin Blanket Pattern: Log Cabin Square by Julie Harrison. Free crochet pattern available on Ravelry. Video tutorial available on the Little Woollie Makes YouTube Channel Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Minis (mostly from Advent calendars 2023 & 2024) Hook: I (5.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Inspired by Rachel (treehousefiberarts on Instagram) and Sue & Chelsea (Legacy Fiber Artz on Instagram). Check out the Floss Toss Ravelry Group for details on their Scrappy Blanket CAL. Ends December 21st (but you don't have to finish. 2 prize drawings will be done). My color placement is inspired by this project/pattern available on Ravelry. Inspired to pick it back up after see Sue (from Legacy Fiber Artz)'s version on their latest podcast episode. She bordered with cream before seaming. I love it. You can see a peek in this Instagram post. Progress- made one more. Total to date: 12   Hattie's Rainbow Mittens Pattern: Little Waiting for Winter Mittens by Susan B. Anderson Yarn: Knit Picks Felici Worsted in the Vegas Baby colorway Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) Cast on at Fiber Club at my library. The next morning my train was slow so I finished all but the thumb on the first mitten.  Cast on second About the colorway- stripes of gray, blue, green, mustard, red and pink.   From the Armchair   Podcast: The Walkers- The real Salt Path (Tortoise Investigates/The Observer) The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods. Amazon Affiliate Link Beyond That, The Sea by Laura Spence-Ash. Amazon Affiliate Link. (recommended by Paige)   Note: Some links are listed as Amazon Affiliate Links. If you click those, please know that I am an Amazon Associate and I earn money from qualifying purchases.   Some Years Later   A look back my 2025 fiber crafting and podcast related items.   60 projects- click here to see these projects in Ravelry. 47 gifts/ 13 for me 34 knit/ 26 crochet No finished spinning projects 1 bag 3 blankets 6 cozies 8 hats 25 socks 1 Christmas stocking 1 sweater 2 tops 13 toys   Other fun numbers: Podcast Episodes- 23 Videos on YouTube- 33 BostonJen1- Instagram Followers-10,275 - I finally hit 10k!!!!!!! Ravelry Group Members: 3137  (up from 2981 in 2024) 1 Interview for Love in Stitches Group Podcaster Meet-ups: 1 with Natalie at Flock; 1 at Rhinebeck I was paid to do social media for the Cape & South Shore Yarn Haul   Knitting in Passing   I am teaching classes on the OMG Sock at Staci's Stitches, my LYS and enjoying seeing my students progress! My friend Mara texted me from the Celtics game the other night saying she was fairly sure one of the other fans in her section was wearing an Ice Time Hat (one of my designs)- you can find the pattern on  Ravelry & LoveCrafts   KAL News   Pigskin Party '25 Event Dates: KAL Dates- Thursday September 4, 2025- Monday February 9, 2026 Find everything you need in the Start Here Thread in the Ravelry Group Official Rules Registration Form  (you must be Registered to be eligible for prizes) Enter your projects using the Point Tally Form Find the full list of Sponsors in this Google Doc. Coupon Codes are listed in this Ravelry Thread Exclusive Items from our Pro Shop Sponsors are listed in this Ravelry Thread Questions-  ask them in this Ravelry Thread or email Jen at downcellarstudio @ gmail.com   Updates In This Episode Official Sponsor for Quarter 4 (January)- Yarnaceous Fibers. Check out this Ravelry Thread for  4th & Goal with Yarnaceous Fibers Challenge Details Wild Card WIP Bonus- check out this Ravelry thread for details (ran 1/5/26 through 1/16/26)- 43 projects finished. Check out this view of the Ravelry chat thread which shows all of the Projects mentioned. A few highlights: ScrapperChris made a beautiful snowflake cardigan (started in 2020)- Ravelry Project Page TXHeather crocheted a 2k+ meter Christmas Tree skirt (also started in 2020)- Ravelry Project Page IWillKnitUaSock- finished knitting a beautiful Angel's Eyes cabled cardigan sweater by Thea Colman that she started in 2022- Ravelry Project Page ImaginedLandscapes finished not 1 but 2 beautiful sweaters, the Diona Pullover (Ravelry Project Page) & the Sonrae (Ravelry Project Page)   Commentator Update We are in the home stretch of the Pigskin Party and players are working hard to finish their projects before the clock expires!     I wandered over to the end zone dance thread to see what players have finished recently. Here are some amazing projects that caught my eye:   Adrie9 finished a knitted knockers blitz!  Some of them are specific requests and others for general donation. https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/down-cellar-studio-podcast/4375943/951-975#965 Katanorand finished an amazing spinning project! 26 oz of beautiful 3-ply  yarn! https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/down-cellar-studio-podcast/4375943/951-975#960 Players have also completed some beautiful intricate socks! Rosberrycrafts completed some beautiful Christmas colorwork socks https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/down-cellar-studio-podcast/4375943/951-975#962 Fgcreations posted a picture of her second completed pair of socks for 2026! Amazing! They are another beautiful colorwork pattern and the colors she chose are beautiful https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/down-cellar-studio-podcast/4375943/951-975#955 Sandima finished a lovely pair of mosaic socks that used 4 colors for the q4 challenge. So pretty! https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/down-cellar-studio-podcast/4375943/951-975#954 There's been a lot of conversation in the January huddle about laundry…yep, you heard that right. It's actually pretty fascinating. I've learned a lot. But whether you are into laundry or not, come on over to the friendliest place on the internet before the PSP is over!   Events New England Farm & Fiber Festival- Sunday February 8 from 10a-4p in Boston, MA Fiberfest at the Boston Public Market- March 21 & 22nd from 10a-5p in Boston, MA Fiber Witch Festival- April 24-26th in Salem, MA NH Sheep and Wool - May 9 & 10 in Deerfield NH   Life in Focus   26 in 2026 List A-Aim for one night at week at the pool in July and August- make it regular and invite friends to pop over B- Blood- donate at least 5 times C- Christmas Sleepover D- Declutter 26+ items E- Events- go to at least 26 ticketed events F-Find 2-6 new things and try them out! G-Go on a trip with Dan (just us) H- Headshots for Hattie I- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum- GO! J- Journal- Write 365 entries in my I Remember Journal about Mom (inspired by Liz Craft who talked about it on Ep 451 of Happier in Hollywood podcast) K- Knit at least 2 projects with handspun L- Literary pursuit- read at least 65 books M- Museum- go to at least 1 N- NYC- go visit Laura at least once O- Organize a FearLESS Living Fundraiser P- Puzzle- do at least 1 with Dan Q-Quarterly review of calendar/photos & goals (to make Year in Review easier and faster)- calendar it! R- Restaurant- try at least 1 new local restaurant S- Socks- knit 26 pair T- Tattoo U- Up the amount of muscle in my body- at least 1 pound by end of the year. V- Vlogmas- take the year off (even if you're tempted) W- Wheel- sit down at my spinning wheel every month (put reminders on my calendar at the beginning of each month to help remind me) X- Cross 1 thing off this list that no longer serves me Y-Yoga at least 2-6 times Z- Create Zone to keep important papers   2026 Word of the Year: Fresh (think: fresh start, fresh foods, fresh powder, fresh air,  etc new & therefore interesting or exciting recently made, done etc & especially not yet changed by time in a natural condition rather than artificially preserved by a process such as freezing clean and pleasant energetic, enthusiastic, and not tired: (of a face) natural, healthy, and young looking (of air) clean and cool; found outside rather than in a room: recently done   On a Happy Note Wonder at ART- extended through 2/5. Check out their website for tickets. Sound of Music at the Boston Opera House Game night with Liz, Jay, Riley and Dan. A snowy slow MLK weekend. Car shopping. I've been able to hack 3 classes a week at my gym. A cold walk with Megg at Wompatuck. A cute message about Miles enjoying his Christmas gifts- "emotional support calendar" A pipe broke while I was washing woolies on Sunday during snowstorm. Silverlining was that Dan had the part we needed on hand and was able to fix it so quickly.   Quote of the Week "Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you." -Nathaniel Hawthorne   ---- Thank you for tuning in!   Contact Information: Check out the Down Cellar Studio Patreon! Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group Instagram: BostonJen1 YouTube: Down Cellar Studio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio Check out my Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel Knit Picks Affiliate Link Bookshop Affiliate Link Yarnable Subscription Box Affiliate Link FearLESS Living Fund to benefit the Blind Center of Nevada Music -"Soft Orange Glow" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/ Note: Some links are listed as Amazon Affiliate Links. If you click those, please know that I am an Amazon Associate and I earn money from qualifying purchases.  

Men today are often lost and quietly confused. Some know they should strive for more, yet feel strangely unmoved to pursue it. Others are driven but stuck, spinning their wheels, repeating the same habits and even the same sins, wondering why nothing ever changes. Still others feel unambitious, listless, and disengaged, moving from obligation to obligation without a clear sense of direction. In this episode, John Heinen and Devin Schadt name a reality they see everywhere: men who are not evil or careless, but internally stalled, unsure why they never seem to get ahead. Drawing on the work of Dallas Willard and their own experience walking with men, John and Devin unpack a simple but necessary framework for real change: Vision, Intention, and Means. They explore why some men burn with misdirected ambition while others drift without desire, how both stem from the same interior problem, and why a man's belief in heaven, whether real or merely theoretical, shapes how he lives today.

Links and notes related to this episode can be found at https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/micro52 Connect with us: Newsletter: https://mpetersonmusic.com/subscribe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnhanceLifeMusic/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enhancelifemusic/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpetersonpiano/ X: https://twitter.com/musicenhances Sponsorship information: https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/sponsor Leave us a review on Podchaser.com! https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/enhance-life-with-music-909096 In-episode promo: Living Well with Dr. Michelle (https://livingwellwithdrmichelle.com/musicenhances) or use Coupon Code musicenhances10 for 10% off. (Or buy on Amazon https://amzn.to/4iaYE1e.)  

  Thank you for tuning in to Episode 312 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website. This week's segments included:   Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Brainstorming Knitting in Passing From the Armchair KAL News Events Contest, News & Notes Life in Focus On a Happy Note Quote of the Week   Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins   Sheri's Christmas Socks Yarn: Gusto Wool Echos in Colorway 1515 (blue to purple gradient in 2-50g skeins) Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page   Gus the Dino Pattern: Gus the Dino by KP Crochet Patterns. $8.50 US Pattern on Etsy (on sale right now) Yarn: Bernat Blanket in Misty Green & Parfait Chunky in White Hook: J (6.0 mm) Ravelry Project Page I got 35 mm eyes from Amazon   Very Hungry Caterpillar Socks Yarn: Teal Torch Knits Splendid Sock (100% SW Merino) in the Emerald Colorway, Murky Depths Deep Sock in the Age of Aquarium Colorway & Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes in the Vanilla Bean colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) and US 2 Ravelry Project Page The first sock is a colorwork leg sock with things the Very Hungry Caterpillar I measured from another socks- 12 rounds per inch. Goal is a 5 inch leg (after cuff), so ~60 rounds Cast on 56 sts with US 1.5 for cuff. After cuff, knit a few rounds before doing 4 sets of increases (4 increases each time) to get to 72 sts. Then changed to US 2 needles and tested for stretchiness after first block of colorwork. Using that I plotted out the colorwork for one sock based on Pacific Knit Co's Garden Doodle set. The second sock is has 12 round stripes of the 2 green colorways with a red toe to look like the caterpillar.   Miles Penguin Pattern: Penguin by Lion Brand Yarn- free crochet pattern on the Lion Brand website Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted minis in Black, Clarity, White and Orange colorways Hook: C (2.75 mm) Ravelry Project Page For this one I used two black circles bordered by white so I could skip the safety eyes (Miles is under 2 years old).   Dirty Crayon Box Socks Yarn: Fiber Stash Strong Toes Sock (80% SW Merino/ 20% Nylon) in the Dirty Crayon Box Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page I started these socks in October 2024 and finished on January 5, 2026   On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins   Woolens & Nosh 2025 Advent Socks Yarn: Woolens & Nosh, 75/25 Superwash Wool/Nylon 2025 Advent Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page   Kirby Wirby 2025 Advent Socks Yarn: Kirby Wirby 75/25 Superwash Merino/Nylon in the 2025 Advent Christmas Toys from the 80s 24 Stripe Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Yarn theme: Christmas Toys from the 80s   Traveler Sweater Pattern: The Traveler by Andrea Mowry ($9 pattern available on Ravelry & the designer's website) Yarn: Hazel Knits Small Batch Sport (90/10 SW/Nylon) in a sage green Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm) & US 4 (3.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Progress: finished the first sleeve and I'm at the cuff of the the second.   Pucker Brush Farm BFL Sweater Spin Fiber: 16 oz of multi colored BFL roving from Pucker Brush Farm (purchased at Rhinebeck 2025), 4 oz Merino in a mustard color Ravelry Project Page I am planning to knit a Traveler sweater inspired by Emily Curtis' handmade version- click here for her Ravelry Project Page. I was thrilled to see a recent post on Emily's Instagram that she made a YouTube video about this spin/knit. I found 4oz of Ironwood Hill Farm Roving- Finnsheep combed top that I purchased in April 2021. Unfortunately I can't find more of this on Cece's Wool site or Ironwood's etsy shop, but I think it will give me the idea for a tan/brown color plied with the colorful yarn, so I spun enough to make a sample yarn to swatch with.   Brainstorming Crochet Ski Helmet Balaclava available on Etsy for $7.36   Knitting in Passing Millie finished the hat she was knitting for her dad with yarn from Plied Yarn Co. Aila loved her goose purse! Her reaction was priceless Eme loved their Very Hungry Caterpillar socks My dad bought me a set of 2 organizers for socks. Each holds 30 pair. Great for my handknits. They sit on the shelf in our closet and are a gray cotton/linen that matches our hampers! Here's an Amazon Affiliate Link in case you're interested in checking them out.   From the Armchair The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. Amazon Affiliate Link. Tilt by Emma Pattee. Amazon Affiliate Link.   Note: Some links are listed as Amazon Affiliate Links. If you click those, please know that I am an Amazon Associate and I earn money from qualifying purchases.   KAL News   Pigskin Party '25 Event Dates: KAL Dates- Thursday September 4, 2025- Monday February 9, 2026 Find everything you need in the Start Here Thread in the Ravelry Group Official Rules Registration Form  (you must be Registered to be eligible for prizes) Enter your projects using the Point Tally Form Find the full list of Sponsors in this Google Doc. Coupon Codes are listed in this Ravelry Thread Exclusive Items from our Pro Shop Sponsors are listed in this Ravelry Thread Questions-  ask them in this Ravelry Thread or email Jen at downcellarstudio @ gmail.com   Updates In This Episode Official Sponsor for Quarter 3 (December)- Suburban Stitcher Mini Maker's Merry Month See details in this Ravelry Thread. Winner announced Official Sponsor for Quarter 4 (January)- Yarnaceous Fibers. Check out this Ravelry Thread for  4th & Goal with Yarnaceous Fibers Challenge Details December Participation Winners Announced Wild Card WIP Bonus- check out this Ravelry thread for details   Commentator Update Happy new year pigskin partiers!  The January huddle is abuzz with conversation. Several players have posted a list of everything that they made in 2025. We have some really prolific players in the group! The best thing about the conversation is that no one is competitive about it. Just lots of celebrations!  I find it kind of inspiring to see what others have accomplished. For example, hikesandbikes finished 54 knitted knockers! What a great cause! It inspires me to try knitting some this year.  Come on over and join the chat if you want to get inspired too!  A few players have decided that they want to make sweaters in 2026. If you want to join in the fun, hop on over to a new Sweater MAL thread: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/down-cellar-studio-podcast/4390076/1-25 Another interesting topic of conversation in the January huddle stemmed from the unfortunate injury of one of our players. Sadly, she sprained her wrist. The group came through with lots of ideas for what to do when you can't knit and crochet, including needle felting, doing puzzles, watercolors, playing with art supplies, journaling and as MrsQuilt put it, "whining, reading, and actually paying attention to what is on the TV" I am wishing you all health, happiness, and strong crafting mojo in the new year! Mary   Events Farm Fiber Days at Russell's Garden Center- January 18th & March 8th in Wayland, MA Sunkissed Fiber Festival: January 24-25, 2026- just outside Tampa, FL New England Farm & Fiber Festival- Sunday February 8 from 10a-4p in Boston, MA Fiber Witch Festival- April 24-26th in Salem, MA   Contest, News & Notes Check out my Vlogmas videos if you haven't already- click here for the full playlist. Thanks to Nellsknitting for starting a thread in the Ravelry Group about a Sweater KAL 2026. (Danielle in MA)- great chatter about WIPs, planning etc. Want to cast on and need some encouragement? check it out.   Life in Focus   In this episode I reviewed my 2025 word of the year and 25 in 25 list.   My Word of the Year for 2025: Welcome   25 in 2025   Donate Blood at least 4 times (January, March, May, Sept) Go shopping for plants with Dan 4 times in the year (my Christmas gift from him) Buy new ski boots Go camping (scheduled for June) Kayak 2-5 times (Saco- 2 days) Do at least 5 walks with others (Megg 3/30)  bike riding with Dan twice in March. Walked with Megg (April), hike Mount Monument (Dan, Megg, Tom, Aila), Laura in 2 National Parks in Washington State  Take 2-5 yoga classes (outside of the house)--- option- https://balancestudiocohasset.com/book-a-class/ Do at least 30 lessons in Mondly (had 25 done in 2024)- does not include daily lessons Spend a day at Raffa Life-  September 21 with Laura and Megg Record 2-5 things I'm grateful for each day before bed (more days than not counts)- fallen off. Read all of Simple Abundance (ideally daily or close to)(10) Read at least 60 books- all books count (even poetry etc) Get at least 2 massages at Oasis (1 in April, 1 in June, 1 in September) See 2-5 movies in the theater (Paddington in Peru, The Long Walk, Blue Moon, Wicked for Good) Knit 2-5 garments for me (Aurealis - WIPs-Monsoonee Sweaters, granny stripe tank, Bayside tank) Granny tank, Bayside Shirt Finish and enjoy my Christmas Granny Square Blanket Crochet at least 5 toys (1: hedgehog 2& 3: Love Bugs, 4 pop-tart, 5 butterfly- another butterfly WIP, and TRex) Use my spinning wheel at least once a month (Jan, Feb & March, April,  July, August, September, Oct, Nov (forgot May & June) Have a crafty day with Emelie Knit a slouchy hat for myself Try out 3 new to me podcasts (Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend, White Lotus official podcast, severance official podcast, Cramped) Watch White Christmas with Jenny & Kara (bringing the tradition back) Buy a firebox and put important papers inside (working with Dan on list of things to put in it) https://www.thenokbox.com (Debbie, deafelis recommended) Create a list of things to pack in case of an evacuation https://www.thenokbox.com/ -deafelis- Debbie told me about it Purge at least 20 items of clothing/accessories/shoes     On a Happy Note Dad's knee replacement was a big success! I stayed with him from December 5-21. Dad and I had a lovely visit from our friend Merry who came with an unexpected gift- a bracelet with beads made from my mom's funeral flowers in red (ruby slipper), yellow (yellow brick road) and white for home. Dan and I had a lovely double date night at the Irish pub with friends. I was able to see my 7 year old niece Hattie as Gretl in Sound of Music (twice!!!) Making Aunt Milly's cookies with Riley and Millie (and having a sleepover with them). Christmas Eve & Christmas Day were both lovely. Definitely different without my Mom and grandmother there but it was still a joy to be together. Our friend Gail joined us as she usually does and brought all sorts of fun games for us to play. The Sunday after Christmas, I was able to spend all afternoon with my grandmother, some of that alone. My friend Megg came over because she wanted to visit and say goodbye. We had dinner together after. My friend Laura came in for NYE. Small get together with friends at my Dad's turned into a real party, though most didn't stay until midnight. Megg wanted it to be a sparkly kind of night so Laura and I got outfits for the three of us at the consignment shop on the way over! Very silly fun. My cousin Mike and his husband Kyle came up from Florida. My grandmother's services were beautiful with contributions from lots of family members. While it was more stressful than mom's, and it was the worst form of deja vu having the same schedule for that exact same Thur/Fri two years in a row- my grandmother would be happy with how it all turned out.  Skiing on Saturday after the funeral. 7 of us, impromptu trip, icy conditions but we still had a blast.   Quote of the Week "Amidst the normal hard stuff is the abnormal hard stuff. You may be doing great, but no one great always had it great. At the end of each day, as you prepare for the next, I hope you take an inventory of your life, your thoughts and where you're headed. The wind can take you some cool places, but so can your paddle."   ― Richie Norton   ------   Contact Information: Check out the Down Cellar Studio Patreon! Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group Instagram: BostonJen1 YouTube: Down Cellar Studio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio Check out my Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel Knit Picks Affiliate Link Bookshop Affiliate Link Yarnable Subscription Box Affiliate Link FearLESS Living Fund to benefit the Blind Center of Nevada Music -"Soft Orange Glow" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/ Note: Some links are listed as Amazon Affiliate Links. If you click those, please know that I am an Amazon Associate and I earn money from qualifying purchases.  

Why does God allow suffering, especially for good and innocent people who are trying to live faithfully? Many men assume suffering means something has gone wrong: a lack of faith, a mistake, or even abandonment by God. In this episode, John Heinen and Devin Schadt confront that assumption directly. Drawing from our own personal suffering they challenge the modern instinct to avoid pain at all costs and instead ask a more honest question: what if suffering is not evidence of God's absence, but of His love and formation? The conversation moves beyond theory into the real struggles men face in marriage, fatherhood, prayer, and responsibility. John and Devin explore why men resist suffering, how pride and presumption distort our response to it, and what suffering actually produces when it is accepted rather than numbed or escaped. They also discuss why learning to suffer well is essential to becoming a strong, faithful Catholic man.

Protecting your wife and family in 2026 looks very different than it did even a few years ago. The pressures facing marriages today are often subtle rather than dramatic. Constant noise, distraction, comparison, stress, and moral confusion now have unprecedented access to the home. In this episode of The Catholic Gentleman, John Heinen and Devin Schadt examine why many men feel stretched thin yet unsure how to truly guard what has been entrusted to them. Rather than reducing protection to control or physical danger alone, John and Devin break down four concrete ways husbands are called to stand between their wives, children, and the forces that quietly erode peace and unity.