Podcasts about determined

Are you ready to experience BE YOU live and in person? Join Jill for the five-year anniversary of Be YOU - a special in person ALL WOMEN BIG event celebrating 300 episodes of the podcast - on Saturday, October 25th from 1–5 p.m. in Fort Wayne, Indiana. You'll get to connect and network with 200 amazing women! The community you didn't know you had and didn't realize you needed. Wait till you meet these women. You'll get to sit back and let Jill pour into you and you'll leave with more clarity, confidence and a remembrance of how gifted and glorious you are.  Thank you to our BE YOU Live Event sponsors: Surack Enterprises, Franklin Electric, The Pearl, Tolon Restaurant, Wilcox and Associates, Coletech Quality Woodworking, and Waddell & Associates! Tickets are selling fast at jillherman.com/beyou Search #BEYOULive on Instagram and Facebook and be sure to use it when sharing online! This event is going to be a coming home to yourself, AND a lot of fun. xoJill Jill spends some time this week reflecting on some of the lessons that she has been learning as she plans her upcoming event celebrating 300 episodes of the podcast! She gets into the personal growth that she has experienced via planning this event, acknowledging her tendency to take on too much responsibility and do everything herself, even though this often leads to burnout and resentment. However, after realizing that she was slipping back into this pattern as she planned the event, Jill had an epiphany - the true lesson was not about her own limitations but about fully surrendering and trusting that the universe will provide what is needed, so rather than trying to force herself to sell every single ticket, Jill has decided to let go and allow the seats to fill organically. She declares that there will be 200 women in that room, and she is going to "dance, breathe, sound bathe" her way to that outcome, rather than grinding and hustling. Jill also shares that this event is not just for the attendees but is also a gift to herself, acknowledging that she has often put others' needs before her own. She invites listeners who may also struggle with holding too much responsibility to reflect on their own patterns, and consider how they can let go and allow the universe to support them! Enjoy this vulnerable and insightful reflection from Jill this week as we get closer and closer to the big event! Show Notes: [02:14] - Jill asks listeners to please subscribe to the show and also to rate and review it. [04:49] - Jill discovers how stepping outside of her comfort zone reveals hidden strengths, resilience, and even surprising superpowers! [07:13] - When Jill carries too much, her body crashes, reminding her to delegate instead of be a martyr. [09:47] - Even though her perfectionism still resurfaces, Jill accepts help, hires support, and confronts her old “do it all herself” pattern. [12:43] - Hear how Jill learned the lesson on top of the lesson - catching herself before repeating the toxic cycle. [14:58] - Jill saw her nervous system crave safety, but delegation and support prevented old destructive habits. [17:48] - Determined, Jill knew that she could sell 200 tickets through sheer grit, creativity, and drive! [20:18] - Instead of proving herself through exhaustion, Jill embraced surrendering and trusting that the right women will come to the event. [23:04] - Hear how Jill realized that the lesson wasn't settling but rather receiving abundance and trusting support to arrive. [26:21] - Jill reflects on having realized that the event is also a gift for her, not just attendees. [29:10] - Jill declares that 200 seats will be filled via joy, creativity, prayer, and absolute trust. [31:26] - For Jill, taking care of everything herself tends to feel safe, but embodiment work helps release old burdens without self-criticism. [34:10] - By loosening her grip on control, Jill invites magic, ease, and unexpected gifts to unfold! [38:01] - Listen as Jill reframes attendance: focus not on sacrifice but on potential gains, growth, and connection!   Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “I love Be You Podcast!” ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps the podcast reach more people just like you. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” I know there was something in this episode that you were meant to hear. Let me know what that is! Also, if you haven't done so already, follow Be You Podcast. There is a new episode every single week, and if you're not following, there's a good chance you'll miss out.

Welcome to episode 184 of the Gnar Couch Podshow. We braved rare severe Utah thunderstorms, insane traffic, and stuffed our bikes in Corvettes this weekend to bring you Bienvenido Aguado, who shares everything from his front flip stories to how he manages to keep things fun when the pressure's on. As always, there's some friendly roasting, plenty of self-deprecating humor, and a healthy dose of just figuring it out as we go. We get into what it's really like to train for Rampage, the weirdness of telling someone your real name at a coffee shop, and weigh good vibes vs podiums. If you're here for polished interviews, you've taken a wrong turn. But if you want a look at the mountain bike scene that's raw, real, and maybe a little ridiculous, you're in the right place. Guest info: Bienvenido Aguado Tylor James Marcel Durbau Check out our store for sick shirts. Got to our Patreon and give us money. We've added old episodes, downloadable songs, and give you early access to raw, uncut shows for only $4.20/month. Get 30% off BLIZ sunglasses and more with the code "sponchesmom". 00:00 Grateful Encounter at Ranch 06:49 Day Off: Wind and Tattoos 14:30 "Seeking New Challenges in Biking" 18:53 Canyon Gap Run Reflections 24:11 "Determined and Goal-Oriented" 27:01 "Legendary Bike Throw" 33:35 "Reflecting on 2019 Memories" 38:54 Uplifting Mountain Biking Experience 46:39 Rampage Vision: Ryan Rodriguez  51:22 Passion, Support, and Gratitude 57:26 "Unbreakable Bond and Youthful Spirit" 01:00:44 "Dark Festival Wind Challenges" 01:05:57 "Mountain Biking Community Significance" 01:13:38 "Genuine Guy Praised by Peers" 01:17:27 Conversational Curiosity and Connection 01:20:31 Reflecting on Joining the Show 01:30:10 Balancing Professionalism and Passion 01:33:56 "Future Mountain Biking Podcast Plans" 01:41:27 "Blizz Eyewear Promo Code Offer" 01:42:56 Interview Extended, Article Rescheduled

Arthur Brooks once overheard a famous elderly man on a plane confess to his wife that, despite wealth, health, and great success, he felt his life was meaningless. This moment sparked Arthur's curiosity about why some high achievers succeed yet struggle with happiness,  loneliness, and declining fulfillment as they age. Determined to understand this, he set out to decode the psychology of lasting happiness. In this episode, Arthur shares how to design a truly happy, meaningful, and successful life and sustain it well into old age. In this episode, Hala and Arthur will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (02:33) The Quest to Understand Happiness (08:15) Exploring Fluid vs. Crystallized Intelligence (16:40) Navigating Career Paths: Linear vs. Spiral (20:29) Breaking the ‘Striver's Curse' Through Life Design (28:49) The Three Components of True Happiness (35:51) Why Strong Relationships Drive Happiness (40:12) Balancing Career Mindset and Relationships (43:27) Practical Tips and Tools for a Happier Life Arthur Brooks is a Harvard professor, bestselling author, and international keynote speaker. Formerly the president of the American Enterprise Institute, he writes the popular How to Build a Life column for The Atlantic and hosts the podcast How to Build a Happy Life. His number-one New York Times bestseller From Strength to Strength, teaches high achievers how to find deeper purpose and joy beyond external success. Sponsored By: Airbnb - Find yourself a cohost at ⁠airbnb.com/host⁠  Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at ⁠Indeed.com/PROFITING⁠  Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at ⁠Shopify.com/profiting⁠.  Mercury - Streamline your banking and finances in one place. Learn more at ⁠mercury.com/profiting⁠  Open Phone - Get 20% off your first 6 months at ⁠OpenPhone.com/profiting⁠.  DeleteMe - Remove your personal data online. Get 20% off DeleteMe consumer plans at to ⁠joindeleteme.com/profiting⁠  SKIMS - Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at ⁠SKIMS.com⁠  Policy Genius - Secure your family's future with Policygenius. Head to ⁠policygenius.com/profiting⁠  Masterclass - Get an additional 15% off any annual membership at ⁠https://masterclass.com/profiting⁠  BitDefender - Save 30% on your subscription at ⁠bitdefender.com/profiting⁠  Resources Mentioned: Arthur's Book, From Strength to Strength: bit.ly/-Strength2Strength  Arthur's Column, How to Build a Life: bit.ly/-BuildALife  Arthur's Website: arthurbrooks.com  Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals  Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap YouTube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting Newsletter - youngandprofiting.co/newsletter  LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ Social + Podcast Services: yapmedia.com Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new  Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal Development, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side Hustle, Startup, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Mindset, Health, Growth Mindset, Wellness, Biohacking, Motivation, Manifestation, Brain Health, Life Balance, Self-Healing, Positivity, Sleep, Diet

ABOUT JAKE TAPPERCNN anchor and chief Washington correspondent Jake Tapper joined the network in January 2013. Tapper currently anchors a two-hour weekday program, The Lead with Jake Tapper, which debuted in March 2013. He has hosted CNN's Sunday morning show, State of the Union, since June 2015. In April 2021, he became the lead anchor for CNN for Washington, D.C. events.Tapper imparts his political expertise on State of the Union by conducting interviews with top newsmakers on politics and policy, covering Washington, the country and the world. The Lead covers headlines from around the country and the globe, the top stories in national and international news, politics, health, money, the environment, sports and popular culture, and concentrates on bringing stories that aren't found on front pages -buried leads- to the forefront.ABOUT RACE AGAINST TERROR: Chasing an Al Qaeda Killer at the Dawn of the Forever WarTwo assistant US attorneys race to lock up a dangerous al Qaeda terrorist before he's set free in one of the most riveting true crime stories of the 21st century-from #1New York Times bestselling author and CNN anchor Jake Tapper.June 2011: a man fleeing the Arab Spring on a refugee boat surrenders himself to Italian authorities. He claims that, as a terrorist, he is responsible for the deaths of American soldiers. This unexpected surrender sets off an unlikely chain of events and one of the most significant, but little-known, cases in American history.When federal prosecutors Dave Bitkower and Shreve Ariail get the call from the FBI that the Italians have known terrorist Spin Ghul in custody, they immediately recognize the stakes of the situation. Determined to deliver justice for the soldiers killed in combat, they must traverse the globe, uncovering facts and evidence from thousands of miles away on a remote battlefield in Afghanistan.Through intense reporting and meticulous recreation, from the battlefield to the courthouse, Race Against Terror tells the story of a man radicalized to enact violence, of the courageous soldiers who risked their lives for each other, and the diverse set of law enforcement, intelligence, and military personnel who work tirelessly to stay one step ahead of disaster. In doing so, Jake Tapper uncovers a gripping narrative history that reveals the true costs of the War on Terror and delivers a salient warning for the increasing threats we face to this day.Available on Amazon:https://a.co/d/h02fg7nBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/i-am-refocused-radio--2671113/support.Thank you for tuning in to I Am Refocused Radio. For more inspiring conversations, visit IAmRefocusedRadio.com and stay connected with our community.Don't miss new episodes—subscribe now at YouTube.com/@RefocusedRadio

Cataanda James, Chief Beauty Officer of CJ The Beauty Group, talks about building a career that surpasses her wildest dreams.  Cataanda James is a textured-hair expert, educator, and beauty industry strategist whose career embodies resilience, authenticity, and the courage to follow one's passion.  Raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan, she grew up inspired by her mother's love of fashion and flawless grooming.  By junior high, Cataanda was already recognized as the "cat-eye queen," sharing makeup techniques with classmates, and by her college years, she had turned her dorm room into a thriving salon.  What others dismissed as a pastime became her undeniable calling. Her journey wasn't without resistance. While her mother supported her talent wholeheartedly, her father insisted that beauty was not a "real career."  Determined to prove otherwise, Cataanda pursued cosmetology, but soon discovered that many schools neglected textured hair altogether.  The turning point came when she enrolled at Dudley Cosmetology University in North Carolina, where she was immersed in technical excellence and, equally important, a business-first philosophy.  There she learned to approach beauty not only as an art, but as a profession requiring entrepreneurship, customer service, and polish. From there, she built a diverse foundation, working in barbershops, marketing herself with Polaroid photos long before Instagram existed, and mastering speed and precision at Supercuts.  A bold move to Baltimore in 2002 brought her closer to New York and opened new doors.  At MAC Cosmetics, she refined her artistry, attracted a broader client base, and stepped into freelance opportunities that connected her to the wider beauty industry. In 2003, Cataanda began a career-defining relationship with L'Oréal.  What started with consumer events grew into a nearly decade-long role at the New York Technical Center, where she became the company's Texture Expert.  There, she collaborated with chemists and product developers, testing innovations for brands such as L'Oréal Paris, Garnier, Carol's Daughter, and Dark & Lovely, and influencing product launches worldwide.  Following the pandemic's impact on the industry, Cataanda joined The Mane Choice as a Brand Educator, focusing exclusively on curly and textured hair.  While that chapter was valuable, her entrepreneurial spirit ultimately led her to create CJ The Beauty Group, a consultancy dedicated to helping beauty brands innovate with integrity, test products rigorously, and design inclusive strategies that authentically serve textured-hair consumers. Through every chapter, her philosophy has remained the same: step boldly into opportunity, nurture authentic relationships, and trust that what is meant for you will not pass you by.  From Kalamazoo roots to global stages, Cataanda James is proof that when passion is paired with persistence, the sky is not the limit, it's only the beginning.   Key Takeaways from Cataanda's Journey Passion Always Leaves Clues - What you loved as a child often holds the seeds of your purpose. Pay attention to those early sparks. Don't Let Doubt Define You - Even when others can't see your vision, trust yourself enough to pursue it with bold confidence. Education Is More Than Skill - True success requires not just talent but also professionalism, business acumen, and the courage to treat your passion like a career. Say Yes to Opportunity - Sometimes the next step isn't clear. Leap anyway—the door may lead to more than you ever imagined. Relationships Are Currency - Genuine connections open doors that strategy alone cannot. Stay in touch, stay authentic, and stay open. Quotes by Cataanda "What's meant for you will never pass you by; your only job is to walk boldly into the opportunities placed in front of you." "You don't need to have the entire plan; sometimes you just have to move, trust God, and figure it out along the way." "Even when you're scared, do it anyway, fear doesn't mean stop, it means step forward with faith."   Connect With Cataanda   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cataandaj/   Website: https://cataandaj.com/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cataandaj   X: https://x.com/cataandaj

How do our words impact the most important relationship in our lives—our marriage? And how can wives, in particular, learn to speak life into their husbands?Ann Wilson, a pastor's wife, was taken aback during a speaking event when her husband, Dave, candidly shared that he didn't feel like she was his biggest supporter. The admission was painful, but it became a turning point. Determined to make a change, Ann began to pay closer attention to the words she spoke over her husband. As she intentionally used her words to encourage and uplift him, she began to notice a transformation in both their marriage and the way they showed up for each other.In their latest book, How to Speak Life to Your Husband: When All You Want to Do Is Yell at Him, Ann and Dave explore the transformative power of words in marriage and offer practical tools for building healthier communication patterns.In this candid conversation, Davey sits down with Ann and Dave to discuss the influence of what we say in relationships, the importance of mindset towards our spouse, and how to navigate challenging seasons in marriage—including struggles with betrayal and sexual addiction.If you've ever felt the sting of destructive words in your marriage, this episode offers hope and guidance on how to use your words to build up—not tear down—the most vital relationship in your life. Website: www.familylife.com/familylife-todayInstagram: www.instagram.com/daveannwilson Facebook: www.facebook.com/DaveAnnWilsonBook: How to Speak Life to Your Husband: When All You Want to Do Is Yell at Him https://amzn.to/45Nd3vP Wondering where to get started on your journey towards healing? Join Davey on our next FREE, live Zoom call and find out how you can begin to take back your story and how Nothing is Wasted can help. Sign up today at: www.nothingiswasted.com/starthere Looking for help in navigating the valley of pain and trauma? Our Nothing is Wasted coaches can help: www.nothingiswasted.com/coaching Want a pathway through your pain? The Pain to Purpose Course can lead you through all you've been through: www.nothingiswasted.com/paintoppurpose Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tommy Kilpatrick is an author, speaker, and financial advocate recognized for his bold ideas that challenge traditional views on debt and banking. His work focuses on empowering people to question long-held assumptions about money and to pursue financial freedom through unconventional thinking.His journey began with the release of his debut book, which quickly captured national attention and led to a contract with a major infomercial company. Determined to maximize the opportunity, Tommy committed himself entirely to promoting his message—spending six months on the road for radio interviews and media appearances, often relying on his three credit cards to keep the mission alive.Tommy's story reflects his resilience, risk-taking spirit, and unwavering belief in the power of ideas to change lives. Today, he continues to share his message through writing, speaking, and advocacy, inspiring audiences to rethink what's possible in their financial lives.

A talk by Thanissaro Bhikkhu entitled "Determined on Goodwill"

Carter Holt Harvey confirmed yesterday that it will be closing its Tokoroa Plywood Plant... leaving 119 workers without a job. It comes just months after the town's paper mill closed its doors, cutting another 130 jobs. It's a tough time for the timber industry, with five mills closing over the past year. With jobs dwindling, Tokoroa locals may be forced to leave to find work, but many remain determined to stay in their home town. Evie Richardson reports.

Four years ago, Rory Lawrence scored a free ticket to MAN CAMP. The only catch? He lived 15 hours away in New Hampshire. Determined to not let that stop him, he convinced his friend Matt to tag along. What they experienced in southwest Ohio changed their lives. Four years later, their brotherhood has blossomed into a weekly podcast (The Dangerous Man Podcast) and a yearly trip back to MAN CAMP. Last year, 22 of their friends and family tagged along. Joining us from their studio in New Hampshire, Rory and Matt share their MAN CAMP experience, why they keep coming back, what it means to be a dangerous man, and why training is much more important than trying. This aggressive conversation will get you off the couch and out the door.  Watch the full episode on YouTube here.  Use the code PODCAST15 at checkout to get 15% off this year's MAN CAMP at mancamp.us Get more from Rory and Matt at www.dangerousmanpodcast.com, and find links to some of their favorite episode below:  Dangerous Man Code  Dangerous Man Mission

When Susan Wilson and her family move into what they believe is their dream home in a quiet Louisiana neighborhood, everything seems perfect. But soon, Susan begins to suspect that something isn't right. Susan makes the horrifying discovery that her trusted neighbor has been spying on her family, watching their most private moments. He has secretly installed hidden cameras in her home. Even more disturbing, the law offers her no protection.Determined to seek justice, Susan fights not just for her family, but for others too. Susan Wilson becomes an advocate for victims' rights and pushes to change the laws that failed to protect her basic privacy.Sources:https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2004/dec/30/federal-law-against-video-voyeurism-hailed-by/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYVuRAyQYughttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/making-video-voyeurism-a-crime/https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/lifetimes-tale-video-voyeur-spurs-us-law-15614/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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When Betty Fran Smith vanished in 1991, her family was desperate for answers. Recovering from a broken hip, it seemed unlikely she could have left home to travel as her new husband claimed. Determined to find the truth, Betty Fran's sister and daughter began digging into John David Smith III—and uncovered disturbing secrets from his past. What followed was a search for justice that would stretch across decades and state lines.Today's snack: Peanut butter stuffed browniesSupport us on PatreonSources:Fleeman, Michael. The Stranger in My Bed: The True Story of Marriage, Murder, and the Body in the Box (St. Martin's True Crime Library). 2003. Kindle Edition. Hilland, Robert. Edward, John. Chasing Evil. (St. Martin's Essentials). 2025. Kindle Edition. https://archive.org/details/mysisterismissin0000glad/page/26/mode/2up Sherrie Gladden-Davis bookhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhbnIQp5tJ4 Dateline episodehttps://people.com/chasing-evil-john-edward-robert-hilland-excerpt-exclusive-11798903 People magazine article about John Edward and Robert Hillandhttps://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/fran-smith-husband-murder-charges-dark-secrets-dateline-exclusive-rcna149097https://www.newspapers.com/image/153553431/?match=1&terms=Fran%20Smithhttps://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=forensic+files+deadly+matrimonyhttps://people.com/john-edward-robert-hilland-chasing-evil-interview-exclusive-11798647https://www.newspapers.com/image/151547651/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-ohnd-5_04-cv-02353/pdf/USCOURTS-ohnd-5_04-cv-02353-1.pdfhttps://people.com/john-edward-robert-hilland-chasing-evil-interview-exclusive-11798647

Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business, and you'll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit, Rufus Griscom, co-founder of Nerve, Babble, and Next Big Idea Club, shares his journey from book editor to serial entrepreneur with three startups and a blockbuster exit to Disney. Rufus launched Nerve.com in the late '90s, followed by spin-offs that were culturally significant but financially challenging. Those hard lessons shaped his disciplined approach to Babble, the parenting platform he built with his wife in 2007. Babble tapped into the emerging mom-blogging movement, growing to 10M monthly uniques and a $10M revenue run rate, becoming the leading parenting site of its time. Determined to secure a strong outcome, Rufus identified five likely acquirers early and built trust over years, consistently hitting milestones and proving growth. That strategy paid off when Disney acquired Babble for a reported $40M, after Rufus successfully negotiated a 25% bump over their initial offer and minimized reliance on earnouts. He emphasizes selling on momentum, building relationships with the right stakeholders, and being radically honest about challenges. Today, Rufus runs the Next Big Idea Club with Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Grant, Susan Cain, and Daniel Pink, delivering the most important new ideas to a fast-changing world. -- Rufus Griscom is a serial entrepreneur and media innovator who has founded and scaled multiple influential companies at the intersection of culture and technology. He launched Nerve.com in 1997, pioneering frank conversations about relationships and culture, before selling it in 2007. He went on to co-found Babble, a groundbreaking parenting platform acquired by Disney in 2011, where he continued as VP of Media. Today, he is the founder and CEO of The Next Big Idea Club, a learning platform and book club featuring thought leaders like Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, Adam Grant, and Daniel Pink, dedicated to spreading transformative ideas. Widely recognized for his TED Talks and writing, Griscom brings decades of experience building communities, driving acquisitions, and shaping how big ideas reach the world. Website - https://nextbigideaclub.com/ -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You'll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/

New Life Haverhill

Hey Bae! We're back with a new word on The Christian Bae TV: This is what's causing you to go from DETERMINED to DRAINED.Sometimes the shift from determination to exhaustion isn't about your ability — it's about your alignment. When you step outside of God's order, what once fueled you will eventually drain you. In today's teaching, we're uncovering the root of that drain and learning how to stay connected to the true source of strength. Grab your journal and let's dive in!If you feel led to sow into this wordCash App: $thechristianbaePaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/TheChristianBaeZelle/Venmo/Apple Pay: TheChristianBae@gmail.comWhere Wives War Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherewiveswar?igsh=MTYwYjNoaGUxdjBrNg==Defeating Divorce (Married) Webinar:https://thechristianbae.com/products/uprooting-the-seeds-where-wives-war-webinarChrist Camp (Singles) Webinar:https://thechristianbae.com/products/christ-camp-singles-webinarWhere Wives War PT. 1-6 Replay:https://thechristianbae.com/collections/where-wives-warWhere Wives War PT. 8:https://thechristianbae.com/products/where-wives-war-pt-3-replayBaes Prayer Village:https://thechristianbae.com/products/baes-prayer-villagePO Box 670192Coral Springs FL 33067Let's stay connectedYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0j-Bk97lLHz04EE7VPxGcQIG: https://instagram.com/thechristianbae_?igshid=18erhyzf20fvrThank you for always supporting The Christian Bae

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On this episode of Becoming Next On Scene, we welcome back Emmy Award–winning director and nationally recognized sake expert Marina Giordano for her third appearance on the show. By day, Marina is a powerhouse behind the camera at Channel 7, and by night she's one of the country's leading voices on the art and culture of sake. Five years ago, Marina noticed a gap in New England's cultural scene: sake was largely unknown and underrepresented. Determined to change that, she launched Sake Day East, which has now grown into one of Boston's most unique and celebrated cultural festivals. In this conversation, we cover:     •    How Marina first fell into the world of sake and cultural events.     •    The evolution of Sake Day East from small beginnings to a 5-year tradition.     •    Behind-the-scenes challenges and leadership lessons in running a festival.     •    What attendees can expect at this year's 5th anniversary celebration.     •    Marina's personal legacy in shaping Boston's cultural and culinary landscape. Whether you're a sake enthusiast, a lover of cultural festivals, or curious about what it really takes to grow an idea into a lasting tradition, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to raise a glass

This week's episode is with Scottish broadcaster, TV presenter, DJ and host of Capital Scotland Breakfast Robyn Richford. From ITV's SCRAMBLED to BBC RADIO 1 she has carved out an incredible career to date, with her talent and charisma shining through in everything she sets her mind to. Determined and driven, her diverse skillset and experience across different mediums of broadcasting is hugely impressive. This episode is sponsored by: Standout Theatre School https://standouttheatreschool.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/standouttheatreschool?igsh=MXMwMzR5dmlocmxwdg== https://www.tiktok.com/@standouttheatreschool?_t=ZN-8znySeTRAKU&_r=1 https://www.facebook.com/share/16VFK4xRnX/?mibextid=wwXIfr Robyn's links: https://www.robynrichford.com/ https://www.instagram.com/robynrichford?igsh=MTA1bXhqZTJ6dHY0aA== Follow The Braw and The Brave Website: https://www.thebrawandthebrave.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBrawandTheBrave TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebrawandthebrave Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrawandthebravepodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBrawandTheBrave

The All Blacks are determined to bounce back after their crushing loss against the Springboks, when they face the Wallabies this weekend. Will Jordan spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

In this episode, we learn about the UN and the way the US forced representatives from different countries and organizations to talk to one another.  We learn how global human rights is interconnected and how this coalition of SW's keep doing their work despite having to work around new rules and a constant changing landscape, but one that is mostly pushing back against Trans people and SW's.  The discussion highlights the urgent need for activism within the sex worker community, focusing on human rights and the impact of US policies internationally.LinksBPPPNJ RUAYAS Store Bees Knees Knee Pads Affiliate Link - 10% offDonate to YAS Work00:00 Call to Action for Sex Workers00:28 Introduction to YAS Podcast00:46 Meet the Hosts01:27 Introducing the Guests01:46 Sex Worker Rights Coalition02:00 Guest Introductions04:03 Discussing the UPR and UN Work04:54 Best Practices Policy Project07:06 Impact of US Policies on Global Sex Work22:30 Challenges in HIV/AIDS Advocacy27:21 Creating the UPR Report37:58 Empowering Sex Workers Through Human Rights38:42 The Importance of Writing Workshops39:46 Challenges and Misconceptions in Activism41:32 Political Engagement in Washington, DC45:16 Global Advocacy and the United Nations58:17 The Fight for Decriminalization01:06:10 Supporting the Movement: How You Can Help01:12:35 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

John Maxwell reveals that the secret to success isn't found in big breaks, but in your daily agenda. What you choose to do every day — your attitude, priorities, relationships, and growth habits — determines your future. With practical wisdom, he urges us to prepare instead of repair, to read the right books, surround ourselves with the right people, and stay in our strength zone.GET MY TOP 28 BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: Click here to get your free copy of “28 Books That Will Rewire Your Mindset for Success and Self-Mastery” curated by your truly!Source: The Power To Lead by John Maxwell - P2Hosted by Sean CroxtonFollow me on Instagram Check out the NEW Black Excellence Daily podcast. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, and Amazon. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Shortwave KitschSeason 9, Episode 5Life With Elara - “No Good Weed Goes Unpunished.”Written by Brandon L. Joyner Synopsis: Get ready for an out-of-this-world comedy with “Life with Elara!” When Elara Newton, a cosmic being from Jupiter, tries to make a home on Earth with her loving—and very human—husband, Dean, the results are anything but ordinary. This episode follows Elara's latest quest: fitting in with the local Petal Pusher's Gardening Club. Determined to prove herself, she teams up with her best friend, Mabel, and together they plant a garden that's, well, not exactly from this planet. As glowing vegetables and shimmering flowers begin to sprout overnight, Elara scrambles to keep her secret—and her garden—under wraps, especially when the club's tough-as-nails leader drops by for a surprise inspection. Will Elara's otherworldly methods help her finally fit in, or will her latest experiment put her—and her new life—at risk? Can she keep her identity hidden, or will her backyard become the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons? Tune in to find out!Cast:Luciana Marcial - Elara NewtonDavid Englehart - Dean NewtonMaddie Casto - Mabel HirschAndrea Catangay - Charlotte WhiteKerry Bowers - Kerry Johnson“Dr. Clutterbuck's Little Fix-It Tool Set"Larry Perewiznyk - JeromeFred Hutter - GordonBrandon L. Joyner - PeteyAndrea Catangay - AmandaSong - “On the Other Side” Sung by Maddie CastoLyrics by Brandon L. JoynerMusic by Brandon L. Joyner and Frank DuvallSong - “Until Next Time”Sung by David Joyner, Jeannie Joyner, John Joyner, Kristen N. Granet and the Cast of SWK Music by Pedro M. ToroLyrics by Brandon L. Joyner Narrated by David Joyner “Life With Elara Theme” by Frank Duvall Music Direction and Accompaniment by Joanna NorwoodSound Effects performed LIVE by Brooke RashProduction Team:Producers: Maddie Casto-Koebler, Kristen N. Granet, Brandon L. Joyner, Brooke RashSound Engineer: Matt Ciclon Sound Mixing: Matt CiclonRecorded by: Matt CiclonBusiness Manager: Kristen N. Granet Original episode art by Maddie Casto-KoeblerLogo: LinkonThis Episode is Proudly Brought to You by the Generous Support of:Justin Wham - Flowers & Events (⁠jwweddingsandevents.com/⁠)Karen's Korner Frame & Gift Shop (⁠karenskornerframeandart.com/⁠)Charleston Caroling Company (⁠https://www.charlestoncarolingcompany.com/⁠)The Greenery Florist (⁠https://greeneryfloristcharleston.com/⁠)Rusty Bull Brewing Co. (⁠https://rustybullbrewing.com/⁠)Such and Such Designs (⁠www.suchandsuchdesigns.com⁠) Toro Music Studio (⁠www.toromusicstudio.com⁠)Special Thanks to:Lesa Spillers, Julia Sorenson, Tara O'Shields, Rose Newman, Josh Anderson, Kerry Bowers, Jeff & Teri Ziccardi, The Joyner Family, Cheryl Granet, Seth Milling-Furchgott, Jef Bailey, Alison Le, Brad Walbeck along with other marvelous yet anonymous donors!Connect with Us: ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ @swkradioshowRead episode transcripts! (Available NOW!) For more information on who we are and what we're about, visit:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shortwavekitsch.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our show thrives with the support of our Patreon community! If you're able, we invite you to be part of the journey and help sustain the laughter for episodes to come.Support Our SWK Pod: ⁠patreon.com/SWKRadioShow

For a deeper study of God's Word, plus daily resources for your walk with Jesus, visit https://passionequip.com/.—With Passion City Online, you can join us every Sunday live at 9:30a and 11:45a, and our gatherings are available on-demand starting at 7p! Join us at https://passioncitychurch.com—Subscribe to our channel to see more messages from Passion City Church: https://www.youtube.com/passioncitychurch—Looking for content for your Kids? Subscribe to our Passion Kids Channel:https://passion.link/passionkidsonline —If you would like to give to our house, visit https://passioncitychurch.com/give/—Check out Passion's books, music, and more at https://passionresources.com/—At Passion City Church, we believe that because God has displayed the ultimate sacrifice in Jesus, our response to that in worship must be extravagant. It is our privilege and our created purpose to reflect God's Glory to Him through our praise, our sacrifice, and our song. —Follow Passion City Church: https://www.instagram.com/passioncity/ Follow Louie Giglio: https://www.instagram.com/louiegiglio Passion City Church is a Jesus church with locations in Atlanta and Washington D.C. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Janice Deerwester, a retired teacher and widow, was working at Cracker Barrel when a song stopped her in her tracks—Peggy Lee's “Is That All There Is?” It struck a chord, sparking a deep realization: there had to be more to life. Determined to make a change, Janice set out to transform her reality. After being captivated by the stunning Chateau de Fontainebleau in a movie, she knew she had found her new home — Fontainebleau, France. At 70, Janice sold most of her belongings, gave away what she could, and embarked on a bold new chapter with just three suitcases, a cat, and a dog in tow. Today, she's thriving in France, proving it's never too late to chase your dreams and live life on your own terms. Follow Janice at JaniceInFrance.com, @janiceinfrance on Instagram and her YouTube channel, Janice In France. #retirethere #retiretherewithgilandgene #retiretherewithgilandgenepodcast #retiretherepodcast #retirewhere #retireabroad #retirehere #wheretoretire #retireearly #bestplacetoretire #retirement #retirementplanning #babyboomers #genxers #JaniceInFrance, #fontainebleau, #fontainebleaufrance, #france, #chateaudefontainebleau, #fontainebleauforest  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michelle Houston — Founder & Visionary, To Be Honest Beverage Co.Michelle Houston is the Founder and Visionary behind To Be Honest Beverage Co., where she's redefining drinking culture with mindful, non-alcoholic functional spirits. Through her work, she invites people to explore the sober curious movement, discover a style of drinking that aligns with their lifestyle, and witness what it takes to build a purpose-driven brand from the ground up. Michelle is passionate about ensuring every consumer feels like the main character in their own story—and she empowers fellow female entrepreneurs to create brands that challenge the status quo and reflect the change they want to see in the world.Nearly four years ago, Michelle made what she thought would be a temporary choice: to step away from alcohol while navigating struggles with mental health and anxiety. What began as a short break quickly revealed profound benefits—more energy, clarity, and motivation. Despite prioritizing movement, sleep, and self-care, she realized alcohol had been quietly undermining her well-being.As weeks turned into months and then years, Michelle embraced life alcohol-free—and noticed a major gap in the market for sophisticated, celebratory non-alcoholic options. Determined to change that, she co-founded To Be Honest Beverage Co. with her husband, who brings over a decade of experience in alcohol production and manufacturing.From day one, Michelle has built the brand around a simple but powerful mission: to empower people to live intentionally, make mindful choices, and celebrate without compromise. She is part of a growing movement reshaping how we gather, connect, and raise a glass—proving that drinking less doesn't mean living less.

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Brian pops in to help review the newest Mystery Island movie, House Rules.  ABOUT MYSTERY ISLAND HOUSE RULES:On the eve of becoming a NY executive chef, Sophie returns home to help her family's flailing restaurant and runs into Cam, an old crush who makes her question everything.AIR DATE & NETWORK FOR MYSTERY ISLAND HOUSE RULES:September 14, 2025 | Hallmark ChannelCAST & CREW OF MYSTERY ISLAND HOUSE RULES:Elizabeth Henstridge as Dr. Emilia PriestlyCharlie Weber as Jason TrentKezia Burrows as Baroness Jane AlcottBRAN'S MYSTERY ISLAND HOUSE RULES SYNOPSIS:The movie kicks off with some running as the gang prepares for their next big mystery party. The Baroness drops a bombshell — they're considering opening a second location: Mystery Mountain. To test it out, Jason and Emilia are sent for a trial weekend as guests. Everything seems perfect, and they're both very impressed.At dinner, things get awkward when the staff starts arguing. Reagan, the on-site cop, begins questioning the company's hiring practices. But soon, it's game time — and the tech is mind-blowing, featuring Bluetooth phone integration and even a hologram. Jason and Emilia dive into solving the puzzles, but then chaos strikes. A tiny dart shoots out of a bookshelf and hits Reagan in the neck. It's tipped with honey — which she's allergic to. Moments later, their Bluetooth game box explodes. When they return to the room where Reagan collapsed, her body has vanished.One by one, more people “die” — three victims in total — yet none of their bodies are found. Emilia realizes she was the actual target, since she too is allergic to honey. Determined to solve the case, Jason and Emilia hunker down with their trusty whiteboard to crack the mystery.In the end, the shocking twist is revealed: it was all part of the game. No one really died, and Mystery Mountain remains murder-free. Relieved, Jason and Emilia celebrate the victory with their long-awaited first kiss. Watch the show on Youtube - www.deckthehallmark.com/youtubeInterested in advertising on the show? Email bran@deckthehallmark.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Staff Meeting: Determined to Make a Difference and Leadership - Pastor Tom JJ Wood (09/16/2025) by Word of Life Assembly of God

Book your FREE 30 Minute Clarity Call with Jody now!   https://jody.as.me/womensmeditationnetworkclaritysession What is a Clarity Call? This is the first step to giving you the IMMEDIATE relief you crave and will help you to become "unstuck" as you walk the path towards a life of happiness, inner peace and fulfillment. During this call, we're going to explore your ideal life and vision for living the life that you desire. We'll talk about some of the challenges that are getting in your way, and I'll provide you with some practical tools to help you close the gap from where you are now, to your desired destination. Take a deep breath in, and slowly let it out. PAUSE (5 SEC)... As you breathe, allow yourself to become more relaxed, your body feeling lighter and your mind feeling clearer. Focus on the strength of your being, and the power of your resilience and determination. PAUSE (10 SEC)... Allow yourself to be reminded of all of the moments in your life where you have been able to stay strong and determined, no matter what life has thrown your way. Think of the times where you have had to dig deep and find the courage to keep going. Join Premium! Ready for an ad-free meditation experience? Join Premium now and get every episode from ALL of our podcasts completely ad-free now! Just a few clicks makes it easy for you to listen on your favorite podcast player.  Become a PREMIUM member today by going to --> https://WomensMeditationNetwork.com/premium Join our Premium Sleep for Women Channel on Apple Podcasts and get ALL 5 of our Sleep podcasts completely ad-free! Join Premium now on Apple here --> https://bit.ly/sleepforwomen  Join our Premium Meditation for Kids Channel on Apple Podcasts and get ALL 5 of our Kids podcasts completely ad-free! Join Premium now on Apple here → https://bit.ly/meditationforkidsapple Hey, I'm so glad you're taking the time to be with us today. My team and I are dedicated to making sure you have all the meditations you need throughout all the seasons of your life.  If there's a meditation you desire, but can't find, email us at Katie Krimitsos to make a request. We'd love to create what you want!  Namaste, Beautiful,

Day two of class; the boys get tested. Based on the work of firebird68. listen to the Podcast on Steamy Stories “Hi, Samantha!” Sunny greeted as the black-haired girl entered the room. “How were your morning classes?” “Fine.” Samantha rasped, swiftly walking to her seat, and dropping her bag. “Oh, wow.” Sunny came to stand next to her desk. “You sound terrible! What's wrong?” “Oh, I don't know!” Samantha snapped, turning to face Tanner. “Maybe it's because SOMEONE fucked the ever-living shit out of my throat yesterday.”Tanner just shrugged and lounged in his seat. “Guilty.” He said in a bored tone. “And someone else, held me down while he did it!” she directed this to Andrea. “Oh, stuff it, Morticia!” Andrea retorted. “I just did what I was told to do.” “Yeah, well, it's your turn today, missy.” Samantha grinned fiendishly. “I hope you get the same treatment. I'll even volunteer to hold you down.” She shrunk in her seat and put on a mockingly sweet tone. “Oh, please, Miss Banks! Let me pin Andrea down while she gets her throat reamed out! I would absolutely love to keep her still for you. Will I get extra credit for this?” Andrea just rolled her eyes, but a cold pit was forming in her stomach as she was further reminded that she was, in fact, going to be giving her blowjob first thing today. She maintained her poise and confident exterior, but on the inside, her nerves were tangling themselves in knots, hoping and praying that she didn't get the 'Samantha fuckdown'. Chris and Daniel were the last to enter the classroom. Daniel reached into his bag and pulled out a book, walking it over to Samantha. “You left this in comp class.” He said, placing it on her desk. “Thanks.” She muttered. “Jesus, are you sick or something?” Chris asked. “Why is you voice so sore?” Samantha threw up her hands, exasperated, and curled her fist in front of her face, miming a vigorous blowjob in answer. “Lemon tea and honey!” Sunny snapped her fingers. “I was trying to remember what it was. When I was first starting out with deepthroating, my voice would get all hoarse, too. I found that lemon tea with a tablespoon of honey will fix it right up.” “How am I not surprised that you have a remedy for something like that?” Andrea sniffed. “Well, duh, because I didn't want to be sounding like I'm on my third pack of cigarettes every day.” Sunny replied. Andrea just shook her head in awe of Sunny's airheaded attitude and wondered how someone like her ever managed to get good grades back in high school. Before she could make the rude suggestion that Sunny must be sucking off all her teachers, the door opened, and Miss Banks walked in. “Good morning, class.” She said, setting her briefcase down on the desk. “How's everyone today?” The students all echoed greetings as Miss Banks did a quick headcount to make sure everyone was present. “And Miss Samantha?” she turned to the girl. “How are you feeling this morning?” “Fantastic.” Samantha replied, her voice gravelly. “Great.” Miss Banks smiled. “Well, yesterday I gave the girls an initial examination to test their abilities. Today, I will be testing the boys. But first, of course, before we begin, Andrea, we ran out of time for you to go yesterday so you will be up first today. I'm just waiting for…Oh! Here he is. Perfect, right on time.” A knock came at the door and Miss Banks hurried over to open it. A man entered the room, dressed in a suit and tie. He was tall and handsome, clearly muscular beneath his attire. Some neatly trimmed scruff covered his chin, giving him a rugged businessman appearance. “Great timing!” Miss Banks said. “Glad you were able to make it. Class, this is Rick Boulder. Does anyone happen to know who that is?” She looked around the room, raising an eyebrow when David slowly lifted his hand. “David?” She called on him. “He's a pornstar.” David offered, looking somewhat sheepish. “Very good!” Miss Banks praised. “Yes, I'm sure most of you have seen his performances online. Rick isn't his real name, but that's the pseudonym he uses when in a professional capacity, such as today. As someone in the sexual education industry, I have numerous contacts with on-screen talent and behind the scenes workers in the porn world. Rick has generously volunteered his time today to help us out.” She turned and fixed her gaze on Andrea, who shrunk a bit in her seat. “Miss Andrea.” She addressed her. “Please join us at the front of the room.” Swallowing nervously, Andrea rose from her seat and went to the front to stand there, her hands clasped in front of her. “You'll be performing your examination on Rick.” Miss Banks explained. “I need the male students to be ready for their test afterwards. Go ahead, Rick.” Rock removed his suit jacket and loosened his tie, laying them both on the desk. Unbuttoning his cuffs, he rolled up his sleeves and stepped up to Andrea. Andrea looked up at the imposing man towering her and hesitated, making Miss Banks frown. “Go on, Andrea.” She chastised. “Don't make our guest wait all day. We have much to get done today. Get on your knees.” She strode up behind the girl and put her hands on Andrea's shoulders, gently pushing her down to her knees and joining her by dropping to her knees behind her. “There.” She said. “Now unzip his pants and get started.” Andrea forced her hands to move and fumbled around the crotch of his pants, grasping the zipper and pulling it down. Chewing on the inside of her cheek, she reached her small hand through the opening of his pants and boxers and fished around until her fingers closed on his penis. Bringing it out into the light, her heart sank as she beheld the size of it. It wasn't even hard, yet she could tell it was massive. It gradually grew to life in her fingers until it was at the intimidating size of about ten inches in length, and nearly as thick as her wrist. “Good.” Miss Banks encouraged. “Does he feel fully engorged?” Andrea nodded. She could feel her teacher's large breasts pushing into her back. “All right.” Miss Banks continued. “Then put it in your mouth.” Leaning forward, Andrea tentatively stuck out her tongue, touching it to the tip of Rick's cock. A bead of pre-cum emerged and dripped down onto her tongue. Andrea recoiled, but was surprised to find that the taste wasn't all that terrible at all. Swallowing it down, she leaned back in and wrapped her lips around his head. She could feel Miss Banks soft breath against her ear, watching intently just over her shoulder. “Keep going. A little deeper and add some suction.” She instructed. Andrea moved in, taking more between her lips. She did as she was told and applied some suction to the movement. She didn't really have a reference for this, having never given a blowjob, so she just pretended as though she were trying to drink a thick milkshake through a straw. Of course, in this instance, the milkshake in question was considerably warmer and much more protein rich. She bobbed her head over the tip of Rock's penis, doing her best to perform as she had seen other girls do. “Don't forget to use your hands.” Miss Banks reminded her. “If you can't deepthroat your partner, utilize your hands to manually stimulate the rest of him. Understood?” Andrea nodded with his cock still in her mouth and timidly reached up to wrap her fingers around him. Her slim digits barely managed to encircle his thick girth, making her confidence waver. His size greatly intimidated her. She had only taken the head, but her tiny mouth was almost completely stuffed by that alone. Steeling herself, she pushed forward and slid her lips further down him. She managed to get two inches in before her mouth was full, and the tip was threatening to trip her gag reflex. Her eyes flicked up to Rick's face, which had remained expressionless throughout, before returning her focus and resuming her beginner head-bobbing motion. She knew that she wasn't going to be anywhere near as good as someone like Sunny, that slut, but maybe she could at least keep this from taking all day if she put her back into it. “You're not stroking. Don't simply hold onto him, you need to put some motion into your hand, as well.” Miss Banks said. “Like this.” She reached her arm around Andrea and took hold of her wrist, guiding the teen girl in stroking her hand along the remainder of his length, which was the vast majority of it. After a few strokes, Miss Banks let go of Andrea's wrist, nodding in satisfaction when the girl kept up the action in her absence. Andrea began multitasking, working her hand in tandem with her mouth. Determined, she pushed a bit deeper and taking another half inch past her lips, but immediately flinched and gagged when the tip tickled her uvula. Withdrawing to cough, she sniffled and blinked the forming tears back, before moving in to recapture the head. She worked as best as she could, but refrained from pushing any deeper than two inches, fearful of choking again. As the minutes ticked by, Andrea's jaw and arm started getting increasingly tired. After ten minutes, Miss Banks could tell that this was getting nowhere and tapped Andrea on the shoulder, signaling her to stop. “Okay, we have a clear baseline.” She noted. “You're definitely as beginner as they come. We will have a lot of work to do in the coming semester. In the meantime, we can't waste the whole class on this, so I'll finish Rick off for a little demonstration. Move over and watch carefully, okay?” Andrea nodded, relieved that she was done, and shuffled to the side, clearing room for her teacher to move forward. In one smooth motion, she dipped her head down and captured the tip between her lips and swallowed it to the base. Andrea gaped in shock as the massive cock disappeared into her mouth and without so much as a peep from Miss Banks' gag reflex. Moaning and focusing on cumming as quickly as possible so that she could get on with her class, Rick dropped his hand to rest on her head. He thrust in gently to meet her movements, her nose connecting with his naval each time. Whenever she withdrew until the head was all that remained in her mouth, Andrea could see her nostrils flare slightly, denoting her expert breath control. It reminded the teen of an Olympic swimmer that perfectly timed their breaths while in the pool. Gripping his muscular gluts, Miss Banks pulled him into her on every stroke, drawing him closer and closer to completion. It didn't take long before Andrea saw his shaft flex and his balls twitch, signaling his orgasm. Feeling the first shot of cum splash against her tongue, Miss Banks quickly swallowed it and then buried the whole shaft down her throat. She expertly worked her throat muscles to draw out every last drop of jizz that he had to give to her, sending it straight into her stomach. When his orgasm finally petered out, she slowly pulled back, her lips sealed tightly to clean him along the way, and finished by sucking on his head, nursing the last drips from him, and swallowing them as well. When she released him from her lips, she looked perfect and proper. Andrea couldn't see any signs of the impressive deepthroating she had just performed. Her chin was completely dry of saliva and her makeup was free of tear streaks. Even her bright red lipstick was barely smudged. Rick pulled out a small mirror from his pocket and handed it to Miss Banks, who checked her appearance to be sure she was professional. Fixing one stray strand of brown hair that had escaped her tight bun, she handed the mirror back to him and rose, gesturing for Andrea to do the same. “I hope you were watching closely.” She told the girl. “I'll be working with you on your oral skills throughout the term. You need a lot of help in this department. You may return to your seat. Don't forget to thank our guest.” Andrea thanked Rick, who smiled kindly at her, and hurried back to her seat. Sunny leaned toward her when she sat down. “Wow, that was a huge cock!” she whispered. “I know. Shut up.” Andrea hissed back. “What did it taste like?” Sunny ignored her request. “Did you count how many ropes he pumped into Miss Banks? God, she is so good at that. I hope I'm that good one day.” “Yeah, I get it.” Andrea retorted. “You're a slut. Now shut up, please.” “Ladies.” They both straightened and closed their mouths as Miss Banks returned from showing Rick to the door. “Is there an issue?” “No, Miss Banks.” They spoke in tandem. “Good. In that case, it's time to move on to the boys. I want to get an idea of your stamina, so I will be giving all of you handjobs until completion. I don't expect you to last long. My skill is considerably higher than any girlfriend you'll ever have. However, this will give me a reference point for later in the semester. Tanner, since you went last yesterday, how about we start with you. Please join me.” Miss Banks walked behind her desk and retrieved her chair, wheeling it out into the open, patting it and indicating for him to sit. Tanner sat in the chair and waited as his teacher went back to her desk and opened a drawer, pulling out a plastic tube of lubricant. Returning to him, she swiveled the chair to give the class a side profile of the demonstration and knelt in front of him. “Girls, just because this is for the males, doesn't mean you can zone out.” She said. “I want you all paying close attention to what I do. Take notes if you need to. First off, I would recommend you all get something like this.” She held up the bottle of lube to show the class. “This is a flavored lubricant.” She explained. “Unless your partner requests to finish somewhere on your body, you should always be taking his load internally. In the case of a handjob, that means you are expected to swallow. A flavored lubricant is always preferable to unflavored. This one is strawberry, but you can purchase any flavor or brand of your choice.” Unzipping Tanner's pants and undoing his belt, she slid them down his legs until they were bunched around his calves, letting his growing cock spring into view. A low hum emanated from Sunny as she caught sight of it again, enamored by his nine-and-a-half-inch length. Miss Banks grasped his dick and hefted it straight up, pointing it towards the ceiling. Popping open the bottle of lube, she poured a generous portion onto his tip, watching as it cascaded down the sides of his erection. When she had enough, she began working her hand and spreading around the slippery, viscous fluid until it covered his whole shaft. Tanner grunted in pleasure when she began to stroke in earnest. True to her word, she was an extraordinary sexual talent. Her strong fingers squeezed him, riding the line between gentle and firm at just the right amount. Her hand slid up and down his length at a steady pace, caressing and rubbing him from tip to base. Each time she crested his head, her thumb swirled around it expertly before massaging his glans on the way back down. Reaching between his legs with her other hand, Miss Banks closed her fingers around his heavy balls and started to massage them as well. Her deft digits flitted around his orbs, fondling and squeezing them gently, making him groan. Her hands worked perfectly in tandem, never interfering with the work of the other. While one jacked and rubbed his stiff cock, the other manipulated his balls. She stopped squeezing both and alternated to one at a time, focusing on one first and then moving to the other shortly after. Changing up her method, she dropped his balls altogether and brought that hand to join the other on his penis. She closed both hands around his shaft and used them to simultaneously jack his length. All ten of her fingers skillfully rubbed along his skin, edging him closer to his climax. She twisted and rotated her hands in opposing directions as they rose and fell throughout the course of the handjob. She could feel his legs shaking and trembling as he tried to hold out as long as possible, but she knew it was only a matter of time. He had no chance to withstand her ministrations for much longer. Sure enough, a few minutes later, she spotted his balls twitch and hurriedly swooped down to capture the head of his cock in her mouth milliseconds before he erupted like a geyser into her. She stopped her twisting motion, opting for a simple jerking method as he came into her mouth. Continuously swallowing his load as he filled her mouth, her hands worked in unison to heighten his orgasm and draw as much cum as possible from his balls. His payload was copious and plentiful, impressing Miss Banks with its quantity as she quickly gulped it all down. When his climax began to falter and his shots became smaller and smaller until it was just a trickle, she slowed her hands down to no more than a crawl, careful not to overstimulate him, and ultimately stopping moving altogether. Her lips suctioned tightly around him, pulling every last drop of his orgasm out and sending it to join the rest in her stomach. With one final stroke from his base to his tip that squeezed the final bead of cum out and onto her tongue, she released him from her oral grip with a pop and let go of his wilting hard-on to glance at the clock. “Ten minutes.” She noted. “Almost eleven. Very impressive, Tanner. Not many men can last that long from my handjobs. Well done. Sunny.” The blonde broke her stare off of Tanner's dick and snapped her attention to her teacher. “Yes, Miss Banks.” She answered. “Go into the top left drawer of my desk.” She instructed. “There's a stack of hand towels in there. Take four and go back to Tanner's desk with him and clean him off before he zips his pants back up. Do the same with each of the boys when I finish with them. Understood?” “Yes, Miss Banks!” Sunny nodded. She hurried to the desk and retrieved the folded towels from where she had been directed, before following Tanner back to his desk. She knelt before him, eagerly, and reverently wiped all the lubricant from his softening penis. A tiny drop of remaining cum appeared at the tip and she quickly extended her tongue to lap it up, savoring the flavor, before finishing her work and returning to her chair. “Daniel, you're up next.” Miss Banks continued on with the class. “Please come take a seat for me.” Daniel rose and headed up to the front. At his teacher's direction, he undid his belt and zipper, dropping his pants and sitting down. She immediately knelt between his legs and grasped his cock, gently tugging and coaxing it to full mast. When it was completely hard to her satisfaction, she applied a long string of lube along him and her hands went to work, smearing the liquid all around him. With his shaft good and slick, she began the exact same process as she had performed on Tanner. Consistency was important for this, and she knew that if she changed up her techniques drastically from student to student, the results would be skewed, and she would not be able to replicate the process later in the semester. She had meticulously written down her process for this exam beforehand and filed it in her exam notes, so that she could test the boys in the exact same fashion and get a satisfactory result to see their progress down the line. Daniel didn't last quite as long as Tanner, but his stamina was still good, nonetheless. At the eight-minute mark, she felt him shudder under her grip, and the signature flex of his balls told her all she needed to know. Her head flew down to his erection and slurped him between her lips, catching the entirety of his load in her mouth. Shot after shot flowed down her throat and into her stomach, giving her the same thrill of achievement that she got every time she finished a man off. Gulping down the last couple bits of his orgasm, she leaned back and checked the time. “Almost nine minutes.” She noted. “Very good once again. You may return to your seat, Daniel.” Sunny was already eagerly awaiting him, a fresh towel in hand. She dropped down to her knees and wrapped her hand around his cock, drying him off and eking out the jizz that had lazily flowed up in the aftermath of his orgasm, which she hungrily lapped up. Meanwhile, Miss Banks had already begun testing David. Her hands were latched onto his shaft and balls, working together to tease and stroke him to completion. He shifted about in the chair, groaning from the efforts of his teacher and steadily approaching the ultimate resolution that was inevitable. David didn't last nearly as long as Tanner. Within only a couple minutes of her switching to the double fisted method, he was already thrusting up into her hands and gritting his teeth. Watching his body language carefully, Miss Banks spotted the moment he went over the edge and dipped her head, encompassing the tip in her warm, wet mouth to contain his eruption. She was pleasantly surprised by the sheer volume of his climax. The first explosion nearly filled her mouth to the brim, causing her cheeks to puff out before she could gulp it down. The second was just as copious and once again made her cheeks bulge, flooding her mouth with hot cum. His subsequent shots were less extensive, but still gave her a large amount to swallow down. She kept expecting it to end, but he continued to exceed her expectations by cumming for more than a minute and giving her plenty of cum. By the end of it, her belly was feeling good and full. “Just over six minutes.” She said, looking at the clock. “That's closer to average with my handjobs. What isn't average is how much you ejaculate. That was quite the finish. I'm sure that we can improve your stamina during the term, it will just take dedication. Girls, quick note. When you know that you are going to be swallowing multiple loads, it is prudent to skip the meal that would take place beforehand. This will help you avoid stomach aches which will diminish your proficiency.” Miss Banks sent over to his desk and Sunny's waiting hands and called up Chris, who lowered his pants, and dropped into the chair. He was already stiff and ready for her when she lubed up his length and began her work. His balls bounced and shifted in her hands as she toyed with them. Her well versed technique fluidly worked on his erection, stroking and rubbing him at the same time. Glancing at the clock occasionally, she waited until the five-minute mark and then changed up to the two-handed method. Her accomplished fingers caressed him from tip to base and back again over and over. Shutting his eyes, Chris did his best to make himself last longer. His hands gripped the arms of the chair tightly until his knuckles turned white. His focus helped him to extend the test, but it was a losing battle. Releasing his pent-up breath, he gave in and allowed himself to climax, feeling Miss Banks' lips close around his head to catch his discharge. Popping her mouth off of him at the conclusion of his orgasm, she checked the time mark. Like his friend, Daniel, he had made it past eight minutes, an impressive mark for a young man such as him. She dismissed him back to his desk and grabbed another towel from her drawer to wipe her hands dry. Free of any lube, she opened her laptop to log all of the times in her spreadsheet to keep on file for later on. When Sunny finished with Chris and returned the used towels to her, Miss Banks checked the clock once more to see what time it was. “Thank you, gentlemen.” She said. “We now have a baseline to work from. Ladies, I hope you were paying attention, because our first chapter starts tomorrow. If any of you have peaked in your textbooks yet, you might have seen that the first section is on non-penetrative sex acts. Since we have a few minutes before class ends, I'll give a quick introduction to a couple of these. Andrea, why don't you assist me with this one.” She beckoned Andrea to stand in front of her, facing the rest of the class. “Can anyone name a non-penetrative sex act?” Miss Banks asked. “Tittyfucking!” Sunny blurted out. “Please raise your hand next time.” Miss Banks corrected. “But yes. Breast stimulation is one of the most common examples.” She stepped up behind Andrea and reached around her, making the girl flinch as she cupped her boobs. “I'm sure most of you have seen how this works, but just in case, it goes like so. The girl presses her breasts together, forming a tight valley for her partner's penis.” Miss Banks explained, demonstrating the action on Andrea's tits as she spoke. “This act typically works best with more well-endowed women, but it can be accomplished with anyone.” Lindsay glanced down, self-consciously, at her small B-cups and blushed, knowing that the comment was probably directed at her. “Like I said, the man puts his cock in the girl's cleavage.” Miss Banks continued, releasing one of Andrea's boobs to run her finger down the center of the girl's chest, indicating to the spot. “The girl can also suck on his tip if he is on the larger side, but climax typically ends on her face and chest. Does everyone understand?” The students echoed verbal confirmation and Miss Banks dropped her hands from Andrea's front. “Good. We'll go into far more detail during the chapter, but that is a quick introduction.” She said. “Let's move on. Andrea, please lay on the top of my desk.” Andrea's heart raced as visions of Samantha on her back being orally impaled flashed through her mind, but she did as she was asked. Miss Banks directed her to lay down with her legs pointing toward the class. When she was in position, Miss Banks grasped Andrea's ankles, holding them tightly together, and lifted her legs until her body was at a ninety-degree angle. Andrea's face burned bright red as she realized that her skirt was useless in this position, and her stockings and panties were on full display to her peers. “Has anyone seen or experienced a thigh-job before?” Miss Banks asked. When no one raised their hand, she carried on with her explanation. “A thigh-job is fairly self-explanatory.” She spoke. “It is a non-penetrative sex act that utilizes the thighs to provide stimulation. I'll demonstrate.” Holding Andrea's ankles together with one hand, she brought her other one down and flattened her palm and fingers. She inserted her hand between Andrea's thighs, and pushed it through, rubbing against her stocking clad thighs. Andrea bit her lip as she felt her teacher's pinky finger brush against her pussy, only her panties and the thin material of the stockings between them. Miss Banks repeatedly thrusted her hand between the girl's thighs, eventually drawing a squeak from her. Miss Banks hid her smile as Andrea clamped her hand over her mouth to silence her noises. Stopping her movement, she withdrew her hand from where it was squeezed between Andrea's thighs. “Of course, in a practical demonstration with a male partner, his cock would take the place of my hand and slide between her thighs. This can be done with or without clothes depending on the man's preference. For example,” She paused and ran her fingers over the thin, see through material of Andrea's stockings. “This would be an excellent material for a clothed thighjob. If a slicker, smoother surface is preferred, then nudity would work best in conjunction with a lubricant of some kind.” Glancing at the clock, Miss Banks let go of Andrea's ankles and let her drop her legs back down, hiding her panties from view as her skirt fell into place. “It looks like we are out of time for today.” She said. “Please hold your questions until next class. Read section one of the first chapter. Tomorrow, we will be going over that material. Have a good afternoon.” To be continued. Based on the work of firebird68 for Literotica.Day two of class; the boys get tested.

In this episode Dr. Doreen and Shannon discuss how ABA treatment hours are determined for children with ASD. 

Introduction If you're returning to the series after our break, let me extend a warm welcome back as we begin this new season. As you may remember, we're preparing to launch the multi-pronged release of our next project, The NeuroHarmonic Method: Harmonize Your Intelligence – Transform Your Life. This work represents several years of focused effort to create a personal growth resource that the everyday person can understand and apply. It weaves together timeless insights from what has long been called the Wisdom of the Ages with the powerful findings of modern neuroscience, presenting it with enhanced scientific credibility. It is designed to spark meaningful, positive shifts in awareness that elevate every part of a person's life, regardless of previous training or time constraints. And critically, everything in the NeuroHarmonic Method is rooted in what I have studied and practiced for over fifty years. So, this is not just a set of abstract theories; it is verified by practical experience, tested across decades of living through diverse circumstances, and it only grows stronger with time, especially in the areas that matter most. We'll be exploring it in episodes throughout this new season and as a basic introduction, we're going to offer a few of its fundamental ideas for your consideration. As always with our podcast, take what resonates, set aside what doesn't, and notice what changes arise within, because the path of real inner growth is always based on individual self-discovery. Childhood Memories and the Power of Film Personally, in my own life, I've often found that the extraordinary reveals itself within the ordinary. With that in mind, let's look at some ordinary childhood memories of mine, which eventually revealed a set of questions to me that helped form the foundations of the way I began to look at life. So, when I was a boy—maybe six or seven—my older brother would take me to the Saturday matinees at a big neighborhood movie theater called the Benner, which was an easy walk from our house. Now, this was a very different time. For a quarter you could spend the afternoon wrapped in an adventure on the big screen, and for another dime, you could top it off with a generous box of popcorn. The ritual never changed. The music swelled, the house lights dimmed, the curtains parted, and suddenly we were transported into another world—larger than life in every way. Remember, this was still the fairly early days of television, which we watched on a little black-and-white 17-inch screen. And even that was seen to be a marvel! By contrast, in the theater, the images were enormous, the sound powerful, and each year the technology seemed more impressive. In that simple setting, with popcorn in hand and my feet barely reaching the floor, without knowing it, I absorbed certain themes that would shape me for the rest of my life. Yes, there were plenty of cowboy serials and cliffhangers, but every so often a real cinematic treasure would slip into the Saturday lineup. Even though I was far too young to understand them, I sat through classics like Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison, Witness for the Prosecution, and Anatomy of a Murder. Most of it was over my head, but the searing drama, augmented by the scale of the image, the light and the sound, created a total immersion that left quite an impression. Three Science-Fiction Masterpieces Among the countless movies I'd seen, three science-fiction masterpieces stood apart, striking me in a way that went far deeper than the rest. Looking back, I realize they were planting seeds within me — seeds that would eventually grow and inspire a lifelong quest for higher meaning. Those three films were Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Incredible Shrinking Man, and The Day the Earth Stood Still. In this episode, we're going to take a closer look at Invasion of the Body Snatchers. We'll save the other two films for a later time. But as we do, I invite you to see them not just as vintage sci-fi relics from a bygone era, but as vehicles that ask profound questions like: What is it that truly makes us human? Do we have an authentic self,  capable of bringing lasting fulfillment, or are we merely personas we construct to navigate the world? And is there something more to us than just body and mind — something connected to a greater reality, beyond time and space? The Story Unfolds So, Invasion of the Body Snatchers begins in a quiet California town, where people begin to suspect that some of their close friends and relatives suddenly don't seem to be quite themselves anymore. Nobody can quite describe the phenomenon but it's very strange. Outwardly, everything seems normal: people have the same faces, the same voices, the same routines. Yet something essential seems to be missing. Then, a troubling secret is revealed to the audience — the unsettling difference is that these oddly changed people actually have no emotions. No joy, no sorrow, no anger, no happiness — no feelings at all. None. Then an even more sinister revelation is revealed. Alien pods have begun appearing in garages, backyards, and basements. Over a short time, each pod morphs into an exact replica of the person it lies near. Once the replication process is complete and the targeted human falls asleep, the replicant executes a complete takeover. It absorbs everything — memories, thoughts, opinions, habits, even the most intimate gestures. By morning, the original human is gone, replaced by the replicant double. In a seamless transition, it steps into the former person's life as though nothing had changed. Everything is the same except the replicant feels nothing. Although it is hard to tell, the chilling truth is that it is, in essence, a living robot. The Replicant World As the replicant population grows, these new beings begin to communicate among themselves. They proclaim how much better life has become now that all inner feeling has been erased. To them, the truth is obvious: without emotions such as anger, jealousy, greed, lust, and fear, life runs more smoothly. With those troublesome impulses gone, they believe order can finally be established in the world. As the plot unfolds, some of the remaining humans begin to grasp the terrifying truth. Determined not to lose themselves to the emotionless replicants, they fight desperately against the spreading invasion. The tension escalates as the struggle becomes a battle for the very essence of humanity. In the original 1956 film, the story ends on a hopeful note, suggesting that the humans might prevail after all. But in the 1978 remake, the conclusion is far darker. There, the replicant doubles are shown to be unstoppable, destined to take over the world — leaving the human race, as we know it, doomed. Reflections and Questions When I first saw the remake, I was surprised — even unsettled — by the change in the ending. Why would the studio alter the story so drastically? What had shifted in those twenty-two years to move the perspective from hope to despair? Perhaps it was nothing more than market dynamics — after all, fear always sells better than hope. As the old newspaper adage goes: if it bleeds, it leads. But perhaps the shift points to something deeper — a reflection of the cultural mood at the time, or even a stage in the unfolding evolution of human consciousness. Maybe one day that perspective will shift again, back toward hope, as awareness continues to grow. Who knows? Anyway, for me as a child, even through the eyes of a seven-year-old, the film stirred something deeper. It made me begin to wonder about the phenomenon of inner feeling — and what it truly means to be human. Of course, without the burden of negative emotions like anger, jealousy, or fear, life might seem easier. But what about the positive feelings? Would they have to be erased as well? Talk about throwing the baby out with the bathwater! In essence, the peace the replicants proclaimed was deeply chilling. It painted a picture of a society where routines and order remained intact, but individual personhood quietly disappeared. Yes, such a world might look peaceful, quiet, and orderly — filled with well-behaved, human-like figures. But the “peace” being offered was really the peace of the grave: a world of perfect appearances, populated by flawless facsimiles. In reality, they were the walking dead. Fast Forward to Today So, given the warning sounded back in 1957, fast forward to our world today. Where are we now? We may not have alien pods growing in our basements, fashioning replacements for our bodies, but what have we become? And even more importantly, what are we becoming? Look around. So many of us have been absorbed — not by alien doubles, but by the ever-present glow of screens, from the smallest in our hands to the largest on our walls. Meanwhile, our attention is consumed by endless scrolling, fed by social feeds of sound bites, emojis, and dopamine-driven clicks. And all of this is fueled by the constant bombardment of commercial messaging designed to sell us products — a barrage that has now gone completely off the charts. Back in 1957, the average person was exposed to about 350 ads per day, or roughly 25 per hour. Of those, about 20% were problem-solving in nature, framed with a negative bias, while the other 80% were aspirational or lifestyle-based. Now today, the numbers have spiraled out of control. We are now hit with between 8,000 and 10,000 ads per day — about 600 ads per hour. Even more disturbing is the shift in tone: nearly 70% of these are negative, problem-solving ads built on anxiety and fear, while only 30% lean toward the positive. Put another way, each of us is now exposed to about five negatively framed ads every single minute of every waking day. That is a lot of negative messaging. And we don't even have time here to fully explore what that does to our thoughts, our feelings, and ultimately our sense of truly being human. The Human Question So, back to the two questions – what have we become? And what are we becoming? With this tech invasion the bottom line is that we seem to be less and less able to think for ourselves. And less able to feel the positive inner feelings that are at the very essence of our being. Oh sure, we have incredibly easy access to feelings – like anger, fear, outrage, cynicism, and frustration. We're so good at feeling bad that we can get into any negative state at the literal drop of a hat. But tenderness? Compassion? Wonder? It seems like they've been filed away in a dirty room in the basement. It has almost become a way of being — drifting into the haze of robotic conformity, marching to the beat of an overwhelmingly negative bias, and losing touch with the higher understandings that define what it truly means to be human. After all, both timeless wisdom and modern neuroscience remind us of the immense value of being touched once again by the better angels of our nature. The Remedy So, what's the remedy for this modern day invasion of the body snatchers? It is not more noise. Not more programming. Not more frantic searching. The remedy is rediscovery. Rediscovery of our higher nature. Rediscovery of positive thoughts and feelings. Rediscovery of the simple wonder of being alive in the now. And rediscovery of the Indwelling Presence that is always within you, waiting to be uncovered. This is not just poetry. Neuroscience confirms that practices of awareness and presence change the brain itself — strengthening circuits of compassion, focus, and resilience. Here the sages and scientists meet: the truth is that you are more than a body, more than a mind. You are consciousness itself, capable of awakening to your true nature. But of course, knowing this is not enough — it must be experienced. And this is where NeuroHarmonics enters the picture, with its blend of simple but profound understandings paired with practices that are clear, natural, and incredibly easy to integrate. Remember, this path isn't about hard work. This is about transformation. Closing Well, so much for science, as well as science fiction. We'll end this episode here. As always, keep your eyes, mind, and heart open, and let's get together in the next one.

The Light Gate Welcomes GUEST: Researcher, author, astral traveler Gerard M. Pratt Date: September 15, 2025 Time: 5-7 pm pacific / 8-10 pm eastern Episode 125 Discussion: The OBEs and Paranormal Experiences of Gerard M. Pratt Tonight, The Light Gate is honored to welcome back researcher, author, and astral traveler Gerard Pratt. Gerard is passionate about exploring astral projection and out-of-body experiences. He believes that transcending the astral plane connects him with intelligent ethereal entities and spirits, providing insights into the mysteries beyond the veil. His fascination with the paranormal began in childhood, marked by vivid apocalyptic visions and the unforgettable memory of witnessing a silver, metallic, disc-shaped UFO soaring over his Liverpool home. Since 2019, Gerard has been in regular contact with a humanoid entity named Aryabhata and a group of hooded beings. His experiences during astral projections have allowed him to encounter various humanoid forms, including Greys, Nordics, Energy beings, and a blue Arcturian entity. He is often accompanied by a guide named Stewart, knowledgeable in biblical lore, and a female entity he affectionately calls the Teacher. Through his explorations, Gerard has met numerous spirits eager to assist him, being guided to an inner Earth base and accessing spirit realms to reconnect with deceased loved ones. One of his most remarkable experiences was the opportunity to pilot a disc-shaped craft under Aryabhata's guidance. Gerard actively enhances his clairvoyance at a local psychic development circle, engages in group meditation, and passionately pursues the development of his PSI abilities. Throughout this journey, he has had the privilege of attending physical mediumship séances, where he has witnessed extraordinary phenomena such as the levitation of objects, apportation, and the remarkable materialisation of spirits into solid matter. Determined to uncover the truth behind unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs), Gerard is deeply invested in Human-Initiated Contact Experiences (HICE) or CE-5. He is actively involved as a group expert at his local CE-5 group and embraces opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals at spiritual events and conferences. Gerard resides in the vibrant city of Liverpool, England. He has enjoyed a 25-year career in the British Army, specialising in military railway operations and infrastructure support. He applies his skills to the UK railways, driving trains with unparalleled precision and professionalism. He is the author of the brand new book, just release, “The Astral Traveller: Guardians of Light & Shadow.” Now available on Amazon. LINKS: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gerard.pratt.16 Website: https://gerardpratt.com Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?i=digital-text&rh=p_27%3AGerard%2BM%2BPratt&s=relevancerank&text=Gerard+M+Pratt&ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_1

Happy Monday. It's time to get Mighty! Ryan is here to help review the 1993 classic, Rookie of the Year. ABOUT COOL RUNNINGS:When a Jamaican sprinter is disqualified from the Olympic Games, he enlists the help of a dishonored coach to start the first Jamaican Bobsled Team.AIR DATE & NETWORK FOR COOL RUNNINGS:October 1, 1993 | TheatersCAST & CREW OF COOL RUNNINGS:Leon as Derice BannockDoug E. Doug as Sanka CoffieRawle D. Lewis as Junior BevilMalik Yoba as Yul BrennerJohn Candy as Irving “Irv” BlitzerBRAN'S COOL RUNNINGS SYNOPSIS: We're in Jamaica, and it's not quite bobsled time. We meet Jamaican sprinter Derice running through town. It's November 1987, and Derice is preparing to qualify for the Olympics. He runs until he reaches the pushcart competition, where his best friend Sanka competes in the big pushcart race. Sanka crashes, but no problem—Derice keeps running.It's time for the qualifying race. Derice is the clear favorite. The top four finishers will represent Jamaica in the Olympics. Unfortunately, the runner next to him, Junior, stumbles and takes Derice down with him.Derice tries to convince the Olympic committee leader to rerun the race, but it's a no-go. On his way out, he notices a picture of his late father standing next to another man. He asks who it is, and learns that it's Irv Blitzer, a fellow gold medalist who once competed in bobsledding. Irv lives in Jamaica now, working as a bookie and living a miserable life.It takes a while, but Derice finally wears him down, and Blitzer agrees to give him a shot. They gather a group of people together, but Blitzer scares them off by showing a reel of bobsled crashes. By the time it ends, the room is empty—except for one of the other runners who fell with Junior, a grumpy guy named Yul. The problem is, there's no such thing as a three-man bobsled team. That's when Junior shows up. Yul tries to fight him when he walks in, but—like it or not—that's their squad.They get to work, and after a lot of crashing and falling, they finally manage to get into the bobsled in under six seconds.Now they need funding. After failing to land a sponsor, they try random fundraisers, but still fall short. Junior steps up and sells his fancy car to cover the rest of the costs.To Calgary they go. Blitzer registers the team and borrows a rundown bobsled from a former teammate. The Jamaicans struggle to adapt to, well, ice. Derice talks to an opponent who warns him that Blitzer is holding him back—that he hasn't been the same since he was caught cheating.Meanwhile, the other teammates get into a bar fight at a honky-tonk. Derice gives them a pep talk about locking in and focusing.It's time for qualifying, and Blitzer surprises them with their very own uniforms. They need to make it under 60 seconds—and THEY DO IT!They celebrate by painting their sled and naming it Cool Runnings. But soon after, they receive a letter: they've been disqualified. Blitzer storms into the rules committee meeting, insisting they not penalize the team for his past mistakes. After deliberation, the committee reinstates them.It's Olympic time. Back home, everyone watches as they march in the opening ceremonies. Junior's dad tries to pull him back home, but Junior stands up to him at last.The team's first run on the track is a disaster, and they finish dead last. Derice tries copying the Swiss team's methods, but Sanka pushes back—telling him they need to be themselves. On the second day, they race in their own style and finish eighth.During their final race, a loose screw causes one of the bobsled's blades to detach, sending the sled crashing and flipping over. Determined to finish, the team lifts the sled and carries it across the finish line. The crowd erupts in applause—including Junior's father.The epilogue explains that the team returned to Jamaica as heroes, and came back four years later to the Winter Olympics to compete as equals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

"I've been an ardent fan of the big bands all my life. As a child growing up in New Jersey, I set my radio dial to WNEW, where "Make Believe Ballroom" featured a constant stream of recordings by big bands and their vocalists. Swing music went into hibernation for a while, as vocalists like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, and Perry Como stole the spotlight away. Determined to keep the old sound alive, I accumulated a collection of over 9,000 recordings. With such a rich resource at my fingertips, it was a natural next step to inaugurate a weekly radio program, which went on the air in 1983 and is now carried by over 40 National Public Radio stations."

Detective Bre first meets Anthony during a heartbreaking case involving a young victim. When a second, eerily similar case with Anthony surfaces, Bre realizes this isn't a one-time offense…It's a pattern. Determined to stop Anthony for good, Bre joins forces with Detective Brian in a high-stakes undercover operation to protect vulnerable young people before it's too late. Detective Bre has been in law enforcement for nearly two decades as both a detective and a member of the Special Victims squad, investigating crimes against children, adult sex crimes and child death investigations. She is currently assigned to the Homicide Squad working cold cases. Bre grew up in a law enforcement family and shares the profession with her sister, Alia, and dad, who retired after 33 years.

When Hala Taha started her podcast as a side hustle, she struggled with the same challenges most creators face: low discoverability, no clear path to monetization, and limited marketing know-how. Determined to succeed, she mastered the business side of podcasting by learning SEO, social media growth, and sponsorship strategies. This transformed Young and Profiting into a top-ranked show and led to the launch of YAP Media Network. In this episode, Hala joins Lori Harder on the Girlfriends & Business event to share unbeatable marketing strategies for transforming a podcast into a profitable business. In this episode, Lori and Hala will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (02:00) Hala's Origin Story and Podcasting Journey (09:00) Podcasting Evolution and Digital Trends (11:44) Video Marketing Strategies and Podcast SEO (17:08) Secrets to Ranking High on Apple Podcasts (19:36) Effective Podcast Monetization Strategies (23:40) Podcast Sponsorships and Marketing Conversions (27:46) Networking and Guest Booking Strategies (30:38) Q&A: Mastering the Business of Podcasting Hala Taha is the host of Young and Profiting, a top 10 business and entrepreneurship podcast on Apple and Spotify. She's the founder and CEO of YAP Media, an award-winning social media and podcast agency, as well as the YAP Media Network, where she helps renowned podcasters like Jenna Kutcher, Neil Patel, and Russell Brunson grow and monetize their shows. With her business on track to hit eight figures in 2025, Hala stands out as a leading creator-entrepreneur. Sponsored By: Airbnb - Find yourself a cohost at airbnb.com/host  Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/PROFITING  Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/profiting.  Mercury - Streamline your banking and finances in one place. Learn more at mercury.com/profiting  Open Phone - Get 20% off your first 6 months at OpenPhone.com/profiting.  DeleteMe - Remove your personal data online. Get 20% off DeleteMe consumer plans at to joindeleteme.com/profiting  SKIMS - Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com  Policy Genius - Secure your family's future with Policygenius. Head to policygenius.com/profiting  Masterclass - Get an additional 15% off any annual membership at https://masterclass.com/profiting  BitDefender - Save 30% on your subscription at bitdefender.com/profiting  Resources Mentioned: Hala's Podcast, Young and Profiting: bit.ly/_YAP-apple  Hala's Agency, YAP Media: yapmedia.com    Earn Your Happy by Lori Harder: bit.ly/EYH-apple  Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals  Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap YouTube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ Social + Podcast Services: yapmedia.com Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new  Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal Development, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side Hustle, Startup, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Mindset, Health, Growth Mindset, E-commerce, LinkedIn, Instagram, Digital Marketing, Content Creator, Storytelling, Advertising, Social Media Marketing, Communication, Social Proof, Marketing Trends, Influencers, Influencer Marketing, Marketing Tips, Content Marketing, Online Marketing, Marketing Podcast 

In this episode, Julie opens up about her race at the Grand Rapids Last Chance BQ.2, a marathon that didn't go according to plan.She reflects on:​What it felt like in the moment to step off the course.​The physical and mental signals she listened to (and the ones she ignored).​Why stopping was both the hardest and the smartest decision.​How a DNF doesn't mean failure.​What she learned about fueling, pacing, and resilience.This is an episode for runners who's ever had to wrestle with disappointment, and for anyone who needs the reminder that every race—finished or not—teaches us something powerful.You can find us on Instagram and and Facebook. Looking for coaching? Email us at julieandlisa@runfartherandfaster.com to set up a coaching call. Thanks for listening!

First Time?Start Here: https://bit.ly/MarinersconnectcardCan we pray for you? https://bit.ly/MarinersPrayerOnlineYou can find information for all our Mariners congregations, watch more videos, and learn more about us and our ministries on our website https://bit.ly/MarinersChurchSite. Support the ministry and help us reach people worldwide: https://bit.ly/MarinersGiveFIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marinerschurch• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marinerschurch• Twitter: https://twitter.com/marinerschurch• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marinerschurch

Recurring subscriptions – such as streaming services, apps, and memberships - can quietly drain a budget. Many people don't realize how much they're spending until it's too late. If you are one of the many people trying to manage several streaming services and other subscription services, it is crucial to pay special attention to subscription payments to properly manage and understand their total cost over time.  Links: Explore Triangle's Money Management tool in online and mobile banking Check out TCU University for financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union   Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  Let's start this tip off with a short story.  Ryan, a tech-savvy professional, was taken aback when he reviewed his bank statement and found over a dozen subscription charges he had overlooked. Each month, small fees from various fitness apps, streaming services, and even a couple of online magazines accumulated, ultimately totaling hundreds of dollars. As he analyzed the list, he remembered signing up for some of these services during promotional periods, but many had slipped his mind entirely. The realization left him feeling a bit frustrated, as he struggled to keep his finances in check amidst an overwhelming number of recurring payments. Determined to regain control, he decided it was time to reassess his subscriptions and prioritize his spending.  There are many people out there who can relate to Ryan's story. We eagerly sign up for subscriptions to services and platforms that we don't always remember we're on the hook to pay for month over month.   The real challenge arises when we've accumulated so many subscription services over time that we've stopped paying attention to how many we're paying. This can be dangerous, not only because it can lead to wasteful spending, but subscription prices can rise over time to where we'll likely find ourselves paying way more than we initially planned.    This tip is about empowering you to live more financially free by building awareness on how to properly manage the subscriptions you currently use.   Here are three things you can do to take charge of your subscriptions so you can enjoy the benefits without letting them wreak havoc on your wallet.   First of all, do the math. Add up the cost of every subscription service you're paying for. The only way to determine if your subscriptions are becoming too expensive is to know how much they're costing you in the first place. Don't assume you know each charge because prices may have changed since you first signed up. It's not uncommon for subscription services to increase prices periodically so what used to be $5.99 a month might now be $8.99.   Second, stay organized. Keep track of all the subscriptions. Use a financial app or other tool that can give you a snapshot of all your subscriptions and their due dates. Using a tool like Triangle's Money Management makes it easy to categorize all your payments into groups. Creating a category for streaming services will make it easy to see every charge that goes towards subscriptions.   Third, use it or lose it. Cancel any subscriptions you find you're no longer using. If you haven't gone to the gym in months, but are still paying for it, consider either blocking time off the schedule to head there or cancel it altogether. Signed up for monthly delivery boxes or paying for a streaming service you haven't used in a while, it might be time to cut those out of your budget. This step is all about truly reflecting on your needs and wants and determining whether there are any opportunities to free up some extra money by shedding unnecessary spending.   Finally, for any new subscriptions you consider, take time to look up and understand the cancellation terms. Before signing up for a new subscription, take a moment to review the cancellation policy. Check for cancellation fees, renewal costs or other changes. You don't want to get caught paying extra money to cancel your subscription.   If there are any other tips or topics you would like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.    Thanks for listening to today's Money Tip Tuesday and check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.    Have a great day!  

Last time we spoke about the Japanese encirclement of Nanjing. As battles erupted around Lake Tai, the Chinese troops used guerrilla tactics and artillery to resist the technologically superior Japanese. However, internal strife and logistical issues began to weaken their defense. On December 1st, Japan's Central China Area Army was ordered to assault Nanjing, and despite heavy resistance, the Japanese forces swiftly captured key towns. By December 7th, with Japanese troops closing in, Chiang Kai-Shek prepared to evacuate the capital. Anxiety and fear gripped the city as civilians witnessed horrific atrocities in the countryside, where Japanese soldiers unleashed violence against unarmed populations. The defense of Nanjing became symbolic of Chinese perseverance against oppression. As the city faced inevitable destruction, hope rested on the courage of its defenders and the belief that they could rally against the relentless tide of attack, knowing their plight was drawing the world's attention amidst a brutal conflict.   #166 Enemy at the Gates of Nanjing  Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. War was steadily creeping toward Nanjing, and the remaining residents understood this grim reality. Starting December 8, the distant sounds of artillery began to echo through the city. The following day, the first shell from a Japanese battery struck downtown, detonating at Xinjiekou square. Amid the chaos and anarchy engulfing much of Nanjing as the population dwindled, looting became rampant. Chinese soldiers were reportedly seen stealing from abandoned stores. Daily life had largely ground to a halt. To this desolate and partially lawless city, refugees from the war continued to arrive. However, on December 8, the influx of refugees came to an abrupt halt. All gates in the city wall were locked, only to be opened for urgent military needs. Even soldiers injured in battles near the city were reportedly denied entry, left to perish just minutes away from desperately needed medical care. As the Japanese forces tightened their grip around Nanjing, more civilians sought refuge in the safety zone. American missionary Ernest Forster wrote in a letter to his wife “I wish you could witness the influx of people into this area from other parts of the city. All the roads leading here are lined with groups transporting whatever possessions they can carry, tireless rickshaws, some even pulled by students, wheelbarrows, trucks, baby carriages, anything with wheels.” On the evening of December 7, bonfires lit by soldiers of Japan's 16th Infantry Division near Unicorn Gate were clearly visible from Purple Mountain, which was defended by the elite Training Division of the Chinese Army. The bonfires presented an enticing target for this division, established as a model to inspire the rest of the Chinese forces, who remained eager to prove themselves even as defeat loomed. Commander Zhou Zhenqiang of the Training Division's 1st Brigade suggested a counterattack and had a plan in place. His brigade would launch a frontal assault while the 3rd Brigade, stationed to his left, would execute a flanking maneuver to encircle the unsuspecting adversary. Although this strategy had potential, it was never put into action. The Nanjing garrison dismissed the proposal, citing that “too many of our troops are already worn down,” according to Tang Shengzhi's staff. They warned that if the counterattack failed, there wouldn't be enough soldiers left to defend Nanjing. Consequently, the Training Division was compelled to dig in and await the enemy's arrival. While Chinese defenders were ordered to hold their ground, the 16th Japanese Infantry Division approached Purple Mountain. The slopes of the mountain were cloaked in conifers, interspersed with dense bamboo thickets that created almost jungle-like combat conditions. As one Japanese soldier of the 20th regiment noted  “Just a few paces ahead, you couldn't see anything. Even worse, you didn't know where the enemy was. When we heard gunfire, we shot back at random. Bullets were flying everywhere.” As the Japanese soldiers ascended the slope, they were halfway to the mountain's summit when they encountered white smoke and the characteristic cracking of burning bamboo. The Chinese troops, benefiting from a favorable wind, had set fire to the bamboo. Swiftly, the Japanese soldiers drew their swords and bayonets, cutting a wide firebreak through the bamboo to halt the flames. At the forefront of Purple Mountain was a key defensive position known as Old Tiger's Cave, located just east of the mountain. As long as this location remained in Chinese control, the Japanese could not capture the mountain itself. Understanding its significance, Chinese commanders stationed a battalion of well-equipped and highly motivated soldiers from the Training Division's 5th Regiment there. Fighting erupted in the afternoon of December 8, when the Japanese commenced a fierce artillery barrage on Old Tiger's Cave, followed by an infantry assault aimed at taking the hill. Under the cold-blooded command of their leaders, the Chinese battalion employed disciplined and concentrated fire, inflicting heavy casualties on the advancing Japanese troops, who were unable to advance that day. The following morning, the Japanese intensified their assault, combining artillery fire and aerial bombardment on Old Tiger's Cave. Their infantry again attempted the treacherous climb, hoping smoke grenades would obscure the defenders' line of sight. Once more, they were thwarted, facing additional pressure as a neighboring Chinese unit launched a counterattack against the Japanese right flank. The successful defense came at a significant cost; by the afternoon, over half of the battalion defending Old Tiger's Cave had become casualties. Given the hill's exposed position and difficulties in resupply, the officers of the Training Division reluctantly decided to abandon the position. The battered battalion, now without its commander, retreated to the second-highest peak of Purple Mountain. While the loss of Old Tiger's Cave was a setback for the Training Division, it also conferred certain advantages. The Chinese soldiers withdrew to a series of prepared defensive lines through terrain they knew intimately. This stronghold centered on Xiaolingwei, a town where the Training Division had moved into new barracks over four years prior. The battalion's soldiers were familiar with every creek, hamlet, bamboo grove, and pond in the region. The Japanese faced a daunting challenge ahead. Due south of Nanjing, the 6th Japanese Division had finally caught up with the 114th Division and was deployed to its left for the final push toward Nanjing. Between the division and the city wall lay a terrain of hills and low mountains dominated by two prominent features known as General's Peak and Ox Head Peak. The task fell to the division's 13th Regiment to proceed north along the highway, while the 23rd Regiment maneuvered left around the mountains before advancing north along the Yangtze River. The division's artillery regiment, functioning at only half its typical strength due to two of its four battalions remaining in the Hangzhou Bay area, was ordered to concentrate its firepower in support of the 13th Regiment as it navigated the terrain beneath the mountain peaks. Unfortunately, the regiment's advance became mired in unexpected Chinese resistance, and with the artillery deployed too far behind to provide adequate support, divisional command decided to halt the advance until the following day, December 9. Under the cover of darkness, the artillery units were repositioned closer to the front, and the artillery commanders established their command on a hill nearby. At dawn, they began firing at the Chinese positions with much greater precision than the previous day. Meanwhile, a column of tankettes rolled down the road between General's Peak and Ox Head Peak in support of the 13th Regiment. The first tank when it came under attack from hidden mountain guns. The enemy scored several hits on the tank, forcing the driver to crawl out of the burning vehicle. The driver's pants were engulfed in flames, and as men attempted to extinguish the fire, enemy machine gun fire ripped into the driver's chest, killing him instantly. The second vehicle also came under fire from shells and burst into flames. The commander and his driver attempted to escape the turret but were trapped when another shell hit, engulfing them in flames. Unaware of the unfolding disaster, the column continued its advance, and two more tankettes were destroyed. This skirmish proved costly, resulting in the loss of four vehicles and seven men. Despite the heavy losses, the coordinated operations involving infantry, armored vehicles, and artillery gradually succeeded in dislodging the Chinese from their positions. By nightfall on December 9, the first Japanese soldiers arrived in the town of Tiexinqiao, just south of Nanjing. Meanwhile, the 23rd Regiment continued its advance north along routes west of the mountain range. This maneuver required the regiment to abandon the relatively solid road it had used thus far, opting instead for primitive trails ill-suited for wheeled transport. The major drawback of this shift was the slow transportation of artillery. The consequences became evident when one of the regiment's battalions was ordered to dislodge enemy positions on a low peak known as Hill 154, situated astride the main route of advancement. With no artillery support available, half the battalion's strength, two companies remained in the rear to safeguard the artillery pieces as they were being repositioned. The battalion ordered the remaining two infantry companies to mount an assault on Hill 154. In place of artillery, they were instructed to utilize small-caliber knee mortars. As the Japanese forces advanced towards Hill 154, the Chinese defenders opened fire with everything at their disposal, heavy and light machine guns, rifles, and mortars. The Japanese were quickly pinned down, moving slowly toward the summit under the cover of fire from the knee mortars. A breakthrough occurred when a Japanese light machine gun crew spotted a large group of Chinese soldiers repositioning on the hill. A sustained burst of fire from their weapon struck true, sending dead and wounded Chinese soldiers tumbling down the slope. Seizing the opportunity, the Japanese platoon commander sprang to his feet and charged up the hill, followed closely by the machine gunner, with the rest of the platoon trailing 10 to 20 yards behind. As they advanced, they encountered four Chinese soldiers raising their rifles to shoot. The Japanese machine gunner was quicker, firing from the hip and killing all four in an instant. The remainder of the skirmish descended into chaos. The Japanese soldiers captured the hill and took aim, firing carefully and lethally at the backs of the defeated Chinese as they fled northward. Other Japanese troops swept through the trenches with fixed bayonets, mercilessly killing all Chinese soldiers present, those who were injured, those who attempted to surrender, and even those feigning death. As Japan's 10th Army advanced on Nanjing from the south, the Shanghai Expeditionary Force was making its way in from the east. The tactical situation was fluid, fast-changing, and unpredictable, with Japanese spearheads penetrating deep into Chinese-held territory, often bypassing large enemy troop formations that would then courageously launch counterattacks from the rear. On December 8th, the 16th Division was advancing into some mountainous terrain north of Jurang where their vanguard ran into an ambush. 200 Japanese soldiers were having lunch over a 300 foot hilltop position when suddenly Captain Akao Junzo heard his comrade shout “Thousands of enemies are coming up from behind! They are heading right towards you!” Rushing outside, Akao witnessed what appeared to be a wall of Chinese soldiers marching down the valley from the rear. He dashed to the next building, bursting through the door to find his soldiers preparing lunch, he shouted at them “The enemy is here! Come with me!” The soldiers dropped their cooking utensils, grabbed their rifles, and followed Akao up the hillside behind the farm buildings. Initially, the fighting seemed evenly matched. However, the Japanese quickly brought up their two heavy machine guns, set up just 50 yards apart. Firing at a rate of 500 rounds per minute, they caught the Chinese troops in a devastating crossfire. Nine light machine guns soon joined the fray. Within moments, the cohesion of the Chinese formation collapsed, and as some soldiers broke ranks and began to retreat, Akao's men eagerly pursued them with fixed bayonets. A young, aggressive officer led the charge, wildly swinging his sword until it snapped in two. Akao watched with satisfaction. This was the kind of warfare he and his men had trained for tirelessly, month after month, and they executed their tactics with precision. However, his attention soon shifted to the hill across the valley where he had previously posted the observation squad. The entire hill was now crawling with Chinese soldiers, all firing at the peak where the small group of Japanese soldiers was entrenched in what appeared to be a desperate battle. Determined to reclaim the hill, Akao led part of his men in a charge uphill but found themselves pinned down by Chinese gunfire halfway up. A force of three squads had arrived, bringing with them what was urgently needed: knee mortars. They were accompanied by the officer with the broken sword. Akao directed the mortar fire towards the top of the hill, watching as each explosive shell detonated among the dense cluster of Chinese soldiers. Taking advantage of this momentary confusion and disarray, Akao and his men rapidly climbed the hill with swords drawn. Upon reaching the peak, they found only a few Chinese soldiers remaining. One of them pointed a handgun at the officer with the broken sword. Realizing he had no means of defending himself, the officer could only shout, “Bastard!” This unexpected outburst caused the Chinese soldier to hesitate for a brief moment before pulling the trigger. That split second marked the difference between life and death. Another Japanese officer, whose sword remained intact, lunged forward and cut down the would-be shooter. Following this, Akao and his men discovered the beleaguered Japanese squad. The soldiers' bodies had been mutilated almost beyond recognition. Some had their eyes gouged out, others had their noses or ears sliced off, and many were missing hands and feet. There were no survivors. In the early hours of December 9, just before dawn, advance units of the Japanese Army's 36th Regiment, consisting of infantry and light tanks, encountered fierce resistance from a battalion of the Chinese Training Division stationed at Hongmaoshan Hill, located southeast of the Nanjing city wall. A prolonged exchange of fire ensued, forcing the Chinese defenders to withdraw after sustaining heavy casualties. The Japanese, eager to capitalize on their advantage, followed closely. As the first light of dawn cut the horizon, they faced the imposing silhouette of the Nanjing city wall, which appeared more like a natural formation than a man-made structure. Despite their exhaustion, the soldiers erupted in victorious cries of "Banzai" and advanced energetically toward an enormous gate in the wall, this was the “Guanghua Men” or “the Gate of Enlightenment”. The Chinese defenders reigned fire, and artillery upon the Japanese columns. At that time, the gate remained shut; the moat surrounding the city was 500 feet wide and up to 15 feet deep, while the city wall towered 40 feet high. The approach to the gate was obstructed by an antitank ditch and five rows of Spanish riders, these are portable wooden frames wrapped in barbed wire. Along the road from the gate to the moat, additional rows of barbed wire further fortified the defenses. Two mountain guns, hastily transported through the rugged terrain during the 36th regiment's rapid advance to Nanjing, were positioned at the Antiaircraft Academy and commenced firing directly at the gate. While they succeeded in damaging the heavy wooden doors, it quickly became apparent that the gate had been reinforced from behind with solid beams and densely packed sandbags, so robust that, as one Japanese soldier noted, “even a row of ants wouldn't be able to make it through.” Shelling alone would not suffice to break through the defenses, prompting the call for engineers to venture into the open, exposed to enemy fire from the top of the wall, to attempt clearing the obstacles and detonating explosives at the base of the gate. While their comrades provided cover fire to keep the defenders suppressed, the engineers maneuvered past the Spanish riders to plant their explosives at the foot of the gates. An ear-splitting explosion shattered the morning air, but when the dust settled, the gate remained largely intact. To the Japanese attackers, the Chinese defenders appeared firmly entrenched; however, the reality was that they were nearing a breaking point. The artillery shelling, coupled with several Japanese air raids earlier in the day, had resulted in over 100 casualties surrounding the gate. Reinforcements were hastily summoned from nearby city sectors, including a platoon of military police cadets led by Lieutenant Xiang Hongyuan. Armed with six ZB vz 26 machine guns, the cadets commandeered a series of buses and made their way to the Gate of Enlightenment.  The hours before sunset dragged on with a tense stalemate around the Gate of Enlightenment, as neither side managed to achieve a decisive advantage. The Japanese engineers made two more perilous attempts to blow up the gate, only to find their explosives insufficient to breach the strong defenses. In a bold move, the Chinese defenders launched a risky assault outside the wall to incinerate a flour mill taller than the city wall, which, if captured, could provide the Japanese with an excellent observation point. The Chinese infantry, sprinting towards the building with jerry cans and wood, became easy targets for the Japanese fire. Despite suffering heavy losses, enough soldiers managed to reach the mill and set it ablaze. As the battle for the gate intensified on December 9, the elite 88th Division of the Chinese military became increasingly involved. The division's 262nd Brigade, comprising the 523rd and 524th Regiments, was tasked with defending the city wall between the Gate of Enlightenment and the Chinese Gate. One battalion from the 524th Regiment was dispatched to bolster the defenses at the Gate of Enlightenment. As the Japanese attacks escalated, this battalion incurred around 300 casualties. One notable instance saw 17 surviving members of a company withdraw from the battlefield, led by a platoon commander after both the company commander and his deputy had been killed. The 36th Japanese Regiment had two battalions positioned on either side of the gate, with a third held in reserve. However, that reserve battalion soon uncovered that their rear was just as perilous as the front. They were consistently attacked by Chinese stragglers from the countryside, who aimed to break through to the city gate. A Chinese unit also maintained control of a hill southwest of the Antiaircraft Academy, directing fire at Japanese soldiers within the campus. This ongoing threat from Chinese stragglers made it extremely challenging for the forward regimental positions to communicate with brigade headquarters at Qiweng Bridge farther behind. Several messengers lost their lives while trying. Ultimately, all communication shifted to wireless methods. On December 9 at noon, a solitary Japanese bomber appeared above Nanjing, but rather than its usual payload of bombs, it carried leaflets. Signed by General Matsui, the leaflets boldly declared the futility of resistance for the Chinese defenders. With Nanjing surrounded, the message conveyed that the Japanese had the power to bring the conflict directly to the Chinese. Instead, the leaflet urged surrender, stating, “The deadline for a response is tomorrow, that is the 10th”.. The Chinese were instructed to submit their response by noon to the Japanese lines near Sun Yat-sen Gate. The leaflet warned that if the Chinese did not comply, the Japanese would have no choice but to launch an assault. The tone was stern and intimidating: “The Japanese Army shall show no mercy toward those who offer resistance, treating them with extreme severity, but shall harm neither innocent civilians nor Chinese military personnel who manifest no hostility.” It emphasized the dire consequences that awaited anyone who did not lay down their arms. In response, Chinese General Tang Shengzhi reiterated his order for all troops under his command to fight to the last drop of blood. At around noon on December 10, a lone car approached Nanjing's city wall along the road from Jurong. Inside was Muto Akira, the vice chief of staff for the Central China Area Army, accompanied by another senior officer and an interpreter fluent in Chinese. Upon reaching the Japanese line near Sun Yat-sen Gate, they halted and waited. Their mission was to meet with representatives of the encircled Chinese garrison and receive their response to the previous day's request for surrender. As the minutes ticked by, there was no movement from the other side. After an hour of waiting, the three Japanese officials concluded their visit had been in vain. The vehicle turned around and retraced its path. Earlier that  morning, the Japanese had deployed a large balloon over the city wall, carrying a large white banner with a simple message in Chinese: “Give up this hopeless fight. Open the city gates and surrender!” However, this effort seemed to prove useless. As the morning progressed, Chinese shelling intensified, confirming that there was no intention among the defenders to surrender. The absence of a formal reply by the established deadline served as confirmation that the Japanese had no choice but to prepare for a massive frontal assault on the fortified city walls. Matsui wrote in his diary that day “Today at noon, we still hadn't received a reply from the Chinese to my offer of surrender. So I issued an order for the two armies to launch the attack on Nanjing beginning this afternoon. The resistance put up by the enemy is almost symbolic at this stage. It will certainly have no real effect.” The Japanese advance was set to occur along the entire front, targeting Chinese positions at Yuhuatai, the Gate of Enlightenment, Tongji Gate, and the heights of Purple Mountain. Still, one final option remained: the proposal for a three-day truce sent to both the Chinese and Japanese governments by Rabe and other foreign representatives from the day before might still be acceptable. However, this hope was dashed later that afternoon. Tang issued an order at 7:00 pm, calling for a fight to the bitter end. He warned that anyone leaving their post without permission would face severe punishment, and those failing to prevent others from withdrawing would also be penalized. Additionally, he dispatched Song Xilian and his 36th Division, his closest equivalent to a Praetorian Guard, to patrol the Yangtze docks and thwart any attempts to escape across the river. “We must defend the city with all our strength. We cannot give up an inch of our soil.” The battle for the Gate of Enlightenment remained fiercely contested. Soldiers of the 9th Japanese Infantry Division, surrounded by Chinese forces, found themselves questioning whether they were the ones laying siege or if it was the other way around. The division's 36th Regiment, entrenched directly in front of the gate, was effectively cut off from the rest of the division, lacking even a telephone line to the 18th Infantry Brigade's headquarters at Qiweng Bridge in the rear. The area was swarming with Chinese stragglers trying to return to their units. Japanese infantrymen who exposed themselves in the open risked being fired upon from all directions by unseen adversaries. Things changed at 8:00 am when the brigade's deputy commander climbed into an armored vehicle at Qiweng Bridge and led a supply column through terrain that was only partially under Japanese control. The column, carrying 500 artillery shells and machine gun ammunition, arrived without incident, replenishing the 36th Regiment, which was dangerously low on supplies. Soon after, signal troops established a telephone link to the regiment, enabling communication to flow freely. B 4:00 pm a breach had finally appeared in the outer gate. The Japanese artillery units could now see well-fortified sandbag positions inside the gate, which would also need to be destroyed, but for now, they had overcome their first obstacle. Cheers erupted among the batteries. Tang Shengzhi understood the significance of the Gate of Enlightenment in the battle for Nanjing. He had entrusted its defense to remnants of the elite German-trained 87th Infantry Division. He also deployed survivors from the 156th Division and dispatched armored cars to the section of the city wall and rolled artillery near the gate to provide close tactical support. Then suddenly cries of banzai rang out as a Rising Sun flag hoisted above the city gate. Major Ito Yoshimitsu, the commander of the 1st Battalion positioned near the Gate of Enlightenment had ordered his 1st Company to ascend the debris-laden slopes flanking the gate that had accumulated during hours of shelling. As the soldiers of the 1st Company infiltrated the gate, Ito quickly instructed the 4th Company to follow closely behind. By the time the Chinese forces recognized the critical breach in their defenses, it was too late. The two Japanese companies secured the gate and moved up to 100 yards inside the city, establishing positions in several buildings. They had created a foothold. A few miles southwest of the Gate of Enlightenment, the elite german trained 88th Chinese Infantry Division, was embroiled in fierce combat. They were defending the rugged hills in front of the Chinese Gate known as Yuhuatai, which were crucial to holding Nanjing. As General Sun Yuanliang, the division's commander, succinctly put it, “The enemy won't die by himself!” The division deployed its 527th Regiment to Yuhuatai alongside two artillery companies, while keeping the 528th Regiment in reserve. Although the 88th Division had once been part of the pre-war elite, it had suffered significant losses during months of grueling fighting, first in and around Shanghai and then during the retreat to Nanjing. The division now comprised only 6,000 to 7,000 soldiers, of which 3,000 were newcomers brought in to replenish their depleted ranks.  The division did possess one notable advantage over its opponents: the terrain. Yuhuatai was a nightmare for attackers. Military planners had long assumed invaders would assault from the south, leading to the fortification of the area. Consequently, the defenses included extensive antitank ditches, concrete-reinforced pillboxes, and rows of barbed wire, all designed to thwart an invasion. Moreover, Yuhuatai had frequently served as a training ground, allowing the 88th Division's soldiers to jump into prepared trenches during maneuvers. When the 6th Japanese Division arrived at Yuhuatai on December 10, it became immediately clear to its officers that the Chinese had transformed the area into a formidable stronghold. Strategically placed Chinese machine gun nests pinned down Japanese infantry, rendering them unable to advance or retreat. To counter this, the 6th Division set up its artillery to provide close tactical support, even at great risk. A battery commander was killed while maneuvering his guns to target a heavily fortified Chinese position. Despite the added firepower, the Japanese forces advanced slowly through the hilly landscape and sustained heavy casualties. They faced repeated obstacles from barbed wire barricades, which could only be dismantled by soldiers exposing themselves to pinpoint enemy fire. The Chinese defenders often fought to the last man; one Japanese officer noted that a pillbox had been locked from the outside, leaving the soldiers inside with no chance to escape. The experience of a company from the 6th Division's 23rd Regiment was typical. They found themselves pinned down in an antitank ditch, barely able to move. At the slightest motion, a vigilant Chinese machine gunner from a pillbox 50 yards away unleashed carefully aimed bursts of fire. Gradually, however, Japanese shelling began to weaken the Chinese positions, prompting the defenders to retreat one by one, even forcing the machine gunner to withdraw. When the Japanese troops finally emerged from cover, they spotted the fleeing gunner in the distance. Eager for revenge, they fired at him as he crossed a low ridge. He initially collapsed, only to rise again and continue fleeing. This cat-and-mouse chase occurred several times, and the Japanese soldiers couldn't tell whether they had hit him. Later that day, as they advanced further, they discovered him dead, still clutching his machine gun. The 6th Division faced the familiar issue of advancing too rapidly and bypassing Chinese units that still posed a threat. A 1,600-foot hill in the path of the 47th Regiment remained occupied by Chinese soldiers, who continued firing into the backs of the advancing Japanese troops. The Japanese forces managed to take the hill in the evening of December 10 and held it throughout the night despite repeated Chinese counterattacks. On the Chinese side, the 88th Division's 527th Regiment was engaged in particularly heavy fighting, but unlike their Japanese counterparts, they struggled with inadequate artillery support. Reluctant to risk valuable materiel, a concern that was rarely matched by a similar regard for personnel, Chinese commanders had positioned their artillery behind a low hill for protection against direct Japanese fire. However, this placement also meant they had no clear view of the enemy. Equipment lost in battle could not be replaced, but men lost were another matter. By the evening, the battle for the Gate of Enlightenment was reaching a critical point. Chinese commanders deployed every available unit to close the gap in their defenses created by the Japanese 36th Infantry Regiment, which had managed to establish a tenuous foothold near the gate. The pressure was immense, as there was no doubt that dire consequences awaited if the gate were lost. By midnight, a squad of southern Chinese soldiers from the 156th Division devised a ruthless plan to eliminate the remaining Japanese defenders, they intended to burn them out. Climbing the wall overlooking the Japanese positions with timber and cans of gasoline, they dropped burning logs onto the Japanese troops below at 1:00 am, trapping them under the heavy, flaming debris and inflicting devastating injuries. This cruel assault may have been driven by revenge, as many in the 156th Division had witnessed their comrades burned alive on the hilltop outside Nanjing just days earlier. By the morning the fight for the Gate of Enlightenment devolved into a stalemate. Nanjing was facing a siege. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. General Tang Shengzhi led a defiant defense of Nanjing and  despite despair, civilians fortified the city, aware that its fall could shatter Chiang Kai-Shek's government. By early December, the Japanese were gradually surrounding the capital. Assaults were made against her walls and now it seemed the capital was about to face a brutal siege.

Future Planning Series: “Putting the Puzzle Pieces Together” with Amanda Owen You're not gonna want to miss this inspiring episode with author, speaker, and entrepreneur, Amanda Owen, founder and executive director of Puzzle Pieces in Owensboro, Kentucky. Amanda shares her journey from special education teacher and sibling to nonprofit leader, highlighting the challenges, triumphs, and personal motivations behind her mission. On this first episode of our Future Planning Series, We talk about the impact of community support, innovative programs, and how her organization transforms lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Don't miss Amanda's heartfelt stories and empowering message. Let's get started! Bio: Amanda Owen is a dynamic storyteller, advocate, and changemaker. As an author, speaker, podcaster, and nonprofit founder, she has dedicated her life to championing individuals with disabilities. Inspired by her older brother Nick, one of the first in the world diagnosed with a rare chromosomal disability, Amanda's journey into advocacy began at home. This unique experience ignited her passion for inclusion and advocacy from a young age. Determined to make a difference, Amanda became a special education teacher but soon realized her vision for empowering families extended beyond the classroom. Over 12 years ago, she made the bold decision to leave teaching and launch Puzzle Pieces, a Kentucky-based nonprofit that provides life-changing services to individuals with disabilities. From residential living to vocational training, supported employment, and the region's only targeted autism programming, Amanda's organization now serves over 400 clients with the support of a dedicated team of 100+ staff members and a $6 million operating budget. Amanda's work has set a new standard for disability services both statewide and nationally. She was appointed by the Kentucky Governor to the Employment First Council and was recognized as a 40 Under 40 influential leader in her community. As a sought-after speaker, she shares her unique sibling perspective and insights on advocacy with audiences across the country. Amanda's recently released memoir, "Rarely Different," offers a deeply personal look into her life as a special needs sibling, providing a perspective that resonates with many families navigating similar challenges. Her life's mission is clear: to ensure people with disabilities are not just included, but celebrated within their communities. Amanda's infectious energy and relentless optimism inspire everyone around her to dream big, work hard, and embrace the lessons that come with failure. Above all, Amanda encourages people to show up authentically and never forget to find joy in the journey. Amanda loves connecting with families and caregivers, offering support, sharing experiences, and building a community of understanding. Connect with her on Instagram @pieceofmebyamanda or visit her website at piecesofme.org to follow along on her journey and learn more. www.piecesofme.org www.puzzle-pieces.org @piecesofmebyamanda www.piecesofme.org www.puzzle-pieces.org @piecesofmebyamanda   For a family raising a child with special needs, life can be difficult. There are many storms to weather and struggles to address, and we often feel isolated and alone due to the nature of our circumstances. Families have a need to connect and find resources, a need to be encouraged, and a need for hope as we walk down what can be a very hard road at times. Hope on the Hard Road Special Needs Podcast was created for this purpose. Our vision is to grow a thriving community, where families with children of all ages with special needs can feel connected, be encouraged, and find hope for the road ahead. Connect with Us: If you enjoy this podcast please share us with others and be sure to follow us so won't miss an episode. We'd love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or rating and connect with us on social media or on our website. Email us: info@hopeonthehardroad.org Website: https://hopeonthehardroad.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeonthehardroad/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopeonthehardroad/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2621447987943459 Free Youtube Resource Library: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSAfvTkSy87X-fEqtVR2qvo7w9UQBuxz   Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Hope on the Hard Road, Inc. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional, medical, or legal advice.

In this episode of the Born Wild Podcast, Sophia Henderson sits down with Rachael, midwife and creatrix of the Elemental Birth Rites course journey, to explore the profound intersections of loss, birth, and personal transformation. Drawing from her own experiences with miscarriage and witnessing challenging birth stories, Rachael shares how these moments shaped her approach to midwifery and deepened her reverence for the sacredness of birth.The conversation touches on the importance of addressing the “mother wound,” embracing rites of passage, and integrating ancestral healing into the birth space. Rachael also speaks to the significance of self-care for caregivers and the need to normalize discussions around loss in pregnancy.⸻What You'll Learn: • How personal loss shaped Rachael's path into midwifery • Why miscarriage and loss must be openly acknowledged and supported • The role of ancestral healing, shadow work, and earth-based spirituality in birth work • Understanding and healing the “mother wound” • Threshold tending and rites of passage in pregnancy and birth • Why self-care is essential for midwives and birth workers • How death and birth are interconnected as sisters • The vision and offerings of the Elemental Birth Rites course journey⸻Guest Bio:Rachael is the creatrix of the Elemental Birth Rites course journey and founder of Elemental Midwifery in rural Maine. Her background in alternative healing—massage therapy, sound healing, herbal medicine, and more—deeply informs her approach to midwifery. Since graduating in 2015, Rachael has provided home birth care in the mountains of Colorado and beyond, witnessing firsthand the impact of unprocessed trauma in the birth space.Determined to address the emotional, spiritual, and ancestral dimensions of birth, she created the Elemental Birth Rites course journey, a synthesis of ancestral healing, transpersonal psychology, and earth-based spirituality. Through her work, podcast (Reclaiming the Sacred Feminine Arts), and community offerings, Rachael supports families and birth workers in honoring the full spectrum of the birth experience.⸻Links and Resources Mentioned:

A woman in Henan Province received Dafa books from a relative in 1998 and cherished the Fa and began to cultivate along with many others in her county. When the CCP began persecuting Falun Dafa, and she went to Tiananmen Square and unfurled a banner supporting Falun Dafa. When questioned by the police she was […]

Last time we spoke about the battle of Lake Tai. In November 1937, as Japanese forces advanced, Nanjing's fate hung in the balance. Commander Tang Shengzhi led the desperate defense amidst disarray among Chinese generals, many advocating retreat. Despite political strife, civilians rallied, fortifying the city, knowing its fall could destroy Chiang Kai-Shek's government. On November 19, Japanese Commander Yanagawa seized the moment, directing his troops towards Nanjing, igniting panic in Tokyo.  As fierce battles erupted around Lake Tai, the Chinese forces, though outmatched in technology, employed guerilla tactics and stubborn resistance. Chinese artillery delivered devastating blows, and bold counterattacks kept Japanese momentum in check. However, as the month closed, the tide turned, logistical challenges and internal chaos hampered communication. The stage was set for one of the darkest chapters of modern Chinese history, where the battle for Nanjing would symbolize the struggle against oppression.   #165 Nanjing Surrounded Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. On December 1st, Jiangyin fell. That same day Japanese Army General Staff Deputy Chief Tada Hayao arrived to the Shanghai region to conduct an inspection of the front lines and personally deliver Tokyo's orders authorizing an assault upon Nanjing. The directive was exceptionally brief: “The Central China Area Army is to attack Nanjing in coordination with the Navy.”  Later that same day, at 7:00 pm more detailed instructions were issued by the Central China Area Army. The 10th Army was set to begin its decisive assault on Nanjing on December 3, advancing along two primary routes toward the capital. The left flank was to advance through Wuhu, while the right flank would move via the city of Lishui. The Shanghai Expeditionary Force, having endured more strain than the 10th Army due to its longer tenure at the front, was scheduled to launch its attack two days later, concentrating its forces around Danyang and Jurong. On December 2nd, Matsui received a promotion, given overall command of the Central China Area Army. The responsibility for the Shanghai Expeditionary Force was entrusted to a recent appointee in the Shanghai theater, Prince Asaka Yasuhiko, a member of the Imperial family. As Matsui noted in his diary that day "It's a great honor”. He promptly issued orders to ensure the prince's comfort and safety by all available means. At the age of 55, Prince Asaka, Emperor Hirohito's uncle, boasted a successful military background, including a tenure at the Japanese embassy in Paris. However, this experience had left its mark on him in two significant ways: he walked with a limp due to a car accident in France and spoke French fluently. Despite his talents and efforts, he did not earn the highest regard from Hirohito. He had not demonstrated the loyalty expected of him during the February 26th Coup attempt in 1936 and had since been met with a cold shoulder from the emperor Command in China presented a crucial opportunity for him to restore his standing in the eyes of Hirohito. Meanwhile over in the capital a war for air supremacy raged. More and more soviet pilots were arriving alongside their Polikarpov I-16 fighters. Exhausted from the long distance travel to Nanjing, the Soviet pilots were given no respite and tossed into the fray, performing 5 sorties in their first day. The Soviets were kept very busy as the Japanese increasingly unleashed raids against the airfields in the Nanjing region. The raids became so intense, the Chinese had to relocate their aircraft to bases hundreds of miles behind the front. While the Polikarpov I-16's were severely hampering the Japanese, suddenly a new adversary emerged. The Mitsubishi A5M fighter, still a prototype was rushed into service to help escort the bombers. This was the predecessor to the legendary A6M Zero fighter. Like I mentioned previously I wrote the Kings and Generals episode on the A6M Zero Fighter's history and over at my patreon I have a hour long podcast on it. Needless to say the A5M changed everything in the theater, taking away the advantage the Soviet fighters had wielded for a brief window of time.  At 9:00 am on December 2, a small customs cruiser waving a swastika flag docked at the Nanjing waterfront after making an overnight journey down the Yangtze River from Wuhan. German Ambassador Oskar Trautmann quickly disembarked, accompanied by embassy councilor Heinz Lautenschlager and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xu Mo. Trautmann's mission was so secretive that although he had dined with a secretary from the Italian embassy, an Axis partner just hours before departing from Wuhan, he made no mention of his impending trip.  Despite the secrecy surrounding his visit, news of Trautmann's arrival in Nanjing spread rapidly within the German community. Businessman John Rabe, noted in his diary that day “I assume his return has something to do with Germany's attempt to act as a mediator”. Just before Trautmann's arrival, Chiang Kai-shek had a meeting with his closest advisers, primarily military generals. Vice Foreign Minister Xu briefed those present on the peace conditions proposed by the Japanese nearly a month prior. Many in attendance were hearing these terms for the first time and were startled to discover that Japan did not require reductions in Chinese armaments. Bai Chongxi was the first to speak “If these are the only terms, then why should there be war?” Given that the Japanese proposal seemed to allow for the continuity of the Kuomintang led Chinese nation, the generals present, including Tang Shengzhi, agreed to use it as a basis for negotiations. Later, at 5:00 pm Chiang met with Trautmann. The German diplomat said “I believe it is necessary for China to declare its willingness to discuss the Japanese terms in a conciliatory spirit.” Chiang replied, “I intend to do so, but I also expect the same from Japan.” Chiang then explained that they needed to be addressed for peace talks with Japan to proceed, explicitly stating that he would not accept Japanese control over northern China and that he was unwilling to sacrifice his recent friendship with the Soviet Union to achieve peace with Japan. Having secured Chiang's agreement to initiate talks with Japan, Trautmann promptly returned to the German embassy to report to his superiors in Berlin. He then headed back to the docks, boarding the same vessel that had brought him to Nanjing, traveling back up the dark Yangtze River. One particular concern weighed heavily on Trautmann's mind: a request from Chiang to maintain absolute secrecy regarding the upcoming Sino-Japanese negotiations. Trautmann believed that Germany should support this request. He was convinced that if news leaked about Chiang's willingness to engage with the despised Japanese, it could spell the end of his government in China, allowing the Soviets to take charge. At this time, both the Germans and Japanese feared fragmenting China further. Both wanted the Kuomintang to remain in charge and maintain the status quo as they benefitted from it greatly. Staff officer Kawabe Torashiro after a recent tour of the front lines had this to say, “To dismantle the Chiang regime would leave it in a dire situation, giving it the desperate tenacity of a cornered rat in its struggle against Japan. Whether we destroy it or not, we would ultimately contribute to a fragmented China for many years, one that would be a significant drain on the Empire's resources well into the future.” Meanwhile, the city of Changzhou fell on December 2nd, without any resistance. Private Azuma Shiro landed at Changzhou and was ordered alongside his 20th regiment to prepare an assault upon Danyang,  a walled city located about 25 miles northwest of Changzhou. The road between the two locations was nearly straight, running parallel to the railway connecting Shanghai and Nanjing, allowing the 20th Regiment to make swift progress. Upon arriving at Danyang, Azuma's platoon cautiously approached a bamboo grove concealing a Chinese position. Suddenly, a ZB vz 26 machine gun opened fire. Taking cover, the Japanese soldiers entered a nearby cemetery, where the small grave mounds offered some protection. The platoon's knee mortars responded, firing shells that silenced the machine gun. Seizing the opportunity, they launched their assault, swords raised and bayonets fixed, shouting at the top of their lungs. As they closed the distance to the bamboo grove, the machine gun sliced them down. When they finally reached the trench, they discovered it was already abandoned; the occupants had fled mere moments before. Danyang also fell on December 2, clearing one of the significant obstacles in the 16th Division's path to Jurong. Meanwhile to the south, the 9th Division was advancing from Tianwangsi towards Chunhua village, just miles from the capital, while elements of the 3rd Division were also making significant headway. At the northern end of the front, the Amaya Detachment was approaching the Yangtze port city of Zhenjiang, preparing to cross the river and sweep west along the opposite bank. As Matsui noted in his diary that day “The enemy's entire defensive line has been breached, and their morale has declined sharply. I believe there won't be much fight left in them moving forward”. Although the Shanghai Expeditionary Force had yet to launch its final assault on the capital, the soldiers were managing to advance at an impressive pace. Matsui noted in his diary on December 4th “I plan for an orderly occupation of Nanjing. Before entering the city, we must offer Chiang Kai-shek or the garrison commander the opportunity to surrender. While occupying Nanjing, I hope we can avoid unnecessary damage to the city and harm to the population.” Over in Nanjing, Henri Johan Diederick de Fremery, a Dutch officer serving as an advisor to the Chinese army, had assessed the city's fortifications prior to the war and found them lacking. He noted that coastal batteries had been installed to the north and northeast of the city, including outdated muzzle-loaders. In his report he stated  “They might serve against warship attacks, but who would think of attacking this city with warships?” Although some artillery pieces were positioned along the city wall, they were insufficient in number. Some locations were poorly constructed due to material shortages. For instance, a portion of the wall between Sun Yat-sen Gate and the Gate of Enlightenment had been reinforced with makeshift structures, concrete on the outside and a fragile network of bamboo within. It was a façade that would collapse upon the impact of the first Japanese shell. Natural obstacles like Purple Mountain to the east and the Yuhuatai hills to the south existed, but little was done to incorporate these features into the defensive network. The river, which served as a natural moat, became shallower on the eastern side, allowing for relatively easy crossing. As further noted by de Fremery “Nanking cannot be justifiably termed a heavily defended city”. Meanwhile the Chinese Army was engaged in a frantic effort to prepare for the anticipated Japanese onslaught. Engineers readied to demolish strategic bridges, and in many cases, entire villages were set ablaze, blackening the horizon with thick smoke. Heart-wrenching scenes unfolded as farmers were evicted from homes that had been in their families for generations.  By the end of the first week of winter, distant bombings echoed through the air, with explosions powerful enough to rattle windows within the city. The front lines were alarmingly close, leading to a steady influx of injured Chinese soldiers into Nanjing on foot. A pervasive sense of foreboding enveloped the city. Amidst the gloom, there lingered a belief that despite impending challenges, life would somehow continue. On the morning of December 3, a ship departed from Nanjing, loaded with treasures that represented three millennia of Chinese history. Thousands of crates filled with irreplaceable bronzes, porcelain, paintings, and other art objects were sent upriver. These invaluable items had been moved from Beijing four years earlier and stored in vaults in Nanjing. It was evident that the situation could deteriorate rapidly, leaving little time to respond. On December 5, all US citizens in Nanjing were urged to pack their essential belongings and be prepared to leave the city on short notice. The following day, a final order was issued: all American passport holders were directed to make their way to the Yangtze docks and board a river gunboat awaiting them, the USS Panay. As the Japanese Army advanced westward toward Nanjing, it left behind a horrifying trail of arson, rape, and murder. Helpless civilians who fell into the hands of the victorious soldiers endured brutal treatment that often defied comprehension. Now similar to other episodes I have done on my own channel or Pacific War Week by Week, this is a disclaimer, I am about to talk about some gut wrenching horrifying stuff. We are reaching Nanjing, and yes the infamous massacre is going to be told to the fullest. So warning, its about to get graphic. At the hamlet of Nanqiantou 38 residents were met with atrocities that would become more and more common. The Japanese Army set fire to the twelve homes that comprised the hamlet, forcing the captives to witness the destruction. When some of the residents attempted to escape and salvage their belongings, the soldiers trapped them inside, locking the doors and sealing their fate as the roofs collapsed in flames. Among the victims, two women, one of whom was pregnant, were subjected to repeated rapes. In a particularly gruesome act, the soldiers “cut open the belly of the pregnant woman and gouged out the fetus.” Amid the chaos, a 2 year old boy cried out, and a soldier seized him from his mother's arms, throwing him into the flames. The frantic mother was bayoneted and discarded into a nearby creek. The remaining captives met a similar fate, dragged to the water's edge, stabbed, and pushed into the stream. The 170 miles between Shanghai and Nanjing transformed into a nightmarish wasteland of death and destruction. For miles, the only living beings visible were the deceased. The reputation of the Japanese soldiers preceded them, leading many Chinese civilians to prefer a swift death at their own hands rather than the prospect of a slow demise at the hands of the Japanese. While passing through the town of Pinghu on their way to Nanjing, First Lieutenant Nishizawa Benkichi and his men from the 114th Division spotted two Chinese girls across a river. They appeared to be strolling hand in hand, possibly sisters. As they stepped onto a bridge, the girls began to walk towards the Japanese soldiers but suddenly stopped. Still clasping hands, they jumped into the river, disappearing into the swift current. Military efficiency was accompanied by a staggering brutality, where victories against armed opponents were often followed by the massacre of unarmed women and children. This pattern parallels the incomprehensible behavior of German soldiers on the Eastern Front, though there are significant differences. The Germans viewed themselves as a superior race compared to their Slavic adversaries, labeling them as "untermensch." In contrast, the Japanese could not deny their connections to the Chinese. Japan's historical role as a major influence on Chinese civilization was undeniable, as reflected in aspects as basic as the shared writing system. To many Japanese, their nation's relationship with China resembled that of two brothers, one younger and righteous, the other older and misguided, in need of redemption. Matsui Iwane embodied this perspective. Alongside his military duties, he held a deep interest in fostering cooperation among the peoples of Asia, who he believed remained under the yoke of Western imperialism. Since his youth, Matsui had been captivated by China, and while other ambitious officers sought postings in Western capitals like Paris or London, he applied to serve in China, remaining there for nearly a decade as part of Japan's diplomatic representation. By the 1930s, Matsui's commitment to this pan-Asian vision had gained a political dimension, leading him to become a prominent founder of the Greater Asia Association in 1933. This of course was created mostly through the work of Kanji Ishiwara. What was once a exclusive on my patreon can be found over at Echoes of War or my youtube channel, its a four part series on the life of Ishiwara and it goes into the history of how he tried to forge pan asianism, but ultimately failed against his adversaries like Hideki Tojo. Its fascinating stuff, please if you are interested check it out on youtube and comment where you came from.  This organization, though dominated by Japan, has been described as "probably the single most influential organization propagating Pan-Asianism during the 15 year war. During a visit to China in late 1935, Matsui helped establish the Chinese Greater Asia Association in the northern port city of Tianjin. For individuals like Matsui, Japan's actions on the Asian mainland were akin to liberating its peoples. They viewed the establishment of the Japanese-controlled puppet state, Manchukuo, in northeast China in 1932, as a bold experiment in nation-building, hoping the rest of China would benefit similarly. As Matsui wrote in 1933 “Next, we must also extend to the 400 million people of China the same help and deep sympathy that we provided to Manchuria, relieving them of their miserable condition of political, economic, and intellectual subjugation by various countries of the world.” The violence perpetrated by the Japanese Army stemmed from numerous variables. One was a grotesque belief they were actually liberators to what they deemed, ungrateful Chinese. The Japanese believed their presence in China was partly for the benefit of the Chinese people and felt a messianic obligation to save them. This led to frustration akin to that of a father confronting a disobedient son, compelling them to punish what they perceived as disobedience. While the rank-and-file soldiers might not have reflected deeply on these issues, such philosophies filtered down from their leaders. Of course there is a lot more to it, and sorry again for shamelessly plugging it, but on my patreon I specifically did an episode titled “why the Japanese army was so brutal” where I went through everything involved. It ran from cultural issues, to the brutal system of abuse in the military, to racism, radicalization of male youth in Japan, its a very complicated matter. Because again, most of the atrocities were committed by 20-30 year old grunts who had families back home. This was not like the traditional “I was following orders” type of situation, these were atrocities committed by the lowest ranks upwards.  The safety zone, created by Rabe and a handful of other foreigners, began to take shape in the first week of December. It was officially announced, and four committees were established to manage food, housing, finances, and sanitation. Once the plans for the zone were publicized in local newspapers, scared Chinese civilians flocked to it by the hundreds. From its inception, the zone faced numerous problems. Thousands of bags of rice and flour intended for the future residents of the zone were left unguarded and quickly looted, leading many to assume they had been stolen by military personnel. More troubling were the issues that arose when Chinese military units began digging trenches and setting up field telephones within the safety zone, putting it at heightened risk of a Japanese attack. Chinese officers assured organizers that they would vacate the area, but the delay led to growing frustration among those overseeing the zone. Until all Chinese soldiers withdrew, the organizers could not erect flags to formally designate the area as demilitarized. Although the Japanese refused to officially recognize the safety zone, they pledged to respect it.    Following the outbreak of the battle for Shanghai, the Chinese Red Cross stepped in where military medicine had faltered, establishing first-aid teams and emergency hospitals while ensuring that wounded soldiers were accommodated in existing medical facilities. In October, they opened a 3,000-bed hospital on the campus of the National Central University, staffed by 300 doctors, nurses, and 400 orderlies. By the end of October, the hospital had admitted 1,200 patients and performed over 50 operations daily, primarily amputations. However, as the Japanese forces advanced toward Nanjing, doctors and nurses were evacuated westward along the Yangtze River. The entire Red Cross hospital was dismantled, and at the American Mission Hospital, the staff, which had initially numbered nearly 200 doctors, nurses, and trained personnel, dwindled to just 11 by the onset of winter.  With medical facilities on the brink of collapse, a group of foreigners took the initiative to improve conditions, achieving small victories along the way.  Back at the front, the 10th Army continued their march to Nanjing. On the right flank, the 114th Division had marched through Liyang within hours, covering 40 miles over the next two days to reach Lishui on December 4. Behind them, the 6th Division was still lagging somewhat, struggling to catch up after making a large detour east of Lake Tai. The Kunisaki Detachment was tasked with reaching the Yangtze at Taiping, crossing the river, and heading for Pukou, directly opposite Nanjing, to cut off any retreating Chinese forces. To the left of the 6th and 114th Divisions, the 18th Division received orders on December 2 to march northwest from the Guangde area toward Nanjing. However, when intelligence reports indicated that large numbers of Chinese troops were withdrawing south toward Ningguo, trying to escape encirclement, thus the 18th Division had its mission altered. On December 4, they were instructed to change course and press straight west, aiming to trap as many Chinese soldiers as possible. The residents of Nanjing were jolted awake by the roar of airplanes shortly before 6:00 am on December 7. It was the sound of Chiang Kai-shek and Song Meiling departing the capital. Three days before his departure, Japanese forces had advanced dangerously close, and their shelling had intensified to the point that he was forced to move from his residence on Purple Mountain to a villa belonging to a famous scholar who had since passed away, located within the city walls. While organizing his departure, Chiang kept the morale of the troops and civilians trapped in Nanjing at the forefront of his mind. In his diary, Chiang noted, “Staying in Nanjing until the last moment has not only enabled us to complete military preparations, but it has also boosted the morale of soldiers and civilians alike. The evacuation of necessary material has been carried out without disorder. I cannot imagine what might have happened if I had left ten days earlier.” On one of his last nights in Nanjing, Chiang gathered all officers of major general rank and above at Tang Shengzhi's headquarters in the Railroad Ministry. With the First Lady by his side, he delivered an inspiring pep talk ahead of the impending battle, emphasizing that although the Chinese had faced temporary setbacks, they had managed to strike back at the Japanese forces, thwarting their plans for a swift victory. Additionally, he noted that China had garnered the sympathy and support of the international community. “You're being watched by the entire nation, indeed by the whole world. We cannot abandon Nanjing!” He then formally handed overall responsibility for the defense of the capital to Tang Shengzhi, urging the officers to obey him as they would obey Chiang himself. He insisted that this would not be merely a symbolic fight; a sustained defense of Nanjing could tie down Japanese forces, giving the bulk of the Chinese Army the opportunity to regroup and strengthen. He promised that three divisions, fully equipped and at peak strength, would soon arrive from the southwestern province of Yunnan. He pledged to personally lead them back to Nanjing to break the siege.  Meanwhile on the front of the Shanghai Expeditionary Force, the 16th Division had broken through Chinese lines at the crucial town of Jurong, located 30 miles east of the Nanjing city wall, and was now advancing toward the village of Tangshui. To the south, the 9th Division had reached Chunhua, another strategic town straddling the approaches to the capital. Meanwhile, to the north, soldiers from the 13th Division were crossing the Yangtze River at Zhenjiang to establish a foothold on the other side. Progress was similarly swift in the 10th Army's sector. The 114th Division had advanced all the way to Molingguan, a town less than 20 miles south of Nanjing. The 6th Division, having rushed to the front since the order to capture China's capital had been issued in early December, was expected to arrive later that day. To the south of these two divisions, the 18th Division was set to capture the city of Ningguo while continuing its push toward the Yangtze, effectively completing the encirclement of Nanjing. By December 5th, Matsui and his staff completed its transfer from Shanghai to Suzhou, they issued a general directive for the attack on Nanjing. This order outlined two possible scenarios. In the best-case outcome, the Chinese defenders would surrender and open the city gates. In that event, each Japanese division would send in one battalion to complete the pacification of the city and eliminate any remaining pockets of resistance from soldiers unwilling to capitulate. In the worst-case scenario, if the Chinese commanders disregarded Japanese offers to surrender and prepared for a prolonged defense of their capital, Japan would unleash the full force of its artillery on the city. Each division would then send in one regiment to breach the city gates and engage in a fierce battle, fighting street by street and house by house. It quickly became evident to the Japanese, the Chinese had no intention to simply hand over their capital. New York times correspondent, F Tillman Durdin witnessed action between the recently arrived 154th and 156th divisions from southern China who were quickly encircled atop a cone-shaped peak. “The Japanese set a ring of fire around the peak. The flames, consuming trees and grass, gradually crept closer and closer to the summit, forcing the Chinese upward until, huddled together, they were mercilessly machine-gunned to death.” As the Japanese troops closed in on Nanjing, the level of destruction left in the wake of the Chinese defenders became increasingly apparent. Near the capital, hardly a bridge remained intact as efforts intensified to hinder the invaders. The rush to reach Nanjing heightened rivalries within the Japanese Army. In early December, soldiers from the 16th Infantry Division traversed hilly terrain at what they believed was a vigorous pace. Suddenly, to their left, they spotted a parallel column of Japanese soldiers, quickly identifying them as members of the 9th Infantry Division's 35th Regiment. The company commander shouted “Don't let the 35th beat us to Nanjing! Get moving!”  Cities, towns, villages, and hamlets lay in the path of Japan's multifaceted advance on Nanjing. Some areas fell without much resistance, while others were fiercely defended by Chinese soldiers determined to hold their ground until the end. Chunhua, a town located roughly 15 miles southeast of Nanjing, was among the latter. The town was defended by troops from the Chinese 51st Infantry Division, who had participated in some of the toughest battles around Shanghai during the autumn months. The 51st Division found its withdrawal to Nanjing cut off by fast-moving Japanese columns. Only with the assistance of local civilians were various units able to sneak back to the capital, filtering through enemy lines. Upon arrival, the division's soldiers had hoped for a chance to cross the Yangtze for much-needed rest. Instead, Chiang Kai-shek ordered them to immediately reinforce the defenses at Chunhua. As the troops arrived in Chunhua village in early December, they were dismayed to find the pillboxes in disrepair. Some bunkers had been buried too deep to function effectively as defensive structures, while others had excessively large embrasures that offered little to no protection from enemy fire. Most frustratingly, keys to the bunkers were often missing, making entry problematic. The division worked tirelessly to improve their positions using whatever materials could be requisitioned from the area, but time was too short to bring the defenses up to the standard the commanders desired. Nonetheless, they achieved significant upgrades: three lines of defenses in front of Chunhua, centered around several pillboxes; two rows of barbed wire; and an antitank ditch to complicate any advance. Hidden machine gun nests also provided surprises for the Japanese infantry. On December 4, the Japanese vanguard, a column of about 500 soldiers from the 9th Division, was spotted, and over the next two days, the solitary company at Shuhu endured intense assaults. The Chinese dispatched an armored platoon as temporary reinforcements, marking one of the rare instances when Chinese tanks confronted Japanese infantry directly. The Chinese lost three armored vehicles, while the Japanese reported around 40 casualties among their infantry. By the afternoon of December 6, the surviving Chinese soldiers at Shuhu, numbering fewer than 30, abandoned their positions and fought their way back to Chunhua, leaving their fallen comrades behind. Advancing units of Japan's 9th Division closely followed, initially avoiding contact with the Chinese defenses to conduct reconnaissance. Based on their observations, the Japanese concluded that although the Chinese defenses appeared well-prepared, they were thinly manned. Costly fighting resulted in the Japanese gaining control over only the first of the three Chinese defense lines. Determined to capture the next two lines, they once again depended heavily on their artillery.  In several sectors along the front, soldiers of the 9th Japanese Division found themselves caught in the deadly crossfire of Chinese machine guns, creating a virtual kill zone from which there was no escape. For the Chinese defenders, the conditions were equally horrific. As recalled by the commander of the Chinese 51st division, Wang Yaowu “The shelling was incessant. Body parts were flying through the air. Some men lost legs, others arms. Brains were splattered everywhere”. The division's 301st Regiment, which bore the brunt of the battle, suffered approximately 1,500 casualties among its officers and soldiers. On the second day of the battle for Chunhua, December 7, their left flank made some gains, penetrating the area behind the village. The breakthrough, however, came in the afternoon of December 8 when an entire regiment that had been lagging behind the rest of the 9th Division arrived just in time to join the fight. This bolstered the morale of the Japanese troops and provided momentum to their attack. By the end of that day, Chunhua was firmly under Japanese control. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. As the Japanese forces advanced, Nanjing's fate teetered on the brink. Commander Tang Shengzhi led a beleaguered defense amidst chaos, while civilians fortified the city, aware of its significance. On December 1, General Matsui officially ordered an assault on Nanjing. As Japanese troops closed in, brutality loomed on the horizon, heralding one of China's darkest chapters in its fight against oppression.