Podcasts about diamonds

In this episode of Business Coaching Secrets, host Karl Bryan flies solo and dives into listener questions on how to break through overwhelm, stay focused while building a coaching business, and ensure long-term client retention. Karl shares real-life coaching stories, mindset strategies, and tactical frameworks—including the famous “Florida Keys” treasure analogy—to help coaches gain clarity, set bigger goals, and stop self-sabotaging. He offers advice on eliminating distractions, designing irresistible value for clients, and using powerful frameworks to multiply productivity without burning out. Key Topics Covered Overcoming Overwhelm & Getting Focused Karl tackles the all-too-common struggle of “too many things to do,” revealing how to anchor motivation in long-term, compelling goals rather than day-to-day tasks. He draws on coaching conversations and wisdom from Tony Robbins—encouraging business coaches to design a “ridiculously monstrous, compelling future” that pulls them forward. Creating Powerful Intentions & Eliminating Distractions He unpacks the importance of intentionality over mere activity. Coaches must shift from operating towards their goals to operating from their goals. The size and clarity of your objectives directly shape your daily discipline—and whether your long-term or short-term self wins the daily battles. The Florida Keys Story – Belief, Tenacity & Worthiness Karl shares the Mel Fisher treasure-hunt parable: most coaches (and business owners) ask three core questions—Is it there? Am I the one to succeed? Will it be worth it?—and only those resolutely answering “Yes” endure setbacks to ultimately win. How to Add Real Value & Extend Client Retention Instead of just “adding more” (calls, homework, videos), Karl recommends focusing on distinctions—needle-moving insights and frameworks that compound results. He explains the Jumpstart 12 system, offers call-structure hacks (including shorter, more focused sessions), and reminds coaches that keeping clients isn't about time, but about tangible profit acceleration. Mindset Mastery: Embracing Suffering & Building Wisdom Karl's Zen lesson: suffering is the path to greatness, not something to be avoided. The willingness to fail, take imperfect action, and “shed skin” is what separates high performers from those stuck on the sidelines. Notable Quotes “You don't have a client problem, you don't have a money problem, you have a refusal to help people before they pay you problem.” “Operate from your goals, not towards your goals.” “If you have powerful goals, you will have powerful intentions.” “Focus is not focus. The way to get focused is to eliminate distractions, tasks, or even clients.” “Suffering is your path to your greatness. Diamonds are created under insane heat and pressure.” “Small hinges swing big doors—work on the needle-movers, not the busywork.” Actionable Takeaways Dream Bigger and Get Specific: Anchor yourself and your clients to a monstrous, compelling vision of the future—something worth pushing through obstacles for. Eliminate to Accelerate: Focus comes from subtracting tasks, projects, or even problematic clients. Use frameworks like the Jumpstart 12 to guide your priorities. Shorter, Smarter Calls: Switch to 30-minute sessions with supporting videos for maximum impact and efficiency—it's about insights, not meeting length. Serve Before You Sell: Embrace the mindset that your first job is to help—often before payment. This builds trust and long-term relationships. Embrace the Hard Stuff: Growth lies in suffering and setbacks. Don't fear mistakes or quitting—use those feelings to reignite your purpose and drive. Focus on Profit Acceleration: If you want to retain clients for years, make sure you aren't just coaching for the sake of it. Use proven frameworks to drive up profitability—it's the surest way to lasting relationships. Resources Mentioned Jumpstart 12: Karl's foundational coaching framework for focusing on the 12 drivers of profitability. Profit Acceleration Software™: Designed by Karl Bryan to accelerate client profits and demonstrate real-time ROI. Book Recommendation: “10x is Easier than 2x” (discussed in relation to setting bigger, more clarifying goals). Focused.com: Hub for coaching tools, frameworks, and Profit Acceleration Software™ demos. The Six-Figure Coach Magazine: Free resource for business coaches (https://thesixfigurecoach.com/get-it) If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share with a fellow coach, and leave a review. See you next time on Business Coaching Secrets! Ready to elevate your coaching business? Don't wait—listen to this episode now and take your first steps toward true focus and client results. Visit Focused.com for more on Profit Acceleration Software™ and join our global community of results-driven coaches. Get a demo at https://go.focused.com/profit-acceleration

Batman ’66 S2 Ep24 – Marsha’s Scheme of Diamonds Marsha, the Queen of Diamonds, is after the giant diamond that powers the Batcomputer. With her love darts, she puts both Commissioner Gordon and Chief O’Hara under her spell (and into her custody). When the Dynamic Duo show up, they too are injected with her love […] The post BatChums Episode 59 – Marsha’s Scheme of Diamonds appeared first on The ESO Network.

Send us a textIs sex is a human need within marriage? Let's address the tension between those who see "need" language as potentially coercive and those who feel legitimate sexual desires shouldn't be shamed. Psychological research does classify sex as a human need, but the real issue is how couples can co-create a reality for a mutually satisfying sexual relationship. Rather than pressuring reluctant partners, couples should focus on building marriages where both people genuinely want and enjoy sexual intimacy.BECOME ONE OF OUR MONTHLY DONORS:We're aiming for 50 new monthly donors, for even as little as $10 a month! For tax deductible donations in the U.S., support Good Fruit Faith Initiative through the Bosko FoundationKEEP UP WITH SHEILA THIS SUMMER:Join my Substack! It's free.TO SUPPORT US: Join our Patreon for as little as $5 a month to support our workAnd check out our Merch, or any of our courses!Join our email list!LINKS MENTIONED:"Diamonds are forever and other fairytales" study from 2015 Podcast with Beth Allison Barr and Miranda Zapor Cruz that debunked the father influence statisticCheck out our Orgasm course and our Boost Your Libido course Download our 12-point rubric and scorecard for healthy sexuality Support the showJoin Sheila at Bare Marriage.com!Check out her books: The Great Sex Rescue She Deserves Better The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex and The Good Guy's Guide to Great Sex And she has an Orgasm Course and a Libido course too!Check out all her courses, FREE resources, social media, books, and so much more at Sheila's LinkTree.

At just 24, Rebecca Klodinsky turned $2,000 into a global swimwear brand, IIXIIST, worn by the likes of Kylie Jenner, Rihanna, Hailey Bieber. and Kim Kardashian. Built without investors, retail stores, or influencer hype, she proved that smart digital strategy and authentic branding could outperform traditional retail.Nine years later, Rebecca co-founded The Prestwick Place, a modern, ethical fine jewellery brand, alongside her husband, former AFL player Lachie Henderson. Focused on lab-grown diamonds, bespoke craftsmanship, and transparent pricing, the brand has redefined luxury for the next generation, scaling to over $3 million in annual sales with 75% of purchases coming directly from Instagram.Bec likes to solve problems. She couldn't find the bikini she wanted, so she went to Indonesia and found a factory that would make it for her. When she and Lachie started talking about tying the knot in 2020, the more Bec learned about the diamond trade and what a ‘bad investment' mined diamonds were, she learnt all she could about the lab-grown trade. I wanted to hear more from Bec on how she built not one, but two powerhouse brands as well as having two young children and navigating all that entails. If you're into disrupting industries, building high-conversion brands, or redefining what modern luxury looks like, this one's for you. Let's dive in.For more information about Rebecca, check out these places;-Website: Prestwick PlaceInstagram:   Preswick PlacePodcast:   Two Wrongs Make a RebeccaHead to michellejcox.com for more information about the ONE QUESTION podcast, your host or today's guestsConnect with Michelle on Linkedin here:- @MichelleJCoxConnect with Michelle on Instagram here:- @michellejcoxConnect with Michelle on Facebook here - @michellejcoxAND, if you have a burning topic you'd love people to talk more about, or know someone who'd be great to come on the One Question podcast, please get in touch;- 

Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of Passage to Profit Show interview Judith Sheft from New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation & Technology, Dr. Alberta “Tamika” Quick from Leading Young Women, Inc and Gaurav “G” Sharma from Hook.   How do you turn a brilliant idea into a funded startup? In this episode, innovation champion Judith Sheft, Executive Director of the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (NJEDA), shares how early-stage entrepreneurs can access grants, connect with top researchers, and test their ideas through real customer feedback. From cutting-edge clean tech to video games that treat eye disorders, Judith spotlights how founders can tap into the ecosystem, find talent, and turn vision into venture—with support every step of the way. Read more at: https://www.njcsit.gov/   Gaurav “G” Sharma is the founder of Hook, the ultimate app for music remixing and mashups, giving you the freedom to express your creativity like never before. Remix your favorite songs and craft unique mashups in seconds. Whether you want to create viral sounds for reels or just have fun, Hook makes music remixing effortless and enjoyable. Browse their catalog of licensed tracks, let your creativity flow, and use AI-powered mashups, genre-based filters, and sound effects to shape your sound. Take it to the next level with video editing tools and seamless social media sharing—Hook is your creative playground. Read more at: https://hookmusic.com/   Dr. Alberta “Tamika” Quick is the founder of Leading Young Women, Inc., a community-engaged non-profit organization delivering enrichment programs that address leadership, identity, and empowerment for middle and high school girls through partnerships with New Jersey school districts. Leading Young Women, Inc. is led by successful women of color who look to effect positive change in the lives of young women living in underserved communities. As women leaders, they understand the importance of providing representation of, exposure to, and interactions with successful women from their communities. Read more at: https://www.leadingyoungwomen.com/   Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, a startup, an inventor, an innovator, a small business or just starting your entrepreneurial journey, tune into Passage to Profit Show for compelling discussions, real-life examples, and expert advice on entrepreneurship, intellectual property, trademarks and more. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest updates and episodes. Chapters (00:00:00) - Richard and Elizabeth on Starting a Business(00:00:24) - Passage to Profit(00:01:52) - What Advice Would You Give Yourself For Your Career?(00:04:55) - Who is the Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology in New Jersey(00:07:41) - What an Entrepreneur Should Do to Maximize Their Success(00:12:19) - What are some other angles to entrepreneurism that you can share with(00:15:22) - What Makes New Jersey a Good Place to Start a Business?(00:17:48) - Small Business Health Insurance Hotline(00:20:05) - Passage to Profit: How to Get Started(00:20:59) - Meet Judith Scheff, the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation(00:22:33) - China's 300,000 Patent Applications in AI vs US(00:28:00) - Elizabeth's Spotlight: Content Creation Studio(00:30:32) - Is AI Affecting Your Brain?(00:32:14) - Hook Music: A Social Media Platform for Music(00:37:27) - Hook Music Launches With Record Label Artists(00:39:43) - Startups: Getting Hook Music Launched(00:43:04) - Dr. Tamika Quick on Leading Young Women(00:48:32) - Supporting New Jersey Girls: Challenges(00:55:30) - Diamonds and GEMS: The program(00:58:04) - Leading Women: Going Mainstream(01:02:21) - Passage to Profit: Judah Sheft(01:03:25) - Secret to Success: Creativity, Identity(01:06:46) - Passive to Profit

Episode 227 — a turning point not just in our nation's past, but in the arc of 19th-century global history. For soon, the earth will yield its glittering secret — the diamond — and with it, fortunes will rise, empires will stir, and the southern tip of Africa will be irrevocably transformed. But before we reach that seismic revelation, we journey first into the twilight of a king's life — to the basalt crown of Thaba Bosiu, where Moshoeshoe, the great architect of Basotho unity, faced the gravest challenge yet to his people's survival. The year is 1864, and a new figure steps onto the veldt's political stage — Johannes Brand, recently elected President of the Orange Free State. With his arrival came the end of internecine Boer squabbles. Now, unity of purpose would drive their ambitions — and that purpose turned toward Lesotho's land. Brand lost little time invoking Article 2 of the Treaty of Aliwal North — a clause etched into colonial parchment, defining the boundary between Free State territory and Moshoeshoe's realm. He wanted it honoured, and in the Boers' favour. The British High Commissioner, Philip Wodehouse — successor to Sir George Grey — responded, dispatching Aliwal North's Civil Commissioner, John Burnet, to parley with Moshoeshoe. There, among the towering ramparts of Thaba Bosiu, Burnet argued the line was law — the Warden Line, drawn in 1858, marked Moshoeshoe's northern limit. Yet Basotho families still tilled and dwelt across it. Not out of defiance, but memory — for those lands were ancestral, soaked in history and spirit. To demand a retreat across the Caledon River would have meant inciting his own chiefs, rupturing the very fabric of the Basotho world. Brand, determined to halt the Basotho's slow advance toward Harrismith and Winburg, convened the Volksraad. A special session summoned Governor Wodehouse, pleading for intervention to preserve peace — or impose it. By October 1864, Wodehouse had the contested boundary beaconed. But in a private memorandum — shaped by voices like Burnet's — he concluded what Moshoeshoe already knew in his bones: no treaty or beacon could reconcile the irreconcilable. For the Free State clung to the ink of 1858 — a document where Moshoeshoe had affixed his name to the Warden Line. But treaties are made on paper — and people live on land. On the 14th of November, Moshoeshoe called a *pitso* — a major assembly of his chiefs. It was a moment to speak freely, to vent frustration, and to wrestle with the reality of what lay ahead. In the end, they publicly committed to accepting Wodehouse's ruling. Molapo and Mopeli, though reluctant, began evacuating their villages. In the days that followed, a steady stream of men, women, and children made their way south — driving cattle, carrying bundles of corn, and taking with them whatever possessions they could manage. When Moshoeshoe appealed to President Brand for time to let Molapo's people finish harvesting, Brand agreed. They stayed through the summer, gathering the last of their crops, and left again in February 1865. By then, the land was quiet. According to British reports — and Moshoeshoe's own understanding — the disputed territory now stood empty of Basotho. But what neither he nor the British authorities knew was that the Boers were not content to leave it at that. A commando had already been mustered — eager to erase the memory of their defeat in 1858, and ready to strike. South Africa's history is marked by sudden turns — moments of violence, moments of discovery. Buried treasure, both literal and political, lies hidden until, almost by accident, it surfaces. Often, it's not strategy or foresight, but chance — a misstep, a stray decision — that reveals the vast wealth beneath. While the Boers and the Basotho were locked in brutal conflict, fighting for control of fertile valleys and mountain strongholds, something altogether different was unfolding a short distance away. A diamond would be discovered.

Episode 227 — a turning point not just in our nation's past, but in the arc of 19th-century global history. For soon, the earth will yield its glittering secret — the diamond — and with it, fortunes will rise, empires will stir, and the southern tip of Africa will be irrevocably transformed. But before we reach that seismic revelation, we journey first into the twilight of a king's life — to the basalt crown of Thaba Bosiu, where Moshoeshoe, the great architect of Basotho unity, faced the gravest challenge yet to his people's survival. The year is 1864, and a new figure steps onto the veldt's political stage — Johannes Brand, recently elected President of the Orange Free State. With his arrival came the end of internecine Boer squabbles. Now, unity of purpose would drive their ambitions — and that purpose turned toward Lesotho's land. Brand lost little time invoking Article 2 of the Treaty of Aliwal North — a clause etched into colonial parchment, defining the boundary between Free State territory and Moshoeshoe's realm. He wanted it honoured, and in the Boers' favour. The British High Commissioner, Philip Wodehouse — successor to Sir George Grey — responded, dispatching Aliwal North's Civil Commissioner, John Burnet, to parley with Moshoeshoe. There, among the towering ramparts of Thaba Bosiu, Burnet argued the line was law — the Warden Line, drawn in 1858, marked Moshoeshoe's northern limit. Yet Basotho families still tilled and dwelt across it. Not out of defiance, but memory — for those lands were ancestral, soaked in history and spirit. To demand a retreat across the Caledon River would have meant inciting his own chiefs, rupturing the very fabric of the Basotho world. Brand, determined to halt the Basotho's slow advance toward Harrismith and Winburg, convened the Volksraad. A special session summoned Governor Wodehouse, pleading for intervention to preserve peace — or impose it. By October 1864, Wodehouse had the contested boundary beaconed. But in a private memorandum — shaped by voices like Burnet's — he concluded what Moshoeshoe already knew in his bones: no treaty or beacon could reconcile the irreconcilable. For the Free State clung to the ink of 1858 — a document where Moshoeshoe had affixed his name to the Warden Line. But treaties are made on paper — and people live on land. On the 14th of November, Moshoeshoe called a *pitso* — a major assembly of his chiefs. It was a moment to speak freely, to vent frustration, and to wrestle with the reality of what lay ahead. In the end, they publicly committed to accepting Wodehouse's ruling. Molapo and Mopeli, though reluctant, began evacuating their villages. In the days that followed, a steady stream of men, women, and children made their way south — driving cattle, carrying bundles of corn, and taking with them whatever possessions they could manage. When Moshoeshoe appealed to President Brand for time to let Molapo's people finish harvesting, Brand agreed. They stayed through the summer, gathering the last of their crops, and left again in February 1865. By then, the land was quiet. According to British reports — and Moshoeshoe's own understanding — the disputed territory now stood empty of Basotho. But what neither he nor the British authorities knew was that the Boers were not content to leave it at that. A commando had already been mustered — eager to erase the memory of their defeat in 1858, and ready to strike. South Africa's history is marked by sudden turns — moments of violence, moments of discovery. Buried treasure, both literal and political, lies hidden until, almost by accident, it surfaces. Often, it's not strategy or foresight, but chance — a misstep, a stray decision — that reveals the vast wealth beneath. While the Boers and the Basotho were locked in brutal conflict, fighting for control of fertile valleys and mountain strongholds, something altogether different was unfolding a short distance away. A diamond would be discovered.

Do all good movies require a sequel? We ask that question for two recent releases, Den of Thieves: Pantera (2025) and The Accountant 2 (2025). The original films were very enjoyable and exciting, but is there enough meat on the bone for a second trip? Why is it so hard to follow up a good film? Do you think money is the driver, or there is more story to tell? Let us know by leaving a review.Also Play:Cinema Chain Game--------------------------------------------Subscribe, rate, and review:Apple Podcasts: Our Film FathersSpotify: Our Film FathersYouTube: Our Film Fathers---------------------------------------------Follow Us:Instagram: @ourfilmfathersTwitter / X: @ourfilmfathersEmail: ourfilmfathers@gmail.com

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Quaranteam – Book 1: Part 7 The ramifications of Covington's poker game play out.. Based on a post by CorruptingPower, in 25 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels. Chapter 19 The decision was made that whoever was dealing would sit out for those five hands and simply focus on the dealing. They also drew cards for seating order, lowest card dealing first, highest card starting with the big blind and the second highest being the small blind. Andy drew low card, which didn't bother him at all. It would be a chance to watch the others without having to divide his attention between his cards and his opponents. "So I can't help but notice that you said even the last place person takes home a woman," Andy said as he took his seat in the dealer's chair, "but your count doesn't have someone for sixth place. So which is it?" While he started to deal cards out to the players, Covington sighed, nodding. "I know, Andrew, I know. There is, in fact, a thirteenth girl in the pool, but I don't think anyone would want to take her over the other lovely women we have presented." He grabbed his phone from his pocket, tapping it to load up a picture. "She arrived on my doorstep last week, but when I told her what was expected of being part of my house, she refused. So I locked her up and she's been stewing, but even in her sexual frenzy, she's still refusing me, so I will give her as a prize to the person who comes in last." "Any woman in the pool should be in the pool, if you ask me," Andy said, dealing the last card. The man passed his phone over to Andy, a photograph of her on the screen. "If you insist, Andrew, then I suppose that will be fine. She is an athlete of some kind, and was supposed to be going to the Olympic Games, so she is quite fit, but she is extremely willful and stubborn, so she may be more trouble than she's worth." Once the cards were out, Andrew picked up the man's phone and looked down at the picture, recognizing her immediately. "Yeah, that's Piper Brown," Andy said. "She's a member of the woman's volleyball team. Hell, I think she won a gold medal in the last Olympics." He passed the phone over to Watkins, who looked and then passed the phone down the line, so everyone could get a look at her. A muscular, toned brunette with a stern look in the photograph, it was a marked change of how she often seemed in interviews, where she seemed warm and inviting. She looked like she wanted to beat the shit out of whoever was taking the picture, and the room she was in seemed spartan at best, barely more than a closet. "She definitely goes into the pool if you don't want her." "Agreed," Watkins said. "I'd likely take her over several of the other women on offer." "Even with her being a pain in the ass?" Covington asked. "Not all of us have such draconian house rules as you, Artie." Covington shrugged, then glanced at his hole cards. "Then into the pool she goes, I suppose. Check." The thing about televised poker is that many viewers don't realize is that the show is almost always a collection of highlights over a longer event, and that about sixty percent of poker hands have little to no action, other than the two players who have blinds in the pool debating which of them has the less crappy hand. Over the first five hands, only about a few thousand in chips changed hands, and Andy's first read felt like it was going to stand. Covington and Watkins were good card players, Vikovic played loose, Jacobson played tight and Haunton was an "any two'll do" kind of player, who was going to throw money into the pot on pretty much any hand with his tells written large across his face. After the fifth hand, Andy moved from the dealer's seat to his own chair and Covington moved to sit down at the dealer's seat. His first hand out, Andy drew Jack Ten suited in hearts, so he decided to stick around in the hand, since he was already the big blind. "Raise, one thousand." It was a bet designed to scare off anyone who didn't have a decent hand, but to Andy's amusement, all four other players decided they wanted to see a flop, so everyone called him. He was a little surprised to see Jacobson staying in, but he suspected the table might just be collectively testing the new guy. With the pot right, Covington deal out the three cards of the flop, nine of spades, seven of hearts and the queen of hearts. That gave Andy both an open ended straight draw and a flush draw, although he didn't have either the king or ace of hearts, so that made him a little nervous, but he decided he wanted to take the measure of his opponents, so he pushed another two thousand into the pot. Haunton and Jacobson both stayed in, but Watkins and Vikovic both folded, leaving three people in the game. The next card, the turn, did absolutely nothing to the board, a 2 of clubs. Technically, Andy was holding nothing, but he felt like his odds were decent to make something out of it at the river, and he wanted to come out guns blazing. So he decided to trap, and checked. Jacobson also checked, but Haunton thought he smelled weakness, so he added another thousand to the pot, a string bet designed to just pull a little more money out of what he thought was opponents in a weak position. Andy suspected the man was holding top pair, or maybe three queens if he was lucky, but he thought that Haunton would've thrown a lot more into the pot if he'd flopped trips, so Andy called, and Jacobson decided to fold, leaving just the two of them in the pot. The final card, the river, flopped and Andy felt the smile he was stifling behind his eyes. The King of Diamonds. He'd made his straight, and there wasn't a flush on the board. The worst he could do was split the pot. And Andy knew exactly what Haunton was going to do, so Andy simply checked. Haunton figured he had Andy on the ropes, so he pushed five thousand into the pot, and Andy smirked a little bit, and raised another five thousand in return. Haunton flinched visibly, but at this point, decided he was pot committed and clearly wanted to know whether or not Andy was bluffing, so after a minute or so of deliberation, he called. "Straight, king high," Andy said, flipping over the cards. Haunton flipped over the cards, even though he didn't have to, revealing that he'd stayed in with two pair, queens and kings. "Damn, you got me, new fish." The stack of chips was pushed over in Andy's direction, and Andy nodded. He'd just taken nearly twenty percent of Haunton's stack on the first hand. It might have been too strong an opening, but sometimes you just had to play the cards as they laid. For the next hour or so, players took turns mostly slowly redistributing the chips, although towards the end of the hour, Haunton made a very bad odds call, and went all in on two pair against Covington, who had limped into the pot and flopped trip deuces. Because Haunton had figured his two pair was rock solid, he groaned when Covington turned up his cards and took Haunton out of the game. Without so much as missed a beat, Haunton immediately said "Rebuy." A note was made and another stack of chips was brought forth and put in front of him. "Last place tonight's like not even playing at all, so might as well give it another go. Besides, I want to at least finish third one of these nights." He was next in line for small blind, so counted out the amount needed. "I wouldn't bank on that, the way you're playing," Andy said to him. "You need to learn how to evaluate your hand better, and stop making such loose wagers." "Shh," Covington said to him. "Nobody likes being told how to play better, Andrew." "Speak for yourself, Artie," Watkins said. "The minute you stop moving forward, you might as well be dead. Any tips for me, Andy?" he asked with a glimmer in his eye. "Yeah," Andy said, counting out his big blind. "Quit playing with your food so much. It's unbecoming. You had the mayor dead to rights two hands ago and everyone at the table knew it, and you still spent at least a minute's worth of all our time making a show out of it before you called him" Watkins, who was taking a turn at dealer, chuckled. "I see your point, although I do need to take my fun here and there when I can." "Fun has no place is business or poker," Vikovic said, glancing at his hole cards before matching the big blind. "I'm in." Covington and Jacobson stayed in, and Haunton, sensing an opportunity, raised on small blind, the value of the pot, a move Andy didn't think the mayor was capable of. All the players were sitting on decent hands, but at least half of them were hoping to go fishing, wanting to see a flop for a chance to pick up a decent sized pot. Now that the pot had grown, however, it was time to see who was going to stick around when the price went up. Andy glanced at his hole cards for the first time. When he was the big blind, he never bothered looking at his cards until the action came to him, mostly so that there was no possible way to give anything away to his opponents. He peeked at the two cards and found pocket cowboys waiting for him, two kings. So Andy matched the bet and said "Call." Vikovic matched the bet, to no one's surprise, as did Covington, but Jacobson folded, clearly having a questionable hand that only got more questionable with this much money in the pot. Andy put him on a low set of suited connectors, maybe a 7 8 or so. Watkins, as the dealer, was out of the hand. One of the other reasons Andy had suggested that they each take turns as dealer was that it would cut into bad streaks, giving players who were on tilt a moment to deescalate their frustrations and get their head back in the game. The flop hit, and Andy was a little annoyed by it. Three of hearts, eight of diamonds, jack of spades. The fact that it was a rainbow flop meant that anyone hoping to get a flush was seeing their odds rapidly dwindling, needing the next two cards to be of the same suit (and to be holding two of that suit) to hit. It also wasn't great for a straight, although Andy could see Haunton or Vikovic staying in with a nine ten suited, which would leave them sitting on an open ended straight draw. There was also the chance that one of the other men was sitting on fishhooks (a pair of jacks) and had just flopped a set, but neither Vikovic or Haunton seemed visibly excited enough to have done that. Covington was still a pain in the ass to read. Haunton decided to play it cool. "Check." Andy saw no reason to turn up the heat, so he followed. "Check." "Raise 2k," Vikovic said. "Call," said Covington. "Call," said Haunton. "Call," said Andy. It was a value bet, adding to the pot, but certainly not causing him to get scared, as Andy felt like he was still sitting on top hand. All of the chips were pushed into the center, and then Watkins flipped over the turn card. "King of Hearts." Andy did his best to keep his expression as neutral as possible, although on the inside, he was doing cartwheels. He'd just hit a set, and now he felt like he was definitely the best hand on the board. He wasn't first to act, though. "Check," Haunton said. "Check," Andy repeated. He could've bet here, but the best thing to do was to let someone else make the first stab at the pot. He suspected either Vikovic or Covington would try and push a large bet in, fronting as if they were sitting on a pair of kings, or maybe a king and a jack. Best to let them make the first move and then come in to take it from them. "Raise 20k," Vikovic said. There it was. Someone clearly trying to buy the pot, hoping he could bluff strength into players who were displaying weakness. "Fold," Covington said, tossing his cards to the dealer. That brought the action to Haunton, who had literally just rebought his way into the game a few minutes ago. The mayor thought for a long moment before he pushed the entire stack forward. "All in." Andy sighed for a moment, and looked again at the board, making sure he had a solid read on it. If he called Haunton and lost, the mayor would more than double up if just one player called him and lost. Vikovic had made a big push, but Andy was almost certain he couldn't wait to fold, just to get away from this disaster of a hand before it got worse for him. Which meant Andy would be taking in about 80k if he took down the hand. The more he thought about it, the more certain he was that Haunton had being playing cool when he'd flopped trip jacks, and in doing so, had bought Andy enough daylight to see the king to make his own set for next to nothing. It felt like a long wait, but eventually Andy spoke. "Call." "Too rich for me," Vikovic said, mucking his cards even as Andy was speaking. "I fold." "Shouldn't have tried to buy the pot," the mayor said, laughing as he turned over his cards. It wasn't a pair of jacks, but a jack and a king, giving him two pair. "Two pair. Nervous yet, new fish?" Andy smirked. "A little, but not that much," he said, flipping over his pair of kings. Haunton immediately got up from the table, tossing his hands into the air. "C'mon, you gotta be kidding me! Come on, jack! Come on, jack!" "Odds aren't good for you, Mr. Mayor," Covington said. "Enough discussion!" Vikovic said. "Give us a river." Andy was a deadlock. Haunton was wrong. If a jack came up, he would still win the pot, as it would simply give both men a full house, and Andy's would still be better. Haunton was drawing dead, and he simply didn't see that. When the last card was flipped, it was the six of diamonds, not changing the board at all anyway. "Fuck!" the mayor shouted, before getting up from the table. "I should've bet on the flop." "It wouldn't have mattered," Andy said as he pulled the mound of chips his direction. "I was still holding top pair at that point. I would've called you." "Take a few minutes and go get a drink, James," Covington said to the mayor. "As for the rest of you, we have ourselves a new chip leader. And thankfully, his streak will be interrupted now by a turn at the dealer's seat." Andy grinned. "Sure, give me just a minute to get my chips sorted and stacked." All said and done, Andy was clearly well ahead, sitting on a little over 225k of the 650k chips in play. Covington was in second, with 145k, Watkins in third at 120k, Jacobson at 90k and Vikovic at the bottom with 70k. Over the next five hands, Covington did very well for himself, knocking out Vikovic, who rebought in, bringing the chip pool up to 700k, moving himself within spitting distance of Andy's pool. And just after Vikovic bought back in, it was time to change dealers again, and Andy moved out of the dealer's seat, and Covington moved to take it. "I thought you said not to buy back, Vikovic," Andy said, moving back to his stack of chips. "It's what you call a value bet, yes?" Vikovic said. "In fifth place, I would simply have one woman. I can get one woman. And last pick is of no desire to anyone. So if I go home empty handed tonight? Is okay. I take my stab at glory." Two hands later, Andy made a big bluff and got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, costing him 40k, but he immediately turned it around, and the following hand busted Jacobson out. Jacobson declined to rebuy, happy to go home with someone rather than empty handed. On Covington's last hand as dealer, Vikovic decided to make a last stand, and Watkins called him on it, knocking Vikovic out in fourth. "With only three of us left in the game, might I make a suggestion?" Covington said. "At this point, I think we should simply rotate between the three eliminated players as dealers, while the three of us remain in the game at all times. Is that acceptable to everyone?" "Sure," Watkin said, "the more action the better." The mayor sighed, bringing his glass of scotch over to the dealer's chair, sitting down. "Yeah, okay. No offense, Rook, but I hope Artie busts you hard." Andy shrugged. "Can't make friends with everyone." He was thirsty, but he would be damned if he was going to make the girl behind the bar do an ounce of work on his behalf. "So c'mon, let's get some cards out." Around ten thirty, Andy was starting to get nervous. He'd dropped down to third place after a couple of unlucky river cards in a row. Then Watkins went all in on Andy. Andy clearly couldn't cover the spread, but Andy called, and Covington decided to get out of the way instead of making a side pot. Thankfully, when the cards were turned over, Andy held the better hand, and the river finally flowed his direction. That doubled him up and put him back in the game. Watkins confidence was shaken, and over the next hour, he never really recovered, playing a bit too reckless and loose. Once Andy and Covington smelled weakness, the two honed in, taking turns chipping away at him until finally Watkins went all in, and just before midnight, Andy took him down. "You want to rebuy?" Covington asked him. Watkins laughed, shaking his head. "Taking three from the pool is more than enough for me. You two titans have fun duking it out." "You ready for this, Andrew?" "Don't you worry, Arthur," Andy said. "Let's see who hits felt first." With only two players, they were always going to be trading turns between little blind and big blind. As soon as Covington looked at his hole cards, he immediately called "All in." Andy smirked a little, not having even looked at his own cards yet. He'd suspected Covington would've tried something like this, just constantly firing at the blinds, trying to chip them away, using his big stack to bully Andy's weaker stack. He glanced at his cards, then nodded. "Okay. Call." Covington blanched. He turned over his cards, revealing Jack eight, not even suited. He'd expected Andy to just back off and let him chip away a set of blinds, and was not happy that Andy hadn't done so, growing even more frustrated when Andy flipped over a pair of nines. "How do you start with a pocket pair?" "Maybe it's a hint you shouldn't go so aggressive right out the gate," Andy replied as Watkins dealt out the flop. As soon as the cards were upturned, Andy could practically feel the anger boiling out of Covington. Andy had flopped the nuts, a six and the other two nines. At that point, it was a formality of just dealing out the last two cards, as Andy was guaranteed the winning hand with four of a kind. Right out of the gate, Andy had doubled up. As the next hand was being dealt out, Covington hadn't even seen his cards and immediately said "All in." He was fully on tilt, and wanted to try and reclaim his confidence. He didn't even look at his two hole cards, simply staring Andy down, practically daring him to get into the hand. Andy knew the stakes were a great deal higher on this hand, and so he took the time to look at his hole cards, a slight laugh escaping his lips. He couldn't try and read his opponent so he had to decide if his hand was good enough for the risk. And the two cards he had were affectionately known as Big Slick, Ace King suited, this time in spades. It wasn't a pair, but playing against two random cards, his odds were good. "Sure, let's dance. Call." "You don't respect me, do you, Andrew?" Andy grinned, giving a little shrug. "You didn't even look at your cards, Arthur. How am I supposed to respect that? If you aren't going to respect your opponent, why should he respect you in turn? And you're just firing into the pot, hoping that you can buy a few blinds to chip away at my stack. But you have no idea what's under there. And I've got Big Slick." He flipped over his cards. "How about you?" Covington was turning almost scarlet red with anger, and turned over his cards, revealing just a six of spades and a three of hearts. "This is ridiculous." "Artie," Vikovic said, "you didn't even look at your cards. What are you thinking?" "I'm thinking this shitstain has been a pain in my ass all night long and I wanted to bury him." "And that's the problem, Arthur," Watkins said, putting out three cards for the flop. "You aren't thinking about the cards and you're thinking about your opponent." The first card on the flop was the six of hearts, giving Covington a pair and a moment's hope, but the second card immediately dashed that, revealing the Ace of Hearts. The third card, a ten of clubs, didn't affect the board at all. With the turn came the three of spades, putting Covington back in the lead for a moment, with two pair, until the last card came out, the King of Hearts, pairing Andy up to two pair as well. Covington practically snarled as he counted out the chips, pushing them over, his stack now a quarter the size of Andy's. "You've got more luck than a goddamn leprechaun, Rook." Watkins stood up, and Jacobson sat down to take a turn at dealer, washing the cards through he Shufflemaster again. Typically the break as the dealer changed was enough to let a player cool off, but Covington was still off balance as they started up again. When the next set of two cards were dealt, Andy was back on the small blinds, and so was the first to act. He'd glanced at his cards and said, "Call." Covington was gunshy now, and simply said "Check," as he was desperate to see a flop and get more information. The flop came down Ace of Hearts, seven of spades, three of clubs. Immediately, Covington said "All in." Andy stopped and did the math in his head. "Yeah, okay. Call." "Two pair," Covington said, flipping over the Ace of Spades and the three of hearts with an angry gusto. "Take that, you lowbrow piece of shit! Time for me to get my money back." Andy shook his head with a wry smile. "Not so fast, Arthur." Andy turned over his hole cards, the seven of hearts and the seven of clubs. "I like my odds here." "Another goddamn pocket pair! This is ridiculous!" "I probably would've folded if you'd bet at the blinds, but you let me see a flop for cheap, so midlevel pocket pair seemed okay." Jacobson turned over the turn card, and Covington immediately let out an undignified cheer, as the three of diamonds. "Yes! Full house! Suck it! Give me my money!" "He still has a few outs, Artie," the mayor warned. Andy was actually leading, but Jacobson just couldn't see it. He was sitting on a full house, sevens over threes, and Jacobson was sitting on threes over aces, which was the lower hand. Players tended to get wound up, so they often refused to think about everything, but Watkins had that knowing smile, so Andy knew he had spotted Jacobson's error as well. Jacobson needed either another three or another ace to pull victory from the jaws of defeat. "No! I refuse to believe I'm going to get blown out by some random river card!" "So show us river already," Vikovic said. And Jacobson placed down the last card with a thump that resounded throughout the room like a clap of thunder. The seven of diamonds. That meant that Covington had a full house, threes over aces, but Andy's four of a kind had blown it out of the water. "The absolute luck on you," Covington growled. Andy had gone from 110k to 220k to 440k, making him the chip leader now. He could, if he wanted, use Covington's own tactics against him. But Andy liked to play smart. On the other hand, Covington was so tilted now, he could probably be goaded into a sloppy play. And if Andy could get Covington to go all in again, he'd be down to the felt and this stupid game would be over. Maybe, just maybe, it was worth the risk. It seemed like the time to goad the millionaire a little more, just to see if Andy could completely tilt him. "Maybe we should see how strong my luck's running right now then, huh?" Andy said as new hole cards slid in front of him. "Tell you want, Artie." He figured this singular use of the man's nickname would give him even more of a severe nudge. Andy had been calling him Arthur all night long, but now, the nickname Artie sounded condescending as fuck. "I'll look at one, just one, of my two hole cards here, and if it's higher than a eight, I'll go all in without even looking at the other card. How about that?" "You do whatever you want, boy, and I'll show you how a real man plays cards." Covington was blind with rage, and there was a carelessness flaring up behind his eyes, as Andy lifted up one of the hole cards to peek under at it. "Okay," Andy said. "All in." "You're bluffing!" Covington said, slamming his fist on the table hard enough to knock the stacks of chips loose. "Call!" "Now Artie," Andy said, smug grin on his face, "are you sure that  " "I Said Call Goddamn It!" Andy flipped over the one card he'd looked at, the Ace of Hearts, but left the other card face down, as Covington flipped over his cards. The man had looked at them this time, and was sitting on a pair of sixes. "Aren't you going to turn over your other card?" Andy shrugged, that sly smile on his face. "In a minute. Let's see the flop." The flop came down six seven ace, giving Covington a set, while Andy was sitting on a pair of aces. The turn was next, a deuce, no help to anyone, and the river, well, the river was the two of hearts. Looking at the board, Andy's odds weren't great, but he wasn't out either. The seven and the six on the board were both hearts, which meant Andy needed his other hole card to be another heart. "It's Schrödinger's hole card now," Andy said, tapping his fingers lighly along the felt. "Maybe I've got a winning card, and you're out, or maybe you've got me dead to rights and have doubled up back into the lead. What you've gotta ask yourself is, do you feel lucky? Well, do you, punk?" The grin on his face was broad, as he gave the man his best Clint Eastwood impression. Vikovic was the one who finally made the move. He leaned across the table and grabbed the last card, the one Andy had never even touched, and flipped it over. There in all her glory... ...was the Queen of Hearts. Andy had made his flush. "Son of bitch," Vikovic said, letting out a low appreciative whistle. "You want to rebuy, Artie?" "Fuck that! This guy is on a streak. I'm out. Game's over!" "Are you sure, Artie?" Andy said. "The! Game! Is! Over!" Covington fumed. The older man stood up, inhaling a long breath before letting it out slowly, trying to regain his composure. "Alright, let's sort out the winnings. Andrew, you have seven picks from the pool and get to pick first, as is your right as the winner." "Alright, let's see," Andy said, as all the men moved back into the parlor with the videowall they'd been in before. He'd hoped just to win with no rebuys from anyone, as it would've made his decisions simple, but seven, seven was a lot of women for any one man to handle. The thirteen faces sprung to life on the big wall, as Andy looked over them carefully. "Alright, I suppose I'd better just pick then. Charlotte Varma, Asha Varma, Piper Brown, Emily Stevens,” "Damn," Jacobson grumbled. "Oh hush. If he hadn't taken her, I certainly would've," Covington said to him. "Sarah Washington, Sheridan Smith and,” Andy looked over the wall of faces, trying to decide who else he would pull from this den of vipers, and yet, he just couldn't bring himself to care about rescuing his ex Erin. It was a sea of beautiful faces, but none of them evoked any stronger reaction than another, so he was forced to read the small text beneath each of them, sorting out people he wouldn't want to spend long periods of time with. He was a little tempted to give his seventh pick to Covington, but couldn't bear to let anyone decent be bound to the loathsome toad. There were a couple of Republicans he nixed immediately. Andy was a lifelong Democrat, and anyone who'd still identify as a Republican after the last three years of madness wasn't anyone he wanted to let into his home and family. A few others struck him as from far too wealthy of families, the sorts of people who would do much better with Covington and his ilk. But there was one, Deborah Barnes, a blonde veterinarian from Los Gatos, originally from Kansas, and she seemed warm and caring in the notes about her. ", and Deborah Barnes, I guess." "Erin Donegal was originally one of yours," Covington said. "Don't you want to take her back?" Andy shook his head. "I would've sent her back to the base if it weren't for this little game of yours. If you want her, you can have her. She doesn't like my writing, and anyone who doesn't like my writing isn't welcome in my house." "If you don't want her, I won't take her either," Covington sniffed. "I'll take Janice Flowers, Eloise Childs and Teresa Kenzington." "I'll take her then," Watkins said. "Donegal and Nina Choi." That left Jacobson with Ariel Smith, since Vikovic and Haunton had both rebought in, and left with nothing. Andy sighed. "So how do we relocate them?" "A car will arrive tomorrow to pick everyone up and drive them to their new locations, although you're welcome to take the Varmas and Miss Brown with you tonight, since they're here, and you are as well. Tomorrow afternoon, everyone will have what's coming to them. You may need to tend to Miss Brown's needs before you leave, however, Andrew," Covington said. "She's in quite the state. I'll have the other two meet you upstairs by your car when you're done with Miss Brown." "Can you send my partner, Niko, down to meet me? I'm strong, but carrying an unconscious Olympic athlete up some stairs by myself is probably more than I'm capable of." "Of course. Let me go get her. Veronica, would you take Mr. Rook over to Miss Brown's room please?" The servant brought Andy out of the parlor and took him to wait outside of a room where the door was clearly locked. She unlocked the door, but didn't open it. "You may wish to wait for your partner, Master Rook. The woman in there, she's not well," she said to him, a look of concern on her face. "Ah, here's your woman now." Andy turned around and Covington was escorting Niko down to meet him. "Here you go, Miss Red Wolf. You two should be strong enough to carry Miss Brown out when you're done with her. You know the way back?" "I do," Niko said to him. "Thanks." Both Covington and Veronica walked up the stairs, leaving Andy and Niko alone together outside of the door, neither quite bringing themselves to open it yet. "So you won?" she finally said to him. "First place. Seven women. It's going to be a trial." "Maybe you could donate one of them to Eric or Phil if it scares you that much," she said with a laugh. "So are Charlotte and her daughter behind this door?" "No no, they'll be upstairs waiting for us at the car after we're done here. There were actually thirteen girls in the pool, not twelve. This is the thirteenth. Her name's Piper Brown." "Wait, that cute volleyball player with the little pregame warm up dance who went viral a few years back? That Piper Brown?" "The very same." "Well let's go get her. Why's she down here?" Niko started to reach for the door, but Andy put his hand on it. "She's been here for over a week, so she's pretty heavily in the throes of need right now," Andy said, not letting her open the door yet. "Covington said she'd be in quite the state, so I'd need to imprint her here, and you'll have to help me carry her upstairs afterwards." Niko's face fell. "Jesus, what a fucking asshole," she sighed. "A whole week of waiting for imprinting after she's been vaccinated? She must be out of her fucking mind with need by now. Okay, we'll let's get to it, stud." Andy shot her a disappointed look before he lifted his hand and opened the door. The room was poorly lit, a handful of lights on their lowest setting, as Andy and Niko stepped into the room, closing the door behind them. On the far side of the room, sitting in chair, looking almost catatonic, was Piper. She was naked, sitting in an armchair, her brunette hair draped over her tits, a vacant look on her face. She was muscular, in far better shape than Andy or Niko. It almost looked like she was drooling on herself from across the room. "God, is she dead?" Niko whispered to him as they started to walk over to her. "Ms. Brown?" Andy said. "Piper? I'm Andy Rook. I'm here to take you away from here." Suddenly, Piper's head whipped and her blue eyes focused on Andy with a terrifying intensity. Before Andy could even react, she lunged out of the chair and raced over towards him. Niko tried to step forward to slow her down, but Piper shoved her out of the way sharply. As soon as she was at Andy, she pushed him back to the wall with an irresistible strength, forcing his back against the surface before she dropped down to her knees. "It's okay, Piper," Andy said to her, but the woman seemed completely oblivious to his words. She practically ripped his pants open and immediately brought her mouth around his cock. Andy wasn't hard, but Piper's tongue was demanding, even as Niko moved back to her feet and walked over to him "God, was I that bad?" Niko said, her hand reaching down to stroke Piper's hair reassuringly. "You were at least verbal," Andy said, as he felt Piper's mouth humming on his cock, making it swell. "I feel a little bad, taking advantage of her like this." Niko shook her head, leaning in to kiss Andy. "This girl's got a need and you need to fill it, Andy. Just let her have it, and we can go. Besides,” Niko giggled, nuzzling against his neck. "It's kinda hot, the way she's just feasting on you, cavewoman style." "Yeah, well, it's hard to keep an erection with the stink of this room. I think they kept her trapped in here all week." "But she's good at sucking cock, isn't she?" "She's certainly voracious." "Don't hold back, then," Niko said, taking one of his hands in hers, trying to reassure him. "No need to be all gallant for this time. You can save that for the first time she'll actually remember." It didn't take long, and sure enough, a minute or two later, Andy was firing a blast of cum down her throat, which was when the strangest thing happened. Piper didn't suddenly slump over. No, instead, after she swallowed his hot sperm, she tugged him away from the wall and pushed him down to the floor, not so much as a droplet of spunk escaping her lips. "What the hell?" Andy exclaimed in shock. "Why isn't she imprinting?" "Fuck, I hope she's not stuck like this because he waited too long!" Niko said, trying not to panic. "Maybe you didn't have a big enough load?" "When the fuck has that ever mattered before?" Piper's wild eyes still darted left and right, but as soon as she had pushed Andy onto the floor on his back, she crawled over him, her hand tugging on his cock once more, as she straddled him. "I think she definitely wants more, Andy," Niko laughed. "Hit her again." "I dunno if I can give an encore this soon, Niko!" Andy whispered. Piper cut him off, shoving her lips against his in what had to be the most primal kiss he'd ever encountered, almost like she was claiming him instead of the reverse, her tongue forcing its way into his mouth, her athletic body keeping him in place. Niko moved behind Piper and snaked one hand around the Olympian's waist, moving to rub her fingertips against the brunette's cunt, a small triangle of pubes above it, as Niko started stroking the girl's clit. "I don't think she's going to give you a choice, Andy." Niko smirked, her other hand reaching to tweak one of Piper's stiff nipples, finding the bud as hard as a rock, eliciting a groan from the athlete, who was dragging the head of Andy's cock across her snatch. Within a moment, he was stiff enough for her to slam her weight down onto him, forcing his cock deep into her cunt, finding it drenched and achingly warm. Andy didn't so much do anything as provide a dildo for the woman to ride upon, her hips bouncing in his lap, her lips attached to his, refusing to let go, even while she fucked him. After a few minutes, Andy felt a familiar tingling in his balls, and as Piper squirmed and wriggled down on him, he fired a load of cum against the back of her twat. This time, it seemed, it was enough to take, and the toned woman spasmed in one sharp and violent quake before slumping deathly atop of him, murmuring "imprinting" over and over again, so quietly Andy could barely even hear it. He more felt her lips moving than heard her, as her face was buried in the nape of his neck, his body pinned underneath her. "A little help, please?" Andy said, and Niko only laughed that much harder. Chapter 20 After Niko helped Andy get Piper off of him, they scrounged around the room before they simply gave up and put Andy's jacket on her. There wasn't any clothing in the room, not even a bedsheet. Just a bucket in the corner, filled with excrement. She wasn't difficult for them to carry, although neither of them had much experience carrying an unconscious person before. Once they got her up to the car, Andy regretted that they had brought the roadster. The vehicle did have four seats, but the back seat was very cramped, and they were going to have to lay Piper over people's laps, because he refused to put her in the trunk, even if she was unconscious. Waiting at the car was Dr. Charlotte Varma and her daughter Asha. "Thank you for saving us from this, Niko," Charlotte said to her, the woman's accent definitely French. She was dressed in a long flowing summer dress, with a jacket thrown on over it, billowy fabric over her womanly figure, her long blonde hair swept back behind her ears, hanging down to the middle of her back. She looked less like a doctor and more like a hippie, but she had a warm smile that put him at ease. "And you, Mr. Rook." "Please," he said, "call me Andy." He unlocked the car, then popped the trunk to load Charlotte's suitcase into it, followed by Asha's and Piper's, which one of Covington's servants had clearly brought up while Andy was tending to the athlete's needs. "Let's get out of here, and we can talk on the way over to the house." As Asha got in the backseat, she bumped fists with Niko. "Thanks, Neeks," Asha said, her accent definitely British, despite her exotic looking features. Her long wavy black hair was drawn back into a ponytail that barely hung past the nape of her neck, the tie high on her head, her skin several shades darker than her mother's. She wore black knee high leather boots, black pantyhose, a black leather skirt that was playfully short and a purple silk shirt that was still tight enough on her that he could the outline of her lacy bra through the material. It was also cut high enough to show some midriff, including a little silver musical note belly piercing. "Good looking out." They laid Piper atop of their lap before Niko got into the front passenger's seat and Andy got into the driver's seat. Before, the driveway had been a showroom of deluxe and expensive cars, but now everyone else had already gone home. The house's external lights were still on, but it was clear that Covington had already gone to bed, so it was with no fanfare that Andy slowly drove the electric car off the property, heading back towards his place. It was approaching one AM and as Andy felt the cool breeze blowing across his shaved head, he definitely regretted bringing the Roadster. "So this is your old man, Neeks?" Asha asked. "And he's gonna be my old man too? A'ight, I can get wit' tha'." Asha's accent was mostly British, but Andy could hear hints of her mother's French accent, as well as what he imagined was probably hints of her late father's Indian accent. Niko had told him that the Varmas had only moved to the US a year ago from London, and that Charlotte's late husband had died in one of the first fatalities to the virus. "You'll like Andy, Asha," Niko said to her. "He's the best man I've ever met." "He's also sitting right here," Andy said with a soft laugh. "I wanted to talk to you about this, Niko," Charlotte said. "I am very thankful that you did rescue us, but I think it is rather unbecoming for a woman to share her lover with her daughter, don't you?" Andy let out a soft sigh of relief, speaking before Niko did. "Absolutely. If you would rather, Dr. Varma, I could talk to one of my friends and see if they might be a better home for your daughter, so you might avoid that situation." "Oh. Ah. Oh. Yes, I think you've misunderstood me, Mr. Rook," Charlotte said, a hint of embarrassment on her face. "I think my daughter should definitely stay in your company, but I'm not attracted to white men. Not to be ungrateful, but I was hoping maybe I could be paired up with your friend Mr. Pak. He's always seemed like a very nice man. Very strong and muscular." She giggled a little, a sound almost uncharacteristic of a woman in her early forties. "And gossip is that he is quite well endowed." "I can't speak to that part, but I'm sure Phil wouldn't mind," Niko said. "Andy or I can give him a call in the morning and arrange it." "I might have to owe Phil a favor or something," Andy said, "but that's okay. He can just put it on my tab. I probably owe him only a couple hundred at this point." "Wait," Asha said, just picking up on Andy's misunderstanding, "what's wrong wit' me that you don't want me?" It was Andy's turn to blush. "That isn't what I meant to say." Niko smirked, reaching back to pat Asha on one of her thighs. "He's afraid either he's too old for you, or you're too young for him. I love Andy to death, but he's a little insecure from time to time." Asha reached one of her hands forward, curving her arm around the seat to smooth her fingertips along Andy's chest through his shirt. "I'm old enough to know better, but too young to give a fuck, luv," she purred. "In fact, if my mum wasn't in this car, I'd give you a bit of the ol' road head so I didn't have to wait until I got home." "Don't let my presence stop you, Asha," Charlotte said, a warm smile on her lips. "I feel that need in my belly quite fiercely so I imagine it is rather remarkable in yours, seeing as it affects younger women more quickly. If you want to go after Andrew right now, I don't see why not. This community is extremely open about its sexuality." Asha's eyes widened a little, her deep tan skin darkening with red, as if she wasn't sure which she was more embarrassed by, being called out by her mother or backing down in front of her mother. After a moment, though, it was clear the hunger inside of her won out, as she moved Piper's unconscious form to sit up, then laid her back down on the seat behind her, as she started to worm her way between the seats, as Andy slowed the card down, bringing it to a stop at a local streetlight that had turned red. "You have to kiss him first, Asha," Niko said to her. "Otherwise he's not gonna let ya." "I haven't said I'm going to let her anyway," Andy said, defensively. Niko reached over and patted his thigh, a playful smirk on her lips. "Oh, you are, Andy. I know you too well. And I know Asha. She's a voracious little slut when she wants to be. And she's gotten jealous from all the stories I've been telling her when she's been around to visit her mom." Before he could reply, Asha turned his head and pressed her lips against his hungrily. She tasted of cinnamon and spice, as her tongue insisted on visiting the inside of his mouth before they parted the kiss. "I'm not sure you want to do this now, Asha," Andy said. "I just fucked poor Piper back there a little bit ago, and she hasn't bathed in a week. My cock probably smells of dirty cunt." Asha smirked at him, sliding her hand down to unbutton his jeans. "Then your newest teenage fucktoy had better clean i' off for you, sir," she purred, kissing at his neck. "Eyes on the road, and don't go too fast now." Andy thought she was kidding, but as the light turned green, she stopped and nodded for him to go, even as she was drawing the zipper down. As soon as he started the Tesla in motion again, Asha's lean fingers reached into his pants, pulling out his cock, stroking it slowly. "See, if I do this now, then you can't reconsider," she said, her fingers moving along his shaft. "You can't get in your own head about it, you can't be worried if I may be too young, too wild, too out of control, too feral. So I will get i' out of your head by giving you the best damn head of your life. It'll be fine." She slipped her head down and wrapped her lips around the tip of his cock, letting her tongue slather over it slowly, as a sultry, wanton moan poured from her throat over his cock. "No turning back now, hon," Niko purred at him. "She's gotten a taste of you. She's gonna latch down like a leech until you give her what she's owed." Her hand brushed along Asha's ponytail, pushing her head down a bit more. "She's a Rookie, through and through." "Oh god," Andy groaned, shaking his head. "You've got a nickname for yourselves. Next thing you'll be unionizing." "We already have, dear," Niko giggled. "We're Local Amalgamated Cocksuckers, Chapter 69." Andy rolled his eyes, turning the card at a stop sign, heading into the section of New Eden that housed his mansion. It was growing increasingly hard to focus, as Asha bobbed her head in his lap, pushing and pulling her face along his cock, her tongue lashing over every inch of it as she hummed, her fingernails sinking into his inner thighs. "Who is it she reminds me, Charlotte?" Niko asked, looking back over her shoulder. "A lot of people say she looks like a younger version of one of the people who was on Great British Bake Off." Niko nodded. "That's who it was. How's it going, Andy? Need me to take the wheel?" "You, ah, you might have to," he said. "I don't know how long I can keep my head clear." Asha popped her head off his cock and turned her brown eyes up to look at him. "Then don't, daddy," she moaned at him. "Let me have wha' I want. Let me have that cum in my belly. Claim me. I wanna feel the best orgasm of my life." She looked back down and pushed her mouth onto his cock once more, forcing it as deep as she could into her throat, humming on it, and finally he just couldn't resist, and fired a load of cum into her mouth. Her whole body thrashed, but as she pulled her head up and off his cock, she swallowed that load, laying her head down against his thighs, his softening cock laying across her nose, as the girl began to murmur "imprinting" quietly for a few moments before falling still. Niko helped him ease the car to a stop long enough for him slide Asha back into the back seat once more, two slumped girls braced against one another as Charlotte tried to keep them from falling over too much. Then Andy tucked his cock away, tugged up his jeans and started the vehicle moving forward once more. "I appreciate you being understanding about this, Andy," Charlotte said to him. "I didn't know how to tell Niko that you weren't my type without risking the chances that you wouldn't try and extract us from Mr. Covington's household." "Not gonna lie," Niko said. "I don't enjoy being lied to, Charlotte. But I still would've tried to get you out even if you'd told me in advance." "And I am sorry about that, Niko, but I simply couldn't risk it. You've met Covington. You can only imagine what kinds of depravity he would've subjected myself and my daughter to." Charlotte shivered, the thoughts searing her brain for a moment. "It's extremely unpleasant even to think about it." The car reached the gate, and Niko pushed the button to open make it open. Unlike many of the other homes in New Eden, Andy couldn't stand the thought of having security on the premises. Even the idea of an automatic gate wasn't pleasant, but it had come with the home, and he'd wanted to avoid kicking up a fuss until he was better settled. As he brought the car up the driveway, he saw Aisling was sitting on the front porch in her pajamas, a blanket pulled around her, keeping her warm from the cool November air. Andy brought the car to stop by the front door, as Niko hopped out and moved over to Ash, giving her a hug. "Did the good guys win?" Aisling asked. Niko nodded, holding Ash in the hug for a long moment before pulling away. "Andy got them out safely. Charlotte's not going to stay with us, though." "Oh no!" Aisling said. "Why not?" "She's not into me," Andy said as he hopped out of the car, leaving the door open so Charlotte could slide out, leaving the two unconscious girls in the back seat for the moment. "Had to happen sooner or later," he chuckled, "and frankly, I'm surprised it took this long." "Her loss then," Aisling giggled, moving over to the car, peering in the back seat at the slumped forms of Piper and Asha. "Looks like you got two hot young things to add anyway." She cocked her head to one side, looking at Piper for a second. "Why do I know her?" "Imagine her doing a little wiggle dance before she goes to play volleyball." Ash narrowed her eyes for a second, then those blues widened suddenly as she gasped, bringing her fingertips to her lips. "Shut up! What is even happening!" Andy popped the trunk and pulled out Charlotte's suitcase, then Asha's, carrying them into the house before coming back out. "I'm gonna need a hand hauling them into the house, though." Ash nodded. "Where are we going to put them? In the master bedroom?" Andy shook his head. "We've got plenty of extra bedrooms upstairs, and Piper was nearly catatonic before I imprinted her, so the last thing I want is her waking up surrounded by tons of unfamiliar people. We'll let her have a bedroom to herself, although I think you should probably give her a shower quick before you put her into a bed." Niko nodded, helping Aisling pick Piper up. "Good idea. She really is pretty ripe right now. C'mon Ash, let's go hose her down." The two women lugged Piper into the house, leaving Andy with Charlotte and Asha. "If you can give me a hand, you and your daughter can crash for the night in one of the spare bedrooms and in the morning, I'll give Phil a call, and we'll get him over for you to join his family." Charlotte leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Andy. You and Niko will be good for Asha. Don't judge her too harshly. She's still young and that means she can tend to be reckless. She'll love you with all her heart, but she's going to have moments of sadness about her father, so please be understanding about her mood swings." "I'll do my best," he told her, as the two moved to scoop up Asha. She was light enough and small that Andy was able to carry her on his own. "That's all anyone can ask." After getting Charlotte and Asha squared away in one bedroom, Andy headed in to check on Aisling and Niko, who were sliding Piper into a bed in one of the bedrooms no one was using. When they'd moved into the mansion, Andy had told all the girls that if they wanted to claim one of the bedrooms as their own, they should do so. Ash had insisted she never wanted to sleep anywhere Andy wasn't, and Niko and Lauren had agreed, although Niko had converted one of the bedrooms into an office space that all three of the girls shared. But that still left several bedrooms that were decorated, and Andy checked four of them before he found them, as they pulled the sheets up over Piper's unconscious body. "Everything go okay?" he asked them, as they headed towards the door. "Sure, no problem, but she definitely needed to be hosed

Barbara Peters in conversation with Laurie R. King and Les Klinger

On The Other Side of Midnight, Lionel ridicules cable TV channels like MSNBC and personalities like Stephen A. Smith. He also talks about accents getting people into and out of trouble as well as the life and legacy of Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson. Lionel spends the next hour talking about Golden Throats covers of iconic songs from Sebastian Cabot's wacky cover of "It Ain't Me, Babe" and William Shatner's performance of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds". Lionel in the third hour highlights comedy greats from the 70s, Depend adult undergarments and who Mrs. Calabash was, the woman Jimmy Durante always referenced in his radio sign-off. Lionel wraps up the show talking about psychology behind comedy, remembering Brian Wilson and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lionel spends the hour talking about Golden Throats covers of iconic songs from Sebatian Cabot's wacky cover of "It Ain't Me, Babe" and William Shatner's performance of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch the video form of this meditation here.

Engagement rings: https://cnb.cx/4jSy1yjEnvironmental impact: https://bit.ly/4l1eP29LGD Market size: https://bit.ly/3FAxvqHhttps://bit.ly/43S6F5fhttps://bit.ly/4l6bi2Qhttps://bit.ly/43YEEsMLV, Prada and other luxury brands enter LGD segment: https://bit.ly/4kw0YREGuest Suggestion Form: ⁠https://forms.gle/bnaeY3FpoFU9ZjA47⁠Disclaimer: This video is intended solely for educational purposes and opinions shared by the guest are his personal views. We do not intent to defame or harm any person/ brand/ product/ country/ profession mentioned in the video. Our goal is to provide information to help audience make informed choices. The media used in this video are solely for informational purposes and belongs to their respective owners.Order 'Build, Don't Talk' (in English) here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/eCfijRu⁠Order 'Build Don't Talk' (in Hindi) here: ⁠https://amzn.eu/d/4wZISO0⁠Follow Our Whatsapp Channel: ⁠https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaokF5x0bIdi3Qn9ef2J⁠Subscribe To Our Other YouTube Channels:-⁠https://www.youtube.com/@rajshamaniclips⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@RajShamani.Shorts⁠

Send us a textThis week let's talk diamonds! Did you see the movie Blood Diamonds in 2006? The movie ended in a dramatic scene where world leaders gathered together to try to do better.Did it work? What's the latest with buying diamonds these days? Are there options that are better for the planet and our people?Tune in this week to talk through the growing trend in buying lab-grown diamonds, certified diamonds, and recycled diamonds.Links from today's episode:https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/metals-and-mining/our-insights/the-diamond-industry-is-at-an-inflection-pointhttps://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/21/world/europe/amid-war-in-ukraine-some-western-countries-consider-labeling-russia-an-exporter-of-conflict-diamonds.htmlhttps://time.com/blood-diamonds/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/07/world/africa/diamonds-mining-exploitation.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/opinion/valentines-day-diamond-abuse.htmlICYMI another episode you might enjoy:Episode#136 Where does Dolly Parton donate her money?Love the book recos on this show? Check out the Progressive Pockets Bookshelf:https://bookshop.org/shop/progressivepockets As an affiliate of Bookshop.org, Progressive Pockets will earn a commission if you make a purchase.Connect With Genet “GG” Gimja:Website https://www.progressivepockets.comTwitter https://twitter.com/prgrssvpckts Work With Me:Email progressivepockets@gmail.com for brand partnerships, business inquiries, and speaking engagements.Easy Ways to Support the Show1. Send this episode to someone you know! Word of mouth is how podcasts grow!2. Buy me a coffee (or a soundproof panel!) https://buymeacoffee.com/progressivepockets 3. Leave a 5 star rating and review for the show!//NO AI TRAINING: Any use of this podcast episode transcript or associated show notes or blog posts to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. This includes, without limitation, technologies that are capable of generating works in the same style or genre as this content. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models//Support the show

Batman ’66 S2 Ep23 – Marsha, Queen of Diamonds Marsha, the Queen of Diamonds, is after the giant diamond that powers the Batcomputer. With her love darts, she puts both Commissioner Gordon and Chief O’Hara under her spell (and into her custody). When the Dynamic Duo show up, they too are injected with her love […] The post BatChums Episode 58 – Marsha, Queen of Diamonds appeared first on The ESO Network.

DIAMONDS AREN'T FOREVER•Childhood toy line nostalgia into today's comic publishing. •Literally half of this episode is about action figures. Be warned. •An “important” Diamond update!  This episode is dedicated to Mark & Jasmine.---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How'd it sound? Contest of Challengers #740 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol “Patrick” Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol “Dal” Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent's Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

What if the future of fine jewelry isn't just about sparkle, but about access, innovation, and redefining who luxury is really for? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Monil Kothari on the Haus of Brilliance Jewelry Collection.  Moments with Marianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET 1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate!  https://www.kmet1490am.comMonil Kothari is the founder and CEO of Haus of Brilliance, a New York City-based fine jewelry brand rooted in the belief that luxury should be accessible to all. With over 13 years of experience, including early training in India and more than a decade leading operations in New York, Monil brings a global perspective and deep industry insight to his work. Since launching the brand, he has grown Haus of Brilliance from a family-rooted business into a major player in modern jewelry retail, with products available through Amazon, QVC, Kohl's, Belk, 1stDibs, and the brand's own e-commerce site. Known for its focus on quality, trend-driven design, and fast delivery, the company continues to expand under Monil's leadership, delivering fine jewelry at value-driven prices to meet the needs of today's consumer. https://www.hausofbrilliance.comFor a Special 20% discount on your order at Haus of Brilliance use code: MOMENTS20For more show information visit:www.MariannePestana.com

Laurie R. King discusses her new novel Knave of Diamonds.

Speaker: Pastor Dudley Rutherford

Send us a textThe journey begins! Jared and Ed crack open Diamonds and Pearls Super Deluxe, diving into the first batch of unreleased Prince tracks. Along the way: tales of school fights, love for Crystal Gayle, a discussion about walkable cities, and a heartfelt Phillies update.It's the start of something funky?Support the showA deeper dive into Prince than you probably wanted

Bill from Chicago might've said it best: the Hoodrats kicked off an epic night at The Bowery Ballroom by squeezing into the tiniest bar in NYC—and things only got bigger from there. Vermont Cat and Gaspar join the recap to break down a Craig Finn show that featured up to eleven musicians on stage at once. Which songs soared? Which moments hit hardest?Then, Gaspar gives his take on Craig's Rough Trade set and dives deep into a startling reveal about the character “Nathen” that has his red yarn conspiracy board tangled in new directions.Finally, the Diamonds in the Drain game returns—but this time, it's the bonus tracks under the microscope. Can Kevin resist peer pressure, or will “Kevin is Whenever” go rogue and crown a different gold medal track than the rest of the gang? Tune in for music nerding, bold takes, and group text energy turned all the way up.Fill out our quick survey:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1MqdvDjV3PioUvMlYeJNFwnzpKJT8S9vU_NTXIsd5TLM/viewform?edit_requested=true&pli=1Leave us a voicemail:https://www.speakpipe.com/TheHoodratRecapPodcast

Owned by ill fated figures including Louis XV1 of France and his wife Marie Antoinette, the Hope Diamond has been said to have cursed many of its owners through time

A new study shows the use of weight loss drugs by teens is up 50%. Also, the difference between lab grown and natural diamonds. Plus, Andy Cohen shares the scoop on what to expect at Bravo Con 2025.

David's Bridal is getting glam with its new Diamonds & Pearls store concept, complete with upgraded fittings and a full glam squad. Thanks to our always fabulous sponsors — A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand — for supporting retail reinvention. For the full episode head here: https://youtu.be/rJh3sY4_BsU #retailnews #weddingdress

Download RAID today ➡️ https://t2m.io/ValleyFlyin_RSL to get exclusive bonuses in celebration of 6th anniversary

More Mailbag! 00:00 – Zifnu K-16 Kickstarter LED light https://www.zifnu.com/ 11:02 – Qoool Sensing: Diamond Quantum Fluorescence Demo https://qoool-sensing.org 16:41 – Logic Gate Educational Demo Board https://logicgat.es/ 20:15 – Beelink ME Mini 6 x M.2 Slot Home Storage NAS https://www.bee-link.com/products/beelink-me-mini-n150?ref=OKJKQ Forum: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-1690-mailbag-zifnu-led-quantum-diamonds-logic-gates-m-2-nas/

That's a wrap on Season 9 of the Canadian Love Map!

In this week's Omni Talk Retail Fast Five, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Simbe, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, and ClearDemand, Chris and Anne discussed: - Walmart helping Medicare Advantage members identify items to buy with their OTC benefits - E.l.f.'s acquisition of Hailey Bieber's beauty brand for $1 Billion - Victoria's Secret's website shutdown last week Aldi's new digital work experience program for teens in the UK And closed with a debate over whether David's Bridal's new store concept Diamonds & Pearls will work There's all that, plus Eugene Amigud of Infios stopped by for 5 Insightful Minutes on how AI will impact order management system design, along with everything from dum-dums and Mountainhead to Sydney Sweeney's bath water. e sure to check out all our other podcasts from the past week here, too: https://omnitalk.blog/category/podcast/ P.P.S. Also be sure to check out our podcast rankings on Apple Podcasts and on Feedspot Music by hooksounds.com #RetailNews #RetailPodcast #Walmart #ELFBeauty #HaileyBieber #ShopTalkEurope #Cybersecurity #RetailTech #AIinRetail #OmniTalk #RetailFastFive #VictoriaSecret #DavidBridal #Aldi #SupplyChainAI #GenAI

Olivia Landau, Co-Founder and CEO of The Clear Cut—the largest digitally native natural diamond jewelry company in the United States—shares how a side hustle selling engagement rings through Instagram DMs transformed into a $100M company. Despite being dismissed by venture capitalists and warned by her family not to become an entrepreneur, Olivia Landau chose to bet on herself. Alongside her then-boyfriend (now husband and co-founder), Kyle, she took a leap of faith, walking away from the safe path and rejecting startup “best practices” that didn't feel aligned. Instead of following the noise, she doubled down on what felt right: human connection, deep education, craftsmanship, and building slow and intentionally. Her voice is a powerful reminder of what can happen when you block out the noise, trust your gut, and build your way—even when everyone says you're doing it wrong.   Key Takeaways and Topics: How The Clear Cut started as an educational blog and Instagram side hustle Olivia's generational roots in the diamond industry and how that shaped her approach The myths around lab-grown vs. natural diamonds—and why she refuses to sell lab-created stones Fundraising rejection: Why no VCs would invest and how they raised $700K from angels and customers instead The Clear Cut's breakthrough moment during the pandemic and how their custom-built tech scaled the business Why “unscalable” things are worth doing first The emotional toll and impostor syndrome that come with fundraising and startup leadership How Olivia navigates being a new mom, co-founder, and CEO Debunking ethical misconceptions about natural diamonds—and why the real story matters Why having a personal brand and showing your face on social media can be a competitive advantage Her advice to aspiring founders: Don't wait for perfection, just take the first step   Disclaimer: Olivia shares her view that natural diamonds can be more ethical than lab-grown alternatives. This is a nuanced topic; what is “ethical” depends on your values. Natural diamonds may support economies like Botswana's, while lab-grown stones produced with renewable energy may appeal to those prioritizing environmental impact. Some stats shared from memory have been clarified: Diamonds make up 25–30% of Botswana's GDP, not 80% as mentioned (that figure refers to exports). Diamond revenues fund free primary education, subsidized secondary education, and universal healthcare in Botswana. While “stipends” aren't standard, the government provides scholarships and financial support to students and select groups. We've included these clarifications to support informed decision-making.   The Failure Factor Podcast was brought to you by Off The Field Coaching. Explore working with one of our coaches at http://offthefieldcoaching.com Hosted by Megan Bruneau: therapist, executive coach, speaker, Forbes contributor, and host of The Failure Factor. For more info, visit https://meganbruneau.com Follow Olivia and The Clear Cut Her Ig: https://www.instagram.com/olivialandau  The Clear Cut: https://www.instagram.com/theclearcut  Follow Megan Ig: https://www.instagram.com/meganjbruneau/ In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-j-bruneau-m-a-rcc Subscribe to the podcast newsletter at https://thefailurefactorpodcast.com Themes: entrepreneurship, diamond industry, The Clear Cut, venture capital, scaling a startup, personalized luxury, ethical sourcing, tech, jewelry, women founder, e-commerce, working with a partner, motherhood, impostor syndrome, custom jewelry, resilience, lab-grown diamonds, natural diamonds, storytelling, brand building

Kirk brings the strange tale of the King's Lomatia, quite possibly the oldest living plant on Earth. It is a strange tree that has lost the ability to sexually reproduce and yet...it keeps on living for thousands of years. Rachel has a doozy of a story about a man who let himself be bitten by venomous snakes over and over and over. Now he's helping scientists make a better anti-venom. Victoria travels to the stars to tell us about planets made of diamonds.  We really do cover it all this week! Join us weekly for more strange nature. Our supporters on Patreon get every episode ad free!  Support us: patreon.com/strangebynature Email us: contact@strangebynaturepodcast.com Visit us at: strangebynaturepodcast.com  where you can sign up for our episode emails.

The economic fortunes of the Southern Africa country of Botswana were transformed back in the mid 1960's when shortly after gaining independence from Britain, its first diamond mine was discovered. A partnership with the world's biggest diamond firm DeBeers ensured Botswana's diamonds gained global attention and with some of the world's biggest diamonds been mined in the country, it now ranks just below Russia in terms of its importance in the industry. But post pandemic, the global market has seen a shift in demand for mined diamonds, with consumers in countries like China, who accounted for around thirty percent of global demand, falling away. Another reason for this shift is the emerging popularity of lab grown diamonds. Originally used in industrial machinery, lab diamonds are now been refined for the jewellery market at a fraction of the price of mined diamonds, with the majority of consumer interest coming from the United States. Botswana has been trying to ride this wave with a policy of diversification, to allow it to generate more export revenue. But its new Government, who have only been in power since October last year, are dealing with a large budget deficit not helped by the low level of diamond revenues. It faces a hard task in trying to revive demand for mined diamonds across the global market. So, on this week's Inquiry, we're asking ‘Are diamonds forever in Botswana?' Contributors: Dr Gloria Somolekae, Executive Director, BIDPA, Botswana Jessica Warch, Co-founder, Kimai, London Edahn Golan, Diamond Industry Analyst, Israel Dr. Keith Jefferis, Managing Director, Econsult Botswana Presenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Jill Collins Researcher: Maeve Schaffer Editor: Tara McDermott Technical Producer: Craig Boardman Production Co-ordinator: Tammy SnowImage: Karowe diamond in Botswana Credit: Photo by Lucara Diamond Handout/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (14653888c)

Diamonds are more than just sparkling stones—they carry a legacy of rarity, power, and prestige. In this episode of Legacy of Luxury, Nick Constantino and Jaron Solomon uncover the legendary stories behind the world’s most famous diamonds, the intricate trade routes of uncut stones, and the science behind what makes diamonds truly special. From the Hope Diamond’s curse to elite Type 2A diamonds, they explore the history, craftsmanship, and emotion that make diamonds timeless. Key Takeaways: Type 2A diamonds represent the rarest and purest form of carbon, making up less than 2% of all diamonds mined. The Hope Diamond Curse is one of the most infamous legends surrounding diamonds. Diamonds pass through multiple countries before reaching jewelers, making tariffs and trade routes critical to pricing. Craftsmanship matters—perfect sparkle requires expert diamond cutting, not just size. Solomon Brothers uses a painstaking selection process, ensuring only elite-quality stones reach customers. patreon.com/TheMarketingMadMen: https://www.nick-constantino.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, you'll learn:Why most companies are unintentionally weakening their ability to innovateThe difference between visible inefficiencies and the hidden ones that do the real damageHow innovation and operations can work together without sacrificing long-term successWhat the four innovation styles are—Spades, Diamonds, Clubs, and Hearts—and how they shape team performanceWhy your style is not just who you are, but how others see youHow Personality Poker goes beyond traditional assessments by including self-perception, peer feedback, and unconscious preferencesWhat makes this tool more accurate, more fun, and more team-friendly than traditional assessments 

The FUTY Boyz are back with a new audio crack rock, Charles is back on set… might have to upgrade him from 6th man status and get him his own drop soon! On this weeks episode we have hot takes on Diddy making Molotov cocktails with 40oz bottles, Bossman DLow's accuser lying about their messages (or is he?) , and did Stefan diggs have a 3 piece with a side of pink cocaine? In music, Ab-Soul dissed Akademiks on a track, Clipse dropped a new track called “Ace Trumpets” off their album that drops July 11th, Leon Thomas “MUTT” went platinum, and is Cardi B crashing out on Twitter spaces again? In sports, We have OKC vs Pacers in the Finals, Zion Williamson Is dealing with a nasty grape lawsuit dealing with fast women, and we also have a Plant vs. Resendiz fight card recap. Enjoy !

Original Air Date: February 05, 1951Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Lone RangerPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)• John Todd (Tonto) Writer:• Fran Striker Producer:• George W. Trendle Music:• Ben Bonnell Exit music from: Roundup on the Prairie by Aaron Kenny https://bit.ly/3kTj0kK

Original Air Date: February 05, 1951Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Lone RangerPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)• John Todd (Tonto) Writer:• Fran Striker Producer:• George W. Trendle Music:• Ben Bonnell Exit music from: Roundup on the Prairie by Aaron Kenny https://bit.ly/3kTj0kK

There are pros and cons ethically with mined and lab diamonds, but one certainly gives you more sparkle for your dollarDiamonds may be forever but at the moment they're not holding up in value. Prices are sinking as a major disruptor floods the market.…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This is episode 225, and the Griqua have trekked from Philippolis near modern day Kimberley, to the Maluti Mountains, a place called Nomansland. In March 1861 Faku Ka-Ngqungqushe of the amaMpondo had ceded the territory to the British, ostensibly so that Theopholis Shepstone could plant the refugees of the Zulu Civil War there, but that idea was scotched, and the Cape Governor gave the territory over to the Griqua. By the time the great Griqua migration reached what would become Griqualand East, others had already begun trickling into this remote and mesmerising landscape — a highland plateau that straddles the transition between KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, hemmed in by the southern Drakensberg. At over 1,600 metres above sea level, winters bite hard here when the frost laces the sandstone ridges, and the mornings arrive cloaked in icy mist. But come spring, the veld stirs with startling vigour: the ground blushes green, and indigenous flora such as Watsonia pillansii or Pillans watsonia, Dierama reynoldsii fairy bell or hairbell, and the fiery Kniphofia caulescens — the Drakensberg red-hot poker, thrust their blooms skyward. Aloes cling to rocky outcrops, and if you're lucky, you might glimpse the iridescent flash of a malachite sunbird, the Nectarinia famosa, feeding on nectar, or hear the distinct call of the ground woodpecker aka Geocolaptes olivaceus echoing from a sandstone cliff. After an arduous few weeks from their farms near Philippolis, Kok's people arrived at Ongeluk's Nek and you know if you've listened to the previous podcast why it was given this name. ON the way they had passed passed through part of land claimed by Basotho king Moshoehoe, around the Hangklip area — that's just south east of Zastron today. Then began the arduous process of clearing a road down the mountain starting at Ongeluks Nek. It was no child's play. Every morning, according to the annals, men set about with pick and crowbar, hammer and drills, powder and fuse to dig out a track down the mountainside. It took weeks for the track to be hacked from the rock, and the 2000 men, women and children, their dogs and livestock, managed to slide and roll down the side heading towards a small settlement about six kilometers north of where the town of Kokstad is today. The Griqua had finally, in their minds, arrived at their promised land. Here were rolling hills, the lower Maloti, sweet tasting river water, springs, green grass. In the ravines there were forests and the Griqua began to cut down these trees to build houses.The fledgling Griqualand state began to emerge, murderers were executed, criminals were tried and convicted and the Volksraad gathered every six months to discuss laws. This elementary form of democracy featured lengthy discussions and very little note-taking. A chief officer was elected, called a Kaptyn like the Khoekhoe leaders of old, and a privy council or executive council as it was also known was setup.

This week @ema.jones kicks off RHOBH binge breakdown with the OG Diamonds— Adrienne Maloof, Camille Grammer, Taylor Armstrong, Kim Richards, and Kyle Richards.These Mercurial-heavy ladies laid the foundation for this fan-favorite franchise with their penchant for sparkling perfection. Also in this episode: Paul Nassif and Kathy Hilton.Make sure to subscribe and follow along on instagram @thecosmicclubhouse so you don't miss the next two installments of this series!

In this episode, we discuss the sad passing of Nick Agar, the upcoming AAW symposium, as well as some helpful safety topics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A cabin door pops open just after takeoff. It's noisy, surprising—but the aircraft is still flying just fine. So why are general aviation pilots still crashing and dying in these scenarios? In this episode, Max explores the unsettling trend of fatal accidents caused not by mechanical failure, but by how pilots react to in-flight distractions—specifically, an open cabin or baggage door. In just the first five months of 2025, four U.S. GA crashes involved doors opening shortly after takeoff. Three were fatal; the fourth resulted in serious burn injuries. Max walks through each accident in detail, including the tragic crashes of a Beech Baron in Colorado, a Vans RV-10 in California, a Beech A36TC in Pennsylvania, and a Piper Saratoga in Florida. In all cases, the door opening startled the pilot, who either tried to immediately return at low altitude or became distracted from flying. The result: stalls, spins, or uncontrolled impacts—none of which were caused by the open door itself. Drawing from FAA guidance, NTSB investigations, and personal experience with over two dozen open-door incidents, Max explains exactly how pilots should handle this situation. The key? Don't panic. Don't try to fix the problem in the air. Fly the airplane, climb to pattern altitude, and land normally. You'll also learn about door designs that are more prone to issues—like gull-wing doors on RV-10s and Columbias, or rear doors on Diamonds—and the importance of educating passengers on how to respond. The episode also includes real-world listener stories, POH comparisons across different aircraft, and a review of FAA training materials that stress proper task management in abnormal situations. Max reminds pilots that an open door is not an emergency—it's a test of focus. If mishandled, it can become a fatal distraction. But with the right knowledge and discipline, it should be a non-event. This episode is a must-listen for every GA pilot—because distractions happen, and it's how we respond that makes the difference. If you're getting value from this show, please support the show via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or Patreon. Support the Show by buying a Lightspeed ANR Headsets Max has been using only Lightspeed headsets for nearly 25 years! I love their tradeup program that let's you trade in an older Lightspeed headset for a newer model. Start with one of the links below, and Lightspeed will pay a referral fee to support Aviation News Talk. Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset $1199 Lightspeed Zulu 3 Headset $899Lightspeed Sierra Headset $699 My Review on the Lightspeed Delta Zulu Send us your feedback or comments via email If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let listeners hear you ask the question, by recording your listener question using your phone. News Stories FAA is discontinuing some Charting Products Garmin Reinvents Procedural Charts with SmartCharts Sporty's introduces new CFI Test Prep Course Tornado Levels Much Of London, Kentucky Airport GAMA Numbers All Positive for the First Quarter of 2025 Pilot regrets flying after pressured by boss Student pilot emergency landing sentenced to 30 months  Mentioned on the Show Buy Max Trescott's G3000 Book Call 800-247-6553 Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset Giveaway Video of the Week: Garmin AutoLand in SR22/G7 Aeronautical Chart Users' Guide FLYING Magazine: Flying the Margins FLYING Magazine: What Happens When Autopilots Fail? NTSB News Talk Podcast UAV News Talk Podcast Rotary Wing Show Podcast Free Index to the first 282 episodes of Aviation New Talk So You Want To Learn to Fly or Buy a Cirrus seminars Online Version of the Seminar Coming Soon – Register for Notification Check out our recommended ADS-B receivers, and order one for yourself. Yes, we'll make a couple of dollars if you do. Get the Free Aviation News Talk app for iOS or Android. Check out Max's Online Courses: G1000 VFR, G1000 IFR, and Flying WAAS & GPS Approaches. Find them all at: https://www.pilotlearning.com/ Social Media Like Aviation News Talk podcast on Facebook Follow Max on Instagram Follow Max on Twitter Listen to all Aviation News Talk podcasts on YouTube or YouTube Premium "Go Around" song used by permission of Ken Dravis; you can buy his music at kendravis.com If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.

Join @thebuzzknight for this new episode with country music singer, songwriter Cyndi Thompson. We catch up with Cyndi, the acclaimed singer-songwriter behind hits like “What I Really Meant to Say.” In this heartfelt conversation, Cyndi opens up about her journey through the music industry, stepping away at the height of her career, and what inspired her to find her way back to songwriting. Along the way, she shares stories from the road, insights into her creative process, and the lessons she’s learned about life, love, and following your heart. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering her for the first time, this episode is a celebration of resilience, authenticity, and the power of music to heal and inspire. We talk with Cyndi about her successful jewelry company called Haybelle, worn by the likes of Lainey Wilson, Olivia Culpo and Kimberly Williams Paisley and we talk about her new music "Acres of Diamonds" and "Five More Minutes" and the inspiration behind it. A Note to our Community Your support means everything to us! As we continue to grow, we’d love to hear what guests you might find interesting and what conversations you’d like us to explore nest. Have a friend who might enjoy our conversations? Please share our podcast with them! Your word of mouth recommendations help us reach new listeners that could benefit from our content. Thank you for being part of our community. We’re excited for what’s ahead! Warmly Buzz Knight Founder Buzz Knight Media Productions Support the show: https://takinawalk.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode of The Weekly Transit, we dive deep into the astrological and card-based profile of Pope Leo XIV, exploring what his destiny may hold as the new leader of the Catholic Church. Returning guest Alexander Dunlop—author of Play Your Cards Right—joins us for an illuminating discussion on the Pope's birth card, personality card, yearly cycle, and the deeper karmic patterns encoded in his life path.Together, we cross-reference the ancient 52-card system with astrology to shed light on Pope Leo's leadership style, spiritual challenges, and the unique role he may play in guiding the Vatican through a time of profound global transformation. From the symbolism of the Ten of Clubs and Eight of Diamonds to his Saturnian papacy and potential Leo Midheaven, this episode is a masterclass in cosmic diagnostics.Whether you're a student of the cards, a lover of astrology, or simply curious about the deeper forces shaping world events, this conversation offers powerful insights into spiritual authority, personal evolution, and the weight of legacy.(04:24) Alexander shares his spiritual connection to the Catholic Church and reflections on Pope Francis(10:01) Pope Leo's Ten of Clubs birth card and the role of humility in spiritual leadership(16:38) The Eight of Diamonds persona and the symbolism of quiet authority(25:00) Why Pope Leo may be destined for the spotlight—whether he wants it or not(34:14) Servant leadership, Leo Midheaven, and the model of the Alpha at the back of the pack(45:48) Entering a Saturn cycle: karma, pressure, and the weight of responsibility(57:07) The Nine of Spades and Pope Leo's year of ego death and transformation(01:07:03) Mars-Saturn influence and potential health implications of his papacy(01:15:54) The Jack of Spades challenge card: scandal, shadow, and the need for wise counsel(01:23:07) What it would mean for Pope Leo to truly play his cards right(01:32:29) Pluto in Aquarius and the spiritual revolution ahead(01:40:48) The doctrine of papal infallibility and historical resistance to evolution(01:46:12) Pope Leo's task: balancing tradition with transformationAlexander Dunlop: ⁠https://www.thesourcecards.com/⁠⁠https://www.theweeklytransit.com/⁠

Robert Hersov calls De Beers a marketing genius that turned worthless shiny stones into a global obsession. He slams diamonds as the “best short in the world,” praises minimalism, and shares how his wife banned engagement rings. A brutally honest take on luxury, value, and financial sanity.

It's time for The Truth!Today, Sam and Dougie are looking at the Club World Cup, set to kick off just a couple of weeks after the European season ends. The tournament has divided fans and pundits alike, with some seeing it as a bizarre power play from FIFA to try and rival the riches of the Champions League, whilst others feel that it's an opportunity to spread the game's wealth on a more even keel globally. We examine the history of the tournament and where the concept originated from, before taking a look at how it matters differently to different areas of the globe - in some place, it's a real badge of honour; whilst in others, it's treated as a second-class trophy. Perhaps more importantly, there's a deep dive into the finances of the tournament and how it's going to work, as well as some thoughts on if we should really be adding more football into an already oversaturated calendar - whilst the concept of the CWC is a good one, generally; is there actually a real need for this given the amount of football players are already going through? So, is this global benevolence or a cash grab from the Federation? Are the big teams going to send shadow sides or are the megastars going to give it all they have? And to whom does this all matter most? Well, The Truth is somewhere in the middle... And remember, if you'd like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon?

Subscribe to Weekly Dose of BS on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you download your podcasts! Weekly Dose of BS: Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/bsthepodcast/?hl=en Podcast- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weekly-dose-of-bs/id1446791775 Stephanie Hollman: Twitter- https://twitter.com/stephhollman Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/stephhollman/ Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/Stephhollman Trey Stewart: Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/trey_stewart/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our card this week is Owachige Osceola, the 8 of Diamonds from Oklahoma.Recently divorced and living on her own in a new city, 27-year-old Owachige Osceola's life was in a season of transition before she was killed in the bedroom of her Norman, Oklahoma apartment in September 2013. While the medical examiner who performed her autopsy concluded her cause and manner of death were “undetermined,” a detective who remains on the case today insists a killer has been allowed to walk free for nearly a decade.Please join us in writing a letter to the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office calling for a formal independent review of the methodology used during Owachige's autopsy. Below you will find a prompt you can use and the address to send the letter to.(WHERE TO SEND)Mr. John O'ConnorOklahoma Attorney General's Office313 NE 21st StreetOklahoma City, OK 73105eric.pfeifer@ocme.ok.gov To Whom It May Concern:I'm writing in regard to the criminal investigation related to the mysterious death of Ms. Owachige Osceola in September 2013, which is being conducted by the Norman Police Department.As you may be aware, Ms. Osceola's cause and manner of death were classified by the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner as "undetermined" despite credible evidence that she was intentionally strangled to death in the bedroom of her apartment.After hearing concerns expressed by Norman Police Department investigators working this case and closely listening to details about the criminal investigation into her death as reported by Audiochuck Podcast Network's "The Deck," I'm deeply troubled that the medical examiner's office has been unwilling to reconsider its original ruling — directly hindering further investigative efforts to pursue justice for Ms. Osceola and her loved ones.I implore the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office to reexamine evidence in this case and to insist that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner consider that Ms. Osceola's death was the result of a homicidal act. I also kindly request that this office publicly publish its conclusions in the matter.Respectfully,[YOUR FIRST & LAST NAME] View source material and photos for this episode at: thedeckpodcast.com/remembering-owachige-osceolaLet us deal you in… follow The Deck on social media.Instagram: @thedeckpodcast | @audiochuckTwitter: @thedeckpodcast_ | @audiochuckFacebook: /TheDeckPodcast | /audiochuckllcTo support Season of Justice and learn more, please visit seasonofjustice.org.The Deck is hosted by Ashley Flowers. Instagram: @ashleyflowersTikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkieTwitter: @Ash_FlowersFacebook: /AshleyFlowers.AFText Ashley at 317-733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more!

Cyndi Thomson is back- after walking away from music at the height of her career-with a story only life could write. Acres of Diamonds is more than a comeback album—it’s the soundtrack of a journey filled with love, motherhood, marriage, heartbreak, healing, and hope. These songs were born in the quiet moments: rocking babies, holding hands through hard seasons, choosing faith over fear, and learning that true success isn’t about being seen—it’s about being centered. This is her voice, her story, her acres of diamonds—found not in the spotlight, but in the life she’s built just outside of it. #AcresOfDiamonds #CyndiThomson #MyWorldMyWords #TrueSuccess #ComebackStory #FaithFamilyMusicSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.