Podcasts about doubtful

Doubtful knowledge

Send us a text

A lecture given at L'Abri Fellowship in Southborough, Massachusetts. For more information, visit https://southboroughlabri.org/ by Dr. Brandon Unruh A psychiatrist and psychotherapist considers specific elements of our current "crisis of meaning" through the lens of personality dysfunction, and what current treatment paradigms reveal about the limits of psychiatry and psychology and the fullness of Christ. The Copyright for all material on the podcast is held by L'Abri Fellowship. We ask that you respect this by not publishing the material in full or in part in any format or post it on a website without seeking prior permission from L'Abri Fellowship. ©Southborough L'Abri 2025

Send us a text

Shannon Sharpe, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson & Joe Johnson react to Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks beat Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years, Aaron Gordon doubtful for Game 7 with a hamstring injury, and Jimmy Butler says its refreshing to be Stephen Curry’s sidekick and much more!01:47 - Introduction03:46 - Knicks v Celtics17:12 - Shams update on Gordon’s hamstring34:00 - Jimmy Butler says its refreshing to be Steph Curry’s sidekick41:17 - Steve Kerr asked about offensive system58:37 - 76ers will listen to offers for the number 3 draft pick(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements.)#Volume #ClubSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At long last, with this third installment, we are at last finished our readthrough of the Changeling: the Lost 1st edition corebook. Here's hoping that when we get to 2nd edition, we can just breeze through and say "nyaaahhh, it's mostly the same but here are things that have changed." (Doubtful.) This week, we're talking about Entitlements, the sample freehold setting of Miami, our thoughts overall on the book, and listener questions that we've been saving til the end. But of course, this is only the first step in our considerations of 1e Lost, for there's a handful of supplements that we will work through in the coming months, and after that, who can say? Until then, we hope this deep dive was informative, and whether you're learning about CtL for the first time or thinking "thanks the fates they finally got more into the other Changeling," may it have whetted your appetite for more. One last time, you can pick up the PDF of the 1e corebook if you're so inclined, at https://www.storytellersvault.com/product/50010?affiliate_id=3063731. And more socially, points of ingress to our own digital freehold include: Discord: https://discord.me/ctp Email: podcast@changelingthepodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082973960699 Mastodon: https://dice.camp/@ChangelingPod Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/changelingthepodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChangelingThePodcast your hosts Pooka G (any pronoun/they) can't believe that Appendix II passed up the chance for a manatee Beast motley politely guarding the coast. Amelia Fetch (she/her) secretly thinks the book's covers should've had actual thorns, to dissuade all but the most dedicated players. The trick is to combine your waking rational abilities with the infinite possibilities of your dreams. Because, if you can do that, you can do anything. —Guy Forsyth in Waking Life

Send us a text#Yankees Aaron Judge is now on pace for 56 home runs which would surprise exactly nobody!  Judge also has a #MLB leading 39 RBIs which over 162 games would be 156 RBIs. That hasn't been done since A-Rod did it for those same Yankees in 2007. But the real question is can Judge maintain his +.400 batting average? Doubtful but fun to watch! #Pirates CF O'neil Cruz leads MLB on pace for 60+ SBs. Can he keep that up? He has a new manager now that Derek Shelton has been let go. Bud Black of the #Rockies was also dismissed this weekend. Probably doing him and the franchise a favor as the team has been historically awful and had a historically awful week! Max Fried has a MLB league leading ERA at 1.04. He's in place to start the ASG if this keeps up. But how about #Royals Kris Dubic? He's had an excellent start to the season and is largely forgotten behind Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo. #Tigers Skubal has rounded into form but the loss of Casey Mize will hurt the Motor City kitties. #Dodgers Shohei Ohtani has been routinely amazing such that it's no longer notable! Intro & Outro music this season courtesy of Mercury Maid! Check them out on Spotify or Apple Music!  Please subscribe to our podcast and thanks for listening! If you can give us 4 or 5 star rating that means a lot. And if you have a suggestion for an episode please drop us a line via email at Almostcooperstown@gmail.com.  You can also follow us on X @almostcoop or visit the Almost Cooperstown Facebook page or YouTube channel.  And please tell your friends!www.almostcooperstown.com

Former Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo, says he is doubtful whether Parliament had put in place measures to prevent corruption from taking place, as per the recommendations from the Zondo commission. He delivered the keynote address at the four day 15th Commonwealth Regional conference for heads of Anti Corruption Agencies in Africa, taking place in Cape Town. Zondo chaired the commission of inquiry into state capture, from 2018 to 2022. Among others, the commission found that Parliament failed in its duty to effectively hold the executive accountable during the period of state capture. Addressing delegates today, Zondo reflected on whether the country's fight against corruption is better than before the commission or not. He added that he is doubtful whether Parliament has made progress to introduce measures to strengthen anti corruption systems... Zalene Merrington reports

We can't talk enough about Jorge Polanco and how impressive he has been lately. - Clearly last year's knee injury was worse than we knew, but Polo didn't make excuses for his poor performance when he was on with us. - How sustainable is this hot streak? - Would he ever hit lefties left-handed? Doubtful. :30- ICYMI: our conversation with the Seahawks' first round draft pick, Grey Zabel. :45- We close out the show with one last thing!

The most beautiful words in data journalism - except for free coffee - are longitudinal study. Polling often obscures more than it illuminates. Questions can be vague or misleading. If you ask, "Do you approve of the president's handling of immigration?" the respondent will base their answer on whatever they think the president's immigration policy is. And polls are just a snapshot. With the stock market and egg prices hopping up and down like a rabbit on hot coals, someone's opinion on the economy may be out of date before the next sunrise. But a longitudinal study - in which you ask the same questions or observe the same group for a long period of time, even decades - removes volatility. And if the questions have a range of possible answers, as opposed to "yes" or "no," you get a more nuanced picture of how people are feeling. My favorite example of this is a poll that the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication has conducted at least once a year for nearly 20 years. Instead of asking people if they believe that climate change is real and primarily caused by humans, it asks them to put themselves into one of six categories: Alarmed, Concerned, Cautious, Disengaged, Doubtful or Dismissive. Sometimes, for fun, I ask friends to guess what percentage of Americans think climate change is a hoax. The answers range from 30 percent to 80 percent. In fact, according to Yale's surveys, it's about 10 percent; the Dismissive group fluctuates between 9 percent and 12 percent. Doubtful has also remained steady at 12 percent. If you think climate change isn't real, or even if you're not sure, nothing in the past 20 years - the avalanche of studies, the hotter summers, the heavier storms, the droughts, the wildfires, the floods, the lack of snow, species on the verge of extinction - has made you change your mind. That is why I don't write too many columns trying to "convince" people that climate change is real. What has changed is that the Cautious (18 percent) and Concerned (28 percent) groups have shrunk while the Alarmed group has grown (26 percent). The problem is that nearly everyone in the Dismissive group seems to have a podcast, a gig on cable news, a paycheck from a fossil fuel company or a desk in the White House. For the sake of comparison, a 2021 poll by the University of New Hampshire found that 12 percent of Americans believe the moon landings were faked, and last I checked we weren't reorienting the economy and manufacturing sector around that (knock on wood). The contrast gets even starker when you zoom out. A 2024 poll from Oxford University found that 89 percent of people around the world want their governments to do more to mitigate climate change. Do you know how hard it is to get 89 percent of people to agree on anything? We can't even get that many people to agree that the moon landings happened. If you'll forgive me for writing about the Pope for two columns in a row, I was struck this week by how often people who work in climate said, in the wake of Pope Francis' death on April 21, that it was his 2015 encyclical letter Laudato Si': On Care for our Common Home that gave them the courage to get involved in climate in the first place. They had thought that caring about the climate was a fringe belief. But if the head of a faith-based, conservative, 2,000-year-old global institution was taking the science seriously, maybe it was mainstream. As the Trump administration continues its attempts to roll back environmental regulations, there's a temptation to throw up your hands. "He won the election, so I guess this is what the country wants." But the Oxford poll found that two-thirds of Americans think this country should do more about climate. If the country is going to make any progress on climate over the next few years - or at least stop the backsliding - the silent majority in the Highlands and around the country and world needs to make itself heard. This column is part of The 89 Percent Project, an initiative ...

Doubtful warning

Have you ever rolled your eyes at the idea that breathing could actually help with stress or cravings? You're not the only one. That's exactly what we're getting into today on the Big Drink Rethink.In this episode, Anna Donaghey sits down with Zoë Ewart, a trauma-informed life coach and breathwork facilitator, to challenge the skepticism around breathwork - especially for those rethinking their relationship with alcohol. Together, Anna and Zoë unpack how breathwork isn't just “woo-woo” - it's rooted in biology, neuroscience, and can be a practical, powerful tool for anyone looking to break free from unhealthy patterns. Zoë opens up about her own journey through addiction, and how breathwork rewired her nervous system and changed her life from the inside out. If you're sober-curious, looking for real-world tactics to help you navigate cravings, or just want a fresh take on how to handle stress, this conversation will inspire you to rethink what's possible - one intentional breath at a time.Here are the highlights:00:00 Introduction09:34 Breathing: The Everyday Superpower11:30 "Calm Your Nerves with Breathing"19:45 Resilience and Brain Power29:58 Why Breathwork Gets Overlooked in Recovery38:42 Finding Calm Through Breath Work42:49 Three-Part Breath Relaxation GuideAnna's group coaching programme ‘Unstuck!' helps identify your alcohol ‘stories' and beliefs, break the cycle of alcohol and all the shame that goes with it. For more information and to find out how to join, please follow this link: Unstuck! programme informationTo further explore your relationship with alcohol, check out Anna's self-guided programme, The Big Drink Rethink Experiment: https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/the-big-drink-rethink-experimentAnd apply the code POD 99 to purchase for just £99 as a podcast listenerFor the free resources accompanying this series, please head to https://www.thebeliefscoach.com/registrationIf you're loving the podcast and would like to give Anna a warm, fuzzy feeling of appreciation, then you can buy her a coffee:https://buymeacoffee.com/bigdrinkrethinkAbout the host Anna:Anna is a certified Alcohol Mindset Coach, trained by Annie Grace of This Naked Mind. Drawing on her own journey out of alcohol addiction, she now helps others explore and control their drinking. With a career spanning 25 years as a Strategist in the Advertising industry, she combines her own lived experiences, with great insight into what makes us tick and what influences us to behave the way we do. Connect with Anna:Website: thebeliefscoach.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annadonagheyInstagram: instagram.com/bigdrinkrethinkProduced by winteraudio.co.ukFind out more about Zoë...

(00:00) The Great Michael Holley slides in for co-hosting duties alongside Hardy and Ryan Johnston. (19:25) WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT: The Celtics host the Magic for Game 2 of their first-round series tonight, but Jayson Tatum is listed as doubtful. Triston Casas hit a three-run homer in the seventh and the Boston Red Sox beat the Seattle Mariners 8-3 on Tuesday night for their sixth win in seven games. CONNECT WITH TOUCHER & HARDY: linktr.ee/ToucherandHardy For the latest updates, visit the show page on 985thesportshub.com. Follow 98.5 The Sports Hub on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Watch the show every morning on YouTube, and subscribe to stay up-to-date with all the best moments from Boston’s home for sports!

The Celtics comeback to win Game 1 of the Playoffs vs the Magic on Sunday afternoon 103-86. Derrick White lead the way for the Celtics with 30 Points. The Celtics came out and took game 1 despite being down at the half. John Zannis, Sherrod Blakely and Jimmy Toscano went LIVE on The Garden Report Postgame Show to break down the win and share their takeaways from game 1 of the playoffs SUBSCRIBE to The Garden Report on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/al-horford-turns-back-the-clock-celtics-vs-grizzlies/id913633230?i=1000701686217 SUBSCRIBE to The Garden Report on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LWgXEghZKCoXgDwjDB2mY  Join Our Discord Server: https://clnsmedia.com/discord The Garden Report on CLNS Media is Powered by:

(0:00) Felger, Mazz, and Jim Murray start up the hour with reaction to Jayson Tatum being listed as doubtful for game 2 against the Orlando Magic. (11:32) The guys throw at the Big Board for Tight Ends in the upcoming NFL Draft! (22:15) Felger has a strong opinion on the Patriots draft and Will Campbell. More callers reaction as well. (29:59) Recapping and final thoughts on Will Campbell.

Ken Laird, Chris Curtis and Fitzy react to updates about Jayson Tatum's injury status, and they discuss how Tatum's potential absence will impact the Celtics-Magic series, as well as Tatum's own playoff reputation, moving forward. Plus, the guys react to a bizarre story told by Jackson on The Greg Hill Show, comments from Dallas Mavericks' GM Nico Harrison about the Luka Doncic trade, and much more on Odds and Ends.

Welcome back to the FPL Lounge! The lads are back to preview GW33.GW33 is another double, this time involving four teams: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace (again) and Manchester City. Reasonably tough games for them all (except perhaps Arsenal), but with Arsenal and Aston Villa involved in Champions League, and with Villa and Palace awaiting an FA Cup semi final, how many minutes will their assets get in this double? The lads are... unsure.The radar is notably light, there, trying to focus on security of minutes rather than players with big upside. One mid-range gem could be found in Arsenal's defence, while the rest are reduced to Fringe picks, although plenty to get on board with, especially if you're playing your Bench Boost chip this week. After last week's successful Swim Against The Tide, the lads are honey trapping this week, with clean sheets and DGW points the propositions of the day. The Captaincy discussion is also fuelled by minutes risks, so is this a week where captaining a defender or keeper worthwhile? And what about a single-gameweek-Salah up against an atrocious Leicester? And is Who The Heck Is Stat?! over, with Andyt holding a 10-point lead? Can Chris do anything to make this interesting? Doubtful, but you never know...Do let the guys know on X (fka Twitter), Insta, Threads or TikTok, @FPL_Lounge, and the lads are now on BlueSky too, but without the underscore: @FPLLounge. Be sure to subscribe wherever you get your pods, so you always get new episodes in advance of the Gameweek deadline!

00:00 High Five.9:25 Jamal Murray doubtful tomorrow night, Luka returned to Dallas.17:45 More on the Nuggets.24:35 #1 pick overrated?30:45 More overrated things in sports.

Steiny & Guru are at odds, shocker. This time both refuse to back down, shocker. Plus, will the masses determine who comes out on top? Doubtful.

This week, we analyze the Missing 411. Are people going missing in our National Forests at an alarming rate? What's behind all of the missing people? Do you think you've watched more gay porn than David Paulides? Doubtful. Take the Survey:https://form.jotform.com/250745840968065Join the Patreon:www.Patreon.com/WednesdaysTalkFollow Tobias:www.SingularFortean.comFollow Asherz:linktr.ee/itsasherzProduced By: Dino Beaver Wrestling Champion NateBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/on-wednesdays-we-talk-weird--5989318/support.

Debs, in Didcot, Oxfordshire, England is the listener who sets the first question for discussion -  “You often say we are part of nature and not separate from it. To that end, with balance, it's ok for humans to alter land. So restoring it back to how it was before man even walked the Earth may be a red herring. I've heard you say when we are trying to look after a section of land, are we aiming to turn it into what it was, what it is or what we want it to be? So planting trees everywhere, maybe even where trees wouldn't normally be found, may be destroying rare biodiversity. It may also become a monoculture, with some things dieing out as we are only thinking of the canopy, not the understory and other kinds of habitats. Maybe with the correct management from humans biodiversity could increase more than if we died out and left nature to do its own thing?”Stuart kicks off the chat by pointing out that humans have really done a number on the landscape. Apparently, habitats are all over the place, literally. You get the driftwood from the destruction and a lovely patch of what might eventually be woodland if we keep our fingers crossed. The countryside's current look? Yeah, that's courtesy of 10,000 years of human tinkering. And to keep biodiversity afloat, we can't just sit back and do nothing—we need to roll up our sleeves and get involved.Stuart reckons Debs hits the nail on the head about tree planting. Unfortunately, we seem to have mastered the art of doing it all wrong. He then goes on to clarify that rewilding isn't just a fancy term for sitting on our hands.William chimes in, pointing out the environmental wreckage visible from aerial images. His book, featuring aerial maps of the UK, seems to suggest fields dominate the view—fields and more fields.Stuart raises the important point that, pre-humans, biodiversity was thriving. If we don't give nature a helping hand, that biodiversity might just wave us goodbye.Finally, Stuart pops the big question: What's the endgame when we meddle in nature? He reckons we ought to aim for greater biodiversity and, yes, it's perfectly fine for us to step in.William throws in the idea of thinking long-term about biodiversity. He mentions Capability Brown, the landscape gardener who never actually saw the fruits of his labor mature. But he had a long-term vision, and that's something we should all aspire to.Ray, Sauk Centre, Minnesota, USA - “Here's a challenge! What 3 words would you use to describe each other?”Stuart sums up William in three delightful words: Unguided, as if he missed the memo from the wisdom club; Doubtful, because a healthy dose of skepticism is apparently his thing; and Creative, which could be either a compliment or a polite way of saying "a bit out there."On the flip side, William describes Stuart with: Contradictive (yes, he just invented this gem), Focused, like a dog with a bone, and Ridiculous, because why not add a splash of absurdity?If they ever revisit this exercise, they'd probably choose completely different words.Stuart quips to Ray, “Please, spare us from such questions in the future—it was sheer torture!”What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to ⁠thepeoplescountryside@gmail.comSign the Petition - Improve The Oxfordshire Countryside Accessibility For All Disabilities And Abilities: change.org/ImproveTheOxfordshireCountrysideAccessibilityForAllDisabilitiesAndAbilitiesExtreme 8 All-terrain Wheelchair Fundraiser: justgiving.com/wildmanonwheelsThis podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice. Help us to spread the impact of the podcast by sharing this link with 5 friends podfollow.com/ThePeoplesCountrysideEnvironmentalDebatePodcast , support our work through Patreon patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside⁠. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link: linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside

Nick is joined by Mirror man David Yates to canter through the day's racing headlines from around the globe. First up, RTE and RTV's Jane Mangan reports from Aidan O'Brien's press morning, which has cast doubt on the participation of star 2yos The Lion in Winter and Lake Victoria in their respective Newmarket Guineas. Also today, with the Lincoln kicking off the Flat Turf season in the UK this weekend, Nick talks to owner Gary Robinson, whose Classic-placed Galeron is back from a spell in Australia and raring to go, while trainer Gay Kelleway looks for a big weekend with runners in the Brocklesby at Doncaster and in Kempton's Queen's Prize. Continuing our build up to Aintree, jockey Nick Schofield - twice placed in the race - shares his excitement at riding Monbeg Genius this year, while David Maxwell has a good team bound for Liverpool, and tells Nick that Joker de Mai has a good chance of giving him his elusive Foxhunters' winner. Further afield, Yulong's Vin Cox reflects on yet another top-level win for Via Sistina, while Coolmore's Mick Flanagan revels in the sale of Hong Kong Derby winner Cap Ferrat, whose win broke the horse's maiden tag at the seventeenth time of asking.

Arkansas advances to the sweet 16. Will Ruscin & Zach discuss it at all? Doubtful! We hear about DQ's farewell tour and more.

Nick is joined by Mirror man David Yates to canter through the day's racing headlines from around the globe. First up, RTE and RTV's Jane Mangan reports from Aidan O'Brien's press morning, which has cast doubt on the participation of star 2yos The Lion in Winter and Lake Victoria in their respective Newmarket Guineas. Also today, with the Lincoln kicking off the Flat Turf season in the UK this weekend, Nick talks to owner Gary Robinson, whose Classic-placed Galeron is back from a spell in Australia and raring to go, while trainer Gay Kelleway looks for a big weekend with runners in the Brocklesby at Doncaster and in Kempton's Queen's Prize. Continuing our build up to Aintree, jockey Nick Schofield - twice placed in the race - shares his excitement at riding Monbeg Genius this year, while David Maxwell has a good team bound for Liverpool, and tells Nick that Joker de Mai has a good chance of giving him his elusive Foxhunters' winner. Further afield, Yulong's Vin Cox reflects on yet another top-level win for Via Sistina, while Coolmore's Mick Flanagan revels in the sale of Hong Kong Derby winner Cap Ferrat, whose win broke the horse's maiden tag at the seventeenth time of asking.

First up, Joe hit the ground running with yesterday's big news: Trump announced that today, March 18, 2025, the JFK files—nearly 80,000 pages of classified info—are finally hitting the public. It's about damn time, but skepticism's in the air. Will this be a genuine reveal, or another Epstein-esque dud? Are we getting the goods, or just more stalling from this administration? Joe's on it, and we'll have answers by this afternoon. Keep your eyes peeled.   Then, Canncon joined the show to unpack the cesspool that is Judge James Boasberg. This guy's a corruption magnet—from his role in Trump surveillance to his daughter's gig helping gang members skirt deportation. The Boasberg family tree is rotten to the core, and Canncon didn't mince words exposing just how deep it goes. Is there a limit to this guy's grime? Doubtful. After Canncon bounced, Joe and Apollo turned their attention to Tina Peters and the government's infuriating inaction. They dug into the ongoing election integrity mess, with Joe spotlighting Dominion and the relentless heat he's still taking years later—people demanding he name his sources like it's a game of chicken. He's standing firm, but it's wild how that fire just won't die down. From there, they zoomed out to the bigger picture: a government that's asleep at the wheel, leaving us all hanging.  

On matters of personal preference, sometimes we just need keep our mouth shut. Balance your liberty with love...

Stormy Patriot Joe and Absolute1776 are back with another deep dive into the unfolding global shake-up, decoding the latest comms, and connecting the dots like only they can. Trump drops a cryptic message about "returning the diamonds" just days after Elon's cryptic tweet...coincidence? Doubtful. The guys break down the latest moves in the geopolitical chess match, from Elon Musk's game-changing Twitter takeover to Saudi power plays and why he keeps pointing back to Vegas. Plus, new revelations about deep state actors, election fraud, and why the establishment is running out of options. Strap in...this one's packed with insight, fire, and just the right amount of “told ya so.”

In his latest teaching episode, Bishop Wack is joined by Fr. Kevin McQuone to discuss "counseling the doubtful." They dispel some of the myths of counseling the doubtful, discuss a few names from scripture who inspire them, list some telltale signs of doubt, and how dealing with moments of doubt are both an intellectual and a spiritual journey.

Philip Yancey is one of the highest-selling evangelical authors in the modern era, with over 15 million English books in print. He has made an impressive career writing about his doubts and questions of faith. Yancey recently released a personal memoir, which his wife labelled a ‘prequel' to all of his other books. Together, we will look at Yancey's life story and his large body of work, and consider his reputation as a beloved spiritual guide for the doubting and suffering. Please note that the ideas expressed in this lecture do not necessarily represent the views of L'Abri Fellowship.For more resources, visit the L'Abri Ideas Library at labriideaslibrary.org. The library contains over two thousand lectures and discussions that explore questions about the reality and relevance of Christianity. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit englishlabri.substack.com

HEADLINES:- Elon Musk's Big Ideas at World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai- Saudi's $600B Trade Pledge to US ‘Unlikely to Be Achieved,' Says Former IMF Official- Americana Restaurants Reports $2.2B Revenue in 2024, Eyes Continued Recovery

Miracles can happen on Christmas Eve.Based on a post by auguy86, in 2 parts. Listen to the ► Podcast at My First Time. Ken Dix flipped through the TV guide at a moderate pace; “500 channels, and nothing but Christmas specials on.”Finding nothing but disappointment at every turn. As it was Christmas Eve, every show was a mushy feel-good romp spouting lines about family and goodwill to others. None of that spoke to Ken in the slightest.“Ken?” a voice came from the kitchen.“What's up, Mom?”“I've got my hands full with making everything for dinner tonight, but I'm going to run short on a couple of ingredients,” Helen Dix said, poking her head into the living room. “Can you run to the store real quick for me please?”“Sure thing,” Ken replied, seeing as he had nothing better to do.“Great, thank you. I made a list on the counter for you. The store should be open for another hour or two. The main things would be the eggs; I don't have enough to finish my famous chess pie. If they have tea by the gallon, grab one sweet and one unsweet. The rest are great if you find them, but not essential.”“Got it,” Ken said as he took the list from the counter.Heading out to his car, Ken cranked up his Honda Civic and pulled out of the driveway. As he made his way into town, Ken reflected on his current situation. Though he loved his mom, being home for the holidays was always nerve-wracking for him. His hometown of Alpharetta, Georgia was crawling with former high school classmates of his, people he'd just as soon never see again. But up at MIT, he was actually among peers that he could relate to on an intellectual level. Not that he'd made that many friends up there. As a nineteen-year-old freshman, he was still stuck in the same boring math and science classes as everyone else. He couldn't wait until he could start his health sciences training. Maybe then he could meet some decent people, perhaps of the female variety.Ken soon arrived in the parking lot of the local Kroger. It was soon obvious that the place was packed with last-minute shoppers, all trying to find that one final ingredient they were missing. Locking his car, Ken sauntered into the store, grabbing a shopping basket along the way. He found the shelves of the store well picked over, striking out on the nonessential items on his mom's list. Making his way to the drinks aisle, he was pleased to see that the store was keeping the gallon jugs of tea well stocked for the holidays, and picked up a pair.Ken soon arrived in the refrigerated section of the store. Almost every shelf was empty, but he did manage to find one last carton of six eggs, just what his mom needed. Depositing the carton in his shopping basket, Ken made his way back to the front of the store, checking out in the express lane. He gripped the shopping bags tightly, being careful that the eggs weren't harmed from the swinging of the bags. Arriving back in the parking lot, he was pleasantly surprised to see one of his former classmates, Jacqueline Brown. As he approached, she saw him coming.“Ken? Kenneth Dix?”She was extremely pretty, as was befitting one of the most popular girls in school, and kept her chestnut-brown hair cut just below her jawline. Her soft, warm facial features and bubbly personality belied the sharp intellect hiding underneath. She and Ken had been partners a few times in various subjects, and he had helped craft her entrance essay to the University of Washington. This earned her a full ride scholarship. In spite of her popularity, they had worked well together, and Ken even dared to call her a friend, at least in his own mind. They had never hung out on a social basis; her circle of friends would never have let her live that down. Still, times had changed. They were both out of high school, after all. What could it hurt to ask?“Jacqueline? Wow, I never thought I'd see you back here. Thought you escaped to cooler climates?”“Yeah, Seattle is nice, but nothing beats Christmas at home,” she replied, adjusting her UW sweatshirt. “You back for the same reason?”“Uh huh. Mom pretty much insisted. She won't settle for anything less than a full family gathering on Christmas Eve. I'm just grabbing a few last things for her. But yeah, it's great seeing you again. You, uh, you look good.”“Um; thanks,” she replied with hesitation.“I'm, uh, gonna be home for a couple of weeks. Would you want to, I don't know, hang out sometime? Maybe grab a bite to eat? My treat.”“Well, Ken, that's sweet of you to ask.” she said almost to herself. As she paused, her eyes suddenly lit up as if she had gotten an idea. “Alright! Here, let me give you my number.” She scribbled a series of digits down on a scrap piece of paper, writing her name next to them. “I'll, um, talk to you later, I guess?”“Sounds great!”Ken couldn't believe it; he had actually done it! He had asked out the prettiest girl he had ever known! Moreover, she had given him her number! Things were definitely looking up.“Dick!” a voice behind them yelled.Ken turned, immediately recognizing Jason Brown, Jacqueline's fraternal twin brother, along with his two flunkies, Brian and Barrett Sullivan. Jason had been the star quarterback at his high school, and the Sullivan boys were his best offensive linemen. They often served as his muscle off the football field, as well. Ken was intimately familiar with these three, as they had made it their mission in high school to make his life a living hell. Being stuffed in lockers, having his wallet stolen, all were commonplace with them. The three approached, attempting to appear imposing, which they were from the perspective of the ever-scrawny Ken.“I've got nothing to say to you guys,” Ken muttered as they approached.“Well I've got something to say to you, Mr. Kenny Dick,” Jason growled.“Just shut up and leave me alone,” Ken replied, his blood boiling at the use of Jason's longtime nickname for him.“No! You shut the fuck up and listen!” Jason said, grabbing Ken by the collar of his tee-shirt and flinging him against his car. In the process, Ken dropped his shopping bags, the jugs of tea landing directly on the egg carton.“Jason! Stop it!” Jacqueline protested.Undeterred, Jason threatened. “Listen fuck-wad, you stay the hell away from my sister!”“She's an adult, dickhead! She can have anyone she wants as a friend!” Ken protested.“You don't belong on the same Planet as her! You're nothing'! A pathetic sack of guts your dumbass mother decided to give a name to! Know what? Just do us all a favor and drop dead!”Enraged at the insult to his mom, Ken swung a wild haymaker at his assailant, but Jason was more than ready, pinning Ken's arm back against his car. Jason then delivered a crushing punch to Ken's gut, dropping him down to his knees. Before leaving, Jason knelt down next to his gasping victim.“Next time, I won't be so nice. Next time; I might just kill you myself. See ya around. Dick.” Turning to his sister, Jason said, “Come on, time to go home.”Jacqueline looked down at the pitiful form of Ken before muttering, “Sorry, Ken.”The trio of boys sauntered off across the parking lot, laughing and high-fiving at their antics. Jacqueline followed right behind them. Ken picked himself up and inspected his groceries, discovering the crushed eggs in his bag. Swearing and cursing, he grabbed the misshapen carton and went to throw it in a nearby trash can.“No chess pie tonight.”As Ken returned to his car and began his drive home, Jason and his flunkies watched on from his car, still pleased with their efforts.“You shouldn't have done that,” Jacqueline said in a lecturing tone.Jason turned to face his sister. “I do what I gotta do, Jacqueline. That fuck-wad has no business getting friendly with you. He needs to learn his place.”“Be that as it may, I can take care of myself,” she replied firmly.“Take care of yourself? Wait; you didn't?”“I did. Jason, someday you'll learn that there are more subtle and effective ways to ward off undesirables. Trust me, Ken won't bother me ever again.”Back at Home.Upon arriving back home, Ken couldn't bring himself to tell his mom about the incident with the eggs. He instead told her that the store had run out altogether. She had spent many sleepless nights in the past worrying about the constant bullying her son was subjected to in school. Ken didn't want to give her anything else to worry about. By this time, has uncles had started arriving, and the living room was soon filled with the sounds of football games. In Ken's mind, these were no more thought provoking that the mindless Christmas specials he had found earlier. Ken went up to his room to take a hot shower, as well as get some alone time in the process. As he stripped down, he saw a bruise beginning to form on his stomach from Jason's punch. He winced in pain as he touched the tender skin.Shit; that's not going away for a while.Ken took some Tylenol for the pain before stepping into the shower. The hot water helped relax his body, and the steam gradually built up, clearing his mind a bit. He finished after a while and, after making sure his door was shut, flopped facedown onto his bed. After laying there for around an hour or so, his mom finally called him down to rejoin the family for dinner.Taking his seat at the table, Ken glanced around the room at his various family members. His mom had two older brothers, Lee and Stan. Though Lee was tall and still relatively youthful looking at forty-five, Stan was shorter and beginning to bald as he approached fifty. Still, both of them had one notable thing in common as far as Ken was concerned: they were both still jocks at heart. Ken had never known his father; it had always just been him and his mom. He could tell that his uncles tried to be male role models for him, but their efforts were usually ill-conceived attempts to “man him up.” Never once did they understand his introverted tendencies, and always tried to get him to be more of a people person. After a while, Ken stopped paying their advice any attention.It was striking to Ken how similar Lee and Stan's families were. They had both married beautiful, blonde cheerleaders, and now both had sixteen-year-old daughters, both of whom were among the most popular girls in school. It all sickened Ken; they were just perpetuating the stereotype of pretty and popular being the be-all, end-all in life. As the family ate, Ken remained silent for the most part. The adults were engrossed in discussions about their jobs, and the two daughters were giggling and playing on their phones the entire time. None of this was relevant to Ken.“You know, I saw something interesting today,” Lee said as dessert was being brought out. “I was at Kroger filling up my car, and saw you in the main parking lot, Ken. Looked like you were, uh, having some words with a few guys out there.”Shit! He saw that?Not wanting to worry his mom, Ken replied, “It; it was nothing.”“Nothing, eh? Is that why that punk punched you in the gut?”With a worried look on her face, Helen asked, “Ken, sweetie, what is he talking about?” She walked around the table to Ken's seat and lifted up his shirt, seeing the bruise on his abdomen. “Was it that Jason boy again?”“Mom, just let it go.”“No! Ken, you know I worry about you!”“You worry about Me? I think you need to worry more about your brother!” Ken shouted, his anger exploding at last. “Right, Uncle Lee? Come on, you see your own nephew being ganged up on in a parking lot, yet you do nothing to help him out?!”“A man's gotta learn to fight his own battles,” Lee replied in a calm voice.“No. You want to know what a man does? A man sticks up for his Family! No. Matter. What! You stood there and watched your own nephew get beaten up. That says a hell of a lot more about you than it does me. And if that's family; I don't want any part of this one.”Without a word, Ken stood and left the dining room. He then grabbed his MIT hoodie and headed for the front door. As he was about to get into his car and drive off, he saw to his frustration that his uncles' cars were parked in the driveway behind him, blocking him in. Cursing under his breath, he prepared to leave on foot.“Ken! Come back inside, please!” Helen called after him, running down the driveway.“No. I've got to go out; clear my head.”“Ken, it's Christmas Eve. Please, come be with your family.”“Mom, aside from you, not a single person in that house feels like family to me,” Ken replied coldly. “I'll; I'll call you after while.”Ken walked off into the cold Georgia night, not knowing for sure where to go or what to do. Nobody else was out, as they were all at home with their families. Remembering the square in historic downtown Alpharetta, he decided to head in that direction. Maybe the quiet walk would do him some good.Arriving in the town square, Ken walked along the sidewalks for a bit, peering into the darkened windows of the various shops and restaurants. Everything looked so different to him with everyone gone for the day; it all seemed so peaceful. As he continued to walk, he soon saw City Hall in the distance. In front of the building was a large green space, which was teeming with a surprising amount of activity for it being Christmas Eve. Ken moved closer, now spying a large gathering of people sitting on picnic blankets, all bundled up in coats and hats. Ahead of them, a large screen projected the classic film, It's a Wonderful Life.Though Ken was never into the Christmas cheer, as it were, he felt strangely drawn to watch a few minutes of the film from a distance. He soon began to regret that decision, as the movie had reached the point where George Baily had an arrest warrant out for him, lashing out at his family in anger. Watching him get drunk and punched in a bar fight, Ken began to feel sick with anger. Despite all his efforts to help better the world around him, the universe conspired against George Baily; just as it seemed to be conspiring against Ken. Unable to watch a moment more, he turned and walked into the nearby park.Again alone with his thoughts, Ken sat on a bench near the fountain in the center of the park. He contemplated many things, as he often did in solitude. He thought about his piss poor excuse for a family, intent on changing him into what they say he should be. If only they could love him as he is. He thought about Jason Brown, a perpetual asshole that managed to get all the beautiful women his heart desired. If only the universe would serve up his just desserts, rather than conspiring against Ken. Sighing in frustration, he stuffed his freezing hands into his jeans pockets.Jacqueline!Feeling the scrap of paper still in his pocket, Ken suddenly felt a glimmer of hope in an otherwise dreary day. He needed something, anything to lift his spirits, and hearing her kind, sweet voice might just do it. Hell, he didn't even care anymore if she was interested in him in a romantic sense; he just needed someone to listen and understand him. Digging out his phone, he dialed the number. After a single ring, a message began to play, seeming to be read by a game show host.“Congratulations! You've reached Live 95.5 FM's world-famous Loser Line! Live 95.5; featuring the best entertainment in Seattle! If you've reached this message, you have attempted to hit on a girl Way out of your league! That poor young lady wants nothing to do with you, but you just couldn't help creeping on her! That's where we come in! Now you know what a loser you really are! So leave the girl alone, loser! You're doing everyone a favor! If you'd like to leave a message for the world-famous Loser Line, begin speaking at the tone!”Beep!Ken hung up the phone in quiet disbelief. How could he have been so wrong about Jacqueline? They had worked so well together in school, and he even considered her a friend! She always spoke so kindly to him, how could this have happened? Was she really as nasty and shallow as her dumbass brother? Was she really just that good of an actress? As he pondered all this, Ken's rage finally exploded out of him.“That two-faced bitch! Who the fuck does she think she is?! I trusted her! Hell, she would never have gotten a full scholarship without my help! All I ever did was Like her! And after all that, she doesn't even have the decency to turn me down to my face?! What The Fucking Hell? At least her brother was honest about his disdain. She's far worse! I can't imagine how evil she'd be if a person actually offended her?”Slumping back down onto the park bench, every thought that entered Ken's mind brought him lower. Jason was an ass, but then again, he didn't know how to act any different. Uncle Lee was a moron, but then again, he had no malicious intent. But Jacqueline; she was the last straw. He had trusted her, opened up to her, and she repaid him by committing the single most cruel and senseless act Ken could ever imagine. Everything was crashing down around him. As he continued to sulk, Jason's words entered into his mind once more.“I should just do everyone a favor and drop dead; is that what you want, Jacqueline? Seems like you agree with your brother, or you wouldn't have given me that number.”Ken reached into his pocket, withdrawing a folding knife. It had been a high school graduation present to him from his grandfather, before he passed a few months later. A far cry from the typical Swiss Army knife, he unfolded the shiny, four-inch blade, which stood in beautiful contrast to the wooden handle. Inscribed in the wood were Ken's initials. He had not used it for anything yet, never had any need to. As he stared at his reflection in the blade, Ken kept replaying Jason's cruel words in his mind, to do the world a favor and drop dead.“Maybe that's not such a bad idea.” Ken mumbled.Just as he took a firm grip on the handle, preparing to take the knife to his throat, an unfamiliar voice came from off to the side.“Hey!”Gabrielle's Christmas night.Gabrielle Libertine relaxed in a lawn chair, savoring the crisp, cold air of Christmas Eve. This was her favorite time of the year, and being able to enjoy an outdoor showing of her favorite Christmas film, It's a Wonderful Life, made it even better. It all fit in perfectly with her life philosophy: live for happiness. Not only her own, but as much as could be had for the world around her too.“You want the moon? Just say the word, and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down.”“Oh, Jimmy Stewart, you charmer you.” Gabby sighed.Soon, her emotions welled up as the hopeless romantic that was George Bailey began to succumb to the pressures and injustices of life. He had blamed his own uncle for destroying their business, lashed out at his wife and children in anger, and gone crawling to his hated rival for a loan. The hardest scenes for her to watch were always the bar fight and the car crash. Still, she always stuck it out. The best was yet to come.Just as George stood atop the bridge, Gabby caught sight of something out of the corner of her eye. A young man of about nineteen or twenty was watching the movie from a distance away, leaning against a tree near the road. His face twisted in angst as he saw the pain on display in the film, and he soon spun around, walking into the nearby park. Gabby couldn't explain why, but something compelled her to follow him and make sure he was okay.Collecting her lawn chair, she walked along the perimeter of the green space, soon arriving at the entrance to the park. As she went, she began to hear angry shouting up ahead of her; it sounded like the young man was in distress. After a few minutes, she came upon the fountain situated in the center of the park. On a bench sat the man from earlier, appearing to be deep in thought. By the glow of the lamppost, Gabby could now get a good look at him. He appeared to be of average height, maybe 5'7”, and had shaggy black hair that seemed a bit unkempt. Still, it's color shone in the light of the park, and his white skin provided for quite a striking appearance. A pair of black horn-rimmed glasses framed his face, which combined with his red MIT hoodie to project a very specific image into Gabby's mind. He had to be incredibly intelligent.As she studied him, she saw the young man pull an object out of the pocket of his jeans. Catching a glimpse of something reflective, she could now see that he was holding a small folding knife. Gabby tensed up and wondered if she should run, but soon decided against it; he didn't seem to have even noticed her presence. In fact, the way he looked at the knife was quite unsettling. It was as if he saw that little blade as his best friend in the world. She knew the look in his eyes. She knew what would happen in a moment if she did nothing. Taking a deep breath, Gabby decided to act.“Hey.”Intervention.Ken was startled by the unfamiliar voice. Looking up, he now saw a woman in her early twenties standing across the way. She gazed at him with intent, but for what reason he did not know. Looking back at her, Ken's typical awkwardness began to kick in, as he could see that she was quite beautiful. Dressed warmly in a black winter coat and blue jeans, she wore a grey knit cap over her long blonde hair. Upon first glance, she appeared to be of some sort of Scandinavian descent, or perhaps German, though Ken couldn't be sure. His mouth went dry as he tried to find the words to speak.“Everything okay?” she asked.“Uh; fine. Why do you, um; why do you ask?”Smiling, she replied, “I saw you over on the green, watching the movie. By the look on your face, you were having a tough time with it. When I saw you walk off towards the park, I felt I should come and see if anything was wrong.”“No, nothing's wrong.”“Good. Then I shouldn't be concerned about the way you're looking at that knife of yours, right?”Shaking his head, Ken answered, “I'm not going to hurt you. Promise.”“That's not what I'm concerned about.”“Wha; what do you mean?” Ken asked, his eyes growing wide.“I've seen that look before,” she said, taking a couple of steps closer. “I am, sadly, all too familiar with it. You were about to hurt yourself, weren't you?”“You don't know a thing about me, lady,” Ken muttered, preparing to leave.“I don't have to know anything about you to be concerned,” she fired back.“Concerned,” Ken snorted. “How could you be concerned about me? You don't even know me!”“Easily rectified. Gabrielle Libertine. My friends call me Gabby,” she said, sticking out her hand with a warm smile. When he didn't respond, she smirked and continued, “This is the part where you tell me your name.”Sighing, he replied, “Ken. Ken Dix.”“A pleasure, Ken,” she said as they shook hands.“So; Gabrielle, eh? You supposed to be my Clarence or something?”With a playful gasp, she responded, “Oh my God! Does that mean you're Jimmy Stewart?! I've had the biggest crush on you for Years!”Ken gave a nervous laugh. “Alright, alright, I walked into that one. But in all seriousness.”“No, I'm not a Guardian Angel or the Word of God or anything like that. Just an average person like you.” Motioning to the bench, she asked, “May I?”“Sure, I guess,” Ken answered, scooting to the edge.“Thanks.” Taking a seat, she continued, “So tell me this, Ken: why would you want to hurt, maybe kill yourself?”His face twisted in pain. “You don't want to know.”“I do. Believe me, I do.”Sighing with reluctance, Ken relented and began to tell Gabby of the events of the day. He started with Jacqueline and Jason, then the confrontation with his uncle, and finally the fake phone number showing Jacqueline's true colors. Through it all, Gabby sat in silence, maintaining eye contact and nodding whenever appropriate. At last, he finished his story, and Gabby could feel her heart breaking within her chest.“Ken; I'm so sorry. I can feel the pain in your voice. No one deserves what you've gone through today. I know it's of little help, but I do understand what you're going through.”“Understand?” Ken said, incredulous. “How could a girl like you understand any of this? I mean, look at you. You're gorgeous, and I bet you've always been popular. Just like Jacqueline. Just like Jason. Just like Uncle Lee. None of you could ever imagine the world I live in.”With a stern look on her face, she replied, “I'm going to choose to let that slide, considering everything you've told me. Still, you need to know that what you just said was quite hurtful. Almost as hurtful as the things that have been said to you today.”Ken recoiled. He knew she was right. “I'm; I'm sorry. You're right; I should never have said that. You've been nothing but nice to me tonight.”“Apology accepted,” Gabby said with a smile. “Humility is a rare trait in men these days. Hang on to that.”Ken thought she might be mocking him, but bit his tongue nonetheless. He had already insulted her once, and he wasn't going to chance a second time.Seeking to turn the conversation to happier topics, she asked, “M I T, huh? You're an awful long way from home, aren't you?”“Huh? Oh, the hoodie. Yeah, I'm a freshman there this year, just home on break right now.”“Nice. Major?”“Health sciences. I want to go to medical school after MIT, though I'm still figuring out a specialty.”“Plenty of time to decide that. I'm sure you'll find the right career path,” she said with a grin.As nice as it was to talk about a familiar topic, a few things still bugged Ken's mind to no end. “I still can't figure it out; why would Jacqueline do this?”Frowning, Gabby replied, “Some people are cruel. Often the ones that are the cruelest disguise it with a kind, warm public demeanor. Jacqueline sounds like she fits that mold to a T.”“And she hid it all that time while we were in school?”“You were useful at the time, in her mind. She wasn't going to chance losing that. Once she got what she needed, she had no more reason to hide her true feelings.”“Yeah, but still. Why be all friendly to me in the store?”“In her twisted mind, she probably felt she was doing you a favor. She wanted to ensure you never tried to contact her again. To a cruel person like her; that's her idea of doing you a kindness,” Gabby replied sadly. “We just have to hope that there's enough real kindness in this world to counteract such cruelty.”Now noticing a silver cross hanging from her neck, Ken pointed to it and asked, “I guess this the part where you start lecturing me about suicide? That I'm being selfish and trying to go against God's plan?”“No,” she replied with simplicity.“No?”“No. Ken, I meant it when I said that I've seen that look before. I know better than most that suicidal thoughts are rarely that simple. There's no switch that can turn them off. It's a tide that must be turned back, bit by bit.”Stunned, Ken started to see that this woman understood what was important in life. Realizing he still had the knife in his hand, he folded it closed and put it back in his pocket.“Bit by bit,” she said with a smile. “My car's around the corner. Is there somewhere I can take you? Where do you live?”“I'm not going home. Not yet,” Ken replied. “Not with my uncles still there.”“No problem. I'm not going to force you.” Thinking a moment, she continued, “It's pretty cold out here. Why don't you come back to my place for a bit?”“That's; unnecessary. I'm fine on my own.”“Nice try, but no cigar,” she said. “I'm not leaving you alone with that knife, mister. And I'm certainly not leaving you alone on Christmas Eve. Nobody should be alone for the holidays.”“Thanks, but; won't your husband mind?”“He would, if I were married.”“Boyfriend?”“Nope, just my townhouse and me. Pretty cozy, all things considered. No problems with you coming over, but I do have one condition.”“And what's that?”Smirking, Gabby replied, “You call your mom right now and tell her you're okay.”Hesitating a moment, Ken soon relented. “Fine.” Tapping his phone, Ken waited as it rang. “Hey Mom, it's me; Yeah, I'm okay; No, seriously. I'm fine; Yeah I'm just hanging with a friend. I probably won't be back ‘til tomorrow; I will; Love you too; Bye.”“See? Now that wasn't so bad, was it?” Gabby teased him.Eying her, Ken asked. “You're seriously okay with bringing me to your home?”“Positive.”Taking his hand, Gabby led him to her car.Gabby's guest.The drive had been silent for the most part. Ken was still trying to comprehend everything that was happening. Who was this woman? Why would she go to such great lengths for a stranger she didn't even know? Gabby seemed to pick up on this, refraining from prodding him for any further conversation. She could tell he was still processing the events of the day. Soon, they arrived at her townhouse complex and pulled into her garage.“Come on in, make yourself at home,” she said as she turned on the lights. “Can I offer you something to drink? Coffee? Hot chocolate?”“Hot chocolate sounds good, thanks.”“Coming right up!”As she hung her hat and jacket up on a rack, Ken couldn't help but stare. He now saw that she wasn't just a pretty face; her entire body was sublime. She wore a tight burgundy sweater and a pair of tight, form-fitting jeans. This ensemble only served to accent her body even further. Her hourglass figure was delectable, her slim waist contrasting with her curvy hips and ample bust. She was also just as tall as him, perhaps a bit taller, with legs for miles. Though Ken had fantasized about some of his classmates, none of them could come anywhere close to Gabby. She was a woman, not a girl, and in the prime of her life no less.“Here you go,” she said, handing Ken a mug.After blowing on the hot drink, he took a sip, feeling the warm liquid spreading through his body. “Thanks,” he sighed.“No problem,” she replied with a smile. “Come on, let's go relax in the den.”She led him into an intimate area with a sofa and a loveseat. The only illumination came from the twinkling multicolored lights on her Christmas tree in the corner. As Ken took in the relaxing surroundings, smelling the delicious scent of her Frazier fir tree, Gabby stepped over to the fireplace opposite the sofa. Flipping a switch, she soon had a comfortable fire roaring from the gas logs. She then sat on the sofa, placing her mug on the side table and patting the spot next to her.“Come sit. I promise I don't bite,” she said with a playful grin.“Um, okay.” he mumbled, scooting as close to the armrest as he could to give Gabby plenty of space.“Tell me about M I T,” she inquired. “You mentioned you want to go into health sciences. Does that include medical school?”“Uh, yeah with any luck. Harvard would be my top choice, but I don't know if I could afford it. But assuming so, my dream has always been to be a brain surgeon.”“Brain surgeon?! That's so cool! They're like; the most badass of all the badass doctors! Not just surgeons, brain surgeons!” Gabby gushed.“It's, uh, not that big a deal,” Ken replied as he blushed with embarrassment.“Well, I could totally see you as a brain surgeon. Don't ever give up on it.”“Thanks.”“So, what then for you, Dr. Dix? What happens once you reach your dream?”Ken began to feel a strange amount of comfort with this woman, and started to open up to her. “Honestly; I don't know. I mean even if I become a brain surgeon, I'm still hopeless around girls. Maybe Jason's right. I'm gonna die a virgin.” Realizing what he had confessed to her, he turned to Gabby and blurted out, “Not that it's your problem, or anything. S-sorry, I just; I shouldn't have gone that far.”Gabby just smiled and moved closer to him, brushing her hand against his arm.“Don't worry about it. You have goals, both personal and professional, but aren't sure exactly how to achieve them. So you're a virgin. That's nothing to be embarrassed about, and it's healthy to express your anxiety about it. That can help you overcome your fears. In all seriousness, I think you underestimate yourself, Ken.”“Underestimate myself?”“Of course,” Gabby replied. “You're smart, considerate, polite, you even held the car door for me earlier! Any girl you'd want to be with is gonna swoon at traits like that. I can also tell that you still think of yourself as unattractive, but I disagree. You wear glasses, yes, but that doesn't make you a dork. Your hair is a little shaggy, but not greasy or anything. You may not have a tan, but your skin complexion is damn near flawless. You have nothing to be ashamed of, be it your looks or your personality.”“You're about the only woman who thinks so,” he sighed.“Doubtful, but if it's that big a worry for you, I can give you a couple of pointers, if you like.”“Um, oh, okay I guess.”“Great! Okay, so you definitely give off the ‘geek' vibe, but that's not a bad thing. Don't fight it; own it.”“How?”“Well, you can make just some slight alterations to your outward appearance that can change the way others see you. For example, you could switch to wire-framed glasses instead of your horn-rimmed ones. Your hair is a great color, and would do well in a short, clean-cut style, if I do say so myself. You can also change out your usual t-shirts for some casual polo shirts.”“So; the secret to getting women to notice me is to change who I am?” Ken asked, feeling more than a little offended.Cocking her eyebrow, Gabby replied, “Are you saying your glasses, hair length, and shirt choices define who you are?”“Oh, uh; fair point,” Ken conceded.“See? Humility. Such a rare quality these days,” Gabby said with a grin. “To be honest, all the changes I suggested are things my brother did a couple of years back. He was a complete geek, maybe even bigger than you. The poor boy was helpless around the fairer sex. But after he made these changes, he no longer came off as the socially awkward geek. He came off as a self-assured, confident geek, one who loves himself for who he is. I see that potential in you, Ken.” Grabbing her iPad from the side table, she pulled up a couple of pictures for him. “See? Here's before. And here's after.”“Woah,” Ken marveled. He could see the drastic difference. The guy hadn't done anything to make himself stronger or bulkier, nothing to increase his manliness, but the things he did change just popped in all the right ways. Was it really that simple?“That's great and all, but can new clothes and a haircut get rid of social awkwardness? I still don't have even a shred of confidence around women,” Ken said.“They can help, but a change in your mental confidence is completely based on your willpower. You have to love yourself as much as you want others to love you. If you don't, everyone else will pick up on it.”“Knew there was a catch.”Gabby bit her lip in frustration. There had to be a way she could give him the confidence boost he needed to love himself, but how? Getting one somewhat crazy idea, she moved closer to Ken.“I'm guessing from your previous statements that; you've never kissed a girl before. Is that right Ken?”Poor Ken Dix didn't even know what had hit him. Here he was, sitting with the most beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on, and the unthinkable was beginning to happen. She was moving closer, running her fingers through his hair, and now wanted to know if he'd ever been kissed! This was too much, way beyond any of his hottest dreams. Unable to find the words to respond, he managed to slowly nod his head.“Close your eyes,” she instructed in her sweet voice. When he only blinked in reply, she whispered, “Close; your eyes, Ken. Trust me.”Guided by an unseen force, Ken felt compelled to obey her. His eyes finally fluttered closed, and his breathing became more labored in anticipation of what was to come. A small part of him doubted that she was being truthful, thinking that she'd fake him out just like Jacqueline had. Those doubts were soon quashed, as he felt the warm sensation of Gabby's face leaning close to his. He could feel her breathing. He could smell her perfume. If there was a God, Ken prayed, then and there; that He could make this incredible moment last forever.After what felt like eons, Gabby finally released their building tension and touched her lips to Ken's. Her kiss was soft at first, allowing him to savor the new sensations he was feeling. Ken was so terrified and excited all at once that he could barely even move his lips in reply. Not that it mattered to Gabby. She had expected his fear, and made sure to keep her technique simple yet enjoyable. After around thirty seconds, she withdrew at last, her face aglow in the Christmas tree light.“Wow,” Ken managed to mutter as he opened his eyes. He soon noticed that he couldn't see Gabby at all; his glasses had fogged up from their kiss.“Here, let's just take these off,” Gabby said with a giggle. She slipped his glasses off and laid them on her side table. “Now then, since we've gotten your first kiss out of the way, ready to really dive in?”“Dive in to what?” Ken asked, his nerves beginning to fray.“Kissing, silly! You do know there's much more to it than what we just did, right?”“More?”“Of course! Look, one day you'll get the prime opportunity to kiss a special lady, and I want you to be ready when that chance comes.”To be continued in part 2, based on a post by auguy86, in 2 parts for Sex Stories.

Sunday, February 9, 2025, Matthew 14:22-33 by David Cecil

Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" and Chris Gordy, broadcasting live from Super Bowl Radio Row in New Orleans, recap the Rockets dropping another game to the Brooklyn Nets in Tuesday's 99-97 loss. The Nets made two 3-pointers in the final 10 seconds to hand the Rockets their fourth straight loss. Ross and Chris also:preview Super Bowl LIX with FOX Sports' Jay Glazer, KPRC's Ari Alexander, Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel and Saints linebacker Jaylan Fordreact to the Rockets completing a trade with the Boston Celticsreview the latest comments from Astros general manager Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada about free agent Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve playing left fieldtell people to "Shut Yo Bum Ass Up, Ain't Nobody Got Time" and more.

Ross Villarreal of "The Matt Thomas Show with Ross" and Chris Gordy, broadcasting live from Super Bowl Radio Row in New Orleans, recap the Rockets dropping another game to the Brooklyn Nets in Tuesday's 99-97 loss. The Nets made two 3-pointers in the final 10 seconds to hand the Rockets their fourth straight loss. Ross and Chris also:preview Super Bowl LIX with FOX Sports' Jay Glazer, KPRC's Ari Alexander, Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel and Saints linebacker Jaylan Fordreact to the Rockets completing a trade with the Boston Celticsreview the latest comments from Astros general manager Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada about free agent Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve playing left fieldtell people to "Shut Yo Bum Ass Up, Ain't Nobody Got Time" and more.

I know what it feels like to have those crippling doubts and fears that just keep showing up and make it seem and feel like you can move forward until they are gone. The problem is, the more you focus on the problem to fix, the more you'll find problems to fix, the more you will remain where you are. Today we are discussing: - a beautiful metaphor that came to find me in a meditation last week and the message it has for me (and for you) - what it looks like to stop fixing yourself and start creating yourself - letting go of perfectionism and embrace uncertainty - deciding to keep growing and trekking along on your path, AND THEN the "healing" will happen - what happens when you decide to just start going for it - what to do when you have all these doubts that keep creeping in - how to handle the discomfort ⁠⁠JOIN THE WAITLIST FOR THRIVING MAMA⁠⁠ ⁠⁠JOIN THE WAITLIST FOR THRIVE CLUB ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get the Thriving Woman Course ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get my Daily Parts Work Free PDF Prompts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download Iris Software to protect your eyes on your computer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get the red screen settings to protect your eyes at night ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out Jedi Fam Podcast with my partner Nick ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Let's connect through instagram @natashakredl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you for supporting the show by leaving Thriving Woman a 5 star review and letting us know what you love about it!

Every Friday, Tristan's answering question from all of you. This week:• Musk's congressional meddling: Legal? Doubtful.• Trump's wall and economic fixes: All talk, no action.• Keeping democracy alive under Trump 2.0: We've got options.Got questions? Hit up Tristan on Substack (TristanSnell.com) or Bluesky (@TristanSnell.bsky.social). Let's keep this democracy thing going. 

Joe Pisapia & Andrew Erickson were LIVE on the ⁠BettingPros YouTube channel⁠ on Wednesday. Join us each week during the NFL Playoffs every Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 PM ET at ⁠BettingPros YouTube channel⁠⁠. The guys preview the upcoming week from a betting perspective and tackle YOUR questions LIVE. Discover what kind of impact Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts' return has on their first-round matchup against the Green Bay Packers! Plus, how does Zay Flowers' injury affect the Pittsburgh Steelers' 3rd matchup against the Baltimore Ravens? Stay ahead of the betting curve with player insights, like Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold's bounce-back potential, and more. Uncork a winning Wild Card Weekend strategy now by linking back up with your favorite Pros! Timestamps:Introduction - 0:00:00Jalen Hurts Returns for Green Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles - 0:00:35Zay Flowers Doubtful for Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens - 0:02:57Jaylen Waddle Autographed Jersey Giveaway - 0:06:05Los Angeles Chargers & Houston Texans - 0:07:35Denver Broncos @ Buffalo Bills - 0:09:49Green Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles Continued - 0:11:42BettingPros Prop Bet Cheat Sheet - 0:13:40Washington Commanders @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers- 0:14:12Minnesota Vikings @ Los Angeles Rams - 0:16:46Outro - 0:22:10 Helpful Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BettingPros App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Make winning bets with advice and picks from top sports betting experts. The BettingPros app puts consensus and expert-driven sports betting advice at your fingertips to help you pinpoint the best odds and make winning bets. Download it today on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠App Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Google Play⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get a FREE Trial of BettingPros Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Want to get a free trial of BettingPros Premium? If you've never had BettingPros Premium, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠download the BettingPros app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and activate your FREE trial of BettingPros Premium on the upgrade screen. Expert picks, projections, our prop bet analyzer, custom line alerts, and much more for the NFL, MLB, and NBA await! Go and get your FREE trial of BettingPros Premium today. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BettingPros Pick Tracker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Want to track all of your wagers in one place? Check out the BettingPros Pick Tracker. It syncs up with your sportsbooks to tally which picks hit, and which miss AND gives you a live look at what the public is doing so you can use real-time tracking to determine which plays to make, and which to fade: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bettingpros.com/pick-tracking⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BettingPros Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Looking to up your game in sports betting? Join our exclusive sports betting Discord community at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bettingpros.com/chat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Not only can you connect with expert handicappers who provide free picks for NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, player props, live betting, and more, but now you can also participate in our weekly community picks. Cast your vote, see how your picks stack up against the experts, and track your success!

Examining the Dolphins playoff chances heading into the Week 18 matchup vs the NY Jets. Plus, is Tua Tagovailoa being held out by the Fins to protect him? The injury report continues to be long for Miami.

NEW YEAR NEW ATTITUDES? DOUBTFUL. SABRES LOSE TO DALLAS AND START 2025 WITH A VERY DIFFICULT JANUARY AHEAD OF THEM. THE SCHEDULE IS HARD, PRESSURE IS HEAVY AND THE TEAM SEEMS TO BE HOLDING ON BY A THREAD EMOTIONALLY. COZNES TO DETROIT? WHAT MAKES THAT TRADE MAKE SENSE FOR THE SABRES, OR SHOULD THEY HOLD ONTO HIM, HOPING HIS TRUE GAME WILL RETURN.. OR IS THIS IT? USA BEATS CANADA AT WJC IN OTTAWA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We discuss the major news story as Tua is downgraded to doubtful with a hip injury from week 15. 12/28/24 This show is not for the faint of heart.

Mounting injuries have The Dolphins in doubt, Terron Armstead has a bum knee & Your Dead to Me.

In this episode, Jill gets real about the very necessary mindset shift you have to make when it comes to selling. Sometimes, coaches feel a little icky about selling. Doubtful thoughts still come to mind from time to time, making fitness professionals wonder if what they're doing really matters and whether or not people are getting something from their content. In this episode, Jill shares an important message, explaining that even if you don't know about it, someone is having their life changed because of your work.   “If you don't believe in what you're selling, who else is going to? The most important person to sell on your offer is you.” – Jill Coleman   Get on the Interest List for FBA: https://jillfitfree.com/fba-waitlist/   Jill is a fitness professional and business coach who effectively made the transition from training clients in person and having no time to build anything else to training clients online and actually being more successful. Today, Jill helps other coaches to do the same.    You May Also Like Fit Biz U: Pep Talk: Who Said It Was Going to Be Easy? Fit Biz U: 3 Ways to Bust through a Business Plateau   Connect with me! Instagram: @jillfit | @fitbizu Facebook: @jillfit Website: jillfit.com

Today's Mystery: Johnny is called in to investigate a fire that destroyed a silo at a dairy ranch.Original Radio Broadcast Date: September 9, 1957Originating from HollywoodStarring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar; Paul Dubov; Will Wright; John Dehner; Harry Bartell; Parley Baer; Forrest LewisWhen making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.comBecome one of our Patreon Supporters at https://patreon.greatdetectives.netThank you to our Patreon Supporter of the Day: Delilah, Patreon supporter since December 2019.Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call at 208-991-4783Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectivesJoin us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Today's Mystery: Johnny is called in to investigate a fire that destroyed a silo at a dairy ranch.Original Radio Broadcast Date: September 9, 1957Originating from HollywoodStarring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar; Paul Dubov; Will Wright; John Dehner; Harry Bartell; Parley Baer; Forrest LewisWhen making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.comBecome one of our Patreon Supporters at https://patreon.greatdetectives.netThank you to our Patreon Supporter of the Day: Delilah, Patreon supporter since December 2019.Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call at 208-991-4783Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Breece Hall doubtful, Braelon Allen to start Week 14; NFL News

#Londinium90AD: gaius & Germanicus  debate why the American Empire is apologetic, reluctant, self-doubtful.  Michael Vlahos. Friends of History Debating Society. @Michalis_Vlahos undated Rome

Marcas Grant, Michael F. Florio, and LaQuan Jones start the show by discussing the impact of Trevor Lawrence's shoulder injury to the Jaguars offense. Then they share their predictions for week ten and the players who they believe will be the week's top scorers (4:27), their red flag players (8:34), and their favorite sleepers (12:28). The NFL Fantasy Football Podcast is part of the NFL Podcast Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.