Podcasts about drafted

For the second straight week, the Broncos have placed their starting left guard on injured reserve, first Ben Powers, now Matt Peart. Should the Broncos look at signing a veteran offensive guard or roll with Calvin Throckmorton/Alex Palczewski? Denver also signed former Saints special teams ace J.T. Gray...is there an issue with having all of these former Saints on the roster? A look at the AFC West betting odds. Who is the current favorite to win the division? Also, should the Broncos have drafted Cam Skattebo instead of RJ Harvey? Eric and Bruce break it all down on a Wednesday edition of Hot Takes! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Robbing From Loved Ones with Scott Schafer | The Hopeaholics PodcastIn this episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, guest Scott Schafer delivers an unflinchingly honest and deeply moving account of his journey from professional athlete to addict, and ultimately to a man living a life of gratitude and purpose. Drafted by the New York Mets out of high school, Scott's dreams were derailed after multiple injuries and surgeries led to an addiction to painkillers that spiraled into years of dependence on Adderall, meth, and heroin. He recounts his devastating fall from a promising baseball career to life on the streets, describing the loneliness, desperation, and loss that consumed him. Through moments of rock bottom, jail time, and treatment, Scott found the strength to surrender, rebuild, and embrace recovery. He reflects on the mentors and programs that guided him, the faith that grounded him, and how service to others became his new purpose. Today, Scott shares his life in Texas, where he works at Good Vibes Coastal Kitchen and continues to inspire those in recovery with his contagious positivity. He also opens up about his relationship with his wife, whose own journey through addiction and healing has strengthened their love and mutual commitment to growth. With honesty, humor, and heart, Scott's story is a testament to resilience, redemption, and the unshakable power of hope.#thehopeaholics  #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarieJoin our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record', exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICSPODCAST for 10% off!Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholicsBuy Merch: https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.comVisit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.comIf you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction. Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:https://www.infinitigroupllc.com Timestamps:00:04:04 - Good Vibes Coastal Kitchen00:08:24 - Beginning of Addiction00:09:28 - Baseball Ends and Downfall Begins00:11:26 - Homelessness and Drug Use00:15:51 - Relapse and Recovery00:32:38 - Working as a Bartender in Sobriety00:35:13 - Meeting Sunny00:37:55 - Relationship and Sobriety with Sunny00:41:25 - Expressing Love and Support00:42:03 - Defending His Wife00:57:18 - Sponsorship and Mentorship01:09:28 - Faith and Relationship with God01:10:57 - Baseball Career Discussion01:12:43 - Baseball Career and Identity01:14:58 - Lesson from the Cop (Losing Identity)01:15:51 - Life After Sports01:18:48 - Sober Sommelier01:21:35 - Closing and Gratitude

Matt Spiegel and Laurence Holmes discussed how it's quite unique for a rivalry to be brewing between Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, the top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.

On this episode of the Bob Ryan and Jeff Goodman NBA Podcast, Bob and Gary Tanguay discuss what Larry Bird on the Knicks would've looked like had New York drafted him in 1979. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick and Jonathan question if Shedeur Sanders has become a distraction in the Browns organization, and they talk about Jaxson Dart's impressive start to his career.

On this episode of Live Life by Design, host Jeff Mendez sits down with Cedric Ceballos—1992 NBA Slam Dunk champion and former All-Star—to unpack an unlikely journey: from playing only five games in high school to a 12-year NBA career with the Suns, Lakers, Mavericks, and Heat. Cedric shares lessons on resilience, choosing the right system over the shiny opportunity, the realities of pro life, transitioning to the front office, and why falling in love with the process beats chasing the result. Inspirational, candid, and packed with practical takeaways for designing a life on your terms.Timestamps:0:00 Intro & name1:51 Drafted & teams3:34 Lakers homecoming6:47 Late-bloomer spark10:18 Pre-draft breakout11:20 Fit over draft hype12:00 Draft night emotions14:48 Rookie “point-a-minute”17:58 All-Star & Dunk Champ19:38 Overseas stints22:01 Pro life realities34:17 Process over results Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A consulting firm charged the Australian government $440K (Aus) for a report which was partially created using AI - and it contained hallucinations. As a result, the firm redid the report and is going to refund some of their fee. https://www.lehtoslaw.com

HR1 - Falcons #1 in total defense because they drafted well & brought back Jeff Ulbrich In hour one Mike Johnson and Beau Morgan quickly touch on some of the biggest headlines around the local and national sports scene, let you hear Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Raheem Morris give injury updates on Darnell Mooney, KhaDarel Hodge & AJ Terrell, react to what Coach Morris had to say, explain why they think Darnell Mooney's injuries dating back to late last season and early this season have bogged him down, let you hear Raheem Morris talk about how the new defensive pieces on the field and on the coaching staff have boosted the defense from last year, react to what Coach Morris had to say, let you hear linebacker Kaden Elliss talk about how the Falcons' defensive success has come down to good pieces working hard, react to what Elliss had to say, explain why they think the biggest difference maker for the Falcons' defense this year is new Defensive Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, and then close out hour one by reacting to the latest college football headlines, and previewing some of the big week seven matchups in college football.

In Hour 3, Willard and Dibs take calls on the 49ers' epic win over the Rams in Inglewood, wonder what would happen if the 49ers drafted Mac Jones instead of Trey Lance in 2021, take calls from 49ers fans, and more.

In the final hour, Mike Mulligan and David Haugh were joined by Jon Heyman of the New York Post and MLB Network to discuss all the action Tuesday on the first day of the MLB playoffs. Later, Mully and Haugh continued to preview the Cubs-Padres matchup in Game 2 of their National League wild-card series Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley Field.

Big O talks Dolphins 092925

The 1975 Notre Dame football season was one for the books… and later for the big screen. Ara Parseghian had retired as the head coach, replaced by Dan Devine. And on the cover of SI was Quarterback Rick Slager, guiding the Irish to an 8-3 season. But Slager was more than just a QB… he played just as much tennis in South Bend as he did football and would go on to get his law degree from ND… but when he was throwing the pigskin, there was a sophomore tight end often on the receiving end of it. Ken MacAfee is one of the greatest college tight ends of all-time. A 2-time All-American for Notre Dame, he would break out in '75 and follow it up with two sensational seasons as a junior and senior.  In 1977, Joe Montana was now the quarterback and MacAfee was his top target. He caught 54 passes, and finished 3rd in the Heisman Voting while taking home the Walter Camp Award for the nations top player. All this led the Irish to a New Years Day win over Heisman winner Earl Campbell and the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl, 38-10… MacAfee would close his college career with a National Championship…the 10th in the programs storied history. Drafted by the 49ers, MacAfee played two seasons in the NFL in San Francisco but in his 3rd season, new head coach Bill Walsh asked the 6'4, 250 lb tight end to switch to guard. That didn't sound like a good idea to Ken, and despite being reunited with Montana by the Bay, after a few pre-season games playing nothing but O-Line, MacAfee abruptly retired from the NFL. Ya see, MacAfee didn't just play football at Notre Dame… he got an education and after graduating with a degree in pre-professional studies he went to Penn and earned his DMD—-Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry… He would later become an oral surgeon and an expert in the field. That's what it means to be a student athlete. MacAfee joins us to tell us about the difference between Parsegian and Devine… who was behind helping get a walk-on by the name of Rudy Ruettiger into that now famous game… what was real and what wasn't from the iconic movie, “Rudy” and if he ever thinks about what if he had stayed and played with Montana in San Francisco. Ken loved his time at Notre Dame and we loved our time with him on the Past Our Prime podcast. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Giants Pitcher, Trevor McDonald joins Bill on Giants Warm Up Show to talk about being called up this season, where he was when he was drafted and much more before the Giants take on the RockiesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inclusive marketing isn't about business as usual—it's about disrupting the status quo. In this episode, Sonia Thompson shares a live conversation from HubSpot's INBOUND conference with the co-founders of DRAFTED, a brand elevating Latinas and reshaping what the “general market” really means. You'll hear how they're challenging incorrect narratives, disrupting an entire male-centered industry, and putting overlooked consumers center stage. If you want to understand how inclusive disruption drives loyalty, growth, and cultural relevance, this conversation is a must-listen. Get the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter - www.inclusionandmarketing.com/newsletter

Baskin and Phelps break down the Detroit Lions' roster, naming plenty of guys the Browns could have gotten in previous drafts.

On The Kenny & JT Show we catch up with former Massillon Tigers athlete Aidan Longwell. After his time playing baseball for the Tigers and Kent State he was drafted by the Colorado Rockies. Aidan just finished up his season for the Spokane Indians batting .274 with 15 home runs.

Guest Names: Ahmad Sharawi and Bill Roggio Summary: Ahmad Sharawi and Bill Roggio discuss Al-Sharaa, the self-named president of Syria, who was appointed by militia leaders. His loyalist-drafted constitution grants him extensive powers, with key ministries held by former HTScommanders, and minority representatives serving as mere tokens. Formal Name: Ahmad Sharawi and Bill Roggio, Foundation for the Defense of Democracies april 1959

Hello Youtube Members, Patreons and Pacific War week by week listeners. Yes this was intended to be an exclusive episode to join the 29 others over on my Youtube Membership and Patreon, but since we are drawing to the end of the Pacific War week by week series, I felt compelled to make some special episodes to answer some of the bigger questions. Why did Japan, or better said, why did Emperor Hirohito decide to finally surrender? It seems obvious on the face of it, but there is actually a lot more to it than bombs or Soviet invasions. I guess you can call this episode a teaser or a shameless plug for going over to my Youtube Membership or Patreon. There's honestly a lot of interesting subjects such as ‘why was the japanese army so brutal”, “Hirohito's war time responsibility”, “the 4 part Kanji Ishiwara series”. Thus if you liked this one please show some love and check out my other stuff on my Youtube Membership or over at www.patreon.com/pacificwarchannel.   Stating all of that lets just jump right into it.   We first need to start off briefly looking at Emperor Hirohito.    Upon taking the throne, Emperor Hirohito in 1926 Hirohito inherited a financial crisis and a military that was increasingly seizing control of governmental policies. From the beginning, despite what many of you older audience members may have been told, Hirohito intensely followed all military decisions. Hirohito chose when to act and when not to. When the Kwantung Army assassinated Zhang Zuolin, he indulged their insubordination. This emboldened them to invade Manchuria in 1931, whereupon Hirohito was furious and demanded they be reigned in. Attempts were made, but they were heavily undermined by radicals. Hirohito could have put his foot down, but he chose not to. On September 22nd, at 4:20pm Hirohito said to the IJA Chief of General staff, Kanaya Hanzo “although this time it couldn't be helped, the army had to be more careful in the future”. Thus Hirohito again acquiesced to the military, despite wanting them to stop or at least localize the conflict. The military had disregarded his wishes, they should have been severely punished. Why did Hirohito not take a firmer stance?    Again for older audience members you may have heard, “hirohito was a hostage at the whim of his own military”. This narrative made it seem he was some sort of hostage emperor, but this is not the case at all. In fact Hirohito was instrumental in many military decisions from 1931-1945. The reason this, I will call it “myth” , went on was because after Japan's surrender, the US basically rewrote the Japanese constitution and covered up the Emperor's involvement in all the nasty stuff, to maintain control over Japan. Yeah it sounds a bit conspiracy esque, but I assure you it was indeed the case. This narrative held firm all the way until Hirohito's death, when finally meeting notes and personal accounts from those close to him came out, illuminating a lot. Though to this day, many records are still red -tapped.   The reason Hirohito did not stamp his foot down has to do with the Kokutai.    The Kokutai   So before I carry on, I have to explain what exactly is the Kokutai.    The Kokutai, loosely translated as "national essence," refers to the qualities that distinguish the Japanese identity. However, this concept is remarkably vague and poorly defined; even Japanese historians acknowledge this ambiguity. In contrast to Kokutai is seitai, or "form of government." While the Kokutai embodies the eternal and immutable aspects of Japanese polity—rooted in history, traditions, and customs centered around the Emperor—Japan's seitai has evolved significantly throughout its extensive history. For instance, shoguns governed for over 700 years until 1868, when the Meiji Restoration reinstated direct imperial rule.   Nevertheless, Emperor Meiji's direct authority came to an end with the adoption of the Meiji Constitution in 1889, which established a constitutional monarchy, introducing significant complexities into the governance system.   Article 4 of the constitution declares: “The Emperor is the head of the Empire, combining in Himself the rights of sovereignty, uniting the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, although subject to the consent of the Imperial Diet.” Under this framework, the Emperor alone possessed the power to appoint or dismiss ministers of state, declare war, negotiate peace, conclude treaties, direct national administration, and command the army and navy.   A glaring flaw in this arrangement is the inherent ambiguity of the Meiji Constitution. While it established a democratic parliament, it simultaneously afforded the Emperor absolute authority to usurp it. The document failed to clearly define the relationships between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and its language was intentionally vague. Most critically, the military—the army and navy—were not directly accountable to the civilian government.    So with the kokutai, the Emperor is a divine figure who embodies the state's sovereignty. It was not necessarily the Emperor's job to surrender on behalf of the official government of Japan, but he most certainly could do so, given the Japanese people still remained faithful to the kokutai.    Now Hirohito did not live an ordinary life. According to the imperial custom, Japanese royals were raised apart from their parents, at the age of 3 he was placed in the care of the Kwamura family who vowed to raise him to be unselfish, persevering in the face of difficulties, respectful of the views of others and immune to fear. One thing that was absolutely indoctrinated into him was to defend the kokutai. It became his top mission as a monarch, it was the only mission in many ways. At the very core of how he saw the world and how he acted, it was always to protect the kokutai.    So when the Japanese military began these insubordinate acts, Hirohito's primary concern was to the kokutai, ie: anything that threatened his imperial authority and the imperial institution itself. Although the military usurped his authority, the operations had been successful. Hirohito was not at all opposed to seeing his empire expand. He understood the value of manchuria, he was fully onboard with the military plans to eventually seize control over it, but these radicals were accelerating things to quickly for everyone's liking. He turned a blind eye, dished light punishments and carried on. However the local conflict escalated. It traveled to Shanghai by 1932 and here Hirohito took action. He understood Shanghai was full of western powers. Nations like Britain and America could place economic sanctions on Japan if things were allowed to get out of hand here. So he ordered General Yoshinori Shirakawa to bring the Shanghai expedition to a close.    During this period, two factions emerged within the Japanese military: the Kodoha, or “Imperial Way,” and the Toseiha, or “Control” faction. The Kodoha was founded by General Sadao Araki and his protégé, Jinzaburo Masaki. Their primary objective was a Shōwa Restoration aimed at purging Japan of corrupt politicians and businessmen, especially those associated with the zaibatsu. Composed mainly of young army officers, the Kodoha espoused a romanticized and radical interpretation of Bushido, idealizing pre-industrial Japan, which Araki believed had been tainted by Western influences. To achieve their goals, they resorted to assassinations and planned a coup d'état.   In response, the Toseiha faction was formed, initially led by Lt. General Tetsuzan Nagata and later by Hideki Tojo. Like the Kodoha, the Toseiha sought a Shōwa Restoration but adopted a more moderate and conservative approach. They recognized the importance of preserving traditional values while integrating Western ideals, advocating for a balanced perspective. The Toseiha promoted pragmatic military strategies to navigate the complexities of modern warfare. Although they acknowledged the existence of corrupt politicians and zaibatsu, they preferred to work within the existing political system, anticipating that future total wars would necessitate a strengthened industrial and military capacity. Their ranks primarily included promising graduates from the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) Academy, Army Staff College, and select naval members. The most significant distinction between the two factions was that the Toseiha explicitly rejected the use of a coup d'état in pursuit of their goals.   Between 1932-1936 radical officers, mostly of the Kodoha faction assassinated politicians and military leaders trying to usher in a showa restoration. You might be led to believe this was in the interest of Hirohito, you would be mistaken. Hirohito did not want a military dictatorship at the whim of the cult of the emperor. Ironic to say, given how WW2 turns out mind you. This really would have been a hostage situation. Hirohito wanted to maintain the exact ambiguous situation that was Showa Era Japan pre 1945. He saw this as the most ideal structure to defend the kokutai, because blame could not be placed solely upon his shoulders. He always maintained a get out of jail free card one could say.    The February 26 incident of 1936, was the climax of the Kodoha faction. They performed a mutiny trying to usher in a SHowa restoration. They assumed when their messenger came to the emperor he would join them and take direct rule. Instead Hirohito was furious. His first thought was the mutineers were trying to enlist his brother Chichibu to overthrow him. He dragged his brother who was a fraternizer amongst the kodoha members mind you, into a meeting, demanding he never associate with them again nor attempt to challenge him. Then Hirohito furious demanded the mutineers be dealt with. At one point he even threatened to lead the imperial guards to put them down. The coup failed, the kodoha faction was destroyed. Ironically the toseiha faction were the ones to do it and thus they became the defacto ruling clique.    The military, especially the kwantung army did not stop with their insubordination.    On July 8th of 1937 the Kwangtung army performed the Marco Polo Bridge incident, ushering in the second sino-japanese war. This was one of many false flag operations they had pulled off over the years. Upon being told about this Hirohito's first response was whether the USSR would invade Manchukuo over the matter. This is what he said to Prime Minister Konoe and army minister Sugiyama “What will you do if the Soviets attack us from the rear?” he asked the prince. Kan'in answered, “I believe the army will rise to the occasion.” The emperor repeated his question: “That's no more than army dogma. What will you actually do in the unlikely event that Soviet [forces] attack?” The prince said only, “We will have no choice.” His Majesty seemed very dissatisfied. Hirohito furious demanded to know what contingency plans existed and his advisors told him before he gave his red seal of approval to invade northern china.   Henceforth he micromanaged a lot of the military decisions going forward and he oversaw the forming and dissolving of numerous cabinets and positions when things went his way or did not in the military and political scene.  Emperor Hirohito was presented with several opportunities to cause cease-fires or peace settlements during the war years. One of the best possible moments to end it all came during the attack on Nanking when Chiang Kai-sheks military were in disarray. On July 11 of 1938, the commander of the 19th division fought a border clash with the USSR known to us in the west as the battle of Lake Khasan. It was a costly defeat for Japan and in the diary of Harada Kumao he noted Hirohito scolded Army minister Itagaki “Hereafter not a single soldier is to be moved without my permission.” When it looked like the USSR would not press for a counter attack across the border, Hirohito gave the order for offensives in China to recommence, again an example of him deciding when to lay down the hammer.   By 1939 the US began threatening sanctions for what Japan was doing in China. Hirohito complained to his chief aide de camp Hata Shunroku on August 5th “It could be a great blow to scrap metal and oil”. Hirohito was livid and scolded many of his top officials and forced the appointment of General Abe to prime minister and demanded of him “to cooperate with the US and Britain and preserve internal order”.   Fast forward a bit, with war raging in Europe Hirohito, on June 19th of 1940 Hirohito asked if chief of staff Prince Kan'in and Army Minister Hata “At a time when peace will soon come in the European situation, will there be a deployment of troops to the Netherlands Indies and French Indochina?” This question highlighted Hirohito's belief at that time that Germany was close to achieving victory, which led him to gradually consider deploying troops to French Indochina and the Dutch East Indies since neither of those parent nations was in a position to protect their territories and vital resources. Regarding the war in China, the Japanese aimed to stop the flow of materials entering China from places like Hong Kong. Hirohito received reports indicating that Britain would not agree to block the shipment of materials into China via Hong Kong. The military recognized that an invasion of Hong Kong might be necessary, which would mean declaring war on Britain. When this was communicated to him, Hirohito responded, “If that occurs, I'm sure America will enforce an embargo, don't you think?” In response, Kido, the lord of the privy seal, reassured him by stating, “The nation must be fully prepared to resist, proceeding with caution and avoiding being drawn into events instigated by foreign interests.”   Hirohito went through countless meetings, but eventually signed order number 458 authorizing the invasion of French Indochina, knowing full well the consequences. The US,UK and Netherlands began embargoes of oil, rubber and iron. In the words of Admiral Takagai “As time passes and this situation continues, our empire will either be totally defeated or forced to fight a hopeless war. Therefore we should pursue war and diplomacy together. If there is no prospect of securing our final line of national survival by diplomatic negotiations, we must be resolved to fight.” Hirohito understood the predicament full well, that each day Japan was wasting its oil reserves, if they were to strike it had to be quickly.   On October 13th Hirohito told his closest advisor Koichi Kido “In the present situation there seems to be little hope for the Japan–U.S. negotiations. If hostilities erupt this time, I think I may have to issue a declaration of war.”   The reason I am bringing up all this stuff is to solidify, Hirohito had agency, he was micromanaging and forming decisions. After the war broke out with the west, Hirohito did have the ability to stamp his foot down. Of course there could have been wild repercussions, his military could have usurped him with Chichibu, it was definitely possible. But you need to keep this mind set, as far as why Hirohito acts or doesn't, its always to protect the Kokutai. Thus one of the levers for peace, solely rested on Hirohito's perception if the kokutai could be retained or not.    From the outset of the Pacific War, Hirohito believed Germany was going to defeat the USSR. In line with his military leaders, they all believed Japan had to seize everything they could in the asia-pacific and thwart off the US until a negotiated peace could be met. Hirohito committed himself to overseeing the war, determined to achieve victory at any cost. He was a very cautious leader, he meticulously analyzed each campaign, anticipating potential setbacks and crafting worst-case scenario predictions. He maintained a skeptical view of the reports from his senior officials and was often harshly critical of high commanders.   While he did not frequently visit the front lines like other commanders in chief, Hirohito wielded significant influence over theater operations, shaping both planning and execution whenever he deemed necessary. Similar to his approach during the war in China, he issued the highest military orders from the Imperial Headquarters, conducted audited conferences, and made decisions communicated under his name. He regularly welcomed generals and admirals to the imperial palace for detailed briefings on the battlefront and visited various military bases, battleships, and army and naval headquarters. His inspections encompassed military schools and other significant military institutions, adding to his comprehensive involvement in the war effort.   Now the war went extremely well for Japan until the battle of Midway. This was as major setback, but Japan retained the initiative. Then the Guadalcanal campaign saw Japan lose the initiative to the Americans. Upon receiving the initial report of the Ichiki detachment's destruction, Hirohito remarked, “I am sure it [Guadalcanal] can be held.” Despite the numerous reports detailing the devastating effects of tropical diseases and starvation on his troops, he persistently demanded greater efforts from them. Hirohito exerted continuous pressure on his naval and land commanders to retake the island. On September 15th, November 5th, and November 11th, he requested additional Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) troops and aircraft to be allocated to the cause.   General Sugiyama expressed concerns about dispatching more IJA pilots due to their inexperience in transoceanic combat, preferring to reinforce the North China Army for an attack on Chongqing instead. Hirohito pressed the issue again, but Sugiyama responded that the IJA had diverted its air resources to New Guinea and Rabaul. Undeterred by the objections from senior commanders, Hirohito persisted in his demands. By late November, it became evident that Guadalcanal was a lost cause.   At an Imperial Headquarters conference on December 31st, 1942, the chiefs of staff proposed canceling the attempts to recapture Guadalcanal. Hirohito sanctioned this decision but stated, “It is unacceptable to just give up on capturing Guadalcanal. We must launch an offensive elsewhere.” He insisted on this point, leading to the selection of new strategic targets in the Solomons, north of New Georgia, and in the Stanley Range on New Guinea. Hirohito even threatened to withhold authorization for withdrawing troops from Guadalcanal until a new plan was established. He later opposed the withdrawal from Munda Airfield, as it contradicted the newly defined defensive line.   As the defensive perimeter in the central and northern Solomons began to crumble, Hirohito continued to insist that the navy engage in decisive battles to regain the initiative, allowing for the transport of supplies to the many soldiers trapped on various islands. When he learned of the navy's failure to reinforce Lae on March 3rd, he asked, “Then why didn't you change plans immediately and land at Madan? This is a failure, but it can teach us a good lesson and become a source of future success. Do this for me so I can have peace of mind for a while.” The phrase “Do this for me” would come to be his signature rallying cry.   After Guadal canal, it was loss after loss for Japan. By February of 1944, Hirohito forced Sugiyama to resign so Hideki Tojo could take his position as chief of the general staff, note Tojo was prime minister and army minister at this point. Hirohito worked alongside Tojo to plan some last ditch efforts to change the war situation. The most significant one was Operation Ichi-Go. As much damage as they did to China with that, Chiang Kai-Shek's government survived. Hirohito watched as island by island fell to the Americans. When the Americans were poised to take Saipan he warned Tojo “If we ever lose Saipan, repeated air attacks on Tokyo will follow. No matter what it takes, we have to hold there.” Saipan fell, so Hirohito stopped supporting Tojo and allowed his rivals to take down his cabinet by june 18th of 1944.    Hirohito remained resolute in his determination to wrest victory from the Allies. On October 18th, the Imperial Headquarters ordered a decisive naval engagement, leading to the Battle of Leyte Gulf. After the war, Hirohito publicly stated, "Contrary to the views of the Army and Navy General Staffs, I consented to the showdown battle at Leyte, believing that if we launched an attack and America hesitated, we might find an opportunity to negotiate." Leyte Gulf didnt work. The military began the kamikaze program. On new years day of 1945 Hirohito inspected the special last meal rations given to departing kamikaze units. Iwo Jima fell. Okinawa remained, and Hirohito lashed out “Is it because we failed to sink enemy transports that we've let the enemy get ashore? Isn't there any way to defend Okinawa from the landing enemy forces?” On the second day of Okinawa's invasion Hirohito ordered a counter landing by the 32nd army and urged the navy to counterattack in every way possible. It was a horrible failure, it cost the lives of up to 120,000 Japanese combatants, 170,000 noncombatants. The Americans lost 12,500 killed and 33,000 wounded. An absolute bloodbath.    The Surrender time   Now we come to the time period where Japan seriously began looking for ways to surrender. In Europe Germany was heading to its defeat and Japan knew this. As for Japan, their army in Burma had been annihilated. Their forces in China were faring better after Operation Ichi-go, having opened up a land corridor along the main railway from Beiping to Wuhan and from throughout Guangdong but still stuck in a deadlock stalemate, facing a guerrilla war that was costing them 64% of their military expenditures. They deeply feared once the Soviets finished up with Germany, they would undoubtedly turn east against Manchuria. With the Soviets attacking from the north, the US would attack from the south, perhaps landing in Shanghai and the home islands. The Kamikaze tactics were proving formidable, but not nearly enough. By 1945, 43% of the IJA were now stationed in Japan, Korea and Formosa, bracing for the final stand. Former prime minister Reijiro Wakatsuki came out of retirement in may of 1945, having heard Germany collapsed, to urge Hirohito and the Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki to open negotiations with the US as soon as possible. However he also said “the enemy must first be made to see the disadvantages of continuing the war”. To this Hirohito's chief counselor Makino Nobuaki said that “the ultimate priority is to develop an advantageous war situation.” Advisor admiral Kesiuke Okada said Japan should wait for “a moment favorable for us,” then make peace. Advisors Kiichiro Hiranuma and Koki Hirota advised the emperor to fight on until the end.   Now I want to bring in a key player to the surrender decision, that of Prince Konoe. Konoe was very close to Hirohito and understood the emperors mentality, especially how he viewed things in relation to the kokutai.    The senior statesman Prince Konoe had been consulting with Hirohito for over 18 months at this point trying to convey the message that if the war continued it would threaten the kokutai. Many months prior, he confided in the emperor's brother, Prince Takamatsu, that the army was suffering from “a cancer” in the form of the Toseiha faction. However, he noted that “Kido and others” did not share his perspective, while “his Majesty is relatively unconcerned with ideological issues.” For the past four years, he continued, the emperor had been advised and still believed that “the true extremists are the Kodoha faction.” In reality, the greater threat to the kokutai arose from the Toseiha faction. Konoe further asserted that if the war escalated, they would attempt to alter the kokutai.   Konoe speculated that whether the threat originated from communists within the nation, primarily referring to left-wing radicals in the Toseiha faction, or from the “Anglo-American enemy,” both would seek to preserve the emperor while pushing towards the country's communization.In his written report to the emperor on February 14, which Kido listened to attentively, Konoe elaborated on his conspiracy theory. He asserted that the Soviet Union regarded Japan as its primary threat in East Asia. The Soviets had allied with the Chinese Communists, the largest and most formidable Communist party in Asia, and were collaborating with the United States and Britain to drive Japan out of China. He warned that they would enter the war when the opportunity arose.   Defeat, he cautioned the emperor, was inevitable if the conflict persisted. However, he emphasized that a far greater fear was the potential destruction of the kokutai. The ongoing war was eroding the domestic status quo, unleashing forces that threatened Japan and its imperial institution from within as much as from external adversaries. The real danger lay in the emperor's and Kido's trust in the generals of the Toseiha faction, who were unintentionally facilitating the communization of Japan. Konoe implored for a swift peace settlement before a Communist revolution emerged, making the preservation of the kokutai impossible. Hirohito agreed with Konoe but stated “ To end the war would be “very difficult unless we make one more military gain.” Konoe allegedly replied, “Is that possible? It must happen soon. If we have to wait much longer, . . . [a mere battle victory] will mean nothing.” Hirohito replied “If we hold out long enough in this war, we may be able to win, but what worries me is whether the nation will be able to endure it until then.”   On February 15th of 1945, Hirohito's intelligence warned the Soviet Union would likely abrogate its Neutrality Pact with Japan. Even Tojo conceded there was a 50/50 chance the USSR would invade Manchuria. In March, the US began B-29 incendiary bombing raids over Tokyo, turning 40% of the capital into ash. On March 18th, Hirohito with some aides drove around the capital to witness the devastation. The civilians looked exhausted and bewildered to Hirohito. Factory production was collapsing, absenteeism was rising, instances of lese majeste were running rampant. For the next 5 months imperial family members and senior statesmen all began speaking to Hirohito about the “crises of the kokutai”. The threat Konoe had warned about for months was becoming the main talking point. It seemed like the Japanese people within the countryside and urban areas remained steadfast in the resolve to obey their leaders, work and sacrifice for their nation, but for how long would they feel so?    It was only after the battle for Okinawa was lost and 60 Japanese cities had been leveled by American incendiary bombs that Hirohito openly indicated he wanted to negotiate a surrender.   Kido's diary reveals the first clear indication that the emperor might be urged to consider an early peace on June 8, 1945, when Kido drafted his “Draft Plan for Controlling the Crisis Situation.” This marked a pivotal moment. It followed the unintentional bombing of the Imperial Palace, the complete loss of hope for saving Okinawa, and coincided with the day the Supreme War Leadership Council adopted the “Basic Policy for the Future Direction of the War.” With the fighting in Europe concluded, Japan found itself entirely isolated. Kido's plan, although vague, proposed seeking the Soviet Union's assistance as an intermediary to help Japan gain leverage in negotiations with its adversaries. By drafting this plan, Kido signaled the end of his long alliance with the military hard-liners. Hirohito's acceptance of it indicated his readiness for an early peace.   Hirohito was moved to an underground bunker in the mountains of Matsushiro in Nagano prefecture where upon those around him noted he fell into a deep depression. On June 22nd  Hirohito informed the Supreme War Leadership Council he wanted them to open diplomatic maneuvers to end the war. In early July Soviet Ambassador Jacob Malik broke off inconclusive talks with Hirota. Hirohito stepped in immediately and ordered a new special envoy be sent to Moscow. However Hirohito nor the Suzuki government had concrete plans on how to mediate a surrender through the Soviets. The only things they did prioritize was a guarantee of the emperors political position and retainment of the imperial system, ie the kokutai. This was taken into consideration rather than ending the war as quickly as possible to save the lives of millions.    From April 8, 1945, until Japan's capitulation, the Suzuki government's chief war policy was “Ketsugo,” an advanced iteration of the “Shosango” (Victory Number 3) plan for defending the homeland. The hallmark of this strategy was a heavy reliance on suicide tactics, including deploying a massive number of kamikaze “special attack” planes, human torpedoes launched from submarines, dynamite-stuffed “crash boats” powered by truck engines, human rocket bombs carried by aircraft, and suicide assaults by specially trained ground units.   While preparations for Operation Ketsu progressed, the Imperial Diet convened on June 9 to pass a Wartime Emergency Measures Law, along with five additional measures aimed at mobilizing the entire nation for this final battle. On the same day, the emperor, who had yet to initiate efforts to end the war, issued another imperial rescript in conjunction with the Diet's convocation, instructing the nation to “smash the inordinate ambitions of the enemy nations” and “achieve the goals of the war.” Concurrently, the controlled press launched a daily die-for-the-emperor campaign to foster gratitude for the imperial benevolence and, from around mid-July onward, initiated a campaign to “protect the kokutai.”   The Americans countered with their own propaganda aimed at breaking Japan's will to fight. B-29 bombers dropped millions of leaflets written in Japanese, announcing the next scheduled targets for bombing raids and urging surrender, while using the emperor to challenge the militarists. Leaflets bearing the chrysanthemum crest criticized the “military cliques” for “forcing the entire nation to commit suicide” and called on “everyone” to “exercise their constitutional right to make direct appeals [for peace] to the Emperor.” They asserted that “even the powerful military cliques cannot stop the mighty march for peace of the Emperor and the people.” One notable batch of seven million leaflets conveyed the terms of the “joint declaration” issued by the United States, Great Britain, and China. “Today we come not to bomb you,” they stated. “We are dropping this leaflet to inform you of the response from the United States government to your government's request for conditions of surrender.... Whether the war stops immediately depends on your government. You will understand how to end the war if you read these two official notifications.”   Amid pressures from imperial edicts to continue preparations for a final battle and focus solely on victory, the Japanese people were also subjected to an intense American psychological warfare campaign in addition to aerial bombardment. During late July and August, prefectural governors, police chiefs, and officers of the “special higher police” submitted reports to the Home Ministry detailing the rapidly deteriorating national morale.    Now on the other side, Roosevelt made it known back in January of 1943 at the Casablanca conference, the allies would only accept unconditional surrender. By 1945, the allies understood the predicament this left Japan with. On May 8th of 1945, Truman added “Japan's surrender would not mean the extermination or enslavement of the Japanese people” trying to indicate a non vindictive spirit. However the Kokutai question always remained ambiguous. State Department Joseph Grew, the former ambassador to Japan, began arguing to Truman they needed to make public a clear definition of the terms to persuade Japan to surrender. As he argued to Truman: Emperor Hirohito was seen as the key figure in Japan's surrender, likened to a "queen bee in a hive... surrounded by the attentions of the hive." Throughout the war, he was characterized in various ways—as a “puppet” of the militarists, a constitutional monarch, and a pacifist. Grew had immense faith in the influence exerted by what he referred to as the “moderates” surrounding the Japanese throne.    However many of Grew's colleagues argued the future existence of the monarchy was intolerable as it was akin to fascism. Many wanted to punish the emperor. Truman was in a tug of war. The Potsdam declaration issued on July 26th of 1945 came in the form of a ultimatum aiming to quicken japans surrender. Truman clarified the terms for the unconditional surrender at the end of its terms: "We call upon the government of Japan to proclaim now the unconditional surrender of all Japanese armed forces, and to provide proper and adequate assurances of their good faith in such action. The alternative for Japan is prompt and utter destruction." Zero mention of the emperor. Grew had argued to add “this may include a constitutional monarchy under the present dynasty.” But it was deleted from the article. The status of the emperor was not guaranteed, the kokutai was thus up in the air.    The next day, the Suzuki cabinet rejected the terms. The Japanese leadership and Hirohito were still banking and awaiting Soviet replies to their terms.    Lets talk about the Soviet talks now   Back on July 12th ambassador Naotake Satō sent this message to the Soviets: “His Majesty the Emperor, mindful of the fact that the present war daily brings greater evil and sacrifice upon the peoples of all the belligerent powers, desires from his heart that it may be quickly terminated. But so long as England and the United States insist upon unconditional surrender, the Japanese Empire has no alternative but to fight on with all its strength for the honor and existence of the Motherland”.  However the Soviets had made commitments to their allies, promising in fact to invade Japan to aid them.    As for the Soviets their primary objective was to ensure unrestricted access to the Pacific Ocean. The year-round ice-free areas of the Soviet Pacific coastline, particularly Vladivostok, could be blockaded by air and sea from Sakhalin Island and the Kurile Islands. Securing these territories to guarantee free access to the Soya Strait was their main goal. Secondary objectives included acquiring leases for the Chinese Eastern Railway, the Southern Manchuria Railway, as well as gaining control over Dairen and Port Arthur.   To achieve these aims, Stalin and Molotov prolonged negotiations with the Japanese, creating a false sense of hope for a Soviet-mediated peace. Simultaneously, in their discussions with the United States and Britain, the Soviets insisted on strict adherence to the Cairo Declaration, which had been reaffirmed at the Yalta Conference. This declaration stipulated that the Allies would not accept a separate or conditional peace with Japan; thus, the Japanese would need to surrender unconditionally to all the Allies. The Soviets aimed to prolong the war by opposing any efforts to dilute this requirement. This approach would provide the Soviets with the necessary time to complete the transfer of their troops from the Western Front to the Far East and to conquer Manchuria, Inner Mongolia, northern Korea, South Sakhalin, the Kuriles, and potentially Hokkaidō, starting with an assault on Rumoi. AUGUST 1945   Thus we come to at last the critical point, August of 1945.    The Americans prepared for the deployment of atomic bombs and for an invasion of southern Kyushu, known as Operation Olympic, scheduled to commence on November 1. At 8:15 A.M. on August 6, a single B-29 bomber, the Enola Gay dropped little boy, devastating much of the undefended city of Hiroshima, instantly killing an estimated 100,000 to 140,000 people and leading to the deaths of possibly another 100,000 over the next five years. At the epicenter of the explosion, “a light appeared 3,000 times brighter than the sun,” creating a fireball that emitted thermal radiation capable of “instantly scorching humans, trees, and houses.” As the air heated and rushed upward, cold air surged in to ignite a firestorm. Hours later, a whirlwind escalated the flames to their peak until more than eight square miles were virtually reduced to cinders. Subsequently, black, muddy rain filled with radioactive fallout began to fall. Two days later, using Japan's rejection of the Potsdam Declaration as a pretext, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan. Then on August 9, the United States dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, resulting in the immediate deaths of approximately 35,000 to 40,000 people and injuring more than 60,000.   Meanwhile, in Tokyo, during the critical period between the Potsdam Declaration and the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Emperor Hirohito remained silent about accepting the Potsdam terms. However, on July 25 and 31, he explicitly conveyed to Kido that the imperial regalia must be defended at all costs. The three sacred objects—a mirror, a curved jewel, and a sword—symbolized the legitimacy of his rule through the northern court and were integral to his identity as the divine sovereign. Hirohito's focus was on protecting these symbols of office, as he insisted on having them brought to the palace. This fixation on maintaining his symbols occurred during a pivotal moment when the pressing issue was whether to accept immediate capitulation. Reflecting on this, he was unprepared to seize the opportunity to end the war himself.   Prime Minister Suzuki, following his initial rejection of the Potsdam ultimatum, also saw no need for further action. His Cabinet Advisory Council, which included the president of Asano Cement, the founder of the Nissan consortium, the vice president of the Bank of Japan, and other representatives from the nation's leading business interests that had profited significantly from the war, convened on the morning of August 3. They recommended accepting the Potsdam terms, arguing that the United States would permit Japan to retain its non-military industries and continue participating in world trade.    Here are some reactions to the two bombs and invasion of Manchuria.    Yonai Mitsumasa said to admiral Takagi Sokichi, on August 12, that “I think the term is perhaps inappropriate, but the atomic bombs and the Soviet entry into the war are, in a sense, gifts from the gods [tenyu, also “heaven-sent blessings”]. This way we don't have to say that we quit the war because of domestic circumstances. I've long been advocating control of our crisis, but neither from fear of an enemy attack nor because of the atomic bombs and the Soviet entry into the war. The main reason is my anxiety over the domestic situation. So, it is rather fortunate that we can now control matters without revealing the domestic situation”.    Konoe's characterized the Soviet involvement in the war as “a godsend for controlling the army,”. Kido viewed of both the atomic bombings and the Soviet entry into the conflict as “useful” elements for ensuring a smooth transition. A nascent power struggle was unfolding, rendering the potential death toll—whether one hundred thousand or two hundred thousand—immaterial to those involved, as long as their desired outcome was achieved: an end to the war that would leave the monarchy intact and capable of managing the discontent that defeat would inevitably provoke. Throughout the final acts of this wartime drama, the Japanese “moderates” found it easier to capitulate to external pressures than to take decisive action on their own to conclude the war.   Another illuminating looks at Japan's elite's perspective on surrender terms was the document titled “Essentials of Peace Negotiations” (wahei kosho no yoryo). Drafted by Konoe and his adviser, retired Lt. Gen. Sakai Koji, after Konoe had reluctantly accepted a mission to Moscow, this document, stipulated the preservation of the emperor system, along with most of the imperial prerogatives, as the absolute minimum condition for peace. It defined the “original” or “essential homeland” as including the southern half of the Kurile Islands but showed a willingness to concede all overseas territories to the enemy, including Okinawa and the American-occupied Bonin Islands, as well as the southern half of Sakhalin. The “Essentials” also accepted complete disarmament for an unspecified period, thereby compromising on the issues of demobilizing and disarming the armed forces. More significantly, an “explanation” attached to the “Essentials” emphasized that “the main aim is to secure the imperial line and maintain the political role of the emperor.”    Why Japan surrendered   We come to it atleast after a long podcast. Why did Japan ultimately surrender?   The twin psychological shocks of the first atomic bomb and the Soviet entry into the war, combined with Kido's and the emperor's concern over escalating public criticism of the throne and its occupant, fueled an almost paranoid fear that, sooner or later, the populace would react violently against their leaders if the war persisted much longer. These factors ultimately led Hirohito to accept, in principle, the terms of the Potsdam Declaration.   At the first meeting of the six member constituents of the Supreme War Leadership Council, held from 10:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on August 9, Army Minister Anami Korechika, Chiefs of Staff Umezu Yoshijiro, representing the army, and Yonai, representing the navy, along with Tōgō, from the Foreign Ministry, were expected to discuss the acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration. Instead, the conversation revolved around whether to attempt a conditional surrender—specifically, should they insist on one condition, the preservation of the kokutai, or four?   After Suzuki addressed the assembly regarding the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and the Soviet attack, Yonai, as recounted by Navy Chief of Staff Toyoda, was the first to speak, framing the issue in terms of four conditions. “Let's start to talk, Do we accept the Potsdam Declaration with no conditions? If not, and we wish to insist on attaching hopes and conditions, we may do so this way. First, preservation of the kokutai; then for the rest, the main items in the Potsdam Declaration: treatment of war criminals, method of disarmament, and the matter of sending in an army of occupation.” Thus, the participants identified what they perceived to be the ambiguous points within the Potsdam Declaration and used them as the foundation for their discussions.   The army insisted on four conditions: First, the preservation of the kokutai, which they considered distinct from the Potsdam Declaration itself. The other conditions proposed were, second, that the Imperial Headquarters assume responsibility for disarmament and demobilization; third, a prohibition on occupation; and fourth, the delegation of the punishment of war criminals to the Japanese government. The army equated the kokutai with the emperor's right of supreme command. Their self-serving desire for autonomous war crimes trials was based on the belief that the Allies would use such trials to politically indict the military. Consequently, army leaders aimed to preempt the activities of any international tribunal by conducting their own trials—similar to the approach taken by the uninvaded and unrepentant Germans after World War I.   Supporting the military's views during cabinet meetings that day were three civilian members of the Suzuki cabinet: Justice Minister Matsuzaka Hiromasa, Home Minister Yasui Toji, and Minister of Health Okada Tadahiko. At the imperial conference that night, which extended into the early hours of the tenth, Foreign Minister Tōgō's interpretation of the “preservation of the kokutai” referred solely to the safeguarding of the Imperial House or dynasty, rather than the continuation of Hirohito's reign.   Hiranuma, another advocate for the single condition, interpreted the kokutai as the “emperor's sovereign right to rule the state [not] deriving from national law. Even if the entire nation is sacrificed to the war, we must preserve both the kokutai and the security of the imperial house.” This discrepancy illustrated that there was no completely unified understanding of what the kokutai entailed; the debate over one condition versus four represented conflicting visions for the future of the Japanese state and masked the competition for political power that was already unfolding.   It remains doubtful whether the emperor and Kido initially sided with Tōgō against the four conditions proposed by the senior military leaders. A more likely inference is that both men retained sympathies for the hardliners, both military and civilian, who preferred to continue the futile war rather than surrender immediately and unconditionally. This may explain why, on August 9, Konoe had Hosokawa Morisada approach Navy General Headquarters to urge the emperor's brother, Prince Takamatsu, to pressure Hirohito (through Kido) to accept the Potsdam terms. Later that afternoon, Konoe enlisted the help of diplomat Shigemitsu Mamoru to persuade Kido to reconsider his stance on the four conditions. Ultimately, at the urging of Takamatsu and Shigemitsu, Kido did shift to support Tōgō's position.   At the end of the war, as at its beginning and throughout every stage of its progression, Emperor Hirohito played a highly active role in supporting the actions carried out in his name. From the very beginning of the Asia-Pacific war, the emperor played a significant role in the unfolding events around him. Prior to the Battle of Okinawa, he consistently advocated for a decisive victory. Afterward, he acknowledged the necessity of pursuing an early peace, although he did not favor an immediate cessation of hostilities. Instead, he wavered, steering Japan toward ongoing warfare rather than direct negotiations with the Allies. When the final crisis fully unfolded, the only option left was unconditional surrender. Even then, he continued to procrastinate until the atomic bomb was dropped and the Soviets launched their attack. The wartime emperor ideology that once sustained morale made it exceedingly difficult for Japan's leaders to accept the act of surrender. Aware of their objective defeat, yet indifferent to the suffering the war inflicted on their own people—as well as on the populations of Asia, the Pacific, and the West whose lives they had disrupted—the emperor and his military leaders sought a means to lose without appearing to lose. They aimed to mitigate domestic criticism following surrender while preserving their power structure.   Blinded by their fixation on the fate of the imperial house and committed to an overly optimistic diplomacy toward the Soviet Union, Japan's leaders missed several opportunities to end their lost war. Would Japan's leaders have surrendered more promptly if the Truman administration had “clarified” the status of the emperor before the cataclysmic double shocks of the atomic bomb and the Soviet entry into the war? Probably not. However, it is likely they would have surrendered to prevent the kokutai from being destroyed from within. The evidence suggests that the first atomic bomb and the Soviet declaration of war led Hirohito, Kido, and other members of the court to believe that continuing the war would inevitably result in that destruction. They recognized that the populace was war-weary and despondent, with rising hostility toward the military and the government, accompanied by increasing criticism of the emperor himself. More specifically, Kido and Hirohito were privy to Home Ministry reports, which contained information from governors and police chiefs nationwide. These reports indicated that citizens were beginning to label the emperor as an incompetent leader responsible for the deteriorating war situation.   This is the third variable, never spoken about. Many first look at the atomic bombs. Bigger brain people turn to the Soviet Invasion of Manchuria. But hardly anyone reads about how the collapse of Japan's social fabric, scared the shit out of the Emperor and his closest advisors. You can't have a kokutai, without a populace that worshiped you.    When the emperor expressed in February, “What worries me is whether the nation [could] endure” long enough to achieve victory, he was not merely voicing concern for the suffering of his subjects; rather, he feared that such suffering could lead to social upheaval—in short, revolution. At that time, he referred to the ordinary, war-related hardships of food shortages, air raids, devastated cities, destruction of homes, and the omnipresent grief from the loss of loved ones. The atomic bomb escalated death, pain, and suffering to unimaginably higher levels, intensifying the threat from within. After the bombings of Japan and two atomic bombs, Hirohito was in a dark way, given a golden get out of jail free card. Hirohito could now save his suffering people from further anguish by surrendering, allowing him to deflect responsibility for leading them into misery while adopting an air of benevolence and care. Indeed, Hirohito did care—though not primarily for the Japanese people, but rather for the survival of his own imperial house and throne.   After the bombing of Hiroshima, Hirohito delayed for a full two days before instructing Kido, shortly before 10 A.M. on August 9, to “quickly control the situation” because “the Soviet [Union]” had declared war. Kido immediately communicated with Prime Minister Suzuki, who began arrangements for an Imperial Conference scheduled for later that night. Following the seidan of August 10, Chief Cabinet Secretary Sakomizu took charge of drafting the “Imperial Rescript Ending the War” based on Hirohito's directives. Assisted by two scholars of the Chinese classics, Kawada Mizuho and Yasuoka Masahiro, Sakomizu worked tirelessly for over three days before submitting a version of the rescript to the Suzuki cabinet. After six hours of contentious discussion on the night of August 14, the cabinet modified and approved the document. Hirohito promptly signed it, and Shimomura and Kido persuaded him to record a suitably opaque final version for broadcast to the nation.   On the night of August 14, the Suzuki government notified the United States and other Allied nations that it had accepted both the Potsdam Declaration and the Byrnes letter of August 11. Accelerating the emperor's actions during this climactic moment of the unconditional surrender drama was the American psychological warfare campaign. When a leaflet dropped from B-29 bombers came into Kido's possession on the night of August 13 or the morning of the fourteenth, he conferred with the emperor and explained the gravity of the situation. The latest enemy leaflets were informing the Japanese people of the government's notification of surrender under one condition, along with the full text of Byrnes's response. If this continued, it would undermine the imperial government's reliance on secrecy to obscure the true nature of the lost war and the reasons for the prolonged surrender delay.   Given Kido's and the emperor's concerns about rising signs of defeatism, including criticism of the throne, immediate action was necessary to prevent the populace from acting on their own initiative. Thus, the second seidan was convened. At noon on August 15, the Japanese people gathered around their radio receivers and heard, for the first time, the high-pitched voice of their emperor telling them:    “After pondering deeply the general trends of the world and the actual conditions obtaining in Our Empire today, We have decided to effect a settlement of the present situation by resorting to an extraordinary measure. We have ordered Our Government to communicate to the Governments of the United States, Great Britain, China and the Soviet Union that Our Empire accepts the provisions of their Joint Declaration. To strive for the common prosperity and happiness of all nations as well as the security and well-being of Our subjects is the solemn obligation which has been handed down by Our Imperial Ancestors and which lies close to Our heart. Indeed, We declared war on America and Britain out of Our sincere desire to ensure Japan's self-preservation and the stabilization of East Asia, it being far from Our thought either to infringe upon the sovereignty of other nations or to embark upon territorial aggrandizement. But now the war has lasted for nearly four years. Despite the best that has been done by everyone—the gallant fighting of the military and naval forces, the diligence and assiduity of Our servants of the State, and the devoted service of Our one hundred million people—the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage, while the general trends of the world have all turned against her interest. Moreover, the enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb, the power of which to do damage is, indeed, incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives. Should we continue to fight, not only would it result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization. Such being the case, how are We to save the millions of Our subjects, or to atone Ourselves before the hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors? This is the reason why We have ordered the acceptance of the provisions of the Joint Declaration of the Powers... The hardships and sufferings to which Our nation is to be subjected hereafter will be certainly great. We are keenly aware of the inmost feelings of all of you, Our subjects. However, it is according to the dictates of time and fate that We have resolved to pave the way for a grand peace for all the generations to come by enduring the unendurable and suffering what is unsufferable”.   Clearly Hirohito sought to justify his decision to surrender by citing the dropping of the atomic bombs. He wanted to become the saviour of the Japanese people. Hirohito wanted to obfuscate the issue of accountability, to prevent expressions of strife and anger and to strengthen domestic unity around himself, to protect and raise the kokutai.  Interestingly, the surrender declaration to the civilian population was not the same one sent to the military. On August 17th Hirohito issued a second “rescript to soldiers and sailors” throughout the asia-pacific.   “ Now that the Soviet Union has entered the war against us, to continue . . . under the present conditions at home and abroad would only recklessly incur even more damage to ourselves and result in endangering the very foundation of the empire's existence. Therefore, even though enormous fighting spirit still exists in the Imperial Navy and Army, I am going to make peace with the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union, as well as with Chungking, in order to maintain our glorious national polity”.   The lesser-known August 17 rescript to the army and navy specified Soviet participation as the sole reason for surrender, while maintaining the kokutai as the primary aim. Dissembling until the end—and even beyond—it was noted that the emperor presented two different justifications for his delayed surrender. Both statements were likely true.   Months later Hirohito's said this about his decision to surrender “The main motive behind my decision at that time was that if we . . . did not act, the Japanese race would perish and I would be unable to protect my loyal subjects [sekishi—literally, “children”]. Second, Kido agreed with me on the matter of defending the kokutai. If the enemy landed near Ise Bay, both Ise and Atsuta Shrines would immediately come under their control. There would be no time to transfer the sacred treasures [regalia] of the imperial family and no hope of protecting them. Under these circumstances, protection of the kokutai would be difficult. For these reasons, I thought at the time that I must make peace even at the sacrifice of myself.”    There exists this sort of childish argument today whether it was the atomic bombs or the Soviet Invasion that caused Japan to surrender. However, this overlooks as I think I've explained in 9000 words jeez, the influence of the kokutai. Defending the kokutai was Hirohito's number one priority. The Soviets threatened it. Communism threatened it. What Japan perceived to be “democracy” threatened it. American victory threatened it. And the destruction of Japan's social fabric threatened it. I love this one piece of history, that I have only come across in one book, that being the main one I am using here.   On August 12th, Hirohito came to the imperial family to tell them he had made the decision to surrender. His uncle Prince Yasuhiko Asaka asked him whether the war would be continued if the kokutai could not be preserved. Hirohito replied “of course”.

Willard and Dibs are joined by Audacy NFL insider Mark Schlereth to discuss the San Francisco 49ers' Week 2 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

PREVIEW. Guest Names: Ahmad Sharawi and Bill Roggio Summary: Ahmad Sharawi and Bill Roggio discuss Al-Sharaa, the self-named president of Syria, who was appointed by militia leaders. His loyalist-drafted constitution grants him extensive powers, with key ministries held by former HTScommanders, and minority representatives serving as mere tokens. Formal Name: Ahmad Sharawi and Bill Roggio, Foundation for the Defense of Democracies 1914 DAMASCUS

Book Title: The Blazing World: A New History of Revolutionary England, 1603-1689 Author: Jonathan HealeyHeadline: Oliver Cromwell's Protectorate and Its Challenges After Charles I's execution, John Lambert drafted the "Instruments of Government," establishing Oliver Cromwellas Lord Protector. Despite widespread horror in Europe, Cromwell's rule brought stability to England, though it involved moving away from radical democrats and imposing Puritan values, making it unpopular. He refused the crown in 1657, believing God had spoken against monarchy. 1649

Today we do a league wide NBA re-draft! #nba Check out the TD3 merch: https://the-deep-3-shop.fourthwall.com/ Listen on Spotify!: https://open.spotify.com/show/3elbbqVumwqz8wlIdknsLW Listen on Apple Podcasts!: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-deep-3-podcast/id1657940794 Follow us on TikTok!: https://www.tiktok.com/@thedeepthree Follow us on Instagram!: https://www.instagram.com/thedeep3podcast/ Isaac's twitter: https://twitter.com/byisaacg Mo's twitter: https://twitter.com/Mojo99_ Donnavan's twitter: https://twitter.com/Dsmoot3D 0:00- Intro 2:06- Kawhi scandal 22:14- Cam Thomas contract 36:03- NBA Re-Draft 1:45:27- tiktok time Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Mission Matters episode, Adam Torres interviews Karina Martinez, Co-Founder & CEO of DRAFTED. Karina shares how her company is redefining sports media by telling authentic stories about Latinas in sports and building community through culture-driven content. She explains why being social-first gives creators new power, how women's sports are gaining long-overdue investment, and why the upcoming World Cup will be a pivotal moment for Latino fans and brands. Her mission: to shift the narrative and spotlight the Latina sports community. Follow Adam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/ Visit our website: https://missionmatters.com/ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Mission Matters episode, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Karina Martinez⁠, Co-Founder & CEO of DRAFTED. Karina shares how her company is redefining sports media by telling authentic stories about Latinas in sports and building community through culture-driven content. She explains why being social-first gives creators new power, how women's sports are gaining long-overdue investment, and why the upcoming World Cup will be a pivotal moment for Latino fans and brands. Her mission: to shift the narrative and spotlight the Latina sports community. Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/⁠ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: ⁠https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/⁠ Visit our website: ⁠https://missionmatters.com/⁠ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: ⁠https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's finally Week 1! It's the time when the NFL-prognosticating world is at its absolute most stubborn: by golly, we *know* what these teams are, we *know* exactly what these players are gonna be...and then next week that will all be changed. Anyway, ahead of that on today's show, we'll look back at the stories we predicted would matter most in August and see how they worked out, and we'll review our fantasy teams and find the players we selected most. And then it's time to tweak those rosters with a Week 1 waiver wire! Here we go! Guest: Brandon Funston of The Athletic.   NOTES: Sponsor - www.MoshLife.com/harris for 20% off delicious protein bars that promote brain health and donate to Alzheimer's charity Sponsor - www.leesa.com code HARRIS for 20% off and an extra $50 discount on a great mattress Sponsor - www.DraftKings.com code HARRIS for a free contest with your initial deposit to play our favorite DFS games, including our weekly listener contest Follow our show on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/harrisfootball.com Follow on Twitter - @HarrisFootball Become a patron - www.patreon.com/harrisfootball Become a Person of the Book - https://www.amazon.com/Christopher-Harris/e/B007V3P4KK Watch the YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/harrisfootball Harris Football Yacht Club Dictionary - https://harrisfootball.github.io/dictionary.html Join the Harris Football Subreddit - www.reddit.com/r/HarrisFootball Subscribe To the Yacht Club Premium Podcast - https://harrisfootball.supportingcast.fm/   Brandon's Week 1 Waiver Adds: 5. Kyle Monangai 5% 4. Xavier Legette 18% 3. Roman Wilson 2% 2. Demario Douglas 16% 1. Cedric Tillman 24%   Chris's Week 1 Waiver Adds: 5. Demario Douglas 16% 4. Kyle Monangai 5% 3. Woody Marks 9% 2. Chris Rodriguez 7% 1. Cedric Tillman 24% (h.m. - Raheem Mostert 3%; Sean Tucker 3%; Josh Palmer 25%) DEF - NYJ (vs. PIT); SEA (vs. SF)

Get my free Top 50 Flex rankings here: https://flexrankings.com/Grab The Blueprint here: https://bit.ly/TheFantasyBlueprintAll DraftKings Pick6 customers can play FREE for a share of our biggest bag ever - Go 6 for 6 for a cut of $1M or more! Sign up using dkng.co/sal or through my promo code SALYou Drafted The Wrong Wide Receivers (Add These 5 Instead)(Data source credits: Player Profiler)Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Help is available for problem gambling. Call (888) 789-7777 or visit ccpg.org (CT). 18+ in most eligible states, but age varies by jurisdiction. Eligibility restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. See terms at draftkings.com. Sponsored by DK.

Get my free Top 50 Flex rankings here: https://flexrankings.com/Grab The Blueprint here: https://bit.ly/TheFantasyBlueprintAll DraftKings Pick6 customers can play FREE for a share of our biggest bag ever - Go 6 for 6 for a cut of $1M or more! Sign up using dkng.co/sal or through my promo code SALYou Drafted The Wrong Running Backs (Add These 5 Instead)(Data source credits: Player Profiler)Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Help is available for problem gambling. Call (888) 789-7777 or visit ccpg.org (CT). 18+ in most eligible states, but age varies by jurisdiction. Eligibility restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. See terms at draftkings.com. Sponsored by DK.

Ellin Bessner will return next week. Today, we're bringing you the latest episode of Menschwarmers, The CJN's Jewish sports podcast. Subscribe to Menschwarmers here. In July, the New York Yankees drafted a Canadian shortstop from Wyoming, Ont., named Core Jackson. They did so despite knowing that Jackson, as a 17-year-old freshman at the University of Nebraska, had drawn a swastika on a Jewish student's dorm room while he was, he later told The Athletic, "blackout drunk." But this isn't a run-of-the-mill case of antisemitism. By all accounts, according to the Yankees' ground scouts and the recent investigation by The Athletic that ran Aug. 20, Jackson was, simply, acting like an ignorant drunk teenager, and was forthright about the incident with teams before the draft. The team did significant due diligence, engaging with New York's Jewish community and sending scouts to learn about Jackson's family and personality. The resulting story is less about the insipid rise of casual antisemitism, and more about the power of forgiveness when people—especially teenagers—make mistakes and try to do better. Keith Law, a longtime baseball journalist and former front office worker with the Toronto Blue Jays, broke this story for The Athletic. He joins us to share his impressions of Core Jackson and how the Yankees are viewing this opportunity. After that, podcast hosts Gabe and Jamie run through this year's hottest Jewish sports movies, from Happy Gilmore 2 to both Safdie brothers' award-season offerings, The Smashing Machine and Marty Supreme. Then they give a quick NFL preview and recap Zach Hyman's ceremonial opening of the new ice hockey rink at the Schwartz/Reisman Jewish Community Centre in Vaughan. Credits Hosts: James Hirsh and Gabe Pulver Producer: Michael Fraiman Music: Coby Lipovitch (intro), chēēZ π (main theme, "Organ Grinder Swing") Support The CJN Follow the podcast on Twitter @menschwarmers Subscribe to The CJN newsletter Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt) Subscribe to Menschwarmers (Not sure how? Click here)

Evan Silva, JJ Zachariason, Pat Thorman and Rich Hribar join Davis Mattek to draft a high stakes fantasy football team in the FFPC Main Event

The best team in the NFL in the 60's was Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers. They won NFL Championships in 1961, 1962 & 1965 and the first two Super Bowls in 1966 and 1967. They were littered with future Hall of Famers throughout the roster including Jim Taylor, Forrest Gregg, Ray Nitschke, Herb Adderley, Willie Davis, Jim Ringo, Paul Horning and Willie Wood… but the leader of that team was the QB, Bart Starr who guided the team to those 5 titles in 7 years. The Hall of Fame QB was now back in Green Bay as the coach and GM trying to revitalize an organization that hadn't seen much success since Starr retired prior to the 1972 season. He didn't want to be seen as the savior and was not comfortable being on the cover of Sports Illustrated, but that's right where he was on the 25th of August 1975. For Starr, his 9 years back in Green Bay as the head coach could never replicate what he had done as a player a decade earlier. And that surprised some of his former teammates who thought Starr would have tremendous success as a coach. And that included the man who snapped the ball to Starr for two seasons… The 1965 NFL Championship season as well as the win in the first Super Bowl played against the Chiefs. Bill Curry was as close to Starr as you could be as a player with Starr lining up over center for those two seasons. Now, 60 years later, Curry looks back on those years playing alongside Starr as a rookie and how the veteran quarterback welcomed him to the team and paved the way for a lifelong friendship. Curry would go on to quite an NFL career himself becoming a 2-time Pro Bowl Center with the Colts and winning not only that first SB with the Packers, but another with Baltimore in Super Bowl 5. And when his playing days were over, he worked with Starr on his staff as an offensive line coach before taking the head coaching job at Georgia Tech in 1980. After 6 years with the Rambling Wreck, he went to Bama and guided the Crimson Tide for three seasons before going to Kentucky for 7 seasons and ending his coaching career at Georgia State in 2012. Drafted in the 20th round as an undersized center out of Georgia Tech, Curry was a fish out of water in Green Bay in the summer of '65 until encounters with both Bart Starr and the captain of the defense, Willie Davis changed his life. As Curry puts it, “Unexpected, undeserved, unrewarded acts of kindness change lives.” And they changed his for sure. He talks glowingly about his time in Green Bay and how he fell in love with the community that is like no there in the country. He tells us on the Past Our Prime podcast how Starr became a mentor and Wiilie Davis a man he came to respect like no other. And he talks about how forgiveness can set you free… something Coach Lombardi did for him on his death bed. Every once in a while you come across someone who instantly makes your life better. For Curry, that was Bart Starr in 1965. And 60 years later, Curry is paying that forward making an impact on the lives of people he comes in contact with… or in our case, talks with, every day. A powerful, inspirational conversation with a man who was a part of the most legendary football team ever assembled…  The 1960's Green Bay Packers. Bill Curry on the Past Our Prime podcast. He's as good as they get. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Petrak joined Baskin and Phelps and shared his thoughts on the Browns' roster following their win over the Rams in the team's preseason finale. He discussed the quarterback play and addressed the narrative that the Browns are sabotaging Shedeur Sanders and why he doesn't think that's the case, as well as why he thinks it's not a bad thing for the Browns to maintain all four quarterbacks on the roster. He also talked about what he expects the 53-man roster will look like after the cut down deadline.

Scott Petrak: Browns will likely keep four QBs because two were drafted+Does Joe Flacco truly give the Browns the best chance of winning?+Holly Rowe: OSU-Texas week 1 is great start for college football

He did what he told you not to!

Is the TeSlaa hype real?

Today on The Stretch we are joined by former Chicago Bull, Chris Duhon. We talk about his time at Duke (1:23) and playing for the Bulls (4:43). He tells us his war stories from playing for Skiles and Coach K (9:41). We get his take on NIL (15:52) as well as his stories from playing on the Bulls with Ben Gordon and Andres Nocioni (19:35) to being on the Magic during the Dwight Howard and Stan Van Gundy drama (25:28). We talk about his time with the Knicks (29:37) and playing with Kobe in LA (30:48). We close things out by discussing his coaching career (37:39), missing Chicago (42:15) and the reality show of playing in LA (44:24).You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/redlineradio

Leila Rahimi and Marshall delved into their advance copies of author Seth Wickersham's new book titled "American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback." In it, we learned a lot about how quarterback Caleb Williams felt about the Bears.

In the Trenches: The Journey of Robert Gallery from College Star to NFL Standout Join Marcus and Melanie as they welcome Robert Gallery, former NFL offensive lineman, College Football Hall of Famer, and one of the most celebrated athletes to come out of the University of Iowa. Robert's football journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Starting as a tight end at Iowa, he transitioned to offensive tackle, paving the way for a stellar collegiate career. A two-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection, Robert was named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2003 and capped off his senior year with unanimous All-American honors and the prestigious Outland Trophy. His excellence extended off the field, earning him three Academic All-Big Ten awards. In recognition of his remarkable contributions to the sport, Robert has been honored with multiple accolades: College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2023 at the 65th NFF Annual Awards Dinner. University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2017. Kinnick Wall of Honor: Added to Iowa's America Needs Farmers Wall of Honor in 2015. Drafted second overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 2004 NFL Draft, Robert embarked on an eight-season career in the NFL, playing for the Raiders and Seattle Seahawks. Over 104 games, he showcased his grit and leadership, earning the Ed Block Courage Award in 2010 and cementing his place as a force on the offensive line. In this episode, Robert reflects on his incredible football career, the transformation of Iowa's football program, and his experiences in the NFL. But the conversation goes deeper, exploring his journey after football and the life-changing healing he found through ibogaine. For both Marcus and Robert, ibogaine offered a second chance—a path to healing they're now sharing to inspire and support others who may feel lost or stuck. These raw, personal stories are a testament to resilience and the universal power of hope. Tune in for an inspiring episode filled with life lessons, healing journeys, and a reminder that no matter the challenge, transformation is always possible. In This Episode You Will Hear: • My parents were very much like: “You do sports, or you work on the farm.” (9:55) • Once my siblings started earning scholarships, and I saw what it did for them, I was like “I wanna do that.” (11:17) • [The coaching staff] were just guys that wanted to get the best out of you. They were there to make you better. (14:25) • [Melanie] Q: What do you think builds a great team?  A: I think it's the people and the culture. (15:55) • It's that Midwest mentality. Work ethic, no show boating. It's about being the best you can be, doing it the right way, and being good people. (17:02) • I knew I needed my buddies next to me on the offensive line. For me to be great, I needed them to be great. (17:57) • I kept working and working. And by the end of my college career, I was the best there was in the country. (25:34) • Continue to work at wat you do to be a better all-around athlete. (25:39) • I love how I was raised. My parents still married after 50 years. (26:57) • I never had a sporting event that I ever remember from as young as I was in grade school, that one of my parents was not there. (36:37) •  I worked so hard and sweated so much that you gotta go to the bathroom. One day I had to go to the bathroom real bad and the game was about to start. The only thing I could do was sit here and go. Go in your pants. I did it every game after that. (47:51) • I got to where now I'm taking pain killers to get to practice. Now I'm asking my linemen what do we do? I'm dizzy. I'm not myself. (55:08) • As time went on, things started to spiral: alcohol abuse. (63:00) • I got a brain scan. That's when they put up a picture of a healthy brain against a picture of my brain. It was shocking. (65:23) • I started a journey of doing everything I could in modern medicine. (68:58) • I took the invitation to take an Ibogaine treatment. (73:15) • The treatment saved my life. I can out of it a different person. (77:57) Support Robert: - Website: athletesforcare.org - IG: Athletes4care Support TNQ   - IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13   -  https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit Sponsors:   - meetfabric.com/TNQ   - dripdrop.com/TNQ   -  cargurus.com/TNQ    - armslist.com/TNQ   - partnersinbuilding.com - Navyfederal.org        -    - You can find Cremo's new line of antiperspirants and deodorants at Target or Target.com    - WARFARE IN THEATERS APRIL 11th Watch Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JER0Fkyy3tw First Look Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3DWuqiAUKg&t=3s    -   - PXGapparel.com/TNQ   - bruntworkwear.com/TNQ    - Selectquote.com/TNQ    - Groundnews.com/TNQ    - You can find Cremo's new line of antiperspirants and deodorants at Target or Target.com    - shipsticks.com/TNQ    - Robinhood.com/gold    - strawberry.me/TNQ    - stopboxusa.com {TNQ}    - ghostbed.com/TNQ [TNQ]   -  kalshi.com/TNQ   -  joinbilt.com/TNQ    - Tonal.com [TNQ]   - greenlight.com/TNQ   - PDSDebt.com/TNQ   - drinkAG1.com/TNQ   - Shadyrays.com [TNQ]   - qualialife.com/TNQ [TNQ]   - Hims.com/TNQ   - Shopify.com/TNQ   - Aura.com/TNQ   - Policygenius.com   - TAKELEAN.com [TNQ]   - usejoymode.com [TNQ]

This week on the Science for Sport Podcast, host Richard Graves sits down with former NFL star turned MMA promoter Shawne “Lights Out” Merriman, a man who's gone from sacking quarterbacks to shaking up the fight game. Known for his explosive NFL career with the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills, Merriman has successfully transitioned into the world of Mixed Martial Arts with his promotion Lights Out Extreme Fighting (LXF). In this episode, he reveals how his football mindset, business vision, and passion for innovation are transforming combat sports, from cutting-edge punch-tracking tech to game-changing virtual advertising platforms. You'll discover how Merriman: * Mastered career transition – leaving the NFL on his own terms while building the Lights Out brand. * Applied sports science to the cage – from NFL hand-fighting skills to the cardio demands of MMA. * Integrated performance technology – including live punch velocity and G-force tracking for fans and coaches. * Created new revenue models – opening sponsorship opportunities for small and mid-sized businesses in combat sports. * Bridges athlete pathways – helping NFL and college football players switch to MMA. * Maintains athlete discipline year-round – the evolution of MMA training culture and its professionalisation. Whether you work in elite performance, teach sports science, or simply love hearing how science and innovation change sport, this conversation is packed with insights into performance tech, athlete development, and the business of sport. About Shawne Merriman Shawne “Lights Out” Merriman is a former NFL linebacker, three-time Pro Bowl selection, and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Drafted 12th overall by the San Diego Chargers in 2005, Merriman quickly became one of the league's most feared pass rushers before retiring in 2013. Off the field, he built the Lights Out brand into a multi-platform sports and entertainment company, launching Lights Out Extreme Fighting in 2019. Today, LXF is one of the most watched regional MMA promotions in the world, with Merriman leading the charge in integrating sports science and technology into combat sports. FREE 7d SCIENCE FOR SPORT ACADEMY TRIAL SIGN UP NOW: https://bit.ly/SFSepisode241 ​ Learn Quicker & More Effectively ​ Optimise Your Athletes' Recovery ​ Position Yourself As An Expert To Your Athletes And Naturally Improve Buy-In ​ Reduce Your Athletes' Injury Ratese ​ Save 100's Of Dollars A Year That Would Otherwise Be Spent On Books, Courses And More ​ Improve Your Athletes' Performance ​ Advance Forward In Your Career, Allowing You To Earn More Money And Work With Elite-Level Athletes ​ Save Yourself The Stress & Worry Of Constantly Trying To Stay Up-To-Date With Sports Science Research

Drafted in 1982 from the Dominican Republic, appreciate the long journey to the bigs by Ramon Henderson and share in the the lessons learned and the tearful moment when his name was finally called.

Interdimensional beings. Drafted text. National holidays and celebrity birthdays. Relaxation. How to spot AI videos. Plus local news and sports.

Andy and Jeff talk about Travis Kelce's interview with GQ Magazine and how he said he wanted to play for the Browns, and debate whether or not Cleveland should have tried to draft him.

Former NBA star Mike Newlin talks with Wayne Shepherd about his basketball career and his long commitment to his relationship with Jesus Christ.  (click for more)Background & Basketball CareerMike Newlin was a standout NBA guard, scoring over 12,000 points.Drafted by the San Diego Rockets, who became the Houston Rockets one week later.Known for his discipline—trained 6–8 hours a day in high school.Believes time, not talent, is the key to success.Described his entrance into the NBA as the "easiest thing" he'd ever done because it was the logical result of consistent hard work.Conversion to ChristianityBecame a Christian at age 27, just before an NBA season.Was at the peak of his career, considered a top guard in the league.Transition was costly: after his conversion, a coach benched him for three years, claiming he didn't trust believers.Struggled emotionally and spiritually with the fallout—it took 40 years to fully process the pain of that loss.Spiritual Growth & Life After NBAStudied Bible doctrine daily for nearly 50 years.Learned Greek, Hebrew, and Latin; currently still in seminary.Sees life as preparation for the Judgment Seat of Christ.Believes salvation is by grace through faith alone, distinguishing it from his Catholic upbringing.Core BeliefsOne moment of faith—even the equivalent of a "quark" (billionth of a billionth of a grain of sand)—can determine one's eternal destiny.Feels called to write as a ministry using his background as a hook to reach others.Stresses the importance of nibbling at the Word of God daily.Encourages others to pursue God's plan actively: “Today is what matters.”Life LessonsSuffered in silence under benching but later wished he had confronted the situation more maturely.Believes God tests us in the area we care most about.Thinks Christianity shouldn't make us passive—he had to learn to balance faith and human relationship dynamics.Emphasizes personal study of Scripture over relying on others for spiritual growth.Send your support for FIRST PERSON to the Far East Broadcasting Company:FEBC National Processing Center Far East Broadcasting CompanyP.O. Box 6020 Albert Lea, MN 56007Please mention FIRST PERSON when you give. Thank you!

(0:45) – Matthew details his process of naming Chargers rookie Omarion Hampton as his 2025 Ride or Die + Other Hall of Fame Game notes(21:55) – Most Drafted QBs: Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr., Justin Fields(27:30) – Most Drafted RBs: Chase Brown, Christian McCaffrey, Bucky Irving(31:45) – Most Drafted WRs: Malik Nabers, Marvin Harrison Jr., Drake London(35:10) – Most Drafted TEs: Colston Loveland, Dalton Kincaid, T.J. Hockenson(38:00) – Rotoworld Player News: Tyreek Hill shares frustration with Dolphins RBs, latest on Terry McLaurin's contract negotiations, Khalil Shakir suffers high ankle sprain, James Cook continues absence from Bills practice, Sean Payton hints at RJ Harvey's role in offense(49:40) – Last Call: Favorite Omarion Hampton season long prop bets

Here are the worst players to draft in round for fantasy football 2025! Do not draft these players shown here in this mock draft! 

Ryan Wilson and Josh Edwards go pick-by-pick in this live version of a 2026 NFL Mock Draft! All 32 picks made in real time as top prospects prepare for the college football season. Drafted order is based on reverse Super Bowl odds and includes picks traded during the 2025 NFL Draft. Disclaimer: The PFF Mock Draft Simulator was missing a few names, so other players were selected as fill-ins Watch With the First Pick on the NFL on CBS YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NFLonCBS 'With the First Pick' is available for free on the Audacy app as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Castbox and wherever else you listen to podcasts. You can listen to With the First Pick on your smart speakers! Simply say "Alexa, play the latest episode of the With the First Pick podcast" or "Hey Google, play the latest episode of the With the First Pick podcast." Follow the With the First Pick team on X: @nfldraftcbs, @ryanwilsonCBS, @E_DeBerardinis, @ryan__stryker Follow With the First Pick on TikTok & Instagram: @nfldraftcbs Produced by: Ryan Stryker For more NFL Draft coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcast To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Proud papa Sean Casey tells the inside story of the day his son Jake was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays.  Plus we recap an action packed home run derby and all-star week.

Is Kevin Stefanski underrated or overrated? + Can't blame Berry for Judkins' actions, but he drafted him full 673 Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:47:29 +0000 sSmCyJDG7rgXRs0ymhviksXRs7XPuUGr nfl,cleveland browns,sports The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima nfl,cleveland browns,sports Is Kevin Stefanski underrated or overrated? + Can't blame Berry for Judkins' actions, but he drafted him The only place to talk about the Cleveland sports scene is with Ken Carman and Anthony Lima. The two guide listeners through the ups and downs of being a fan of the Browns, Cavaliers, Guardians and Ohio State Buckeyes in Northeast Ohio. They'll help you stay informed with breaking news, game coverage, and interviews with top personalities.Catch The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima live Monday through Friday (6 a.m. - 10 a.m ET) on 92.3 The Fan, the exclusive audio home of the Browns, or on the Audacy app. For more, follow the show on X @KenCarmanShow. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. Sports False

On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Peter Flaherty and Scott Braun react to the 2025 MLB Draft. We share thoughts on a number of picks, including the Nationals' selection of Eli Willits in the 1-1 spot.Time Stamps(0:30) The state of the game—Futures Game & MLB Draft (10:20) Peter's favorite picks from Day 1 (13:20) Why the Nationals took Eli Willits 1-1 (18:00) How teams view draft prospects' ages (21:00) Tyler Bremner goes second overall to the Angels (23:30) Red Sox pitching haul (25:15) Nationals interim GM (27:30) More picks we likeWe stream the Hot Sheet Show every Monday at 3:30 p.m. ET on YouTube.Our Sponsors:* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/BASEBALLAMERICA* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.com* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code BASEBALL for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In today's episode the boys break down the behind the scenes of Money Mikes Bachelor party and what you didn't see on the video. We realize we've never seen Gavin drunk, even sober he's a liability on a Jetski. We then realize dalton could get drafted as a camera man for the USA army. Sign up for a $1 per month trial at https://www.shopify.com/wideopen Get elevated essentials with free shipping and 365-day returns at https://www.quince.com/wideopen To watch the podcast on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/LifeWideOpenYT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or by using this link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/LifeWideOpenWithCboysTV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be amazing! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/LifeWideOpenWithCboysTV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can also check out our main YouTube channel CboysTV: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/CboysTV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

:35 --- Netflix releases Season 2 of ‘Quarterback' series3:50 --- Kirk Cousins says he felt a little misled when Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr9:10 --- Aaron Rodgers media appearances16:02 --- Asante Samuel Sr. says Dolphins have “no leadership”20:00 --- MAILBAG              20:10 --- How much equity do you need to have to have team control              22:09 --- Will Florio watch the World Cup next year, and will stadiums go back to artificial turf after the tournament?              24:40 --- How will teams handle roster cuts if preseason games are eliminated?              27:00 --- Can a Head Coach run a “tight ship” in today's NFL              31:32 --- Who is the next NFL team to be sold?35:39 --- END