Podcasts about Empire

The Patina meets back up while they await the judges final scores for the X Bike Championship Finals.Cast: - Marathon Messenger is played by Penn Van Batavia. She can be found on Twitter at @acquiredchaste and in drag as horror king JOHN on Instagram at @john.is.risen. Penn is an indie TTRPG designer whose most recent work includes SLICE *IT* OUT, a grisly carving RPG about cutting pieces of yourself out to fit in. Check out faer other work at pennharper.itch.io. - Cassidy Shard is played by Sydney Whittington. She is our wonderful editor. She's also a contributing editor and occasional guest player for the Orpheus Protocol, a cosmic horror espionage actual play podcast. Find her on Twitter at @sydney_whitt. - Emma Blackwood is played by Cameron Robertson. Find her on Twitter at @midnightmusic13 and on Instagram at @reading_and_dreaming. Cameron is also a player on Tabletop Squadron, a Star Wars Edge of the Empire actual play podcast. - Birdie Foundling is played by Kit Adames. Find her on Twitter at @venusvultures. Kit is also a voice actor and writer on Elevator Pitch Podcast, a queer genre-hopping anthology podcast that can be accessed on Spotify and YouTube. - Our GM and narrator is Nick Robertson. Find him on Twitter at @alias58. Nick is also the GM for Tabletop Squadron and can also be found as a player on the Orpheus Protocol.Music & Sound Credits: - This podcast features the musical talents of Dora Violet and Arne Parrott. You can find Dora at facebook.com/doraviolett. You can find Arne at atptunes.com. - old radio Channel search sound effect by Garuda1982. Link & License. - WALLA Ballpark Applause Short 05 by AshFox. Link & License. - bike_horn by MiscPractice. Link & License. - VEHSirn_Police Car Siren.Synthesized.Dry 2_EM.wav by newlocknew. & License. - Camera Flashing.wav by 221227. Link & License. - Tools in a tool box by OpenWillem. Link & License. - Fast Fire Flare Whoosh 1(6lrs).wav by newlocknew. Link & License. - Unexpected Hoedown In Bagging Area by Doctor Turtle. Link & License.Art Credits: - The official artwork for this podcast was created by Rashed AlAkroka, who can be found on Instagram and Artstation @rashedjrs.Find Us Online: - Our Website - Twitter - Join our Patreon - Join our Discord

How big was Alexander the Great's Empire? How old was Alexander when he became King? Is it true Alexander the Great never lost a battle? Have you started your FREE TRIAL of Who Smarted?+ for AD FREE listening, an EXTRA episode every week & bonus content? Sign up right in the Apple app, or directly at WhoSmarted.com and find out why more than 1,000 families are LOVING their subscription! Get official Who Smarted? Merch: tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies and more, at Who Smarted?

In today's episode, I'm revisiting a deeply important conversation with Tania Silva Meléndez and Tamara Trinidad González, two inspiring birth workers and Evidence Based Birth® Instructors based in Puerto Rico. Tania and Tamara share their personal journeys into birth work and what led them to become changemakers in Puerto Rico's birth community. They speak candidly about the immense challenges families face, from one of the world's highest cesarean rates to the ongoing impacts of colonialism and systemic barriers within maternal health care. You'll hear what it's like to provide midwifery services in an environment where midwives aren't officially recognized, and the impact this has on those seeking safe, respectful, and dignified care.   We also dive into the powerful grassroots and community-led efforts Tania and Tamara are leading, including legislative advocacy, innovative education, and direct, compassionate support for families striving to improve birth outcomes and claim reproductive rights on the island. Together, we explore both the heartbreak and the hope shaping Puerto Rico's current birth landscape, and highlight meaningful ways listeners can join in solidarity with these efforts.   Content note: obstetric violence, colonialism, infant death, abortion, poor outcomes, maternal health deserts, gender based violence (03:03) Midwifery Leadership and Collaboration (07:27) Journey to Home Birth Choices (12:32) Puerto Rico Birth Control Campaign Impact (13:57) Obstetric Violence and Doula Integration (17:36) Midwife-Doctor Collaborative Care Solutions (20:04) Hospital System Communication Challenges (23:48) Puerto Rico: A Modern Colony (27:46) Puerto Rico Investment Gentrification Issue (33:30) Community-Led Family Support Initiative (34:50) Youth Engagement Through Visual Education (38:46) Puerto Rico Midwives Day Law (44:14) Birth Summit Collaboration in Puerto Rico (46:05) Midwife-EMT Collaboration Curriculum (51:19) Puerto Rico Birth Rate & Hospital Crisis (53:50) Supporting Midwifery and Access in Puerto Rico   Resources If you are interested in joining with Tania and Tamara and volunteering your time or skills to help them reform the maternal health system in Puerto Rico, they are currently looking for volunteers with experience in law, public relations, funding, data collection, research, and writing. OR if you have resources, or access to connections that could help fund their work, please email puertoricobirthrights@gmail.com. Learn more about Caderamen, a nonprofit organization that has a service program that is called SePARE, which offers education and doula services, midwifery services and naturopathic medicine services, social workers, mental health by clicking here. Learn more about the Asociación de Parteras of Puerto Rico here. Learn more about Alimentación Segura Infantil, a community-based organization born after the impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 to support breastfeeding and chestfeeding families in their lactation journeys by clicking here.  Learn more about Observatorio de Violencia Obstétrica in Puerto Rico here. Learn more about Las Mingas de Aborto, an abortion doula collective that offers free support in Puerto Rico here. Check out the work by Puerto Rican journalist Biana Graulau here. Read more about the history of Puerto Rico:  How to Hide an Empire by Daniel Immerwahr  Puerto Rico: What Everyone Needs to Know by Jorge Duany For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Cliff Vmir on $1M by 19, Building Her Beauty Empire, AMAs with Sexyy Red + MoreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She turned $1,000 and a table at a local market into a multimillion-dollar jewelry empire. What started as a creative outlet for Lisa Valenzuela nearly 20 years ago has grown into Truly Blessed Jewels, a brand known for its timeless designs and bold identity.  From her earliest days selling jewelry in farmers' markets, Lisa understood that people weren't just buying a product. They were buying into how the brand made them feel. That mindset, combined with her relentless work ethic and faith, created loyalty that no trend could ever replicate.  Today, Truly Blessed Jewels has grown beyond jewelry pieces into signature services like permanent jewelry and customized experiences that keep customers coming back. At its core, the brand remains what it has always been: a vision rooted in service, a business grounded in faith, and proof that branding built on authenticity will always outlive every trend. What You'll Learn: Why authenticity and consistency are more powerful than following trends The service model that makes customers fall in love with a brand The lessons Lisa learned while scaling her business and culture Why copying trends is a recipe for failure How faith anchored Lisa through rejection, setbacks, and growth Timestamps: (03:00) - From $1,000 to a multimillion-dollar jewelry brand (09:35) - Why details matter: the branding lesson hidden in a market stall (13:05) - Opening the first Truly Blessed storefront (18:21) - When bad press could sometimes be good press (21:46) - Building a business rooted in faith and service (24:52) - Strategies for building culture and onboarding a team (30:07) - Sobriety, confidence, and finding identity in Christ (36:48) - What most entrepreneurs get wrong about scaling a business (40:43) - Why customer experience is part of your brand (45:29) - The content playbook that sets Truly Blessed Jewels apart (51:00) - Standing firm against pressure to compromise (53:10) - Tunnel vision, creativity, and brand originality (54:57) - Why most entrepreneurs fail before they start Discover Truly Blessed Jewels: Shop now at trulyblessedjewels.com. Use code EMILY25 for 25% off your order. Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/trulyblessedjewels  Tiktok | https://www.tiktok.com/@trulyblessedjewels  Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/TrulyBlessedJewels  Pinterest | https://www.pinterest.com/trulyblessedjewels/  Connect with Lisa: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/lisa_marie_valenzuela_az LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-valenzuela-801071264/   More from Emily & FORDIVINE: Website |  https://meetemilyford.com   Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/itsemily         Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/itsemilymethod    YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/c/ITSEMILYFORD  Called & Crowned Podcast | https://www.instagram.com/calledandcrowned/  FORDIVINE | https://www.fordivine.com/ 

The inspiring journey of Pana Food Truck. Founder Herman Sierra shares how he and his brother brought Venezuelan arepas to California, overcoming setbacks and building a community one customer at a time. Hear about navigating business challenges, keeping the menu authentic (and simple), mastering social media, and the leap from food truck to brick and mortar restaurant. Essential advice for any entrepreneur dreaming of turning culture and passion into success. Pana Food TruckMore about the episodeTheme Music by Ali Schwartz and Meserole Sound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Boba Fett's back in Marvel's latest Star Wars-inspired Black, White & Red (not blood). The start of the four-issue mini-series (Boba Fett -- Black, White & Red #1 (of 4)) sees the erstwhile loner pitting rival factions -- the Rebellion and the Empire -- against one another in a way that leaves him better off than when he began.In Marvel's Star Wars (Vol. 4) #5, several plot threads are brought forward on multiple worlds as The Clone Wars era slams headfirst into the time between the Original and Sequel trilogies.Comics Discussed This Week:Star Wars (Vol. 4) #5Boba Fett -- Black, White & Red #1 (of 4)Star Wars Comics New to Marvel Unlimited This Week:The Rise of Skywalker Adaptation #5 (of 5)The High Republic -- Fear of the Jedi #5 (of 5)News: During Fan Expo Canada, The Tractor Beam podcast spoke with Star Wars comics writer Ethan Sacks and artist Paolo Villanelli about the duo's Bounty Hunters run and so much more. If you weren't there, you can listen to what you missed. (No Nexu were harmed.)Read an interview with Benjamin Percy, writer of Boba Fett: Black, White & Red #1 that was conducted by The Boba Fett Fan Club.The Dark Horse Comics Kickstarter for The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope -- The Manga by Hisao Tamaki is live through Oct. 17 and already met it's target within three hours or so of going live. That IS Grakkus the Hutt in the upcoming Star Wars: Beyond Victory game!Upcoming Star Wars comics, graphic novels and omnibuses:Sept. 24 _ Doctor Aphra — Chaos Agent #4Oct. 1 _ Star Wars #6Oct. 7 _ Legacy of Vader Vol. 1 -- The Reign of Kylo Ren TPB (Collects 1-6)Oct. 8 _ Han Solo — Hunt for the Falcon #2 (of 5), Tides of Terror #2 (of 4)Oct. 14 _ The High Republic -- Fear of the Jedi TPB (Collects 1-5 and The High Republic -- The Finale one-shot)Oct. 15 _ Legacy of Vader #9Oct. 21 _ The Rise of Skywalker Adaptation TPB (Collects 1-5); Star Wars Legends: The Old Republic Omnibus Vol. 2 (Collects The Old Republic (2010) 1-6, The Old Republic - The Lost Suns 1-5, Lost Tribe of the Sith - Spiral 1-5, Knight Errant 1-5, Knight Errant - Deluge 1-5, Knight Errant - Escape 1-5, Jedi vs. Sith 1-6; material from Star Wars Tales 16-17, 24; Star Wars Visionaries); Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories Library Edition (Collects 1-12)Oct. 22 _ Tales From the Nightlands #2 (of 3), Jedi Knights #8Oct. 29 _ Boba Fett -- Black, White & Red #2 (of 4) and Doctor Aphra -- Chaos Agent #5, Codebreaker #4 (of 4)Nov. 4 _ Jedi Knights Vol. 1 TPB (Collects 1-5), The High Republic Adventures Phase III Vol. 5 TPB (Collects 17-20)Nov. 5 _ Hyperspace Stories: Tides of Terror #3 (of 4), Legacy of Vader #10Nov. 12 _ Star Wars #7, Han Solo -- Hunt for the Falcon #3 (of 5), Path of the Lightsaber Graphic Novel Vol. 1 MangaNov. 18 _ Hyperspace Stories: The Bad Batch - Ghost Agents TPB (Collects 1-5), The Sequel Trilogy TPB (Dark Horse)Nov. 19 _ Tales From the Nightlands #3 (of 3), Jedi Knights #9Nov. 25 _ Star Wars: Darth Vader Modern Era Epic Collection: Vader Down (Collects 13-25, Star Wars 13-14 and Vader Down #1)Nov. 26 _ Boba Fett: Black, White & Red #3 (of 4)Dec. 2 _ Star Wars: Doctor Aphra — Friends and Enemies Omnibus (Collects Doctor Aphra 26-40, Star Wars: Sana Starros  1-5)Dec. 3 _ Legacy of Vader #11, TIdes of Terror #4 (of 4)Dec. 9 _ Young Jedi Adventures — The Training Sessions HC (Collects Free Comic Book Day stories)Dec. 17 _ Hyperspace Stories — The Bad Batch: Rogue Agents #1 (of 4)Jan. 27 _ Darth Maul: Black, White & Red TPB (Collects 1-4Feb. 17 _ Star Wars: Hidden Empire Omnibus (Collects HIdden Empire 1-5, Star Wars (Vol. 3) 26-36, Bounty Hunters 27-34, Darth Vader (Vol. 3) 28-32, Doctor Aphra (Vol. 2) 22-31 and 2022's Star Wars: Revelations #1); Hyperspace Stories -- Grievous OGNMarch 3 _ Hyperspace Stories -- Codebreaker TPB (Collects 1-4)March 17 _ Tales From the Nightlands TPB (Collects 1-3), Star Wars Legends: The Empire Omnibus Vol. 4 (Collects Star Wars: Underworld - The Yavin Vassilika (2000) #1-5; Free Comic Book Day 2013: Star Wars #1; Star Wars: Empire (2002) #5-6, 8-13, 15; Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron (1995) #1/2; Star Wars: A New Hope - The Special Edition (1997) #1-4; Star Wars: Tag & Bink Are Dead (2001) #1; Star Wars Infinities: A New Hope (2001) #1-4; The Star Wars (2013) #0-8; material from Star Wars Tales (1999) #1-2, 4, 6, 8-10, 12, 14, 16, 19-20)March 31 _ Legacy of Vader: The Reign of Kylo Ren Vol. 2 TPB (Collects 7-12), Hyperspace Stories: Tides of Terror TPB (Collects 1-4)April 14 _ Jedi Knights Vol. 2 TPB (Collects 6-10), Star Wars Visions TPB (Collects Visions -- Peach Momoko #1, Visions -- Takashi Okazaki #1, Peach Momoko's Story from Darth Vader -- Black, White & Red #1)April 21 _ The High Republic Phase III -- Trial of the Jedi Omnibus (Collects 2023's The High Republic 1-10, Revelations #1's High Republic story, The Acolyte — Kelnacca one-shot, Shadows of Starlight 1-4, Fear of the Jedi 1-5, The Finale #1: The Beacon one-shot); The Mandalorian -- Seasons One & Two (Collects #1-8 of both mini-series), Jedi Knights Vol. 2 TPB (Collects 6-10)April 28 _ Han Solo -- Hunt for the Falcon TPB (Collects 1-5)May 5 _ Star Wars: New Republic (Collects 1-10, material from Free Comic Book Day 2025: Star Wars #1)May 19 _ Star Wars Legends: Legacy Omnibus Vol. 1 (Collects Star Wars: Legacy #0, 0-1/2, 1-36, 41); Doctor Aphra — Chaos Agent TPB (Collects 1-10)June 16 _ Star Wars Legends: The New Republic Omnibus Vol. 3 (Collects Star Wars: Crimson Empire (1997) #0-6, Star Wars: The Bounty Hunters - Kenix Kil (1999) #1, Star Wars: Crimson Empire II - Council of Blood (1998) #1-6, Star Wars: Crimson Empire III - Empire Lost (2011) #1-6, Star Wars: Jedi Academy - Leviathan (1998) #1-4, Star Wars: The Mixed-Up Droid (1995) #1, Star Wars: Union (1999) #1-4, Star Wars: Chewbacca (2000) #1-4, Star Wars: Invasion (2009) #0-5, Star Wars: Invasion - Rescues (2010) #1-6, Star Wars: Invasion - Revelations (2011) #1-5, Star Wars Handbook (1998) #2; material from Dark Horse Extra (1998) #21-24; Dark Horse Presents (2011) #1; Star Wars Tales (1999) #8, 11, 16-19, 21)July 21 _ Star Wars Legends: The Newspaper Strips Omnibus (Collects Classic Star Wars: The Early Adventures (1994) #1-9, Classic Star Wars: Han Solo at Stars' End (1997) #1-3, Classic Star Wars (1992) #1-20, Classic Star Wars: A New Hope (1994) #1-2, Classic Star Wars: The Vandelhelm Mission (1995) #1, Star Wars newspaper strips "The Constancia Affair," "The Kashyyyk Depths" and "Planet of Kadril”); Star Wars Modern Era Epic Collection: The Screaming Citadel (Collects Star Wars (2015) #31-43, Star Wars Annual (2015) #3, Star Wars: The Screaming Citadel (2017) #1, Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2016) #7-8)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Star Wars Splash Page is a weekly podcast dedicated solely to contemporary Star Wars comics published by Marvel, Dark Horse and previously IDW, featuring views about the current week's comics, interviews with the writers, artists, colorists, letterers and editors who create them, as well as the latest details on publishing schedules, upcoming series and mini-series, so that you, the listener have more detail and context about the comics that are a vital part of Star Wars canon, lore and legends.

In this episode of the Real Estate Pros podcast, Anthony Crane, co-founder of Triumph Properties, shares his journey in real estate, from his early experiences on construction sites to his transition into flipping houses and managing multifamily properties. He emphasizes the importance of having a construction background, understanding the current market challenges, and the necessity of capital for success in real estate investing. Anthony also provides valuable advice for aspiring investors, highlighting the significance of personal development and learning from experiences.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true ‘white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a “mini-mastermind” with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming “Retreat”, either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas “Big H Ranch”? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

In this episode, Breht speaks with Robert E. Wilson, author of The Football Manifesto and The Supporters Trust League Manifesto. Together they explore what it means to socialize sports; to reclaim the Beautiful Game from billionaire owners, corrupt institutions, and imperial powers, and return it to the people as a democratic, community-owned, and liberatory project. Together, they examine the ways professional sports in the imperial core normalize colonialism, militarism, racism, and capitalism, while grassroots football worldwide has long been a site of resistance, solidarity, and struggle. From the NFL's “plantation economics” to the vision of supporter-owned clubs, equal pay for women's teams, and football as a hub of political education and mutual aid, this conversation makes clear that sports are never “just games.” They are battlefields for ideology and community -- as well as an expression of our nature as social beings -- and if reclaimed, they can become engines of solidarity,healthy communities, and socialist culture. Whether you are a sports fan or not, you will get a LOT out of this fascinating and surprisingly wide-ranging conversation! Gaia Labs HERE Behind the Shield documentary on the NFL by Dave Zirin HERE Black Alliance for Peace petition to ban Israel and US HERE ---------------------------------------------------- Support Rev Left and get access to bonus episodes: www.patreon.com/revleftradio Make a one-time donation to Rev Left at BuyMeACoffee.com/revleftradio Follow, Subscribe, & Learn more about Rev Left Radio https://revleftradio.com/ Outro Beat Prod. by flip da hood

Another live panel from Dragon Con - Bryan Young took the stage with Matthew Wood, Henry Gilroy, and Fon Davis to talk about the legacy George Lucas left behind with Industrial Light and Magic, Skywalker Sound, and Lucasiflm Animation in front of a live audience.

He was born to wealthy and noble parents in Carthage (north Africa), and became a prominent lawyer in that city. Around the year 246 he embraced the Christian faith and was baptized by the priest Caecilianus. Immediately he gave all his goods to the poor and retired to a quiet place in the country to devote himself to prayer and study of Christian writings. In 248 or 249 he was elected Bishop of Carthage by the insistence of the people, though some priests opposed the consecration of such a new Christian.   Soon after his election, the Emperor Decius began a terrible persecution of Christians, during which Cyprian, in hiding, upheld his flock by letters. During this time many Christians gave in to fear of death and either sacrificed to the idols or signed statements that they had done so. When the persecution ended, the problem arose of how to treat the apostates who wished to be received back into the Church. Rigorist groups such as the Novatians and Montanists held that these lapsi had removed themselves from all hope of salvation and could never re-enter the Church. Cyprian rejected this view (as well as the position of some who would immediately reconcile the apostates); he established the position, still standard in the Church, that apostates could be restored after confession and long penance. His position led to a schism in the Church at Carthage when Cyprian's opponents set up Maximus the Montanist as a rival Bishop. The schism was only ended by a plague that swept the Empire and the city of Carthage in 253-254, together with a renewed persecution of Christians. Saint Cyprian's tireless care for the suffering during this time won most of the schismatics back to his side. When peace returned, Cyprian called a series of Councils in Carthage to resolve the conflicts that had troubled the Church. He upheld the African (and Eastern) churches' practice of reconciling heretics to the Church by Baptism rather than by laying on of hands, as was done in Rome; though Cyprian did not seek to impose this practice on other churches, Rome was not so tolerant and broke with the African church until the death of Pope Stephen.   In 256, yet another persecution broke out under the Emperor Valerian. Cyprian was arrested and brought before the Proconsul of the region. He refused to defend himself, and when told that he was to be executed, said only Deo Gratias!(Thanks be to God!). At his execution the holy bishop ordered that twenty-five gold pieces be given to the executioner, and put on the blindfold with his own hands.   Note: St Cyprian is missing on this date from traditional martyrologies because he was once confused with St Cyprian of Antioch (October 2). Today is the date of his martyrdom and the date of his commemoration on the Latin calendar.

“My book is called Empire of AI because I'm trying to articulate this argument and illustrate that these companies operate exactly like empires of old. I highlight four features that essentially encapsulate the three things you read. However, I started talking about it in a different way after writing the book.The four features are: they lay claim to resources that are not their own, which is the centralization of resources; they exploit an extraordinary amount of labor, both in the development of the technology and the fact that they're producing labor-automating technologies that then suppress workers' ability to bargain for better rights; they monopolize knowledge production, which comes when they centralize talent.”In this episode of the Speaking Out of Place podcast, Professor David Palumbo-Liu talks with investigative journalist Karen Hao. She explains that OpenAI is anything but “open”—very early on, it left behind that marketing tag to become increasingly closed and elitist. Her massive study, Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI had a rather different subtitle in its UK edition: Inside the reckless race of total domination. She fleshes out the overlap between these two points of emphasis. Hao argues that in general, the AI mission “centralizes talent around a grand ambition” and “centralizes capital and other resources while eliminating roadblocks, regulation, and dissent.” All the while, “the mission remains so vague that it can be interpreted and reinterpreted to direct the centralization of talent, capital, resources, however the centralizer wants.” Karen explains that she chose the word “empire” precisely to indicate the colonial nature of AI's domination: the tremendous damage this enterprise does to the poor, to racial and ethnic minorities, and to the Global South in general in terms of minds, bodies, the environment, natural resources, and any notion of democracy. This is a discussion everyone should be part of.Karen Hao is a bestselling author and award-winning reporter covering the impacts of artificial intelligence on society. She was the first journalist to profile OpenAI and wrote a book, Empire of AI, about the company and its global implications, which became an instant New York Times bestseller. She writes for publications including The Atlantic and leads the Pulitzer Center's AI Spotlight Series, a program that trains thousands of journalists worldwide on how to cover AI. She was formerly a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, covering American and Chinese tech companies, and a senior editor for AI at MIT Technology Review. Her work is regularly taught in universities and cited by governments. She has received numerous accolades for her coverage, including an American Humanist Media Award, an American National Magazine Award for Journalists Under 30, and the TIME100 AI. She received her Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from MIT.www.palumbo-liu.comhttps://speakingoutofplace.comBluesky @palumboliu.bsky.socialInstagram @speaking_out_of_place

“My book is called Empire of AI because I'm trying to articulate this argument and illustrate that these companies operate exactly like empires of old. I highlight four features that essentially encapsulate the three things you read. However, I started talking about it in a different way after writing the book.The four features are: they lay claim to resources that are not their own, which is the centralization of resources; they exploit an extraordinary amount of labor, both in the development of the technology and the fact that they're producing labor-automating technologies that then suppress workers' ability to bargain for better rights; they monopolize knowledge production, which comes when they centralize talent.”In this episode of the Speaking Out of Place podcast, Professor David Palumbo-Liu talks with investigative journalist Karen Hao. She explains that OpenAI is anything but “open”—very early on, it left behind that marketing tag to become increasingly closed and elitist. Her massive study, Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI had a rather different subtitle in its UK edition: Inside the reckless race of total domination. She fleshes out the overlap between these two points of emphasis. Hao argues that in general, the AI mission “centralizes talent around a grand ambition” and “centralizes capital and other resources while eliminating roadblocks, regulation, and dissent.” All the while, “the mission remains so vague that it can be interpreted and reinterpreted to direct the centralization of talent, capital, resources, however the centralizer wants.” Karen explains that she chose the word “empire” precisely to indicate the colonial nature of AI's domination: the tremendous damage this enterprise does to the poor, to racial and ethnic minorities, and to the Global South in general in terms of minds, bodies, the environment, natural resources, and any notion of democracy. This is a discussion everyone should be part of.Karen Hao is a bestselling author and award-winning reporter covering the impacts of artificial intelligence on society. She was the first journalist to profile OpenAI and wrote a book, Empire of AI, about the company and its global implications, which became an instant New York Times bestseller. She writes for publications including The Atlantic and leads the Pulitzer Center's AI Spotlight Series, a program that trains thousands of journalists worldwide on how to cover AI. She was formerly a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, covering American and Chinese tech companies, and a senior editor for AI at MIT Technology Review. Her work is regularly taught in universities and cited by governments. She has received numerous accolades for her coverage, including an American Humanist Media Award, an American National Magazine Award for Journalists Under 30, and the TIME100 AI. She received her Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from MIT.www.palumbo-liu.comhttps://speakingoutofplace.comBluesky @palumboliu.bsky.socialInstagram @speaking_out_of_place

The Mandalorian's thirteenth chapter, “The Jedi,” picks up Morgan Elsbeth's story right where it left off in Tales of the Empire. Ahsoka's tale, though, is another story.This week, we rehash the wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey stuff of Ahsoka's journey, and discover just how alone she's been since The Clone Wars. We sing Rosario Dawson's praises, develop a hearty suspicion that Grand Admiral Thrawn and the Imperial remnants are up to no good, and land on the critical difference between Morgan Elsbeth, former Nightsister, and Ahsoka Tano, former Jedi.New to Growing Up Skywalker? Come join us for non-toxic Star Wars recaps from a veteran and a new fan. New episodes every Tuesday.Want more Growing Up Skywalker? This is a great time to sign up for our Patreon for bonus audio content! Timestamps:00:00:00 Who Are We?00:03:45 Plot Summary00:13:22 What Has Ahsoka Been Up To?00:32:30 Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka 00:42:40 What Is Morgan Elsbeth Up To?01:01:02 Bae Watch01:05:33 Closing Thoughts

“My book is called Empire of AI because I'm trying to articulate this argument and illustrate that these companies operate exactly like empires of old. I highlight four features that essentially encapsulate the three things you read. However, I started talking about it in a different way after writing the book.The four features are: they lay claim to resources that are not their own, which is the centralization of resources; they exploit an extraordinary amount of labor, both in the development of the technology and the fact that they're producing labor-automating technologies that then suppress workers' ability to bargain for better rights; they monopolize knowledge production, which comes when they centralize talent.”In this episode of the Speaking Out of Place podcast, Professor David Palumbo-Liu talks with investigative journalist Karen Hao. She explains that OpenAI is anything but “open”—very early on, it left behind that marketing tag to become increasingly closed and elitist. Her massive study, Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI had a rather different subtitle in its UK edition: Inside the reckless race of total domination. She fleshes out the overlap between these two points of emphasis. Hao argues that in general, the AI mission “centralizes talent around a grand ambition” and “centralizes capital and other resources while eliminating roadblocks, regulation, and dissent.” All the while, “the mission remains so vague that it can be interpreted and reinterpreted to direct the centralization of talent, capital, resources, however the centralizer wants.” Karen explains that she chose the word “empire” precisely to indicate the colonial nature of AI's domination: the tremendous damage this enterprise does to the poor, to racial and ethnic minorities, and to the Global South in general in terms of minds, bodies, the environment, natural resources, and any notion of democracy. This is a discussion everyone should be part of.Karen Hao is a bestselling author and award-winning reporter covering the impacts of artificial intelligence on society. She was the first journalist to profile OpenAI and wrote a book, Empire of AI, about the company and its global implications, which became an instant New York Times bestseller. She writes for publications including The Atlantic and leads the Pulitzer Center's AI Spotlight Series, a program that trains thousands of journalists worldwide on how to cover AI. She was formerly a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, covering American and Chinese tech companies, and a senior editor for AI at MIT Technology Review. Her work is regularly taught in universities and cited by governments. She has received numerous accolades for her coverage, including an American Humanist Media Award, an American National Magazine Award for Journalists Under 30, and the TIME100 AI. She received her Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from MIT.www.palumbo-liu.comhttps://speakingoutofplace.comBluesky @palumboliu.bsky.socialInstagram @speaking_out_of_place

GAME TIME! FSF PopCast RPG #35 RPG Session 35 Last Session - We were Hunted! Let's see what the GM has in store for us tonight. Tonight's story - Near Miss on Nar Shadaa Following a meeting with the villainous Perla The Hutt, our adventurers attempt to flee the dastardly planet of Nar Shadaa. Being hunted by Imperial troops and Bounty Hunters galore, the team found themselves separated while en route to their ship. After a harrowing speeder run back to the ship, Bokane and Yudex are met face to face with the Benedict Arnold of the Galaxy as No No Notchu attempts to turn in his one-time companions. With Kyle's life in the balance, which wasn't that great of a concern, Bokane was able to flex his Jedi powers and avert disaster. With the remaining crew of Edna, SCR-V and Zapp flying and sneaking through the populous streets of Nar Shadaa, they too managed to return to the ship unscathed. Once loaded with their gear, our brawny and beautiful heroes managed a smooth exit and return to Pivot, with a fresh shipment of supplies for the scattered cells of the growing rebellion. Pivot has given our adventurer their next task and with it, the means to send a mighty blow to the Empire with their journey leading them into the next foray on Correlia. Now for the continuing Saga of Funny Science Fiction's Star Wars RPG!!! ROLL FOR INITIATIVE! Follow our gamers - Sam from Growing Up Skywalker - @growingupskywalker on Instagram Casey Plott - @Plottimus21 on Instagram Ben Reilly - @hearty_healer on Instagram Kathleen - @kathleenfwass on Instagram GM John - @athair_honora / @fsfpopcast_rpg on Instagram Tim - @fsfpopcast on Instagram For more on our show partners - Bones Coffee - http://www.bonescoffee.com/FSFPOPCAST and use code FSFPOPCAST Idea Farm - www.ideafarm.store - use discount code FSF15 Level Up Sabers https://bit.ly/FSFLevelUpSabers Win free loot - sign up here - www.fsfpopcast.com/contact Tim Beisiegels articles - https://couchsoup.com/author/byeseagull For more on our Show - Join our Patreon: https://patreon.com/fsfpopcast Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/cpry4fCDTq Visit our website: https://www.fsfpopcast.com FSF PopCast on BlueSky, Instagram, and Threads - @fsfpopcast This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

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”.

Chris Brown turned food trucks into rolling broadcast studios. Outfitted with 4K cameras, Ring cameras, and livestream setups, his fleet fuels a growing restaurant empire while keeping fans entertained with interactive broadcasts and the Championship Egg Roll Food Truck Tour.   Listen now to learn about building an empire from egg rolls, turning food trucks into studios, and creating experiences fans compare to a theme park. Sponsored by: • TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

“My book is called Empire of AI because I'm trying to articulate this argument and illustrate that these companies operate exactly like empires of old. I highlight four features that essentially encapsulate the three things you read. However, I started talking about it in a different way after writing the book.The four features are: they lay claim to resources that are not their own, which is the centralization of resources; they exploit an extraordinary amount of labor, both in the development of the technology and the fact that they're producing labor-automating technologies that then suppress workers' ability to bargain for better rights; they monopolize knowledge production, which comes when they centralize talent.”In this episode of the Speaking Out of Place podcast, Professor David Palumbo-Liu talks with investigative journalist Karen Hao. She explains that OpenAI is anything but “open”—very early on, it left behind that marketing tag to become increasingly closed and elitist. Her massive study, Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI had a rather different subtitle in its UK edition: Inside the reckless race of total domination. She fleshes out the overlap between these two points of emphasis. Hao argues that in general, the AI mission “centralizes talent around a grand ambition” and “centralizes capital and other resources while eliminating roadblocks, regulation, and dissent.” All the while, “the mission remains so vague that it can be interpreted and reinterpreted to direct the centralization of talent, capital, resources, however the centralizer wants.” Karen explains that she chose the word “empire” precisely to indicate the colonial nature of AI's domination: the tremendous damage this enterprise does to the poor, to racial and ethnic minorities, and to the Global South in general in terms of minds, bodies, the environment, natural resources, and any notion of democracy. This is a discussion everyone should be part of.Karen Hao is a bestselling author and award-winning reporter covering the impacts of artificial intelligence on society. She was the first journalist to profile OpenAI and wrote a book, Empire of AI, about the company and its global implications, which became an instant New York Times bestseller. She writes for publications including The Atlantic and leads the Pulitzer Center's AI Spotlight Series, a program that trains thousands of journalists worldwide on how to cover AI. She was formerly a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, covering American and Chinese tech companies, and a senior editor for AI at MIT Technology Review. Her work is regularly taught in universities and cited by governments. She has received numerous accolades for her coverage, including an American Humanist Media Award, an American National Magazine Award for Journalists Under 30, and the TIME100 AI. She received her Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from MIT.www.palumbo-liu.comhttps://speakingoutofplace.comBluesky @palumboliu.bsky.socialInstagram @speaking_out_of_place

We travel back to the ancient world to spotlight Queen Amanirenas of the Kushite Empire. Known as one of the most powerful Kandake (queen mothers) of Kush, Amanirenas led her people in defiance of Rome after the conquest of Egypt. From fierce battles and guerrilla tactics to symbolic acts, her story reveals how Kush resisted Rome's expansion and secured a peace treaty on their own terms. We also explore the rich history of the Kushite civilisation, where women held rare political and military power, and Meroe thrived as a hub of trade, culture, and iron production. ⁠A Day at Haset's House - Helen Demlew ⁠ ⁠Agojie: Dahmomey's Warrior Women (2022)⁠ Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase: itsacontinent.com/book   We're on Buy me a Coffee too: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/itsacontinent Visit our website: itsacontinent.com Artwork by Margo Designs: https://margosdesigns.myportfolio.com Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg Warm Nights by Lakey Inspired: https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/... Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase: itsacontinent.com/book   We're on Buy me a Coffee too: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/itsacontinent Visit our website: itsacontinent.com Artwork by Margo Designs: https://margosdesigns.myportfolio.com Music provided by Free Vibes: https://goo.gl/NkGhTg Warm Nights by Lakey Inspired: https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Rachel visits with Norm Dinis. They start with the planned Algerian dairy and powdered milk facility and hit the high points of politics, markets, milk, and social media trends that affect consumer choice. It's one of my favorite conversations of late.This episode is brought to you by Adam Rose at Illiff Custom Cabinetry. Find him on The Facebook, man.Don't forget to check your cows, check your fields, and check your neighbors. It matters.

It's the Season 2 Premiere! We're at the Stern Factory to check out their newest release, Star Wars Fall of the Empire! We chat with Colin Alsheimer from Kineticist as well as Ian Jacoby and Shane Told from the Nudgecast. Get the low down on the newest game from pinball legend John Borg! We also discuss Stern's latest major hardware revision, Spike 3. Plus a whole bunch of nonsense for good measure. https://www.kineticist.com https://www.nudgepinball.com Contact Us! --> pod@bashpinball.com Merch! —> store.bashpinball.com Listen @ www.BashPinball.com Instagram, Youtube: @bashpinball Streaming on: twitch.tv/bashpinball Theme Song: Venus by Wren and Au Lune

It's part 2 of the Season 2 Premiere! We're at the Stern Factory to check out their newest release, Star Wars Fall of the Empire. We chat with Erika from Erika's Pinball Journey as well as streamer/podcaster Dirty Pool! How does Stern's newest game rank among their latest releases? Is Spike 3 a game changer or a minor upgrade? Is ‘Big Cola' infiltrating the pinball community? All will be revealed. @erikaspinballjourney@dirtypoolpinball Contact Us! --> pod@bashpinball.com Merch! —> store.bashpinball.com Listen @ www.BashPinball.com Instagram, Youtube: @bashpinball Streaming on: twitch.tv/bashpinball Theme Song: Venus by Wren and Au Lune

Mr. Beast Biography Flash a weekly Biography.Jimmy Donaldson, known to the world as Mr. Beast, has kept the internet buzzing over the past few days. On X, formerly Twitter, he continues to highlight his philanthropy with a post detailing an upcoming video involving a massive charitable food giveaway—no surprise, considering his ongoing focus on fighting global hunger through his Feastables brand and Beast Philanthropy channel. Instagram sleuths spotted him sharing behind the scenes shots from a newly filmed challenge video said to feature record-breaking stunts, and while YouTube uploads from Mr. Beast's main channel are always events, the rumor mill has been spinning extra hard because Jimmy teased a “secret project” that both fans and creators are speculating could be tied to another global event, perhaps even one-upping last year's full-scale chocolate factory recreation. Business-wise, there's plenty happening. The Wall Street Journal just profiled his growing investments in tech and digital startups, noting that Feastables is now expanding distribution into Latin America. Walmart confirmed in a press release that the flagship chocolate bars will soon hit shelves in Mexico and Brazil. Meanwhile, Forbes reports Jimmy's net worth is up again, mostly thanks to those snack brand deals and some very lucrative partnerships with streaming services who want exclusive content—it's clear that the business world is treating him as much more than just another YouTuber. Yesterday, he made a surprise appearance at a youth entrepreneur conference in Austin, taking the stage after an animated intro from Mark Cuban. Audience members say he emphasized adaptability and using platform power for good, receiving a standing ovation and plenty of viral TikTok attention. As for controversy, there were whispers on Reddit about an alleged rift with a major sponsor over creative control, but no reputable source has confirmed details so this could just be fan speculation. What's certain is that the Mr. Beast persona continues to evolve with every post, product, and philanthropic stunt, making Jimmy Donaldson one of the defining personalities of digital culture today.Thanks for listening to Mr. Beast Biography Flash. Make sure to subscribe to never miss an update on Mr. Beast, and if you love these rapid-fire biographies, search the term Biography Flash for more great stories!Get the best deals https://amzn.to/4mMClBv

The Friends of History Debating Society: Setting, Immediate Events, and Media Critique The Friends of History Debating Society convenes with Gaius (also known as John Batchelor) hosting from Londinium, specifically a wine bar he favors. Michael Vlahos participates from the "Edge of the Empire." In his persona as Germanicus, Michael Vlahos is on a mission in Dalmatia, a "slightly untamed" region that serves as "connecting tissue" between the Roman Empire's eastern and western halves, visiting fortified places like Ragusa and planning a trip to Spalato. As Dramaticus, Michael Vlahos is "traveling on the road" and is reminded by Gaius to "walk with Centurions" for protection from potentially "obsequious and violent" locals. The society's purpose is to review weekly events through a "Roman eye," with participants seeing themselves as "Roman citizens" attempting to understand and potentially "help" the 21st century, while also observing. Gaius reports on a recent visit by Michael Vlahos (in his Dramaticus persona) to the "Imperial Court," or President Trump's White House, during the sad news of Mr. Kirk'sdeath. Despite this somber event, the overall atmosphere in the Oval Office was described as "busy, positive, energetic, attractive, and working perfectly," reminiscent of Augustus's imperial court. Gaius notes that the mainstream media, committed to "hurting Trump," unanimously portrays him as a "demon," "evil force," or "another Hitler," with his followers characterized as "Nazis" or "white supremacists." This rhetoric, according to Michael Vlahos, contributed to events like Mr. Kirk's assassination. Both Gaius and Michael Vlahos find this equating of speech with violence "immature and ignorant," revealing a lack of historical understanding among those in the "blue" faction.             

Piracy in Great Qing surges to a "golden age" during the Qianlong & Jiaqing eras. Corsair Confederations like Zheng Yi Sao's vast-beyond-reckoning Red Flag Fleet, backed by the likes of Vietnam's Tay Son rebels, dominating the South China Sea through organized plunder and shadow economies. Jiaqing's shift to accomodation, while necessary, may expose Qing naval vulnerabilities, paving the way for foreign interventions and imperial decline... Time Period Covered: Prelude: ca. 15th-18th Cs. Main: ~1780-1810 CE Major Sources Cited: Antony, Robert J. Like Froth Floating on the Sea: The World of Pirates and Seafarers in Late Imperial South China. Andrade, Tonio. Lost Colony: The Untold Story of China's First Great Victory over the West. Murray, Dian H. Pirates of the South China Coast, 1790–1810. Perdue, Peter C. China Marches West: The Qing Conquest of Central Eurasia. Qing Shilu (Veritable Records of the Qing Dynasty). Spence, Jonathan D. The Search for Modern China. Woodside, Alexander. "The Ch'ien-lung Reign" in The Cambridge History of China Vol. 9, Pt. 1: The Ch'ing Empire to 1800. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who was South India's equivalent to Alexander The Great? How did the Chola dynasty conquer Southeast Asia? And what was life like for the enslaved “service women” in the Chola court? William and Anita are joined once again by Anirudh Kanisetti, author of Lords of Earth and Sea: A History of the Chola Empire, to discuss Rajaraja I and the development of the Chola dynasty.  Join the Empire Club: Unlock the full Empire experience – with bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to miniseries and live show tickets, exclusive book discounts, a members-only newsletter, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at empirepoduk.com  For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. Email: empire@goalhanger.com Instagram: @empirepoduk Blue Sky: @empirepoduk X: @empirepoduk Assistant Producer: Becki Hills Producer: Anouska Lewis Executive Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this raw and revealing episode, Kristen begins a powerful three-part series chronicling the rise, fall, and healing that reshaped everything she thought she knew about success. This first installment focuses on the grind—how she built a thriving, multi-seven-figure business from scratch—and the glory—what it felt like to be on top of the mountain.But beneath the surface of her seemingly unstoppable growth, Kristen candidly shares how deep-rooted scarcity, people-pleasing, and identity wounds quietly shaped her relationship with business. Listeners are invited into the hidden side of success: panic attacks, over-identification with validation, and the psychological fallout of rapid growth.Whether you're building something new or wondering what happens after you "make it," this episode offers a cautionary tale with depth, compassion, and honesty.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: Behind the scenes of a “lean startup” and why Kristen is sharing this story now02:30 – A message to listeners in all seasons: grit, glory, and deferred hope04:50 – The illusion of control and invincibility in the winning season07:12 – Kristen's early days: scarcity, student debt, and starting over09:38 – The “right offer at the right time”: how her business exploded overnight12:03 – Panic attacks and sudden success: when abundance feels like danger14:24 – The psychological cost of scaling faster than she could process16:02 – How scarcity kept driving her, even in the midst of abundance18:22 – Discovering “Sudden Wealth Syndrome” and rethinking trauma20:48 – The dopamine loop of validation, launches, and performance22:59 – The danger of feeling untouchable during a season of success25:20 – Childhood wounds and the business of belonging27:43 – Feeling like a product: how proximity and keynotes reinforced a false self29:46 – Two internal narratives that quietly drove dysfunction in her business32:13 – A forced detox from validation and income highs34:34 – A final reflection on the parts of her that were running the show36:30 – What Kristen learned from watching someone else's public fall37:45 – A preview of Part 2: the implosion, the warning signs, and the unravelingSubscribe & Share:If this episode resonated with you, take a screenshot, tag Kristen on Instagram (@thekristenboss), and share what stood out. And don't forget to leave a rating and review — it helps more listeners find the show.Follow Kristen on Instagram @thekristenboss

Matt Bowyer was once the kingpin of one of the largest illegal sports betting operations in the country — taking wagers from athletes, celebrities, and high-rollers across the U.S. and moving hundreds of millions of dollars through his network. His operation became so big it even led to a Major League Baseball scandal that shocked the sports world. #SportsBetting #LockedInPodcast #SportsBookie #MLBScandal #SportsGambling #TrueCrimePodcast #BookieLife #prisonstories Connect with Matt Bowyer: https://www.instagram.com/mathewbowyer5/ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Presented by Tyson 2.0 & Wooooo Energy: https://tyson20.com/ https://woooooenergy.com/ Use code LOCKEDIN for 20% OFF Wooooo Energy Buy Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop Timestamps: 00:00 Intro: The Rise & Fall of an Underground Kingpin 02:00 Meet Matt: Running America's Largest Illegal Sports Book 05:00 Life Before Crime: Childhood & Early Hustles 12:00 First Taste of Business & Success 18:00 Getting into Bookmaking: The Early Days 25:00 Scaling up: Building a Gambling Empire 32:00 High Rollers, Payments & Global Operations 39:00 Credit, Debts & Collecting Millions 47:00 Gambling Habits, Dopamine Rush & Losses 53:00 Casino High Life: Wins, Losses & The VIP Treatment 01:01:00 Business or Ponzi Scheme? The Bookie's Perspective 01:08:00 Bookie Myths, Danger & Customer Relationships 01:14:00 The Downfall: Arrest, Assets & The Otani Scandal 01:21:00 Legal Aftermath & Learning From Mistakes 01:29:00 Facing Prison: Sentence, Fear & Family Impact 01:37:00 Reflections, Character & Life After Prison Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Women's History, Episode #4 of 4. Today we're exploring one of Texas's most enduring legends - the story of the "Yellow Rose of Texas" and her supposed role in the Battle of San Jacinto. We are going to unravel the myth of “The Yellow Rose of Texas.” We will explore the woman at the heart of the tale, Emily D. West, who was a free woman of color working in Texas, and untangle her real life from the Texan myth. We will also unravel how Emily's tale was erroneously tied to the song, “The Yellow Rose of Texas.” Select Bibliography Jeffrey D. Dunn, “‘To the Devil with your Glorious History!': Women and the Battle of San Jacinto” in Women and the Texas Revolution, edited by Mary L. Scheer. (UNT Press, 2012). Obiagele Lake, Blue Veins and Kinky Hair: Naming and Color Consciousness in African America (Santa Barbara: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2003) Randolph B. Campbell,  An Empire for Slavery: The Peculiar Institution in Texas, 1821—1865. (LSU Press, 1991).  Andrew J. Torget, Seeds of Empire: Cotton, Slavery, and the Transformation of the Texas Borderlands, 1800-1850. (UNC Press, 2018).  Emily Clark, The Strange History of the American Quadroon: Free Women of Color in the Revolutionary Atlantic World, (UNC Press, 2013). Daniel Livesay, Children of Uncertain Fortune: Mixed-race Jamaicans in Britain and the Atlantic Family, 1733-1833 (UNC Press, 2018). Frances Edward Abernethy, 2001: A Texas Odyssey (UNT Press, 2001). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Ebert is the founder and CEO of Crash Champions, the powerhouse behind one of America's largest collision repair networks. From humble beginnings—starting with a single shop in 1999 and no college degree—Matt has relentlessly built Crash Champions into a $3 billion giant, now boasting over 600 locations nationwide and nearly 11,000 team members. Rooted in blue-collar values and fueled by a passion for people, Matt is recognized not only for his entrepreneurial drive but also for cultivating a strong, unified culture across his organization. Known for his transparency, integrity, and ambition, Matt continues to champion growth, innovation, and opportunity in the collision repair industry. Takeaways: Growth Requires Letting Go: To scale a business beyond its beginnings, founders must be willing to relinquish some control, bring in partners, and focus on building systems and processes that ensure consistency at every level. People-First Leadership: Building a world-class culture isn't about slogans—it's about genuinely putting people first, championing both employees and customers, and creating environments where everyone can thrive and grow. Stay Ahead or Fall Behind: With rapid changes in the auto industry and technology, constant learning and adaptability are non-negotiable. Businesses that don't pay attention to market shifts and evolving customer needs risk becoming obsolete. Sound Bytes: “I didn't come from money, so I needed capital to grow. The only way to do that is being willing to let investors partner with me.” “Great culture doesn't have to speak—it's shown in the team and what you have.” “It's not what you imagined it to be 20 years ago… there's an abundance of opportunity for people because there's so much new to learn in these cars.” Connect & Discover Matt: Website: https://crashchampions.com/company/team/matt-ebert Website: https://mattebert.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ebert-7169a5180/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattebertcc/?hl=en

This week Kyle Samani joins the show to discuss the successful $1.65B raise for Forward Industries. We deep dive into how Forward Industries plan to converge between traditional markets & DeFi, the ultimate vision for the Solana treasury company, the difference between SOL & BTC DATs & why stablecoins are crypto's iPhone moment. Enjoy! Although our guest this week is an Investment Partner of a registered investment adviser, nothing in this podcast should be considered an offer of Multicoin's investment advisory services or should otherwise be confused for investment, tax, legal or other financial advice.--Follow Kyle: https://x.com/KyleSamaniFollow Jason: https://x.com/JasonYanowitzFollow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod--Join the Empire Telegram: https://t.me/+CaCYvTOB4Eg1OWJhStart your day with crypto news, analysis and data from David Canellis. Subscribe to the Empire newsletter: https://blockworks.co/newsletter/empire?utm_source=podcasts--Welcome to Get Real — Web3's first-ever campaign rewarding you for creating real-world value. Connect your devices to real-world apps on peaq and earn rewards for: Measuring noise pollution Providing compute Mapping the word And more Total prize pool: 5% of $PEAQ's initial supply. Get Real is relaunching soon — follow peaq on X and get ready.--Is your treasury losing value to inflation? Learn how to make digital assets like ETH and SOL productive with uncorrelated, protocol-driven staking rewards. A new report from Liquid Collective and EigenCloud outlines a practical guide for CFOs to integrate institutional-grade staking and restaking. Read The Productive Treasury Report: https://liquidcollective.io/corporate-treasury-staking/--Timestamps: --Disclaimer: Nothing said on Empire is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Santiago, Jason, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

This episode was recorded on June 1, 2025.We recap "Ties of Blood and Water" and discuss end-of-life care and why Leftists honor former soldiers of Empire.SDS9 seasons 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 can be found wherever you stream Southpaw. Season 6 is only available to paid subscribers: ⁠https://www.southpawpod.com/⁠

This episode was recorded on June 29, 2025.We recap "Soldiers of the Empire" and discuss Klingon pain and vulnerability.SDS9 seasons 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 can be found wherever you stream Southpaw. Season 6 is only available to paid subscribers: ⁠https://www.southpawpod.com/⁠

It's late, I'm tired, and honestly, I almost didn't hit record tonight. But that's exactly what this episode is about—grit and showing up when it's hard. I share the reality of what it takes to build something meaningful: recording hours of course content, juggling real deals with investors and lenders, handling personal struggles, and still pressing forward with no true days off. This isn't about being perfect. It's about committing, pushing through discomfort, and showing up even when you're running on empty. Because the truth is, most people quit right before the breakthrough. If you're tired, stressed, or doubting yourself—this one's for you. You're stronger than you think. Keep swinging.

In this episode of Thought Behind Things, we're joined by Dr. Saira Siddique, Founder & +CEO of medIQ Smart Healthcare, a digital health platform revolutionizing healthcare access in Pakistan. Before founding medIQ, Dr. Saira led several major health initiatives with the Government of Pakistan until a tragic road accident left her paralyzed from the neck down. But that wasn't the end, it was the start of a bigger mission.This episode answers: How a life-threatening accident changed her mission Why she left government to build something bigger What medIQ actually does, and how it's scaling globallyWe also explore the tension between staying small vs fundraising, the reality of equity dilution, and what it takes to build Pakistan's first digital health startup Socials:TBT's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thoughtbehindthings/TBT's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tbtbymuzamilTBT's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thoughtbehindthingsTBT Clips: https://www.youtube.com/@tbtpodcastclipsMuzamil's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muzamilhasan/Muzamil's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muzamilhasan/Guest's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-saira-siddique-62130b1ab/Endeavor: https://pakistan.endeavor.org/DaftarKhwan: https://www.daftarkhwan.com/

In the wake of Napoleon's defeat in 1815, French liberals set out to create an informal empire. Their efforts to cultivate unequal partnerships with Christian, Greek-speaking elites in southeast Europe shaped national identities and structured global civilizational hierarchies over the decades that followed. Unintended Nations: France's Empire of Civilization, Southeast Europe, and the Post-Napoleonic World (McGill-Queen's University Press, 2025) tracks a notion of civilization that developed in early nineteenth-century France. Dr. Alex Tipei explores the constellation of ideas, beliefs, and practices this concept invoked – what she calls civilization-speak – and charts the cross-continental networks that employed it as an organizing principle. Drawing on archival and printed primary sources in six languages, Dr. Tipei maps out the uses of this civilization-speak on both sides of the continent, focusing on France and the lands that make up significant parts of present-day Greece and Romania. She shows how and why French liberals mobilized civilization-speak to, offering an innovative analysis of liberalism and capitalism's relationship to informal empire. Calling into question long-standing assumptions about the rise of nationalism in southeast Europe, Unintended Nations explores how Franco-Balkan exchanges helped define political, civilizational, and biopolitical boundaries in the post-Napoleonic era. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Send us a textWhat does it take to build a successful children's hair salon franchise? Lacy Altenhofen, owner of multiple Sharkey's Cuts for Kids  locations in Texas, reveals the unexpected journey that transformed her from marketing professional to thriving entrepreneur.Driven by a desire to bring valuable services to her hometown communities, Lacy discovered Sharkey's Cuts for Kids through what she calls "serendipity" – receiving an email from the co-founder himself while simultaneously having the franchise recommended by her consultant. This perfect alignment confirmed she was on the right path, despite having no prior salon industry experience.Her timing, however, couldn't have been more challenging. Just three and a half months after opening her first location, COVID forced temporary closures. Yet through strategic marketing, community partnerships, and unwavering dedication to company culture, her business not only survived but began thriving shortly after reopening.What makes Sharkey's Cuts for Kids unique in the competitive landscape is their commitment to inclusivity and age-appropriate experiences. From fun cars for toddlers to Xbox stations for tweens, they've created an environment where children of all ages and neurodiversity levels feel comfortable. As Lacy explains, "We grow with the family," serving children from their first haircut through their teenage years.For aspiring franchise owners, Lacy offers this golden nugget: "I would rather be understaffed with the right people than appropriately staffed with the wrong ones." Her focus on creating a teamwork-oriented culture stands in contrast to the traditionally competitive salon industry, where stylists often work against rather than with each other.Ready to explore if franchise ownership might be right for you? Text us at 305-710-0050 for honest advice and guidance from experienced franchise owners who can help you navigate the process with confidence. The Franchise Insiders Podcast Schedule A Call Text: 305-710-0050 Take our FREE Business Builder Assessment

The Foundation Season 3 finale, “The Darkness,” delivers jaw-dropping upheaval and unforgettable twists. The Foundation, the Second Foundation, and the fate of the Empire are forever changed.You know the routine, was Dusk justified, is Demerzel really gone, and what's next for a galaxy without Empire? Drop your thoughts and finale theories below and subscribe!

Noize and I dive deep into The Empire Strikes Back - breaking it apart scene by scene, uncovering hidden layers, untold details, and why this classic still defines Star Wars today.

In the wake of Napoleon's defeat in 1815, French liberals set out to create an informal empire. Their efforts to cultivate unequal partnerships with Christian, Greek-speaking elites in southeast Europe shaped national identities and structured global civilizational hierarchies over the decades that followed. Unintended Nations: France's Empire of Civilization, Southeast Europe, and the Post-Napoleonic World (McGill-Queen's University Press, 2025) tracks a notion of civilization that developed in early nineteenth-century France. Dr. Alex Tipei explores the constellation of ideas, beliefs, and practices this concept invoked – what she calls civilization-speak – and charts the cross-continental networks that employed it as an organizing principle. Drawing on archival and printed primary sources in six languages, Dr. Tipei maps out the uses of this civilization-speak on both sides of the continent, focusing on France and the lands that make up significant parts of present-day Greece and Romania. She shows how and why French liberals mobilized civilization-speak to, offering an innovative analysis of liberalism and capitalism's relationship to informal empire. Calling into question long-standing assumptions about the rise of nationalism in southeast Europe, Unintended Nations explores how Franco-Balkan exchanges helped define political, civilizational, and biopolitical boundaries in the post-Napoleonic era. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history

Marc Cameron is a former U.S. Marshal and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of the Arliss Cutter novels, the Jericho Quinn series, and the Tom Clancy Jack Ryan Sr. books, starting with Power and Empire. Visit him online at MarcCameronBooks.com. Spies, Lies and Private Eyes is copyrighted by Authors on the Air Global Radio Network #authorsofinstagram #authorinterview #writingcommunity #authorsontheair #suspensebooks #authorssupportingauthors #thrillerbooks #suspense #wip #writers#writersinspiration #books #bookrecommendations #bookaddict #bookaddicted #bookaddiction #bibliophile #read #amreading #lovetoread #terrencemccauley #terrencemccauleybooks #bookouture #thrillers #TheTwilightTown #MarcCameron #DeadLine

Our coverage continues of the Marvel Star Wars comics published between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi! In this episode, Jarrod Alberich The Yard Sale Artist joins The Irredeemable Shag to discuss Marvel STAR WARS #45 (March 1981), by Archie Goodwin, Carmine Infantino, Gene Day & Chris Stone! In this issue, entitled "DEATH PROBE", Luke Skywalker battles to save the Rebel fleet from an infiltrator Probe Droid (... or a Probot?)! Finally, we wrap up with YOUR listener feedback from the previous episode! 00:00:30 - Introductions 00:12:40 - Guest's origin with Star Wars comics 00:15:50 - Guest's favorite Star Wars expanded universe character 00:18:10 - Star Wars #45 cover discussion 00:22:30 - Star Wars #45 interior discussion 01:01:05 - The Golden Plif Award 01:07:00 - Your listener feedback from the last episode 01:29:40 - Sign off Have a question or comment? Looking for more great content? Leave comments on our website: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/podcast/swe2j-02/ Email the show at: EmpireToJedi@gmail.com Follow Jarrod Alberich The Yard Sale Artist: The Longbox Crusade: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/longbox-crusade/id1118783510 Twitter/X: https://x.com/yardsaleartist Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yardsaleartist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yardsaleartist/ Subscribe to the MARVEL STAR WARS: FROM EMPIRE TO JEDI Podcast: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marvel-star-wars-from-empire-to-jedi/id1812325155 Don't use Apple Podcasts? Use this link for your podcast catcher: http://feeds.feedburner.com/empiretojedi Also available on Spotify, Audible, and Amazon Music Follow MARVEL STAR WARS: FROM EMPIRE TO JEDI on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpireToJedi/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/empiretojedi.bsky.social Twitter/X: https://x.com/EmpireToJedi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empiretojedi/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@empiretojedi This podcast is a proud member of the FIRE AND WATER PODCAST NETWORK: Visit the Fire & Water website: http://fireandwaterpodcast.com Like our Fire & Water Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FWPodcastNetwork Follow Fire & Water on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fwpodcasts.bsky.social Follow Fire & Water on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fireandwaterpodcast/ Support The Fire & Water Podcast Network on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/fwpodcasts Thanks for listening! May the Force be with You, Always!

According to the Bible, there will be "all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders" in Satan's last-days empire. What's your source for truth in his lying world system?Find out more about NewSpring Church in Wichita, Kansas, at newspring.org.

Malisa offers insights from her journey of intuitive, wanderlust-inspired living, the lessons learned from burnout and activism, and the empowerment found in choosing yourself—no matter your relationship status or stage of life. Whether you're interested in social change, spiritual embodiment, or simply want to be inspired by the radical act of showing up fully as yourself, this episode is a powerful invitation into devotion, truth-telling, and the transformative art of adornment. Malisa shares how her upbringing as the daughter of a Bangladeshi freedom fighter shaped her commitment to justice and community, and how her identity as a "creatrix" fuels her mission to alchemize the world into art and beauty. Together, they unpack the power of reclaiming cultural traditions, the nuanced realities of cultural appreciation versus appropriation, and the healing energy of beauty as a frequency we can all access. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 "Wanderlust Wisdom Unveiled" 03:50 Spirituality, Inclusivity, and Self-Care Balance 07:43 Creativity: Embracing My Inner Artist 11:00 Navigating Family Dynamics Post-Lockdown 14:24 Cultural Fashion and Wedding Dreams 16:42 Empowerment Through Storytelling and Voice 22:28 "Cultural Expression and Social Justice" 25:16 Mindful Fashion and Cultural Respect 28:13 Clothing, Culture, and Representation 31:17 Intuition-Curated Artistic Life 33:43 Embracing Life's Timeless Beauty 37:31 Honoring Spain's Complex History 41:56 Devotion Beyond Visibility 43:17 "Finding Purpose Beyond Metrics" 45:43 "Empire from Atelier" 50:51 Self-Love and Independence Affirmed 53:15 Celebrating Revolutionary Women's Journeys Malisa Ali -professor by day, the lipstick mystic by night- inclusivity activist queen always! leading my intuitive baddies + bombshells in the ADORN movement sociology + women's studies professor, nonprofit + social justice activist background solo traveling the world for 2.5+ years Where social justice x spirituality x self-love meet leaves her lipstick, love + liberation everywhere she goes! Follow Malisa & Join: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xomalisa/ Adorn: https://sites.google.com/view/theadornedwoman   Evoke Feminine Leadership Community: Join here: https://circle.lisamalia.co/join?invitation_token=4aa1b4081e801124df7210b1a84e18ecfbbd2e21-7b7ac858-46a9-47ff-b281-514108ce92d8   Feminine Leadership Mastermind: https://www.evokeleadershipinstitute.co/ Feminine Leadership Retreat: https://www.lisamalia.co/joshua-tree-retreat   Follow Lisa: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisamalia.evoke/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisamalianorman/  

On this week's episode, Bricky and two other guys get together to talk about a very well timed, very expected, very planned Balance Update to Warhammer 40K! Tune in to find out which army rules can we change to destroy a faction for apparently no reason and which army received a buff so massive you would be able to see it even if it was painted purple.   POORHAMMER MERCH! https://orchideight.com/collections/poorhammer PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/SolelySingleton YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@thepoorhammerpodcast TWITCH: https://www.twitch.tv/poorhammer Website: https://poorhammer.libsyn.com/   RELATED TO THIS EPISODE: Balance Dataslate (3 months ago): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP4PopO5voI Balance Dataslate (5 months ago): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNok9FYxi_Q Balance Dataslate (8 months ago): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vFZ3n3xxwA   TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Hello and Welcome 02:19 The Merch Baron Speaks 04:32 Missions Changes 06:29 Adepta Sororitas 09:44 Adeptus Custodes 12:29 Adeptus Mechanicus 17:07 Astra Militarum 19:54 Grey Knights 20:45 Imperial Agents 21:13 Imperial Knights 21:54 Space Marines 22:54 Blood Angels 23:29 Dark Angels 24:38 Deathwatch 25:24 Black Templars and Space Wolves 25:36 Chaos Daemons 26:10 Chaos Knights 27:32 Chaos Space Marines 28:42 Death Guard 29:13 Emperor's Children 31:26 Thousand Sons 38:58 World Eaters 40:50 Aeldari 41:38 Drukhari 41:54 Genestealer Cults 46:12 Tyranids and Votann 46:35 Necrons 49:07 T'au Empire 50:38 Orks 55:22 The biggest winners and losers 58:45 Alright Audio Audience   Our Producers for SEPTEMBER: 3D Frank A healthy ammount of piranhas Aetherion Collector of Adepta Thighroritas Blizted_Brain BrokenReaper45 Corvus Cracker Barrel Pegged Itself With That Design Change Craft and Survive's Local Trad Wife DemolitionMann ericHOWmuchDIDyouJACKOFFtoUMAMASUMEhowSEXYisDAgame GilgameshVS Jan Geisse Jeric Foster JUST ENJOYIN' MAH SNAZZWAGON FER A WHILE!!!!!!!!!! Kiwifruitbird Le BloupBloup mistahsquiggems My tapeworm plays tau so I swallowed an airbrush n0rth the H3retic Nj harlan Off topic but where's the nearest Cracker Barrel, I'm eggin for a peggin Pizza00100 Ratchet7989 Scott the Gym Crab Mr Festastic thatmoiety The Idiot with grey knights VictorianBatman Wargame Simulator   Our Biggest Supporters: A Pulsating Ball of Pure Energy A Suspicious Looking Guy Addoxin Adrian Franke amdragon this gene seed Amists Andreas Another hairy Sasquatch Arc is trans now, deal with it Ava Warrior Princess Ave Dominus Nuts Baddy Brady Daddy Bigs The Purple Necron Blubbles 180 Bob Meyers Bobqer BRB gotta snazz my wagon Canuk-eh Carnuvex Chad the Frog Chris Wilkins Christopher Gargagliano Chroma Veil Colin. H cracker barrel, House of pegging Craig Judge Crazyshak48 Cube1359 Dairy Sorceror, addicted to mana potions Daniel Field5150 Darth Vergeance DasGoopy Dominick Colacicco Dylan Baker Edward Lawrence Enchantedgalaxycat Fay FlawlessOyster Gathering Clouds GearOverlord Geete Hyena Beans HypnoticSpecter I read the Space Wolves Codex and all I got out of it was wolfwolfwolfwolfwolfwolfwolfwolf I saw Fulgrim pegging Brad in the back of a Cracker-barrel. Illindi isaac hall Jarrett DiPerna Jolyne Justin Yudichak Kaydien moore Kentorb Kozak Krishna L'Etranger (Lukus) Lord of Chaos Madison Ramanama Malcador the Rizzler-ite Matthew Tsushima Michael Melcher Mitchell Mixolydius mmmm burnt toast morfiel55 Not-Gafie NotEE Omegashark Pierce forgot about changing their name as a bit for a while Protius7331 Qelan Reetheus Khan Rock roguetraderjake RossWarlock Rothana's All Terrain Tactical Enforcer Rymora saft SarahchaSauce Shamalamadingdong Shaxxs pet otter Solonite Spraying my gene seed on Eric's face Struggle_l3us The Mailman The Other Mailman The Secretly not so Secret Dark Angel Thecrusader13 TheFishboi Thrango

John 4:3-26 Alex Baker

Pinball: We talk about the reveal of Stern Pinball's Star Wars Fall of the Empire, plus answer a listener email about saying games have good flow. Video Games: We talk about Pinball Arcade, a Nintendo Direct, Silksong's success, and Ninteno getting a patent for everything related to summoning. Episode Links: Knapp Arcade article on Stern Pinball's Fall of the Empire Star Wars pinball machine: https://www.knapparcade.org/blog/stern-pinball-star-wars-fall-of-the-empire-revealed Show Links: EGP Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/eclectic_gamers Website: http://eclecticgamers.com EGP T-shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/eclectic-gamers-podcast iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/eclectic-gamers-podcast/id1088802706?mt=2 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-465086826 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/eclecticgamerspodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC40Frd1Fep4u5bjrw3cvwoQ Discord: https://discord.gg/sgnrsBT Email: eclecticgamerspodcast@gmail.com

Send us a textWhat does it really take to build a successful global consulting firm from scratch without external investment? In this revealing conversation, Jeffrey Cronkshaw, founder and group managing director of Lancia Consult, shares the untold story behind growing his consultancy from a two-person operation to a thriving international business with offices in Singapore, the UK, and beyond.The journey began not with a meticulously crafted business plan, but with a practical solution to work-life balance challenges when Jeffrey's wife Isabella returned from maternity leave at Accenture. What started as a simple contracting vehicle quickly evolved into something much more ambitious when they spotted a significant gap in the Southeast Asian market – a vacuum between the Big Four firms and very small local consultancies that was begging to be filled.Jeffrey candidly discusses the realities of leaving partner-track positions at Accenture, the early cash flow challenges, and how they've built a distinctive culture with a remarkably young leadership team. His approach to growth has been refreshingly opportunistic rather than following conventional wisdom – deliberately avoiding London when entering the UK market, prioritizing process development before problems arise, and maintaining a long-term vision rather than focusing on a quick exit.Most compelling is Lancia's strategy for competing with industry giants. Rather than trying to beat them at their own game, they've created distinct advantages: giving consultants broader experiences and faster progression opportunities, maintaining deep connections between offices that would typically operate as separate entities in larger firms, and carefully diversifying their service offerings beyond pure consulting.Whether you're considering starting your own consultancy, looking to join a growing firm, or simply fascinated by entrepreneurial journeys, this episode offers valuable insights into building a sustainable professional services business in today's competitive landscape. How might Lancia's approach change your thinking about what's possible in the consulting world?Prof. Joe O'Mahoney helps boutique consultancies scale and exit. Joe's research, writing, speaking and insights can be found at www.joeomahoney.com

Listen to the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThY-UBFtGK8  What if I told you Mark Cuban has invested over $100 million in companies from complete strangers who just sent him an email? In this Fitness Friday episode, I'm sharing insights from my conversation with Mark Cuban about his unconventional investment approach and the incredible companies built from cold outreach. We discuss how Cuban manages 200+ investments with just 12 team members, why he answers every single email personally, and the remarkable stories behind two of his biggest wins: a $4 billion space company and a revolutionary pharmacy that's disrupting Big Pharma. Mark Cuban is a billionaire entrepreneur, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, and star investor on Shark Tank who has built his reputation on being accessible to anyone with a compelling business idea. What we discuss: The $750K Investment That Became Worth "A Whole Lot of Money" at $4B Valuation Why Cuban Reads Every Email and Deletes Most in Under 2 Seconds How He Manages 200 Companies with Only 12 Employees The Cold Email Strategy That Led to Cost Plus Drugs Revolution Behind the Scenes of Shark Tank: Why 75% of His Deals Actually Close The Real Reason Most Shark Tank Entrepreneurs "Ghost" Their Deals How Cuban Turns Alyssa's Cookies Into a $20M Business With Zero Advertising Why He Refuses Meetings But Responds to Strangers' Emails Within Minutes The One Question Every Entrepreneur Must Ask: "Why Didn't I Think of That?" Thank you to our sponsor: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off  Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Magic Mind: Head over to www.magicmind.com/jen and use code Jen at checkout. 99designs by Vista: 99designs.com/jen20  – click "Claim my discount" to get $20 off your first design contest.  Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off  Manna Vitality: Visit mannavitality.com and use code JENNIFER20 for 20% off your order Find more from Mark Cuban: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcuban/  Find more from Jen: Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/ Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements