Podcasts about Empire

Popeye might have gotten strong from eating spinach, but for the family of C.F. Seabrook, New Jersey's narcissistic patriarch of industrialized farming, spinach has been a curse. In his new book The Spinach King: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty, New Yorker staff writer John Seabrook charts the dramatic rise and fall of his family's Seabrook Farms. Part family memoir, part critique of industrialized agricultural capitalism, Seabrook tells the story of his grandfather C.F. Seabrook, the "Henry Ford of agriculture”, who built a frozen vegetable empire on 20,000 acres in New Jersey. Rather than a celebration of American innovation, however, The Spinach King is a parable about the dark side of capitalist ambition, explaining how the pursuit of industrial-scale farming led to worker exploitation, family destruction, and ultimately, the dynasty's collapse. Seabrook's motivation for writing about the rise and fall of his grandfather's empire? “Revenge,” he confesses, against a monster who cheated his own father and then psychologically humiliated his son. Five Key Takeaways 1. Industrial Agriculture's Labor Problem Remains Unsolved C.F. Seabrook discovered that while you can mechanize many aspects of farming, crucial tasks like harvesting and cultivation still require human hands. This 100-year-old challenge persists today—American agriculture still depends heavily on immigrant labor because Americans won't do the difficult, seasonal work.2. Capitalism Without Checks Corrupts Families The Seabrook story illustrates how pure capitalist pursuit can destroy the very thing it's meant to benefit. C.F. Seabrook's obsession with profit and control led him to psychologically abuse his sons, cheat his own father, and ultimately tear apart his family dynasty through paranoia and manipulation.3. Generational Conflict Doomed the Business The company's downfall wasn't primarily due to labor issues or market forces, but from irreconcilable differences between C.F. and his Princeton-educated son. The elder Seabrook's anti-union, authoritarian approach clashed with his son's more progressive values, creating internal warfare that destroyed the business.4. Personal Motivation Drives Powerful Storytelling John Seabrook openly admits he wrote the book for revenge against his grandfather, who had psychologically tormented his father. This personal stake transforms what could have been dry business history into a compelling family reckoning with broader implications for American capitalism.5. Agricultural Scale Has Natural Limits Unlike grain farming, vegetable agriculture may have inherent scaling limitations. Seabrook's grandfather tried to apply Henry Ford's mass production principles to farming, but vegetables—especially those requiring hand-picking—resist the kind of industrial scaling that works for manufacturing or grain production.John Seabrook has been a staff writer at The New Yorker for more than three decades. He is the author of The Song Machine, Flash of Genius, Nobrow and other books. The film ​“Flash of Genius” was based on one of his stories. He and his family live in Brooklyn.Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstoryPat Flynn is an American entrepreneur, author, and podcast host best known for founding Smart Passive Income, a platform that teaches people how to build online businesses and generate passive income. After being laid off from his architecture job in 2008, he turned a small study guide website into a thriving business, eventually expanding into blogging, podcasting, and online courses. Flynn is widely respected for his transparency, ethical approach to marketing, and focus on serving his audience first.➡️ Show Linkshttps://www.instagram.com/patflynn/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGk1LitxAZVnqQn0_nt5qxw https://www.linkedin.com/in/patflynn3/ ➡️ Podcast SponsorsHubspot - https://hubspot.com/ Vanta - https://www.vanta.com/scott Federated Computer - https://www.federated.computer Lingoda - https://try.lingoda.com/success_sprintCornbread Hemp - https://cornbreadhemp.com/success (Code: Success)FreshBooks - https://www.freshbooks.com/pricing-offer/ Quince - https://quince.com/success Northwest Registered Agent - https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/success Prolon - https://prolonlife.com/clary NetSuite — https://netsuite.com/scottclary/ Indeed - https://indeed.com/clary➡️ Talking Points00:00 – Intro01:31 – How Pat Flynn Got Started03:48 – Are We Learning Too Much?06:57 – The Problem with School13:43 – How Pat Changed His Mindset20:03 – “Just in Time” Learning29:32 – Sponsor Break33:25 – Timing Your Next Big Idea36:23 – Creating Healthy Pressure46:32 – Mastering Microskills54:36 – Mindsets Over Milestones58:30 – Sponsor Break1:01:08 – Microskill Mistakes1:07:15 – Teach to Learn1:12:57 – Expertise vs. Experience1:17:44 – Final Thoughts1:24:55 – Pat's Lesson for His KidsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week's guest is one of the most successful independent artists in modern music.He's a rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer who built his career from the ground up—writing, recording, producing, mixing, mastering, and releasing everything himself.But in this rare conversation, he opens up about the side of the journey we don't usually hear:The emotional weight of ownership, the mental toll of doing it all alone, and the belief system that kept him going when no one else did.We get into:Publishing, splits, and how he structured his businessWhy he doesn't co-write or chase featuresThe pressure of independence and learning to let go of controlBurnout, success, spirituality, fear of falling off, and moreThis is more than a career breakdown—it's a blueprint for any creative who wants to build something real without losing their peace.And The Writer Is... Russ!Chapters00:00:00 - Trailer: A Glimpse Inside 00:00:57 - Ad Break: NMPA and the Fight for Songwriter Pay 00:01:39 - Welcome to And The Writer Is… with Russ 00:02:14 - Meet Russ: The Unstoppable Indie Force 00:03:50 - From NJ to ATL: Russ's Early Grind 00:06:40 - Atlanta's Snap Era and Soulja Boy Influence 00:07:53 - Homegrown Sounds: 70s Rock and Dad's Secret Talent 00:10:11 - First Guitar: The Genesis of a Songwriter 00:11:08 - GarageBand Dreams: Crafting Early Beats 00:12:09 - Musical Influences: Lil Wayne and Pop-Punk 00:13:30 - Defining the Russ Sound 00:15:29 - Drum Programmers vs. Songwriters 00:18:23 - Publishing Game: Russ's 50/50 Split Strategy 00:25:56 - Masters vs. Publishing: Where the Money Is 00:27:06 - Losin Control: The $850K Sample Mistake 00:28:28 - Building an Independent Empire 00:30:38 - Own Your Business: Russ's Wake-Up Call 00:33:18 - Inspiration Is a Lie: Show Up and Work 00:34:28 - Weekly Releases: Discipline Over Inspiration 00:37:14 - Creative Sparks: Shower, Planes, and Life 00:47:26 - Cherry Hill: The Hunt for the Perfect Word 00:51:09 - Live First, Write Later 00:53:10 - The Power of Delusional Belief 01:03:11 - Russ's Blueprint: 2 Songs a Month 01:06:57 - Respect Your Audience's Ear 01:09:18 - The Pressure of Success and Family 01:13:55 - Therapy and Acceptance 01:14:37 - Breaking Into Acting and Hollywood 01:25:26 - Ad Break: Powered by peermusic 01:47:10 - Growth Through Vulnerability 01:48:46 - Why Russ Stays Independent 01:53:27 - Fair Pay for Songwriters 02:00:22 - The “Good Problems” of Success 02:07:38 - Chloe, Otto, and Life Lessons 02:08:57 - Outro: And The Writer Is... 02:11:42 - Why Not Me? Russ's Final Word Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dive into the inspiring journey of Dale Carlsen, the visionary behind Sleep Train, and discover how he reshaped an industry and gave back to his community.Join host Mark Kinsley as he sits down with Dale Carlsen, the legendary founder of Sleep Train, who built a 317-store empire with a unique culture of employee ownership and community support.In this episode, Dale Carlsen shares the story of building a mattress empire and the transformative power of employee ownership. Discover how his innovative approach not only skyrocketed business growth but also changed the lives of countless employees and foster children. Dale's commitment to doing the right thing extends beyond business, highlighting the importance of community engagement and the impact of giving back.Timestamped Breakdown:[00:01] - Meet Dale Carlsen: The Visionary Behind Sleep Train[01:20] - Challenging Industry Norms: The Warranty Revolution[03:19] - Empowering Employees: The Birth of the ESOP[05:18] - Cultivating Ownership: Building a Culture of Accountability[07:10] - A Mirror of Ownership: The Moment Employees Became Owners[09:10] - Legacy of Change: Impacting Lives Beyond Business[13:36] - Focus on Foster Kids: The Genesis of Ticket to Dream[20:37] - Addressing Systemic Challenges: The Foster Care Crisis[28:29] - Sustained Success: The Power of Purpose-Driven Business[46:17] - Navigating Challenges: Lessons from the Great Recession

Nous sommes le 5 frimaire an 13 (24 novembre 1804). À Namur, chef-lieu du département de Sambre-et-Meuse. Mathieu de Nantes écrit : « Nous, commissaire de police de la ville de Namur, rapportons que faisant ce jour, vers les onze heures du matin, notre tournée d'inspection et passant sur la Grande place, nous aurions surpris la nommée Chevance, dite femme revendeuse, qui avait étalé des raies sur la table au-devant de la maison du nommé La Rose, cabaretier demeurant dite Grand place, et ce en contravention des lois et règlements de police concernant l'étalage du poisson de mer. Et lui avons déclaré qu'elle serait appelée au tribunal de police pour voir statuer à son égard ce qu'en justice appartiendra. Cette femme est venue le 9 frimaire présent en notre bureau déclarer qu'elle payerait l'amende et consentait à comparaître volontairement au tribunal ». La vie d'un commissaire de police à Namur, sous Napoléon, c'est ce que nous allons découvrir, aujourd'hui. Merci pour votre écoute Un Jour dans l'Histoire, c'est également en direct tous les jours de la semaine de 13h15 à 14h30 sur www.rtbf.be/lapremiere Retrouvez tous les épisodes d'Un Jour dans l'Histoire sur notre plateforme Auvio.be :https://auvio.rtbf.be/emission/5936 Intéressés par l'histoire ? Vous pourriez également aimer nos autres podcasts : L'Histoire Continue: https://audmns.com/kSbpELwL'heure H : https://audmns.com/YagLLiKEt sa version à écouter en famille : La Mini Heure H https://audmns.com/YagLLiKAinsi que nos séries historiques :Chili, le Pays de mes Histoires : https://audmns.com/XHbnevhD-Day : https://audmns.com/JWRdPYIJoséphine Baker : https://audmns.com/wCfhoEwLa folle histoire de l'aviation : https://audmns.com/xAWjyWCLes Jeux Olympiques, l'étonnant miroir de notre Histoire : https://audmns.com/ZEIihzZMarguerite, la Voix d'une Résistante : https://audmns.com/zFDehnENapoléon, le crépuscule de l'Aigle : https://audmns.com/DcdnIUnUn Jour dans le Sport : https://audmns.com/xXlkHMHSous le sable des Pyramides : https://audmns.com/rXfVppvN'oubliez pas de vous y abonner pour ne rien manquer.Et si vous avez apprécié ce podcast, n'hésitez pas à nous donner des étoiles ou des commentaires, cela nous aide à le faire connaître plus largement. Distribué par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Puntata n.493 del format radiofonico Wake House Tracklist 00:00 - DJ Angelo Ruggieri - Wake House Intro 01:30 - groovemasta - Stop Playing on Me (Original Mix) 07:54 - Sean Finn - See the Trouble with Me (Nu Disco Extended Mix) 11:38 - HP Vince - Nights Of Funk 14:49 - Jaques Le Noir - Be with You (Extended Mix) 19:35 - Dirty Disco Stars - For Your Love (Extended Mix) 23:48 - Lady Gaga - Poker Face (DE SOFFER Remix) 27:44 - DJ Vivona & Miss D - I Wanna Dance With Somebody (80's Mix) 32:58 - DJ FRÉ - You & Me 36:53 - Adri Block, Dj Groovemonkey - Party Down 40:00 - Baccus - Just Be Good To Me (Extended Mix) 43:36 - Purple Disco Machine & Hurts - Wonderful Life '25 (Extended) 48:31 - Block & Crown - Around the World 52:07 - One Trick Pony & DE SOFFER - 9PM (Till I Come) (Extended Mix) 55:44 - GhostMasters - Street Playerz (Extended Mix) 59:28 - Jackers Revenge - Coming Out 01:03:19 - Ghostbusterz - Shine the Light 01:06:38 - Damn! It's Funk - Will Get Your Love (Original Mix) 01:10:35 - Empire of the Sun, Eric Prydz - We Are Mirage (Dee Elji Remix) 01:15:39 - Dj Soulstar - Sunshine (Original Mix) 01:18:19 - Gianluca Vacchi - Shooting Stars feat. Sam Martin 01:22:08 - Ace & AtcG - Amour Plastique (Extended Mix) 01:27:12 - Calvin Harris, Clementine Douglas - Blessings (Original Mix)

Situé sur les hauteurs de Cuzco, le site de Sacsayhuaman est un chef dʹœuvre de lʹarchitecture inca ! Cette construction possède des murs très impressionnants composés de gigantesques blocs de pierre qui pèsent plusieurs dizaines de tonnes et qui sont parfaitement assemblés sans mortier. Pour parler de cet édifice, Johanne Dussez reçoit David Barreiro, archéologue, spécialiste de lʹEmpire inca, chercheur associé au centre de recherches de lʹAmérique préhispanique de Sorbonne université et enseignant chercheur en histoire à lʹUniversité dʹArras. Sujets traités : Sacsayhuaman, Pérou, Cuzco,chef dʹœuvre, architecture, inca, édifice Merci pour votre écoute Un Jour dans l'Histoire, c'est également en direct tous les jours de la semaine de 13h15 à 14h30 sur www.rtbf.be/lapremiere Retrouvez tous les épisodes d'Un Jour dans l'Histoire sur notre plateforme Auvio.be :https://auvio.rtbf.be/emission/5936 Intéressés par l'histoire ? Vous pourriez également aimer nos autres podcasts : L'Histoire Continue: https://audmns.com/kSbpELwL'heure H : https://audmns.com/YagLLiKEt sa version à écouter en famille : La Mini Heure H https://audmns.com/YagLLiKAinsi que nos séries historiques :Chili, le Pays de mes Histoires : https://audmns.com/XHbnevhD-Day : https://audmns.com/JWRdPYIJoséphine Baker : https://audmns.com/wCfhoEwLa folle histoire de l'aviation : https://audmns.com/xAWjyWCLes Jeux Olympiques, l'étonnant miroir de notre Histoire : https://audmns.com/ZEIihzZMarguerite, la Voix d'une Résistante : https://audmns.com/zFDehnENapoléon, le crépuscule de l'Aigle : https://audmns.com/DcdnIUnUn Jour dans le Sport : https://audmns.com/xXlkHMHSous le sable des Pyramides : https://audmns.com/rXfVppvN'oubliez pas de vous y abonner pour ne rien manquer.Et si vous avez apprécié ce podcast, n'hésitez pas à nous donner des étoiles ou des commentaires, cela nous aide à le faire connaître plus largement. Distribué par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

In this episode, Maggie Sellers—founder, investor, creator, and force behind Hot Smart Rich—shares how she turned vulnerability, storytelling, and a scrappy content strategy into a multimillion-dollar movement and investing powerhouse. She shares: • The celebrity deal that taught her the power of owning your narrative • How she built Hot Smart Rich from a TikTok idea into a full-blown venture platform • The moment she knew she had a real business (hint: it wasn't when she went viral) • Her strategy behind raising and deploying over $1.6M via syndicates • Why she passed on buzzy deals like Spritz Margs—and what she looks for instead • The future of DTC, social selling, and creator-led commerce If you're a modern founder, creator, or investor—or looking to be all three—this episode is a blueprint for building something meaningful and magnetic in today's world. Foundr Community Offers Want 1-on-1 mentorship to launch or scale your brand faster? Apply for eCommerce coaching: → Starting your ecom biz? ⁠Click here⁠ → Already selling and want to scale? ⁠Click here⁠ Want all-access to step-by-step training from 7, 8 & 9-figure founders? Start your Foundr+ $1 trial today → ⁠Click here⁠ Omnisend | Get 50% off your first 3 months of email and SMS marketing with Omnisend with the code FOUNDR50. ⁠Click here⁠ to get started. Connect With Nathan Chan Instagram → ⁠Click Here⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠Click here⁠ Connect With Maggie Sellers Instagram → ⁠Click here⁠ Hot Smart Rich→ ⁠Click here⁠ HSR Instagram→ ⁠⁠Click here⁠ Follow Foundr for More Business Growth Strategies YouTube → ⁠Click here⁠ Website → ⁠Click here⁠ Instagram → ⁠Click here⁠ Facebook → ⁠Click here⁠ Twitter → ⁠Click here⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠Click here⁠ Podcast → ⁠Click here

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees the podteam — Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and Alex Godfrey — get to grips with the definition of in media res, as they discuss some of their favourite films that throw you right into the action. Elsewhere, they talk about the week's movie news, pay tribute to Empire's founding editor Barry McIlheney, who has sadly died at the age of 65, and review The Ballad Of Wallis Island, Karate Kid: Legends, Mountainhead, The Ritual, and The Salt Path. And Chris has a whale of a time talking to this week's guests, Mountainhead writer/director (and Succession creator), Jesse Armstrong, [26:34 - 39:29 approx] and Tom Basden, Tim Key and Carey Mulligan, the stars of the delightful new film, The Ballad Of Wallis Island. [1:01:06 - 1:19:38 approx] Oh, and Alex goes full Rory Bremner too, which is... unexpected. Enjoy.

In this episode, we sit down with Keith Burns and his journey behind leaving a legal career and a promising path in finance to pursue ETA. Keith shares how a well-timed bonus and a trusted partnership with Michael Curry set him on a path to build and scale a healthcare services company. Keith breaks down their approach to capital, growth, and navigating multiple acquisitions and exits. He also reflects on the importance of aligned values, long-term thinking, and learning to “run toward pain” in business. This is a grounded, tactical look at ETA from someone who's lived it at every stage.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Korea's brief but significant period as an empire as it moved from the 500-year-old dynastic Joseon monarchy towards modernity. It was in October 1897 that King Gojong declared himself Emperor, seizing his chance when the once-dominant China lost to Japan in the First Sino-Japanese War. The king wanted to have the same status as the neighbouring Russian, Chinese and Japanese Emperors, to shore up a bid for Korean independence and sovereignty when the world's major powers either wanted to open Korea up to trade or to colonise it. The Korean Empire lasted only thirteen years, yet it was a time of great transformation for this state and the whole region with lasting consequences in the next century…With Nuri Kim Associate Professor in Korean Studies at the faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Cambridge and Fellow of Wolfson CollegeHolly Stephens Lecturer in Japanese and Korean Studies at the University of EdinburghAnd Derek Kramer Lecturer in Korean Studies at the University of SheffieldProducer: Simon TillotsonReading list:Isabella Bird Bishop, Korea and her Neighbors: A Narrative of Travel, With an Account of the Recent Vicissitudes and Present Position of the Country (first published 1898; Forgotten Books, 2019)Vipan Chandra, Imperialism, Resistance and Reform in Late Nineteenth-Century Korea: Enlightenment and the Independence Club (University of California, Institute of East Asian Studies, 1988)Peter Duus, The Abacus and the Sword: The Japanese Penetration of Korea, 1859-1910 (University of California Press, 1995)Carter J. Eckert, Offspring of Empire: The Koch'ang Kims and the Colonial Origins of Korean Capitalism, 1876–1910 (University of Washington Press, 1991)George L. Kallander, Salvation through Dissent: Tonghak Heterodoxy and Early Modern Korea (University of Hawaii Press, 2013)Kim Dong-no, John B. Duncan and Kim Do-hyung (eds.), Reform and Modernity in the Taehan Empire (Jimoondang, 2006)Kirk W. Larsen, Tradition, Treaties, and Trade: Qing Imperialism and Chosŏn Korea, 1850-1910 (Harvard University Asia Center, 2008)Yumi Moon, Populist Collaborators: The Ilchinhoe and the Japanese Colonization of Korea, 1896-1910 (Cornell University Press, 2013)Sung-Deuk Oak, The Making of Korean Christianity: Protestant Encounters with Korean Religions, 1876-1915 (Baylor University Press, 2013)Eugene T. Park, A Family of No Prominence: The Descendants of Pak Tŏkhwa and the Birth of Modern Korea (Stanford University Press, 2020)Michael E. Robinson, Korea's Twentieth-Century Odyssey: A Short History (University of Hawaii Press, 2007)Andre Schmid, Korea Between Empires, 1895-1919 (Columbia University Press, 2002)Vladimir Tikhonov, Social Darwinism and Nationalism in Korea: The Beginnings, 1880s-1910s (Brill, 2010)In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio Production

Scott Marr, franchising titan and Founding Principal of Franchise Altitude, has built nationally recognized brands and helps entrepreneurs scale theirs with proven strategies, industry insight, and access to growth capital. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. Success isn't about doing more - it's about doing fewer things better through ruthless prioritization. 2. A bestselling book title or status is leverage, not a financial strategy - look beyond sales to build real impact. 3. The path to financial independence starts with high-ticket value, lean business models, and reinvesting profits for long-term freedom. Visit the website for free resources and next steps - Franchise Altitude Sponsors ThriveTime Show - Become the next success story, schedule a free consultation and request tickets to join Football Star, Tim Tebow & President Trump's Son, Eric Trump at Clay Clark's next business conference today at: ThrivetimeShow.com/eofire. NetSuite - Over 41,000 businesses have future-proofed their business with NetSuite, by Oracle - THE number one cloud E.R.P. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning for free at NetSuite.com/fire.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Korea's brief but significant period as an empire as it moved from the 500-year-old dynastic Joseon monarchy towards modernity. It was in October 1897 that King Gojong declared himself Emperor, seizing his chance when the once-dominant China lost to Japan in the First Sino-Japanese War. The king wanted to have the same status as the neighbouring Russian, Chinese and Japanese Emperors, to shore up a bid for Korean independence and sovereignty when the world's major powers either wanted to open Korea up to trade or to colonise it. The Korean Empire lasted only thirteen years, yet it was a time of great transformation for this state and the whole region with lasting consequences in the next century…With Nuri Kim Associate Professor in Korean Studies at the faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Cambridge and Fellow of Wolfson CollegeHolly Stephens Lecturer in Japanese and Korean Studies at the University of EdinburghAnd Derek Kramer Lecturer in Korean Studies at the University of SheffieldProducer: Simon TillotsonReading list:Isabella Bird Bishop, Korea and her Neighbors: A Narrative of Travel, With an Account of the Recent Vicissitudes and Present Position of the Country (first published 1898; Forgotten Books, 2019)Vipan Chandra, Imperialism, Resistance and Reform in Late Nineteenth-Century Korea: Enlightenment and the Independence Club (University of California, Institute of East Asian Studies, 1988)Peter Duus, The Abacus and the Sword: The Japanese Penetration of Korea, 1859-1910 (University of California Press, 1995)Carter J. Eckert, Offspring of Empire: The Koch'ang Kims and the Colonial Origins of Korean Capitalism, 1876–1910 (University of Washington Press, 1991)George L. Kallander, Salvation through Dissent: Tonghak Heterodoxy and Early Modern Korea (University of Hawaii Press, 2013)Kim Dong-no, John B. Duncan and Kim Do-hyung (eds.), Reform and Modernity in the Taehan Empire (Jimoondang, 2006)Kirk W. Larsen, Tradition, Treaties, and Trade: Qing Imperialism and Chosŏn Korea, 1850-1910 (Harvard University Asia Center, 2008)Yumi Moon, Populist Collaborators: The Ilchinhoe and the Japanese Colonization of Korea, 1896-1910 (Cornell University Press, 2013)Sung-Deuk Oak, The Making of Korean Christianity: Protestant Encounters with Korean Religions, 1876-1915 (Baylor University Press, 2013)Eugene T. Park, A Family of No Prominence: The Descendants of Pak Tŏkhwa and the Birth of Modern Korea (Stanford University Press, 2020)Michael E. Robinson, Korea's Twentieth-Century Odyssey: A Short History (University of Hawaii Press, 2007)Andre Schmid, Korea Between Empires, 1895-1919 (Columbia University Press, 2002)Vladimir Tikhonov, Social Darwinism and Nationalism in Korea: The Beginnings, 1880s-1910s (Brill, 2010)In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio Production

And in THIS episode of Who Would Win Unleashed… darkness descends and the streets ignite as Darth Vader (championed by Eric Holmes) faces off against an entire metropolis with a mean streak — The City of Boston (repped by James Gavsie) — in one of the most mind-bending matchups the show has ever seen.On one side, the Dark Lord of the Sith brings unmatched mastery of the Force, lightsaber precision, and an unshakable will forged in the fires of Mustafar. On the other, Boston fights not with a single face, but with the soul of a city: from die-hard sports fans and street-hardened townies to MIT-engineered countermeasures and Fenway's unrelenting spirit, this historic powerhouse has something even the Empire may not be ready for.Hosts James Gavsie and Eric Holmes break down this wild clash of galactic tyranny vs gritty New England pride, exploring every angle — from Vader's suffocating presence to Boston's unfiltered resilience. Can a single force-wielding juggernaut crush an entire city's fight, or will Boston's legacy, attitude, and unrelenting unity turn the tide?Expect strategy, absurdity, high-stakes analysis, and the kind of geek culture spectacle that only Who Would Win could deliver. It's Sith vs City — and you're not ready for how this ends.You can now support us on Patreon at Patreon.com/WhoWouldWinShowCheck out the Who Would Win YouTube Channel!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvvgEElLPGQG2GXkqMhQ5JwJoin our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whowouldwinshowFollow us on X/Twitter: @jamesgavsie @whowouldwinshowFollow us on IG and Threads: @WhoWouldWinShow @jamesgavsie @theericholmesCheck out the Who Would Win Merch Store:https://saywerd.co/collections/who-whould-win-merchSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/who-would-win/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/who-would-win/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/who-would-win/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Technology journalist Karen Hao, who has been reporting on OpenAI since 2019, compares the company's unprecedented growth to a new form of empire. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Y'all, For boutique fitness studio owners, scaling from a single location to a multi-club empire while maintaining premium standards seems impossible. But what if you could learn from someone who's done exactly that? Meet Rob Beal, Fitness Director at Third Space, who's helped grow them from 4 to 13 premium clubs across London and built the highest-valued fitness concept per square foot worldwide. Tune in to our new series of conversations with amazing industry leaders: Episode 662: Building Premium Fitness Empire - Lessons from Third Space London. ● Own your IP: keeping all training, programs and instructors in-house instead of outsourcing to freelancers ● Pilates leads the pack: Reformer Pilates is their #1 performing modality, now in 10 of 13 clubs ● Strength over HIIT: consumer demand has shifted from high-intensity to strength-focused programming ● Recovery revolution: spa, wellness and recovery services are essential for premium positioning ● Data-driven future: integrating wearable tech data and AI to enhance personal training ● Medical integration: longevity services and preventive health will dominate premium fitness ● Culture through growth: moving star performers to new locations to maintain standards and mentorship Whether you're planning your second location or dreaming of a fitness empire, Rob's insights on team development, real estate strategy, and staying ahead of consumer trends will reshape how you think about growth. And meet Rob (who's about to become a dad!), after you hear from him in Episode 662 Catch you there, Lise PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who've decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/

The Patina kicks off their heist against Ramp Girl HQ.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. - Dry grinds 3.wav by crazy_freerider. Link & License. - Meadow Walz (ID 1337) by Lobo Loco. Link & License. - Live-It (instrumental) by Ketsa. Link & License. - Running Eiskrokodil (ID 01) - Remastered by Lobo Loco. 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

In this heart-centered episode, Tina Marie Gamble shares how she turned her passion for service into a thriving referral-based real estate business—fueled by her deep connection to the military community. From a one-way ticket to Hawaii to building a legacy rooted in relationships, Tina reveals the systems, mindset, and community-first approach that set her apart. She dives into the power of genuine connection, giving without expectation, and staying top of mind through unforgettable client experiences. If you're looking to grow your business by serving with purpose, this episode is a must-listen.Show Notes:How Tina Marie Gamble built a thriving referral-based business serving military familiesThe importance of legacy-building over chasing commission checksWhy genuine connection and client appreciation events are game-changersTransitioning from online leads to a relationship-based real estate modelTina's upcoming coaching program for agents who want to specialize in the military nicheFollow us on Instagram! Podcast: @‌momsinrealestateHost: @‌heykristencantrell @‌thehellocultureGuest: @tina_mariegamble Check out our amazing sponsors: Your Tax Coach // Professional Tax Accountants. We're not just saving you money, we're changing lives! @‌yourtaxcoach‌ Reel Social Agent // Social Media Mentors for Real Estate Pros Helping Real Estate Pros turn their social media into their best calling card! @‌reelsocialagent Colibri Real Estate // The online real estate school committed to flexibility. Click HERE to check out their amazing courses! Strategy Ninjas // Helping service-based entrepreneurs scale without burnout. Learn more HERE

In this episode of The Unified Brand Podcast, we're joined by John Sapiente, founder of Volition America—a powerful brand that blends patriotism, purpose, and performance fashion. What started as a Memorial Day awakening evolved into a national movement empowering individuals to wear their values, support American heroes, and rally around a shared cause.John shares the origin of Volition America, how he overcame the hurdles of entering the apparel space from a manufacturing background, and how strategic partnerships with brands like Puma and influencers like Gary Woodland ignited nationwide brand love.We explore:How storytelling and cause marketing built a community-first brandWhy brand DNA and emotional connection drive customer loyaltyThe secret behind 13-fold branding and hidden messages in product designVolition's bold new vision—including TV shows, new categories, and experiencesThis is a must-listen for founders, marketers, and purpose-driven brand builders who want to stand out and scale impact.

Mon Mothma is at the heart of the Alliance against the Empire in the Star Wars Universe. Her pragmatism and determination steered the fate of the galaxy far, far away. We shed light on her character in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James O'Keefe commits to investigating Diddy and others tied to blackmail, Epstein, and elite corruption. He discusses why trust is rare in journalism, how sources are leveraged, and why breaking these stories is dangerous but necessary. If exposed, the footage could shift the cultural narrative.

In this episode, we're joined by Casey Maxted—a man whose resume reads like an adventure novel. From his roots growing up on an Iowa farm to serving as a Green Beret in the U.S. Special Forces and later as an FBI agent tackling violent crime and counterterrorism, Casey has seen it all. But his story doesn't stop there. He's now channeling his experience and passion into entrepreneurship, running multiple businesses including Cold Zero Whiskey and Pillars of Valor Coffee, and, most notably, serving as Director of Operations at Warrior Rising, a nonprofit helping veterans find purpose through business ownership.Sawyer and Tork dig deep with Casey about his journey—exploring the sacrifices, camaraderie, and lessons learned along the way. Casey opens up about the transitions between his high-intensity careers, his candid reflections on team building and leadership, and why helping others—especially veterans and law enforcement—drives him. They also get into his family life, how growing up on a farm shaped his work ethic, and how he balances multiple projects with being an engaged dad.Of course, there's plenty of talk about whiskey (including some live tasting!), entrepreneurship, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. Whether you're a veteran, a business owner, or just someone looking for a bit of inspiration and wisdom, Casey's story is packed with insights and heart. So pull up a chair in the barn—this episode is one you won't want to miss!Farmer Grade Memorial Day Sale https://farmergrade.com/ Learn More About Our New Project

In this episode, I sit down with Tero Isokauppila, the $100M CEO and founder of Four Sigmatic, as he reveals why he's starting over from scratch to build a billion-dollar biotech startup. We dive into his new company, HIRO — a plastic-eating mushroom innovation that could reshape the future of waste. Tero shares how he balances running a nine-figure business while launching a zero-to-one venture, why he's raising millions in funding, and what it really takes to go from $100M to billions. You'll hear the unfiltered realities of scaling, raising capital, leading a mission-driven company, and how to play the long game in entrepreneurship. Whether you're a founder, investor, or just fascinated by game-changing innovations, this conversation will show you what it looks like when a $100M CEO bets big on the next billion. Check out HIRO at: https://hirodiapers.com Want to start your Road To $1M? Head to https://capitalism.com/playbook-yt

Who is Capricorn Clark—and why is her testimony shaking the foundation of Sean “Diddy” Combs's empire? In this true crime deep dive, we break down the incredible, disturbing story of Capricorn Clark, the former assistant turned executive who spent over a decade working inside Diddy's inner circle. From 2004 to 2018, Clark was more than just a staffer—she was a trusted insider. She ran his schedule, managed Cassie Ventura's brand, and worked closely with him on his fashion and music ventures. But what she revealed in federal court pulls back the curtain on a world driven by power, fear, and silence. Clark testified that Diddy created a workplace fueled by intimidation—where threats were common and loyalty was extracted, not earned. She described being forced to take five days of lie detector tests after jewelry went missing, allegedly warned that if she failed, she'd be “thrown in the East River.” She spoke about being screamed at, shoved, and coerced into loyalty even after leaving multiple times. But the most chilling part? Her account of December 22, 2011. According to Clark, Diddy showed up at her apartment before dawn with a gun, furious that Cassie was dating Kid Cudi. She says he forced her into a car, told her they were going to kill Cudi, and drove to his house. She secretly called Cassie on a burner phone, warning her. The situation spiraled into an alleged home invasion, a hostage-style exchange, and a brutal beating of Cassie—all while Clark watched in horror. This video unpacks the full story: who Capricorn Clark is, what she lived through, and why her voice could change everything in the racketeering case against Sean Combs. #capricornclark #diddytrial #cassieventura #kidcudi #federaltrial #truecrime #celebritycrime #racketeering #courtroomdrama #musicindustryexposed Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

We delve into the side realms of the galactic rim to see what Doctor Aphra is up to. We also review, We're Taking Everyone Down With Us #3 from Image Comics, Dark Honor #1 from Zysygy Publishing, and The Sixth Gun: Road to the Six #0 from Oni Press. Major Spoilers Podcast Network Master Feed RSS Feed Show your thanks to Major Spoilers for this episode by becoming a Major Spoilers Patron at http://patreon.com/MajorSpoilers. It will help ensure the Major Spoilers Podcast continues far into the future! Join our Discord server and chat with fellow Spoilerites! (https://discord.gg/jWF9BbF) REVIEWS STEPHEN WE'RE TAKING EVERYONE DOWN WITH US #3 Writer: Matthew Rosenberg Artist: Stefano Landini Publisher: Image Comics Cover Price: $4.99 Release Date: May 28, 2025 Annalise is learning that sometimes the enemy of your enemy is also your enemy. But maybe when you have a robot-man who will kill for you, you don't need many friends. The action-packed tale of espionage and evil empires, generational trauma and global power struggles, and the little girl caught in between continues here. [rating:5/5] You can purchase this issue via our Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4kceMAM MATTHEW DARK HONOR #1 Writer: KS Bruce and Brian DeCubellis Artist: Fico Ossio Publisher: Zysygy Publishing Cover Price: $3.99 Release Date: May 28, 2025 For nearly a century, the Hundred has been the strong arm of the New York underworld. But now, as Covid-19 ravages the city in early 2020, a different kind of plague has arrived: a criminal mastermind mounting his takeover...unless Rain, daughter of the Hundred's leader Josef, can unite the last elements of the fading crime gangs in one desperate attempt to fight back. [rating:2/5] You can purchase this issue via our Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4kE3KnF RODRIGO SIXTH GUN: ROAD TO THE SIX #0 Writer: Cullen Bunn Artist: Brian Hurtt Publisher: Oni Press Inc. Cover Price: $4.99 Release Date: June 4, 2025 Before The Sixth Gun rages back into existence in this summer's long-awaited reunion from co-creators Cullen Bunn (The Autumn Kingdom, Ghostlore) and Brian Hurtt (The Midnite Show), bridge the gap between the explosive finale of the landmark original series and the powerful new chapter soon to be written with a self-contained, one-shot prelude featuring three, all-new stories . . . leading directly into The Sixth Gun's 15th anniversary celebration! A terrible dream lies buried deep in the earth. . . . A powerful dream that the mysterious worldwide cabal of magic users will stop at nothing to realize. With the power of the Six alive in the world, it's only a matter of time before the weapons are reborn in new hands . . . The return of Bunn and Hurtt's classic weird Western can't be stopped. . . . A tale of calamitous fate and those who try to resist it. . . . Soon, The Sixth Gun will be reborn. [rating: 4/5] DISCUSSION STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA VOLUME 1 Writer: Kieron Gillen Artist: Kev Walker Publisher: Marvel Comics Following her time in the clutches of Darth Vader, Doctor Aphra has barely escaped with her life. If the Dark Lord of the Sith ever learns of her survival, he'll hunt her to the ends of the galaxy. But for now, it's time for a return to what she does best. With droids Triple-Zero and BeeTee-One in tow, she's off in search of rare artifacts from the galactic center to the Outer Rim — and everywhere in between. Aphra's got debts to pay, after all. Just as long as she can stay one step ahead of the Empire, some bounty hunters…and just about everyone else in the galaxy! You can purchase this issue via our Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/3FaWnVM CLOSE Contact us at podcast@majorspoilers.com A big Thank You goes out to everyone who downloads, subscribes, listens, and supports this show. We really appreciate you taking the time to listen to our ramblings each week. Tell your friends!

Anna Danylchuk has been creating a war diary since the early days of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022. Anna Danylchuk aims to tell the truth about Ukraine and Russia's war and cut through the noise and propaganda. Anna is passionate about the beauty and independence of her country, and communicates this powerfully in her videos, in a clear and honest way.----------LINKS: @AnnafromUkraine https://www.buymeacoffee.com/annafromukraineMy interview with Anna in Lviv - hosted on her excellent channel- https://youtu.be/daHcnsNQ1S0?si=yHbZ2kJZ3CTVRd8Z----------Your support is massively appreciated! SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon CurtainNEXT EVENTS - LVIV, KYIV AND ODESA THIS MAY AND JUNE.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur first live events this year in Lviv and Kyiv were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. We may add more venues to the program, depending on the success of the fundraising campaign. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISER - A project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------OTHER VIDEOS WITH ANNA ON SILICON CURTAIN:16. https://youtu.be/z9nHjNDzb84 (07-Feb-25)15. https://youtu.be/o_gWfR5XPrE (20-Dec-24)14. https://youtu.be/EZRULDT06_k (13-Nov-24)13. https://youtu.be/GU4R5mcubIE (19-Sep-27)12. https://youtu.be/APTdfyqnyAI (15-Aug-24)11. https://youtu.be/xUsxXcc97m8 (03-Jun-24)10. https://youtu.be/eQ5fJCFATM0 (18-Apr-24)9. https://youtu.be/Y59nUd8B5pY (21-Feb-24)8. https://youtu.be/J8mge30rxY8 (24-Jan-24)7. https://youtu.be/XQJoTAAfxt4 (24-Dec-23)6. https://youtu.be/0gaK_5TEXXw (28-Nov-23)5. https://youtu.be/x0o1bn-1Yyc (29-Sep-23)4. https://youtu.be/Hm5_Yb3geQ4 (30-Aug-23)3. https://youtu.be/r0PNxM7Xyow (23-Feb-23)2. https://youtu.be/5AenntkSxIs (31-Dec-22)1. https://youtu.be/vPT6oZ1FOAw (21-Oct-22)----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

We delve into the side realms of the galactic rim to see what Doctor Aphra is up to. We also review, We're Taking Everyone Down With Us #3 from Image Comics, Dark Honor #1 from Zysygy Publishing, and The Sixth Gun: Road to the Six #0 from Oni Press. Major Spoilers Podcast Network Master Feed RSS Feed Show your thanks to Major Spoilers for this episode by becoming a Major Spoilers Patron at http://patreon.com/MajorSpoilers. It will help ensure the Major Spoilers Podcast continues far into the future! Join our Discord server and chat with fellow Spoilerites! (https://discord.gg/jWF9BbF) REVIEWS STEPHEN WE'RE TAKING EVERYONE DOWN WITH US #3 Writer: Matthew Rosenberg Artist: Stefano Landini Publisher: Image Comics Cover Price: $4.99 Release Date: May 28, 2025 Annalise is learning that sometimes the enemy of your enemy is also your enemy. But maybe when you have a robot-man who will kill for you, you don't need many friends. The action-packed tale of espionage and evil empires, generational trauma and global power struggles, and the little girl caught in between continues here. [rating:5/5] You can purchase this issue via our Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4kceMAM MATTHEW DARK HONOR #1 Writer: KS Bruce and Brian DeCubellis Artist: Fico Ossio Publisher: Zysygy Publishing Cover Price: $3.99 Release Date: May 28, 2025 For nearly a century, the Hundred has been the strong arm of the New York underworld. But now, as Covid-19 ravages the city in early 2020, a different kind of plague has arrived: a criminal mastermind mounting his takeover...unless Rain, daughter of the Hundred's leader Josef, can unite the last elements of the fading crime gangs in one desperate attempt to fight back. [rating:2/5] You can purchase this issue via our Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/4kE3KnF RODRIGO SIXTH GUN: ROAD TO THE SIX #0 Writer: Cullen Bunn Artist: Brian Hurtt Publisher: Oni Press Inc. Cover Price: $4.99 Release Date: June 4, 2025 Before The Sixth Gun rages back into existence in this summer's long-awaited reunion from co-creators Cullen Bunn (The Autumn Kingdom, Ghostlore) and Brian Hurtt (The Midnite Show), bridge the gap between the explosive finale of the landmark original series and the powerful new chapter soon to be written with a self-contained, one-shot prelude featuring three, all-new stories . . . leading directly into The Sixth Gun's 15th anniversary celebration! A terrible dream lies buried deep in the earth. . . . A powerful dream that the mysterious worldwide cabal of magic users will stop at nothing to realize. With the power of the Six alive in the world, it's only a matter of time before the weapons are reborn in new hands . . . The return of Bunn and Hurtt's classic weird Western can't be stopped. . . . A tale of calamitous fate and those who try to resist it. . . . Soon, The Sixth Gun will be reborn. [rating: 4/5] DISCUSSION STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA VOLUME 1 Writer: Kieron Gillen Artist: Kev Walker Publisher: Marvel Comics Following her time in the clutches of Darth Vader, Doctor Aphra has barely escaped with her life. If the Dark Lord of the Sith ever learns of her survival, he'll hunt her to the ends of the galaxy. But for now, it's time for a return to what she does best. With droids Triple-Zero and BeeTee-One in tow, she's off in search of rare artifacts from the galactic center to the Outer Rim — and everywhere in between. Aphra's got debts to pay, after all. Just as long as she can stay one step ahead of the Empire, some bounty hunters…and just about everyone else in the galaxy! You can purchase this issue via our Amazon affiliate link - https://amzn.to/3FaWnVM CLOSE Contact us at podcast@majorspoilers.com A big Thank You goes out to everyone who downloads, subscribes, listens, and supports this show. We really appreciate you taking the time to listen to our ramblings each week. Tell your friends!

Freddy Gray speaks to writer and author Karen Hao, whose new book Empire of AI looks at a new, ominous age of empire with OpenAI. On the podcast they discuss the impacts of artificial intelligence on society and democracy and how Open AI founder Sam Altman has become a controversial figure. 

Freddy Gray speaks to writer and author Karen Hao, whose new book Empire of AI looks at a new, ominous age of empire with OpenAI. On the podcast they discuss the impacts of artificial intelligence on society and democracy and how Open AI founder Sam Altman has become a controversial figure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kylo Ren gets a much-needed message from his mother, Leia, while readers of Marvel's Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker adaptation #4 (of 5) are treated to an illuminating conversation between heroine and Maz Kanata that sheds some intriguing light on the resistance's past.Comics Discussed This Week:The Rise of Skywalker adaptation #4 (of 5)Star Wars Comics New to Marvel Unlimited This Week:Ahsoka #8 (of 8)News: No covers, yet, but Star Wars: Revenuge of the Sith will get a series of 20th anniversary variant covers by Chris Sprouse, Karl Story and Neeraj Menon.Solicits for Marvel's August Star Wars comics are on the Facebook page, as are Dark Horse Comics' September solicits.Upcoming Star Wars comics, graphic novels and omnibuses:June 3 _ The Battle of Jakku TPB (Collects Insurgency Rising 1-4,  Republic Under Seige 1-4, Last Stand 1-4)June 4 _ Jedi Knights #4, The High Republic — Fear of the Jedi #5 (of 5)June 11 _ Star Wars #2, The Rise of Skywalker adapation #5 (of 5), The Bad Batch -- Ghost Agents #4 (of 5)June 17 _ Star Wars Legends: The Rebellion Omnibus Vol. 3 (Collects Star Wars: Shadow Stalker (1997) 1, Star Wars: Rebel Heist (2014) 1-4, Star Wars: A Valentine Story (2003) 1, Classic Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1994) 1-2, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (1996) 1-6, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire Mini-comic (1996) 1-2, Star Wars: Tales From Mos Eisley (1996) 1, Star Wars: The Bounty Hunters – Scoundrel's Wages (1999) 1, Classic Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1994) 1-2, Star Wars: Tag & Bink Are Dead (2001) 2, Star Wars: Tag & Bink II (2006) 1, Sergio Aragones Stomps Star Wars (2000) 1, Star Wars Infinities: The Empire Strikes Back (2002) 1-4, Star Wars Infinities: Return of the Jedi (2003) 1-4; material from Star Wars Kids (1997) 12; Star Wars Visionaries (2005); Star Wars Tales (1999) 2, 4-8, 10, 12, 15-17, 20)June 18 _ Doctor Aphra — Chaos Agent #1June 24 _ Star Wars Modern Era Epic Collection: Yoda's Secret War (Collects Star Wars 15-30, Annual 1-2); June 25 _ Legacy of Vader #5, The High Republic Adventures Phase III #19, Codebreaker #2 (of 4), Star Wars (Vol. 4) #1 2nd PrintingJuly 1 _ Dispatches From the Occlusion Zone TPB (Collects 1-4)July 2 _ Jedi Knights #5, The Bad Batch -- Ghost Agents #5 (of 5), Codebreaker #3 (of 4)July 8 _ Ewoks TPB (Collects 1-4)July 9 _ Legacy of Vader #6July 16 _ Star Wars (Vol. 4) #3, he High Republic Adventures Phase III #20July 22 _ Star Wars Modern Era Epic Collection: Yoda's War (Collects Star Wars 15-30, Annual 1, 2)July 23 _ Doctor Aphra — Chaos Agent #2July 30 _ The High Republic — The Finale: The Beacon #1 One-ShotAug. 5 _ Star Wars: Visions Treasury Edition (Collects Visions: Peach Momoko, Visions: Takeshi Okazaki and material from Darth Vader: Black, White & Red #1)Aug. 6 _ Legacy of Vader #7Aug. 13 _ Jedi Knights #6Aug. 19 _ The High Republic Adventures Phase III TPB Vol. 4 (Collects 14-16, Battle of Eriadu one-shot)Aug. 20 _ Star Wars #4Aug. 26 _ Star Wars: Kanan Modern Era Epic Collection (Collects 1-12)Aug. 27 _ Doctor Aphra -- Chaos Agent #3, Hyperspace Stories: Tides of Terror #2 (of 4)Sept. 3 _ Tales From the Nightlands #1 (of 3), Codebreaker #4 (of 4)Sept. 9 _ Jedi Knights #7Sept. 24 _ Hyperspace Stories: Tides of Terror #4 (of 4)Oct. 7 _ Legacy of Vader Vol. 1 TPB (Collects 1-6)Oct. 14 _ The High Republic -- Fear of the Jedi TPB (Collects 1-5) and The High Republic -- The Finale one-shot Oct. 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. 28 _ The High Republic Adventures Phase III Vol. 5 TPB (Collects 17-20), Hyperspace Stories: The Bad Batch - Ghost Agents TPB (Collects 1-5)Nov. 4 _ Jedi Knights Vol. 1 TPB (Collects 1-5)Nov. 25 _ Star Wars: Darth Vader Modern Era Epic Collection: Vader Down (Collects 13-25, Star Wars 13-14 and Vader Down #1)Dec. 2 _ Star Wars: Doctor Aphra — Friends and Enemies OmnibusDec. 9 _ Codebreaker TPB (Collects 1-4)Jan. 6 _ Star Wars (2025) TPB Vol. 1 (Collects 1-6), Darth Maul: Black, White & Red TPB (Collects 1-4)

How can you be authentic in a way that strengthens your leadership and personal success? Kevin sits down with Jeanne Sparrow to chat about what authenticity truly means, why it matters for leaders, and how you can live it out with courage and confidence. Jeanne explains that being authentic isn't simply about being yourself; it's about knowing yourself deeply, having the bravery to express it, and using it to advance your work and connect with others meaningfully. Kevin and Jeanne explore the relationship between authenticity and confidence, the role of leaders in creating environments where team members feel safe to be themselves, and the transformational power of understanding your value and values. Listen For 00:00 Introduction: What is authenticity? 02:02 Meet Jeanne Sparrow 03:38 Jeanne's media career highlights 04:59 How Jeanne's podcast led to her book 07:09 The “inside knowledge” of broadcasting 08:03 Why this is still a leadership book 08:40 Jeanne's definition of authenticity 09:46 A powerful example of authenticity at work 12:46 Creating safety for authenticity 13:49 Why "fearless" authenticity matters 16:00 Jeanne's junior high story 18:00 Her dad's three truths about authenticity 20:08 The link between identity, value, and service 21:14 What does authenticity sound like? 23:08 Code-switching and being real 24:16 The foundation Live it Tell it Sell it 26:08 Authenticity and confidence 29:18 Clarity as the source of confidence 30:41 Authentic leaders give others permission 31:02 Why authenticity matters at the top 32:17 We don't have time to be inauthentic 33:34 Jeanne on food, wine, and salsa dancing 33:39 What she's reading Atomic Habits 35:05 Where to find Jeanne and her book 36:05 Kevin's final question Now what? 36:45 Wrap-up and next week's teaser Jeanne's Story: Jeanne Sparrow is the author of Fearless Authenticity: Lead Better, Sell More, and Speak Sensationally. She is a multi-hyphenate communicator. Her extensive repertoire includes hosting her own daily morning TV talk show for seven years, co-hosting daily radio shows with media giants Steve Harvey, George Wallace, and Doug Banks, and interviewing hundreds of Hollywood heavyweights. She now hosts a weekly radio show on V103, the top-ranked iHeart Radio station in Chicago, and hosts the “Fearless Authenticity with Jeanne Sparrow” podcast on the iHeart Podcast Network. She appears regularly on top-rated Chicago TV stations as a fill-in host and guest. She's a long-time voiceover artist, doing hundreds of commercials for national brands, and an actor in commercials and on broadcast television, including Fox's “Empire,” and NBC's “Chicago Med, and Magnum P.I.” Jeanne has spoken to and consulted for many nonprofit organizations and corporations including: AES, Women in Insurance Leadership, AT&T, Guaranteed Rate, Ravinia, iHeartRadio, and Governors State University. She's a respected faculty member at Northwestern University, teaching at the graduate level in the School of Communication This Episode is brought to you by... Flexible Leadership is every leader's guide to greater success in a world of increasing complexity and chaos.  Book Recommendations Fearless Authenticity: Lead Better, Sell More, and Speak Sensationally by Jeanne Sparrow  Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear Like this? Leading with Authenticity with Sabrina Horn How to Find Your True Self in a Noisy World with Joshua Berry Leave a Review If you liked this conversation, we'd be thrilled if you'd let others know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Here's a quick guide for posting a review. Review on Apple: https://remarkablepodcast.com/itunes   

Pour découvrir le podcast Le Précepteur:https://open.spotify.com/show/4Lc8Fp7QAVsILrKZ41Mtbu?si=w28n3PRPSIuguRE4SQVMlQ--------------------------------Voilà une question qui surprend souvent… et qui ouvre la porte à une riche symbolique, entre tradition, pouvoir et spiritualité.D'abord, précisons une chose : tous les papes n'ont pas toujours porté des chaussures rouges. Mais cette tradition remonte très loin dans l'histoire de l'Église catholique, et elle est profondément chargée de sens.Une couleur impériale… et divineLe rouge est d'abord la couleur du sang. Mais dans le contexte ecclésiastique, il renvoie au sang des martyrs — ces premiers chrétiens qui ont versé leur sang pour leur foi. En portant des chaussures rouges, le pape marche symboliquement dans les pas de ceux qui sont morts pour le christianisme. C'est un rappel constant que sa mission est aussi un sacrifice.Mais le rouge est aussi, dans l'Antiquité romaine, la couleur du pouvoir impérial. Les empereurs romains portaient souvent des sandales ou des tuniques rouges pour affirmer leur autorité. L'Église, en héritant de certains codes visuels de l'Empire, a repris cette symbolique pour marquer l'autorité spirituelle du pape, chef de l'Église universelle.Une tradition fluctuantePendant des siècles, les papes ont porté des mules rouges brodées, parfois ornées de croix d'or. Sous Jean XXIII ou Paul VI, ces souliers faisaient partie intégrante de la tenue papale.Mais c'est Jean-Paul II qui, dans les années 1980, met temporairement de côté cette tradition. Il préfère des chaussures plus sobres, souvent marron ou noires. Ce n'est qu'avec Benoît XVI, amateur de liturgie traditionnelle, que les fameuses chaussures rouges font leur grand retour, créées par un cordonnier romain célèbre. Certains ont cru, à tort, qu'elles étaient signées Prada… ce qui a nourri quelques malentendus.En revanche, le pape François, connu pour son humilité, a de nouveau abandonné les chaussures rouges au profit de chaussures noires simples, symbole de modestie.Plus qu'un accessoireLes chaussures rouges du pape ne sont donc pas une coquetterie : elles sont un symbole de martyre, de pouvoir spirituel, et de continuité historique. Chaque pas du souverain pontife rappelle les souffrances du Christ, le poids de sa fonction, et la longue marche de l'Église à travers les siècles. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

Dr. Dennis met Carrie in the elevator and they would make fun of how skincare products had no real value to them. Then they changed that. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not-so-secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector, and storyteller. I'm Stephen's sidekick and business partner, Dave Young. Before we get into today's episode, a word from our sponsor, which is, well, it's us. But we're highlighting ads we've written and produced for our clients, so here's one of those. [Travis Crawford Ad] Dave Young: Welcome back to the Empire Builders Podcast, Dave Young here, Stephen Semple is standing by. He told me the title, he told me, the topic that we're going to cover today, the Empire, and it's Dr. Steven Gross. Stephen Semple: Dennis. Dave Young: Dennis. Stephen Semple: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare. Dave Young: It doesn't actually roll off the tongue, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare. I have to admit, I've not heard of this one. Stephen Semple: Well, you're such a skincare buff, I'm kind of surprised. Dave Young: Well, a lot of people say I have amazing skin for a 90-year-old man. In my 60s, but... Stephen Semple: Now, you may not have heard of it, but the company was started by Dr. Dennis Gross and his wife, Carrie Gross, in 2000, and in 2023, it was sold to Shiseido, a big Japanese skincare company for $450 million. Dave Young: Okay, that's not chump change. Stephen Semple: That gets a little attention, right? Dave Young: Yeah, sure. Stephen Semple: Yeah. So, the products were created by Dr. Dennis and his dermatology clinic, and they were originally just sold and marketed to his patients. So, it was literally one of these little tiny businesses, where the stuff is being designed by a real doctor, a real dermatologist, but in the early days, basically the only place you could buy it was his clinic, and the only people who really knew about it were the patients, and the people the patients told. So that's really how it started. And Carrie grew up in California, so they're in New York, but Carrie grew up in California, and she spent her days outdoors, and her skin was starting to show its age. And Dennis, basically, when they met, Dennis was already a dermatologist, and he started to give her hope and optimism. And actually, how they met was she was not a patient or anything like that, don't go there with your minds, they lived in the same building, and they met on the elevator, and basically got to know each other because they ride up the elevator together periodically. And at the time, dermatology was just being used for rashes and things along that lines. And it's the 90s, and creams were being bought in the department store, and they were moisturizers, and there were no indie brands. And for fun, they would look at the labels together, and he was amazed at how little there was in terms of effective ingredients in these creams. As a dermatologist, he could look at it and go, these really don't do anything. And peels were starting to be done, the whole thing, you put stuff off... But they were aggressive, and to him, it made no sense that the skin would be a part of the body where the best thing you could do would be to injure it so that it comes back stronger, it just didn't make sense to him. And he really didn't see the results, and people would look blotchy afterwards, and things along that line. So, he decided to design a peel that would work better. And the whole secret ingredient was, there was a second step that would turn the chemical reaction off, so that it wouldn't be so damaging. So, it was a two-step process that he created. Now, his offices were near the UN, and he had lots of variety of clients. So, the whole thing that he found that was amazing is he was able to test the product on a lo...

Nous sommes dans les années 327-325 avant notre ère. Alexandre le Grand, roi de Macédoine, lance une campagne dans le sous-continent indien). Cette campagne a pour objectif principal de soumettre le Pendjab du roi Poros. Alexandre conquiert ensuite la vallée de l'Indus pour finir par atteindre les rives de l'océan Indien et entamer le retour vers Babylone où il meurt en juin 323. Les cités de Begram et de Taxila témoignent de cette présence grecque dans le monde indien. La première, aujourd'hui en Afghanistan, est l'héritière de l'Alexandrie du Caucase fondée par celui qui fut l'élève d'Aristote et est devenu l'un des plus grands conquérants de l'histoire en prenant possession de l'immense Empire perse en s'avançant jusqu'aux rives de l'Indus. La seconde, au Pakistan actuel, la plus ancienne fut créée avant l'arrivée des Perses. Alexandre y a séjourné et l'un de ses successeurs dans la région, le roi Démétrios Ier, y a fait construire un grand quartier hellénistique. Partons aux confins de trois mondes : la Grèce, l'Inde et la Chine Avec nous : Sébastien Polet, historien-orientaliste de l'asbl Roma. Sujets traités : Alexandre le Grand, Macédoine, Pendjab, Indus, Begram, Taxila, Afghanistan, Aristote, Empire, Grèce, Antique, Pakistan, Démétrios Inde, Chine Merci pour votre écoute Un Jour dans l'Histoire, c'est également en direct tous les jours de la semaine de 13h15 à 14h30 sur www.rtbf.be/lapremiere Retrouvez tous les épisodes d'Un Jour dans l'Histoire sur notre plateforme Auvio.be :https://auvio.rtbf.be/emission/5936 Intéressés par l'histoire ? Vous pourriez également aimer nos autres podcasts : L'Histoire Continue: https://audmns.com/kSbpELwL'heure H : https://audmns.com/YagLLiKEt sa version à écouter en famille : La Mini Heure H https://audmns.com/YagLLiKAinsi que nos séries historiques :Chili, le Pays de mes Histoires : https://audmns.com/XHbnevhD-Day : https://audmns.com/JWRdPYIJoséphine Baker : https://audmns.com/wCfhoEwLa folle histoire de l'aviation : https://audmns.com/xAWjyWCLes Jeux Olympiques, l'étonnant miroir de notre Histoire : https://audmns.com/ZEIihzZMarguerite, la Voix d'une Résistante : https://audmns.com/zFDehnENapoléon, le crépuscule de l'Aigle : https://audmns.com/DcdnIUnUn Jour dans le Sport : https://audmns.com/xXlkHMHSous le sable des Pyramides : https://audmns.com/rXfVppvN'oubliez pas de vous y abonner pour ne rien manquer.Et si vous avez apprécié ce podcast, n'hésitez pas à nous donner des étoiles ou des commentaires, cela nous aide à le faire connaître plus largement. Distribué par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Remember,: Andor is a person. Endor is a moon.“Andor” episodes watched for this F&L:*S1E1 - Kassa*S2E12 - Jedha, Kyber, ErsoMake show suggestions or tell us what the best story in the Star Wars universe is... and why it's Shadows of the Empire.WEBSITE: https://anchor.fm/fandlpodcastEMAIL: FandLpodcast@gmail.comTWITTER: https://twitter.com/FandLpodcastINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fandlpodcastFACEBOOK: https://faceboo

Bryan Young spoke to Justina Ireland, author of Star Wars: The Acolyte - Wayseeker, the newest novel from Random House Worlds and the first tie in novel to the critically acclaimed Disney+ series The Acolyte, which we're still hoping gets a second season.

This week we discuss the Giro and look forward to a third week. Can the old-timers drop the kid Del Toro or will UAE have 400 gc leaders? Plus, we learn what our future computer overlords think of us and where Matt got his fortune from.  This podcast is also supported by the generous and amazing donors to the Wide Angle Podium Network, and buy Hammerhead cycling! Visit hammerhead.io to check out the Karoo cycling computer, and use code SLOWRIDE at checkout to get a Heart Rate strap for free! Find us, and other fantastic cycling podcasts on the Wide Angle Podium Network, at wideanglepodium.com! Check out the brand new WAP app available in the Apple and Android app stores! You can email us at theslowridepodcast@gmail.com

South Africa part 1 patreon unlocked by True Crimes of the Empire podcast

Wake up babe, new Saw Gerrera backstory just dropped.This week, we're asking what makes a Rebel cell the “real deal.” Is it Saw Gerrera's Cave Angels, who have all the fire—but lack direction? Is it the Ghorman Front, who want the Empire gone, but haven't looked past their front doorstep? And do Luthen, Kleya, and Cassian count, when they keep raising the barrier to entry to the Rebellion?We're asking all this, and whether Dedra cares if Syril lives or dies, in our recap of “I Have Friends Everywhere” (Andor S2, E5).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?00:01:53 Plot Summary00:13:35 What It Takes to Grow a Rebellion00:29:21 Are The Ghormans The Real Deal?00:36:54 More Saw Gerrera Backstory00:52:42 Syril and Dedra 4ever???00:59:56 Bae Watch01:06:57 Closing Thoughts

What happens when you stop hesitating and start saying YES? In this episode, I sit down with Neha Kumar, Co-Founder of Full Glass Wine. She shares the same framework she used to take 9 struggling CPG brands scaling them to $200M in under TWO years. We talk about how to turn your business profitable in 90–120 days, the mindset to reframe failure, productivity tricks, and MORE. Tune in to learn how to have an unstoppable business and life! Check out our Sponsors: Brevo - Meet the all-in-one marketing and CRM platform for your business. Get started free or save 50% for 3 months with code HAPPY at brevo.com/happy Airbnb - Start making money by listing your home on Airbnb with an experienced Co-host, find a co-host at airbnb.com/host Shopify - Try the ecommerce platform I trust for Glōci, Sign up for your $1/month trial period at shopify.com/happy The RealReal - Buy and sell luxury clothing, bags, and more on The RealReal. Get $25 off your first purchase when you go to therealreal.com/happy HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Meet Neha Kumar of Full Glass Wine. 06:00 What is a “roll-up” business strategy? 10:30 Neha's blueprint to turn a brand profitable in 90-120 days. 13:00 How hesitation holds you back from taking bold leaps. 19:30 Advice on what to do when you feel stuck in your business. 25:30 How do you deal with rejection? 27:30 The 3 traits every successful entrepreneur has. 34:30 How do you balance life, business, and self-care? 37:30 How 30-minute check-ins help you stay accountable and focus. 42:00 The mindset that attracts award nominations, big growth, and next-level fulfillment. 49:45  The life advice Neha would give her younger self.  RESOURCES Join the most supportive mastermind on the internet HERE! Check out our FREE 90-Day Business Blueprint HERE! Listen to my free SECRET PODCASTS SERIES - Operation: Rekindle This B*tch Get glōci HERE Use code: HAPPY at checkout for 25% off! FOLLOW Follow me: @loriharder Follow glōci: @getgloci Follow Nehar: @nehatkumar

Written by Simon Chadwick⭐Check out our new sister podcast! ⭐Super Silly Stories for KidsHi! Welcome to Super Silly Stories For Kids!I'm Billy, and I'll turn your wacky ideas into a story and read it on my show! The more madcap, the better!You can find us here and all podcast platforms!APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/super-silly-stories-for-kids/id1813628878SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/500ATWI2FgtksZnxItd4Hx?si=kldBrFUJR9-H6yvtIsvtJAI upload a new story every Tuesday and Friday! If you want a silly story, leave your ideas in the Apple Review section or email me at supersillystories4kids@gmail.comOkay. Here we go! :)Come and follow more adventures on our animated TV show on Youtube!

Neil Emeigh founded Rayobyte at 21, growing it to serve over 5000 customers, including Fortune 500 companies, primarily in web scraping. Beyond business, he has completed an Ironman and a seven-day silent retreat. Despite a lucrative acquisition offer, Emeigh continues to lead Rayobyte to maximize its impact and give back. CONNECT WITH HIM https://rayobyte.com/ Subscribe to this channel now!  https://www.youtube.com/user/lunidelouis/?sub_confirmation=1    ---------------------------------------------------- Join our exclusive Facebook group @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/339709559955223  --------------------------------------------------- Looking for accountability to do your morning routine -- join us tomorrow morning, it's FREE:   https://bestmorningroutineever.com/  ----------------------------------------­­­­­­­-------------

  Last time we spoke about the Xi'an Incident. In December 1936, tensions in China erupted as Nationalist General Chiang Kai-shek faced a revolt led by his commanders, Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng. Disillusioned by Chiang's focus on battling communists instead of the Japanese invaders, the generals swiftly captured him in a coup. Confined in Xi'an, Chiang initially resisted their demands for a united front against Japan but eventually engaged in negotiation with Zhang and the Chinese Communist Party. As public sentiment shifted against him, Chiang's predicament led to urgent discussions, culminating in an unexpected alliance with the communists. This pact aimed to consolidate Chinese resistance against Japanese aggression, marking a critical turning point in the Second Sino-Japanese War. By December 26, Chiang was released, and this uneasy collaboration set the stage for a more unified front against a common enemy, though underlying tensions remained between the factions.   #152 China Prepares for War Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Before we jump into the Second Sino-Japanese War of 1937-1945, which I honestly have no idea how long will take us, I thought it would be a good idea to dedicate two episodes to how both China and Japan prepared themselves for war.  Going all the way back to the 1910s, Chinese intellectuals began to view an outright conflict between Japan and China was inevitable. In the discussions about China's strategic options, Jiang Fangzhen pioneered a strategy of protracted warfare, a concept that would later shape China's approach during the Sino-Japanese War. Having studied in Japan during his youth, Jiang developed a keen understanding of the Japanese government and military. As early as 1917, he predicted that China and Japan would become embroiled in a long-term conflict, with the battleground likely to be west of the Peiping–Wuhan and Guangzhou–Wuhan railways. In his work titled "Guofang Lun" or “On National Defense”, Jiang reiterated the importance of protracted warfare as a means to thwart Japan's aspirations for a swift victory. He argued that China should leverage its vast population and extensive territory to extend the conflict, gradually wearing down Japanese strength and turning the situation to its advantage. Jiang recommended that China not focus on defending its coastal regions but instead confront the enemy west of the Peking–Wuhan Railway.   Chiang Kai-shek would eventually come to share Jiang's belief that “the longer the war drags on, the more advantageous it will be for China.” Despite significant public criticism, both the Nationalist government and General Zhang Xueliang, decided against military resistance when Japan invaded Manchuria in September 1931 and attacked Shanghai in 1932. Chiang was particularly hesitant to engage Japan directly, as he was also dealing with a Communist insurgency in central China. He feared that Chinese forces would suffer quick defeat, predicting that Japan would capture key coastal areas and critical infrastructure within just three days, crippling China by dismantling its military and economic lifelines. Following the invasion of North China Chiang was forced to adopt a firmer stance. The Nationalist government proposed a dual strategy of pursuing peace and security while simultaneously preparing for war. If peace proved impossible, China would mobilize its resources for ultimate victory through prolonged conflict. This approach was formalized in the National Defense Plan, which China adopted by prioritizing protracted warfare as its core strategy. After the Sino-Japanese clash in Shanghai on January 28, 1932, the Military Affairs Commission devised a plan that divided China into four defense areas along with a preparation area. While some troops were assigned local security, commanders were directed to concentrate their remaining forces for potential confrontations with Japan. That year, the Military Affairs Commission issued General Defense Guidelines that outlined two strategic responses to a potential Japanese invasion. The first, conservative approach focused on maintaining key positions and utilizing protracted warfare to impede the enemy. The second strategy advocated for decisive battles in key regions to thwart Japan's ambitions and protect China's territorial integrity, prioritizing disengagement from Japanese forces along the Yangtze River and coastline. In August 1935, German military adviser General Alexander von Falkenhausen provided recommendations to Chiang Kai-shek based on his predictions of Japanese advance routes into China. He identified three main routes: one from northern Hebei to Zhengzhou, the second from Shandong toward Xuzhou, and the third crossing the Yangtze River to Nanjing and onwards to Wuhan. He suggested treating the Yangtze River as the primary combat zone and highlighted Sichuan as a possible retreat area. Taking all of this into consideration. in 1936, a draft of a new National Defense Plan divided the country into four zones: a war zone, a defense zone, an internal security zone, and a preparation area. The war zone encompassed ten provinces and established strategies for retreating to predetermined defensive positions when necessary, with Sichuan designated as the main base for the war. In January 1937, the Chinese General Staff Department introduced its annual War Plan, outlining three possible military conflict regions between China and Japan. It proposed two main strategies: Proposal A emphasized sustained combat and retreat to fortified positions if the situation became unfavorable, aiming to eventually go on the offensive against Japan. Proposal B focused on repelling Japanese invasions along the coast and from the north, prioritizing counter offensives against Japanese units stationed near key locations. To prepare, the NRA completed several critical projects outlined in its plans, establishing military supply depots in Nanjing, Bengbu, Xinyang, Huayin, Nanchang, and Wuchang to manage logistics for supplies across various strategic railways. These depots were equipped to sustain the military, with ample ammunition and provisions, including 60 million rounds of small-arms ammunition and food for hundreds of thousands. Despite these preparations, not all projects were completed by the time war broke out in July 1937. In contrast to the Japanese military's tactics, Chinese forces prioritized defensive strategies. For example, at the Mount Lushan Military Officer Training Camp in July 1934, Chiang Kai-shek outlined four possible approaches against Japan, favoring a defense-as-offense strategy. Other options included building fortifications, tenaciously defending key positions, and employing guerrilla warfare through irregular forces to constrain enemy advances. Chiang stressed the importance of national mobilization for the war effort.  There was a significant disparity in equipment between the Japanese and Chinese armies. To give you an idea, each Japanese division included a mechanized group featuring thirty-nine light military vehicles and 21 light armored cars, supplemented by 6,000–7,000 horses, 200–300 automobiles, and specialized troops such as poison gas teams. In contrast, Nationalist divisions lacked any of these capabilities, a typical nationalist division theoretically had an armored regiment, but this unit was equipped with fewer than 72 armored vehicles. Another major weakness of the Nationalist forces was their insufficient artillery. In 1936, a division was officially assigned one artillery battalion, which was divided into three batteries totaling twelve guns. It also included a mechanized cannon company with four direct-fire weapons. By comparison, a Japanese division boasted four infantry regiments and one mountain artillery or field artillery regiment, with each artillery regiment comprising three field artillery battalions and one howitzer battalion. The infantry regiment itself included a mountain artillery section with four mountain guns, while the infantry battalion had one Type 70 mountain gun section with two guns. In total, a Japanese division possessed sixty-four artillery pieces of various calibers, four times the number of a Chinese division and of significantly higher quality. In reality, in 1936, twelve of the twenty elite Chinese “reformed divisions” still lacked artillery battalions. The ordnance available in the “reformed divisions” mostly consisted of the outdated Type 60 mountain gun. Nationwide, very few of the 200 divisions were equipped with any artillery, and those that did often used obsolete field artillery pieces or mountain artillery provided to local forces. Some units even relied on trench mortars as a makeshift solution. The artillery weapons came from various countries, but they frequently lacked necessary observation and signal components, and were often low on ammunition. The majority of mountain guns and field artillery were of the Type 75, which, while capable of providing fire support, had limited range and inflicted minimal damage. To give you an idea of the striking inadequacy of the Chinese artillery, during the Shanghai fighting in 1937, the mountain artillery of the Guangxi 21st Army Group could only reach targets within 1,200 yards, while Japanese field artillery had an effective range of 8,000 yards. Chinese-made mountain artillery suffered due to inferior steel-making technology; the gun shields were constructed from low-quality steel, and the barrels often overheated after firing just a few rounds, increasing the risk of explosions. Additionally, the equipment of local forces varied greatly in quality. In fact, some local units had superior equipment compared to Nationalist units. For example, before the Sino-Japanese War, troops from Yunnan were equipped with French antitank guns and heavy machine guns, which were better than the German water-cooled machine guns used by the Nationalist forces. However, the majority of local troops relied on inferior equipment; the 122nd Division under Wang Mingzhang from Sichuan, noted for its brave defense of Tengxian County during the Xuzhou Battle, was armed with locally produced light and heavy machine guns that frequently malfunctioned, and their Type 79 rifles, also made in Sichuan, were often outdated, with some dating back to the Qing Dynasty. These weapons had limited range and sometimes malfunctioned after fewer than one hundred rounds. Now before the war, both Nationalist and local forces acquired weaponry from diverse foreign and domestic sources. Even domestically produced weapons lacked standardization, with those made in Hanyang and Manchuria differing in design and specifications. Arms manufactured in Germany, France, Russia, Japan, and Italy were similarly inconsistent. Consequently, even within a single unit, the lack of uniformity created significant logistical challenges, undermining combat effectiveness, particularly in the early stages of the war. Despite Nationalist ordnance factories producing over three million rounds of small-arms ammunition daily, the incompatibility of ammunition and weapons diminished the usable quantity of ammunition. Chinese communications infrastructure was inadequate. In the Nationalist army, signal units were integrated into engineering units, leading to low-quality radio communications. In emergencies, telegrams could remain undelivered for days, and orders often had to be dispatched via postal services. By 1937, the entire country boasted only 3,000 military vehicles, necessitating heavy reliance on horses and mules for transport. To effectively equip twenty Nationalist divisions, 10,647 horses and 20,688 mules were needed, but by the end of 1935, only 6,206 horses and 4,351 mules were available. A statistic from 1936 indicated a 5 percent mortality rate among military horses, with some units experiencing a rate as high as 10 percent. The distribution of weaponry led to disputes during army reorganization efforts following the Northern Expedition. Although Chiang Kai-shek's forces were part of the regular army, the quality of their equipment varied significantly. Domestic production of weapons was limited, and imports could not close the gap. Priority was given to small arms; through army reorganization, Chiang aimed to diminish the influence of forces less loyal to him. Nationalist army staff officers observed that troops loyal to Chiang received the best weapons. Northwest and Northeast forces, having cultivated good relations with the KMT, were similarly better equipped, while Shanxi troops received inferior supplies. Troops associated with the Guangxi Clique were given even poorer quality weapons due to their leaders' stronger political ambitions. Troops regarded as “bandit forces,” such as those led by Shi Yousan, Li Hongchang, and Sun Dianying, were naturally assigned the least effective weaponry. This unequal distribution of arms increased some local forces' inclination to align with the KMT while alienating others, which inadvertently led to additional turmoil in the aftermath of the Northern Expedition. Logistical accounting within the Nationalist military was severely lacking. Military expenditures accounted for a significant portion of government spending, roughly 65.48 % in 1937, with personnel costs being the largest component. However, military units prioritized boosting their own resources over accurate accounting. Surpluses were not returned but rather utilized to reward military officers and soldiers for merits in battle, care for the wounded, or to create a reserve. Conversely, if deficits arose, troops would resort to “living off vacancies,” a practice in which they would fail to report desertions promptly and would falsely claim new soldiers had arrived. Military leaders typically appointed their most trusted subordinates to serve as accountants and logistic officers. As the war commenced, these issues became readily apparent. During the Battle of Shanghai in 1937, frontline soldiers sometimes went days without food and went months without pay. Wounded soldiers and civilians had to search tirelessly for medical treatment, and when main forces relocated, they often abandoned grain, ammunition, weapons, and petroleum along the way. General Chen Cheng, the commander in chief during the Battle of Shanghai, noted, “This phenomenon clearly revealed our inability to supply frontline troops, indicating that China remains a backward country with poor management.” Many logistical shortcomings severely impacted troop morale and combat effectiveness. In a 1933 speech, Chiang Kai-shek acknowledged that poor food, inadequate clothing, and ineffective logistics contributed to widespread desertion. Soldiers were further demoralized by reduced or embezzled salaries. A lack of professional medical staff and equipment hampered healthcare efforts, leading to high disease and mortality rates. According to official statistics from 1936, approximately 10 percent of soldiers fell ill annually, with a mortality rate as high as 5 percent. Japanese military authorities reported that one in three wounded Japanese soldiers died, while a Dutch military officer present during the early stages of the Sino-Japanese War observed that one in every two wounded Nationalist soldiers perished. Due to inadequate equipment and limited transport options, Nationalist forces were compelled to recruit farmers and rent vehicles, as they lacked essential facilities such as tents. This reliance on local resources inevitably led to frequent conflicts between military personnel and civilians. China is clearly a vast nation with an extensive coastline, requiring the construction of several significant fortresses during the modern era. These included Wusong, Jiangyin, Zhenjiang, Jiangning, and Wuhan along the Yangtze River, as well as Zhenhai, Humen, and Changzhou along the seacoast. Except for the Wuhan fortress, built in 1929-1930, all other fortifications were established during the late Qing Dynasty and featured uncovered cannon batteries. These fortresses suffered from inadequate maintenance, and many of their components had become outdated and irreplaceable, rendering them militarily negligible. Following the January 1932 Shanghai Incident, the Japanese military destroyed the Wusong forts, leaving the entrance to the Yangtze River completely unfortified. Consequently, there were no defenses along the coastline from Jiangsu to Shandong, allowing the Japanese to land freely. In December 1932, the Military Affairs Commission established a fortress group tasked with constructing fortresses and defensive installations, seeking assistance from German military advisers. After the North China Incident in 1935, the Nationalist government accelerated the construction of defensive structures in line with national war planning, focusing particularly on Nanjing. The Nationalists prioritized building fortifications along the seacoast and the Yellow River, followed by key regions north of the Yellow River. The government also ordered a significant quantity of heavy artillery from Germany. This included several dozen pieces of flat-fire antiaircraft and dual-purpose heavy artillery, which were installed at fortifications in Jiangyin, Zhenjiang, Nanjing, and Wuhan. By the summer of 1937, the construction of nine fortified positions was complete: Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Jiangyin, Ningbo, Humen, Mawei, Xiamen , Nantong, and Lianyungang. In total, China had established 41 forts and equipped them with 273 fortress cannons. Some defensive installations were poorly managed, with many units assigned to their perimeters lacking training and access to proper maps. The barbette positions in the fortresses were not well concealed and could hardly store sufficient ammunition. Troops stationed at these fortresses received little training. Despite these shortcomings, the fortresses and fortifications were not entirely ineffective. They bolstered Chinese positions along the defense line stretching from Cangxian County to Baoding and from Dexian County to Shijiazhuang, as well as in southern Shandong.  Before the war, China's political and economic center was situated along the seacoast and the Yangtze River. As Japanese influence expanded, the Nationalist government was compelled to establish bases in China's inner regions, very similar to how the USSR pulled back its industry further west after Operation barbarossa.The Japanese attack on Shanghai in 1932 prompted the Nationalists to relocate their capital to Luoyang. On March 5, during the Second Plenary Session of the KMT's Fourth Congress, the Western Capital Preparation Committee was formed to plan for the potential relocation of all governmental bodies to Xi'an in the event of full-scale war. In February 1933, the Central Political Conference approved the Northwest Development Bill, and in February 1934, the National Economic Commission set up a northwestern branch to oversee development projects in the region. On October 18, 1934, Chiang Kai-shek traveled to Lanzhou, recording in his diary that “Northwest China has abundant resources. Japan and Russia are poised to bully us. Yet, if we strengthen ourselves and develop northwest China to the fullest extent, we can turn it into a base for China's revival.” Interestingly, it was Sichuan, rather than the northwest, that became China's rear base during the 2nd Sino-Japanese War. In October 1934, the Communist army evacuated its Soviet base in southern China, initiating the Long March that would ultimately end in the northwest. By this time, Chiang Kai-shek had decided to designate Sichuan as the last stronghold for China. In January 1935, the Nanchang Field Headquarters of the Military Affairs Commission, responsible for combatting the Communists and serving as the supreme military and political authority over most provinces along the Yangtze River and central China, dispatched a special advisory group to Chongqing. Following this, the Nationalist army advanced into Sichuan. On February 10, the Nationalists appointed a new provincial government in Sichuan, effectively ending the province's long-standing regionalism. On March 2, Chiang traveled to Chongqing, where he delivered a speech underscoring that “Sichuan should serve as the base for China's revival.” He stated that he was in Sichuan to oversee efforts against the Communist army and to unify the provincial administration.  After the Xinhai revolution, the Republic of China was still suing the Qing Dynasty's conscription system. However, once in power, the Nationalist government sought to establish a national military service program. In 1933, it enacted a military service law, which began implementation in 1936. This law categorized military service into two branches: service in the Nationalist army and in territorial citizen army units. Men aged eighteen to forty-five were expected to serve in the territorial units if they did not enlist in the Nationalist army. The territorial service was structured into three phases: active service lasting two to three years, first reserves for six years, and second reserves until the age of forty-five. The Ministry of Military Affairs divided China into sixty divisional conscription headquarters, initially establishing these headquarters in the six provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Henan, and Hubei. By December 1936, approximately 50,000 new soldiers had been drafted. The military service law disproportionately favored the middle and upper classes. Government personnel were exempt from enlistment, allowing privileged families to register their children with government agencies. Similarly, students in middle and higher education were excused from service, while youth from poorer backgrounds often felt compelled to enlist due to financial constraints that limited their educational opportunities. Village and town leaders were responsible for executing the recruitment process and frequently conspired with army recruiters. Recruitment principles often favored wealthier families, with guidelines stating that one son should be drafted for every three sons, two for five sons, but no drafts if there was only one son. Wealthy families could secure exemptions for all their male children, while poor families might see their only son conscripted if they were unable to provide the requisite bribe. Town and village heads wielded significant power in recruitment. This new recruitment system also created numerous money-making opportunities. Military personnel assigned to escort draftees to their units would often allow draftees to escape for a fee. Additionally, draftees could monetize their service by agreeing to serve as substitutes for others. For some, being drafted became an occupation. For example, in 1936, 600 individuals were drafted in the Wuhu area of Anhui province, and accounts from regional administrators indicated that every draftee had either been traded, replaced, or seized. Beginning in 1929, the Nationalist government also instituted military training for high school students and older individuals. Students were required to participate in one theoretical class and one practical class each week, totaling three hours. Starting in 1934, students had to complete a three-month military training program before graduating. Graduates of military academies were employed as military instructors. By the end of 1936, over 237,000 high school students had undergone military training. This student military training was overseen by the Society for the Implementation of the Three People's Principles of Sun Yat-sen, which also provided political education and sometimes gathered information on students' political beliefs.  Although the Nationalists made significant efforts to improve the military training of both officers and troops, they inherited deep-seated challenges that they were unable to completely overcome. A lack of facilities, outdated training manuals, low regard for military instructors, and the ongoing influence of regionalism and warlordism hindered progress. The Japanese would also later exploit these shortcomings of the Nationalist army. The Central Military Academy, which evolved from the Whampoa Military Academy established in 1923 in Guangzhou to train officers for the Northern Expedition, became the primary training institution for junior military officers. The academy offered a basic course, lasting eighteen months, which included general education, specialized training in various subjects, and field practice. This was followed by a two-year cadet training program focused on developing the skills necessary for junior military officers. Seventeen classes were admitted before the outbreak of war. Admission to the academy was highly competitive, with military officers receiving attractive salaries. For instance, in 1935, the academy received 10,000 applications for the twelfth class, but only 7% were accepted. Upon graduation, cadets were typically assigned to divisions within the Nationalist army loyal to Chiang Kai-shek. Their training, influenced by German advisors, resulted in a high-quality cadre. In modern China, most sergeants were veterans. While some units provided training for sergeants, a lack of formal education led to their diminished status. Truly qualified sergeants were rare. During his tenure as Minister of Military Training, General Bai Chongxi proposed establishing a sergeant school and creating a professional noncommissioned officer system; however, the Ministry of Military Affairs opposed this on financial grounds. While commanding officers enjoyed rapid promotions, military instructors did not. Furthermore, there was no system for transferring instructors to field commands or assigning commanders to military academies for extended periods. Despite minor updates to cover modern warfare concepts such as tank warfare and machine guns, Qing Dynasty military manuals were still in use at the Central Military Academy at the start of the war. Yeah, 1937 they were still rocking the old Qing books. Following the establishment of the Ministry of Military Training, a bureau for military translation was set up to evaluate existing course materials and translate military manuals, but its contributions were limited. Another significant shortcoming of military instruction focused on theory at the expense of practical application.  To enhance the quality of military officers, the Nationalist army instituted specialized schools for artillery, infantry, transport, engineering, and signals starting in 1931. These institutions were considered to have high-quality administrators and facilities. The Nationalists adopted German military training models, replacing the previously used Japanese models. They appointed German advisors to oversee instructor training at military academies and established three instructional divisions. By the onset of the Sino-Japanese War, 15,000 students had graduated from programs with a German military influence, resulting in the creation of about fifty combat divisions from these instructional units. However, the progress of other Nationalist army units was limited because their training was not aligned with contemporary battlefield realities. Before World War I, troops operated in close formations due to limited firepower. The widespread introduction of machine guns after World War I necessitated a shift to dispersed formations. Although a new drill manual issued by the Ministry of Military Training in 1935 introduced small-group tactics, few units adopted these methods. General Chen Cheng highlighted another underlying issue in 1938, commenting on the outmoded focus on parade ground drills and formal military manners. He noted, “We have paid too much attention to stereotypical formality and procedures of no practical use. Sometimes, even though soldiers could not get a haircut or take a bath for several months, their camps had to be in order. They underwent intensive training in close-order drill but learned little about gun handling, marksmanship, or maneuvering. This was inappropriate in peacetime, yet we continued this practice even after the Sino-Japanese War started, even using it on highly educated youth.” In contrast, the Communist army simplified training, emphasizing two essential skills: live-fire exercises and physical endurance, which significantly enhanced troop effectiveness in the challenging terrain characteristic of the Sino-Japanese War. Ultimately, the Nationalist army's training did not reach all soldiers. Only about half of all combat soldiers received adequate training, while the rest were neglected. According to statistics from the time, there were approximately five million military personnel during the Sino-Japanese War, with three million serving in logistics. Most of these logistics personnel had received little training, leading to disastrous consequences for overall combat effectiveness. As warfare has become more complex, the role of highly trained staff officers has become increasingly important. Napoleon developed operational plans close to the front and communicated orders via courier. During World War I, military commanders collected information at their headquarters and utilized telephones and automobiles to relay orders to the front lines. In World War II, with the battlefield expanding to include land, sea, and air, senior commanders often made decisions from headquarters far from the action, relying on a significant number of staff officers with specialized skills to keep them informed. In China, however, the staff officer system was underdeveloped. By 1937, only about 2,000 commanders and staff officers had received training. Prior to the Sino-Japanese War, most commanders managed staff work themselves, with staff officers serving primarily as military secretaries who drafted orders, reports, and maps. Many staff officers had no formal military training, and as a whole, the branch lacked respect, causing the most talented officers to avoid serving in it. The situation was even more dire for staff officer departments within local forces. For example, in March 1937, Liu Ziqing, a graduate of the Whampoa Military Academy, was appointed as the director of political instruction in the Forty-fourth Army, a unit under Sichuan warlord Liu Xiang. Liu Ziqing's account illustrates the dysfunction within the ranks: “The commander in chief was not supposed to manage the army and even did not know its whereabouts... But he could appoint relatives and former subordinates—who were officials and businessmen as well—to the army. Each month they would receive a small stipend. At headquarters, there was a long table and two rows of chairs. Around ten o'clock in the morning, senior officers signed in to indicate their presence. Those with other business would leave, while the remaining officers sat down to leisurely discuss star actresses, fortune-telling, business projects, mah-jongg, and opium. Occasionally they would touch on national affairs, chat about news articles, or share local gossip. In the afternoons, they primarily played mah-jongg, held banquets, and visited madams. Most mornings, the commander usually presided over these activities, and at first, I reported for duty as well. But I soon realized it was a waste of time and came very rarely. At headquarters, most staff members wore long gowns or Western-style suits, while military uniforms were a rare sight.” Most senior military personnel were trained at the Baoding Military Academy during the early republic. 2/3rds of commanders in chief, 37 %of army commanders, and 20 % of division commanders were Baoding graduates. Higher-ranking officers were more likely to have launched their careers there. In contrast, only 10 % of division commanders and a few army commanders were graduates of the Whampoa Military Academy. Additionally, commanders trained in local military schools and those with combat experience accounted for 1/3rd of all commanders. While the prevalence of civil war provided opportunities for rapid promotion, it also hindered officers' ability to update their training or gain experience in different military branches. German advisors expressed their concerns to Chiang Kai-shek, emphasizing that officers should first serve in junior roles before taking command. During one battle in 1938, Chiang noted, “Our commanders in chief are equivalent only to our enemy's regiment commanders, and our army and division commanders are only as competent as our enemy's battalion and company commanders.” Despite not viewing high-ranking Japanese officers as great strategists, Nationalist officers respected them as highly competent, diligent, and professional commanders who rarely made critical errors. The infantry was the primary component of the Nationalist army, with middle and junior infantry officers constituting over 80 %of all army officers. A 1936 registry of military officers listed 1,105 colonels and 2,159 lieutenant colonels within the infantry, demonstrating a significant outnumbering of Baoding graduates at ranks below lieutenant colonel. However, the quality of middle and junior infantry officers declined during the Sino-Japanese War; by 1944, only 27.3 % of these officers were from formal military academies, while those promoted from the ranks increased to 28.1 %. In 1937, 80 % of officers in an ordinary infantry battalion were military academy graduates, but this percentage dropped to 20 % during the war. Its hard to tell how educated soldiers were before the war, but it is generally believed that most were illiterate. In 1929, sociologist Tao Menghe surveyed 946 soldiers from a Shanxi garrison brigade and found that only 13 percent could compose a letter independently, while the rest had either never learned to read or were unable to write. In contrast, in August 1938, General Feng Yuxiang found that 80 percent of a regiment in Hunan were literate. Regardless, during the Sino-Japanese War, the quality of recruits steadily declined. More than 90 percent of soldiers were illiterate, and few possessed any basic scientific knowledge, which hindered their ability to master their weapons. On the battlefield, they heavily relied on middle and junior officers for guidance.  In autumn 1933, General Hans von Seeckt, the architect of the post World War I German army, visited China at the personal invitation of Chiang Kai-shek. In his recommendations for military reform, he identified China's greatest problem as its excessively large forces drawn from diverse backgrounds. He stated, “At present, the most pressing goal is to... establish a small, well-equipped army with high morale and combat effectiveness to replace the numerous poorly armed and trained forces.” He suggested forming an army of sixty divisions and recommended the establishment of a training regiment for military officers to equip them with the skills needed for modern warfare. Chiang Kai-shek accepted von Seeckt's proposals, and on January 26, 1935, he convened a National Military Reorganization Conference in Nanjing. On March 1, the Army Reorganization Bureau was established in Wuchang, under the leadership of General Chen Cheng. In the same month, General Alexander von Falkenhausen took charge of the German Military Advisors Group. Before war broke out, around nineteen divisions, roughly 300,000 troops received training from German advisors and were equipped with German-style weapons. At the onset of the Sino-Japanese War, the forces stemming from the First Army of the National Revolutionary Army and the Whampoa cadets, who had fought in the Northern Expedition, held the highest reputation and were referred to as the “core central forces” by the Japanese. Other notable forces included the Guangxi Army, Northwestern Army, Northeastern Army, some Uyghur units, the Guangdong Army, and the Shanxi Army. In contrast, provincial forces such as the Yunnan Army and Sichuan Army were viewed less favorably. Nationalist forces were generally far inferior to those of the Japanese enemy. In 1937, General He Yingqin noted that Nationalist forces had failed to prevail in 1932 and 1933, even when outnumbering the Japanese by 4-1.  In November 1937, during a national defense conference, Chiang Kai-shek stated, "In recent years we have worked hard, prepared actively, and achieved national unification. By the time of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, we were in a better domestic situation and had improved military preparedness compared to before. Since 1935, our strength has doubled. It increased by more than two to three times since January 1932 or September 1931 [when Japan attacked Shanghai and Mukden]. If peace had been achievable, we should have delayed the war for two or three years. Given an additional three years, our defensive capabilities would have been drastically different... Now, if we merely compare the military strength of China and Japan, we are certainly inferior." However, such assessments were overly optimistic, as Chiang failed to recognize that Japan's military capabilities would not have stagnated. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek certainly was dealt a difficult hand of cards for the upcoming poker match he was to play. Yet the Chinese were resilient and they had to be for the absolute horror that would be inflicted upon them from 1937-1945. Until this point, their enemies had been far more lenient, the Empire of Japan would show no mercy.

In this inspiring episode of Spa Marketing Made Easy, Daniela sits down with serial entrepreneur and spa visionary Fatima Rosa to explore her incredible journey from launching Florida's first blow dry bar to building a multi-location beauty brand and co-founding a clean skincare line, 100and1 Cosmetics. Fatima shares the highs and lows of entrepreneurship—from navigating complex build-outs and regulatory hurdles to embracing her identity as a CEO and visionary. She also delves into the power of persistence, the importance of genuine relationships, and how mindset and grit have been pivotal to her success. What you'll learn during this episode: How Fatima transitioned from a blow dry bar franchisee to a multi-location spa owner The challenges and lessons learned from multiple spa build-outs The story behind the creation of 100and1 Cosmetics and its mission The significance of mindset, grit, and grace in entrepreneurial success The impact of building genuine relationships in business growth Resources Mentioned in Episode 435 - https://www.addoaesthetics.com/podcast/ep435: Connect with 100and1 Cosmetics on Instagram  → @100and1cosmetics Connect with Face Beauty Bar on Instagram → @facebeautybar Connect Fatima Rosa on Instagram → @fatima.rosa.beauty Join the Addo Professional Alliance (APA) → https://www.addoaesthetics.com/addo-professional-alliance IG / @addoaesthetics WEB / addoaesthetics.com YOUTUBE / @addoaesthetics LINKEDIN / @addoaesthetics   WANT MORE FROM ADDO AESTHETICS? Take just 5 minutes and find out YOUR biggest area of opportunity by taking my FREE Spa Business Assessment here → scorecard.addoaesthetics.com/ Join the Addo Professional Alliance (APA), an association dedicated to empowering women and strengthening their community by helping aesthetic professionals build meaningful connections with one another and fostering support and guidance to create businesses that align with the lives they love → https://www.addoaesthetics.com/addo-professional-alliance/   ABOUT THE SPA MARKETING MADE EASY HOST    About Your Host, Daniela Woerner Daniela Woerner is the founder of Addo Professional Alliance, a leading community for aesthetic professionals, and the creator of the Growth Factor Framework—a proven system that has helped 582 six- and seven-figure spa owners scale their businesses with strategy and systems. With nearly two decades in the aesthetics industry, Daniela has trained alongside top physician-dispensed brands, consulted with leading dermatologists, and helped thousands of spa professionals streamline their operations and maximize profitability. Her mission? To transform overworked aesthetic professionals into Spa CEOs—building a business and life they love with the strategic systems needed for long-term financial growth. As the host of the Spa Marketing Made Easy podcast, Daniela brings expert insights, real-world strategies, and in-depth conversations to help spa owners elevate their marketing, optimize their operations, and create sustainable success. With over 400 published episodes, 1 million+ downloads, and a ranking in the top 1% of all podcasts worldwide, Spa Marketing Made Easy is the go-to resource for spa and aesthetic professionals looking to level up. Tune in each week for actionable strategies, expert interviews, and inspiration to help you build a thriving, systemized, and scalable spa business!  

Welcome to Session Six of our spring audio Bible study! We're studying The Gospel on the Ground, and we're so excited to join Kristi McLelland as she unpacks the life of the early church in the book of Acts and shows us that the kingdom of God is always on the move, always looking outward to bring meaning and joy to a world searching for true fulfillment and hope. Each week, we'll release the next teaching session, and we'll leave the audio up for all seven sessions through June 16.In Session Four, we continue to discuss the witness of the early church in the world, the godly Kingdom of Abundance moving into an Empire of Scarcity. Members of the early church set themselves apart in the way they loved others, their refusal to worship the emperor and their willingness to lay down their lives for the kingdom of God. Kristi encourages us to follow God's call on our lives because He alone is worthy of our worship.LINKSThe Gospel on the GroundMore from KristiRECOMMENDEDRead this article by Kristi on the Lifeway Women blog about partnering with God in prayer. MARKED is a podcast from Lifeway Women: https://women.lifeway.com/blog/podcasts/.Hosted by Elizabeth Hyndman and Andrea Lennon.CONNECT WITH US!Follow Lifeway Women and Kristi McLelland on Instagram.Learn more about the Daring Joy Bible study at lifeway.com/daringjoy. Learn more about Feast at lifeway.com/feast.

Dumpling Daughter isn't just a food brand. It's founder Nadia Liu Spellman's heartfelt homage to family, culture and comfort. Her mission is simple but powerful: to make high-quality, restaurant-style comfort food accessible at home, while honoring the deep emotional ties that food can hold. Launched in 2014. Dumpling Daughter began as a beloved local restaurant in the Boston area and has since expanded into a rapidly growing CPG brand featuring frozen dumplings, bao buns, and sauces that celebrate generational flavors.   In this episode, Nadia takes us on a journey from her Boston roots and business school days at Babson College to the high-pressure world of Wall Street — and ultimately, back to her cultural heritage in the kitchen.  Along the way, Nadia opens up about honoring her family's culinary legacy — including her mother's legendary fine-dining restaurant, Sally Ling's — and what it takes to build a brand defined by authenticity, innovation, and uncompromising quality. From the challenges of food manufacturing to the nuances of flavor storytelling, she gives us an inside look at redefining "premium" in the world of ready-to-cook cuisine. Show notes: 0:25: Nadia Liu Spellman, Founder & CEO, Dumpling Daughter – Nadia fondly reflects on her childhood spent in the heart of her parents' lively Chinese restaurant, where her passion for food first took root. From preparing family dinners as a tween to eventually leaving behind a corporate career, she shares what inspired her leap into entrepreneurship. The Covid-19 pandemic became a turning point, offering Dumpling Daughter the chance to grow into a CPG brand that weaves heritage and hospitality into every bite. Nadia discusses her love for being the face of the brand—appearing in behind-the-scenes stories on Instagram—and why she sees competition as a motivator, not a threat. With a brand flywheel that connects direct-to-consumer, retail, and restaurant channels, she talks about why she's thinking big, while staying grounded in her mission: to share food that tastes like home. Brands in this episode: Dumpling Daughter

Star Wars Andor: How Fascism Creates Its Own SupportersWhat drives someone to become complicit in fascism? We explore Syril Karn's arc in Star Wars: Andor and what it reveals about how authoritarian systems manipulate their supporters.How does fascism differ from authoritarianism? We examined the central leader cult of personality that defines fascist systems, with Emperor Palpatine as the prime example.What makes Syril believe in "law and order"? His rigid worldview and imperial propaganda blind him to corruption, driving his obsession with Cassian Andor and participation in the Gorman massacre.Why do fascist systems encourage infighting? The Empire deliberately pits officials against each other to prevent anyone from challenging the Emperor's power.Can we sympathize with villains without excusing them? We discussed humanizing Imperial characters while holding them accountable for their violent choices.Other Topics Covered:Syril's parallel to Javert from Les MisérablesHow the Rebellion operates differently than the EmpireThe Emperor's invisible but constant presence in Imperial decisionsWhy redemption arcs should be rare for fascist collaboratorsViolence as the true governing principle under authoritarianismUnderstanding characters like Syril isn't about excusing fascism—it's about recognizing how ordinary people can be drawn into extraordinary evil and the importance of making moral choices when systems encourage us to look away. **************************************************************************This episode is a production of Superhero Ethics, a The Ethical Panda Podcast and part of the TruStory FM Entertainment Podcast Network. Check our our website to find out more about this and our sister podcast Star Wars Generations.We want to hear from you! You can keep up with our latest news, and send us feedback, questions, or comments via social media or email.Email: Matthew@TheEthicalPanda.comFacebook: TheEthicalPandaInstagram: TheEthicalPandaPodcastsTwitter: EthicalPanda77Or you can join jump into the Star Wars Generations and Superhero Ethics channels on the TruStory FM Discord.Want to get access to even more content while supporting the podcast? Become a member! For $5 a month, or $55 a year you get access to bonus episodes and bonus content at the end of most episodes. Sign up on the podcast's main page. You can even give membership as a gift!You can also support our podcasts through our sponsors:Purchase a lightsaber from Level Up Sabers run by friend of the podcast Neighborhood Master AlanUse Audible for audiobooks. Sign up for a one year membership or gift one through this link.Purchase any media discussed this week through our sponsored links.

As Conservatives strive to take back the culture, the Left tries to defend its crumbling Empire of Lies. Click here to join the member-exclusive portion of my show: https://bit.ly/3UKm1Ez Ep.1231 - - - DailyWire+: This week only, don't miss the DailyWire+ Memorial Day Sale—get 40% off an Annual Membership with code DW40. Don't miss the all-new Ben After Dark—tonight at 7:30 PM ET, only on DailyWire+. Save the Klavan by shopping my merch here: https://bit.ly/3hCo8Kw - - - Today's Sponsors: Boll & Branch - Get 15% off + free shipping on your first set of sheets at https://BollAndBranch.com/klavan Helix Sleep - Go to https://helixsleep.com/klavan to get 27% Off Sitewide + Free Bedding Bundle (Sheet Set and Mattress Protector) with any Luxe or Elite Mattress Order. Home Title Lock - Go to https://hometitlelock.com/klavan and use promo code KLAVAN to get a FREE title history report so you can find out if you're already a victim AND 14 days of protection for FREE! And make sure to check out the Million Dollar TripleLock protection details when you get there! Exclusions apply. For details visit https://hometitlelock.com/warranty PreBorn! - Help save babies from abortion at https://preborn.com/KLAVAN StopBox USA - Get firearm security redesigned and save 10% off @StopBoxUSA with code ANDREWKLAVAN at https://www.stopboxusa.com/ANDREWKLAVAN #stopboxpod #ad - - - Socials: Follow on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3B5RI1j Follow on Instagram: https://bit.ly/3D7AzXp Follow on Facebook: https://bit.ly/3TXNt08 Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3Rtfifp - - - Privacy Policy: https://www.dailywire.com/privacy

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