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Earlier this year, a tweet went out from the official account of the Democratic Party, tagging the Trump advisor Stephen Miller. It was an image of what appeared to be a simple hotel room chair. But for those in the know, it was much more than that: It was a “cuck chair,” an online meme straight out of a popular genre of hardcore pornography in which a man watches his partner have sex with another man. How did we get to a place where the Democrats could flame a political opponent with an image out of cucking porn and have millions of people immediately understand it? In this episode we trace the complicated and intricate history of the cuck. It's a history that includes everything from Jacobean dramas to World War II pilots to, yes, pornography, as well as a host of deeply American prejudices that have become a lot less submerged over the last 10 years. And we also situate the cuck within a larger context, one in which porn is the elephant in the room of American culture. It's a potent force, shaping and reflecting our very wants and desires and it is constantly seeping into mainstream culture—and yet we don't analyze, critique, or even talk about it very much because, well, it's porn. In this NSFW episode, you'll hear from: Slate staff writer Luke Winkie who wrote about the tweet that kicked this episode off; Samantha Cole, one of co-founders of 404 Media and the author of How Sex Changed the Internet and the Internet Changed Sex; Jennifer Panek, professor of English at the University of Ottawa; sex therapist and clinical psychologist Dr. David S. Ley; Dr. Justin Lehmiller, social psychologist, senior research fellow at the Kinsey Institute, and podcast host; Mireille Miller-Young, associate professor of feminist studies at UC Santa Barbara and the author of A Taste for Brown Sugar: Black Women in Pornography, and New York Magazine tech columnist John Herrman. This episode was written by Willa Paskin. It was edited by Josh Levin and produced by Katie Shepherd, Willa Paskin, Max Freedman, and Evan Chung, Decoder Ring's supervising producer. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director, and we had help from Sophie Summergrad. We'd also like to thank Gabriel Roth, Talia Lavin, Tatum Hunter, Rebecca Fasman, Jessica Stoya, Aiden Starr, Perrin Swanmoore, Sophie Gilbert, and Kevin Heffernan, who was a fount of knowledge. If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, email us at DecoderRing@slate.com or leave a message on our hotline at (347) 460-7281. Get more of Decoder Ring with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of Decoder Ring and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the Decoder Ring show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/decoderplus for access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 1810 - brought to you by our incredible sponsors: True Classic- TrueClassic.com/HARDFACTOR to try them out for yourself. Hydrow- Go to Hydrow.com and use code HARDFACTOR to save up to $450 off your Hydrow Pro Rower! DaftKings- Download the DraftKings Casino app, sign up with code HARDFACTOR, and spin your favorite slots! The Crown is Yours - Gambling problem? Call one eight hundred GAMBLER Lucy- Let's level up your nicotine routine with Lucy. Go to Lucy.co/HARDFACTOR and use promo code (HARDFACTOR) to get 20% off your first order. Must be of age-verified. Better Help - Our listeners get 10% off their first month of online therapy at BetterHelp dot com slash HARDFACTOR Timestamps: 00:00:00 Timestamps 00:01:30 Join our Discord to get in on Pat's new WEEKLY NFL PARLAY system that is sure to hit this year patreon.com/hardfactor 00:06:55 ICE & The National Guard are invading Chicago, and things are getting nuts 00:19:55 Trump and the Canadian Prime Minister are looking awfully chummy these days 00:24:00 Marineland animal park in Ontario is threatening to murder its THIRTY Beluga Whales if the Government doesn't step in to help save them 00:31:30 Black Swan gets evicted from an English pond after becoming too aggressive with the native White Swans 00:39:20 The Pope has blessed a giant block of ice to help the Earth's environment 00:41:15 KY Man puts up spooky Halloween decorations, but they were actually just threats towards local officials Thank you for listening!! If you're still reading, join our community at patreon.com/hardfactor to get access to bonus podcasts, discord chat, and much more... but Most importantly: HAGFD!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Professional English Level 2 is now open for enrollment and this week only, you save $100 off the normal price. Get ready for your next high-stakes moment in your career by developing executive-level English. Offer ends Sunday 10/11 at midnight. Go here to enroll now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Earlier this year, a tweet went out from the official account of the Democratic Party, tagging the Trump advisor Stephen Miller. It was an image of what appeared to be a simple hotel room chair. But for those in the know, it was much more than that: It was a “cuck chair,” an online meme straight out of a popular genre of hardcore pornography in which a man watches his partner have sex with another man. How did we get to a place where the Democrats could flame a political opponent with an image out of cucking porn and have millions of people immediately understand it? In this episode we trace the complicated and intricate history of the cuck. It's a history that includes everything from Jacobean dramas to World War II pilots to, yes, pornography, as well as a host of deeply American prejudices that have become a lot less submerged over the last 10 years. And we also situate the cuck within a larger context, one in which porn is the elephant in the room of American culture. It's a potent force, shaping and reflecting our very wants and desires and it is constantly seeping into mainstream culture—and yet we don't analyze, critique, or even talk about it very much because, well, it's porn. In this NSFW episode, you'll hear from: Slate staff writer Luke Winkie who wrote about the tweet that kicked this episode off; Samantha Cole, one of co-founders of 404 Media and the author of How Sex Changed the Internet and the Internet Changed Sex; Jennifer Panek, professor of English at the University of Ottawa; sex therapist and clinical psychologist Dr. David S. Ley; Dr. Justin Lehmiller, social psychologist, senior research fellow at the Kinsey Institute, and podcast host; Mireille Miller-Young, associate professor of feminist studies at UC Santa Barbara and the author of A Taste for Brown Sugar: Black Women in Pornography, and New York Magazine tech columnist John Herrman. This episode was written by Willa Paskin. It was edited by Josh Levin and produced by Katie Shepherd, Willa Paskin, Max Freedman, and Evan Chung, Decoder Ring's supervising producer. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director, and we had help from Sophie Summergrad. We'd also like to thank Gabriel Roth, Talia Lavin, Tatum Hunter, Rebecca Fasman, Jessica Stoya, Aiden Starr, Perrin Swanmoore, Sophie Gilbert, and Kevin Heffernan, who was a fount of knowledge. If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, email us at DecoderRing@slate.com or leave a message on our hotline at (347) 460-7281. Get more of Decoder Ring with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of Decoder Ring and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the Decoder Ring show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/decoderplus for access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Earlier this year, a tweet went out from the official account of the Democratic Party, tagging the Trump advisor Stephen Miller. It was an image of what appeared to be a simple hotel room chair. But for those in the know, it was much more than that: It was a “cuck chair,” an online meme straight out of a popular genre of hardcore pornography in which a man watches his partner have sex with another man. How did we get to a place where the Democrats could flame a political opponent with an image out of cucking porn and have millions of people immediately understand it? In this episode we trace the complicated and intricate history of the cuck. It's a history that includes everything from Jacobean dramas to World War II pilots to, yes, pornography, as well as a host of deeply American prejudices that have become a lot less submerged over the last 10 years. And we also situate the cuck within a larger context, one in which porn is the elephant in the room of American culture. It's a potent force, shaping and reflecting our very wants and desires and it is constantly seeping into mainstream culture—and yet we don't analyze, critique, or even talk about it very much because, well, it's porn. In this NSFW episode, you'll hear from: Slate staff writer Luke Winkie who wrote about the tweet that kicked this episode off; Samantha Cole, one of co-founders of 404 Media and the author of How Sex Changed the Internet and the Internet Changed Sex; Jennifer Panek, professor of English at the University of Ottawa; sex therapist and clinical psychologist Dr. David S. Ley; Dr. Justin Lehmiller, social psychologist, senior research fellow at the Kinsey Institute, and podcast host; Mireille Miller-Young, associate professor of feminist studies at UC Santa Barbara and the author of A Taste for Brown Sugar: Black Women in Pornography, and New York Magazine tech columnist John Herrman. This episode was written by Willa Paskin. It was edited by Josh Levin and produced by Katie Shepherd, Willa Paskin, Max Freedman, and Evan Chung, Decoder Ring's supervising producer. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director, and we had help from Sophie Summergrad. We'd also like to thank Gabriel Roth, Talia Lavin, Tatum Hunter, Rebecca Fasman, Jessica Stoya, Aiden Starr, Perrin Swanmoore, Sophie Gilbert, and Kevin Heffernan, who was a fount of knowledge. If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, email us at DecoderRing@slate.com or leave a message on our hotline at (347) 460-7281. Get more of Decoder Ring with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of Decoder Ring and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the Decoder Ring show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/decoderplus for access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 8, 2025 is: finicky FIN-ih-kee adjective Finicky describes someone who is very hard to please, or something that requires a lot of care, precision, or attentive effort. // Although she was a finicky eater as a child, she grew up to become a world-renowned chef famous for her encyclopedic knowledge of global ingredients. // The latest game in the series boasts amazing graphics but the controls are a little finicky. See the entry > Examples: "Stardom is a fleeting concept, one that we've seen play out with the biggest of stars over time. Even without outright missteps, artists often find themselves scrutinized by the masses for reasons entirely unrelated to their work. More often than not, this pressure either drives them to prove their worth to a finicky fanbase—one that will jump ship the second something else catches their attention—or pushes them back into obscurity." — Aron A., HotNewHipHop.com, 22 Aug. 2025 Did you know? If you're a reader of a certain age (say, a Boomer, Gen Xer, or even a Xennial) you may remember cheeky television commercials featuring Morris, a finicky housecat who only eats a certain brand of cat food. (Morris is still featured on product labels.) Morris's tastes in cuisine are not only very particular, but very fine as well, and that's appropriate given the origin of finicky. The word came about in the early 19th century as an alteration of finicking, itself a 17th century alteration of another adjective, finical, which in turn is a late 16th century coinage likely derived from the adjective fine.
This week on Stitch Please, Lisa and Mind the Force Podcast host Kristine McPartlin geek out over the secret language of Star Wars fashion from Luke's hopeful robes to Darth Vader's villain chic. They laugh about the Empire's tiny hats, dissect Jedi linen minimalism, and revel in Queen Amidala's 20 yard gowns. It's a hilarious, insightful dive into how every stitch in a galaxy far, far away tells a story and yes, sometimes that story is simply “Nazis bad.”====Where You Can Find Kristine! MInd The Force Podcast===========Dr. Lisa Woolfork is an associate professor of English specializing in African American literature and culture. Her teaching and research explore Black women writers, Black identity, trauma theory, and American slavery. She is the founder of Black Women Stitch, the sewing group where Black lives matter. She is also the host/producer of Stitch Please, a weekly audio podcast that centers on Black women, girls, and femmes in sewing. In the summer of 2017, she actively resisted the white supremacist marches in her community, Charlottesville, Virginia. The city became a symbol of lethal resurging white supremacist violence. She remains active in a variety of university and community initiatives, including the Community Engaged Scholars program. She believes in the power of creative liberation.Instagram: Lisa WoolforkTwitter: Lisa Woolfork======Stay Connected:YouTube: Black Women StitchInstagram: Black Women StitchFacebook: Stitch Please Podcast--Sign up for the Black Women Stitch quarterly newsletterCheck out our merch hereLeave a BACKSTITCH message and tell us about your favorite episode.Join the Black Women Stitch PatreonCheck out our Amazon Store
❖ Follow along with today's reading: www.esv.org/Isaiah31–33;Psalm91;Acts15 ❖ The English Standard Version (ESV) is an 'essentially literal' translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV Bible emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. ❖ To learn more about the ESV and other audio resources, please visit www.ESV.org
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Earlier this year, a tweet went out from the official account of the Democratic Party, tagging the Trump advisor Stephen Miller. It was an image of what appeared to be a simple hotel room chair. But for those in the know, it was much more than that: It was a “cuck chair,” an online meme straight out of a popular genre of hardcore pornography in which a man watches his partner have sex with another man. How did we get to a place where the Democrats could flame a political opponent with an image out of cucking porn and have millions of people immediately understand it? In this episode we trace the complicated and intricate history of the cuck. It's a history that includes everything from Jacobean dramas to World War II pilots to, yes, pornography, as well as a host of deeply American prejudices that have become a lot less submerged over the last 10 years. And we also situate the cuck within a larger context, one in which porn is the elephant in the room of American culture. It's a potent force, shaping and reflecting our very wants and desires and it is constantly seeping into mainstream culture—and yet we don't analyze, critique, or even talk about it very much because, well, it's porn. In this NSFW episode, you'll hear from: Slate staff writer Luke Winkie who wrote about the tweet that kicked this episode off; Samantha Cole, one of co-founders of 404 Media and the author of How Sex Changed the Internet and the Internet Changed Sex; Jennifer Panek, professor of English at the University of Ottawa; sex therapist and clinical psychologist Dr. David S. Ley; Dr. Justin Lehmiller, social psychologist, senior research fellow at the Kinsey Institute, and podcast host; Mireille Miller-Young, associate professor of feminist studies at UC Santa Barbara and the author of A Taste for Brown Sugar: Black Women in Pornography, and New York Magazine tech columnist John Herrman. This episode was written by Willa Paskin. It was edited by Josh Levin and produced by Katie Shepherd, Willa Paskin, Max Freedman, and Evan Chung, Decoder Ring's supervising producer. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director, and we had help from Sophie Summergrad. We'd also like to thank Gabriel Roth, Talia Lavin, Tatum Hunter, Rebecca Fasman, Jessica Stoya, Aiden Starr, Perrin Swanmoore, Sophie Gilbert, and Kevin Heffernan, who was a fount of knowledge. If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, email us at DecoderRing@slate.com or leave a message on our hotline at (347) 460-7281. Get more of Decoder Ring with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of Decoder Ring and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the Decoder Ring show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/decoderplus for access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tarot Emblemata is a magical and mystical tarot deck based on the 1551 book of emblems by Claude Paradin. Renaissance emblems are intimate illustrations with accompanying mottos that allegorically and symbolically express sentiments, concepts, societal concerns, and parables. These Renaissance emblems are a didactic genre of interpretive art and, within them, author and creator Nitasia Roland has discovered that their enigmatic imagery and “mottos” correspond dynamically and align perfectly with the seventy cards of the Major and Minor Arcana of the tarot.Among the many ancient and iconic images this deck portrays—plumes, helmets, swords, gemstone rings, coins, wands, clouds, wreaths, flowers, animals, and trees—Roland sees the evolution of tarot's wands, swords, cups, and coins, as well as evocative glimmers of the Major Arcana archetypes. Both secular and religious, Renaissance emblems were meant to crystallize virtue or vice and cover every sphere of early modern knowledge: ethics, natural philosophy, politics, science, religion, love, war, and everyday life, very much in the same way that modern tarot imagery provides insight and clarity today.The Tarot Emblemata deck will help readers expand on their path of embodiment, spiritual gnosis, inspired destiny, and empowerment. The accompanying guidebook presents tarot interpretations and elucidations on the symbolism of the emblems. Tarot Emblemata features a ribbon lift and gilded cards. It is an accessible deck for beginners and those familiar with the Rider-Waite-Smith system, while more experienced readers will enjoy a new and refreshing perspective. Find the deck and Natasia:Tarot Emblemata Deck: https://amzn.to/4mRCHWGWebsite: www.uraniapress.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nitasia_roland/ and https://www.instagram.com/urania_press/Nitasia Roland is a poet and writer of nonfiction with a focus on dovetailing the wisdom and practices of Western Esotericism, magic, myth, and mysticism. She resides in Maine, USA, surrounded by 75 acres of pastoral New England countryside. Nitasia works from home as an artist, independent researcher, editor, and indie tarot deck creator at her publishing company Urania Press. For her Interdisciplinary Master's Degree, she studied English, Poetry, Printmaking, Photography, and Design. In 2019 she received her MFA in Creative Writing. The current of Nitasia's Synchromystic path syncs a mélange of curios into a body of research, contemplation, and practice with poetic trance, synchronicity, Synthēmata & Symbola, theurgy, Hellenistic household worship, daimon & deity devotion, witchcraft, hedgecraft, divination, and ceremonial & planetary magic.
Professional English Level 2 is now open for enrollment and this week only, you save $100 off the normal price. Get ready for your next high-stakes moment in your career by developing executive-level English. Offer ends Sunday 10/11 at midnight. Go here to enroll now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
❖ Follow along with today's reading: www.esv.org/Nehemiah1:1–3:32 ❖ The English Standard Version (ESV) is an 'essentially literal' translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV Bible emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. ❖ To learn more about the ESV and other audio resources, please visit www.ESV.org
Here's a question. Have you ever heard someone say ain't in a song or a movie? Like, or “I ain't got no time for that”? Maybe you wondered… is ain't actually English? Well, it sure ain't in the textbooks, but it is in real life! And I ain't kidding. Today we're diving into a word that confuses a lot of English learners - ain't. It's not considered “standard” grammar, but that doesn't mean it's wrong. In fact, native speakers use ain't all the time in casual, spoken English, and especially in music, movies, and everyday conversation. So, if you've ever asked yourself, “What does ain't even mean?” - today's episode is for you.Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/plsgVisit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/My AI English Tutor is HERE
It's YOUR time to #EdUpIn this episode, President Series #410, powered by Ellucian, & sponsored by the 2026 InsightsEDU Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, February 17-19,YOUR guest is Dr. Kristen Miller, President, Southern Maine Community CollegeYOUR co-host is Dr. Chuck Lloyd, Vice Chancellor, Community College System of New HampshireYOUR host is Dr. Joe Sallustio How does a community college president make the institution "student ready" rather than expecting students to be "college ready" to improve retention?What happens when a first time woman president leads the 2nd largest higher education institution in Maine while living on campus with her family?How does a former high school English teacher & admissions director transform community college education through Guided Pathways & structured scheduling?Listen in to #EdUpThank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp!Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - Elvin Freytes & Dr. Joe Sallustio● Join YOUR EdUp community at The EdUp ExperienceWe make education YOUR business!P.S. Want to get early, ad-free access & exclusive leadership content to help support the show? Then subscribe today to lock in YOUR $5.99/m lifetime supporters rate! This offer ends December 31, 2025!
❖ Follow along with today's reading: www.esv.org/1Kings11;Philippians2;Psalms92–93;Ezekiel41 ❖ The English Standard Version (ESV) is an 'essentially literal' translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV Bible emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. ❖ To learn more about the ESV and other audio resources, please visit www.ESV.org
Today we're doing a throwback episode to one of our favorites from the early days of Stories Podcast. Tokki and the Dragon King! The Dragon King is sick and needs a special cure that only Tokki can provide! This story is from Korean folklore and includes lots of silly voices and a tricky rabbit. Check out Stories RPG our new show where we play games like Starsworn with all your Max Goodname friends, and Gigacity Guardians featuring the brilliant firefly! https://link.chtbl.com/gigacity Draw us a picture of what you think any of the characters in this story look like, and then tag us in it on instagram @storiespodcast! We'd love to see your artwork and share it on our feed!! If you would like to support Stories Podcast, you can subscribe and give us a five star review on iTunes, check out our merch at storiespodcast.com/shop, follow us on Instagram @storiespodcast, or just tell your friends about us! Check out our new YouTube channel at youtube.com/storiespodcast. If you've ever wanted to read along with our stories, now you can! These read-along versions of our stories are great for early readers trying to improve their skills or even adults learning English for the first time. Check it out.
Las vidas de varias jóvenes universitarias se derrumbaron cuando descubrieron fotos de ellas editadas con inteligencia artificial: eran sus caras, pero esos cuerpos desnudos no eran suyos. Así comenzó una odisea para que esto se viera como un delito y no quedara en la impunidad. En nuestro sitio web puedes encontrar una transcripción del episodio. Or you can also check this English translation. ♥ Vivimos tiempos difíciles. Somos un medio sin ánimo de lucro, y nuestra permanencia depende de oyentes como tú. Si valoras nuestro trabajo, únete a Deambulantes, nuestras membresías. Ayúdanos a elevar las voces latinas y narrar la experiencia de nuestras comunidades. Tu aporte se invierte directamente en nuestro trabajo periodístico y hace toda la diferencia. ★ Si no quieres perderte ningún episodio, suscríbete a nuestro boletín y recibe todos los martes un correo. Además, los viernes te enviaremos cinco recomendaciones inspiradoras del equipo para el fin de semana. ✓ ¿Nos escuchas para mejorar tu español? Tenemos algo extra para ti: prueba nuestra app Jiveworld, diseñada para estudiantes intermedios de la lengua que quieren aprender con nuestros episodios. The lives of several young university students fell apart when they discovered photos of themselves altered with artificial intelligence: the faces were theirs, but the naked bodies were not. And so began an odyssey to have this aggression recognized as a crime that would not remain unpunished.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Part II of the Q&A where Will Clark of The French Revolution & Napoleon Podcast and I compare and contrast the French and English Revolutions and try to answer all your questions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is the story of a city that laid the foundations for our modern world. Sitting at the intersection of East and West, Alexandria has been home to many of humanity's greatest architectural and cultural achievements, like the famous Lighthouse and the storied Great Library. Some of history's most illustrious figures have left their mark there, from Alexander the Great and Aristotle to Julius Caesar and Cleopatra.Dan is joined by Islam Issa, Professor of English at Birmingham City University and author of 'Alexandria: The City that Changed the World'. Islam explains how a city that started as a vision in Alexander the Great's mind became a global capital of knowledge.This episode was first released in February 2024.Produced by James Hickmann and edited by Dougal Patmore.You can sign up to watch Dan and Dr Michael Livingston's documentary series on Magna Carta on https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.We'd love to hear your feedback - you can take part in our podcast survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on.You can also email the podcast directly at ds.hh@historyhit.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Herbert Marcuse and "Liberating Tolerance". Intolerance toward your enemy. Customer service who doesn’t speak English. They want you dead and they aren’t hiding it anymore. From street animals to politicians, they all believe violence against their political opponents is just to advance their revolution. Medal of Honor: Alwyn CasheFollow The Jesse Kelly Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJesseKellyShowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Professional English Level 2 is now open for enrollment and this week only, you save $100 off the normal price. Get ready for your next high-stakes moment in your career by developing executive-level English. Offer ends Sunday 10/11 at midnight. Go here to enroll now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Professional English Level 2 is now open for enrollment and this week only, you save $100 off the normal price. Get ready for your next high-stakes moment in your career by developing executive-level English. Offer ends Sunday 10/11 at midnight. Go here to enroll now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this episode of The Wright Report, we cover an alarming report on Chinese illegal immigrants working as truck drivers inside the U.S., Beijing's growing cyber warfare networks, Trump's possible use of the Insurrection Act, and global political upheavals from France to Japan, with a surprising touch of good news about whales. From container trucks to coups and conservation, today's brief connects threats on American soil to global movements shaping our future. Chinese Illegal Truckers on U.S. Roads: A new investigation by the Daily Caller reveals that illegal immigrants from China are now driving trucks across America with commercial licenses obtained through a nonprofit tied to Beijing's United Front Work Department. The organization, CATOU, boasts a 100 percent pass rate for drivers who often cannot read English or road signs. Bryan warns that this, combined with China's control of port cranes and containerized missile systems, creates “an existential threat sitting in plain sight.” China's SIM Farm Cyber Operation: Law enforcement uncovered 300,000 Chinese-controlled SIM cards in New York capable of sending 30 million texts per minute, enough to crash city networks and emergency systems. The devices were linked to China's intelligence agency, the MSS, which has used similar systems to target U.S. officials and conservative figures. “No more scalpels. Chainsaws only,” Bryan urges, calling for mass visa revocations and deportations. Trump's Insurrection Act Warning: President Trump hinted he may invoke the 1807 Insurrection Act to deploy federal troops in cities like Portland and Chicago, where Democrat officials refuse to protect federal officers. The move recalls Lincoln's 1861 use of the law to quell rebellion. “These are acts of insurrection,” Bryan says, citing violence against ICE agents and the left's normalization of lawlessness. Global Political Upheaval: France's fifth prime minister in two years resigned after another budget collapse, while populists swept elections in the Czech Republic and Japan shifted right under new conservative leader Sanae Takaichi. Meanwhile, Michael Bloomberg announced a $50 million campaign to “fight populism” by grooming leftist city leaders worldwide. A Moment of Reflection and Hope: On the anniversary of Hamas's October 7 attacks, Bryan offered prayers for Israeli and Palestinian victims alike, urging peace as Trump's team nears a possible Gaza deal. In Argentina, scientists shared rare good news: the southern right whale population has rebounded to 4,700 and continues to grow. “We celebrate the whales,” Bryan concludes, “and feel bad for the humans who may go extinct if we're not careful.” "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32 Keywords: Chinese illegal immigrants truck drivers, CATOU United Front Work Department, China port cranes container missile system, Daily Caller Chinese CDL investigation, SIM Farm cyber operation MSS New York, Trump Insurrection Act 1807 Portland Chicago, ICE agent attacks sanctuary cities, France government collapse Macron, Czech Republic populist Andrej Babiš, Japan Sanae Takaichi conservative leader, Michael Bloomberg anti-populism funding, Hamas October 7 anniversary Gaza peace deal, Argentina southern right whales population recovery
On today's episode of The Heart & Hustle Podcast, Evie and Lindsay sit down with the insanely talented filmmaking duo Roma and Vera. Roma and Vera are married creatives who left Russia, rebuilt their business from scratch in Spain, and are now capturing breathtaking, emotion-filled wedding films all over the world. From shooting their first American wedding without speaking much English to finding beauty in chaos and imperfection, Roma & Vera share how they craft cinematic love stories that feel as genuine as the couples themselves. They talk about how to attract your dream clients, why “fun classy” beats “perfectly posed,” and how following intuition (and a good playlist) can change everything. Whether you're a photographer, filmmaker, or any creative entrepreneur, you'll be inspired to ditch the trends, trust your gut, and chase what feels real. Get ready to fall in love with the art of storytelling through film! --------------------------------- Destination Photographer Freebie: https://theheartuniversity.com/destination --------------------------------- Heart Shop: https://theheartuniversity.com/shop --------------------------------- Primally Pure: https://primallypure.com/?rfsn=5649435.725fd3 Use HEARTANDHUSTLE for 10% OFF. --------------------------------- Watch Roma & Vera's work: https://www.romaverafilms.com/ Follow Roma & Vera on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romavera_films/ --------------------------------- Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theheartuniversitychannel?si=33lzxpBA9UxKlgTE --------------------------------- If you want to connect with us and other listeners in the Heart and Hustle community join our Facebook group here. --------------------------------- “PODCAST10” for 10% off anything from The Shop! www.theheartuniversity.com/shop --------------------------------- Follow along: www.instagram.com/mrslindseyroman www.instagram.com/evierupp www.instagram.com/theheartuniversity
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 7, 2025 is: candor KAN-der noun Candor refers to the quality of being open, sincere, and honest. // During the interview, the comedian spoke with candor about the nervousness she feels every time she takes the stage. See the entry > Examples: “When Malika Andrews sat down to chat with ESSENCE, she was seated in her car. There was no rush in her voice, just an ease that showed how thoughtful and open she was to the experience. That balance of composure and candor is exactly what's made her one of the most respected names in sports journalism.” — Diona Ballard, Essence, 7 Aug. 2025 Did you know? The Latin verb candēre, meaning “to shine or glow,” has illuminated the English lexicon for centuries. It's given us familiar words such as candle, candid, and candidate, as well as less common terms like candela (a unit of luminous intensity) and candescent (“glowing or dazzling from or as if from great heat”). Candor, another candēre descendant, arrived in English in the 14th century. Its earliest uses referred to brightness or unstained purity and innocence; today, you're most likely to encounter candor as a word for unquestionably honest expression.
Welcome to Learn Polish Podcast, episode number 524. You'll find other episodes on learnpolishpodcast.com, on YouTube, Rumble and Spotify. Scan the QR code or go to www.roughlan.com to find six shows and everything I'm doing in podcasting. Lessons from Ania are available in the show notes, audio and video. In this episode Ania and Roy discuss shopping — trips to malls and weekly grocery runs, impulse buys versus planned purchases, price and promotion psychology, online vs in-store shopping, social media influence, and whether shopping can act as therapy. They share simple tips to tell a need from a want, how to avoid regret, and ideas like donating excess clothes. I have just launched my PodFather Podcast Coach Community https://www.skool.com/podfather/about Start your own SKOOl Academy https://www.skool.com/signup?ref=c72a37fe832f49c584d7984db9e54b71 All about Roy / Brain Gym & Virtual Assistants at https://roycoughlan.com/
❖ Follow along with today's reading: www.esv.org/Isaiah29–30;Psalm90;Acts14 ❖ The English Standard Version (ESV) is an 'essentially literal' translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV Bible emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. ❖ To learn more about the ESV and other audio resources, please visit www.ESV.org
Laura Dickerman: Last Word (1 1/2 ounces gin, 3/4 ounce green chartreuse, 3/4 ounce maraschino liqueur, 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice, Luxardo cherry)Laura tells some George Plimpton stories from her days as an intern at the Paris Review that inspired, in part, her debut novel HOT DESK, discusses some of the important differences in the publishing world during the 1980s and present day, reveals that the idea for her novel was a sentence in an email from her editor/publisher brother, identifies her favorite books to teach her high school English classes, and shares 3 pieces of advice for anyone trying to write their debut novel. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Learning English use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.
Jamie Winship has decades of experience bringing peaceful solutions to some of the world's highest conflict areas. After a distinguished career in law enforcement in the metro Washington D.C. area, Jamie earned an M.A. in English and developed a unique process of resolving inner conflict that results in the ability to lead and innovate from a position of authenticity and freedom. His unconventional efforts to bring about societal and racial reconciliation led him to Indonesia, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Israel, and back to the U.S. We discuss: How to discover your true identity Separation and Connection world views Jamie's experiences working in the Middle East Bringing terrorists to the US and converting them to Christianity We'd appreciate you filling out our audience survey, so we can continuously work on providing relevant content to our listeners. https://www.thefortpod.com/survey Links Jamie's website Living Fearless by Jamie Winship Identity Exchange Finding Hope in Depression Topics (00:00:00) - Intro (00:00:37) - Jamie's background and upbringing (00:04:31) - Being recruited into the CIA (00:10:25) - What is identity? (00:14:14) - How can I discover my true identity? (00:26:14) - Separation vs. connection world views (00:34:23) - Jamie's experiences working in the Middle East (00:51:37) - How to change the mentality of another person (01:05:12) - Bringing Palestinian terrorists to a Christian men's retreat Chris on Social Media: X: https://bit.ly/3BYIjcH LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/45gIkFd Watch The POWERS on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Powerspod Visit our website: https://bit.ly/43SOvys Leave a review on Apple: https://bit.ly/45crFD0 Leave a review on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3Krl9jO This episode originally aired on February 20th, 2024 The FORT is produced by Johnny Podcasts
practice talking about improvements in a company
practice talking about improvements in a company
This is an expression that talks about an area, especially the one where you live. Learn how to use it with Feifei and Phil.TRANSCRIPT Find a full transcript for this episode ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak_2025/ep-251007 Subscribe to our newsletter ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newsletters FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followus LIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ Learning English Grammar ✔️ Learning English from the News ✔️ Learning English Stories They're all available by searching in your podcast app.
Part two of our acronym series explores the explicit, slang-filled world of texting in Spanish. From ALV and MVV to NMM, we explain what these phrases mean, how locals use them, and when not to use them. Even if you never plan to say these words yourself, understanding them will help you catch the nuances of real Mexican Spanish and sound more culturally fluent.Key Takeaways:Learn the meaning and context behind Mexico's most common swear acronyms.Understand when these phrases are acceptable (and when they're definitely not).Gain insight into real, unfiltered Mexican Spanish to boost your cultural awareness.Relevant Links And Additional Resources:279 – Chatea Como Nativo con Acrónimos | Chat Like a Native Using Acronyms275 – El Chingonario | The Chingonary086 – Las Groserías Mexicanas con Mextalki | Mexican Swear Words with MextalkiLevel up your Spanish with our Podcast MembershipGet the full transcript of each episode so you don't miss a wordListen to an extended breakdown section in English going over the most important words and phrasesTest your comprehension with a multiple choice quizSupport the show
Professional English Level 2 is now open for enrollment and this week only, you save $100 off the normal price. Get ready for your next high-stakes moment in your career by developing executive-level English. Offer ends Sunday 10/11 at midnight. Go here to enroll now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
❖ Follow along with today's reading: www.esv.org/Ezra9:1–10:44 ❖ The English Standard Version (ESV) is an 'essentially literal' translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV Bible emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. ❖ To learn more about the ESV and other audio resources, please visit www.ESV.org
Hello friends! High school English and Creative Writing teacher turned singer-songwriter, Matthew Payne is my guest for episode 1518! Matthew has just released his debut EP, "Coyote Howlin Blues" recorded live at Cedar Creek with engineer André Moran and available wherever you stream or download your jams. He's playing tonight, Tuesday, October 7th at Batch in Austin, TX and tomorrow, Wednesday, October 8th at The Dosey Doe in The Woodlands, TX. Go to thisismatthewpayne.net for show dates and info, merch, and more. We have a great conversation about teaching English and Creative Writing for over two decades and switching gears to professional musician, his love of Townes Van Zandt, recording "Coyote Howlin Boues" live in the studio in one day, what he got from teaching, being a dad, playing gigs, writing songs, and much more.I had a great time getting to know Matthew. I'm sure you will too. Let's get down! Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you pod. Send someone the gift of Johnny with Cameo. If you feel so inclined. Venmo: venmo.com/John-Goudie-1 Paypal: paypal.me/johnnygoudie
Text us a pool question!Andrea kicks off the episode venting about her latest headache — a string of finicky customers inside a gated community who think pool service comes with mind-reading included. From access codes that don't work to residents insisting their “pool smells too clean,” Andrea's got stories that'll make any tech feel seen. Paulette chimes in with her trademark humor and hard-earned wisdom, grounding the chaos with her calm-but-deadly insights on customer communication and setting boundaries.But the episode doesn't stay in the HOA drama zone for long — it quickly pivots into an impromptu chemistry deep dive. When one customer complains about chlorine levels “being too high because it smells,” Andrea and Paulette use the opportunity to unpack the truth behind chlorine chemistry, how Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) actually works, and why the “chlorine smell” myth refuses to die.They break down:What ORP means in plain English (and why it's a better measure of sanitation than free chlorine alone)How environmental factors like pH, sunlight, and CYA influence oxidation potentialCommon test kit interferences that can make readings go haywire — from residual monopersulfate (MPS) to copper and even dirty sample cellsWhy color-matching tests in the field are not the chemistry gospel some pool owners think they areAndrea's frustration turns into a mini chemistry class, with Paulette walking through troubleshooting steps that balance humor and hard science. The result? A perfect blend of real-world technician talk and science-backed pool wisdom that every service pro and water chemistry nerd will love.Key Takeaways:Gated communities = gated logic (sometimes). Access and attitude are both part of the job.Chlorine smell ≠ too much chlorine — it's usually chloramines, a sign of not enough free chlorine.ORP gives you a snapshot of water's true oxidizing potential, not just the chlorine ppm number.Test interference can ruin your data faster than a leaf in a sample cell. Know your kit, rinse your vials, and don't trust a color block alone.Customer education starts with confidence in your own chemistry knowledge.Closing Moment: Andrea ends the episode with a sigh and a laugh — “Maybe I'll just put up my own gate next time.” Paulette replies, “As long as it keeps the chloramines out.”Episode Length: ~42 minutes Perfect For: Pool techs who love a mix of field stories and chemistry truth bombs — and anyone who's ever been buzzed in by a gate code that didn't work.Hashtags: #TalkingPoolsPodcast #PoolPros #WaterChemistry #ORP #ChlorineMyths #PoolServiceLife #AndreaAndPaulette #CPOClass #PoolTechTalk Support the showThank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com
This book flipped on a lot of switches in my head.Today we meet Joel Freedman and we're talking about the queer book that saved his life: Good Times/Bad Times by James Kirkwood.Joel Freedman taught English at a college-prep high school in South L.A., where for most of his tenure, he was the only out gay instructor. He's a retired writing instructor at L.A. Southwest College and a produced playwright. He published “Echoes of Silence: Empathy and Making Connections through Writing Process” in English Journal, which is a publication of the National Council of Teachers of English. As a member of his union, he contributed to the union's paper United Teacher. He co-chaired the UCLA-WP's LGBTQ Study Group and has three as-of-yet unpublished novels: 10 Months to Vermont, All Beneath the Sky, and Love Song. He has been married for 40 years to author-comic-producer Mike Player.James Kirkwood was a Tony Award-winning author, actor, and playwright. During his career, he won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.Connect with Joelbluesky: joelmfreewriter.bsky.socialOur BookshopVisit our Bookshop for new releases, current bestsellers, banned books, critically acclaimed LGBTQ books, or peruse the books featured on our podcasts: bookshop.org/shop/thisqueerbookBuy Good Times/Bad Times: https://bookshop.org/a/82376/9781476767536Become an Associate Producer!Become an Associate Producer of our podcast through a $20/month sponsorship on Patreon! A professionally recognized credit, you can gain access to Associate Producer meetings to help guide our podcast into the future! Get started today: patreon.com/thisqueerbookCreditsHost/Founder: John ParkerExecutive Producer: Jim PoundsAssociate Producers: Archie Arnold, K Jason Bryan and David Rephan, Bob Bush, Natalie Cruz, Troy Ford, Jonathan Fried, Paul Kaefer, Joe Perazzo, Bill Shay, and Sean SmithPatreon Subscribers: Stephen D., Terry D., Stephen Flamm, Ida Göteburg, Thomas Michna, Sofia Nerman, and Gary Nygaard.Creative and Accounting support provided by: Gordy EricksonQuatrefoil LibraryQuatrefoil has created a curated lending library made up of the books featured on our podcast! If you can't buy these books, then borrow them! Link: https://libbyapp.com/library/quatrefoil/curated-1404336/page-1Support the show
❖ Follow along with today's reading: www.esv.org/1Kings10;Philippians1;Psalm91;Ezekiel40 ❖ The English Standard Version (ESV) is an 'essentially literal' translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV Bible emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. ❖ To learn more about the ESV and other audio resources, please visit www.ESV.org
It's Halloween season! Abbie kicks things off by telling us all about our childhood favorites; the Ouija Board Demon and Bloody Mary, followed by the terrifying English legend of Black Annis. Kelsey follows it up with a millennial Halloween favorite with more Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, featuring The Haunted House and Room for One More.
In this Flash X Space from 5 October 2025, Stefan Molyneux humorously begins by discussing his relaxed state before exploring the complexities of India's caste system and colonialism. He critiques environmental responsibility among major polluters, favoring free-market solutions. The conversation touches on ancestry, identity, and the impact of colonial legacies on Latin American politics. Molyneux also shares concern for Jordan Peterson, reflecting on societal pressures. Throughout, he inspires critical thought and a pursuit of truth.SUBSCRIBE TO ME ON X! https://x.com/StefanMolyneuxFollow me on Youtube! https://www.youtube.com/@freedomain1GET MY NEW BOOK 'PEACEFUL PARENTING', THE INTERACTIVE PEACEFUL PARENTING AI, AND THE FULL AUDIOBOOK!https://peacefulparenting.com/Join the PREMIUM philosophy community on the web for free!Subscribers get 12 HOURS on the "Truth About the French Revolution," multiple interactive multi-lingual philosophy AIs trained on thousands of hours of my material - as well as AIs for Real-Time Relationships, Bitcoin, Peaceful Parenting, and Call-In Shows!You also receive private livestreams, HUNDREDS of exclusive premium shows, early release podcasts, the 22 Part History of Philosophers series and much more!See you soon!https://freedomain.locals.com/support/promo/UPB2025
Professional English Level 2 is now open for enrollment and this week only, you save $100 off the normal price. Get ready for your next high-stakes moment in your career by developing executive-level English. Offer ends Sunday 10/11 at midnight. Go here to enroll now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Improve your English conversation, vocabulary, grammar, and speaking with free audio lessons
Have you ever had a day that started off terribly but somehow became unforgettable? In this episode, Andrew shares the story of a rainy half marathon that began in total chaos and ended with a sweet surprise. You'll hear real, everyday English as he talks about staying motivated, finding focus, and turning frustration into pride. You'll also learn natural expressions that native speakers use, like “gong show,” “clock's ticking,” “to blow by someone,” and “to steal someone's thunder.” Join our friendly community on Discord to share your own story about overcoming setbacks, and check out the free interactive transcript and glossary to get even more from this episode. Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group speaking class schedule
Emily Brontë only published one full-length book before dying at the tragically young age of 30. But that book, Wuthering Heights, which tells the story of obsessive and vengeful love on the rugged moors of Yorkshire, is still considered one of the pinnacles of English literature, landing at #15 on the list of Greatest Books of All Time. In this episode, Jacke takes a deep look into Emily Brontë's classic "bad boy" novel, with assistance from Virginia Woolf, Elizabeth Hardwick, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Tyler, Alice Hoffman, Charlotte Brontë, and others. Join Jacke on a trip through literary England (signup closing soon)! The History of Literature Podcast Tour is happening in May 2026! Act now to join Jacke and fellow literature fans on an eight-day journey through literary England in partnership with John Shors Travel. Scheduled stops include The Charles Dickens Museum, Dr. Johnson's house, Jane Austen's Bath, Tolkien's Oxford, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, and more. Find out more by emailing jackewilsonauthor@gmail.com or masahiko@johnshorstravel.com, or by contacting us through our website historyofliterature.com. Or visit the History of Literature Podcast Tour itinerary at John Shors Travel. The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at gabrielruizbernal.com. Help support the show at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/donate . The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for October 6, 2025 is: embarrass im-BAIR-us verb To embarrass someone is to make them feel confused and foolish in front of other people. // Unexpected laughter embarrassed the speaker. See the entry > Examples: “Going public creates accountability and makes backing out harder. Every creator wishes they'd started sooner. Don't let future-you have the same regret. Get okay with the idea that in the future, your past work will embarrass you. This means growth.” — Jodie Cook, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 Did you know? If you've ever felt frozen, unable to move, or like a deer in the proverbial headlights when embarrassed by something, then the origins of the verb embarrass will make a great deal of sense. When embarrass first entered English from French in the late 16th century, it was used for the action of hampering or impeding the progress of someone or something—figuratively tying them up. No wonder then that embarrass comes ultimately from the Portuguese verb embaraçar, which adds the prefix em- to the noun baraça, meaning “noose” or “rope.” This “hampering” sense of embarrass, and others related to restricting, impairing, or burdening of one sort or other, are still in use today, but they're less common than the “to make someone feel confused and foolish in front of other people” sense is.
Welcome to episode 14 of Learn Polish Podcast. Hosts Roy and Kamila focus on travelling (podróże), teaching the verb “podróżować”, common questions (Czy lubisz podróżować? Z kim? Kiedy?) and useful travel phrases. The episode features pronunciation practice, sample answers about destinations and activities, and tips for using Polish while traveling. Ideal for beginner to intermediate learners. I have just launched my PodFather Podcast Coach Community https://www.skool.com/podfather/about Start your own SKOOl Academy https://www.skool.com/signup?ref=c72a37fe832f49c584d7984db9e54b71 All about Roy / Brain Gym & Virtual Assistants at https://roycoughlan.com/
❖ Follow along with today's reading: www.esv.org/Isaiah26–28;Psalm89:30–52;Acts13 ❖ The English Standard Version (ESV) is an 'essentially literal' translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV Bible emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. ❖ To learn more about the ESV and other audio resources, please visit www.ESV.org
Learning English uses a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts. Previously known as Special English.