Podcasts about exuberant

Matching Day: Part 1To love risks more than just her heart.Based on a post by SmallTownPrincess, in 2 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Connected.Girls spend their entire lives looking forward to the fateful Matching Day - and whether or not they will admit it, boys, too, have at least a healthy curiosity. It's so reassuring, knowing that in your eighteenth year, you and your age-mates will be paired off, brought together with another from their own community or a surrounding one that match them perfectly. No song-and-dance dating rituals, like the ones in the books Livia liked to read, no old maids, no riotous bachelors; just simple, comforting compatibility."Have you heard?" The hushed, conspiratorial tones issued from the pink-lacquered lips of Livia's best friend, Mara."What?" Livia's low-pitched voice always made her sound disinterested, but she paid close attention to Mara when her friend sounded this urgent."There was a big accident over in Micrague. One guy died!""Oh, that's terrible," Livia murmured, letting her eyelashes drop and rise again to half-mast in a brief show of empathy. It was all she had time for, as Mara leaned suddenly, ever more urgently forward, gripping Livia's arm in both hands."That's not the worst thing," she rolled on. "The guy who was killed? He just turned eighteen. That makes the numbers for tomorrow's Matching uneven!"Two full breaths, painful to the impatient Mara, passed before Livia spoke in response. "So, what, someone won't be paired? A girl will be left without her match?""Whoever matched with him will have no pair on Matching Day," Mara proclaimed ominously. Her eyes were wide and glittering with morbid excitement."What do they do about that?" It was unheard of, as far as Livia knew; there were always even numbers, always a perfect match for everyone.Mara gave an exaggerated shrug. "Maybe she'll never be matched."Livia was surprised into laughter. "They can't leave her without a match forever," she said with certainty. "Maybe they'll search out another community for someone that fits even better than that poor boy who died."Her reassuring confidence sent Mara, humming, away to terrify someone else with proclamations of an eternity alone for some poor girl. The thought nagged at Livia for the rest of the afternoon, though. What if he was matched with me?"Verin Massada," the stern voice called from the central platform, and a stick-thin brunette drifted toward the three steps that lifted her above the circle of impatient teenagers."Philip Pressia." The broad-shouldered redhead that stepped up to take Verin's hand smirked and bowed at the polite smattering of applause that ushered the happy new couple off the stage. Livia smiled approvingly; Verin needed a little more humor in her life.Livia watched each girl she'd grown up with walk back into the circle, shyly clutching the hand of her new mate, and twisted her skirt nervously in her fingers. It seemed forever before the 'R's were called, and the wad of boys brought in from all the different communities steadily shrank. She met the clear grey eyes of one of the remaining boys as Clanley Ritchell was met by a generic-looking, dark-haired boy, and she thought fleetingly, I hope I'm matched with him. He seemed to be thinking the same thing; his face fell a little when he was called up to greet a willowy blond on the dais."Danica Soress," the voice demanded, and Livia stood a little straighter with a sharp intake of breath. Had she been skipped?All the vague, incoherent fears that had accompanied Mara's morbid pronouncement coursed through Livia, charged with shame as some girls recognized the omission and turned to look at her with expressions of varying pity. Livia felt on the edge of tears.She saw the blond - that wretched Salvia - pull the grey-eyed boy down to whisper cruelly in his ear and point in Livia's direction, and she contemplated melting into the dirt.With the blood roaring loudly in her ears, she heard no other names called, and stared fixedly at a nondescript blade of grass in front of her to avoid the glances that were flickering toward her. How can this be? she thought frantically. How can I not have a match?"Livia, what's going on?" Mara's face held ghoulish curiosity with only an edge of concern for her friend, and Livia couldn't deal with her. She turned without a word and marched to the fountain a good distance away from the platform. People were breaking off now, finding secluded spots to get to know this person with whom they'd be partnered forever. Livia, wrapping her arms tightly around her gut, had never felt so alone.How could she have lost a lifetime of companionship without ever tasting it? It was too, too cruel. What right did that boy have to take away everything in one fell swoop? How could he die? She wanted to shake her fist at the heavens, demand an explanation, but she just trailed her fingers through the rippling water in the fountain basin, swallowing hard against the wave of emotions that threatened to show itself grotesquely in her features."His name was Bracken, if that helps," said a voice behind her, and she jumped, throwing water onto her dress. She turned to see that grey-eyed boy approaching, and she prepared herself for the humiliation she was sure to experience at his hands; he had, after all, been matched like everyone else, and she was alone - possibly forever.He did not mock her, though; his eyes held the soft, cautious understanding of someone who pitied another, but was not sure whether that person desired sympathy or not. When she said nothing, he shrugged self-consciously. "Sorry, I realize you might not have wanted to know. I just, he was my best friend. I thought if you did want to know about him, I'd at least let you know who you could ask."A flood of gratitude made it temporarily impossible for her to speak, and then she forced a smile. "I think I'd like to know," she said hesitantly. She wasn't sure; would it be better to know nothing about what she'd never have, or to at least have pleasant thoughts about what could've been? "Can I ask you something now?""Absolutely.""Would I have liked him?"The boy nodded. "I think so. He was quiet at first, it took a while to get to know him. But once you did, there was no one you trusted more." He added, with the hesitation of an afterthought but the seriousness of something he'd intended to say all along, "Seeing you here, there's no doubt that he would have liked you."He gave Livia one last smile and lay his hand over hers for a moment, ignoring the water droplets that sat on it like dew. For a warm second, she felt a rush of what it might have been like to have someone get to know her intimately over a lifetime, to love and understand her and for her to love back, and then the grey-eyed boy was walking with wide strides back to Salvia, and nothing but a hollow sadness remained beneath her breastbone.Livia hated them. All of them.The girls with their softly rolling curls, teased and coached for hours in order to look casually delicate when the boys, their shirts tucked in and their shoes shined, arrived at their doorsteps carrying one or two or twenty flowers in one hand and a shining invitation in the other. They walked with springing steps the short distance to the gathering hall in the center of town, hand in hand or arm in arm, and Livia wanted to throw rocks at the whole lot of them.She had been invited, sort of, to join in on the festivities. The community officials, not sure what to do with the first single person over eighteen in a century, had hesitantly allowed for her participation in all the new couples' activities; so far, she had partaken in none of them.Desperately, she wanted to be a part of the revelry, but she could not force herself to walk into the rooms full of happy girls and their happy boys, and have nothing herself. Her mother, unable to comfort her, had begged her to go to the dance. It was the last night before all the boys would be returning to their own communities, taking their matches with them. It was the last night she would seek Mara, who had paired with a boy from Onek.And she'd tried: she'd gotten dressed, piled her hair up on top of her head and pulled her elbow-length gloves on, but nothing could motivate her to step outside her house as streams of giggling lovebirds trickled by on the way to the hall."Go, Livia," her mother said, coming up behind her with a basket of laundry on her hip. "You should at least go long enough to say goodbye to Mara.""I can't, Mama. Think of how they'll look at me!"Her mother bent Livia's head down to kiss her on the forehead. "It's not your fault, Neinei, and they know that. They feel bad for you. They all want to see you. The world didn't end when that poor boy died.""Bracken," Livia said defiantly. Her mother had refused to say his name, insisting that it was better for Livia to know nothing about what she had lost.Patting her daughter's shoulder, she adjusted her basket and turned to leave. "Go."Livia had retreated around the side of the gathering hall, standing just outside the golden pool of light that poured like honey from the windows. Sobs caught in her throat and were choked down, unvoiced, as she watched Mara and Verin and Danica and dozens of others receive chaste pecks from shy boys as they spun by in their brightly-colored dresses, waving fluted, bubbling glasses and laughing with abandon.And there, the grey-eyed boy, Bracken's best friend, was seated quietly with his hands folded in his lap, listening politely to an enthusiastic rendition of some trivial event or another by Salvia. It was always easy to tell when she was excited about something, as her arms pinwheeled and hands fluttered with no thought to how the gestures went along with the story.He glanced up, and his eyes met, for a moment, Livia's. He looked surprised to see her there, and then a bit sad, and then his gaze drifted back to Salvia, who had grabbed his knee in her earnestness.This infinitesimal rejection, the refusal to even meet her eyes for more than a moment, pushed Livia over the edge. Tears, burning like acid, washed over her face, and she stumbled away from the window, crying with pitiful lack of restraint.She staggered into the sparse forest, the trees providing scattered shelter from curious eyes, if any should choose to drift away from the golden party, and the darkness of the night fit her mood, a strangely soothing thought."Are you alright?" For the second time, the grey-eyed boy's voice jolted her out of her own misery. She would not face him; not now, when her eyes were puffy and irritated, her nose red and her face streaked with dirty tear tracks. He would see her and compare her to Salvia, and she would fall short; she could not handle right now seeing him weigh her that way and find her lacking.His hand on her back was another surprise, and then both his hands weighing down on her shoulders as he stepped closer behind her. "Hey," he said gently. "Everything will turn out fine. Maybe, maybe you'll find someone better than Bracken could have been for you."She forgot her resolution not to face him then, turning toward him with her eyes narrowed to angry slits. "How could I, when everyone is paired already? Besides, I had my chance - he just managed to get himself killed before I could even meet him!" The words came out much harsher than she intended, and the young man in front of her actually took a step back from her ferocity, hunching like she'd landed a blow to his gut. "I'm sorry," she said immediately, automatically. "I shouldn't have said that. He was your friend, ""It's alright," he said, giving her a ghost of a smile and waving his hand with a nonchalance that didn't show in his eyes. He had that gentle look of quiet appreciation of life that came to some people who lost loved ones, but knew that lost friend would be offended if they did not continue to smile. "I know it's probably really hard on you, seeing everyone so, happy." He trailed off, not looking happy in the least."Speaking of happy people, shouldn't you be in there with Salvia?"His face took on the contemplative expression of someone deciding how to phrase something delicately. "Salvia, she's not quite what I expected to find, on my Matching Day. She's, ""Lively?" Livia suggested. "Brazen? Exuberant?" obnoxious," the grey-eyed boy said decisively. "I don't like her at all."Livia smirked. "Well, you have to like her. She's your match. You love her."He shook his head. "No," he said quietly. "I don't.""But she's your perfect match," Livia insisted."But what if she's not?"Livia heard her heart beat twice before she asked, "What?""What if Salvia is not the perfect girl for me? What if the girl that I would love more than anyone else in the world couldn't be matched with me because, there was someone else our age who she would like a little bit better?""That doesn't even make sense," Livia said, shaking her head. "The matches have always been perfect: even numbers, complete compatibility;”"But this time they messed up, right? I mean, you should know. You're the person who's affected more than anyone else.""Well, yes, but;”"So why isn't it possible that they aren't right on everything else? What if they didn't match this girl with me because she would love this other guy more?""Well, so, maybe they did. But if you would love her so much, surely you would want to see her happy, with the man she was meant to be with, right?""Yes," he said, very seriously. "I would want to see her happy.""Then you should leave her in peace with the person she was matched with, and focus on learning to love the girl you were paired with."The interminable silence stretched between them as the grey-eyed boy stared down at the leafy ground and Livia watched the way his hair blew across his forehead in the breeze. At last he said, "What if she wasn't matched with anyone?"Livia's heart sped up, beating double time as she realized what he'd been saying all along, what she'd been too dim to put together until he'd spelled it out. "But you are matched," she said numbly. "Salvia has you."He leaned dangerously far forward, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered into it, "I don't want Salvia."Livia shrank back, confused. These were dangerous words he uttered, dangerous thoughts. People were matched with the people they were meant to be with. How could there be any other way? They couldn't be wrong; there'd been no divorce, no infidelity, no broken hearts in the decades people had been paired this way. Surely it was the right way. It had to be."I don't even know your name," Livia said resolutely, as though that settled the matter and proved him wrong. She pushed against his chest to force him back, feeling the blazing heat of his heart under her palm."It's Mason," he said quietly, and his words had the sound of discussion-ending power to them too. Livia was conscious of the fact that she had not moved her hand from his chest; her fingers curled slightly, enjoying the silky feeling of his shirt over his skin, and the warmth that radiated from his flesh."Go back to Salvia, Mason," she whispered. She realized she was shaking from head to toe, and not from cold. Here was everything she had ever wanted, everything she had imagined when she thought of her Matching Day, but he was not hers. "Please, go back to the party."With a sigh, Mason touched her cheek briefly, the lightest of butterfly wing contacts, and then he turned and vanished into the night, not toward the party, but deeper into the forest. Livia stood for a long time without moving, her mind racing and her heart pounding like a runner's feet, and then she walked, slowly, directly away from Mason."You didn't come to the party last night," Mara said, breaking the silence that stood like frosted glass between her and Livia."No." Livia had gotten no sleep the night before; lying in bed, replaying continually the frightening moments with Mason, her heart had never slowed."Well, I just wanted to say goodbye, " Mara twisted her hands for a moment before wrapping Livia up in a warm and desperate hug. "I'm sorry, Lenny. I'm going to miss you so much."The tension between them melted, and Livia returned the hug tightly, sighing. "It's hard to believe I'll never see any of you again - all the girls I've known all my life! Except for Maize and Crista, they're the only ones who matched with boys from here, right? And I don't really even know them.""Well, you'll see Salvia too, for a little while."Breathe in. Breathe out. "Why's that?""Oh, that fellow she paired with - Mason, isn't it? - his parents have some sort of huge wedding ceremony planned, and they've got a house mostly built for the two of them. They told him to stay here a while, get to know his partner's family for a bit, let her spend some more time with them, and then head back once the house and all the plans were done."Wedding were an extravagance, a luxury that most people went without, especially if they didn't have the means to make it a massive event. The fact that Mason's family was going to such lengths meant they must be well off indeed."So Mason, and Salvia, will be around for a while?""Yeah, at least a month, I'd say."A buzzing numbness in her extremities made it difficult for Livia to respond. She had thought Mason would be gone today, that she'd never have to see him and Salvia together again. But they would be here for a month,"Speak of the devil," Mara said cheerfully, skipping over to greet Salvia as she pranced up the path with Mason's hand gripped in her own vice-like claw. The dark circles under his eyes said that he, too, had had a night with little sleep.

Matching Day: Part 1To love risks more than just her heart.Based on a post by SmallTownPrincess, in 2 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Connected.Girls spend their entire lives looking forward to the fateful Matching Day - and whether or not they will admit it, boys, too, have at least a healthy curiosity. It's so reassuring, knowing that in your eighteenth year, you and your age-mates will be paired off, brought together with another from their own community or a surrounding one that match them perfectly. No song-and-dance dating rituals, like the ones in the books Livia liked to read, no old maids, no riotous bachelors; just simple, comforting compatibility."Have you heard?" The hushed, conspiratorial tones issued from the pink-lacquered lips of Livia's best friend, Mara."What?" Livia's low-pitched voice always made her sound disinterested, but she paid close attention to Mara when her friend sounded this urgent."There was a big accident over in Micrague. One guy died!""Oh, that's terrible," Livia murmured, letting her eyelashes drop and rise again to half-mast in a brief show of empathy. It was all she had time for, as Mara leaned suddenly, ever more urgently forward, gripping Livia's arm in both hands."That's not the worst thing," she rolled on. "The guy who was killed? He just turned eighteen. That makes the numbers for tomorrow's Matching uneven!"Two full breaths, painful to the impatient Mara, passed before Livia spoke in response. "So, what, someone won't be paired? A girl will be left without her match?""Whoever matched with him will have no pair on Matching Day," Mara proclaimed ominously. Her eyes were wide and glittering with morbid excitement."What do they do about that?" It was unheard of, as far as Livia knew; there were always even numbers, always a perfect match for everyone.Mara gave an exaggerated shrug. "Maybe she'll never be matched."Livia was surprised into laughter. "They can't leave her without a match forever," she said with certainty. "Maybe they'll search out another community for someone that fits even better than that poor boy who died."Her reassuring confidence sent Mara, humming, away to terrify someone else with proclamations of an eternity alone for some poor girl. The thought nagged at Livia for the rest of the afternoon, though. What if he was matched with me?"Verin Massada," the stern voice called from the central platform, and a stick-thin brunette drifted toward the three steps that lifted her above the circle of impatient teenagers."Philip Pressia." The broad-shouldered redhead that stepped up to take Verin's hand smirked and bowed at the polite smattering of applause that ushered the happy new couple off the stage. Livia smiled approvingly; Verin needed a little more humor in her life.Livia watched each girl she'd grown up with walk back into the circle, shyly clutching the hand of her new mate, and twisted her skirt nervously in her fingers. It seemed forever before the 'R's were called, and the wad of boys brought in from all the different communities steadily shrank. She met the clear grey eyes of one of the remaining boys as Clanley Ritchell was met by a generic-looking, dark-haired boy, and she thought fleetingly, I hope I'm matched with him. He seemed to be thinking the same thing; his face fell a little when he was called up to greet a willowy blond on the dais."Danica Soress," the voice demanded, and Livia stood a little straighter with a sharp intake of breath. Had she been skipped?All the vague, incoherent fears that had accompanied Mara's morbid pronouncement coursed through Livia, charged with shame as some girls recognized the omission and turned to look at her with expressions of varying pity. Livia felt on the edge of tears.She saw the blond - that wretched Salvia - pull the grey-eyed boy down to whisper cruelly in his ear and point in Livia's direction, and she contemplated melting into the dirt.With the blood roaring loudly in her ears, she heard no other names called, and stared fixedly at a nondescript blade of grass in front of her to avoid the glances that were flickering toward her. How can this be? she thought frantically. How can I not have a match?"Livia, what's going on?" Mara's face held ghoulish curiosity with only an edge of concern for her friend, and Livia couldn't deal with her. She turned without a word and marched to the fountain a good distance away from the platform. People were breaking off now, finding secluded spots to get to know this person with whom they'd be partnered forever. Livia, wrapping her arms tightly around her gut, had never felt so alone.How could she have lost a lifetime of companionship without ever tasting it? It was too, too cruel. What right did that boy have to take away everything in one fell swoop? How could he die? She wanted to shake her fist at the heavens, demand an explanation, but she just trailed her fingers through the rippling water in the fountain basin, swallowing hard against the wave of emotions that threatened to show itself grotesquely in her features."His name was Bracken, if that helps," said a voice behind her, and she jumped, throwing water onto her dress. She turned to see that grey-eyed boy approaching, and she prepared herself for the humiliation she was sure to experience at his hands; he had, after all, been matched like everyone else, and she was alone - possibly forever.He did not mock her, though; his eyes held the soft, cautious understanding of someone who pitied another, but was not sure whether that person desired sympathy or not. When she said nothing, he shrugged self-consciously. "Sorry, I realize you might not have wanted to know. I just, he was my best friend. I thought if you did want to know about him, I'd at least let you know who you could ask."A flood of gratitude made it temporarily impossible for her to speak, and then she forced a smile. "I think I'd like to know," she said hesitantly. She wasn't sure; would it be better to know nothing about what she'd never have, or to at least have pleasant thoughts about what could've been? "Can I ask you something now?""Absolutely.""Would I have liked him?"The boy nodded. "I think so. He was quiet at first, it took a while to get to know him. But once you did, there was no one you trusted more." He added, with the hesitation of an afterthought but the seriousness of something he'd intended to say all along, "Seeing you here, there's no doubt that he would have liked you."He gave Livia one last smile and lay his hand over hers for a moment, ignoring the water droplets that sat on it like dew. For a warm second, she felt a rush of what it might have been like to have someone get to know her intimately over a lifetime, to love and understand her and for her to love back, and then the grey-eyed boy was walking with wide strides back to Salvia, and nothing but a hollow sadness remained beneath her breastbone.Livia hated them. All of them.The girls with their softly rolling curls, teased and coached for hours in order to look casually delicate when the boys, their shirts tucked in and their shoes shined, arrived at their doorsteps carrying one or two or twenty flowers in one hand and a shining invitation in the other. They walked with springing steps the short distance to the gathering hall in the center of town, hand in hand or arm in arm, and Livia wanted to throw rocks at the whole lot of them.She had been invited, sort of, to join in on the festivities. The community officials, not sure what to do with the first single person over eighteen in a century, had hesitantly allowed for her participation in all the new couples' activities; so far, she had partaken in none of them.Desperately, she wanted to be a part of the revelry, but she could not force herself to walk into the rooms full of happy girls and their happy boys, and have nothing herself. Her mother, unable to comfort her, had begged her to go to the dance. It was the last night before all the boys would be returning to their own communities, taking their matches with them. It was the last night she would seek Mara, who had paired with a boy from Onek.And she'd tried: she'd gotten dressed, piled her hair up on top of her head and pulled her elbow-length gloves on, but nothing could motivate her to step outside her house as streams of giggling lovebirds trickled by on the way to the hall."Go, Livia," her mother said, coming up behind her with a basket of laundry on her hip. "You should at least go long enough to say goodbye to Mara.""I can't, Mama. Think of how they'll look at me!"Her mother bent Livia's head down to kiss her on the forehead. "It's not your fault, Neinei, and they know that. They feel bad for you. They all want to see you. The world didn't end when that poor boy died.""Bracken," Livia said defiantly. Her mother had refused to say his name, insisting that it was better for Livia to know nothing about what she had lost.Patting her daughter's shoulder, she adjusted her basket and turned to leave. "Go."Livia had retreated around the side of the gathering hall, standing just outside the golden pool of light that poured like honey from the windows. Sobs caught in her throat and were choked down, unvoiced, as she watched Mara and Verin and Danica and dozens of others receive chaste pecks from shy boys as they spun by in their brightly-colored dresses, waving fluted, bubbling glasses and laughing with abandon.And there, the grey-eyed boy, Bracken's best friend, was seated quietly with his hands folded in his lap, listening politely to an enthusiastic rendition of some trivial event or another by Salvia. It was always easy to tell when she was excited about something, as her arms pinwheeled and hands fluttered with no thought to how the gestures went along with the story.He glanced up, and his eyes met, for a moment, Livia's. He looked surprised to see her there, and then a bit sad, and then his gaze drifted back to Salvia, who had grabbed his knee in her earnestness.This infinitesimal rejection, the refusal to even meet her eyes for more than a moment, pushed Livia over the edge. Tears, burning like acid, washed over her face, and she stumbled away from the window, crying with pitiful lack of restraint.She staggered into the sparse forest, the trees providing scattered shelter from curious eyes, if any should choose to drift away from the golden party, and the darkness of the night fit her mood, a strangely soothing thought."Are you alright?" For the second time, the grey-eyed boy's voice jolted her out of her own misery. She would not face him; not now, when her eyes were puffy and irritated, her nose red and her face streaked with dirty tear tracks. He would see her and compare her to Salvia, and she would fall short; she could not handle right now seeing him weigh her that way and find her lacking.His hand on her back was another surprise, and then both his hands weighing down on her shoulders as he stepped closer behind her. "Hey," he said gently. "Everything will turn out fine. Maybe, maybe you'll find someone better than Bracken could have been for you."She forgot her resolution not to face him then, turning toward him with her eyes narrowed to angry slits. "How could I, when everyone is paired already? Besides, I had my chance - he just managed to get himself killed before I could even meet him!" The words came out much harsher than she intended, and the young man in front of her actually took a step back from her ferocity, hunching like she'd landed a blow to his gut. "I'm sorry," she said immediately, automatically. "I shouldn't have said that. He was your friend, ""It's alright," he said, giving her a ghost of a smile and waving his hand with a nonchalance that didn't show in his eyes. He had that gentle look of quiet appreciation of life that came to some people who lost loved ones, but knew that lost friend would be offended if they did not continue to smile. "I know it's probably really hard on you, seeing everyone so, happy." He trailed off, not looking happy in the least."Speaking of happy people, shouldn't you be in there with Salvia?"His face took on the contemplative expression of someone deciding how to phrase something delicately. "Salvia, she's not quite what I expected to find, on my Matching Day. She's, ""Lively?" Livia suggested. "Brazen? Exuberant?" obnoxious," the grey-eyed boy said decisively. "I don't like her at all."Livia smirked. "Well, you have to like her. She's your match. You love her."He shook his head. "No," he said quietly. "I don't.""But she's your perfect match," Livia insisted."But what if she's not?"Livia heard her heart beat twice before she asked, "What?""What if Salvia is not the perfect girl for me? What if the girl that I would love more than anyone else in the world couldn't be matched with me because, there was someone else our age who she would like a little bit better?""That doesn't even make sense," Livia said, shaking her head. "The matches have always been perfect: even numbers, complete compatibility;”"But this time they messed up, right? I mean, you should know. You're the person who's affected more than anyone else.""Well, yes, but;”"So why isn't it possible that they aren't right on everything else? What if they didn't match this girl with me because she would love this other guy more?""Well, so, maybe they did. But if you would love her so much, surely you would want to see her happy, with the man she was meant to be with, right?""Yes," he said, very seriously. "I would want to see her happy.""Then you should leave her in peace with the person she was matched with, and focus on learning to love the girl you were paired with."The interminable silence stretched between them as the grey-eyed boy stared down at the leafy ground and Livia watched the way his hair blew across his forehead in the breeze. At last he said, "What if she wasn't matched with anyone?"Livia's heart sped up, beating double time as she realized what he'd been saying all along, what she'd been too dim to put together until he'd spelled it out. "But you are matched," she said numbly. "Salvia has you."He leaned dangerously far forward, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered into it, "I don't want Salvia."Livia shrank back, confused. These were dangerous words he uttered, dangerous thoughts. People were matched with the people they were meant to be with. How could there be any other way? They couldn't be wrong; there'd been no divorce, no infidelity, no broken hearts in the decades people had been paired this way. Surely it was the right way. It had to be."I don't even know your name," Livia said resolutely, as though that settled the matter and proved him wrong. She pushed against his chest to force him back, feeling the blazing heat of his heart under her palm."It's Mason," he said quietly, and his words had the sound of discussion-ending power to them too. Livia was conscious of the fact that she had not moved her hand from his chest; her fingers curled slightly, enjoying the silky feeling of his shirt over his skin, and the warmth that radiated from his flesh."Go back to Salvia, Mason," she whispered. She realized she was shaking from head to toe, and not from cold. Here was everything she had ever wanted, everything she had imagined when she thought of her Matching Day, but he was not hers. "Please, go back to the party."With a sigh, Mason touched her cheek briefly, the lightest of butterfly wing contacts, and then he turned and vanished into the night, not toward the party, but deeper into the forest. Livia stood for a long time without moving, her mind racing and her heart pounding like a runner's feet, and then she walked, slowly, directly away from Mason."You didn't come to the party last night," Mara said, breaking the silence that stood like frosted glass between her and Livia."No." Livia had gotten no sleep the night before; lying in bed, replaying continually the frightening moments with Mason, her heart had never slowed."Well, I just wanted to say goodbye, " Mara twisted her hands for a moment before wrapping Livia up in a warm and desperate hug. "I'm sorry, Lenny. I'm going to miss you so much."The tension between them melted, and Livia returned the hug tightly, sighing. "It's hard to believe I'll never see any of you again - all the girls I've known all my life! Except for Maize and Crista, they're the only ones who matched with boys from here, right? And I don't really even know them.""Well, you'll see Salvia too, for a little while."Breathe in. Breathe out. "Why's that?""Oh, that fellow she paired with - Mason, isn't it? - his parents have some sort of huge wedding ceremony planned, and they've got a house mostly built for the two of them. They told him to stay here a while, get to know his partner's family for a bit, let her spend some more time with them, and then head back once the house and all the plans were done."Wedding were an extravagance, a luxury that most people went without, especially if they didn't have the means to make it a massive event. The fact that Mason's family was going to such lengths meant they must be well off indeed."So Mason, and Salvia, will be around for a while?""Yeah, at least a month, I'd say."A buzzing numbness in her extremities made it difficult for Livia to respond. She had thought Mason would be gone today, that she'd never have to see him and Salvia together again. But they would be here for a month,"Speak of the devil," Mara said cheerfully, skipping over to greet Salvia as she pranced up the path with Mason's hand gripped in her own vice-like claw. The dark circles under his eyes said that he, too, had had a night with little sleep.

This podcast is up for a 2025 Women in Podcasting award! Please vote before May 31 at https://www.womenpodcasters.com/awards-voting. Scroll down to "Wellness Podcasts" and select The Radiate Wellness Podcast. Heather Cotten, Radiate Wellness' newest practitioner, brings exuberant consciousness to everything she does! With her toolbox of healing modalities she helps professional and entrepreneurial women reclaim their health and desired outcomes through reclamation of inner healing gifts. In her practice, she offers intuitive sessions that are fully customized to meet the unique needs of each client by weaving traditional reiki into a more expanded healing experience. Learn more about Heather and schedule a free consultation: https://www.radiatewellnesscommunity.com/heather-cotten.html, or https://www.goldenlightenergetics.com/. Want to become more authentically you, in your emotions, your energy, or in your relationships? Schedule a session with our practitioners at radiatewellnesscommunity.com/appointment. Support this podcast by going to radiatewellnesscommunity.com/podcast and clicking on "Support the Show," and be sure to follow and share on all the socials! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We hope you enjoy today's Scripture reading and devotional aimed at equipping you for moral and spiritual transformation. Today's Bible reading is Psalm 145. To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional. ESV Bible narration read by Mike Bullmore. Follow us on social media to stay up to date: Instagram Facebook Twitter

Is porn good sex education? Why does body autonomy matter for kids? Does talking about sex kill the mood? Emily Nagoski has the answers! Emily is a sex educator and activist whose mission is to teach us how to live with confidence and joy inside our bodies. She does this as the New York Times bestselling author of 'Come As You Are,' 'Burnout,' and 'Come Together,' as well as through her 3 popular TED Talks including—with over 3 million views—"How couples can sustain a strong sexual connection for a lifetime." Emily began working as a sex educator 30 years ago at the University of Delaware. She has a Master's in Counseling Psychology and she worked at the famous Kinsey Institute. She has taught graduate and undergraduate classes in human sexuality, relationships, communication, stress management, and sex education. She was Director of Wellness Education at Smith College for eight years before starting to write full time. In this deep-dive chapter we talk about neurodiversity versus neurodivergence, maintaining longterm sexual connection, OKCupid, ADHD and Autism, teaching kids about sex, and, of course, Emily's 3 most formative books... For those who want to strengthen and improve their sexual health with themselves and others ... Let's flip the page to Chapter 146 now...

Blessed with a full moon in Leo, we can use the energy of the playful first light to reinvigorate ourselves throughout the day. Today's practice aligns the gross-physical sensations of life and the subtle sensations of life-force-prana and can carry you into ease and effortless action.

主播：Wendi（中国）+ 梅莉（法国） 歌曲： 360今天的节目，我们一起聊聊 the online buzzwords (网络热词) in China that have been commonly used by netizens。1. 抽象 Abstract在网络上是指一些让人迷惑的、不符合常规的行为或者语言。比如在公共场合穿很夸张很醒目的衣服，说一些前言不搭后语的话。Basically it's like wild behaviors that doesn't make any sense (没有任何意义).2. 硬控 Hard crowd control最初是用来指在游戏里把敌人摁在地上不能动 (pinned in place)，但后来在网络上指的是被某件事或者某个人深深地吸引，无法自拔。It refers to someone or something so incredible that people are easily captivated or mesmerized (被深深吸引) by their unique abilities or qualities.3. 牛马 Beasts of burden / Workhorse在网络用语中，它指的是辛苦上班的打工人。It refers to someone who's very hardworking (辛勤工作的人).4. 班味 Office stench / The smell of toil指的是一个人辛苦工作后的疲惫感。It refers to someone feeling exhausted after a long day of work, so they have “the smell of toil” (辛苦工作的味道).5.古希腊掌管……的神 Greek god or goddess of something这个梗和古希腊没什么关系，因为古希腊的神都有掌管某种事物的能力，所以在网上说一个人是“古希腊掌管……的神”就是说她/他在这方面做的很出色，比如掌管拍照的神，掌管做饭的神。It refers to someone who excels in a certain area, like the GOAT (greatest of all time) of something (某领域的佼佼者).6. 偷感 Sus / Suspicious vibe偷感形容的是一种畏畏缩缩、小心翼翼的状态，像小偷一样。It refers to a feeling of being sneaky or suspicious (鬼鬼祟祟或可疑), like when someone slacks off (懈怠) at work.在英语中，可以说：It looks sus. Sus is short for suspicious.7. 摸鱼 Slack off形容一个人懒散、不认真工作或浪费时间。It means being lazy or wasting time, like when someone slacks off (偷懒) at work.“Slack off” means to stop working hard or putting effort (付出努力) into something.8.松弛感 Chill / Laid-back vibe形容一种放松、轻松、悠闲的状态。The term “松弛感” conveys a sense of “relaxation,” “ease,” or “looseness,”(放松、舒适的感觉) often referring to a relaxed or casual atmosphere, feeling, or attitude. It doesn't carry the negative connotation of irresponsibility (不负责任) or laziness that “slacking off” might imply.Chill有冷的意思，在这里是放松的意思，a chill vibe，或者也可以说a laid-back vibe。Lay back，躺下，也是形容一种很放松、很chill的悠闲状态，都可以用来表达“松弛感”。9.浓人 & 淡人 Exuberant / passionate & reserved / stoic“浓人”指的是性格外放、情绪高涨的人；“淡人”指的是平时安静、情绪稳定的人。“浓人” can be described as passionate (热情洋溢的) or exuberant(活力充沛的), and “淡人” as reserved (矜持的) or stoic (隐忍的).请留言告诉我们：你还知道哪些中文网络热词。

On Tuesday Jaguar in a major move from tradition announced a new beginningas it moves to release an all-electric range. And its obvious that the new breed ofJaguars will be nothing like we've seen before. A bold new design language andthe creation of a new type face for the Jaguar logo on a new line of models thathave no connection with the past. Their new war cry – Fearless, Exuberant,Compelling – this is Jaguar, reimagined. A bold move 89 years after its founding.All will be revealed during Miami Art Week on December 2 when the first newmodel will be unveiled. The company's re-invention based on selling fewer cars athigher prices and have them deliver healthier profits and an expectation thecompany will only retain 10-15 percent of its existing customer base. It's a boldmove by any measure that will upset Jaguar traditionalists. I'm David BerthonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stocks back in the green as this morning's CPI data meets expectations. But as the dollar keeps climbing, and rates keep rising, can the post-election rally keep surging? Plus Ditching semis for software? Investors rotating into the space, but will the trend continue? The Chartmaster lays out what he's seeing in the technicals. Fast Money Disclaimer

Send us a Text Message.During the shotgun mini-series this week, Jeanette covers the hot topic of whether breeders should make money or not? The difficulties of dealing with judgment and hate from social media trolls and lastly, how can we manage exuberant moms so that they do not accidentally harm a puppy during delivery?       Jeanette ForreyWebinars (classes and training) Badass Breeder Badass Breeder on Facebook Badass Breeder on Instagram Empowered Breeder Software The Ultimate Badass Breeder's GuideRaising the Empowered Puppy Guide for ClientsYouTube Playlist Jeanette Forrey Email

Join the group chat! Send us a text!This week, Vibes Only is pleased to bring you a special episode from inside the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, IL. We discuss the policies and the bold vision for the future of America laid out in the speeches from both legacy Democratic Party leaders and the up-and-comers. And because this convention didn't just fall out of a coconut tree, we dig into some of the context behind some of the speeches and the state of the 2024 presidential race. Subscribe to Vibes Only wherever you get your podcasts! If you enjoy the show, spread the word! And please consider giving us a rating and review so others can find it. You can WATCH full episodes of Vibes Only on YouTube. Follow COURIER on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Facebook, and Twitter/X.You can find out more about COURIER at couriernewsroom.com

In this episode, we observe the intricate interactions between the man and the lady, as portrayed in Sangam Literary work, Kalithogai 4, penned by the Chera King Paalai Paadiya Perunkadunko. The verse is situated in the 'Paalai' or 'Drylands landscape' and depicts the dangers in a journey to seek wealth.

Joy? Do we automatically manifest it? Can it be contagious? How do we receive and keep the joy of Jesus? I don't know anyone better than my team member, Angelly, to help you get ignited and stay on fire for Jesus. In this episode, we will impart joy for Jesus!   Purchase Mind Battles book at Amazon or kathydegrawministries.org Purchase anointing oil and books at  https://kathydegrawministries.org/shop-all/ Receive a free pdf on Warfare Declarations https://kathydegrawministries.org/declarations-download Kathy's Deliverance and Kingdom Development intense mentoring and ecourses on Spiritual Warfare, Deliverance and the Prophetic: https://training.kathydegrawministries.org/ Subscribe to Kathy's spiritual warfare podcast on Apple or Spotify  Podcast title – Prophetic Spiritual Warfare | Kathy DeGraw Instagram kathydegraw Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathydegraw/  

In this episode, we discuss recordings of “Young & Foolish: Mozart & CPE Bach” (Alpha) by Céline Frisch, Alexander Melnikov & Café Zimmermann / Pablo Valetti, “Brahms, Ligeti, Mozart, Schumann: Horn Trios” (Chandos) by Martin Owen, Francesca Dego & Alessandro Taverna, “Arto Koskinen: Fuga Indiana” (Alpha) by Joonas Ahonen, “Orizzonti” (Emme Produzioni Musicali) by The Gianluca Caporale Quartet, “Artform Revisited” (Savant) by Louis Hayes, and “Painter of Dreams” (Criss Cross Jazz) by Misha Tsiganov.   The Adult Music Podcast is featured in: Feedspot's 100 Best Jazz Podcasts   Episode 174 Deezer Playlist   Fair use disclaimer: Music sample clips are for commentary and educational purposes. We recommend that listeners listen to the complete recordings, all of which are available on streaming services in the links provided. We also suggest that if you enjoy the music, you consider purchasing the CDs or high-quality downloads to support the artists.   “Young & Foolish: Mozart & CPE Bach” (Alpha) Céline Frisch, Alexander Melnikov, Café Zimmermann / Pablo Valetti https://open.spotify.com/album/20cqvhFwcIPqYOc4r2rLat https://music.apple.com/us/album/young-foolish-mozart-c-p-e-bach/1744001308 https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0D31YZT9X   “Brahms, Ligeti, Mozart, Schumann: Horn Trios” (Chandos) Martin Owen, Francesca Dego, Alessandro Taverna https://open.spotify.com/album/7Ergmza2i7quaeLavtpAsg https://music.apple.com/us/album/brahms-ligeti-mozart-schumann-horn-trios/1742021362 https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0D23PXQHQ   “Arto Koskinen: Fuga Indiana” (Alpha) Joonas Ahonen https://open.spotify.com/album/49u8g73PRLVV01kZDedIsM https://music.apple.com/us/album/arto-koskinen-fuga-indiana/1742579299 https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0D2DLX631   “Orizzonti” (Emme Produzioni Musicali)  Gianluca Caporale Quartet https://open.spotify.com/album/0UVAgRUAH1DMD10f53NEes https://music.apple.com/us/album/orizzonti-feat-fabio-zeppetella/1754372648 https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0D87CRFYL   “Artform Revisited” (Savant)  Louis Hayes https://open.spotify.com/album/2aD01WkSKtyWKZKJ5LLa9b https://music.apple.com/us/album/artform-revisited/1746245405 https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0D44TXR3Z   “Painter of Dreams” (Criss Cross Jazz) Misha Tsiganov https://open.spotify.com/album/36hHCSY5sNo2lmLyr8HfJg https://music.apple.com/us/album/painter-of-dreams-feat-alex-sipiagin-miguel-zenon/1755419820 https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0D61586V5  

May we listen to what stirs creatively within us, letting that bring more joy and curiosity to all aspects of life. May we have the courage to set forth on our own path of discovery as we follow where our longing leads us. May we grow, learn, and explore while grounded and centered in expansive, exuberant inner quietude. ⁠Print edition with accompanying links is ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠. You can also find me: Creating goddess magic and community practice: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Goddess Magic community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Offering free support for building devotional practices: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#30DaysofGoddess⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Writing weekly for my (free) newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Creative Spirit Circle⁠

Busy, busy, busy! Activity is happening in every direction. Children beg to visit the candy store, teens idle at the food court, and delivery drivers drop off shipments. Heels striking the tile floor echo off the high ceiling. The noise is invigorating. Exuberant voices fill the air, excited by the endless array of choices. Today you are an observer, living vicariously through the shopping experiences of others. You are content to remain on the sidelines, absorbing the optimistic energy and directing it to your own tasks. Let the abundant power of positivity give you the confidence to do your best. ---

Real Americans (Knopf, 2024) begins on the precipice of Y2K in New York City, when twenty-two-year-old Lily Chen, an unpaid intern at a slick media company, meets Matthew. Matthew is everything Lily is not: easygoing and effortlessly attractive, a native East Coaster, and, most notably, heir to a vast pharmaceutical empire. Lily couldn't be more different: flat-broke, raised in Tampa, the only child of scientists who fled Mao's Cultural Revolution. Despite all this, Lily and Matthew fall in love. In 2021, fifteen-year-old Nick Chen has never felt like he belonged on the isolated Washington island where he lives with his single mother, Lily. He can't shake the sense she's hiding something. When Nick sets out to find his biological father, the journey threatens to raise more questions than it provides answers. In immersive, moving prose, Rachel Khong weaves a profound tale of class and striving, race and visibility, and family and inheritance--a story of trust, forgiveness, and finally coming home. Exuberant and explosive, Real Americans is a social novel par excellence that asks: Are we destined, or made? And if we are made, who gets to do the making? Can our genetic past be overcome? Rachel's debut novel, Goodbye, Vitamin, won the 2017 California Book Award for First Fiction, and was a Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist for First Fiction. From 2011 to 2016, she was the managing editor then executive editor of Lucky Peach magazine. With Lucky Peach, she also edited a cookbook about eggs, called All About Eggs. In 2018, she founded The Ruby, a work and event space for women and nonbinary writers and artists in San Francisco's Mission district; she retired from that role in 2021. Recommended Books: Orhan Pamuk, My Name is Red Chris Holmes is Chair of Literatures in English and Associate Professor at Ithaca College. He writes criticism on contemporary global literatures. His book, Kazuo Ishiguro as World Literature, is under contract with Bloomsbury Publishing. He is the co-director of The New Voices Festival, a celebration of work in poetry, prose, and playwriting by up-and-coming young writers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real Americans (Knopf, 2024) begins on the precipice of Y2K in New York City, when twenty-two-year-old Lily Chen, an unpaid intern at a slick media company, meets Matthew. Matthew is everything Lily is not: easygoing and effortlessly attractive, a native East Coaster, and, most notably, heir to a vast pharmaceutical empire. Lily couldn't be more different: flat-broke, raised in Tampa, the only child of scientists who fled Mao's Cultural Revolution. Despite all this, Lily and Matthew fall in love. In 2021, fifteen-year-old Nick Chen has never felt like he belonged on the isolated Washington island where he lives with his single mother, Lily. He can't shake the sense she's hiding something. When Nick sets out to find his biological father, the journey threatens to raise more questions than it provides answers. In immersive, moving prose, Rachel Khong weaves a profound tale of class and striving, race and visibility, and family and inheritance--a story of trust, forgiveness, and finally coming home. Exuberant and explosive, Real Americans is a social novel par excellence that asks: Are we destined, or made? And if we are made, who gets to do the making? Can our genetic past be overcome? Rachel's debut novel, Goodbye, Vitamin, won the 2017 California Book Award for First Fiction, and was a Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist for First Fiction. From 2011 to 2016, she was the managing editor then executive editor of Lucky Peach magazine. With Lucky Peach, she also edited a cookbook about eggs, called All About Eggs. In 2018, she founded The Ruby, a work and event space for women and nonbinary writers and artists in San Francisco's Mission district; she retired from that role in 2021. Recommended Books: Orhan Pamuk, My Name is Red Chris Holmes is Chair of Literatures in English and Associate Professor at Ithaca College. He writes criticism on contemporary global literatures. His book, Kazuo Ishiguro as World Literature, is under contract with Bloomsbury Publishing. He is the co-director of The New Voices Festival, a celebration of work in poetry, prose, and playwriting by up-and-coming young writers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Real Americans (Knopf, 2024) begins on the precipice of Y2K in New York City, when twenty-two-year-old Lily Chen, an unpaid intern at a slick media company, meets Matthew. Matthew is everything Lily is not: easygoing and effortlessly attractive, a native East Coaster, and, most notably, heir to a vast pharmaceutical empire. Lily couldn't be more different: flat-broke, raised in Tampa, the only child of scientists who fled Mao's Cultural Revolution. Despite all this, Lily and Matthew fall in love. In 2021, fifteen-year-old Nick Chen has never felt like he belonged on the isolated Washington island where he lives with his single mother, Lily. He can't shake the sense she's hiding something. When Nick sets out to find his biological father, the journey threatens to raise more questions than it provides answers. In immersive, moving prose, Rachel Khong weaves a profound tale of class and striving, race and visibility, and family and inheritance--a story of trust, forgiveness, and finally coming home. Exuberant and explosive, Real Americans is a social novel par excellence that asks: Are we destined, or made? And if we are made, who gets to do the making? Can our genetic past be overcome? Rachel's debut novel, Goodbye, Vitamin, won the 2017 California Book Award for First Fiction, and was a Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist for First Fiction. From 2011 to 2016, she was the managing editor then executive editor of Lucky Peach magazine. With Lucky Peach, she also edited a cookbook about eggs, called All About Eggs. In 2018, she founded The Ruby, a work and event space for women and nonbinary writers and artists in San Francisco's Mission district; she retired from that role in 2021. Recommended Books: Orhan Pamuk, My Name is Red Chris Holmes is Chair of Literatures in English and Associate Professor at Ithaca College. He writes criticism on contemporary global literatures. His book, Kazuo Ishiguro as World Literature, is under contract with Bloomsbury Publishing. He is the co-director of The New Voices Festival, a celebration of work in poetry, prose, and playwriting by up-and-coming young writers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/asian-american-studies

Real Americans (Knopf, 2024) begins on the precipice of Y2K in New York City, when twenty-two-year-old Lily Chen, an unpaid intern at a slick media company, meets Matthew. Matthew is everything Lily is not: easygoing and effortlessly attractive, a native East Coaster, and, most notably, heir to a vast pharmaceutical empire. Lily couldn't be more different: flat-broke, raised in Tampa, the only child of scientists who fled Mao's Cultural Revolution. Despite all this, Lily and Matthew fall in love. In 2021, fifteen-year-old Nick Chen has never felt like he belonged on the isolated Washington island where he lives with his single mother, Lily. He can't shake the sense she's hiding something. When Nick sets out to find his biological father, the journey threatens to raise more questions than it provides answers. In immersive, moving prose, Rachel Khong weaves a profound tale of class and striving, race and visibility, and family and inheritance--a story of trust, forgiveness, and finally coming home. Exuberant and explosive, Real Americans is a social novel par excellence that asks: Are we destined, or made? And if we are made, who gets to do the making? Can our genetic past be overcome? Rachel's debut novel, Goodbye, Vitamin, won the 2017 California Book Award for First Fiction, and was a Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist for First Fiction. From 2011 to 2016, she was the managing editor then executive editor of Lucky Peach magazine. With Lucky Peach, she also edited a cookbook about eggs, called All About Eggs. In 2018, she founded The Ruby, a work and event space for women and nonbinary writers and artists in San Francisco's Mission district; she retired from that role in 2021. Recommended Books: Orhan Pamuk, My Name is Red Chris Holmes is Chair of Literatures in English and Associate Professor at Ithaca College. He writes criticism on contemporary global literatures. His book, Kazuo Ishiguro as World Literature, is under contract with Bloomsbury Publishing. He is the co-director of The New Voices Festival, a celebration of work in poetry, prose, and playwriting by up-and-coming young writers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature

Real Americans by Rachel Khong  Real Americans begins on the precipice of Y2K in New York City, when twenty-two-year-old Lily Chen, an unpaid intern at a slick media company, meets Matthew. Matthew is everything Lily is not: easygoing and effortlessly attractive, a native East Coaster and, most notably, heir to a vast pharmaceutical empire. Lily couldn't be more different: flat-broke, raised in Tampa, the only child of scientists who fled Mao's Cultural Revolution. Despite all this, Lily and Matthew fall in love.  In 2021, fifteen-year-old Nick Chen has never felt like he belonged on the isolated Washington island where he lives with his single mother, Lily. He can't shake the sense she's hiding something. When Nick sets out to find his biological father, the journey threatens to raise more questions than answers.  In immersive, moving prose, Rachel Khong weaves a profound tale of class and striving, race and visibility, and family and inheritance—a story of trust, forgiveness, and finally coming home.  Exuberant and explosive, Real Americans is a social novel par excellence that asks: Are we destined, or made, and if so, who gets to do the making? Can our genetic past be overcome?    Think Twice by Harlan Coben   Three years ago, sports agent Myron Bolitar gave a eulogy at the funeral of his client, renowned basketball coach Greg Downing. Myron and Greg had history: initially as deeply personal rivals, and later as unexpected business associates. Myron made peace and moved on – until now, when twofederal agents walked into his office, demanding to know where Greg Downing is.  According to the agents, Greg is still alive—and has been placed at the scene of a double homicide, making him their main suspect. Shocked, Myron needs answers.  Myron and Win, longtime friends and colleagues, set out to find the truth, but the more they discover about Greg, the more dangerous their world becomes. Secrets, lies, and a murderous conspiracy that stretches back into the past churn at the heart of Harlan Coben's blistering new novel.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We hope you enjoy today's Scripture reading and devotional aimed at equipping you for moral and spiritual transformation. Today's Bible reading is Psalm 145. To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional. ESV Bible narration read by Mike Bullmore. Follow us on social media to stay up to date: Instagram Facebook Twitter

In this episode, we talk about Jayne Mansfield's exuberant life, tragic death, and surprising legacy.   Until next time...   The Deeply Disturbing Things podcast discusses a wide range of topics, including suicide, rape, and child abuse. If you are struggling with these themes, this may not be the podcast for you. The content of the Deeply Disturbing Things podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and is not intended or considered to be professional advice.    Support our podcast on Patreon and get access to exclusive content!   https://patreon.com/DeeplyDisturbingThingsPodcast?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link   Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts! https://www.instagram.com/deeplydisturbingthingspodcast/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/deeplydisturbingthings/  

Join us for today's Our Daily Bread devotional by Tanya Marlow, taken from Luke 15:11-24. Today's devotional is read by Peta. God bless you.We hope that you have enjoyed today's reading from Our Daily Bread. You can find more exciting content from Our Daily Bread Ministries by following @ourdailybreadeurope on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. You can even sign up to receive Our Daily Bread Bible reading notes sent straight to your door for free: odb.org/subscribe

In this unfathomably fortuitous episode of Tubi or Not Tubi, we have the absolute honor of sitting down with three of the minds and movers behind Coherence, a personal podcast favorite film! As we chat with director James Ward Byrkit, co-writer Alex Manugian, and actress Lauren Maher, we get deep in the weeds of how Coherence came to be... But much like the film, as the night goes on, the conversation steers us into a discussion of Shatter Belt, Pirates of the Caribbean, Grey's Anatomy, Rango, Rango the video game for the Nintendo Wii, Mind Forest, A Christmas Wedding at the Bakery 3: Bakers Dozen, Peaceful Tadpoles, and Potato People! This is a 10th Anniversary interview so thorough you'll be checking the color of your glowstick by the end like we were...

Heralded by many as one of the most innovative contemporary abstract painters, Sam Gilliam created art over decades and decades that challenges the parameters of painting and sculpture, encouraging his viewers to reexamine their relationship to space and object. Join our hosts as they talk about this celebrated artist from their signature different perspectives.

As ChatGPT puts it... The episode covers a wide range of topics, including: 1. Electoral Politics and Third Parties: The discussion opens with a look into the history of third-party successes in U.S. elections, referencing Ross Perot and older political parties like the Whig and Democratic-Republican parties. 2. Current Political Climate: The hosts delve into the dynamics of the presidential race, discussing the impact of Trump's campaign, Biden's age and performance, and the overall uncertainty surrounding the race.   3. Media and Public Perception: There's a focus on how media figures and outlets, like Ezra Klein and The New York Times, are framing the discussion around Biden's capability to govern and campaign due to his age. 4. Democratic Party Dynamics: The conversation shifts to the internal politics of the Democratic Party, discussing the lack of primary challenges to Biden and the potential for an open convention. 5. Potential Candidates and Future Elections: Speculation about various Democratic figures potentially rising as candidates in an open convention scenario, including Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, Cory Booker, and even non-traditional figures like Michelle Obama or Jon Stewart. 6. Republican Party Dynamics: The episode also touches on Nikki Haley's campaign and the implications of Trump's legal troubles and financial situation on his campaign. 7. Technology and Markets: A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing NVIDIA's role in the tech and financial markets, artificial intelligence, and the geopolitical risks involving China and Taiwan. 8. Societal Impacts of Technology: The discussion briefly veers into the societal and ethical implications of advancements in AI and technology, including the potential for deepfakes and the evolution of digital content creation. These topics are intertwined with humorous commentary, making for an episode that navigates through serious discussions with a light-hearted and satirical approach.

In this edition of Madison Book Beat, host Andrew Thomas speaks with Peter Coviello on his book of essays Is There God After Prince? Dispatches from an Age of Last Things (2023, University of Chicago Press).Exuberant, effusive, rye, and incisive, this collection of essays analyze a wide range of cultural objects in order to shore up some modicum of consolation against an intractable sense of impending doom. By focusing on beloved novels, films, and songs and the joyful connections they help foster between friends, families, and lovers, Coviello argues that these attachments are small mercies that buoy us up in light of what he terms “endstrickenness.” With verve and agility, Coviello surveys a large swath of contemporary culture in an effort to rethink what literary criticism can do and to assure us that not all of contemporary life is a wasteland of broken images. Joyful reading plain and simple.Peter Coviello is the author of six books, including Make Yourselves Gods, a finalist for the 2020 John Whitmer Historical Association Best Book Prize; Tomorrow's Parties, a 2013 finalist for a Lambda Literary Award in LGBT Studies; and Long Players, a memoir selected as one of ARTFORUM's Ten Best Books of 2018. His newest book, Is There God After Prince?: Dispatches from an Age of Last Things, was selected as a “Most Anticipated” title by both The Millions and the Lambda Literary Review, and appeared in year-end lists for 2023 from the Chicago Tribune, the Seminary Co-op Bookstore, and elsewhere. He taught for many years at Bowdoin College and since 2014 has been at UIC, where he is Professor and Head of English.You can follow him @pcoviell.Image courtesy of University of Chicago Press

Federal Ethics Commissioner Konrad von Finkenstein has decided not to investigate Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's recent vacation to Jamaica, despite opposition calls for scrutiny. Guest: Duff Conacher, Co-founder of Democracy Watch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The super soaraway US economy and stock market Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/the-other-hand-with-jim.power-and-chris.johns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sadhguru talks about how New Year resolutions never seem to make a difference, and about what we really need to do to enhance the experience of life.  Conscious Planet: https://www.consciousplanet.org Sadhguru App (Download): https://onelink.to/sadhguru__app Official Sadhguru Website: https://isha.sadhguru.org Sadhguru Exclusive: https://isha.sadhguru.org/in/en/sadhguru-exclusive Inner Engineering Link: isha.co/ieo-podcast Yogi, mystic and visionary, Sadhguru is a spiritual master with a difference. An arresting blend of profundity and pragmatism, his life and work serves as a reminder that yoga is a contemporary science, vitally relevant to our times. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sadhguru talks about how New Year resolutions never seem to make a difference, and about what we really need to do to enhance the experience of life.  Conscious Planet: https://www.consciousplanet.org Sadhguru App (Download): https://onelink.to/sadhguru__app Official Sadhguru Website: https://isha.sadhguru.org Sadhguru Exclusive: https://isha.sadhguru.org/in/en/sadhguru-exclusive Inner Engineering Link: isha.co/ieo-podcast Yogi, mystic and visionary, Sadhguru is a spiritual master with a difference. An arresting blend of profundity and pragmatism, his life and work serves as a reminder that yoga is a contemporary science, vitally relevant to our times. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this final installment of this Gen-X Women Founders mini series, host Kris Plachy dives into the emotional load and labor that comes with being a Gen-X woman leading her own business. She delves into the societal pressures and expectations placed on women, especially those who are ambitious and successful in their careers. From the guilt associated with balancing work and family to the challenges of self-advocacy and trusting one's own instincts, Kris explores the emotional burden carried by many Gen-X women. Throughout the episode, Kris encourages listeners to shed the guilt and embrace their worth and success. She emphasizes the importance of trusting oneself, and feeling pride in one's accomplishments. The conversation also highlights the need for empowerment and support among Gen-X women, addressing the impact of generational roles on personal and professional life. This episode discusses how Gen-X women also fully embrace their drive to continue to show up in the work place and lead. Kris also shares insights on the kind of support Gen-X women founders benefit from when they surround themselves with others like them. By being in a space with women like them, Gen-X founders are able to continue to thrive and grow in their businesses and in their lives. "You belong here in a leadership role. And we're going to swing that pendulum. We're going to pull the pendulum out of that masculine side and get you some more of that feminine leadership guidance so that you can be you. Confident you. Capable you. Exuberant you. Thriving you. Because she's in there." Key Takeaways from this Episode: Self-Advocacy and Confidence: Encourages women to trust themselves, be proud of their achievements, and not succumb to societal expectations that may undermine their confidence. Cultural Expectations and Guilt: Addresses the cultural expectations that surround successful women, and acknowledges that even successful women may feel unworthy due to societal judgments on their choices Breaking Generational Patterns: Encourages listeners to break free from the patterns that have been passed down to our generation, and instead, make choices based on their own desires and aspirations. Celebrating Independence: Women should not feel shame for curating and navigating their lives differently from societal norms. Embracing Change and Feminine Leadership: Embracing change, integrating new ways of leadership, and shifting the pendulum towards more feminine leadership, where women can thrive and contribute to the success of their companies. Why Gen X Female Founders Must Listen:  This episode delivers a powerful blend of validation, empowerment, and practical insights tailored for Gen-X women founders. By addressing the unique challenges they face, fostering a sense of community connection, and encouraging self-acceptance, the episode serves as a source of inspiration and encouragement, offering a shared experience that resonates with the entrepreneurial journey of Gen-X women. Connect with Kris Plachy  ONE HOUR LEADER  Transform your current team into the self-directed team you wish you had in as little as one hour per week.  Private Subscriber List: Get on the list today! thevisionary.ceo/lead Work with Kris and Her Team: TheVisionary.ceo The Moxy Sage CEO Boutique Your Business Edit Email: hello@thevisionary.ceo  Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest Medium Let's face it: We all read the reviews before we buy or check out something new these days… and podcasts are no exception. So if you've enjoyed my podcast and don't mind, I truly would appreciate a review posted to your favorite podcast platform (or two). It really does go a long way to reaching more like-minded individuals. Thank you so very much! Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

What a magical time of the year! Christmas preparations are underway throughout the village, and the plaza clamors with happy noise. Neighbors call out friendly greetings and tidings of joy. Hoofbeats echo off the cobblestones as wagonloads of fresh-cut trees arrive at the marketplace. The impatient horses snort small white clouds into the wintry air. Exuberant children, their eyes bright like the twinkling strings of colored lights overhead, dash recklessly among the shoppers laden with holiday parcels. Merchants scurry to serve their customers, cheerful doorbells tinkling as the patrons come and go. Everyone is eager for the festivities to begin. At the church, carolers rehearse while the rector readies the bells to proclaim the good news. Each wreath, each shiny ornament, and each candle in the window hails the holiday season. The eternal spirit of Christmas flourishes here, and all are welcome! ---

To further your resilience, check out the Daily 21s movement program here:https://osi-online.com/courses/the-daily-21s-for-vitality/ In this episode, Tim talks with friend Dawni Rae Shaw about the importance of finding yourself through movement. That is, we are designed to move and when we do what we are made to do, our lives are just going to be BETTER. This is a fun conversation that I think you're going to enjoy. To learn more from Dawni Rae, click here: https://www.dawnirae.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/original-strength/support

James Ford tackles life with great energy. In this episode, we discuss James's childhood, dating days, engagement, marriage, careers, opinions, and much more. His enthusiasm is contagious. Enjoy!(This episode was recorded in 2022, and took me too long to edit.) 

The first half of the year is what happens when Wall Street predicts a recession that doesn't materialize: Exuberant upside surprise and massive valuation lift. But while today's markets remain doggedly optimistic, forward-looking indicators are forecasting headwinds in the near future.  In this episode of the 3D Report, Chief Investment Officer Ryan Caldwell and Chief U.S. Economist Lara Rhame dive into where markets are at the end of Q2 and where key indicators suggest they're headed. 

Akhil Patel, author of 'The Secret Wealth Advantage: How You Can Profit from the Economy's Hidden Cycle' says that the economy is nearing the peak in the long-term cycles his research has uncovered, and that time should be filled with rampant speculative behavior, where investors lose sight of fundamentals. He expects that rally built around confidence and momentum to end when the cycle turns and the long-term cycle he sees quickly reaches its depths. Also on the show, research analyst Megan Sanctorum discusses how much the average American spends on products endorsed by athletes, David Trainer of New Constructs revisits SNAP, saying that a recent run-up makes the stock particularly worrisome now, and Jason Browne of Alexis Investment Partners covers the tactical use of exchange-traded funds in the Market Call.

Psalm ? • Philip Godley

The Beauty and Joy of being included."Thank you for including me - not only does it feel good to be the person who invites people in, but it also feels wonderful to be the person who is invited. It takes so little to remember to call someone or to invite them out for a walk to get an ice cream cone on a sultry summer night.

(00:00) Welcome to Decorating by the Book Podcast(00:10) Your Host Suzy Chase(00:21) Newell Turner(00:26) Mexican: A Journey by Design by Newell Turner(01:15) Diana Kennedy(01:30) Mexican(01:41) Diana Kennedy Mexican cuisine(02:00) Mexico(02:20) Newell Turner The Author(03:10) Mérida, Yucatán(03:15) Mexican The Book(03:50) Mexican Design(04:20) Next Career(04:37) Peace on Earth(04:54) Travel(05:28) Cultural Treasures(05:55) The Country Mexico(06:28) Getting To Know People(06:46) Stephen Drucker(07:32) The Book (07:40) Newell Turner Instagram(08:00) Drucker(08:25) A Visual Narrative (08:55) The Only Design Book Podcast(09:32) Susana Ordovás(09:45) An American From Mississippi(10:04) Newell Turner's IG(10:30) Understanding Where Design Comes From (10:42) University of Mississippi(11:12) Understanding Your Audience(11:47) Turner(12:12) Positive Response(12:50) Decorating by the Book Podcast(13:26) Baroque(13:52) Exuberant(13:58) Pyramid(14:16) Red Pyramid(14:26) Purples(14:31) Greens(14:46) The Podcast(15:02) Baroque Was Exuberant(15:30) Neoclassical(15:59) Book Cover(16:41) Diaz(17:03) Cathedral In Mérida(17:17) Paseo de Montejo (17:25) Palacio Cantón(17:34) Newell Turner The Author(18:11) Spanish Colonial(18:30) Spanish Influence(18:50) Cultural References(19:17) Courtyard(19:25) Indoor Outdoor Living(19:36) Convivencia(19:51) Art Deco(19:57) Mayan Deco(20:18) Deco(20:38) Maya Traditions(20:58) Mayan Deco Artistry(21:38) Relief Work(22:04) The Book Cover(23:16) Luis Barragán (23:49) Poured Concrete(23:51) Stone(23:53) Terra Cotta(23:57) Texture(24:04) Barragán Glass(24:32) Mexican Modernism(24:46) Color(24:54) Barragán Pink(25:10) Contemporary(26:00) Oasis(26:20) Center Courtyard(26:41) Mississippi(27:12) The Book Cover(27:30) Moroccan Architecture(28:10) Mexican by Newell Turner(28:38) The Moon(28:45) Storms(29:00) Newell Turner Author of Mexican(29:49) TNT3 on IG(30:30) A Stunning Book(30:42) Thanks for ListeningChapters, images & show notes powered by vizzy.fm.

We hope you enjoy today's Scripture reading and devotional aimed at equipping you for moral and spiritual transformation.  Today's Bible reading is Psalm 145. To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional. ESV Bible narration read by Mike Bullmore. Follow us on social media to stay up to date: Instagram Facebook   Twitter

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz Young, Chief Investment Strategist at SoFi, climbs back aboard The Express to explain why investors may be overly optimistic right now, and what key signals to watch for in the coming months to tell us that the coast is really clearing. Plus, consumer credit stretches to new all-time highs as the Federal Reserve battles sticky high inflation. Why this may become an even bigger problem as the economy slows. LINKS FOR SHOW NOTES https://www.newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/hhdc https://www.sofi.com/article/investment-strategy/liz-looks-at-how-long-will-this-take/ https://podcasts.apple.com/lb/podcast/the-important-part-investing-with-liz-young/id1586026643 https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/businesscycle.asp https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/shortselling.asp https://www.blackbusinesshistorymonth.com/day-10-ernesta-procope/ https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/100913/basics-short-selling.asp https://www.thebalancemoney.com/fair-plan-policies-2645392

Sadhguru talks about how New Year resolutions never seem to make a difference, and about what we really need to do to enhance the experience of life.Conscious Planet: https://www.consciousplanet.orgSadhguru App (Download): https://onelink.to/sadhguru__appOfficial Sadhguru Website: https://isha.sadhguru.orgSadhguru Exclusive: https://isha.sadhguru.org/in/en/sadhguru-exclusiveYogi, mystic and visionary, Sadhguru is a spiritual master with a difference. An arresting blend of profundity and pragmatism, his life and work serves as a reminder that yoga is a contemporary science, vitally relevant to our times.

Y'all are going to absolutely love this Homeschool Conversations episode with the effervescent Kia Roy! We get a little giddy and a little excited, but what is more delightful than discussing the joys and challenges of homeschooling? We discuss planning, changing seasons/styles of homeschooling, educating in seasons of grief, the value of co-ops, and more! I can't wait to hear your biggest takeaways; leave them below in the comments! Full transcript and Show Notes: https://www.humilityanddoxology.com/kia-roy/ Thanksgiving Morning Time Plans: https://www.humilityanddoxology.com/product/thanksgiving-morning-time-resource-pack-6/ Get my FREE Homeschool Planning Guide: https://www.humilityanddoxology.com/homeschool-planning-guide/ Thank you to podcast sponsor Mr. D Math. Learn how Mr. D Math can be a benefit to your homeschool by clicking here. https://bit.ly/3gYAUj4 Be sure to check out all the other interviews in our Homeschool Conversations series! Watch the video. Listen to the podcast. Read the show notes. Share with your friends! Follow Humility and Doxology Online: Blog Facebook Instagram YouTube --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/humilityanddoxology/message