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⭐️ 24 Hour Content Machine: Want to plan 90 days of content in one afternoon? Here's how

⭐️ 24 Hour Content Machine: Want to plan 90 days of content in one afternoon? Here's how

Faced with the choice in their daily lives, their work or their politics, why do some people decide to keep quiet, to censor themselves in anticipatory obedience, even if they're not ordered to do so? In this episode we talk to self-censorship expert Daniel Bar-Tal at Tel Aviv University about what drives people to censor themselves, and its consequences for society.This episode was written and produced by Katie Flood with assistance from Mend Mariwany. Gemma Ware is the executive producer. Sound design and mixing by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl. Read the full credits for this episode and sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.If you like the show, please consider donating to The Conversation, an independent, not-for-profit news organisation.

Sean “Diddy” Combs' federal sex trafficking trial is dominating headlines right now. But this is not the first time that Combs has made the news for major scandals – from a deadly stampede at a concert to a scuffle with a football coach. Law&Crime's Jesse Weber took a look back at the disgraced music mogul's prior legal troubles and spoke with Jason Swain, whose brother Dirk was killed during a stampede at a Combs charity event.HOST:Jesse Weber: https://twitter.com/jessecordweberLAW&CRIME SIDEBAR PRODUCTION:YouTube Management - Bobby SzokeVideo Editing - Michael Deininger, Christina O'Shea & Jay CruzScript Writing & Producing - Savannah Williamson & Juliana BattagliaGuest Booking - Alyssa Fisher & Diane KayeSocial Media Management - Vanessa BeinSTAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LAW&CRIME NETWORK:Watch Law&Crime Network on YouTubeTV: https://bit.ly/3td2e3yWhere To Watch Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/3akxLK5Sign Up For Law&Crime's Daily Newsletter: https://bit.ly/LawandCrimeNewsletterRead Fascinating Articles From Law&Crime Network: https://bit.ly/3td2IqoLAW&CRIME NETWORK SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawandcrime/Twitter: https://twitter.com/LawCrimeNetworkFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawandcrimeTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/lawandcrimenetworkTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawandcrimeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this special episode of Skin Anarchy, host Dr. Ekta sits down with beauty industry legend Rea Ann Silva—the woman behind the iconic Beautyblender. Before the teardrop sponge became a global staple, Rea Ann was transforming faces behind the scenes on the set of Girlfriends, one of the first shows shot in high-definition. Faced with the need for flawless, undetectable makeup in this new visual era, she improvised a tool that would go on to change the beauty world.What started as a hand-cut sponge born from necessity soon evolved into a cult-favorite product that democratized makeup application. Rea Ann shares how Beautyblender took the intimidation out of brushes and empowered everyday consumers to master their base. But the sponge is just the beginning—her brand also pioneered products like the Blendercleanser and Surface palette, all designed through the lens of a working artist solving real-world problems.The conversation dives into deeper themes, too—from the rise (and downside) of dupe culture to why innovation still matters. Rea Ann also reflects on launching the Bounce foundation line, noting how inclusivity was always embedded in her brand's DNA long before it became industry standard.This episode is a celebration of creativity, function, and resilience in the face of a copycat culture. Tune in to hear the story of how one makeup artist's “I wish I had” moment became a category-defining brand with a legacy that's still evolvingCHAPTERS:(0:00) Introduction to Rea Ann Silva and Beautblender(1:01) Rea Ann's Background as a Makeup Artist(3:04) The Birth of Beautyblender on Set(5:00) The Development of Blender Cleanser(7:11) Realizing Beautyblender's Potential for the Mass Market(10:03) Beautyblender as a Game Changer in Makeup Application(13:30) The Impact of Beautyblender on Consumers and Retailers(16:03) The Creation of Foundation to Complement Beautyblender(21:16) Innovation and Product Design PhilosophyTo learn more about Beautyblender, visit their website and social media.Please fill out this survey to give us feedback on the show!Don't forget to subscribe to Skin Anarchy on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform.Reach out to us through email with any questions.Sign up for our newsletter!Shop all our episodes and products mentioned through our ShopMy Shelf! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the None of Your Business podcast, host interviews Wing Lam, the mastermind behind Wahoos Tacos. Wing shares the dramatic impact COVID-19 had on his business, causing a staggering 85% drop in revenue and a significant reduction in employees. Faced with excess food, Wing began delivering meals to local hospitals, which evolved into the California Love Drop initiative, supported by brands like Monster Energy and Cliff Bar. Wing discusses his journey in the restaurant industry, the struggle to maintain consistency, the challenges of scaling, and his philosophy on community collaboration. Despite the uncertainties, Wing emphasizes the importance of giving back and taking a business approach to solving nonprofit challenges, ultimately reshaping how people view charitable organizations. 00:00 Impact of COVID on Business00:58 Introduction to Wing Lamb and Wahoos Tacos01:42 The Journey of Wahoos Tacos02:36 Challenges and Strategies in the Restaurant Business08:17 Scaling the Business11:13 Navigating Difficult Times and Collaboration12:12 Community Impact and Nonprofit Work19:34 Concluding Thoughts and AppreciationSupport the showJoin the #1 Community for Service-Based Entrepreneurshttps://www.blackdiamondclub.com Follow Shawn and Lacey on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/drshawndill/ https://www.instagram.com/drlaceybook/

Today I have the incredible pleasure of sharing this interview. Content Syndicate member, Angela Knox, shares her insights on branding - and they are GOLD.    ⭐️ Swipe her free Brand Voice Cheat Sheet: https://thedivinegroup.myflodesk.com/udn4bubt6a  

⭐️ 24 Hour Content Machine: Want to plan 90 days of content in one afternoon? Here's how

From Cockpit to Boardroom: Boo's High-Performance Flight Path In this compelling episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show, Michael chats with Boo—former fighter pilot turned entrepreneur—about his extraordinary journey from the Air Force to launching ventures in the Middle East, real estate, and digital publishing. Boo opens up about navigating the early days of Facebook and Google ads, and how his involvement with Afterburner, a company built on the high-performance mindset of fighter pilots, led to acquiring the business and driving it forward today. Rethinking Leadership to Reignite Engagement Michael and Boo explore one of today's most pressing workplace challenges: leadership credibility and employee engagement. Drawing from Gallup's recent findings that only 21% of global employees are engaged at work, they discuss how leaders must evolve. The conversation emphasizes trust, credibility, and a radical mindset shift—from managing to truly leading. Leaders must transform good intentions into impactful outcomes and be willing to operate in a “zero authority” culture, where every voice on the team can contribute meaningfully. The Leadership Learning Curve Transitioning from a high performer to an effective leader is no small feat. Boo shares stories from his aviation days, where leadership was learned not from textbooks but through real-world experience under pressure. Michael echoes this, highlighting his own growth through trial, missteps, and reflection. The discussion underlines the importance of patience, humility, and a long-term vision—especially crucial for those shifting from individual contributor to leadership roles. Promotion Pitfalls: The Competency Gap Boo and Michael tackle the common but dangerous trap of promoting team members beyond their readiness—particularly in sales and production environments. Boo argues that misaligned promotions can do more harm than good, while Michael urges leaders to go deeper—looking at organizational silos, misaligned deliverables, and turnover before reacting. The takeaway? Leaders must have the courage and insight to address these core issues head-on with senior stakeholders. Disruption as a Leadership Choice What if disruption wasn't something to fear—but something to choose? Boo makes the case for embracing disruption through continuous learning, feedback, and iteration. He calls out the rigidity of traditional leadership models and invites leaders to embrace a more agile, mission-driven approach—focusing on progress over perfection. Mission Clarity in a Noisy World In today's hyper-distracted digital era, clarity of mission is more vital than ever. Michael and Boo wrap up with a powerful discussion on the importance of staying focused amid constant change. Drawing on lessons from both fighter pilots and nonprofits, they emphasize strategic anticipation, adaptable leadership, and the need to stay grounded in purpose—no matter how turbulent the skies may get.   Christian "Boo" Boucousis, known simply as Boo, started with a strong passion for aviation from an early age. Despite academic challenges, his determination led him to the Australian Air Force, where he became a fighter pilot. Boo's time in the Air Force was transformative; he mastered the art of high-stakes execution, situational awareness, and structured debriefing—core principles that define his approach today. After nine years, Boo's career as a fighter pilot came to an unexpected halt due to a rare medical condition. Faced with the need to pivot, Boo didn't shy away from challenges. Instead, he set out to apply the rigorous, high-performance methodologies he learned in the Air Force to the business world. Starting a humanitarian business in Afghanistan, he quickly scaled it to employ over 1,600 people, eventually becoming one of the largest humanitarian support companies globally. His next ventures were just as ambitious, including developing a $42 million high-rise hotel and transforming a print publishing company into a successful digital entity. Boo's proven success is rooted in his use of military-inspired frameworks like structured debriefing and realistic goal-setting, which enable individuals and organizations to achieve "mission objectives" with high success rates. Through Afterburner Inc, Boo now brings these methodologies to corporate audiences, training teams on how to achieve extraordinary results by focusing on resilience, adaptability, and transparent, actionable steps. His story is one of reinvention, and his techniques help listeners find clarity, optimize performance, and unlock their potential. This journey makes Boo a compelling speaker who not only inspires but equips listeners with practical, results-oriented strategies. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-boo-boucousis/ Website 1: https://callmeboo.com/ Website 2: https://afterburner.com/

Tom Bateman, the BBC's State Department Correspondent based in Washington DC, analyses the current situation in the Middle East on day six of the Israel-Iran conflict.

You're invited to join the BETA round of my Instagram program: https://www.gogramgrow.com/order-now  Here is my ‘30 days of content in 30 minutes' workflow from this episode: https://rachelpedersen.clickfunnels.com/30-min  ⭐️ 24 Hour Content Machine: Want to plan 90 days of content in one afternoon? Here's how

(June 17,2025)Big changes are coming to Disneyland: ‘Monsters' is out, ‘Avatar' is in. Disney rides have come and gone. Faced with paying hundreds of sex abuse claims, LAUSD authorizes up to $500MIL in bonds.

Adam's Paternity Leave continues, so why not throw to an episode we did that ties in heavily to this week's episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver? Patreon payments are frozen for the time being. A few resourceful new Munchies have figured out a work-around where you can join as a free member and upgrade from there to a paid account which charges you for one month and unlocks the back catalog behind the respective tier of the paywall. After that first payment, you won't be charged again until we're dropping new content (which we'll warn everyone is coming), so if you want more of this it can be had, along with access to the fully uncut episodes from 100 to present and Movie Club episodes.Faced with an episode with a helluva third act left turn, Adam and Josh reckon with a first-half A-plot borrowing heavily from the Terri-Rick saga in Degrassi before the second half shockingly grasps for a ripped-from-the-headlines story with a crooked juvenile court judge inspired by the nefarious goings-on in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. This leads to an exploration of both the Luzerne County Kids for Cash scandal and the grotesque systemic judicial overreach currently happening in Rutherford County, Tennessee.Don't worry, Josh and Adam find plenty of non-infuriating things to talk about, including the bizarre connection between Melinda McGraw and Alex Kingston, delightfully impossible photoshopping, Icelandic reproduction clearance apps, Lehman Brothers tearing the US economy to shreds, the origins of sexting, what other franchise Stuckey really belonged in instead of SVU, and (of course) Meloni's rock-hard buns.Come get some.Sources:Kids for Cash documentary - Kids for CashBlack Children Were Jailed for a Crime That Doesn't Exist. Almost Nothing Happened to the Adults in Charge. - ProPublicaMusic:Divorcio Suave - "Munchy Business"Thanks to our gracious Munchies on Patreon: Jeremy S, Jaclyn O, Amy Z, Diana R, Tony B, Barry W, Drew D, Nicky R, Stuart, Jacqi B, Natalie T, Robyn S, Christine L, Amy A, Sean M, Jay S, Briley O, Asteria K, Suzanne B, Tim Y, John P, John W, Elia S, Rebecca B, Lily, Sarah L, Melsa A, Alyssa C, Johnathon M, Tiffany C, Brian B, Kate K, Whitney C, Alex, Jannicke HS, Roni C, and Nourhane B, and Erin M - y'all are the best!Be a Munchie, too! Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/munchmybensonBe sure to check out our other podcast diving into long unseen films of our guests' youth: Unkind Rewind at our website or on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcastsFollow us on: BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and Reddit (Adam's Twitter/BlueSky and Josh's BlueSky/Letterboxd/Substack)Join our Discord: Munch Casts ServerCheck out Munch Merch: Munch Merch at ZazzleCheck out our guest appearances:Both of us on: FMWL Pod (1st Time & 2nd Time), Storytellers from Ratchet Book Club, Chick-Lit at the Movies talking about The Thin Man, and last but not least on the seminal L&O podcast …These Are Their Stories (Adam and Josh).Josh discussing Jackie Brown with the fine folks at Movie Night Extravaganza, debating the Greatest Detectives in TV History on The Great Pop Culture Debate Podcast, and talking SVU/OC and Psych (five eps in all) on Jacked Up Review Show.Visit Our Website: Munch My BensonEmail the podcast: munchmybenson@gmail.comThe Next New Episode Once We're Back from Adam's Paternity Leave Will Be: Season 16, Episode 14 "Intimidation Game"Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/munch-my-benson-a-law-order-svu-podcast--5685940/support.

Rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem wasn't easy, and Nehemiah knew it would require determination. Faced with insults and opposition, the people of God pressed on—not with retaliation, but with prayer and faithful work. When we persevere through criticism by relying on God, we become part of something far greater than ourselves.

Former Governor Tim Pawlenty joins Chad to open the show to discuss his feelings after hearing of Vance Boelter's heinous crimes early Saturday morning.

Jacob's Linktree - Jacob Licklider | Instagram | LinktreeJoey's Linktree - jomoblooddonut | Twitter | LinktreeKian's BlueSky - Kian (@kianthequark.bsky.social) — BlueskyBuy the book on Amazon! - Amazon.com: Final Crisis: 9781401245177: Morrison, Grant, Jones, J. G., Mahnke, Doug, Pacheco, Carlos, Clark, Matthew: BooksOur next reading - Amazon.com: Batman: Battle for the Cowl - The Complete Collection: 9781779528551: Daniel, Tony, Mcgraw, Royal, Mandrake, Tom: Books

The official National Youth Day celebrations have kicked off in Potchefstroom where Deputy President, Paul Mashatile is expected to deliver the keynote address. Young people in attendance have called on government to create platforms where they could exhibit their artistic work. In attendance at this event is the Sports, Arts and culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie, Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa including Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli amongst others.

FREE GIFT – Get Dr. B's book “Pain and Purpose” (Learn how to build mental strength from the inside out) mentallystrong.ac-page.com/freebookLosing a child is a crippling and unimaginable pain—one that shakes your ENTIRE world and belief system. In this Episode, I share my raw and personal journey through grief, the difference between grief and trauma, why it's important to separate the two and what truly helped me keep going after loss. If you're struggling to process your own grief or searching for a way forward, you are not alone.You can also watch the unfiltered footage of my early days after losing my third child—where grief was at its rawest. And if you're ready for deeper support, I invite you to join my Grief Intensive course, where I walk alongside you through the hardest parts of this journey.➡️ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhbzZf3gqt8BzW6rJOr9cyRPtfiZ6v-LY➡️ http://mentallystrong.com/start-your-grief-journey/Grief is overwhelming, but you don't have to go through it alone.#PersonalGrowth #Empowerment #MentalHealthMatters #CristiBundukamara #PainandPurpose #MentalStrength #mentallystrong 

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel, founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.

We are delighted to welcome Valerie Hamaker back to the show! Early on in the discussion between Valerie and LDF host Dan Wotherspoon, we get caught up about the shake up this past March that was started by church leaders who disapproved of the content of her podcast, Latter-day Struggles. They couldn't understand see how her work was actually a boon for the Mormon community through its forthright conversations about matters troubling Latter-day Saints, and how she worked with them, using her background and skills as a licensed therapist, to see broader perspectives and find healing. Faced wth looming excommunication from the church, she and her husband, Nathan, withdrew their membership. Our main focus in relating a short synopsis of these events is to talk about reactions to the news by Latter-day Struggles listeners and members of discussion groups. Has it affected her work with those seeking understanding and healing. The bulk of the conversation in this episode focuses on how a person can differentiate in healthy ways from family members, institutions like the LDS Church, and most of all our spouses or partners. How can we be ourselves in places and situations in which people don't see things the same way? Why is differentiation so important? Ultimately the conversation focuses on marriage relationships that have been affected by differing views, or from trauma that is hard for a partner to recognize and understand. As couples work through these things in healthy ways, their love and commitment allows them to fully accept each other. Everything about being partnered is a crucible for change and growth! Though it talks about hard things, this conversation is upbeat and optimistic about all of us discovering ourselves and bettering our relationships. Listen in! There is lots of wisdom in this episode.

From Battlefield to Boardroom: The Journey of Chase Rowan This week, Marcus and Melanie meet with the remarkable Chase Rowan—a former Army Ranger turned creative visionary, financial strategist, and vocal advocate for alternative healing. With a career spanning combat zones to creative studios and boardrooms, Chase embodies the spirit of resilience, innovation, and transformation. Listen in on Chase's powerful story of serving as an Army Ranger and the ridiculous challenges he faced returning to civilian life, healing the Invisible wounds, and his personal experiences with ibogaine and 5meo-DMT, and how these treatments helped him overcome addiction and trauma. Chase discusses his work with the Texas Ibogaine Initiative and reveals why he's passionate about sharing these solutions with fellow veterans. Chase Rowan worked as a Land Development Project Manager for 17 years, helping build residential neighborhoods all over North Texas. He spent his career working for two of the largest land developers in Texas, managing everything from early planning and design to construction and final delivery of large-scale communities. In This Episode You Will Hear: •  I had a lot of experiences walking in on things no boy wants to walk in on. (12:45) •  I've struggled with alcohol for a long time. But I did it kind of quietly, especially when I got in the military. (19:57) • [While parachuting] I hit the runway going 40-50 mph. I had an 8” gash in the back of my head. I was out-unconscious. (30:44) • There's nothing worse than opioid withdrawal to me. (30:44) • My sole focus when I got up, when I was deep in my addiction – my first thought was “How am I gonna get something?” (38:15) • In 2016, my life was in shambles. I decided I needed help. (39:10) • [Marcus] No matter how strong you are. It's like being a prisoner of war. (41:47) • I felt like such a failure, and so many times I thought about how much better my kids and my wife would be if I just ended my life. (53:26) • When I was at my weakest, and I'd start crying, all of the sudden I'd feel power within me. (58:49) • Being sober is a super power. (63:15) • [Post Ibogaine treatment] I've never wanted to be alive more than I do now, and people need to know about this. (72:21) • There's nothing I like more than seeing people happy. (78:02) • It's not what you want. It's what you need. (84:27) • There are so many things that trauma is from, and this [Ibogaine] can heal it. (90:28) Support Chase  - t4gmh.org Support TNQ   - IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13   -  https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit Sponsors:   -  cargurus.com/TNQ    - armslist.com/TNQ   - partnersinbuilding.com - Navyfederal.org        -    - You can find Cremo's new line of antiperspirants and deodorants at Target or Target.com    - WARFARE IN THEATERS APRIL 11th Watch Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JER0Fkyy3tw First Look Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3DWuqiAUKg&t=3s    -   - PXGapparel.com/TNQ   - bruntworkwear.com/TNQ    - Selectquote.com/TNQ    - Groundnews.com/TNQ    - You can find Cremo's new line of antiperspirants and deodorants at Target or Target.com    - shipsticks.com/TNQ    - Robinhood.com/gold    - strawberry.me/TNQ    - stopboxusa.com {TNQ}    - ghostbed.com/TNQ [TNQ]   -  kalshi.com/TNQ   -  joinbilt.com/TNQ    - Tonal.com [TNQ]   - greenlight.com/TNQ   - PDSDebt.com/TNQ   - drinkAG1.com/TNQ   - Shadyrays.com [TNQ]   - qualialife.com/TNQ [TNQ]   - Hims.com/TNQ   - Shopify.com/TNQ   - Aura.com/TNQ   - Policygenius.com   - TAKELEAN.com [TNQ]   - usejoymode.com [TNQ]

In this powerful conversation, former Marine Raider Cody Alford opens up about his journey from elite special operations to facing the hardest battle of all—believing he was worthy. Cody shares raw stories about transitioning out of the military, dealing with depression, confronting hormonal imbalances, and rediscovering purpose through surrender, ownership, and internal healing.Whether you're a veteran, a leader, or just a man trying to make sense of your life, this episode will hit home. We talk about the dark side of leadership, the truth about testosterone and bloodwork, and what it really means to show up authentically as a man today.

We'd like to extend our sincere thanks to our episode sponsor, reStickity®. Their innovative, mess-free reusable sticker sets allow families to personalize hospital spaces with familiar photos and comforting images, helping bring a sense of home to the hospital. To learn more, visit their website and use code CLOC10 for an exclusive discount available to our listeners. In this inspiring episode, we meet Sarah Michelle Boes—nurse practitioner, entrepreneur, and mom to Meadow, who was diagnosed in utero with Tetralogy of Fallot and multiple congenital heart defects. Sarah brings a powerful trifecta of perspectives: as a medical provider, mental health advocate, and dedicated heart mom. We cover: ✅ Meadow's life-saving heart surgeries and long ICU stays ✅ How Sarah navigated new motherhood with OCD and anxiety ✅ The emotional toll of being both a medical provider and a parent ✅ Creating a connection through medical play to ease doctor visits ✅ How Sarah turned survival into purpose through national advocacy Whether you're a fellow medical parent, healthcare provider, or mental health professional, this episode will leave you with real insight into the raw challenges and unexpected joys of raising a child with complex medical needs. Key Topics & Highlights [00:00] – Meet Sarah Michelle Boes Nurse practitioner, entrepreneur, and heart mom Her daughter Meadow's surprise diagnosis of Tetralogy of Fallot at 36 weeks ⏱️ [03:00] – From Business Success to Medical Crisis Selling her business weeks before Meadow's diagnosis The shock of learning Meadow had four heart defects ⏱️ [05:00] – Learning to Navigate as a Medical Parent How Sarah's medical background helped (and complicated) her parenting Teaching her husband how to advocate medically alongside her ⏱️ [07:00] – Mother's Intuition & Switching OBs Sarah felt something was wrong during pregnancy but was dismissed A new ultrasound revealed her daughter's heart looked “weird” ⏱️ [10:00] – NICU Rollercoaster Begins Meadow intubated within hours of birth due to medication side effect Sarah and her husband find strength in teamwork ⏱️ [14:00] – Advice for New Heart Parents The overwhelm of tracking vitals and data post-discharge Feeling more like Meadow's nurse than her mom ⏱️ [17:00] – The Unexpected Second Surgery & Major Setbacks Meadow's patch failed, requiring emergency open-heart surgery Her chest remained open for a week due to complications ⏱️ [21:00] – A Brain Bleed Diagnosis & Mental Health Spiral Sarah shares how uncertainty triggered her OCD Emotional trauma of seeing Meadow cold, still, and open-chested ⏱️ [25:00] – Living in the ICU Full-Time How Sarah and her husband made the hospital their home The benefits of being physically present 24/7 ⏱️ [28:00] – Discharge Shock & OCD Diagnosis Meadow is stable—but Sarah's anxiety peaks post-discharge Diagnosed with OCD just 10 days after coming home ⏱️ [32:00] – Healing Through Gratitude & Giving Back Family vacation sparks the idea for a donation The heart institute is named in Meadow's honor with a mural ⏱️ [36:00] – Sarah's Ongoing CHD Advocacy Work Advocating for the Congenital Heart Futures Act Raising awareness for adult congenital cardiology and research needs ⏱️ [40:00] – The Power of Medical Play Meadow's echos improved after doing medical play at home Sarah incorporates play to help her daughter cope with appointments ⏱️ [43:00] – Reflections & Advice for Other Parents Learning how strong her partnership with her husband is Why having the right support person changes everything ⏱️ [45:00] – Where to Follow Sarah & Continue the Journey Website, LinkedIn, Instagram, and more Connect with Sarah Michelle Boes

A lot of people don't know I'm quietly a musician... Writing music has had a massive impact on my ability to write copy!  This episode is powerful. Content Syndicate member, Annelise LeCheminant, shares amazing tips and tools that every entrepreneur can use from writing songs.  ⭐️ Swipe Annelise's 101 songwriting prompts and learn about the Fifty Songs Challenge: https://www.envoleemusicacademy.com/  Learn more about The Content Syndicate, my most exclusive mastermind: https://pedersenrachel.wufoo.com/forms/myoc8yv09gaats/ —------------------------------ Want to grow your business without the overwhelm?  I've got tons of free business and marketing resources packed with strategies you can start using right now: https://beacons.ai/themrspedersen Ready for a deeper dive? My book (yep, it's a USA Today Best Seller!) breaks down exactly how to get there: https://hayhs.com/u_pp_hc_az From Welfare to 8 Figures | Hay House Author | Marketing Strategist | Mom of 3 ❤️ —------------------------------ Hi, I'm Rachel Pedersen.  Some people call me the Queen of Social Media... but I didn't start there. My story isn't a straight line. It's a rollercoaster filled with mistakes, lessons, wins, and growth.  Here's a little bit of the backstory:  2010: Became a mom at 21. Unplanned, unprepared, but determined. 2011: Became an alcoholic single mom on welfare. Rock bottom? Pretty much. 2012: Enrolled in hair school to turn my life around. Graduated with 5 job offers from the top salons in my city. 2013: Landed a job at a top salon. It felt like the start of something new. 2014: Met my husband. Married him 13 days later (yep, 13 days). 2015: We had another baby and both changed careers. Life kept evolving. 2016: Got my first real social media management client, got sober, and went viral—all in the same year. 2017: Replaced my 9-5 income, resigned, and retired my husband too. Freedom tasted good. 2018: Crossed $1,000,000 in my business and welcomed baby #3. Growth in business and family. 2019: Built a second business to $1,000,000. Turns out lightning can strike twice. 2020: Hired my dream team and scaled both businesses to 7 figures. Leadership became my new obsession. 2021: Landed a dream book deal with Hay House and gave a TEDx Talk. A surreal “pinch me” year. 2022: Hit a wall. Complete mental breakdown. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Faced my trauma, did the hard healing work, and came out stronger. 2023: Began writing fiction books with my husband - and testing out more creative marketing campaigns. Went mega-viral multiple times, too! 2024: Started our consulting company, Pelanora, and scaled some pretty cool businesses.  2025: About to be the most exciting year yet! Today, I run multiple 7-figure businesses, help entrepreneurs scale without losing their sanity, and teach marketing strategies that actually work. No gimmicks, no sleazy tactics, just authentic growth. Success isn't about having a perfect story - it's about writing your own, one messy, beautiful chapter at a time. Here are my marketing resources packed with strategies you can start using right now: https://beacons.ai/themrspedersen    

It's our monthly conversation about Spirituality and Politics. Joining Marielena and me in the first half of the show today is Marcina Hale, Program Director at Reconsider. She was on the show back in 2019. (Check out show #52 to hear her story). She is an Executive Producer of Fantastic Fungi, Producer of Disturbing the Peace and There is Another Way, and a facilitator for Reconsider's work ”play” shop experiences, which have been held in the U.S. and internationally. Marcina spoke at TEDxKC Women about how to change the world in which we are living. Marcina's vision is to catalyze the creation of experiences that evoke thought and conversations that both challenge and inspire new ways of relating to ourselves and to life itself.There Is Another Way tells the story of a group of visionaries who refuse to surrender to violence and injustice, and in doing so show that another path is possible - for them, for us, for all of humanity. As we are all faced with essential questions about who we are, will we choose collective liberation, where the needs, rights, and safety of all are prioritized - in which our humanity comes first, knowing that no one is free until everyone is free.Combatants for Peace, nominated for two Nobel Peace Prizes, is an extraordinary bi-national group of former enemy combatants -Israelis and Palestinians - working together during an ongoing armed conflict. Faced with the devastation and escalating violence of October 7th and the war in Gaza, the very core of the movement must face great challenges and show that there is another way. The first question they have to face is their own belief... Is this possible?Reconsider is hosting a virtual screening of the film this Thursday, June 12th and an in person screening at the Rosendale Theater on July 25th.Our conversation inspires some deep reflection on what we believe is possible, and what we're doing to hold that vision for peace.Marielena shares info about the upcoming "Voices Unbound," Art Exhibit from incarcerated women at Unison following their Art Spark Program. June 21st opening from 1-5pm. The show will run through July. We talked about Art Spark last month on Spirituality and Politics.Here's your Full Moon Report!Today's show was engineered by Ian Seda from Radiokingston.org.Our show music is from Shana Falana!Feel free to email me, say hello: she@iwantwhatshehas.org** Please: SUBSCRIBE to the pod and leave a REVIEW wherever you are listening, it helps other users FIND IThttp://iwantwhatshehas.org/podcastITUNES | SPOTIFYITUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/i-want-what-she-has/id1451648361?mt=2SPOTIFY:https://open.spotify.com/show/77pmJwS2q9vTywz7Uhiyff?si=G2eYCjLjT3KltgdfA6XXCAFollow:INSTAGRAM * https://www.instagram.com/iwantwhatshehaspodcast/FACEBOOK * https://www.facebook.com/iwantwhatshehaspodcast

North Carolina Republicans reelected Jason Simmons as party chairman Saturday. He’ll be responsible for raising funds and organizing get-out-the-vote efforts for Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. WRAL State Government Reporter Paul Specht spoke with Simmons ahead of the election. Specht shares details of the interview — including Simmons’ take on U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis’s upcoming reelection bid and President Donald Trump’s efforts on tariffs.

Quaranteam – Book 1: Part 3 A New family. Based on a post by CorruptingPower, in 25 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels. Chapter 7 That evening, Andy and the girls decided to curl up in bed and watch some television with Niko asleep next to them. At first, Andy was worried that the volume would be high enough to wake up their newest addition, but Aisling assured him nothing was going to stir her from her slumber. Sure enough, despite the volume of the show “ a Spanish Netflix crime drama called La Casa De Papel “ Niko didn't budge an inch. Andy fell asleep with Aisling pressed up against his right side and Lauren pressed up against his left, both of their heads resting against his chest. When he'd first started sleeping with Aisling in his bed, he'd had trouble falling asleep easily. It wasn't something his body had any regular experience with, so it had to be trained. He'd had similar trepidation when Lauren joined them. But now, having had both of the girls for nearly three weeks, he'd grown comfortable with their bodies nestled against his. In the middle of the night, he was in the middle of a strange sex dream only to be woken to find Niko bobbing her head up and down on his cock, her lips latched around it firmly. Neither Lauren or Aisling had woken. Andy couldn't see Niko well in the low light of the wee hours, but her head was feverish, her mouth suctioning on his member until he popped a load against the back of her throat, a thankful, almost vulgar moan coming from the woman, as her tongue lathered over his cock to make sure no droplet remained. She was still spasming in orgasm long after he was done. Once she'd finished licking his cock clean, she crawled back up into the bed, and moved to lay against Lauren's side, folding one arm over the Aussie. Andy fell back asleep almost immediately. When dawn broke, Andy awoke to find Niko straddling his hips, his cock lodged up inside of her snatch. He often woke up with a hard on, but Ash and Lauren had agreed to let him at least wake up in the morning before having a go at him. Clearly no one had informed Niko. He didn't feel bad taking a better look at her now, her tits pressed together between her arms as her hands rest against his chest, while her hips snapped back and forth. Her skin was a deep tan, her nipples a chocolate brown, her hair a jet black. She wasn't tall, about the same height as Aisling so half a foot shorter than Andy, and a full foot shorter than Lauren. She was muscular, toned, a life of military training having kept her very in shape. His orgasm wasn't strong, but it came on quick. By this point, Andy was a little surprised he wasn't cumming dust. As soon as his orgasm hit, she fell forward against his chest, burying her face in the crook of his neck. Aisling and Lauren were both already awake, each with a hand on one of Niko's thighs affectionately. "God damn, sorry about that, sir," Niko laughed, breathy and still shaking. "2nd Lieutenant Niko RedWolf, reporting for her new life, sir. I think my head's finally clear again." "Wasn't it before?" Andy asked. She shook her head, lifting her head up enough so she could look down and smile at him, her hair threatening to spill out of her ponytail at a moment's notice. "Would you believe this is the first time it's actually registered to me what you look like, sir?" She had a mischievous smile and kind brown eyes. "They may have told me your name, but I don't think it cut through the fog. Who are you?" Andy blanched. "My name's Andy Rook. What do you mean, you don't think it cut through the fog?" Niko looked over at Lauren, who scooted a little bit to one side, so Niko could slide off of the top of him and in against his side. "I serve on the Air Force base where they were testing the vaccine, and I agreed to be a test candidate. The two men who were injected with it died immediately, but I and the other female officer seemed fine. At first. Within a few days of it, I started feeling, well, pardon my saying so, sir, but I started feeling horny all the time. The other female officer as well." Aisling smirked over at Niko. "Permission to swear freely is habitually granted in this home, 2nd Lieutenant. In fact, Andy likes a girl with a filthy mouth," she giggled, slapping his thigh. He wilted a little bit, but then nodded in confirmation to Niko. "It's true." "Duly noted, sir," Niko answered. "Anyway, they didn't know about the side effects during the early testing stages, but it started to become pretty fucking apparent to them when I would continually get all fidgety. I tried to resist as long as I could, but eventually I was jilling off in bathroom stalls every chance I could get. Within a week or two, they had an answer, and the program was born." "The Air Force developed the vaccine?" "You think those morons in private research were going to do it this fast? Hell no." Niko snuggled in, trying to get as comfortable as possible pressed up against his chest. "So they figured out that they could introduce the vaccine to men by sexual contact with a vaccinated woman, and that it seemed to help quell the insane need to fuck all the time that women given the vaccine were feeling." "If you were one of the first people to be given the vaccine, then why weren't you partnered up with someone immediately?" Lauren asked. "I wasn't fond of being subservient to a man, so I told them I wanted someone who would keep me on equal ground. But because the nature of my work with Air Force, I also needed someone who would have Top Secret level clearance." Andy's eyes widened. "I sure as hell don't have that." "No, you don't, but you'd mostly been vetted for it Your friend Phil Pak has been trying to get you to come and work with him for a long while, so they'd done all the legwork, and decided to call it good enough." "I also happen to have a mess of partners, Niko. Are you sure that's going to be okay?" "It's all been taken care of, otherwise they wouldn't have sent me here." Niko's eyes suddenly widened. "Oh my god, I haven't even introduced myself to your other partners." Aisling winked at her. "You had hard fucking to do, love. I'm Aisling Blake, I'm from Dublin originally. Everyone around here calls me Ash. I do graphic design." She shook Niko's hand, but Niko pulled her over Andy's head and pressed a kiss against Aisling's lips above him, one which Ash was perfectly happy to reciprocate. "And who's the giantess surfer behind me?" Niko said, pulling back and turning around. "Lauren Herron. I'm a personal trainer for the '49ers." "An Irish girl and an Aussie. About time you got some American blood in this mix." Andy laughed. "That's what my roommate's partner Lily said." "Where are you from, Niko?" "The Rosebud reservation in South Dakota. I'm half Lakota, one quarter Mexican and one quarter Japanese. I know, it's quite the cocktail, but we've all got stories." It was nearly noon when they all got out of bed. Niko was the youngest of all of them, only twenty two. Ash was twenty seven, Lauren thirty five and Andy himself just shy of forty. Andy was worried that Niko might consider him too old, but Niko assured him that his age was not a concern for her. As a matter of fact, she liked older men. She found younger men too emotionally volatile for her tastes. She'd actually read one of his books, but the problem was that it was "The Trouble With Were Bears," the book he was least proud of. She'd said she found the main character interesting, but the plot rather confusing. He assured her the other ones were better, and she seemed eager to read them. The fuck lust, as Niko described it, would be with the girls for the rest of their lives. The longer they went without reconnecting with Andy, the more their judgment would be compromised, the harder it would be to think clearly. They would become like junkies in need of a fix. They would be easily agitated, quick tempered and even violent if they felt it would get them back to their pusher “ Andy. When Niko had arrived at Andy's condo, she had been so out of it that even now she couldn't recall the events he related back to her. Her first memory in weeks had been being in bed with him this morning, even as she crawled atop of him. She knew that he was her mate. She wasn't sure how she knew that, but she could feel it, sense it. And when he'd had his third orgasm inside of her within less than a day, the imprinting had finally settled in and peeled back the cloud from her consciousness. While Lauren was on leave until the pandemic had receded, Niko would be working from the condo. Although she was a qualified pilot, her service in the Air Force was as a data analyst, and a secure connection was being set up on site for her to use. Until then, she had a bit of a break. It was a Saturday, and the girls decided they wanted to work on their tans. The condo had a small back yard that was fenced off. While the neighbors in the condos on either side would be able to peer down and see them, the girls had decided to sunbathe topless. Lily had even decided to join them, although she bitched about the heat, which was pushing over a hundred. Andy spent the afternoon filling Eric in on all the information he'd gotten over the last two days “ what Phil had told him, what Niko had told him, all of it. Eric, in return, had filled in Andy with what he'd learned from work over the last few weeks. While Lily, Andy and Eric all knew who Eric worked for, they'd been a little bit vague with the girls, always joking that Eric worked for a think tank that didn't do anything interesting, but soon they were going to have to fill them in. Eric worked for a company called Long Thought Research and Development, but the truth of the matter was that they were a remote analyst cell for the CIA. Long Thought handled problems that were overwhelming in the abstract and deadly in application “ they were responsible for terrorist profiling, weapons migration modeling, political theater simulations and a whole lot more. Over the last few weeks, they'd been working on building a new model, one which had Eric worried. Theoretically, every member of Long Thought was supposed to be sectioned off, working on only a singular aspect of the problem so that no one analyst could get an idea of what the simulation was intended to determine. It was supposedly to avoid confirmation bias, but Eric had considered that explanation bullshit as of late. So he'd done a little bit of data gathering from his coworkers on the sly, and come up with a working theory. The model was designed to see how the world's new normal would pan out if 37.5% of the male population of Earth died out to a pandemic. This pandemic. Niko had wandered in before the rest of the girls, while Andy and Eric stood in the kitchen, staring at one another. Then she'd offered her own information, to help talk Andy out of what he'd been thinking about. Because Andy had been thinking about going to the press. She'd explained to him that for the time being, all of the information had to remain secret, or a nationwide panic would ensue. The vaccine that the Air Force had developed was starting to be deployed to major metropolitan areas on a very specific basis. And when a mayor, a governor, a representative or a senator had put up a fuss, Niko hinted that that particular politician had been exposed to the virus and then offered a choice “ they could take the vaccine, and be mated for life to one (or in some cases many) person, or they could deny the vaccine worked, and would be allowed to die. Only one governor had chosen to decline the vaccine, and while the Air Force had respected their wishes, they didn't allow the governor to tell anyone about the vaccine and its side effects. They did allow the governor to die, though. Niko explained to the two men that there were probably only a hundred or so people in the country with the full picture of what was going on, and that was by design, because already the virus was starting to take its toll on other countries. While some countries had done excellent jobs at containing the spread of it, others were on the verge of collapse. And the CIA was debating on what countries were worth saving and which weren't. England, Ireland and Australia were already in the process of being brought up to speed about the vaccine, but the complete details were only being given to them on an as needed basis. The pairing program had been confirmed to the outside world, but the side effects of the vaccine had been kept hush hush. On some level, the Air Force was convinced that foreign governments would laugh themselves at being told that the vaccine had crazy sexual side effects until they had gotten a chance to experience them for themselves. "Shit," Andy grumbled. "The ex-journalist in me feel like I'm sitting on the story of the century here, and I can't tell anybody." Niko squeezed his hand softly. "You're a good man, Andy Rook, which is why I'm happy to be mated to you, but you have to consider the ramifications of what would happen if you revealed all of this to the public." "The whole goddamn world would explode," Eric sighed. "I know. I've seen the data. And that's not the worst of it." "What's the worst of it then?" Andy asked. "The worst of it is that we're going to have to let a billion men die off for the planet to stabilize. It's going to be the biggest culling since World War Two, and even that wasn't a drop in the bucket compared to what this is." The three stood in silence for a long time. "How does anyone make these kinds of decisions?" Andy whispered. "You don't have to. We don't have to," Niko said, wrapping an arm around him. "You can't save the whole world, Andy, but you can save us. Hell, you've already saved those two amazing women out there. And they've been so nice to me, even though I apparently fucked you at your desk before even introducing myself." She blushed a little. "I still don't remember that. Did you watch, Eric?" Eric laughed, lifting the Collins glass full of scotch to his lips. "Are you kidding? Lily would've kicked the shit out of me if I did." "Oh, I dunno," Andy chuckled. "If you asked, she might let you watch." "Well, I don't intend to ask. She already has me waking up sore most mornings." "That's just the exercise from all the fucking you're doing," Andy said. "You're out of practice, just like me, and hell, I've got three women to satisfy." "Soon to be four," Niko giggled. "I'm sure it's every man's dream." "I'm just waiting for the first big fight to occur, because I know it's coming sooner or later." "That's future Andy's problem," Niko said, turning his face down so she could kiss him for a moment. "Besides, Ash made it pretty clear just because you're tired of giving me my medicine doesn't mean you get to skimp out on your promise to her." Andy groaned playfully. "I'm going to be running dry in a few days at this rate." "Oh I wouldn't worry too much about that, Andy," Eric said with a laugh. "The fall will probably kill you." "Yeah, well, you just keep thinking, Butch," Andy countered. "That's what you're good at." "What are the cats' names?" "The Russian blue is Muninn, and the black one is Huginn." "Odd names." "It's the name for Odin's two ravens, thought and wisdom," Eric said. "We were on a Norse mythology kick when we got them as kittens." "They friendly?" "Oh sure," Andy said. "They're just getting used to this many people being in the house at one time. If you put out their food enough times, they'll start cuddling up to you any chance they get. Ash decided she was going to befriend them right after she got here, and Muninn'll hop up into her lap when she's working at the table some days and just settle there. That's why Eric built her the foot rest, so she can put her legs up and Muninn'll sit there quietly." Niko looked back and forth between the two men for a minute. "How the hell were you two single before any of us showed up?" "Women don't like nerds," Eric grumbled. Andy raised a finger, arguing the point. "No, they like nerds alright, but they don't seem to understand that nerds like aggressive women and are terrible at making the first move. So nerds don't get the love they deserve." Niko looked out into the back yard, where the girls were gathering up their things, wrapping towels around their waists. "I dunno. You two seem to have done pretty well for yourselves at this point." Andy smirked, cocking his head to one side. "Sure, but luck is like the weather. Wait a few minutes and it'll change." A storm of bad luck was, indeed, just over the horizon. Chapter 8 The next few days involved a lot of time getting settled, as Andy learned more about the girls who now shared his life. They also spent time learning about each other. Andy spent time trying to get some writing done on another Druid Gunslinger novel, and when he got into a zone, the girls made a pact not to disturb him, especially if he started typing away badly. That gave them plenty of time to dig into each other's history, and the girls began to scheme and plan. They took great fun in learning each other's turn ons and offs, and to figure out how to quell their own wild desires, to try new experiences. The girls also took an interest in reading the seven books Andy had written in the Druid Gunslinger series, with Aisling going so far as to even mock up a movie poster for one of them, which delighted Andy to no end. It was starting to become obvious that the condo wasn't designed to hold this many people, however. At night, things were fine because everyone was packed in their beds, but during the day, people were having to work around one another. Aisling and Niko set up their laptops at the dining room table, while Lauren spent much of the day either working out in the backyard, or reading in a deck chair. Andy and Eric each had their own desk, Andy's in the dining room and Eric's in the living room. Lily seemed perfectly comfortable coding in the living room on the couch. When Andy's last partner showed up, she would have to either share space in the backyard or the couch in the living room. The dining room table might fit a third workspace, but it would be a very tight fit. There had been nice surprises, however. Both Lauren and Aisling were excellent cooks, each with radically different styles. Lauren focused on healthy cooking, while Ash was the master of lush, savory cooking that threatened waistlines just from the very smell of it. The cats had taken well to their new housemates, keeping themselves entertained while everyone was working. From time to time, they would hop onto people's laps, or walk across their laptops, but for the most part, they were just happy to have people to be around who might be willing to pet them in a spare moment. But they were starting to feel the limitations of the condo, and the heat wasn't helping. They had fans running nonstop, but the condo didn't have centralized air conditioning. When it had just been the two of them, they were able to manage by closing the windows and drawing the drapes, because the condo was nicely shaded by trees. But with six people, that wasn't holding up as well. By the time it started to cool down in the evening, a light funk had started to fill the place. And there was still one more person to show up. The camaraderie between them all had helped diffuse the tension, even as they delved into each other's past. Andy had gotten to know some of Aisling's siblings, especially Dermot, who had refused to let Andy off the line the first time they'd talked until he'd promised to send him an advance reader copy of "High Noon At Stonehenge," the upcoming Druid Gunslinger book that had started Andy down this whole journey. Turning on the news every night had been hard to watch, simply because it didn't jibe with the information they had at their own fingertips. As Phil had predicted, the government was doing its best to downplay the casualties, reporting false numbers to make it sound like everything was under control. And while reports of the vaccination program were starting to get out to the masses, nobody was talking about the side effects. Why, Andy kept asking himself, why oh why was nobody talking about the side effects? They were wrapping up a day's worth of work when Niko looked over at Andy with a soft smile. Aisling and Lauren had headed upstairs a few minutes earlier. "I've sort of been monopolizing you for a few days, Andy, so Ash and Lauren have a little surprise cooked up for you while I work late tonight. I'll be up in a few hours to crawl into bed, but you should go up to your room and enjoy what they've got up their sleeves." "You okay with that?" Andy said. He'd been navigating a whirlwind of emotions since the girls had come into his life, and was doing his best to make sure nobody ever felt left out, and that everyone also got a turn being the center of attention. "Oh relax. If I wasn't, I wouldn't have said so. And I did demand a mess of attention when I got here, so it's only fair I tap out of a couple of play sessions. Gimme a kiss and then go have your fun." She tilted her head upward as he smiled and leaned down, pressing his lips against hers. He'd meant to give her a quick kiss, but she folded her hand against the back of his neck and pulled him in to make it much more intense, practically searing him with the heat. "And Lauren's going to be a little nervous, and you're going to want to go easy on her. Don't, okay? She wants what she's offering, so don't deny her that. You'll know what she wants. Give it to her." "Yes ma'am." He offered her a mock salute and she reached over and swatted his ass. "Don't be a smartass. Now get your butt upstairs." Andy shutdown his desktop and then headed up the stairs. The door to his room was closed. Eric and Lily had been in their room for about an hour already, and he could hear the sounds of moans behind their closed door. Lily and Eric both started and ended their days earlier than Andy and his girls. Whenever a door was closed in the house, the rule was that you always knocked. So there was Andy, once again, knocking on the door to his own bedroom. "Come on in, luv," Aisling said. Andy stepped into his own bedroom, and saw Aisling sitting on the corner of the bed. On her knees on the floor next to her was Lauren, with her hands folded together in front of her. She wore absolutely nothing, except for a collar attached to a leash, the end of which was in Aisling's hand. He closed the door behind himself, feeling Huginn skitter in just before he did. "So what's all this then?" "Well love," Aisling said, "Lauren has a request. A couple of requests, actually. Don't you, slut?" Lauren licked her lips nervously, not speaking, but nodding in agreement. Aisling took the leash by the midpoint and used the end to give Lauren a smack on the back like a mock lash. "I asked you a question, Lauren. Answer me." "Sorry, Mistress," Lauren said. "Yes, Master, your slut would like to make a coupla humble requests, if that's good." What Niko had told him just a few minutes rung in his ears once more before he spoke. "You may ask. Whether I'll grant them or not remains to be seen, but if you don't ask, you risk nothing, you gain nothing. Speak." "Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. The other birds and I were talkin', and Aisl, Mistress Aisling was telling' us about her first time being taken in the back, an' I wanted to have a go at it." "Taken in the back?" Aisling gave her another playful smack with the leash end. "What did I tell you, whore? Speak plainly and dirty, otherwise he's not going to know what you want." "The ass, sir. I wanna be fucked in the ass." "That's one request. What's the other?" Andy said, moving a little closer to the two women. "You've been so wonderful and kind with me, Andy, but I want to see the other side of ya. I wanna rough go at it. Pull me hair, spank my ass, pinch me nips, ride my hard, pound me hard, make it hurt. Don't break me, but take me right up to that edge." Andy reached down and pinched one of Lauren's nipples between his fingertips, his grip holding firm and clamping even tighter than he would've normally. He expected to hear a whimper of pain from Lauren, but instead, a deep throated moan poured from her, and her hips almost rutted forward. "That what you're looking for?" "Fuck yes, Master." "If you want to be fucked in the ass, Lauren, you're going to need to get my cock good and slick. Going in dry would do some damage." Aisling giggled a little bit, and reached behind her, grabbing a tube of lubricant, handing it down to Lauren. Andy peeled his shirt off and felt Lauren's hands prying his jeans open, nearly ripping them down his legs. It wasn't until she'd gotten them down there that she realized he was still wearing his shoes from having walked out to the mailbox earlier. "Oh, you useless cunt, girl," Lauren said to herself. "Forgot to get his runners off." He certainly didn't go easy on her, and she certainly seemed to enjoy herself. Niko had slipped into bed with them an hour or so later, and the four of them drifted off to sleep. But it wasn't going to be a long and restful night for Andy. There was a knock on the door in the middle of the night. Aisling and Lauren were on his left and Niko was on his right, so he only had to move past her to get to the door. He saw her stir a little when he crawled out of bed, but he was able to avoid disturbing her too much. He pulled on a pair of boxers, tugged on a t shirt and opened the door to his room to see Eric and Lily standing outside. Eric curled his fingers at Andy to come out of his room. Andy nodded and stepped out into the hallway, then followed Eric and Lily downstairs to the living room. "Andy, we," Lily started, then paused, then started again, "I need your help." "Help?" Andy said, looking over at Eric. "What kind of help can I provide? I'm a writer, for fuck sake." "My roommate, well, my former roommate, she was given the vaccine, but,” Lily motioned for Andy to sit on the couch, so he did. "Look, Jenny's a nice girl. She's a little naive, and occasionally she's a bit daft, but she's a nice girl. She wasn't prepared for this." "Prepared for what?" Andy said. "What's happening?" "They delivered her to the man who was supposed to be her partner, and he took a swing at her, said he wanted to put her in her place before he'd let her have a taste of his seed. He tried to hit her, the fucking bastard. But Jenny's been studying aikido since she was six, and she broke his arm defending herself and ran. Even as horny as she was, she wasn't going to let someone push her around. So she fled and she's in hiding, and I can't let that stand, so we need to go and get her." "Go get her? Go and get her? And do what with her?" "I don't know, alright?" Lily said, raising her voice for a second. "I'm thinking we can take her to one of my coworkers and pair them up." "Isn't the government doing match ups? Aren't they going to be pissed that she isn't with who she's supposed to be?" "Look at me, Andy," Lily said, pointing her fingertips at her eyes. "Do I look like I give a shit what the government thinks? They didn't even do a proper check on the guy they were connecting her to. They paired her up with some abusive asshole with a history of violence towards partners. That isn't going to fly, okay?" "Let's go get her, and then we can figure out what to do with her, okay?" Eric suggested. "I'm sure one of us is going to regret this," Andy said, heading back upstairs to grab his socks and shoes. Before the plague had hit, even at three in the morning, there would've been at least a few cars on the road, but now, everyone was staying at home nearly all the time, which meant the freeway felt like a ghost town. That was for the best, because despite it not raining that much in the Bay Area, tonight it was pouring like a flood was coming. And people in the Bay were terrible drivers in the rain. It wasn't a short drive, and after a bit, Andy started to get a bit nervous. "How far up into the hills are we going, Lily? We're more than half way up to San Francisco at this point." "She's up here in Hillsborough, camped out in someone's vacant house since she fled from the asshole. I'm more worried that the cops have shown up to haul her ass to jail." "Or us," Eric said., They're gonna arrest us for being out under curfew." "Quit whining, baby," Lily said to him. "Right up there, on the left, 2885." There were in a very posh neighborhood in Hillsborough, with mansions on either side of them. There was plenty of space in between the houses, something that was mostly at a premium in the Bay. "You wait here with the engine running, Andy, in case we have to bolt quickly. Eric and I will be right back with her." Lily and Eric hopped out of the car, closing the doors and heading over to the house, and left Andy to wait. A minute or so later, a helicopter flew overhead, low and with a spotlight shining down, but it was off to the side and the beam of light cut through some back yard three or four streets over. Andy wasn't sure if they were looking for Lily's friend Jenny or not, but he hoped the police had other things on their mind. The wait was nearly unbearable. After ten minutes, Eric and Lily came back out of the house, a third person between them, hanging on, covered in a blanket it looked like had probably been stolen from whatever house she'd been hiding in. Eric held open the door and Lily loaded the woman into Andy's back seat before Lily ushered the girl into the car, crawling in after her as Eric slid into the front passenger's seat. "I think the cops are close, Andy," Lily hissed at him. "Fucking drive already!" As soon as both doors slammed shut, Andy's foot was off the brake and the car was in motion. It was hard to look back behind him, but after a few blocks he had to stop at a red light and glanced over his shoulder as he had to wait, and saw a familiar face resting her head in Lily's lap. "Jesus Lily, you didn't say your roommate was Jenny Carnero!" "Who's Jenny Carnero?" Eric asked. "She's the goddamn weather forecaster for channel 2." "How the hell would you know that?" Lily asked. "Neither of you strike me as Fox News watchers." "It's the only thing they had on over at 24 Hour Fitness when I went to work out, so I saw her all the time." "It was a job, Andy," Lily said. "I also didn't expect you to hold a grudge." "It's not that, Lily," Andy sighed. "She's going to be noticed missing. It's not like she's somebody we can just keep hidden without people knowing where she is. The minute she goes into work, the guy she's supposed to be with will know where to fucking find her, and that means they'll come for her." "By that point, she'll already be imprinted on someone, so it won't fucking matter," Lily growled. "And it won't be that asshole who tried to hit her." The girl whimpered, her head squirming in Lily's lap. "Lily," she whined, "Lily, it hurts. Need cock." "Soon, Jenny, soon. It won't be long." "Not long, Now," Jenny said, her voice starting to sound almost violent. "Give cock." "Oh shit, her nose is bleeding," Eric said, his eyes back on Jenny's face. "Just pull over and Andy can fuck her." "Excuse me, but I've already got three girls, and supposedly one more on the way. Why don't you fuck her?" "Because Lily says I can't." "Andy, stop the car," Lily said. "Eric, get back here." "But you said,” "I know what I fucking said, you little shit, but I'll have to fucking learn to deal with it, won't I? Get back here and let her suck you off while Andy's driving us home." Andy brought the car to a stop at the next red light, and Lily swapped places with Eric. As soon as Eric was sitting in the back seat, Jenny was practically ripping his pants off, fishing out his cock before slamming her mouth down on it. "Lily, are you sure about this?" Eric said, nervousness apparent in his voice. "Give it to her, Eric. She and I were good friends, we will be again. It'll just be an adjustment." Andy kept his eyes pointing forward for the rest of the drive as Eric got blown in his back seat. Chapter 9 The next day Andy was struggling to figure out a plan. He'd been running it around in his head for hours, trying to see some easy way through this, but he kept coming back to the same inevitable point “ he needed Phil's help. God, he was tired of having to ask Phil for help. "You're vexed, Andy," Niko said to him, placing her hand on his shoulder. He'd been sitting at his desk, and he looked back over his shoulder to her. "How can you tell?" "You've been looking at that computer screen for almost an hour and haven't typed a word, babe," she said, leaning in to kiss him on the cheek. "That's vexed. We haven't been together long, but I recognize when you're vexed. I do the same, when I'm thinking very hard about something. I stare and I fret, while I'm vexed." "You seem rather like a badass, Niko. You sure you're going to be okay, being saddled with a square like me?" She laughed. It was a sound he was quickly learning to love, confident and yet still somehow a little cheeky. "You've been keeping this house together despite all the chaos. That doesn't seem square to me." "You know I'm like a dozen years your elder, right?" "I won't tell anyone if you won't. So how can I help? What are you vexed by?" "Last night, our little voyage out, we brought back a new girl for Eric. She's Lily's former roommate. She was supposed to be with someone else, but apparently the man she was paired up with has a history of domestic abuse, and so Lily insisted we rescue her and paired her up with Eric so no one could pull her away." "So you're trying to figure out how to tell the government about how she's paired up with someone different? What makes you think they're even going to notice?" "She's a weather reporter on one of the local news stations, so people are going to notice. I think I've got a solution, but I just hate to do it. I feel like I'm always leaning on this friend to help us out." "Oh? Someone you've told me about?" "Phil. I've mentioned him. In fact, you should probably meet Phil. I'm just tired of constantly asking him for help." "Do you really ask him for help a bunch, or does it just feel like it and you're overreacting?" she grinned. "Probably the latter, but it doesn't always feel like that." Andy grabbed his phone and loaded up the Signal messenger app. He and Phil used it to keep their communication private. “Meet up in an hour at the usual spot? Almost immediately he got a response. “Make it 2. "Okay, looks like I've got a meeting set up. Phil's been our man on the inside for this whole pandemic. He works for a company that contracts for the military, and while he can't tell us exact details about what's going on, he can help paint in some of the corners. Phil will know how to get all this sorted out." "How long have you two known each other?" "Nearly 20 years? He's good people. Why don't you come with me?" "Sure, lemme go throw some pants on." A couple hours later, Andy and Niko had headed back to the park to meet up with Phil, who didn't bring Audrey with him. He was dressed wrapped in head to toe, much like he was the last time, a mask over his face and goggles over his eyes, with a ball cap pulled down over his jet black hair. Andy was dressed much the same. Niko didn't feel the need to wear goggles, and had her hair drawn back into a ponytail. Phil kept a good distance from them, pushing his vape pen behind his mask to take a drag from it, then tugged the mask down briefly to blow out a cloud of vapor into the air. "So what's the 911 call about, Andy?" "First, let me introduce you, "2nd Lieutenant Redwolf," Phil said, cutting him off. "Mr. Marcos," Niko replied. "Didn't know your name was Phil." "I'm surprised you even remember me, Redwolf. You were pretty out of it when I sort nudged you towards Andy." Andy cocked his head. "You sent her my way?" "She's part of our tribe, Andy. Geek cred through and through, and I figured it wouldn't hurt to have her kept in the family, so I just made a connection in the system. She had decent odds to end up with you anyway, but why take a chance, right?" "Guess I owe you one then, Mr. Marcos," Niko said. Phil swiped his hand in the air. "Then I'll call in that favor to insist you never, ever call me Mr. Marcos unless we're at work. Deal?" "I can make that promise." "This what you called me about, Andy?" Phil said, finally stepping a little further back, pulling off his mask so he could just continually draw from the vape pen. "Nah. I've got a bigger problem. So Eric's picked up a runaway." Phil frowned a little bit. "How do you mean?" "So Eric's partner, Lily. She had a roommate before the whole pandemic, name of Jenny. Now apparently Jenny was set up with some guy." "That's how it works, Andy." "I get that, Phil. But it turns out the guy she was set up with was some kind of domestic abuser." "Wait, what?" Phil scowled. "That sort of thing should've shown up before he got paired up with anyone." "I dunno. Maybe it didn't get reported before, maybe this was his first time and he was trying it on. But before Jenny could get imprinted on him, he tried to take a swing at her." "Fuck. She okay?" "She's got some self-defense training, so she got away from the guy unscathed and went into hiding." "You get the guy's name?" "I can have Eric send it to you. But that's not the big concern. The big concern is that once we rescued her, she imprinted onto Eric. And she's a talking head." "Shit," Phil said, taking another drag. "News?" "Weather." Phil swiped a hand back in the air again. "Send me her name. I'll get it taken care of. Don't even trip about it. That's the least of our problems right now." "Shit getting bad, sir, I mean Phil?" Niko asked. "You have no idea." "How bad?" Andy asked. "We're looking at ten to twenty before it's all done." "Ten to twenty million people dead? Jesus!" "No, percent. We're talking ten to twenty percent of America dead, mostly men. We're guessing it'll end up around sixty million dead before the vaccine's in full effect in the middle of next year." Phil took a heavy drag, and the news hung in the air like a guillotine's blade. "The news is going to break any day now how fatal the new mutation of the virus is getting, and then everything'll be crazy. The army's going to be deployed here on US soil and martial law's going to go into effect. President Pelosi's at least been quick about it, and she's bunkered down. News hasn't broken yet, but the orange gooomba died on the operating table a couple of hours ago. Looks like milquetoast will be next in a couple of days." "Forty or fifty million men dead? That's nearly half of the male population!" Niko said. "How the hell are we going to recover from that?" "We're going to have to pair up a lot more women with the remaining men, and encourage them to have a whole shitload of kids," Phil sighed. "But even with that, it's going to be a fucking mess for a generation. Which reminds me, when you go home, I want you to start packing up your things." "Packing?" Andy asked. "What do you mean?" "I mean, start figuring out the absolute minimum you would need to take with you if you had to leave in a hurry, and then get anything that might take a few minutes packed up. Anything else, just have it at the ready." "Should I be worried?" "Nah, but it wouldn't hurt to be a little prepared." "What's happening, Phil?" "I can't tell you that yet, but the world's gonna keep on changing, and it doesn't hurt to be ready for it." "Yeah, okay." "You'll actually be very happy after it happens, man. Trust me." "If you say so." "Trust Big Daddy Phil." Andy rolled his eyes. "I trust you about as far as I can throw you, and that ain't very far." "You'll see." His watch beeped and Phil turned it up to look at it. "I gotta get back into the office. Send me Eric's new girl's name and the guy she was supposed to be hooked up with, and I'll make a few edits into the system." "You know Phil, there are days it feels like you're seriously into some black bag shit." "Only some days?" Phil said, taking one final drag off his vape pen before blowing a huge cloud up and into the air. It smelled vaguely of cinnamon buns, Andy noted. "Then I gotta up my game again. I'll see you soon, brother." He pulled his mask back up and headed back to his car. Andy and Niko watched him go, stretching out a little bit. "So you worked with Phil, huh?" Andy asked her. Her face scrunched up a little. "I was part of their security detail until I got exposed to the virus and then got quarantined. When the symptoms started to get severe, they used us as test cases for vaccinations and tried to pair us off. They were having trouble finding someone to match me with, based on my stated preferences before I got drugged." Andy smirked a little behind his mask. "I knew I wasn't exactly what you were looking for." "You're a little older than I initially wanted, Andy, but I don't have any complaints now that I'm with you. I was also a bit leery about sharing a partner with anyone, but it seems like that's going to be S O P moving forward." "S O P?" "Standard Operating Procedure. If Mr. Mar” if Phil's right about those casualty numbers, they're going to have to pair up a Lot of women to individual men. I bet you're going to get a bunch more than just the one more you're expecting." "Jesus, that's a whole lot of personalities to keep in balance," Andy grumbled. "I dunno if I'm up to that." "You don't have to do it alone, stupid head," she teased. "You've got Ash and me to help manage the cavalcade of women you're going to be saddled with. We'll try and keep everyone from killing one another and manage your time, although we're definitely going to have to continue getting you into better shape." "Lauren's started in on that, but frankly, I probably need to eat better." "And cut down on the soda. You've got a full nest to look after." "This scares the shit out of me," he sighed, leaning his back against a tree. "You know that, right?" Niko strolled over to him, a coy playfulness to her stride, as she moved close. "I know how to relax you." Andy arched an eyebrow beneath the goggles. "What, here?" "Who's going to see?" "We're in a public park, Niko!" "Ask me if I give a fuck," she said, as she dropped down to her knees, nuzzling her face against the crotch of his jeans. "Alright," he laughed, "Niko, do you give a fuh " His sentence was cut off as she pressed her mouth down along the length of his cock until the head of it was pressed against the back of her throat. She held it there for a good moment, long enough that he could feel her suppressing her gag reflex, straining back tears before she drew her head back and gasped in a deep breath of air. A playful giggle rolled from her lips, saliva dripping from them. "No sir, I fucking do not. But the faster you give me what I want, the faster we can go home," she said, moving to kiss at his balls, suckling on his nuts for a moment before moving her lips back to wrap around the head of his cock. "Now hold my hair back and fuck my face." Andy reached down and grabbed her silky ponytail with one hand, the other moving to curl his fingers against the back of her head as he pushed her face back down onto his cock. In response, she let out a wanton moan onto his cock, her hands reaching back to grab his ass, helping push her lips down to the base of his shaft, his balls pressing right against her chin. His hand holding her ponytail pulled her back, sliding her lips back to the head of his cock before pushing her face back down again, feeling her fingernails sinking into his jeans a bit more in response. He could swear he saw her hips thrusting forward beneath him, her legs spread wide, her knees almost pressed to the inside of his ankles. The pace quickened, as he thrust forward into her face while tugging her down onto each shove, whimpers that sounded delighted shivering across his skin between the sloppy sounds. He finally pulled her head back, letting her pop her head off his cock, just in case she wanted to tell him to stop, tell him she'd changed her mind, or whatever. Instead, she turned her eyes up to him. "Don't fucking stop. Fuck my face. Gimme that load of hot cum right against the back of my fucking throat. Please?" Her brown eyes were peering up at him as she licked her lips, and he could feel her struggling to try and lean even closer to him. He started to pump his cock into her mouth again, and suddenly he felt one of her hands slide away from his hips. He could see it push down the front of her jeans, and almost immediately, it came back up again and raised into the air towards his face. Her fingers were glistening, practically soaked, and he could smell her cunt on them as he leaned forward to lick them clean. Just as he did, he felt his balls draw up and his hand on the back of her head pressed her face down to the base of his cock as that orgasm shredded through him. He knew his cum was blasting into her throat, and could feel her spasming and trembling against him. It still boggled his mind, knowing that his orgasm triggered one immediately in his partner, and far more intense than he'd ever been able to bring a woman to before. His hands let go, giving Niko back control as she drew back, groaning in a carnal sound he hadn't yet grown accustomed to. Instead of pulling away, though, she started licking up, making sure to catch any loose jism or spittle from his shaft, her gaze never once leaving his, as she smirked while her tongue slathered him up. "See? Don't you feel less vexed?" He couldn't help it and started laughing, and it was infectious, because she immediately began giggling with him, even while she was lapping up the last of his spunk. "Okay, yes, you got me, I am certainly less vexed. How about you?" Niko smirked a bit, giving his cock one final lick before she pulled his boxers and jeans back up, rezipping and buttoning them up for him. "By now, you have to understand that your sperm is like a magic formula to us, your partners. It's exactly what we need and want every day. It's like giving a junkie a fix. Of course I feel better." She tugged up his shirt and kissed his stomach before pulling herself back up onto her feet. "I'd have kissed you but, "I don't mind that you just blew me, Niko," Andy chuckled. "Oh, that's not it at all. I just didn't want to share," she said with a wink, tapping one of her fingertips on his nose. "Girl's gotta keep every drop to herself any chance she can. Normally we try and pass a little of each load around, but here I get one all to myself. So I'm savoring that taste lingering on my lips. But we should get back to the house." "Fair enough." As soon as they got back to the house, Lily was waiting for them by the garage door. "Are we okay?" Niko smiled at her and gave the plump girl a huge. "Andy's got you covered, don't worry." She rubbed her spiky hair and then headed into the house, leaving the two together. "So get me the jackass's name from Jenny, and I'll get it to our friend Phil, who'll make sure it gets entered into the record that he's a domestic abuser." "Hopefully that means he won't get paired with anyone then." "Well, based on what Phil said in the Discord channel a week or so back, it's more likely they'll pair him with someone who can beat the shit out of him," Andy sighed. "Or, someone who's into that kind of thing. People are into all sorts of weird things out here." "You don't have to tell me twice," Lily said, exhaling a deep breath. "Jenny's been nuzzled up to Eric all morning, practically unwilling to let him go. I wasn't planning on sharing him with anyone, but if I have to share him with someone, I guess Jenny will be okay." Andy realized a second later, his face must have given something away. "What's with that look? You heard something else from Phil, didn't you?" "Yeah, it's pretty fucking scary out there, Lil." He shook his head then looked up. "You're probably going to be sharing Eric with quite a few other women. Men are dying left and right, and they're going to have to figure out how to keep the country afloat. That means the traditional family unit design is out the fucking window." "How bad can it really be if they're keeping it quiet?" "It's about to boil over. The estimate is we're going to lose nearly half the men in America." Her eyes looked to him as if she was waiting for the joke. When it didn't come, and the silence had hung in the air an uncomfortably long time, she finally spoke again. "Half? Fucking half? Fucking Half?" "Yeah, I can't say I'm thrilled about it either, Lily. I've got a lot of guy friends, and the idea of half of them just being fucking gone isn't exactly news I wanted to hear when I got up this morning, but I got it anyway." Andy tossed his hands up into the air. "And we can't fucking tell anyone! The news will out in a few days, but we have to be quiet about it until it is. Also, apparently we need to start packing." "Packing? What for?" "I guess we're going to be moved at some point. I guess we'll find out soon enough." Soon enough came the very next day. Andy and his usual gang of friends had a Discord channel they hung out on regularly, and they'd been using it for news on each other. And Phil poked his head in just before noon with a simple message: "@DruidGun 15 minutes." The household had spent part of the da

Last time we spoke about Japan's preparations for War. In late 1936, tensions soared in China as Nationalist General Chiang Kai-shek was detained by dissenting commanders who were frustrated with his focus on communism instead of the growing Japanese threat. Faced with escalating Japanese aggression, these leaders forced Chiang into a reluctant alliance with the Chinese Communist Party, marking a pivotal shift in China's strategy. Despite this union, China remained unprepared, lacking sufficient military supplies and modern equipment. Conversely, Japan, wary of Chinese modernization efforts, pushed for a preemptive strike to dismantle Chiang's regime before it could pose a serious threat. As aggressive military exercises intensified, Japan underestimated Chinese resilience. By spring 1937, both nations found themselves on the brink of war, with Japan's divided military leadership struggling to formulate a coherent strategy. Ultimately, these miscalculations would lead to the full-scale Sino-Japanese War, altering the course of history in East Asia.   #154 The Marco Polo Bridge Incident  Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Here we are at last, the beginning of the absolute cataclysm between China and Japan. Now as many of you know I run the Pacific War week by week podcast, which technically covers the second sino-japanese war, nearly to a T. So for this podcast I want to try and portray the event from the Chinese and Japanese point of view, but not in the rather dry manner of the other podcast. In the other podcast I am hampered by the week by week format and can never dig deep into the nitty gritty as they say. On the same hand I don't want to simply regurgitate every single battle of this conflict, it would be absolutely nuts. So bear with me friends as we fall down in the rabbit hole of madness together, who knows how long it will take to get out. On the night of July 7, 1937, at approximately 19:30, the 8th Squadron of the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Regiment of the Hebian Brigade of the Japanese Army, stationed in Fengtai and led by Squadron Leader Shimizu Seiro, conducted a military exercise, heading toward Lungwangmiao, approximately just under a mile northwest of the Marco Polo Bridge The exercise simulated an operation to capture the bridge. As you may have guessed it was named after the Italian explorer Marco Polo, who described it in his travels, the bridge is renowned for its intricate carvings of lions and other sculptures. However after 1937, the Marco Polo Bridge would be far less known for its history dealing with the venetian explorer and more so with an event that many would contend to be the start of WW2. At that time, troops from Japan, Britain, France, and Italy were stationed near Peiping in accordance with the Boxer Protocol of 1901. The Japanese China Garrison Army, comprising around 4,000 soldiers and commanded by Lieutenant-General Tashiro Kan'ichirō, was based in Tientsin. Its mission was to "maintain communication lines between Peiping and the seaports in the Gulf of Chihli and to protect Japanese citizens living in key areas of North China." The protocol also permitted the garrison forces of the signatory nations to conduct field drills and rifle practice without notifying the Chinese authorities, with the exception of cases involving live fire. During this period, Japanese troops were conducting nightly exercises in anticipation of a scheduled review on July 9. The night maneuver was within the army's rights under the Boxer Protocol and was not an illegal act, as later claimed by the Chinese. However, the Japanese army had courteously informed the Chinese authorities about its training plans in advance. Despite this, the atmosphere was charged with tension, and the Japanese decision to use blank ammunition during their night exercise further escalated the already volatile situation. Earlier that evening, Captain Shimizu Setsurö, a company commander, arrived at the banks of the Yungting River, where the maneuver was to take place. He noticed that the site looked different since the last exercise had occurred; Chinese troops had recently constructed new trenches and parapets from the embankment to the Lungwangmiao shelter. While eating his dinner and surveying the area, Shimizu felt a sense of unease, harboring a premonition that “something might happen that night.” After completing the first stage of the maneuver around 10:30 PM, several live rounds were fired into the assembled company from the direction of the riverbank. Shimizu immediately conducted a roll call and found one soldier missing. He promptly sent a messenger to inform the battalion commander. The exercise was then called off, and the company moved eastward to await further orders at Hsiwulitien. Battalion Commander Itsuki Kiyonaho, upon receiving the report, deemed the situation serious. Aside from the gunfire heard in the darkness from an unknown source, he expressed concern over the soldier's disappearance and sought permission from Regiment Commander Mutaguchi Renya, an absolute moron, if you listen to the pacific war podcast, well you know. Anyways to relocate the battalion to the area where the shots had been fired and to establish surveillance. As dawn approached, the troops heard several more gunshots. Within twenty minutes of the soldier's disappearance, he returned to his ranks, but Shimizu did not report this update until four hours later. Meanwhile, midnight negotiations included a Japanese request for permission to search the city of Wanping, leading both sides to believe the incident was significant. Around 11:00 PM, the Japanese forces falsely reported that one of their soldiers had gone missing during the drill and demanded permission to enter the city for a search. This request was firmly denied by Ji Xingwen, the commander of the 219th Regiment of the 37th Division of the Chinese Army. In response, Japanese troops swiftly surrounded Wanping County. To prevent further escalation, at 2:00 AM the following morning, Qin Dechun, deputy commander of the 29th Army and mayor of Beiping, agreed with the Japanese to allow both sides to send personnel for an investigation. While Matsui, the head of the Japanese secret service in Peiping, was negotiating with North Chinese authorities based on unverified reports from Japanese troops in Fengtai, Ikki Kiyonao, the battalion commander of the Japanese garrison in Fengtai, had already reported to his regiment commander, Mutaguchi Lianya. The latter approved orders for the Japanese troops in Fengtai to “immediately move out” to the Marco Polo Bridge.  On July 8, a large contingent of Japanese troops appeared at Lugou Bridge. Shen Zhongming, the platoon leader of the 10th Company of the Reserve Force of the 3rd Battalion of the 219th Regiment of the 37th Division of the 29th Army, was assisting in guarding the bridgehead. He jumped out of the trench, stood in front of the bunker, and raised his right hand to halt the advancing Japanese troops. However, the Japanese military threatened to search for their missing soldiers, pushed forward, and opened fire. Shen Zhongming was shot and died on the spot. At 4:50 AM, the Japanese army launched a fierce assault on Wanping County, capturing Shagang in the northeast of Wanping and firing the first shot of the siege. Unable to withstand the aggression, the Chinese defenders mounted a counterattack. That day, the Japanese army assaulted Wanping City three times, targeting the Pinghan Railway Bridge and the Chinese defenders at the Huilong Temple position on the left. He Jifeng, the commander of the 110th Brigade of the Chinese defenders, issued a resolute order to “live and die with the bridge” and personally commanded the front-line battle. The Chinese defenders engaged in fierce combat, fighting valiantly despite exhausting their ammunition and resorting to hand-to-hand combat with swords against the Japanese soldiers. Tragically, over 80 Chinese defenders from two platoons were killed at the bridgehead. On the same day, the Beijing authorities instructed the garrison to hold firm at the Marco Polo Bridge. Song Queyuan sent a telegram to Chiang Kai-shek to report the true events of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. The National Government's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a verbal protest with the Japanese ambassador regarding the incident. Additionally, the CPC Central Committee issued a telegram urging all Chinese soldiers and civilians to unite and resist Japanese aggression. The Japanese cabinet, in a bid to mislead global public opinion, proposed a so-called policy of “resolving the incident locally without escalating it,” aiming to paralyze the KMT authorities and buy time to mobilize additional forces. In the wake of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, generals of the 29th Army, including Qin Dechun, Feng Zhian, and Zhang Zizhong, convened an emergency meeting. Following their discussions, they issued a statement demanding that their troops withdraw from the Marco Polo Bridge to de-escalate tensions. However, they expressed deep concerns about national sovereignty, stating, “We cannot simply back down. If they continue to oppress us, we will do our utmost to defend ourselves.” Concurrently, the 29th Army commanded the troops defending the Marco Polo Bridge: “The Marco Polo Bridge is your grave. You must live and die with the bridge and must not retreat.” Brigade Commander He Jifeng reinforced three directives for the defenders:  1. Do not allow the Japanese army to enter the city;  2. Firmly counterattack if the Japanese invade;  3. You are responsible for defending the territory and will never yield. If you abandon your position, you will face military law. On July 9, the 29th Army successfully eliminated a Japanese squadron and reclaimed control of the railway bridge and Longwang Temple. A temporary lull settled over the Marco Polo Bridge battlefield, during which the Japanese military made false claims that "missing Japanese soldiers had returned to their units" and described the situation as a misunderstanding that could be resolved peacefully. Subsequently, Chinese and Japanese representatives in Beijing and Tianjin engaged in negotiations. The Beijing authorities reached an agreement with the Japanese forces, which included:  (1) an immediate cessation of hostilities by both parties;  (2) the Japanese army withdrawing to the left bank of the Yongding River while the Chinese army retreated to the right bank; and  (3) the defense of Lugou Bridge being assigned to Shi Yousan's unit of the Hebei Security Team. However, the following day, while the Chinese army withdrew as agreed, the Japanese army not only failed to uphold its commitments but also dispatched a significant number of troops to launch an offensive against the Chinese forces. Reports on July 10 indicated that the Japanese army had arrived from Tianjin, Gubeikou, Yuguan, and other locations, advancing toward the Lugou Bridge with artillery and tanks, and had occupied Dajing Village and Wulidian, signaling that another outbreak of conflict was imminent. On July 11, the Japanese Cabinet decided to deploy seven divisions from the Kwantung Army, the Korean Army, and Japan to North China. On the same day, the Beiping-Tianjin authorities reached a localized agreement with the Japanese army, which entailed:  (1) a formal apology from a representative of the 29th Army to the Japanese forces, along with assurances that those responsible for the initial conflict would be held accountable;  (2) a ban on anti-Japanese activities conducted by the Communist Party, the Blue Shirts Society, and other resistance groups; and  (3) an agreement ensuring that no Chinese troops would be stationed east of the Yongding River. Concurrently, the Japanese army positioned their forces at strategic points in Wuqing, Fengtai, Wanping, and Changping, effectively encircling the city of Beijing and continuing to advance troops into its surrounding suburbs. Starting on July 11, the Japanese army began bombarding Wanping City and its surrounding areas with artillery, resulting in numerous casualties among the local population. Following the injury of regiment commander Ji Xingwen, residents were evacuated to safer locations outside the city. The conflict then spread to Babaoshan, Changxindian, Langfang, Yangcun, and other areas, with the 29th Army being deployed to various locations to confront the enemy. The Japanese military also dispatched aircraft for reconnaissance and strafing missions, leading to intermittent fighting. On July 13, Mao Zedong urged "every Communist Party member and anti-Japanese revolutionary to be prepared to mobilize to the frontline of the anti-Japanese war at any time" from Yan'an. By July 15, a CPC representative presented the "Communist Party Declaration on Cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party" to Chiang Kai-shek, proposing that this declaration serve as the political foundation for cooperation between the two parties and be publicly issued by the Kuomintang. Zhou Enlai, Qin Bangxian, and Lin Boqu continued negotiations with Chiang Kai-shek, Shao Lizi, and Zhang Chong in Lushan. Although Chiang Kai-shek recognized the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region, disagreements remained regarding the reorganization of the Red Army. On July 16, the Five Ministers Conference in Tokyo resolved to mobilize 400,000 Japanese troops to invade China and to enforce a policy aimed at rapidly destroying the entire country. The following day, more than 100 Japanese soldiers arrived in Shunyi and Changping, where they reinforced fortifications on the city wall of Changping. On July 18, the Japanese army invaded Changping, Tongzhou, and other counties in the pseudo-border areas by maneuvering through various passes of the Great Wall. Japanese plainclothes teams were reported to be active in the Xiaotangshan area of Changping, raising alert levels within the Chinese army. On July 20, the Kuomintang Military and Political Department became aware that the Japanese army intended to first occupy strategic locations such as the Indigo Factory, Wanshou Mountain, and Balizhuang in the Pingxi area, before cutting off the Pingsui Road and controlling the route from Beiping to Changping. On July 21, the Japanese army violated the agreement by bombarding Wanping County and the garrison at Changxindian.  On the night of July 25, a confrontation took place at the railway station in Langfang, located between Peiping and Tientsin. The clash involved Chinese troops and a Japanese company dispatched to repair telegraph lines. General Kazuki promptly sought Tokyo's permission to respond with military force, believing that the situation required immediate action. Without waiting for authorization, he ordered a regiment from Tientsin to engage the Chinese forces and issued an ultimatum to Sung Che-yuan, stating that if the 37th Division did not completely withdraw from Peiping by noon on July 28, the Garrison Army would take unilateral action. The 77th Infantry Regiment of the 20th Division was dispatched with the Gonoi Squadron to escort a repair team to Langfang Station. Stationed near Langfang were the headquarters of the 113th Brigade of the 38th Division, along with the main force of the 226th Regiment, led by Brigade Commander Liu Zhensan and Regiment Commander Cui Zhenlun. Although the leadership of the 29th Army adopted a passive stance in the war of resistance, the forces in Langfang prepared for conflict in an organized manner. They not only evacuated the families of servicemen and relocated the regiment headquarters, but also built fortifications and deployed plainclothes teams at Wanzhuang Station, Luofa Station, and Langfang Station to swiftly destroy the railway if necessary. Despite their preparations, the commanders of the 38th Division adhered to Song Queyuan's directives. When the 5th Company, stationed at Yangcun, observed Japanese supply units continually moving toward Lugou Bridge, they sought permission to engage the enemy. However, the 38th Division later reassigned this company. The Bac Ninh Line, established after the Boxer Protocol, had granted the Japanese the right to station troops, placing the 38th Division in a vulnerable position and preventing them from stopping the Japanese before they reached Langfang. Upon the arrival of Japanese forces at Langfang Station, Chinese guards initiated negotiations, requesting the Japanese to withdraw quickly after completing their mission. The Japanese, however, insisted on establishing camps outside the station, leading to repeated arguments. As tensions mounted, the Japanese began constructing positions near the station, ultimately forcing Chinese troops to retreat and escalating the conflict. The situation reached a boiling point around 11:10 pm, when fierce gunfire and explosions erupted near Langfang Station. The Japanese army claimed they were defending the station from an attack by Chinese forces armed with rifles, machine guns, and mortars throughout the night. According to Cui Zhenlun, the head of the 226th Regiment, it was the 9th and 10th companies that could no longer tolerate the Japanese provocation and fired first, catching the enemy off guard. As the battle intensified, reinforcements from the main force of the 77th Infantry Regiment “Li Deng Unit” arrived at the scene after receiving reports of the skirmish and gradually joined the fight after 6:30 am on July 26. When dawn broke, Japanese troops stationed at Langfang began to rush out to counterattack, seeing their reinforcements arrive. Recognizing they could not eliminate the Japanese presence at the station quickly, the 226th Regiment faced heavy bombardment from the Japanese Air Force later that morning. Consequently, the headquarters of the 113th Brigade and the primary forces of the 226th Regiment hastily retreated to Tongbai Town, suffering significant losses in equipment during their withdrawal. That night, Kazuki made the unilateral decision to abandon the policy of restraint and decided to use force on July 28 "to punish the Chinese troops in the Peiping-Tientsin area." On the morning of July 27, the army high command endorsed his decision and submitted a plan to the cabinet for mobilizing divisions in Japan. The cabinet agreed, and imperial approval was sought. At that time, the Chinese army was gathering in significant numbers in Baoding and Shijiazhuang in southern Hebei, as well as in Datong, Shanxi. They had effectively surrounded the Japanese army on all sides in the Fengtai District. Meanwhile, newly mobilized units of the Kwantung Army and the Japanese Korean Army were en route to the Tianjin and Beiping areas. The 2nd Battalion of the 2nd China Garrison Infantry Regiment, commanded by Major Hirobe, was dispatched with 26 trucks to the Japanese barracks within the walls of Beiping to ensure the protection of Japanese residents. Prior discussions had taken place between Takuro Matsui, head of the Special Service Agency, and officials from the Hebei–Chahar Political Council regarding the passage of troops through the Guang'anmen gate just outside Beiping. The mayor, Qin Dechun, had granted approval for this movement. However, when Major Tokutaro Sakurai, a military and political advisor to the Council, arrived at Guang'anmen, a famous gate to Beiping, around 6:00 pm to establish contact, he found that the Chinese troops on guard had closed the gate. After further negotiations, the gates were opened at approximately 7:30 pm, allowing the Japanese units to begin passing through. Unfortunately, as the first three trucks crossed, the Chinese opened fire on them. Two-thirds of the units managed to get through before the gate was abruptly shut, leaving a portion of Hirobe's troops trapped both inside and outside. As they faced unexpectedly heavy fire from machine guns and grenades, efforts by Japanese and Chinese advisors to pacify the Chinese troops proved futile. By 8:00 pm, the Japanese launched a counterattack from both sides of the gate. The Chinese received reinforcements and encircled the Japanese forces. Despite a relief column being dispatched by Brigadier Masakazu Kawabe, commander of the brigade in the Fengtai District, by 9:30 pm, negotiations with the Chinese yielded a proposal for de-escalation: the Chinese army would maintain a distance while the Japanese inside the gate would relocate to the grounds of their legation, and those outside would return to Fengtai. Fighting ceased shortly after 10:00 pm, and at approximately 2:00 am the following day, Hirobe's unit successfully entered the barracks in the legation. The total casualties reported for the Japanese army during these confrontations were 2 dead and 17 wounded. Both fatalities were superior privates. The wounded included one major, one captain, one sergeant, two superior privates, one private first class, seven privates second class, two attached civilians, and one news reporter. Additionally, the interpreter accompanying Tokutaro Sakurai was also killed in action. On July 27, the Japanese army launched attacks on the 29th Army garrisons in Tongxian, Tuanhe, Xiaotangshan, and other locations, forcing the defenders to retreat to Nanyuan and Beiyuan. At 8:00 am on July 28, under the command of Army Commander Kiyoshi Kozuki, the Japanese army initiated a general assault on the 29th Army in the Beiping area. The primary attacking force, the 20th Division, supported by aircraft and artillery, targeted the 29th Army Special Brigade, the 114th Brigade of the 38th Division, and the 9th Cavalry Division stationed in Nanyuan. Overwhelmed by the Japanese assault, Nanyuan's defenders struggled to maintain command, leading to chaotic individual combat. Meanwhile, the main Japanese garrison brigade in Fengtai advanced to Dahongmen, effectively cutting off the Nanyuan troops' route to the city and blocking their retreat. The battle for Nanyuan concluded at 1:00 pm, resulting in the deaths of Tong Lingge, deputy commander of the 29th Army, and Zhao Dengyu, commander of the 132nd Division. As this unfolded, elements of the 37th Division of the 29th Army launched an attack on the Japanese forces in Fengtai but were repulsed by Japanese reinforcements. On that day, the Japanese Army's 1st Independent Mixed Brigade captured Qinghe Town, prompting the 2nd Brigade of the Hebei-Northern Security Force, stationed there, to retreat to Huangsi. The Japanese also occupied Shahe. In the afternoon of July 28, Song Qeyuan appointed Zhang Zizhong as the acting chairman of the Hebei-Chahar Political Affairs Committee and director of the Hebei-Chahar Pacification Office, as well as the mayor of Beiping, before leaving the city for Baoding that evening. The 37th Division was ordered to retreat to Baoding. On July 29th, a significant mutiny broke out at Tongzhou. If you remember our episode covering the Tanggu truce, Tongzhou had become the capital of the East Hubei Anti-Communist Autonomous Government headed by Yin Jukeng. In response Chiang Kai-Shek had established the East Hebei Administrative Affairs Committee, chaired by Song Queyuan. In Tongzhou, Japanese troops were stationed under the pretext of protecting Japanese residents, as stipulated by the Boxer Protocol. Initially, a unit was intended to be stationed in Tongzhou; however, Vice Minister of the Army Umezu Yoshijiro strongly opposed this plan, arguing that placing forces in Tongzhou, far from the Beiping-Tianjin Line was inconsistent with the spirit of the Boxer Protocol. Consequently, this unit was stationed in Fengtai, located southwest of Beiping. At the time of the Tongzhou Incident, the main force of the Japanese Second Regiment, which was responsible for defending Tongzhou, had been deployed to Nanyuan, south of Beijing. Consequently, only non-combat personnel remained in Tongzhou. Japan regarded the Jidong Anti-Communist Autonomous Government Security Force as a friendly ally. Back on July 27, the primary forces of the Japanese Army stationed in Tongzhou, comprising the Kayashima Unit and the Koyama Artillery Unit, received orders to advance toward Nanyuan, Beiping, leaving Tongzhou significantly under-defended. The following day, the Japanese launched a substantial attack on Nanyuan, employing aircraft to bomb Beiping. Sensing a critical opportunity, Zhang Qingyu conferred with Zhang Yantian and Shen Weigan to initiate an uprising that very night. The insurgent force included elements from the first and second corps and the teaching corps, totaling approximately 4,000 personnel. Zhang Qingyu orchestrated the uprising with a focused strategy: the first corps was divided into three groups targeting Japanese forces in Xicang, the puppet government, and various establishments such as opium dens, casinos, and brothels operated by Japanese ronin. Meanwhile, the second corps secured key intersections and facilities in Chengguan, and the teaching corps managed defenses against potential reinforcements at vital stations. At dawn on July 29, the gunfire signaling the uprising erupted. The second unit of the first corps launched an assault on the Xicang Barracks, which housed 120 troops and non-combat personnel, including the Tongzhou Guard, Yamada Motor Vehicle Unit, a Military Police Detachment, and a host of military and police units, totaling about 500 individuals. At around 3 a.m. on July 29, the sound of gunfire filled the air as the insurgents engaged the Japanese forces. Although equipped with only four field guns, several mortars, and a few heavy machine guns, the uprising's numerical superiority enabled simultaneous attacks from the east, south, and northwest. Despite their well-fortified positions and rigorous defense, the Japanese troops struggled against the relentless onslaught. For over six hours, fierce fighting ensued. The uprising troops escalated their firepower but failed to breach the Xicang Barracks initially. More than 200 members of the Japanese security forces lost their lives in the conflict. Concerned that reinforcements might arrive and flank the uprising, Zhang Qingyu ordered artillery assaults around 11 a.m., prompting a shift in the battle's dynamics. The artillery targeted a Japanese motor vehicle convoy transporting supplies and munitions, leading to the destruction of all 17 vehicles, triggering explosions that scattered bullets and shrapnel across the area. Subsequently, nearby fuel depots ignited, engulfing the surroundings in flames and creating chaos among Japanese ranks. The insurgent infantry capitalized on this confusion, wiping out most of the remaining Japanese forces, with only a handful managing to escape. As the uprising signal rang out, another faction of insurgents swiftly blocked access to Tongzhou, disrupting traffic and occupying the telecommunications bureau and radio station. They encircled the offices of the Jidong puppet government, capturing traitor Yin Rugeng, who was taken to the Beiguan Lu Zu Temple. Despite being urged to resist the Japanese, Yin hesitated and was subsequently imprisoned. The third group then targeted the Japanese secret service agency in Nishicang. Hosoki Shigeru, residing a mere lane away from the pseudo-office, responded to the gunfire by mobilizing a contingent of secret agents to confront the uprising. However, the insurgents swiftly overtook the secret service agency, resulting in Shigeru's death and the annihilation of all secret personnel. At 4:00 p.m. on July 29, the Japanese command dispatched reinforcements, compelling the insurgents to retreat from Tongzhou. The Japanese Chinese Garrison ordered air attacks on the uprising forces, with over ten bombers targeting Tongzhou. Concurrently, the Japanese Fengtai Infantry Brigade and the Second Regiment were mobilized for a rescue operation, arriving on the morning of July 30. The Japanese headquarters issued a night defense order requiring all units to be on high alert. By 5:30 p.m., commanding officers assembled to devise a strategy. With the uprising forces still positioned around the eastern, southern, and northern walls of the barracks, Tsujimura's troops implemented strict measures: all units were instructed to fortify defenses throughout the night, with the Tongzhou Guard directly protecting the barracks and the Yamada unit securing the warehouse and supply areas. They enforced silence, prohibiting any lights at night, coordinating operations under the code name "plum cherry." As the Japanese planes repeatedly bombed the area, the insurgents, lacking anti-aircraft defenses, could only mount futile counterattacks with machine guns, leading to disorder among their ranks. Many insurgents abandoned their uniforms and weapons and fled, prompting Zhang Qingyu to make the difficult decision to evacuate Tongzhou before Japanese reinforcements arrived, regrouping in Beiping with the remnants of the 29th Army. In the late hours of July 29, the security team retreated to Beiping in two groups. Upon arrival, they discovered the 29th Army had already evacuated, forcing them to retreat to Changxindian and Baoding. En route, they encountered part of the Suzuki Brigade of the Japanese Kwantung Army near Beiyuan and Xizhimen, where they faced concentrated attacks. Officers Shen Weigan and Zhang Hanming were both killed in the subsequent battles as they led their teams in desperate fights for survival. Amid the confusion, Yin Rugeng managed to escape when the convoy escorting him was broken up by Japanese forces. In a last-ditch effort, Zhang Qingyu ordered the army to split into small groups of 50 to 60, navigating through Mentougou to regroup with the 29th Army. By the time they reached Baoding, only about 4,000 personnel remained. On the morning of July 30, over a thousand troops from the Sakai Army entered Tongzhou City. They rounded up all men they encountered, searching residences for insurgents, and exhibited intentions of massacring the local population. By 4 p.m., the Kayashima Army arrived and sealed all city gates, deploying surveillance units to oversee the city and "restore public order." The Tsujimura Army removed perimeter defenses and concentrated their forces in barracks and storage facilities. Japanese troops combed through residences based on household registries, detaining those they deemed suspicious, with many later executed. As reported by the puppet county magistrate Wang Jizhang, roughly 700 to 800 individuals were executed within a few days. This brutal retaliation instilled terror throughout Tongzhou City, leading many to flee and seek refuge, often in American churches. The pervasive atmosphere of fear lasted for two to three months. The Japanese authorities framed their violent suppression as "restoring stability to East Asia" and derided the legitimate resistance of Chinese citizens as "communist harassment" and "treason." In response to the uprising, the Japanese embassy, concerned that it could trigger a repeat of the Temple Street Incident and instigate political upheaval at home, acted without government instructions. They appointed Morishima Morito to oversee negotiations with Chi Zongmo, who had replaced Yin Rugeng as the head of the "Hebei Anti-Communist Autonomous Government." On December 24, 1937, Chi submitted a formal apology to the Japanese embassy, committing to pay a total of 1.2 million yuan in reparations, with an immediate payment of 400,000 yuan, while the remaining 800,000 yuan would be disbursed by the "Provisional Government of the Republic of China." Furthermore, the Japanese demanded that the "Hebei Anti-Communist Autonomous Government" relinquish the territories where Japanese nationals had been killed and take responsibility for constructing "comfort towers." They compelled Chinese laborers to build these structures at the former site of the Governor's Office of Canal Transport in Shuiyueyuan Hutong, Nanmenli, and the northeastern corner of Xicang Square to commemorate Japanese casualties from the uprising. Additionally, they forcibly uprooted ancient trees from the Temple of Heaven, transplanting them around the "comfort towers." The Japanese military also demolished white marble guardrails at the Confucian Temple to erect a monument honoring their soldiers, resulting in the destruction of centuries-old cultural artifacts. On the morning of July 29, the Japanese Army's 11th Independent Mixed Brigade attacked Beiyuan and Huangsi. The Hebei-Northern Security Force, stationed in Huangsi, engaged the Japanese forces until 6:00 PM before retreating. Meanwhile, the 39th Independent Brigade, garrisoned in Beiyuan, fought the Japanese before withdrawing to Gucheng, eventually returning to Beiyuan. On July 31, this brigade was disarmed by the Japanese army, while the Independent 27th Brigade in the city was reorganized into a security team to maintain public order, later breaking through to Chahar Province a few days later and being assigned to the 143rd Division. Meanwhile, the 38th Division of the 29th Army, stationed in Tianjin, proactively attacked Japanese troops in Tianjin early on July 29, capturing the Japanese garrison at Tianjin General Station and launching an assault on the Japanese headquarters at Haiguang Temple and the Dongjuzi Airport. Initially, the battle progressed favorably; however, due to counterattacks from Japanese aircraft and artillery, the Chinese forces began to retreat around 3:00 PM, leading to the fall of Tianjin. Later that afternoon, the rebel forces evacuated Tong County and advanced toward Beiping. En route, they were attacked by the Japanese army north of the city and subsequently retreated to Baoding. As the 37th Division of the 29th Army received orders to retreat southward, the 110th Brigade covered the army headquarters and the Beiping troops from Wanping to Babaoshan, eventually retreating southward through Mentougou. After completing their task, they withdrew to Baoding on July 30. By the end of the 30th, the Japanese army had occupied both Beiping and Tianjin. The Japanese Independent Mixed Brigade No. 1 and the garrison brigade occupied high ground west of Changxindian and the area near Dahuichang on the evenings of the 30th and 31st, respectively. With this, the battles in Beiping and Tianjin effectively came to a close. China and Japan were at war. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. It has finally happened, China and Japan are officially at war. From 1931 until now, it had been an unofficial war between the two, yet another incident had finally broke the camel's back. There was no turning back as Japan would unleash horror upon the Chinese people. The fight for China's survival had begun. China was completely alone against a fierce enemy, how would she manage? 

It's Mailbag Friday! You've got questions, we've got answers! Segment 1 • What if Ray Comfort had debated those 20 atheists instead of Jordan Peterson? Would it have changed anything? • I'm a Bible college student struggling with shame and sexual sin—how do I move forward? • How can I help someone understand that how they dress actually matters? Segment 2 • A pastor at my church blocks me online and avoids me in person—what should I do? Segment 3 • Is my baptism still valid if it was performed by someone who later proved to be a false convert? • How should I think biblically about major life decisions like work, marriage, or school? Segment 4 • Is it wrong to leave your native culture for another one? • What encouragement do you have for lonely pastor's wives? • I shared the gospel with a family member—should I speak again or just keep praying? ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

In this powerful Faith Friday episode of Morning Manna, Rick and Doc explore the miraculous provision of God through the story of Elisha and the widow in 2 Kings 4:1-7. Faced with overwhelming debt and the threat of losing her sons to slavery, the widow cries out for help. Elisha asks her one pivotal question: What do you have in your house?This question unlocks a profound principle of faith — God works with what we already have. As the widow gathers vessels and obeys the prophet's instructions, God multiplies her small jar of oil into an abundant supply that not only pays her debt but sustains her family for life.The teaching emphasizes personal responsibility, obedience, preparation, and expectation in faith. It is a lesson in releasing faith through action, involving your family in miracles, and never underestimating what God can do with even the smallest resources in your hand.Rick Wiles, Doc Burkhart. Airdate 6/6/25Join the leading community for Conservative Christians! https://www.FaithandValues.comYou can partner with us by visiting https://www.FaithandValues.com/donate, calling 1-800-576-2116, or by mail at PO Box 399 Vero Beach, FL 32961.Get high-quality emergency preparedness food today from American Reserves!https://www.AmericanReserves.comIt's the Final Day! The day Jesus Christ bursts into our dimension of time, space, and matter. Now available in eBook and audio formats! Order Final Day from Amazon today!https://www.amazon.com/Final-Day-Characteristics-Second-Coming/dp/0578260816/Apple users, you can download the audio version on Apple Books! https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/final-day-10-characteristics-of-the-second-coming/id1687129858Purchase the 4-part DVD set or start streaming Sacrificing Liberty today. https://www.sacrificingliberty.com/watchThe Fauci Elf is a hilarious gift guaranteed to make your friends laugh! Order yours today! https://tru.news/faucielf

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser unveiled her proposed $22 billion budget last week. Faced with a tough financial outlook, her spending proposal includes cuts to social safety net programs and some business-friendly tax incentives. There's also a billion dollars to help the Washington Commanders build a new football complex and redevelop the old RFK stadium site and a proposal to repeal a tipped minimum wage increase. Mayor Bowser joined the show to discuss, including how the city is moving away from relying on a federal workforce, and why she's betting big on sports and entertainment.She noted that some 40,000 people in the District could experience a job change because of massive federal cuts, which means shifting the city's economy."If our Chief Financial Officer is right, we think it's up to us to bend the curve in terms of job growth," she said.Mayor Bowser also discussed safety during World Pride, including the closure of Dupont Circle, historically the center of Pride celebrations."As we speak, we're working on an alternative to that site," she said, noting that celebrations beyond one side, with plans for events across all eight wards.  Asked about ongoing preparations for Trump's military parade later this month, she said the event is now a national special security event, which means the federal government will take the lead on security,  logistics, and will handle the upfront costs, similar to inauguration events.She also discussed her proposal for a public-private partnership to build a new D.C. jail, which she says will help speed the construction of a new facility. 

This summit has changed me deeply, and these stories will do the same for you. Today I'm bringing you the second batch of powerhouse voices from our Speak Truth to Live Summit—seven more heart-bursting, truth-sharing, trail-blazing humans who cracked me wide open in the best way. This is your invitation to breathe in their medicine, their stories, their hard-won wisdom.Each one of these guests spoke a truth I didn't know I needed. They've lived big lives. Faced big questions. And now? They're showing up—unfiltered, generous, and fully lit from within.Ready for more? Full summit access (free or VIP) is at theadventureparadox.com/speaktruth.If something sparks inside you, text me—I'd love to hear what moves you.Meet our 2nd batch speakers:00:10:20 – Michelle Kuei00:14:42 – Jackie Woodside 00:22:16 – Matt DeGeronimo00:28:31 – Montoya Williams00:33:07 – Iena SpiritWalker 00:38:07 – Colin Gray00:41:45 – Kate KennyYour Next StepsFree access to the full summit: theadventureparadox.com/speaktruthVIP Upgrade ($27): All 21 interviews + bonuses + a live call with meShare the love: Send this episode to a soul who needs itChallenge: Take 2 hours this week to reflect, breathe, and listen to your next chapter calling Support the showConnect with me in the following ways:www.theadventureparadox.com FacebookInstagramcatcaldwellmyers@gmail.com

Air Quality Alert in effect today as temperatures soar near 90... Adams wants e-bikes to slow down... All 9 Democratic candidates for mayor faced off last night... Two men shot dead in two separate shootings in Chelsea and Times Square full 344 Thu, 05 Jun 2025 09:46:01 +0000 8mnyXGcH0gns2XeBtzfGK7hZyEF0ghGP news 1010 WINS ALL LOCAL news Air Quality Alert in effect today as temperatures soar near 90... Adams wants e-bikes to slow down... All 9 Democratic candidates for mayor faced off last night... Two men shot dead in two separate shootings in Chelsea and Times Square The podcast is hyper-focused on local news, issues and events in the New York City area. This podcast's purpose is to give New Yorkers New York news about their neighborhoods and shine a light on the issues happening in their backyard. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc.

Today we're threading together sewing, and fate with some of the extraordinary people behind one of the most innovative and visually striking films of the year—Sew Torn. It's a thriller. A dark comedy. And a stitched-together cinematic wonder that explores how every decision unravels a different destiny.In Sew Torn, Barbara Duggen—‘The Mobile Seamstress'—stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong. Faced with a suitcase full of cash and two injured men, she must choose what's next Each decision plays out in a unique timeline, with wildly different and increasingly dangerous consequences. The result is a story of grief, survival, and redemption—where thread becomes both weapon and lifeline.Joining me are the father-and-son creative team behind the film: Freddy Macdonald, the 24-year-old - youngest-ever Directing Fellow at the American Film Institute. Freddy's debut feature Sew Torn premiered at SXSW and headlined the Locarno Film Festival's Piazza Grande. His thesis film, Shedding Angels, won a Student Academy Award and was shortlisted for a BAFTA. Sew Torn was acquired by Vertigo Releasing and Sunrise Films and opened theatrically nationwide Alongside him is his father and producing partner Fred Macdonald—a seasoned media executive and writer whose companies have collaborated with Disney, DreamWorks, Lionsgate, and more. As former CEO of Olive Jar Studios, Fred led creative for award-winning theme park media and advertising campaigns, including a CLIO Gold-winning Coca-Cola spot.Also joining us is the magnetic Irish actor, Eve Connolly. A graduate of Dublin's Gaiety School of Acting, Eve launched her screen career in Into the Badlands, and has since appeared in The Other Lamb, Vikings, and River Wild. In Sew Torn, she brings grit, emotion, and inventiveness to her role as Barbara—a woman who sews her way out of impossible circumstances.We'll talk about how sewing literally powers the film—from embroidered “Talking Portraits” to stitched title cards to intricate Rube Goldberg-style thread rigs. And we'll explore how the film's visual and emotional complexity reflects the choices we make—and the ones that make us.(3:27) Hear a clip from the movie that sets the scene for the whole movie. Fred and Freddy comment on it. Hear how the concept for this film was Freddy's entrée to the American Film Institute. No Country For Old Men had something to do with this!(6:33) What was it like to get a call from Joel Cohen? Fred explains. The three things Fred heard on the initial call from a friend Peter Spears, Joel Cohen wants to meet, Searchlight wants to buy the short film, Rich Klubeck from United Talent Agency (UTA) wants to represent Freddy as a director. This all happened while Freddy was still a high school senior.(10:17) How did the whole movie launch from the simple idea of a lost button? And by the way…there were NO computer-generated effects in the movie. (13:30) What's it like for Freddy and Fred to work together? Do they always agree? agree? Freddy learned stop motion animation at the age of nine…from his dad. At the same time Fred taught Freddy to write films! (17:11) Three altering decisions. Why this story structure? Freddy explains the difficulty in making the feature length film out of the short. (19:49)How long did it take from beginning to end to make the film? Well…Freddy was 18 when they started – and just turned 24 as it was released! (20:24)Freddy and Fred explain the Rube-Goldberg contraptions they built. No-tricks…everything was in camera…with a small budget too! And…what was their OMG moment?! (23:46) The embroidered talking portraits…Fred and Freddy talked about these innovative elements in the movie and how they were created. Learn how BERNINA was essential in creating these and how they all worked together. Hear about the Metler introduction and how this made such an impact in the movie (27:46) Location, location, location. How did the town where they shot the movie affect the feeling and cinematography of the movie? Learn about this town and the people who live there…and how some of them were extras in the movie. (31:03) Barbara's journey…what influenced her arc? Physical want + emotional need. (32:25) This deeply physical film leans surprisingly heavily on non-verbal. How did Freddy and Fred make this work? Also, hear about Eve's audition for her part and what she did to win the role.(35:06) Sound design and the music score were deeply important to this movie. Learn how Jacob Tardien the music composer created the sound that added so much to the film. And learn how that sound was made.(37:32) What was the toughest scene to film and how did they approach it? And how did no dialog carry this critical 6 minutes?(40:02) There are three very distinct stories in this movie…how were they filmed? Well, Freddy, as the script supervisor, explains how they put all of this together and maintained continuity.(41:24) Any special behind-the-scenes stories that can be revealed just for this podcast? Oh yes…listen to Fred's story about an actor that maintained character…all the time!(45:38) What's next for Freddy and Fred? Working together is at the top of this list. Do they have one in the works…yes, yes they do! And Fred would like a slightly bigger budget for the next film!(46:50) Anything we didn't ask that they wish we had?! Not a thing.(47:40) How can you reach Freddy and Fred? www.macdonaldentertainment partners.com. (48:13) Now…meet Eve Connolly(48:50) Eve talks about what drew her to the script. The short film had a lot to do with it!(49:45) Eve tells of the initial conversation she had with Freddy and Fred. Their explanation of wanting emotional depth for Barbara was a large draw.(51:33) How did Barbara prepare for this role? Years of working as an actor prepared her…but finding something to identify with was even more important. Once on set…she's ready to go and she's in the moment!(52:46) Hear Barbara's favorite clip form the movie…and the pivotal conversation that tells so much. Now Barbara shares what this meant to her and why.(55:28) This incredible physical role…How did Eve do this?(56:27) The rigs that were created in the film…Barbara tells all. How did she learn to build and manage these? Does Eve sew?!(58:41) The dance in the movie…Barbara tells of doing this dance and how she felt doing. How did she audition for this? Over ZOOM…and the dance…it was a natural for her…and very emotional.(1:01:39) Location–Location-Location. How did this affect her performance?(1:02:30) And that haunting stillness?(1:03:41) What part of Barbara's character stayed with Eve? That very strong connection with her mother…and the fact that she did this even though it was quite intimidating. Eve know the potential for this film and wanted to do justice to this creation. Overcoming her nerves was pretty big for her!(1:05:56) Did this experience change how Eve will play future roles?(1:07:07) What was her favorite of filming. The cast, the crew…all the people involved in the movie. Definite respect for Freddy as her director. Oh, and singing High School Musical every day before filming!(1:08:11) Her favorite part of the movie…refer back to the clip we played! And filming the scenes on the road.(1:09:19) Any behind the scenes stories? She talks about the car. And yes, it wasn't a prop…it's a real thing!(1:10:51) What's Eve's dream? Not what you might think. What's next…she's developing a series in Ireland.(1:11::51) Anything we didn't ask?(1:12:03) How can you reach out to Eve? @eveconnolly on Instagram. Our Thanks to Freddy and Fred Macdonald and Eve Connolly for their time and conversation.You can now order Sew Torn to be released on June 13th on Apple+TV. Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today's and all of our Guests.

In this episode of the Org Design Podcast, hosts Tim Brewer and Damian Bramanis welcome Liz Ferguson from Wiley's research publishing group. Liz shares her journey into organizational design, which began unexpectedly as she took on a new leadership role managing a large team. Faced with the challenge of restructuring to better align with industry changes, she sought external expertise to guide the process. Liz discusses the importance of understanding the unique needs of her organization and how collaborative workshops helped identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement. Throughout the conversation, Liz emphasizes the value of being open-minded as a leader and involving team members in the change process. She reflects on the challenges of balancing strategy with the human side of organizational change, advocating for gradual engagement over abrupt transitions. This episode highlights the continuous evolution of organizations and the need for leaders to adapt their structures to meet changing market demands.

In this powerful and heartbreaking premiere of WTF: What They Faced, Gina and Amber delve into the real-life story of John Edward Jones, a 26-year-old medical student and father who became trapped in Utah's infamous Nutty Putty Cave in 2009.What began as a family caving adventure turned into a 27-hour rescue mission that captivated the nation and ended in unthinkable tragedy. Using official reports, firsthand accounts, and direct quotes from rescuers and family members, this episode examines the full timeline of John's entrapment, the harrowing rescue effort, the system failure that sealed his fate, and the aftermath that changed cave safety forever.This is more than a story about a cave — it's about human determination, faith, and the emotional limits of rescue. If you've heard of the Nutty Putty Cave but don't know what really happened beneath the surface, this episode offers a deeply researched, respectful, and haunting look at what John Jones truly faced. 

What if standing for truth cost you everything? Discover the powerful story of St. Charles Lwanga and why it still matters today.Morning Offering, June 3, 2025Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

In this moving and relatable episode, I sit down with Lauren, a recent graduate of my Panic to Peace program, as she shares her powerful journey through anxiety, panic disorder, and agoraphobia. Lauren opens up about the life events that triggered her struggle—loss, burnout, and avoidance—and how it all came to a head during one hot summer day in Brooklyn.We talk about:The early signs of anxiety Lauren experienced as a childThe moment her panic and avoidance really took holdThe terrifying experience that led her to avoid heat, travel, and even grocery shoppingHer resistance to medication, perfectionist tendencies, and the shame she carriedHow exposure work, therapy, community, and self-compassion helped her reclaim her lifeLauren's story is not just inspiring—it's packed with insights, validation, and reminders that you're not alone. She shares what helped her shift from fear and avoidance to confidence and freedom, and what it really took to heal (hint: it wasn't just pushing through or trying harder!).Whether you're in the thick of anxiety or well into your recovery, this episode is a must-listen!GET ON THE PANIC TO PEACE WAITING LIST HERE: https://www.ahealthypush.com/live-panic-to-peaceSIGN UP FOR MY FREE 60 MINUTE MASTERCLASS - 5 SHIFTS YOU NEED MAKE TO OVERCOME ANXIETY, PANIC DISORDER, & AGORAPHOBIA: https://ahealthypush.myflodesk.com/g2glrk93qlCHECK OUT MY MASTERCLASSES HERE AND START EXPERIENCING LOTS MORE PEACE, JOY, & FREEDOM: https://www.ahealthypush.com/anxiety-classesA HEALTHY PUSH INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/ahealthypush/GET THIS EPISODE'S SHOW NOTES:

In the vibrant city of Cap Haitian, a clever young girl named Victoire uncovers a powerful secret: trees that grow in an instant and only share their fruit with those who are kind. Faced with a cruel brother and the weight of helping her family, Victoire must use her wits—and a bit of magic—to create a better life. But when her brother discovers her secret, can kindness still win?Based on the beloved Haitian folktale The Magic Orange Tree, this Bearily Bear Reimagined Fairy Tales episode is a lush tale of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of believing in yourself.

***Guest AppearanceCredits to:https://www.youtube.com/@creativefinanceplaybook "Private Money Mastery: How Jay Conner Transformed Real Estate Investing"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9yBCTSMkZU If you're a real estate investor (or striving to become one), the challenge isn't always about finding the right property. More often, it's about finding the money to fund your deals, especially when traditional financing decides to turn off the tap, and that can happen faster than you think.On a recent podcast episode, seasoned investor Jay Conner sat down with Jenn and Joe Delle Fave to peel back the curtain on the game-changing role private money played in his real estate business—an approach that not only rescued his investing career but tripled his business during one of the most trying economic times in recent history.The Moment Everything ChangedJay Conner, along with his wife Carol Joy, had been successfully investing in single-family homes in Morehead City, North Carolina, since 2003. Like many, he relied on the steady comfort of a bank line of credit to fund his deals. That all changed in January 2009 at the height of the financial crisis. Without warning, his bank (and trusted banker, Steve) pulled the plug: his line of credit was closed, and new loans to real estate investors dried up overnight.Faced with two lucrative deals under contract and no way to close them, Jay's back was against the wall. But rather than seeing an insurmountable problem, he asked the transformative question: “Who do I know that can help me with this problem?” That question led him to an introduction to private money—and ultimately, to financial freedom.What Is Private Money Lending?Private money in real estate refers to funds lent by individuals (not institutions) to investors, typically secured by real estate. These individuals often don't even know they want to be lenders until someone shows them what's possible, like using their retirement accounts (self-directed IRAs) to earn outsized, secure returns.For Jay, learning about private money meant a total mindset shift. Instead of begging the bank, he became the one offering an opportunity. He began teaching people in his network—friends, church members, business contacts—about private lending. No hard selling, no desperate asks. Just education and a willingness to be transparent about how the process worked and the secure, solid returns they could earn.The Power of Private Money: How It Changed the GameWhen Jay started implementing private money strategies, the results were immediate and dramatic. He raised over $2 million in new funding in under 90 days. Within a year, his business had tripled, even as many other real estate investors were leaving the business entirely due to a lack of financing.Jay explained that private money brought several advantages:Flexibility: The investor sets the terms, not the bank. That includes interest rates, payment schedules, and what deals get funded.No Limits: Unlike bank lines of credit, private lenders are only limited by their comfort and resources, not an arbitrary ceiling.Speed: Jay has closed deals in as little as five days, a feat impossible with institutional lenders.Profitability: In his market, he achieved average profits of $82,000 per deal, doing only two to three deals a month, thanks largely to the reliability and ease of private funding.Teaching, Not SellingJay's secret sauce is in his approach: separate the teaching about private money from pitching a specific deal. He positions himself as a guide and trusted resource, only calling interested lenders when he has an actual investment for their funds. “Desperation has a s

Join the Imagen Community on Facebook to continue the discussions between episodes.In this exciting episode of Workflows, host Scott Wyden Kivowitz sits down with the vibrant Dario Dusio, a passionate wedding photographer from Northern Italy who brings energy and emotion to every event he captures.Dario Dusio has spent more than ten years in the photographic business.  He loves people, metal music, Guinness, and sushi. Dario has a cat named Tokyo, like his favourite city. His secret power is Joy.Dario shares his unique approach to wedding photography, where his charismatic presence and love for people take center stage. He emphasizes the power of a genuine smile and close interaction, even during energetic celebrations like wedding dances. Dario also highlights the significance of technical knowledge, backup strategies, and adapting to the ever-evolving digital landscape for photographers. Faced with the necessity of constant marketing, Dario opens up about balancing creativity with the demands of promoting his work.“Your smile is your best weapon… if I smile, you smile.” - Dario DusioResourcesNikonWedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI)Way Up NorthWhy You Should Listen:Discover how Dario Dusio enhances his photography by making his subjects feel relaxed and comfortable.Learn about the technical aspects and organization skills that can level up your photography workflow.Explore the challenges of constant marketing and the importance of staying organized with digital backups.Understand how embracing your personality can transform mundane moments into extraordinary memories.Find inspiration to enhance the way you interact with clients and other vendors in the photography industry.Tune in to this insightful episode for a blend of creative inspiration, practical organizational advice, and the heartfelt stories that shape a successful photography career. Explore ways to maximize your efficiency and elevate your client interactions with genuine human connection.(00:00) - 61 (02:28) - Engaging with Guests Up Close (08:22) - Technical Aspects of Photography (10:50) - Organizational Tips for Photographers (16:26) - Backup Strategies and Real-Life Stories (22:01) - The Overlooked Importance of Weather Sealing in Cameras (23:10) - The Weakest Link: Memory Cards and Accessories (24:10) - The Misconception of Photography Costs (26:04) - Adapting to Changing Marketing Strategies (27:59) - The Struggle of Balancing Creativity and Business (31:50) - The Power of Cooperation in Photography (35:31) - Taking Risks for the Perfect Shot (38:47) - The Human Side of Photography (41:18) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

When death was at the door, the Francofortes were blessed with life. Jill and Ryan Francoforte join Kerry to discuss the most challenging night of their family's life. Faced with the potential loss of their unborn child, Jill and Ryan managed to find themselves exactly where they needed to be.

Gavin Grift - Emerge: The 5 Most Common Challenges Faced by Middle Leaders and How to Overcome Them. This is episode 762 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast.  Gavin Grift is a globally recognized thought leader in leadership development, renowned for his deep work on the ‘inner game' of leadership. As the founder and CEO of Grift Education, Gavin has spent decades helping school leaders develop the thinking skills necessary to lead successfully - both individually and in collaborative environments.  He is a champion of strategic reflection, self-awareness, and thinking-based leadership, ensuring that leaders not only achieve success but sustain it in dynamic and complex educational landscapes.  He is the author of nine books, including Emerge, Five Ways of Being, and Collaborative Teams That Work, which have helped leaders worldwide navigate challenges with clarity and confidence. His research-informed approaches are highly sought after, making him one of the leading voices in professional learning and leadership coaching worldwide. Our focus today is Gavin's book -Emerge: The 5 Most Common Challenges Faced by Middle Leaders and How to Overcome Them. Awesome information! Incredible conversation! So much to think about. Thanks for listening! Thanks for sharing! Before you go... You could help support this podcast by Buying Me A Coffee. Not really buying me something to drink but clicking on the link on my home page at https://stevenmiletto.com for Buy Me a Coffee or by going to this link Buy Me a Coffee. This would allow you to donate to help the show address the costs associated with producing the podcast from upgrading gear to the fees associated with producing the show. That would be cool. Thanks for thinking about it.  Hey, I've got another favor...could you share the podcast with one of your friends, colleagues, and family members? Hmmm? What do you think? Thank you! You are AWESOME! Connect & Learn More: https://www.grifteducation.com/ https://www.instagram.com/grifteducation/ https://www.facebook.com/grifteducation https://www.linkedin.com/company/grift-education/ support@grifteducation.com Length - 47:36

In This Hour:-- Natasha returns home to find a man there, and he attacks.  What will she do?  Ryan Gresham announces the latest season of First Person Defender, a video series that puts regular people into life and death situations to find out what they will do.--  Texas may lift its ban on short barrel rifles.--  A spokesman at a gun control event recalls the school shooting that left 11 of his class members dear.  The only problem is that it never happened.  No school shooting at all.  Now the gun control groups are distancing themselces from this liar.Gun Talk 06.01.25 Hour 1Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gun-talk--6185159/support.

Discover how Saint Claire stood up to an invading army — not with weapons, but with unwavering faith in the Eucharist.Morning Offering, May 30, 2025For the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

To Join Donni's Mentorship Program, Actionable CEO: https://www.actionableceo.com/enrollTo Get Started As A Coach, Consultant or Course Creator: https://www.sixfigureacceleratoredu.com/homeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

***Guest AppearanceCredits to:https://www.youtube.com/@CommercialRealEstateProNetwork "Raising Private Money with Jay Conner - CRE PN #481"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrWWFWU5eGsAre you a real estate investor struggling to secure funding for your deals? Maybe the banks have gotten a little too picky with their lending criteria, or perhaps you're just tired of jumping through endless hoops for a loan. Jay Conner, affectionately known as “The Private Money Authority,” has walked this road and came out on the other side with a strategy anyone in real estate can leverage: raising private money.Jay Conner once again joined Darrin Gross on the CREPN Radio podcast, Jay shared his story, a compelling blend of humble beginnings, tough pivots, and the ability to turn problems into powerful opportunities.From Bank Roadblocks to OpportunityJay's journey in real estate began like many others: he visited the local bank, applied for funding, and went through the usual song and dance of credit checks, financial statements, and asset reviews. For several years, this status quo worked fine. But in 2009, everything changed. Without warning, his line of credit was closed, leaving him with two properties under contract and nowhere to turn. As Jay recalls, “Desperation has a smell to it. I had a problem, not an opportunity.”Faced with a true financial crisis (not just another “opportunity in disguise” quote people love to share), Jay leaned into his relationships and asked, “Who do I know that can help me solve this problem?” That question led him to a colleague who introduced him to the concept of private money and self-directed IRAs, sparking a complete transformation in his approach to deal funding.The Private Money BlueprintJay's method is refreshingly straightforward and, perhaps most importantly, approachable for both seasoned and new investors. Rather than chasing after people and desperately pitching deals, Jay puts on his “teacher hat.” He focuses on educating potential private lenders—often people in his existing network or local community—about what private money is, how it works, and why it's a win-win opportunity.He explains, “Not one of my 47 private lenders had ever heard of private money or self-directed IRAs. I simply taught them.” By presenting a clear, safe, and attractive program to would-be lenders, Jay flips the script, positioning himself not as a beggar but as a provider of opportunity.The three things lenders care about most?Attractive Return: Private lenders are often frustrated with the low interest rates on traditional vehicles like CDs. Jay offers up to 8% or 10%—well above what banks are paying.Security and Safety: Every loan is collateralized with a mortgage or deed of trust, up to 75% of after-repair value, giving substantial equity protection.No Volatility: Unlike the unpredictable stock market, lenders know exactly what their return will be for the life of the loan.The No-Sell ApproachOne point Jay hammered home was the importance of separating “raising money” from pitching specific deals. The worst time to ask for money is when you need it for a deal. By building the relationship and educating potential lenders ahead of time, when the right opportunity comes along, it's not a hard sell—it's just a “good news phone call:” “I have a deal ready for you, here's the terms, here's the timeline.” No pressure, no awkward conversations. Just a smooth transaction.Mindset MattersFor those interested in starting their journey with private money, Jay stresses the importance of mindset. See yourself not as a borrower, but as someone leading with a servant's heart, helping people get better returns safely

(00:01) - Journey to Becoming a Physician(13:41) - Navigating the Pre-Medical Journey(23:15) - Entering Medical School Bridge Program(30:02) - Forging Connections in Medical School(38:02) - Inspiring GenerationsWitnessing a family member in distress can change the course of a life. As a child, watching her father endure mistreatment in a hospital emergency room ignited Rosemary's passion for compassionate care and set her on the path to becoming a physician. Her journey, however, wasn't straightforward. As a first-generation college student, Rosemary faced the dual challenges of academic setbacks and adapting to college life. Yet, these hurdles only reinforced her resolve, highlighting the importance of resilience and support systems in pursuing dreams in the medical field.Rosemary's story is one of embracing unconventional paths and finding strength in persistence. Faced with initial setbacks in her pre-medical journey, she opted for a post-baccalaureate approach, focusing on improving her academic record and cultivating a love for research. Her determination led her to contact nearly a hundred labs in search of research opportunities—a testament to her tenacity and the notion that success often requires forging one's own path. Rosemary's experience underscores the value of being open to non-linear routes and the powerful impact of seeking out unique opportunities.Our conversation with Rosemary also touches on the transformative decision to join a combined master's and MD program in Michigan. With the courage to seize unexpected opportunities, she balanced MCAT prep with a full-time job, ultimately making a brave move across the country. Through fostering connections in her program and becoming a trailblazer in her family, Rosemary emerges as a role model for aspiring medical students. Her ambition to become a general surgeon and trauma educator reflects her commitment to mentorship and enhancing the medical field for future generations. Join us as we explore her inspiring journey and the lessons learned along the way.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Shaan Patel, founder and CEO of Prep Expert, a leading online test prep company. The conversation explores Patel’s journey from struggling test-taker to perfect SAT scorer, bestselling author, and successful entrepreneur. He shares how his personal experience inspired a mission to help students unlock scholarship opportunities and academic success.