Podcasts about Federation

Former Romanian head coaches Daymon Jones and Patrick Kiens join us to unpack the turmoil inside Romanian gymnastics — from new accusations to decades-old coaching culture and leadership struggles. Plus: what we learned from the 2025 Jakarta World Championships and our wish list for future World Championships. And a happy message from Rings World Champion, Donnell Whittenburg. Find Resistance Resources here. CHAPTERS - pre auto-ad insert 00:00:00 – Intro Cold Open: Romania abuse reports surface 00:03:36 – Headlines: Romania context (Golgota, Voinea, leadership turmoil) 00:10:02 – Interview: The Romanian Situation with Daymon & Patrick 00:10:34 – Abuse allegations and what coaches witnessed firsthand 00:20:15 – Old-school culture, leadership failure, and bad press 00:31:13 – Federation power dynamics, elections, and fallout 00:41:28 – Updates & programming notes 00:45:17 – Jakarta Worlds Debrief: Overall medal table (WAG/MAG highlights) 00:49:16 – China's event-specialist strategy (7 routines, 3 medals) 00:51:54 – Judging parity: Melnikova's AA score & floor 14 club 00:55:51 – Selection & pipeline fixes (camp vs real meets) 01:06:44 – Who needs a reset? USA, Italy & Brazil post-Olympics 01:24:11 – FIG talk: host selection, logistics & equipment issues 01:32:02 – Gymternet News: Canada CEO, Arthur Gander results, Liverpool 2030 bid 01:36:56 – Listener feedback & notes UP NEXT: Behind The Scenes: Live Q&A podcast Friday this week only at noon Pacific/8 GMT RELATED: World Championships HeadquartersVideos, Interviews, Podcasts, Fantasy, Guides from Jakarta World Championships Trouble in Romania The History of Romanian Gymnastics (Commissioned) 80's Fight! The great Soviet Romanian Rivalry (Commissioned) The Fluff Cast: Deva isn't a castle?! Behind The Scenes: Back from Jakarta Eythora Thorsdottir and Coach Patrick Kiens  Behind the Scenes - all episodes SUPPORT THE SHOW: Join Club Gym Nerd: https://gymcastic.com/club/ Headstand Game: https://gymcastic.com/headstand-plugin/ Forum: https://gymcastic.com/community/ Merch: https://gymcastic.com/shop/ NEWSLETTERS Sign up for all three GymCastic newsletters  RESOURCES Spencer's essential website The Balance Beam Situation  GIFs of the Week and Meet schedule with links. Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles by Aimee Boorman with Fact Checker. Aimee coached Simone from day one in gymnastics to three back to back World All Around titles, 14 world medals and an unprecedented 5 medals at the Rio Olympics. Get your copy now. And if you loved it, please leave a review. Cover Art & Photos: Steve Cooper ©Gymcastic

In this NBN episode, Hollay Ghadery speaks with Robert de la Chevrotiere about his novel, Tall is Her Body (Kensington, 2025).  Readers of Black Cake and Family Lore will be captivated by this sweeping, multicultural family story of keen observation and the supernatural in which one man's journey to wholeness—both emotionally and physically—is shaped by the lands of his childhood and those of his ancestors, still reeling from the effects of colonialism and immigration.Before the oracular gadèt-zafè came to warn his mother she would die, 6-year-old Fidel knew only the everyday mystery of the Guadeloupe around him. The lush greenery, the dusty roads, the sugar cane growing and the neighbors arguing, the push and pull of love and resentment between people who rely on each other—his world is small but full. Until a few moments of violence change his life forever.Orphaned, Fidel returns to his mother's native Dominica and whirls from one relative and reality to another, learning pieces of his own story. His heritage is one of layered secrets and sharp divisions—between the grandmothers who love him and the aunt who wants him dead, the Catholic orthodoxy of his school and the Obeah knowledge of his grandfather, and the indigenous and the colonial. The violence he's witnessed inhabits not only strangers but himself. The spirits of the dead visit him with advice, threats, and explanations. And when he sees a path toward happiness in Canada, he must reconcile his intense, bittersweet love of his home with the possibility of leaving it. Robert de la Chevotiere is an Afro-Caribbean immigrant to Canada, who teaches French and English language arts. He is a member of the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia and has recently had a poem published in Arc Poetry Magazine's 2021 fall issue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Star Trek Adventures: Whatever Should Be Done Must Be Done — Act III “The Codex” Second Edition Starter Campaign Finale!After seven months of exploration, discovery, and danger, the SNA crew reaches the grand finale of the Star Trek Adventures Second Edition Starter Campaign. What will they uncover in The Codex? Can they protect the ideals of the Federation when science and survival are at odds?The crew of the Challenger has finally made contact with Dr. Urotoxa, uncovering secrets buried deep beneath an alien world. What begins as a scientific investigation into an ancient site quickly becomes something far greater: something that could threaten the very foundations of the Federation.While the away team studies the mysterious rectangular carving pulsing beneath the surface, the bridge crew gazes into the endless storm of galactic nucleosynthetics...colossal plumes of glowing gas sweeping through the system like the arms of some cosmic leviathan. But within those swirling shadows, something stirs. A glint. A threat. A Nausicaan warship, emerging from the void.Tune in for an unforgettable conclusion filled with mystery, negotiation, and the spirit of Starfleet at its finest. The final frontier has one last secret to reveal in a conclusion that you will not want to miss.

In this NBN episode, Hollay Ghadery speaks with Robert de la Chevrotiere about his novel, Tall is Her Body (Kensington, 2025).  Readers of Black Cake and Family Lore will be captivated by this sweeping, multicultural family story of keen observation and the supernatural in which one man's journey to wholeness—both emotionally and physically—is shaped by the lands of his childhood and those of his ancestors, still reeling from the effects of colonialism and immigration.Before the oracular gadèt-zafè came to warn his mother she would die, 6-year-old Fidel knew only the everyday mystery of the Guadeloupe around him. The lush greenery, the dusty roads, the sugar cane growing and the neighbors arguing, the push and pull of love and resentment between people who rely on each other—his world is small but full. Until a few moments of violence change his life forever.Orphaned, Fidel returns to his mother's native Dominica and whirls from one relative and reality to another, learning pieces of his own story. His heritage is one of layered secrets and sharp divisions—between the grandmothers who love him and the aunt who wants him dead, the Catholic orthodoxy of his school and the Obeah knowledge of his grandfather, and the indigenous and the colonial. The violence he's witnessed inhabits not only strangers but himself. The spirits of the dead visit him with advice, threats, and explanations. And when he sees a path toward happiness in Canada, he must reconcile his intense, bittersweet love of his home with the possibility of leaving it. Robert de la Chevotiere is an Afro-Caribbean immigrant to Canada, who teaches French and English language arts. He is a member of the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia and has recently had a poem published in Arc Poetry Magazine's 2021 fall issue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature

We're back with a brand new season, and to kick it off, we head to WrestleMania 7, live on March 24th, 1991 at the LA Sports Arena. The prior year, Iraq had invaded Kuwait, setting off a chain of events that led the United States into a brief period of war in the Persian Gulf. Meanwhile, Sgt. Slaughter made his return to the Federation, sided with Saddam and became an... The post The Year of Duke and Rogue: WrestleMania 7 appeared first on Shining Wizards Network.

Henry talks with Federal APF President, Chris Chant.Audio production by Rob Kelly.

The final part of my interview with Steve. Joybringer - played by Federation (1981)Graham Hawke, David Bray, Al Nance, Jon Hooper, Steve Treadwell, Sally Rowe.

A veteran of the National Security Council shares what the 2025 movie got right and wrong when it comes to U.S. missile defense and nuclear command and control.  Guest: Jon Wolfsthal, Director of Global Risk at the Federation of American Scientists.

Lisa Krahn from the Seven County Senior Federation stops by the Front Porch.

Marianne Vlaschits hat ihre künstlerische Praxis über die letzten Jahre hinweg bewusst mit ihrem Stottern zusammengeführt – mit „den Lücken, Nischen und kleinen Kratern meines Sprechens“, wie sie selbst gerne sagt. Im Rahmen der Ausstellung On a tongue's tip, at a world's lip hat sie am 29.10.2025 A Wobbly Federation of Tongues, Hands, Faces and Lungs im Kunstraum präsentiert – eine Lecture-Performance über ihre gelebten Erfahrungen mit „unflüssigem Sprechen“. Für unseren Im Kunstraum-Podcast haben wir eine Audio-Version der Performance produziert. Mit viel Humor erkundet Vlaschits darin, wie das Stottern ihr Leben und ihre Kunst geprägt hat, aber auch, was der Imperativ der Eloquenz mit kapitalistischem Leistungsdenken zu tun hat. Credits: Künstlerin: Marianne Vlaschits Opener und Mastering: Alexander Wieser | Sonobelle Recordings Bild: © Marianne Vlaschits Wenn Sie mehr über das Programm des Kunstraum Niederoesterreich erfahren möchten, folgen Sie uns! https://www.instagram.com/kunstraum_niederoesterreich/ www.kunstraum.net

In this episode Devala Rees lays out the similarities and differences between the ancient religion of Persia, Zoroastrianism — which is still practiced by a couple hundred thousand people today — and the Hindu Dharma Traditions. Their basic beliefs and practices, as well as when the traditions split off from one another.Learn more: Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Pilot's Federation has announced that the Permit Lock will be removed from HIP 87621 on Thursday 13 November. That's next week. And Brewer Corporation has made a change to its plans for the new Dodec Starport.

Among the many things business leaders must consider these days is the rising cost of health insurance, and how extending these benefits can impact the bottom line.On this week's Mind Your Business, we examine Carolina HealthWorks, a new program offered in partnership between the North Carolina Chamber and its Federation members and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. We'll speak with representatives of the NC Chamber about how this program was designed to save on health insurance costs for businesses that have 2 to 50 employees.We'll also listen back to some of our favorite responses from Passing the Torch: A Dialogue on Leadership Transitions, hosted by the Watauga Leadership Institute at the Appalachian Theatre on November 3, 2025.Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Catch the show each Thursday afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.Support the show

Anjan Shrestha is the Senior Vice President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). He is also the Executive Director of Laxmi Group, a diversified conglomerate spanning confectionery, dairy, automobiles, steel, packaging, healthcare, and more, employing roughly 1,001–5,000 people.

In this episode Devala Rees lays out the similarities and differences between the ancient religion of Persia, Zoroastrianism — which is still practiced by a couple hundred thousand people today — and the Hindu Dharma Traditions. Their basic beliefs and practices, as well as when the traditions split off from one another.Learn more: Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

November is here, daylight savings is a nuisance, and the fellas are back to break down Week 9 of the NFL action.Fresh off the breakout success of the Buck That! NBA show, Pete B & Jergy return to their bread and butter on the football field reviewing the top positional performers from Week 9.With 5 weeks left to play - the playoff races of The Federation become the focal point. ALL 4 FEDERATION STANDINGS are broken down to see who is in it to win it and who is in danger of the Relegation zone.Thanks for listening to the Barnhardt Fantasy Sports podcast. Music: Form - Wicked Ways

Christian College Sex Comedy: Part 27 Appreciation? In 30 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the podcast at Explicit Novels.             Children must face the scrutiny of their parents     The Dining Hall was almost a relief. That relief died the moment I saw the banner over the front of the serving area in the Hall. 'Zane Appreciation Day'. Since every word was spelled correctly, it wasn't some stunt of Rio's, but beyond that, the list of suspects was too large to consider. This could be a genuine outpouring of acceptance and sympathy for what I had endured here. If you believe that, I have to ask you: 'Do you want your leprechaun pissing Guinness or Irish Malt?'   Most likely, this was going to be some sort of humiliation, and I think I knew the flavor, and I definitely knew how to find out. See, in every seat of the Dining Hall was a big, bowling ball sized white box with a name and secured with a gold and green ribbon, so no cheating; no peeking. That last bit didn't deter me, though. I snuck up on the box marked for Holiday Carpenter.   "Zane, does that have your name on it?" Virginia Goodswell asked me, my English teacher and Spiritual Advisor. Hell, if it had been Mrs. Marlowe, I would have opened it anyway, but Virginia was my buddy so her next question didn't mean to stab a stake of regret through my heart. "Where is Vivian?"   "I left my room before she was done." I looked to the ground while I kicked some imaginary dust off the slate floor.   "Why don't you see if she's been calling you?" she suggested. "She's probably worried." Worried, or homicidal because, ya know, I had sort of run off without my phone, wallet, watch, book bag, or anything else a 21st century student might need.   "I ran away like a big, fat chicken," I confessed. "Anything not glued to my body I left behind."   "I'll give her a call." She pulled out her phone and hit speed dial #2. I crap since her sick mother is probably #1. I am such a big problem for her, she has my guardian on speed dial! "That is Holiday Carpenter's box, Zane, not yours. Besides, there are strict instructions to not open the boxes until instructed."   The panicky response I overheard from Virginia's conversation with Vivian hardly helped my mood. She wanted to know if Virginia knew where I was, she did; that I was okay, I was; and finally, what upset me, because the other girls weren't talking but apparently Mercy had started slapping Barbie Lynn around until Rio and Val pulled her off. Now, that made less than no sense. Wasn't that supposed to work the other way around?   Virginia did a double check and sure enough, Mercy had slammed Barbie Lynn into an open wardrobe on my behalf, and Rio and Val had pulled her back. WTF! I am sure that Rio was right beside me on that one. Vivian triple checked that I was physically and mentally okay and she sounded so disappointed, in herself, as she did so. She was bringing my stuff; yes, I am an earthworm. Virginia promised for me that I would remain here until she arrived.   Some stupid gesture like a loud public apology, done on bended knee, was blatantly unfair to Vivian, who only meant the best for me. I made a quick apology, not trying to meet her eyes as I said the words and took my stuff. All of 'my' girls seemed equally subdued. A minute after we had garnered our victuals, Vivian put a hand on my elbow.   "Don't be so hard on yourself, Zane," Vivian smiled warmly at me. "You take a lot of stress and pressure on yourself. I understand that from time to time you need to take in a tiny bit of private space for yourself. Clearly, you can't schedule any such time because nothing around you stays a secret for very long and no one respects your privacy or even asks what you need."   "Vivian," I was puzzled, "you deserve to be righteously pissed with me. You are my Guardian and I promised to stay by you or at least tell you where I was."   "Zane, we let you down," Vivian assured me. "It is your dorm room and we are your guests, and we have been rather poor guests at that."   "How about we call a truce?" I offer.   "I can live with that," Vivian smiled.   "Cut the Kumbaya-time, kids," Rio snorted derisively. "Zane, what the fuck happened with Mercy?" Rio playfully punched Mercy's arm to emphasize her uncertainty.   "Rio, Bro, drop it," I asked sincerely. "Act like it didn't happen." Rio studied me a second, then got this wickedly evil grin.   "What the hell are you talking about, Glenda?" she hefted the box up then shook it. "It seems my damn box is glued shut. Are we celebrating one thousand cunts licked by you, or what?"   Because Rio rarely expounded at a level below full volume, next thing we hear is Mrs. Marlow snapping, "Ms. Talon, watch your language; there are good Christian women being forced to sit within the sound of your voice!"   "Gotcha, Ms. Mouthful," Rio snapped off with a snap and a finger raised up like a pistol in the air.   "What did you say?" Marlowe closed the distance.   "She was repeating what I pointed out," I turned and smiled. "I said that you really had it going together this morning; that you were more than a mouthful. That's a hip/trending term to describe someone who is expressing themselves through clothing and make-up."   "You are lying, Mr. Braxton," she snarled.   "You are probably right, as I do so to you on general principle, but good luck proving it in student court," I grinned right back. We locked wills and she blinked first.   "Ms. Phillips," Marlowe turned on Vivian, "what are you going to do about this?"   "Zane and Rio, would you please apologize for being rude and insensitive to an educator who only wishes the best for the student body?" Vivian requested.   "I so apologize," I bowed my head.   "I so apologize as well," Rio tacked on. Only after Marlowe had gone to spread love and sunshine somewhere else did Rio lean across me and whisper to Vivian.   "You rock!" Rio giggled gleefully. After all, Rio and I had not apologized to Mrs. Marlowe because neither one of us believed for a minute that she was 'an educator who only wishes the best for the student body'. To that nameless entity, we owed a debt, and to Mrs. Marlow we owed a generous 'fuck you,' and Vivian had made it all possible.   "Why, thank you, Rio," Vivian nodded her acceptance of Rio's praise. "Jesus is the Peacemaker and we all should attempt to emulate his teachings."   "So, I still don't get to lick you senseless?" Rio snickered.   "No, no, you don't," Vivian smiled, even though she didn't look at either of us. Vivian's going to rock as a mom.   The next half hour passed quietly. Everyone was curious about the boxes but no one was too worried until a rumor suddenly appeared. When it was suggested that they might have to put on bikinis, the fear set in. I blamed, I don't know but I wish I had thought of it. I was still kicking myself for the missed opportunity when my alien with the right face black and left face white shows up with the right face white and left face black, Mhain and Millicent.   "Death Match and you get to referee," Rio teased me. "I'm so jealous; 500 bucks on the one with the soul." Mhain glared hate at us while Millicent looked more than amused.   "Zane, come with us," Mhain gloated. I figured that somehow my ordeal was coming to an end so I'd play along. I rose and they steered me to the largest exit, flanking me.   Christina and Company grabbed their boxes and jumped up quickly to follow me, though they looked as confused as I was, confirming none of them were the architect of my discomfort. No sooner had we stepped into the cool, sunlit lawn than everyone's phone rang, except mine. I was loving this, right up there with having sandpaper buffing my sunburned abs.   "Open the box and follow the instructions," Christina informed me. "Is anyone going to do this?" My phone vibrated once, then my whole body tingled before I could respond to the call.   "I am," Mhain gloated. "I was promised something." She knelt and opened her box with enthusiasm; the others did likewise but at a more sedate pace.   What came out of each box was almost identical, different only in the anatomical part of the body indicated by the instructions. The objects were all grapefruit-sized fur-balls that made darling little squeaks, squeals and murmurs, amongst other sympathetic noises, all in tiny little voices. They were to be placed on my body, but I didn't know how that would work.   "Are we going to do this?" Chastity began to say.   "It isn't sticky," Hope was also saying when Mhain's flew out of her hand and hit the side of my left knee. She reached out carefully to retrieve hers while the other girls circled in. The little darlings were proving to be resilient little bastards. Several more leapt at me from the hands of their owners.   All this time the furry grapefruit were giving little 'wee!' noises when they shot at me and screeched like demons when they were removed, which was painful when they were on my flesh. I knew who was responsible and she was going to pay, but not right now. I saw my closest allies pulling back.   "TLM, Christina," I sighed in resignation. "Let's get this over with." I was being totally self-sacrificial; girls were starting to pile-up on us coming out of the Dining Hall. I didn't want a riot. Mhain had technically tagged me first but not in the designated spot, so I had Christina go first, she put one over my heart, not that I thought Cordelia was stupid, but now she was just piling it on.   Mhain went next and she was sizzling and excited, she put it on my lips, shutting me up. At least the girls were polite and organized enough to come at me patiently. A few didn't get the 'memo' and their little rug rats slipped out of their owner's grasp and got to play gleeful kamikaze as they plowed into me.   It didn't hurt but I had this secret fear that the tiny terrors would sprout fangs and tear into me. These little guys were murmuring and mumbling and it wasn't until I was truly buried that a horrific realization was made, the more that were on me, the greater their clinging power. In retrospect, this would have been more useful if we hadn't passed the 700 mark.   I looked like a puffy, overweight, Sasquatch baby. I could move but sitting down was a dream, as was running or going to the bathroom. The damn things wouldn't shut up either. It fell to Hope and Iona to hurry me (as much as possible) to Assembly; you know that place where I 'sit' in front. At least no one could ask me anything with the expectation of receiving an answer.   I no longer wondered how bad it could get; I knew it would get worse, and while I didn't know how, I knew it would be soon. At the start of Assembly my little friends joined in the singing, not using words but in the tinny little noises they made, though admittedly they were enthusiastic and determined. But it gets worse.   There was a discussion on stage after that fiasco about removing me. Chancellor Bazz wanted me gone; Vice Chancellor Scarlett was not in attendance but Virginia took up my cause. After all, it wasn't my fault, she claimed.   "Well, Black, do something," the first three rows heard Bazz demand of our Head of Security.   "I am not an engineer or a chemist," Black replied. "Do you want me to shoot them off him?"   Oh, yeah, my girl Bazz wanted that, so bad. Of course, what she really wanted was for Black to miss, but that wasn't going to happen. Finally, the teachers decided to soldier on. When Chancellor Bazz stepped up to begin services, the frightening fur-balls belted out 'Hail to the Chief.'   No one said a word, not a murmur. Chancellor Bazz stopped and the munchkin chorus stopped too. Two more starts later and she gave up and grudgingly took the 'praise' from my infestation. They were good throughout the message and sermon but took up 'Hail to the Chief' when she tried to leave the podium.   "Do something!" she screamed at Black. This time, Gabrielle sedately headed my way. I didn't want to think of the pain coming my way. My little buddies had my back. When she got within five feet the all screamed, and I mean SCREAMED, in the loudest cacophony most of us present had ever heard. I saw something I thought I would never see; Gabrielle flinched.   Not so oddly, I was fine, hearing almost nothing. The little guys on my ears soaked up the sound so I received a very watered-down version of what they were doing. Gabrielle fell back and at the five foot mark, the little guys shut up, mostly. They seemed to be making comforting noises to one another, like one Zane-sized colony of brown mold.   "Get away from him; just get away from him," good old Doctor Melrose Bazz pleaded as she moved her hands away from her ears. "Braxton, you stop this right now." I had a wee beastie on my mouth and Bazz was not on the small list of people I would devour this thing for. If she's looking for a conversation today, she's out of luck. She throws her hands up in desperation and starts to storm off. My little cock-sucking furry gonads (yes, I was getting angry) fired up 'Hail to the Chief' yet again, and kept at it until she sat down. Virginia got to thinking it's appropriate to call for the end of this travesty but she's dealing with Cordelia Dresden, Top Gun of the Time Lord Mafia. The weapon of choice; 'She's a Lady' by some guy named Tom Jones, the ladies in my life will inform me about this later.   For a half a second she tries to fight her smile but she surrenders, even letting the little guys go through the entire score before talking. The little tinny voices were humming a song I didn't know but damn it, it made me want to take Virginia out to a smoky Jazz club and dance until the sun came up. Virginia actually started tapping her foot to rhythm and I began thinking I might not be able to beat Cordelia. I'm not used to that sensation.   "Okay, now, whoever is doing this has put Zane through enough and should remember that we should, as Christians, make students feel safe and not make them subjects of humiliation," Virginia addressed the student body. "I think we can end Assembly fifteen minutes early today for a little bit of Christian charity. We can do it at Zane's first class, 204 Denning Hall."   By the way, I apparently have a play list. As Virginia headed back, the fella's changed it up with 'Baby Got Back'. I wanted to die. Virginia Goodswell has a truly fine ass, of this there is no doubt, I often compare it to Barbie Lynn's, but please. Virginia stopped, turned toward me with a dazzling smile and waggled her finger at me, then resumed her way to her seat.   How is any of this my fault? I imagine I was lucky it wasn't the Thong Song. I would have died, then come back as the undead to take Cordelia to hell with me. It was with some relief that Vivian and Hope rallied to my side. They had to both keep other students away, the other girls loved poking me in different critters to make them call out in different pitches and tenors, which was pleasant to hear if you liked overdosing on helium.   Surprise, surprise; no one came to my succor before English class. I couldn't sit down. Okay, I tried, but any part of my body that bent or that I sat on screamed bloody murder until I got off of it or stopped putting on the press. I've heard about girlfriends like this but I've always assumed I would have the courage to jump out of a 50 story building to escape.   What do you do if they come with you when you jump besides basking in the vicarious thrill that comes from crushing half of them beneath you before you go? I managed to do okay standing in the rear of the class, only once giving in to the crushing fatigue of holding my arms somewhat elevated for two hours. The two under my arms were especially cooperative and didn't get too vocal when my arms did slip to my sides.   I couldn't do a thing about the occasional girl twisting in her seat but either Raven's glare or Goodswell's cough brought their eyes forward once more. At the end of class, Virginia decided to call Ms. Black and have her take me to the Vice Chancellor's office to end this matter. Vivian and Mercy provided support while Gabrielle kept her distance and cleared a path.   Rio helped out by playing my musical miscreants as if they were a drum set while some part of the 700 members of my new posse and I yelled at her to leave us alone. She really is my best friend. My tragically slow pace was not my friend and everyone had to depart for their classes before I finished the arduous travel to the Administration Building. Gabrielle's eyes measuring you for a casket is a remarkable motivator but didn't stop Rio from blowing a kiss to her "Mi Negro Naughtiness". I know, I know; one day, Rio is just going to vanish without a trace.   "Ms. Reveal, I need an emergency meeting with the Vice Chancellor," Ms. Black requested of Doctor Scarlett's personal assistant. Ms. Reveal didn't miss Gabrielle keeping her distance from me. She did make the call and I noticed the pictures of Ms. Mittens were still in evidence.   "Who are you inside that suit?" Ms. Reveal asked me.   I guess she assumed I wasn't a real baby Sasquatch; I was really a baby Sasquatch disguised as a half-baked marshmallow. If three geeks and a man working beneath his means jump out at me with proton-packs, I am running for my life, which is to say 'I'm going to die.'   "This is Zane. He is not being rude, he can't speak," Ms. Black was kind enough to cover for me.   "Oh, I understand," Ms. Reveal nodded, but in such a way that expressed she didn't understand anything. "You two can go in now," she said several awkward seconds later.   "Zane, you move as close to Ms. Reveal's desk as you can while I get the door for you," Gabrielle instructed me. "Come in when I call for you."   I'm sure Marisol Reveal was curious as to why Gabrielle was dancing around me, trying to keep her distance. We almost made it; right as she made it to the doorway, Doctor Scarlett opened the door and attempted to see what the delay was. She was actually putting an award on a shelf she had just received, the reason she missed Assembly, if you find that suspicious, and was placing it on a shelf near the door.   Gabrielle responded as any slightly unbalanced killer would do; she spun around, pulled out her gun from the unseen Realm of the Gods of War, and pointed it at the stunned Victoria. That took her one half-step too close to me and my little fellas let the world know it. I will give them this much; they were still defending my eardrums.   By the way Marisol was holding her ears as her tears flowed down her face it must have been pure agony for her since I was right next to her. Gabrielle scoped up Victoria and sprinted into her office and they obediently shut up.   "Za-, Zane, what was that?" Marisol blathered. Since the furry meatball gone bad was still on my lips and I hadn't become that hungry, I kept my silence.   "Zane!" Gabrielle called for me. I did my best to shrug but it wasn't like I had a neck anymore so I don't know what she made of my movement. I shuffled to the door and got a few good squeaks as I moved inside. I was more than a little disturbed by the reaction I received from Doctor Scarlett when she saw me from her seat behind her desk. She looked at me and I swear, hand to my heart, she had an orgasm.   "You are covered in Tribbles," she gasped. I had no fucking clue what a Tribble is but apparently, I was in the vast minority. I staggered forward and since Gabrielle was on the right side of the room, I angled to the left. I move halfway around Doctor Scarlett's desk so that Gabrielle could go close the door, where she took up post and, from what happened next engaged a Romulan Cloaking Device, whatever the Muggle-tech that is.   Victoria was in some sort of dream-like trance. When she started stumbling around the desk toward me, I waited for the musical assault that never came. To my credit, I caught on in a second. If these creatures existed, singing wasn't their normal activity, and Cordelia wanted these little 'Squeaky Meals' to be as real as possible, for Victoria. I was nothing but bait.   Victoria reached out to caress the same one Christina had placed over my heart. The little bugger cooed and Victoria clamped her thighs together to contain another orgasm that coursed through her loins. Cool, all I have to do to feel the wonders of Victoria Scarlett is dress myself in furry grapefruit. I'm kicking myself for not seeing this obvious ploy.   She touches more and each makes a subtly different purr of pleasure. This goes on and on until she's cuddled up against me, her arms stroking over my back and rubbing her left leg up and down mine.   "Vice Chancellor, you do realize Zane Braxton is TRAPPED inside those, contraptions," Gabrielle sounds the slightest bit peeved.   The troops all make those little high-pitched notes of longing as Victoria retreats a few steps, bringing Victoria almost to the point where she launches herself back into me to comfort her little friends. I am second fiddle to a discombobulated guinea pig; sometimes a man can feel pretty small.   "Okay. How did this happen to you, Zane?" Victoria asked.   "He cannot talk; one of those Tribbles is attached to his lips," Black stated, "by an unknown force. Before you ask; I am not an engineer or chemist." Victoria made this adorable little 'o' expression, then reached for an offending Tribble.   "It hurts him to remove them," Gabrielle got out just in time.   "Does it hurt the Tribble?" Victoria inquired. Gee, thanks, Vic.   "Hold your ears," Gabrielle commanded. Well, I couldn't comply, and Victoria had only started to scream 'stop' when Gabrielle materialized a knife and speared 'Diddley-boo' off my shoulder.   I heard the little guy's death wail, then his death rattle, as Gabrielle pulled him/her away until she was out of screaming range. Diddley-boo? No, I have no idea what his/her name really was but I'm going to have ICE check his immigration status when all of this is over, wait, I can't do that; Gabrielle wacked the little snot and giving her up to the Feds is a great way to create many widows and orphans. Diddley-boo was still twitching erratically while Victoria was stuck between ecstasy and horror.   "You are a Klingon agent!" Victoria gasped as she pointed an accusatory finger at Gabrielle. I am vaguely aware that they are the stock-villains of Star Trek Universe and this odd snapshot of rightly tight, athletic buns in tighter pants, but the reference memory for the scene escapes me. By the facial reaction Gabrielle gives, Victoria just called candy sweet, or jalapenos hot; she appreciates the comparison.   All the surviving members of the Tribble tribe wept a cacophony of pain and loss. I would have had more sympathy if their moans had not been vibrating my body like a jello mold.   "Romulan," Gabrielle countered; the other stock Trekkie villains, but they have better teeth. First amongst our Honored Dead, DB hardly quivers as Ms. Black dissects it.   It bleeds/oozes and appears to be a living organism of some kind, but Gabrielle points to several electronic devices, a CPU, and wires connecting all kinds of things inside the organic body.   "It is an organic husk over a sensory/auditory device," Gabrielle tried to explain.   "Oh, my God," Victoria's mind worked feverish to defy reality, "they've been turned into Borgs."   She tore the one attached to my lips off. I didn't cry like a televangelist publicly begging God for forgiveness for a moment, or 147 moments, of weakness with a rather sad-looking prostitute, but that was coming.   You see, Victoria gripped her weeping diminutive fuzzy engine of humiliation tightly when she yanked it off, so she let go of it because the little blighter sounded hurt.   It gave off a more muted and mournful 'wee' as it smacked into the corner of my mouth. I was able to dodge a direct hit.   "Scarlett," Gabrielle seethed, "if, you, would, listen, for, a, moment; they are painful to be removed from his flesh and they will attempt to reattach themselves to him if they are brought within one foot. I have no idea why."   "Zane, are you in much pain?" Doctor Scarlett inquired while scanning my body fungi.   "Yes, but I'm sure if you kick me in the nuts, I'll feel better," I mumbled through a joke.   "I can't do that," Victoria gasped. "You have Tribbles down there." Yes, I feel special.   "That's it," Gabrielle snapped. "I'm going to get help." She spun around and breezed out the door, slamming it in her wake.   "Thanks for abandoning me, Gabby," I shouted as loud as I was able. "It's not like Vic's totally lost her mind or anything like that."   "I have not lost my mind," Victoria responded with a deceptively calm, soothing tone. She reinforced my calm by locking the door, then locking in the deadbolt, yes, I felt much safer.   My merry band of orphan coconuts helped things along the cliffs of sanity by cooing and 'talking' to Victoria as she walked around the office, and she gaily responded to them.   "Ms. Reveal, this is going to be a difficult intervention. Inform me when lunch time gets here," Victoria communicated to her assistant, then added, "I need a box of outdoor trash bags; leave them at the door."   Having a hot lady like Victoria Scarlett lock the door and asking for almost 3 hours of 'alone' time with me is a mature pipe dream of mine, and that dream really meets a bloody end when she asks for roughly 30 bags with a fifty-gallon capacity each. If she pulls out a hacksaw or a 'cow-stunner,' I'm racing for the window behind the Doc's desk. I'll be gone in 90 seconds, sort of like an inexpensive microwave dinner.   Doctor Scarlett returned to her desk, turned her spy-cam around, and started making calls. I honestly maintained a miniscule hope that she might still help me. She was talking curtly to another doctor whose name I didn't recognize. What came out of her mouth next sounded like a combination of eating raw meat all your life and gargling with sand regularly; add to that an inflection of someone wanting to kick elementary kids into the paths of oncoming busses and you had the language she was using.   Victoria's stance even changed. She thrust out her chest, put her hands on her hips, and a predatory sneer took up permanent residency on her lips. She even beat on her desk hard during this little exchange before laughing in a way that made kittens piss on themselves before you hung them.   "Vice Chancellor, Doctor Victoria Scarlett, umm, what's going on?" I said careful.   I'm not so much terrified of Victoria at this point, as I am suspicious of my ability to fight at the moment.   "Everything is fine, Zane," Victoria assured me. "In essence, I am bringing in some experts in the field. You can trust me on this; we've been expecting contact like this for years." Huh?   "So, ah, that was an Albanian Biologist?" I hoped.   "No, that was Vor' Dura, Flight Leader of the Blood Quasar Fleet of the Klingon Empire," Victoria explained sedately, in the same way any SANE individual described a Navy Commander. She turned her computer screen so I could see the person's profile pic.   "How does she breathe in that thing?" I wondered. "That's one hell of a corset."   "That isn't a corset, Zane, its body armor. My suit was created by the same armorer," she stated.   "You have something like that?" I boggled.   "Yes, the precise same suit. Vor' Dura is not as blessed by her bloodlines, she's shorter, but otherwise, we are identical; our alliance ended recently and soon she must face me in ritual combat; yield or die." 'Yield or die' isn't what is centermost in my mind.   "Don't your boobs ever pop out of that thing?" Because if you have been paying any attention; I am an idiot where sex is even a remote possibility. Victoria can't meet my gaze but turns as red as her namesake.   "On a few occasions," she confessed. I'm thinking 'a few'. "Now I have a few more calls to make."   Yes, she's lost her ever-loving mind, and I have no reasonable expectation of exit or rescue. I won't be able to get up enough speed to bust out of the window so being on the first floor is meaningless. She has the deadbolt key and when I stack up my Tribbles against her Science Fiction fanaticism, I lose. She turns the monitor around and makes her next call. This one starts with the victory salute, but the one done with two fingers to each side.   "Excellent news," Vicky declares. "We have confirmation of the temporal events from Deep Space Nine. I have compelling data that I have encountered genetic derivatives of the dominant herbivorous life forms of Iota Geminorum IV." And everything went to turkey-based insanity after that. Again, they spoke rapidly in a language I knew nothing about. They acted like giddy little schoolgirls, just schoolgirls with their emotions surgically removed.   The final call went much same way except that this time, the tone of the language was like the second but with the taint of a sleazy pimp or grifter thinking she was a mob boss. These were the kinds of girls you never let babysit your kids if you ever wanted to see them again. The way Vic looked at me and the fellas made me worry about how long I could last in her brothel and inspired an unexpected sympathy for these pests.   "Zane, do you promise to stay here while I, umm, get some, umm outfits?" Victoria requests respectfully. She realizes she's asking me a bizarre favor. Balthazar's Balls, I've been tied to a cross; how much worse can this be? She scoots up to me, kisses me chastely on the lips and waits.   "It is a given that my morning class schedule is toast, and I'm no stranger to the entertainment industry so knock yourself out," I allow, but I will have to pee at some time."   "Check; I'll stop by the infirmary and get a catheter," she nods, then she kisses me lightly on the lips once more. "Thank you for this, Zane."   She's off like a shot but is careful enough to get the deadbolt on the way out. Since I doubt Ms. Reveal can get a fire-axe through the door if the building catches fire, my buddies and I really are going to experience total protonic reversal on a life-ending scale. Only now does it occur to me that these fuzzy navels might have toxic side effects.   I'm waiting around for God-knows how long when I hear some muffled noises, more muffled than having a Tribble in my ear.   Scratch, scratch, "Girl, you get away from that door," Ms. Reveal shouted (I guess).   "Quick, Mercy, hold her back," Rio shouted in response. "This deadbolt is a bitch."   A scuffle ensued and I tried to shout loud enough to call Rio off when I heard two rapid-fire thumps.   "Thank you, Ms. Black," Marisol Reveal huffed. Mercy had put up quite a fight, I guessed. "I will formally press charges when the Vice Chancellor returns."   "You will go and sit your ass behind your desk, you incompetent buffoon," Black snapped. "I will deal with this and if you bother me again today, or mention this incident to Scarlett, I swear you will never see your cat again; and if you don't hop-to in the next six seconds, I'll make an audio recording of me strangling that shit-dumper and play it by your bedroom window every night until you go mad. Do I make myself clear?"   "Ugh," is all I make out, but I hear Marisol's chair squeak soon after. The sound of a body, or bodies, being drug off faded away as Black left the office and headed down the hall. Hell, I warned Marisol. I can't do anything for Rio right now and I don't have too long to ruminate.   "Marisol, are you okay?" I hear Victoria ask her assistant. It is a testament to their bond that even the hysterical Doctor doesn't miss her friend's distress.   "Sorry, Victoria, I'm a bit, umm, heart-sick is all," Marisol murmurs. "Don't you worry about it."   "Well, when you want to talk about it, let me know," Victoria stated. Marisol must have nodded because no words were spoken and Victoria came in with two carry-on bags and three dress bags while kicking the trash bag box ahead of her. Happy fun time was about to begin.   "Sorry for the wait, Zane," Victoria told me.   "Doctor," I made a desperate Hail Mary plea for reason, "you are a highly respected educator. We really need to take a step back and re-examine what's going on here."   "Zane, this is my first teaching job ever," she related as she checked on the progress of her 'Trekkie' Posse.   "My doctorate is in Philosophy; my Master's Degrees are in Comparative Religions and Women's Studies," she informed me. "All my graduate work was done as a researcher. I've never had a student." I blink dumbly at her; and here I thought my opinion of the Board of Directors couldn't get worse.   Victoria goes over the language dance with her friends, switching fluidly from tongue to tongue in a manner that impresses and even fascinates me; and I've been to Bangkok where if you are trying to buy and/or sell anything and don't speak at least ten different languages or dialects, you might as well hand them your wallet or purse and go home. "Who do we need?" Vic said in English (just making sure everyone knows that the Tribbles aren't suddenly translating for me).   "Kar'Thon," Vor' Dura states eagerly; "This matter is a racial imperative."   "Are you sure the young man is old enough?" The second woman inquired. "Jarrod went all obsessive last time a boy crossed our path. We almost sent the kid to college."   "That's what you get for marrying a Ferengi," Dura snidely remarked, and the rest laughed along with it; meanwhile, I'm going 'a what?'   Some infighting goes on until Victoria and 'I married a Ferengi' call for peace, then babble a little more. Then the name 'Zane Braxton' comes up and I'm not sure I'm happy or sad that only one of them replies in what was clearly elation and surprise, the sleazy one knows of me.   "Zane, I need to surgically remove some of the alien organisms," Victoria tells me.   "It is going to sting like hell," I mutter, to which Vor' Dura says something and sleazy girl laughs. I do not like where this is going at all. On the bright side, Victoria doesn't rip one off of me right away; she goes over to one of the dress bags and opens it up.   She's pulling out bondage gear, oops, my bad; she's getting ready to put on Klingon body armor. I have lost all preconceptions of what I was dealing with once Scarlett began stripping in front of me. She even gave me an appreciative smile and I was the one who was doing the appreciating! The little fuckers started going off. Remember, they don't like being moved and I was moving some around at the moment.   No, my legs and arms were perfectly still but my crotch was striking up a chorus, its Handel's Messiah. There was this 'still' moment where Victoria stopped opening her blouse and the three strangers regarding me through the webcam became mute; then the laughter began. Victoria resumed her stripping but she couldn't stop smiling and snickering slightly.   The three, the Klingon uber-cook or whatever she was and her two unknown accomplices, were laughing so hard they could barely communicate. It got better; when I was fully aroused and stopped moving around my pants, they didn't shut up and I was suddenly, desperately searching my mind to know how long that song was.   This was because Vic got down to her, Oh, fuck, this white thong, and calling it white is generous as it looks like someone stole an under-achieving spider's web and gently placed it over her crotch, and I know my hard-on was not going anywhere but into something before it went away.   Victoria was working her make-up on when two of the voices got themselves together enough to ask something. Vic looked up at the web-cam, over to me, then said a few sentences.   "So, which one of you likes your ankles placed behind your ears?" I politely asked in Thai.   "What was that, Brax' Zane?" Victoria asked.   "I'm curious if I can take your virginity with my tongue?" I continued in Thai.   "I cannot understand you," Victoria said again. "What are, ah, "   "I think we should engage the Federation citizen in the Galactic Basic," the second voice requested of the room. The third voice, the sleaze, said one more then in her native tongue, then the second voice, and Victoria jumped on her.   "I said, 'I think the native is getting restless'," sleazy girl grudgingly repeated. "Now, I think we should see if our plan 1.0 can be implemented."   "Before the scourges make themselves hoarse shrilling out the hellish noise or I lose patience, transport over there, and kill them myself," Dura growled playfully. I'm glad someone else was having fun. Victoria walked up and took a deep breath, which caused her well-disciplined, thirty-ish breasts to bounce tantalizingly close. Her look was desperately fearful yet almost childlike too.   "Kar'Thon, I desperately require your assistance before these creatures drive me mad," I tried to sound masculine yet pleading. On the computer screen, Dura quickly slammed her right fist to her right shoulder; I was later to learn that was a salute.   "This is no way for a Starfleet cadet to die," Victoria beamed at me, "even if I know I must someday slaughter you in battle." Whoa, I've never considered NASA as a career choice.   Maybe Klingon bondage gear/standard uniform could change my mind. The first person to tell me university life is boring I will punt to the Moon.   "I am T'Luminareth of the Vulcan Science Academy and Reserve member of the Starfleet Exploration Corps here," the second voice spoke up. I caught sight of a picture of her with this, troll? Or maybe a dwarf with the worst case of cauliflower ear ever. "I would like to assure you that every logical effort is being put forth on your behalf."   "Is that right, Tight Luminescence? Is it going to kill you to show a fellow sentient an ounce of compassion when you know he is about to suffer a fatal toxic shock from prolonged exposure to these vermin?" the third girl snarkily interjected into the conversation. "I'm Hical Cretak, Romulan freebooter and purveyor of ancient, exotic, and misunderstood goods."   "You are a thief, and since you aren't in some asteroid prison, you must be an above average one," I said to the Romulan. "I confess that I am a bit happier to see a member of the Vulcan Science Academy since, well, I'm suffering a splintered memory. Some things make perfect sense but large details are simply missing." I figured I could provide Victoria some good game.   She began rubbing my crotch and there was an effect alright, two in fact. The simple and expectant one was my trouser titan trying to unchain itself so it could get revenge on all of Victoria's orifices for taunting him so. My torturous tiny titmice began belting 'Let's get it on' by Marvin Gaye. I think as an infant, I had a mobile playing this song in my crib.   I started to really admire T'Luminareth's acting ability because she alone kept it together. Victoria made larger and larger circles over my crotch up to my beltline while Dura and Hical lost it hysterically.   "Pssst," I murmured to Victoria. She looked at me and I darted my eyes toward her makeup kit and clothes. I am getting more clothes on her, why?   Besides, I'd gotten a better look at her suit and it didn't have a butt-zipper that said 'Come Get Some,' but those pants rolled down like a candy wrapper and that 'body armor' has a back flap. I'd have to get Rio a set and I doubted Victoria would deny me her armorer's number. I was definitely looking into getting Mercy a matching Orion Slave Girl outfit, and here people don't think I make constructive use of my time.   I was sure Victoria/Kar'Thon was breaking speed records to get herself ready while the other ladies began talking to me about a whole universe that was brand new to me. Getting three different and very conflicting versions of the rise of the Human-dominated Federation of Planets was amusing.   Out of the blue, T'Luminareth decided she was going to create a team to rapidly move to my planet and take me back for further study. Vor' Dora countered that and Hical gleefully sought out salvage rights for the wreckage of the two expeditions.   "That might not be possible," I intervened. "Some of what you've told me has fused some memories together." They all fell silent.   "At Starfleet Academy, an Engineering Team and a select group of cadets," I continued to fantasize, "were directed to work on a, phased ionic drive." Ion drive was 'old' tech, or so Hical had let slip. "The drive failed catastrophically and we couldn't save the impulse drive, power was failing, we couldn't transport. The phased ionic drive detonated in the planet's atmosphere, creating a trans-harmonic disruption. I don't know if there were other survivors of our vessel. I saw another vessel either investigating our explosion or attempting a rescue but they burned up on their approach," I looked pained. "I don't think I could communicate with them and the only survivor I could locate was Kar'Thon."   "Only a combination of our two vessels' technology has been able to punch a hole through the disruption and I'm not sure how long this effect will last." I now sounded grim but determined. "We probably need three things: We need to know if there were any special modifications to the Klingon Scout vessel because I don't think it was a standard model to get so close to an experimental Federation vessel."   "Secondly, someone needs to pry out of Starfleet the precise specifications of that vessel, and that's definitely not me," I confessed. "Finally, we need to find a way to fuse those two designs together because if Tribbles are already being affected by an increased magnetic field, how much longer do we have before even the planet's magnetic field collapses totally and we fry (a SciFi movie plot, thank you)."   Once more, there was silence and I was afraid I'd stepped way beyond my bounds. Only when I took in the masked facial expressions of Kar'Thon did I realize I'd done well. I was hit with the realization I was a word and a whisper away from having sex with her, she was so pleased with me.   "I have friends at Starfleet Academy and they might be able to shed a light on what their cadets were up to," T'Luminareth stated serenely, but I could see a fire in her eyes. "I will research into every work published on Phased Ionic Drives, and we may be forced to work on a theory of what went wrong in case Starfleet is not forthcoming."   "Not that I admit that the Klingon Empire ever had any such vessel operating in the area, Vor' Dura got out before Hical Cretak interrupted.   "You have an officer on the damn planet, you cowardly idiot," mocked Hical.   "I am a deserter," Kar'Thon declared. "I would say I was a 'scum of the Orion Colonies' but I found that you already claimed that title," she aimed at Hical.   "You must die, you traitorous dog," Dura jumped on the offered plum. Thon/Victoria wasn't a deserter but she was ready to take one for the team, so to speak. "The Klingon Empire cannot allow your stain on our honor to exist. Now that we finally have you pinned down, we are coming to end you once and for all, and if the Federation insists on harboring a traitor (we were theoretically in Federation space) then,   "I owe you a death, Vor' Dura," Thon seethed; "your death."   "You may not enter Federation space," T'Luminareth insisted.   "Before you two go to war, again, why don't you let me go in," Hical mediated. "I'm a free trader and have been to both Federation and Klingon planets."   "You are a spy," Vor' Dura growled.   "Being a successful agent doesn't make you any less of spy for your Romulan Senate," T'Luminareth seemed almost furious.   "Unfounded rumors started by my, Hical almost finished before the Tribbles screamed. Not as loud as they had for Ms. Black, but they now didn't like Thon around either, now that Victoria was a Klingon. Cordelia scares me; this time Hical had the little 'hiccup'.   "This is going to be fun," she chuckled, barely above a whisper.   "I will get these vermin no matter how much they hurt the frail human," Kar'Thon snarled, but Victoria's eyes blazed with fanatic amusement. I was mildly curious if she could even respond to her true name but decided not to test that. She pulled out a rather wicked looking knife that I had to double-take to make sure it was plastic.   The conversation went on around us as fictitious bits of data collided with innuendo, falsehoods, threats, and lies. This was roleplaying by some actors who took it as

Deepak Benydin, président de la Federation of Parastatal Bodies and Others Unions, indique que la révision des salaires et des conditions de service des fonctionnaires a déjà été bouclée et devrait, être publié en décembre prochain. Deepak Benydin insiste pour que ce rapport soit rétroactif à partir de janvier 2025, conformément aux engagements pris par l'Alliance du Changement.

Woodard maps America's clashing "nations," from American Nations to Nations Apart, arguing that our deepest divides are regional and newly combustible. He makes the case that post–Cold War policy, social media, and a fraying social contract turned long-standing cultural seams into political fracture zones. We press whether his framework explains why now more than past crises. Plus: a quick read of the 11/5 results — Democratic gains in New Jersey and Virginia, Maine's voter-ID rejection, a Georgia PSC flip, and late counts in Minneapolis and Seattle. Produced by Corey Wara Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠thegist@mikepesca.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠ad-sales@libsyn.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The Gist: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: ⁠⁠⁠⁠GIST INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow The Gist List at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pesca⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack  

The LLAP crew have rewatched the eigth episode of season 3 of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "The Price" (1989), as part of a Star Trek: The Next Generation podcast review series. As the Federation and rival factions bid for control of a newly discovered wormhole, Counselor Troi faces a personal and professional dilemma with a charming but manipulative negotiator. Join our panel of Trek enthusiasts as they unpack the diplomacy, deception, and emotional fallout — one deal, one data scan, and one Betazoid boundary at a time.Live Long and PodcastStar Trek: The Next Generation S3 E8 - "The Price" (1989) | Episode ReviewFirst Aired: November 13, 1989In-universe year: 2366Date of Podcast: November 4, 2025Star Trek: The Next Generation Rewatch Review SeriesTHIS WEEK'S PODCASTERSDave Mader, Kevin Millard, Ashley Millard, Heather Narduzzi, Jane Mader, Adam WoodwardLIVE LONG AND PODCAST FOUNDED BYDave Mader and Jaemeel RobinsonA PROUD MEMBER OF THE UNITED FEDERATION OF PODCASTSCheck us out online at https://www.ufpodcasts.com/livelongandpodcastPRODUCERDave MaderINTRO MUSIC BYJérôme ChauvelAbydos MusicSupport us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/LiveLongandPodcastStreaming live on Twitch, Youtube and Facebook:Twitch Channel: https://www.twitch.tv/livelongandpodcastYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/livelongandpodcastFacebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/LiveLongAndPodcastAudio version available wherever you get your audio podcasts.Listen to Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yIEMJhawSLGAozJAh4EdGListen via Anchor: https://anchor.fm/livelongandpodcast#tng #startrek #thenextgeneration #livelongandpodcast #ufp #unitedfederationofpodcasts 0:00 Intro Credit Sequence1:22 Beginning of Podcast13:59 Screenshots and Plot Breakdown1:08:25 Fun Facts1:14:38 Ratings1:19:01 Outro

The government's decision to axe schools' obligation to give effect to the Treaty of Waitangi has angered groups representing school boards, teachers and principals. President of the New Zealand Principals' Federation, Leanne Otene spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

State Rep Amanda Nedweski, Crime Prevention Research Center's John Lott, Federation for American Immigration Reform's Ira Mehlman, Lt. Governor Candidate David Varnum, Sheriff David Clarke, State Senator Rob Hutton

In the 100th episode extravaganza, hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen talk to leading conservative voices at the 2025 TFRW Conference in San Antonio. 6:51 Dawn Buckingham, Texas Land Commissioner 17:40 Deborah Wall, Camino Real Republican Women President 49:47 Jim Wright, Texas Railroad Commission Chairman 1:05:02 Mary Elise Cosgray, Statewide Politics Reporter for The Texan 1:34:04 Grant Moody, Bexar County Commissioner  1:47:21 Congressman Nathaniel Moran 2:12:52 Misty Spears, San Antonio City Council Member 2:27:39 Jill Tate, Texas Federation of Republican Women President 3:00:39 Texas State Senator Pete Flores (SD-24) 3:21:59 Wrap up

The Stroom Network presents an interesting proposition: staking your bitcoin on the Lightning network, and earning yield from the transaction fees that routing nodes are collecting. To better explain how this system works, Slava and Ros join the show! Time stamps: 00:01:17 - Introduction to Bitcoin Takeover Podcast Season 16 Episode 54 00:01:23 - Welcoming Slava Zhygulin and Ros from Stroom Network 00:01:52 - Overview of Stroom Network: Liquid staking on Lightning Network 00:02:38 - How Stroom works: Depositing BTC for yield via transaction routing 00:03:55 - Liquid token as receipt for deposited BTC 00:04:21 - Addressing Bitcoin purists' concerns about staking and yield 00:05:32 - Token issuance on Ethereum, redeemable 1:1 with BTC 00:06:37 - Custodian role: Fortuna Custody for secure setup 00:06:49 - User process: Staking BTC, receiving ST BTC token 00:09:06 - Stroom's Lightning node on 1ml.com: 180 BTC capacity, top rankings 00:10:06 - Background: Work with Lightning since 2016, ex-Bitfury team 00:11:15 - Lightning Network capacity: ~5,000 BTC total 00:12:18 - Bullish on Lightning: 4x payment volume growth per River Finance reports 00:14:33 - Lightning's infinite scalability vs. blockchains like Solana 00:16:20 - Node metrics: 127 BTC routed, 65,000 transactions in two months 00:18:00 - Yield source: Real economic activity from routing fees 00:19:06 - Unique BTC yield without proof-of-stake risks 00:19:48 - Comparison to other Bitcoin L2s like Citrea and Alpen Labs 00:22:57 - Custodian details: Fortuna, EU-compliant in Ireland 00:23:37 - Fee structure: 5-10% retained, rest to stakers (bootstrapped at 20%) 00:24:53 - Revenue share model based on routed volumes 00:25:43 - Timeline: Two years of development, challenges with Taproot channels 00:29:04 - Bitcoin covenants: Unlikely to eliminate custodians 00:30:36 - Competitors: Kraken (1% yield), Starkware (2%), Babylon 00:33:06 - Stroom's edge: Yield from real Lightning activity, no token incentives 00:35:24 - Node stats: 65,000 transactions, ~$15M volume 00:36:59 - Average fees: ~0.1%, varies by channel and size 00:38:15 - Profitability estimates: $7,000/month example calculation 00:41:35 - Block (Jack Dorsey's company): 10% APY on $10M node 00:43:32 - Node age impact: Older nodes like Alex Bosworth's attract more traffic 00:45:33 - Encouraging channels: Reliability and high liquidity 00:46:53 - Boosting Lightning adoption: Stablecoins via Taproot Assets, RGB, Lightspark 00:50:27 - Sponsors: Layer 2 Labs, Sideshift.ai, NoOnes.com, Bitcoin.com News 00:53:13 - Node connections: NiceHash, OKX, Kraken, Binance, Wallet of Satoshi 00:56:45 - Fee policy: Dynamic algorithms, 0.1-2 basis points 00:59:36 - Future if Lightning replaced: Bitcoin L2s, BTVM, crosschain swaps 01:00:07 - Long-term vision: Proof-of-stake L2s like Botanics, BTM operators 01:03:07 - Team: Nick Sterningard as advisor 01:03:54 - Challenges in Lightning businesses: LSPs like Phoenix, Breez 01:05:43 - Lightning quirks: Buggy experience, on-chain alternatives 01:08:07 - Personal Lightning nodes: Rings of fire, Tor issues 01:09:58 - Stablecoins vs. Bitcoin: Tether article in Bitcoin Magazine 01:11:28 - Dollar dominance: 85% global payments, slow shift to Bitcoin 01:13:14 - Adoption decline: Past merchants like Dell, Microsoft vs. today 01:15:43 - Yield transparency: Real activity vs. BlockFi/Celsius rehypothecation 01:17:36 - Decentralized future: Federation for BTC management 01:18:53 - Ultimate purpose: Support Bitcoin economy beyond holding 01:19:59 - Community: 10,000 followers, 8-person tech team, 50/50 retail/funds 01:22:17 - 10-year vision: Largest BTC liquidity management community 01:23:53 - Personal payments: Bitcoin/Lightning preferred, stablecoins common 01:25:31 - Magic wand: Faster Bitcoin blocks (1-minute intervals) 01:27:54 - Tokenizing BTC: WBTC on Ethereum (100k+ BTC) vs. Lightning 01:29:43 - Paths forward: Improve Bitcoin or bridge to other networks like drivechains 01:30:59 - Learn more: Stroom.net, Twitter, Telegram, Discord 01:32:51 - Closing thoughts: Bright Bitcoin future, open financial inclusion 01:36:07 - Thanks and sign-off

The role of the Federation

As well as talking about Steve's time down in the mine, I talk about my rather hectic social weekJoybringer - played by Federation (1981)Graham Hawke, David Bray, Al Nance, Jon Hooper, Steve Treadwell, Sally Rowe.

It's Spooky Szn at the Barnhardt Fantasy Sports podcast in this MONSTER Halloween episode.Pete B & Jergy play Trick or Treat in recapping the NFL standings and use Halloween buckets to categorize fantasy disappointments:All Dracula - bloodsuckers who have killed your fantasy teamAll Mummy - injured players across the leagueAll Ghost - players who have been MIA this season despite being mostly activeBUT wait, there's more... the dynamic duo famously break down the top fantasy & Federation performers from Week 8. Thanks for listening to the Barnhardt Fantasy Sports podcast.

On this episode of Star Trek Universe, Effie and Dave beam down to Sigma Iotia II — the planet that found a book about Chicago mobsters and decided to run with it! From fedoras to tommy guns, the Iotians built an entire society modeled after 1920s gangland culture, maman. Now the warring “bosses” want the Federation to supply them with heaters for their escalating turf war. It's one of the funniest and most iconic episodes of The Original Series, blending sci-fi satire with pulpy gangster style. Dave likes to think of it as “A Private Little Cosplay” — but you'll know it better as Star Trek 2x20, “A Piece of the Action.”

Union Federation EP.232: Star Trek "Q" Episodes: "Qpid" (1991) Star Trek: The Next Generation Watch: Fandom Podcast Network YouTube Channel Link: https://www.youtube.com/@FandomPodcastNetwork Listen: Union Federation Audio Podcast Link: https://fpnet.podbean.com/category/union-federation Welcome to the Union Federation Podcast on the Fandom Podcast Network & BQN Network, where we discuss both Star Trek and The Orville. On this episode we discuss: Union Federation EP.232: Star Trek "Q" Episodes: "Qpid" (1991) The Next Generation On this 12 part limited YouTube video and audio podcast series we will discuss everyone's favorite Star Trek omnipotent, extra-dimensional and manipulative alien "Q". The most familiar Q is portrayed by John de Lancie, who we will celebrate from the home video DVD collection of Q episodes, "Star Trek Q Fan Collective", which was released on June 6, 2006. John's portrayal as Q, was showcased in 12 episodes throughout Star Trek episodes of Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager (1987-2001). Until next time on the Union Federation Podcast, "Live Long & Prosper" & "We Are, Without A Doubt, The Weirdest Ship In The Fleet!"   Union Federation Podcast Contact Info. Hailing frequencies are now open........   Fandom Podcast Network YouTube Channel:  (Union Federation: A Star Trek and The Orville Episodes) https://www.youtube.com/@FandomPodcastNetwork   Union Federation: A Star Trek and The Orville Podcast Feed: Link: https://fpnet.podbean.com/category/union-federation   Facebook: The Union Federation: A Star Trek and Orville Podcast Group. Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/323504344789120   - Fandom Podcast Network Master Audio Feed: https://fpnet.podbean.com/ - Fandom Podcast Network is on ALL major podcasts platforms. - Email: theunionfederation@gmail.com - Instagram: @UnionFederationPodcast / https://www.instagram.com/unionfederationpodcast/ - X (Twitter) : @unionfedpodcast / https://x.com/UnionFedPodcast - Bluesky: @fanpodnetwork / https://bsky.app/profile/fanpodnetwork.bsky.social Host & Guest Contact Info: - Kyle Wagner on X: @AKyleW / Instagram & Threads: @Akylefandom / @akyleW on Discord / @Ksport16: Letterboxd / Blue Sky: @akylew - Amy Nelson on X: @MissAmyNelson / Instagram: @amynelson522 /  Blue Sky: @CounselorAmy - Hayley Stoddart on Instagram & Bluesky: @trekkie01D - Kevin Reitzel on X / Instagram / Threads / Discord & Letterboxd: @spartan_phoenix / Bluesky: @spartanphoenix - Special Guest Ambassador(s): - Gary Akers on X: @GaryA_Retro & Discord: @Retrodoc - Robert Bapst on Discord: @baldsolo   Where to Find BQN: Instagram: @BQNpodcasts Bluesky: @bqnpodcasts Facebook: The BQN Collective (listener's group) Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bqnpodcast   #FandomPodcastNetwork #FPNet #FPN #UnionFederation #UnionFederationPodcast #BQN #BQNPodcasts #StarTrek #StarTrekQFanCollective #StarTrekTheNextGeneration #StarTrekDeepSpaceNine #StarTrekVoyager #StarTrekQEpisodes #JohndeLancie #EncounterAtFarpoint #HideAndQ #QWho #DejaQ #Qpid #TrueQ #StarTrekDeepSpaceNineQLess #StarTrekTNGTapestry #StarTrekAllGoodThings #StarTrekVoyagerDeathWish #StarTrekVoyagerTheQAndTheGrey #StarTrekVoyagerQ2 #AmyNelson #HayleyStoddart #KyleWagner #KevinReitzel  

This week, Doug Stephan welcomes Warren Shaw, President of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF). The gentlemen cover a wide range of topics affecting family farmers in our country and the immediate economic problems. Warren, who is a farmer with his own Shaw Farm, discusses on his own farm hardships when the roof collapsed due to a snow storm, losing multiple cattle, shares how he's rebuilding and moving forward with his farming operations.Other conversation lands on the political climate and what it means for farmers, what American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall is doing to help family farmers, and more about the MFBF. For over a century, MFBF has been the Voice of Agriculture in Massachusetts, giving farmers a direct say in the policies and priorities that affect their land, their livelihoods, and the future of American farming. Warren shares how this grassroots, democratic model continues to empower farmers, influence legislation, and strengthen connections between local producers and their communities.From shaping agricultural policy to preserving family farms in a changing economy, this conversation shines a light on how farmers leading farmers remains the foundation of progress in U.S. agriculture — just as it was when the Farm Bureau movement began in 1911. Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

From The Original Series' simple designs to the sleek modern fits of Star Trek Discovery and Picard, Starfleet uniforms have come a long way through the decades! In this episode of Eat Sleep Nerd, we boldly go where few nerds have gone before — ranking every primary Starfleet uniform from every Star Trek movie and TV show.Which uniforms are timeless icons of the Federation… and which deserve to be jettisoned out an airlock? Join us as we debate the style, practicality, and sheer vibe of each look — from the animated Lower Deck uniforms all the way to the gray jumpsuits of Enterprise. We're covering Strange New Worlds, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Star Trek Voyager, Star Trek Prodigy, and more!Chapters00:00 Introduction03:12 Ranking every Star Trek movie uniform14:24 Ranking every Star trek TV show uniform37:06 Final Starfleet uniform rankings

NEW! 5-WEEK COURSE THE INTIMATE SKY: ASTROLOGY OF RELATIONSHIPS, SENSUALITY & SOUL DESIREWITH ASTRO-LEGEND MARC LAURENSON!SIGN UP BEFORE OCT 31ST TO CHOOSE YOUR TUITION RATE! AS LOW AS $5 A CLASS FOR A LIMITED TIME!Learn More & Sign up now at synchronicityuniversity.comScheduleClass 1. The Sensual Blueprint: Identifying Sensual and Intimate Energies in the Chart Class 2. Venus, Mars & Pluto: The Dance of Love, Lust & Power Class 3. The Empowered Feminine: Black Moon Lilith & the Sensual Archetypes of the AsteroidsClass 4. Cosmic Chemistry: Exploring Sensual & Emotional Intimacy in SynastryClass 5. From Chart to the Client: Bringing the intimate side of Astrology into the Reading RoomIn this 5-week course, Superstar Astrologer Marc Laurenson will guide us on a journey of unveiling the raw, sacred, and psychological truths of sensuality and connection through the lens of astrology. Over the course of this program, we will delve deep into the intimate realms of the birth chart, exploring the core signatures of desire, attraction, and intimacy. This comprehensive course promises to be a transformative exploration of the sacred, sensual, and psychological dimensions of the human experience, as revealed through the profound insights of Astrology!"We don't read the stars to know the future, but to unlock the depths of the present—the sacred, sensual truths that transform how we love, how we connect, and how we live." ...Marc Laurenson is the creator and principal teacher at the popular Sydney Astrology School since 2007, going online internationally in 2017. He is an AAT (accredited Astrology teacher) with the Federation of Australian Astrologers. Marc has a thriving consultation business Marc Laurenson Astrology with a ‘wait list' for readings. He describes his Astrology style as Evolutionary with a psychological bent with a goal of empowering people and guiding them toward more fulfilling lives. Marc is a popular speaker on the circuit including the ISAR Conference, FAA Conferences, OPA, London School of Astrology, Astrology Hub, Breaking down the Borders online Conferences and Synchronicity University. He has also written for many publications including Wellbeing Astrology and the FAA Journal. https://marclaurenson.comhttps://sydneyastrologyschool.comSubscribe to Marc's YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/c/SydneyAstrologySchoolFollow Marc on Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sydneyastrologyschool  Instagram: @sydneyastrologyschool

In this episode of the Glowing Older podcast, host Nancy Griffin interviews Dr. Kenneth Pelletier, a clinical professor of medicine and psychiatry at UCSF, about the science of longevity and the role of epigenetics. Dr. Pelletier shares insights into the importance of healthspan over lifespan, and the impact of diet, stress, exercise, and social support on longevity. He also discusses the potential and limitations of biohacking and the growing field of integrative medicine. About Dr. Pelletier Kenneth R. Pelletier, PhD, MD is a Clinical Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine; Department of Family and Community Medicine; and Department of Psychiatry at the University of California School of Medicine (UCSF) in San Francisco; and a Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine and Department Family and Community Medicine at the University of Arizona School of Medicine in Tucson. At the present time, Dr. Pelletier is a medical and business consultant to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the World Health Organization (WHO), the National Business Group on Health, the Federation of State Medical Boards, the Wild Dolphin Project, and major corporations including Cisco, IBM, American Airlines, Prudential, Dow, Disney, Ford, Mercer, Merck, Pepsico, Ford, Pfizer, Walgreens, NASA, Microsoft ENCARTA, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Health Net, the Pasteur Institute of Lille, France, the Alpha Group of Mexico, and the Singapore Ministry of Health. He also serves on the boards of the Rancho la Puerta (Mexico), Nova Institute, Fries Foundation, American Institute of Stress (AIS), American Journal of Health Promotion (AJHP), as a Founding Board Member of the American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM), and as a peer reviewer for the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (JOEM), Annals of Internal Medicine, Health Affairs, and webMD.  Dr. Pelletier is listed in Who's Who in America and in Who's Who in the World. He has been featured on ABC World News, the Today program, Good Morning America, Dr Oz, the CBS Evening News, 48 Hours, the McNeil-Lehrer Newshour, CNN, FOX News, and CBS Sunday Morning.Dr. Pelletier is the author of 15 major books including the international bestseller Mind as Healer, Mind as Slayer; Holistic Medicine: From Stress to Optimum Health; Longevity: Fulfilling Our Biological Potential; Healthy People in Unhealthy Places; Stress and Fitness at Work; Sound Mind – Sound Body: A New Model for Lifelong Health; The Best Alternative Medicine: What Works? What Does Not?; Stress Free for Good: Ten Scientifically Proven Life Skills for Health and Happiness; New Medicine: How to Integrate Conventional and Alternative Medicine for the Safest and Most Effective Treatment and Change Your Genes – Change Your Life: Creating Optimal Health with the New Science ofEpigenetics.Key TakeawaysEpigenetics is a relatively new science, developed in the last 15 years. Epigenetics are all of the influences that determine our health, wellbeing, and life expectancy after the sperm and ovum unite. Epigenetics plays a crucial role in determining health and life expectancy – 95 % of health, illness, and life expectancy are due to factors other than our genes. The role of diet, stress, physical activity and social support significantly influence genetic expression.There are no longitudinal studies for biohacking. Don'tgo into the periphery and engage in questionable practices. Sort hope from hype.Equal criteria for evaluating the outcomes of alternative and conventional medicine must be applied; both should be held to the same rigorous scientific standards to ensure their acceptability and effectiveness.

Progress (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9), S1 E15) was recommended by Bryan Love(Blackrain), who said: When I first watched this episode when it air way back in the early 90s, I was only 13 years old. It felt pretty much like a filler bottle episode. Something they needed to write out to fill in for the 19 episode for the first season. Even when I did different re-watches of DS9 over the years "Progress" still felt like a first season bottle episode, something that the writers were trying out as they were finding their footing of what DS9 was going to be. It wasn't until the start of my latest re-watch of DS9, along with having watched more of the newer Star Trek(Lower Decks, Discovery, Strange New World, etc.) along with more life experiences I had more to bring to the re-watch this time.There are the two different plots that run through this episode. Plot A Major Kira having to choose between her duty or who she was. Plot B Nog and Jake trying to earn Profit!Plot A: The Federation is helping Bajor with need power by tapping into the core of one of its moons. This unfortunately will make the moon uninhabitable, the few people living on the moon will have to relocate before the mining operation can begin. Everyone leaves, but one old farmer Mullibok that refuses to leave. He's the sweet old grandfather or uncle Eeveryone has or knows. The old man of a thousand stories. Major Kira finds herself question herself. She was a resistance fighter during the occupation, fighting against the cruel overbearing governmental authority. Now she's part of the new Bayoran government and it's her job to be that governmental authority to remove Mullibok from his home. Even if she doesn't want to. She gets for a very short time to leave all the pressure of her duties, as she get to play pretend with Mullibok listening to his stories. Captain Sisko comes to remain Major Kira of her duty.Plot B: The more light hearted and has always brought up the question. The Federation doesn't use a currency base system. But other races still value things, and other humans not in Star Fleet have to earn a living. Nog and Jake put the practice of the art of the trade to full test here, or "I have a paper clip, bet I can trade it up to..." Nog like most Ferengi only wants gold press latinum. It's with Jake's help, I think it helps Nog to start seeing the value in other objects. What is its worth in trading vs it's monetarial valuee. The item might be nothing to me, but someone might gladly pay a small fortune for it.As much as the A Plot with Kira was the main part of this episode, I much more enjoyed Nog and Jake master the art of the deal or trade. Working on that humon and Ferengi friendship.Progress first aired on May 9, 1993, written by Peter Allan Fields, and directed by Les LandauKira has to deal with a stubborn farmer (Brian Keith) who refuses to leave his home even though it is slated for demolition.The Joy of Trek is hosted by Khaki & Kay, with editing & production by Chief Engineer Greg and music by Fox Amoore (Bandcamp | Bluesky)Send us your recommendations, or support us on Patreon.Find us at joyoftrek.com · Twitter · Facebook

What happens when fear hijacks Starfleet's ideals? In “Paradise Lost,” Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler examine Admiral Leighton's coup, changeling mind games, and the cracks in the Federation's golden image.

What happens when fear hijacks Starfleet's ideals? In “Paradise Lost,” Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Jason Tyler examine Admiral Leighton's coup, changeling mind games, and the cracks in the Federation's golden image. The post Paradise Lost (DS9) appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Picard and Beverly sitting in a tree, not really K. I. S. S. I. N. G. There's a planet of spies trying to join the Federation, one side is on board, the other is super xenophobic. Picard and Beverly get snatched from the transporter room after a Vulcan breakfast. After being attached - get it, that's the title! - via a psychic implant, they start to talk about their feelings long repressed. Including love and admiration. Sadly, the fire does not ignite beyond the campfire, leaving Jimmie with 4.5 pairs of blue balls. We discuss! In depth! Enjoy!   Please send us any thoughts on the series to LetsReEngage@gmail.com or on Bluesky, Greg's social media of choice. Get in touch with us on BlueSky @ReEngageTNG.bsky.social!    Host: Greg Tito (Gregtito.com, @GregTito on Bluesky, @greg_tito on IG)  Panel: Erik Curry (@erikfallsdown on Twitter & IG) , Kate Jaeger (@jaegerlicious on Twitter and IG) , and Jimmie G (@thejimmieg on IG & Twitter) Audio Editor: Greg Tito (Gregtito.com, @GregTito on Bluesky, @greg_tito on IG) Logo artwork: @mojojojo_97 on Twitter, mojo97.com Theme music: Ryan Marth   Next up is s7e9 "Force of Nature" hosted by Jimmie!

A tragic story in the world of chess, as 29-year-old Chess Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky was found dead this week at his home in Charlotte. As of this recording, there is no official cause of death, but late this week police acknowledged they were investigating his death as a possible drug overdose/suicide. Meantime, much of the chess world is pointing fingers at 50-year-old former chess World Champion, Vladimir Kramnik who has viciously, repeatedly and baselessly accused Naroditsky of cheating over the years. The International Chess Federation announced it was investigating Kramnik for his public comments before and after Naroditsky’s death, but many say it’s too little, too late.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tragic story in the world of chess, as 29-year-old Chess Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky was found dead this week at his home in Charlotte. As of this recording, there is no official cause of death, but late this week police acknowledged they were investigating his death as a possible drug overdose/suicide. Meantime, much of the chess world is pointing fingers at 50-year-old former chess World Champion, Vladimir Kramnik who has viciously, repeatedly and baselessly accused Naroditsky of cheating over the years. The International Chess Federation announced it was investigating Kramnik for his public comments before and after Naroditsky’s death, but many say it’s too little, too late.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tragic story in the world of chess, as 29-year-old Chess Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky was found dead this week at his home in Charlotte. As of this recording, there is no official cause of death, but late this week police acknowledged they were investigating his death as a possible drug overdose/suicide. Meantime, much of the chess world is pointing fingers at 50-year-old former chess World Champion, Vladimir Kramnik who has viciously, repeatedly and baselessly accused Naroditsky of cheating over the years. The International Chess Federation announced it was investigating Kramnik for his public comments before and after Naroditsky’s death, but many say it’s too little, too late.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tragic story in the world of chess, as 29-year-old Chess Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky was found dead this week at his home in Charlotte. As of this recording, there is no official cause of death, but late this week police acknowledged they were investigating his death as a possible drug overdose/suicide. Meantime, much of the chess world is pointing fingers at 50-year-old former chess World Champion, Vladimir Kramnik who has viciously, repeatedly and baselessly accused Naroditsky of cheating over the years. The International Chess Federation announced it was investigating Kramnik for his public comments before and after Naroditsky’s death, but many say it’s too little, too late.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Union Federation EP.231: Star Trek "Q" Episodes: "Deja Q" (1990) The Next Generation Watch: Fandom Podcast Network YouTube Channel Link: https://www.youtube.com/@FandomPodcastNetwork Listen: Union Federation Audio Podcast Link: https://fpnet.podbean.com/category/union-federation Welcome to the Union Federation Podcast on the Fandom Podcast Network & BQN Network, where we discuss both Star Trek and The Orville. On this episode we discuss: Union Federation EP.231: Star Trek "Q" Episodes: "Deja Q" (1990) The Next Generation On this 12 part limited YouTube video and audio podcast series we will discuss everyone's favorite Star Trek omnipotent, extra-dimensional and manipulative alien "Q". The most familiar Q is portrayed by John de Lancie, who we will celebrate from the home video DVD collection of Q episodes, "Star Trek Q Fan Collective", which was released on June 6, 2006. John's portrayal as Q, was showcased in 12 episodes throughout Star Trek episodes of Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager (1987-2001). Until next time on the Union Federation Podcast, "Live Long & Prosper" & "We Are, Without A Doubt, The Weirdest Ship In The Fleet!"   Union Federation Podcast Contact Info. Hailing frequencies are now open........   Fandom Podcast Network YouTube Channel:  (Union Federation: A Star Trek and The Orville Episodes) https://www.youtube.com/@FandomPodcastNetwork   Union Federation: A Star Trek and The Orville Podcast Feed: Link: https://fpnet.podbean.com/category/union-federation   Facebook: The Union Federation: A Star Trek and Orville Podcast Group. Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/323504344789120   - Fandom Podcast Network Master Audio Feed: https://fpnet.podbean.com/ - Fandom Podcast Network is on ALL major podcasts platforms. - Email: theunionfederation@gmail.com - Instagram: @UnionFederationPodcast / https://www.instagram.com/unionfederationpodcast/ - X (Twitter) : @unionfedpodcast / https://x.com/UnionFedPodcast - Bluesky: @fanpodnetwork / https://bsky.app/profile/fanpodnetwork.bsky.social Host & Guest Contact Info: - Kyle Wagner on X: @AKyleW / Instagram & Threads: @Akylefandom / @akyleW on Discord / @Ksport16: Letterboxd / Blue Sky: @akylew - Amy Nelson on X: @MissAmyNelson / Instagram: @amynelson522 /  Blue Sky: @CounselorAmy - Hayley Stoddart on Instagram & Bluesky: @trekkie01D - Kevin Reitzel on X / Instagram / Threads / Discord & Letterboxd: @spartan_phoenix / Bluesky: @spartanphoenix - Special Guest Ambassador(s): - Gary Akers on X: @GaryA_Retro & Discord: Retrodoc - Robert Bapst on Discord: @baldsolo   Where to Find BQN: Instagram: @BQNpodcasts Bluesky: @bqnpodcasts Facebook: The BQN Collective (listener's group) Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bqnpodcast   #FandomPodcastNetwork #FPNet #FPN #UnionFederation #UnionFederationPodcast #BQN #BQNPodcasts #StarTrek #StarTrekQFanCollective #StarTrekTheNextGeneration #StarTrekDeepSpaceNine #StarTrekVoyager #StarTrekQEpisodes #JohndeLancie #EncounterAtFarpoint #HideAndQ #QWho #DejaQ #Qpid #TrueQ #StarTrekDeepSpaceNineQLess #StarTrekTNGTapestry #StarTrekAllGoodThings #StarTrekVoyagerDeathWish #StarTrekVoyagerTheQAndTheGrey #StarTrekVoyagerQ2 #AmyNelson #HayleyStoddart #KyleWagner #KevinReitzel

The Enterprise is diverted to the Romulan homeworld Romulus, supposedly because they want to negotiate a peace treaty. Captain Picard and his crew discover a serious threat to the Federation once Praetor Shinzon plans to attack Earth.The gofundme for Cam and his family can be found here: https://gofund.me/5bdcc779bTwitter: @comicrundownInstagram: @comicbookrundownThreads: @comicbookrundownEmail: comicbookrundown@gmail.comHosted by Joe Janero, Ron Hanes, Charlie Shaw and Chris Balga Edited by Joe JaneroTheme song provided by Cam Malidor Find our t-shirts at Redbubble and TeePublic https://www.redbubble.com/shop/comic+book+rundown?ref=search_boxhttp://tee.pub/lic/vBbIJZ4eLQ0

NEW! 5-WEEK COURSE THE INTIMATE SKY: ASTROLOGY OF RELATIONSHIPS, SENSUALITY & SOUL DESIREWITH ASTRO-LEGEND MARC LAURENSON!SIGN UP BEFORE OCT 31ST TO CHOOSE YOUR TUITION RATE! AS LOW AS $5 A CLASS FOR A LIMITED TIME!Learn More & Sign up now at synchronicityuniversity.comScheduleClass 1. The Sensual Blueprint: Identifying Sensual and Intimate Energies in the Chart Class 2. Venus, Mars & Pluto: The Dance of Love, Lust & Power Class 3. The Empowered Feminine: Black Moon Lilith & the Sensual Archetypes of the AsteroidsClass 4. Cosmic Chemistry: Exploring Sensual & Emotional Intimacy in SynastryClass 5. From Chart to the Client: Bringing the intimate side of Astrology into the Reading RoomIn this 5-week course, Superstar Astrologer Marc Laurenson will guide us on a journey of unveiling the raw, sacred, and psychological truths of sensuality and connection through the lens of astrology. Over the course of this program, we will delve deep into the intimate realms of the birth chart, exploring the core signatures of desire, attraction, and intimacy. This comprehensive course promises to be a transformative exploration of the sacred, sensual, and psychological dimensions of the human experience, as revealed through the profound insights of Astrology!"We don't read the stars to know the future, but to unlock the depths of the present—the sacred, sensual truths that transform how we love, how we connect, and how we live." ...Marc Laurenson is the creator and principal teacher at the popular Sydney Astrology School since 2007, going online internationally in 2017. He is an AAT (accredited Astrology teacher) with the Federation of Australian Astrologers. Marc has a thriving consultation business Marc Laurenson Astrology with a ‘wait list' for readings. He describes his Astrology style as Evolutionary with a psychological bent with a goal of empowering people and guiding them toward more fulfilling lives. Marc is a popular speaker on the circuit including the ISAR Conference, FAA Conferences, OPA, London School of Astrology, Astrology Hub, Breaking down the Borders online Conferences and Synchronicity University. He has also written for many publications including Wellbeing Astrology and the FAA Journal. https://marclaurenson.comhttps://sydneyastrologyschool.comSubscribe to Marc's YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/c/SydneyAstrologySchoolFollow Marc on Social MediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sydneyastrologyschool  Instagram: @sydneyastrologyschoolBe Social: To interact and be in the loop on astrological happenings and inspirations... 'Like' me here: http://www.facebook.com/nadiyashahdotcomhttps://www.facebook.com/synchronicityuniversity'Follow' me here: http://twitter.com/nadiyashah'Follow' me here: http://nadiyashah.bsky.social'Follow" me here: http://instagram.com/nadiyashah http://instagram.com/nadiya_shahhttps://www.instagram.com/synchronicityuniversity/'Follow" me here: https://www.threads.net/@nadiya_shah'Follow' me here: https://www.tiktok.com/@nadiya.shahThank You for watching!*N.

Join Brian as he interviews longtime Star Trek novel author Keith RA DeCandido and they discuss Keith's 2005 novel "Articles of the Federation."

This episode features Nolan Chang, MD, EVP of Corporate Development, Strategy, and Finance at The Permanente Federation LLC. Dr. Chang discusses how Kaiser Permanente leverages AI and digital health tools to improve patient experiences, support clinicians, and drive value-based care, while sharing insights on governance, operational strategy, and evolving leadership in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

September 25, 2025 - This episode features a tribute to the 2025 Coop Hall of Fame Unsung Hero Estelle Whitherspoon. Jessica Gordon Nembhard, Ph.D., Margaret Lund, and Alice Paris honor her legacy and tell the story of her cooperative journey. Author of Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice (2014) and 2016 inductee into the U.S. Cooperative Hall of Fame, Jessica Gordon-Nembhard, Ph.D., is a Professor at John Jay College, City University of NY. She is a political economist specializing in cooperative economics, community economic development, racial wealth inequality, Black Political Economy. She is a member of the Cooperative Economics Council of NCBA/CLUSA; the ICA Committee on Co-operative Research; an affiliate scholar with the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, University of Saskatchewan; and past board member of Association of Cooperative Educators. Margaret Lund is an independent consultant specializing in the areas of community development, finance and shared ownership strategies. Throughout her career she has worked across cooperative sectors including credit unions, consumer co-ops, housing co-ops, worker co-ops, healthcare and sustainable food systems. Before launching her consulting practice in 2008, Margaret spent 16 years as a small business lender to cooperatives. Lund is a past member of the boards of the U.S. National Cooperative Business Association, and Health Partners, the largest consumer-governed healthcare organization in the United States. Past awards include the Howard Bowers Cooperative Service Award from the Consumer Cooperative Managers Association, and the 2014 John Logue Award for "acting as a catalyst for innovation and change" from the Association of Cooperative Educators. Alice Paris has dedicated her life to cooperative agriculture and land justice. As one of the founding staff of the Rural Training & Research Center in Epes, Alabama, she and her husband, George, along with Wendell Paris, John and Carol Zippert, and Jim Jones, helped establish the center by living on site, contributing part of her salary, and even working in construction during its early years. In 1970, she joined an FSC/LAF delegation to Israel to study vegetable production and cooperative marketing systems, an experience that shaped her decades of service with the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund. Throughout her work with the Federation, she demonstrated both a commitment to advancing its mission and a respect for its legacy, forming a close bond with leaders such as Estelle Witherspoon. In 2001, Alice brought her expertise to Tuskegee University as a project coordinator, where she continued empowering rural communities until her retirement in 2014. For her lifelong dedication and personification of cooperative values, Estelle Witherspoon was posthumously inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame on October 9 in Washington, DC. For more information regarding the inductees visit Heroes.coop

In the Star Trek: Voyager episode Author, Author, The Doctor takes his first stab at fiction, but his holonovel hits a little too close to home. Captain Jenkins is a sadist, Tulak relishes punishment, and Lt. Marseilles just wants to get in your pants. The crew is shocked. The Doctor calls it “art,” and a Federation publisher calls it “contractually locked.” As Voyager debates creative expression vs. defamation, a deeper issue emerges: does the author have rights? “Photons Be Free”—but only if Starfleet says so, in Author, Author on this week's Mission Log. Hosted by John Champion and Norman Lao Welcome to Mission Log, a Roddenberry Entertainment podcast, where we explore the Star Trek universe one episode at a time. Each week, Mission Log examines a single episode of Star Trek, diving into its ethical subtext, metaphors, and cultural significance. From the show's most iconic moments to its hidden gems, we analyze what makes Star Trek one of the greatest science fiction sagas of all time. In every episode of Mission Log we… Recap the story and analyze key moments. Discuss the morals, messages, and meanings of the dilemmas presented. Debate whether the episode holds up and if the themes are still relevant. Join the Conversation: For as little as $1 a month, you can gain access to our exclusive Discord Community! There, we continue the discussion with dedicated channels and  weekly video chats with the hosts. Become a member of our Patreon today! https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLog SPECIAL THANKS the supporters of this week's show: Chris Garis, Julie Miller, Stuart, Michael Park, Paul Shadwell, Matt Esposito, Alan Simonis, Mike Richards, David Takechi, Mike Schiable, VADM Erickson, and Lars Seme Thanks to all of our Patreon Supporters https://www.missionlogpodcast.com/sponsors/ Want to share your thoughts on an upcoming episode? Email us at MissionLog@Roddenberry.com for a chance to be featured during the episode. Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryEntertainment THREADS https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod Did you know we're on YouTube? Find the video versions of your favorite shows like Mission Log: Prodigy, The Orville, as well as exclusive content only available on YouTube. Subscribe now:  https://www.youtube.com/@RoddenberryEntertainment?sub_confirmation=1 Our shows are part of the Roddenberry Entertainment family. For more great shows and to learn more about how we live the legacy of Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek, follow us here: RODDENBERRY PODCASTS https://www.instagram.com/roddenberrypodcasts RODDENBERRY ENTERTAINMENT https://www.instagram.com/roddenberryofficial THE RODDENBERRY FOUNDATION https://www.instagram.com/theroddenberryfoundation   THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:Listeners like you - Support Mission Log on Patreon for early access to shows and the Mission Log Discord! Subscribe and Stay Updated:Never miss an episode! Subscribe on your preferred podcast player, leave a review, and join Mission Log on the journey of weekly deep dives into the Star Trek universe. Technical Director - Earl Green Producer - John Champion Associate Producer - Jessica Lynn Verdi Executive Producer - Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry Roddenberry Entertainment | All Rights Reserved

51:29- Hogan Gidley, Former National Press Secretary for the Trump campaign, former White House Deputy Press Secretary, and a Newsmax contributor Topic: President Trump's ballroom dinner, government shutdown, Israel-Hamas peace deal 1:01:44- Aldo Verrelli, Longtime Columbus Citizens Foundation Member, Parade Chair, and career financial advisor Topic: Italian American Heritage Month 1:07:37- Stephen Moore, "Joe Piscopo Show" Resident Scholar of Economics, Chairman of FreedomWorks Task Force on Economic Revival, former Trump economic adviser and the author of "The Trump Economic Miracle: And the Plan to Unleash Prosperity Again" Topic: Stop the UN global climate tax on US ships 1:21:54- Gregg Jarrett, Legal and political analyst for Fox News Channel and the author of "The Trial Of The Century"Topic: Letitia James and James Comey, Federal judge in favor of allowing SCOTUS trans athlete case to proceed, other legal news of the day 1:30:50- Paul Jacobs for Food for the Poor Topic: Food for the Poor 1:42:36- Congressman Mike Lawler, Republican representing New York's 17th Congressional District Topic: Confrontation with Hakeem Jeffries, Government shutdown 1:56:51- Art Del Cueto, Border Security Advisor for the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) and a 21-year veteran of the Border PatrolTopic: Illegal migrants reportedly receiving Medicaid, crackdown on drug cartels 2:08:09- Vincent J. Vallelong, President of the Sergeants Benevolent Association Topic: Zohran Mamdani's latest apology to the NYPDSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Because of the government shutdown, the Bureau of Labor Statistics will not release its monthly unemployment and jobs survey today. But that's probably not a big deal to President Donald Trump, who has apparently decided that the best statistics are the ones that either say what he wants to hear, or are simply never heard at all.  The most expensive extreme weather events, which facilities are creating the most pollution, quarterly reports, incidents of domestic terrorism, the number of people who need food assistance…these are all statistics Americans need to know. And these are all forms of data under attack by the Trump administration. And this started long before the shutdown. America has been a world leader at collecting data on everything from the number of bison living in Plains states to the divorce rate – but our data supremacy might be coming to an end. And that's really, really bad, for reasons we might not even know yet. So to find out more about the stats we're losing, and what else we're losing in the process, we spoke to Denice Ross. She's a senior fellow at the Federation of American Scientists and former U.S. Chief Data Scientist for the Biden administration.And in headlines, President Donald Trump determines the US is in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, the Trump administration punishes a slew of blue states by cancelling nearly $8-billion in grants for their clean energy projects, and the lastest update in the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case.Show Notes:Call Congress – 202-224-3121Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.