Podcasts about Flattening

Are you thriving or just surviving? Steve Magness joins Kevin to discuss how many of us operate in psychological survival mode far more often than we realize, treating everyday workplace challenges as threats rather than growth opportunities. They explore the psychological traps of modern stress responses, protective systems, and the impact of flattening our identities. They also cover accepting “messiness”, the balance between short-term comfort and long-term growth, redefining success, and why authenticity must go beyond performance to resonate. Listen For 00:00 Introduction to The Remarkable Leadership Podcast 01:33 Introducing Guest Steve Magness 02:25 Steve Magness' Background and New Book 03:15 Steve's Journey from Running to Coaching 05:02 The Dangers of Win at All Costs Mentality 05:24 From Survival to Thriving The Purpose of the Book 06:09 The Modern Survival Mode Explained 07:14 The Four Protective Systems of the Brain 08:53 Why We Struggle to Accept and Learn 11:25 The Challenge of Moving Past Natural Responses 12:15 Leadership and Survival Mode in Everyday Life 13:07 Flattening the World Simplifying People and Ourselves 16:09 How Flattening Ourselves Makes Us Fragile 18:09 Accepting the Messiness of Who You Are 19:05 Resilience Through Embracing Complexity 21:24 Instagram vs Real Life Identity Example 22:15 Leadership Accountability and Avoiding Deflection 23:16 Real vs Performative Authenticity 24:40 Why Actions and Words Must Align for True Leadership 25:07 Authenticity vs Using It as an Excuse 26:13 Defining Thriving Autonomy Significance Belonging 28:02 Thriving at Work and Intrinsic Motivation 28:46 Advice for Leaders Start with Yourself 30:54 Learning to Lose and Resilience in Leadership 31:11 Steve's Book Recommendation The Science of Storytelling 32:21 Final Thoughts and Steve's Contact Info 34:00 Kevin's Now What Call to Action 35:26 Closing Steve's Story: Steve Magness is the author of Win the Inside Game: How to Move from Surviving to Thriving and Free Yourself Up to Perform. He is a world-renowned performance expert as well as the bestselling author of Do Hard Things and The Science of Running, and coauthor of Peak Performance and The Passion Paradox. He is the co-host of the podcast, Farewell, and co-founder of The Growth Equation. He has written for The Atlantic, Runner's World and Sports Illustrated, and he has been featured in The New Yorker, Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, NPR, and others. Magness has served as a performance coach and speaker for teams and individuals in the MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, the US military, and numerous companies and organizations. He lives in Houston, Texas. Book Recommendations Win the Inside Game: How to Move from Surviving to Thriving, and Free Yourself Up to Perform by Steve Magness Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness by Steve Magness A Story is a Deal: How to use the science of storytelling to lead, motivate and persuade by Will Storr Like this? Building a Peak Performance Organization with Chris McGoff The Inner Journey of Leadership with Dan Rockwell How to Play for Greatness with Skip Bowman Join Our Community If you want to view our live podcast episodes, hear about new releases, or chat with others who enjoy this podcast join one of our communities below. Join the Facebook Group Join the LinkedIn Group   Leave a Review If you liked this conversation, we'd be thrilled if you'd let others know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Here's a quick guide for posting a review. Review on Apple: https://remarkablepodcast.com/itunes    Podcast Better! Sign up with Libsyn and get up to 2 months free! Use promo code: RLP  

Fremantle did a big poo in the bed last night against Collingwood. What can they do to make finals? Plus we do some wrestling rankings and another keep/cut. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sat, 12 Apr 2025 04:00:00 +0000 https://feed.neuezwanziger.de/link/21941/17004434/spotifys-mood-machine-krachts-air-varoufakis-zur-zollpolitik-thomas-wagners-soziologen-humans-fernseh-ki-atomkrieg-schoene-lieder-minority-rule 486b2b88f46363f31e8e12e574cb5b65 Wolfgang und Stefan treffen sich vorm Salon Am meisten überrascht von Spotifys Erfolg ist offenbar die Gründerriege von Spotify selbst. Junge Menschen, die technikaffin sehr reich wurden, davon träumen, den Tod auszutricksen und zum Teil seit Jahren keine Arbeit mehr in die Plattform stecken, sondern nur noch von ihrer Rendite leben - haben es mit einer Kundschaft zu tun, die einfach von Moment zu Moment einen guten Soundtrack sucht. Sie starteten als Werbeplattform, verstanden sich als Musiksuchmaschine, überzeugten mit einem Instant-Play-Button und stellten dann fest, dass das jahrzehntelang bewährte Konzept der Kuration auch für ihre Plattform taugt. Also überschreiben sie jetzt Suchanfragen und kümmern sich um "perfect fit content". Der für alles zentrale Grundbegriff lautet: Flattening. Wir reden ausführlich darüber. Dann besprechen wir Romane und weitere Literatur zum Atomkrieg, Trumps Zollplan und seine Panikattacke, Nachkriegssoziologie, Smart-Homes und GPT als Fernsehzuschauer. Außerdem heute die Legitimation: Ihr dürft eure Podcasts schneller hören! Termine KÄS-Termine 2025: Fr. 20.06. / Fr. 19.09. / Fr. 19.12. per Mail: neuezwanziger@diekaes.de SOMMERSALON am 23. August! Tickets gibts hier Literatur Spotify hat unser Hören verändert, macht den Musiker zum Content-Creator und verändert die Emotionen und Stimmungen der Gesellschaft. In ihrem Buch "Mood Machine. The Rise of Spotify and the Cost of the Perfect Playlist" untersucht Liz Pelly detailliert, wie KIs und Algorithmen immer mehr die Musikproduktion dominieren. simonandschuster.com Christian Kracht legt mit "Air" einen rätselhaften Roman vor: Moderne und archaische Welten überlagern sich, die Schrift gerät abhanden, der Minimalismus ist plötzlich nicht nur eine Mode. kiwi-verlag.de Donald Trump fantasiert seit Jahrzehnten über Zölle. Jetzt wurde es ernst und er bekam eine Panikattacke. Wir lesen von seinen Beratern und ein Lagebild von Yannis Varoufakis. stefanschulz.notion.site "Abenteuer der Moderne. Die großen Jahre der Soziologie. 1949 - 1969" heißt das neue Buch von Thomas Wagner, in dem er keine trockene Einführung in die Soziologie der frühen Bundesrepublik bietet, sondern anhand der schwierigen bis freundschaftlichen Beziehung zwischen dem rechten Arnold Gehlen und dem linken Theodor W. Adorno zeigt, wie ein Fach seine Renaissance erlebt und die Kunst Gegenpole verbindet. klett-cotta.de Human Nagafi hat Fernsehen geschaut und sich die Argumente einer "Hart aber fair"-Sendung von GPT kartographieren lassen. linkedin.com Brauchen wir dringend mehr atomare Aufrüstung? Spielt Putin nur mit unserer Angst? Wie hilfreich ist die Spieltheorie? Diese und weitere Fragen beantwortet der analytische Philosoph Olaf Müller in seinem lesenswerten Buch "Atomkrieg. Eine Warnung". reclam.de Lena Bültena sagt, ihr dürft eure Podcasts schneller hören. Im Zweifel macht es euch noch klüger. zeit.de Das Smart-Home ist inzwischen in jeder Neubausiedlung angekommen, die Superreichen aber rücken plötzlich von der Technologie ab, erläutert Alexandra Abramian. hollywoodreporter.com Werden wir von einer Minderheit regiert? Ja, sagt Ash Sarkar und klärt über eine Paradoxie auf. Wir warten mit ihr auf die angekündigte Revolution. bloomsbury.com Die aus Kairo stammende Sopranistin Fatma Said verliebte sich schon als Kind in das deutsche Kunstlied. Auf ihrem neuen sensationellen Album "Lieder" präsentiert sie Werke von Schubert, Mendelssohn, Brahms und Schumann. warnerclassics.com Komm' in den Salon. Es gibt ihn via Webplayer & RSS-Feed (zum Hören im Podcatcher deiner Wahl, auch bei Apple Podcasts und Spotify). Wenn du Salon-Stürmer bist, lade weitere Hörer von der Gästeliste ein. full Wolfgang und Stefan treffen sich vorm Salon no Stefan Schulz und Wolfgang M. Schmitt 2459

In this episode of I Want That Too, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey explore the colorful world of theme park merchandise—from Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival to Universal's Epic Universe rollout—and spotlight a pastel plush lineup that's taking over Japan (and maybe your shelf next). Figment's Flattening at Flower & Garden – Lauren shares her thoughts on Disney's 3D-printed topiaries, the orange spirit jersey, and whether Figment is looking a little… squished this year. Captain Cacao and Universal Merch Madness – Jim breaks down Universal's plans to “Adopt a Dragon,” upgrade wands with haptic tech, and introduce new mascots, including a butter beer-loving bear. Cherry Blossom Duffy and the Pastel Plush Invasion – From Baymax in bloom to sleepy Marie, Jim and Lauren review Japan's newest spring merch—and speculate if Duffy's soft-spoken friends will ever click stateside. Bounding for the Gala – Lauren previews her Disneybound look for the Epcot 40th Anniversary Gala, complete with Cinderella blue and glass slipper energy. Flower & Garden Tips – A rundown of the Egg-stravaganza scavenger hunt, the collectible prize system, and why it's one of the best festival activities for families on a budget. This episode is filled with plush previews, theme park strategies, and the delightful chaos of spring merch season. Be Our Guest Vacations Planning your next Disney vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Reinventing Education, Rob and Brendan explore the impact of flattening hierarchies in schools, focusing on a counselor-centered approach where all voices are equal. They discuss the benefits of shared responsibility in student-led inquiries and the fluidity of roles, but also examine challenges like uneven workload and lack of oversight. Tune in for a lively debate on this bold shift in education.

This week we are in conversation with Luke West, the Co-Founder & CEO of Collegium.00:31 - 01:07 | Meet Luke WestWest introduces himself as CEO of Collegium, a company using technology to streamline construction and reduce costs.01:09 - 02:26 | The Broken Business ModelHe identifies two core industry problems: an outdated contract structure and reliance on manual, analog processes.02:28 - 03:36 | The Power of Digital TransformationBy digitizing construction workflows, Collegium reduces project costs by 20-40% through data-driven efficiency.03:46 - 04:42 | Data-Driven BiddingWest discusses how BIM enables accurate cost estimation by providing a unified, data-rich model for all stakeholders.04:45 - 07:16 | The True Cost of Incomplete Pre-Construction WorkPoor early-stage planning can drive up costs by as much as 50%, especially in large-scale projects.07:16 - 10:02 | Automating Construction with BIMUsing BIM, Collegium automates material estimates, procurement, and cost tracking for greater accuracy. Many project management tools still rely on manual input, leading to errors. Collegium removes this issue through automation.10:02 - 14:25 | The Financial Benefits of Digital QuantificationAccurate modeling prevents over-ordering and unnecessary costs, benefiting project owners and reducing waste.14:25 - 17:04 | Eliminating Cost PaddingBy cutting out middlemen and redundant markups, Collegium increases financial transparency and lowers expenses. West argues that the industry resists change because many benefit from inefficiencies that inflate costs.17:04 - 18:40 | Rethinking Contracting StructuresCollegium bypasses general contractors, working directly with owners for greater control and savings.18:40 - 21:10 | Commoditization in FabricationStandardizing project components reduces reliance on costly subcontractor markups and streamlines procurement.21:10 - 24:10 | The Fast Payment AdvantageUnlike traditional firms that delay payments for months, Collegium guarantees subcontractors are paid within 30 days.24:10 - 31:10 | Flattening the General Contracting PyramidWest critiques how contracting has become more about financial manipulation than actual construction.31:10 - 34:09 | The Role of Early Investment in Pre-ConstructionSpending more effort upfront results in fewer delays and cost overruns later in the project.34:09 - 36:37 | No More Drawings?Collegium replaces traditional shop drawings with an integrated digital model, though regulatory agencies still require some paperwork.36:37 - 40:59 | Challenges in Digital FabricationSteel and major components are easy to digitize, but elements like stairs and railings still require manual detailing.40:59 - 45:41 | The Future of Construction InnovationWest predicts a growing divide between companies that embrace digital transformation and those that resist change.45:41 - 50:38 | The Industry Must EvolveWest encourages professionals to rethink outdated practices and push for smarter, more efficient construction methods.50:38 - 51:00 | Closing RemarksThe hosts wrap up the discussion, highlighting Collegium's approach as a glimpse into the future of the industry.Go Build something awesome!CHECK OUT THE PARTNERS THAT MAKE OUR SHOW POSSIBLE: https://www.brospodcast.com/partnersFIND US ONLINE: -Our website: https://www.brospodcast.com -LinkedIn:   / constructionbrospodcast   -Instagram:   / constructionbrospodcast    -TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@constructionbrothers?lang=en-Eddie on LinkedIn:   / eddie-c-057b3b11   -Tyler on LinkedIn:   / tylerscottcampbell  If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!

Jenna's teenage cousin turns up at the vicarage.A Series in 17 parts, by Blacksheep. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. It was the second Sunday after Trinity. Over at St Michael's vicarage, the morning Eucharist had finished and Reverend Morris and his wife Jenna were discussing the upcoming events in the church calendar."Josh gets ordained next month, so that'll be a fun occasion. Big party over at his place. He's so excited for that day to come. It's been remarkable how he's come out of his shell. When he joined our church as curate a year ago, he was so nervous and shy. Now look at him." Reverend Morris said."He's a real asset to the church," Jenna replied, sipping a coffee, as she read through the church newsletter. "I like to think that I, helped build up his confidence a bit.""Oh you certainly did, I'm sure," the vicar said, oblivious to what his wife was referring to. "Now, apart from that big event, there's not much happening in July. I'm adding the study of the Book of Exodus in the services. Last year's summer study of Genesis went down a treat,”The sound of the doorbell interrupted him."I wonder who that can be?" Reverend Morris said, hurrying out of the living room. "If it's Gordon, he's early. He said he would call round at 2."He opened the front door. A slim young woman around eighteen or nineteen, stood on the doorstep. Brunette hair that was in pigtails. Huge brown eyes like Bambi. She was dressed in a low cut pink peasant top, tight cow-print shorts and ballet shoes. By her side was a suitcase and hold-all."Hello. Can I help you?" Reverend Morris said."Um," the woman began, in a nervous voice. "Mr., um, Reverend Morris. Is, Jenna in? I'm Mia, her cousin.""Oh really? Gosh, well do come in, you're very welcome! You look loaded up there, let me give you a hand." He ushered her inside and carried her luggage."Jen! You've got a visitor!"Jenna looked up and her eyes widened. "Mia?""Hello CJ," Mia said, with a sheepish grin.Reverend Morris blinked."Cousin Jenna," Jenna replied."Ah," He understood."What are you doing here? Last I heard you were at Salford uni.""It's a long story," Mia sighed, as Reverend Morris gestured for her to sit on the settee. "Um, I quit.""Oh no," Jenna said. "What happened?""Oh Jen, it was awful. I just couldn't settle into university life at all. I made a mistake choosing that Art and Design course. It wasn't for me. The lectures stressed me out, but worst of all was the bullying." She dabbed at imaginary tears in her eyes with a tissue. "Nine months and I just couldn't cope with it any longer, so I jacked it in."Jenna was about to say something, but her husband cut in."You poor thing. God, if there's one thing I hate, it's bullying. Sad that it occurs in all walks of life. A nasty part of human nature."Noticing the reverend had been completely taken in by Mia's story, Jenna cleared her throat. "What did your parents say?"There was an awkward pause."You haven't told them, have you?""Are you serious Jen? Mum will go nuclear if she finds out. I'm just not ready to deal with that, yet. She was so proud when I got in that place. Dad will be more understanding but, look, I have a favor to ask. Can I stay with you for, a bit? I used up my last bit of cash on the train fare. I'm broke and I have nowhere to stay. I can't face going back to my parents. They'll treat me like a kid. Please? I won't be any bother. I'll do housework for you, I'll,”"Of course you can stay!" Reverend Morris smiled. "Our vicarage is always available to those who need it. We have a spare bedroom." He turned to Jenna. "We had Bishop George staying with us during Lent, remember? I'm sure your cousin can't be a worse lodger than him. She looks like she's gone through a tough few months."Powerless to refuse, Jenna reluctantly agreed. Oh Simon, you sweet, naive man. You have no idea what you're letting yourself in for! She thought."Oh you mean it? I can stay? Oh; thank you so much, Reverend!""Simon. You can call me Simon!" Reverend Morris replied. "It's nice to finally get to meet you, Mia. I know you and Jenna drifted apart a bit when your parents moved, but it's so nice when relatives reunite, isn't it?" the reverend said as he went to pick up the luggage."If only everyone could be as nice as you and Jenna!" Mia gushed.Jenna pulled a face at her cousin and whispered to her. "You are so dead, cousin!""Right, well, I'll introduce you to your new room!” Simon said as he returned holding all the bags. “This way! I'll carry your stuff for you." Reverend Morris carried up the suitcase and hold-all."Your hubby is a total gent," Mia whispered to Jenna."Oh, you might be able to fool him, but you're not fooling me," Jenna replied. "As soon as he's gone out later, you are going to tell me everything."Reverend Morris led Mia upstairs and down the long landing. Mia walked right by his side looking something between an infatuated schoolgirl gazing at her crush and a timid little lamb sticking close to the shepherd. At eighteen, Mia was very aware of the effect she had on men. Her Bambi eyes, teamed with the brunette hair, gave her an innocent look that convinced boys and men alike that she couldn't possibly know what effect she was having on them. But she knew quite well, and she loved the things she could get by putting her skills to good use."Here we are," Reverend Morris said, opening the bedroom door at the end. "It's not massive, but it's got a pleasant view overlooking the garden."Mia walked in. The room was nicely decorated. Instead of the usual neutral color scheme of magnolia, the walls were painted in very pale blue, with white ceiling and a sandy colored carpet. Instead of curtains, a white window blind, as was the current trend. A single bed, chest of drawers and ladder desk and chair made up the furniture."I don't know why I painted this room blue, it always looks so cold, and it doesn't really match the carpet. No wardrobe, but there's a full chest of drawers and the bed is a divan, with two storage compartments you can put your bits and bobs in. There's a hook on the back of the door if you need to hang some clothes up.""Oh I love it!" Mia said, smiling at him. "It's like being at the beach. The floor is sand and the walls are the sea. It's so restful and appealing. Really brings out my creative side. I think I could do lots of painting and drawing in here.""I'm glad you like it. Jenna and I want you to feel comfortable and safe here. Charity is so important to Christians like us.""Oh yes, I understand Rev, um, Simon. And I am so grateful. Um, do I have to start going to church? I mean I was raised in a Christian home but I sort of drifted,” Mia said, giving him a coquettish look.""Ha, no worries! We're not going to force you to attend a Sunday service or anything so relax. Whether you're a believer or not, everyone is catered for in our vicarage. We don't judge.""Jenna told me that your church is a nice one," Mia said, gazing at the reverend. He's rather average in looks but this guy is a total sweetie I can tell. Not an ounce of malice in him. Jenna's really landed on her feet with this one."She's right! St Michael's is a lovely place of worship. I'm very honored to be its vicar. Of course it wasn't always like that, but I like to think that I've really turned things round and made a difference. I credit Jenna for helping me in, many ways," he continued, and Mia noted the pause.Wonder what he means by that? She thought.He continued. "I took over in 2019 after the sudden death of the previous vicar, Reverend Smith. Talk about being thrown in at the deep end. Only a few months later, the pandemic happened. What a stressful time that was."Mia nodded patiently."Sorry, I'm prattling on! I'll leave you to get sorted out. I talk too much. Always in sermon mode,”"That's alright, Simon. I'm sure your sermons are really interesting." Mia said, flattering him some more."Ah well, haven't heard too many snores in the aisles of late.""I really appreciate you helping me like this," Mia said, sitting on the bed. "I just don't know how I was going to cope. And I want to pay my way. I suppose I'll have to apply for Universal Credit. What with the cost of living crisis and everything. Not sure if there are any jobs going in this town? I don't know this area at all and I can't drive,”"One step at a time, Mia. let's get you settled in first.""I really do want to work. Is there anything I could do at your church?"Reverend Morris scratched the back of his head and sat down next to her."Well, it's mostly volunteer work there, which is no good when you need an income, oh wait a minute, Norman the churchwarden mentioned that the church hall needs a cleaner, 10 hours a week. It's only a five minute walk from here. We had one of the Sunday school teacher's lads doing it, but I confess he rarely turned up and was about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. I was disappointed in Jordan, as the pay was pretty good for an entry-level job.""I'll do that job! I'd love to do that!" Mia said. "Oh please say yes!""Hmm, well let me talk it over with Jenna first, and Norman. Cleaning is a bit boring. You'd be required to put out chairs and tables too. They're only lightweight folding ones, so no dangerous lifting of heavy stuff or anything. But Norman will be able to tell you more about what's involved. We have a lot of functions held in the hall, not just church stuff. Monday is badminton class. Tuesday it's the over-60s hot yoga. Wednesday is the midweek eucharist, so it's tea and coffee morning. Thursday and Friday you get two days off as nothing happens then. Saturday is the local amateur dramatics group. Oh and Sunday, the most important day of all, is the main service at church, and a social gathering afterwards.""Oh I just love cleaning up," Mia said. "Tidiness is good for mental health you know. It keeps your mind occupied." She slid a bit closer to him."You're really enthusiastic aren't you?" Well If your heart's set on it, I'm sure I can pull a few strings and get you in. Don't want you to feel like your talents are being wasted in what I consider to be just a casual job though.""To be honest, I never had any idea what I wanted to do when I left school," Mia continued. "I never wanted to go to uni. I feel like such a failure for quitting.""Don't put yourself down," he said, reassuring her. "Sometimes God has a different path for us. And you can't stay somewhere that's making you unhappy. It takes guts to break away from a path that someone else has set for you. I can tell you have a great attitude. Your talents obviously lie elsewhere. In time, I'm sure you'll find something you truly excel at.""I do hope so," Mia said, pouting at him. She leaned in closer, but the moment was broken by the sound of the landline phone ringing downstairs."Oh that reminds me, I need to call on one of the flock." He stood up. "I'll leave you to unpack Mia. If you need anything, I'm sure Jenna can assist you. I have to go out. I'll see you later. Take care!"He hurried out of the bedroom."I think I'm gonna love it here," Mia giggled to herself. "I think I need to, repair my relationship with God." She gave the most mischievous of grins as she flopped back in bed."But I also plan on sinning, a lot!"Reverend Morris rushed down the stairs."That was the garage on the phone," Jenna said, putting down the receiver. "My car's passed its MOT and ready to be collected.""Great. I'll drop you off there as I just remembered I promised Gladys Wilcox I'd take her a copy of that paperback I recommended at last week's service. Hills of the North by Jenny Talwartz." He rummaged around on the coffee table and held up the book in question. "A thrilling tale set in rural England, about passion, blackmail and a woman's fulfilling journey to find romance and regain her faith.""Sounds a good one.""It got rave reviews on Amazon. I was worried it might be a bit too racy for some of the older members of the congregation. I haven't had chance to read it yet but apparently it contains violence and several sex scenes.""Right up Gladys Wilcox's alley I'd say," Jenna replied, grinning. "I keep telling you, there's something kinky going on between her and the churchwarden. Okay, give me five minutes, and I'll be ready. Need to have a quick word with our non-paying guest.""You're alright with her staying, aren't you? Sorry, I tend to just dive in and say yes to everything. Your cousin seems like such a lovely person.""I don't mind, but she's not the innocent little thing you think she is," Jenna said. "Oh she's not a criminal or anything, but she can be a bit, indiscreet at times.""Aren't we all a bit like that at eighteen? Not much life experience to fall back on.""Hmm, I suppose. I will phone Aunt Kathleen later and let her know that Mia's staying here. I'd better prepare to gently break the bad news that her daughter won't be getting those letters after her name."Mia was admiring herself in the wall mirror when Jenna came in, and closed the bedroom door."Alright you. Now how about giving me the whole truth about why you quit uni? You're good, but your acting skills need work. Better make it quick as Simon's waiting to give me a lift to the garage, so spill."The brunette took a deep breath. "Alright. Look, don't give me too much grief. I did something wrong and that's why I had to quit.""What happened?""I seduced my lecturer and slept with him."She gasped. "You did what?" After the initial shock, Jenna couldn't help but admire her cousin's brazen attitude. Seeing as she herself had seduced several men from the church, plus a former Catholic priest, and most recently, the town mayor. Not to mention there were her weekly "organ lessons" with Gordon,"So he was old enough to be my dad. Maybe grandad. He was like, late fifties or something. But he was so hot. Older men really turn me on. You must know how that feels. I mean, your husband is way older than you, right?""Yeah. I'm twenty-one and he's forty." Jenna admitted. "Eighteen and late fifties is one hell of an age gap though.""I know. Oh but Jen. Tom was such a sexy man. Just the type I like. He was a smoker, but not a heavy one. Kind of used to turn me on, smelling smoke on his breath. It added to the attraction, as weird as that sounds. The sex was amazing. Older men are just sexier,”Jenna gave a dreamy sigh. "Yep they are. Can't disagree with you there. Realizing she suddenly had a lot more in common with her cousin, she sat down next to her. "Tell me more about Tom."And so Mia gave her chapter and verse on her spicy adventures at Salford."Stood in the art room, I was backlit by the bright front windows behind me. By kneeling down to waist level, he could see through the now semi-transparent material of my dress and get a look at the curves of my body underneath it. I told myself that I was grossed out, and that it was disgusting, but the idea that this older man wanted to see my knickers made my heart beat fast, I masturbated to the idea of Tom looking at me and his cock getting hard in his underpants, and as I later found out, he had a lovely big cock.""Wow," Jenna said, feeling herself getting quite wet."Jenna! Are you coming?" Reverend Morris shouted."Oh! Er yes! Just a minute! I have to go out and collect my car from the garage. I won't be long. You'll be okay whilst I'm gone won't you?""You sound like Mum.""Sorry. I'll see you later then. Make yourself a brew or something. Help yourself to whatever's in the kitchen but if you touch Simon's beloved brandy, you'll be reciting some prayers of forgiveness!" Jenna said with a wink."I'll be good. Honest. Can I have a shower please? After that long journey I feel gross. It was hot and smelly in the train. A fat lad sat behind me kept farting.""Yes of course. Bathroom's the second on the right."A few minutes later, Mia was taking full advantage of the newly-installed power shower at the vicarage. As the hot water caressed her young body, she closed her eyes and ran her hands over her smooth skin, losing herself in the sensation. A smile played across her face as her hands cupped her small, pert breasts and gave the nipples a quick tweak. She sucked in a breath and bit her lip as those wandering hands traveled lower, finding the treasure between her legs. The sensations were nice, but when she imagined someone watching her doing these things, her clit began to throb with need."Oh Tom. I miss you."On the other side of town, Gordon was loading some ceramic plant pots into the boot of his car. He was glad to be offloading these unwanted pots on the vicar. With their massive garden, they'd be put to good use. Plus, Gordon could never refuse an opportunity to see the gorgeous Jenna.In the shower, Mia leaned against the wall, eyes closed, and fingered her tingling clit. She was lost in a fantasy.Praise the Lord! Reverend Morris returns unexpectedly, before Jenna does. He walks in and finds me here. Instead of turning away, he unzips his trousers. I happily comply, straight away, by parting my legs, bending over and thrusting my arse into his groin so he can tear off my underwear- if I was wearing any (which is hardly ever) - and he rams his whole ten inches (I assume he's well-endowed) of hard, holy cock right into my hot, tight snatch, fuck yes!Gordon arrived at the vicarage, and failed to notice the lack of cars on the driveway. His mind was too focused on Jenna. Being so familiar with the house's occupants, he didn't even knock these days, but just walked in. Gordon had never been known for restraint, but Reverend Morris didn't seem to mind."Hello? Anyone in? I'm early." He shouted. No reply. Maybe they were in the back garden. He shrugged and carried the pots into the house.Mia had finished her shower and was just wrapping a towel round herself when she heard Gordon's voice.Then the sound of the back door opening was heard."Shit, who's that?"Mia opened the bathroom window and peered out. She noticed Gordon placing the plant pots in the yard."Wonder if he's a delivery guy?"Gordon looked round and scratched his head. It was obvious now that Jenna and the reverend weren't in. He pulled out his smartphone.Mia continued to observe him, finally getting a good look at his face."He looks a bit like Tom! Oh my God!" She watched him call someone."Hi Jen, it's your favorite organist here. Just letting you know that I've arrived at your place with the pots, what's that? Sorry, it's a bad line, oh you're at the garage? Right, I see, sure, no problem.""Oh; so he's the church organist." Mia said. "What a DILF!"Gordon ended the call and put his hands on his hips. "Oh well, might as well help myself to a cuppa, whilst I'm here." He headed back into the house. In the kitchen, he was just about to switch the kettle on, when a voice from behind made him jump."Hello there."Gordon spun round in surprise."Sorry, didn't mean to startle you.""Who, are you?" He spluttered, catching his breath, and then he realized she was wearing nothing but a bath towel."Oh, I'm Mia, Jenna's cousin. I've just arrived. I'll be staying here for a bit as I, oh, whoops!"The towel fell to the floor.Gordon's eyes almost popped out of his head."Bloody hell!"The Vicar gets a shock, and the organist is seduced.Reverend Morris turned into the quiet cul-de-sac of Rosebay Gardens and pulled up in front of Mrs. Wilcox's bungalow."Hope the old girl doesn't find this book too rude," he muttered to himself as he knocked on the door. Noticing a pair of garden gnomes dressed in bondage gear, he smiled."Guess she won't!"After a few minutes, no-one came to the door. Reverend Morris fiddled with his clerical collar. The June heatwave was showing no sign of ending. Hearing laughter, he walked down the side of the house and opened the rear gate."Yoo hoo! Anyone there?"He wasn't prepared for what he saw next."Oh Vicar! I didn't hear you!" Mrs. Wilcox cheerfully exclaimed as she dropped the riding crop. "Norman, I told you to lock that garden gate,”The churchwarden, his hairy, bare buttocks red from repeated whippings, leapt to his feet and adjusted the floral print apron, which was his only item of clothing."Ah, good afternoon to you, Reverend! This is, um, well I guess it looks bad.""Dear God!" The vicar muttered. "Jenna was right all along!"Norman was mortified. "Er, I was, we were,”"He's been a naughty boy," Mrs. Wilcox cut in, rising from the garden chair. "He forgot to mow the lawn. I'm still training him, you see.""What's going on here?" Reverend Morris gasped. "Norman, are you some kind of slave?""Heh, er, pretty much," the embarrassed churchwarden replied. "It's a fetish I never knew I had, or knew she had.""My garden isn't overlooked, Vicar and we're both consenting adults. No harm in a bit of what you fancy, is there? Norman, sweetie, why don't you go and clad yourself in something more suitable and make us all a nice cup of Earl Grey, eh? There's a good lad. She gave his arse a playful slap as he hurried into the house."Now Vicar," the old lady said, turning to face him. She grinned, but behind that sweet facade lay steely determination and unbridled spirit. "Why yes, I'm eighty-six. I suppose I should be doing crosswords and watching episodes of Midsomer Murders instead of whipping a younger man's bare behind, eh? You look rather shocked. I must say, I'm surprised at your blushes, given that your lovely wife Jenna has quite a fancy for our dear church organist."Reverend Morris wasn't sure what to say. Norman must've told her about what went on in the church when I arranged Jenna's special birthday surprise, he thought. Damn. I swore him to secrecy."Oh I don't judge, I don't judge at all!" He said quickly. "Whatever turns you on, Gladys. I'm pleased that you're both enjoying yourselves!""Just like you and your good wife, and Gordon enjoyed yourselves in the church hall at Easter, am I right?" She winked at him. There was no way to deny it, for the old lass knew everything. Nosey little old ladies had a habit of knowing the deepest, darkest secrets of every member of a church."Er, that. It was, a one off. It just happened. We got carried away in the heat of moment!" Reverend Morris stammered."As is the usual way," Mrs. Wilcox replied."How did you, erm, find out?""Couldn't resist a peek through the keyhole," she said. That wasn't actually true, but she wasn't going to confess to the camera and Mrs. Norris' failed attempt at blackmail."You're a bit of a dark horse, Vicar," Mrs. Wilcox continued. "Gordon lends himself well to naughtiness, but you always seemed the shy type. Quite the stamina you displayed." She patted his arm. "I must admit, I had doubts when you took over from Reverend Smith, God rest his soul. I was wrong.""Very kind of you to say," he said, starting to relax. "Um, about that church hall incident, you haven't said anything have you?""My lips are sealed, dearie!"Reverend Morris exhaled. "Praise the Lord. Thank you, Gladys!" He was relieved she didn't know about Jenna's " Mentula Cōleī (bukkake) baptism" in the church last year. That would've been too much to excuse.In the house, came the sound of a whistling kettle reaching the boil."Forgive me asking this but, how did you and Norman come to be, er, in such an arrangement?""He wasn't my first choice," she said, with no hint of shame. "I wanted Gordon to step into the role, but he chickened out. Shame, as he showed such promise that afternoon when he came to practice on the organ, and my word, I enjoyed playing with his organ, let me tell you! I said to him, if I were thirty years younger, I'd have done a lot more with his organ! My body's far too old for such things, alas. But he seemed to really enjoy the blowjob I gave him. I haven't lost my touch!"The vicar felt as though he was about to faint. He would never look at this frail-looking little pensioner in the same way again."Well, that's good to know!"Presently, the kitchen door opened and Norman, now wearing a bathrobe, stepped out onto the patio, carrying a tray."Tea, Vicar?"Meanwhile, at the vicarage,Gordon wasn't usually lost for words, but Mia's towel drop had left him tongue-tied."Silly me," she said, bending down and covering herself up. "Sorry about that, Mr.,”He dared to breathe. "Gordon,”"Hi Gordon. I heard you talking on your phone earlier. Are you the organist?"She didn't seem embarrassed at all, but he could feel his face burning. "Um yes, I am. Been organist and choirmaster at St Michael's for twenty years now. I've played other pipe organs in different churches too.""How impressive. Being an organist you must be very good with your hands." Mia said. "May I call you Gordy-pie?""If you wish, and I have no complaints so far," he chuckled, regaining his confidence. He wondered if all female members of Jenna's family had this talent for driving men wild."I'd like your hands on me, Gordy-pie," Mia whispered, walking closer to him."I'm sure. How old are you?" He added, warily."Eighteen, and I'll be nineteen in a few weeks.""Ah." He relaxed. "How come you're staying here then? I'll hazard a guess that you're not training to become a member of the clergy?""Been a naughty girl; haven't I?" She pouted. "Got myself booted out of uni.""Blimey. What did you do?" Gordy-Pie asked."Slept with my lecturer," Mia said, twirling a wet strand of her hair. "Seduced him, lost my virginity to him. I regret nothing.""You are an extremely naughty girl," Gordon tutted in mock disapproval. "Seducing defenseless older men like that.""I know. But Gordy-pie, do you know what the best thing was? That first time we did it. When I pressed against him and felt his hard cock straining against his trousers. The same as yours is now,” She groped his crotch and taken by surprise, he let out a gasp.Mia slipped her arms round his waist and planted a kiss on his lips. "Well? What shall we do?""I quite fancy a nice hot shower," Gordon whispered back. Lowering his voice further, he whispered into her ear. "Get your naughty little ass up those stairs right now and into the bathroom."She didn't need telling twice. Giggling, she threw her towel at him and raced out of the kitchen."I'll show you exactly what an organist can do with his hands!" Gordon shouted as he ran after her, whilst trying to unbuckle his belt.In the bathroom, Mia had already turned on the shower. She watched in amusement as Gordon fumbled with his clothes. He stepped out of his shoes and socks and tried to remove his trousers as fast as possible."Hurry up, Gordy-pie!" She teased."Damn these buttons! He muttered, fiddling with his shirt. "Should've worn a t-shirt."At last he freed himself from the offending item of clothing, and his trousers fell to his ankles."Oh, love your tighty-whities!" Mia purred. They were just like the ones Tom wore."Wait until you see what's inside them!" Gordon laughed, removing his briefs and finally, he was as naked as she was."Wow," Mia gasped. She was more than impressed. The organist's cock was thick and splendid. She was so hungry for cock that any man would've done, but Gordon ticked all her boxes and more. This was going to be one hell of a shower,"Gordy-pie," she whispered, holding out her hand. "I must warn you, I'm very slippery when wet."Gordon stepped inside. Water cascaded across the slim curves of Mia's glistening body and ran down into the darker crevice of her thighs. Gordon saw that she had a dark thatch of pubic hair that obscured her view of the lips below."I'd better handle with care then," he whispered back.His lips closed tight around her skin and kissed her neck right from her left ear, all the way down and around and back up to her right ear. He did this again, this time using tongue flicks just to hear Mia moan slightly."So just how do you play the pipe organ?" Mia gasped.He reached for the shower gel bottle and began to lather up his hands."Like this." He ran his fingers down her shoulders and back, then in a circular motion, before kneading her skin."The thing with pipe organs is, you have to press down quite firmly on the manuals," he said. "That's what the keyboards are called." He planted kisses on the back of her neck. "The organ at St Michael's has three manuals. One up here." He pressed his fingers against her shoulders."Ooh.""The middle one, round about here,” His fingers slipped down to her lower back."That tickles!""And the third manual, that's down here." He cupped her pert buttocks."Then there are the stops." Gordon's hands slipped round and up to her breasts."Have to pull out the stops,” He tweaked her hardened nipples.Mia closed her eyes, loving his sensual touch, and feeling his hard cock pressing against her arse."Oh, Gordy,”"Not forgetting the organ loft," Gordon continued, fingering her clit and making her whimper and shudder in pleasure."That's where the action happens. The organist sits at his console and plays,”Mia continued to shudder but then turned, & roughly grasped Gordon's head with both hands. He saw the desire in the young woman's brown eyes before he kissed her, hard and deep. Mia's inconsistent moans became longer and louder; the trembling went from shudders of the back to full-body quaking.Gordon continued. "And that just leaves, the organ pipes. The biggest pipes produce the deepest sounds. He took her hand and placed it on his cock."I've only got one organ pipe, but it only takes one pipe to make sweet music,”The hot spray from the shower cascaded down both their bodies. Exhilaration coursed throughout Mia's body; she'd never felt so turned on. Dropping to her knees, she soaped up her hands and slid them along Gordon's pulsing shaft. She said nothing as she rinsed, then started tasting him by licking the water drops from his balls.Flattening her tongue and licking in one long stroke up the length of his prick. Wrapping her lips around his cockhead, she sucked him. He tasted so good. A perfect older man.Keeping the rhythm nice and steady, Mia stepped up the sensation by rubbing her fingers around the base of Gordon's cock just above his balls."Mmm, your balls are getting tighter, Gordy-pie. It shouldn't be too long now before I really get to taste you!" Mia said at last. "I want all your delicious cum!""Oh God!"Gordon suddenly tensed, sucked in a breath and then grunted. Mia locked her lips so none of his precious seed escaped. Feeling his cock start to pulse, he exploded in her mouth. Spurt after spurt. Mia swallowed every drop."Did I play the organ correctly?"Gordon slid his hands up her arms and grasped her face, pulling her in for a slow, tender kiss."Perfectly," he murmured. "No wrong notes at all!""I want a more advanced organ lesson, Gordy-pie." Mia said. Hot water ran down her back and legs, making it so much easier for him to slip his fingers inside her tight pussy."What a good idea. You're more than ready!" He rubbed the tip of his still-hard cock against her entrance, teasing her by rubbing it against her clit, then down to the entrance, and back up to the clit again."Now. Please," she begged him.Gordon pressed the head of his cock against her entrance and shoved himself inside. He went in all the way on the first thrust, forcing a moan from the young brunette. He grabbed her hips roughly and thrust hard into her, the sound of wet skin slapping together. Mia moaned loudly as the organist began to pound into her."Oh Gordy! Yes! Fuck yes! Harder!"Neither of them heard the front door open as Jenna returned.To be continued in part 2. By Blacksheep, for Literotica.

Kevin Green says the SPX is poised to move following this evening's Mag 7 earnings from Tesla (TSLA), Microsoft (MSFT) and Meta Platforms (META). While some technicals show promise for an upside move, Kevin notes flattening MACD as a bearish indicator. ======== Schwab Network ======== Empowering every investor and trader, every market day. Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribe Download the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185 Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7 Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watch Watch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-explore Watch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/ Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetwork Follow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetwork Follow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/ About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

Fredrik talks to Jon Sterling about user interfaces old and new. Jon has created Aquaui - a Mac user interface library which is a small love letter to the Aqua user interface style for Mac OS X. Based on that, we discuss understandable and consistent user interfaces, how there seems to be little evolution and improvement, wish for brave new ideas, and a lot more. Oh, and we also discuss living with old technology, like a seventh-generation Ipod. Plus liability laundering and the problems of building the whole house of out fire alarms. Thank you Cloudnet for sponsoring our VPS! Comments, questions or tips? We a re @kodsnack, @tobiashieta, @oferlundand @bjoreman on Twitter, have a page on Facebook and can be emailed at info@kodsnack.se if you want to write longer. We read everything we receive. If you enjoy Kodsnack we would love a review in iTunes! You can also support the podcast by buying us a coffee (or two!) through Ko-fi. Links Jon Cambridge Clare college Aquaui - Jon's library Aqua - the user interface design language Steve Jobs introducing Aqua The dock Windows XP Windows 98 Iphone 4 IOS 6 IOS 7 - the great flattening of everything Apple's old human interface guidelines Accidental tech podcast The purple button for single-window mode in the Mac OS X beta - scroll down or search for “purple” Stage manager Lion Infinite Mac - the website where you can run old Mac operating systems The spatial Finder - and why the modern Finder isn't Support Kodsnack on Ko-fi Elementary OS - and their interface design guide GTK A post about the original dock Discussion about Mica - Apple internal design tool Core animation Webkit Blink WKWebview Appkit NSScrollview NSScroller 12-inch Powerbook Seventh-generation Ipod Itunes Intel Imac Tiger Tenfourfox- browser for old versions of Mac OS X Charles proxy jonmstirling.com Jon on Mastodon Titles A love letter A very different era Beautiful blue liquid The great flattening of everything Unbelievable user interface regression I feel powerless today when I'm using my computer They did mess up the photo app Like a pill A long-lasting Ibuprofen That upper-right corner Bigger than my wingspan Beautiful, unsullied whitespace During the decline of Mac OS Time to be a bit bold A passable gradient Start from a point of inspiration Too much for the old hardware The Aqua fire alarm SSL fire alarms

Fredrik talks to Jon Sterling about user interfaces old and new. Jon has created Aquaui - a Mac user interface library which is a small love letter to the Aqua user interface style for Mac OS X. Based on that, we discuss understandable and consistent user interfaces, how there seems to be little evolution and improvement, wish for brave new ideas, and a lot more. Oh, and we also discuss living with old technology, like a seventh-generation Ipod. Plus liability laundering and the problems of building the whole house of out fire alarms. Thank you Cloudnet for sponsoring our VPS! Comments, questions or tips? We a re @kodsnack, @tobiashieta, @oferlund and @bjoreman on Twitter, have a page on Facebook and can be emailed at info@kodsnack.se if you want to write longer. We read everything we receive. If you enjoy Kodsnack we would love a review in iTunes! You can also support the podcast by buying us a coffee (or two!) through Ko-fi. Links Jon Cambridge Clare college Aquaui - Jon’s library Aqua - the user interface design language Steve Jobs introducing Aqua The dock Windows XP Windows 98 Iphone 4 IOS 6 IOS 7 - the great flattening of everything Apple’s old human interface guidelines Accidental tech podcast The purple button for single-window mode in the Mac OS X beta - scroll down or search for “purple” Stage manager Lion Infinite Mac - the website where you can run old Mac operating systems The spatial Finder - and why the modern Finder isn’t Support Kodsnack on Ko-fi Elementary OS - and their interface design guide GTK A post about the original dock Discussion about Mica - Apple internal design tool Core animation Webkit Blink WKWebview Appkit NSScrollview NSScroller 12-inch Powerbook Seventh-generation Ipod Itunes Intel Imac Tiger Tenfourfox- browser for old versions of Mac OS X Charles proxy jonmstirling.com Jon on Mastodon Titles A love letter A very different era Beautiful blue liquid The great flattening of everything Unbelievable user interface regression I feel powerless today when I’m using my computer They did mess up the photo app Like a pill A long-lasting Ibuprofen That upper-right corner Bigger than my wingspan Beautiful, unsullied whitespace During the decline of Mac OS Time to be a bit bold A passable gradient Start from a point of inspiration Too much for the old hardware The Aqua fire alarm SSL fire alarms

Show host Sophie Wade welcomes 2025 focusing on the natural dynamic of modern work to facilitate executives' and employees' abilities to adapt. She outlines three priority areas for the year ahead, recommending how to adjust for and integrate AI as a core component of our tech-driven business and work. Highlighting research and examples, Sophie focuses on: human-AI collaboration, designing work for agility, and upskilling employees rapidly in the flow of work. Sophie emphasizes the principles of modern work: learning, intention, flexibility, and empathy, as well as systems thinking to help us recognize the full ramifications of our inventions and actions.   TAKEAWAYS   [00:42] Sophie sets the stage for 2025, focusing on adapting to rapid change.   [01:29] Embracing change is essential. Rigid work structures conflict with human nature.   [02:40] Work norms evolved based on prevailing possibilities and were not healthy or sustainable.   [03:25] Flexibility and adaptability are natural and essential human traits.   [03:58] Customization in work and products recognizes our individuality and different needs.   [04:40] Human-centric approaches and tools foster creativity and problem-solving.   [05:18] Early rigid work environments suppressed autonomy and innovation.   [06:18] Modern work requires collaboration and proactive preparation for change.   [07:20] Adapting to change thoughtfully can reveal the best evolutionary pathways.   [08:44] Systems thinking helps anticipate and manage the ripple effects of innovation.   [09:43] Modern work requires intentional action to navigate interconnected global systems.   [11:10] AI integration is transforming the workforce into blended human-AI collaboration.   [12:21] Leaders must identify opportunities for AI to complement humans and our skills.   [14:05] Flattening hierarchies and skills-based work systems boost agility and engagement.   [15:18] Internal talent marketplaces promote cross-functional use of employees' skills.   [16:37] Upskilling is critical for addressing skill gaps and maintaining competitiveness.   [18:04] Continuous learning must be integrated into workflows for successful transformation.   [18:35] Approaching change with intention, flexibility, and empathy reduces friction and boosts outcomes.   [19:27] Empathy-centered leadership enables multigenerational and distributed teams to thrive.   IMMEDIATE ACTION TIP: Incorporate learning, intention, flexibility, and empathy into workplace strategies.     RESOURCES   Sophie Wade on LinkedIn Sophie's company Flexcel Network SophieWade.com   QUOTES “We can lean into our natural capacity to adapt if we reframe what we've been used to and why.”   “Work is in flux, nothing is set in stone, and adaptability is essential all along the way.”   “Human-centric approaches and tools foster creativity and problem-solving because we are not machines and aren't good at pretending to be.”   “How you approach change, and specifically the significant ongoing changes occurring in and across our professional world, affects your ability to flex and adapt.”   “Adapting to modern work requires continuous learning as a core habit, integrated into workflows and supported as part of daily operations.”   “Empathy-centered leadership is critical, recognizing that each person has different skills, adapts at a different pace, and may encounter hiccups along the way.”   “Internal talent mobility isn't easy or obvious to operationalize, but it is necessary to keep pace with the faster evolution of modern work.”   “Systems thinking recognizes that our actions are not independent or isolatable but always have ripple effects on others—and reciprocally on us.”   “AI integration is enabling the emergence of a collaborative, blended human-AI workforce that complements uniquely human skills.”

Jenna's teenage cousin turns up at the vicarage.A Series in 17 parts, by Blacksheep. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. It was the second Sunday after Trinity. Over at St Michael's vicarage, the morning eucharist had finished and Reverend Morris and his wife Jenna were discussing the upcoming events in the church calendar."Josh gets ordained next month, so that'll be a fun occasion. Big party over at his place. He's so excited for that day to come. It's been remarkable how he's come out of his shell. When he joined our church as curate a year ago, he was so nervous and shy. Now look at him." Reverend Morris said."He's a real asset to the church," Jenna replied, sipping a coffee, as she read through the church newsletter. "I like to think that I, helped build up his confidence a bit.""Oh you certainly did, I'm sure," the vicar said, oblivious to what his wife was referring to. "Now, apart from that big event, there's not much happening in July. I'm adding the study of the Book of Exodus in the services. Last year's summer study of Genesis went down a treat,”The sound of the doorbell interrupted him."I wonder who that can be?" Reverend Morris said, hurrying out of the living room. "If it's Gordon, he's early. He said he would call round at 2."He opened the front door. A slim young woman around eighteen or nineteen, stood on the doorstep. Brunette hair that was in pigtails. Huge brown eyes like Bambi. She was dressed in a low cut pink peasant top, tight cow-print shorts and ballet shoes. By her side was a suitcase and hold-all."Hello. Can I help you?" Reverend Morris said."Um," the woman began, in a nervous voice. "Mr., um, Reverend Morris. Is, Jenna in? I'm Mia, her cousin.""Oh really? Gosh, well do come in, you're very welcome! You look loaded up there, let me give you a hand." He ushered her inside and carried her luggage."Jen! You've got a visitor!"Jenna looked up and her eyes widened. "Mia?""Hello CJ," Mia said, with a sheepish grin.Reverend Morris blinked."Cousin Jenna," Jenna replied."Ah," He understood."What are you doing here? Last I heard you were at Salford uni.""It's a long story," Mia sighed, as Reverend Morris gestured for her to sit on the settee. "Um, I quit.""Oh no," Jenna said. "What happened?""Oh Jen, it was awful. I just couldn't settle into university life at all. I made a mistake choosing that Art and Design course. It wasn't for me. The lectures stressed me out, but worst of all was the bullying." She dabbed at imaginary tears in her eyes with a tissue. "Nine months and I just couldn't cope with it any longer, so I jacked it in."Jenna was about to say something, but her husband cut in."You poor thing. God, if there's one thing I hate, it's bullying. Sad that it occurs in all walks of life. A nasty part of human nature."Noticing the reverend had been completely taken in by Mia's story, Jenna cleared her throat. "What did your parents say?"There was an awkward pause."You haven't told them, have you?""Are you serious Jen? Mum will go nuclear if she finds out. I'm just not ready to deal with that, yet. She was so proud when I got in that place. Dad will be more understanding but, look, I have a favor to ask. Can I stay with you for, a bit? I used up my last bit of cash on the train fare. I'm broke and I have nowhere to stay. I can't face going back to my parents. They'll treat me like a kid. Please? I won't be any bother. I'll do housework for you, I'll,”"Of course you can stay!" Reverend Morris smiled. "Our vicarage is always available to those who need it. We have a spare bedroom." He turned to Jenna. "We had Bishop George staying with us during Lent, remember? I'm sure your cousin can't be a worse lodger than him. She looks like she's gone through a tough few months."Powerless to refuse, Jenna reluctantly agreed. Oh Simon, you sweet, naive man. You have no idea what you're letting yourself in for! She thought."Oh you mean it? I can stay? Oh; thank you so much, Reverend!""Simon. You can call me Simon!" Reverend Morris replied. "It's nice to finally get to meet you, Mia. I know you and Jenna drifted apart a bit when your parents moved, but it's so nice when relatives reunite, isn't it?" the reverend said as he went to pick up the luggage."If only everyone could be as nice as you and Jenna!" Mia gushed.Jenna pulled a face at her cousin and whispered to her. "You are so dead, cousin!""Right, well, I'll introduce you to your new room!” Simon said as he returned holding all the bags. “This way! I'll carry your stuff for you." Reverend Morris carried up the suitcase and hold-all."Your hubby is a total gent," Mia whispered to Jenna."Oh, you might be able to fool him, but you're not fooling me," Jenna replied. "As soon as he's gone out later, you are going to tell me everything."Reverend Morris led Mia upstairs and down the long landing. Mia walked right by his side looking something between an infatuated schoolgirl gazing at her crush and a timid little lamb sticking close to the shepherd. At eighteen, Mia was very aware of the effect she had on men. Her Bambi eyes, teamed with the brunette hair, gave her an innocent look that convinced boys and men alike that she couldn't possibly know what effect she was having on them. But she knew quite well, and she loved the things she could get by putting her skills to good use."Here we are," Reverend Morris said, opening the bedroom door at the end. "It's not massive, but it's got a pleasant view overlooking the garden."Mia walked in. The room was nicely decorated. Instead of the usual neutral color scheme of magnolia, the walls were painted in very pale blue, with white ceiling and a sandy colored carpet. Instead of curtains, a white window blind, as was the current trend. A single bed, chest of drawers and ladder desk and chair made up the furniture."I don't know why I painted this room blue, it always looks so cold, and it doesn't really match the carpet. No wardrobe, but there's a full chest of drawers and the bed is a divan, with two storage compartments you can put your bits and bobs in. There's a hook on the back of the door if you need to hang some clothes up.""Oh I love it!" Mia said, smiling at him. "It's like being at the beach. The floor is sand and the walls are the sea. It's so restful and appealing. Really brings out my creative side. I think I could do lots of painting and drawing in here.""I'm glad you like it. Jenna and I want you to feel comfortable and safe here. Charity is so important to Christians like us.""Oh yes, I understand Rev, um, Simon. And I am so grateful. Um, do I have to start going to church? I mean I was raised in a Christian home but I sort of drifted,” Mia said, giving him a coquettish look.""Ha, no worries! We're not going to force you to attend a Sunday service or anything so relax. Whether you're a believer or not, everyone is catered for in our vicarage. We don't judge.""Jenna told me that your church is a nice one," Mia said, gazing at the reverend. He's rather average in looks but this guy is a total sweetie I can tell. Not an ounce of malice in him. Jenna's really landed on her feet with this one."She's right! St Michael's is a lovely place of worship. I'm very honored to be its vicar. Of course it wasn't always like that, but I like to think that I've really turned things round and made a difference. I credit Jenna for helping me in, many ways," he continued, and Mia noted the pause.Wonder what he means by that? She thought.He continued. "I took over in 2019 after the sudden death of the previous vicar, Reverend Smith. Talk about being thrown in at the deep end. Only a few months later, the pandemic happened. What a stressful time that was."Mia nodded patiently."Sorry, I'm prattling on! I'll leave you to get sorted out. I talk too much. Always in sermon mode,”"That's alright, Simon. I'm sure your sermons are really interesting." Mia said, flattering him some more."Ah well, haven't heard too many snores in the aisles of late.""I really appreciate you helping me like this," Mia said, sitting on the bed. "I just don't know how I was going to cope. And I want to pay my way. I suppose I'll have to apply for Universal Credit. What with the cost of living crisis and everything. Not sure if there are any jobs going in this town? I don't know this area at all and I can't drive,”"One step at a time, Mia. let's get you settled in first.""I really do want to work. Is there anything I could do at your church?"Reverend Morris scratched the back of his head and sat down next to her."Well, it's mostly volunteer work there, which is no good when you need an income, oh wait a minute, Norman the churchwarden mentioned that the church hall needs a cleaner, 10 hours a week. It's only a five minute walk from here. We had one of the Sunday school teacher's lads doing it, but I confess he rarely turned up and was about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. I was disappointed in Jordan, as the pay was pretty good for an entry-level job.""I'll do that job! I'd love to do that!" Mia said. "Oh please say yes!""Hmm, well let me talk it over with Jenna first, and Norman. Cleaning is a bit boring. You'd be required to put out chairs and tables too. They're only lightweight folding ones, so no dangerous lifting of heavy stuff or anything. But Norman will be able to tell you more about what's involved. We have a lot of functions held in the hall, not just church stuff. Monday is badminton class. Tuesday it's the over-60s hot yoga. Wednesday is the midweek eucharist, so it's tea and coffee morning. Thursday and Friday you get two days off as nothing happens then. Saturday is the local amateur dramatics group. Oh and Sunday, the most important day of all, is the main service at church, and a social gathering afterwards.""Oh I just love cleaning up," Mia said. "Tidiness is good for mental health you know. It keeps your mind occupied." She slid a bit closer to him."You're really enthusiastic aren't you?" Well If your heart's set on it, I'm sure I can pull a few strings and get you in. Don't want you to feel like your talents are being wasted in what I consider to be just a casual job though.""To be honest, I never had any idea what I wanted to do when I left school," Mia continued. "I never wanted to go to uni. I feel like such a failure for quitting.""Don't put yourself down," he said, reassuring her. "Sometimes God has a different path for us. And you can't stay somewhere that's making you unhappy. It takes guts to break away from a path that someone else has set for you. I can tell you have a great attitude. Your talents obviously lie elsewhere. In time, I'm sure you'll find something you truly excel at.""I do hope so," Mia said, pouting at him. She leaned in closer, but the moment was broken by the sound of the landline phone ringing downstairs."Oh that reminds me, I need to call on one of the flock." He stood up. "I'll leave you to unpack Mia. If you need anything, I'm sure Jenna can assist you. I have to go out. I'll see you later. Take care!"He hurried out of the bedroom."I think I'm gonna love it here," Mia giggled to herself. "I think I need to, repair my relationship with God." She gave the most mischievous of grins as she flopped back in bed."But I also plan on sinning, a lot!"Reverend Morris rushed down the stairs."That was the garage on the phone," Jenna said, putting down the receiver. "My car's passed its MOT and ready to be collected.""Great. I'll drop you off there as I just remembered I promised Gladys Wilcox I'd take her a copy of that paperback I recommended at last week's service. Hills of the North by Jenny Talwartz." He rummaged around on the coffee table and held up the book in question. "A thrilling tale set in rural England, about passion, blackmail and a woman's fulfilling journey to find romance and regain her faith.""Sounds a good one.""It got rave reviews on Amazon. I was worried it might be a bit too racy for some of the older members of the congregation. I haven't had chance to read it yet but apparently it contains violence and several sex scenes.""Right up Gladys Wilcox's alley I'd say," Jenna replied, grinning. "I keep telling you, there's something kinky going on between her and the churchwarden. Okay, give me five minutes, and I'll be ready. Need to have a quick word with our non-paying guest.""You're alright with her staying, aren't you? Sorry, I tend to just dive in and say yes to everything. Your cousin seems like such a lovely person.""I don't mind, but she's not the innocent little thing you think she is," Jenna said. "Oh she's not a criminal or anything, but she can be a bit, indiscreet at times.""Aren't we all a bit like that at eighteen? Not much life experience to fall back on.""Hmm, I suppose. I will phone Aunt Kathleen later and let her know that Mia's staying here. I'd better prepare to gently break the bad news that her daughter won't be getting those letters after her name."Mia was admiring herself in the wall mirror when Jenna came in, and closed the bedroom door."Alright you. Now how about giving me the whole truth about why you quit uni? You're good, but your acting skills need work. Better make it quick as Simon's waiting to give me a lift to the garage, so spill."The brunette took a deep breath. "Alright. Look, don't give me too much grief. I did something wrong and that's why I had to quit.""What happened?""I seduced my lecturer and slept with him."She gasped. "You did what?" After the initial shock, Jenna couldn't help but admire her cousin's brazen attitude. Seeing as she herself had seduced several men from the church, plus a former Catholic priest, and most recently, the town mayor. Not to mention there were her weekly "organ lessons" with Gordon,"So he was old enough to be my dad. Maybe grandad. He was like, late fifties or something. But he was so hot. Older men really turn me on. You must know how that feels. I mean, your husband is way older than you, right?""Yeah. I'm twenty-one and he's forty." Jenna admitted. "Eighteen and late fifties is one hell of an age gap though.""I know. Oh but Jen. Tom was such a sexy man. Just the type I like. He was a smoker, but not a heavy one. Kind of used to turn me on, smelling smoke on his breath. It added to the attraction, as weird as that sounds. The sex was amazing. Older men are just sexier,”Jenna gave a dreamy sigh. "Yep they are. Can't disagree with you there. Realizing she suddenly had a lot more in common with her cousin, she sat down next to her. "Tell me more about Tom."And so Mia gave her chapter and verse on her spicy adventures at Salford.

Jenna's teenage cousin turns up at the vicarage.A Series in 17 parts, by Blacksheep. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. It was the second Sunday after Trinity. Over at St Michael's vicarage, the morning eucharist had finished and Reverend Morris and his wife Jenna were discussing the upcoming events in the church calendar."Josh gets ordained next month, so that'll be a fun occasion. Big party over at his place. He's so excited for that day to come. It's been remarkable how he's come out of his shell. When he joined our church as curate a year ago, he was so nervous and shy. Now look at him." Reverend Morris said."He's a real asset to the church," Jenna replied, sipping a coffee, as she read through the church newsletter. "I like to think that I, helped build up his confidence a bit.""Oh you certainly did, I'm sure," the vicar said, oblivious to what his wife was referring to. "Now, apart from that big event, there's not much happening in July. I'm adding the study of the Book of Exodus in the services. Last year's summer study of Genesis went down a treat,”The sound of the doorbell interrupted him."I wonder who that can be?" Reverend Morris said, hurrying out of the living room. "If it's Gordon, he's early. He said he would call round at 2."He opened the front door. A slim young woman around eighteen or nineteen, stood on the doorstep. Brunette hair that was in pigtails. Huge brown eyes like Bambi. She was dressed in a low cut pink peasant top, tight cow-print shorts and ballet shoes. By her side was a suitcase and hold-all."Hello. Can I help you?" Reverend Morris said."Um," the woman began, in a nervous voice. "Mr., um, Reverend Morris. Is, Jenna in? I'm Mia, her cousin.""Oh really? Gosh, well do come in, you're very welcome! You look loaded up there, let me give you a hand." He ushered her inside and carried her luggage."Jen! You've got a visitor!"Jenna looked up and her eyes widened. "Mia?""Hello CJ," Mia said, with a sheepish grin.Reverend Morris blinked."Cousin Jenna," Jenna replied."Ah," He understood."What are you doing here? Last I heard you were at Salford uni.""It's a long story," Mia sighed, as Reverend Morris gestured for her to sit on the settee. "Um, I quit.""Oh no," Jenna said. "What happened?""Oh Jen, it was awful. I just couldn't settle into university life at all. I made a mistake choosing that Art and Design course. It wasn't for me. The lectures stressed me out, but worst of all was the bullying." She dabbed at imaginary tears in her eyes with a tissue. "Nine months and I just couldn't cope with it any longer, so I jacked it in."Jenna was about to say something, but her husband cut in."You poor thing. God, if there's one thing I hate, it's bullying. Sad that it occurs in all walks of life. A nasty part of human nature."Noticing the reverend had been completely taken in by Mia's story, Jenna cleared her throat. "What did your parents say?"There was an awkward pause."You haven't told them, have you?""Are you serious Jen? Mum will go nuclear if she finds out. I'm just not ready to deal with that, yet. She was so proud when I got in that place. Dad will be more understanding but, look, I have a favor to ask. Can I stay with you for, a bit? I used up my last bit of cash on the train fare. I'm broke and I have nowhere to stay. I can't face going back to my parents. They'll treat me like a kid. Please? I won't be any bother. I'll do housework for you, I'll,”"Of course you can stay!" Reverend Morris smiled. "Our vicarage is always available to those who need it. We have a spare bedroom." He turned to Jenna. "We had Bishop George staying with us during Lent, remember? I'm sure your cousin can't be a worse lodger than him. She looks like she's gone through a tough few months."Powerless to refuse, Jenna reluctantly agreed. Oh Simon, you sweet, naive man. You have no idea what you're letting yourself in for! She thought."Oh you mean it? I can stay? Oh; thank you so much, Reverend!""Simon. You can call me Simon!" Reverend Morris replied. "It's nice to finally get to meet you, Mia. I know you and Jenna drifted apart a bit when your parents moved, but it's so nice when relatives reunite, isn't it?" the reverend said as he went to pick up the luggage."If only everyone could be as nice as you and Jenna!" Mia gushed.Jenna pulled a face at her cousin and whispered to her. "You are so dead, cousin!""Right, well, I'll introduce you to your new room!” Simon said as he returned holding all the bags. “This way! I'll carry your stuff for you." Reverend Morris carried up the suitcase and hold-all."Your hubby is a total gent," Mia whispered to Jenna."Oh, you might be able to fool him, but you're not fooling me," Jenna replied. "As soon as he's gone out later, you are going to tell me everything."Reverend Morris led Mia upstairs and down the long landing. Mia walked right by his side looking something between an infatuated schoolgirl gazing at her crush and a timid little lamb sticking close to the shepherd. At eighteen, Mia was very aware of the effect she had on men. Her Bambi eyes, teamed with the brunette hair, gave her an innocent look that convinced boys and men alike that she couldn't possibly know what effect she was having on them. But she knew quite well, and she loved the things she could get by putting her skills to good use."Here we are," Reverend Morris said, opening the bedroom door at the end. "It's not massive, but it's got a pleasant view overlooking the garden."Mia walked in. The room was nicely decorated. Instead of the usual neutral color scheme of magnolia, the walls were painted in very pale blue, with white ceiling and a sandy colored carpet. Instead of curtains, a white window blind, as was the current trend. A single bed, chest of drawers and ladder desk and chair made up the furniture."I don't know why I painted this room blue, it always looks so cold, and it doesn't really match the carpet. No wardrobe, but there's a full chest of drawers and the bed is a divan, with two storage compartments you can put your bits and bobs in. There's a hook on the back of the door if you need to hang some clothes up.""Oh I love it!" Mia said, smiling at him. "It's like being at the beach. The floor is sand and the walls are the sea. It's so restful and appealing. Really brings out my creative side. I think I could do lots of painting and drawing in here.""I'm glad you like it. Jenna and I want you to feel comfortable and safe here. Charity is so important to Christians like us.""Oh yes, I understand Rev, um, Simon. And I am so grateful. Um, do I have to start going to church? I mean I was raised in a Christian home but I sort of drifted,” Mia said, giving him a coquettish look.""Ha, no worries! We're not going to force you to attend a Sunday service or anything so relax. Whether you're a believer or not, everyone is catered for in our vicarage. We don't judge.""Jenna told me that your church is a nice one," Mia said, gazing at the reverend. He's rather average in looks but this guy is a total sweetie I can tell. Not an ounce of malice in him. Jenna's really landed on her feet with this one."She's right! St Michael's is a lovely place of worship. I'm very honored to be its vicar. Of course it wasn't always like that, but I like to think that I've really turned things round and made a difference. I credit Jenna for helping me in, many ways," he continued, and Mia noted the pause.Wonder what he means by that? She thought.He continued. "I took over in 2019 after the sudden death of the previous vicar, Reverend Smith. Talk about being thrown in at the deep end. Only a few months later, the pandemic happened. What a stressful time that was."Mia nodded patiently."Sorry, I'm prattling on! I'll leave you to get sorted out. I talk too much. Always in sermon mode,”"That's alright, Simon. I'm sure your sermons are really interesting." Mia said, flattering him some more."Ah well, haven't heard too many snores in the aisles of late.""I really appreciate you helping me like this," Mia said, sitting on the bed. "I just don't know how I was going to cope. And I want to pay my way. I suppose I'll have to apply for Universal Credit. What with the cost of living crisis and everything. Not sure if there are any jobs going in this town? I don't know this area at all and I can't drive,”"One step at a time, Mia. let's get you settled in first.""I really do want to work. Is there anything I could do at your church?"Reverend Morris scratched the back of his head and sat down next to her."Well, it's mostly volunteer work there, which is no good when you need an income, oh wait a minute, Norman the churchwarden mentioned that the church hall needs a cleaner, 10 hours a week. It's only a five minute walk from here. We had one of the Sunday school teacher's lads doing it, but I confess he rarely turned up and was about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. I was disappointed in Jordan, as the pay was pretty good for an entry-level job.""I'll do that job! I'd love to do that!" Mia said. "Oh please say yes!""Hmm, well let me talk it over with Jenna first, and Norman. Cleaning is a bit boring. You'd be required to put out chairs and tables too. They're only lightweight folding ones, so no dangerous lifting of heavy stuff or anything. But Norman will be able to tell you more about what's involved. We have a lot of functions held in the hall, not just church stuff. Monday is badminton class. Tuesday it's the over-60s hot yoga. Wednesday is the midweek eucharist, so it's tea and coffee morning. Thursday and Friday you get two days off as nothing happens then. Saturday is the local amateur dramatics group. Oh and Sunday, the most important day of all, is the main service at church, and a social gathering afterwards.""Oh I just love cleaning up," Mia said. "Tidiness is good for mental health you know. It keeps your mind occupied." She slid a bit closer to him."You're really enthusiastic aren't you?" Well If your heart's set on it, I'm sure I can pull a few strings and get you in. Don't want you to feel like your talents are being wasted in what I consider to be just a casual job though.""To be honest, I never had any idea what I wanted to do when I left school," Mia continued. "I never wanted to go to uni. I feel like such a failure for quitting.""Don't put yourself down," he said, reassuring her. "Sometimes God has a different path for us. And you can't stay somewhere that's making you unhappy. It takes guts to break away from a path that someone else has set for you. I can tell you have a great attitude. Your talents obviously lie elsewhere. In time, I'm sure you'll find something you truly excel at.""I do hope so," Mia said, pouting at him. She leaned in closer, but the moment was broken by the sound of the landline phone ringing downstairs."Oh that reminds me, I need to call on one of the flock." He stood up. "I'll leave you to unpack Mia. If you need anything, I'm sure Jenna can assist you. I have to go out. I'll see you later. Take care!"He hurried out of the bedroom."I think I'm gonna love it here," Mia giggled to herself. "I think I need to, repair my relationship with God." She gave the most mischievous of grins as she flopped back in bed."But I also plan on sinning, a lot!"Reverend Morris rushed down the stairs."That was the garage on the phone," Jenna said, putting down the receiver. "My car's passed its MOT and ready to be collected.""Great. I'll drop you off there as I just remembered I promised Gladys Wilcox I'd take her a copy of that paperback I recommended at last week's service. Hills of the North by Jenny Talwartz." He rummaged around on the coffee table and held up the book in question. "A thrilling tale set in rural England, about passion, blackmail and a woman's fulfilling journey to find romance and regain her faith.""Sounds a good one.""It got rave reviews on Amazon. I was worried it might be a bit too racy for some of the older members of the congregation. I haven't had chance to read it yet but apparently it contains violence and several sex scenes.""Right up Gladys Wilcox's alley I'd say," Jenna replied, grinning. "I keep telling you, there's something kinky going on between her and the churchwarden. Okay, give me five minutes, and I'll be ready. Need to have a quick word with our non-paying guest.""You're alright with her staying, aren't you? Sorry, I tend to just dive in and say yes to everything. Your cousin seems like such a lovely person.""I don't mind, but she's not the innocent little thing you think she is," Jenna said. "Oh she's not a criminal or anything, but she can be a bit, indiscreet at times.""Aren't we all a bit like that at eighteen? Not much life experience to fall back on.""Hmm, I suppose. I will phone Aunt Kathleen later and let her know that Mia's staying here. I'd better prepare to gently break the bad news that her daughter won't be getting those letters after her name."Mia was admiring herself in the wall mirror when Jenna came in, and closed the bedroom door."Alright you. Now how about giving me the whole truth about why you quit uni? You're good, but your acting skills need work. Better make it quick as Simon's waiting to give me a lift to the garage, so spill."The brunette took a deep breath. "Alright. Look, don't give me too much grief. I did something wrong and that's why I had to quit.""What happened?""I seduced my lecturer and slept with him."She gasped. "You did what?" After the initial shock, Jenna couldn't help but admire her cousin's brazen attitude. Seeing as she herself had seduced several men from the church, plus a former Catholic priest, and most recently, the town mayor. Not to mention there were her weekly "organ lessons" with Gordon,"So he was old enough to be my dad. Maybe grandad. He was like, late fifties or something. But he was so hot. Older men really turn me on. You must know how that feels. I mean, your husband is way older than you, right?""Yeah. I'm twenty-one and he's forty." Jenna admitted. "Eighteen and late fifties is one hell of an age gap though.""I know. Oh but Jen. Tom was such a sexy man. Just the type I like. He was a smoker, but not a heavy one. Kind of used to turn me on, smelling smoke on his breath. It added to the attraction, as weird as that sounds. The sex was amazing. Older men are just sexier,”Jenna gave a dreamy sigh. "Yep they are. Can't disagree with you there. Realizing she suddenly had a lot more in common with her cousin, she sat down next to her. "Tell me more about Tom."And so Mia gave her chapter and verse on her spicy adventures at Salford.

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Jack Bauer gives Nina Myers more than expected.Based on a post by Talking Bowl. Listen to the ► Podcast at Steamy Stories.Nina Myers stared at Jack Bauer, a mixture of fear and vulnerability in her eyes. Just moments before, Ed, who had been sent along with Jack to help guard her on the truck ride to the airport, had slumped over unconscious into Jack's lap, the victim of a ‘mickey', which the rogue CTU agent had slipped into his bottled water. It had taken her tired mind, already rattled by Jack's previous violent interrogations back at HQ, a few minutes to process the full implication of the look on his face. To see the faintest trace of a smirk that played across his lips, and realize that he had been in the process of outwitting her, even as she had thought she was doing the same to him. Her previous taunts faded from her lips, and she stared at him in fear, dry-mouthed, her heart thumping in anticipation.For what seemed like an eternity, they did not speak. The only noise came from the dull roar of the engine, the rattle of the truck as it jostled down the road, the almost imperceptible sound of their breathing, and Nina's heartbeat, which, although only she could hear it, was almost deafening to her ears. Finally, she licked her lips, swallowed hard, and screwing up her bravado, said:"You got me, Jack." The words came out in a husky croak. He did not speak or move. Clearing her throat and holding her head a little higher, she tried again."What are you going to do to me now, Jack? Kill me?""I would never give you the satisfaction," he hissed. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, he started to move towards her, bracing himself against the pitch and roll of the vehicle."What, then?" Bolder still. "Beat the shit out of me? Leave me unconscious for the guards to find, and then say I slipped and fell?"Or is it a mind-fuck;" (she caressed the word fuck, trying to make him savor it) "you want? Interrogate me a little more, try to make me piss myself, and hope I'll end up blubbering everything to you? Even you can't be that naïve," Nina sneered. "Don't forget, Jack, I'm as good at this as you are."Jack smirked. "Not quite." He was halfway towards her now. "Don't forget who's in chains here.""And why is that, Jack? Because I got away with something you never thought I could? Because I did it right under your nose and you never had a goddamn clue?" Fire glinted in her eyes. "Because you had the chance to kill me, but you just didn't have the balls to; "Nina's words turned into a yelp as Jack's hand shot out from his arm, grabbing her by the throat. The momentum of his grasp was so great that it lifted Nina out of her seat, until she was standing tilted back against the honeycombed metal walls of the truck. He rammed his torso against hers, pinning her in place, and put his face so close to hers that she could practically taste his hot breath with her tongue. The musky scent of his skin filled her nostrils, bringing back lewd memories despite the pain at her throat. Voiceless, she croaked out;"Jack; let go; ""Beg me," he snarled."What?""Beg me, Nina.""; please; ""Please what?"She stared at him blankly."Please what!" He tightened his grip, making her choke anew. "You may not work for me anymore, Nina, but you are still under my command! And as long as you are under my command! You will do! As I fucking say!" His face was flushed red, his breast heaving with exertion. "Now Please, fucking what?""Please; Sir; ""What?" His voice suddenly dropped in volume to a husky purr, and he put his ear up to her mouth. "What was that? Speak up, I can't hear you."Nina tried to speak, but could only make choking noises. Realizing he had made it impossible for her to carry out his orders, Jack loosened his grip on her throat, ever so slightly. Trying again, Nina gasped out:"Please; sir; will you let go of my throat?"Without a word, Jack let go of Nina's throat, but kept his body pinned against hers. Nina gasped as the air rushed back into her lungs. Her breathing was still slightly constricted from the pressure of Jack's weight against her ribs and diaphragm, but at least she no longer felt as if she were drowning for lack of air.Silence again, more charged than before. Jack's mouth by her ear, hers by his. Breathing in tandem, as much out of force of habit as out of comfort in their close quarters. Nina became aware of the fact that Jack's pelvis was pressed up against hers. Was it intentional? You never could tell, with Jack."So you're not going to kill me, Jack."He said nothing."And you're not going to beat me up, either."No response. She thought she could read agreement on his face, but wasn't sure."Then what are you going to do to me?" A slight note of fear in her voice, more than she would have liked, which she tried immediately to push away.He turned his face and looked her dead in the eye. His left hand crept around the back of her head, cupping it for support. He leaned in closer and, a trace of the arrogant smirk still on his lips, hissed at her:"Anything. I. Want."Nina knew it was true. He could do anything at all to her, and would most likely get away with it. Even if he were found out, who at CTU would defend her at this point? It took all her inner steel to avoid breaking down in tears at the thought.Jack's face drew even closer to Nina's. His breath felt warm on her face, yet his eyes still glittered with hatred. For a second, she thought he might strike her. Bite her. Spit in her face.Instead, to her surprise, she felt Jack's lips burning on hers. His tongue battered its way into her mouth as he kissed her violently. This time, there was lust mixed in with his anger, and the mixture sent a shiver through Nina in spite of herself. Almost instantaneously, she was furious both at him for taking advantage of her like this, and at herself for – she had to admit it – liking it.There was no doubt Jack was enjoying it too, in his own perverse way – the steadily fattening bulge in his jeans, burning against Nina's thigh, was proof enough of that. Not much blood going to his head right now, thought Nina. Seeing a chance to regain her edge in the situation, she kissed him back with gusto, trying to turn him on as much as possible. Just give him a nice big hard-on, and pretty soon he'd be weak enough to ease up on her. Ask her if the shackles were hurting her. Reach for the key and undo her, and just when he thought she wouldn't try to get away –All of a sudden, Nina felt Jack simultaneously disengage from her mouth and crotch. The hand that had been resting at the base of her skull only moments before yanked her head back by the roots of her hair, so far that she could barely breathe. Jack stood up, by now gasping for breath. His face was red; his erection strained the seams of the well-worn denim clinging to his lower body. Yet he seemed completely in control, both of himself and of her. Nina's mouth and pelvis burned at the withdrawal of his venomous lust, at the same time as her mind cried out in fury at being foiled by his ever-calculating mind."You thought you'd get off that easy, you piece of shit?" Jack shook his head in mock amazement. He leaned his face back in to hers and hissed:"I fucking own you. Do you understand me, you little cunt?"“Yes.""Yes what, ass rag?""Sir! Yes sir!" Nina shouted. Her humiliation fueled her arousal.Jack let go of her hair, shoving her head forward so hard that Nina was sure her neck was broken. She saw him kneel on the floor and go through Ed's pockets, searching for the key to the cuffs that bound her wrists and ankles together. She willed her facial muscles to remain neutral, but permitted herself an inward smile of triumph. Santa Barbara all over again. She had him by the balls.Jack found the keys, tried several of them before finding the right one, and undid the cuff attached to her broad leather belt and the one that connected her ankles to her wrists via a narrow metal chain. He disengaged those bonds completely and tossed them on the floor. She shifted slightly, anticipating the release of her hands and feet, but to her surprise, he left those cuffs on, throwing the keys over his shoulder, where they bounced off of Ed's inert body and skidded across the floor.Gingerly bracing his body against the truck's motion, Jack walked back towards Nina, the small smirk back on his lips. His left hand grabbed the chains binding her wrists and shoved them behind her neck, so that her hands were practically behind her head. Quick as a flash, she saw his right hand reach for something, heard the well-oiled flick of a blade popping out of its sheath, and before she knew it, Jack had a knife at her throat. MicroTek Halo, she registered."Now," he said, all business despite his barely concealed rage. "If you try to pull any more shit on me, or disobey me in any way, I will hurt you in ways you could only imagine. You'll fucking pray for death before I'm through with you. Understood?""Yes, sir.""Good," he said. He gently caressed her cheek with the butt of the knife, a twisted mockery of a tender lover's gesture. "Now lean back so that your head is touching the wall. Slowly."Trembling, she complied. As she did so, she noticed that her lower body tilted out over the seating bank, pelvis forward, legs splayed, as though she were presenting herself to him. Jack had planned it that way, no doubt. How like him, she thought bitterly.His left hand released her wrists, then traveled down to the front of her drab prison uniform. The hand holding the knife never left her throat. One by one, he undid the buttons, his thumb and forefinger working to pop each button gently yet firmly out of its hole. When he reached the buckle on her belt, he paused, as though contemplating his next move. Still acting one-handed, he loosened the tooth of the buckle from its leather hole so that the belt hung slack around her waist, then pulled it slowly down her thighs, almost to her knees."Put your knees together."She did so, wordlessly. He cinched the belt tightly around her legs, so that her loins touched each other. He chuckled softly to himself."Just think. If you'd kept your knees together before, none of this would have happened.""Jack; " she began to protest, forgetting herself."Shut up." He barely raised his voice, but she knew he meant it. She obeyed, but her eyes glittered with anger and frustration.Jack continued his slow, methodical unbuttoning of her uniform top, until he had undone the very last button. Then, in one supple motion, he yanked down her uniform bottom around the belt, exposing her plain white cotton panties. He then stood back up, replaced the point of the blade where it had been before, and pushed the fabric of the top far enough off her shoulders to expose the straps of the cheap standard-issue bra they had permitted her in prison. He smirked again, reading her mind – he knew how much she liked nice underwear, and how much it humiliated her to have to wear cheap, unflattering crap. Before she could even gasp in shock, he had cut both the straps with the knife, so that the bra hung loosely around her tits. He pulled down the fabric on each cup, one at a time, so that each nipple was just barely exposed. Nina's nipples had been fully soft in the steamy heat of the truck, but as Jack knowingly circled his thumb around her right one, they both watched it harden at his touch."Is this what you're going to do to me, Jack?" Nina spat in a low voice. "Tear my clothes off and fuck me in the back of this truck?"Jack said nothing. The hand with the knife slipped around behind her neck until his hand rested between her neck and shoulder, as though embracing her, but with the blade still pointed where it could hurt her if need be. His other thumb left her right nipple and started massaging her left one. He gazed directly at it, both pleased and fascinated by the effect he was having on her body in spite of itself. Nina's face flushed, but she continued:"How do you think you're going to explain yourself when we get to the airport and the guards find me like this? Do you think they're going to just hand you your Get Out of Jail Free card and say, 'Okay, Jack, just don't let it happen again?' Even you can't be that crazy."At this, Jack pinched her nipple – hard – between his thumb and forefinger. Nina yelped involuntarily, then held back another gasp as he continued to roll it around in his grasp, firmly yet – could it be? – gently. He continued to switch off, from left tit to right and back again, until he was sure both nipples were painfully hard, and then smiled again ever so slightly in satisfaction. Nina was almost wincing at the effects of her own arousal, but she somehow managed to hold herself in check.He had another command for her:"Hold still."Nina's throat was too dry to respond. She could only gaze dumbly as she watched the arm holding the Halo slip back from around her neck, slip up under her bra with the blade facing outward, and position itself right at the junction of the bra's two soft cups. With a sudden burst of force, Jack grabbed the bra with his other hand, braced against her for support, and cut Nina's bra open. A small, animal sound escaped from the captive woman's throat as the bra's support lapsed and her breasts fell to their sides. Even before, when she and Jack had been lovers and she had shown herself naked in front of him for the first time, she had never felt this exposed. Or this turned on.And then Jack's head was bent, he was kneeling, his firm hot mouth burning on her nipple, the knifeless palm grabbing her other tit and kneading it for all it was worth. Nina closed her eyes and felt her heart hammer against her ribcage. Rage in her mind, fear in her heart, heat in her cunt."Santa Barbara was business, Jack." She tried to sound cold and calculating, but her rising libido betrayed her. "I needed you to trust me. I needed you on my side. If you think you're reawakening an old flame or something, you're a bigger fool than I though. I saw my chance and I took it. End of story."Jack pulled his face away from her nipple and nuzzled between her breasts. He worked his way down slowly, tortuously, towards her stomach, his lips and teeth moving in stinging, sucking bites that Nina was sure would leave readily visible marks. Marks the guards would see, that would make them ask questions, that would – oh, GOD, his tongue was in her navel, he was working it around, hot DAMN that man was good with his mouth; shit, oh, shit, oh, shit, he was moving lower, lower still, but how the hell would he get her panties off with this fucking belt around her thighs, what was he, crazy?Again, the knife made an appearance. Again, Jack was grasping some piece of clothing on her body, trying to rip it off of her. First one side, then the other, along both seams of those hideous fucking granny panties that made her look like a friggin' hippo."I'll just rid you of those," he said, knowingly. The bastard was actually grinning. Then, as though performing a parlor trick, he whipped out her shredded panties from under her uniform, and Nina again yelped as the fabric stung her swollen clit and aching lips. He was enjoying this. Cocksucker."I don't hate you, you know, Jack." Trying to retain at least a shred of composure. "I didn't love you, either. None of this was ever personal."His mouth continued its searing path down her stomach, pausing as he lowered himself further still to give the tip of his turned-up nose a chance to nuzzle her dark pubic thatch."Oh, sure, I liked you all right. You were a decent guy. A good agent. An above-average fuck, when you got the chance. But no fuck is worth jeopardizing – AH!"Jack had nipped the sensitive skin just above her clitoral hood. He hadn't bit very hard, but the area was so engorged with the blood of Nina's hotly stoked lust that her eyes watered with pain. And then she could feel his hot breath on her, his mouth so close, but still not touching. Waiting. Teasing. Bastard. His tongue flicking, ever so lightly, over the painfully erect surface area of her sex, teasing her some more. Come on, motherfucker, get it over with.And then he was done teasing her, his mouth, his glorious mouth was on her, encircling her, inside her, licking and sucking her lips, her hood, her clit, fucking her with his tongue, tasting her wet hot slippery salty arousal. The man gave dynamite head, and he knew it, and she remembered it now more than ever. And as he got more and more into it, he yanked the belt down around her ankles and grabbed her by the hips and slammed her ass down on the seat – Nina was moaning steadily by now, no longer able to control herself – and spread her legs as far apart as they would go and oh my GOD he just kept eating her and eating her and eating her and –What? Why did he just -Jack stopped. He pulled his face away from her and squatted back on his heels, his hands still braced against her inner thighs. He had a wicked glint in his eyes and Nina's slick, clear juices all over his mouth and chin. She could feel his fingertips tickling the soft, sensitive skin of her inner thighs, just barely touching, but enough to let her know he was doing it deliberately. His tongue darted out lasciviously and licked some of it off his face, savoring the taste when he put his tongue back in his mouth."Want some?" He grinned, arose slightly, and leaned in for another kiss.Nina reared back reflexively, again banging her head on the wall, but Jack was too quick for her, and his tongue darted between her lips before she could muster the strength to force him out. It really didn't taste that bad, she thought. A slight marine tang, but nothing to gag over. It was more the way Jack was forcing it upon her, violating her mouth with his, that made her want to bite him, force him out, tell him to fuck himself.Then, as suddenly as he had begun, he stopped. He reached behind her for her mangled bra, which had fallen on the seat behind her. Then he had a command:"Stand up."Nina obeyed as best she could, bracing herself against the Humvee's momentum and willing strength into her quivering knees. Jack bound the bra around her eyes, whipping her around to tie it in the back so that it could serve as a makeshift blindfold. Then he turned her back around, this time more slowly but still firmly. Another command:"On your knees."Nina had a pretty good idea of what was coming next. Despite her fear, she allowed herself a mental roll of the eyes at Jack's stupidity. I'm supposed to give him a blowjob sight unseen with no hands? What is he, high?Jack must have sensed her insubordination, because she felt the knife press against her throat again. "Nina, this morning I cut a man's head off with a hacksaw. My wife is dead, my daughter isn't talking to me, and the people I work for would like nothing better than for me to fuck off and die. I have absolutely nothing left to lose."Now you're going to open your mouth – wide – and pull your lips over your teeth, and you're going to take what I give you the way I tell you to, and if you so much as think of pulling any shit with me, I swear to Christ I will cut you from ear to ear. Are we clear?""Y; yes sir; ""Good," said Jack, "Good." He was breathing heavily again. She heard a zipper, the rustle of fabric, the motion of skin against skin. She felt a hand, the one holding the knife, slip behind her head. The other hand, she knew, was where Jack intended her mouth to be shortly; he was busily making himself as hard as possible. Then he moved closer, and she felt the burning blunt head of his massive cock brush against her face. She had to restrain herself from gasping at the incredible heat he was giving off, as though his lust were being stoked by some huge internal furnace."Now open your mouth like I told you. Nice and slow." Again Nina could not help but obey, sliding her lips over her teeth as he had requested and opening her mouth as wide as she could.And then that massive head – which, she remembered, must be a deep purple color by now – found its way into her mouth, guided there by its master's hand. Although Nina remembered all too well how huge Jack was, her mouth still had trouble adjusting to his girth at first, and when he pushed it deeper into her mouth she had to restrain herself from gagging."Suck it," he commanded.Finally, Nina managed to get her reflexes under control, and began to work her tongue around the sensitive head, just the way she remembered Jack liked it. She burrowed her tongue into the tip and felt him stiffen and gasp involuntarily, then swirled it around the corona and heard a low moan resonate in his chest cavity. Flattening her tongue against the frenulum – Jack was practically growling in pleasure now – she took as much of him into her mouth as she could, then pulled back slightly and began sucking him in earnest. She could feel his fingers stroking her hair – a surprisingly tender gesture, she thought, for a man getting his cock sucked by the woman who killed his wife. She thought, again, of how relieved he would be after he came. How relaxed. How vulnerable and open to suggestion. Surely, Nina said to herself, he would have mercy on her. The stupid shit. She took a deep breath through her nose and sucked him even harder.Before long, Jack lost patience with being acted upon and decided to take matters into his own hands. Nina felt his legs move apart and bend slightly, so that he was straddling her head. His hand pushed her head even further down onto his cock as he began to fuck her mouth in earnest. She could feel him banging against the back of her throat, each pitch and roll of the Humvee deepening his thrusts."You like that, don't you, bitch?" Jack growled. "You wish you could see it right now, don't you? That you could touch it? Stroke it?" His thrusting grew harder and faster, and she could tell he was on the verge of coming. "That you could suck it dry? Swallow; every; drop?"And then all of a sudden, right before she thought he would shoot his load, Jack withdrew roughly from Nina's mouth and pushed her head away. Both of them were breathing raggedly. Nina felt disoriented from the blindfold, and her throat ached from the impact of the mouth-fucking she had just sustained. She had no idea what Jack would do to her next, and at this point it no longer mattered to her. Whatever it was, she was sure nothing could be more humiliating than –OUCH!Daylight. Nina squinted at the light, the blindfold abruptly removed from her eyes. The bridge of her nose stung where the bra hooks had chafed against her skin. She could not see or feel Jack, but sensed his presence behind her. Heard his breathing, calmer than before, but still elevated."You've been very good, Nina," Jack said, somehow more gently than before. "You've done as I said. You've given me exactly what I want. And now I'm going to give you exactly what you want.""What's that, sir?" Nina said, although she had a pretty good idea."Get on your hands and knees."Nina did so, unable to prevent a small moan of anticipation from escaping her lips. She knew what was coming now.During their weekend in Santa Barbara, Nina had begged Jack repeatedly to fuck her in the ass. He had done everything else – fucked her mouth, fingered her g-spot until she gushed all over him, fucked her cunt from every angle and position the two of them could think up, gone down on her until she lost her voice for screaming in ecstasy – but when she asked him to do that, he demurred, saying they could do it "some time later." And by the time it was later, he had already decided to go back to Teri, and there was nothing she could do about it. What had changed his mind now, she wondered?Jack unfastened the belt from Nina's ankles and tossed it aside. She heard cloth brush against skin as he took off his jacket and shirt, laying them carefully on the seat. She tried to turn her head around, the better to get a look at his glorious chest and arms, but he yanked her head back to its original position. That was the worst part of all this, Nina thought to herself – being denied the sight of this beautiful man even as he brought her to new heights in the midst of her degradation. It was like being in a state of permanent solar eclipse.Nina felt Jack kneel behind her, felt his hand move against her skin, stroking her ass, the cold metal of the knife contrasting with the warmth of his hand. The gesture was gentle but possessive, as though he were claiming her as his property. She felt the chain that she had noticed around his neck dangling against her back, a small, thick metal circle attached to the end. She wondered what it was, but dared not ask him."Do you want this, Nina?""Yes.""What did you say?""Yes, sir.""Louder, bitch.""Sir! Yes sir! Sir, this bitch would like you to fuck her in the ass! With your big hard cock! Sir!” She saw his other hand come in front of her field of vision, the palm at her mouth. "Spit."She spat. He rubbed the saliva all in and around her asshole, making sure it got in there. She then heard him spit on his own hand and heard the wet sound against his own flesh, making sure he was well-lubed. Then she heard him remove the chain from his neck and dangled it in front of her face. It was a ring. A simple, metal band."Do you know what this is, Nina?""A ring.""What ring.""Your wedding ring, Jack. Sir.""Do you know what I'm going to do with it?""No, sir.""I'm going to make you taste it, you worthless piece of ass," Jack spat. "I want you to taste it while I'm screwing you in your filthy asshole, so that you can feel exactly what I've lost. Do you want that, Nina?"What could she possibly lose by being frank now? "No, sir."Jack chuckled bitterly. "Good." He slipped the loop of the chain around her neck. "Now open up."Nina opened her mouth to receive the ring, then gasped in pain as he twisted the chain, yanking it tightly so that it cut into her mouth and her head was lifted back into an upright position. Then, with his other hand, he slowly, carefully spread her legs and guided his massive throbbing cock into her ass.Nina gasped again and moaned, pain mixed in with pleasure as she felt his hugeness sink deeper and deeper within her. He began to move in and out, slowly at first, with long, deep strokes; he was so long that there was absolutely no slippage. He was down on one knee, the other one propped up for leverage. The hand not holding the chain grabbed her by the hip, pulling her back towards him for maximum penetration. The knife, she noticed, was no longer in his hand. When had he put it down?Jack's strokes got steadily faster. She felt his hand tremble as he held the chain, making her own head bobble slightly. Her tits rocked in motion with the truck; the sensation only enhanced the ones she was feeling below the waist. She tried to move her head down so that she could breathe more easily, but the force in Jack's hand never wavered. The metal tasted cold and sweet in Nina's mouth, a slight salty tinge the only evidence it had been nestled against Jack's skin in this heat.Jack was beyond words. He let out an animal noise that sounded like something between a moan and a growl. He began to drill her ass in earnest, pumping into her unmercifully. She could feel the metal chain starting to cut into the corners of her mouth, and almost gagged on the ring nestled like a horse's bit in her mouth. The hand holding her hip slipped between her legs and started dithering her clit, rubbing it so expertly that an involuntary shudder went through her body, drawing her back against Jack's pelvis.God, the pumping. The pain. The hugeness. The pleasure. The stroking. Jack finally giving her exactly what she wanted, the taste of his defeat, his lowest hour, sitting like a curse between her teeth. And then he yanked her head almost all the way back, at the same time as his hand worked her clit even harder than before, and she screamed and shook and came, over and over, and the roar in her head was so loud that it almost drowned out the sound of Jack's roar as he reached his own climax, pumping load after load of hot, steaming come deep inside her, until he finally collapsed on top of her, almost flattening her on the ground. His hands dropped to the side, his head to the space between her neck and shoulder. She felt his chest hair, wet with sweat, pressing against her back, felt his heart beating madly – and then, all of a sudden, felt his chest erupt with uncontrollable shaking and realized he was sobbing, intoning his wife's name under his breath: "Teri, Teri, Teri, oh my God, Teri, I'm so sorry, sweetheart, Teri, I'm so sorry, Teri, Teri, Teri; "Nina had no idea what to say. She wasn't sorry she had killed Teri – that had been strictly business – but she had no idea how to react to seeing a tough, hard man like Jack Bauer breaking down in tears, weeping like an infant. She felt the hot salt water in little streams down her shoulder, running down her torso until the tears dropped off her nipples onto the floor of the Humvee. He remained like that, crying helplessly, repeating Teri, Teri, Teri, as though saying her name would bring her back like Eurydice from the gates of Hades.The truck lurched to a halt. Jack, pulling himself together almost as instantaneously as he had broken down, put the ring's chain back around his neck, then pulled on his shirt and jacket, as well as a pair of sunglasses from his jacket pocket. Instantly the tough, unreachable CTU agent again. He wiped roughly under his eyes and nose, picked up his things, and went to the exit.Gazing at Nina, he saw a disheveled wreck of a woman, shirt open, undergarments in shreds, pants down. She could feel a stream of semen leaking out of her asshole and down her thigh. She returned Jack's gaze, an unreadable look in her eyes. He squatted for a second, picked up a half-empty bottle of water, screwed on the top, and threw it at her, bouncing it off her chest. He opened the door to exit the truck. Turning back to look at her one last time, he said, without an ounce of emotion in his voice:"Clean yourself up."And then he was gone.By Talking Bowl for Literotica.

Jack Bauer gives Nina Myers more than expected.Based on a post by Talking Bowl. Listen to the ► Podcast at Steamy Stories.Nina Myers stared at Jack Bauer, a mixture of fear and vulnerability in her eyes. Just moments before, Ed, who had been sent along with Jack to help guard her on the truck ride to the airport, had slumped over unconscious into Jack's lap, the victim of a ‘mickey', which the rogue CTU agent had slipped into his bottled water. It had taken her tired mind, already rattled by Jack's previous violent interrogations back at HQ, a few minutes to process the full implication of the look on his face. To see the faintest trace of a smirk that played across his lips, and realize that he had been in the process of outwitting her, even as she had thought she was doing the same to him. Her previous taunts faded from her lips, and she stared at him in fear, dry-mouthed, her heart thumping in anticipation.For what seemed like an eternity, they did not speak. The only noise came from the dull roar of the engine, the rattle of the truck as it jostled down the road, the almost imperceptible sound of their breathing, and Nina's heartbeat, which, although only she could hear it, was almost deafening to her ears. Finally, she licked her lips, swallowed hard, and screwing up her bravado, said:"You got me, Jack." The words came out in a husky croak. He did not speak or move. Clearing her throat and holding her head a little higher, she tried again."What are you going to do to me now, Jack? Kill me?""I would never give you the satisfaction," he hissed. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, he started to move towards her, bracing himself against the pitch and roll of the vehicle."What, then?" Bolder still. "Beat the shit out of me? Leave me unconscious for the guards to find, and then say I slipped and fell?"Or is it a mind-fuck;" (she caressed the word fuck, trying to make him savor it) "you want? Interrogate me a little more, try to make me piss myself, and hope I'll end up blubbering everything to you? Even you can't be that naïve," Nina sneered. "Don't forget, Jack, I'm as good at this as you are."Jack smirked. "Not quite." He was halfway towards her now. "Don't forget who's in chains here.""And why is that, Jack? Because I got away with something you never thought I could? Because I did it right under your nose and you never had a goddamn clue?" Fire glinted in her eyes. "Because you had the chance to kill me, but you just didn't have the balls to; "Nina's words turned into a yelp as Jack's hand shot out from his arm, grabbing her by the throat. The momentum of his grasp was so great that it lifted Nina out of her seat, until she was standing tilted back against the honeycombed metal walls of the truck. He rammed his torso against hers, pinning her in place, and put his face so close to hers that she could practically taste his hot breath with her tongue. The musky scent of his skin filled her nostrils, bringing back lewd memories despite the pain at her throat. Voiceless, she croaked out;"Jack; let go; ""Beg me," he snarled."What?""Beg me, Nina.""; please; ""Please what?"She stared at him blankly."Please what!" He tightened his grip, making her choke anew. "You may not work for me anymore, Nina, but you are still under my command! And as long as you are under my command! You will do! As I fucking say!" His face was flushed red, his breast heaving with exertion. "Now Please, fucking what?""Please; Sir; ""What?" His voice suddenly dropped in volume to a husky purr, and he put his ear up to her mouth. "What was that? Speak up, I can't hear you."Nina tried to speak, but could only make choking noises. Realizing he had made it impossible for her to carry out his orders, Jack loosened his grip on her throat, ever so slightly. Trying again, Nina gasped out:"Please; sir; will you let go of my throat?"Without a word, Jack let go of Nina's throat, but kept his body pinned against hers. Nina gasped as the air rushed back into her lungs. Her breathing was still slightly constricted from the pressure of Jack's weight against her ribs and diaphragm, but at least she no longer felt as if she were drowning for lack of air.Silence again, more charged than before. Jack's mouth by her ear, hers by his. Breathing in tandem, as much out of force of habit as out of comfort in their close quarters. Nina became aware of the fact that Jack's pelvis was pressed up against hers. Was it intentional? You never could tell, with Jack."So you're not going to kill me, Jack."He said nothing."And you're not going to beat me up, either."No response. She thought she could read agreement on his face, but wasn't sure."Then what are you going to do to me?" A slight note of fear in her voice, more than she would have liked, which she tried immediately to push away.He turned his face and looked her dead in the eye. His left hand crept around the back of her head, cupping it for support. He leaned in closer and, a trace of the arrogant smirk still on his lips, hissed at her:"Anything. I. Want."Nina knew it was true. He could do anything at all to her, and would most likely get away with it. Even if he were found out, who at CTU would defend her at this point? It took all her inner steel to avoid breaking down in tears at the thought.Jack's face drew even closer to Nina's. His breath felt warm on her face, yet his eyes still glittered with hatred. For a second, she thought he might strike her. Bite her. Spit in her face.Instead, to her surprise, she felt Jack's lips burning on hers. His tongue battered its way into her mouth as he kissed her violently. This time, there was lust mixed in with his anger, and the mixture sent a shiver through Nina in spite of herself. Almost instantaneously, she was furious both at him for taking advantage of her like this, and at herself for – she had to admit it – liking it.There was no doubt Jack was enjoying it too, in his own perverse way – the steadily fattening bulge in his jeans, burning against Nina's thigh, was proof enough of that. Not much blood going to his head right now, thought Nina. Seeing a chance to regain her edge in the situation, she kissed him back with gusto, trying to turn him on as much as possible. Just give him a nice big hard-on, and pretty soon he'd be weak enough to ease up on her. Ask her if the shackles were hurting her. Reach for the key and undo her, and just when he thought she wouldn't try to get away –All of a sudden, Nina felt Jack simultaneously disengage from her mouth and crotch. The hand that had been resting at the base of her skull only moments before yanked her head back by the roots of her hair, so far that she could barely breathe. Jack stood up, by now gasping for breath. His face was red; his erection strained the seams of the well-worn denim clinging to his lower body. Yet he seemed completely in control, both of himself and of her. Nina's mouth and pelvis burned at the withdrawal of his venomous lust, at the same time as her mind cried out in fury at being foiled by his ever-calculating mind."You thought you'd get off that easy, you piece of shit?" Jack shook his head in mock amazement. He leaned his face back in to hers and hissed:"I fucking own you. Do you understand me, you little cunt?"“Yes.""Yes what, ass rag?""Sir! Yes sir!" Nina shouted. Her humiliation fueled her arousal.Jack let go of her hair, shoving her head forward so hard that Nina was sure her neck was broken. She saw him kneel on the floor and go through Ed's pockets, searching for the key to the cuffs that bound her wrists and ankles together. She willed her facial muscles to remain neutral, but permitted herself an inward smile of triumph. Santa Barbara all over again. She had him by the balls.Jack found the keys, tried several of them before finding the right one, and undid the cuff attached to her broad leather belt and the one that connected her ankles to her wrists via a narrow metal chain. He disengaged those bonds completely and tossed them on the floor. She shifted slightly, anticipating the release of her hands and feet, but to her surprise, he left those cuffs on, throwing the keys over his shoulder, where they bounced off of Ed's inert body and skidded across the floor.Gingerly bracing his body against the truck's motion, Jack walked back towards Nina, the small smirk back on his lips. His left hand grabbed the chains binding her wrists and shoved them behind her neck, so that her hands were practically behind her head. Quick as a flash, she saw his right hand reach for something, heard the well-oiled flick of a blade popping out of its sheath, and before she knew it, Jack had a knife at her throat. MicroTek Halo, she registered."Now," he said, all business despite his barely concealed rage. "If you try to pull any more shit on me, or disobey me in any way, I will hurt you in ways you could only imagine. You'll fucking pray for death before I'm through with you. Understood?""Yes, sir.""Good," he said. He gently caressed her cheek with the butt of the knife, a twisted mockery of a tender lover's gesture. "Now lean back so that your head is touching the wall. Slowly."Trembling, she complied. As she did so, she noticed that her lower body tilted out over the seating bank, pelvis forward, legs splayed, as though she were presenting herself to him. Jack had planned it that way, no doubt. How like him, she thought bitterly.His left hand released her wrists, then traveled down to the front of her drab prison uniform. The hand holding the knife never left her throat. One by one, he undid the buttons, his thumb and forefinger working to pop each button gently yet firmly out of its hole. When he reached the buckle on her belt, he paused, as though contemplating his next move. Still acting one-handed, he loosened the tooth of the buckle from its leather hole so that the belt hung slack around her waist, then pulled it slowly down her thighs, almost to her knees."Put your knees together."She did so, wordlessly. He cinched the belt tightly around her legs, so that her loins touched each other. He chuckled softly to himself."Just think. If you'd kept your knees together before, none of this would have happened.""Jack; " she began to protest, forgetting herself."Shut up." He barely raised his voice, but she knew he meant it. She obeyed, but her eyes glittered with anger and frustration.Jack continued his slow, methodical unbuttoning of her uniform top, until he had undone the very last button. Then, in one supple motion, he yanked down her uniform bottom around the belt, exposing her plain white cotton panties. He then stood back up, replaced the point of the blade where it had been before, and pushed the fabric of the top far enough off her shoulders to expose the straps of the cheap standard-issue bra they had permitted her in prison. He smirked again, reading her mind – he knew how much she liked nice underwear, and how much it humiliated her to have to wear cheap, unflattering crap. Before she could even gasp in shock, he had cut both the straps with the knife, so that the bra hung loosely around her tits. He pulled down the fabric on each cup, one at a time, so that each nipple was just barely exposed. Nina's nipples had been fully soft in the steamy heat of the truck, but as Jack knowingly circled his thumb around her right one, they both watched it harden at his touch."Is this what you're going to do to me, Jack?" Nina spat in a low voice. "Tear my clothes off and fuck me in the back of this truck?"Jack said nothing. The hand with the knife slipped around behind her neck until his hand rested between her neck and shoulder, as though embracing her, but with the blade still pointed where it could hurt her if need be. His other thumb left her right nipple and started massaging her left one. He gazed directly at it, both pleased and fascinated by the effect he was having on her body in spite of itself. Nina's face flushed, but she continued:"How do you think you're going to explain yourself when we get to the airport and the guards find me like this? Do you think they're going to just hand you your Get Out of Jail Free card and say, 'Okay, Jack, just don't let it happen again?' Even you can't be that crazy."At this, Jack pinched her nipple – hard – between his thumb and forefinger. Nina yelped involuntarily, then held back another gasp as he continued to roll it around in his grasp, firmly yet – could it be? – gently. He continued to switch off, from left tit to right and back again, until he was sure both nipples were painfully hard, and then smiled again ever so slightly in satisfaction. Nina was almost wincing at the effects of her own arousal, but she somehow managed to hold herself in check.He had another command for her:"Hold still."Nina's throat was too dry to respond. She could only gaze dumbly as she watched the arm holding the Halo slip back from around her neck, slip up under her bra with the blade facing outward, and position itself right at the junction of the bra's two soft cups. With a sudden burst of force, Jack grabbed the bra with his other hand, braced against her for support, and cut Nina's bra open. A small, animal sound escaped from the captive woman's throat as the bra's support lapsed and her breasts fell to their sides. Even before, when she and Jack had been lovers and she had shown herself naked in front of him for the first time, she had never felt this exposed. Or this turned on.And then Jack's head was bent, he was kneeling, his firm hot mouth burning on her nipple, the knifeless palm grabbing her other tit and kneading it for all it was worth. Nina closed her eyes and felt her heart hammer against her ribcage. Rage in her mind, fear in her heart, heat in her cunt."Santa Barbara was business, Jack." She tried to sound cold and calculating, but her rising libido betrayed her. "I needed you to trust me. I needed you on my side. If you think you're reawakening an old flame or something, you're a bigger fool than I though. I saw my chance and I took it. End of story."Jack pulled his face away from her nipple and nuzzled between her breasts. He worked his way down slowly, tortuously, towards her stomach, his lips and teeth moving in stinging, sucking bites that Nina was sure would leave readily visible marks. Marks the guards would see, that would make them ask questions, that would – oh, GOD, his tongue was in her navel, he was working it around, hot DAMN that man was good with his mouth; shit, oh, shit, oh, shit, he was moving lower, lower still, but how the hell would he get her panties off with this fucking belt around her thighs, what was he, crazy?Again, the knife made an appearance. Again, Jack was grasping some piece of clothing on her body, trying to rip it off of her. First one side, then the other, along both seams of those hideous fucking granny panties that made her look like a friggin' hippo."I'll just rid you of those," he said, knowingly. The bastard was actually grinning. Then, as though performing a parlor trick, he whipped out her shredded panties from under her uniform, and Nina again yelped as the fabric stung her swollen clit and aching lips. He was enjoying this. Cocksucker."I don't hate you, you know, Jack." Trying to retain at least a shred of composure. "I didn't love you, either. None of this was ever personal."His mouth continued its searing path down her stomach, pausing as he lowered himself further still to give the tip of his turned-up nose a chance to nuzzle her dark pubic thatch."Oh, sure, I liked you all right. You were a decent guy. A good agent. An above-average fuck, when you got the chance. But no fuck is worth jeopardizing – AH!"Jack had nipped the sensitive skin just above her clitoral hood. He hadn't bit very hard, but the area was so engorged with the blood of Nina's hotly stoked lust that her eyes watered with pain. And then she could feel his hot breath on her, his mouth so close, but still not touching. Waiting. Teasing. Bastard. His tongue flicking, ever so lightly, over the painfully erect surface area of her sex, teasing her some more. Come on, motherfucker, get it over with.And then he was done teasing her, his mouth, his glorious mouth was on her, encircling her, inside her, licking and sucking her lips, her hood, her clit, fucking her with his tongue, tasting her wet hot slippery salty arousal. The man gave dynamite head, and he knew it, and she remembered it now more than ever. And as he got more and more into it, he yanked the belt down around her ankles and grabbed her by the hips and slammed her ass down on the seat – Nina was moaning steadily by now, no longer able to control herself – and spread her legs as far apart as they would go and oh my GOD he just kept eating her and eating her and eating her and –What? Why did he just -Jack stopped. He pulled his face away from her and squatted back on his heels, his hands still braced against her inner thighs. He had a wicked glint in his eyes and Nina's slick, clear juices all over his mouth and chin. She could feel his fingertips tickling the soft, sensitive skin of her inner thighs, just barely touching, but enough to let her know he was doing it deliberately. His tongue darted out lasciviously and licked some of it off his face, savoring the taste when he put his tongue back in his mouth."Want some?" He grinned, arose slightly, and leaned in for another kiss.Nina reared back reflexively, again banging her head on the wall, but Jack was too quick for her, and his tongue darted between her lips before she could muster the strength to force him out. It really didn't taste that bad, she thought. A slight marine tang, but nothing to gag over. It was more the way Jack was forcing it upon her, violating her mouth with his, that made her want to bite him, force him out, tell him to fuck himself.Then, as suddenly as he had begun, he stopped. He reached behind her for her mangled bra, which had fallen on the seat behind her. Then he had a command:"Stand up."Nina obeyed as best she could, bracing herself against the Humvee's momentum and willing strength into her quivering knees. Jack bound the bra around her eyes, whipping her around to tie it in the back so that it could serve as a makeshift blindfold. Then he turned her back around, this time more slowly but still firmly. Another command:"On your knees."Nina had a pretty good idea of what was coming next. Despite her fear, she allowed herself a mental roll of the eyes at Jack's stupidity. I'm supposed to give him a blowjob sight unseen with no hands? What is he, high?Jack must have sensed her insubordination, because she felt the knife press against her throat again. "Nina, this morning I cut a man's head off with a hacksaw. My wife is dead, my daughter isn't talking to me, and the people I work for would like nothing better than for me to fuck off and die. I have absolutely nothing left to lose."Now you're going to open your mouth – wide – and pull your lips over your teeth, and you're going to take what I give you the way I tell you to, and if you so much as think of pulling any shit with me, I swear to Christ I will cut you from ear to ear. Are we clear?""Y; yes sir; ""Good," said Jack, "Good." He was breathing heavily again. She heard a zipper, the rustle of fabric, the motion of skin against skin. She felt a hand, the one holding the knife, slip behind her head. The other hand, she knew, was where Jack intended her mouth to be shortly; he was busily making himself as hard as possible. Then he moved closer, and she felt the burning blunt head of his massive cock brush against her face. She had to restrain herself from gasping at the incredible heat he was giving off, as though his lust were being stoked by some huge internal furnace."Now open your mouth like I told you. Nice and slow." Again Nina could not help but obey, sliding her lips over her teeth as he had requested and opening her mouth as wide as she could.And then that massive head – which, she remembered, must be a deep purple color by now – found its way into her mouth, guided there by its master's hand. Although Nina remembered all too well how huge Jack was, her mouth still had trouble adjusting to his girth at first, and when he pushed it deeper into her mouth she had to restrain herself from gagging."Suck it," he commanded.Finally, Nina managed to get her reflexes under control, and began to work her tongue around the sensitive head, just the way she remembered Jack liked it. She burrowed her tongue into the tip and felt him stiffen and gasp involuntarily, then swirled it around the corona and heard a low moan resonate in his chest cavity. Flattening her tongue against the frenulum – Jack was practically growling in pleasure now – she took as much of him into her mouth as she could, then pulled back slightly and began sucking him in earnest. She could feel his fingers stroking her hair – a surprisingly tender gesture, she thought, for a man getting his cock sucked by the woman who killed his wife. She thought, again, of how relieved he would be after he came. How relaxed. How vulnerable and open to suggestion. Surely, Nina said to herself, he would have mercy on her. The stupid shit. She took a deep breath through her nose and sucked him even harder.Before long, Jack lost patience with being acted upon and decided to take matters into his own hands. Nina felt his legs move apart and bend slightly, so that he was straddling her head. His hand pushed her head even further down onto his cock as he began to fuck her mouth in earnest. She could feel him banging against the back of her throat, each pitch and roll of the Humvee deepening his thrusts."You like that, don't you, bitch?" Jack growled. "You wish you could see it right now, don't you? That you could touch it? Stroke it?" His thrusting grew harder and faster, and she could tell he was on the verge of coming. "That you could suck it dry? Swallow; every; drop?"And then all of a sudden, right before she thought he would shoot his load, Jack withdrew roughly from Nina's mouth and pushed her head away. Both of them were breathing raggedly. Nina felt disoriented from the blindfold, and her throat ached from the impact of the mouth-fucking she had just sustained. She had no idea what Jack would do to her next, and at this point it no longer mattered to her. Whatever it was, she was sure nothing could be more humiliating than –OUCH!Daylight. Nina squinted at the light, the blindfold abruptly removed from her eyes. The bridge of her nose stung where the bra hooks had chafed against her skin. She could not see or feel Jack, but sensed his presence behind her. Heard his breathing, calmer than before, but still elevated."You've been very good, Nina," Jack said, somehow more gently than before. "You've done as I said. You've given me exactly what I want. And now I'm going to give you exactly what you want.""What's that, sir?" Nina said, although she had a pretty good idea."Get on your hands and knees."Nina did so, unable to prevent a small moan of anticipation from escaping her lips. She knew what was coming now.During their weekend in Santa Barbara, Nina had begged Jack repeatedly to fuck her in the ass. He had done everything else – fucked her mouth, fingered her g-spot until she gushed all over him, fucked her cunt from every angle and position the two of them could think up, gone down on her until she lost her voice for screaming in ecstasy – but when she asked him to do that, he demurred, saying they could do it "some time later." And by the time it was later, he had already decided to go back to Teri, and there was nothing she could do about it. What had changed his mind now, she wondered?Jack unfastened the belt from Nina's ankles and tossed it aside. She heard cloth brush against skin as he took off his jacket and shirt, laying them carefully on the seat. She tried to turn her head around, the better to get a look at his glorious chest and arms, but he yanked her head back to its original position. That was the worst part of all this, Nina thought to herself – being denied the sight of this beautiful man even as he brought her to new heights in the midst of her degradation. It was like being in a state of permanent solar eclipse.Nina felt Jack kneel behind her, felt his hand move against her skin, stroking her ass, the cold metal of the knife contrasting with the warmth of his hand. The gesture was gentle but possessive, as though he were claiming her as his property. She felt the chain that she had noticed around his neck dangling against her back, a small, thick metal circle attached to the end. She wondered what it was, but dared not ask him."Do you want this, Nina?""Yes.""What did you say?""Yes, sir.""Louder, bitch.""Sir! Yes sir! Sir, this bitch would like you to fuck her in the ass! With your big hard cock! Sir!” She saw his other hand come in front of her field of vision, the palm at her mouth. "Spit."She spat. He rubbed the saliva all in and around her asshole, making sure it got in there. She then heard him spit on his own hand and heard the wet sound against his own flesh, making sure he was well-lubed. Then she heard him remove the chain from his neck and dangled it in front of her face. It was a ring. A simple, metal band."Do you know what this is, Nina?""A ring.""What ring.""Your wedding ring, Jack. Sir.""Do you know what I'm going to do with it?""No, sir.""I'm going to make you taste it, you worthless piece of ass," Jack spat. "I want you to taste it while I'm screwing you in your filthy asshole, so that you can feel exactly what I've lost. Do you want that, Nina?"What could she possibly lose by being frank now? "No, sir."Jack chuckled bitterly. "Good." He slipped the loop of the chain around her neck. "Now open up."Nina opened her mouth to receive the ring, then gasped in pain as he twisted the chain, yanking it tightly so that it cut into her mouth and her head was lifted back into an upright position. Then, with his other hand, he slowly, carefully spread her legs and guided his massive throbbing cock into her ass.Nina gasped again and moaned, pain mixed in with pleasure as she felt his hugeness sink deeper and deeper within her. He began to move in and out, slowly at first, with long, deep strokes; he was so long that there was absolutely no slippage. He was down on one knee, the other one propped up for leverage. The hand not holding the chain grabbed her by the hip, pulling her back towards him for maximum penetration. The knife, she noticed, was no longer in his hand. When had he put it down?Jack's strokes got steadily faster. She felt his hand tremble as he held the chain, making her own head bobble slightly. Her tits rocked in motion with the truck; the sensation only enhanced the ones she was feeling below the waist. She tried to move her head down so that she could breathe more easily, but the force in Jack's hand never wavered. The metal tasted cold and sweet in Nina's mouth, a slight salty tinge the only evidence it had been nestled against Jack's skin in this heat.Jack was beyond words. He let out an animal noise that sounded like something between a moan and a growl. He began to drill her ass in earnest, pumping into her unmercifully. She could feel the metal chain starting to cut into the corners of her mouth, and almost gagged on the ring nestled like a horse's bit in her mouth. The hand holding her hip slipped between her legs and started dithering her clit, rubbing it so expertly that an involuntary shudder went through her body, drawing her back against Jack's pelvis.God, the pumping. The pain. The hugeness. The pleasure. The stroking. Jack finally giving her exactly what she wanted, the taste of his defeat, his lowest hour, sitting like a curse between her teeth. And then he yanked her head almost all the way back, at the same time as his hand worked her clit even harder than before, and she screamed and shook and came, over and over, and the roar in her head was so loud that it almost drowned out the sound of Jack's roar as he reached his own climax, pumping load after load of hot, steaming come deep inside her, until he finally collapsed on top of her, almost flattening her on the ground. His hands dropped to the side, his head to the space between her neck and shoulder. She felt his chest hair, wet with sweat, pressing against her back, felt his heart beating madly – and then, all of a sudden, felt his chest erupt with uncontrollable shaking and realized he was sobbing, intoning his wife's name under his breath: "Teri, Teri, Teri, oh my God, Teri, I'm so sorry, sweetheart, Teri, I'm so sorry, Teri, Teri, Teri; "Nina had no idea what to say. She wasn't sorry she had killed Teri – that had been strictly business – but she had no idea how to react to seeing a tough, hard man like Jack Bauer breaking down in tears, weeping like an infant. She felt the hot salt water in little streams down her shoulder, running down her torso until the tears dropped off her nipples onto the floor of the Humvee. He remained like that, crying helplessly, repeating Teri, Teri, Teri, as though saying her name would bring her back like Eurydice from the gates of Hades.The truck lurched to a halt. Jack, pulling himself together almost as instantaneously as he had broken down, put the ring's chain back around his neck, then pulled on his shirt and jacket, as well as a pair of sunglasses from his jacket pocket. Instantly the tough, unreachable CTU agent again. He wiped roughly under his eyes and nose, picked up his things, and went to the exit.Gazing at Nina, he saw a disheveled wreck of a woman, shirt open, undergarments in shreds, pants down. She could feel a stream of semen leaking out of her asshole and down her thigh. She returned Jack's gaze, an unreadable look in her eyes. He squatted for a second, picked up a half-empty bottle of water, screwed on the top, and threw it at her, bouncing it off her chest. He opened the door to exit the truck. Turning back to look at her one last time, he said, without an ounce of emotion in his voice:"Clean yourself up."And then he was gone.By Talking Bowl for Literotica.

Lenders can easily integrate income verification into their workflow and verify any borrower at any point during the application process with Truework Income. By connecting every verification method into one platform, Truework helps lenders eliminate process disruptions, maintain a competitive borrower experience and reduce the fiscal impact of verifying income. Banks, credit unions and wholesale lenders are using Truework because it's the only platform making income verification as easy as clicking a button. 

Michael Meade is a renowned storyteller and scholar of mythology, anthropology, and psychology, who draws from his study of archetypal myths, ancestral wisdom and cross-cultural rituals to interpret our remarkable moment in human history. While many of us are attempting to recognize our own self-terminating patterns and inhabit new ways of being human, Michael helps us to see the stories we are living, and the new stories that are calling us. He is the author of many books, including The Genius Myth, Fate and Destiny, Why the World Doesn't End and The Water of Life. He is also the founder of Mosaic Multicultural Foundation, a nonprofit organization that initiates innovative projects and unifying events that support and educate at-risk youth, refugees, combat veterans, and communities in need. Resources: Michael Meade and Mosaic Multicultural Foundation ARTS AND PRACTICES - Antidotes to Overwhelm Sources of Resilience Michael Meade podcast, videos and essays Facing the Cascade of Crises: A SAND Community Gathering with Michael Meade and Gail Brenner Holding the Thread of Life: Michael Meade (Live at SAND 19) (heard in the episode around 38:00) Drumming at the Edge of Magic by Mickey Hart Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 02:11 – US Elections and Political Climate 02:48 – Cultural and Environmental Unraveling 06:42 – The Role of Uncertainty and Inner Self 08:09 – Mythology and the Deeper Self 10:25 – Rite of Passage and Personal Transformation 18:47 – The Genius Myth vs. The Hero Myth 23:47 – The Nature of the Soul and Family Expectations 28:26 – Discovering Your Calling in Descent 29:30 – The Whisper of Genius 31:01 – Flattening of Modern Culture 31:53 – The Role of Inspiration in the Arts 32:40 – The Power of Practice 33:19 – The Sound of Creation 37:02 – "Holding the Thread of Life" (Excerpt) live at SAND 19 by Michael Meade 40:25 – Quieting Down to Hear the Call 41:47 – Expressing Emotions for Healing 46:32 – The Importance of Grief and Compassion 48:57 – The Magic of Words 53:27 – Connecting with Mythological Ideas 54:50 – Conclusion and Future Conversations Support the mission of SAND and the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member

Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican singer, rapper, and actor, has become a dominant force in the music industry, known for his dynamic reggaeton and Latin trap music. Since emerging on the scene, Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has continuously pushed the boundaries of Latin music and pop culture.He first gained significant attention in 2017 with his feature on "Ahora Me Llama," a hit with Colombian singer Karol G. This collaboration set the stage for his ascent in the music world. Bad Bunny quickly followed with successful releases such as "Soy Peor" and "Chambea," establishing himself as a key player in the genre.Bad Bunny's debut album, "X 100PRE," released in December 2018, was a critical and commercial success, earning praise for its innovative fusion of reggaeton, Latin trap, and other musical styles. His performance at Coachella in 2019 further cemented his status as an influential artist in the global music arena.In 2020, he released a series of projects that showcased his versatility and appeal. "YHLQMDLG," released in February, explored themes of love and heartbreak while maintaining his signature urban sound. His second surprise album of the year, "Las Que No Iban a Salir," followed in May, featuring unreleased tracks that pleased his fan base. Flattening expectations once again, Bad Bunny dropped "El Último Tour Del Mundo" in November 2020, the first all-Spanish-language album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.Beyond music, Bad Bunny ventured into acting, making appearances in shows such as "Narcos: Mexico" and pursuing roles in upcoming films. Additionally, his presence in professional wrestling with WWE since 2021 illustrates his wide-ranging interests and talents outside the traditional music realm.Bad Bunny's impact extends beyond entertainment, as he is known for challenging social norms and breaking stereotypes, often using his platform to advocate for social causes, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ rights. His unique fashion sense and unapologetic personality have captivated audiences, earning him a diverse and devoted following worldwide.In his burgeoning career, Bad Bunny has not only become a prominent figure in Latin music but also a symbol of cultural and social transformation, continuously redefining what it means to be an artist in the modern era.

This week, we dive into some changes to V8CTF, the FortiJump Higher bug in Fortinet's FortiManager, as well as some coverage instrumentation on blackbox macOS binaries via Pishi. Links and vulnerability summaries for this episode are available at: https://dayzerosec.com/podcast/263.html [00:00:00] Introduction [00:00:25] V8 Sandbox Bypass Rewards [00:25:39] Hop-Skip-FortiJump-FortiJump-Higher - Fortinet FortiManager [CVE-2024-47575] [00:38:07] Pishi: Coverage guided macOS KEXT fuzzing. [00:44:20] Breaking Control Flow Flattening: A Deep Technical Analysis [00:55:10] Firefox Animation CVE-2024-9680 - Dimitri Fourny [00:57:13] Internship Offers for the 2024-2025 Season Podcast episodes are available on the usual podcast platforms: -- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1484046063 -- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4NKCxk8aPEuEFuHsEQ9Tdt -- Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9hMTIxYTI0L3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz -- Other audio platforms can be found at https://anchor.fm/dayzerosec You can also join our discord: https://discord.gg/daTxTK9

In this episode of the Realfoodology podcast, I sit down with the incredible Grace Price, an 18-year-old changemaker who is already making waves in the world of cancer prevention and food activism. Grace, who you may recognize from her powerful testimony at the Senate, shares her inspiring journey—from losing her grandfather to cancer to creating a free documentary that explores the link between processed foods and cancer. We discuss the corrupt influence of big food and the dangers of ultra-processed foods. We also talk about regenerative farming, tackling food deserts, and empowering Gen Z to challenge the status quo when it comes to public health. Don't miss this eye-opening conversation on how we can flatten the cancer curve and improve our food system for future generations! Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction   00:05:51 - Grace's Documentary   00:07:55 - Cancer Research   00:09:59 - Genetics and Cancer   00:13:31 - The Food Pyramid and Other Big Food Corruption   00:19:18 - Ultra-Processed Foods Are the New Cigarettes   00:22:22 - Dietitian Curriculum and the Importance of Whole Foods   00:25:41 - Bottom-Up Change   00:27:28 - Big Tabasco and Big Food   00:33:40 - Kellogg Campaign and Senate Roundtable 00:35:53 - Coca-Cola Donating to the American Cancer Society   00:40:16 - How Bad Is Processed Food & Worst Processed Foods   00:44:38 - Carb Loading and Blood Sugar Spikes   00:45:31 - Cigarettes and French Fries   00:48:14 - Clorox and Twinkies   00:50:07 - Getting Gen Z Involved   00:54:53 - Harnessing the Power of Rebellious Teens   00:56:08 - Climate Change and Agriculture   00:58:06 - What's Next for Grace   01:01:56 - CGMs and Learning the Long-Term Impacts of Processed Foods   01:03:38 - Flattening the Cancer Curve   01:06:48 - Grace's Health Non-Negotiables   Show Links:  211: BRCA, Modernizing Cancer Treatment, + Medical Ketosis | Dr. Thomas Seyfried  No Such Thing As Vegan Food | Chef Mollie of Sage Cancer: A Food-Borne Illness Good Energy (Book) Health Roundtable (Senate Hearing) Kiss The Ground (Documentary)  Common Ground (Documentary)  The Ends (Restaurant)  Sponsored By:  Organifi Go to www.organifi.com/realfoodology and use code REALFOODOLOGY for 20% Off and from 11/12 - 11/13 enjoy Fall savings

#cuttheclutter As the Indian exchange rates flatten, in Episode 1544 of #CutTheClutter, Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta looks at some top economists pointing to the pitfalls of ‘currency nationalism.' Is a strong rupee necessarily good for India? Data from 1991 to 2024 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0:38-- fluctuating dollar-rupee exchange rate 1:58-- India's real effective exchange rate 3:22-- RBI's exchange rate policy 5:54-- Rupee's weakening trend 8:29-- India's exchange rate mechanism 9:15-- What is external resilience? 11:00-- India's foreign reserve spending 15:12-- What is currency nationalism? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To read Arvind Subramanian & Josh Felman article: https://www.business-standard.com/opinion/columns/explained-has-india-s-exchange-rate-regime-changed-for-the-worse-124102801222_1.html --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To read KP Krishnan Article: https://www.business-standard.com/opinion/columns/why-exchange-rate-volatility-is-essential-for-economic-flexibility-124101701598_1.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  @arvindmenswear66  This Season, Embrace Royalty & Legacy with our New Season Launch of Luxury Primante Collection Fabrics. Discover our latest showcase featuring the esteemed People's Prince, Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar. Own your day, visit your nearest Arvind Store and craft your perfect look. #TheArvindStore #OwnYourLegacy #OwnTheMoment https://tinyurl.com/3wa2zatn

On this week's episode of Mehdi Unfiltered, Mehdi explains the Israeli military policy driving their genocidal campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon. “The Dahiya doctrine calls for the Israeli military to intentionally, deliberately, cynically, inflict long-lasting and disproportionate damage onto the enemy, no matter how bad the civilian consequences,” Mehdi says. “AKA, exactly what we're seeing in Lebanon now, and in Gaza for the past year.”Why doesn't the US media give Israel's Dahiya doctrine any coverage? Mehdi does a deep dive into the history behind the policy, that of which mainstream media has failed to bring attention to. To discuss Israel's new front of the war in Lebanon, Lebanese academic and London School of Economics Professor, Fawaz Gerges joins the show. Gerges talks to Mehdi about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's latest message to the Lebanese people, in which Netanyahu called on the Lebanese people to, “stand up and take their country back” from Hezbollah or face the same suffering Israel has inflicted on Gaza. “What Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition are trying to do is to instigate a civil war in Lebanon. They're calling on the Lebanese to rise up to revolt against Hezbollah, knowing full well that Hezbollah is an integral part of the social fabric [in Lebanon],” Gerges says.Watch the full discussion above to hear Mehdi and Fawaz discuss why Israel's military strategy is so ineffective, the killing of Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah, and how the war in Gaza could change the international order forever. Also on the show, human rights activist Dr. Mahrang Baloch joins to tell Mehdi the story of how after being named one of Time Magazine's 100 Next, the Pakistani government barred her from traveling to New York to be recognized by Time and attend their gala this week. Baloch, who has been speaking out against Pakistan's abuse and killing of the country's Baloch minority, tells Mehdi that she was prevented from traveling to New York for the gala because the government knew she “would expose their war crimes in Balochistan.”“For years, our people have suffered enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and unimaginable human rights violations. And the US is [Pakistan's] biggest ally ,” Baloch says to Mehdi. “Not a single person that belongs to the Baloch community is safe.”Listen to Mehdi's interview with Dr. Mahrong Baloch to hear more about what the recognition from Time Magazine means to her and her minority community, as well as why other countries are turning a blind eye to Pakistan's abuse.After Elon Musk's surprise appearance at a Trump rally this past weekend, Mehdi is joined by the authors of “Character Limit,” – a new book about Musk and his disastrous Twitter takeover. "From bringing back formerly suspended accounts like that of former President Donald Trump and a variety of white supremacists and card-carrying antisemites, to then suspending accounts of journalists tracking the location of his jet using public sources, one thing is clear about Elon Musk, he is not the hero in this story,” Mehdi says. “But he thinks he is.”Watch Mehdi's interview with the authors, Ryan Mac and Kate Conger, to hear more about Musk forming his own echo chamber, his decisions to reduce content moderation on Twitter, and his rise into the far-right MAGA world. Be sure to watch the rest of this week's episode above. Let us know what you think and who you would like to see on the show next. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zeteo.com/subscribe

It's the 138th episode of the Truth About Vintage Amps podcast, where amp tech Skip Simmons fields your questions on all-things-tube amps!  This week, we pay tribute to Angela Instruments founder and former guest Steve Melkisethian (1950-2024); talk resistors and transformers; catch up on the 2024 Fretboard Summit; and much more. Want to be a part of our show? Just email us a question or voice memo to podcast@fretboardjournal.com. Don't forget, we have a Patreon page. Join us to get show updates and get to the front of the question line.  Some of the topics discussed this time around: :58 R.I.P. Nick Gravenites (Electric Flag, Mike Bloomfield) 3:08 Our sponsors: Amplified Parts, Emerald City Guitars, and Grez Guitars. (Watch Emerald City Guitars' Fretboard Summit video here.)  5:32 The 2024 Fretboard Summit in a nutshell  10:29 R.I.P Steve Melkisethian (Angela Instrument); read our tribute here 18:42 R.I.P. Stephen Fitzstephens, member of our Kegger Facebook group 19:18 What was Skip listening to as a kid? 22:08 Skip's Music vintage gear headed to auction  24:42 When to use old, mismatched resistors?  26:39 The 2003 interview in Vacuum Tube Valley with Steve Carr (PDF link) 27:41 Removing surface rust from transformers  30:27 A 1964 Ampeg Reverberocket that pops when you turn it off 31:10 You all need a Variac  33:03 A pig farm mini-baffler; Papa Murphy's in a Weber grill 36:56 Dropping the B+ with a solid state rectifier  39:47 Flattening a Fender eyelet board, redux; how to flatten a ‘70s Fender grill cloth frame?  42:52 Aux phono input on a tube amp; replacing plastic knobs; movie recommendation: 'As It Is In Heaven'  46:48 An original 1963 Fender Vibroverb in the UK with a switchable voltage panel; John Kelly amps; Rainer Ptacek  52:33 How to select an output transformer for an amp when you don't know its specs  1:00:55 The wrong tube in Danelectro amplifiers (12AU6 vs 12AV6) 1:04:02 What's on Skip's bench? An Alamo amp; kudos to Larry Chung  1:05:43 Recommended reading: 'The Feather Thief' (Amazon link); TAVA listener and winemaker William Downie (link) 1:10:36 Using Meguiar's Convertible Top Cleaner to clean up a Premier amp 1:11:35 A Pepco Riviera 725; Frazey Ford  1:14:04 Posters by Serifs & Whiskey (link) 1:15:10 Blossom Valley Foods' Pepper Plant sauce (link) 1:15:37 Fixing a reverb tank by changing the transducer; Fender's specific use of European tubes Hosted by amp tech Skip Simmons and co-hosted/produced by Jason Verlinde of the Fretboard Journal.     

Today the panel will be talking about traditional mentorship and how it looks different across communities and contexts; the rise of reverse mentorship and its importance in intergenerational workforces; how to measure the success of mentor/mentee relationships and the common mistakes to look out for; and how to avoid the trap of seeking a mentor for the sake of it.       IN THIS EPISODE:   [01.40] Introductions to our Blended panellists.   ·       Dillon – Senior Consultant - People Consulting at EY ·       Sandi – Owner/Lead Reconciliation Trainer/Consultant at Mishkwe Enterprises ·       Sarah – Leadership Coach/Program Manager at Joyful Catholic Living LLC ·       Jill – Material Program Manager at Raytheon   [06.32] The group discuss traditional mentorship: what it means, what it can look like, and why it's so important.     “A traditional mentorship relationship would be pairing a senior person, who has a wealth of expertise in certain areas, with someone who's junior or trying to make their way up the ranks and get that knowledge transfer.” Dillon   ·       Formal programs within a business ·       Informal relationships ·       Individuals connecting on a platform like LinkedIn, etc ·       How mentorship changes during the course of your career ·       How receptive you are to listening vs how willing people are to talk to you ·       Influence/looking up to someone   ·       How mentorship looks different in different contexts ·       Community ·       Indigenous peoples: o   Intergenerational trauma o   Traditional mentorship community structure o   Finding your path o   Affinity with mentors/mentees  o   Impact of removal of mentorship on community o   Internalized oppression   “For traditional indigenous communities' mentorship was a given. And with residential schools, mentorship was lost and destroyed.” Sandi    ·       Personal and professional exploration ·       Flattening of traditional career trajectories – moving horizontally, not just vertically ·       Mentorship is not just about careers ·       Understanding the ‘code of conduct' of the environment you're stepping into, so you're more likely to be successful  ·       How culture changes what a mentor/mentee relationship looks like ·       Responsibilities of mentors and mentees ·       Mutual respect ·       Impact of the pandemic ·       Remote mentors   ·       Matchmaking ·       Impact of personal life on work life ·       Natural chemistry of choosing mentors from your own culture/identity ·       Cross-cultural mentors o   Challenging yourself o   Identifying bias   “It allows for exploration; you can find your tribe… For underrepresented groups, there's often a feeling of isolation within corporate environments, and mentorship breaks down that feeling… it makes people feel seen and protected.” Dillon   [42.18] The panel discuss how we measure the success of mentor/mentee relationships and share some of the common pitfalls or common mistakes to look out for. “Define success before you even take one step! I can think of so many mentor/mentee relationships where the emphasis has been on the sharing of the information, not on what they do with it.” Sandi   ·       Time it takes for results to be realized ·       Who is successful, why, what can you learn? ·       Move away from judgement ·       Observing the skills, habits and traits that work   ·       Avoid putting all focus on just finding a mentor ·       Difference between coaching and mentoring ·       Setting expectations ·       Importance of common values ·       Organic evolution of relationships     [52.00] The group explore the rapidly growing trend of reverse mentorship: how it works, how it's different to traditional mentorship, and why it's key for organizations to support and embrace both forms. ·       Dillon's own experience of reverse mentorship, and an insight into the program at EY ·       Listen, learn, ask questions, challenge back ·       Wisdom from different generations ·       Building trust ·       Respect ·       Intent   “Humility builds bridges; egos burn them.” Sandi   [01.09.38] The panel discuss what we can learn from their discussion and share key takeaways.   “Believe in your own superpowers and see how that can be complemented by a potential mentor or mentee.” Dillon   ·       Patience ·       Power of social media ·       Work on your confidence ·       Do the research ·       Don't put people on a pedestal   ·       Be prepared ·       Honesty ·       Creating safe spaces ·       Empathy and humanity ·       Structure and boundaries ·       Transparency ·       Discovering mentorship all around you, in different places   “Be very clear about ‘what is it I'm trying to learn?' and ‘which ways am I trying to grow?' … So, by the time you meet your mentor, it's very clear you respect their time.” Sarah   [01.22.24] The group reflect on the pressure to find a mentor, and their key takeaways for individuals trying to tackle that pressure.    “My view of mentorship has evolved… Over time, I went from ‘I need to find a mentor' to ‘I need to take control of my life and career.'” Sarah   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: You can connect with Dillon, Sandi, Jill and Sarah over on LinkedIn.  

00:00 - Two weeks in a row at Mavi Manor01:44 - The Ketamine Queen is Punjabi!?04:21 - Jasveen Sangha Googled, "Can ketamine be a cause of death?"06:06 - Drugs can be used for secondary causes + use the BNF09:20 - Michael Jackson + injections in his knees10:35 - Ketamine can be medically prescribed 13:05 - Matthew Perry is Chandler + the assistant gave 20 shots!17:00 - The Sangha Stash House is giving Sanghas a bad name20:28 - El Chappal or El Chappati?22:19 - CSK voice noting Instagram feedback to Indy from India25:35 - Whatsapp forwarding needs to stop29:18 - Gin Rummy or Rumi?31:23 - There are multiple uses of Acha34:19 - Learning about the history of words35:49 - Dr's injury stories40:42 - "You haven't emptied the nappy bin"42:30 - She is a plate licker51:29 - Shindy eats milk powder52:42 - Indy vs his neighbour57:42 - Indy vs the east London foxes58:47 - Gobi trigger01:00:03 - The Sikh Games 202401:03:14 - TNA?01:04:12 - Flattening your patka?01:06:51 - What do you do when you meet a punjabi singer? Follow Us On: Tik Tok - https://bit.ly/indy-and-dr-tik-tokInstagram - http://bit.ly/indy-and-dr-instaFacebook - http://bit.ly/indy-and-dr-facebookSpotify - http://bit.ly/indy-and-dr Also available at all podcasting outlets.

Hello tea friends! On this Teatime with Jesse, I hang out with Hasani Arnold at the Beijing Tea Market. Hasani Arnold is a content creator and Global Strategy Insight Manager. In this episode, we cover a lot! Hasani talks about growing up in New York and the cultural differences between the ethnic enclaves. We also discuss the challenges and opportunities of learning a foreign language and how policies have shaped public infrastructure in the China vs. US. Join us while we sip on some Ancient Tree White Tea and Qimen Red Tea. Try Duidui's Laobanzhang "Sakura Sea" Ancient Tree White Tea: https://jessesteahouse.com/products/laobanzhang-sakura-sea-ancient-tree-white-tea Try Qimen Red Tea: https://jessesteahouse.com/products/jesses-teahouse-qimen-red-tea Join Jesse's Tea Club: https://jessesteahouse.com/products/jesses-tea-club-subscription-service?variant=43241340567777 00:00:29 Meet Hasani Arnold 00:00:50 Duidui's White tea 00:01:33 Hasani's Journey from New York, USA to Beijing, China 00:02:42 Bilingual subtitling on social media 00:03:13 The Chinese community in Flushing, Queens 00:05:00 Disparate cultures in NYC 00:06:50 Cultural differences at school vs. local neighborhoods in NYC 00:07:29 Sensationalism in the media 00:08:30 Chinese populations in American school 00:09:29 Hasani's first time abroad in Korea 00:10:38 Feeling safe in Asia 00:11:07 A foreigner experience in China 00:11:38 Shanghai is Hasani's favorite city 00:13:44 Freedom of expression in New York 00:15:00 New yorkers breaking out of their shell 00:15:15 People in Los Angeles are fashionable 00:15:54 Pushing the envelope in Shanghai 00:16:25 Stop caring about what other people think 00:16:50 Improv and “failing big” 00:17:30 Changing lives through improv 00:18:00 It's hard to fight in the tea room 00:19:00 Coffee and tea 00:19:16 Hasani's favorite tea: darjeeling white tea 00:19:44 Chinese approach to coffee and tea 00:21:33 Flattening tea 00:22:09 Public infrastructure in China vs. America 00:22:34 Accessibility in China 00:24:23 Tea farmers are successful businesspeople 00:27:25 Access to chargers and batteries 00:28:38 Portable charging stations in China 00:31:00 Perceptions of the self and community in China vs. America 00:32:44 Communism and collectivism 00:33:16 Wealth and individualism 00:36:15 Racism in China vs. America 00:36:40 Racism and public services in America 00:37:12 The nature of democracy 00:39:15 Policies and public parks 00:41:45 Society and balance 00:42:15 Extremism and balance 00:42:33 The goals of China's government 00:43:00 The Cultural Revolution in China 00:44:58 Bureaucracy and policy  00:46:06 China's stability and yearly innovation 00:46:46 Understanding someone else's opinion 00:47:29 Acrimony in American  00:48:28 Breaking the timeline 00:49:48 Having all the information 00:50:30 Getting into content creation 00:51:07 Racial phenotypes 00:53:00 Types of ignorance 00:53:09 Hair in the Black community 00:55:38 Race in China vs. America 00:57:00 Qimen red tea 00:54:14 The obligation of education 01:02:05 Learning involves messing up 01:02:34 Intent vs. impact 01:03:03 The role of patience in understanding different perspectives 01:04:00 There's always something you don't know 01:05:00 Productive conversations 01:06:18 Absurdist memes 01:07:38 Donghua Jinlong industrial grade glycine and Tiktok 01:10:30 Outsourcing marketing for advertising 01:11:57 Make content!! Be yourself, just do it 01:13:59 Media and the relationship between Asian American and Black American communities 01:23:00 Dating abroad 01:23:58 Addressing cultural stereotypes 01:25:00 Connecting through language 01:26:30 Lightning round 01:27:20 Incorporating fashion in content creation 01:28:43 Resources to learn Chinese #looseleaftea #gongfucha #contentreator #languageimmersian #shanghaiculture #beijingculture #beijingteamarket #jessesteahouse #teatimewithjesse

The post-pandemic surge in global sales of luxury handbags, shoes, and apparel is set to stall this year, according to a new study by the Bain and Company consultancy. Amid a creativity crisis and price hikes, brands are shifting focus to the biggest spending customers. The consultancy cites political uncertainty during a presidential election year in the United States, as well as economic uncertainty in China that's brought on a phenomenon of “luxury shaming.” Beyond socioeconomic factors and rising geopolitical tensions, the slowdown is also partly “self-inflicted,'' says Bain partner Claudia D'Arpizio. She cites a “creativity crisis,'' in the sector, as a number of major fashion houses are transitioning creative directors, and putting a new focus on super-wealthy customers. That comes at the expense of the aspirational middle class and Gen-Z youngsters who fueled growth before the pandemic. “There's been a little bit of lack of excitement on the creative part,” says D'Arpizio. She also says some “tweaks” are needed on strategy and price points. Steep price increases for items that don't show significant innovation and feel like something they have seen before leave customers “upset and puzzled.” On the shopping streets of Rome, buyers say they are frustrated. “Even the big brands aren't coming up with great ideas anymore, they've all stalled a bit,” says shopper Cristiana Cimmino. “This is also noticeable in the mass market, which usually imitates high fashion. However, since there's nothing new to imitate, it has declined. Unfortunately, high fashion isn't inventing anything new anymore.” Shopper Adam Sammy is more optimistic. “These brands can raise the prices and people will pay for it. So, as long as the consumer is paying, the brands can keep raising it, right? So, it doesn't matter what we feel,” he says. Last year, sales of personal luxury goods grew by 4% to 362 billion euros from 349 euros in 2022, due largely to a resurgence of U.S. and Asian tourism to Europe fueling purchases. Add in luxury travel, fine art, cars, and yachts, the vast global luxury market expanded to 1.5 trillion euros last year—highlighting a trend toward experiences over tangible goods. This article was provided by The Associated Press.

AP correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports global luxury sales are flattening amid a self-inflicted creativity crisis and price hikes

Listen now to get the latest on the impact of CAP payment changes, a big week for the lamb kill and 2023's water quality trends Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Commusings: The Flattening Earth

This episode covers the next part of chapter 12: “My guru could not be bribed...”  to  “...win a farther dominion—in men's souls.”    Summary:  How could bribery be used in the Guru-disciple relationship? We discuss this, along with the importance of discipline and loyalty through mundane tasks. The unique and fascinating leadership style of our paramguru Swami Sri Yukteswar offers some interesting dynamics between a Guru and disciple to review, including the metaphor of ‘dislodging the hard core of egotism'.   0:00 Flattening the ego; 22:15 Thoughts behind speech; 32:07 Severe ways of Sri Yukteswar. 49:35 Discipleship and Cultural Differences.  Links discussed in this episode: https://yogananda.com.au/songs_of_the_soul/Gods_Boatman.html  Homework for next episode— Read, absorb and make notes on the next part of chapter 12: “It was Master's practice to point out...” to “... permitted the fitful sleep of ignorance.”  #autobiographyofayogi  #autobiographylinebyline  #paramahansayogananda Autobiography of a Yogi  awake.minute Self-Realization Fellowship Yogoda Satsanga Society of India #SRF #YSS 

We discuss how political activism can flatten the personality or erode personal life, and how the Left's narrowing of subjectivity, or ignoring subjective experience, created a space for postmodernism, and its over focus on subjectivity, carte blanche to thrive on the Left. We also comment on why the student Palestine protests are taking the form that they are, the time when the socialist Left was against Queer Theory, and how some people use political activism to work out or deny their psychological problems. We also discuss how women on the far-Left are considered in the same way as on the political right, namely; base, easily suggestible, and lacking objectivity. Both Hannah and Jen talk about their experiences in socialist groups where there was a suppression and suspicion of any member's subjectivity that fell outside the party's remit or goals. Plus, Trotskyism as opportunism, why the moronic Left had to brand the Canadian truck strikers as 'fascists', Joan Didion's view of the archetypal young Marxist-Leninist, C.S. Lewis's criticism of materialism, how the Left and Right paradigm is breaking down into globalism vs. anti-globalism, and we give a shout out to the Marx Engels Lenin Institute.

In this episode of the Manufacturing Culture Podcast, host Jim Mayer interviews Michael Lynch, the founder of Praxi, a company pioneering the future of digital transformation in manufacturing. Michael's journey from Broadway to technology innovation is a testament to creativity and transformation. Praxi aims to solve the problem of ad hoc processes and excessive use of Excel in manufacturing companies by providing a digital transformation platform that allows for the creation of customized software solutions at a low cost. The culture at Praxi emphasizes respect, collaboration, and a focus on solving customer problems. The platform helps improve internal culture at manufacturing facilities by digitizing lean processes, promoting continuous improvement, and providing real-time visibility into performance. In this conversation, Michael Lynch shares advice for manufacturers going through digital transformation, emphasizing the importance of starting simple and focusing on critical metrics and lean methodologies. He highlights the flexibility of the Praxi platform in digitizing processes and utilizing AI to optimize workflows. Lynch also discusses the need for companies to embrace digital transformation to stay competitive and take advantage of productivity gains. He encourages individuals to embrace lifelong learning and leverage the knowledge available through technology. Finally, he provides insights on improving company culture, including conducting anonymous interviews, flattening the organization, and clarifying cultural norms. Takeaways Praxi is pioneering the future of digital transformation in manufacturing by providing a low-cost, customizable software platform. The culture at Praxi emphasizes respect, collaboration, and a focus on solving customer problems. The platform helps improve culture at manufacturing facilities by digitizing lean processes, promoting continuous improvement, and providing real-time visibility into performance. Digital transformation is a joint effort between the human aspects and technology, and Praxi offers coaching support throughout the journey. Start simple and focus on key metrics and lean methodologies when undergoing digital transformation. The Praxi platform offers flexibility in digitizing processes and utilizing AI to optimize workflows. Embrace digital transformation to stay competitive and take advantage of productivity gains. Lifelong learning is essential in acquiring new skills and knowledge.Company culture can be improved through anonymous interviews, flattening the organization, and clarifying cultural norms. Chapters 00:00 Introduction00:54 Michael Lynch's Journey05:13 Praxi and Digital Transformation in Manufacturing08:31 Culture at Praxi10:57 Praxi's Impact on Manufacturing Culture17:35 Advice for Manufacturers on Digital Transformation20:35 Staying Ahead of the Curve in Manufacturing and Tech31:45 Attracting People to Manufacturing34:04 Improving Company Culture34:46 Flattening the Organization35:10 Clarifying Cultural Norms35:44 Contact Information36:22 Closing Remarks Connect with Michael on Linkedin Watch Michael on this amazing clip from the TV show, General Hospital on YouTube Looking to boost engagement in your workplace? Meet Teamforce.ai, your partner in transforming employee experiences. Their innovative kiosk-based solution is designed especially for deskless workforces in manufacturing, distribution, and healthcare. Teamforce.ai measures and enhances engagement, ensuring every team member is heard and valued. Ready to see the difference? Visit themfgconnector.com and learn more about how Teamforce.ai can elevate your organization. Are your tools organized and protected? Discover Kaiser Manufacturing, the ultimate solution in tool management. Their Kaizen Shadow Foam® allows you to create custom foam inserts tailored exactly for your needs, and their Tool Caddy offers a safe, compact storage option for all your tool holders. Improve your efficiency and protect your investments with Kaiser Manufacturing. Visit themfgconnector.com today and start organizing like a pro!

“Our goal is to flatten the methane curve, and we can actually achieve it.” - Craig Rieker, Co-founder & CTO I had no idea how exciting this episode would become while I was preparing for it. LongPath is the story of a company that emerged from Nobel Prize winning technology developed at NIST and University of Colorado.  You may have never cared about what a “frequency comb” is, and you WILL after listening to how this now little, soon to be big company enabled by a $195 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy, can have a massive impact on climate change.  Listen now – and you'll be able to tell your friends, “I've been watching them since this all started!”

What's shakin' Cartel!? A little more on point in this episode with the wonderful Vikka Draziv as my guest! We discuss many thing such as vibration & frequency, ghosts, personal endeavors & most importantly, his 2 documentaries Flatten The Curve & The Mechanical Realm. Buckle up! You don't wanna miss this one! There are so many ways you can find Vikka by just simply googling his name but I will share his Instagram & YouTube. Find Vikka on Instagram here: @vikkadraziv https://www.instagram.com/vikkadraziv?igsh=MWFhdzlsMWluN3UzNw== Find Vikka's YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/@VikkaDrazivTruthInPlainSight?si=A4lTc8FDralf47QB Please like, share, subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify!! Also you can feed Nigel the goat some extra shekels at my patreon if you would be so kind. He will love you for all eternity. Please like, share, subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify!! Also you can feed Nigel the goat some extra shekels at my patreon if you would be so kind. He will love you for all eternity. Patreon here: patreon.com/redpillcartelpodcast Always feel free to ask to get on the show! Email redpillcartelpod@gmail.com One stop shop for all links: https://linktr.ee/redpillcartelpodcast

How do you learn about what's going on in the world? Did a news headline grab your attention? Did a news story report on recent research? What do you need to know to be a critical consumer of the news you read? If you are looking to start developing your data self-defense and critical news consumption skills, this book is for you! It reflects a long-term collaboration between a statistician and a journalist to shed light on the statistics behind the stories and the stories behind the statistics. The only prerequisite for enjoying this book is an interest in developing the skills and insights for better understanding news stories that incorporate quantitative information.

In our news wrap Friday, Israeli forces widened their offensive on the central Gaza strip after flattening much of the north, landslides triggered by heavy rain in eastern Congo have killed at least 20 more people, forecasters warn of high tide and dangerous surf conditions in California and Ohio's Republican governor vetoed a measure that would have banned gender-affirming care for minors. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Friday, Israeli forces widened their offensive on the central Gaza strip after flattening much of the north, landslides triggered by heavy rain in eastern Congo have killed at least 20 more people, forecasters warn of high tide and dangerous surf conditions in California and Ohio's Republican governor vetoed a measure that would have banned gender-affirming care for minors. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

On a mission to flatten the curve of healthcare costs, James Maskell has spent the past decade innovating at the cross section of functional medicine and community. To that end, he created the Functional Forum, the world's largest integrative medicine conference with record-setting participation online and growing physician communities around the world. His organization and best selling book of the same name, Evolution of Medicine, prepares health professionals for this new era of personalized, participatory medicine. His new project, HealCommunity, follows his second book "The Community Cure", makes it easy for clinics and health systems to deliver lifestyle focused care effectively and frictionlessly. He is an in demand speaker and impresario, being featured on TEDMED, HuffPostLive and TEDx, as well as lecturing internationally. He lives in the Sierra Nevadas with his wife and two daughters. Topics covered in this episode:Healthcare SystemsPharmaceutical-First Approach in Medical CareThe Impact of Pharmaceutical Companies on HealthcareHealth Metrics and Chronic IllnessCost of Healthcare in AmericaThe National Health Service (NHS) in the UKBenefits and Drawbacks of the NHSLack of Innovation in the UK Healthcare SystemChallenges in the Healthcare SystemsGovernmental Oversight of Drug PricingThe Need for Shifting Healthcare PracticesThe Role of Community in Health and WellnessCapitation as a Payment Model in HealthcareThe Evolving Role of Pharmacists in Healthcare DeliveryTo learn more about James Maskell and his work, head over to https://www.jamesmaskell.com/ & https://thecommunitycure.com/audioIG @mrjamesmaskell__________________________________________________________Happiness is now available on the go! The Happy Juice Pack is now available with MentaBiotics, Energy+ & Amare EDGE all in easy to carry stick packs. Head to http://www.lindseyelmore.com/amare to save $10 on your Amare Happy Juice Pack. __________________________________________________________Kids Calm is officially here and it is time to stop fighting sleep and build better relaxation and wind down routines. You can get a two pack of Kids Calm or you can check out the Laid-Back Kids Pack, which contains Kids Calm as well. Head to http://www.lindseyelmore.com/amare to save $10 on your first order!____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________We hope you enjoyed this episode. Come check us out at www.lindseyelmore.com/podcast.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5952903/advertisement

On a mission to flatten the curve of healthcare costs, James Maskell has spent the past decade innovating at the cross section of functional medicine and community. To that end, he created the Functional Forum, the world's largest integrative medicine conference with record-setting participation online and growing physician communities around the world. His organization and best selling book of the same name, Evolution of Medicine, prepares health professionals for this new era of personalized, participatory medicine. His new project, HealCommunity, follows his second book "The Community Cure", makes it easy for clinics and health systems to deliver lifestyle focused care effectively and frictionlessly. He is an in demand speaker and impresario, being featured on TEDMED, HuffPostLive and TEDx, as well as lecturing internationally. He lives in the Sierra Nevadas with his wife and two daughters. Topics covered in this episode:Healthcare Systems Pharmaceutical-First Approach in Medical CareThe Impact of Pharmaceutical Companies on HealthcareHealth Metrics and Chronic IllnessCost of Healthcare in AmericaThe National Health Service (NHS) in the UKBenefits and Drawbacks of the NHSLack of Innovation in the UK Healthcare SystemChallenges in the Healthcare SystemsGovernmental Oversight of Drug PricingThe Need for Shifting Healthcare PracticesThe Role of Community in Health and WellnessCapitation as a Payment Model in HealthcareThe Evolving Role of Pharmacists in Healthcare DeliveryTo learn more about James Maskell and his work, head over to https://www.jamesmaskell.com/IG @mrjamesmaskell__________________________________________________________Happiness is now available on the go! The Happy Juice Pack is now available with MentaBiotics, Energy+ & Amare EDGE all in easy to carry stick packs. Head to http://www.lindseyelmore.com/amare to save $10 on your Amare Happy Juice Pack. __________________________________________________________Kids Calm is officially here and it is time to stop fighting sleep and build better relaxation and wind down routines. You can get a two pack of Kids Calm or you can check out the Laid-Back Kids Pack, which contains Kids Calm as well. Head to http://www.lindseyelmore.com/amare to save $10 on your first order! ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________We hope you enjoyed this episode. Come check us out at www.lindseyelmore.com/podcast.

We're exploring the world of product management alongside Dan Olsen, the author of "Lean Product Playbook." This book contains insights, strategies, and wisdom to turbocharge your product development journey.  But here's the twist – this book is not meant for a single cover-to-cover reading. Instead, it's your go-to reference manual. Slap on some post-it notes on the pages that resonate most with you, and revisit them as needed. Guiding today's episode is your host, Wes Bush. Together, they discuss everything from customer-centric approaches to perfecting your value proposition. Dan emphasizes the importance of tackling customer problems before jumping into solutions and offers invaluable insights on measuring product-market fit. Key Takeaways:  [00:10] Intro of Dan Olsen, author of Lean Product Playbook [01:00] Using the book as a reference manual [02:20] Practicality and real-world application of the book's concepts [08:15] Distinction between Dan's process and others, tailored to company size [10:15] Importance of starting with a clear target customer and exploring customer problems [15:25] Importance versus satisfaction framework for evaluating customer needs [20:45] Identifying opportunities [23:40] Prioritize problem exploration before solutions [25:05] Emphasize solving real customer problems [28:30] Learn through the experiential application of lean principles [31:25] Caution against over-scoping during minimum viable product (MVP) design [32:10] Value iterative testing with prototypes [35:00] Use tools like Figma and InVision for feedback [40:35] The retention curve concept: How users return over time [42:40] Flattening retention curve signals product-market fit About Dan Olsen:  Dan Olsen is an entrepreneur and consultant specializing in Lean product development. He collaborates with CEOs and product leaders at Olsen Solutions to foster exceptional products and product teams, often taking on the interim VP of Product role. With a track record spanning diverse businesses, from startups to industry giants like Facebook and Microsoft, Dan brings extensive experience.  Links: Dan Olsen | LinkedIn The Lean Product Playbook

The NBA has flattened. This is making the projections for the upcoming season more difficult and why the Utah Jazz depth might be more important than ever before. David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, takes a look at the flattening of the NBA and how it has evolved over the years and then how it impacts the Utah Jazz this upcoming season.Tim LaComb, radio stuido anaylst, rejoins the show to talk about the Utah Jazz guard rotation and how he sees them playing in the upcoming season.Locked On Jazz Podcast

The NBA has flattened. This is making the projections for the upcoming season more difficult and why the Utah Jazz depth might be more important than ever before. David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and Jazz NBA Insider, takes a look at the flattening of the NBA and how it has evolved over the years and then how it impacts the Utah Jazz this upcoming season. Tim LaComb, radio stuido anaylst, rejoins the show to talk about the Utah Jazz guard rotation and how he sees them playing in the upcoming season. Locked On Jazz Podcast

God has a Patriarchy. It is His order, priesthood, and word. Abraham chapter 3 helps define this Patriarchy with the parallelism of cosmology and spirits. This is the "DBR" of God. Kolob is simply the beginning of the order. When Lehi says, "There must be opposition in all things," he is not speaking of just opposites. He is speaking of everything in between. This allows for order, truth, and hierarchy/patriarchy. The adversary wishes to "flatten the hierarchy" of God and to create a forced outcome, "Equity." If you love the gospel, I believe you will enjoy this video. It gathers the truths of the visions of the scriptures and applies them to our day. To "Equity" and to the Philosophies of Men. Scripture Notes - www.scripturenotes.com    Episode on "DBR" - https://youtu.be/nBHGClSxWOQ  Website - www.cwicmedia.com 

Rent prices tend to increase in spring and summer as more people seek new rental homes, but lower demand alongside new inventory keeps rent prices nearly flat nationally. In some states, however, an influx of new residents is causing median rents to grow, according to a May report from Rent.com. The trend is clear: People are moving to areas with strong economies that still have affordable rent and housing prices. In the states where rents are rising the fastest year-over-year, the median rent is still relatively low compared to the national median. Nationally, rents were up just 0.29% year-over-year in April. The month-over-month decrease from March to April was -0.23%, following a 1.77% uptick from February's low to March. The national median rent now sits at $1,967. Monthly declines have slowed, but that may be due to the season—there's no telling whether the national median rent has ended its descent. In nearly 79% of markets, however, rents are still growing year-over-year. And in some Southern and Midwestern states, rents are rising at double-digit rates.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gary Rogowski joins Mike and Ben to discuss knockdown joinery ideas, steam bending, wood movement and what to do with your stuff when you die. Find out more about Dave Richards' SketchUp class here: http://www.finewoodworking.com/elearning 0:00 - Intro 0:54 - The stages of becoming a better woodworker 16:35 - Knockdown joinery ideas 23:20 - What to do with your stuff when you die 35:50 - Segments 44:07 - Flattening wet stones without running water 46:40 - Wood movement Links from this episode can be found here - http://www.shoptalklive.com Sign up for the Fine Woodworking weekly eLetter - https://www.finewoodworking.com/newsletter  Sign up for a Fine Woodworking Unlimited membership - https://www.finewoodworking.com/unlimited Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking‘s biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to shoptalk@taunton.com for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page.