Podcasts about forty

If you ever want to understand why legacy media is hemorrhaging credibility faster than a leaky stimulus package, watch what happens when it tries to weaponize arithmetic against common sense.Recently, ABC News decided to present what it clearly believed was a jaw-dropping exposé: roughly $40 million spent to deport more than two million illegal immigrants in 2025.Cue ominous music. Cue furrowed anchor brow. Then, cue the implication that fiscal apocalypse had arrived in the shape of an ICE bus.Instead, the internet did what the internet does best. It grabbed a calculator.Forty million dollars. Two million deportations. That is about $20 per removal. Twenty dollars. You cannot Uber someone to the airport for that.And yet the presentation suggested scandal.For years, Democrats and their allies have insisted that illegal immigration is “cost-positive.” They have painted a portrait of a parallel workforce that magically expands GDP, fills labor gaps, and somehow does all this while simultaneously qualifying for means-tested benefits, subsidized education, emergency healthcare, housing assistance, and a buffet of state-level entitlements.It is a neat trick. The kind that only works if you never total the receipts.The Federation for American Immigration Reform has repeatedly estimates that illegal immigration costs American taxpayers well over $100 billion annually when federal, state, and local expenditures are included. Even if one disputes the exact number, the categories are indisputable: public education, Medicaid, emergency medical care, incarceration, infrastructure strain. These are not ideological abstractions. They are line items.Yet here comes a headline implying that $40 million is a grotesque extravagance.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Good morning. How do you feel about mind control? New research from a laboratory in Zurich suggests it may be possible to make people less selfish – by sending electrical currents through their brains. Forty-four volunteers were asked to divide money between themselves and an anonymous partner. Remarkably, when certain neural pathways at the front and back of the head were stimulated, participants gave more away. It sounds like science fiction. But other forms of bio-hacking are, of course, already common: weight-loss drugs, metabolic trackers, sleep technology. Medicines are routinely used to lift mood, sharpen attention, steady anxiety. So why not use science to make us kinder as well? That way, we might all become more beautiful people inside, as well as out. Just imagine it. Wellness centres offering holistic packages, body and soul: Botox top-ups in the morning, altruistic boosting in the afternoon. More seriously, researchers claim this new technology could be used for the treatment of certain brain disorders and prove invaluable for people who struggle with social behaviour. It could be just the nudge they need to become better citizens. It's a wholesome idea. Yet as I read the academic article on this impressive experiment in brain-hacking – forecasting gains in “cooperation, productivity, and cohesion” – I became increasingly uneasy. I was put in mind of Aldous Huxley's dystopian novel Brave New World, published almost a century ago, which describes a civilisation held together not by conscience but by chemistry and conditioning. A terrifying vision. Once virtue is treated as something that can be engineered, the line between encouragement and enforcement grows thin. A society might become more efficient, more compliant, even more outwardly generous, and still lose its soul. Huxley warns that people who allow themselves to be controlled may eventually come to “love their servitude”. Even if such dystopian fears never come to pass, the ambition to control our moral impulses through technology raises questions about the nature of morality. Christian thought has long distinguished between shaping behaviour from the outside and forming the person from within. Charity — what theologians call caritas — is not simply a matter of generous action. Intention matters too: affection that is freely given is what lends acts of generosity their meaning; without it, they risk becoming little more than reflexes. It's fascinating to learn that science can influence our moral behaviour, but it is fatal to confuse this fact with morality itself. The Christian vision insists that a person is more than a set of automatic responses. Morality only makes sense if it is chosen. As a society, we have already surrendered ourselves to our smartphones, our computers, and our digital habits; let's at least fight, while we can, to love one another freely.

Here's a quick recap of what happened in property management last week. Links and resources to each story are included below…00:00:20 — Housing for the 21st Century Act Passes (No Investor Ban Included) - House Republicans and Democrats just passed the Housing for the 21st Century Act. It's largely a “build more housing, faster” package — clearing federal review delays, reducing regulatory bottlenecks, and making it easier to develop missing middle and small multifamily housing. It also includes faster voucher lease-ups and some manufactured housing provisions. https://nypost.com/2026/02/11/real-estate/congress-advances-housing-bill-without-trumps-proposal-to-ban-investors/(One important note: the proposed ban on institutional investors buying single-family homes did not make it into the final bill. That piece was left out. So for now, there's no federal restriction coming on large-scale homebuyers. The supply-side reforms advanced. The investor restrictions didn't. Worth watching how that evolves.) 00:01:20 — HOA Manager Accused of Stealing $1M+An HOA manager has been accused of stealing more than $1 million in 2025, including at least $600,000 from one condo association. Allegations include forged checks and misdirected settlement funds. Wild story. But zoom out for a second — this is almost always a controls issue. One person had too much access and not enough oversight. Basic financial guardrails likely would have prevented this. Dual approval on disbursements, separation of reserve and operating accounts, bank statements going directly to board members. Processes are like plumbing — invisible when they work, a disaster when they don't. https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/hoa-manager-allegedly-scammed-people-out-of-1-million-over-4-years/00:02:08 — AppFolio Releases 2026 Property Management Benchmark Report! AppFolio just released its 2026 Property Management Benchmark Report, and a few things jumped out. https://www.appfolio.com/resources/library/benchmark-reportThe top two challenges operators reported were higher vacancy and rising operating costs. That's not surprising, but it's validating to see it confirmed at scale. In response, 86% of property managers say they're prioritizing resident experience — especially communication and reducing friction around move-ins.Fraud continues to go mainstream. More than half of respondents reported an increase in application fraud last year. That's huge. Screening and verification are becoming table stakes.And then there's AI. Forty-four percent of respondents say they're already using AI tools, and those users expect faster portfolio growth than non-users. Interesting correlation. If you're not experimenting yet, this might be your sign to start small and see what actually moves the needle.That's all the news I have for you this week. Have a good one.

tapecase radio | episode two forty - family run yatai kiiking extreme swing easier than you think harder than you realize iron loop the loop swinging…

Forty years ago, in Sarajevo, 24 million people watched Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean achieve the impossible, Olympic Gold that redefined their sport forever. But while the world remembers those four minutes of 'Bolero,' the true story of high performance started a decade earlier in a cold, dank rink in Nottingham.In this episode, Jayne and Chris take us inside the bubble of an elite partnership that has survived and thrived for over 50 years. In this episode, we explore:* The Creative Engineering of 'Bolero': How they pushed the boundaries of the rules by starting on their knees for 18 seconds to fit an 18-minute masterpiece into a four-minute limit .* The Discipline of the "Smallest Team": Insights into their 6-hour training days and their rule of never missing a session, even when sick or injured, to prove to their minds that they could perform under any adversity .* The Mechanics of Partnership: How they established clear roles, Chris as the "bossy" visionary and Jayne as the grounding force who made the visions possible, and why "talking with their eyes" became their ultimate competitive advantage.This is a masterclass in mutual respect, meticulous preparation, and the courage to be different when the stakes are at their highest. Whether you're part of a business duo or looking to master your own craft, Jayne and Chris's journey offers timeless lessons on what it takes to stay at the top for half a century.Our partners: Heights

The "We Hate Uncle Lewis Club" is back in session for another deep dive into FRIDAY THE 13TH THE SERIES as we discuss "Cupid's Quiver".Love is in the air, and so is murder, because a disturbed college student has gotten his hands on a cursed Cupid statue with the power to make women love him...to death.You can expect-Forty-year-old college students!Unsexy sex scenes!Lasers!Bee Bombs!Wild Wiggery!Updates From Hawaii!!Snarky Yet Wise Commentary From Maya, Trae and Patrick!CUPID's QUIVER is currently available on YouTube.www.screamqueenz.comFollow us on InstagramJoin our YouTube ChannelTheme song: SINISTER (Darkwave Remix) by SAM HAYNESLogo by KASEY LOMAN from EVIL GOODS DESIGNMentioned in this episode:Network Plug with musicThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Episode 32: “What 40 Days Taught Us”Forty days of prayer.Forty days of surrender.Forty days of learning what truly sustains us.In Episode 32, we reflect on the lessons learned through our 40-day fast and how surrender prepares us for what God is building next at LIV Church.The desert wasn't punishment.It was preparation.#LIVWord #BibleTeaching #SanDiegoChurchPlant #HopeInJesus #LivChurchSD #LIVChurch

Episode 32: “What 40 Days Taught Us”Forty days of prayer.Forty days of surrender.Forty days of learning what truly sustains us.In Episode 32, we reflect on the lessons learned through our 40-day fast and how surrender prepares us for what God is building next at LIV Church.The desert wasn't punishment.It was preparation.#LIVWord #BibleTeaching #SanDiegoChurchPlant #HopeInJesus #LivChurchSD #LIVChurch

A henpecked husband discovers a book of magic in his attic that promises great wonders — but only after he rids himself of the person causing him the most misery. Forty years of growing younger and a new fortune later, Oscar Brown is finally ready to claim the life he believes he deserves… if he can bring himself to murder his wife. | “Second Chance” from Theater Five | #RetroRadio EP0585CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Show Open00:01:30.028 = CBS Radio Mystery Theater, “Adventure of the Red-Headed League” (April 26, 1977) ***WD00:45:17.385 = Sleep No More, “Homecoming And Aunt Cassie” (April 17, 1957) ***WD01:14:03.178 = BBC's Fresh Blood, “Absolute Silence” (March 28, 2006)01:28:00.350 = Strange Wills, “Portsmouth Square” (December 07, 1946)01:57:38.244 = Strange, “Dejavu In France” (1955)02:12:31.684 = Suspense, “Back For Christmas” (December 23, 1943)02:41:17.072 = Tales of the Frightened, “The Vampire Sleeps” (1963)02:46:06.221 = Tales From The Tomb, “Hooked” (1960s)02:50:19.537 = The Saint, “Missing Gun” (April 22, 1951)03:19:13.829 = Theater Five, “Second Chance” (October 30, 1964) ***WD03:39:28.811 = Theater 1030, “Trespassers Will Be Experimented Upon” (1968-1971) ***WD04:08:16.326 = 2000 Plus, “Worlds Apart” (November 29, 1950) ***WD04:36:58.919 = The Unexpected, “Shipwreck” (1948)04:51:42.407 = Show Close(ADU) = Air Date Unknown(LQ) = Low Quality***WD = Remastered, edited, or cleaned up by Weird Darkness to make the episode more listenable. Audio may not be pristine, but it will be better than the original file which may have been unusable or more difficult to hear without editing.Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music LibraryABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.= = = = =#ParanormalRadio #ScienceFiction #OldTimeRadio #OTR #OTRHorror #ClassicRadioShows #HorrorRadioShows #VintageRadioDramas #WeirdDarknessCUSTOM WEBPAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/WDRR0585

 In this talk, we explore the forty types of supramundane (lokuttara) consciousness and how they arise through insight meditation. The teacher explains the relationship between jhāna, path consciousness, and fruition consciousness, showing how different meditation approaches can lead to the same stages of awakening. By understanding these mental processes, listeners gain insight into non-self (anattā) and learn how Buddhist psychology supports deep mindfulness and spiritual development. YouTube Video LinkYouTube Channel Link Website:www.satipatthana.caDonations and Memberships

In 1986 on Phillip Island, a young woman called Beth Barnard was savagely murdered and her boyfriend's wife, Vivienne Cameron, went missing. The police immediately jumped to what they thought was the obvious conclusion: in a jealous rage, Vivienne had killed Beth and then herself. Vivienne's body was never found. But Vikki Petraitis wasn't convinced. The official line didn't explain all the evidence, and it certainly didn't seem like the behaviour of a mother with two small boys. Fascinated by both the case and the bias it revealed in investigators, Petraitis wrote her first true-crime book about the murder, with Paul Daley, and decades later made a podcast on the case. Both brought new evidence and testimony to light, and asked questions that were not asked at the time. To mark the fortieth anniversary of Beth's murder and Vivienne's vanishing, Petraitis brings together all her discoveries and true-crime experience in a brilliant forensic investigation into what happened all those years ago, and why. In this episode Gregory Dobbs chats to Vikki Petraitis about why she has returned to this forty-year-old cold case, about her insights into the Philip island community, and why she is not convinced that the police investigation had reached a reasonable conclusion.

Here's a question that'll frustrate every salesperson reading this: What do you do when you prospect, set the meeting, block the time on your calendar, and then... your prospect no-shows? That's the challenge Emily Weissmueller faces every single day. Emily is a former elementary school teacher who pivoted into K-12 edtech sales eleven years ago. She works with special education administrators, and like so many salespeople in 2026, her meetings are primarily virtual. She's doing everything right: prospecting consistently, securing appointments, sending calendar invites. But when it's time for the meeting? Hit or miss. Sometimes they show up. Sometimes she's sitting there waiting while nobody logs on. If you've ever stared at a Zoom room alone wondering if your prospect forgot about you, you know exactly how this feels. And if you're wondering whether confirmation emails help or hurt, you're asking the wrong question entirely. The Virtual Meeting Paradox Let's be honest about something: Virtual meetings are throwaway appointments for both sides. When you had to drive four hours to meet someone in person, both parties had serious skin in the game. You invested time, gas money, and effort. Your prospect blocked their calendar knowing you were making the trip. Neither of you would casually blow that off. But virtual meetings? They're low commitment on both ends. No one's driving anywhere. It's just a calendar block that can easily get bumped by the next urgent thing that pops up. And when you're selling into education like Emily is, where everything moves infinitely slow and decision-makers are incredibly risk-averse, you've got even more working against you. The question isn't whether to send a confirmation email. The real question is: How do you stack the deck so heavily in your favor that prospects feel obligated to show up? The Commitment and Consistency Framework There's a principle in human behavior called commitment and consistency. When people commit to something, they typically feel compelled to follow through. Otherwise, they feel guilty. And guilt is actually useful because you can leverage it to reschedule when someone doesn't show. But the goal isn't to make prospects feel guilty after they no-show. The goal is to engineer so many small commitments throughout the process that they show up in the first place. Here's the system that works: Step 1: Confirm Verbally When You Set the Meeting When your prospect agrees to meet, always repeat it back: "Okay, so I've got you on Thursday, January 26th at 2:00 PM. Did I get that right?" When they say yes, that's commitment number one. You're putting it in their brain. You're making it real. Then say this: "Let me grab your email and I'll send you a meeting invite for your calendar just to make it convenient for you." This does two things. First, it confirms you have the right email. Second, it gets another yes. That's commitment number two. Step 2: Send a Meeting Invite That Actually Helps Most meeting invites are useless. They say "Meeting with Jeb Blount" or "Sales Call" and include seventeen different international dial-in numbers that nobody needs. Here's what your meeting invite should look like: Title: Emily Weissmueller (Company Name) + Prospect Name (School Name) - Why We're Meeting Location: Virtual Meeting (then paste the meeting link, nothing else) Notes: Keep it simple. Here's the meeting link. If it's a phone option, include just that number. Then add: "If anything changes, here's my direct number and email." When your prospect looks at their calendar the morning of the meeting and sees this, they know exactly who you are, why you're meeting, and how to join. You own the moral high ground. Step 3: Send a Video (This Is Non-Negotiable) The next morning after you set the meeting, pull out your phone and record a 20-30 second video. Look at the camera. Smile. Sound excited. "Emily, this is Jeb at Sales Gravy. Thank you so much for agreeing to meet with me. I'm so excited to spend time learning about you and your mission for helping these kids. Just want to confirm our meeting is on January 26th at 2:00 PM. The invite is on your calendar. I can't wait to see you." Send that via email. Now think about what you've just done. You've made it personal. You've shown effort. You've demonstrated that you actually care about this conversation. It's exponentially harder for them to no-show because they can see you're a real human who invested time in this relationship. This philosophy is about going the extra mile to demonstrate that you're different, that you care, and that this matters. Step 4: Leave a Voicemail the Day Before The afternoon before your meeting, when you know your prospect is likely gone for the day, call and leave a voicemail. "Hey Emily, this is Jeb. I'm so excited to meet with you tomorrow. I've been thinking about your school and the ways we might be able to help. I can't wait to learn more about what you're trying to accomplish for these kids. Just a reminder, our meeting is at 2:00 PM tomorrow. All the info is in your calendar. If anything changes, give me a call." You're doing the heavy lifting. You're reminding them. You're expressing genuine interest in their world, not just your sale. Step 5: The Morning-Of Email (Optional) Here's where the A/B testing comes in. Some salespeople swear by the morning-of confirmation email. Others think it gives prospects an easy out. My take? Test both approaches and track your show rates. Do half your appointments with the morning email, half without it, and see which converts better. Even a 2-3% improvement in show rate compounds significantly over a year. If you do send the morning email, make it about them: "Emily, I'm really looking forward to our conversation today at 2:00 PM. I can't wait to learn more about your mission and see if there's a way we can support what you're building." Play to their heartstrings. People love talking about themselves and their work. Make it easy for them to want to show up. What to Do When You Send a Confirmation Email Now, if you're going to send a confirmation email, there are specific scenarios where it's absolutely required: You're driving four hours to meet someone in person You're bringing executives or your boss to the meeting It's a final presentation or closing meeting with a major opportunity Multiple stakeholders are coordinating calendars In those cases, you're not just confirming—you're protecting your time and theirs. You're making sure you don't waste an executive's schedule or drive across the state for nothing. But for a standard first appointment? The video and voicemail sequence will outperform a confirmation email every single time. The Real Problem: Systems, Not People No-shows aren't a people problem. They're a systems problem. When you build a repeatable prospecting system that includes verbal confirmation, calendar invites with clear details, personal video, and day-before voicemail, you engineer commitment at every stage. You're not hoping prospects remember. You're not relying on their calendar notifications. You're building a runway that allows them to land in the meeting because you've made it nearly impossible for them to forget or blow you off. And when someone does no-show after all that effort? You own the moral high ground. You can call back with confidence: "Hey, I know things come up. I sent the video, left the voicemail, and had everything on your calendar. Let's get this rescheduled because I'm genuinely excited to learn about what you're working on." That conversation is dramatically different than calling back after sending one email and hoping for the best. The Efficiency Multiplier Think about what happens when your show rate improves by even 10%. If you were setting ten appointments per week and six were showing up, that's a 60% show rate. Bump that to seven showing up, and you're at 70%. That's one extra conversation per week. Four extra conversations per month. Forty-eight extra conversations per year. If your close rate is 20%, that's nearly ten additional deals per year just from improving your meeting show rate. That's the power of sales execution at the highest level. Your Action Plan If you're struggling with no-shows, implement this system immediately: For every appointment you set: Confirm it verbally when you schedule it Send a detailed calendar invite with clean formatting Record and send a personal video the next day Leave an enthusiastic voicemail the day before A/B test the morning-of email and track results Track these metrics: Total appointments set Show rate percentage No-show rate Reschedule success rate After 30 days, analyze what's working and double down on it. The Bottom Line Virtual meetings are easy to ignore. That's just reality in 2026. Your prospects are busy, distracted, and constantly reprioritizing. Your job isn't to guilt them into showing up. Your job is to build a system that makes showing up feel like the obvious, natural choice because you've demonstrated care, invested effort, and made it personal. Stop sending one confirmation email and hoping for the best. Start building commitment through repetition, personalization, and genuine interest in your prospect's world. That's how you fill your calendar with meetings that actually happen. That's how you stop wasting time staring at empty Zoom rooms. And that's how you build a sales career based on systems, not hope. Meetings happen by design, not by luck. Build the runway. Land the meeting. Close the deal. Ready to Master the Complete Prospecting System? The tactics in this article are just the beginning.

Here’s a question that’ll frustrate every salesperson reading this: What do you do when you prospect, set the meeting, block the time on your calendar, and then… your prospect no-shows? That’s the challenge Emily Weissmueller faces every single day. Emily is a former elementary school teacher who pivoted into K-12 edtech sales eleven years ago. She works with special education administrators, and like so many salespeople in 2026, her meetings are primarily virtual. She’s doing everything right: prospecting consistently, securing appointments, sending calendar invites. But when it’s time for the meeting? Hit or miss. Sometimes they show up. Sometimes she’s sitting there waiting while nobody logs on. If you’ve ever stared at a Zoom room alone wondering if your prospect forgot about you, you know exactly how this feels. And if you’re wondering whether confirmation emails help or hurt, you’re asking the wrong question entirely. The Virtual Meeting Paradox Let’s be honest about something: Virtual meetings are throwaway appointments for both sides. When you had to drive four hours to meet someone in person, both parties had serious skin in the game. You invested time, gas money, and effort. Your prospect blocked their calendar knowing you were making the trip. Neither of you would casually blow that off. But virtual meetings? They’re low commitment on both ends. No one’s driving anywhere. It’s just a calendar block that can easily get bumped by the next urgent thing that pops up. And when you’re selling into education like Emily is, where everything moves infinitely slow and decision-makers are incredibly risk-averse, you’ve got even more working against you. The question isn’t whether to send a confirmation email. The real question is: How do you stack the deck so heavily in your favor that prospects feel obligated to show up? The Commitment and Consistency Framework There’s a principle in human behavior called commitment and consistency. When people commit to something, they typically feel compelled to follow through. Otherwise, they feel guilty. And guilt is actually useful because you can leverage it to reschedule when someone doesn’t show. But the goal isn’t to make prospects feel guilty after they no-show. The goal is to engineer so many small commitments throughout the process that they show up in the first place. Here’s the system that works: Step 1: Confirm Verbally When You Set the Meeting When your prospect agrees to meet, always repeat it back: “Okay, so I’ve got you on Thursday, January 26th at 2:00 PM. Did I get that right?” When they say yes, that’s commitment number one. You’re putting it in their brain. You’re making it real. Then say this: “Let me grab your email and I’ll send you a meeting invite for your calendar just to make it convenient for you.” This does two things. First, it confirms you have the right email. Second, it gets another yes. That’s commitment number two. Step 2: Send a Meeting Invite That Actually Helps Most meeting invites are useless. They say “Meeting with Jeb Blount” or “Sales Call” and include seventeen different international dial-in numbers that nobody needs. Here’s what your meeting invite should look like: Title: Emily Weissmueller (Company Name) + Prospect Name (School Name) – Why We’re Meeting Location: Virtual Meeting (then paste the meeting link, nothing else) Notes: Keep it simple. Here’s the meeting link. If it’s a phone option, include just that number. Then add: “If anything changes, here’s my direct number and email.” When your prospect looks at their calendar the morning of the meeting and sees this, they know exactly who you are, why you’re meeting, and how to join. You own the moral high ground. Step 3: Send a Video (This Is Non-Negotiable) The next morning after you set the meeting, pull out your phone and record a 20-30 second video. Look at the camera. Smile. Sound excited. “Emily, this is Jeb at Sales Gravy. Thank you so much for agreeing to meet with me. I’m so excited to spend time learning about you and your mission for helping these kids. Just want to confirm our meeting is on January 26th at 2:00 PM. The invite is on your calendar. I can’t wait to see you.” Send that via email. Now think about what you’ve just done. You’ve made it personal. You’ve shown effort. You’ve demonstrated that you actually care about this conversation. It’s exponentially harder for them to no-show because they can see you’re a real human who invested time in this relationship. This philosophy is about going the extra mile to demonstrate that you’re different, that you care, and that this matters. Step 4: Leave a Voicemail the Day Before The afternoon before your meeting, when you know your prospect is likely gone for the day, call and leave a voicemail. “Hey Emily, this is Jeb. I’m so excited to meet with you tomorrow. I’ve been thinking about your school and the ways we might be able to help. I can’t wait to learn more about what you’re trying to accomplish for these kids. Just a reminder, our meeting is at 2:00 PM tomorrow. All the info is in your calendar. If anything changes, give me a call.” You’re doing the heavy lifting. You’re reminding them. You’re expressing genuine interest in their world, not just your sale. Step 5: The Morning-Of Email (Optional) Here’s where the A/B testing comes in. Some salespeople swear by the morning-of confirmation email. Others think it gives prospects an easy out. My take? Test both approaches and track your show rates. Do half your appointments with the morning email, half without it, and see which converts better. Even a 2-3% improvement in show rate compounds significantly over a year. If you do send the morning email, make it about them: “Emily, I’m really looking forward to our conversation today at 2:00 PM. I can’t wait to learn more about your mission and see if there’s a way we can support what you’re building.” Play to their heartstrings. People love talking about themselves and their work. Make it easy for them to want to show up. What to Do When You Send a Confirmation Email Now, if you’re going to send a confirmation email, there are specific scenarios where it’s absolutely required: You’re driving four hours to meet someone in person You’re bringing executives or your boss to the meeting It’s a final presentation or closing meeting with a major opportunity Multiple stakeholders are coordinating calendars In those cases, you’re not just confirming—you’re protecting your time and theirs. You’re making sure you don’t waste an executive’s schedule or drive across the state for nothing. But for a standard first appointment? The video and voicemail sequence will outperform a confirmation email every single time. The Real Problem: Systems, Not People No-shows aren’t a people problem. They’re a systems problem. When you build a repeatable prospecting system that includes verbal confirmation, calendar invites with clear details, personal video, and day-before voicemail, you engineer commitment at every stage. You’re not hoping prospects remember. You’re not relying on their calendar notifications. You’re building a runway that allows them to land in the meeting because you’ve made it nearly impossible for them to forget or blow you off. And when someone does no-show after all that effort? You own the moral high ground. You can call back with confidence: “Hey, I know things come up. I sent the video, left the voicemail, and had everything on your calendar. Let’s get this rescheduled because I’m genuinely excited to learn about what you’re working on.” That conversation is dramatically different than calling back after sending one email and hoping for the best. The Efficiency Multiplier Think about what happens when your show rate improves by even 10%. If you were setting ten appointments per week and six were showing up, that’s a 60% show rate. Bump that to seven showing up and you’re at 70%. That’s one extra conversation per week. Four extra conversations per month. Forty-eight extra conversations per year. If your close rate is 20%, that’s nearly ten additional deals per year just from improving your meeting show rate. That’s the power of sales execution at the highest level. Your Action Plan If you’re struggling with no-shows, implement this system immediately: For every appointment you set: Confirm it verbally when you schedule it Send a detailed calendar invite with clean formatting Record and send a personal video the next day Leave an enthusiastic voicemail the day before A/B test the morning-of email and track results Track these metrics: Total appointments set Show rate percentage No-show rate Reschedule success rate After 30 days, analyze what’s working and double down on it. The Bottom Line Virtual meetings are easy to ignore. That’s just reality in 2026. Your prospects are busy, distracted, and constantly reprioritizing. Your job isn’t to guilt them into showing up. Your job is to build a system that makes showing up feel like the obvious, natural choice because you’ve demonstrated care, invested effort, and made it personal. Stop sending one confirmation email and hoping for the best. Start building commitment through repetition, personalization, and genuine interest in your prospect’s world. That’s how you fill your calendar with meetings that actually happen. That’s how you stop wasting time staring at empty Zoom rooms. And that’s how you build a sales career based on systems, not hope. Meetings happen by design, not by luck. Build the runway. Land the meeting. Close the deal. Ready to Master the Complete Prospecting System? The tactics in this article are just the beginning. If you want to learn the complete methodology for filling your pipeline with qualified appointments that actually show up, join us at an upcoming Sales Gravy Live Event. You’ll get hands-on training in prospecting, qualification, objection handling, and closing from Jeb Blount and the Sales Gravy team. Don’t leave your sales success to chance—invest in the skills that separate top performers from everyone else.

On today's episode of That Was Us, we're diving into Season 5, Episode 2: Forty: Part Two. Tensions are running high at the cabin, we continue unraveling the events surrounding The Big Three's birth, and we learn a surprising revelation about Randall's biological mother. Plus, Mandy, Chris, and Sterling have fun in the studio recalling moments they couldn't stop laughing on set, the moments from this episode that deeply impacted them, and more! That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions. Music by Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith. ------------------------- Support Our Sponsors: - Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/twu for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. - Try Zip Recruiter for free at https://ZipRecruiter.com/TWU. ZipRecruiter. The smartest way to hire. - Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more, to claim, visit https://www.article.com/twu and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout. -------------------------

Forty-seven percent of American adults are single; more than any time in history. Yet, despite the apps, algorithms, matchmaking services, and well-meaning aunties indiscriminately handing out your number, it still feels impossible to find someone. Life devolves into a sad string of awkward texts, disgusting DM's, bad dates, and unsatisfying hookups. Then there's all the married people weighing in with what you ought to change to be more marketable. Because obviously life doesn't start until you've locked down your special someone. Is that true? What if it's not in the cards for you? Why's it taking so long? What do you do with all your loneliness, longings, hopes, and heartbreak? How did we get here & where do we go from here?

Angelica Maria Gandara went missing in July 1985 while making the short walk from her grandmother's house to her family home in Temple, Texas. Forty years later, authorities have identified two strong suspects, but no arrests have been made. Join Mike and Gibby as they discuss the disappearance of Angelica Gandara. These two suspects are very interesting, and both have murderous pasts. One suspect, Ramiro Ibarra, was close to the family and later married Angelica's aunt. Ibarra was convicted of murdering a 16-year-old girl. The other suspect, David Penton, was convicted of multiple murders in the Dallas area. You can help support the show at patreon.com/truecrimeallthetimeVisit the show's website at truecrimeallthetime.com for contact, merchandise, and donation informationAn Emash Digital productionSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I believe the book of Revelation is intentionally shaped by the rhythm of the seven Jewish feasts, with deep echoes of the Exodus and Israels wilderness journey woven throughout its visions. We have already seen how this works in chapter 1, where the imagery echoes Passover. Passover marked Israels deliverance from slavery through the blood of a substituteand in Revelation 1:1216, that substitute is revealed in all His risen glory. Jesus stands among His churches as the victorious Lamb who was slain and now lives forever. Because of His sacrifice, the Christian belongs to God. If you have been redeemed by Almighty God through His Son, what is there to fear? Jesus Himself answers that question: Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades (Rev. 1:1718). Our confidence is not rooted in our circumstances, but in the One who has conquered death itself. As we move into Revelation 23 and read the seven letters to the churches, the dominant echo is the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which immediately followed Passover. This feast called Gods redeemed people to live holy lives, set apart for Him (Lev. 11:4445; 1 Pet. 1:1617). Israel removed all leaven from their homes as a visible reminder that they belonged to the Lord and were no longer to live under the old patterns of corruption. That same call still comes to us today: You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (1 Cor. 6:1920). Each of the seven churches faced real and pressing challenges in their own dayand what they struggled with are many of the same things we struggle with today, just dressed differently. While we will look at each church individually, here is a brief snapshot of what we will encounter: The church in Ephesus had lost its first love. The church in Smyrna was about to suffer tribulation for ten days. The church in Pergamum struggled with faithfulness to sound doctrine. The church in Thyatira tolerated a false teacher within the congregation. The church in Sardis was spiritually lethargic and nearly dead. The church in Philadelphia faithfully clung to the word of God. The church in Laodicea was lukewarm and missionally useless. In every one of these churches, there was the danger of leavensin quietly working its way through the house. And the call of Christ was to remove it: through renewed love for Jesus and for one another, faithful endurance in suffering, a commitment to truth, intolerance for evil, vigilance against spiritual apathy, unflinching obedience to Christ, and a wholehearted devotion to the mission of God. About forty years before Revelation was written, Paul wrote about Gods expectation for His church: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Eph. 5:1-2). Revelation 1 is about the One who makes our salvation possible. Revelation 2-3 addresses the kind of people He calls us to be. So, when we come to Revelation 4, we encounter the One on the throne who is holy, holy, holy! The City of Ephesus When the gospel came to Ephesus, it was a wealthy and influential trading city, best known for the Temple of Artemis (also called Diana), one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The citys economy, culture, and moral life centered on the worship of this goddess. Artemis worship was deeply sexualized and demonic, marked by ritual immorality and idolatry (1 Cor. 10:20). Ephesus was a place where spiritual darkness was not hiddenit was celebrated, institutionalized, and profitable. Into this city, the gospel came with unmistakable power, as it always does in Gods timing and in His way. What we read in the epistle to the Romans was experienced in Ephesus: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes... (Rom. 1:16). When the apostle Paul preached Christ in Ephesus, lives were transformed, and the worship of Artemis was directly challenged. So disruptive was the gospel that those who profited from idolatry feared economic collapse, admitting that Paul had persuaded many that gods made with hands are not gods at all (Acts 19:26). Paul spent over two years there, and in this spiritually hostile environment, God birthed a faithful churchthe same church later addressed by Christ Himself in Revelation 2. What makes Jesus words to Ephesus so sobering is not the citys darkness but the fact that a church born in such devotion, perseverance, and truth would later be warned: You have abandoned the love you had at first (2:4). So what happened? To answer that question, we need to first recognize the many things Jesus praises the church for. What the Ephesian Church Was Doing Right The Ephesian church was commended for many things by Jesus such as their toil, patient endurance, and intolerance for evil. Heraclitus, a native of Ephesus and philosopher, spoke with open contempt of his citys moral corruptionso severe that later writers summarized his viewby saying no one could live in Ephesus without weeping.1 The fact that the church was able to endure for forty years in a city known for its sexual promiscuity and demonized idolatrous worship, while holding on to biblical orthodoxy, is staggering! Because of their orthodoxy and fidelity to the Word of God, the church was intolerant of evil, refused to ignore false teachers, and shared Jesuss hatred of the Nicolaitans. Forty years earlier, Paul warned the elders of the Ephesian church: I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears (Acts. 20:29-31). This is what the church did well, and Jesus praised them for it. Now, notice what Jesus does not say to the church in Ephesus. He does not say they were being too orthodox. He does not say they were too truthful, or that their intolerance of evil, false teachers, and the works of the Nicolaitans was too extreme. Jesus does not tell the church to dial it back but instead celebrates these as examples of what they were doing well. What the church did well was refusing to yield to the pressures from their city to conform. Before we look at what the church got wrong, we need to address who the Nicolaitans were and why Jesus hated their teaching. From what we know, the Nicolaitans were a heretical Christian sect associated with the teaching of Balaam (Rev. 2:14-15). They taught that the grace of God permitted freedom to engage in the kinds of things their pagan neighbors enjoyed, such as sexual immorality and full participation in pagan temple feasts. Why? Because grace covered it all. We will come back to Balaam when we look at the church in Pergamum, but for now what you need to know is that Balaam is known for his false teaching that served to seduce the men of Israel to engage in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab that also resulted in the worship of their gods in place of obedience and worship of Yahweh (see Num. 25). The Nicolaitans did not deny Jesus, they just reinterpreted what obedience to Jesus really meant, in that you could both be loyal to Jesus and actively pursue and participate in the kinds of things the Word of God commands the people of God to flee from. The Ephesian church was rightfully commended for their hatred and intolerance of the works of the Nicolaitans because Jesus shares their hatred for the same reasons. Listen carefully. Jesus does not merely disagree with teachings of the Nicolaitans He hates them. He hates any belief that suggests a person can remain loyal to Him while willfully embracing the very sins He died to free us from. The cross was not a license to make peace with sin; it was Gods declaration of war against it. To claim Christ while pursuing what nailed Him to the tree is not freedomit is self-deception. Christ did not die to make sin safe, but to make His people holy. 1 Richard D. Phillips, Revelation, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: PR Publishing, 2017), 91. What the Ephesian Church Got Wrong So what was it that the church in Ephesus lost? Well, we know it wasnt the churchs orthodoxy. It was the love they had at first. What love did they have at first? I believe the love the church lost was a combination of their love for Jesus and others. I believe this because of what the apostle Paul wrote in his epistle to the Ephesians and what Jesus said the church needed to do to regain the love they had lost. First, lets look at Jesus criticism in verses 4-5, But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. The way back to regain what they had lost was to first remember where they had fallen or had lost sight of their love, then to repent by doing the works they had done at first. What were the works they had done at first? We are given a few clues in Ephesians about the church from what Paul says at the beginning and the end of his epistle to the Ephesians. 1st Clue: For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers... (Eph. 1:15-16) 2nd Clue: Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. (Eph. 6:24) I believe that the love the Ephesian church lost had to do with the love they had for Jesus and for one another. The New Living Translation captures this in their translation of Revelation 2:4, But I have this complaint against you. You dont love me or each other as you did at first! When a group of religious leaders asked Jesus to identify the most important commandment, His response was clear: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:3739). Genuine love for God leads to love for othersyou cannot claim to love God while refusing to love those who bear His image. As our love for God grows, it overflows into love for those around us, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. If you find this hard to accept, consider the words of the apostle John: If someone says, I love God, but hates his brother, that person is a liar; for anyone who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen (1 John 4:20). I believe the Ephesian church, first known for their faith in Jesus and their incorruptible love for Him, became the catalyst that fostered in them a love for one another, which they were known for in the early days of the churchs existence. Their love infused their faith in Jesus, and their love for all the saints was the cocktail God used to push back evil and transform lives! What Revelation 2:1-4 teaches us is that Jesus wants our obedience, but He also wants our hearts! In fact, if Jesus has your heart, He will have your obedience. Conclusion I believe the Ephesian church is listed first among the seven churches because of the danger we face when what we believe and what we do are no longer tethered to a living love for Jesus and His people. Listen carefully. Rather than criticizing the Ephesian church for its zeal for the truth of Gods Word, Jesus praised them for it. Orthodoxy is essential to the spiritual health of both Christians and the church as a whole. When believers abandon orthodoxy, spirituality does not become freer or deeperit becomes hollow and lifeless. So do their churches. But love keeps orthodoxy from hardening into something Jesus also hated. When truth is severed from love, orthodoxy collapses into legalism. And legalism is not holiness; it is a corruption of orthopraxyright living. Christian, we are called to be holy as our heavenly Father is holy. Scripture commands us: As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy (1 Pet. 1:1416). But the way we pursue holiness is not through cold precision or moral superiority. It is through the kind of love the Ephesian church once hadand then lost. This is the first of seven ways Christ calls His people to cleanse His house of leaven. What is that love? Scripture defines it plainly: Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth Love never ends (1 Cor. 13:48). This is the love Jesus spoke of that must be true of His followers: By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35). We live in a nation deeply fracturedso fractured that many believe we are in a cold civil war. Civil conversation between the left and the right is nearly impossible. But it must not be that way in the church Jesus redeemed from the world. Our love for Christ must overflow into genuine love for one anotherstrong enough to allow disagreement without division, conviction without contempt, and truth without hatred. Let me take this one step further. If you love the Jesus who died to ransom people from every tribe, language, people, and nation, then you must be liberated from the partisan blindness that grips both the left and the right. Christian, you belong to another kingdom. Your allegiance is not to a political ideology but to King Jesus. Please hear me: the world will not see, hear, or receive the gospel from the left or the rightbut only from Jesus Christ Himself. By Gods design, His gospel is not entrusted to government but to His church. The mess in the White House, ournation, and the world is evidence that what people need is the One who makes the Gospel the Gospelnamely, Jesus! If you cannot see thatif you cannot believe that while still calling yourself a Christianthen you are in danger of the very thing that threatened the church in Ephesus. You have lost your first love. So I leave you with the same words Jesus spoke to them: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

Forty-seven percent of American adults are single; more than any time in history. Yet, despite the apps, algorithms, matchmaking services, and well-meaning aunties indiscriminately handing out your number, it still feels impossible to find someone. Life devolves into a sad string of awkward texts, disgusting DM's, bad dates, and unsatisfying hookups. Then there's all the married people weighing in with what you ought to change to be more marketable. Because obviously life doesn't start until you've locked down your special someone. Is that true? What if it's not in the cards for you? Why's it taking so long? What do you do with all your loneliness, longings, hopes, and heartbreak? How did we get here & where do we go from here?

Today we tell not one but two stories, both involving the same community in Fannin County, Georgia. In 1864 two men, brothers-in-law Elisha Stanley and Evan Hughes, became the victims of a gang of violent bushwhackers who terrorized the area during the Civil War, leaving their families to pick up the pieces. Forty years later, in 1906, the Tilley Bend massacre occurred in the same area, causing a local woman, Elizabeth Bradley, known as a "Granny Woman" and healer, to place a curse on the community, in the process creating what may be the most well-known bit of Appalachian folklore in that part of Georgia. If you enjoy our stories, be sure to subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast app. If you'd like an ad-free version of the podcast and other extras, like unreleased episodes and other content, go to our podcast host, Spreaker, and become a supporter of the Stories podcast!Thanks for listening

In anticipation of the upcoming season of Lent, we consider how the practices of fasting and lament can remind us of our humanity and orient our hearts toward the lost. Lent and Missions: A 40-Day Devotional The Upstream Collective "This physical need reminds me how much I need the Lord. So, it's not just the removal of something; it's a taking in of something." "Forty years in the wilderness for God's people and 40 days in the wilderness for Jesus were preparation for the fulfilling of God's promise, so when we're fasting, we're experiencing that wilderness so that when Easter comes, when Good Friday comes, it's a celebration." "The big theme is to pull back [...] and see the Bible as a book of redemption for all people." "[Lent] is an invitation to slow down, to rest, to lament sorrow, sadness, and brokenness, and then to turn our eyes toward the coming Sunday." "Experiencing Jesus and moving our lives toward Him and seeking to love Him in every way, a natural outworking is His heart and passion for others, which lead us to mission." "Our hearts can lament and long to see people come to faith. And then even as we live on mission, to embrace the reality, living a missional lifestyle, sacrificing for the sake of others, is hard. It's difficult, but it's good." "There is an invitation to slow down and experience Jesus, to practice something that could be life-giving." What's changing our lives: Keane: Unsubscribing from unwanted emails Heather: Lots of snow Nathan: Establishing a morning routine of time with the Lord Weekly Spotlight: Puebla Christian Academy We'd love to hear from you! podcast@teachbeyond.org Podcast Website: https://teachbeyond.org/podcast Learn about TeachBeyond: https://teachbeyond.org/

The boys reminisce about the old times on Long Island and work in some gossip and politics.https://mydeals.page/q7j8

No Sam today. Dusty shirt is maize; get it before we play MSU again. Things Discussed: Men's & Women's Basketball win at Breslin: 40 basketball wins. Jeremy Fears's instant karma for his dirty play. Impossible not to see all the extra stuff that guy does when you rewatch the games: yankbacks, pulldowns, more trips. Ira counted 80 yards in penalties and a targeting. MSU game: Brilliant defensive first half, all MSU could do consistently was get to the free throw line. Calling out their dirty play goes right to their heart because it's the best thing they can do. Going 2-3 zone out of halftime made good tactical sense but ball betrayed them a bit, good resilience to fight back. More tactics: Michigan was getting it down to Mara but he's not big enough on the block to make that. McKenney love: He's played his way to Michigan's best two—Burnett and Gayle are losing minutes to him. Anticipates screens, is big, and his midrange pullups are a good floor for possessions that help you against an elite defense. Really important for what this team needs to be going forward. Who's M's best draft pick? We'd take Morez. Who's the best five? Depends on opponent and context. Might not play Mara vs a 5-out team, can go three bigs against an MSU-like opponent. Who's the best team in the Big Ten? Illinois. They go to Breslin and host Michigan but the rest of their schedule are the mids Michigan already played, they got the best player in the league from the composite 250s in Wagler—worst scouting miss in history? Hope Underwood calls out MSU's assist lies so Wagler gets his laurels for his real assists. Michigan next year? Might only have to replace Yaxel (McKenney and Cason take Gayle and Burnett minutes), can go to the portal for a difference-maker and run it back. Penn State preview: They have Mingo back but Yuric played out of his mind last time and think he's not coming back from a 103-degree fever on Saturday to play like that again. Have a bunch of questionable guys tonight. Think University Park atmosphere is similar to Saline 7th Grade Middle School game. WEAR PINK (I can't; I don't have any). What's the reverse Dusty May for Izzo? Sing he's a jolly good fellow, or bring out the newspapers. Hockey: MSU series could be for the conference since Wisconsin is wilting and Penn State just lost McKenna to a bar fight. Michigan needs to get more than a split because MSU has Minnesota, Notre Dame, and Ohio State left, and Michigan still has to play the other contenders. Put me down for this: Mick Cronin is going to complain about Michigan buying players when he comes to Ann Arbor. Craig says he'll dog his own players.

It's Wednesday, February 4th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Colombian president denies divinity of Jesus Christ Christians across Colombia recoiled at recent remarks made by President Gustavo Petro. The nation's leader denied that Jesus is Christ, describing Him instead as a “man of light, of truth and a revolutionary.” This public attack on Biblical truth comes as Christians continue to face persecution and physical attacks in the country.  Criminal organizations have killed at least 10 pastors in Colombia over the last year. Sadly, the government provides little protection for church leaders. Psalm 2:11-12 warns rulers, “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.” U.S. forces shoot down Iranian drone over Arabian Sea A U.S. fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone as it approached a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea on February 3rd, the U.S. Central Command has announced, reports The Epoch Times. The incident comes at a moment of heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. President Donald Trump recently ordered naval forces to the Middle East and has threatened military strikes on Iran if it does not agree to new limits on its nuclear development. The U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East, said the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln was operating about 500 miles from Iran's southern coast on Tuesday, when U.S. forces spotted what they identified as an Iranian Shahed-139 drone. When the Iranian drone “unnecessarily maneuvered toward” the aircraft carrier, the U.S. Central Command said U.S. forces issued de-escalatory instructions, but the drone continued on its path toward the aircraft carrier. That's when an F-35C Lighting II stealth fighter jet, assigned to the aircraft carrier, intervened and shot down the drone. Thankfully, no American service members were harmed during the incident, and no U.S. equipment was damaged. Conservative candidate wins presidency of Costa Rica Meanwhile in Central America, conservative candidate Laura Fernández Delgado won Costa Rica's presidential election on Sunday. She gave thanks to God following the election victory.  Life News reports that Fernández emphasized moral values and the protection of unborn babies during her campaign. She stated, “Defending the lives of Costa Ricans who have not yet been born is an obligation of the State. Abortion is nothing more than murder and, therefore, penalties must be toughened.” Christian groups looking to overturn homosexual marriage In the United States, a coalition of conservative groups launched a campaign last month to overturn Obergefell.  The infamous Supreme Court ruling from 2015 legalized faux homosexual marriage.  The campaign, known as the Greater Than movement, calls for protecting children from being put in the middle of such unbiblical relations.  Listen to comments from Dr. Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  MOHLER: “Marriage is actually the most basic institution of human civilization. You redefine marriage, you have just destroyed the house. You can put together a new house and claim it's the same. Children will know the difference. It harms children in virtually every way imaginable.” De-transitioner awarded $2 million The Epoch Times reports a New York jury found a psychologist and plastic surgeon liable for malpractice in a transgender case last week.  The doctors supported and performed a double mastectomy on a 16-year-old girl who claimed to be a boy. Fox Varian is 22 now and no longer pretends to be a boy. She was awarded two million dollars in the case. Varian is the first de-transitioner to win such a malpractice lawsuit.  Nearly 30 more de-transitioner lawsuits are in process across America. Trump stands with pharmacies for not carrying Abortion Kill Pills The Trump administration is protecting pharmacies from having to carry abortion kill pills. Under the Biden administration, the Department of Health and Human Services required pharmacies serving Medicare or Medicaid patients to carry abortion drugs. The department rescinded that mandate last week. This is part of the government's policy to “end the forced use of Federal taxpayer dollars to fund or promote elective abortion.”  Red states are growing and blue states are shrinking The U.S. Census Bureau released its latest Population and Housing Unit Estimates last week. Red states, like Texas, are growing, while blue states, like California, are shrinking.  Based on this, the American Redistricting Project released its 2030 Apportionment Forecast of how these demographic trends will affect Congress. Texas and Florida could gain a combined eight congressional seats. Meanwhile, California and New York could lose six seats. 83% of U.S. adults believe in God; 25% attend weekly religious service Pew Research released new analysis of Americans' religious beliefs and practices. The analysis shared the data as if the U.S. population were scaled down to 100 people.  In that case, 83 people would believe in God or a universal spirit. Fifty-two would believe in Heaven and Hell. Forty-four would pray daily. Thirty-eight would say religion is very important in their lives. And only 25 would say they attend religious services at least weekly.  Romans 11:5 reminds us, “Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” U.S. life expectancy rose to 79 And finally, U.S. life expectancy rose to a record 79 years in 2024. This according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Life expectancy at birth for women rose to 81, and for men it rose to 76. Meanwhile, the age-adjusted death rate decreased nearly four percent from 2023. The increased life expectancy comes after improvements following the COVID-19 pandemic as well as declines in overdose deaths.  Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, February 4th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

What do the Washington Post layoffs say for the rest of news media? (0:30) AMC theaters in Burbank were the highest-grossing in the nation last year (19:13) Aging through the eyes of motivation. How do we stay active? (37:32) How much do genetics play a role in longevity? Here’s what recent research tells us (51:53) Forty novels in, Michael Connelly keeps writing and we keep watching (1:06:54) What’s your favorite legal or legal-ish piece of television? (1:29:46) Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency

In this episode Rabbi Fohrman puts the bitter herbs - maror - under a microscope. Why do we need to hold onto a reminder of our slavery, during a Passover seder that represents freedom? Drawing from a principle of teshuvah - repentance, our hosts carve out an incredible principle in human psychology and what it takes to heal from trauma.Can't Skip the Bitter (to Get to the Sweet)(Verse 1) In Egypt the bread held the taste of our tears Sourdough—you couldn't tell where it stopped The sourness baked into four hundred years Until the whole batch was bitter and lockedBut God didn't hand us the honey that night Didn't say: forget it, here's something new He gave us flat bread with bitter alongside— Separated. Still there. Still true.(Chorus) You can't skip the bitter to get to the sweet You can't leave the sorrow behind The only way forward is going back through it One morning at a time(Verse 2) The manna came later, the honey came slow Forty years of daily bread Each day God was asking: do you believe now that you're more than the tears that you've shed?And every spring we sit down at the table Flat bread and bitter, side by side Not because we're still slaves—because we remember What it took to come back alive(Chorus) You can't skip the bitter to get to the sweet You can't leave the sorrow behind The only way forward is going back through itOne morning at a time(Bridge) Each day the same question fallingLike bread upon the ground:Are you more than what was done to you?Are you more than what you've done?(Verse 3) Two families broken, made into one He said: leave the past where it liesBuild something new now, the future's begun But nobody asked who we were before the goodbyesAnd forty years later I knocked on her door I said there's something I never did right I never once asked you to tell me the story Of who held your hand through the long, long night(Chorus) Tell me about your mother What was it like when she was yours? Tell me about your mother I should have asked you this beforeYou can't skip the bitter to get to the sweet You can't leave the sorrow behind The only way forward is going back through it And that's what I'm doing this timeYou can also listen to this song on Youtube and Spotify.We love to hear from you! Click here to share your thoughts, insights, questions, and reactions by voice note, or send us an email at info@alephbeta.org. A Book Like No Other is a product of Aleph Beta, and made possible through the generous support of Shari and Nathan Lindenbaum. Aleph Beta is a Torah media company dedicated to spreading the joy and love of meaningful Torah learning worldwide.

On today's episode of That Was Us, we're diving into Season 5, Episode 1: Forty: Part One. It's The Big Three's 40th birthday, and everyone heads to the cabin to quarantine and celebrate the big milestone, except Randall. We also jump back to the day The Big Three were born, exploring the parallels between Jack and William's experience as new fathers, and uncovering the powerful backstory of Randall's birth mother, Laurel. Plus, Mandy, Chris, and Sterling chat to the lovely Jennifer C. Holmes! She joins the hosts in-studio to talk all about Laurel's character, how she got the part, and her favorite memories from filming. They also chat about the shift they felt returning to set as first-time parents, what it was like filming during Covid, how the show successfully started conversations about difficult topics, and more! That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions. Music by Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith. ------------------------- Support Our Sponsors: - This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/TWU and get on your way to being your best self. - Get Cozy Earth pajamas for you and someone you love. Head to https://cozyearth.com and use our code TWUBOGO from January 25th through February 8th. - Go to https://Leesa.com for 25% off PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TWU -------------------------

Forty-nine workers are set to lose their jobs when The Campbell's Company closes a plant in the Massachusetts town of Hyannis this spring.And with it, the region will lose production of the snack staple that bears its name – the  Cape Cod chips have been made at the Hyannis plant since 1985 though, over time, the factory volume of this location has declined to just 4% of the overall output of these potato chips for Campbell's.#CampbellsCompany, #CapeCodChips, #ManufacturingNews, #PlantClosure, #FactoryShutdown, #JobLosses, #FoodManufacturing, #SnackIndustry, #USManufacturing, #Massachusetts, #HyannisMA, #EconomicImpact, #ManufacturingJobs, #SupplyChain, #CorporateNews

Tom Kelly and Steve Burger take a drive to Merrick to check out The Barn — the former Dairy Barn turned viral drive-thru drink factory that's somehow both nostalgic and wildly unhinged. After a recent Newsday report spotlighted the Barn's glow-up into a social-media fueled "Coffee Barn," Tom and Steve needed to see it for themselves. Forty-plus drinks, donuts on top of coffees, milkshakes doing the absolute most — and a line that suggests nobody on Long Island has patience except when sugar is involved. They break down: How an old-school Dairy Barn became a TikTok destination Whether this is charming Long Island nostalgia or beverage anarchy Why people are traveling across counties (and possibly state lines) for drinks

Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@mreapodcastMost people want change. Very few are willing to follow a model long enough to earn it.In this episode, we sit down with Alison Harris, a real estate agent out of Savannah, Georgia, who made a bold decision in 2021 to relaunch her entire business from the ground up. Forty months later, she crossed the million-dollar GCI mark by committing to a clear model and running it with discipline.Alison walks us through the Six Personal Perspectives and how each one showed up in her real life, not as theory, but as daily behavior. We unpack what it really means to commit to self-mastery, why the 80/20 principle gave her time back, and how moving from entrepreneurial to purposeful changed everything.This is not a story about a magic lead source or a shiny new system. Alison is clear about that. The growth came from magic in the mundane—building a five-star database, running a consistent touch program, holding people accountable, and committing to a learning-based business even when it was uncomfortable.If you've ever felt capped by hustle, stuck under a ceiling, or frustrated that effort isn't translating into freedom, this conversation delivers a conversational framework you can apply immediately.No hype. No shortcuts. Just a proven path, run the right way.Resources:Explore: BOLD at Keller WilliamsLearn: The Six Personal Perspectives by Gary KellerDownload: MREA Podcast Notes and Models at mreanotes.com Order the Millionaire Real Estate Agent Playbook | Volume 3Connect with Jason:LinkedinProduced by NOVAThis podcast is for general informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions of the guest represent those of the guest and not Keller Williams Realty, LLC and its affiliates, and should not be construed as financial, economic, legal, tax, or other advice. This podcast is provided without any warranty, or guarantee of its accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or results from using the information.WARNING! You must comply with the TCPA and any other federal, state or local laws, including for B2B calls and texts. Never call or text a number on any Do Not Call list, and do not use an autodialer or artificial voice or prerecorded messages without proper consent. Contact your attorney to ensure your compliance.

Finding Friendship and Connection Over 40 with Dr. Anna Marie Frank In this heartfelt episode, Mathew Blades sits down with Dr. Anna Marie Frank to explore the challenges and opportunities of making new friends after 40. Together they discuss the unique loneliness that often arises after decades spent building careers and raising families, and how quality, depth, and accountability become more important in friendships as we age. Dr. Anna Marie Frank shares practical advice for overcoming isolation, such as reaching out to old acquaintances, trying new hobbies like pickleball, and joining groups or faith communities to cultivate true connection. The episode wraps up with a reminder that combating loneliness starts with small, intentional actions—and the courage to show up differently and consistently for ourselves and others.  To get in touch with our podcast, email INFO@Learnfrompeoplewholivedit.com Visit our Guests: Mathew Blades - MathewBlades.com Dr. Anna Marie Frank - https://drannamarie.com Cortney McDermott - https://www.cortneymcdermott.com Dr. Dave - https://www.drdaveaz.com/ Jill McMahon - Jillmcmahoncounseling.com

"I wasn't even sure I believed in God. But when I saw the miracle of the sun with golden raindrops falling off of it, I knew that God existed and that he loved me." ---------- In the Bible, the number forty shows up when something is being tested, purified, or prepared. Forty days. Forty years. It is never random. It is the stretch between what God promises and what finally comes to life. When the music that bubbles up in my head began to take me back to a story from 40 weeks ago, I pushed back. Why would I do that? Wrong question. Just trust. OK. This episode returns to the conversion story of Michael Campanelli, a man who went to Medjugorje not even sure he believed in God. What happened there was not flashy or emotional hype. It was uncomfortable. A call to confession. A confrontation with long buried sin. A moment of grace that broke through his resistance and changed the direction of his life. That moment became a turning point. Skepticism gave way to surrender. Confession led to healing. And eventually, Michael found himself helping guide others on pilgrimages through his Padre Pio ministry. This is not a rerun. It is a return. Forty weeks later, what was planted has been tested long enough to begin bearing fruit. ---------- Share Your Story If you have a Touched by Heaven moment that you would like to share with Trapper, please leave us a note at https://touchedbyheaven.net/contact Our listeners look forward to hearing about life-changing encounters and miraculous stories every week. Stay Informed Trapper sends out a weekly email. If you're not receiving it, and would like to stay in touch to get the bonus stories and other interesting content that will further fortify your faith. Join our email family by subscribing on https://trapperjackspeaks.com  Become a Patron We pray that our listeners and followers benefit from our podcasts and programs and develop a deeper personal relationship with God. We thank you for your prayers and for supporting our efforts by helping to cover the costs. Become a Patron and getting lots of fun extras. Please go to https://patreon.com/bfl to check out the details. More About Trapper Jack Visit Our Website: https://TrapperJackSpeaks.com Patreon Donation Link: https://www.patreon.com/bfl Purchase our Products ·       Talk Downloads: https://www.patreon.com/bfl/shop ·       CD Sales: https://trapperjackspeaks.com/cds/  Join us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TouchedByHeaven.TrapperJack Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trapperjack/ Join us on X/Twitter: https://x.com/TrapperJack1

Life doesn’t always give us time to plan—and that’s often where God’s provision becomes most visible. This Crosswalk Devotional centers on Exodus 12:31–39, reminding us that when preparation is impossible, God still provides exactly what we need. The Israelites left Egypt abruptly, carrying unfinished dough into an uncertain future, yet God faithfully supplied every step of their journey. Their hurried departure wasn’t an oversight—it was an invitation to trust. This Christian devotional speaks to seasons of disruption, loss, and uncertainty, when routines fall apart and control slips through our fingers. Whether facing sudden change, grief, or exhaustion, Scripture shows us that God uses moments of unpreparedness to reveal His character. When we can’t rely on our plans, we learn to rely on His promises. Highlights God often works powerfully in moments when we feel least prepared The Israelites’ rushed escape reveals God’s intentional provision Loss of control can become an invitation to deeper trust God’s provision is not limited by our circumstances or planning Seasons of uncertainty help us remember we are God’s children, not slaves Dependence on God strengthens faith and reveals His faithfulness When preparation fails, prayer becomes our lifeline Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: God Provides When We Cannot Prepare By Deidre Braley Bible Reading:During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me.” The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. “For otherwise,” they said, “we will all die!” So the people took their dough before the yeast was added, and carried it on their shoulders in kneading troughs wrapped in clothing. The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians. The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Sukkoth. There were about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. Many other people went up with them, and also large droves of livestock, both flocks and herds. With the dough the Israelites had brought from Egypt, they baked loaves of unleavened bread. The dough was without yeast because they had been driven out of Egypt and did not have time to prepare food for themselves. - Exodus 12:31-39 Our family recently traveled 300 miles north to spend the holidays at home, where my husband and I both grew up. Though we had planned for an extended stay, we did not sleep well on the first or second night, and on the following morning, my husband woke with a terrible bout of food poisoning. Exhausted, exasperated, and with a terribly achy back, I couldn’t imagine being away from home for even another moment. Before the sun had even risen, I announced, “That’s it. We need to leave—today.” In a rush, I threw apples and slippers and dog food into any spare bag I could find. I stuffed dirty clothes back into suitcases and rummaged in the fridge for anything that could qualify as breakfast for the kids. I promised myself we’d all brush our teeth later. And then, with our odds and ends shoved into every spare crevice of the car, we sped off, not even stopping to say goodbye to our family on the way out of town. All day, I felt unsettled. Our luggage was disorganized, we were subsisting on a bag of chocolate-covered espresso beans, and, as I discovered later, two out of our three kids weren’t even wearing socks! Our careful routines—and my sense of any control—had gone out the window. And it was deeply uncomfortable. It made me sympathize with the Israelites, who were pushed out of Egypt in such a hurry that they weren’t even finished making the dough for their bread; they swept it up onto their shoulders and lugged it off into the great unknown. They did not have time to prepare provisions for themselves. But their journey was more than just one long day down the interstate. It was forty years of wandering. Forty years of being unsettled. Forty years of not being in control. Forty years of having to depend on Someone Else to provide for them. I think their rapid departure from Egypt was an intentional move on God’s part. I believe he wanted to make sure they did not have time to prepare—not because he wanted them to feel uncomfortable, but because he wanted to show them that he would provide everything they needed. He wanted to show them what it meant to be the people of the One True Living God. He wanted to position them to understand that they were not slaves any longer: they were his children, and they could trust him to take care of them. Intersecting Faith & Life: There are times in our lives that we simply cannot prepare for. A loss of a job. The death of someone we love. Or maybe just a husband waking up with food poisoning. Though we might despise the situation and wish to cling to control with everything we’ve got (which are very natural and human responses!), in moments of disquiet, may we find the courage to look at God and ask him what he wishes to show us about his character in these times. When he puts us in positions of total abandon—where our illusions of control and carefully measured procedures have been stripped away—may we learn to pray: God, Show me your goodness. I have nothing. You are in control. I need you. Please provide. Amen. Further Reading:Throughout the Bible, people find themselves in situations where their only hope is to trust God to provide. Consider: Daniel telling Nebuchadnezzar the meaning of his dream (Daniel 2) Joshua’s army marching around the walls of Jericho (Joshua 6) Mary learning that she will give birth to Jesus (Luke 1) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Forty years ago this past week, Americans watched in horror as the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded on live television just 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven crew members. An investigation later found that during the coldest-ever shuttle launch, a failure in the O-ring seals—caused in part by the weather—led to the disaster. Hours after the tragedy, President Reagan addressed the nation, calling the crew heroes and vowing that the disaster would not end America's space program. Earlier this week, retired NASA astronauts Bonnie Dunbar and Clayton Anderson joined FOX News Rundown host Dave Anthony to reflect on the lives of the seven heroes lost, the evolution of safety protocols following the investigation, and the unwavering spirit of discovery required to reach for the Moon and Mars. We often must cut interviews short during the week, but we thought you might like to hear the full conversation. Today on The FOX News Rundown Extra, we share our entire interview with retired NASA astronauts Bonnie Dunbar and Clayton Anderson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are America's closest allies getting cold feet about a friendship that's lasted since World War II? Christiane speaks to Michael Ignatieff, former leader of Canada's Liberal Party, about growing unease with Washington. Then, a true story of heroism and disaster on the edge of space. Forty years after the U.S. space shuttle Challenger exploded, shocking America and the world, best-selling author Adam Higginbotham speaks about his minute-by-minute account of the tragedy and the decisions that led to catastrophe. Plus, hopes of progress in Gaza, but in the occupied West Bank, Israeli settler violence continues to devastate Palestinian villages. Jeremy Diamond reports. Also ahead, Christiane's conversation with a Holocaust survivor and legal titan. At 95 years old, Judge Theodor Meron reflects on a lifetime devoted to pursuing justice and accountability. And as the world marks Holocaust Remembrance Day this week, from Christiane's archive: how the Nazis' slaughter of six million Jews shocked the international community into outlawing genocide.   Air date: January 31, 2026   Guests: Michael Ignatieff Adam Higginbotham Judge Theodor Meron Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Forty years ago this past week, Americans watched in horror as the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded on live television just 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven crew members. An investigation later found that during the coldest-ever shuttle launch, a failure in the O-ring seals—caused in part by the weather—led to the disaster. Hours after the tragedy, President Reagan addressed the nation, calling the crew heroes and vowing that the disaster would not end America's space program. Earlier this week, retired NASA astronauts Bonnie Dunbar and Clayton Anderson joined FOX News Rundown host Dave Anthony to reflect on the lives of the seven heroes lost, the evolution of safety protocols following the investigation, and the unwavering spirit of discovery required to reach for the Moon and Mars. We often must cut interviews short during the week, but we thought you might like to hear the full conversation. Today on The FOX News Rundown Extra, we share our entire interview with retired NASA astronauts Bonnie Dunbar and Clayton Anderson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Understanding "Streets of Minneapolis"With Springsteen's latest single reaching #1 in 19 countries, we're witnessing a significant cultural moment. I'm proposing an exploration of the controversial, "Streets of Minneapolis"—examining it within a powerful American musical tradition that stretches back over eight decades.A Tradition of Musical CommentaryThis story begins in 1944, when Woody Guthrie (not Arlo—Woody was his father) wrote "This Land Is Your Land" as a response to Irving Berlin's "God Bless America." What seemed like competing patriotic songs represented something deeper: different visions of what it means to love your country. Berlin offered celebration; Guthrie offered reflection—including verses about inequality and hardship that rarely get sung today.Guthrie embraced a form of patriotism rooted in the Declaration of Independence—one that believes loving your country includes acknowledging where it falls short of its ideals. Writing during World War II and the aftermath of the Depression, Guthrie demonstrated how music could both honor and challenge the nation simultaneously.How Music Reaches Us DifferentlyThat approach influenced Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan—artists who discovered that songs could communicate social commentary to audiences who might not engage with traditional political discourse. A three-minute song on the radio could spark reflection in ways other media couldn't.Consider "Born in the U.S.A." How many of us have heard it as a celebration when Springsteen wrote it, in Guthrie's tradition, as a pointed critique of how America treats its veterans? Forty years later, it's still frequently misunderstood—even used at political rallies in ways that contradict its message. This pattern raises important questions about how we engage with art.When Music Captures a MomentIn 1970, after the Ohio National Guard killed four students at Kent State University, Neil Young wrote "Ohio" almost immediately. Released by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young within weeks, the radio-friendly song brought that tragedy into millions of homes, forcing a national conversation.What "Streets of Minneapolis" Asks of Us"Streets of Minneapolis" follows in this tradition—echoing "Ohio" across five decades. Like those earlier songs, it's not primarily about comfort; it's about bearing witness and prompting reflection.The question worth considering: Will we engage with what the song is actually saying, or will it become another anthem whose meaning gets lost over time?An Invitation to Listen Thoughtfully. An opportunity to make your own decisions. This isn't about taking political sides. It's about recognizing a form of patriotism that asks something of us—the kind that believes loving your country includes honest examination of difficult moments.Hosts: Rick Galusha & Mike OlsonKate Smith / God Bless America (1939)Woody Guthrie / This Land is Your Land (1940) Carter Family / The World's On Fire (1925) Bruce Springsteen / Born in the USA (1984) [Nebraska] Neil Young / Ohio (1970) Bruce Springsteen / Streets of Minneapolis (2026) Norah Jones / American Anthem 

Forty years ago, the space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after launch. According to NPR's Howard Berkes, the lessons learned from the disaster are as critical as ever.

Forty years ago, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded on live television just 73 seconds after lifting off. All seven astronauts aboard died, plunging the nation into mourning. On our video podcast "Settle In," Geoff Bennett and Miles O'Brien discussed that moment and how it changed the country. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Forty years ago today, the Challenger Space Shuttle broke apart in the sky, killing everyone on board. Adam Higginbotham, author of the book Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space, discusses how things went so wrong, and the aftermath of the disaster. Plus, listeners share their memory of Challenger. 

Folks—this is it.

This episode pulls no punches. From Marco Rubio's looming warning to Venezuela and the geopolitical fight over oil

“Now it all makes sense.” In this sweeping and explosive episode, the hosts argue the United States has reached a historic breaking point. From border security and census data

For some communities in South Africa coming-of-age initiations are a hugely significant moment, but there have been rising concerns over the safety of the circumcisions at the heart of this ritual. Forty-eight young men died last year and the government are now introducing measures to tackle the issue. BBC's southern Africa correspondent Pumza Fihlani reports on the latest.Research suggests our hair does not grow by pushing up and out but by being pulled by a coordinated network of moving cells. Our studio guest Graham Easton, professor of clinical communication skills and former family doctor discusses the significance. What is the best way to encourage more people to give blood? New research from China evaluates system where donors were offered incentives such as free access to public bus services. Professor of Health Psychology Eamonn Ferguson puts this in the context of different approaches used worldwide. And should doctors use emojis in communications with patients? A new paper analyses how many are used and which ones by clinicians and patients in Michigan, USA. We discuss the pros and cons of their use.Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Hannah Robins Assistant producer: Jonathan Blackwell Researcher: Anna Charalambou

An “influencer” with 12 million followers is warning people that on August 12th, 2026, gravity will pause for 7.3 seconds. NASA's been hiding it. You, your cat, and your car will hover in the air before slamming back to earth in a symphony of shattered spines and dead pets. Forty million casualties, minimum. David and Brad take this opportunity to perform an autopsy on American intelligence, explaining why a third-grade understanding of physics should've prevented this panic, why social media has turned millions of brains into cottage cheese, and why anyone who believes this deserves to float away permanently. Also: Minneapolis protesters storm a church service, Virginia's new governor speed-runs the state's collapse with a legislative blitz, and South Carolina's Milkman continues his reign of dairy-based terror. If you still think you may need to bolt your couch to the floor, please seek help immediately.

"Forty-nine years ago this morning there was ‘quite a bit of snow on the ground' but the roads and skies were clear near Prospect, Kentucky, as Lee Parrish started home from his girlfriend Kathy Johnson's house. A trip that usually took him no longer than a cigarette and couple songs on the radio of his 1970 Jeepster, would this time cost Lee forty-five terrifying minutes, and a detour into somewhere wholly beyond all of our known understanding. Though visitations from the otherworldly could be considered commonplace in the Commonwealth, the taking of Lee Parish in the early hours of January 27th, 1977, by a trio of sentient ‘shapes,' stands out as something altogether stranger than many of the myriad of reported ethereal encounters around the state."Audio support for this episode was provided by Truckstop Dave.Shownotes:-1977, January 26: Slabs and Blocks-Abduction by Machine Like Beings-Truckstop Dave on Jamendo-Ransom Letter Publishing Substack-Ransom Letter Publishing Youtube Channel

Forty years ago this week, the space shuttle Challenger exploded in flight, 73 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canaveral. All seven crew members were killed. In the months that followed, the tragedy was traced to a failed O-ring in one of the shuttle's rocket boosters. Now, with the Artemis II mission preparing for launch to lunar orbit, what have we learned about spaceflight and risk? Former astronaut Jim Wetherbee joins Host Ira Flatow to remember the Challenger tragedy, and look ahead to the age of private spaceflight and the upcoming Artemis II mission.Guest: Jim Wetherbee is a former NASA astronaut, the former head of flight crew operations for NASA, and the author of Controlling Risk: Thirty Techniques for Operating Excellence.Transcripts for each episode are available within 1-3 days at sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

Chicago Public Media operates two distinct news brands: WBEZ, the public radio station, and the Chicago Sun-Times, the legacy newspaper. With audio and print journalism, both membership and advertising revenue, and decades of archives in multiple formats, they're a unique case study for AI in local news.When CEO Melissa Bell joined the organization, there was interest in AI but no dedicated resources for experimentation. Through the Lenfest AI Collaborative, they brought in their first AI engineer. A year later, Spanish translations that used to take days are now published the same day. Forty years of WBEZ audio, previously unsearchable, are being transcribed and made searchable for journalists.In this week's episode, host Nikita Roy speaks with Chicago Public Media leaders Melissa Bell (CEO) and Aron Pilhofer (Chief Product and Membership Officer), along with Mark Chonowsky (AI Fellow) and David Chivers (lead AI advisor for the Lenfest AI Collaborative).A note on this week's episodeDavid Chivers, who listeners will hear in this episode, passed away on January 1, 2026. He was the lead advisor for the Lenfest AI Collaborative and this episode was recorded the previous month. David was deeply committed to building capability in newsrooms. He was generous with his time, sharp in his insights, and always had one of those big smiles that would light up a room. He will be missed.The conversation covers how Chicago Public Media is thinking about AI as part of a larger membership strategy, how they decide what to build versus buy with limited resources, and what it looks like to lead through a public AI failure.In this episode:02:55 — Where Chicago Public Media started with AI a year ago08:08 — What AI use looks like inside the newsroom15:42 — How product development is evolving with AI tools27:28 — Collaboration with OpenAI and Microsoft28:26 — How AI fits into Chicago Public Media's membership strategy36:05 — Build vs. buy with limited resources37:44 — The Chicago Sun-Times AI-generated book list incident42:18 — Advice for leaders navigating AI mistakes publiclyThis episode of Newsroom Robots is supported by the Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Sign up for the Newsroom Robots newsletter for episode summaries and insights from host Nikita Roy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forty years ago, the space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff. Seven astronauts were killed, including teacher-in-space Christa McAuliffe. It was a devastating blow to the U.S. space program and a national tragedy for the country. In the days after the explosion, the search for answers began. Two NPR reporters, Howard Berkes and Daniel Zwerdling, focused their reporting on the engineers who managed Challenger's booster rockets. On February 20, 1986, Berkes and Zwerdling broke a major story, providing the first details of a last-minute effort by those engineers to stop NASA from launching Challenger. In this special NPR documentary, Howard Berkes unfolds an investigation spanning forty years, from those desperate efforts in 1986 to delay the launch, to decades of crushing guilt for some of the engineers, and to the lessons learned that are as critical as ever as NASA's budget and workforce shrink.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Forty years ago Japan made more than half of the world's semiconductors. Today, it produces just over 10%. But the country has big ambitions to turn that around.We hear from the CEO of a company at the centre of the government's high-stakes gamble to revive its semiconductor industry, and more broadly, its tech power.And we'll learn how the island of Hokkaido is now the site of billions in investment to turn what has long been an agricultural powerhouse into a global chip manufacturing hub.If you'd like to contact the programme, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Suranjana Tewari Producer: Jaltson Akkanath Chummar(Picture: A lavender field and colourful flower garden in Hokkaido, Japan. Credit: Getty Images)