Podcasts about Francophile

Planning a road trip in southwest France and wondering where to start? In this episode of the Join Us in France Travel Podcast, titled "A Road Trip in Southwest France: Top Tips and Destinations," host Annie Sargent chats with guest Craig Anderson about a two-week itinerary through Occitanie, from Montpellier to Toulouse. Get the podcast ad-free Craig, a seasoned traveler from the U.S., shares how he and his wife Pamela explored the region by rental car, with stops in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Sète, Béziers, Carcassonne, Albi, Rabastens, and Toulouse. They dive into local experiences—like a wine tour with lunch at a winemaker's family farm, visiting Cathar castle ruins at Lastours, and eating oysters by the lagoon in Sète. You'll hear why Montpellier's university-town vibe is so lively, how Béziers surprised them with its charm and renovation, and why staying inside the medieval walls of Carcassonne makes for a magical evening. In Toulouse, they booked both a guided history tour and food tours to connect deeper with the city. This episode is packed with practical travel tips, great food and wine stops, and ideas for travelers who want to experience more than just the highlights. Subscribe to Join Us in France to hear more trip reports, cultural insights, and itinerary ideas all around France. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned Francophile, Annie's conversations will help you plan smarter and travel better. Table of Contents for this Episode Introduction and Welcome Today on the podcast Podcast supporters The Magazine segment Craig and Pamela Anderson Interview Trip Overview and Past Travels Exploring Montpellier Wine Tours and Local Experiences Visiting Sète Discovering Béziers Journey to Carcassonne and Cathar Castles Exploring a Quaint Village and Its Restaurant Visiting Carcassonne: Tips and Experiences Albi Arriving in Toulouse and Exploring Capitol Square Food Tour and Private Tour with Elyse in Toulouse Toulouse Tour with Elyse  Toulouse Gourmet Tours Future Travel Plans and Reflections on France Thank you Patrons! Tour Reviews  The François Mitterrand site of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France – BNF Buy your Metro Tickets on your Smartphone New Prices as of January 2025 Navigo Easy Card Copyright More episodes about the Occitanie region

Say YES! to France! Here is not one, but two opportunities to join Wendy in France:Charente Maritime for solo travelers & couples, August 23-29, 2025. Get all the details and reserve your spot here. Listen to the Episode 124 Saying YES Chateau Life in Normandy with Wendy Lane here!Paris and Normandy for solo female travelers, September 10-16, 2025. Get all the details and reserve your spot here. What happens when you stop overthinking and simply say yes to the life that's calling you? In this episode, Wendy is joined by travel writer and Francophile Alex Lalak, who shares how a series of bold, intuitive yesses led her from Sydney to New York, London, Paris—and now, a quiet village in Provence. Together, they explore what it means to trust your inner knowing, frame your life in chapters, and let go of the “shoulds” in pursuit of what's real and resonant. From navigating motherhood abroad to choosing rest in a culture of hustle, Alex invites us to embrace presence, possibility, and permission to enjoy the moment you're in. If you've ever wondered what your life might look like if you said yes more often, this episode is for you.About Alex:Alex Lalak is an Australian travel writer, Francophile, and storyteller with a passion for saying yes to adventure. Now based in the south of France, she's spent the past decade living and working around the world—from Broadway and bustling newsrooms to remote writer's retreats and charming European villages. A regular contributor to Escape, Australia's largest travel media brand, Alex is currently writing a book about food and travel in the Mediterranean.Connect with Alex:On Instagram @alex_lalakAlexLalak.comReferenced in this Episode:Episode 178: Saying Yes to Following Your Heart Without a Roadmap with Jessica Hickman-WoolcottThe Big Leap by Gay Hendricks________________________________________________________________________________________ Say YES to joining Wendy for her: Say YES Sisterhood PWH Farm StaysPWH Curated France TripsInstagram: @phineaswrighthouseFacebook: Phineas Wright HouseWebsite: Phineas Wright HousePodcast Production By Resonant Collective Want to start your own podcast? Let's chat!Thank you for listening to the Say YES to yourself! podcast. It would mean the world if you would take one minute to follow, leave a 5-star review, and share with a friend.

A tour guide from Greece delves into the importance of food, family, and traditions in his homeland. Then a Francophile offers advice on how to take on the vast collection of the world's largest — and arguably greatest — museum. And guidebook researcher Cameron Hewitt shares discoveries from his travels in the Balkans, an affordable and rewarding alternative to the tourist crowds of western Europe. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Last time we spoke about the Great Tokyo Air Raid. Amidst fierce battles, Liversedge's forces captured key hills but faced relentless Japanese machine-gun fire. Despite heavy casualties, the Marines advanced, securing strategic positions. General Kuribayashi recognized their struggle, while the Japanese counterattacks faltered. After 19 grueling days, the last pockets of resistance fell, marking a costly victory for the Americans. Amid the fierce battle of Iwo Jima, General LeMay shifted tactics, launching incendiary raids on Tokyo. On March 9, 1945, 334 B-29s unleashed destruction, igniting widespread fires and devastating neighborhoods. The attack shattered Japanese morale, while LeMay's strategy proved effective, paving the way for further offensives in the Pacific. On March 3, three brigades attacked Meiktila, facing fierce resistance. Tanks overwhelmed Japanese forces, resulting in heavy casualties. As Cowan fortified defenses, Japanese counterattacks intensified. Meanwhile, in Mandalay, British-Indian troops advanced, capturing key positions. Amidst confusion and conflicting orders, the Allies pressed forward, striving for victory in Burma. This episode is the Fall of Mandalay Welcome to the Pacific War Podcast Week by Week, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800's until the end of the Pacific War in 1945.  We are first picking up this week with the men fighting over northern Luzon. By March 5, General Clarkson's 33rd Division had advanced to Agoo and Pago while gradually pushing the enemy along Route 11. Meanwhile, Colonel Volckmann's guerrilla force was carrying out limited offensives in the Laoag, Cervantes, and San Fernando regions. Coming into Salacsac Pass from the west, the Villa Verde Trail twists up the wooded western slopes of a steep-sided height known to the 32nd Division as Hill 502. Another peak, bare crested, forming part of the same hill mass and named Hill 503, centers 250 yards northeast of the crest of Hill 502, while a similar distance to the southeast is Hill 504. Winding along the southern slopes of Hills 502 and 504, the trail continues eastward through a low saddle about 500 yards long, climbing again up the forested northwestern side of Hill 505. After crossing that hill, the trail follows a twisting course 600 yards--as the crow flies--eastward, hugging the densely wooded northern slopes of Hills 506A and 506B. Off the northeast corner of Hill 506B the trail turns south for 1000 yards--again a straight-line distance--and traverses the east side of the noses of Hill 507, designated from north to south A, B, C and D. Turning sharply east again near Hill 507D, the trail continues east another 700 yards and then enters a deep wooded saddle between Hill 508 on the south and Hill 515 to the north. After passing through this saddle, which is about 250 yards long east to west, the trail goes on eastward, dominated on the north by Hills 516 and 525. Roughly 1250 yards beyond the saddle the trail twists across the northern slopes of Hill 526, which lying about 500 yards southeast of Hill 525, marks the eastern limits of the Salacsac Pass area. A mile and a quarter of less rugged but still forested and difficult terrain lies between Hill 526 and barrio Imugan, in turn two and a quarter miles west of Santa Fe.  Meanwhile General Mullins' 25th Division had successfully taken control of Puncan and Digdig. Due to this unexpectedly swift progress, General Swift instructed Mullins to continue advancing toward Putlan while the 1st Battalion, 127th Regiment fought for control of Hill 502, which was secured on March 7. In response, Mullins dispatched the 161st Regiment to attack the high ground west of Route 5, the 27th Regiment to advance along and east of the highway, and the 35th Regiment to execute a wide envelopment to the east. Since this last flank approach to Putlan was completely undefended, the 1st Battalion, 35th Regiment quickly occupied Putlan on March 8. The following day, the 27th Regiment also arrived in the area and began clearing Japanese stragglers from the ravines east of Route 5 near the barrio, a task that would not be finished until March 15. Finally, despite facing rough terrain and light resistance, the 161st Regiment reached Putlan on March 10, successfully securing the high ground to the west. To the north, as the 1st Battalion, 127th Regiment struggled to make significant progress eastward after capturing Hill 502, Gill decided to send the 3rd Battalion, 127th Regiment to outflank the Salacsac Pass defenses from the south.  Although the extremely rough, precipitous mountain country of the Salacsac Pass area, averaging 4500 feet above sea level, was covered by dense rainforest, from Hill 506B to Hill 526, there was sufficient open ground throughout to provide the defender with excellent observation. It was not too difficult for the Japanese to find positions whence they could cover with fire every square foot of the Villa Verde Trail through the pass area. The twisting of the trail also provided defense opportunities, for in a given 1000 yards of straight-line distance through the pass, the trail might actually cover a ground distance of 3000 yards. Whatever its shortcomings in other fields, the Japanese Army always had a feel for terrain, exploiting to the full every advantage the ground offered. Thus, as it moved up, the 2nd Tank Division set to work to establish a system of mutually supporting defensive positions in order to control every twist of the Villa Verde Trail and every fold in the ground throughout the pass area. Every knoll and hillock on or near the trail was the site of at least one machine gun emplacement; every wooded draw providing a route for outflanking a position was zeroed in for artillery or mortars. The cave, natural or man-made, came to characterize the defenses. Artillery was employed in quantity and quality not often encountered in engagements against the Japanese, who, as usual, made excellent use of their light and medium mortars. Finally, the 2nd Tank Division was overstocked in automatic weapons, evidently having available many more than the 32nd Division could bring to bear. To the west, following recent successes in patrols, Clarkson opted to establish a new "secure line" stretching from Aringay southeast through Pugo to Route 11 at Twin Peaks. Consequently, patrols quickly secured Aringay and Caba without facing any opposition, then advanced east along the trails to Pugo and Galiano, and north to Bauang, where they continued to encounter minimal enemy presence. As a result of these movements, the Hayashi Detachment was ultimately withdrawn to bolster the main defenses at Sablan, enabling Volckman's 121st Regiment to enter San Fernando on March 14. Additionally, elements of the 19th Division began arriving in the Cervantes area from Baguio and successfully expelled the guerrilla company from the town in early March. The Filipinos recaptured Cervantes on March 13 but soon found themselves targeted by Japanese artillery positioned on elevated ground. Meanwhile, looking south, by March 5, General Patrick's 6th Division had commenced unsuccessful assaults on Mounts Pacawagan and Mataba, while General Hoffman's 2nd Cavalry Brigade struggled to advance toward the Antipolo area. Recognizing that the success of his attack required a concentration of forces along a narrower front, General Griswold decided to focus on the Noguchi Force and the left flank of the Kobayashi Force, as the northern area was heavily fortified. He retained only one battalion as an infantry reserve and directed the remainder of his available forces, all of which were understrength, to push eastward. Alongside the deployment of the 1st Cavalry Brigade, the 103rd Regiment reached Taytay on March 7 to serve as the 1st Cavalry Division Reserve, signaling the upcoming relief of the cavalrymen in preparation for their redeployment to southern Luzon. By March 10, General Wing's 43rd Division had been replaced in the Clark Field area by the 38th Division and was en route to the eastern front.  The 38th Division pushed on into the untracked, ill-explored, and worse-mapped wilderness of the central Zambales Range, its progress slowed more by supply problems than Japanese resistance. In early April the division noted that the last vestiges of any controlled defensive effort had disappeared. Unknown to 11th Corps General Tsukada, on April 6, had given up and had ordered his remaining forces to disperse and continue operations, if possible, as guerrillas. For the Japanese remnants, it was a case of sauve qui peut. Some tried to escape to Luzon's west coast, whence 38th Division troops were already patrolling inland; others tried to make their way north through the mountains, only to be cut down by American patrols working southward from Camp O'Donnell. The 38th Division had killed about 8000 of the scattering Japanese by the time it was relieved by units of the 6th Division on May 3. The losses of the 38th totaled approximately 100 men killed and 500 wounded. The 6th Division, elements of which remained in the Kembu area until June 25, limited its operations to patrolling and setting up trail blocks along Japanese routes of escape. Troops of the 38th Division ultimately returned to the region and remained there until the end of the war. Insofar as US forces were concerned, the mop-up period under 11th Corps control was even more costly than had been the 14th Corps' offensive period. From February 21 to the end of June the various elements of 11th Corps committed to action against the Kembu Group lost approximately 550 men killed and 2200 wounded. The Kembu Group, during the same period, lost 12500 killed or dead from starvation and disease. By the end of the war the original 30000 troops of the Kembu Group were reduced to approximately 1500 sorry survivors, about 1000 of them Army personnel. Another 500 had already been taken prisoner. As a result, General Tsukada ordered his remaining troops to scatter and operate as guerrillas. Meanwhile, Griswold resumed his eastern offensive on March 8. In the south, bolstered by artillery and mortars, the battered 2nd Cavalry Brigade continued to advance slowly under heavy artillery fire, reaching a point 440 yards short of Antipolo along Route 60A and overcoming the enemy cave defenses at Benchmark 11. By March 11, patrols had entered Antipolo, discovering the town was devastated and deserted, yet still under the threat of Japanese artillery and mortars positioned in the hills to the north and northeast. Simultaneously, the 1st Cavalry Brigade made significant strides to the north, also coming within 440 yards of Antipolo while clearing Benchmark 9 Hill and Hills 520 and 740. Abandoning the Montalban-San Mateo area, Patrick instructed the 1st and 20th Regiments to advance toward Mounts Baytangan and Yabang. Facing unexpectedly light resistance, the 1st Regiment advanced a mile and a half east by March 11 and secured Benchmark 8 Hill to the south despite encountering stubborn opposition. Recognizing the need to capitalize on this success, Patrick then ordered the 20th Regiment to move through the 1st and attack north toward Wawa Dam while the latter continued its eastward assault. On March 11, the 103rd Regiment took over from the 2nd Cavalry Brigade and quickly began planning to outflank General Noguchi's defenses located southeast of Antipolo. However, due to concerns over American advances, General Yokoyama ordered the Noguchi Force to retreat to secondary defensive positions while preparing for a three-pronged counterattack set for March 12. The primary effort involved four reserve battalions from the Kobayashi Force, which launched an attack southward from Mount Mataba toward Marikina but were quickly halted by intense air and artillery fire, falling far short of their target. Additionally, the 182nd Independent Battalion attempted a counterattack toward Benchmark 8 but was unsuccessful, while the majority of the Kawashima Force advanced south from the Ipo Dam area to assault the rear installations of the 6th Division west of the Marikina River, where they were easily repelled by March 15. During this so-called counterattack, Griswold continued his offensive, with the 103rd Regiment swiftly advancing through the deserted Antipolo to Benchmark 7 Hill, and the 20th Regiment moving over a mile north to secure a position on a grassy ridge less than a mile southeast of Mount Mataba's summit. On March 14, the 1st Regiment resumed its eastern assault, successfully advancing north to a bare peak about a mile southwest of Mount Baytangan, despite facing strong resistance that caused heavy casualties, including the loss of General Patrick, who was succeeded by Brigadier-General Charles Hurdis as commander of the 6th Division. Simultaneously, Wing initiated a coordinated offensive with two regiments toward Mounts Yabang, Caymayuman, and Tanauan, aiming to flank the Shimbu Group's left. Although the 103rd and 179th Regiments achieved significant progress that day, Noguchi's determined defenders managed to maintain control of Benchmark 7. Looking further south, Griswold was preparing to launch a two-pronged offensive in southern Luzon. General Swing's 511th Parachute Regiment and the 187th Glider Regiment were set to advance towards Lipa from the north and northwest, while the 158th Regiment gathered near Nasugbu to attack southeast along Route 17 toward Balayan Bay. In response, Colonel Fujishige's Fuji Force had established several small positions in the area to prevent American forces from flanking the Shimbu Group's main defenses by rounding the eastern shore of Laguna de Bay. Swing's offensive commenced on March 7, with the 187th Glider Regiment descending the steep southern slopes of Tagaytay Ridge to the northern shore of Lake Taal, ultimately stopping at a hill two miles west of Tanauan due to strong resistance. The 511th Parachute Regiment moved out from Real, reaching within a mile of Santo Tomas while launching unsuccessful frontal assaults on Mount Bijiang. Meanwhile, the 158th Regiment advanced from Nasugbu, quickly securing Balayan before pushing eastward with little opposition toward Batangas, which fell on March 11. On its eastward path, the regiment bypassed significant elements of the 2nd Surface Raiding Base Force on the Calumpan Peninsula, necessitating that a battalion clear that area by March 16. At the same time, other units of the 158th Regiment encountered robust Japanese defenses blocking Route 417 at Mount Macolod, where their advance came to a halt. Concurrently, General Eichelberger continued his offensive against the central islands of the Visayan Passages, with reinforced companies from the 1st Battalion, 19th Regiment successfully landing on Romblon and Simara islands on March 11 and 12, respectively. Most importantly for Eichelberger, he was about to initiate his Visayas Campaign. To disrupt Japanese communication lines across the South China Sea, the 8th Army needed to quickly capture airfields that would allow the Allied Air Forces to project land-based air power over the waters west of the Philippines more effectively than from Clark Field or Mindoro. Consequently, the first target chosen was Palawan, which was defended by only two reinforced companies from the 102nd Division. Additionally, MacArthur's strategy included the eventual reoccupation of the East Indies, starting with the capture of Japanese-controlled oil resources in northern Borneo as soon as land-based air support was available. The Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago were identified as the second targets, although these areas were defended by stronger garrisons from the 54th and 55th Independent Mixed Brigades. Despite this, Eichelberger tasked Major-General Jens Doe's 41st Division with executing these invasions. For the Palawan invasion, codenamed Operation Victor III, Brigadier-General Harold Haney was appointed to lead a force primarily composed of the 186th Regiment, which would be transported to the island by Admiral Fechteler's Task Group 78.2. The convoy departed from Mindoro on February 26, escorted by Rear-Admiral Ralph Riggs' cruisers and destroyers. Following a naval bombardment, Haney's Palawan Force successfully landed at Puerto Princesa on February 28 without encountering any opposition. They quickly secured the town and the two airstrips to the east, advancing to the western and southern shores of the harbor by late afternoon to establish a defensive perimeter. As the first day progressed, it became clear to the American troops that the Japanese troops would not put up a fight at Puerto Princesa and had withdrawn into the hills to the northwest. More disturbing was the revelation of a massacre of approximately 140 American prisoners of war the previous December. The presence of a passing Allied convoy made the alarmed Japanese believe that an invasion was imminent and had herded their prisoners into air-raid shelters, subsequently setting the shelters afire and shooting prisoners who tried to escape. Only 11 American prisoners of war miraculously survived immolation and escaped the shooting. Sheltered by natives until the Americans landed, they emerged during the battle to tell their horrifying tale, which only hardened American resolve to end Japanese rule over the island. By March 1, the 186th Regiment had successfully taken control of Irahuan and Tagburos. In the following week, American forces would eliminate two or three heavily defended strongholds located ten miles north-northwest of Puerto Princesa, where the enemy garrison was ultimately defeated. The Palawan Force also conducted reconnaissance of several offshore islets, discovering no Japanese presence on some and swiftly clearing others. However, due to the poorly compacted soil, the new airfield on the island would not be operational until March 20, which was too late for any aircraft based in Palawan to assist with the Zamboanga landings. Consequently, on March 8, two reinforced companies from the 21st Regiment were flown to the airstrip at Dipolog, which had been secured by Colonel Hipolito Garma's guerrilla 105th Division. On the same day, sixteen Marine Corsairs arrived to provide air support for the invasion of Zamboanga, codenamed Operation Victor IV. For this operation, Doe assigned the remainder of his division, which was to be transported by Rear-Admiral Forrest Royal's Task Group 78.1. After three days of pre-assault bombardments and minesweeping, the convoy finally set sail southward and entered Basilan Strait from the west early on March 10. Troops from the 162nd Regiment landed almost without opposition around 09:15 near barrio San Mateo and quickly secured Wolfe Field, while the 163rd Regiment was also landing. Doe's two regiments then began to advance inland, facing minimal resistance as they established a night perimeter. With the Japanese having withdrawn, the 162nd and 163rd Regiments easily secured Zamboanga City, San Roque Airfield, and the rest of the coastal plain by dusk on March 11, with one company extending further to Caldera Bay to the west. To drive the Japanese forces from the elevated positions overlooking the airfield, Doe dispatched the 162nd Regiment towards Mount Capisan and the 163rd Regiment towards Mount Pulungbata. Additionally, the guerrilla 121st Regiment was tasked with blocking the east coast road in the Belong area. Supported by continuous artillery fire and close air support from Marine Corps planes, the two regiments of the 41st Division faced arduous tasks. General Hojo's troops held excellent defenses in depth across a front 5 miles wide, some portions of the line being 3 miles deep. All installations were protected by barbed wire; abandoned ground was thoroughly booby-trapped; mine fields, some of them of the remote-control type, abounded; and at least initially the 54th Independent Mixed Brigade had an ample supply of automatic weapons and mortars. While Japanese morale on the Zamboanga Peninsula was not on a par with that of 14th Area Army troops on Luzon, most of the 54th Independent Mixed Brigade and attached units had sufficient spirit to put up a strong fight as long as they held prepared positions, and Hojo was able to find men to conduct harassing counterattacks night after night. Finally, the terrain through which the 41st Division had to attack was rough and overgrown, giving way on the north to the rain forests of the partially unexplored mountain range forming the backbone of the Zamboanga Peninsula. Only poor trails existed in most of the area held by the Japanese, and the 41st Division had to limit its advance to the pace of bulldozers, which laboriously constructed supply and evacuation roads. Once the American troops entered the peninsula's foothills, tanks could not operate off the bulldozed roads. The next day, the 186th Regiment was deployed to relieve the fatigued 163rd Regiment on the eastern front. By the end of the month, it had expanded the front eastward and northward against diminishing resistance, ultimately forcing Hojo's forces to retreat into the rugged interior of the peninsula. For now, however, we will shift our focus from the Philippines to Burma to continue our coverage of the Chinese-British-Indian offensives. As we last observed, General Stopford's 33rd Corps was aggressively advancing into Mandalay against a weakened 15th Army, while General Cowan's 17th Indian Division had successfully captured Meiktila and was preparing to withstand the combined assaults of the 18th and 49th Divisions. Cowan's forces conducted a robust defense, managing to delay the arrival of the 49th Division until March 18 and successfully repelling General Naka's initial attacks on Meiktila's main airfield. Furthermore, with the reserve 5th Indian Division moving closer to the front in preparation for an advance towards Rangoon, General Slim decided to airlift the 9th Brigade to reinforce Cowan's troops, which landed on Meiktila's main airfield under enemy fire between March 15 and 17. Due to the slow progress on this front and General Katamura's preoccupation with the battles along the Irrawaddy, he was unable to manage the southern units simultaneously. Consequently, General Kimura decided to assign the 33rd Army to take over the fighting in Meiktila. General Honda promptly moved to Hlaingdet, where he was tasked with overseeing the 18th, 49th, and 53rd Divisions. On March 18, he ordered the 18th Division to secure the northern line of Meiktila and neutralize enemy airfields. He instructed the 49th Division to advance along the Pyawbwe-Meiktila road and directed the 53rd Division to regroup near Pyawbwe. However, on that same day, Cowan launched a counterattack by sending two tank-infantry columns to disrupt Japanese preparations along the Mahlaing road and in the villages of Kandaingbauk and Shawbyugan. They faced heavy resistance at Shawbyugan and ultimately had to withdraw. The relentless air assaults also compelled the Japanese to operate primarily at night, limiting their ability to respond with similar force to British offensives. On the night of March 20, Naka decided to initiate a significant attack on Meiktila's main airfield. However, with the 119th Regiment delayed at Shawbyugan, the 55th Regiment had to proceed alone, supported by some tanks, against the defenses of the 99th Brigade around Kyigon. Heavy artillery and mortar fire ultimately disrupted their assault. Meanwhile, as the 49th Division was consolidating its forces to the southeast, Cowan opted to send two tank-infantry columns to eliminate enemy concentrations at Nyaungbintha and Kinlu. Although the initial sweeps met little resistance, the 48th Brigade encountered strong Japanese positions at Shwepadaing on March 21. The next day, Cowan dispatched two tank-infantry columns to secure the Shwepadaing and Tamongan regions, but the British-Indian forces still struggled to eliminate the enemy defenders. That night, Lieutenant-General Takehara Saburo initiated his first significant assault, with the majority of the 106th Regiment targeting the defensive positions of the 48th Brigade in southeastern Meiktila. Despite the fierce and relentless attacks from the Japanese throughout the night, they were ultimately repelled by artillery and machine-gun fire, suffering heavy casualties. On March 23, Cowan sent another tank-infantry column to chase the retreating Japanese forces; however, the reformed 169th Regiment at Kinde successfully defended against this advance. Meanwhile, on the night of March 24, Naka launched another major offensive with the 55th and 119th Regiments, managing to capture Meiktila's main airfield. In response, Cowan quickly dispatched a tank-infantry column to clear the Mandalay road, successfully securing the area northeast of Kyigon by March 26. At this time, Honda had relocated his headquarters to Thazi to better coordinate the battle, although his troops had already suffered significant losses. For the next three days, Cowan's tanks and infantry continued to advance along the Mandalay road while the 63rd and 99th Brigades worked to eliminate Naka's artillery units south of Myindawgan Lake. By mid-March, Stopford's relentless pressure had forced the 31st and 33rd Divisions to retreat in chaos. On March 20, organized resistance in Mandalay was finally shattered as the 2nd British Division linked up with the 19th Indian Division. Consequently, the beleaguered Japanese units had no option but to withdraw in disarray towards the Shan Hills to the east. Following the collapse of the 15th Army front, the 33rd Army received orders on March 28 to hold its current positions only long enough to facilitate the withdrawal of the 15th Army. Consequently, while Cowan's units cleared the region north of Meiktila, Honda halted all offensive actions and promptly directed the 18th Division to secure the Thazi-Hlaingdet area. Additionally, the weakened 214th Regiment was tasked with moving to Yozon to support the withdrawal of the 33rd Division, while the 49th and 53rd Divisions were assigned to contain Meiktila to the south. As the battles for Mandalay and Meiktila unfolded, the reinforced 7th Indian Division at Nyaungu faced several intense assaults from General Yamamoto's 72nd Independent Mixed Brigade throughout March, ultimately advancing to Taungtha and clearing the route to Meiktila by the month's end. Meanwhile, in northern Burma, the 36th British Division advanced toward Mogok, which fell on March 19, while the 50th Chinese Division approached the Hsipaw area. Interestingly, the Japanese abandoned Hsipaw without resistance but launched a fierce counterattack between March 17 and 20. Ultimately, General Matsuyama had no option but to prepare for a withdrawal south toward Lawksawk and Laihka. At this stage, the 38th Chinese Division resumed its advance to Hsipaw; however, facing strong opposition along the route, they did not arrive until March 24, when the entire Burma Road was finally secured. General Sultan believed this was his final maneuver and recommended relocating the Chinese forces back to the Myitkyina area for air transport back to China, except for those needed to secure the Lashio-Hsipaw region. Additionally, the 36th Division continued its eastward push and eventually linked up with the 50th Division in the Kyaukme area by the end of the month before being reassigned to Slim's 14th Army. Looking south, the 74th Indian Brigade and West African forces advanced toward Kolan, while the 26th Indian Division established a new beachhead in the Letpan-Mae region. The 154th Regiment maintained its position near the Dalet River, preventing the remainder of the 82nd West African Division from joining the offensive. On March 23, General Miyazaki decided to launch an attack on Kolan. Although the assault achieved moderate success, Miyazaki soon recognized that he was outnumbered and opted to begin a final withdrawal toward the An Pass, completing this by the end of the month.   Meanwhile, on March 17, the 121st Regiment sent its 3rd Battalion to engage the enemy in the Sabyin area and hold their position along the Tanlwe River for as long as possible. Despite strong resistance from the Japanese, British-Indian forces managed to cross the Tanlwe by March 27 and successfully captured Hill 815 two days later. By March 30, the 22nd East African Brigade had also reached Letpan when High Command decided to relieve the units of the 26th Division and return them to India. In a related development, tensions were rising in French Indochina, where the local government refused to permit a Japanese defense of the colony. By early March, Japanese forces began redeploying around the main French garrison towns in Indochina. The Japanese envoy in Saigon Ambassador Shunichi Matsumoto declared to Governor Admiral Jean Decoux that since an Allied landing in Indochina was inevitable, Tokyo command wished to put into place a "common defence" of Indochina. Decoux however resisted stating that this would be a catalyst for an Allied invasion but suggested that Japanese control would be accepted if they actually invaded. This was not enough and Tsuchihashi accused Decoux of playing for time. On 9 March, after more stalling by Decoux, Tsuchihashi delivered an ultimatum for French troops to disarm. Decoux sent a messenger to Matsumoto urging further negotiations but the message arrived at the wrong building. Tsuchihashi, assuming that Decoux had rejected the ultimatum, immediately ordered commencement of the coup. The 11th R.I.C. (régiment d'infanterie coloniale) based at the Martin de Pallieres barracks in Saigon were surrounded and disarmed after their commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Moreau, was arrested. In Hue there was sporadic fighting; the Garde Indochinoise, who provided security for the résident supérieur, fought for 19 hours against the Japanese before their barracks was overrun and destroyed. Three hundred men, one third of them French, managed to elude the Japanese and escape to the A Sầu Valley. However, over the next three days, they succumbed to hunger, disease and betrayals - many surrendered while others fought their way into Laos where only a handful survived. Meanwhile, General Eugène Mordant led opposition by the garrison of Hanoi for several hours but was forced to capitulate, with 292 dead on the French side and 212 Japanese. An attempt to disarm a Vietnamese garrison ended badly for the Japanese when 600 of them marched into Quảng Ngãi. The Vietnamese nationalists had been armed with automatic weapons supplied by the OSS parachuted nearby at Kontum. The Japanese had been led to believe that these men would readily defect but the Vietnamese ambushed the Japanese. Losing only three killed and seventeen wounded they inflicted 143 killed and another 205 wounded on the Japanese before they too were overcome. A much larger force of Japanese came the next day but they found the garrison empty. In Annam and Cochinchina only token resistance was offered and most garrisons, small as they were, surrendered. Further north the French had the sympathy of many indigenous peoples. Several hundred Laotians volunteered to be armed as guerrillas against the Japanese; French officers organized them into detachments but turned away those they did not have weapons for. In Haiphong the Japanese assaulted the Bouet barracks: headquarters of Colonel Henry Lapierre's 1st Tonkin Brigade. Using heavy mortar and machine gun fire, one position was taken after another before the barracks fell and Lapierre ordered a ceasefire. Lapierre refused to sign surrender messages for the remaining garrisons in the area. Codebooks had also been burnt which meant the Japanese then had to deal with the other garrisons by force. In Laos, Vientiane, Thakhek and Luang Prabang were taken by the Japanese without much resistance. In Cambodia the Japanese with 8,000 men seized Phnom Penh and all major towns in the same manner. All French personnel in the cities on both regions were either interned or in some cases executed. The Japanese strikes at the French in the Northern Frontier in general saw the heaviest fighting. One of the first places they needed to take and where they amassed the 22nd division was at Lang Son, a strategic fort near the Chinese border. The defences of Lang Son consisted of a series of fort complexes built by the French to defend against a Chinese invasion. The main fortress was the Fort Brière de l'Isle. Inside was a French garrison of nearly 4000 men, many of them Tonkinese, with units of the French Foreign Legion. Once the Japanese had cut off all communications to the forts they invited General Émile Lemonnier, the commander of the border region, to a banquet at the headquarters of the Japanese 22nd Division. Lemonnier declined to attend the event, but allowed some of his staff to go in his place. They were then taken prisoner and soon after the Japanese bombarded Fort Brière de l'Isle, attacking with infantry and tanks. The small forts outside had to defend themselves in isolation; they did so for a time, proving impenetrable, and the Japanese were repelled with some loss. They tried again the next day and succeeded in taking the outer positions. Finally, the main fortress of Brière de l'Isle was overrun after heavy fighting. Lemonnier was subsequently taken prisoner himself and ordered by a Japanese general to sign a document formally surrendering the forces under his command. Lemonnier refused to sign the documents. As a result, the Japanese took him outside where they forced him to dig a grave along with French Resident-superior (Résident-général) Camille Auphelle. Lemonnier again was ordered to sign the surrender documents and again refused. The Japanese subsequently beheaded him. The Japanese then machine-gunned some of the prisoners and either beheaded or bayoneted the wounded survivors. Lang Son experienced particularly intense fighting, with the 22nd Division relentlessly assaulting the 4,000-strong garrison for two days until the main fortress was captured. The Japanese then advanced further north to the border town of Dong Dang, which fell by March 15. The battle of Lạng Sơn cost the French heavy casualties and their force on the border was effectively destroyed. European losses were 544 killed, of which 387 had been executed after capture. In addition 1,832 Tonkinese colonial troops were killed (including 103 who were executed) while another 1,000 were taken prisoner. On 12 March planes of the US Fourteenth Air Force flying in support of the French, mistook a column of Tonkinese prisoners for Japanese and bombed and strafed them. Reportedly between 400 and 600 of the prisoners were killed or wounded.  Nonetheless, the coup was highly successful, with the Japanese subsequently encouraging declarations of independence from traditional rulers in various regions. On 11 March 1945, Emperor Bảo Đại was permitted to announce the Vietnamese "independence"; this declaration had been prepared by Yokoyama Seiko, Minister for Economic Affairs of the Japanese diplomatic mission in Indochina and later advisor to Bao Dai. Bảo Đại complied in Vietnam where they set up a puppet government headed by Tran Trong Kim and which collaborated with the Japanese. King Norodom Sihanouk also obeyed, but the Japanese did not trust the Francophile monarch. Nationalist leader Son Ngoc Thanh, who had been exiled in Japan and was considered a more trustworthy ally than Sihanouk, returned to Cambodia and became Minister of foreign affairs in May and then Prime Minister in August. In Laos however, King Sisavang Vong of Luang Phrabang, who favoured French rule, refused to declare independence, finding himself at odds with his Prime Minister, Prince Phetsarath Ratanavongsa, but eventually acceded on 8 April. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. March 1945, saw US forces advance in Luzon, overcoming Japanese defenses through strategic maneuvers, while guerrilla activities intensified amid challenging terrain and heavy resistance. Meanwhile, in Burma, British-Indian forces advanced against Japanese troops, capturing key locations and in French Indochina the Japanese unleashed a brutal coup d'etat ushering in independence movements.

Invité de la rédaction : Laurence Goldmann reçoit Dror Mishani pour son dernier livre "Au ras du sol - Journal d'un écrivain en temps de guerre" aux éditions Gallimard À propos du livre : « Au ras du sol - Journal d'un écrivain en temps de guerre » paru aux éditions Gallimard Le matin du 7 octobre 2023, à Toulouse, Dror Mishani découvre le message de sa femme : "Bonjour, ici, c'est un sacré bordel." Il envisage tout, sauf cette attaque du Hamas... Dans l'avion qui le ramène à Tel-Aviv, il commence à rédiger un article : "Peut-être faut-il reconnaître la puissance du coup porté et la profondeur de notre douleur, reconnaître la défaite, ne pas essayer de l'escamoter sous ce qui aura l'air, à court terme, d'une victoire, mais qui ne sera qu'un engrenage de souffrances." Ces lignes sont au coeur d'un journal intime qui décrit, pendant six mois, la vie quotidienne en temps de guerre et expose les sentiments complexes d'un père de famille israélien marié à une Polonaise catholique ; un intellectuel pacifiste passant, aux yeux de certains proches, pour un traître ; un romancier écrasé par la politique qui craint de ne plus jamais pouvoir écrire et qui, pour ne pas sombrer, "cherche refuge dans la lecture des catastrophes des autres" - Natalia Ginzburg, Italo Calvino, Stefan Zweig, Emmanuel Carrère... Traducteur de Roland Barthes en hébreu, Dror Mishani, quarante-neuf ans, enseigne l'histoire du roman policier et la littérature à l'université de Tel-Aviv. Auteur de cinq romans publiés aux Editions Gallimard, il compte parmi les auteurs israéliens contemporains de premier plan. Francophile et francophone, il est chevalier de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

It's Monday, Let's raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It's time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let's begin Exploring the Wine Glass!  Today, we're diving deep into the world of Cabernet Franc. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Neeta Mittal, the powerhouse behind the Cab Franc Masters in Paso Robles. If you're a fellow Francophile, this is an episode you won't want to miss! We talk about our shared love for this incredible grape, how it thrives in Paso's diverse terroir, and the upcoming two-day event in March that's an absolute dream for any Cab Franc lover. So, grab a glass of your favorite Cab Franc, get comfy, and let's talk about why this variety deserves a spotlight of its own! While you are listening, it would be greatly appreciated if you could take one minute to subscribe, rate and review. It takes only a few seconds of your time but means so much to the show.  Also, please be sure to check the box for automatic downloads so that new episodes of Exploring the Wine Glass show up in your “next up feed.” The next best way to support Exploring the Wine Glass is to tell your friends. If you enjoy the podcast, your wine loving friends will too. Follow me on all the socials and finally, don't forget to head to the website, Exploring the Wine Glass.com to read the blog, and sign up for the newsletter to keep up with all the happenings.  Slainte!    Find out more about Cab Franc Masters here  Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video Follow me on Instagram!   Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com. Please support our sponsors Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES

Welcome to Foreign film February! This month we will explore some of the foreign films of New World Pictures! FFF, as it's affectionately known, starts off with A LOT of heart (maybe even a little too much heart) with the tragic STORY OF ADELE H directed by Francois Truffaut. Set in 1863 - oh la la mon ami a period piece - we follow a young woman (Isabelle Adjani, POSSESSION) in her absolute QUEST in pursuit of her love interest Lieutenant Pinson (Bruce Robinson, director of WITHNAIL AND I). Using a fake identity, and the power of the pen, she tries to win Pinson's heart the old fashioned way, through love letters, stalking, hypnosis, and, of course, moving to Barbados! (If you couldn't tell already, Erica once studied French so naturally this film was juste dans son allée!) Listen in as we talk about how little Erica, the self proclaimed Francophile, actually knows about who Adele H really is. Let Marc's thoughts on hypnosis mesmerize you, and we know we aren't at final questions yet, but you know that we asked them. Foreign Film February may be the shortest month of the year, but trust us when we say, the films have never felt longer. For more about the New World Pictures Podcast, including previous episodes, t-shirts, mugs, sweatshirts, other merch and more, head here: https://newworldpicturespodcast.com/ For all the shows in Someone's Favorite Productions Podcast Network, head here:  https://www.someonesfavoriteproductions.com/  

Maria Tawk made the decision to study in France a few years ago and moved from Lebanon to university in Aix-en-Provence. From dreaming as a child with her best friend about one day being in Paris together, to now living a beautiful life in Provence, Maria feels like every day she is living out the life she had only seen before in movies.It was lovely to chat to a fellow Francophile, who seems to now be where she has felt she always belonged, a place that feeds her soul. We chatted about the type of travel that many people crave now... the ability to reset and travel slowly, rather than ticking the travel boxes of the main tourist sites. Everyone wants to visit the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre or if travelling regionally, to see the lavender in the south of France for example. But to immerse in slow travel and connect with a place is very special. As I often say: allow the time and space for the magic to happen during your travel adventure. Maria and I chatted about our perspectives of slow travel... go to a place once and you will see it. Go to a place twice and you will feel it. If you get to go three or more times you will start to know the place from within, drink its wine, eat its food, talk to its people, spend the night under its sky... then that is the luckiest of all.Come and escape to France momentarily with us.**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Stéphane Bern nous raconte, en ce jour d'investiture de Donald Trump, un autre homme d'Etat qui a occupé la Maison Blanche – presque – en premier : Thomas Jefferson, le plus francophile des présidents américains qui, grâce à la France, a doublé le territoire des Etats-Unis d'Amérique… Quelle est l'origine de ce lien particulier que Thomas Jefferson entretient avec la France ? En quoi la France a-t-elle influencé sa politique ? Quel héritage reste-t-il de lui aux Etats-Unis aujourd'hui ? Pour en parler, Stéphane Bern reçoit Laurent Zecchini, historien et auteur de "Thomas Jefferson - Le président américain francophile" (Perrin)

Stéphane Bern nous raconte, en ce jour d'investiture de Donald Trump, un autre homme d'Etat qui a occupé la Maison Blanche – presque – en premier : Thomas Jefferson, le plus francophile des présidents américains qui, grâce à la France, a doublé le territoire des Etats-Unis d'Amérique… Quelle est l'origine de ce lien particulier que Thomas Jefferson entretient avec la France ? En quoi la France a-t-elle influencé sa politique ? Quel héritage reste-t-il de lui aux Etats-Unis aujourd'hui ? Pour en parler, Stéphane Bern reçoit Laurent Zecchini, historien et auteur de "Thomas Jefferson - Le président américain francophile" (Perrin)

Steve Hoffman is a Minnesota tax preparer and food writer. And according to Steve, “When he dies, the tax-preparer-food-writer industry will die with him.” He is a French speaker and a shameless Francophile, and his love of France shines through in his terrific memoir, A Season for That: Lost and Found in the Other Southern France. Steve writes with great detail and care about uprooting his family to live in rural France and the many twists and turns—and disappointments and revelations—that came with this big life change. If you ever dream of moving abroad to live a different life, this is the episode for you. A cautionary tale? Perhaps. But Steve is such a delight in telling his story that it may have you considering moving anyway.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cuisine of Dijon the City and Region In this episode of Fabulously Delicious: The French Food Podcast, we journey through the rich culinary heritage of Dijon, uncovering the flavors and traditions that have made this region a gastronomic treasure. From the tangy bite of world-renowned Dijon mustard to the decadent warmth of pain d'épices, Dijon's iconic foods have a story to tell. We'll delve into how these specialties have developed over centuries and continue to represent the region's unique flair and commitment to quality ingredients. Join us as we explore the dishes that define Dijon, like the beloved coq au vin and the elegant crème de cassis. Each of these flavors reflects the influence of Burgundy's historical opulence and the craftsmanship passed down through generations. Discover the roots of famous recipes that incorporate the area's local wines, seasonal produce, and one-of-a-kind cheeses, all shaped by Dijon's remarkable terroir. We'll also dive into the characters behind these foods, from traditional mustard makers to celebrated chefs, whose passion has preserved Dijon's culinary heritage. With anecdotes and insider stories, this episode reveals the city's dedication to its age-old techniques, time-honored recipes, and local ingredients that draw food lovers from around the world. Whether you're a devoted Francophile or simply curious about French cuisine, this episode serves up a taste of Dijon's unforgettable dishes and the artistry that makes them truly timeless. Looking to deepen your culinary journey beyond the podcast? Andrew's latest book, Paris: A Fabulous Food Guide to the World's Most Delicious City, is your passport to gastronomic delights in the City of Lights. Packed with recommendations for boulangeries, patisseries, wine bars, and more, this guide ensures you savor the best of Parisian cuisine. Find Andrew's book Paris: A Fabulous Food Guide to the World's Most Delicious City and explore more at www.andrewpriorfabulously.com For a signed and gift-packaged copy of the book, visit https://www.andrewpriorfabulously.com/book-paris-a-food-guide-to-the-worlds-most-delicious-city  Also available on Amazon and Kindle. For those craving an immersive French food experience, join Andrew in Montmorillon for a hands-on cooking adventure. Stay in his charming townhouse and partake in culinary delights straight from the heart of France. Experience French culinary delights firsthand with Andrew's Vienne residencies. Visit https://www.andrewpriorfabulously.com/come-stay-with-me-vienne-residency for more information. Connect with Andrew on Instagram @andrewpriorfabulously or via email contact@andrewpriorfabulously.com for a chance to be featured on the podcast or his blog. You can also sign up for the substack newsletter and get more fabulous French food content and France travel tips as well as updates on life in France. https://fabulouslydelicious.substack.com/ Tune in to Fabulously Delicious on the Evergreen Podcast Network for more tantalizing tales of French gastronomy. Remember, whatever you do, do it Fabulously! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the daily grind of work under capitalism, I'm sure I'm not alone for dreaming of something more to life. Usually, this takes the shape of going somewhere new in the world on vacation or picking up a new language and imagining what life would look like if you lived in that country and spoke that language with ease. For my guest today, this dream became a concrete and humbling reality. Tax preparer and food writer Steve Hoffman details his journey with his family in his beautiful new memoir, A Season for That: Lost and Found In The Other Southern France.   Steve is a French speaker and shameless Francophile who tirelessly works in his memoir to unearth the reality of his family's gradual acceptance into a tiny winemaking village in the Languedoc region of southern France. His writing has won multiple awards, including the 2019 James Beard MFK Fisher Distinguished Writing Award. He has been published in Food & Wine, The Washington Post, The Minneapolis Star Tribune, and Artful Living magazine.  In our conversation today, Steve shares some of the lessons he picked up about the unique winemaking and culinary traditions he experienced in Languedoc-Rousillon region, the role that food and ingredients played in helping his family become accepted in the village, the values of home cooking versus French cooking, and what it took as a food writer to get to a point with his memoir where he could approach his family's story with an honesty and earnestness I've not seen the likes of in other food memoirs. Learn More About Steve:  Steve's Book: A Season for That Instagram: @sjrhoffman Facebook: @sjrhoffmanwriter Website: https://www.sjrhoffman.com/ 

Daniel Alexander is an Australian Fashion Designer now living in Paris. Chatting to him after his second Paris Fashion Week show, I was fascinated to hear about his passion for fashion, the things that inspire him and how he hopes to inspire the next generation of designers.From a young age in Brisbane Australia, Daniel was making clothes out of his mother's drapes (a la Sound of Music!) and he continued to work hard to pursue a career that has taken him to live around the world and now in Paris. Even though Daniel lives in a world where it is normal to consider showing his collection at a venue like the Ritz Paris, something most of us can only dream of, he is wonderfully grounded and still full of the Aussie spirit that embodies hard work and determination.I met up with Daniel when I was recently in Paris and reconnecting for our podcast chat was such a delight. Whether you are a Francophile, perhaps a devotee to fashion or you're just interested in the life stories of others, tune into listen to Daniel's chat with Loulabelle and "watch this space" for what is coming up next for Daniel Alexander!**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Are you curious about discovering hidden treasures in France? In this episode of Join Us in France, titled Hidden Gems of the Loire Valley, host Annie Sargent chats with guest Paul Gulesserian to explore some of the lesser-known châteaux and picturesque villages in this beautiful region. Get the podcast ad-free Paul, a proud Francophile and recent French citizen, shares his adventures as he and his husband Florian venture through the Loire Valley. Rather than focusing on the well-known châteaux, like Chambord and Chenonceau, they explore lesser-known gems such as the Château de Brézé, Château de Montreuil-Bellay, and Château de Brissac. Each one offers something unique, whether it's underground tunnels at Brézé or breathtaking views at Montreuil-Bellay. Paul's enthusiasm for exploring the charm and history of these often-overlooked sites brings the Loire Valley to life in a fresh and inspiring way. From their cozy stay at Domaine de Mestré to their adventures biking through troglodyte villages and sipping local wines, this episode is filled with travel tips and personal insights into life in France. Join Annie and Paul as they delve into the magic of these hidden gems. Don't miss out on this fun and informative episode—tune in now! Table of Contents for this Episode Today on the Podcast Podcast Supporters Magazine segment Bootcamp 2025 Annie and Paul Exploring the Loire Valley French Citizenship and Travel Experiences Planning and Starting the Loire Valley Trip Château Visits and Local Discoveries Tips for Driving in France Saumur Château de Saumur, Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Cheval Château de Brézé Château de Montreuil-Bellay Ticket prices Biking on Day 2 Domaine des Amandiers Exploring Montsoreau and Its Modern Art Chateau Discovering the Abbaye Royale Fontevraud Chinon and the Challenges of Google Maps for Biking Biking Advice Château Adventures: From Riveau to Brissac Food in the area Château de Langeais Château de l'Islette Château D'Ussé Château de Brissac Angers Château de Speran Don't ignore the Tourist Office Restaurant Recommendations Sharing Tips about Living in France Thank you Patrons Annie's Tours Annie's Itinerary Consultations Self-guided GPS tours on the VoiceMap App Phone Safety Next week on the podcast Copyright Hotels to consider in the Loire Valley More episodes about the Loire Valley

The French Explorer Who Founded Detroit: Lamothe Cadillac Did you know the founder of Detroit came from a small village in southwest France? In this episode, host Annie Sargent and guest Kim Loftus dive into the life of Antoine Laumet, better known as Lamothe Cadillac. He's the man who established Detroit and left a lasting mark on both French and American history. Get the podcast ad-free Born near Toulouse in the village of Saint-Nicolas-de-la-Grave, Cadillac reinvented himself when he set off for the New World. Along the way, he adopted a new name, a new identity, and used his charm and ambition to rise in the ranks of New France. He became a key figure, founding Fort Pontchartrain (which would later become Detroit) and serving as Governor of Louisiana. Annie and Kim also share their visit to Cadillac's birthplace, where they explored the local museum and uncovered more about his legacy. They talk about the small towns of southwest France, like Castelsarrasin and Moissac, and their connections to this intriguing historical figure. Cadillac was an ambitious and controversial man who shaped early French-American history. Whether you're a history buff, a Francophile, or just curious about the real story behind the name "Cadillac," this episode is full of fascinating insights. Listen now to discover more about this bold explorer and his incredible journey from rural France to the founding of Detroit! Table of Contents for this Episode Today on the Podcast Podcast Supporters The Magazine segment Bootcamp 2025 Annie and Kim Discovering Cadillac's Story The Journey to Saint Nicolas de la Grave Cadillac's Transformation and Legacy Cadillac's Life in America Challenges and Controversies Cadillac's Return to France Governor of Louisiana Final Years in France Cadillac's Death and Legacy The Mystery of Cadillac's Grave A Tour of Cadillac's House The Cadillac Museum and Its Challenges Visiting Nearby Villages and Activities Moissac Montauban: A City of History and Renovation Famous Figures from Montauban, Ingres Bourdelle Museum Cadillac's Legacy and the Car Connection Conclusion and Farewell Thank you Patrons No tour reviews Itinerary consultations Must-have items in your bag in Paris Next week on the podcast Copyright

In this episode we dive into the transformative journey of Steve Hoffman, author of 'A Season for That'. Have you ever dreamed of leaving everything behind and starting fresh in a new country? Steve did just that when he and his family left their life in Minnesota to embrace the rural charm of a small village in southern France. Steve shares the challenges and joys of adapting to a new culture, the unexpected lessons learned, and the profound impact it had on his family. We explore how living in France changed Steve's perspective on life, food, and the importance of slowing down. From navigating new customs to discovering the power of local food and wine, this episode is full of insights and inspiration for anyone looking to reinvent their lives or simply find more meaning in everyday moments.In this episode we talk about:- How moving to a new country can transform your outlook on life.- The importance of embracing challenges and stepping out of your comfort zone.- Insights into the French way of life: from the deep appreciation of food and wine to the art of slowing down.- How to cultivate joy and fulfillment through cultural immersion.- Practical tips for those considering a similar life-changing adventure.About Our Guest: Steve Hoffman is a Minnesota tax preparer and food writer as well as a French speaker and shameless Francophile. His writing has won multiple awards  including the James Beard M.F.K. Fisher Distinguished Writer Award. He has been published in Food and Wine, The Washington Post and many other publications.His first book, 'A Season for That: Lost and Found in the Other Southern France was published in July 2024. Resources Mentioned:Steve's website https://www.sjrhoffman.com/    Explore more about Steve's journey, his writing, and his book.'A Season for That' – Available at all major bookstores and online. Also available in audiobook format, narrated by Steve himself.Follow Steve Hoffman: - Instagram   - Facebook Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Your support helps us bring more inspiring stories and guests to your ears!Connect with Undercurrent Stories:  - Website: https://www.undercurrentstories.com/  - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/undercurrentstories/- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/undercurrentstoriesIntro and outro music, 'Time for a Coffee'  Bob Wells © 2020Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

Currently I am in France! I have escaped the Aussie winter and returned to my fave destination! This time however, my husband Paul and I decided to couple our visit to Paris and other regions of France, with a stay with some dear friends who live near Prague.There were some unexpected issues we encountered, such as the fact that our internal European flight weighed every single carry on bag before boarding which rarely happens in Australia! After a walk of shame to the overweight baggage desk and many euros later, we were fine to board but it was an issue we hadn't planned for. It was also frustrating as we had plenty of weight allowance in our checked luggage, so we were kicking ourselves for not considering the problem prior to getting to the airport for the internal European flight... we were still in long-haul Aussie-Europe mode! We did not make the same mistake on our internal european flight returning back to Paris!It is also worth noting that not all countries in the EU use the Euro and the exchange rate is not necessarily the best once already in Europe, so a bit of research prior to departure is a must!We adored Prague. Every building is food for a Francophile soul, even though not in France. Our friends live in Plzen about an hour from Prague, where Pilsner Beer is made. It is an amazing town with parts going back many centuries, then other parts of the city are almost stuck in the communist period. I had my hair done in Plzen w2hich was a real eye opener for the w2ay regular life takes place. I was transfixed by the difference to how we operate in Australia, or in France for that matter. We visited an ancient castle, did a beer tour in Plzen, ate incredible Czech food, attended a candlelight concert in Prague and met some gorgeous locals with our beautiful friends. I think that was the most special thing, meeting wonderful Czechs including our friends' adopted grandma, Ivcha. In the middle of our Czech week, we popped down to Vienna for a couple of days to attend a Mozart concert at the Musikverein, the Golden Hall. Everywhere is so close in Europe so heading to another country to fulfil a lifelong wish is not so much of a problem.Tune in to hear some of the problems we faced as well as some great tips when going to a new city for a brief visit.**Coming up soon will be a number of episodes about the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles current road trip through France with a number of different guests.**Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

Today, Lilah's back and we're talking about Emily in Paris! The extraordinarily popular Netflix sitcom, which millions of people across the globe love to hate-watch, just dropped half of its fourth season. It's about an American 20-something who moves to Paris to live out our Francophile fantasies. And while it's been ridiculed since it first came out in 2020, we're all still watching! Why? And what do we want out of comfort television? Lilah is joined by Adrienne Klasa, the FT's Paris reporter on luxury and media, and Cordelia Jenkins, FT Weekend Magazine's deputy editor.-------We love hearing from you. Lilah is on Instagram @lilahrap. We're on X @lifeandartpod and on email at lifeandart@ft.com. We are grateful for reviews on Apple and Spotify. And please share this episode with your friends!Register now for the FT Weekend Festival, and claim £24 off your pass using promo code FTPodcast at: ft.com/festival-------Links (all FT links get you past the paywall): – Episodes one to five of Emily in Paris Season 4 are on Netflix now. The next half of the season will air on September 12– We love this article by Jo Ellison – ‘Emily in Paris is as cheesy as brie' – from 2020– Cordelia Jenkins is on X @CordeliaJ. Adrienne Klasa is @AdrienneKlasa– Lilah recommends American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld. For more on the value of reading old books, here's a recent column by Janan Ganesh-------Special FT subscription offers for Life and Art podcast listeners, from 50% off a digital subscription to a $1/£1/€1 trial, are here: http://ft.com/lifeandart-------Original music by Metaphor Music. Mixing and sound design by Jean-Marc Ek and Sam Giovinco. Clip courtesy of NetflixRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chaque week-end, nos correspondants aux quatre coins de la France répondent à une question simple : Que se passe-t-il chez eux aujourd'hui ?

Chaque week-end, nos correspondants aux quatre coins de la France répondent à une question simple : Que se passe-t-il chez eux aujourd'hui ?

Bonjour! We're back for the second part of our deep dive into understanding pride from a biblical perspective. So, grab your favorite iced drink, settle in, and let's talk about humble pride rooted in the Lord and how we can navigate the delicate balance of pride and humility.  Pride comes in different shapes and sizes. It's not all bad! In this episode, we unpack the distinctions between positive, humble pride rooted in God and the not-so-great, self-centered pride. Understanding this balance is key to our journey in faith.  Stephanie encourages us to take pride in the impactful work we do in the name of Christ. Scripture reminds us to celebrate the positive impact of our efforts in serving the Lord and spreading his love. One nugget of wisdom that really struck a chord is the idea that we can be proud of imperfect efforts. Embracing our flaws and still finding reasons to be proud is a beautiful reminder of God's grace and how, even in our shortcomings, we can boast in the Lord through Christ.  We also ponder the Biblical mandate of boasting in the Lord, breaking down the interconnectedness of boasting in various aspects of life and ultimately coming back to a boasting in and of the Lord. The Bible lays out a powerful reminder of where our true pride and joy should lie.   Stephanie pointed out something truly heartwarming – it's not just believers who boast, but God himself boasts in us and is proud of us. How amazing is it to know that the Creator of the universe feels genuine pride in his creation? This part really hit home – we are called to be humbly proud, boasting in humility and the high position we hold in Christ. It's a powerful reminder of our worth and value in the eyes of the Lord.  So, there you have it – today is a rollercoaster ride through the complexities of pride, humility, and boasting in the Lord. Our key takeaway? Embracing humble pride rooted in the Lord allows us to find joy in our work, celebrate imperfection, and hold onto our worth as beloved children of God.  Until next time, keep embracing that humble pride, celebrate your journey in faith, and remember to boast in the Lord through Christ. Cheers to the adventures in faith!  Do you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us.  1- If you've enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It's at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don't want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup 2- Did you know Gospel Spice has a YouTube Channel? There's exclusive content there too. So, join Gospel Spice on YouTube! It's at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3- Also please give us a star rating and a comment on your podcast listening app. Your reviews actually really do make a difference to help others discover and experience Gospel Spice. You would be surprised how helpful these are! So please leave a star rating and a review of a sentence or two. Thank you! 4- As always, we are praying for you! You can confidentially email us your prayer requests and praise items at the email address contact@gospelspice.com. It is our privilege to pray for you! So, would you please invest 3 to 5 minutes of your time, maybe even right now, to do one (or more!) of the following suggestions: 1-      signup on our website for our newsletter to receive gifts you're going to love - at Gospelspice.com/signup 2-      find us on YouTube, and see what content we've put together to help you grow closer to Jesus - at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3-      rate Gospel Spice on your listening app – it's one of the easiest ways to share the gospel! 4-      and finally, tell us how we can pray for you! Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog I could not be more delighted to invite YOU to join us for our 5th anniversary. Yes, Gospel Spice was born five years ago! We are gathering to celebrate God's faithfulness to us all, and to delight in each other's presence. So, please make sure to save the date and join us! A keynote by my dear friends Os and Jenny Guinness who will inspire us with their many decades of humble wisdom and truly influential service to our generation. A panel with several of my dearest friends who are all local authors with national and international influence: Lisa-Jo Baker, Christie Purifoy, Chris Hall, and Phillip Cary. Find more about them below. A time to meet these wonderful authors around their own book signings, food and drink, and fellowship with one another. *Note: This event is hosted in a private venue, so capacity is limited. Make sure to register as soon as registration opens to guarantee your spot. There is a $25 registration fee, which helps us cover the cost of this event. Details at https://www.gospelspice.com/fiveyears   Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

On the eve of the season four premiere of “Emily in Paris” — and on the heels of the just wrapped Paris Olympics — Alyssa is joined by writer Marisa Meltzer, whose forthcoming book Non Moi Plus explores the life and times of Jane Birkin, to unpack the enduring mystique (and myth) of French girl style. An unabashed Francophile, Marisa goes long on the international cult of personality of the “French girl,” her firsthand fashion observations from a months-long reporting trip to Paris, why so many icons of Parisian style (including Jane Birkin) are expats, the lore of the Birkin bag, the French connection to indie sleaze, the unmatched magic of the French pharmacy, the deluge of fashion and beauty brands started by French influencers, the idea of the “European Summer” that's sold to us on social media and its effect on trends, shopping in Paris vs. shopping in New York, French “It” girls through the generations, what she's looking forward to from the Paris runways during fashion month, and her mission to bring Birkin's legacy to life beyond Instagram moodboards.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thenewgarde.substack.com

The early registration discount for Design Your Life in Retirement ends on August 15th. Register here ______________________ If you're pondering early retirement, have you considered another option? For some people a sabbatical offers an an opportunity to recharge, reflect and to experience a new adventure. Steve Hoffman's book A Season for That details the experience of an extended leave with his family in a winemaking village in France. It may inspire you to imagine what a sabbatical experience may do for you. While your vision for a sabbatical may be quite different, you'll be interested in hearing what he learned from it - and how it's shaping his ideas about retirement. Steve Hoffman joins us from Minnesota. _______________________ Mentioned in This Episode The Sabbatical Project | Inspiration for the Experience of a Lifetime _______________________ Bio Steve Hoffman is a Minnesota tax preparer and food writer. When he dies, the tax-preparer-food-writer industry will die with him. He is a French speaker and shameless Francophile. His writing has won multiple awards, including the 2019 James Beard M.F.K. Fisher Distinguished Writing Award. He has been published in Food & Wine, The Washington Post, The Minneapolis Star Tribune, and Artful Living magazine. His first book, A Season for That: Lost and Found in the Other Southern France, published in July 2024, edited by Francis Lam. It is the story of his family's gradual (then precipitous) acceptance into a tiny winemaking village, of his bottom-up education in Mediterranean food and wine, and of a hard-won self-acceptance in mid-life. Hoffman shares one acre on Turtle Lake, in Shoreview, Minnesota, with his wife, Mary Jo, their elderly and entitled puggle, Jack, roughly 80,000 honeybees, and a nesting pair of sandhill cranes who summer in the back yard. _______________________ For More on Steve Hoffman A Season for That: Lost and Found in the Other Southern France Website _______________________ Podcast Episodes You May Like Edit Your Life – Elisabeth Sharp McKetta Practicing Retirement STILL – Mary Jo Hoffman Inward Traveler – Francine Toder PhD _______________________ Wise Quotes On Investments for Retirement "I would wish on behalf of my clients that they started spending their money a little bit earlier in a lot of cases. Money is a means not an end. It's very easy to slide that over into the 401k and you're watching that grow and it seems as if you're accomplishing something that's more or less automated. And there can be a form of losing sight of other important things that are really also investments, if you think about family, if you think about friendships, and if you think about skills that are outside of work. Those are investments too, and they have an ROI, and they pay off later and they require a certain amount of deferred gratification, but they're in many ways as important. But I do think that those other things are more intangible, they're harder to put a price tag on." On Seasons of Life "And when you live in wine country you realize not every vintage is better than the last vintages. There are good vintages and bad vintages, but they come around every single year, and you live your life there by saying, Okay, this is the season for the harvest, this is all we do right now, this is what this part of the world is offering us, and we have no choice but to do this because this is what the season tells us we need to do. And if that leads to a bad vintage, that's okay, you did your best. And then that same harvest is going to come around next year, and you're going to give it another effort. So I just found it a really refreshing way of looking at life. And then there is an additional element to that which is that there are sort of seasons of the year, but then there are seasons of a life. And there are times when you need to be a parent, and you can't do other things that you might like to...

Welcome back to our series to experience Scripture through the lens of the French language and culture! Stephanie kicks things off today with a bang by posing a million-dollar question: Is it ever okay to be proud? She gets into the nitty-gritty, unpacking the complexities of this virtue through Scripture and linguistic nuances. Who knew that the French language actually offers a different spin on pride? Stephanie shows how the word "orgueil" in French consistently carries a negative connotation, shedding light on the often-overlooked shades of meaning within this loaded term. But is pride ever a positive thing? Through a deep-dive into the Scriptures, Stephanie tackles the age-old dilemma of whether pride is always a villain or if it has a few tricks up its sleeve. Venturing into scenarios where expressions of pride might not fit neatly into the "good" or "bad" boxes, she challenges us to think outside the box. Have you ever wondered if being proud of something you've created or accomplished is a sin? Scripture encourages us to ponder the gray areas. Paul will be a worthwhile guide, under the authority of Jesus Christ, our Lord, through the Holy Spirit at work in us. What is the connection between pride and boasting? By comparing French and English interpretations, Stephanie illustrates how understanding different languages can open up fresh perspectives on the biblical teachings we thought we knew so well. You'll be left pondering some weighty questions about how these two influencers shape our lives. Stephanie places context under the spotlight, showing how it can make or break our understanding of pride. By meticulously comparing various translations, she uncovers the power of context in discerning the true essence of pride. Scripture pulls back the curtain on humility, revealing its Christ-centered power beyond the conventional concept of humility as a doormat. Contrary to popular belief, humility is not merely about abasement. Rather, it embodies teachability, contentment, and other-centeredness. So, get ready to take a good, hard look at how pride and humility play out in your own life. It's a journey you won't want to miss! Do you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us.  1- If you've enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It's at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don't want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup 2- Did you know Gospel Spice has a YouTube Channel? There's exclusive content there too. So, join Gospel Spice on YouTube! It's at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3- Also please give us a star rating and a comment on your podcast listening app. Your reviews actually really do make a difference to help others discover and experience Gospel Spice. You would be surprised how helpful these are! So please leave a star rating and a review of a sentence or two. Thank you! 4- As always, we are praying for you! You can confidentially email us your prayer requests and praise items at the email address contact@gospelspice.com. It is our privilege to pray for you! So, would you please invest 3 to 5 minutes of your time, maybe even right now, to do one (or more!) of the following suggestions: 1-      signup on our website for our newsletter to receive gifts you're going to love - at Gospelspice.com/signup 2-      find us on YouTube, and see what content we've put together to help you grow closer to Jesus - at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3-      rate Gospel Spice on your listening app – it's one of the easiest ways to share the gospel! 4-      and finally, tell us how we can pray for you! Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

You know that feeling when you're stuck waiting for something, whether it's a long line at the grocery store or eagerly anticipating a life-changing event? Well, today we dive into the concept of "patienting" and how it completely flips the script on waiting. Note | You are invited to go deeper by using our extensive digital book that includes, for each of our 12 episodes in the series, a listening guide, questions to ponder, key takeaways and key quotes, topics to go deeper, and more. Go to gospelspice.com/french for the details and to download a free sample. What's "Patienting" anyway? It comes from the French “patienter” which is translated “wait” in English, but encompasses so much more! "Patienting" is a super intentional form of waiting. It's not just twiddling your thumbs or feeling annoyed; it's about embracing patience as a strength, finding hope in the waiting, and actively growing through the process. Patienting also has to do with trusting God's timing when you'd rather not wait – which is much easier said than done. You ever feel like waiting is just not your thing? I invite you today to reflect on how, when we surrender to the idea of holy waiting, it's like saying, "Okay, God, I see You've got a plan here." It's all about finding peace and hope even in the midst of our impatience, thanks to prayer and trust in God's perfect timing. Scripture serves up some fascinating examples, like Job and Moses, to show how patience is something we learn through experiences, especially the humbling ones. It's like building up our patience muscles through life's ups and downs, and coming out stronger and wiser on the other side. Patience as a superpower in a fast-paced world. Being patient isn't exactly the trendiest thing, right? But when we show patience and kindness to others, especially when it's tough for us, it not only fills us with hope but also spreads that hope to others. It's like a superpower that grows the more we use it! Waiting with a purpose, ultimately, showcases the transformative power of "patienting." By shifting our mindset on waiting and embracing "patienting," we start to see waiting as a season of personal and spiritual growth. It's about sowing seeds of patience, having faith in God's perfect timing, and coming out stronger on the other side. In a world that's all about hustle and bustle, "patienting" offers a fresh take on waiting, aligning with the core Biblical truths of faith, hope, and endurance. By adopting a patient mindset and embracing the art of waiting well, we're encouraged to find strength and hope in our waiting, knowing that it will all be worth it in the end. That, too, is the gospel! We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with. Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Identity in the battle | Ephesians https://www.podcastics.com/episode/74762/link/ Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience https://www.podcastics.com/episode/94182/link/ Shades of Red | Against human oppression https://www.podcastics.com/episode/115017/link/ God's glory, our delight  https://www.podcastics.com/episode/126051/link/   Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

I invite you to continues our exploration of the French words for hope, "espoir" and "esperance," and to dive deeper into their biblical and cultural significance. Scripture draws parallels between the biblical story of Babel in Genesis 11 and the unifying power of hope in Christ. God orchestrated Scripture to be translatable in all languages, which reverses the curse of Babel and offers the potential in Christ to unite us under the banner of hope. As I was researching the connections between "espoir" and "esperance," I was blown away to discover two verses in Scripture that hold both verses together. They have much to tell us, as we too hold both "espoir" and "esperance" in our own hearts. The first, in the Old Testament, unveils the significance of Job's despair and his quest for true hope; the second, in the New Testament, highlights Paul's profound insights into the essence of hope. These complementary perspectives on hope, stemming from Job, the oldest book in the Bible, and 1st Timothy, one of Paul's last letters, ground us deeply in our King and Savior, Jesus Christ. But Esperance is fading from the French landscape. So, I asked both Christian and non-Christian French friends and family members about the influence of Esperance in their lives today. The answers are striking, and I want to invite you to discover them with me – so that you too can form your own informed experience of Esperance in Christ. It has much to do with a deeply felt experience of despair apart from Esperance. Next, I invite you to (re)discover a famous French thinker and author, Blaise Pascal, to embrace the delicate interplay between reason, faith, and mystery. Through Pascal's eloquent words and profound insights, let's see what we can learn about the transformative potential of faith and reason working in harmony. The emphasis on humility, the coexistence of science and faith, and the acknowledgement of the limitations of human understanding in the life and work of Blaise Pascal inspire contemplation and introspection, encouraging us to explore the depths of our beliefs with open hearts and minds. We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with. Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Identity in the battle | Ephesians https://www.podcastics.com/episode/74762/link/ Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience https://www.podcastics.com/episode/94182/link/ Shades of Red | Against human oppression https://www.podcastics.com/episode/115017/link/ God's glory, our delight  https://www.podcastics.com/episode/126051/link/   Do you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us.  1- If you've enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It's at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don't want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup 2- Did you know Gospel Spice has a YouTube Channel? There's exclusive content there too. So, join Gospel Spice on YouTube! It's at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3- Also please give us a star rating and a comment on your podcast listening app. Your reviews actually really do make a difference to help others discover and experience Gospel Spice. You would be surprised how helpful these are! So please leave a star rating and a review of a sentence or two. Thank you! 4- As always, we are praying for you! You can confidentially email us your prayer requests and praise items at the email address contact@gospelspice.com. It is our privilege to pray for you! So, would you please invest 3 to 5 minutes of your time, maybe even right now, to do one (or more!) of the following suggestions: 1-      signup on our website for our newsletter to receive gifts you're going to love - at Gospelspice.com/signup 2-      find us on YouTube, and see what content we've put together to help you grow closer to Jesus - at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3-      rate Gospel Spice on your listening app – it's one of the easiest ways to share the gospel! 4-      and finally, tell us how we can pray for you! Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog We have a beautiful free gift for you! Receive our 30-day summer prayer guide to guide you through a summer season of bounty, rest, sunshine, fellowship, and growth. All you need to do, is be subscribed to our newsletter to receive it automatically, or go to https://www.gospelspice.com/free to download it immediately.   Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

What impact did the philosophical writings of Thomas Jefferson have on Vietnamese independence leader Hồ Chí Minh? How would Jefferson, a slave-owner and Francophile, have counseled Hồ in dealing with French colonizers? And would they have bonded over a love of pastries? After this episode, History Improv'ed will be taking a hiatus but we'll be back with more great topics and improvised anachronisms. So stay subscribed and stay tuned!   Links To Further Yer Book-Learnin'   Hồ Chí Minh, born Nguyễn Sinh Cung (1890–1969), was a Vietnamese communist revolutionary, nationalist, and politician. His leadership was challenged at times, but all his rivals eventually cried Uncle.   The third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) was a statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, Founding Father, and a wee bit of a hypocrite. You know, that whole all men are created equal but having over 600 slaves himself thing. Even expert podcast guests aren't quite sure how to handle those teaching moments.   Sarah "Sally" Hemings (1773–1835) was enslaved by Thomas Jefferson, whom she met in France at 14 as the servant of his daughter. Sally only agreed to return to Virginia and resume her life in slavery if she would get special privileges and all their children would be freed when they came of age. In that society, Hemings actually would've been seen as a sly negotiator.   Võ Nguyên Giáp (1911-2013) served as Hồ's military counterpart during Vietnam's struggles and continued to be active in its policies and politics well into the 21st century. He literally wrote the book on guerilla warfare in his country. Enduring a long life full of personal loss, he had an axe to grind with the French.   The Vietnam conflict can be traced directly back to the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I. Hồ's letter to the powers that be at the Paris Peace Conference was ignored. Even Jefferson's words probably couldn't have reached those tone-deaf ears.   Not to be deterred, Hồ typed another letter some 27 years later to US President Harry Truman arguing for independence. Once again he was ignored. Keeping the caps lock on apparently didn't make a difference.   Bánh mì started as the baguette introduced to the region by France during their colonization, and was then modified slightly to accommodate fixings that would transform it into the bánh mì sandwich that we know and love today. Adding jalapeños was definitely not a French idea.

Hope is a transformative force, capable of providing comfort and strength amidst life's challenges. The Bible says much about the impact of hope on the heart, shedding light on the intricate relationship between hope and the human spirit. So today I invite you deep into the nuances from Scripture in French to spark fresh hope, and reignite embers of disappointed hope for you. French offers subtle yet profound differences between two words both translated “hope” in English: "Espoir" and "Esperance." "éspoir" is more like wishful thinking, while "espérance" is all about rock-solid promises. It's a bit like the difference between fleeting daydreams and unwavering faith – and it's deeply rooted in biblical truth. Scripture really hones in on the truth of "espérance," painting a vivid picture of the steadfast assurance and unwavering faith it embodies in the Christian faith. This isn't just about fleeting hope; it's about rock-solid confidence in the promise of eternal salvation. Scripture gives us context as it explores how hope coexists with fear and uncertainty. It's an inspiring call to rise above fleeting "éspoir" and embrace the unshakable hope that comes with faith in Christ. We explore how the use of "éspoir" and "espérance" shifts between the Old and New Testaments. It's like peeling back layers of a story – and it all ties into concealed and revealed hope throughout Christ. And so, I invite you to reflect on your own hope, encouraging you to consider the transformation  from "Espoir" to "Esperance" made possible through Christ.  Together, let's unveil the cultural and biblical significance of "Esperance," with its prevalence in the New Testament and its profound certainty and confidence in Christ. The perfect gift for everyone - apparel, drinkware, stickers and more for all the women, men and kids in your life! https://www.gospelspice.com/merch Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Do you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us.  1- If you've enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It's at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don't want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup 2- Did you know Gospel Spice has a YouTube Channel? There's exclusive content there too. So, join Gospel Spice on YouTube! It's at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3- Also please give us a star rating and a comment on your podcast listening app. Your reviews actually really do make a difference to help others discover and experience Gospel Spice. You would be surprised how helpful these are! So please leave a star rating and a review of a sentence or two. Thank you! 4- As always, we are praying for you! You can confidentially email us your prayer requests and praise items at the email address contact@gospelspice.com. It is our privilege to pray for you! So, would you please invest 3 to 5 minutes of your time, maybe even right now, to do one (or more!) of the following suggestions: 1-      signup on our website for our newsletter to receive gifts you're going to love - at Gospelspice.com/signup 2-      find us on YouTube, and see what content we've put together to help you grow closer to Jesus - at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3-      rate Gospel Spice on your listening app – it's one of the easiest ways to share the gospel! 4-      and finally, tell us how we can pray for you! Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog What if Jesus was inviting you towards deeper intimacy with Him? Experience Jesus where heaven meets earth. Come with a heart thirsty for more of Christ and experience Him in fresh new ways! Be drawn into deeper, more intimate worship of Christ. Discover the symbolism and ultimate fulfillment of the Tabernacle in Christ, and in you as His dwelling place. Experience God's timeline of grace, from Eden past to Heaven future. You will leave this study with a deep understanding of the symbolism of the Tabernacle and its fulfillment in Christ, and a renewed awe and passion for God. It is a grand new course on Gospel Spice, available at https://www.gospelspice.com/tabernacle  Check it out today! Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Through the lens of the French language in our current series, I invite you today to explore the concept of the "parole" of Christ and its significance in the Christian faith. This uniquely French perspective sheds light on the depth of freedom offered through Christ's sacrifice, especially when you combine it with the gratitude expressed through the word "merci." Note | You are invited to go deeper by using our extensive digital book that includes, for each of our 12 episodes in the series, a listening guide, questions to ponder, key takeaways and key quotes, topics to go deeper, and more. Go to gospelspice.com/french for the details and to download a free sample. Understanding Christ as our ultimate parole invites us to embrace the freedom offered through His sacrifice, leading to a life characterized by gratitude and the pursuit of justice. May we delve deeper into the significance of Christ's parole and cultivate a heart of gratitude, acknowledging the mercies and graces bestowed upon us through His immense love and sacrifice. For starters, I invite you to consider the concept of the "parole" of Christ by examining a combined French translation of John 1:1, emphasizing the significance of how Christ is our parole. This uniquely French perspective invites us to ponder the richness of Christ's role as our freedom and parole, offering a fresh understanding of the depth of His sacrifice. Understanding that Christ is our ultimate parole unlocks the meaning of the promise of release from the sentence of eternal separation from God. This biblical truth underscores Christ's sacrifice, offering an invitation to embrace freedom from the bondage of sin and death. The significance of Christ as our parole prompts a shift in perspective, inviting us to acknowledge the immense freedom bestowed upon us through His grace. Then, let's draw parallels between the French word "merci" (thank you) and the concept of mercy in the Christian faith. Through this connection, we explore the essence of expressing gratitude to God for His mercy and grace. This encourages deep reflection on the distinction between justice, mercy, and grace, highlighting the profound impact of Christ's sacrifice in granting us mercy and freedom. So, let's get practical. How do we express gratitude and advocate for justice in our daily lives? It starts with cultivating a heart of gratitude, acknowledging both the significant and seemingly small mercies in our lives. Additionally, Scripture challenges us to seek ways to practice justice and promote a better world in alignment with the teachings of Jesus, emphasizing the interconnectedness of gratitude and justice. We live in the age of grace, where the freedom offered through Christ's parole transcends the constraints of the law. Grasping the enormity of Christ's sacrifice leads to a renewed appreciation for the mercies and grace present in our lives. The call to cultivate gratitude and embrace freedom becomes a pivotal aspect of living in alignment with Christ's teachings. We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with. Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Identity in the battle | Ephesians https://www.podcastics.com/episode/74762/link/ Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience https://www.podcastics.com/episode/94182/link/ Shades of Red | Against human oppression https://www.podcastics.com/episode/115017/link/ God's glory, our delight  https://www.podcastics.com/episode/126051/link/   Do you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us.  1- If you've enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It's at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don't want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup 2- Did you know Gospel Spice has a YouTube Channel? There's exclusive content there too. So, join Gospel Spice on YouTube! It's at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3- Also please give us a star rating and a comment on your podcast listening app. Your reviews actually really do make a difference to help others discover and experience Gospel Spice. You would be surprised how helpful these are! So please leave a star rating and a review of a sentence or two. Thank you! 4- As always, we are praying for you! You can confidentially email us your prayer requests and praise items at the email address contact@gospelspice.com. It is our privilege to pray for you! So, would you please invest 3 to 5 minutes of your time, maybe even right now, to do one (or more!) of the following suggestions: 1-      signup on our website for our newsletter to receive gifts you're going to love - at Gospelspice.com/signup 2-      find us on YouTube, and see what content we've put together to help you grow closer to Jesus - at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3-      rate Gospel Spice on your listening app – it's one of the easiest ways to share the gospel! 4-      and finally, tell us how we can pray for you! Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Gospel Spice, in partnership with Christian Publishers, has given away more than 100 books from authors we have welcomed on the show! The only way to be in on the drawings is to be subscribed to our newsletter - that is one of the many exclusive perks just for you! So make sure you are signed up before our next newsletter goes out. Go to https://www.gospelspice.com/signup today. It is free, exclusive, and PACKED with high-quality content! Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Bonjour! Stephanie here. There is nothing quite as mesmerizing as the worth of God – the very word “worship” comes from the ancient English worth-ship and recognizes the ultimate worth of God. So today I invite you down the lane of another French word which, I pray, will allow you to enter fresh, deep worship. That French word is “Valeur.” So, drawing from the biblical concept of intrinsic worth, subjective value, and objective worth, let's dive into the multifaceted aspects of this word and how it relates to our understanding of worthiness, valor, and the intangible qualities that draw us to God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ found in Scripture. We begin by unveiling the nuanced meaning of "Valeur." Exploring the layers of value, worth, and valor, we will highlight the intricate connection between these concepts. By pondering the biblical perspective on value, we will examine how our worth is ultimately defined by God's opinion of us. This foundational understanding shapes our perception of self-worth and value, inviting us to recognize our intrinsic worth as valued and cherished children of God. Deeper still, let's ponder with fresh awe and reverent worship the intrinsic worth of God, emphasizing that His supreme worthiness is what sets Him apart as the ultimate and only worthy Being. This will inspire us to acknowledge the objective worth of God, anchoring our appreciation of His supreme value and dignity. Next, I invite us into the exploration of Christ's valor. Scripture paints a poignant picture of Jesus as our valiant Savior, weaving together His humility, sacrifice, and love in the face of the Cross. Through this, the Bible inspires its readers to embrace the valor of Christ within ourselves, recognizing that the same valor is made available to us through the Holy Spirit. Shifting focus to the intriguing French expression "je ne sais quoi," I hope to show you its resonance with the intangible qualities that draw us to the Gospel, inspiring us to live out our faith in a way that embodies the gospel to the world, thus attracting others to the beauty and magnetism of Christ in our own lives. As such, we have a responsibility to steward that divine "je ne sais quoi”: as recipients of God's unmerited favor, we are called to cultivate and manifest these intangible qualities in our lives. Scripture compels us to exude Christ's aroma, drawing others to the undeniable allure of the Gospel through our actions, character, and faith. We will talk about what it looks like, and how to do that. So, today let's enter Scripture reverently, because it invites us to not only recognize our intrinsic worth through God's eyes, but also to embody that captivating "je ne sais quoi" that draws others to the beauty of Christ's love and grace. Scripture unveils the intrinsic worth and valor of the Gospel, and compels us towards the unfathomable beauty and depth of hope and redemption found in Christ Jesus. DISCOVER THE GOSPEL SPICE MINISTRIES The Gospel Spice Podcast is part of a larger range of tools given to you by Gospel Spice Ministries. In a nutshell, we exist to inspire Christ-followers to delight in God. In more details: we provide resources to empower Christian leaders across generational, social, ethnic and geographical boundaries towards more intimacy with Jesus Christ and discipleship effectiveness through a Biblical Christocentric foundation. The Gospel-Spice Ministries provide a safe environment for spiritual and community growth empowering people to know Christ more intimately, serve one another more powerfully, and reach the world for Jesus. PLAY IT FORWARD by SHARING the link with friends and family. PRAY IT FORWARD by praying for us and those you share it with! PAY IT FORWARD!! Would you consider supporting this show today to help others enjoy it for free? It comes to you completely free, but is labor-intensive to produce, and we want to keep putting it in the ears of people! Gospel Spice Ministries is a non-profit organization registered under the tax-exempt 501c3 status. Your donations are tax-deductible under IRS Section 170. We want to be the best possible stewards of your financial support. All donations above our minimal operating costs go to Christian organizations fighting human trafficking. Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog (*ListenNotes ranking, 2023) Do you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us.  1- If you've enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It's at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don't want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup 2- Did you know Gospel Spice has a YouTube Channel? There's exclusive content there too. So, join Gospel Spice on YouTube! It's at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3- Also please give us a star rating and a comment on your podcast listening app. Your reviews actually really do make a difference to help others discover and experience Gospel Spice. You would be surprised how helpful these are! So please leave a star rating and a review of a sentence or two. Thank you! 4- As always, we are praying for you! You can confidentially email us your prayer requests and praise items at the email address contact@gospelspice.com. It is our privilege to pray for you! So, would you please invest 3 to 5 minutes of your time, maybe even right now, to do one (or more!) of the following suggestions: 1-      signup on our website for our newsletter to receive gifts you're going to love - at Gospelspice.com/signup 2-      find us on YouTube, and see what content we've put together to help you grow closer to Jesus - at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3-      rate Gospel Spice on your listening app – it's one of the easiest ways to share the gospel! 4-      and finally, tell us how we can pray for you! Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Today we continue diving deep into our trials and testings, and how God invites us to change our perspective, so that we will more readily experience His, rather than our own! Epreuve – a French word that encompasses the essence of proving, testing, and trials. In the context of spiritual growth and Christian faith, Epreuve delves into the very core of our relationship with God. This word carries multifaceted meanings that unfold to reveal the path of testing, emotions, and ultimately, the shaping of our identity in Christ. In our last episode, which was the first of our two in our study of this French word, we saw that Epreuve bears the duality of meaning: proof and test, trial and opportunity. Epreuve serves as an invitation to unveil our inner authenticity. Trials become the mirror that reflects our true character, our faith, and our response to circumstances. Peter, acquainted with countless tests and trials, highlights the significance of these experiences. The tested genuineness of our faith, more precious than gold, illuminates the enduring nature of trials. Herein lies the parallel between the refining of gold through fire and the refinement of our faith through trials. In essence, Epreuve emerges as a conduit for unveiling the authenticity and purity of our faith, anchoring it as a central tenet in our journey of spiritual growth. Going deeper, Epreuve enters the realm of emotions. From resolute emotions of hate and fear to the profound joy that is intrinsic to our spiritual journey, Epreuve encompasses powerful emotional sentiments that shape our core. In essence, emotions become the internal trials that reflect and shape our identity in profound ways. Epreuve extends beyond momentary trials to encompass a season of probation. This resonates with the very essence of spiritual growth. We are invited to walk through these periods not to prove our worthiness, but to experience the grace and freedom inherent in our relationship with God. Understanding that our future in Christ is unwavering, we embrace the freedom to navigate the journey of growth, understanding that it is through these seasons of probation that we continually evolve into the fullness of Christ. The culmination of Epreuve leads us to our guaranteed heavenly future of sin-proofness, through the spiritual journey of the follower of Jesus toward becoming a reflection of Christ's glory. Through the lens of Epreuve, we comprehend that while we may face tests and trials in this earthly sojourn, they serve as the crucible that tempers us into growing sin-proofness. Furthermore, our emotions, when experienced through the prism of faith, become gradually more and more similar to the fruit of the Spirit, leading us to increasingly reflect His glory as if in a mirror. That French word Epreuve weaves a narrative that surpasses mere linguistic boundaries. It exemplifies the intricate and transformative journey of spiritual growth, the testing of faith, and the unveiling of our true identity in Christ. As we embrace the epreuves of life, we encounter the testing and refining of our faith, the depth of our emotions, and the season of probation, all converging to carve us into increasingly sin-proof reflections of Christ's glory. Let us embrace this journey with eyes fixed on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith, who will prove the irrevocable grace we have received as approved children of God. We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with. Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Identity in the battle | Ephesians https://www.podcastics.com/episode/74762/link/ Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience https://www.podcastics.com/episode/94182/link/ Shades of Red | Against human oppression https://www.podcastics.com/episode/115017/link/ God's glory, our delight  https://www.podcastics.com/episode/126051/link/   Do you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us.  1- If you've enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It's at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don't want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup 2- Did you know Gospel Spice has a YouTube Channel? There's exclusive content there too. So, join Gospel Spice on YouTube! It's at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3- Also please give us a star rating and a comment on your podcast listening app. Your reviews actually really do make a difference to help others discover and experience Gospel Spice. You would be surprised how helpful these are! So please leave a star rating and a review of a sentence or two. Thank you! 4- As always, we are praying for you! You can confidentially email us your prayer requests and praise items at the email address contact@gospelspice.com. It is our privilege to pray for you! So, would you please invest 3 to 5 minutes of your time, maybe even right now, to do one (or more!) of the following suggestions: 1-      signup on our website for our newsletter to receive gifts you're going to love - at Gospelspice.com/signup 2-      find us on YouTube, and see what content we've put together to help you grow closer to Jesus - at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3-      rate Gospel Spice on your listening app – it's one of the easiest ways to share the gospel! 4-      and finally, tell us how we can pray for you! Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog We have a beautiful free gift for you! Receive our 30-day summer prayer guide to guide you through a summer season of bounty, rest, sunshine, fellowship, and growth. All you need to do, is be subscribed to our newsletter to receive it automatically, or go to https://www.gospelspice.com/free to download it immediately.   Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

As we continue our exploration of Scripture through the French language and culture, I invite you today into one of the more difficult and complex words – Epreuve, in the context of faith. Together, we are beckoned by this word to embrace trials and tests as opportunities for growth and refinement in our spiritual journey. Note | You are invited to go deeper by using our extensive digital book that includes, for each of our 12 episodes in the series, a listening guide, questions to ponder, key takeaways and key quotes, topics to go deeper, and more. Go to gospelspice.com/french for the details and to download a free sample. Trials and tests are integral to our faith journey. By embracing trials as transformative experiences, we embark on a path of authenticity and refinement in Christ. As we navigate trials, we are empowered to embrace the refining process, cultivate unwavering faith, and bear witness to the profound work of God within us. Through this journey of embracing trials and tests, we emerge as resilient and authentic bearers of the genuine faith that withstands the tests of time. Trials and tests are catalysts for growth, ultimately leading us to a place of profound transformation and unwavering authenticity in our faith journey. Trials are revealing and refining moments. So, drawing from 2Corinthians 8:8, let's articulate how trials serve as essential tools that test the sincerity of love and faith. Much like a teacher using tests to gauge the understanding of students, trials reveal what lies within us. Whether they manifest as external adversities or internal suffering, trials become the crucible through which our faith and character are tested and refined. This French word invites us to reframe our perspective on trials. Rather than viewing them as insurmountable obstacles, trials are an invitation to deepen our self-awareness and recognize the transformative work of God within us. The analogy of car crash tests is particularly compelling, as it illustrates how trials reveal what is dormant or concealed beneath the surface. Through this lens, trials become catalysts for personal growth, leading us to surrender to God and witness His refining work in our lives. Joseph, Paul, and, most of all, our beloved King Jesus Christ Himself, faced formidable trials yet ultimately trusted God for positive outcomes. Their testimonies serve as powerful examples of navigating trials with unwavering faith. By examining their journeys, we glean valuable insights into persevering through trials and embracing the refining process with steadfast hope and authenticity. Tests and trials prove the genuineness of our faith. By studying different translations, I invite you to discover fresh ways in which trials deepen our faith and spiritual authenticity. So, together, let us reconsider our perception of tests. Rather than solely being mechanisms for evaluation, tests are opportunities for proofing and proving. The juxtaposition of testing and proving in the context of faith amplifies the truth that in Christ, approval precedes testing and proving. Thus, our faith becomes a testament to the unyielding grace of God, empowering us to navigate trials with a sense of purpose and steadfastness. The perfect gift for everyone - apparel, drinkware, stickers and more for all the women, men and kids in your life! https://www.gospelspice.com/merch Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Do you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us.  1- If you've enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It's at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don't want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup 2- Did you know Gospel Spice has a YouTube Channel? There's exclusive content there too. So, join Gospel Spice on YouTube! It's at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3- Also please give us a star rating and a comment on your podcast listening app. Your reviews actually really do make a difference to help others discover and experience Gospel Spice. You would be surprised how helpful these are! So please leave a star rating and a review of a sentence or two. Thank you! 4- As always, we are praying for you! You can confidentially email us your prayer requests and praise items at the email address contact@gospelspice.com. It is our privilege to pray for you! So, would you please invest 3 to 5 minutes of your time, maybe even right now, to do one (or more!) of the following suggestions: 1-      signup on our website for our newsletter to receive gifts you're going to love - at Gospelspice.com/signup 2-      find us on YouTube, and see what content we've put together to help you grow closer to Jesus - at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3-      rate Gospel Spice on your listening app – it's one of the easiest ways to share the gospel! 4-      and finally, tell us how we can pray for you! Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog What if Jesus was inviting you towards deeper intimacy with Him? Experience Jesus where heaven meets earth. Come with a heart thirsty for more of Christ and experience Him in fresh new ways! Be drawn into deeper, more intimate worship of Christ. Discover the symbolism and ultimate fulfillment of the Tabernacle in Christ, and in you as His dwelling place. Experience God's timeline of grace, from Eden past to Heaven future. You will leave this study with a deep understanding of the symbolism of the Tabernacle and its fulfillment in Christ, and a renewed awe and passion for God. It is a grand new course on Gospel Spice, available at https://www.gospelspice.com/tabernacle  Check it out today! Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Have you ever dreamed of immersing yourself in the heart of France with fellow francophiles? In this episode of Join Us in France, titled "Toulouse Bootcamp 2024: Francophile Adventures and Insights," host Annie Sargent takes listeners on a journey through the experiences and stories of participants from the 2024 bootcamp. This special episode features personal anecdotes, travel tips, and reflections on the enchanting city of Toulouse and its surroundings. Get the podcast ad-free Listeners will hear about favorite activities such as visiting Albi, exploring the countryside, and indulging in wine and cheese tastings at a family-run organic winery. Participants also share insights from their French language classes, historical tours, and unique local adventures. Practical tips for future bootcampers include accommodation advice, maximizing language learning, and making the most of free time. The episode captures the camaraderie among bootcamp participants, the welcoming nature of Toulouse's residents, and the city's rich cultural and historical heritage. With a perfect blend of structured activities and personal exploration, "Toulouse Bootcamp 2024: Francophile Adventures and Insights" is an inspiring listen for anyone passionate about France and travel. Tune in to discover why Toulouse is the perfect base for a memorable French adventure. Table of Contents for this Episode Intro Today on the podcast Podcast supporters The Magazine segment Part 1 Favorite activity Not so happy about… What other tours have they been on before? Made any friends on the tour? Part 2 How is this tour different from others? Toulouse as a city Part 3 How did they join the bootcamp? Their Toulouse experiences The language classes About the bootcamp activities Made any new friends? Carefull when renting an electric car! Advice for future bootcampers Part 4 Favorite bootcamp thing What was unique about the bootcamp? Toulouse, a great base for exploration Accommodation choices Who is the bootcamp best for? Thank you Patrons A tour review News from French Politics Why are we having elections now? Why is Macron so Unpopular? Next week on the podcast Copyright More episodes about the Toulouse area #JoinUsInFrance, #ToulouseBootcamp, #Francophile, #TravelFrance, #FrenchCulture, #ExploreFrance, #TravelPodcast, #FranceTravel, #VisitToulouse, #FrenchLanguage, #FrenchHistory, #TravelCommunity

In a world filled with challenges and trials, many of us seek to find joy in life, a deep sense of contentment and delight that transcends circumstances. But where can we find this true joy, this joie de vivre, in the midst of life's ups and downs? Today I invite you into the biblical concept of joy, exploring how it is intimately connected to pursuing the ultimate prize in Christ. Join us as we journey through the wisdom of the scriptures and discover the path to cultivating a lifestyle of joy, rooted in the grand prize of Christ himself. Note | You are invited to go deeper by using our extensive digital book that includes, for each of our 12 episodes in the series, a listening guide, questions to ponder, key takeaways and key quotes, topics to go deeper, and more. Go to gospelspice.com/french for the details and to download a free sample. Let's start by exploring the biblical notion of pursuing a prize, as outlined in Philippians 3:14. The ultimate goal Paul pursues is to know Christ and the power of his resurrection. This sets the stage for understanding how Jesus Himself is the grand prize that Paul, and by extension, all believers, are after. As we reflect on this biblical perspective, we gain insights into the true purpose and fulfillment found in the pursuit of Christ as the ultimate prize of our lives. I invite you to draw a parallel between the French word "prix" (prize) and the concept of Jesus as the grand prix, the ultimate reward and the thrill of a lifetime. Just as in a race where only one receives the prize, we are encouraged to run in such a way as to win the prize of knowing Christ. We are reminded of the sacrificial cost Jesus paid to become our ultimate prize, and how this reflects the immeasurable value of our relationship with Him. So, view your pursuit of Christ as part of a grand adventure, the ultimate race where the prize is an intimate and deeply fulfilling relationship with your Savior! Amidst the pursuit of the ultimate prize, Paul's letters in Philippians also emphasize the importance of joy. Paul's expression of joy in the midst of hardship and trials highlights the connection between pursuing Christ and experiencing true joy. We explore the biblical definition of joy and how it transcends external circumstances. Together, let's explore the intertwining themes of contentment, gratitude, and rejoicing, highlighting that true joy is rooted in a deep, foundational relationship with Christ, and not in fleeting external circumstances. In the second half of the episode, I introduce the French expression "joie de vivre," which translates to "joy of living." This concept goes beyond mere personality traits and reflects a deep-rooted delight in simply being alive. The discussion shifts to the Hebrew word for joy, and how it aligns with the Christian understanding of delighting in the scriptures. We are reminded that cultivating joy in Christ is a lifelong journey, and it is intimately connected to our growth in faith and the abiding presence of God's word in our lives. As we conclude our exploration, we reaffirm the profound truth that pursuing Christ as the ultimate prize leads to a lifestyle marked by true joy. The pursuit of the grand prize of Christ transforms our perspective on life, infusing each moment with purpose and eternal significance. Cultivating joie de vivre in Christ is a slow and intentional process, but it is a journey filled with immeasurable richness and fulfillment. This journey of pursuing the ultimate prize and finding joy in Christ is an invitation to embrace the abundant life that Jesus promises to all who follow Him. As we imitate Paul, who imitates Christ, may our lives become a testament to the joy and fulfillment found in pursuing the grand prize of Christ. As we navigate our daily lives, may we be reminded of the ultimate reward that awaits us in Christ and may we cultivate a lifestyle of joy, rooted in our deep and abiding relationship with Him. We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with. Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Identity in the battle | Ephesians https://www.podcastics.com/episode/74762/link/ Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience https://www.podcastics.com/episode/94182/link/ Shades of Red | Against human oppression https://www.podcastics.com/episode/115017/link/ God's glory, our delight  https://www.podcastics.com/episode/126051/link/   Do you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us.  1- If you've enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It's at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don't want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup 2- Did you know Gospel Spice has a YouTube Channel? There's exclusive content there too. So, join Gospel Spice on YouTube! It's at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3- Also please give us a star rating and a comment on your podcast listening app. Your reviews actually really do make a difference to help others discover and experience Gospel Spice. You would be surprised how helpful these are! So please leave a star rating and a review of a sentence or two. Thank you! 4- As always, we are praying for you! You can confidentially email us your prayer requests and praise items at the email address contact@gospelspice.com. It is our privilege to pray for you! So, would you please invest 3 to 5 minutes of your time, maybe even right now, to do one (or more!) of the following suggestions: 1-      signup on our website for our newsletter to receive gifts you're going to love - at Gospelspice.com/signup 2-      find us on YouTube, and see what content we've put together to help you grow closer to Jesus - at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3-      rate Gospel Spice on your listening app – it's one of the easiest ways to share the gospel! 4-      and finally, tell us how we can pray for you! Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog We are celebrating five years of Gospel Spice with a wonderful in-person event here in the Philadelphia area with keynote speakers Os Guinness and his delightful wife Jenny on October 26, 2024. So, mark the date! Please let us know if you can attend (limited capacity) at gospelspice.com/october26 Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Bonjour! Stephanie here. I invite you through this new Gospel Spice series to embrace the French language and culture for a fresh explosion of faith! Join me to experience the beauty of Scripture in French, transcending linguistic barriers to explore the depths of faith and intimacy with God. Journey with me through Scripture, in French, even if you are completely unfamiliar with the language. This unusual approach aims to deepen the understanding of Scripture beyond its literal translation, incorporating the essence of French culture, literature, and gastronomy to enrich the spiritual experience. By unpacking Scripture through the lens of French language and culture, the series aims to reveal unexpected facets of Jesus and his teachings, inspiring you to approach your faith with newfound vigor. Note | You are invited to go deeper by using our extensive digital book that includes, for each of our 12 episodes in the series, a listening guide, questions to ponder, key takeaways and key quotes, topics to go deeper, and more. Go to gospelspice.com/french for the details and to download a free sample. Intriguingly, the French word for "delight" encompasses both delight and deliciousness, offering a deeper, more nuanced perspective. This linguistic treasure serves as a metaphor for the multifaceted journey that awaits us in this series, promising to uncover the richness of faith akin to a sumptuous feast. Step by step, together we will experience the layers of faith encapsulated within the French language. Our goal is simple, yet profound: together, let's foster a profound sense of joy and fulfillment in our spiritual walk! Over the next three months, each episode of the series will focus on a French word or expression to draw out deeper intimacy with Jesus, encouraging prayer, reflection, and introspection. The series aims to not only aid in understanding who Jesus is and what he has done for each one of us; it will also provide insights into who we are in his eyes and the purpose to which we are called in our lives. The series is not confined to mere listening. You are offered the opportunity to embark on a comprehensive spiritual journey through the accompanying guidebook. These resources contain listening guides, thought-provoking questions, recommended research topics, key takeaways, and sections designed for deep reflection and journaling. The experience can be pursued individually, with friends, or in a small group. You choose how you experience your journey! In this episode, I introduce the concept of RSVP, drawing parallels between the nuanced French expression and spiritual invitations. Just as "repondez s'il vous plait" signifies a polite request for a response, so does God tenderly coax forth the depths of our being, seeking our earnest reply. So, consider how you will RSVP to God's invitations! Consider virtues of surrender, trust, and openness in embracing His guidance. Drawing from Jesus' example in the beatitudes, let's enter an introspective exploration of how we respond to God's invitations. Consider the abundance of blessings in various circumstances, inspiring a deeper gratitude and understanding of our divine calling. Reflect on Jesus' invitation to count your blessings, so that you will experience a profound shift in perspective and appreciation for the grace you have received. As the series unfolds, we invite you on an in-depth exploration of your faith through language and culture. From uncovering the depths of the French language to embracing God's invitations through a Christ-like response, the journey promises to kindle in your heart a fresh passion for faith and an unwavering love for Christ. So, embrace the beauty of hope, love, and joy, responding to God's call with a resounding "oui" – a wholehearted and joyous affirmation of faith, reverence, and surrender. We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with. Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Identity in the battle | Ephesians https://www.podcastics.com/episode/74762/link/ Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience https://www.podcastics.com/episode/94182/link/ Shades of Red | Against human oppression https://www.podcastics.com/episode/115017/link/ God's glory, our delight  https://www.podcastics.com/episode/126051/link/   Do you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us.  1- If you've enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It's at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don't want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup 2- Did you know Gospel Spice has a YouTube Channel? There's exclusive content there too. So, join Gospel Spice on YouTube! It's at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3- Also please give us a star rating and a comment on your podcast listening app. Your reviews actually really do make a difference to help others discover and experience Gospel Spice. You would be surprised how helpful these are! So please leave a star rating and a review of a sentence or two. Thank you! 4- As always, we are praying for you! You can confidentially email us your prayer requests and praise items at the email address contact@gospelspice.com. It is our privilege to pray for you! So, would you please invest 3 to 5 minutes of your time, maybe even right now, to do one (or more!) of the following suggestions: 1-      signup on our website for our newsletter to receive gifts you're going to love - at Gospelspice.com/signup 2-      find us on YouTube, and see what content we've put together to help you grow closer to Jesus - at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3-      rate Gospel Spice on your listening app – it's one of the easiest ways to share the gospel! 4-      and finally, tell us how we can pray for you! Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog We have a beautiful free gift for you! Receive our 30-day summer prayer guide to guide you through a summer season of bounty, rest, sunshine, fellowship, and growth. 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Join Joey Pinz in a transformative conversation with Dixie Huey, author of "The Nourishment Mindset," as they delve into the profound impact of proper nutrition and mindset on overall health. In this episode, Dixie shares her personal journey from a ballet dancer struggling with an eating disorder to a nutrition expert passionate about empowering others. Discover the key highlights of their discussion:The shift from mindless calorie counting to mindful nourishment.The significant role of community and leisure in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.Practical tips for embracing a balanced approach to eating and living.Tune in to explore how embracing a nourishing mindset can lead to a healthier, more fulfilled life.

Join me as I sit down with Author and Leadership Consultant, Bob Perkins, to discuss, well... you! Bob is a Francophile, a Wine Importer, the Executive Director of The Timothy Foundation, and President of Bob Perkins Consulting, and with all of his free time, he decided to spend an hour talking to yours truly about the incredible ways that God reveals His character through everyday people like you and me. I hope this conversation blesses you - and that you feel encouraged and challenged to let the gospel drive every part of you - especially your core motivation! Enjoy!   Want to learn more about connecting at Chapelgate? Check out our website and consider joining us for worship on Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM (EST), either in-person or online! Chapelgate Young Family Ministry Questions, comments, or ideas about future episodes? Please contact our Pastor of Young Family Ministry, Rob Gicking. Editor & Producer – Constantine Hios   LINKS: Spotify Podcast Apple Podcast Google Podcast “In The Fire” Website Music composed by and used with permission of: AlexiAction    

Ever wondered how you can be a dedicated Francophile whilst living on the other side of the world in Australia, meet my second guest, Loulabelle of Loulabelle's FrancoFilesShe's a rather special guest because she's the host of another podcast with a show all about France. We're doing a swap and guesting on each other's podcast so we can both share our stories.Loulabelle is an Aussie who loves all things French and is living in my old stomping ground of Melbourne - yes I lived in Australia for ten years before moving to France, so I loved chatting all things France, and Australia, and hearing Loulabelle share her knowledge of places I haven't been to, as well as some I have. She's entertaining and has so many fab stories to share with you all.To find out more about Loulabelle and to listen to her podcast use the links below:Podcast WebsiteApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotifyI'm Kylie Lang, owner of Life in Rural France, a travel blog dedicated to helping others explore & discover all that France has to offer. On the blog, you'll discover sections covering:City Guides - everything you need to know about visiting cities such as Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Rouen, La Rochelle and many more.Moving to France - lots of resources to help you plan your move from visas and insurance to sim cards and watching TV.French Travel News - discover what's happening in France, from festivals and events to the latest deals and offers.If there is anything you'd like to know about living in France, the French culture or the history of this wonderful country, feel free to DM me on Instagram @lifeinruralfrance

In this episode, Karen Gombault welcomes Beeta Hashempour. After a trip to Paris in 2010, Beeta became a self-proclaimed Francophile, falling in love with France and French culture. After several visits, she eventually made the move to Paris and lived out her dream as a local among the Parisians. Today, she runs one of the leading French lifestyle sites MonPetitFour.com, is host of the podcast show The Life of a Bon Vivant, and enjoys hosting luxury retreats for other female Francophiles in France. Karen & Beeta have a very open conversation about their love for the country, lifestyle and all things French. The conversation touches upon:Discovering France: Beeta recounts her introduction to French culture and cuisine, sparking her love for all things French. Living in Paris: Reflecting on her experience in Paris, Beeta discusses the relaxed energy of French mealtimes and contrasts it with the fast-paced lifestyle in the US. Embracing French Food Culture: Beeta talks about the accessibility and quality of fresh produce at Parisian markets. Food Quality and Health: Beeta emphasizes the importance of food quality for health and advocates for mindful eating habits, prioritizing simplicity and quality over quantity. Karen & Beeta address the importance of self-care and the amount of inspiration that can be taken from French lifestyle practices. Overall, the conversation advocates for adopting elements of the French way of life to enhance well-being, how she adapted to French culture when she lived here in 2021 and why she wants to move back.Listeners can find Beeta here: https://www.MonPetitFour.com French recipes for every day.  Instagram: @MonPetitFour Facebook: @MonPetitFourBlog You can download a copy of her e-Cookbook "10 French Foods That Are Easier to Make Than You Think" when you join her email list: www.monpetitfour.com/sign-up/

Hi all!It's been nearly a year now since the last episode of The Wildlife Garden Podcast. We've had a lot to deal with in our personal lives so it has had to take a back seat. Ellie and I (Ben) are no longer working together, but Ellie is still going strong with her business, Ellies Wellies Organic Gardening.Although we've headed our separate ways, we've decided that we really want to keep the podcast going. You'll have a little longer to wait, but we will return this summer for a new series! If there are any topics you want us to cover, let us know. You can always contact us via the comments on Substack or email us at hello@wildlifegardenpod.com.Over the next few months I will be walking around 1,400 miles from the tip of Scotland at John O'Groats, right down to the furthest reaches of Cornwall at Lands End. Wish me luck with the weather and I hope to make some interesting botanical sightings along the way.Ellie is having an adventure of her own. As a Francophile, two weeks wildlife spotting around the French countryside can't get much better, that's if she finds time amongst drinking wine and eating cheese! She is particularly looking forward to her stay at Le Moulin De Pensol in the Limousin area near Limoges. With 8 hectares of rewilded land, they have an amazing array of wildlife. They are listeners to the podcast too, so get a big thumbs up from us

Dianne McHugh loves walking through Paris. So much so that she has created 20 walks, one for each arrondissement of the French capital. Dianne has her faves, but one thing she often looks for when planning a walk, is a patch of green on the map. Tha parks and recreational spaces of Paris are food for a Francophile soul! Dianne also likes to make time to have a break and read a book somewhere as well as take in at least one museum or gallery a day.During her last visit to Paris Dianne tried to squeeze all her 20 walks into a 14 day stay, but just fell short. Always leave a reason to  return I say! So now Dianne will go back for 4 weeks and complete the walk for each arrondissement. I'll be doing one of her walks when I next return to Paris too!Tune into feel as though you have had a momentary sojourn to Paris with us...If interested in the Normandy Retreat mentioned in this episode, email janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com for details.  **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

You'd be hard pressed to find a finer dinner party host, chef, hospitalitarian (yes that's a real word!) and devoted Francophile than Brooke Faudree. Look no further than the fact that she brought a beautiful sourdough and some excellent butter to share with Quam and Charles on this edition of Libations for Everyone. Breaking bread and sipping negronis are just the starters. Brooke recants stories from her various visits to France, including a particularly memorable lunch she had with some elderly legionnaires, after which she was given a really special gift. Here are your six topics:

In this week's episode of the Life of a Bon Vivant podcast, Beeta is thrilled to welcome Colet Williams, a lifestyle curator, champagne enthusiast, fur mom, and proud Francophile. With a Texan heart and Riviera dreams, she blends elegance with authenticity, inspiring others to embrace the joy of living.Through her wellness company and podcast, Eat the Damn Bread, Colette channels French joie de vivre, helping others create fulfilling lives. Join Beeta and Colet share their insights, wisdom, and infectious passion for France and savoring life's every moment. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatthedamnbread/Website: www.thecuratedretreat.com

Alex Ganipeau runs French language school "The French Hack" in Melbourne Australia and is our go to Frenchy to chat with about loads of things to help demystify French traditions, customs and culture!In today's chat we hear about the recently celebrated traditions of l'Ephinanie and Chandeleur, plus the ways Valentine's Day is recognised both now and historically in France.Alex tells us about the things that especially connect her to France and feeds my Francophile heart through her words. We discover that it's not necessarily the stuff and things we collect in life that are important, but rather the moments shared with those we love and times we spend in certain places that connect us to our soul.  Come and escape momentarily to France with us.To contact Jane Hiscock regarding the Normandy Retreat mentioned in this episode email: janehiscock@chateaudujonquay.com **Louise Prichard is the host of the Loulabelle's FrancoFiles podcast.**Other Loulabelle's links:FrancoFile Fix on YouTubeLoulabelle's FrancoFiles Spotify Playlist Loulabelle's FrancoFiles InstagramLoulabelle's FrancoFiles website

In this episode of You Are What You Read, we remember fashion icon and expert, André Leon Talley, in an exclusive interview from December 2020. This week marks two years since André's passing, and his tremendous influence continues. A beloved son, grandson, nephew and friend, André was raised in the south and flourished on the world stage. He was the first male African American editor of Vogue, and over the course of 50 years, his byline appeared in Vanity Fair, HG, Interview, and Women's Wear Daily. As a writer, bestselling author, artist, aesthete and Francophile, André had a front row seat to fashion shows around the world, and through his work, he invited us to revel in it. This a conversation with the legend about the pillars of his astonishing life: fashion, faith, family and fun.  We'd also like to thank our sponsor Book of the Month.  Head over to bookofthemonth.com and use Promo Code ADRI to get your first book for just $9.99. Thank you for listening, and thank you for reading.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karen is a Certified Lifestyle & Health Coach, who works with women in their 40s & 50s wanting to transform their bodies and their lives, age powerfully and create extraordinary health & vitality. Karen is a Francophile and, in this episode, shares her experience with France, how it has inspired her to incorporate elements into her every day life…whether that be the pace of life, work life balance boundaries, the attitude of French women when it comes to ageing or the general attention to beauty.Her recommendations in Paris:Bienvenue - Site de restaurant-lesouffle ! Le Soufflé and Les Restaurants - Cyril Lignac Monet's garden in Giverny You can find her here:Website: www.wellegantwoman.com Podcast: Wellegant Woman: Redefining Midlife (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wellegant-woman-redefining-midlife/id1666093399) Instagram: @wellegantwoman  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellegantwoman/ Free resource: The Midlife Glow Up Guide: 7 Days to Your Healthiest and Most Radiant Self  https://wellegantwoman.com/glowup/

Author Klancy MIller sits down to discuss her recently published book  For the Culture: Phenomenal Black Women and Femmes in Food, and the life and career that lead to her writing it. Her conversation with Andrew covers her early Francophile tendencies, matriculation at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, time in Michelin three-star  pastry kitchens, and her pivot to writing. This episode is brought to you in part by meez, the recipe operating system for culinary professionals. Try out their free basic version today.Andrew's next book The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food is now available for preorder! Please consider purchasing your copy/copies in advance and help the book have a great lift-off.And if you are in NYC, please come to the first book event/signing on Thursday, October 19, at 7pm at Books Are Magic (Montague Street location). Tickets now available!Andrew Talks to Chefs is a fully independent podcast and no longer affiliated with our former host network; please visit and bookmark our official website for all show updates, blog posts, personal and virtual appearances, and related news.

Are you considering a move to France or planning an extended stay in this country? In this eye-opening episode, we dive into the real reasons why you might—or might not—want to come to France. We explore the nation's complex tax system, explaining how it operates and whether French citizens truly feel they get their money's worth. What about the infamous French bureaucracy? Bring your best French, because it's as intricate as it is quintessentially French! If you're worried about strikes affecting your vacation plans or the challenges of finding parking in urban areas, we've got that covered too. But it's not all warnings and caveats. We'll also discuss the evolving aspects of French life, such as improving unemployment rates, a younger generation embracing English, and even a solution to the age-old problem of dog waste on sidewalks. Whether it's the rigid labor market, rising social tensions, or the distinctive slow pace of life that intrigues you, this episode provides an unbiased look at the unique blend of charm and challenges that France offers. We tackle myths, reveal surprising truths, and present a comprehensive overview that will leave you well-informed and perhaps even more curious about life in France. Whether you're an expat finding it tough to integrate or simply a Francophile pondering the high cost of living in Paris, tune in to gain valuable insights into what it truly means to live, work, and play in France. Table of Contents for this Episode Today on the podcast Podcast supporters The magazine part of the podcast Annie and Elyse 1. High taxes and social charges Income tax, impôt sur le revenu. VAT, a consumption tax Corporate tax, Impôts sur les societés. Taxe foncière and taxe d'habitation Wealth tax, impôt de solidarité sur la fortune immobilière Inheritance tax and Gift taxes Capital gains tax 2. Bureaucracy and complex administrative processes 3. Strikes and labor disputes disrupting daily life 4. Challenges in learning the french language 5. Perceived unfriendliness or indifference towards foreigners. 6. High cost of living in major cities, especially Paris. 7. Traffic congestion and limited parking in urban areas. 8. Limited job opportunities in certain sectors 9. Difficulty integrating into French Society for expats 10. Air pollution in larger cities 11. Rigid labor market and strict labor laws 12. Slow pace of life may frustrate some people. 13. Stores and businesses closed on Sundays and Holidays High unemployment rate, particularly for youth 15. Strikes and protests affecting public transportation and services 16. Rising social tensions and political polarization 17. Limited customer service culture compared to some other countries 18. Dog waste on sidewalks in some urban areas 19. Inconsistent business hours or long lunch break 20. Occasional language chauvinism making it difficult for non-French speakers Thank you, Patrons New patron rewards Preparing a trip to France? The Bonjour Service VoiceMap App Tours Olympics 2024 in Paris Next week on the podcast Copyright