Podcasts about French

Seth takes a closer look at MAGA allies insisting there is no such thing as international law as global outcry over the Trump administration's attack on Venezuela and its threats towards Greenland intensifies. Then, Jodie Foster talks about playing a psychoanalyst in the French film "A Private Life," her mom enrolling her in an immersion French school to learn the language at 9 years old and breaking out in hives during her first awards show.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A new week means new questions! Hope you have fun with these!The Oscars are presented by which professional honorary organization Headquartered in Beverly Hills, California?The French company Van Cleef & Arpels is a business mainly specializing in what?A quay is a structure primarily built on or along what kind of geographical feature?The first successful tornado warning in history occurred in 1948 at Tinker Air Field Air Force Base near what city?Till We Have Faces, The Great Divorce, and The Screwtape Letters are lesser-known novels by which author?In video and tabletop games, what does "NPC" stand for?Biellmann Spin, Lutz, and Crossover are all terms used in which sport?In a computer or video gaming system, what does the acronym GPU stand for?H2O2 is the chemical structure for what common product?In Greek myth, which monster was beheaded by the hero Perseus?Before decimalisation in the UK, how many pence made a shilling?The German state that existed from 1701 to 1918 was known as the Kingdom of what?Chad Kroeger and his Canadian chums enjoy this slightly sweet dark rye bread from Germany.In military tech, falconets, culverins, and carronades were all types of what?On The Office, what are the awards called that Michael hands out to his employees?MusicHot Swing, Fast Talkin, Bass Walker, Dances and Dames, Ambush by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Don't forget to follow us on social media:Patreon – patreon.com/quizbang – Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Check out our fun extras for patrons and help us keep this podcast going. We appreciate any level of support!Website – quizbangpod.com Check out our website, it will have all the links for social media that you need and while you're there, why not go to the contact us page and submit a question!Facebook – @quizbangpodcast – we post episode links and silly lego pictures to go with our trivia questions. Enjoy the silly picture and give your best guess, we will respond to your answer the next day to give everyone a chance to guess.Instagram – Quiz Quiz Bang Bang (quizquizbangbang), we post silly lego pictures to go with our trivia questions. Enjoy the silly picture and give your best guess, we will respond to your answer the next day to give everyone a chance to guess.Twitter – @quizbangpod We want to start a fun community for our fellow trivia lovers. If you hear/think of a fun or challenging trivia question, post it to our twitter feed and we will repost it so everyone can take a stab it. Come for the trivia – stay for the trivia.Ko-Fi – ko-fi.com/quizbangpod – Keep that sweet caffeine running through our body with a Ko-Fi, power us through a late night of fact checking and editing!

Shawn French is a speaker, coach, and podcast host whose life and brand are built on resilience, discipline, and unyielding determination. Drawing from overcoming personal adversity and healing childhood wounds, he has transformed his journey into a mission to inspire and push others to stop negotiating with their greatness. Through his work, including the acclaimed "Determined Society" podcast and community, Shawn French empowers leaders and individuals to harness their pain, elevate their standards, and pursue their purpose with intention, discipline, and grit. Takeaways: Standards Over Goals: Success is rooted in maintaining personal standards, not just chasing goals. Standards become your minimum expectation and shape who you are during the journey. Discipline is Freedom: The daily commitment to mundane, consistent habits grants true freedom and peace of mind, allowing individuals to move forward with zero regrets. Embrace the Mundane: Lasting impact and achievement come from relentlessly executing the unglamorous, everyday tasks—even when motivation is low. Sound Bytes: "If it feeds the mission, then eat it, then go for it. But if it moves you further away from your goal, retreat. Don't do it." "You have to be able to drop the walls and take that ego... I have to be vulnerable in this moment and admit that I didn't perform because of me." "Discipline is freedom. Because when you act on that, there's nothing anyone can say... You have earned that moment no matter what." Connect & Discover Shawn: Instagram: @theshawnfrench Podcast: The Determined Society Website: thedeterminedsociety.com X: @theshawnmfrench Facebook: @thewronghouse YouTube: @thedeterminedsociety

We are returning from our winter holidays feeling refreshed, renewed, and optimistic about 2026. Ha ha ha ha! No, but seriously, Trump's capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores was the New Year's gift that Europe certainly did not ask for, and it raises a host of alarming questions. Among them: Does this move grant a permission slip for Vladimir Putin to encroach even further into Europe? And what does this mean for Greenland?    As we tiptoe into the year ahead with heaps of anxiety about what it might have in store, we wanted to get some perspective from Alberto Alemanno, professor of EU law, founder of The Good Lobby, and longtime friend of the podcast. Alberto always has a smart, fresh perspective on what's happening on the continent, and despite being jetlagged this week, he certainly did not disappoint.   We're also talking this week about Bulgaria's adoption of the euro—a move that comes with some risks, but about which we are cautiously optimistic—and about the 308,000 Greek students who recently lost their student status. This week's Inspiration Station recommendations are Rosa Balistreri's song “Curri Cavaddu Miu”, the French-owned streaming platform Qobuz, which offers a potentially more ethical alternative to Spotify, and going to the dentist in other countries (makes more sense if you listen in).   Resources for this episode: “Hitting record highs: unpacking support for the euro” – European Central Bank, 2025 Alberto's excellent and information-rich Instagram, LinkedIn, and BlueSky accounts  “Rosa Balistreri” – Enciclopedia Delle Donne  Even more songs by Rosa Balistreri Instagram post by @patriciana comparing the ethics, content, and costs of various streaming platforms    Stride trepidatiously into the new year with The Europeans in your inbox! Our new newsletter, Good Week Bad Week, comes out on Friday mornings. Sign up here.   This podcast was brought to you in cooperation with Euranet Plus, the leading radio network for EU news. But it's contributions from listeners that truly make it all possible—we could not continue to make the show without you! If you like what we do, you can chip in to help us cover our production costs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/europeanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (in many different currencies), or you can gift a donation to a superfan. We'd also love it if you could tell two friends about this podcast. We think two feels like a reasonable number. Produced by Katz Laszlo and Morgan Childs Mixing and mastering by Wojciech Oleksiak Music by Jim Barne and Mariska Martina YouTube | Bluesky | Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Substack | hello@europeanspodcast.com

JJ French has lived the full arc of American heavy metal — from club-level survival to global legacy. As guitarist, co-founder, and longtime strategist behind Twisted Sister, JJ French reflects on what it actually takes to last 50 years in a business designed to burn artists out. This is not a nostalgia interview. It is a candid conversation about discipline, reinvention, timing, and truth. JJ discusses the early definition of success, why the UK embraced Twisted Sister before the U.S., the cultural divide between punk and metal at CBGB, the PMRC hearings and their real-world consequences, lineup decisions for the current era, and why the band is returning in 2026 for select 50th-anniversary performances. The conversation also covers milestone performances — including post-9/11 New York City shows, Sweden Rock 2022, and the Morristown Twisted Christmas concert — along with reflections on legacy, music licensing, health, and perspective earned the hard way. Chapters are included for easy navigation.   CHAPTER MARKS 02:59 – Did You Ever Expect Twisted Sister to Last 50 Years? 04:03 – What “Success” Really Meant in the Early Years 06:00 – When the Band Shifted from Survival to the Long Game 12:12 – Was the Live Album Recorded at That Legendary Show? 13:09 – Why the UK Embraced Twisted Sister Before the U.S. 14:31 – Why Twisted Sister Was Never Accepted at CBGB 19:22 – Why the 2026 Twisted Sister 50th Anniversary Shows Are Happening 21:25 – Choosing the Lineup: Joey Franco & Russell Zuto Explained 22:15 – Why Mark Mendoza Isn't Part of This Version 23:10 – Setlists Today: Deep Cuts or Greatest Hits? 29:57 – Why the Rochester Show Was Recorded for King Biscuit Flour Hour 33:00 – Reflections on 9/11 NYC, Sweden Rock 2022 & the Final U.S. Christmas Show 35:17 – PMRC 40 Years Later: JJ French Looks Back 38:09 – Are “We're Not Gonna Take It” & “I Wanna Rock” the Most Licensed Metal Songs? 39:22 – What JJ French Hopes This Tour Adds to the Legacy   LINKS Official Twisted Sister Website https://twistedsister.com JJ French Official Website https://www.jayjayfrench.com Metal Mayhem ROC https://www.metalmayhemroc.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Learn how to use the expression “keep your options open,” a phrase people use when they haven't yet made a decision.Explore the full lesson & practice using today's expression: https://plainenglish.com/expressions/keep-your-options-open--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

Geoff, Gavin and Andrew talk about traffic light city, ice cream interaction, highest employees, bad sleep, sticky sandwich, mandarin orange pizza, getting ready to mix it up, cadbury eggs, Revenge of the Ninja, Smurfs, French stuff, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kennedies, Smurf burning party, Summer movies, artistic intent, dictionaries, friggerific, Julia Roberts, Jim Carrey, year trade, Canucks, wallpaper, Google, Ghostrider, Hardcore Henry, and talk size. Support us directly at https://www.patreon.com/TheRegulationPod Stay up to date, get exclusive supplemental content, and connect with other Regulation Listeners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rod and Karen discuss their Podcast anniversary, Doug LaMalfa dies, DOJ sued on eve of Jan. 6 to 'shed light' on top officials' communications about Trump pardons, Fans slam Dwight Howard for urging Donald Trump to impose mandatory military service, Megyn Kelly doesn’t support Trump’s war because her kids might get drafted, Trump warns that if GOP loses midterms he could be impeached, George Clooney and family become French citizens, Barn where Emmett Till was slain is bought as a ‘sacred site’ - Mississippi Today, Kevin Durant Committed $10M To Establish A Free Maryland-Based After-School Facility, Bishop Patrick Wooden Criticizes Jamal Bryant During Sermon, Gender Wars, women attack couple in road rage incident, officer gets on Zoom with no pants for court hearing, dad steals baby mama's car while she's giving birth and sword ratchetness. Podjam 3 Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/podjam3 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theblackguywhotips Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rodimusprime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SayDatAgain⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TBGWT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheBlackGuyWhoTips⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theblackguywhotips@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theblackguywhotips.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Teepublic Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- https://the-black-guy-who-tips-podcast.dashery.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Wishlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1PDD9JUQUNVY5?ref_=wl_share ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Crowdcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – https://www.crowdcast.io/theblackguywhotips Voicemail: ‪(980) 500-9034 Go Premium: https://www.theblackguywhotips.com/premium/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

225: Bonsoir and happy new year to you all! Andrew's awesome girlfriend Lauren joins the podcast as they set up outside of the hottest nightclub in Paris and chat with wild French partygoers until 3AM. Guests include a young guy who gets kicked out of the club for a major party foul, two girls drunkenly debating the existence of god, and France's premiere social media influencer slash night club doorman, Isaak Dessaux. Recorded on 05/16/2025 in front of La Fête in Paris, France!Refresh your winter wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/podoutside for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Go to hims.com/OUTSIDE for your personalized ED treatment options.This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit Betterhelp.com/outside today to get 10% off your first month.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

January 7, 1558. A French army captures Calais after two centuries of English rule. This episode originally aired in 2025. Support the show! Join Into History for ad-free listening and more. History Daily is a co-production of Airship and Noiser.Go to HistoryDaily.com for more history, daily.

Many, many years ago (like 15 years ago when I started the pod! ) I did a bunch of shows to define terroir. This was when there was a lot of controversy over whether or not terroir was "real", with people lining up on various sides – terroir is a bunch of bunk made up by snobby French people, wine from anywhere can be made to taste the same regardless of place, the winemaker is more important than the land, and on the other side – terroir is magic that can't be explained, only European wines have a sense of place, etc., etc.   In this show I discuss some of the newer definitions of terroir that most of the world has settled on, as well as the finer points that are still argued. I address how the concept of a sense of place came to be, and specifics of what's included in the definition, and then wrap with my views on terroir.     Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Join the community today! www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople _______________________________________________________________   This show is brought to you by my sponsor, Wine Access – THE place to discover your next favorite bottle. Wine Access has highly allocated wines and incredible values, plus free shipping on orders of $150 or more. You can't go wrong with Wine Access! Join the WFNP/Wine Access wine club and get 6 awesome bottles for just $150 four times a year. That includes shipping! When you become a member, you also get 10% all your purchases on the site. Go to wineaccess.com/normal to sign up! 

Welcome to episode 315 of Growers Daily! We cover: today I am so excited to share this conversation with my buddy Eric Nordell of Beech Grove Farm in Pennsylvania to chat about, well, a lot of things. Eric and his wife Anne have run beech grove farm since 1983 and they do things a little differently (like farming with horses) but they dry farm which we discuss, they use some cover crops in the paths in interesting ways (also discussed) and in fact, we get into a whole digression about their deer fencing that you're gonna wanna hear. We are a Non-Profit! 

This is Sean's first podcast eposode ever where he felt he needed to add an E! No, he doesn't swear but...it's a juicy one. Parents know their kids need more than rules, reminders, and lectures—they need guidance on the deep stuff: intimate topics like sexuality, French kisses, making out, dancing very, very close at middle school dances, porn, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, bases, and beyond... In this episode, Sean unpacks how to speak to your children about intimate, private things. Things that every child and teen needs to know to thrive. He breaks down what to say, how to model it, and how to turn everyday moments into powerful lessons they'll carry forever. Go deeper with Sean at SaveMyFamily.us Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wildfires devastated LA-area communities about a year ago. There are some signs of recovery, but many residents remain uncertain about whether, or when, they will be able to rebuild their homes. Also: today's stories, including how South Carolina offers a new take on stand-your-ground laws; what steeper challenges lie ahead for French first lady Brigitte Macron after securing her legal victory over those who lied about her gender; and how South Sudanese youth use music to push back against war and ethnic conflict. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

onight we pour a tall glass of rediscovered desire:Beth – The Unretired Slut A freshly divorced mom digs out her old slutty wardrobe, hits the bars with live music, and ends up getting railed raw in the cramped back seat of her tiny Ford Fiesta by a drummer young enough to crown her an official cougar. Finger stamina may have changed instruments, but the hunger is louder than ever.Paul – The Cracked Door at the Lake House A weekend of harmless group flirting turns electric when Paul accidentally walks in on his best friend's wife Samantha touching herself… while moaning his name. One shushing finger, one mutual masturbation session, and one shared secret later, the line between friends and forbidden is forever blurred.Sandra – The Strip-Club Bet A playful wager with her boyfriend over real vs. fake breasts leads to a private lap dance from a gorgeous French dancer. Grinding turns into art, jeans stay on, and Sandra experiences a mortifyingly intense, hands-free orgasm while her boyfriend watches—and pays. Sometimes the hottest messes are the ones you don't have to clean up.A dimly lit hotel suite. A trail of discarded clothes. A dominant stranger named Lucas who spanks, commands, and fucks Nikky senseless on silk sheets—while a trusted shadow watches every thrust, every scream, every eye-locked climax from behind a cracked door. Raw, brutal, beautiful.Join us over on Discord. https://discord.gg/mV34A32uContent Warning: This episode contains explicit sexual content, including graphic descriptions of nudity, public sex, infidelity, and boundary-pushing consensual fantasies. Stories are fictional and depict enthusiastic consent. Listener discretion advised; 18+ only. Submissions involving bestiality, incest, underage role-play, rape, non-consensual content, or racial slurs are not aired. Get Involved:Submit Your Story: Got a secret fantasy or steamy confession? Write to Nikky at Nikky@dearnikky.com or submit anonymously at DearNikky.com/confessions. By submitting, you certify:You're the sole creator of the submission.You're 18+ and legally able to submit erotic material.No prohibited themes (bestiality, incest, underage, rape, non-consensual content, racial slurs).Names/identifiable info may be changed.You release all rights to the submission.Say Hello: Have a burning fantasy or just want to chat? Email Nikky@dearnikky.com or connect on Twitter (@DNikky162), Instagram (@DNikky162) , or Facebook (@DearNikky). Nikky wants to hear your naughtiest thoughts!Support the Show: Love these private peeks into filthy lives? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,  Spreaker or your favorite platform to help new listeners discover the heat. Your support keeps the conversation sizzling!Support Nikky:Patreon: Unlock exclusive confessions, bonus thoughts, and steamy Q&As at Patreon.com/DearNikky. Join the inner circle for extra spice!Nectar.ai: Explore your wildest fantasies with immersive AI experiences at Nectar.ai. Perfect for Frisky Friday fans craving more.Featured Release: Dear Nikky: Sex Confessions From People Just Like You is out now! Dive deeper into the raw, unfiltered stories you love. Contact:Email: Nikky@dearnikky.comWebsite: DearNikky.com/confessionsSocials: Twitter (@DNikky162), Instagram (@DNikky162), Facebook (@DearNikky)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dear-nikky-hidden-desires--6316414/support.

Today we're with Julie Brown (Clueless, Camp Rock)! You know her as Paula Norwood, and she's here to breakdown episode 315, "Valentine's Day III." She tells us about her 1 line audition, her very "Sue" moment regarding French kissing, and what it was like to be a judge on one of the most famous episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race. Plus be sure to listen to her new podcast, "Just Say Julie," releasing soon!WE HAVE MERCH! Get yours at: https://www.bonfire.com/middling! Whether you want the famed yellow Cross-Country hoodie, a crew-neck sweatshirt, or a t-shirt... we got you! They also come in a variety of colors and are so, so comfy. This merch a symbol of our shared love for the show and our podcast community. And we hope you love it as much as we do.Want extended episodes and video? That's all happening at Patreon.com/MiddlingPod. You can subscribe monthly or purchase one off episodes!Wanna chat with us?! Click HERE to leave us a voicemail with your questions or comments. You could just hear it on the podcast... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky and key allies meet in an effort to agree security guarantees for Kyiv, we assess the outcome. Then: Thailand accuses Cambodia of truce violation and Berlin’s ongoing blackout after infrastructure attack. Plus: news from the Balkans and the French antidote to ‘Dry January’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK and France agree to send troops to Ukraine if a peace deal is reached, Thailand accuses Cambodia of truce violation and Berlin’s ongoing blackout after infrastructure attack. Plus: the French antidote to Dry January.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Psaumes 7:1-17

WESTERN AIRSTRIKES ON ISIS Colleague Akmed Sharawari. Sharawari discusses recent British and Frenchairstrikes against ISIS weapons caches in Syria. He notes that despite opposing the central government, ISIS remains a universal threat. The chaos following the Assad regime's fall has allowed ISIS cells to regroup in urban areas, necessitating Western intervention to destroy their stolen arsenals. NUMBER 6 1924 ALEPPO

SHOW 1-5-26 THE SHOW BEGINS IN DOUBTS ABOUT VENEZUELA, NIGERIA, SYRIA, RUSSIA, CHINA 1936 KENYA 1. NIGERIA AIRSTRIKE AND THE JIHADIST SHIFT Guest: Edmund Fitton-Brown Edmund Fitton-Brown analyzes a US airstrike against ISIS in Nigeria, discussing the growing jihadist threat in West Africa's "ungoverned spaces." He highlights a strategic shift where African juntas reject Western support for Russian mercenaries, who offer security without governance conditions, inadvertently boosting local support for Al-Qaeda coalitions like JNIM,,. 2. EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN ALLIANCE VS. TURKEY Guest: Edmund Fitton-Brown Fitton-Brown examines the cooperation between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel as a necessary pushback against Turkish President Erdogan's neo-Ottoman expansionism. He argues Erdogan's aggressive rhetoric regarding Jerusalem and maritime claims threatens regional stability, necessitating a unified defense from these democracies to counter Turkish overreach in the Mediterranean,. 3. CHINA'S OIL LOSS IN VENEZUELA Guest: Gordon Chang and Charles Burton The guests discuss how the US removal of Maduro disrupts China's oil supply, leaving Beijing with billions in unpaid debt. They note that Chinese military equipment failed to detect the US operation, embarrassing Beijing. Burton suggests Canada faces a difficult choice between aligning with US hemispheric security or appeasing China,,. 4. 2026: A HOLLOW SUPERPOWER Guest: Gordon Chang and Charles Burton Chang and Burton speculate that the US operation in Venezuela exposes China's inability to protect its allies, making Beijing appear "hollow." Chang argues this weakens China's threat against Taiwan, while Burton suggests that with China's economy failing and its allies collapsing, the regime faces internal instability and a loss of global prestige,. 5. SECTARIAN WARFARE IN SYRIA Guest: Akmed Sharawari Akmed Sharawari reports on escalating violence between Syria's Alawite minority and the central government led by former jihadist Al-Shara. He explains that regime remnants and Russian influence are fueling Alawite defiance, while Druze and Kurdish factions also resist integration, complicating US hopes for a stable, unified post-Assad state,,. 6. WESTERN AIRSTRIKES ON ISIS Guest: Akmed Sharawari Sharawari discusses recent British and French airstrikes against ISIS weapons caches in Syria. He notes that despite opposing the central government, ISIS remains a universal threat. The chaos following the Assad regime's fall has allowed ISIS cells to regroup in urban areas, necessitating Western intervention to destroy their stolen arsenals,. 7. HEZBOLLAH'S LATIN AMERICAN FINANCING Guest: David Daoud David Daoud details Hezbollah's deep entrenchment in Venezuela, used to challenge US hegemony. He explains how the group exploits Latin American networks, illicit trade, and legitimate business fronts within expatriate communities to generate essential funding, compensating for losses in Lebanon and serving Iran's broader strategy in the Western Hemisphere,. 8. LEBANESE ARMY COLLUSION Guest: David Daoud Daoud highlights the compromised nature of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), citing a recent incident where an LAF soldier killed alongside Hezbollah members received a joint funeral. He argues this collusion makes the LAF an untrustworthy partner for Israel, as sectarian loyalties often supersede national duty, leading to dangerous intelligence leaks,. 9. THE FALL OF MADURO Guest: Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo Alejandro Peña Esclusa celebrates the swift US capture of Maduro as Venezuela's liberation. He argues Vice President Delcy Rodriguez must now dismantle the "Cartel of the Suns" to avoid Maduro's fate. Ernesto Araújo frames this as a decisive victory for freedom, forcing a choice between democracy and criminal syndicates,,. 10. US DEMANDS: TERRORISTS OUT Guest: Alejandro Peña Esclusa Peña Esclusa supports US demands for Iran, Hezbollah, and the ELN to be expelled from Venezuela, asserting the population shares these desires. He characterizes Maduro as a drug lord and a threat to Western security, criticizing European leftists who condemn the operation for failing to recognize the regime's criminal nature. 11. PANIC AMONG THE LATIN LEFT Guest: Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo Ernesto Araújo explains that leftist leaders like Lula and Petro fear the US action against Maduro because their power structures share similar corruption. Peña Esclusa adds that Colombian President Petro is terrified because his campaign was funded by Venezuelan drug money, making him vulnerable to the exposure of these secrets,. 12. THE RIGHTWARD SHIFT IN ELECTIONS Guest: Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo Araújo predicts the US action in Venezuela will energize the Latin American right, specifically boosting the Bolsonaro movement in Brazil. Peña Esclusa forecasts electoral defeats for the left in Costa Rica, Peru, and Colombia, arguing the region is turning away from narco-socialism toward US-aligned conservative leadership,. 13. RUSSIA'S MAXIMALIST DEMANDS Guest: John Hardie John Hardie outlines Russia's unyielding demands for peace, including territorial concessions and barring Ukraine from NATO. He notes that while Zelensky is nearing agreement with the West on security guarantees, the gap with Russia remains wide. Hardie urges the Trump administration to increase pressure to force Putin to compromise,. 14. THE IMPOSSIBLE DMZ Guest: John Hardie Hardie discusses the complexities of implementing a demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Ukraine, citing disagreements over sovereignty and administration. Regarding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, he notes Russia is unlikely to return control to Ukraine. He concludes that peace deals requiring Ukraine to cede territory are "poison pills" likely to fail,. 15. HAMAS AND THE IMPOSSIBLE RECONSTRUCTION Guest: Peter Berkowitz Peter Berkowitz argues that Hamas, as a Muslim Brotherhood offshoot, remains committed to Israel's destruction, making peace impossible. He criticizes the "Project Sunrise" reconstruction plan, noting that US-led development is futile without first disarming and deradicalizing Gaza, a task only the IDF can currently achieve given Hamas's refusal to surrender,. 16. IRAN ON THE BRINK Guest: Jonathan Sia Jonathan Sia reports on unprecedented Iranian protests and rumors that Ayatollah Khamenei plans to flee to Moscow. He attributes the regime's panic to the recent fall of allies like Maduro. Sia notes a shift in protester sentiment toward pro-monarchy chants, suggesting a coordinated opposition now exists to replace the theocracy,.

SafeSport has suspended Al Fong for five years after a nearly six year long investigation, Melanie de Jesus dos Santos confirms her return ''to the gym'', and all the NCAA news to kick off the 2026 season. HEADLINES SafeSport has suspended Al Fong for five years after a nearly six year long investigation Armine was also suspended for one year after acting as the head coach of the Junior Worlds squad Both coaches were suspended for emotional and physical misconduct Listen to our interviews with Ivana Hong, Terin Humphrey, and Sarah Shire Brown, who talk about their time at GAGE under coach Al Fong  Melanie de Jesus dos Santos confirms her return ''to the gym'' according to her Instagram GYMTERNET NEWS More discontent brewing in France: 15-year-old Elena Colas, the junior world all-around silver medalist, declined a call-up to a French national team training camp in Martinique SafeSport Continues to Fail The AP finds SafeSport failed to finalize a lifetime ban against coach Sean Gardner despite abuse allegations Romanian Infighting An audio recording reveals Camelia Voinea urging supporters to attack coach Corina Moroșan, exposing a deep internal power struggle over how the gymnastics should be run in Romania OC Coach Arrested 25-year-old Jacob Alexander Demmin was arrested following an investigation into an alleged relationship with a girl under the age of 18 at Firestorm Freerunning. Ellie Freakin' Black finally getting the recognition she deserves Ellie Black was named to Order of Canada: the second-highest honor for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada NCAA The 2026 college season has begun! Is competing in the first week of the season a good idea? bad idea? The WORST idea? Jordan Chiles went 39.725 in week 1, leading the nation in the all-around standings, thoughts? UCLA is ranked no. 1 with a 196.975 How does UCLA's freshmen class fit into this picture? Missouri went 196.850, counting a fall on beam! Corrupt or Correct: Utah's scores, as covered on college and cocktails this week Clemson breaking into the 196s after the first meet is a win A triumph for vault variety! The first four vaults in Clemson's lineups were different Cal broke into the 196s, an important result for the team to show they aren't dead Leaps spotlight Paulina Vargas, sophomore at Oregon State, proving to us that nobody really cares if you only do a two-pass floor routine as long as your leaps look as good as hers Spotlight: The Show Nina Ballou at LSU's exhibition SOLD her dance through, bringing like 15 different celebrations during the intros Is it time to be worried? Iowa State's 191.325 is their lowest score since 1999 RELATED EPISODES Paris World Cup with Laura Cappelle Jakarta Worlds Debrief: The Romanian Drama Explained With Coaches Daymon Jones & Patrick Kiens 60: Terin Humphrey 26: Ivana Hong 358: Regionals Preview, Shire Brown, Olivera, Ruddock UP NEXT College & Cocktails: Saturday, Jan 10, 3pm Pacific, following Sprouts Quad session 1 (Oklahoma, UCLA, Utah, LSU) Add exclusive Club Content like College & Cocktails to your favorite podcast player (instructions here). SUPPORT OUR WORK  Join Club Gym Nerd (or give it as a gift!) for access to weekly Behind the Scenes episodes. Club Gym Nerd members can watch the podcast being recorded and get access to all of our exclusive extended interviews, Behind The Scenes and College & Cocktails. Not sure about joining the club?  College & Cocktails: The Friday Night NCAA Gymnastics Post-Meet Show is available to sample (even if you aren't a Club Gym Nerd member yet). Watch or listen here. Buy a Ticket to the Live Show with Cecile Landi and Levi WATCH REPLAY HERE : Buy a ticket now or buy it as a gift! If you purchased a ticket to the live show with Cecile Landi and Levi Jung-Ruivivar benefitting The National Eating Disorder Foundation you can still watch the replay.  Watch highlights before you buy here. 2026 LIVE SHOW SEASON PASSES ARE NOW AVAILABLE That's 4 live show passes for the price of 3! Season passes will be available up until the week of the first show. Buy a 2026 season pass here. MERCH GymCastic Store: clothing and gifts to let your gym nerd flag fly and even "tapestries" (banners, the perfect to display in an arena) to support your favorite gymnast! Baseball hats available now in the GymCastic store THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS Huel Daily Greens Ready to Drink – Get 20% off your purchase for New Customers with our exclusive code GYMCASTIC20 at https://huel.com/GYMCASTIC. Use our code and fill out the post checkout survey to help support the show! Thank you to our Sponsor: "Broken to Unbreakable" by Lori Vollkommer available on Amazon or wherever you buy your books NEWSLETTERS Sign up for all three GymCastic newsletters  FANTASY GAME: GymCastic 2026 College Fantasy Game now open. Never too late to join! RESOURCES Spencer's essential website The Balance Beam Situation  Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim RESISTANCE  Submitted by our listeners. ACTION Indivisible Practical ideas about what you can actually do in this moment, check it out: indivisi.org/muskorus 5Calls App will call your Congresspeople by issue with a script to guide you Make 2 to your Congressional rep (local and DC office). 2 each to your US Senators (local and state offices) State your name and zip code or district Be concise with your question or demand (i.e. What specific steps is Senator X taking to stop XYZ) Wait for answer Ask for action items -  tell them what you want them to do (i.e. draft articles of impeachment immediately, I want to see you holding a press conference in front of...etc.) ResistBot Turns your texts into faxes, postal mail, or emails to your representatives in minutes LAWSUITS Donate to organizations suing the administration for illegal actions ACLU, Southern Poverty Law Center, Northwest Immigration Law Project STAY INFORMED Suggested podcasts:  Amicus, Daily Beans, Pod Save America, Strict Scrutiny Immigrant Rights Know Your Rights Red Cards, We Have Rights Video, Your Rights on trains and buses video  

In this episode, you'll practice the French nasal sound /ɔ̃/ (bonbon or non) with a simple listen & repeat exercise.

Welcome to episode 314 of Growers Daily! We cover: what to consider with soil mixes, soil blocking tips to keep them from drying out and being a big, heavy waste of time and money, and also flameweeding! We are a Non-Profit! 

The Age of Victoria returns for the 2026 season with a high-energy prologue to our new series, “Hunger and Revolution”. In this episode, we follow the “magnificent, terrible, magnetic” Lola Montez as she transitions from the stage to the high-stakes world of European politics. Lola becomes an “accidental bunch of dynamite,” moving through the bohemian circles of Paris and the royal halls of Munich. Her volatile relationship with the “rockstar” composer Franz Liszt and her scandalous influence over King Ludwig I of Bavaria serve as a sparking point for the unrest that would soon consume the continent. Against the grim backdrop of the “Continental Famine” and rising industrial tensions, we examine how one woman's individual actions could help bring the curtain down on the pre-modern age. Key Topics Covered: Bohemian Paris in the 1840s: A city of romance and industry undergoing a transformation marked by early railway stations, gas streetlights, and artistic experimentation. Lisztomania and the Great Composers: Exploring the electric performances and scandalous love life of Franz Liszt—the “rockstar” of the 19th century—who redefined the status of the artist in society. The Duel of Dujarier: Lola's time in the French literary scene alongside figures like Victor Hugo ended in tragedy when her lover, journalist Alexandre Henri Dujarier, was killed in a reluctant pistol duel. The “Gallery of Beauties”: A look at the 36 oil paintings in King Ludwig's collection, where Lola's portrait eventually sparked a national scandal. The Continental Famine: Examining the “parallel story” of the 1845–1847 potato blight across Europe that fueled the urban discontent leading to the 1848 revolutions. The Fall of Munich: The student riots at the University of Munich involving the “Lolamannen,” the exile of Montez, and King Ludwig I's ultimate abdication. “The Battle of Ballarat”: A summary of Lola's later years, including her infamous whip-fight with a newspaper editor in the Australian goldfields. Works Cited & Sources: Edmund B. d'Auvergne: Lola Montez: An Adventuress of the 'Forties (Project Gutenberg). Dictionary of Irish Biography: “Gilbert, Eliza Rosana (Lola Montez)” by Lawrence William White. Schloss Nymphenburg: “King Ludwig I's Gallery of Beauties (Room 15).” Interlude.hk: “Life of Chopin: The Controversial Chopin Biography by Liszt” by Emily E. Hogstad . Interlude.hk: “The Spy who loved me! Liszt and Agnes Street-Klindworth”. Dance Biographies: “Alexandre Henri Dujarier” & “The Fascinating Lola Montez: The European Years.” State Library Victoria: “Wild times with Lola Montez” (The Battle of Ballarat). Elizabeth Kerri Mahon: “Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets: The Racy Life of Lola Montez.” Oktoberfest.de: “The History of Oktoberfest”. Encyclopedia of 1848 Revolutions: “Economic Crisis in the first half of 1847” (Ohio.edu). The post EP065 SETTING EUROPE ON FIRE appeared first on AGE OF VICTORIA PODCAST.

Jodie Foster stops by to catch up and discuss her latest film ‘A Private Life,' where she takes on a leading role that's entirely in French. Also, with car insurance costs skyrocketing, NBC chief consumer investigative correspondent Vicky Nguyen offers a few different ways to save money. Plus, our Shop TODAY team shares a few favorite finds and products to help you crush all of your goals in the new year. And, nutrition and health expert Joy Bauer shares a few health and wellness tips to help you achieve your goals in 2026. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

THE ELEPHANT REVIEW According to legend, and a very quick google search, the very first animated story was by French artist Émile Cohl called Fantasmagorie back in 1908. It lasted a little over a minute and featured our protagonist trying to get rid of hats, a clown, and an elephant. Over a century later, a […]

study the present tense conjugation of the verb 'finir'.

For bars and restaurants, January is usually the quietest month of the year. That makes it a great time to visit some of Portland's new food spots. Today, Portland Monthly associate editor of food and drink Alex Frane is here with five recently opened restaurants and bars that you should put on your must-visit list. From farm-to-table French food to rotisserie chicken at a 70s-themed bar, Alex is telling us exactly what we should order when we're there.   Mentioned in today's episode: LaVerne's Bar Nouveau  L'Echelle Pal's Lil' Barbeque Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here.  Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter and be sure to follow us on Instagram.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about the sponsors of this January 6th episode Lan Su Chinese Garden Neo Home Loans D'Amore Law

Dawn shares a story about a Broadway audience member who wouldn't stop singing along to the show. Prince Harry might just be getting his security detail back after all. Celebs continue to behave badly, including Aaron Phypers and Britanny Furlan. Is George Clooney secretly plotting to divorce Amal? By becoming French? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we are exploring the idea of invisible indulgences, the private rituals and quiet choices that shape how safe, nourished, and at ease you feel in your everyday life.   Drawing inspiration from French culture, we unpack why pleasure doesn't need to be earned, justified, or performed, and how the smallest, unseen moments of care can soften your nervous system and fundamentally change how you move through the world.   You'll walk away with a new lens on luxury, one rooted in presence rather than productivity, along with gentle ways to begin integrating pleasure into your life without waiting for permission.   In this episode, we dive into: Why the most powerful forms of care are often the ones no one sees How private rituals create safety, ease, and self-trust over time What the French understand about daily pleasure that many of us overlook Simple, everyday indulgences that make life feel richer without adding more effort   Useful Resources:

Week 40 of Ted Gioia's Immersive Humanities Course brings together three demanding—and deeply philosophical—works: Leo Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyich, Fyodor Dostoyevsky's The Grand Inquisitor, and Friedrich Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil. But before we get started, I offer a short primer on reading Russian lit. The names can be a real challenge!Tolstoy's novella, written after his spiritual “conversion,” is a devastating meditation on death, meaning, and self-deception—circular in structure but spiraling ever deeper. It may be the finest short work I've read so far. Dostoyevsky's famous parable interrupts the narrative of The Brothers Karamazov to pose unsettling questions about freedom, faith, and institutional power, turning conventional religious assumptions upside down. Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil proved the most challenging: dense, contrary, and deliberately destabilizing, it rejects inherited moral frameworks in favor of examining desire, psychology, and power. Together, these works confront the shifting relationship between God, morality, and the modern self—making this one of the most intellectually intense weeks of the project.We are back next week with French writers who offer a totally different tone. See you soon!LINKTed Gioia/The Honest Broker's 12-Month Immersive Humanities Course (paywalled!)My Amazon Book List (NOT an affiliate link)CONNECTThe complete list of Crack the Book Episodes: https://cheryldrury.substack.com/p/crack-the-book-start-here?r=u3t2rTo read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com.Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm

NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN - French News at 14:00 (JST), January 06

Retrouvez l'émission du 6 janvier 2026 en (presque) intégralité.

Let's start the new year with a little historical story about the time period around the French and Indian War. I titled this podcast "Chapter 3" as it is the third chapter of the book "History of the United States" written by Helen Pierson.   Website: http://www.thefightingmoose.com/   Blog https://thefightingmoosepodcast.blogspot.com/   iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fighting-moose/id1324413606?mt=2/   Story (PDF): http://ww.thefightingmoose.com/episode488.pdf   Reading List: http://www.thefightingmoose.com/readinglist.pdf   YouTube: https://youtu.be/GHmkRyPTKh8/   Book(s): "History of the United States" http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54798   Music/Audio: Artist – Analog by Nature http://dig.ccmixter.org/people/cdk   National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): http://www.nasa.gov   Song(s) Used: cdk - Sunday by Analog By Nature (c) copyright 2016 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/cdk/53755 

One of the prevailing narratives that's emerged following the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela and the detention of President Nicolás Maduro is that this is a major setback for China. Some analysts have called it a "strategic failure" on Beijing's part, while others have described it as "reality check" for China's role as a "global player." But China's ability to influence events in Venezuela and elsewhere in Latin America is extremely limited, so the assessment that what happened in Caracas was a blow to Beijing may also be overstated. Alonso Illueca, CGSP's non-resident fellow for Latin America and the Caribbean, joins Eric from Panama City to discuss whether Maduro's capture presents new risks or opportunities for China.

THE ELEPHANT REVIEW According to legend, and a very quick google search, the very first animated story was by French artist Émile Cohl called Fantasmagorie back in 1908. It lasted a little over a minute and featured our protagonist trying to get rid of hats, a clown, and an elephant. Over a century later, a […]

Your host Andy, Ant and Dun cover off a start to the year as patchy as the Loftus Road pitch...- Pitch looks a bit ropey- Double trouble for R's vs 23rd place Canaries,- Sargent Scores, Makama Marauds - Amadou Amadoes it again, adds to his goal tally with a screamer (& bad keeping)- Pitch somehow looks even ropier than 4 days prior- Burrell torments the 24th placed minusmen of Sheffield early, notches 10th of season after 12 mins- Does Hamstring after 18 mins. - Why can't we have nice things?- Joins Morrison, Varane and Poku in the treatment room and it's only half time- Barry Bloody Bannon grabs the game by the scruff of the neck- Kolli's folly turns to Kolli's Jolly - Rayan Rayses Rangers with two great goals in the last 10 mins- Opportunity now knows for Kolli. Can he secure his spot in the team- Concentrate! Why do we concede immediately either side of half time- West Ham Woes vs Wolves. Can the R's take advantage of a team in trouble?- Probably not: Key men will be missing- Ronnie Watch. Where is he? He's not playing for the Saints- Anyone coming in through the open window?- That pitch. Is it to blame for the injuries? Is it going to get worse as the season goes on? Will be have any players left if it does?- The American are Coming. MLS stars coming to the Championship- Kelman hits form in time for our visit to the Valley- Good Paul Smyth news: Contract Extension- Bad Paul Smyth News: Online Abuse. JUST STOP IT- Hear Former Mayor Adams for the last time.- We remember some lads. (Includes added QPR Chief Scout)- Ant's Kit Korner - This one is an Icon- Oh God, It's FA Cup prediction. Surely no one is stupid enough to predict a Schaffer. Are they?- Jacob finally listened and cut out the French, however, he's added German. Sigh- Dun's Festive Fun continues: The Bad Pitch XI (Oh, OK Squad) -Hear Andy try to turf Dun out early - West Ham Meet Up DetailsRate, review, comment, follow!

Guittard Chocolate Company is a historic American chocolate maker founded in 1868 by French immigrant Étienne Guittard during the California Gold Rush. What began as a small San Francisco shop quickly grew into a respected confectionery business, and today Guittard stands as the oldest continuously family-owned and operated chocolate company in the United States, now based in Burlingame, California and led by fourth and fifth-generation family members.what we chat about:As CMO, you oversee both marketing and brand development. How do you balance honoring Guittard's long history with innovating to stay relevant in today's chocolate market?Guittard is known for working closely with both professional chefs and home bakers. How does this dual focus influence your marketing strategies and product development?IG guittard.chocolate | guittard.comFind Me:IG + TikTok citrusdiaries.studiocitrusdiaries.com | hello@citrusdiaries.comCreate your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#madeonzencastr

Leisure - Rosie Ellis, Micala Wilkins and Sue Peake-Russell

Psaumes 6:1-10

Let us know what you think!We share steps to find provincial troop records, militia records, council decisions, and even clues in the papers of George Washington's.Do you have a genealogical question for Kathleen? Drop us a line at hitting the bricks at gmail.com and let us knowBe sure to bookmark linktr.ee/hittinthebricks for your one stop access to Kathleen Brandt, the host of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen. And, visit us on YouTube: Off the Wall with Kathleen John and Chewey video recorded specials. Hittin' the Bricks is produced through the not-for-profit, 501c3 TracingAncestors.org.

In the age of climate change and global pandemics how do we remember the victims?  University of Madison, Wisconsin historian Richard C. Keller examines this question through his study of the 2003 heat wave in Paris.  This was the worst natural disaster in French history claiming some 15,000 lives.  In his book, Fatal Isolation: The Devastating Paris Heat Wave of 2003, Keller explains the myriad ways in which victims were forgotten and the disaster was misremembered.  From the science of counting the dead to historically rooted animosity toward marginalized, elderly women, Keller unpacks the causes and consequences of the skewed memory of the 2003 heave wave. 

Dana and David kick off the new year with bold predictions for 2026 and a rundown of their favorite movies from 2025. Along the way, David vents about Amazon, the guys react to the latest headlines—including George Clooney becoming a French citizen, the infamous swag gag, and how their skiing adventures somehow went viral (???). Dana's infamous cutouts are back, the guys explain why money is no longer an issue, and the chaos is dialed all the way up. Packed with sound effects, side tangents, and plenty of laughs, this episode kicks off the year in true Dana & David fashion. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What are the origins of the legendary Joan of Arc, the famous French maid who saved France from the English during the Hundred Years' War, dressed all the while in men's clothes? Why is hers one of the most remarkable stories of all time? And, was she really under divine influence when, as only a teenager, she demanded to be taken from her humble French village to Charles of Valois, the would-be King of France, in order to save the French from the English - then on the verge of victory? Join Tom and Dominic as they launch into the life of one of the most extraordinary people in all medieval history: Joan of Arc, and trace her journey from humble peasant girl, to advisor to the King of France, to military heroine and saviour of the French, to despised heretic condemned to the pyre…  _______ Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/restishistory It's risk-free with Nord's 30-day money-back guarantee ✅ _______ Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at therestishistory.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Video Editor: Jack Meek  Social Producer: Harry Baldwin Assistant Producer: Aaliyah Akude  Producer: Tabby Syrett Senior Producer: Theo Young-Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If technology is ruining the art of conversation, maybe it can save it, too. Anna Gat--poet, screenwriter, playwright, and founder of Interintellect--talks with EconTalk's Russ Roberts on how she's reviving the French salon in the digital age. They discuss why authority, moderation, and clear formats make conversation freer, not more constrained. They also explore why one of the greatest of modern plays--Tom Stoppard's Arcadia--is so resonant not only as a live theatrical performance, but also when read aloud, both alone and in a group. They conclude the episode by connecting Arcadia's themes to Gat's mission at Interintellect: Namely, preserving the value of thinking together across generations, disciplines, and worldviews.

It's time to finish what we started - the final Netflix Christmas movie from last year. We're popping the cork on Netflix's Champagne Problems. ABOUT CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMSAn executive travels to France to secure the acquisition of a renowned champagne brand before Christmas, but her plans are upended when she falls into a whirlwind romance with a charming Parisian - only to discover he's the founder's son.AIR DATE & NETWORK FOR CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMSNovember 19 2025 | NetflixCAST & CREW OF CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMSMinka Kelly as Sydney PriceTom Wozniczka as Henri CassellBRAN'S CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS SYNOPSISLet's talk about champagne. It's more than just a drink — at least, that's what Sydney wants us to believe. She gives us a full history of champagne and pitches the idea that her company should expand into the champagne market by acquiring a French champagne house. Her boss approves the idea and sends Sydney to France to try to close the deal herself.Before she leaves, Sydney's sisters make her promise that while she's in France, she'll take at least one night off work for herself. She pinky promises. A pinky promise can't be broken.Once she arrives, Sydney decides to visit a nearby bookstore to find a gift for her sister. The concierge recommends a spot, and it turns out to be the most magical bookstore of all time. While looking for the self-help section, she asks a man for help. Luckily, he's hot. Unfortunately (or fortunately), he doesn't actually work there — he just really loves the place.His name is Henri. He dreams of owning a bookstore like this one, except with wine. Sydney explains she's in a rush and wants to see all the major sights. Henri tells her those sights are overrated and offers to show her something better. She reluctantly agrees.They spend a romantic evening together, including a near-kiss on a Ferris wheel. Sydney opens up about her divorce after her husband cheated on her, and Henri shares his struggle with his father, who wants him to take over the family champagne business — while Henri wants to pursue his dream of a wine-themed bookstore. As the night winds down, they kiss. Big ones.The next morning, Sydney wakes up alone — Henri is nowhere to be found — and she's overslept. She rushes across town to her meeting, only to be stunned when she realizes the company's vice president is… Henri. He's equally shocked to see her and horrified to learn she represents a company he despises.Henri's father invites Sydney and the other interested companies to spend the weekend at the family vineyard. By the end of the weekend, he'll decide who gets the business, since Henri clearly doesn't want to take it over himself.Sydney and Henri eventually make up, and Henri pinky promises to give her company a fair shot. Over the weekend, everyone participates in tastings, tours, and events, leading up to individual presentations where each company makes its case.Sydney grows closer to both Henri and his father, and everything seems to be going well — until her boss sends a coworker to France to “help” ensure the deal gets done. While talking with him, Sydney discovers the company's real plan: acquire the champagne house, flip it, and strip the family of control.Henri overhears the conversation, assumes the worst, and leaves before Sydney can explain her anger over the plan. When Sydney tracks him down, Henri insists they can't be together.Sydney quits her job, warns Henri's father about the company's intentions, and returns to the hotel. Realizing he's made a huge mistake, Henri finds Sydney at the bookstore where they first met. They make up — and make out.One year later, Henri and Sydney celebrate Christmas together, surrounded by family and friends, in their newly opened wine bookstore. Watch the show on Youtube - www.deckthehallmark.com/youtubeInterested in advertising on the show? Email bran@deckthehallmark.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rush Hour Podcast — Afternoon Edition Candace Owens is back in the headlines after reacting to the French president's first lady, as French authorities arrest 11 citizens for alleged cyberbullying. What does this unprecedented move mean for free speech, and how could it impact the defamation case the French first couple has filed against Owens? We break down the international legal stakes and why this story is bigger than just one commentator. Plus, Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro pleads not guilty in New York City to federal charges—what his appearance in U.S. court signals for international relations, sanctions, and accountability. And Senator Mark Kelly, American hero and astronaut, fires back after the Secretary of Defense targets him and moves to dock his retirement pay. We explain why Kelly's response is resonating across party lines and what this means for civil-military norms and political retaliation. Fast, furious, and unfiltered—this is Rush Hour. Sponsored by Gobymeds. Go to gobymeds dot com code rushhour for $50 off

What does 2026 hold for indie authors and the publishing industry? I give my thoughts on trends and predictions for the year ahead. In the intro, Quitting the right stuff; how to edit your author business in 2026; Is SubStack Good for Indie Authors?; Business for Authors webinars. If you'd like to join my community and support the show every month, you'll get access to my growing list of Patron videos and audio on all aspects of the author business — for the price of a black coffee (or two) a month. Join us at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn. Joanna Penn writes non-fiction for authors and is an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author as J.F. Penn. She's also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript is below. (1) More indie authors will sell direct through Shopify, Kickstarter, and local in-person events (2) AI-powered search will start to shift elements of book discoverability (3) The start of Agentic Commerce (4) AI-assisted audiobook narration will go mainstream (5) AI-assisted translation will start to take off beyond the early adopters (6) AI video becomes ubiquitous. ‘Live selling' becomes the next trend in social sales. (7) AI will create, run, and optimise ads without the need for human intervention (8) 1000 True Fans becomes more important than ever You can find all my books as J.F. Penn and Joanna Penn on your favourite online store in all the usual formats, or order from your local library or bookstore. You can also buy direct from me at CreativePennBooks.com and JFPennBooks.com. I'm not really active on social media, but you can always see my photos at Instagram @jfpennauthor. 2026 Trends and Predictions for Indie Authors and Book Publishing (1) More indie authors will sell direct through Shopify, Kickstarter, and local in-person events — and more companies like BookVault will offer even more beautiful physical books and products to support this. This trend will not be a surprise to most of you! Selling direct has been a trend for the last few years, but in 2026, it will continue to grow as a way that independent authors become even more independent. The recent Written Word Media survey from Dec 2025 noted that 30% of authors surveyed are selling direct already and 30% say they plan to start in 2026. Among authors earning over $10,000 per month, roughly half sell direct. In my opinion, selling direct is an advanced author strategy, meaning that you have multiple books and you understand book marketing and have an email list already or some guaranteed way to reach readers. In fact, Kindlepreneur reports that 66% of authors selling direct have more than 5 books, and 46% have more than 10 books. Of course, you can start with the something small, like a table at a local event with a limited number of books for sale, but if you want to consistently sell direct for years to come, you need to consider all the business aspects. Selling direct is not a silver bullet. It's much harder work to sell direct than it is to just upload an ebook to Amazon, whether you choose a Kickstarter campaign, or Shopify/Payhip or other online stores, or regular in-person sales at events/conferences/fairs. You need a business mindset and business practices, for example, you need to pay upfront for setup as well as ongoing management, and bulk printing in some cases. You need to manage taxes and cashflow. You need to be a lot more proactive about marketing, as you won't sell anything if you don't bring readers to your books/products. But selling direct also brings advantages. It sets you apart from the bulk of digital only authors who still only upload ebooks to Amazon, or maybe add a print on demand book, and in an era of AI rapid creation, that number is growing all the time. If you sell direct, you get your customer data and you can reach those customers next time, through your email list. If you don't know who bought your books and don't have a guaranteed way to reach them, you will more easily be disrupted when things change — and they always change eventually. Kindlepreneur notes that “45% of the successful direct selling authors had over 1,000 subscribers on their email lists,” with “a clear, positive correlation between email list size and monthly direct sales income — with authors having an email list of over 15,000 subscribers earning 20X more than authors with email lists under 100 subscribers.” Selling direct means faster money, sometimes the same day or the same week in many cases, or a few weeks after a campaign finishes, as with Kickstarter. And remember, you don't have to sell all your formats directly. You can keep your ebooks in KU, do whatever you like with audiobooks, and just have premium print products direct, or start with a very basic Kickstarter campaign, or a table at a local fair. Lots more tips for Shopify and Kickstarter at https://www.thecreativepenn.com/selldirectresources/ I also recommend the Novel Marketing Podcast on The Shopify Trap: Why authors keep losing money as it is a great counterpoint to my positive endorsement of selling direct on Shopify! Among other things, Thomas notes that a fixed monthly fee for a store doesn't match how most authors make money from books which is more in spikes, the complexity and hassle eats time and can cost more money if you pay for help, and it can reduce sales on Amazon and weaken your ranking. Basically, if you haven't figured out marketing direct to your store, it can hurt you.All true for some authors, for some genres, and for some people's lifestyle. But for authors who don't want to be on the hamster wheel of the Amazon algorithm and who want more diversity and control in income, as well as the incredible creative benefits of what you can do selling direct, then I would say, consider your options in 2025, even if that is trying out a low-financial-goal Kickstarter campaign, or selling some print books at a local fair. Interestingly, traditional publishers are also experimenting with direct sales. Kate Elton, the new CEO of Harper Collins notes in The Bookseller's 2026 trend article, “we are seeing global success with responsive, reader-driven publishing, subscription boxes and TikTok Shop and – crucially – developing strategies that are founded on a comprehensive understanding of the reader.” She also notes, “AI enables us to dramatically change the way we interact with and grow audiences. The opportunities are genuinely exciting – finding new ways to help readers discover books they will love, innovating in the ways we market and reach audiences, building new channels and adapting to new methods of consuming content.” (2) AI-powered search will start to shift elements of book discoverability From LinkedIn's 2026 Big Ideas: “Generative engine optimization (GEO) is set to replace search engine optimization (SEO) as the way brands get discovered in the year ahead. As consumers turn to AI chatbots, agentic workflows and answer engines, appearing prominently in generative outputs will matter more than ranking in search engines.” Google has been rolling out AI Mode with its AI Overviews and is beginning to push it within Google.com itself in some countries, which means the start of a fundamental change in how people discover content online. I first posted about GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) and AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) in 2023, and it's going to change how readers find books. For years, we've talked about the long tail of search. Now, with AI-powered search, that tail is getting even longer and more nuanced. AI can understand complex, conversational queries that traditional search engines struggled with. Someone might ask, “What's a good thriller set in a small town with a female protagonist who's a journalist investigating a cold case?” and get highly specific recommendations. This means your book metadata, your website content, and your online presence need to be more detailed and conversational. AI search engines understand context in ways that go far beyond simple keywords. The authors who win in this new landscape will be those who create rich, authentic content about their books and themselves, not just promotional copy. As economist Tyler Cowen has said, “Consider the AIs as part of your audience. Because they are already reading your words and listening to your voice.” We're in the ‘organic' traffic phase right now, where these AI engines are surfacing content for ‘free,' but paid ads are inevitably on the way, and even rumoured to be coming this year to ChatGPT. By the end of 2026, I expect some authors and publishers to be paying for AI traffic, rather than blocking and protesting them. For now, I recommend checking that your author name/s and your books are surfaced when you search on ChatGPT.com as well as Google.com AI Mode (powered by Gemini). You want to make sure your work comes up in some way. I found that Joanna Penn and J.F. Penn searches brought up my Shopify stores, my website, podcast, Instagram, LinkedIn, and even my Patreon page, but did not bring up links to Amazon. If you only have an author presence on Amazon, does it appear in AI search at all? Do you need to improve anything about what the AI search brings up? Traditional publishers are also looking at this, with PublishersWeekly doing webinars on various aspects of AI in early 2026, including sessions on GEO and how book sales are changing, AI agents, and book marketing. In a 2026 predictions article on The Bookseller, the CEO of Bloomsbury Publishing noted, “The boundaries of artificial intelligence will become clearer, enabling publishers to harness its benefits while seeking to safeguard the intellectual property rights of authors, illustrators and publishers.” “AI will be deeply embedded in our workflows, automating tasks such as metadata tagging, freeing teams to focus on creativity and strategy. Challenges will persist. Generative AI threatens traditional web traffic and ad revenue models, making metadata optimisation and SEO critical for visibility as we adjust to this new reality online.” (3) The start of Agentic Commerce AI researches what you want to buy and may even buy on your behalf. Plus, I predict that Amazon does a commerce deal with OpenAI for shopping within ChatGPT by the end of 2026. In September 2025, ChatGPT launched Instant Checkout and the Agentic Commerce Protocol, which will enable bots to buy on websites in the background if authorised by the human with the credit card. VISA is getting on board with this, so is PayPal, with no doubt more payment options to come. In the USA, ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Free users can now buy directly from US Etsy sellers inside the chat interface, with over a million Shopify merchants coming soon. Shopify and OpenAI have also announced a partnership to bring commerce to ChatGPT. I am insanely excited about this as it could represent the first time we have been able to more easily find and surface books in a much more nuanced way than the 7 keywords and 3 categories we have relied on for so long! I've been using ChatGPT for at least the last year to find fiction and non-fiction books as I find the Amazon interface is ‘polluted' by ads. I've discovered fascinating books from authors I've never heard of, most in very long tail areas. For example, Slashed Beauties by A. Rushby, recommended by ChatGPT as I am interested in medical anatomy and anatomical Venuses, and The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson, recommended as I like art history and the supernatural. I don't think I would have found either of these within a nuanced discussion with ChatGPT. Even without these direct purchase integrations, ChatGPT now has Shopping Research, which I have found links directly to my Shopify store when I search for my books specifically. Walmart has partnered with OpenAI to create AI-first shopping experiences, and you have to wonder what Amazon might be doing? In Nov 2025, Amazon signed a “strategic partnership” with OpenAI, and even though it's focused on the technical side of AI, those two companies in a room together might also be working on other plans … I'm calling it for 2026. I think Amazon will sign a commerce agreement with OpenAI sometime before the end of the year. This will enable at least recommendation and shopping links into Amazon stores (presumably using an OpenAI affiliate link), or perhaps even Instant Checkout with ChatGPT for Amazon. It will also enable a new marketing angle, especially if paid ads arrive in ChatGPT, perhaps even integrating with Amazon Ads in some way as part of any possible agreement, since ads are such a good revenue stream for Amazon anyway. The line between discovery, engagement, and purchase is collapsing. Someone could be having a conversation with an AI about what to read next, and within that same conversation, purchase a bookwithout ever leaving the chat interface. This already happens within TikTok and social commerce clearly works for many authors. It's possible that the next development for book discoverability and sales might be within AI chats. This will likely stratify the already fragmented book eco-system even more. Some readers will continue to live only within the Amazon ecosystem and (maybe) use their Rufus chatbot to buy, and others will be much wider in their exploration of how to find and discover books (and other products and services). If you haven't tried it yet, try ChatGPT.com Shopping Research for a book. You can do this on the free tier. Use the drop down in the main chat box and select Shopping Research. It doesn't have to be for your book. It can be any book or product, for example, our microwave died just before Christmas so I used it to find a new one. But do a really nuanced search with multiple requirements. Go far beyond what you would search for on Amazon. In the results, notice that (at the time of writing) it does not generally link to Amazon, but to independent sites and stores. As above, I think this will change by the end of 2026, as some kind of commerce deal with Amazon seems inevitable. (4) AI-assisted audiobook narration will go mainstream I've been talking about AI narration of audiobooks since 2019, and over the years, I've tried various different options. In 2025, the technology reached a level of emotional nuance that made it much easier to create satisfying fiction audio as well as non-fiction. It also super-charges accessibility, making audio available in more languages and more accents than ever before. Of course, human narration remains the gold standard, but the cost makes it prohibitive for many authors, and indeed many small traditional publishers, for all books. If it costs $2000 – $10,000 to create an audiobook, you have to sell a lot to make a profit, and the dominance of subscription models have made it harder to recoup the costs. Famous narrators and voice artists who have an audience may still be worth investing in, as well as premium production, but require an even higher upfront cost and therefore higher sales and streams in return. AI voice/audio models are continuing to improve, and even as this goes out, there are rumours on TechCrunch that OpenAI's new device, designed by Jony Ive who designed the iPhone, will be audio first and OpenAI are improving their voice models even more in preparation for that launch. In 2026, I think AI-narrated audio will go mainstream with far-reaching adoption across publishing and the indie author world in many different languages and accents. This will mean a further stratification of audiobooks, with high quality, high production, high cost human narrated audio for a small percentage of books, and then mass market, affordable AI-narrated audio for the rest. AI-narrated audiobooks will make audio ubiquitous, and just as (almost) every print book has an ebook format, in 2026, they will also have an audio format. I straddle both these worlds, as I am still a human audiobook narrator for my own work. I human-narrated Successful Self-Publishing Fourth Edition (free audiobook) and The Buried and the Drowned, my short story collection. I also use AI narration for some books. ElevenLabs remains my preferred service and in 2025, I used my J.F. Penn voice clone for Death Valley and also Blood Vintage, while using a male voice for Catacomb. I clearly label my AI-narration in the sales description and also on the cover, which I think is important, although it is not always required by the various services. You can distribute ElevenLabs narrated audiobooks on Spotify, Kobo Writing Life, YouTube, ElevenReader, and of course your own store if you use Shopify with Bookfunnel. There are many other services springing up all the time, so make sure you check the rights you have over the finished audio, as well as where you can sell and distribute the final files. If they are just using ElevenLabs models in the back-end, then why not just do that directly? (Most services will be using someone's model in the back-end, since most companies do not train their own models.) Of course, you can use Amazon's own narration. While Amazon originally launched Audible audiobooks with Virtual Voice (AVV) in November 2023, it was rolled out to more authors and territories in 2025. If your book is eligible, the option to create an audiobook will appear on your KDP dashboard. With just a few clicks, you can create an audiobook from a range of voices and accents, and publish it on Amazon and Audible. However, the files are not yours. They are exclusive to Amazon and you cannot use them on other platforms or sell them direct yourself. But they are also free, so of course, many authors, especially those in KU, will use this option. I have done some for my mum's sweet romance books as Penny Appleton and I will likely use them for my books in translation when the option becomes available. Traditional publishers are experimenting with AI-assisted audiobook narration as well. MacMillan is selling digital audiobooks read by AI directly on their store. PublishersWeekly reports that PRH Audio “has experimented with artificial voice in specific instances, such as entrepreneur Ely Callaway's posthumous memoir The Unconquerable Game,” when an “authorized voice replica” was created for the audiobook. The article also notes that PRH Audio “embrace artificial intelligence across business operations—my entire department [PRH Audio] is using AI for business applications.” And while indie authors can't use AI voices on ACX right now, Audible have over 100 voices available to selected publishing partnerships, as reported by The Guardian with “two options for publishers wishing to make use of the technology: “Audible-managed” production, or “self-service” whereby publishers produce their own audiobooks with the help of Audible's AI technology.” In 2026, it's likely that more traditional publishers — as well as indie authors — will get their backlist into audio with AI narration. (5) AI-assisted translation will start to take off beyond the early adopters Over the years, I've done translation deals with traditional publishers in different languages (German, French, Spanish, Korean, Italian) for some fiction and non-fiction books. But of course, to get these kinds of deals, you have to be proactive about pitching, or work with an agent for foreign rights only, and those are few and far between! There are also lots of languages and territories worldwide, and most deals are for the bigger markets, leaving a LOT of blue water for books in translation, even if you have licensed some of the bigger markets. I did my first partially AI-translated books in 2019 when I used Deepl.com for the first draft and then worked with a German editor to do 3 non-fiction books in German. While the first draft was cheap, the editing was pretty expensive, so I stopped after only doing a couple. I have made the money back now, but it took years. In 2025, AI Translation began to take off with ScribeShadow, GlobeScribe.ai, and more recently, in November 2025, Kindle Translate boosting the number of translated books available. Kindle Translate is (currently) only available to US authors for English into Spanish and also German into English, but in 2026, this will likely roll out to more languages and more authors, making it easier than ever to produce translations for free. Of course, once again, the gold standard is human translation, or at least human-edited translations, but the cost is prohibitive even just for proof-reading, and if there is a cheap or even free option, like Kindle Translate, then of course, authors are going to try it. If the translation gets bad reviews, they can just un-publish. There are many anecdotal stories of indie success in 2025 with AI-translated genre fiction sales (in series) in under-served markets like Italian, French, and Spanish, as well as more mainstream adoption in German. I was around in the Kindle gold-rush days of 2009-2012 and the AI-translation energy right now feels like that. There are hardly any Kindle ebooks in many of these languages compared to how many there are in English, so inevitably, the rush is on to fill the void, especially in genres that are under-served by traditional publishers in those markets. Yes, some of these AI translated books will be ‘AI-slop,' but readers are not stupid. Those books will get bad reviews and thus will sink to the bottom of the store, never to be seen again. The AI translation models are also improving rapidly, and Amazon's Kindle Translate may improve faster than most, for books specifically, since they will be able to get feedback in terms of page reads. Amazon is also a major investor in Anthropic, which makes Claude.ai, widely considered the best quality for creative writing and translation, so it's likely that is used somewhere in the mix. Some traditional publishers are also experimenting with AI-assisted translation, with Harlequin France reportedly using AI translation and human proofreaders, as reported by the European Council of Literary Translators' Associations in December 2025. Academic publisher Taylor and Francis is also using AI for book translation, noting: “Following a program of rigorous testing, Taylor & Francis has announced plans to use AI translation tools to publish books that would otherwise be unavailable to English-language readers, bringing the latest knowledge to a vastly expanded readership.” “Until now, the time and resources required to translate books has meant that the majority remained accessible only to those who could read them in the original language. Books that were translated often only became available after a significant delay. Today, with the development of sophisticated AI translation tools, it has become possible to make these important texts available to a broad readership at speed, without compromising on accuracy.” (6) AI video becomes ubiquitous. ‘Live selling' becomes the next trend in social sales. In 2025, short form AI-generated video became very high quality. OpenAI released Sora 2, and YouTube announced new Shorts creation tools with Veo 3, which you can also use directly within Gemini. There are tons of different AI video apps now, including those within the social media sites themselves. There is more video than ever and it's much easier to create. I am not a fan of short form video! I don't make it and I don't consume it, but I do love making book trailers for my Kickstarter campaigns and for adding to my book pages and using on social media. I made a trailer for The Buried and the Drowned using Midjourney for images and then animation of those images, and Canva to put them together along with ElevenLabs to generate the music. But despite the AI tools getting so much easier to use, you still have to prompt them with exactly what you want. I can't just upload my book and say, “Make a book trailer,” or “Make a short film.” This may change with generative video ads, which are likely to become more common in 2026, as video turns specifically commercial. Video ads may even be generated specifically for the user, with an audience of one, maybe even holding your book in their hands (using something like Cameos on Sora), in the same way that some AI-powered clothing stores do virtual try-ons. This might also up-end the way we discover and buy things, as the AI for eCommerce and Amazon Sellers newsletter says about OpenAI's Sora app, “OpenAI isn't just trying to build a TikTok competitor. They're building a complete reimagining of how we discover and buy things …” “The combination of ChatGPT's research capabilities and Sora's potential for emotional manipulation—I mean, “engagement”—could create something we've never seen before: an AI ecosystem that might eventually guide you through every type of purchase, from the most considered to the most impulsive.” In 2026, there will be A LOT more AI-generated video, but that also leads to the human trend of more live video. While you can use an AI avatar that looks and sounds like you using tools like HeyGen or Synthesia, live video has all the imperfect human elements that make it stand-out, plus the scarcity element which leads to the purchase decision within a countdown period. Live video is nothing new in terms of brand building and content in general, but it seems that live events primarily for direct sales might be a thing in 2026. Kim Kardashian hosted Kimsmas Live in December 2025 with a 45 minute live shopping event with special guests, described as entertainment but designed to be a sales extravaganza. Indie authors are doing a similar thing on TikTok with their books, so this is a trend to watch in 2026, especially if you feel that live selling might fit with your personality and author business goals. It's certainly not for everyone, but I suspect it will suit a different kind of creator to those who prefer ‘no face' video, or no video at all! On other aspects of the human side of social media, Adam Mosseri the CEO of Instagram put a post on Threads called Authenticity after Abundance. He said, “Everything that made creators matter—the ability to be real, to connect, to have a voice that couldn't be faked—is now suddenly accessible to anyone with the right tools.” “Deepfakes are getting better and better. AI is generating photographs and videos indistinguishable from captured media. The feeds are starting to fill up with synthetic everything. And in that world, here's what I think happens.Creators matter more.” It's a long article so just to pick a few things from it: “We like to talk about “AI slop,” but there is a lot of amazing AI content … we are going to start to see more and more realistic AI content.” I've talked to my Patreon Community about this ‘tsunami of excellence' as these tools are just getting better and better and the word ‘slop' can also be applied to purely human output, too. If you think that AI content is ‘worse' than wholly human content, in 2026, you are wrong. It is now very very good, especially in the hands of people who can drive the AI tools. Back to Adam's post: “Authenticity is fast becoming a scarce resource, …The creators who succeed will be those who figure out how to maintain their authenticity [even when it can be simulated] …” “The bar is going to shift from “can you create?” to “can you make something that only you could create?” He talks about how the personal content on Instagram now is: “unpolished; it's blurry photos and shaky videos of people's daily experiences … flattering imagery is cheap to produce and boring to consume. People want content that feels real… Savvy creators are going to lean into explicitly unproduced and unflattering images of themselves. In a world where everything can be perfected, imperfection becomes a signal. Rawness isn't just aesthetic preference anymore—it's proof. It's defensive. A way of saying: this is real because it's imperfect.” While I partially love this, and I really hope it's true, as in I hope we don't need to look good for the camera anymore I would also challenge Adam on this, because pretty much every woman I know on social media has been sent sexual messages, and/or told they are ugly and/or fat when posting anything unflattering. I've certainly had both even for the same content, but I don't expect Adam has been the target for such posting! But I get his point. He goes on:“Labeling content as authentic or AI-generated is only part of the solution though. We, as an industry, are going to need to surface much more context about not only the media on our platforms, but the accounts that are sharing it in order for people to be able to make informed decisions about what to believe. Where is the account? When was it created? What else have they posted?” This is exactly what I've been saying for a while under my double down on being human focus. I use my Instagram @jfpennauthor as evidence of humanity, not as a sales channel. You can do both of course, but increasingly, you need to make sure your accounts at places have longevity and trust, even by the platforms themselves. Adam finishes: “In a world of infinite abundance and infinite doubt, the creators who can maintain trust and signal authenticity—by being real, transparent, and consistent—will stand out.” For other marketing trends for 2026, I recommend publicist Kathleen Schmidt's SubStack which is mostly focused on traditional publishing but still interesting for indies. In her 2026 article, she notes: “We have reached a social media saturation point where going viral can be meaningless and should not be the goal; authenticity and creativity should. She also says, “In-person events are important again,” and, “Social media marketing takes a nosedive… we have reached a saturation point … What publishers must figure out is how to make their social media campaigns stand out. If they remain somewhat uninspired, the money spent on social ads won't convert into book sales.” I think this is part of the rise of live selling as above, which can stand out above more ‘produced' videos. Kathleen also talks about AI usage. “AI can help lighten the burden of publicity and marketing.” “A lot of AI tools are coming to market to lessen the load: they can write pitches, create media lists for you, send pitches for you, and more. I know the industry is grappling with all things AI, but some of these tools are huge time savers and may help a book more than hurt it.” On that note … (7) AI will create, run, and optimise ads without the need for human intervention Many authors will be very happy about this as marketing is often the bane of our author business lives! As I noted in my 2026 goals, I would love to outsource more marketing tasks to AI. I want an “AI book marketing assistant” where I can upload a book and specify a budget and say, ‘Go market this,' then the AI will action the marketing, without me having to cobble together workflows between systems. Of course, it will present plans for me to approve but it will do the work itself on the various platforms and monitor and optimize things for me. I really hope 2026 is the year this becomes possible, because we are on the edge of it already in some areas. Amazon Ads launched a new agentic AI tool in September 2025 that creates professional-quality ads. I've also been working with Claude in Chrome browser to help me analyse my Amazon Ad data and suggest which keywords/products to turn off and what to put more budget into. I'll do a Patreon video on that soon. Meta announced it will enable AI ad creation by the end of 2026 for Facebook and Instagram. For authors who find ad creation overwhelming or time-consuming, this could be a game-changer. Of course, you will still need a budget! (8) 1000 True Fans becomes more important than ever Lots of authors and publishers are moaning about the difficulty of reaching readers in an era of ‘AI slop' but there is no shortage of excellent content created by humans, or humans using AI tools. As ever, our competition is less about other authors, or even authors using AI-assisted creation, we're competing against everything else that jostles for people's attention, and the volume of that is also growing exponentially. I've never been a fan of rapid release, and have said for years that you can't keep up with the pace of the machines. So play a different game. As Kevin Kelly wrote in 2008, If you have 1000 true fans, (also known as super fans), “you can make a living — if you are content to make a living but not a fortune.” [Kevin Kelly was on this show in 2023 talking about Excellent Advice for Living.] Many authors and the publishing industry are stuck in the old model of aiming to sell huge volumes of books at a low profit margin to a massive number of readers, many of them releasing ever faster to try and keep the algorithms moving. But the maths can work for the smaller audience of more invested readers and fans. If you only make $2 profit on an ebook, you need to sell 500 ebooks to make $1000, and then do it again next month. Or you can have a small community like my patreon.com/thecreativepenn where people pay $2 (or more) a month, so even a small revenue per person results in a better outcome over the year, as it is consistent monthly income with no advertising. But what if you could make $20 profit per book? That is entirely possible if you're producing high quality hardbacks on Kickstarter, or bundle deals of audiobooks, or whole series of ebooks. You would only need to sell to 50 people to make $1000. What about $100 profit per sale, which you can do with a small course or live event? You only need 10 people to make $1000, and this in-person focus also amplifies trust and fosters human connection. I've found the intimacy of my live Patreon Office Hours and also my webinars have been rewarding personally, but also financially, and are far more memorable — and potentially transformative — than a pre-recorded video or even another book. From the LinkedIn 2026 Big Ideas article: “In an AI-optimized world, intentional human connection will become the ultimate luxury.” The 1000 True Fans model is about serving a smaller, more personal audience with higher value products (and maybe services if that's your thing). As ever, its about niche and where you fit in the long long long long long tail. It's also about trust. Because there is definitely a shortage of that in so many areas, and as Adam Mosseri of Instagram has said, trust will be increasingly important. Trust takes time to build, but if you focus on serving your audience consistently, and delivering a high quality, and being authentic, this emerges as part of being human. In an echo of what happened when online commerce first took off, we are back to talking about trust. Back in 2010, I read Trust Agents: by Julien Smith and Chris Brogan, which clearly needs a comeback. There was a 10th anniversary edition published in 2020, so that's worth a read/listen. Chris Brogan was also on this show in 2017 when we talked about finding and serving your niche for the long term. That interview is still relevant, here's a quick excerpt, where I have (lightly edited) his response to my question on this topic back in 2017: Jo: The principle of know, like, and trust, why is that still important or perhaps even more important these days? Chris: There are a few things that at play there, Joanna. One is that the same tools that make it so easy for any of us to start and run a business also allow certain elements to decide whether or not they want to do something dubious. And with all new technologies that come, you know, there's nothing unique about these new technologies. In the 1800s, anyone could put anything in a bottle and sell it to you and say, this is gonna cure everything. Cancer — gone. And the bottle could have nothing in. You know, it could be Kool-Aid. And so, the idea of trying to understand what's behind the business though, one beautiful thing that's come is that we can see in much more dimensions who we're dealing with. We can understand better who's the face behind the brand. I really want people to try their best to be a lot clearer on what they stand for or what they say. And I don't really mean a tagline. I mean, humans don't really talk like that. They don't throw some sentence out as often as they can that you remember them for that phrase. But I would say that, we have so many media available to us — the plural of mediums — where we can be more of ourselves. And I think that there's a great opportunity to share the ‘you' behind the scenes, and some people get immediately terrified about this, ‘Ah, the last thing I want is for people to know more about me,' but I think we have such an opportunity. We have such an opportunity to voice our thoughts on something, to talk about the story that goes behind the product. We were all raised on overly produced material, but I think we don't want that anymore. We really want clarity, brevity, simplicity. We want the ability for what we feel is connection and then access. And so I think it's vital that we connect and show people our accessibility, not so that they can pester us with strange questions, but more so that you can say, this person stands with their product and their service and this person believes these things, and I feel something when I hear them and I wanna be part of that.” That's from Chris Brogan's interview here in 2017, and he is still blogging and speaking at writing at ChrisBrogan.com and I'm going to re-listen to the audiobook of Trust Agents again myself as I think it's more relevant than ever. The original quote comes from Bob Burg in his 1994 book, Endless Referrals, “All things being equal, people will do business with, and refer business to, those people they know, like and trust.” That still applies, and absolutely fits with the 1000 True Fans model of aiming to serve a smaller audience. As Kevin Kelly says in 1000 True Fans, “Instead of trying to reach the narrow and unlikely peaks of platinum bestseller hits, blockbusters, and celebrity status, you can aim for direct connection with a thousand true fans.” “On your way, no matter how many fans you actually succeed in gaining, you'll be surrounded not by faddish infatuation, but by genuine and true appreciation. It's a much saner destiny to hope for. And you are much more likely to actually arrive there.” In 2026, I hope that more authors (including me!) let go of ego goals and vanity metrics like ranking, gross sales (income before you take away costs), subscribers, followers, and likes, and consider important business numbers like profit (which is the money you have after costs like marketing are taken out), as well as number of true fans — and also lifestyle elements like number of weekends off, or days spent enjoying life and not just working! OK, that's my list of trends and predictions for 2026. Let me know what you think in the comments. Do you agree? Am I wrong? What have I missed? The post 2026 Trends And Predictions For Indie Authors And The Book Publishing Industry with Joanna Penn first appeared on The Creative Penn.