Podcasts about Friendship

In this conversation, Pepe, Scott, & Becky explore the culture of trainhopping, & the connections formed through shared experiences. Scott recounts his journey into the world of trainhopping, influenced by his friend Tomas, while Becky shares her perspective on joining this lifestyle. The discussion highlights the joy of community, the challenges of societal discrimination, & the deep bonds formed through shared adventures. In this conversation, Scott & Becky delve into themes of living freely, love, loss, & the importance of cherishing memories, particularly of their friend Tomas, who embodied the spirit of freedom & connection.Support the podcast to get bonus episodes & goods (there's even a FREE option)patreon.com/BackontheGrindtakeawaysHow Scott got introduced to trainhoppingScott's reconnection with TomasConnecting over punk music in high schoolHow Becky met ScottScott's first train with TomasBecky meets TomasTomas as a human beingBecky reflects on the traveller communityMusic's ability to bridge different culturesEmbracing conflict & challenging societal normsScott's difficulty talking about Tomas & Profane SassPiggly Wiggly storySupport, love & respect from familyCity Of The Rails podcastA tragic fire in a New Orleans squatThe potential consequences of trainhopping show upFond memories of TomasSong: Mexican Trains by Profane SassConnect with Scott's projects Bridge City Sinners / Profane Sass / Flail Records:instagram.com/bridgecitysinners/instagram.com/flail_records/open.spotify.com/artist/1U68fpoBsx5HK1RSvr7yZQ?si=K77gP-lMQXyyW9k8Wmo2IQBack On The Grind Records - Find DIY, Folk Punk Music & Merch:backonthegrindrecords.bandcamp.com/musicGet Coffee for the Bandit in you (roasted by Pepe)StayFreeCoffee.comFollow the podcast on Instagraminstagram.com/backonthegrindpod/?hl=engramReach out! Send questions, comments or topic suggestions toPodcast@BackOnTheGrindRecords.comLeave a comment/question on Spotify or Instagram (we read them all)***Word of mouth really matters for us. Here's two simple things you can do to help keep this podcast going strong: Share your favorite episode with a friend or two who might enjoy it.Leave a rating / review. This helps me get access to the guest you want to hear from & allows the show to reach & support more folks like you :)Stay Free,Pepe Bandit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: A Festive Mishap: How a Sandwich Mix-Up Sparked Friendship Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2026-01-01-08-38-20-he Story Transcript:He: בחורף קר במיוחד, אחרי שסיימו להדליק את כל שמונת הנרות של חנוכה, אריאל ונועה מצאו את עצמם רעבים ונכנסו לדלי כשר בעיר.En: On an especially cold winter's day, after finishing lighting all eight candles of Hanukkah, Ariel and Noa found themselves hungry and entered a kosher deli in the city.He: המקום היה מלא חיים, עם ריח של לחם טרי ובשר כשר שהתפזר באוויר.En: The place was lively, with the smell of fresh bread and kosher meat wafting through the air.He: קישוטי חנוכה עדיין תלויים והוסיפו נגיעה חגיגית למקום החמים והעמוס הזה.En: Hanukkah decorations were still hanging and added a festive touch to this warm and bustling place.He: אריאל, שתמיד היה קצת מפוזר, ניגש לדלפק והזמין כריכים.En: Ariel, who was always a bit scattered, went up to the counter and ordered sandwiches.He: הוא דיבר עם נועה על יום העבודה הארוך שלה והתבלבל בסדר הכריכים.En: He was talking to Noa about her long workday and got the sandwich order mixed up.He: במקום להזמין להם, הוא הזמין לקבוצה אחרת שהייתה אמורה להגיע מאוחר יותר לדלי.En: Instead of ordering for them, he ordered for another group that was supposed to arrive at the deli later.He: נועה קלטה את הטעות בדיוק כשהם קיבלו את הסנדוויצ'ים.En: @Noa noticed the mistake just as they received the sandwiches.He: "אריאל, זה לא מה שהזמנו!En: "Ariel, this is not what we ordered!"He: ", היא אמרה, מנסה לשמור על הסדר הרגיל שלה.En: she said, trying to maintain her usual order.He: אריאל, קולט את הטעות, ניגש בחיוך לדלפק כדי להחזיר את ההזמנה.En: Ariel, realizing the mistake, approached the counter with a smile to return the order.He: איתן, בעל הדלי, היה אחראי ובעל חוש הומור, אבל גם ידוע במדיניות הקשוחה שלו: אין החזרות על כריכים.En: Eitan, the owner of the deli, was responsible and had a sense of humor, but was also known for his strict policy: no returns on sandwiches.He: "סליחה, אנחנו לא יכולים להחזיר", איתן אמר בחיוך.En: "Sorry, we can't take them back," Eitan said with a smile.He: אריאל, שהיה בעל כישרון לספר סיפורים, פתח בסיפור מוגזם על איך הוא ונועה הגיעו לכאן אחרי שחוו יום ארוך של תקלות.En: Ariel, who was talented at storytelling, launched into an exaggerated story about how he and Noa arrived there after experiencing a long day of mishaps.He: התיאור היה כל כך מצחיק, עד שכל הלקוחות סביב פרצו בצחוק.En: The description was so funny that all the customers around burst into laughter.He: אפילו איתן לא הצליח לשמור על רצינות ופלט צחוק של הנאה.En: Even Eitan couldn't keep a straight face and let out a joyful laugh.He: השיחה הפכה למסיבת צחוק קטנה בתוך הדלי.En: The conversation turned into a small laughter party inside the deli.He: בהשראת מצב הרוח החגיגי והאווירה החמה, איתן החליט לעשות ויתור חד פעמי.En: Inspired by the festive mood and warm atmosphere, Eitan decided to make a one-time exception.He: "טוב, אתם כאלה מקוריים וכולנו נהנינו מהסיפור, אני אחליף לכם את הכריכים".En: "Well, you guys are so original and we all enjoyed the story, I'll replace your sandwiches."He: ברגע של שמחה וחמימות, אריאל ונועה הוחזרו למקומם עם כריכים חדשים.En: In a moment of joy and warmth, Ariel and Noa returned to their places with new sandwiches.He: הם הודו לאיתן ולמדו על חשיבותם של הומור וחיבור בין אנשים.En: They thanked Eitan and learned about the importance of humor and connection between people.He: מרגע זה, אריאל ואיתן החלו לשוחח באופן קבוע ורקמת הידידות ביניהם התרחבה.En: From that moment, Ariel and Eitan began talking regularly, and their friendship grew.He: החוויה הקטנה הזו הראתה לאריאל את הערך שבצחוק, במיוחד אחרי חגים.En: This small experience showed Ariel the value of laughter, especially after the holidays.He: ולא רק שהוא קיבל את הכריכים הנכונים אלא גם חבר חדש.En: Not only did he get the correct sandwiches, but he also made a new friend.He: כך סיימו את היום בהרגשה חגיגית ומיוחדת.En: Thus, they ended the day with a festive and special feeling. Vocabulary Words:especially: במיוחדlively: מלא חייםwafting: ההתפזרdecorations: קישוטיםscattered: מפוזרcounter: דלפקtalented: בעל כישרוןexaggerated: מוגזםmishaps: תקלותburst: פרצוconversation: שיחהhumor: הומורresponsible: אחראיstrict: קשוחהmaintain: לשמור עלmistake: טעותjoyful: הנאהreplace: אחליףconnection: חיבורfriendship: ידידותvalue: ערךfestive: חגיגיlearned: למדוorder: הזמנהexperience: חוויהimportance: חשיבותםreturn: החזרותsense of humor: חוש הומורexception: ויתורenjoyed: נהנינוBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

Guest BioJerry Elkins is a lifelong adventurer whose journey has spanned skies, caves, coastlines, and countless open roads. He began flying hot air balloons in 1979 and, for nearly a decade, made his living as a traveling balloon barnstormer — eventually becoming the first pilot to fly in all 50 U.S. states. But Jerry's adventures go far beyond the basket. Over the past four decades, he's explored underwater worlds through SCUBA diving, delved into deep caves, traveled extensively, and built lasting connections through storytelling. As the second of four generations of Elkins balloon pilots, Jerry brings a rich legacy of curiosity, courage, and a deep love for the outdoors to every experience he shares.Show SummaryIn this episode of the Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Podcast, host Jason Elkins speaks with his father, Jerry, about a life defined by exploration, personal growth, and family legacy. From early days in Wyoming to adventures across land, air, and sea, their conversation paints a vivid picture of what it means to live fully and intentionally.They reflect on memorable childhood moments, the power of storytelling, and how a spirit of curiosity led Jerry into ballooning, cave exploration, SCUBA diving, and beyond. With heartfelt honesty, Jerry shares lessons learned from a lifetime of adventure — and Jason explores how those moments have shaped his own path. Together, they celebrate the value of memories, connection, and embracing the unknown.Key Takeaways✓ Adventure is about personal growth, not just thrills. ✓ Childhood experiences often shape our worldview and identity. ✓ Embracing discomfort can lead to meaningful transformation. ✓ Strong communities and friendships enrich the journey of life. ✓ Life's most treasured possessions are often memories, not things. ✓ Writing offers a powerful way to preserve and reflect on experiences. ✓ Staying present opens the door to unexpected discoveries. ✓ The path of life is a continuous cycle of learning and adapting. ✓ Parental support can inspire a lifelong spirit of exploration. ✓ It's never too late to pursue new creative passions. Learn more about Big World Made Small Adventure Travel Marketing and join our private community to get episode updates, special access to our guests, and exclusive adventure travel offers on our website.

Fluent Fiction - Hindi: A Winter's Tale: Inspiration and Friendship in Mumbai Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2026-01-01-08-38-19-hi Story Transcript:Hi: मुंबई की सर्दियों में एक खास बात होती है।En: There is something special about the winters in Mumbai.Hi: ठंडी हवा और छुट्टियों का जोश मुम्बई के बाजारों और गलियों में बिखरा रहता है।En: The cold breeze and holiday spirit are scattered throughout the markets and streets of Mumbai.Hi: नये साल का दिन था।En: It was New Year's Day.Hi: अनन्या पुलिस स्टेशन की तरफ बढ़ रही थी, उसका दुपट्टा हल्की ठंड से उसे ढकता हुआ।En: Ananya was heading towards the police station, her dupatta covering her from the slight chill.Hi: वह अभी-अभी नौकरी के सिलसिले में मुंबई आई थी और उसके साथ एक अनहोनी हो गई थी।En: She had just arrived in Mumbai for work, and an unfortunate incident had occurred.Hi: उसका पर्स चोरी हो गया था।En: Her purse had been stolen.Hi: दूसरी ओर, रोहन पुलिस स्टेशन के पास पहुंचा।En: On the other hand, Rohan arrived near the police station.Hi: उसकी आंखों में एक चमक थी।En: There was a sparkle in his eyes.Hi: वह एक लेखक था और अपनी अगली कहानी के लिए प्रेरणा की तलाश में था।En: He was a writer in search of inspiration for his next story.Hi: आज उसे एक अनोखा वाकया देखना था, जिसमें वह शिक्षक बन सके।En: Today, he was about to witness a unique event, one from which he could learn.Hi: पुलिस स्टेशन के भीतर, इंस्पेक्टर शर्मा अपने कंप्यूटर पर कुछ डाटा देख रहे थे।En: Inside the police station, Inspector Sharma was reviewing some data on his computer.Hi: अनन्या लाइन में खड़ी थी, और उसके सामने रोहन था।En: Ananya was standing in line, with Rohan in front of her.Hi: थोड़ी देर में अनन्या का नंबर आया।En: After a short while, it was Ananya's turn.Hi: उसने खुद को संभालते हुए अपनी घटना को इंस्पेक्टर शर्मा के सामने रखा।En: Collecting herself, she presented her case to Inspector Sharma.Hi: "सर, मेरा पर्स चोरी हो गया," अनन्या ने धीमे स्वर में कहा, उसकी आवाज़ में घबराहट साफ झलक रही थी।En: "Sir, my purse has been stolen," Ananya said in a soft voice, the nervousness in her voice clearly evident.Hi: इंस्पेक्टर शर्मा ने दयाभाव से उसकी ओर देखा और कहा, "आप चिंता मत कीजिए।En: Inspector Sharma looked at her with compassion and said, "Don't worry.Hi: हम आपकी मदद करेंगे।En: We will help you."Hi: " उसके पीछे खड़े रोहन ने सबकुछ देखा।En: Rohan, standing behind, saw everything.Hi: उसने अपनी रिपोर्ट देने के लिये सोचा, लेकिन अनन्या की बातों ने उसका ध्यान खींच लिया।En: He considered filing his report, but Ananya's story had grabbed his attention.Hi: जैसे ही अनन्या की बात खत्म हुई, रोहन ने उससे बात करने का फैसला किया।En: As soon as Ananya was done speaking, Rohan decided to talk to her.Hi: "नमस्ते, मुझे पता है ये शहर कभी-कभी डराने वाला हो सकता है," रोहन ने अनन्या से कहा।En: "Hello, I know this city can be intimidating sometimes," Rohan said to Ananya.Hi: "मैं भी अपनी कहानी की तलाश में हूं, लेकिन तुम्हारी कहानी सुनकर, लगता है कि ये शहर हमें कुछ सिखाने आया है।En: "I am also in search of a story, but hearing yours, it seems like this city is here to teach us something."Hi: "अनन्या मुस्कराई।En: Ananya smiled.Hi: "शायद तुम सही कह रहे हो।En: "Maybe you're right.Hi: हर नया शहर कुछ नया सिखाता है।En: Every new city teaches something new."Hi: "उन दोनों ने अपनी रिपोर्ट पूरी की।En: They both completed their reports.Hi: इस बीच, नया साल मनाने वाली भीड़ की चहल-पहल चारों ओर बढ़ गई थी।En: Meanwhile, the hustle and bustle of the New Year celebration crowds increased all around them.Hi: इंस्पेक्टर शर्मा ने उन्हें न्यू ईयर की शुभकामनाएं दीं।En: Inspector Sharma wished them a Happy New Year.Hi: "तुम्हें कॉफी पसंद है?En: "Do you like coffee?"Hi: " रोहन ने अनन्या से पूछा।En: Rohan asked Ananya.Hi: "हाँ, चलो चलते हैं," अनन्या ने स्वीकार कर लिया।En: "Yes, let's go," Ananya agreed.Hi: दोनों पुलिस स्टेशन से बाहर निकले।En: The two stepped out of the police station.Hi: ठंडी हवा में हंसी का माहौल था।En: There was a cheerful atmosphere in the cold breeze.Hi: वे दोनों नये साल की शुरुआत एक नये दोस्त के साथ कर रहे थे।En: They were starting the new year with a new friend.Hi: अनन्या अब और अधिक आश्वस्त महसूस करती थी।En: Ananya now felt more assured.Hi: उसे मुंबई का जीवन अब एक चुनौती नहीं, बल्कि एक साहसिक यात्रा की तरह लगने लगा था।En: Life in Mumbai no longer seemed like a challenge, but rather an adventurous journey.Hi: रोहन को उसकी कहानी का सूत्र मिल गया था, और साथ ही अनन्या के साथ की एक नयी कहानी का रेखाचित्र।En: Rohan had found the thread of his story, along with the outline of a new story with Ananya's companionship.Hi: मुंबई की सड़कों पर चलते हुए, उनके बीच में बातें होती रहीं, जैसे ठंड की रात को गर्मियों का एहसास हो।En: Walking the streets of Mumbai, they continued their conversation, as if the cold night felt like summer warmth.Hi: नये साल की संध्या नई शुरूआत का प्रतीक बन गई थी।En: The New Year's Eve symbolized a new beginning. Vocabulary Words:breeze: हवाspirit: जोशmarkets: बाज़ारोंstreets: गलियोंincident: अनहोनीstolen: चोरीcompassion: दयाभावintimidating: डराने वालाwitness: देखनाunique: अनोखाinspiration: प्रेरणाreviewing: देख रहेnervousness: घबराहटevident: झलकcompanion: साथchallenging: चुनौतीadventurous: साहसिकoutline: रेखाचित्रconversation: बातेंsymbolized: प्रतीकassured: आश्वस्तwitnessed: देखाincident: वाकयाfile: फाइलassure: आश्वस्तcompanion: साथीcrowds: भीड़scattered: बिखराsparkle: चमकatmosphere: माहौल

Fluent Fiction - Hindi: New Year Sparks Friendship and Artistic Renewal in the Gardens Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2026-01-01-23-34-02-hi Story Transcript:Hi: सर्दी की धूप कुछ अलग ही होती है।En: Winter sunlight has a distinct quality.Hi: लोधी गार्डन्स में हरियाली के बीच बिखरी हुई धूप सबको अपनी ओर खींच रही थी।En: Lodhi Gardens was drawing everyone towards it with sunlight dispersed among the greenery.Hi: नए साल की पहली सुबह थी।En: It was the first morning of the new year.Hi: पेड़ों के नीचे लोगों का जमावड़ा, हँसी के ठहाके और जगह-जगह पिकनिक मनाते परिवार दिखाई दे रहे थे।En: Gatherings of people under the trees, bursts of laughter, and families having picnics were visible everywhere.Hi: अदिति, अपने कैमरे के साथ, बाजू वाली बेंच पर बैठी थी।En: Aditi, with her camera, was sitting on the bench next to her.Hi: वह तस्वीरों को ध्यान से देख रही थी।En: She was carefully reviewing her photos.Hi: उसे अपनी अगली प्रदर्शनी के लिए कुछ खास तस्वीरें चाहिए थीं।En: She needed some special pictures for her upcoming exhibition.Hi: उसे ऐसा लगता था जैसे वह अपने विषयों से जुड़ नहीं पा रही थी।En: She felt as if she was not able to connect with her subjects.Hi: तस्वीरें बेजान सी लग रही थीं।En: The photos seemed lifeless.Hi: वहीं दूसरी ओर, राज ने अपना नोटबुक और पेन निकाला।En: On the other hand, Raj took out his notebook and pen.Hi: वह लोगों की कहानियों से अपनी लेखनी को नया आयाम देना चाहता था।En: He wanted to give a new dimension to his writing through people's stories.Hi: हाल ही में उसकी प्रेरणा कहीं गायब हो गई थी और उसकी कहानियों में जान नहीं थी।En: Recently, his inspiration had disappeared somewhere and his stories lacked life.Hi: अदिति ने फैसला लिया कि वह अपनी तस्वीरों में जीवन का रंग लाने के लिए बगीचे के कोनों-कोनों में घूमेगी।En: Aditi decided to wander through every corner of the garden to bring a splash of life to her photos.Hi: उसने अपनी रूमी की शायरी जैसी गहरी तस्वीरें लेने की ठानी।En: She resolved to capture deeply evocative pictures, like Rumi's poetry.Hi: राज ने सोचा कि वह लोगों के साथ बातचीत करेगा। उनकी कहानी जानने की कोशिश करेगा। शायद उनके जीवन के छोटे-छोटे अनुभव उसकी कल्पना के जाल में कुछ नया बुन सकें।En: Raj thought that he would talk to people, try to learn their stories, and perhaps weave something new into the fabric of his imagination from the small experiences of their lives.Hi: अचानक एक दृश्य ने अदिति का ध्यान खींचा।En: Suddenly, a scene caught Aditi's attention.Hi: राज एक बुजुर्ग जोड़े से बातचीत कर रहा था।En: Raj was conversing with an elderly couple.Hi: उनकी बातों में हँसी और उस समय की शांति का आनंद घुल रहा था।En: Laughter and the enjoyment of the moment were mixing in their conversation.Hi: अदिति के कैमरे की क्लिक ने उस पल को हमेशा के लिए कागज पर उतार लिया।En: A click from Aditi's camera captured that moment on paper forever.Hi: राज ने तस्वीर की आवाज सुनी और उसकी ओर देखा।En: Raj heard the sound of the photograph and looked over.Hi: वह इस आकस्मिक मुलाकात से खुश हुआ और दोनों ने बातचीत शुरू की।En: He was happy with this unexpected encounter, and the two began chatting.Hi: "तुम्हारी तस्वीरों में कहानी छुपी है," राज ने कहा, "और मेरा शब्द शायद तुम्हारी तस्वीरों को नया जीवन दे सकता है।"En: “There's a story hidden in your pictures,” Raj said, “and maybe my words can give new life to your photos.”Hi: अदिति मुस्कुराई, उसे लगा जैसे उसके कैमरे का लेंस राज की बातों से साफ हो गया हो।En: Aditi smiled, feeling as if the lens of her camera had been cleared by Raj's words.Hi: उस धूप भरे दिन में, उनकी बातचीत ने एक नई दोस्ती को जन्म दिया।En: That sunny day, their conversation gave birth to a new friendship.Hi: अदिति और राज ने एक-दूसरे के संपर्क जानकारी साझा की।En: Aditi and Raj shared their contact information with each other.Hi: अदिति ने क्या सीखा? हर पल की अद्वितीयता को अपनाना।En: What did Aditi learn? To embrace the uniqueness of every moment.Hi: और राज? उसने पाया कि कहानियाँ बस हमारी आँखों के सामने होती हैं।En: And Raj? He found that stories are right before our eyes.Hi: नए साल का यह दिन उनके रिश्ते को नया आयाम दे गया।En: This day of the new year gave their relationship a new dimension.Hi: लोधी गार्डन्स में जैसे नवाज़िशी माहौल था — इतिहास से घिरा हुआ वर्तमान।En: In Lodhi Gardens, there was as if a cozy atmosphere—surrounded by history in the present.Hi: अदिति और राज के लिए यह साल की शुरुआत करने का एक अद्वितीय तरीका बन गया।En: For Aditi and Raj, it turned into a unique way to start the year.Hi: इस जुड़ाव ने उनके काम को नई दिशा दी।En: This connection gave their work a new direction.Hi: अदिति को नई दृष्टि मिली और राज को अपनी कहानी का वो खोया धागा।En: Aditi gained a new perspective, and Raj found the lost thread of his story. Vocabulary Words:distinct: अलगdispersed: बिखरी हुईgatherings: जमावड़ाburst: ठहाकाlifeless: बेजानdimension: आयामinspiration: प्रेरणाevocative: गहरीwander: घूमनाpoetry: शायरीweave: बुननाimagination: कल्पनाelderly: बुजुर्गencounter: मुलाकातuniqueness: अद्वितीयताcontact information: संपर्क जानकारीcozy: नवाज़िशीperspective: दृष्टिthread: धागाexhibition: प्रदर्शनीreviewing: देख रहीfabric: जालcapture: उतारनाmoment: पलembrace: अपनानाunique: अद्वितीयatmosphere: माहौलconnection: जुड़ावlost: खोयाstories: कहानियाँ

Fluent Fiction - Spanish: Lost & Found: A Buenos Aires Tale of Friendship & Dedication Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/es/episode/2026-01-01-08-38-20-es Story Transcript:Es: En una calurosa mañana de verano en Buenos Aires, la estación de policía estaba llena de gente.En: On a hot summer morning in Buenos Aires, the police station was crowded with people.Es: Las decoraciones de Año Nuevo todavía colgaban, y el aire acondicionado apenas funcionaba.En: The Año Nuevo decorations still hung, and the air conditioning barely worked.Es: Todos estaban ocupados y estresados.En: Everyone was busy and stressed.Es: Entre la multitud, se encontraba Sofía, una estudiante de secundaria muy aplicada.En: Among the crowd was Sofía, a very diligent high school student.Es: Estaba preocupada.En: She was worried.Es: Le habían robado su mochila en la escuela.En: Her backpack had been stolen at school.Es: Su mejor amigo, Mateo, estaba a su lado.En: Her best friend, Mateo, was by her side.Es: Él siempre encontraba el lado positivo de las cosas.En: He always found the positive side of things.Es: Sofía se acercó al escritorio de Carlos, un policía amable, pero claramente cansado.En: @Sofía approached the desk of Carlos, a kind but clearly tired police officer.Es: Carlos quería pasar el día festivo con su familia, pero a veces el deber llamaba.En: @Carlos wanted to spend the holiday with his family, but sometimes duty called.Es: —Señor, mi mochila fue robada —dijo Sofía con ansiedad.En: "Sir, my backpack was stolen," said @Sofía anxiously.Es: Carlos tomó nota pacientemente.En: @Carlos patiently took note.Es: Sabía que cada caso era importante, aunque hoy la estación estaba desbordada de trabajo por las celebraciones de Año Nuevo.En: He knew each case was important, even though today the station was overwhelmed with work due to the Año Nuevo celebrations.Es: —No se preocupe, señorita.En: "Don't worry, miss.Es: Haremos lo posible.En: We'll do what we can.Es: Pero hoy estamos muy ocupados —contestó Carlos.En: But today we are very busy," replied @Carlos.Es: Sofía sentía el peso de su ansiedad.En: @Sofía felt the weight of her anxiety.Es: Sus notas para el examen y su amuleto de buena suerte estaban en esa mochila.En: Her notes for the exam and her good luck charm were in that backpack.Es: No podía esperar hasta que la policía tuviera tiempo.En: She couldn't wait until the police had time.Es: Debía actuar rápido.En: She needed to act quickly.Es: Mateo tuvo una idea.En: @Mateo had an idea.Es: —¿Y si buscamos en las redes sociales?En: "What if we search on social media?Es: A lo mejor alguien vio algo —sugirió Mateo, optimista como siempre.En: Maybe someone saw something," suggested @Mateo, optimistic as always.Es: Sofía aceptó la propuesta.En: @Sofía agreed to the proposal.Es: Los dos decidieron quedarse en la estación para buscar pistas.En: The two decided to stay at the station to look for clues.Es: Empezaron a mirar en sus teléfonos, esperanzados.En: They started to search on their phones, hopeful.Es: El tiempo pasaba y la estación se llenaba más.En: Time passed and the station became more crowded.Es: Sofía comenzaba a perder la esperanza, hasta que Mateo exclamó: —¡Mira esto!En: @Sofía began to lose hope until @Mateo exclaimed: "Look at this!"Es: —dijo, mostrando su teléfono a Sofía.En: he said, showing his phone to @Sofía.Es: En una publicación, alguien del vecindario comentaba sobre una persona sospechosa en el parque local con una mochila que coincidía con la descripción.En: In a post, someone from the neighborhood commented about a suspicious person in the local park with a backpack that matched the description.Es: Era una señal prometedora.En: It was a promising lead.Es: Sofía se acercó rápidamente a Carlos.En: @Sofía quickly approached @Carlos.Es: —¡Hemos encontrado una pista!En: "We've found a clue!Es: Necesitamos su ayuda para ir al parque —dijo ella.En: We need your help to go to the park," she said.Es: Carlos, a pesar de estar agotado, vio la determinación en los ojos de Sofía.En: @Carlos, despite being exhausted, saw the determination in @Sofía's eyes.Es: Decidió ayudarla antes de que se hiciera más tarde.En: He decided to help her before it got too late.Es: Juntos, los tres fueron al parque.En: Together, the three went to the park.Es: Allí, encontraron al sospechoso, y para alivio de Sofía, recuperaron la mochila.En: There, they found the suspect, and to @Sofía's relief, they recovered the backpack.Es: Todo estaba intacto: sus notas y su amuleto.En: Everything was intact: her notes and her charm.Es: Al regresar a la estación, Sofía se sintió agradecida.En: Returning to the station, @Sofía felt grateful.Es: No solo había recuperado lo perdido, sino que había aprendido a confiar más en sus amigos y en la buena voluntad de Carlos.En: Not only had she recovered what was lost, but she had learned to trust more in her friends and in @Carlos's goodwill.Es: Mientras se despedía, Carlos la miró y sonrió.En: As she said goodbye, @Carlos looked at her and smiled.Es: —A veces, solo hay que tener un poco de paciencia y confianza, Sofía —le dijo.En: "Sometimes you just need a little patience and trust, @Sofía," he said.Es: Con su mochila en el hombro y su amigo a su lado, Sofía salió de la estación.En: With her backpack on her shoulder and her friend by her side, @Sofía left the station.Es: Aunque el día había comenzado estresante, había terminado con un giro inesperado y positivo.En: Although the day had started stressful, it had ended with an unexpected and positive turn.Es: Así aprendió la importancia de la resiliencia y del trabajo en equipo.En: This way, she learned the importance of resilience and teamwork. Vocabulary Words:the police station: la estación de policíathe decorations: las decoracionesthe crowd: la multitudthe duty: el deberthe exam: el examenthe charm: el amuletothe social media: las redes socialesthe clue: la pistathe determination: la determinaciónthe suspect: el sospechosothe relief: el aliviothe goodwill: la buena voluntadthe patience: la pacienciathe trust: la confianzathe resilience: la resilienciathe teamwork: el trabajo en equipothe shoulder: el hombrothe stress: el estrésthe lead: la señalthe notes: las notasthe neighborhood: el vecindariothe proposal: la propuestathe luck: la suertethe promise: la promesathe anxiety: la ansiedadthe holiday: el día festivothe morning: la mañanathe summer: el veranothe park: el parquethe suspect: el sospechoso

This summer we're curating your 456 playlist listening to bring you some of our favourite interviews from MID and No Filter. Rosie O’Donnell has lived almost every version of life in the spotlight. From her breakout in Hollywood alongside Tom Hanks and Madonna, to her groundbreaking daytime talk show that redefined television, Rosie was one of the most famous women in America. But with fame came ridicule, public feuds, and moments that cut deeply. She’s been celebrated, mocked, and at times turned into the punchline of her own story. And one of the most painful moments came when Ellen DeGeneres told the world they weren’t friends. In this conversation, Rosie is raw, funny and reflective. She speaks about growing up in the shadow of losing her mother, her shy first attempts at romance, the highs and lows of talk show success, and the very public feuds that made headlines. She shares what it was like to be blindsided by Ellen’s rejection, and why that moment stayed with her. And yes, she even talks about her recent return to our screens in And Just Like That. Rosie O’Donnell has lived a big, messy, fascinating life — and in this episode, she tells it all. You can follow Rosie O'Donnell here. THE END BITS: Listen to more No Filter interviews here and follow us on Instagram here. Discover more Mamamia podcasts here. Feedback: podcast@mamamia.com.au Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice message, and one of our Podcast Producers will get back to you ASAP. Rate or review us on Apple by clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, click Go To Show then scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on the stars at the bottom and write a review CREDITS: Guest: Rosie O'Donnell Host: Kate Langbroek Executive Producer: Naima Brown Senior Producer: Bree Player Audio Producer: Jacob Round Video Producer: Josh Green Recorded with Session in Progress studios. Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friendships can move and change so much in that first year of motherhood, and sometimes the friends you had pre-baby quickly fall to the wayside. Today we're chatting about the importance of having a good crew around you, how to prioritise your friendships while juggling newborns and how to know if a mothers group is right for you. Then later in the ep, Kel opens up about a recent friendship heartbreak she experienced and the toll it took on her both physically and emotionally. HOSTS & PRODUCERS: Kelly McCarren www.instagram.com/kelly_mccarren/ Kee Reece www.instagram.com/keereece/ AUDIO PRODUCTION: Claudia Coy https://www.instagram.com/claudia_coy/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2025 was a good video gaming year (movies and TV also good)! Welcome to our less extensive GOTY breakdown which we're joined for, as always, by Barry Murphy (@TheBarryLad on BlueSky, twitch.tv/Barrylad). 00:30 Intro, it's only been a week and Garrett vs Birds 11:00 Loose favourite TV/Movies of the year chat (Marvel Stuff, Friendship, Sinners, Superman, Weapons, One Battle After Another, The Rehearsal, The Pitt, Smiling Friends, Pluribus, Andor, The Studio, The Simpsons, The Roses, Roof Man, The Holdovers Xmas tradition, The Dinner Plan, Wake Up Dead Man) 51:05 Clair Obscur Expedition 33 1:03:35 Ghost of Yotei (and sequel reactions) 1:14:30 Outer Worlds 2 1:17:10 Blue Prince 1:22:55 Seance of Blake Manor 1:31:50 Hades 2 1:38:10 Donkey Kong Bonanza 1:49:40 Split Fiction 1:50:30 Silksong 2:00:10 Death Stranding 2 2:07:10 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle 2:08:50 Mario Kart World 2:15:30 Jack's not mentioned faves 2:20:30 Barry's not mentioned faves 2:25:25 Mark's not mentioned faves 2:28:25 Garrett's not mentioned faves 2:30:30 Everyone's personal GOTY and default LTTC GOTY 2:33:15 Don't you cry no more… Like, listen, share and subscribe, we appreciate any love from you fine people. We are available on most podcast platforms, just search ‘Link to The Cast'. linktr.ee/linktothecast If you wanna contact us for our mailbag, or just to say hi, or if you just want to keep up to date on our content as it's posted, check out the following: linktothecast.wordpress.com / linktothecast@gmail.com @linktothecast on Twitter The lads are: ► @thedaytodave ► @lithiumproject (now on BlueSky) ► @jacklayzell ► @garrettkidney

Leslie continues her Steadfast Heart series with Part Four of what makes an emotionally friend. Fair-weather friends are very common - those who will support us as things are easy and going well, but pull away when we are struggling or when a more exciting friend comes along. In this episode, Leslie unpacks the qualities of a truly faithful friend who will "love at all times" as it says in Proverbs 17:17.For more resources from Leslie, visit https://setapart.org/. To learn about our Ellerslie Discipleship Programs and lock in 2025 pricing, visit https://ellerslie.com/be-discipled/. To learn about our 2026 Set Apart Conference and the free t-shirt giveaway, visit https://setapart.org/2026-set-apart-conference/. To support Set Apart Ministries, visit https://setapart.org/support/.

Hey friends, Chase here This episode is short and direct — and it's built around a question I think most of us care about more than we admit: what actually makes a great friend? Friendship is often treated as something casual. Easy. Automatic. But as life gets fuller — work, family, responsibility, distraction — the quality of our friendships can quietly slip into something surface-level. Not because we don't care, but because we stop being intentional about how we show up. What I've learned is that great friendships aren't defined by history or proximity. They're defined by behavior. Being a great friend isn't about always having the right words or fixing someone's problems. It's about presence. Courage. And a willingness to show up in ways that actually matter — even when it's uncomfortable. Here's the core idea: Great friendships aren't built on convenience — they're built on intention. That intention shows up in a few specific ways. In the courage to be vulnerable instead of polished. In choosing shared growth over staying comfortable. And in offering real, actionable support instead of vague good intentions. One of the biggest differences between casual friends and lifelong ones is the kinds of conversations you're willing to have — and the kinds of moments you're willing to share. Depth doesn't happen by accident. It happens when someone goes first. This episode is about closing that gap. About turning "let me know if you need anything" into actually showing up. About asking better questions. About becoming the kind of friend you'd want to have in your own corner. In today's episode I cover: Why vulnerability is the foundation of real friendship How shared growth experiences deepen connection What it looks like to offer meaningful, specific support If you've been thinking about the people who matter most in your life, this episode is an invitation — not to do more, but to show up differently. And to remember that the strongest friendships are built through small, intentional acts done consistently over time. Until next time, show up with intention — and be the kind of friend you'd want in your own corner.  

It can be challenging to navigate between being yourself and trying to fit in. It can feel vulnerable to express enthusiasm yet nonchalence can get in the way of making true friendships. How do we create honest and authentic friendships with other people? What has worked or not worked for us in the past? In the spirit of starting off 2026 with some reflection, hope, and desire for increasing authenticity, we share this episode on friendship. Happy New Year!  To share your episode ideas or just say hi, email us at team@thisteenagelife.org.

So long 2025. In this episode, I pay tribute to my longtime collaborator and dear friend, Pat Finn, reflecting on our twenty years of creative partnership in commercial filmmaking shooting Valley Toyota. Pat starred as "Pat" in "Pat TV" campaign from LT, the Phoenix agency also mourning their dear Pat. Just me babbling through heartfelt stories and fond memories, to honor Pat's comedic brilliance, generosity, and the lasting impact he had on me. Here's a documentary Pat & I made on campaign, "Pat TV: The First 15 Years". Enjoy and see what a mench Pat was. It's full of spots and behind the scenes magic. Here's the link to our podcast chat back in 2024. So folks, treasure your loved ones and embrace every opportunity with gratitude and optimism. COMMERCIAL DIRECTING BOOTCAMP - 01.24.2026 Saturday, January 24th. Limit 10 filmmakers. This an in-person, intensive workshop designed to get you to the next level and direct more spots, better spots and express your vision while laughing to the bank. Enroll here. It always sells out.  FILMMAKER RETREAT JOSHUA TREE '26 - SAVE YOUR SPOT! Thursday, October 1st – Sunday, October 4th, 2026. Limit 15 Filmmakers. This will be our 5th year. Limit 15 filmmakers and only 14 spots remain so SIGN UP! ONLINE FILMMAKING COURSES - DIRECT WITH CONFIDENCEEach of my online courses come with a free 1:1 mentorship call with yours truly. Taking the Shadow course is the only way to win a chance to shadow me on a real shoot! DM for details. Want to level up your commercial directing game? MAGIC MIND - MY MENTAL PERFORMANCE EXILIRSave hugely on Magic Mind with this link. — This link is the way. TRIPPY Check out Frequency Caps to try some mushroom-based treats. I like the cocao cubes. The code is BRADY10. Also, if you're in LA, Frequency House hold ceremonies often. Thanks, Jordan My cult classic mockumentary, "Dill Scallion" is online so I'm giving 100% of the money to St. Jude Children's Hospital. I've decided to donate the LIFETIME earnings every December, so the donation will grow and grow annually. Thank you. "Respect The Process" podcast is brought to you by Commercial Directing FIlm School and True Gent, aka True Gentleman Industries, Inc. in partnership with Brady Oil Entertainment, Inc.

This episode will change the way you think about friendships. In Part 1 of this two-episode conversation, the Samis sit down together in Austin to explore the seasons of friendship and the ways our relationships naturally evolve as we do. Together, they reflect on the personal work they've been doing around friendships, what they've learned, and the seasons they're currently in.The Samis open up about leaning on friendships during transitional seasons, what it means to allow people to enter your life as “expanders,” and why your energy is expensive and worth protecting. This conversation offers grounding insight, gentle clarity, and a fresh perspective on what it means to honor your relationships exactly as they are.Transform Instagram - click here!Sami Spalter Instagram - click here!Sami Clarke Instagram - click here!FORM Shop - click here!FORM Website - click here!Code TRANSFORM for 20% off an annual membership.This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.This episode is brought to you by:Quince: Go to Quince.com/transform for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Gruns: Get up to 52% off with code transform at gruns.co Canopy: Go to getcanopy.co to save $25 on your Canopy Humidifier purchase today with Canopy's filter subscription. Use code TRANSFORM at checkout to save an additional 10% off your Canopy purchase. Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fluent Fiction - Norwegian: Fireworks, Friendship, and a New Year: An Oslofjord Tale Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/no/episode/2025-12-31-08-38-20-no Story Transcript:No: Det var en stille og kjølig vinterettermiddag ved Oslofjord.En: It was a quiet and cool winter afternoon by the Oslofjord.No: Den vanlige travle basen var pyntet med lys og dekorasjoner.En: The usually busy base was decorated with lights and decorations.No: Sjømennene forberedte seg på nyttårsaften med entusiasme og forventning.En: The sailors were preparing for New Year's Eve with enthusiasm and anticipation.No: Gjennom all denne aktiviteten, hadde Solveig, Lars og Knut en spesiell plan som skulle gjøre festen uforglemmelig.En: Amidst all this activity, Solveig, Lars, and Knut had a special plan to make the party unforgettable.No: Solveig, alltid full av ideer og entusiasme, hadde en glimrende idé.En: Solveig, always full of ideas and enthusiasm, had a brilliant idea.No: "Vi må ha fyrverkeri!" utbrøt hun til sine nære venner, Lars og Knut.En: "We need fireworks!" she exclaimed to her close friends, Lars and Knut.No: Lars, kjent for sine uvanlige ideer, var enig.En: Lars, known for his unusual ideas, agreed.No: "Ja, det ville være fantastisk," sa han og smilte bredt.En: "Yes, that would be fantastic," he said, smiling widely.No: Knut, litt mer forsiktig av natur, rynket brynene, men nikket.En: Knut, a bit more cautious by nature, furrowed his brows but nodded.No: Han visste at de ville trenge noen tekniske kunnskaper for å sikre at alt gikk riktig for seg.En: He knew they would need some technical knowledge to ensure everything went smoothly.No: "Fyrverkeriet er under lås og slå i lagerrommet," sa Lars, med et glimt i øyet.En: "The fireworks are locked away in the storage room," said Lars, with a gleam in his eye.No: De tre vennene jobbet sammen; Solveig ledet dem med sitt smittende humør, Lars hadde en plan, og Knut, med sine nysgjerrige fingre, var på saken for å låse opp døren.En: The three friends worked together; Solveig led them with her infectious mood, Lars had a plan, and Knut, with his curious fingers, was on the case to unlock the door.No: Men, i deres opphisselse, smalt døren igjen bak dem, og de var plutselig fanget inne i lagerrommet.En: But, in their excitement, the door slammed shut behind them, and they were suddenly trapped inside the storage room.No: Lars kikket bekymret rundt og sa, "Vi er låst inne!"En: Lars looked around worriedly and said, "We're locked in!"No: Knut begynte å puste raskere, mens Solveig begynte å le.En: Knut started to breathe faster, while Solveig began to laugh.No: "Vi skulle bare få fyrverkeri, og nå har vi vår lille nyttårsaften her inne!"En: "We just wanted to get fireworks, and now we have our little New Year's Eve in here!"No: Hun så på de andre to. "Dette skal vi løse sammen."En: She looked at the other two. "We'll solve this together."No: Mens de ventet, fant Solveig en hårnål i lommen sin. "Kanskje dette kan hjelpe oss?" foreslo hun.En: While they waited, Solveig found a hairpin in her pocket. "Maybe this could help us?" she suggested.No: Knut smilte for første gang på lenge. "La meg prøve," sa han og begynte å jobbe med låsen.En: Knut smiled for the first time in a while. "Let me try," he said and began working on the lock.No: Han kjente ingeniørens lidenskap når han fumlet forsiktig med hårnålen.En: He felt the engineer's passion as he carefully fumbled with the hairpin.No: Minuttene gikk sakte, men Knut jobbet med besluttsomhet.En: The minutes passed slowly, but Knut worked with determination.No: Han fant den rette vinkelen, og kanskje med litt flaks, hørte de en svak klikk.En: He found the right angle and, perhaps with a bit of luck, they heard a faint click.No: Døren åpnet seg rett før midnatt!En: The door opened just before midnight!No: De stormet ut av lagerrommet, løp mot bakken, og rakk så vidt å fyre av fyrverkeriet.En: They stormed out of the storage room, ran towards the ground, and just managed to set off the fireworks.No: Da de blekblågnistene lyste opp himmelen over Oslofjorden akkurat i det klokken slo midnatt, ble trioen ønsket velkommen med jubel fra sine medseilere.En: As the pale blue sparks lit up the sky over the Oslofjord right as the clock struck midnight, the trio was welcomed with cheers from their fellow sailors.No: Smilende så de de fargerike eksplosjonene lyse opp nattehimmelen.En: Smiling, they watched the colorful explosions light up the night sky.No: Solveig innså at samarbeid og litt humor kan løse de mest uventede situasjoner, mens Knut fant glede i det uventede kaoset.En: Solveig realized that teamwork and a bit of humor could solve the most unexpected situations, while Knut found joy in the unexpected chaos.No: Det ble en nyttårsaften de aldri ville glemme, og med et siste blikk på de fallende stjernene i fyrverkeriets glans, visste de at de alltid ville ha hverandre i de rareste eventyrene.En: It was a New Year's Eve they would never forget, and with one last glance at the falling stars in the fireworks' glow, they knew they would always have each other in their wildest adventures. Vocabulary Words:quiet: stillecalm: kjøligbase: basendecorations: dekorasjonersailors: sjømenneneanticipation: forventningunforgettable: uforglemmeligbrilliant: glimrendeexclaimed: utbrøtenthusiasm: entusiasmecautious: forsiktigfurrowed: rynketbrows: brynenetechnical: tekniskeknowledge: kunnskapersecure: sikremood: humørinfectious: smittendeslammed: smalttrapped: fangetbreathed: pustesuggested: foreslodetermination: besluttsomhetunlock: låse oppengineer: ingeniørpassion: lidenskapfumbled: fumletwelcomed: ønsket velkommenjoy: gledelight: lyse

Fluent Fiction - Hungarian: New Year, New Hopes: Finding Friendship Under Fireworks Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hu/episode/2025-12-31-23-34-02-hu Story Transcript:Hu: A Hideg Tél És Az Új ReményEn: The Cold Winter and New HopeHu: Budapesten, a Halászbástya tornyai alatt, a tél hóleple takarta a földet, és az emberek gyülekeztek a szilveszteri ünneplésre.En: In Budapest, under the towers of the Halászbástya, the earth was covered by a blanket of snow, and people gathered for the New Year's Eve celebration.Hu: Az égbolt tiszta volt és csillagokkal teli, ígérve a közelgő tűzijáték pompáját.En: The sky was clear and full of stars, promising the splendor of the upcoming fireworks.Hu: László, Enikő és Zsófia ott álltak a tömegben, szívüket izgatottság és bizonytalanság töltötte el.En: László, Enikő, and Zsófia stood there in the crowd, their hearts filled with excitement and uncertainty.Hu: László mély levegőt vett, de a hideg levegővel együtt a szíve fájdalma is visszatért.En: László took a deep breath, but along with the cold air, the pain in his heart returned.Hu: A közelmúltban történt szakítása még mindig friss volt, és nehezen találta meg a helyét ebben az örömteli pillanatban.En: His recent breakup was still fresh, and he found it hard to find his place in this joyful moment.Hu: "Talán otthon kellett volna maradnom," morogta magában, de Enikő vidám szavai meggátoltak ebben a gondolatban.En: "Perhaps I should have stayed home," he muttered to himself, but Enikő's cheerful words interrupted his thoughts.Hu: - Nézd, milyen gyönyörű minden! - mondta Enikő, miközben a várost csodálta. - Új év, új lehetőségek!En: "Look how beautiful everything is!" said Enikő as she admired the city. "New year, new opportunities!"Hu: Zsófia csendesen rámosolygott barátaira, gondolataiban az elkövetkezendő év kihívásai jártak.En: Zsófia smiled quietly at her friends, her thoughts on the challenges of the coming year.Hu: Tudta, hogy László küzd, ezért közelebb lépett hozzá. - Még mindig fáj ugye? - kérdezte halkan.En: She knew László was struggling, so she stepped closer to him. "It still hurts, doesn't it?" she asked softly.Hu: László bólintott. - Igen, Zsófia. Nincs kedvem ünnepelni. Félek, hogy egyedül maradok az új évben.En: László nodded. "Yes, Zsófia. I don't feel like celebrating. I'm afraid I'll be alone in the new year."Hu: A beszélgetés halk maradt a zajos tömegben, de a szavak súlya mindhárom barát szívét megérintette.En: The conversation remained quiet amidst the noisy crowd, but the weight of the words touched the hearts of all three friends.Hu: Enikő vidám mosolya mögött is megértés rejtőzött; tudta, hogy Lászlónak most nem érvekre, hanem együttérzésre van szüksége.En: Behind Enikő's cheerful smile lay understanding; she knew that László needed compassion now, not arguments.Hu: Ahogy közeledett az éjfél, a város fényei felcsillantak a messzeségben.En: As midnight approached, the city's lights glittered in the distance.Hu: A tűzijáték a déli harangütéskor kezdődött.En: The fireworks began with the southern chime of the bells.Hu: Színes fények festették az égbolt sötétjét.En: Colorful lights painted the darkness of the sky.Hu: László kihasználta ezt a pillanatot. - Tudjátok, azt hiszem, beszélnem kell veletek – mondta remegő hangon.En: László seized this moment. "You know, I think I need to talk to you," he said with a trembling voice.Hu: - Félek, hogy nem tudom legyőzni ezt az érzést... de talán szükségem van rátok.En: "I'm afraid I can't overcome this feeling... but maybe I need you."Hu: Zsófia és Enikő egyszerre nyúltak barátjuk karjához. - Mindig itt leszünk, László - mondta Enikő határozottan.En: Zsófia and Enikő simultaneously reached for their friend's arm. "We'll always be here, László," said Enikő firmly.Hu: - Együtt meglátjuk az új év lehetőségeit.En: "Together, we'll see the opportunities of the new year."Hu: Zsófia bátorítóan bólintott. - Ez a pillanat a kezdet, nem a vég. Mindannyian újra kezdhetünk.En: Zsófia nodded encouragingly. "This moment is the beginning, not the end. We can all start anew."Hu: László mélyen lehelte ki a levegőt. Egy kicsit könnyebbnek érezte magát.En: László exhaled deeply. He felt a little lighter.Hu: Az éjszaka sötétje és a vetített fények csodává változtatták a Halászbástyát.En: The darkness of the night and the projecting lights turned Halászbástya into a marvel.Hu: Villanásról villanásra László szívében nőni kezdett a remény.En: With each flash, hope began to grow in László's heart.Hu: Ahogy a barátok egymásba karoltak és a városra néztek, László úgy érezte, hogy kész szembenézni a jövővel.En: As the friends linked arms and looked at the city, László felt ready to face the future.Hu: Tudta, hogy nehéz lesz, de már nem volt egyedül.En: He knew it would be difficult, but he was no longer alone.Hu: Az új év tele volt lehetőségekkel és új kezdetekkel.En: The new year was full of opportunities and fresh starts.Hu: Egy új év, új reményekkel.En: A new year, with new hopes.Hu: És László már tudta: barátai mindig vele lesznek, bárhol is vigye őt az élet.En: And László now knew: his friends would always be with him, wherever life might take him. Vocabulary Words:blanket: hólepelsplendor: pompaexcitement: izgatottságuncertainty: bizonytalanságbreath: levegőpain: fájdalombreakup: szakításadmired: csodáltaopportunities: lehetőségekchallenges: kihívásaistruggling: küzdcompassion: együttérzésnoisy: zajostouched: megérintettechime: harangütésglittered: felcsillantaksimultaneously: egyszerreencouragingly: bátorítóanprojecting: vetítettmarvel: csodaexhaled: lehelte kitrembling: remegőafraid: félekseized: kihasználtamoment: pillanatbeginning: kezdetdarkness: sötétségfireworks: tűzijátékcity: városlinked: egymásba karoltak

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Shanghai's New Year: Fireworks, New Hopes, and New Friendships Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-12-31-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 新年的前夕，上海的外滩笼罩在一片节日的欢腾中。En: On the eve of the New Year, Shanghai's The Bund was enveloped in a festive cheer.Zh: 黄浦江的水面反射着历史建筑的灯光，游客和本地人都期盼着午夜的焰火表演。En: The surface of the Huangpu River reflected the lights of historic buildings, as both tourists and locals eagerly awaited the midnight fireworks display.Zh: 梅，一个年轻的女子，站在江边，心中思绪万千。En: Mei, a young woman, stood by the river, her mind filled with countless thoughts.Zh: 过去的一年并不顺利，她希望在新年能找到新的希望。En: The past year had not been smooth, and she hoped to find new hope in the new year.Zh: 她身边是活泼的朋友梁，梁笑着说：“梅，今天晚上，我们一定要尽情享受，不要想太多！”En: Beside her was her lively friend, Liang, who laughed and said, "Mei, tonight, we must enjoy ourselves to the fullest and not think too much!"Zh: 梅微微一笑，En: Mei smiled slightly.Zh: 尽管内心对拥挤的人群感到不安，她决定尝试融入这欢乐的氛围。En: Despite feeling uneasy about the crowded scene, she decided to try and immerse herself in the joyful atmosphere.Zh: 与此同时，君，一个本地的摄影爱好者，在人群中寻找最佳的拍摄点。En: Meanwhile, Jun, a local photography enthusiast, was in the crowd searching for the best spot to shoot.Zh: 他的相机记录着这座城市的每一个动人瞬间。En: His camera was capturing every touching moment of the city.Zh: 君想在新年的一刻，抓住最美的烟火。En: Jun wanted to seize the most beautiful fireworks at the stroke of the new year.Zh: 人群越聚越多，时间也在逼近午夜。En: The crowd grew larger and larger as midnight approached.Zh: 君调整好相机，准备记录下激动人心的一刻。En: Jun adjusted his camera, ready to capture the thrilling moment.Zh: 就在烟火点燃的瞬间，梅和君不约而同地抬头望向天空。En: As the fireworks ignited, both Mei and Jun unintentionally looked up at the sky.Zh: 绚烂的烟火在他们头顶炸开，五彩斑斓，仿佛为新的一年揭开了帷幕。En: The brilliant fireworks exploded above them, colorful and vibrant, as if unveiling the curtain for the new year.Zh: “好漂亮！”梅不由自主地说道。En: "So beautiful!" Mei said involuntarily.Zh: “是啊，”君从相机后面抬起头，看着梅微笑道，“这座城市的夜晚总是充满惊喜。”En: "Yes," Jun replied, lifting his head from behind the camera and smiling at Mei, "the nights in this city are always full of surprises."Zh: 他们开始聊天，分享各自的新年愿望。En: They began to chat, sharing their New Year wishes.Zh: 君说他希望拍到更多感动人心的照片，而梅则希望能忘却过去的不快，迎接崭新的开始。En: Jun said he hoped to capture more touching photographs, while Mei wished to forget the past unhappiness and embrace a fresh start.Zh: 两人聊得很投机，不久就交换了联系方式。En: The two found their conversation congenial and soon exchanged contact information.Zh: 梅感受到了一种久违的轻松和快乐。En: Mei felt a long-lost sense of ease and happiness.Zh: 午夜过后，人群逐渐散去，外滩的灯光依旧明亮。En: After midnight, the crowd gradually dispersed, but the lights of The Bund remained bright.Zh: 梅和君漫步在江边，继续谈论着生活和梦想。En: Mei and Jun strolled along the riverbank, continuing to talk about life and dreams.Zh: 梅意识到，偶然的相遇可能带来意想不到的机遇。En: Mei realized that a chance encounter might bring unexpected opportunities.Zh: 也许正是这个晚上，她终于鼓起勇气，迎接新的可能。En: Perhaps on this very night, she finally mustered the courage to embrace new possibilities.Zh: 当他们分开时，梅的心中充满了对未来的憧憬和希望。En: As they parted, Mei was filled with anticipation and hope for the future.Zh: 她知道，这个新年不仅带来了灿烂的焰火，还有一个值得期待的新朋友。En: She knew that this New Year not only brought dazzling fireworks but also a new friend worth expecting.Zh: 冬夜的寒冷似乎因为心中的温暖而退去。En: The cold of the winter night seemed to retreat due to the warmth in her heart.Zh: 梅决定向未知迈出一步，去探索一个充满变化与成长的未来。En: Mei decided to take a step into the unknown, to explore a future full of changes and growth. Vocabulary Words:eve: 前夕enveloped: 笼罩festive: 节日的cheer: 欢腾reflected: 反射eagerly: 期盼smooth: 顺利immerse: 融入enthusiast: 爱好者capturing: 记录seize: 抓住thrilling: 激动人心ignited: 点燃spontaneously: 不约而同exploded: 炸开brilliant: 绚烂unveiling: 揭开involuntarily: 不由自主congenial: 投机embrace: 迎接encounter: 相遇anticipation: 憧憬mustering: 鼓起possibilities: 可能dispersed: 散去mustered: 鼓起strolled: 漫步retreat: 退去opportunities: 机遇unexpected: 意想不到

主播：Flora（中国）+ Selah（美国） 音乐：Alone每到年末，总需要一些停顿与回望。今天两位主播就用10个问题，来对2025年进行总结回顾！01. What Were Your Biggest Wins This Year? 今年你最大的收获是什么？��主播Selah：“今年我最大的成就之一是开始了自己的事业（starting my own business），并且拥有了一整年稳定的客户（clients）。Selah努力拼搏（work hard），敢于冒险（take risks），主动向朋友寻求推荐（ask friends for recommendations），再加上她始终坚信自己的服务值得付费（worth people paying for her services），最终收获了如今的成果。从中可以看出，Selah绝对是实干派（“get things done” type）。��主播Flora：“今年我负责的播客节目（podcast）终于正式上线了！尤其在时间紧张的情况下，把控好项目中每一件事的进展节奏并不容易。It truly wasn't easy, but I made it!”Flora认为：首先，你要相信自己正在做的事情（believe in what you're doing now）；然后，制定计划确保一切按日程推进（make plans to make sure everything is moving according to schedule）；最后，付诸行动（just do it）。02. What Challenges Did You Face and How Did You Handle Them? 你遇到了哪些困难，是如何应对的？��主播Selah：“今年我着实碰上了不少挑战（faced some challenges）：新婚第一年的磨合、搬家的奔波，再加上自己当老板的压力。面对这些时刻，我都会向身边爱的人寻求建议（by getting advice from people I love）。过程不易，但它教会了我要有韧性（to be resilient）。当你有困难的时候，爱你的人（people who love you）总会给你力量！��主播Flora：“如果说今年最大的挑战，我觉得是处理自己不擅长的人际关系（interpersonal relationship）。但现在我取得了很大进步，关键在于积极调整心态，并愿意做出改变和行动。It wasn't easy, but it taught me a lot.”03. Which Habits Fueled You and Which Ones Held You Back? 哪些习惯滋养了你，哪些阻碍了你？��主播Selah：“我养成了锻炼和去健身房（gym）的好习惯。They helped me feel more disciplined and healthy (更有纪律、更健康). 同时，一些习惯也拖了后腿（held me back），like wanting to sleep in and watch TV。I'm still learning how to let those go.”��主播Flora：“我每周都会做普拉提（Pilates），感觉保持运动的习惯很重要。但有时我会在休息日前一晚熬夜（stay up late the night before my day off），it's really a bad habit！”04. Did You Live Your Core Values This Year? 今年你践行了你的核心价值观了吗？��主播Selah：“想到我的核心价值观（core values）——勤奋、诚实、友谊与持续成长（ethic, honesty, friendship and continual growth），我觉得在今年开启许多新事物时，我确实践行了它们。当然，也有不少可以做得更好的地方，比如更用心地维系新老朋友的关系。Friendships can be tiring sometimes (需要精力经营).”��主播Flora：“我也觉得，自己一直都在践行着个人的核心价值观——这些信念向来是坚定且不易动摇的（pretty unshakable）。但平衡新朋友和旧友的关系确实是个课题。”05. How Did You Grow Personally and Professionally This Year? 今年你在个人与职业层面是如何成长的？��主播Selah：“在个人和职业上，我成长了许多，更敢于寻求帮助、进行自我推销（promoting myself）。当然，我还在学习管理财务方面（accounting parts）的知识。”��主播Flora也非常同意，表示：“自我推销是一项必备能力，它不仅意味着自信（self-confidence），更重要的是——你真正了解自己。”06. What Are the Relationships That Positively Impacted Your Life? 哪些关系对你的生活影响最深？��主播Selah：“给予我积极影响的人，是我的丈夫、家人以及最好的朋友。他们总愿意耐心倾听我的心声（being a listening ear），提醒我生活中真正重要的东西（reminding me of what truly matters in life）——不只是埋头工作，更要学会享受生活的乐趣。”��主播Flora：“我非常感激（grateful for）现在一起工作的同事（colleagues），他们不仅在专业上帮助我精进，也在生活上给予我很多关心与建议。”07. What Resources or Skills Would Have Helped You Reach Your Goals Faster?哪些资源或技能会让你更快达成目标？��主播Selah：“说实话（honestly），如果能花更多时间建立业务的后勤体系（establish the logistics of my business），会很有帮助。我也希望自己能更早培养会计类的技能，这是明年我想要更有意识（more intentional）提升的方向。”��主播Flora：“I wanted to say I really have nothing to complain about (抱怨). 但说到时间，我也总觉得不够用。”08. What Did You Enjoy Most About This Year? 今年你最享受的是什么？��主播Selah：“我最享受的是建立自己事业的过程（the process of building my own business）——那种自由与不断学习的状态（the freedom and the learning）。”��主播Flora：“我最享受周末一个人坐在书店旁的咖啡馆看书的时光，那是完全属于我自己的宝贵时刻（self-care time）。”09. One Word to Define Your 2025 and 2026 用一个词定义你的2025和2026��主播Selah：“One word to define my 2025 would be adventure (冒险). And the word I want to define my 2026 is consistency (持续).”��主播Flora：“For me, 2025 would be striving (努力). But 2026 should be about ease (松弛).”10. What Three Big Goals Do You Want to Crush in 2026? 2026年你最想实现的三大目标是什么？��主播Selah：1）Travel internationally with husband 和丈夫一起国际旅行2）Hire a new employee 招聘一位新员工3）Be able to work out and do a pull up 坚持健身并完成一个引体向上��主播Flora：1）Travel to a completely unfamiliar city with best friend 和最好的朋友去一个完全陌生的城市旅行2）Take on a new project 接手一个新项目3）Maintain my abs 维持我的马甲线回答这些问题会让我们对2025年有更具象的感知，就像是一个小小的年度复盘（reflection）。Reflection helps us move forward with intention (更有方向地前进).

⭐️⭐️ Special thanks to our sponsor, Vanta AI. Get $1000 off at vanta.com/mydailybusiness  ⭐️⭐️In this episode, Fiona talks to Suji Sanjeevan, founder of Light + Glo and BrandScent, about building multiple successful businesses, creating bespoke scent experiences for major brands, and staying human in the age of AI.You'll Learn:How to pivot from a traditional career path to follow your passion and build a thriving businessWhy storytelling and human connection are essential for standing out in competitive industriesHow to create bespoke scent marketing strategies for businesses across different sectors'The science behind scent and its impact on health, wellbeing, and customer experiencePractical strategies for using business as a vehicle for impact beyond profitHow to balance multiple business ventures while maintaining creativity and innovationWhy finding your unique voice and perspective is crucial for brand differentiation in any industry Sponsored by Vanta AI: vanta.com/mydailybusiness Sign the Not a Date to Celebrate petition hereConnect with Suji Sanjeevan:• Brand Scent: https://brandscent.com.au/• Light + Glo: https://www.lightandglodesigns.com.au/• Instagram: @lightandglofragrancesConnect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: hello@mydailybusiness.comWebsite: mydailybusiness.comResources mentioned:Vanta AIAI Monthly Chat Group for Small Business OwnersHow to Get Your Book Published course Join our AI Chat Group for small business ownersMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses Special thanks to our sponsor, Vanta AI. Get $1000 off at vanta.com/mydailybusiness Want to get your #smallbusiness sorted in 2026? Check out our 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching. Want to know more about AI and how to harness it for your small businesS? Join our new monthly AI chat for small business owners. You can join anytime at www.mydailybusiness.com/AIchat Try out my fave AI tool, Poppy AI here and use discount code FIONA. We also love Descript. Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.

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It's been a BIG year with some BIG learnings and this episode is recapping them all! In this NYE Special I'm recapping all the things I learnt before turning 18. Listen or watch every Wednesday at 5pm to keep up with the incredible guests and exclusive insight into Ami's world. Get in touch with your latest stories, dilemmas, and questions via Instagram

In this episode of 'Live Unashamed,' Sam introduces Mason, a close friend with a similar background, to discuss their shared experiences and the difficulties they've faced in connecting with a loving, non-transactional God. The conversation explores the challenge of reconciling a shame-based relationship with God, integrating genuine prayer, and finding peace in the midst of spiritual turmoil. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize the importance of understanding the true character of God and share personal experiences and strategies for deepening one's faith. The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to contribute scriptures that reflect God's love and a special sermon by Graham Cook.Make a donation and become an Outsider!Follow us on social media! Instagram, Facebook & TikTokSubscribe to our YouTubeCheck out our recommended resourcesWant to rep the message? Shop our MERCH!  For more inspiration, read our blogDo you have a story you are willing to share? Send us an email! contact@unashamedunafraid.com00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:28 Meet Mason: A Journey of Friendship and Similar Experiences02:45 Struggles in Recovery and Faith04:31 Deconstructing and Reconstructing Faith05:58 Practical Steps to Reconnect with God11:01 Overcoming the Try Harder Gospel12:55 Connecting Through Scriptures13:21 Rewiring Beliefs About God14:20 Transformational Experiences18:13 Rediscovering Prayer20:22 Understanding God's True Character25:07 Invitation to Share Scriptures26:11 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

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In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor Barreca sits down with a former Division I athlete (Dylan LaNoue) whose life revolved around performance, medals, and winning — until everything he worked for stopped satisfying his heart.Raised in a hyper-competitive, sports-centered family, his identity was built on success. Records, rankings, MVPs — all of it came true. But behind the accolades were broken relationships, family pain, loneliness, and a growing realization that achievement wasn't enough.What followed was a slow, profound transformation — not through trophies, but through authentic friendship, prayer, and learning what it actually means to be loved.In This Episode You'll Hear:

What happens when you begin to grow—and a friendship doesn't grow with you? In this final episode of 2025, Cecelia is joined by Dana Mosley for an honest, compassionate conversation about outgrowing friendships. Together, they explore what it feels like when personal growth, healing, or life changes begin to shift the dynamics of a relationship—and how to navigate that transition with clarity, maturity, and grace. This episode is especially for women who find themselves asking quiet questions like: Have I changed? Have we changed? And what does it mean if this friendship no longer fits the way it used to? Rather than rushing to labels or dramatic conclusions, Cecelia and Dana discuss how growth can create distance without creating failure—and how honoring seasons in friendship can be an act of wisdom, not selfishness. In this episode, we talk about: What it really means to “outgrow” a friendship How to recognize when a friendship has entered a new season Letting go (or loosening your grip) without bitterness, guilt, or shame If this episode resonated with you, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with a friend. LET'S STAY CONNECTED: Facebook: The Heart of Friendshjp Facebook Community Newsletter: The Heart of Friendship Newsletter Website: www.ceceliacurtis.com Email: ccurtis@thefriendshiptourpodcast.com

The secret to success is learning to hear God's voice. Deep down, you must believe that God is speaking to you and wants to speak to you. The devil's voice should sound like a stranger to you, not familiar, and the Lord's voice should sound like your shepherd. Hearing the Lord's voice is not all-knowing on our part. It starts with a willingness to trust the leading of His voice, not knowing the outcome, but knowing that it will be good. 

Send us a textThe best approach in any relationship is to be your authentic self. If someone chooses to end a relationship or friendship, it simply means the connection wasn't right for you. It's far worse to realize that someone is staying in your life only because of what you can offer them.https://www.instagram.com/traceylau99/

Fluent Fiction - Italian: Finding Balance: A Tale of Exams & Friendship in Firenze Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2025-12-30-08-38-20-it Story Transcript:It: La biblioteca di Firenze era un luogo magico.En: The biblioteca of Firenze was a magical place.It: Il soffitto alto, le pareti foderate di quercia scura e il profumo di libri antichi rendevano l'ambiente speciale.En: The high ceiling, the walls lined with dark oak, and the smell of ancient books made the atmosphere special.It: In uno dei tavoli in legno, sotto la morbida luce verde di una lampada, Alessio stava studiando.En: At one of the wooden tables, under the soft green light of a lamp, Alessio was studying.It: Fuori faceva freddo, l'inverno era arrivato, ma dentro la biblioteca c'era calore e tranquillità.En: Outside it was cold, winter had arrived, but inside the biblioteca there was warmth and tranquility.It: Alessio era concentrato sui suoi libri.En: Alessio was focused on his books.It: I suoi esami finali erano vicini e lui doveva mantenere la borsa di studio.En: His final exams were approaching, and he had to maintain his scholarship.It: Sentiva una grande pressione.En: He felt a great deal of pressure.It: Giulia, invece, era seduta poco distante, con un sorriso sereno sul volto.En: Giulia, on the other hand, was sitting not far away, with a serene smile on her face.It: Lei studiava, ma sembrava non avere nessuna preoccupazione.En: She was studying, but seemed to have no worries.It: Alessio non poteva fare a meno di sentirsi geloso di quanto fosse rilassata.En: Alessio couldn't help feeling jealous of how relaxed she was.It: Una sera, in prossimità di Capodanno, la tensione diventò troppa.En: One evening, near Capodanno, the tension became too much.It: Alessio chiuse il suo libro di scienze e si avvicinò a Giulia.En: Alessio closed his science book and approached Giulia.It: "Come fai a essere così tranquilla?"En: "How do you stay so calm?"It: chiese, cercando di nascondere la sua ansia.En: he asked, trying to hide his anxiety.It: Giulia alzò lo sguardo e sorrise.En: Giulia looked up and smiled.It: "Cerco di bilanciare lo studio con la vita.En: "I try to balance study with life.It: Faccio delle pause, parlo con gli amici, e mi godo le piccole cose," rispose dolcemente.En: I take breaks, talk with friends, and enjoy the little things," she replied sweetly.It: Alessio sospirò.En: Alessio sighed.It: "Io non riesco mai a rilassarmi.En: "I can never relax.It: Ho paura di perdere la mia borsa di studio."En: I'm afraid of losing my scholarship."It: Giulia lo ascoltò attentamente, poi aggiunse: "Alessio, siamo tutti preoccupati.En: Giulia listened attentively, then added, "Alessio, we are all worried.It: Anche io ho delle difficoltà.En: Even I have difficulties.It: A volte mi diverto troppo e poi mi ritrovo con poco tempo per studiare."En: Sometimes I have too much fun, and then I find myself with little time to study."It: Questa confessione sorprese Alessio.En: This confession surprised Alessio.It: Non aveva mai pensato che lei potesse avere problemi simili.En: He had never thought that she might have similar problems.It: I due parlarono a lungo quella sera.En: The two talked for a long time that evening.It: Capirono di non essere soli nelle loro paure e si promisero di sostenersi a vicenda.En: They realized they were not alone in their fears and promised to support each other.It: Insieme, crearono un piano di studio che includeva pause e momenti di svago.En: Together, they created a study plan that included breaks and leisure moments.It: Decisero persino di festeggiare insieme la vigilia di Capodanno, per rilassarsi prima degli esami.En: They even decided to celebrate New Year's Eve together, to relax before the exams.It: Mentre i giorni passavano, Alessio iniziò a notare la differenza.En: As the days passed, Alessio began to notice the difference.It: Studiare diventava un po' meno pesante, e lui si sentiva più sereno.En: Studying became a little less burdensome, and he felt more at ease.It: Arrivò il giorno dell'esame e Alessio si sentì pronto.En: The exam day arrived, and Alessio felt ready.It: Sapeva di aver fatto del suo meglio.En: He knew he had done his best.It: Alla fine, capì che non si trattava solo di studio, ma anche di vivere.En: In the end, he understood that it wasn't just about studying but also about living.It: Balance era la parola chiave.En: Balance was the key word.It: Grazie a Giulia, Alessio scoprì che un equilibrio tra il lavoro e il benessere personale era essenziale.En: Thanks to Giulia, Alessio discovered that a balance between work and personal well-being was essential.It: I due uscirono dalla biblioteca, pronti ad affrontare il futuro e i suoi esami, insieme.En: The two of them left the biblioteca, ready to face the future and its exams, together. Vocabulary Words:the library: la bibliotecathe ceiling: il soffittothe wall: la paretethe oak: la querciathe table: il tavolothe lamp: la lampadathe warmth: il caloretranquility: la tranquillitàthe scholarship: la borsa di studiopressure: la pressioneserene: sereno/athe smile: il sorrisothe tension: la tensionecalm: tranquillo/aanxiety: l'ansiato balance: bilanciaresweetly: dolcementeto sigh: sospirareto relax: rilassarsiattentively: attentamentedifficulties: le difficoltàconfession: la confessioneto promise: prometterethe break: la pausaleisure: lo svagoto celebrate: festeggiareburdensome: pesanteease: sereno/ato face: affrontarebalance: l'equilibrio

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Homily for the Nativity of the Lord - December 25, 2025

In this episode of Guy Shrink, host Bill welcomes guest David Bench to reflect on a remarkable adventure from nearly 20 years ago. As college seniors in 2006-2007, David and his lifelong friend Andrew embarked on a 15-month road trip across the U.S., interviewing 29 legendary college basketball coaches, including Rick Pitino, Thad Matta, Coach K, Rick Barnes, John Beilein, and the iconic John Wooden (at age 96). What began as a spontaneous project evolved into the book Destination Basketball, which captures not just basketball strategies but also profound insights into leadership, character, and personal growth. The conversation highlights timeless lessons from these coaching greats: prioritizing character over talent in recruiting, investing deeply in players as people, the value of being coachable, and turning young athletes into good men. Standout moments include Coach K's generosity, Rick Barnes crediting volunteering for his big break, and Wooden's heartfelt sportsmanship pledge and life creed. Ultimately, David emphasizes how the experience reinforced the power of relationships, friendships, and intentional growth—proving that the real game is about becoming better men, on and off the court.   Connect with the Guy Shrink Podcast across all platforms here: https://linktr.ee/guyshrink 

Radical advice on rethinking success, individualism, and the American dream.   Mia Birdsong is a pathfinder, culture change visionary, and futurist. She is the founding Executive Director of Next River, a think tank and culture change lab for interconnected freedom. In her book How We Show Up: Reclaiming Family, Friendship, and Community, Mia maps swaths of community life, and points us toward the promise of our collective vitality.  In this episode we talk about: How to build community What it looks like in her own life Mutuality vs reciprocity  How to work with resentment and rejection  The etymological connection between friendship and freedom  The transformative power of asking for help And why she thinks the idea of bootstrapping—or going it alone—is a kind of self-hatred   This episode originally aired on May 22nd, 2024.   Get the 10% with Dan Harris app here Sign up for Dan's free newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris   Thanks to our sponsor:  Huel: Get 15% off your first order at huel.com with code HAPPIER. Minimum $75 purchase.

We're taking a holiday break but, we'll be back next week. Please enjoy this timeless rerun from our friendship month earlier this year! Elise prepares for her birthday weekend in Mexico City and Doree witnesses the perils of rain in LA! Then, they invite Rhaina Cohen, author of The Other Significant Others, on to discuss why prioritizing friendship doesn't mean being anti-marriage, the power of “just ask” in building your relationship with new and old friends, the balance of showing up for and leaning on your friends, and how to more actively invest in existing friendships and cultivate new ones.To leave a voicemail or text for a future episode, reach Doree & Elise at 781-591-0390. You can also email the podcast at forever35podcast@gmail.com.Visit forever35podcast.com for links to everything they mention on the show or visit shopmyshelf.us/forever35.Follow the podcast on Instagram (@Forever35Podcast) and sign up for the newsletter at Patreon.com/forever35. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest host today is Fortis Institute Fellow Dr. Greg Gifford from the Transformed podcast! Segment 1 • AI chatbots now offer therapy, dating advice, and moral commentary. • Christians need to sharpen discernment and develop a healthy skepticism of digital “truth.” • Zuckerberg envisions a future where most of your “friends” are bots. Segment 2 • Millions turn to AI bots due to loneliness, cost, or distrust in traditional therapy. • AI therapy feels emotionally validating, but it's really subjective. • Some chat bots have already crossed lines with minors. Segment 3 • Dr. Gifford's chatbot told him to quit based on a venting session. • Teens use amoral chatbots to guide them toward moral decisions. • ChatGPT answered hot-button worldview questions with pre-loaded narratives with no commitment to actual truth. Segment 4 • Seeking wisdom from chatbots replaces Christ's body with code and undermines Christian community. • AI gives advice that affirms what someone already believes. • Christians must be radically discerning, especially for their kids. ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

This week we're doing something a little different, and honestly — something really special. For the first time ever, the original team behind my Chevelle build all sat down together to revisit the journey from 2011–2013. This wasn't a “sponsored” build or a corporate project. It was a leap of faith between friends who believed we could pull off something big long before we knew how. We started in basements and small shops, fought rust, deadlines, wiring headaches, and fatigue — and somehow ended up rolling into SEMA together. In this episode you'll hear Jeff Allison, Danny Giustino, Zip Simons, Kirk Hansen, and producer Bernie all share their side of the story — the wins, the failures, the sleepless nights, the road trips, and the moments we'll never forget. If you've ever dreamed of doing something way beyond your comfort zone, this one is for you. It's a reminder that passion + good people can move mountains…and cars. The post TMCP #634: The Ultimate Reunion // How 6 People Who Never Met Built a $400K Chevelle for SEMA on Friendship, Grit, and Faith! first appeared on The Muscle Car Place.

You will be welcomed to the world for friends via a song that will not be sung or hummed only narrated in a way to help you journey to dreamland.The show really needs your support right now. Please consider joining Sleep With Me Plus so we can keep coming out free for everyone. Start a free trial at sleepwithmepodcast.com/plusGet your Sleep With Me SleepPhones. Use "sleepwithme" for $5 off!!Learn more about producer Russell aka Rusty Biscuit at russellsperberg.com and @BabyTeethLA on IG.Show Artwork by Emily TatGoing through a hard time? You can find support at the Crisis Textline and see more global helplines here.HELIX SLEEP - Take the 2-minute sleep quiz and they'll match you to a customized mattress that'll give you the best sleep of your life. Visit helixsleep.com/sleep and get a special deal exclusive for SWM listeners!ZOCDOC - With Zocdoc, you can search for local doctors who take your insurance, read verified patient reviews and book an appointment, in-person or video chat. Download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE at zocdoc.com/sleepUNCOMMON GOODS - Uncommon Goods scours the globe for original, remarkable, handmade things. Surprise your friends and family with unique - and even personalized! - gifts this holiday season. Head to uncommongoods.com/sleep for 15% off!EVERYDAY DOSE - Everyday Dose combines high quality coffee with powerful ingredients like Lion's Mane and Chaga, collagen protein, and nootropics to fuel your brain, boost focus, and give you clean, sustained energy all day long. Head to EverydayDose.com/SLEEP for 61% off your first Coffee+ Starter Kit, a free A2 Probiotic Creamer, and over $100 in free gifts. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

It is a true honor to have Danielle Bayard Jackson on today's podcast to dig into friendship as a busy working woman – from how to make time for it, how to create new friendships, to normalizing struggles that feel lonely but are common, and so much more. Enjoy! Links to Danielle's amazing work: website: www.betterfemalefriendships.com book: https://www.betterfemalefriendships.com/fighting-for-our-friendships IG: @daniellebayardjackson tiktok: @thefriendshipexpert

In this episode, Drea opens up and shares her personal experiences navigating the path to healing in her relationships and friendships. Living in Pursuit Podcast Live Show Inquiry Form! https://www.wixforms.com/f/7411195193212273664 Join the Kingdom Business Accelerator! (January 2026) for Coaches and Consultants https://kingdomaccelerator.my.canva.site/kingdom-accelerator Schedule Your Q1 Strategic Planning Session! https://cal.com/andreakelley/strategic-planning-call Subscribe to my Substack! Sign Up Here! Follow My Socials: LinkedIn TikTok YouTube Instagram

Send us a textA small industry feels big when the right people link arms. We close the year with honest wins, a few hard lessons, and a clear plan to help shed, metal building, and post-frame pros grow in 2026—without losing the heart that got us here. Together with our friends at Shed Geek, we map out an eight-episode pole barn series leading into NFBA, a slate of dealer spotlights, and a consumer-first video push that meets buyers where they scroll with fast, clear answers.We talk strategy that actually moves the needle: financing options that reduce friction at the lot, digital tools that generate qualified leads, and content that explains site prep, delivery, and build quality in plain language. If you're a dealer or installer, this is your heads-up to get involved. If you're a manufacturer or vendor, this is a chance to support education that lifts the entire category. And if you're a buyer doing research, expect short, practical videos that help you compare a prefab shed, a custom metal building, or a post-frame build with confidence.Underneath the tactics is what keeps us steady: friendship, faith, public service, and a shared belief that business works best when it serves people. You'll hear stories about showing up for community, saying thanks to mentors, and making space for missions work—proof that strong companies come from grounded lives. We're grateful for every download, handshake, and candid critique this year, and we want more of it.Want to be featured, ask a tough question, or shape the upcoming series? Reach out and tell us what would help you sell more, build better, or buy smarter. If this resonated, subscribe, share with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review so more builders and buyers can find us.For more information or to know more about the Shed Geek Podcast visit us at our website.Would you like to receive our weekly newsletter?  Sign up here.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube at the handle @shedgeekpodcast.To be a guest on the Shed Geek Podcast visit our website and fill out the "Contact Us" form.To suggest show topics or ask questions you want answered email us at info@shedgeek.com.This episodes Sponsors:Studio Sponsor: J Money LLC

In this storytime episode, Marcie shares a personal experience to explore how refusing to take accountability can quietly strain or even end a friendship — and what it teaches us about respect, boundaries, and emotional maturity.   Tune in now on all streaming platforms. 

Send us a textThis year, let's commit to our promises and resolutions. I know I will, and I'm going to be my own accountability partner. So, you be yours; it's easier because we all want the best for ourselves. So, let's do it!https://www.instagram.com/traceylau99/

Feel less lonely and more connected. These sleep affirmations help you overcome social anxiety and open your life to attracting genuine, supportive friendships and your true "tribe." Unwind now with our positive sleep affirmations podcast. Our soothing affirmations relax the mind and prepare the body for rest. Hit play, and drift into Good Sleep... Listen to more positive sleep affirmations by subscribing to the audio podcast in your favorite podcast app:  Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-sleep-positive-affirmations/id1704608129⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3OuJvYoprqh7nPK44ZsdKE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And start your morning with Optimal Living Daily! Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/optimal-living-daily-mental-health-motivation/id1067688314⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1hygb4nGhNhlLn4pBnN00j?si=ca60dcfd758b44b4⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feel less lonely and more connected. These sleep affirmations help you overcome social anxiety and open your life to attracting genuine, supportive friendships and your true "tribe." Unwind now with our positive sleep affirmations podcast. Our soothing affirmations relax the mind and prepare the body for rest. Hit play, and drift into Good Sleep... Listen to more positive sleep affirmations by subscribing to the audio podcast in your favorite podcast app:  Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-sleep-positive-affirmations/id1704608129⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3OuJvYoprqh7nPK44ZsdKE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And start your morning with Optimal Living Daily! Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/optimal-living-daily-mental-health-motivation/id1067688314⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/1hygb4nGhNhlLn4pBnN00j?si=ca60dcfd758b44b4⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fluent Fiction - Danish: København Winter Magic: Friendship, Fireworks & New Beginnings Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/da/episode/2025-12-29-23-34-02-da Story Transcript:Da: Det var en iskold vinteraften i København.En: It was a freezing winter evening in København.Da: Julemarkedet blinkede med lys, og luften var fyldt med duften af gløgg og ristede mandler.En: The Christmas market was glowing with lights, and the air was filled with the scent of gløgg and roasted almonds.Da: Freja, en eftertænksom kunststuderende, gik forsigtigt ned ad strøget.En: Freja, a thoughtful art student, walked carefully down the strøget.Da: Hun var inviteret af Maja, deres fælles ven, til en lille møde ved de hyggelige boder.En: She had been invited by Maja, their mutual friend, to a small gathering by the cozy stalls.Da: Lukas, en glad softwareingeniør, besøgte København for nytåret.En: Lukas, a cheerful software engineer, was visiting København for the New Year.Da: Han glædede sig til at opleve juletraditionerne og håbede at møde nogen nye venner.En: He was excited to experience the Christmas traditions and hoped to meet some new friends.Da: Men der var også en ensomhed ved at rejse alene på denne tid af året.En: But there was also a loneliness in traveling alone at this time of year.Da: Freja stod udenfor en bod, hvor dekorationerne blinkede i alle regnbuens farver.En: Freja stood outside a stall where the decorations twinkled in all the colors of the rainbow.Da: Hun holdt sit kamera tæt, som hendes trofaste følgesvend.En: She held her camera close, like her faithful companion.Da: Pludselig hørte hun sit navn.En: Suddenly, she heard her name.Da: "Hej, Freja!"En: "Hej, Freja!"Da: råbte Maja med et stort smil.En: Maja shouted with a big smile.Da: Lukas stod ved hendes side, klar til at hilse.En: Lukas stood by her side, ready to say hello.Da: "Det her er Lukas," sagde Maja.En: "This is Lukas," said Maja.Da: "Han er her for at fejre nytår og vil gerne opleve, hvad vi har her."En: "He's here to celebrate New Year and wants to experience what we have here."Da: Freja smilede lidt tøvende men besluttede sig for at åbne op.En: Freja smiled a bit hesitantly but decided to open up.Da: Hun havde tidligere haft skuffelser men vidste, at livet handler om at tage chancer.En: She had had disappointments before but knew that life is about taking chances.Da: "Skal vi finde en bod med noget lækkert at spise?"En: "Shall we find a stall with something delicious to eat?"Da: spurgte hun.En: she asked.Da: Markedet var livligt, fyldt med latter og boblende stemmer.En: The market was lively, filled with laughter and bubbling voices.Da: Freja og Lukas gik rundt, omgivet af lydene og synet af festlige varer.En: Freja and Lukas walked around, surrounded by the sights and sounds of festive goods.Da: Hun viste ham hen til en bod med æbleskiver og fortalte historier om, hvordan hendes familie altid spiste dem til jul.En: She showed him to a stall with æbleskiver and shared stories about how her family always ate them at Christmas.Da: De satte sig ved et lille bord, delte de varme kager og talte om deres rejser og kærlighed til forskellige traditioner.En: They sat at a small table, shared the warm pastries, and talked about their travels and love for different traditions.Da: Lukas fortalte om sine oplevelser rundt om i verden, mens Freja lyttede med en interesse, hun sjældent følte for nye mennesker.En: Lukas spoke about his experiences around the world, while Freja listened with an interest she rarely felt for new people.Da: Efterhånden som natten gik, begyndte fyrværkeriet at male himlen med farver.En: As the night went on, fireworks began to paint the sky with colors.Da: Det var nytår, en tid til nye begyndelser.En: It was New Year, a time for new beginnings.Da: Freja indså, at hun havde fundet en ven, måske mere, i denne fremmede by.En: Freja realized that she had found a friend, perhaps more, in this foreign city.Da: "Takker du ja til flere markeder i fremtiden?"En: "Are you up for more markets in the future?"Da: spurgte Lukas med et skævt smil.En: Lukas asked with a crooked smile.Da: Med et varmt smil nikkede Freja.En: With a warm smile, Freja nodded.Da: "Ja, lad os holde kontakten."En: "Yes, let's keep in touch."Da: Da fyrværkeriet blev ved med at lyse op nattehimlen, vidste både Freja og Lukas, at de havde fundet noget særligt i hinanden.En: As the fireworks continued to light up the night sky, both Freja and Lukas knew they had found something special in each other.Da: De sagde farvel til det gamle år fulde af nye håb og lovede hinanden, at dette var kun begyndelsen på deres historie.En: They said goodbye to the old year full of new hopes and promised each other that this was just the beginning of their story.Da: Og således begyndte et nyt kapitel for både Freja og Lukas, mens København glødede smukt i vinterens omfavnelse.En: And so a new chapter began for both Freja and Lukas, while København glowed beautifully in the embrace of winter. Vocabulary Words:freezing: iskoldthoughtful: eftertænksomcarefully: forsigtigtgathering: mødemutual: fællescozy: hyggeligeloneliness: ensomhedtwinkled: blinkedefaithful: trofastecompanion: følgesvendhesitantly: tøvendedisappointments: skuffelserlively: livligtbubbling: boblendesurrounded: omgivetsights: synetpastries: kagerrarely: sjældentfireworks: fyrværkerietbeginnings: begyndelserforeign: fremmedecrooked: skævtpromised: lovedeembrace: omfavnelseglowing: glødedescent: duftenroasted: ristedestall: boddelicious: lækkerttraditions: traditioner

Dive into the timeless story of "Auld Lang Syne" – the iconic New Year's Eve song often mumbled as "Ol' Lang Syne." Explore its true meaning ("for the sake of old times"), its roots in ancient Scottish folk traditions, and how poet Robert Burns transformed it in 1788 into a global symbol of friendship, nostalgia, and farewell. We'll trace its journey from Scottish Hogmanay celebrations to worldwide midnight sing-alongs, uncover the traditional melody's origins, and explain why we cross arms and raise a "cup o' kindness" to ring in the new year.▶️ *[WORK WITH ME]* https://RobbJarrett.net▶️ *FREE* Personal Brand Starter Kit :: https://www.medialabb.net/brandkit*[SUBSCRIPTIONS I RECOMMEND]*ABOBE CREATIVE SOFTWARE - VIDIQ (AI Creation and SEO) - https://vidiq.com/robbjarrett Motion Array (Assets) - Envato (Assets) - OPENART (AI Creation Tools)BEACONS: https://beacons.ai/signup?c=robbjarrett*[PRODUCTS I RECOMMEND]*SM7B Microphone - https://amzn.to/47AuKREMV7+ Microphone - https://amzn.to/3V7LRmABLUE YETI Microphone - https://amzn.to/3V7LRmAOBSBOT Webcam - https://amzn.to/4mcWhMFDJI Action Cam - https://amzn.to/3V44gk7DJI OSMO Gimbal - https://amzn.to/3V44gk7NEEWER Lights - https://amzn.to/4pfvMJe

⭐️⭐️ Special thanks to our sponsor, Vanta AI. Get $1000 off at vanta.com/mydailybusiness  ⭐️⭐️In this final episode of 2025, Fiona reflects on a powerful question we don't ask ourselves enough: What do you really want from business and life?You'll learn:• Why we let other people guide our business decisions instead of checking in with ourselves• How to distinguish between what you actually want versus what you think you should want• Why it's okay to want a "chill life" instead of an empire—and vice versa• How to regularly reassess your goals as your life and priorities evolve• A simple practice to get clear on your authentic business and life goals for 2026 Sponsored by Vanta AI: vanta.com/mydailybusiness Sign the Not a Date to Celebrate petition hereConnect with My Daily Business:Instagram: @mydailybusiness_TikTok: @mydailybusinessEmail: hello@mydailybusiness.comWebsite: mydailybusiness.comResources mentioned:Vanta AIAI Monthly Chat Group for Small Business OwnersHow to Get Your Book Published course Join our AI Chat Group for small business ownersMy Daily Business courses - mydailybusiness.com/courses Special thanks to our sponsor, Vanta AI. Get $1000 off at vanta.com/mydailybusiness Want to get your #smallbusiness sorted in 2026? Check out our 1:1 business coaching packages from a one-off session to 6-months of coaching. Want to know more about AI and how to harness it for your small businesS? Join our new monthly AI chat for small business owners. You can join anytime at www.mydailybusiness.com/AIchat Try out my fave AI tool, Poppy AI here and use discount code FIONA. We also love Descript. Connect and get in touch with My Daily Business via our shop, freebies, award-winning books, Instagram and Tik Tok.

The Astrology for January 2026, with Decembers Reflection The Energy of January screams Power Moves, Soft Hearts & Revolutionary EnergyJanuary 2026 kicks off the year with no hesitation. This month blends emotional depth, Capricorn grind, and Aquarius rebellion, asking us to build solid foundations and question the systems we're standing on.We begin the year with mixed signals as Mercury clashes with Neptune, reminding us to slow our words and choose peace over petty. As Mercury enters Capricorn on January 1, clarity returns and New Year's intentions become strategic plans. Chiron moving direct in Aries on January 2 opens a powerful healing portal around identity, confidence, and inner-child wounds.The Cancer Full Moon on January 3 softens the pace, pulling us inward to nurture home, family, and emotional security. This moon reminds us that rest is part of success — you can't pour from an empty cup.From January 6 through mid-month, Capricorn energy dominates. With Venus, Mars, Mercury, and the Sun activating this sign, the focus turns to ambition, commitment, money, and long-term goals. These transits support power couples, career moves, financial discipline, and building something that lasts. While indulgence and overconfidence peak around January 9–10, the message is balance — pleasure is allowed, excess is optional.The New Moon in Capricorn on January 18 is one of the most important manifestation moments of the month. This lunation is about planting seeds for career growth, legacy, leadership, and tangible success. If you're ready to climb a new mountain in 2026, this is your starting line.Mid-month also brings a major energetic shift as Venus enters Aquarius on January 17, followed by the Sun on January 19. The focus moves from personal ambition to community, friendships, innovation, and collective change. Powerful alignments involving Pluto, Saturn, Uranus, and Mars highlight networking, revolutionary ideas, and calculated risks that can lead to long-term rewards.January 19 is especially charged, emphasizing leadership through collaboration, community power, and future-focused thinking. Friendships deepen, social circles transform, and the right connections open unexpected doors.As the month closes, Mars conjunct Pluto in Aquarius pushes deep personal and collective reinvention, while Mercury and Venus bring warmth, connection, and community support back into focus.About the Host: Katherine  is an esteemed practitioner of Chakra, Astrology, and Tarot Alchemy, harnessing the cosmic forces and energies to manifest magic and success.As the visionary behind the acclaimed Chakras & Cusswords Podcast, she curates an oasis for the contemporary mystic, guiding seekers on a transformative journey of self-discovery. Her illustrious presence has graced prestigious platforms such as Good Day Sacramento, The Astrology Magazine, TMZ and the revered Aura app.Elevating her craft to the forefront, the Chakras & Cusswords Podcast has earned distinction as one of the Top 5 Chakra-inspired Podcasts.Furthermore, Katherine is a certified life, chakra, and meditation coach, specializing in the holistic healing of mind and soul through the profound resonance of sound energy. Her expertise serves as a beacon of hope and renewal for those embarking on the path of personal growth and spiritual enlightenment.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chakras_cusswords/Lifestyle, Nurse Love 101: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtWgA6zxwaZd-CpNUi3CO5wTik Tok:https://www.tiktok.com/@chakras.cusswordsWebsite: https://chakrascusswords.com#manifestation #lawofattraction #chakrascusswords #fullmoon  #newmoon #2026 #chakra #astrology #astrologer

In this episode of the Friend Forward podcast, we discuss the concept of friendship audits, emphasizing the importance of evaluating not just who to cut off from your life, but also the overall dynamics, practices, and satisfaction within friendships.In this episode, we outline eight signs that indicate it's time for a formal and intentional friendship audit and encourage listeners to take a comprehensive look at their friendship landscape. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage in self-reflection and consider coaching options for deeper support.Resource: For tip #3 in today's podcast, Danielle mentions a free resource to help you with the activity that she described. You'll find that resource here at betterfemalefriendships.com/dynamicsHost: Danielle Bayard Jackson, Women's friendship expert and relational health educator-------------------------------------------------------THANK YOU!Thank you to Mel Robbins for naming Danielle one of the Top Experts of 2025! We appreciate you.If you'd like to book Danielle to speak at your event or hire her to for consulting or curriculum design, please contact us at hello@betterfemalefriendships.com.OFFICE HOURSThe conversation doesn't end when the podcast is over. Become a member of our "Office Hours" community and get access to bonus episodes, resources, and virtual events. Sign-up any time at betterfemalefriendships.com/podcast.2026 GROUP COACHINGWe're launching the sixth cohort of Friendship Elevated in February 2026. Those on the waitlist will gain access to "early bird" pricing. Join the waitlist at betterfemalefriendships.com/friendship-elevated

Brenda K. Starr steps Behind The Rope. Brenda chats with us about what it was like to find success and hit it big in the late 1980's with her most well known song “I Still Believe”. We chat about some of her contemporaries at the time, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper, Paula Abdul, Tina Turner and Debbie Gibson. Speaking of contemporaries, a little known singer named Mariah Carey used to sing background for Brenda. One day Brenda handed a demo to Columbia Records Executive Tommy Mottola at a party on behalf of Mariah and, as they say in the biz, the rest is history. Brenda opens up about what Tommy was really like both as a person and as a Record Exec who helped launch her career. Brenda also discusses how she really feels about Mariah covering "I Still Believe”, which has now become one of her biggest hits, breaks down where Mariah's “diva” and “difficult” reputation originates from, and discusses how true she feels those monikers are. She spares no detail in explaining exactly why her and Mariah no longer speak and what she would say if she crossed paths with her today. Why does it not shock us that the name Wendy Williams comes up in this conversation. There was also Mariah's wedding and being seated at a table with both Gloria Estefan and Barbara Streisand. Of course, we delve deep into Mariah's “The Meaning of Mariah” book which hit shelves last year - Brenda shares her thoughts, discusses what is accurate and what she would like to rebut, Mariah's short lived reality docu series “Mariah's World” - Stella, Bryan, Nick Cannon, and the many misconceptions in the media about Brenda's relationship past and present with Mariah Carey. Since it is Christmas and all…. Part II Starts Now.  @officialbrendakstarr @behindvelvetrope @davidyontef BONUS & AD FREE EPISODES Available at - www.patreon.com/behindthevelvetrope  BROUGHT TO YOU BY: MICROPERFUMES - microperfumes.com/velvet (Up To 60% Your Favorite Perfumes In Pocket Sized Vials) HOMESERVE - homeserve.com (Home Owners Insurance That Start At Just $4.99 a Month) RAKUTEN - rakuten.co.uk (Go To Rakuten.co.uk, Download The App Or Install The Browser Extension To Earn Cash Back While You Shop At All Your Favorite Stores) PROGRESSIVE - www.progressive.com (Visit Progressive.com To See If You Could Save On Car Insurance) ADVERTISING INQUIRIES - Please contact David@advertising-execs.com MERCH Available at - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/behind-the-velvet-rope?ref_id=13198 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices