Podcasts about fueled

In this episode of Fit, Fueled, and Busy, the host discusses the importance of proper nutrition in preventing burnout, particularly for high-achieving women. Emphasizing the impact of balanced meals on cognitive performance, productivity, and emotional resilience, she provides practical tips for incorporating protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats into breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The host shares her personal favorites and encourages listeners to consider how better fueling their bodies can support their goals and daily lives. Additionally, she invites listeners to commit to properly fueling at least one meal a day and observe the benefits.00:00 Welcome and New Year Reflections00:48 The Importance of Nutrition for High Achievers02:18 Starting Your Day with a Balanced Breakfast05:25 The Power of a Proper Lunch Break08:10 Balanced Snacks for Sustained Energy09:02 Ending Your Day with a Nourishing Dinner10:50 Final Thoughts and Action Steps Thanks for listening, we hope you enjoyed it. Join our 28 Day Strength and Nutrition Jumpstart Program here. Grab our FREE fast food guide here. Book a FREE strategy call here. Reserve your spot with a Couture Coach: Buy a 1:1 coaching packageSign up for our FREE newsletter here.Follow us for more tips, tricks, and support in our private Facebook Group, Boost Your Metabolism After Age 30.Follow us on Instagram @couture_fitness_coachingCheck at our website and blog. Want customized plan for boosting your metabolism? Learn more about our 1:1 coaching

No inserted ads: www.patreon.com/dopeypodcast The episode opens with your intro, then the bulk of the show is Hairy Tongue Will's massive, chaotic, detailed telling of his addiction, near-death runs, arrests, relapse cycles, dead friends, and eventual recovery.Will describes the early Long Island chaos with Richie, Mike, and Lenny—everyone strung out on heroin, crack, coke, and whatever they could get. He recalls the first serious turn: showing up to a house where Lenny was passed out after a three-day crack run, realizing “the demons are taking over.” Mike and Richie spiral deeper, and Will keeps managing to “hold it together” thanks to jobs, work ethic, and a strange electrical-job stabilizer that kept him semi-functional.He details years of DUIs, probation, manipulating drug tests, smoking crack constantly while still working 16-hour electrician shifts, and thriving socially because coworkers lived vicariously through him. He normalized chaos, missing only “one no-call/no-show every two weeks,” which he considered acceptable.Will then dives into his first short attempt at stability, living in a basement apartment. His probation officer surprises him the day after a holiday: the apartment is filled with beer cans, bongs, baggies. He fails the test, is sent back to rehab/jail cycles, and explains why Long Island addicts often choose jail over treatment. He describes his surreal time in jail—being sent to the Montauk Lighthouse on work crews, eating egg sandwiches and black-and-milds with the guards, becoming “the useful guy,” actually feeling respected and purposeful.Back outside, he tries again, fails again, collects DUIs, cycles through companies, loses jobs, hustles side work, and repeatedly relapses. A wedding night leads to another DUI. COVID hits while he's in jail. He gets out, starts working nonstop, earns money, piles cash in a closet, stacks crypto, reads self-help books, sleeps on a mattress on the floor, becomes obsessed with success and control.Then he meets a girl in Tennessee. He drinks again “successfully” only when he flies there. He builds a double life—working himself numb, drinking out of state, convincing himself he's different.Eventually, on a work trip, he gambles, wins big, drinks an old fashioned, and secretly cooks his boss's cocaine into crack. This reignites the obsession. Will starts traveling the Northeast and Midwest, repeatedly pulling crack-seeking missions: gas stations, high-crime neighborhoods, asking strangers, “I'm looking for some hard.” He builds drug contacts in Bridgeport, Dayton, Maine, Virginia, wherever the job sends him. He smokes in hotels, hallucinates blood on floors, changes rooms repeatedly.He recounts the deaths of friends:Mike, whose father turned their home into a sheet-walled trap house with dealers and bikers living inside.How Mike died with his father selling sneakers off his dead son's body.Richie, who got sober then died of fentanyl after nearly two years clean.Will's life collapses further—obsession, resentment toward God, jealousy, terminal uniqueness. He becomes a “demon,” wanting to die like his friends. He terrifies his girlfriend with delusional FaceTimes, nine-day runs, psychosis. She moves in without knowing the truth and becomes trapped in codependency.He stays high for 26 straight days, manipulates her with antihistamine allergy episodes to cover his psychosis, hides crack pipes around the house with ring cameras everywhere. He finally admits some truth, gives her $5,000 to escape, but she stays another nine months.He tells insane stories:Pretending he's a trust-fund baby to get free crackGetting shot at by a dealer after a misunderstanding over “two grams” vs “two ounces”Driving through wooded roads barefoot at gas stationsDealers trying to jump himBecoming a mule for a recently-released dealer (Ace)Near misses, violence, and pure street insanityEventually, during a pickup, he gets chased, prays for police lights, and his car breaks down. Cops descend. He gets a mountain of charges (“five decades worth”). He thinks he'll die in prison. Bail reform gets him released. He immediately uses again for 17 more days.A sober lawyer tries pushing him toward St. Christopher's. Will resists, manipulates LICR, relapses again, cancels his own insurance, tries to die, and after weeks of chaos his mother gets him re-approved. He enters St. Chris, still delusional, still dangerous.There he breaks. He admits suicidal thoughts, gets a guard stationed outside his door, hears the blunt truth—you're the worst-off guy here and you did this to yourself. It lands. Will begins working the program: spiritual direction, grief groups, codependency, meetings, kitchen duty, everything. He reconnects with his mother in sobriety. He attends court in suits provided by the facility and ultimately receives an unexpectedly generous plea deal.He comes home early, tries to run his own program, stays sober for months, but on Mother's Day runs into an old acquaintance who shows him a Newport box with a pipe inside. He relapses immediately for three days, misses Mother's Day entirely.That night, suicidal again, he receives a series of calls: first from Jordan, then from his tough sponsor, who gives him clear direction—go to a sober house, go to daily groups, go to nightly meetings, call people, build structure. Will frauds his urine to get in, but once inside, follows every instruction. He stabilizes.He recounts being 18 months sober now, having been at meetings nearly every night, with a recent slip in commitment due to chasing an “intimate partner godshot” that didn't work out. You reassure him that it's fine and that balance is part of recovery.More or less thats the whole thing! On a brand new fucko, crackead episode of that good old dopey show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Southwestern Oregon just made HISTORY — winning the first NWAC Women's Cross Country Championship in school history… and they did it with five freshmen scorers. In Airey Bros Radio Ep. 426, we go live with the architect behind the Lakers' rise: Coach Steve Delgado (SWOCC). We talk NWAC vs NJCAA, why JUCO is one of the best pathways in college running right now, and how a program goes from non-scoring to championship culture in a hurry. We also dive into the legend and lore of Coos Bay, Oregon — home of Steve Prefontaine — plus the behind-the-scenes coaching habits that actually build alignment: recruiting truth, standards, team connection, and Coach Delgado's best advice of the night: “Lean into conflict.” (Culture doesn't happen by accident.) ✅ Topics Covered:SWOCC's jump from last place energy to NWAC ChampionsWhat a true “champion experience” means at the JUCO levelTaylor Dickey & Lydia Montes De Oca going 1–2 and gapping the fieldMen's program podium finish — best since 1970Recruiting, affordability, housing, and why the JUCO path is boomingTraining philosophy, thresholds, and building the “better humans” mentality☕ Fueled by Black Sheep Endurance Coaching blacksheependurance.com/

This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CMAdKWYzgYg  What does it take to hit aggressive sales targets when operations are under pressure? In this episode, Charlie welcomes Tim Clouse, Senior Vice President of Operations, to break down how supply chain and distribution center decisions helped Broad River Retail deliver double-digit growth in a challenging year. They also dig into what it takes to expand into a new market, launch a distribution center from scratch, and build teams that can perform at scale. Additional Resource:  Congregations for Kids: Foster Care Support in Charlotte - https://www.cfknc.org   Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes.   Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com  Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail 

Christmas has a way of reawakening awe, especially in children; but once the decorations come down and life returns to normal, that sense of wonder can fade. In this family service message, we're reminded that wonder was never meant to be packed away with the lights and ornaments.Through simple, visual object lessons, we explore how the wonder of Christmas begins with Light, is meant to be Treasured, changes what we Carry, grows when it's Shared, and stays alive when it's properly Fueled. Kids and adults alike are invited to rediscover a childlike attentiveness to what God is doing, not just during the Christmas season, but in everyday life.This message encourages families and individuals to move beyond celebrating Christmas as an event and instead live it as a way of life; carrying the light of Christ into homes, schools, workplaces, and relationships all year long.Because when Christmas is over, we don't pack wonder away; we carry it with us.Message 512.28.25

On this week's Teach Me, Teacher we sit down with Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath — neuroscientist, educator, and author — to dive deep into one of the most urgent debates in education today: the role of technology in schools. All of the discussion items in this episode are inspired by and directed by Jared's latest book: The Digital Delusion: How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kids' Learning — And How To Help Them Thrive Again — check it out here. In this powerful conversation, Jared breaks down the myth of educational technology. His new book takes a rigorous, research-grounded view of why digital tools — once hailed as revolutionary — often fail to deliver on their promises and can actually hinder real learning. Jared and I explore how technology went from a supplemental tool to a central feature of classrooms. Fueled by optimism, investment, and the idea that digital tools automatically mean innovation, schools adopted laptops, tablets, apps, and AI — often without deep evidence that these tools improve learning. Drawing on decades of cognitive research, Jared explains how digital distraction — from multitasking to constant notifications — can disrupt memory, attention, and deep thinking. These are the very processes that real learning depends on. Rather than simply adding more tech, we talked about what happens when schools put teachers, relationships, and focused engagement back at the center of learning. Jared makes the case that most student-facing screens should be phased out — not because technology is inherently bad, but because its dominant role undermines learning outcomes and critical thinking skills We also cover what better education actually looks like: classrooms where print media, discussion, reflection, and deep practice take priority — and where technology serves only highly specific, evidence-based purposes rather than driving instruction. As schools grapple with stagnant achievement, reduced attention spans, and rising concerns about student well-being, this episode challenges the assumption that more technology equals better learning. It's time for educators, parents, and policy makers to rethink the role of ed tech — and that starts with honest conversations like this one. Check out our previous discussion on the podcast here. 

What happens when two moms look at textile waste and decide to do something about it?In this episode of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone, Anne Bonney talks with Kim Lau and Linda Young, co-founders of Project ReWear (https://www.projectrewear.com/)  a mission-driven thrifting and textile-waste initiative based in Thousand Oaks, CA. What starts as lighthearted banter quickly turns into a powerful conversation about reinvention, courage, and building community-centered solutions to a massive global problem.Kim and Linda share how they're making “secondhand second nature” through affordable, stylish thrifting, real-time landfill diversion tracking, and innovative programs that prioritize people over profit. This episode is a hopeful, practical look at what's possible when we're willing to rethink consumption, take the rocky road, and dance in the discomfort zone—for our communities and the planet.Some links to go learn more!!  https://www.projectrewear.comhttps://www.instagram.com/project.rewear/ https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyallisonlau/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/cravebylinny/Kimberly Lau Bio:After a two-decade career in finance, Kimberly Lau reinvented herself as the co-founder of Project ReWear—a mission-driven company making sustainable kids' fashion stylish, affordable, and fun. Fueled by purpose and a desire to create a better future for her two sons, she now spends her days rescuing preloved clothing from landfills and reshaping what conscious consumerism can look like for modern families.Linda Young Bio:Linda Young is a retail strategist turned sustainability advocate and co-founder of Project ReWear. Originally from Australia, she brings 20+ years of global brand experience and a lifelong passion for secondhand shopping. Her work blends entrepreneurial creativity with a deep commitment to community, helping parents shop smarter and reduce waste while proving that fashion and impact can go hand in hand.

What God has done for us begins with grace, not effort. He stepped toward us first, made us new in Christ, and changed us from the inside out. That grace doesn't just restore us, it reshapes how we live, how we see people, and why we share hope. As we move into 2026, Calvary on Mission is a reminder that a church shaped by grace naturally becomes a church on mission. We don't share Christ to earn God's love. We share Christ because we are loved. Fueled by grace, the church is called to carry the gospel into everyday relationships, trusting that God is already at work both around the corner and around the world. Subscribe for More: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdBjWoX3iFFfi7rhni6iUxQ?sub_confirmation=1 Learn More on Our Website: https://www.calvary-church.com Follow Us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calvarychurchpennsylvania and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calvarychurchpennsylvania #calvary #church #christian #sermon #message #souderton #quakertown #pennsylvania

Fresh Faith is an invitation to renew our spiritual lives and deepen our walk with God. In this series, we'll explore how prayer and fasting realign our hearts with God's will, how worship re-centers our lives around His presence, and how community strengthens and sustains our faith. Together, we'll discover how God brings fresh faith to weary souls and calls us into a vibrant, growing relationship with Him.

Fluent Fiction - Dutch: Cafe Chronicles: A Friendship-Fueled Path to Success Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/nl/episode/2026-01-03-08-38-20-nl Story Transcript:Nl: In de bruisende Urban Metropolis, net na Nieuwjaarsdag, vlogen de winterse geuren van verse koffie en warme chocolademelk door de lucht in het drukke café, De Stadsoase.En: In the bustling Urban Metropolis, just after New Year's Day, the wintry scents of fresh coffee and hot chocolate wafted through the air in the busy café, De Stadsoase.Nl: De straten buiten waren bedekt met een dunne laag sneeuw.En: The streets outside were covered with a thin layer of snow.Nl: Binnen was het een kleurrijke chaos van mensen.En: Inside, it was a colorful chaos of people.Nl: Vrienden die elkaar begroetten, lachen die weerklonken, en zacht gerinkel van kopjes op tafels.En: Friends greeted each other, laughter echoed, and the soft clinking of cups on tables was heard.Nl: Jeroen zat aan een tafel bij het raam.En: Jeroen sat at a table by the window.Nl: Zijn warme sjaal was losjes om zijn nek gedrapeerd.En: His warm scarf was loosely draped around his neck.Nl: Hij keek naar zijn notities, maar zijn gedachten dwaalden af naar de komende eindexamens.En: He looked at his notes, but his thoughts drifted to the upcoming final exams.Nl: Hij voelde de druk.En: He felt the pressure.Nl: Dit was zijn laatste jaar op de middelbare school.En: This was his last year of high school.Nl: Wat kwam er daarna?En: What came next?Nl: Hij wilde goede cijfers halen om naar de universiteit te gaan.En: He wanted to get good grades to go to university.Nl: Tegelijkertijd snakte hij naar momenten met zijn vrienden, Emma en Bastiaan.En: At the same time, he longed for moments with his friends, Emma and Bastiaan.Nl: Herinneringen maken was net zo belangrijk.En: Making memories was just as important.Nl: Emma prikte hem in zijn zij.En: Emma poked him in his side.Nl: “Jeroen, we zijn er om je te helpen, weet je nog?” Ze glimlachte breed en haar roodbruine krullen sprongen vrolijk op en neer.En: “Jeroen, we're here to help you, remember?” She smiled broadly, and her red-brown curls bounced cheerfully.Nl: “Ja, Emma heeft gelijk,” piepte Bastiaan terwijl hij zijn bril poetste.En: “Yes, Emma is right,” chimed in Bastiaan as he polished his glasses.Nl: “Laten we samen studeren.En: “Let's study together.Nl: Hier, in het café.En: Here, in the café.Nl: We kunnen een studiegroep vormen.” Jeroen keek van Emma naar Bastiaan en voelde een golf van opluchting.En: We can form a study group.” Jeroen looked from Emma to Bastiaan and felt a wave of relief.Nl: Misschien hoefde hij niet te kiezen.En: Maybe he didn't have to choose.Nl: “Oké, laten we dit doen,” zei hij vastbesloten.En: “Okay, let's do this,” he said determinedly.Nl: De middag veranderde in een ontspannen reeks van leren en lachen.En: The afternoon turned into a relaxed series of learning and laughter.Nl: Ze wisselden notities uit, maakten grapjes over hun leraren, en vonden soms de tijd om te dagdromen over zomervakanties aan zee.En: They exchanged notes, joked about their teachers, and sometimes found the time to daydream about summer holidays by the sea.Nl: De kaarsjes op de tafels zorgden voor een warme gloed en het geroezemoes van andere klanten vormde een kalmerend achtergronddecor.En: The candles on the tables provided a warm glow, and the hum of other customers formed a soothing background.Nl: Tegen de tijd dat de schemering viel, begrepen ze dat leren niet saai of eenzaam hoefde te zijn.En: By the time dusk fell, they understood that studying didn't have to be boring or lonely.Nl: Ze hadden plezier gehad, en Jeroen voelde dat zijn last lichter was geworden.En: They had fun, and Jeroen felt that his burden had lightened.Nl: De weken die volgden, hielden ze hun routine vol.En: In the following weeks, they kept up their routine.Nl: Jeroen ontdekte dat hij met de steun van zijn vrienden niet alleen studeren leuker was, maar ook productiever.En: Jeroen discovered that with the support of his friends, not only was studying more enjoyable, but also more productive.Nl: De balans tussen tijd doorbrengen met Emma en Bastiaan en zijn studie werd een natuurlijk evenwicht.En: The balance between spending time with Emma and Bastiaan and his studies became a natural equilibrium.Nl: Toen het uiteindelijk tijd was voor de examens, voelde Jeroen zich zelfverzekerd en voorbereid.En: When it was finally time for the exams, Jeroen felt confident and prepared.Nl: Dankzij de steun en de vriendschap, was hij klaar om te slagen, op zijn eigen voorwaarden.En: Thanks to the support and friendship, he was ready to succeed on his own terms.Nl: Vriendschap en verantwoordelijkheid gingen hand in hand en dat was zijn grootste ontdekking.En: Friendship and responsibility went hand in hand, and that was his greatest discovery.Nl: Door af en toe hulp te vragen, kon hij het beste van beide werelden hebben.En: By asking for help now and then, he could have the best of both worlds.Nl: En zo stapte hij de toekomst in, niet alleen vol kennis, maar ook rijk aan herinneringen.En: And so he stepped into the future, not only full of knowledge but also rich in memories. Vocabulary Words:bustling: bruisendewafted: vlogendrifted: dwaalden afpressure: druklonged: snaktepoked: priktebounced: sprongenchimed: pieptedeterminedly: vastbeslotendaydream: dagdromendusk: schemeringroutine: routineequilibrium: evenwichtconfident: zelfverzekerdresponsibility: verantwoordelijkheidsupport: steundiscovery: ontdekkingequilibrium: evenwichtburden: lastsoothing: kalmerendechoed: weerklonkenlonely: eenzaamprepared: voorbereidjoked: maakten grapjesfelt: voeldememories: herinneringenlaughing: lachenresponsible: verantwoordelijkheidgreeted: begroettenglow: gloed

Internal medicine and pulmonary physician Bharat Desai discusses his article "How Acthar Gel became a $250,000 drug." Bharat shares the shocking moment he realized an obsolete pituitary extract from 1952 was being sold for the price of a house. He explains how pharmaceutical companies exploited regulatory loopholes to reclassify a cheap animal derivative as a specialty biologic and effectively monopolize the market despite the existence of superior synthetic alternatives like prednisone. The conversation exposes the deep rot within the medical profession where key opinion leaders and institutions accepted industry funding to promote a physiological absurdity over evidence-based care. We must question how intellectual surrender allows corporate greed to exploit the very patients doctors are sworn to protect. Partner with me on the KevinMD platform. With over three million monthly readers and half a million social media followers, I give you direct access to the doctors and patients who matter most. Whether you need a sponsored article, email campaign, video interview, or a spot right here on the podcast, I offer the trusted space your brand deserves to be heard. Let's work together to tell your story. PARTNER WITH KEVINMD → https://kevinmd.com/influencer SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Raheel Siddiqui is a dynamic speaker, coach, and podcast host who embodies resilience and the power of personal transformation. Having lost over 200 pounds on his journey from being overweight and bullied to becoming a beacon of inspiration, Raheel uses his story to empower others to break through barriers—whether those walls are physical, mental, or emotional. Fueled by the memory and lessons of his late father and driven by a passion to help others rise from rock bottom, Raheel now shares his insights via his own Wall Breaker 200 podcast, TEDx stages, and coaching sessions. He brings unmatched energy to every room and is dedicated to helping people discover strength they never knew they had. Takeaways: Admitting You Have a Problem Is the First Step: Transformation begins with accountability and the willingness to recognize and confront your struggles head-on. The Journey Is Just as Important as the Results: Progress requires focusing on the process—commit to the work and trust that the results will follow, in any area of life. Ask for Help and Build Your Support System: Whether it's joining a team or reaching out for guidance, surrounding yourself with people who care can be the catalyst for real change. Sound Bytes: “Any wall in your life is truly meant to be broken, man. You can get off of the mat. You can be heavyweight champion of the world.” “The old Raheel didn't have the Raheel right now, and the old Raheel needed the guy that I am now.” “There's nothing more heartbreaking than to see your parents crying over you, feeling that pain over you. So I said, okay, sure, I promise. So we drove off, we drove home, and the journey begun.” Connect & Discover Raheel: Instagram: @raheelwallbreaker200 Facebook: @raheel.twopointzero

The Dallas Stars' four-game winless skid continued — and this time, the loss came against Chicago again. In this heated postgame episode of Starcastic Remarks, Ryan breaks down a frustrating loss defined by poor defensive zone execution, lost board battles, turnovers, and a glaring lack of urgency until the game was already out of reach. This episode dives into: Why this loss wasn't about luck or officiating How repeated failures to clear the zone doomed Dallas The difference between desperation and real urgency Why effort has become a concerning variable for this team What this stretch means for the Stars as the season progresses The frustration is real — but so is the analysis.This wasn't unlucky. It was a choice. If you're looking for honest, emotional, but grounded Dallas Stars coverage, this one delivers. We're Looking for sponsors! If you or your business want to partner with a passionate, growing hockey podcast with a loyal Dallas Stars fanbase, we'd love to connect. Check out our media kit by clicking here to learn how you can support Starcastic Remarks and reach a dedicated NHL audience. JOIN THE Who CARES Club! Love Starcastic Remarks? Join our membership club, The Who Cares Club! For $5/month, you get some exclusive perks and help the most sarcastic Stars podcast continue to grow and continue on! Click here to join! Support Starcastic Remarks! Help us grow by leaving a 5-star review wherever you listen to podcasts—it makes a huge difference! Watch us on YouTube and click like & subscribe and hit that notification bell! Follow us across social media for updates, highlights, and behind-the-scenes content: YouTube: @StarcasticR Twitter (X): @StarcasticR Discord: Join Here TikTok: @StarcasticR Instagram: @StarcasticR Facebook: @StarcasticR Visit our website here for more content! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when protests shake a regime built on control, not consent? We look at Iran's largest wave of unrest since 2022. Fueled by economic collapse and skyrocketing inflation, the protests are no longer just about hardship, they've become openly anti-government, spreading even into rural areas. We break down Iran's unprecedented tone shift in crisis comms, explore the influential role of the Iranian diaspora, and consider how narratives are being shaped despite media restrictions. And we pivot to examine Donald Trump's striking effort to brand U.S. institutions with his name, followed by a look into 2026 with helpful resources for PR pros preparing for global risks. Listen For:47 What's really fueling Iran's latest wave of protests?4:28 How does Iran's diaspora influence global perception?5:39 Can Trump gain political advantage from Iran's instability?6:14 Why is Trump rebranding national institutions with his name?12:46 What tools can help PR pros prepare for global risks in 2026?The Week Unspun is a weekly livestream every Friday at 10am ET/3pm BT. Check it out on our YouTube Channel or via this LinkedIn channelFolgate AdvisorsCurzon Public Relations WebsiteStories and Strategies WebsiteRequest a transcript of this livestream  Support the show

Investigative Journalist Kat Espinda joins Stew with receipts showing Mitch Snow is an innocent man.

THIS WEEK ON REWIND: CHRISTMAS HAS COME & GONE, and the New Year's Eve is upon us!! It's a time for resolutions, reflections, celebrations, and NO RAGRETS!! Today on REWIND, we are reflecting on the good, the bad, and the hilarious, as well as prepping for the New Year and the exciting opportunities it brings. Join us as we look toward the future whilst heading down memory lane.   ⏰TIME CODES⏰ (0:10) FIRST THOUGHTS (1:13) LOOKING BACK & LOOKING AHEAD (35:03) FINAL THOUGHTS   Follow Blake: @heyblakerackley   Follow Raven: @iamravendawson   BUY REWIND MERCH (AVAILABLE NOW): https://rewindthepod.threadless.com   WATCH RAVEN on THE TERRELL SHOW: https://youtu.be/7c0Y-DN-_A4?si=TlI0ZZpSKdDBmtNH   COME SEE BLAKE @ RANCH HANDS COWBOYLESQUE: https://www.ranchhandscowboylesque.com [CODE: REWIND10]   BOOK GABE WITH “HEY BACH!” EVENTS: https://www.heybachnash.com [CODE: REWIND]   To watch the podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVVnhe6Es3kFxV18W2oLrur6m3c7Lwl6-   Follow Blake- Instagram: @heyblakerackley TikTok: @heyblakerackley Threads: @heyblakerackley Twitter: @heyblakerackley   Follow Raven- Instagram: @iamravendawson TikTok: @iamravendawson Threads: @iamravendawson   ABOUT REWIND: The Podcast - Hosted by the effortlessly charismatic duo Raven Dawson and Blake Rackley, REWIND: The Podcast is where pop culture past meets pop culture present—with a whole lot of personality in between. Fueled by a love for iconic throwbacks and today's most talked-about moments, these two besties serve up unfiltered opinions, sharp humor, and a deep appreciation for the drama that keeps entertainment interesting. From Y2K nostalgia to red carpet chaos, award show upsets to reality TV scandals, nothing is off-limits. Whether they're revisiting the cultural staples that defined an era or breaking down the latest internet-breaking headlines, expect hot takes, deep dives, and plenty of side-eye. If your playlist lives somewhere between classic R&B and current chart-toppers, if you still quote your favorite 2000s movies on the daily, and if you love a little (or a lot of) flair with your pop culture commentary—this is the podcast you've been waiting for. Press play, lean in, and get ready to REWIND.

Fueled by a cost-of-living crisis and a weakening currency, Iranians are taking to the streets. While the government says it's offering dialogue, the demonstrations follow a year of growing challenges for the regime and everyday people in the country. Also, a look back at a year of global protests, driven largely by Gen Z, over economic uncertainty. And, air pollution in Germany's once-industrial Ruhr River Valley has decreased significantly, but there's still a long way to go. Plus, a look at New Year's Eve traditions around the globe. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Ladies & gentlemen — Howdy & Aloha! We are HERE, you are THERE, and you're now rockin' with the best!

Make Morality Mainstream Again The adultification of teen fiction has intentionally Frankensteined books for teens into cesspools of ideological normalization. A while ago, I met a mother and her daughter, the latter of whom I hadn't seen in several years. On the cusp of turning twelve, she'd obviously grown in the time since, and, her mother proudly informed me, had become quite the reader. Indeed, the girl held quite a thick book in her hand. Which was it? The girl showed me the cover. I turned to the mother. “Do you know what your daughter is reading?” She'd figured telling her eleven-year-old she could read whatever was marked 14+ was a safe enough guardrail for appropriate content. As reading is an experience between book and reader, the mother wouldn't have seen what her daughter was taking in. She couldn't either know that her daughter's book was familiar not because it was something I'd read but because it was something I wouldn't. Worse, she thought she could trust the institution. THE READING DILEMMA Parents want kids to read, but as most can't keep up with their reading habits, they don't fully realize what's being allowed, even promoted, in books for young readers. As with other once vaunted institutions, the publishing world has morphed in ways many aren't fully aware of. Over a decade ago, I signed my first contract for Young Adult (YA) fiction. Before and since, I've watched the genre boom through the stages of audience demographic to viable business. Throughout, YA has expanded from books for teens to a genre unto itself, attracting talented writers, lucrative contracts, and the golden goose of Hollywood adaptations. YA is officially for readers 14-18 years (and up). However, as it's after Middle Grade (8-12 years), tweens are frequent readers, plus many eleven-year-olds reading up. There is “lower” and “upper” YA, but they're unofficial categories for libraries or writers specific about their target audience. Most retailers and publishers categorize all teen books under the general YA umbrella. NA, New Adult, mainly written for college-aged readers into their early twenties, is often sheltered under the YA umbrella too. Alongside the wider publishing industry, YA has changed significantly over the years, reflecting broader shifts in society. What follows isn't an analysis on talent or quality but content, as something about words in a book makes what's written more real, valid, romantic, admirable, aspirational. Thus, the intent is to shed light on some of the many topic and imagery that are included in books for young readers. At risk that this won't earn me any friends in publishing (at best), here's some of what I've seen: DEVOLUTION OF YA FICTION Growth of the YA audience/genre is an objective benefit, logical as it is to increase methods for targeting potential customers. As YA has increased in business and position, its morphing into genre unto itself has attracted many adults readers. As a YA author, I read mainly within my market and see the appeal for adult readers considering how well the genre's developed. The migration of older readers to YA is certainly one of the many reasons it's been so adultified. Other factors include the poisonous stranglehold ideological tentacles have on many aspects of culture, entertainment, and education. The shifts adults have finally caught onto in adult fiction and film have infected literature for younger audiences, picture books through YA. A quick example, originally, romantic comedies centered on a man and woman who clashed at the outset, then eventually found their way to each other at the end. The story would build to some romantic declaration, then a kiss. Anyone who's been watching knows that there's now a whole lot of touching that happens before any romantic declaration occurs. Longer, more frequent kisses are only second to scenes of the pair sleeping together before deciding how they really feel about each other. All this is becoming commonplace in YA. What was once cutesy stories about a high school girl chasing a crush has now become stories featuring a whole lot of other firsts, even seconds, and then some. The devolution of YA is a result of purposeful normalization and reshaping of societal norms through manipulatively emotional appeals by writers, agents, and editors. On average, books from larger publishing houses take roughly eighteen months to two years to evolve from contract to product on the shelf. To say, story trends are set in motion well before their rise in popularity. Whatever the view on agents as gatekeepers to the larger houses, publishers only publish so many books in a year, an amount significantly less than all the people who want to be published. Hence, agents act as preliminary filters for editors, whittling down potential authors to relatively more manageable numbers. An agent must really believe in a writer and project to nab one of those few spots. Like most creative fields, writing is highly subjective, so in addition to general quality, each agent and editor has preferences for stories they want to work with. They're also usually pretty clear about what they're looking for, so part of the progression of change can be traced back to what's being requested. CHARACTER INCLUSION CHECKLISTS When I first entered the “querying trenches,” wish lists from agents mainly specified genres and their various offshoots. Although ideologies make a home in all genres, most were subtler, more akin to a light sprinkling than the deluge of today. Within a few short years, wish lists changed. Unofficial “checklists” appeared in the now familiar cancerous categories of equity, representation, marginalization, and other socialist pseudonyms. Nonfiction for teens is dominated by activism, coming out, and adaptations of left-wing figures' biographies. Rather than prioritize quality, potential, uniqueness, the new gatekeeping is often focused on the inclusion of certain ideologies. For the first while, emphasis was on strong female characters, an odd request considering the YA market is dominated by female writers and readers. Previous character portrayal thus had little to do with some imagined patriarchal oppression. Now, female characters are “fierce”, projections of feminist fantasies celebrating girl bosses who are objectively pushy, uncooperative, obnoxious, self-righteous, and/or highly unrealistic. Somehow, they capture the most desirable love interest, a magical combination of masculinity and emotional vulnerability, who is inexplicably un-neutered by support of her domineering principles. Frequently, the girl makes the first move. Worse than overbearing feminism is unrealistic portrayals of a girl's physical abilities accompanied by most unsavory rage and wrath and anger. Supposedly, these traits aren't anathema to the gorgeous guys (when it is a guy) these girls miraculously attract. Unless there's a moth to flame metaphor here, it's a lie to pretend wrath is a healthy attraction. This well reflects the move away from what's become so-last-century stories featuring underdogs who searched deep for courage and heart to overcome challenges, raising up others alongside themselves. A time when character development focused on, well, character. More wholesome stories have been replaced with a self-proclaimed oppressed burning with self-righteous rage and violence. Such characters have seeped into fantasy for adults as well, most notably in armies featuring female combat soldiers and warriors without special powers, who somehow go toe-to-toe if not best male counterparts. Often this sort of matchup is shown as some cunning of smallness, agility, and destruction of arrogant male condescension. Never mind that such fighting is highly unrealistic, and any male is rightly confident if paired against a woman in physical combat. No amount of small body darting or ingenuity will save a girl from the full force of one landed male punch. The unquestioned portrayal of women able to best men in physical combat is worrying considering the real possibility of a reader confusing fact with fiction. Besides, a country which sends its women to war will no longer exist, as it's a country with males but not men. The current not-so-secret of major houses is that a book doesn't have a high chance of getting published if it doesn't check certain markers, especially for midlist and debut authors, though A-listers are not immune. A Caucasian is hardly allowed to write a story featuring a so-called BIPOC, but a straight author must somehow include the ever-expanding gay-bcs, and it must be in a positive light. Some authors were always writing these characters, which at least reflects acting of their own volition. For the rest, many didn't start until required. Because of the careful wording around these ideologies, many don't speak out against these practices so as not to appear hateful and bigoted. The mandated appearance of so-called marginalized and under-represented in stories lest the author risk erasing…someone, somehow also operates along these lines. Although, apparently, only very specific groups are at risk of disappearing. These standards are ridiculous in their least damaging iterations. How many so-anointed BIPOC were consulted over their standard portrayals? How can every individual of every minority be consulted for approval, and who chooses which faction decides? How many Latinos, speakers of gendered language, agreed to Latinx and Latine? Christian characters in mainstream publishing are rarely portrayed as steadfast believers or even rebels rediscovering faith. Jewish stories usually feature a character who's “lived experience” is assimilation, so the character is of a religion but doesn't represent it. A real portrayal of the true beliefs these characters come from would not align with the world mainstream publishing wants to shape. Even more ludicrous is that “disabled” and “neurodivergent” are considered identities, as if a physical or medical condition is cause for new labeling. The approach used to be that you are still you, worthy of respect and consideration, despite these conditions. In the glorified world of the self-hyphenate, the world of we-are-our-self-declared-identity, it's the foremost feature mentioned, with accompanying expectation of praise and exaltation, regardless of an individual's character or behavior. Don't confuse the argument against the labeling with the individuals, because they are separable. Worse than the tokenism is the reduction of individuals to secondary characteristics. Is this really the first thing you have to say about yourself, the most essential thing to know? When did it become norm to turn skin color or medical condition or physical ability into a character trait, the very notion of which says that anyone in this group must be viewed primarily through this lens, as if each is exactly the same? How myopic. How belittling. Following the cue set by movies, books for teens also morphed from cutesy rom-coms to ideological showcases. Unsurprisingly, there's been the introduction of the stereotypical gay best friend. Then storylines focusing on coming out or discovering someone close was gay, with accompanying template for writing them. The one coming out is always the strong one, the resilient one, though much language must be banned lest they be offended or erased, so their strength is dependent upon a carefully constructed bubble. Not only is inclusion necessary but happiness is the only possible, deliberately portrayed reaction. Never mind if some or all of it runs counter to a writer's religious beliefs. Moreover, “I'm not sure how I feel about this, but I'll still treat you with respect” was never an acceptable response. And it is an acceptable response in all manner of situations, unless you exorcise it in efforts to forcibly shape a particular worldview. Additionally, the attitude is that since you can't tell me who to love, and loving this person makes me happy, you must not only ally but champion me. Why is it offensive to present different acceptable, respectful reactions to teens? Who exactly is erased if this character isn't presented at all? As before, don't confuse the argument against mandate with the individuals. The contention isn't about love, but about religion protecting the sanctity of romantic relationships and marriage, a religious practice since the dawn of time, as seen across centuries and civilizations. Marriage is described as sanctified and holy, because it's Divine in nature, and thereby under the domain of the religious. If it's just a contract, then of course any government can regulate it. It’s disingenuous to deny that such enforcement clashes with the very nature of what writing is about. It shuts down discussion, then subverts it entirely by pretending there's nothing to debate. That shouldn't be a source of pride for publishing, but deepest shame. In their efforts to supposedly widen the window of story matter, they've narrowed the frames and tinted the panes to exclude suddenly unacceptable voices entirely. PORNOGRAPHY AND CONSENT Compounded upon all this, most books are no longer relatively clean romances building to a single kiss, as every stage of the relationship has become more explicit. Some scenes are akin to manuals, containing the sort of imagery once the sole province of steamy romances. When efforts are rightly made to remove these books from shelves, screeches of censorship! erasure! representation! resound. We wouldn't, and shouldn't, tolerate any adult approaching a kid on the street and telling stories with such description, nor should we allow it from close friends or family. Authors do not hold special status in this, no matter what the screechers screech. Taking such books off shelves isn't an indication of bigotry, intolerance, hatred, or erasure, but moral obligation. The counterargument from writers, agents, and editors is that explicit detail is necessary because of something to do with “lived experiences” and consent. First, if kids are doing it anyway, then adults definitely needn't assist. Second, consent is not quite the magical word society would have us believe. Third, “everyone has different experiences” is not a reason for writing graphic content, and the replacement of “intimacy” with “experience” is largely responsible for why relationships are in the gutter and leaving people unfulfilled. Intimacy is something private between two individuals; experience is a vague euphemism to pass off what should matter as transitory, despite irrevocable effects. It's difficult to imagine in an age when phones, cameras, and microphones track a person everywhere, but there was once an ideal called privacy, and the intimate was part of it. Pushback also leads to defenses of “sexuality,” another way of saying adults want to teach kids all kinds of ways to pursue these “experiences”. Changing the wording doesn't alter the nature but does allow immoral actors to force celebration of their fantasies and fetishes. The wrongness is incontestable, though not surprising from those who promote polyamory for teens and romantic relationships between humans and demons or other ungodly creatures. The feeble argument for writing scenes of teens sleeping together is they must see what consent looks like. Again, authors do not hold special status or exemption. There is no strong enough argument for writing scenes for teens in which one character undresses another and verbally asks permission every step of the way. Especially because the new trend seems to be the girl not only “consenting”, but also a burning I want this. If she wants, this wording implies, then she must have, abandoning all reason and morality. Consent has become an excuse for all sorts of undesirable, immoral, even illegal behavior, but mutual agreement is supposed to make it okay. This isn't the behavior we should be promoting for teens; we should be giving them better things, bigger ideas to think about. Worst of all, why is any adult writing about two sixteen-year-olds sleeping together? A teenager, no matter how mature, is still developing and while smart and clever not really old enough to fully understand what she's “consenting” to, and is probably being taken advantage of. We treat eighteen with the same magical power as consent, as if any age should be sleeping around, even if legalese only extends so far. Teen pregnancy, abortion overall, would hardly be an issue if everyone stopped sleeping with people they shouldn't. Any adherent to morality knows this, though morality is just another thing scuttled from teen fiction. G-dless ideology is the new morality; immoral, manmade gods have replaced G-d; lust is the new love; sexuality excuse for pornography; perceived racism and misogyny validation for violence and rage. Many are we who did not consent to this. These scenes are in teen films as well, though how many parents know this in an age of individual devices? Adults pretending to be teens take each other's clothes off before a camera for real tweens, teens, and/or adults to watch. Please explain in clear and simple language why this is not a form of pornography. What absolutely vital role does this scene have in advancing the story? Consent is not enough. Wanting is not enough. We're encouraging teens to turn their bodies into used cars, dented, scraped, scarred, and baggage laden, for what? Why is this hollowing out of self and morality good? This serves no benefit for teens and the overall state of relationships. Consent has become an excuse for all sorts of undesirable, immoral, even illegal behavior, but we're supposed to think that everyone agreeing makes whatever they agree to okay. It's incredibly obvious that feminism and the sexual revolution didn't free women, but chain them in a prison of animalistic, unsatisfying desire, dooming them to jadedness, frustration, and loneliness. But they're so responsible! So mature! By such logic, a responsible sixteen-year-old should be able to buy guns, alcohol, and drugs. But identity! No, identity doesn't mandate a book with graphic imagery, nor is it “sexuality” or “feeling seen” or any other term you hide behind. Witness the tattered remains of social morality that writers do not balk at writing this for teens. They should balk at writing this for anyone. Once we recognized that betterment came through battling temptations. It is not difficult to see how the enforced normalization of all this was also an effective ridding of undesirable shame. Not only have we banished feeling bad, we've enforced celebration of what shame once kept in line. But they'll never be prepared! How did any of us get here if none of this existed for millennia? But look at the sales! Many people also bought rock pets. Deviants and defenders will attempt to claim that (a) this sort of stuff always existed, which isn't really a reason for its continuance, and (b) previous generations were undoubtedly stifled in their inability to express their true selves. Perhaps. And yet, previous generations built civilization, with significantly less medical prescriptions too. Previous generations were better at family and community, meaning and purpose. We have “experiences.” But this is what married people do! Some writers introduce a faux or rushed marriage into the plot, perhaps because their weakening moral compass prevents writing an explicit scene between unmarried characters. Marrying the characters and making them eighteen doesn't magically okay writing this for teens. Everyone does it—indeed there are many common bodily functions which shouldn't be demonstrated in public—isn't either reason enough. Pressures to include these scenes is evidenced by authors long regarded as “clean” storytellers, authors who won't swear or indulge in graphic or gratuitous content, authors who clearly express Christian beliefs in their acknowledgements, writing them too. Would they give this book to their priest? To a young church member? Would they read the scene aloud for family or friends or the very teens they write for? If even the professed religious authors do not have the fortitude to oppose this, if even they can be convinced of the supposed validity, then gone is the bulwark protecting children from the psychological and moral damage resulting from these scenes. But inclusivity! We must reflect the world around them! Considering what's in these books, all should pray teens aren't seeing this around them. Either way, that doesn't excuse writing about it. Moreover, cries for inclusivity from those shutting down differing opinions are inherently without substance. True inclusivity is achieved when stories focus on universal truths and laudatory values shared by all. The fundamental argument is that “could” is not “should”, and the only reliable arbiter between the two is Divinely-based morality. Current permissiveness is only possible in a society which worked for decades to expunge religion from its vital foundational position and influence. The demonization piled atop its degradation was simple insurance that the moral truths of religion wouldn't interfere with the newly established secular order. We can still be good people, they claimed. Witness the tattered remains. Allowing, championing, this sort of writing has not made us better, and instead of listening to concerns, activists and proponents double down. Need you any proof of the separation between ethics and morality and elitism and academia, scroll through an article or two in defense of these scenes. The more “educated” the individual, the twisted the pretzel of rationalization. Rational lies, all of them. These lies are prominently center of the new crusade against so-called “book banning,” although the books are still available at retailers and publishers. Fueled by self-righteous hysteria, activists take great pride in influencing state legislatures to enact decrees against book bans in protection of “lived experiences,” representation, and the like. If a teen doesn't see two boys or girls or more sleeping together, so the thinking goes, then they face imminent, unspecified harm, never mind that their sacred voice has been quashed. They claim BIPOC and queer authors are specifically targeted, failing to mention it's the content not the author rejected. Somehow the bigots are the ones who don't want kids reduced to “sexuality”, while the tolerant are the ones who do. Need anyone ask if these protections extend to writers who don't align or even disagree with their worldview? I'd say these books are better suited for adults, but adults are despairing of the unreadability of books in their categories too. And that aside from the targeted “decolonization” of books and authors that adults, especially men, enjoyed reading. From the myriad of books extant, no plot was ever turned, no story ever dependent upon an explicit scene, in the bedroom or elsewhere. Neither does such render the work art or literature, but rather indecent and abhorrent. Parents struggle to encourage their kids to read when such are the books available. ELIMINATING THE WEST For some time, agents have specifically requested non-western narratives, histories, and legends. Atop the deteriorating state of the current education system, teens aren't being presented with a fictionalized character in history, which may thereby spark interest and curiosity in real history. No wonder they know so little of the past when they're not offered history at all. What does make it in represents very select time periods. Other permitted historical fiction is alternative histories where the past is magicked or reimagined, almost always in some gender swapped way. While alternative histories can be creative, the lack of regular historical fiction seems to indicate the only permitted history is a remade one. Otherwise, most of western history isn't on shelves because no one wants to represent it. Which means no one's fighting for it to be published. Which means young readers aren't given glimpses into the past that made this present and will highly influence the future. And this from those who claim large swaths of the population don't properly teach history. The same who pushed the fabricated and widely debunked lie that slavery was unique to the west, the only culture who actively sought to end it. The same who have yet to consider the absolute necessity of mandating schools to teach the true horrors of communism done right. The same who have a monochrome view of colonization and chameleon approach to the faux oppressed-oppressor narrative. A rather high volume of Asian-based stories, histories, and mythologies fill the market instead. The proliferation of Asian and other eastern fiction isn't objectively concerning, but it's deliberate increase alongside western stories' deliberate decrease is. It's less an expansion of viewpoints and more a supplanting of anything west. I grew up reading historical fiction, but there's a dearth on shelves for teen readers, who must see where we come from through the eyes of characters resembling our ancestors. Instead of walking through time in their shoes and understanding their struggles in the context of when they lived, we project modern ideologies upon the one protagonist somehow vastly ahead of her time. It's deliberately false and disconnects readers from the world that created the one we live in. Whatever your opinion of our world, it was formed in those histories, and we cannot appreciate the present without understanding the world that made it. MENTAL HEALTH Another major trend in teen fiction is the focus on the broad category of mental health, its emergence unsurprising considering the uptick in modern society. Whatever the viewpoint on diagnoses, the truth is that the ones calling for greater awareness have much to do with having caused the issues. Teens living in the most prosperous, free society that ever was should not have such measures of mental health struggles, yet they do. Skim the messaging of the last several decades and it's no wonder why. Teens are raised on a bombardment of lies and damaging viewpoints resulting in a precarious Jenga structure at their foundation. For decades they've been told they can sleep around without lasting consequence, negating the need to build deep, lasting, exclusive relationships. Families, a fundamental source of meaning and grounding, have been shoved aside for the faux glory of sleeping with whomever, whenever, and the new solution of “found family”. Just because a pill supposedly prevents biological consequences doesn't mean a different sort of toll hasn't been exacted. And that follows the perpetual degradation of dress, reducing the entirety of an individual to a form as valued or devalued as any other physical object. Added to the disrespect of the body is the incessant, unfounded claim that “climate change” is going to destroy the planet by…well, soon. Never mind that we're doing better than before, and all predictions have been proven wrong. Imagine what continual doom and gloom does to the mental state of a teenager already grappling with ping-ponging hormones, who should be presented with optimism for the future they're about old enough to create. Well, we have a pill for that too. Teens have been told the American dream is gone by those who set out to destroy it, that American greatness isn't worth dreaming about by those who recolored it a nightmare. Hobbies and collected skills, the work of their own hands, have been shunted for social media trends and unfettered internet access. Phones are given to younger and younger kids, so they don't grow up in the tangible, real world but an algorithmic, digital one. Inevitably, the worst of that world affects them. They're told that they're hated, feared for the way they were born. They're told they're not even who they've been since birth, basic facts purposely turned into issues and doubts to shake the foundation of self. Those most adamant about the contrived need for teens to discover identity are the most diligent at axing their very roots. The response to the mental health crisis, the jadedness, the internal turmoil they've helped facilitate by destroying the enduring, reliable fabric of society is to encourage more of the same empty, hollowing behaviors. Atop all this is never-ending rage, rage, rage. At the base is the deliberate removal of religion. No matter an individual's choice of observance, religion undeniably provides what liberal society and decadence cannot; meaning. Eternal, enduring meaning. The knowing that you're more than a clump of cells passing through this timespan, because you are an integral link in a chain reaching back millennia. Your ancestors didn't endure hardships or fight to build civilization so you could be the end of the line, but so you could gratefully take your place in it. You and your actions matter. Not because you're a political vote or celebrated community, but because you were made in the image of G-d Who woke you today as there's something only you can do in His world. What effect would the proliferation of this messaging in literature have on the mental state of the youth? And for those pontificating about diversity and inclusion, who in truth only want different skin colors espousing the same beliefs, there is no greater unifier than religion. Belief in a higher power unites individuals of different backgrounds, colors, and, most valuably, opinions, in ways no mandate or ideology ever can. While lengthy, the above in no way encompasses all the changes, reasons, and effects pertaining to the devolution of teen fiction. And, as the focus is not on talent but content, it can be shifted as easily as it was before. You may disagree with everything I've written. You may accuse me of jealousy, hatred, bigotry, racism, misogyny, xenophobia, erasure, et al. I only encourage you to look for yourself. Peruse bookstore aisles; click through new releases; check who's getting awards. What do your eyes see?

For his latest book, "The Martians: The True Story of an Alien Craze that Captured Turn of the Century America," David Baron looked into one source of that fascination: a Harvard astronomer named Percival Lowell.

In this episode of The Lauer Power Podcast, Chad sits down with Milla Cassidy — owner of Viva Travel in Lewisburg, fearless breast cancer survivor, and Captain of the Union County Breast Cancer Coalition.  Milla's journey is one of grit, hope, and relentless belief in living fully — even when life hands you the opposite. From building a thriving travel agency that sends others toward their dream destinations, to facing a breast cancer diagnosis that changed everything, Milla shares what truly matters: community, courage, impact, and refusing to let adversity write your story.  Listen as Milla opens up about: • The day she heard the words "you have cancer" • What fueled her fight and kept her moving forward • Turning pain into powerful advocacy • Leading Union County's breast cancer community with purpose • How travel reminds us to live boldly, even at home If you're looking for a conversation that reminds you what's possible when a human decides to stand up — this one will stay with you.    #breastcancer #cancer #adversity #motivation #travel #giveback #unioncounty #awareness #cancersucks #grit 

In this week's episode, we're re-airing one of our top episodes with Miranda Kerr, a globally recognized model and the founder & CEO of KORA Organics, a skincare brand known for its commitment to clean, certified organic products.For Miranda, the journey to founding KORA Organics wasn't just about beauty — it was about healing. After her mother's cancer diagnosis, she began questioning everything she put in and on her body, eventually realizing there was a gap in the market for truly clean, certified organic skincare that actually worked. Fueled by a personal mission and a vision for something better, she launched KORA Organics in 2009. Today, it's a global brand available in over 30 countries, but Miranda's approach remains deeply personal: leading with intention, staying hands-on with every product, and reminding people that real beauty begins with how we care for ourselves from the inside out.In this episode, Miranda shares the pivotal experiences that shaped her — from growing up in a wellness-focused family to how personal loss at a young age taught her resilience, gratitude, and emotional strength. She reflects on lessons from her early modeling career — handling rejection, building confidence, and trusting her inner voice — and how those experiences prepared her for entrepreneurship. Miranda takes us behind the scenes of launching KORA in the U.S., navigating a highly competitive market, and balancing the emotional highs and lows of building a global brand while raising a family. She also shares how mindfulness, presence, and self-care have been foundational to her success — and why prioritizing inner wellbeing remains at the core of her life and business, and so much more. In this episode, we'll talk to Miranda about:* Miranda's family approach to wellness. [03:22]* Her mother's cancer diagnosis. [05:26]* Losing her boyfriend & shifting her life perspective. [11:11]* The importance of expressing love and gratitude daily. [14:32]* Miranda's early modeling career. [17:45]* Navigating impostor syndrome & building confidence. [20:46]* Lessons in resilience and learning to handle rejection. [23:50]* Miranda's skincare learnings from her modeling career. [27:45]* Myths around certified organic products. [31:31]* The passion behind building KORA Organics. [32:45] * Launching KORA in the U.S. [36:36]* The challenges of entering the U.S. market. [40:33]* Managing emotional resilience as an entrepreneur. [44:56]* Managing motherhood with entrepreneurship. [47:24]* A behind-the-scenes look at Miranda's life as a mom. [48:18]* Balancing her yin and yang energy in daily life. [52:24]* The power of mindfulness and being present. [54:04]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Miranda: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirandakerr/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koraorganics/* Website: https://koraorganics.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professional dancer, choreographer, educator, and creative entrepreneur Sharon Kung is redefining what it means to build a sustainable and empowered life in dance. In this episode, Sharon shares her unconventional path through ballet, contemporary dance, higher education, and entrepreneurship, including the experiences that led her to found Ballet Trauma Club.We dive into honest conversations about dancer pay, burnout, artistic freedom, and the realities of building a long-term career in dance, along with how dancers can begin reshaping the industry from the inside out.Key Points in this Episode: Sharon's early relationship with dance and her training in Hong Kong through the Royal Academy of Dance Transitioning to the U.S. dance world and discovering contemporary dance at Juilliard Double majoring in dance performance and economics at UC Irvine and what dancers should consider before taking that path Her first professional contract with Thodos Dance Chicago and navigating cultural shifts in the industry Differences between dance work in the U.S., Europe, and Asia The inspiration behind Ballet Trauma Club and the conversations Sharon hopes to spark around sustainability, trauma, and pay equity in ballet Systems Sharon uses to avoid burnout while building a creative businessConnect with Sharon:Follow Ballet Trauma Club on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ballettraumaclub/Shop Ballet Trauma Club's Website: https://ballettraumaclub.com/ (Use code BBBTC15 for 15% off your purchase!)Follow Sharon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its.sharonkung/Sharon's Personal Website: https://sharonkung.com/Links and Resources:Get 20% off your first order of ALOHA protein bars: https://aloha.com/BRAINYBALLERINAComplimentary Career Mentoring Consultation: https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/career-mentoringLet's connect!My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.comINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerinaQuestions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.comThis episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

What if your migraine isn't just about pain—but about a nervous system that never got the signal it's safe to rest?In this episode of Migraine Heroes Podcast, host Diane Ducarme explores how the migraine brain can get “stuck” in survival mode—always scanning, bracing, and protecting. Through the lens of neuroscience and Traditional Chinese Medicine, you'll learn what it takes to move from constant vigilance to calm flow.You'll discover:

Fueled by equal parts resentment, alcohol, and midwestern working class melancholy, Uncle Tupelo are credited with creating a new musical genre, Alt-Country, the alternative to the alternative. Join Andrew and Matt as they discuss their 1993 magnum opus and final record Anodyne, and find out who would get custody of the alt-country crown in the divorce case known as Farrar v. Tweedy. Or some such. Guest Commentator: Celia MuhlListen, like and follow! IG: @toptrackpodEmail: toptrackpodcast@gmail.comFacebook: Top Track Bar and GrillBlueSky: @toptrackpod

The Corner – UNCHAINED | 2025 Year in Review (Kraken Rum Edition) This Saturday, Curmudgeon's Corner breaks the chains. No interviews. No scripts. No filters. Just real people, real stories, and a whole lot of Kraken Rum. The Corner – UNCHAINED is a live, unfiltered 2025 year-in-review featuring:

No other phenomenon has shaped human history as decisively as capitalism. It structures how we live and work, how we think about ourselves and others, how we organize our politics. Sven Beckert, author of the Bancroft Prize–winning Empire of Cotton, places the story of capitalism within the largest conceivable geographical and historical framework, tracing its history during the past millennium and across the world. An epic achievement, his book takes us into merchant businesses in Aden and car factories in Turin, onto the terrifyingly violent sugar plantations in Barbados, and within the world of women workers in textile factories in today's Cambodia. Capitalism, argues Beckert, was born global. Emerging from trading communities across Asia, Africa, and Europe, capitalism's radical recasting of economic life rooted itself only gradually. But then it burst onto the world scene, as a powerful alliance between European states and merchants propelled them, and their economic logic, across the oceans. This, Beckert shows, was modern capitalism's big bang, and one of its epicenters was the slave labor camps of the Caribbean. This system, with its hierarchies that haunt us still, provided the liftoff for the radical transformations of the Industrial Revolution. Fueled by vast productivity increases along with coal and oil, capitalism pulled down old ways of life to crown itself the defining force of the modern world. This epic drama, shaped by state-backed institutions and imperial expansion, corresponded at no point to an idealized dream of free markets. Drawing on archives on six continents, Capitalism locates important modes of agency, resistance, innovation, and ruthless coercion everywhere in the world, opening the aperture from heads of state to rural cultivators. Beckert shows that despite the dependence on expansion, there always have been, and are still, areas of human life that the capitalist revolution has yet to reach. By chronicling capitalism's global history, Beckert exposes the reality of the system that now seems simply “natural.” It is said that people can more easily imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism. If there is one ultimate lesson in this extraordinary book, it's how to leave that behind. Though cloaked in a false timelessness and universality, capitalism is, in reality, a recent human invention. Sven Beckert doesn't merely tote up capitalism's debits and credits. He shows us how to look through and beyond it to imagine a different and larger world. Soumyadeep Guha is a fourth-year PhD student in the History Department at Binghamton University, New York. He is interested in historical research focusing on themes such as Agrarian/Environmental History, History of Science and Tech, Global History, and their intersections. His prospective dissertation questions are on the pre-history of the ‘Green Revolution' in Eastern India. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

Howdy & aloha! We are HERE, you are THERE, and you're now rockin' with the best.

This Holiday Special is a laid-back, imaginative celebration of the season. We explore why holiday traditions matter, how fantasy and imagination shape our favorite memories, and the fun chaos that comes with Christmas stories, myths, and cozy rituals. It's less about structure and more about vibes — a festive escape into nostalgia, creativity, and the shared magic that makes the holidays feel special year after year. Perfect for listeners who love fantasy, storytelling, and holiday energy.   SHOW NOTES It's our Holiday Special — a cozy, fun, fantasy-filled conversation celebrating everything that makes the holidays magical. In this episode, we dive into Christmas traditions, wild holiday fantasies, nostalgic memories, festive myths, and imaginative “what-ifs” that only come around once a year. From classic holiday rituals to playful fantasy scenarios, this episode is all about escaping reality and leaning into the magic of the season. Whether you're listening by the fire, on a long holiday drive, or just looking to unwind, this Holiday Special delivers laughs, imagination, and pure festive vibes. No rules. No stress. Just holiday magic.   SOUND BITES “The holidays are basically permission to live in fantasy for a few weeks.” • “Traditions don't have to make sense — they just have to feel right.” • “Christmas is the one time of year where imagination runs the show.” • “Holiday logic is different… and that's the best part.” • “This season is built on myths, magic, and memories — not realism.” • “If it feels cozy, it counts as a tradition.”   CHAPTERS 00:00 – Holiday Special Begins

No other phenomenon has shaped human history as decisively as capitalism. It structures how we live and work, how we think about ourselves and others, how we organize our politics. Sven Beckert, author of the Bancroft Prize–winning Empire of Cotton, places the story of capitalism within the largest conceivable geographical and historical framework, tracing its history during the past millennium and across the world. An epic achievement, his book takes us into merchant businesses in Aden and car factories in Turin, onto the terrifyingly violent sugar plantations in Barbados, and within the world of women workers in textile factories in today's Cambodia. Capitalism, argues Beckert, was born global. Emerging from trading communities across Asia, Africa, and Europe, capitalism's radical recasting of economic life rooted itself only gradually. But then it burst onto the world scene, as a powerful alliance between European states and merchants propelled them, and their economic logic, across the oceans. This, Beckert shows, was modern capitalism's big bang, and one of its epicenters was the slave labor camps of the Caribbean. This system, with its hierarchies that haunt us still, provided the liftoff for the radical transformations of the Industrial Revolution. Fueled by vast productivity increases along with coal and oil, capitalism pulled down old ways of life to crown itself the defining force of the modern world. This epic drama, shaped by state-backed institutions and imperial expansion, corresponded at no point to an idealized dream of free markets. Drawing on archives on six continents, Capitalism locates important modes of agency, resistance, innovation, and ruthless coercion everywhere in the world, opening the aperture from heads of state to rural cultivators. Beckert shows that despite the dependence on expansion, there always have been, and are still, areas of human life that the capitalist revolution has yet to reach. By chronicling capitalism's global history, Beckert exposes the reality of the system that now seems simply “natural.” It is said that people can more easily imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism. If there is one ultimate lesson in this extraordinary book, it's how to leave that behind. Though cloaked in a false timelessness and universality, capitalism is, in reality, a recent human invention. Sven Beckert doesn't merely tote up capitalism's debits and credits. He shows us how to look through and beyond it to imagine a different and larger world. Soumyadeep Guha is a fourth-year PhD student in the History Department at Binghamton University, New York. He is interested in historical research focusing on themes such as Agrarian/Environmental History, History of Science and Tech, Global History, and their intersections. His prospective dissertation questions are on the pre-history of the ‘Green Revolution' in Eastern India. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

No other phenomenon has shaped human history as decisively as capitalism. It structures how we live and work, how we think about ourselves and others, how we organize our politics. Sven Beckert, author of the Bancroft Prize–winning Empire of Cotton, places the story of capitalism within the largest conceivable geographical and historical framework, tracing its history during the past millennium and across the world. An epic achievement, his book takes us into merchant businesses in Aden and car factories in Turin, onto the terrifyingly violent sugar plantations in Barbados, and within the world of women workers in textile factories in today's Cambodia. Capitalism, argues Beckert, was born global. Emerging from trading communities across Asia, Africa, and Europe, capitalism's radical recasting of economic life rooted itself only gradually. But then it burst onto the world scene, as a powerful alliance between European states and merchants propelled them, and their economic logic, across the oceans. This, Beckert shows, was modern capitalism's big bang, and one of its epicenters was the slave labor camps of the Caribbean. This system, with its hierarchies that haunt us still, provided the liftoff for the radical transformations of the Industrial Revolution. Fueled by vast productivity increases along with coal and oil, capitalism pulled down old ways of life to crown itself the defining force of the modern world. This epic drama, shaped by state-backed institutions and imperial expansion, corresponded at no point to an idealized dream of free markets. Drawing on archives on six continents, Capitalism locates important modes of agency, resistance, innovation, and ruthless coercion everywhere in the world, opening the aperture from heads of state to rural cultivators. Beckert shows that despite the dependence on expansion, there always have been, and are still, areas of human life that the capitalist revolution has yet to reach. By chronicling capitalism's global history, Beckert exposes the reality of the system that now seems simply “natural.” It is said that people can more easily imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism. If there is one ultimate lesson in this extraordinary book, it's how to leave that behind. Though cloaked in a false timelessness and universality, capitalism is, in reality, a recent human invention. Sven Beckert doesn't merely tote up capitalism's debits and credits. He shows us how to look through and beyond it to imagine a different and larger world. Soumyadeep Guha is a fourth-year PhD student in the History Department at Binghamton University, New York. He is interested in historical research focusing on themes such as Agrarian/Environmental History, History of Science and Tech, Global History, and their intersections. His prospective dissertation questions are on the pre-history of the ‘Green Revolution' in Eastern India. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/world-affairs

No other phenomenon has shaped human history as decisively as capitalism. It structures how we live and work, how we think about ourselves and others, how we organize our politics. Sven Beckert, author of the Bancroft Prize–winning Empire of Cotton, places the story of capitalism within the largest conceivable geographical and historical framework, tracing its history during the past millennium and across the world. An epic achievement, his book takes us into merchant businesses in Aden and car factories in Turin, onto the terrifyingly violent sugar plantations in Barbados, and within the world of women workers in textile factories in today's Cambodia. Capitalism, argues Beckert, was born global. Emerging from trading communities across Asia, Africa, and Europe, capitalism's radical recasting of economic life rooted itself only gradually. But then it burst onto the world scene, as a powerful alliance between European states and merchants propelled them, and their economic logic, across the oceans. This, Beckert shows, was modern capitalism's big bang, and one of its epicenters was the slave labor camps of the Caribbean. This system, with its hierarchies that haunt us still, provided the liftoff for the radical transformations of the Industrial Revolution. Fueled by vast productivity increases along with coal and oil, capitalism pulled down old ways of life to crown itself the defining force of the modern world. This epic drama, shaped by state-backed institutions and imperial expansion, corresponded at no point to an idealized dream of free markets. Drawing on archives on six continents, Capitalism locates important modes of agency, resistance, innovation, and ruthless coercion everywhere in the world, opening the aperture from heads of state to rural cultivators. Beckert shows that despite the dependence on expansion, there always have been, and are still, areas of human life that the capitalist revolution has yet to reach. By chronicling capitalism's global history, Beckert exposes the reality of the system that now seems simply “natural.” It is said that people can more easily imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism. If there is one ultimate lesson in this extraordinary book, it's how to leave that behind. Though cloaked in a false timelessness and universality, capitalism is, in reality, a recent human invention. Sven Beckert doesn't merely tote up capitalism's debits and credits. He shows us how to look through and beyond it to imagine a different and larger world. Soumyadeep Guha is a fourth-year PhD student in the History Department at Binghamton University, New York. He is interested in historical research focusing on themes such as Agrarian/Environmental History, History of Science and Tech, Global History, and their intersections. His prospective dissertation questions are on the pre-history of the ‘Green Revolution' in Eastern India. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/economics

No other phenomenon has shaped human history as decisively as capitalism. It structures how we live and work, how we think about ourselves and others, how we organize our politics. Sven Beckert, author of the Bancroft Prize–winning Empire of Cotton, places the story of capitalism within the largest conceivable geographical and historical framework, tracing its history during the past millennium and across the world. An epic achievement, his book takes us into merchant businesses in Aden and car factories in Turin, onto the terrifyingly violent sugar plantations in Barbados, and within the world of women workers in textile factories in today's Cambodia. Capitalism, argues Beckert, was born global. Emerging from trading communities across Asia, Africa, and Europe, capitalism's radical recasting of economic life rooted itself only gradually. But then it burst onto the world scene, as a powerful alliance between European states and merchants propelled them, and their economic logic, across the oceans. This, Beckert shows, was modern capitalism's big bang, and one of its epicenters was the slave labor camps of the Caribbean. This system, with its hierarchies that haunt us still, provided the liftoff for the radical transformations of the Industrial Revolution. Fueled by vast productivity increases along with coal and oil, capitalism pulled down old ways of life to crown itself the defining force of the modern world. This epic drama, shaped by state-backed institutions and imperial expansion, corresponded at no point to an idealized dream of free markets. Drawing on archives on six continents, Capitalism locates important modes of agency, resistance, innovation, and ruthless coercion everywhere in the world, opening the aperture from heads of state to rural cultivators. Beckert shows that despite the dependence on expansion, there always have been, and are still, areas of human life that the capitalist revolution has yet to reach. By chronicling capitalism's global history, Beckert exposes the reality of the system that now seems simply “natural.” It is said that people can more easily imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism. If there is one ultimate lesson in this extraordinary book, it's how to leave that behind. Though cloaked in a false timelessness and universality, capitalism is, in reality, a recent human invention. Sven Beckert doesn't merely tote up capitalism's debits and credits. He shows us how to look through and beyond it to imagine a different and larger world. Soumyadeep Guha is a fourth-year PhD student in the History Department at Binghamton University, New York. He is interested in historical research focusing on themes such as Agrarian/Environmental History, History of Science and Tech, Global History, and their intersections. His prospective dissertation questions are on the pre-history of the ‘Green Revolution' in Eastern India. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/finance

No other phenomenon has shaped human history as decisively as capitalism. It structures how we live and work, how we think about ourselves and others, how we organize our politics. Sven Beckert, author of the Bancroft Prize–winning Empire of Cotton, places the story of capitalism within the largest conceivable geographical and historical framework, tracing its history during the past millennium and across the world. An epic achievement, his book takes us into merchant businesses in Aden and car factories in Turin, onto the terrifyingly violent sugar plantations in Barbados, and within the world of women workers in textile factories in today's Cambodia. Capitalism, argues Beckert, was born global. Emerging from trading communities across Asia, Africa, and Europe, capitalism's radical recasting of economic life rooted itself only gradually. But then it burst onto the world scene, as a powerful alliance between European states and merchants propelled them, and their economic logic, across the oceans. This, Beckert shows, was modern capitalism's big bang, and one of its epicenters was the slave labor camps of the Caribbean. This system, with its hierarchies that haunt us still, provided the liftoff for the radical transformations of the Industrial Revolution. Fueled by vast productivity increases along with coal and oil, capitalism pulled down old ways of life to crown itself the defining force of the modern world. This epic drama, shaped by state-backed institutions and imperial expansion, corresponded at no point to an idealized dream of free markets. Drawing on archives on six continents, Capitalism locates important modes of agency, resistance, innovation, and ruthless coercion everywhere in the world, opening the aperture from heads of state to rural cultivators. Beckert shows that despite the dependence on expansion, there always have been, and are still, areas of human life that the capitalist revolution has yet to reach. By chronicling capitalism's global history, Beckert exposes the reality of the system that now seems simply “natural.” It is said that people can more easily imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism. If there is one ultimate lesson in this extraordinary book, it's how to leave that behind. Though cloaked in a false timelessness and universality, capitalism is, in reality, a recent human invention. Sven Beckert doesn't merely tote up capitalism's debits and credits. He shows us how to look through and beyond it to imagine a different and larger world. Soumyadeep Guha is a fourth-year PhD student in the History Department at Binghamton University, New York. He is interested in historical research focusing on themes such as Agrarian/Environmental History, History of Science and Tech, Global History, and their intersections. His prospective dissertation questions are on the pre-history of the ‘Green Revolution' in Eastern India. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cocaine fueled dogs and boozed up ferrets, and a Rhode Island Dem arrested caught on camera.  Visit the Howie Carr Radio Network website to access columns, podcasts, and other exclusive content.

The Mousedebaters play rapid fire Christmas games. Kind of. What happens when you record a Christmas episode at 1am? This. Fueled by holiday spirit, questionable judgment, and very little sleep, we spiral into peak seasonal chaos. We kick things off with a rapid-fire round of Random Disney Character, Naughty or Nice? We're judgin' Disney Characters faster than Tally the Elf side-eying every Jessica at the 2024 “Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party” Parade.  Then—because things clearly weren't unhinged enough—we introduce our newly minted Christmas party game: “Mistletoe, Lump of Coal, or Ride the North Pole.”Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like. No, we will not be taking questions.Is it festive? Yes. Is it unhinged? Extremely. Would Santa approve? He's already blocked us. But we're preeeetty sure Jesus has already forgiven us. So we'll take it. 

Czabe welcomes his boy MARK SPENCER (Spence-O-Matic) to the podcast to discuss his beloved Jaguars, who have now put themselves on everybody's radar with a massive win over Denver at Mile High. Spence explains why their head coach came in piss hot to the job, and how he's meshing with franchise QB Trevor Lawrence. They also discuss why Jacksonville is so prickly about "market size bashing" and I find out an interesting little fact about Sean Payton and New Orleans. Also the boys talk some Oklahoma football, and how they avoided becoming Nebraska. Where is the college game headed, and how expensive will portal QB's actual be in the future. MORE.....Our Sponsors:* Check out CBDfx and use my code CZABE for a great deal: https://cbdfx.com* Check out FRE and use my code LISTEN20 for a great deal: https://frepouch.com* Check out Hims: https://hims.com/CZABE* Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/CZABEAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What were the highlights this year for award travel for the Points Talk Squad? In this episode, Alex, Pam, and Jess take you through their year of points and miles. The Squad walks through their card openings, closures, and the strategies they used to earn millions of points.   They also share how they used those points for family vacations, girls' trips, and more. From Bora Bora to Iceland to Japan, the Squad discusses the destinations they traveled to and how they turned their points into memorable experiences. Tune in hear who opened nine new credit cards, who earned almost 2 million points, and who took 17 trips this year.   You can find links to resources mentioned in this episode plus the transcript here: pointstalksquad.com/160   Ready to get started with NEARLY FREE travel? Click here for the exact offers we would sign up for this month: https://pointstalksquad.lpages.co/bestoffers/   Points Talk is also on YouTube! You can watch this episode here: youtube.com/@pointstalksquad   Let us know what you want to hear on the podcast by sending us a DM on Instagram: instagram.com/pointstalksquad

Howdy & aloha! We are HERE, you are THERE, and you're now rockin' with the best!This episode goes belly to belly

On this episode of Altitude Advantage, team reporter Elisa Hernandez and lead writer Aric DiLalla discuss the Broncos' Week 16 game against the Jaguars and how Denver can use the game as a reset ahead of a critical division matchup. Initial thoughts (00:00-5:58) RJ Harvey as bright spot, Broncos' offense's performance (5:59-17:05) How Denver's defense can respond (17:06-26:59) How the loss can fuel the Broncos (27:00-40:16) Closing thoughts (40:16-44:58) Want more of Altitude Advantage? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts. Make sure to leave a rating and review or a comment if you're watching on YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CRESAP'S RIFLEMEN, DEATH IN NEW YORK, AND A HERO'S FUNERAL Colleague Robert G. Parkinson. Michael Cresap leads his riflemen to Boston, fueled by press coverage depicting them as America's invincible "secret weapons" against the British. However, upon arrival, the troops prove undisciplined, leading George Washington to regret their presence. Suffering from illness, likely malaria, Cresap attempts to return home but dies in New York City in October 1775. To bolster the Patriot cause, New York provides Cresap with a massive hero's funeral, transforming the controversial frontiersman into a martyr and effectively erasing his complex, violent history in favor of a patriotic narrative. NUMBER 5

Today's ID the Future out of our archive spotlights the book The Toxic War on Masculinity, by author and scholar Nancy Pearcey, professor and scholar in residence at Houston Christian University. In her conversation with host Andrew McDiarmid, Pearcey argues against the current fashion of seeing masculinity as inherently toxic. She traces the tendency back to Darwinism and explains how the industrial revolution, working hand in glove with secularism, fueled toxic masculinity at the expense of virtuous masculinity. Source

Segment 1 • “Thus Sayeth the Lord” is the Christian's true weapon in cultural and spiritual battles. • AI porn is on the rise, possibly replacing real people in 20 years, challenging Christian arguments based on human dignity. • Only God's Word offers unchanging authority. Segment 2 • AI-fueled depravity is coming fast, with the power to generate any sinful fantasy imaginable. • Christians must return to quoting Scripture, not merely offering moral objections. • God's Word is the power, not our persuasiveness. “Thus Sayeth the Lord” still turns worlds upside down. Segment 3 • Tim Challies reflects on losing his son Nick, facing the tension of tragedy and God's control. • In suffering, we must separate what God does from how He uses it. • God is good, able, and faithful—and that truth holds us. Segment 4 • Tragedy often brings anger and doubt about God's love. • If you don't know God's character, you'll misinterpret His providence. • God isn't distant—He desires deep relationship, even in our pain. ___ 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!

Every year, illegal mining, fishing, and logging drain billions of dollars from West Africa's economies as the problem persists largely unchecked, with Chinese actors playing an outsized role. Fueled by chronic corruption among local regulators across the region and seemingly insatiable demand for these resources in China, curtailing these illegal activities often feels impossible. But there's still hope. Earlier this year, a group of 21 scholars and analysts, mostly from West Africa, came together to develop new solutions and policy recommendations to reform the mining, timber, and fishing trades, empowering local communities while reducing local corruption. Their findings were released earlier this fall in a series of three reports co-published by the Keogh School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame and the Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C. Two of the project organizations, Notre Dame Professor Joshua Eisenman, and Caroline Costello, assistant director of the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub, join Eric & Géraud to discuss the reports and how China can play a constructive role in helping to end illegal resource extraction in West Africa.

"Real journalism requires real courage." On this episode of The Federalist Radio Hour, Federalist CEO Sean Davis and Federalist Senior Legal Correspondent Margot Cleveland join Federalist Senior Elections Correspondent Matt Kittle to recap the Russia collusion hoax reporting that won The Federalist Staff the 2025 Dao Prize for Excellence in Investigative Journalism. Read more of The Federalist's award-winning journalism exposing the plot to destroy President Donald Trump here.The Federalist Foundation is a nonprofit, and we depend entirely on our listeners and readers — not corporations. If you value fearless, independent journalism, please consider a tax-deductible gift today at TheFederalist.com/donate. Your support keeps us going.

Malcolm Hoenlein condemns the Bondi Beach terror attack as part of a global pattern of Islamist violence fueled by appeasement. He highlights the Australian government's failure to address warning signs, including anti-Semitic marches, and notes Iranian influence, warning that ignoring these threats invites further radicalization and violence. 1905 Sydney

“Real journalism requires real courage.” On this episode of The Federalist Radio Hour, Federalist CEO Sean Davis and Federalist Senior Legal Correspondent Margot Cleveland join Federalist Senior Elections Correspondent Matt Kittle to recap the Russia collusion hoax reporting that won The Federalist Staff the 2025 Dao Prize for Excellence in Investigative Journalism. Read more of The Federalist's award-winning journalism […]

Who's ready to take a breath, pause, and REFLECT with me during this busy, yet beautiful holiday season? This week's episode is a POWERFUL and timely one that can absolutely change the trajectory of your next year. Before you sprint into 2026 with new goals, new plans, and big dreams, I want you to PAUSE. Because clarity, confidence, and courage doesn't just come from looking forward — it comes from looking BACK and extracting the GOLD from 2025 also. And that's exactly what we are doing today. This episode is all about the transformational power of reflection and why it is STEP ONE in creating your BEST YEAR YET. You ready?! WHY REFLECTION MATTERS (5-GAME-CHANGING REASONS): 1. Reflection creates clarity amid the chaos. Life is loud. Fast. Busy. Reflection slows the noise, shifts you from autopilot to intentionality, and gives you crystal-clear focus. Clarity is jet fuel for your goals. 2. Reflection builds confidence by celebrating wins. Most people forget how far they've come. Reflection forces you to capture the GOOD, celebrate the wins, and remember this truth: YOU are capable, resilient, and stronger than you think. 3. Reflection turns challenges into wisdom. Challenges don't break you — they SHAPE you. When you write them down, pain turns into purpose and lessons become leverage for the future. 4. Reflection reduces stress and anxiety. Writing is therapeutic. When thoughts stay in your head, they create pressure. When they hit paper, they create perspective. Lighten the load. Breathe. Release. 5. Reflection realigns you with purpose and values. Reflection reconnects you to what matters most — faith, family, mission, calling. It's a recalibration of your internal GPS. 10 POWERFUL QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON IN 2025: Take time with these. Don't rush them. Write them out. 1. What were your TOP 5 wins or highlights of 2025? 2. What were your biggest challenges — and what did they teach you? 3. In what ways did you grow the most this year? 4. What did you START in 2025 that you want to AMPLIFY in 2026? 5. What did you tolerate in 2025 that you will NO LONGER tolerate in 2026? 6. What relationships mattered most — and how can you be more intentional with them? 7. What habits FUELED you? What habits DRAINED you? 8. What are you most PROUD of in 2025? 9. Where did you feel the presence of God the most this year? 10. If 2025 were a chapter in the book of your life, what would the TITLE be? These questions are where breakthroughs happen. Not only do I share many of my answers, I ask you to answer them as well. When you start with reflection, your goals become more meaningful, your vision becomes clearer, and your drive becomes PURER. ACTION STEPS: Please Block out 30–60 minutes this week, find a quiet space, grab your journal or Annual Strategic Plan, and start writing. Breathe. Reflect. Don't overthink it. When you take time to pause and look back, you extract the wisdom of 2025 and create a powerful launchpad for what's next. If this episode hit home, please share it with a friend, teammate, or family member. If you post it on your IG/FB Stories, please tag me at: IG: @ToddDurkin FB: @ToddDurkinFQ10 *** ANNOUNCEMENTS: My "GOD-SIZED DREAMS System 2026" is NOW Available!!! Y'all know how powerful of a system this is if you are looking to DREAM BIG, PLAN out your BEST year yet, and work on your LIFE-goals. This is my specific and exacting system that I have used for over 15-years to keep my passion and purpose ALIGNED and stay on track with what you really want to create and manifest in your life. The God-Sized Dreams System is broken down into 2 different products: 1. The Annual Strategic Planner. This is a MUST-DO if you want to maximize your success in 2026. These are my must-answer, deep questions that are broken into "10" categories. The first 3-sections are MANDATORY… The last 7-sections are "Bonus" sections" if you would like to complete the entire system. There are no if's, and's, or but's about it….This is a MUST-HAVE!!! Additionally, this year, the Annual Strategic Planner (A.S.P.) is completely digital so you will get immediately upon ordering. ORDER NOW! 2. The Monthly & Weekly Scheduler & Calendar. I personally can't live WITHOUT this. It contains the following things: Monthly Calendar 10-Forms of Wealth (13 of them) "3-in-30" (13 of them) 365-days for 2026 from 7am-7 pm (that includes 'To Do's, Appointment times, and Notes/Reminders) My favorite "Quotes" throughout the Calendar/Scheduler If you are looking to get more organized and definitely more PROductive, this is your system that you will want with you by your side ALL THE TIME! Order NOW You can ORDER BOTH of them NOW in a BUNDLE and also get a brand new IMPACT JOURNAL as a free gift as well…all for UNDER $100! (You essentially will get 3-products for the price of 2). THIS is my complete system that I personally use. It is worth 25+ years of experience and thousands of dollars. And you can get ALL OF IT NOW for just $99.00 No joke. It's the holidays and I WANT you to have access to my God-Sized Dreams System. ORDER it today and get WURKIN on your Annual Strategic Plan immediately. The other 2-products you will receive in the mail after ordering. ORDER NOW   #2. JOBS AVAILABLE at IMPACT-X Performance (SAN DIEGO)!! (If you apply for any of the positions, please share in the Subject Line what role you are applying to): GENERAL MANAGER. This key position will be leading IXP-San Diego with Todd and have a key leadership role in building and growing our local brand. If you are serious about changing lives, great with customer service, and have leadership experience in health/fitness, sales, or a retail/customer service related- industry, please consider applying… (Fitness managerial experience is a Plus, but NOT mandatory) More Details / Apply Now HERE! Personal Trainer/Coach Positions. While we are not opening until February 2026, we are currently accepting applications as we prepare to Build a World-Class Team of Trainers starting in January 2026. If you are trainer/S&C coach who is looking for a great opportunity to change lives in San Diego, CA, now is your opportunity to be part of our team. I will be personally leading this group of coaches who will serve in both personal training AND large-group training roles. More Details / Apply Now Here! Stretch Therapists. We will have our signature hands-on "IMPACT Stretch Flow" sessions complimenting our training & recovery services. If you are already certified in FST or other stretch therapy (or you're a coach who wants to learn hands-on manual stretching of our clients/members), APPLY TODAY Massage Therapists. Massage therapy has been part of my fitness offerings since Day 1 over 25-years ago. And it's only MORE important now. We WILL have incredible Massage Therapy available at IXP-San Diego and we are exciting to share the power of touch. APPLY TODAY Directors of First Impressions. We love our "Directors of First Impressions" as they play a crucial role in setting the culture and offering extreme positivity, encouragement, and support to our clients/members. If you feel you could be a great addition to our San Diego location, please apply. APPLY TODAY Visit this page to get all the information or to APPLY today… HERE!

Steven Rinella talks with author Mark Lee Gardner, Brody Henderson, Randall Williams, Phil Taylor, and Corinne Schneider. Topics discussed: Mark Lee Gardner's brand new book: Brothers of the Gun: Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and a Reckoning in Tombstone; having a deep love for estate sales and rare books; insights into cowboy hats; being the author of interpretive guides for National Park historic sites; Old West cliches; “I’ll be your huckleberry”; the friendship between Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday; a brothel on a boat; Steve’s celiac theory; drifters; outlaws and lawmen; robbing trains; a play-by-play of the OK Corral gun fight; a performance by Mark on banjo; and much more. Connect with Steve and The MeatEater Podcast Network Steve on Instagram and Twitter MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.