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Irish writer Doireann Ní Ghríofa on turning archival fragments into living narrative, writing across the borders of genre, and giving voice to the forgotten lives of women committed to a Victorian asylum. You'll learn Why the greatest gatekeeper between a writer and the page is often the writer themselves. How a single word buried in clinical notes can become a bridge to a silenced voice. What poetry can teach prose writers about immediacy and the shock of a strong opening. The case for pointing at the gaps in the record rather than papering over them. When a fleeting curiosity is worth following, and what happens once you treat it as real. How third person can give a writer just enough distance to keep going. A sense of fidelity to the reader you imagine standing at your shoulder. How the drowsy space between sleep and waking can become an engine for ideas. The ethics of using real names, and the difference between the dead and the long dead. How the act of leaving things out turns even “fact” into a story. Resources & Links Said the Dead by Doireann Ní Ghríofa A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofa About Doireann Ní Ghríofa Doireann Ní Ghríofa is an Irish writer devoted to exploring how the past makes itself felt within the present. 'A Ghost in the Throat' finds an 18th century poet haunting a young mother, leading her through visions of blood, milk, lust, and murder. Written on the roof of a multi-storey car park in Ireland, it went on to be described as "powerful" (New York Times), "captivatingly original" (The Observer), and a "masterpiece" (Sunday Business Post). 'A Ghost in the Throat' won the James Tait Black Prize and was voted overall Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards, while the US edition was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. It was translated into 20 further languages worldwide. Doireann is also the author of seven critically-acclaimed books of poetry, each a deepening exploration of birth, death, desire, and domesticity. Awards for her writing include a Lannan Literary Fellowship (USA), the Ostana Prize (Italy), a Seamus Heaney Fellowship, and the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature, among others. Her new book, Said the Dead, distils hundreds of hours of archival research into a polyphonic portrayal of a single institution — a derelict Victorian asylum in Cork, and the women once committed within its walls. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers' Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS' SALONTwitter: twitter.com/WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you're enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly capable of generating content, a new problem emerges: proving that a participant is human without requiring them to surrender their privacy. Trust Chain Verification offers a systems-based approach to solving that challenge. During Part 2 of the conversation with Richard Kersey, the discussion moved beyond the concept itself and into the mechanics of how a trust-based platform could function at scale. The result was a deeper exploration of digital trust, community design, and the future of online participation. About Richard Kersey Richard Kersey is the founder and developer behind Chirper, an experimental social platform focused on verifying human participation online while preserving anonymity. His work explores one of the most pressing questions in the AI era: how do we know we're interacting with real people without sacrificing privacy? Through concepts such as trust chains, community verification, and decentralized accountability, Richard is testing new approaches to online identity, trust, and digital conversations. Follow Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardkersey/ Understanding Trust Chain Verification Most platforms verify users through centralized systems. The platform decides who is legitimate. The platform stores identity information. The platform becomes the source of authority. Trust Chain Verification distributes that responsibility. Instead of a central authority validating everyone, users validate one another through invitations and accountability. A verified participant can invite another participant. That invitation carries responsibility. If the invited user becomes a bad actor, the trust relationship is affected. The trust chain becomes both a verification system and an accountability system. Why Trust Chain Verification Creates Better Incentives Traditional social platforms reward growth. Trust Chain Verification rewards judgment. That difference changes behavior. When invitations have consequences, users become more selective. Rather than maximizing numbers, they maximize quality. This creates a powerful incentive structure: Invite carefully Protect your reputation Maintain community quality Encourage responsible participation The system naturally aligns personal incentives with community health. Strong systems are built around incentives, not rules. Scaling Trust Chain Verification Beyond Early Adoption Every community faces a scaling challenge. A system that works with fifty people may fail with fifty thousand. This reality was a major theme in the discussion. Early-stage verification can be handled manually. Eventually, however, growth requires delegation. Potential solutions discussed included: Distributed Verification Trusted members help verify new participants. Layered Trust Systems Different levels of trust create graduated responsibilities. Community Participation Verification becomes part of the platform itself rather than a centralized task. The challenge is maintaining trust quality while avoiding concentration of power. Trust Chain Verification and Reputation Decay One of the most intriguing system concepts discussed was trust degradation. Without some balancing mechanism, early participants could accumulate disproportionate influence. That creates gatekeepers. Gatekeepers eventually create barriers. To avoid that outcome, trust systems may need decay mechanisms. Trust remains valuable, but influence naturally decreases over time. Benefits include: Preventing entrenched power structures Encouraging ongoing participation Creating opportunities for new contributors Maintaining a dynamic ecosystem This concept mirrors successful reputation systems in many decentralized environments. Any trust system that never resets eventually becomes a hierarchy. Trust Chain Verification and Content Diversity Another fascinating aspect of the discussion involved diversity scoring. Online communities often evolve into echo chambers. People interact primarily with those who already agree with them. Trust Chain Verification creates opportunities to measure conversation diversity in new ways. Instead of only analyzing content, a platform could evaluate: Diversity of trust chains Diversity of participant backgrounds Diversity of interaction patterns Diversity of viewpoints entering discussions The goal isn't moderation. The goal is visibility. Users gain context about whether a discussion reflects broad participation or a narrow circle of connected contributors. Transparency often solves problems that moderation cannot. The Future of Trust Chain Verification The long-term potential extends beyond discussion platforms. Trust Chain Verification could support: Professional Communities Proof of human participation without exposing personal details. Expert Networks Reputation built through trusted relationships. Digital Identity Systems Human verification independent of government-issued identification. AI-Dominated Environments Clear distinction between automated and human participants. As AI becomes increasingly indistinguishable from people, systems that establish human authenticity may become foundational infrastructure. Conclusion Trust Chain Verification represents more than a solution to bots. It represents a new framework for building online trust. By combining accountability, anonymity, distributed validation, and community participation, the model offers an alternative to centralized identity systems. The experiment is still evolving. But the questions it raises are increasingly important. In a world where AI can generate convincing content at scale, proving humanity may become one of the most valuable signals available online. Stay Connected: Join the Developreneur Community
Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn were not peripheral figures in Jeffrey Epstein's world but central operators who helped build, maintain, and financially sustain his criminal enterprise. As Epstein's longtime lawyer and accountant, they created and managed the complex web of trusts, shell companies, bank accounts, and legal entities that allowed money to move discreetly while obscuring its purpose. Lawsuits filed by survivors and the U.S. Virgin Islands government describe them as “indispensable captains” of the enterprise, alleging they facilitated payments to victims and recruiters, structured entities to shield assets, and continued working for Epstein even after his 2008 sex-crime conviction. Though they deny any knowledge of abuse, judges have allowed civil claims against them to proceed, ruling that allegations of aiding and abetting trafficking are legally plausible and worthy of full discovery.After Epstein's death in 2019, Indyke and Kahn were named co-executors of his estate, giving them control over key documents, assets, and settlement negotiations, including a $105 million settlement with the U.S. Virgin Islands. Their continued gatekeeping role, combined with their status as beneficiaries of Epstein-linked trusts, has fueled criticism that the system has protected the very professionals accused of enabling his crimes. Despite being repeatedly named in court filings and investigative reports, they have largely avoided public scrutiny and congressional testimony. Critics argue that the failure to subpoena or question them under oath reflects a broader pattern of performative oversight, where political theater replaces substantive investigation into the financial and legal infrastructure that made Epstein's long-running operation possible.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com
Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn were not peripheral figures in Jeffrey Epstein's world but central operators who helped build, maintain, and financially sustain his criminal enterprise. As Epstein's longtime lawyer and accountant, they created and managed the complex web of trusts, shell companies, bank accounts, and legal entities that allowed money to move discreetly while obscuring its purpose. Lawsuits filed by survivors and the U.S. Virgin Islands government describe them as “indispensable captains” of the enterprise, alleging they facilitated payments to victims and recruiters, structured entities to shield assets, and continued working for Epstein even after his 2008 sex-crime conviction. Though they deny any knowledge of abuse, judges have allowed civil claims against them to proceed, ruling that allegations of aiding and abetting trafficking are legally plausible and worthy of full discovery.After Epstein's death in 2019, Indyke and Kahn were named co-executors of his estate, giving them control over key documents, assets, and settlement negotiations, including a $105 million settlement with the U.S. Virgin Islands. Their continued gatekeeping role, combined with their status as beneficiaries of Epstein-linked trusts, has fueled criticism that the system has protected the very professionals accused of enabling his crimes. Despite being repeatedly named in court filings and investigative reports, they have largely avoided public scrutiny and congressional testimony. Critics argue that the failure to subpoena or question them under oath reflects a broader pattern of performative oversight, where political theater replaces substantive investigation into the financial and legal infrastructure that made Epstein's long-running operation possible.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com
EP.636This episode of The Michael Decon Program features a provocative and wide ranging conversation with author and controversial researcher Leo Zagami. A former insider turned whistleblower, Zagami discusses his latest book and shares his perspective on hidden power structures, elite networks, and the forces he believes shape the modern UFO disclosure movement.The conversation dives into the evolution of events like Contact in the Desert, with both Deacon and Zagami questioning whether the once grassroots UFO community has been overtaken by institutional influence, corporate interests, and alleged gatekeepers. Zagami argues that the disclosure scene has long been shaped by deeper power structures, including what he describes as Vatican linked and Jesuit influenced networks operating behind the scenes.The discussion also touches on prominent figures in ufology, including Jacques Vallée, Jeremy Corbell, George Knapp, and Danny Sheehan, while exploring themes of credibility, manipulation, and the blurred line between truth seeking and agenda setting. Zagami presents his view that these personalities are part of a larger narrative control system tied to intelligence, academia, religion, and the military industrial complex.
Happy Friday! Welcome to today's Lunchtime Quickie with Tawnie Wolf. In this fast-paced update, Tawnie pushes through a raspy voice to share major insights from the deep-dive research she's been conducting during her semester off.We are officially kicking off Week Two (Day 8) of the show, and tonight's lineup is packed. Tawnie previews the upcoming Podcast Workshop focusing on the Psychology of Cover Art, Visuals, and Identity, explaining how to design a logo that commands attention on a phone screen.More importantly, she pulls back the curtain on the corporate and political gatekeepers that have dominated the internet since the global digital landscape shifted in 2017. We address the professional bottom line: how algorithmic suppression is actively hurting independent business owners trying to feed their families, and how we can protect our children on social media while reclaiming our economic independence boldly and proudly.Tune in tonight for the full recap and workshop. Your second act starts today!Cited Source for This Episode:King, G., Pan, J., & Roberts, M. E. (2017). "How the Chinese Government Fabricates Social Media Posts for Strategic Distraction, Not Engaged Argument." American Political Science Review, 111(3), 484–501. (Exposing the structural framework of algorithmic censorship and strategic public distraction).
Tonight is a powerful double-header on The Second Act Executive! It is our signature weekly podcast night for our global community, alongside Day Six of our 30-Day Intensive Podcast Workshop. In this episode, host Tawnie Wolf tackles one of the greatest hurdles every creator faces: mic shyness. Whether you are an executive stepping into your prime or a business owner over 60 looking to claim your equity, your voice is a digital asset that nobody should be allowed to silence.Tawnie blows the doors open on the illusion of "seamless" big-budget podcasts, shares how she pushes through her own natural shyness every single time she hits record, and highlights raw, authentic podcasters who model true freedom of speech on air.Inside this episode, we cover: The Lunchtime Recap: Breaking down a kitchen triumph (Signature Vegan Eggplant No-Parmesan) and looking at the undeniable power of macro-capital giants like Vanguard, BlackRock, Fidelity, and State Street. Online Gatekeepers & Accountability: A serious look at the hostile environments allowed by major platforms, how it impacts investors and families, and how to hold institutional leadership accountable (featuring direct contact info for State Street's Chief HR and Citizenship Officer, Kathryn Horgan). Classroom Track (Day 6 Masterclass): Breaking down physical vocal exercises, breathing frameworks, and the vital mindset shifts needed to help you sound like you on air. Day 6 Homework: A raw, unedited, 2-minute challenge designed to prioritize authenticity over perfection.Your second act isn't the end of your story... it's exactly where the best chapters begin. Tune in, do your research, protect your peace, and learn how to build a stage that belongs completely to you.Connect with Tawnie: Join the 30-Day Podcast Workshop Intensive by dropping the word “WORKSHOP” in the comments or DMs on social media. Catch the daily Lunchtime Quickie with Tawnie every afternoon for punchy, mid-day food for thought!
Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn were not peripheral figures in Jeffrey Epstein's world but central operators who helped build, maintain, and financially sustain his criminal enterprise. As Epstein's longtime lawyer and accountant, they created and managed the complex web of trusts, shell companies, bank accounts, and legal entities that allowed money to move discreetly while obscuring its purpose. Lawsuits filed by survivors and the U.S. Virgin Islands government describe them as “indispensable captains” of the enterprise, alleging they facilitated payments to victims and recruiters, structured entities to shield assets, and continued working for Epstein even after his 2008 sex-crime conviction. Though they deny any knowledge of abuse, judges have allowed civil claims against them to proceed, ruling that allegations of aiding and abetting trafficking are legally plausible and worthy of full discovery.After Epstein's death in 2019, Indyke and Kahn were named co-executors of his estate, giving them control over key documents, assets, and settlement negotiations, including a $105 million settlement with the U.S. Virgin Islands. Their continued gatekeeping role, combined with their status as beneficiaries of Epstein-linked trusts, has fueled criticism that the system has protected the very professionals accused of enabling his crimes. Despite being repeatedly named in court filings and investigative reports, they have largely avoided public scrutiny and congressional testimony. Critics argue that the failure to subpoena or question them under oath reflects a broader pattern of performative oversight, where political theater replaces substantive investigation into the financial and legal infrastructure that made Epstein's long-running operation possible.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn were not peripheral figures in Jeffrey Epstein's world but central operators who helped build, maintain, and financially sustain his criminal enterprise. As Epstein's longtime lawyer and accountant, they created and managed the complex web of trusts, shell companies, bank accounts, and legal entities that allowed money to move discreetly while obscuring its purpose. Lawsuits filed by survivors and the U.S. Virgin Islands government describe them as “indispensable captains” of the enterprise, alleging they facilitated payments to victims and recruiters, structured entities to shield assets, and continued working for Epstein even after his 2008 sex-crime conviction. Though they deny any knowledge of abuse, judges have allowed civil claims against them to proceed, ruling that allegations of aiding and abetting trafficking are legally plausible and worthy of full discovery.After Epstein's death in 2019, Indyke and Kahn were named co-executors of his estate, giving them control over key documents, assets, and settlement negotiations, including a $105 million settlement with the U.S. Virgin Islands. Their continued gatekeeping role, combined with their status as beneficiaries of Epstein-linked trusts, has fueled criticism that the system has protected the very professionals accused of enabling his crimes. Despite being repeatedly named in court filings and investigative reports, they have largely avoided public scrutiny and congressional testimony. Critics argue that the failure to subpoena or question them under oath reflects a broader pattern of performative oversight, where political theater replaces substantive investigation into the financial and legal infrastructure that made Epstein's long-running operation possible.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
Gatekeepers everywhere. If they're not “Big Hollywood” trying to fence out Christian creators, they're natural barriers like lack of resources. Then along comes the siren call of generative AI. It is said these tools can boost creators' art powers and help them dodge burly guards at the gates! Of course, these programs also generate quite a ruckus. But apart from disputes over job changes and environmental impacts lies one greater question for us fans—can all these cool tools actually help Christian storytellers make amazing new works that change our world? Episode sponsors Twist of Time by Tricia Goyer and Nathan Goyer Realm Makers 2026 Conference & Expo Author Update from Author Media Iffy Eats Monsters for Breakfast by Bryan Timothy Mitchell Mission update New at Lorehaven: new reviews of The Donor and more Subscribe free to get updates and join the Lorehaven Guild 1. Yes, if we use gen-AI as tools, not minds. Stephen is first to admit some hatred of AI has grown very foolish. Undoubtedly these may include absurdist political activisms. You may have facts/opinions about data centers and water use. And you may want to “beat China,” or else not care about that. But some of us at Lorehaven never first relied on those arguments. If you marry that “spirit of age,” pro– or anti-AI, you'll be widowed. Instead we asked about the biblical purposes of humans and art. So all we say here needs to be the Scriptural steel-man version. What if tech lords did make AI cheaper? Built in space? Won big? Your support/opposition to any tool should remain the exact same. Stephen prefers one guiding idea: use AI as a “tool,” not “mind.” “…Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can’t see where it keeps its brain?” —Arthur Weasley in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling 2. Maybe, with biblical human safeguards. In this case, biblical reason supports mastery over tools, not verse. This isn't just about AI or any technology, but universal to creation. Mankind can abuse anything as an idol or use it for God's glory. AI is a special case when it is generative, “making” “new” “art.” Creators have different opinions on how/whether to use this. Stephen does refuse to use generative AI in basically all respects. Nothing he writes, at any stage of the process, is AI-generated. However, he will use AI programs as tools for research/tutoring. These programs excel at gathering/repeating public information. When it's “scraped” from free sources, that seems more ethical. Researchers, however, should know to cite primary sources. Creators can do that may aim closer for biblically ideal creativity. But if creators refuse, and “outsource” their own minds to tools? Well, they'll get lost in the slop and will reach creative dead ends. 3. No, if we rank ourselves over fan interests. A few activists seem overly bullish on using AI as substitute-minds. They're the opposite to reflexive (and short-sighted) AI haters. Some even call loudly for Christian-made art, quick, easy, good(?). This seems a strange cope, short-sighted, and reality-challenged. The cope: some creatives have not made it far past previous gates. They do seem to think mechanical tools will solve human problems. Short-sighted: Christians do already use AI to generate “artworks.” Example: Jon Erwin with House of David season 2 and Old Stories. Yet we don’t hear much about these. That may tell us something. Reality-challenged: this is where Stephen may end the debate. Clear aside all talk of ethics, gatekeepers, policies, impacts. Four simple words blow up gen-AI optimism: Thanks, I hate it. That's all you need to end all this hoopla about gen-AI revolutions. If the people don't want it, they don't want it. And that's that. Right now, people don't want it. How do we know? We asked AI. Stephen queried three AI programs with this question: Apart from the debates over cost, environmental impact, economy shifts, and all the politics, especially among leaders in big tech and government … what could we say is the public’s general *impression* in response to AI-generated images, movies, music, and other artworks? Is the public’s stated response good, mixed, or negative? Any particular trend-lines to note? Response from ChatGPT (excerpt, more optimistic): Public sentiment is neither uniformly positive nor uniformly negative — it skews positive for convenience, novelty, and clear utility, but is strongly negative or cautious when authenticity, creator rights, trust, or deception are at stake. Response from Gemini (excerpt, mixed-negative) If you strip away the high-level policy debates and economic anxiety, the general public's stated response to AI-generated art—images, music, movies, and literature—is highly mixed, but leaning increasingly negative and protective of human creativity. While people love playing with the tools as novelties, the moment they switch from being creators to consumers, a distinct psychological shift occurs. Data from major public opinion studies (like Pew Research, Stanford HAI, and various consumer tracking surveys) highlight several fascinating, counterintuitive trend-lines regarding how the public perceives AI art. (bold emphasis in original) Response from Grok (excerpt, mixed-negative) Mixed, with a lean toward negative or skeptical once people know something is AI-generated—particularly for standalone or fully AI-created works—though curiosity and practical utility exist. Public impressions are nuanced: many appreciate the technology as a tool or for novelty/entertainment, but there’s consistent preference for human-created art, emotional depth tied to human experience, and transparency. Pure AI outputs often face backlash as “slop,” lacking authenticity. (bold emphasis in original) If even AI programs reflect this skepticism, that's big. Even an AI skeptic like Stephen sees its use in aggregate “polls.” Anyone claiming optimism about AI is logically bound to hear this. Apart from AI is anecdotal evidence. Few fans want gen-AI stuff. Right now, fans are praising films with practical, human-made art. They like the indie-horror movies and Project Hail Mary, no AI. And they love the new Spider-Man trailer with suits and shadows! Some makers boast AI will save time and bypass the big gates. But if fans don't like that “slop,” the maker simply indulges himself. That's fine for personal enjoyment but not for real service to others. We've already seen this with bad Christian human-made stories. If we're practical, why we intentionally clash with the market? Even if fans want to make AI slop, they do not want others’ AI slop. And if we're idealistic, why make inhuman slop for human souls? We lose all high ground at claiming to be more virtuous and godly. We would lose all the how-it's-made stories behind the stories. Remember that whole AI-generated-actress thing? Flash in a pan. But people love the deeply human Tom Holland (who's wise on AI!). Not only that, we'll be wildly and foolishly off documented trends. There may be a place for gen-AI content, in memes or political ads. In other words, this stuff is disposable “art.” Yet it will not last. If we want to save today's culture, gen-AI is certainly no savior. And if we want to grow and train others, AI could become a villain. Com station Top question for listeners As a fan, how do you feel when you learn any “art” is generated? The Adaptation Stationmaster replied to episode 317: It's actually pretty rare for me to mourn when a good TV show ends. I feel like too many of them go on too long past their peak because they're popular. It's kind of nice to see them decide to go out on a high note instead. One Guild hero (and his wife) grieve over Star Wars: My wife and I had just seen the second third Star Wars sequel. I didn’t like it, but she was devastated. Star Wars wasn’t just a story she appreciated. It was part of the tapestry of her life, woven into some of her best memories. She had put so much of her time and love into that galaxy far, far away, and in that moment it felt like it was broken beyond repair, forever. Her restoration started with the books. Star Wars has one of the widest bodies of expanded universe lore, so even she could find something new to dig into. … It’s an odd place. In one sense, the universe is still destroyed. Star Wars has lost its place at the top of the pop culture pyramid, and may not ever take that place again. Through that, it might lack the largesse that allowed it become such an expansive universe in the first place. But, her place still existed. I think that’s where many of us will find ourselves in the coming days: wishing for the grand galaxies of yesterday, but finding only little pockets of warmth among the stars. Next on Fantastical Truth We're recording this episode before Realm Makers! So once we return, we'll have a better idea of what topics to cover. But in general, we can say that we're pleased to have met or re-met so many Lorehaven fans at that expo. Lord willing, we'll see you again in St. Louis next summer!
On this episode of Jrodconcerts: The Podcast, Jamie sits down with Salvadoran-American country powerhouse Angie K. From her early childhood roots in El Salvador to growing up in Marietta, Georgia, Angie has carved out a completely unique space in the independent music scene as a true Latin ambassador to country and Americana music. Angie opens up about witnessing the global explosion of Latin music, breaking through traditional industry gatekeepers, and the exact moment she decided to let go of rigid expectations to embrace pure gratitude. We dive deep into her relentless work ethic, why true courage is always rewarded in the long run, and how literary icon Ernest Hemingway inspired the spirit of her incredible new project. We also talk about her brand-new, genre-blending bilingual album, Whiskey & Hemingway (produced by founding Zac Brown Band member John Driskell Hopkins), her recent performance at CMA Fest, her upcoming return to the legendary Grand Ole Opry stage, and hitting the road with the iconic duo Brooks & Dunn this fall. Stick around until the end to hear all about her incredible bilingual summer love song, "Contigo." What We Discuss: Acting as a Latin ambassador in country music and the genre's shifting landscape. Overcoming industry gatekeepers and connecting with a global audience. Letting go of industry expectations and choosing the path of gratitude. Angie's journey from El Salvador to New Mexico, Georgia, and finally Nashville. The relentless work ethic and resilience required to thrive as an independent artist. How the spirit and grit of Ernest Hemingway inspired the new album. A deep dive into her new single "Contigo" and the rebellious joy behind "We Won't Go." __ Connect with the Artist: Follow Angie K on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialangiek Visit Angie K's Official Website: https://officialangiek.com/ ___ Support The Show: Apple Pay: Whether you're shopping online for everyday needs or treating yourself, skip the hassle. Shop with Apple Pay. Terms apply. https://www.apple.com/apple-pay Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week on The Deep Cut Podcast, we're talking about different types of horror fans. Part 2 takes a look at the Gatekeepers, Remake Haters, Schlock Masters, Spooky Seasons, and Elevated Horror Geeks. Some of these people annoy me. Some of them are my people. Either way, we've all run into them before.#HorrorPodcast #HorrorFans #HorrorCommunity #RottinRoger #DeepCutPodcast #HorrorMovies #Halloween #CultFilms #SlasherMovies #ElevatedHorror #HorrorGeek #MoviePodcast #HorrorDiscussion #Gatekeepers #HorrorTok
Vivemos rodeados de informação e nunca foi tão fácil aceder a conhecimento. Mas há quem diga que também nunca foi tão difícil distinguir factos de opiniões e evidência de desinformação. A Consulta Aberta tenta cruzar a ciência com a comunicação e, por isso mesmo, neste episódio Margarida Graça Santos quis quem tem como profissão comunicar a informação. Contamos com Ruben Tiago Pereira, jornalista do Expresso, para falar sobre literacia mediática, redes sociais, algoritmos e o impacto que o ambiente informativo tem na nossa saúde mental e nas nossas escolhas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nihal Arthanayake: From Radio 1 to Corporate Storytelling - Class, Diversity & the BBC's Blind Spots Nihal Arthanayake, former BBC Radio 1 presenter, joins Jimmy's Jobs of the Future to trace his career, from promoting rap nights at 16 and fronting Collapsed Lung to being dropped by a major label and pivoting into music journalism and PR before becoming a Radio 1 DJ in 2002. Nihal explains how radio shifted from gatekeeping to curating as social media and algorithms changed music discovery, and recounts his 23 years across Radio 1, Asian Network and 5 Live, including planning his exit and ultimately being engineered out after speaking out. He argues the BBC's biggest bias is class, says it “lies about diversity,” keeps people of color in boxes, and fears the Daily Mail more than ideological labels suggest. We also discuss interview craft, his book on conversation, and how doing stand-up comedy increased his confidence. 00:00 Intro 01:22 Welcome and Early Dreams 02:51 First Money in Music 05:33 Collapsed Lung Breakthrough 09:22 Go Discs and Muddy Funksters 12:34 Dropped and Reinventing as Journalist 13:46 Why British Rap Lagged 15:36 Gatekeepers to Algorithms 18:14 Landing Radio 1 Asian Beats 22:29 Representation and BBC Culture 31:24 Calling Out Window Dressing 40:05 Is the BBC Left Wing 46:32 Politics and Interview Nerves 49:33 Nerve Wracking Guests 51:08 Peterson Clegg Clash 52:53 Interview Style Lessons 55:06 Talking Ends Conflict 57:36 Mutual Friend Story 01:00:00 Research Like A Pro 01:05:19 No Gotcha Headlines 01:09:12 Media Tech Farage 01:14:55 Politics Brutal Switch 01:26:14 Kids Time Football 01:30:55 Stand Up Confidence Credits: Host/Exec Producer: Jimmy McLoughlin OBE Producer: Sunny Winter Producer: Thuy ********** Follow us on socials! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmysjobs Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jimmysjobsofthefuture Twitter / X: https://www.twitter.com/Jimmy MLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-mcloughlin-obe/ Want to come on the show? hello@jobsofthefuture.co Sponsor the show or Partner with us: hello@jobsofthefuture.co Check out our clips channel here! ⬇️https://www.youtube.com/@JimmysJobsClips Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode of the Church Revitalization Podcast, Scott and A.J. break down three distinct types of "gatekeepers" that show up in churches and how each one can quietly block healthy growth and mission. From information filters to change blockers to ego-driven power players, this conversation gives church leaders the language and insight to identify what might be holding their church back. The discussion is practical, honest, and backed by real consulting experience. Scott Ball and A.J. Mathieu are lead consultants at the Malphurs Group, a church health and revitalization consulting ministry that has worked with hundreds of churches across the country. Each week on the Church Revitalization Podcast, they bring field-tested insights to help pastors and church leaders navigate the real challenges of leading a church toward health and mission. Whether you are a longtime listener or just finding the show, you will find their conversations to be direct, grounded, and genuinely helpful. [1:20] Defining what a gatekeeper actually is in a church context [5:50] Gatekeeper Type 1: The person who controls what the pastor gets to hear [8:47] Gatekeeper Type 2: The person or group that blocks change before it can happen [14:33] Gatekeeper Type 3: The leader whose ego or insecurity becomes a barrier to progress [26:02] How to actually work around the gatekeeper problem in your church Free 7-Day Trial of the Healthy Churches Toolkit: https://healthychurchestoolkit.com Episode Article: https://malphursgroup.com/345 Facebook: https://facebook.com/malphursgroup Instagram: https://instagram.com/malphursgroup YouTube: https://youtube.com/themalphursgroup X: https://x.com/malphursgroup
Welcome to Day 2882 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2882 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 135:8-14 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2882 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2882 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title for Today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Sovereign of History – Dismantling the Rebel Giant Kings In our previous stop along this grand, poetic landscape, we explored the opening movement of Psalm One Hundred Thirty-Five, where we witnessed a magnificent temple liturgy that unmasked the false gods of the nations. We watched as Yahweh effortlessly demonstrated His total, seamless mastery over nature—commanding the clouds, directing the lightning, and releasing the wind from His royal celestial storehouses. We saw how the psalmist executed a brilliant, razor-sharp polemical attack against Baal, stripping the Canaanite storm god of his fraudulent resume. We discovered the comforting truth that Israel is Yahweh's segullah—His private, prized, and treasured possession, chosen out of the chaotic landscape of a disinherited world. Today, the temple liturgy takes a powerful, dramatic turn. The psalmist shifts his focus away from Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over nature, and directs our eyes to His absolute, undeniable sovereignty over human history and spiritual geography. He takes the traveling assembly on a historical tour, demonstrating that the True King doesn't just manage the weather; He systematically dismantles the greatest earthly emp'res, and violently crushes the giant rebel kings who attempt to block the expansion of His kingdom. We are exploring Psalm One Hundred Thirty-Five, verses eight through fourteen, in the New Living Translation. Let us step onto the trail, adjust our cosmic lenses, and watch the Righteous Judge execute justice against the principalities of darkness. The First Segment is: The Judgment of Egypt's Incarnate Gods Psalm One Hundred Thirty-Five: verses eight and nine. He destroyed the firstborn in each Egyptian home, both people and animals. He performed miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt against Pharaoh and all his people. The historical narrative begins in the dark, oppressive brick-kilns of Egypt, tracing the opening lines of Israel's great cosmic liberation. “He destroyed the firstborn in each Egyptian home, both people and animals. He performed miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt against Pharaoh and all his people.” To fully comprehend the sheer scale of the spiritual warfare embedded in these familiar words, we must look past our modern, secular history books, and view the Exodus through the profound lens of the Ancient Israelite divine council worldview, as masterfully taught by Doctor Michael S. Heiser. In the book of Exodus, chapter twelve, verse twelve, Yahweh explicitly declares the ultimate, underlying purpose of the plagues. He states, “Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment; I am Yahweh.” The Exodus was not merely a political dispute over human labor; it was an open, aggressive courtroom trial, and a declaration of war against the corrupt, territorial elohim of the Nile. Egypt was the premier superpower of the ancient world, operating under the direct spiritual inspiration of powerful, rebellious members of the heavenly host. Pharaoh himself was not viewed merely as a human politician; he was worshiped as an incarnate god—the living proxy, and the supreme avatar, of the rebel spiritual principalities. When Pharaoh oppressed the chosen family of God, he was acting as the mouthpiece for the cosmic rebellion. Therefore, when Yahweh unleashed His miraculous signs and wonders, He was systematically target-shooting the Egyptian pantheon. He turned the Nile into blood to humiliate the river gods; He blocked out the sun to blind the sun god, Ra; and He paralyzed the land with darkness. The terrifying, ultimate climax of this cosmic execution occurred when the Lord destroyed the firstborn of both people and animals. In the ancient Near East, the firstborn son represented the strength, the legal inheritance, and the future legacy of the household. By striking down the firstborn—including the firstborn son of Pharaoh himself—Yahweh permanently broke the spiritual back of the empire. He demonstrated that the gods of Egypt were utterly helpless, completely unable to protect their own biological and spiritual lineages from the superior authority of the Creator. The proud, arrogant principalities of the Nile were weighed in the celestial balances, found wanting, and publicly stripped of their power. The Second Segment is: Dismantling the Gatekeepers of the Underworld Psalm One Hundred Thirty-Five: verses ten through twelve. He struck down great nations and slaughtered mighty kings— Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the rulers of Canaan. He gave their land as an inheritance, a special possession to his people Israel. The historical tour moves from the waters of the Red Sea, to the rugged, bloody battlefields on the eastern side of the Jordan River. “He struck down great nations and slaughtered mighty kings—Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the rulers of Canaan. He gave their land as an inheritance, a special possession to his people Israel.” To the casual reader, the names Sihon and Og might seem like obscure, boring footnotes from ancient military history. But to the ancient Israelite pilgrim singing this song, these two names triggered a profound sense of awe, and holy terror. These were not ordinary human kings; they were the terrifying, giant gatekeepers of the cosmic rebellion. Let us unpack the spiritual geography of these territories through Doctor Heiser's research. In the book of Deuteronomy, we discover that Og, the king of Bashan, was a literal remnant of the giant Rephaim. His massive iron bedstead was over thirteen feet long! In the ancient Near Eastern mindset, the Rephaim were not just tall people; their lineage was directly connected to the Nephilim—the hybrid offspring resulting from the spiritual corruption of the Watchers recorded in Genesis chapter six. They were the physical, and spiritual, anomalies produced by the rebel gods to contaminate the human race, and block the redemptive plans of Yahweh. Furthermore, the region of Bashan was universally recognized as the geographic and spiritual epicenter of darkness. Located at the foot of Mount Hermon—the exact site where the rebel angels originally staged their mutiny—Bashan was poetically referred to as the "place of the serpent," and the literal "gate of the underworld." Sihon and Og ruled over this demonic stronghold, acting as a massive, supernatural wall designed to intimidate Israel, and prevent them from ever entering the Promised Land. When Yahweh struck down great nations, and slaughtered these mighty giant kings, He was not just clearing a physical highway for Israel. He was executing a spectacular, cosmic cleansing of the geography. The Divine Warrior marched into the very territory of the dead, confronted the most terrifying, monstrous proxies of the rebel council, and completely obliterated them from the face of the earth. He proved that giant stature, demonic lineages, and ancient spiritual fortresses are absolutely nothing but dust in the presence of the Almighty. And look at the ultimate, glorious result of this victory in verse twelve: “He gave their land as an inheritance, a special possession to his people Israel.” This is the beautiful, geographic reversal of the Tower of Babel. At Babel, humanity was disinherited, and handed over to the rule of the lesser elohim. But here, Yahweh violently reclaims the land from the rebels, completely evicts the demonic tenants, and hands the territory over to His segullah—His special possession. The Promised Land becomes a restored beachhead of Eden, a sacred space where the cosmic order, truth, and righteousness of the true King can finally flourish. The Third Segment is: The Eternal Courtroom Verdict Psalm One Hundred Thirty-Five: verses thirteen and fourteen. Your name, O Lord, endures forever; your fame, O Lord, is known to every generation. For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants. Having demonstrated Yahweh's absolute mastery over history, the psalmist transitions into a magnificent, courtroom declaration of praise, drawing a sharp contrast between the mortality
Round 2 for the Neighbors and Groovers. In this episode, we're focusing on the gatekeepers and bridge builders. For me, I have moments where I don't want to admit that someone is simply gatekeeping a situation, a connection, and a new relationship forming. In this moment, we have to call the spade out. On the flip though, there are people who make sure the connections happen...and I want to make sure to point out what they ideally look like. It's easy to spot the bad (the gatekeeper) and miss the values of the good (the bridge builders). Let this be the reminder. See you on the final episode of this series. I hope you all are enjoying and learning from this. #TOTHETOP******************Follow all socials and subscribe to Mr. Al Pete's website: https://mralpete.com and subscribe to The MPN Network website: https://mpn-llc.com. Instagram: @mralpete Threads: @mralpeteMPN YouTube: https://youtube.com/@alpete Substack: https://substack.com/@mralpete Discord: https://discord.gg/HVZCDEPY Powered by The MPN Network*************************Follow The MPN Network socials and site below:Website: https://mpn-llc.comInstagram: @mpnmanagement Threads: @mpnmanagementFacebook: The MPN Network YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mpnmanagementDiscord: https://discord.gg/HVZCDEPY#mpnnetwork #blackpodcastnetwork #medianetwork
“Gospel Clarity keeps you free.” FALLEN CONDITION We keep trading the freedom Christ has won for chains of our own making. Gatekeepers from the outside say “Jesus plus ___”. Keep the rules, perform, prove yourself. The voice from the inside whispers we still aren't enough. Either way, we step back onto the performance treadmill and lose the freedom that was already ours. SOLUTION IN CHRIST On the cross Jesus entered the ultimate war room. He wore every accusation against us as His own, took the verdict we deserved, and left our sin, guilt, and shame in the prison of death. Then He rose. Now every spy is defeated, every gate broken open. We are justified by faith in His finished work, we have nothing left to earn, no gate to pass, and no master with keys over our head. The war is won. VISION FOR THE GROVE The Grove to be a community so fluent in grace that counterfeits cannot survive long among us. We do not guard the door by keeping people out; we guard the gospel by knowing freedom so deeply that any “Jesus plus ___” feels immediately foreign. Links: Website: https://thegrovechurch.co Instagram: https://instagram.com/thegrovechurchofficial Facebook: https://facebook.com/thegrovechurchofficial Sermon Audio: https://soundcloud.com/thegrovechurchofficial Podcast: https://tr.ee/c0BcdkUV3C Support Our Ministry: https://grovechurch.churchcenter.com/giving If this video was helpful to you, please like, comment, and subscribe — and share it with someone who needs hope today.
In this 10th episode interview, Dr. Carrie Gress discusses the historical and cultural origins of modern feminism, arguing that the movement has distorted the authentic nature of womanhood. She traces a trajectory from the Enlightenment through communism and the sexual revolution, suggesting that these shifts pushed women to adopt a masculine ethos that prioritizes career autonomy over family. Dr. Gress contends that this focus on independence has led to widespread unhappiness, loneliness, and a plummeting birth rate across the Western world. The conversation highlights how corporate interests and emotional manipulation encourage women to view motherhood as a burden rather than a source of fulfillment. Ultimately, she advocates for a return to local, relational compassion and the recognition of spiritual motherhood to restore societal balance. https://www.carriegress.com/ Key Takeaways: 0:00 There's something off in our culture about women 4:41 Gatekeepers to civilized society 8:44 First wave 18:04 The masculine ethos 21:26 Manipulating women 25:17 The agenda to uglify women 30:24 Anti-depressants are in fashion and a status symbol 34:43 Action steps _______________________________________________________________ Follow Jason on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM & LINKEDIN Twitter.com/JasonHartmanROI Instagram.com/jasonhartman1/ Linkedin.com/in/jasonhartmaninvestor/ Call our Investment Counselors at: 1-800-HARTMAN (US) or visit: https://www.jasonhartman.com/ Free Class: Easily get up to $250,000 in funding for real estate, business or anything else: http://JasonHartman.com/Fund CYA Protect Your Assets, Save Taxes & Estate Planning: http://JasonHartman.com/Protect Get wholesale real estate deals for investment or build a great business – Free Course: https://www.jasonhartman.com/deals Special Offer from Ron LeGrand: https://JasonHartman.com/Ron Free Mini-Book on Pandemic Investing: https://www.PandemicInvesting.com
Send us Fan MailI want you to ask: Who's making these decisions in my office to “hang up” on effective training opportunities? What power do they hold? And what opportunities are we missing? One of the most surprising things we encounter is when dental offices hang up on our team before hearing a single sentence about the training. Think about that for a moment. Here is a training program specifically designed to help dentists and their teams understand laws that directly impact their profitability, patient communications, and insurance interactions, and some offices choose to end the conversation before learning what is being offered. This was a free training opportunity sponsored by the UDA, and taught by those writing and passing dental insurance reform legislation, meaning Tracy and I at MPMB.Support the show
AI is blowing up McKinsey's old billable-hours model and forcing elite consultancies to charge for real outcomes, not 300-page decks. We break down why clients want results-based fees, how JPMorgan and Goldman are using AI to cut “gatekeeper” roles, and why true operators now have the leverage.
All this week we've been looking at AI and the potential role it will play in the lives of our children and teens. Specifically, were looking at some conclusions made by the Brookings Institution and their new report titled, “A New Direction for Students in an AI World: Prosper, Prepare, Protect.” The report issues a clear warning regarding the implementation of AI into our lives, that we need to protect our kids by intentionally and carefully developing and implementing safeguards for its use. These safeguards must address issues of privacy, emotional well-being, and safety, along with protecting our kids' cognitive and social development. The report also tells us in no uncertain terms, that parents need to manage their children's use of AI in the home. Parents, we live in a world where the potential dangers no longer exist only outside the walls of our homes. Thanks to digital technology, the dangers exist 24/7. Exercise your God-given calling to insure your kids are safe.
Paring Down: Realistic minimalism to live more intentionally
It's the WORST when people "hide" information or help because they think it will help them get ahead or gain respect...psychology tells us it will do the opposite. In this Good Stuff episode about filling our lives with community, I unpack why we're prone to gatekeeping and why it ultimately works against us. In fact, sharing knowledge, connections, and resources freely is the key to building real community and personal success. What you'll learn: The three mental traps that make gatekeeping feel logical—even when it isn't Why sharing what you know actually deepens your own expertise through the "protege effect" How weak ties and becoming a connector can open doors your closest relationships never could ...and more. If you're ready to stop protecting your seat at the table and start making the table bigger, this one's for you. MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: Ep 45: Determining Your Priorities with Ashli Pollard Ep 39: How Living with Less Inspires Generosity with Glen Van Peski Ep 150: How Our Surroundings Shape Our Lives with Leidy Klotz The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell PARING DOWN (SHANNON LEYKO): Sign up for my newsletter! The L.E.S.S. Express Website: www.shannonleyko.com Instagram: @shannonleyko TikTok: @shannon_leyko Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shannonleyko Facebook: www.facebook.com/shannonleyko.paringdown Substack: Blog & Additional Support (free trial!) PARING DOWN RESOURCES: CLICK HERE for free checklist, hacks, worksheet, & more! SPONSORS: Get 10% off your first order of OSEA skincare (sitewide) with code PARING at OSEAMalibu.com Go to BornShoes.com today for a 15% discount plus free ground shipping on all full-price shoes when you use my promo code, PARING 10 Free Meals from Hello Fresh + Free Breakfast For Life: www.hellofresh.com/paring10fm Only $2.99 per meal from Every Plate + 10% off for a month: www.everyplate.com/podcast - CODE: paring299 Ethical, luxury women's clothing at Quince.com/paring for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! Find furniture, decor, and essentials that fit your unique style and budget. https://www.wayfair.com/ $300 off Air Doctor Pro air purifier: https://airdoctorpro.com/ - Use code PARING 20% OFF any AquaTru water purifier when you go to AquaTru.com and use promo code PARING 15% off oneskin.co/PARING with code PARING Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Are we being gaslit by the people sworn to protect us? 80% of consumers are demanding real environmental impact, but the "Gatekeepers" at the top are busy legalizing destruction. In Part 1 of "The Shadow Architects," I'm naming names—from the FBI Director's private jet scandals to the systematic dismantling of the EPA.It's time to stop the groupthink. We're breaking down how public servants use "national security" and "economic growth" as a mask for personal waste and environmental dismantling.
This week on Geekstorians, we're looking at the leak that punched a hole through Hollywood's gates.For years, Fox had Deadpool sitting in development limbo. Ryan Reynolds wanted to make the film properly. Director Tim Miller had test footage. The fans knew exactly what they wanted. The studio, however, remained unconvinced.Then, in July 2014, fifty-two seconds of Deadpool test footage appeared online.It wasn't a trailer. It wasn't part of a polished marketing campaign. It wasn't even supposed to be public. But once the footage hit the internet, the reaction was immediate, loud, and impossible for Fox to ignore.In this episode, Dave traces the long road to Deadpool, from Hollywood's old gatekeeping model and the internet's war with studio control, through the disastrous version of Wade Wilson in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, to the leaked footage that helped turn an unlikely R-rated superhero comedy into a box-office monster.Along the way, we look at how the success of Deadpool changed the conversation around R-rated comic book films, helped open the door for projects like Logan and Joker, and proved that audiences were no longer just waiting outside the studio gates. Sometimes, they could force the gates open.This is the story of Ryan Reynolds, Tim Miller, Fox, fandom, the internet, and a red-suited menace who refused to stay in development hell.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/geektown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today we finish our "drama in the dog world" segment from last episode and close things out with a bang.
THE Sales Japan Series by Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo, Japan
Sales success rarely comes from one brilliant play, one miracle client, or one giant deal. It comes from doing the basics repeatedly: prospecting, following up, meeting buyers, tracking activity, and grinding through the boring work other salespeople avoid. Vince Lombardi, the legendary Green Bay Packers coach, talked about the importance of blocking and tackling in American football. The same idea applies in sales. The flashy strategy matters, but if the fundamentals are weak, everything collapses. Why do salespeople need to master the basics? Salespeople need to master the basics because revenue is built on consistent, repeatable activity, not hope. Big deals are wonderful when they land, but they rarely arrive without disciplined prospecting, follow-up, and pipeline management. In sales, the equivalent of blocking and tackling includes cold calling, referral requests, client research, CRM updates, proposal follow-up, and face-to-face buyer contact. These tasks are not glamorous. They are often boring, irritating, and repetitive. Yet in Japan, the US, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, the salespeople who survive downturns are usually those who keep doing the fundamentals while others chase bright shiny objects. Landing the whale client sounds exciting, but years can pass while the promised revenue never appears. Do now: Measure the activity that creates revenue, not just the revenue you hope will appear. Why do talented salespeople sometimes fail? Talented salespeople sometimes fail because intelligence can tempt them to skip the grind. They believe the basics are for lesser mortals and that one clever strategy or major client will rescue the numbers. This is a dangerous mindset in B2B sales, professional services, corporate training, SaaS, consulting, and recruitment. Smart people can talk persuasively about future revenue, strategic accounts, and game-changing opportunities. The problem is simple: until the deal is signed and the money is banked, it is not revenue. Many capable salespeople have left organisations because they preferred impressive possibilities to daily execution. Talent matters, but discipline converts talent into income. Do now: Treat your sales pipeline as evidence, not imagination. If it is not moving, it is not real. How did the pandemic change sales prospecting? The pandemic made sales prospecting harder by pushing buyers out of offices and behind new barriers. Cold calling became more frustrating because receptionists, assistants, and internal gatekeepers often had less access—or less willingness—to connect sellers with decision-makers. Since COVID-19, many clients in Japan and other markets have shifted to hybrid work, remote meetings, and stricter communication filters. Calling the office may produce vague responses, blocked contact details, or a polite refusal to share an email address or phone number. This makes the traditional sales routine more difficult, especially for SMEs and service businesses that depend on new conversations. Yet the need for sales has not disappeared. Business still depends on buyers discovering better solutions, services, and ideas. Do now: Assume the old route to the buyer may be blocked. Build several routes instead. Should tobikomi eigyo make a comeback in Japan? Tobikomi eigyo, or unannounced in-person sales visits, may deserve a careful comeback when phone and email access are blocked. It is not always efficient, but it can create a buyer contact when every digital channel is failing. In Japan, 飛び込み営業 has a long history in sales culture, even though many modern sales teams consider it outdated or inefficient. Post-pandemic, that assumption may need rethinking. If the buyer is back in the office two or three days a week and competitors are not visiting, a professional drop-in can stand out. Not every building allows easy access, especially newer offices with QR codes, reception systems, and security gates. Still, where access is possible, a short visit may create enough human contact to secure a proper appointment later. Do now: Use in-person visits selectively, respectfully, and with a clear reason the buyer should care. How can salespeople respond when gatekeepers block access? Salespeople should respond to gatekeepers with calm persistence, not frustration or arrogance. The aim is to protect the brand while still showing the resilience expected of a serious sales professional. Gatekeepers often believe they are helping the boss by blocking unknown callers, visitors, and sellers. Sometimes they are. But companies also need new suppliers, better services, and fresh ideas, especially during difficult business conditions. A useful response is to acknowledge their viewpoint while reframing the behaviour as the same determined mindset they would want from their own sales team. This approach is particularly important in Japan, where professionalism, politeness, and face-saving matter. Being pushy damages trust; being resilient can earn respect. Do now: Stay polite, firm, and commercially relevant. Never let irritation become the message. What alternatives work when cold calling fails? When cold calling fails, salespeople should create buyer attention through physical mail, referrals, targeted content, and carefully designed outreach. The key is to make the buyer curious within seconds. A mailed package can bypass the phone gatekeeper because assistants may block calls but still deliver physical mail to the executive's desk. The package should not look like ordinary paperwork. A slightly lumpy, relevant, useful item can earn a brief moment of attention. However, the contents must immediately answer the buyer's pressing need. In today's overloaded business environment, attention is narrow. Whether selling training, consulting, software, financial services, or recruitment solutions, the offer must quickly show relevance, urgency, and value. Do now: Design outreach around the buyer's problem, not your product brochure. Final summary Sales is full of boring work, and that is exactly why many people avoid it. Prospecting, tracking, follow-up, gatekeeper navigation, office visits, mailed outreach, and daily discipline are not glamorous. They are the commercial basics that keep businesses alive. The salesperson waiting for the whale client may sound strategic, but the salesperson doing the blocking, tackling, tracking, and grinding is usually the one who survives. In difficult markets, especially post-pandemic Japan, the winners will be those who harden up, return to fundamentals, and keep creating real buyer conversations. Author Bio Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" in 2018 and 2021 and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2012. As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programmes, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers: Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery, along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō(ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin(プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō(トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā(現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). Greg also publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, and hosts six weekly podcasts. On YouTube, he produces The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews, which are widely followed by executives seeking success strategies in Japan.
Black Hollywood podcasts have been some of my most listened to - it's all true, too. Gatekeepers are real.We have built the perfect beast in anti-social media. The stuff we watch isn't good for us or the creators, so I'm going in a new direction thanks to Gary Vee (again!)Drake is almost 40, and in terms of rap, that's the retirement home. Somebody needs to tell him. Everything from the album covers to the songs feel lifeless. You ain't gotta retire from life yet but music...maybe.my work: https://www.civiltheory.com/#caregivers https://refuelbyfaithandgasoline.beehiiv.com/
Send Us A Message or Ask Us A Question? Season 7 Premiere: Dr. Dusan on Dermatology, Longevity, and Evidence-Based SkincareHost Savia Rocks opens Season 7 of the Us People Podcast with Dr. Dusan, a board-certified dermatologist and longevity physician, discussing legacy, resilience, and turning trauma into growth. Dr. Dusan shares growing up in Yugoslavia before its collapse, heavy childhood sun exposure leading to skin cancer, and his shift from PhD research to medicine after his planned postdoc fell through when his mentor developed stage-four pancreatic cancer. He explains how his mother's negative experiences with impersonal care shaped his views on humane, partnership-based medicine despite time pressures. The conversation breaks down what dermatology really treats beyond aesthetics, links UV damage to systemic aging via senescent “zombie” cells, and critiques unregulated skincare marketing while highlighting measurement tools and evidence-based approaches. They also discuss technology's promise and limits, bureaucracy, experimental therapies, and the importance of community and accountability over judgment.00:00 Welcome to the Podcast01:49 Meet Dr. Dusan Sajic03:28 Yugoslavia to Medicine04:32 Sun Damage Wake Up05:55 Why Mom Distrusted Doctors08:41 Heart Attack at Thirteen10:13 PhD to Med School Pivot13:30 Identity and Resilience18:56 Modern Medicine Realities26:37 What Dermatologists Really Do31:51 Skin as Longevity Clue34:00 Skincare Science and Testing40:30 Melasma Beyond Sunlight41:22 Skincare Claims and Regulation45:35 Early Detection Tech Dilemmas48:47 Leukemia Loss and Trial Gaps54:07 Gatekeepers and Safety Rules55:27 Non-Surgical Anti-Aging Tools58:50 Judgment Versus Accountability01:06:09 Community Connection and Sign-OffWebsite: https://www.instagram.com/sajicskin/Website: https://www.facebook.com/sajicskinWebsite: https://sajicskin.com/Thank you so much Dr. Dusan Sajic for being the light to educate yourself so you can continue to help people all over the world. - Savia RocksSupport the show
Walter Sterling speaks with New Mexico broadcaster Eddie Aragon for a disturbing deep dive into Zorro Ranch, the alleged blackmail operation behind it, strange references in DOJ files, ritualistic symbolism, the Jericho Labyrinth, and claims surrounding human sacrifice and “jerky.” Eddie also discusses the disappearance of Major General Richard McCaslin, possible links to UFO files, Area 51, the destruction of his radio station's FM tower, and why New Mexico may hold some of the darkest unanswered questions tied to intelligence operations and hidden power. Walter also touches on UFO disclosures, ancient mysteries, crop circles, and National Apraxia Awareness Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When I had a Black producer tell me my sophisticated love story was unrealistic because it didn't include a knife fight, I became very disillusioned. He was a gatekeeper and now I know how he got to a deal at Warner Bros. Our meeting was on that lot. I interned there a few years prior, and that's when I got my clue that these people weren't creative, but they were the execs in charge.The gatekeepers have been very selective, and over the last 30 years, we have seen them narrow their focus to slave movies and period pieces, and now I know that's been on purpose.Happy to be one of the architects of the new film industry
This was a talk at the Shearim Torah High School in Phoenix Arizona on the occasion of their Shevuos Yom Iyun. We discuss women's role in the study of Torah.
Tonight on The Jeff Dornik Show, I'm joined by Michael Maxsenti, candidate for Congress in California's 47th District, for a conversation about the establishment machine that loves democracy so much it tries to pre-select the winner before voters get all dramatic and start thinking for themselves.We get into the GOP gatekeeper system, the corruption inside both parties, why CA-47 matters, the affordability crisis in California, foreign and corporate ownership of American homes, Big Tech's AI power grab, omnibus bills, congressional insider games, and why sending another polished party puppet to DC is probably not the bold constitutional strategy consultants keep pretending it is.This is not Democrat versus Republican. It is the people versus the machine. And as Proverbs 29:2 reminds us, “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.” We've had quite enough groaning. Time to send reinforcements.Get more information and donate to Michael Maxsenti's campaign - https://maxsentiforcongress.com/Follow Jeff Dornik on Pickax - https://pickax.com/jeffdornikSPONSORSupermassive Black Coffee is 100% organic gourmet coffee, fire-roasted in a Victorian-era roaster to unlock bold, rich flavor with dark chocolate undertones and a smooth, smoky finish, which is a refreshingly civilized alternative to drinking whatever bean-water the regime-approved coffee cartel keeps pretending is “premium.” Use code JEFF for 20% off and awaken the rebel within, because some mornings require more than caffeine, they require a small act of defiance before checking your inbox and discovering civilization has once again chosen nonsense. https://supermassiveblackcoffee.com/?ref=JEFFBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-jeff-dornik-show--4788100/support.Follow The Jeff Dornik Show on Apple Podcasts and leave a 5-star review. That's how we reach more people and bypass Big Tech suppression.Watch LIVE daily at 7pm ET on Rumble and subscribe so you never miss a show:https://rumble.com/c/jeffdornikBig Tech is silencing truth while harvesting your data to feed the machine. That's why I built Pickax, a free speech platform where creators own their content and your voice isn't controlled. Join now:https://pickax.com/?referralCode=y7wxvwq&refSource=copy
Firewall Thaw: Intra-Terrestrial Disclosure, Vanishing Gatekeepers & the 2026 Unbiblical Apocalypse! Today, brothers and sisters, we are going FULL THROTTLE with unfiltered, no-holds-barred conspiracy fire. No corporate sponsors telling me what I can say, no fact-checker bots, just raw truth the way you deserve it. We're talking intra-terrestrial beings operating from inside the Earth and beyond the ice wall. Fallen angels masquerading as “aliens.” Project Bluestar's blackout ending. Project Anchor's gravity lie collapsing. The Antarctic Treaty as the ultimate no-go zone. Spiritual warfare straight out of Enoch and 2 Thessalonians. And yes—the dead and missing scientists who knew too much. Web Site: www.DontTreadonMerica.com https://linktr.ee/DontTreadonMerica Email the show: Donq@donttreadonmerica.com DTOM Store (Promo code DTOM for 10% off) Sponsors: www.makersmark.com www.NordVPN.com Promo Code: DTOM www.alppouch.com/DTOM www.dubby.gg Promo code: DTOM Social Media: Don't Tread on Merica TV DTOM on Facebook DTOM on X DTOM on TikTok DontTreadonMericaTV DTOM on Instagram DTOM on YouTube
On this week's episode of Bass Cast Radio, we discuss the future of tournament bass fishing from the microphone to the stage & we give our thoughts on who should be holding the microphone soon. Plus, Geek drops some great fishing tips. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bass-cast-radio--1838782/support.Become a Patreon memebet now for less then a pack of worms you can support Bass Cast Radio as well as get each epsiode a day early & commercial free. Just click the link below. PATREON
Amy Suto's book Write for Money and Power has an arresting cover. It's bold. It's not messing around. It asks: can you be an artist — and want money and power? Inside a system that doesn't often grant artists much power? How many of us have been sold the starving artist myth? That to be an artist, you should be living off nothing, and never ever “sell out”?I met Amy last year at a writing retreat I was leading in Tuscany, and she mentions it in the book. It was such a lovely surprise to come across some of the reflections and takeaways from the week we spent together.I enjoy watching Amy deliver her work with confidence and generosity. The book is well laid out. The main headline of the book: “This is the golden age of writers who know how to sell their work without apology.” I underlined so many things with my yellow highlighter. It is structured in a kind of addictive way—each section gives you resourceful tips and advice, there is no fluff. Amy introduces the book explaining where she came from: Hollywood writer's rooms. The Hollywood writer strikes happened. Work dried up. Contracts ended. Then, she gets diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis and needs to figure out a way to manage her symptoms and, hopefully, heal.Amy's career pivot and health problems led her towards the world of freelancing, ghost-writing and self-publishing. She's leaves the Hollywood system behind her. Why write for the gatekeepers, when you could write for potential readers instead? She says:“A self-published book gives you something to sell. It's your intellectual property. It earns while you sleep. It helps your newsletter audience go deeper and gives you a chance to build long-term assets instead of waiting on publishers or agents.”Amy delivers some great phrases in the book. She says she noticed “the fear underneath the champagne toasts” at industry parties. She believes “the dream isn't real if you can't own it”. She describes traditional book contracts or a staff writer job on a TV show as “a very fancy cage.” It's not a business model that suits the writer. She isn't afraid to critique The System in this book. The same system that floats corporate publishing or Hollywood:“The system itself is not designed to make you rich, powerful or free. It's meant to benefit the people at the top. It's designed to keep you grateful. It's designed to keep you waiting.”How long have you been WAITING to receive a reply about something? It's common in big industries. It's slow, slow slow. She asks the reader practical questions. Say your industry dries up tomorrow. What are you left with? “No email list. No reader connection. No platform you control.” It is a call to arms to writers: Own Your Stuff.Her message is clear: we believe in the ‘starving artist myth' because it benefits all the middlemen. The book reads as a huge permission slip to writers who want to try out making things on their own terms. She says we used to need validation, “now we need a laptop and the guts to hit ‘publish'.” Another myth explored in the book is the idea that the cream rises to the top. She believes we're sold this story that the good stuff will just magically get discovered. This myth of ‘getting discovered' stops writers and creatives from making their stuff. They sit around waiting, instead of putting things out there to be discovered by readers, or the Internet, instead. She says “the creator economy doesn't reward polish, it rewards participation.” I love how she says to the writers brave enough to hit publish: “Welcome to the arena.”Amy shares success stories which read as very inspirational. She makes a lot of money herself. Not everyone is going to have this worldwide success, but isn't it fun to think “ooooh what if?” in a self-publishing world of no limitations? She writes about Andy Weir, who had self-published The Martian on Amazon for 99p before it went mad with readers. She tells stories of the newsletter Stratechery which apparently makes $3.2 million a year. People like Heather Cox Richardson on Substack who apparently also makes seven figures. In our conversation, we talk about money. Amy talks about how ‘not all dollars are the same'. There is an energy flow, a feeling, an exchange. For example, I hardly make money from podcast advertising nowadays, because the relentlessness came at a cost to my authenticity and wellbeing. I wanted to earn money through my writing and connection and flow, which is why Substack felt right for me. We talk a bit about AI in this conversation. Near the end of the book, Amy says she uses AI to help when making creative projects. Not for the writing itself; but for the admin, the grunt work. Why would you go through hundreds of pages manually, when you could use an AI to organise transcriptions? I personally don't want AI anywhere near my creative work, I don't want to collaborate with robots on ideas. But, I'd be open to AI assisting with intern-level admin work. She says: “I don't see AI as a replacement for human creativity and thoughtfulness. I see it as hiring the world's cheapest, fastest, always-available intern.”Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. I hope you enjoy this conversation. Amy is more embedded in the self-publishing world and her lens on tech from living in San Francisco. I got a lot from the conversation and the book—and I enjoy the idea of self-publishing no longer being a dirty word.Resources mentioned:— Write for Money and Power: The Anti-Starving Artist's Guide— The rise of the Substack book by Alys Key — Kevin Kelly's 1,000 True Fans— A Year of Nothing— The Success Myth: Letting go of having it all — Make Writing Your Job This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thehyphen.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode of Second Request, Executive Editor Teddy Downey sits down with Dr. Courtney Radsch to discuss her new paper examining content licensing relationships between publishers and artificial intelligence firms. Together, the two look at how A.I. companies utilize published information and the policy tools that could empower publishers to prevent A.I. firms from improperly using their material.
Episode 40 of the ArmaniTalks Show breaks down the hidden dynamics of social life. From cruises and group trips to why no one takes the lead, you'll learn how to organize events that actually work. Discover the difference between gatekeepers and bridgebuilders, how cliques form (and how to break them), and why games energize parties. We also cover ambiverts, social burnout, and evolving personalities—plus practical tips to navigate friendships with confidence. CONQUER SHYNESS
Brenda Shaffer discusses her Wall Street Journal piece arguing that current renewable-driven policies undermine energy security by making Western systems less reliable, more expensive, and dependent on concentrated supply chains, often tied to China. She says maritime security failures (Red Sea, Russia-Ukraine, Strait disruptions) show poor preparation, and argues fossil fuels still dominate the global energy mix (87%) despite decades of subsidies, while wind/solar remain limited and require backup baseload. She criticizes restricting fossil-fuel finance, especially in Africa, for worsening energy access and development. Shaffer claims UN climate institutions are political, seek taxation power withouBt representation, and that climate movements often oppose both fossil fuels and nuclear. She highlights Germany's costly energy transition, emphasizes operational energy in warfare, and calls to restore energy security as national security and enable open debate.00:00 Renewables and Crisis00:57 Energy Security Failures03:04 Emperor New Clothes05:36 China and Methane Politics10:32 Climate Narratives vs Reality12:33 Myths of Transition16:26 Cutting Supply Hurts Poor19:50 Africa Needs Real Power26:36 Germany Energiewende Fallout29:21 Climate Activism and Anti West30:33 Hydrocarbon Roadmap Skepticism31:19 UN Climate Taxes and Power Grabs33:18 Transparency and Budget Secrecy34:39 Trump Era Workarounds and Lawfare38:08 Gatekeepers and Speaking Freely39:13 Languages and Middle East Shifts44:07 Operational Energy in Warfare47:53 Military Electrification Limits51:52 IPCC Politics and Carbon Markets55:27 Extreme Weather Narratives58:01 Energy Realism Closing Messagehttps://x.com/ProfBShaffer=========Slides, summaries, references, and transcripts of my podcasts: https://tomn.substack.com/p/podcast-summariesMy Linktree: https://linktr.ee/tomanelson1
Who knew that the gatekeepers of the temple could be so fascinating to learn about? Their role can inspire us as gatekeepers of our own temples.
In this episode, Jesus begins a series of seven woes to the religious leaders of his day. He chastises them for being gate keepers and piling the burden of legalism on their new converts!
What is it about rhythm that dissolves separation and draws us into a shared pulse? At the heart of this episode lies a quiet but unshakable conviction: that every life, every struggle, every creative breakthrough, is a quest for freedom. Few voices today carry that conviction with more authority than Terri Lyne Carrington, four-time Grammy winner, NEA Jazz Master, and one of the most vital figures in music of our time. In this conversation, she traces the search for freedom from its deepest roots to its most urgent expressions in the present. It begins with a child at a drum kit, and a family sensing something uncanny, a story that reaches back across generations, and across oceans, to a lineage in which rhythm was never only sound, but memory, identity, and a spiritual code passed through the hands of those entrusted to keep it alive. From there, Terri takes us into what jazz truly is at its core: a kind of liberation theology. Born of displacement and oppression, it became a communal act of survival, intellectual, radically creative, radically free. And it is in that freedom, expressed through improvisation, that something remarkable happens: boundaries begin to stretch, time itself begins to bend, and the music reaches far beyond those who first gave it voice. But as you'll discover, Terri is not only conscious of history, she is making it. Through the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, she is carrying that same liberating impulse into new territory, challenging the hyper-masculine structures that have shaped jazz for decades and opening doors for voices that might otherwise have gone unheard. With this, she brings music into some of the most urgent conversations of our time: gender equality, and the building of a truly universal legacy. A vibrant episode, infused with Terri's ancestral rhythm and potent intellect, in which she returns us to the essential elements of rhythm itself: its flow, its healing power, and its quiet, seductive pull into that spiritual place which is eternal: the present. Why drummers are the mind's gatekeepers, and what they are guarding that is so much greater than music itself, is what this episode invites you to discover.
For years, agents controlled the information. Listings. Data. Access. That job is gone. In this episode, James and Keith sit down with Jerimiah Taylor, CEO of BrokerBot, to talk about what AI is actually changing and what it isn't. Because while AI is making information faster, cheaper, and more accessible than ever… It's also exposing a hard truth: If your value is just access to information, you're already obsolete. This conversation breaks down where agents still matter, how AI is reshaping the industry, and why the future belongs to those who can create better experiences; not just deliver data. Links mentioned during the show: Keith's Substack article: https://open.substack.com/pub/crazyunclekeith/p/everyone-can-see-the-jobs-ai-will?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web Connect with Jerimiah on LinkedIn and online at jerimiahtaylor.com. Learn more about BrokerBot at brokerbot.ai. Subscribe to Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered?sub_confirmation=1 To learn more about becoming a sponsor of the show, send us an email: jessica@inman.com You asked for it. We delivered. Check out our new merch! https://merch.realestateinsidersunfiltered.com/ Follow Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered Podcast on Instagram - YouTube, Facebook - TikTok. Visit us online at realestateinsidersunfiltered.com. Link to Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered Link to Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/realestateinsiderspod/ Link to YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered Link to TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@realestateinsiderspod Link to website: https://realestateinsidersunfiltered.com This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative. https://twobrotherscreative.com/contact/
Full Shownotes - https://forum.closednetwork.io/t/episode-56-when-the-gatekeepers-fail-eu-age-app-cracked-in-2-minutes-hr-8250-palantir-pressure-signal-notification-leaks-and-taking-ai-local/188Website / Donations / Support - https://closednetwork.io/support/BTC Lightning Donations - closednetwork@getalby.com / simon@primal.netThank You Patreons & Direct Supporters! - https://www.patreon.com/closednetworkSubscribe Without Patreon - https://closednetwork.io/#/portal/signupMichael Bates - Privacy Bad AssDavid - Privacy Bad AssTK - Privacy Bad AssDavid - Privacy Bad AssTrying - Privacy Bad AssVO - Privacy Bad AssMrMilkMustache - Privacy SupporterHutch - Privacy AdvocateInferno_Potato Privacy SupporterTOP LIGHTNING BOOSTERS !!!! THANK YOU !!!@bon 2,345 sats!!@fireflygo - 3,361 sats!!Thank You To Our Moderators:Unintelligentseven - Follow on NOSTR primal.net/p/npub15rp9gyw346fmcxgdlgp2y9a2xua9ujdk9nzumflshkwjsc7wepwqnh354dMaddestMax - Follow on NOSTR primal.net/p/npub133yzwsqfgvsuxd4clvkgupshzhjn52v837dlud6gjk4tu2c7grqq3sxavtJoin Our CommunityClosed Network Forum - https://forum.closednetwork.ioJoin Our Matrix Channels!Main - https://matrix.to/#/#closedntwrk:matrix.orgOff Topic - https://matrix.to/#/#closednetworkofftopic:matrix.orgSimpleX Group Chat - https://smp9.simplex.im/g#SRBJK7JhuMWa1jgxfmnOfHz7Bl5KjnKUFL5zy-Jn-j0Join Our Mastodon server!https://closednetwork.socialFollow Simon On The SocialsMastodon - https://closednetwork.social/@simonNOSTR - Public Address - npub186l3994gark0fhknh9zp27q38wv3uy042appcpx93cack5q2n03qte2lu2 - primal.net/simonTwitter / X - @ClosedNtwrkInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/closednetworkpodcast/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@closednetworkEmail - simon@closednetwork.ioFull Show Notes - https://forum.closednetwork.io/t/episode-56-when-the-gatekeepers-fail-eu-age-app-cracked-in-2-minutes-hr-8250-palantir-pressure-signal-notification-leaks-and-taking-ai-local/188Episode SummaryThis week, every gate the establishment built to control your digital life is leaking. Brussels unveiled its flagship EU age verification app and watched it get cracked in under two minutes by a researcher editing a settings file. HR 8250 — the "Parents Decide Act" — just dropped in Congress, pushing the same age verification infrastructure down into the operating system at the federal level. Meta is reportedly preparing facial recognition for its Ray-Ban smart glasses, and seventy civil rights organizations have told the company to abandon the plan. Thirty lawmakers demanded answers from DHS and ICE about Palantir's surveillance tools, with an 11-point letter and a response deadline of April 24th. In a federal terrorism case in Texas, the FBI recovered deleted Signal messages from a suspect's iPhone — without ever breaking Signal's encryption — by forensically extracting them from the iOS notification database, which keeps decrypted message previews for up to 30 days even after the app is uninstalled. Vercel disclosed a real security incident that started inside a third-party AI productivity tool called Context.ai — one of the cleanest textbook examples of AI-tool supply-chain risk turning into credential exposure that we've ever seen.On the hopeful side — the quiet good news of 2026 is that running a usable AI model on your own hardware, with no cloud and no account, is finally a weekend project instead of a research project. Simon walks through his month-long experiment running OpenClaw with Ollama on a System76 Oryx Pro and an Apple Mac Studio M1 Max, using Qwen 2.5 and Llama 3.1 — what works, what doesn't, and how to get started in 30 minutes.And finally: a time-sensitive call to action. Congress has 10 days to reform Section 702 of FISA — and it is the strongest leverage moment privacy advocates have had in the program's history. Make the call.
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Chris Whipple is an Emmy award-winning journalist, documentary filmmaker, author, and political analyst. A former CBS 60 Minutes producer, Whipple is also the EP and writer of the Discovery Channel documentary series “The Presidents’ Gatekeepers” and the Showtime Network documentary series “The Spymasters: CIA in the Crosshairs”. Whipple continued his research on these topics in two of his books and is the author of four New York Times best-sellers including: Uncharted: How Trump Beat Biden, Harris, and the Odds in the Wildest Campaign in History, The Spymasters: How the CIA Directors Shape History and the Future, The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency, and The Fight of His Life: Inside Joe Biden's White House. Whipple has also written for Vanity Fair, Politico, the Daily Beast, and many other publications. Notably, Whipple wrote the two-part 2025 Vanity Fair profile on the second Trump presidency and White House Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.