Podcasts about Genuine

Mercedes scored a 1-2 finish in the season opening 2026 Australian Grand Prix with George Russell leading team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli across the line. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc claimed third spot, before being engaged in a battle with Russell for the race lead. Should Ferrari have pitted under the Virtual Safety Car? Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah discuss the key talking points and stories from 2026 Australian Grand Prix, the first race of the season at Albert Park in Melbourne.This episode features two veteran F1 commentators from India —Kunal Shah and Soumil Arora —who've been dissecting F1 for years, and trust us, they know their way around a good battle. The episode dissects the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, highlighting the entertaining wheel-to-wheel race despite a dull qualifying. Key discussions include battles among top teams, Audi's strong debut, and strategic elements like energy management and overtaking under new regulations. The hosts debate genuine versus artificial overtakes and discuss broader implications like in-season development and budget caps. The episode closes with optimism for closer racing ahead.YouTube Chapters:0:13 - Intro and live stream vibe0:45 - Race quality vs qualifying expectations1:15 - Lead battles and top-five dynamics2:52 - Overtakes, battery play, and strategy3:55 - Genuine vs artificial overtakes: debate6:31 - New start procedure and pre-race excitement7:22 - Start happenings: Leclerc, Hamilton, Alonso, and others9:25 - Audi debut and Cadillac's strong showing12:12 - Piastri start failure and ERS issues14:04 - Regulation talk and overtaking philosophy24:42 - Ferrari strategy under VSC and pit decisions27:09 - Verstappen in Q1 and potential impact29:03 - Fan perspectives, balanced fandom, and next steps35:49 - Wrap-up stats and tease for next episode #F1 #F12026 #AustraliaGP #MelbourneGP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Faith in Christ is more than belief—it is a life that demonstrates trust in Him through action. In the book of James, we see that trials give our faith a stage on which it can grow and mature. When believers encounter testing, they have an opportunity to stand firm in Christ and allow their faith to deepen.James reminds us that faith must move beyond simply hearing God's Word. Followers of Jesus are called to be doers of the Word, allowing the truth of Scripture to shape both their hearts and their actions. Genuine faith reveals itself in how we treat others, especially when it comes to favoritism. Showing partiality contradicts the character of God and is inconsistent with the gospel that calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves.Finally, James teaches that faith without action is dead. True faith produces visible fruit through compassion, generosity, and obedience. Every opportunity to serve others becomes a chance to demonstrate our trust in Christ. As believers grow in their relationship with Him, their faith becomes active, visible, and life-changing for the people around them.

Nick Glimsdahl is a leading authority in Customer Experience (CX) and Digital Transformation, specializing in the critical connection between authentic service and business success.As the Director of Contact Center Solutions at VDS and host of the weekly podcast Press 1 For Nick, Nick combines deep expertise in sales, marketing, and contact-center strategy to help organizations create effortless and human-centered customer experiences. He advises companies on aligning business goals, customer expectations, and employee experience—often guiding organizations through complex initiatives such as digital transformation and AI adoption.Nick is also the author of The Heart of Service, where he champions service models that scale operationally without losing empathy, helping leaders and teams build customer experiences that drive long-term loyalty and growth.SHOW SUMMARYIn this episode of the Selling from the Heart Podcast, Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Nick Glimsdahl to explore the powerful idea that how you serve is how you sell. Nick explains that authentic selling begins with transparency, being honest about pricing, timelines, expectations, and outcomes so prospects can truly “see around the corner” and make informed decisions.The conversation highlights the often-overlooked period between contract signature and implementation, what Nick calls the “go-live gap.” When organizations fail to deliver a consistent experience during this phase, customers quickly lose trust, leading to buyer's remorse, lost renewals, and missed referrals.Nick also shares lessons from his book The Heart of Service, emphasizing the importance of listening deeply to customers and frontline employees, reviewing sales conversations to improve performance, and aligning internal teams to deliver a unified customer experience. This episode offers practical strategies for sales professionals to build trust, create seamless handoffs, and focus on long-term relationships rather than short-term wins.KEY TAKEAWAYSTransparency about pricing, timelines, expectations, and results builds stronger customer trust.The “go-live gap”—the period between signing and implementation—is critical to customer satisfaction and retention.Long-term customer lifetime value should take priority over quick transactional wins.Sales professionals shape the customer experience because they are often the first face of the organization.Strong internal alignment between sales, implementation, and customer success ensures a consistent experience.Listening more than talking helps sales professionals better understand customer needs.Genuine care and attention toward prospects differentiate sellers in a crowded marketplace.HIGHLIGHT QUOTES“Selling from the heart means being transparent—about price, timelines, expectations, and results.”“The more I spoke, the better I sounded… but that didn't mean people would buy.”“You don't have to be great. You just have to beat the DMV… but somewhere between Zappos and the DMV.”“Care more than everybody else.”“You don't close a sale. You open a relationship.”“Customers will easily go to your competitor—even if they have to pay more—for a better experience.”ADDITIONAL RESOURCESExplore the secrets of heart-centered leadership and thriving workplace cultures with Culture from the Heart Podcast! Nominate a visionary CEO at www.culturefromtheheart.com!Listen to Larry Levine's Bestselling Book — Selling in a Post-Trust World! Now available on Audible! Transform your sales approach with insights that matter.  SUBSCRIBE to our YOUTUBE CHANNEL! Stay updated with the latest episodes and leadership tips: Selling from the Heart YouTubeet Your Daily Dose of Inspiration:Click Here for Your Daily Dose

In the latest episode of the Radical Reformers podcast, Andrew Laird is joined by Zina Etheridge, recently appointed Chief Executive of Buckinghamshire Council, to explore to explore her relatively unique experience of leading in central government, in a council and in the NHS. Zina highlights that place matters more than ever, and the conversation centres on a powerful idea we truly believe in here at Mutual Ventures: councils should be much more than service providers. At their best, they are place-makers and conveners, uniquely placed to bring partners, communities and systems together to help communities thrive and succeed. Zina reflects candidly on the distinct pressures that are on senior leaders in different parts of the public sector,  the challenges of reforming complex systems, and why bravery is required to shift resources and power in meaningful ways, even when short-term performance risks feel uncomfortable. Genuine community empowerment can't be imposed from the centre or done in a one‑size‑fits‑all way. It depends on local context, trust, lived experience and the confidence to share power. If you're working in local government, the NHS or the wider public sector, or thinking about the future of place-based leadership,  this is a thoughtful and timely listen.

In this episode of Joy Lab, we'll explore the Sixth Gate of Grief: the grief we carry for harm done to ourselves and others. We'll draw on the expanded framework of Francis Weller's gates of grief to unpack why this gate is one of the most challenging and most liberating to work with. It's important to note that this isn't about guilt-tripping or self-flagellation. It's about honest reckoning, releasing unconscious burdens, and reclaiming inner freedom. Because grief (not shame) is what actually moves us toward healing, repair, and becoming people who cause less harm.   This episode is part of a 10-part series on grief. You can jump in here and circle back to Episode 248 when you're ready.   p.s. Find a Simple Joy practice for this episode right here at our blog.   About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy.   If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts! And... if you want to spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free, then please join our mission by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).   Full transcript available here   Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram TikTok Linkedin Watch on YouTube   Key moments: [00:00:00] — Sixth Gate: Grief for Harm Done, popularized by Sophy Banks and Azul Thomé alongside Weller's original framework. [00:01:00] — What this gate includes: harmful thought patterns like corrosive self-talk, choices that felt necessary but caused harm, inaction when we could have intervened, and participation in collective harms like racism, classism, ableism, and environmental destruction. [00:02:00] — A critical disclaimer: this gate asks us to see these harms — not soak in them. Grief is meant to flow through us, not become a stagnant pool. Henry emphasizes the difference between grieving well and getting stuck. [00:03:30] — Three reasons this gate is especially challenging: (1) the scope of harm we participate in is nearly infinite; (2) the thin line between acknowledging harm and collapsing into shame and guilt; (3) the defensiveness this topic can trigger — and how to touch that lightly and let it go. [00:05:00] — This is about inner freedom, not atonement. Genuine inner freedom requires an honest look at how we affect those around us. [00:05:30] — Aimee and Henry on the word releasing vs. "getting over it." You can leap over a thing and still be carrying it. Releasing requires first being able to see what's there. [00:06:00] — Quote from Sabaa Tahir: two kinds of guilt — the kind that drowns you until you're useless, and the kind that fires your soul to purpose. Working with grief can move us from one to the other. [00:06:30] — Introduction of moral injury: the psychological wound that comes from betraying our own values, or witnessing others do it. Research shows moral injury is more strongly associated with PTSD symptoms than direct exposure to danger. [00:07:30] — Moral injury shows up everywhere — not just in war. Healthcare rationing, kids being detained, someone cutting you off in traffic. Untended grief in this gate can mean we snap at small things because they echo larger unprocessed wounds. [00:09:00] — Henry: grief helps us heal these deep, often invisible wounds. [00:10:00] — How harm to others haunts us for years, even decades. As social creatures, we're wired to repair harm and strengthen bonds. When we don't act, buried harm turns into guilt and shame — and shame isolates. Grief, by contrast, calls us into community and toward repair. [00:11:00] — Autoimmune disease analogy: shame is the emotional equivalent of an immune system attacking itself. A healthy response addresses the problem; an overreaction causes more damage than the original harm. [00:13:00] — Turning to harms we cause ourselves: negative self-talk, lifestyle choices, addictions. No matter the cause, we deserve healing from it. The challenge: in this case, we are both perpetrator and victim. [00:14:00] — Grief opens us up rather than closing us down. It can hold both the hurt experienced and the compassion for causing that pain. [00:14:30] — Connection to post-traumatic growth: not about psychological comfort, but awakening. Grief is the ride between pain and gain — and there's no bypassing it. [00:15:00] — Henry on the role of equanimity (this month's Element of Joy): balance is what allows us to hold two seemingly opposing truths at once. You fully acknowledge the harm and hold yourself with compassion. Neither minimizing nor drowning. [00:16:30] — Quote from Sister Helen Prejean (Dead Man Walking): "People are more than the worst thing they've done." The goal isn't no harm — it's less harm. And believing that you are more than your worst moment fosters humility, compassion, and healing that ripples outward to others. [00:17:30] — Preview of the next episode: the Seventh Gate — Trauma, and how grief and trauma intersect in the work of healing. [00:17:45] — Closing wisdom from Maya Angelou: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."   Sources and Notes for this full grief series: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life.  Grief Series: The Grief Series: The Wholeness of Being Human [part 1, ep 248] Everything We Love, We Will Lose: Navigating the First Gate of Grief[part 2, ep 249] Welcoming Back the Parts of You That Have Not Known Love [part 3, ep 250] Why You Can't Escape the Sorrows of the World (and why that's a good thing) [part 4, ep 251] Born to Belong: Grieving What Should Have Been There From the Start [part 5, ep 252] Breaking the Cycle: Ancestral Grief, Epigenetics, and the Power to Change Your Legacy [part 6, ep 253] Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller Sabaa Tahir's website Beckes & Sbarra, Social baseline theory: State of the science and new directions. Access here Beckes, et al. (2011). Social Baseline Theory: The Role of Social Proximity in Emotion and Economy of Action. Access here Bunea et al. (2017). Early-life adversity and cortisol response to social stress: a meta-analysis. Access here. Eisma, et al. (2019). No pain, no gain: cross-lagged analyses of posttraumatic growth and anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress and prolonged grief symptoms after loss. Access here  Kamis, et al. (2024). Childhood maltreatment associated with adolescent peer networks: Withdrawal, avoidance, and fragmentation. Access here  Lehrner, et al. (2014). Maternal PTSD associates with greater glucocorticoid sensitivity in offspring of Holocaust survivors. Access here  Hirschberger G. (2018). Collective Trauma an d the Social Construction of Meaning. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 1441. Access here  Sheehy, et al. (2019). An examination of the relationship between shame, guilt and self-harm: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Access here  Strathearn, et al. (2020). Long-term Cognitive, Psychological, and Health Outcomes Associated With Child Abuse and Neglect. Access here  Yehuda et al. (1998). Vulnerability to posttraumatic stress disorder in adult offspring of Holocaust survivors.  Access here. Yehuda, et al. (2018). Intergenerational transmission of trauma effects: putative role of epigenetic mechanisms. Access here    Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

In this episode of Pathmonk Presents, we welcome Gina Paulhus, Co-Owner of Genuine Essiac, an herbal tea brand rooted in a centuries-old wellness tradition. Gina shares how she and her husband built a thriving direct-to-consumer business by combining community, content, and long-term customer trust. From leveraging organic search and a 27,000-member Facebook group to building a powerful email marketing engine, Gina reveals how consistency fuels sustainable growth. She also explains their bold six month guarantee and affiliate program strategy on Shopify. If you're building a mission-driven brand, this conversation offers actionable insights on retention, SEO, and authentic leadership in competitive markets.

Anna almost loses Jake, then beds him.By darrenr - Listen to the ► Podcast at Steamy Stories.Wordlessly they lay there, Anna clutching his hand as he held her. Eventually her breathing returned to normal, and her grip softened. Jake realized he had his dick pressed against her bottom in their hug, but it had softened during the past few minutes. He felt proud of himself and his soft dick. Anna was the epitome of his sexual desires, but in this moment even his perpetually rude cock recognized this was not the time to make selfish demands. It felt nice snuggled up against her soft bottom.His face resting on Anna's back, he couldn't help smiling. He had done it! He had most definitely given her something she'd never felt before.A small movement from Anna brought him out of his reverie, and he realized she was crying. In a single second his heart fell from impossible heights of blissful pride and satisfaction down into despair.“Anna, are you okay?” Jake asked, his voice small. “Did I hurt you?” For what felt like an eternity, there was no response at all. Then Anna's grip on his hand tightened, and she pulled it against her chest.“Thank you,” she said, her voice cracking. Holding his hand tight, she moved to sit up and he pulled back to give her space. She looked at him with cheeks wet with tears. “I have no idea why I'm crying. No, you didn't hurt me. You made me feel more pleasure than I ever thought possible. I don't know where all this emotion is coming from.” She leaned her head against his shoulder, and he put his free arm around her again. They sat in silence for a few minutes more. Jake's heart gradually recovered from its moment of terror, and he breathed easy again, the sweet scent of her hair in his nose.With a deep breath Anna lifted her head and looked at Jake. Still feeling elated from his success, he started to grin. This in turn made Anna smile.Making a goofy face, he said, “Well?”They both burst out laughing. Jake felt elated at what he had accomplished, giddy with delight at what they had shared, at how close he felt to Anna.When the laughter died down, Anna's face grew thoughtful. “What I just experienced, was that normal? Is that what everyone feels when they orgasm? Is that what you feel?”“I doubt I've ever experienced anything even a tenth as good as that,” Jake said. “That seemed to be in the earth-shattering category.“It really was. My legs feel weak. I can't get over how good that felt. I honestly didn't know anything like that was possible. How did you know how to do that?”He thought about all the ‘how to' videos about sex he had watched, all the guides to please a woman he had read, how he poured all his love and focus into doing the best he could for her. “I think I just got lucky.”Anna laughed. “No, I'm the one who got lucky.” She sat in silence for another moment looking at her toes.“Jake?”“Yes?”“You kissed my pussy.” It still caught him off guard when she used that word, but he liked it.“Yes. I hope you don't mind. I knew you needed more and that was my only idea,” Jake said.“Was it, was it gross?” Anna asked.“Quite the opposite,” Jake said. Of course, the truth was he was overflowing with affection for her. Confessing all that now seemed too much. He kept silent.“Anna,” Jake said quietly, “Did I hurt you?”“What on earth are you talking about?” she said.“You know, when I, when I put my finger inside.”“Oh!” she giggled. “No, it didn't hurt at all. Quite the opposite. Completely different from the doctor.”“Oh good,” Jake said, his finger remembering. Warm, snug, delicate. He felt his arousal start to grow and tried to think about something else instead.After a few minutes, Anna asked, “How tired are you?”“Oh, I'm fine.”“But it took me ages to reach the climax. You must have been getting a little tired?”“A little,” Jake admitted. “But I'm fine now.”“All recovered?”“Yes, all recovered!” Jake said, laughing at the interrogation.“Good!” Anna said, distractedly stroking the top of her thigh. “Good, I'm glad. That was an incredible thing you did for me, just an incredible thing.”“Anna, please,” Jake protested, turning his head to meet her eyes. “I enjoyed it too, you know.”Anna smiled but quickly looked away in embarrassment. “Of course, now, now it's your turn.” Anna was clearly getting nervous. “I owe you some–”“No,” Jake said a little too firmly, sitting up. “No, listen. There's nothing owed. Nothing transactional here. If some day in the future you find yourself needing to touch me, truly deeply needing it, then nothing would be more welcome. Nothing. But I've been slapping this salami and having orgasms for years. I'm fine. What's important now is you've taken a huge risk with this first step, and it was a good experience. I think you should load up on good experiences before taking more risks.”“'Good experience' rather understates things,” Anna said with a laugh.“Here's what I think,” Jake said. “No offense, but you look a bit worn out. How about I get us a snack and we watch a movie to relax?”Anna smiled. “I do feel a bit drained. That would be nice.”Jake returned with some apple slices, cheese, and crackers. Anna cued up a movie and he realized he was feeling pretty drained himself.Sometime later he awoke to find Anna still sitting with him. The movie was over. It took him a moment to notice she was looking down at his crotch.Jake must have moved a little because Anna startled, looked away, and began to get up.“What's the matter?” he asked.“Sorry, I shouldn't have been staring while you were asleep.”Jake laughed. “Are you joking? We've been naked with each other for weeks now. Why would I mind if you looked at my ugly wiener?”“I don't know,” Anna said, settling back down on the couch beside him and leaning against him. “It just felt like peeping or something.” She smiled. “I guess I was being silly.” Jake nodded and put his arm around her again, feeling her shoulders rise and fall as she breathed, enjoying how her breasts moved.“I don't think it's ugly,” Anna said after a few minutes.“Huh?”“Your penis. Your cock,” she added with a smile. “I don't think it's ugly. It got super small while you slept. I thought it was cute.”Jake felt the topic of discussion begin to swell. He whispered, “Uh oh, it knows you're talking about it.”Anna bent down close to his dick and whispered to it, “I think you're cute when you're all shrunk up small!” Then she sat back up, giggling.His dick jumped a little in response, and Anna laughed more.“Can I tell you something stupid?” Anna asked.“Of course.”“This is embarrassing, but, when your cock gets really big…” Anna looked down. In a quiet voice, she said, “I feel a little bit scared of it.”Jake immediately began to shrink. He frightened her? He moved to cover himself with his hands.“No wait,” Anna said, grabbing his arm and pulling him back down. “That's not what I meant. You didn't do anything wrong.” She pulled his hands up so his crotch was exposed again. “All I meant was it's intimidating when it gets big.”Jake thought for a moment. “I have to be honest. It's hard to not be aroused when I'm with you. But I will try!”“No,” Anna said. “No, I don't want that. This doesn't make sense, but I also like when it gets big. I feel both excited and a little afraid.” She looked down and then back into his eyes. “I guess what I mean is I appreciate how patient you're being with me. I intend to return the generosity you've shown me, but, but I'm just not ready yet.”Jake let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding. “Oh, well that's no problem. I thought we already settled this? You don’t ‘owe’ me anything.“"I know,” Anna said, “I just–”“Listen,” Jake interrupted. “Believe me. I’m having a… profoundly good time. All I can think about is hoping you’ll invite me back for another round.”“What does your schedule look like tomorrow evening?” she asked.Jake chuckled, and he felt his dick jump at the thought. “I think I can fit you in,” he said.Anna smiled, and leaned her head against his shoulder again.Unexpressed Desires.Anna didn’t like to directly ask for Jake to work his magic on her. Her face would occasionally get this hungry look that was extremely obvious, and Jake made sure to offer. As he practiced on her more and more, he became immensely proud of his growing expertise. He had learned to read her feelings, her body’s reactions, and her needs. Sometimes it was clear she needed immediate relief, and he would give it to her. Other times, his favorite times, she enjoyed dragging it out. He would bring her right to the edge, and then back away, teasing her over and over until she couldn’t stand it even one more second. When she reached that point, he would take her over the edge into an incredibly powerful orgasm that left both of them exhausted afterwards.She wasn’t ready to return the attention. Occasionally she would offer, though it clearly came from a sense of obligation. Jake wanted her to touch him out of desire, not guilt. At least he wasn’t embarrassed about being erect around her anymore. Sometimes he got that “blue balls” ache, but not often. After she left every evening, he didn’t even feel the need to masturbate anymore. He just missed her and tried to get to sleep quickly so the morning would bring her back.Jake hated hiding his true feelings from her, but he feared ruining what they had. Maybe someday he would have to confront that. He wasn’t ready.The Saturday of changes.It had been a tiring Saturday, but fun. Hiking in the nearby foothills, taking countless photos, and talking about all kinds of things. She seemed so fond of him as they explored and laughed together, he could almost believe she loved him as much as he loved her. He hoped so, at least. Lost in his thoughts, he realized Anna was talking to him as she drove them home.“It’s funny,” Anna said. “I was talking with my mom the other day and she was acting all confused about us. Apparently, I talk about you all the time and she thinks we’re actually dating. 'Mom!’ I said, 'Jake doesn’t think of me that way. We’re just good friends.’ I don’t know why she won’t let this go.”Jake felt his ears burning. HE doesn’t feel about HER that way? Feeling exhausted from the hike, he was unable to slow the emotion building in his heart.“That’s bullshit,” he said, more anger in his voice than he intended. He stared out the front window.Anna glanced at him with surprise. Jake didn’t turn toward her. He knew Anna wasn’t a malicious person, and he knew he was probably messing up everything, but it hurt.“What do you mean?” Anna asked quietly.Jake knew his anger was out of control, but he spoke anyway. “You always assume too much. Mostly I don’t mind, but you don’t get to make assumptions about my feelings, to lie to my face. It couldn’t be more obvious how I feel about you, how I’ve felt about you from the very start. I don’t expect you to love me back. You don’t owe me anything. But it would be really fucking decent of you to at least be honest that YOU set the rules. You don’t get to put words in my mouth.”Anna didn’t respond. Jake stared straight ahead. He heard some sniffling and saw her wiping her eyes. He wanted to comfort her. He hated to see her in pain, no matter the reason. But his angry heart felt better, even if he dreaded to think what he had done to their friendship.The rest of the drive home was silent. They went to their separate apartments that evening. Jake showered by himself for the first time in weeks feeling lonely and sad. Fearing he had made the biggest mistake of his life, he made it as far as the couch before breaking down in tears and crying himself to sleep beneath the throw blanket.Sometime later, Jake heard Anna’s voice. Was it a dream? His head felt heavy with sleep. In the darkness, Anna was pulling his hand.“Come on, sleepy-head, you’ll be more comfortable in bed,” she said.Her voice held no anger, only kindness. It must be a dream. He found himself in his bed. Anna climbed in beside him, her warm back snuggled up against him as she pulled his arm around her. He longed for it to be real, though he knew it couldn’t be. Anna hated him now. It was over. Jake’s mind drifted into blank despair again.Anna was smiling at him. Her face was the most beautiful thing in the world and her gaze felt like being bathed in warm sunshine. She leaned in to kiss him. In the dream logic, this wasn’t a surprise. She loved him as he loved her, and kissing him was the most natural thing in the world. Her lips touched his and he felt his heart grow and expand until it consumed the universe with their love and joy. All they needed was each other, forever. Touching her face, he was the happiest man in the world. He called out her name.“Jake,” he heard Anna’s voice, gentle and tender. “Jake, are you okay?” He felt a warm hand on his cheek.He opened his eyes and saw the light of dawn, soft on Anna’s face. What was she doing here? Genuine concern was in her eyes.“Jake, you were having a dream. Are you okay?”As he woke up more, he realized his dick felt strange. Moving his hand, he found it was on Anna’s hip, and her hip was wet. The sheets were wet. His crotch was wet. With horror he realized it had been a wet dream. The biggest, messiest wet dream of his life. And it was all over Anna.His body involuntarily jerked in panic. Tears erupted from his eyes and he started gasping, unable to speak even if he knew what to say. What was she even doing here? He couldn’t see clearly through the tears, but he had no trouble imagining the hateful look she must be giving him.“Sorry!” he blurted. “Oh god, I’m so sorry.” He started to pull back, to climb out of the bed and away from the mess, away from everything. But she gently pulled him back down beside her.“Shhhh, don’t talk,” she said. “Just look into my eyes and breathe.”Jake squeezed his eyes shut, too ashamed to look at her.“Everything’s okay, Jake,” Anna continued. “I’m here with you, and everything is okay.”Jake opened his mouth to apologize again but she put a finger over his lips before he could speak.“There’s nothing to say. Just breathe with me.”He opened his eyes and through the tears saw Anna’s kind eyes looking into his. He inhaled, and his chest jerked with a suppressed sob.“Everything’s okay, Jake. Just breathe with me.”Jake took another breath, and he managed to make it a bit smoother. Anna smiled and stroked his temple. He focused on the warmth of her hand on his face and tried to forget the shameful wet mess between them on the sheets.Eventually his breathing calmed down. Anna used her thumb to wipe the tears off his cheeks, and she smiled at him.“Now we’re going to do something silly,” Anna said, “And you’re not going to argue with me. You’re going to come with me to the shower, but first you’re going to close your eyes. Do you trust me?”Jake was puzzled but he nodded and closed his eyes. He felt her pull the cold sticky sheet off them, and then she helped him stand up. Holding him from the side, she slowly guided him, and he realized she was doing this so he wouldn’t look at the mess on the bed. He felt the shame lurch back into his heart, but at that very instant she put her hand on his chest, right over his heart, and he calmed back down.He kept his eyes closed as his feet touched the cold tile of the bathroom. He heard Anna start the shower, and then she pulled them together into the hot water. She pressed the front of her body against the front of his and squeezed him close, her head on his shoulder with her face against his neck. Her breasts were soft and comforting. Her hips pushed against his and he felt his shrunken, ashamed dick press against her thighs. He put his arms around her and returned the hug. The hot water poured over them both and he felt his body relaxing.For a few minutes they just held each other. Anna adjusted the water slightly hotter. The air filled with steam and their bodies seemed to blend as the water coursed over their shoulders. Anna sighed happily against his neck. She didn’t hate him for ejaculating on her in his sleep. She wasn’t repelled. She didn’t find him revolting. Anna squeezed him tighter, then pulled back from her hug.“You can open your eyes now.” She was smiling at him. She put her finger to his lips and then grabbed the shampoo bottle. Her fingers massaged the shampoo into his scalp and his eyes rolled back in pleasure. She rubbed far longer than was needed to wash his hair, clearly enjoying his reaction. With a soapy wash cloth, she rubbed his shoulders. Her thumbs worked into his muscles as she washed down his back, down each arm, across his chest and down his belly.Without hesitation she gently held his shrunken dick and stroked it carefully with the wash cloth. It wasn’t sexual as she cleaned him, it was simply loving. She washed his bottom, his legs, and his feet, including scrubbing between each toe.She pushed him back into the hot water to rinse and held a finger up to tell him to stay there. Then she carefully shampooed her own hair, and washed her own body, making sure he was watching. Finally, she joined him in the hot stream of water and hugged him as she rinsed.When Anna turned the water off she grabbed a fresh towel and dried him carefully over his whole body before drying herself while he watched. He laughed when she used the hair dryer on him, blowing warm air all over their bodies until they were fully dry before she got a brush and started drying his hair too. She had fun styling his hair to look ridiculous, and then quickly dried her own hair too.Anna wrapped them each in bath robes to stay warm, and walked him to the kitchen. She put him in a chair and he watched while she made coffee, toast, and eggs. She sat beside him while they ate in silence, watching each other and giggling now and then.When they finished eating, she held up her finger again to tell him to stay in his chair, and then went off to the bedroom. Anna was gone only a few minutes before returning and leading him by the hand back to the bed, which now had fresh sheets. She sat beside him on the bed and smiled at him.“How are you feeling now?” Anna asked. “Better?”Jake smiled. He was clean, warm, and fed. Also, he realized, he was loved. “All better. One hundred percent better. One thousand percent better!”Anna giggled. She couldn’t seem to stop smiling.“Remember when I first asked if I could show you my breasts?”

Anna almost loses Jake, then beds him.By darrenr - Listen to the ► Podcast at Steamy Stories.Wordlessly they lay there, Anna clutching his hand as he held her. Eventually her breathing returned to normal, and her grip softened. Jake realized he had his dick pressed against her bottom in their hug, but it had softened during the past few minutes. He felt proud of himself and his soft dick. Anna was the epitome of his sexual desires, but in this moment even his perpetually rude cock recognized this was not the time to make selfish demands. It felt nice snuggled up against her soft bottom.His face resting on Anna's back, he couldn't help smiling. He had done it! He had most definitely given her something she'd never felt before.A small movement from Anna brought him out of his reverie, and he realized she was crying. In a single second his heart fell from impossible heights of blissful pride and satisfaction down into despair.“Anna, are you okay?” Jake asked, his voice small. “Did I hurt you?” For what felt like an eternity, there was no response at all. Then Anna's grip on his hand tightened, and she pulled it against her chest.“Thank you,” she said, her voice cracking. Holding his hand tight, she moved to sit up and he pulled back to give her space. She looked at him with cheeks wet with tears. “I have no idea why I'm crying. No, you didn't hurt me. You made me feel more pleasure than I ever thought possible. I don't know where all this emotion is coming from.” She leaned her head against his shoulder, and he put his free arm around her again. They sat in silence for a few minutes more. Jake's heart gradually recovered from its moment of terror, and he breathed easy again, the sweet scent of her hair in his nose.With a deep breath Anna lifted her head and looked at Jake. Still feeling elated from his success, he started to grin. This in turn made Anna smile.Making a goofy face, he said, “Well?”They both burst out laughing. Jake felt elated at what he had accomplished, giddy with delight at what they had shared, at how close he felt to Anna.When the laughter died down, Anna's face grew thoughtful. “What I just experienced, was that normal? Is that what everyone feels when they orgasm? Is that what you feel?”“I doubt I've ever experienced anything even a tenth as good as that,” Jake said. “That seemed to be in the earth-shattering category.“It really was. My legs feel weak. I can't get over how good that felt. I honestly didn't know anything like that was possible. How did you know how to do that?”He thought about all the ‘how to' videos about sex he had watched, all the guides to please a woman he had read, how he poured all his love and focus into doing the best he could for her. “I think I just got lucky.”Anna laughed. “No, I'm the one who got lucky.” She sat in silence for another moment looking at her toes.“Jake?”“Yes?”“You kissed my pussy.” It still caught him off guard when she used that word, but he liked it.“Yes. I hope you don't mind. I knew you needed more and that was my only idea,” Jake said.“Was it, was it gross?” Anna asked.“Quite the opposite,” Jake said. Of course, the truth was he was overflowing with affection for her. Confessing all that now seemed too much. He kept silent.“Anna,” Jake said quietly, “Did I hurt you?”“What on earth are you talking about?” she said.“You know, when I, when I put my finger inside.”“Oh!” she giggled. “No, it didn't hurt at all. Quite the opposite. Completely different from the doctor.”“Oh good,” Jake said, his finger remembering. Warm, snug, delicate. He felt his arousal start to grow and tried to think about something else instead.After a few minutes, Anna asked, “How tired are you?”“Oh, I'm fine.”“But it took me ages to reach the climax. You must have been getting a little tired?”“A little,” Jake admitted. “But I'm fine now.”“All recovered?”“Yes, all recovered!” Jake said, laughing at the interrogation.“Good!” Anna said, distractedly stroking the top of her thigh. “Good, I'm glad. That was an incredible thing you did for me, just an incredible thing.”“Anna, please,” Jake protested, turning his head to meet her eyes. “I enjoyed it too, you know.”Anna smiled but quickly looked away in embarrassment. “Of course, now, now it's your turn.” Anna was clearly getting nervous. “I owe you some–”“No,” Jake said a little too firmly, sitting up. “No, listen. There's nothing owed. Nothing transactional here. If some day in the future you find yourself needing to touch me, truly deeply needing it, then nothing would be more welcome. Nothing. But I've been slapping this salami and having orgasms for years. I'm fine. What's important now is you've taken a huge risk with this first step, and it was a good experience. I think you should load up on good experiences before taking more risks.”“'Good experience' rather understates things,” Anna said with a laugh.“Here's what I think,” Jake said. “No offense, but you look a bit worn out. How about I get us a snack and we watch a movie to relax?”Anna smiled. “I do feel a bit drained. That would be nice.”Jake returned with some apple slices, cheese, and crackers. Anna cued up a movie and he realized he was feeling pretty drained himself.Sometime later he awoke to find Anna still sitting with him. The movie was over. It took him a moment to notice she was looking down at his crotch.Jake must have moved a little because Anna startled, looked away, and began to get up.“What's the matter?” he asked.“Sorry, I shouldn't have been staring while you were asleep.”Jake laughed. “Are you joking? We've been naked with each other for weeks now. Why would I mind if you looked at my ugly wiener?”“I don't know,” Anna said, settling back down on the couch beside him and leaning against him. “It just felt like peeping or something.” She smiled. “I guess I was being silly.” Jake nodded and put his arm around her again, feeling her shoulders rise and fall as she breathed, enjoying how her breasts moved.“I don't think it's ugly,” Anna said after a few minutes.“Huh?”“Your penis. Your cock,” she added with a smile. “I don't think it's ugly. It got super small while you slept. I thought it was cute.”Jake felt the topic of discussion begin to swell. He whispered, “Uh oh, it knows you're talking about it.”Anna bent down close to his dick and whispered to it, “I think you're cute when you're all shrunk up small!” Then she sat back up, giggling.His dick jumped a little in response, and Anna laughed more.“Can I tell you something stupid?” Anna asked.“Of course.”“This is embarrassing, but, when your cock gets really big…” Anna looked down. In a quiet voice, she said, “I feel a little bit scared of it.”Jake immediately began to shrink. He frightened her? He moved to cover himself with his hands.“No wait,” Anna said, grabbing his arm and pulling him back down. “That's not what I meant. You didn't do anything wrong.” She pulled his hands up so his crotch was exposed again. “All I meant was it's intimidating when it gets big.”Jake thought for a moment. “I have to be honest. It's hard to not be aroused when I'm with you. But I will try!”“No,” Anna said. “No, I don't want that. This doesn't make sense, but I also like when it gets big. I feel both excited and a little afraid.” She looked down and then back into his eyes. “I guess what I mean is I appreciate how patient you're being with me. I intend to return the generosity you've shown me, but, but I'm just not ready yet.”Jake let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding. “Oh, well that's no problem. I thought we already settled this? You don’t ‘owe’ me anything.“"I know,” Anna said, “I just–”“Listen,” Jake interrupted. “Believe me. I’m having a… profoundly good time. All I can think about is hoping you’ll invite me back for another round.”“What does your schedule look like tomorrow evening?” she asked.Jake chuckled, and he felt his dick jump at the thought. “I think I can fit you in,” he said.Anna smiled, and leaned her head against his shoulder again.Unexpressed Desires.Anna didn’t like to directly ask for Jake to work his magic on her. Her face would occasionally get this hungry look that was extremely obvious, and Jake made sure to offer. As he practiced on her more and more, he became immensely proud of his growing expertise. He had learned to read her feelings, her body’s reactions, and her needs. Sometimes it was clear she needed immediate relief, and he would give it to her. Other times, his favorite times, she enjoyed dragging it out. He would bring her right to the edge, and then back away, teasing her over and over until she couldn’t stand it even one more second. When she reached that point, he would take her over the edge into an incredibly powerful orgasm that left both of them exhausted afterwards.She wasn’t ready to return the attention. Occasionally she would offer, though it clearly came from a sense of obligation. Jake wanted her to touch him out of desire, not guilt. At least he wasn’t embarrassed about being erect around her anymore. Sometimes he got that “blue balls” ache, but not often. After she left every evening, he didn’t even feel the need to masturbate anymore. He just missed her and tried to get to sleep quickly so the morning would bring her back.Jake hated hiding his true feelings from her, but he feared ruining what they had. Maybe someday he would have to confront that. He wasn’t ready.The Saturday of changes.It had been a tiring Saturday, but fun. Hiking in the nearby foothills, taking countless photos, and talking about all kinds of things. She seemed so fond of him as they explored and laughed together, he could almost believe she loved him as much as he loved her. He hoped so, at least. Lost in his thoughts, he realized Anna was talking to him as she drove them home.“It’s funny,” Anna said. “I was talking with my mom the other day and she was acting all confused about us. Apparently, I talk about you all the time and she thinks we’re actually dating. 'Mom!’ I said, 'Jake doesn’t think of me that way. We’re just good friends.’ I don’t know why she won’t let this go.”Jake felt his ears burning. HE doesn’t feel about HER that way? Feeling exhausted from the hike, he was unable to slow the emotion building in his heart.“That’s bullshit,” he said, more anger in his voice than he intended. He stared out the front window.Anna glanced at him with surprise. Jake didn’t turn toward her. He knew Anna wasn’t a malicious person, and he knew he was probably messing up everything, but it hurt.“What do you mean?” Anna asked quietly.Jake knew his anger was out of control, but he spoke anyway. “You always assume too much. Mostly I don’t mind, but you don’t get to make assumptions about my feelings, to lie to my face. It couldn’t be more obvious how I feel about you, how I’ve felt about you from the very start. I don’t expect you to love me back. You don’t owe me anything. But it would be really fucking decent of you to at least be honest that YOU set the rules. You don’t get to put words in my mouth.”Anna didn’t respond. Jake stared straight ahead. He heard some sniffling and saw her wiping her eyes. He wanted to comfort her. He hated to see her in pain, no matter the reason. But his angry heart felt better, even if he dreaded to think what he had done to their friendship.The rest of the drive home was silent. They went to their separate apartments that evening. Jake showered by himself for the first time in weeks feeling lonely and sad. Fearing he had made the biggest mistake of his life, he made it as far as the couch before breaking down in tears and crying himself to sleep beneath the throw blanket.Sometime later, Jake heard Anna’s voice. Was it a dream? His head felt heavy with sleep. In the darkness, Anna was pulling his hand.“Come on, sleepy-head, you’ll be more comfortable in bed,” she said.Her voice held no anger, only kindness. It must be a dream. He found himself in his bed. Anna climbed in beside him, her warm back snuggled up against him as she pulled his arm around her. He longed for it to be real, though he knew it couldn’t be. Anna hated him now. It was over. Jake’s mind drifted into blank despair again.Anna was smiling at him. Her face was the most beautiful thing in the world and her gaze felt like being bathed in warm sunshine. She leaned in to kiss him. In the dream logic, this wasn’t a surprise. She loved him as he loved her, and kissing him was the most natural thing in the world. Her lips touched his and he felt his heart grow and expand until it consumed the universe with their love and joy. All they needed was each other, forever. Touching her face, he was the happiest man in the world. He called out her name.“Jake,” he heard Anna’s voice, gentle and tender. “Jake, are you okay?” He felt a warm hand on his cheek.He opened his eyes and saw the light of dawn, soft on Anna’s face. What was she doing here? Genuine concern was in her eyes.“Jake, you were having a dream. Are you okay?”As he woke up more, he realized his dick felt strange. Moving his hand, he found it was on Anna’s hip, and her hip was wet. The sheets were wet. His crotch was wet. With horror he realized it had been a wet dream. The biggest, messiest wet dream of his life. And it was all over Anna.His body involuntarily jerked in panic. Tears erupted from his eyes and he started gasping, unable to speak even if he knew what to say. What was she even doing here? He couldn’t see clearly through the tears, but he had no trouble imagining the hateful look she must be giving him.“Sorry!” he blurted. “Oh god, I’m so sorry.” He started to pull back, to climb out of the bed and away from the mess, away from everything. But she gently pulled him back down beside her.“Shhhh, don’t talk,” she said. “Just look into my eyes and breathe.”Jake squeezed his eyes shut, too ashamed to look at her.“Everything’s okay, Jake,” Anna continued. “I’m here with you, and everything is okay.”Jake opened his mouth to apologize again but she put a finger over his lips before he could speak.“There’s nothing to say. Just breathe with me.”He opened his eyes and through the tears saw Anna’s kind eyes looking into his. He inhaled, and his chest jerked with a suppressed sob.“Everything’s okay, Jake. Just breathe with me.”Jake took another breath, and he managed to make it a bit smoother. Anna smiled and stroked his temple. He focused on the warmth of her hand on his face and tried to forget the shameful wet mess between them on the sheets.Eventually his breathing calmed down. Anna used her thumb to wipe the tears off his cheeks, and she smiled at him.“Now we’re going to do something silly,” Anna said, “And you’re not going to argue with me. You’re going to come with me to the shower, but first you’re going to close your eyes. Do you trust me?”Jake was puzzled but he nodded and closed his eyes. He felt her pull the cold sticky sheet off them, and then she helped him stand up. Holding him from the side, she slowly guided him, and he realized she was doing this so he wouldn’t look at the mess on the bed. He felt the shame lurch back into his heart, but at that very instant she put her hand on his chest, right over his heart, and he calmed back down.He kept his eyes closed as his feet touched the cold tile of the bathroom. He heard Anna start the shower, and then she pulled them together into the hot water. She pressed the front of her body against the front of his and squeezed him close, her head on his shoulder with her face against his neck. Her breasts were soft and comforting. Her hips pushed against his and he felt his shrunken, ashamed dick press against her thighs. He put his arms around her and returned the hug. The hot water poured over them both and he felt his body relaxing.For a few minutes they just held each other. Anna adjusted the water slightly hotter. The air filled with steam and their bodies seemed to blend as the water coursed over their shoulders. Anna sighed happily against his neck. She didn’t hate him for ejaculating on her in his sleep. She wasn’t repelled. She didn’t find him revolting. Anna squeezed him tighter, then pulled back from her hug.“You can open your eyes now.” She was smiling at him. She put her finger to his lips and then grabbed the shampoo bottle. Her fingers massaged the shampoo into his scalp and his eyes rolled back in pleasure. She rubbed far longer than was needed to wash his hair, clearly enjoying his reaction. With a soapy wash cloth, she rubbed his shoulders. Her thumbs worked into his muscles as she washed down his back, down each arm, across his chest and down his belly.Without hesitation she gently held his shrunken dick and stroked it carefully with the wash cloth. It wasn’t sexual as she cleaned him, it was simply loving. She washed his bottom, his legs, and his feet, including scrubbing between each toe.She pushed him back into the hot water to rinse and held a finger up to tell him to stay there. Then she carefully shampooed her own hair, and washed her own body, making sure he was watching. Finally, she joined him in the hot stream of water and hugged him as she rinsed.When Anna turned the water off she grabbed a fresh towel and dried him carefully over his whole body before drying herself while he watched. He laughed when she used the hair dryer on him, blowing warm air all over their bodies until they were fully dry before she got a brush and started drying his hair too. She had fun styling his hair to look ridiculous, and then quickly dried her own hair too.Anna wrapped them each in bath robes to stay warm, and walked him to the kitchen. She put him in a chair and he watched while she made coffee, toast, and eggs. She sat beside him while they ate in silence, watching each other and giggling now and then.When they finished eating, she held up her finger again to tell him to stay in his chair, and then went off to the bedroom. Anna was gone only a few minutes before returning and leading him by the hand back to the bed, which now had fresh sheets. She sat beside him on the bed and smiled at him.“How are you feeling now?” Anna asked. “Better?”Jake smiled. He was clean, warm, and fed. Also, he realized, he was loved. “All better. One hundred percent better. One thousand percent better!”Anna giggled. She couldn’t seem to stop smiling.“Remember when I first asked if I could show you my breasts?”

Nearly four years. That's how long Kouri Richins has maintained her innocence since Eric Richins died from a fentanyl overdose in March 2022. Through investigation, arrest, preliminary hearings, a children's book tour, and now a five-week trial. Robin Dreeke — former FBI behavioral analyst who spent 21 years with the Bureau including leading the Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program — explains what sustaining a lie that long actually requires, where the cracks typically appear, and what Kouri's courtroom behavior reveals.The prosecution says Kouri positioned insurance policies for years, sourced fentanyl through her housekeeper Carmen Lauber, and poisoned her husband for money. The defense says the physical evidence doesn't exist — no fentanyl found in the home, the glasses went through the dishwasher, the pill bottle wasn't tested — and the key witness is an immunized meth user whose own supplier now contradicts her.Dreeke breaks down the behavioral indicators that separate genuine shock from practiced performance. Kouri has sat composed through five days of testimony describing how she allegedly murdered her husband. That composure reads differently depending on what you're looking for. Dreeke identifies the specific micro-behaviors that would indicate which interpretation is accurate.He also assesses the witnesses. Carmen Lauber's credibility has taken hits — meth use, three immunity deals, confusion under cross. Her supplier Robert Crozier originally said fentanyl but testified Friday it was oxycodone. When witnesses have this much baggage, how do you assess what's still true? And when physical evidence is absent, at what point does behavioral evidence — the searches, the insurance, the coded requests — become more persuasive than what's missing?Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodThis publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.#KouriRichins #EricRichins #RobinDreeke #FBI #RichinsTrial #CarmenLauber #DeceptionDetection #BehavioralAnalysis #HiddenKillers #TrueCrime

Anna almost loses Jake, then beds him.By darrenr - Listen to the ► Podcast at Steamy Stories.Wordlessly they lay there, Anna clutching his hand as he held her. Eventually her breathing returned to normal, and her grip softened. Jake realized he had his dick pressed against her bottom in their hug, but it had softened during the past few minutes. He felt proud of himself and his soft dick. Anna was the epitome of his sexual desires, but in this moment even his perpetually rude cock recognized this was not the time to make selfish demands. It felt nice snuggled up against her soft bottom.His face resting on Anna's back, he couldn't help smiling. He had done it! He had most definitely given her something she'd never felt before.A small movement from Anna brought him out of his reverie, and he realized she was crying. In a single second his heart fell from impossible heights of blissful pride and satisfaction down into despair.“Anna, are you okay?” Jake asked, his voice small. “Did I hurt you?” For what felt like an eternity, there was no response at all. Then Anna's grip on his hand tightened, and she pulled it against her chest.“Thank you,” she said, her voice cracking. Holding his hand tight, she moved to sit up and he pulled back to give her space. She looked at him with cheeks wet with tears. “I have no idea why I'm crying. No, you didn't hurt me. You made me feel more pleasure than I ever thought possible. I don't know where all this emotion is coming from.” She leaned her head against his shoulder, and he put his free arm around her again. They sat in silence for a few minutes more. Jake's heart gradually recovered from its moment of terror, and he breathed easy again, the sweet scent of her hair in his nose.With a deep breath Anna lifted her head and looked at Jake. Still feeling elated from his success, he started to grin. This in turn made Anna smile.Making a goofy face, he said, “Well?”They both burst out laughing. Jake felt elated at what he had accomplished, giddy with delight at what they had shared, at how close he felt to Anna.When the laughter died down, Anna's face grew thoughtful. “What I just experienced, was that normal? Is that what everyone feels when they orgasm? Is that what you feel?”“I doubt I've ever experienced anything even a tenth as good as that,” Jake said. “That seemed to be in the earth-shattering category.“It really was. My legs feel weak. I can't get over how good that felt. I honestly didn't know anything like that was possible. How did you know how to do that?”He thought about all the ‘how to' videos about sex he had watched, all the guides to please a woman he had read, how he poured all his love and focus into doing the best he could for her. “I think I just got lucky.”Anna laughed. “No, I'm the one who got lucky.” She sat in silence for another moment looking at her toes.“Jake?”“Yes?”“You kissed my pussy.” It still caught him off guard when she used that word, but he liked it.“Yes. I hope you don't mind. I knew you needed more and that was my only idea,” Jake said.“Was it, was it gross?” Anna asked.“Quite the opposite,” Jake said. Of course, the truth was he was overflowing with affection for her. Confessing all that now seemed too much. He kept silent.“Anna,” Jake said quietly, “Did I hurt you?”“What on earth are you talking about?” she said.“You know, when I, when I put my finger inside.”“Oh!” she giggled. “No, it didn't hurt at all. Quite the opposite. Completely different from the doctor.”“Oh good,” Jake said, his finger remembering. Warm, snug, delicate. He felt his arousal start to grow and tried to think about something else instead.After a few minutes, Anna asked, “How tired are you?”“Oh, I'm fine.”“But it took me ages to reach the climax. You must have been getting a little tired?”“A little,” Jake admitted. “But I'm fine now.”“All recovered?”“Yes, all recovered!” Jake said, laughing at the interrogation.“Good!” Anna said, distractedly stroking the top of her thigh. “Good, I'm glad. That was an incredible thing you did for me, just an incredible thing.”“Anna, please,” Jake protested, turning his head to meet her eyes. “I enjoyed it too, you know.”Anna smiled but quickly looked away in embarrassment. “Of course, now, now it's your turn.” Anna was clearly getting nervous. “I owe you some–”“No,” Jake said a little too firmly, sitting up. “No, listen. There's nothing owed. Nothing transactional here. If some day in the future you find yourself needing to touch me, truly deeply needing it, then nothing would be more welcome. Nothing. But I've been slapping this salami and having orgasms for years. I'm fine. What's important now is you've taken a huge risk with this first step, and it was a good experience. I think you should load up on good experiences before taking more risks.”“'Good experience' rather understates things,” Anna said with a laugh.“Here's what I think,” Jake said. “No offense, but you look a bit worn out. How about I get us a snack and we watch a movie to relax?”Anna smiled. “I do feel a bit drained. That would be nice.”Jake returned with some apple slices, cheese, and crackers. Anna cued up a movie and he realized he was feeling pretty drained himself.Sometime later he awoke to find Anna still sitting with him. The movie was over. It took him a moment to notice she was looking down at his crotch.Jake must have moved a little because Anna startled, looked away, and began to get up.“What's the matter?” he asked.“Sorry, I shouldn't have been staring while you were asleep.”Jake laughed. “Are you joking? We've been naked with each other for weeks now. Why would I mind if you looked at my ugly wiener?”“I don't know,” Anna said, settling back down on the couch beside him and leaning against him. “It just felt like peeping or something.” She smiled. “I guess I was being silly.” Jake nodded and put his arm around her again, feeling her shoulders rise and fall as she breathed, enjoying how her breasts moved.“I don't think it's ugly,” Anna said after a few minutes.“Huh?”“Your penis. Your cock,” she added with a smile. “I don't think it's ugly. It got super small while you slept. I thought it was cute.”Jake felt the topic of discussion begin to swell. He whispered, “Uh oh, it knows you're talking about it.”Anna bent down close to his dick and whispered to it, “I think you're cute when you're all shrunk up small!” Then she sat back up, giggling.His dick jumped a little in response, and Anna laughed more.“Can I tell you something stupid?” Anna asked.“Of course.”“This is embarrassing, but, when your cock gets really big…” Anna looked down. In a quiet voice, she said, “I feel a little bit scared of it.”Jake immediately began to shrink. He frightened her? He moved to cover himself with his hands.“No wait,” Anna said, grabbing his arm and pulling him back down. “That's not what I meant. You didn't do anything wrong.” She pulled his hands up so his crotch was exposed again. “All I meant was it's intimidating when it gets big.”Jake thought for a moment. “I have to be honest. It's hard to not be aroused when I'm with you. But I will try!”“No,” Anna said. “No, I don't want that. This doesn't make sense, but I also like when it gets big. I feel both excited and a little afraid.” She looked down and then back into his eyes. “I guess what I mean is I appreciate how patient you're being with me. I intend to return the generosity you've shown me, but, but I'm just not ready yet.”Jake let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding. “Oh, well that's no problem. I thought we already settled this? You don’t ‘owe’ me anything.“"I know,” Anna said, “I just–”“Listen,” Jake interrupted. “Believe me. I’m having a… profoundly good time. All I can think about is hoping you’ll invite me back for another round.”“What does your schedule look like tomorrow evening?” she asked.Jake chuckled, and he felt his dick jump at the thought. “I think I can fit you in,” he said.Anna smiled, and leaned her head against his shoulder again.Unexpressed Desires.Anna didn’t like to directly ask for Jake to work his magic on her. Her face would occasionally get this hungry look that was extremely obvious, and Jake made sure to offer. As he practiced on her more and more, he became immensely proud of his growing expertise. He had learned to read her feelings, her body’s reactions, and her needs. Sometimes it was clear she needed immediate relief, and he would give it to her. Other times, his favorite times, she enjoyed dragging it out. He would bring her right to the edge, and then back away, teasing her over and over until she couldn’t stand it even one more second. When she reached that point, he would take her over the edge into an incredibly powerful orgasm that left both of them exhausted afterwards.She wasn’t ready to return the attention. Occasionally she would offer, though it clearly came from a sense of obligation. Jake wanted her to touch him out of desire, not guilt. At least he wasn’t embarrassed about being erect around her anymore. Sometimes he got that “blue balls” ache, but not often. After she left every evening, he didn’t even feel the need to masturbate anymore. He just missed her and tried to get to sleep quickly so the morning would bring her back.Jake hated hiding his true feelings from her, but he feared ruining what they had. Maybe someday he would have to confront that. He wasn’t ready.The Saturday of changes.It had been a tiring Saturday, but fun. Hiking in the nearby foothills, taking countless photos, and talking about all kinds of things. She seemed so fond of him as they explored and laughed together, he could almost believe she loved him as much as he loved her. He hoped so, at least. Lost in his thoughts, he realized Anna was talking to him as she drove them home.“It’s funny,” Anna said. “I was talking with my mom the other day and she was acting all confused about us. Apparently, I talk about you all the time and she thinks we’re actually dating. 'Mom!’ I said, 'Jake doesn’t think of me that way. We’re just good friends.’ I don’t know why she won’t let this go.”Jake felt his ears burning. HE doesn’t feel about HER that way? Feeling exhausted from the hike, he was unable to slow the emotion building in his heart.“That’s bullshit,” he said, more anger in his voice than he intended. He stared out the front window.Anna glanced at him with surprise. Jake didn’t turn toward her. He knew Anna wasn’t a malicious person, and he knew he was probably messing up everything, but it hurt.“What do you mean?” Anna asked quietly.Jake knew his anger was out of control, but he spoke anyway. “You always assume too much. Mostly I don’t mind, but you don’t get to make assumptions about my feelings, to lie to my face. It couldn’t be more obvious how I feel about you, how I’ve felt about you from the very start. I don’t expect you to love me back. You don’t owe me anything. But it would be really fucking decent of you to at least be honest that YOU set the rules. You don’t get to put words in my mouth.”Anna didn’t respond. Jake stared straight ahead. He heard some sniffling and saw her wiping her eyes. He wanted to comfort her. He hated to see her in pain, no matter the reason. But his angry heart felt better, even if he dreaded to think what he had done to their friendship.The rest of the drive home was silent. They went to their separate apartments that evening. Jake showered by himself for the first time in weeks feeling lonely and sad. Fearing he had made the biggest mistake of his life, he made it as far as the couch before breaking down in tears and crying himself to sleep beneath the throw blanket.Sometime later, Jake heard Anna’s voice. Was it a dream? His head felt heavy with sleep. In the darkness, Anna was pulling his hand.“Come on, sleepy-head, you’ll be more comfortable in bed,” she said.Her voice held no anger, only kindness. It must be a dream. He found himself in his bed. Anna climbed in beside him, her warm back snuggled up against him as she pulled his arm around her. He longed for it to be real, though he knew it couldn’t be. Anna hated him now. It was over. Jake’s mind drifted into blank despair again.Anna was smiling at him. Her face was the most beautiful thing in the world and her gaze felt like being bathed in warm sunshine. She leaned in to kiss him. In the dream logic, this wasn’t a surprise. She loved him as he loved her, and kissing him was the most natural thing in the world. Her lips touched his and he felt his heart grow and expand until it consumed the universe with their love and joy. All they needed was each other, forever. Touching her face, he was the happiest man in the world. He called out her name.“Jake,” he heard Anna’s voice, gentle and tender. “Jake, are you okay?” He felt a warm hand on his cheek.He opened his eyes and saw the light of dawn, soft on Anna’s face. What was she doing here? Genuine concern was in her eyes.“Jake, you were having a dream. Are you okay?”As he woke up more, he realized his dick felt strange. Moving his hand, he found it was on Anna’s hip, and her hip was wet. The sheets were wet. His crotch was wet. With horror he realized it had been a wet dream. The biggest, messiest wet dream of his life. And it was all over Anna.His body involuntarily jerked in panic. Tears erupted from his eyes and he started gasping, unable to speak even if he knew what to say. What was she even doing here? He couldn’t see clearly through the tears, but he had no trouble imagining the hateful look she must be giving him.“Sorry!” he blurted. “Oh god, I’m so sorry.” He started to pull back, to climb out of the bed and away from the mess, away from everything. But she gently pulled him back down beside her.“Shhhh, don’t talk,” she said. “Just look into my eyes and breathe.”Jake squeezed his eyes shut, too ashamed to look at her.“Everything’s okay, Jake,” Anna continued. “I’m here with you, and everything is okay.”Jake opened his mouth to apologize again but she put a finger over his lips before he could speak.“There’s nothing to say. Just breathe with me.”He opened his eyes and through the tears saw Anna’s kind eyes looking into his. He inhaled, and his chest jerked with a suppressed sob.“Everything’s okay, Jake. Just breathe with me.”Jake took another breath, and he managed to make it a bit smoother. Anna smiled and stroked his temple. He focused on the warmth of her hand on his face and tried to forget the shameful wet mess between them on the sheets.Eventually his breathing calmed down. Anna used her thumb to wipe the tears off his cheeks, and she smiled at him.“Now we’re going to do something silly,” Anna said, “And you’re not going to argue with me. You’re going to come with me to the shower, but first you’re going to close your eyes. Do you trust me?”Jake was puzzled but he nodded and closed his eyes. He felt her pull the cold sticky sheet off them, and then she helped him stand up. Holding him from the side, she slowly guided him, and he realized she was doing this so he wouldn’t look at the mess on the bed. He felt the shame lurch back into his heart, but at that very instant she put her hand on his chest, right over his heart, and he calmed back down.He kept his eyes closed as his feet touched the cold tile of the bathroom. He heard Anna start the shower, and then she pulled them together into the hot water. She pressed the front of her body against the front of his and squeezed him close, her head on his shoulder with her face against his neck. Her breasts were soft and comforting. Her hips pushed against his and he felt his shrunken, ashamed dick press against her thighs. He put his arms around her and returned the hug. The hot water poured over them both and he felt his body relaxing.For a few minutes they just held each other. Anna adjusted the water slightly hotter. The air filled with steam and their bodies seemed to blend as the water coursed over their shoulders. Anna sighed happily against his neck. She didn’t hate him for ejaculating on her in his sleep. She wasn’t repelled. She didn’t find him revolting. Anna squeezed him tighter, then pulled back from her hug.“You can open your eyes now.” She was smiling at him. She put her finger to his lips and then grabbed the shampoo bottle. Her fingers massaged the shampoo into his scalp and his eyes rolled back in pleasure. She rubbed far longer than was needed to wash his hair, clearly enjoying his reaction. With a soapy wash cloth, she rubbed his shoulders. Her thumbs worked into his muscles as she washed down his back, down each arm, across his chest and down his belly.Without hesitation she gently held his shrunken dick and stroked it carefully with the wash cloth. It wasn’t sexual as she cleaned him, it was simply loving. She washed his bottom, his legs, and his feet, including scrubbing between each toe.She pushed him back into the hot water to rinse and held a finger up to tell him to stay there. Then she carefully shampooed her own hair, and washed her own body, making sure he was watching. Finally, she joined him in the hot stream of water and hugged him as she rinsed.When Anna turned the water off she grabbed a fresh towel and dried him carefully over his whole body before drying herself while he watched. He laughed when she used the hair dryer on him, blowing warm air all over their bodies until they were fully dry before she got a brush and started drying his hair too. She had fun styling his hair to look ridiculous, and then quickly dried her own hair too.Anna wrapped them each in bath robes to stay warm, and walked him to the kitchen. She put him in a chair and he watched while she made coffee, toast, and eggs. She sat beside him while they ate in silence, watching each other and giggling now and then.When they finished eating, she held up her finger again to tell him to stay in his chair, and then went off to the bedroom. Anna was gone only a few minutes before returning and leading him by the hand back to the bed, which now had fresh sheets. She sat beside him on the bed and smiled at him.“How are you feeling now?” Anna asked. “Better?”Jake smiled. He was clean, warm, and fed. Also, he realized, he was loved. “All better. One hundred percent better. One thousand percent better!”Anna giggled. She couldn’t seem to stop smiling.“Remember when I first asked if I could show you my breasts?”

Anna almost loses Jake, then beds him.By darrenr - Listen to the ► Podcast at Steamy Stories.Wordlessly they lay there, Anna clutching his hand as he held her. Eventually her breathing returned to normal, and her grip softened. Jake realized he had his dick pressed against her bottom in their hug, but it had softened during the past few minutes. He felt proud of himself and his soft dick. Anna was the epitome of his sexual desires, but in this moment even his perpetually rude cock recognized this was not the time to make selfish demands. It felt nice snuggled up against her soft bottom.His face resting on Anna's back, he couldn't help smiling. He had done it! He had most definitely given her something she'd never felt before.A small movement from Anna brought him out of his reverie, and he realized she was crying. In a single second his heart fell from impossible heights of blissful pride and satisfaction down into despair.“Anna, are you okay?” Jake asked, his voice small. “Did I hurt you?” For what felt like an eternity, there was no response at all. Then Anna's grip on his hand tightened, and she pulled it against her chest.“Thank you,” she said, her voice cracking. Holding his hand tight, she moved to sit up and he pulled back to give her space. She looked at him with cheeks wet with tears. “I have no idea why I'm crying. No, you didn't hurt me. You made me feel more pleasure than I ever thought possible. I don't know where all this emotion is coming from.” She leaned her head against his shoulder, and he put his free arm around her again. They sat in silence for a few minutes more. Jake's heart gradually recovered from its moment of terror, and he breathed easy again, the sweet scent of her hair in his nose.With a deep breath Anna lifted her head and looked at Jake. Still feeling elated from his success, he started to grin. This in turn made Anna smile.Making a goofy face, he said, “Well?”They both burst out laughing. Jake felt elated at what he had accomplished, giddy with delight at what they had shared, at how close he felt to Anna.When the laughter died down, Anna's face grew thoughtful. “What I just experienced, was that normal? Is that what everyone feels when they orgasm? Is that what you feel?”“I doubt I've ever experienced anything even a tenth as good as that,” Jake said. “That seemed to be in the earth-shattering category.“It really was. My legs feel weak. I can't get over how good that felt. I honestly didn't know anything like that was possible. How did you know how to do that?”He thought about all the ‘how to' videos about sex he had watched, all the guides to please a woman he had read, how he poured all his love and focus into doing the best he could for her. “I think I just got lucky.”Anna laughed. “No, I'm the one who got lucky.” She sat in silence for another moment looking at her toes.“Jake?”“Yes?”“You kissed my pussy.” It still caught him off guard when she used that word, but he liked it.“Yes. I hope you don't mind. I knew you needed more and that was my only idea,” Jake said.“Was it, was it gross?” Anna asked.“Quite the opposite,” Jake said. Of course, the truth was he was overflowing with affection for her. Confessing all that now seemed too much. He kept silent.“Anna,” Jake said quietly, “Did I hurt you?”“What on earth are you talking about?” she said.“You know, when I, when I put my finger inside.”“Oh!” she giggled. “No, it didn't hurt at all. Quite the opposite. Completely different from the doctor.”“Oh good,” Jake said, his finger remembering. Warm, snug, delicate. He felt his arousal start to grow and tried to think about something else instead.After a few minutes, Anna asked, “How tired are you?”“Oh, I'm fine.”“But it took me ages to reach the climax. You must have been getting a little tired?”“A little,” Jake admitted. “But I'm fine now.”“All recovered?”“Yes, all recovered!” Jake said, laughing at the interrogation.“Good!” Anna said, distractedly stroking the top of her thigh. “Good, I'm glad. That was an incredible thing you did for me, just an incredible thing.”“Anna, please,” Jake protested, turning his head to meet her eyes. “I enjoyed it too, you know.”Anna smiled but quickly looked away in embarrassment. “Of course, now, now it's your turn.” Anna was clearly getting nervous. “I owe you some–”“No,” Jake said a little too firmly, sitting up. “No, listen. There's nothing owed. Nothing transactional here. If some day in the future you find yourself needing to touch me, truly deeply needing it, then nothing would be more welcome. Nothing. But I've been slapping this salami and having orgasms for years. I'm fine. What's important now is you've taken a huge risk with this first step, and it was a good experience. I think you should load up on good experiences before taking more risks.”“'Good experience' rather understates things,” Anna said with a laugh.“Here's what I think,” Jake said. “No offense, but you look a bit worn out. How about I get us a snack and we watch a movie to relax?”Anna smiled. “I do feel a bit drained. That would be nice.”Jake returned with some apple slices, cheese, and crackers. Anna cued up a movie and he realized he was feeling pretty drained himself.Sometime later he awoke to find Anna still sitting with him. The movie was over. It took him a moment to notice she was looking down at his crotch.Jake must have moved a little because Anna startled, looked away, and began to get up.“What's the matter?” he asked.“Sorry, I shouldn't have been staring while you were asleep.”Jake laughed. “Are you joking? We've been naked with each other for weeks now. Why would I mind if you looked at my ugly wiener?”“I don't know,” Anna said, settling back down on the couch beside him and leaning against him. “It just felt like peeping or something.” She smiled. “I guess I was being silly.” Jake nodded and put his arm around her again, feeling her shoulders rise and fall as she breathed, enjoying how her breasts moved.“I don't think it's ugly,” Anna said after a few minutes.“Huh?”“Your penis. Your cock,” she added with a smile. “I don't think it's ugly. It got super small while you slept. I thought it was cute.”Jake felt the topic of discussion begin to swell. He whispered, “Uh oh, it knows you're talking about it.”Anna bent down close to his dick and whispered to it, “I think you're cute when you're all shrunk up small!” Then she sat back up, giggling.His dick jumped a little in response, and Anna laughed more.“Can I tell you something stupid?” Anna asked.“Of course.”“This is embarrassing, but, when your cock gets really big…” Anna looked down. In a quiet voice, she said, “I feel a little bit scared of it.”Jake immediately began to shrink. He frightened her? He moved to cover himself with his hands.“No wait,” Anna said, grabbing his arm and pulling him back down. “That's not what I meant. You didn't do anything wrong.” She pulled his hands up so his crotch was exposed again. “All I meant was it's intimidating when it gets big.”Jake thought for a moment. “I have to be honest. It's hard to not be aroused when I'm with you. But I will try!”“No,” Anna said. “No, I don't want that. This doesn't make sense, but I also like when it gets big. I feel both excited and a little afraid.” She looked down and then back into his eyes. “I guess what I mean is I appreciate how patient you're being with me. I intend to return the generosity you've shown me, but, but I'm just not ready yet.”Jake let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding. “Oh, well that's no problem. I thought we already settled this? You don’t ‘owe’ me anything.“"I know,” Anna said, “I just–”“Listen,” Jake interrupted. “Believe me. I’m having a… profoundly good time. All I can think about is hoping you’ll invite me back for another round.”“What does your schedule look like tomorrow evening?” she asked.Jake chuckled, and he felt his dick jump at the thought. “I think I can fit you in,” he said.Anna smiled, and leaned her head against his shoulder again.Unexpressed Desires.Anna didn’t like to directly ask for Jake to work his magic on her. Her face would occasionally get this hungry look that was extremely obvious, and Jake made sure to offer. As he practiced on her more and more, he became immensely proud of his growing expertise. He had learned to read her feelings, her body’s reactions, and her needs. Sometimes it was clear she needed immediate relief, and he would give it to her. Other times, his favorite times, she enjoyed dragging it out. He would bring her right to the edge, and then back away, teasing her over and over until she couldn’t stand it even one more second. When she reached that point, he would take her over the edge into an incredibly powerful orgasm that left both of them exhausted afterwards.She wasn’t ready to return the attention. Occasionally she would offer, though it clearly came from a sense of obligation. Jake wanted her to touch him out of desire, not guilt. At least he wasn’t embarrassed about being erect around her anymore. Sometimes he got that “blue balls” ache, but not often. After she left every evening, he didn’t even feel the need to masturbate anymore. He just missed her and tried to get to sleep quickly so the morning would bring her back.Jake hated hiding his true feelings from her, but he feared ruining what they had. Maybe someday he would have to confront that. He wasn’t ready.The Saturday of changes.It had been a tiring Saturday, but fun. Hiking in the nearby foothills, taking countless photos, and talking about all kinds of things. She seemed so fond of him as they explored and laughed together, he could almost believe she loved him as much as he loved her. He hoped so, at least. Lost in his thoughts, he realized Anna was talking to him as she drove them home.“It’s funny,” Anna said. “I was talking with my mom the other day and she was acting all confused about us. Apparently, I talk about you all the time and she thinks we’re actually dating. 'Mom!’ I said, 'Jake doesn’t think of me that way. We’re just good friends.’ I don’t know why she won’t let this go.”Jake felt his ears burning. HE doesn’t feel about HER that way? Feeling exhausted from the hike, he was unable to slow the emotion building in his heart.“That’s bullshit,” he said, more anger in his voice than he intended. He stared out the front window.Anna glanced at him with surprise. Jake didn’t turn toward her. He knew Anna wasn’t a malicious person, and he knew he was probably messing up everything, but it hurt.“What do you mean?” Anna asked quietly.Jake knew his anger was out of control, but he spoke anyway. “You always assume too much. Mostly I don’t mind, but you don’t get to make assumptions about my feelings, to lie to my face. It couldn’t be more obvious how I feel about you, how I’ve felt about you from the very start. I don’t expect you to love me back. You don’t owe me anything. But it would be really fucking decent of you to at least be honest that YOU set the rules. You don’t get to put words in my mouth.”Anna didn’t respond. Jake stared straight ahead. He heard some sniffling and saw her wiping her eyes. He wanted to comfort her. He hated to see her in pain, no matter the reason. But his angry heart felt better, even if he dreaded to think what he had done to their friendship.The rest of the drive home was silent. They went to their separate apartments that evening. Jake showered by himself for the first time in weeks feeling lonely and sad. Fearing he had made the biggest mistake of his life, he made it as far as the couch before breaking down in tears and crying himself to sleep beneath the throw blanket.Sometime later, Jake heard Anna’s voice. Was it a dream? His head felt heavy with sleep. In the darkness, Anna was pulling his hand.“Come on, sleepy-head, you’ll be more comfortable in bed,” she said.Her voice held no anger, only kindness. It must be a dream. He found himself in his bed. Anna climbed in beside him, her warm back snuggled up against him as she pulled his arm around her. He longed for it to be real, though he knew it couldn’t be. Anna hated him now. It was over. Jake’s mind drifted into blank despair again.Anna was smiling at him. Her face was the most beautiful thing in the world and her gaze felt like being bathed in warm sunshine. She leaned in to kiss him. In the dream logic, this wasn’t a surprise. She loved him as he loved her, and kissing him was the most natural thing in the world. Her lips touched his and he felt his heart grow and expand until it consumed the universe with their love and joy. All they needed was each other, forever. Touching her face, he was the happiest man in the world. He called out her name.“Jake,” he heard Anna’s voice, gentle and tender. “Jake, are you okay?” He felt a warm hand on his cheek.He opened his eyes and saw the light of dawn, soft on Anna’s face. What was she doing here? Genuine concern was in her eyes.“Jake, you were having a dream. Are you okay?”As he woke up more, he realized his dick felt strange. Moving his hand, he found it was on Anna’s hip, and her hip was wet. The sheets were wet. His crotch was wet. With horror he realized it had been a wet dream. The biggest, messiest wet dream of his life. And it was all over Anna.His body involuntarily jerked in panic. Tears erupted from his eyes and he started gasping, unable to speak even if he knew what to say. What was she even doing here? He couldn’t see clearly through the tears, but he had no trouble imagining the hateful look she must be giving him.“Sorry!” he blurted. “Oh god, I’m so sorry.” He started to pull back, to climb out of the bed and away from the mess, away from everything. But she gently pulled him back down beside her.“Shhhh, don’t talk,” she said. “Just look into my eyes and breathe.”Jake squeezed his eyes shut, too ashamed to look at her.“Everything’s okay, Jake,” Anna continued. “I’m here with you, and everything is okay.”Jake opened his mouth to apologize again but she put a finger over his lips before he could speak.“There’s nothing to say. Just breathe with me.”He opened his eyes and through the tears saw Anna’s kind eyes looking into his. He inhaled, and his chest jerked with a suppressed sob.“Everything’s okay, Jake. Just breathe with me.”Jake took another breath, and he managed to make it a bit smoother. Anna smiled and stroked his temple. He focused on the warmth of her hand on his face and tried to forget the shameful wet mess between them on the sheets.Eventually his breathing calmed down. Anna used her thumb to wipe the tears off his cheeks, and she smiled at him.“Now we’re going to do something silly,” Anna said, “And you’re not going to argue with me. You’re going to come with me to the shower, but first you’re going to close your eyes. Do you trust me?”Jake was puzzled but he nodded and closed his eyes. He felt her pull the cold sticky sheet off them, and then she helped him stand up. Holding him from the side, she slowly guided him, and he realized she was doing this so he wouldn’t look at the mess on the bed. He felt the shame lurch back into his heart, but at that very instant she put her hand on his chest, right over his heart, and he calmed back down.He kept his eyes closed as his feet touched the cold tile of the bathroom. He heard Anna start the shower, and then she pulled them together into the hot water. She pressed the front of her body against the front of his and squeezed him close, her head on his shoulder with her face against his neck. Her breasts were soft and comforting. Her hips pushed against his and he felt his shrunken, ashamed dick press against her thighs. He put his arms around her and returned the hug. The hot water poured over them both and he felt his body relaxing.For a few minutes they just held each other. Anna adjusted the water slightly hotter. The air filled with steam and their bodies seemed to blend as the water coursed over their shoulders. Anna sighed happily against his neck. She didn’t hate him for ejaculating on her in his sleep. She wasn’t repelled. She didn’t find him revolting. Anna squeezed him tighter, then pulled back from her hug.“You can open your eyes now.” She was smiling at him. She put her finger to his lips and then grabbed the shampoo bottle. Her fingers massaged the shampoo into his scalp and his eyes rolled back in pleasure. She rubbed far longer than was needed to wash his hair, clearly enjoying his reaction. With a soapy wash cloth, she rubbed his shoulders. Her thumbs worked into his muscles as she washed down his back, down each arm, across his chest and down his belly.Without hesitation she gently held his shrunken dick and stroked it carefully with the wash cloth. It wasn’t sexual as she cleaned him, it was simply loving. She washed his bottom, his legs, and his feet, including scrubbing between each toe.She pushed him back into the hot water to rinse and held a finger up to tell him to stay there. Then she carefully shampooed her own hair, and washed her own body, making sure he was watching. Finally, she joined him in the hot stream of water and hugged him as she rinsed.When Anna turned the water off she grabbed a fresh towel and dried him carefully over his whole body before drying herself while he watched. He laughed when she used the hair dryer on him, blowing warm air all over their bodies until they were fully dry before she got a brush and started drying his hair too. She had fun styling his hair to look ridiculous, and then quickly dried her own hair too.Anna wrapped them each in bath robes to stay warm, and walked him to the kitchen. She put him in a chair and he watched while she made coffee, toast, and eggs. She sat beside him while they ate in silence, watching each other and giggling now and then.When they finished eating, she held up her finger again to tell him to stay in his chair, and then went off to the bedroom. Anna was gone only a few minutes before returning and leading him by the hand back to the bed, which now had fresh sheets. She sat beside him on the bed and smiled at him.“How are you feeling now?” Anna asked. “Better?”Jake smiled. He was clean, warm, and fed. Also, he realized, he was loved. “All better. One hundred percent better. One thousand percent better!”Anna giggled. She couldn’t seem to stop smiling.“Remember when I first asked if I could show you my breasts?”

Read OnlineJesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.” Matthew 23:1–3Why do you do what you do? Even when our actions appear good, reverent, or charitable, they can be motivated by pride. The scribes and Pharisees struggled with this very sin. They often performed their acts of piety and charity not to glorify God but to win the praise of others. They were quick to judge others while failing to practice what they preached. This hypocrisy led many to view them with disdain. Therefore, Jesus' public rebukes of the religious leaders must have consoled those who had been mistreated under their leadership. His words provided both corrections and hope for those seeking authentic faith.Jesus condemns the religious leaders more than a dozen times throughout the Gospels, making them a significant aspect of His mission. Jesus came to bring both healing and truth, and confronting hypocrisy was necessary to restore justice within the community. But why did Jesus take such a firm stance against them? Wouldn't it have been easier to seek peace and unity through kindness, avoiding conflict and division?It's important to understand that true kindness is a fruit of charity. But for kindness to be truly charitable, it must always seek the good of the other. Charity is not merely about making people feel good; it is rooted in divine truth. If Jesus had simply said, “We should be nice to the scribes and Pharisees, no matter what,” this would not have been true charity. Jesus' rebukes sought to awaken the religious leaders from their spiritual blindness and protect the people from their harmful example. True charity often requires correction.In our own lives, we must also examine our motivations. Are our acts of piety and charity truly for the glory of God, or are they done to be seen and praised by others? When we embrace the Gospel, we must accept that we might sometimes hear uncomfortable truths. Genuine love does not shy away from correction but seeks the ultimate good of the other, even when it challenges us to change. Therefore, we must see ourselves as the scribes and Pharisees, needing rebuke and correction.Additionally, there are times when God uses us to correct others out of love. Parents do this for their children, guiding them with patience and tenderness so they may grow in virtue. In the same way, teachers are called to instruct their students, imparting knowledge and forming their character with care and wisdom. Spiritual directors, priests, and confessors gently guide souls on the path to holiness, helping them to discern areas of growth and sin, always in the light of God's mercy and truth.Reflect today on Jesus' charitable words to the scribes and Pharisees. First, hear Jesus' words spoken to you. Humble yourself so you are open to such loving rebukes. Allow yourself to become more aware of your pride and self-righteousness so that you can change. Also, be open to how God might want to use you to confront others charitably. While Jesus alone is the Judge, He sometimes uses us as instruments of His judgment for those open to hearing His voice through us. Humbly consider this role, allowing God to use you as He wills. Always speak with gentleness and love, imparting the hard truth another needs to hear, never with cruelty or harshness.My just Lord, Your just judgments flow from the unfathomable charity within Your Sacred Heart. You desire all men to be saved and to turn to You. Please humble me so that I never reject Your just judgments but receive them with joy so that I may repent and grow closer to You. I also place myself at Your service as an instrument of Your justice for others in accordance with Your will. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Jesus wakes lazarus by Robert Wilhelm Ekman  Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

En me proposant de l'accompagner acheter un cadeau pour son mari, à Paris, Pauline m'a offert un bel épisode que, comme un papillon, je n'ai eu qu'à dérouler pour vous l'offrir.  Cet épisode est très intéressant pour plusieurs raisons : - il se passe à Paris, à deux pas de la place des Victoires,  - j'accompagne Pauline pour une vraie course parisienne,  - vous allez entendre une interaction dans un magasin parisien et ainsi mettre au défi votre oreille de plusieurs niveaux de compréhension,  - vous allez découvrir un magasin original pour un cadeau original,  - le subjonctif est présent dans cet épisode ! Donner une autre dimension à votre français en recevant mes Lettres parisiennes, www.onethinginafrenchday.com

How do you turn a teenage passion for VWs into a global automotive empire?In this episode of 9WERKS Radio, Lee and Andy are joined by Barney Dines, the CEO of Heritage Parts Centre, as the company celebrates a monumental 40th anniversary. Barney shares the "Driven Not Hidden" origins of his career—from restoring his first VW Beetle at just 15 years old to leading one of the world's most respected Porsche and VW parts suppliers.We dive deep into Barney's personal garage, including why he considers his Porsche 997 to be the finest car he's ever owned and his ambitious future plans to resurrect a 550 Spyder and get it back on the road where it belongs.But it's not just about the stories; we get into the "nitty-gritty" of Porsche maintenance and modification. Barney settles the debate on OEM vs. Genuine vs. Patent (Aftermarket) parts, explaining when to save and when to spend to ensure your Porsche stays in peak condition.In this episode:The Heritage Story: How a passion project became a 40-year business success.The 15-Year-Old's Restoration: Barney's first Beetle and the lessons it taught him.The 997 Verdict: Why the 997 is the "Goldilocks" 911 for the CEO of a parts giant.The 550 Spyder Project: Bringing a legend back to the road.The Parts Masterclass: Understanding the difference between Genuine, OEM, and Patent parts.Building a Brand: How Heritage Parts Centre has evolved since 1986.Find your dream Porsche on the 9WERKS Marketplace: 9werks.co.uk/marketplace Thanks to our friends heritagepartscentre.com for sponsoring this podcast, get up to 10% off your basket by entering the code ‘9WERKS10' at the checkout on heritagepartscentre.com‘9WERKS Radio' @9werks.radio is your dedicated Porsche and car podcast, taking you closer than ever to the world's finest sports cars and the culture and history behind them.The show is brought to you by 9werks.co.uk, the innovative online platform for Porsche enthusiasts. Hosted by Porsche Journalist Lee Sibley @9werks_lee, and 911 owner and engineer Andy Brookes @993andy, with special input from friends and experts around the industry, including you, our valued listeners.If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support us by joining the 9WERKS Driven Not Hidden Collective you can do so by hitting the link below, your support would be greatly appreciated.Support the show

March 3, 2026Daily Devotional:"More than Words"1 John 3:18“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” We live in a world of "cheap talk." It's incredibly easy to double-tap a post, send a heart emoji, or tell someone, "I'm thinking of you," without actually moving a muscle. While kind words have their place, the Apostle John, often called the "Apostle of Love" challenges us to move past the surface. At its core, this verse means that love is a verb, not just a feeling or a claim. The apostle John isn't saying that our words don't matter; he's saying they aren't enough. Genuine love which is the agape kind isn't just a sentiment or a poetic phrase; it is a choice that costs something. It's the difference between saying "I'm sorry you're hungry" and actually sharing your lunch. The ultimate example of this is the Cross. God didn't just shout "I love you" from the heavens; He stepped into our mess, took on human flesh, and demonstrated His love through the most radical action in history. If the Creator of the universe proves His love through action, we- as His children are called to do the same. To love "in truth" means to be sincere. It means our external actions match our internal claims. Ask yourself today; Is there someone I've promised to help but haven't followed through with? Does my "love" disappear when it becomes inconvenient or expensive? How can I make my affection visible to someone who is struggling right now? The challenge is don't just tell someone you care today. Show them. Whether it's a tangible gift, a sacrifice of your time, or completing a chore for a weary brethren in need let your actions do the talking. When your life is marked by tangible acts of kindness and sacrifice, it serves as "proof" to your own heart that your faith is alive and real. It moves Christianity from a philosophy in the head to a transformation of the hands.

What will the fruit of your life be? This Lent, we're challenged to look beyond appearances and examine what's really growing in our hearts.Jesus didn't just flip tables in the temple—He exposed the difference between religious performance and genuine faith. Like a fig tree full of leaves but bearing no fruit, we can look spiritually healthy on the outside while remaining empty within. But Christ calls us deeper. He asks: Is your life producing the fruit of love for God and others, or just selfishness? Praise and gratitude, or bitterness? Genuine faith, or just the appearance of it?The good news? Jesus said in John 15 that when we remain connected to Him, we WILL bear much fruit. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. This Lent, let's stay rooted in the Vine and allow His life to flow through us, producing fruit that lasts.

Do you know what the Bible says is the ultimate mark of authentic spirituality? Do you have it? And why is it so important? Those are the questions we'll explore this Sunday as we continue our sermon series called "By Their Fruits You Will Know Them: 8 Core Characteristics of Authentic Followers of Jesus."

Ep. 434 Responding to the Work of Jesus The Supremacy of Christ Hebrews 13:15-19 Because of all that Jesus has done for us, we don't remain passive — we respond. In this passage, we see four clear ways believers are called to live in light of Christ's finished work. 1️⃣ Offer Continual Praise & Thanksgiving Hebrews 13:15 reminds us that our worship is not occasional — it is continual. Through Christ, we offer the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name. Our gratitude is expressed in worship, bold proclamation, joyful thanksgiving, and faithful witness (Psalm 107:22; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Peter 3:15). 2️⃣ Offer Compassion and Care True worship overflows into tangible love. Hebrews 13:16 teaches that doing good and sharing with others are sacrifices pleasing to God. Genuine faith expresses itself in compassion, generosity, hospitality, and practical holiness (1 John 4:20; James 1:27; Romans 12:13). 3️⃣ Comply With Your Leaders God has appointed spiritual leaders to shepherd His people. Hebrews 13:17 calls believers to obey and submit, recognizing that leaders will give an account before the Lord. We are to remember, consider, and imitate faithful leadership (Hebrews 13:7; Ezekiel 3:17; Jeremiah 13:20). 4️⃣ Offer Prayers for a Clear Conscience Hebrews 13:18 highlights the importance of prayer for spiritual integrity. We pray for boldness in proclaiming the gospel and for lives marked by honor and a clean conscience before God and man (Ephesians 6:18-19; 2 Thessalonians 3:1; Acts 24:16; 1 Peter 3:15-16). Join us as we study how to respond rightly to the finished work of Christ — with praise, love, obedience, and prayer.

Love is what makes the invisible God, visible to the world. Jesus never wanted incarnation to stop at his ascension. God longs to live incarnate in you and me. Join us this week as we continue our Genuine sermon series, walking through 1 John—a letter written to a weary church longing for clarity, confidence, and truth. This week, Pastor Tara VinCross brings us a message titled Let Us Love, exploring the challenging and moving truth of 1 John 4:7-21, we love because God first loved us. Join us for live worship every Saturday at 9 am and 11:45 am in Grand Terrace. Our address is 22633 Barton Rd, Grand Terrace CA, 92313--hope to see you soon! Connect with us: Instagram: @azurehills Facebook: Azure Hills Church Website: azurehills.org Podcasts: Spotify/Apple/PodBean @Azure Hills SDA Church Online Giving: If you would like to support Azure Hills Church and its ministries, visit Adventist Giving: https://adventistgiving.org/#/org/ANP... https://adventistgiving.org/#/org/ANPMBQ/envelope/start

What if you didn't just hope you were saved — but knew it? Not a fragile wish, but a deep, settled, unshakeable certainty. Join us this week as we conclude our Genuine sermon series, walking through 1 John — a letter written to a weary church longing for clarity, confidence, and truth. This week, Pastor Tara VinCross brings us a message titled That You May Know, exploring 1 John 5:13-21. John wrote these words so that you may know you possess eternal life, right here, right now.  It's not the cold knowledge of facts. It's the lived, rooted, unshakeable confidence that eternal life is not just a future promise — it is yours right now.

Learn, Understand and Master the LANGUAGE of WOMEN

2/26/26. Five Minutes in the Word scriptures for today: 2 Corinthians 12:15. Genuine Pastoral Love. Resources: biblehub.com; logos.com; ChatGPT; Faithlife Study Bible. Listen daily at 10:00 am CST on https://kingdompraiseradio.com. November 2021 Podchaser list of "60 Best Podcasts to Discover!" LISTEN, LIKE, FOLLOW, SHARE! #MinutesWord; @MinutesWord; #dailybiblestudy #dailydevotional #Christian_podcaster Podcast website: https://www.hwscott.net/podcast.php https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK9zaXqv64YaCjh88XIJckA/videos https://m.youtube.com/@hhwscott

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

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

There's something about Jivika… you feel it the moment she begins to speak. Calm. Centered. Genuine.This week on Year of Yes, we sit with Jivika Chugani - physiotherapist, certified yoga instructor, devoted wife, proud mother of two daughters, philanthropist, speaker and a Barbadian who has lovingly called Jamaica home for 23 years.She opens up about building a life of service, raising her girls with intention, balancing career and family, and staying rooted in purpose while pouring into others. Her presence is warm, grounded, and - as you'll hear - sprinkled with just the right touch of humour.

This episode considers the problem of resistance to change from psychological and mythological viewpoints. While we are facing radical changes that threaten both nature and culture, we are also challenged by the dilemma of human resistance to change at both personal and collective levels. The issue is not simply a lack of commitment to change. Rather, resistance arises precisely where we have the best intentions to change. The problem becomes all the more difficult as we may not be aware of our resistance because it occurs at an unconscious level. Attempts to meaningfully change can feel like an internal struggle between opposing parts of ourselves; one part that overtly wants change and another part that covertly works against it.     What some psychologists call an internal "competing commitment" or a subconscious "immunity to change" was once known as the fatal flaw that leads us away from our soul's natural goal of transformation and spiritual realization. In terms of mythic imagination, each soul has an original intention waiting to be found and a life dream waiting to awaken. And each soul also has its fatal flaw, a kind of reverse attitude that works against that original intention.     Genuine transformation develops from the inside out. Thus, when change becomes essential, not just for ourselves, but also for life on earth, we are called to awaken to the true aims of our authentic selves as well as to the fatal flaws that work against meaningful change, both personally and collectively.     Thank you for listening to and supporting Living Myth. You can hear Michael Meade live by joining his free online event "Finding Ways to Make a Change" on Thursday, March 5.   Register and learn more at mosaicvoices.org/events.      You can further support this podcast by becoming a member of Living Myth Premium. Members receive bonus episodes each month, access to the full archives of over 740 episodes and a 30% discount on all events, courses and book and audio titles.   Learn more and join this community of listeners at patreon.com/livingmyth     Along with these free weekly podcasts, you can now read free weekly essays and long form posts by Michael Meade on Substack. Learn more and subscribe at michaeljmeade.substack.com     If you enjoy this podcast, we appreciate you leaving a review wherever you listen and sharing it with your friends. On behalf of Michael Meade and the whole Mosaic staff, we wish you well and thank you for your support of our work.

Forget the opening statements. Forget the attorneys' spin. In this episode, we go straight to the source — the two recordings that captured Kouri Richins in the hours after Eric Richins was found dead in their bed.First, the 911 call. Placed at 3:21 a.m. on March 4, 2022. Kouri is crying hard. She can barely form sentences. She tells the dispatcher her husband isn't breathing, that he's cold, that she doesn't know what happened. When asked about CPR, she says she doesn't know how. The defense played this for the jury and called it the sound of a wife becoming a widow. But the prosecution says Kouri first accessed her phone at 3:06 a.m. That's fifteen minutes before she dialed 911. What was happening during those fifteen minutes?Then, Deputy Nguyen's bodycam footage. Kouri is on camera answering law enforcement questions while paramedics attempt to resuscitate Eric in the background. She appears distraught. She recounts celebratory drinks around 9 p.m., going to sleep in her son's room, and finding Eric cold when she came back to the bedroom. She tells officers he may have taken a THC gummy. Her mother Lisa Darden arrives and brings up an allergy shot Eric had the day before. Nobody at that scene — not the deputies, not the medics, not the family — knew fentanyl was in his system. Deputies were wondering if it was an aneurysm.We break it all down. The tone. The body language. The details she volunteers. The details she doesn't. And then we hand it to you. What do you see when you watch this footage? Genuine grief or something else? We want your take in the comments.Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodThis publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.#KouriRichins #KouriRichins911Call #BodycamFootage #EricRichins #KouriRichinsTrial #HiddenKillers #FentanylPoisoning #TrueCrime #SummitCounty #MurderTrial

SHOW LINKSSelf-Paced Resources:Subscribe To The Interview Podcast: https://yourlevelfitness.com/podcastNew To The YLF Philosophy? Start Here: ylf30.comDaily Accountability And Structure For Your Self-Paced Inside/Out Process: https://yourlevelfitness.com/daily-emailQ&A Response YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjSupgaY5KA66MD2IdmCwFhLFbDe-pk1lIndividualized Guidance From DarylCompare All Service Levels: https://yourlevelfitness.com/coachingGet Your Merch, Mugs and Wall QuotesShop The Current Collections: https://yourlevelfitness.shop/collectionsEPISODE DESCRIPTIONIn this episode of The Daryl Perry Podcast, I dig into something we all feel but do not always slow down enough to examine. The difference between the people who are around you and the people who are truly there for you.We all go through ups and downs. Some seasons feel light and energized. Others feel like a pile of stress dropped right on top of us. In those heavier seasons, what we really want is not advice, not a solution, not a lecture. We want someone to rally around us. We want someone to simply be there.You will hear a lot online about how the real ones show up when you are struggling. That is true. But I believe something deeper. I believe we all have the capacity to be that person. The challenge is not whether we care. The challenge is whether we have created enough internal space to actually show up.When you are overwhelmed, reacting all day long, and filled to the brim with your own stress, it becomes difficult to notice who around you needs support. This is why I talk so much about operating from a calm headspace and moving at a deliberate pace. When your thoughts slow down, when you are more grounded, you become more aware. And awareness makes connection possible.We live in a fast moving world full of constant access and distraction. Genuine connection can get lost in the noise. Not everyone will have the same level of access to you in every season of your life. That is normal. Some people are close for a chapter. Some stay longer. The key is recognizing who you can truly be there for and who can truly be there for you.This applies far beyond fitness. But it also applies directly to it. When you are connected to yourself from the inside/out, you approach your health, your relationships, and your responsibilities differently. You move from intention instead of reaction.If this episode resonates with you, subscribe, rate, and review the show. Share it with someone who comes to mind. And as always, email me your thoughts at daryl@yourlevelfitness.com. I always want to hear from you.

What does holiness look like? J.C. Ryle explains:True sanctification then does not consist in talk about religion.True sanctification does not consist in temporary religious feelings.True sanctification does not consist in outward formalism and external devoutness.Sanctification does not consist in retirement from our place in life, and the renunciation of our social duties.Sanctification does not consist in the occasional performance of right actions. (p. 32)Genuine sanctification will show itself in habitual respect to God's law, and habitual effort to live in obedience to it as the rule of life.Genuine sanctification will show itself in an habitual endeavor to do Christ's will, and to live by His practical precepts.Genuine sanctification will show itself in an habitual desire to live up to the standard which St. Paul sets before the churches in his writings.Genuine sanctification will show itself in habitual attention to the active graces which our Lord so beautifully exemplified, and especially to the grace of charity.Genuine sanctification, in the last place, will show itself in habitual attention to the passive graces of Christianity.For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. Every weekday at 3:30 am and 7:30 am you can listen to The Gospel for Life on KSPD 94.5 FM and 790 AM Boise's Solid Talk in the Treasure Valley, Idaho, USA. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them. Phone: (208) 991-3526E-mail: thegospelforlifeidaho@gmail.comPodcast website: https://www.790kspd.com/gospel-for-life/

Creating Engaged Employees and Loyal Customers   Shep interviews Stephen Baer, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Engagency. He talks about his new book,  Stickology, and how building strong emotional connections and engaging both employees and customers leads to lasting loyalty.  This episode of Amazing Business Radio with Shep Hyken answers the following questions and more:    How does internal employee engagement influence external customer experience?  Why is it important for organizations to go beyond surface-level personalization in delivering customer experiences?  How can companies strike the right balance between friendly service and convenience to create lasting loyalty?  How can organizations move from transactional interactions to building relationships with their customers?  Why is it essential to invest in employee experience to drive customer satisfaction?  Top Takeaways:    Internal engagement is the foundation of strong customer loyalty. What happens inside your organization is always felt by your customers on the outside. If your employees are engaged, respected, and motivated, customers feel that in every interaction with your brand.   When organizations invest in their people, the result is better service and stronger customer relationships because empowered employees have the confidence to go above and beyond for customers.   Engagement isn't just good for workplace culture. It's good for business. Companies that focus on both employee and customer engagement see more revenue, higher employee and customer retention, and outpace their competitors.   It's easy to form a connection, but lasting loyalty requires deeper engagement. Connections made quickly can fall apart just as fast if the next interactions are inconsistent. Genuine engagement takes time and is operationalized so it ingrained in the culture and felt in every interaction.  Personalization by itself, even when powered by advanced technology, is not enough to build lasting loyalty. Relying on algorithms alone will expose a brand to being outgrown by its customers or out-innovated by its competitors. Customers stick with brands that make them feel emotionally connected and valued. Human elements, not just algorithms, are what creates long-term fans.   Convenience is no longer a unique advantage. It is an expectation. Today's customers want easy, seamless interactions everywhere they shop. To stand out, businesses need to pair convenience with authentic, memorable service.   Customers are going to talk about their experience with a company. When employees are engaged, they create advocates, customers who often spend more, and are more likely to recommend the business to others.   Plus, Stephen shares more insights from his book, Stickology: How to Build Unbreakable Connections with Employees and Customers for Life. Tune in!  Quote:   "It's not just about connecting. It's about building a relationship. It's about making that person feel seen, heard, valued, and empowered, whether they are a customer or an employee. It takes time, but the bond holds together stronger."  About:    Stephen Baer is the author of Stickology: How to Build Unbreakable Connections with Employees and Customers for Life, and the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Engagency.  He has 30 years of experience in behavioral science and engagement from leadership roles at companies such as The Game Agency, Atari, and GE.  Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert, New York Times bestselling author, award-winning keynote speaker, and host of Amazing Business Radio.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Info On the back of getting some less-than-great sales outreach on LinkedIn, I thought it would be a great moment to share some more sales advice for startup founders and service or solution providers out there looking to sell into or partner with insurers. This is a follow up the episode I did in Season 7 on the subject, which you can check out at https://future-of-insurance.com/podcast/vendoradvice/.  I'll also be taking a few weeks off from posting new episodes of the show, which makes a great chance for you to catch up on the back catalogue of episodes from all 7.5 seasons (there are 190 episodes of this show so far!). Also, if you're interested in claims or the complexities of coverage discussed in a really entertaining and educational format, check out What's The Scenario from PLRB, available on PLRB's website (membership required), or free for anyone on all the top podcasting platforms and in video format on YouTube. Episode Overview: Key Principles: Industry Foundation: Insurance is a caring, people-driven industry. Genuine intent to help is crucial. Clarity Over Buzzwords: Avoid vague language and jargon ("next generation solutions," "AI"). Be specific about the problem you solve and your solution. Respect Time: Generic, time-wasting outreach is detrimental. Be upfront, honest, and clear. Authenticity Wins: Genuine, dedicated individuals who focus on solving real problems build impactful businesses. Relationship Driven: Success in insurance relies on trust and authentic connections. Actionable Advice for Sellers: Clearly state the problem you solve and your solution. Be direct and avoid unnecessary buzzwords. Communicate genuinely and respectfully. Understand your audience's needs. This episode is brought to you by The Future of Insurance book series (future-of-insurance.com) from Bryan Falchuk. Follow the podcast at future-of-insurance.com/podcast for more details and other episodes. Music courtesy of Hyperbeat Music, available to stream or download on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music and more.

Arsenal travelled to Tottenham on Sunday and got their Premier League title challenge back on track with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over their North London rivals.The result leaves Spurs sitting in 16th in the table and 4 points above the relegation zone. Given their current form, is the prospect of relegation now very real?Elsewhere on Sunday, violence erupted in Guadalajara after the leader of the Mexican cartel known as "El Mencho" was killed. Should they qualify, Ireland's first group game for the 2026 World Cup will be in Guadalajara. Are more questions being raised about the suitability of the location of this year's tournament, and are we likely to see fewer fans at games due to unrest?Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer with The Independent, speaks to Mat on The Last Word.Hit the 'Play' button on this page to hear the piece.

Worship is not just about what we do. It's about how we come before God.In this episode of Kitchen Table Theology, Pastor Jeff Cranston and Tiffany continue the Practical Theology series by exploring four essential attitudes that shape true worship: joy, wholeheartedness, faith, and reverent fear.Many believers attend church, sing the songs, and participate in the service. Yet Scripture makes clear that God is not after outward performance. He looks at the heart. This conversation unpacks what it means to approach God with the right inner posture and how the Holy Spirit forms these attitudes in us as we draw near to Christ.What We Discussed02:10 Worship Is More Than SingingWorship is the offering of ourselves to God. Scripture calls us not only to worship, but to worship with the right heart.03:00 Joy and Gladness in WorshipPsalm 100 commands believers to come before the Lord with joy. This joy is a settled gladness rooted in the gospel and in what God has done for us.05:30 Joy Is Rooted in RedemptionChristians worship joyfully because they have been rescued, forgiven, and adopted. Worship flows from gratitude for grace.07:00 Wholeheartedness, Not Empty RoutineColossians 3:23 reminds us to do everything heartily as unto the Lord. Worship without heart becomes mechanical and insincere.10:15 Worship Requires FaithHebrews teaches that we draw near in full assurance of faith. Worship is grounded in confidence that we truly have access to God through Christ.11:30 Access Through the Finished Work of JesusOur confidence in worship does not come from how well we performed this week. It rests entirely on Christ's finished work on the cross.12:45 Reverent Fear and Holy AweBiblical fear is not terror. It is reverence, awe, and deep respect. Joy reminds us God is our Father. Reverence reminds us He is holy.14:30 Joy and Reverence Are Not OppositesTrue worship holds both together. We approach God with gladness and with humility, recognizing both His grace and His holiness.16:00 The Spirit Produces These AttitudesJoy, faith, sincerity, and reverence are not manufactured by willpower. They are cultivated by the Holy Spirit as we draw near to Christ.17:30 Preparing Your Heart Before SundayWorship begins before the service starts. Reflecting on the gospel, confessing sin, and quieting the heart prepares us to approach God thoughtfully and sincerely.19:00 Worship Is an OfferingEvery time we gather, we bring something invisible but precious: our heart. God sees it.“Worship is not a performance to evaluate. It is an offering we present to God.” – Pastor Jeff Cranston

Real ethics is not a dogmatic system of principles, parameters, or prerogatives that one must strictly follow to achieve enlightenment. They instead constitute psychological ways of being that permeate our mind stream, atmosphere, relationships, and communities. By modifying our conditioned states of mind and curtailing states that produce suffering, we in turn ennoble ourselves and the people we interact with. However, such steps require diligent work in the techniques of mindfulness, self-observation, and self-remembering. See how through an exploration of ethics in the three levels of religion; energy as applied to attention and karma; comprehension in meditation as opposed to repression or justification; voluntary mental discipline vs. imposed systems of constraint; the tools and methods of self-reflection and understanding; methods of analyzing the mind; the nature of good and evil; and much more. Resources and References: https://chicagognosis.org/lectures/carefulness-and-vigilant Introspection-the-ethics-that-lead-to-genuine-freedom

How can we become even stronger in our walk with Christ? Strengthen the things that are already strong.

How can we become even stronger in our walk with Christ? Strengthen the things that are already strong.

Jesus enters into the temple and overturns the table, ultimately overturning the temple itself and showing us how true worship centers now on him

Almost all of us will pray when life becomes chaotic, but why wait that long to express heartfelt prayers?  In "Genuine Prayer" Pastor John reminds us that God is always with us, with His wisdom, encouragement, and provision to prepare you for wherever He calls you.  Hopefully, nothing as dramatic as Jonah's experience, but He is there just like He was for Jonah.Support the show

Welcome to 听故事说中文, the podcast where stories come alive to help you improve your Chinese language proficiency and cultural competency. Have you ever felt like someone was watching you? For Pipi, a 32-year-old working in Beijing, that feeling became a literal reality overnight. Her company, struggling with declining profits, decided to install high-tech AI surveillance—cameras that don't just record video, but analyze exactly how long you're at your desk and even if you look like you're daydreaming. Management hoped this "digital boss" would spark a new wave of productivity. Instead, the office went silent. Genuine collaboration was replaced by anxiety and a quiet, collective resistance known as "lying flat." In today's episode, we follow Pipi as she navigates an environment where trust has been replaced by algorithms. It's a fascinating look at the modern workplace, the limits of technology, and the universal human need for dignity. Let's dive into the story and see why Pipi believes that true efficiency can't be forced by a camera. —Rui and Simeng ************************************************************ Support Our Podcast If our podcast brings value to your life and you'd like to help us continue creating great content, consider becoming a patron for as little as $7 a month. As a patron, you will enjoy: ✨ Ad-free episodes for an uninterrupted listening experience.

Pokemon Go-stopp på Epsteins ö. Alla hjärtans dag med massage. Sofia dansar hela natten med en ung man..Ny säsong av, eller Semlornas värld. Är Bianca kär? Vad irriterar sig ADHD människor på? Och kan vi städa fast det är Eldhästens år? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Abbie Fink and Adrian McIntyre discuss the intricacies of communicating with journalists and the public in the midst of the criminal investigation in Tucson, Arizona into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of journalist and television host Savannah Guthrie.They explore the responsibilities and pressures faced by local public information officers and other official spokespeople who find themselves in the national spotlight during high-profile cases.Their conversation touches on the balance between transparency and investigative confidentiality, the importance of maintaining control over the narrative, the need for authenticity in public statements, and the ethical responsibilities of journalists covering such stories.Read the transcript and notes for this episode on our website.Key TakeawaysIn a crisis involving sensitive criminal investigations, public information officers must balance the need to keep the public informed with the necessity of not compromising the investigation.The competitive nature of media often drives sensationalized coverage, which can complicate the role of spokespersons and influence public perception.Genuine, less polished performances by spokespersons can sometimes foster public trust more effectively than highly rehearsed statements.Journalists face challenges in remaining ethical and responsible while meeting the demand for continuous updates.Even in challenging situations, valuable lessons can be drawn that enhance future crisis communication strategies.Follow the podcastIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow Copper State of Mind in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other podcast app. We publish new episodes every other Friday. Just pick your preferred podcast player from this link, open the app, and click the button to “Follow” the show: https://copperstateofmind.show/listen Need to hire a PR firm? We demystify the process and give you some helpful advice in Episode 19: "How to Hire a Public Relations Agency in Arizona: Insider Tips for Executives and Marketing Directors." CreditsCopper State of Mind, hosted by Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre, is brought to you by HMA Public Relations, a full-service public relations firm in Phoenix, AZ.The show is recorded and produced by the team at Speed of Story, a strategic communications consultancy for PR agencies and marketing firms, and distributed by PHX.fm, the leading independent B2B podcast network in Arizona.If you like this podcast, you might also enjoy PRGN Presents: PR News & Views from the Public Relations Global Network, featuring conversations about strategic communications, marketing, and PR from PRGN, "the world's local public relations agency.”

Full 2026 National Tour On Sale Now: https://linktr.ee/billy.darcy Check out my stand-up special 'Gamble Responsibly': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HDlhDBPWMw&t=33s Winter Olympics backlash (not my fault) I am now a Guzman Y Gomez Member (my fault) Kid playing cricket blows up in front of me Changing gender norms on Valentines Day In the Members stand for Australia vs India Condoms run out almost immediately at Winter Olympics Karl Stefanovic's new political agenda what People on MAFS are either rooting heaps or not at all Indigenous All Star game used my idea for quarters Kevin Walters is a scorned ex-lover Genuine psychosis surrounding Steve Smith's continued non-selection New Episode every Thursday! Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJscnfTTW_-aO5D81Xi22yw? Facebook: www.facebook.com/billydarcy1 Instagram: www.instagram.com/billy.darcy Music: 'In the Clouds' by RENNANSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ministry is often treated as a title, but it is meant to be an act of service. Continuing the theme of devotion, this episode features Josh Rowand, a man with extensive experience in ministry. Once serving for himself while hiding a life of sin, he now knows that ministry involves much more than image and being busy – it's about helping others in humility, sincerity, and a faith that is actively lived out rather than merely spoken.  

Sunday evening message from the pulpit of Falls Baptist Church

In moments of frustration, we can often say things without really thinking about their impact. The Book of James reminds us that our words matter! When we trust God to transform us from within, we must remember that every word we say reflects our changing hearts. Genuine faith calls us to pause and really consider the weight of our conversations. Speaker: Dr. Peter Tan-ChiSeries: Real FaithScripture: James 3:1-12Watch the full message here: https://go.ccf.org.ph/02152026Eng

Charlie Fisher joins Keith and Joe at the Total Seal booth at PRI 2025. Charlie tells some stories from his legendary career. With innovations from drag racing to sprint cars there is no shortage. Ultimately, ring seal and how to tune the SB2 take center stage. A couple of Jim Head stories from the NHRA world, and an innovation from Indy Car and Bobby Rahal make this a must listen interview with Charlie.

This week it's just Teddo and Stormraige and we actually talk about Hearthstone... like a LOT of Hearthstone. There's a new expansion, there's some EXCELLENT new mechanics. There's bunches of fun to be had and we're gonna do our best to have it all! Here is the newsletter I write that releases every Sunday morning! https://stormraige.substack.com/ Logo Created By: Nate Wolfe. Modifications by Gingersaurous Theme Song By: Se7enist. https://open.spotify.com/artist/5kmsQa4jBfiUwWLqOp64GX? You can buy merch here: https://blizzlet.myspreadshop.com/all

Patrick begins with gratitude over the successful pledge drive and quickly connects with listeners, greeting seven-year-old Lillian from California and fielding her thoughtful questions on Catholic camp options and Lent’s rituals. He fields questions on confession, tradition, and even the origin of Ash Wednesday ashes, mixing humor, personal stories, and Church teaching as he moves from summer camp memories to matters of faith and practice. Genuine conversation flows, moving from a child's curiosity to lifelong Catholic concerns, as Patrick offers clear, encouraging guidance for each caller. Lilian (7-years-old) - We just started watching the Waltons. Why can't we receive the Sacraments during Lent? (01:39) Jacob (email) - How come we are not supposed to take Jesus literally when he says, “pluck your eye out”, but we do take Jesus literally when he says “this is my body” during the last supper? (09:52) Joe - What do I tell someone who is a practicing Catholic who hasn't been to confession in 5 years? (19:08) Maria - I need help with spiritual direction. How can I get a spiritual director? (25:10) Efrank - On Ash Wednesday, does it matter what type of ashes you use? (28:52) Roy - You are quoting paragraphs in the Catechism. Is the Catechism in the Bible where regular people can read it? Or is this a special book that Protestants don't know about? (31:43) Yollie - Do you think that the student walkouts are orchestrated by groups or is this an individual choice? (45:48)