Podcasts about grim reaper

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show's perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.Two new novels use death to shed new light on life, but these aren't depressing reads. In Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt, the Grim Reaper gets a little too attached to the people he meets along the way. In today's episode, author Ben Reeves speaks with All Things Considered's Scott Detrow about publishing his debut novel after 20 years of writing. Then, Matt Haig, author of The Midnight Library, talks with Here & Now's Indira Lakshmanan about his new book, The Midnight Train, about a man who boards a magical train that gives him a chance to review his past.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedaySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when the Grim Reaper falls for a children's librarian? Kelly Creagh's adult debut says: absolute chaos, and a whole lot of heart.YA fan-favorite Kelly Creagh (the Nevermore trilogy) makes her adult debut with A Date with Death, a spicy, comedy-forward paranormal rom-com about a Grim Reaper and the sunshine-y librarian who steals his afterlife. In this episode, Kelly talks about jumping from YA to adult romance, writing comedy after years in paranormal horror, and her upcoming Hades and Persephone romantasy retelling — plus she shares the books currently topping her TBR. Perfect for readers who love cozy paranormal rom-coms, monster romance, and stories about finding your process as a writer.

David Rothkopf and Joanna Coles discuss a whirlwind week of political chaos, from Donald Trump's rocky White House Correspondents' Dinner performance and late-night Truth Social barrage to growing questions about the administration's handling of the Iran conflict and the Pentagon's casualty figures. They examine why Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Benjamin Netanyahu all appear increasingly boxed in by wars and political pressure, dig into the high-stakes Saudi nuclear negotiations, and explore what Ukraine's battlefield successes could mean for Russia's future. The conversation also dives into the Tate brothers' latest legal troubles and the widening cracks in Trump's political strategy, delivering sharp analysis, insider context, and the bigger picture behind the headlines as global events collide in ways that could reshape the months ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://youtu.be/KUPg9BuYSaM David B. Jones, CEO and Partner of Mercer Assessments, is helping organizations attract the right A-Players by making labor markets more efficient through defensible human capital insights. By combining psychometric science, workforce analytics, and AI-enabled technology, David helps employers identify, develop, and retain the right talent while empowering people to discover careers where they can thrive and make meaningful contributions.  In this conversation, David introduces The R.E.A.P.E.R. Framework—Review the Situation, Explore Alternatives, Agree a Course of Action, Execute the Plan, and Refine the Approach. He explains why organizations should begin every challenge with a thorough situation review, how collaborative decision-making creates alignment before execution, and why continuous refinement drives long-term organizational success. David also discusses how AI is reshaping talent management, why organizations need real-time workforce insights instead of static reports, and how Mercer Assessments leverages technology while preserving the integrity and defensibility of human capital assessments. — Attract the Right A-Players with David B. Jones  Good day. Steve Preda here with the Management Blueprint Podcast. Today, my guest is David Jones, the CEO and partner of Mercer Assessments, focused on providing defensible human capital insights and foresight in the fields of talent acquisition, leadership development, and organizational productivity. David, welcome to the show.  Thank you, Steve. Great to be here.  Well, I’m excited to have you here, especially because you are the first guest—maybe not completely from the Middle East because we had a couple of guests from Israel—but definitely from Dubai, where you are. Maybe that is also impacting the answer that you’re going to give to my question. So here is my first question. What’s your personal ‘Why’, and how are you manifesting it in your business, Mercer Assessments?  Yeah. Well, I mean, I think obviously a lot of skills around resilience and being able to think about how you maintain your own personal well-being, but also the well-being of the workforce, is something which has come to the fore in the last couple of weeks, for sure, living in Dubai. But I think very much of my North Star—by educational background, I’m a labor market economist. Although I’ve worked in HR and talent management for pretty much all of my career, I think I’m always thinking about how to make markets more efficient.  I think the labor market, in some ways, and what it takes to become efficient, is very similar to a fish market, a stock market, or any other market that you can think of. What you need to be able to make the best decisions is really good data, really good up-to-date information, both on the supply side and on the demand side.Share on X I think a lot of what we do at Mercer Assessments, and a lot of what we do in talent management more generally, is really about trying to do that. Trying to help individuals understand what their strengths are.  Trying to match them to specific careers that will be more fulfilling for them in the long term and also help them be more productive for their employers. As well as helping employers understand what the important skills are for today and tomorrow, and how they can predict how people will perform in certain environments. So really trying to bring the supply side and demand side together. I think, notoriously, labor markets have very bad information.  Typically, most people get their career guidance from their parents or their grandparents, which can be great for aspiration but doesn’t always necessarily keep them up-to-date in terms of what’s happening in today’s workplace. So I think this is really my anchor, if you like, where a lot of what we do in our innovation, our technology, or our engagements with clients typically comes back to this point. Fundamentally, how do we make labor markets more efficient and more functional for all of the stakeholders?  Yeah, that’s fascinating. So would you say that if you are doing this well, then more people will feel fulfilled in the roles that they work in?  I mean, I think that’s definitely the aspiration, right? That’s definitely what you would hope to do. I think, as individuals, I’m sure we can all think of those really, really great days where you think that you nailed it at work, and you think that this is something where you can make a really specific contribution. It just feels good, and all those people around you have the benefit of that. It becomes something which is infectious for those around you.  I think it’s important for the economy on a macro level, right? I think if we are able to provide opportunities, provide career paths, and help people understand what their unique strengths are, then this is something which helps to promote productivity and positivity more generally, right? At the individual, team, family, and societal level, it affects all sorts of dimensions.  So maybe this is kind of a side question, but I’m really wondering, is this AI revolution, as we’re going through it, influencing your work, and is it changing the requirements of employers?  Yeah. I think we’re in a very interesting time. I mean, I’m not a futurologist. I’m not a prophet. I’m not somebody who makes these sorts of big predictions about the future. But I think the case for AI, to some extent, is still unproven in terms of what it’s actually delivered to date. I mean, I think there’s obviously a lot of investment. There’s a big impact on the environment. But I don’t think we’ve had something really groundbreaking discovered by AI at this point that’s new.  It seems to be quite backward-looking in many ways, based on ingesting data from all the novels that you have on your shelf and that I have on my shelf. Maybe they’re going to ingest this podcast in the future. I don’t know. It doesn’t seem that there’s been a unique breakthrough that humanity has not been able to, or would not be able to, achieve by itself. And yet, I think the promise and the anticipation of what AI can do is quite compelling, right?  I think the way that it is impacting the labor market especially… Ironically, it’s impacting probably software developers the most today. It’s interesting that a lot of people in white-collar fields, professionals maybe, are also feeling like it’s changing the way they’re working. So there’s a big debate, I think, about whether it’s going to be an augmentation or whether it’s going to be a replacement of some sorts of tasks. I think one thing you can say with certainty is that the concept of a job is definitely going to change. If you look at the roots of the word—the etymological roots of the word “job” in the English language—it literally means “a task” rather than a role as such. Yeah. So I think we’re going to get this greater atomization of people’s roles. What used to be bundled together as one job is now going to be much more atomized into specific skills, specific tasks.  The opportunity there is that we all get to do more of the things that we find more fulfilling and less of the repetitive, dangerous, or dull types of things that we have to do in our jobs sometimes.Share on X But I think it has some second-order impacts in terms of how people develop their careers and the competence and confidence that people, particularly when they’re junior in their jobs, need time to build—the ability to operate at a higher level. So I think we’re all going to have to be leaders in lots of ways, even leaders in our own work.  Yeah, I agree with you. That’s fascinating. So, David, let’s talk about the framework. What would be a framework? Think of something that allows you to be more effective in your job—something maybe that you personally discovered or that you and your colleagues developed. Something that helps you be more effective in creating those labor market matches, finding the right candidates, and assessing them. Something that you can describe in three, four, or five steps, or maybe three or four ways of looking at things. Anything that comes to mind?  So there are a few things. I did miss a few things because I think—I don’t know if you’ve heard the news. We’re recording this, and I think the British prime minister has just resigned today. This is, I think, our seventh prime minister in 10 years. I’m sure each one of those prime ministers had their own framework in terms of what they wanted from their political leadership and how they were going to operate in government.  So I think we’re definitely operating in a much more VUCA world, right? This mnemonic is about being volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. I think, to some extent, that means that having a framework has to be something that is constantly being amended, reviewed, and updated in many ways. A lot of what we do in assessment—we have very clear statistical frameworks where we look at particular behaviors or particular characteristics, and we try to make sure we measure them. But I thought maybe that was too detailed and too comprehensive.  So one of the things we do when engaging with our clients is that we have a sort of consulting approach. It’s like a cycle. We start by reviewing the situation, so it’s like a situation appraisal, if you like. We use this internally as well in Mercer Assessments. So we try to understand what’s happening, what’s going well, and what we’re concerned about—just trying to get any data or information that we can.  Then it's important, particularly with a team or with a client, to explore what the priorities are, what's important, and what is causing them the most thought or requiring the most energy to address.Share on X So reviewing, exploring, and then agreeing on a course of action. Making sure that there’s consensus or, if you’re in an organization, making sure you’ve got the budget and the endorsement from headquarters or senior management. Then I think you can go into a planning stage. Making sure you’ve got a focus on execution and that you know what has to happen and when.  Then I think you can go into the ability to have that as a cycle and review or evaluate the plan itself. Is it on track? Is it on time? Is it on budget? Is it achieving its objectives? You can continue on this sort of reflexive cycle. So if you were to do that, it becomes quite sinister. The mnemonic becomes R.E.A.P.E.R., like the Grim Reaper or like “reap what you sow,” because you review, explore, agree, plan, execute, and then review again.Share on X So it can become, hopefully, a virtuous cycle, but it can also become an ongoing process.  I love it. So Yeah. So if you refine, maybe the last one is refined, and then you avoid repeat— Yes. Yeah.  Yeah. Oh, great.  That’s good. Yeah, I like it. Yeah, love it. So basically, what you’re looking for is helping your customers with an initial problem and then helping them generally improve their organization by continuing to refine and add to it, making it better over time.  Yes, correct. Yeah.  So it turns into a recurring engagement.  Yes, that’s the hope. Well, yeah. I mean, hopefully, if you have that relationship with the client and also with your team, you have this ability to recognize what you’ve achieved together, but you can also plan what you want to do differently next time.  So you’re the CEO of Mercer Assessments, which is the Dubai operation. Is this just a geographic branch of the Mercer Group, or is it a separate business that operates in multiple geographies?  Yeah. So actually, it’s a new venture for Mercer globally. My background is that I was one of the founders of a company called The Talent Enterprise, which was acquired by Mercer just over two years ago. It had also made an acquisition of another company before that called Mettl. So we were more of a talent assessment type of company.  We would do talent acquisition, talent development, leadership development, things like high-potential identification, succession planning, and these types of applications. Employee engagement as well, things like employee well-being assessments and stuff like this. The psychometric assessment field. So if you or your listeners are good at Greek, you would know that “psychometric” means “measurement of the mind.”  Yeah, right. So this is really what we’re trying to do. We’re accredited by the British Psychological Society to say that the tools we have, use, or develop have validity, reliability, and are statistically stable within the sorts of bounds that you would expect when measuring human beings.  It can never be perfect, but it’s considered to be predictive. Mettl was more focused on skills assessment. That was one of their big areas of focus, along with educational assessment. So coming together as Mercer Assessments, we’re now part of this big global organization. Although we’re based in the Middle East, we’re now working in Asia, Europe, North America—we’re just starting to do more work in North America—and Australasia. So this is the sort of big, hairy, audacious plan that we have.  That must be pretty intense if you’re working around the clock, essentially working around the globe. Then Mercer is… It can be.  Yeah, it can be. Even working in the Middle East, you have different working weeks. Some of our clients work on Sundays. But we have a good team. We have a big team. We have great technology. So we have scalable ways of doing it.  So what drives growth in this business?  I think it is changing. If you were to ask me that question even two years ago, I would say it’s to do with the change, the transformation, or the aspiration of the client, of the organization. If they’ve got a new operation, or they’re expanding, or they need to develop new skills, or they need to make sure their productivity and positivity are enabling them to keep up with their competitors, then these things would often trigger the sorts of interventions that we help our clients with.  That’s still true to a large extent, but what's changing a lot is what you were talking about earlier—to do with AI and expectations from technology. So I think what we're doing a lot more of now is real-time decision support.Share on X It used to be that our deliverables would look like a PDF report. They would say, “Okay, this is Steve. We’ve assessed Steve. These are Steve’s strengths. These are his areas for development. This is the sort of team or the certain type of colleague that he would thrive working with.  These are the people or the situations that he might struggle with.” That type of static report. Then either we or the client—sometimes if you’re looking at large numbers of people—you’d have to do a lot of spreadsheet work or a lot of PowerPoint work and say, “Okay, now we need to match that with your strategic objectives.” So I think what’s happening now is we’re focusing a lot more on the data.  Our technology is providing much more of a dashboard report, so Steve can access his results straight away because that’s actually when Steve is most interested in them and they’re most relevant—not two weeks later when you schedule a coach or someone to give him feedback. You’re interested as soon as you finish the last question. You want to know, “Okay, what does this say about me?” We can add lots of AI layers to that to help you implement it or understand it. Then for the organization, we now provide much more of a dynamic dashboard-type report.  So if, I don’t know, the CFO leaves this afternoon and the CEO calls the CHRO and says, “Okay, who are the internal candidates for this role?” You can come up with an answer. It doesn’t have to be something where you say, “Let me check my filing cabinet,” or, “Let me put a PowerPoint together for you and get back to you later this week or next week.” You can actually do that type of matching within the platform that we have. We have our own platform called Lighthouse, and it really helps you match individuals or teams to certain tasks or to certain ventures or aspirations that the organization might have.Share on X  Yeah. So instead of providing individual reports for individuals, you now operate this platform for your clients, and then they can look up the people involved in changes. So how is it different to scale the business with this type of approach? What makes it more complex?  Yeah. So on the one hand, it can help us a lot as our own organization because we can be much more pervasive 24 hours a day across the different time zones that we operate in. If you’re our client, you don’t always have to rely on having a meeting or a call with us in person. You can go and find that answer yourself. It’s quite an intuitive process and platform. You can access it and get value from your own data. I think that’s the key thing that I’m trying to emphasize that’s changed.  Clients are now impatient with SaaS platforms in particular when they’re not able to access their own data directly. So there’s a little bit of disintermediation going on in the enterprise software business as a whole. That’s the key trend that I’m trying to highlight here. But it also helps us to be more scalable. Just to take a step back to the previous discussion about AI, I think when it comes to using AI in your business, the key strategic choice is what you’re not going to use AI for.  For us, we made the choice actually three or four years ago that we’re not going to use AI in the assessments themselves. Not today. Maybe in five years’ time or ten years’ time we might change our mind, and we’re constantly reviewing that. But we need these defensible assessments. We need to be able to say, “This is fair and objective, and we’re coming with an external point of view that is transparent and defensible in every sense of that word.”  Yeah. You don’t want to hallucinate assessments for clients or even run the risk of that happening, right?  Yeah, absolutely. And there are some companies that have done that, right? I mean, there are lots of cases you can find where companies have said, “Hey, we just need a five-minute video, and I can tell you everything you need to know about this person, and you can make decisions about their career and all sorts of stuff,” right? I’m not saying we won’t get there in the future, but I just don’t think that’s good enough at the moment.  And I think with a lot of things that you do with chatbots now, if you’re judicious about it, you might be able to say, “Well, actually, that’s interesting, but it’s not good enough,” right? It’s not a finished product. It’s not something that I can execute on. What we can do is add a lot of value around the assessment. So we can do things like AI-based development planning, right?  When someone wants to see their results—and people normally want to see their results almost immediately after they’ve finished their assessments—you can start to say, in the flow of work, in the client’s environment, whatever their learning partners or learning architecture may be, “Okay, here’s a development plan for you,” customized and curated within that environment for your strengths, how to emphasize them, and also for any development areas or new learnings that you want to address.  We can also do things like AI-based proctoring, right? We can give the client a risk report on an application and say, you know, how genuine is this? What other software does Steve have open on his laptop? Is there a shadow in the room? Where are his eyes going? Is he looking at someone else? Is he getting help from someone else? Is this really Steve? All these sorts of things, right? We can do that. We can also develop customized case studies for the organization around its specific tasks and challenges that the organization has.  So you can come up with very specific, job-related assessments. AI can add a lot of value to all of these things. It can provide greater scale and a greater ability to sustain our growth. But with the core of what we do today, we’re saying, “Look, you need to be able to trust us.” And we want to be able to show you the answer. If you have a question about any of our assessments, we can check. There’s an audit trail, and we can show you the answer. It’s not just, “The computer came up with this idea. We don’t know.” But that’s intellectual property, and you know that it works, and you’re sticking with it. You don’t allow AI to bastardize it, basically, yeah, which makes sort of sense. So, David, what is one thing that you’re actively trying to figure out in your business right now? That’s a great question. I mean, there’s lots of things. I think a lot of them come around, you know, what is this threshold between what we do as humans and what we use AI or other technology to help us do? And I think that threshold is constantly being reviewed. A lot of it is to do with how do you make growth sustainable. We have had massive growth in the last five or six years, and that’s a great thing.  But I think it means you have to make sure the foundations of your organization are strong so that you can move from one to another. I mentioned earlier that we’re just starting to focus on North America as one of our new markets, and I was very keen that we didn’t do that until this point or even next year because we’re not the organizational equivalent of The Beatles, right? Like, we can’t just expect to turn up in a big, sophisticated, very strong, highly cultured market and be able to expect that we’re going to do things like we’ve done them everywhere else, or that we don’t need to think about how we communicate with those prospects and those clients.  So that’s a really big step for us. And how we manage data, I think, is probably the key thing. Fundamentally, if I was to come back to answer your question, I think it’s how we manage data because I think clients are becoming much more sophisticated, much more impatient with people who curate their data. They say, “Look, you know, we know we’re generating lots of data inside the organization,” right? Which is typically what we do, right? It’s people data.  Normally in most work environments, you can tell when somebody opens their laptop, or you can tell when they walk in the office door, or you can tell sometimes even what they’re doing inside the working space, right? Their ID has got an RFID in it or something like that. So there’s lots of data that’s constantly being generated inside the organization, and clients want to get value from that data. And having a sort of third-party proxy come in and say, “Hey, we can do your payroll for you,” or “We can send a questionnaire to people once a year, and that can let you know whether they understand health and safety or they’re engaged in their workplace,” it’s not really satisfactory anymore, right?  The clients are saying, “Okay. I want to be able to get value from my data, and I want to be able to see that. I want the analytics. I want to ask questions that are not able to be prescribed at the beginning.” “And I want to be able to do these queries in real time.”  So essentially, would that require you to get integrated with your clients to some degree so that you can process the data in real time as it emerges? It’s really interesting because I think what I’m hearing from my clients is they’re actually frustrated with that. In the sort of classic SaaS world, which we’ve had in organizations now for 20, 30, maybe even 40 years, you integrate the big internal ERP systems or CRM systems, and you integrate them, and then you have to sort of work within their framework, right? And you might see a report that’s already pre-programmed, but you don’t necessarily see the data, right? If you wanted to say, “Okay, what’s the trend today over the 24-hour clock?” or “How is it changing in June compared to May?” or “How does it relate to the temperature?” or whatever, right?  You can come up with all these questions that you might not be able to predict and then plan and have a sort of pull-down standard report. So to do that, you need access to the data. And I think clients are saying, “This is our data.” This data belongs to us. We want to be able to see that directly, and we want to be able to use that as a decision-support tool, and not necessarily just have a report.”  Yeah. So they’d rather own the data and apply your tools to their data without you necessarily having access to the data or something like that?  Yeah. It’s also a source of differentiation for them, right? Because they know that if… I’m not going to mention these companies. I’m sure you and all your viewers know the big brands. It’s interesting what’s happening with their share prices recently, right? They’re all maybe suffering a little bit from a decline in their share prices, on average. It’s basically a standardized way of doing things, right?  There’s pretty much the same way that any corporation in any part of the world is going to do it because that’s the way you get efficiency through that software. But if an organization says, “Actually, we’ve got an insight into something that we think is unique and differentiated, and we want to make decisions in a slightly different way, or make them faster,” that’s a point of competitive advantage.  Does that mean they wouldn’t want you to apply their idea to other customers because it’s their unique property? They’d just want your tools to help them process their data. They don’t want to share it with you.  Yeah. There are clients like that. We do deal with very sensitive industries, and sometimes government departments, where we have to be able to certify that type of approach. I think that’s likely to become more common in the future as people become more sensitive and more aware of the value, the opportunity, and the threat of what can happen with their data.  Yeah. I mean, some people say that information is now ubiquitous. It’s the questions that are really important because that’s how you communicate with AI. Maybe the question itself can be proprietary know-how—knowing how to ask the right kind of question. They don’t want…  No. I mean… Yeah, I agree. Completely. Yeah. You’re absolutely right. Again, to go back to assessments, we’ve recently released a whole bunch of assessments that measure skills in AI as a domain. We’ve got all sorts of technical and non-technical AI assessments. Obviously, one of the skills that we look at is prompt engineering. If you’ve used some of the generative AI platforms, you’ll always get an answer.  They’re pre-programmed to give you an answer, and most of them are also pretty polite. They fluff up your ego a little bit and say, “Hey, great question.” “That was really interesting.” Then they’ll give you an answer. You need to be aware of that. You need to probe and make sure you’ve not just got an answer—you’ve got the answer. Or at least the best answer that makes sense for you. Then you’ve quality-checked it.  You’ve taken it from one platform, put it into another platform, and then into a third platform. Whatever you’ve done, you need to have that awareness and those specific skills to get the most value out of it. It’s very dangerous, and I think we can all see it. I’m sure your inbox is like my inbox. You get emails from people and think, “Okay, well, that’s not an email from a person.” It’s a bulleted email. It’s not personal. It’s not directed at you. Sometimes it’s hard to understand what it even means.  Yeah. You’re right. So David, who is the ideal customer for you that can most benefit from your solution?  That’s a good question. Personally and professionally, I like clients who challenge us. I like clients who ask questions that make us think in a different way, so we can hopefully give them value and really answer those questions. I think that’s important for us to develop. Clients who are looking for new insights or different foresights that help them in their business—those are the kinds of clients we’re looking for. Definitely the ones who are pushing the envelope and helping take us forward in terms of quality.  So if those types of people are listening to this show and would like to learn more about what you do and how you might be able to help them, where should they go? Where can they find out more?  Yeah, absolutely. You can find me on LinkedIn. I’m David B. Jones on LinkedIn. There are a lot of David Joneses. I think David Jones is the most common name for a British man—even more common than John Smith—so there are a lot of us around. But you’ll be able to find me as David B. Jones. You can also find Mercer Assessments. You can find out more about us through those channels. I’ll be happy to answer any questions or provide more information.  Is there a website people should check out? Do you have a separate website for Mercer Assessments?  We do. Mercer Assessments is part of the mercer.com website. That’s where you’ll find more information. There are also a number of books we’ve published on particular subjects to do with assessment, talent, and leadership development more generally. Those are all available on Amazon as well.  Okay. So if you’re out there and you’re looking to have a more sophisticated view of your people and their aspirations and how they fit the type of work that you want them to do, and you’d like to understand more deeply, then check out Mercer Assessments, David B. Jones. Actually, it’s easy to just put in “David Jones Mercer,” and David will pop up that way.  Check out the books that David and his colleagues have published. And if you enjoyed this conversation, then make sure you follow us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts. And David, thanks for coming to the show and sharing your experience and insights. I mean, it seems to me that you have a much more nuanced approach than most talent assessment or performance assessment organizations, and you have a lot more tools at your disposal. It’s a combination of technology and professional expertise. So that’s fascinating. Thanks for coming on the show. And if you enjoyed this conversation, make sure you follow us because we come out every week with exciting entrepreneurs like David. I will. I will. Thank you, Steve. Important Links: Davidi's LinkedIn David's  website

Ben Reeves joins Carol Fitzgerald to talk about his debut novel, EVERYTHING WAS BEAUTFUL AND NOTHING HURT, which is an instant New York Times bestseller, a #1 Indie Next pick, and a Bookreporter Bets On selection. The book reimagines the Grim Reaper as a compassionate, ordinary man named Travis who spends time with people before they die, exploring themes of life, death, grief and regret. It ultimately makes readers question if they are truly living the life they want and focusing on what matters. The book won the Bath Novel Award in 2024, which launched Ben's publishing journey after 20 years of writing. Ben notes that he is always personally preoccupied with whether or not he is using his time well, and he wanted to unpack that through storytelling — encouraging readers to "wake up" by contemplating mortality. He also explains why he brought two characters to the forefront of the story: a midwife and her daughter. Carol praises the final chapter as the most impactful part of the novel and urges readers to give it a lot of thought. She sees it as the emotional and philosophical culmination of the book's message about living intentionally. Ben also shares that he is working on a new project. Our Latest "Bookreporter Talks To" Interviews: Rachel Beanland: https://youtu.be/6Piw8q7pGkc Lisa Scottolin: https://youtu.be/9MsfXILFZ_Y John Searles: https://youtu.be/LA2gXPoc_zk Jenny Jackson: https://youtu.be/V116A5eBBBE Beatriz Williams: https://youtu.be/d554V2bGHSQ Lori Foster: https://youtu.be/C2xlNPgKjm0 Lisa See: https://youtu.be/5UpTJ_YAnxE Ruta Sepetys: https://youtu.be/Mv9XRWohkjs Kathryn Stockett: https://youtu.be/-mNe-Y9CctQ Susan Patterson: https://youtu.be/jvZjwDq_dUw Our Latest "Bookaccino Live" Book Group Events: Bruce Holsinger: https://youtu.be/wwQjtlPePBQ Wally Lamb: https://youtu.be/-eMtMznKoVE Laura Dave: https://youtu.be/RRWrSjdxyrc Lisa Ridzén: https://youtu.be/dleYdLoh0bY Patrick Ryan: https://youtu.be/keazeWK1lto Lily King: https://youtu.be/_yo2x2ZA0B0 Sign up for newsletters from Bookreporter and Reading Group Guides here: https://tbrnetwork.com/newsletters/ FOLLOW US on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookreporter Website: https://www.bookreporter.com Art Credit: Tom Fitzgerald Edited by Jordan Redd Productions  

NEW! Little Big Affirmations Deck for Kids: Check it out.   Click here to Shop Affirmation Decks, Oracle Decks, and more! Use Promo code: RCPODCAST20 for 20% off your first order!   Today's Power Affirmation: I am happy for this awesome moment because this moment is my awesome life.   Today's Oracle of Motivation: Too many people leave guts on the floor as they crawl through the week like snails, wishing it was the weekend. How often do you think, "If only it was Friday..." and, "I can't wait for the weekend to get here!". When you wish away your week, you are wishing away your time. Wishing away your time is like inviting the Grim Reaper to your private dinner. Do you really want to wish away your family, your friends, and your ONE LIFE? Everything you take for granted is someone else's fairytale. Cherish each and every moment that you have before time makes you cherish what you had. Every day is a Saturday.   Designed to Motivate Your Creative Maniac Mind The 60-Second Power Affirmations Podcast is designed to help you focus, affirm your visions, and harness the power within your creative maniac mind! Join us every Monday and Thursday for a new 60-second power affirmation followed by a blast of oracle motivation from the Universe (+ a quick breathing meditation). It's time to take off your procrastination diaper and share your musings with the world!   For more musings, visit RageCreate.com     Leave a Review & Share! Apple Podcast reviews are one of THE most important factors for podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a second to leave the show a review on Apple Podcasts! Click this link: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Hit “Listen on Apple Podcasts” on the left-hand side under the picture. Scroll down under “Ratings & Reviews” & click “Write A Review” Leave an honest review. You're awesome!  

The guys explore the appearance of the lead singer of the band Grim Reaper, Sauce roasts Cory, there's a new documentary on Charles Manson that Sauce is excited to seeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rich Embury is back again with another flashback to the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s rock and metal scene! Rock History, and Classics from The Arrows / Ramones / ZZ Top / David Wilcox / Nitro / Cinderella / Danzig / Billy Idol / Trooper / White Zombie & Iggy Pop / Grim Reaper / Into Eternity! This edition of Rich Embury's Power Hour aired initially LIVE on The Blitz 100.1 FM, KRFK Radio, Metal Crash Radio, Bulldogs Radio, Tripl3 Troubl3 Radio, Veckans Band Metal Radio, Rock On The Rise Radio, MetalRadioGR, NAR-Metal, Radio Infernale, Bloodstream Radio, Rock Nation, RockStar-Radio Underground, Earth Rock Radio, Whatever 68 Radio, KDUB Radio, CIA-Rock Radio, Rogue Rock Radio, Vibe Tunes Radio, Morning Wood Radio, Pirate Radio, Radio X (AU), Dark Haven Radio, Coming Home Well Radio (United By Service), Doc Rock's Metal Shop 101 Radio, CGCM Rock Radio, Stay Vintage Radio, RetroRock Radio, Northland Radio, Hard Rock Radio and Insane Realm Radio, Wednesday, July 15th, 2026. Secondary airings on Heavy Metal Radio, Digital Revolution Radio, Ragebreed Radio, Metal World Web Radio, Radio Heavy Metal and more throughout the rest of the week. The Arrows – I Love Rock N Roll Ramones – We Want The Airwaves ZZ Top – Tube Snake Boogie David Wilcox – Hot, Hot Papa Nitro – Double Trouble Cinderella – Electric Love Danzig – Dirty Black Summer Billy Idol – White Wedding (Part 1) Trooper – General Hand Grenade White Zombie – Black Sunshine (Feat. Iggy Pop) Grim Reaper – See You In Hell Into Eternity – Speak Of The Dead ——————————————————————————— SPONSORED BY FCK.FM MAGAZINE. A FREE online magazine! Features rock & heavy metal, FCKgirls, gaming, horror, interviews, artist spotlights, and much more! Visit and share now: https://fck.fm/magazine ——————————————————————————— Also available to subscribe, download, and listen at the following major podcast sites & apps (and more):Apple Podcasts / Amazon Music / Audible / Mixcloud / iHeart Radio / TuneIn Radio / Player FM / Podchaser / Jiosaavn / Deezer / Podbean / Castbox / Radio Public / Pocket Cast / Podcast Addict / Castro / Overcast / Getme.radio / PodcastRepublic / Podcast.app / PodcastGuru / Pandora / Podcast Index Please leave a review on your favourite podcast site above.

This week: Why I don't negotiate with the Grim Reaper. Real Yoga, Buddhist death rituals, clinging, surrender, why Lululemon belongs in your Roth IRA, and the evolution of This Body into Body Language. Also: Rick Rubin wants you to bet on Polymarket, Trader Joes bags are the poor man's Birkin, and saying goodbye to two beloved pets in one week. i said, Goddamn!Substack for the readers CLICK! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sofiamella.substack.com/subscribe

Reddit is a dark, endless rabbit hole crawling with dark tales, creepy encounters, and stories that send you into a paranormal spiral at 2 a.m. This week, we embraced the chaos and pulled some of the most unsettling stories we could find. A midnight scream and procession of torches deep in Appalachia, a child stalked by a many-eyed entity, and an encounter with a Grim Reaper-like figure are just the beginning.  Watch the video version here. Have ghost stories of your own? E-mail them to us at twogirlsoneghostpodcast@gmail.com New Episodes are released every Thursday and Sunday at 12am PST/3am EST (the witching hour, of course). Corinne and Sabrina hand select a couple of paranormal encounters from our inbox to read in each episode, from demons, to cryptids, to aliens, to creepy kids... the list goes on and on. If you have a story of your own that you'd like us to share on an upcoming episode, we invite you to email them to us!  If you enjoy our show, please consider joining our Patreon, rating and reviewing on iTunes & Spotify and following us on social media! Youtube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Discord. Edited and produced by Jaimi Ryan. Original music by Arms Akimbo! Disclaimer: the use of white sage and smudging is a closed practice. If you're looking to cleanse your space, here are some great alternatives! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whoa, Shuhei!  We’ve got a lot to talk about.  Stack it up and feel the power of a terrific twosome!  Join Tricky and Matt as they discuss, among other things, 007 First Light, Darksiders Warmastered Edition, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, Halo: Campaign Evolved, and Grand Theft Auto VI.  What’s more, we delve into Electronic Arts’ reveal of EA Advertising, a platform to help put ads in your games, and we lament the loss of Xbox studio and Senua’s Saga developer Ninja Theory.  Hellfire!  Drat!  Darn you, Microsoft!  The Ninja Theory team was lauded for its work on Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, DmC, and Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice.  Microsoft must have the Grim Reaper on speed dial. And if you think that’s all, then you’ve got another thing coming!  As usual, the news is full of surprises.  We hit the high notes, and we hit the low notes, but we’ll always bring the banter.  What are you waiting for? Dive in! As always, the opinions fly fast and heavy! Look out for this super-sized show, as the seemingly smallest conversation veers off into a multiverse of chit-chat. Sounds cool, huh? That’s the fancy way of saying “derailment.” And there’s plenty of that to go around! Let’s dance, Heroes of the XMB! In a bit of big news that would make the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles proud, iHeartRadio, Pandora and Spotify host episodes of Trophy Whores. It's a tremendous honor for the show to be part of three massive and respected entertainment communities, and Proven Gamer have only the fans to thank for pushing the podcast to soaring heights. The Trophy Whores work hard to put out a quality weekly show, but they owe so much love to their listeners, who keep the show strong and growing. If you want to support the show via Patreon, then check out our page, which shares the tiers for all of our Patrons! We appreciate your support (and your ears)! Please subscribe to the Trophy Whores feed in iTunes, Google Play, TuneIn, IHeartRadio, Stitcher, or RSS and please leave a review. We won't give you cookies, but it will help us make the show better. You can find us on Twitter: @TrophyWhores and @ProvenGamer You can also email us at TrophyWhores. If you wish, you can always download the show here – Trophy Whores 720 – Now With Ads

In Episode 264: I Saw Death, Curtis joins us to share his experiences with the Grim Reaper. He recalls seeing jet black smoke form next to his bed, and then a mysterious hooded figure appeared from within the smoke. Curtis details this experience, and others, with the same entity. He also shares a story of missing time from when he was young and another child - who seemed just “different” - led him away. Eight hours later, he returned without any recollection of where he had been.Please pray for Tony's wife, Lindsay, as she battles breast cancer. Your prayers make a difference!If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890Become a member for ad-free listening, extra shows, and exclusive access to our social media app: theconfessionalspodcast.com/joinThe Confessionals Social Network App:Apple Store: https://apple.co/3UxhPrhGoogle Play: https://bit.ly/43mk8kZThe Counter Series Available NOW:The Counter (YouTube): WATCH HEREThe Counter (Full Episode): WATCH HERETony's Recommended Reads: slingshotlibrary.comIf you want to learn about Jesus and what it means to be saved: Click HereThe Sasqualogist: Stream HereBigfoot: The Journey To Belief: Stream HereMerkel Media Apparel: merkmerch.comSPONSORSSIMPLISAFE: simplisafe.com/confessionalsGHOSTBED: GhostBed.com/tonyQUINCE: quince.com/tonyIVERMECTIN: twc.health/tonyVENICE AI: https://venice.ai/theconfessionalsRUMBLE WALLET: https://rumblewallet.onelink.me/bJsX/ConfessionalsCONNECT WITH USWebsite: www.theconfessionalspodcast.comEmail: contact@theconfessionalspodcast.comMAILING ADDRESS:Merkel Media257 N. Calderwood St., #301Alcoa, TN 37701SOCIAL MEDIASubscribe to our YouTube: https://bit.ly/2TlREaIReddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/theconfessionals/Discord: https://discord.gg/KDn4D2uw7hShow Instagram: theconfessionalspodcastTony's Instagram: tonymerkelofficialFacebook: www.facebook.com/TheConfessionalsPodcasTwitter: @TConfessionalsTony's Twitter: @tony_merkelProduced by: @jyorkofficial

Nothing - not even the mess you're in right now - is impossible for Jesus to heal + bring good out of + redeem.

Nothing - not even the mess you're in right now - is impossible for Jesus to heal + bring good out of + redeem.

Nothing - not even the mess you're in right now - is impossible for Jesus to heal + bring good out of + redeem.

Nothing - not even the mess you're in right now - is impossible for Jesus to heal + bring good out of + redeem.

From playing army on his boyhood farm to portraying some of film's more memorable characters, Bill Sadler's journey proves that great storytelling often begins in the simplest places.Bill and Weezy kick things off with shared memories of growing up in the Buffalo, NY area, where running through the woods, horsing around in the hay loft and inventing games, laid the foundation for Bill's future in storytelling. He launched his performance career with a standup comedy character he created called“Banjo Bill,” who led to a high school teacher encouraging Bill to play the lead role in the school's production of Harvey. By age 18, Bill had shared the stage with a banjo and an invisible rabbit and he was hooked on theater.After studying at SUNY Geneseo and Cornell, Bill immersed himself in the New York theater scene, starring in 75 productions over the course of 12 years and making his way to Broadway in Biloxi Blue! He shares the skinny on working with Neil Simon,  where constant rewrites were both challenging and thrillingly hilarious.The conversation turns to some of Bill's most iconic screen roles, including The Shawshank Redemption. He describes director Frank Darabont's vision of a true ensemble and the A game expected from that stellar cast. Bill reminds us that the film closed in three weeks and only Oscar nominations and audiences discovering its brilliance led to its eventual cultural impact and enduring legacy.He also discusses stepping into his villainous Die Hard 2 role following Alan Rickman's iconic fall from the grace of Die Hard 1. Bill also shares a behind-the-scenes moment when force of childhood habit had him ruing takes with his own machine gun sound effects!Fans of Bill & Ted will appreciate Bill's Grim Reaper hot takes and his confession that in the decades between films, he developed an allergy to the makeup required for the role. So, yes, Bill is allergic to death.The episode closes with a look at Bill's latest work, the short film The Last Days of Byron Bray, which studies a love interest of Leonard  Bernstein. Bill calls it his finest acting to date.And in IMDB Roulette: How the Fonz made Shakespeare cool, Newhart slapstick and The Cartoon President provide the laughter that keeps us from crying.Current media recommendations--Weezy: The Way Home Season 4 on Netflix, Hallmark, Hallmark+ and PrimeProducer Dina: The Boroughs on NetflixPath Points of Interest:William Sadler Fan SiteWilliam Sadler on WikipediaWilliam Sadler on IMDBWilliam Sadler on FacebookWilliam Sadler on XThe Last Days of Byron BrayThe BoroughsThe Way Home Season 4

In celebration of the June 9th birthday of the incomparable Michael J. Fox, your fearless hosts Karen and Greg travel back to 1996 to dissect Peter Jackson's supernatural cult classic, The Frighteners. That's right—ghosts, grim reapers, and paranormal chaos are converging in one electrifying episode! But hold onto your temporal displacement device—this isn't just a movie review. Oh no! While unraveling the eerie mysteries and dark humor of The Frighteners, Karen and Greg concoct a delightfully deadly, themed cocktail: the “Grim Reaper.” A perfectly spirited companion as they explore psychic abilities, spectral con artists, and the thin line between the living and the dead. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Michael J. Fox, a lover of 90s horror films, or fascinated by supernatural thrillers and cult classics, this episode is guaranteed to generate 1.21 gigawatts of spooky entertainment! So don't be a slacker—tune in, pour yourself a drink, and join us as we venture into the ghostly unknown! Grim Reaper Margarita • 4 oz gold tequila• 2 oz raspberry liqueur• 2 oz sweet and sour mix• 2 oz grenadine• 2 tsp gold luster dust• 4 oz Sprint• 2 fresh pineapple wedges• 2 maraschino cherries• fresh pineapple leaves Instructions: Add the gold tequila, raspberry liqueur, sweet and sour mix, grenadine, and gold luster dust into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well for 15-30 seconds to combine. Strain into two 8-oz glasses filled with ice. Top up with Sprite and gently stir. Garnish each glass with a wedge of pineapple, a couple of pineapple leaves, and a maraschino cherry Source: thepurplepumpkinblog.co.uk A Brief Synopsis: Once an architect, Frank Bannister now passes himself off as an exorcist of evil spirits. To bolster his facade, he claims his “special” gift is the result of a car accident that killed his wife. But what he does not count on is more people dying in the small town where he lives. As he tries to piece together the supernatural mystery of these killings, he falls in love with the wife of one of the victims and deals with a crazy FBI agent. Some of the topics discussed and highlights of this episode include: We learn about the French beret. Lots of information about hypothermia and frostbite Dr. Karen also tells us about the difference between cryogenics and cryonics. Our rating of the film: This movie was OK. It took us 3 cocktails to get through it. Take our online survey! We want to know more about you! Please take our survey. All questions are optional and you can remain completely anonymous if you prefer. Tell us what you like or would like to hear more of! All music on the Scary Spirits Podcast is provided by the band “Verse 13”. Please check them out. You can listen to all their music on their Bandcamp page. Get social with us! Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram Subscribe on YouTube to watch Greg attempt to make all the featured cocktails Follow @ScarySpiritsPod Questions, comments or suggestions? Shoot us an email at info@scaryspirits.com As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small percentage of qualifying purchases through our links.

We are WAY overdue for a HOMETOWN HORRORS episode!!! So Buckle up. Bri has a chilling story from a listener who may of had a run in with the Grim Reaper. Amy has one too many crime stories involving our old stomping grounds in Fairbanks, AK. And be careful because just when you thought you escaped them, the Black Eyed Kids are back... WITH GLOW STICKS! And our first CHILD criminal....

Some beer conversations stay with you long after they've ended. This is one of them.For this episode of Beer Bubbles Podcast, CC sat down with Alex Lippens and Jens Tack from tVerzet at Pressklubben in Stockholm. Together, they explored the story of a brewery that keeps one foot firmly planted in Belgian brewing tradition while happily using the other to kick at convention.Alex and Jens talk about their love of classic Oud Bruin, the beers and brewers that inspired them, and how tVerzet grew from a passion project into one of Belgium's most distinctive breweries. Deeply respectful of brewing heritage but never afraid to challenge expectations, they embody the spirit behind their brewery's name: Verzet — Resistance.The conversation covers where they started, how the brewery has evolved, and what it means to brew in Belgium while refusing to be constrained by what Belgian beer is supposed to be.And, of course, CC asks the ultimate question:The Grim Reaper is here. Today is your last day. You may have one final beer before you go. Any beer, in production or out of production. What will it be?The answers are as revealing as they are memorable.Grab a beer, settle in, and join CC, Alex, and Jens for a conversation about brewing, tradition, rebellion, friendship, and the beers worth remembering until the very end.#BeerBubbles #tVerzet #BelgianBeer #CraftBeer #OudBruin #BeerPodcast #DrinkBetterBeer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 196 of Ninjas Are Butterflies featuring Ruslan KD dives deep into some of the strangest and most debated spiritual mysteries today. We explore the possible location of Satan's throne, the overwhelming spiritual heaviness surrounding Los Angeles, the dark origins of the Grim Reaper, and continue the ongoing conversation about aliens, demons, and whether there's any real difference between the two. From biblical history and supernatural theories to modern culture and spiritual warfare, this episode goes everywhere. If you're into paranormal podcasts, Christian conspiracy theories, UFO discussions, ancient mysteries, and conversations that challenge the mainstream narrative, this episode is for you. Follow Ruslan at  ⁨@RuslanKD⁩  and check out his best seller https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593602463?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_XMYBJ8E95PZTR5RTZJVV&bestFormat=true Get MORE Exclusive Ninjas Are Butterflies Content by joining our Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/NinjasAreButterflies NEW EPISODES EVERY FRIDAY @ 6AM EST! Ninja Merch: https://www.sundaycoolswag.com/ Start Your Custom Apparel Order Here: https://bit.ly/NinjasYT-SundayCool Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking toward the “futures” and determining “good value” Soybean oil futures market evolution since the start of the Iran war What happened in deferred contracts? Is palm oil next? Comparing the last strong El Niño event against an impending one A look at pricing dynamics for Malaysian palm oil futures (BMD exchange) Not a client on McKeany-Flavell's IQ Intelligence Platform? Visit iq.mckeany-flavell.com to learn more! Commodity dashboards Dynamic data & interactive charts Analytics & calculators Price forecasts Downloadable data, charts, and tables Our next webinar: Seasonal Market Outlook Wed., Jun 24, 2026 at 2pm ET / 11am PT Invites rolling out soon! Host: Michael Caughlan, President & CEO Expert: Nicole Thomas, Vice President – Information Services  

In this special video episode, host Peter Bauman (Le Random's editor in chief) speaks with artist Loucas Braconnier (Figure31). They discuss DEL, a two-year project that began life as a terminal-based C application with a "Grim Reaper" persona before becoming a browser-native work. It consists of globular "bodies for the Ethereum network" rendered in real time as ASCII art. They go over Braconnier's path into blockchain art and his attraction to work that evolves over time, the discipline of building for longevity, and a wider conversation about how AI and new tools shift the artist's focus from technical skill toward conceptual intent. In the second half, Braconnier gives a live demo of the work and a visual walk-through, showing how its entities express network data through behaviors like twirling, meditating, or trying to escape the viewport.Monday's Editorial: Jakob Kudsk Steensen on Non-Human Pathways Chapters

Embrace mortality to live with intention. Explore the history of Memento Mori, the Grim Reaper, Liberace's legacy, and why facing death changes everything. https://bit.ly/434ASy3Memento Mori. What Does it Really Mean?You are going to die. What if remembering that is the key to actually living well? Most of us don't spend much time thinking about death. But when we do, something interesting happens: we start to see what matters. This week, Marianne and Charlie kick off a brand-new series exploring the humanities and the art of dying. From the lavish life and hidden cause of death of Liberace to the driving funk of The Rolling Stones' "Dancing with Mr. D," we explore how history, art, and myth use mortality not to create fear, but to bring ultimate clarity to life. Tune in, grab Liberace's recipe for Singapore and Malaysian Satay, and learn how to carpe the heck out of your diem.Timestamps:00:00 - Intro: How Can Awareness of Death Change Our Life?03:18 - Recipe-Liberace's Singapore and Malasian Satay Appetizer04:32 - Liberace's Obituary10:23 - The Meaning of Memento Mori13:45 - The Origin of the Grim Reaper16:50 - The Guides of Souls: Psychopomps and Charon's Boat19:57 - "Dancing with Mr D" - Rolling Stones22:24 - Outro - Carpe the Heck Out of Your Diem!#MementoMori #EmbraceMortality #LiveWithIntention #CarpeDiem #DeathPositive #GrimReaper #EveryoneDies #PodcastLife #Liberace #RollingStones #EndofLife #DeathAwareness #GriefEducation #ArtOfDying #HistoryOfDeath Related Episodes:S3E43: How Accepting Death Can Improve Your Life – If you want to dive deeper into how breaking the culture of silence directly transforms your day-to-day choices, this episode is the perfect next step.S4E10: How to turn Aging into a Superpower – Discover how embracing your mortality strips away the trivial noise of daily life, leaving room for a vivid, beautiful, and highly intentional perspective on the time we have left.S7E04: An App That Predicts Your Death Date: Would You Want to Know? – If you want a modern, high-tech twist on memento mori, this episode explores what happens when we give death a digital face instead of a historical one. It looks at how a real-time countdown clock can either trigger data anxiety or act as the ultimate motivator to choose better, live deeper, and actively reclaim your time.Support the showConnect with Us: Email our Host: mail@every1dies.org  Website: https://every1dies.org: Find show notes, links and expanded resources Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube  

We like to imagine the Grim Reaper as a helpful and misunderstood entity, clocking in for a very intense job. But after these stories… we're not so sure. We're getting into listener encounters that range from oddly funny to deeply unsettling, all circling the same shadowy figure who seems to show up a little too early and a little too often. Grim Reaper appearances include: A shadowy, eight-foot figure appears beside a listener's bed before returning in a dream to whisper “it is your time.” A hooded presence repeatedly appears throughout a listener's life during a series of near-death experiences. An unseen “man in black” pacing closer and closer to a hospital patient throughout a nurse's shift before the patient suddenly passes. A hooded entity sitting beside an apparition of a deceased relative at a funeral, sharing a quiet, eerie moment before vanishing. Book mentioned: Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune Watch the video version here. Have ghost stories of your own? E-mail them to us at twogirlsoneghostpodcast@gmail.com New Episodes are released every Thursday and Sunday at 12am PST/3am EST (the witching hour, of course). Corinne and Sabrina hand select a couple of paranormal encounters from our inbox to read in each episode, from demons, to cryptids, to aliens, to creepy kids... the list goes on and on. If you have a story of your own that you'd like us to share on an upcoming episode, we invite you to email them to us!  If you enjoy our show, please consider joining our Patreon, rating and reviewing on iTunes & Spotify and following us on social media! Youtube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Discord. Edited and produced by Jaimi Ryan. Original music by Arms Akimbo! Disclaimer: the use of white sage and smudging is a closed practice. If you're looking to cleanse your space, here are some great alternatives! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can an infection from the 1800s really be trebling in Australia right now? Is there actually a cell in the human body large enough to see without a microscope? And how do you protect your gut microbiome? In this episode, Dr Mariam and Claire speak to Dr Melanie Besser, a Sexual Health Physician, to unpack why 'old-school' infections like syphilis and gonorrhoea are surging across the country. They discuss the rise of antibiotic-resistant 'superbugs', the "Great Mimic" rash you shouldn't ignore, and why the 1980s Grim Reaper campaign might have left us more traumatised than protected. We also talk about why Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is now being viewed through a lens of sexual transmission and how treating a male partner might be the key to stopping the cycle of recurrence. Plus, we look at the new "foxy" pathogens like Mycoplasma genitalium that are being talked about on TikTok and why they're often mistaken for a standard UTI. In Med School, we discover the powerhouse of the human body: the egg. And, in the Quick Consult, we explain how microbiome shifts after major surgery. GET IN TOUCH Sign up to the Well Newsletter to receive your weekly dose of trusted health expertise without the medical jargon. Ask a question of our experts or share your story, feedback, or dilemma - you can send it anonymously here, email here or leave us a voice note here. Ask The Doc: Ask us a question in The Waiting Room. Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok. Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber CREDITS Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam Guest: Dr Melanie Besser Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best Executive Producer: Grace Rouvray Group Executive Producer: Ilaria Brophy Audio Producer: Scott Stronach Video Producer: Julian Rosario Social Producer: Elly Moore Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Information discussed in Well. is for education purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional.Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Celano and John Gotti Eye to EyeWhat does a man do after spending 22 years working organized crime cases for the NYPD — including going face-to-face with John Gotti during a surveillance operation and serving on the task force that fought through the bloodiest mob war of the 20th century?If you're Tony Celano, you build a second career running a major corporate security firm. And then you write seven crime novels.This episode of Do You Ever Wonder is one you won't want to miss.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ABOUT OUR GUEST━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Anthony Celano is a retired NYPD Detective Squad Commander who served 22 years on some of the most dangerous assignments in modern New York law enforcement history, during the era when the New York Mafia was at the absolute peak of its power. His assignments included:

You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/barstoolyakYou can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/barstoolyak

This is a story passed down from a grandfather who worked nights in a rail yard in the 1940s. When a building caught fire, he rushed inside without hesitation, moving floor by floor to help anyone still trapped.By the time he reached the upper levels, the conditions had worsened, and the chances of finding anyone alive were fading. But as the smoke shifted, something else came into view—something that didn't belong in a rescue scene.At first, it was easy to question what he was seeing in the chaos. But the longer it remained, moving with purpose through the space, the harder it became to explain.It was a moment he carried with him for the rest of his life—one he never fully understood, but never forgot.#ParanormalEncounter #GrimReaper #NearDeathExperience #SupernaturalEncounter #UnexplainedPhenomenon #LifeAndDeath #HauntingExperience #RealGhostStory #SomethingInTheFire #ParanormalActivityLove real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

 Country icon Ray Stevens recently cheated death in a serious fall at his home on March 29, suffering a broken neck that required a brief hospitalization in the Nashville area. Despite these setbacks, Stevens will celebrate the April 10 release of his latest album, *Favorites Old & New*, featuring beloved hits like "The Look of Love," along with fresh tracks like "Moving Out Is Easier Than Moving On."Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A wheelchair explodes, we have a special guest, the annoying food guy, the Sloth Files revealed, a Trader Sams mailbox money opportunity, there's something in your orange juice, recording your family dinner, smashed glass at an NHL game, the engineers are freaking out and so much more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A wheelchair explodes, we have a special guest, the annoying food guy, the Sloth Files revealed, a Trader Sams mailbox money opportunity, there's something in your orange juice, recording your family dinner, smashed glass at an NHL game, the engineers are freaking out and so much more!

On this episode, Alex connects the dots between pop culture and political absurdity, starting with Karol G making history as the first Latina to headline Coachella—a moment that doubled as both a cultural milestone and a subtle political statement about identity and belonging. From there, the conversation spirals into the internet's favorite running joke: JD Vance as a Grim Reaper figure who seemingly dooms every event he touches—though notably, he did not attend Karol G's set, perhaps explaining why it went so well. Finally, Alex imagines a chaotic bipartisan fever dream where Marjorie Taylor Greene and Ro Khanna form an alliance, proving that in modern politics, anything is possible—except JD Vance having a normal week.

Inspired by our Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame discussion last week, we decided to test our Metal. Being trivia buffs, we came up with the idea of Aaron testing Snowy on his knowledge of said HOF. Essentially, Aaron threw out an artist and Snowy had to take an educated guess as to the year they went into the Hall. You'll be able to hear the wheels turning through your device. In our "News, Views and Tunes", we pay tribute to Motorhead's Phil Campbell. Rest In Power!! Musically, we crank some Jello Biafra, Artillery, Repulsion, The Great Kat, Steve Grimmett's Grim Reaper, Persian Risk, Poison Dollys, Blood Oath and we introduce TX thrashers Accuser in our "Indie Spotlight". Horns Up!!

The title asks the question.The episode answers it - because that's how episodes work!After 6 weeks and 7 days (but who's counting?), they're back to bless your eardrums with everything they kinda remember: The Darkness, wedding updates, Chad's self-diagnosed alopecia, Phantom of the Opera Sydney, more celebrity deaths than you can shake a Grim Reaper at, and a listener-submitted gem: "What's the one TV series that broke you, but you still watch again and again?"Do you really think they stick to just one?

Click here to Shop Affirmation Decks, Oracle Decks, and more! Use Promo code: RCPODCAST20 for 20% off your first order!   Today's Power Affirmation: I am happy for this awesome moment because this moment is my awesome life.   Today's Oracle of Motivation: Too many people leave guts on the floor as they crawl through the week like snails, wishing it was the weekend. How often do you think, "If only it was Friday..." and, "I can't wait for the weekend to get here!". When you wish away your week, you are wishing away your time. Wishing away your time is like inviting the Grim Reaper to your private dinner. Do you really want to wish away your family, your friends, and your ONE LIFE? Everything you take for granted is someone else's fairytale. Cherish each and every moment that you have before time makes you cherish what you had. Every day is a Saturday.   Designed to Motivate Your Creative Maniac Mind The 60-Second Power Affirmations Podcast is designed to help you focus, affirm your visions, and harness the power within your creative maniac mind! Join us every Monday and Thursday for a new 60-second power affirmation followed by a blast of oracle motivation from the Universe (+ a quick breathing meditation). It's time to take off your procrastination diaper and share your musings with the world!   For more musings, visit RageCreate.com     Leave a Review & Share! Apple Podcast reviews are one of THE most important factors for podcasts. If you enjoy the show, please take a second to leave the show a review on Apple Podcasts! Click this link: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Hit “Listen on Apple Podcasts” on the left-hand side under the picture. Scroll down under “Ratings & Reviews” & click “Write A Review” Leave an honest review. You're awesome!  

In this episode, the Dr. Anna Marie with Jodi Wellman, founder of 4000 Mondays, about using the reality of our mortality as a powerful motivator to actually live. Drawing from her personal story of losing her mother, her work in positive psychology, and the concept of "memento mori," Jodi explains how acknowledging death can wake us up from autopilot, help us savor ordinary moments, and push us to avoid "pre-grets"—the regrets we're on track to have if we don't course-correct now. They explore savoring past, present, and future, living both wider (more fun, vitality) and deeper (more meaning, purpose), and taking small but bold actions to get off the sidelines of our own lives.   Key Points Using the Grim Reaper / memento mori as motivation to truly live Waking up from autopilot and choosing a "squander‑free" life Jodi's mom's unfulfilled dreams as a powerful wake‑up call Leaving a comfortable corporate job for more meaningful work Creating 4000 Mondays and using "mortality math" to spark urgency Savoring past, present, and future moments to feel more alive Balancing life wider (fun, vitality) and deeper (meaning, purpose) Noticing that disappointment and fear keep us from big dreams Understanding regrets of omission (what we never try) hurt the most Taking one small, concrete action now as a vote for being fully alive Connect with Jodi Wellman: Jodi Wellman is a leading authority on living lives worth living. As a TEDx speaker, researcher, and author, she helps people live squander-free lives while they're lucky enough to still be above ground—starting with the "big end" in mind. She named her business Four Thousand Mondays to shine a light on the finite number of weeks we have to truly live with intention. She holds a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, where she serves as an Assistant Instructor in the master's program and a trainer in the world-renowned Penn Resilience Program. Through her research, she developed a model that teaches the interplay between living wider (with vitality) and deeper (with meaning), empowering people to experience life more fully. A certified coach with 25 years of corporate leadership experience, she has coached hundreds of companies, teams, leaders, and individuals over thousands of hours to "carpe diem" at a highly advanced level. She regularly speaks on this topic, including her TEDx talk with over 1.3 million views, How Death Can Bring You Back to Life, and her book, You Only Die Once: How to Make It to the End with No Regrets.   Connect with Jodi: Email: jodi@fourthousandmondays.com Website: https://fourthousandmondays.com/ Connect with Anna: Email: annamarie@happywholeyou.com / info@HappyWholeYou.com Website: www.happywholeyou.com / https://linktr.ee/happywholeyou Personal Website: www.DrAnnaMarie.com Instagram: @happywholeyou Personal Instagram: @Dr.Anna.Marie Facebook: Happy Whole You LinkedIn: Anna Marie Frank Venmo: @happywholeyou

Drama on a SundayFirst, a look at the events of the day.Then, Lux Radio Theater,  originally broadcast March 22, 1937, 89 years ago, Death Takes a Holiday starring Fredric March.  The fascinating story of a visit by the Grim Reaper. An adaptation of the 1934 pre-code romantic drama in which March starred.  Followed by Big Town starring Edward Pawley, originally broadcast March 22, 1949, 77 years ago,  The Deadly Summons.  Elizabeth Blake has been killed in an accidental fall down a flight of stairs. Mrs. Blake was a famous actress. Her son is quoted as saying, "murder will out." The boy's stepfather, confined to a wheelchair, is a possible suspect.   Then, Escape,  originally broadcast March 22, 1953, 73 years ago, Pressure.   A story about an American sub trapped underwater for many hours by a Japanese destroyer.  William Conrad stars with Larry Thor narrating.  Finally, Claudia, originally broadcast March 22, 1948, 78 years ago, Shopping for the Baby.  Kathryn Bard and Paul Crabtree star. Thanks to Debbie B. for supporting our podcast by using the Buy Me a Coffee function at http://classicradio.streamCheck out Professor Bees Digestive Aid at profbees.com and use my promo code WYATT to save 10% when you order! If you like what we do here, visit our friend Jay at http://radio.macinmind.com for great old-time radio shows 24 hours a day

This episode of The Metal Grotto, Rev Jeff Ivins steps in and brings you the following artists for your ear worm’s approval: Body Count, Sepultura, Cro-Mags, The Quinessentials, Seraphim Shock, Nephelium, Green Jelly, Grim Reaper, Lyric Noel, Eva Under Fire, F.I.L.T.H, Korn, and finishing up with Megadeth.

Host Meg Wolitzer presents three stories in which reality contrasts with the dreams, perceptions, and actions of the characters.In “The Leap,” by Louise Erdrich, a mother's unusual skill set changes the outcome of events.  The reader is Elizabeth Reaser.  In “Death and the Lady,” by Ben Loory, even the Grim Reaper harbors illusions.   And his parents' damaged marriage haunts an adult child in Delmore Schwartz's “In Dreams Begin Responsibilities.” Both the Loory and the Schwartz are read by multi-talented actor Denis O'Hare, and Wolitzer talks to him about his craft. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hosts: TJ, Brett, Krissy, & Jo Segment One (0:00:00): (0:05:30) Brett has to deal with his mother and technology and gets his eBay on as he sells some vintage Garbage Pail Kids cards. (0:22:58) Krissy watched the Superb Owl but forgot to bring the prediction winner follow up sheet. Plus, future bet punishment is discussed. (0:28:43) Jo gets grand-bestie shenanigans and a hard shift turns to Krissy Conspiration Theories. (0:36:32) Valentine shenanigans abound for TJ and Jo involving a lazy bartender, an amazing bartender, Taco Bell, Japanese cuisine, and a movie. Plus, discussion is prompted regarding Instagram annoyances. Segment Two (1:09:08): (1:12:51) It's counterfeit cash, flowers, and strippers in the FGS this week. Plus, can you guess the Top 20 Stripper Names Of 2026. (1:26:31) HOT TAKES kicks off with an insane amount of celebrity passings and massive action on The Dead Pool with this week's GRIM REAPER ROUND UP. (1:37:18) TJ and Jo review Iron Lung. (2:05:50) Junior Producer Marq stops by to help Krissy pick up her slack and gets us the Superb Owl predictions. Segment Three (2:22:42): (2:24:48) In a belated celebration of Valentine's Day, TJ brings Name That Backwards Tune: Valentine's Day Edition to KRISSY'S KRAZY KORNER. (2:47:26) PICK O' THE WEEK…… maybe. Now with 25% more patronizing! It's THE QUAD M SHOW!

Gold medal for NBC Olympics? Goes to the drones… which is low-key dominated by China.Tech stocks are 6% off their all-time-highs… but the rest of the world is lapping us.Allbirds is closing all their stores… we think they should embrace the ugly.The new way to get ahead at work? Ski black diamonds…$BIRD $SPY $RCATBuy tickets to The IPO Tour (our In-Person Offering) TODAYAustin, TX (2/25): SOLD OUTArlington, VA (3/11): https://www.arlingtondrafthouse.com/shows/341317 New York, NY (4/8): https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0000637AE43ED0C2Los Angeles, CA (6/3): SOLD OUTGet your TBOY Yeti Doll gift here: https://tboypod.com/shop/product/economic-support-yeti-doll NEWSLETTER:https://tboypod.com/newsletter OUR 2ND SHOW:Want more business storytelling from us? Check our weekly deepdive show, The Best Idea Yet: The untold origin story of the products you're obsessed with. Listen for free to The Best Idea Yet: https://wondery.com/links/the-best-idea-yet/NEW LISTENERSFill out our 2 minute survey: https://qualtricsxm88y5r986q.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dp1FDYiJgt6lHy6GET ON THE POD: Submit a shoutout or fact: https://tboypod.com/shoutouts SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tboypod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tboypodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tboypod Linkedin (Nick): https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-martell/Linkedin (Jack): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-crivici-kramer/Anything else: https://tboypod.com/ About Us: The daily pop-biz news show making today's top stories your business. Formerly known as Robinhood Snacks, The Best One Yet is hosted by Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January 23rd: Shawna Nelson Kills (2007) Affairs are messy and, as we've heard time and time again, can be deadly. On January 23rd 2007 a murder took place and, as soon as news spread, everyone knew who pulled the trigger. A crime motivated by a very well known affair. https://murderpedia.org/female.N/n/nelson-shawna.htm, https://www.courttv.com/trials/co-v-nelson-2008/, https://www.talesfromtheunderworld.com/p/a-deadly-affair-the-chilling-case, https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/murderers-best-friend-gets-maximum-prison-sentence/73-343227584, https://www.oxygen.com/crime-time/in-twisted-love-triangle-shawna-nelson-shot-her-lovers-wife-in-the-head-and-tried-to-pin, https://www.denverpost.com/2008/04/21/nelson-conspirator-sentenced-to-9-years/, https://www.westword.com/news/colorado-crime-heather-garraus-murder-podcast-internal-affairs-15046304 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thank you to Tim, Antonia and Kizzy for sending in your story! Visit our WEBSITE Subscribe to our PATREON Subscribe to our YOUTUBE CHANNELVisit our MERCH STORE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan takes us to downtown Dallas, across from Union Station, to an old hotel that's changed names so many times it's like it keeps trying to hide from its past. Room 1009 doesn't seem to care what the hotel is called, though. Stories of encounters with its ghosts remain unchanged. The room allegedly has a long, sordid history of murders and suspicious deaths tied to it. Then we explore the lore of the elegant Adolphous Hotel. It's been collecting tragedy since the first month it opened. On the nineteenth floor, guests still report hearing a woman sobbing like her heart is breaking in real time. Lynze starts off with a possible Grim Reaper sighting on the night of a confirmed death. Then, we head to Key West AKA Bone Island, for a ghost tour with an actual ghost. Lastly, on a long drive home after a long week of work, a man encounters someone who seems to have wandered out of their final resting place. Do you want to get all of our episodes a WEEK early, ad free? Want to help us support amazing charities? Join us on Patreon!Want to be a Patron? Get episodes AD-FREE, listen and watch before they are released to anyone else, bonus episodes, a 20% merch discount, additional content, and more! Learn more by visiting: https://www.patreon.com/scaredtodeathpodcast.Send stories to mystory@scaredtodeathpodcast.comSend everything else to info@scaredtodeathpodcast.comPlease rate, review, and subscribe anywhere you listen.Thank you for listening!Follow the show on social media: @scaredtodeathpodcast on Facebook and IG and TTWebsite: https://www.badmagicproductions.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scaredtodeathpodcastInstagram: https://bit.ly/2miPLf5Mailing Address:Scared to Deathc/o Timesuck PodcastPO Box 3891Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816Opening Sumerian protection spell (adapted):"Whether thou art a ghost that hath come from the earth, or a phantom of night that hath no home… or one that lieth dead in the desert… or a ghost unburied… or a demon or a ghoul… Whatever thou be until thou art removed… thou shalt find here no water to drink… Thou shalt not stretch forth thy hand to our own… Into our house enter thou not. Through our fence, breakthrough thou not… we are protected though we may be frightened. Our life you may not steal, though we may feel SCARED TO DEATH." Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Scared to Death ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Courthouses are full of tension—families on edge, lives in limbo, futures decided in fluorescent-lit rooms. But on one afternoon in Washington, D.C., something else showed up that had nothing to do with judges, lawyers, or legal papers. A 12-year-old girl sits in a waiting area, dressed in purple, next to a stranger who's struggling just to breathe. Behind them: a wall of glass, metal detectors, and bored security guards. It's the least “haunted” place you could imagine. Until something on the other side of that glass demands their attention. Three deliberate knocks. What happens when you're the only one who sees the figure in black? The only one who hears the sound that changes everything in the space of a breath? And why, decades later, can she still remember the color of the clothes, the feel of the air, and the way everyone stared at her like she was the problem? #ghoststory #paranormal #WashingtonDC #courthouseghost #truehaunting #realghoststories #grimreaper #supernatural #hauntedDC #creepyencounter #spiritvisitor #RealGhostStoriesOnline Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

⚰️It's Halloween⚰️ What do you do when death comes for you? Well, the characters in today's stories have a lot of ideas, and they're surprisingly successful. The problem? Death works on a much, much longer timeline.

During the continuing government shutdown, President Trump has posted memes depicting Russel T. Vought, the White House budget director, as the grim reaper.Coral Davenport, a Washington correspondent for The Times, explains how Mr. Vought, a once obscure official, has become one of the most influential figures in Washington.Guest: Coral Davenport, a Washington correspondent for The New York Times, focusing on the Trump administration's dismantling of federal rules.Background reading: Mr. Vought has exerted his influence over nearly every corner of President Trump's Washington with his command of the levers of the federal budget.Both parties are resigned to deadlock as the government shutdown takes hold.Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesFor more information on today's episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.