Podcasts about Grotto

Auckland's former flagship department store Smith and Caughey's, which recently closed after 145 years, is selling off its shop fittings and surplus stock in an auction starting on Monday. Acting Chief Executive Matt Harray spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

To Infinity, and beyond!In 13 parts, By BradentonLarry - Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels.With her heart thumping in her chest, anxious about what was transpiring between the two people she loved most (well, possibly excepting her mother), Toshia hurried down the hall, followed by Evelyn, who led Mick by the cock, literally, for she hadn't let go of his hard cock. She came to the doorway, which had been left wide open, to see Don kneeling on the floor at the edge of the bed and Sarah lying sprawled on the bed, one hand on Don's head between her legs, and her legs wrapped around his upper body. Her beautiful tits were heaving as she arched her back with what looked like an intense orgasm. Smiling happily, Toshia hurried into the room and climbed onto the bed.As she leaned over Sarah's face, Toshia was delighted to see her beloved smiling up at her. Then Sarah was pulling her down for a long, loving kiss. When she could, Toshia asked, "He's good at that, isn't he?""Uh, yes!" Sarah murmured."Do you want him to fuck you now?""God yes," Sarah breathed. "Please!"Toshia quickly kissed her again and then looked down to Don, who was already standing up between Sarah's legs, rubbing the head of his cock between her lips and over her clit. With a grin, Toshia said, "Fuck her good, Professor.""Can we all join in?" Evelyn asked from the doorway. She didn't wait for an answer before dragging Mick into the room and to the bed.Toshia went back to making out with Sarah, who moaned into her girlfriend's mouth as Don worked his cock in and out of her. Toshia's hand grasped one of Sarah's soft breasts as it swayed, and gave it a loving squeeze, before pinching and twisting it in the way Toshia knew she loved. Sarah rewarded her with a happy whimper and reached up to hold Toshia's head to her.Toshia thought Evelyn would get busy with Mick while Don and she were busy with Sarah, so she was surprised when she felt Evelyn's hands prompting her to get up on her knees, and then the unmistakable feeling of a fat cockhead teasing her cunt from behind. Toshia broke her kiss to look over her shoulder, where she saw Evelyn grinning at her and then giving her a wink.Looking back down to Sarah, Toshia said, "I'm about to be fucked, too, baby. Is that okay?""Yes," Sarah groaned. "Is this really happening?""Yes, it is," Toshia smiled. Then she closed her eyes and groaned a bit as Mick pushed his long cock slowly into her. "God, that feels so good!" she exclaimed, and then said to Sarah, "Is Don fucking you hard enough, baby?"Sarah smiled and said, "Not quite.""Fuck her harder, Don, damn!" Toshia grinned at Don. Then she called over her shoulder, "You too, Mick, fuck me like you, oh, yes, like that!" For a moment, Toshia just concentrated on twisting Sarah's nipple and shoving back onto Mick who was fucking her quite vigorously, but then, on Toshia's left, the far side of the bed, Evelyn was crawling up on the bed, followed by an east-Asian-looking guy."Where did you find him?" Toshia laughed."At the cock shop, obviously," Evelyn laughed, as she lay back and spread her legs to welcome this new guy to the party."This has gotten completely out of hand," Toshia murmured with a smile as she maneuvered to the right a bit, so she could replace her fingers on Sarah's nipple with her mouth. As soon as she was sucking hard on her girlfriend's tit, she reached down between Sarah and Don to stroke Sarah's clit. All the while, Mick kept fucking in and out of her, his balls slapping Toshia's clit.It didn't take much of this before Sarah, was writhing on the bed, moaning, "God, yes! Yes!"When she caught her breath, Sarah rolled off the bed and leaned over the foot of it so she could catch Toshia's head in her hands and kiss her. She said, "You look good like that.""Do I?" Toshia grinned back at her, shoving back on Mick's cock a bit harder."Hell yes!" Sarah grinned. Then Don was behind her, pushing himself back into her cunt. "Uh, yes, fuck me some more," Sarah said."You're so beautiful like this," Toshia said with a kiss. "Do you like getting fucked by Don?""God yes!" Sarah groaned. "I take it you like it too," she smirked a bit."I do," Toshia nodded. "Is that okay?""Yes, as long as I can have some too.""While we're here you can have anything and anyone you want," Toshia grinned as she reached back to start playing with her own clit, feeling Mick's cock as it slid in and out of her and his heavy balls bumping into her."Promise?" Sarah said as she pushed back on Don, slipping her own hand underneath herself to play as Toshia was."Uh huh, baby," Toshia nodded. "I did so much here. I didn't know how to tell you.""Uh, I want to hear all about it," Sarah murmured, "but right now, let's just, fuck, enjoy this, I'm going to come again, ""Me too, baby," Toshia moaned. Then she looked over Sarah's head and said, "Fill her with your cum, lover."Don nodded his understanding and promptly began to shove harder and faster into Sarah, which prompted a long happy groan from Sarah.Toshia looked over her left shoulder and said, "You too, Mick, give me your cum."As Mick immediately began fucking her even harder, with short staccato strokes, his cockhead hitting her cervix, Toshia watched Evelyn as she wrapped her legs around the man she'd found and urged him deeper into her. Without knowing the man's name Toshia still urged him, "Fuck her hard, dude. Pump that cunt full of cum!""Hell, yeah!" Evelyn grinned. "You heard the lady!"Then, for several long moments there was nothing but grunting and moaning, and the sound of bodies slapping together furiously.Mick was the first to cross the finish line, his cock swelling inside Toshia and then spilling a flood of hot cum in her cunt and womb. Feeling his cum running out over her fingers, Toshia shoved back on him and groaned as her orgasm erupted and spread like wildfire through her body. She was shuddering and moaning when she heard Sarah saying, "Oh my god, I'm gonna, I'm, I'm coming again!"Toshia watched her girlfriend's face twist up in ecstasy as her body contracted around the cock that chose that moment to pull Don along with it into orgasm, his head falling back as he seemed to have a very long, intense orgasm.Evelyn beat her man to her orgasm, and Toshia watched as the redhead seemed to clench every muscle in her body and pull the man fucking her tighter into her embrace. Unsurprisingly, he couldn't resist this and groaned as he shoved into her as he came."Fuck!" Sarah breathed. "Is it like this all the time here?""Pretty much," Toshia laughed. "Come up here, baby so I can clean you up some.""Ah, okay," Sarah said with apparent confusion. She didn't mind, though when Toshia had her lie on her back and spread her legs so Toshia could lick and suck Don's cum from her. Toshia found herself once again loving the taste of Don's cum, particularly now that it was mixed with the flavor of her Sarah.By the time, Evelyn had disentangled herself from the guy who now identified himself, also with a British accent, as Vince, and crawled over to kiss Sarah, Sarah was already rocking her hips, encouraging Toshia to lick her more thoroughly. Then Evelyn was moving up to straddle Sarah's face, lowering her cummy cunt to Sarah's mouth, obliging Vince to move aside.From between Sarah's legs, licking at her clit and now pushing several fingers up into her cunt, Toshia watched her girlfriend hesitate, then slowly begin licking at Evelyn's cunt. With a low murmur of approval, Sarah reached up and grabbed Evelyn's tight ass, which Toshia had to admit was just perfect.For several minutes, the guys were content to sit back and watch, but, naturally enough, Don was the first man to get back into the action. First, he moved to the foot of the bed to give Evelyn a kiss, but then he moved up to Toshia, who was still lying on her belly with her face between Sarah's thighs. Toshia felt him kiss the top of her head, and then his hand began caressing and squeezing her ass.Without giving it a second thought, Toshia responded willingly to his gentle but firm physical prompt to lift herself up on her knees enough that he could push the fat head of his cock, still slippery with his cum and Sarah's wetness, against her tight little rosebud. With a happy sigh breathed into Sarah's cunt, Toshia relaxed and felt Don's cock pushing slowly into her ass. She wanted to push back on him and encourage him to do as Daphne told him and to fuck her hard, but she was determined to focus on Sarah first.The other guys then returned to the party. Vince lowered his mouth to Sarah's breast and began sucking on her nipples, as his hands also moved in to squeeze her tits. Mick got up at the end of the bed in front of Evelyn and proceeded to make out with her while she promptly went back to stroking his long cock. Toshia was sure that if there had been enough room in that direction, Evelyn would have bent down to suck that cock. Toshia was looking forward to getting her mouth on that particular cock, herself.Then, Sarah was coming again, twisting and writhing on the bed. Toshia sucked on her clit as she came, her fingers still pumping in and out of her cunt as it clamped down on them.Sarah's orgasm prompted a bit of reorganization, and Toshia took the opportunity to reach back to stroke her clit, and then to push a couple of fingers up into herself. Using her fingers to fuck her cunt, she pushed back on Don to encourage him to fuck her ass harder.She looked up momentarily to see Sarah bent over sucking Vince's cock, and past her Evelyn was giving Mick's the same treatment, though quite a bit more exuberantly. Thinking of how well things were going, and how good it felt to have Don fucking her again, Toshia surrendered to a deep moan of satisfaction.This drew Sarah's attention, and she looked up at Toshia with a happy smile. Then Sarah frowned a little as she took a more careful look at what Toshia and Don were doing."Baby, is he fucking your ass?"" Uh-hum, he certainly is," Toshia grinned almost deliriously."Damn! I didn't know you liked that.""Neither did I until, well, a week ago, I guess," Toshia murmured, a bit distractedly. "Don took my cherry.""Oh? That's hot," Sarah decided."That's nothing," Evelyn said from the end of the bed, where she had her hand wrapped tightly around the base of Mick's cock. Shoving back on Don's cock and grinding her palm against her clit, Toshia idly wondered where in the world Evelyn was going with this.Evelyn's destination soon became clear, though as she started directing the action on the bed. She had Vince lie down on his back, and then got Toshia to straddle him with his cock slipping up into her very ready cunt. Toshia smiled down at Vince and rocked her hips, rubbing her clit against his body and enjoying the feeling of his cock inside her."Now, my dear," Evelyn asked, "which of these fine cocks do you want in your ass?"Toshia saw Sarah had taken a seat in an armchair, which Toshia hadn't even noticed before now, and was watching intently, her hand down between her legs; then she looked at the two men Evelyn was offering her. If she was going to show Sarah herself at her sluttiest, she might as well go for broke. She licked her lips and said, "Can't I have both?"Evelyn grinned broadly and said, "That's the right answer! Now, how should we do this, ?"Sarah watched raptly as Evelyn quickly deepthroated Don's cock, getting it nice and wet with her saliva, and then told him to get back to fucking Toshia's ass.Toshia groaned happily as she felt Don filling her again. She moved between the two men, bracing her hands on Vince's chest. With a lusty smile for Sarah, Toshia said, "God, that feels so good!"Evelyn was urging Mick over to kneel in front of Toshia. Without waiting for instructions, Toshia leaned forward and took that beautiful long cock into her mouth and then down her throat. Breathing through her nose, Toshia gave herself a moment to simply enjoy being so completely filled.Then, Mick was drawing back and moving back around behind Don, who then drew almost all the way out of Toshia. With a deep breath, Toshia tried to relax in spite of the excitement of the moment. She breathed out slowly as she felt both Don and Mick pushing slowly into her, their heads stretching her tight sphincter. When they were through, Toshia gasped and sighed. Then they pushed deeper and deeper. It felt like they would never stop opening her up and filling her, but then they were drawing back, still very slowly, until they were almost all the way out. As one, the two cocks began pushing back into her again, slowly, deliberately, and agonizingly.Toshia groaned deliriously, her hands going from Vince's chest to clutch at the bedsheets over his head. She looked at Sarah who was looking back at her in amazement. Feeling a surge of pride to combine with her horniness, Toshia heard herself saying, "Yes, boys, fuck me! Fuck my ass!"Her first orgasm hit her like a truck just then, her body clenching and shuddering between Vince and Don, her eyes squeezed closed as she whimpered with intense pleasure. When she was able to open them again, Toshia saw that Sarah was still watching her and the boys, as if she couldn't take her eyes off them, but Evelyn was now kneeling on the floor between Sarah's legs, apparently licking and sucking at Sarah's sex.With a smile for Sarah, Toshia found herself pushing back on the three cocks, and repeated, "Fuck me, boys, fuck me!"Vince was holding her hips tightly, keeping her down on his cock as he shoved up into her, the base of his cock rubbing tightly against her clit. Don's hands had slipped around her to squeeze her small tits, basically using them to hold on to. She didn't know what Mick was doing except that he and Don were managing to fuck in and out of her ass in remarkable unison. Toshia simply held on and enjoyed the ride, coming again and again, until the cocks began to fill her with cum. She didn't know if it was Don or Mick, but someone pumped a lot of hot cum deep into her bowels. The other one followed quickly after, and Toshia felt a flood of warm fluid spilling out of her and down over Vince's cock and balls.First Mick, then Don, drew out of her ass, which just spilled more cum out of her. Across the room, Sarah was coming yet again, this time with Evelyn licking her. Toshia looked down at Vince with what must have been a crazed smile and then kissed him deeply. She kept kissing him passionately as she began to ride his cock wildly, squeezing her cunt around him as tightly as she could. She again had her hands on his chest, pushing up so she could make him come inside her. As he shoved up into her, his cock swelling and pumping what felt like a geyser of cum up inside her, Toshia came again, a shaking, shuddering, moaning pillar of ecstasy on top of the prone man."My god!" she heard Sarah saying as she slumped off Vince's body. She had a deliriously happy smile on her tear-streaked face. She could see Evelyn still kneeling on the floor, this time sucking on Don's cock, and Sarah was leaning over in her chair to do the same to Mick's. Toshia was sure it looked like Sarah was deepthroating that lovely long cock.Toshia vaguely thought that it would only polite for her to clean up Vince as the others were being cleaned, but she simply didn't have the energy. But then she felt Vince nudging her over onto her back and encouraging her to spread her legs. She sighed happily when she felt his lips and tongue moving over her, licking up all the cum he could find. When he moved on to her ass, cleaning her just as thoroughly there, she smiled and thought once again that Eros was wonderful.By the time Vince had finished his delightful ministrations, Toshia was ready to at least see what the others were up to. Sarah was enthusiastically bobbing up and down on Don's cock as he sat in the chair. He was holding her ass in his hands and her tits were bouncing in front of his face. Evelyn at the end of the bed again but was on her hands and knees as Mick fucked her from behind. Smiling happily, Toshia pushed Vince onto his back and returned the favor of cleaning his cock and balls thoroughly.When he was ready, all nice and hard again, Toshia sent him over to switch places with Mick, who promptly moved around in front of Evelyn to begin fucking her very talented mouth and throat. Toshia lounged on the bed, propped up on her elbow, watching the two shows, in no hurry to get back into the action.After both Evelyn and Sarah came again, things cooled down, and Don suggested they head for the showers. With Mick and Vince trailing along, Evelyn led the way while Don explained, "Basically, you've got two options. You can stay here and go back normally, or by way of the Grotto, which Toshia will explain, or we can take you home. However, you should know that if we take you back its one-way. This was a special deal and I'm pretty sure we won't be able to do it again."Toshia knew that she would have to talk this over with Sarah, and also knew that Don was certainly aware of that, but she wanted to ask first, "Can we take time to decide?""Of course, as long as you like," Don smiled."Wait! Why can't we go back and forth? Why can't we have the best of both worlds?" Sarah wanted to know."You can, but only if you get rings like this," Don said with a smile, holding up his hand to illustrate."But it's not going to be easy," Evelyn said over her shoulder."But we can we go after a pair of those rings?" Toshia emphasized.Don grinned. "I can't see why you couldn't, but you would be on your own for that.""Except," Evelyn said, stopping and turning to speak directly to Toshia and Sarah, "I've been thinking about this, and if you do it you should try to get them to let you do it as a couple.""Wait, what?" Don asked, obviously blindsided by this idea."Yeah," Evelyn smiled at him. "They want you to just do it as a solo thing, clearly, but both times we asked for an exception they said okay. You might have to do extra stuff, or harder tasks, but I'll bet they let you."Don frowned, then nodded and said, "That makes sense.""Of course, it does," Evelyn said with mock indignation.

Chris Blanchard, Executive Director of The Grotto, shares how his faith in God sustained him through his life as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. Also hear how you can join in at The Grotto for their Lunch and Learn events.Subscribe to the Morning Blend on your favorite podcast platform.Find this show on the free Hail Mary Media App, along with a radio live-stream, prayers, news, and more.Look through past episodes or support this podcast.The Morning Blend is a production of Mater Dei Radio in Portland, Oregon.

Evelyn's Stage Performance Continues it be a big hit.In 13 parts, By BradentonLarry - Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels.Evelyn directed the couple into another position. Now the man was lying on his back while his 'wife' rode his cock, rather enthusiastically, while Evelyn sat on the man's face, grinding her cunt and clit on his mouth and watching the woman enjoy that fat cock. Don watched as Evelyn squeezed her own breasts, twisting her nipples, and then reached out to do the same to the woman across from her. Evelyn leaned forward and managed to get her mouth on one of the woman's nipples, which seemed to send the woman into another orgasm. Then, Evelyn was sitting back on the man's face, head thrown back and her hands squeezing her own tits tightly as her body rocked with her own first orgasm of the session.Don's cock throbbed and twitched, as if in sympathy with Evelyn's body.When the trio changed positions again, it was Evelyn's turn to lie on her back, her ass at the edge of the bed, as the man held her legs up and shoved his thick cock back into her cunt. At first the woman knelt on the bed next to Evelyn, making out with her and sucking on her tits, but then she moved up to kneel over Evelyn's face. Don watched as Evelyn grasped the woman's ass and held her in place so she could lick and suck at her clit and cunt, while the man fucked Don's lover hard and deep.Soon the woman was climaxing again, crying out loudly so everyone in the club noticed, and the man was shoving up into Evelyn with short violent strokes until he too was clearly coming. As he eventually drew out of Evelyn, a long, thick strand of cum hung between her cunt and the head of his cock.Evelyn said something to the woman who then quickly got down on her hands and knees at the end of the bed, first to suck the man's cock clean and then to bury her face in Evelyn's messy snatch, licking and sucking up all the cum he'd left there. Soon, Evelyn was sitting half up on the bed, her muscles clenching tight, as she held the woman's head in place while Evelyn's orgasm tore through her.For a long moment, Evelyn just lay back on the bed with a happy smile on her face, and then she sat up and looked out at the audience with a grin. Don grinned back at her, though he was pretty sure she couldn't see him. Still, when she mouthed, "One more?" he gave her an enthusiastic thumbs up. In any case, they had agreed she would give him a sign to let him know she was ready to leave, and she certainly hadn't given it.After Evelyn and her two playmates cleared that set, a couple of servitors came and straightened things up quickly, but without bothering to change the bed or anything. By the time Evelyn reappeared, only the big orgy on the circular bed and the couples in the dungeon set were still going at it. Don was downstairs, idly watching the orgy, when Evelyn came back on stage, this time entering the bus stop set. She had her hair in a couple of pigtails and was wearing a light sundress. She took a seat on the plastic bench against the wall, and waited, for a bus, supposedly, but really for her next set of playmates to join her.Soon two men joined her. There was quite a bit of pantomimed flirting and exaggerated come-hither looks before the men were standing in front of Evelyn having their cocks sucked. They had apparently left the door light set to yellow, because by the time Evelyn was on her hands and knees, though still in her sundress, getting spit-roasted, another guy poked his head in and decided to join in. By the time the scene had run its course, Evelyn had serviced six guys altogether, and a beautiful brown-skinned young woman with long, thick, black hair had come in to take over on the mattress. Don was happy to watch this woman enjoy herself while Evelyn got cleaned up and ready for round three.When Evelyn came back on stage, she was again wearing high heels, but this time they came with black boots that went almost all the way up her thighs. Her torso was wrapped in a shiny black bodice that left her crotch and tits exposed, and she was wearing black gloves that went up to the middle of her biceps. Her hair was now pulled back tightly into a ponytail, and she led a beautiful naked Asian woman with black hair hanging down to the middle of her back out and promptly began tying her to a frame that left her spread-eagled and vulnerable to anything Evelyn might inflict upon her.Evelyn spent the next hour teasing and tormenting this poor woman, who seemed to love every minute of it, even when she was begging Evelyn for release. Evelyn finally let the woman come, but only after she had stuffed a rather large ass plug and a big, shiny black dildo into their respective places, and fastened heavy nipple clamps to her nipples. Then, with only the command, "Come," Evelyn reduced the woman to a shuddering, quivering display of ecstasy that went on for what seemed like several long minutes. Then Evelyn sat on a bench so the grateful woman could crawl across the floor on her hands and knees to lick and suck at Evelyn until she made her temporary mistress come.Finally, Evelyn came onto stage with the next bunch of five people to make use of the big circular bed. Two lucky men were accompanied by Evelyn and three women, who all came in naked and wasted no time in climbing onto the bed and getting acquainted. Soon it became rather hard for Don to keep track of Evelyn amid the confusion of heaving bodies. At one point, she was near the center of the bed, slowly turning with it, as she rode slowly up and down on a cock as several hands reached up to caress her body. At another, she was on her hands and knees near the edge, gliding past the front of the stage, making out with a girl lying on her back at right angles to Evelyn, while one of the men slowly, but intently fucked Evelyn from behind.They must have left the light on yellow, because while they played another five people came to join the party - three men and two women, this time. Don found a chair to get comfortable, but continued to resist touching his straining cock. He was a bit amused by all the men in the audience who were, and had been all night, watching Evelyn and bringing themselves to intense, squirting orgasms. He was, however, much more distracted by the women around him, moaning in orgasmic pleasure as they watched the shows before them.Eventually, with her hair a wild mess around her head, Evelyn broke free from the orgy on the bed and staggered to the front of the stage to give the agreed upon sign that she was ready to leave. Don went straight to the exit, expecting to have to wait for Evelyn to get cleaned up, but she met him right away, naked and carrying her clothes with her in a bundle. She had cum all over her and smelled deliciously of the sex she'd been having."Hi there!" she grinned.Don caught her face in his hands and kissed her deeply and passionately.When he released her, she asked, "Did you enjoy the show?""Fuck yes!" he laughed. "Let's go over by the pool and find someplace for the night.""Good idea! I need to get cleaned up.""Not quite yet," Don smiled. "I'm going to add to your, makeup, first.""Oh! Excellent!" she beamed. "You really had a good time?""I did!" he laughed again."Sorry I took so long. If we can't have sex, I want to make sure I'm ready to actually sleep.""Good thinking," Don grinned."What was your favorite part?" she asked."It was all very hot, but I have to admit the first one was probably my favorite," Don said. "I liked the story you were telling.""I knew you'd get it!""What was your favorite part?" he asked."Oh, that's easy," she said, "this next bit!"Laughing, he said, "That doesn't count.""Hum, well, that's really hard to say. There were high points in each scene. In the first one, for instance, I really liked having that guy, Dave, fucking me from behind while I went down on Julie. In the second, well, there was that first time I had three cocks in me at once. Then, when I let Tamiko come, that was hot! I came so many times during the last scene I couldn't say, really. Damn, I really have become a wild woman here, haven't I?""Yeah, and I love it!" Don grinned.They had reached the poolside and quickly found a double-sized lounger. Evelyn dropped her clothes on the ground and sat down on the edge of the lounger, leaning back and spreading her legs in front of Don."Damn! That's so tempting," he breathed."No touching!" she smiled up at him. "Just watch me as I touch myself. You liked watching those men fucking me, didn't you? It felt so good to have them in my cunt and ass, and to suck them, and to lick those sexy pussies and clits," Evelyn said as her hands moved slowly over her body, cupping her breasts and then sliding over her taut belly down between her legs."I kept thinking about how hard your cock must be as you were watching me up on that stage, fucking and getting fucked, sucking and licking, coming over and over." She was simultaneously strumming her clit and fucking herself with several fingers. "I kept thinking how hot it was to have you watching me, watching me suck, and fuck, and all that cum on my face and tits, and, and, up inside me, God, Don, I'm going to come again. Give me your cum, Don!"Don couldn't restrain himself any longer. His iron-hard cock swelled in his hands and then erupted, spraying a geyser of hot cum all over Evelyn's naked body. It splattered all over her belly, across her tits and neck, and hit her chin. The second gout splashed over her lower belly and covered her fingers, getting pushed up into her cunt as she clenched upon herself on the lounger, her face scrunched up tightly as she came with him.Don staggered backward a bit and Evelyn fell back on the lounger with a heavy sigh."Ugh," she moaned. "I need to clean up, but I don't think I can move.""Fuck it," Don chuckled. "Let's just do it when we wake up.""Seriously?" she laughed. "Okay.""But you do have to move. We can't sleep like that.""I'm not moving. You get your own," she waved her hand in the air. When Don actually started to sit down on the next lounger over, though, she said, "Fine, fine, I'm moving!"They managed to spend the night spooned together, in a rather sticky mess, without violating the terms of Don's mission to not have physical-contact sex, and then enjoyed a leisurely bath in the pool in the morning. At the resort's wardrobery, they managed to find Evelyn a nice backpack for her pilgrimage, and then, with a long hug and a deep, loving kiss, she set off in quest of the Grove of Rati."So, you were left alone again, in the sex resort where you couldn't actually have sex, for a year," Toshia summed up."Yeah, that's about the size of it.""How did it go?""Well, at the time it seemed very slow, but when it was over it didn't seem bad at all," Don shrugged. "I did have a couple of visitors along the way. Both Nicole and Stephanie passed through the Resort before I was done.""How were they doing?""Okay. I found out that the watcher's council seemed to have something of a pattern in their assignments. A few personalized quests to start with and then a long-term test, like my sheriff's job or Evelyn's pilgrimage. Nicole had to find the Trans-Erosian Railway and ride it from end to end. She came through the Resort heading in the opposite direction from Evelyn, hoping to connect with that train. Stephanie came through very near the end of my year after spending a year in Rendezvous without having sex with any men.""That sounds a lot easier than your task," Toshia frowned."That's what I said!" Don laughed. "She admitted it wasn't that difficult, but she was glad to get back to 'proper fucking' as she called it. Oh, and I got to talk to India a few times, too. But mostly, I just kept myself busy watching other people and getting to know the ins and outs of the Resort. I fell into a pretty stable, comfortable routine. I was actually kind of surprised when I came back into my office after a 'patrol,' and suddenly found myself in that big courtyard at the Hall of the Crimson Mountain King. At that moment, I was mostly just happy that my staff, which I had left in the office, appeared a second later on the ground at my feet. Then I remembered that this meant I could have sex again!"Toshia chuckled, "Uh oh!""Yeah," Don laughed. "I got into and out of those showers in record time. Then I dove into that super orgy for a solid hour. The first girl I hooked up with was a thin young woman, probably about nineteen. I've never had such an intense passionate session of anonymous sex in my life. I was nice about it, of course, but I fucked the hell out of that girl.""I'll bet!" Toshia laughed. "Did she object?"Don shook his head, "Not at all. But after I'd had my fun, I cleaned up and headed upstairs for my next mission."Task Five:"Congratulations, Don, you're now more than halfway finished with your tasks," Pamela almost smiled. "For your next assignment, we want you to find a familiar face. To be clear, we mean you must find someone you clearly recognize, and can put a name to, but whom you haven't seen previously in Eros.""So, if I recognize my second-grade teacher but can't remember her name, that doesn't count?""Exactly," she nodded."Do they have to remember who they are?" Don asked, thinking of all the people who seemed to have little or no memory of their non-Erosian existence. In particular, he recalled the stunning Price is Right model he had been so happy to meet on the beach outside Rendezvous."No," Pamela said. "We will be able to verify their identities to corroborate you.""That's handy.""We are aware that this particular task is largely out of your control and could take a very long time to complete. We are also, frankly, impressed with your efforts so far. So, we have decided to grant you some of the power you are seeking a bit early."She gestured to a ring that was now on the table in front of Don. Picking it up, he thought it had the weight and look of white gold. He slipped it onto his left middle finger. Nothing happened."You have to press it twice in quick succession to call up the menu."Don pressed the ring twice with his thumb as if he were double-clicking the ring. Suddenly, floating a bit above the midrange of his visual field was a horizontal blue bar. There was one item, in white letters, on that bar: "Travel.""Concentrate on the desired menu item to activate it," Pamela went on.Don wasn't sure what he was supposed to be doing, but he focused intently on "Travel," until a drop-down menu opened with the following list: Abbey of Records; Crimson Mountain - Porch; Elven Court; Gladys's Office; Grotto of Ishtar; Heolfor House; India's Home; Manor; Rendezvous - Beach; Rendezvous - Riverboat Dock; Resort; Shagbottom; Sisterhood Castle; Untamed Village; Witches' Glen; and, Wizard's Home."Nice!" Don breathed."When you visit a new location for which there is an established landmark it will automatically be added to your list," Pamela continued to explain. "Before you select anything, I should add that you can dismiss the display at any time."Don tried willing the menu and bar away and they promptly vanished. He called it up again and dismissed it, just for practice."When you select a travel destination, the menu will automatically close when you arrive. With the exception of these offices, you will not be able to use the ring to travel when anyone else can see you. Well, anyone who doesn't have a similar ring or one that is higher in rank, that is. Also, when traveling to a location, you will arrive at the closest safe position to the landmark where no one can see your arrival.""This is incredibly useful!" Don grinned."It is," Pamela nodded. "Do you have any questions about your task?""Find someone I can name from outside Eros," Don smiled. "Then report back here.""Exactly," Pamela said. "You should be able to manage all your own travel from now on.""So, I just call up the menu, focus on "Travel," then focus on a destination, "Then suddenly Don found himself standing outside the Abbey of Records."Whoa! Seriously?" Toshia gaped."Yeah," Don chuckled. "It's pretty cool. When I'm in Eros I can bop around like crazy. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a lot of fun.""Damn!""Well, I am restricted to the places I've already found, like in a video game with unlockable fast-travel points, but it's still massively useful. I'm thinking about setting off on a general exploration trip when I go back, to collect as many landmarks as I can. Stephanie probably has a lot more than I do. I know Evelyn's list is different from mine. She's got the Dark Labyrinth and a bunch of places she found on her pilgrimage, but not the Wizard's Home or Shagbottom, for instance.""That must have made your task much easier.""Well," Don paused. "I'm sure it cut out a lot of time going from one place to another, but it still took a lot of time to find someone I recognized. I started out just working down the list of places, skipping Gladys's office, the Grotto of Ishtar, and India's home. I was at the Abbey of Records anyway, so I went in and asked Charlotte if she could help me out at all. Naturally, I had to go through the whole routine, which took quite a while, and, in the end, she got a lot more out of me than I did from her. She wasn't aware of anyone that I might recognize, but then I had known it was going to be a long shot anyway. I crossed that off my list of places to try."I skipped the Crimson Mountain, figuring it would just take too damn long to try to comb through that orgy, or go looking for other rooms in that place, and went right to the elven court, Heolfor House, et cetera. It was kind of fun revisiting places and talking to people again. The Wizard and Madeleine, the Player, the Lady and Robert all say 'hi,' by the way. And Daphne says I'm to bend you over and fuck you hard in the ass.""Oh my!" Toshia laughed, actually feeling her cheeks reddening a bit.

Right out the gate we have an exciting podcast for you. Quina, Chocobo's and Moogles, all the things that make Final Fantasy IX great. Meeting Quina's tribe is a blast and making our way through Burmecia was thrilling. We play all the way up to the end of disc 1 for this episode. Next time, we'll get through Treno and into Alexandria. Enjoy the podcast, and don't forget to become a part of our Patreon community if you have the means. Thanks for watching! Time Codes: 1. Intro (0:00) 2. Gysahl Pickles Sponsorship (1:44) 3. Qu's Marsh (2:16) 4. Chocobo's Forest (32:31) 5. Gizmaluke's Grotto (51:26) 6. Burmecia (1:10:03) **Listen On Spotify**: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gIzzvT3AfRHjGlfF8kFW3 **Listen On Soundcloud**: https://soundcloud.com/resonantarc **Listen On iTunes**: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/state-of-the-arc-podcast/id1121795837 **Listen On Pocket Cast**: http://pca.st/NJsJ Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/resonantarc Subscribe Star: https://www.subscribestar.com/resonant-arc Twitter: https://twitter.com/resonantarc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resonantarc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resonantarc TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@resonantarc

Shagbotttom SocietyVictorian Hedonism comes to life.In 13 parts, By BradentonLarry - Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels.The two girls held a whispered conference on the big bed, and then Sage was pushing Reyansh away. She said, "Hold on one sec, lover; I want to try something."There was a very quick rearrangement, during which Don never had to leave Felicia's sweet embrace. Then Sage was laying with her head hanging over the edge of the bed, as Felicia lowered her mouth to Sage's cunt and clit, which she proceeded to lick and suck. Felicia's ass was up in the air, and Don continued to fuck her from behind. Then Sage beckoned to Reyansh, "Bring that big boy over here."Eager to comply, he lowered his hard cock for Sage so she could take it into her mouth and then her throat. Sage held his hips to keep her from getting carried away, but he was free to fuck her throat, and that's exactly what he began to do, reaching forward to cup and squeeze Sage's tits in his hands.Don looked down to see his relatively thick cock sliding in and out of Felicia's tight cunt, Felicia's perfect ass, her slender back, the back of her head with her adorable pixie cut, Sage's taut abs and strong thighs, her breasts being manhandled by Reyansh, her beautiful throat as she let him use it, and Reyansh's dark, athletic body as he worked himself in and out of Sage. It was a beautiful spectacle!Don could tell from the way Felicia was moving her right arm that she was fingering Sage as she licked. It didn't take too long before one of Sage's hands went from Reyansh's hip to the top of Felicia's head, and then it was only a minute longer before Sage was writhing on the bed between Felicia and Reyansh as she had a long, intense orgasm. As she shook and trembled, Reyansh pulled his now dripping wet cock out to let her breath."Damn! That was a good one!" Sage breathed."It looked like it," Don grinned from across the bed.Sage sat up and grinned back at him, before curling up to grab Felicia's face and kiss her deeply. Reyansh got up on the bed behind Sage and coaxed her up onto her hands and knees. Then the two women were kissing in the middle of the bed as the two men fucked them from behind. No one was trying to come; they were just enjoying themselves kissing and fucking.After a little bit of this, Sage broke the kiss, and looked over Felicia's shoulder, smiled at Don and asked, "Are you enjoying her hot cunt, Don?""Oh yes!" he grinned. "Are you enjoying Reyansh's big cock inside you?""You know," she laughed. "I really am.""Good!""I agree, but I was thinking, You know how I had all those cocks fucking me earlier?""I do," Don nodded. "It was very hot!""Yeah it was! But I don't remember sweet Felicia here having more than one cock at any time.""Is that right?""Reyansh," Sage asked over her shoulder, "did you see Felicia getting more than one cock?""No, I certainly didn't."All through this exchange, Felicia had done little more than giggle and push back on Don's cock."Well, this won't do at all," Sage decided. "Stop fucking me and get over here and feed Felicia your cock."Don held still until Reyansh was in position, but then he went back to fucking little Felicia harder, shoving her forward onto the cock in her mouth and throat. Sage crawled over to him and kissed him deeply before bending down to reach under Felicia to play with her clit. Before they could get Felicia to the breaking point, though, Sage stopped and asked Don, "She's got a pretty tight little ass, do you think you can fit inside it?""I could certainly try," Don laughed.Felicia murmured her approval around Reyansh's cock."Don't be so quick, sweetie," Sage said. "You're going to have a cock in your cunt too."Felicia's murmur was more enthusiastic, and she managed to nod her head rather emphatically.In another minute, Sage had Reyansh lie on his back and then Felicia mount him, bending forward so Don could push his cock, slippery with Felicia's juices, slowly up into her very tight, very hot ass. Sage leaned on Don's shoulder and whispered in his ear, "Fuck her ass good, baby. Make her come between you two studs!""Yes, ma'am," Don grinned, and proceeded to begin fucking Felicia's ass intently. Long, slow strokes gradually became shorter and faster. All the while Felicia was rocking her pelvis between the two men and groaning with pleasure.Sage move around to get down on her hands and knees so she could kiss Felicia, who could do little but let herself be kissed."Do you like having those cocks fucking you?" Sage asked."Yes," Felicia moaned. "It feels so good.""Are you going to come on their hard cocks?""Uh huh," Felicia breathed. "Very soon.""Do it, baby!" Sage said as she stroked Felicia's pretty face. "Come for us!""Oh god, yes!" Felicia cried as her body began to spasm between the two men. She shook and clenched, her cunt and ass pulling and grasping at the cocks inside her.Sage leaned in again and kissed her deeply. "Good girl," she smiled. Then she looked over Felicia's shoulder and asked, "Did you come? No? What about you down there? No? Well! We'll have to fix that, won't we? You two were partners in the game, right? You met in Rendezvous, right? Very good. Don and I are partners too, so I think we should finish this swap right. Reyansh, I want you to give me your cum wherever you want, and Don, you come for Felicia."Don slowly drew out of Felicia's ass so she could let Reyansh get out from under her. He took her in his arms and asked her, "Where do you want me to come, Felicia?""Please fuck my ass some more, Don," she said as her hand went to his cock. "But let me ride you."In short order, Don was lying next to Sage. She had her legs wrapped around Reyansh's waist, while he held her wrists up over her head as he drove into her cunt. Don was holding his cock erect for Felicia, who was squatting over him, pushing her tight ass down over his flaring head and thick shaft. Felicia leaned back with her hands on Don's thighs and began to raise and lower herself on him.Reyansh was driving into Sage's cunt with abandon, grinding against her clit and surely bottoming out in her grasping cunt. He was looking into her eyes as he fucked her harder and faster. Soon, both of them were groaning and clenching on the bed next to Don and Felicia as Sage's cunt was eagerly pulling a flood of hot cum out of Reyansh's cock.Don found the fact that he was lying next to Sage as she climaxed on another man's cock intensely erotic. The thought that she was yet again getting filled with cum only made the situation hotter! Don began to arch his back to fuck up into Felicia's ass, and reached down to use his thumb to play with her clit. Then there was motion on the bed next to them, and Sage leaned across Don to replace his thumb with her mouth on Felicia's clit. Reyansh stood up on the bed and offered Felicia his cock to clean off.Don lay back and watched the beautiful woman riding his cock take Reyansh's cummy cock into her mouth and suck on it hungrily, and felt Sage's fingers against the base of his cock as she pushed them up into Felicia's cunt. Then Felicia was coming again, moaning around the cock in her mouth and pushing down on Don. This was all Don could take and he felt his body shoving up into her ass as his balls tightened and his cock swelled inside her. Then he was arching his back, pushing up on Sage and into Felicia as he erupted, pumping a geyser of hot cum up into her.Very slowly, assisted by Reyansh, a quivering Felicia fell backwards, letting Don's cock slip out of her. Sage immediately caught it and took it into her mouth, claiming the last of his cum for herself.When she managed to get up on one arm and look at Don, Sage smiled and said, "Another shower?"Don laughed, utterly smitten by the sleepy, well-fucked look in her eyes and her messy mane of red hair, and said, "Sure, but if you think you're getting more sex out of me, "She kissed him quickly and said, "We'll see about that." Then she was clambering over him and pulling him out of the bed. Reyansh was lying there cradling Felicia in his arms, and Sage called back to them, "Don't take all the covers; we'll be back."As the water poured over them, in a brief break in their making out and hurried cleaning, Sage looked up at him and asked, "So, out in the other world, um, are you seeing anyone?"Don chuckled, bent down to kiss her, and then picked her up. She threw her arms around his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist, sinking down on his cock. Don's hands gripped her ass and slowly raised and lowered her. He smiled and said, "Well, I have this relationship with Toshia that's gotten interesting, but, as you know, she's got a girlfriend, but, actually, I was thinking I would like to be seeing you. If you're free, that is.""I think we can work something out," she smirked. "I take it we're going to be swingers, or something like that.""That does seem to be the way things are going," he kissed her again. "How does that sound to you?""Hum, pretty damn good. Just remember, ""I belong to you," he nodded."Aye, and, for the record, in case you were wondering, vice versa," she said as she flexed herself against him, working up and down and grinding against the base of his cock.Don grinned, "Yeah, I worked that out.""But we share.""Right.""And if we get a chance, we're banging the hell out of Toshia," she said."Of course.""Good," she kissed him. "Now fuck me. I want to have one more orgasm before we go to bed.""Greedy girl," he smiled."Hell yeah!""There was a lot more sex on the Riverboat, and we spent some time at the Resort.""Did she really say that about me?" Toshia asked."I swear," Don chuckled."Uh, I do like the sound of that," she smiled. "But you were saying.""Yeah, we did the Jungle Room, naturally, and I showed her the Temple. She got gangbanged in the Grotto, which is a very wet area, as you might expect.""How many guys? In the gangbang, I mean.""It's not a competition, you know," Don laughed.Toshia rolled her eyes at him."There were about a dozen, plus me.""Yes! Still the champion!" Toshia grinned."Well, that was before her trials, so, ""Doesn't count," Toshia said."Seriously?""I have ruled. Okay, you can go on with the story."Chapter 7. Lady Primrose's EarringsAs he and Sage made their way to the Crimson Mountain, Don was acutely aware of their impending separation, and the fact that they might remain apart for quite some time. Accordingly, he made sure they had a variety of plans for meeting up, if possible, leaving messages, when the opportunity presented itself, etc. Passing through the Manor they would leave word with the Scholar, and then linger about there at least for a few days. Passing through the Resort they would both check in with the Sheriff and leave word with the Sage."I'll try to remember that," Sage laughed."Yeah, and I'm trying to get used to thinking of you as Evelyn," Don smiled.Don also told her about the Wizard as a potential ally whose home might be a good meeting place, and the Witches of the Glen who might be helpful. Of course, they also thought the Maidenhead might be useful, even if they couldn't be too sure it would long remain in Megan's control. In turn, Evelyn told him about a cafe in the bazaar on the far side of the sea, and they agreed to check in at the tavern on the beach and Ambrosia's when in the vicinity of Rendezvous.When they got to the locker rooms in the Hall of the Crimson Mountain King, they bathed, but Don made a point of retrieving the staffs the Wizard had given him and Shelonda what seemed so long ago. Stephanie had had no real experience with such things, and Nicole was positively averse to using any kind of weapon. Evelyn, though, had some martial arts training, though it was mostly in aikido, and definitely had no problem with weapons."Too bad we don't have swords," she mused as she spun the enchanted wooden staff in her hands. Having been made for Shelonda, it was just about the perfect size for Evelyn."God, you're hot!" Don grinned as he admired the way the muscles in her arms and wrists moved as she played with the staff."Oh, we should have gotten bows and arrows from the elves!"Don groaned, "Ugh, why didn't I think of that?"She laughed, "Well, you're not the only one who didn't.""On the other hand," he mused, "it doesn't seem like we're very likely to be called upon to fight anyone. Still, an unbreakable staff can be a useful tool.""Hard wood can definitely be good to get your hands on," she smirked.It turned out that, as long as they bathed and were naked, the red-robed servitors had no problem with letting them proceed into the Pleasure Dome and seemed to pay no attention at all to the staffs."Holy hell!" Evelyn breathed as they entered the vast chamber, momentarily stunned by the scale of both the room and the orgy going on in it."Yeah," Don nodded.They proceeded to the circular couch in the middle of the dome, Evelyn taking in the spectacle as they went."The king's throne is that away, but I want to see if we can just ride the sofa up," Don said. "But first, come with me. I want to have some time with you before we head up."He led her down to the base of the stairs, where they set their staffs off to the side, out of the way but close at hand, and made love for what might be the last time in a long while. Though a few of the other revelers offered to join in, Don and Evelyn kept to themselves this time. When they were finally worn out, they made a quick trip to the nearest fountain to clean up and then returned to the sofa. With their staffs across their laps, and their hands tightly clasped, they rode the couch up to the waiting room."Damn!" Evelyn grinned. "This is not safe at all!"

Dimitri, Khalid, and Jay the Neuroscientist (@the_hague_icc) continue their dive into the origins of the Fundamental Fysiks Group and Jack Sarfatti's long strange trip, including: Sarfatti's uncle and grandfather, the gifted children programs, Courtney Love's father Hank Harrison attending a West Coast version, Philip K. Dick and VALIS, Jeffrey Kripal's “Esalen and the Religion of No Religion”, Joseph Kuhn's “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions”, helicopter inventor Arthur Young's Institute for the Study of Consciousness in Berkeley, Werner Erhard, and more… For access to premium SJ episodes, upcoming installments of DEMON FORCES, and the Grotto of Truth Discord, become a subscriber at patreon.com/subliminaljihad.

Join us for this week's sermon!Whether you're seeking hope, direction, or a deeper connection with God, this message is for you. Each week, we open God's Word together to find truth, encouragement, and strength for the journey.

Dimitri and Khalid are joined by returning guest Jay the Neuroscientist (@the_hague_icc) for a spiritual sequel to SJ's Copemorehagen Deception episode (SJ 95), this time focusing on renegade hippie physicist Jack Sarfatti and far-out physics research in the San Francisco Bay Area during the 1970s-80s. Topics include: David Keiser's book “How the Hippies Saved Physics”, the early ‘70s recession in government funding for physics research, Sarfatti and his repressed God Phone Call, Uri Geller coming to SRI, Bell's Theorem, fear of the “psy gap”, covert CIA funding conduits, how all of this crunchy North Beach marginalia is merging with UFO and AI God discourse in the 2020s, and more. For access to premium SJ episodes, upcoming installments of DEMON FORCES, and the Grotto of Truth Discord, become a subscriber at patreon.com/subliminaljihad.

In honor of thirteen years as a Member of the Infernal Empire, Rev HellOnWheels lets loose with another Satanniversary show, featuring just the bands you'd expect on a show like this Only on Radio Free Satan!

In this fascinating and insightful episode of The Neil Haley Show and Celebrity Interviews Live from the Grotto with Greg Hanna, Neil and Greg speak with renowned physician, bestselling author, and nutrition expert Dr. Michael Greger, author of the groundbreaking new book on longevity and anti-aging.Dr. Greger reveals surprising discoveries from extensive longevity research, including powerful insights into exercise, sleep, red wine, supplements, and protein restriction. He shares practical advice on dietary choices proven to extend life, such as incorporating purple sweet potatoes and plant-based whole foods into daily meals.Listeners will learn about cutting-edge concepts in anti-aging medicine and longevity science, the fascinating possibilities of significantly extending human lifespan, and how small lifestyle changes today can dramatically improve quality of life and longevity.Dr. Greger also provides clear guidance on popular health topics such as intermittent fasting, the truth behind olive oil and krill oil claims, and the critical need for medical supervision when undertaking prolonged water fasting.Finally, Dr. Greger reflects on life's most valuable lesson—living a life dedicated to service—and shares why giving back is the most rewarding and lasting legacy we can leave behind.Connect with Dr. Michael Greger:Website: NutritionFacts.orgBook: Available everywhere books are soldSocial Media: Follow for daily nutrition and wellness tipsTune in for this inspiring and educational conversation on The Neil Haley Show!

Charlotte, the Sage of Abby HillBased on the work of BradentonLarry, in 6 parts.  Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels.The Sage and  a Kind of Good-Bye"The Sage is ready to see you now," said Wei, the tall Asian man who they had learned was the Abbot of the brown-robed monks – or the Order of Record Keepers, as they called themselves.Don gently urged Nicole to release his cock from her mouth and promised they would get back to playing soon. As he tied his grey robe about himself, Don saw that Toshia, who had been riding up and down on Alan's lap only a moment before was also hurrying to make herself "presentable". After waking up hours ago, and the following, almost routine, morning sex (Well, that's definitely the right way to start the day, particularly when you wake up sandwiched between two naked, sexy women! Don thought to himself with a happy smile), they had had a bite of breakfast and been asked to wait until they were called for. While they learned a little bit more about the Order, most of the morning was spent in lazy sexual play. It was now shortly after midday, and at least two of them were quite eager to meet this person whom they had been awaiting, and had gone to such lengths to find.They followed Wei to the foot of a winding staircase and proceeded up. At the top, behind a modest door, they were admitted to a good sized study, complete with shelves filled with row upon row of books. Windows all around the room let bright sunlight in. There were a few comfortable chairs, and a nice desk, behind which, in a brown robe, sat a middle aged woman with thick, dark brown hair falling down around her shoulders. She was apparently reading the last page of a stack of typed material.Wei gestured to a set of chairs that had been drawn into a circle of four, and said, "Please, make yourself comfortable, she will be right with you."Sure enough, right after he had closed the door behind himself but before they could get comfortable in their chairs, the woman looked up at them and smiled. "Hello," she said as she stood up and came around the desk. "You're obviously Don, and I'm guessing you're Toshia and you're Nicole.""That's right, and you're 'the Sage'?" Toshia asked."That's what they call me," she smiled as she sat down in a high-backed chair."I admit, I was expecting someone a bit ... more wizened," Don smiled."Well, it's really just a title, like 'the Crone', though I suspect the similarities end about there. You can call me Charlotte if you prefer.""Pleased to meet you, Charlotte," Toshia said."Likewise," Charlotte smiled again. "I know you must have many questions, but let me just say, I've just finished reading your various reports, and I've enjoyed them very much. Our scribes are chosen for their skill at asking the right sorts of questions and their ability to flesh out the stories they're given, but in this case they've had very good material to work with. The three of you have had some very interesting adventures. I particularly enjoyed reading about your encounter with the Bull, Toshia.""So, everyone who comes here looking for you tells their story and you read it?" Nicole asked."Yes, that's right. I confess, my personal 'kink' is to get off reading about, and sometimes watching, the exploits of others. I would have finished reading your reports earlier, but I had to keep stopping to masturbate.""Wouldn't it have been more efficient for us to just tell you directly?" Nicole asked with a twinkle in her eye that the Sage seemed to miss."Well, yes, but there are two problems with that," Charlotte answered. "One, we keep all the stories, as a record and a source of study...""You could just have someone type it up as we told you," Toshia pointed out.Charlotte nodded, "That's quite true, but then the narrator would be bristling with questions for me, which would slow things down and cause all kinds of complications.""Is that the second problem?" Don asked."No, the second one is that there seems to be some benefit to having each person tell his or her own story, and then comparing them.""How have our stories diverged?" Don wanted to know."Well, I've only just read the three of them, and haven't had hardly any time to think about them, but Don's way of looking at your time here in Eros involves a lot of digressions and interconnections, while Toshia's is more straight-forward. Nicole's is actually rather journalistic."Don could see that Nicole had half a mind to object to this, but he cut in with, "OK, but what's the point of all this anyway?"Charlotte the Sage frowned slightly and said, "I assume you mean the record-keeping?""Well, for now, yes.""At some point, long ago, the first Sage decided that one way of trying to make sense of the whys and wherefores of Eros was to start recording the experiences of people who, like him, remembered their lives before waking up here.""And, has it helped?" Toshia asked."Well, it certainly makes for some stimulating reading," Charlotte laughed. Then she added, "It definitely has served to build up some generalizations that seem to be helpful.""Such as?" Don prodded."Every single person who has come here, to this Abbey, and this goes back for 450 Erosian years, has spoken English rather fluently. Now, the only people who we interview are those who remember their lives prior to waking up here, but none of them has ever reported meeting anyone who doesn't speak English. This suggests that either the people who don't remember spoke English before they arrived here, were somehow rewired to speak English upon being brought over, or are native Erosians. This all seems to strongly suggest that whomever or whatever is responsible for selecting people for Eros speaks English, and that seems quite surprising and noteworthy to me.""So, which is it, were they brought here or are they natives?" Nicole asked."They were brought," Don said quietly, remembering his and Toshia's visit to the Library in the Manor."Well, the evidence does suggest that," Charlotte nodded. "They seem to have various personality traits and interests that wouldn't make sense for native Erosians, for one thing.""That's what I was thinking," Don added."Also, some people have actually met people they recognized or even knew quite well from Earth, but who seemed to have no memory of that other life.""That must have been bizarre," Toshia said."It has sometimes been ... awkward, to say the least," nodded Charlotte."All of this is very interesting, but you mentioned whomever, or whatever, is selecting people from Earth – English speaking people from Earth," Don said as he leaned forward. "Who or what is doing this, and why? What's the point of it all?"Charlotte smiled again, "I honestly can't say. I admit that the question puts me in a philosophical frame of mind. Imagine if I asked you what the point of it all was on Earth. Anyway, there are theories, of course. Some Sages have thought that we were being held prisoner here as lab rats, running countless experiments on human sexuality, others that there is some power, or powers, who feed off human eroticism, or who have lost the ability to generate it for themselves – the ultimate voyeurs. There seems no question that there's some intelligence behind it, though.""Why do you think so?" Toshia asked."Well, it only selects people who are quite dissatisfied with their Earthly sex lives." Charlotte held up her hand to forestall Toshia's objection. "The fact that it is very hard to sort out exactly what counts as such dissatisfaction seems to lend weight to this consideration. No doubt, Toshia would hesitate to say that she was dissatisfied in any way with Sarah, but it seems clear from reading her story that she would hardly think of the sex life she was having before as being satisfying now. Almost every single person who has found his or her way here has thought that being brought to Eros was a wonderful gift, which has led some to speculate that this was some kind of heaven."Don couldn't resist scowling at this notion, and Charlotte noticed. "I don't buy that either," she said with a smile. "On the other hand, it's the best afterlife I've ever heard of. Going back to the question of intelligence, one of the most telling bits of evidence is the two of you, Don and Toshia."After taking a moment to scowl thoughtfully at this suggestion, Toshia asked, "What do you mean?""As far as our records indicate, the two of you are unique. No pair of friends has ever woken up together like you have. Before you ask, I have absolutely no idea what that might mean. Perhaps it's for the purposes of one of those psycho-sexual experiments."There was a moment of silence before Don decided to ask, "What's up with the black robed figures?""The Watchers," Charlotte nodded. "Another indication that there is some kind of intelligent process going on. After 450 years of accumulating data, there has never been anyone – anyone recorded, anyway – who has managed to talk to, or even catch hold of, one of those bastards. They watch for a bit; then, when you think you're going to get your hands on one, they're gone.""Is it science or magic?" Toshia asked."I'm inclined to follow Arthur C. Clarke on this one and say I don't really know that there's a difference in this context.""There are so many questions," Don muttered, shaking his head. "How many people remember their lives? What's the distribution of their wheres and whens? Is there anything they all have in common besides being sexually frustrated?""Is there a way to get home again?" Toshia asked resolutely.Charlotte, knowing this was the issue that had motivated them in seeking her out, turned to Toshia with a serious expression and said, "Yes, or so it would seem anyway. There are apparently at least two ways. The first is to become bored with life in Eros. It seems that when that happens you will simply go missing, and it's presumed that you return to your Earthly life. As to the other, more proactive, way, the lake outside is the headwater of a river that runs several hundred kilometers to an ocean or a sea – we haven't been able to get anyone to engage in any kind of systematic exploration. Along the coastline to the left of mouth of river...""To the left facing the sea?" Don asked."Yes," Charlotte smiled again. "Go down the river, then turn left, and proceed along the coast, until you find a place called the Grotto of Ishtar, or just the Grotto. There, according to two people who have accompanied others seeking to leave, you'll find a way to return home."Toshia looked like she was ready to head off immediately, but a couple of concerns occurred to Don. He said, "I'm troubled by something: how can anyone here know that people return home safely? And, now that I'm saying that, how did the Scholar know that time moves differently here in Eros? It doesn't seem to make sense that we could know these things unless someone has been able to return home and then come back.""Very good, Don," Charlotte nodded, and Don found himself thinking that she must have been a teacher back on Earth. She explained, "There seems to be a way to go back and forth between Eros and Earth more or less at will. One of the more enterprising people who have visited the Abbey several times, a Stephanie Ayers, found someone with this ability and talked to him at great length. She then tracked down two more people, and in doing so was able to confirm these rumors and suppositions.""How are they able to do it?" Don asked intently."Stephanie says they have 'magic rings' that allow them to 'decide' to wake up in either Eros or Earth; or, should that be 'on'?""Where do they get those rings, and what do they look like?""I cannot answer the first, Don, but apparently they are simple rings of a shiny black material, something like hematite."Don sat back in his chair. That sounds familiar! After a moment of reflection, he smiled broadly and said, "I think I've seen someone with one of those, and I'm pretty sure I can find her again."Charlotte gave Don a long look and said, "I can guess what you have in mind, Don, but I should warn you that these ring people are not only very possessive of their rings, but also very evasive about how they came to acquire them. Stephanie hasn't been able to get any useful information so far, and she's been at this a while."Toshia brought the discussion back to the main topic with, "I wanted to ask another question – our flying carpet stopped working and several hundred kilometers is a long way – do you know of any way to make the trip quicker?""Well, yes," Charlotte answered, "I would take the riverboat.""The riverboat?""Yes, there's a riverboat that goes from the Resort down to the city on the coast, Rendezvous, and back. You might have to wait for it sometime, it doesn't keep to a schedule very well, but it docks just outside of the Resort, through the gate opposite the one you used to come here.""Wait," Don cut in, "there's a city?""Well, it's a town, really, but it's the biggest one in Eros as far as I know."This prompted what felt like a dozen questions in Don's mind, starting with those of economics. He was still having a hard time coming to grips with the weirdness of how Eros worked."Thank you for your time, Charlotte," Toshia was saying.Although Don wanted to interject with, "Are we leaving already?" he realized how important it was for Toshia to stay on the task of returning to Sarah, so he set aside the questions he was dying to ask and stood, saying, "Thank you very much." Nicole followed suit.The Sage stood up as well, and said, "If you decide to stay longer in Eros, please feel welcome to return to the Abbey anytime."Don smiled warmly at this suggestion, and thought it was a bit odd that he was leaving this attractive, intelligent woman without having had the pleasure of, well, pleasuring her. Eros had definitely altered his way of thinking.At the foot of the winding staircase, Wei met them with one of his smiles and their clothing. Once they had changed, Wei led them back to the entrance-exit. The other "monks" seemed particularly scarce. Similarly, the huge guardian of the bridge was nowhere to be seen as they crossed it.Toshia set the pace down the trail for the Resort. She was clearly in a hurry to get on the road, or river, as the case may be, to this Grotto of Ishtar. Don kept up with her easily, but also kept an eye on Nicole, who didn't walk as fast as Don and Toshia even when they weren't hurrying. He could tell that something was troubling the pretty young woman, but his own mind was still bustling with too many questions for him to ask her what was on her mind. Still, he wasn't surprised when, as they came around the last corner and saw the Resort's gate ahead, Nicole asked them to stop for a moment."I thought I should tell you this before we found the others," Nicole said, taking a moment to sit down on a nearby rock."What is it?" Toshia said with obvious and honest concern."I'm not going back," Nicole said. "Well, not yet. I'm going to wait until I'm tired of this place. I don't really have anybody back home to hurry back to, Toshia, and I fucking love it here. I'd come along to make sure you get to the Grotto safely, but it sounds like you and Don will be able to do that without me. I don't think you'll be able to shake Shelonda anyway, but you might want to consider leaving Victor and Amy here at the Resort. You know the rest of Eros isn't so nice and friendly, and this place is safe."Don smiled at Nicole and said, "It's been great having you along with us for this long.""If they're right about time, we'll all wake up 'tomorrow' and email each other," Nicole smiled with a bit of sadness. "Well, allowing for the date difference, that is. You better come visit me, Professor."Don laughed, and said, "Of course! I'm already looking forward to it.""You can come stay with us in Florida," Toshia smiled. Don could see a tear in her eye.He decided to make things a bit easier on them all by changing the subject, "You know, she has a good point about the others."Toshia seemed to fasten upon this line of thought, saying, "Well, Shelonda's going to be very hurt if we don't allow her to come with us, I think.""I'm not sure we're in any position to allow or disallow her, actually," Don said."True," Toshia nodded. "So, the most we can do is encourage her to stay here. Probably that's the most we can do for all of them.""We could suggest that they need to stay here to keep an eye on Nicole," Don mused.Nicole laughed, and said, "Oh, I'm sure I'll be quite alright here.""And, what happens if Nicole does eventually get tired of this place and goes missing?" Don nodded. "Do people who don't remember their past lives do that? Damn, I should have thought of asking that earlier."

Dennis is joined by his friends and past podcast guests Frank DeCaro and Jim Colucci to talk about a brand new arts festival they are co-programming. It's called Pride Live! Hollywood and it takes place June 11th through the 29th at various venues in Hollywood. JIm and Frank talk about the various events on the agenda, including a Norman Lear tribute, a screening and party of Saturday Night Fever with director John Badham and actress Donna Pescow attending, a Golden Girls tribute, the Where The Bears Are documentary A Big Fat Hairy Hit. a Queer as Folk cast reunion as well as screenings of the films The World According to Allee Willis, Relax, It's Just Sex, The Big Johnson, The Grotto, Unicorn and the Village People musical Can't Stop the Music. Other topics include: feeling a call to fill the hole left by Outfest, the surprising number of guests who said yes, why queer joy is a radical act, the pros and cons of nostalgia and memorabilia collecting, scoring festive outfits on sale at Mr. Turk and their hopes that the fest will be so successful that they will both become insufferable a-holes by Year Three. (www.pridelivehollywood.com)            

You know who didn't get enough Adventure Time episodes? Lady Rainicorn! If you're a fan, then this is the podcast episode for you. Join the Oh My Glob crew as we discuss "Beyond the Grotto" and "Lady Rainicorn of the Crystal Dimension"!Rate us on Apple Podcasts! itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/oh-my-glob-an-adventure-time-podcast/id1434343477?mt=2Contact us: ohmyglobpodcast@gmail.comInstagram: @ohmyglobpodTrivia Theme by Adrian C.

Mike and Dusty hike up the McKittrick Canyon Trail to explore the Grotto, Notch, and other features along this historic trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. For more of our episodes on hikes in this and other National Parks, click here. To browse through our entire Library of hiking trail episodes, Trail Mix episodes, interviews, and more, visit our Episode Finder.Instagram: @GazeAtTheNationalParksFacebook: Gaze at the National Parks#gazeatthenationalparks#hikeearlyhikeoften#adventureisoutthereHosted by Dustin Ballard and Michael RyanEpisode Editing by Dustin Ballard and Michael RyanOriginal Artwork by Michael RyanOriginal Music by Dave Seamon and Mariella KlingerMusic Producer: Skyler FortgangOur listeners can get 20% off ANY Moon Travel Guide at Moon.com. Use offer Code GAZE24 at checkout. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/gaze-at-the-national-parks/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Dimitri and Khalid continue exploring the strange apartheid-loving life of Elon Musk's grandfather and whether any faint echoes of Technocracy, Inc. might be found in today's PayPal Mafia “techno-optimist” AI slop dystopia. For access to premium SJ episodes, upcoming installments of DEMON FORCES, and the Grotto of Truth Discord, become a subscriber at patreon.com/subliminaljihad.

Dimitri and Khalid investigate Technocracy, Inc., a mostly-forgotten group from the 1930s, its plans for an automated North American “technate” controlled by gray suit-clad engineers, and the dracular life of Technocracy's leader in Canada, the fascist chiropractor (and Elon Musk's maternal grandfather) Joshua Haldeman. Part one of two. For access to premium SJ episodes, upcoming installments of DEMON FORCES, and the Grotto of Truth Discord, become a subscriber at patreon.com/subliminaljihad.

This month we are featuring a feed drop from The Cellar Letters one of the brilliant shows on the RQ Network.After a series of traumatic events, Nate and his dog, Bella, move across the country to the East Coast. Nate, desperately seeking a fresh start, documents the whole process, exploring the perfect new house – loads of space, a yard for Bella to run in, unbelievably low rent….But there's something not quite right. Something about the house feels wrong. There's knocking noises in the nighttime, not to mention the locked room in the basement, filled with letters about strange occurrences and ghostly figures.Who wrote these letters? And why are they all stored in the cellar? And what, exactly, was Nate running from in the first place?Join Nate, his dog and his friend Steve as they search for answers.Introduction and outro by Billie Hindle. Listen to The Cellar Letters wherever you find podcasts, on the Rusty Quill website and at www.thecellarletters.com.If you would like to support the creator of The Cellar Letters you can check out REDACTED a new project they are working on in collaboration with the creator behind The Grotto and a range of other talented creators by going to rustyquill.com/REDACTED.Twitch.tv/athansmusicTwitch.tv/jamiepetronisCredits: The Cellar Letters is an Audio Drama created by Jamie Petronis.Content warnings:· Mentions of: COVID-19 pandemic· SFX: Loud noises, beeping, staticTranscript: https://www.thecellarletters.com/episode-1-the-move/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dimitri and Khalid unpack the life and times of revolutionary imam Izz ad-Din al-Qassam, how his death in 1936 sparked the second Arab Revolt, and why he remains a symbol of Palestinian martyrdom/Arab national liberation up to the present day. For access to premium SJ episodes, upcoming installments of DEMON FORCES, and the Grotto of Truth Discord, become a subscriber at patreon.com/subliminaljihad.

More than 6 weeks. 27 rounds of nominations and voting. 18 Cardinali and 12470 Inserts commited to burn. All to elect a Pope with no arms or legs or genitals. You can't say the Grotto didn't get it right! Certainly not like that antipope, 30 hour nonsense the Vatican tried to pull last week. Hear ALL the details, the strategies, the dealings, and the drama behind the true Conclav3 with this week's long awaited episode.

There are several important mountains in the area that we today call the Holy Land. Mount Hermon is one of these mountains and has been considered sacred for all of recorded history. This is where the fallen Watchers made their descent, not only from the heavenly realm, but a descent into sin that would land them in chains in Tartarus. The River Jordan's headwaters launch from here, El lived here with his 70 sons and the Grotto of Pan stands at its base. This mountain is not discussed in mainline churches, but it should be, because the ultimate battle started here. Main theme: Crazy For Thrills by Muse Music with Groove Studios

It's getting warmer here in St. John's, which means its almost patio season. Parklet patio spaces will cost 85% less. Derek Locke, director of Cojones and Grotto, joined us over the line this morning to discuss his thoughts.

We recorded this in a hotel room right next to the Giza Plateau in Egypt, and we spend the first hour discussing the results of the now-famous Synthetic Aperture Radar scans of the Khafre Pyramid, and the claims of large structures hidden in the bedrock below the pyramid proper.We also talk a bit about the strange "well shaft" of the Great Pyramid, which we explored again this year, and the mysterious "Grotto" chamber at the top of the well shaft. Finally, we read some very interesting new findings by physicist Max Fomitchev-Zamilov in the subject of the Egyptian stone vases. Max has discovered that there is a higher concentration of radioactive elements in vases of higher quality and precision, at least in the limited samples he has been able to scan. We read about his preliminmary results from his website, which can be found here:https://maximus.energy/index.php/2025/03/30/excess-of-thorium-232-in-ancient-egyptian-stone-vessels/We also read from a related article on Max's website, about "nuclear machining", a technique that Max says could explain the seeming ease with which the ancient vases were manufactured, as well as the higher concentration of radioactive materials in the quality samples.https://maximus.energy/index.php/2025/01/14/nuclear-machining-hypothesis/Join us, Ben from UnchartedX, Adam Young, and Karoly Poka for an afternoon at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York where we will peruse their collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, then we will move to the Explorer's Club for dinner and presentations from us and Ben!https://eveningattheexplorersclub.eventbrite.com/Join our Patreon, support the show, get extra content and early access!https://www.patreon.com/brothersoftheserpentSupport the show with a PayPal donation:https://paypal.me/snakebros

Beppe, a native Italian, started his journey in active travel over two decades ago and, with the help of his wife Heather, co-founded Tourissimo, one of the top adventure travel companies in Italy. With years of expertise designing cycling and adventure tours across all 20 regions of Italy, Beppe and Heather have the inside scoop on the most authentic and unforgettable experiences Italy has to offer.So grab your espresso (or a glass of vino Italiano), and let's explore Italy region by region!Northern Italy: Adventure, Culture, and Alpine BeautyLombardy (Lombardia)Running along the Swiss border, Lombardy is Italy's largest and wealthiest region—a land of striking contrasts and cultural riches. Home to nearly 10 million people, Lombardy contains 12 of Italy's largest cities: Milan, Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Mantua, Pavia, Cremona, Lecco, Lodi, Monza, Sondrio, and Varese. The region blends modern sophistication with old-world charm, from the fashion capital and bustling metropolis of Milan to the serene, postcard-perfect landscapes of Lake Como.Lombardy is dotted with some of Italy's most beloved lakes, including Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, Lake Garda, Lake Iseo, Lake Idro, and many more. Picturesque villages like Bellagio offer sun-drenched escapes along Lake Como's shores, while the medieval towns of Bergamo and Mantova enchant visitors with cobblestone streets, sweeping views, and centuries of history.Culinary lovers will be spoiled for choice with Lombardy's 60 Michelin-starred restaurants—3 with three stars, 6 with two stars, and 51 with one star. Be sure to savor the region's iconic Risotto alla Milanese, a creamy saffron-infused dish that's a local staple. Wine enthusiasts won't want to miss a glass of Franciacorta, Italy's sparkling answer to Champagne.November is a wonderful time to visit, with cooler temperatures and fewer tourists. It's also the perfect season to explore Lombardy's slice of the Alps, where charming mountain towns await nestled among the peaks. For an unforgettable adventure, consider attending the 2025 Winter Olympics, which will be held in Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo!Tourissimo Tip– If you are flying into Milan, select the correct airport because Milan has two airports! For info, check out the following Tourissimo blog: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/avoid-this-common-travel-mistake-know-milans-two-airportsVenetoVeneto, the birthplace of Prosecco, Polenta, and the iconic Spritz, is a region rich in charm, culture, and culinary delights. Stretching from the Italian Riviera to the Venetian Pre-Alps and the stunning Dolomites, Veneto is home to both natural beauty and historic towns. Its capital, the enchanting floating city of Venice, is world-famous for its canals, gondolas, labyrinthine streets, and undeniable romance.Each of Venice's islands offers something special: admire the colorful houses of Burano, renowned for its lace-making traditions; visit Murano, celebrated for its centuries-old glassblowing artistry; and soak up the peaceful atmosphere of Torcello. Exploring these islands by vaporetto (water bus) offers a quieter, more authentic glimpse into Venetian life. Tourissimo Tip–For a few more suggestions, check out Tourissimo's blog on the Venetian Lagoon: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/our-favorite-destinations-in-the-venetian-lagoonBeyond Venice, Veneto boasts a treasure trove of picturesque towns. Verona, Padua, Vicenza, and Asolo each offer their own distinct history and beauty. Visit Castelfranco Veneto for a charming escape or head to Bardolino to enjoy a boat ride on Italy's largest lake, Lago di Garda. Stroll the waterfront in Castelletto sul Garda or circle the freshwater moat of Cittadella, a red-brick medieval town full of character.In the countryside, the hills of Prosecco promise stunning vineyard views, while the medieval town of Montagnana offers a taste of the past. Nature lovers can visit the volcanic Euganean Hills in Este, and cheese lovers shouldn't miss the small town of Asiago, home to one of Italy's most famous cheeses.Veneto's culinary scene shines with 34 Michelin-starred restaurants—2 with three stars, 3 with two stars, and 29 with one star. Indulge in local specialties like Bigoli in Salsa, a hearty Venetian pasta with anchovy sauce, and toast with a glass of Prosecco, Grappa, or the regional favorite, the Select Spritz. And don't forget—Venetians love to celebrate, so let loose and join the party!Tourissimo Tips–Another fun suggestion is Veneto Marostica, the City of Chess, where they do a living chess match with hundreds of people dressed in medieval costumes every two years: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/marostica-the-city-of-chessPiedmont (Piemonte)Nestled at the foot of the Alps and bordered on three sides by the Mediterranean Sea, Piedmont is one of Italy's most underrated gems. With a diverse landscape that offers adventure and beauty year-round, this region is perfect for both winter skiing and summer hiking and biking, thanks to its stunning Alpine scenery.But Piedmont isn't just about breathtaking views—it's steeped in rich history and cultural significance. As the first capital of Italy, it boasts grand palaces, remarkable art, and sacred relics like the famed Shroud of Turin. The capital city of Turin is a vibrant hub, home to Europe's largest outdoor food market and the monthly Gran Balon flea market, a haven for vintage and antique lovers.Venture beyond the city and you'll discover a region bursting with charm and flavor. Tour the Langhe Hills, a paradise for vineyard visits, and sample Bagna Cauda, a warm anchovy and garlic dip beloved by locals. Wander the lakeside town of Stresa on Lake Maggiore, or stroll the cobbled streets of Neive, where views of rolling hills and storybook cottages create an unforgettable setting. In Asti, you can witness the September medieval horse races and visit the majestic Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta e San Gottardo. For a true fairy-tale escape, head to Macugnaga in the valley of Monte Rosa, a perfect base for both skiing and hiking. And just outside of Turin lies the hidden gem of Lake Orta, a peaceful retreat away from the crowds.Piedmont's culinary scene is just as spectacular. With 35 Michelin-starred restaurants—2 with three stars, 3 with two stars, and 30 with one star—the region is a paradise for food lovers. Dine in Alba during white truffle season (September to January), and savor iconic regional dishes like Agnolotti del Plin and Coniglio Arrosto. Wine enthusiasts will be in heaven here—Piedmont is the land of Barolo, the "king of wines," and Barbaresco, two of Italy's most prestigious reds.Tourissimo Tips:Piedmont is home to the Slow Food movement: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/why-piedmont-is-renowned-for-its-slow-foodTourissimo Tip–Check out this blog for a guide to a day of eating in Turin: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/a-day-of-eating-in-turinTourissimo Tip–One of the Best Meals of Your Life will be at the Piazza Duomo in Alba!Emilia-RomagnaLocated in central Italy along the Adriatic coast, Emilia-Romagna is a vibrant and diverse region known for its perfect blend of “slow food” and “fast cars.” This area is considered both the culinary and automotive capital of Italy, offering rich traditions, warm hospitality, and unforgettable experiences.Food lovers will be in heaven here. Emilia-Romagna is the birthplace of iconic Italian delicacies such as Mortadella, Tortellini in Brodo, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, traditional Balsamic Vinegar, Lambrusco, and egg-based fresh pastas like lasagna, tortellini, and tagliatelle. A visit to Parma lets you savor authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano and world-class Prosciutto, as well as enjoy the elegant Teatro Regio opera house.The region also has a need for speed—it's home to legendary automotive brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati. For car enthusiasts, the Ferrari Museum in Modena is a must-see. Emilia-Romagna even has a dedicated cycling tourism office, and in summer 2023, it played host to several stages of the Tour de France, which began in nearby Florence.Beyond the food and cars, Emilia-Romagna offers a range of enchanting destinations. The capital city of Bologna is known for its Piazza Maggiore, the Two Towers, and the scenic Santuario Madonna di San Luca. In Ravenna, marvel at the dazzling, colorful mosaics and the historic San Vitale Basilica. Along the coast, vibrant seaside resorts like Cervia, Cesenatico, and Rimini create a lively, carnival-like party atmosphere from late May through September. For a more peaceful experience, explore the medieval gem of Brisighella, a lesser-known treasure full of charm.When it comes to fine dining, Emilia-Romagna doesn't disappoint. The region boasts 24 Michelin-starred restaurants, including one three-star, three two-star, and twenty one-star establishments. Visitors are often struck by the warmth and generosity of the locals—some of the most hospitable people in Italy—who express their love through exceptional food and outstanding service.Tourissimo Tips:Did you know that there is a whole other country within Emilia Romagna? https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/san-marino-the-other-small-country-within-italyTourissimo Tip–Pietra di Bismantova was an inspiration for Dante: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/pietra-di-bismantova-the-inspiration-for-dantes-purgatoryTourissimo Tip–You can cross the Rubicon: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/crossing-the-rubiconTrentino-South TyrolNestled along Italy's northern border with Switzerland, Trentino–South Tyrol is a stunning mountainous region that blends Italian and Austrian influences, making it a top destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. With its striking Alpine scenery, exceptional cuisine, and rich cultural duality, this region offers the best of both worlds.The South Tyrol capital, Bolzano, is renowned for having the highest quality of life in Italy, combining the clean, efficient infrastructure often associated with Germany with the flavorful food and spirited lifestyle of Italian culture.Outdoor adventurers will be captivated by the Dolomites, with their dramatic limestone peaks—ideal for hiking, skiing, and breathtaking vistas. Don't miss the Alpe di Siusi, Europe's largest Alpine meadow, which is especially stunning in spring and summer. Explore shimmering Lake Garda and uncover the region's medieval past through spectacular castles like Schloss Tirol, Castel Roncolo, and Castel d'Appiano.Tourissimo Tip–An off-the-beaten-path outdoor paradise can be found in the Alps of Trentino. Check out the Val di Sole. This is one of the areas that Beppe and Heather regularly go to on their personal vacations in Italy: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/the-wild-dolomitesThe culinary offerings here reflect the region's unique blend of cultures. Traditional dishes range from Bratwurst and Goulash to Italian-style pastas with hearty meats like deer. Foodies should try Speck, a savory smoked ham, perfectly paired with a glass of Gewürztraminer, a fragrant white wine native to the area. The region also produces excellent white wines and lighter reds that pair beautifully with its alpine cuisine.When it comes to fine dining, Trentino–South Tyrol excels with 33 Michelin-starred restaurants, including three three-star, five two-star, and twenty-five one-star establishments, making it one of Italy's most impressive gourmet regions.LiguriaLocated along Italy's rugged northwestern coastline, Liguria—also known as the Italian Riviera—boasts dramatic cliffs, colorful seaside villages, and incredible culinary traditions. The region is best known for the five picturesque villages of Cinque Terre, as well as the glamorous resort towns of Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure.Tourissimo Tip– If you visit the Cinque Terre, don't forget to look up, and hike up away from the crowds to see the heroic vineyards: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/the-heroic-winemaking-of-the-cinque-terreBecause of the narrow, winding roads with steep drop-offs, many travelers prefer to explore the region via the local train or by public or private boat. If you're planning to hike the famous trails, be aware that entrance permits are now required due to landslides and overtourism.In the regional capital of Genoa, dive into maritime history, visit the iconic San Lorenzo Cathedral, and wander the city's old port area. Just outside Genoa, discover the secluded San Fruttuoso Abbey, accessible only by boat or footpath. In Vernazza, one of the Cinque Terre towns, visit the Doria Castle and the beautiful Santa Margherita Church.Liguria is also a celebrity hotspot, and its cuisine is just as impressive as its scenery. Known as the birthplace of pesto, the region is famous for Pesto alla Genovese, made with a special local basil. Be sure to try the region's olive oil, garlic, cheeses, and exceptional seafood, especially the anchovies. Other regional specialties include Focaccia di Recco, a cheese-filled flatbread, and lighter olive oils that perfectly complement Ligurian dishes.For fine dining, Liguria is home to seven Michelin-starred restaurants, all with one star, offering refined cuisine rooted in the region's coastal and agricultural traditions.Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Friuli)Tucked between Veneto, Austria, and Slovenia, Friuli-Venezia Giulia is a lesser-known gem that offers a unique blend of Alpine landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and coastal charm. The region features part of the Dolomites, ideal for hiking, skiing, and capturing breathtaking scenery.The capital, Trieste, is a refined port city with a fascinating blend of Italian, Austro-Hungarian, and Slavic influences. Don't miss the Miramare Castle, perched over the sea with stunning views. In Cividale del Friuli, stroll through cobbled streets and sample Frico, a savory, crispy dish made of cheese and potatoes, best enjoyed with a glass of Schioppettino, a bold red wine native to the region.For outdoor adventures and relaxation, spend a beach day at Lignano Sabbiadoro, camp in Sistiana, bike the trails around Grado, or explore the ancient Roman ruins in Aquileia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to visit the enormous Grotta Gigante (Giant Cave), stroll through Unity of Italy Square, and tour the Revoltella Museum for modern art.Friuli-Venezia Giulia is also home to seven Michelin-starred restaurants, including two two-star establishments and five one-star venues, reflecting the region's quiet but impressive culinary scene.Tourissimo Tip– A hotel that Heather and Beppe love in Cormons is La Subida. It's a unique, high-end, and rustic property nestled in nature that boasts a 1-Michelin star restaurant: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/hotels-we-love-la-subidaAosta ValleyNestled in the northwestern tip of Italy, where it borders Switzerland and France, the Aosta Valley is Italy's smallest and highest region—a true mountain paradise. This alpine jewel is renowned for its dramatic snowcapped peaks, storybook castles, and a unique blend of French and Italian culture, as both languages are spoken here.The region is home to Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco), Europe's highest peak, which straddles the borders of Italy, France, and Switzerland. While the summit lies on the French side, visitors on the Italian side can experience the Skyway Monte Bianco, a breathtaking cable car ride offering panoramic views of the Alps.Key landmarks include the striking Matterhorn, the impressive Fénis and Savoy Castles, and the Bard Fortress, one of the largest and most remarkable fortifications in the Alps. After a day in the mountains, relax in one of the region's thermal spas, and indulge in Fonduta, a rich, velvety cheese fondue perfect for chilly alpine evenings.Wine lovers should sample the region's distinctive red mountain wines, especially Enfer d'Arvier, known for its bold flavor and high-altitude character.Tourissimo Tip–A fun tradition is the Friendship Cup, a communal cup of coffee: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/the-friendship-cup-of-valle-daostaCentral Italy: History, Art, and Rolling HillsTuscany (Toscana)Tuscany, the heart of the Renaissance, is a captivating region of rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, vineyards, and timeless art and architecture. Located just below Italy's northern regions, it's a haven for art lovers, history buffs, and food and wine enthusiasts alike. From Chianti to Brunello di Montalcino, the region offers a wide variety of world-class wines.The regional capital, Florence, is one of Italy's most walkable and safe major cities, making it ideal for solo travelers. Admire its architectural wonders while sipping on Chianti Classico and indulging in a local favorite—Bistecca alla Fiorentina. Must-see landmarks in Florence include the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo), Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Galleria dell'Accademia, home to Michelangelo's David. For iconic views, head to Piazzale Michelangelo.Beyond Florence, explore the historic cities of Siena, Lucca, and San Gimignano, each offering its own charm. Don't miss the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the Siena Cathedral, and spend time in the picturesque public squares like Piazza del Campo, Piazza della Signoria, and Piazza del Duomo.For off-the-beaten-path adventures, discover medieval hilltop villages such as Sorano, or head to the Maremma coast for scenic beaches and bold wines. Tuscany also shines in its culinary excellence, boasting 41 Michelin-starred restaurants—including 1 three-star, 5 two-star, and 35 one-star establishments.Tourissimo Tip–3 places in Tuscany you didn't know existed: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/three-places-in-tuscany-you-did-not-know-existedUmbriaUmbria, often called the "Green Heart of Italy," is the country's only completely landlocked region, nestled between Tuscany, Lazio, and Le Marche. Though it lacks large cities, Umbria more than makes up for it with breathtaking natural beauty, medieval towns, and a rich culinary tradition.One of Umbria's most impressive sights is the Cascata delle Marmore (Marmore Falls)—the second tallest waterfall in Europe. Nature lovers and photographers alike will be amazed by its dramatic 165-meter drop. The region is also home to Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, one of Italy's most revered saints, and a major pilgrimage destination.Food lovers will delight in Umbria's hearty, earthy cuisine, featuring lentils, mushroom-based dishes, cured meats, and the prized black truffle (Tartufo Nero di Norcia). Pair these specialties with a glass of Sagrantino di Montefalco, a robust red wine unique to the region.Umbria's culinary excellence is further reflected in its four Michelin-starred restaurants: Casa Vissani, Vespasia, Ada, and Elementi. Each holds one Michelin star, offering refined takes on the region's rustic flavors.Tourissimo Tip–Norcia is definitely one of Italy's culinary gems: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/norcia-one-of-italys-culinary-gemsMarcheLocated in central Italy on the Adriatic side, Marche is a beautiful region with a population of 1 million people, known for its charming towns, rich history, and welcoming, hardworking culture. The region offers stunning destinations like Urbino and Ancona, along with pristine beaches such as Spiaggia della Due Sorelle, Parco Naturale Monte San Bartolo, Mezzavalle, and the Riviera del Conero, not to mention many picturesque nature reserves.Must-see landmarks include Castello di Gradara, Palazzo Ducale di Urbino, the Sanctuary of the Holy House of Loreto, Cattedrale di San Ciriaco, Tempio del Valadier, and the breathtaking underground Frasassi Caves. Marche's favorite cities and nearby towns also include Gubbio, Assisi, Perugia, Orvieto, and Cascia.For those drawn to religious history, highlights include the Papal Basilica of Saint Francis, the Sacred Convent of Saint Francis, Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli, and Basilica di Santa Chiara in Assisi, as well as the Basilica of Santa Rita da Cascia. History lovers should visit Rocca Paolina, Piazza IV Novembre, Fontana Maggiore, Piazza del Comune, and Grotta di Monte Cucco, while museums like Narni Sotterranea, the National Gallery, and Nobile Collegio del Cambio offer rich cultural experiences.This region is famous for its culinary tradition, especially its mastery of seafood, and is home to seven Michelin-starred restaurants — including Uliassi in Senigallia, proudly holding three Michelin stars, along with one two-star and five one-star establishments. No visit would be complete without tasting Olive all'Ascolana, fried stuffed olives that perfectly capture Marche's local flavor. All of this, combined with the region's natural beauty and warm, fun, and friendly locals, makes Marche a truly unforgettable destination in the heart of Italy.Tourissimo Tip–Ascoli Piceno, the town where the Ascoli olive is from, is beautiful, especially at night when it appears to glow: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/ascoli-piceno-the-italian-town-that-glows-at-nightLazioLazio, one of Italy's central regions, though often considered a southern region by Italians, is a place rich with history, iconic landmarks, and hidden gems. At its heart is the capital city of Rome, a destination overflowing with opportunities for exploration. Essential sites include the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Roman Forum, Spanish Steps, St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and countless other remarkable attractions. No visit to Rome is complete without savoring its famous dishes, including Cacio e Pepe — a creamy cheese and pepper pasta — along with local favorites like Spaghetti alla Gricia, Pasta all'Amatriciana, and Pasta Carbonara, best enjoyed with a glass of crisp Frascati wine while taking in views of the Colosseum. Lazio as a whole has 107 two-star Michelin restaurants and 105 one-star restaurants. If you find yourself in the Trastevere neighborhood, there are many wonderful popular restaurants, including La Scaletta and Le Mani in Pasta.Another must-see is Vatican City, home to the Vatican and its world-renowned religious and artistic treasures. In December 2025, Rome will host the Jubilee, or Holy Year — a significant Catholic Church event focused on forgiveness, reconciliation, and spiritual renewal, held only once every 25 years and drawing pilgrims from across the globe.Beyond Rome, Lazio offers a beautiful coastline and peaceful countryside, perfect for travelers seeking quieter escapes. Among its hidden gems is Ostia Antica, an ancient Roman city that once served as the bustling port of Rome, located at the mouth of the Tiber River. With its blend of legendary landmarks, culinary traditions, religious significance, and off-the-beaten-path treasures, Lazio is a captivating region waiting to be explored.Tourissimo Tip–There's a wonderful project underway to create a cycle path around the perimeter of Rome: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/cycling-in-rome-grab-a-bike-and-bike-the-grabAbruzzoAbruzzo, known as Italy's green region, lies in the central-eastern part of the country and boasts a stunning combination of mountains, coastline, and unspoiled nature. Along the beautiful Trabocchi Coast, visitors can admire the historic trabocchi — ingenious wooden fishing structures built by fishermen centuries ago to safely fish the Adriatic waters, many of which have now been converted into charming seaside restaurants where you can dine on fresh seafood while suspended above the waves with sunsets as your backdrop. When it comes to dining, Abruzzo currently boasts four Michelin-starred restaurants; there are three 1-star restaurants and one 3-star restaurant. Food lovers shouldn't miss Arrosticini, the region's famous grilled lamb skewers, or a glass of bold Montepulciano d'Abruzzo red wine. Outdoor enthusiasts have countless opportunities for adventure, from swimming at the Stiffe Caves and strolling the Ponte del Mare to relaxing on the beaches of Riserva Naturale Guidata Punta Aderci and hiking to the iconic Rocca Calascio. Lakeside escapes await at Lago di Scanno and Lago di Barrea, while the towering Gran Sasso d'Italia and the expansive Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, and Lazio e Molise offer breathtaking scenery and pristine trails. The region is home to many national parks — Abruzzo, Lazio, Molise National Park, Gran Sasso and Laga Mountains National Park, and Maiella National Park — perfect for hiking, biking, trail running, and spotting the highest peaks of the Apennine Mountain Range. Cyclists can enjoy the Bike to Coast cycle path, a 131 km (81.4 mile) route running along the Adriatic coast from Pescara to Vasto. History and architecture lovers will appreciate sites like Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio, Centro Storico di Sulmona, Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere, and the Medieval Village of Pacentro. For a uniquely tranquil experience, visit the enchanting Gardens of Ninfa. Abruzzo is also a fabulous winter skiing destination and keeps traditions alive with events like Transumanza, the seasonal migration of livestock, primarily sheep, between the high-altitude pastures of the region. With its mountain majesty, historic villages, flavorful cuisine, and coastal charm, Abruzzo offers something unforgettable for every traveler.Tourissimo Tips:More info on the trabocchi coast: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/abruzzos-trabocchi-coastAbruzzo Bike to Coast is a beautiful bike path along the coast: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/cycling-along-abruzzos-coastMoliseOne of Italy's most untouched and lesser-known regions, Molise is famously nicknamed “the region that doesn't exist,” though it's rich in history, traditions, and natural beauty. This quiet region offers a mix of beaches and mountains, including part of the National Park of Abruzzo within the Apennines mountain range, filled with abundant wildlife, hiking trails, and winter ski opportunities. Tourissimo Tip–The Region That Doesn't Exist: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/the-italian-region-that-doesnt-existThe capital city, Campobasso, is home to notable sites like Monforte Castle and several Romanesque churches, while the charming coastal town of Termoli draws visitors for its beaches, trabucchi (historic fishing huts now serving fresh seafood), and local specialties like brodetto, a traditional seafood stew. Along the Molise coast in Termoli, dining at a trabucchi offers fresh catches with a side of Adriatic views. History buffs should visit the Samnite ruins in the Pietrabbondante archaeological area, the well-preserved Saepinum Archaeological Area, and landmarks like Lago di Castel San Vincenzo, the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Purification, Monforte Castle, and the Basilica of Saint Mary of Sorrow. A must-see is the Marinelli Bell Foundry, founded in 1339. It's the oldest continuously operating bell foundry in the world, Italy's oldest family business, and the official provider of bells to the Vatican. Food lovers can sample Cavatelli, a local pasta specialty, paired with Tintilia, a rare red wine unique to Molise. The region is also home to seven one-star Michelin restaurants and several local food tours that showcase its rustic culinary traditions. While Molise's quiet charm and untouched landscapes make it a special destination, visitors should note that English is not widely spoken, making it a truly authentic Italian experience for those eager to explore one of the country's hidden gems.Southern Italy: Sun, Sea, and Ancient WondersCampania The birthplace of Neapolitan pizza, the Mediterranean Diet, and Mozzarella di Bufala, Campania is one of Italy's most vibrant and culturally rich regions. Home to the bustling regional capital Naples (Napoli), it boasts some of the country's most iconic destinations, including Pompeii, the stunning Amalfi Coast, and the tranquil Cilento Coast.Along the sparkling, deep-blue waters of the Golfo di Napoli, you'll find must-visit coastal towns like Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, as well as the famous islands of Ischia, Capri, and the colorful Procida. Visitors can hike the breathtaking Path of the Gods, explore the hauntingly preserved ruins of Archaeological Pompeii, forever shadowed by the gray cone of Mt. Vesuvius, and savor the region's culinary gems like ultra-fresh seafood and crisp Falanghina wine.History and culture lovers shouldn't miss Sansevero Chapel Museum, San Carlo Theatre, the Catacombs of San Gennaro, and the lush Villa Cimbrone Gardens. Campania also impresses with its historic castles, including the Royal Palace of Caserta, Ovo Castle, and Castello Aragonese d'Ischia. Wine enthusiasts should head to the province of Avellino, known for producing some of the best wines in southern Italy.Tourissimo Tip–Wine is also grown inland on the Amalfi Coast, and there are some vines that are 250 years old (pre-phylloxera): https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/old-vines-on-the-amalfi-coastNature lovers will be drawn to the Cilento, Vallo di Diano, and Alburni National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its biodiversity, dramatic landscapes, and cultural heritage, featuring ancient ruins like Paestum and Velia, the majestic Padula Charterhouse, and idyllic coastal villages.Campania is also a paradise for food lovers, home to 51 Michelin-starred restaurants, including one three-star, eight two-star, and forty-two one-star establishments. From world-famous landmarks to hidden treasures, Campania offers an irresistible blend of history, nature, food, and coastal charm.CalabriaWith its rugged coastlines, dramatic landscapes, and hidden treasures, Calabria is a must-visit region in southern Italy. Known for its bold flavors and rich culinary traditions, visitors should sample 'Nduja, a spicy, spreadable sausage paste, and the region's famous Calabrian chiles. The local cuisine embraces cucina povera, a tradition of simple, hearty dishes featuring handmade pasta made with just flour and water. Calabria offers a growing fine dining scene with six one-star Michelin restaurants. For nature lovers, Calabria is home to three stunning national parks — Sila, Aspromonte, and Pollino — ideal for hiking, wildlife spotting, and immersing in untouched landscapes. Along the coast, Capo Vaticano stands out as one of the world's most beautiful beaches, offering breathtaking views and crystal-clear waters. History buffs and castle enthusiasts can explore impressive fortresses like Castello Ruffo di Scilla, Castello Murat, Castello di Le Castella, and Castello Aragonese. Don't miss charming towns and villages such as Tropea, famous for its clifftop views and beaches, as well as Scilla, Pentedattilo, and Le Castella. With its authentic culture, stunning coastlines, flavorful cuisine, and rich history, Calabria remains one of Italy's most captivating yet underrated regions.Tourissimo Tip–Way off the beaten path, lies a  unique museum in Mammola, Calabria https://calabriastraordinaria.it/en/news/visit-to-musaba-the-sistine-chapel-of-calabriaPugliaKnown as the Maldives of Italy, Puglia is a sun-drenched region celebrated for its whitewashed hill towns, ancient olive groves, and miles of stunning coastline. With a dry Mediterranean climate and scenery that often feels more Greek than Italian, Puglia is famed for its beaches in Salento, crystal-clear waters, and charming seaside towns. One of its most iconic sights is the fairytale-like trulli houses of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This region is also a food lover's paradise, offering specialties like Orecchiette pasta with turnip greens, the classic Fave e Cicoria (fava bean purée with wild chicory), and fresh seafood paired with crisp vegetables. Wine lovers can savor Primitivo, a bold local red. For fine dining, the region boasts nine one-star Michelin restaurants, blending rustic flavors with refined culinary creativity.Puglia is dotted with unique cities and towns worth exploring, including Locorotondo, Otranto, Lecce, Monopoli, Ostuni, Gallipoli, Bari, Alberobello, and Polignano a Mare. Nature and history enthusiasts will enjoy visiting extraordinary sites like the Grotte di Castellana, the dramatic Cave of Poetry, the ancient Basilica San Nicola, and the scenic Gargano Peninsula. With its thousand-year-old olive trees, Puglia is the largest olive oil producer in the world, known for its strong, spicy oils. The locals here are famously warm and welcoming, going out of their way to make visitors feel at home.Puglia's blend of natural beauty, rich tradition, and heartfelt hospitality makes it one of Italy's most captivating and underrated destinations.Tourissimo Tip–Here are some of the gems of Puglia: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/some-of-the-gems-of-pugliaBasilicataBasilicata, a remote yet captivating region with a population of just 500,000, offers a wealth of unique experiences despite its secluded location. Among its most intriguing destinations are the ghost town of Craco and the ancient cave city of Matera, both steeped in history and cinematic charm. Other towns worth visiting include Maratea and Palombaroa, each offering its own cultural and scenic appeal.Tourissimo Tip–Matera is magical! https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/destination-highlight-matera-the-city-of-stonesThe region is rich in historical and religious landmarks, such as the Crypt of Original Sin with its remarkable frescoes, and the medieval Melfi Castle. Don't miss the towering Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Maratea, a striking monument that overlooks the Tyrrhenian coast.For a taste of local flavor, try Peperoni Cruschi—crispy, sun-dried peppers that are a beloved regional delicacy. Basilicata is also known for its exceptional wines, especially the bold, full-bodied reds of Aglianico del Vulture DOC, made primarily from the Aglianico grape. White wine lovers will appreciate the region's Greco di Tufo and Fiano varietals as well. Basilicata also has a total of 14 one-star Michelin restaurants. Adventurers can experience an adrenaline rush on The Angel's Flight, a giant zip line that offers stunning views and a thrilling ride through the Lucanian landscape.SicilySicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, is a world of its own, offering a diverse landscape of coastlines, mountains, and magical towns such as Cefalù, Palermo, Taormina, Catania, Noto, Agrigento, and Syracuse. Palermo serves as the cultural and diplomatic capital of the region, while Catania stands as its business hub.A volcanic island and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sicily boasts a rich collection of cultural and natural treasures. Highlights include the awe-inspiring Valley of the Temples, the active volcano Mount Etna, the stunning Duomo di Cefalù, and the picturesque islands of Stromboli, Bella, and Ortigia. The region is also home to the renowned Baroque Triangle in the Val di Noto region of southeastern Sicily, where the eight towns of Caltagirone, Militello Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa, and Scicli have been recognized by UNESCO for their outstanding examples of late Baroque architecture.Sicily's culinary scene is just as impressive. Indulge in traditional Sicilian cannoli, filled with sheep's milk ricotta cheese and always stuffed fresh to order. Take a street food tour to savor local favorites like arancini, and don't miss sipping on a glass of Nero d'Avola, one of Sicily's most famous wines. The region is also internationally celebrated for its top-tier agriculture and winemaking.For a taste of authentic Italian charm beyond the tourist trail, explore the towns featured in I Borghi Più Belli d'Italia—Italy's list of its most beautiful hidden gems. Tourissimo Tip–This is a great tip for all 20 regions of Italy. Find out more here: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/the-most-beautiful-small-towns-in-italyFood lovers will be delighted to know that Sicily is also home to 23 Michelin-starred restaurants, including three two-star establishments and twenty with one star.Tourissimo Tip–If you visit Corleone, you should definitely learn about the legacy of the Mafia. We in North America tend to have a romanticized view of the mafia, but for the locals, the history is more brutal. See some photos and learn more here: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/letizia-battaglia-groundbreaking-photojournalist-who-fearlessly-documented-the-mafia-in-her-native-sicilySardiniaSardinia, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily, is a rugged, rural paradise known for its natural beauty, deep-rooted traditions, and ancient history. The island is home to features like the Apennine Coast, the Adriatic Coast, and the Apennine Mountains. Most of Sardinia's population lives in the capital region of Cagliari, but much of the island remains untouched, offering visitors a glimpse into authentic Italian island life.One of Sardinia's most fascinating distinctions is that the Barbagia region is recognized as a Blue Zone—an area with an unusually high number of centenarians. This longevity is attributed to the region's healthy diet, active lifestyle, and strong sense of community. For outdoor enthusiasts, inland Sardinia offers some of the best biking and hiking experiences in all of Italy.Tourissimo Tip–What is a Blue Zone? https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/blue-zoneThe island's coastlines are just as enticing. Costa Smeralda is often described as paradise on earth, with stunning beaches like Spiaggia di Tuerredda, Cala Goloritzé, and Spiaggia di Porto Giunco perfect for sunbathing and swimming. Don't miss the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park (Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago di La Maddalena), a protected area with crystal-clear waters and pristine landscapes.Charming towns such as Alghero, Bosa, and Cagliari add to the island's appeal. Many of Sardinia's towns are nestled in the mountains located in the island's center, offering a peaceful and scenic escape.Cultural and historical attractions abound. Must-see sites include the Nora Archaeological Park, Bastione di Saint Remy, Parco Archeologico Naturalistico di Santa Cristina, and the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Cagliari. For an unforgettable natural wonder, venture into the Frecce delle grotte srl and Neptune's Grotto, stunning sea caves accessible by boat or stairs carved into cliffs.Sardinia is also home to a unique ancient civilization. Scattered across the island are over 7,000 nuraghe—megalithic stone structures built during the Nuragic Age (c. 1900–730 BC). These mysterious, tower-like buildings are the island's most iconic symbol, and some scholars believe there were once over 10,000 nuraghe structures in total.Religious architecture also impresses, with highlights like the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta e Santa Cecilia, the Church of the Holy Trinity of Saccargia, and the Basilica di San Simplicio showcasing Sardinia's spiritual and artistic heritage.Sardinian cuisine reflects its mountainous geography. Surprisingly, for an island, the diet leans more toward land-based ingredients than seafood. Signature dishes include Porceddu (roast pig), Fregola (a traditional Sardinian pasta), and the adventurous Casu marzu—a sheep's milk cheese intentionally infested with live maggots and considered a local delicacy. Sardinia also holds 16 one-star Michelin restaurants.To accompany these flavors, try a glass of Cannonau red wine, known for its high polyphenol content and potential health benefits, or the refreshing Vermentino white wine, perfect for warm Mediterranean days.Tourissimo Tip–Magic Trick or Pasta Making? https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/magic-trick-or-pasta-making From the Alps to the Mediterranean, each Italian region is a world of its own. Want to see it all? Check out Tourissimo's amazing trip planning and Italian information at tourissimo.travel! Buon viaggio!From the Alps to the Mediterranean, each Italian region is a world of its own. Want to see it all? Check out Tourissimo's amazing trip planning and Italian information at tourissimo.travel! Buon viaggio! 

We recorded this in a hotel room right next to the Giza Plateau in Egypt, and we spend the first hour discussing the results of the now-famous Synthetic Aperture Radar scans of the Khafre Pyramid, and the claims of large structures hidden in the bedrock below the pyramid proper. We also talk a bit about the strange "well shaft" of the Great Pyramid, which we explored again this year, and the mysterious "Grotto" chamber at the top of the well shaft. Finally, we read some very interesting new findings by physicist Max Fomitchev-Zamilov in the subject of the Egyptian stone vases. Max has discovered that there is a higher concentration of radioactive elements in vases of higher quality and precision, at least in the limited samples he has been able to scan. We read about his preliminmary results from his website, which can be found here: https://maximus.energy/index.php/2025/03/30/excess-of-thorium-232-in-ancient-egyptian-stone-vessels/ We also read from a related article on Max's website, about "nuclear machining", a technique that Max says could explain the seeming ease with which the ancient vases were manufactured, as well as the higher concentration of radioactive materials in the quality samples. https://maximus.energy/index.php/2025/01/14/nuclear-machining-hypothesis/     Join us, Ben from UnchartedX, Adam Young, and Karoly Poka for an afternoon at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York where we will peruse their collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, then we will move to the Explorer's Club for dinner and presentations from us and Ben! https://eveningattheexplorersclub.eventbrite.com/ Join our Patreon, support the show, get extra content and early access! https://www.patreon.com/brothersoftheserpent Support the show with a paypal donation: https://paypal.me/snakebros

Dimitri and Khalid explore the deadly climax of the Molly Maguire phenomenon in 1870s Pennsylvania coal country, including: Pinkerton spy James McParlan's exposure and narrow escape from Schuylkill County, the spectacular(ly corrupt) murder trials from 1876-78 that captivated the nation, Reading Railroad President Franklin B. Gowen's mesmerizing star turn as lead prosecutor in the courtroom, his four hour Aaron Sorkin monologue about the perfidious Irish conspiracy threatening the very foundations of our (Protestant Capitalist) Republic, squealing witnesses and Pennsylvania Dutch jurors, McParlan/McKenna on the witness stand, Gowen's relentless drive to convict Hibernian leader “Black Jack” Kehoe of a Civil War murder he didn't commit, Black Thursday and the Day of the Rope, executing two Mollies just after Governor Hartranft grants a reprieve, the Great Railroad Strikes of 1877, two descendants of convicted Mollies becoming militant IRA-supporting Teamster leaders in the 20th century, Gowen's HOTGAF arc going off the rails, the Reading's slide into crushing debt and bankruptcy, getting forced out of the game by a rising JP Morgan, and Franklin Gowen grimly imitating the tactics of his Molly adversaries by shooting a mine boss - himself - in 1889.  For access to premium SJ episodes, upcoming installments of DEMON FORCES, and the Grotto of Truth Discord, become a subscriber at patreon.com/subliminaljihad.

From the March/April 2025 edition of The Scottish Rite Journal.  Any accompanying photographs or citations for this article can be found in the corresponding print edition.Make sure to like and subscribe to the channel!  Freemasons, make sure you shout out your Lodge, Valley, Chapter or Shrine below!OES, Job's Daughter's, Rainbow, DeMolay?  Drop us a comment too!To learn how to find a lodge near you, visit www.beafreemason.comTo learn more about the Scottish Rite, visit www.scottishrite.orgVisit our YouTube Page: Youtube.com/ScottishRiteMasonsJoin our Lost Media Archive for only $1.99 a month!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv-F13FNBaW-buecl7p8cJg/joinVisit our new stores:Bookstore: https://www.srbookstore.myshopify.com/Merch Store: http://www.shopsrgifts.com/

Beppe, a native Italian, started his journey in active travel over two decades ago and, with the help of his wife Heather, co-founded Tourissimo, one of the top adventure travel companies in Italy. With years of expertise designing cycling and adventure tours across all 20 regions of Italy, Beppe and Heather have the inside scoop on the most authentic and unforgettable experiences Italy has to offer.So grab your espresso (or a glass of vino Italiano), and let's explore Italy region by region!Northern Italy: Adventure, Culture, and Alpine BeautyLombardy (Lombardia)Running along the Swiss border, Lombardy is Italy's largest and wealthiest region—a land of striking contrasts and cultural riches. Home to nearly 10 million people, Lombardy contains 12 of Italy's largest cities: Milan, Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Mantua, Pavia, Cremona, Lecco, Lodi, Monza, Sondrio, and Varese. The region blends modern sophistication with old-world charm, from the fashion capital and bustling metropolis of Milan to the serene, postcard-perfect landscapes of Lake Como.Lombardy is dotted with some of Italy's most beloved lakes, including Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, Lake Garda, Lake Iseo, Lake Idro, and many more. Picturesque villages like Bellagio offer sun-drenched escapes along Lake Como's shores, while the medieval towns of Bergamo and Mantova enchant visitors with cobblestone streets, sweeping views, and centuries of history.Culinary lovers will be spoiled for choice with Lombardy's 60 Michelin-starred restaurants—3 with three stars, 6 with two stars, and 51 with one star. Be sure to savor the region's iconic Risotto alla Milanese, a creamy saffron-infused dish that's a local staple. Wine enthusiasts won't want to miss a glass of Franciacorta, Italy's sparkling answer to Champagne.November is a wonderful time to visit, with cooler temperatures and fewer tourists. It's also the perfect season to explore Lombardy's slice of the Alps, where charming mountain towns await nestled among the peaks. For an unforgettable adventure, consider attending the 2025 Winter Olympics, which will be held in Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo!Tourissimo Tip– If you are flying into Milan, select the correct airport because Milan has two airports! For info, check out the following Tourissimo blog: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/avoid-this-common-travel-mistake-know-milans-two-airportsVenetoVeneto, the birthplace of Prosecco, Polenta, and the iconic Spritz, is a region rich in charm, culture, and culinary delights. Stretching from the Italian Riviera to the Venetian Pre-Alps and the stunning Dolomites, Veneto is home to both natural beauty and historic towns. Its capital, the enchanting floating city of Venice, is world-famous for its canals, gondolas, labyrinthine streets, and undeniable romance.Each of Venice's islands offers something special: admire the colorful houses of Burano, renowned for its lace-making traditions; visit Murano, celebrated for its centuries-old glassblowing artistry; and soak up the peaceful atmosphere of Torcello. Exploring these islands by vaporetto (water bus) offers a quieter, more authentic glimpse into Venetian life. Tourissimo Tip–For a few more suggestions, check out Tourissimo's blog on the Venetian Lagoon: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/our-favorite-destinations-in-the-venetian-lagoonBeyond Venice, Veneto boasts a treasure trove of picturesque towns. Verona, Padua, Vicenza, and Asolo each offer their own distinct history and beauty. Visit Castelfranco Veneto for a charming escape or head to Bardolino to enjoy a boat ride on Italy's largest lake, Lago di Garda. Stroll the waterfront in Castelletto sul Garda or circle the freshwater moat of Cittadella, a red-brick medieval town full of character.In the countryside, the hills of Prosecco promise stunning vineyard views, while the medieval town of Montagnana offers a taste of the past. Nature lovers can visit the volcanic Euganean Hills in Este, and cheese lovers shouldn't miss the small town of Asiago, home to one of Italy's most famous cheeses.Veneto's culinary scene shines with 34 Michelin-starred restaurants—2 with three stars, 3 with two stars, and 29 with one star. Indulge in local specialties like Bigoli in Salsa, a hearty Venetian pasta with anchovy sauce, and toast with a glass of Prosecco, Grappa, or the regional favorite, the Select Spritz. And don't forget—Venetians love to celebrate, so let loose and join the party!Tourissimo Tips–Another fun suggestion is Veneto Marostica, the City of Chess, where they do a living chess match with hundreds of people dressed in medieval costumes every two years: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/marostica-the-city-of-chessPiedmont (Piemonte)Nestled at the foot of the Alps and bordered on three sides by the Mediterranean Sea, Piedmont is one of Italy's most underrated gems. With a diverse landscape that offers adventure and beauty year-round, this region is perfect for both winter skiing and summer hiking and biking, thanks to its stunning Alpine scenery.But Piedmont isn't just about breathtaking views—it's steeped in rich history and cultural significance. As the first capital of Italy, it boasts grand palaces, remarkable art, and sacred relics like the famed Shroud of Turin. The capital city of Turin is a vibrant hub, home to Europe's largest outdoor food market and the monthly Gran Balon flea market, a haven for vintage and antique lovers.Venture beyond the city and you'll discover a region bursting with charm and flavor. Tour the Langhe Hills, a paradise for vineyard visits, and sample Bagna Cauda, a warm anchovy and garlic dip beloved by locals. Wander the lakeside town of Stresa on Lake Maggiore, or stroll the cobbled streets of Neive, where views of rolling hills and storybook cottages create an unforgettable setting. In Asti, you can witness the September medieval horse races and visit the majestic Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta e San Gottardo. For a true fairy-tale escape, head to Macugnaga in the valley of Monte Rosa, a perfect base for both skiing and hiking. And just outside of Turin lies the hidden gem of Lake Orta, a peaceful retreat away from the crowds.Piedmont's culinary scene is just as spectacular. With 35 Michelin-starred restaurants—2 with three stars, 3 with two stars, and 30 with one star—the region is a paradise for food lovers. Dine in Alba during white truffle season (September to January), and savor iconic regional dishes like Agnolotti del Plin and Coniglio Arrosto. Wine enthusiasts will be in heaven here—Piedmont is the land of Barolo, the "king of wines," and Barbaresco, two of Italy's most prestigious reds.Tourissimo Tips:Piedmont is home to the Slow Food movement: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/why-piedmont-is-renowned-for-its-slow-foodTourissimo Tip–Check out this blog for a guide to a day of eating in Turin: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/a-day-of-eating-in-turinTourissimo Tip–One of the Best Meals of Your Life will be at the Piazza Duomo in Alba!Emilia-RomagnaLocated in central Italy along the Adriatic coast, Emilia-Romagna is a vibrant and diverse region known for its perfect blend of “slow food” and “fast cars.” This area is considered both the culinary and automotive capital of Italy, offering rich traditions, warm hospitality, and unforgettable experiences.Food lovers will be in heaven here. Emilia-Romagna is the birthplace of iconic Italian delicacies such as Mortadella, Tortellini in Brodo, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, traditional Balsamic Vinegar, Lambrusco, and egg-based fresh pastas like lasagna, tortellini, and tagliatelle. A visit to Parma lets you savor authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano and world-class Prosciutto, as well as enjoy the elegant Teatro Regio opera house.The region also has a need for speed—it's home to legendary automotive brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati. For car enthusiasts, the Ferrari Museum in Modena is a must-see. Emilia-Romagna even has a dedicated cycling tourism office, and in summer 2023, it played host to several stages of the Tour de France, which began in nearby Florence.Beyond the food and cars, Emilia-Romagna offers a range of enchanting destinations. The capital city of Bologna is known for its Piazza Maggiore, the Two Towers, and the scenic Santuario Madonna di San Luca. In Ravenna, marvel at the dazzling, colorful mosaics and the historic San Vitale Basilica. Along the coast, vibrant seaside resorts like Cervia, Cesenatico, and Rimini create a lively, carnival-like party atmosphere from late May through September. For a more peaceful experience, explore the medieval gem of Brisighella, a lesser-known treasure full of charm.When it comes to fine dining, Emilia-Romagna doesn't disappoint. The region boasts 24 Michelin-starred restaurants, including one three-star, three two-star, and twenty one-star establishments. Visitors are often struck by the warmth and generosity of the locals—some of the most hospitable people in Italy—who express their love through exceptional food and outstanding service.Tourissimo Tips:Did you know that there is a whole other country within Emilia Romagna? https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/san-marino-the-other-small-country-within-italyTourissimo Tip–Pietra di Bismantova was an inspiration for Dante: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/pietra-di-bismantova-the-inspiration-for-dantes-purgatoryTourissimo Tip–You can cross the Rubicon: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/crossing-the-rubiconTrentino-South TyrolNestled along Italy's northern border with Switzerland, Trentino–South Tyrol is a stunning mountainous region that blends Italian and Austrian influences, making it a top destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. With its striking Alpine scenery, exceptional cuisine, and rich cultural duality, this region offers the best of both worlds.The South Tyrol capital, Bolzano, is renowned for having the highest quality of life in Italy, combining the clean, efficient infrastructure often associated with Germany with the flavorful food and spirited lifestyle of Italian culture.Outdoor adventurers will be captivated by the Dolomites, with their dramatic limestone peaks—ideal for hiking, skiing, and breathtaking vistas. Don't miss the Alpe di Siusi, Europe's largest Alpine meadow, which is especially stunning in spring and summer. Explore shimmering Lake Garda and uncover the region's medieval past through spectacular castles like Schloss Tirol, Castel Roncolo, and Castel d'Appiano.Tourissimo Tip–An off-the-beaten-path outdoor paradise can be found in the Alps of Trentino. Check out the Val di Sole. This is one of the areas that Beppe and Heather regularly go to on their personal vacations in Italy: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/the-wild-dolomitesThe culinary offerings here reflect the region's unique blend of cultures. Traditional dishes range from Bratwurst and Goulash to Italian-style pastas with hearty meats like deer. Foodies should try Speck, a savory smoked ham, perfectly paired with a glass of Gewürztraminer, a fragrant white wine native to the area. The region also produces excellent white wines and lighter reds that pair beautifully with its alpine cuisine.When it comes to fine dining, Trentino–South Tyrol excels with 33 Michelin-starred restaurants, including three three-star, five two-star, and twenty-five one-star establishments, making it one of Italy's most impressive gourmet regions.LiguriaLocated along Italy's rugged northwestern coastline, Liguria—also known as the Italian Riviera—boasts dramatic cliffs, colorful seaside villages, and incredible culinary traditions. The region is best known for the five picturesque villages of Cinque Terre, as well as the glamorous resort towns of Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure.Tourissimo Tip– If you visit the Cinque Terre, don't forget to look up, and hike up away from the crowds to see the heroic vineyards: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/the-heroic-winemaking-of-the-cinque-terreBecause of the narrow, winding roads with steep drop-offs, many travelers prefer to explore the region via the local train or by public or private boat. If you're planning to hike the famous trails, be aware that entrance permits are now required due to landslides and overtourism.In the regional capital of Genoa, dive into maritime history, visit the iconic San Lorenzo Cathedral, and wander the city's old port area. Just outside Genoa, discover the secluded San Fruttuoso Abbey, accessible only by boat or footpath. In Vernazza, one of the Cinque Terre towns, visit the Doria Castle and the beautiful Santa Margherita Church.Liguria is also a celebrity hotspot, and its cuisine is just as impressive as its scenery. Known as the birthplace of pesto, the region is famous for Pesto alla Genovese, made with a special local basil. Be sure to try the region's olive oil, garlic, cheeses, and exceptional seafood, especially the anchovies. Other regional specialties include Focaccia di Recco, a cheese-filled flatbread, and lighter olive oils that perfectly complement Ligurian dishes.For fine dining, Liguria is home to seven Michelin-starred restaurants, all with one star, offering refined cuisine rooted in the region's coastal and agricultural traditions.Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Friuli)Tucked between Veneto, Austria, and Slovenia, Friuli-Venezia Giulia is a lesser-known gem that offers a unique blend of Alpine landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and coastal charm. The region features part of the Dolomites, ideal for hiking, skiing, and capturing breathtaking scenery.The capital, Trieste, is a refined port city with a fascinating blend of Italian, Austro-Hungarian, and Slavic influences. Don't miss the Miramare Castle, perched over the sea with stunning views. In Cividale del Friuli, stroll through cobbled streets and sample Frico, a savory, crispy dish made of cheese and potatoes, best enjoyed with a glass of Schioppettino, a bold red wine native to the region.For outdoor adventures and relaxation, spend a beach day at Lignano Sabbiadoro, camp in Sistiana, bike the trails around Grado, or explore the ancient Roman ruins in Aquileia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to visit the enormous Grotta Gigante (Giant Cave), stroll through Unity of Italy Square, and tour the Revoltella Museum for modern art.Friuli-Venezia Giulia is also home to seven Michelin-starred restaurants, including two two-star establishments and five one-star venues, reflecting the region's quiet but impressive culinary scene.Tourissimo Tip– A hotel that Heather and Beppe love in Cormons is La Subida. It's a unique, high-end, and rustic property nestled in nature that boasts a 1-Michelin star restaurant: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/hotels-we-love-la-subidaAosta ValleyNestled in the northwestern tip of Italy, where it borders Switzerland and France, the Aosta Valley is Italy's smallest and highest region—a true mountain paradise. This alpine jewel is renowned for its dramatic snowcapped peaks, storybook castles, and a unique blend of French and Italian culture, as both languages are spoken here.The region is home to Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco), Europe's highest peak, which straddles the borders of Italy, France, and Switzerland. While the summit lies on the French side, visitors on the Italian side can experience the Skyway Monte Bianco, a breathtaking cable car ride offering panoramic views of the Alps.Key landmarks include the striking Matterhorn, the impressive Fénis and Savoy Castles, and the Bard Fortress, one of the largest and most remarkable fortifications in the Alps. After a day in the mountains, relax in one of the region's thermal spas, and indulge in Fonduta, a rich, velvety cheese fondue perfect for chilly alpine evenings.Wine lovers should sample the region's distinctive red mountain wines, especially Enfer d'Arvier, known for its bold flavor and high-altitude character.Tourissimo Tip–A fun tradition is the Friendship Cup, a communal cup of coffee: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/the-friendship-cup-of-valle-daostaCentral Italy: History, Art, and Rolling HillsTuscany (Toscana)Tuscany, the heart of the Renaissance, is a captivating region of rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, vineyards, and timeless art and architecture. Located just below Italy's northern regions, it's a haven for art lovers, history buffs, and food and wine enthusiasts alike. From Chianti to Brunello di Montalcino, the region offers a wide variety of world-class wines.The regional capital, Florence, is one of Italy's most walkable and safe major cities, making it ideal for solo travelers. Admire its architectural wonders while sipping on Chianti Classico and indulging in a local favorite—Bistecca alla Fiorentina. Must-see landmarks in Florence include the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo), Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Galleria dell'Accademia, home to Michelangelo's David. For iconic views, head to Piazzale Michelangelo.Beyond Florence, explore the historic cities of Siena, Lucca, and San Gimignano, each offering its own charm. Don't miss the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the Siena Cathedral, and spend time in the picturesque public squares like Piazza del Campo, Piazza della Signoria, and Piazza del Duomo.For off-the-beaten-path adventures, discover medieval hilltop villages such as Sorano, or head to the Maremma coast for scenic beaches and bold wines. Tuscany also shines in its culinary excellence, boasting 41 Michelin-starred restaurants—including 1 three-star, 5 two-star, and 35 one-star establishments.Tourissimo Tip–3 places in Tuscany you didn't know existed: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/three-places-in-tuscany-you-did-not-know-existedUmbriaUmbria, often called the "Green Heart of Italy," is the country's only completely landlocked region, nestled between Tuscany, Lazio, and Le Marche. Though it lacks large cities, Umbria more than makes up for it with breathtaking natural beauty, medieval towns, and a rich culinary tradition.One of Umbria's most impressive sights is the Cascata delle Marmore (Marmore Falls)—the second tallest waterfall in Europe. Nature lovers and photographers alike will be amazed by its dramatic 165-meter drop. The region is also home to Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, one of Italy's most revered saints, and a major pilgrimage destination.Food lovers will delight in Umbria's hearty, earthy cuisine, featuring lentils, mushroom-based dishes, cured meats, and the prized black truffle (Tartufo Nero di Norcia). Pair these specialties with a glass of Sagrantino di Montefalco, a robust red wine unique to the region.Umbria's culinary excellence is further reflected in its four Michelin-starred restaurants: Casa Vissani, Vespasia, Ada, and Elementi. Each holds one Michelin star, offering refined takes on the region's rustic flavors.Tourissimo Tip–Norcia is definitely one of Italy's culinary gems: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/norcia-one-of-italys-culinary-gemsMarcheLocated in central Italy on the Adriatic side, Marche is a beautiful region with a population of 1 million people, known for its charming towns, rich history, and welcoming, hardworking culture. The region offers stunning destinations like Urbino and Ancona, along with pristine beaches such as Spiaggia della Due Sorelle, Parco Naturale Monte San Bartolo, Mezzavalle, and the Riviera del Conero, not to mention many picturesque nature reserves.Must-see landmarks include Castello di Gradara, Palazzo Ducale di Urbino, the Sanctuary of the Holy House of Loreto, Cattedrale di San Ciriaco, Tempio del Valadier, and the breathtaking underground Frasassi Caves. Marche's favorite cities and nearby towns also include Gubbio, Assisi, Perugia, Orvieto, and Cascia.For those drawn to religious history, highlights include the Papal Basilica of Saint Francis, the Sacred Convent of Saint Francis, Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli, and Basilica di Santa Chiara in Assisi, as well as the Basilica of Santa Rita da Cascia. History lovers should visit Rocca Paolina, Piazza IV Novembre, Fontana Maggiore, Piazza del Comune, and Grotta di Monte Cucco, while museums like Narni Sotterranea, the National Gallery, and Nobile Collegio del Cambio offer rich cultural experiences.This region is famous for its culinary tradition, especially its mastery of seafood, and is home to seven Michelin-starred restaurants — including Uliassi in Senigallia, proudly holding three Michelin stars, along with one two-star and five one-star establishments. No visit would be complete without tasting Olive all'Ascolana, fried stuffed olives that perfectly capture Marche's local flavor. All of this, combined with the region's natural beauty and warm, fun, and friendly locals, makes Marche a truly unforgettable destination in the heart of Italy.Tourissimo Tip–Ascoli Piceno, the town where the Ascoli olive is from, is beautiful, especially at night when it appears to glow: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/ascoli-piceno-the-italian-town-that-glows-at-nightLazioLazio, one of Italy's central regions, though often considered a southern region by Italians, is a place rich with history, iconic landmarks, and hidden gems. At its heart is the capital city of Rome, a destination overflowing with opportunities for exploration. Essential sites include the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Roman Forum, Spanish Steps, St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and countless other remarkable attractions. No visit to Rome is complete without savoring its famous dishes, including Cacio e Pepe — a creamy cheese and pepper pasta — along with local favorites like Spaghetti alla Gricia, Pasta all'Amatriciana, and Pasta Carbonara, best enjoyed with a glass of crisp Frascati wine while taking in views of the Colosseum. Lazio as a whole has 107 two-star Michelin restaurants and 105 one-star restaurants. If you find yourself in the Trastevere neighborhood, there are many wonderful popular restaurants, including La Scaletta and Le Mani in Pasta.Another must-see is Vatican City, home to the Vatican and its world-renowned religious and artistic treasures. In December 2025, Rome will host the Jubilee, or Holy Year — a significant Catholic Church event focused on forgiveness, reconciliation, and spiritual renewal, held only once every 25 years and drawing pilgrims from across the globe.Beyond Rome, Lazio offers a beautiful coastline and peaceful countryside, perfect for travelers seeking quieter escapes. Among its hidden gems is Ostia Antica, an ancient Roman city that once served as the bustling port of Rome, located at the mouth of the Tiber River. With its blend of legendary landmarks, culinary traditions, religious significance, and off-the-beaten-path treasures, Lazio is a captivating region waiting to be explored.Tourissimo Tip–There's a wonderful project underway to create a cycle path around the perimeter of Rome: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/cycling-in-rome-grab-a-bike-and-bike-the-grabAbruzzoAbruzzo, known as Italy's green region, lies in the central-eastern part of the country and boasts a stunning combination of mountains, coastline, and unspoiled nature. Along the beautiful Trabocchi Coast, visitors can admire the historic trabocchi — ingenious wooden fishing structures built by fishermen centuries ago to safely fish the Adriatic waters, many of which have now been converted into charming seaside restaurants where you can dine on fresh seafood while suspended above the waves with sunsets as your backdrop. When it comes to dining, Abruzzo currently boasts four Michelin-starred restaurants; there are three 1-star restaurants and one 3-star restaurant. Food lovers shouldn't miss Arrosticini, the region's famous grilled lamb skewers, or a glass of bold Montepulciano d'Abruzzo red wine. Outdoor enthusiasts have countless opportunities for adventure, from swimming at the Stiffe Caves and strolling the Ponte del Mare to relaxing on the beaches of Riserva Naturale Guidata Punta Aderci and hiking to the iconic Rocca Calascio. Lakeside escapes await at Lago di Scanno and Lago di Barrea, while the towering Gran Sasso d'Italia and the expansive Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, and Lazio e Molise offer breathtaking scenery and pristine trails. The region is home to many national parks — Abruzzo, Lazio, Molise National Park, Gran Sasso and Laga Mountains National Park, and Maiella National Park — perfect for hiking, biking, trail running, and spotting the highest peaks of the Apennine Mountain Range. Cyclists can enjoy the Bike to Coast cycle path, a 131 km (81.4 mile) route running along the Adriatic coast from Pescara to Vasto. History and architecture lovers will appreciate sites like Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio, Centro Storico di Sulmona, Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere, and the Medieval Village of Pacentro. For a uniquely tranquil experience, visit the enchanting Gardens of Ninfa. Abruzzo is also a fabulous winter skiing destination and keeps traditions alive with events like Transumanza, the seasonal migration of livestock, primarily sheep, between the high-altitude pastures of the region. With its mountain majesty, historic villages, flavorful cuisine, and coastal charm, Abruzzo offers something unforgettable for every traveler.Tourissimo Tips:More info on the trabocchi coast: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/abruzzos-trabocchi-coastAbruzzo Bike to Coast is a beautiful bike path along the coast: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/cycling-along-abruzzos-coastMoliseOne of Italy's most untouched and lesser-known regions, Molise is famously nicknamed “the region that doesn't exist,” though it's rich in history, traditions, and natural beauty. This quiet region offers a mix of beaches and mountains, including part of the National Park of Abruzzo within the Apennines mountain range, filled with abundant wildlife, hiking trails, and winter ski opportunities. Tourissimo Tip–The Region That Doesn't Exist: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/the-italian-region-that-doesnt-existThe capital city, Campobasso, is home to notable sites like Monforte Castle and several Romanesque churches, while the charming coastal town of Termoli draws visitors for its beaches, trabucchi (historic fishing huts now serving fresh seafood), and local specialties like brodetto, a traditional seafood stew. Along the Molise coast in Termoli, dining at a trabucchi offers fresh catches with a side of Adriatic views. History buffs should visit the Samnite ruins in the Pietrabbondante archaeological area, the well-preserved Saepinum Archaeological Area, and landmarks like Lago di Castel San Vincenzo, the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Purification, Monforte Castle, and the Basilica of Saint Mary of Sorrow. A must-see is the Marinelli Bell Foundry, founded in 1339. It's the oldest continuously operating bell foundry in the world, Italy's oldest family business, and the official provider of bells to the Vatican. Food lovers can sample Cavatelli, a local pasta specialty, paired with Tintilia, a rare red wine unique to Molise. The region is also home to seven one-star Michelin restaurants and several local food tours that showcase its rustic culinary traditions. While Molise's quiet charm and untouched landscapes make it a special destination, visitors should note that English is not widely spoken, making it a truly authentic Italian experience for those eager to explore one of the country's hidden gems.Southern Italy: Sun, Sea, and Ancient WondersCampania The birthplace of Neapolitan pizza, the Mediterranean Diet, and Mozzarella di Bufala, Campania is one of Italy's most vibrant and culturally rich regions. Home to the bustling regional capital Naples (Napoli), it boasts some of the country's most iconic destinations, including Pompeii, the stunning Amalfi Coast, and the tranquil Cilento Coast.Along the sparkling, deep-blue waters of the Golfo di Napoli, you'll find must-visit coastal towns like Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, as well as the famous islands of Ischia, Capri, and the colorful Procida. Visitors can hike the breathtaking Path of the Gods, explore the hauntingly preserved ruins of Archaeological Pompeii, forever shadowed by the gray cone of Mt. Vesuvius, and savor the region's culinary gems like ultra-fresh seafood and crisp Falanghina wine.History and culture lovers shouldn't miss Sansevero Chapel Museum, San Carlo Theatre, the Catacombs of San Gennaro, and the lush Villa Cimbrone Gardens. Campania also impresses with its historic castles, including the Royal Palace of Caserta, Ovo Castle, and Castello Aragonese d'Ischia. Wine enthusiasts should head to the province of Avellino, known for producing some of the best wines in southern Italy.Tourissimo Tip–Wine is also grown inland on the Amalfi Coast, and there are some vines that are 250 years old (pre-phylloxera): https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/old-vines-on-the-amalfi-coastNature lovers will be drawn to the Cilento, Vallo di Diano, and Alburni National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its biodiversity, dramatic landscapes, and cultural heritage, featuring ancient ruins like Paestum and Velia, the majestic Padula Charterhouse, and idyllic coastal villages.Campania is also a paradise for food lovers, home to 51 Michelin-starred restaurants, including one three-star, eight two-star, and forty-two one-star establishments. From world-famous landmarks to hidden treasures, Campania offers an irresistible blend of history, nature, food, and coastal charm.CalabriaWith its rugged coastlines, dramatic landscapes, and hidden treasures, Calabria is a must-visit region in southern Italy. Known for its bold flavors and rich culinary traditions, visitors should sample 'Nduja, a spicy, spreadable sausage paste, and the region's famous Calabrian chiles. The local cuisine embraces cucina povera, a tradition of simple, hearty dishes featuring handmade pasta made with just flour and water. Calabria offers a growing fine dining scene with six one-star Michelin restaurants. For nature lovers, Calabria is home to three stunning national parks — Sila, Aspromonte, and Pollino — ideal for hiking, wildlife spotting, and immersing in untouched landscapes. Along the coast, Capo Vaticano stands out as one of the world's most beautiful beaches, offering breathtaking views and crystal-clear waters. History buffs and castle enthusiasts can explore impressive fortresses like Castello Ruffo di Scilla, Castello Murat, Castello di Le Castella, and Castello Aragonese. Don't miss charming towns and villages such as Tropea, famous for its clifftop views and beaches, as well as Scilla, Pentedattilo, and Le Castella. With its authentic culture, stunning coastlines, flavorful cuisine, and rich history, Calabria remains one of Italy's most captivating yet underrated regions.Tourissimo Tip–Way off the beaten path, lies a  unique museum in Mammola, Calabria https://calabriastraordinaria.it/en/news/visit-to-musaba-the-sistine-chapel-of-calabriaPugliaKnown as the Maldives of Italy, Puglia is a sun-drenched region celebrated for its whitewashed hill towns, ancient olive groves, and miles of stunning coastline. With a dry Mediterranean climate and scenery that often feels more Greek than Italian, Puglia is famed for its beaches in Salento, crystal-clear waters, and charming seaside towns. One of its most iconic sights is the fairytale-like trulli houses of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This region is also a food lover's paradise, offering specialties like Orecchiette pasta with turnip greens, the classic Fave e Cicoria (fava bean purée with wild chicory), and fresh seafood paired with crisp vegetables. Wine lovers can savor Primitivo, a bold local red. For fine dining, the region boasts nine one-star Michelin restaurants, blending rustic flavors with refined culinary creativity.Puglia is dotted with unique cities and towns worth exploring, including Locorotondo, Otranto, Lecce, Monopoli, Ostuni, Gallipoli, Bari, Alberobello, and Polignano a Mare. Nature and history enthusiasts will enjoy visiting extraordinary sites like the Grotte di Castellana, the dramatic Cave of Poetry, the ancient Basilica San Nicola, and the scenic Gargano Peninsula. With its thousand-year-old olive trees, Puglia is the largest olive oil producer in the world, known for its strong, spicy oils. The locals here are famously warm and welcoming, going out of their way to make visitors feel at home.Puglia's blend of natural beauty, rich tradition, and heartfelt hospitality makes it one of Italy's most captivating and underrated destinations.Tourissimo Tip–Here are some of the gems of Puglia: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/some-of-the-gems-of-pugliaBasilicataBasilicata, a remote yet captivating region with a population of just 500,000, offers a wealth of unique experiences despite its secluded location. Among its most intriguing destinations are the ghost town of Craco and the ancient cave city of Matera, both steeped in history and cinematic charm. Other towns worth visiting include Maratea and Palombaroa, each offering its own cultural and scenic appeal.Tourissimo Tip–Matera is magical! https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/destination-highlight-matera-the-city-of-stonesThe region is rich in historical and religious landmarks, such as the Crypt of Original Sin with its remarkable frescoes, and the medieval Melfi Castle. Don't miss the towering Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Maratea, a striking monument that overlooks the Tyrrhenian coast.For a taste of local flavor, try Peperoni Cruschi—crispy, sun-dried peppers that are a beloved regional delicacy. Basilicata is also known for its exceptional wines, especially the bold, full-bodied reds of Aglianico del Vulture DOC, made primarily from the Aglianico grape. White wine lovers will appreciate the region's Greco di Tufo and Fiano varietals as well. Basilicata also has a total of 14 one-star Michelin restaurants. Adventurers can experience an adrenaline rush on The Angel's Flight, a giant zip line that offers stunning views and a thrilling ride through the Lucanian landscape.SicilySicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, is a world of its own, offering a diverse landscape of coastlines, mountains, and magical towns such as Cefalù, Palermo, Taormina, Catania, Noto, Agrigento, and Syracuse. Palermo serves as the cultural and diplomatic capital of the region, while Catania stands as its business hub.A volcanic island and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sicily boasts a rich collection of cultural and natural treasures. Highlights include the awe-inspiring Valley of the Temples, the active volcano Mount Etna, the stunning Duomo di Cefalù, and the picturesque islands of Stromboli, Bella, and Ortigia. The region is also home to the renowned Baroque Triangle in the Val di Noto region of southeastern Sicily, where the eight towns of Caltagirone, Militello Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa, and Scicli have been recognized by UNESCO for their outstanding examples of late Baroque architecture.Sicily's culinary scene is just as impressive. Indulge in traditional Sicilian cannoli, filled with sheep's milk ricotta cheese and always stuffed fresh to order. Take a street food tour to savor local favorites like arancini, and don't miss sipping on a glass of Nero d'Avola, one of Sicily's most famous wines. The region is also internationally celebrated for its top-tier agriculture and winemaking.For a taste of authentic Italian charm beyond the tourist trail, explore the towns featured in I Borghi Più Belli d'Italia—Italy's list of its most beautiful hidden gems. Tourissimo Tip–This is a great tip for all 20 regions of Italy. Find out more here: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/the-most-beautiful-small-towns-in-italyFood lovers will be delighted to know that Sicily is also home to 23 Michelin-starred restaurants, including three two-star establishments and twenty with one star.Tourissimo Tip–If you visit Corleone, you should definitely learn about the legacy of the Mafia. We in North America tend to have a romanticized view of the mafia, but for the locals, the history is more brutal. See some photos and learn more here: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/letizia-battaglia-groundbreaking-photojournalist-who-fearlessly-documented-the-mafia-in-her-native-sicilySardiniaSardinia, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily, is a rugged, rural paradise known for its natural beauty, deep-rooted traditions, and ancient history. The island is home to features like the Apennine Coast, the Adriatic Coast, and the Apennine Mountains. Most of Sardinia's population lives in the capital region of Cagliari, but much of the island remains untouched, offering visitors a glimpse into authentic Italian island life.One of Sardinia's most fascinating distinctions is that the Barbagia region is recognized as a Blue Zone—an area with an unusually high number of centenarians. This longevity is attributed to the region's healthy diet, active lifestyle, and strong sense of community. For outdoor enthusiasts, inland Sardinia offers some of the best biking and hiking experiences in all of Italy.Tourissimo Tip–What is a Blue Zone? https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/blue-zoneThe island's coastlines are just as enticing. Costa Smeralda is often described as paradise on earth, with stunning beaches like Spiaggia di Tuerredda, Cala Goloritzé, and Spiaggia di Porto Giunco perfect for sunbathing and swimming. Don't miss the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park (Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago di La Maddalena), a protected area with crystal-clear waters and pristine landscapes.Charming towns such as Alghero, Bosa, and Cagliari add to the island's appeal. Many of Sardinia's towns are nestled in the mountains located in the island's center, offering a peaceful and scenic escape.Cultural and historical attractions abound. Must-see sites include the Nora Archaeological Park, Bastione di Saint Remy, Parco Archeologico Naturalistico di Santa Cristina, and the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Cagliari. For an unforgettable natural wonder, venture into the Frecce delle grotte srl and Neptune's Grotto, stunning sea caves accessible by boat or stairs carved into cliffs.Sardinia is also home to a unique ancient civilization. Scattered across the island are over 7,000 nuraghe—megalithic stone structures built during the Nuragic Age (c. 1900–730 BC). These mysterious, tower-like buildings are the island's most iconic symbol, and some scholars believe there were once over 10,000 nuraghe structures in total.Religious architecture also impresses, with highlights like the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta e Santa Cecilia, the Church of the Holy Trinity of Saccargia, and the Basilica di San Simplicio showcasing Sardinia's spiritual and artistic heritage.Sardinian cuisine reflects its mountainous geography. Surprisingly, for an island, the diet leans more toward land-based ingredients than seafood. Signature dishes include Porceddu (roast pig), Fregola (a traditional Sardinian pasta), and the adventurous Casu marzu—a sheep's milk cheese intentionally infested with live maggots and considered a local delicacy. Sardinia also holds 16 one-star Michelin restaurants.To accompany these flavors, try a glass of Cannonau red wine, known for its high polyphenol content and potential health benefits, or the refreshing Vermentino white wine, perfect for warm Mediterranean days.Tourissimo Tip–Magic Trick or Pasta Making? https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/magic-trick-or-pasta-making From the Alps to the Mediterranean, each Italian region is a world of its own. Want to see it all? Check out Tourissimo's amazing trip planning and Italian information at tourissimo.travel! Buon viaggio!From the Alps to the Mediterranean, each Italian region is a world of its own. Want to see it all? Check out Tourissimo's amazing trip planning and Italian information at tourissimo.travel! Buon viaggio! 

In keeping with the yearly tradition, Dj Rev Hell On Wheels returns with a show full of Occult Rock and songs that truly give the Devil his due Only On Radio Free Satan!

Un altro episodio oggi in cui vi porto delle guide per continuare ne vostro percorso per raggiungere i vostri obbiettivi qualsiasi essi siano. Perchè nella vita bisogna decidere se continuiamo nella strada con tutte le nostre scuse che ci fermano o decidiamo di trovare le ragioni che ci spingono a conquistare a nostra feicità.   Seguimi su INSTAGRAM e su tiktok VerenaStefanie.coach Se vuoi prenotare a tua sessione di coaching allora mandami un messaggio in DM su instagram e ti risponderò a più presto. 

Servite priest and former Director of the Grotto, Fr. Jack, passed away April 12. Christ Blanchard joins The Morning Blend to share his legacy.Subscribe to the Morning Blend on your favorite podcast platform.Find this show on the free Hail Mary Media App, along with a radio live-stream, prayers, news, and more.Look through past episodes or support this podcast.The Morning Blend is a production of Mater Dei Radio in Portland, Oregon.

In this episode I welcome Fr. Michael Ward, from Oxford, England, to speak about the Just War Theory in C. S. Lewis. Don't miss this lively and enjoyable episode! ----- - Fr. Patrick Wainwright is a Catholic priest of Miles Christi residing in Detroit. - Fr. Michael Ward is an Englishman, a Catholic Priest, and a literary critic and theologian, with a special expertise in the writings of C.S. Lewis. - Books mentioned in the Podcast: “Popcorn with the Pope” by Fr. Ward, “Why I'm not a pacifist” in a larger book “The Weight of Glory” by Lewis; “Surprised by Joy” an autobiography by C.S. Lewis. - To learn about the Spiritual Exercises (silent weekend retreat) preached by the Priests of Miles Christi, visit: https://www.mileschristi.org/spiritual-exercises/ - Recorded “on the road” at The Grotto at Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, MI. - Planning, recording, editing, and publishing by Fr. Patrick Wainwright, MC. - Gear: SE Electronics V7 microphones, with a ZOOM H6 recorder. - Intro music from pond5.com

Dimitri and Khalid dive into the heart of the Molly Maguire story in 1870s Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, including: the simultaneous rise of the first successful labor union for miners (Irish-Catholic John Siney's Workingmen's Benevolent Association) and the charismatic Irish-American (Protestant) industrialist wunderkind Franklin B. Gowen, Gowen's sinister HOTGAF plans for the Reading Railroad (crushing the independent owner-operators, bribing the State Senate, price-gouging everyone, implying the WBA is controlled by a murderous global Irish-Catholic cabal), the brutal Long Strike of 1875, bloody clashes between Irish workers and Nativist "vigilance committee" death squads, the two-year infiltration of Irish Pinkerton detective James McParlan into the innermost circles of the Molly Maguires, and more. For access to premium SJ episodes, upcoming installments of DEMON FORCES, and the Grotto of Truth Discord, become a subscriber at patreon.com/subliminaljihad.

All Family Pharmacy https://allfamilypharmacy.com/HermanBe prepared for when you need medicine the most. Don't go to urgent care YUCK. Use code HERMAN10 to save 10% on your order. Alan's Soaps https://www.alansartisansoaps.comUse coupon code TODD to save an additional 10% off the bundle price.Bioptimizers https://bioptimizers.com/toddEnter promo code TODD to get 10% off any order.Bonefrog https://bonefrogcoffee.com/toddThe new GOLDEN AGE is here!  Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.Bulwark Capital Bulwark Capital Management (bulwarkcapitalmgmt.com)Get a second opinion on the health of your retirement portfolio today. Schedule your free Know Your Risk Portfolio review go to KnowYourRiskRadio.com today.Renue Healthcare https://renue.healthcare/toddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYou Don't need to be a Christian to observe that there's good and evil. You don't need to be a Christian to be interested in Satan. Something really disconcerting occurred to me: One can be an intentional Satanist, or an unintentional Satanist. Here's how…Episode Links:Satanists are planning to hold a Black Mass at the Kansas State Capitol during the lead-up to Easter, openly promoting it as an opportunity to blaspheme Christ and worship Satan. The event is organized by "Jaee Frazee," who uses "he/they" pronouns and wears face makeup featuring upside-down crosses. Frazee's profile photo bears the caption, "Worship thyself, you are your own God. Hail you, hail Satan..."  The Grotto describes itself as a community for Satanists and allies following the Left-Hand Path.George Fox University's Chief Diversity Officer says Christian institutions eliminating DEI departments are "blown in the wind because they don't have that deep connection in their Christian faith to pursuing diversity or a diverse community or pursuing equity."Context: Jason Fileta expresses thanks that some Christian institutions are digging in on DEI even as the secular world ditches it, but says it feels "dark" that others believe antiracism is racist. Watch til the end: podcast host Brian Doak says the current anti-DEI moment feels like Revelation 13:17, where anyone who has not pledged allegiance to a Satanic regime is unable to buy or sell (!!)2.3B Streams? $101M In Tithes? A Review of Elevation Church's 2024 Annual ReportSteven Furtick Screams 'I Am God Almighty!' In Wild Sermon

Joanna Gleason's career has been nothing short of legendary. Best known for her Tony Award-winning performance as the Baker's Wife in Into the Woods, she's graced Broadway in I Love My Wife, The Real Thing, Social Security, Nick & Nora, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Sons of the Prophet. Beyond the stage, her work spans film and television, with memorable roles in Boogie Nights, The Wedding Planner, Friends, The West Wing, and The Good Wife. But Joanna's artistry doesn't stop at performing—she's also a writer and director, drawn to storytelling in all its forms. In this episode, Joanna shares what brought her back to the stage in We Had a World, a deeply personal new play. She reflects on how her career has evolved, from shifting between stage and screen to stepping behind the camera as a director. We discuss the challenges of the industry, the changing role of social media, and why she believes in letting go of expectations. With humor and honesty, Joanna offers invaluable advice for artists at every stage of their journey, and we even play a fun round of "Plot in 60 Seconds" to wrap it all up. Joanna Gleason is a Tony Award-winning actress known for her iconic portrayal of the Baker's Wife in Into the Woods, which also earned her Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards. She has received multiple Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations throughout her career, with Broadway credits including I Love My Wife, The Real Thing, Social Security, Nick & Nora, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Sons of the Prophet. Her film and television work includes Boogie Nights, The Wedding Planner, The West Wing, Friends, and The Good Wife. In addition to acting, Joanna has expanded her creative career into writing and directing, with her feature film The Grotto winning awards on the festival circuit. She now returns to the stage in We Had a World, an intimate new play at Manhattan Theatre Club. Connect with Joanna: Instagram: @therealjoannagleason Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s show sees DJ Rev Hell On Wheels go back to his roots with a show dedicated to Norway’s infamous second wave of Black Metal, along with bands which influenced the genre. Strap in, it’s a long one Only on Radio Free Satan!

Quite simply... this is the best time of the year in the Grotto. We're fresh off Season 11. Off of Val3ntin3s. The Conclav3 is in full effect. And, now we get to enjoy Madn3ss on top of all that!?!? This year looks back on nearly 4 years of a project that ends up being the only thing worth talking about in NFTs. So, why spend any time in criticism of something that doesn't really exist? Three brackets... three different approaches. And, Crouton and thr33s are here to deep dive into the first week. Enjoy.

Curtailing strife and safeguarding America's global standing requires military strength, diplomatic reach, a gravitational pull to the concepts of liberty and opportunity, and a strategy for economic growth beyond America's shores. Andrew Grotto, a Hoover visiting fellow and veteran of two past White House national security teams, discusses the white paper he co-authored with Hoover's H.R. McMaster on the need for a more structured and coordinated approach to US foreign policy, as well as how “economic statecraft” applies to settling the current wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and how to win America's “great power competition” with China (which includes a global economic component missing from the last century's Cold War rivalry with the Soviet Union).  Recorded on March 18, 2025. 

Dimitri and Khalid embark on a metajourney into a largely forgotten episode of Irish-American history: the rise and fall of an alleged secret society called the “Molly Maguires” in 1870s Pennsylvania coal country, whose violent activities struck fear into the hearts of Nativist mine bosses and Philadelphia railroad tycoons. But that's only one side of an incredibly complicated story of industrial capitalism, early labor unions, megalomaniacal silk toppers, ethnic fear-mongering, media manipulation, private intelligence agencies, and the violence that baptized Modern America… For access to premium SJ episodes, upcoming installments of DEMON FORCES, and the Grotto of Truth Discord, become a subscriber at patreon.com/subliminaljihad.

The Pope is gravely ill... so, all Cardinali are summoned from far and wide in case a new Pope must be chosen. thr33s and Crouton walk you through the ins and outs of the Grotto's newest 3v3nt.

Dimitri and Khalid explore Lenni Brenner's 1983 book “Zionism in the Age of the Dictators”, which tracks the ideological and economic connections between the Zionist movement and European fascism in the 1930s. For access to premium SJ episodes, upcoming installments of DEMON FORCES, and the Grotto of Truth Discord, become a subscriber at patreon.com/subliminaljihad.

Minutes after posting the winners of Games 010 and 011 to wrap up the regular season drops for the eleventh iteration, Crouton and thr33s have like reaction and analysis of on of the most challenging chases the Grotto has seen. This is a special episode if you like strategy. Hear from Crouton as he lays out his plays for the season and critiques and celebrates other approaches. Not one to be missed.

Dimitri and Khalid commence their long-planned dive into America's most frustratingly enigmatic boomer icon, Bob Dylan. Topics include: The calculated ambiguity of Dylan's public, political, and artistic personae over the decades, getting discovered by Vanderbilt heir/Columbia Records starmaker John Hammond, Dylan's slightly Discordian memoir “Chronicles Vol. 1”, the fabricated composite character “Ray Gooch” and his sister/cousin/wife “Chloe Kiel” who thinks Dracula rules the world, astroturfed Dimes Square vibes in Greenwich Village, Bob's career-long obsession with the Devil, his curious admiration for Barry Goldwater in 1964, and more. Part one of two. For access to premium SJ episodes, upcoming installments of DEMON FORCES, and the Grotto of Truth Discord, become a subscriber at patreon.com/subliminaljihad.

O Immaculate Mother of God, from heaven itself you came to appear to the little Bernadette in the rough Grotto of Lourdes! And as Bernadette knelt at your feet and the miraculous spring burst forth and as multitudes have knelt ever since before your shrine, O Mother of God, we kneel before you today to ask that in your mercy you plead with your Divine Son to grant the special favor we seek in this novena. (make your request) O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us. The post Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 8 – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

O Almighty God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary did prepare a worthy dwelling place for your Son, we humbly beseech you that as we contemplate the apparition of Our Lady in the Grotto of Lourdes, we may be blessed with health of mind and body. O most gracious Mother Mary, beloved Mother of Our Lord and Redeemer, look with favor upon us as you did that day on Bernadette and intercede with him for us that the favor we now so earnestly seek may be granted to us. (make your request) O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us. The post Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 7 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

O glorious Mother of God, so powerful under your special title of Our Lady of Lourdes, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the gracious Heart of Jesus all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare and for the special favor we so earnestly seek in this novena. (make your request) O Lady of Bernadette, with the stars of heaven in your hair and the roses of earth at your feet, look with compassion upon us today as you did so long ago on Bernadette in the Grotto of Lourdes. O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us. The post Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 6 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

After catching up on a whirlwind of recent insane news items, Dimitri and Khalid answer questions from the Grotto of Truth Discord about: the Aum Shinrikyo terrorist doomsday cult in Japan, whether seed oil discourse was a psyop, the spiritual susness of the Evil Dead films, the MK-Ultra roots of modern internet blood cults, and why certain groups of Marxists/leftists are “straight-up anti-conspiracy people”. For access to premium SJ episodes, upcoming installments of DEMON FORCES, and the Grotto of Truth Discord, become a subscriber at patreon.com/subliminaljihad.

Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest yourself shining with light, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child Saint Bernadette: "I am the Immaculate Conception!" O Mary Immaculate, inflame our hearts with one ray of the burning love of your pure heart Let them be consumed with love for Jesus and for you, in order that we may merit one day to enjoy your glorious eternity. O dispenser of His graces here below, take into your keeping and present to your Divine Son the petition for which we are making this novena. (make your request) O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us. The post Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes – Day 2 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Dimitri and Khalid resume their dive into the deep history of the synthesizer and electronic music, this time covering the late 1960s-early 1970s explosion of the Moog and Buchla synths into popular consciousness. Topics include: More from Trevor Pinch's “Analog Days”, sus acid test graduations, the faux-apocalyptic “Awareness Festival” held amid race riots at SF State, B-52 bombers turning into butterflies, the Diggers Commune and the sounds of space aliens, the Grateful Dead's pivotal role in sound technology innovation, Moog's coming out party at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, heckin' Bernie Krause and the curious Scientologist swinger Paul Beaver selling Moogs in LA, UFO hunting around Mt. Shasta, George Harrison screwing over Bernie to make his shitty electronic album, the impact of Wendy Carlos' seminal “Switched On Bach” album, the question of gender and the synthesizer, the labor anxieties triggered by “Switched On Bach” and the Moog, Suzanne Ciani's long strange Buchla trip, synthesizing the sounds of corporate America throughout the 1970s, human-Buchla cathexis, the feminine approach to synthesis, and more. For access to premium SJ episodes, upcoming installments of DEMON FORCES, and the Grotto of Truth Discord, become a subscriber at patreon.com/subliminaljihad.

Submarine captain Stoat Mellows (Andrew) brings finance billionaires Regal Greenstone (Branson) and Tuxedo Jollydollar (Charles) undersea in search of the ancient lost city of Thugview Grotto. E1 on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/e1podcast