Podcasts about Guest house

In today's episode Gina reads "The Guest House" by Rumi and translated by Coleman Barks. The reading helps us see acceptance from new and powerful point of view. Links/resources mentioned in the episode:http://allpoetry.com/poem/8534703-The-Guest-House-by-Mewlana-Jalaluddin-RumiIn today's episode Gina reads "The Guest House" by Rumi and translated by Coleman Barks. The reading helps us see acceptance from new and powerful point of view. Links/resources mentioned in the episode:http://allpoetry.com/poem/8534703-The-Guest-House-by-Mewlana-Jalaluddin-RumiPlease visit our Sponsor Page to find all the links and codes for our awesome sponsors!https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.com/sponsors/ Thank you for supporting The Anxiety Coaches Podcast. FREE MUST-HAVE RESOURCE FOR Calming Your Anxious Mind10-Minute Body-Scan Meditation for Anxiety Anxiety Coaches Podcast Group Coaching linkACPGroupCoaching.comTo learn more, go to:Website https://www.theanxietycoachespodcast.comJoin our Group Coaching Full or Mini Membership ProgramLearn more about our One-on-One Coaching What is anxiety? Find even more peace and calm with our Supercast premium access membership:For $5 a month, all episodes are ad-free! https://anxietycoaches.supercast.com/Here's what's included for $5/month:❤ New Ad-Free episodes every Sunday and Wednesday❤ Access to the entire Ad-free back-catalog with over 600 episodes❤ Premium meditations recorded with you in mind❤ And more fun surprises along the way!All this in your favorite podcast app!Quote:Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.-Jalaluddin RumiChapters 0:26 Introduction to Acceptance 2:15 The Guest House by Rumi 5:14 Embracing Our Guests 8:49 The Power of Neutrality 11:29 Trusting the Process 12:56 The Guidance of Anxiety 13:47 The Healing Power of Poetry Summary In this episode, we delve into the themes of acceptance and mindfulness through the lens of poetry, specifically focusing on Rumi's profound work, "The Guest House." As I share my insights, I emphasize the importance of embracing our feelings and experiences, particularly those related to anxiety, as natural visitors in our lives. The elegance of Rumi's words encourages us to welcome every emotion—joyous or sorrowful—as an essential part of our human experience.I begin by reciting Rumi's poem, which describes the human mind as a guest house with a variety of emotions that arrive each day. I reflect on how, often, our negative feelings linger longer and grip us tighter than the positive ones, a phenomenon I liken to Velcro versus Teflon. By being mindful of our mental states, we can consciously shift our perspective to recognize the joys that exist alongside our anxieties. This practice calls for an intentional effort to acknowledge both sides of our emotional spectrum.Throughout the discussion, I unpack Rumi's metaphor, exploring the idea that each emotion serves as a guide, urging us to engage with our experiences rather than resist them. I draw parallels between this concept and the therapeutic practices I share with clients. Our thoughts and feelings are not intrinsic to our identity; they are merely guests that we can treat with honor and curiosity. I highlight the pivotal moment when we choose to meet our anxieties without judgment, treating them neutrally to diminish their power over us. #anxiety #acceptance #rumi #theguesthouse #poetry #mindfulness #emotionalhealing #mentalhealth #ginaryan #anxietycoachespodcast #welcomingemotions #neutrality #trust #personalgrowth #anxietyrelief #anxietytips #acceptinganxiety #rumipoetry #mindfulnessforanxiety #poetrytherapy #emotionalacceptance #mentalwellnessjourney #anxietypodcast #ginaryancoaching #welcomingemotions #findingneutrality #trusttheprocess #personaldevelopmentjourney #theguesthousepoem #innerpeace

You're invited next September 20-26, 2026, to The Tender Harvest, a week-long retreat amidst the golden hues and organic bounty of the world-class Ballymaloe House in County Cork, Ireland. Each day will feature yoga, meditation, farm-to-table meals, and curated excursions—plus ample time for rest, self-nurturance, and imagination.The sound of flowing water soothes most nervous systems, but particularly those acclimatized to the desert, and particularly upon waking. I have struggled with sleep disturbances for most of my adult life, so it's rare for me to experience the weight and metabolic satisfaction of a good night's rest. But twice last month, I found myself receiving what we can call river medicine: first while visiting friends at their cabin in the Pecos Wilderness, and again east of Aspen, Colorado, while teaching at Beyul Retreat, a guest ranch along the Frying Pan River, a tributary of the Roaring Fork River.River medicine is like this: surrounded by tall, sappy pines, I found myself one early morning in the atmospheric valley between sleeping and waking, an integrative field of frequencies and forms. You know the place. Even now, I do not know for certain: did the river, by some charm of consciousness, stream into my dreamscape and stir me awake? Or was it the dream that pulsated forward into the matrix of a new day? What I can say is that I felt a bright, hydrous intelligence moving in ripples and waves through my body—clarifying and tonifying, calming neurons and glial cells in their watery beds, clearing layers of baked-in tension like grit loosened from a soaking pan. And for a time, I floated above the push of the day, appearing and disappearing and reappearing to myself.In the wake of hours that followed, to my delight, I noticed a quiet reverberation—an elemental answer quelling a wordless, needful thirst.Science offers a partial explanation for this. Water has a high dielectric constant, meaning it reduces the electrostatic attraction between charged particles, which helps substances like salt crystals separate and dissolve more easily. I would also propose that water's properties of solubility, absorption, and transmission apply to its natural ability to clean and balance the bioenergetic forces of being human.When a river twists and turns, it releases negative ions into the air. Microscopically, this process is dynamic—even violent. Molecules spill over rocks and tumble forward, rushing and colliding, breaking apart, and thereby transferring electrons and charging the surrounding air. But I find comfort in this science of fluid revitalization. New, more supportive structures can form when old ones give way, pointing to how, beyond turmoil and devastation, we too can hope for vital transformation.Years ago, I read a New York Times article called “Where Heaven and Earth Come Closer,” in which journalist Eric Weiner wrote about “thin places,” locations where the gap between the ordinary and extraordinary—or, better yet, transordinary—thins out.“Thin” seemed to me a strange choice to describe where the air thickens with meaning. But Celts and early Christians held that a small but distinct distance, like three feet, separates heaven and earth—and that distance dissolves in “places that beguile and inspire, sedate and stir, places where, for a few blissful moments [we] loosen [our] death grip on life, and can breathe again.”Many a thin place has been built by human hands. Early in my career, I worked for the United Nations Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO's World Heritage Centre, and developed the sensible habit of visiting the most treasured cathedrals, temples, and sanctuary sites wherever I found myself in the world. Jama Masjid in Delhi, Sacré-Cœur in Paris, Tirta Empul in Bali, Newgrange in Ireland, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem: each has a distinct energetic signature that lives in my memory, a resonance born of its purpose and the accumulation of countless prayers that infuse the surrounding air.But thin places are more often found than made. Mountains, canyons, coral palaces—they are organic monuments to mysticism and ready reminders of our humble size before nature. As Weiner writes, “Thin places relax us, yes, but they also transform us—or, more accurately, unmask us. In thin places, we become our more essential selves.”In this sense, thin places evoke qualities of alchemy and revelation. In traveling to Beyul Retreat, I recalled how the Vajrayana Buddhist term “beyul” refers to hidden valleys believed to be sanctuaries blessed by enlightened teachers, places where the land itself is animate. A beyul holds the wisdom that rivers, trees, and even rocks are not objects but mandalas — living altars, ineffable and intricate in their aliveness.Aptly named, Beyul Retreat is a place where the boundary between perception and imagination feels more permeable. The land electrifies with new growth as summer approaches: dandelion confetti bursts open in the meadows, aspen trees shimmy, and fresh sage scents the air. Each morning, as the river's murmur moves through the valley, calypso orchids bloom in the shade while the pointed ears of silver fox pups perk up from behind cool, wet stones.In the imaginal realm of childhood, there are many such beyuls, many thin places. There are fern groves and swallow lairs, stars nestled in apple cores and galaxies in lightning bugs, and lobe-handed sycamore leaves at the wild end of the yard.We tend to think of nature as speaking in symbols, but its directness transmits rather than approximates. “The world is not made of objects; it is a communion of subjects,” writes Stephen Harrod Buhner, author of Plant Intelligence and the Imaginal Realm. “To enter the imaginal realm is to give permission to the ineffable within us, to allow the world to speak through our senses, our dreams, our longings.”To commune is to listen with our whole body, to notice the most basic and vital exchange of breath and circumstance that underpins our existence. To allow for a metamorphosis of our attention. And when we realize the subjectivity of the world, we can discover strange and wonderful ways of joining the conversation. Like us, the aspens drink water and eat light. They have instincts and work to protect their lives. And did you know that the dark spots resembling eyes on the smooth, pale bark are scars left behind when the tree sheds lower branches that receive less sunlight? Look how this porous watchfulness is directed in our direction, how the forest offers us its attention.Together, we are making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

In Case You Missed It... We're revisiting this VERY SPECIAL EPISODE featuring Cat and Nat LIVE from Jessi's GUESTHOUSE where they are staying as her Airbnb guests! (And when people stay in your house… you're allowed to ask them ANYTHING right?) Over champagne, the girls talk about friendship, crushes, marriage, weight loss and experiencing “Vulnerable JOY” in their most candid conversation yet. Plus! Rememeber when Prince William danced like a dad and Travis Kelce became Jessi's DADDY after his appearance on stage at Taylor Swift's Eras Tour!? Then, Jessi tries to defend Justin Timberlake after bombshell details emerge about hs DWI … All that and a deep dive into the trendiest haircut of the year, called “The Broccoli” because it looks like Broccoli… on your head. THAT'S HOT!As always, ask Jessi Anything, HERE: 323-448-0068E Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if progress isn't the point? What if your soul doesn't move in a straight line, but in spirals and stillness? In this poetic reflection, Alexander Blue Feather reads from The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller and Rumi's The Guest House, exploring the sacred art of self-compassion. You'll hear about grief, letting go of the “muscular agenda” of self-improvement, and why setting a place at the inner table—for sorrow, disappointment, and loss—is an act of courage. Includes a laughter offering from Harvey Rose and a preview of upcoming fall offerings: grief-wise circles, a weekend silent retreat, and a 21-day guided meditation. Stay tuned for a guided loving-kindness meditation in the next episode.

Jojo and Polly are coming to you from inside a Plankbridge Shepherds Hut at Chelsea Flower Show!We discus all the fashion, footwear and flowers from Chelsea.Plus we answer your questions on outdoor cushions and indoor pots.This episode is sponsored by Plankbridge, makers of fine shepherd's huts and cabins. At their workshop in the Dorset countryside, Plankbridge creates beautifully handcrafted spaces, from garden studios and saunas to bespoke guest accommodation, whether for holiday lets or visiting friends and family. Creators of the famous Pig Hotel garden wagons, their huts blend traditional craftsmanship with timeless design, and are the only huts endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society. This episode was recorded in a bespoke, dog-friendly Guest House at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Check out their full range at www.plankbridge.comInstagramPodcast - @the_insandouts_Jojo - @houseninedesignPolly - @pollyanna_wilkinsonProducer Andy - @andy_rowe_WebsitesJojo - https://www.housenine.co.uk/Polly - https://www.pollyannawilkinson.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Workforce Connections Podcast, we welcome Victor Fuchs, President and CEO of Helix Electric and fellow trustee of the Vegas Chamber. Victor shares his powerful journey as an immigrant from Odessa, Ukraine. His family arrived in San Diego in 1978 with just $2,000, seeking freedom from antisemitism and a better life. Victor learned English through a paper route and tutoring, graduated from high school in San Diego, and went on to study pre-med at UC San Diego. After briefly attending UCSF dental school, he realized his passion wasn't in medicine. In 1987, he joined his uncle's electrical company and later opened the Las Vegas office in 1995. He became President in 2001 and officially became CEO at the end of 2023.Victor emphasizes Helix Electric's people-first culture: “If we take care of our people, they will make us successful.” With over 1,200 employees, Helix offers industry-leading benefits, including four weeks of PTO, and invests heavily in training through “Helix University.” The company also partners with ABC Nevada, a leading apprenticeship program, and invested nearly $900,000 in workforce training last year. Their earn-and-learn model provides career paths for workers straight out of high school, including those without prior experience in the electrical field.Victor also highlights Helix's strong commitment to community service. The company hosts multiple charity golf tournaments annually, raising over $100,000 yearly for local nonprofits such as Hope for Prisoners, Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada, Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada, Opportunity Village, 22 Warriors Foundation, and the KLUC Toy Drive. Helix recently helped build a trades training facility inside the Indian Springs prison through its partnership with Hope for Prisoners, assisting individuals in gaining fundamental skills in construction trades before reentering the community. Outside work, Victor enjoys skiing with his family, golfing, tasting wine, and dining out. His favorite Las Vegas restaurants include Harlo, Guesthouse, Chef Marc's Trattoria, and Edo Tapas Bar. His advice to young people, especially those with immigrant backgrounds or big dreams, is to work hard, give extra time to grow, and never forget to care for your people and community. “Forget the 40-hour week,” he says. “If you want to build something meaningful, you must invest the time to learn, give back, and lead purposefully.”Helix Electric Helix Electric - Electrical Contracting CompanyHope for Prisoners Home - Hope for PrisonersDown Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada Home - DSOSNOpportunity Village Opportunity Village - Disability Services & Support Organization in Las Vegas & Henderson Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada Make-A-Wish® Nevada 22 Warriors FoundationWarriors Suicide Prevention Foundation - WSP Foundation, Warriors Suicide Prevention Foundation, American War Mothers Nevada State, PTSD, TBI, Veterans Suicide, Suicide Prevention, Action Against Suicide, WSP Foundation, 22 Warriors Foundation, Veteran Non-Profit, Veteran Suicide Prevention Non-Prfofit, 22 Suicides Daily, Nevada Veteran Non-Profit, Nevada Veteran Suicide Prevention Non-Profit, Action Not Words, First Reponder Suicide Prevention, Nevada First Responder Suicide Prevention, #WSPFoundation, #Untilthe#Becomes0, #Until22Becomes0, #WSPFoundation, Warriors Suicide Prevention Foundation,, Warriors Suicide Prevention Foundation, WSP Foundation, Suicide Prevention, Nevada, 22 Warriors Foundation, Veteran Suicide Prevention, Nevada Non-Profit, 22 Warriors Foundation

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Machelle Pugh, CEO and Founder of Christopher A. Pugh II Center, along with Odie Tolbert, Fashion Stylist/Image Consultant and Owner of I Am Pr-O Styling, who both highlight the Memphis, Tennessee-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering men of all backgrounds through technology-focused workforce development and career preparation with tailored support services to promote purpose, growth, and positive change. The discussion highlights the center's upcoming "Bow Ties and Blazers" fundraising event scheduled for Saturday, June 14th at the Guest House at Graceland.During the interview, Machelle shares the background of the Center, which was established after her son was killed in a shooting in 2019. The Christopher A. Pugh II Center aims to provide support and resources to young men and adults through life-changing programs focused on mentorship, education, life skills, and vocational training. In partnership with the Tennessee Department of Corrections, the Center also delivers a 150-hour Cognitive Behavioral Intervention Program (CBIP) across nine facilities, reaching over 885 participants in four years - empowering individuals to break cycles of incarceration and build brighter futures. Machelle talks about their different programs ranging from HVAC and culinary arts to film production, financial literacy and software development. She shares a recent success story with a former participant who used his culinary arts training to secure a part-time job while in college and received a fully furnished dormitory room, highlighting their commitment to empowering individuals through comprehensive support.Odie shares his personal connection to gun violence through a classmate's tragic death, which motivated him to support the Center's mission of helping men find purpose. He describes his background in fitness and fashion and shares how he uses his experience to help others build confidence through appearance with the goal of empowering young men to feel good and look good.Machelle and Odie then highlight the upcoming fundraising event, “BowTies and Blazers” featuring “The Distinguished Divine 9,” taking place on Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m, at the Guest House at Graceland, located at 3600 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116. Guests will be immersed in a world of glamour and fashion excellence, indulging their senses in a fusion of textures, colors, and silhouettes designed to inspire and impress. Models will take the runway in exquisite couture creations, blending artistry, innovation, and style. Odie and Machelle highlight the event's focus on fashion, entertainment, and raising awareness about the Center's mission to change the lives of young men. Tickets are $125, and sponsorships are available at platinum, gold, and silver levels. Tickets can be purchased online, through the Center's social media or in person at their location. Machelle wraps up discussing how the Center seeks volunteers and mentors for their young men's program, as well as assistance with clothing donations and daily operations.Visit https://www.christopherpughcenter.org to learn more about the Center and their upcoming event. Tickets for the event can be purchased here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing.... You can also purchase tickets through the Center's social media pages or at their office located at 757 Walnut Knoll LN, Cordova, TN 38018.

A Special Bonus EpisodeI'm so grateful to share this bonus episode featuring a special conversation I had last year with my dear friend Mark Jensen. It's a rare and beautiful exchange that touches on healing, grief, and a mystical connection to the Earth—an invitation to listen and remember what truly matters.In today's episode, I'm joined by Mark Jensen, a seasoned practitioner in the healing arts with 40+ years of experience in vitalistic principled chiropractic, cranial work, myofascial release, plant medicines, Qi Gong and Dao Yin classes, somatic/movement teachings, and Earth-based practices that support a more embodied, connected and healthy life. He operates a private practice, teaches for nonprofits, and leads community classes and ceremonies.Mark's profound understanding and ability to blend mystical visions with scientific study make this conversation a treasure trove of wisdom and inspiration. Mark shares insights from decades of practice in the healing arts, including his conceptualization of the "circle of visions" and how attentional intimacy and communion with life's intelligence can lead to profound healing. We delve into his deep connection with nature, the power of grief, and transformative experiences in his own healing journey. He also touches on the significance of holding space for joy amidst ecological and societal challenges.Episode HighlightsThe Power of Grief: Mark emphasizes embracing grief as a path to deeper love and soul connection.Ecological Despair and Healing: Insights on navigating ecological despair and finding healing through a greater understanding of the earth's intelligence.Visions and Spiritual Experiences: Mark shares transformative visions and spiritual encounters that have shaped his practice.Holding Dichotomy and Paradox: The importance of balancing the celebration of beauty with the acknowledgment of despair.Connection with Nature: Mark discusses his deep bond with nature and how it has guided and healed him throughout his life.The Role of Fascia in Healing: Insights into how fascia, the body's connective tissue, plays a crucial role in sensing and responding to the world.Community and Shared Grief: Community and shared experiences in processing grief and preventing despair.Mark Jensen“My journey began in Northern Minnesota and has carried me across landscapes, traditions, and thresholds of healing. Though trained in college and graduate school, my true education came from life itself—from births and deaths I was honored to attend, from those who entrusted me with their bodies, and from teachers across disciplines like Osteopathy, Daoism, Chinese Medicine, Herbalism, Deep Ecology, and land-based ceremony. The land has been my greatest teacher—from the plains of Oklahoma to the mountains of New Mexico, and now, back home to the shores of Gichigami (Lake Superior).I live in Duluth, Minnesota with my wife, artist Riha Rothberg, and our cat Gus. I continue to teach healthcare practitioners and maintain a private healing practice rooted in presence, ecology, and transformation.”Resource LinksLearn more about Mark and how to engage in his offerings, courses, and events at marksjensendc.comSubscribe to The Guest House on Substack for regular essays, podcast episodes, and more.Shawnparell.com - Check out Shawn's website to sign up for 5 free meditations, join Shawn's email list for monthly field notes and music alchemy, and learn more about her work and upcoming events.Stay connected with Shawn on Instagram @ShawnParell for live weekly meditations and prompts for practice. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

A conversation with new clients, on the lookout for that elusive dream - a cheap, older Japanese house in Osaka city that they can rent out for short term stays, as well as leverage for a Japanese Business Manager Visa. What should they buy, how can they manage it remotely, how will they get their license, and when can they move to Japan?

Springtime in North Carolina is gorgeous. It can't help itself. Perhaps it's oblivious to—or in radical disagreement with—the brokenness of our times. Either way, the azaleas burst into riotous bloom, the crepe myrtles frill themselves in defiant pinks. In the mornings, birds trade secrets across the creek, their calls carried on air perfumed with fresh dew on pine needles to the back porch, where I sit in my mother's rocking chair.This is the place where one branch of my family has put down roots. An invisible wheel exists here among us, with smaller wheels—wheels within wheels—turning persistently through the seasons. It's also the place where a beloved uncle passed last autumn, just as the maple outside his bedroom window flared into auburn light. In his final days, we watched that tree together and recounted long-forgotten stories. I remembered a visit to First Street in Rumson, when he swung me onto his shoulders and walked down the street. I remembered how the curves of his shoulders hummed beneath me as he laughed. How tall I felt then, how near to the canopy of trees; how the world suddenly seemed bigger and closer, and I, more a part of it—alive to everything, and everything alive around us.Memory can work like this—the way light filters through leaves or a scent pulls you backward. In a recent conversation with Krista Tippett, musician Justin Vernon (better known as Bon Iver) said, “I thought I was done being surprised… but there are things behind things behind things.” The layers accumulate, folded under the weight of time, only to surface in time, unbidden yet strangely familiar.Now the maple is green again, its leaves doing what they were made to do when touched by springtime light. Its roots drink in a soft rain. Some layers remain hidden, or slip away, only to circle back, as though time itself were not linear, but folding in on itself like fabric. And I think about how you have entered the mystery now, and maybe you are humming in some new, unknowable way.Practice—call it “mindfulness” or whatever name feels right—is an agreement to be touched by the world, by the nature of our aliveness. David Abram called it “a kindredship of matter with itself.” We learn to live in reciprocal communion, even unknowingly, and discover within ourselves gradually more tonality, more steadiness, more truth. When we plant ourselves in this moment, and notice the ways we are thirsty, and then return again and again, we begin to sense that our lives are not just motion or mechanism, but part of some deeper listening—not just hub and spoke, but spiraling motion.Hope, too, is a force of nature. It arrives unannounced. Here's another chance, another season. The word numinous comes from numen—a Latin term that means both “a nod of the head” and “divine will.” Now spring has found its fulcrum, and with a quiet nod toward resurrection, it invites us to reach for something like joy, whether or not we feel ready or agree with time's assessment.Springtime is not a promise. It's a presence. A tilt in the wheel. A shimmer in the unseen. A reminder that aliveness is not always sweet or simple—but it is, still, ours.Together, we are making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

In August 2004, American student David Sneddon disappeared while hiking in China's Tiger Leaping Gorge. Despite official claims that he fell into the Jinsha River, his family's investigation uncovered multiple witness accounts suggesting he survived and reached Shangri-La. A guide, Keith Chu Chung, reported hiking with David, who spoke fluent Mandarin, Korean, and English, to Tina's Guesthouse, and 12 other witnesses, including the owner of the Yak Bar in Shangri-La, confirmed seeing him as late as August 14, 2004. However, Chinese authorities confiscated guesthouse logs, and all witnesses later recanted, fueling suspicions of a cover-up. In 2011, Chuck Downs, a former Pentagon official, proposed that North Korea abducted David, possibly mistaking him for a smuggler or targeting him as an English teacher due to his language skills, as the gorge was a route for North Korean defectors. Reports in 2012 and 2016 supported this, suggesting David, under the name Yoon Bong Soo, was teaching English in North Korea, married with two children. Despite these leads, the U.S. and Chinese governments maintain he died, and North Korea denies involvement. The Sneddons, frustrated by official inaction, possibly due to U.S. nuclear negotiations with North Korea, urge public awareness through social media and contacting officials to seek justice for David and highlight North Korea's human rights issues. Additional case details, including maps, are available on Instagram at @TheDarkOakPodcast.   Chapters 00:00 Welcome to the Dark Oak 02:40 100th Episode Celebration and Giveaway 06:55 David Sneddon 01:08:40 The Branch of Hope   Sources: Persio, S. L. (2018, June 11). Did North Korea kidnap a U.S. citizen in China? Family hopes Singapore summit will help bring their son home. Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/family-us-student-who-disappeared-china-looks-north-korea-summit-answers-967469 China Discovery. (n.d.). China Discovery - Leading China Travel Agency with Reviews. https://www.chinadiscovery.com/ Vogel, C., & Vogel, C. (2022, May 12). Did North Korea kidnap an American hiker? Outside Online. https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/hiking-and-backpacking/did-north-korea-kidnap-american-hiker/ “Thinking Sideways Podcast” David Sneddon (Podcast episode 2015) - Plot - IMDB. (n.d.). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14457712/plotsummary/ O'Donoghue, A. J. (2023, December 31). Utah parents long for answers in missing son's case. Deseret News. https://www.deseret.com/2012/8/5/20505138/utah-parents-long-for-answers-in-missing-son-s-case/ Korea's other Otto Warmbier. (2017, June 23). News. https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/true-stories/north-koreas-other-otto-the-unbelievable-story-of-missing-hiker-david-sneddon/news-story/90ab2549acafc281d965f7700c52bb4e Corbin, C. (2017, June 28). Family of David Sneddon, missing US student, says North Korea kidnapped him. Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/world/family-of-david-sneddon-missing-us-student-says-north-korea-kidnapped-him David Sneddon: Tiger Leaping Gorge, China. (2024, February 8). Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/david-sneddon-tiger-leaping-gorge-china/id1715813037?i=1000644599761   Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

These orphanages once held children… now they hold something far more chilling.Darkness Syndicate members get the ad-free version of #WeirdDarkness: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicateDISCLAIMER: Ads heard during the podcast that are not in my voice are placed by third party agencies outside of my control and should not imply an endorsement by Weird Darkness or myself. *** Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.IN THIS EPISODE: We'll explore chilling stories of haunted orphanages, where the echoes of heartbroken and lonely children linger long after the buildings have been abandoned. (Haunted Orphanage Stories) *** “If only these walls could talk,” we've heard people say. But what if the walls could talk? In the world of paranormal investigations, the “Stone Tape Theory” is gaining recognition – or at least raising eyebrows and intrigue. Could the walls of your home have recorded your horrific death – and then replay that scene as a haunting? (The Stone Tape Theory) *** One thing is for sure in this life – and that is, your life will eventually cease. How you go out could make or break your legacy. Freak accidents are something you'd probably want to avoid, but they happen – and I have a few examples to share. (Weird Deaths) *** In the misty expanse of Bodmin Moor, a tragic tale of love, jealousy, and murder unfolded in 1844. When Charlotte Dymond's lifeless body was found, all eyes turned to her lover, Matthew Weeks, whose subsequent execution left many questioning his guilt. (The Tragic Tale of Charlotte Dymond) *** The Urantia Book – a fascinating and controversial text that blends science, religion, and philosophy into a cosmic narrative of divine beings and celestial order. But no one knows who wrote it. (The Urantia Book Of Cosmic Thought) *** I'm trying something new by telling a true story of old murder in an old detective style… I call it “Murder Noir” and tonight's case will be the death of Jeanette Earnest in Fort Worth in 1954. (Murder Noir, Jeanette Earnest) *** On Monday 17th October 1814, a terrible disaster claimed the lives of at least 8 people. A bizarre industrial accident resulted in the release of a tsunami onto the streets of London… comprised entirely of beer. (A Sudden Wave of Suds)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate and Only Accurate For the Commercial Version)…00:00:00.000 = Lead-In00:01:11.492 = Show Open00:04:10.942 = Haunted Orphanage Stories00:17:50.495 = The Urantia Book of Cosmic Thought00:24:16.312 = The Tragic Tale of Charlotte Dymond00:29:43.049 = The Stone Tape Theory00:39:43.488 = Weird Deaths00:48:41.582 = A Sudden Wave of Suds00:53:53.546 = Murder Noir: “The Case of the Obsessed Uncle”01:00:44.516 = Show Close, Verse, and Final ThoughtSOURCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE…“Haunted Orphanage Stories” source: Elle Tharp, Graveyard Shift: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yjhkvhs7“The Urantia Book Of Cosmic Thought” source: Zoe Mitchel, Anomalien.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2yax9yes(Read the Urantia Book online: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4e5a45ca)“The Tragic Tale of Charlotte Dymond” source: Les Hewitt, Historic Mysteries: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4aczfd8r“Murder Noir: The Case of the Obsessed Uncle” source: Robert A. Waters, Kidnapping, Murder and Mayhem:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/39mw7shb“Weird Deaths” written by Kelsie Christine McConnell for The-Line-Up.com (used with permission):https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yckzkny2“A Sudden Wave of Suds” source: Ben Johnson, Historic-UK.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8br9ap“The Stone Tape Theory” by Rachel Elizabeth for The-Line-Up.com (used with permission):https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8rfdy8=====(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: June 04, 2024EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources): https://weirddarkness.com/HauntedOrphangesTAGS: haunted orphanages, ghost stories, paranormal podcast, creepy orphanage tales, real haunted places, ghosts of children, abandoned orphanages, scary orphanage stories, true ghost stories, haunted places you can visit, paranormal activity, haunted locations, Weird Darkness podcast, scary podcast episodes, haunted institutions, ghost hunting stories, real life haunted orphanages, crybaby lane haunting, Guthrie Boys Home ghost, St John's Orphanage Goulburn, Savannah haunted orphanage, Gore Orphanage ghosts, Odd Fellows Home Liberty MO, Twin Bridges Orphanage, St Marys Orphanage Galveston, Holy Family Orphanage Michigan, Vallejo haunted orphanage, Fairmount Children's Home, Elizabeth Orphan Asylum, Gettysburg haunted orphanage, St Vincent's Guest House ghosts, child spirits haunting, dark history orphanages, abandoned haunted buildings, urban exploration ghost stories, ghost sightings at orphanages, eerie ghost encounters, haunted travel destinations, supernatural stories, real ghost encounters

Part 1 of 2 - David Sneddon, a 24-year-old Brigham Young University student from Logan, Utah, disappeared on August 14, 2004, while hiking Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan, China, after completing Mandarin language classes in Beijing. A devout Mormon, Eagle Scout, and experienced hiker fluent in Korean and Mandarin, David was described as smart, outgoing, and adventurous, with plans to attend law school. He had spent two years in South Korea on a Mormon mission and was studying in Beijing with friend George Bailey during the summer of 2004.   After classes, David and George traveled to southern China. On August 9, they parted ways, with David heading to hike the 16-mile High Trail of Tiger Leaping Gorge, a scenic but well-maintained trail. His last communication was an email to his parents on August 11 from Lijiang, expressing excitement about the hike and returning home. He planned to stay at Tina's Guesthouse, visit Shangri-La, and fly to Seoul to meet his brother Michael on August 15. When David missed the flight, his family reported him missing.   Chinese authorities conducted a brief investigation, finding no trace of David in hostels, hospitals, or jails. His passport and $700 in his bank account remained untouched, and his backpack, left at Jane's Guesthouse in Lijiang, contained undeveloped film showing his travels. Despite no evidence of foul play and a heavily trafficked trail, officials concluded David fell into the Jinsha River and drowned, a theory his parents, Roy and Kathleen, rejected due to his hiking experience and the trail's safety.   On September 9, 2004, Roy and sons Michael and James traveled to Yunnan to retrace David's steps, hiring a translator and guide. They found the trail safe, wide, and busy, with no perilous drops, contradicting the official narrative. The family's methodical search—using non-leading questions and photos—yielded a confirmed sighting: a guide, Keith Chu Chung, recalled David hiking with a Hong Kong couple on August 11, reaching Tina's Guesthouse by 7 p.m., proving he exited the gorge safely.   The Sneddons grew suspicious of the Chinese authorities' efforts, noting performative searches with bloodhounds and missing person posters that seemed staged. Seven years later, a phone call (details undisclosed) reignited hope that David might be alive. Part 2 will cover the family's continued search, official reactions, and theories, including a controversial claim of North Korean abduction.   Chapters 00:00 Welcome to the Dark Oak 03:30 100th Episode Celebration and Giveaway 05:30 David Sneddon 39:00 The Branch of Hope     Sources: Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/family-us-student-who-disappeared-china-looks-north-korea-summit-answers-967469 Vogel, C., & Vogel, C. (2022, May 12). Did North Korea kidnap an American hiker? Outside Online. https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/hiking-and-backpacking/did-north-korea-kidnap-american-hiker/ “Thinking Sideways Podcast” David Sneddon (Podcast episode 2015) - Plot - IMDB. (n.d.). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14457712/plotsummary/ 13: David Sneddon: Tiger Leaping Gorge, China - The Last Trip | iHeart. (n.d.). iHeart. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/270-the-last-trip-127775104/episode/13-david-sneddon-tiger-leaping-gorge-148633018/ China Discovery. (n.d.). China Discovery - Leading China Travel Agency with Reviews. https://www.chinadiscovery.com/   Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

Stand-Up On The Spot! Featuring completely improvised sets from Pauly Shore, Jodie Sweetin, Ryan Sickler, Blair Socci, Avery Pearson & Jeremiah Watkins. No material. Comedians create Stand-Up On The Spot off audience suggestions. Everything is covered from Mall Santas to Special Ed Dentists & more! Jeremiah Watkins you know from Trailer Tales, Dr. Phil Live, his special DADDY, and as the host and creator of Stand-Up On The Spot. Pauly Shore you know from movies like Guest House on Netflix, Son in Law, Bio-Dome, Encino Man, and from Jam in the Van. Jodie Sweetin you know from Full House, Fuller House, and numerous movies. Ryan Sickler is the host of the Honeydew podcast, The Wayback, and has a new special called Lefty's Son. Blair Socci has a special Live from the Big Dog, and has appeared on James Corden, and is a voice in Aquateen Forever: Plantasm. Avery Pearson is host of Comedian Rhapsody, Keys to the Store, and is the co-founder of Thousand Percent Productions with Jeremiah Watkins. Follow the Comedians! Jeremiah Watkins  @jeremiahwatkins   @TrailerTalesPod   @standupots  https://www.instagram.com/jeremiahstandup Pauly Shore  @paulyshore  https://www.instagram.com/paulyshore Jodie Sweetin https://www.instagram.com/jodiesweetin Ryan Sickler  @rsickler  https://www.instagram.com/ryansickler Blair Socci  @blairsocciofficial  https://www.instagram.com/blairsocci Avery Pearson  @averypearsonkeys  https://www.instagram.com/averypearsonkeys Stand-Up On The Spot https://www.instagram.com/standupots  @standupots  Sponsored by: Blue Chew Support the show and try BlueChew for free, just pay $5 shipping with code SPOT at https://www.bluechew.com Interested in sponsoring the show? Email standupots@gmail.com for inquiries SOTS: #1HourSpecial #StandupComedy #PaulyShore #RyanSickler #JodieSweetin #BlairSocci #AveryPearson SOTS: Pauly Shore, Jodie Sweetin, Ryan Sickler, Blair Socci, Avery Pearson, Jeremiah Watkins | Ep 71 #StandUpOnTheSpot #SOTS #Jeremiah Watkins #CrowdWork

http://copperplatemailorder.com/podcast303                     Copperplate Time 502             presented by Alan O'Leary           www.copperplatemailorder.com  1. Bothy Band:  Green Groves/Flowers of Red Hill.   Afterhours 2. Providence: The Glentain Reel/The Sandymount/The Beauty Spot/Ravelled Hank of Yarn/The Midnight Reel. Geantrai 3. Dave Sheridan:   Christy Barry's/King of the Pipers/Michael Dwyer's.   Sheridan's Guest House 4. Simon & Garfunkel: April Come She Will.   Old Friends 5. Buttons & Bows:   The Return of Spring/The Mountain Pathway.     The Return of Spring 6. PJ Crotty & James Cullinan:  Tomeen O'Dea's/Midsummer's Night/Shamrock Hill.   Happy to Meet 7. Noel Hill:   An Phis Fluich/Fisherman's Jig.                   Live in New York 8. Rita Gallagher:   Erin's Green Shore.                The Heathery Hills  9. Kevin Burke & Jackie Daly:  An Paistin Fionn/The Atlantic Sound.    Eavesdropper 10. Dylan Carlos, Cian Sweeney, John McCairtin: The Swaggering Jig/Dever the Dancer/Farewel to Whalley Range.  The One After It 11. John Regan & Patsy Moloney:        Old Limerick Reel/Donald Blue:  Over the Bog Road 12. Ronan Browne & Peadar O'Loughlin:        Táim in Arrears/Hardyman the Fiddler.   Geantrai 13. Ralph McTell:   Sabrene.  Private Recording 14. Christy Moore:  Sunflowers.  A Terrible Beauty 15. Declan O'Rourke: Olympian.   Arrivals16. Fleadh: Killarney Boys/Hunt the Squirrel/Drag Her Around the Road.                  The Peacock's Feather 17. We Banjo 3:  Bunch of Green Rushes/Salt Creek.                   Gather the Good 18. Martin Carthy:   Lovely Joan.                  Transform Me Into a Fish 19. Andy Irvine:   King Bore & The Sandman.                       Rainy Sundays 20. Gerry Diver:  Hora.  Diversions 21. Bothy Band:  Green Groves/Flowers of Red Hill.   Afterhours

Author of the new book The Words that Shape Us (Scholastic), Lily uses innovative language to help parents and children navigate the challenges and triumphs of life.   Her new book is centered on the Power of Words and how the words and phrases we use with children can help grow their emotional literacy, teach them how to self-regulate, practice self-compassion, and build imagination and self-esteem. They will discuss: The science behind how words shape a child and offer language suggestions that will foster positive self-talk and self-esteem, including:  “What a brilliant mistake! What learning can you find in it?” This language dissolves shame associated with failure and encourages children to investigate mistakes with curiosity and regulation, not avoidance or a cold-sweat. “Hello, feeling visitor!” This phrase, inspired by Rumi's poem “The Guesthouse,” empowers kids to understand that they are separate from their emotional experiences, and underscores the truth that all feelings are impermanent. “Let's think ishfully as we jump into this challenge.” Guiding a child to approach assignments with an “ishful” spirit can deter perfectionistic tendencies.  “Turn on your birder mindset. What will you notice?” This language inspires kids to approach new experiences and activities with sustained attention and through the lens of “What funny, interesting, joyful thing will happen here?” Kids elicit what they project, and switching on their ‘birder mindset' invites them to notice small moments of delight they'd otherwise miss. Purchase The Words That Shape Us everywhere books are sold. Go deeper with Sean at www.SaveMyFamily.us

Send us a textWe catch up with multitasker extraordinaire, Erin Hines, Beverage Director at both Guesthouse and Mijo in Marin, and the proprietor of Bitter Girl Bitters 

Today is the Vernal Equinox. We're promised incremental victories of light. But early spring is no darling — not here in the high desert. Here, she can be chafing and mercurial; she can show up in sputtering, immature fits and freezes; in mean winds that would cut down the most tender and flower-faced among us without reason.Earlier this week, the sky howled and turned the color of mud at mid-day. Cell phones blared out public safety warnings. Dust agitated at every seam.What's a nervous system to do? Have mercy on the tender-hearted, Lord — on the dream of apricots and cherries, and the boy at school pickup who is rubbing and rubbing his nose against the back of his chapped hand.Like you, I am learning to find refuge. I am learning to take shelter in the soft aliveness of my body; remembering in adulthood what came so easily and imaginatively to my younger self — how to build a fort, how to tuck into a small world of my own making.So, I gather a reading light, a ball of yarn, knitting needles, and a poetry collection, and I tent a wool blanket over my head to hole up for the duration.One thing I know for sure is how a poem can serve like the keel of a boat, offering stability and resistance against sideways forces. A poem — a few words that, when linked together at an angle just so, can carry us into and beyond their meaning. And so it is with this needfulness, under a blanket in my living room, that I come to Wordsworth's “Lines Written in Early Spring,” a meditation he wrote in 1798 on the joyful, interwoven consciousness of nature — a “thousand blended notes” of birdsong — and humanity's grievous failure to remember its place under the canopy of all things.In the grove where the speaker sits, twigs “spread out their fan,” flowers “enjoy the air,” and Nature, personified, is a force with a “holy plan.” But human beings, the speaker laments, have lost the splendrous sensibilities of spring: “If such be Nature's holy plan / Have I not reason to lament / What man has made of man?”It occurs to me that man has done many good things with his hands. I am thinking now of a live performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, or the sweater that Wendy-from-the-yarn-shop just masterfully knitted, or the perfectly packaged mini-waffles my friend Ted brought back from a recent trip to Japan.But much of the time, we get things at least half-wrong. Like seed-creatures, we struggle to find our way upward through hard ground. We move too quickly, unaware of our conditions, and make mistakes. We forget to pause and remember the purpose of our unearthing. And we forget the interweave, the garden of our original belonging.So, I'm teaching myself how to knit. Novice that I am, it's awkward work. It's near-in. I tink (a new word for me, a semordnilap that refers to the act of un-stitching) almost as often as I knit. I struggle to position my hands, to maintain the right angle, I poke around and lose count and then I have to begin again.And in all this seeming progress and unraveling, as I return to mistakes embedded long ago, a new pattern — peaceful and even elegant — is steadily emerging. Oh, nervous system, dear friend. I am un-stitching and stitching myself back together again. I am braiding threads of myself into an artwork of my own making, which is weaving me back into something greater than my own making. And when the thing is ready, I will hold it up in wonder. I will hold it to my cheek.Together, we are making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

** My new Kindle book, Paws for Thought (second edition) is now available. Get your copy at https://www.amazon.com/Paws-Thought-second-Seeing-Through-ebook/dp/B0DRTJF95G/ In today's episode, Lois chats with Geertje van den Broeck, who runs a wheelchair accessible guesthouse in Cape Town, South Africa. On moving to South Africa from Belgium, Geertje decided to open the guesthouse, drawing on her past experience as a caregiver for people who were wheelchair users. During the conversation, Geertje shares a little of her story and describes the facilities that make the Casa Ilanga guesthouse wheelchair-friendly. She also touches on her plans to extend the accessibility of the accommodation to suit people living with other disabilities. Discover more about Casa Ilanga Guesthouse Website: https://casailanga.co.za/ Image description: A woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a dark dress with a floral pattern is walking down a paved path surrounded by tall trees and greenery. She has a red shoulder bag over one shoulder. I'd love to hear from you – contact me at Web: https://www.loisstrachan.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lstrachan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loisstrachanspeaker This episode edited by Craig Strachan using Hindenburg PRO – find out more on Hindenburg.com Credits and music by Charlie Dyasi.

Send us a textWhat if overwhelm wasn't something to escape—but a guide leading you to ease and clarity?In this episode, we explore Rumi's Guest House and the power of welcoming every emotion as a valuable guest. Through personal stories—including insights from a family history treasure hunt—you'll discover how to transform overwhelming feelings into constructive insights that move you forward.Want the fastest most effective way to turn your overwhelm into the joy, satisfaction and ease you're working so hard for? Book a Curiosity Call and discover what it's like to be coached by me. I look forward to meeting you.Welcome to Overwhelm is Optional The podcast for big-hearted, highly driven professionals who are ready to turn overwhelm into clarity, ease and joy. I'm Heidi Marke, The Gentle Rebel Coach, and in each episode, I share insights, stories, and practical tools to help you gently rebel against the pressure to push through. Because you matter, and how you are in the world matters. ✨ Start Your Gentle Rebellion – Free Guide Overwhelm isn't the problem—it's the sign. Discover how to break the overwhelm-exhaustion cycle.

Good and bad unintended consequences.By FinalStand. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels.The highest cost of losing a war is the rage of your children."Maybe the Canadian is not so much an 'ex' girlfriend?" Orsi leered. It was the old 'if he is so good that she still wants him back after a colossal screw up, I wanted a taste' expression."Do you think she will help you?" Katalin inquired."She'll help," Pamela huffed playfully. "My grandson has plenty of ex-girlfriends. Most of them want him back, despite his colorful lifestyle. It is one of his more amusing qualities.""Let's get something to eat," I tried to turn the conversation away from my past sexcapades."You are engaged?" Jolan didn't miss a beat."It is complicated," I sighed. "Let's just say I really like her, but she's seven years older, divorced with one young daughter and has a father who hates that I live and breathe.""Do you have any male friends?" Monika joined the Cáel Quiz Bowl."Yes," I replied with confidence. "My roommate Timothy and I are great friends.""He's gay," Pamela pierced their disbelief. "He and Cáel are true brothers-in-arms, I'll give Cáel that much.""Do you have any straight male friends?" Orsi was enjoying taunting me."Do Chaz or Vincent count?" I looked to Pamela."They are straight males, but they don't really know you yet," Pamela failed to be of much help. "I think Vincent insinuated he'd shoot you if you dated any of his three daughters. It was friendly of him to warn you. I supposed that could be construed as liking you.""Are all your acquaintances violent?" Anya seemed worried."Vincent isn't violent. He's with the US FBI," I retorted. Pause. "Okay, he carries a gun and shoots it, he's a law officer. They can do that.""You seem to be stressed," Orsi put an arm around my waist. "Let us ease your worries." Hallelujah!Note: One of History's LessonsIn the last 75 years of military history, airpower had been a decisive factor in every major conflict, save one. Most Americans would think the one exception was US involvement in Vietnam and they'd be wrong: right country, wrong time. Indochina's War of Independence against France was the exception. There, the French Air Force was simply inadequate to the task.Yes, the United States and its allies eventually lost the struggle in Vietnam. But it was their airpower that kept the conflict running as long as it did. For the most part, the Allied and Communist military hardware on the ground were equivalent. While the Allies had superior quantities of supplies, the Communists countered that with numbers, and therein lies the rub.Airpower allowed the Allies to smash large North Vietnamese formations south of the Demilitarized Zone and thus prevented the numerical advantage from coming into play. The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong made one serious stab at a conventional militarily challenge to the Allies, the Tet Offensive, and after initial successes, they were crushed.With the NVA unable to flex their superior numbers, the Allies were able to innovate helicopter-borne counter-insurgency operations. The North Vietnam's Army (NVA) was forced to operate in smaller units, so the Allies were able to engage them in troop numbers that helicopters could support. The air forces didn't deliver ultimate victory, but air power alone had never been able to do so on land. It was only when the US lost faith in achieving any positive outcome in Viet Nam and pulled out, that the North was finally able to overrun the South 20 months later. But every major power today understands the lesson.End of Note(Big Trouble in Little China)The military importance of airpower was now haunting the leadership of the People's Republic of China (PRC), the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Their problem wasn't aircraft. Most of their air fleet consisted of the most advanced models produced during the last two decades. The problem was that 80% of their pilots were dead, or dying. Their ground crews were in the same peril. Even shanghaiing commercial pilots couldn't meet the projected pilot shortfall.Classic PLA defense doctrine was to soak up an enemy (Russian) attack and bog down the aggressor with semi-guerilla warfare (classic small unit tactics backed up with larger, light infantry formations). Then, when the invaders were over-extended and exhausted, the armored / mechanized / motorized forces would counter-attack and destroy their foes. This last bit required air superiority through attrition.The twin enemies of this strategy were the price of technology and the Chinese economic priorities. With the rising cost of the high-tech equipment and a central government focus on developing the overall economy, the Chinese went for an ever smaller counter attack striking force, thus skewing the burden of depth of support far in favor of their relatively static militia/police units.So now, while the PLA / PLAAF's main divisions, brigades and Air Wings were some of the best equipped on the planet, the economic necessities had also meant the militia was financially neglected, remaining little more than early Cold War Era non-mechanized infantry formations. To compensate, the Chinese had placed greater and greater emphasis on the deployment capabilities of their scarcer, technologically advanced formations.When the Anthrax outbreak started, the strike force personnel were the first personnel 'vaccinated'. Now those men and women were coughing out the last days and hours of their lives. Unfortunately, you couldn't simply put a few commercial truck drivers in a T-99 Main Battle Tank and expect them to be anything more than a rolling coffin. The same went for a commercial airline pilot and a Chengdu J-10 multi-role fighter. The best you could hope for was for him/her to make successful takeoffs and landings.A further critical factor was that the Khanate's first strike had also targeted key defense industries. The damage hadn't been irreparable. Most military production would be only a month to six weeks behind schedule. But there would be a gap.It was just becoming clear that roughly 80% of their highly-trained, frontline combatants were going to die anyway. Their Reserves were looking at 30~40% attrition due to the illness as well. In the short term (three months), they would be fighting with whatever they started with. Within the very short term (one week), they were going to have a bunch of high-priced equipment and no one trained to use it. With chilling practicality, the Chinese leaders decided to throw their dying troopers into one immediate, massive counter-offensive against the Khanate.Just as Temujin predicted they would. Things were playing out according to plan.Note: World Events SummaryRound #1 had seen the Khanate unite several countries under one, their, banner. Earth  and  Sky soldiers had rolled across the Chinese border as their Air Force and Missile Regiments had used precision strikes to hammer Chinese bases, sever their transportation network and crippled their civilian infrastructure.Next, the frontier offensive units had been obliterated, the cities bypassed and the Khanate Tumens had sped forward to the geographic junctures between what the Khanate wanted and from whence the PLA had to come. In the last phase of Round #1, the Khanate prepped for the inevitable PLA / PLAAF counter-strike.Round #2 had now begun:Step One: Declare to the World that the Khanate was a nuclear power. As history would later reveal, this was a lie, but no one had any way of initially knowing that. Hell, the Khanate hadn't even existed 72 hours ago. Satellite imagery did show the Khanate had medium-range strategic missiles capable of hitting any location in the People's Republic. In Beijing, a nuclear response was taken off the table.Step Two: Initiate the largest air-battle in the history of Asia. Not just planes either. Both sides flew fleets of UCAV's at one another. It wasn't really even a battle between China and just the Khanate. Virtually all of the UAV technology the Khanate was using was Japanese, South Korean and Taiwanese in origin, plus some US-Russian-shared technology thrown into the mix.When the South Korean design team saw the footage of their bleeding-edge dogfighting UCAVs shooting down their PRC opponents, they were thrilled (their design rocked!), shocked (what was their 'baby' doing dominating Chinese airspace?) and anxious (members of South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration, DAPA, were rushing over to chat with them).Similar things were happening in Japan, Taiwan, Russia and the United States. The Communist Party leadership in Beijing were beginning to seriously consider the possibility that everyone was out to get them. Of course, all the Ambassadors in Beijing were bobbing their heads with the utmost respect while swearing on the lives of their first born sons that their nations had nothing to do with any of this.These foreign diplomats promised to look into these egregious breaches of their scientific integrity and were saying how sorry they were that the PLA and PLAAF were getting ass-raped for the World's viewing pleasure. No, they couldn't stop the Khanate posting such things to the internet, something to do with freedom. Paranoia had been creeping into the Potentates' thoughts since the Pakistan/Aksai Chan incident.As they watched their very expensive jets and UCAV's being obliterated, distrust of the global community became the 800 pound gorilla in the room. To add habaneros to the open wounds, the United States and the United Kingdom began dropping hints that they had some sort of highly personal communication conduit with the Khanate's secretive and unresponsive leadership. Yes Virginia Wolfe, the Western World was out to get the People's Republic.'Great Mao's Ghost', all that claptrap their grandfathers had babbled on about (1) the Korea War, (2) the Sino-Soviet grudge match, (3) the Sino-Vietnamese conflict and (4) the persistent support for the renegade province of Formosa all being a continuous effort by the liberal democracies and post-colonial imperialist to contain Chinese communism, didn't sound so crazy anymore.Step Three: Plaster all those PLA ground units that had started moving toward them when the air war began and the Chinese envisioned they would control the skies. The T-99 was a great tank. It also blew up rather spectacularly when it was stuck on a rail car (you don't drive your tanks halfway across China, it kills the treads).As Craig Kilborn put into his late night repertoire:"What do you call a Khanate UCAV driver who isn't an ace yet? Late for work.""What's the difference between me coming off a weekend long Las Vegas bender and a Khanate pilot? Not a damn thing. We've both been up for three days straight, yet everyone expects us to work tonight."Some PLA generals decided to make an all-out charge at the Tumens. Genghis's boys and girls were having none of that. They weren't using their Russian-built Khanate tanks to kill Chinese-built PLA tanks. No, their tanks were sneaking around and picking off the Chinese anti-air vehicles.The Chinese tanks and APCs engaged the dismounted Khanate infantry who, as Aksai Chin had shown, possessed some of the latest anti-tank weaponry. In the few cases where the PLA threw caution to the wind, they did some damage to the Khanate by sheer weight of numbers. For the rest, it was death by airpower.With their anti-air shield gone, the battle became little more than a grisly, real-life FPS game. It wasn't 'THE END'. China still had over 2,000,000 troops to call upon versus the roughly 200,000 the Khanate could currently muster. The PLA's new dilemma was how to transport these mostly truck-bound troops anywhere near the front lines without seeing them also exterminated from the air.After the Tumens gobbled up the majority of the PLA's available mobile forces, they resumed their advance toward the provincial boundaries of Xinjiang and Nin Mongol. There was little left to slow them down. The Chinese still held most of the urban centers in Xinjiang and Nei Mongol, yet they were isolated. And Khanate follow-up forces (the national armies they'd 'inherited') were putting the disease-riddled major municipalities under siege.All over the 24/7 World Wide News cycle, talking heads and military gurus were of two minds about the Khanate's offensive. Most harped on the fact that while the Khanate was making great territorial gains, it was barely making a dent in the Chinese population and economy. Uniformly, those people insisted that before the end of November, the Khanate would be crushed and a reordering of Asia was going to be the next great Mandate for the United Nations.A few of the braver unconventional pundits pointed out the same thing, but with the opposite conclusion, arguing:1.There were virtually no military forces in the conquered areas to contend with the Khanate's hold on the regions.2.Their popularity in the rural towns and countryside seriously undercut any hope for a pro-PRC insurgency.3.Driving the Khanate's forces back to their starting points would be a long and difficult endeavor that the World Economy might not be able to endure.When the PLAAF was effectively castrated after thirty-six hours of continuous aerial combat, a lot of experts were left with egg on their faces. One lone commentator asked the most fearful question of all. Where was the Khanate getting the financing, technical know-how and expertise to pull all of this off? There was a reason to be afraid of that answer.And while I was entertaining my six sailor-saviors, there were two other things of a diplomatic nature only just revealing themselves. Publically, Vladimir Putin had graciously offered to mediate the crisis while 'stealthily' increasing the readiness of his Eastern Military District. If there was any confusion, that meant activating a shitload of troops on the Manchurian border, not along the frontiers of the former nations of Mongolia and Kazakhstan.After all, Mongolia was terribly poor. Manchuria/Northeastern China? Manchuria was rich, rich, rich! From the Kremlin, Putin spoke of 'projecting a presence' into the 'lost territory' of Manchuria, citing Russia's long involvement in the region. By his interpretation of history, the Russians (aka the Soviet Union) had rescued Manchukuo (the theoretically INDEPENDENT Imperial Japanese puppet state of Manchuria) from the Japanese in 1945. They'd even given it back to the PRC for safekeeping after World War II was concluded.Putin promised Russia was ready and willing to help out the PRC once again, suggesting that maybe a preemptive intervention would forestall the inevitable Khanate attack, thus saving the wealthy, industrialized province from the ravages of war. Surely Putin's Russians could be relied on to withdraw once the Khanate struggle was resolved? Surprisingly, despite being recent beneficiaries of President Putin's promises, the Ukraine remained remiss in their accolades regarding his rectitude.In the other bit of breaking news; an intermediary convinced the Khanate to extend an invitation to the Red Cross, Red Crescent and the WHO to investigate the recently conquered regions in preparations for a humanitarian mission.That intermediary was Hana Sulkanen; for reasons no one could fathom, she alone had the clout to get the otherwise unresponsive new regime to open up and she was using that influence to bring about a desperately needed relief effort to aid the civilians caught up in that dynastic struggle. A Princess indeed. No one was surprised that the PRC protested, claiming that since the territory wasn't conquered, any intervention was a gross violation of Chinese sovereignty.End of Note(To Live and Die in Hun-Gray)Orsi may have been the troupe leader, but Anya needed me more, so she came first."I need a shower before we catch some dinner," I announced as we meandered the streets of Mindszent. My lady friends were all processing that as I wound an arm around Anya's waist and pulled her close. "Shower?" I smiled down at her, she was about 5 foot 7. It took her a few seconds to click on my invitation."Yeah, sure, that would be nice," she reciprocated my casual waist hold. Several of her friends giggled over her delay. We were heading back to the Seven Fishermen's Guest House."Do you do this, picking up strange girls you've barely met for, you know?" she said in Bulgarian, as she looked at me expectantly."Yes and no," I began, in Russian. "I often find myself encountering very intriguing women, for which I know I am a fortunate man. I embrace sensuality. That means I know what I'm doing, but I'm not the 'bring him home to meet the parents' kind of guy.""What of your fiancée? Do you feel bad about cheating on her?" Anya pursued me."Hana is wonderful. I've met her father and it went badly both times," I confessed."How?" Anya looked concerned for me."Would you two speak a language the rest of us can understand?" Monika teased us."Very well," I nodded to Monika, and turned back to Anya, "The first time, his son raped a girl and I threatened the young man's life," I revealed. "Jormo, Hana's father, wasn't happy when I did so. The second time, he hit me twice, once in the gut and once in the head," I continued."Why did he hit you?" Orsi butted in."I'd rather not say. You may think less of me," I confessed. Pamela gave me a wink for playing my audience so well. I'm glad she's family (kinda/sorta)."The boy, he is dead?" Magdalena guessed. "Hana's brother?""I really shouldn't talk about that," I evaded. "It is a family matter." That's right. The family that my grandmother had brought me into as her intern / slayer-in-training. There is no reason to create a new lie when you can embellish a previous one."Do you ever feel bad about what you do?" Katalin asked Pamela. We love movies."As I see it, if I show up looking for you, you've done something to deserve it," Pamela gave her sage philosophy behind being an assassin."Are you, bi-sexual?" Jolan murmured. Pamela smacked me in the chest as I laughed. "Did I say something wrong?" Jolan worried. Pamela was a killer."No, you are fine," Pamela patted Jolan's shoulder. "I'm straight and happily so. It just so happens that most of my co-workers are women. Day in, day out, nothing but sweaty female bodies working out, sparring and grappling together, and afterwards, the massages."That was my Grandma, poking all the lesbian buttons of the women around me. Best of all, she did it with the detached air of a sexually indifferent matron. She was stirring up the lassies while keeping them focused on me. We walked into the courtyard of our guest house."Don't take too long, you two," Orsi teased us."Ha!" Pamela chuckled. "That's like asking the Sun to hurry up and rise, the Moon to set too soon, or the sea to stay at low tide forever.""Anya," I whispered into her ear. "How many orgasms do you want?" Anya's eyes expanded. Her eyes flickered toward her friends, then back to me. She held up one finger, I grinned speculatively. Anya held up two fingers. I kissed her fingers.

A day in the life of rural Hungary.By FinalStand. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels.'Here be Dragons' wasn't always a tourist gimmick."I didn't say you could have a drink," the Vizsla commented."Oh, my apologies," I shrugged. I put the stein on a nearby table and waited."Have a seat," she directed. I came up to her table and examined the three empty chairs. I held back until she pointed to the chair opposite her. I sat down, but didn't make eye contact. Instead, I examined the various paintings and photographs on the walls. It was an old place."You killed Matthias, even though you knew he worked for me," she uttered."I can confirm that information to be correct," I looked her way. That, wasn't what she expected."Why?""Why what?" I countered. There was a method to my madness; this was going to be a lesson in competence, and what happens when you don't respect it."Why did you kill Matthias?""I needed a reason?" I tried to look pensive. "Maybe I didn't like the cut of his facial hair?""Do you think this is a joke?" she replied dryly. "The Black Hand always avenge our own.""Damn," I looked perplexed. "No one told me that when I arrived. Can we call Matthias's extermination a 50/50 bad call, both ways?""Matthias was my cousin," the Vizsla continued."My condolences," I sighed. "The next Black Hand douche-bag the Amazons waste, I'll have them ask if he's related to you first. How's that?""You are so not likely to have that opportunity," she pointed out."Oh," I laughed, "you are so wrong about that.""You are far stupider than I had been informed," the Vizsla's eyes narrowed."Nope. You and your cast of 'Dumb and Dumber' have been treating us like idiots since we touched down at Ferenc Liszt International, so I'm pretending to be that simpleton sock-puppet just for you, Vizsla. You've added to that by heaping disrespect and derision on my people," I grinned."You tried to have me and my entourage murdered and Matthias paid the price for that. Everyone knows I'm here. And after your bungled attempt to have me killed, no one is going to believe you did anything but murder me, if I don't show up eventually. Now do you prefer the stupid me, or the brighter than normal me?""If you think acting like a smart-ass is somehow endearing, you are mistaken," she let me know."Whatever," I shrugged. "You called this meeting. What do you want?""Beyond killing one of my lieutenants, I wanted to know what you are doing here?" she studied me."I would like to leave now. I'm wasting my time here," I responded."I want answers," she pressed."You have been given the answers to both your talking points, Matthias died because of your orders and I am here looking for three lost Amazon bloodlines," I replied."That seems bizarre," the Vizsla expressed her doubts."Bizarre? You are talking to the sole male Amazon House Head in three thousand years," I reminded her. "Besides, you only just now finished telling me how the Black Hand look after their own. The Amazons are the same way; we have lost kin who need to be made aware of their background.""What do we do about Matthias?" the Vizsla asked."In all honesty, had he not personally threatened to stab a member of my team, I would have settled for kicking the crap out of him. He put a knife to Ms. Martin's throat. That assured his death sentence. I think the Host will be willing to accept my hypothesis that Matthias was acting on his own initiative, which should settle the matter."And just like that, the expediency of the Black Hand shown forth. The truth of the matter was that he had acted on the Vizsla's orders. Unfortunately, that would have meant my side would have come after the Vizsla and she would have had to avenge his death, lots of needless bloodshed. So Matthias posthumously became a rabid dog gone rogue and one who ended up crossing the wrong people. No vengeance required by anyone. We could get back to business."That is settled. So, what do you want from your new allies?" the Vizsla inquired. A certain level of cold-blooded ruthlessness had been required to achieve her spot in the Black Hand. Likewise, honesty was the best policy when dealing with casually lethal people. They didn't like self-important asses wasting their time."I need to find an individual named 'Branko'. He has kidnapped a young lady who is one of our lost Amazons. We don't require any aid, but if you could leave Selena with us, it would be appreciated," I requested."What are you going to do when you catch up with this 'Branko'?" she questioned."I'd like to say I am going to buy her back, but I think we both know that is a pipe-dream. He's not going to like me interfering in his business, so I'm going to kill him, and any other bastards who are in close proximity," I confessed. She studied me for over a minute."Do you wish a piece of advice?" the Vizsla said."Of course," I nodded. It cost me nothing to acknowledge her vastly superior experience."Take a step back," she advised. Seeing that I didn't understand, "If you recall every single death by your hand, you will go mad. You don't possess the detachment of a true killer, Cáel. Not every member of the Black Hand is an assassin.Your driver, Josef, is from a long line of Black Hand members. He doesn't have what it takes to get close and personal in order to kill a human being, so he drives and provides security. He still matters and serves a necessary function." That was almost nice of her. The advice was based on her decision to keep me around as a useful tool. Going nuts would derail that."There is the life we wish to lead, and the life we must lead, Vizsla," I recalled. There was so much there, whirling around in my skull, it took me all this time to find the link I was looking for. Recall every single death by my hand, "On January 26th, 1847, the Black Hand Chapter House of the Wolf in Verona was wiped out, there were no survivors.""If you say so," she regarded me oddly."Yeah, look into it. Then come back to me when you have the right questions," I stood up. "And 'Branko'?""I will relay information on this individual to Selena. We should have something by the time you get back to Buda," she got out before one of the bodyguards came running our way.He had his H and K MP5 out and was in deep conversation with his ear piece."Our two spotters failed to respond correctly," he told the Vizsla in Hungarian. She gave me another quick once over."My people?" I rose slowly.The Vizsla gave the man a subtle hand gesture. Seconds later, pushing Alkonyka ahead of them, Pamela, Selena and Josef came running through the door. Pamela and Selena had our duffels. Two more Black Hand materialized from a back room.The Black Hand was actually a small outfit. Each Chapter had two or three houses, each with four or five true assassins and maybe six times that in support personnel/recruits in each location. That meant the entire Black Hand organization numbered less than 1000. They had several thousand peripheral contacts across their sphere of Europe and they could purchase some sort of private security given time. But their best protection was their hidden nature and small size. That also meant what we had was what we had. There was no Black Hand SWAT team on the way.Working with hand gestures alone, the Vizsla was directing us to a trap door behind the bar. Josef's phone rang. He hesitantly answered."It is for you," he offered it to our host. She took it. Halfway through the caller's diatribe, she shot me a suspicious look."Why don't you ask him?" she stated, then handed me the phone."Hello Nyilas. Do you know who this is?" the man on the other end stated, in Mycenean Greek."Yes, I do. What do you want? I'm kind of busy here?" I grinned. It was laughing at death all over again."I can relieve you of your pressing schedule. You and the other Amazon step outside and I'll make it quick.""No can-do Studly," I smirked. "If I go out there, it is going to take a while.""I sincerely doubt that.""Don't sell yourself short," I jibed. "I figure clipping off those bull-sized testicles of yours is going to take some work. But I do promise that after I make you a eunuch, I'll use a condom when I bend you over and make you my bitch too. Was there anything else you wanted to know?""No. I think we have a mutual understanding," he laughed. "I'll be seeing you soon." He hung up."Who was that?" Vizsla inquired. She wasn't alone in her curiosity."Ajax," I beamed confidence. I was confident my tenure on this Earth was ending real soon."I think we should be leaving," Vizsla suggested."Selena, help Alkonyka get her sister back," I requested. "I'll catch up when I can. Pamela, you do what you feel you need to do. Vizsla, they are after me, so I'm going to keep them busy while you get away," I explained.No useless 'you don't have to do this' nonsense. She knew the score, I wasn't a member of her outfit and she wanted to live. She did do me one favor. She gave another hand movement. Selena slit Josef's throat in a surprise motion.He didn't die right away. Selena's slash made bleeding out inevitable, but he'd be a while in dying. Odds were, that only Vizsla and Josef knew in advance where we were meeting. Whatever payoff the Condottieri had put in his bank account wasn't going to do him any good. Selena bent over his still-thrashing body and removed his pistol."I will bring you Angyalka Lovasz," Selena pledged. Pamela and I were gearing up. Ajax and his buddies were going to be coming for me any second now. Alkonyka gave me one more worried look before she vanished into the secret basement. "Don't be late," was the last thing Selena said before going down into the darkness. Pamela made sure the trap door was covered up.Lust and Bullets"We've used Butch and Sundance," Pamela checked her L42 Enfield Sniper Rifle. It was the weapon Pamela had trained with and used for longer than I'd been alive, old yet very effective even today."Heat?" I offered up. "You can be De Niro and I can be Kilmer.""Nice. Michael Mann really had a way of killing people," Pamela grinned, then pumped her eyebrows. "Too bad I end up dead in this one.""We'll avoid airports, you should be safe," I joked. Three explosions rocked the building, shooting glass throughout the place. Fortunately, Pamela and I were hiding behind the bar."Let's go," she whispered over the din. Charging out the front door seemed pretty suicidal to me, but Pamela's copious battle lore was something I had the utmost faith in. I respected her judgment and followed along. There was a method to her madness. Two 40 mm grenades had taken out the two cars parked in front. A third launched grenade had blown open the door.The petrol in the cars equated to flaming wreckage and a huge smoke screen. It was broad daylight, no night vision goggles. The flames made IR useless and the smoke temporarily obscured regular vision. The machineguns going off around us scared the crap out of me. It was my old buddy, suppression fire: they weren't shooting directly at us.Metaphysically, Ishara was dueling with Ares. There was a low stone wall, a little over a meter high, that separated an adjacent field from the inn's gravel parking lot. Right as we got to our side of it, three of Ajax's boys came up on the other. Pamela and I remained perfectly still, crouching tightly against our shelter.Two knelt and fired several bursts from their H and K HK416 (Wow! Germany's newest killing machine, they looked slick) into the closest open windows while the third one fired a grenade in. Again, we remained perfectly still. We were about two meters from those three. The drab color of our hastily donned dusters, the congested air and our stillness combined to save us from their notice.The second after that grenade went off, the three vaulted the wall and rushed the building. From the cacophony of the battle, they were storming the building from several directions at once."Quick, go find that guy with the machinegun," Pamela whispered over a feral grin. How was I going to do that?The old fashioned way, I leapt over the wall and ran away from all the flames, explosions and the continuous widespread fusillade of assault weapons fire. I was partially bent over as I ran. I'm still a big guy though. The machine gunner was in a shallow dip in the meadow 30 meters away, on the edge of the woods.He saw me, shifted his MG4 (fuck Ajax and his crew for having the best Bang-Bangs) minutely and unleashed hell my way. In hindsight, the 1st round flattened against my duster as it impacted my upper left thigh. Round #2 hit the duster again, coming below my vest, but hitting my belt (every bit of leather helps).The #3 556 mm slug hit my vest due south of my belly button (Fuck!), # 4 landed a few centimeters up and to the right, taking in both the duster and my ballistic vest. The #5 round clipped my lower side of my right ribcage. The resulting force sent me spinning back and to my right.Honestly, as I landed hard on my back (no rolling with the blow this time), I thought a midget mule team had kicked me in the guts. Apparently, I made a convincing mortally wounded human being. He stopped shooting and Pamela got pissed.I learned a few things at that moment: you do not get used to being shot; you can never appreciate the value of good body amour enough; you can never understand the true value of a sniper until your life is totally in their hands; and damn, Pamela was exceptional. Pamela put a bullet through his nasal cavity in that split second between him exposing himself with his muzzle flashes and deciding to put a few more bullets into my prone form.Pain dictated that I lie where I was. Survival instincts overrode that. I went to my side, pushed up and resumed my crouched stance. Then I was running once more until I could throw myself beside his corpse. I was stunningly calm. Machineguns, snipers, I had to cover Pamela's run across the meadow. I didn't stay by the dead gunner.I grabbed his weapon, some spare ammo and quick-stepped it to the wood line. I rapidly assessed the best spot that could provide cover from each flank. That was where I went down, cradled the device and started shooting at any muzzle flash I could see. The moment I opened fire, Pamela began her own sprint.Unlike my mad dash, Pamela took evasive maneuvers, serpentine, which worked out well when one sniper figured out she wasn't one of them. He/she had two shots at her before she dove past me. Her mien was one of intense, emptiness? She gave me a quick pat-down to make sure I wasn't gushing blood, took a deep breath and then smirked."Come on, Dummy!" she laughed. "We still have a shot at a sequel.""Shot, sequel, you are a laugh riot," I wheezed as I stood, abandoned the MG4 and joined her as we both ran deeper into the woods. A few shots zinged past us before Ajax's crew realized we were in full-on flight mode. They weren't going to waste the bullets.This was the point where archaic and modern warfare diverged. In the olden (pre-Pamela, ow! How did she know what I was thinking?) days, when your enemy broke and ran, it was relatively easy to run them down and slaughter them in their panic. If a few men tried to stem the tide, they would be quickly overwhelmed.After the invention of rapid-fire rifles, that changed. Suddenly, headlong pursuit could be incredibly costly. All it took was a small, resolute band to find some sort of hard cover and they could buy minutes, or even hours, for their retreating brethren. Sure, if you were willing to pay the butcher's bill, you could storm their position.But you had to understand, each defender could fire and work the bolt action in under three seconds. You reloaded your magazine with a prepared clip ~ maybe five more seconds. Ten men could put 150 bullets down range per minute as long as their ammo held out. Sending men into that kind of firepower was murder; very few troops could sustain their attack under those conditions.Ajax's resurrected Mycenaean's were tough enough to do it. Ajax's problem was their finite number. Despite catching Ajax off-guard with Pamela's mad plan, her ungodly skills and a great deal of my pain, we had only managed to kill one so far. The great unknowns were terrain (we didn't know where we were,) and my luck.As Pamela and I ran through the forest at a good clip, we began to make out a specific background noise. It was a river. Not a creek, stream, waterfall, or dam, a river."Did you pack your jet ski?" Pamela snorted."I left it in the car. You said it was so '1990's'," I panted back. A few more footsteps and,

Found amidst the twisted metal and ash of a family's home in the Pacific Palisades is a pottery shard with a single word inscribed upon it: love.It's a clay piece no wider than the palm of your hand, a remnant from a serving dish that a daughter made for her mother, who displayed it in the bungalow where she lived for forty-seven years until one recent day when a black-plumed terror tore through the neighborhood, and it burned to the ground.For Diana, the one who first taught me how to love. Thank you, Mama. Happy Mother's Day, 2011. Your loving daughter, Lisa.Little remains after a fire. Not the for nor the who nor even the you. In the yard, a wind sculpture spirals upward in the stunned calm of a new day. Stone chimneys stand, only they are no longer chimneys but landmarks by which neighbors orient themselves amidst the rubble and scars of their former lives. A clay murti still sits demurely on the mantle. It is a metaphor, if not a miracle — how the heat melted away its glaze and revealed the form beneath.And love, in all its blessed unlikeliness. Having passed through the inferno of its creation, having withstood as the house wailed and collapsed around it, this small and necessary gift is discovered atop a charred pyre as though placed there, liberated, message intact.City skies are painted on linear scraps and framed by buildings. The desert sky is like this: giant, unmitigated, persistent. To live well in the desert, you must look to the opening above the narrow frame of your life. You must consider how light moves across the sky, how gods shift their bodies over the landscape, then bow and tuck themselves behind the night until the sun rises again the next day.Azure is beautiful but can also be unyielding. The earth firms and softens according to the seasons. Slow water eases; gentle water eases. Fast water flashes off the hard earth and floods the arroyos. And if the water does not come — if the days are brittle and the future unknowable — we are thirsty for it.When the ground dries, we feel it in our joints. The sky lifts — quiet, strange. We ask for water. Lord, quell our bodies and minds. Lord, irrigate our hearts. Lord, make us watertight.Then, the birds come looking for water. We give them water.Mary Oliver writes:I tell you thisto break your heart,by which I mean onlythat it break open and never close againto the rest of the world.A poet finds a way to say what must be said when it must be said. A poet is made of poppies and daffodils, yes, but also of unflinching metal. Forged in fire, quenched in water, a poet is like a sword meant to wield, cut through, and rise again.Metal cannot help but conduct warmth. Metal cannot help but have luster, for it reflects the sun's light. Metal has solidity, a high melting point, and sharpness. It houses its own shadow, like most earthly things. So, when metal writes about lead, it knows a thing about it. And when metal says —Here is a story to break your heart.Are you willing?You are willing.Steadfast comes from the Old English stedefæst, meaning "firmly fixed, constant; secure; enclosed, watertight; strong, fortified." It first referred to English warriors in the 10th century who stood their ground, weapons readied, unyielding to Viking invaders.And here is one more reminder of the determination of love. In Portuguese, the word resistencia is a false cognate. You'd think it means resistance, but no — resistencia is closer to endurance, to the practice of withstanding. Resistencia refers to that which is unbreakable.To endure is to show up in the ways that most reflect who we are and what we love, to continually orient ourselves, even amidst circumstances we would not choose. When the instinct is to burn, to endure is to carry water instead.Become a paid subscriber for $6/month to access monthly yoga + meditation practices exclusively for The Guest House community. Practices live or via recording at your convenience. Next gathering soon to be announced! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

STEADFAST(After Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer's “Wordlessly”)The way the pericardium holds the heart,the pond holds the murk, and fish,the bowl holds the porridge my child eatsits steam rising to hold her face —and morning cups the day,the way day cups the nightin a great, persistent mystery, the socket holds the gaze.your palm holds my hand, your silence holds, “I'm here” — our bodies hold the ache of how the world could be, how the world could be holding how it is.- Shawn ParellTogether, we are making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

History is often told through the epic struggles of famous personalities or grand movements. Yet sometimes the voices of ordinary people break through. In this episode, Maurice J Casey speaks to Danny Bird about his new book, Hotel Lux, which follows three connected families through the upheavals of the 20th century. Bound by idealism, friendship and love, their journey begins in 1920s Moscow, inside a hotel that was once a sanctuary for international revolutionaries drawn to the Soviet Union's bold vision for a better world. (Ad) Maurice J Casey is the author of Hotel Lux: An Intimate History of Communism's Forgotten Radicals (Footnote Press, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hotel-Lux-Intimate-Communisms-Forgotten/dp/180444099X/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dear friend,I'm writing today from a quiet harbor in the West Indies where, for the past few years, my family has come to rest during the liminal week between Christmas (or this year's portmanteau, Christmukkah) and New Year's.In the final days of 2023, in an essay about thresholds and time, I described an overlook I like to walk to here on the island of Grenada — a cliff at the top of a grassy knoll from which water shimmers into a circular horizon. So much has changed since then, a reminder of how the business of time is to change.If I could, I would tie the gentleness of this place with silk ribbon and dispatch it across the sea in every direction. Nearby, a kindly breeze rocks a resting child in her hammock. My father whispers in my son's ear, laughter buoying up from their bellies as kids scamper barefoot across the thick green lawn and a pot of fresh mint tea rests on the table, its fragrant steam unfurling in the air.In this place of warbling, white-breasted flycatchers and shading palm fronds, of lilting afternoon voices filtering through muslin curtains, a certain fatigue I can no longer ignore lays its hands calmly on my shoulders. For months, I've been brushing aside signals of this heavy tenderness, but now my mind and body settle into them. I begin to wonder about the texture and tone of this fatigue, about its intentions and layers and causes. I watch a ripening calabash tree and imagine what it might feel like — not good, not bad, but simply laden.I am beginning to re-learn the science and art of rest. I get slower and quieter, simplifying my days by shoring up against the instinct to do, fill, get, and rush. I visualize silk-ribboned gentleness delivered by tiny boats of breath to my nervous system. My mind loosens, and I remember a childhood lesson from my father, who has spent most of his days on or by the ocean, on re-finding equilibrium when feeling sea-rattled: relax as much as possible, breathe deep, and fix your gaze on the horizon, kiddo.And gradually, my bones begin to feel their weight again.How many of us carry a quiet knowing, unnoticed or avoided, until stillness brings it into view?My mind drifts to “The World," a poem by William Bronk that my friend Jess Lazar introduced to me this past year.I thought you were an anchor in the drift of the world;but no: there isn't an anchor anywhere.There isn't an anchor in the drift of the world. Oh no.I thought you were. Oh no. The drift of the world.—The WorldIt is a sorrowful, even devastating poem, but Bronk's revelation also carries benevolence. The brimming honesty of “I thought you were...” “but no” reflects and comforts my grappling at the precipice of this new year. Truth be told, I have moved between hope and apprehension, promise and disappointment, acceptance and fear — and it's exhausting. I'm learning to find a more nuanced, intentional way of leveling my gaze amidst the world's drift.“The World” is hopeful insofar as its author reaches outside the confines of his one lonely boat to connect with us, his readers. The drift of the world is unrelenting and amoral, he intimates. We are human and, therefore, subject to attachments, grievances, foolishness, and all the rest. Our anchors moor us in their brevity, and our lives, too, shimmer with wakefulness. It's all so precious and immutable, yet we can tap into unexpected harbors and safe ports, not despite but because of and given the facts.Rumi reminds us, “Your deepest presence is in every small contracting and expanding, the two as beautifully balanced and coordinated as birds' wings.” We are of the nature to wake up. We are of the nature to let go. “I thought you were an anchor in the drift of the world; but no….” Looking out over azure water, I'm reminded of how life emerges and regenerates from these tidal rhythms — we expand, we contract, an ocean falling and rising again from within.Together, we are making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to our season 9 finale, this generous, vulnerable conversation with Hoffman grad, Kevjorik Jones, and host, Drew Horning. There are many reasons why people come to the Hoffman Process — as many reasons as people who have graduated from the Process. Kevjorik, a self-described consummate student of the human condition, came because he felt he was falling short. He was aware of the powers and opportunities he had. He was aware of the great relationships in his life. And yet, Kevjorik sensed he was falling short of living up to all he sensed he could become. In October 2024, Kevjorik completed his Process at the Guest House, the Hoffman Retreat Site in Chester, CT. Nature and the labyrinth on site provided a lot of healing. Rising early in the morning, Kevjorik would walk the labyrinth. One morning, he entered the labyrinth feeling shame. He emerged feeling connected to his child within. The beauty of this conversation lies in the generous stories Kevjorik shares with us. He offers stories of his childhood, the trauma he experienced, and the courage he found to do the deep work of the Process to heal the pain of his past. We hope you enjoy this moving, enlightening, uplifting conversation with Kevjorik and Drew. Thank you for listening to the Hoffman Podcast. We will be back for season 10 in early 2025. Happy New Year! More about Kevjorik Jones: Kevjorik is a real estate finance professional based in Washington, DC. From a young age, he developed a profound curiosity about the human spirit, the nature of existence, and the pursuit of enlightenment. Raised in a broken home, his adult life has been devoted to understanding the lasting impacts of social suppression—shaped by colonialism, racism, and polarization—on community, family, and personal achievement. During college, Kevjorik founded an organization to teach students entrepreneurial skills while pursuing careers in technology and real estate. Around this time, he discovered a spiritual connection to his African roots when he traveled to Ghana, West Africa. There, Kevjorik deepened his curiosity about the consequences of being uprooted and the maladaptations that emerge from being disconnected from one's origins through this experience. Today, Kevjorik is focused on village-building as a solution to the challenges posed by the WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) parenting model, which isolates the individual from the collective whole. He believes that fostering interconnected communities can alleviate these strains. Kevjorik is blessed to have met his soulmate, now his wife of 15 years, just before his trip to Ghana. Together, they have built a loving family of four and a supportive network of like-minded individuals committed to growth, healing, and mutual care. Kevjorik's relationships have been deeply affected by the legacy of his childhood trauma. This eventually led him to the Hoffman Process. Before embarking on his Hoffman week, Kevjorik's primary goal was to break free from limiting thoughts and behaviors. Patterns of self-doubt and indecision had kept him from fully embracing life. Kevjorik has integrated tools from the Process into his daily life. He is committed to keeping his heart open, loving deeply, and living in alignment with his true purpose. Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevjorikjones/ As mentioned in this episode: Rancho La Puerta Watsu Healthy Deviant George Floyd and the Summer of 2020 Protests My Grandmother's Hands, by Dr. Resmaa Menakem •   Epigenetics •   Intergenerational trauma Somatic Therapy Functional Nutrition Tapping World Summit - •   Meridian Tapping The Great Migration Surrogate Parents in the Process: Working with people/groups who were like our parents. In Kevjorik's case, these were his Grandmother/Aunt and the church. Inner Child / Parenting Attachment Styles Labyrinth Wade in the Water

We catch up with a major Louisville nonprofit on this week's Access Louisville podcast.Tamera Reif, senior director of Housing Services at Volunteers of America Mid-States, is on this week's show to talk about a number of ongoing projects with the organizaiton. She spends her days in the world of residential homeless and housing work — a key issue affecting Louisville in recent years. She talks about how she is inspired to do the work.Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA) broke ground on its new headquarters, the $58 million Community Care Campus, in September. Reif tells us on the show that one of the most exciting parts of that project is a new family emergency shelter, which will more than double the available space for families experiencing homelessness. The campus also includes transitional housing for 18 to 24 year old youths and respite care for homeless people leaving the hospital. The space will also include meeting rooms and partner spaces, she explains. And she speaks with LBF Editor-in-Chief Shea Van Hoy talks with Reif about how the campus project came together with the support of Louisville Metro Government.The start of construction comes nearly two years after Louisville Metro Government purchased the Smoketown properties on Breckinridge Street near Floyd and Brook streets for nearly $7 million. Existing facilities on the property included the Vu Hotel and Guest House as well as the C2 event space, which George Stinson and his partner Ed Lewis opened in 2016.The majority of the funding for the project is coming from the Kentucky General Assembly and Louisville Metro Government, which are contributing a combined $22.5 million, according to VOA's website. Low income housing credits are responsible for $19 million in funds and the VOA has been able to raise $2.5 million for the project to date. But that still leaves a $17.5 million gap in funding.The new campus is expected to fully completed in 2027 and will employ 75 people. Miranda Construction is handling the buildout of the Community Care Campus. Hancock said the new Unity House will have 34 rooms and be able to serve 80 to 90 people at a time.Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. It's available on popular podcast services, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

In this insightful conversation, I'm joined by poet James Pearson to explore personal growth, vulnerability, and the creative process. The discussion centers on themes of transformation, wholeheartedness, and navigating life's difficult "winter seasons," a metaphor for the times of struggle, uncertainty, and rebirth. Pearson shares personal stories from his journey of self-discovery and healing, including the moments of asking for help that led to unexpected lifelines. Together, we delve into the wisdom found in nature's cycles and the power of messy, in-between times for personal growth.James reflects on his poetic work, particularly his debut collection The Wilderness That Bears Your Name. We discuss the idea of being "mirrored into existence" and the importance of human connection in helping us see and embrace our true selves. This conversation is both a meditation on the cyclical nature of life and an invitation to make room for uncertainty.Episode Highlights:* Wholeheartedness: The challenge of connecting to wholeheartedness during difficult, desolate times, and the courage it takes to ask for help.* Unordinary Emergence: Inspired by David Whyte's concept of the hidden essence within us that emerges when we are invited and supported.* Mirroring and Connection: The importance of being "mirrored into existence" through human relationships and how communal reflection shapes our sense of self.* The Mud Season: The metaphorical season between winter and spring, where growth is messy but crucial.* Nature's Lessons on Transformation: Lessons from Parker Palmer and Richard Rohr on the humility and grace found in life's messy, humbling experiences.* Reclaiming Authenticity: Facing existential crises and shedding old identities to make space for more authentic versions of ourselves.* Seeing Beauty in the Mess: Reflections on how even life's "weeds" and imperfections hold beauty and significance.This episode is an invitation to embrace life's muddy seasons with patience, courage, and the willingness to see possibility in the mess.* Learn more about James and The Wilderness That Bears Your Name at Jamesapearson.com.* Connect with James on Instagram: @Jamesapearson* Subscribe to The Guest House on Substack for regular essays, podcast episodes, and more.* Shawnparell.com - Check out Shawn's website to sign up for 5 free meditations, join Shawn's email list for monthly field notes and music alchemy, and learn more about her work and upcoming events.* Stay connected with Shawn on Instagram @ShawnParell for live weekly meditations and prompts for practice.* Join David Keplinger and me on January 24-25, 2024, for Mary Oliver and the Quest of Openness: "Are You Willing"?—a yoga, meditation, and somatic inquiry workshop hosted by YogaSource in Santa Fe. Drawing on his many years of friendship with Mary Oliver, David will help us explore themes of openness and willingness in her poetry. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

1. Saison - Feel It (James Curd Remix) [No Fuss Records]2. Orange Muse - Keep The Funk Alive (Jazz-N-Groove Primetime Extended Mix) [Soulfuric Deep]3. Bonetti - Missing U Bby (Extended Mix) [Alleanza]4. DJ Kone & Marc Palacios - Around Leon (Original Mix) [Groovy Riddim Records]5. Antoine Clamaran, Agua Sin Gas - I Say A Bitch (Original Mix) [Groovy Riddim Records]6. Shermanology - Ready 2 Go (Original Mix) [D'EAUPE]7. Jewel Kid, Tony Romera - Right Back (Extended Mix) [Alleanza]8. Adrian Hour - Everything (Extended Mix) [Toolroom]9. Demuir - Good Ol Days (feat. DJ Sneak) (Original Mix) [Purveyor Underground]10. Bonetti - A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. [Guesthouse]11. Chucho Teliz - Space (Original Mix) [Groovy Riddim Records]12. Acid Harry - Loca (Extended Mix) [Alleanza]13. Bonetti, Cisco Barcelo - Push It (Original Mix) [WyldCard]14. Stacy Kidd - Music For You - MF 2022 (Main Mix) [House 4 Life]

On Today's Menu: Sake bombs > caviar bumps 2024 Eater Las Vegas Award Winners just dropped… will they piss John off? John's a slut for fancy soap Burger throwdown: Peter Luger vs. Wally's Picking on The Hamburguesa Principessa in her absence When do you know a restaurant is f*cked? The minute they say they're getting a DJ The best burger in Las Vegas debate is coming soon… Vintner Grill: a controversial review Pet peeves right up there with the fingernail pizza – IYKYK Food News You Can Use: Major Awards 2024 on eatinglv.com Desert Companion Awards 2024 are out! DW Bistro bids farewell, over and out Chinglish team to open Hot Noods at the revamped El Cortez Venetian gets meatier… paperwork has been submitted for Fogo de Chao Bar & Yurt Concept… Viking Mike's… to come to the Arts District Le Cafe du Vegas is opening a third location Batch Hospitality looks to open a second location for Table 34 The Guest House at Town Square Taking over Tommy Bahama space at Town Square New Mexican Restaurant Amaya Modern Mexican, opening at the Cosmopolitan the first week of January Recent Ventures: Haochi by Chinamama Sushi Hiro Dark Moon Coffee Roasters The Legends Oyster Bar and Grill Le Thai 2 Peter Luger Steak House WALLY'S Pet Peeves: John: Lotus of Siam | Red Rock Restaurant… go at your own risk Sam: Vintner Grill Ash: Sam Spots Mentioned: Iwana Specialty Coffee Able Baker Brewing Stray Pirate Liquid Diet Nusr-Et Peter Luger Steak House Bavette's Steakhouse & Bar Nicco's Steakhouse Mae Daly's Don's Prime Vintner Grill Garagiste Jive Turkey Hard Hat Lounge Yukon Pizza Questions, comments, hate mail? Email us at cheers@eattalkrepeat.com! Thanks for tuning into today's episode! If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the show, & make sure you leave us a 5-star review. Visit us at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eating Las Vegas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ &⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eat. Talk. Repeat.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on social: Twitter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@EatTalkRepeat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@EatingLasVegas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WhatsRightSam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, &⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AshTheAttorney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@EatTalkRepeatLV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@JohnCurtas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WhatsRightSam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, &⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@AshTheAttorney

In this deeply moving episode of The Guest House, I sit down with artist and trained therapist Caitlin Rhoades to explore the intricate landscape of grief and death. Through her own experience of compound loss, Caitlin reveals how grief reshapes our lives, teaching us about love, resilience, and the priorities that truly matter. Together, we navigate the societal discomfort surrounding death, the somatic experience of grief, and the transformative power of facing mortality with openness and inquisitiveness.Whether you're grieving a loved one, supporting someone through loss, or seeking a deeper comprehension of life's impermanence, this conversation offers profound insights and actionable wisdom for embracing grief as a natural part of the human journey.Episode Highlights:Grief is universal: It's not limited to the loss of a loved one but encompasses daily and situational losses.The physical impact of grief: Unprocessed grief can manifest in the body, requiring mindful approaches to healing.The need for cultural change: Open discussions about death can dismantle societal discomfort and deepen life's appreciation.Grief's nonlinear journey: Every experience of grief is unique, defying a prescriptive process.Support through presence: Authentic engagement with grievers means meeting them where they are, without judgment or quick fixes.Transformative potential of grief: Loss can deepen love, joy, and life's clarity when approached with courage and intention.Creating space for grief: Normalizing conversations and providing safe environments for emotional expression is vital.Join us to explore how grief can be a powerful teacher and connector. Reflect on your own relationship with loss, and consider initiating meaningful conversations about death with your loved ones. Please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone who might find comfort or insight in these reflections.Resource LinksYou can learn more about Caitlin's work and ways to work with her at caitlinrhoades.com.Follow Caitlin on Instagram @caitlinrhoadesceramics.Check out the Getting Your Affairs in Order Checklist: Documents to Prepare for the Future from the National Institute on Aging.Subscribe to The Guest House on Substack for regular essays, podcast episodes, and more.Shawnparell.com - Check out Shawn's website to sign up for 5 days of free meditations, join Shawn's email list for field notes and music alchemy, and learn more about her work and upcoming events.Stay connected with Shawn on Instagram @ShawnParell for live meditations and prompts for practice.I'm delighted to invite you to Gathering at the Hearth, a winter retreat in the Rockies co-led with Wendelin Scott, this February 21-24, 2025. Join us at Beyul Retreat near Aspen, Colorado, for a weekend of yoga, meditation, and rest in a serene, snow-covered sanctuary. Cozy cabins, crackling fireplaces, and nourishing practices await—space is limited, so reserve your spot today! Discounted rates when you sign up with a friend.Subscribe to The Guest House and never miss an episode filled with stories and insights that inspire, connect, and empower. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

What up, Beasts? Welcome back to the show. Today I am hanging out with Jonna Rachele Garvin. Jonna is an ordained Baptist minister and a board-certified chaplain with The Association of Professional Chaplains.  She has experience as a healthcare chaplain, serving in both hospital and hospice settings, a therapist, and a pastoral counselor.   She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology from Michigan State University, her Master of Science in Patient Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University, her Master of Divinity from Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, and her PhD in Neumann University's Pastoral Counseling program.  Jonna's interests include spirituality, supporting individuals through bereavement, and finding meaningful ways to enhance personal and professional resilience through identifying inner resources and wisdom.   In this episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Jonna to hear her deeply personal journey into chaplaincy. She shared how the loss of her aunt inspired her path and her passion for helping others navigate life's toughest moments. We talked about the importance of trusting yourself and embracing growth at every stage of life. Together, we explored how generational perspectives shape our views on age, life transitions, and self-discovery. Jonna's insights about anchor people and practices were so meaningful, reminding me how vital it is to have those grounding forces during life's big shifts. We also dove into the ever-present challenge of balancing work and personal life, especially in this always-connected world. Jonna and I reflected on the pressures of "hustle culture" and why prioritizing rest, creativity, and self-care is crucial. We laughed about the different ways we approach transitions in our twenties versus our forties—how we lean on external support when we're younger and rely more on our inner wisdom as we grow. To wrap up, Jonna read Rumi's The Guest House, a beautiful reminder to welcome every experience, even the hard ones, as part of our growth. It left me feeling inspired and reflective—I think it will do the same for you. As always, I hope something lands with you today. I hope something you hear tugs on your heart-strings and/or I hope you laugh. Music by Prymary: Sean Entrikin (my hot husband) on guitar, Chris Quirarte on drums, Smiley Sean on keyboards, Rob Young on bass, and Jaxon Duane on vocals Connect with Jonna! Website: https://www.threeseesterswellness.com Where can you find me? Website: beautifulbeastwithin.com Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/beautiful_beast_within/⁠ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beautifulbeastwithin Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/BeautifulBeastWithin⁠ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4yNE6fXeDH9IsUoWfOf0pg To book a FREE 60 minute coaching session with me, go to ⁠beautifulbeastwithin.com⁠ Click on the big purple button, and book your appointment! Unveil the Beautiful Beast Within YOU! Zoom Background: By Behr --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/beautiful-beast-within/support

My grandmother's final gift to me was a rosary of fifty-nine blue stone beads around a silver-cast cross. It arrived in the mail one afternoon with a card that read Dear Shawn, Pray. Love, Gram like a wire sent from her hospice bed in Pennsylvania to my kitchen in New Mexico. What was the lesson my grandmother, at age 98, wanted to dispatch as she packed her bags for another world? With a grocery bag tucked under one arm and a baby on my hip, I read and reread the card, trying to decode her tremulous cursive and the white space around the words, their unspoken context. Like many women of her generation, my grandmother seemed preternaturally endowed with reserve and fortitude. She graduated from college, became a dietician, served in the military, and raised six children after the love of her life, the grandfather I never met, died in their forties. My grandmother wore rubber-heeled red sandals with cherry lipstick. She drove a van with handicap rigging for my aunt, who had cerebral palsy. We spent many childhood summers living under her roof at the lake. She would hand us exactly one dollar each for candy at the bodega on good days. With the point of an index finger, she instructed us to wash your hands, make your bed, unload the groceries, say your please & thank you's. What my grandmother commanded, we obeyed — and on Fridays, she cooked bolognese. Sundays were for church-going. Mary Oliver humbly wrote, “I don't know exactly what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention.” I didn't know how to pray or pay attention, but prayer was the thread my grandmother followed through life's uncertainties, so to church we went. I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible…. To appear good, I joined the murmur of the congregation as the priest in his white and gold vestments lifted a chalice above his head. I remember how the almost sweet scent of incense hung in the air, the hard feel of the wooden pew beneath me, the sound of men clearing their throats, and women singing in airy voices while flipping through thin pages in the book of hymns. I remember how mid-morning light would enter through the stained glass windows above us and calmly spread its wings. Since those days, I have learned to pray in four languages. I've made ritual movements with my whole body, sat still in sustained silence, sought refuge in poems, touched flowers, poured water, circled up, made altars, and joined in song. I've sweat through prayers on airplanes and in hospital waiting rooms and held vigil with gripped hands through long nights, repeating the most muscular prayer of all: please. I once watched an old woman for an entire day at Boudhanath in Kathmandu. She had worn deep grooves in the wooden board beneath her by anchoring her feet and sliding on her hands and knees, touching her forehead to the ground, murmuring om mani pädme hum, back and forth, forward and back, through countless repetitions.And though certain prayers have become friends, the specific form is less interesting to me now than the quality of concentration into which any prayer can invite our attention. “Attention” says the French philosopher Simone Weil, “taken to its highest degree, is the same thing as prayer. It presupposes faith and love. Absolutely unmixed attention is prayer.” Prayer doesn't require formal structure; it doesn't even require words. It just asks for presence. Thich Nhat Hanh once responded to a question about the practice of prayer:This is the basic condition for the effectiveness of prayer. The one who prays should be truly there, established in the here and now, having a very clear intention, a very clear desire as to whom he or she will pray, and for whom he or she will pray. If the one who prays can put himself or herself in that situation, much has already been done. That person already has begun to generate the energy of prayer, because he or she is truly present in the here and now with concentration, with mindfulness and intention. If that does not happen, well, nothing will happen.A flame rises without human definition; prayer tends the flame. Prayer is any act that clarifies and concentrates the attentional channel between the one who prays and the direction of all prayer, which is up, which is love. Perhaps this is what Thich Nhat Hanh, who embodied and advocated tirelessly for peace, meant when he spoke of “generat[ing] the energy of prayer.” To be “truly [t]here” is to awaken to the groundlessness of any moment — to our dynamic, collective context — and to anchor ourselves in the living presence we can call by any name, but that does not demand one specific name. The Sanskrit word ishtadevata loosely translates as whatever facet of the divine you can recognize.For all of us still learning to pay attention, 14th-century mystic Meister Eckhart offered an assurance: “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” Thanksgiving is a complicated holiday. At best, it invites us to recognize the conditions that nourish and imbue our lives with goodness. This is no passive practice. When we feel re-sized by pain and disillusionment, when uncertainty wraps its cold fingers around our hearts, gratitude is the radical choice to acknowledge the blessed sustenance of our existence nonetheless. "To love life even when you have no stomach for it,” writes poet Ellen Bass. To notice the sun rising yet again. A friend's easy forgiveness. How light enters a room. A palmful of chestnuts. The almost sweet scent of cinnamon leaves. A finely shaped gourd. The way salt flavors a dish. A set table. Together, we're making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

Today, climate leader Jess Serrante joins me in a heartfelt and insightful conversation on activism, emotional resilience, mentorship, and redefining hope in turbulent, uncertain times. Serrante recounts her path from activist burnout to Joanna Macy's “The Work That Reconnects,” a practice built around gratitude, grief, and transformative action. We delve into “The Great Turning,” a paradigm shift toward sustainable and interconnected living, and examine the role of intergenerational wisdom and community support in overcoming despair. Drawing on her longtime friendship with Joanna and their recent conversation series, “We Are The Great Turning,” Jess shares insights that offer a roadmap for staying engaged in activism with purpose, resilience, and connection.Episode Highlights:Processing Emotions in Activism: Jess describes the emotional "soup" experienced by many activists after pivotal societal events and how acknowledging these emotions—whether numbness, anger, or sorrow—helps sustain long-term engagement.The Role of Mentorship in Activism: Jess reflects on her relationship with Joanna Macy, who has inspired her to navigate activism with grace and resilience through practices rooted in mindfulness and connection.Exploring "The Spiral" Framework: Jess explains "The Spiral" process—moving through gratitude, honoring pain, gaining new perspectives, and taking action—and how it supports emotional sustainability in the face of climate grief.The Power of Intergenerational Relationships: Emphasizing the role of elders in the activist journey, Jess shares how wisdom from mentors like Joanna has grounded her purpose and broadened her perspective on hope and resilience.Understanding “The Great Turning”: Shawn and Jess discuss the transition from the current societal model to a more sustainable, just paradigm, as described by Joanna Macy's “The Great Turning,” and explore the role of individual and community-based change.Redefining Hope and Courage: The conversation shifts to the concept of “active hope,” where hope is redefined as a commitment to transformative actions rooted in love, courage, and an honest confrontation with grief.Building a Supportive Community: Jess stresses the necessity of finding a community to share in the journey of eco-activism, as collective strength and compassion are essential in facing global environmental challenges.This episode invites you to reflect on your own role in "The Great Turning" and offers practical insights and resources for nurturing a just, interconnected world.Resource Links1. You can learn more about Jess' work and ways to work with her at Jessserrante.com.2. Follow Jess on Instagram @Jess_Serrante.3. Join her newsletter at Jesserrante.com/subscribe.4. Subscribe to The Guest House on Substack for regular essays, podcast episodes, and more.5. Shawnparell.com - Check out Shawn's website to sign up for 5 free meditations, join Shawn's email list for monthly field notes and music alchemy, and learn more about her work and upcoming events.6. Stay connected with Shawn on Instagram @ShawnParell for live weekly meditations and prompts for practice. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

This week's episode is a blast from the past, as we revisit an interview from a few years ago with Michael Wright from Sustain Wildlife and Birding Safaris. In this episode, Michael shares his top five birding spots in KwaZulu-Natal, diving into the unique birds at each location and offering invaluable tips for visitors. This episode is perfect for anyone planning a birding trip in the province and especially helpful for those joining the Flock to Marion Cruise in January 2025.Visit our online store to get your birding related merchandise at great prices https://www.thebirdinglife.com/online-storeIntro and outro music by Tony ZA https://soundcloud.com/tonyofficialzaLinks from show:Email: michael@sustainsafaris.comWebsite https://www.sustainsafaris.com/305 Guest House https://www.305guesthouse.co.za/ Order your Vortex Binoculars or scope here

It was a honor to sit down with Henry Shukman—Zen master, poet, and author—to explore dimensions of meditation, mindfulness practice, and awakening. Our conversation centers around Henry's profound insights into the nature of "original love," a concept he discusses in his latest book. Together, we reflect on the journey of how spiritual practice connects us to a greater sense of belonging and love.We delve into how spiritual practice, particularly mindfulness and meditation, can lead to transformative insights. We discuss the nature of awakening and the deeper connection we all share with the world around us. From personal experiences to philosophical reflections, this episode weaves together practical advice and wisdom for new and seasoned practitioners alike.Episode Highlights:The Essence of "Original Love": Henry discusses how love, beyond sentimentality, is an inherent force that connects us to all life.The Path of Awakening: Exploring the concept of kensho, a moment of non-dual realization where the boundary between self and world dissolves.Challenges of Spiritual Practice: Henry reflects on the difficulties of maintaining mindfulness and integrating awakening experiences into daily life.Spiritual Practice as a Journey: A deep dive into the structured progression of Henry's app, The Way, which offers a path through mindfulness, support, flow, and awakening.Personal Stories of Mindfulness: We share personal anecdotes, including how suffering and challenges can inadvertently cultivate mindfulness.The Role of Community in Practice: Emphasizing the importance of support systems, we reflect on how mindfulness is not an isolated practice but one deeply connected to the collective.Poetry and Spiritual Insight: The episode ends with A.R. Ammons' poem, “Still,” capturing the beauty and interconnectedness of all life.Tune in for a rich dialogue on mindfulness, love, and the journey toward awakening. I hope this episode provides moments of inspiration for deepening your practice and reflecting on your own path of growth.Resource LinksTo learn more about Henry and his offerings, visit henryshukman.com.Order your copy of Original Love.Check out Henry's app: The Way.Follow Henry on Instagram @henryshukmanSubscribe to The Guest House on Substack for regular essays, podcast episodes, and more.Shawnparell.com - Check out Shawn's website to sign up for 5 free meditations, join Shawn's email list for monthly field notes and music alchemy, and learn more about her work and upcoming events.Stay connected with Shawn on Instagram @ShawnParell for live weekly meditations and prompts for practice. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

An Israeli military strike on a media residence in Lebanon killed three journalists as they slept, and wounded several others. The Lebanese Information Minister called the strike “an assassination." Also, Major League Baseball draws star athletes from across the globe, with a whopping 28% of the players in the league this season born outside the country. As the Dodgers and the Yankees head to the World Series, there are a few international players — including a current superstar — who will be stepping up to bat. And, as Halloween approaches, we hear about the discovery of a previously unknown short story by the author of "Dracula." An amateur historian stumbled on the spooky tale, which had disappeared from public record for more than a century, in the archives of a Dublin library.Listen to today's Music Heard on Air.And, we're looking for feedback on our website. Take our quick survey!

http://www.copperplatemailorder.com                    Copperplate Time 486              presented by Alan O'Leary                                  www.copperplatemailorder.com        Preview of Return to London Town 24 1. Bothy Band:  Green Groves/Flowers of Red Hill.   After Hours 2. Providence: The Glenntaun Reel/The Sandymount/The Beauty Spot/Ravelled Hank of Yarn/The Midnight Reel.   Geantrai 3. Maeve Donnelly & Peadar O'Loughlin:      Dan Breen's/West Clare Reel/The Sandymount. The Thing Itself 4. James Keane:  Return to Camden Town/Miss Thornton/          Repeal of the Union.  With Friends Like These 5. John Spillane:  All The Ways You Wander.   Geantrai 6. Gerry O'Connor:               The Bag of Spuds/The Copperplate.  No Place Like Home 7. Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill:             Martin Rochford's/The Green Gowned Lass. Live in Seattle 8. Garadice:  Gan Ainm/Sunny Hills of Beara/The Castleblaney Blacksmith.  Garadice            9. Eleanor Shanley/Garadice:   Wild Mountain Side.  Garadice 10. Dave Sheridan:   Mulhaire's/Kiss the Maid Behin the Bar.                   Sheridan's Guest House 11. Noel Hill & Tony Linnane:              The Home Ruler/Kitty's Wedding.  Noel Hill & Tony Linnane 12. Doireann Glackin:          Farewell to Eireann/Man of the House. The Housekeepers 13. Aoife, Mick O'Brien & Emer Mayock: Johnny Gone to France/The Highlanders Knee Buckle/Lady O'Brien.        More Tunes from the Goodman Manuscripts 14. Laoise Kelly & Michelle O'Brien:              Little John's Hame/Devanney's Goat/Tommy Whelan''s.              Live at the Dock Ceoil 215. Karen Ryan: The Galway Reel/The Musical Priest/Sailor on the Rock.   The Coast Road16. Ralph McTell:   Nana's Song.   More Love Songs 17. Niamh Ní Charra:   Anac Cuan.   Donnelly's Arm18. Liam Clancy:   Anac Cuan.  Liam Clancy 19. John McEvoy & John Wynne: Bridget McRory/The Sligo Lasses/McDonagh's. The Dancer at the Fair 20. Bothy Band:  Green Groves/Flowers of Red Hill.   After Hours

It's a bright morning in early autumn, and a few hundred of us are seated on wooden pews in a historic auditorium at the New Mexico Museum of Art. A murmurous sound fills the hall as friends greet each other beneath a painted mural of St. Francis — patron saint of ecology and animals, those who are invisible to the outer world, and this place, Santa Fe, that we call home.Philosopher and poet David Whyte and teacher and author Henry Shukman take their seats on stage. Renowned in their respective fields and acquainted since their pub days, Henry wears slacks and a button-down, while David, in signature black, positions himself center stage.David opens his oratory with such agility and resonance I find myself wondering about the force that calls us to the artistry of our lives. James Baldwin once wrote about the inevitability of his calling: “The terrible thing about being a writer is that you don't decide to become one, you discover that you are one.” To be an artist seems less a choice than a truth to Baldwin, less a vocation than an unbidden command that could sweep the furnishings from your life.David's treatment of the word “unordinary” touches into this truth. He describes it as “what lies beneath my everyday life, like an interior seam of precious metal hidden by layers of my surface ordinariness; something to be uncovered and perhaps at times, even unleashed.”An interior seam of precious metal hidden by layers of my surface ordinariness —Something to be uncovered —even unleashed —A contemplative hush moves through the hall. David's voice rings a bell of intimacy and longing for many of us; it's a knowing nod to the untapped brilliance beneath the surface of our lives.By adulthood, most of us have charted a course. Consciously or otherwise, we have put our rudder in the water. We have tied our knots. And all along this voyage we call adulthood, we must continually tack in the direction we have assigned for ourselves. This is how, as the wide-open estuaries of youth narrow into the channels of midlife, we can lose sight of an intrinsic, irreducible essence within us.Or perhaps we make a choice. Faithfulness to the ordinary can keep us safe and serve us well for a time; it can support values like constancy, integrity, and trustworthiness. It can make us reliable and at least half-decent.Habituating ourselves to the ordinary may work for a while, tidying up the messy surface bits even as intuition whispers from the depths. On the other hand, striving to be extraordinary is exhausting and rooted in insecurity, a cycle of fear on repeat. But to be unordinary is to be liberated from the tensions of the ordinary and the appraisals of the extraordinary. “May what is hidden within you become your gift to the world,” David says.Pursuing an unsatisfactory life is no passive practice, however unprepared we may feel for the risk of something real. It's a bargain against our wholeheartedness—against the undefinable yet knowable essence that, in every moment, is breathing its way into being. Beneath our to-do lists and human dramas, our grasping and avoiding, our busy peddling of wares while forgetting the greater plot, there exists a wakeful, tender, and intelligent wilderness within us.“Dwell as near as possible to the channel in which your life flows,” counseled Henry David Thoreau, understanding that what is hidden within us will always make its way toward the light. Who can't relate to an inner knowing that, if given the chance, would inspire courageous acts of authenticity and influence the creative flow of your life?—Above the pews and beyond the windows from where we sit, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains extend skyward. A pavement project along Hyde Park Road, the only road linking downtown Santa Fe to its nearest peak, has resulted in the mountain being temporarily inaccessible to the public. It's a strange feeling for the humans who live here to be barred from the forests and rivers we know so well. From afar, we watch the face of our mountain as its hues change—first from deepening green to yellow, and now, as if signaling some secret thought, here comes a blush of crimson, cinnamon, and orange.Most days, ordinary is the kind of person I seem to want to be; it's the kind of person I tend to be. But this season, perhaps spurred by the particularities of my human loneliness, I long to be among the aspens with their shimmering sweep of drying leaves, each tree part of a singular organism that eats light and sends messages through tangled roots beneath the forest floor. Every day, on my way to wherever I'm going, I look toward the mountain and wonder, spared from the human gaze, what is happening beneath the veil of its exterior.The bear who lumbered from the deep woods at the bend in Borrego last Spring — is she feasting on trout before the river freezes? I imagine black stones sighing into river beds and afternoons casting long, warm shadows across untrammeled trails. Un-startled deer walking over fallen leaves and needles, their delicate nervous systems rebalancing. Furred creatures foraging for seeds, nuts, and berries among the underbrush. Oyster mushrooms growing in happy clumps on the underside of composting trees. And birds testing their wings for long flight.I imagine a kingdom, unburdened for a time, awakening to itself in a thousand brilliant ways.“At no other time (than autumn) does the earth let itself be inhaled in one smell, the ripe earth; in a smell that is in no way inferior to the smell of the sea, bitter where it borders on taste, and more honeysweet where you feel it touching the first sounds. Containing depth within itself, darkness, something of the grave almost.”― Rainer Maria RilkeEach season reflects a facet of nature's wisdom and offers us a mirror to reimagine our own experience of aliveness. In autumn, we touch inevitability, learning to bring forth the fruit that is ours, to surrender our leafy adornments. Loneliness and grief may be our teachers; this meditation may be bittersweet, but it will be wholly ours to claim.Backlit by an image of St. Francis, Henry's voice stirs the air with an invitation:Let the quiet come —Let the quiet come like a tide —Let the quiet come like a tide you've been waiting for your whole life.Invitation for reflection: What does it mean to you to “let the quiet come”? What unordinary awareness is making itself known through you as the season deepens? What thoughts, beliefs, habits, and behaviors must you let go of to make room for to integrate revelation, and what must you invite in?Together, we are making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House. Get full access to The Guest House at shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

In this rich conversation, I welcome meditation teacher Jonathan Foust to explore his remarkable 50-year journey of practice and teaching. Enjoy this deep dive at the intersection of meditation, mindfulness, and the evolving path of spiritual awakening.Jonathan offers listeners an inside look at a life-long path of self-awareness and transformation. He reflects on childhood experiences of disconnection and belonging and shares how living in an ashram for 24 years profoundly shaped his spiritual path. Jonathan also provides practical advice for those balancing a meditation practice with the demands of everyday life.The episode delves into somatic inquiry, exploring how tuning into bodily sensations can reveal profound insights and contribute to healing. Jonathan encourages a flexible and adaptable meditation practice grounded in sincerity.Episode HighlightsJonathan's Evolution of Practice: From childhood experiences of disconnection and longing to 50 years of deep meditation and spiritual practice, including 24 years living and teaching at Kripalu.Somatic Inquiry and Body Awareness: Exploring how the body holds emotions, thoughts, and beliefs, and how tuning into these sensations can offer healing and insight.Balancing Daily Life with Deep Practice: Advice for integrating mindfulness into everyday life, emphasizing the value of sincerity, fluidity, and adaptability.Meditation and Self-Discovery: Using meditation to bring unconscious patterns into awareness, as described through Joseph Campbell's metaphor of the conscious and unconscious mind.The RAIN Technique: Jonathan discusses the power of Recognize, Allow, Investigate, and Nurture (RAIN) to address pain, cultivate compassion, and transform inner experiences.Collective Energy in Spiritual Practice: Reflections on the power of community, collective meditation, and the energy generated through shared spiritual practices.Resource LinksTo learn more about Jonathan and his offerings, visit Jonathanfoust.com.Subscribe to The Guest House on Substack for regular essays, podcast episodes, and more.Shawnparell.com - Check out Shawn's website to sign up for 5 free meditations, join Shawn's email list for monthly field notes and music alchemy, and learn more about her work and upcoming events.Stay connected with Shawn on Instagram @ShawnParell for live weekly meditations and prompts for practice. Get full access to The Guest House at shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

I'm away from home because of Hurricane Helene (mandatory evac, mandatory vacay), but I'm here, and *in my Prince voice* my mic is on! I love you!  _______________________________ Jesus, this Love, finished it before the beginning,  but we're celebrating it now.  Watching now.  Trusting now.  Surrendering it all now.  Let go,  and, 'let your weight be carried by the earth beneath you, now.'* It's happening. I Love you,  nik  ________________________________________ My new book, 'Wake Up to Love' is a lifetime in the making (and now a Top New Release, thanks to you!). Divinely inspired. Love led. And WILL bring forth the ‘more' in you. ❤️‍

A few days ago, if asked, I would have said I lacked the spaciousness and sanity to write this month. I know it would have been an excuse born of scarcity and fatigue — but summer is flaring into autumn, and time can seem like a horse bolting for the barn in the back half of the year. In a recent advisory on parents' mental health, the Surgeon General cited an APA finding that 48% of American parents feel completely overwhelmed every day. In the ordinary overwhelm of modern life, friends exchange waves from afar with an undertone of “you can call if you're in crisis; otherwise, just text.” Sound familiar?But then there's this: shadows lengthening across the field, the animalic resin of roasted chile and yellow clusters of Chamisa. In The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man's Love Affair with Nature, the ornithologist and wildlife ecologist J. Drew Lanham reflects on the restlessness of autumn's arrival: “The Germans have a fine word for it: zugunruhe. A compound derived from the roots zug (migration) and unruhe (anxiety), it describes the seasonal migration of birds and other animals. In this wanderlust I want to go somewhere far away, to fly to some place I think I need to be. Nature is on the move, too, migrating, storing, and dying. Everything is either accelerating or slowing down. Some things are rushing about to put in seed for the next generation. A monarch butterfly in a field full of goldenrod is urgent on tissue-thin wings of black and orange to gather the surging sweetness before the frost locks it away. Apple trees and tangles of muscadines hang heavy. The fruit-dense orchards offer a final call to the wildlings. Foxes, deer, coons, possum, and wild turkeys fatten in the feasting. The air is spiced with the scent of dying leaves. The perfume of decay gathers as berries ripen into wild wine. Even the sun sits differently in an autumnal sky, sending a mellower light in somber slants that foretell the coming change.”Something is shifting in the air. Equinox, the threshold of autumn, arrives with an invitation to notice the restlessness and, further, to consider the phenomenon of balance in nature. Because on Equinox, from Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night), the light steadies itself between day and night, and in a hardly perceptible motion, the seasons turn toward each other, bow in symmetry, and exchange place.I am reminded of a place in the Amazon I visited years ago. Manaus is located nine hundred miles arterially inland from the Atlantic Ocean, deep in the body of the rainforest. The city is home to more than half of the region's human inhabitants and a staggering array of life: 40,000 plant species, 3,000 fish species, 1,300 bird species, 430 mammal species, and 2.5 million insect species.In the latter half of the 19th century, fueled by rubber exports and indentured servitude, Manaus briefly enjoyed the status of the wealthiest city in the world. Colonial commentators dubbed it the “Paris of the Tropics,” thanks to its electricity, drinking water, and sewage systems—nouveau luxuries in its day.Together, we are making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House.One of the city's crowning achievements was Teatro Amazonas, perhaps the world's most improbable opera house. First conceived in 1881, the opera premiered on January 7, 1897, with a performance of Ponchielli's La Gioconda by world-renowned tenor Caruso. By all accounts, the evening was magnificent. The finest materials had been imported from Europe, including 198 chandeliers—32 made from Murano glass—and 36,000 ceramic tiles arranged over the dome in an impressive mosaic of the Brazilian flag. The opera house's most specific and transcendent feature was a 75-meter-high stage curtain depicting the water goddess Iara above a local site, the Encontro das Águas, or Meeting of the Waters. The Rio Negro, as its name implies, is black, colored by decayed plant matter, and descends from the Colombian hills. By contrast, the Rio Solimões is milky brown and carries sediment from the Andes Mountains. When these two rivers meet, they do not immediately blend but remain distinct for six kilometers (3.7 miles) before finally merging into the great Rio Amazonas, the Amazon River. Their respective temperatures, speeds, and compositions contribute to an extraordinary symbiosis wherein they balance each other and flow together, reconciled to their mutual existence. Of my time in Manaus, I remember the midday sun pressing downward on my shoulders and the taste of dark tannins in the wet air. The freshwater creatures on display at the local market gleamed slick and otherworldly. But most of all, I remember reaching my hands into two rivers as our wooden boat steadied between them.As Equinox opens the door to Libra season, I'm reminded of the transmission of the meeting of the waters: two rivers centered calmly, two currents in harmony. Libra is symbolized by the scales held by Themis, the Greek personification of divine law and balance, who invites us to reflect on equilibrium—on the balance between light and dark, between movement and stillness. When autumn arrives with its gold and slanting light, with its sweet bark, it offers us an earthly reminder. We are delicately set within these bodies and the turning of time, responsible for cultivating steadiness where we place our hands.And one more thing: the word essay comes from French, essai (to try). In this pivot into the year's final quarter, perhaps trying is what we can do. We can show up and steady ourselves, one word, one day at a time. Get full access to The Guest House at shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

Steve and Becky catch up with Giorgio Navarini from Floriani and Marie Lys Mollet from St. Joseph's Guest House while on their pilgrimage in Rome.

This week we'll continue to explore the upside-down Kingdom of Jesus through the lens of the beatitudes. This Sunday we'll look at the second beatitude, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” 9/1/24 Sermon Sources: - Sermon outline was used with permission from Robert Cunningham. See Robert Cunningham, "A Community of Lament." Sermon preached at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 6/14/2020 - Nicholas Wolterstorff, Lament for a Son - Francis Weller, The Wild Edge of Sorrow - Rowan Williams, Passions of the Soul - John Stott, The Sermon on the Mount, Bible Speaks Today commentary - Dale Bruner, Commentary on the Book of Matthew, volume 1 - "The Guest House," by Jallaludin Rumi.

Corey Fails: Another week another complete failure during a performance from Corey Feldman at Loserville. Hey Dude The 90s Called: Corey does an interview on a 90s themed podcast but doesn't want to talk about the past. Here's For An Ear: You donate some money to us, we put it towards buying an ear replica from Corey Feldman. DAVID F. SANDBERG!, IMPROV!, LET'S JUST TALK!, DON CHEADLE!, BOOGIE NIGHTS!, I JUST SUCK AT EVERYTHING I DO!, COREY FELDMAN HERE!, THIS IS A COREY FELDMAN SHOW!, INTERNET'S BIGGEST HATERS!, TRAINING!, COMIC BOOK MOVIES!, STAR WARS!, REAL ONES!, LO SERVE ILL!, LOSERVILLE NOSTALGIA!, LIMP BIZKIT!, HARMLESS!, HOLLYWOOD CREEPER!, TWITTER!, VIP!, DAUGHTER!, 3 PHOTOS!, 1 PERSONAL!, GOONIES!, COREY'S ADVOCATE!, HEY DUDE THE 90S CALLED!, MELODY!, HEY DUDE!, BRAD!, NICKELODEON!, POOCAST!, CANCELED SET!, LIGHTNING!, DIVORCE!, COURTNEY!, PHOENIX!, MISSING!, LATE START!, TOO HOT!, BASS PLAYER!, GUITAR PLAYER!, GUEST HOUSE!, NO VIDEO!, CLICK TRACK!, CAN'T PLAY!, HEATHER MAY!, IN ON THE BIT!, SHOW MUST GO ON!, EMBARASSING!, LIMP BIZKIT!, DAD VIBES!, CRINGE!, HEY DUDE THE 90S CALLED!, CHRISTINE TAYLOR!, DAVID LASCHER!, THE MASKED SINGER!, LOST BOYS!, STAND BY ME!, GOONIES!, BRADY BUNCH!, ALEX MACK!, STALKER!, BEN STILLER!, ANNOYED!, DODGEBALL!, SEVERANCE!, FRIDAY THE 13TH!, 4DX!, 3D!, TENSION!, START MY CAREER!, MCDONALDS!, SANTA!, CHRISTMAS!, CLEO AWARD!, MUPPETS!, STATLER!, WALDORF!, VEGAN!, CHICKEN WINGS!, FAKE EARS!, EAR REPLICA!, IRONY!, EAR TREE!, RELEVANT!, OFFLINE!, COPYRIGHT!, SKETCHES!, BILLBOARD INDICATOR CHART!, CAMEO!, NMAN!  You can find the videos from this episode at our Discord RIGHT HERE!

4pm: Jake Hates the Blue Angels… // John Recounts His Experience Flying in One // The Tehran assassination has changed the game // Hamas’ Ismail Haniyeh was blown up by bomb smuggled into his Tehran guesthouse months ago // 9/11 mastermind gets plea deal from government // Taco Bell expands use of AI to hundreds of drive-thru locations

Blair House, known as the president's guest house, is located mere steps from the White House. 2024 marks the bicentennial of the building of Blair House, which for 200 years has been a quiet but integral part of our nation's history. Today, Blair House is actually a complex made up of four townhouses. Originally built in 1824 for Doctor Joseph Lovell, the first Surgeon General of the U.S. Army, the Blair family purchased the property in 1837 when Francis Preston Blair became publisher of the pro-Andrew Jackson newspaper, The Washington Globe. Blair was an influential member of President Jackson's inner circle and remained an informal adviser and confidante to Presidents Martin Van Buren and Abraham Lincoln, the latter of whom was a frequent visitor. As the city began to change, it would be Blair's grandson, Gist, who sought President Franklin Roosevelt's help in preserving the home. In the 1940s, the federal government purchased Blair House and began transforming it into the president's guest house for visiting dignitaries. It's also become the place where the president-elect usually stays before every presidential inauguration, and a welcoming sanctuary for many of the grieving presidential families during a state funeral. Blair House is a living, working space that is maintained with the utmost care: the staffing and structural needs are supported by the U.S. Department of State, and since 1985, the nonprofit, nonpartisan Blair House Foundation has raised private funds to preserve the rooms, gardens and amenities. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, speaks about the history of Blair House and its importance to American diplomacy with the Honorable Capricia Marshall, former U.S. Chief of Protocol and vice chair of the Blair House 200th Anniversary Campaign, and Ambassador Stuart Holliday, former U.S. ambassador for special political affairs at the United Nations and trustee of the Blair House Foundation. Stewart also takes a tour of the complex with Matthew Wendel, the assistant chief of protocol and general manager of Blair House. Since Blair House is closed to the public, this is a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes and see the museum-standard artifacts, diplomatic spaces, and the principal suite where queens, presidents, and other dignitaries have stayed. An updated edition of the White House Historical Publication Blair House The President's Guest House by William Seale is available at shop.whitehousehistory.org. 

Today's meditation is a live recording from this year's Summer Solstice Meditation Retreat.Midsummer and the temps are hot… literally and figuratively. As a way to explore the feelings that come with rising temperatures, in today's class I share two powerful poems:An Inn for the Coven by Gabrielle CalvocoressiThe Guest House by Rumi These poems speak of a place where we are safe. The Inn feels lush, abundant, filled with love and the possibility of beauty.The Guest House feels sturdy, spacious enough for all our feelings to reside without conflict.We hear of our loves, our hurts, and our divinity in these poems; all different and all the same and all inside. And so, this midsummer meditation is an invitation to explore the inn. To travel the grounds finding all the hidden trails.To open all the doors. It is an invitation to create or discover an internal experience of deep, nourishing safety, a place to nurture our love and hope. A place to rest well and to feel fully. Join me for today's discussion and guided meditation.Sign up for my newsletter at https://merylarnett.substack.com/ to receive free mini meditations each week, creative musings, and more.Thank you to Nick McMahan for today's nature field recordings, sound design, and editing; and thank you to Brianna Nielsen for production and editing support. Find them athttps://www.nickcmcmahan.com/https://www.instagram.com/brianna_podcastpro/Watch on YouTube, Make a donation, or learn more about my free offerings and live classes by visiting merylarnett.cominstagram.com/merylarnettyoutube.com/@ourmindfulnature