Podcasts about helpful

Dr. Liz gives some sample Helpful Autopilots that have been discussed in her series about Dr. Steve Peters' book, "A Path Through the Jungle.” Podcast transcript availabe at https://www.drlizhypnosis.com   “A Path through the Jungle” can be purchased on Amazon:  https://a.co/d/4hx7M7M See more about Dr. Peters at https://chimpmanagement.com Previous episodes in this series are at: 4 Steps to Stress Prevention for you and your Chimp Mind >>>>https://drlizhypnosis.com/hm322-stress-prevention-techniques-for-your-chimp-mind Depression and your Chimp Mind >>>> https://drlizhypnosis.com/hm318-depression-and-your-chimp-mind Stop your Chimp's Panic Attacks >>>>https://drlizhypnosis.com/hm316-stop-your-chimps-panic-attacks-with-dr-liz Manage your Anxiety by Managing your Chimp >>>> https://drlizhypnosis.com/hm315-manage-your-anxiety-by-managing-your-chimp Your Chimp vs your Human >>>>https://drlizhypnosis.com/hm313-from-inner-chaos-to-inner-peace   About Dr. Liz Winner of numerous awards including Top 100 Moms in Business, Dr. Liz provides psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, and hypnosis to people wanting a fast, easy way to transform all around the world. She has a PhD in Clinical Psychology, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and has special certification in Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy. Specialty areas include Anxiety, Insomnia, and Deeper Emotional Healing. -------------- Do you have Chronic Insomnia? Find out more about Dr. Liz's Better Sleep Program at https://bit.ly/sleepbetterfeelbetter Search episodes at the Podcast Page http://bit.ly/HM-podcast Help yourself with Hypnosis Downloads by Dr. Liz! http://bit.ly/HypnosisMP3Downloads --------- A problem shared is a problem halved. In person and online hypnosis and CBT for healing and transformation. Schedule your free consultation at https://www.drlizhypnosis.com. Listened to in over 140 countries, Hypnotize Me is the podcast about hypnosis, transformation, and healing. Certified hypnotherapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Dr. Liz Bonet, discusses hypnosis and interviews professionals doing transformational work Thank you for tuning in! Please subscribe to auto-download new episodes to your listening device.

The honeyguide bird leads both badgers and humans to beehives, receiving honey in return. Its cooperative intelligence again points to intentional design rather than random evolution. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29

Preview: Black holes: MIT astronomer Meghan Masterson comments on what would be helpful in future to discover more of how black holes function in the galaxy they reside. More. 2007 Hubble

What is the difference between fairness and equality in leadership? Recognizing individual performance and strengths can promote a more productive environment.Discover how to cultivate a team culture that values excellence over mediocrity.Want more The On Purpose Podcast?Find full episodes and more!Check in on Instagram, FacebookConnect with Jerrod!Linkedin, InstagramGet My Book!

What if the only thing holding you back was the story you've been telling yourself?In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The InPowered Life Podcast, Rudi sits down with New York Times bestselling author, keynote speaker, and podcast host Jon Acuff to explore the soundtracks that shape our lives—our inner dialogue, our relationship with success, and the beliefs that either propel us forward or keep us stuck.Jon shares the exact frameworks he's used to write 10 bestselling books, transform his mindset, and help thousands of high performers replace overthinking with action. Together, Rudi and Jon unpack how to identify broken soundtracks, rewire your mental patterns, and step into the full potential you know you were meant for—with humor, heart, and tactical clarity.More from Don & Evonne:Buy Jon's book Soundtracks: https://jonacuff.com/soundtracksMore from Jon Acuff: WebsiteFollow on IG: @jonacuff In this episode, you'll learn:The 3-part framework Jon uses to write bestselling books—and how you can apply it to your own big ideaWhat a “soundtrack” is and how it silently shapes your lifeHow to identify the broken thoughts that hold you back (in just 60 seconds)The 3 questions to ask about any thought: Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it kind?Why mindset is the most powerful tool you use every moment of your lifeHow to shift from performance to purpose and find joy in the processWhy being kind to yourself is the foundation of lasting transformation

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Sexy Marriage Radio, we explore common phrases and beliefs about marriage that may not hold true. Phrases like 'You complete me,' the 50-50 marriage proposition, and the idea that love conquers all. We dive into the complexities of marriage, emphasizing the importance of individuality, communication, and realistic expectations. What are your own beliefs and what phrases resonate with you? Enjoy the show! On the Xtended Version … In the XTD content, we do a deep dive into the phrase "you can be right or you can be happy." Sponsors … Academy: Join the Academy and go deeper. https://smr.fm/academy The post Marriage Advice That Isn't Helpful #739 first appeared on Sexy Marriage Radio.

Mike Matthews investigates the fascinating news from the week so far and Mike answers what is happening in the odd world of ordering drinks from your favorite coffee chain. Join Mike as he podcasts live from Café Anyway in podCastro Valley with Madame Rootabega, Valentino, and Bison Bentley. Next show it's Chely Shoehart, Floyd the Floorman, and John Deer the Engineer.

Mike Matthews investigates the fascinating news from the week so far and Mike answers what is happening in the odd world of ordering drinks from your favorite coffee chain. Join Mike as he podcasts live from Café Anyway in podCastro Valley with Madame Rootabega, Valentino, and Bison Bentley. Next show it's Chely Shoehart, Floyd the Floorman, and John Deer the Engineer.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mike-s-daily-podcast--609595/support.

If you struggle with allergies, brain fog, fatigue, or other symptoms you just can't get to the root of, have you ever considered that they might be caused by the AIR in your home?  In this podcast, I'm welcoming Mike Feldstein, Founder of Jaspr, to unpack a topic that touches every breath you take: the quality of your indoor air.  We dive into why high-quality indoor air is a game-changer for your energy, sleep, focus, and long-term health—and why it's often the missing piece in your wellness puzzle.  Mike shares practical, FREE ways you can start improving your indoor air quality today, from simple habits to overlooked sources of indoor pollution you can easily address.  We also dive into why the Jaspr Air Scrubber stands out; how it works, and the powerful benefits it can bring to your home and family's health.  Tune in and get ready to breathe cleaner, feel better, and take control of your home environment with confidence! Mike Feldstein Mike Feldstein is an air quality expert and the founder of Jaspr, providing at-home air scrubbers to make your home a safer place. With a background in wildfire restoration, air quality consulting, and home remediation during some of the biggest natural disasters, Mike started Jaspr to innovate in air science and technology. His goal is to protect air quality and improve human health using the latest air quality science. IN THIS EPISODE How the air quality in your home impacts your health  FREE simple ways to transform your indoor environment in the next 24 hours to make a difference for your health  Helpful air quality enhancements for each room in your home  Ways to test and measure your indoor air quality Jaspr Air scrubbers and the benefit that quality, purified indoor air gives you and your family  About The Kindling Academy: the healthiest school in America  How to get $400 off a Jaspr air scrubber for your home!  QUOTES“I've now seen people have revolutionary health outcomes– no longer snoring, no more allergies, no more asthma attacks, thyroid improving… because if you're sleeping in a sick place, it's very hard to be healthy.” “This is important because cooking is one of the biggest sources of indoor air pollutants in your home. And it doesn't matter if you're using your cast iron pan or your stainless steel with organic oils and grass-fed steak.”  “What Jasper is uniquely designed to do is to be an air scrubber that also looks beautiful and is quiet. Jasper is larger as an air scrubber than most air purifiers, but it moves five times the air of an average little air purifier… it means that it can be really effective even while being silent.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Get a Jaspr Air Purifier for your home HERE and use Discount Code: DRMARIZA for $400 OFF!  Jaspr Instagram Check out the Kindling Academy: The Healthiest School in America  Kindling Academy Instagram Use code ENERGIZED and Get 10% OFF on your first Troscriptions order RELATED EPISODES  Special Episode: Is Toxic Mold Behind Your Hormonal Issues? with Bridgit Danner 659: Brain Fog, Joint Pain, and Aging Skin? The Truth About Zombie Cells and How to Reverse Them with Dr. Greg Kelly  640: Unveiling The Essential Role of Minerals For Cellular Energy And Detoxification with Caroline Alan #92: It Might Be Mold: How Mold Toxicity May Be the Cause of What Ails You with Dr. Ann Shippy

Parenting young adults can feel like walking a tightrope. You're not fully in charge anymore, but your influence still matters deeply. So how do you walk alongside them well? Helpful, but not controlling? Wise, but still letting them make their own decisions? Loving, but with healthy boundaries? In this first episode of a two-part series, we dive into the art of parenting post-childhood: ✅ Building their confidence without overstepping ✅ Practicing healthy emotional detachment ✅ Equipping them with the practical life skills they actually need ✅ Offering the kind of timeless advice that sticks Whether you're guiding a high school senior, a college student, or a 20-something finding their way, this conversation will both ground and encourage you. A FEW THINGS MENTIONED Tyler Lafferty Episode-PART 1:  Helping Your Young Adult Find Their Career Path with Tyler Lafferty Tyler Lafferty Episode-PART 2:  Helping Your Young Adult Find Their Career Path with Tyler Lafferty Mama Bear Legal Forms Donald Miller Great advice- Instagram Reel QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU RISE In what way can you practice healthy attachment with your young adult? As an exercise make a list of "You Are" statements that are true of your young adult that you can offer them or with the young person in your life, help them make a list of "I Am" statements that they can use when they need to fall back on remembering what is true of them no matter what. What practical coaching can you give around one of the practical life skills that we discussed earlier? Where do you need to offer yourself grace, maybe for a past response or maybe a place where you can grow into a new way of responding? LET'S CONNECT! Did you like this episode? Let us know and leave a review on itunes or share it with a friend. Or message us on Instagram – we'd love to hear from you! Get the Daily Dozen Checklist -12 habits that will immediately make you happier and healthier    

This week, Brooke Husic drops by the FMI studio to offer the Announcement of the Year — who is making puzzles for Lollapuzzoola! Is there more? Well, yes: how to count, how to order food in Russian, how to alienate a brilliant web designer ... typical stuff. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. Do you enjoy our show? Actually, it doesn't matter! Please consider leaving us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. This will help new listeners find our show, and you'll be inducted into the Quintuple Decker Turkey Club. Drop us a note or a Tweet or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you. Helpful links: Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980 Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002 Amazon/Audible link: https://www.amazon.com/item_name/dp/B08JJRM927 RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram We're putting these words here to help with search engine optimization. We don't think it will work, but you probably haven't read this far, so it doesn't matter: baseball, crossword, crosswords, etymology, game, hunt, kealoa, movies, musicals, mystery, oscar, pizza, puzzle, puzzles, sandwiches, soup, trivia, words

Smartphones and technology are ubiquitous in nearly every aspect of our lives, but is technology helping or hurting us when it comes to memory and cognition? Dr. Jared Benge, neuropsychologist and associate professor from the University of Texas at Austin, joins the podcast to discuss his research into how technology and smartphone use impacts the brain, how digital technology can be used to help individuals with cognitive impairment and what his findings mean for the future. Guest: Jared Benge, PhD, ABPP, clinical neuropsychologist, Comprehensive Memory Center, UT Health Austin, associate professor, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin Show Notes Read Dr. Benge's article, “A meta-analysis of technology use and cognitive aging,” on the journal Nature's website. Learn more about Dr. Benge at his profile on UT Health Austin's website. Read Dr. Benge's study on the use of smartphone technology to improve prospective memory functioning at the Journal of American Geriatrics Society. Dementia Matters is nominated for the 2025 Podcast Awards in the Science and Medicine and People's Choice categories. Register and vote online before July 31 to support our podcast. Connect with us Find transcripts and more at our website. Email Dementia Matters: dementiamatters@medicine.wisc.edu Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center's e-newsletter. Enjoy Dementia Matters? Consider making a gift to the Dementia Matters fund through the UW Initiative to End Alzheimer's. All donations go toward outreach and production.

Instructions for games, instructions for life.

Mike Matthews investigates the fascinating news from the beginning of the week and Mike answers what is happening in the odd world of over the top weddings. Join Mike as he podcasts live from Café Anyway in podCastro Valley with Benita, the Disgruntled Fiddle Player, and the Brewmaster. Next show it's Madame Rootabega, Valentino, and Bison Bentley.

In this heartfelt interview, Betsy Wurzel talks with Nicole àBeckett, Founder and CEO of HeroGeneration, about how her personal caregiving journey inspired an AI-powered platform designed to support families during life's most challenging moments. Nicole shares how caring for her own parents led to creating HeroGeneration — a digital support system that offers 24/7 assistance, trusted resources, and a compassionate online community. Together, Betsy and Nicole dive into the struggles caregivers face after a diagnosis, when guidance is scarce and decisions feel overwhelming.

​Mike Matthews investigates the fascinating news from the beginning of the week and Mike answers what is happening in the odd world of over the top weddings. Join Mike as he podcasts live from Café Anyway in podCastro Valley with Benita, the Disgruntled Fiddle Player, and the Brewmaster. Next show it's Madame Rootabega, Valentino, and Bison Bentley.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mike-s-daily-podcast--609595/support.

It's another History Pop-Up with Ron Tester.  This time we're looking at US Revolutionary War battles, D-Day landings + Victorian murders. Ron brings tales of individual bravery against impossible odds, while I serve theatrical women wrongly maligned by history + the details of how people actually lived. Expect the usual book nerdery + friendly disagreements. From Boston Tea Party to Dr Crippen, we prove history is never boring when you focus on the human stories. Look for more shows in this History Popup strand – it's where Ron + I take a break from business books to discuss our latest fave history reads. Books discussed in this episode: Bunker Hill: A City, A Siege, A Revolution - Nathaniel Philbrick The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper - Hallie Rubenhold The Story of a Murder: The Wives, The Mistress and Dr. Crippen - Hallie Rubenhold The Dead + Those About to Die: D-Day, The Big Red One at Omaha Beach - John C. McManus Little Englanders: Britain in the Edwardian Era - Alwyn Turner Ron's Website: rontestercoaching.com ==== If you'd like my help with your Business go to www.lizscully.com/endlessClients ==== And don't forget to get your reading list of the 10 essential reads for every successful biz owner - these are the books Liz recommends almost on the daily to her strategy + Mastermind clients. This isn't your usual list of biz books, these answer the challenges you've actually got coming up right now. Helpful, quick to read and very timely. Ron's Website: rontestercoaching.com ==== If you'd like my help with your Business go to www.lizscully.com/endlessClients ==== And don't forget to get your reading list of the 10 essential reads for every successful biz owner - these are the books Liz recommends almost on the daily to her strategy + Mastermind clients. This isn't your usual list of biz books, these answer the challenges you've actually got coming up right now. Helpful, quick to read and very timely.

Quaranteam-Northwest: Part 5 Lab work. Based on a post by Break The Bar. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels.   Time went quickly, but also seemed to go nowhere at all; only three days after the final demise of the house we'd moved the RVs four times and I decided we needed to figure out something at least semi-permanent. Even a week in the same spot would be preferable to constant movement. The space where my house had stood was now full of stacks and pallets of supplies, and Vanessa had a crew of almost two dozen of her 'gorillas' working to erect what would become the first of a dozen temporary bunkhouses for the incoming construction workers. She still seemed to be the only foreman on site, so I went looking for Vanessa. I found her at the water truck, splashing some water onto the back of her neck as she took a quick break. It had turned even hotter over the week, spring slipping fully into summer, and we were all starting to boil when we were outside. I'd quickly abandoned the feeling of needing to 'dress up' for everyone and I was down to athletic shorts and one of my sleeveless workout shirts; one of the few that were still 'mine' considering both Erica and Ivy had taken to wearing them as well. Vanessa was the boss however and had to set the example for the rest of the crew, so she was still wearing the jeans, long-sleeved t-shirt and her reflective vest of a dutiful construction foreman. "Hey, got a second?" I asked. "Oh, hey Harrison," she said, looking up as she continued splashing water onto the back of her neck. "Sorry I haven't come to check with you and the girls today, we had three more loads this morning of barracks pilings I had to get sorted, and the fucking surveyors are still bitching about not knowing where the sewage lines are going to come onto the property, as if I can fucking answer that question for them or something." "When's your Dad supposed to finally get on site?" I asked. Her father was supposed to be the General Manager of the entire construction project, but so far I had yet to have seen him. "Fuck, a few days still at least," Vanessa sighed. "I'm getting tired as shit of the phone tag." "Well, sorry if this is a big ask and causes you more headaches; any chance we could project ahead a bit and figure out where we can stash the RVs and everything where we're not going to need to move them for a while? Moving everything around is annoying by itself, but I've also noticed some of your guys are spending a lot of time wandering by the RVs whenever the girls are outside." "Fucking gorillas," Vanessa grunted and grimaced. "I mean, on the one hand, I get it; they are either cooped up in the motel or here working. I'm not exactly thrilled with the situation either. But they could keep it in their fucking pants too, ya know?" "Look, if we can find a spot, the way I see it we can use the RVs and Containers to set up a yard for us that's blocked from view. Then we can have some privacy and not feel cooped up in the RVs, and your guys aren't tempted to let their eyes wander," I said. "I figure it's a win-win." Vanessa smiled and patted my arm. "Harri, as long as you keep the fucking indoors, I'll see what I can do about getting you guys some more privacy." "What do you mean?" I asked, suddenly a little worried that Erica and I might have gotten caught at the Willow tree after all, or that maybe a surveyor had wandered up near the Spring without us hearing. "Nothing, nothing," Vanessa said. "I just; you know we can see the RVs rocking a bit, right? And I don't know who it is, but someone over in your camp is a screamer. We can hear her when she really gets going. Once the guys even gave you a standing ovation." "Fuck," I coughed, shaking my head. "I'm sorry. I think it's something to do with the vaccine. I've had more sex in the last four days than I have in the last four years. Honestly, I don't even know how I'm doing it; I ain't old, but I'm not a teenager either." "Well, god bless the vaccine I guess," Vanessa smirked. "And good for you. Just do me a favor and keep it inside the RVs 'till we can get you that privacy. We don't need the entire site shutting down to listen to you fucking your girlfriends." I shook my head again with a self-deprecating smirk. "Um, deal. I hope." That made Vanessa chuckle, and we parted ways for the afternoon. The next day, she came back in the morning and explained the plan she had worked out with the Surveyors and one of the tree-clearing crews. By mid-afternoon, a new swathe of the back end of the hill was bare of trees, and a bulldozer scooped dirt into the holes left by ripped-up stumps. By the time Vanessa left that evening, two of the storage containers had been shifted around by the 'gorillas' and positioned in an L-shape for us in the new location, and Leo and I moved the RVs to form the other two sides of a square. When Vanessa came by the next morning we'd hung up some old, heavy blankets at the corners to maximize our privacy, busted out the lawn chairs and barbecue, and were on our way to turning the space into an outdoor living room. Leo and I even went so far as to rig up an old bell we'd salvaged from the barn on a wooden post with a metal knocker on a string to serve as a doorbell. Erica was the one to answer Vanessa's ring of the bell, and she swept aside the blanket curtain. "Welcome to Casa de Black," she declared. "Jesus," Vanessa said, walking into our new home base. "You guys didn't want to wait, did you?" "Why would we?" Leo asked. "We don't know how long we're going to be living like this, so might as well make the most of it." Leo had decided to make one last addition to our current set-up, and had pulled a loose slab of wood from the container holding all his tools and was carving 'Speak Friend and Enter' into it the makeshift sign with his handheld angle grinder. He'd already been talking about using his torch to burn the wood before giving it a clear lacquer coat. "What can we do for you, Vanessa?" I asked. "Need some breakfast?" "Actually?" Vanessa chewed on the inside of her cheek for a second and peeked back outside the yard. "Breakfast would be fucking great. They're feeding us at the motel, but it's been the same instant oatmeal every fucking morning." "Well, we've yet to have our egg hookup dry out on us," I said. Old Mrs. Branston lived about fifteen minutes down the highway and had been selling eggs to three generations of my family; through the pandemic and quarantine we'd set up a system where I called ahead and she dropped off two dozen eggs at the end of her driveway, and I left a ten dollar bill in her mailbox. "How do you like them? I think I'm getting pretty good at using the grill with a frying pan." We hosted Vanessa for about fifteen minutes as I fried her up some over-easy eggs and some toast to go with it, and she started devouring the first two so quickly that I put another two in the pan for her immediately. While I cooked, she shared the most recent gossip running through the construction crews. "So the latest group to come in said they got tested four times before even leaving the airport," she said around a mouthful. "They were basically flown into Portland, put in little hygienic pods inside the terminals until they'd tested negative all four times, then escorted to military transports. I guess the army is our taxi service or something, and there are members of the national guard currently standing watch at all of the motels. It's kind of fucked up and feels like a prison, honestly. We're not even supposed to mingle outside with each other, despite the fact that we all work together here all day." "Who's feeding you all?" Danielle asked. "Just the people already working out there seems like a lot." "Some catering service is making these prepackaged meals," Vanessa said. "The breakfasts are shit, and the lunches are whatever. The dinners are Okay though; microwavable, and waiting for us when we get off shift." "Have you heard anything else out there about the vaccine?" I asked. "Hmm-Hmm," Vanessa shook her head. "But I mean, I spend my time working." "I'm still not seeing much online," Leo said. "Little whispers on social media, but then it disappears before it gets going." "That's kinda fucked up," Erica said. "We know it's real. The government must be censoring the information or something. "Well, whenever it happens, I don't know what I'll do," Vanessa sighed. "I like working too much, being my own woman. I bring in more cash in a year than almost every other person I graduated high school with, I've been doing it for years, and I don't have any debts. I can't just get tied down to some guy." "You would be surprised, Vanessa," Ivy spoke up. "I am this way too, no? I left home to make my way, and I am happy doing it. But now I am happy here, and am also safe from the sickness. It is not how I saw my life going, but c'est la vie, non?" Vanessa shrugged, and we moved on to some other topics until her radio squawked and she had to run off back to her work. By lunchtime I'd already done another two quick guides into the hills for the surveyors and Leo had gotten his nerd-sign carved out and torched, and he was spray lacquering it outside the yard with a facemask and safety goggles on to cut the strong fumes. He stopped the sprayer when he saw me approaching and stepped away from the sign. "Hey, you able to help me out with hanging this tonight?" he asked me. "Of course," I said. "I gotta help you fly your nerd flag somehow." "Yeah, says the guy with the Lord of the Rings concept art cycling as his desktop screen," Leo rolled his eyes. "It's for my work," I said. "Top-notch inspiration." And then I realized I hadn't opened my laptop in days; not since I'd finished the questionnaire that had led to Erica choosing me. And Ivy for that matter. I hadn't checked emails, I hadn't reached out to contacts. Fuck, I hadn't even sent in my last work-for-hire backgrounds. "Whatever," Leo laughed and punched me in the arm. "Look, when you go in there, just know it wasn't my idea, Okay? I only helped them move the stuff." "What does that mean?" I asked. "You'll see," Leo said cryptically. I ducked through the blanket door and immediately saw what Leo was talking about. Space had been cleared in the center of our sheltered yard for three of the heavy Adirondack deck chairs, and laying in those chairs were Danielle, Erica and Ivy. Each of them was wearing a bikini and were glistening with sunscreen and sweat from the sun as they tanned. They had a Bluetooth speaker playing songs from their phones; I suspected Erica was trying to convince the younger two women of the virtues of mid-2000s pop punk. "Oh, good," Erica said, grinning as she saw me coming into the yard. She lifted her glass. "Um, excuse me, waiter? We could use a top-up, please." I snorted and shook my head, walking over. All three of the women were in two-piece swimsuits, though I suspected Danielle and Ivy's were possibly part of their stripping gear rather than actual bikinis. Both of their suits were more string than fabric and left little to the imagination. Erica's was a bit more conservative, though really not by that much because of her swathe of cleavage. "What are we drinking today, ladies?" I asked. "I made up a pitcher of sangria," Erica said. "It's in the fridge in our place. You would be the absolute love of my life if you were to go get it for us, please?" "I thought I already was the love of your life?" I asked with a smile. "You are," Erica smiled back. "But this will get you to the front of the line for my next life, too. How about that?" "Does that go for all of you?" I asked. "Absolutely," Ivy grinned. "I think I could definitely do worse," Danielle grinned. "But I think Leo might have something to say about that." "Harri can take my brother," Erica chuckled. "Don't worry, Danni. Just sell your future soul to Harri, what's the worst that could happen?" "Fine. My future love life for a refill of sangria," Danielle giggled. I fetched the pitcher and poured for the three women, unable to wipe the grin from my lips as I watched and listened to them bantering back and forth happily. By mid-afternoon, the tanning was over and after a quick fuck in the RV Erica and I were lounging in the Adirondacks, each of us with a sketchbook in hand. "What are you working on?" I asked. "I know you've been as frustrated as I have over the last month." "A tattoo design for Ivy," Erica said, her brow creased as she tapped her pencil against her lips thoughtfully. "Now that I have a future canvas, I feel like I can concentrate again. Plus the sex helps a lot." You laughed and nodded. "Got your creative juices flowing, huh?" "Got all my juices flowing, baby," she grinned at me. "What about you? I've got Ivy, and Danielle wants me to design something for her now, too. What's got you drawing again?" I smiled a little and shrugged. "Just figured out my muse," I said. "And what's that?" she asked. "Come on, don't be shy." I turned my sketchbook around so that Erica could see the portrait I had been sketching of her. She looked at it and blushed, biting her lower lip. "Just the most beautiful thing in the world," I told her. "You know," Erica said. "It kinda looks like you're drawing me naked." "That's cause I'm drawing you from the shoulders up," I said. "Yeah, but would you?" she asked. "Would I what? Draw you naked?" "Or Ivy?" "Are you asking me to draw you like one of my French girls?" I asked. Erica barked out a laugh at the reference and threw her pencil at me. "Yes, maybe I am," she said. "Now give me back my pencil." "You threw it at me," I said, fetching it off the ground. "Come and get it." We ended up in each other's arms and making out, me halfway to taking her back into the RV for round two, when someone rang the doorbell. "Who is it?" I shouted over the wall. "It's me," Vanessa called and ducked through the blanket door without waiting for a response. "Sorry, but we've got a problem," she said. "I think I'm going to need you down at the road again." "Fuck," I said. "Is it Kara?" "It's a lot more than that bitch," Vanessa said. I changed and this time Vanessa drove us both down in her company-branded pickup truck. Erica, having already staked her claim on me in front of Kara in her eyes, decided to hang back and let Ivy finish what I'd started. I was sure sending me away with that picture in my mind was done on purpose. As we were nearing the bottom of the driveway, I could hear the noise of the protest through the closed windows and over the engine of the truck. "Fuck me," I said. "Yeah," Vanessa nodded. The end of the driveway was packed with people, shoulder to shoulder, blocking traffic. They were three rows deep and singing a protest chant. Every single one of them was dressed in bright colors, showing their allegiance to the Band and proudly shouting for all they were worth. Opposing them, about ten feet up the drive, was a slim, single row of burly construction workers just watching the protest happen. "Those guys really can't let themselves get baited," I said. "If something happens, it doesn't matter who said what or what can hold up in court. There'll be big, scary motherfuckers showing up wanting to do some damage and I don't think your boys are ready for that." "I know, I already told them," Vanessa said. "But I'll tell them again. You'd be surprised how much threatening someone's big, fat bonus checks can keep them calm and focused." We got out of the truck and I walked down to the line of workers, rubbing at the stubble on my chin as I considered the protestors. There were easily fifty of them blocking the driveway, and there was already a backup of two flatbed trucks on the highway, plus a half dozen cars that looked more like they just wanted to get by rather than come in. Another thirty or so protestors were strung out on either side of the highway in both directions, holding up signs and doing the organizational things to keep the protestors going. "Pretty good turnout," I said offhandedly. "A lot bigger than last time." "When was the last time?" Vanessa asked. "Five years ago," I said. "Kara tried to sue for an injunction on my father's Will, and about a dozen protestors showed up to the courthouse the day she got shot down." "Any chance they'll get tired and go home?" Vanessa asked. I scanned the crowd and the vehicles parked up and down the highway. I already knew there were about thirty military-age males in the protest, and I could see people opening the backs of vans where I spotted supply caches of water and food. I could also see the determination on the faces of the crowd, and hear the declarations of a couple of different women holding loudspeakers. The rhetoric, and emotions, were ramped up more than usual. The anti-government hate was high, and now that they knew they weren't fighting Me but rather the Government it seemed to steel their resolve. "Not a shot," I said. I stepped forward and the shouting got louder. Likely every single person in that crowd knew who I was, while I had no idea who most of them were. But with every step I took, they shouted louder. Finally, halfway between the lines, they seemed to be at a fever pitch and I just stopped and waited. They kept going for a good five minutes before Kara pushed her way through and walked up to me, masked behind those bandanas again. "I told you this would happen," Kara said over the shouting and chanting. "You didn't think I could do it, but look at us. Look at us, Harrison! We will not let this happen to our land." "Kara," I said loudly. "How do you think this ends?" "Only one way," Kara shouted. "The Feds surrender to our rightful claim, and stop their colonization efforts, and we take back what's ours." "This is dangerous, Kara," I said, gesturing at the crowd. "What?" she shouted back. "I said this is dangerous, Kara," I shouted. "Every person here is in danger." "Are you threatening us?" Kara shouted, playing it up for the crowd behind her. "Going to kill us, like your family has done for generations?" "Jesus fuck," I said, shaking my head. "Kara, this doesn't end the way you think it does. I'm going to pray for you, honest to God." Kara just held up her middle finger at me, pointed her other at Vanessa behind me, and turned and walked away to the cheers of her people. I shrugged and went back to Vanessa. "Yeah, they aren't leaving," I said. "I already called my Dad," Vanessa said. "He's coming down and will want to meet with you." "Sure," I nodded. "If they let him through." About thirty minutes later the protesters were still going strong, and another three flatbeds with either supplies or heavy machinery were backed up on the highway, along with dozens of cars. Vanessa was doing as much as she could to keep her workers at least a dozen yards away from the crowd of protestors; the last thing she wanted was for them to need to get quarantined waiting on a half dozen new tests. Or worse, actually catch something. I did my best to help her juggle phones, calling various General Foremen to get incoming trucks rerouted to staging areas and to keep those that were stuck in the traffic in their cabs or else they couldn't enter the site. Eventually she got a call, spoke quickly and then hung up. "Harri, this might be a big ask, but could you do me a favor?" she asked. "The government paid me a lot of money for my land and doing favors," I said. "But you've gone out of your way plenty for me and Leo and the girls. Favors come free to you, Vee." She rolled her eyes. "Who told you my brothers call me that?" "No one, just felt natural," I chuckled. "I call Erica 'E' sometimes, and I'm sure I'll end up calling Ivy 'I've' at some point." "Alright, well, 'H,'" she said. "My dad is parked down at the edge of the property on the highway and doesn't want to get too close to the traffic. Could you hike out to him and bring him back?" "Sure," I said. I looked up at the sun and then out at the woods. "Um, from here... it's probably faster if I grab an ATV. Would he be squeamish about riding double with me?" Vanessa snorted. "He probably wouldn't be, but he's also got a gut the size of your ATVs so it would be a tight fit." "Alright, guess we're hiking. I can rough it and reach him in about twenty minutes," I said. "I'll take a smoother way back for him, so we'll get here in under an hour." "Got it, I'll let him know you're on your way. Thanks," she said, patting my arm. "Try to take it easy on him, he growls like a bear but he's still my Dad." "Hey, he's the big man in charge. Gotta keep him happy or else I'll find myself with the worst workers for my house, right?" "Very true," she laughed. I started hiking back up the driveway a little ways, and then diverted into the woods, hoping that the protestors would miss that I was skirting away from them. I was very glad I had changed from my lounging around clothes; rough jeans and my hiking boots were a lot sturdier in the rocky bush than athletic shorts and sandals. The raucousness of the protestors was quickly muffled by the forest to a dull roar, and it felt good to get away from them. It was weird. After spending months in isolation with Leo and Erica, we'd been getting used to so many people around again with the workers and adding Ivy and Danielle to our weird little family dynamic. But a crowd like that, all packed together? That was exactly what the quarantine orders were warning against. "Harrison!" My name cut through the muffle of the trees and shrubs, and I turned and saw Kara quickly jogging through the woods to catch up with me. "Kara, what the fuck are you doing? You're trespassing," I said. "So throw me off your land," Kara said, coming to a stop about ten feet from me and putting her hands on her hips. "Oh wait, that's right, it's not your land anymore." I rolled my eyes. "You can take off the bandanas if you want. We're fine this far apart." She did so, pulling them down to hang around her neck. Kara was still as beautiful as the day we'd broken up, though she'd grown up a lot. Where I was such a mix that it was hard to tell I had any Native American in my bloodstream, she had that classic warm skin tone and thick black hair. She'd been taking care of herself well, fit and a little thinner than Erica was, but with a similar strong jawline to my girlfriend. Her lips were as full as I remembered though, and I could almost feel her kissing me again like all those years ago behind the corner of the biology classroom in high school, or laying out in the back of my old beater pickup under the stars. "What's going on, Harri?" she asked me. "I thought we'd at least hit a status quo or something." "Oh, the one where you file a lawsuit against me every couple of years, and the judge shuts you down, but I keep having to rack up legal fees?" "No," she said. "Well, sort of. I thought we were keeping things above board. No games, no gimmicks. Not getting historical." I grimaced. "Well, we did," I said. "So what the fuck?" she said, throwing her arms wide. "What the fuck is all of this?" "Kara, think about it for one fucking second without your prejudice. Imagine I'm not just doing this as a 'Fuck You' from my family tree to the Band," I said. "A week ago I wouldn't have thought any of this would be happening. A week ago I was happily living my life and would have stayed that way straight through the end of the world if I had to. Do you seriously think I've done this on some whim?" "Why, then? What are they doing? What are they offering you?" she demanded. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you," I said. "And even if you did, I think you're too far into this already to walk it back with your people." "Try me," she said. "If you ever cared about me,” "Stop," I interrupted her. "You've used that line twice on me before, Kara. You used it when you broke up with me, and you used it again right after my father died. That line didn't work when I was at some of the lowest points in my life; do you seriously think I'll respond well to that here?" She grimaced, and I saw the realization in her eyes that I was right. That she had used that line before, and it had been pretty fucked up for her to do that. "I'm sorry," she said, and only partially through gritted teeth. "I shouldn't have done that." "Thank you," I said. My heart was pounding in my chest and I felt like I was in combat, just having this verbal sparring contest with her. I fucking hated her, but I also still knew she was the first girl I'd ever loved. The one that had broken my heart. The one that 'got away.' "Just explain it to me," Kara said, trying to be more even about it. "Please." I took a moment to breathe deeply. I wasn't barred from telling her anything. I'd tried to warn her when she'd shown up at the driveway before, but the thought of all those protestors at risk for the virus pushed me over the edge of trying to warn her again. "Kara, the government gave me the choice of accepting a huge payout for the land, or them kicking me out and taking it by eminent domain. Either way, they were going to take it and take it fast. I could either ride it, or die fighting it." "So what are they doing with it?" she asked. "Building homes," I said. "A whole gated community, it sounds like. Part of my payout was housing for myself, Leo and Valerie." "What the fuck? Why do they want a gated community way out here?" she asked. "Worst-case scenario shit," I said. "You mean the pandemic?" she asked. "Are you for fucking serious?" "Serious enough that my house got bulldozed a couple days ago," I said. "Gone. Like it was never even there." "This can't be real," Kara said. "This is absurd." "I told you that you wouldn't believe me," I said. "Well, if you were too much of a cunt to stop them, we will," Kara said, steeling herself again. "We'll have the local news down here by tomorrow, and if the Feds show up we'll have national news coverage by the end of the week." I had to try one more time. "Kara, this doesn't end the way you want it to. You're a dreamer, and I loved that about you when we were teens, but you know the real world doesn't just work like that." Kara narrowed her eyes. "Where are you going right now?" "What does that matter?" I asked. "Because I just followed you out into the woods after your little construction girlfriend was talking to you," she said. "She's not my girlfriend," I rolled my eyes. "Tell her that. She's flirting with you hard enough," Kara said. "I can see her doing it." "Even if she was, what does that have to do with you?" I asked. I knew I'd landed a blow because she got angry again. "Nothing," she said. "But I still want to know what you're doing." "I don't have to tell you that, Kara," I said. "I don't answer to you, I don't owe you anything, and I don't worship the ground you walk on. All I've got to say now is that you should go send all those people home, and hope that you haven't organized some super-spreader event here. For all the shit you've given me and my family, I don't want to see them all dead. I don't want to see you dead." Kara raised her bandanas again. "We're fighting the good fight. We're on the right side of this, Harrison. You're not." She turned and started walking back towards the road. "Fuck me," I sighed, shaking my head. That woman could still push my buttons almost fifteen years later. I pressed through the forest, making for the edge of the property and then diverting towards the road. When I reached it, I found a white and brown heavy pickup identical to Vanessa's idling on the gravel shoulder. The big guy in the driver's seat rolled down his window a crack. "What's up?" "I'm Harrison Black," I said. Another guy got out of the passenger seat and came around, slapping the hood. "Head on back to the motel," he said to the man in the truck. "I'll catch a ride back with my daughter." The guy in the truck nodded and waited for us both to back away before pulling a U-Turn and taking off down the highway. "So, you're the land guy, eh?" the man said, turning and offering me his hand. He was exactly as Vanessa had described; portly to the point of obese, with a gruff exterior that spoke of years handling his business in a rough industry and getting shit done. "I am," I said, taking his hand and shaking it firmly. "Your daughter has been fantastic to work with. Helpful and on task, and she keeps her guys in line." "I have no doubt," he said. "She grew up bossing her older brothers around and got the best of her mother and me. I'm Brent Peters, by the way. I'm sure we'll be speaking every once in a while through this project." "Good to meet you, sir," I said. "And I'm sure we will." I led Brent into the brush and got us through the roughest part until I could get us to one of the more used trails. It got a lot easier for him there, and once he had a chance to catch his breath he seemed to actually enjoy the chance to stretch his legs. He didn't know, or at least wasn't forthcoming, with any more information than Vanessa had been able to give about what was going on, but he did enjoy hearing about the sordid history of the land, my family and the Band. It took a little longer than I'd thought it would to get back to the driveway, Brent needing a couple of breaks, but we made it eventually. Vanessa grinned when she saw her father in a way that made me think she was going to run to him and hug him, but she never made the move. I had to assume that was a hard-trained response from her years working with the man; hugging your pops on a job site would probably lead to taking a lot of shit from your coworkers. Brent quickly got updated on the last hour of developments from Vanessa, and I saw his managerial side take over. Soon the line of construction workers were twenty yards back from the protestors, and he was stride-waddling forward with a medical mask stretched over his face. Kara met him halfway, and whatever they said seemed to go about as well as the talks I'd had with her myself. Again, she ended it by showing off for the protestors by giving him the double-birds. "Well, that went well," Brent sighed as he came back. "You were right, Harrison. They're stuck in. Wouldn't even help us get those trucks room to move or get out of the way of traffic." "She feels like she's got leverage," I guessed. "And they haven't had that on us for years now." "Well, I've officially done what I can," Brent said. "Time to do what every good GM does when shit like this happens." He took out his phone and started walking up the driveway away from Vanessa and me. "What's that?" I asked. "Call the client and tell them to un-fuck the situation," Vanessa smirked. The rest of the afternoon and evening was a long fucking day. There was no good way to get the workers on site off of it, and no good way to get new ones on, so Leo and I ended up walking several groups through the trails to get to the road in places out of sight of the protestors. And since the big crew vans were parked on site, Brent ended up getting access to school buses to come and pick up his guys. The second to last bus dropped off a dozen men who would take over watching the driveway and the protestors overnight; we'd already seen them breaking out tents and lanterns to hold their vigil; and the last bus out had Brent and Vanessa on board. "Client will be by in the morning," Brent said, and winked at me. "Don't you worry, bucko. You hold down the home front tonight, and the cavalry will be here in no time." "You got it," I said. "But whoever is coming, I suggest you make sure they know to take this seriously. The Band is riled up, and now they smell blood in the water. This isn't going away easily." "I'll pass that on to the Lieutenant Colonel," Brent nodded. He shook my hand again and stepped onto the bus. "See you tomorrow, H," Vanessa grinned at me. "Not if I see you first, Vee," I chuckled. She stepped up into the bus and I heard her voice raise immediately. "Alright, you Gorillas. Grab your fuckin' seats and stay there. I swear to Christ if one of you pisses me off, I'll confiscate your fuckin' dinner, got it?" I laughed, and could see the construction workers grinning in their seats as the bus did a three-point turn and pulled away. The sun was getting low when I finally hiked out of the bush and back into view of our little compound. Erica was waiting for me with a smile and a plate of stir fry. "What's the word, Harri?" "They're still down there," I said. "There are some workers keeping an eye on the driveway. Could you throw on a big pot of coffee for me and dig one of the thermoses out of storage?" "Harri, if they've got some of their workers down there, it's not your job to supervise. I'm sure Vanessa and her Dad left someone in charge." "They did," I said. "And I'm not going down there. I'm staying up here." I shoveled the stir fry down, relishing in the spicy kick Erica liked to cook with. Inside our little compound I gave Ivy a kiss, apologizing that I wouldn't be seeing her in bed for the night. Then I went to the storage container closest to my RV. The one with my gun safe. "What's the word?" Leo asked me when he found me. I had a lantern flashlight on and was loading rounds into my father's Model 700. "Jesus, Harri. What the fuck?" I doubted he was commenting on me loading the Remington hunting rifle. We'd used it plenty when we were hunting during deer season; it was a solid, reliable tool. No, I knew he was reacting to the other firearms I had out. My M9 was already holstered on my hip, a copy of my service sidearm that had served me so well through my tour and as an MP, and my DDM4V1 was laid out, waiting for me to do a quick check it was still in good order. "Just taking precautions," I said. I was already trying to get into the right mindset. "What does that even mean? What are you doing?" "There's about a hundred protesters down there, last I counted. More keep arriving," I told Leo, loading the last round into the 700 and checking the safety before setting it down. I fished a handful more.308's out of the ammo box in the safe and fed them into the bandolier shoulder strap for the hunting rifle. "Problem is, they're pissed off. Not just about the construction, but at all the other shit going on right now. And pissed-off people do dumb shit." "So what, you're going to go all Alamo on us?" Leo asked. "For real, Harri. Nothing's going to happen. They're down there, we're up here." "Leo," I said. "I'm not asking you to do anything you don't want to. The Bear shotgun is in my RV. Do me a favor and keep it handy tonight. If I miss something, I'd rather you have it than not." "Harri,” "Dude, just stop," I said. I'd finished with the.308s and started taking apart the DDM4V1 and giving it a quick clean. It was a budget purchase that I'd made prioritizing reliability over flashy shit, and the 'scary one' in my collection when it came to civilians. Erica hadn't even liked the idea of me owning it when we gave her the tour of my firearms and taught her the safety protocols for them. Leo had only ever fired it once. Both of the siblings had said the same thing; 'If you have the rifles and shotguns and the handgun, why do you need a machine gun?' This sort of thing was why I needed it. And it wasn't a 'machine gun.' "I'm not planning, or hoping, to kill someone tonight. If I have to use the DDM4 or my sidearm, something has gotten really fucked," I said. "But I'm also not taking any chances. Sometime tonight, there's going to be people sneaking up into the construction yard to cause mischief, and they aren't going to know the difference between the construction yard and where we're living. Maybe they hear us and they stay clear, or maybe they don't. I'm not taking that chance." Leo watched me cleaning my rifle, and glanced out at the darkening sky, and then back to me. "What should I do?" he asked. A wave of relief washed over me; it had been years since I'd served, and every instinct I had was telling me to do what I was doing, but that civilian part of my brain was second-guessing everything. Leo agreeing told me I was being logical, even if he didn't like it or I turned out to be wrong. "Just be with the girls tonight," I said. "I can handle the yard, you stay with them. Think of it like a shitty tower defense game. If I do my job, you'll never have to do anything." He nodded and left me to my work. Surprisingly, it was Danielle who came to see me next. "What can I do to help?" she asked. Her Australian accent was sounding stronger, the California valley girl part of it dropping with her serious demeanor. "Nothing, I've got it," I said. She'd caught me as I was strapping on my ghillie suit; another item that Leo and Erica had found silly to own considering we didn't need it for hunting deer. It had honestly been more of a gag item in my collection than anything until tonight. "Harrison, I'll remind you that my Dad was military, yeah?" she said. "I grew up outside the city. I know how to work a firearm." I took a breath and looked at her. Even at night, by the light of a lantern, she looked like an elven beauty despite the cutoff denim shorts and zippered knit sweater. "Can you handle a handgun?" I asked. "I've shot the head of an Eastern Brown from ten paces away when it was threatening to bite my dog," she said. "I assume that's a snake?" "A fucking poisonous one," Danielle said. "Alright," I nodded. "Under the passenger seat of my truck is a gun case with my pop's old 1911 and a couple of magazines. Hang on to it for tonight. Try not to freak out Erica or Ivy, and if you hear shots tonight don't let Leo come looking for me, let alone Erica and Ivy. If they leave the RVs it'll just make things worse." "Okay," she said with a serious nod, then stepped towards me, hugged me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks." "For what?" I asked as she stepped back. "For being the man I figured you were," she said. "Leo's all mine and I'm happy with that, but like I told you; you remind me of all the good parts of my Dad. I'm glad I have Leo and you around." She left to fetch the pistol, and I finished strapping on the ghillie suit and slung my two rifles over my shoulders and closed the gun safe. When I was finished slamming the storage container closed, I turned around to find Ivy and Erica both looking at me with their arms crossed. "Both of you, huh?" I asked. "Yes, both of us," Erica said. "United front," Ivy said. "Look,” "Shut up, Harrison," Erica said, and then they were both hugging me while being careful around the firearms. "Just be careful." "Extra careful," Ivy said, burying her face into the strings of the ghillie suit in my chest and then immediately pulling back with a wince. "Ugh, this smells terrible." "Yeah, well it's not exactly the sort of thing you clean very often," I shrugged. "Whatever," Erica said and kissed me. Ivy kissed me as well, looking at me with those big eyes of hers with concern. "So you're not going to try and convince me this isn't necessary?" I asked. "Wouldn't do anything except lead to a fight we couldn't win," Erica said. "You're too stubborn not to do it." "And too brave," Ivy added. "That too," Erica smiled sadly. Then she handed me the big thermos of coffee. "Come back to us in one piece." "I will," I said. "Don't worry. But if you two hear anything tonight, if there's any gunfire, don't come looking for me. Just stay in the RVs and hunker down from the windows. If you come looking for me, you'll add more danger and not take it away, alright?" They both agreed, though I could tell Erica didn't like it. I could only imagine her sprinting across the construction yard, bullets flying everywhere, screaming my name as she worried I'd been shot. Hell, she'd probably pick me up and carry me to safety if it were true, but she'd also likely never get to me in the first place if things were that bad. I kissed them both again, then stalked off into the night. I ended up settling into a nook on the side of the hill to the south of the construction yard, with a clear view of about two-thirds of the yard and most importantly the RV compound. I unslung my rifles and carefully positioned myself in a comfortable prone position I was going to be able to manage for a long time. I'd never gone through Sniper training, but I'd picked up enough from my Bootcamp, talking with other soldiers and from movies to know a thing or two; not to mention years of hunting. So I cracked the thermos and took a sip of the hot, strong coffee, and started my watch. I saw them moving through the trees at around 02:30 in the morning down on the east side of the yard near the driveway. They must have skirted around the construction worker picket line and followed the driveway up, but they were still in the shadows so I couldn't tell how many there were, or what they were carrying. The only reason I spotted them early at all was because someone was flicking a flashlight up occasionally. I had the 700 cradled in my arms, and I slowly rolled into position but didn't sight down the scope yet. I didn't have any night vision gear, and while the simple Leopold scope easily gave me the range to tag anything moving down there, I wouldn't know what I was hitting. They stopped at the edge of the tree line, and I could only imagine the nerves they were feeling looking out over the open area. There were seven portables set up holding various offices now, and half a dozen big crew vans that had been left behind for the night along with some of the company pickup trucks. The pilings and supplies to erect the bigger barracks were also looming in the big, open space. "Just take a look and leave," I muttered quietly to myself, willing whoever was down there to not make this worse than it could be. Five minutes went by before a figure began to creep out of the tree line, crossing the rise of the hill and slipping towards the yard. From the distance I was at, I couldn't see them clearly enough other than to tell they were probably wearing a backpack; not a big deal in and of itself, but my training was screaming at me. 'Anything' meant anything. That backpack could hold weapons, or communications equipment, or even an I E D. I sighted in on the figure. It was a man, military age but young. I couldn't see much of his face between the black bandana over his nose and mouth and a ball cap backwards on his head. My finger tightened just a fraction on the trigger when I saw the flash of metal in his hand, but my hesitation saved his life; he was carrying a can of spray paint. He reached what he thought was the shelter of the first building; and it was shelter if he thought a guard was patrolling inside the yard. But I wasn't inside the yard, and instead I was looking at him dead on along the length of the building as he took off his backpack and then turned, motioning back towards the tree line. A half dozen more figures began quickly creeping across the hillside. I had a choice; if that backpack was full of spray-paint and that was all they were there to do, it would be annoying vandalism at worst as long

In recovery, we examine the past and how it shaped us. We look at what we learned from our family of origin about life and relationships; plus the cultural messages that influenced us along the way (and may continue to do so). Storytelling can be a powerful tool in recovery, because as we look at the past we uncover memories that lead to feelings and aha moments; we connect dots that help us make sense of what has happened to us, and how it all led us here today. In this episode, Jodi shares three stories that have been on her mind and how these stories relate to her own recovery. Show notes and resources: Music by JD Pendley Link to Jodi's website and additional resources Helpful books: Facing Codependence and Facing Love Addiction by Pia Mellody Ready To Heal by Kelly McDaniel Disclaimer: This podcast is shared for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for mental health treatment with a licensed mental health professional or to be used in place of the advice of a physician. If you are struggling please don't delay in seeking the assistance of a licensed mental health practitioner or healthcare professional. If you're in crisis please visit NAMI.org or call 1-800-273-TALK for 24-hour assistance.      

St. James, The Great is the Patron Saint of our Parish.  He is well known for pilgrimage in Spain and Europe.  While he is not officially recognized as the patron saint of the discouraged, his life and the journey associated with the Camino de Santiago have become symbols of perseverance, transformation, and hope — themes that resonate with people facing discouragement or spiritual fatigue. 

Mike Matthews investigates the fascinating news from the week and Mike answers what is happening in the odd world of dating apps. Join Mike as he podcasts live from Café Anyway in podCastro Valley with Chely Shoehart, Floyd the Floorman, and John Deer the Engineer. Next show it's Benita, the Disgruntled Fiddle Player, and the Brewmaster.

Mike Matthews investigates the fascinating news from the week and Mike answers what is happening in the odd world of dating apps. Join Mike as he podcasts live from Café Anyway in podCastro Valley with Chely Shoehart, Floyd the Floorman, and John Deer the Engineer. Next show it's Benita, the Disgruntled Fiddle Player, and the Brewmaster.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mike-s-daily-podcast--609595/support.

Google's helpful content updates require a strategic response. Zak Ali, from Finder, shares his approach to realigning organizations around search priorities. He advocates for starting fresh by understanding how real users interact with search, putting customer needs at the center of strategy, and balancing technical SEO fundamentals with human-centered content development that reflects authentic user behavior.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike Matthews investigates the fascinating news from the end of the week and Mike answers what is happening in the odd world of live television. Join Mike as he podcasts live from Café Anyway in podCastro Valley with Madame Rootabega, Valentino, and Bison Bentley. Next show it's Chely Shoehart, Floyd the Floorman, and John Deer the Engineer.

Was George Orwell the socialist hero we thought he was? Spoiler: absolutely not. Juliet Corbett joins me to discuss Wifedom by Anna Funder, which reveals shocking truths about Orwell's treatment of his first wife, Eileen O'Shaughnessy. Turns out Eileen was crucial to his best work but has been systematically written out of his story by biographers. We dig into the disturbing details of Orwell's behaviour - from putting Eileen's life at risk to his predatory conduct with women.  The book structure itself is also fascinating - blending biography with memoir + showing how Orwell's biographers colluded in erasing Eileen. Plus, it's a superb look at the gap between what he preached about equality + how he actually lived. Fair warning: your opinion of Orwell might never recover. Look for more Book Huddle episodes. Books discussed in this episode: Politics and the English Language - George Orwell Wifedom - Anna Funder 1984 - George Orwell Animal Farm - George Orwell Down and Out in Paris and London - George Orwell Homage to Catalonia - George Orwell Juliet's Website + Free Ebook: consultjuliet.co.uk/ebook Juliet's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/julietcorbett ==== If you'd like my help with your Business go to www.lizscully.com/endlessClients ==== And don't forget to get your reading list of the 10 essential reads for every successful biz owner - these are the books Liz recommends almost on the daily to her strategy + Mastermind clients. This isn't your usual list of biz books, these answer the challenges you've actually got coming up right now. Helpful, quick to read and very timely. Click here lizscully.com/reading to get your book list

This sermon, "You Are Enough," by Dr. Bobby Allen, centers on the Christian theological concept that individuals possess inherent worth and purpose because they are divinely created and sustained by God. Drawing on various biblical passages like Psalm 139:13–14, 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Ephesians 2:10, the sermon emphasizes that God's grace covers human imperfections, and each person is an "original masterpiece" with a unique calling. Ultimately, the core message encourages listeners to embrace their identity in Christ and reject worldly pressures that diminish their self-worth, reminding them that their value stems from their relationship with God, not their achievements. The sermon concludes with a call to affirm this truth personally and share it with others.

Curious about the hype surrounding colostrum supplements? Before you shell out your hard-earned cash on powders, pills, or any form of this miracle substance, tune in to this episode.Colostrum, often dubbed "liquid gold," is the vital first milk produced shortly after birth, brimming with nutrients beneficial to both animals and humans. But does it truly warrant all the buzz?From TikTok to health experts, everyone's talking about its potential benefits. But is it worth the hype? Join me in this episode as I unravel the truth behind colostrum's trending status and whether it deserves a spot in your health regimen.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Your gut microbiome affects everything from your mental health and cognitive function to your immune system and metabolic health. Gut health symptoms, such as bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea, could be a sign that you have low species diversity. Dr. Will Bulsiewicz and Mike Haney discuss how the gut and brain communicate, how the gut microbiome affects the gut barrier and therefore your immune system, what to eat to improve the gut microbiome, and what microbiome testing can tell you.Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnl

The probiotic industry is worth over 100 billion dollars a year.... but could probiotics be a scam? Research suggests that a lot of this industry might not be worth your money and could even be harming your gut.   TOPICS DISCUSSED: Why your probiotics areb'thelping your gut How they might make your gut worse Which probiotics are a waste of money Which ones are best for you and your gut How to get the most out of your probiotic supplements and foods   Leave us a Review: https://www.reversablepod.com/review   Need help with your gut? Visit my website gutsolution.ca to join a program: Get help now   Contact us: reversablepod.com/tips    FIND ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram  Facebook  YouTube

Mike and Mark debate the usefulness of victim statements. Where do you stand? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been 3 years since we first met with with Zanna Wolfgang. It's time to catch up and see what challenges and growth have happened since we last sat down.Connect with Zanna at Thrive Ranch and @ThriveRanchco on Instagram and Thrive Ranch Company on Facebook and Zanna Wolfgang on LinkedIn.Thank you to our sponsor Honor The Brave.Want more The On Purpose Podcast?Find full episodes and more!Check in on Instagram, FacebookConnect with Jerrod!Linkedin, InstagramGet My Book!

Carter opens up about a grudge he carries. teZa can relate. Together, cohosts help remember to forgive is imperative for spiritual inner peace. How do we achieve this? Helpful ways are explored in this honest and brave episode. Share with others who carry unhealthy negative emotions. #forgivenessIsNotCondoning #forgivenessIsAcceptance #AcceptanceOfWhatIs #InnerPeace #LoveNotFear #noFear #healTheDivide #HealYourSelf #HealTheWorld #compassion #forgiveButRemember See tezalord.com and carterlord.com for more about hosts of ZLORD, a #spiritualPodcast helping to #upliftOthers #chooseLOVE 

Mike Matthews investigates the fascinating news from the middle of the week and Mike answers what is happening in the odd world of intelligence which is highly artificial. Join Mike as he podcasts live from Café Anyway in podCastro Valley with Benita, the Disgruntled Fiddle Player, and the Brewmaster. Next show it's Madame Rootabega, Valentino, and Bison Bentley.

Mike and Mark debate the usefulness of victim statements. Where do you stand? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Todd Weinstein | Coffee House Coaching Episode Summary1. Best coaching advice received“Trust the lull”—embrace quiet periods in business and coaching.Growth isn't always linear; bursts of impact are normal.Patience and presence in sessions are essential.Advice originated as business wisdom, but now deeply influences coaching.Helpful perspective especially for new coaches dealing with self-doubt.2. Did you ever doubt coaching was for you?Yes—especially early on and during COVID dry spells.Corporate stability was hard to leave.Doubt became fuel to innovate, rebuild, and refine.Trusted in community and personal growth to weather the uncertainty.Recommitted through reflective moments.3. What are you still improving in coaching?Letting go of the urge to “teach” or share tools.Breaking old facilitation habits.Learning to replace models with powerful questions.Signposting when offering a resource to maintain coaching boundaries.Striving for discernment on when to share vs. stay silent.4. Most outrageous thing you've done in a sessionWrote and performed a song with guitar summarizing a coaching engagement (!).Client's reaction = “somewhere between shock and awe.”Not his usual move—but led to follow-on work!Creative burst turned bold risk.Probably won't do it again—but never say never.5. What still makes you uncomfortable in coaching?Clients expecting transactional results (e.g., “I just want a promotion”).Major values misalignment between client and coach.Need to recontract and clarify coaching boundaries.Balancing empathy with maintaining professionalism.Managing disappointment when a session doesn't go deeper.6. Advice to new or aspiring coachesTurn down the volume of your inner critic.Be fully present—the answers are in the client, not your head.Trust your gut about fit and chemistry.Own your process and speak up if something feels off.Vulnerability + awareness = stronger connections.7. How are you using AI in coaching?Personalizes tools and worksheets for clients.Uses AI for idea generation and synthesis (e.g., 360 themes).Co-creating in sessions to enhance creativity and speed.AI = assistant, not replacement.Encourages curiosity, exploration, and ethical boundaries.8. What have you learned about yourself through coaching?Brings his full self to the work—analytical, creative, and vulnerable.Not everyone is the right fit, and that's OK.Confidence without arrogance = magnetic to clients.Coaching is a growth journey for the coach too.“Who you are is how you coach” (shoutout to Pam McLean).Bonus: Something most don't knowObsessed with travel: 20+ countries, 5 continents.Northern Lights viewer, wallaby feeder, high-altitude hiker.Believes in maintaining a traveler's mindset everywhere—even at home.Bucket list: Iceland & Scandinavia.

​Mike Matthews investigates the fascinating news from the middle of the week and Mike answers what is happening in the odd world of intelligence which is highly artificial. Join Mike as he podcasts live from Café Anyway in podCastro Valley with Benita, the Disgruntled Fiddle Player, and the Brewmaster. Next show it's Madame Rootabega, Valentino, and Bison Bentley.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mike-s-daily-podcast--609595/support.

Mike Matthews investigates the fascinating news from the week so far and Mike answers what is happening in the odd world of gas pumps. Join Mike as he podcasts live from Café Anyway in podCastro Valley with Chely Shoehart, Floyd the Floorman, and John Deer the Engineer. Next show it's Benita, the Disgruntled Fiddle Player, and the Brewmaster.

This week, Ryan and Brian can't say real words ("reminiscences"), create fake words ("touichisón"), attempt to explain things astronomical, acoustic, and binary, and argue about (so sorry) sandwiches. If you get bored (how could you?!), write something for the Fill Me In wiki. And if you're feeling philanthropic, donate to our Patreon. Do you enjoy our show? Actually, it doesn't matter! Please consider leaving us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. This will help new listeners find our show, and you'll be inducted into the Quintuple Decker Turkey Club. Drop us a note or a Tweet or a postcard or a phone call — we'd love to hear from you. Helpful links: Apple Podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fill-me-in/id1364379980 Google Play link: https://player.fm/series/fill-me-in-2151002 Amazon/Audible link: https://www.amazon.com/item_name/dp/B08JJRM927 RSS feed: http://bemoresmarter.libsyn.com/rss Contact us: Email (fmi@bemoresmarter.com) / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram We're putting these words here to help with search engine optimization. We don't think it will work, but you probably haven't read this far, so it doesn't matter: baseball, crossword, crosswords, etymology, game, hunt, kealoa, movies, musicals, mystery, oscar, pizza, puzzle, puzzles, sandwiches, soup, trivia, words

In this episode of the Building Better Developers with AI podcast, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit a popular past topic: the power of documentation. Instead of repeating the same points, they used ChatGPT to surface fresh talking points and spark a new conversation. This wasn't about using AI to generate documentation, but using it to revisit, reflect, and dive deeper into the value of documenting your development work. The result is a renewed appreciation for one of the most overlooked parts of software development—and how to make it better. The Power of Documentation: Why We Resist, But Still Need It “Good documentation might not get noticed—but bad or missing documentation definitely will.” Most developers avoid documentation. It's viewed as: Time-consuming Low ROI Secondary to writing “clean code” But as Rob and Michael explain, the power of documentation becomes obvious when someone new joins the team, when you return to your own code months later, or when something breaks in production. Without documentation, your project becomes fragile—even dangerous. Using AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can help kick-start outlines, clarify intentions, and even summarize logic to make documenting easier. The Power of Documentation in Planning: Comment-Driven Development “Don't just write code—write your thinking process.” One of the key strategies Rob shares is comment-driven development. Start by outlining your logic and workflow using plain-language comments or pseudocode. This mirrors how many AI tools generate code: from your intent to executable logic. Michael supports this with a reminder that self-documenting code—through clear naming, logical structure, and readable syntax—is also a form of documentation. Helpful tools: JSDoc Doxygen Sphinx Notion AI The Power of Documentation as a Force Multiplier “Documentation doesn't just explain—it accelerates.” Rob and Michael stress that the power of documentation isn't just about code comments—it's about velocity, quality, and reliability. Good documentation: Speeds up onboarding Reduces bugs and confusion Enables DevOps and automated testing Clarifies communication across teams Tools like Swagger and Postman transform API docs into live interfaces—letting you test endpoints, view examples, and generate clients with ease. The Power of Documentation: What It Costs to Skip It “If you don't write it down, it walks out the door with your last developer.” Michael shares stories of undocumented systems that became impossible to maintain when key developers left. Even worse is documentation that exists—but is never updated. Best practices: Keep docs near the code (e.g., Markdown in repo) Automate updates with tools like MkDocs Treat documentation like testing: part of your done definition Pro tip: Add documentation as a checklist item in your development tickets. Don't consider a task complete until it's explained clearly. The Power of Documentation in Practice: Where to Start “Every project deserves a README, a runbook, and a little foresight.” Rob and Michael outline the foundational documentation every project should have: README.md — Overview, build/setup steps, key dependencies Code comments — Especially around complex or non-obvious logic API documentation — Inputs, outputs, examples Architecture diagrams — System design and flow Runbooks — Deployment, recovery, and incident response Testing strategy — How to verify features and stability These documents preserve the power of documentation and ensure long-term maintainability, even as teams and tools evolve. Developer Challenge: Take One Step This Week Your challenge from the episode: Pick one area of your project—just one—and improve its documentation this week. Update the README. Create a runbook. Add clear inline comments to a tricky method. If you're not sure where to start, use AI to outline your intent or help create a checklist. Tag your results with #DevDocChallenge and share how you're strengthening the power of documentation in your work. Final Thoughts: Let AI Inspire, But Let Documentation Lead In this episode, Rob and Michael didn't use AI to do the documentation. They used it to start a better conversation about why it matters. The power of documentation is timeless—but now we have better tools and habits to make it sustainable. If you want to build code that lasts, supports teams, and scales with confidence—make documentation part of your strategy from day one. Callout: Build smarter. Build clearer. Embrace the power of documentation—your future self and your team will thank you. Stay Connected: Join the Developreneur Community We invite you to join our community and share your coding journey with us. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting, there's always room to learn and grow together. Contact us at info@develpreneur.com with your questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes. Together, let's continue exploring the exciting world of software development. Additional Resources Organizing Business Documentation: A Critical Challenge for Entrepreneurs Test-Driven Development – A Better Object-Oriented Design Approach SDLC – The software development life cycle is simplified Using a Document Repository To Become a Better Developer The Developer Journey Videos – With Bonus Content Building Better Developers With AI Podcast Videos – With Bonus Content

South Australia is rolling out a new policy banning junk food advertising on public transport — but the headlines are causing quite a bit of confusion. Are rice cakes, soy milk, and ham sandwiches really on the banned advertising list? In this episode of The Nutrition Couch, Leanne and Susie break down the facts behind the ad ban, explain why it’s causing so much confusion for parents, and weigh in on whether the government has taken the right approach — or missed the mark entirely. You’ll learn: What South Australia’s new ad ban really targets — and why it’s not a food ban Why lunchbox staples like soy milk and ham are caught in the confusion Susie’s take on processed meats — and when restrictions make sense A simple Friday strategy that makes Sunday meal prep (finally) work Also in this episode: Frozen chip face-off: peri-peri vs. potato gems Is farmed salmon safe? Susie shares her insider view PLUS: ✨ We preview what’s coming next to DesignedByDietitians.com: premium collagen and magnesium blends, formulated by expert dietitians to support women’s sleep, energy, and strength. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by food rules, conflicting health advice, or just want smarter strategies to make your week easier — this episode is for you.

Mike Matthews investigates the fascinating news from the beginning of the week and Mike answers what is happening in the odd world of credit cards. Join Mike as he podcasts live from Café Anyway in podCastro Valley with Madame Rootabega, Valentino, and Bison Bentley. Next show it's Chely Shoehart, Floyd the Floorman, and John Deer the Engineer.

Book reviewer Anna Rankin talks to Jesse about her recommendations, Some Helpful Models of Grief, from Compound Press, by Aotearoa writer and artist Hana Pera Aoake and Notes to John by Joan Didion.

SummaryIn this episode of The Chasing Health Podcast, Chase and Chris bring back a favorite format—Overrated or Underrated! They dive into 10+ hot topics in health and fitness and share their honest thoughts. From trendy green powders and vibration plates to microdosing weight loss drugs and cheat meals, they break down what's helpful and what's just hype. You'll hear real talk about intermittent fasting, cardio, pre-workout, and why getting stronger should be the new goal. This episode will help you stop wasting time and money—and focus on what really works.Chapters(00:00) Welcome Back & Episode Overview(01:24) Intermittent Fasting: Overrated or Underrated?(05:56) Cardio in Today's Fitness Space(09:00) Consistency: The Real Key to Success(09:58) Green Powders & the Supplement Industry(14:32) Pre-Workout Use and Dependency(17:19) Is 8 Hours of Sleep a Must?(18:46) Should You Buy a Weighted Vest?(22:30) The Truth About Cheat Meals(23:58) Microdosing GLP-1s: Dangerous or Helpful?(28:40) Should You Eat Back Exercise Calories?(30:43) Water & Protein: Are They That Important?(33:20) Strong is the New Skinny(36:30) Do Vibration Plates Actually Work?(39:05) Outro & Request for ReviewsSUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS to be answered on the show: https://forms.gle/B6bpTBDYnDcbUkeD7How to Connect with Us:Chase's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/changing_chase/Chris' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conquer_fitness2021/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/665770984678334/Interested in 1:1 Coaching: https://conquerfitnessandnutrition.com/1on1-coachingJoin The Fit Fam Collective: https://conquerfitnessandnutrition.com/fit-fam-collective

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses In this conversation, we sit down with Dylan Mackenzie of Kerr Controls to talk about his intriguing refrigeration journey - from mechanical interests in high school to a varied academic path, before getting into HVAC and refrigeration. Dylan shares his perspective on modern changes in refrigeration technology, such as CO2, hydrocarbons and A2Ls, and also his experience with design and collaborating with contractors. A great example of the value in hearing other's journeys, particularly for new refrigeration technicians and those contemplating the career. In this episode, we discuss: -Getting into the refrigeration industry -Dylan's journey into refrigeration -Changes in the refrigeration industry -Working with contractors and technicians -Importance of design in refrigeration -Kerr Controls and team dynamics Helpful links & resources: Episode 225. The Industry's Daily News Source: The Story of The Cooling Post with Neil Everitt Episode 302. Journey Into Refrigeration with Connor Strickland Episode 185: Refrigeration is a Journey: Ashley Fuller's Refrigeration Roadmap Kerr Controls

Want to turn your book into an audiobook but think you need a fancy studio + a radio voice? Think again. David H Lawrence XVII joins me to talk about why audiobooks are absolutely booming right now + how you can get in on it. David's an actor + voiceover pro who teaches people to narrate their own books, so he knows what actually works. We chat about recording from home (yes, really), prepping your book for audio + why your voice is probably better than you think. Turns out you don't need to sound like a BBC presenter - you just need to sound like you. If like me, you've been curious about audiobooks but assumed it was too complicated or expensive, this one's for you. Look for more shows in this Your Biz Needs a Book strand where we convince you your business will be vastly improved by a book. Book discussed in this episode: Trust Me, I'm Lying - Ryan Holiday David's Website: NarrateYourOwnBook.com David says if you Google "David XVII" you will find him on the first page of results ==== If you'd like my help with your Business go to www.lizscully.com/endlessClients ==== And don't forget to get your reading list of the 10 essential reads for every successful biz owner - these are the books Liz recommends almost on the daily to her strategy + Mastermind clients. This isn't your usual list of biz books, these answer the challenges you've actually got coming up right now. Helpful, quick to read and very timely. Click here lizscully.com/reading to get your book list

Blood tests for cancer are much in the news lately, including one to test for colorectal cancer. Such a test, if it works as well as methods like colonoscopy or fecal immunochemical testing, would allow people to give tedious aspects … How helpful is a new blood test for colorectal cancer? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »

Welcome to episode 197 of Growers Daily! We cover: selling excess produce, Power to the people (but for real), and it's feedback Friday! We are a Non-Profit! 

How future doctors are navigating social media's impact on public education. How can a well-meaning medfluencer be sure they're actually helping? M1 Zach Grissom, M2 Fallon Jung, M3 Jeff Goddard, and M4 Matt Engelken sit down with third-year DO student Nik Bletnitsky to discuss the role of social media in medical education. Current and Future doctors are increasingly using these platforms to share medical knowledge—but, even if you're careful to offer the best information, what are the hidden dangers? The conversation covers the sometimes blurry line between education, misinformation, and contradicting someone's doctor's advice. How disclaimers work (or don't), and why the Dunning-Kruger effect can turn a curious patient into an overconfident self-diagnoser. Should doctors be influencers? Can patients trust what they see online? And is it possible to make medical knowledge accessible without accidentally making things worse?

Join us as we dissect the use of robotics in bariatric surgery – where precision meets programming, and the scalpel gets a software upgrade.  Hosts:  - Matthew Martin, trauma and bariatric surgeon at the University of Southern California/Los Angeles General Medical Center (Los Angeles, California) - Adrian Dan, bariatric and MIS surgeon, program director for the advanced MIS bariatric and foregut fellowship at Summa Health System (Akron, Ohio) -  Crystal Johnson Mann, bariatric and foregut surgeon at the University of Florida (Gainesville, Florida) - Katherine Cironi, general surgery resident at the University of Southern California/Los Angeles General Medical Center (Los Angeles, California) Learning objectives:  Strengths of the robot:  Surgical robots are at the forefront of technology and continue to improve with detailed, precision cameras and the ability to remove baseline tremors Allows for smooth movements, fine dissection, and precise tissue handling  Ergonomics are more advantageous to the surgeon when compared to laparoscopy Weaknesses of the robot: The loss of haptic feedback can be challenging for surgeons early in their learning curve Emphasis on surgical robots means some trainees may be losing exposure to laparoscopic techniques Longer operative time when working robotically, and more time under anesthesia for the patient  Increased cost for robotic surgery  Outcomes data:  Mixed data from the MBSA QIP database (metabolic and bariatric surgery accreditation and quality improvement program) The most recent study looked at 824,000 patients from 2015-2022 who had a sleeve gastrectomy or RNY gastric bypass, either laparoscopically (lap sleeve 61%, lap RYGB 24%) or robotically (robo sleeve 11%, robo RYGB 4%). Robotic sleeves were reported to have higher complication rates compared to laparoscopy, seen as higher overall morbidity and an increased rate of leaks  While the robotic RYGBs have lower overall complications, including decreased morbidity and bleeding. Robotic RYGB can be especially advantageous with revisional surgeries when compared to lap.   Setting up for success Train your eyes to determine tension on tissue, since there is no haptic feedback Learn how to assist yourself (manipulating the camera and effectively utilizing the fourth arm) Understand how techniques of the surgery change when doing it robotically, as compared to laparoscopy  Experienced operating room team  When learning, recommend putting all cases feasible on the robot (including easier cases), to master the straightforward cases before moving to technically challenging revision cases. Don't hesitate to add an additional trocar or assistant port when needed  Education in Robotic learning  Learning by observation/mirroring – ex: robotic bilateral inguinal hernia (mirroring the attending/instructor)  Easy for the attending/instructor in the case to switch instruments seamlessly, then give them back intermittently at the appropriate time  Helpful when the attending annotates the screen to depict where to go  Data-driven teaching tools on the Davinci system  Tips for robotic sleeve gastrectomy:  Of the robotic bariatric surgeries, sleeve gastrectomy is most similar to its laparoscopic procedure 30-40 degrees of reverse Trendelenburg Liver hammock stitch instead of a liver retractor (one less trocar), which makes a total of 4 trocars needed for the case Green staple load for the first firing, then the rest are typically blue loads Mixed opinions on reinforced staple loads versus non-reinforced staple loads and oversewing the staple line (discussed cost-benefit)  Tips for robotic gastric bypass:   Watch videos from colleagues to learn what they do Gastric bypass is a multi-quadrant surgery; thus, you must set yourself up for success so that your arms are not fighting when moving through different quadrants  A size 12 trocar on the left can make the formation of  the gastric pouch easier GJ and JJ anastomosis formed with a linear fire, then a two-layer closure with absorbable barb suture Don't forget to close the mesenteric defect (non-absorbable braided suture) Tips for robotic DS and SADI:   If doing a duodenal anastomosis hand-sewn, then recommend planning the exact number of sutures and locations of each for ease Hand-sewn anastomosis can have less bleeding and fewer strictures for patients, and is completed in a much more seamless fashion with the robot   Future of Robotics  Haptic feedback Integrated visual overlays to identify anatomical structures/serve as an intraoperative map Artificial intelligence integration  Telesurgery – ex, small surgical robot deployed to space  Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.   If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/listen