Podcasts about hi mark

Podcast 369 What's the most effective time management practice you can adopt today that will transform your productivity? You can subscribe to this podcast on:  Podbean | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | TUNEIN Links: Email Me | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Linkedin The ULTIMATE PRODUCTIVITY WORKSHOP Get Your Copy Of Your Time, Your Way: Time Well Managed, Life Well Lived The Time Sector System 5th Year Anniversary The Working With… Weekly Newsletter Carl Pullein Learning Centre Carl's YouTube Channel Carl Pullein Coaching Programmes Subscribe to my Substack  The Working With… Podcast Previous episodes page Script | 369 Hello, and welcome to episode 369 of the Your Time, Your Way Podcast. A podcast to answer all your questions about productivity, time management, self-development, and goal planning. My name is Carl Pullein, and I am your host of this show. I've often answered questions on this podcast about the best or most effective time management or productivity system, but I don't think I've answered a question about the best practices before.  A practice is something you do each day. It's just what you do. You don't need to think about it. It's automatic. And there is something that the most productive people I've come across do each day, that I find people struggling with their management of time don't do.  In many ways, becoming more productive and better at managing time is a two-fold practice. It's the strict control of your calendar and being intentional about what you do each day.  Yet to get to those practices each day, takes a change in attitude and the squashing of some pre-conceived ideas.  And that is what we'll be looking at in today's episode.  Before we get to the question, just a quick heads up. The European time zone friendly Ultimate Productivity Workshop is coming next weekend. Sunday the 18th and 25th May.  If you want to finally have a time management and productivity system that works for you, and have an opportunity to work with me and a group of like-minded people, then join us next Sunday. I will put the link for further information into the show notes.  Okay, let me now hand you over to the Mystery Podcast Voice for this week's question.  This week's question comes from Mark. Mark asks, Hi Carl, what do you consider to be the best daily habits for living a productive life?  Hi Mark, thank you for your question.  This is something that has always fascinated me about the way people work. What is it that the most productive people do that unproductive people don't do.  Surprisingly it's not work longer hours. That's usually the domain of unproductive people.  What the most productive people do is to have a few daily rituals that are followed every day.  Let's start with the easiest one. Have a solid morning routine. It's your morning routine that sets you up for the day.  Cast your mind back to a day in your past when you overslept and had to rush out the door to get to work. How productive were you that day? Probably not very. You will have been in a reactive state all day, treating anything and everything as urgent.  The “secret” is to use your morning routine to put you in a proactive state. That means looking at your calendar for your appointments for the day and identifying what you must get done that day.  Then mentally mapping out when you will do your work.  For instance, today I have seven hours of meetings. That does not leave me much time to write this podcast script. Yet, when I began my day, I looked at where my appointments were, saw I had an hour mid morning free and a further hour in the afternoon between 4 and 5 pm.  Two hours is enough to get the bulk of this script written. Now all I have to do is resist all demands on my time today so I can get this script written. That's the challenge. Resisting demands.  Resisting demands on my time today is reasonably easy. Seven hours of meetings is about my limit anyway. So if someone requests an additional meeting, it'll be quite easy to tell them I am fully booked today and I can offer them an alternative day and time.  And that's a mindset shift I would recommend to you. Know where your limits are and to be comfortable offering alternative days and times. If the person demanding your time insists and is in a more senior position to you (does that really happen today?), then you can decide which of your other meetings you could postpone.  If your day is full of meetings, make sure you task list reflects that. What I see a lot of people doing is having a day full of meetings and a full task list. Yeah, right. That's not going to happen.  For most of us the confirmed, committed meetings will be the priority. Tasks will not be. So, on days when you have a lot of meetings, reduce your task list. That will immediately remove anxiety and give you more focus for your meetings.  Next up, is to not use the excuse of a busy day to not do your communications.  Email and messages build up very quickly. Just one day neglecting these means tomorrow you will need double the time to get back in control.  The goal here is to protect time each day for dealing with your actionable emails and messages. If all you have is thirty minutes, take it. It's surprising how much you can do in thirty minutes. That's a lot better than having to try and find two or three hours the next day to get on top of an out-of-control inbox.  Email and messages are the things that are apt to throw you off a well planned day. Yet, it's surprisingly easy to get on top of these if you were to make it a daily practice to spend thirty minutes or more dealing with your actionable emails.  The next tip I've picked up from super-productive people is to group similar tasks together. This technique has a few different names. Batching and chunking are two of them. What you are doing is grouping similar tasks together and working on them as one task. For instance, if you have a lot of messages to respond to, you would call that your communication time and do them all at once.  This is quite easy with email as you can stay within one app to do the work. You can do this with writing proposals. If you have five or six proposals to write, then schedule time for writing proposals. Don't look at each individual proposal as a single task. See the activity of writing proposals as one task.  This way you are working with time. You could set aside an hour or two for doing your proposals and after your allocated time is up, move on to the next category. For example, a sales person, may decide that between 9:30 and 11:00 am, they will do their follow-ups and prospecting, then from 11:30 am do their appointments for the day.  Sure, there may be days when a customer can only see you early in the day, and you can move your follow-up and prospecting time to a little later in the day, but what you want to be doing is trying to set up a structure to you day. It just makes your life that little bit easier.  The problem with most to-do lists is that they are just that— a list of random things that may or may not need to be done today. If you were to allocate time for doing different types of work, you're going to be pretty much up to date with most things.  It's unlikely you will be able to avoid backlogs completely. But if you are consistently doing your important work, nothing is going to get out of control.  I think of this very much like running an airport. You've got flights taking off and landing all day. Yet, in the air traffic control centre, you can only land one plane at a time. This means around all commercial airports you will see what is called a holding pattern. This is where planes are circling waiting to be given permission to land.  Once a plane is given that permission, it comes into land.  Well, you are like that airport. You can only work one piece of work at a time. Everything else waiting for your attention needs to be held in a holding pattern.  And like an airport, aircraft in difficulties or running low on fuel will take priority over others. You too, will have little emergencies and urgencies, and you can decide which piece of work has the priority while you are working on the category you are currently working on.  This is why ultimately your calendar is your most important productivity tool. That's directing your day. It tells you where you need to be at what time. It also tells you where you have time for doing your tasks.  If you leave things open, it's likely to be stolen by low value stuff or other people. Making it a practice to plan your day using your calendar, ensures that you have the time to do what needs to be done and if you don't do it, there's only one person to blame—you.  Never ignore your calendar. Reschedule, by all means, but never ignore it. It's your calendar that will ensure you know when to leave to pick your son up from school, and what time that appointment with an important client is.  The final part is to know what your non-negotiables are. These are the things you will never miss. For example, three things I will never miss are writing my journal each morning, taking my dog for a walk and my thirty minutes of exercise each day.  Start with your personal life. What are you non-negotiables there? Then look at your professional life. What are you non-negotiables at work.  For example, with the exception of my calls days, I will ensure I spend at least two hours working content each day. If you were a designer or engineer, that could be spending a minimum of two hours designing or engineering.  Ensuring you have a few hours each day dedicated to doing the work you were hired to do, will put you ahead of most of your colleagues.  When you have non-negotiables, you find planning your day is easy. I know Louis needs his walk, I know also that when I wake up, after making my coffee, I'll be sitting down to write my journal. I don't need to think about these things. The only thing I need to decide is where Louis and I will go today. We try to go somewhere different each day.  I also find towards the end of the afternoon, I begin thinking about what exercise I will do today. There's no question about whether I will exercise or not. Exercise is a non-negotiable. All I need to decide is what I will do in my thirty minutes.  Non-negotiables can be anything that is important to you. I've had clients who would never miss their meditation session, or go to the Synagogue, or temple in the early morning. Others won't miss their Saturday morning family breakfast.  The key here is to identify what your non-negotiables are and then do them.  I hope that has helped, Mark. Thank you for your question.  And thank you to you too for listening. It just remains for me now to wish you all a very very productive week.   

Our panellists find out what a 'Tesler' is, consider what raccoons can teach us about tariff negotiations, and get squeaky with it in a round of Mouse News. Featuring Alice Moran, Miguel Rivas, and Jean Yoon.

Ramble with us through the valley on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast #698. Subscribe now! Maggie's Wake, Lúnasa, Sassenach, Louise Bichan, Toby Bresnahan, Kinnfolk, Ironwood, Michael Darcy & The Atlantic Tramps, Altan, Strings & Things, Firinn, Faoileán, Bonhomme Setter, Stout Pounders, Eimear Arkins GET CELTIC MUSIC NEWS IN YOUR INBOX The Celtic Music Magazine is a quick and easy way to plug yourself into more great Celtic culture. Enjoy seven weekly news items for Celtic music and culture online. Subscribe now and get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free. VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 FOR 2025 This is our way of finding the best songs and artists each year. You can vote for as many songs and tunes that inspire you in each episode. Your vote helps me create this year's Best Celtic music of 2025 episode. You have just three weeks to vote this year. Vote Now! You can follow our playlist on YouTube to listen to those top voted tracks as they are added every 2 - 3 weeks. THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC 0:07 - Maggie's Wake "Harrison's Way" from Maggie's Wake 1:45 - WELCOME 3:58 - Lúnasa "Bal Loudieg" from Live in Kyoto 7:26 - Sassenach "My Lagan Love" from Passages 11:21 - Louise Bichan "CBC Winnipeg" from Out of My Own Light 17:37 - Toby Bresnahan "Lord Randall" from All In Good time 22:14 - FEEDBACK 26:43 - Kinnfolk "Song for the Valley" from Star Above The Mountain 28:29 - Ironwood "Trip to Goa" from Gretna Green 31:28 - Michael Darcy & The Atlantic Tramps "The Ballad of Uncle Frank" from Down to the Roots 36:34 - Altan "An Gasúr Dána/An Ghirseach Dholba/Ríl na mBreac Beadaí (Reels)" from Donegal 40:35 - Strings & Things "Sweet Daisy" from The Unsolicited Dance 44:49 - THANKS 47:42 - Firinn "Al's Reel, The Poor Excuse" from The Long Lunch 51:31 - Faoileán "Here I Am Amongst Ye" from Far Hills 53:58 - Bonhomme Setter "Green Ramble" from Colors of Time 57:39 - Stout Pounders "Shipwrecked Souls (Live)" from Liver Let Live 1:00:19 - CLOSING 1:02:08 - Eimear Arkins "Tuttle's / Hanging On Halliday (Reels)" from Here & There 1:06:36 - CREDITS The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was produced by Marc Gunn, The Celtfather and our Patrons on Patreon. The show was edited by Mitchell Petersen with Graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. Visit our website to follow the show. You'll find links to all of the artists played in this episode. Todd Wiley is the editor of the Celtic Music Magazine. Subscribe to get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free. Plus, you'll get 7 weekly news items about what's happening with Celtic music and culture online. Best of all, you will connect with your Celtic heritage. Please tell one friend about this podcast. Word of mouth is the absolute best way to support any creative endeavor. Finally, remember. Reduce, reuse, recycle, and talk with others about climate change. What are you doing to combat climate change? Start a discussion with someone today. Promote Celtic culture through music at http://celticmusicpodcast.com/. WELCOME THE IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST * Helping you celebrate Celtic culture through music. I am Marc Gunn. I'm a Celtic musician and host of Folk Songs & Stories. This podcast is for fans of Celtic music. We are here to build a diverse Celtic community and help the incredible artists who so generously share their music with you. If you hear music you love, please email artists to let them know you heard them on the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. Musicians depend on your generosity to release new music. So please find a way to support them. Buy a CD, Album Pin, Shirt, Digital Download, or join their community on Patreon. You can find a link to all of the artists in the shownotes, along with show times, when you visit our website at celticmusicpodcast.com. Email follow@bestcelticmusic to learn how to subscribe to the podcast and you will get a free music - only episode. If you are a Celtic musician and want your music featured on the show, please submit your band to be played on the podcast. You don't have to send in music or an EPK, and You will get a free eBook called Celtic Musicians Guide to Digital Music. It's 100% free. Just email follow@bestcelticmusic THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST! I am in awe of your generosity. You are the heartbeat of this podcast—the reason I bring you fresh, captivating episodes every single week. And you make it all possible. Your support isn't just appreciated—it fuels everything. It covers our brilliant engineer, the talented graphic designer, the dedicated Celtic Music Magazine editor, and the promotion that helps this music reach more ears. Your kindness lets me buy the music you love, and it gives me the time to craft each episode just for you. And as a patron, you don't just support the show—you step into the heart of the music. You get exclusive, ad - free, music - only episodes before anyone else. You shape the Celtic Top 20 with your votes. You unlock free music downloads, sheet music, and your own private feed to listen your way—whether through Patreon or your favorite podcast app. All of this, for as little as $3 a month. Three dollars. That's less than a cup of coffee, yet it keeps the music alive. It keeps this community thriving. And it keeps you at the center of it all. Join us today. Let's make this music last forever. A special thanks to our new and continued Patrons of the Podcast: Mohammad Ouranos, Shannon HERE IS YOUR THREE STEP PLAN TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST Go to our Patreon page. Decide how much you want to pledge every month, $3, $12, $25. Keep listening to the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast to celebrate Celtic culture through music. You can become a generous Patron of the Podcast on Patreon at SongHenge.com. TRAVEL WITH CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of Celtic music fans on the relaxing adventure of a lifetime. We don't see everything. Instead, we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join us with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts and videos. In June 2025, we are going on a Celtic Invasion of Wexford, Ireland as we explore Ireland's southeast corner. We'll visit a whiskey distillery. We'll see castles and a windmill. We'll see ocean life on a ferry, visit a heritage center and see the beauty of the Wicklow mountains. This is a trip you will remember. Learn more about the invasion at http://celticinvasion.com/ #celticmusic #irishmusic #celticmusicpodcast I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK What are you doing today while listening to the podcast? I'd love to see a  picture of what you're doing while listening. Is there a new Celtic CD or Celtic band that you heard of or saw? Send a picture. Email me at follow@bestcelticmusic. David Kennis emailed a photo: "It was a pleasure to hear my first episode  tonight why walking our dogs Bella the Great Dane and Thorin the Great Pyrenees Mix. The episode was #684. The Friel Sisters were the focus. Here in Ames, Iowa it happens that we have a Friel Drive. It isn't as lovely as the Friel Sister's voices and the instrumentation which accompanies them. You asked for a picture of what we are doing while listening. Mine is attached." Mike Sigler emailed a couple photos: “Hi Mark, Mike Sigler here.  I've been listening to your podcast regularly for a while now and have been meaning to write for almost as long. So what have I been up to: I've been running sound for a little Celtic music dinner concert series at The Old Brogue Falls Church Virginia, one of the several Irish pubs in the Washington DC area.  The series runs in the Fall and the Spring and consists of two dinner seatings and a wonderful performance of Celtic music.  I've been running sound for them for about two years (a new skill for me) and have been having a blast. I've attached pictures of the groups from the last two concerts, one by Jug of Punch (Pat Egan (Guitar), Sharon Knowles (Harp), Tabby Finchan (Key Board), John Knowles (Fiddle)) and the other by Charlie Zahm and Tadd Marks.  We've got three more concerts coming up this fall and I'm very much looking forward to them. Thanks for all you do – your show keeps reminding me to play and engage where I can (even if I seem to always find out about the local festivals only after they are over!). Best,"   Jeremiah Donier emailed an image: "Marc, I love your podcast and music. After visiting your merch website today and getting a free CD, I think you can use more designs. Attached is something I created based on the "Some Like it Scot" photo by Rich Johnson, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/176766354114786077/. I reached out to the photographer for his permission to design this and was given the okay. So, I wanted to create something fun and uplifting for the New Year with the saying "Up with Kilts! Down with Pants." I can add your logo too and whatever else you want to see (except for what's under the kilt of course  -  he he!). I can provide a vector file so it can be printed and scaled to whatever size is needed for the podcast's merchandise. This is free because I don't have much money to contribute, you give so much joy to the podcast listeners, and it is my small way of saying thanks for being so wonderful. Let me know what you think. Sláinte!"  

Carrie and Mark settle in to everyday life.by T. Foxal. Listen to the ► Podcast at Connected.“Oh Mark. I have never been made love to like that ever. It was perfect. Everything you have done so far has been perfect for me. I don't think you have one selfish bone in your body. I need to know though, are you scared of all of this?”“Carrie, I have never been more scared in my life. Not even over in the sandpit, with bullets flying all around. Had you not said I love you back to me, when I made my declaration, I would have been crushed. I've never, ever let anyone into my heart, like I have let you in. Am I scared now? A little. I know you said it the other night. Well, you told me to catch up with you because you were already there. But over time, I thought you may have some misgivings for saying, since we were in the heat of the moment then. But all the little things you have been doing, or saying, led me to believe you really were. And, I wanted to make it special for you. This whole day when you weren't around me, all I could think of was you. I wondered what you were thinking when you took your bath before, or what you were doing and thinking when you left this morning. Let's face it, we haven't been alone with our own thoughts for a week now.”She leaned in and kissed me lightly on the lips, then said, “Mark. I knew from that first kiss. Then when we made love the first time, I was in heaven. It wasn't sex between us. It was more. Since that time, we have done nothing but make love and my heart races every time I see you. I was so scared when I said that the other night. Did I push you away from me? Would you just say, screw this, I'm outta here. But the big thing for me was when we were at the winery, and you went up to the bar to get us those samples. Your eyes smiled at me the whole time. You didn't even look at that girl, who I thought was really hot, but just kept looking at me. You made love to me right then. Am I scared. Yes. I want this more than anything, but I don't want to be hurt again. I lived that. But, you are not him. You are so much more than he could ever be. I was eye candy for him, and a fuck, and nothing more. My heart is now yours, please don't hurt it.”I rolled to my side and looked deep into her hazel eyes, then kissed her. “You know what turned me on the most today?” “No, Baby, I don't” “When I saw you after you came back from your day in town. My God, you looked so sexy and stunning to me. You are such a beautiful woman, and not just physically, but all around. I wanted to take you then, but then that would have downplayed this evening. I never tried to be romantic with anyone before, and I so wanted to seduce you tonight.”She giggled. “Well Mr. Marine. You succeeded in every way tonight. I'll tell you. When I saw the robe, then the candles lit by the bathtub, I got super horny. I wanted you so bad then. Then when I shaved down there, I felt incredibly sexy. I even came after that. But when we took off our robes and I saw you in those boxers, I damn near raped you. But dancing really did me in. I almost told you then I loved you. But I am glad I waited now.”As she talked, her hand was now on my cock, stroking it back to life. When I was hard again, she leaned in and kissed me, then pushed me to my back. She kneeled and straddled me and slowly sat down on me, engulfing me with her velvet like inner walls of her sex.“Baby?” she whispered. “This has been an amazing night. But now I need to be a little naughty. A couple should be able to let loose some and enjoy sex too. I love lovemaking, but I also love to fuck Mark. But only with someone I want to give myself too, completely. I want to fuck your beautiful cock. I want to feel your cum spray deep inside me and, I want cum all over it. Fuck me Baby. Make me your Lover.”I arched my back up and drove in deep in her. “Oh Fuck. You are so deep.” She started moving up and down, faster and faster. “Oh god I love this. My favorite position too.”She leaned down and started smothering me with kisses. Moaning as we fucked. I did too. Her head slipped to the side of mine and whispered. “You like my tight little cunt, don't you Babe. Your cock is a perfect fit for it. My cunt loves your cock. Oh God Mark. ““Oh God Babe. Your cunt is so tight. I love it and always will. Fuck me Carrie.”She sat up and started grinding hard on me now. Neither of us was going to last long. I sat up and took her one tit in my mouth and sucked hard.“Oh Christ. Suck my tits Baby. I Love that so much”She started pounding me harder now, as I continued sucking it, then switched to the other. Her arm went behind my head and pulled me in tighter. My hands were holding her luscious ass as I did this. My one hand went exploring and touched her ass, which made her moan really loud. I slipped it down to her cunt and got it wet as the finger rubbed against her lips and my cock. Then I brought it up to her brown hole and slipped it in.“Oh Fuck Baby. Yes. God I love you”She started cumming a minute later. Her head and body shook as she came hard, but somehow, she maintain the rhythm we had going. I was now getting close myself and could feel my balls tighten up, signaling my impending orgasm. “Oh Shit Carrie, I'm going to cum” I yelled out.She slammed down one last time, and then jumped off. Her mouth was over my cock in no time and was starting to suck me, when I erupted in her mouth. I had to have shot 5 or 6 good ropes into her hungry mouth. She didn't spill a drop, except at the end, a little dribbled out the side.She was kneeling now, getting ready to wipe her mouth, when I grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her to me and I licked it off of her face and then kissed her. The kiss was so hot and passionate. We were lost in that kiss for minutes, until she broke away, panting hard.We both lay on our backs now, still in a euphoric bliss from our love making. Carrie was very quiet. At first I thought she fell asleep, until I felt her hand grasp mine and squeeze it.“Are you  okay Carrie?”, I asked. “Actually, I am on cloud nine, as they say. I've never been made love too, like this, then opening up and letting go like that. I just hope you don't think I am some sort of slut. I want to explore all there is with you sexually and lovingly too.”“Babe. You are hardly a slut. Sex to me, is supposed to be fun too. You were amazing. But our love making, well, it's beyond words. To me, you are an angel. Quite the lady too. In bed, we can do whatever we please, as long as we both agree on whatever we do. One thing though, I can never share you with anyone. I don't believe I get jealous, but I could never share you with anyone, man or woman. I knew a couple in the service that did that. Got into swinging. No way. Not with someone I love and respect, like I do you. But just so you know, I really enjoyed the naughty Carrie. She is fun.”“Umm.. I may have to let her out more often then. Cuz naughty Markie, was turning me on too. But, you will never have to fear me wanting another. I am quite happy with who I am with. I will never deny you in bed either. Except, when I am sick, or you are sick. Sex just doesn't seem like fun then. But that's about it.”“Yeah, being sick and wanting sex, just doesn't seem to go hand in hand. I will never deny you as well. But, I'm a guy, so the prospect of me saying no is quite low.”She giggled, then said, “Well. Mister. You better never hold out in the oral department anymore. Oh Christ. That was unbelievable. I could take that all day long. And, I love giving too. I love how you taste.”“You're turning me on again Honey. How do you feel right now?” I asked“Horny” she giggled then. “Honestly. And don't freak when I say this. But I feel as though I am on a Honeymoon and you took your virgin bride to sexual highs she never knew existed.”I did chuckle. “Nothing wrong with that. To me, you are a virgin, or at least were. I don't care about your past. You are my first, and dare I say, only love for me.”“I like that” she replied. Then said, “Where do you see us in a year?”“Honestly. I never look to the future too much. But, I have been lately. I hope that you will be with me in a year, and maybe, just maybe, if you haven't tired of my Jarhead ass, we are right back here, spending it as a true honeymoon”She folded into my arms and kissed my cheek. “I think that could be a real possibility. This Squid actually has thought about it, and she doesn't think she'll ever tire of you. Piss me off at times, Yes, but never tire.”I then laughed, and she asked what was funny. “God, if your Dad could see us right now. He'd hang me.”“Nah. He knows I like you a great deal. He doesn't know we professed love yet. But he does like you, Mom told me that. Jenny knows too. I talked with her this morning. I sent her a selfie, after I got my hair done. She called right after seeing it. Then she starts out by saying, “Damn Mom, you look hot. I think someone is in love.” She's a pretty smart girl actually. I was supposed to face time with her earlier, but someone had me a tad busy. She wants to see you and talk with you.”“Oh great. She's the one person that scares me the most, and I want on my side. More so, than even your parents. Go ahead and call her now. It's only 10pm.”She giggled again. “Uh No. We better wait until tomorrow. This is the first time her and her boyfriend Alan have been alone for a long time. He was with his family last weekend. They have dated for a year now, so I am pretty sure, they are in the same place you and I are right now, naked and in bed.”“You  okay with that? I asked. “Oh yes. I like him a lot. He treats her with so much respect and I know they love one another. He's a good kid and dotes after Jenny. His world revolves around her. He is studying to become a food scientist. If they can last the ups and downs of college and still remain in love, I could easily see them married one day. Only time will tell. And don't worry about her liking you, she will. She knows I do, and so far have made me extremely happy.”She got up then and walked to the bathroom. Then came back with our robes. “Let's go cuddle on the couch, enjoy some wine and TV, before we call it a night.” And so we did.Chapter 15.It was morning now, almost 8:30. I never sleep this late. The only reason I was up was because I had to pee so bad. Carrie was still sound asleep. She was curled up and looked so peaceful. My thought was, “What in God's name does she see in me. I'm nobody special. Yes, I am in good shape and I do treat her with respect, but she is absolutely beautiful and had I known of her, somewhere else, I would have never even attempted to approach her. I wasn't in her league, or so I thought”But here I am, one week after meeting her, and totally in love. I could not even fathom life without her in it. But reality would soon be creeping up on us. I knew she would be leaving mid-week. Would this all end after she left, and had time to really think this through? Only time will tell.I padded to the kitchen and made coffee. As it brewed I stood looking out the back door window. The skies were an ugly gray. Rain was falling. We knew this was coming, after viewing the weather report last night. Today and tomorrow, rain.I then toasted a few bagels, and got out the cream cheese. Made us both coffee, and took it to the bedroom. As I walked in, Carrie was yawning and stretching. Her tit were in plain view, and look so delicious to me. She sat up, not bothering to cover up. “Good sign” I thought.“Good Morning Sweetheart. I thought you may enjoy some breakfast in bed” I said to her.“Oh Wow. I could definitely get used to this. Especially if you lose that robe.”We sat and enjoyed our breakfast. We also started talking about this coming week. Since it was raining today, we decided to go into town and take in a movie and then dinner at some restaurant. On Monday, we were to hike Algonquin Peak, but if it is raining, we'll need to find something else to do.She then said, “You know I leave Wednesday. I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday that I made months ago, and I can't reschedule. It just takes so long to get in to see her.”“I know you were leaving then. But, I also am going to leave that day, with you. No sense hanging around here. Be bored to death, and I know me, all I'll think of is you the whole time.”“Awe. You are so sweet to me. But this is your vacation and you had it all planned out. Stay and at least hike some more of these mountains. I'll feel bad if you miss out on that.” she said with a pouty face.I just smiled at her and told her no, it was best I do head home. I had some major cleaning to do at my place. The house I have is actually an older farm house that was my grandparents. My grandmother outlived my mom and when she died, it was left to me and Ann. Ann didn't want it, so to be fair, I paid her the half she would have received, if we had sold it.The house was nice, but very outdated. Even the furniture was from the 60's. To me, it was cool, but my needs are simple. Ann has been bugging me for almost a year now to at least get some new furniture, if not update the whole place. My office is actually the dining room.I tell you this because I have never brought anyone there, especially a date. So bringing Carrie there, as it looks right now, is totally out of the question. As I told her this, she just laughed. She asked if I keep it clean, or was I a typical guy, and let things go until I can't stand it anymore. I told her I always keep it clean, it's just very outdated.“You big lug, I don't care about stuff like that. I will care if it smells like the gym on board a ship smells like. That is so gross.” and we both laughed.We finished our coffee and bagels, and set our cups and napkins on the nightstand. She pulled the cover down and asked me to slide in. We started kissing and making out some, when her phone rang. “Perfect timing” I thought. She looked at the phone and said, “It's Jenny. Hope all is alright. She is never up this early.”“She hit some button and I saw Jenny's face appear on the screen. Luckily, Carrie had the sheet up above her tit, and I was safely off to the side.“Hi Sweetheart”“Hi Mom. Hope I am not disturbing you.”“No Sweetie. You're good. We were just having breakfast.”“Oh. In bed too. I take it Marine guy is nearby.”Carrie laughed, “If you must know young Jen, he is right here, and his name is Mark, not Marine guy. But you knew that” “Hey just giving you a hard time. Hi Mark.” Carrie moved the phone over to where I could see her and she see me. I had just put the robe back on, so I was decent.“Hi Jenny. Very nice to meet you. I must say, you are as pretty as your mother.”Jen smiled; “Thank you. I hope to get to meet you when you two get back from your little vacation.”“I would say that is a very good possibility, unless your Mom gets rid of me by then. Lots of mountain tops she could push me off of, up here.” I said with a laugh.Carrie turned the phone back to her and said, “What did you two do this weekend? Is Alan still there?”Jen smiled this sly smile “Yeah. He is still asleep. We went to dinner and a late movie, then came back here. The main reason I am calling is that Papa called a bit ago, or I'd be sleeping too. He and grandma are coming up next weekend”My eyes got real big, but Carrie just chuckled, “That's great. When are they coming in?”“Friday evening, and staying here for a few days, then going to aunty Bev's for a few days. And Mark. Papa had a message for you. “Don't crap where you eat son.” He said you'd understand completely.”I just shook my head. Great. He's gonna shit when he hears his daughter and I are now dating.Carrie was laughing now. Jen wanted to know what that was about. Carrie said she’d tell her when she sees her this week. They carried on for a few more minutes as Jen filled her in on stuff. Now Jen did look somewhat similar to her mom, from what I could see on the phone. That same light caramel color, with long flowing brown hair, and a gorgeous smile. Alan should consider himself a very lucky man. They signed off then after saying goodbye's and Jen saying bye to me too, telling me to take very good care of her mother, or else.I asked, “Are you sure she isn't your blood daughter? You two look so much alike.”“I wish she was. But No. Her parents were Puerto Rican, so the skin color is close. She shorted too, only 5 foot 3. She is an angel. You think Dad dotes over me? Wait till you see him around Jenny. I feel bad for Alan. He's met Dad twice now and is scared shitless of him. But Daddy wants only the best for his girls.”“Yeah, well, I am wondering now what is he going to say about us being together. He still scares the shit out of me.”She laughed, “Oh I don't know. I'll let you know after I tell him how you been having your way with me this whole week.” then laughed some more. She then opened his robe, grabbed his semi stiff member and stroke it.She giggled, the looked at him and stated, “Umm, I wonder what he'd say if he knew I was doing this.”, as she lowered her head to my manhood and sucked the head in.“Oh God Carrie.”The PromiseCarrie and Mark settle in to everyday life, once they return from their week and a half camping and hiking trip, after finding love in those mountains.I asked, “Are you sure she isn't your blood daughter? You two look so much alike.”“I wish she was. But No. Her parents were Puerto Rican, so the skin color is close. She shorter too, only 5 foot 3.. She is an angel. You think Dad dotes over me? Wait till you see him around Jenny. I feel bad for Alan. He's met Dad twice now and is scared shitless of him. But Daddy wants only the best for his girls.”“Yeah, well, I am wondering now what is he going to say about us being together. He still scares the shit out of me.”She laughed, “Oh I don't know. I'll let you know after I tell him how you been having your way with me this whole week.” then laughed some more. She then opened my robe, grabbed my semi stiff member and stroke it.She giggled, the looked at him and stated, “Umm, I wonder what he'd say if he knew I was doing this.”, as she lowered her head to my manhood and sucked the head in.“Oh God Carrie.”Chapter 16.The rest of that day, and into Monday, it did nothing but rain. So exploring any of the mountain tops was curtailed. We pretty much hung around the cabin in just our robes that day. The only time we dressed was to go to dinner, down into town. Neither of us felt like cooking. It was very hard for me to resist getting Carrie naked and just making love all day, but she needed to know that our relationship, that we both professed our love for each other, was more than just a physical thing, but also emotional.You see Carrie is a very beautiful woman. She is 5 foot 7, 130 pounds, with caramel colored skin, almost like Halle Berry skin tone. Her hair is short now too, with blonde highlights mixed in with her brown hair. Totally sexy in my eyes. She has amazing legs that are long and toned and a great ass. What turns me on the most is her tits. They are a large A, or small B cup. I love a woman with small tits.I am 5 foot 10, 175 pounds, and been told by many, a handsome man. I keep in shape, and that is because after spending 20 years in the Marines, you get used to working out. It's just ingrained into your fabric. I was single too, for all of those years. Never had a serious relationship, except for a semi one, back in my 20's, when I lived with a girl for a few months. But she didn

Carrie and Mark settle in to everyday life.by T. Foxal. Listen to the ► Podcast at Connected.“Oh Mark. I have never been made love to like that ever. It was perfect. Everything you have done so far has been perfect for me. I don't think you have one selfish bone in your body. I need to know though, are you scared of all of this?”“Carrie, I have never been more scared in my life. Not even over in the sandpit, with bullets flying all around. Had you not said I love you back to me, when I made my declaration, I would have been crushed. I've never, ever let anyone into my heart, like I have let you in. Am I scared now? A little. I know you said it the other night. Well, you told me to catch up with you because you were already there. But over time, I thought you may have some misgivings for saying, since we were in the heat of the moment then. But all the little things you have been doing, or saying, led me to believe you really were. And, I wanted to make it special for you. This whole day when you weren't around me, all I could think of was you. I wondered what you were thinking when you took your bath before, or what you were doing and thinking when you left this morning. Let's face it, we haven't been alone with our own thoughts for a week now.”She leaned in and kissed me lightly on the lips, then said, “Mark. I knew from that first kiss. Then when we made love the first time, I was in heaven. It wasn't sex between us. It was more. Since that time, we have done nothing but make love and my heart races every time I see you. I was so scared when I said that the other night. Did I push you away from me? Would you just say, screw this, I'm outta here. But the big thing for me was when we were at the winery, and you went up to the bar to get us those samples. Your eyes smiled at me the whole time. You didn't even look at that girl, who I thought was really hot, but just kept looking at me. You made love to me right then. Am I scared. Yes. I want this more than anything, but I don't want to be hurt again. I lived that. But, you are not him. You are so much more than he could ever be. I was eye candy for him, and a fuck, and nothing more. My heart is now yours, please don't hurt it.”I rolled to my side and looked deep into her hazel eyes, then kissed her. “You know what turned me on the most today?” “No, Baby, I don't” “When I saw you after you came back from your day in town. My God, you looked so sexy and stunning to me. You are such a beautiful woman, and not just physically, but all around. I wanted to take you then, but then that would have downplayed this evening. I never tried to be romantic with anyone before, and I so wanted to seduce you tonight.”She giggled. “Well Mr. Marine. You succeeded in every way tonight. I'll tell you. When I saw the robe, then the candles lit by the bathtub, I got super horny. I wanted you so bad then. Then when I shaved down there, I felt incredibly sexy. I even came after that. But when we took off our robes and I saw you in those boxers, I damn near raped you. But dancing really did me in. I almost told you then I loved you. But I am glad I waited now.”As she talked, her hand was now on my cock, stroking it back to life. When I was hard again, she leaned in and kissed me, then pushed me to my back. She kneeled and straddled me and slowly sat down on me, engulfing me with her velvet like inner walls of her sex.“Baby?” she whispered. “This has been an amazing night. But now I need to be a little naughty. A couple should be able to let loose some and enjoy sex too. I love lovemaking, but I also love to fuck Mark. But only with someone I want to give myself too, completely. I want to fuck your beautiful cock. I want to feel your cum spray deep inside me and, I want cum all over it. Fuck me Baby. Make me your Lover.”I arched my back up and drove in deep in her. “Oh Fuck. You are so deep.” She started moving up and down, faster and faster. “Oh god I love this. My favorite position too.”She leaned down and started smothering me with kisses. Moaning as we fucked. I did too. Her head slipped to the side of mine and whispered. “You like my tight little cunt, don't you Babe. Your cock is a perfect fit for it. My cunt loves your cock. Oh God Mark. ““Oh God Babe. Your cunt is so tight. I love it and always will. Fuck me Carrie.”She sat up and started grinding hard on me now. Neither of us was going to last long. I sat up and took her one tit in my mouth and sucked hard.“Oh Christ. Suck my tits Baby. I Love that so much”She started pounding me harder now, as I continued sucking it, then switched to the other. Her arm went behind my head and pulled me in tighter. My hands were holding her luscious ass as I did this. My one hand went exploring and touched her ass, which made her moan really loud. I slipped it down to her cunt and got it wet as the finger rubbed against her lips and my cock. Then I brought it up to her brown hole and slipped it in.“Oh Fuck Baby. Yes. God I love you”She started cumming a minute later. Her head and body shook as she came hard, but somehow, she maintain the rhythm we had going. I was now getting close myself and could feel my balls tighten up, signaling my impending orgasm. “Oh Shit Carrie, I'm going to cum” I yelled out.She slammed down one last time, and then jumped off. Her mouth was over my cock in no time and was starting to suck me, when I erupted in her mouth. I had to have shot 5 or 6 good ropes into her hungry mouth. She didn't spill a drop, except at the end, a little dribbled out the side.She was kneeling now, getting ready to wipe her mouth, when I grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her to me and I licked it off of her face and then kissed her. The kiss was so hot and passionate. We were lost in that kiss for minutes, until she broke away, panting hard.We both lay on our backs now, still in a euphoric bliss from our love making. Carrie was very quiet. At first I thought she fell asleep, until I felt her hand grasp mine and squeeze it.“Are you  okay Carrie?”, I asked. “Actually, I am on cloud nine, as they say. I've never been made love too, like this, then opening up and letting go like that. I just hope you don't think I am some sort of slut. I want to explore all there is with you sexually and lovingly too.”“Babe. You are hardly a slut. Sex to me, is supposed to be fun too. You were amazing. But our love making, well, it's beyond words. To me, you are an angel. Quite the lady too. In bed, we can do whatever we please, as long as we both agree on whatever we do. One thing though, I can never share you with anyone. I don't believe I get jealous, but I could never share you with anyone, man or woman. I knew a couple in the service that did that. Got into swinging. No way. Not with someone I love and respect, like I do you. But just so you know, I really enjoyed the naughty Carrie. She is fun.”“Umm.. I may have to let her out more often then. Cuz naughty Markie, was turning me on too. But, you will never have to fear me wanting another. I am quite happy with who I am with. I will never deny you in bed either. Except, when I am sick, or you are sick. Sex just doesn't seem like fun then. But that's about it.”“Yeah, being sick and wanting sex, just doesn't seem to go hand in hand. I will never deny you as well. But, I'm a guy, so the prospect of me saying no is quite low.”She giggled, then said, “Well. Mister. You better never hold out in the oral department anymore. Oh Christ. That was unbelievable. I could take that all day long. And, I love giving too. I love how you taste.”“You're turning me on again Honey. How do you feel right now?” I asked“Horny” she giggled then. “Honestly. And don't freak when I say this. But I feel as though I am on a Honeymoon and you took your virgin bride to sexual highs she never knew existed.”I did chuckle. “Nothing wrong with that. To me, you are a virgin, or at least were. I don't care about your past. You are my first, and dare I say, only love for me.”“I like that” she replied. Then said, “Where do you see us in a year?”“Honestly. I never look to the future too much. But, I have been lately. I hope that you will be with me in a year, and maybe, just maybe, if you haven't tired of my Jarhead ass, we are right back here, spending it as a true honeymoon”She folded into my arms and kissed my cheek. “I think that could be a real possibility. This Squid actually has thought about it, and she doesn't think she'll ever tire of you. Piss me off at times, Yes, but never tire.”I then laughed, and she asked what was funny. “God, if your Dad could see us right now. He'd hang me.”“Nah. He knows I like you a great deal. He doesn't know we professed love yet. But he does like you, Mom told me that. Jenny knows too. I talked with her this morning. I sent her a selfie, after I got my hair done. She called right after seeing it. Then she starts out by saying, “Damn Mom, you look hot. I think someone is in love.” She's a pretty smart girl actually. I was supposed to face time with her earlier, but someone had me a tad busy. She wants to see you and talk with you.”“Oh great. She's the one person that scares me the most, and I want on my side. More so, than even your parents. Go ahead and call her now. It's only 10pm.”She giggled again. “Uh No. We better wait until tomorrow. This is the first time her and her boyfriend Alan have been alone for a long time. He was with his family last weekend. They have dated for a year now, so I am pretty sure, they are in the same place you and I are right now, naked and in bed.”“You  okay with that? I asked. “Oh yes. I like him a lot. He treats her with so much respect and I know they love one another. He's a good kid and dotes after Jenny. His world revolves around her. He is studying to become a food scientist. If they can last the ups and downs of college and still remain in love, I could easily see them married one day. Only time will tell. And don't worry about her liking you, she will. She knows I do, and so far have made me extremely happy.”She got up then and walked to the bathroom. Then came back with our robes. “Let's go cuddle on the couch, enjoy some wine and TV, before we call it a night.” And so we did.Chapter 15.It was morning now, almost 8:30. I never sleep this late. The only reason I was up was because I had to pee so bad. Carrie was still sound asleep. She was curled up and looked so peaceful. My thought was, “What in God's name does she see in me. I'm nobody special. Yes, I am in good shape and I do treat her with respect, but she is absolutely beautiful and had I known of her, somewhere else, I would have never even attempted to approach her. I wasn't in her league, or so I thought”But here I am, one week after meeting her, and totally in love. I could not even fathom life without her in it. But reality would soon be creeping up on us. I knew she would be leaving mid-week. Would this all end after she left, and had time to really think this through? Only time will tell.I padded to the kitchen and made coffee. As it brewed I stood looking out the back door window. The skies were an ugly gray. Rain was falling. We knew this was coming, after viewing the weather report last night. Today and tomorrow, rain.I then toasted a few bagels, and got out the cream cheese. Made us both coffee, and took it to the bedroom. As I walked in, Carrie was yawning and stretching. Her tit were in plain view, and look so delicious to me. She sat up, not bothering to cover up. “Good sign” I thought.“Good Morning Sweetheart. I thought you may enjoy some breakfast in bed” I said to her.“Oh Wow. I could definitely get used to this. Especially if you lose that robe.”We sat and enjoyed our breakfast. We also started talking about this coming week. Since it was raining today, we decided to go into town and take in a movie and then dinner at some restaurant. On Monday, we were to hike Algonquin Peak, but if it is raining, we'll need to find something else to do.She then said, “You know I leave Wednesday. I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday that I made months ago, and I can't reschedule. It just takes so long to get in to see her.”“I know you were leaving then. But, I also am going to leave that day, with you. No sense hanging around here. Be bored to death, and I know me, all I'll think of is you the whole time.”“Awe. You are so sweet to me. But this is your vacation and you had it all planned out. Stay and at least hike some more of these mountains. I'll feel bad if you miss out on that.” she said with a pouty face.I just smiled at her and told her no, it was best I do head home. I had some major cleaning to do at my place. The house I have is actually an older farm house that was my grandparents. My grandmother outlived my mom and when she died, it was left to me and Ann. Ann didn't want it, so to be fair, I paid her the half she would have received, if we had sold it.The house was nice, but very outdated. Even the furniture was from the 60's. To me, it was cool, but my needs are simple. Ann has been bugging me for almost a year now to at least get some new furniture, if not update the whole place. My office is actually the dining room.I tell you this because I have never brought anyone there, especially a date. So bringing Carrie there, as it looks right now, is totally out of the question. As I told her this, she just laughed. She asked if I keep it clean, or was I a typical guy, and let things go until I can't stand it anymore. I told her I always keep it clean, it's just very outdated.“You big lug, I don't care about stuff like that. I will care if it smells like the gym on board a ship smells like. That is so gross.” and we both laughed.We finished our coffee and bagels, and set our cups and napkins on the nightstand. She pulled the cover down and asked me to slide in. We started kissing and making out some, when her phone rang. “Perfect timing” I thought. She looked at the phone and said, “It's Jenny. Hope all is alright. She is never up this early.”“She hit some button and I saw Jenny's face appear on the screen. Luckily, Carrie had the sheet up above her tit, and I was safely off to the side.“Hi Sweetheart”“Hi Mom. Hope I am not disturbing you.”“No Sweetie. You're good. We were just having breakfast.”“Oh. In bed too. I take it Marine guy is nearby.”Carrie laughed, “If you must know young Jen, he is right here, and his name is Mark, not Marine guy. But you knew that” “Hey just giving you a hard time. Hi Mark.” Carrie moved the phone over to where I could see her and she see me. I had just put the robe back on, so I was decent.“Hi Jenny. Very nice to meet you. I must say, you are as pretty as your mother.”Jen smiled; “Thank you. I hope to get to meet you when you two get back from your little vacation.”“I would say that is a very good possibility, unless your Mom gets rid of me by then. Lots of mountain tops she could push me off of, up here.” I said with a laugh.Carrie turned the phone back to her and said, “What did you two do this weekend? Is Alan still there?”Jen smiled this sly smile “Yeah. He is still asleep. We went to dinner and a late movie, then came back here. The main reason I am calling is that Papa called a bit ago, or I'd be sleeping too. He and grandma are coming up next weekend”My eyes got real big, but Carrie just chuckled, “That's great. When are they coming in?”“Friday evening, and staying here for a few days, then going to aunty Bev's for a few days. And Mark. Papa had a message for you. “Don't crap where you eat son.” He said you'd understand completely.”I just shook my head. Great. He's gonna shit when he hears his daughter and I are now dating.Carrie was laughing now. Jen wanted to know what that was about. Carrie said she’d tell her when she sees her this week. They carried on for a few more minutes as Jen filled her in on stuff. Now Jen did look somewhat similar to her mom, from what I could see on the phone. That same light caramel color, with long flowing brown hair, and a gorgeous smile. Alan should consider himself a very lucky man. They signed off then after saying goodbye's and Jen saying bye to me too, telling me to take very good care of her mother, or else.I asked, “Are you sure she isn't your blood daughter? You two look so much alike.”“I wish she was. But No. Her parents were Puerto Rican, so the skin color is close. She shorted too, only 5 foot 3. She is an angel. You think Dad dotes over me? Wait till you see him around Jenny. I feel bad for Alan. He's met Dad twice now and is scared shitless of him. But Daddy wants only the best for his girls.”“Yeah, well, I am wondering now what is he going to say about us being together. He still scares the shit out of me.”She laughed, “Oh I don't know. I'll let you know after I tell him how you been having your way with me this whole week.” then laughed some more. She then opened his robe, grabbed his semi stiff member and stroke it.She giggled, the looked at him and stated, “Umm, I wonder what he'd say if he knew I was doing this.”, as she lowered her head to my manhood and sucked the head in.“Oh God Carrie.”The PromiseCarrie and Mark settle in to everyday life, once they return from their week and a half camping and hiking trip, after finding love in those mountains.I asked, “Are you sure she isn't your blood daughter? You two look so much alike.”“I wish she was. But No. Her parents were Puerto Rican, so the skin color is close. She shorter too, only 5 foot 3.. She is an angel. You think Dad dotes over me? Wait till you see him around Jenny. I feel bad for Alan. He's met Dad twice now and is scared shitless of him. But Daddy wants only the best for his girls.”“Yeah, well, I am wondering now what is he going to say about us being together. He still scares the shit out of me.”She laughed, “Oh I don't know. I'll let you know after I tell him how you been having your way with me this whole week.” then laughed some more. She then opened my robe, grabbed my semi stiff member and stroke it.She giggled, the looked at him and stated, “Umm, I wonder what he'd say if he knew I was doing this.”, as she lowered her head to my manhood and sucked the head in.“Oh God Carrie.”Chapter 16.The rest of that day, and into Monday, it did nothing but rain. So exploring any of the mountain tops was curtailed. We pretty much hung around the cabin in just our robes that day. The only time we dressed was to go to dinner, down into town. Neither of us felt like cooking. It was very hard for me to resist getting Carrie naked and just making love all day, but she needed to know that our relationship, that we both professed our love for each other, was more than just a physical thing, but also emotional.You see Carrie is a very beautiful woman. She is 5 foot 7, 130 pounds, with caramel colored skin, almost like Halle Berry skin tone. Her hair is short now too, with blonde highlights mixed in with her brown hair. Totally sexy in my eyes. She has amazing legs that are long and toned and a great ass. What turns me on the most is her tits. They are a large A, or small B cup. I love a woman with small tits.I am 5 foot 10, 175 pounds, and been told by many, a handsome man. I keep in shape, and that is because after spending 20 years in the Marines, you get used to working out. It's just ingrained into your fabric. I was single too, for all of those years. Never had a serious relationship, except for a semi one, back in my 20's, when I lived with a girl for a few months. But she didn

Carrie and Mark settle in to everyday life.by T. Foxal. Listen to the ► Podcast at Connected.“Oh Mark. I have never been made love to like that ever. It was perfect. Everything you have done so far has been perfect for me. I don't think you have one selfish bone in your body. I need to know though, are you scared of all of this?”“Carrie, I have never been more scared in my life. Not even over in the sandpit, with bullets flying all around. Had you not said I love you back to me, when I made my declaration, I would have been crushed. I've never, ever let anyone into my heart, like I have let you in. Am I scared now? A little. I know you said it the other night. Well, you told me to catch up with you because you were already there. But over time, I thought you may have some misgivings for saying, since we were in the heat of the moment then. But all the little things you have been doing, or saying, led me to believe you really were. And, I wanted to make it special for you. This whole day when you weren't around me, all I could think of was you. I wondered what you were thinking when you took your bath before, or what you were doing and thinking when you left this morning. Let's face it, we haven't been alone with our own thoughts for a week now.”She leaned in and kissed me lightly on the lips, then said, “Mark. I knew from that first kiss. Then when we made love the first time, I was in heaven. It wasn't sex between us. It was more. Since that time, we have done nothing but make love and my heart races every time I see you. I was so scared when I said that the other night. Did I push you away from me? Would you just say, screw this, I'm outta here. But the big thing for me was when we were at the winery, and you went up to the bar to get us those samples. Your eyes smiled at me the whole time. You didn't even look at that girl, who I thought was really hot, but just kept looking at me. You made love to me right then. Am I scared. Yes. I want this more than anything, but I don't want to be hurt again. I lived that. But, you are not him. You are so much more than he could ever be. I was eye candy for him, and a fuck, and nothing more. My heart is now yours, please don't hurt it.”I rolled to my side and looked deep into her hazel eyes, then kissed her. “You know what turned me on the most today?” “No, Baby, I don't” “When I saw you after you came back from your day in town. My God, you looked so sexy and stunning to me. You are such a beautiful woman, and not just physically, but all around. I wanted to take you then, but then that would have downplayed this evening. I never tried to be romantic with anyone before, and I so wanted to seduce you tonight.”She giggled. “Well Mr. Marine. You succeeded in every way tonight. I'll tell you. When I saw the robe, then the candles lit by the bathtub, I got super horny. I wanted you so bad then. Then when I shaved down there, I felt incredibly sexy. I even came after that. But when we took off our robes and I saw you in those boxers, I damn near raped you. But dancing really did me in. I almost told you then I loved you. But I am glad I waited now.”As she talked, her hand was now on my cock, stroking it back to life. When I was hard again, she leaned in and kissed me, then pushed me to my back. She kneeled and straddled me and slowly sat down on me, engulfing me with her velvet like inner walls of her sex.“Baby?” she whispered. “This has been an amazing night. But now I need to be a little naughty. A couple should be able to let loose some and enjoy sex too. I love lovemaking, but I also love to fuck Mark. But only with someone I want to give myself too, completely. I want to fuck your beautiful cock. I want to feel your cum spray deep inside me and, I want cum all over it. Fuck me Baby. Make me your Lover.”I arched my back up and drove in deep in her. “Oh Fuck. You are so deep.” She started moving up and down, faster and faster. “Oh god I love this. My favorite position too.”She leaned down and started smothering me with kisses. Moaning as we fucked. I did too. Her head slipped to the side of mine and whispered. “You like my tight little cunt, don't you Babe. Your cock is a perfect fit for it. My cunt loves your cock. Oh God Mark. ““Oh God Babe. Your cunt is so tight. I love it and always will. Fuck me Carrie.”She sat up and started grinding hard on me now. Neither of us was going to last long. I sat up and took her one tit in my mouth and sucked hard.“Oh Christ. Suck my tits Baby. I Love that so much”She started pounding me harder now, as I continued sucking it, then switched to the other. Her arm went behind my head and pulled me in tighter. My hands were holding her luscious ass as I did this. My one hand went exploring and touched her ass, which made her moan really loud. I slipped it down to her cunt and got it wet as the finger rubbed against her lips and my cock. Then I brought it up to her brown hole and slipped it in.“Oh Fuck Baby. Yes. God I love you”She started cumming a minute later. Her head and body shook as she came hard, but somehow, she maintain the rhythm we had going. I was now getting close myself and could feel my balls tighten up, signaling my impending orgasm. “Oh Shit Carrie, I'm going to cum” I yelled out.She slammed down one last time, and then jumped off. Her mouth was over my cock in no time and was starting to suck me, when I erupted in her mouth. I had to have shot 5 or 6 good ropes into her hungry mouth. She didn't spill a drop, except at the end, a little dribbled out the side.She was kneeling now, getting ready to wipe her mouth, when I grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her to me and I licked it off of her face and then kissed her. The kiss was so hot and passionate. We were lost in that kiss for minutes, until she broke away, panting hard.We both lay on our backs now, still in a euphoric bliss from our love making. Carrie was very quiet. At first I thought she fell asleep, until I felt her hand grasp mine and squeeze it.“Are you  okay Carrie?”, I asked. “Actually, I am on cloud nine, as they say. I've never been made love too, like this, then opening up and letting go like that. I just hope you don't think I am some sort of slut. I want to explore all there is with you sexually and lovingly too.”“Babe. You are hardly a slut. Sex to me, is supposed to be fun too. You were amazing. But our love making, well, it's beyond words. To me, you are an angel. Quite the lady too. In bed, we can do whatever we please, as long as we both agree on whatever we do. One thing though, I can never share you with anyone. I don't believe I get jealous, but I could never share you with anyone, man or woman. I knew a couple in the service that did that. Got into swinging. No way. Not with someone I love and respect, like I do you. But just so you know, I really enjoyed the naughty Carrie. She is fun.”“Umm.. I may have to let her out more often then. Cuz naughty Markie, was turning me on too. But, you will never have to fear me wanting another. I am quite happy with who I am with. I will never deny you in bed either. Except, when I am sick, or you are sick. Sex just doesn't seem like fun then. But that's about it.”“Yeah, being sick and wanting sex, just doesn't seem to go hand in hand. I will never deny you as well. But, I'm a guy, so the prospect of me saying no is quite low.”She giggled, then said, “Well. Mister. You better never hold out in the oral department anymore. Oh Christ. That was unbelievable. I could take that all day long. And, I love giving too. I love how you taste.”“You're turning me on again Honey. How do you feel right now?” I asked“Horny” she giggled then. “Honestly. And don't freak when I say this. But I feel as though I am on a Honeymoon and you took your virgin bride to sexual highs she never knew existed.”I did chuckle. “Nothing wrong with that. To me, you are a virgin, or at least were. I don't care about your past. You are my first, and dare I say, only love for me.”“I like that” she replied. Then said, “Where do you see us in a year?”“Honestly. I never look to the future too much. But, I have been lately. I hope that you will be with me in a year, and maybe, just maybe, if you haven't tired of my Jarhead ass, we are right back here, spending it as a true honeymoon”She folded into my arms and kissed my cheek. “I think that could be a real possibility. This Squid actually has thought about it, and she doesn't think she'll ever tire of you. Piss me off at times, Yes, but never tire.”I then laughed, and she asked what was funny. “God, if your Dad could see us right now. He'd hang me.”“Nah. He knows I like you a great deal. He doesn't know we professed love yet. But he does like you, Mom told me that. Jenny knows too. I talked with her this morning. I sent her a selfie, after I got my hair done. She called right after seeing it. Then she starts out by saying, “Damn Mom, you look hot. I think someone is in love.” She's a pretty smart girl actually. I was supposed to face time with her earlier, but someone had me a tad busy. She wants to see you and talk with you.”“Oh great. She's the one person that scares me the most, and I want on my side. More so, than even your parents. Go ahead and call her now. It's only 10pm.”She giggled again. “Uh No. We better wait until tomorrow. This is the first time her and her boyfriend Alan have been alone for a long time. He was with his family last weekend. They have dated for a year now, so I am pretty sure, they are in the same place you and I are right now, naked and in bed.”“You  okay with that? I asked. “Oh yes. I like him a lot. He treats her with so much respect and I know they love one another. He's a good kid and dotes after Jenny. His world revolves around her. He is studying to become a food scientist. If they can last the ups and downs of college and still remain in love, I could easily see them married one day. Only time will tell. And don't worry about her liking you, she will. She knows I do, and so far have made me extremely happy.”She got up then and walked to the bathroom. Then came back with our robes. “Let's go cuddle on the couch, enjoy some wine and TV, before we call it a night.” And so we did.Chapter 15.It was morning now, almost 8:30. I never sleep this late. The only reason I was up was because I had to pee so bad. Carrie was still sound asleep. She was curled up and looked so peaceful. My thought was, “What in God's name does she see in me. I'm nobody special. Yes, I am in good shape and I do treat her with respect, but she is absolutely beautiful and had I known of her, somewhere else, I would have never even attempted to approach her. I wasn't in her league, or so I thought”But here I am, one week after meeting her, and totally in love. I could not even fathom life without her in it. But reality would soon be creeping up on us. I knew she would be leaving mid-week. Would this all end after she left, and had time to really think this through? Only time will tell.I padded to the kitchen and made coffee. As it brewed I stood looking out the back door window. The skies were an ugly gray. Rain was falling. We knew this was coming, after viewing the weather report last night. Today and tomorrow, rain.I then toasted a few bagels, and got out the cream cheese. Made us both coffee, and took it to the bedroom. As I walked in, Carrie was yawning and stretching. Her tit were in plain view, and look so delicious to me. She sat up, not bothering to cover up. “Good sign” I thought.“Good Morning Sweetheart. I thought you may enjoy some breakfast in bed” I said to her.“Oh Wow. I could definitely get used to this. Especially if you lose that robe.”We sat and enjoyed our breakfast. We also started talking about this coming week. Since it was raining today, we decided to go into town and take in a movie and then dinner at some restaurant. On Monday, we were to hike Algonquin Peak, but if it is raining, we'll need to find something else to do.She then said, “You know I leave Wednesday. I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday that I made months ago, and I can't reschedule. It just takes so long to get in to see her.”“I know you were leaving then. But, I also am going to leave that day, with you. No sense hanging around here. Be bored to death, and I know me, all I'll think of is you the whole time.”“Awe. You are so sweet to me. But this is your vacation and you had it all planned out. Stay and at least hike some more of these mountains. I'll feel bad if you miss out on that.” she said with a pouty face.I just smiled at her and told her no, it was best I do head home. I had some major cleaning to do at my place. The house I have is actually an older farm house that was my grandparents. My grandmother outlived my mom and when she died, it was left to me and Ann. Ann didn't want it, so to be fair, I paid her the half she would have received, if we had sold it.The house was nice, but very outdated. Even the furniture was from the 60's. To me, it was cool, but my needs are simple. Ann has been bugging me for almost a year now to at least get some new furniture, if not update the whole place. My office is actually the dining room.I tell you this because I have never brought anyone there, especially a date. So bringing Carrie there, as it looks right now, is totally out of the question. As I told her this, she just laughed. She asked if I keep it clean, or was I a typical guy, and let things go until I can't stand it anymore. I told her I always keep it clean, it's just very outdated.“You big lug, I don't care about stuff like that. I will care if it smells like the gym on board a ship smells like. That is so gross.” and we both laughed.We finished our coffee and bagels, and set our cups and napkins on the nightstand. She pulled the cover down and asked me to slide in. We started kissing and making out some, when her phone rang. “Perfect timing” I thought. She looked at the phone and said, “It's Jenny. Hope all is alright. She is never up this early.”“She hit some button and I saw Jenny's face appear on the screen. Luckily, Carrie had the sheet up above her tit, and I was safely off to the side.“Hi Sweetheart”“Hi Mom. Hope I am not disturbing you.”“No Sweetie. You're good. We were just having breakfast.”“Oh. In bed too. I take it Marine guy is nearby.”Carrie laughed, “If you must know young Jen, he is right here, and his name is Mark, not Marine guy. But you knew that” “Hey just giving you a hard time. Hi Mark.” Carrie moved the phone over to where I could see her and she see me. I had just put the robe back on, so I was decent.“Hi Jenny. Very nice to meet you. I must say, you are as pretty as your mother.”Jen smiled; “Thank you. I hope to get to meet you when you two get back from your little vacation.”“I would say that is a very good possibility, unless your Mom gets rid of me by then. Lots of mountain tops she could push me off of, up here.” I said with a laugh.Carrie turned the phone back to her and said, “What did you two do this weekend? Is Alan still there?”Jen smiled this sly smile “Yeah. He is still asleep. We went to dinner and a late movie, then came back here. The main reason I am calling is that Papa called a bit ago, or I'd be sleeping too. He and grandma are coming up next weekend”My eyes got real big, but Carrie just chuckled, “That's great. When are they coming in?”“Friday evening, and staying here for a few days, then going to aunty Bev's for a few days. And Mark. Papa had a message for you. “Don't crap where you eat son.” He said you'd understand completely.”I just shook my head. Great. He's gonna shit when he hears his daughter and I are now dating.Carrie was laughing now. Jen wanted to know what that was about. Carrie said she’d tell her when she sees her this week. They carried on for a few more minutes as Jen filled her in on stuff. Now Jen did look somewhat similar to her mom, from what I could see on the phone. That same light caramel color, with long flowing brown hair, and a gorgeous smile. Alan should consider himself a very lucky man. They signed off then after saying goodbye's and Jen saying bye to me too, telling me to take very good care of her mother, or else.I asked, “Are you sure she isn't your blood daughter? You two look so much alike.”“I wish she was. But No. Her parents were Puerto Rican, so the skin color is close. She shorted too, only 5 foot 3. She is an angel. You think Dad dotes over me? Wait till you see him around Jenny. I feel bad for Alan. He's met Dad twice now and is scared shitless of him. But Daddy wants only the best for his girls.”“Yeah, well, I am wondering now what is he going to say about us being together. He still scares the shit out of me.”She laughed, “Oh I don't know. I'll let you know after I tell him how you been having your way with me this whole week.” then laughed some more. She then opened his robe, grabbed his semi stiff member and stroke it.She giggled, the looked at him and stated, “Umm, I wonder what he'd say if he knew I was doing this.”, as she lowered her head to my manhood and sucked the head in.“Oh God Carrie.”The PromiseCarrie and Mark settle in to everyday life, once they return from their week and a half camping and hiking trip, after finding love in those mountains.I asked, “Are you sure she isn't your blood daughter? You two look so much alike.”“I wish she was. But No. Her parents were Puerto Rican, so the skin color is close. She shorter too, only 5 foot 3.. She is an angel. You think Dad dotes over me? Wait till you see him around Jenny. I feel bad for Alan. He's met Dad twice now and is scared shitless of him. But Daddy wants only the best for his girls.”“Yeah, well, I am wondering now what is he going to say about us being together. He still scares the shit out of me.”She laughed, “Oh I don't know. I'll let you know after I tell him how you been having your way with me this whole week.” then laughed some more. She then opened my robe, grabbed my semi stiff member and stroke it.She giggled, the looked at him and stated, “Umm, I wonder what he'd say if he knew I was doing this.”, as she lowered her head to my manhood and sucked the head in.“Oh God Carrie.”Chapter 16.The rest of that day, and into Monday, it did nothing but rain. So exploring any of the mountain tops was curtailed. We pretty much hung around the cabin in just our robes that day. The only time we dressed was to go to dinner, down into town. Neither of us felt like cooking. It was very hard for me to resist getting Carrie naked and just making love all day, but she needed to know that our relationship, that we both professed our love for each other, was more than just a physical thing, but also emotional.You see Carrie is a very beautiful woman. She is 5 foot 7, 130 pounds, with caramel colored skin, almost like Halle Berry skin tone. Her hair is short now too, with blonde highlights mixed in with her brown hair. Totally sexy in my eyes. She has amazing legs that are long and toned and a great ass. What turns me on the most is her tits. They are a large A, or small B cup. I love a woman with small tits.I am 5 foot 10, 175 pounds, and been told by many, a handsome man. I keep in shape, and that is because after spending 20 years in the Marines, you get used to working out. It's just ingrained into your fabric. I was single too, for all of those years. Never had a serious relationship, except for a semi one, back in my 20's, when I lived with a girl for a few months. But she didn

This week i'm joined by Blesson Wilkerson, best known as ViralTokens. The man has been blanketing the nation with his incredible feats of strength through his now-viral handstands. Maybe you were working at the Hi-Mark one night when he came in to walk down a flight of stairs, maybe you were at Jungle Jim's while we were feeding him sandwiches while he walked on his hands, or maybe you're just one of the cool people who knew about him before we did. We love a guy trying to bring a little positivity to all communities especially through something fun and exciting like this, and the least I could do was have him test out some new crisps from FLOCK that I'd received as a sample. We're also talking deals in the store this week, and we've got plenty for ya! All that and more on the Jungle Jim's Podcast.

This week's question is all about how I use the technology I have to be more productive and better manage my time.  You can subscribe to this podcast on: Podbean | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | TUNEIN Links: Email Me | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Linkedin The Working With… Weekly Newsletter The FREE Beginners Guide To Building Your Own COD System Carl Pullein Learning Centre Carl's YouTube Channel Carl Pullein Coaching Programmes The Working With… Podcast Previous episodes page   Script | 315 Hello, and welcome to episode 315 of the Working With Podcast. A podcast to answer all your questions about productivity, time management, self-development and goal planning. My name is Carl Pullein, and I am your host of this show. There's a lot of technology today that helps us be more productive. Our computers make producing work easy compared to twenty-five years ago. It's also made producing some kinds of work a lot cheaper. Imagine the cost of studio time if you wanted to record an album in 1999. Today, all you need is a laptop and a microphone, and you are good to go.  However, with all that wonderful technology, it's likely we have a lot of devices lying around gathering dust. I have a camera with four or five lenses sitting in a gorgeous canvas camera bag I haven't used in over five years. Now, all I take with me when we go on a trip is my phone. I'm not a professional photographer; I don't need all that equipment.  And don't get me started on all the apps I find I need to purge every once in a while because I don't use them anymore. Then, there are all the subscriptions you may be paying for that you are not using.  As an example, I recently discovered I had a Fantastical subscription. I used to use Fantastical. It was a cool calendar app that allowed me to have all my Todoist tasks and events in one place. Shortly after seeing what that did to my calendar, I stopped that integration (it was horrible. It made it look like I had no time at all for anything but work and meetings). Why was I paying for a service I was not using? I don't know, but it did cause me to go through all my app subscriptions to see if there were any more. (I found four more services I was paying for I was no longer using). This week's question addresses the heart of this technology overwhelm, so let me hand you over to the Mystery Podcast Voice. This week's question comes from Mark. Mark asks, hi Carl, I was wondering what digital tools you use to get your work done. You seem to be using a lot of tools, and I thought it must be very confusing to decide what to use.  Hi Mark, thank you for your question. I remember hearing an interview with Craig Federighi in which he explained Apple's thinking on its products. He talked about how sometimes you work on your laptop, and other times, you may find the environment more suitable for an iPad. A good example of this would be when working at your desk, you may prefer the laptop, and if you attended a meeting, the form factor and mobility of an iPad might work better. It certainly did for me when I was teaching. I would create all my teaching materials from my computer, but when I went to the classroom I took only my iPad. That was all I needed to teach with.  Today, I no longer teach in classrooms; I work from home. However, I do like to step away from my desk and work somewhere else occasionally, and when I do that, I will only take my iPad with me. It's great for writing and fits nicely into a small shoulder bag I carry when I go out.  But let's look at how I use each individual device, and I will explain why. My phone is always with me, which means it's the perfect UCT (Universal Collection Tool). I have my phone set up so I can quickly collect tasks, ideas and articles I would like to read later.  I use Drafts, an amazing little app that connects with Todoist and Evernote. With Evernote, I have it set up so that if I have a blog post or YouTube video idea, I can send it directly to my content ideas note without having to open Evernote. Drafts also allow me to dictate my ideas, which is essential as I have most of my ideas when I am walking my dog, Louis. I can then collect my ideas and keep an eye on Louis at the same time.  When I am out and about, I process emails from my phone, but I rarely respond from there. There are better tools for responding to actionable emails. I have a process for email management which involves clearing my inbox between sessions of work and then setting aside an hour later in the day for responding. I will respond usually from my computer, but if I am away from my office, I will use my iPad.  And, of course, I use my phone for instant messages and occasionally scrolling social media when waiting for my wife (A daily activity haha). I also have an old iPad Mini. I love that iPad. It's my content consumption device, and on there, I will read blogs and articles I have collected through Readwise (an app for collecting articles you want to read later) and books through the Kindle app.  This iPad mini is not connected to any messaging service (Except Apple Messages) or email. It's purely for consumption.  I should say I am not into gaming—never have been, so I have no gaming devices or apps. My guilty pleasure is reading and watching historical documentaries—which YouTube provides me in abundance. I will watch these on the big TV at home late at night when I am winding down for the day.  My iPad Pro (I think the 3rd edition) has the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil connected, and as I mentioned, I use that as my main mobile device. The keyboard is wonderful to type on, and the Pencil is great for highlighting sections in documents. Strangely, I don't ever use it for writing. I'm a fountain pen user, and the Apple Pencil (or any stylus, for that matter) doesn't feel right for me. Plastic on glass doesn't work (in my humble opinion). The feel of a 14 carat gold nib on some fountain pen-friendly Japanese paper has got to be experienced to be believed. I also use my iPad Pro to listen to music when I am working. The battery on that thing lasts forever. I have a Bluetooth speaker in my office that has incredible bass (I love deep house music when I am working; the bass really helps)  My computer is for the heavy lifting: recording this podcast, editing my YouTube videos, and creating workbooks and documents. I also do a fair amount of my writing on my computer too. I also prefer to clear my actionable emails on my computer. All my design work is done on my computer from creating thumbnails for YouTube videos to workshop banners and online course materials.  And that's it for devices. Now apps.  My primary productivity apps are Apple Calendar, Todoist and Evernote. I have experimented in recent months with Apple Notes, and while Apple Notes is an excellent note-taking app, Evernote has some features that Apple Notes does not. Primarily the ability to create note links that can be pasted into Todoist. You can do this in Apple Notes, but it's fiddly, and I hate things that are fiddly.  Todoist is where I keep my tasks. It has a beautiful and simple interface, and in the ten years I have used it, it has never let me down. Todoist is on all my devices, as is Evernote, but… This is where Evernote is currently weak; I find the mobile version of Evernote poor. The text is too small, and there are too many button presses to get to where I want to be. However, as I use Drafts to get notes into my system, that's something I can live with.  And that's a good point to make. I've used Todoist for over ten years, and Evernote has been my go-to notes app for almost fifteen years. This means I have learned how to use these apps properly, I've come to trust them, and I don't have to waste time trying to figure out how to do a particular action. I've learned everything I need to learn to use these apps optimally.  Apple Calendar has been my calendar app of choice for pretty much the last twenty years. I did try Fantastical for a couple of years, but the additional features were not very useful to me. Certainly not worth a subscription.  Now for the miscellaneous apps. I use Acuity for my coaching scheduling service. This means my coaching clients can book a call whenever they want to, and there's no back-and-forth trying to find a mutually convenient time. As mentioned earlier, I use Readwise for my book highlights and for collecting articles. This is a recent change as previously I used Instapaper, but they are doubling their prices in May, and they don't offer anywhere near the service Readwise does. The great thing is as I read a book and highlight a section or add a note, those notes and highlights are synced to Evernote in a notebook called Readwise.  For all my writing, I use Ulysses. This is a fantastically minimal writing app that, in full-screen mode, is just a dark screen with white text. There are no distractions at all and I can focus all my attention on my writing. This is synced with iCloud so if I am out and about and only have my iPad with me, I can carry on writing where I left off.  I recently looked at the number of words I have in Ulysses, and it's now approaching three million. That just blew me away—three million words in eight years. I wrote my book, Your Time, Your Way in Ulysses, as well as all my podcast scripts, blog posts and newsletter articles. It's a treasure trove of all my writing, and it's all archived in iCloud. That's one of the best things about not app-switching. You begin to create an archive of all your work in one place.  There is an exception to my writing process. I send my coaching clients written feedback after each call, and for that, I use Apple's Pages, which is Apple's version of Microsoft Word. Pages allows me to use a saved template for all my feedback.  For my admin and financial tasks, I use Apple's Numbers. I don't need the complexity of Microsoft Excel; my spreadsheet needs are simple.  And that's about it. The only other item I use to get my work done is paper. I use an A4 Rhodia notebook as my planning book. This is where all my projects, weekly planning and YouTube video ideas get developed. I also returned to writing my journal by hand after using Day One for five years. That was because I felt my life was beginning to be dominated by screens, and it's nice to get more use out of my fountain pen collection.  The most important thing for me is to keep the tools I use to a minimum. I've been down the road of trying out a lot of apps. What I discovered is that it's not the app that does the work. It's me. And for me to do my work in the most efficient and effective way possible, I need as few distractions as possible. Simplicity is my keyword when it comes to apps. The longer I need to spend trying to learn to use something, the less time I spend doing work. Which in turn means I spend less time with my family and doing the things I want to do. Not a very good way to manage time or be more productive. I hope that answers your question, Mark. Thank you for sending it in and thank you to you too for listening. It just remains for me now to wish you all a very, very productive week.   

We want to thank a courageous partner for submitting the situation and question for Episode 217. Here's what she shared—Hi Mark and Steve, I want to thank you for making this podcast and continuing to tackle these hard topics in a way that is so relatable for recovering addicts and being compassionate for partners. My question relates to sexual intimacy and bringing that back into a relationship that has been crushed by porn and sex addiction. We have been married 15 years and have 2 kids, my husband has been acting out the entire relationship in many ways and we had a few small discoveries over the years but completed the full disclosure process over the last year. He has been working hard in recovery, has some sobriety and is saying and doing all the right things. I am also working on my healing and recovery and have seen a lot of personal growth. That said, we have been trying to navigate bringing physical intimacy back into our relationship, and it has been a challenge.My biggest struggle is believing that he actually wants to be with me, is attracted to me, for me and not because I happen to be a female living in his house and he doesn't have any other sexual outlets. I feel like I want physical intimacy to be organic so when he asks or says something about being attracted to me, I worry it is because he has been thinking about sex/fantasy. I feel like he is only interested in me because I am what's available. I know he is choosing our marriage and family over porn and other women, but intimately is it actually me he is choosing? In the past I knew it was not me he was interested in, it was the idea of acting out and being in his fantasies. I know he was not actually with me when we were together and he was in his addiction. How do I accept that his interest or attraction is real, how do I believe he is choosing me out of anything but convenience? Is there anything he can do differently? Thank you for reading this and considering providing me with some answers!-  Accepting the reality that a partner did not in any way cause their addict-partner's addiction and betrayal, nor can they cure/fix their addict partner—what CAN the betrayed partner do in this situation?-  In response to the betrayed partner's question—"Is there anything he can do differently?"—Mark and Steve have a LOT of hard-earned counsel for addicts in recovery who want to help their partners feel TRULY chosen!Learn more about Mark and Steve's revolutionary online porn/sexual addiction recovery and betrayal trauma healing program—"Dare to Connect!" You have live access to Mark and Steve in 3 one-hour sessions every week—addicts, spouses and couples! And live support groups on weekends, facilitated by Mark and Steve! To try a free, 2-week trial, visit—daretoconnectnow.comFind out more about Steve Moore at:  Ascension CounselingLearn more about Mark Kastleman at:  Reclaim Counseling Services

Enjoy the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast #648. La famille LeBlanc, Matt & Shannon Heaton, Wolf & Clover, Avery LeVine, Sassenach, The Byrne Brothers, Seán Heely, Corey Purcell, Juha  Rossi, Marc Gunn, Eimear Arkins, Piskey Led, Eclectic Revival, Celtic Woman GET CELTIC MUSIC NEWS IN YOUR INBOX The Celtic Music Magazine is a quick and easy way to plug yourself into more great Celtic culture. Enjoy seven weekly news items for Celtic music and culture online. Subscribe now and get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free. VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 FOR 2024 This is our way of finding the best songs and artists each year. You can vote for as many songs and tunes that inspire you in each episode. Your vote helps me create next year's Best Celtic music of 2024 episode. You have just three weeks to vote this year. Vote Now! You can follow our playlist on Spotify to listen to those top voted tracks as they are added every 2- 3 weeks. It also makes it easier for you to add these artists to your own playlists. You can also check out our Irish & Celtic Music Videos THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC 0:02- Intro: Mitchell Petersen, ICMP audio engineer 0:06- La famille LeBlanc "Suite en vièle acadienne" from New/Nouveau- Perdrais- je mon temps...(Would I be losing my time...) 3:08- WELCOME 4:48- Matt & Shannon Heaton "In Tune with Reality/Aileen Dillane/Brown Weasel (reels)" from Whirring Wings 9:24- Wolf & Clover "Shanagolden" from Shanagolden 14:42- Avery LeVine "Aoibhneas Éilís Ní Cheallaigh/The Swaggering Jig" from The Rainy Day 16:44- Sassenach "Spancil Hill" from Passages 21:00- FEEDBACK 23:27- The Byrne Brothers "Raggle Taggle Gypsy" from The Boys of Doorin 28:32- Seán Heely "Dramagical : The Twa Corbies / The Charmed 3 / Dramagical" from Dramagical 34:19- Corey Purcell "Jock Stuart" from Undaunted 39:03- Juha  Rossi "The Butterfly" from Irish Tunes on Mandolin 41:49- THANKS 45:22- Marc Gunn "Redemption" from Come Adventure With Me 48:56- Eimear Arkins "The Hare's Lament -  Song" from Here & There 53:17- Piskey Led "Come All Good Cornish Boys" from Piskey Led 59:24- Eclectic Revival "Goodbye Whiskey" from Life & Love 1:03:27- CLOSING 1:04:51- Celtic Woman "Dúlamán" from 20th Anniversary 1:08:51- CREDITS The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was produced by Marc Gunn, The Celtfather and our Patrons on Patreon. The show was edited by Mitchell Petersen with Graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. Visit our website to follow the show. You'll find links to all of the artists played in this episode. Todd Wiley is the editor of the Celtic Music Magazine. Subscribe to get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free. Plus, you'll get 7 weekly news items about what's happening with Celtic music and culture online. Best of all, you will connect with your Celtic heritage. Please tell one friend about this podcast. Word of mouth is the absolute best way to support any creative endeavor. Finally, remember. Reduce, reuse, recycle, and think about how you can make a positive impact on your environment. Promote Celtic culture through music at http://celticmusicpodcast.com/. WELCOME THE IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST * Helping you celebrate Celtic culture through music. I am Marc Gunn. This podcast is here to build a diverse Celtic community and help the incredible artists who so generously share their music with you. If you hear music you love, please email artists to let them know you heard them on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. Musicians depend on your generosity to keep making music. So please find a way to support them. Buy a CD, Album Pin, Shirt, Digital Download, or join their communities on Patreon. You can find a link to all of the artists in the shownotes, along with show times, when you visit our website at celticmusicpodcast.com. If you are a Celtic musician or in a Celtic band, then please submit your band to be played on the podcast. You don't have to send in music or an EPK. You will get a free eBook called Celtic Musicians Guide to Digital Music and learn how to follow the podcast. It's 100% free. Just Email follow@bestcelticmusic and of course, listeners can learn how to subscribe to the podcast and get a free music- only episode. THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST! You are amazing. It is because of your generosity that you get to hear so much great Celtic music each and every week. Your kindness pays for our engineer, graphic designer, Celtic Music Magazine editor, promotion of the podcast, and allows me to buy the music I play here. It also pays for my time creating the show each and every week. As a patron, you get music- only episodes before regular listeners, vote in the Celtic Top 20, stand- alone stories, and you get a private feed to listen to the show.  All that for as little as $1 per episode. A special thanks to our Celtic Legends: Bill Mandeville, Marti Meyers, Brenda, Karen DM Harris, Emma Bartholomew, Dan mcDade, Carol Baril, Miranda Nelson, Nancie Barnett, Kevin Long, Gary R Hook, Lynda MacNeil, Kelly Garrod, Annie Lorkowski, Shawn Cali HERE IS YOUR THREE STEP PLAN TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST Go to our Patreon page. Decide how much you want to pledge every week, $1, $5, $25. Make sure to cap how much you want to spend per month. Keep listening to the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast to celebrate Celtic culture through music. You can become a generous Patron of the Podcast on Patreon at SongHenge.com. TRAVEL WITH CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of Celtic music fans on the relaxing adventure of a lifetime. We don't see everything. Instead, we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join us with video adventures or listen to our the Celtic Invasion Vacations podcast to hear more about the invasions. Learn more about the invasion at http://celticinvasion.com/ #celticmusic #irishmusic #celticmusicpodcast I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK What are you doing today while listening to the podcast? Please email me. I'd love to see a  picture of what you're doing while listening or of a band that you saw recently. Email me at follow@bestcelticmusic. Howie Broyles commented on Facebook: "Love the podcast. I have always liked Celtic music and anything to do with Scotland or Ireland. It wasn't until I took a DNA test that I figured out why. I always thought I was mostly German because of my name and where it originates. Turns out I got mostly my moms side and they are all UK based. Ireland, Scotland and Yorkshire. So now I even enjoy it more knowing that it is my history." Aimee Greenfield sent a picture: "Hi Mark, I love to weave and listen to Celtic music. This music has inspired me for the last 30 years while creating! The music is definitely woven into my current project of Turkish Beach Towels. Thanks for the entertainment!"  

We know that the title to Episode 206 is hard-hitting! But, this is very close to a "quote" from a PBSE listener who is a partner in betrayal trauma healing. Here's the very raw and real situation and question she sent to us—"Hi Mark and Steve, My husband and I are coming up on one year since D-Day. We've each been in individual therapy and 12 step groups: he for his addiction, me for betrayal trauma. One of the problems is that we haven't had a formal therapeutic disclosure and more and more information about past betrayals keeps trickling out. Every time it does, my scab is ripped off. Here's the heart of my question—the more I learn about his disgusting past, and many many betrayals, the less I want to have sex with him. In fact I feel actual physical disgust at the thought. I hope to work through my trauma and his recovery and come out the other side with a stronger relationship. My question is what do I do about the absolute physical/sexual revulsion I feel toward him? Thanks so much. I love your podcast."In this episode, Mark & Steve directly address HOW this couple can have the best chance to "come out the other side with a stronger relationship." They talk about what each partner can do to "own their side of the street" and set and hold healthy boundaries. They also address what a proper, healthy "therapeutic disclosure" looks like and WHY it is CRITICAL that this approach replace the all-too-common "toxic trickle-disclosure." Learn more about Mark and Steve's revolutionary online porn/sexual addiction recovery and betrayal trauma healing program—"Dare to Connect!" You have live access to Mark and Steve in 3 one-hour sessions every week—addicts, spouses and couples! And live support groups on weekends, facilitated by Mark and Steve! To try a free, 2-week trial, visit—daretoconnectnow.comFind out more about Steve Moore at:  Ascension CounselingLearn more about Mark Kastleman at:  Reclaim Counseling Services

The Cream exchange is back and creamier than ever. In this episode, Blake gives his thoughts on eight more players that could be trade pieces for your fantasy squads. Is Mark Stone a sell-high? Should we buy-low on Erik Karlsson? These questions will be answered and more. Let's get to BIZ! Apples & Ginos Website: https://applesandginos.com/ Apples & Ginos Discord server: https://discord.gg/pFMMJn5TFT Apples & Ginos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@applesginos Apples & Ginos Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/applesginos Apples & Ginos on X: @ApplesGinos Blake Creamer on X: @BlakeCreamerAG⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Josh Hutchinson on X: @JustJoshin41 John Binkle on X: @Binklemania Music by Matt Creamer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mattcreameraudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Matt Creamer on X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@raddland

The second book of the New Testament comes to a close, in person, with trick questions, dusty feet, and emotional support animals. If you want MORE drinking and bible-ing, including bonus episodes, interviews with experts, fun mini series', and more, consider becoming a ‘parishioner' at Patreon.com/DrunkBibleStudyOur theme music is Book Club by Josh and Anand.

Today's episode is about Halloween in Slovakia: A Blend of Traditions and Fun. In the Slovak lesson, you are going to learn some words from my dialogue: Going to a Halloween party. You will also learn how to say “I'm not sure “in Slovak. Episode notesIn today's episode, I'm talking about Halloween in Slovakia: A Blend of Traditions and Fun. In the Slovak lesson, you are going to learn some words from my dialogue: Going to a Halloween party. You will also learn how to say “I'm not sure “in Slovak. Slovak lesson1. vraj (supposedly)2. vystrašiť (to scare)3. vystrašený / vystrašená (scared)4. neočakávané (unexpected)5. neočakávané vystrašenie (unexpected fright/scare)6. hororové filmy or horory (horror movies)7. tváriť sa (to pretend)8. musím sa tváriť (I have to pretend)9. desivé (scary)10. všetky svetlá (all the lights)11. navzájom (each other)12. chrániť sa (protect oneself)13. navzájom sa chrániť (protect each other)14. pomáhať (to help)15. navzájom si pomáhať (to help each other)16. Nie som si istý. / Nie som si istá. (I'm not sure.) DIALOGUE: Going to a Halloween partyDana: Ahoj, Marek! Počul si o tej Halloweenskej party v sobotu? (Hi Mark! Did you hear about that Halloween party on Saturday?)Marek: Počul. Vraj to bude Mega party. Budeš tam? (I heard. Apparently it will be a Mega party. Will you be there?)Dana: Nie som si istá. Nechcem byť vystrašená. (I'm not sure. I don't want to be scared.)Marek: Chápem ťa. Niektorí chlapci si myslia, že neočakávané vystrašenie je to najlepšie na svete. (I get you. Some guys think that an unexpected scare is the best thing in the world.)Dana: Presne. A tie hororové filmy! Musím sa tváriť, že ich zbožňujem. (Exactly. And those horror movies! I have to pretend that I love them.)Marek: No hej, ani ja ich nemám rád. Potom sa mi o tom sníva. Desivé! (Well, yeah, I don't like them either. Then I dream about it. Scary!)Dana: Ja po nich nemôžem spať, iba ak nechám svietiť všetky svetlá. (I can't sleep after them unless I leave all lights on.)Marek: Tak poďme na party spolu a budeme sa navzájom chrániť, ak sa situácia zhorší. (So let's go to the party together and protect each other if things get worse.)Dana: No dobre. Budeme si navzájom pomáhať, aby sme sa nestali obeťami tej Halloweenskej party. (OK. We will help each other so that we don't fall prey to that Halloween party.)Timestamps00:33 Introduction to the episode02:28 Information about my plans03:30 About Halloween in Slovakia06:47 Fun fact10:32 Slovak lesson17:27 Dialogue21:05 Final thoughtsIf you have any questions, send it to my email hello@bozenasslovak.com. Check my Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bozenasslovak/ where I am posting the pictures of what I am talking about on my podcast. Also, check my website https://www.bozenasslovak.com © All copywrites reserved to Bozena O Hilko LLC

When Herbert Drayton III was looking for investors to fund promising black-owned businesses, he made a shocking discovery. There was not a single majority-black venture capital firm in the entire state of South Carolina. In Episode 55 of Footnotes, we learn how Drayton built the state's first black-owned VC firm, dedicated entirely to supporting BIPOC and women-owned businesses with not only the funds they need to succeed, but also the relationships, resources, and advice that makes a promising idea become a profitable reality. This episode is full of actionable advice that's perfect for any entrepreneur, whether you've been in business for years, or you're still considering the risk of a brand new idea. 

You're tearing me apart, Lisa! It's THEE "The Room" Campfire!! Tune in this week for one of history's truly most unhinged works of "art" that has ever graced the silver screen. Alaina & Jocelyn are dressed as the iconic Tommy Wiseau and are delving deep into the world of the literal worst movie that ever happened. Alaina goes FULL Eastern Bloc and Jocelyn is reminded just why she married her. There's a lottttaaa laughs in this one folks!  Check out the Piper • Crystal Incense Candle!

Episode 188 addresses a PBSE Listener's painful situation and heart-felt, crucial questions:"Hi Mark and Steve, Firstly I want to thank you for hearing my previous question about my addict partners "empathy Button" being broken. Your podcast really reiterated that we are on the right track. Our disclosure day was with a Sex Addiction Specialist and we are both in ongoing therapy working through our individual journeys as well as our journey together. Today I have a question geared more towards my head space than his. I mentioned in the past email that his preferred "porn" was interactive messaging and sexting to ex-partners, along with a few physical infidelities with a couple of these women. He openly admitted in the disclosure day that some of the women knew about me but that when he was asked by others, he flat out lied and told them that he wasn't seeing anyone. This was one of the most hurtful parts of his disclosure. I understand that it is not healthy for me to compare myself to these "fantasy" women and while I did start to do that in the beginning I can quickly catch myself when those thoughts arise now. I do though, have one thought that keeps coming back to me—I want these women to know about me! I want him to tell them about me and that I know what they did. I want the ones who don't know about me to also know the truth and I want him to be the one to tell them. Part of the problem though is that we blocked and deleted their numbers and he also deleted his social media in the early stages of our therapy. So now we have no way to contact them. Im struggling to understand why I feel like I need them to know. Am I just being vindictive? Am I being petty? Or am I seeking acknowledgment in a situation that made me feel like I just didn't exist? If he does ever get a chance to tell them, would it even make me feel better? Id love your thoughts on this if you get a chance. Thank you for all that you do."In this episode, Mark and Steve talk about their own personal experiences and their decades-long work with partners in betrayal trauma healing, to answer the critical question—"Will Confronting my Addict's Acting-Out Partners Help Me Heal?"Learn more about Mark and Steve's revolutionary online porn/sexual addiction recovery and betrayal trauma healing program—"Dare to Connect!" You have live access to Mark and Steve in 3 one-hour sessions every week—addicts, spouses and couples! And live support groups on weekends, facilitated by Mark and Steve! To try a free, 2-week trial, visit—daretoconnectnow.comFind out more about Steve Moore at:  Ascension CounselingLearn more about Mark Kastleman at:  Reclaim Counseling Services

In Episode 187, Mark & Steve take on a topic and question from a PBSE listener that hasn't been specifically addressed on the podcast before. Here's what a listener submitted—"Hi Mark and Steve - long time listener now and I've recommended your podcast many times to others in recovery. Thank you for all you professionalism, vulnerability, and all the resources you've put together! My question today is about so-called "edging" which refers to masturbation without orgasm. There seems to be confusion about whether this behavior is harmful, how or whether it fits into recovery, and how or whether it fits into a committed relationship, even without pornography or fantasy. Would you please share any wisdom you have around this behavior? Thank you for all that you do." -  What is "Edging"? -  How does it apply to various forms of "acting out" in addiction and life?-  How can you step back from "narrow definitions" to focus on the real  keys—Key #1—What is your "true intention"?Key#2—What is the "honest impact" on the individual and couple?Key #3—Does the "edging" behavior move you closer or farther away from what is truly "authentic"  for you as an individual and in your most important relationships?Learn more about Mark and Steve's revolutionary online porn/sexual addiction recovery and betrayal trauma healing program—"Dare to Connect!" You have live access to Mark and Steve in 3 one-hour sessions every week—addicts, spouses and couples! And live support groups on weekends, facilitated by Mark and Steve! To try a free, 2-week trial, visit—daretoconnectnow.comFind out more about Steve Moore at:  Ascension CounselingLearn more about Mark Kastleman at:  Reclaim Counseling Services

If the intro confuses you, just Google 'Oh, Hi Mark.' But, yeah, why does assistant mechanical engineering professor Mark Hoffman get such high marks on Rate My Professor? Why do students think he's "chill" and "one of the best engineering professors" they've ever had and "an intelligent professor with a great sense of realism and humor..." Time to find out...  

In Episode 172, Mark and Steve tackle a topic that is extremely difficult, triggering and traumatizing for the partners of porn/sex addicts and even for the addicts themselves—the line between "attraction and lust." This episode is in response to a situation and questions submitted by a PBSE listener—Hi Mark and Steve, The PBSE podcast really has been such a Godsend helping inform my husband and I of the possibility of hope and healing. We had our 4th D-day a few months ago, but in some ways it was the very first, as we finally have acknowledged the impact my husband's porn addiction has had on our marriage (4 years married) and the damage "ignoring it" has done. We are really starting to experience some great progress even after a few months of fighting for genuine connection. My question, however, is this: why do men often struggle with the concept of monogamy? My husband and I really struggle to see eye to eye, as he seems to believe that men are wired to notice and be drawn to the physical bodies of other women. He also believes that, then, monogamy is a choice to live the best way God intended and to choose to not act on those desires, and it will be a constant battle with temptation. He does not see a day in the future when he will not value and be curious about female specific body parts on others, even after recovered from porn addiction. Is this the porn addiction speaking? Or is there an element of truth to this? This is so outside of my own experience of sexuality as a woman, and I am really challenged to see a future with someone who will always prize female sexualized body parts—mine, but also the general public, and see that as normal. I have loved the episodes that have touched on public encounters/experiences and making a plan with your spouse for areas that could be challenging. However, I would love to hear this facet answered on the PBSE podcast if you'd be willing. Thank you so much.Learn more about Mark and Steve's revolutionary online porn/sexual addiction recovery and betrayal trauma healing program—"Dare to Connect!" You have live access to Mark and Steve in 3 one-hour sessions every week—addicts, spouses and couples! And live support groups on weekends, facilitated by Mark and Steve! To try a free, 2-week trial, visit—daretoconnectnow.comFind out more about Steve Moore at:  Ascension CounselingLearn more about Mark Kastleman at:  Reclaim Counseling Services 

In the final hour, Steve Rosenbloom was joined by Josh Nelson of the Sox Machine podcast to discuss the latest White Sox storylines and the World Baseball Classic. Later, Score teammate Mark Grote made a surprise appearance to discuss the Bears and to wrap up what was an eventful Saturday Suckage episode.

Happy St Patrick's Day. This is Part 1 of your St Paddy's Day celebration music from the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast #597. Part 2 will be out on St Patrick's Day. Cantrip, Wild Blue Yonder, The Out of Kilters, Wolf Loescher & Mark Kenneth, The Celtic Kitchen Party, Poitín, The Elders, Mary Beth Carty, Jesse Ferguson, Mad Maudlin, Seán Heely, Rambling Sailors, The Bow Tides, Kinnfolk, The Chieftains, Tan and Sober Gentlemen, The Haar, Altan, Banshee in the Kitchen, Wakefire, Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 FOR 2023 This is our way of finding the best songs and artists each year. You can vote for as many songs and tunes that inspire you in each episode. Your vote helps me create next year's Best Celtic music of 2023 episode.  Vote Now! Two weeks after the episode is launched, I compile your votes to update a playlist on Spotify and YouTube. These are the results of your voting. You can help these artists out by following the playlists and adding tracks you love to your playlists. Follow us on Facebook to find out who is added each week. Listen on Spotify and YouTube. GET CELTIC MUSIC NEWS IN YOUR INBOX The Celtic Music Magazine is a quick and easy way to plug yourself into more great Celtic culture. Subscribe and get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free. THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC 0:02 - Intro: Mary Beth Carty 0:15 - Cantrip "Duncan Johnstone" from Undark 6:28 - WELCOME 8:37 - Wild Blue Yonder "LAST RUN OF THE WHITE HORSE" from single 13:17 - The Out of Kilters "Fifty Shades of Beer" from Hot Potatoes 16:24 - Wolf Loescher & Mark Kenneth "Charlie's Cadence (2/4 Pipe Marches)" from Loescher+Kenneth 19:59 - The Celtic Kitchen Party "The Temperance Song" from Last Call 23:33 - Poitín "The Knife In The Bread" from One For The Road 27:36 - The Elders "Red Sun" from Well Alright Then 32:34 - FEEDBACK 38:13 - Mary Beth Carty Feedback and Intro 40:03 - Mary Beth Carty "Lake Ainslie to Millburn" from Crossing the Causeway 43:54 - Jesse Ferguson "The River Driver" from The Bard of Cornwall 46:11 - Mad Maudlin "Empty Chairs" from Empty Chairs 50:14 - Seán Heely "Nights in Kerry" from Edge of the Bow 54:08 - Rambling Sailors "The Wellerman" from Tales From the White Horse 58:01 - The Bow Tides "The Baton Set" from Sailing On 1:02:04 - Kinnfolk "Loch Lomond" from The Knotted Circle 1:05:21 - THANKS 1:08:48 - The Chieftains "Ril Mhór Bhaile an Chalaidh (Great Reel of Baile an Chalaidh)" from Bear's Sonic Journals: The Foxhunt  -  Live In San Francisco 1976 1:11:10 - Tan and Sober Gentlemen "Banks Of The Roses" from Regressive Folk Music 1:13:48 - The Haar "Danny Boy" from Where Old Ghosts Meet 1:19:10 - Altan "The House Carpenter (Gypsy Davy)" from The Widening Gyre 1:23:35 - Banshee in the Kitchen "The Last Pint" from The Last Pint  -  Not 1:27:43 - Wakefire "Johnny Jump Up" from Meaning of Life 1:31:49 - CLOSING 1:33:06 - Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira "Johnny McGill" from All It Brings The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was produced by Marc Gunn, The Celtfather and our Patrons on Patreon. The show was edited by Mitchell Petersen with Graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. Visit our website to subscribe to the show. You'll find links to all of the artists played in this episode. You'll get access to our Best of this Year Playlist. You can subscribe to our Celtic Music Magazine and get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free. Plus, you'll get 7 weekly news items about what's happening with Celtic music and culture online. Best of all, you will connect with your Celtic heritage. Finally, please tell one friend about this podcast. Word of mouth is the absolute best way to support any creative endeavor. Promote Celtic culture through music at http://celticmusicpodcast.com/. WELCOME CELTOPHILE TO CELTIC MUSIC * Helping you celebrate Celtic culture through music. I am Marc Gunn. I'm a musician and podcaster out of Atlanta, Georgia. This Podcast is here to build our diverse Celtic community and help the incredible artists who so generously share their music with you. If you hear music you love, please email artists to let them know you heard them on the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. You can find a link to all of the artists in the shownotes, along with show times, when you visit our website at celticmusicpodcast.com. Do you have the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast app? It's 100% free. You can listen to hundreds of episodes of the podcast. Download it now. Hey Celtic Bands, I'm looking for new music and stories in 2023. To submit your band, just complete the permission form at 4celts.com. You'll also find information on how to submit a story behind one of your songs or tunes. Get a free Celtic Musicians Guide to Digital Music eBook. email gift@bestcelticmusic THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST! Because of Your kind and generous support, this show comes out at least four times a month. Your generosity funds the creation, promotion and production of the show. It allows us to attract new listeners and to help our community grow. As a patron, you get music - only episodes before regular listeners, vote in the Celtic Top 20, and you get a private feed to listen to the show.  All that for as little as $1 per episode. A special thanks to our Celtic Legends: Bill Mandeville, Marti Meyers, Brenda, Meghan Walker, Dan mcDade, Sharlene Peel, Paul Crowley, Morgan George, Samir Malak, Marianne Ludwig, Darby Patrick O'Flannery, Scott Benson, Hunter Melville, Carol Baril, Michael Truman Cavanaugh, Miranda Nelson, Nancie Barnett, Kevin Long, HuskerArmoury, Lynda MacNeil, Chris, robert michael kane, Tiffany Knight, Ockham's Razor, Kelly Garrod, Theresa Sullivan, Brendan Nix, Brakeing Down Security Podcast, Rian P Kegerreis, Annie Lorkowski, Johnny Berry, Hank Woodward, Shawn Cali HERE IS YOUR THREE STEP PLAN TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST Go to our Patreon page. Decide how much you want to pledge every week, $1, $5, $10. Make sure to cap how much you want to spend per month. Keep listening to the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast to celebrate Celtic culture through music. You can become a generous Patron of the Podcast on Patreon at SongHenge.com. TRAVEL WITH CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of Celtic music fans on the relaxing adventure of a lifetime. We don't see everything. Instead, we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join us with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts and videos. In 2023, we're going on a Celtic Invasion of County Mayo in Ireland. We're gonna explore the area and get to know Grace O'Malley, the Pirate Queen. Learn more about the invasion at http://celticinvasion.com/ #celticmusic #irishmusic #celticmusicpodcast I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK What are you doing today while listening to the podcast? You can take a screenshot of the podcast on your phone. You can send a written comment along with a picture of what you're doing while listening. Or how about a picture you took of a band that you saw. How would you like to introduce an episode of the podcast? It's super easy. Contact me for details. Email me at celticpodcast@gmail, message me on Facebook, or contact me through Mastodon @celtfather@c.im. Tim Hughes from Madison WI replied: "1. Usually walking the dog or jogging. 2. Celebrating my birthday on the 17th with a party. 3. Blasting Celtic music on my Bose speaker and singing Welsh with the North American Welsh Choir" Darlene replied about St Patrick's Day: “Cooking dinner. Cooking Corn beef ,listening to you." Sarah Preston Britto emailed: "Hi MArc  -   This year we are attending the St Patrick's Day parade in New York City." michael winchester replied: "Unfortunately I'll be working but really like listening to the show. Makes the hours fly by. Thanks for all your hard work keeping us entertained!" Jonathan Dowell replied: "St. Pat's?  Listening to local Celtic groups.  Celtic music accounts for about 90% of what I listen to, Mediaeval & Rennaisance making up most of the rest." Jim Burns replied: "What are your doing for St Patrick's Day? Having friends over to celebrate, listen to music and have adult beverages". He says he'll be celebrating with "The 3 P's  -  Parades, parties and pubs." Rodger Hara emailed: "Hey Marc, Karl Kumli and I are doing a 2.5 hour show on KGNU in Boulder on Friday morning.  It's during our Spring fund drive, so we'll be doing a lot of pitching.  Karl has his ready list and I've attached mine fyi. I have a show on Wednesday night and will be playing an interview with Kyf Brewer with the Barleyjuice Band from Pennsylvania and playing a few new tunes from Daori Farrell, the High Kings, Doolin', Barleyjuice and Martin Hayes. I hope that you have a great time and fun shows." Eric Guarin (gwa - reen) emailed a question: "Hi Mark, over time the Podcast has included bands from literally all over playing a pretty wide variety of music. Some of it strays quite far from trad pub music - I'm not complaining, it's all great, but it does make me wonder: How do you decide what to play and if it is "Celtic" enough? Cheers,"

OH, HI MARK!"Der Banker Johnny (Tommy Wiseau) beherbergt unter seinem geräumigen Dach nicht nur seine noch minderjährige Freundin Lisa (Juliette Danielle), seinen Kumpel Mark (Greg Sestero) und den jungen, aber recht seltsamen Denny (Philip Haldiman), den er einst sogar mal adoptieren wollte. Er weiß jedoch nicht, daß Lisa ein Verhältnis mit Mark angefangen hat, aber dennoch an dem momentanen Beziehungs- und Wohnstatus bei Johnny nichts ändern möchte, während Denny Schwierigkeiten wegen Drogen bekommt. Auf Johnnys Geburtstagsparty kommt die Sache schließlich ans Licht..." (Inhaltsangabe ofdb.de)Schnürt eure Wanderschuhe, denn im März gehen wir auf Wandertour - unser Ziel: #AtTheMountainsOfTrashnessIn den nächsten Wochen erklimmen wir die "Five Summits of Trash Movies" und versuchen, nicht dem Wahnsinn zu verfallen - dabei macht es uns THE ROOM als Einstiegsfilm alles andere als einfach.Von diesem modernen Kuriosium chaotischer Independent-Filmkunst hat wohl schon jeder mal irgendwo gehört, spätestens durch das filmische Biopic THE DISASTER ARTIST von und mit James Franco - aber gesehen haben das Original wohl die wenigsten. Wie auch, beschränkt sich die Auswertung von TOMMY WISEAUs Dramagurke auf einige übersichtliche Kinovorführungen sowie eine längst vergriffene DVD-Pressung (nein, in Deutschland ist er bis dato noch nicht erschienen). Aber was steckt hinter diesem Filmkult?Also schnappt euch einen guten Kumpel, eine Packung eurer Lieblingspralinen sowie einen Football und ab aufs nächste Hausdach - es wird Zeit für eine Runde Ball spielen!Erfahrt alles zu THE ROOM in dieser Episode vom Trashtaucher-Podcast!--- Feedback, Verbesserungen, Wünsche? Gerne hier zurückmelden!Unterstützen: Merch-Shop | Kaffekasse (Ko-Fi) | Koch Films Shop (Affiliate)Abonnieren: iTunes | Spotify | Amazon Music | Google Podcasts | RSSFolgen: Youtube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter---Intro-/Outro-Song: © Aidan Finnegan (https://soundcloud.com/triadaudioofficial)Bildmaterial: © themoviedb.org

Joined by Mark Cooke and occasionally his very good robot impression. We apologise for the occasional break in audio quality in this episode. Maybe they are listening. We hope at least you are listening.  We chat about COVID and Cons, ticket expectations, We mention Dan Hughes, Ben Maddox and Luke Prior and also who would win in a fight between Watch It Played, BGG, Rahdo and The Dice Tower.   LINKS OF NOTES  https://airecon.uk/  https://www.facebook.com/aireconuk/  https://twitter.com/aireconuk    If you would like to support us then please visit and interact with the links below.  Please give us a rating or review on your podcast catcher of choice.  Also, please let someone else know about our show, as recommendations are wonderful things. OUR LINKS OF NOTES (https://linktr.ee/werenotwizards) Apple Podcasts   |  Our Blog, Reviews, Previews and Thoughts | Our YouTube Channel Our BGG Guild | Board Game Geek Page | Website  | Facebook |Twitter | Instagram Buy Some Merch Stay Safe, Roll Sixes, Make Something Awful..

In episode 149, Mark & Steve reach out to an addict in recovery who expressed some very deep feelings and meaning questions—Hi Mark and Steve, I love your podcast and have learned a ton from your experiences! Thank you for all that you do for the SA recovery community! I'm a betraying partner in recovery from porn and sex addiction. I've been working with a CSAT for 10 months and engage in separate therapy and accountability groups each week. My wife and I completed a therapeutic disclosure 4 months ago and just started couples' counseling this week. I struggle with a deep feeling of worthlessness that manifests in many areas of my life - being afraid of failure, perfectionism, and having trouble accepting affirmation even from fellow people in recovery. My question is: What steps can I take to overcome that feeling of worthlessness? My partner and I explored EFT (Hold Me Tight) months ago and agreed that it was not the time to discuss forgiveness. Even if she forgave me, I'm not sure my self-worth would allow me to accept it.-  Where do feelings of "worthlessness" come from?  A distorted view of one's identity!-  What does being an "addict" mean to you?-  Is addiction an "identity" or one of many attributes?-  Do you believe you can change?  Do you deserve change? Do you deserve Something better?-  What part does "spiritually" play in all of this?-  What is my identity/place in the universe? -  What is my TRUE potential for growth and change?-  What do I have to contribute to the world?-  How can "parenting your inner child" help you break the bands of worthlessness? -  Are you willing to allow your partner to choose you or reject you on their terms, rather than making assumptions and deciding for them?-  Are you practicing "vulnerability" in your relationships with self and others?  Why or why not?  What do I need to do to resolve these obstacles?Learn more about Mark and Steve's revolutionary online porn/sexual addiction recovery and betrayal trauma healing program—"Dare to Connect!" You have live access to Mark and Steve in 3 one-hour sessions every week—addicts, spouses and couples! And live support groups on weekends, facilitated by Mark and Steve! To try a free, 2-week trial, visit—daretoconnectnow.comFind out more about Steve Moore at:  Ascension CounselingLearn more about Mark Kastleman at:  Reclaim Counseling ServicesHere's an article with some practical tips on HOW to STOP watching porn—https://www.reclaimcounselingservices.com/post/how-can-i-stop-watching-porn

"Hi Mark, I'm Mr. Bellamy, your mom's brother. I'm really sorry about your parents. As your uncle, I'm here to comfort you and let you know that I'll take care of you."My parents had died two weeks earlier and we were sitting at their funeral service. Mom always talked about her big brother uncle Bellamy but for some reason we never visited him. Now here he was, probably the only family I had left after my parent's tragic boating accident.I tried my best to be polite to him but the truth is I was not in the mood to talk to anyone. After the funeral, uncle Bellamy and his wife Terry helped me pack. They assured me that everything was going to be fine. "What about mom and dad's stuff?" "I'll take care of that but if there's anything you need, pack it."A few hours later, we boarded a plane and I left my life behind. That was a year ago on one of the worst days of my life.The Bellamys lived in a huge estate. They owned the biggest hotel in town so money was not a problem for them.Mrs Bellamy managed the hotel and she spent almost all her time there. She was an overly stern lady and seemed to control everything around the house. I did my best to stay out of her way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sail on to IrishFest Atlanta to hear a story from Shannon Dunne along with music from the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. Santiago Molina, Meerrant, Old Blind Dogs, Jared Bogle, Niamh Dunne, Alex Sturbaum, Battlefield Band, Gwilym Morus, Chris Murphy, Clare Sands, SeeD, The Muckers, The Town Pants, The Secret Commonwealth VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 FOR 2022 This is our way of finding the best songs and artists each year. You can vote for as many songs and tunes that inspire you in each episode. Your vote helps me create next year's Best Celtic music of 2022 episode.  Vote Now! GET CELTIC MUSIC NEWS IN YOUR INBOX The Celtic Music Magazine is a quick and easy way to plug yourself into more great Celtic culture. Subscribe and get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free. THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC 0:09 - Santiago Molina "Acá y ahora" from Desde un nuevo lugar 3:15 - WELCOME 4:09 - Meerrant "Trois Corbeaux" from Fells 8:12 - Old Blind Dogs "Here We Go Again" from Knucklehead Circus 11:13 - Jared Bogle "The Orphan / The Black Rogue (Jigs)" from The Old Road Home 14:33 - Niamh Dunne "Tales of Old" from Tides 18:09 - FEEDBACK 20:35 - Alex Sturbaum "Lift Me Up John" from River Run Wide 25:16 - Battlefield Band "The St. Louis Stagger / The Ass In The Graveyard / Sandy's New Chanter" from The Producer's Choice 29:34 - Gwilym Morus "What's going on" from Live Performance of Gwilym Morus in Wales 2014 32:32 - Shannon Dunne is an acclaimed sean - nós dancer, concertina player, singer, community organizer, and educator. Her work with master dancers has given her intimate access to the tight - knit sean - nós dance community and has afforded her a place among the top sean - nós dancers in North America. The Washington Post called her dancing, "Playful musicality! Spirited and fun!"   Shannon has joined the Phoenix School of Irish Arts as a Dance Instructor.  Shannon will teach “set dancing” at IrishFest Atlanta. 33:27 - STORY: SEAN NOS DANCE 38:23 - Chris Murphy "Connemara Ponies" from The Tinker's Dream 41:26 - THANKS 42:45 - Clare Sands "Sail On" from Clare Sands 46:05 - SeeD "We Will Fly" from FAE 50:27 - The Muckers “Castle Kelly” from One More Stout 54:34 - The Town Pants "Eliza Anderson" from Something to Say 59:00 - CLOSING 1:00:00 - The Secret Commonwealth "All These Years" from Last Call The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was produced by Marc Gunn. The show was edited by Mitchell Petersen with Graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. Visit our website to subscribe to the podcast and our mailing list. You'll find links to all of the artists played in this episode. You'll get access to our Best of this Year Playlist. And you will better connect with your Celtic heritage. The show is supported by our Patrons of the Podcast on Patreon. Subscribe to get bonus podcasts and vote in the Celtic Top 20. The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast is here to build our diverse Celtic community and help the incredible artists who so generously share their music with you. Finally, please tell one friend about this podcast. Word of mouth is the absolute best way to support any creative endeavor. Promote Celtic culture through music at http://celticmusicpodcast.com/. WELCOME CELTOPHILE TO CELTIC MUSIC * Helping you celebrate Celtic culture through music. I am Marc Gunn. I'm an Atlanta  -  based musician and podcaster. You can find a link to all of the artists in the shownotes, along with show times and chapters for each song when you visit our website at celticmusicpodcast.com. If you hear music you love, please email artists to let them know you heard them on the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. We are proud supporters of IrishFest Atlanta. In fact, a portion of the money pledged by our generous Patrons of the Podcast goes towards that festival and others. There are a bunch of free shows and events you can enjoy. However, you can also get tickets for workshops and for the Altan and Lunasa concerts. Go to IrishFestAtlanta.org for details. WHAT'S NEW IN IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC: BEST OF 2022 Two weeks after the episode is launched, I compile the latest Celtic Top 20 votes to update a playlist on Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube. These are the results of your voting. You can help these artists out by following the playlists and adding tracks you love to your playlists. Subscribe to our newsletter to find out who was added this week. Listen on Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube. THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST! Because of Your kind and generous support, this show comes out at least four times a month. Your generosity funds the creation, promotion and production of the show. It allows us to attract new listeners and to help our community grow. As a patron, you hear episodes before regular listeners, vote in the Celtic Top 20, and a private feed to listen to the show.  All that for as little as $1 per episode. You can also get music - only episodes, free MP3s, and stand - alone Celtic Stories as a Song Henger. A special thanks to our Celtic Legends: Marti Meyers, Brenda, Meghan Walker, Dan mcDade, Carol Baril, Miranda Nelson, Nancie Barnett, Kevin Long, Lynda MacNeil, Annie Lorkowski, Travis Senzaki, Shawn Cali HERE IS YOUR THREE STEP PLAN TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST Go to SongHenge.com. That takes you to our Patreon page. Decide how much you want to pledge every week, $1, $5, $10. Make sure to cap how much you want to spend per month. Keep listening to the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast to celebrate Celtic culture through music. You can become a generous Patron of the Podcast on Patreon at SongHenge.com. TRAVEL WITH CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of Celtic music fans on the relaxing adventure of a lifetime. We don't see everything. Instead, we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join us with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts and videos. Learn more about the invasion at http://celticinvasion.com/ #celticmusic #irishmusic #celticmusicpodcast I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK What are you doing today while listening to the podcast? You can send a written comment along with a picture of what you're doing while listening. Email a voicemail message to celticpodcast@gmail.com Tomas Petrik emailed a question: "Hi Mark, I'm a regular listener to your Podcasts. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to download your individual episodes of late. Last one I have downloaded is Episode #370. I see that you are now up to #569. Is there an easy place to download the episodes? I'd love to download the ones I'm missing. Great great music to listen to!" Linda Johnson emailed: "I enjoy listening to your podcast. I've been listening since 2010. As I write you this letter, I am listening to the beautiful sounds of the harp and bagpipe. I'd appreciate a response."

In this episode, Mark & Steve respond to a PBSE listener's questions about "polygraphs" and their role in Disclosure to a partner—Hi Mark & Steve, I am really enjoying your podcast, and have been in recovery for just over 9 months. I am listening to the podcast in order and am on episode 72, so forgive me if you have covered this topic. My question is regarding polygraphs. I have failed 2 of them and now my wife does not trust a thing I say. I admitted that the first one I took I was being dishonest because I wasn't ready to fully disclose all my past behavior, and felt rushed in the disclosure process. However I scrapped the barrel with my therapist, admitted to everything I could remember from my acting out years, and still failed a second time. I am now being 100% honest, but now my wife does not trust anything I say. It's not looking good for us because of this. I have heard from other men in recovery that they have experienced the same thing, they were truthful yet failed a polygraph. I wonder where you guys stand on this, and if you have any advice for me going forward. I really appreciate all you do. As someone who is not religious and a non believer, I am still able to connect with you guys via this podcast. Thanks.-  Why a polygraph?-  Is it true that polygraphs are not an exact science?- When considering a polygraph, it's important to identify the specific goals/expectations and realistically whether or not the polygraph can actually deliver these.-  In addition to taking a polygraph, what other actions should always be pursued/expected as progressive “evidence” of real change?Learn more about Mark and Steve's revolutionary online porn/sexual addiction recovery and betrayal trauma healing program—"Dare to Connect!" You have live access to Mark and Steve in 3 one-hour sessions every week—addicts, spouses and couples! And live support groups on weekends, facilitated by Mark and Steve! To try a free, 2-week trial, visit—daretoconnectnow.comFind out more about Steve Moore at:  Ascension CounselingLearn more about Mark Kastleman at:  Reclaim Counseling ServicesHere's an article on "True Intimacy vs. Sex" in a Marriage Relationship—https://www.reclaimcounselingservices.com/true-intimacy-vs-sex-in-marriage

I this episode, Mark and Steve respond to a spouse who sent in a CRAZY HARD situation she is facing! Her courage, authenticity and wisdom are very impressive!Hi Mark and Steve! First of all, I just want to say thank you so much for doing these podcasts. I am married for 19 yrs and we are together for 20. I am brand new to this scene. Just found out in the last 3 weeks that my husband has severe sex addiction including Voyeurism, porn addiction, infidelity, and intimacy issues. The only thing he has disclosed to me before heading out to a 2 week intensive retreat just last week was that he was connecting with other women through apps like kik and only talking with another woman. Since he's been gone I've discovered so much more than he was willing to reveal initially. The lengths he has gone to cover up his addiction and infidelity is quite alarming. He has recently gone to the extreme of adopting a dog so he could use her as a cover when creating a “dog” Instagram account and connecting with women through that. He clearly is excellent at lying and manipulating. I think he believes when he returns that he will be staying in our home. However, I will be asking him to live with an extended family member until he can prove that he is trustworthy. My questions for you guys are: -  Have you found that most men come completely clean after going to an intensive retreat for sex addicts? Is it best to do a 3 day intensive disclosure or a 3 month disclosure? I am more of a rip the bandaid off kind of gal so we can then heal already. -  Also, what are the signs I should be looking for to have confirmation that he's staying away from the porn, cheating, and is committed to his healing and overcoming of his addiction? -  Lastly, should and how can I be holding him accountable without this becoming a full time job and driving myself crazy? Learn more about Mark and Steve's revolutionary online porn/sexual addiction recovery and betrayal trauma healing program—"Dare to Connect!" You have live access to Mark and Steve in 3 one-hour sessions every week—addicts, spouses and couples! And live support groups on weekends, facilitated by Mark and Steve! To try a free, 2-week trial, visit—daretoconnectnow.comFind out more about Steve Moore at:  Ascension CounselingLearn more about Mark Kastleman at:  Reclaim Counseling ServicesHere's an article about how to HEAL from Betrayal Trauma—https://www.reclaimcounselingservices.com/healing-betrayal-trauma-videoTo learn more about HOW to overcome porn and sex addiction, check out this article—https://www.reclaimcounselingservices.com/overcome-porn-sex-addiction

Switch shows! Gender bending! Today we're talking about shows we think would be interesting if they took a different route. It takes some weird turns, but what else would you expect? What shows do you think could use a gender update? @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

Mark join the PPG crew to talk about the phone call between Greg Cote and Charles Bricker, The Wire, and we build a wrestling card with cartoon characters! #LourRangerLineup @lebatardshowfan @str8cashhomie88 @stupacarmy790 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Writer-director-actor Greg Sestero stops by the studio to talk about his new film Miracle Valley and the cult classic The Room!  Stop by Miracle Valley on 8/5/22 and The Room on 8/6/22 at the Babcock to meet and greet with Greg!

I'm back from Scotland ready to dance and share a Celtic music story by Ellen Gibling on today's Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. Willos' & Massimo Giuntini, Téada, Banshee in the Kitchen, Gerry O'Connor, The Lilies of the Midwest, Marc Gunn, Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer, Jamie Haeuser, Jonathan Milton, Boston Blackthorne, Ellen Gibling, Jocelyn Pettit, Barleyjuice, Mary - Grace Autumn Lee, Brad Tuck, The Bordercollies I hope you enjoyed this week's show. If you Heard music you loved, share the episode and tag the artist on social. Include the show time so they can quickly listen and enjoy. The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast is here to build our diverse Celtic community and help the incredible artists who so generously share their music with you. Musicians rely on your support so they can keep creating new music. If music in this show inspired you, you can buy their CDs, digital downloads, shirts, album pins, and other merch. You can follow them on streaming and see their shows. More and more Celtic musicians are on Patreon, just like this podcast. And of course, I always appreciate it when you drop artists an email to let them know you heard them on the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. GET CELTIC MUSIC NEWS IN YOUR INBOX The Irish & Celtic Music Magazine is a quick and easy way to plug yourself into more great Celtic culture. Subscribe and get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free. VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 FOR 2022 This is our way of finding the best songs and artists each year. You can vote for as many songs and tunes that inspire you in each episode. Your vote helps me create next year's Best Celtic music of 2022 episode.  Vote Now! THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC 0:06 - Willos' & Massimo Giuntini "The Flying Bull" from From Now On 5:31 - WELCOME 7:09 - Téada "Reels  -  Ar Mhuin na Muice / Cairo Barry / Garranmore / Hunter Billy's" from Coiscéim Coiligh / As the Days Brighten 11:48 - Banshee in the Kitchen "As I Roved Out" from Band O' Shees 15:23 - Gerry O'Connor "The Hawk and the Hare (Jig & Polska)" from Last Night's Joy 18:56 - The Lilies of the Midwest "The Mountains of Pomeroy" from Flora 23:31 - FEEDBACK 27:23 - Marc Gunn, Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer, Jamie Haeuser "Favor of a Dance" from Come Adventure With Me 30:19 - Jonathan Milton "Munster Buttermilk" from Just One More... 34:48 - Boston Blackthorne "Fishing over the Lusi" from Fishing over the Lusi 39:02 - CELTIC STORY  -  ELLEN GIBLING 42:14 - Ellen Gibling "Reels: The Cribbies/ Vice Versa / Louise's Reel" from The Bend in the Light 46:52 - THANKS 48:02 - Jocelyn Pettit "Wind Rose" from Wind Rose 51:31 - Barleyjuice "Hard Life Of Ivan Macrae" from The Morning After 54:39 - Mary - Grace Autumn Lee "Autumn's Fall: Drummond Castle/Brendan Tonra's/The Yellow Wattle (Jigs)" from Eyre 58:57 - Brad Tuck "Madeline's Might" from Stages 1:02:25 - CLOSING 1:03:32 - The Bordercollies "Carraig Nua" from Sticks and Stones The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was edited by Mitchell Petersen with Graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. The show was produced by Marc Gunn, The Celtfather. Subscribe through your favorite podcatcher or on our website where you can become a Patron of the Podcast for as little as $1 per episode. Promote Celtic culture through music at http://celticmusicpodcast.com/. WELCOME CELTOPHILE TO CELTIC MUSIC * Helping you celebrate Celtic culture through music. I am Marc Gunn. I'm a musician and podcaster. I want to introduce you to some amazing Celtic bands and musicians. The artists in this show need your support, which you can do by buying their music. You can find a link to all of the artists, along with show times and chapters for each song when you visit our website at celticmusicpodcast.com. You can also support this podcast on Patreon. WHAT'S NEW IN IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC: BEST OF 2022 Two weeks after the episode is launched, I compile the latest Celtic Top 20 votes to update a playlist on Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube. These are the results of your voting. You can help these artists out by following the playlists and adding tracks you love to your playlists. Subscribe to our newsletter to find out who was added this week. Listen on Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube. START PODCASTING Podcasting is a fun way to share a message and spread ideas. I've hosted my podcasts with Libsyn since the start. It's the best place to host your podcast. So why not share your love of Celtic music and culture. Sign up through my link and you can support this podcast as well. Oh! And drop me an email if you'd like some hints on how to make a successful podcast. BUY SELCOUTH BY MARC GUNN My latest CD features Sci F'Irish music. That means it is original songs fusing pop culture themes with Irish drinking songs. There are some traditional music on the album. But mostly, it features songwriting by Marc Gunn with guests including: Screeched Inn, The Muckers, Jamie Haeuser, Sam Gillogly, Nathan Deese, and Mikey Mason. Selcouth means, “when everything is strange and different, yet you find it marvelous anyway.” The album is not completely Celtic and it's not just science fiction and fantasy. It's a fusion of the two. It's heartfelt and a lot of fun. It's now on sale in my Bandcamp store. Check out Selcouth now. THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST! Because of Your kind and generous support, this show comes out at least four times a month. Your generosity funds the creation, promotion and production of the show. It allows us to attract new listeners and to help our community grow. As a patron, you hear episodes before regular listeners, vote in the Celtic Top 20, and a private feed to listen to the show.  That's for as little as $1 per episode. For higher pledges, you can also get music - only episodes, free MP3s, and stand - alone Celtic Stories when you become a Song Henger. A special thanks to our Celtic Legends: Meghan Walker, Dan mcDade, Carol Baril, Miranda Nelson, Nancie Barnett, Kevin Long, Lynda MacNeil, Annie Lorkowski, Travis Senzaki, Shawn Cali HERE IS YOUR THREE STEP PLAN TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST Go to SongHenge.com. That takes you to our Patreon page. Decide how much you want to pledge every week, $1, $5, $10. Make sure to cap how much you want to spend per month. Keep listening to the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast to celebrate Celtic culture through music. You can become a generous Patron of the Podcast on Patreon at SongHenge.com. TRAVEL WITH CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of Celtic music fans on the relaxing adventure of a lifetime. We don't see everything. Instead, we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join us with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts and videos. Learn more about the invasion at http://celticinvasion.com/ #celticmusic #irishmusic #celticmusicpodcast I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK What are you doing today while listening to the podcast? You can send a written comment along with a picture of what you're doing while listening. Email a voicemail message to celticpodcast@gmail.com Maire emailed: "Dia dhuit! I've been listening for several years now and thought I'd finally reach out to let you know what I'm doing while listening. Most of the time, I'm studying anatomy. The music itself is far more calming to me than most other genres because it reminds me of hot summers of my childhood dancing for Trinity Irish Dance at Irish fests. No matter what, I always have paper and pen near by to write down the names of the amazing musicians showcased on this podcast. Thanks for widening my celtic musical world orld and keep it up! Slain! Maire P.S Thanks so much for pronouncing Celtic correctly!" Charlene Adzima emailed: "Hey there Marc, I'm Charlene Adzima, fiddler and singer with Wisconsin - based all - female Irish music trio, The Lilies of the Midwest. As the pandemic seems to be waning, we've been reaching out to venues, festivals, radio shows, and podcasts to let folks know that we have an authentic, energetic, and charming stage presence and we'd like to get known outside of our small part of the Midwest. Our core instrumentation is fiddle, concertina, and mandolin, with the occasional guest guitarist or percussionist. With our Ohio - based guitarist Rick Nelson, we recorded a 6 track EP called Flora, which we'd like to offer you to play on your podcast. Thanks much and all the best! " Peter Bengtson emailed: "Hi Mark, I was walking yesterday and tried to get on SeriusXM.  Something was wrong and I couldn't get on. I got on your podcast  -  Episode 546 I think.  Once that episode was over, another episode started.  I listened to a total of 4 or 5 episodes.  This works great for me.  In the past, it seems that once the episode I listened to stopped, I had to go to start a new episode of Celtic Music or startup SeriusXM."

Twenty-six years before it existed, Trash Compactor got its greatest "get." And, friends, blow it we did not. We're confident you'll agree once you finally hear, straight from the source, the answer to the burning question that's been on everyone's lips—is Mark Hamill good at the 1996 PC game Wing Commander IV: The Price of Freedom? But let's back up for a minute. In the mid-'90s, a 12-year-old JOSH and his similarly prepubescent pal SAM snagged a shockingly lengthy phone interview with Mr. Mark Hamill. (The rest of us at TC assume this may have been the result of a questionable deal Josh or Sam brokered with then-up-and-coming horror trickster Wishmaster. They both remain tight-lipped about it). But what came of this? We'll tell you: a cassette recording of a no-holds-barred encounter between two sixth-graders and a movie legend. And by "no holds barred," we mean a gracious Hamill gives thoughtful answers to literally every question, shakes off a few unintentional low blows only a kid could inflict, makes a timely Sinead O'Connor reference, politely ignores a lot of excited whispering between the interviewers, and clearly considers it his duty to talk to a pair of preteens for a solid 20 minutes. Breaking news: Mark Hamill is a very nice man. Join us as Josh and Sam react to this unearthed interview for the first time ever. With a little help from their friends/emotional support animals TIM and FREY, they bravely take on the grueling but highly entertaining task of listening to their 12-year-old selves shoot the shit with Luke Skywalker IRL. (Psst—just kidding about the Wishmaster thing. Didn't mean to scare you. We won't spoil the real story here in the notes, but it involves Z-100, Virgin Megastore, and collect calls. The 90s, baby! Check out some photos from the event that set it all in motion). NEXT WEEK: Revisionist History with the Special Editions! RATE US podchaser.com/trashcompod FOLLOW US instragram.com/trashcompod twitter.com/trashcompod1 EMAIL US trashcompod@gmail.com TRANSCRIPTS AT trashcompod.com Support TRASH COMPACTOR: A (Mostly) Star Wars Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/trashcompod

Tom talks about meeting one of the stars of "The Room", we discuss our own theatre experiences and pitch a movie called "I was built different, I was built stupid." This is the deleted scenes for episode 378, so it might be worth listening to that before listening to this one.

Trees are essential for life. But they also bring peace, joy, and love. It's our duty to care for our planet so this week, we celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Month with the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. The McDades, Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer, Heather Dale, IONA, Nick Hennessey, The Haar, Lúnasa, Avon Faire, Brad Reid, Syr, Ockham's Razor, Iarla O'Lionaird, John McLean Allan, Spoil The Dance I hope you enjoy this week's show. If you hear music you love, please share this episode and tag the artist on social media. Include the show time so they can quickly listen and enjoy. The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast is here to build our diverse Celtic community and help the incredible artists who so generously share their music with you. Musicians rely on your support so they can keep creating new music. If music in this show inspired you, you can buy their CDs, digital downloads, shirts, pins, and other merch. You can follow them on streaming and see their shows. More and more Celtic musicians are on Patreon, just like this podcast. And of course, I always appreciate it when you drop artists an email to let them know you heard them on the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. GET CELTIC MUSIC NEWS IN YOUR INBOX The Irish & Celtic Music Magazine is a quick and easy way to plug yourself into more great Celtic culture. Subscribe and get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free. VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 FOR 2022 This is our way of finding the best songs and artists each year. You can vote for as many songs and tunes that inspire you in each episode. Your vote helps me create next year's Best Celtic music of 2022 episode.  Vote Now! THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC 0:08 - The McDades "The Oak, Ivy and Ash" from The Empress 5:52 - WELCOME 8:01 - Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer "Button Oak / The Polecat" from Stones on the Ground 11:51 - Heather Dale "Holly, Ivy & Yew" from The Road to Santiago 14:56 - IONA "The Ash Plant/The Bean Sidhe/Brenda Stubbert's Reel/Concertina Reel" from A Celebration of Twenty: New Growth 18:47 - Nick Hennessey "Down in Yon Forest" from Pebble & Bone 23:14 - FEEDBACK 26:11 - The Haar "The Green Fields of Canada" from The Haar 30:24 - Lúnasa "The Dregs Of Birch" from Cas 34:11 - Avon Faire "The Gowans Are Gay" from Tales of Love and Adventure 36:27 - Brad Reid "Braes of Dunvegan" from New Scotland 41:03 - THANKS 43:09 - Syr "Legacy" from Sentinel 47:39 - Ockham's Razor "Mother of the Waters" from Secrets and Silence 52:45 - Iarla O'Lionaird "The Heart Of The World" from Foxlight 57:28 - John McLean Allan "Amazing Grace" from Stand Easy 1:00:42 - CLOSING 1:01:56 - Spoil The Dance "Sheep They Bide" from Returning Home The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was edited by Mitchell Petersen with Graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. The show was produced by Marc Gunn, The Celtfather. Subscribe through your favorite podcatcher or on our website where you can become a Patron of the Podcast for as little as $1 per episode. Promote Celtic culture through music at http://celticmusicpodcast.com/. WELCOME TO CELTIC MUSIC * Helping you celebrate Celtic culture through music. I am Marc Gunn. I'm a musician and podcaster. I share my love of Irish and Celtic music from around the globe with you. I want to introduce you to some amazing Celtic bands and musicians. The artists in this show need your support which you can do by buying their music or telling a friend about the band you found. You can find a link to all of the artists, along with show times and chapters for each song when you visit our website at celticmusicpodcast.com. You can also support this podcast on Patreon. I am back from Texas and as you can hear I have no voice. Or rather I only have my sexy voice. Today we are celebrating Earth month. April 22 is Earth Day. April 29 is Arbor Day. So I thought we'd celebrate our planet and trees with this special show. After all, we are stewards of this planet. I want to encourage you to find out what you can do to be a better steward. I found a great article on “7 Tips to Recycle Better” on the Earth Day website. I learned a lot about what I've been doing wrong and how I can change my behavior to recycle more effectively. I also want to invite you to check out The Carbon Almanac. It's a crowdsourced book and website designed to share easy, small changes that you can do to make a huge impact. It was designed by literally hundreds of people around the world to address climate change. There's even a book that's coming out in June. You can find out more about it at https://thecarbonalmanac.org/ WHAT'S NEW IN IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC: BEST OF 2022 Two weeks after the episode is launched, I compile the latest Celtic Top 20 votes to update a playlist on Spotify and Amazon Music. These are the results of your voting. You can help these artists out by following the playlists and adding tracks you love to your playlists. The newest bands added to the playlist: Runa, Emerald Rose Listen on Spotify and Amazon Music. THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST! Because of Your kind and generous support, this show comes out at least four times a month. Your generosity funds the creation, promotion and production of the show. It allows us to attract new listeners and to help our community grow. As a patron, you hear episodes before regular listeners and you get to vote in the Celtic Top 20. Song Hengers get music - only episodes and free MP3s. They also get bonus podcast stories behind the songs. A big thanks to our newest Patrons: Florence S, Rachel Red, Jean W HERE IS YOUR THREE STEP PLAN TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST Go to SongHenge.com. That takes you to our Patreon page. Decide how much you want to pledge every week and cap how much you want to spend per month. Keep listening to the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast to celebrate Celtic culture through music You can become a generous Patron of the Podcast on Patreon at SongHenge.com. TRAVEL WITH CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of Celtic music fans on the relaxing adventure of a lifetime. We don't see everything. Instead, we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join us with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts and videos. Learn more about the invasion at http://celticinvasion.com/ #celticmusic #irishmusic #celticmusicpodcast I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK What are you doing today while listening to the podcast? You can send a written comment along with a picture of what you're doing while listening. What are you doing with your local celtic community? Email a voicemail message to celticpodcast@gmail.com Peter Bengtson emailed: "Hi Mark, I've  been neglecting sending you photos and feedback on what your listeners were doing while listening to your podcasts.  I listened to these two this afternoon.  I've been on my computer using the Arizona Request to Speak (RTS) system to provide my feedback to the state legislature. I'm giving them my views on which are the good bills and bad bills." Jim Whitfield replied on Patreon: "Hey Marc,  Thanks as always for running such an awesome podcast! I historically listened to the show while at the gym.  Well, COVID really impacted my gym attendance, so with the pandemic waning, I've got a lot of catching up to do (both in podcast listening and in physical health)! I'm upping my pledge, hoping to get access to the shows that are concentrated music. All the best, Jim Answering the favorite song question, well, there are many, and I appreciate how easy it is to vote on Patreon.  If I can give one shout - out for a rare jewel, I found Talisk thru the podcast (episode #400 was the first, I think) and now I get to go to their show in Berkeley soon!  Yay!"

Rick Camp and Gabe Ramirez welcomed on Mark Grote for transition, where they reacted to the Bulls' 126-109 loss to the Pelicans on Thursday. They also detailed a few significant points made by Bears coach Matt Eberflus.

Happy St Patrick's Day from the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, your guide to celebrating Celtic culture through music. Cavort Celtic, Spoil The Dance, Rebecca Gilbert & Kellswater Bridge, The Gothard Sisters, Dave Curley, Kris Colt, W Ed Harris, Jackie Oates, ÚLLA, Stanley & Grimm, Andy Irvine, The Gatehouse Well, Marc Gunn & Sam Gillogly, Avon Faire, Tullamore, A Campo Traviesa, Tina Appel & Rüdiger Reinhardt, Eamonn Flynn, Colin Farrell, John Weber & Friends, Billy Treacy & the Scope, The Carroll Sisters, Reilly, The Town Pants, The Byrne Brothers, Brave the Sea, Poitin Band, Vince Conaway, The Irish Rovers, Bren Holmes, Wolf & Clover, Eddie Biggins, Scythian, One Street Over, Celtic Reggae Revolution, The Dustbunnies, Warbelow Range, Hearthfire, Ellen Gibling, Syr, Celtic Woman, The Ogham Stones, Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer, Neil Anderson, Rebels and Sinners, Jenna Moynihan Intro from Atlanta Irish Dance. I hope you enjoyed this week's show. If you Heard a song, tune or artist that you loved, I'd like you to share this episode and tag the artist on social either on your page or in a Celtic group you're a part of. Include the show time so they can quickly listen and enjoy. The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast is here to build our diverse Celtic community and help the incredible artists who so generously share their music with you. Musicians rely on your support so they can keep creating new music. If music in this show inspired you, you can buy their CDs, digital downloads, shirts, pins, and other merch. You can follow them on streaming and see their shows. More and more Celtic musicians are on Patreon, just like this podcast. And of course, I always appreciate it when you drop artists an email to let them know you heard them on the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. How would you like Celtic music news in your inbox? The Irish & Celtic Music Magazine is a quick and easy way to plug yourself into more great Celtic culture. Subscribe and get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free. VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 FOR 2022 This is our way of finding the best songs and artists each year. You can vote for as many songs and tunes that inspire you in each episode. Your vote helps me create next year's Best Celtic music of 2022 episode.  Vote Now! THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC 0:08 - Cavort Celtic "The Goat Set" from Kilted Cavort 6:48 - WELCOME Helping you celebrate Celtic culture through music. I am Marc Gunn. I'm a musician and podcaster. I share my love of Irish and Celtic music from around the globe with you. I want to introduce you to some amazing Celtic bands and musicians. The artists in this show need your support which you can do by buying their music or telling a friend about the band you found. You can find a link to all of the artists, along with show times and chapters for each song when you visit our website at celticmusicpodcast.com. You can also support this podcast on Patreon. Your support also helps our Celtic community. We've donated over $45,000 to Celtic non-profit organizations. See the list in the shownotes. Happy St Patrick's Day 7:58 - Spoil The Dance "Jigs : McIntyre's Fancy, Newtown Bridge, Inis Bearachain Jig" from Returning Home 11:50 - Rebecca Gilbert & Kellswater Bridge "As I Roved Out" from Origin 17:26 - The Gothard Sisters "Hurricane Ridge" from Dragonfly 20:52 - Dave Curley "Never Give All the Heart" from I Am of Ireland / Yeats in Song 22:51 - Kris Colt "Silver Dagger" from Arms of a Stranger 25:42 - W Ed Harris "Tiarna Mhuigheo" from Turas Ceilteach 28:49 - Jackie Oates "Brown Penny" from I Am of Ireland / Yeats in Song 31:04 - FREEBIES Did you know we have a free app? It's absolutely free to download for iOS or Android. There's a link in the show notes. And if you want 17 Celtic MP3s for free, sign up to the Irish & Celtic Music Magazine. This email newsletter has been going for over 20 years. Every Thursday, you will get short email about 7 quick links to the latest Celtic podcasts, new Celtic CDs, reviews of Celtic bands and in the next two, you will get a link to download 17 Celtic MP3s for free. That's not including the 34 you get when you sign up to our mailing list. Head on over to BestCelticMusic.net to celebrate Celtic culture through music. 32:15 - ÚLLA "Mattie" from Ulla 35:51 - Stanley & Grimm "Genevieve's Waltz/Apples in Winter/Tarbolton/Pigeon On the Gate" from Another Round 41:00 - Andy Irvine "Plains Of Kildare" from Andy Irvine & Paul Brady 45:09 - The Gatehouse Well "Tell Me Ma" from Undone 47:23 - Marc Gunn & Sam Gillogly "Swallowtail Jig / Out on the Ocean (feat. Sam Gillogly)" from Selcouth 50:46 - Avon Faire "Leave Her Johnny" from Tales of Love and Adventure 53:55 - I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK What are you doing today while listening to the podcast? You can send a written comment along with a picture of what you're doing while listening. What are you doing with your local celtic community? Email a voicemail message to celticpodcast@gmail.com Peter Bengtson emailed: "Hi Mark, The mornings have been too cold for me to walk before breakfast.  I've taken to having breakfast and waiting for the temperature to rise a bit.  I've enjoyed the walks with no wind and warmer weather. My air pods and smart phone are working fine so I'm listening to your podcasts.  Thanks for posting new ones weekly. I've been watching various remodeling projects and water features installed in peoples front yards." Leonard L. Streeper emailed a photo: "Dear Mr. Gunn, I love your show and thank you so much for bringing me music that I love. My only criticism is you weren't around in the late 80s when I fell in love with this genre of music and records were as rare as unicorns. I like to write fantasy books while listening. The music helps keep me in the mindset while covering up the sounds of the modern world. Once again, thank you so much for all you do. Sincerely," Fabio Fiorelli emailed: "Hi Mark! In one of your episodes I think you were looking at irish and celtic italian bands. I'd like to promote a band from my hometown, called "Whisky Trail". They are extremely genuine, even studying how the history of Florence intersects with that of the Irish" 57:18 - Tullamore "Paddy's Lamentation / Da Full Rigged Ship" from Two To Get Ready 1:02:43 - A Campo Traviesa "Harvest Home / La Botte D'Asperges (Danzas Tradicionales) (Irlanda y Francia)" from The Kid on the Mountain 1:04:47 - Tina Appel & Rüdiger Reinhardt "Theidhir Abhaile Riú" from Live in Mülheim 1:07:48 - Eamonn Flynn "Sack Em Ups" from Anywhere But Home 1:11:59 - Colin Farrell "The Drunken Acrobat: Riverton Road, The Rambling Wreck, The Drunken Acrobat" from On The Move 1:15:51 - THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST! This show comes out at least four times a month Because of Your kind and generous support. Your generosity funds the creation, promotion and production of the show. It allows us to attract new listeners and to help our community grow. As a patron, you hear episodes before regular listeners. You can get Free MP3 downloads and music-only episodes. Plus, you get to vote in the Celtic Top 20. A super special thanks to our Celtic Legends: Dan mcDade, Carol Baril, Miranda Nelson, Nancie Barnett, Kevin Long, Lynda MacNeil, Annie Lorkowski, Travis Senzaki, Shawn Cali I thought I'd share a... SIMPLE THREE STEP PLAN TO BECOME A PATRON Go to SongHenge.com. That takes you to our Patreon page. Decide how much you want to pledge every week and cap how much you want to spend per month. Keep listening to the podcast to celebrate Celtic culture through music Thank you for becoming a generous Patron of the Podcast! 1:17:12 - John Weber & Friends "The Banks of Skibbereen" from The Banks of Skibbereen 1:21:18 - Billy Treacy & the Scope "Moving This Way" from Life 1:25:51 - The Carroll Sisters "The Flight of Dawn" from Daybreak 1:29:55 - Reilly "Black Velvet Band" from Durty Pool 1:33:40 - The Town Pants "The Wall" from Something to Say 1:37:33 - RELAUNCHING REVIEWS OF CELTIC BANDS The Irish & Celtic Music Magazine was quite a bit different when it started. I used to feature a lot of Celtic music reviews for bands. Unfortunately, it got both expensive and difficult to manage. This year, I relaunched the features of Celtic bands, not because of the magazine, but because I wanted to help out Celtic musicians in our community. I'm so happy I did. But I could still use your support to keep it going. Become a Patron of the Podcast. If we can hit the next Milestone, we can fund more reviews and features for your favorite Celtic artist. It's easy to do. Just visit SongHenge.com 1:39:43 - The Byrne Brothers "Broken Pledge, The Toormore Slide (Traditional), The Snapped Leash Jig - [Finn Byrne]" from Living the Dream 1:43:18 - Brave the Sea "Don't Take Me Back" from The Kraken 1:46:23 - Poitin Band "Bridle On the Mare" from Banks of Red River 1:49:25 - Vince Conaway "The Liberty Reel" from Liminal Spaces 1:52:20 - The Irish Rovers "Donovan's Pub in Ballinasloe" from No End in Sight 1:57:04 - NEW PODCAST SHIRTS Your generous weekly pledge to support the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast is invaluable. But there's another way to support the show. In fact, we have a brand new podcast t-shirt that's now in our store. You'll also find CDs, stickers, and digital downloads. Follow the link to show your love of Celtic culture through music and the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. Shop for Shirts now. 1:57:42 - Bren Holmes "You Say" from Everything You Never Wanted formerly of Young Dubliners 2:01:23 - Wolf & Clover "The James Carville Set" from Twelvemonth and a Day 2:06:11 - Eddie Biggins "Dance With Me, Dearie" from Intentionally Left Blank 2:09:48 - Scythian "Jack Dempsey" from American Shanty 2:13:41 - One Street Over "Clare Reel" from Beyond the Gate 2:17:31 - Celtic Reggae Revolution “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye” from Single 2:23:09 - PUB SONGS & STORIES What was it like to share the stage with Paddy Maloney, of The Cheiftans? What happens on a Flogging Molly cruise stays on it. What's your guilty pleasure? What is Irish Dance? These are some the stories that are shared on the latest Pub Songs & Stories #251. Subscribe now. 2:24:04 - The Dustbunnies "Cruiscin Lan" from What Goes Around 2:27:57 - Warbelow Range "Bean an Tí Ar Lár / The Fermoy Lasses / The Wind That Shakes the Barley" from Warbelow Range 2:31:46 - Hearthfire "Raise a Glass" from After the Fall 2:37:06 - Ellen Gibling "Reels: The Cribbies/ Vice Versa / Louise's Reel" from The Bend in the Light 2:41:44 - Syr "Revenant" from Sentinel 2:46:35 - VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 FOR 2022 This is our way of finding the best songs and artists each year. You can vote for as many songs and tunes that inspire you in each episode. Your vote helps me create next year's Best Celtic music of 2022 episode.  Vote Now! WHAT'S NEW IN IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC: BEST OF 2022 Two weeks after the episode is launched, I compile the latest Celtic Top 20 votes to update a playlist on Spotify and Amazon Music. These are the results of your voting. You can help these artists out by following the playlists and adding tracks you love to your playlists. Listen on Spotify and Amazon Music. 2:47:36 - Celtic Woman "Ancient Land" from Ancient Land Deluxe 2:50:18 - The Ogham Stones "The Foggy Dew / Come Out Ye Black And Tans" from One, Two, Feck You 2:57:29 - Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer "The Halsway Parade /The Quantock Reel" from Paper of Pins 3:02:26 - Neil Anderson "Jacobites / Rights of Man" from Single 3:06:34 - Rebels and Sinners "Poison Heart" from Day's Just Begun 3:10:19 - CLOSING 3:11:32 - Jenna Moynihan “Dolina Mackay” from Woven The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was edited by Mitchell Petersen with Graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. The show was produced by Marc Gunn, The Celtfather. Subscribe through your favorite podcatcher or on our website where you can become a Patron of the Podcast for as little as $1 per episode. Promote Celtic culture through music at http://celticmusicpodcast.com/. BUY SELCOUTH BY MARC GUNN My latest CD features Sci F'Irish music. That means it is original songs fusing pop culture themes with Irish drinking songs. There are some traditional music on the album. But mostly, it features songwriting by Marc Gunn with guests including: Screeched Inn, The Muckers, Jamie Haeuser, Sam Gillogly, Nathan Deese, and Mikey Mason. Selcouth means, “when everything is strange and different, yet you find it marvelous anyway.” The album is not completely Celtic and it's not just science fiction and fantasy. It's a fusion of the two. It's heartfelt and a lot of fun. It's now on sale in my Bandcamp store. Check out Selcouth now. TRAVEL WITH CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of Celtic music fans on the relaxing adventure of a lifetime. We don't see everything. Instead, we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join us with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts and videos. Learn more about the invasion at http://celticinvasion.com/ #celticmusic #irishmusic #celticmusicpodcast

St Patrick's Day is not here yet. So let's just celebrate St Patrick's month with the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. The Byrne Brothers, Dom Duff, John Doyle, Wolf & Clover, Spoil The Dance, Cavort Celtic, Coast, John Weber, Kris Colt, Coole Park, Reilly, Billy Treacy & the Scope, The Irish Rovers, Marc Gunn, The Muckers I hope you enjoyed this week's show. If you Heard a song, tune, or artist that you loved, share this episode. Make sure to tag the artist on social. You can do that on your page or in a Celtic group you're a part of. If you also include the show time, they can quickly listen and enjoy. The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast is here to build our diverse Celtic community and help the incredible artists who so generously share their music with you. Musicians rely on your support so they can keep creating new music. If music in this show inspired you, you can buy their CDs, digital downloads, shirts, pins, and other merch. You can follow them on streaming and see their shows. More and more Celtic musicians are on Patreon, just like this podcast. And of course, I always appreciate it when you drop artists an email to let them know you heard them on the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. How would you like Celtic music news in your inbox? The Irish & Celtic Music Magazine is a quick and easy way to plug yourself into more great Celtic culture. Subscribe and get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free. THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC 0:06 - The Byrne Brothers "Waikiki Reel (Finn Byrne) Seanamhac Tube Station Reel [Traditional]" from Living the Dream 3:36 - WELCOME 5:59 - Dom Duff "Chikoloden groove" from Babel pow wow 8:43 - John Doyle "The Rambler from Clare (Song)" from The Path of Stones 13:39 - Wolf & Clover "The Suitor Set" from Twelvemonth and a Day 20:08 - Spoil The Dance "The Heron" from Returning Home 24:12 - FEEDBACK 29:13 - Cavort Celtic "Wild Rover" from Kilted Cavort 32:09 - Coast "On This Day (Acoustic Version)" from On This Day EP 36:37 - John Weber & Friends "The Banks of Skibbereen" from The Banks of Skibbereen 40:44 - Kris Colt "Night Visit (Featuring Steve Ayvazian)" from Arms of a Stranger 43:47 - THANKS 47:03 - Coole Park "Lower the Sails" from Water Journeys 51:03 - Reilly "Hell's Half Acre" from Durty Pool 55:40 - Billy Treacy & the Scope "Dollymount Beach" from Life 1:00:18 - The Irish Rovers "Hey Boys Sing Us a Song" from No End in Sight 1:05:43 - CLOSING 1:07:55 - Marc Gunn & The Muckers "Kilty Pleasure" from Selcouth The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was edited by Mitchell Petersen with Graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. The show was produced by Marc Gunn, The Celtfather. Subscribe through your favorite podcatcher or on our website where you can become a Patron of the Podcast for as little as $1 per episode. Promote Celtic culture through music at http://celticmusicpodcast.com/. WELCOME TO IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC * Helping you celebrate Celtic culture through music. I am Marc Gunn. I'm a musician and podcaster. If you're new to the podcast, I share my love of Irish and Celtic music from around the globe with you. The artists in this show need your support which you can do by buying their music. You can find a link to all of the artists, along with show times and chapters for each song when you visit our website at celticmusicpodcast.com. You can also support this podcast on Patreon. SPEAKING OF PATREON… I don't know if you knew this. But I donate 10% of all of the money that is earned on Patreon to Celtic Non - Profits. I do the same with our Celtic compilation CDs. The money goes largely to Celtic festivals where we promote Celtic culture through music. I keep track of the donations to all the festivals and organizations on our website. Well, I say that, but I hadn't updated that list in about four years, even though I continued to make donations. We donated $4200 last year to different festivals. To date, we've donated over $45,000. You can find the complete list of Celtic Non - Profit donations on our website. PET PEEVE I have a pet peeve to share. I got a Facebook message from someone representing a Celtic artist. They said, “I see your preferred method of contact is Facebook”. Let me be clear. Facebook is my LAST method of contact. It is the #1 place I promote the podcast. But I do not like Facebook. It also shows a complete disinterest in finding out how to contact me. Don't get me wrong. You are welcome to message me there. I started looking at messages recently after 3 - 5 years of forgetting I could. But I still prefer a direct email. VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 FOR 2022 This is our way of finding the best songs and artists each year. You can vote for as many songs and tunes that inspire you in each episode. Your vote helps me create next year's Best Celtic music of 2022 episode.  Vote Now! WHAT'S NEW IN IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC: BEST OF 2022 Two weeks after the episode is launched, I compile the latest Celtic Top 20 votes to update a playlist on Spotify and Amazon Music. These are the results of your voting. You can help these artists out by following the playlists and adding tracks you love to your playlists. The newest band added to the playlist: Poitin Band, Kilmaine Saints, The Rogues, The Carroll Sisters Listen on Spotify and Amazon Music. BUY SELCOUTH BY MARC GUNN My latest CD features Sci F'Irish music. That means it is original songs fusing pop culture themes with Irish drinking songs. There are some traditional music on the album. But mostly, it features songwriting by Marc Gunn with guests including: Screeched Inn, The Muckers, Jamie Haeuser, Sam Gillogly, Nathan Deese, and Mikey Mason. Selcouth means, “when everything is strange and different, yet you find it marvelous anyway.” The album is not completely Celtic and it's not just science fiction and fantasy. It's a fusion of the two. It's heartfelt and a lot of fun. It's now on sale in my Bandcamp store. Check out Selcouth now. TRAVEL WITH CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of Celtic music fans on the relaxing adventure of a lifetime. We don't see everything. Instead, we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join us with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts and videos. Learn more about the invasion at http://celticinvasion.com/ WE HAVE A COMPANION PODCAST Pub Songs & Stories is a Virtual Public House for musicians to share the stories and inspiration behind their music. I ask musicians on this show to share a story about a song or tune, from a gig, or maybe even just a piece of Celtic history that they love. I share their story and the related song in the podcast. I also share songs from the Best of 2022 playlist. And of course, I talk about some of my songs and what's new with me. Just like this show, it is free to subscribe. THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST! Because of Your kind and generous support, this show comes out at least four times a month. Your generosity funds the creation, promotion and production of the show. It allows us to attract new listeners and to help our community grow. A super special thanks to our newest Patrons: Shelley W, Andrew P Now I mentioned the show comes out at least four times a month. Typically, I plan to take a week off every quarter. But the podcast lost a few patrons over the past month. Meanwhile, our expenses went up last year. I have an audio engineer, graphic artist, social media person, plus there's advertising expenses and I buy the music from all of the artists who complete the permission form. So I think it's time for a new patronage milestone. The next off week is June 2. I want to do a very special 2 - 3 hour episode. I'm not sure of the theme. I'll let you know in the coming weeks. But I set the goal at $850 per episode. That means we need to raise $70 per episode. That will cover the new expenses. That's about 15 new people subscribing on Patreon. I know that's a pretty tough goal to reach. But you have until May 1 to sign up. If we can do that, then you will get that incredible show on June 2. Oh! And every patron will get a bumper sticker as well as a small way of saying thanks. You also get to hear episodes before regular listeners. Any amount is great. You can pledge a dollar or more per episode and cap how much you want to spend each month over on Patreon. You can also get music - only episodes when you become a Song Henger. You can become a generous Patron of the Podcast on Patreon at SongHenge.com. #celticmusic #irishmusic #celticmusicpodcast I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK What are you doing today while listening to the podcast? You can send a written comment along with a picture of what you're doing while listening. Email a voicemail message to celticpodcast@gmail.com Bonnie Menard replied on a Facebook post: "Marc, I just have to tell you. I was listening to another Irish & Celtic Music Podcast at work and then I found yours. This week I switched to Pub Songs and Stories and I am loving it. On both your podcasts all the music and artists are great, but my favorite is you. By Amazing Grace and the Mingulay Boat song are amazing. Such a powerful voice. I can't wait to find the time to visit your websites and order a cd. Thank you for all you do." Moxie LaBouche messaged on Facebook: "Love the show.  In the warm months I listen on the weekends while working in the yard or cutting firewood and in the winter I listen while doing the grocery shopping.

In this episode, Mark and Steve address a situation and series of questions from a PBSE listener who is the partner of a porn/sex addict and struggling with betrayal trauma. Here's what she had to say—Hi Mark and Steve. first off thank you for all that you do. my partner and I have been listening to your podcasts lately. I have a few concerns though that I'm seeking input on: he told me he's not in a place of his recovery to be disclosing things to me such as what his fetish was/is. I think I deserve to know this about my partner's addiction since he was acting out throughout our whole relationship secretly even though I set it as a hard boundary early on. does this mean he is trying to protect his addiction still? its been less than 3 months of sober/recovery.My other concern is: he says he's not against porn and doesn't have an opinion about it and this is a healthier method to view it. but this makes me very angry as I know there are endless reasons to be against porn and the industry as a whole, not to mention how its negatively impacting our relationship. Thirdly, he oftentimes says he doesn't have enough time to partake in daily recovery. but I think that's just an excuse because he didn't have trouble making time for watching porn throughout our relationship, which I classify as cheating.There are 3 major barriers her addict partner his throwing up that are blocking his own personal progress and the mending of the relationship—1.  Withholding information about addiction behaviors and betrayal2.  Minimizing, rationalizing and justifying the nature and effects of pornography3.  Making excuses for not doing the hard daily work of recoveryMark and Steve address all three of these road blocks and how they held them back in their own recoveries and relationships. Learn more about Mark and Steve's new online program—"Dare to Connect!" You have live access to Mark and Steve three times a week--addicts, spouses and couples! Visit—daretoconnectnow.comFind out more about Steve Moore at:  Ascension CounselingLearn more about Mark Kastleman at:  Reclaim Counseling ServicesHere's an article on the Brain Science behind porn and sex addiction—https://www.reclaimcounselingservices.com/brain-science-porn-sex-addiction

This week, we discuss the potential problems and future outlook of our favorite social media giant, Facebook.

Some of the best moments, the ones we deeply cherish, are those when we come back together, just like we do every week together with the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast Ellen Gibling, The Fire, Heather Dale, We Banjo 3, Fergal McAloon, Marc Gunn, Screeched Inn, Day Doran, Steel City Rovers, Achill Crossing, Syr, Tuatha Dea, Ockham's Razor, Jiggy, Alisa Marie I hope you enjoyed this week's show. If you Heard a song, tune or artist that you loved, I'd like you to share this episode and tag the artist on social either on your page or in a Celtic group you're a part of. Include the show time so they can quickly listen and enjoy. The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast is here to build our diverse Celtic community and help the incredible artists who so generously share their music with you. Musicians rely on your support so they can keep creating new music. If music in this show inspired you, you can buy their CDs, digital downloads, shirts, pins, and other merch. You can follow them on streaming and see their shows. More and more Celtic musicians are on Patreon, just like this podcast. And of course, I always appreciate it when you drop artists an email to let them know you heard them on the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. How would you like Celtic music news in your inbox? The Irish & Celtic Music Magazine is a quick and easy way to plug yourself into more great Celtic culture. Subscribe and get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free. VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 FOR 2022 This is our way of finding the best songs and artists each year. You can vote for as many songs and tunes that inspire you in each episode. Your vote helps me create next year's Best Celtic music of 2022 episode. Vote Right Now on Patreon! THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC 0:06 - Ellen Gibling "Polkas: The Glin Cottage No. 1/ The Glin Cottage No. 2/ Enjoy Your Stay" from The Bend in the Light 4:02 - WELCOME 5:15 - The Fire "The Humours of Caledonia / The Heathery Cruach / Hello Grania" from Crossing to Ireland EP 8:25 - Heather Dale "For Guinevere" from Live In Dallas 13:03 - We Banjo 3 "Wynne's" from Roots to Rise 16:57 - Fergal McAloon "When You Are Old" from I Am of Ireland / Yeats in Song 19:29 - FEEDBACK 22:50 - Marc Gunn & Screeched Inn "Bright Side of Everything" from Selcouth 26:00 - Day Doran "Spancil Hill" from Traditional and Original Instrumental Music of Erin's Isle 31:36 - Steel City Rovers "Beyond Time" from Grand Misadventures 34:54 - Achill Crossing "Man from the Daily Mail" from The Rising of the Moon 38:10 - THANKS 39:42 - Syr "Oran Na Gaillinn" from Sentinel 45:17 - Tuatha Dea "Take that Child" from Irish Eyes 48:39 - Ockham's Razor "Somewhere Far from Here" from Secrets and Silence 53:29 - Jiggy "Friday's Child" from Hypernova 58:03 - CLOSING 1:00:02 - Alisa Marie "Tinuviel" from Single The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was edited by Mitchell Petersen with Graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. The show was produced by Marc Gunn, The Celtfather. Subscribe through your favorite podcatcher or on our website where you can become a Patron of the Podcast for as little as $1 per episode. Promote Celtic culture through music at http://celticmusicpodcast.com/. WELCOME TO CELTIC MUSIC * Helping you celebrate Celtic culture through music. I am Marc Gunn. I'm a musician and podcaster. I share my love of Irish and Celtic music from around the globe with you. I want to introduce you to some amazing Celtic bands and musicians. The artists in this show need your support which you can do by buying their music or telling a friend about the band you found. You can find a link to all of the artists, along with show times and chapters for each song when you visit our website at celticmusicpodcast.com. You can also support this podcast on Patreon. A new season of Pub Songs & Stories launches this week with the Top 20 Celtic Bands and Musicians of 2021. Subscribe at PubSong.Com. To get your music on the show, complete the permission form at 4Celts.com. THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST! Because of Your kind and generous support, this show comes out at least four times a month. Your generosity funds the creation, promotion and production of the show. It allows us to attract new listeners and to help our community grow. As a patron, you hear episodes before regular listeners. You can pledge a dollar or more per episode and cap how much you want to spend each month over on Patreon. You can also get music - only episodes and free MP3s when you become a Song Henger. A super special thanks to our Celtic Legends: Dan mcDade, Carol Baril, Miranda Nelson, Nancie Barnett, Kevin Long, Lynda MacNeil, Annie Lorkowski, Travis Senzaki, Shawn Cali You can become a generous Patron of the Podcast on Patreon at SongHenge.com. TRAVEL WITH CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS Every year, I take a small group of Celtic music fans on the relaxing adventure of a lifetime. We don't see everything. Instead, we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join us with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts and videos. Learn more about the invasion at http://celticinvasion.com/ #celticmusic #irishmusic #celticmusicpodcast I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK What are you doing today while listening to the podcast? You can send a written comment along with a picture of what you're doing while listening. Email a voicemail message to celticpodcast@gmail.com Nicholas Robb emailed on Facebook: "Hello Marc, my band and I have enjoyed your work over the years and would love to be featured on your podcast sometime if you are interested. We just released our first album "Beyond the Gate", which you can check out on any streaming service. Thanks!”  - Nicholas Robb & One Street Over Shawn Cali emailed: "Hi Mark  -  a quick note to say thanks for all the work you (and your team, but especially you) do to get this great music out there.  I push the podcast as much as I can and will keep doing do in 2022.  Proud to be able to help the effort financially.  Happy New Year." Clare Thul posted a picture on Facebook: "Today while I was listening to the podcast , I was working on finishing up my dragon"

On this episode, Geoff is watching Batman...again, who is asking Netflix for all of this, you may want to skip some spoilers, HIMYF, Trump bails on an interview, Jake is mad at everyone, and they discuss the importance of conservation and hunting regulations. Enjoy! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/saywhatyoumeanpodcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/saywhatyoumeanpodcast/support

a timing problem, hands, whiteboards, semiotics, katie porter, logorama, alien sound design, alien shape, alien names, and darmok #arrival #moviesbyminutes ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Always a pleasure "havering" with this amazing talent! (As it turns out, she's got a pretty great neighbor as well. Hi Mark!) Music, politics, pandemics, conspiracies...what more could you ask for? Also...check out Lesley's new singles and support some great causes while you're at it!: https://rubyofficial.bandcamp.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/undetermined-podcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/undetermined-podcast/support

Download: Rethinking Lossy Compression: The Rate-Distortion-Perception Tradeoff published by Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel. Authors: Yochai Blau , Tomer Michaeli.Today's guest: Tamar ShohamRelated episode: E32 - Objectionable Uses of Objective Quality MetricsThe Video Insiders LinkedIn Group is where we host engaging conversations with over 1,500 of your peers. Click here to joinLike to be a guest on the show? We want to hear from you! Send an email to: thevideoinsiders@beamr.comLearn more about Beamr's technology TRANSCRIPTION (Note: This is machine generated and may have been lightly edited)Tamar Shoham: 00:00 No matter which application or which area of video compression and you know, image compression, video compression that we're looking at.Tamar Shoham: 00:08 There is finally a growing awareness that without subjective testing you cannot validate your results. You cannot be sure of your quality of the video because at least for now it's still people watching the video. At the end of the day, we don't have our machines watching, at least not quite yet.Dror Gill: 00:42 Hello everybody, and welcome to another episode of The Video Insiders. With me is my co-host Mark Donnigan. I'm really excited today because we have a guest that was on our podcast before today. She's coming back for more. So I would like to welcome Beamr's, own VP of Technology Tamar Shoham to the show. Hi Tamar. Welcome to The Video Insiders again.Tamar Shoham: 01:06 Hi Dror, Hi Mark, great to be here again.Dror Gill: 01:08 And today we're going to discuss with Tamar a topic which has been a very hot lately and this is a topic of a video quality measurement. And I think it's something that's a very important to anybody in in video. And we have various ways to measure quality. We can look at the video or we can compute some some formula that will tell us how good that video is. And this is exactly what we're going to discuss today. We're going to discuss objective quality measurement and subjective quality measurement. So let's start with the objective metrics and Tamar can you give us an overview of what is an objective metric? And what are the most common ones?Tamar Shoham: 01:55 Fortunately the world of video compression has come a long way in the last decade or so. It used to be very common to find video compression evaluated using only PSNR. So that's peak signal to noise ratio, which basically is just looking at how much distortion MSE (mean square error) there is between a reconstructed compressed video. And the source. And while this is, you know, in a very easy to compute metric and it does give some indication of the distortion introduced its correlation with subjective or perceptive quality is very, very low. And even though everybody knows that most papers I'd say up till about a decade ago started with, you know, PSNR is a very bad metric, but it's what we have. So we're going to show our results on a PSNR scale. I mean, everybody knew it. It wasn't a good way to do it, but it was sort of the only way available.Tamar Shoham: 02:58 Then objective metrics started coming in. So there was SSIM the structural similarity which said, Hey, you know, a picture isn't just a group of pixels, it has structures and those are very important perceptually. So it attempts to measure the preservation of the structure as well as just the pixel by pixel difference. Then multi-scale SSIM came on the arena, sorry. And it said, well, it's not only the structure at a particular scale, we want to see how this behaves on different scales of the image. So that's multi-scale SSIM and it's, it's actually not a bad metric for getting an impression of how distorted your video is. Netflix did a huge service to the industry when they developed and open source their VMAF metric a few years back. And this was a breakthrough for two reasons. The first is almost all the metrics used before to evaluate the quality of video were image metrics. And they were actually only measuring the, the per image quality. We're not looking at a collection of images, we're looking at video. And while there were a few other attempts, there was WAVE I think by, by Alan Bovik's group and a few other attempts.Dror Gill: 04:28 So VMAF basically takes several different objective metrics and combines them together. And this combination is controlled by some machine learning process?Tamar Shoham: 04:40 VMAF was a measure that incorporated a temporal component from day one. So that's one place that really helped. The second place is when you're Netflix, you can do a lot of subjective testing to verify and as a part of the process of developing the metric and verifying it and calibrating it and essentially the way they did it by using existing powerful metrics such as VIF and and adding as we said, the temporal component and additional components but then fusing them altogether. That's where the F from VMAF comes from. Fusing them together using an sophisticated machine learning neural network, a base model. So that was a big step forward and we now do have an objective measure that can tell us, you know, what the quality of the video is across a large spectrum of distortion. They did a large round of subjective testing and a graded the quality of distorted videos using actual users. And then they took the results of a few existing metrics. Some of them were shaped slightly for their needs and added a pretty simple temporal component and then took for each distorted video the result of these metrics and essentially learned how to fuse them to get as close as possible to the subjective MOS score for that data.Mark Donnigan: 06:19 One of the questions I have Tamar is the Netflix library of content that they use to, to train VMAF, you know, entertainment focused, kind of, you know, major Hollywood movies, but there's things like live sports. Does that mean that VMAF works equally well, you know, with something like live sports, which I actually don't know, maybe they trained, you know, Netflix trained, but that's certainly not a part of their regular catalog. Or do we know if there's some content that, you know, maybe it needs some more training, or it's not optimized for?Tamar Shoham: 06:54 Yeah. So, so Netflix and being very upfront about the fact that VMAF was developed for their purposes, using clips from their catalogs and using AVC encoding with the encoder that they commonly use to create these clips that were distorted and evaluated subjectively and used to create the models, which means that a, it may not apply as well across the board for all codecs or all configurations. And all types of content. That's something that we actually hope to discuss with Netflix in the immediate future and maybe work together to make VMAF even better for the entire industry. Another issue with VMAF, and it's interesting that you know that you mentioned live in sports is that it's computational complexity is very high. If you are Netflix and you're doing offline optimization and you've got all the compute power that you need, that that's not a limitation.Tamar Shoham: 07:56 It's a consideration and it's fine. But if you want to somehow have a more live feedback on your quality or be able to optimize and evaluate your quality with reasonable compute power VMAF is going to pose a bit of a problem in, in that respect. In any case these are all objective metrics and as I said, you know, they go from the bottom of the scale in both performance required to compute them and reliability or correlation with subjective opinions and up to VMAF, which is probably today top of the scale for a correlation with subjective quality. But it's also very heavy to compute. But all of these metrics have one thing in common. Unfortunately, there are a number, they measure distortion. They're not a subjective estimation or evaluation of perceptual quality. That's a good point. Yeah. So I recently had the pleasure of hearing a very interesting PhD dissertation by Yochai Blau at the Technion under the supervision of professor Tomer Michaeli.Tamar Shoham: 09:10 And the title of his work is the perception distortion tradeoff. And what he shows there is he shows both experimentally with two sets of extensive experiments that they performed and mathematically using modeling of perceptual, indication of quality and statistical representations for that versus the mathematical model of various distortion metrics. And he shows in that work that it's sort of mutually exclusive. So if you're optimizing your solutions specifically, for example, a neural net based image processing solution. If you're optimizing for distortion, you're going to have a less acceptable perceptual result. And if you're optimizing for perception, you're inherently going to have to slightly increase the distortion that you introduce. And there's like a convex hall curve, which finds this trade off. So mathematical distortion, you know, a minus B, no matter how sophisticated your distance metric is, is inherently opposing in some ways to perception. Because our HVS, our human visual system is so sophisticated and does so much mathematical operation on the data that the distance between the points or some transform or wavelit done on these points can never fully represent what our human visual system does to analyze it. And, and that's, I mean, a fascinating work. I think it's the first time that it's been proven mathematically that this convex hall exists and there is a bound to how well you're going to do perceptually if you're optimizing for distortion and vice versa.Dror Gill: 11:07 And I think we also see this in in, in video compression. For example, in the open source x264 codec and also other codecs. You can tune the codec to give you better PSNR results or better SSIM results, you can use the tune PSNR or SSIM flag to to actually optimize or configure the encoder to make decisions which maximize those objective metrics. But, it is well known that when you use those flags, subjective quality suffers.Tamar Shoham: 11:43 Yup. Yup. That's an excellent point. And, and continuingly that x264 and most other codecs generally have a PSY or a psycho-visual rate distortion mode. And as you said, it's well known that if you're going to turn that on, you're going to drop in your PSNR and your objective metrics. So it's something that has been known. You know what the reason I, I'm, I'm very vocal about this work at the Technion is it's the first time I'm aware of that it's being proven mathematically, that there's like a real model to back it up. And I think that's very exciting because it's something, you know, we've known for a while and, and now it's actually been proven. So we've known it, but now we know why! For the nerds among us, we can prove that if it's even mathematical, it's not just a known fact.Tamar Shoham: 12:28 This is coming up everywhere. And there's growing awareness that, you know, the objective metrics and perception are not necessarily well correlated. But I think in the last month I've probably heard it more times than I've heard it in the five years before that it's like there's really an awareness. Just the other day when, when Google was presenting Stadia, Khaled (Abdel Rahman), one of the leads on the Stadia project at Google specifically said that, you know, they were testing quality and they were doing subjective testing and they had some modifications that every single synthetic or objective measure they tried to test said there was no difference and yet every single player could see the difference in quality.Dror Gill: 13:21 Hmm. Wow.Tamar Shoham: 13:23 No matter which application or which area of video compression and you know, image compression, video compression that we're looking at. There is finally a growing awareness that without subjective testing, you cannot validate your results. You cannot be sure of your quality of the video because at least for now, it's still people watching the video. At the end of the day, we don't have our machines watching it for us quite yet.Dror Gill: 13:49 And Tamar, I think this would be a good point to discuss how user testing is done subjective testing, but actually it's, it's user opinion testing is done. I know there are some there are some standards for that?Tamar Shoham: 14:05 Right. So I think one of the reasons we're seeing more acceptance of subjective testing in recent years is that, originally there were quite strict standards about how to perform a subjective testing or visual testing of video. And it started with the standard or the recommendation by ITU, which is BT.500 which was the gold basis for all of this. And it defines very strict viewing conditions, including the luminance of the display, maximum observation angle, the background chromosome chromaticity. So you have to do these evaluations against a wall that's painted gray in a specific shade of gray. You need specific room illumination, monitor resolution, monitor, contrast. So it was like if you wanted to really comply with this objective testing of the standard, there was so much overhead and it was so expensive that although there were companies, you know, that specialized in offering these services, it wasn't something that a video coding developer would say, Oh, okay.Tamar Shoham: 15:16 You know, I'm going to test now and see what the subjective opinion or what the subjective video quality of my video is. And I think two things happened that helped this move along. One is that more standards came out, or more recommendations, which isn't always a good thing, but in this case, the newer documents were less normative, less constraining and allowed to do easier user subjective testing. In parallel, I think people started to realize that, okay, it doesn't have to be all or nothing. Okay. If I'm not going to do a rigorous BT.500 test, that doesn't mean I don't want to collect subjective opinions about what my video looks like, and that I won't be able to learn and evolve from that. At Beamr, we have a very convenient tool which we developed called Beamr View, which allows to compare two videos side by side, played back in-sync and really get a feel for how the two videos compare.Tamar Shoham: 16:23 So while the older metrics were a very, very rigorous in their conditions and it was very difficult to do testing subjective testing and confirm with these standards, at some point we all started realizing that it doesn't have to be black and white. It doesn't have to be either you are doing BT.500 subjective testing by all those definitions or you know, you're just not doing any subjective testing. And Using our tool Beamr View, which I presume many of you in the industry use. We often compare videos side by side and try to form a subjective opinion of, you know, comparing two video coding and configurations or checking our perceptually optimized video to make sure it's perceptually identical to the source, et cetera. And then the idea came along saying, okay, you know what if we took this Beamr View tool and added a bit of API and some backend and made this into a subjective test that was trivial for an average user to do in their own time on their own computer.Tamar Shoham: 17:27 Okay. Because if it's really easy and you're just looking at two videos playing back side by side and someone else is taking care of opening the files and doing the blind testing so you don't know which video is on which side and you just have to, you know, press a button and say, Oh, A looks better, the left looks better or the left looks worse. That makes the testing process very, very easy to do. So at this point we developed what we nicknamed VISTA. VISTA basically takes Beamr View, which is a side-by-side video viewer and it corresponds with a backend that says, okay, these are the files I want to compare. And the user just has to look at it and say, Hmm, I don't know yet. Replay. Hmm, yeah, a definitely, you know the left definitely looks worse. So I'm going to press that button and then you get fed the next pair.Tamar Shoham: 18:25 So we're making this visual side by side comparison really, really easy to do. And that was the first step to making large scale subjective testing, a reality that we could actually use. And if before you know, Oh gee, I've got two configurations and I want to know which looks better, you know, you have to go and pay a company to do BT.500 testing and get results two weeks down. Well now at least we had a tool that we could use internally in the company, get a few of our colleagues together and say, okay, you know, run this test session. Let me know what you think. And while it's true that this wasn't scaling yet, you know, so we would collect five or 10 opinions over our set of 10 or 20 clips that we were testing. We could always complete these evaluation with objective measures. But no matter how many objective measures you measure, okay, you're always going to get, for example, going back to the example we mentioned before, if you're turning on psy-RD, you can run a thousand tests. PSNR is going to be lower.Dror Gill: 19:35 Yeah. And that's the problem. I mean, the advantage of objective metrics is that they can scale infinitely, right? You can run thousands of servers on AWS that would just compute the objective metrics all day, but they're not very accurate. They don't reflect real user opinions. And on the other hand, if you want to run subjective testing or user testing at scale, you have a problem because either it costs very much, you need to go to those dedicated labs. Or if you do it internally, you know, with a few people in the company it's not a large enough sample. And another problem with doing it with your colleagues is that they are not average users. Most of them are either golden eyes or after working for a few years in a video company, they become golden eyes. And you want people that don't just compare videos all day. People who are really average users.Tamar Shoham: 20:30 Exactly. So, so you highlighted on, on the exact three problems that we set out to then solve. So, so we have this tool that you know, allowed for very easy comparison of video, but how are we going to scale it? How will we be able to do that cheaply and how would we get an average user because average users are very slippery beings. Even someone that is an average user today, after they've watched hours and hours and days of video and comparisons, they start to pick up on the nuances between the compressed or the processed video and the input. And, and then they're broken. They're not an average user anymore. But at some point you just want to know, okay, what will the average user think, so we took this VISTA you know, how do you solve today a problem of I need lots of average user? Crowdsourcing. And we specifically went with mechanical Turk, which gives you access to practically an endless supply of average users.Dror Gill: 21:35 Amazon mechanical Turk. If somebody doesn't know this, a platform, it's basically in the same way that you can launch up a computer servers on the internet, you can launch actual users, right? You can set up a task and, and people, real people from all over the world can bid on this task and perform it for you.Tamar Shoham: 21:54 Yeah. And it's really amazing to see the feedback we get from some of these users because there are all kinds of tasks from Amazon mechanical Turk and some of them, you know, might not be as entertaining, here, we're just paying people to look at videos and express an opinion. So we also try where possible, where we have control over the content selected to choose videos that you know, are visually pleasing or interesting. And people tend to really enjoy these tasks and give quite good feedback on, you know, cool. And we, we also have a problem with repeat users or workers that want to do our tasks again and again. And it's actually interesting to watch the curve of how they become more and more professional and can detect more and more mild artifacts as they repeat the process. So we're actually adding now some screening process that, you know, understand before we're looking at a user who has a very present, they have opinions or if they are still an average user, but we do need to, to verify our users.Tamar Shoham: 23:08 So we, because I mean, this is mechanical Turk, so you know, how do you know if the user is doing the test thoroughly, or if they're just choosing randomly they have, they have to go through the entire process of the test. So they have to play the videos at least once. But you know, what, if they're just choosing randomly or have even managed to configure some bumps to take this test for them? Yeah. So we prevent that by interspersing user validation tests where we, these are sort of like control questions where we know there is a visible degradation on one of the sides but it's not obvious or you know, something that PSNR would pick up on and only users that get those answers right will be included in the pool and only their answers will be incorporated. So, you know, what we do is we launch these hits, which is the name of a task on Amazon mechanical Turk and people register through the hits, complete them, get paid and we start collecting statistics. So first we weed out any sense where either if there were problems with the application and they didn't complete or they just chose not to complete or they didn't answer the user validation questions correctly. And then we have our set for statistical analysis and then we can start looking at and collecting the information and collecting the opinions and very cheaply, very quickly, get a reliable subjective indication of what the average user thought of our pairs of videos.Mark Donnigan: 24:51 This is really interesting Tamar. I'm wondering, do we have some data on how, how this does correlate this average user, these average user test results, do they correlate pretty close to what a "golden eye", you know, would also pick up on, I mean, you did mention that some of these people have become quite proficient, so they're almost becoming trained just through completing these tasks. But you know, I'm curious if someone is listening and maybe they're saying, okay, this sounds really interesting, but my requirements are you know, for someone who maybe fits more of a Goldeneye profile, are we finding that these quote unquote average users are actually the results line up pretty closely to what a golden eye might see?Tamar Shoham: 25:46 So it depends on the question you're posing? So when we start a round like this of testing, the first thing you need to do is pose a question that you want to answer. For example, I have configuration A of the encoder and configuration B. Configuration B is a bit faster. Okay. But I want to make sure it doesn't compromise perceptual quality. Okay. So that's one type of question. And in that type of question, what you're trying to verify is, are the videos in set A perceptually equivalent to the videos in set B? And in that case, okay, you may not want the opinion of a golden eye because even if a golden eye can see the difference, you might be better off as a streaming content provider to go with a faster encode that 95% of your viewers won't be able to distinguish between them.Tamar Shoham: 26:44 So, sometimes you really don't want to know what the golden eye thinks you want to know what the average viewer is going to do. But, we actually can control the level of I guess how professional or how, what shade of gold our users are. And the way we can do that is by changing the level of degradation in the user validation pairs. So if we have a test where we really only want to include results from people who have very high sensitivity to degradation in video, we can use user validation pairs where the degradation is subtle and if they pick up on all of those user validation pairs, then we know that the opinion that they're offering us, you know, is valid. I need to emphasize, maybe I didn't make it clear these user validations are randomly inserted along the test session.Tamar Shoham: 27:38 The user has no idea that there is anything special about these pairs. Do we know of any other solution that works like this? Have you come across anything? So we've come across another similar solution. It's called subjectify.us. It's coming out of MSU, Moscow State University. And I presume everyone in the field, you know, has heard of the MSU video comparison reports that they give out annually to compare different implementations of video codecs. And it seems that they went through the same path that we did saying, okay, you know, we've got metrics but we really need subjective opinions. And they have a solution that is a actually a service that you can apply to and pay for where you give them your images or a video that you want to compare and they perform similar kinds of tests for you. In our solution.Tamar Shoham: 28:45 We, we have many components that are specific to the kind of questions that we want to answer that might be a bit different, but it's actually very encouraging to see similar solutions coming out of other institutions or companies. Because you know, it means that this understanding is finally dawning on everyone that A), you do not have to do BT.500 compliant testing to get interesting subjective feedback on what you do. B), this should be incorporated as part of codec development codec optimization. And, and you know, we're not at the days where you can publish a paper and say I brought the PSNR down and therefore it is by definition good. No, it has to look good as well.Dror Gill: 29:42 And I think, the MSU, the latest report, I'm not sure about the previous ones. They have two reports comparing codecs. One of them is with objective metrics and one of them with subjective. So I guess they developed this external tool subjectify.us first to internally so they can use it when comparing the codecs in the test they do. And then they decided to to make it available to the industry as well.Tamar Shoham: 30:05 Yeah. And, you know, I, don't see it as competition at all. You know, I see it as synergy of all of us figuring out how to work correctly. You know, in this field of video compression, video streaming and a recognition that sure, we want to make better objective metrics or numerical metrics because that's an indispensable tool. But it can never be the only ruler that we measure by. It's just not enough. You need the subjective element and the more, you know, solutions out there to do this. I think it's great for the video streaming community.Mark Donnigan: 30:47 What if somebody wanted to build their own system because this isn't a commercial offer. Although we've had many, many of our customers suggest that we should offer it that way, but it, at this time, you know, we're, we're not planning to do that. So how, how would someone get started, you know, if they listen and say, wow, that's a brilliant idea, you know, mechanical Turk and, but how would I build this?Tamar Shoham: 31:13 Okay. So, so I think the answer is in two parts. The, the important part if you're going to do video comparison is the player and the client. And that's something that if you're starting from scratch is going to be a bit challenging because over the years we've invested a lot of effort in our Beamr View player. And you know, there aren't a lot of equivalent tools like that. You need a very reliable client that can accurately show the video frames side by side in motion, you know, if that's what you're testing, frame synchronized and aligned. And I mean we, we originally did our first round of subjective testing, which actually was BT.500 compliant as we did it in a facility that had all the required gray paints with wall and calibrated monitors. Yeah. And, and we did that for images and building a client for that.Tamar Shoham: 32:13 That was for Beamr's JPEGmini product, building a client that compares two images is quite easy and straightforward. Okay. But building a client that reliably displays side by side video and synchronized playback is, is might be the biggest obstacle to, you know, some companies saying, that's cool, I want to do this. Then you have the second part, which is, you know, the backend creating the test sets. We put a fair bit of thought into how to create tests sets that, you know, we can really rule out unreliable users easily and get good coverage over the video comparisons that we want to make to be able to collect reliable statistics. So, that's like a coding task.Mark Donnigan: 33:03 But the point is there's logic that has to be built around that. And you have to really put thought into, you know, how you are going to either weight or screen out someone's result.Tamar Shoham: 33:15 Definitely, definitely. And, and then you get, I mean, so you have the part of, you know, having a client, you have the design of the test sets on the back end and the part that's you know, building these test sets so that you get a good result. And then you have the third part, which is collecting all the data and doing a, you know, making sense of it, doing a statistical analysis, understanding you know, what the confidence intervals are for the results that you've collected. If maybe you need to collect more results in order to be happy with with your confidence level. And so there are, you know, elements here, some of them are design and understanding how to build it and some of them are coding challenges. And then you have the client, which you know, you need to create. So it's, it's not a trivial thing to build from scratch given the components that we had in the understanding that we had. It, it was quite, quite doable with reasonable investment. And you know, now we're reaping the benefitsDror Gill: 34:17 And, and it's really amazing. You know, for me, for each time we, we want to test something or to to check some of our codec parameters, which one is better or compare two versions of an encoder or etc. You know, you can launch this test and basically overnight, I mean, the next morning you can come in and you'll have 100, 200 user opinions, whatever your budget is averaged that, give you a, an answer, give you a real answer based on user opinions, which one is better...Tamar Shoham: 34:53 It's an invaluable tool. So literally, if before, you know, we would be able to look at two or three clips and saying, yeah, I think this is a good algorithm and you know, this makes it look better. Now, as you said, overnight, you can collect data on dozens of clips over dozens of users and get an opinion and really integrate it into your development cycles. So it really is very, very useful.Mark Donnigan: 35:21 And you know, there's an application that comes to mind. I'm curious if, if we have used the tool for this or we know someone who has and that is for determining optimal ABR ladders. And I'm just curious, is that an application for VISTA?Tamar Shoham: 35:38 So, I mean, as I said before, basically it's a matter of selecting your question before you start designing your test. And what we have built over a brief time and maybe haven't mentioned yet, we call it auto VISTA says that, okay, if I have a question. Okay. I can go from question to answer. Basically by, you know, pulling the big lever on the machine because we have a fully automated system that says this is the encoder I wanted to test with this configuration. Okay. That's A the second encoder or configuration or something I wanted to test is B, you know, take these configuration files, take, these are the inputs I want to work on and do the rest. Okay. And it will set up EC2 instances on Amazon AWS and perform the encodes and create the pairs and send that to the backend and create the test sessions and start a launch around the testing and enable, you know, access to the database to collect the results.Tamar Shoham: 36:51 So with that, you can basically, it's just about posing the question. So if the question you want to answer is, I have, you know, I can either get this layer or I can get that layer, you know, which of them looks better, then yes, you can use VISTA to, you know, create a set that corresponds to one ABR ladder, create a set that corresponds to another and you would need to build the pairs correctly. Okay. For this comparison, what you consider a pair, but that that's again, just in technicalities. Basically for any task that says, I want to compare that pair, does set A look like set B or does set A look better than set B. Okay. Those are the two kind of questions that we can answer. And you know, we've, we've invested a fair bit of effort in making it as easy to use as possible so that it's practical to use it really in answering our development question.Mark Donnigan: 37:52 Well, I think we just exposed to the entire industry what our secret weapon is!Tamar Shoham: 37:59 You know, better than that Mark. It's just one of our secret weapons!Mark Donnigan: 38:03 And you know, I think we should give you an opportunity to give an invitation because I think you are wanting to pull together your own episode and interview?Tamar Shoham: 38:15 This is a shout out to all you women video insiders and we know you're out there. So if you'd like to come on for either a regular podcast interview on the amazing things you are doing in streaming media, then we're very, very happy for you to reach out to either Dror, Mark, or myself, so we can arrange interview. And if some of you don't feel comfortable or are not allowed to expose your trade secrets on the air, then we're thinking of also looking in to do a specific special episode on what it means to be a woman in the video insiders world. Thank you, Tamara, for joining us on this really engaging episode. Thanks so much for having me again.Narrator: 39:01 Thank you for listening to The Video Insiders podcast, a production of Beamr Imaging Ltd. To begin using Beamr's codecs today. Go to beamr.com/free to receive up to 100 hours of no cost HEVC and H.264 transcoding every month.

Every time you get to know someone a little bit better, you build a little bit of trust with them, a little bit of camaraderie with them. – Mo Dezyanian   Hi everyone, welcome to the show! Today's guest is Mo Dezyanian, President of EmpathyInc.ca, a media consulting group. Mo is a seasoned digital strategist who has spent the past 8 years designing and executing successful digital programs for national and international brands. In 2015 he established Empathy Inc. to help brands navigate the media space in a digital world. With his team of consultants, he is bringing blue chip strategies to national and international companies. In this episode, we talk about Empathy in leadership, How to connect and build trust with your team, How to bring in more empathy in the workplace, Moving your industry forward, And a lot more. Click that play button to listen, and don't forget to rate us on iTunes! Empathy in Leadership One of the very first definitions of empathy in leadership for me is when you're in a leadership position, very little of what you do in your day-to-day is actually about yourself. Almost all of everything that you do in a day-to-day basis is about your team and the people you are trying to convince to do something for the organization or for you. Within that mindset, empathy is the key to unlocking all of that. When you understand where people are coming from, what it is that they want from their job, then you get to unlock their talent in an exponential way. Taking the time to walk in that person's shoes and see things from their perspective, whether it's with your immediate reports or whether you're leading a team through dotted lines or however that looks like within your context – that for me is empathy. That's the crux to figuring all of this out. Know what drives your team The first thing you have to do when you're tasked to lead others is to get to know your team at a personal level. I always have this paradigm that it's never just business; it's always personal. So get to know your team personally: what's their life like outside of the four walls of the office, what drives them, what they like, their hobbies. Those things are all important. Nine times out of ten, these are the things that drive people to show up to work to begin with. Take this one small step Breathe. I know it sounds simple, but sometimes we're doing the work and we put our heads down and somebody gives us a different opinion and we don't breathe and take a second to understand why they are giving us that perspective. I had a manager and I liked him and we got along well and we're always doing good work together. Then out of nowhere, he started to become slightly more unresponsive or a little bit more grumpy every day. It was getting harder to get at him and tap through and understand what's going on. He would show up to the meeting, get the job done, then he will leave. Me being the junior that I was, my interpretation of that was, “Well, I have to try harder. I have to work for it.” I started staying in later, doing more work, taking on more projects, just trying really hard to impress my manager, and he was just shutting down. He was not responding to that at all, and that was frustrating to me. I felt like I was failing every day because I was not getting through to this guy. One day at 7 in the morning, I showed up early to the office, and he walks in. I said, “Hi Mark, how's it going?” and he just goes, “You know what man? My marriage is going through a rough patch. I don't know what to tell you. I'm just not there anymore these days.” And he just walks out. That was the turning point for me. This whole time, it wasn't even about me. I'm just one of his direct reports; at the time he had five or six others, and I wasn't even a senior who had other direct reports. I was a junior. I was probably the least of his problems. I was there busting my butt, and he wasn't noticing me because…why would he? Sometimes when you just take a deep breath and take a look around you, why the other person is doing what they're doing, it can really enlighten you. Links and Resources Connect with Mo: LinkedIn | Twitter https://empathyinc.ca/ The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science by Norman Doidge UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World by Michele Borba, Ed. D. Impact vs Cognitive Energy Matrix

Our bad movie month continues on for another week as we sit down and look at maybe the greatest worst movie of all time and delve into the extremely odd, strange and weird movie that is the 2003 Tommy Wiseau classic The Room. Where do we even begin in writing this description? Will it tear you apart? Hi doggy. Is Lisa actually likeable? Hi Mark. Should you also watch The Disaster Artist at the same time. Hi Denny. And why are you our favourite customer even though we don't recognise you? Honestly, we just can't think of anything to say, so put your comments in your pocket as you listen, chicken etc.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Trading Block: A Greek deal drives the rally ho! Dow briefly adds 150 points, NASDAQ sets intraday high on Greece hopes. Crude and gold both drop - gold off 1.5%. Hilton: Why are so many traders betting on this hotel giant? Amberella getting crushed.   Odd Block: Puts trade in Ford Motor Company (F), calls trade in Owens Corning (OC), and calls trade in Green Plains Inc. (GPRE).   Strategy Block: Uncle Mike discusses selling calls to hedge, post rally.   Mail Block: Listener questions and comments   Question from Kevin Duggan: to info Hi Mark, I love your shows! Question - What happens to my options if the underlying gets halted permanently? Would I ever be able to close them? I am remembering Sino Forest from a few years ago in Canada- stock got halted pending a fraud investigation and never came back. I am worried that I will not be able to cash in on my BABA Puts! Thanks, Kevin Around the Block: Are there still earnings left? Evidently, with Blackberry reporting later. Will there be new all-time highs? Greece default date: 6/30.

Trading Tech Talk 17: What Exactly is Best Ex? Hot Topics in Tech: OCC and the U.S. Options Exchanges announce new risk control standards to strengthen industry projections. FINRA approved a series of new rule changes focused on high-frequency trading and algorithmic trading. BABA IPO goes fairly smoothly. Chicago Stock Exchange turns to tech to save itself. Robin Hood app. Yet another attempt at zero commission stock trading. Just what the hell is "Best Ex"? Tabb Group jumps into best ex fray with clarity.     The Inbox: Listener questions and comments. Question from Astro429: what do you think is the biggest obstacle to microwave adoption in the U.S. financial community? Question from Silas J. - this question is for the trading tech talk radio program. Hi Mark, Henry et al - great show. I'm hearing a lot of talk about enhanced data feeds coming from vendors and exchanges. You touched on this way back in episode 3. I would like to know if the landscape has changed and if you're seeing more players enter this space? Is this the future? Am I going to be able to run sophisticated algos on my phone soon because all the computational work is being done in the cloud and pushed to me? Personally I think that would be pretty cool. Also can you guys do a show on getting started as a quant or developer in the fintech space? Thanks.