Podcasts about his excellency

Alexandra Chyczij is President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and is a Ukrainian Canadian community leader and advocate for human and civil rights, the rule of law, and righting historical injustices. Organizer of legal conferences in Europe, USA, South America and the Caribbean. Promoter of Canadian values abroad as an international election observer, and advocate for Ukrainian culture, identity and resilience.----------Lubomyr Luciuk is a Canadian academic and author of books and articles in the field of political geography and Ukrainian history. He is currently a full professor at the Royal Military College of Canada and a Senior Research Fellow of the Chair of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Toronto. In 2010, Luciuk was one of 16 recipients of the Shevchenko Medal of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in recognition of his educational, research and advocacy efforts on behalf of the Ukrainian Canadian community. On 6 December 2019 he received the Cross of Ivan Mazepa, a Ukrainian Presidential Award, presented in Kingston by His Excellency, Andriy Shevchenko, Ukraine's Ambassador to Canada. More recently he was declared a persona non grata by the RU Federation.----------“Enemy Archives: Soviet Counterinsurgency Operations and the Ukrainian Nationalist Movement: Selections from the Secret Police Archives,” Volodymyr Viatrovych and Lubomyr Luciuk, eds, translated by Marta Olynyk1048 pp • 61⁄4 x 91⁄4 • 8 maps • 5 tables • ISBN 9780228014669 • cloth $135.00 $94.50 CAD • $125.00 $87.50 USD £92.00 £64.40 • February 2023https://www.mqup.ca/enemy-archives-products-9780228014669.phpWhen ordering use this code, MQTS (until 31 December 2024) for the 30% discount shown above (examples shown for Canada, USA and UK in bold)---------- LINKS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lubomyr_Luciukhttps://www.writersunion.ca/member/lubomyr-luciukhttps://cius40.artsrn.ualberta.ca/8-2/round-table-iii-ukrainian-canadian-studies/lubomyr-luciuk-reflections-interdisciplinary-nature-ukrainian-studies-canada/----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------Welcome to the Silicon Curtain podcast. Please like and subscribe if you like the content we produce. It will really help to increase the popularity of our content in YouTube's algorithm. Our material is now being made available on popular podcasting platforms as well, such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Inside America's Hidden Nation: His Excellency President Kevin Baugh of Molossia!

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Skip the Queue is brought to you by Rubber Cheese, a digital agency that builds remarkable systems and websites for attractions that helps them increase their visitor numbers. Your host is Paul Marden.If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on Twitter  or Bluesky for your chance to win the books that have been mentioned in this podcast.Competition ends on 19th March 2025. The winner will be contacted via Bluesky. Show references: https://www.ajah.ae/https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-griffiths-63432763/Kelly's final episodeThe transformation of Painshill Park, with Paul Griffiths, Director of PainshillWhat it really takes to launch a podcast. With Kelly Molson and Paul GriffithsPaul Griffiths has worked in the Heritage, Museums and Tourism world now for nearly 30 years.After spending 16 years working in various role for English Heritage, in 2012 he moved to the Mary Rose Museum as Head of Operations to oversee the opening and operations of the multi award winning museum, welcoming over one million visitors before in 2018 taking on moving to the Painshill Park Trust in the role of Director of Painshill. Paul spent 6 years there before his move in December 2024 to Ras Al Khaimah one of the seven Emirates that make up the UAE. In this exciting brand new role Paul is Chief Executive Officer of the Al Hamra Heritage Village, part of the Al Qasimi Foundation. Transcriptions: Paul Marden: Welcome to Skip the Queue, a podcast for people working in and working with Visitor Attractions. I'm your host, Paul Marden.Longtime listeners will remember my guest today, Paul Griffiths, when he was CEO at Painshill Park, from when he was interviewed back in season one by Kelly. In today's episode, Paul comes back to talk about his new role as CEO of Al Jazeera Al Hamrah Heritage Village in Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE. Now, I'm always interested in the first 90 days of people's experience in a job, so we'll be talking more about that and his for the future. Paul Marden: Paul, welcome back to Skip the Queue. Paul Griffiths: Hello. Thanks for having me, Paul. Great to be here. Paul Marden:  Long time. Listeners will know that we always start with an icebreaker question and our guests don't get to know that one in advance. I think this one's a pretty kind one. I was pretty mean to Paul Sapwell from Hampshire Cultural Trust a couple of weeks ago because I asked him whether it was Pompey or Saints and for political reasons, he felt that he had to abstain from that.Paul Griffiths: Testing his interest. I'd have gone Pompey at the time because that's where we live. Well, did live. Paul Marden: Oh, there you go. There you go. So you've moved over from Portsmouth. You're now in the UAE. Tell listeners, what is that one? Home comfort that after three months away from Blighty, you're missing? Is it proper English marmalade? Paul Griffiths: Do you know what? I've been able to get hold of most things, but I've not been able to get. I know people who cook properly, so I should be able to do this myself, but I haven't. Cauliflower cheese, one thing I'm missing from home, that doesn't sell it anywhere in a sort of pre pack or frozen form. I can even get hold of Yorkshire puddings in Spinny's supermarket, but I can't get hold of cauliflower cheese. Paul Marden: Can you get cauliflowers? Paul Griffiths: Can get cauliflowers. I'm sure I can make cheese sauce if I knew what it was doing. But you normally. I'm so used to normally buying a pack of cheese, cauliflower cheese to have in my Sunday roast. Paul Marden: Okay. So if I ever get to come out, I need to bring out a plastic wrapped, properly sealed so that it doesn't leak on the plane. Cauliflower cheese? Paul Griffiths: Yes, please. Yeah, absolutely. Paul Marden: So your last episode was actually. Or your last full episode was back in season one, episode 22. So five years ago and the world has changed a lot in five years, but most recently it's changed a lot for you, hasn't it? So why don't you tell listeners a little bit about what's happened to you since you were with us in season one? Paul Griffiths: Wow. Yeah, well, season one seems an age away, doesn't it, now with all the wonderful guests youu've had since on Skip the Queue, it's been a different program completely. But, yeah, no, well, back then I was at Painshill, were coming out of a pandemic and I remember, you know, Kelly and I were chatting over all the different avenues that everyone had gone and what we've done at Painshill and that continued brilliantly. And however, my life has taken a change in. In sense of where I am, but I'm still doing the same sort of work, so. Which is, you know, when our industry, and it's such a fabulous industry, it's great to stay in it. Paul Griffiths: So I am now over in the United Army Emirates in the Emirate of Ras Alhaima, which is the third biggest of the seven emirates that make up the UAE, behind Abu Dhabi and, of course, Dubai. So I was approached, God, nearly always, this time last year, about a call over here. Yes. My recruitment company got in touch and went through, you know, had a good look at the job description and thought, well, actually, we'll throw my hat into the ring. And applied, went for a series of online interviews with the recruitment company, then an online interview with the people over here at various departments within the Al Kassimme Foundation and the Department of Museums and Antiquities. Paul Griffiths: So, yeah, looking at this brand new job, which I'm now lucky enough to be in, I then was flown out in August for a round of interviews, met all the team. You know, one of those things that you later discover, the whole real four days was one big interview, although there was. There was a central one. But of course, everyone you were meeting along the way was being asked to feedback, And I love chatting to people and enjoying people's company. So actually went for dinners and lunches and all sorts, which was just a lovely four days and almost felt like a free hit in many ways, Paul. Well, this is going to be a brilliant experience. Paul Griffiths: If I don't get the job, I'm going to have a great four days in Rasta Taima, seeing it, meeting everyone, enjoying the time here. And, you know, the more time I spent here, the more time with the team, the more time, you know, going and visiting sites. I just became more and more that this would be an amazing job. Obviously gave my absolute everything, did loads of research, gave everything in the interview. The interview took a rather unusual turn. After the sort of hour and a half of questions and my questions, I was asked to leave the room for a short period. Not unusual in that sense because I was, you know, I wasn't just going to leave and go because obviously I was in their hands for four days. Paul Griffiths: But the doctor, Natasha Ridge, the executive director of the foundation, came out the interview and said, “Right, that's all gone really well. We're really pleased. We're now off to the palace for you to meet His Highness Sheikh Saud, who is the ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and on the Supreme Council of the UAE.” So I was sort of, I went to one of the small meeting rooms you. Now I know that. Now I know where I was, where I went. But at that point I had no idea. One of the lovely. There's a very much a service thing here. Paul Griffiths: So, you know, we have in the Heritage Village as well later we have a wonderful member of our team, Geraldine, who does lots of cooking, prepares stuff and just had a wonderful fish taco lunch because we're four hours ahead of you, of course, here in Alaihi. So, yeah, so one of the guys came in with, gave me an English breakfast tea and sort of, you know, sat there reviewing what, thinking what on earth was I going to be asked by His Highness. And then was put into one of the drivers and we drove up through Rat Sahma City, through into the palace, up the long driveway and there I was sort of eventually, after about 20 minutes, presented with. Presented to Sheikh Sword who asked me, chatted, asked various questions. Paul Griffiths: I don't think there could be many interviews that you end up with His Highness in the second half of it. You know, it's sometimes a presentation. Yeah. So that was. I was there for about half an hour and that's your time over and off he goes. And off I went back to then go and have dinner with some of the team. So it was a very surreal afternoon. Paul Marden: Being interviewed by royalty. But when you're not expecting that as part of the interview process, that must be quite unnerving. Paul Griffiths: I had a heads up that at some point in my trip I might meet him, but there was no formal arrangements. I had me had to get in a diary. So it hadn't even crossed my mind that's what was about to happen. When I was asked to leave the meeting room, I just thought maybe they wanted to come back with more questions or, you know, say I hadn't gone well, whatever. But, yeah, no, that was the. I took that as a good sign. I thought, well, actually, if I'm being whisked up there, the interview must have gone relatively well because I'm sure they would present me to shake sword if it hadn't gone so well. Paul Marden: Yeah. You'd hope that he would be towards the end of the cycle of the interview round. Paul Griffiths: Yeah. Paul Marden: Not doing the early sifting of CVs. Paul Griffiths: No. He certainly had seen who I was because he asked me some questions about where I'd worked and. Okay, things like that. So he'd obviously seen a CV. He's a very. I mean, I've met him subsequently a few times. I've been fortunate to be a dinner hosted by him a couple of weeks ago. But he is a very, very intelligent man. Works really hard. I mean, work. He, you know, for him, he spends every minute working on the emirate. He ruled, he. He's the ruler. But he's almost a. It's a sort of combo, I guess he's all Prime Minister at the same time as being the ruler. So he is constantly working. You know, I'm really committed and I'm lucky in many ways that where I am working at the Heritage Village is his real. Paul Griffiths: One of his real pet projects that he's really driving forward. So, yes, we come with sort of royal. Royal approval, if you like. So. Yeah. Paul Marden: Excellent. So I. I've not been to the Emirates before, so for those of us that have not been, tell us a little bit about Ras Al Khaimah, of course. Paul Griffiths: Well, Ras Al Khaimah is one of the quieter Emirates mentioned. Sheikh Saud there, he's really driving a sort of, you know, a sort of agenda of bringing in more tourists. But he wants to use culture and territory as part of that. So, you know, it's a more relaxed, low level, if that makes sense. It's not Dubai, it's not full on, it's more relaxed Emirate. It's relaxed in cultural and many of the ways it's not, as you know, some of the other Emirates are, for example, completely dry. Ras Al Khaimah has given licenses to hotels and big restaurants in hotels for serving drinks. And there are a number of sellers where you can purchase for your consumption your own home, whereas Sharjah, you can't purchase any alcohol, for example, so it's a bit more chilled like that. It's a lovely place. Paul Griffiths: We're very fortunate to have the heavier mountains go through the far side of Ras Al Khaimah. So where I'm based is more on the seafront but then not, you know, I can see the mountains behind and there's a number of drives up into the mountains which are absolutely fabulous. Up to the Jebel Jais, which is the highest point in the UAE, we have the world's longest and fastest zip wire. I have not gone anywhere near that yet. Goes up to 100km an hour and is the longest over from the top of the mountain, whisking you off to the other side. I think it looks terrifying. But my. Paul Marden: I'm more interested in cables that take you to the top of the mountain. Maybe with some skis on my feet than I am attaching myself to a cable and going down the mountain. Doesn't sound like fun to me. Paul Griffiths: There's a toboggan ride as well up there as well.Paul Marden: Oh, I'd love that. Paul Griffiths: So that's the toboggan ride's on my to do list when the family get off, I'll save it for then and take my son Barney on that. But you know, there's all this sort of venture sports up on the top of the mountain and driving up there is remarkable. They put a proper road in. It's not the scary driving up the Alps, terrified what's going to come around the other corner. It's very like driving up a road, you know, normal sort of dual carriageway, two lanes each way and then right going through the mountains to the other side to one of the other Emirates for Jazeera , for example. So you're over on the Indian Ocean side Gulf Vermont. That road is just beautiful. There's no traffic on it, you know. Paul Griffiths: So Ras Al Khaimah is only about an hour and hour to an hour and a half from Dubai airport. And Dubai is a sort of people go to Dubai in the same way that we, you know, you'd go to London, I'd go to London when I was in Port Soviet, we would. It's now, you know, it's not considered a. There's always someone from work who's in Dubai every day almost for some reason. So nipping up to Dubai, I was like, I went to a dinner there last week and you know, it just seemed very normal that he jumped in a car and drove up to Dubai and came back that evening. Whereas. Seems remarkable actually to be doing that. But yeah, so because of where we are, Abu Dhabi is about two and a half hours away.Paul Griffiths: And we are the northern point of the Emirate, So we border on to Oman, split into a number of areas. Again, I didn't know any of this till I got here, but there's a part of Oman that's at the top of Ras Al Khaimah. And so, yeah, so it's a beautiful Emirate with nature, with mountain areas, which does get a bit chillier when you go up the mountains. I looked quite silly in my T shirt and shorts when I went up there on a Sunday afternoon. People were going past me like they were going skiing. You know, people wore coats and hats and looking at me as if I'm really daft. But I was still. It's interesting that because it's winter obviously everywhere here at the moment and at home, but it's. Paul Griffiths: People here are often telling me it's a cold day when I'm still standing. I still feel really quite warm. But yeah, finding that sort ofPaul Marden: Talking 30s at the moment for you, aren't we? Paul Griffiths: Yeah, it's a little bit. The last couple days have been down in the lower 20s, really comfortable. But when we last weekend, people were getting a bit nervous that summer had come very early because it was hitting the early 30s last week. So I don't know how for me, when we get to August, when it's in the mid, late 40s with real high humidity, I think I'm just going to go from aircon building to aircon building to aircon building.Paul Marden: I am such a Goldilocks when it comes to that sort of thing. Not too hot, not too cold, it needs to be just right. So I would definitely struggle in that kind of heat. Look, let's talk a little bit about where you are in the new job. So you've taken on the role of CEO of Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village. So tell me a little bit about the village. Why is this village so historic? Paul Griffiths: Well, it's a really interesting one, Paul, because it is very important, but it's not that old. And that's why what coming to me about making it more alive is something that's going to be crucial to us. So the village has been lived in for many years. It was a pearl farming village. So most of the people who worked here were doing pearl farming, which is pretty horrible job to do. You were, again, learning about this. You were jumping off boats, going to the ocean depths for up to three to four minutes. No protection really, apart from a very light shirt and some little bits on your fingers. But actually you're nothing on your eyes. Paul Griffiths: So you're having to look through the salt water, find the pearls come up and they were going up and down sometime 15, 16 times or more a day. And there's a fascinating exhibition in Dubai at the Al Shindagha Museum which really does focus on how this worked and how these guys were living. So, so it's a real. So that was the village. So the village had that, it obviously had then had fishing men, merchants making boats, merchants selling, trading wares. And Ras Al Khaimah has been quite a strategic part as all of the UAE really for the sort of trades coming from the Middle east and out into the Gulf. So the villages was being lived in up until the very early 70s. Paul Griffiths: Up in the 1970s the Al Za'abi tribe who were based here were offered I guess a new life is the only way to look at it in Abu Dhabi with new jobs, with land, with housing and it's just a better way like pearl farming was now being done so much cheaper and easier in the Orient in Japan mainly. So that was, that dropped away. There wasn't the other merchant trading going on. So actually the oil boom basically led the tribe to almost one up sticks and head to Abu Dhabi. And in many ways good story because we're still in touch with quite considerable amounts of the tribes people who were here. Lots of the elders have done wonderful oral histories, videos talking about their lives here. But this village survived as just fell into ruins, but actually wasn't developed. Paul Griffiths: And where it becomes important is this would have been what all of the Gulf would have looked like before the oil boom. The UAE wasn't a wealthy nation before then. You know, when I went up to Dubai and spent some time at the Etihad Museum, which is based around which Etihad Union is the not Around Man City Stadium should point out very much around about how the UAE had come together and how, you know, so it wasn't the wealthiest nation, but actually they discovered oil. They then brought seven Emirates together. It then has flourished in the ways that we now know what Dabi and ifwe looks like and even Ras Al Khaimah in some parts and really quite glamorous. But this village survived. Paul Griffiths: So although it fell into ruin, all the other fishing, farmhome fishing, pearl farming villages across the Gulf had become, just got destroyed, knocked down, you know, turned into hotels and high rises. And actually when you visit the other Emirates, lots of them are now recreating their historic areas or re purposing some of the historic buildings and they're doing it very well. In Dubai, Sharjah has actually completely rebuilt. It's what it calls the Harp Sharjah, which is. Which was its historic sort of areas, but. Paul Marden: Right. Paul Griffiths: But this survived. Many of the buildings had fallen into disrepair. And what we've been doing for the last few years, as the Al Qasimi Foundation and the Department of Antiquities and Museums is restoring a number of these buildings, we've then sort of gone into a sort of activation so you can walk around. So we've got, you know, carving now. Only a year ago it was mostly sand. We've now got a path going through it, so you can walk in. And the job that I've really been asked to do initially on arrival here is to really push that activation forward and really look at my sort of. What I've done in the past and what we've seen other places do and think about what can we do to bring this bit more to life? Paul Griffiths: Because it's the sort of storage village is around the 1970s. Well, it was abandoned in the 1970s. Well, you know, for us from the UK, from lots of other nationalities, actually, something in the 70s isn't very old. It's in our lifespan. You know, we are looking at this going well, actually. So when I was talking to a lot of. So RAK TDA's basically visit RAK tourism authority. So they are really supportive in wanting to push Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village, which will from now on abbreviate to AJAH to save me. Keep saying that. Long tanned. So they are really keen that we're doing more stuff. So why would a tourist want to come? What is there to see once you're here? Paul Griffiths: On top of some abandoned and now beautifully restored houses, mosques, you know, things that you would have expected in a village of, you know, a thousand or so population, 500 houses, you know, so more than a thousand people, really. So that's the sort of plan in that way. So in many ways I've got a sort of blank canvas to play with. But, you know, money's not unlimited, so it's about. So working closely with local communities, working with, you know, local traders, looking at what could we bring into the village on the back of the art fair. I know we'll talk about later, but it's, you know, this has been a. This is a real challenge for me to. How do I take this sort of place forwards.Paul Marden: In my mind's eye, we go to the Weald & Downland Living Museum so open air museum, lots of houses recreating life through the ages. Is that the sort of experience that I'm going to get if I come to the village of I'm going to see the properties and I'm going to see this previous way of life come to life in front of me?Paul Griffiths: Well at the moment you'll see you just see in the houses and the buildings but you're walking around looking at historic buildings but we have got a number of the houses we've put in. Each video is at the moment showing the audio visuals so you can walk around and listen to members of the tribes chatting about their youth and what's happening and you can see the buildings in real life. I guess what I'm looking for this is telling the story a little bit of the village which we don't initially do that well at the moment that's no criteria. Yes, this is what we need to do going forward. There's been several stages of activation When I came last August part not many the paths weren't all finished. We didn't have anywhere for visitor services to be at the front.Paul Griffiths: We only had a very small sort officey area which has now been built up to where I'm. Where I'm sat today. So I think what you're going to get is a multi as a blend of traders who will be in our suitcase. The Souk is fully restored sooke and shopping market area so that's my first point is to move some people in there. So I've already got a goldsmith and move to her studio in got some handicrafts we've got some textile people moving in the. Paul Griffiths: The main gallery of Nassau Heyman Design Gallery which is the one big gallery where artists can go is going to have a sort of satellite shop if you like not shop a satellite so there will be pieces of work there are in here with their little souvenir store which they sell because they get people a lot of what the design gallery does is making souvenirs of Ras Al Khaimah that are all handmade so quite special gifts. So what we're hoping is tying up with our local hoteliers who many of which have not been so it's bringing them in and they need something more to see to send their guests here. Paul Griffiths: So you know talking to some of them over lunch when I hosted some of them on Saturday it was a case of you know actually, can they send their clients and say, you can do all your holiday shopping because at the moment they're sending people to the shopping malls which are just, you know, nice, but actually merchandise them to go to a heritage village, get that experience of what the golf would have been like and bags of shopping at the same time. Paul Marden: So who doesn't love a. A museum gift shop at the end? So, you know. Paul Griffiths: Exactly. And we don't really have that here at the moment from an Al Jazeera perspective. So on my plan for this year is to put in. We've got an info booth, as it's called at the moment. It's not a world. It's not the best customer service friendly. It's like a caravan but with some windows. And yeah, it's probably a better. Now it's got air conditioning. Yes. But it doesn't work very well for customers. You're trying to talk through little windows because you can only have small windows to keep the air con working, not have too much open to. It's just passing out. Paul Griffiths: So, yeah, so I'm looking at building this summer, hopefully. Fingers crossed, touch wood, a visitor welcome centre, which is something we're really pushing along with, which will be lovely because that will be that proper visitor welcome with a shop with an induction into an introduction. Sorry, into the Al Jazeera story. And then let people go. And then when they get to the far end, they'll be the souk full of. He says again, hopefully slowly filling them out, but full of traders and local craftspeople and people who are. Even if they're not originally local, they're based in rack, so they are considered local. The UAE is built up of a lot of expat population. When I say expats, I mean just English people from around the world. It's a really accepting, welcoming community. I've been really. Everyone says hello to you as you're walking into the supermarket shops. There's no. Whoever they are where you're from. Paul Griffiths: Everyone's talking to each other because the local population know they've had to bring people in because there's thousands more jobs than there are Emirati population in Ras Al Khaimah. So, you know, it's always been. And when you look at the foundation of the UAE, it was about, we will need to bring people in to bring this. To build this nation with us. So, you know, it's been always a sort of welcome and melting pot of different people. Paul Marden: Yeah, amazing. Look, you mentioned when we had our initial chat. You've been there now three months, you've been doing lots of visiting of other attractions. Because I think you said to me, which I thought was quite interesting, that you were. There's lots that you bring with you from the UK in your experience, but there's lots of best practice and good practice happening within the Emirates already. So you've been kind of going out and visiting a lot of cultural venues and attractions in the Emirates. Tell me a little bit about those. Paul Griffiths: Yeah, so it's been a minute of a manic last month in February, because we've had the art festival. I know we're going to keep hinting at it, we'll get to it at some point, but when I've had some time away, what's been fabulous, it's just sort of. And I think as well, because the family aren't here in my own at the moment, said, “All right, I've got some time off, let's go and explore.” Yeah. So I've sort of driven across to Fajera, spent time in Sharjah and took myself up for a weekend in Dubai, which was fantastic. Booked a very reasonably priced hotel and just spent a weekend flowering around everywhere and just really immersed in my. So and only scratch the surface. There's so much more to see. So, yeah, so I've been going and looking at. Paul Griffiths: Well, you know, I don't want to do something that's not. There'll be alien to, obviously, the culture here. And that's been really. What's been great fun in the last few months is it's not just going into a new job, you know, and learning that. It's actually been a terrifying, at some points, fabulous experience. I was learning new cultures, new working lives. You know, things are working. It's done very differently here. You know, there's a different hierarchical process we have in the UK and permissions are needed in different places. And that's not. I'm not saying any of this is a bad thing, it's just learning those different things. So I've been learning all these different cultures. You know, we're just coming into Ramadan, which I've had no real experience with before. And that is. That is a massive thing here. You know, it's the month. Paul Griffiths: Every billboard you go past is someone trying to sell something for Ramadan, whether it be a new chest of drawers, you know, your family needs this new dining table for Ramadan. It's a bit like, you know, you will see at Christmas at home, everyone catching on, you know, IKEA will be saying, new table and chairs for Christmas. You know, it's. It's not. It's a sort of different repeating itself. You know, those sort of signs you have around the supermarket. Christmas back home. They're all up now in supermarkets here for Ramadan. Paul Marden: Right. Paul Griffiths: Encouraging what people are going to buy for when they break the fast at sunset Iftar. So, you know, so it's all sort of promoting. You need this for. So it's a real. We're going to a massive thing. And that's been a real sort of learning, cultural thing for me, which has been great because actually I've always enjoyed, when I'm traveling, learning about other cultures, you know, it's always been for me, I always try and visit museums, galleries, learn about the place I'm at. And so actually living somewhere and learn about someone who's been. I think it's added to the fun of the experience. But back to your question. Paul Griffiths: Yes, I've been traveling wherever the possibility to start to look at other historic venues, looking at where they've, you know, restored historic markets and souk areas and what sort of things are going in there, what are people doing there. Up in Dubai, there is a place called Al Shindagar Museum, which is where they've. Some of the historic buildings that have been saved by the creek of Dubai have been turned into the most amazing series of museums, is the only way I can describe it, because each house is a different gallery or different theme. So you have the story of the creek being built up, the story of Dubai seafarers. There was a faith and. Faith and religion room, talking about Islam and different cultures, how that's worked around Dubai. Paul Griffiths: Dubai being built up as a city, lots about the rulers and families, but every house you went to is a different place. What was so impressive there from a visitor experience perspective was the training that Stafford had was sensational. You know, you go into someone, you think they're obviously being managed really well because obviously this is. You don't just train. So obviously someone oversees this really well. But clearly the training, everywhere you went, the customer service was exceptional. People coming out from behind counters, giving you introductions, making sure you had everything needed, you know, as you were leaving. Have you got any questions? All those things we try and all have tried to teach over the years, and in many ways we've all been different levels of success of that. Paul Griffiths: But what was amazing was they also got the security guards in on the act as well, because there's a real culture here that there's a separate, they're secure, they're very different. You know, there's, we've got them here, they're in very much brown security, clearly marked, you know, protecting places. But what they've done there is they had clearly trained those security guards as well, because every security guard you came across was getting in the act of chatting to visitors, even if their English wasn't brilliant, they were really keen to direct you to the next. Come this way. So the next place, oh, you finished that room, you must go upstairs. And you know, that sort of. Paul Griffiths: And whether they, you know, really just said, look, you can have a much more interesting day than just standing, staring at people walking around. You can actually chat to visitors from around the world and get talkative. And I just had the most amazing. I ended up in this museum for over five and a half hours or something silly like that. And I thought I was going to be there an hour because it was priced very reasonably. You know, when you judge a museum on, well, actually I paid this, I'm probably going to be here for that amount of time. And actually it was just, you know, I found myself stopping for a coffee, stopping for lunch. But I was so impressed by the way the staff interacted. Paul Griffiths: They also had a number of cultural local guides as well, who really were, you know, in the full sort of Emirati national dress, but wanted to press on. This is where. This is what I'm doing. So I've some, you know, I traveled across to Fujairah every week and was in a, an old, what was the ruler's summer house. And the guy, and the guy who ran it just took me on a tour. I didn't ask for a tour. He just said, would you. Well, he said, should I take you around? Yes, please. And we had this great hours experience as he was just chatting about all the rooms. And I think people here are very keen to share their culture and their heritage and very welcoming. Paul Griffiths: So, yeah, so I've done quite a bit traveling around the other parts of the UAE. I can't go out of the UAE because I've only got a hire car at the moment, so I can't go out to Omar, that's on my list. You get yourself a car. I can travel north of the border into Oman and explore that. But for now, seven emirates to. So no shortage of places. And I've not been up to Abu Dhabi yet, so still with that on my list. So yeah, Paul Marden: Wowzers. Okay. So I guess, and this is completely, what would I feel like if I was in your position of going to this new country, immersing myself in this relatively new place that you're leading? How do I say this without flattering you? You were a well connected guy. If I went to events, everybody knew you. You had this wide network of people having worked in the UK in the attraction sector for a long time and you've now jumped over to the UAE. What's happened to the network? How does that feel? I mean it must feel slightly kind of worrying or nerve wracking. What have you done to build the network in this new place? Paul Griffiths: There's a number of points to that. Right, so let's answer in a few minutes. So the world's a smaller place so I'm still occasionally having teams call zoom calls with really close ex colleagues, friends, you know, I'm sure, I mean I always say I'm sure but everyone keeps saying, “Oh I'm really loving the journey so please keep posting. So I am going to keep posting and probably going to start to annoy people after a while”, but the feedback so far is everyone saying we're loving the journey and following you with it and feel like we're on the journey. So I will carry on. I'm sort of keeping writing stuff up and sharing it and also I don't know how long I'll be here for. You know, probation is massive over here. I have to keep my fingers crossed. Paul Griffiths: I pass probation which is a six month period because it's a real right the UAE all not just off and across the UAE. It's a real big, you know, much more than at home, much more structured. On day one was given a series and this isn't a bad thing at all, a series of probation tasks, you know, around reports that are around other historic parts because the job that I've come over will eventually evolve into a wider heritage role. But at the moment the real focus is on Al Jazeera Al Hamra, which is great. Get one site, get it going, then see where we go next. So I think I'm still connected to lots of people back home. I'm still looking, seeing everyone's posts and enjoy. Paul Griffiths: I mean my usual jealousy of not being part of the ALVA network anymore as they're all having that great time in Belfast in the last couple of days and seeing everyone's post, not just one or two, but everyone you know, Bernard down with you know everyone's post. I wish I was there with them.Paul Marden: The FOMO was real. So I had Andy Povey in the office with me yesterday and we're both saying the FOMO about that ALVAe vent was very real for both of us having. Paul Griffiths: Having spent. You know I was at the Mary Rose few years where we joined ALVA and go experiencing those council weeks and knowing just hey how much they are great for networking A. You get very spoiled because every host wants to really show off what they can do and I think the Titanic always do that because we go there before for a council meeting but it's. Yeah. So you still see this stuff. So it's still sit home and there's still people I can reach out to.Paul Marden: Of course.Paul Griffiths: If we need to and I'm still calling on people things, you know, different projects we're doing here. But then again it's about slowly building up that network here and I think there's a slightly. You know, there's a. Within Ras Al Khaimah I've started making connections with lots of other people in the Heritage world and. And outside that. So we're already, you know, connecting up with different people from different parts of Ras Al Khaimah, the work we're going to do moving forward and for me I think it's been just a. I'm sort of still pinching myself I'm here and that sort of. So many things keep happening and you know. The weather's been gorgeous because I've come out of a grim English weather to this quite nice winter here where it's mostly been late mid-20s. Paul Griffiths: You're in she and shorts when you're off duty. You know, there's other things. The thing that really surprised me is how smart actually the dress code is for business over here. Paul Marden: Okay. Paul Griffiths: So I had to sort of all the usual brands that from home Mount Marks is next everything here so you could order online and get it delivered quite quickly. So I had sort of came out of one wardrobe thinking I was going to be far more in polo shirt and linen trousers are sort of very sort of summer at Painshill look, you know outdoor. But actually yeah my colleagues are still. Because of the aircon atmosphere. Lots of colleagues particularly in the head office are in suits. A bit like where I would have been when back in my London days. When we're in the office you were in a shirt tie. So yes, I had to sort of buy A back home wardrobe almost once I got traveled out with very lightweight clothing. So yes, it's a bit different in that sense. Paul Marden:  Yeah, absolutely. Let's talk a little bit about life as an expat. How have you found the transition? Paul Griffiths: Fine so far. I say there's lots of bits around work and practice and you know, no amount of inductions will be able to help you on some little faux pas you can make about not realising where you need approvals for staff. And obviously coming from the. For the last six years of being director of Painshill and only from feeding into a board of directors, board of trustees who we'd see quarterly and you know, I chat to the chairman every week. There was a lot of me sort of making those sort of decisions instantly was here, you know, particularly as were part of the foundation and we are representing Sheikh Saud as his name's in the title of the organization now, making sure we're going through those tick sheets. Paul Griffiths: You know, if I want to do anything that needs to spend more money, that's out budget, that is going to his Highness to be signed off. So any projects we're doing, we're needing to make cases to the highest man in the country to actually get those, you know, sign offs and things. And I'm not, that's not a bad thing. But you know, it's just that from an expat I guess it's getting used to. Everything's available here. Not the big supermarket up the road sells Waitrose and Marxist products and has a room at the back for non Muslims where you push the button, door opens, it's like a little bit of a naughty boys room. Paul Griffiths: You push back door open, slides you walk in and there's the pork heaven, you know, there's bacon, there's pork scratching, patays, you know, all because it's a real, you know, it's not just there's so many expats here, particularly from the Philippines and stuff who obviously pork is a big part of their diet. So yeah, that's available. I said earlier on there's cellars where you can pick up a great beer or a couple of glasses of bottle of wine or whatever you want. So actually it's not that I found myself flying into this really different world and I'm not really. Paul Marden:  It's a melting pot, isn't it? Paul Griffiths: Yeah. And I'm not someone who's ever been since very young, you know, going off to nightclubs or anything like that. But if you wanted that There is that. The hotels. So actually, if you're a younger person coming out and you wanted that nightlife, the hotels, particularly on Margin island and Minnal Arab, the tubing hotels have really nice restaurants, fully licensed clubs and stuff. But, you know, actually I found sort of the work is busy. Everyone's, you know, lots going on, actually, just going back to, you know, I was in a hotel for the first two months, which wasn't a dreadful thing because it was an apartment hotel. So, yeah, I had enough and now we've moved. I've moved into a villa ready for the family. Come out hopefully in about a month's time.Paul Marden:  Oh, that'd be exciting. Paul Griffiths: Yeah. So that's nice. So we've got the back onto the golf course. It's quite, you know, it's a nice place to be. It's going to be nice and, you know. Paul Griffiths: Yeah, so I've not struggled adapting because it's not. It's not that, you know, normally I've got a wonderful team here, Asia, you know, so with one Emirati and some Filipinos and other people from around the. From around the world. So that's been nice. And it's melting pot of learning their cultures as well as the local culture and. Yeah. And then they eat rice with everything. So it's. Yeah. Every lunchtime there's a bowl of rice, big bowl of salad in the main course and there's me pouring on the one on the salad, everyone else on the rice. But, yeah, it's been great, Paul. I mean, I can't. It's been one of those. Every moment you think this is just a great place to be. Paul Marden: Good. Let's go back to Al Jazeera and talk a little bit about some of the events that have been going on. So I know you're coming to the end of the Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival. Tell me a little bit about that and how well that's gone. Paul Griffiths: It's been brilliant. I know. I had no idea what to expect. First time for this. So this is the 13th International Art Fair. It started off back in the small museum back in the city of Central Town, moved to here, I think, five years ago is what I'm saying, and slowly grown every year since then. So this is the biggest one we've done, really. Lots of massive sponsors on board from across the Emirates, actually fully supported by His Highness, who's been here at least four times, if not five, since we've had the vessel. He was here at the opening ceremony for the big launch, you know it was, and it was like a proper opening ceremony. Paul Griffiths: Everyone sat round with a band and speakers and you know like not quite Olympics but you know it was a proper event. This is the opening of it and it felt like a big event. Yeah. All my female members of my team had, were given time off in the day to do hair and makeup. It was proper. Everyone looked, everyone looked the business, it was lovely. You know everyone was scrubbed up from the maintenance team to, you know, our executive director looking fabulous in a brand new dress. You know it was really was. No, I've had a new suit, I got a new suit for the occasion. Paul Griffiths: So yeah, it was a lovely evening and then it's rolled ever since and for me it's been wonderful because I've seen people in this village which has been quite quiet since I'd arrived and it's sort of been okay, how are we going to get this? But actually clearly putting something on has attracted a complete cross spectrum audience. So you know, we have people coming in, absolutely fascinating, obsessed with the art, beautiful and it's artists I should say from around the world. It's all exhibited outside or inside the little houses. So you know lots of the pieces have been blown up quite big and quite impressive. I mean do look at it on the website, you know people, you know if you go to ajah.ae you can then click on from there.Paul Marden: We'll put the links and everything in the show notes so people be able to find that. Paul Griffiths: It's been, but it's been, for me it's been fabulous because we've seen so many people in, you know I was, you know, we've had, we've got pop up restaurants so this won't mean anything to people back home but the restaurant called Puro P U R O has a restaurant at the top of the mountain at Jebel Jais. Really almost impossible to get booking, you know you have to book months advance for lunch or dinner. It's the place that everybody, both locals, internationals and tourists want to see and often frequented by his Highness. They've got a pop up restaurant here which just is fabulous. Paul Griffiths: They we've had a lovely couple, Kelly and Paolo in running a restaurant called Antica which is a sort of the chef's Italian Paolo but he's lived in Australia so it's a fusion of Australian middle Italy, sort of historic villagey type cuisine with an Emirates twist. But you're just served four or five courses without there's not a menu. It's not a restaurant as such, so it's sort of a sharing experience. But you know, the food is amazing. So I was fortunate to have dinner. Well, I've actually been fortunate enough to have dinner in Antica twice and lunch there as well. But one of the dinners I was then wandering around the village about 10 o'clock at night was full of people, you know, families just. Paul Griffiths: There is a different culture over here that people do more stuff in the evenings because of the temperature and a different way of life because the local people aren't obviously, for obvious reasons, down the pub on a Friday night, they're doing stuff with the family and you go past cafes and even outside of the village, you know, 9, 10 o'clock on a Friday night, they're full of people sitting very beautifully dressed in their finest, drinking coffee and eating desserts. That's a big thing. People seem to love coffee and desserts. Paul Marden: Okay. Paul Griffiths: But, but then of course it's because because of the heat most of the year we'll spend more time indoors resting in the day and then ready to go out at night and do some more stuff. So yeah, so we've had this sort of here in the evenings. It's really fun. What was interesting is our hours for the festival were meant to be midweek. So Monday we always close. Tuesday to Thursday we're meant to be open till 6 o'clock and then Friday, Saturday, Sunday open to 11:00. Often struggling to get people out then the first night. So the Tuesday night was the first night. Medusa goes at 6:00. 5:45, I had a queue of at least 40 people trying to get in. So we just had to make an on the hooves decision. Paul Griffiths: We're going to stay open later. And then we just opened till 8:00 in the midweek. We didn't want to push it too much because of obviously from the staff welfare perspective, an hour's work. But actually that first night were just. Myself and Sikrat, who's the director of the festival, Emirati. Wonderful. Emirati has been my cultural bodyguard in many ways because he's been the person, my go to person for what should I do here? What about this person? How should I do this? So Spencer Crouch just stood there. Look at this crowd. We both just said, “Well we can't turf them away. This would be daft.” So yeah, so we've had. And we've had about 40, 000 visitors will have come through the door by the end of the festival in 28 days. Paul Griffiths: The artworks then going to stay up in place for Ramadan. So we'll be working different hours again during Ramadan and this is the first time Al Jazeera will ever do. Has ever done anything special for. Because before now it's just been a come and visit, walk in, do what you like, leave now. We're trying to structure that visitor experience. So we're going to be for Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, because Thursday's the sort of Friday night in many ways. Because a lot of people have Fridays off here. Yes, because of the day of prayers and so a lot of people in Ras Al Hamah go to Dubai and Abu Dhabi for work. So Thursday nights they'll travel back. So actually we're going to be open till midnight on Thursday, Friday, Saturday for Ramadan. Paul Griffiths: So people will break the fast with the families and then they want to do the sort of head top of activity. They've now got food back in them and an energy source. And out they come. So again, first time we've done it, hopefully see numbers with the artwork will still be in place. We're then working on some different options around cuisine, food, coffee and hopefully get some musicians in as well, just to give a bit of an atmosphere. But it is a holy month, so it's not. It's not parties, but it's enjoying the family. Paul Marden: Yeah, absolutely. So what does the future look like for the Heritage Village and for tourism and attractions more generally in RAK? Paul Griffiths: I think for RAK itself, we're trying to bring more tourists in then trying to get the most hotels. Interestingly, as they had a lunch with five of our local big hotels at the weekend using. Using our Antico restaurant, this is excuse to have another lunch there and invite some people in and just take on their views, which is great. So just chatting and getting their thoughts on it. They were saying what. What happens in Iraq a lot at the moment is people are finding the hotels through travel agents, through, you know, searches. I know when were looking before I came out here, I know Ras Al Hamra came up on a Thomas Cumbin telescope. Yeah, similar. What am I thinking of? Probably Tui, I guess, or someone like, you know, someone like that. Paul Griffiths: I was doing a search for when went to Canary, but up came Ras Al Khaimah as a hotel and what they were saying. A lot of people will book that and have no idea really what Ras Al Khaimah is, other than it's part of the UAE. Some people think it's part of Dubai, you know, actually, because it's not, they don't realize it's seven emirates, etc. So a lot of people are booking their sort of tourists, their hotels. Our job is to try and then get them out and attract them to do other stuff. So there's lots of adventure tourism going on at the moment. We talked about the zip wire and lots of hiking, walking, camel rail, camel riding, you know, trips to the desert where you can zoom around in 4x Fours and go karts and stuff. Paul Griffiths: So from my perspective of the Heritage village is about bringing it more alive, bringing more people in, promoting it, more linking up with these sorts of hoteliers, concierges. And this is really early days for us because this has always been sort of slightly done but not really pushed yet. And sort of listening to what their advice is and seeing how we can act upon it, you know, and what sort of stuff we can take forward because, you know, there's a lot to be done. And there's lots of other heritage sites across rat about 90 on the list of actual heritage sites. And some of those are real ruins that you're never going to be able to do anything with. Paul Griffiths: Those sort of English Heritage free sites, you know, the ones you stumble across with a little brown sign and you pull up with a lay by, have a potter around and off you go without seeing anyone. There's a bit like that. But then there's a number of sites that will work well with some activation. You know, we've got Dyer Fort, which is on the World Heritage site tentative list and we're working on projects to slowly take that forward to World Heritage status. Touchwood because it's a really important for, you know, and it's perfect for visits. You climb up to the top, you get the most gorgeous views. You know, really is a gorgeous little site. So more interpretation, more things there is what's needed. But you know, again, this is all early days. Paul Griffiths: So it's all about sort of, you know, each day's excitement. What can we do, what can we push forward, who can we talk to? And what's been great is as the festival's gone on, more people have been coming and chatting to me. Mine have become more, well known. That sounds wrong, goes back to your sort of earlier question about, you know, people are sort of learning about, oh, this person's here now. Paul said, although people can call me sir or Mr. Paul, which is fine. I can deal with that. Keep saying now, people, I keep saying, please don't call me sir. You really don't need to. But it's so culturally great. But Mr. Everyone see everyone externally, she's called Mr. Paul, so I can put up with that. But I was there. Although when we host his. Paul Griffiths: His Highness hosted dinner that I was invited to, I then got even pushed up to His Excellency, which was a title. I want to go. Paul Marden: That's quite nice. Paul Griffiths: Yeah, I love that. Apparently. I always thought that someone else I knew was his title. His Excellency was part of the family, but actually it's. Once you get to a CEO director level in royal that circle, you immediately become His Excellency, so. Paul Marden: Well, there we go. I will correct myself in future communications. Paul Griffiths: Please do. Yeah, but I thought it was wonderful. That's why it's just been lovely, the funny comments coming from people back home saying, oh, well, I've amended my entry in my phone to now shake your he status. But yeah, so. But there's a sort of cultural things. It's just. Okay, right, lovely. That's fun. Paul Marden: It's been a whirlwind for you. It's been really interesting actually, talking about it and understanding more about. About what's happening there, about how exciting it is, this huge opportunity that you've got to make a something out of this beautiful historic village and then that, you know, the remit will grow from there. So I think. I think this has been lovely. We always wrap up our interviews with a book recommendation and you've had this privilege once before. So have you run out of recommendations or do you have something ready for me? Paul Griffiths: Well, I was going to recommend the Red island, an Emirati story, because it's based on Al Jazeera Al Hamra, but I thought that might be a little bit too niche. This guy. So, again, little things have come across. This guy's written a book, Adil, and he's going to be coming to Al Jazeera to do a book reading signing. These little opportunities. I have read the book, I promise. It was actually fascinating because it's all about local culture. It went off in a number of tangents, but actually from a point of view of how the Emirati local culture works and families, it was actually quite a really good induction. But now I've decided to go with a more book for management or book for running. And I don't think anyone's given this before, but if they have, I'm nervous. Paul Griffiths: But this book, Fish!, which is one of my favourite books. I've actually launched this as the Al Jazeera Book Club for the spring. So all the team have a copy. Book clubs are massive over here for work. Every department has one here in the foundation. So this book, Fish, is based around the Seattle fish market. My colleagues who've worked me in the past, both. I can hear them groaning now because they've forced everyone to read this, but it's basically around having fun when you're at work. And it talks about the story of the Seattle fish market, how they were just flogging fish, but actually one day decided, we need to liven this up. We need to want to be here. So introduced, sort of involving the crowd, fish flying through the air. Paul Griffiths: But It's a more of a story about a woman joins, it moves up in a company into a department that no one's been able to manage. She gets to the bottom of using the fish market. And it's just a really fun, easy reading book. And so I recommend it to. To listeners and viewers. Paul Marden: That's brilliant. So listeners, if you would like a copy of Fish,Paul Griffiths: It's quite a cheap book as well, Paul, so please, you have to give one away. So it's not too much money. It's just 9.99 in the non fiction section. So, yeah, cheaper. Paul Marden: Bargain. Bargain. That's the trouble with. So I've been doing a few live events where we have panels, four people with book records, recommendations. That's going to bankrupt me. No, not today. We got a bargain this time. So I like this. Yeah. If you'd like a copy of Fish, if you'd like a copy of Paul's book, head on over to Bluesky and when Wenalyn posts the show note, go over there and repost it and say, I want Paul's book. And the first person to do that will get a copy of the book. Paul, delightful as always. Three times on the podcast, at least. Paul Griffiths: I think this would be number. This would be number four because we had the original episode where Kelly grilled me about life at Painshill. Then we did the Turn the Tables episode when I grilled Kelly on setting up podcasts. And then we did. Then we did the Goodbye to Kelly, whatever it was. 100 episode. And then this. Yeah, four Skip the Queues. Which is always a pleasure and I'm so delighted as you're my favourite podcast, obviously.Paul Marden: It's, oh, you say the nicest things. That must be a record. I need to go back and check that I think four times on the podcast is pretty impressive. Paul Griffiths: I think I should get to add all mine up into one as a total so I can beat Dominic Jones, who's always had the biggest number, isn't he? Paul Marden: So, yeah, so he does and he still does. So, yeah, I think aggregating the number of listens for across all of your episodes, I think that might be within the walls. Let me see what I can do and I'll add everything up and we'll see if you can take Dom's crown. Paul Griffiths: Sorry, Dom. Paul Marden:  Because he's not competitive at all. Paul Griffiths: No, he's not, mate. He's a great guy, though. So, yeah, a friendly rival. Paul Marden: Exactly. Thank you very much, Paul. I would love to keep in touch. Paul Griffiths: Let's keep talking. Paul Marden: I want to hear what happens not just after the first 90 days, but I want to hear what happens in a year's time and two years time. So thank you so much for coming on and telling us about Ras Al-Khaimah and the Heritage Village. It's been lovely. Paul Griffiths: Yeah, thanks for having me. It's great. Been a real pleasure. Paul Marden: Thanks for listening to Skip the Queue. If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review. It really helps others to find us. Skip The Queue is brought to you by Rubber Cheese, a digital agency that builds remarkable systems and websites for attractions that helps them to increase their visitor numbers. You can find show notes and transcripts from this episode and more over on our website, skipthequeue fm.    The 2024 Visitor Attraction Website Survey is now LIVE! Dive into groundbreaking benchmarks for the industryGain a better understanding of how to achieve the highest conversion ratesExplore the "why" behind visitor attraction site performanceLearn the impact of website optimisation and visitor engagement on conversion ratesUncover key steps to enhance user experience for greater conversionsDownload the 2024 Rubber Cheese Visitor Attraction Website Survey Report

This is a special live recording of the podcast created in collaboration with the Strategic Sports Advisory Team at Teneo, at the company's London headquarters. Together we convened a roundtable forum on the topic of India and its relationship with the sports marketplace. Around the table was group of specially invited guests all of whom have a connection to the country and its sports business. We were thrilled to be joined by His Excellency the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Vikram Doraiswami. The other guests you'll hear are as follows:Will Brass | Premier LeagueArchie Kalyana | BBC CricketArpit Chaturverdi | Teneo - Geopolitical Risk AnalystAndrew Umbers | Oakwell SportsIshveen Jolly | Open SponsorshipSanjay Bhandari | Kick it OutSimon Hughes | Cricket AuthorNavjeet Sira | Change Foundation UKMike Herbert | Northridge LawKent Christian | Authentic Brands GroupRepresenting Teneo were Senior Managing Director Neil Daugherty and Nick Greenslade, Co-Lead of the Strategic Sports Advisory team at Teneo Sport.Unofficial Partner is the leading podcast for the business of sport. A mix of entertaining and thought provoking conversations with a who's who of the global industry. To join our community of listeners, sign up to the weekly UP Newsletter and follow us on Twitter and TikTok at @UnofficialPartnerWe publish two podcasts each week, on Tuesday and Friday. These are deep conversations with smart people from inside and outside sport. Our entire back catalogue of 400 sports business conversations are available free of charge here. Each pod is available by searching for ‘Unofficial Partner' on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher and every podcast app. If you're interested in collaborating with Unofficial Partner to create one-off podcasts or series, you can reach us via the website.

His Excellency, Issa Hilal Al Hizam, joins the Pulse 95 live show to discuss the importance of hosting the Sharjah International Cycling Tour and the growth that the event has witnessed over the last 10 years. Listen to #Pulse95Radio in the UAE by tuning in on your radio (95.00 FM) or online on our website: www.pulse95radio.com ************************ Follow us on Social. www.facebook.com/pulse95radio www.twitter.com/pulse95radio www.instagram.com/pulse95radio

Reading 1Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly,which consisted of men, women,and those children old enough to understand.Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate,he read out of the book from daybreak till midday,in the presence of the men, the women,and those children old enough to understand;and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law.Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platformthat had been made for the occasion.He opened the scrollso that all the people might see it— for he was standing higher up than any of the people —;and, as he opened it, all the people rose.Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God,and all the people, their hands raised high, answered,"Amen, amen!"Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the LORD,their faces to the ground.Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God,interpreting it so that all could understand what was read.Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribeand the Levites who were instructing the peoplesaid to all the people:"Today is holy to the LORD your God.Do not be sad, and do not weep"—for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.He said further: "Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks,and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared;for today is holy to our LORD.Do not be saddened this day,for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!"Reading 21 Corinthians 12:12-30 Brothers and sisters:As a body is one though it has many parts,and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,so also Christ.For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.Now the body is not a single part, but many.If a foot should say,"Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body, "it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.Or if an ear should say,"Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body, "it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be?If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?But as it is, God placed the parts,each one of them, in the body as he intended.If they were all one part, where would the body be?But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body.The eye cannot say to the hand, "I do not need you, "nor again the head to the feet, "I do not need you."Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weakerare all the more necessary,and those parts of the body that we consider less honorablewe surround with greater honor,and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety,whereas our more presentable parts do not need this.But God has so constructed the bodyas to give greater honor to a part that is without it,so that there may be no division in the body,but that the parts may have the same concern for one another.If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it;if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.Now you are Christ's body, and individually parts of it.Some people God has designated in the churchto be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers;then, mighty deeds;then gifts of healing, assistance, administration,and varieties of tongues.Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing?Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?GospelLuke 1:1-4; 4:14-21Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the eventsthat have been fulfilled among us,just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginningand ministers of the word have handed them down to us,I too have decided,after investigating everything accurately anew,to write it down in an orderly sequence for you,most excellent Theophilus,so that you may realize the certainty of the teachingsyou have received.Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,and news of him spread throughout the whole region.He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up,and went according to his custominto the synagogue on the sabbath day.He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has anointed meto bring glad tidings to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captivesand recovery of sight to the blind,to let the oppressed go free,and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.He said to them,"Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."

In this edition of the Slovakia Today programme, we introduce Professor Martin Javor in the interview about the Kasigarda Museum of Slovak Immigration to North America. Želmíra Beková-Kucharovic shares her experience with living in New York as a Slovak expat for more than fifty years.Our colleague Zuzana Botiková interviewes His Excellency, Swiss Ambassador Peter Nelson, and Denise Duran, Head of the Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross, during the commemoration of the Geneva Conventions.

In this edition of the Slovakia Today programme, we introduce Professor Martin Javor in the interview about the Kasigarda Museum of Slovak Immigration to North America. Želmíra Beková-Kucharovic shares her experience with living in New York as a Slovak expat for more than fifty years.Our colleague Zuzana Botiková interviewes His Excellency, Swiss Ambassador Peter Nelson, and Denise Duran, Head of the Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross, during the commemoration of the Geneva Conventions.

11/26/24 - Bishop Joseph Strickland returns to the show to unpack a recent letter that he read outside of the annual USCCB meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, in which he warned his brother bishops about God's judgment on bishops who do not guard the church, and accused them of “silently watching as the Synod on Synodality took place, an abomination constructed not to guard the Deposit of Faith, but to dismantle it.” What's going on in the life of the church that worries His Excellency enough to feel compelled to make this strongly worded statement? Let's ask him!

In this episode, His Excellency gives some guides on how to practice the Season of Advent while still living in the world.   Link to the article from His Excellency featured in The Seraph in December 2019: http://www.franciscanfathers.com/popular_articles

An hour long in depth interview with His Excellency, Mr. Vladimir Tarabrin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation in the Netherlands. We discuss relations between Russia and Holland, the war in Ukraine, NATO, the future of the United Nations and the purpose of BRICS.On Potkaars: https://potkaars.nl/blog/2024/11/24/interview-with-ambassador-of-the-russian-federation-mr-vladimir-tarabrin-englishIn this interview I mention an interview with professor of international law Alfred de Zayas recorded Febryary 2022. This can be seen here: https://potkaars.nl/blog/2022/2/22/oekrane-krim-en-donbas-tijdlijnSupport the showSupport the show

10/29/24 - Bishop Joseph Strickland returns to the show to update us on what's been on his mind and heart in the month of October. His Excellency has been quoting Veritatis Splendor on his social media lately - what's that all about? We'll also discuss how Catholics should be approaching the upcoming Presidential election. What should we be considering as we cast our vote at the ballot box, and is there an "obvious pick" for Catholics?

His Excellency, Mr. Khalil Hashmi, Pakistani Ambassador to China, is on his second posting in China, following his first one about 15 years ago. What does the ambassador think of the quality and resilience of the China-Pakistan all-weather fraternity? What does he see as the headwinds that could potentially affect China-Pakistan relations and regional security going forward?

Normality has returned at the frontier after a chaotic morning that caused significant delays for commuters. The disruption was triggered by the Spanish police, who were instructed to stamp all Gibraltar passports, rendering Red ID cards invalid. In response, Gibraltar implemented reciprocal measures at 7 AM, requiring Borders and Coastguards to accept only passports. Our News Editor Christine Vasquez was at the border and spoke to the Chief Minister.Graham Southwell, 63, has been found guilty of 19 sexual offences against children. The former GHA and St John Ambulance volunteer has been on trial at the Supreme Court for the last four weeks. The jury took just under 90 minutes to unanimously convict him on all counts. Melanie Chipolina-Guilliano has been following this story, and was in the courts when the verdict was given.The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration for valour in the British and Commonwealth armed forces. There is a charity dinner tonight to raise funds for the Royal Gibraltar Regiment Benevolent Fund. His Excellency, the Chief Minister and Commander British Forces will all be in attendance. We spoke to one of the guest speakers Warrant Officer Johnson Beharry VC - one of only 3 living British Victoria Cross recipients.And, in the UEFA Nations League, Gibraltar beat San Marino one-nil with a 62nd minute goal from Ethan Britto. It means the national team now sit at the top of Group D with four points, and remains the only unbeaten team in the group. Our sports reporter Louis Parrall told us more about the game, and looked ahead to the team's upcoming away match against Liechtenstein this weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last weekend, The Wall Street Journal published a front-page story on American young men and the crisis of masculinity. It featured hard stories of the “aimless and isolated”—but could ultimately offer no solutions. This week on HeightsCast, we're pleased to welcome Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim, Norway. Bishop Varden has authored several books exploring human personhood, including topics of masculinity and femininity. He helps us get the lay of the land both culturally and spiritually in this so-called moment of crisis. His Excellency then shares the vision of masculinity that he finds in scripture and tradition, so that we may bring these ideas into our homes and to our sons. Chapters: 2:59 Man fully alive: is my life fruitful? 5:09 A crisis of masculinity 11:06 Language for a constructive conversation 14:11 ‘Man,' ‘woman,' ‘human person' called into question 17:39 Vision of the human person in Genesis 26:38 Complementarity of the sexes 30:19 Masculinity and femininity as dual poles 38:29 Manliness: to pour oneself out in protection of another 42:08 Accepting our fragility 48:49 Communicating masculinity to modern boys Links: Coram Fratribus, Bishop Erik Varden's blog featuring homilies, articles, and “marginalia” Chastity: Reconciliation of the Senses by Erik Varden Entering the Twofold Mystery: On Christian Conversion by Erik Varden The Shattering of Loneliness: On Christian Remembrance by Erik Varden “America's Young Men Are Falling Even Further Behind” by Rachel Wolfe, WSJ 28 September 2024 Featured Opportunities: Headmaster's Lecture at The Heights School (October 5, 2024) Fathers Conference at The Heights School (November 2, 2024) The Art of Teaching Conference at The Heights School (November 13-15, 2024) Also on the Forum: Stewards of the Universe: Men Fully Alive featuring Alvaro de Vicente The Man Fully Alive: On Our Vision featuring Alvaro de Vicente

9/24/24 - Bishop Joseph Strickland returns to discuss his latest writings from the month of September, the first of which explains why His Excellency is taking a break from public appearances in the coming months and another which outlines and responds to recent troubling statements made by our Holy Father regarding “all religions as a path to heaven.” Read Bishop Strickland's letters at https://bishopstrickland.com/

Our host, Adrian Ellis, speaks to His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chair, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, on the ambitious plans to position Abu Dhabi as a major tourism and cultural destination – particularly through the Saadiyat Island Cultural District, home to Louvre Abu Dhabi and a host of other world-class cultural institutions set to open their doors in the coming years. External references: Abu Dhabi DCT: https://dct.gov.ae/en/default.aspxDCT Museums and Cultural Assets: https://dct.gov.ae/en/what.we.do/culture/museums.aspxSaadiyat Cultural District: https://scdabudhabi.ae/enLouvre Abu Dhabi: https://www.louvreabudhabi.ae/Zayed National Museum: https://zayednationalmuseum.ae/en/The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi: https://abudhabiculture.ae/en/experience/museums/natural-history-museum-abu-dhabiteamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi: https://abudhabiculture.ae/en/experience/culture-centres/teamlab-phenomena-abu-dhabiGuggenheim Abu Dhabi: https://abudhabiculture.ae/en/experience/museums/guggenheim-abu-dhabiGCDN Athens Convening: https://gcdn.net/convenings/athens-2024/Guardian article: The Parthenon marbles evoke particularly fierce repatriation debates – an archaeologist explains why, dated Nov. 29 2023: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/29/parthenon-marbles-british-museum-european-cultureConversation article : The Parthenon marbles evoke particularly fierce repatriation debates – an archaeologist explains why, dated June 7, 2024: https://theconversation.com/the-parthenon-marbles-evoke-particularly-fierce-repatriation-debates-an-archaeologist-explains-why-219152Benin bronzes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benin_BronzesCambodia tracking down thousands of priceless looted antiquities | 60 Minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1DFOGHHcm4French president Macron's 2017 speech in Burkina Faso, Africa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IA1gBuIbrR0&t=160sHis Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak BioA member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak is a prominent Emirati leader overseeing the growth of Abu Dhabi's cultural, entertainment, real estate, and tourism sectors. In 2016, His Excellency was appointed the Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), where he oversees the preservation of the emirate's heritage and history whilst inspiring its dynamic, world-leading approach to creating a recognised cultural capital, where culture is a driver of social and economic development. Mubarak is accountable for ensuring that Abu Dhabi is a top-of-mind destination for all leisure and business travelers, growing Abu Dhabi's MICE share, and partnering with global IPs to bring the best of international entertainment to the emirate as well as high profile sporting events including F1, NBA, and UFC. One of the major achievements in Al Mubarak's journey at DCT Abu Dhabi is the development of Saadiyat Cultural District – a curated destination for inspiration, artistic expression and cultural dialogue, that is currently home to Louvre Abu Dhabi and once finished will house, Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi. Al Mubarak serves as Chairman of Aldar Properties PJSC, the leading real estate developer in Abu Dhabi responsible for some of the most iconic landmarks and pioneering architecture in the emirate, including residential, commercial, and retail assets. Al Mubarak is Chairman of Miral, the leading creator of immersive experiences in Abu Dhabi, where he has led the transformation of key areas within the emirate, including Yas Island, and has developed strategic partnerships such as the one established with Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi™. Al Mubarak is the President of the Abrahamic Family House and a member of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, where he is joined by international religious leaders, educational scholars, and cultural leaders across the world, to support and spread the values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. Al Mubarak serves as Vice-Chair on the Foundation Board of ALIPH, the international alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas. Al Mubarak is a graduate of Northeastern University (Boston, USA), with a double major in Economics and Political Science.

7/30/24 - Bishop Athanasius Schneider returns to discuss his newly-released book Flee From Heresy: A Catholic Guide to Ancient and Modern Errors. In this book, His Excellency offers a systematic treatment of more than 130 doctrinal errors, from ancient times down to our own day, along with English translations of the Church's major anti-heresy documents of the past two centuries. In this fascinating exposé, you will discover the ideological roots of our own unsteady times and be better equipped to “test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). Get the Book: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/flee-from-heresy/

“I hope this is a renewal of our own sense of Christ's presence in the Eucharist, but [also] what it means to be the Body of Christ…and how we go out and witness to others as the Body of Christ."  - Archbishop ThompsonIn this episode, Tim and Archbishop Charles C. Thompson discuss how Indianapolis was picked to be the host of the 10th National Eucharistic Congress. Archbishop Thompson also discusses praying before the Indy 500, his role with the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis at the USCCB, and the Synod on Synodality. As members of the Mystical Body of Christ, Archbishop Thompson reminds us that we must “remember that we're called to transform the world, not to let the world get the best of us.” We are very grateful for His Excellency's leadership and hospitality as he welcomes us to his great city!If you have enjoyed Season 2 of Revive, please leave us a review!.Find resources for the ongoing Revival by visiting: www.eucharisticrevival.orgFind resources for the ongoing Pilgrimages by visiting: www.eucharisticpilgrimage.orgFind resources for the upcoming Congress by visiting: www.eucharisticcongress.orgThis episode is sponsored by Sacred Heart Major SeminaryUNLEASHING THE POWER OF THE EARLY CHURCHStudy "Acts of the Apostles" with Dr. Mary Healy online at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. CLICK HEREAn OSV Podcasts original. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

Perhaps the most perverse Russian invasion narrative, is that Ukraine is not old, and is not distinct from Russia in any case. But Ukraine is not just a footnote to Russian imperial history. As a nation, it is old, different, and diverse. Just as it went unrecognised by Russia, it has not been understood or recognised by the outside world either, for a variety of reasons. 100 years ago, few noticed its disappearance as an independent state; but that has now changed. Putin's tyranny and violence have accelerated the evolution of Ukrainian identity and increased the pressure for social, political, and economic change. ---------- Lubomyr Luciuk is a Canadian academic and author of books and articles in the field of political geography and Ukrainian history. He is currently a full professor at the Royal Military College of Canada and a Senior Research Fellow of the Chair of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Toronto. In 2010, Luciuk was one of 16 recipients of the Shevchenko Medal of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in recognition of his educational, research and advocacy efforts on behalf of the Ukrainian Canadian community. On 6 December 2019 he received the Cross of Ivan Mazepa, a Ukrainian Presidential Award, presented in Kingston by His Excellency, Andriy Shevchenko, Ukraine's Ambassador to Canada. More recently he was declared a persona non grata by the RU Federation. LINKS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lubomyr_Luciuk https://www.writersunion.ca/member/lubomyr-luciuk https://cius40.artsrn.ualberta.ca/8-2/round-table-iii-ukrainian-canadian-studies/lubomyr-luciuk-reflections-interdisciplinary-nature-ukrainian-studies-canada/ ---------- BOOKS: Enemy Archives: Soviet Counterinsurgency Operations and the Ukrainian Nationalist Movement – Selections from the Secret Police Archives In fear of the barbed wire fence: Canada's first national internment operations and the Ukrainian Canadians, 1914-1920 Searching for Place: Ukrainian Displaced Persons, Canada, and the Migration of Memory ---------- ARTICLES: https://www.kyivpost.com/authors/610 https://www.ukrainianworldcongress.org/center-for-strategic-communications-campaign-against-lubomyr-luciuks-book-is-attack-on-ukrainian-history-and-academic-freedom/ ---------- SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain ---------- TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND: Save Ukraine https://www.saveukraineua.org/ Superhumans - Hospital for war traumas https://superhumans.com/en/ UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukraine https://unbroken.org.ua/ Come Back Alive https://savelife.in.ua/en/ Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchen https://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraine UNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyy https://u24.gov.ua/ Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation https://prytulafoundation.org ---------- PLATFORMS: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSilicon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqm Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain ---------- Welcome to the Silicon Curtain podcast. Please like and subscribe if you like the content we produce. It will really help to increase the popularity of our content in YouTube's algorithm. Our material is now being made available

President Higgins hosted a dinner for His Excellency, Mr. Sergio Mattarella, President of Italy at Áras an Uachtaráin. The dinner follows the October 2023 meeting between the two Presidents as part of a five-day programme which President Higgins undertook in Rome and the Holy See to coincide with his participation in the 2023 World Food Forum. https://president.ie/en/diary/details/president-hosts-a-dinner-for-h.e-mr-sergio-mattarella-president-of-italy

Why is Bishop Robert Barron, a Catholic prelate with a huge social media presence, targeting an investigative journalist? Steve Schmidt explains the strange story of why His Excellency is bearing false witness against Heidi Przybyla after she spoke out against Christian Nationalism. Steve Schmidt warns this is demagogic attack and makes an important point: "Politicians with clerical collars have historically been very dangerous people. And this man, speaking of danger, seems like someone we all ought to keep an eye on." BAD FAITH is now streaming on AppleTV+, Amazon and Google Play. This vital and timely documentary tells the disturbing story of the rise of Christian Nationalism in the US and how some are perverting religion to achieve their political goals. www.badfaithdocumentary.com To become a The Warning Premium Member and listen to the show 48 hours early with access to premium content visit: https://thewarning.supercast.com/ Subscribe for more and follow me here: Substack: https://steveschmidt.substack.com/subscribe Twitter: https://twitter.com/SteveSchmidtSES Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteveSchmidtSES/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewarningses Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewarningses/

We are happy to announce a new series on the Aim Higher Podcast: The Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost.  In this episode, His Excellency shares his thoughts on the gift of Wisdom and how we can apply it to our everyday lives.  We also went over a project Sister Catherine used in her Confirmation class - if you would like the worksheets for yourself, send an email to: sistercatherine.tor@gmail.com Link to our episode about Martha & Mary: https://youtu.be/KGfdZ5Dnvts?si=fk4DUN7HNPv7Dfnl    

An NPP Parliamentary Aspirant in Wenchi Constituency, Albert Ameyaw (The People's Messenger) has broken his silence after he lost in the 27th January primaries that he is committed to the party and will never break away to contest the seat as an Independent Candidate In a press briefing he denied any plans to run as an independent.He clarified that despite the setback and outcome of the primaries in Wenchi, he still remains steadfast in his commitment to the shared values of the New Patriotic Party and the corporate quest to break the 8 with His Excellency,Dr. Alhaji Mahamud Bawumia.

Today is Ash Wednesday and Lent is already upon us. This week on Let Me Be Frank, Bishop Caggiano helps us enter into Lent with an open heart and a ready disposition. He explains what Lent is and reflects on how we should prepare spiritually, including some suggestions for spiritual reading. His Excellency mentioned one book, in particular, that really caught Steve's attention: Lent and Easter With The Church Fathers. This book will walk through Lent, one day at a time, with a different commentary from a Church Father reflecting on Lent itself or the Mass reading from the day. CHECK OUT VERITAS'S NEWEST PODCAST Daily Gospel Reflections on Veritas Catholic Network is a two minute daily Gospel Reflection by Fr. Sam Kachuba. He helps YOU start your day with the Gospel!  Apple Spotify Podbean

We talk Munguia's statement win over Ryder and if a big Mexican showdown is in his future. Canelo's 2024 plans revealed? We see if we believe the reports. We talk the State of Boxing as His Excellency speaks about his plans for the sport in Saudi. We talk Conor Benn and as always news and notes from the world of boxing...

Jesus is the Light of the World! In this episode, His Excellency and Sister Catherine talk about the meaning of this great feast.  The Gospel for this feast is taken from St. Luke, 2:22-32. "Let us imitate the holy Simeon, and be ever grateful for all the crosses and burdens of this life, as we look forward to the great and glorious coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. His life was a long one as he anxiously awaited the fulfillment of God's promise to him. We, too, have been given a wonderful promise from God. He invites us to receive Him in the Holy Eucharist. There He will transform us and restore spiritual life to our souls. He will make us one with Him. All that will await us after this is the completion of this union in Heaven. Once we have received Him into our bodies, as Simeon received Him into his arms, may we just as readily turn away from this world as Simeon did. Let us pray with Simeon to dismiss us from this world once we have born our crosses and burdens of this life for the love of, and in the imitation of Jesus; and then have worthily received Him into our hearts and souls in Holy Communion." ~Bishop Giles Butler, OFM DD

This week's episode of Let Me Be Frank featured two major topics. The first, is a reflection from His Excellency, Bishop Frank Caggiano, on the recent declaration from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Fiducia Supplicans. Bishop Caggiano, hoping to provide clarity to the Diocese, explains when certain kinds of blessings are acceptable, the importance of seeking to understand the true desires of those asking for blessings, and the importance of accompaniment. After this short segment on the implementation of Fiducia Supplicans in the Diocese of Bridgeport (the first 10 minutes or so) Bishop Caggiano interviews Patrick Donovan, the director of the Institute for Catholic Formation in the Diocese of Bridgeport. They discuss the importance of parental catechesis and how the Diocese is helping parents grow in their own faith so they can raise their children to be faithful sons and daughters in the Church. LINKS  The Institute for Catholic Formation in the Diocese of Bridgeport Veritas Catholic Network Veritas Instagram Veritas Facebook

The virtue of December is Union. In this episode, Sister Catherine and His Excellency discuss what it means to strive for union with God and to follow His will.   “When I see some persons very anxious about being attentive in prayer, and keeping their heads bowed while occupied in it, as if they did not dare to stir in the least, or to move even in thought, that the joy and sensible devotion they have may not leave them even in the slightest degree; this shows me how little they understand the road which leads to union, while they imagine that the whole affair consists in keeping their thoughts fixed. No, no, the Lord desires works. Therefore, when things present themselves to be done, to which obedience or charity obliges you, do not at all regard losing that devotion and enjoyment of God, that you may give Him pleasure by doing these things; for they will lead you more quickly than the others to holy union.” ~St. Teresa of Avila  

As business continues to search for ways to harness the incredible power of AI, it's becoming more clear than ever before that the technology requires some level of regulation. But how much is too much? How do you design laws for something that's evolving so quickly? And what happens if you get it wrong? In an effort to get these questions right, the United Arab Emirates created the world's first government position solely dedicated to AI. The goals for this role extend far beyond regulation however, as we hear in this episode of Leadership Next. Host Alan Murray sits down with His Excellency Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence for the UAE. In addition to talking about his job responsibilities, His Excellency explains why he believes the UAE can become a major player in the global AI ecosystem and he describes his goals for the country's University of Artificial Intelligence. Also in this episode, hear from the woman who is President Biden's key advisor on AI-related topics, Arati Prabhakar. She's Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy - and perhaps the closest thing the U.S. has to a Minister of AI. Leadership Next is powered by Deloitte.

The virtue of November is Charity. In this episode, Sister Catherine and His Excellency discuss what it means to love God, ourselves, and our neighbor.

Come buy our indulgences...His Excellency, Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, has just been removed directly by Pope Francis. Please pray for his Excellency, and certainly pray for the Holy Father.Thank you to our Patrons:Jason YoakamFollow us  @gladtradpodcast

Kevin Scampoli and TylaSpida celebrate Riyadh season on https://havegrit.club  00:00:00 Darby Allin Attempts Stunt Again 00:18:07 Riddle's Ex Wants to Fight 00:25:04 Daniel Bryan's Injury 00:28:08 Phineas Godwin's Injury 00:34:18 Bobby Lashley Bareknuckle Boxing 00:39:43 Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou 00:50:37 His Excellency on MMA Hour 00:58:58 Natalya Addresses Cardona Picture 01:04:38 Joel Embiid joined DX 01:19:08 Impact's Dance Party 01:21:06 Impact's New Signee 01:30:54 How Tony Khan Avoids Leaks 01:40:53 Shayna Baszler's Tattoo 01:46:54 Jay Briscoe Honored 01:50:40 Booker T's New Song 02:18:31 AEW's Halloween Match 02:26:26 WWE's Halloween Match 02:52:58 Riddle's Ex Wants to Fight II

My guest this Saturday has created the newest and most exciting micronation where slow jams rule and please leave those nasty Croc shoes at the door! Ladies and gentleman, I bring you His Excellency, Randy “R Dub!” Williams, Sultan of Slowjamastan. When he's not ruling over the world's newest nation, our Dear Leader hosts an internationally syndicated radio show called Sunday Night Slow Jams, currently heard on over 200 radio stations across America. The show airs in major markets from New York City to San Francisco – from Chicago to Phoenix, and in many big cities and small towns in-between.  You should listen!Our Sultan has been a full-time radio host since the tender age of 16. Today, he spends most of his time outside of Slowjamastan, about 70 miles away, where he works at San Diego radio stations Magic 92.5 and Z90. (His Excellency hosts the afternoon show on Magic 92.5). But if you can't find him there either, chances are he's fled the continent: Randy's mission in life (besides building this rad new nation) is to visit every country in the world – all 193 of them. He finished this mission on May of 2023, when he arrived in Turkmenistan.The Sultan has written two books, produced a feature-length, award-winning film and has appeared on an episode of Judge Mathis (where he was victorious) and ABC‘s Shark Tank. Another fun fact: He still owns his very first car – a 1983 Cutlass Supreme Lowrider that he's had since he was 15 years old.Finally, one of The Sultan's most important projects includes building wells for small villages in rural Africa without clean water. With the help of his listeners and supporters, The Sultan and his friends have constructed three wells in Africa since 2017. More on the Sultan and his amazing country! https://www.slowjamastan.org/Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTERRead my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com

Clerical Conversations returns to the air for Season 5 with this discussion on Catholic Sunday dress with His Excellency, Bishop Donald Sanborn and host Stephen Heiner. Bishop Donald Sanborn Bishop Donald Sanborn Original Air Date: April 7, 2016 Show Run Time: 26 minutes Show Guest(s): Bishop Donald Sanborn Show Host(s): Stephen Heiner

The virtue for the month of October is Confidence. In this episode, Sister Catherine and His Excellency discuss what it means to be confident and to trust in God.  The quote from the episode: "Do you desire security? Here you have it. The Lord says to thee, "I will never abandon thee, I will always be with thee!" If a good man made you such a promise, you would trust him. God makes it, and do you doubt? Do you seek a support more sure than the word of God, which is infallible? Surely, He has the promise, He has written it, He has pledged for His word for it, it is most certain." ~ St. Augustine

His Excellency, Bishop François Beyrouti of the Melkite Catholic Eparchy of Newton tells Fr. Mitch how vocations are fostered in the Melkite Catholic Church, which numbers about 50 parishes in two dozen U.S. states.

On this special episode, we feature the keynote address from this year's Chesterton conference, where His Excellency, Most Rev. Robert Barron, of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester and of Word on Fire Ministries, provides a fresh reading of Chesterton's great book on Saint Francis of Assisi!

Behold! His excellence, Immortan Hoof, has graced our pitiful video store with his presence. And he comes bearing gifts; specifically, George A. Romero's criminally underseen 1981 motorcycle jousting film, Knightriders. I am your humble video store manager, Dave, and joining me as we embark on a journey through anachronistic Ren-Faires and crazed motorcycle gangs are my fellow knights Ryan, Cody, and special guest: His Excellency, Immortan Hoof (aka: Nick). Topics of discussion in ye episode include the Mad Max level stunt work on display; we all bask in the awesomeness that is Tom Savini's chiseled abs; and finally, we all pick which member of King William's merry band of knights we would want to be (Spoiler: We all want to be Tuck). Be sure to rate, review and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can also Follow Us on Twitter, Like Us on Facebook, or shoot us an email at apocalypsevideopod@gmail.com. Got a movie you'd like us to watch? Hit us up and we'll talk about it on the show! And thus concludes this episode of the podcast. Go forth brave knights and beware the wrath of your local small town Sheriff. 

The virtue for the month of September is Prayer. In this episode, Sister Catherine and His Excellency discuss what it means to be faithful in our prayer life and the joy of praying for others. 

The virtue for the month of August is Diligence. In this episode, Sister Catherine and His Excellency discuss what it means to be diligent in our spiritual life.

His Excellency, Bishop Daniel Dolan, pastor of St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Church in West Chester, Ohio educates on the Holy Ghost and the Holy Name of Jesus, devotions we can have, and their origins and history. The devil shrinks from the devout invocation of the Holy Name even as he inspires every kind of blasphemy. How this wicked language offends the majesty of God - what better work of reparation for these sins is there than to have devotion to The Holy Name of Jesus! We would like to thank Nicholas Wilton for providing the use of his sacred choral music for this show. Mr. Wilton's material can be purchased at tutti.co.uk. Join us on this episode of Devotions With Bishop Dolan. Original Air Date: June 01, 2016 Show Run Time: 19 minutes Show Guest(s): Bishop Daniel Dolan Show Host(s): Matthew Arthur novusordowatch.org/ Episode: https://www.truerestoration.org/season-5-devotions-with-bishop-dolan-episode-10-the-holy-name-of-jesus/ Devotions with Bishop Dolan: https://www.truerestoration.org/courses/devotions-with-bishop-dolan/ Subscribe: www.truerestoration.org/member-signup/ Popes Against the Modern Errors℗ is a production of the Restoration Radio Network. Copyright 2016. All Rights are Reserved.

I will grant them contrition so perfect, that their very sins will be changed, in my sight, into jewels of precious gold – one of the promises of The Holy Face devotion. This devotion is for reparation of blasphemies and the profanation of Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation: the two principle sins Our Lord told Sister Mary of Saint Pierre that offend God and provoke His just anger. His Excellency, Bishop Daniel Dolan, pastor of St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Church in West Chester, Ohio educates us of the Holy Face Devotion, its uses, its origins and history of miracles. We would like to thank Nicholas Wilton for providing the use of his sacred choral music for this show. Mr. Wilton's material can be purchased at tutti.co.uk. Join us on this episode of Devotions With Bishop Dolan.

The virtue for the month of July is Obedience. In this episode, Sister Catherine and His Excellency discuss what it means to be simple in our love for God and our neighbor.

The virtue for the month of June is Obedience. In this episode, Sister Catherine and His Excellency discuss what it means to be truly obedient. 

Special Conference by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Bernard Fellay, Auxiliary Bishop of the SSPX

In this bonus episode, Sister Catherine discusses with His Excellency the virtue of Meekness and how to practice it in our daily lives. 

His Excellency, Stephen J. Lopes, Bishop of the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter and Chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Divine Worship, offers reflections on the work of God in the sacred liturgy, the relationship of artistic beauty to the truths of the Catholic faith and a life of charity, as well as a bit about the formation of the Ordinariate's liturgical books.  Learn more about the Ordinariate and Bishop Lopes here: https://ordinariate.net/bishop-lopes. Learn more about the Catholic Institute of Sacred Music here: https://catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.org/.

First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy was the driving force behind a brilliant act of cultural diplomacy: bringing Leonardo Da Vinci's masterpiece, Mona Lisa, to the American people. After convincing everyone from her husband, President John F. Kennedy and French President Charles De Gaulle, to the French Cultural Minister and the Director of the National Gallery of Art, Mona Lisa was brought to the United States in January 1963. Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, spoke with a distinguished panel about the 60th anniversary of this extraordinary exchange, which drew nearly two million visitors. Episode guests include: His Excellency, Philippe Étienne, Ambassador of France to the United States; Bénédicte de Montlaur, President and CEO of the World Monuments Fund; and Kaywin Feldman, Director of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.   Find all our podcasts at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/160... Learn more about the White House Historical Association at: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/