Podcasts about Hispanic

Episode 77 Your Hands on the Wheel: Rose Cano Teaches Us How Stories Drive Healthcare On this episode host Raj Sundar explores the powerful intersection of healthcare and the arts with guest, Rose Cano—a Spanish medical interpreter, playwright, and cultural mediator specializing in type 2 diabetes care for Spanish-speaking patients. They dive into Rose's journey from theater to medicine, her advocacy for narrative medicine, and her experiences working in Harborview Medical Center's clinics serving diverse communities, including those in Pioneer Square. The conversation unpacks terminology used for Spanish-speaking communities ("Hispanic," "Latino," "Latinx"), emphasizes the importance of understanding patient backgrounds, and shines a light on communication barriers in healthcare. Rose shares creative metaphors and practical strategies for empowering patients and improving self-management for chronic diseases, all while highlighting equity, prevention, and the lived realities of those navigating both healthcare and cultural systems. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

Part 1:We talk with William King who wrote for the Houston Chronicle from 2005 to 2015, authoring a biweekly column and serving on the editorial board. King has also written two books, including Unapologetically Moderate: My Search for the Rational Center in American Politics (Bright Sky Press, 2014).He is a regular contributor to Real Clear Politics and publishes his own blog atwww.BillKingBlog.com.We discuss the voters in Texas, and what the likely political leanings will be in upcoming elections, particularly Hispanic voters, who are a large segment of the voting bloc in Texas.Part 2:We talk with Bill Curry and Prof. Jamie Rowen about the recent elections in NYC and other parts of the country. Democrats beat Republicans almost everywhere except Texas. But Democrats outperformed Republicans in almost all cases.  WNHNFM.ORG   productionMusic: David Rovics

Trump took it on the chin in Tuesday's elections, SCOTUS sounds skeptical about his tariffs, and his plan to 'gerry-rig' the midterms looks like it is slipping away—but he is still the most powerful president since FDR. And murmurs about a lame duck may prompt him to take even more extreme actions. Plus, the still infuriating inability to hold Trump accountable for trying to steal the 2020 election, and the long-term damage he has done to the DOJ. Carol Leonnig and JVL join Tim Miller. show notes Carol's new book, "Injustice" on the DOJ, Merrick Garland, and the Jack Smith investigations JVL's Wednesday Triad on Hispanic voters and 2028  Tim's 'Bulwark Take' with Rep. Pat Ryan on sports blackouts Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeleteme.com/BULWARK and use promo code BULWARK at checkout.

After a big win, James and Al explain why the Democrats outperformed in the off-season elections, focusing on the declining affordability of life under Trump, his anti-democratic actions, and the desire for change in the electorate.  Then, they look at the implications for the upcoming national elections, the growing headwinds to MAGA and Republican rule, and the potential to increase the share of the Hispanic vote.  They also examine the impact of statewide court decisions, the effects of redistricting following California's Proposition 50, and the state of international relations, with a focus on Israel. Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you're from! More from James and Al: Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon. Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube @PoliticsWarRoomOfficial James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack Get updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarville Check Out Andrew Zucker's New Politicon Podcast: The Golden Age Get More From This Week's Guest:  Jim Gerstein: GBAO Strategies  Please Support Our Sponsors: Naked Wines: To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to nakedwines.com/warroom and use code WARROOM for both the code and password.  Green Chef: Get 50% off your 1st month, then 20% off for 2 months with free shipping when you use code 50WARROOM at greenchef.com/50warroom

We've got a serious problem...The "higher" you climb on the career ladder, the further removed you get from the actual discipline of design.Unfortunately, it's a story I hear surprisingly often. A design professionals finally gets that hard-earned seat at the table, and almost immediately, the pressure to conform kicks in.They start to feel like they have to trade their unique perspective for a corporate persona, leaving their design identity, the very thing that got them there in the first place, at the door.Our guest this week, Jose Coronado, shares a personal story that actually goes right to the heart of this issue.When he first moved to the U.S. he consciously separated his professional life from his Hispanic background in an effort to belong and be seen.The shift only came years later, after he organized a panel for Hispanic Heritage Month. The feedback he received hit him hard. People told him, "Jose, thank you for doing this. I have never seen myself reflected in my future as a potential leader in the design field". That experience was the moment he realized the power of bringing our "whole self" to work, and the danger of hiding parts of our identity.So in this episode, we explore this identity crisis. How do you evolve into a business leader without abandoning your design soul? And I can already share that it's not about renouncing your craft, but rather enriching it with new layers.It's about learning to navigate the politics and negotiations of an organization while still proudly carrying the flag for design.If you feel trapped between the design professional you are and the leader you're expected to be, this one will surely resonate.What I loved about this conversation is the nuance it brings. I'm sure you've heard that "designers need to speak business" but what's often missing is the crucial second half of that advice, we must do it with our design expertise, identity, and skills. Business speak should enrich design, not replace it.Enjoy the conversation and keep making a positive impact!~ Marc--- [ 1. GUIDE ] --- 00:00 Welcome to Episode 24004:00 The great shift06:00 The catalyst08:00 Design Leadership and Why We Have to Talk About It09:30 Design's Growing Pains12:00 3 Levels of Leadership 13:00 Craftsmanship, Stagemanship, and Statesmanship16:00 Mastering Stagemanship: 17:45 What we're doing wrong20:00 Developing Business Fluency22:00 Understanding the context26:30 Low-Effort Ways to Gain Business Knowledge33:00 The Challenge of Invisibility35:00 Patience vs. Incompetence37:45 Building Trust39:00 The Design Measurement Problem41:00 Tangibility of Impact44:00 Navigating conversations like that46:45 Finance Conversations48:00 Connecting Process, Service Improvement, and Design51:45 Internal Struggle and Mindset Evolution55:00 Embracing out identity57:30 Maintaining Connection to the Craft59:00 Deliver in commitment1:01:00 Question to ponder --- [ 2. LINKS ] --- https://www.linkedin.com/in/josecoronado/ --- [ 3. CIRCLE ] --- Join our private community for in-house service design professionals. ⁠https://servicedesignshow.com/circle[4. FIND THE SHOW ON]Youtube ~ https://go.servicedesignshow.com/240-youtubeSpotify ~ https://go.servicedesignshow.com/240-spotifyApple ~ https://go.servicedesignshow.com/240-appleSnipd ~ https://go.servicedesignshow.com/240-snipd

This Day in Legal History: John Jay First SCOTUSOn November 6, 1789, John Jay was sworn in as the first Chief Justice of the United States, marking a foundational moment in the development of the federal judiciary. Appointed by President George Washington, Jay was a prominent figure in the American founding, having co-authored The Federalist Papers and served as President of the Continental Congress. His confirmation by the Senate came just weeks after the Judiciary Act of 1789 formally established the structure of the federal court system, including the Supreme Court. At the time of his appointment, the Court held limited power and prestige, lacking even a permanent home or a defined role within the balance of government.Jay's tenure as Chief Justice lasted from 1789 to 1795 and was characterized more by circuit riding—traveling to preside over lower federal courts—than by Supreme Court rulings. Nonetheless, he helped lay the procedural and institutional groundwork for the Court's future authority. One of his few significant decisions came in Chisholm v. Georgia (1793), which asserted that states could be sued in federal court, a holding that was quickly overturned by the Eleventh Amendment. Jay also took on diplomatic duties, most notably negotiating the controversial Jay Treaty with Great Britain in 1794, which aimed to resolve lingering tensions from the Revolutionary War.Though his judicial legacy on the bench was modest, Jay's influence as the Court's inaugural leader was crucial in legitimizing the judiciary as a coequal branch of government. He later declined a reappointment to the position in 1800, citing the Court's lack of power and institutional independence. The role of Chief Justice would eventually evolve into a central force in constitutional interpretation, but it was Jay who first gave the office its shape. This milestone in legal history underscores the slow and deliberate construction of American judicial authority, which did not arrive fully formed but was built case by case, institution by institution.The Supreme Court is currently reviewing Learning Resources Inc. v. Trump, a case that raises major constitutional and statutory questions about the scope of presidential power—particularly in the context of tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). At the heart of the dispute is whether the word “regulate” in IEEPA grants the president the authority to impose tariffs without explicit congressional approval. The case touches on foundational issues in constitutional law, including statutory interpretation, the nondelegation doctrine, emergency powers, and the “major questions” doctrine. The Court must assess not just what the statute says, but also how to interpret the silence—IEEPA never mentions “tariffs” or “taxes”—in light of Congress's constitutional power to impose taxes and regulate foreign commerce.From a textualist standpoint, the omission of “tariffs” suggests Congress did not intend to delegate that taxing authority to the executive. From a purposivist view, the debate turns on whether Congress meant to arm the president with broad economic tools to respond to emergencies or to narrowly limit those powers to national security concerns. Additional arguments center on legislative history and the principle of avoiding surplusage, as opponents claim interpreting “regulate” to include “tariff” would render other statutes that explicitly mention tariffs redundant.The nondelegation doctrine also plays a key role. If IEEPA is read to permit the president to impose tariffs, critics argue it may represent an unconstitutional transfer of legislative power—particularly taxing power—absent a clear “intelligible principle” to guide executive discretion. The Court is also being asked to consider whether the president's determination of an “emergency” under IEEPA is reviewable and whether actions taken in response to such emergencies must still adhere to constitutional limits. The outcome of this case could significantly redefine the boundary between congressional authority and executive power in trade and economic policy.The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on November 5, 2025, in a case challenging President Donald Trump's use of emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Justices from across the ideological spectrum questioned whether Trump had exceeded his authority by bypassing Congress to enact tariffs, which are traditionally under legislative control. The legal debate centered on whether IEEPA's grant of authority to “regulate importation” includes the power to impose long-term tariffs, and whether doing so constitutes a “major question” requiring explicit congressional authorization.Chief Justice John Roberts, among others, expressed concern that Trump's use of IEEPA effectively allowed the executive to impose taxes—a core congressional function. Justice Amy Coney Barrett asked whether there was any precedent for interpreting “regulate importation” as tariff-imposing authority, while Justice Elena Kagan and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson emphasized that IEEPA was designed to limit, not expand, presidential power. Some conservative justices, like Brett Kavanaugh, were more receptive, referencing historical precedents like Nixon's use of similar powers.The administration argued the tariffs were necessary to respond to trade deficits and national security threats and warned that removing them could lead to economic harm. But critics, including business representatives and Democratic-led states, warned of a dangerous shift in power toward the executive. Justice Neil Gorsuch suggested such an interpretation of IEEPA could permanently shift trade powers away from Congress, violating constitutional checks and balances.Lawyer for Trump faces tough Supreme Court questions over legality of tariffs | ReutersThe U.S. Senate confirmed Eric Tung to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in a 52-45 party-line vote, making him President Donald Trump's sixth appellate court appointee in his second term. Tung, a former federal prosecutor and Justice Department lawyer, most recently worked at Jones Day, where he focused on commercial litigation and frequently represented cryptocurrency interests. His confirmation came over the objections of California's Democratic senators, who criticized his past statements and writings on issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and gender roles.Tung has been a vocal legal advocate for controversial positions, including support for the independent state legislature theory and the argument that stablecoin sales fall outside SEC regulation. While he pledged to follow Supreme Court precedent, critics raised concerns about his originalist approach to constitutional rights. He faced intense scrutiny during his confirmation hearings for remarks made at a Federalist Society event and earlier in life, including statements about gender roles that drew fire from Senator Alex Padilla.Despite these concerns, Tung's legal career earned strong endorsements from colleagues and conservative legal allies. He clerked for Justices Antonin Scalia and Neil Gorsuch and has experience handling judicial nominations from within DOJ. Tung fills the seat vacated by Judge Sandra Segal Ikuta, a fellow conservative, ensuring ideological continuity on the Ninth Circuit.Former DOJ, Jones Day Lawyer Confirmed as Ninth Circuit JudgeThe California Republican Party filed a federal lawsuit against Governor Gavin Newsom, seeking to block the implementation of new congressional maps approved by voters just a day earlier via Proposition 50. The measure, backed by Newsom and passed by wide margins, suspends the state's independent redistricting commission and installs a Democratic-leaning map that could endanger five Republican-held congressional seats. Newsom has framed the move as a direct response to Texas' mid-cycle redistricting, which is expected to boost Republican power in the 2026 midterms.The GOP lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, argues that the new maps violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment by using race as the primary factor in redrawing districts to favor Hispanic voters. The plaintiffs, represented by attorney Mike Columbo of the Dhillon Law Group, claim the state legislature lacked sufficient justification to use race in this way and failed to meet the legal standards required under the Voting Rights Act.Republicans also contend that Proposition 50 diminishes the political voice of non-Hispanic groups and constitutes unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. The suit, Tangipa v. Newsom, is backed by the National Republican Congressional Committee and includes Republican lawmakers and candidates as plaintiffs. It mirrors legal challenges in Texas, where courts are evaluating claims of racial bias in redistricting. The outcome of these cases could significantly affect congressional control heading into the latter half of President Trump's second term.California Republicans Sue to Block New Congressional Maps (1) This is a public episode. 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Tara and Lee dive deep into the aftermath of shocking election results — where openly radical candidates are winning big and Republicans seem unable to counterpunch without Trump on the ballot. From a state attorney general race marred by violent rhetoric to massive Democrat wins in Virginia and New Jersey, they break down how the gender gap, Hispanic vote, and weak GOP messaging are reshaping the political battlefield. The conversation exposes the growing divide between capitalism and socialism, and why Republicans must evolve — fast — to compete in a post-Trump political world. The Left's going radical. The Right's going quiet. What happens next could decide 2026. election analysis, socialism, Republican strategy, Trump influence, Democrat victories, Virginia election, New Jersey politics, gender gap, Hispanic vote, capitalism vs socialism, political messaging, turnout, economy, inflation, GOP leadership Tara and Lee open with disbelief at a Democrat candidate's victory despite past comments condoning political violence — a moment they call “disqualifying by any sane standard.” From there, they unpack how Virginia and New Jersey delivered sweeping Democrat wins, revealing alarming trends for the GOP. Women, young voters, and Hispanics all swung hard left, defying expectations and signaling that Republican turnout collapses when Trump isn't leading the ticket. The discussion turns introspective as the hosts debate how conservatives can communicate better — using platforms like TikTok and Instagram — and craft a message about affordability, capitalism, and economic opportunity that actually resonates with new generations. They praise Mike Johnson's newfound fight under Trump's influence, warn of economic missteps, and highlight the urgent need for a new Republican voice who can inspire beyond Trump. Ultimately, the episode paints a sobering picture: while Democrats move further toward socialism, Republicans are learning — the hard way — that “Trump can't do everything.”

David Waldman, Greg Dworkin, and Dems are back, baby. Now, if you are tuning in to KITM today, you are probably wanting to know when, what, where, how, and why.  When? Yesterday, and over the last 9 months or so, voters have determined that they need to fix things, and universally that Democrats were the ones to do that. What? Dems won in red and blue areas, in big and little races. Where? New Hampshire, New Jersey, Bucks County, Wake Forest, Edison… everywhere. In Cincinnati, JD Vance's brother is a loser.  You might have heard about places like California, and New York City, where the Mamdanimentum has become a Mamdanimandate. You got to love Virginia, where even the reddest counties turned blue, including, of course, home of Kagro in the Morning World Headquarters, Loudoun County. Democrats could gerrymander blue states bluer, but so could Republicans. How? The Hispanic vote, obviously, makes a lot more sense in a party that isn't cracking their skulls daily. A party whose motto is "Resistance is just asking for it." shouldn't expect much support from women. Antisemitic comedy is antisemitic. Why? Trump. The rest of them suck too, of course.  If the new Dems do a good job, the contrast will be harsher come midterms. Gops aren't the only ones smelling the onions and mustard this morning. Border Patrol agent Gregory Lairmore still has BMT PTSD. Greg Bovino says he may never recover from that punch to his blutbewußtsein, but the judge says he'll just have to soldier on. Trump still can't attack Portland, but Indianapolis wants some. Hey, guess which Dick is still dead? Cheney! Dick Cheney did horrible things when he was alive but was never the kind to allow a cardiac arrest to obstruct his skullduggery.

Claudia Romo Edelman is a trailblazing social entrepreneur, activist, and founder of We Are All Human, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the Latino community. A former United Nations official and UNICEF leader, Claudia has spent her career tackling global challenges while amplifying Hispanic voices worldwide. She's the author of the Hispanic Star book series, co-host of the A La Latina podcast, and an expert in leveraging the power of the Latino community to drive brand and cultural transformation. In this episode, Kara and Claudia explore what it takes to turn vision into impact, the importance of representation and belonging, and how Latinos are shaping the future of business and culture. You'll also hear about Claudia's newest venture—a modern, ultra-premium Mexican luxury spirit called Sotol—that reflects her mission to elevate Latino excellence on the world stage. This conversation is a masterclass in leadership, action, and the art of building from purpose.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Claudia Romo Edelman01:32 Claudia's Current Endeavors and Concerns02:34 Challenges Facing the Latino Community05:49 The Hispanic Sentiment Study09:12 Claudia's Childhood and Activism13:41 The Power of Yes and Entrepreneurship14:07 Sotol: The Next Big Thing20:22 Social Entrepreneurship and Activism23:06 Challenging Stereotypes About Accents23:59 The Power of Multilingualism25:17 Reclaiming Latinidad26:47 The Role of Language in Mental Health27:42 Building Bridges of Tolerance29:59 Mobilizing Communities for Change34:29 Defining Powerful Ladies35:44 Influences and Personal Journeys41:06 Daily Routines and Staying Grounded43:37 Supporting Latino Initiatives45:01 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThe Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms.Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think.Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This season on Moneda Moves, we have been expanding how we talk about capital, because it's not just about money. It's also about power and access, across sectors. In our last episode of the season, we speak with Patricia Mota – an innovative trailblazer, start-up entrepreneur, author, and more. Today, she's President and CEO of Hispanic Alliance of Career Enhancement (HACE), on a mission to boost the national workforce by cultivating the pipeline of Latine and underrepresented talent by providing the insight, access, and support to their careers. Since Patricia stepped in as CEO in 2015, the budget has quadrupled, membership has tripled to over 150,000, HACE has built over 250 corporate partnerships, and extended the organization's reach across the U.S. and 50 countries. Under her leadership, the nonprofit now offers enhanced programming for youth, senior leaders, entrepreneurs, and diverse audiences worldwide. In 2020, her leadership took a front seat to increasing activity around a newly virtual workforce, where she acted with urgency, communicated with transparency, sought diverse opinions from her team and board, and led with empathy, ultimately leading a thriving organization during such a tumultuous time. In 2021, Patricia added Co-Founder to her list of accolades, collaborating to build SHENIX™, a Fintech startup that is leading the development of a financial tool to help close the wealth gap. (Her cofounder, Olga Camargo, has also been on Moneda Moves in years prior and has been a part of our Forbes coverage.) Patricia chairs digitalundivided, helping women founders gain access to capital, and serves on the boards of the Chicago Foundation for Women, Associated Colleges of Illinois, Chicago Theological Seminary Board of Trustees, and the Northeastern Illinois Foundation Board.Patricia is a proud Mexican-American, Latina, daughter of immigrants, and first-generation college graduate. She is a fitness enthusiast and health and lifestyle aficionado. She grew up in East Chicago, Indiana, and currently resides in Chicago.In this week's season finale episode, Patricia shared what she and her team at HACE are doing to close the wealth gaps in the Latino community. While striving for higher titled positions in your career does bring in more income, it doesn't allow people to access the generational wealth that would help close the current wealth gaps. HACE works to bridge the gap in industries where there is historically limited representation with a focus on ownership. This looks like making sure Latinos negotiate for wealth levers like equity, stock options, profit sharing, and restricted stock units. Patricia also shared how she and HACE partnered with #WeAllGrow to keep the Amigahood community alive in its new chapter. Tune in to hear how you can build more generational wealth and what's next for Patricia and her team.Follow Patricia on Instagram at @PMota7 and @HACEOnline. Follow Moneda Moves on Instagram: @MonedaMovesFollow your host Lyanne Alfaro on Instagram: @LyanneAlfaroMain podcast theme song from Premium Beat. Our music is from Epidemic Sound.Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST, an Afro-Latina-owned boutique podcast production and copywriting studio. 

Hey everyone,This week, I'm sharing my experience moving from a small firm to a big one—and what that's meant for my career and growth over the last year nine months. This year had a lot of ups and downs (this episode was recorded in June and I am just getting it out…). I am happy for Nicolai's support through this and I look forward to many more episodes coming out. What would you like to see more of?Personal takeaways:* Flexibility: Turns out, the big company isn't as slow-moving as I thought. Milestones and structure actually bring freedom to explore, innovate, and make mistakes.* Expanded toolbox: The more people you connect with—across disciplines—the better you get at your job. Every new conversation and collaboration adds a new tool.* Resources: There's more access to technical codes, sample projects, and experts, but also space to build my own reusable tools, like spreadsheets for designs.* Soft skills: Volunteering and joining internal networks (like Enlace for Hispanic engineers) have grown my network and boosted my confidence. These bigger companies have endless training resources.* Endless career pivots: You can chart new paths, propose new ideas, and switch directions—all without leaving the company.Action items for you:* If you're thinking of switching firm sizes or career tracks, connect with someone who's done it. Be curious, not cautious.* Start a conversation with colleagues outside your “bubble.” There's wisdom everywhere.* Volunteer, join an internal group, or attend a conference—don't wait for permission, but do learn the process for asking.* Reflect on whether your workflows and resources are making you more effective—and start building (or sharing) something reusable.As always, keep an open mind. If your current job isn't sparking joy, experiment with new options before making a leap. We're here to help you navigate challenges!If you've got questions, feedback, or just want to chat, reply to this email or visit luisfelipeduque.com/contact.Thanks for tuning in. Let's continue to engineer our future! Get full access to Engineering our Future at engineeringourfuture.substack.com/subscribe

Overview: We explore the powerful intersection of healthcare and the arts with our guest, Rose Cano—a Spanish medical interpreter, playwright, and cultural mediator specializing in type 2 diabetes care for Spanish-speaking patients. We dive into Rose's journey from theater to medicine, her advocacy for narrative medicine, and her experiences working in Harborview Medical Center's clinics serving diverse communities, including those in Pioneer Square. The conversation unpacks terminology used for Spanish-speaking communities ("Hispanic," "Latino," "Latinx"), emphasizes the importance of understanding patient backgrounds, and shines a light on communication barriers in healthcare. Rose shares creative metaphors and practical strategies for empowering patients and improving self-management for chronic diseases, all while highlighting equity, prevention, and the lived realities of those navigating both healthcare and cultural systems. Three Takeaways: The Healing Power of Storytelling & Narrative Medicine Rose Cano's journey beautifully illustrates how storytelling isn't just an art—it's a therapeutic tool. She explains that both the person telling their story and the listener are transformed by the exchange, making it an act of healing, especially when stories relate to illness or wellness. The Intersection of Art and Healthcare for Equity Rose sees healthcare and the arts as intertwined fields, advocating that access to both should be equitable and universal. Her perspective brings attention to the under-recognized link between creativity, culture, and health outcomes, emphasizing that cultural and healthcare equity must advance together for true community wellbeing. Cultural Mediation Goes Beyond Language Translation              Her role at Harborview Medical Center isn't just interpreting words—it's bridging cultural gaps. She highlights real-world challenges Spanish speaking patients face, such as understanding navigation in the US healthcare system, grasping concepts of prevention versus acute care, and negotiating everyday barriers like clinic scheduling, insurance, and pharmacy instructions. Next Step: Visit our website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Healthcare for Humans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and join our community to enjoy exclusive benefits at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Our Mission: Non-clinicians, explore exclusive content and contribute to our collective journey. Be an Active Participant: Go beyond listening. Shape our narrative by co-creating episodes with us. Be part of our community by visiting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@healthcareforhumanspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

On this episode, Lee is joined by Kenna Flynn and Annie Lusk, two members of Grace Auburn who are here for undergraduate studies in education and nursing. Both Kenna and Annie said "yes" to the Lord when asking, "How can I love the nations that are here, now?" As active members of our church, they serve as friends and tutors to elementary and middle school students from the Hispanic community at Esperanza House – a local organization that serves 85 families, including 278 children, from Guatemala, Mexico, Venezuela, and other countries. Their mission is to create a world where every kid goes from surviving to thriving. To learn more about how to get involved or ways you can make an impact through Esperanza House, visit www.esperanzahouse.org and fill out their "Contact Us" form.

Christina Bagaglio Slentz is Associate Director for Creation Care for the Catholic Diocese of San Diego. Learn about how her diocese prioritizes climate action here.In this episode, we often refer to Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato si' and the ways that faith communities are living out its stated goals. We also discuss the theme “seeds of peace and hope,” the official theme for the 2025 ecumenical Season of Creation.Many thanks to Christina for sharing her wisdom in this conversation!Christina SlentzTRANSCRIPTChristina Slentz I think this really can help us understand the way that the cry of the Earth, these environmental climate extremes, or the variability that we're experiencing, leads to greater exposure—but how one community can face that exposure and adapt or bounce back fairly quickly and another may not really have that capacity.Debra Rienstra Welcome to the Refugia Podcast. I'm your host, Professor Debra Rienstra. Refugia are habitats in nature where life endures in times of crisis. We're exploring the concept of refugia as a metaphor, discovering how people of faith can become people of refugia: nurturing life-giving spaces in the earth, in our human cultural systems, and in our spiritual communities, even in this time of severe disturbance. This season, we're paying special attention to churches and Christian communities who have figured out how to address the climate crisis together as an essential aspect of their discipleship.Today, I'm talking with Dr. Christina Bagaglio Slentz, Associate Director for Creation Care at the Catholic Diocese of San Diego. Christina has a background in sociology, with a PhD in international studies and global affairs. She's also a Navy veteran. Today, she serves a diocese of 97 parishes, helping to guide and empower people in their creation care work. The Diocese of San Diego is a microcosm of diverse biomes and diverse people, and it's a fascinating example of refugia, because as a diocese, they are doing all the things. Christina and I talk about Laudato si', solar energy, economics, eco spirituality, environmental justice advocacy, the centrality of the Eucharist, and the mutuality between caring for neighbor and caring for the Earth. Let's get to it.Debra Rienstra Christina, thank you so much for being with me today. I really appreciate talking to you.Christina Slentz Thank you, Debra, for having me. I'm really excited to be here.Debra Rienstra So I am eager to hear more about the Diocese of San Diego, because it seems that you have been very intentional and thoughtful and ambitious about your creation care agenda, and we're going to get into the details of that in just a minute, but I want to start with you. So tell us your hero origin story. How did you get into faith-based environmental work and into your current position?Christina Slentz Well, to be honest, I never saw it coming in many ways. I was working in the global affairs area, looking at sources of conflict and cooperation and how political economy intersects with those dynamics, and that was my academic area of focus. And at the same time, I've always been a catechist in the Catholic church since the 90s, and my church life was pretty comfortable, I would say, and active. But I didn't really see those two things coming together until Laudato si', the encyclical written by Pope Francis on the care of our common home, was released in 2015, and this really started to bring more overlap between these two areas in my life. And I would say, increasingly, then there was a lot of interplay between those focus areas for me. And eventually this position became available in the Diocese of San Diego, and a friend mentioned it to me, and I thought that is actually the perfect vocation for me. And I really feel like I understood it to be a vocation, not just a job.Debra Rienstra Yeah, I think I can relate to everything you just said. I think we came to this work from different areas of specialty, but yeah, like you, I feel like we've had these mid-career shifts where suddenly our area of specialty—in my case, literature and creative writing—has become energized by—in your case, Laudato si', in my case, other documents as well as Laudato si',—and we've sort of taken this fascinating and yeah, I would agree, vocational, turn. So let's talk a little bit more about Laudato si'. I imagine our listeners know at least a little bit about it. It's been so enormously influential. It's such an amazing landmark document. Could you talk a little bit about how you've seen Laudato si' diffuse through the Catholic Church, especially the American Catholic Church?Christina Slentz Yes, I think, to be honest, it has had a complicated journey with the Catholic community here in the United States. Very much like the issue of climate change in the global community, the United States has struggled with these dynamics—I think the way that they involve our economics and some of our very strong ideology about economic freedom and what that means to people. And so I think it's fair to say that while Laudato si' was very warmly received around the world, it has struggled in the United States as a whole, and that includes the American Catholic community. That said, there have been—like your description of refugia suggests——there have been these pockets, though, where I think that particular dynamics existed, and there was fertile ground for seeds to be planted. And the Diocese of San Diego is one of them. The Diocese of—the Archdiocese of Atlanta was another. There are a couple around the country, and I do think some footholds were created. In addition, one of the things that is particularly interesting about the encyclical Laudato si'—and an encyclical is just a document that a pope writes and then circulates, right, this is where the word encyclical comes from—circulates around until everyone's had a chance to read it. We can imagine in medieval times, you know, how this must have been a challenge. And I think that, you know, this challenge exists, but Father Emmett Farrell is the founder of this ministry in my diocese, and Father Emmett just celebrated his 60th anniversary of his ordination, and Father Emmett will say he has never seen an encyclical translate to action the way that Laudato si' has. And in particular, there is a Vatican online platform called the Laudato si' Action Platform, where Catholics—either parishes, schools, orders of sisters or religious—can get on this platform and learn about the dynamics that we face. They can see how our values are distilled into seven goals, and then they can reflect on their behavior, using this tool to sort of measure where they are, and then write a plan of action and upload it and share it with each other. And Father Emmett really celebrates how amazing it is that, you know, that we're going to lean into technology and use it for the good.Debra Rienstra Oh, awesome. There's so many things I want to follow up on in that answer. And I want to begin by just thanking you for being honest about pushback to Laudato si' in the US. And I want to go back to that in just a second, if it's okay. And then I want to thank you for the way you've thought about, you know, some of these dioceses like the mighty San Diego and the mighty Atlanta as sort of refugia spaces. And we'll come back to that again too, I really hope, and I want to hear some more details about your particular diocese. Why do you think there has been pushback in the American Catholic Church? You mentioned economic reasons, and you know, Pope Francis and Pope Leo now have both been very pointed in their critique of climate denial, of greed, of exploitation, injustice, war, economic systems that many Americans have sort of held as almost sacrosanct. So what are you noticing in Catholic conversations about that critique? Why are people resisting the critique and why are people saying, “No, that's right”—what are the motivations behind each of those responses?Christina Slentz So, you know, we could probably talk about this all day.Debra Rienstra Probably, yeah.Christina Slentz Because economic peace, I think, is really difficult to think about. You know, if we take the United Kingdom, for example, it's a country very much like the United States. So many of our you know, American culture and tradition and customs come out of that early launching that we experienced from, you know, Great Britain. And yet, as the topic of climate change came forward, Margaret Thatcher, who was, you know, a real compatriot of President Ronald Reagan at the time, she really took the scientific approach in thinking about climate change, and this set them on a path that's really different from the path that we experienced. And certainly, oil is a big factor in our economy. And I think it can be a real challenge for people to weigh the goods, you know, because we have to be honest, there are goods in both sides of these dynamics. When we understand the gravity, though, of climate change, if we're allowed to really get into those dynamics without the noise that has been kind of confronting that potential, then I think we can see that the good outweighs, you know, those alternative goods associated with continuing in the fossil fuel realm. But this is why we talk about a just transition, right? I think that many people who are hearing this noise, right, they don't understand that Pope Francis and others, you know, is really arguing for a just transition, and that would seek to care for the people that are going to be affected by whatever change in economic policy might make.Debra Rienstra Yeah, and more and more, those economic changes are actually positive in favor of transition in ways that they weren't even 5-10 years ago.Christina Slentz Yeah, I think it's amazing. We actually had some good momentum going until recently.Debra Rienstra Yeah, you know, I would love to get us all talking about a just and joyful transition, because it's more and more possible. And maybe we'll come back to that a little bit later too, when we talk about ecological spirituality. But let's go back to these places within the American Catholic Church, even, that are saying, “Oh yes, Laudato si', yes, let's go.” And San Diego diocese is one of those places. You had an action plan already in 2019. I think it's impressive that a diocese could get a plan together in four years. So good job. Knowing how long everything takes in church settings. So just give us a list of your accomplishments. What have you been up to since 2019? What are the kinds of things you've dipped your toes into?Christina Slentz Sure, and to be fair, I want to give some good credit to some others. You know, the Archdiocese of Atlanta had created their creation care action plan. This gave us some really good kind of framework to think about when we created ours. And there was a team that preceded me. They were all volunteers, very multidisciplinary in their backgrounds, everything from theologians to medical doctors who had worked with indigenous communities, you know, theologians, missionaries, energy engineers, and they really pulled this together early on. And this plan I now recognize as what climate action planners might refer to as an aspirational plan. It's all the things you could do in our area, and it serves as a really good resource for our parishes and schools as they think about what they might do in their Laudato si' action platform plans, and those are yearly plans that are really targeted on what we're going to do. So, you know, one of the things that they did early on was really push to solarize. And you know, we do have the great fortune of, one: climate here in San Diego, right? You know, we're sort of famous for that. And then you know, two: the other thing is that, you know, it was very normative to be shifting to solar, and continues to be an economic choice that is not really as politicized here as much as it might be elsewhere. And then the third thing was this is, you know, the magic number three is to have a bishop that is supportive. And so Cardinal McElroy—now Cardinal McElroy, then Bishop McElroy—really promoted this solarization. And at this point we have about 54% of our parishes solarized. And when I think now, you know, the Paris Climate Agreement says we want to have about half of our carbon emissions reduced by 2030 then you know, we're sitting at about half. Our building where I'm located is called our pastoral center. Some Catholic communities call it their chancery. And our solar array here provides over 80% of our electricity to the building. Our local utility is about half renewable energy, a little bit more. So with that in mind, you know, our electricity here to our building is a little over 90% coming from renewable energy, and this lets us have seven electric vehicle charging stations in the parking lot so I can go to work and charge my car at the same time.Debra Rienstra Lovely.Christina Slentz So that was one big thing. I would say our other really big kind of landmark action that also was largely driven by Cardinal McElroy, was to divest of fossil fuels. And, you know, this is a real challenging thing to accomplish. We set a goal of no more than 5% of, you know, the earnings of both direct and indirect investment to be coming from fossil fuel. And after a year, we evaluated how we were doing, and we were actually hitting—not we, you know, the financial folks doing this—were hitting less than 3%. So, you know, we said, “Okay, I think we can say that this was successful, and we're still here.” So that was really exciting, and we didn't do it to be virtue signaling. Just, you know, for some of your listeners may not know, but the USCCB, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has a document that directs socially responsible investment for all areas. And so this is just one more area of socially responsible investment that the Diocese of San Diego has embraced.Debra Rienstra Yeah, yeah. So we've got money, we've got energy. How many parishes would you say are on board with this, doing yearly goals, selecting from the menu of fun ideas—what percentage of your parishes would you say are involved?Christina Slentz So I gotta, Debra, that's a little bit of a good question. I think, you know, we did just describe two very top-down approaches. And one of the things that our group, you know, when I came on board in 2022, we decided is, you know, we really wanted to push that grassroots. And so we see parishes demonstrating a range of behaviors, and I was initially surprised, but they actually behave a lot like countries around the world. And so, you know, you think, oh, that's going to be different. But, you know, you can also have three children, and they all behave differently, and you know, sometimes that's surprising as well, when they have the same parents. And so one of the things that I have really tried to do was offer more events that are here at the diocesan level. We have 97 parishes, and then we have—so sometimes we'll see individuals that are really on board, and they come from a parish where, at the parish level, not a lot is happening. Sometimes we have individuals that are participating, and they are doing a ton at their parish and succeeding. And then we have parishes where the pastor is leading the charge. And then on top of that, I would say there are parishes where they have solar and they have drought-resistant landscaping, and they have LEED silver certified buildings that, you know, are very environmentally friendly. And yet, you know, at the parishioner level, you know, not as much activity happening. So it is an array of activities. I would say probably half have had some kind of interaction with us, or have had parishioners or students participate in our programs. But you know, we reflect the American Catholic community, which reflects the broader American society as well. So there are places where we struggle, and then there are places where we see a lot of action and shining.Debra Rienstra Yeah, sure. And I really appreciate that. And I think listeners can relate to that range of involvement too. Maybe they are in any one of those categories or some other category themselves. And you know, as you say, it's the modeling of— even if it's a minority, it's the modeling and the enthusiasm and the even implicit sort of educating of others that can make this work spread too. So I want to list the seven goals of the Laudato si' action platform, because I think they're really, really great and helpful to people who are not in the Catholic Church, but in other aspects of the church, you might find these goals useful too. So here are the goals: response to the cry of the Earth, response to the cry of the poor, ecological economics, adoption of sustainable lifestyles, ecological education, ecological spirituality, community resilience and empowerment. So I want to start with the first three. We've talked a little bit about economics and how dicey that can be, but I wonder if you could describe how you see the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor as basically the same cry, as Pope Francis said in Laudato si'. How do you see that, especially in your region?Christina Slentz Yeah, so thank you. I think these two are kind of the crown jewels, right? And they sum up what we see happening very well. I think that the other goals are valuable because they sort of pull out the dynamics that we really understand as informing those two big—response to the cry of the Earth and cry of the poor. So as someone who was looking at this through the lens of being a social scientist, I found these two goals to really sum it up well, because it is not just the exposure to the environment that causes our concern for these dynamics. It's the exposure as well as the sensitivity of that population. And then this helps us understand also, maybe some vulnerability that that population might have. So for example, we had significant flooding about a year and a half ago in January, the month of January, and the same rain fell on a parish in the southern part of the Diocese, close to our Mexican border, in an area that is, you know, less wealthy, probably demonstrates some socio economic features that we would associate with marginalized communities. And then it also fell on a parish in Coronado, California. And some people might recognize the Hotel Del Coronado as an iconic location. It's a beautiful community. There's a lot of wealth. There's a lot of human capital as well. You know, very highly educated group, and so the buildings at two of two parishes in each of these locations were completely flooded. But, you know, the parish in Coronado was up on its feet within a week. And of course, they had repairs that had to be done, but they were able to get a hold of those folks, get them in, pay the bills, get it all done. And the parish on the south side had catastrophic flooding to its school, and the school was a total loss.Debra Rienstra Oh, wow.Christina Slentz So I think this really can help us understand the way that the cry of the Earth, these environmental climate extremes, or the variability that we're experiencing, leads to greater exposure, but how one community can face that exposure and adapt or bounce back fairly quickly, and another may not really have that capacity. And so you can't really pull them apart, because just measuring precipitation doesn't always give you the whole story.Debra Rienstra That's a very, very helpful answer to that. And I sometimes hear in religious circles, you know, “Well, we have to worry about other people, why should we worry about owls or whatever?” And the answer is: well, because what happens in nature affects people. So this is about loving your neighbor. Even if you're not convinced by the idea that we love the Earth for its own sake because it's beloved of God, we still have to love our neighbor. And this is a neighbor issue as well. So thank you. That was very helpful as an explanation.Christina Slentz One of my favorite kind of messages is, you know, having been a student of globalization, you know, I think that we live in a globalized world. You can't put that toothpaste back in the tube, right? Maybe there are some things we can do and that can be helpful, but the bottom line is, our actions have ripple effects, and so no matter what we do, we are going to have these impacts on people far beyond those we know and love on a day to day basis. And when we care for the Earth, we mitigate those effects on people all around the world, and so our caring for creation really is just love of neighbor at global scale.Debra Rienstra Ah, lovely. Yeah, so it works both ways. If you love neighbor, you love the Earth. If you love the Earth, you love your neighbor.Christina Slentz That's right.Debra RienstraHi, it's me, Debra. If you are enjoying this podcast episode, go ahead and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. If you have a minute, leave a review. Good reviews help more listeners discover this podcast. To keep up with all the Refugia news, I invite you to subscribe to the Refugia newsletter on Substack. This is my fortnightly newsletter for people of faith who care about the climate crisis and want to go deeper. Every two weeks, I feature climate news, deeper dives, refugia sightings and much more. Join our community at refugianewsletter.substack.com. For even more goodies, including transcripts and show notes for this podcast, check out my website at debrarienstra.com. D-E-B-R-A-R-I-E-N-S-T-R-A dot com. Thanks so much for listening. We're glad you're part of this community. And now back to the interview.Debra Rienstra Let's think about some of those more personal goals. I don't know, maybe they're not just personal, because everything is systemic too. But I want to talk about that sustainable lifestyle goal, adoption of sustainable lifestyle. So what does that mean, and how are people doing that in San Diego?Christina Slentz So I have a really amazing parish, St. Thomas More, and they have created a community garden that not only functions as a place for their parish to gather and work together, it also is open to the public, so it has an evangelical capacity as well. And they also collect recyclable cans and bottles and then take those to a facility where they can be paid for that recycling work, and then they take the money, and then they put it into this garden that allows them to gather and have a mission and have evangelical outreach. So I think of this as such a wonderful circular kind of example that is, you know, feeding them in many ways. You know, they have this sense of community. They have this sense of common, shared mission. They have a good relationship with the neighborhood around them, people that may be of different faiths or of no faith at all. And then they're also in good relationship with Mother Earth, and doing what they can to, you know, practice this sort of sustainability, or also a little bit like circular economics, I guess I would say as well. And I think one of the things that the Catholic Church is emphasizing is synodality, and our synodality really calls us to be community, to have a shared mission and really inviting participatory action. So in my building here, where we sort of have the headquarters, you know, we also have gone to compostables for all of our events, and we try to minimize any kind of single use plastics. But, you know, there's that dreaded moment at the end where everybody has to go to the three, you know, receptacles. Everyone panics, especially if I'm near them, and I feel terribly, you know, like, should I step away? Should I give them a moment to give them help? Is that overreach? And so, you know, but we all fumble through together, and that's where I've kind of said, like, “Look, it's not easy for me either. Like, God forbid I put the wrong thing in the wrong can, right?” So I think that there's this way where we all are coming together to sort of take on this work. And, you know, we're not going to be perfect, but, you know, I think that it does foster community when we take this on, and then also recognizing how, you know, now we are living with greater simplicity, and we are impacting the Earth, you know, to a lesser extent.Debra Rienstra Yeah, nothing bonds people like pulling weeds together, or standing over the recycle bins going, “Hmm.” It's okay. We don't have to indulge in recycling guilt, you know, just do your best. So I want to move on to ecological spirituality. I love that phrase. It's not one you hear everywhere. And I wanted to remind listeners that San Diego Diocese is the most biodiverse diocese in the US. Maybe we wouldn't have expected that, but you've kind of got everything there. So I want to talk about ecological spirituality in the context of that actual place. I love the sentiment you quoted from Laudato si' in an article you wrote recently. It was an idea from Pope Francis that in the beauties and wonders of the Earth, we experience God's friendship with us. And so I wanted to ask you how you're helping people in your parishes reconnect to the Earth where you are, and thus, and this is how you put it, “revive something of our true selves.”Christina Slentz Yeah, one of my favorite pieces in Laudato si': Pope Francis alludes to having a place in childhood where we felt a sense of awe and wonder. And I think that that awe and wonder allows us to get back to childhood in some ways, before there was a lot of noise before there was all the different distractions. And I think that that true self is also a little freer to connect to God. I think sometimes about little children and baby Jesus, you know, and that sort of immediate connection that's not really complicated, you know, it's just comfortable. Or feeling the love of God like being a child sitting on the lap of your mom or your dad. And so encouraging people, or providing opportunities for this return to that place of awe and wonder, I think is really important. I think that at the heart of our inability to care for creation is this estrangement from our Creator. So we won't care for something if we don't love it. And in this way, ecological spirituality may be step one in all of this, right? So I think we are really lucky, being here. As I mentioned, our climate is beautiful. It is a beautiful place. We have everything from the ocean to mountains to desert, and many people who live here do really connect with the geography and the beauty of where we are, and so inviting them to take a moment to just pause and think about those places. Think about their senses as they move through the memory of that space, I think is really important before we start any of the other conversations. And so I try to do that, and then we share about it. And I have yet to find somebody that says, “Oh, I just didn't have a place.” Everybody has a place. And many people will say, “I really struggled, because I love this place, and I love that place,” you know. And so it is really great to hear. And I think people really come out of an exercise like that with this new sense of common ground as well. And I think that is so important, right? Because if you ask people like, “Raise your hand, who hates trees?” No one's gonna do it, right? Don't even think anyone does. Or “Raise your hand if you like to litter.” No one's going to say, like, “Oh yeah, I really love throwing things out my window.” And so there is a lot more common ground. And I think that eco spirituality invites us to find out how much we have in common, and actually how much we all yearn for that place of connectedness.Debra Rienstra Oh, yeah. I've noticed, you know, people have so many different feelings that motivate what they might do in a faith and climate space, and there's anger, there's fear, a lot of anxiety. But the trick, I think, is to get to the center, which is love. And the quickest way to do that, maybe, is to find that early love, or a love that's developed over many, even generations, in a particular place, if you're lucky, and you're rooted in some way. I feel like we also, as people of faith, haven't made enough of a case that being closer to the creation is, in fact, a pathway to God. And I see that in a lot of the writings that you have too. It's a way of understanding God better. It's a way of allowing God to speak to us that we sometimes underestimate, I think. There's other ways, of course, but it's one that we tend to underestimate. It is a way to deeper spirituality. So getting people to be in touch with that, it sounds like you've you've worked on that a little bit.Christina Slentz We're very lucky. The Franciscan tradition is pretty rich and present here. The Franciscan School of Theology is located here at the University of San Diego.Debra Rienstra There we go.Christina Slentz I have several secular Franciscans on my team, and a few Franciscan friars. And you know, that's very much at the heart of St. Francis and St. Claire's tradition. St. Bonaventure, who is a Franciscan, actually calls nature, or the environment, the created world, like another book. It's another gospel that tells us something about God's plan.Debra Rienstra Yeah, yeah. So I wanted to quote from Pope Leo's message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, which was September one. And I found his message so encouraging, and especially this particular paragraph, it's along the line of seeds here. He writes, “In Christ, we too are seeds, and indeed seeds of peace and hope. The prophet Isaiah tells us that the Spirit of God can make an arid and parched desert into a garden, a place of rest and serenity. In his words, a spirit from on high will be poured out on us, and the wilderness will become a fruitful field, and the fruitful field a forest. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. The work of righteousness will be peace, and the work of righteousness quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings and in quiet resting places.” So we have this beautiful vision and the sense of vocation of who we are and who our communities are as seeds of peace and hope. So it seems like you experience that in the San Diego Diocese. Are there some particular examples that have been really meaningful and important to you, where you see that “seeds of hope” metaphor being played out?Christina Slentz Yeah, I would point to two areas that I would offer up as good examples. One is a parish that is located in what's called Barrio Logan. It is an ecologically marginalized community. The highways literally forced the school to be moved when they put the highway in right down the middle of the community. And that's the I-5. So it runs all the way from Canada to Mexico. Big highway. In addition, the Coronado Bridge connects to the highway right there. The Navy base is there, and the Port of San Diego all intersects there. So their air quality is really degraded, and it's a socio-economically poor area. It is also a predominantly Hispanic community there. But the Jesuit pastor there, Father Scott Santa Rosa, is a very good community organizer. He led the parish when they were confronted by another warehouse that was going to be added at the port. And the proposal by the company violated the Port Authority's standards, but they were seeking a waiver, and Father Scott brought in the Environmental Health Coalition. He brought in a theologian from University of San Diego. He invited the youth to present on Laudato si' to the adults and really empowered the community, which is that seventh goal of Laudato si', it's very connected to environmental justice. And then they learned, they grew, they came to an understanding that this was not acceptable, and that they wanted to be a voice for their community. They—we traveled. I was very fortunate to kind of engage with them in this process.And we traveled to the Port Authority building the night before the Port Authority was going to make their decision on this, whether or not to grant this waiver. And we said a rosary, which consists of five sets of 10 Hail Marys, roughly. And between each set, somebody spoke and gave their witness. And one of the women stood up and said, “I never thought I would speak publicly in my whole life. I can't believe I'm here. I can't believe I'm speaking, but I found my voice because of this issue.” And I thought, even if we lose, that's such an amazing win that people felt connected to their environment. They understood that they have a voice. They understood their own dignity and the dignity of their community, and felt that it was worth standing up for. And the next day we went, there was demonstration and public witnessing and praying, and then they went in and spoke at the actual hearing. And the first thing that the chairman of the board said, in response to everyone's comments was, “Well, I'm a Catholic, and we have three priests that were here today.” And you know, how many times does a public official make a statement of faith? You know, I thought, “Okay, win number two!” And you know, I'll just go ahead and cut to the chase. And they turned down the company that wanted to put the warehouse in and said, “You know, we just don't think that you've convinced the local community that the benefits of this would be worth it.” And it was amazing.And so that place, they continue to also tend to the care of migrants. They have begun the work of accompanying migrants that are going for their court appointed hearings for their asylum process. And you know, those are not outcomes that are generally favorable, but they are just going and being present with them and, you know, we are on the border. We understand how some of these environmental impacts do entangle with human mobility. And so, you know, there's a lot that this community, that is really one of our poorest communities in San Diego, has brought to the wider San Diego Diocese as more parishes and local Catholics are now mimicking what they have done and joining in this mission, and so they've been an incredible source—this tiny little parish in a poor part of the Diocese with terrible environmental impacts, has actually been a place where things have blossomed and grown, and they actually do have an amazing garden as well.Debra Rienstra Wow, that's an incredible story, and exactly a story of empowerment and resilience, as you suggested, and a story of how low-resource people are not necessarily low-resource people. They have other kinds of resources that may not be visible to the outside, but that can be very powerful, and especially when one of those is faith. It was such a great example of people motivated not only by their, you know, sort of survival, but their faith to do this work. Yeah, wonderful.Christina Slentz I think they understand the impact, right? So if you can shut your windows and turn on your air conditioning, maybe you don't get it.Debra Rienstra Yeah, right. So what would you say are your biggest obstacles and your biggest joys in your work right now?Christina Slentz I think the biggest obstacle is coming up against Catholics and/or Christians, or really any person of faith. But I think this may be especially true to Catholics and Christians who think that our social actions have to be an “either/or” choice, and they resist a “yes/and” mentality, and so they put different issues in competition with each other, right? And, you know, sometimes they think about Cain and Abel, right? This sort of jealousy or comparison can be a real problem. Instead of saying, “Okay, maybe we don't fit in a neat box, but as Catholics, you know, we have to do all the things.” And that kind of privileging one issue or another issue makes us vulnerable to those who would seek division and competition. And I think that when we look at God, you know, God loves all of it, right? God is love, and so there isn't that discrimination in the example of our Creator, and I would, of course, we aren't perfect, you know, but we should aspire to that same kind of comprehensive love.Debra Rienstra Yeah, and we do it together. We don't all have to do every last one of the things. We do it together. What about joys? What are your greatest joys right now in your work?Christina Slentz I think that coming together is really a joy. When I first started this work, I felt like a unicorn. I could either be the only person of faith in an environmental group, or I could be the only environmentalist in a faith group. And so it just was a feeling of being awkward all the time. And I do think that just in the three years that I've been in this position, I am seeing momentum build. I think ecumenicalism is super helpful in this regard. And I think that increasingly people are finding each other, and they are starting to get a little bit of a wake up call. I think it is unfortunate that people in the United States have had to experience some significant catastrophes and human loss and impact before they start to awaken to the issue of climate change or environmental degradation. I think plastics are really a pretty significant issue as well, but I think that more and more, people seem to be coming around to it, and whenever we celebrate together, that gives me joy.Debra Rienstra Yeah, I agree. I'm seeing it happening too, and it keeps me going. It keeps me going to connect with people like you, and every door I open, there's more people of faith doing amazing work, and we are building that mycelial network. And it's pretty great. So what is your favorite gift of the Catholic Church, a gift of wisdom on creation care that you wish everyone would receive?Christina Slentz I am not sure I would say that this is my favorite. But maybe I think that it is very important, is that, you know, in the Catholic community, communion, Eucharist, is really, you know, the summit for Catholics, that each week, at a minimum, we are going to celebrate this liturgy. We break open the Word, and then we celebrate the Eucharist. And one of the things I, you know, find very compelling is the fact that Jesus celebrates at the Last Supper with bread and wine. Jesus didn't get grapes and, you know, a piece of meat, to celebrate that these were both chosen items that were not just created by God, but they involved, as we say, in our celebration, the work of human hands. And so this really represents this call to co-creation, I think. And if that is something that you know, is really at the heart of Catholicism, this, you know, summit of our faith to celebrate the Eucharist—in that, we are called to co-create. And so this tells us something about how we are meant to exist in relationship with the Creator. You know, God reveals God's self to us in the beauty of this creation or in the gift of the Eucharist, and then, in turn, we are called to respond to that love. Otherwise the revelation isn't complete, so our response is to care for creation or to receive the Eucharist, and then go and serve as God has called us to serve. So maybe, maybe this is something that we can offer up.Debra Rienstra So beautifully said, and the intimacy of eating, you know, taking the material, the fruit of the earth and the work of human hands, into ourselves, responding by the Spirit, that intimacy, that physicality, there's a reason that that is the central ritual.Christina Slentz And you know, if I could give you one last image connected to that—because then we become the tabernacle, right? And we think about Noah and the ark, right? And how, you know, creation is destroyed, but the ark holds this refugia right and until it's time for this moment of reconciliation and forgiveness and then renewed flourishing. And you may or may not have heard this story, but when the LA fires raged in Pacific Palisades in January of 2025 the fires swept across the parish and school called Corpus Christi Parish, and it is the home parish of brother James Lockman, one of my dear, dear volunteers. And there was a firefighter who went back to look at the ruins that evening, and he was Catholic, and he came across the tabernacle from the church, and it was the only thing that survived. And when they opened it up, it was pristine on the inside and undamaged. And that Sunday, they took it to St. Monica's Parish, which is one of the very animated creation care parishes in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and they celebrated Mass there because Corpus Christi did not have a parish right to celebrate in that weekend. And I think about that tabernacle as being, you know—it's to reflect that Ark of the Covenant, right, Ark of Noah, the Ark of the Covenant. And then we have the tabernacle now, and that space of refuge that was preserved, you know. And then, of course, when we take the Eucharist into ourselves, we become that tabernacle. We're walking tabernacles, right? So we are also, then, places of refuge and where we know that God is with us and we can go and serve.Debra Rienstra Christina, it has been such a joy to talk to you. Thank you for your wisdom, for your inspiration, for the way that you deploy your expertise in such compassionate and far reaching ways. It's just been a pleasure. Thank you.Christina Slentz Oh, thank you so much for having me. I really enjoyed talking today with you, Debra.Debra Rienstra Thanks for joining us. For show notes and full transcripts, please visit debrarienstra.com and click on the Refugia Podcast tab. This season of the Refugia Podcast is produced with generous funding from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Colin Hoogerwerf is our awesome audio producer. Thanks to Ron Rienstra for content consultation as well as technical and travel support. Till next time, be well. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit refugianewsletter.substack.com

Bad Bunny has dominated headlines and social channels over the past week, largely due to his much-anticipated upcoming performance as the Super Bowl Halftime Show headliner. The decision by the NFL to make him the centerpiece of Super Bowl LX has ignited a significant controversy, with criticism pouring in from conservative politicians and commentators. Donald Trump himself slammed the choice as “absolutely ridiculous,” and right-wing groups like Turning Point USA have announced plans for their own rival halftime programming scheduled to air at the same time. All of this has stoked debate about Latino representation as some critics—including political figures—view Bad Bunny's prominence as a challenge to what they call “the sanctity of the American game,” according to Forge Press.Social media remains divided. Bad Bunny's fans have expressed overwhelming pride and excitement about the upcoming performance, pointing to his success in shaping a narrative of Latino pride and inclusion. Critics, on the other hand, have called for a boycott, even launching petitions demanding that the NFL replace him with a country artist like George Strait. This episode comes at a charged moment, as intensified ICE raids and immigration crackdowns have deeply affected Latino communities. Bad Bunny has spoken openly about skipping U.S. tour dates out of concern for fan safety in light of potential ICE actions, as reported by I-D magazine and covered widely online.A Quinnipiac University poll released this week shows just how divided Americans are over Bad Bunny's halftime gig. Nearly three-quarters of Democrats approve of the NFL decision, while 63 percent of Republicans disapprove. His strongest support comes from listeners under 34 and Hispanic respondents. The performance has become a symbol, intentionally or not, of broader cultural tension and shifting demographics in American life. When hosting SNL's season premiere recently, Bad Bunny addressed non-Spanish speakers with a playful jab: “You have four months to learn,” a nod to his predominately Spanish-language repertoire.In music news, there's substantial excitement over the release of Bad Bunny's new album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” scheduled to drop on January 5, 2025. The announcement was delivered through a moving teaser video featuring Puerto Rican film legend Jacobo Morales, delving into themes of nostalgia and memory. Early singles from the album—such as “Pitorro De Coco” and “El Clúb”—are already gaining traction on streaming platforms, with emotional lyrics centering on heartbreak and reflection. Critics anticipate the new album will be his most personal yet, showing an introspective side to the Puerto Rican superstar, as NME and Variety have reported.Bad Bunny's presence is reshaping tourism in Puerto Rico as well. His concert residency “No me quiero ir de aquí” has turned San Juan into a cultural hotspot, driving record hotel occupancy and boosting local economic growth, according to an analysis from Moody's Analytics cited by Bloomberg. The artist's embrace of Puerto Rican identity is attracting fans and travelers to the island, making tourism more about transformative experience than simple leisure. For travelers, Bad Bunny's music and platform create an emotional connection to Puerto Rico that's redefining tourism in 2025.On streaming platforms, Bad Bunny continues to break records, with billions of listens credited to his catalog this year alone. And his influence extends even further, popping up in the recent trailer for Adam Sandler's Happy Gilmore 2 and making headlines with his remarkable watch collection worn at the IHeartRadio Music Awards.That's what's happening with Bad Bunny right now—where music, politics, and pop culture are colliding in real time. Thank you for tuning in. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for more, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Today we share a special episode to celebrate Día de los Muertos. I want to thank everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to contribute and honor their loved ones.Día Muertos dates back centuries to pre-Hispanic cultures and blends indigenous, African, and catholic traditions - it has become one of the most significant and multicultural celebrations in Latin America. SponsorshipThis episode is proudly sponsored by the National Scouting Museum, whose mission is to showcase the history and stories of Scouting in interesting, educational, and inspirational ways, both in person and virtual.  Notes:Emily Dickinson interpretation Source: Leanne With PurposeSupport the show

On Rich Valdés America at Night, we're tackling the biggest stories shaping the nation and the world. USAF Brigadier General (Ret.) Blaine Holt, Air Force veteran and Newsmax contributor, breaks down Trump's new deal with China following his meeting with Xi—including a potential fentanyl crackdown. Then, Jonathan Soto, New Jersey pastor and former councilman, shares his powerful story of redemption after facing corruption and drug charges, and how he's inspiring others while backing Trump and Ciattarelli amid a growing Hispanic conservative shift. Finally, Kerry Pickett of The Washington Times reports on truck drivers sounding the alarm over non-English-speaking operators and Sen. Grassley's probe into nonprofit ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professor Yana Rodgers, Rutgers University and Professor Jennifer Cohen, Miami University discuss their collaborative research about Long COVID, disability and accommodation. Their research examines the prevalence of Long COVID across different demographic groups, and the extent with which workers with impairments associated with Long COVID have benefitted from remote work. People with pre-existing disabilities, women, sexual and gender minorities, individuals without college degrees and Hispanic people are more likely to experience Long COVID. These groups are also more likely to be clustered in jobs less amenable to remote work. Rodgers and Cohen suggest other types of accommodations for employers to consider, including flexible scheduling and task-sharing that re-evaluates essential job functions.

Tanya Simmons Reid is a visionary leader, communications strategist and mental health advocate. In 2018, she founded Skyrocket Communications, Inc. to help organizations "rise brilliantly" in their ability to serve clients, customers and communities. Under her leadership, Skyrocket Communications also produces signature events and apparel that spark awareness, drive change and foster meaningful conversations.With a distinguished career spanning communications, marketing, business development, branding, sales, donor engagement, media relations and event management, Tanya has built a reputation for delivering innovative solutions that amplify impact and achieve measurable success.Committed to addressing mental health disparities in Black and Hispanic communities, Tanya launched the SoundMinds Mental Health Awareness & Solutions Conference on July 15, 2021. Held annually during Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, this advocacy initiative brings critical conversations to the forefront and provides actionable solutions for individuals, families and communities.Tanya Simmons Reid, a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, continues to inspire, advocate and elevate businesses and communities. In all things, she is a Kingdom representative who is a wife and mother of four.

You're listening to American Ground Radio with Louis R. Avallone and Stephen Parr. This is the full show for October 29, 2025. 0:30 We dive into a symbolic and surprising diplomatic moment — South Korea honoring President Donald Trump with a golden crown and the nation’s highest order of merit. We explore what this gesture means for U.S.–Korea relations. Could it be the dawn of a “golden age” of trade and cooperation? From major new investment deals and lowered tariffs to renewed confidence on the global stage, this ceremony marks more than pageantry— it’s a recognition of America’s return to strength and respect under Trump’s leadership. 9:30 Plus, we cover the Top 3 Things You Need to Know. The Federal Reserve voted to lower interest rates today.It's the second rate cut this year, and drops the interest rate between banks to 4%. The State of Ohio says they've discovered more than 1,000 illegal voters on their voter roles. Sean Duffy, the Secretary of Transportation says he's pulling $160 million in federal funding for the state of California. 12:30 Get Brain Reward from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20. 13:30 ICE Director Tom Homan announced that the U.S. is on pace to deport 600,000 illegal immigrants by year’s end — a record-breaking number that proves that President Trump is delivering on his promises. 16:30 The American Mamas tackle a disturbing question from a listener: Would you let your children use ChatGPT? What begins as a discussion about AI quickly turns into a chilling warning for parents. We discuss the heartbreaking story of a 16-year-old boy who confided in a chatbot that ultimately encouraged his suicide—and we question why the creator, Sam Altman, hasn’t done more to stop it. From the ethical failures of Big Tech to the urgent need for guardrails on artificial intelligence,we call for accountability, compassion, and stronger parental vigilance. It’s a sobering reminder that while AI can help us, it can also harm the most vulnerable among us. If you'd like to ask our American Mamas a question, go to our website, AmericanGroundRadio.com/mamas and click on the Ask the Mamas button. 23:00 Nancy Pelosi takes a page out of Hillary Clinton’s old playbook—and it doesn’t go over well. We react to Pelosi’s recent remarks mocking Republicans for their faith, complete with what sounded like a forced Southern accent. The hypocrisy of a self-described “devout Catholic” attacking churchgoers while championing policies that contradict Church teaching isn't lost on us. 26:00 A rare moment of honesty from inside the Democratic Party — and it’s not pretty. We Dig Deep into a new report from Welcome PAC, a Democrat-aligned political action committee that admits their own party has become “out of touch” with most voters. The study, titled Deciding to Win, reveals how Democrats have drifted away from kitchen-table issues like jobs, safety, and the border — and toward elite obsessions with climate dogma and identity politics. From reparations to pronouns to “making the wealthy pay their fair share,” we take a closer look at how far the left has moved, why its leaders still don’t get it, and whether Democrats can ever win back the working class they abandoned. 32:30 Get Prodovite from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20. 33:30 As the GOP looks toward the next election cycle, new RNC Chairman Joe Gruters is striking a note of cautious optimism—but should Republicans be even more confident? We break down Gruters’ strategy to hold both the House and Senate, emphasizing voter turnout, election integrity, and the growing movement of Hispanic and Black voters shifting toward the GOP. 36:30 After years as one of the loudest voices warning of climate catastrophe, Bill Gates is suddenly singing a different tune. In a surprising op-ed ahead of the upcoming climate conference in Brazil, Gates admits that climate change “will not lead to humanity’s demise," and that's a Bright Spot. 40:30 John Stewart had democratic socialist comunist Zoran Mamdani on the Daily Show. Stewart compared Mamdani's campaign to a Jackie Robinson moment. let's just be very clear here. Jackie Robinson was a man of extraordinary courage who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947 when doing so took unimaginable strength. Comparing Zoran Mamdani to Jackie Robinson? We've got to say, "whoa!" 42:30 And we finish of with some Words of Wisdom about being skeptical. Follow us: americangroundradio.com Facebook: facebook.com / AmericanGroundRadio Instagram: instagram.com/americangroundradio Links: Ohio uncovers over 1,000 noncitizens 'appearing' registered to vote, sends cases to DOJ for prosecution Sean Duffy Announces He Just Yanked $160 Million From Blue State Over CDLs For Illegal Immigrants Exclusive / Left-wing ideas have wrecked Democrats’ brand, new report warns Prediction of Climate Catastrophe Loses Some of Its Strongest AdvocatesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christian College Sex Comedy: Part 20 Zane s Assembly In 30 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the podcast at Explicit Novels.             Running into a wall is bad, having it fall on you is worse but not being missed is the worst         Since I had mastered the moment so successfully with conversation I shut the hell up and took the crowd toward my room. Halfway up the stairs I expected Jill to call out but it didn't happen. I counted myself lucky, handed out fresh t-shirts to Paris and Leigh, only to have Paige regale them for fifteen minutes about all the female swag I had in my dorm room, from female silk robes in a variety of lengths and colors to thongs and dog collars. Girls should not look at me and lick their lips; it is scary because I thought that men went to college to chase women, not the other way around. Back at the start of the year, I knew that I was such a Man-Stud that I'd pick up more than my fair share too. I now have multiple women in my life and one day soon I hope to chase one down and call her my own, provided the other women let me. "We will see you later," Leigh gave me a sexy nudge with her hip. I nodded and promptly made sure my windows were locked. They had the annoying habit of being unlocked with glowing neon signs outside that said "Kappa Sigmas enter here". This time I was ready for them. I was also on the ball enough to know that when none of the Kappa Sigmas were upset by my action, that indicated there was something going on that I was clueless about. I was hardly convinced to let my guard down by the limited conversation the three sorority sisters and I had as I escorted them out of the house and kissed them goodnight. I diverged to the dryer to warm up Paris and Leigh's shirts. I kissed Aunt Jill goodnight as well. She gave me a bemused, maternal look as I headed back to my room before my 'bed time'. I must have looked like I felt, pretty exhausted. I joined Iona and Paige in the bathroom where we went through the nightly routine before heading for bed. They stripped slowly; I crawled into bed fully clothed and was feeling rather clever with myself. "No, you don't," Paige insisted. "Zane," Iona gave an angelic smile, "you have to do what you feel comfortable with but this is a matter of trust between us." Was Iona beating me up with a variation on the argument I'd used on Vivian a few hours ago? I was definitely undecided so Iona brushed my lips with hers. "It's okay." The only thing worse than being manipulated is being manipulated with sincerity. I shucked my clothes and shot them to the foot of the bed. I took in the view of Paige and Iona stripped out of their bras, then panties. Paige even made a little game of it, shooting her panties at my head. She missed so I snatched them as they sailed past. Paige flashed me a wicked grin as I did so. "Hey, Zane," she purred. Paige put her knee on the bed, followed by the other, so that she was standing on her knees. "Hey," Iona mimicked from the other side. Together, they sensually flowed toward me and each other. When they were settled against my hip they looked down and smiled. "You both look lovely," I sighed dreamily at my slightly-built beauties. They graced me with a smile once more before looking into one another's eyes. Then they kissed, and after that they really kissed, and several steamy seconds later the girls extended their right hands to their opposite's breast. They rolled their tits beneath their palms. I would have wept at this point but it would have been unmanly. When their left hands joined in the fun I nearly lost it. Did I mention they hadn't stopped kissing yet? It was hard enough that I was intimately familiar with their bodies, head to toe. I was the first man either of them had put lips to lust with (discarding Paige's grade school fiascoes). I had licked, teased, and plucked those nipples they were now so readily fondling. I had placed them naked in bed with other women and beheld their first steps into a far more sexually dynamic life than a strict fundamental Christian life would have deposited them in. I would have continued to wax poetic on the vision above me but the horror of my decision to sleep with both their naked bodies without sex was grinding my happiness into despair. "Oh, wow," Paige giggled, "it's throbbing on his stomach." She was referring to my cock. If it had something larger than a series of nerve clusters, my cock would have been screaming at me, questioning my sanity and demanding a passionate reason I wasn't mounting them both, drilling them hard, and going back for seconds, and thirds. They both leaned down onto one arm before reclining to their sides. "Good night, Zane," Iona whispered. She kissed me on the lips, rather chastely, then rolled over so that her back was to me. She wiggled her ass tight against my thigh because, you know, I have a thing for asses. "Sweet dreams of me," Paige gave a sultry roll of the voice. She rested her head on my shoulder and languidly placed her right arm on my chest and her right leg on my groin. Her hand came to rest on the top of my sternum while her knee covered my balls and the base of my cock. My sexual organ gave her limb a sympathetic throb. Paige sighed pleasurably, enjoying the torture she was putting me through. My right arm cradled Paige and drew her tighter. She kissed my chest with a feather-light touch. My left arm draped around Iona with my wrist being poked by her left nipple (it was still aroused by Paige's attentions) while my fingers coasted along her stomach. I drummed my hand on her abdomen; Iona snuggled in deeper and gave me a delightful little murmuring noise. That was enough to send me off to sleep and I was grateful. If I hadn't been asleep I knew I was going to stick my cock into something, even if it was an electric outlet. I couldn't screw Iona and wouldn't sex up Paige because she would never let me get over having broken down and nailed her in defiance of my own word. What woman doesn't want to think her body can drive a man to forgo his honor? Again, she would never, ever let me forget it. I wasn't sure how long I'd been asleep when I heard my bedroom door open. I wasn't sure what Jill would want this late but that wasn't a problem. The first one through the door was Leigh but Paris and Ricky Frasier snuck in right behind her. I need to invest in some home defense apparatus, things like pit-traps, trip-wires, and nests of feral Chihuahuas. "Don't worry, Zane," Leigh whispered. "We are here for Paige." "Ah," I grunted. Paige stirred next to me, rolled onto her back, and smiled at the newcomers. "We won't need you tonight," Paige assured me. "This is all-girl." "I see; I need to go back to campus and spank Barbie Lynn, Opal, and Brandi's bottoms until they glow red," I growled. They had turned Paige onto the whole lesbian orgy theme. "Hold on," I begged the girls as they began stripping. I rapidly moved to the closet, pulled down two comforters and two pillows for Iona and I to use as a bed. I set things out and Iona gave me one of those sleepy, sweet, innocent smiles and joined me on the floor, a comforter as a mattress and the other as a cover. I quickly became obvious to me that the object of Leigh, Paris, Ricky's and Paige's fun wasn't to have intercourse with one another but to drive me nuts. It wasn't ego talking here; statistically, an ass, calf, or grinning head pops over the same side of bed you are on only so many times before it becomes enemy action. It was working too; I was rock hard and sleep was escaping me. Sadly, fate intervened, to my detriment. In movies you often see couples roll out of bed, say 'ow,' then go back to passionate love-making. Paris came off the bed with a squeak; me, I felt a stomach-churning pain and a soundless scream escaped my lips. Paris' knee had come straight down on my nuts and impacted them into the hardwood floor with only a thin quilt providing any absorption. Paris' playful grin and giggle turned into fear as she saw my face. "Zane?" she whispered, "Sorry?" "Zane, are you okay?" Iona inquired at my side. Paris backed off me, allowing me to wheeze and roll over in a ball facing Iona. Iona cradled me in her arms. "Zane, what's wrong?" she worried. I wasn't articulate at the moment but Paris was. "Oh, God," she gasped. "I landed on his nuts." Paige and Leigh immediately poked their heads over the bed, appearing in my peripheral vision. I heard Ricky padding around from the other side of the bed. "Damn it," Leigh moaned. "Now what are we going to do?" "How about show a little sympathy?" Iona grumped at the others. I know her heart was in the right place but pulling me tight to her bosom with a nipple resting on my upper lip didn't do my damaged genitalia any good. There was a light, coastal breeze off Madagascar calling for my cock to get hard once again and damn me if it wasn't answering. The resulting pain was describable, similar to having my testicles used by an 800 pound gorilla to sink the cue ball on a Carom billiards table. And damn if that bastard wasn't determined to get it done no matter how many attempts it took. Next time some psychopath stares me dead in the eyes and asks if I've ever prayed for death, I can match his gaze and say 'Hell yes.' "Leigh, get some ice," Paige whispered. "Paris, go to the bathroom down the hall and get some ibuprofen and salve. Iona, help me get him back on the bed." The girls hurried off quietly, for which I was thankful. I was equally thankful that Iona and Paige were so gentle in moving me off the floor and onto the bed, and yes, I hammed it up a bit. Once the rush of taking charge of events passed, Paige began to flash me guilty looks. This was definitely her plan and she'd miscalculated the body motion dynamics of three women playing sex games on a queen-sized bed. "I, I apologize," Paige admitted. "This was my fault." I was somewhat more than stunned. "Okay," I gasped. "Flesh heals but memories are forever." "That means you are going to get me for this," Paige realized. "I'd buy a seat cushion if I were you, Ms. Spanky-bottoms," I tried to joke, but the pain got in the way of my laughter. Paris padded back in with a pill bottle, a foil tube, and a glass of water. She handed the pill bottle to Paige and the water to Iona. When Paris started unscrewing the top to the salve, things became difficult. "Paris," Iona grumbled, "why do you get to put the cream on his balls? It was your knee that caused his pain." "I know," Paris whimpered, "and I want to make it up to him." Paige popped the pill cap and handed me two ibuprofen; Iona propped me up. I took the pills and she put the water to my lips. "I'll take care of it," Iona insisted. "My plan, my fault, I'll take care of it," Paige countered. "Take care of what?" Leigh panted as she slipped into my bedroom with a bowl of ice. "Massaging Zane's poor crushed nuts," Ricky murmured. "If I've hurt him permanently, I'll never forgive myself," Paris moaned piteously. Was she more afraid of my promise to get her back or the other ladies' retaliation for the maiming I'd gone through? "I said I would take care of it," Paige insisted. "No, I think I will take care of it, if no one minds," I ground out. The implication was that if they didn't let me medicate my massive melons of masculine might, I'd come after them all, in thirty or so minutes when I could freely move once again. It took me a second to realize that no one was arguing with me. "Ricky, could you please get a damp hand-towel from the bathroom," Iona requested. Ricky looked confused so Iona added, "We can't put the ice cubes directly on his scrotum unless we really do want to take him to the emergency room." "Oops, sorry," Ricky sounded embarrassed. "That makes sense. I'll be right back." When Ricky left, Paige and Iona reclined on either side of me. "Hold on," I requested. "I'd like to give Paris a hug." Iona scooted first, letting Paris crawl on all fours over my body. I gave her a kiss with as much strength as I could exert. "I," she mumbled. "We were playing a game and it was an accident. I already feel somewhat better," I assured her. "Besides, I'm pretty sure I have yet to fuck you to orgasm and that's not a challenge my cock takes lightly." Paris wept and collapsed onto my chest. I lay back, head on a pillow, so I could stroke Paris' hair. When Ricky returned I struggled around Paris to kiss her and Leigh as well. I also took the opportunity to coat my scrotum with the salve, which instantly cooled my pain, then started heating damaged parts up. Leigh applied the towel holding the ice gently to balance out the sensations. We hugged, confirmed our date for Saturday night, and parted ways. Iona, Paige, and I returned to the bed and tried to get back to sleep. This time we kept our limbs to ourselves, though we remained close. I waited a while before surrendering to my dreams. A decision was reached internally that the next time I took Iona out for a quiet weekend, I would have to make it somewhere off the beaten path, somewhere in Appalachia no doubt. Iona gave me a precious, sleepy smile as I climbed out of bed in the morning. I looked at her heavy eyes, questioning her intent, when she pulled my pillow into her chest and drifted off into slumber once more. Paige was dead to the world, undoubtedly wrapped up in the remorseless rest of the Damned. I was able to dress uninterrupted and glide downstairs to find Jill already up and puttering around. I was about to find out what she had heard last night. "Good morning, Zane. Are you feeling better?" Jill asked. "Feeling better?" I questioned. "Your, you know, down there, are you feeling better?" she clarified somewhat. I imagine my jaw dropped because she looked at me with an obvious amusement. "How did you know?" I finally responded. "Oh, Iona came to my room last night and explained the situation as well as apologizing for the disruption," Aunt Jill explained. "She's a very forthright and honest young lady, and she doesn't currently have a fianc either." "What, whoa, wait a second, Jill," I stammered. Things were going way too fast for me. "How is it you are okay with two girls sleeping in my bedroom and three more coming over when three months ago we couldn't even discuss sex at all and its only place was in the marriage bed? What happened that I missed?" "Zane," Jill sighed patiently, "when God closes one door he opens another. I had to accept that my life with Tim was over and I had to move forward with my life with you. That means I am going to get more mileage out of counseling you as opposed to dictating abstinence." "And you have this epiphany after you burn all the stuff I brought back from Thailand," I groaned. "We both did things we probably regret," she reasoned. "You've been talking to Iona, or more likely, Iona's been calling you," I began piecing it together. "After you told me about what those girls were making you do, like crawl around on your knees, I tried to get some of your classmates to tell me what was really going on," Jill related. "Iona was the only one who would talk to me and she and I have communicated pretty regularly since then," Jill finished. "She's a truly sweet girl and I think you two make a cute couple." In case you are wondering, there is no good response to that statement. "She tells me you are interested in that 'Christina' girl. She's, elegant," which was Jill's way of saying Christina wasn't a 'humble Christian girl' like Iona. Something in that train of thought made me put a few other faces to the descriptor 'elegant'. "Is that why you didn't like Mom, Dad, and, well, was Uncle Tim snobby as well, elegant?" I mused. Jill stopped looking in the fridge were she was figuring out what we'd be having for breakfast. "Yes," Jill said quietly. Tim hadn't wanted to marry Jill; he'd wanted to marry Jill's older sister, Kathryn. Jill matched herself against Mom, the free spirit, and Dad, the joker, who were both sophisticated Devil-May-Care people born of wealth and privilege. In a way, Tim was from the same background, except that he ended up arrogant and emotionally distant. Of course, Tim had to grow up with Granddad, who was a real peach, and my Dad, who was always larger than life, always doing whatever task their father put before him and always going one step beyond. Worse, Dad always had the courage to be himself. Dad was the brilliant rebel, the Prodigal Son who was always welcomed back home; Tim was the plodding workhorse. The best example of this was the first time each of them ran away from home. Tim ran away to the tree house in the backyard at the house in Wyoming. The first time Dad ran away, he ended up in Hawaii. When the FBI caught him, he was working in a Japanese restaurant, stock-piling Australian dollars, and had a map of the Great Barrier Reef. Now that I think of it, I must get my nuttiness from Dad. "Jill, I'm sorry Tim wasn't the husband you deserved," I told her softly. I rested a hand on her shoulder and she backed into me. I wrapped my arms around her from behind. "Thank you, Zane," she told me in a soft voice. She looked out of the window over the sink for a few seconds. "Do you think we should get a pool?" Jill broke the silence. Huh? "Who are you and what have you done with my Aunt Jill?" I teased her. It took a second for Jill to get it but when she did, she laughed. "Wait," she teased back, "would I be a clone, an alien, or, what were those things I heard about, oh, pod-people?" "I think you are the Pink Power Ranger," Paige snickered from my elbow where she had materialized mysteriously from the ether. Jill squeaked and spun around while I was busy putting my heart back in my chest. Jill struggled out of my arms, blushed, and went back to the fridge. "Did I interrupt something?" "Yes; my desire to live a longer life," I coughed. "Now that we have the useless pleasantries out of the way, what I really want to know is if all the equipment is in working order," Paige smirked. I thought of a smarmy reply, an angry reply, and even ignoring her, but another idea won out. "Hey, Babe," I whispered in a husky voice to Paige as I stepped into body contact with her, "it hurts a little right now but thanks for asking. I'm glad you are watching out for me." I drew a line with right hand along her collarbone and shoulder to her neck and finally circling her ear. "Oh," Paige gulped. Her eyes grew wide. "Of course, Zane. I want to watch out for you, I care." I let my arms drape around her and linked them up at the small of her back, pulling her tight to me. Paige slipped her arms beneath me and did likewise, with the added gesture of placing her ear to my chest. Iona slipped into the kitchen as she did so. She gave me a cute wave, side-stepped us, and went to help Jill. I figured from Iona's actions that she was going to keep Jill busy getting the four of us breakfast, so I took Paige's right hand in my left and led her out into the hall. As I headed for the porch in the back, someone came through the front door, attempting to be stealthy. It was Leigh; I'd clearly caught her doing something wrong. "Yes?" I questioned. She looked to Paige then back to me. "I forgot to return your keys," Leigh evaded. "What are you doing with my keys?" I sounded a bit cross. Paige squeezed my hand tightly, expressing her own tension. "Paige gave them to me to use last night," Leigh gulped. "You are hopeless as a conspirator," Paige growled at Leigh. I took a deep breath instead. I was going to have as little stress in my morning as possible. "Please give them to Iona in the kitchen, Leigh," I sighed. A quick look to Paige showed her that I wasn't angry so she didn't resist as I resumed our journey. Out on the porch I took a large, cushioned, low-swung wooden chair and sat down. "It's cold out here," Paige shivered. I responded by pulling her into my lap. It took her a moment to figure out what to do with herself. She settled on sitting sideways with her left arm over my shoulder and her head laying on top of it. It took twenty-five minutes for Iona to come out and get us. "Breakfast," Iona said. I looked at her curiously, trying to judge how she was taking the loss of the time promised to her this weekend. She winked and went back inside so I guessed everything was okay and our weekend postponed. "Do you want to go inside?" I gently inquired of Paige. "Two more minutes," she whispered. I kissed her on the head and listened to the breeze in the leaves, the birds chatting in the trees, and her breath on my neck. Slowly her head rose after the two minutes had passed and she was staring at me, or rather at the side of my head. "Yes?" I asked, as I turned and looked into her eyes. "You are so dumb," she whispered. Paige kissed me with a tenderness that bespoke a depth of passion that I had not fully realized. "I wouldn't trade this moment for anything in the world," I breathed back. "I would have been better off if I had turned away that very first day I saw you," she got around to responding. I knew she was saying that she could come up with no quick strategy for getting Christina out of the way and that perplexed her. I had to do something. "Don't forget to get that seat cushion," I joked. She seemed a bit cross, then grinned. "If I let you do something else to my bottom will you forgive me?" she teased me with a sensual ass wiggle. "Really?" I perked up. Paige wouldn't consider anal sex before now, though I was all for it. "No!" she giggled. Paige leapt off my lap and raced inside. I made a grab for Paige with no intent of ensnaring her, she was having too much fun being pursued, and pursue I did. "Help me!" Paige squealed. "Help me; he's trying to get my bottom!" So much for any sense of decorum, I sighed. Paige made it to the dining room and quickly was using Leigh as a shield. Jill looked at me quizzically while Iona gave a weary sigh and looked heavenward for guidance. "So, Leigh, are you joining us for breakfast?" I obfuscated the crisis. "Yes," Leigh hesitated. "Your Aunt Jill is thanking me for finding your keys." "If that is okay with you, Zane?" Jill demurred. Huh, and by that I mean, since when has my opinion in this household been sought or even obeyed? "If it pleases you, Jill, I wouldn't mind eating Leigh", I had a slip of the tongue, "I mean eating with Leigh." Leigh's eyes sparkled and Jill totally missed the implication (I assumed because 'eat' a girl made no sense to her sexually repressed mind.) Iona gave my arm a light slap. "Have a seat, Leigh," Jill smiled in a way I wasn't familiar with; it was almost like she was content. The resulting meal of country ham, grits, and cantaloupe was simple but satisfying. We were all hot, sweaty, and laboring for breath. Had we been in bed and undressed, the situation would have been perfect. Instead, we were in my workout room, working out. I had allowed an hour to digest our meal but now we were finishing my daily physical regimen. Paige and Leigh were on their backs, staring at the ceiling and cursing the fact that I was finishing up my final exercise. Iona was on her stomach on the mat next to me, moaning softly. I seriously considered insisting that Paige and Iona take up a sport. Leigh was another story, but I'm sure I could get Tawny, her sorority president, to get her to do something strenuous, that didn't involve me and sex. "I have given up any hope of ever fucking you to death, Leigh panted as she looked my way. "Thanks," I grinned back. "Without the help of several sisters," Leigh gasped as Paige lazily smacked her on the stomach, "to wear you down first. I don't know how Barbie Lynn can walk after those marathon sessions with you." "It usually involves screaming out to God multiple times and a long nap afterwards," Iona groaned. "So," Leigh sat up, "have either of you," "Hammered me through the sheets, and I swear I blacked out as I came," Paige boasted wearily. "Umm," Leigh purred, "good memories." Have I left the room? Should I hand out customer satisfaction surveys? "That night was fantastic, wasn't it?" Iona sighed. "Three damn orgasms I'll never forget, and then there was Rio and her devilish fingers," Leigh murmured happily. "Wait! Iona, you and Zane, Rio too?" Paige propped herself up. "He was a very gentle gentleman," Iona declared. "Oh," taunted Leigh to Iona, "I recall you doing quite a savage dance on the tip of his tongue." Iona blushed and Paige gawked. "So that three-way with you and Barbie Lynn wasn't your first time, well, what do you know?" Paige mused. "All this physical stress has me thirsty," Leigh stated. "Yes, I think a protein drink is in order," Paige agreed, and winked at me. "Oh, hell no!" I defended myself. "Me, no sex weekend, remember?" "But, Zane," Iona rolled over and batted her eyelashes at me, "it was so sweet and salty." "Iona," I nearly wept. "I apologize, Zane," Iona pouted. "I was only teasing." "I can always hope to soak up some of that sexual energy at 12:01 Sunday night," Paige sighed. "Nope, sorry, going out with Heaven Sunday night," I informed them. "Oh, pooh," Iona grumped. "She'll drain him alright." "Is Heaven really that good?" Leigh seemed curious. "Let's not have this discussion," I stood up. I was ignored of course. "Oh, he goes at her five, six, seven times a night," Iona stated. "She walks funny the next day too." "How come there is never any footage of them together?" Leigh persisted. "You would think with that much sexuality and the howling she made from our towel closet at the party that there would be something on his site." "I am not going to be part of this discussion," I repeated as I made for the door. "Now I'm taking a shower." For a group of girls who couldn't stand a minute ago, they clearly were capable of nearly killing me as they stampeded for the shower, women. Before Iona and I got in, I held her back by the arm. "Five, six, seven times, walks funny the next morning, I'm sure Heaven will like that," I whispered. "I thought a little embellishment couldn't hurt," Iona smiled with an earnestly pure face. She knew Heaven's nature and would help conceal it until Heaven decided it was no longer necessary; Iona was that kind of best friend. "Do you ever get tired picking up after my shipwrecks?" I had to ask. "Come on, Zane," Paige called from inside the shower as the water cascaded down on her and Leigh. I decided that keeping them occupied was my best bet to keep the volume down. As I pulled the curtain aside, I caught a glimpse of Iona behind me, shaking her head 'No'. Undercover  Underage Willa was waiting for Valarie and I when we arrived. She had strategically placed her bike at a break between the groups of hotel units so she could quickly duck out of sight. I had no desire to do anything stupid like get in a fight. She rested on the seat of her ride. I was following Val's advice so I pulled up some distance away and kept to the middle of the parking lot because you never knew what could come popping out a door. I approached alone, again, I didn't want to freak Willa out any more than she already was. "I've got a line on those IDs," she greeted me. I'd asked her for some fake IDs so me and some of the girls could get into clubs. "Yeah," I said deadpan, "I'm sure you did." She keyed on my mood but didn't outwardly react. How should I handle this? "Willa, you are an undercover cop," I sighed. "I don't know who you are with and I don't care. I don't want to cause you trouble, I simply want a favor." Willa rocked off her ride and took a few steps toward me. "Asshole," she growled, "that isn't funny. I ought to fucking slap you like the punk-ass bitch you are." "You won't, you are a cop and that's still assault because I'm not threatening you or threatening to blow your cover so that your life would be at risk," I related. Seeing Willa's consternation, I explained. "Valarie has been through this a time or two." "Zane, I'm not a cop and I'm not kicking your ass because you are a cute guy, but stop screwing with me," Willa changed up her defense. "Fine," I shrugged. "I'm going to have a talk with Belle. I'm sure she will believe me. I felt I owed you a chance because you are a law enforcement officer and you are risking your life for me, the general public." "Don't go to Belle," Willa reached out and put an arm on my bicep. "It doesn't matter that your idea is a load of crap; Belle will tell Deacon and then I'm screwed." "Willa, you can walk away from this situation whenever you want," I told her. "Belle can't. This is her life and I'd prefer she not die living it." "Zane, you hadn't even met her before Thursday night." she groused. "That's pretty much what I said," Valarie finally chimed in. "I'm only here because Zane doesn't know anyone else who could be relied on to keep their mouth shut." "You don't believe this crap about me being a Fed, do you?" Willa joked. "Absolutely," Valarie said without hesitation. "Zane is crazy but he's spot-on when dealing with women. Case in point: Zane took that little fluff with him to the bathroom while peeling off Rio's girlfriend, a black belt in Karate, to guard me. He knew he would get you bitches to give Rio up, though he didn't have a plan going in. If he tells me you are a cop, you are a cop." I clearly had Willa flummoxed. After a minute in silence I shook off Willa's hand and turned for my car. I stopped when I had the door open. "I'm going to see Belle at the Fallout Shelter tonight," I said. "If you do something to stop me, I'll make sure Tara knows, and while she and Belle have problems, they are twins and she won't let her sister do serious time." "I'm not confessing to anything but I think there is something you should know. Deacon Baker served with Belle's husband and brother-in-law. Her brother-in-law ran the Warlords chapter but he and his brother got caught up in an ATF sting. They wrapped up Belle's husband but before they could grab the brother, who could tie up the whole criminal enterprise, he vanished. He was last seen with Deacon," Willa explained. "Deacon didn't wait around to see if the guy would stay loyal; he removed the threat," Willa added. "If he thinks I'm a threat, he'll have me removed too." "Cry me a river," Valarie rolled her eyes. "You are sticking your nose where it doesn't belong." "I'm not a damn cop," Willa snarled. "Where are you from?" I asked Willa. I caught her off-guard but she snapped back soon enough. "Tampa Bay, Florida," she shot off. "Nope. I think you are from Wisconsin or Minnesota, it's your skin complexion and the way you roll some of your consonants off your tongue and lips," I said. Willa's eyes narrowed. Now she was pissed. "Are you going to shoot us with the 9mm at your back or help Zane out'?" Valarie sounded bored. "This is totally wrong," Willa persisted. She tried to stare me down but I could see something inside give way. "I'm not saying I am an undercover cop but if I was, what would you want?" "Give Belle as much shelter as you can. Hopefully she ends up with probation," I offered. "What is in it for me?" Willa sighed. "What can I do for you?" I answered. "Do you know who took out Deacon?" Willa inquired. "Yes," I replied. I could feel Valarie's head snap behind me and her eyes bore into the back of my head. "Who was it?" Willa increased her intensity. "I would tell you but I like living without the benefit of life support," I joked. "I'd cry bullshit, damn you, except I saw the beating they took and that scares the crap out of me," Willa grumbled. "Okay, Zane, if you ever get the chance to tell me, do so." "Deal," I agreed. "Great; we are all friends," Valarie stated sarcastically. "Now fuck his face, suck his cock, and we can get going; I have to eat dinner with my sister, Dad, and the cunt he married." "What?" I glared at Valarie. "No way!" Willa declared. "Listen, bitch, you are going to need to describe what it feels like on your tongue from the ball-sack to the tip of his cock," Valarie lectured. "I've seen a video," Willa countered. "And you are such a bang-up storyteller that the 18-year old boy genius ID'd you in two minutes, or have you missed the last ten minutes of your life?" Valarie mocked her. "He seems to be the exception," Willa noted. "The average girl that attracts Zane's attention can do calculus in her head, and the one who can't is his family," Valarie responded. "Now consider his interest in Belle; she's probably a poor girl raised in a college town. That means she could have gone to college but was already soured on the whole establishment idea by a string of college fuck wads. Her sister went on to become a Law-dog that busts UV assholes all day long; Belle became an ass-kicker who flaunts her body at a bar frequented by the very higher education types that screwed with her in high school," Valarie continued. I wasn't sure how much of this Val was fabricating but it didn't matter. "Now she dangles her forbidden fruit in front of them, yet none ever get a taste, am I wrong?" Valarie queried. "You see an outlaw biker and think they are too lazy or stupid to get a real job. I see someone who wants to do their own damn thing, you don't fuck with us and we don't fuck with you." "Belle is smarter than you think she is, Willa, or whoever you are. If you don't think you are fucked yet, consider this: When was the last time Belle gave a college guy the time of day, much less walked one out of a beat-down dictated by her chapter president?" Valarie smirked. "Zane had me fighting side-by-side with him against half of the FFU faculty and students so I can attest to his peculiar form of magic." "Fuck," Willa growled. "Now, get on your knees and blow him so we can all go about our business," Valarie rumbled back. "I'm still in the midst of a no-sex weekend so I'm going to say 'No'," I intervened. "Can't we just shake and part as friends?" Willa tried. "At least kiss him," Valarie suggested. "Val, stop it. We have some level of understanding and that's good enough for now," I told her. I was checking on Valarie's okay so I only saw Willa's closure at the last moment. One look into her eyes told me she was deceiving herself that this was going to be a quick kiss to get it over with. Our lips met and my hands found their way to her hips. I pulled her to me without trapping her. A few seconds later she broke the kiss. I could read the confusion in her eyes. Her plan was to do it and be done but her impulse was to come back again. She kissed me again but his time, her tongue caressed my lips and I let it slip in. After that, I really couldn't stop myself from kissing her back intensely. Soon my lips wandered to her cheeks, chin, and neck before nibbling on an ear until she moaned and thrust up against my body. "Ugh, ah, fuck," Willa moaned. "It has been too damn long." I rotated us around, pressing Willa's back against my car. I lowered my body down Willa's, nibbling and tickling with my tongue as I did so until I was chewing on the top of her low-cut t-shirt. "You are not happily married, are you?" I inquired between a tongue stroke and some suction. "Umm, ah, no." she replied. "Why do you ask?" "I don't want you to do something you'll regret," I answered before working my way back up her throat. Willa lolled her head back, extending her throat for my attention. "Nope," she gulped with sexual tension, "no one at all." That was my cue to work with both hands to pull her shirt out of her jeans. That done, I let my fingers roam under the shirt and caress the flesh of her stomach. "Oh, stop that, no, wait, don't stop, yessss," Willa moaned. When her shirt was high enough, I began working over her tender flesh. She was clearly getting into it but I wanted more from her. I popped the button on her jeans and unzipped them. Willa's underwear was appropriately lacy. I pulled the panties down as I peeled the jeans open until I could make out her finely trimmed landing strip. I kissed along the line from her cunt fur to her hip bringing forth a hearty moan of pleasurable release. My fingers made small circles back to her ass, squeezing both cheeks and rubbing them together. Willa was stroking the top of my head and lightly yanking on my hair. I took that to be a positive endorsement of my efforts so far. When I started back up her body, Willa spread her legs wide apart and coaxed me along. I got to the base of her bra; I could sense her nervousness so I stopped pushing up her shirt there and went back to her shoulder. I had just made it back to Willa's lips when Valarie cleared her throat. "Excuse me, but I do have somewhere else to be," Valarie teased us. Willa had to reorient herself. The look she gave me was somewhat accusatory but happily, it transformed into some level of understanding. "Damn, you are sexy," she purred. She rested her elbows on my shoulders and looked me over with sensuality on her lips. "I mean, you really are sexy and I want to do this again, and we didn't even have sex yet," Willa grinned. "What makes you think we are going to have sex? Don't we have a professional relationship?" I mused. Willa reacted by putting more pressure on my shoulders, then hopping up so she could put her legs around my waist. "I kinda-sorta owe you," she gave me a wicked look. "Besides, you might like it." I had to dissuade her somehow; my life had far too many complications to get this close to the Warlords right now. "I don't know, Willa. I like lots and lots of anal sex," I cautioned her. I figured that would buy me some space. "Oh," she grunted, "I love it. A big cock like yours would feel fantastic in my ass," she added with a deep pant. Wow, that backfired spectacularly. Maybe I should inform her that I've been called needle cock by women who know me well. To add insult to injury, Valarie broke out in uproarious laughter. "There you go, Tiger," Val chuckled. "That will keep her in her place. It just so happens her place is face down and ass up with you riding roundup." Willa took a deep breath, then dismounted me. She patted me on the chest and gave me one final kiss. "We need to be going," she sighed. "I'll make sure to stay in touch." Valarie and I waited behind as Willa got on her ride and drove away. Only then did Valarie give me one last jibe herself. "Dude, I swear your lips are dusted with cocaine because I've never seen women act so nuts around a normal guy," she teased. "Are you saying I'm abnormal?" I shot back. "Ha," she laughed. "I'm calling it like I see it. I'd caution you about a girl and handcuffs but you have six sets that I know of so all I can advise is dodging when they shoot at you and lawyer up the moment they read you your rights, and I'm gone." Her bike roared to life and she peeled out, leaving me to contemplate what further screw-ups I'd added to my life. Girls, all I can say in any of our defenses is that none of us had been to a college block party except Rio, and we were dumb enough to listen to her advice on what to wear and what it would be like. We didn't even know how screwed we were until we arrived at the party destination and by then, it was too late. My only excuse was that Vivian had sworn Rio and Mercy had behaved themselves last night. Of course, first we had to get the clothes we were going to wear. The salesgirls eyed us with a devilish curiosity when we filed into the chic women's boutique, the only one in town. I was getting away with jeans and a red t-shirt from a local band called "Confetti". According to Rio, girls had to dress 'rough and ready', which translated to tight leather pants, shot boots, and either halter tops or sleeveless shirts. In retrospect, I should have known that when the salesgirls began regarding me as a pimp, I'd fucked up royally. "What do you think?" Barbie Lynn came flouncing over to where I was sitting, showing off her bright yellow halter top (that wasn't much into halting anything) and buckskin pants with the prerequisite frills along the outside of each leg. "Don't those things come with a bra?" I gulped. On the grave of my Viking ancestors, I swear those two orbs were just, right there, free and mouth-wateringly delicious. "What?" Barbie pouted. "Don't you like them?" she leaned forward, pressed her boobs together, and wiggled them in front of me. "Best ever," I panted. Barbie Lynn glowed at that declaration, then turned around and presented her ass mere inches from my face. "Better than this?" she taunted. "Ah!" I cried out; my pledge was in immoral danger. I tried to get out of my chair by brushing by her tush but only managed to flip the chair over on its side with me still in it. Eyes tracked me as I struggled to stand. "It has the Zane seal of approval," Barbie Lynn addressed the room. "I'll take it." "Wait! Zane? The Zane?" One of the salesgirls inquired. Multiple girls nodded. "That would make you the girl in the shower," she directed to Barbie Lynn. "Sure thing," Barbie Lynn boasted. "You've got, stamina," the other girl blushed, "both of you." "That's where I've seen all of you before," the first girl said as she put it all together. "Except you," she pointed at Vivian. "Honestly, I was suspicious it was a porn hoax. I mean, what kind of guy scores that many hot babes?" "Umm," Rio patted Mercy's bottom, "we're hot babes." "Are you two really, actually, the second girl stammered to Rio. "You do those things?" "Do you mean is she my bitch toy? Then yes, she is," Rio answered smugly. "Mercy, lift your top." Mercy paled, gulped, but did as requested. Rio put her arms around Mercy's midsection and pulled her close, latching onto a nipple as they came together. "No!" Vivian shouted. "There will be no public displays of pornography." Rio made a lip-smacking noise as her lips released Mercy's breast. Mercy kept her shirt raised as Rio looked back to the salesgirl. "Satisfied?" Rio gloated. The girl nodded in stunned amazement and Vivian coughed as a reminder. "Mercy, you can lower your shirt now," Rio added without even looking at Mercy. "Wow, this is so weird." The first girl shook her head, then that light came on and she looked at me with amazement and amusement. "You are trying for your 'No Sex' weekend? Well, if we can't get you laid before this weekend, we aren't selling you the right clothes." "I'm counting on it," Paige smirked. Her choice was a slick black bustier and leather pants that laced up on the side. In fact, they were more lacing on the sides and less leather. I'm not saying she looked bad; I merely vowed to get a few pictures of her in the outfit for my spank bank collection, not that I have any realistic hope of spanking the monkey anytime soon. Whoa, are women I don't even know now ganging up on me? What the hell? Adelaide and Ginger, our two salesgirls, went all out to get the ladies the skimpiest outfits allowed by law. I didn't mention the occasion because that would make me feel bad about not inviting them. "So, what are you getting all dressed up, or down for?" Ginger asked innocently enough. "Oh, there is a college-student-only bloc party tonight. Zane got an invite and he's sneaking us in with him," Iona responded with the naivet of a girl who had nil knowledge of social networking or class distinction. "Oh," Ginger muttered, and cast a sideways glance to Adelaide before looking at me. "Well, Addie's husband doesn't like doing that kind of stuff," she said lamely, "and Finn, my boyfriend, has to work late anyway." She was giving me an out and I wanted to take it. Somehow this seemed to be one too many times sticking out my neck foolishly. I'd already bent my invitation by inviting my FFU crowd. I then told myself that I'd double back and invite them, on the sly. I recalled the little discussion Valarie had with Willa only a few hours ago. Yes, I could act like your standard college cock and tell the townies it was okay to come in the back door. If I did that, I could only pray Rio punched me in the face. I'd say 'kick me in the nuts' but I clearly didn't have any. "Ginger and Adelaide, we are gathering by the water tower around 9:45 before we head to the spot," I told her. "You and your guys join us there and we'll go in as a group. It is the warehouse on Hammond Street and the word is 'Comet', in case you show up later." "Oh, I'm not sure we can make it," Adelaide responded. What she was also saying was 'are you sure you know what you are doing?' "There is one condition," I added. Now the two salesgirls were suspicious. "You have to dress like the rest of them do," I motioned to my girls. "You sold these ladies these clothes so it is only fair you dress similarly." Now the two exhaled, then smiled and groaned playfully. They could hardly say no after the money they'd taken from me, my credit card, actually. If I carried that much cash and a cop searched me, I'd mistake me for a drug dealer too. "We'll see what we can do," Ginger evaded. "Oh, that won't be a problem," Opal chimed in. "Go around the store and pick out what you want; Zane will pay for it." "For the love of God, would you stop spending my money? You are as bad as Rio," I griped. "Who is trying to be worse to you than I am?" Rio sounded both offended and up to the challenge of making me even more miserable than I was. "Oh, come on, Zane," Brandi complained. "You are a gazillionaire." "You've been listening to Rio," I shot back and glared Rio's way. "It was Mercy who told me that," Brandi corrected me. I shifted my gaze to Mercy, as did Rio. "We'll talk when we get outside," Rio cautioned Mercy, who seemed decidedly uneasy. I had to hand it to Ginger and Adelaide; for ten minutes they showed constraint, and then they went bonkers. I really don't think a woman can wear a pink gossamer scarf wrapped around her chest and call it clothing but Ginger was giving it a shot. Ginger had a small chest - 32A, but her nipples were works of art. I couldn't keep quiet about them. "Ginger, if your boyfriend lets you walk around in your domicile with a top on, he's committing crimes against the male and female, worship of the female form," I blathered. Ginger blinked, and then blushed before grinning at me wickedly. "Yes?" she prodded me. I took that as an invitation to walk up, bend at the waist until I was at eye level with her chest. Her nipples swelled under my scrutiny. "Zane, if you lick or bite them, I will stomp on your foot and break some toes," Vivian warned me. I was, in my estimation, good. I leaned forward a few more inches until I could blow forcefully upon each nipple. Ginger rolled forward on the tip of her toes, thrusting her chest forward, but I retreated just in time. She fell back and I pursued with long, continuous breaths this time. Her nipples didn't come out and say 'Hi', they launched rescue flares and lit bonfires on the beaches of my desire. Ginger was moaning and whimpering as she kept trying to force physical contact while I kept frustrating her. Her thighs were working back and forth as her cunt began burning her up. "Ginger," Adelaide worried, "what about Finn?" "I know," pleaded Ginger, "but you've seen the cock on this guy and he's driving me crazy-horny, and he hasn't even touched me yet." "Friends," Adelaide insistently reminded Ginger. "All his friends are here and watching." "I'll be her friend," Brandi volunteered, though Opal hooked her waist before she could show everyone how much of a friend she wanted to be. "Oh, we don't mind," Rio remarked. "Most nights with Zane are a learning experience for all of us." "I mind," grumbled Paige. "Paige, honey, he always comes home to us," Barbie Lynn reassured Paige. "Besides, we know where he's sleeping tonight and who will be with him," Iona added. "Fine, okay," Paige decided. "Zane," she beckoned me with a 'come hither' finger curl. "Sorry, Paige," I quickly responded between puffs of air on Ginger's nipples, "I'm busy." "Zane," Paige warned me. "Paige, not now," I grumped. "Zane!" Paige became more insistent. I didn't respond so what she said next was inevitable. "Zane, bouncy, bouncy." My groan was fueled by stymied lust; I stood up and walked over to Paige. Once I was in front of her, I used both hands to brush Paige's hair off her shoulder blades. I brought my hands together at the back of her head, wrapping my left hand in her ponytail while dropping my right down her side before snaking it to the small of her back. I pulled the hair back gently, tilting her head up as I pressed my hand on the small of her back until we were rubbing against one another. I leaned in for a slow, intensive kiss which Paige intercepted by standing on her toes. Our kiss was a see-saw affair that saw our tongues roll together and our lips shifting from lingering touch to gentle caress that lasted over a minute. "What are they doing? Or more like it, what is she doing to him to make him do that?" Adelaide quizzed the ladies. "Oh, that's a game they play," Rio explained. "He pretends she's a witch who has put a spell on him and she pretends she's going to be the first Mrs. Zane Braxton." "Say those words and Zane will perform any sexual act on you that you desire," Barbie Lynn teased. "No, it doesn't work like that," Iona got out right before Ginger interrupted. "Zane, bouncy, bouncy," Ginger demanded. That earned a round of chuckles. "Sorry, I tried that too," Brandi admitted. "Apparently each girl has to find her own command phrase." "Are you okay now?" I whispered to Paige. I really had to deal with these girls going wacky around me; we had things to do before the party started. "You are worth every gold doubloon I've spent on you," she smiled back. "Um, I'm the one spending money on you," I corrected her. Paige turned half-way around, bumped me with her hip, and wiggled her ass. "As I said, you are worth every coin," she winked. Hardy-har-har. "Okay, friends and acquaintances, let's finish with our purchases," I commanded. "We've still got some ground to cover before tonight." "What else do we have to do?" groaned Vivian. "I'm getting Mercy tattooed," Rio grinned with a dire mirth. "I want a design right above the ass, both subtle and understated; I don't know if I'm going with '1-800-HoT-SLuT' or 'Nothing Under 6 inches Allowed." "No, you are not!" growled Vivian. "No way, no how. Zane?" "Vivian, Rio is yanking your chain," I calmed my guardian. "You have to understand that Rio wouldn't put anything on Mercy that she wouldn't wear herself. She definitely wouldn't put something on Mercy that Mercy couldn't live with; trust me on that." "That's right, Viv," Rio chortled. "I can't tell you how many times I've regretted having 'Eat at the Clam Shack' tattooed right below the beltway." "You don't have a tattoo there!" Vivian countered. "Someone's been peeking," Rio skewered Vivian with a shark-like grin. Iona shook her head and walked up to Vivian, presenting her phone. "Here is the design they've chosen," Iona explained. It was an intricate weaving of lines and shadows I'd been shown once before. "See, in this end is Songs of Solomon 2:16 and on the other end is a Chi Rho woven into the greater design. It clearly has Christian imagery," Iona explained. "It's" Vivian sounded surprised, "actually rather, nice looking." "What's Songs of Solomon 2:16?" Ginger inquired. "'My lover is mine and I am', it should say 'his' but I think in this case it is 'hers'," I answered. "That's sweet," Adelaide said. "You can bet it was Mercy's choice, then," Opal smirked. "No, it was Rio's idea,&quo

When orthopedic surgeon Dr. Lattisha Bilbrew looks at a knee X-ray, she's not just checking for arthritis or bone alignment. She's studying shades of muscle and fat — clues to a patient's strength, resilience and untapped potential. “Sometimes I'll have a woman come in and say, ‘I'm overweight,'” Bilbrew says. “And I'll look at her X-rays and say, ‘Yes, I see the fat — but you've got tons of muscle under there. You should try strength training.'” It's that mix of empathy and empowerment that defines Bilbrew's approach to orthopedic care — and why she's been tapped as the keynote speaker for this year's Movement is Life Annual Summit, themed “Combating Health Disparities: The Power of Movement and Community.” In this episode, Bilbrew speaks with Movement Is Life's Christin Zollicoffer about her passion for medicine, which began when she was a young child growing up in England. She remembers her grandmother secretly spitting out pills prescribed for high blood pressure — a moment that left a deep impression. “My grandmother passed away shortly after that from complications of high blood pressure,” Bilbrew recalled. “I knew at that moment I wanted to be a doctor” — the kind who listens, communicates well and helps patients understand why their treatment matters. Now a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand and upper extremity surgery, Dr. Lattisha Bilbrew brings that commitment to every patient encounter. A cornerstone of Bilbrew's message is “loading” — the idea that bone and muscle grow stronger only when challenged. It's why she encourages patients of all ages, especially women approaching menopause, to lift weights.  “It's like putting gold coins in a bank for when we're older,” she says, noting that the more you build now, the more you protect yourself later. Dr. Bilbrew will be a keynote speaker at the 2025 Movement Is Life Annual Summit on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in Washington, DC. This year's theme is “Combating Health Disparities: The Power of Movement in Community.” Registration is now open. Visit movementislifecommunity.org for more information. Never miss an episode – subscribe to The Health Disparities podcast from Movement Is Life on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts

In this episode of The Broker Link, Mike Papuc and Sonia Porras dive into the exclusive ACA partnership between UnitedHealthcare and Sanitas Clinics, a collaboration that's reshaping access to care in the San Antonio community. Focused on value-based care, this partnership aims to deliver comprehensive, culturally aligned healthcare — from preventive medicine to mental health services — to better serve the Hispanic community, where more than 200,000 individuals remain uninsured. Listeners will learn how this partnership is designed to make coverage more accessible and sustainable through:

Veteran Nevada journalist and author of the upcoming book “The Game Changer”, Jon Ralston joins Chuck Todd to break down how the Silver State became America’s ultimate political bellwether — and what that means heading into 2026. They explore how the state’s service-based economy, booming Hispanic population, and explosion of non-affiliated voters have reshaped Nevada politics, plus how “No Tax on Tips” gave Trump an unexpected foothold. Ralston explains why Vegas’ tourism slump could upend the next governor’s race and how corporatization has changed the city’s character. They also dig into the state of local journalism — from the challenges of nonprofit reporting to competing against hedge fund-owned outlets — and reflect on the late Harry Reid’s political legacy. From power-hungry governors to the fight for Nevada’s “first-in-the-nation” status, this episode reveals why what happens in Vegas won’t be staying there in 2026. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: 00:00 Jon Ralston joins the Chuck ToddCast 02:00 Adapting to the breakneck speed of the news cycle 04:00 Nevada has become the preeminent swing state in America 06:45 The service industry & growing hispanic population define Vegas 07:30 Nevada is a bellwether for the Democratic party 09:15 Nevada continuing to lobby for first in the nation status 10:45 Las Vegas natives are a rarity, Vegas is a destination 12:30 Trump was able to connect with NV voters via “No Tax on Tips” 13:30 NV voters felt Democratic party took them for granted 14:30 Nevada’s governor has a lot of power 17:00 There’s been an explosion of non affiliated voters in Nevada 18:30 Is either major party making a strong case to non affiliated voters? 20:00 How competitive will the Nevada governor’s race be? 22:30 Does Joe Lombardo have ambition outside the state of Nevada? 23:30 Lombardo’s strategy could look similar to Glenn Youngkin’s 25:30 What’s behind the drop in tourism to Vegas? 26:30 Canada, immigration policy and lack of value proposition hurting Vegas 27:30 Corporatization of casinos & high prices have driven away tourists 28:30 Tourism drop could greatly impact the governor’s race 29:00 Any progress on diversifying the Nevada economy? 30:15 Making Vegas “Hollywood East” comes with huge challenges 31:45 Would energy be the best way to diversify the Vegas economy? 32:30 Warren Buffet has monopoly on NV utilities, preventing new investment 33:30 Nonprofit vs for profit journalism 35:00 Dealing with big moneyed interests as a nonprofit journalists 37:00 Local journalism in Nevada has mostly been hollowed out 37:45 Dealing with “donor fatigue” as a nonprofit journalist 39:15 Journalism skills translate well to uncomfortable fundraising asks 41:00 Challenges in the advertising space for journalism 43:00 Why have advertising dollars been harder to get for news orgs? 45:30 Hedge funds acquired newspapers for their real estate 47:30 Journalism has to be done in-person and in the field 48:15 What would Harry Reid’s advice be for the Dem party of today? 49:45 Reid died early on into the process of Jon writing “The Game Changer” 50:45 Reid wouldn’t be happy with what Chuck Schumer is doing 53:00 Reid and McConnell collectively delegitimized the judicial branch 55:00 How would Reid have handled confrontation with Trump? 59:15 How are you feeling about your Buffalo Bills?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chuck Todd breaks down why this year’s elections may be local—but their impact will be national. From Virginia’s bellwether governor’s race to key contests in New Jersey and New York City, these results will offer a preview of the political mood heading into the 2026 midterms. Chuck dives into Abigail Spanberger’s cautious campaign strategy, Winsome Earle-Sears’ grievance-fueled messaging, and why Virginia voters rarely reward extremes. Plus, a look at how third-party candidates could shake up the New Jersey race and why Zohran Mamdani’s performance in NYC will signal the direction of the progressive movement. Veteran Nevada journalist and author of the upcoming book “The Game Changer”, Jon Ralston joins to break down how the Silver State became America’s ultimate political bellwether — and what that means heading into 2026. They explore how the state’s service-based economy, booming Hispanic population, and explosion of non-affiliated voters have reshaped Nevada politics, plus how “No Tax on Tips” gave Trump an unexpected foothold. Ralston explains why Vegas’ tourism slump could upend the next governor’s race and how corporatization has changed the city’s character. They also dig into the state of local journalism — from the challenges of nonprofit reporting to competing against hedge fund-owned outlets — and reflect on the late Harry Reid’s political legacy. From power-hungry governors to the fight for Nevada’s “first-in-the-nation” status, this episode reveals why what happens in Vegas won’t be staying there in 2026. Finally, Chuck reveals his ToddCast Top 5 list of American political scions running in upcoming election and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 02:45 Chuck will be LIVE on Youtube & X on election night! 06:15 The 2025 elections are local, but will have national impact 07:00 Virginia is a fairly good bellwether state for national politics 07:45 Virginia is purple but is not MAGA 08:15 Party controlling White House almost always loses VA governor race 09:30 Spanberger has run a very cautious campaign 10:30 Winsome Earle-Sears has been throwing things at the wall 11:30 Virginia voters don’t reward grievance politics 13:00 Virginia hasn’t split ticket amongst big three races since 2005 15:00 Spanberger has kept Jay Jones at arms length 17:45 Virginia will give us preview of which way field is tilting for midterms 18:15 2018 class of Democrats has produced some high profile candidates 19:30 Mikie Sherill has run a more contested race than Spanberger 20:30 Ciaterreli outperformed polls in 2021, could happen again 22:30 Third party candidates could swing the NJ governor race 22:45 Mamdani will win in NYC, it’s a matter of whether he clears 50% 24:45 Mamdani needs a big margin in order to have a mandate 26:00 What the results will tell us about the 2026 midterm landscape 30:15 Jon Ralston joins the Chuck ToddCast 32:15 Adapting to the breakneck speed of the news cycle 34:15 Nevada has become the preeminent swing state in America 37:00 The service industry & growing hispanic population define Vegas 37:45 Nevada is a bellwether for the Democratic party 39:30 Nevada continuing to lobby for first in the nation status 41:00 Las Vegas natives are a rarity, Vegas is a destination 42:45 Trump was able to connect with NV voters via "No Tax on Tips" 43:45 NV voters felt Democratic party took them for granted 44:45 Nevada's governor has a lot of power 47:15 There's been an explosion of non affiliated voters in Nevada 48:45 Is either major party making a strong case to non affiliated voters? 50:15 How competitive will the Nevada governor's race be? 52:45 Does Joe Lombardo have ambition outside the state of Nevada? 53:45 Lombardo's strategy could look similar to Glenn Youngkin's 55:45 What's behind the drop in tourism to Vegas? 56:45 Canada, immigration policy and lack of value proposition hurting Vegas 57:45 Corporatization of casinos & high prices have driven away tourists 58:45 Tourism drop could greatly impact the governor's race 59:15 Any progress on diversifying the Nevada economy? 1:00:30 Making Vegas "Hollywood East" comes with huge challenges 1:02:00 Would energy be the best way to diversify the Vegas economy? 1:02:45 Warren Buffet has monopoly on NV utilities, preventing new investment 1:03:45 Nonprofit vs for profit journalism 1:05:15 Dealing with big moneyed interests as a nonprofit journalists 1:07:15 Local journalism in Nevada has mostly been hollowed out 1:08:00 Dealing with "donor fatigue" as a nonprofit journalist 1:09:30 Journalism skills translate well to uncomfortable fundraising asks 1:11:15 Challenges in the advertising space for journalism 1:13:15 Why have advertising dollars been harder to get for news orgs? 1:15:45 Hedge funds acquired newspapers for their real estate 1:17:45 Journalism has to be done in-person and in the field 1:18:30 What would Harry Reid's advice be for the Dem party of today? 1:20:00 Reid died early on into the process of Jon writing "The Game Changer" 1:21:00 Reid wouldn't be happy with what Chuck Schumer is doing 1:23:15 Reid and McConnell collectively delegitimized the judicial branch 1:25:15 How would Reid have handled confrontation with Trump? 1:29:30 How are you feeling about your Buffalo Bills? 1:35:00 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Jon Ralston 1:35:30 ToddCast Top 5 - Top 5 American Political Scions 1:37:15 It's been a bad run lately for run for political scions 1:38:00 #1 Maine governor race features 3 political scions 1:40:00 #2 Georgia governor race features 2 political scions 1:41:15 #3 Beau Bayh 1:42:30 #4 Jack Schlossberg 1:44:15 #5 Chip Keating 1:45:15 Honorable mention - Andrew White 1:46:15 Ask Chuck 1:46:30 What if we had public debates where only verified facts are allowed? 1:50:00 Would state level Democratic parties create a separate platform from DNC 1:53:30 How do you define "short term" and "long term" when describing politics? 1:57:00 Will markets dip in Trump's second year like it does historically? 2:02:45 Who are three modern political thinkers best suited to express our ideals? 2:06:30 How can Trump try to disrupt the election and how effective will he be? 2:10:00 Is it more likely that Kirk's shooter was part of Trump's community?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's newscast: The city of Aspen will explore a dozen projects intended to improve traffic and public safety in the West End neighborhood; Colorado labor officials say about 1,500 furloughed federal employees have applied for unemployment benefits in the state since the government shutdown began; and vaccination rates in Colorado for respiratory viruses are low so far this fall — especially for Hispanic residents. Tune in for these stories and more.

Rod and Karen banter about a Hornets watch party, tow truck tow trucks, Hornets trivia game and TD celebration. Then they discuss the Maine Senate race, Covid vaccines prolonged the lives of cancer patients, Jack Smith wants to testify in public, Trump’s approval ratings with Hispanic adults dropping, Black Capitalists, HBCU gear in Target, Marvin Winans tithing video, man shot up a Wal-Mart manager's car, a coach shoots into an occupied building, man claims he was "pranking his ex" by hiding in he apartment with a knife and sword ratchetness. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theblackguywhotips Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rodimusprime⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@SayDatAgain⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TBGWT⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheBlackGuyWhoTips⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theblackguywhotips@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theblackguywhotips.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Teepublic Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Wishlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Crowdcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Voicemail: ‪(980) 500-9034Go Premium: https://www.theblackguywhotips.com/premium/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maternal care is at a breaking point: delivering hospitals are disappearing while deaths that could be prevented keep climbing. We pull back the curtain on how structural racism, policy headwinds, and technology blind spots compound risk for birthing people—especially Black, Hispanic, rural, and low‑income patients—and what it takes to change the trajectory now.We start by naming the problem with data: stable birth rates alongside a steep decline in maternity units have created care deserts. From there, we dig into disparities in obstetric anesthesia, including lower neuraxial labor analgesia use and higher rates of general anesthesia for cesarean delivery among Black and Hispanic patients. Drawing on ASA recommendations, we outline practical actions that reduce harm: accurate documentation of race, ethnicity, and language; disparities dashboards; education on bias and structural racism; shared decision making; and proactive epidural management to improve conversion to surgical anesthesia without general anesthesia.Then we turn to implementation science—the missing link between guidelines and reliable practice. We map a simple decision pathway from efficacy to effectiveness to context and strategy, and we share the real levers that move systems: targeted education, inter‑institutional collaboration, policy mechanisms like bundles, and the business case that earns C‑suite commitment. When leaders see the return on investment in safety, liability reduction, and community trust, sustained resources follow.Finally, we explore technology as an equity engine. AI‑guided ultrasound can extend expertise in low‑resource settings. Predictive analytics may flag fetal heart rate decelerations before they turn critical. And we confront the accuracy gaps in pulse oximetry tied to skin pigmentation and low perfusion, especially during the neonatal transition. With vendor accountability, rigorous validation across diverse populations, smarter sensor selection and placement, and frontline education, monitoring can serve every patient equally.If this conversation resonates, help us spread the word. Subscribe on Spotify or YouTube, share this episode with a colleague, and leave a review so more clinicians can join the effort to make labor and delivery the safest unit in the hospital. Your feedback and stories shape where we go next.For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/278-transforming-maternal-care-through-equity-science-and-tech/© 2025, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

A Dallas, Texas, Principal has been removed from her position after Grant Stinchfield obtained an email that exposed the principal at Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas for engaging in what can only be described as discriminatory behavior towards White and Hispanic students. The black Principal is accused of holding a “Black-only” assembly, where she allegedly told students she was “valuing the well-being of African American students over the others at this moment.” That's, according to one outraged Black student who wrote an email to the school administration calling out the discriminatory meeting. Today on "Stinchfield," Grant reads the email where the student whistleblower claims his black Principal even boasted about "only hiring Black staff." That declaration appears to be a proud admission of the discrimination. It is the latest example of the disgusting use of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) that only leads to poor outcomes and lots of controversy. Grant Stinchfield calls this what it is — a blatant act of woke victimhood ideology gone too far. It’s the twisted belief that you can fix racism with more racism. By prioritizing one group over another, this principal didn’t lift anyone up. Instead, she sent a dangerous message that minority students are victims and that everyone else doesn’t matter. It’s a moral and educational failure at every level. In a letter to parents on Monday morning, the DISD confirmed the Principal has been replaced, telling parents the principal's actions "do not reflect the values or expectations of our school community." And late Monday Morning the Principal issued an apology, insisting in a letter to parents, that she takes, "full ownership and responsibility for what occurred." and it was never her "intent to single out or cause harm to any group of students." It is unclear if the Principal will return or not. Statements and suspensions are not enough. Grant demands immediate accountability from the Dallas Independent School District, insisting that school leaders make it clear this kind of divisive, race-based policy will never happen again. GrantLovesGold.com Get20Now.com www.EnergizedHealth.com/Grant www.PatriotMobile.com/Grant TWC.Health/Grant Use "Grant" for 10% Off See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On September 16, 2019, five-year-old Dulce Maria Alavez disappeared from Bridgeton City Park in New Jersey while playing with her younger brother, sparking a massive search and investigation that continues to this day. Despite extensive efforts from local and federal authorities, including the FBI, and widespread media attention, no significant leads have emerged. Witnesses reported seeing a Hispanic man leading Dulce into a red van, but neither the man nor the vehicle was ever identified. The case, which remains unsolved, has deeply impacted Dulce's family and community, who continue to hold out hope for her safe return. Investigators still consider it an active investigation, pursuing every possible lead, as the search for answers continues.(commercial at 7:40)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

This season, it's about ownership. Because ambition doesn't need permission. Welcome to Season 3 of So Ambitious - the award-winning podcast from Pharrell Williams' Black Ambition Prize, hosted by Felecia Hatcher. This season, we're amplifying the stories of founders who are building uninterrupted - from tech innovators to creative entrepreneurs - all defying the odds and reimagining what's possible for the next generation. Each conversation dives deep into the real journey behind ambition: the resilience, the risk, the purpose, and the community that makes it all possible. Because when Black and Hispanic founders thrive, the future does too.

Dr. Edith Davis continues her discussion on the essential need for unity in the Body of Christ, particularly as the return of Christ draws near. She details the urgency and the divine strategy for fulfilling the Great Commission—the mandate to share the gospel with the entire world. Key Teaching Points: -- The Urgency of the Last Days: The clock is ticking for the return of Christ, who is coming back for a unified church "without any wrinkles, without any spots, without any blemishes." -- The Scope of Christ's Sacrifice: Jesus died for the entire world, and His blood covers the sin of every person. Going to hell is not about sin, but about rejecting the free gift of forgiveness offered through His blood. -- God's Divine Strategy: While the church starts "behind" in evangelism (with over 350,000 people born daily and only about 77,000 born again), God has given a "divine multiplication factor." One can scatter 1,000, and two can scatter not 2,000, but 10,000. -- The Power of the Holy Spirit: The Great Commission is humanly impossible; it must be done through the power of the Lord God, Holy Spirit. It cannot be achieved by any "marketing campaign of man." -- Walking in Love and Forgiveness: Fulfilling the mandate requires walking in the fruits of the Spirit and actively loving one's enemies, just as Christ and the martyr Stephen did, which can lead to powerful conversions (like Saul of Tarsus becoming Paul). -- The Blessing of Unity: The blessing of God, which enriches and adds no sorrow, is evoked from the unity of the Body of Christ. Division is contrary to God's plan—there is no "black church," "white church," or "Hispanic church," only the unified Body of Christ. Scriptures for Further Study -- Romans 10:9 This is episode 377. +++++++ Check out my new website: https://www.enterthegloryzone.org/ MY AUDIO BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE You can Divorce Proof Your Marriage by understanding the Secret Keys of Love. You will come to understand that your Marriage has an enemy. You will come to understand that you are dating your future spouse representative. You will come to understand that your Marriage has the gift of Supernatural Sex. For more information about purchasing this audio book, click here: https://personalbuy.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/product8702.html

On September 16, 2019, five-year-old Dulce Maria Alavez disappeared from Bridgeton City Park in New Jersey while playing with her younger brother, sparking a massive search and investigation that continues to this day. Despite extensive efforts from local and federal authorities, including the FBI, and widespread media attention, no significant leads have emerged. Witnesses reported seeing a Hispanic man leading Dulce into a red van, but neither the man nor the vehicle was ever identified. The case, which remains unsolved, has deeply impacted Dulce's family and community, who continue to hold out hope for her safe return. Investigators still consider it an active investigation, pursuing every possible lead, as the search for answers continues.(commercial at 7:40)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

Our guest today is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Hispanic Construction Council. The Hispanic Construction Council is a national dual nonprofit organization, classified as both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6), that addresses critical gaps in the construction industry. As a think tank, they utilize their board members and media presence to raise awareness and provide solutions for significant economic challenges and opportunities affecting the construction industry and its workers.#GeorgeCarillo#HispanicConstructionCouncil,com#Latino Construction LeadershipProtect Construction Workers#LatinoBuilders#HealthCareUnTold

On Oct. 23, Deacon Larry Gayton discussed the upcoming march for migrants and refugees and Hispanic Mass on the Art Lewis Show. At 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, faithful will gather for a solemn March for migrants and refugees. The march will begin at Great Lakes Bay Health Center parking lot at 501 Lapeer Ave., Saginaw and conclude at St. Joseph Church, 910 N 6th Ave., Saginaw.After the March, a Misa Hispana (Hispanic Mass) will be celebrated at St. Joseph Church at 4 p.m. The Misa Hispana Mass celebrates the rich traditions of the Hispanic Catholic community particularly through music and language in the bilingual liturgy.“We will march as an expression of faith in Jesus, who stands with the vulnerable, the poor and immigrants,” said Bishop Robert Gruss, Bishop of Saginaw. “Migrants and refugees often find themselves alone, separated from family and lacking basic needs. Jesus calls us to welcome the stranger, clothe the naked and feed the hungry. As a local Church, we must be of ‘one heart and mind' and uphold the dignity of all people.”“A public gathering like this can motivate all of us to put our faith into action,” said Deacon Larry Gayton, who serves in the Office of Multicultural Ministry at the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw. “We want to let migrants and refugees in our community know that we care about them and that their voices are heard.”Deacon Larry Gayton's family migrated from Killeen, Texas to Berrien Springs, Mich. in 1968 and worked on farms. “We didn't have much when we moved to Michigan. One of our vehicles broke down on the drive to Michigan and our family of seven had to pile into a crowded car. We worked on farms picking fruits and vegetables and lived in migrant camps. Generous members of the Catholic community helped me with my education and eventually I was able to attend law school. I want to serve migrants and refugees just as I was helped by so many generous people.”All are invited to join in the prayerful and solemn march. Afterwards, Bishop Robert Gruss will celebrate the Hispanic Mass (Misa Hispana) at St. Joseph Church.“The Misa Hispana is a joyous and diverse celebration,” said Deacon Larry Gayton. “Daughters who have recently celebrated their quinceañera have been invited to attend wearing their quinceañera dresses. The Knights of Columbus will also be joining us for Mass and the Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil Mariachis will perform music at a reception after Mass.”

As the world celebrated a new ceasefire agreement in Gaza, other conflicts continue to rage across the globe, including in Sudan. In January, then Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared the Sudanese military and allied militias were committing genocide. What does this have to do with Oklahoma? Here's FBO's Nick Alexandrov.  As federal budget cuts to healthcare and education take hold, more families in the United States will have to make difficult choices. In Oklahoma, the disparities are evident for students with special needs and people with multiple sclerosis. Zaakirah Muhammad has the story.Since the passage of Oklahoma House Bill 1775 in 2021, educators and librarians have had to carefully navigate book offerings in classes and libraries. While legal challenges to the law persist, students of all ages risk missing out on learning opportunities that are only available in some banned books. Jess Grimes has more.What began as a town hall for Enid's Hispanic community turned into a cross-cultural summit—bringing together neighbors from all backgrounds to tackle shared struggles and build unity. Here's Venson Fields with details.Nestled in the Brookside neighborhood of Tulsa is a garden that's not just for growing herbs and vegetables, but for cultivating indigenous knowledge, wellness, and community. A nonprofit called "Burning Cedar Sovereign Wellness" aims to provide resources to tribal citizens living in an urban environment to promote health and cultural connection with an emphasis on growing and cooking food. Nico Berlin has details.Here's FBO's Sondra Slade with a friendly reminder that sometimes driving on Oklahoma roads requires the heart of a lion.

When Sarahi Sanchez Soto joined a dual-enrollment program at her high school in Dinuba, it allowed her to enroll in college-level computer science classes and jump-started her college career. But that program is now in peril, after the Trump administration announced it's eliminating grant programs for Hispanic-Serving Institutions, colleges where at least 25% of students are Latino, because they claim they are discriminatory. These cuts hit California's community colleges hard, where the grants provided services meant to help all students get past early hurdles in their college journeys. Guests: Sarahi Sanchez Soto, Student, Reedley College, Michael Burke, Reporter, EdSource Read more from EdSource: Student support programs in peril after federal cuts at Hispanic-serving community colleges Trump administration to end grant funding for Hispanic-Serving Institutions, affecting many California colleges California colleges worry about lawsuit challenging funding for campuses with many Hispanic students   Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource's Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald. Subscribe: Apple, Spotify, SoundCloud, YouTube

On this episode of Banking on KC, Joe Arce, publisher and founder of KC Hispanic News, joins host Kelly Scanlon to reflect on his decades in media and his mission to give Kansas City's Hispanic community a platform for their stories, voices, and culture—while inspiring the next generation of Latino journalists to carry on that work. Tune in to discover:Why Joe launched KC Hispanic News to fill a void in local coverage and give Kansas City's Hispanic community a trusted voice.How the paper's bilingual reporting became a vital lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to inform and connect readers across generations.The role of scholarships, mentoring, and storytelling in nurturing future Latino journalists and preserving Hispanic heritage.Country Club Bank – Member FDIC

This season, it's about ownership. Because ambition doesn't need permission. Welcome to Season 3 of So Ambitious - the award-winning podcast from Pharrell Williams' Black Ambition Prize, hosted by Felecia Hatcher. This season, we're amplifying the stories of founders who are building uninterrupted - from tech innovators to creative entrepreneurs - all defying the odds and reimagining what's possible for the next generation. Each conversation dives deep into the real journey behind ambition: the resilience, the risk, the purpose, and the community that makes it all possible. Because when Black and Hispanic founders thrive, the future does too.

Send us a textA boxer in training. A terrifying spiral of symptoms. A life-saving surgery that changed everything. Jose Torres joins us to share how ulcerative colitis pulled him out of the ring and propelled him into purpose—building community, advancing equity, and living well with a J‑pouch in a city that isn't designed for urgent needs.We trace Jose's path from misdiagnosis in Brooklyn to specialized care in Manhattan and the brutal logistics of public transit without bathrooms. He opens up about the cultural currents in his Mexican and Puerto Rican family—why speaking up took time, why steroids raised tough questions, and how food traditions collided with new IBD realities. The story turns on resilience: a colectomy and J‑pouch, early pouchitis, iron infusions, and then a decade of medication-free stability supported by smart nutrition, consistent exercise, and honest attention to mental health.Jose also brings us inside the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation—from literally ringing the office doorbell to roles in advancement, business development, and DEI leadership. We talk about real lived experience, research into disparities, and why culturally fluent care changes outcomes. Along the way, he shares practical tactics for managing frequency, a nudge toward pelvic floor physical therapy, and a grounded philosophy: don't chase perfection, cultivate accountability and hope.If stories of grit, culture, and community help you feel less alone with IBD, this one's for you. Cheers!Links: Camp Oasis- Crohn's & Colitis Foundation USACamp Purple- Crohn's & Colitis Foundation New ZealandAbout IBD podcast with Amber Tresca episode- "IBD in the Hispanic Community with Dr. Oriana Damas"Let's get social!!Follow us on Instagram!Follow us on Facebook!Follow us on Twitter!

Get early access to all of the 2025 RENEW Gathering Breakout Tracks: https://reallifetheologypodcast.supercast.com/  Visit RENEW.org for great resources on Disciple Making and Theology.  Today's episode will help us understand the profound impact of cultural intelligence on the growth and adaptation of the Latino Christian community within diverse and evolving urban centers in the United States. The provided script titled "Latino Christian Movement" features a discussion and workshop led by Alex Diaz, the campus pastor at Trader Point Christian Church's Midtown campus. The episode focuses on cultural intelligence and the growth and adaptation of the Latino Christian community in the United States. Alex begins by introducing himself, sharing his background of immigrating from Venezuela to the U.S. and detailing his ministry journey across several states. He highlights significant demographic changes in cities like Indianapolis, depicting the rise in Latino populations and the proliferation of Hispanic restaurants even in traditionally white supremacist areas. The core of the workshop hinges on the concept of cultural intelligence, which is described as the ability to function effectively in culturally diverse settings. Alex explains the rapid demographic shifts occurring in the U.S., showcased by census data, and how these shifts indicate a future where urban centers will predominantly consist of minority communities, particularly Hispanic and multiracial groups. He emphasizes the importance of adapting church practices to reflect current and anticipated demographic realities, noting common misconceptions and anxieties about cultural change. Alex is joined by Pastor Miguel Lara of White River Christian Church, who shares his journey from Venezuela to the U.S., focusing on his experiences in leading a Hispanic ministry within a predominantly Anglo church. Miguel underscores the value of mutual respect, shared meals, and activities in fostering cross-cultural friendships and unity. He highlights various outreach programs, including sports ministries, marriage seminars, and mentoring initiatives, which have successfully integrated Hispanic members into the church community. Pastor Miguel also details practical steps his church has taken to serve and grow their Hispanic congregation, such as bilingual online presence, ESL programs, and culturally relevant outreach like the music program “Elma,” inspired by a similar initiative in Venezuela aimed at keeping youth engaged through orchestral music. Throughout the episode, multiple facets of building and sustaining multicultural congregations are discussed, including the importance of friendship, learning from each other, and leveraging existing church structures and processes. In conclusion, Alex and Miguel's stories highlight the broader strategic and operational measures necessary for churches to adapt to and embrace cultural diversity. They underline the inevitable demographic changes sweeping the U.S. and the need for churches to develop cultural intelligence as part of their mission to effectively minister to increasingly diverse communities.

DC's Decline and the Search for a New Imperial Capital. Gaius and Germanicus debate where the new capital of the American Empire should be located, noting that Washington, D.C., is losing its usefulness. This parallels the Roman abandonment of Rome when it became indefensible and the imperial economy shifted east, leading Constantine to establish Constantinople. DC is troubled by a bypassed population and a shrinking federal workforce, partly due to the consolidation of AI data centers in Virginia. A shift in the capital would symbolize a dramatic transformation of American identity. Germanicus suggests Miami as a potential new capital because it already serves as the entrepôt for Latin America, fitting a potential "America First" hemispheric identity. This focus aligns with the large Hispanic influx and the migration of Northerners into strong Southern states like Florida and Texas. Just as DC was originally situated midway between the North and South colonies, the new capital must be centered where North and South meet to cement a new identity. The hosts anticipate a future hemispheric alliance where America becomes a fortress and a startup for a billion people in the 22nd century. 1712 CAESAR Retry

California entered the union in 1850 as a free state—yet black Californians are about to cash out big on reparations, thanks to Gov. Gavin Newsom. So, who exactly is owed and for what? And what is Newsom's angle here, considering his state is already facing massive deficits? Victor Davis Hanson breaks down California's newly approved reparations agenda on today's episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In a Few Words.” “ The black population of California is about 5.4% of the 41 million people. Who are going to be paying the reparations? The so-called white oppressor, victimizer class is only 42%. It is a minority.  “ Who is black in a multiracial, intermarried culture? Are we going to go back to the Elizabeth Warren rule? Do we need DNA badges? Are we gonna use the old Confederate measure of one-sixteenth? 16% to 17% of the California population identify as multiracial. How do we know who is white, who is Hispanic, who is black? It's very hard to adjudicate that.”

In this episode of the Brand Intelligence Podcast, host William Tyree speaks with Jessica Germain, VP of Marketing at My Code, about the company's bold and award-winning rebrand. Originally founded as H Code, a Hispanic-focused digital media platform, MyCode expanded its reach to include Black, AAPI, and LGBTQ audiences while adding new offerings such as research, a creative studio, and a robust creator network. But as consumer identity and cultural affinities grew more complex, the company recognized the need for a brand that reflected intersectionality and spoke to the full spectrum of modern culture. Jessica shares how the rebrand positioned MyCode as a culture marketing platform that helps brands decode cultural shifts, develop authentic storytelling, and direct campaigns to the right communities. She explains why timing was critical, how the market was evolving, and what it takes to shift from demographic targeting to cultural connection. This conversation highlights the strategic thinking, creativity, and market awareness behind a successful rebrand — and shows how MyCode is helping major brands like Sephora and the NFL connect with growth audiences in powerful new ways. Learn more about My Code Media at https://mycodemedia.com/

Marta never imagined she'd live in Mississippi—much less start a church. But God had other plans. In this episode, hear how Marta's love for her Hispanic community and passion for teaching became the spark for a new kind of church—one that began not in a sanctuary, but in a local library and around shared meals. As she gathered with children and families to read books in their language, moments of storytime and food became sacred opportunities to build relationships, nurture belonging, and share the love of Jesus.Discover how something as simple as gathering over a table or opening a book can become the foundation for a vibrant faith community—a beautiful fresh expression of church rooted in familia, hospitality, and hope.Marta Sobrino Bolen, the pastor of Glenfield United Methodist Church, has started a ministry for Latinos called La Misión that helps Latino families in three areas: family, community, and spiritual growth. La Misión currently includes a tutoring program, a food pantry, a clothes pantry, reading and writing skills, spiritual growth, and support to families who have just arrived to the US. Related Resources: Fresh Expressions Incubator - Dinner Church in Hispanic CommunitiesEmail us: podcasts@freshexpressions.com

Linktree: ⁠https://linktr.ee/Analytic⁠Join The Normandy For Additional Bonus Audio And Visual Content For All Things Nme+! Join Here: ⁠https://ow.ly/msoH50WCu0K⁠ Dive into the corridos tumbados revolution with Analytic Dreamz on Notorious Mass Effect, unpacking the meteoric rise of Calle 24 (Diego Millán) and his breakout single “SUIZA” from the December 2024 album ONDEADO$ via Street Mob/Warner Latina. Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, this self-taught guitarist blends norteño roots with urban trap, earning credits on Fuerza Regida's “Sabor Fresa” and Peso Pluma's “Igualito a Mi Apá.” “SUIZA” crafts a romantic corrido of eternal love and Swiss elopement dreams, shifting from heartbreak to loyalty with vivid metaphors. Hitting #12 on Billboard Hot Latin Songs and #45 on Spotify Global 200, it boasts 150M+ Spotify streams (70% Latin America, 20% U.S. Hispanic), 50M+ YouTube views, and a #3 debut for ONDEADO$ on Top Latin Albums. TikTok duets added 30M streams in Q1 2025, while Netflix Narcos: Mexico S4 promo spiked U.S. sales 25%. Live Fuerza Regida nods boosted plays 15%, with ad-free tiers driving 40% revenue per IFPI. X buzz mixes “genial” praise and “boring” takes, fueling 5M weekly streams via fan edits. Explore how “SUIZA” bridges street authenticity to global romance, cementing Calle 24 as a genre innovator. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/analytic-dreamz-notorious-mass-effect/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

-Carson highlights the tragic yet inspiring story of Ram Brazlavski, an Israeli hostage tortured by Hamas who refused to renounce his Jewish faith—an emotional centerpiece of the hour. -On the Newsmax hotline, Chris Salcedo joins to discuss his new book “The Rise of the Liberty-Loving Latino: A New American Revolution”, sharing his upbringing, conservative values, and the Latino shift away from liberalism. Today's podcast is sponsored by : BIRCH GOLD - Protect and grow your retirement savings with gold. Text ROB to 98 98 98 for your FREE information kit! RELIEFBAND : Wristbands that stop nausea from motion sickness & more. Go to http://Reliefband.com and use promo code CARSON for 20% off plus free shipping! To call in and speak with Rob Carson live on the show, dial 1-800-922-6680 between the hours of 12 Noon and 3:00 pm Eastern Time Monday through Friday…E-mail Rob Carson at : RobCarsonShow@gmail.com Musical parodies provided by Jim Gossett (www.patreon.com/JimGossettComedy) Listen to Newsmax LIVE and see our entire podcast lineup at http://Newsmax.com/Listen Make the switch to NEWSMAX today! Get your 15 day free trial of NEWSMAX+ at http://NewsmaxPlus.com Looking for NEWSMAX caps, tees, mugs & more? Check out the Newsmax merchandise shop at : http://nws.mx/shop Follow NEWSMAX on Social Media:  -Facebook: http://nws.mx/FB  -X/Twitter: http://nws.mx/twitter -Instagram: http://nws.mx/IG -YouTube: https://youtube.com/NewsmaxTV -Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NewsmaxTV -TRUTH Social: https://truthsocial.com/@NEWSMAX -GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/newsmax -Threads: http://threads.net/@NEWSMAX  -Telegram: http://t.me/newsmax  -BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/newsmax.com -Parler: http://app.parler.com/newsmax Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a case asking whether using race as a factor in congressional maps violates the Constitution. If the justices decide it is, the decision could open the door for Republican politicians to redraw maps to eliminate a number of Black and Hispanic districts. Also: today's stories, including whether tungsten mining in Yukon might prove influential in mending the U.S.-Canada relations; how an Altadena family navigates the red tape that is hampering recovery after California's Eaton fire; and how volunteers are reconnecting communities along the Blue Ridge Parkway after mudslides from Hurricane Helene. Join the Monitor's Ira Porter for today's news.

Send us a textCaleb David shares his unique journey from nonprofit humanitarian work to commercial real estate, revealing how his people-first approach has shaped his success despite market challenges. His background in international aid work provides a refreshing perspective on property transactions, emphasizing relationship-building, authenticity, and community service over quick profits.• Half East Indian, half American background with significant childhood time in India• Led nonprofit Table Initiative taking people overseas to understand social issues firsthand• Made nearly 30 trips to Ethiopia working with anti-trafficking organizations• Transitioned to commercial real estate after nonprofit burnout about 11 years ago• Focuses on education and setting small businesses up for long-term success• Starts with understanding client goals before working backward to find solutions• Emphasizes the importance of broker-client moral alignment and ethical practices• Advocates for supporting minority businesses, particularly in the Hispanic community• Currently building a team at Keller Williams Commercial in Colorado Springs• Values authenticity as his guiding principle in business and personal lifeFollow Caleb on Instagram and Facebook @CalebDavid or visit davidcommercial.com. Check out his podcast "Commercial Real Estate Unfiltered" on all major platforms. Support the showThanks again for listening. Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a FIVE-STAR review.Head to Dwanderful right now to claim your free real estate investing kit. And follow:http://www.Dwanderful.comhttp://www.facebook.com/Dwanderfulhttp://www.Instagram.com/Dwanderful http://www.youtube.com/DwanderfulRealEstateInvestingChannelMake it a Dwanderful Day!