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Special guest and familiar face, Charles Oswald joins the Suite Spot in his return to the TMG Hospitality Trailblazers series. As CEO & President of Aperture Hotels, Charles shares his insights on AI & technology in hospitality, capital investment challenges, and his vision for the Aperture Hotels brand.  Tune in now to the full conversation. Ryan Embree: Welcome to Suite Spot, where hoteliers check in and we check out what’s trending in hotel marketing. I’m your host, Ryan Embree. Hello, everyone. Welcome to another episode of The Suite Spot. This is your host, Ryan Embree, here for another edition of our TMG Hospitality Trailblazers. Technically, a look back on a few years back when we visited with this particular individual and company trailblazing and paving the way forward in hospitality. That is Charles Oswald, president and CEO of Aperture Hotels. Charles, thank you so much for being back here on The Suite Spot. Charles Oswald: Oh, it’s good to be back. Thank you. Ryan Embree: Yeah. You’ve been busy. It’s been a long time. I had to look back and see the last time we visited here on The Suite Spot. We did our original hospitality trailblazers, really in the infancy of Aperture Hotels back in December 2023. A lot’s changed on that since then, right? So catch us up a little bit. What have you been working on? There’s been some incredible growth that we’ve seen with your company. Congratulations on that. But catch us up since we last visited. Charles Oswald: First off, so at that time when we had launched Aperture Hotels, we were coming out in the, in the wake of the pandemic. So if you kind of think back where we were three and four years ago versus today, there were a lot of properties that had gone through this economic shock, and there were owners who were reeling from that experience, especially those that had corporate business travel hotels as opposed to those leisure destinations that benefited from the pandemic. And so during that time, Aperture actually went on and took on almost 30 different properties that we added to the portfolio, that were, driven by those owners who needed a new management company to come and take a look at their, their with fresh eyes and take a look at their top line strategies, their expense controls. And so we had a lot of properties, and they were 100% of those properties were not through acquisitions, but were actually just performance turnaround assignments where they were switching management companies, to somebody to take a fresh look. So, with all that said, we found ourselves, walking into properties that were on, like, the sixth or seventh year of a five-year hold strategy for private equity firms or high net worth individuals and so on. And that quickly turned into turnarounds, which the story from us lately has actually been sales, a lot of sales, 20 plus sales over the course of this last year. And so today, as we stand here, I’m actually more rebuilding the pipeline with a mix of more management change assignments, plus a few pipeline of new developments. And those new developments are mostly, like, 100 or 300 room soft brand properties across the country. So yeah a lot’s changed for sure. Really rapid growth, really rapid sales, and now more sort of measured one at a time growth. Ryan Embree: Yeah, and I wanna talk about that, because I’ve had the privilege to talk to some management company owners and leaders, and they’ve kind of echoed that same sentiment of not just growth, but strategic growth. And that seems to be where you are right now, too. So when you kind of take a look at. I know you mentioned that particular segment, but when you take a look at the hospitality landscape right now, what makes the right strategic partner for Aperture Hotels right now as you kind of enter this cycle where you’re trying to build back up a little bit? Charles Oswald: You’re right. The right partner, it’s about fit. And when you look at the experience of our leadership team, we’re really engineered towards compact, full service hotels, lifestyle, premium select service brands. They can be brand or independent. We’d like to partner with owners that have some portfolio stable scalability. Preferably they own by that, I mean, they own more than one hotel, and there might be more than one opportunity there. You know, we wanna work with those owners that know what they’re doing, right? They’ve got some, some governance, sophistication, some decision speed. Hopefully, they’ve not just made bad investments when they’re turning over these properties, but really, they’re looking for some performance turnaround in a good investment. And preferably those are longer term holds. As you can tell, we did a lot of hard work for some turnarounds and watched them sell. And they sold largely to owners who had their own management. So that’s tricky for us, right? That leads us looking for more opportunities. So in terms of us in aperture and how we see ourselves in competitive points of difference is we’ve got a group that has hundreds of hotels of experiments. Myself, I’ve managed about 300 hotels now over the years, and they’ve ranged from little 60-room properties up to a thousand plus room convention hotels and resorts. And so what we bring is, we’ve got big experience in our leadership team, but we’re in a small package, right? A boutique-sized company that can give more corporate support to property ratio. And we’re very data-driven in how we use our decision-making tools to uncover those hidden business opportunities and the potential to drive market share and outperform GOP. Big experience, I’d say that corporate support, the data-driven decision-making process and tools, I think is really what sets us aside. And by the way, I’ll just mention that our average RGI that we’ve achieved in the first 18 months when you put us in place after another management company, the average RGI growth or repar index gains is actually just over 10%. So we’ve had, like, incredible turnarounds at the top line, which leads them to great bottom line improvements as well. Ryan Embree: Which makes it so much more impressive, too, with the climate right now. And these events that we go to would talk about operating and margins right now, and trying to be just efficient as possible, because costs are, are rising right now. It is certainly difficult to navigate, and I’m sure that experience that you’ve had has certainly lended itself to some great stories that you can then share to help grow that portfolio. And the other part of the experience that you were talking about is you have the data and the insights. And one of the places you find that data and insights is obviously hospitality events that are going on. I’ve had the pleasure of running into you at quite a number of these. If I’m not running into you, Charles, I’m seeing you up on stage conducting interviews or, or sharing some of your takeaways on LinkedIn after the event. You got a busy second half of the year. I wanna talk about these events, though, and how you kind of leverage them, right? So, why do you think these events, especially now, are so important? And then, how do you measure success of an event once it’s completed, whether that be a lodging conference, an investment conference, or whether it be, just an educational data event? Charles Oswald: Look, that’s a really good question. When you consider the time, travel budget, and the opportunity costs on an executive’s busy calendar to get out to these conferences and spend three, four days between the travel and the time out there, we’ve gotta be, we’ve gotta be very intentional, right, about how we approach it. So, I see value in going to these conferences because of deal sourcing and the relationship capital that we pick up. Also, I think there’s that market intelligence and the pricing signals that we get from those from this conference. There’s the access to capital markets. That was particularly important for me here recently as I was looking to as I’m in the process of acquiring a property right now in Phoenix, and when we needed to raise LP capital and we had those relationships these are people, again, we met at conferences. I think talent reputation, right, it’s important to get out there and continue to manage that. So those, those are a number of the reasons why we wanna get out to these conferences and why we think they’re important. But the measure of success, you’re right, for a data-driven guy, I wish I could put a specific number to it. Like, here’s the ROI from each of these conferences. It’s really difficult to. It’s really difficult to do, but I can tell you that, I do look back and, and aggregate those. I look at the management contracts we picked up, and I think of, “Okay, well, where did I meet these folks? And so what’s the average return?” And I can put a number to that. And I would tell you that in terms of the immediate return, what I’m looking for is if I can have three to five specific follow-up conversations, a result of that conference, then the trip was worth the cost. Ryan Embree: That’s great advice for young hospitality professionals out there. I mean, we have a great industry, and one of the coolest parts of it is you get to rub shoulders sometimes with those executives. So even those younger hospitality professionals that might be tuning in here, it’s a great piece of advice to when you can, obviously, try to get that exposure of networking and get out there because hospitality is certainly a big world, but it’s also a very small world, and you run into a lot of the same people. And again, this, just like you said, Charles, a lot of the stories, success stories, whether it be business relationships, some of those transactions could stem from sitting next to somebody at breakfast – Absolutely. On day two of a conference. Love to hear that advice, love to hear that those stay beneficial, because we love those. We’re hospitality people, right? We’re in that industry. Now, another thing you become kinda famous for your takeaways articles on LinkedIn. My advice would be to encourage anyone, definitely give Charles if you’re not already a follow, because you have some great insights and takeaways from some of the events that he goes to. So I’m gonna kind of put you on the spot here. If you had to do a takeaways article for the first half of 2026, maybe give us a couple points, and then if you could, maybe share some predictions. We’re hospitality people. We love to kind of predict, try to predict the future a little bit, so. Charles Oswald: Yeah. Well, maybe, maybe the biggest takeaway from the first half is that we’re not great in hospitality about predicting future. Ryan Embree: That’s a good one. Charles Oswald: So, as we rolled into 2026, there were a lot of folks that were saying it was gonna be, like, Groundhog Day, that we’re looking at flat, very modest, RevPar growth and expenses that, outpace, the top line. And I think what nobody saw coming was US demand growth in the first half of the year. Now part of this, I will tell you, if we look back in some panels, a year ago, I called part of this, which is I asked why is no one talking about the impact of the $30 billion increase in tax refunds that we’ll see, plus the real wage growth that’s happening, and what impact that could have on our industry? And, and a lot of people kind of poo-pooed and they said, “Well, you know, we don’t really know that the tax refunds are gonna be there. We don’t really know how those are gonna hit.” Okay. But we do. There was some, some mirroring it kinda like during the pandemic when you put money in people’s pockets, there were a lot of people that just went out and spent it. And so I did, I think that had a real impact on the, on the first half of the year. And then the other part that none of us saw coming, and I didn’t, was certainly there’d be a war in Iran and how the general global conflict can would affect the outbound travel case for the American traveler. So, that outbound travel, international outbound decelerated, right, while domestic leisure demand, stayed strong. So, that helped prop up the first half of the year. So there are some trends from the first half that I think will carry out to the second half. So for not getting in looking forward, I’d say that second half of the year, there’ll be more bifurcation. You know, we’re gonna see a continuing challenge to new supply growth, and we’re gonna continue to see labor costs rising, but at a bit of a decelerating rate. So if I were to expand a little bit on that, on the bifurcation, we’ve heard a lot of talk about the K-shaped economy. And really in that bifurcation, there’s some people talking about this hollowing in the middle class, and, and, and I think that’s actually very, very misrepresented. What’s actually happened is we’ve seen a growth generational wealth, over the course of the last 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years. And this is a long-term macro trend, okay? The fact is that there are fewer poor today, about a third less than there were, you know, 40, 50 years ago. There are few, fewer lower middle class, and no longer is the core middle class the largest classification of income in America. But according to the BLS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is actually now the upper middle class is the largest class, right? So people are moving up on this continuum, and they’re more wealthy. So when you start thinking about that, what does that affect on our industry? That’s why we’re seeing this interest in, towards experiential travel, towards the soft brands, towards luxury, and why upper upscale and luxury tiers have been outperforming. So I think we’ll continue to see that as we go through the end of the year. And the other story I think we’ll continue to see is that new supply, right? Man, the plan, I mean, there’s, like, you know, 10% supply growth planned. But what actually happens, is just a, you know, a fraction of a percent. And so, in there, the challenge, you know, debt isn’t the problem anymore. It’s more about equity and construction cost relative to the commercial real estate valuations,in interest rate market environment that we’re in today. Ryan Embree: Yeah, so you have a little bit tampered demand, or tampered, building construction because of those construction costs. And do not underestimate, again, the willingness and ability for people and wanting to travel and have experiences. I still think they even the younger generation, they’re getting some more money in their pockets, and the first thing that they’re wanting to do is plan a nice trip, right, before they go out and, and buy those expensive things that, which was, was typically would happen. Charles Oswald: Yeah, and I wanna just comment one thing though is we’ve talked a lot about economic resilience, and that resiliency definitely exists in the US, and it’s more resilient than a lot of folks probably though it was when you look back in time. However, some of that does seem to be breaking here, right? You know, you are seeing rise of credit card debt. You are seeing some increases in folks, particularly at the mid-scale and, and, and lower income classes defaulting on car payments and things like that. And so if you start to make a decision about, you know, do I travel or do I pay my, my car, that is going to affect the industry, you know, as we go forward. And, and that’s gonna play a little bit in that bifurcation that we were talking about. Those who are on the upper end have watched unreal growth for the last few years in their stock market portfolios. You know, they, they feel a little bit more free and, and open travel. Ryan Embree: Yeah, it’s interesting. You’re right. You know, we always talk about still prioritizing travel, but travel over things. But when tho- those things become, like you said, payments or car payments, then all of a sudden the priorities start to shift a little bit. So it’d be interesting to see how that continues in the second half of this year. Now, another topic we that you’re gonna hear at every single hospitality show, it’s a bingo card, is AI and technology. And you, and you actually speak a lot. I’ve seen you on panels speak a lot to it in, in your interviews. Where do you think the hospitality industry, which we’ve said typically is one to slowly adopt technology? Where do you think we are in this cycle of AI adoption? And then maybe you could zoom in a little bit into your organization and, and where you’ve prioritized that, or maybe stayed away from it. Charles Oswald: Maybe we kind of break that down into sounds like three or four areas, right? I think, yeah, it’s what’s the biggest impact today? What’s kinda happening now? And maybe where’s it going? Sure. And, uh, and how do we play into that as a management company, right? Yeah. So I guess there’s four ways. In terms of the biggest impact today, it’s for sure it’s been, it, it, it’s been in distribution, right? Uh, GEO and AEO are the new SEO. And so, um, uh, maybe what’s accelerated hospitality is entrance into AI because the customer was using it to search for hospitality, and then all of a sudden we woke up and said what – Ryan Embree: Great point. Charles Oswald: It’s not just about keywords, but how, how do we become the answer to the question they’re asking? And so that’s, uh, that’s certainly the biggest impact today is on the distribution side. I think what’s happening in progress, we’re starting to see more in the areas of revenue optimization and design, right? Like on, you know, when it comes to new hotel renovations and they and developments. And then the future, where’s it going? I think we’re gonna see AI more in our, more closely integrated into our business analytics, like and that’s gonna extend into labor scheduling and productivity. I think we’ll see it help us in energy management and procurement. Things like F&B menu engineering both from the creative standpoint and kinda marrying that with the math, right? Like, what the cost of plate is and what the customer’s actually buying. And and that’s really important. IAnd by the way, that’s a weak spot, I think in the industry. There are an awful lot of management companies that are not very good on food and beverage side. So at Aperture, what are we doing? First off, I would say we lean really heavily on our tech partners to adapt, adopt AI for their analytics or reporting insights. And today insights has become the real opportunity, right? I mean, if you ask your BI system, you know, it’s one thing for them to be able to pull a report or show you some side-by-side comparisons, but the insights, like, why is this happening? You know, you can tell me, me what my flow-through is, it’s great, but, like, what should it be if we had run according to all the budget metrics that, like, that we put out there? They’re, they’re weak on that side, at least to date. So I think that’s gonna be the next step is that is conveying those analytics and reports to insights. And so, we’re keenly working with technology solutions that they can implement in those ways, and digital marketing efforts that help us improve the distribution that we were talking about earlier, GEO and AEO. And from a practical day-to-day standpoint, you know, we’ve incorporated, cloud enterprise solutions in our daily work and our applications, like, you know, Excel and SharePoint, et cetera, like a lot of other companies have. But we got plenty of room, plenty of runway there when it comes to AI. Ryan Embree: Absolutely. Yeah, 100%. So, uh, every day, yeah. every hour, it feels like sometimes with these announcements. Um, but yeah, you, you mentioned something really, really fascinating at the top of that, the answer of, you know, I think the adoption cycle sometimes with technology and hospitality has been slow because we’ve tried to, sometime, “Hey, download our app,” right? We’re, we’re trying to get the customer to move with the technology that we want them to move into, and the ecosystem that, that, “Hey, you know, do this.” And now, what’s happening is we’re seeing the consumer move into these LLMs and, and AI search, and now hospitality’s kind of been like, “We have to catch up because this is where our customer is,” right? So maybe that does cause a little bit of, uh, acceleration. So, because that is the biggest thing that we’ve been hearing as well, is just AI visibility. There is just this, this fear of a couple years ago, it was the fear of doing anything and being like, “I’m not doing anything with AI and technology. Now it’s like, now I have. My biggest fear is keeping me up, is I’m not being found on AI, uh, search engines and LLMs.” Charles Oswald: Yeah, let me tell you, like, just a great example, I was traveling not long ago, to Chicago, and I had a trip to Nashville, and I was just curious. I just, I went to Google – Yeah. And said, “Hey, what are the, what’s the best hotel in Chicago?” And it gave me a list of sponsored results. So it was like, I don’t know, half a dozen or so hotels there. And it gave me a list of, like, you know, here’s what says, and there’s like 20 properties there, and there is, AAA and Forbes, and there was the map and so all this stuff, and I’m like, “Wow, there, there’s, like, you know, 60 best hotels in Chicago.” And so then I moved over, just out of curiosity, I asked, uh, Claude, “What’s the best hotel in Chicago?” Gave me one answer, named one hotel, this is the best. And it gave me a little honorable mention list of three properties underneath it. I thought, oh, my gosh. And then I did the same thing with Nashville. I get one answer – Yeah. And it’s honorable mentions. And it really started making me think, oh my gosh, like, like, if, if only one hotel is gonna come up with that, how do I make that money? And, uh, and who is this, who is this, um, generative AI trusting? And so, so, so we began to dive really deeply in that conversation about, like, when, where are these trusted resort returns coming from, and how do we influence that, right? How do we make sure we appear there? Ryan Embree: 100%. Yeah, that’s the, the next race right now is to try to figure that out. And that’s difficult. Charles Oswald: Kind of back up and just elaborate, just one more comment – Yeah. Is just that, that, like, in Google, I mean, it’s, sure, it’s trusted. I don’t think anybody says that you don’t, you don’t trust Google on those returns and the 60 properties that it’s sent, but – Right. It’s returning the results that it wants you to see, the search engine. Whereas Claude, ChatGPT, Grock, others, they’re returning the results that, as the consumer, I wanted to see. Ryan Embree: And that’s, and that’s the, I think that’s the difficult because it almost changes into a little bit 40 chess, because I might ask the same question, and based on my search experience, it could look at a different best hotel in Chicago than could be your best hotel in Chicago. Once you go down that. Yeah. Charles Oswald: Are you Going there for business, or is it a wedding, or is the soccer team? Yeah, right. And it, it might know the purpose. It might know lis – a little something about you. You’re exactly right. Ryan Embree: Well, uh, uh, listen, I’m gonna take us back before we get to, into that to rabbit hole and, and lose everybody there, because one of my, uh, one of the favorite parts of the conversation, and we’ve done, you know, now this, I think we’re, we’re over 200 episodes here, but one of the, one of my favorite parts, uh, places of our conversation, Charles, back when we first spoke, was hearing the origin story of aperture hotels and, and the name for it. And so, uh, I wanted just to revisit that for those who may have missed that episode. Can you share that story again and why this whole shift your perspective, which you can find on your LinkedIn, your website, everywhere, that mindset has really resonated, uh, with, so well with, um, hotel owners, investors, and has, has been an important part of your s – your company’s success. Charles Oswald: Oh, wow. Um, you know, thank you for, uh, for asking that question, uh, and, uh, and it’s a reminder and the flashback. You know, so, uh, so what is an aperture, first off, right? It’s, it, it’s, it’s in that, you know, that, that, that camera lens that allows light, right, to, to, to pass through, right? So, so it creates a clear, well-composed image. And so I think from a hospitality brand, um, that maps into some of our values. Um, you know, we talk about transparency and accountability. We talk about clarity and vision, right? Like, an owner sees a, a hotel’s position, um, uh, potential, and we can help capture it, right? We help focus, bring focus. Precision and control, you know, I, I think that helps, uh, convey into our views on process orientation across the enterprise and, you know, and consistent execution. One of our core values is about being actively curious, right? Like, how do you scratch beneath the, the surface and shine a light on, on what that is, right? And, you know, what can we do to, to make, you know, to reveal those, those, the, the hidden business potential? We think about, you know, when we’re walking into the hotel and, and, and we’re touring our, our properties and, and, and looking for those, um, those guest experience improvements, it’s like, how do we make this, uh, picture perfect for the customer who arrives, right? What that arrival experience, what are the first moments of truth? And so I think all of those things, that, that transparency of clarity, vision, precision control, uh, you know, picture perfect, uh, all these things, um, sort of play into that aperture name. But I’ll be honest, there was another part of this, uh, which is that, you know, there’s, like, 400 hotel management companies out there, uh, and there’s hundreds more that used to be. Finding an original name is admittedly difficult. Every name you can think of has been, uh, used. Sure. Uh, we, we were fortunate, uh, to be able to find something that was original that didn’t, you know, pigeonhole us into something like, you know, calling ourselves, uh, Sunbelt Management or something like that. So, so, so that did work out well for us. Ryan Embree: Yeah. Well, I love it because, you know, you, you mentioned at the top that this was, you know, Aperture Hotels was really their origin story started during and during that COVID time, right? During and after that COVID time. And I think it was in those conversations, the companies and organizations that I spoke to that had a very clear North Star, a very clear direction of who they are and their culture during that time, because it was such a difficult time. So to have such a strong kind of name and you have all of those things, I’m sure that is, has been so beneficial for you as you continue to grow and scale, because you need that, right? You need something to kind of lean back onto and be kind of your Compass North, your North Star, however you wanna to phrase it. But I love to hear that. And like I said, it, it stuck with me all these years afterwards, so I wanted to touch on it again. And, um, I saw recently on LinkedIn that, uh, you and your team wrapped up a leadership conference in, uh, New Orleans. Tell us a little bit about that event and how, how instrumental the team has been, and also your, your success over at Aperture Hotels. Charles Oswald: Oh, that is. Well, yeah, that, that, that was a fun time. Uh, first off, getting together, getting our team together – Yeah. For that annual conference is my favorite part of the year really energizes me. Um, you know, I’m so grateful for, for, for, for the team that’s doing this work on the ground and, and the leadersh – uh, we have out there in the field. You know, I think often we talk about performance. We send around our balanced scorecard. We measure and we rank people and, and, uh, you know, we talk about process and so on. And that, and that’s, that’s an important part of the, uh, uh, of what we cover in the, uh, in, in our annual leadership co – uh, conference as well. But, um, but I think when you’re rubbing elbows, uh, you know, you’re in the same room with everybody. Uh, there’s, there’s a different level of, you know, preparation, focus, and curiosity, you know, team member bonding and relationship that happens. And, you know, and I love how in the aftermath of these conferences, we, you know, we hear about how, you know, the general manager, you know, in, you know, in the US West, it’s called the general manager in the US East, and they’re – Sure. They’re getting together and collaborating now on, on, on best practices and, and how they dealt with certain challenges maybe that are shared experiences that they’re having. So that’s where it happens, right? I mean, you get out there in a conference together like this where I think i- ideas get sharpened, uh, perspectives broadened. People learn, you know, here’s some insights, and they, uh, you know, share in their experiences. They challenge each other. And, uh, we, and, and we come out of it just, uh, winning together. And by the way, I should mention also, there’s some really great food, uh, so – Oh, I know. Yeah, yeah. Sorry. New Orleans. Uh, I’m a big eater. Ryan Embree: Yeah, that, that helps too. Uh, Charles Oswald: A few extra, but I’ve never missed one. And, uh, New Orleans is a great place for someone to like me, that’s for sure. Ryan Embree: Yeah. We, well, we talked about how quickly things are moving right now in hospitality, and it’s so important to kinda get everybody together in one place. And we’ve seen how you prioritize, obviously, the, the bigger hospitality events across hospitality. So sometimes to get that dialed in with your team, just so important. And great to hear that that continues to be. ‘Cause if you remember back in the day, we were hearing that that was gonna be the end of this, by the way. Everybody was gonna have these leadership conferences on Zoom, and everyone was gonna love it, and nobody was going anywhere. So, uh, love to see that that, that prediction didn’t come to pass. Now, you’re – Charles Oswald: Yeah, you know, the funny thing about that, Ryan, is – Sure. Is that we’re out there in hospitality on the sales front. We were telling our companies, our clients, why they all need to get together. And hospitality companies are like, “Well, but, but we’re gonna do it on Zoom.” Ryan Embree: Right. Right, exactly. Right? We gotta practice what we preach a little bit Charles Oswald: Both Sides of our mouth, right? Yeah. Yeah. And, and enjoying some of the hospitality, uh, that we provide every single day, right? So, so you’re headquartered in Atlanta, Charles, you’ve got. But the portfolio spans across the country, you mentioned it. Are there any particular markets that you’re seeing strong opportunities and maybe some that you’re cautiously maybe staying away from for a bit right now? Charles Oswald: Well, uh, first off, the Atlanta part. Um, right? I mean, we’re, we’re the transportation hub of the Southeast, but, uh, arguably the country and the world with the world’s biggest and busiest airport. So when we talk about, like, w- where we’re willing to go, we’ve got a competitive advantage from here in the, uh, in that we have more direct flights to more cities across the country and the globe than any other, an- anybody. Else, right? Uh, coming out of, uh, the world’s biggest and busiest airport. So, so that’s, uh, that’s, that’s really nice and not to mention there’s a, there’s certainly a lot of drive markets, uh, that are within four, four hours of, uh, of Atlanta. So, um, so yeah, that makes us pretty opportunistic when it comes to, uh, uh, hotel management assignments. You know, ideally, uh, you know, we’re looking, ideally we’re, we’re looking at, you know, those top 100 or so cities. Ideally, you know, we, we, we certainly have better presence in the eastern half of the US, but we do span from Florida beaches to coastal California. In terms of the type of markets that are, that are more ideal and better fit for us, you know, generally speaking, they’re, you know, a lot of the, the southern markets are, uh, you know, certainly performing well. They’re business friendly. We avoid union hostility, uh, where, whenever possible, right? Sure. And, um, you know, th- those are the type of markets where we’d wanna go. And in terms of, of the type of hotels, you know, again, I think leaning towards the bifurcation that we know exists in, uh, in the industry that kinda says, you know, you gotta be great at, uh, soft branding experiential properties, right? And some lifestyle assets. And, and so that we’re, we’re, we’re leaning that direction. And you see it in our pipeline. You know, so, so our pipeline includes, you know, includes today, uh, multiple Marriott, Hilton, soft branded assets, like, like Tribute and, you know, and Tapestry Autographs. We also have, uh, some brands like Compass by Margaritaville sitting in the pipeline, right? And, and independent. Um, so, so really cool, exciting places where we get to create our own brand, really, our own store – Yeah. Based off of the building that’s there. And all of those new development projects that we’re talking about have, um, they have a lot of credit. I mean, that’s the only way you can pull these off today is if you’re, if you’ve got historic tax credits, you know, so we’ve got that in multiple places and hundred plus year old buildings. It’s, you know, great stories to tell. Uh, we’ve got, uh, you know, tax increment financing, PIDs, we’ve got enterprise zone, we got the CIPLA, you know, many other different factors that have played into making a capital stat that actually works. Uh, and that’s the way to, you know, that’s, that’s the way we’re getting it done and, uh, on the new development side. Ryan Embree: Well, those are fun projects, let me tell you. Um, I, I, I’m sure to work on, because it’s like you said, I mean, you get to tell a story there. Um, sometimes there’s a story already ingrained with these historic buildings that then become a, a key foundational component of, uh, you know, what you’re building on, um, so to speak, and, you know, uh, literally and figuratively when, when it comes to your maybe digital story. So, yeah, very, very cool to see. We’ll, we’ll, we’ll be excited to watch, watch those come to, to life. I want to. We’re, we’re wrapping up here, Charles, but I always feel like it’s always my duty, you know, having the privilege to talk to leaders like you, try to just get as much inside advice as I can out of you during this time. Obviously, as a business owner, you know, starting a business never easy, so much vision, resilience, incredible amount of commitment, especially doing one where you started it during a historic time and around COVID, right? But looking back on your journey building Aperture, you know, what advice would you give maybe to the next generation of hospitality leaders? It doesn’t necessarily have to be about if someone’s wanting to build their own, uh, management company, but e- even just a hospitality professional just now today in 2026? Charles Oswald: That’s a good question. You know, some things that come to mind is, uh, it’s a one in whatever business you’re, you’re doing, if, if you’re trying to be entrepreneurial and you wanna be an owner, I’d say, you know, choose your partners carefully, right? If you’re coming up in the business, I’d say, um, master the numbers, you know, not just your gut. If you’re, you know, you’re, you’re, you’re in the hiring seat, uh, uh, as a, as a team leader, I would tell them to, um, make sure they treat people decisions as serious as the capital decisions, right? Very, very important. I think from a business development standpoint, uh, I say those guys that are trying to, you know, build a, a portfolio need to y – learn to, to read the deal and not just as an operation. I think young or old, we should embrace the tech shift. I couldn’t believe I, I have some college professor friends, I do some advisory work at several universities, and I listen to, uh, college professors and some students out there, uh, who are very, being very resilient, r- resistant to AI, talking bad about it, they view it as a threat. And, uh, I’m like, “Hey, guys, y’all need to know that we do employ people, employers are looking for those young folks to come out with some experience and exposure and learning, uh, you know, and, and, and to have some insights in how to, how, you know, we cannot adopt AI at our companies.” And, and, uh, you know, you’re doing an injustice if, uh, if you’re resisting tech shift. Uh, so, and lastly, I would say think about your reputation management, right? Like, like, protect your credibility with your owners, with your franchisors, like it’s capital, because it is. Ryan Embree: Great advice. Sound, sound about. We got. That was comprehensive. Thank you for, thank you for sharing that. No, really appreciate it. Like I said, you know, uh, try to glean as much as I can out of these conversations and share it. Um, all great advice. Um, you know, hopefully we don’t have to wait three years next time to have you back on the podcast. Would, would love to catch up with you then, but who knows where, where you’ll be and, and the growth, uh, of Aperture Hotels. But what’s next? Like, as we wrap up today’s final question, kinda what’s your vision for the future as you look into the, this latter part of the half of the 2020s, right, for Aperture Hotels? Charles Oswald: Yeah, I think, um, being involved in a few developments is, is, you know, the one side. I’d say there’s just ongoing organic growth of, uh, taking on, on, uh, new management contracts, and they’ll probably mostly still be through, management company transitions as opposed to actual ownership transitions. And then, look, M&A is on the table, right? We, we’ve studied, uh, a few other small management companies that we can maybe, uh, acquire or merge in with. And I think that’s, yeah, I, I’m continuing to be open to that, uh, that conversation and, and, uh, uh, I hope to probably do just one. Uh, I don’t think multiple, but, but, but probably just one that’s really the right fit and the right strategic play. Ryan Embree: Awesome. Well, we’re excited. It’s been cool to watch your journey and aperture hotels from when we first spoke with you to here we are now and wish you nothing but success. So thank you so much, um, for taking the time to, to spend some time with my, myself as well as our sweet spot listeners, Charles. Charles Oswald: Yeah. Thank you. It’s great chatting. I appreciate it, Ryan. Ryan Embree: alright. Thanks, everyone. We’ll talk to you next time on The SuiteSpot. To join our loyalty program, be sure to subscribe and give us a five-star rating on iTunes. Suite Spot is produced by Travel Media Group. Our editor is Brandon Bell with cover art by Bary Gordon. I’m your host, Ryan Embree, and we hope you enjoyed your stay.  

A cidade de Arles, no sul da França, se prepara para mais uma temporada como vitrine privilegiada da fotografia mundial. Sob o tema "Mundos para reler", são mais de 40 exposições espalhadas pela cidade, conhecida por importantes monumentos romanos e que também serviu de inspiração para Van Gogh. Os Encontros de Arles acontecem de 6 de julho a 4 de outubro. Patrícia Moribe, em Paris Na programação oficial, o fotógrafo carioca Gui Christ participa da coletiva "Nous ne sommes pas seuls – Images extraterrestres" (Não estamos sozinhos – Imagens extraterrestres). Apresentada na seção Croisière, a mostra tem curadoria de Philippe Baudouin e explora a "cultura da dúvida visual" por meio de arquivos da NASA e de obras contemporâneas que investigam o fenômeno dos OVNIs. Gui Christ contribui com imagens realizadas no Vale do Amanhecer, um complexo espiritual próximo a Brasília que reúne doutrinas de diferentes tradições em um cenário visualmente instigante, semelhante a um parque temático futurista e místico. "Fiz esse trabalho para a National Geographic em 2018. O Vale do Amanhecer é uma religião brasileira fundada por Tia Neia, uma médium, na década de 1960 em Planaltina, Goiás. É uma religião que possui uma característica muito presente na religiosidade brasileira, a capacidade de reunir diferentes tradições espirituais, diferentes formas de compreender o mundo", explica. "Dentro dessa religião, convivem referências do cristianismo, do espiritismo, dos saberes indígenas, de religiões afro-brasileiras e também a crença em extraterrestres. Mais do que fotografar a religião e as pessoas, o que me interessou foi entender como a fotografia pode tornar visíveis mundo que existem para além do olhar ocidental", acrescenta Gui Christ. Na categoria Prêmio Descoberta Fondation Louis Roederer 2026, o laboratório La.Ima, coordenado em Paris por Ioana Mello e Oleñka Carrasco, apresenta o trabalho do senegalês Souleymane Bachir Diaw. Sua série, intitulada "Sutura", será exibida no espaço Monoprix e investiga as "verdades não ditas" presentes nas estruturas patriarcais. Segundo a curadora Ioana Mello, o projeto aborda a masculinidade no Senegal e como ela "se revela dentro da estrutura patriarcal familiar e no deslocamento do artista, que hoje mora em Paris; de como ele vê essas verdades a partir desse novo olhar, desse novo contexto". Utilizando tecidos e imagens performáticas, a obra propõe uma "reparação das feridas íntimas e sociais". No festival Arles OFF, Carolina Arantes apresenta "First Generation". Com curadoria de Denise Camargo e Azu Nwagbogu, a mostra é resultado de uma pesquisa sobre mulheres francesas de ascendência africana. O projeto reúne depoimentos e entrevistas das mulheres retratadas, com design sonoro de Isadora Dartial e mixagem de Sulivan Clabaut. "O trabalho é sobre como essa identidade vai sendo construída por meio da vida privada delas, no cotidiano. É sobre como o espaço público da história de um país e a vida pessoal dessas mulheres se encontram nesse processo de construção de uma França contemporânea", explica Carolina Arantes. A exposição combina esses registros sonoros a retratos íntimos, arquivos de família e fotografia documental, criando um mosaico das pessoas que definem a nova geração da sociedade francesa. A Associação Iandé, organização francesa que estabelece pontes entre a fotografia brasileira e a Europa, organiza exposições imersivas de artistas brasileiras sob o tema "Os Arquivos e o Íntimo", com curadoria de Gláucia Nogueira e Jonathan Pierredon. "A partir de arquivos pessoais, Rochelle Zandavale, Melissa Flores e Luciana Petrelli constroem narrativas onde a memória vira imagem e o privado conversa um pouco a história coletiva. Também há uma série chamda 'I've Never Been to Japan', que fala sobre a imigração japonesa no Brasil a partir de arquivos pessoais. É uma forma também de celebrar o bicentenário da fotografia", explica Gláucia Nogueira. Retrospectivas e atividades paralelas A 57ª edição do festival propõe uma imersão em narrativas que atravessam o continente africano e a região do Mediterrâneo para questionar identidades e histórias. Além dos destaques individuais, o evento reúne grandes nomes da fotografia contemporânea e histórica, como Omar Victor Diop e Lee Shulman (com o projeto The Anonymous Project – Being There), Clément Cogitore (Memory Palace), além de mostras dedicadas a Paul Kodjo, Rebekka Deubner e Orianne Ciantar Olive. Há também novas releituras de nomes consagrados, como William Klein e Harry Gruyaert. O festival organiza ainda uma ampla programação paralela voltada tanto para profissionais quanto para amadores, incluindo leituras de portfólios, prêmio de edição, feira de livros, além de debates e conferências.

Headlines:-  Australians' biometric info will be given to United States agencies such as ICE and the Trump administration, by the Albanese government.-  New figures show that the number of people in Australia living with dementia is growing. Iand is expected to more than double to reach over million by 2065.-  National Housing Campaign Everybody's Home has found that frontline services are currently being pushed to a breaking point due to the worsening of the housing crisis.-  On the 9th of February across Australian cities, masses protested against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's Australia visit. 7:15am://Maree Pardy is the lead author of a new report by Footscray Community Response, which evaluates Maribyrnong Council's use of security patrols to address social and health issues. Maree spoke to Jennifer Borrell for 3CR's Think Again about this report and the controversial security program that has been found to make the area less safe. This February (2026), Maribyrnong Council will vote on whether Footscray's unhoused community and other “undesirables” using public space should continue to be surveilled and criminalised by private security guards. Join FCR at 5:45pm on Tuesday 17 February at Maribyrnong Town Hall for a speak-out. You can find out more by going to footscraycommunity.net or follow @footscraycommunity on Instagram. To catch the full conversation head to https://www.3cr.org.au/thinkagain   7:30am://On last week's show, we spoke to Lucinda Thorpe, Online Privacy campaigner at Digital Rights Watch, about the tech giant Palantir, it's influence of US and world politics as well as its roles in enabling the Israel's genocide of Palestinians and ICE in the US. Lucinda joins us again this morning for Part 2 of this discussion, where she will be speaking to us about Palantir's Australian clients, both governmental bodies and corporations.  You can read more about Palantir by going to digitalrightswatch.org. Cam Wilson, reporter at Crikey, has also written about the tech company's ties to Australia. Go to crikey.com.au to find the article. 7:45am://Mai Saif is a Palestinian organiser with Free Palestine Melbourne. In this speech from the protest against Isaac Herzog held at Flinders St Station on Monday, 9th of February, Mai shared her lived experience of living through Israel's brutality as a child, and how the settler occupation dehumanises Palestinians as part of their ideology. Whilst confronting and horrific, Mai ends on the inspiring words of her grandfather, who nurtured in her a spirit of resistance and steadfastness, or sumud. A snap rally has been called for this Thursday, 3 pm at Southern Cross Station, when Isaac Herzog will be in Melbourne. 8:05am:// Renee Chopping is a Campaigns Strategist at Collective Shout and a trauma counsellor. Collective Shout is a grassroots campaign against the sexual objectification of women and girls in media, advertising and popular culture. Renee is here today to talk about Collective Shout's campaign pushing for the App Store and Google Play Store to remove the Grok app after its image editing app has been used to undress women and children. For more info go to https://www.collectiveshout.org/ Or collective.shout  8:20:// Janice Gobey is the chair for writers Victoria and is here to discuss the decision for Creative Victoria to abruptly cut 100 per cent of annual funding provided to the Victorian writers organisation. Writers Victoria is a Melbourne based centre that provides assistance to writers, providing them with work opportunities, mentorship and has assisted many Melbourne based writers in the production of their work; from novels to screenplays. You can sign the petition to help prevent Creative Victoria's decision at https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/restore-funding-for-writers-victoria/ Songs:- Rabina Mana - Ajak Kwai - Folk Bitch Trio - The Actor - (not a love song)

Photo Bridge é um novo projeto dedicado à fotografia na capital francesa, onde as imagens nos convidam a atravessar fronteiras físicas, simbólicas e culturais. De 7 a 9 de novembro, na Halle des Blancs-Manteaux, no Marais, a primeira edição tem como convidada Françoise Schein — artista franco-belga que transforma alteridade, urbanismo e democracia em arte pública. Ao lado de Glaucia Nogueira, da associação Iandé, e de Charlotte Flossaut, da PhotoDoc, a fotógrafa constrói pontes entre territórios e direitos humanos. A proposta curatorial da primeira edição da Photo Bridge em Paris parte de um gesto coletivo. “Pensamos em conjunto em um momento, um evento, um encontro que permitirá que diferentes regiões do mundo se reúnam através da fotografia. Daí o nome ‘Photo Bridge'”, explica Charlotte Flossaut, da associação Photo Doc. “Não se trata de fotografias feitas no Brasil ou sob o olhar francês, mas de colocar em diálogo a energia que nos conecta.” Glaucia Nogueira, da associação Iandé, reforça: “Essa visibilidade que a gente tenta há 10 anos dar pra fotografia brasileira, que é muito rica, finalmente acontece. Nesse evento, são fotógrafos engajados com comunidades, com pertencimento, com território. Por isso a escolha da Françoise [Schein].” A relação de Schein com o Brasil nasceu de um desejo íntimo: adotar uma criança. “Durante os anos da adoção da minha filha, eu queria conhecer o país da minha filha, conhecer as raízes da minha filha, de onde ela vem, que tipo de pessoas moram lá”, conta. Foi esse impulso que a levou a propor, para o Photo Bridge, uma instalação chamada A Cascata: “uma cachoeira gigante de moradias, as pequeninas casinhas feitas de tijolos da favela, de várias favelas onde trabalhei e que eu fotografei”. A obra monumental de Françoise Schein reúne 27 fotógrafos que representam uma parte essencial da fotografia brasileira engajada. Para a artista franco-belga, o Brasil real está nas comunidades e nos territórios populares. “Vamos dizer, [quis trazer] uma apresentação desse olhar de hoje em dia super engajado sobre as questões da ecologia, do humanismo, da relação com a Terra — que é muito importante — dos indígenas, das origens da história, mas também da população da periferia da cidade, da questão das favelas e da força da população.” Ela vê nas construções informais uma arquitetura viva. “As comunidades agora são consideradas como uma tipologia de construção vernacular muito interessante e muito parecida com a dos nossos europeus. É só esperar mais tempo, mais um século, mais dois séculos, e você vai ver que a Rocinha vai ser um lugar genial, porque as casas vão ser melhoradas pelos moradores, e vai se tornar um lugar turistico — já é, mas por razões diferentes hoje.” Democracia entre azulejos e mapas  A artista chegou ao Brasil em 1999 e, logo ao desembarcar, foi a São Paulo. “Bati à porta do Metrô Metropolitano de São Paulo e apresentei o meu trabalho que eu fiz em Portugal, em Lisboa”, lembra. O projeto foi aceito, e ela passou a trabalhar na Estação da Luz, no centro da cidade. “A Luz, como você sabe, é um bairro muito importante no centro da cidade que tem, de um lado, muitos museus super importantes: a Pinacoteca, o Museu da Língua Portuguesa. Também é um bairro muito pobre; só tem riqueza e pobreza junto nesse bairro. Adorei essa situação. Eu fiz essa ação durante 10 anos.” No Rio de Janeiro, integrou o programa Favela-Bairro e criou uma ágora e um mapa pintado na entrada da comunidade. “Tem um mapa enorme pintado na entrada da favela, porque quando você chega no Rio não há mapa de nenhuma favela. Os únicos mapas que existem estão nos computadores da cidade.” Em Copacabana, realizou uma obra sobre democracia na estação Siqueira Campos, pouco antes das eleições de Lula. “Foi um trabalho bem interessante, porque tive que fazer isso antes das eleições de Lula. O projeto até foi uma ação política, pois o presidente do metrô na época era uma pessoa negra, e ele viu imediatamente o interesse para a comunidade negra de ter um projeto sobre os direitos humanos no coração de Copacabana, que é o coração da cidade.” Uma artista entre subterrâneos e revoluções A trajetória de Françoise Schein é marcada por uma obsessão: inscrever os direitos humanos no cotidiano urbano. “Na época, eu vivia em Nova York. Eu era uma jovem arquiteta, estudando Urban Design na Columbia University e eu decidi que tive que analisar os mapas da cidade de Nova York, mas também de outras cidades: Buenos Aires, Paris, Bruxelas, outras cidades no mundo, porque eu acho que os mapas da cidade falam da cidade.” Foi ao analisar o mapa de Paris que ela percebeu a centralidade do Sena, dos museus, da história gravada no solo. “Isso fala de quê? Fala da realeza. E que também, contra essa realeza, veio a Revolução Francesa. E com a Revolução Francesa vem o primeiro texto da Declaração Universal dos Direitos do Homem e do Cidadão, feito em 1789.” A partir dessa constatação, nasceu sua obra mais emblemática: a intervenção na estação Concorde, inaugurada em 1991. Lá, Schein revestiu completamente as paredes do túnel com cerâmica branca, sobre a qual estão inscritas, em letras azuis, todas as palavras da Declaração de 1789. Cada azulejo traz uma letra, e as palavras se sucedem sem espaços, como um texto contínuo, onde apenas as pontuações marcam pausas visuais. O resultado é um mosaico textual monumental — cerca de 45 mil peças — que convida o passageiro a um contato cotidiano com os princípios fundadores da República Francesa: liberdade, igualdade e fraternidade. A escolha do local também carrega peso histórico. A Place de la Concorde, sob a qual passa a estação, foi palco de execuções durante a Revolução Francesa e é hoje símbolo da reconciliação nacional. Schein quis, com essa instalação, reintroduzir no coração do espaço público uma memória política e ética, reafirmando a importância dos direitos humanos num ambiente onde circulam milhões de pessoas todos os dias. “Eu preciso construir o texto embaixo da cidade, no subterrâneo da cidade”, disse, ao lembrar como a Revolução Francesa e a realeza se misturaram em sua mente com o metrô, a democracia e a arquitetura. A primeira edição da Photo Bridge, que faz parte do calendário cultural da temporada cruzada Brasil-França; fica em cartaz até 9 de novembro em Paris.

26 October 2025 | This week, Pastor Josh Macha from Bridge Community Church continues our This is the Gospel sermon series preaching from Matthew 18:21-35 on forgiveness, and the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. 21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often ywill my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? zAs many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished ato settle accounts with his servants.7 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him bten thousand ctalents.8 25 dAnd since he could not pay, his master ordered him eto be sold, with his wife and fchildren and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant9 gfell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and dforgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred hdenarii,10 and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.' 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 iAnd should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' 34 jAnd in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,11 kuntil he should pay all his debt. 35 lSo also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother mfrom your heart.”

In this episode of Tales From The Green Room, recorded backstage at the 2025 High Sierra Music Festival, host Dennis Strazulo sits down with hardcore New Yorker and bad-ass bass player, Karina Rykman. Karina shares her experiences growing up in a highly intellectual family, her early start in punk bands at the age of 12, and her journey through various musical styles - including her experiences in the improvisational jam band scene -  leading to her current solo projects and other collaborations. The conversation delves into her time playing with renowned multi-instrumentalists and Joe Russo's Almost Dead's keyboard player, Marco Benevento, the influence of her professional background in the music business, and how that shaped her career as a performer. Reflecting on her influences and the eclectic style defining her performances, Karina also addresses the importance of songwriting -  how she has developed that craft - and her approach to creating music that integrates structured songs with improvisational elements.This fun and insightful interview captures Karina Rykman's vibrant personality with rich dialogue highlighting her talent, adaptability, and dedication to her craft.If you don't find Karina playing around New York City while rejuvenating from her summer tour, catch her at the Hard Rock Riviera Maya January 20 - 24, 2026 as part of Widespread Panic's Panic En La PlayaHIGHLIGHTS And then for the next seven and a half years, I worked for Rocks Off and ended up as a GM. I made a whole salary. That was my whole life. I was working, working, working…and playing in five bands at the same time, and getting kind of cool illustrious gigs -  I was on the Today Show with Julia Michaels backing her up and played on America's Got Talent in the backing band -  like I was doing shit for sure - but I never ever thought that would parlay itself to where I would play music for a living. There was not a part of me that thought that would be a thing.-Karina Rykman on the unexpected outcome of her music career. It's very intoxicating to have people sing your songs back at you. It is very intoxicating! And to see Joy Ride, my song, being played on NFL football games. It's being played on the radio. Like all these things where I'm just like, shit…that's crazy.-Karina Rykman on writing songs. I met my band mates, and I asked them to practice improvising with me because I got this crazy gig where it was gonna be an hour of improv. IAnd they were like, yeah. And then all of a sudden we got all these gigs and all this attention. We were just stepping on stage with no roadmap, zero, not an A section, not a B section, not a cover, nothing, and just improvising from the ground up. And people liked it. -Karina Rykman on the genesis of her improv bandLINKSKarina Rykman WebsiteMusic, Videos, Press, Merch, NewsletterKarina Rykman - “Joyride” (Official Music Video)Joyride, Karina RykmanVideo by Charlie CaukinAnimated by Charlie LaudKarina Rykman with Grahame Lesh and Friends at Pier 48 (Heart of Town) SF, CA Set 1, Night 3 - August 2, 2025Audio recorded by: Cam KeoughVid Cap by Ted SilvermanAKA TedToob.comSee Karina at Panic en la Playa - Jan. 20-24, Hard Rock Hotel, Riviera Maya, MXConnect with Karina RykmanFacebookInstagramTwitter/XSpotifyHigh Sierra Music Festival#KarinaRykman #HighSierraMusicFestival #TalesFromTheGreenRoom #JamBandScene #MarcoBenevento #JoeRussosAlmostDead #WomenInMusic #Joyride #BassPlayerLife #NYCMusicScene #ImprovisationalMusic #MusicPodcast #FestivalInterviews #MusiciansOnTour #SongwritingProcess #LiveMusicLovers #WidespreadPanic #PanicEnLaPlaya #BehindTheMusic #RockInterviews

A fotografia brasileira é um dos principais destaques da 22ª edição do festival de fotografia Photaumnales, que reúne mais de 50 exposições em Beauvais e na região de Hauts-de-France, ao norte de Paris. O tema “Habitar” convida à reflexão sobre a complexidade da moradia, transcendendo o simples ato de residir para abordar questões como sentido, memória e vínculo com um lugar. Patrícia Moribe, enviada especial ao festival Photaumnales Em plena temporada França-Brasil 2025, o diálogo com o Brasil é privilegiado no festival Photaumnales, com várias exposições de artistas brasileiros — ou franceses, como o renomado Lucien Clergue, que documentou a nova capital Brasília no início da década de 1960. As imagens do nascimento da capital dividem espaço no Parc du Châtellier, em Clermont-de-l'Oise, com as fachadas coloridas de casas térreas registradas por Anna Mariani (1935–2022), que construiu um rico acervo de arquitetura popular de todo o Brasil, reunido na série “Pinturas e Platibandas”. O trabalho de Mariani ganhou projeção internacional após ser exposto na Bienal de São Paulo de 1987. Sua filha, Daniela Moreau, veio apresentar a obra da mãe ao público francês. “Acho importante essa redescoberta. É um trabalho muito relevante, que tem mais de 40 anos”, explica. Ainda no mesmo espaço verde, Mateus Gomes expõe “Escombros”, que aborda os impactos da exploração de minério de ferro e petróleo em Campos dos Goytacazes, no norte do Rio de Janeiro. “É um trabalho em que retorno com esses agricultores e seus familiares aos lugares onde moravam e de onde foram desapropriados por meio de uma lei válida, mas aplicada de forma equivocada.” Para o artista, era importante dar visibilidade ao descaso do poder público. “Na época, Sérgio Cabral, então governador do estado do Rio de Janeiro, e Eike Batista, dono do porto, chegaram a ser presos e admitiram que houve corrupção.” Mateus Gomes usou as fotografias como apoio ao seu trabalho de conclusão de curso em Direito. “Existe uma interdisciplinaridade entre a fotografia e várias áreas do conhecimento, como psicologia, sociologia, geografia e direito”, explica, enfatizando a “importância da pesquisa nas ciências sociais para desenvolver um trabalho artístico relevante”. Japão, Brasil, Bolívia, França Com uma abordagem distinta, Tatewaki Nio apresenta seu projeto “Neo-Andina” em Beauvais, focalizando a arquitetura de El Alto, na Bolívia, especialmente os edifícios conhecidos como "cholets". Nio explicou que sua intenção, ao documentar essas casas de eventos, majoritariamente construídas pelos Aimaras, é ir além da estética. “Meu interesse não é focar apenas no exotismo, mas trazer o aspecto econômico, fotografar as casas decoradas no meio dessas construções de tijolos vermelhos ao redor.” Nio nasceu no Japão, mas se considera um “fotógrafo brasileiro”, pois foi no Brasil — onde vive há quase 27 anos — que passou a exercer a fotografia de forma profissional. Seu projeto “Neo-Andina” recebeu o conceituado prêmio de fotografia do Museu do Quai Branly, em Paris, em 2016. Uma imagem da série foi escolhida para ilustrar a edição deste ano do Photaumnales, em cartazes e panfletos. A fotógrafa catarinense Andrea Eichenberger também participa das Photaumnales com duas exposições: “Translitorânea”, em Erquery, e “Pequena Enciclopédia Sociopolítica Ilustrada do Brasil Contemporâneo”, em Noyon. O festival tem direção artística de Fred Boucher, curadoria associada de Emmanuelle Halkin e colaboração da associação Iandé, dedicada ao apoio à fotografia brasileira na Europa.

Em Arles, no sul da França, o casarão da Fundação Manuel Rivera Ortiz adotou como tema a magia em todos os seus sentidos. Bruxas e espíritos fazem parte de “Sortilégios”, em cartaz até 5 de outubro, como parte dos Encontros de Arles, um das maiores mostras internacionais de fotografia. No porão, o fotógrafo Ian Cheibub apresenta “Alumbre na Macaia”, com curadoria de Glaucia Nogueira, da associação Iandé. Patrícia Moribe, enviada especial a Arles Há um ano, Ian Cheibub, fotojornalista colaborador de grandes publicações internacionais, veio a Arles mostrar seu portifólio com um projeto pessoal, calcado na vivência no terreiro de umbanda da avó, em Niterói (RJ). Em julho de 2025, depois de um mês de residência artística na fundação, o artista abriu a instalação imersiva, com imagens impressas em painéis de rendões, tambores e encruzilhada.  Cheibub explica que o nome da exposição traz um duplo sentido. “Alumbrar dá a ideia de você ficar encantado com alguma coisa, mas ao mesmo tempo de você iluminar. E macaia também tem dois sentidos. Um espiritual, que é o lugar das ervas sagradas, mas também é qualquer mata e é onde o caboclo mora. Minha avó [mãe de santo] ia pegar a erva na macaia ao lado da casa dela.” Ian Cheibub se diz interessado na ideia da “não divisão, de a gente estar dentro de uma coisa a ponto de não se saber mais que o que é o quê”. Ele explica também que o projeto vem de um descontentamento com a representação exótica dos ritos afro-brasileiros. O conceito central da pesquisa de Ian é a "materialidade mágica", onde a magia e o material se misturam, tornando-se indistinguíveis. Ele vê essa fusão como um instrumento contra-colonialista, uma forma de defesa e subversão". Banhos de santo Depois de se estabelecer muito cedo no fotojornalismo, Ian começou a refletir a respeito de uma linguagem artística sobre suas raízes. Ele lembrou de banhos de santo que a avó preparava quando ele era criança. Ele passou, então, a fotografar os rituais com película e depois mergulhar os rolos em banhos de santo, tendo como resultado imagens oníricas, com cores saturadas, que se expandem. Nelas, as pessoas em transe se vestem de luzes mágicas, em movimentos fantasmagóricos. Ian Cheibub nos leva a uma visita guiada, que começa já nas escadas que descem ao subsolo da fundação, decoradas com folhas da Guiné nas quais ele imprimiu retratos de pessoas incorporadas usando a técnica da fitotipia. “Você coloca um negativo em cima da folha e bota no sol”, explica. “Ela se chama Guiné por causa das utilizações pelos escravizados que vieram da costa da Guiné, mas na verdade é uma planta 100% brasileira.” No subsolo, um corredor é decorado com cortinas de rendões, com imagens impressas dos rituais. Ele lembra que os rendões foram trazidos pelas mulheres portuguesas para o Brasil, mas quando o tecido chega no terreiro, seu uso é subvertido. Atravessando o corredor de rendões, o visitante passa por tambores que emitem vibrações em laser contra a parede, com acordes suspensos que se misturam às colagens sonoras dos rituais. Encruzilhada No último espaço, o artista criou uma encruzilhada com imagens transferidas a painéis de um tecido muito fino, que vibra com o ar. “A gente pode fazer as coisas se mexerem sem necessariamente tocá-las. Os deuses estão sempre dançando e, dessa forma, as imagens também dançam à medida em que a gente anda pela sala”, explica. No fundo da sala, por um buraco, podemos ver a imagem da avó de Ian impressa numa folha de Guiné. Por causa da umidade do local, a imagem interage com os fungos e vai se modificando. A curadora Gláucia Nogueira, da associação Iandé, de apoio à fotografia brasileira na Europa, ressalta que o trabalho de Ian Cheibub "toca, não só pela força visual, mas pelo sentido de pertencimento e pela história familiar de terreiro que ele traz". A exposição na "cave" da fundação, com sua textura e "fantasmas", foi escolhida para materializar o invisível e oferecer uma imersão na "diáspora africana" do Brasil, explica. A Iandé organizou ainda um encontro entre Ian Cheibub e a artista visual e curadora Denise Camargo. “'Alumbre na Macaia' é um trabalho super necessário, especialmente se a gente considerar toda a questão do racismo estrutural, da intolerância religiosa, o preconceito contra as religiões de origem afro-brasileira”, diz Camargo. “Esse trabalho expressa justamente a possibilidade de romper com essas visões errôneas sobre as matrizes ancestrais de origem afro-brasileira, com valor inestimável para a conquista desses espaços de tolerância”, acrescenta.   "Alumbre na Macaia" pode ser visitada em Arles até 5 de outubro de 2025. 

Introduction: The Trustworthiness Test (Matthew 5:33-37): Do I Need to CONVINCE OTHERS of the TRUTHFULNESS of what I say? (Matt 5:33–34a) Do I Look for LOOPHOLES to GET OUT of what I say? (Matt 5:34b–36) Matthew 23:22 – And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it. 1 Peter 2:22 – He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. Do I Always FOLLOW THROUGH on what I say? (Matt 5:37) James 5:12 – But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. John 8:44 – You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Small Group DiscussionRead Matthew 5:33-37What was your big take-away from this passage / message?How can you strengthen your reputation when it comes to honesty and trustworthiness? How can you weaken it?Do you ever make excuses or look for loopholes to get out of what you say?Do you struggle with being a “yes or no” person? How do you fail to be reliable and follow through on what you say?What does it look like to truly repent of deception and make things right with those you have lied to?BreakoutPray for one another. AUDIO TRANSCRIPT Return your Bibles to Matthew chapter 5 verses 33 through 37.Matthew chapter 5 verses 33 through 37.Is it safe to say that trust is in short supply in 2025?We are constantly bombarded with lies, conspiracies, fraud,lame excuses, propaganda, cover-ups.With each passing year, we become less and less trustingas others seem less and less trustworthy.I was going to use an object lesson to prove this point,but for the sake of unity, which you'll see in a minutewhy I'm not doing this, I'm going to have you use your imaginations instead.Imagine with me that a bunch of images are from the screens behind meof famous individuals, politicians, billionaires, tech gurus, celebrities,social media influencers, world-renowned doctors,and popular preachers who you see pop up on Spotify, YouTube, and television.And with each image, with each person, I ask this very simple question,is this person trustworthy?And with some of these famous people, the answer would be a decisive yes,while others would be a resounding no.But some examples may prove to be a bit controversial and divisive.It may be a bit of a mixed reaction, which could lead to some frustration,heated debates, and strained relationships.Hence my unwillingness to show these images in service today.What if I were to close out this slideshow with a picture of you?And for the final time, I ask this very simple question, is this person trustworthy?What would be the response?What would your family members, friends, and fellow church members say about you?Maybe you don't want to play along with my made-up scenario,because you're afraid of what other people would say about you.But you cannot be oblivious in this area of life, because your reputation,when it comes to honesty and trustworthiness, is not a throwaway issue.Your credibility with others on the outside speaks to your integrity before the Lord on the inside.We've been studying the Sermon on the Mount for the past few months,and now this is the fourth week of our latest section, "The Heart of the Law."And throughout Matthew chapter 5, Jesus doesn't lessen the Old Testament law.He elevates it. He doesn't abolish it and throw it away.He digs down deep into our hearts to show how it applies at the deepest levels of who we are.Jesus proves that obeying God's commands and displaying true righteousness are matters of the heart.Jesus cares way more about the internal than the external,because who you are internally shapes all that you say and do externally.So far, we have covered what Christ commands and expects when it comes to anger,sexuality, and marriage.In Matthew chapter 5, verses 33 through 37,the Lord turns your attention to what he has to say about making promises and keeping your word.To help you gauge your own personal credibility, Jesus assigns an important testthat you cannot afford to skip or to fail.And this test is the trustworthiness test.Before we dig into the first question, let's go to the Lord in prayer.Please pray that I will faithfully proclaim God's word.While I pray that you will faithfully and joyfully receive God's word.Father, we thank you for the gift of your word.It is a mirror that you hold up to our hearts to show us what means to change.Lord, this morning you're going to show us some very challenging and difficult things about ourselvesthat we do not want to see,but we must recognize them and we must make changes by the power of your Holy Spirit.So may you do the work that only you can.We ask all these things in Jesus' name. Amen.All right, who is ready for the trustworthiness test?Well, we're going to take it anyway. So the trustworthiness test, question one.Do I need to convince others of the truthfulness of what I say?Do I need to convince others of the truthfulness of what I say?Let's read verses 33 through 34.Jesus says, "Again, you have heard that it was said to those of old,'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.'But I say to you, do not take an oath at all."This is the fourth time in Matthew chapter 5 that Jesus repeats the same verbal pattern."You have heard that it was said, but I say to you."So let's cover what was said in the past."You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn."You will not find this exact sentence word for word in the Old Testamentbecause it is a mashup of three different passages about keeping oaths.With the Nicos 19-2, Numbers chapter 30 verse 2 and Deuteronomy 23-21.In the Old Testament, oath taking was serious business.It wasn't something to be entered into lightly or carelessly.Vows were reserved for important matters.And God put them in place as a first line of defense against dishonesty.I find it helpful to view Old Testament oaths like spiritual speed bumps.Why do speed bumps exist?To cause you to slow down and keep pedestrian safe.Let me ask you, do speed bumps always do that?No, we've all seen maniacs treat speed bumps like challenges and jumps instead of warnings.And maybe you've been that maniac from time to time.Oaths were set up by God to curb the natural tendency to be deceitful and unreliable.They were like speed bumps.By taking an oath, you were saying,"God, you can bring judgment and cursing upon me if I do not keep my side of the bargain."But these spiritual speed bumps could not stop all dishonesty.It couldn't do away with people being deceitful.So vows help provide accountability, but they could not change the human heart,which is seen most clearly in the lives of the religious leaders of Jesus' day.The rabbis, the scribes, the Pharisees misinterpreted the Old Testament commands about vowsand twisted God's word to advance their own dishonest agenda.They believe that you shall not swear falsely, only spoke to perjuring yourself in a court of law.We'll talk about this in even greater detail in a few minutes,but they also believe that the instruction you shall perform to the Lord what you have swornleft some room for coloring outside the lines when it came to keeping your word.If you weren't in a court setting or you didn't make vows directly to Godand in His name there was some wiggle room to tell some lies.It wasn't ideal, but hey, not a big deal.As long as you said the right things and as long as you kept their man-made rules.Once again, the religious leaders are taking God's word, taking His commandsand putting it into their own man-made box.Their standards were shallow and their righteousness was phony.But Jesus calls His followers to a greater righteousness, to a higher standardwhen He says, "But I say to you, do not take an oath at all."This command brings up an important question that we have to answer.Is Jesus saying that it's always sinful to make a promise or a vow of any kind at any time?Well, some Christians, some scholars and pastors certainly think so,but that's a really hard stance to defend from the rest of Scripture.The Apostle Paul kept and he made and kept a vow in Acts 18-18.In Revelation chapter 10 verses 5 through 6, the Apostle John records an angel swearing enough.In the Old Testament, God made oaths to show the seriousness of His covenant promises.God didn't do that because he had a shaky reputation.He lovingly did that to give His people a rock-solid confidence in His trustworthinessand the certainty of His purposes and His plans.God's vows were like exclamation points that highlighted His credibilitybecause we so often do not trust Him even though His track record is flawless.The Lord established the Old Covenant with Israel and He has established a new covenant with all who believein the life, death, and resurrection of His Son.And at its core, a covenant is an oath-bound relationship that is built upon promises being keptand the Bible is crystal clear that God always keeps His promises.And speaking of covenants, the Bible describes marriage as a covenant relationshipwhich means that as a good and godly thing, you swear your devotion to your spouse.You know, 11 years ago, Pastor Jeff married my wife and Iand when he asked me to repeat my vows to Kate after him, I didn't say, "Whoa, wait preacher boy,I don't make promises or take vows. Don't you study the Bible for a living?Shouldn't you know that? Pass." Did I do that? Jeff, do you remember that? I don't think I did that.Let's move from the marriage ceremony to the courtroom.I'm called to testify in a very important case and the judge tells me to raise my right handand he asked me, "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?"What should I say?Sorry, judge. I'm a Christian. I can't do that. You may as well call the next witness. I'm out of here. Deuces.Is that going to go very well with the judge?Listen, Jesus is not condemning vows in the context of a courtroom or a wedding ceremony.Jesus is forbidding the practice of taking frivolous oaths and making pointless promises in everyday life situations.He's saying, "Do not be the kind of person who needs to swear on something or someone to be believed.Do not be the kind of person who needs to clarify that you're not lying.Who needs to clarify that you're telling the truth.Be so trustworthy that your word can be taken at face value without jumping through hoops.As a follower of Christ, you shouldn't need the spiritual speed bumps of promises, oaths, and vows to be taken seriously.You should be a person of such great integrity that promises are unnecessary because your past performance speaks for itself.Others should trust you implicitly because you have proven yourself explicitly.Your heart should be so full of the truth that lying doesn't even register as a valid option to choose or path to take.For the Christian, honesty is like breathing.You inhale the truth of God's word and then you exhale the truth in every situation.You don't tell white lies because you understand that there are no such thing as white lies.Every lie, no matter how small, is a huge deal to the Lord.You don't embellish your stories or add on extra details to impress people because who cares what other people think about you.What matters most is what God thinks about you.And He knows what you're saying is not true.You don't cut corners at work because you ultimately serve the Lord of all creation who sees everything,not the human boss across the hall who cannot see into your heart.You cannot control much in this life, but you do have the ability to deepen your credibility or destroy it,to strengthen it day by day or to willingly weaken it.You have no right to be offended when someone doesn't believe you if you have a shady history of saying things that are not trueand making promises that you didn't keep.You are simply reaping the consequences of what you have sown.You are receiving the label of untrustworthy, which is a title that you have repeatedly earned.The trustworthiness test.Move on to the second question.And it will not be easier than the first.Do I look for loopholes to get out of what I say?Do I look for loopholes to get out of what I say?So Jesus pulls the rug out from underneath the religious leaders and exposes their ridiculous schemes in verses 34 through 36.But I say to you, do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,or by the earth, for it is His footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king.And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.As I said earlier, the scribes and Pharisees were experts at looking for loopholes and creating escape patches to get out of what they said,especially if what they said wasn't made in a court setting.So instead of swearing in God's name, they would swear by heaven, they would swear by the earth, the city of Jerusalem, or even their own heads.In their minds, swearing on these things was not binding like swearing in God's name.This is the verbal equivalent of crossing your fingers behind your back whenever you make a promise.They thought they were so clever. They found their own get out of oaths free card.But Jesus shows them that this line of thinking is childish and dumb.He destroys their loopholes and he closes their escape patches.Let's follow his logic.Jesus says, "Do not swear by heaven because who does heaven belong to?"All right. I know it's early. I'm going to ask that question again.Who does heaven belong to?It is His throne.And Matthew actually reinforces this later on when Jesus says,"And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits on it."He also says, "Don't swear by the earth because who does it belong to?"Once again, I'm going to try it again. Who does the earth belong to, everyone?It is His footstool. God is so awesome. He is so big.The earth is like a teeny tiny ottoman where He puts His feet up.The earth belongs to God, so don't swear by it.It's also not a great idea to swear by Jerusalem because who does it belong to?Great job, everyone.The king of Jerusalem, the king of the earth, and that is God.You swear by Jerusalem. You swear by the one who created and rules over Israel.And He also says, "Don't swear by your own head."It seems kind of weird, right? What does that even mean?Well, it means this. "If I don't keep my word, let me be decapitated."A modern day equivalent of this would be, "Cross my heart and hope to die. Stick a needle in my..."These words mean nothing and they control nothing.Jesus says, "You cannot make one hair white or black."Back in those days, people could not control their hair color with hair dye like we can today.Once your hair started going gray, there was no going back.But even today in 2025, you can't speak a change of hair color into existence, right?You can't say, "Let my hair be black. Let my hair be blonde again."You cannot do that.So Jesus is saying, "If you cannot even control the color of your hair with your words,your words definitely cannot control if you're decapitated or not."God is saying, "My words certainly control that."Which means, "I own you. I own your head. I am the one who controls all things.So do not swear by heaven, by earth, by Jerusalem, or your own head."Jesus even exposes the other things the religious leaders swore by in Matthew chapter 23 verses 16 through 22.They would swear by the gold of the temple instead of the temple itself.They would swear by the gift on the altar instead of the altar itself.Jesus doesn't actually commend them for their shrewd thinking and their creative brainstorming.He calls them blind fools who cannot see the stupidity of their own actions.He labels them as blind guides who have fallen into a sinful pitand are calling the rest of Jerusalem to join them in the darkness.I know what you may be thinking at this point.Taylor, this is an interesting history lesson at all.I just don't see how this relates to me.I haven't sworn by anything or anyone for a long time.I haven't said, "I swear on my mother's life. I swear on my grandma's grave.I swear by my life that I'm not lying."So how does this relate to me? I haven't done that for many years.Well, here's how the text relates to you."Don't be a sneaky word ninja like the scribes and Pharisees.Do not be a sneaky person.Do not look for escape hatches and loopholes to get out of what you say,because that does not honor the Lord."Let me give you some examples that may hit close to home.Husbands, you're supposed to carry out a task for your wife, but then you forget.Yeah, stretch your imagination because that never happens, right?Then your wife calls you on it and to save face you say, "Oh, I was just about to do it.You didn't give me enough time. That's sneaky. So don't do it."You commit to a small group, but on one particular night, you don't really feel like going.So you call your small group leader, "Oh, man, I'm really under the weather.I don't want anybody else to get what I have. So I'm not going to make it tonight."That's sneaky. So don't do it.Someone texts or calls, someone texts or emails youand really annoying message that you do not want to respond to.So the next time you see that person, you pretend like you accidentally missed it.That's sneaky. So don't do it.You get invited to an event that you desperately do not want to go to.So what do you say? "Yeah, maybe that might work. Let me get back to my calendar and get back to you."You ain't getting back to them about nothing. You are going to ghost this person.That's sneaky. So don't do it.Unfortunately, you do get sucked into that event that you do not want to go to.Instead of biting the bullet and attending, you call that person the day of,"I really wanted to come, but something came up."But nothing came up.That's sneaky. So don't do it.And I know what some of you are saying to yourselves right now."Taylor, this seems like really small potatoes in the grand scheme of things."Shouldn't we move on to something a bit bigger?I mean, come on. These kinds of excuses are harmless and they hurt no one.Actually, these kinds of excuses are harmful and they hurt everyone, including you.You are numbing yourself to the deceitfulness of sin.And you are paving the way to lie in bigger and bolder ways moving forward.Listen, no one starts out as a pathological liar.It starts with one compromise that you get away with.And then it's way easier to make another compromise.You cross the line, you get away with it,and then you make a habit out of pushing boundaries and testing the limits.If you keep this up, you will end up saying and doing things that you never thought you were capable of.Sneakiness is a way of slipping into your heart and taking over if you're not on guard against it.But most importantly, these kind of devious excuses are sinful and sinning against the Lord.And that alone should give you pause and cause you to cut this behavior out of your life.It is not wise, it is not right to walk in the sneaky footsteps of the scribes and Phariseeswho rejected and murdered the Son of God.Instead, walk in the footsteps of the one who committed no sin.Neither was deceit found in his mouth.Jesus always told the truth even when it cost his own life.Jesus never made excuses to get out of his mission of dying on the cross.You must always tell the truth even when it gets you into trouble.Never make excuses even when it seems like everyone else around you is.The final question of the trustworthiness test.Do I always follow through on what I say?Do I always follow through on what I say?Jesus wraps up by showing the alternative to being an undependable and sneaky person in verse 37.Let what you say be simply yes or no.Anything more than this comes from evil.Well, according to our Lord, being an honest person is not a complex concept.Say yes if you'll do something. Say no if you will not do something.That's super easy, right?Not really.It is so simple, but it is also so hard to live out.It isn't convenient to be a yes or no person, but it is the freest way to live.It is so stressful to not keep your word.It is so stressful to have all those deceitful plates spinning in your mindbecause at some point one will come crashing down and you will have to deal with the consequences.It is exhausting to put on a mask and pretend to be someone who you are not.It is painful to not be the person who you project yourself to be.It is embarrassing to be unreliableand to have the reputation of being a constant flake and not an unshakable rock.When I am closing things down in my office for the day and packing things up,I often text my wife to let her know that I am on the way home.But sometimes I get distracted with other things after I send that text.Writing down a sermon thought that I don't want to lose,wrapping up a task that I forgot to complete, or talking to Pastor Jeff.That never happens, right Jeff?Several months ago I arrived home way later than I told Kate that I would.And I profusely apologized and I will never forget her blunt response with a loving smile on her face."Oh, that's okay. I always add an extra 15 minutes to your arrival time when you text me."Ouch!That loving burn really stung my conscience.My wife gave me some extra wiggle roombecause she was aware that I often missed the target of my stated arrival time.Do people need to give you wiggle room because they know that you often missed the target of keeping your word?They know you'll be somewhere off on the board but way off-center,or maybe you'll miss the board completely.You mean well, you have good intentions but your follow-through fall short.Maybe you feel very discouraged by your unreliable reputation.You're thinking to yourself, "I don't want to be this way. I want to help everyone.I want to be there for everyone but I can't seem to keep all of my commitments."Well, it sounds like you have a no problem.You say yes to everything because you don't want to let anyone down.But in the process, you let everyone down because you cannot equally serve everyone.If you say yes to everyone, your word will not carry weight with anyone.And to be clear, saying no can be wrong and sinful.Some of you in this room say no way more than you should at home, at work, and even in this church.God may be calling you to step up more, not step back less.But at the same time, saying no can also be right and productive.Because you have to recognize that you are not God.You cannot be everywhere all the time and you cannot do everything at the same exact time.You are a limited person.You need to count the cost of what you are committing yourself to before you say yes or no.It takes great wisdom and discernment to say no to good things.So that you can say yes to the best things.And Jesus is so direct at the end of verse 37 and says that anything beyond being a yes or no person is evil.It is wicked.And this is recapt in James 512.Some translations of Matthew 537 say that this kind of behavior beyond being a yes or no person is from the evil one.Meaning if you live this kind of deceitful lifestyle, you are way worse off than just being like the scribes and Pharisees.You are also like their spiritual father, Satan.Listen to what Jesus says to religious leaders in John 844.You are of your father the devil and your will is to do your father's desires.He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him.When he lies, he speaks out of his own character for he is a liar and the father of lies.My kids bear a family resemblance to Kate and me.They have my eye color and thankfully they have her good looks.After service, you see them running around.It shouldn't come as a surprise that they belong to Kate and me because they look just like us.There are two spiritual families and it's obvious which one you belong to based on which father you resemble the most.Do you resemble Satan who lies, cheats and steals or do you resemble God who tells the truth, does the right thing in the right way and selflessly serves?Which father do you resemble the most?We've reached the end of the trustworthiness test.How did you do?Did you pass or did you fail?Did you stick the landing or did you crash into the runway?Maybe the Lord has encouraged your heart and revealed to you that you have a strong and solid reputation that is well deserved.If that's you, keep up the good work, keep your foot on the gas pedal and keep moving forward by the grace of God.Maybe you're convicted that yes, you are in the family of God, but you sure aren't acting like it right now.Instead of hiding away and keeping your lies a secret, be honest about your dishonesty to God and to those you have betrayed.It is not enough to just stop lying from now on. You also have to uncover the lies that you've already told.I know that's hard. I know that feels shameful.But remember, if you are a true believer in Christ, there is no condemnation for you.You can be honest about your sin and ask for forgiveness from others because the penalty has already been paid by Jesus Christ.We can share openly about our failures because they're no longer held against us.Maybe you've come to the realization that you resemble the evil one and belong to the wrong family.For years, you've unapologetically told bold-faced lies. You've shared half truths.You've led people on. You've been underhanded and you've covered your tracks so you can avoid getting in trouble.You may feel crushed under the weight of your own dishonesty right now.If that's you, please do not try to do better or be better on your own.Do not try to clean up your act because that will not solve the problem.Self-improvement and self-help are fools errands that lead straight to hell.Those worldly methods will not solve the problem that is truly within you, which is the problem of your heart.Please come clean and confess your sins to the Lord.Turn from your deceptive ways and throw yourself at the mercy of Jesus Christ who died on the cross and rose again to save liars like you and me.If you do that, the Lord will give you a brand new heart that loves the truth, that desires the truth.A heart that is overflowing with a desire to share the truth with everyone.Only the most trustworthy one in all of existence can truly turn you into a trustworthy person.Let's pray.Father, I am a man of unclean lips who dwells among the people of unclean lips.Lord, we have sinned against you with our deception and our lies and our half truths.Lord, on our own, we are so helpless. We are so hopeless.But we thank you for your redeeming work.We thank you that you have cleansed us.You've cast our lies away from us as far as the east is from the west.Lord, help us not to be sneaky anymore.To not be deceptive anymore. To not make untrue excuses.Lord, help us to be people of our word who don't need to make promises.Help us to be people who have a solid reputation because our reputation impacts your reputation in this world.Lord, there's someone in this room who does not know and love you.May today be the day where they finally make the most important decision of their livesand are transformed and changed forever.We thank you for your goodness. We thank you that you are unchanging even though we're constantly changing.We ask all these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

VOCÊ OUVIU POESIA QUE INSPIRA COMIGO MIKAEL MARTINS, GOSTOU COMPARTILHE COM OS AMIGOS! SIGA, ASSINE OU FAVORITE NA SUA PLATAFORMA DE MÚSICA! NÃO ESQUEÇA DE DEIXAR SUA AVALIAÇÃO!! FAZENDO ISSO VOCÊ RECEBERÁ UMA NOTIFICAÇÃO SEMPRE QUE TIVER UM EPISÓDIO NOVO. VOCÊ FAZ NOSSA AUDIÊNCIA QUE ALEGRIA PODER INSPIRAR O SEU DIA!O CÉU NÃO É O LIMITE VAMOS COM FÉ.

So many of us who grew up with trauma live as “divided selves” – longing for real love, but playing along to keep people around who DON'T want that – not with us, anyway – but who are happy to soak all our attention and time Iand of course, sex). Your ability to believe you can change how they feel by giving them all you've got – but never honestly finding out how THEY feel about you – is a classic ADULT manifestation of emotional neglect in childhood. And as long as those old wounds are driving you, you're going to end up with same kind unreliable love that was what you had to settle for as a child. In this video I respond to a letter from a woman who is trying to flip the script on a partner who isn't "ready." Watch Out For These Dating Red Flags DOWNLOAD WORKSHEET: FREE PDF Download: https://bit.ly/3T7surQ Take my FREE Course or Quizzes: https://bit.ly/40M2YeW Enroll in my Courses or Membership: https://bit.ly/3HP5qcf Send your questions & comments to: hello@crappychildhoodfairy.com NEED ONLINE THERAPY? *BetterHelp* can connect you with a licensed, online therapist: https://betterhelp.com/CCF

GOSTOU COMPARTILHE COM OS AMIGOS! SIGA, ASSINE OU FAVORITE NA SUA PLATAFORMA DE MÚSICA FAVORITA! NÃO ESQUEÇA DE DEIXAR SUA AVALIAÇÃO!! FAZENDO ISSO VOCÊ RECEBERÁ UMA NOTIFICAÇÃO SEMPRE QUE TIVER UM EPISÓDIO NOVO. VOCÊ FAZ NOSSA AUDIÊNCIA QUE ALEGRIA PODER INSPIRAR O SEU DIA! SIGA IANDÊ: https://www.instagram.com/iandealbuquerque?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Episode #074.Inside this episode of 5 Minute Face Talk, we are exploring the crucial topic of basic sanitizing within the world of makeup: why 70% isopropyl alcohol beats 99% when it comes to sanitizing your beauty tools and workspace.IAnd there will be no chemistry degree required!Learn why that extra bit of water in the 70% solution makes all the difference, making it a far more effective choice for killing germs. Plus, we'll explore when and why you might still need that 99% option in your kit.Sanitizing is one of the most important aspects of good practice within makeup artistry, so if you want to freshen up your knowledge or perhaps you need some convincing to soften that tie to your old-favorite 99% alcohol and learn why it's definitely not the best choice to keep a clean and sanitized makeup kit, listen on.

Os Encontros de Arles, que acontecem no sul da França, voltam a reunir o mundo profissional e amador da fotografia do mundo todo. A programação é eclética e extensa, com uma forte presença feminina, principalmente de japonesas. O Brasil também compareceu em várias vertentes do evento durante a semana profissional, de 1 a 7 de julho. As exposições em Arles podem ser vistas até 29 de setembro. Patrícia Moribe, enviada especial a ArlesCristina de Middel, diretora da mítica agência Magnum, ocupa a Igreja dos Irmãos Pregadores com “Viagem ao Centro”, uma espetacular – em vários sentidos – releitura do complexo movimento migratório saindo do México em direção aos Estados Unidos.Inspirado inicialmente na “Viagem ao Centro da Terra”, de Júlio Verne, a artista mistura ficção, encontros com personagens extraordinários e homenagens visuais a artistas como a fotógrafa mexicana Gabriela Iturbide, permeado de experiências trágicas de vítimas anônimas ou não.O Japão também é presença marcante, a começar pelo prêmio Woman in Motion, que neste ano homenageia a veterana Ishiuchi Miyako. Através de imagens quase etéreas, fantasmagóricas e poéticas de objetos pessoas, um apanhado de sua obra traz uma imersão na intimidade de pessoas como a própria mãe, Frida Kahlo, e de vítimas da tragédia de Hiroshima. Outra mostra que destaca o olhar de fotógrafas japonesas é “Que alegria de vê-las de novo”, com mais de vinte artistas de várias gerações. Em outra exposição, “Réplicas”, fotógrafas e fotógrafos japoneses revisitam a catástrofe de Fukushima, em 2011. Um relato visual emocionante é o de Mayumi Suzuki, que perdeu os pais no desastre. Ela encontrou objetos nos destroços, como a câmera do pai, que também era fotógrafo.  Arles também revisita a obra seminal e humanista da americana Mary Ellen Keller. Já a francesa Sophie Calle usa uma cripta do centro histórico para expor obras condenadas, ou seja, imagens expostas recentemente no museu Picasso em Paris, mas que foram atingidas no depósito da instituição pelas águas de violentas tempestades. Condenadas à destruição por estarem contaminadas por fungos, a cripta serve como último receptáculo dos trabalhos de Calle. Conexão BrasilO Brasil compareceu em várias seções da semana profissional dos Encontros de Arles. A fotografia brasileira contemporânea na França é cada vez mais presente, principalmente devido à atuação da associação Iandé, fundada por Glaucia Nogueira e Isabelle Brosolette Branco.A Iandé, que em tupi-guarani quer dizer nós, pronome pessoal inclusive, surgiu como plataforma para dar visibilidade à fotografia brasileira na França. Em 2024, a Iandé fez parte do circuito OFF de Arles, com um espaço próprio, um local de exposição de livros brasileiros e de intercâmbio.O leque de atuação da Iandé também vem se expandindo. “Agora queremos fazer a ponte entre os profissionais franceses e brasileiros, dos dois lados”, explica Glaucia Nogueira. Foi o que se viu na sexta-feira (5), durante um café da manhã promovido pela associação, reunindo representantes de festivais brasileiros, de instituições francesas e artistas dos dois países, para um contato informal de trocas de muitas ideias. “Eu gosto muito dessa ideia de que a França não está restrita apenas à metrópole, mas é capaz de se abrir para territórios ultramarinos, com um forte vínculo com o Brasil”, explicou Erika Negrel, diretora do Réseau Diagonal (Rede Diagonal), que reúne 30 centros fotográficos em toda a França. “Em nossa rede, temos também uma instituição implantada na Guiana Francesa, chamado La Tête dans les images (Cabeça nas Imagens), lembrando que a fronteira mais longa e extensa que compartilhamos com um país, é com o Brasil. São 700 quilômetros de fronteira que nos separam do Brasil”, diz a responsável francesa. “Como rede, temos o desejo de sermos abertos, de nos enriquecermos também com experiências, projetos e de compartilhar ideias com colegas, especialmente no Brasil.”Livros e encontrosNa feira de livros dos Encontros, Rafael Roncato apresentou “Tropical Trauma Misery Tour”, vencedor em 2023 do Dummy Award, um concurso internacional de projetos de livros de fotografia, antes conhecido como Kassel Dummy Award e que atualmente é outorgado pelo PhotoBookMuseum, de Colônia (Alemanha) e MAS Matbaa, de Istambul (Turquia). O livro de Roncato, uma revisão do fenômeno Bolsonaro, foi sua defesa na tese de mestrado da Academia Real de Haia, na Holanda, onde ele hoje é professor de fotografia.A primeira semana do festival de Arles também traz uma maratona de encontros reunindo especialistas e fotógrafos do mundo todo para encontros de 20 minutos cronometrados para intercâmbio de ideias. Entre os especialistas, estava João Kulcsár, diretor dos festivais de São Paulo e de Paranapiacaba (SP). Na seção OFF de Arles, muitas leituras de portfólio são organizadas pelas estruturas participantes, entre galerias e revistas.Ainda no circuito OFF, o fotógrafo Ricardo Tokugawa foi finalista do prêmio revelação Saif x La Kabine, com a série "Travessia".Em outro evento paralelo, o artista Shinji Nagabe, baseado em Madri, participou da mostra "Embajada", com peças da série Dioramas. 

Ever been curious about the hidden costs of joining an MLM? Discover the raw truths about multi-level marketing schemes with our special guest, Dani Leigh, a seasoned digital nomad and the insightful voice behind Travelling Jezebel and Not Your Boss Babe (which she built and developed and recently sold - aka a real digital business!) Dani takes us on her personal journey from globetrotting volunteer to uncovering the predatory practices of network marketers that target individuals seeking remote work opportunities. This episode peels back the layers to reveal how these schemes have surged, especially during the pandemic, trapping many in financial and emotional turmoil.Our conversation exposes the realities behind the glossy façade of MLMs, focusing on their recruitment-heavy models and overpriced products. Dani and I dive into manipulative marketing strategies, like the guilt-inducing "women supporting women" narrative, and the deceptive income disclosures that lure people into these traps. Hear real-life stories of how MLMs infiltrate communities, from expats to military families, and exploit vulnerabilities with empty promises of financial freedom and flexible work. Together, we highlight why these schemes are nothing more than modern-day scams and offer advice on how to recognize and avoid them.We wrap up with a deep dive into the nuances of running a successful online business. Dani shares her own experiences in diversifying income streams through affiliate marketing, website ads, and new ventures like Instagram and organizing group trips. This episode is packed with practical tips and valuable resources to help you navigate the ever-changing digital landscape while steering clear of unreliable business models like MLMs. Whether you're a seasoned digital nomad or just starting your remote work journey, this episode offers essential insights to protect and empower you.Connect with Dani on here - https://www.instagram.com/travellingjezebel/ (Iand check out her delicious blog https://travellingjezebel.com/, to see what a REAL remote business looks like

join us on a profound episode of "Interviews with Innocence with Marla Hughes" as we delve into the life-altering experiences of Dr. Tony Cicoria, an orthopedic surgeon with a unique twist of fate. Once a typical medical professional, Dr. Cicoria's life took an unexpected turn when he was struck by lightning in 1994, leading to a near-death experience that unveiled his unforeseen talent in classical piano music and composition. In this episode, Dr. Cicoria shares his astonishing transformation from a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon to a sudden musical savant, unraveling how a lightning strike led him to discover his hidden prowess in music. We'll explore his journey from the initial shock and the subsequent near-death and out-of-body experiences to his unexpected emergence as a composer and pianist. Dr. Cicoria will take us through his talk at the IAND's International Conference, providing insights into his research and the spiritual aspects of human history that his experiences have illuminated. His story, featured in Dr. Oliver Sacks' "Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain," showcases the incredible interplay between music, the brain, and the human spirit. Discover how Dr. Cicoria's compositions, featured in his CD "Notes From an Accidental Pianist" and his upcoming book "On the Other Side of Life," reflect his profound journey and the lessons he has gleaned about life, death, and the transcendent power of music. Tune in to this captivating episode as Dr. Cicoria takes us on a journey of resilience, transformation, and the undeniable impact of the unseen forces that shape our lives. Tags: #TonyCicoria #MusicSavant #NearDeathExperience #ClassicalMusic #TransformationStory #OrthopedicSurgeon #InspirationalJourney #HumanSpirit #MusicAndBrain #InterviewsWithInnocence

join us on a profound episode of "Interviews with Innocence with Marla Hughes" as we delve into the life-altering experiences of Dr. Tony Cicoria, an orthopedic surgeon with a unique twist of fate. Once a typical medical professional, Dr. Cicoria's life took an unexpected turn when he was struck by lightning in 1994, leading to a near-death experience that unveiled his unforeseen talent in classical piano music and composition. In this episode, Dr. Cicoria shares his astonishing transformation from a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon to a sudden musical savant, unraveling how a lightning strike led him to discover his hidden prowess in music. We'll explore his journey from the initial shock and the subsequent near-death and out-of-body experiences to his unexpected emergence as a composer and pianist. Dr. Cicoria will take us through his talk at the IAND's International Conference, providing insights into his research and the spiritual aspects of human history that his experiences have illuminated. His story, featured in Dr. Oliver Sacks' "Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain," showcases the incredible interplay between music, the brain, and the human spirit. Discover how Dr. Cicoria's compositions, featured in his CD "Notes From an Accidental Pianist" and his upcoming book "On the Other Side of Life," reflect his profound journey and the lessons he has gleaned about life, death, and the transcendent power of music. Tune in to this captivating episode as Dr. Cicoria takes us on a journey of resilience, transformation, and the undeniable impact of the unseen forces that shape our lives. Tags: #TonyCicoria #MusicSavant #NearDeathExperience #ClassicalMusic #TransformationStory #OrthopedicSurgeon #InspirationalJourney #HumanSpirit #MusicAndBrain #InterviewsWithInnocence

O festival ON/OFF, que corre paralelamente aos Encontros de Arles, encomendou ao Initial LABO, um dos principais laboratórios fotográficos profissionais da França, uma programação ligada ao Brasil, com projeções e discussões em torno da imagem. Patricia Moribe, enviada especial da RFI a Arles “Initial LABO é um laboratório fotográfico. Mas não só isso; nós somos um lugar onde todas as coisas são feitas para conectar um fotógrafo antes de apresentar o trabalho do fotógrafo e aumentar sua visibilidade. Por isso que nós estamos em Arles”, explica Denise Zanet, diretora do Initial LABO, enquanto prepara o palco do “Brasil Imprevisto”, na Cour du Archeveché, no coração do centro histórico da cidade. Ela explica que todos os dias da semana profissional, de 3 a 6 de julho, os trabalhos de fotógrafos brasileiros serão exibidos em projeções, mesas redondas e tardes de autógrafos. Gláucia Nogueira é outra figura de proa na divulgação da fotografia contemporânea brasileira. Ela fundou a Iandé, que começou como plataforma em 2016, evoluiu para um coletivo e hoje é uma associação francesa. “Nosso objetivo é fazer com que a presença da fotografia brasileira ganhe cada vez mais espaço na França”, explica.“Estamos na Fundação Manuel Rivera Ortiz, já pela terceira vez, este ano com o José Diniz, que tem curadoria de Ioana Mello. Pau Brasil - na exposição coletiva Grow Up - é uma exposição muito bonita, que fala de colonialismo, e traz para o presente e para o contexto atual a expropriação dessa árvore tão importante para o Brasil”, comenta Gláucia Nogueira. Andrea Eichenberger, catarinense radicada em Paris, participa de uma das projeções com “Parque”, realizada em Florianópolis. “É um espaço natural, protegido, e que foi vendido de forma irregular à propriedade privada. Esse lugar que está sendo ameaçado pela construção de um hotel de luxo. Um movimento popular se formou em torno desse espaço, exigindo a criação de um parque público natural no local. Então este trabalho gravita em torno disso, desse movimento, das formas de ocupação desse grupo, e tenta promover um diálogo com outros moradores da cidade sobre o uso desse espaço em Florianópolis.”, explica a fotógrafa.

Breaks fans, get ready! This week on the RIPEcast, we're blasting off with Dancing Mandy live set from Breakfast of Champions x It's A New Day 2023. Here's what Dancing Mandy shared about her set: “Playing Breakfast of Champions was a bucket list gig and I was so honored to open up the Wild West Stage. I pulled out some new and old school breaks to celebrate the first morning of 2023 :)”  More from Dancing Mandy: https://soundcloud.com/dancingmandy https://www.instagram.com/DanceMandyDance https://www.facebook.com/dancemandydance https://www.twitch.tv/dancingmandy

Who's ready for a thicc slab of funky ass beats from an OG Space Cowboy DJ? This week's RIPEcast is serving up exactly that—here's DJ Brad Robinson's smokin' set from this year's Breakfast of Champions x It's A New Day block party! Here's what Brad says about the party and his set: “It was another epic Breakfast of Champions as we completely “threaded the needle” with the weather and managed to get the only day of sunshine in 2 weeks.  What amazing luck that was!!!  Thanks so everyone who came out to celebrate with us, all those that rocked out on my danceflooe, and the epic team that helped to make it all happen.  Cheers to what 2023 brings!!!” Track List: 1. Joshwa - Miracles (DBR Edit) 2. Carlos Pineda - RUFF (DBR Edit) 3. Rodney Hunter - Dance (DBR Edit) 4. Mike Newman, Antoine Cortez, Djsakisp - In The Mix 5. CASSIMM - Jackin 6. Sharam Jey - Move Out (HSKT DBR Edit 7. DJ Mes - Re-Programmed 8. Block - Crown, Sean Finn - Que Pasa (DBR Edit) 9. Rescue - Make 'em Move 10. D-Rossini - Keep On Rockin 11. Sebastien Drums, Avicii - My Feelings For You (MERCER DBR Edit) 12. SHEE - Disco Machine Sound (DBR Edit) 13. Rubber People, Sinner - James - I-m Bad (DBR Edit) 14. The Cube Guys - Rich Girl (DBR Edit) 15. Gabriele Ranucci - Reach Out

Hello Friends! On this week's RIPEcast we have our very own Rumblemunk with his epic set of heavy beats and bass from Breakfast of Champions x It's A New Day 2023. Here's some word from Rumblemunk about the mix: “Upon listening to the recording of my set, I learned that I had skipped AN ENTIRE TRACK. Since all tracks are critical to a set, I had to re-record. Here is the best version of what I intended on that beautiful clear evening with you all. It's a busload of the best breakbeats I found in 2022, plus 5 (!) original productions from years past.”

Buckle up, friends! This week's RIPEcast takes us back to an epic set from Breakfast of Champions x It's A New Day 2023. We're thrilled to share this live mix from legendary pioneer of bass n beats, Freestylers! This set absolutely mashed the dance floor with old school vibes and new school flavor. Huge thanks to Freestylers for not only sharing these massive tunes with the BoC party, but letting us bring it to you on the podcast as well. 

 En-fuckin-joy!!!

One this week's RIPEcast we've got another thumpin set of bass n breaks. This one's from Space Cowboy's very own DJ Sol, recorded live on 1/1/23 at the Breakfast of Champions + It's A New Day New Year's Day Block Party in San Francisco. Here's what Sol had to say about the party and the mix: "It's nearly impossible to describe the energy and vibe when you walk into this event, but you are instantly transported into a space of amazing people, love and music from every direction. Hugs and high-fives all day long. After weeks of torrential rains the only day without rain amazingly enough was New Year's Day! The sun was shining and the weather was sweet, it made you want to move your dancin feet. Playing at High Noon on the Wild West Stage was a blast! I started the set off with some Tech-y House and worked into some Bass and Breaks, then finally tag teaming a portion of the next set with my homie Shizzla!  Gradtude and thanks to my Space Cowboy family plus love and respect to Dusty Rhino, Brass Tax, Green Gorilla Lounge, Heavy Petting Zoo and to the Great Northern / It's A New Day family for another flawless event! Enjoy and thanks for your support! ~Sol" More from Sol: www.soundcloud.com/spacecowboys/sets/sol

This week's RIPEcast features a scorching live set from one of this year's Breakfast of Champions x It's A New Day guests—DJ producer and label owner at 83, Guau! Here's some lovely sentiments Guau shared with us about the set and his experience: “The more time I spend in San Francisco, the more I love this city. It has been an honor for me to be able to share the first dances of 2023 with the Space Cowboys team and for this reason I prepared a very special session, full of exclusive versions that I premiered at the BOC NYD 2023. Classics and unpublished songs mixed in 1 hour and a half of good vibe. Many thanks to J9 and the Space Cowboys crew for inviting me.”

This week's RIPEcast features another epic set recorded live at Breakfast of Champions + It's A New Day 2023—we're bringing Space Cowboys DJ WorkR with a set that features some of his favorite tracks from 2022! Here's some deets about the mix from the DJ: “Breakfast of Champions landed on a clear day between weeks of dark and rainy skies. I felt that with a new year starting on such a beautiful day some uplifting house music was exactly what was needed for a morning set. Thank you for listening - WorkR” More from WorkR: Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/theworkr Twitch: twitch.tv/theworkr Setlist: Going Back - pinkloud Just Live It - Jacq (UK) Crazy About You - Kevin McKay Honey - 8ubbles Sunshine Day - Maickel Telussa Get Up - Per QX It's a Killa - Shermanology Get Down Low - Dark Heart Highway To Hell (DJ Vartan & Techcrasher Remix) - Dain Solo The Rhythm - Earth n Days The Rock - Luan Trombin People Happy - KLP Moon Groove - Noizu This Is How We Do - Richard Grey Life Is Back - Alexander Som Everyday - Wh0 California Dreamin' (Ray Montreal & Dor Halevi edit)- The Mamas & The Papas

This week on the RIPEcast, we've got Space Cowboys' own J9 the Angel with her set of dirty breaks and bass house, recorded live at Breakfast of Champions + It's A New Day 2023. Here's what J9 has to say about her set on New Year's Day: “BOC 2023 absolutely went OFF! That stage was crowded with love, and I was so happy to be joined up there by my family and friends. Thank you SF. You sure know how to bring it on the dance floor. Playing this set for you was an immense pleasure. The energy was palpable, and I love the exchange that we engage in, bringing each other higher, and elevating the vibe to the stars!! I was incredibly honored to open for my friend GUAU from Spain, and play many tunes that were crafted by friends of mine. I'm incredibly lucky to be able to do something that brings me SO MUCH JOY!!! I hope you enjoy these selections and reliving the day or getting a taste if you couldn't be there in person. Thank you so much for your support. Lots of love! j9” Setlist * Shine On (Deekline 2Step Remix) - Deekline, Benny Page, Origin8a & Propa * Hold It (Original Mix) - NeuroziZ, G$Montana * Lift Me Up (Original Mix) - Left/Right, LOWCO * Purpura (Original Mix) - Yo Speed, Nosk * HRDR (Original Mix) - MNNR * R U Ready Part 2 (Original Mix) - Backdraft * Dibby Dibby DJ (Original Mix) - AC Slater * Rush (Original Mix) - MPH, Cecelia * Tell Me feat. Jungle Brothers (Stanton Warriors Remix) - State of the Nation * Back Atcha (Original Mix) - Destroyers, Basstyler * Dielectric (Hankook & KALOCOM Remix) - The Darrow Chem Syndicate * DOWN TO RIDE (Colombo Remix) - BBK, Dmoney, OOdie, Xuptour * Back To Back (Original Mix) - Atomic Drop, Specimen A, Chesire Cat * Bass Shaker (Original Mix) - Defkline * Make My Day (OnDaMike Remix) - Brothers Of Funk * You Don't Know Yours (Kid Panel Remix) - The Darrow Chem Syndicate * New Dope (Original Mix) - Paket * Death Race (Original Mix) - Destroyers * House Broken (DJ30A & Huda Hudia Remix) - The Crystal Method, Naz Tokio ::Keep up with J9 the Angel:: Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/j9theangel Facebook: facebook.com/j9theangel/ Instagram: instagram.com/j9theangel Twitch: twitch.tv/j9theangel Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR5SU9zFmg8dL5g1TyvEG3A

On week's RIPEcast we're bringing you a scorching set Space Cowboys' dancefloor igniter, Leyl Master Black, recorded live at Breakfast of Champions + It's A New Day 2023. Leyl's mix of techy, funky, and soulful house is regularly featured in the SF club and Burner scene, and her set at the Space Cowboy's Outer Space stage at BoC absolutely went off! Here's more about the mix from Leyl: “Breakfast of Champions is my favorite party of the year, and I always have a blast planning my set so I can bring something special to the stage. I'm so proud to be a part of the Space Cowboys and to produce events that bring our amazing community together. Thank you to everyone who came out to dance and celebrate with us!!!” More from Leyl Master Black: Soundcloud: @leylmaster Facebook: facebook.com/leylmasterblack Upcoming gigs: linktr.ee/leylmasterblack

Next up for the RIPEcast's Breakfast of Champions + It's A New Day 2023 sets, we're excited to bring you one of our fav guests, DJ ICON (Opulent Temple, Fraktured SF)—a local heroine of SF dance music & the Burner community, not to mention a dear friend of Space Cowboys! DJ ICON's bangin set of vocal-infused Bass House & Tech House blew up our Wild West stage tent and fired up the dance floor. Whether you were there in person or just in spirit, get ready to re-live these 60 minutes of epic vibes! Here's more about the mix from the DJ: 
“Definitely a major highlight of the past year! I had an amazing time rocking a near flawless set of my fave Bass House & Tech House tracks to a sea of my fave people all living their best lives. Thank you to the Space Cowboys for inviting me to play!” - DJ ICON More from DJ ICON: http://linktr.ee/djicon http://facebook.com/sfspacecowboys Setlist: 01. Wuki - Edge of Seventeen 02. Who Da Funk - Shiny Disco Balls (Alex Amaro Remix) 03. KVSH & verk - 1, 2 Step 04. SIDEPIECE - Reborn (Kyle Walker Extended Mix) 05. Cazztek - The Jam 06. Armand Van Helden - You Don't Know Me (Edit) 07. Joshwa - Miracles 08. Henry Fong & JSTJR - I Wanna 09. David Guetta & Dimitri Vegas feat. Nicole Scherzinger & Azteck - The Drop (Öwnboss Extended Remix) 10. Hutch, Block & Crown - Riddem 11. Öwnboss & SEVEK - Move Your Body 12. BIJOU - Six Shots 13. Cedric Gervais x Joel Corry - MOLLY 14. Diplo & Sleepy Tom - Be Right There (HUGEL Remix 15. Öwnboss & FAST BOY - Left & Right (BYOR Remix) 16. BIJOU & MARTEN HØRGER - I Know 17. Gorillaz - New Gold feat. Tame Impala and Bootie Brown (Dom Dolla Remix Extended) 18. Elton John & Dua Lipa - Cold Heart (Claptone Extended Mix)

Why have I been so grumpy?Why the under eye bags? What is this about imposter syndrome?I've been crying. And dealing with some health challenges. Health challenges always suck, but they are especially hard when you're supposed to be some kind of “wellness expert”. In this solo cast “short”, I'm going to be brave, and I hope that by listening/watching this episode, you too can be inspired to be a little more brave.These days I'm not just crying about my health issues. I've got some broken plates I'm dealing with (LINK TO EP 124) as well as coming to terms with my tree stump status (LINK 125).   As I type these show notes, I'm sitting in the waiting room of a dermatologist. I'm here for a biopsy that will help us to investigate a tricky little blood marker for autoimmune that came up positive for me. Why is my body attacking itself?     I'm not going to get all BOO HOO here. In dealing with this “bad news”, I remembered a wonderful clip from SoulPancake that featured an extraordinary young man, Zach Sobiech. I hope SoulPancake won't be mad that I took about 14 seconds of one of their clips for my podcast- hey, maybe I can help to promote it!   Zach was diagnosed with a terminal illness. When he received this information, he launched into an amazing period of creativity to share lessons about life.  One of my favorite songs by Zach is Clouds.  I think about what Zach faced, and how he remained positive.    What I'm dealing with pales in comparison.  I mean, just because I've got a bunch of doctors appointments and tests, does that give me the right to become Ms. Grumpy pants?No. I will talk about serious stuff on my podcast, but I will always endeavor to Make It Fun. Here are the 3 mantras from today's “Solo Cast Short”:   #1: Put yourself in each others shoes- ask the two questions I forgot to say out loud on Episode 125 (but I put them in the show notes).  Here they are:  Question 1: Will the boy step into the tree's shoes* (know and feel the giving of unconditional love) Question 2: Will the tree step into the boy's shoes** (know and feel the receiving of unconditional love) #2: People change, all the time. There is nothing as constant as change.   When I work in my nonprofit Nurture, I tell kids during our “nutrition education classes” that they don't have to try the broccoli if they don't want to. But I remind them that their taste buds change all the time. I get a lot of success with this approach. What do you think?   #3: Every sentient being that you encounter is a potential spiritual guide. All you have to do is be ready and open!   I'm curious about your thoughts on my desire to go on a journey inward.  Did I pick the wrong season for this journey?   The song for today's episode is The Safety Dance. I've put the lyrics below with two important lines highlighted. Any other lyrics you'd like to emphasize?   Sticky notes for future episodes:  - We're gonna do an EP on Happiness.  Stay tuned! - Glennon Doyle Melton's, “it's not a good idea to protect our kids from pain” concept. I was intrigued when I met her and saw her speak; she's on to some great ideas.   In this episode, I I mention my Positive on Publishing interview with #1 NYT bestselling author and transformational leader, Marci Shimoff. She has this beautiful “recipe” for manifestation, as follows:IntentionAttentionNo tensionListen to the full interview with Marci here (LINK) (so good!).    The Safety Dance Lyrics We can dance if we want toWe can leave your friends behind'Cause your friends don't danceAnd if they don't danceWell, they're no friends of mine Say, we can go where we want toA place where they will never find And we can act like we comeFrom out of this worldLeave the real one far behind And we can danceOr sing We can go when we want toNight is young and so am IAnd we can dress real neatFrom our hats to our feetAnd surprise 'em with the victory cry Say, we can act if we want toIf we don't, nobody willAnd you can act real rude and totally removedAnd I can act like an imbecile And say, we can dance, we can danceEverything's out of controlWe can dance, we can danceThey're doing it from pole to pole We can dance, we can danceEverybody look at your handsWe can dance, we can dance Everybody's taking the chance Safety dance We can dance if we want toWe've got all your life and mineAs long as we abuse it, never gonna lose it Everything'll work out right I say, we can dance if we want toWe can leave your friends behindBecause your friends don't danceAnd if they don't danceWell, they're no friends of mine Well, it's the safety dance It's the safety dance Well, it's the safety dance Well, it's the safety dance Oh, it's the safety dance Oh, it's the safety dance Everybody's taking the chance

For the next several weeks, we are excited to be featuring some of our favorite female DJs in our communities. This week we are thrilled to bring you Haute Mess's set from the Brass Tax stage at IAND/ BOC 2022! Get ready for bouncy bass and sexy tech house — selected for peak-hour dancing pleasure.   Catch Haute Mess playing at ‘Do it for the Gals', a Dusty Rhino Fundy at The Great Northern in San Francisco on June 18th! Keep up with Haute Mess: Soundcloud: @hautemessthedj Facebook: www.facebook.com/hautemessthedj Instagram: www.instagram.com/hautemessthedj Twitch: www.twitch.tv/hautemessthedj More about this week's guest: Haute Mess is a performance DJ hailing from the underground party crew: Brass Tax, and all-femme San Francisco DJ crew: Angels of bAss. Inspiring movement is her passion — expect a surge of energy when Haute Mess hits the decks. Her multi-genre selections delight with bass-heavy, hip-shaking, smile-making beats. Tracklist: Bizznizz (Extended Mix) Blvckr Give Me A Sign (Betoko Remix) LouLou Players, Pimpo Gama Step Closer (Original Mix) Ayaba Poetic, Dunmore Brothers Mother Funk House (Extended Mix) Fractall, Rocksted Wait A Minute (Extended Mix) Biscits Shakes Bass (Dub Mix) ZNMK 100% Tapped (Original Mix) Little Fritter House Of Love (Extended Mix) Raven & Kreyn Need It (Extended Mix) Ship Wrek Mercy FOMO Tempted (Extended Mix) Hawk Gimme Some Keys (Original Mix) Matroda Keep On (Original Mix) Phibes, DEEPROT Tweakalizer (Original Mix) Jean Bacarreza, FeelGood Phenomenon (Main Mix) Redlight Locked In (Darius Syrossian Remix) Kill Your Heroes, Dave Giles II Boing (Original Mix) Black Caviar Vibin' Thing (Extended Mix) Giant, Vush TURMA (Original Mix) Twogangs TCL (Original Mix) Bellecour Threat Level Midnight (Original Mix) Cloverdale Hustler (Original Mix) edetto I Want It (Extended) No Thanks Taste On My Lips (Extended Mix) RITN Talk To Me (Extended Mix) Biscits The Joker (Doc Brown Remix) Luigi Rocca I Gotta Let U Go (Bart B More Remix) Dominica "What You've Done To Me (feat. Bemendé) KREAM, Millean., Bemende

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Sayadaw U Tejaniya style of practice

Well whaddaya know? Like finding that favorite album tucked away in a nook, we discovered we still have more amazing BoC recordings to share! This is a driving, get you going, butt off the chair mix from our very own WorkR. Let's goooooo! Here's what WorkR had to say about the mix: "I was beyond excited to play Breakfast of Champions again in person after our long lockdown break of virtual events. I played early in the day, basking in the sunlight and the vibe of the crowd. What a great way to start the new year." More from WorkR: Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/theworkr Twitch: twitch.tv/theworkr

Welcome back to Variety Pack Podcast! We been gone for a minute, but we're back ! Iand so is kyle... tune in. Sit back, relax, and join us! We have a seat just for you. Our socials: Twitter: @podcast_pack Instagram: @VP_podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUa3dEo1fA-X7oVJMMDRREg email: variertypackpodcast52@gmail.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Can it be? We're on the very last set from our epic new year's day party. We might find a few hiding in a shelf here and there but for now, this is it! We're looking forward to the artists we're about to feature and a new series coming up featuring female DJs in the area. RIGHT NOW though, check out this slamming non-stop pedal-to-the-metal breaks and bass/tech house mix from our friend Nugz (@b-nugetz) on the Dusty Rhino stage!

On the RIPEcast this week, closing out Q1 and our BoC Cowboys recording, we have fan-favorite Space Cowboy ShOOey with a live recording from the Hoedown stage. It's an hour of first pumping breaks that you've come to expect and love. ✊

We've got a

Happy Friday everyone! Let's get this weekend started with another IAND+BOC 2022 set from our very own Space Cowboy @rumblemunk and debuts his original bootleg. Here's what rumblemunk had to say: "This mix includes my latest bootleg, an acid breaks remix of an early 2000s classic and a free download here: https://soundcloud.com/rumblemunk/shake-that-thing-get-busy-bootleg" More from Rumblemunk: Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/rumblemunk

We've still got a few more BoC+IAND mixes to dish out and we're saving some of the best for last! This week it's our very own Kapt'n Kirk with his signature breaks sound.

This week on the RIPEcast, we have our very own Space Cowboy: Sol who brings us a funky, breaky, feel good mix live from the Hoedown stage at It's a New Day + Breakfast of Champions 2022, It's sure to get your romp shaking and your weekend warmed up. More from DJ Sol: Soundcloud: spacecowboys/sets/sol

This week, we are getting back to the IAND+BoC 2022 sets from our very own Leyl Master Black (@leylmaster) with a high powered house set that's sure to drive you all the way through the rest of the week. "Well that was one for the record books! This was absolutely my favorite BOC yet. The music, the people, the layout, the decor, the operations… all our hard work paid off in so many ways, and it was just perfect. I feel like the Space Cowboys and our friends at The Great Northern took it to the next level this year! Profoundly grateful I got to celebrate the new year in the best city in the world with all you beautiful maniacs. :)"

It might be February but we are still feeling the glow of the Space Cowboys New Year Day party and reliving the amazing music. This time, it's our veteran Cowboy, Brad Robinson with a funky, upbeat, disco-y house mix to get your weekend started! "So much energy went into pulling off BOC-IAND 2022 this year and it is hard to believe that it happened with the state of the pandemic in our area. I am so grateful for everyone that contributed to the event and showed up to dance with us in the sunshine. This set was a blast for me to play with so much good energy coming back to me from the crowd. Enjoy!" More from Brad Robinson: Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djbradrobinson Facebook: facebook.com/djbradrobinson.spacecowboys www.djbradrobinson.com

Live from the Hoedown stage at It's a New Day + Breakfast of Champions, it's our very own @deckard-dj with a versatile booty-shaking, multi-genre, we-need-more-hyphens mix! Check it out! Here's what Deckard had to say about the mix! "Breakfast of Champions 2022 came in like a burst of light sending 2021 to the shadows. The energy and vibe everyone brought combined with all the hard work makes for a special once a year event that can't be topped in my book. Thank you to all the friends and fans who have supported our local scene, Space Cowboys and my DJ sets and mixes. You helped make this BoC my best yet. " About DJ Deckard: Born and bred in Washington, Keith Harris (a.k.a. Deckard) starting DJ-ing in 2000, at venues and clubs in Seattle and Canada. He moved to San Francisco in 2005 where his skills and talent evolved and became even more prolific, garnering interest and accolade and earning him a spot in the underground music scene. Deckard made his big splash as a member of Coda in 2006 at Burning Man. Soon after he joined forces with the Space Cowboys whose parties are legendary in San Francisco and Burning Man and whose Ripecast podcast was nominated for Best Podcast of the Year by Breakspoll for 2013. Mixing together a blend of music selection including, but certainly not limited to breakbeat, nu funk, and house, Deckard keeps crowds on their feet and moving backed by his unique sound and ability to mix genres whether it be playing a sunrise set at Breakfast of Champions or closing down the main room in front of a packed warehouse. Deckard has performed in a variety of venues on the west coast and Canada with DJs such as Jondi & Spesh, Uberzone, Lee Coombs, Plump DJs, Dylan Rhymes, Meat Katie, Elite Force/Simon Shackleton, Worthy and more. More from DJ Deckard: Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/deckard-dj Facebook: facebook.com/djdeckard/ Twitter: twitter.com/dj_deckard

In this episode, Dr. Cicoria shares with us his talk that he gave at the IAND's International Conference. His research helps us to discover the aspects of human history that has in many ways remained hidden from us. For more information on this episode please visit: https://www.interviewswithinnocence.com/blog/122

This week, we continue our Breakfast of Champions recordings with the live set from our very own 8ball! Here's what he had to say about the set: "We have have a renewed appreciation for being able to see good friends and our amazing community at IRL events like Breakfast of Champions! This year, I dove into tracks that felt ravey and euphoric—classic old school breaks and new tracks with that classic old school style, plus a generous amount of original edits, samples, and surprises. Happy 2022, friends! Hope we much, much more of each other this year!" More from DJ 8ball: Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/spacecowboys/sets/8ball Facebook: facebook.com/dj8ballsf Instagram: instagram.com/dj8ball Twitter: twitter.com/dj8ball Twitch: twitch.tv/dj8ball http://linktr.ee/dj8ball

This week, we have another tag team from It's a New Day + Breakfast of Champions. Our very own kev/null (@kevnull) with special guest davesimon (@djdavesimon)! Here's what they had to say about the set: Kevin: What an epic event. Dave and I started DJing coincidentally the same year and for the past decade have played at many of the same events, supported each other, and shared opportunities. To have our first tag team be at this special event, especially after such a long hiatus, was truly a peak experience. Dave: Meeting up to prepare and practice was hampered by all the things - 210 miles between us (Oakland/Reno), the holidays, an oddly limited number of flight options, and an insane blizzard that shut down the interstates. Thankfully two years of streaming experience inspired us to practice through a combination of high fidelity Zoom and Facetime calls, Dropbox and Soundcloud. Our mixers interfaced to Zoom, with bidirectional audio mixer monitoring + screen sharing made it possible to preview mixes, talk through sequences, flows, and visualize hot-cues. Using a common method for marking up tracks, we were able to make it happen remotely. Our first in-person practice session was the night before BOC, on New Years Eve, with a thrown-together DJ setup on a friends' kitchen table. More from kev/null: Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/kevnull Facebook: facebook.com/djkevnull Instagram: instagram.com/kevnull Twitch: twitch.tv/kevnull More from davesimon: Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/djdavesimon Instagram: instagram.com/davesimon/ Twitch: twitch.tv/djdavesimon Track listing: 01 Fresh (Frank Caro, Alemany Remix) - @crazibiza 02 Take Me (Extended Mix) - CHESSER 03 David Copperfield (Original Mix) - @genefarris, @kidenigma 04 Hot for You (Extended Mix) - @croatiasquad 05 Good For Critics (Original Mix) - @blockcrown 06 Prepare for the Night (@yvvanBack Remix) - @croatiasquad 07 Rollergirl (Original Mix) - @realblackcaviar 08 Romeo (@thisiswh0 Extended Festival Remix) - Basement Jaxx 09 Livin' on a Prayer (@deepdelicmusic & @djraphaelsiqueira) - Bon Jovi 10 Blue Caboose (Extended) - @skiitour 11 Bassline Drip (feat. Dread MC) (Original Mix) - Dread MC, @nostalgixmusic 12 Bassface (Extended Mix) - Piero @pirupa 13 Get Use To It (Club Mix) - @mje-music, @michael-chodo-music 14 Basuha (Original Mix) - @egoism-live, Platinum Monkey 15 edamame feat. Rich Brian (@diplo Remix) - bbno$, Rich Brian 16 How We Do (Raffa FL Re Edit) - Mr. V, @raffa_fl-music 17 The Sequel (Extended Mix) - @tita_lau 18 Get Ur Freak On (@kevinmckay Extended Remix) - @naderrazdar 19 Wanna Be (@jaxonnewgen, @vanillaace Remix) - Hako 20 Gypsy Woman (@nohopes & @pushkarevdj Remix) - @mauriziobasilotta, @discoverproject 21 I Can (Original Mix) - @zetbee-1 22 When I Hear The Beat (Original Mix) - @lucadebonaire

Near death experiences and how this affects military and their families.Watch live on Facebook. www.facebook.com/transformationtalkradio/

Near death experiences and how this affects military and their families. Watch live on Facebook. www.facebook.com/transformationtalkradio/

Today, Carol the Coach is interviewing Laura Jenkins and Sherri Payne, who have supported the APSATS team to help women who are hurting and alone. They would like to share their story of the betrayal they experienced in their marriages over many years, how Ithey  said “no more”, and overcame their fears to rebuild a life that was shattered. You may have experienced this, or know a woman close to you who struggles in her married relationship. Laura Jenkins says, "Our struggles are held very close and hidden, the pain and isolation leading to additional trauma beyond what our partner's sexual acting out has dealt us."  Having gone through this and found a certain level of healing, Sherri Payne acknowleges that they have felt a definite call to help women Iand in a place of safety as they navigate through the betrayal. Her not for profit, Unbound and Free is a "pay it forward" program is a ministry that that can help partially pay to help another woman who needs access to coaching and mentoring. Laura Jenkins founded Safe Haven Mentoring to be a resource, to provide a safe, compassionate haven for women to be heard and help them navigate this mindfield of hurts and disillusionment.She acknowledges, 'My first step in rebuilding my life was focusing on myself, and getting educated and as a coach I am here to help you rebuild yours too! Listen as these two mentors explain how they are giving back!

https://youtu.be/5W5i2X2Nq7o Lights Camera Action                                                                                                                          Acts 26:9-18 Recap Paul is still being held under false accusation He is now before King Agrippa who will hear him (again)Pastor Crystal spoke about the hope Paul spoke about even in chainsHe gives an account of how he persecuted Christians and how as he Journeyed to Damascus, and how he met Jesus Christ This was the beginning of him receiving the assignment to carry the Gospel to the Jews and the Gentile Gods Plans: Every kid has a dream and growing up in Kenya was no different.I wanted to be successful, I wanted a castle like every some of you kid, didn't even think about how much the electric bill would be ...leave alone the maintenance cost I wanted to be a lot of things – some really good, like be responsible, have a wife and kids, own a business, own a farm and have lots of animals – Some not so good like being a movie producer in Hollywood e.t.cEven today, there are things that I wanted to do – Most of those plans are about me and my desires, my comfort, my drive But God usually has a different planI have come to a point in my life, where I have realized that the moment that I gave my life to Christ, my say – my plans, my desires are only secondary to what God's will is for my family and IAnd that's what's Paul is saying: Acts 26:9 (AMPC) - I myself indeed was [once] persuaded that it was my duty to do many things contrary to and in defiance of the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Translated – I had a plan for my life and that plan was a great plan, a plan that was against Jesus and his peopleBut **Proverbs 16:9 - A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.Paul, educated in the best school, had a great mentor, had high ranking career. He was devoted to his job, regardless of the moral implication, he was dedicated. In todays standard- Paul was successful Paul was already obedient, hardworking – though in the wrong endeavors, the fact is that, he put his all in the things that he did And when that moment came, all that was required was a redirection It's easier to redirect a moving train Are you moving …? or you stagnant. Waiting to be moved Moses – Came to the red see and God “Exodus 14 - And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. Same case with David, Anointed King as a teenager – Yet he didn't just sit around and wait. He was a shepherd and a good on that would defend his dad's flocksGod is looking for a willing heart, a hard-working person whom He can useProverbs 16:1 - The preparations[a] of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.We humans make plans, but the LORD has the final word.Matthew 12:35-37 - A good man out of the good treasure [a]of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”Even though God has the final answer, we are still accountable to the plans we make Our lives are being recorded – every moment and we will be accountable to for those decisionsI got good news though, we have a God that loves us, who is willing to redirect us from our foolishness. From death.There comes a time in one's life when you see the Light, and once you have,  you can't be the same Paul was transformed. All his plans were tabled and found useless and at the moment, the past was just that, a picture of the Past.I love photography- I love to look at old pictures – Q missions' headquarters was a bookstore Pictures capture a moment in time …and truly a picture is worth a thousand words. (I love to guess- what was going on in their lives at that time?

This week the team discusses platforming chameleons, math equations, and space exploration.HOSTS:Ken McKownDrew LeachmanRyan WomboldJae LeeGAMES COVEREDYooka LayleeZero Escape: The Nonary GamesMass Effect AndromedaToukiden 2Troll and Iand more… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.