Podcasts about Illinois

IP PART 2 ... The recent pirating of over 500,000 books and lawsuit settlement from Anthropic for 1.5 BILLION dollars opens with Judith Briles and the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Marketing podcast. Joining her is Colin O'Brien, intellectual property expert and partner in the Illinois based law firm of Latimer, LeVay Fyock LLC. This is Part 2 in one of Judith's favorite podcasts, so much is covered that focuses on your Author Success. So much, that a second podcast was created to cover “the rest” of what authors need to know. Get ready to take lots of notes. His website is www.LLFLegal.com and email Colin@LLFLegal.com. Your take-aways include: -Understanding the “lifetime” of a copyright. -Why the authors must use their imagination and “reimagination”. -How to register a trademark federally = ® . -When to start using your intentionality with a TM = ™ -Unconfusing fair use. -Exposing Parodies … and how to avoid getting into trouble. -Revisiting the use of lyrics. -Knowing the four main rules of fair use. -Where to verify quickly if an image or words are trademarked. -Public domains And of course, much more. It's a jammed-packed hour with host Judith Briles, The Book Shepherd for author success. You'll come away with tips for expanding your “author smarts” chops. Join in ... you will learn a lot! Tune in for lots of ideas and how-to tactics via the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast. It's ranked in the Top Ten of bookmarketing campaigns. Since its inception seven years ago, the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast with over 22 million listeners downloading various shows for practical publishing and book marketing guidance. Join me and become a regular subscriber.

The Sixers put together a good team win over the Magic. It was the Drummond game, the Maxey game, the Oubre game, etc… We talk about the win (it counts), Embiid returning to the team, and the series against the Celtics.Donate to Spike's Walk For Paws fundraiser for the BVSPCA here: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2026walkforpaws/account/2277596/The Rights To Ricky Sanchez is presented by Draft Kings SportsbookBriggs Auction is the official auction of The Ricky at briggsauction.comLL Pavorsky Jewelers is where Rights To Ricky Sanchez listeners go and get engaged.Surfside Iced Tea and Vodka is the official canned cocktail of The Ricky.Gambling Problem? Call one eight hundred GAMBLER or one eight hundred MY RESET. New York: call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY. Connecticut: call eight eight eight seven eight nine seven seven seven seven or visit CCPG dot org. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino in Kansas. Wager tax pass-through may apply in Illinois. Twenty one plus in most states. Void in Ontario. Restrictions apply. Bet must win to receive Bonus Bets which expire in 7 days. Minimum odds required. NBA Bet Boost restrictions apply and vary when offered. Boost only applies to winnings. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see sportsbook dot draftkings dot com slash promos. Limited time offer.

Things Discussed: Best Michigan team ever? Seth: This team would destroy any previous Michigan team. The game gets better, the training gets better, the strategy gets better. They played together like they were together four years. Championships are not easy. This team vs Fab Five: Fabs had to score at the rim, and you can't do that against this team. 1989 team? The way Rice was shooting they could beat anybody, and they had more shooting. 2013 team? They were so good offensively but they'd need a ridiculous shooting day from the backcourt. Remember they didn't let Terry shoot threes, but perhaps he developed that in the NBA. The refs hated the Fabs so much more than this team too, and they didn't really have a developed post game until Juwan was a junior. But imagine if you could put college C-Webb on a modern team, making him a switchable five? Oh man he'd be so good now. This is the next evolution of hoops: consistent twos are better than threes, because threes will die on you. Hunter S. Thompson: Sports journalist. Loy = Morez? No. Program golden age? They're going to continue to be very good, but this year will be among the best. It took a lot of luck to have a guy like Mara going unused by Mick Cronin and have a guy like Yaxel who's the best player of last year who wasn't in the NBA this year. It gets harder to rebuild this team, because even Izzo is in the portal for rim protectors. The market at the rim has gone way up after they saw this team. JP Estrella will help them on ORebs: he was one of the best on that team of bears. Break: Our what-might-have-been team: Sam's is Kelly Baraka, Seth's is Antonio Bass as Rich Rod's 2008 QB. Football: Hiter hype is off the charts. Sam thinks he's going to be an amazing zone runner. Reliving Najee Harris: there were two flights; he was sitting next to Tua Tagovailoa on the other one, so you can't criticize him too much. Sounds like a really good OL: Sam takes his Frazier victory lap. Gwar and Sprague and Norton, LG is Link, Efobi or Gach. How much will they run the QB? 1) They flipped an Illinois commit, and 2) Whittingham's an Urban Meyer assistant.

CBS Sports college basketball writer Isaac Trotter joins Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner to talk about four key Illinois basketball players annoncing their returns to Illinois basketball for the 2026-27 season: David Mirkovic, Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic and Jake Davis. The guys discuss what it means for the program, how they all can improve and what's next, including the latest on Andrej Stojakovic and John Blackwell. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Gameday Spirit: Get 15% off your next purchase with them online at ⁠gamedayspirit.com⁠ when you use the code "Illini15" at checkout. Columbia Street Roastery: Head to ⁠⁠CSRcoffee.com⁠ and use code IlliniAllTheWay to get 10 percent off your first order and get free shipping on orders of over $45. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8  Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct   Go VIP for just 60% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Six children were bludgeoned and stabbed to death in their beds in a Churchill's Grove home while their mother slept in a Milwaukee motel room — unaware that her husband had already decided that if he couldn't have her, no one would have anything. The night of January 7th, 1978 would leave a wound in Rockford, Illinois that never fully closed. Neighbors still whisper about it. The house is still there. And according to at least one person who lived inside it — so is something else.FEATURED STORIES IN THIS EPISODE: The ax murders in Villisca, Iowa. The Defeo murders made famous by the Amityville Horror. Two crime scenes where no one heard a thing. The same thing happened in the charming little areaof Churchill's Grove… a story not so famous, but just as disturbing. (No One Heard a Thing – The Simon Peter Nelson Murders) *** Lily Dale… where Spiritualism is celebrated and practiced more than just the spooky months. Populated by hundreds of psychics and mediums, it has become a kind of tourist attraction for those seeking a psychic reading. (Welcome to Lily Dale) *** Bowden Road in Huntsville, Texas seems to have no end of paranormal activity and strange experiences – particularly the section of road that leads straight into Martha Chapel Cemetery. Bowden RCHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Show Open00:01:42.870 = Demons Road of Huntsville00:07:01.936 = No One Heard a Thing: The Simon Peter Nelson Murders ***00:28:44.395 = Welcome to Lily Dale ***00:37:34.853 = Show Close*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad breakLISTEN ON PODCAST APPS: Look for this podcast on YouTube Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn Radio, and other apps. Get the full list of options here: https://pod.link/1078714736*No AI Voices Are Used In The Narration Of This Podcast*SOURCES and RESOURCES:“Demons Road of Huntsville” by Dana Goolsby for Texas Escapes: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/bdpt36m4“No One Heard a Thing – The Simon Peter Nelson Murders” by Stuart R. Wahlin, posted to Medium.com:https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/4key7czw“Welcome to Lily Dale” from the Hidden Haunts Paranormal Facebook page: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2p8h3ca2(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.Originally aired: January 17, 2023EPISODE BLOG PAGE (includes sources and full transcript): https://weirddarkness.com/SimonPeterNelson

The transfer portal has been open for nine days, and the college basketball landscape is already shifting in a major way. On this episode of Eye on College Basketball, the guys break down the nine biggest developments since the portal opened, separating real impact moves from offseason noise as programs across the country aggressively reshape their rosters.Louisville has made one of the biggest early statements with the additions of Flory Bidunga and Jackson Shelstad, while Texas continues to reload with David Punch and Isaiah Johnson. Illinois stays aggressive on the international front with Stefan Vaaks, and North Carolina makes key moves both on the bench and the roster. Arizona adds important guard depth, UConn navigates both loss and retention with Eric Reibe and Silas Demary, and PJ Haggerty's winding journey continues at Texas A&M, his fifth school in five years.Plus, Miami quietly stacks talent with two top-25 transfers, and St. John's may have finally found its answer at point guard. It's a rapid-fire, big-picture look at what matters most so far in the portal, and why, as always, not every offseason win translates to success in March. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's reading is Luke 22-24. . . . . This month, we are reading from the ⁠⁠⁠New Living Translation⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and you can also follow along in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Let's Read the Gospels: A Guided Journal⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠ . . . . Follow Let's Read the Gospels on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . . . . Your ratings and reviews help us spread the Gospel to new friends! If you love this podcast, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rate the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave us a brief review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! You can do the same on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ as well. . . . . Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The cheaper the crook, the gaudier the patter." -- The Maltese Falcon Episode 985 of The Professional Left takes a deep dive into the word "normalizing" — a term that gets thrown around constantly in political coverage, but rarely gets a clear definition. Driftglass and Blue Gal trace how a stubborn 30% of Americans have believed one wild conspiracy theory after another for decades, and argue that what looks like normalization on the Left is really just exhaustion from years of fighting battles that others are only now waking up to. The episode uses a surprising example — the slow, hard-won acceptance of women priests in the Church of England — to show what real normalization actually looks like, and why it's very different from what pundits mean when they scold people about Trump. Personal stories, sharp media criticism, and a 1973 sci-fi film all make appearances along the way, connecting the political moment to something much bigger and longer in the making.Link for this episode:  Driftglass and Blue Gal on The Bill Show from Australia!  https://www.podbean.com/ep/pb-q42x7-1a99204Stay in Touch! Email: proleftpodcast@gmail.com Website: proleftpod.com Support via Patreon: patreon.com/proleftpod or Donate in the Venmo App @proleftpodMail: The Professional Left, PO Box 9133, Springfield, Illinois, 62791Support the show

It's EV News Briefly for Wednesday 15 April 2026, everything you need to know in less than 5 minutes if you haven't got time for the full show.Patreon supporters fund this show, get the episodes ad free, as soon as they're ready and are part of the EV News Daily Community. You can be like them by clicking here: https://www.patreon.com/EVNewsDailyVOLKSWAGEN GIVES ID 3 A NEO RESETVolkswagen is relaunching its compact EV as the ID 3 Neo, with new styling, three larger battery options, improved range of up to just under 400 miles WLTP and faster DC charging up to about 183 kW. The bigger story is a completely new, more “Volkswagen-like” interior with physical buttons and a unified cockpit philosophy that responds directly to past usability criticism and signals a wider rethink of the brand's EV strategy.VOLKSWAGEN UPDATES ID.4 AND ID.5 IN UKVolkswagen's updated ID.4 and ID.5 in the UK add larger batteries, longer range up to 341 miles WLTP, vehicle-to-load capability, more practical towing and an optional heat pump, all with only small list-price increases. The cars also gain physical steering wheel buttons, improved driver assistance and infotainment tech, and potentially further effective price cuts if Volkswagen regains eligibility for the UK Electric Car Grant.IONNA TO ADD CHARGING AT 350 CIRCLE K SITESIONNA, the automaker-backed charging joint venture, will roll out up to 400 kW fast chargers with both NACS and CCS connectors at more than 350 Circle K locations under the Rechargeries @ Circle K brand. The deal gives IONNA prime highway and commuter-corridor sites, includes taking over and upgrading about 85 existing Circle K charging stations, and supports its goal of 30,000 high-power bays by 2030.BMW BEV DELIVERIES FALL AGAINBMW Group's global BEV deliveries fell 20.1% year on year to 87,458 units in Q1 2026, marking a second consecutive quarterly decline despite strong full-year 2025 volumes. The company blames the loss of US tax credits, the end of Chinese subsidies and a temporary gap in its mid-size electric SUV offering before the new iX3 arrived, even as European orders for that model have surged.RIVIAN TO POWER PLANT WITH USED EV BATTERIESRivian will use more than 100 repurposed EV battery packs, supplied and integrated by Redwood Materials, to create a 10 MWh energy storage system that helps power its Normal, Illinois plant from later in 2026. The project, described as the largest such deployment by a US automaker, reuses packs from test and end-of-life vehicles and reflects the rapid growth of grid-scale lithium-ion storage alongside EVs.OHIO AWARDS $51 MILLION FOR EV CHARGINGOhio has awarded $51 million in federal NEVI funding, matched by at least $26 million in private money, to build 64 new fast-charging sites statewide. Each location will host four chargers at amenity-rich venues such as Sheetz, Tesla sites, Aldi and major travel centers, adding more than 260 new public charge points along key routes.LUCID TIES NEW CEO PAY TO VALUELucid Motors has appointed Silvio Napoli as CEO with a $1.5 million base salary, up to a 200% bonus, a $9.5 million equity grant, performance-based options on up to one million shares and generous relocation and housing support. Interim CEO Marc Winterhoff will stay on until Napoli secures US work authorisation, then return to the COO role with a higher $1 million base salary and increased bonus potential.SCENIC E-TECH GETS FULL UK EV GRANTThe Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric now qualifies for the UK's full £3,750 Electric Car Grant, cutting its starting price to £33,245 and making all three trims more accessible. With a 220 hp motor, 87 kWh battery and WLTP range up to 381 miles, it joins the Renault 4 and 5 E-Tech as models benefiting from maximum support after Renault proved their Polish battery cell plant runs entirely on renewable energy.LIGHTSHIP DOUBLES PLANT, CUTS AE.1 TO ONE MODELElectric trailer startup Lightship is more than doubling its Broomfield, Colorado plant to quadruple AE.1 output by around late 2027 while simplifying the lineup to a single, configurable model. The new AE.1 starts at $157,500 with the previously range-topping 77 kWh battery now standard, reflecting customer demand for the highest-spec pack and replacing the old Cosmos, Atmos and Panos trims with option packages for different use cases.ROLLS-ROYCE REVEALS £7M ELECTRIC NIGHTINGALERolls-Royce's Project Nightingale is a £7 million, Phantom-length, two-seat electric convertible limited to 100 units, designed as both a design manifesto and a major earner for its new Coachbuild Collection tier. Inspired by the historic 17EX Torpedo, it offers a larger battery than the Spectre, targeted range near 329 miles, a likely 650 bhp dual-motor setup, and an immersive co-creation-lite process where buyers join from early sketches through global testing.

Adrienne Gold Davis sits down with Momentum CEO Tara Brown to reframe tzedakah not as charity, but as a core expression of Jewish identity, leadership, and purpose.   Together, they unpack why a generation of committed givers often directs that energy elsewhere, and how Jewish mothers are uniquely positioned to change that.   Drawing on personal stories and Jewish wisdom, Tara and Adrienne show how giving, done right, is dignified, purposeful, and transformative for both the giver and the community.   If you want to raise givers and be one, this episode will change how you think about tzedakah.       The Rise & Shine Podcast Series is made possible by the generous support of Bonnie Vozar of Chicago, Illinois. If you would like to sponsor an upcoming podcast, please email us at info@momentumunlimited.org

Recognized as one of the top nation's top prospects in Illinois, Kate McDougall drew interest from Shauna Green's program as early as 8th grade and completed a visit to Illinois.

Poltergeist activity remains one of the most misunderstood and disputed phenomena in paranormal research. Unlike traditional hauntings, poltergeist cases — a term derived from the German words for "noisy ghost" — involve flying objects, spontaneous fires, unexplained sounds, and even physical assaults on the living. But are these terrifying events caused by restless spirits, or could the source of the chaos be something far closer to home? Researchers have documented dozens of cases suggesting that the answer may be both — and that certain locations seem to attract and amplify paranormal energy in ways that blur the line between haunting and human. From the infamous Tina Resch case in Columbus, Ohio, to the Enfield Poltergeist in North London, to a farm in Macomb, Illinois consumed by mysterious fires, the evidence points to something that science has yet to fully explain. These are the cases that have challenged investigators, baffled law enforcement, and left witnesses questioning everything they thought they knew about the world around them.FEATURED STORIES IN THIS EPISODE: We'll look at several cases of reported poltergeist activity and try to determine if it's supernatural, human in nature, or possibly a little of both. (Poltergeists) *** Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Yeti, the Abominable Snowman… unexplained and unproven two-legged hairy beasts are seen all over the world. But there is another strange hairy ape like creature in North America that doesn't get the same amount of press – but is just as mysterious and frightening as the others. (The Mysterious Devil Monkeys of North America) *** Weirdo family member Danny Rendon tells the true story of… (The Horror on Harbor Lights Drive) *** For over a century, mysterious lights were seen bobbing up and down along the railroad tracks near Maco Station, a few miles west of Wilmington, North Carolina. To this day no one knows what they were. (The Maco Light) *** The tragic Tina Resch case started with the claims of a poltergeist haunting… and ended with the death of a child. (The Tina Resch Poltergeist Case) *** 
Weirdo family member Alana describes her childhood home where she heard strange footsteps and banging on doors when no one was home, and a crucifix which refused to stay upright. (The Fallen Crucifix) *** An Australian man tells of a fishing trip where he and a couple of friends come across what appears to be a Yowie or Bigfoot… but more humanlike. (The Hairy Man of Kowmung River) *** Haunting the historic Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia are eerie tales of anguished soldiers, an eternal watch dog, and one hideous vampire with jagged teeth and hanging skin. (The Ghosts of Richmond's Hollywood Cemetery) *** Were Jack the Ripper's victims killed to cover up a Royal scandal? (The Royal Ripper Conspiracy)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = The Foreboding00:01:04.749 = Show Open00:02:56.432 = The Tina Resch Poltergeist Case00:06:08.125 = The Hairy Man of the Kowmung River00:18:05.617 = Horror on Harbor Lights Drive ***00:32:25.787 = The Maco Light00:36:54.574 = Poltergeists: Supernatural Manifestations, Human Agents, or Both? ***01:09:40.811 = The Royal Ripper Conspiracy ***01:15:17.425 = The Ghosts of Hollywood Cemetery01:23:51.210 = The Hairy Man of the Kowmung River ***01:34:14.748 = The Fallen Crucifix01:40:15.724 = Show Close*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad breakLISTEN ON PODCAST APPS: Look for this podcast on YouTube Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Pandora, TuneIn Radio, and other apps. Get the full list of options here: https://pod.link/1078714736*No AI Voices Are Used In The Narration Of This Podcast*EPISODE BLOG PAGE (includes sources and full transcript): https://weirddarkness.com/SupernaturalPoltergeistsSOURCES and RESOURCES:“The Mysterious Devil Monkeys of North America” by Brent Swancer for Mysterious Universe:https://tinyurl.com/qrh7onz“The Horror on Harbor Lights Drive” by Danny Rendon, submitted directly to Weird Darkness“The Maco Light” posted at North Carolina Ghosts: (link no longer available)“The Tina Resch Poltergeist Case” posted at http://RealParanormalExperiences.com: (story link no longer available)“Poltergeists: Supernatural Manifestations, Human Agents, or Both?” by Troy Taylor: (link no longer available)“The Royal Ripper Conspiracy” from The Unredacted: https://tinyurl.com/rhmgksc“The Fallen Crucifix” submitted to Weird Darkness by Alana Pugliese“The Hairy Man of the Kowmung River” by The Cropster, posted at The Fortean: https://tinyurl.com/y7yjf5mm“The Ghosts of Hollywood Cemetery” by Gary Sweeney for The Line Up: http://ow.ly/mmVG30msVMN(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)HELPFUL LINKS & RESOURCES…https://WeirdDarkness.com/ALBUMS = Songs and Videos by our Weird Darkness punk band, #DarkWeirdnesshttps://WeirdDarkness.com/STORE = Tees, Mugs, Socks, Hoodies, Totes, Hats, Kidswear & Morehttps://WeirdDarkness.com/HOPE = Hope For Depression or Thoughts of Self-Harmhttps://WeirdDarkness.com/NEWSLETTER = In-Depth Articles, Memes, Weird DarkNEWS, Videos & Morehttps://WeirdDarkness.com/AUDIOBOOKS = FREE Audiobooks Narrated By Darren Marlar WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.Originally aired: November 01, 2018

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE! PART TWOChicago may be one of America's busiest cities, but beneath the constant motion lies a long history of ghost stories, hauntings, and unexplained encounters. In this episode of The Grave Talks, we explore some of the Windy City's most chilling paranormal legends, from eerie activity tied to the Museum of Science and Industry to the enduring mystery of Bachelors Grove Cemetery, one of the most infamous haunted cemeteries in the country.We also look at the bigger question of why Chicago seems so paranormally active. Could its swamps, waterways, and violent past have left something behind? Then we head south to Springfield, Illinois, where the spirit of Abraham Lincoln is said to linger long after death, along with other strange stories tied to his hometown.From haunted city streets to presidential legends, this episode takes a closer look at the ghostly side of Illinois history.#TheGraveTalks #GhostsOfChicago #HauntedIllinois #BachelorsGrove #AbrahamLincolnGhost #SpringfieldIllinois #ParanormalPodcast #HauntedHistory #GhostStories #ChicagoHauntingsLove real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE!Chicago may be one of America's busiest cities, but beneath the constant motion lies a long history of ghost stories, hauntings, and unexplained encounters. In this episode of The Grave Talks, we explore some of the Windy City's most chilling paranormal legends, from eerie activity tied to the Museum of Science and Industry to the enduring mystery of Bachelors Grove Cemetery, one of the most infamous haunted cemeteries in the country.We also look at the bigger question of why Chicago seems so paranormally active. Could its swamps, waterways, and violent past have left something behind? Then we head south to Springfield, Illinois, where the spirit of Abraham Lincoln is said to linger long after death, along with other strange stories tied to his hometown.From haunted city streets to presidential legends, this episode takes a closer look at the ghostly side of Illinois history.#TheGraveTalks #GhostsOfChicago #HauntedIllinois #BachelorsGrove #AbrahamLincolnGhost #SpringfieldIllinois #ParanormalPodcast #HauntedHistory #GhostStories #ChicagoHauntingsLove real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

Today's reading is Luke 19-21. . . . . This month, we are reading from the ⁠⁠⁠New Living Translation⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and you can also follow along in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Let's Read the Gospels: A Guided Journal⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠ . . . . Follow Let's Read the Gospels on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . . . . Your ratings and reviews help us spread the Gospel to new friends! If you love this podcast, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rate the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave us a brief review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! You can do the same on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ as well. . . . . Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My cousin spent 23 years in an Illinois prison for a crime she says she didn't know she was committing. She was 33 when a judge handed down a 60-year sentence. She would have been 93 before she saw the outside again. This episode is personal. In "Only God Pardons," we follow my cousin Iris (not her real name) through the Illinois clemency system: what it takes to apply, what the odds actually look like, and what it means to finally get out, only to discover that freedom comes with its own kind of sentence. Along the way, we hear from Margaret Byrne, a Chicago attorney who has spent 45 years fighting for people inside Illinois prisons who shouldn't be there, including the women she represented through the Illinois Clemency Project for Battered Women. And we talk to Jeff Grant, attorney, minister, and co-founder of the White Collar Support Group, who argues that the pardon system doesn't go nearly far enough and who is pushing Congress to add federal expungement as a tool alongside clemency. We also look at what's happening at the federal level, where a booming paid-pardon industry has taken root around the White House. According to federal lobbying disclosures, clients paid firms more than five million dollars in 2025 just to get their clemency cases in front of the president, eight times what was spent seeking pardons from the Biden administration. And then there's Rod Blagojevich, the former Illinois governor convicted of corruption, commuted by Trump in 2020 and fully pardoned in his second term, a man who turned the governor's office into a shakedown operation, pardoned by a president who turned clemency into currency for whoever could afford the cover charge. Meanwhile, my cousin filed her petition the right way. Through the right channels. And waited. In this episode: Margaret Byrne, founder of the Illinois Clemency Project for Battered Women and veteran clemency attorney Jeff Grant, attorney, minister, and co-founder of the White Collar Support Group and the Federal Expungement Initiative Learn more: White Collar Support Group: whitecollaradvice.org Federal Expungement Initiative: contact Jeff Grant through the White Collar Support Group Illinois Prisoner Review Board: illinois.gov/agencies/prisoner-review-board Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Plus: Lucid secures $750 million in new funding and announces a new CEO. And Anthropic adds Novartis CEO to its board. Julie Chang hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Joey Wagner discusses Illinois basketball's offseason, four-star QB Kamden Lopati's decommitment and names of interest from Illini football spring practice. The guys then catch up with Illinois women's basketball coach Shauna Green about the Illini's 2025-26 season, roster retention, the transfer portal and more. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Gameday Spirit: Get 15% off your next purchase with them online at ⁠gamedayspirit.com⁠ when you use the code "Illini15" at checkout. Columbia Street Roastery: Head to ⁠⁠CSRcoffee.com⁠ and use code IlliniAllTheWay to get 10 percent off your first order and get free shipping on orders of over $45. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8  Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct   Go VIP for just 60% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does it take to redefine the role of a bassist in rock music? Join host Buzz Knight as he takes you on a captivating journey through the world of rock and roll in this encore episode of takin’ a walk. Buzz sits down with Tom Petersson, the legendary bassist of Cheap Trick, to explore the band's incredible rise from their modest beginnings in Rockford, Illinois, to their explosive fame in Japan and the U. S. This isn't just a conversation; it's a deep dive into the heart and soul of rock music history. As they stroll through the memories, Tom Petersson shares his innovative approach with the 12-string bass, a game-changer that transformed the sound of rock music. Discover how Cheap Trick navigated their early struggles and the surprising fame they found overseas, turning their live performances into family reunions filled with devoted fans. Buzz Knight’s engaging style brings out the best in Tom Petersson as they discuss the creative process behind new music and how the band has adapted to the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry. This episode of takin’ a walk encapsulates the spirit of rock and roll, showcasing not just the passion of the musicians but also the enduring legacy of Cheap Trick. From songwriting stories to the emotional healing power of music, Buzz Knight and Tom Petersson offer listeners a unique perspective on the cultural impact of music. Whether you’re a fan of classic rock history or exploring the indie music journey, this episode is packed with insights that resonate with anyone who loves music. Join us as we celebrate the stories behind albums, the career breakthroughs, and the legendary musicians who have shaped our musical landscape. With every step, Buzz Knight leads you through a rich tapestry of music history, offering a blend of inspiration, nostalgia, and a glimpse into the lives of iconic musicians. Tune in to this episode of takin’ a walk and experience the joy of music storytelling like never before. Don’t miss out on this inspiring music conversation that promises to leave you with a deeper appreciation for the artistry and resilience of musicians everywhere. #live music history #cheap trick interview #music legendsSupport the show: https://takinawalk.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TODAY on the GWA Podcast, is art historian, Alyce Mahon discussing the great Surrealist, Dorothea Tanning. Born in Illinois in 1910, where she said “nothing happened but the wallpaper”, Tanning immersed herself in gothic literature to escape to other worlds. Travelling to Paris to hunt down the Surrealists, Tanning “entered” or “birthed” herself into art in 1942 with her self-portrait “Birthday”, which sees her bare-breasted and standing in front of slightly ajar doors that seemingly lead to nowhere. Settling in NYC, where she exhibited with Peggy Guggenheim, it was then to the wide-open landscape of Sedona Arizona, where she painted Caspar David Friedrich-like paintings of herself standing before nature – ”asserting the centrality of woman” (as Mahon wrote in her new book). She then returned to postwar France and, switching up her style, moved into a cloud-like and splintered abstractions, before turning to bodily-like soft-sculptures. Although she famously said, "don't ask me to explain my paintings". Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art and a Fellow of Trinity College at the University of Cambridge, Mahon is one of the leading scholars on Surrealism in the world today. The author of numerous books including Surrealism and the Politics of Eros, 1938-1968 (2005), Eroticism & Art (2005), The Marquis de Sade and the Avant-Garde (2020), Mahon has also curated or advised on exhibitions on the likes of Leonor Fini, the great Argentine-born artist known for her meticulously rendered, proto-punk renaissance-like works, who she discussed with us on episode 48, as well as the Indian-born, once Cornish-based Ithell Colquhoun. Mahon was the curator of the monumental exhibition at Tate Modern in 2018, and now – has just published a brilliant, extensive book: Dorothea Tanning, a Surrealist world – our with Yale UP this month – that charts her life story across the places she lived in America and France and the place she imagined in her art, bringing alive her works, steeping them in history, and introducing us to Tanning's surreal world – and I can't wait to find out more. Alyce's book: https://yalebooks.co.uk/book/9780300244601/dorothea-tanning/ –– THIS EPISODE IS GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY THE LEVETT COLLECTION: www.famm.com/en/ www.instagram.com/famm_mougins // www.merrellpublishers.com/9781858947037 Follow us: Katy Hessel: @thegreatwomenartists / @katy.hessel Sound editing by Nada Smiljanic Music by Ben Wetherfield

There's a clique of plutocratic, high-tech billionaires who think they're entitled to turn America's farmlands and rural communities into their personal domain of predatory AI “data centers.” But a little bookstore in Tulsa, Oklahoma, recently hit those puffed-up elites where they're most vulnerable: The funny bone.Magic City Books put up a sign that rocketed through the Internet, mocking the fatuous potentates:SUPPORT THESE DATA CENTERSSchoolsLibrariesBookstoresArrogantly, though, the likes of Amazon, Google, and Meta are frontloading trillions of dollars into creating a new social order managed by super-intelligent bots. This scheme, however, requires them to divert vast amounts of rural land, water, and energy to build and run their Orwellian empires. Yet, breathing the fumes of their own egos, the billionaires actually assumed that locals would welcome this dazzling bot wonderworld.Bad assumption. Even in bastions of rural Republican rule, majorities are saying, “Uh… Hell No!” Indeed, at least 48 data centers were stopped last year by coordinated local opposition, and public fury has largely driven data center developers out of Illinois, Michigan, Oregon, and Wisconsin. In Texas, corrupt governor Greg Abbott openly takes AI cash to push data centers, yet rural counties are rejecting them – and the state's far-right Republican Party has now voted to oppose building more of them.Even Wall Street money managers are blinking, for there's growing doubt that investors can get their money back. What's happening is that the billionaire hucksters have run head-first into the rock-solid political belief that The People get to decide our common destiny, not a handful of techno-scammers.Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe

Long before he became president, Abraham Lincoln was a small-town lawyer in Illinois and he took on one of the strangest murder cases in U.S. history. In 1841, three brothers William, Henry, and Archibald Trailor were accused of killing a drifter named Archibald Fisher, who mysteriously vanished after traveling with them to Springfield. A confession, rumors, and a town-wide search made it look like a clear-cut murder…except nothing about this case was normal.According to one brother, William and Archibald supposedly killed Fisher and hid his body in a pond. The town searched everywhere: wells, cellars, even graves, but found nothing. It wasn't until Abraham Lincoln called Dr. Gilmore, who revealed that Fisher was alive but suffering from mental confusion, that the truth came out. The entire case collapsed, and the Trailor brothers were released…with the only casualty being Lincoln's unpaid legal fee.Lincoln later wrote this story himself as “A Remarkable Case of Arrest for Murder”, making it one of the earliest examples of true crime in America. It's a reminder that even the most convincing evidence and confessions can be misleading and that sometimes, the real mystery isn't who committed the crime, but how it was solved.#TrueCrimeRecaps #AbrahamLincoln #TrailorBrothers #ArchibaldFisher #HistoricalTrueCrime

0:30 - Swalwell - He gone...not alone 18:29 - Spencer Pratt on Mayor Karen "Basura" Bass 27:02 - Trump initial lob back at Pope Leo: not a fan 59:34 - Bradley Smith, chairman of the Institute for Free Speech, Blackmore/Nault Professor of Law at Capital University and who served on the Federal Election Commission from 2000 to 2005: The Constitution Could Let Noncitizens Vote 01:11:14 - In-depth History with Frank from Arlington Heights 01:14:40 - Michael Evans, former Times of London defense correspondent and editor, on whether a U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could be the decisive “Trump card” in talks with Iran. Mike is also the author of First with the News 01:31:30 - Sergio Garcia on his Sunday at The Masters channeling the late great Seve 01:34:34 - Founder of Wirepoints Mark Glennon on says get ready to see homeless camps in parks across Illinois if House Bill 1429 becomes law. Read more from Mark at wirepoints.org 01:53:08 - Daniel DePetris, fellow at Defense Priorities and a syndicated foreign affairs columnist at the Chicago Tribune: Trump’s Hormuz blockade won’t push Iran toward concessions. Keep updated with Daniel on X @DanDePetris 02:11:57 - Tangerine Jesus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzette Stalker is Director of FSQA Program Compliance at FreshRealm Inc. Formerly, she served as Director of Food Safety, Quality, and Regulatory compliance at Target Corporation. At Target, Suzette was responsible for food safety standards and programs, covering nearly 2,000 stores and more than 60 supply chain facilities. Her work encompassed owned brand supplier manufacturing facilities, product labeling, produce farms, supply chain facilities, retail stores, and managing food recalls. Previously, Suzette led teams to develop and execute comprehensive internal audits of food safety and operational risks across Target. Before joining Target, Suzette gained valuable food safety and quality experience in manufacturing with roles at Agropur and Schroeder Milk Company, where she implemented Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) programs across multiple factories. Suzette holds a bachelor's degree in biology from the College of St. Scholastica. Sabrina Terada is the Manager for Food Safety Risk Management and Measurement at Yum! Brands. She is a seasoned professional in food safety and quality assurance with extensive experience at Yum! Brands, where her roles have included Manager of Global Food Safety Risk Management and Measurement and Manager of Global FSQA. In these positions, Sabrina held responsibilities supporting the Food Safety Governance Framework, coaching, and assisting business units with crisis management. Her prior experience includes serving as a Food Safety Specialist at Citrosuco, where she established certifications and coordinated Hazards Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and as a master's student at the University of Florida researching enzyme reactions. She holds a master's degree in Food Science and Technology from the University of Florida and a bachelor's degree in Food Technology and Processing from Universidade Federal de Viçosa. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Suzette and Sabrina [30:38] about: Their contributions as members of the Editorial Advisory Board for the 2026 Food Safety Summit and the value the Summit brings to industry and the broader food safety community The differences between food safety risk management in manufacturing and retail environments The perspective that global experiences offer in the context of food safety risk management Leadership strategies that can help manage food safety programs for large-scale operations with thousands of stores The challenges that companies may face when trying to implement a strong food safety governance structure across multiple brands, markets, or business units A real-world example that illustrates how an imported food safety issue can escalate into a regulatory or crisis communication challenge, previewing Suzette's Summit session, "Beyond the Headlines: Food Safety Risks in Imported Foods" The importance of bridging the gap between quality teams and business operations in the context of food safety culture and building effective food safety programs, previewing Sabrina's Summit session, "Beyond Compliance: Elevating Food Safety Buy-In Through Interpersonal Influence" Key skills and experiences for food safety professionals entering the field today. News and Resources News IFSAC Publishes Latest U.S. Foodborne Illness Source Attribution Estimates [6:43] Raw Farm Recalls Unpasteurized Cheese While Denying Link to E. coli Outbreak [11:47] Patient Count in Raw Farm E. coli Outbreak Grows, Majority are Young Children GFSI Unveils Updated Food Safety Culture Framework [21:05] UK FSA Reveals Plans to Modernize Food Regulatory System [26:14] Resources The 2026 Food Safety Summit, taking place May 11–14 in Rosemont, Illinois! Public Fails to Appreciate Risk of Consuming Raw Milk, Survey Finds (Annenberg Public Policy Center) Sponsored by: Michigan State University Online Food Safety Program

In Illinois, the fight over legislation like House Bill 4966 — which aims to expand the Department of Children and Family Services and restrict counseling for youth with gender confusion — is fierce. Why does it matter? Because these laws impact vulnerable kids caught in broken systems. Here’s the thing: Bills like these expose the political tug-of-war over morality, safety, and parental rights. And with the Supreme Court’s recent decisions, the landscape for these debates is shifting even more.… Continue Reading

May we resolve to live not by lies, political correctness, wokeness, or ‘repressive tolerance‘ by any name. May we live by the Truth alone, and may God have mercy on us. Political correctness is communist propaganda writ small. In my study of communist societies, I came to the conclusion that the purpose of communist propaganda was not to persuade or convince, nor to inform, but to humiliate; and therefore, the less it corresponded to reality the better. When people are forced to remain silent when they are being told the most obvious lies, or even worse when they are forced to repeat the lies themselves, they lose once and for all their sense of probity. To assent to obvious lies is to co-operate with evil, and in some small way to become evil oneself. One’s standing to resist anything is thus eroded, and even destroyed. A society of emasculated liars is easy to control. I think if you examine political correctness, it has the same effect and is intended to. — Theodore Dalrymple (Anthony Daniels) Frontpage Magazine interview (August 31, 2005) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. — Romans 10:8-13 KJV Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. — John 14:6 KJV Links Videos / Clips [x] = Played Triggered! Featuring Dave Chappelle- He Rapes But He Saves! [x] 0:47--2:23 The Problem With Feminising Society – Helen Andrews [x] 1:00--4:06 Headlines [x] = Mentioned / Discussed Featured [x] Google, Microsoft, Meta All Tracking You Even When You Opt Out, According to an Independent Audit High-Profile Deviance [x] Democrat [Kevin Cichowski] who wants to be Florida’s next governor is filmed being arrested after allegedly beating up two elderly people with a cane and phone | Daily Mail Online [x] Tony Gonzales says he will resign from House – POLITICO Eric Swalwell and curious coincidences of timing [x] Swalwell says he plans to resign from Congress amid sexual assault allegations – ABC News [x] Exclusive | Bleary-eyed Eric Swalwell wears a robe, parties with ‘yacht girls' during ‘hush hush' St. Tropez blow-out, wild video shows Double Standard…? [x] Trump, 79, Thirsts Over Woman in Front of Teenage Grandson, Donald Trump III The woman is Nina Coates, a golf content creator from Taiwan. Coates, who lives in Miami, responded to the president's affections on social media. “Yes I'm married,” she wrote alongside a laughing face emoji. A HuffPost analysis released on March 28 found that Trump's golf excursions have cost the taxpayer at least $101.2 million in travel and security expenses since his return to office in January last year. All of Trump's wives have been younger than him. He married his current wife, first lady Melania Trump, in 2005. She is 55, 24 years younger than her husband. Before Melania, there was Marla Maples, who is 62. His first wife, Ivanka Trump,[sic] died at 73 in July 2022. The Rest [x] = Mentioned / Discussed Live Not By Lies Theodore Dalrymple – Wikipedia Anthony Daniels (psychiatrist) – Wikiquote [x] FrontPage Magazine – Our Culture, What's Left Of It [x] THE MYTHOLOGY OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY – A Lecture by Carroll Quigley Ph.D. [x] Bandwagon effect – Wikipedia [x] Mob rule – Wikipedia The Deviance of Trump [x] Donald Trump sexual misconduct allegations – Wikipedia Marla marla maples donald trump rape at DuckDuckGo [x] Scandalous Details About Donald Trump And Marla Maples’ Marriage [x] Trump believed rape accuser E. Jean Carroll was wife in photo [x] ‘It’s Marla’: Donald Trump confuses rape accuser with ex-wife, trial told | US News | Sky News [x] Leaked Donald Trump tapes dredges up 1989 spousal rape accusation Ivana ivana trump, donald trump rape at DuckDuckGo [x] Donald Trump’s ex-wife’s claim he ‘raped’ her resurfaces in new documentary | The Independent | The Independent [x] Did ivana trump say Donald trump raped her Ivanka ivanka trump at DuckDuckGo [x] Ivanka Trump Believes Alleged Victims of Sexual Misconduct—Unless They're Accusing Her Father Donald Trump’s comments about daughter raise eyebrows – CNN – YouTube Donald Trump: “If Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps I’d be dating her.” – YouTube Ivanka Trump: All the times Donald Trump was inappropriate with his daughter | indy100 Donald Trump thinks Ivanka is ‘hot’ and would ‘date her if she wasn’t my daughter’ – The Mirror Donald Trump’s unsettling record of comments about his daughter Ivanka | The Independent | The Independent Behavioral Sink [x] Behavioral sink – Wikipedia [x] Population Density and Social Pathology: When a population of laboratory rats is allowed to increase in a confined space, the rats develop acutely abnormal patterns of behavior that can even lead to the extinction of the population – 1962-calhoun.pdf Beirut on the Charles GQ Article Draws Law Students’ Ire | News | The Harvard Crimson [x] Beirut on the Charles: At faction-ridden Harvard Law School, the only natural impulse that remains above suspicion is ambition itself (Feb, 1993) by John Sedgwick – GQ_BeirutOnTheCharlesFull.pdf Degenerate “Cultural Bolshevism” Herbert Marcuse – Wikipedia Joseph Goebbels – Wikipedia Cultural Marxism conspiracy theory – Wikipedia Marcusean ‘Repressive Tolerance’ at Work Sweet Cakes by Melissa – Cases – First Liberty Klein v. Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries – Wikipedia [x] Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission – Wikipedia On This Day Events April 2026 Calendar of Public Holidays | Office Holidays Holidays and Observances in the United States in 2026 What day is it today? Important events every day ad-free | United States OTD Worldwide Public Holidays Tuesday April 14th 2026 | Office Holidays On This Day – What Happened on April 14 Today in History: April 14, Abraham Lincoln fatally shot at Ford’s Theatre | AP News What Happened on April 14 – On This Day What Happened on April 14 | HISTORY April 14 – Wikipedia What Happened On April 14 In History? 14 | April | 2020 | Executed Today Holidays Dolphin Day (US) Ex-Spouse Day (US) Gardening Day (US) Library Workers Day (US) Pan American Day (US) Pecan Day (US) Reach As High As You Can Day (US) That Sucks Day (US) Yom HaShoah Day (Jewish commemoration) ‘Six million Jews in WWII’ is a grossly inflated number, which is a marginalizing disservice to victims everywhere. That’s not ‘Holocaust denial’. It’s not denying the reality of genocidal tragedy – on the contrary, it affirms the tragedy(s) everywhere. This group does not have a monopoly on tragedy, as R.J. Rummel proved in DEATH BY GOVERNMENT: GENOCIDE AND MASS MURDER in which he coined the term ‘democide’. Despite relentless attempts to denigrate him (wonder why?) David Irving‘s work is instructive, and he is an unimpeachable witness. Why would a man be banned from entire countries simply for his ideas…? There’s also Edwin Black’s IBM and the Holocaust and the subject of what it more broadly represents (i.e., fascism)… There’s also the controversy of the term ‘holocaust’; “A burnt sacrifice; an offering, the whole of which was consumed by fire, among the Jews and some pagan nations”…?? World Quantum Day (Intl) Historical Events 2015 – Archaeologists announce they have found 3.3 million-year-old stone tools at Lomekwi in Kenya, the oldest ever discovered and predating the earliest humans 2003 – The Human Genome Project is completed: The project dedicated to mapping the genes of the human genome was started in October 1990. 2002 – 66th US Masters Tournament: Tiger Woods becomes the third player to claim back-to-back Masters, three strokes ahead of Retief Goosen of South Africa 2000 – Metallica files a lawsuit against the peer-to-peer sharing platform Napster, accelerating a movement against file-sharing programs 1996 – Greg Norman blows six-shot Masters lead in epic collapse: Third-round leader Greg Norman loses a six-shot lead in the final round of the Masters golf tournament and finishes second—one of the worst collapses in sports history. Nick Faldo wins the green jacket, finishing five strokes ahead of Norman. “I played like a bunch of [expletive],” the Australian tells reporters afterward.… read more 1994 – Musician Billy Joel & supermodel Christie Brinkley announce plans to divorce 1994 – In a friendly fire incident during Operation Provide Comfort in northern Iraq, two U.S. Air Force aircraft mistakenly shoot-down two U.S. Army helicopters, killing 26 people. 1991 – The Republic of Georgia introduces the post of President following its declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. 1988 – The USS Samuel B. Roberts strikes a mine in the Persian Gulf during Operation Earnest Will. 1988 – The Soviet Union agrees to withdraw from Afghanistan: In a United Nations ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland, the Soviet Union signs an agreement pledging to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan. Soviet troops had invaded the country in 1979 to support the communist rulers. They were defeated primarily by the Mujahideen, who were groups of militant Islamists sponsored by the CIA.123 1986 – U.S. bombs terrorist and military targets in Libya: In retaliation for the April 5 bombing in West Berlin that killed two U.S. servicemen, U.S. president Ronald Reagan orders major bombing raids against Libya, killing 60 people. The raid, which began shortly before 7 p.m. EST (2 a.m., April 15 in Libya), involved more than 100 U.S. Air Force and Navy aircraft, and was over within an… read more 1986 – The heaviest hailstones ever recorded hit Bangladesh: The lumps of ice weighed about 1 kg (2.2 lb). At total of 92 people reportedly died as a result. 1969 – Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand tie for Best Actress Oscar: During the first internationally televised Oscars ceremony, Ingrid Bergman exclaims “It's a tie!” upon opening the Best Actress envelope—the first tie in a major acting category in three decades. The award went to both Katharine Hepburn, for her turn as Eleanor of Aquitaine in The Lion in Winter, and Barbra Streisand,… read more 1960 – Montreal Canadiens win fifth consecutive Stanley Cup: The Montreal Canadiens defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs to win the Stanley Cup for a record fifth year in a row. The Canadiens reached the Stanley Cup Finals after sweeping the Chicago Blackhawks in four games, while the Maple Leafs defeated the Detroit Red Wings, four games to two. The championship… read more 1956 – In Chicago, Illinois, videotape is first demonstrated. 1944 – Explosion on cargo ship rocks Bombay, India: The cargo ship Fort Stikine explodes in a berth in the docks of Bombay, India (now known as Mumbai), killing 1,300 people and injuring another 3,000. As it occurred during World War II, some initially claimed that the massive explosion was caused by Japanese sabotage; in fact, it was a tragic… read more 1939 – The Grapes of Wrath, by American author John Steinbeck is first published by the Viking Press. 1935 – “Black Sunday” Dust Bowl storm strikes: In what came to be known as “Black Sunday,” one of the most devastating storms of the 1930s Dust Bowl era sweeps across the region. High winds kicked up clouds of millions of tons of dirt and dust so dense and dark that some eyewitnesses believed the world was coming to… read more Was it ‘accidentally’ engineered…?678910 1932 – Loretta Lynn is born: Loretta Lynn, a singer who greatly expanded the opportunities for women in the male-dominated world of country-western music, is born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky. Unlike some country-western stars that sang about a rural working class life but lived an urban middle class existence, Loretta Lynn's country roots were unquestionably authentic. Born Loretta… read more 1931 – First edition of the Highway Code published in Great Britain. 1927 – The first Volvo car premieres in Gothenburg, Sweden. 1918 – American pilots engage in first dogfight over the western front: Six days after being assigned for the first time to the western front, two American pilots from the U.S. First Aero Squadron engage in America's first aerial dogfight with enemy aircraft. In a battle fought almost directly over the Allied Squadron Aerodome at Toul, France, U.S. fliers Douglas Campbell and Alan Winslow succeeded in shooting… read more 1912 – Doomed passenger liner RMS Titanic hits an iceberg in the North Atlantic: The subsequent sinking of the world’s largest ocean liner of the time resulted in more than 1500 deaths. It was one of the worst peacetime maritime disasters in history. Was there more to the story…? 1910 – Taft becomes first U.S. president to throw out first pitch at MLB game: Skull and Bonesman,11 President William Howard Taft becomes the first president to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball game. The historic toss on opening day is to star Walter Johnson, the Washington Senators' starting pitcher against the Philadelphia Athletics at National Park in the nation's capital.… read more 1909 – Armenian Genocide: A massacre is organized by Ottoman Empire against Armenian population of Cilicia. Muslims in the Ottoman Empire begin a massacre of Armenians in Adana. 1908 – Hauser Dam, a steel dam on the Missouri River in Montana, fails, sending a surge of water 25 to 30 feet (7.6 to 9.1 m) high downstream. 1906 – The first meeting of the Azusa Street Revival, which will launch Pentecostalism as a worldwide movement, is held in Los Angeles. 1894 – The first ever commercial motion picture house opens in New York City. It uses ten Kinetoscopes, devices for peep-show viewing of films. 1894 – First public showing of Thomas Edison’s Kinetoscope (moving pictures) 1890 – The Pan-American Union is founded by the First International Conference of American States in Washington, D.C. 1890 – Painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir (49) weds Aline Victorine Charigot 1881 – The Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight occurs in El Paso, Texas. 1880 – Philosopher John Muir (41) weds Louisa Strentzel 1865 – William H. Seward, the U.S. Secretary of State, and his family are attacked at home by Lewis Powell. 1865 – Ulysses S. Grant and his wife turn down an invitation to join President and Mrs. Lincoln at Ford's Theatre to see the comedic play Our American Cousin. In doing so, he deprives assassin John Wilkes Booth of a second target. 1865 – U.S. President Abraham Lincoln is shot: President Abraham Lincoln was shot and fatally wounded during a performance of the play Our American Cousin at Ford's Theatre in Washington; Lincoln was taken to a boarding house across the street and died the following morning at 7:22 am. The assassin, John Wilkes Booth, wanted to revive the Confederate cause, mere days after their surrender to the Union Army, bringing the American Civil War to an end. At least, that’s the official story…45 1846 – The Donner Party of pioneers departs Springfield, Illinois, for California, on what will become a year-long journey of hardship, cannibalism, and survival. 1828 – First Edition of Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language is printed: Noah Webster, a Yale-educated lawyer with an avid interest in language and education, publishes his American Dictionary of the English Language. Webster's dictionary was one of the first lexicons to include distinctly American words. The dictionary, which took him more than two decades to complete, introduced more than 10,000 “Americanisms.” [Because, defining terms is important! Who’s in charge; who decides…?]… read more 1775 – First American abolition society founded in Philadelphia: The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage, the first American society dedicated to the cause of abolition, is founded in Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin and Benjamin Rush. The society changes its name to the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery and the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage… read more 70 – Siege of Jerusalem: Titus, son of emperor Vespasian, surrounds the Jewish capital, with four Roman legions. Births 1975 – Anderson Silva, Brazilian mixed martial artist and boxer (51) 1973 – Adrien Brody, Performer who became the youngest Best Actor Oscar winner playing a Holocaust survivor in The Pianist. (53) 1941 – Pete Rose, Baseball great nicknamed “Charlie Hustle” who topped Ty Cobb’s record for career hits. Banned from the sport in 1989 for gambling. (died 2024) 1932 – Loretta Lynn, Queen of country music who was born a coal miner’s daughter—which inspired her biggest hit and an Oscar-winning biopic. (died 2022) 1925 – Rod Steiger, American soldier and actor (died 2002) 1907 – François “Papa Doc” Duvalier, Haitian dictator (died 1971) 1889 – Arnold J. Toynbee, English historian and academic, key architect of the Third British Empire author of 12-volume A Study of History (Oxford University Press 1939). (died 1975) 1738 – William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland, English politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (died 1809) Deaths 2021 – Bernie Madoff, American mastermind of the world’s largest Ponzi scheme [except for the Federal Reserve!] (born 1938) 2015 – Percy Sledge, American singer (born 1940) 2013 – George Jackson, American singer-songwriter (born 1945) 2013 – Charlie Wilson, American politician (born 1943) 2007 – Don Ho, American singer and ukulele player (born 1930) 1995 – Burl Ives, American actor, folk singer, writer, and freemason (born 1909) 1943 – Yakov Dzhugashvili, Georgian-Russian lieutenant, eldest son of Joseph Stalin (born 1907) 1759 – George Frideric Handel, German-English organist and composer (born 1685) Footnotes Wikipedia Contributors. “Operation Cyclone.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 May 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Cyclone. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩ “How Jimmy Carter and I Started the Mujahideen.” CounterPunch.org, CounterPunch, 8 Nov. 2015, www.counterpunch.org/1998/01/15/how-jimmy-carter-and-i-started-the-mujahideen/. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩ Dixon, Norm. “How the CIA Created Osama Bin Laden.” Green Left, 18 Sept. 2001, www.greenleft.org.au/2001/465/analysis/how-cia-created-osama-bin-laden. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩ Perloff, James. Exploding the Official Myths of the Lincoln Assassination. 2024, www.amazon.com/dp/0966816064. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩ Perloff, James. “Announcing James Perloff's Latest Book.” Jamesperloff.net, 2026, jamesperloff.net/announcing-james-perloffs-latest-book/. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩ FDRLibrary. “FDR and the Dust Bowl.” YouTube, 20 June 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRAbOAim8U8. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩ Wikipedia Contributors. “Dust Bowl.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Feb. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_Bowl. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩ Wikipedia Contributors. “Deforestation.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 15 Jan. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩ Wikipedia Contributors. “Desertification.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 25 May 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desertification. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩ Snyder, Michael. “1930s Dust Bowl Conditions Are Returning to the Middle of the United States.” Substack.com, Michael Snyder's Substack, 8 Apr. 2025, michaeltsnyder.substack.com/p/1930s-dust-bowl-conditions-are-returning. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. ↩ Best of Danny Jones. “The Man Who Was BORN into the Deep State Finally Speaks | Kris Millegan.” YouTube, 10 Apr. 2026, youtu.be/eM8eMtcNACw. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026. 7:00--34:00 Kris Millegan on; William Howard Taft, Alphonso Taft, William Huntington Russell, Phi Beta Kappa, Skull and Bones, the (family) history of the (modern) opium trade, and American football. ↩

Gregg Horan knows steakhouses. As a longtime partner in Gibsons—one of Chicago's most iconic steak destinations—he's spent years mastering the art of high-end dining. But a little over a year ago, he took a bold step: opening The Greggory in South Barrington, Illinois, bringing fine dining to the suburbs.And it's working.Want more from Pat Cobe?https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/profile/patricia-cobeSubscribe to RB newsletters: https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/newslettersSubscribe to NRN newsletters: https://www.nrn.com/subscription-portal

Today's reading is Luke 16-18. . . . . This month, we are reading from the ⁠⁠⁠New Living Translation⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and you can also follow along in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Let's Read the Gospels: A Guided Journal⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠ . . . . Follow Let's Read the Gospels on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . . . . Your ratings and reviews help us spread the Gospel to new friends! If you love this podcast, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rate the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave us a brief review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! You can do the same on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ as well. . . . . Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Driven from the United States, the Mormons journeyed West to build a new society in the desert- one that would challenge the political, economic, and moral norms of the nation they had left behind. But when the United States lay claim to the Utah Territory, a tense standoff developed between the two sides...Our guest today is Prof. Peter Coviello, University of Illinois, who studies American literature and queer theory. His book, Make Yourselves Gods: Mormons and the Unfinished Business of American Secularism was published in 2019 and was a finalist for the John Whitmer Historical Association award for best history book.Edited by Aidan Lonergan. Produced by Tomos Delargy. Senior Producer was Freddy Chick.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  All music from Epidemic Sounds.American History Hit is a History Hit podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this Sunday night show Torres recaps a MONSTER portal weekend! Louisville has a haul for the ages, landing Flory Bidunga and Jackson Shelstad! What now for the Cards! Plus, Illinois gets its own star! Plus, big names flood the portal, as UNC coach Michael Malone quietly keeps making moves. Plus, Kentucky will get a visit from five-star Tyran Stokes this weekend - here's what it does and DOES NOT mean! Timestamps: Louisville's Monster Sunday (2:00) Stefan Vaaks commits to Illinois (20:00) Big new names enter the portal this weekend (31:50) UNC's Recruiting Board Takes Shape (52:41) Rob Wright + Tyran Stokes Get Set to Visit Kentucky (1:15:38) Want to watch your favorite team or get tickets to ANY big game - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at SeatGeek you can use code "TORRES" and get $20 off your first purchase! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Also, thank you to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caulipuffs, the healthy, yet delicious snack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ that is taking over your grocery isle! For more details - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠visit CauliPuffs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Illinois, Black women are three times more likely to die from complications due to pregnancy than white women. That rate is even higher in Chicago. The state, Cook County, and hospitals have experimented with different efforts to address the dangers to Black mothers, including boosting access to doulas. For Black Maternal Health Week, In the Loop looks at the strides made in improving birth outcomes for Black mothers, and the work that still needs to be done. Our panel today: Michelle Adeniyi, director of maternal and child health at March of Dimes; Dr. Carmen Adams, obstetrics and gynecology with Cook County Health; Raeshanda Payne, doula, Cook County Health; and doula Nikena Hannah. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Richard Pryor redefined comedy by telling the truth, even when it scorched him. Today, we're sharing a preview of a new podcast, Big Lives, and a special episode about Pryor. Every week, hosts Kai Wright and Emmanuel Dzotsi dig into the BBC archive to explore the story behind the icons who shape our culture—trailblazers like David Bowie, Meg Ryan, Amy Winehouse, and Tina Turner—and better understand how each legend set the stage for our contemporary cultural landscape. In this preview, Kai and Emmanuel look at how Richard Pryor rose from a Peoria, Illinois brothel to become comedy's GOAT, only to then wrestle with racism, fame, desire, and self‐destruction. If you like what you hear, find more episodes of Big Lives wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From Gangster to Child of God with Brian Butler (Episode 290)   Disclaimer: This episode contains thematic material. Listener discretion advised.   2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”   *Transcription Below*   Brian Butler married his wife Pam in 2011. They have four children and eight grandchildren. Brian received his Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana State University in 2009. Arriving in Peoria, Illinois in 2009 Brian began his career working with the impoverished in his community as a Safety Net Monitor at The Salvation Army. He was afforded the opportunity to work with individuals in the community for four years providing case management assisting people to learn the value of work through work therapy and securing income and eventually housing. Brian was called to Peoria Rescue Ministries in 2014 and began his career there as the Assistant Director of the Rescue Mission. In 2018 Brian became the Program Director and in 2021 became the Director of Residential Ministries. In 2024 Peoria Rescue Ministries became Pathway Ministries. Coming from a former lifestyle of drug and alcohol addiction Brian has been able to transform programs at Pathway Ministries that address the needs of the impoverished community he serves to create pathways out of poverty through Jesus with his neighbors in need. Pathway Ministries provides emergency shelter, residential programs, and community services with a focus on counseling, education, and work to help the men and women they serve make transformative changes in their lives. Pathway Ministries is a social enterprise organization and has a partnership with Caterpillar – they reclaim discarded wood and turn it into pallets, mulch for industrial and commercial use, and home décor. Their residents are employed in these businesses while participating in their program.    Pathway Ministries Website   Thank you to our sponsor for today's episode: Midwest Food Bank   Topics We Cover: Growing up in an abusive home Lifestyle choices leading to prison God's miraculous redemption and restoration   Related Savvy Sauce Episode: 143 Prodigal Story: Sexuality, Drugs, and Scripture with Dr. Christopher Yuan   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:08)   Laura Dugger: (0:09 - 3:30) Hey friends! Thank you so much for joining us today. If you're watching this, you may notice that there's a unique screen that's going to pop up periodically.   So, here's the backstory. We delight in getting to do this work, and we do believe it's what God has called our team to do. And yet, we have a very present and active enemy.   And Satan has tried to thwart the progress of these podcast episodes in so many ways.  It's almost uncanny what will happen before a podcast recording. There's almost always something, yet it's different every time.   So, the way it showed up with this episode, first of all, when Brian and I tried to connect, somebody was working in our yard, and they accidentally cut our line for internet.  And so, we had to cancel that and reschedule. And then, when we got the episode rescheduled, Brian and I were chatting, and we haven't recorded.   We were just talking for a little while before the official interview began, and everything was great. And then, as soon as I said, “Welcome to The Savvy Sauce.” The screen went a little wavy, and something happened, and my audio quality was completely distorted. So, sorry for the lengthy explanation, but I wanted you to know how much work has gone into this episode.   So, if you ever have somebody that you want to thank, it should be Natalie, our editor, who had to go back and replace everything that I said to cover up the very convoluted form that was originally recorded. So, I hope it doesn't interrupt this episode or make it difficult for you to listen to, because Brian's story is so powerful, and I believe God has you here listening to this right now for a reason. So, please continue.   Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living.  I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   Today's episode includes some thematic material. I want you to be aware before you listen in the presence of little ears.   Thank you to an anonymous donor to Midwest Food Bank who paid the sponsorship fee in hopes of spreading awareness. Learn more about this non-profit organization at MidwestFoodBank.org.   Brian Butler is my outstanding guest for today, and he's going to take us on a very real journey with him from an extremely abusive childhood to a life of addictions and eventually to redemption and restoration all because of Jesus Christ. Brian's humility is so Christ-like, and I think that you're going to leave this conversation as a changed person. Here's our chat.   Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Brian.   Brian Butler: (3:31 - 3:33) Thank you so much for having me here. I appreciate it.   Laura Dugger: (3:34 - 3:42) Well, I would just love to start backwards. Where did you grow up, and what was childhood like for you?   Brian Butler: (3:43 - 9:46) I grew up all over the place, really. I'd spent several years in Danville as a child, Hartsburg, Illinois, eventually settled down in southern Illinois in a little town called Bridgeport. My dad was a professor at a local college, and he ended up being a high school teacher.   Where I went to school, my mom and dad were continually in chaos with their marriage.  My dad had some severe mental health issues. He was a pretty rough guy to be around.    He was a chronic alcoholic. He was abusive, and I'll just say for this podcast, in every kind of way you can imagine how a little boy might be abused by his daddy, that was my dad. Yet, that was just our normal.   I didn't know if it was bad, if it was wrong, whatever. He was very verbally abusive to the whole family, him and my mom. I think my mother, the whole time growing up, was just trying to salvage her marriage and to save face with her family, so on and so forth.   It was a pretty rough childhood, but I want to say that in those moments, it was just the way it was.  We didn't know good from bad. That was still my dad.   I believe that in some weird way that he loved us and cared for us, but there were so many mental health and substance abuse issues with him and the perversion that he had in his life that just leaked over to my little brother and me.  It was a different relationship with my little brother. He was very abusive to my little brother.   My little brother had a lot of behavioral issues and rebellion issues.  I was more of the compliant, the good kid in school. I made the good grades.    I wanted to please my dad, and yet I hated him from the inside. I just couldn't stand him. I rebelled against him.    There were a lot of drugs and alcohol my parents were. My mother was not an abuser by any means. My mother was not an alcoholic by any means, but my mother went along with my dad.   My whole childhood evolved around parties. My dad was a pretty social guy. He was into politics and those kinds of things.   I was exposed to a lot of stuff at an early age. I can remember being seven, eight years old, going around in parties and just sipping whatever it was out of unknown glasses and enjoying the effect that it had on me as a little kid. I was a big fan of Billy Bear.   I didn't even know what Billy Bear was, but I was drinking Billy Bear. That's a Jimmy Carter beer, so that takes you back in the day. All the music that we listened to back in those days all evolved around afternoon delight and getting high in some kind of form or fashion.   That was just what I clung to as a little boy and as a young man.  I was a full-fledged blackout alcoholic by the time I was a sophomore in high school. I was drinking regularly.   I was able to fly under the radar pretty good because mom and dad were always in the middle of crisis. As long as I wasn't in a lot of trouble, that was easily hidden, even though it was really out in the light, if that makes any kind of sense. It was pretty rough.    Looking back on it, it was rough. In today's standards, we would have been taken away from our homes, and those kinds of things would have been exposed. We just didn't know.   That's just kind of the way it was, but it did lead me into a lifestyle.  I don't want to say they led me into it. I really chose to and clung to a lifestyle.   When I was a little boy, Laura, I grew up Catholic.  We went to parochial schools until I was in fourth grade. I can remember even now.    I loved God. I loved God. He was my refuge.    I didn't know what a refuge meant. I can just say it by language now. I can remember having my crucifix above my bed and I would pray.    I wanted to be a priest. I really did. By the time I got to about 10, 11, 12 years old, the things that had happened and the things that had occurred in my life and my behavior as well just led me to believe that if God was even real because I cried out to him a lot and it didn't seem like he was there.   If he was real, then he really didn't want anything to do with me anyway.  I became kind of anti-God, anti-rebellious. I was just a very rebellious young man.    I went to high school. I mean, I'm getting pretty good grades in high school. My dad was a high school teacher in the same high school I went to.    It was very tumultuous. You can imagine our house. There were split-ups and break-ups, this and that. My dad was a party guy. All the students loved him. I hated him for that.    He was separated from my mom. He was a cheater and a liar. There were a lot of things that bothered me.   After I graduated high school, I had a partial scholarship to go to Eastern Illinois University, but I showed my dad. I got in my little car and drove to Wyoming. That just became my lifestyle, drinking, drugging, roaming all around the country as a young man.    Then I eventually got married to a gal I met down in Kentucky. We had three children really fast. I would say that we got along about three times. That was Emily, Amy, and Mark. We were divorced after five years. Then I was just as a young man and a young adult, just wild and crazy.   Laura Dugger: (9:48 - 10:05) Wow. Brian, thank you for sharing a glimpse of your childhood and even into adulthood. Just for clarification then, when you did get divorced, did you stay in the same state or how did all of that work with your children?   Brian Butler: (10:08 - 16:52) Yeah. No. Like I said, when I was 18, I was out in California for a while.  I was in Wyoming for a while. I landed in Kentucky and met my first wife. We had three kids really fast, divorced after five years.   Then I always wanted to be in a relationship with my children. I don't know if there's anybody out there listening, but I was really stuck in an addictive lifestyle. I was alcohol and drugs, just crazy in it.    I still loved my kids. Now, people on the outside looking in would say, oh, he doesn't love his kids by his lifestyle, but I still love my kids. I paid child support, crying out loud.   I really did. My relationship with my ex-wife was so volatile that she would prevent me from seeing the kids. After several years, I just gave up.   I just didn't give up on the visits and so on and so forth.  I was in Tennessee for a few years. I was all around the country.   Eventually, in the late 90s, I did actually get temporary custody of my kids because my ex-wife had went off the rails bad.  I had my kids for about a year that they lived with me. That was a sweet time.   Once again, my alcoholism and drug addiction and the mom came back into play.  There were just so many issues there. That's when I really got into it.   After the kids went back to their mom, I got into hard drugs, really hard drugs.  I started manufacturing methamphetamine, so on and so forth. There was a time, I'll back this up.   With my childhood and everything that happened there with my dad, before I got divorced from my ex-wife, one of the pivotal moments, I believe, looking back on my life and what led me into just this trajectory of anger and malice and hating God and anything that was good was the moment that my dad called us all together for a family meeting because him and my mom were officially going to get divorced. I was like 21 years old, something like that.   My dad came to tell us that he was a homosexual and that he had been living a homosexual lie for his whole life and that this was the lifestyle that he was choosing. For me, at that age, everything prior to that moment in my life just became a lie. I can't begin to even put into words what that did to me inside because of the perversion that I've experienced with my dad.   My father had made several comments along the way that I was gay, that I was going to be a little queer, a little this and that. I wasn't, but the things that he had done, then you've wrestled with all that stuff. I just became so angry and so fueled with resentment that I really started on this trajectory with my drug and alcohol use that even though I still liked it, I don't want to remove that from it.    I liked being high. I liked being drunk. I enjoyed all the aspects of that lifestyle at the time.   I went at it in a much different way because I didn't really care anymore.  That's just from a looking back perspective. In the moment, I think I cared a lot about everything, but I just had really taken this perspective on in my personal life that nothing matters as much as it did.    It just really didn't matter. I was just going to keep moving forward and doing the things that I to the extreme. I was very extreme on everything.   If it was drinking, I'm going to drink more than you are. If it was smoking something, I'm going to smoke more than you are. If it was snorting, look at the schmoz.    That's just the way I lived my lifestyle. It really took on that trajectory in my adult life until the law started becoming an issue when I was in my 30s. After I'd had the kids for all my life, I tell folks, in those times, I was like a functioning zombie.   I was still getting high, still drinking, but golly, I was the dad that got up and had breakfast for the kids.  I was a strict disciplinarian. I was over the top on so many things.   I was abusive in some ways like my dad was, the way that I spoke to the kids, the way that I treated my children. I didn't certainly know sexual abuse or anything like that with my own children, but I was a really strict disciplinarian. I regret that now.   It's one of my biggest regrets ever, the way that I treated those kids. I tried to make a good life for about a year. Then when they went back to their mom, it just really, really flew apart my life.   It was me doing it. I was flying it apart. I just destroyed everything around me.   If you've cared about me, then that would make me hate you even more. Anyone that cared about me, I would get you to care about me, and then I would hate you for caring about me. It's crazy making stuff, but that's the way that I live my life.    I eventually was introduced to a fellow that knew how to manufacture methamphetamine. He taught me the method. Of course, being the extreme person that I am, I went all in.   I became a methamphetamine manufacturer and dealer and lived that lifestyle for quite some time. It's not like it is now where you're driving around in cornfields with a five-gallon bucket making methamphetamine or Mexican methamphetamine. I had a lab down in Southern Illinois, and I sold a lot of methamphetamines, which is disastrous to me now, but I really became an in-my-own-mind gangster kind of person.    It was a very violent lifestyle. It was very awful, certainly nothing that you would want to glorify, but that's just who I became. And I lived my life for a number of years, and it was disastrous.   Laura Dugger: (16:53 - 19:27) And now a brief message from our sponsor.   Midwest Food Bank exists to provide industry-leading food relief to those in need while feeding them spiritually. They are a food charity with a desire to demonstrate God's love by providing help to those in need.   Unlike other parts of the world where there's not enough food, in America, the resources actually do exist. That's why food pantries and food banks like Midwest Food Bank are so important. The goods that they deliver to their agency partners help to supplement the food supply for families and individuals across our country, aiding those whose resources are beyond stretched.   Midwest Food Bank also supports people globally through their locations in Haiti and East Africa, which are some of the areas hardest hit by hunger arising from poverty. This ministry reaches millions of people every year, and thanks to the Lord's provision, 99% of every donation goes directly toward providing food to people in need. The remaining 1% of income is used for fundraising, costs of leadership, oversight, and other administrative expenses.   Donations, volunteers, and prayers are always appreciated for Midwest Food Bank. To learn more, visit midwestfoodbank.org or listen to episode 83 of The Savvy Sauce, where the founder, David Kieser, shares miracles of God that he's witnessed through this nonprofit organization. I hope you check them out today.   Well, I'm hearing all of this for the first time, and it's unimaginable what you were endured growing up, and my heart just aches to hear what happened and then hear the choices that were produced out of that and see where that lifestyle was leading you. But Brian, I just appreciate you for so many reasons, and one of those is for being transparent and vulnerable but also sharing the truth that there was some pleasure in it. You were enjoying it for a while, and the Bible does talk about pleasures of sin for a season, but we all know that that trajectory leads to death, even if it's death of relationships.   So, looking at your relationships at that time, were you still in contact with your mom or your brother or your dad throughout all of this?   Brian Butler: (19:28 - 21:37) No, not really. My brother, it's an interesting story. My brother had married a gal right out of high school.    He got born again. He became a Christian. So poor guy, I just tortured him my whole adult life.   I just made fun of him, and I called him weak, and he was a crutch, and we got in even physical fights over it a couple times, but we didn't have much of a relationship as you can imagine. I think that there were several times that we tried to reach out and be in contact, but it just didn't work due to my addictions and my alcoholism and his pride and all those other kinds of things. My mom held on to me for years.   I put my mother through, I tortured her. I was arrested seven times for driving under the influence. I had five DUI convictions.   I was in and out of trouble. I was always in the forefront of her mind, and I've experienced this with my own children after I came to Christ, continually worried that she wouldn't get the phone call that her son was dead, basically. The last two or three years of my being out there, I had no contact with my mom because she finally said, you're dead to me.   I'm done. You're not my son. I don't want to hear from you, and I was like, cool.   I don't care. You've been dead to me for 40 years, right? I blamed her for allowing things to happen.   It just wasn't true, right? I mean, it wasn't her fault at all of any of my childhood, and she was just trying to be a good mom and save her marriage, and she was being abused mentally and stuff that whole time. But you know how we are as sinful creatures.   I didn't want to take the blame on me because it wasn't my fault, so I was blaming everybody else around me. So, I didn't really have any solid relationships as far as family, anything like that goes while I was out there in my addiction. It all changed when I was arrested in 2003.   So that's a story.   Laura Dugger: (21:38 - 21:43) Are you willing to take us back to 2003 and share that story?   Brian Butler: (21:45 - 38:08) Yeah, yeah. So I was, like I said, I had become, you know, I was living a gangster life, so I was in the drug world, and I don't know if anybody knows anything about the drug world, but it's not like the movies. It's worse.    It's worse than they depict in movies. So, I was living that lifestyle for several years. I had a lot of money. I had a lot of guns. I had a lot of property. I had all the methamphetamine I could possibly use because I was manufacturing it.    I was selling more than I could possibly imagine. I was using more than that. I was king of the world is what I thought while everything around me was burning.    I was the king, if that makes any sense. And so that was the lifestyle that had led up to 2003. I'll never forget one time I had married another gal after my first wife and I had divorced several years later, and that was just a relationship based on lies and substance abuse.   So, it really wasn't a marriage at all, but I had been arrested in Vincennes, Indiana for dealing narcotics, and I had some other arrests down in Kentucky for dealing narcotics, and I made bail and all this. And so, what happened was in 2002, I went on the run. I still had my meth lab, and I was still selling lots of methamphetamine, but I had these warrants, and I was king of the world in my mind, and nobody was going to catch me, and I was going out like a gangster.    They were never going to take me alive, this fact. So, she went with me, which is great. She was crazy.    And we went on the run, and we just lived from casino to casino. I would make methamphetamine. I would sell $20,000 worth, and then we just kind of traveled around and lived that kind of lifestyle.    And I'll never forget one time down at the Casino Queen in St. Louis, Missouri. There's a casino down there. I just done a pretty big dope deal, and the casino was hot, and the air conditioning was down, and it was like 5 o'clock in the morning, and I just had to get out of there.   I just had to get away, and I got in my van and took a spin down in Belleville, Illinois, and I ended up in a cemetery on top of this cemetery, and it was looking down this great big hill. And I haven't been there since, but people from that area are like, yeah, I know that cemetery. I'm like, yeah, well, that's where I really had my Lieutenant Dan moment with God almost.    I sat on top of that. I was so, I can't explain it. I had lived my life in that addiction, loving that addiction, and loving getting high, loving drinking.   At that point in my life, I was still doing it. I hated myself, and I wanted to die, and I didn't like it so much anymore. I just wanted it to be over, and I kind of had it out with God.   I was drinking a fifth of whiskey, and I'm smoking methamphetamine. I'm a nine-millimeter pistol, and I'm putting it in my mouth. I was too much of a coward to pull the trigger, so that made me even more angry, and I thought for a moment that God might be real, and that there might be something worth living, but it was just a moment, and I kind of gathered myself together, and I went back to the casino, and just like as if nothing had happened, and just a few weeks later, I was arrested in Washington, Indiana.    I had made arrangements to see my kids. I had my kids for the weekend, which is crazy to think that I was in any kind of shape to be around my kids, but I was. I was always a functioning guy, and I was a gangster, so we had the kids for a weekend, and when the kids left the location I was at, my ex-wife called the police and told them where I was, and so that led into a great big chase, and there was all kinds of SWAT teams and all kinds of things.   I was holed up in a house at one point, and police were banging on the windows and trying to get in the house, and eventually they called on the telephone, and it just kept ringing and kept ringing and kept ringing.  I'm stuck in this house. I didn't have my guns.    I didn't have any drugs. I didn't have a cigarette, right, and the crazy thing about that whole thing is, I'll just back to the subject, so I'm in this chase, right, on foot from the police. I tried to pull a guy out of his pickup truck.   Of all things, God put this guy in the pickup truck. He was an off-duty police officer, and so I'm trying to carjack an off-duty police officer. He's having none of it.    I get away from him. I get in this. I'm running through a residential neighborhood trying to get any door open that I possibly could to get away from the police who were chasing me, and I made it to an open door, and I opened up that door, and it was an insurance company, and there were a bunch of little ladies sitting around computers in this room, and I was just like, hey, can I get a glass of water, and out there I am sweating profusely just in 10 o'clock in the morning with Harley Davidson boots, Hawaiian t-shirt, obviously in distress, and I scared these ladies to death, and I'm hearing them call the police anyway, and I just grabbed a glass of water and went out on that front porch, and some fella drove up in a pickup truck and got out of the truck to come in to do business with the insurance company, and I went and stole his truck, and I was able to get away and get to a safe spot.   I think it's safe because I'm only there for about three or four minutes, and the police show up all the way around that house, and so they're calling.  They're banging on the windows. We know it's you in there.   You need to come out, and eventually after about an hour or so of that, I did answer the phone, and the police officer said, I had a fake ID, and they were like, we know you're not Bill Berkshire.  We know that you're Brian Butler. You need to come out of that house.   You need to come out of there now, or we're going to come and get you, and I said, well, try it, because I'll kill the first three of you through the door. Now, they had already confiscated my fan and guns and all that kind of stuff, but they didn't know what I had. I didn't have anything.   There was a six-foot decorative simmer I swore on the wall that couldn't cut butter that I was arming myself with, and it took about another hour or two, and the SWAT team showed up, and they eventually got me out of that house. I was arrested and facing 120 years in the 20th century. I had multiple carjacking, dealing, manufacturing, every possible imaginable that you could possibly imagine of illegal substances.   I had those on me in my van and the property, and so there was the chase and all that happened, so they were unwilling to run any of those charges concurrent. They took four major charges and said, we're going to run a consecutive, and I was facing 120 years in prison. Honestly, when I was in jail, it was kind of like a relief in a way.    I was so angry. I was delusional. I really thought that the people who owed me money were going to break me out.    That's how delusional I was. They didn't, but that's where I had a moment, and I come back to my mom. I'd been in jail about a month, and what had happened was my mom came to the jail, and she didn't come there for a visit.   She came on a Saturday morning, and the police let her in, and she wanted to know if I would sign papers because I still had temporary custody of my children on paper and if my brother could have legal custody over my kids while all this was going on. Because my children, I'll back that up, my children were in Kentucky with their mom, my youngest daughter at that time. I was 14 years old, and she was using methamphetamine.    She was into alcohol. She wasn't being supervised. She was in abusive relationships with her mother's friends.   She was cutting herself because her daddy was going away forever. That was my daughter, and I loved her, and I was just taken aback that my brother would go down and rescue her. The whole story of how I came to Christ is all involved in this.   I'm kind of all over the place, but the Friday night prior to my mom showing up at the jail, back in those days in jail, there was no overcrowding in Indiana, and there were 16 of us in a six-man cell, and I had been in that jail for, like I said, three or four weeks, and on Friday nights, they would have the Gideons come in. Now, the only thing I knew about a Gideon was those Bibles that they put in hotels, and I was none too interested in any God talk. I didn't believe in that.   I just didn't want anything to do with that. As a matter of fact, I was mad about it, but after three or four weeks of being in there smelling nothing but feet and urine, I was willing to do anything for 15 minutes to get out of that cell, and so I agreed to go, and me and two other guys went up to a visitation booth, and there was a little fella in there, and he was very nice, but I couldn't tell you anything he said for the 15 minutes, nothing.    I wasn't paying attention. I was just sitting there looking around, just glad to be out of that cell, but at the end of that 15 minutes, he knocked on the window, and he pointed at me. He said, can I pray for you, and I said, hell no, you can't pray for me.   I don't want your prayers. I'm not here for your prayer, and whatever language it was, I was very vile. I said, but if you want to pray for something, you think that God of yours is listening, you pray for my daughter, and I kind of told her a little bit about what's going on with my kid.   I said, and so you pray for her, and he did, and I can't tell you what he prayed because I really wasn't listening, but it was nice, and I remember that night going back to my cell, and with my Catholic upbringing and everything that had happened, I think I probably said a little prayer myself that night to this God that I didn't believe in, and then a week later, my mom shows up telling me that my brother in Cleveland, Ohio, born again Christian, that the very night that this guy was praying, my brother and his wife decided to come down to Vincent's, Indiana, and they got my mom, and they drove to Owensburg, Kentucky, and literally kidnapped my daughter and took her back to live with them, and I wasn't, I was just kind of in a haze.   I wasn't putting all that together in the moment, and like I said, mom wasn't there for a visit, and I was just like Mark, would you do that for me?  He went and got Amy. I just couldn't believe it, and she's like, yes, I just need you to sign the paper so I can get out of here, and so I did, and that night, I was back in that jail cell, and all those lights were off, and man, the Holy Spirit of God fell on me, and he told me he was real, and to the best of my ability, I confessed my sins.    I repented for my sins. I was just, I just spent the whole night as a 40-year-old gangster, blubber, and idiot in a jail cell just crying about everything, just about my dad, about my lifestyle. I missed my kids.   It just came crashing down on me, and I believe that that was the night that I was truly born again. I believe that God had his hand on me before the foundation of the world. He knew me, and that he loved me, and he chose me, and that I loved him as a little boy, and for whatever happened in my life that I chose to ignore him and run away from him and hate him, but through his mercy and grace and through even facing 120 years in the penitentiary that he saved me, and I believe that night that I got saved, and I just told him, I know we're not supposed to make a deal with God, but it was just kind of like, man, I believe you're real. I don't know anything about you.   I don't know what, you know, my Catholic brother, I don't know if Mary has anything to do with this. I don't know nothing about you, but I believe you're real, and I'll do anything you tell me for the rest of my life if you just take this taste out of my mouth. I just don't want this addiction. I don't want all this crap anymore, and in that moment, he did.   I really believe that he took that away from me, and I've been following him kind of ever since. The next morning when they opened up the cell, we went out to the day room.  I'll never forget. There was a Bible there. Now, that Bible's been there the whole time, but it's the first time I see the Bible, and I kind of, you know, I'm still struggling.   I've been up all night, and I'm kind of wiped out anyway, drinking instant coffee and, you know, having a God experience, and there's a Bible, and I pick up this Bible, and it was in Romans chapter five. I'll never get it, and I'll just paraphrase, but I remember reading the verses that having been justified by faith, and it just kind of hit me that I wish I really believed God was real, and I don't know what that means, and I don't know anything about it, but I went on to read that I was no longer his enemy and that I could have peace with him and that he was going to give me good character and that I could persevere. It didn't matter what I had in front of me, so it was just God speaking to me in those moments that I'm going to be with you through all this, and it was just a wonderful, life-changing experience. It didn't, you know, sanctification takes a long time.   I still was sentenced to 15 years in prison, which was a miracle, right? I was facing 120, and there it was nothing that I had done prior to my conversion. I had been in front of a judge, and I had a $1 million full cash bond.   I was in front of the judge, and I'm like, I want a bond reduction. The judge is like; you're telling me you're going to pay $100,000 to get out of jail. I said, angrily, you could reduce my bond, and he said, denied.   We're not going to do that, and that was the last time I really talked to a judge or an attorney, and I sat in jail for six or seven months, and this attorney that was appointed to me after the one that I fired, he came to me one time and said, hey, they're willing to give you a 15-year sentence in prison if that's what you want to do, and I said, okay.  I wasn't concerned about prison. I wasn't concerned.   I just wanted to do what the Lord wanted me to, and that's been my whole life since.  People will ask me about prison. It was horrible, as you can imagine.    I was in the state of Indiana. There were no separation of offenders at that time. I was in a medium-max facility, so I was doing time with guys who were doing life, which were the best guys to do it with because they were just doing life, and then little gangbangers from Indianapolis.   It was a terrible affair. Every kind of drug possible, every kind of perversion possible was there, but it's where I met Jesus, and it's where I learned to follow Christ, and I had a godly man come alongside of me in the prison, Pastor Woodcocks, who just assigned my guy, and he helped me to work through so many things and to be a man of truth and integrity and all the different things that he taught me, so while I look back at that, and I say, yeah, prison sucked.   It was awful, and I never want to go back again in that capacity, but it's where I learned to follow Christ, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  I wouldn't trade that time for anything. I needed every ounce of that time to become closer to him and to be less about me, and then I got out of prison in 2009.   It was a shock probation here to Peoria, Illinois, where my oldest daughter was at that time, and I moved in with her.  She's been following Jesus ever since. It's not been an easy road, right?   It's not been being a convicted felon and having all those things, but God does, if he is for us, who can be against us, right?  He has really, really, really been by my side. There's been so many things that have happened.   I could go on for hours and hours and hours, but that's how I came to Jesus and where I got to know Jesus and where I really solidified my relationship with, I believe, and he's saved.   Laura Dugger: (38:10 - 38:55) What an incredible journey he took you on.   Did you know you could receive a free email with monthly encouragement, practical tips, and plenty of questions to ask to take your conversation a level deeper, whether that's in parenting or on date nights? Make sure you access all of this at thesavvysauce.com by clicking the button that says join our email list so that you can follow the prompts and begin receiving these emails at the beginning of each month.  Enjoy.   So, then Brian, as a freed man at that point, once you were out of prison, how did you eventually find your way to what is now Pathway Ministries?   Brian Butler: (38:57 - 45:56) It's been a wild ride. I got out of prison thinking I was going to be a prison minister and there was going to be all kinds of things that were going to happen. You kind of buy into that prosperity stuff while I was locked up.   I really thought that there were big things in store. After I was out of prison for about three months, it was 2009, and so the economy in Peoria was really bad. The cap shut down.    Places weren't hiring. I couldn't find a job anywhere. I remember going to Kroger in Madison Park.   If anybody remembers Madison Park Kroger in Peoria, it was a really rough part of town.  They were banging out in the parking lot. I'm here.   I called the manager and he said set up a time for an interview.  I went to the interview, and I took him my resume. They taught us in the penitentiary and in classes.   I got a bachelor's degree in prison, by the way. I filled out my resume, and I filled the time up in my resume with the prison ministry I was involved in. Just so you don't have that slack of time.   The manager said, oh, I see that you were in a prison ministry. Man, that's amazing. Did they let you in there every day?    Well, I lived there. I was in prison at that time. This is what I was doing while I was in prison.   His words to me shook me to the core because he handed me back that resume and he said, “We don't hire your kind here.” I'm telling you, after all the disappointment I have for two or three months of not being able to find a job and rejection after rejection, I walked out in the parking lot. My daughter took me back to her house and I remember sitting on the end of her bed.   I'm not a crier, really, but at that time I think I might have been crying a little bit. She was bawling and I was just like, “Just take me down to the shelter. I don't want to be any more of a burden to this family. Please, I got to go.”   She's like, “Don't give up, dad, don't give up.” I'm like, “I'll give it up, oh God, I just don't want to be a burden.”    She said, “Just wait, just wait, just give it a little more time.” I agreed to do that. That week, through the grapevine, one of the friends of a guy that she went to church with, John McCormick, at McCormick Auto Place in Belleville, Illinois, called and said, “Hey, I heard through the grapevine you're having a hard time getting a job. I need somebody washing cars.”   That was a far cry from, you know, I'm a 46-year-old man and I'd walk around with briefcases full of money. It was a humbling experience, but I went to work for John, and he ended up, you know, as a Christian, he was just a Christ follower.    He accepted me into his family. I went from 10 hours a week to part-time. I eventually got a part-time job at the Salvation Army.    They called me. It was one of the first places I put in a resume. Paul Cousin called me from the Salvation Army.   He's like, “Hey, I don't know why we never saw your resume before, but we need help. Would you like to come to work at the safety net working with homeless guys?” I'm thinking, well, you know, I've been homeless, so sure.   And I went down there and I started working there.  And so eventually that turned into a full-time job at the Salvation Army. And I stayed working washing cars.    I washed cars for 12 years with John. He's just so great. He's one of the greatest Christian dudes you ever met.    He just, he was so vital in my Christian walk in my life. But I was at the Salvation Army. I was running, believe it or not, the lead case manager of Drop-In Center for the Homeless.    And I had conversations with Peoria Rescue Mission at that time, Peoria Rescue Ministries. Now, I'd never been there. I thought they were religious zealots.    You know, it was everything. It was so religious that the guys couldn't be there. But I did know that they did not allow drugs or alcohol.   And so, when I would meet a man that was struggling with addiction and they wanted to get out of them, I would call and talk to Lee and say, “Hey, listen, I got a guy I think would be good for your fit. Can I send him down there?” And so, we kind of built this bond.    Lee and I had this relationship over the phone. I'd never met the guy ever. Back in those days, Lee was really into sending those funny little emails.   You know, they always have a little cartoon or a little message. You know, the email knows that when you're really busy at work, you kind of start deleting after a while. And one day he sent me an email, and it said, “Are you interested?”    And for some reason, I opened it. And I know the reason is God. And he said that they had a position as the assistant director of the rescue mission, but I'd be interested in coming down and applying for the job.    And I went down and met with Lee. And one thing led to another. My wife, Pam, who I'm married to now, I consider my wife.   I can't believe that I'm married to somebody who loves God. Now, I know we're supposed to stay the way that we are, biblically a single and all these things scripturally as we come to Christ to stay that way. But this is my first marriage.    This is my marriage. In Christ, we're in marriage. She is the most wonderful. She's my gift that God just kind of gave me to care for and to nurture and to love her the way that I should.  But she really encouraged me. At the time of the Salvation Army, we were HUD funded.    I couldn't openly share my faith. I always had to take back doors to it. And she's like, this is what you've always prayed for.    They'll let you do that there, take the job. And so, I did. And that's how I came on at Peoria Rescue Ministries.    Eventually it became Pathway Ministries. I just kind of worked as Mr. Rokey, came on board in 2016. And then in 2018, we're really trying to do some things back there.   And from the way we used to do them, meeting people in crisis, I had a lot of good ideas.  And John had a lot of great ideas. And we're on the same page.    And he asked me to be program director. And I'm like, well, I'd love to, if I can write a program. And so, he just gave me free reign.   And then now I'm the director of residential ministries at Pathway Ministries. Just being able to allow God to blow that whole thing up. And he has to meet people just like me, just like so many other sons and daughters out there that need to have a God block put in front of them while they're in their crisis.    And so, it's just been a beautiful thing. And I just praise God for all the leadership and just what we've been able to do. And that's how I came to Pathway Ministries.    Just being able to do God's work there. It's incredible. It's crazy.   Putting it in a nutshell is really hard because there's been so many things that the Lord has done personally and through the ministry. It has just been incredible, the path that he's had me.   Laura Dugger: (45:57 - 46:35) You do such an amazing work there, and it is a worthy ministry to support. We'll definitely put links in the show notes for today's episode for Pathway Ministries. And that's a whole other conversation to talk about the miracles witnessed there.   But just to go back and close a few loops, I'm sorry, I'm going to throw a few things at you.  So, when did Pam come into the picture? And what's a current snapshot of your life with your children now?   And what did forgiveness look like with your family of origin?   Brian Butler: (46:37 - 52:04) Yeah, so my father passed away while I was in prison. It was an amazing story with my dad. He met me in prison and wanted to meet with me.   And I hadn't seen my father in years, and he came to the prison lot. I had worked through the forgiveness of my dad, I think, before we met, but he came to ask my forgiveness. And I'll never forget, he said, Brian, I made the wrong choice.    My whole life, I've made the wrong choices. And I'm just really sorry. And so, it was a sweet moment with me and him.   I'm not saying that we had a, you know, it wasn't like we're father, son kind of stuff.  But when he passed away, there's no false guilt. There's no guilt.    There's nothing I'm trusting. He even actually became a minister of the Catholic Church in the place that he lived. And I believe that he came to faith in Christ and Christ alone.   So, it was really something to see that transformation in my dad, even though he was, you know, he saw a lot of stuff. But I truly believe that the father entered his heart. My mom, shortly after I was incarcerated, after that experience at the jail, started to come around a little bit and supported me.   You know, and I think the biggest thing that helped me in or helped our relationship in the prison was I didn't ask for things. When I was able to talk to my mother, I was able to say, how are you? And just kind of relieve her of the burden.   It was bad enough that her son was in prison. It was bad enough that she had to see her son on the evening news and everything that I put her through. I just wanted to mend that and just to comfort my mom and just love my mom the best possible.    So, our relationship really grew through those days. And it's so amazing. So, here's a woman that said, you're dead to me, and I don't want around anymore.    In 2019, my mom and stepdad have been since Indiana, and they're aging now. They're in their early 80s. But in 2019, we had a family conversation, and she wanted to move to Peoria, Illinois, so that my wife and I could take care of her and him in their old age.    So, they lived two miles away from us, and we were able to meet my mom. It's crazy. And just to be able to be in a relationship with her and to be able to care for her, getting ready to take a trip down to Kentucky to see her sister, and all that entails.   So, it's just been a wonderful blessing for a relationship. My mom knows God's real because he's changed me and my children. While I didn't beat them over the head with the Bible, they know that God is real because they've seen him work in me.   They've all struggled with addiction and all those kinds of things. But I'm happy to say that all three of them are clean and sober. Right now, my son followed in my footsteps.    Unfortunately, he grew up, even though I wasn't there. I was divorced from his mother when he was two years old. But he always looked to me, and he always saw the tough guy and the gangster.   And I think that's what he really wanted to be. He ended up getting a prison sentence, and he spent 13 years in prison. And he is getting out in February.    So that's encouraging. But all three of them are clean and sober, and those relationships have been restored. Pam and I, you can imagine, Pam had no idea about addiction or lifestyle or gangsters.   So I am completely off the rails, foreign to her.  But she tells me all the time, she doesn't know that old guy. All she knows is me.   And she can hear stories, and she can hear testimonies. And of course, my mom is very open to share anything at a family dinner about Brian, which I'm like, please, mom, don't talk. But she hears those stories, and she just says, I don't know that man.    I don't know who that was. This is the man I'm married to. And so, it's just, we have a wonderful relationship.    She's my biggest supporter, my biggest fan. We pray together. We love the Lord together.  It's really something. I'm not saying that we haven't had a lot of hurt because my kids have been in addiction. I'm saying it hasn't been really, really hard.   But through those sufferings, that's how Jesus makes it more like him, through those sufferings and through those hard times.  And he's given me an avenue personally to be able to help others. So, I love that scripture.    It gives us this comfort. We needed the comfort so that one day you can comfort others with that same kind of comfort. So, he's enabled me to be in a position where I can comfort other folks in addiction and build great teams here at Pathway that are ministering to the folks that we serve in a meaningful way for the Lord.    And then I've been able to serve my wife. I've been able to serve her and that's what I want to do.   Laura Dugger: (52:05 - 52:31) Oh, it is evident to see you two at church and see you two holding hands and just your gentle way of interacting with each other is even a testimony. So how incredible that God has restored so much that was broken. And even going back to your brother Mark, was he rejoicing to hear you were now walking with Jesus as your Lord and Savior?   Brian Butler: (52:32 - 54:07) Yeah, well, at first it was kind of like the prodigal son story, and he was the big brother rather than me. I think at first there was a lot of, and rightfully so, I was no good. And so, I had the hearing officer tell me one time in Springfield Illinois when I was trying to get my driver's license back, which was another God story.    And I have a driver's license after five DUIs. I had that hearing officer tell me, even though I had been clean and sober for seven years, he said, you know, talk is cheap. He said, walking it is different.   So, you come back and see me in a year and when you've walked it, then we'll have a talk about giving you a driver's license. And I've always kind of stored that in my heart with my relationship with my brother. And now after my brother has seen me walk it, we have a pretty good relationship.    We're in cahoots because I'm taking care of mom. And so, we have a pretty good relationship there. Yeah, so it's been really a miracle.    Miracles of what has happened in relationships. Now some relationships that I've had, even with family members, you know, hey, that Brian Butler is still nothing but a no-good dope dealing maniac. And we're, you know, we're done.    And that's okay. That's God's job. My job is to keep walking the walk and talking the talk and sticking close to him and not letting anything get in the way of that and doing whatever I can to restore relationships and then let God do the rest.    And so, it's been, it's hard, but good. Yeah.   Laura Dugger: (54:08 - 54:22) You are a new creation. And Brian, I know you could continue teaching us so many things. Is there any encouragement you want to share before our conversation comes to a close?   Brian Butler: (54:23 - 56:46) Yeah, I would just say if you're, I had some, when I was going through it with my daughter, I had a lot of good counselors around me.  And then I got some advice that I didn't follow. And I'm so glad that I didn't.   I certainly think that if when we meet people that are in living destructive lifestyles, or you have a child in addiction and alcoholism, and they are just burning everything down around you, absolutely to set up boundaries and to limit communication to where they're draining you to death.  But if they're still breathing, then there's still hope. And we should never forget that there's hope and that God is so much bigger, and we can trust him with them more than what we can do with them.   I struggled for years with my daughter in addiction and being up in the middle of the night, just waiting on a phone call and praying and pleading and even thinking, Lord, it would be better if she was just gone.  If you just took her, would you? It's so harrowing.   But I never cut off communication completely because when she came out of the pig pen, I'm going to run. Now there were several runs that I made that, you know, she wasn't really out of the pig pen, but I don't regret that. And my daughter will say to a lot of folks, even though inside I kind of gave up in certain times, but I didn't make the life to end.    And she'll say, my dad never gave up on me. My dad was always there for me. And so, I just want to encourage people, if they're breathing, there's still hope and you can still put up boundaries and be strong and not give in and not give money and not do all those things, but there's still hope and our hope was in Christ.   And then we can hope that he does that work and that he'll do that work in us as we're hoping him to do it in others. So that's what I would just leave with folks that are really going through it because I've been through it. I've put people through it.   It's a tangled web and there's a whole lot, but you need to be around people that are going to love you and care for you and come around to you. You need to tell the truth to other people so that you don't hide it because it will destroy you.   Laura Dugger: (56:47 - 57:22) That's so good, Brian. How special to have her daddy never give up on her. And it reflects that greater truth that our heavenly father never gives up on any of us.  And he died for us even while we were still sinners. Thank you for sharing that.   And you may be familiar that we are called The Savvy Sauce because savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge. And so, as my final question for you today, Brian, what is your savvy sauce?   Brian Butler: (57:24 - 58:36) I would say my savvy sauce is living in a daytight compartment, living this life one moment at a time, one day at a time, certainly making plans for the future, certainly living that life out. But I'm going to do what the Lord wants me to do right now. And then what he wants me to do next and what he wants me to do after that.    But just really staying in that daytight compartment. You know, I teach our students all the time at Pathway Ministries, really when we come to faith, this is really simplistic, but after we come to faith in the Lord Jesus, it really is about doing the next little right thing. And then the next little right thing after that, and the next little right thing after that.   And no one does the next little right thing all the time. But when you don't do the next little right thing, you get up and do the next little right thing. Understanding that sometimes doing the next little right thing might be the hardest thing you've ever done in your life.   And so, if we stay in that daytime compartment with Jesus, he'll help us through that next little right thing.  And so that's my savvy. So, I was just staying in the moment and doing the next little right thing.   Laura Dugger: (58:37 - 59:08) Oh, I love that so much. Ryan, you are an admirable man who walks the walk, and God has gifted you with such passion and such a compelling story. So, thank you for continuing to faithfully obey him.   You are certainly shining in our community and faithfully serving our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So, thank you for being my guest.   Brian Butler: (59:09 - 59:11) Thank you so much, Laura Dugger. We love you.   Laura Dugger: (59:11 - 1:02:28) We love you, too.   One more thing before you go, have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you, but it starts with the bad news.    Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.    We need a savior, but God loved us so much. He made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.    That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life. We could never live and died in our place for our sin.    This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished. If we choose to receive what he has done for us, Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    So, you pray with me now. Heavenly father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you.    Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life? We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus name we pray.   Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me. So, me for him, you get the opportunity to live your life for him.    And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you're ready to get started.    First, tell someone, say it out loud, get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it.    You can start by reading the book of John. Also get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.    We want to celebrate with you too. So, feel free to leave a comment for us here. If you did make a decision to follow Christ, we also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process.    And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “in the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.    And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

-Illinois' Keaton Wagler already entered his name into the NBA Draft process, leaving no question about a possible return toChampaign.-However, CBS Sports reports that Kansas big man Flory Bidunga, the top-rated prospect in the portal, is seeking $5 million next year togo to a school. He's currently seen as the No. 29 prospect if he went pro and is seen as a late first round pick, which is roughly $2.3million in salary, where a top 10 pick is more in the range he's looking at to stay in college. He might get that in college with the bigman market..Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Most people struggle to find time to learn Chinese. Adam started learning it in the middle of one of the most intense study periods of his life, and kept going.A pre-med student at the University of Illinois, Adam didn't begin with a clear plan or a class requirement. Instead, it started with curiosity: books on cross-cultural healthcare, exposure to Chinese classmates, and a growing realization that language could open doors not just academically, but humanly.In this episode, Jared sits down with Adam to unpack how that curiosity turned into real progress in just a year and a half. From grinding through Anki decks and ChinesePod to forming friendships that pushed his speaking skills forward, Adam shares what actually made the difference and what didn't.They dig into the moments that changed everything: discovering how Chinese characters really work, moving from inconsistent self-study to structured learning, and pushing past the mental barrier of “I understand the words, but not the sentence.”But the real payoff? Adam is already using Chinese in the real world. Whether it's bonding with friends over hot pot or helping comfort a Chinese-speaking patient during a painful procedure, his story is a reminder that language learning isn't just about fluency, it's about connection.If you've ever wondered whether your efforts will actually lead to something meaningful, this episode shows exactly how they can.Links from the episode:Kid Learning Chinese | Adam Syed on InstagramMandarin Companion Graded Readers

Gov. JB Pritzker joined a coalition of governors urging the operator of the power grid in Illinois and other a dozen other states to force data centers to pay up. Crain's reporter John Pletz discusses the push to shield consumers from rising electricity costs with host Amy Guth. Plus: Conagra CEO Connolly is out after 60% stock slide, Abbott hit with $70 million verdict in Chicago infant-formula trial, Pritzker says DHS threat over O'Hare customs will hurt economy and housing advocates sue to undo CHA leadership pick. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A new poll from the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition reveals that Illinois voters support the proposed POWER Act by overwhelming margins.

A new poll from the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition reveals that Illinois voters support the proposed POWER Act by overwhelming margins.

Today's reading is Luke 13-15. . . . . This month, we are reading from the ⁠⁠⁠New Living Translation⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and you can also follow along in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Let's Read the Gospels: A Guided Journal⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠ . . . . Follow Let's Read the Gospels on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . . . . Your ratings and reviews help us spread the Gospel to new friends! If you love this podcast, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rate the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave us a brief review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! You can do the same on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ as well. . . . . Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner and Kyle Tausk react to Illinois basketball landing a commitment from Providence transfer guard Stefan Vaaks. The guys discuss how the Estonian fits with the Illini and what's next in their roster build. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Gameday Spirit: Get 15% off your next purchase with them online at ⁠gamedayspirit.com⁠ when you use the code "Illini15" at checkout. Columbia Street Roastery: Head to ⁠⁠CSRcoffee.com⁠ and use code IlliniAllTheWay to get 10 percent off your first order and get free shipping on orders of over $45. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8  Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct  Go VIP for just 60% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's reading is Luke 10-12. . . . . This month, we are reading from the ⁠⁠⁠New Living Translation⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and you can also follow along in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Let's Read the Gospels: A Guided Journal⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠ . . . . Follow Let's Read the Gospels on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . . . . Your ratings and reviews help us spread the Gospel to new friends! If you love this podcast, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rate the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave us a brief review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! You can do the same on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ as well. . . . . Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Trevor is joined by Luke McGowan-Arnold Luke, a Black writer from Rockford, Illinois based in Philly, covering American subcultures, Black experiences, and social movements. His work appears in Chicago Review of Books and The Metropolitan Review.   Notes From This Show: Irregular Notes – https://irregularnotes.substack.com/ Searching For Bigger – https://www.metropolitanreview.org/p/searching-for-bigger How To Write an American Novel – https://lilmamahumor.com/p/how-to-write-an-american-novel Rough Drafts Podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rough-drafts/id1772169326 DJ Clue talks Roc Marci & says he doesn't think the label “Underground Hip-Hop” is relevant anymore – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhRfQ-pxwyk This is a free unlocked episode.  To get early access to future episodes, become a paid subscriber for $5/month over at patreon.com/champagnesharks and also get access to the whole archive of subscriber-only episodes, the Discord voice and chat server for patrons, detailed show notes for certain episodes, and our newsletter. Co-produced & edited by Aaron C. Schroeder / Pierced Ears Recording Co, Seattle WA (piercedearsmusic@gmail.com). Opening theme composed by T. Beaulieu. Closing theme composed by Dustfingaz (https://www.youtube.com/user/TheRazhu_)

In the Best of Mully & Haugh this week, Mike Mulligan and David Haugh pondered who could replace Bulls head coach Billy Donovan if he chooses to leave the team as season's end; Illinois men's basketball coach Brad Underwood joined the show to reflect on his Illini's run to the Final Four; and Score callers shared their thoughts on the Bulls' front office shakeup.

We kick off with a the Dodgers spanking the Blue Jays and torn allegiances in Brian's house, then dive into Europe taking dead aim at your kids' screen time. Ireland is rolling out a Government Digital Wallet that'll verify ages before young'uns can doom-scroll their lives away, while Greece went fully scorched-earth and announced a ban on all under-15s using social media at all — announced, naturally, on TikTok.IN THE NEWS, the AI giants (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google) are playing nicely together for once, teaming up through the Frontier Model Forum to stop Chinese firms from essentially photocopying their models on the cheap — billions in revenue, national security, and the small matter of safety guardrails stripped out. Turnabout is fair play? On the legal gambling front, prediction markets scored a federal win as a US appeals court ruled New Jersey can't regulate Kalshi; the Trump family's fingerprints are all over the prediction market space (surprise!), and the data suggests 0.04% of accounts are hoovering up 70% of profits like it's a perfectly healthy ecosystem. Also: the FBI pulled deleted Signal messages out of iPhone notification caches, GoPro is laying off 23% of its workforce while somehow remaining optimistic, and OpenAI is backing an Illinois bill that would shield AI companies from liability even in mass-casualty scenarios... cool. On the plus side, Artemis II astronauts took amazing photos of the Moon... on their iPhones.In APPS & DOODADS: Mercedes recalled its electric G-Wagons because the wheels might literally fall off, Amazon is sunsetting Kindles from 2012 and earlier for no reason anyone can figure out, and Apple Fitness on Apple TV is randomly scrambling workout stacks with no fix in sight — a premium locked ecosystem doing premium locked ecosystem things.In MEDIA CANDY, the crew is watching The Pitt, The Boys, Shrinking, and Daredevil, and you'll want to sit down for this: Mel Brooks and Rick Moranis are back — Spaceballs 2 hits theaters a full year from now even though it's done. Italy slapped Netflix with a court-ordered refund for price hikes going back to 2017, while Netflix simultaneously raised prices for US subscribers and launched Playground, a free kids gaming app that works offline (Peppa Pig and Sesame Street, no ads, no in-app purchases — hook 'em on Dah Dum young!)AT THE LIBRARY, Brian has given up on Breath and Jason reads Four Thousand Weeks and Art Spiegelman's Maus — the Pulitzer-winning Holocaust masterpiece that some people are still trying to ban, because humanity never fully learns.Closing out with THE DARK SIDE WITH DAVE, Treasury Secretary Bessent and Fed Chair Powell apparently called an emergency meeting with bank CEOs over Anthropic's new model "Mythos," which can apparently find and exploit vulnerabilities across major OSes and browsers. The boys also catch up on Maul: Shadow Lord, the Strong Songs podcast's Joni Mitchell deep-dive ("Passions soften into wisdom" — weeping on the plane, apparently), the belated discovery that Marathon launched and nobody noticed, and some genuine moon joy courtesy of NASA's Artemis II astronauts.Sponsors:DeleteMe - Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to JoinDeleteMe.com/GOG and use promo code GOG at checkout.CleanMyMac - Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use code OLDGEEKS for 20% off at clnmy.com/OLDGEEKSPrivate Internet Access - Go to GOG.Show/vpn and sign up today. For a limited time only, you can get OUR favorite VPN for as little as $2.03 a month.SetApp - With a single monthly subscription you get 240+ apps for your Mac. Go to SetApp and get started today!!!1Password - Get a great deal on the only password manager recommended by Grumpy Old Geeks! gog.show/1passwordShow notes at https://gog.show/741Watch on YouTube at https://youtu.be/c_odV0tSa2kFOLLOW UPIreland is testing out a digital wallet that conducts age verification for social media usersGreece will ban all kids under 15 from using social mediaIN THE NEWSOpenAI, Anthropic, Google Unite to Combat Model Copying in ChinaNew Jersey has no right to ban Kalshi's prediction market, US appeals court rulesFBI used iPhone notification data to retrieve deleted Signal messagesGoPro to lay off over 20 percent of staff by the end of 2026OpenAI Backs Bill That Would Limit Liability for AI-Enabled Mass Deaths or Financial DisastersArtemis II astronaut puts all of our iPhone moon photos to shameAPPS & DOODADSMercedes-Benz recalls some G-Wagon EVs due to risk of wheels falling offAmazon is cutting off support for older KindlesPresto 08800 EverSharp Electric Knife Sharpener, 2-Stage System, Silver/BlackMEDIA CANDYThe PittThe BoysShrinkingDaredevilThe Spaceballs sequel will be released in April next yearAn Italian court ruled Netflix has to refund its customers for price hikes dating back to 2017Netflix just released a standalone gaming app for kidsAnonymous - Real Stories of Alcoholism, Addiction, and RecoveryAT THE LIBRARYBreath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James NestorFour Thousand Weeks By Oliver BurkemanMaus I & IITHE DARK SIDE WITH DAVEDave BittnerThe CyberWireHacking HumansCaveatControl LoopOnly Malware in the BuildingMaul - Shadow LordAnthropic Model Scare Sparks Urgent Bessent, Powell Warning to Bank CEOsS08E03 - "Both Sides, Now" by Joni MitchellI Wish I Didn't Care About 'Marathon' Player Numbers, But I DoMarathon Gameplay (No Commentary)Mego Happy Days Figures and Fonzi Garage, Hot, and Stunt CycleHAPPY DAYS - Fonzie & Pinky Break Up - Fonzie Loves Pinky - 1976Moon Joy, Courtesy of NASA's Artemis II AstronautsCLOSING SHOUT-OUTSHip-hop pioneer, Afrika Bambaataa, dies aged 68See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joel Embiid has had many different injuries for the Sixers, but this is his first appendicitis. Joel Embiid had surgery on Thursday, just hours before the game against the Rockets. The Sixers will likely be without him for the play in and first round of the playoffs, if they make it. We talk about the situation, and the loss to the Rockets. Donate to Spike's Walk For Paws fundraiser for the BVSPCA here: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2026walkforpaws/account/2277596/The Rights To Ricky Sanchez is presented by Draft Kings SportsbookGet 20% off any Body Bio order with the code in the podcast.LL Pavorsky Jewelers is where Rights To Ricky Sanchez listeners go and get engaged.Surfside Iced Tea and Vodka is the official canned cocktail of The Ricky.Gambling Problem? Call one eight hundred GAMBLER or one eight hundred MY RESET. New York: call eight seven seven eight HOPENY or text HOPENY. Connecticut: call eight eight eight seven eight nine seven seven seven seven or visit CCPG dot org. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino in Kansas. Wager tax pass-through may apply in Illinois. Twenty one plus in most states. Void in Ontario. Restrictions apply. Bet must win to receive Bonus Bets which expire in 7 days. Minimum odds required. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see D K N G dot co slash audio. Limited time offer.

Today's reading is Luke 7-9. . . . . This month, we are reading from the ⁠⁠⁠New Living Translation⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and you can also follow along in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Let's Read the Gospels: A Guided Journal⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠ . . . . Follow Let's Read the Gospels on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . . . . Your ratings and reviews help us spread the Gospel to new friends! If you love this podcast, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rate the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave us a brief review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! You can do the same on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ as well. . . . . Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Professional Left, Driftglass and Blue Gal take a hard look at how America ended up in yet another Middle East war — and why the whole thing feels like a rerun that somehow got worse the second time around. Drawing a sharp line from the lies that launched the Iraq War to the chaos of today, they walk through the playbook Republicans use every time reality refuses to cooperate with their sales pitch. The real question isn't just what happened — it's what comes next, and who's already lining up to offer the MAGA base a way to forget they were ever on board with any of it. If you think some of the loudest voices suddenly breaking with Trump are doing it out of principle? Naaah.Links for this episode: Driftglass on The Bob Cesca Show:  https://www.bobcesca.com/the-bob-cesca-interview-driftglass-day/ Driftglass on The Nicole Sandler Show (second half) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jxANUK4Y6k Media Matters for America, “Heretic”: After Trump spiritual adviser Paula White-Cain likens Trump to Jesus during Easter, right-wing media figures lash out. https://www.mediamatters.org/donald-trump/heretic-after-trump-spiritual-adviser-paula-white-cain-likens-trump-jesus-during Stay in Touch! Email: proleftpodcast@gmail.com Website: proleftpod.com Support via Patreon: patreon.com/proleftpod or Donate in the Venmo App @proleftpodMail: The Professional Left, PO Box 9133, Springfield, Illinois, 62791Support the show

Illini Inquirer's Jeremy Werner discusses Illinois women's basketball landing LSU transfer guard Divine Bourrage and the latest with Illinois football recruiting. CBS Sports basketball writer Isaac Trotter then joins Werner to put a bow on the Illini basketball 2025-26 season and discuss the Illini's retention and transfer portal efforts. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Gameday Spirit: Get 15% off your next purchase with them online at ⁠gamedayspirit.com⁠ when you use the code "Illini15" at checkout. Columbia Street Roastery: Head to ⁠⁠CSRcoffee.com⁠ and use code IlliniAllTheWay to get 10 percent off your first order and get free shipping on orders of over $45. Follow the Illini Inquirer Podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/3oMt0NP Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Xan2L8  Other: https://bit.ly/36gn7Ct  Go VIP for just 60% OFF: https://tinyurl.com/2fkhmjdz To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The draft is closing in, and Pack Nation's questions are getting sharper — so Ryan's bringing the receipts. This episode of Draft Room digs into one of the most pressing questions surrounding Green Bay's draft position: with no first-round pick and only seven total selections, what can the Packers realistically do to maneuver on draft day? Using the Rich Hill trade value model, Ryan walks through the cold, hard math of what moving up or moving back in the second round actually costs — and the numbers might surprise you. Spoiler: if you're dreaming of Green Bay leaping to the top of Round 2, you better be ready to sacrifice a lot more than you think. Caller Garrett from Illinois breaks down the question Pack Nation has been asking: could Green Bay move up to 40-something in Round 2, and what would that compensation actually look like? Ryan runs the trade value numbers on multiple scenarios — trading up, trading back, squeezing in extra picks — and explains why almost every path leads to disappointment given the Packers' limited capital David Bailey's character concerns get a full airing: the photographer incident, the stomping ejection, the video evidence — and what it might mean for his draft slide The top-10 puzzle is starting to take shape: Mendoza at 1, Reese to the Jets at 2, Carnell Tate potentially at 6, and Jeremiah Love surging at Tennessee — so where does Bailey land? Subscribe, rate, and review — and keep those calls coming to 608-561-3243. Go Pack Go! This episode is brought to you by PrizePicks! Use code PACKDADDY to get started with America's #1 fantasy sports app. https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/PACKDADDY To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com Or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/packernetpodcast Help keep the show growing and check out everything I'm building across the Packers and NFL world: Support: Patreon: www.patreon.com/pack_daddy Venmo: @Packernetpodcast CashApp: $packpod Website: https://nfldraftgrades.com/ My Board: https://nfldraftgrades.com/board/83a18c42-7a0b-4590-8d1b-453e49840d02        

Duncan Trussell is a stand-up comedian, voice actor, and host of “The Duncan Trussell Family Hour.” He will perform live April 9–11 at Zanies Comedy Club Rosemont in Rosemont, Illinois. Tickets are on sale now.https://rosemont.zanies.com/show/category/series/2026-duncan-trussell/zanies-comedy-club-rosemont/rosemont-illinois/www.youtube.com/@duncantrussellfamilyhourwww.patreon.com/dtfhwww.duncantrussell.com Perplexity: Download the app or ask Perplexity anything at https://pplx.ai/rogan. Don't miss out on all the action this week at DraftKings! Download the DraftKings app today! Sign-up using https://dkng.co/rogan or through my promo code ROGAN. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit https://gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit https://ccpg.org (CT), or visit https://www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in NH/OR/ONT/PR. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings Sportsbook customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Min. deposit varies, either $5 or $10. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Bet must settle by and Token expires 5/3/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 4/26/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices