Podcasts about Estate

The Couple With $8.5 Million… and One Salad “Bruce, I'm afraid we're going to run out of money.” He had over $8.5 million across different accounts. They were in their early 70s. On paper, they were far ahead of where most people ever get. https://www.youtube.com/live/L4phmdaJydw But his fear was so real that when they went out to dinner, his wife shared a salad instead of ordering her own—because he was afraid they “couldn't afford” it. This is what we see over and over again. People obsess over the question “how much do I need to retire?”They chase a number.They hit that number—or get close to it.And still feel anxious, fragile, and uncertain. The problem isn't just the money.The problem is the model. The Couple With $8.5 Million… and One SaladWhy “How Much Do I Need to Retire?” Is the Wrong First QuestionHow Much Do I Need to Retire? Why That Question Is MisleadingRetirement Cash Flow vs Nest Egg: What You Really NeedSequence of Return Risk in Retirement: Why Timing Matters More Than AveragesBuilding a Retirement Buffer Account to Protect Your PortfolioHow a buffer account protects your retirement portfolio:The LIFE Acronym for Retirement Planning: Liquid, Income, Flexible, EstateProblems With Traditional Retirement Planning and the 4 Percent RuleRedefining Retirement: Gradual Retirement vs Traditional “Out of Service”Cash-Flowing Assets and Alternative Investments for Retirement Cash FlowUsing Whole Life Insurance in Retirement for Guarantees and FlexibilityHow Much Do I Need to Retire? Rethinking the Real QuestionListen to the Full Episode on How Much Do I Need to RetireBook A Strategy CallFAQ: How Much Do I Need to Retire?How much do I need to retire comfortably?How do I know if I have enough to retire?What is sequence of return risk in retirement?What is a retirement buffer account?Is whole life insurance good for retirement income?How can I create guaranteed income in retirement without a pension?How much income do I need in retirement each month?How can my retirement plan serve future generations? Why “How Much Do I Need to Retire?” Is the Wrong First Question If you've ever typed how much do I need to retire or how much money do I need to retire into Google, you're not alone. The financial industry has trained us to believe that the right “number” equals security. But that question is incomplete. It ignores: How long you'll live How much you'll actually spend How many emergencies will show up What taxes and inflation will do What sequence of returns your investments will experience In this article, Bruce and I will help you: Understand why “how much do I need to retire” is the wrong question to start with See the difference between retirement cash flow vs nest egg Grasp sequence of return risk in retirement with simple examples Learn how a retirement buffer account can protect you Use the LIFE acronym for retirement planning (Liquid, Income, Flexible, Estate) Explore cash flowing assets, alternative investments, and whole life insurance in retirement Rethink retirement itself—from an “out of service” event to a purposeful, gradual transition My goal is to empower you to take control of your financial life with clarity, not fear. How Much Do I Need to Retire? Why That Question Is Misleading The classic commercial asked, “What's your number?” People walked around carrying a big orange figure that supposedly represented what they needed to retire. Here's the problem: That number assumes: A set rate of return A set withdrawal rate No major disruptions And that you won't touch your principal But real life is not a straight-line projection. When you ask how much do I need to retire, you're usually really asking: “How can I have enough cash flow for as long as I'm alive, without living in fear?” The issue is not just how much you have—it's how that wealth behaves under stress and how it converts into dependable income. Retirement Cash Flow vs Nest Egg: What You Really Need Traditional planning focuses on accumulation: “If I can just get to $X million, I'll be fine.” But what you actually live on is cash flow, not the size of your account statement. You need to know: How much income do I need in retirement each month? Which part of that income is guaranteed and which part is variable How that income will behave if markets drop or inflation spikes If you have $2 million but no idea how to turn that into reliable, sustainable cash flow, you will feel fragile. If you have a mix of guaranteed income in retirement plus flexible cash flowing assets, even a smaller nest egg can feel much more secure. The question isn't just how much money do I need to retire, but how do I design cash flow that will last? Sequence of Return Risk in Retirement: Why Timing Matters More Than Averages The industry loves to tell you that “the market averages 10% over time.” That's nice trivia—but it's not how your life works. If you're accumulating, you can ride out the ups and downs.If you're retired and pulling money out, the sequence of returns can make or break you. Here's a simple illustration: Start with $100,000 Year 1: -20% → now you have $80,000 Year 2: +20% → now you have $96,000 The average return is 0% (-20 + 20 / 2).But your actual money is down $4,000. Now imagine that on top of the losses, you're pulling out 4–6% per year to live. Suddenly, the portfolio has to recover the market loss and everything you withdrew. That's sequence of return risk explained with examples—and why relying solely on averages is dangerous. Building a Retirement Buffer Account to Protect Your Portfolio One of the most powerful ways to address sequence of return risk in retirement is using a retirement buffer account. The idea is simple: When markets are down, you do not take distributions from your volatile assets. Instead, you live off a separate, safe buffer of liquid capital. This buffer could be: Cash in the bank CDs or other stable vehicles Cash value in a well-designed whole life insurance policy How a buffer account protects your retirement portfolio: It gives your market-based assets time to recover It reduces the risk of selling low during downturns It lowers emotional stress when headlines scream “market crash” You're no longer forced to sell when everything is on sale. The LIFE Acronym for Retirement Planning: Liquid, Income, Flexible, Estate To make this practical, we often walk clients through the LIFE acronym for retirement planning: L – LiquidHow much “15-minute money” do you need to feel comfortable? This is money you can access quickly for emergencies or peace of mind—not dependent on your cash flow plan. I – IncomeHow much income do you need each month? How much of that would you like guaranteed? This is where retirement income planning really happens. F – FlexibleThis is liquid money that's not earmarked for emergencies or core living expenses. It's for things like trips, special projects, and helping kids or grandkids. It's the “I can do this without stress” bucket. E – EstateHow much do you want to leave behind, and in what form? This is where how to make your retirement plan serve future generations becomes part of the design. A well-designed mix of cash, whole life insurance, and other assets can touch every part of LIFE: Liquid, Income, Flexible, and Estate. Problems With Traditional Retirement Planning and the 4 Percent Rule Traditional planning often rests on: A withdrawal rule (4% or 5%) Market-based portfolios Historical averages and Monte Carlo simulations But as Bruce mentioned: A 100-year average doesn't matter if you're retired for 20 years Inflation erodes real purchasing power Market volatility plus withdrawals increase fragility Focusing only on accumulation creates emotional anxiety This is why cash flow vs accumulation in retirement planning is such an important shift. When you're not dependent on markets going up every year just so you can eat, your whole experience of retirement changes. Redefining Retirement: Gradual Retirement vs Traditional “Out of Service” Nelson Nash used to remind us: Retirement, by definition, means “taken out of service.” Most of us don't want to be taken out of service; we want to stay useful, engaged, and purposeful. Instead of a hard stop at 65, consider redefining retirement as a gradual retirement vs traditional retirement: Negotiating part-time work or consulting Reducing hours instead of walking away completely Staying in the game mentally, physically, and relationally We've seen engineers move to 10 hours a week, seasoned professionals mentor younger staff, and business owners step back from daily operations while still contributing. Purposeful work, even part-time, can: Supplement your retirement income Reduce pressure on your portfolio Keep you sharp and connected Retirement doesn't have to mean being benched. Cash-Flowing Assets and Alternative Investments for Retirement Cash Flow Another powerful way to support retirement is shifting some focus from growth-only assets to cash flowing assets for retirement. Examples include: Dividend-paying stocks Real estate (direct ownership or funds) Private lending Certain alternative investments for retirement For accredited investors, there are a variety of alternative investments for retirement cash flow: Multifamily apartment funds Industrial and distribution center funds Certain energy or infrastructure programs Technology and telecom infrastructure (like tower or data assets) These are not guaranteed and require careful due diligence, but they're often backed by real underlying assets and designed with yield in mind.

It's the Summer Series of Real Estate for 2025. ► Record A Message  https://www.speakpipe.com/realestateradio ► Subscribe here to never miss an episode: https://www.podbean.com/user-xyelbri7gupo ► INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/therealestatepodcast/?hl=en  ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070592715418 ► Email:  myrealestatepodcast@gmail.com    The latest real estate news, trends and predictions for Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. We include home buying tips, commercial real estate, property market analysis and real estate investment strategies. Including real estate trends, finance and real estate agents and brokers. Plus real estate law and regulations, and real estate development insights. And real estate investing for first home buyers, real estate market reports and real estate negotiation skills. We include Hobart, Darwin, Hervey Bay, the Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Central Coast, Wollongong, Geelong, Townsville, Cairns, Ballarat, Bendigo, Launceston, Mackay, Rockhampton, Coffs Harbour. #PropertyInvestment #RealEstateInvesting #FirstTimeInvestor #PropertyManagement #RentalYields #CapitalGrowth #RealEstateFinance #InvestorAdvice #PropertyPortfolio #RealEstateStrategies  #sydneyproperty #Melbourneproperty #brisbaneproperty #perthproperty  #adelaideproperty #canberraproperty #PerthRealEstate #hobartproperty  #RealEstate  #RealEstateNews #MortgageTips #PropertyMarket #FinanceAustralia #BrisbaneInvesting   #RealEstateDevelopment #adelaide #PerthRealEstate #FirstHomeBuyer #AustralianProperty #AustralianRealEstate #PropertyMarketUpdate #MortgageAustralia #FinanceTips #HousingAffordability #RealEstateTrends #AussieProperty  #MortgageRates #HomeLoans  #PropertyMarket #MortgageTips #InterestRates  #BrisbaneProperty #QLDRealEstate #PropertyInvestment #AustralianHousingMarket #AdelaideProperty #AdelaideRealEstate #InvestInAdelaide #SouthAustraliaProperty #AustralianRealEstate #HousingTrends#MelbourneHousing #MelbourneInvestment  #MelbourneMarket  #PropertyInvestment #RealEstateTips #WealthBuilding #InvestmentStrategy #HomeBuying #AustralianProperty #RealEstateAdvice #SmartInvesting #UnitPricesPerth   #SydneyProperty #SydneyRealEstate #SydneyAuctions #PropertyMarketUpdate #RealEstateNews #AustralianProperty #PropertyInvesting #AuctionResults #HousingMarket2025 #RealEstateAustralia #PropertyTrends #NSWProperty #HomeBuyersAustralia

The U.S. Virgin Islands formally ended its civil racketeering (CICO) lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein's estate in late 2022 after reaching a $105 million settlement, marking the close of one of the most aggressive legal efforts to hold his operation accountable. The lawsuit had accused Epstein's estate of operating a criminal enterprise under the federal RICO framework—alleging that his private island, Little St. James, was used as a hub for sex trafficking, coercion, and the movement of victims across international lines. The territory's Attorney General's Office argued that Epstein's vast web of shell companies and real estate holdings were tools to facilitate and conceal illegal activity, effectively turning the U.S. Virgin Islands into the epicenter of his trafficking operation. By ending the case, the territory secured both financial restitution and the right to pursue claims against co-conspirators and associated entities.While the settlement concluded the direct case against the Epstein estate, it left open the possibility of continued investigations into those who helped enable his crimes within the islands' jurisdiction. The deal required the estate to sell Epstein's island properties and distribute funds to survivors, with part of the proceeds going to local anti-trafficking initiatives. In public statements, the U.S. Virgin Islands government characterized the resolution as a “victory for justice,” though critics noted that it avoided full discovery and depositions that might have exposed more about Epstein's powerful network. The case's conclusion symbolized a pragmatic end to litigation—but also reinforced a lingering frustration: even in death, Epstein managed to settle before the full truth ever reached open court.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comThe U.S. Virgin Islands formally ended its civil racketeering (CICO) lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein's estate in late 2022 after reaching a $105 million settlement, marking the close of one of the most aggressive legal efforts to hold his operation accountable. The lawsuit had accused Epstein's estate of operating a criminal enterprise under the federal RICO framework—alleging that his private island, Little St. James, was used as a hub for sex trafficking, coercion, and the movement of victims across international lines. The territory's Attorney General's Office argued that Epstein's vast web of shell companies and real estate holdings were tools to facilitate and conceal illegal activity, effectively turning the U.S. Virgin Islands into the epicenter of his trafficking operation. By ending the case, the territory secured both financial restitution and the right to pursue claims against co-conspirators and associated entities.While the settlement concluded the direct case against the Epstein estate, it left open the possibility of continued investigations into those who helped enable his crimes within the islands' jurisdiction. The deal required the estate to sell Epstein's island properties and distribute funds to survivors, with part of the proceeds going to local anti-trafficking initiatives. In public statements, the U.S. Virgin Islands government characterized the resolution as a “victory for justice,” though critics noted that it avoided full discovery and depositions that might have exposed more about Epstein's powerful network. The case's conclusion symbolized a pragmatic end to litigation—but also reinforced a lingering frustration: even in death, Epstein managed to settle before the full truth ever reached open court.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

Estate planning isn't optional—it's inevitable. In this comprehensive presentation, R. Kenner French makes one thing unmistakably clear: everyone is going to die, but not everyone prepares wisely. Estate planning is about more than documents—it's about protecting heirs, minimizing taxes, avoiding chaos, and ensuring your life's work is distributed exactly as you intend. Waiting too long often leads to probate, public exposure of assets, family conflict, and unnecessary tax burdens that could have been avoided with proper planning. Kenner explains estate planning in practical, human terms, breaking down what an estate truly includes—from real property and businesses to investments and personal assets. He clarifies essential roles such as beneficiaries, trustees, grantors, and executors, while emphasizing how probate exposes estates to delays, legal costs, and public scrutiny. A will alone, he stresses, is not enough—it cannot avoid probate, protect privacy, or provide the level of tax efficiency that most high-net-worth families need. Trusts take center stage as the cornerstone of smart estate planning. Kenner highlights powerful strategies like credit shelter trusts and bypass trusts, which can legally shield assets from estate taxes when structured properly and established early enough to meet IRS rules. Tax efficiency is a recurring theme throughout the discussion. Kenner explains estate taxes, inheritance taxes, and how gross and net estate values are calculated—factoring in debts, expenses, and administrative costs. Life insurance is presented as a strategic tool, especially for larger estates, with a breakdown of survivorship policies, first-to-die policies, and advanced structures like ILITs that can remove insurance proceeds from taxable estates altogether. Charitable planning and advanced strategies round out the conversation. Charitable remainder trusts and charitable lead trusts are explored as options for charitably inclined individuals who also want income, capital gains relief, or tax deductions. Kenner emphasizes that charitable trusts should be driven by genuine philanthropic intent—not just tax avoidance—while still acknowledging their powerful financial benefits when used correctly. The core message is simple but urgent: act now, not later. Through VastSolutionsGroup.com and the newly merged Vast Asset Defense team, Kenner offers a true one-stop shop—integrating tax strategy, finance, AI, asset protection, and estate planning under one roof. Takeaways• Estate planning is essential for everyone, especially as we age.• The goals of estate planning include minimizing confusion and taxes.• Wills do not avoid probate and can expose assets to public scrutiny.• Regular updates to estate plans are crucial, ideally every three to five years.• Trusts can provide significant tax benefits and protect assets.• Estate taxes can significantly impact the distribution of wealth.• Life insurance plays a vital role in estate planning and tax reduction.• Choosing beneficiaries requires careful consideration to avoid complications.• Planning early can optimize the amount passed to heirs.• Consulting with professionals is key to effective estate planning.Sound Bites• Do estate planning before it's too late.• A will cannot avoid probate.• Choosing beneficiaries can be tricky.Listen & Subscribe for More:

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3399: Jesse Cramer breaks down the essentials of estate planning with clarity and a touch of humor, demystifying a topic many avoid until it's too late. Learn how to protect your loved ones, reduce tax burdens, and ensure your assets are handled exactly the way you want, no matter your age or life stage. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://bestinterest.blog/estate-planning-101/ Quotes to ponder: “Estate planning is almost always done with an attorney. CFP financial planners are frequently involved, too.” “Why set up a trust? It might be to ensure your wishes are followed post-death. Or to reduce tax burden.” “Keep the documents safe! Store a copy of your estate plan in a safe place.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3399: Jesse Cramer breaks down the essentials of estate planning with clarity and a touch of humor, demystifying a topic many avoid until it's too late. Learn how to protect your loved ones, reduce tax burdens, and ensure your assets are handled exactly the way you want, no matter your age or life stage. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://bestinterest.blog/estate-planning-101/ Quotes to ponder: “Estate planning is almost always done with an attorney. CFP financial planners are frequently involved, too.” “Why set up a trust? It might be to ensure your wishes are followed post-death. Or to reduce tax burden.” “Keep the documents safe! Store a copy of your estate plan in a safe place.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. Virgin Islands formally ended its civil racketeering (CICO) lawsuit against Jeffrey Epstein's estate in late 2022 after reaching a $105 million settlement, marking the close of one of the most aggressive legal efforts to hold his operation accountable. The lawsuit had accused Epstein's estate of operating a criminal enterprise under the federal RICO framework—alleging that his private island, Little St. James, was used as a hub for sex trafficking, coercion, and the movement of victims across international lines. The territory's Attorney General's Office argued that Epstein's vast web of shell companies and real estate holdings were tools to facilitate and conceal illegal activity, effectively turning the U.S. Virgin Islands into the epicenter of his trafficking operation. By ending the case, the territory secured both financial restitution and the right to pursue claims against co-conspirators and associated entities.While the settlement concluded the direct case against the Epstein estate, it left open the possibility of continued investigations into those who helped enable his crimes within the islands' jurisdiction. The deal required the estate to sell Epstein's island properties and distribute funds to survivors, with part of the proceeds going to local anti-trafficking initiatives. In public statements, the U.S. Virgin Islands government characterized the resolution as a “victory for justice,” though critics noted that it avoided full discovery and depositions that might have exposed more about Epstein's powerful network. The case's conclusion symbolized a pragmatic end to litigation—but also reinforced a lingering frustration: even in death, Epstein managed to settle before the full truth ever reached open court.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3399: Jesse Cramer breaks down the essentials of estate planning with clarity and a touch of humor, demystifying a topic many avoid until it's too late. Learn how to protect your loved ones, reduce tax burdens, and ensure your assets are handled exactly the way you want, no matter your age or life stage. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://bestinterest.blog/estate-planning-101/ Quotes to ponder: “Estate planning is almost always done with an attorney. CFP financial planners are frequently involved, too.” “Why set up a trust? It might be to ensure your wishes are followed post-death. Or to reduce tax burden.” “Keep the documents safe! Store a copy of your estate plan in a safe place.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A break in & assault at a Montecito Mansion owned by Beanie Baby founder Ty Warner - leaves a woman brutally beaten into a coma. Now, the deranged home invader claims pop star Katy Perry ordered the attack at the estate. A food fight between siblings leads to one being cuffed, the other fighting for his life. Plus, Luigi Mangione in a 'jam' this Christmas. Jennifer Gould reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Merry Christmas! In between looking at houses to rent and packing up the Granger house in Oklahoma City, Nick and John put together this yuletide conversation about perhaps the most neglected of Rowling's influences, Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle. John was a reluctant reader, but, while listening to the audio book, reading the Gutenberg.com file on his computer, and digging the codex out of his packed boxes of books, the author of Harry Potter's Bookshelf was totally won over to Nick's enthusiasm for Castle.In fact, John now argues that, even if Rowling didn't read it until she was writing Goblet of Fire as some have claimed, I Capture the Castle may be the best single book to understand what it is that Rowling-Galbraith attempts to do in her fiction. Just as Dodie Smith has her characters explain overtly and the story itself delivers covertly, When Rowling writes a story, like Smith it is inevitably one that is a marriage of Bronte and Austen, wonderfully accessible and engaging, but with important touches in the ‘Enigmatist' style of Joyce and Nabokov, full of puzzles and twists in the fashion of God's creative work (from the Estecean logos within every man [John 1:9] continuous with the Logos) rather than a portrait of creation per se. Can you say ‘non liturgical Sacred Art'?And if you accept, per Nick's cogent argument, that Rowling read Castle many times as a young wannabe writer? Then this book becomes a touchstone of both Lake and Shed readings of Rowling's work — and Smith one of the the most important influences on The Presence.Merry Christmas, again, to all our faithful readers and listeners! Thank you for your prayers and notes of support and encouragement to John and for making 2025 a benchmark year at Hogwarts Professor. And just you wait for the exciting surprises we have in hand for 2026!Hogwarts Professor is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.The Twelve Questions and ‘Links Down Below' Referred to in Nick and John's I Capture the Castle Conversation:Question 1. So, Nick, we spoke during our Aurora Leigh recording about your long term project to read all the books that Rowling has admitted to have read (link down below!), first question why? and secondly how is that going?Rowling's Admitted Literary InfluencesWhat I want is a single internet page reference, frankly, of ‘Rowling's Admitted Literary Influences' or ‘Confessed Favorites' or just ‘Books I have Read and Liked' for my thesis writing so I needn't do an information dump that will add fifty-plus citations to my Works Cited pages and do nothing for the argument I'm making.Here, then, is my best attempt at a collection, one in alphabetical order by last name of author cited, with a link to at least one source or interview in which Rowling is quoted as liking that writer. It is not meant as anything like a comprehensive gathering of Rowling's comments about any author; the Austen entry alone would be longer than the whole list should be if I went that route. Each author gets one, maybe two notes just to justify their entry on the list.‘A Rowling Reading of Aurora Leigh' Nick Jeffery Talking about ‘A Rowling Reading of Aurora Leigh' Question 2. ... which has led me to three works that she has read from the point of view of writers starting out, and growing in their craft. Which leads us to this series of three chats covering Aurora Leigh by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith and the Little Women series by Louisa May Alcott. I read Castle during the summer. Amid all the disruptions at Granger Towers, have you managed to read it yet? How did you find it?Capturing Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle: Elizabeth Baird-Hardy (October 2011)Certain elements of the story will certainly resonate with those of us who have been to Hogwarts a fair few times: a castle with an odd combination of ancient and modern elements, but no electricity; eccentric family members who are all loved despite their individual oddities (including Topaz's resemblance to Fleur Delacour); travel by train; a character named Rose who may have been one of the reasons Rowling chose the name for Ron and Hermione's daughter; descriptions of food that make even somewhat questionable British cuisine sound tasty; and inanimate objects that have their own personalities (the old dress frame, which Rose and Cassandra call Miss Blossom, is voiced by Cassandra and sounds much like the talking mirror in Harry's room at the Leaky Caldron).But far more than some similar pieces, I Capture the Castle lends something less tangible to Rowling's writing. The novel has a tone that, like the Hogwarts adventures, seamlessly winds together the comic and the crushing in a way that is reflective of life, particularly life as we see it when we are younger. Cassandra's voice is, indeed, engaging, and readers will no doubt see how the narrative voice of Harry's story has some of the same features.A J. K. Rowling Reading of I Capture the Castle: Nick Jeffery (December 2025)Parallels abound for Potter fans. The Mortmain's eccentric household mirrors the Weasleys' chaotic warmth: loved despite quirks, from Topaz's nude communing with nature (evoking a less veiled Fleur Delacour) to Mortmain's intellectual withdrawal. Food descriptions—meagre yet tantalising—prefigure Hogwarts feasts, turning humble meals into sensory delights. Inanimate objects gain voice: the family dress-frame “Miss Blossom” offers advice, akin to the chatty mirrors or portraits in Rowling's world. Even names resonate—Rose Mortmain perhaps inspiring Ron and Hermione's daughter—and train journeys punctuate the plot.The Blocked Writer: James Mortmain, a father who spent his fame early and now reads detective novels in an irritable stupor, mirrors the “faded glory” or “lost genius” archetypes seen in Rowling's secondary characters, such as Xenophilius Lovegood and Jasper Chiswell.The Bohemian Stepmother: Topaz, who strides through the countryside in only wellington boots, shares the whimsical, slightly unhinged energy of a character like Luna Lovegood or Fleur Delacour.Material Yearning: The desperate desire of Cassandra's sister, Rose, to marry into wealth reflects the very real, non-magical pressures of class and poverty that Rowling weaves into Harry Potter, Casual Vacancy, Strike and The Ickabog.Leda Strike parallels: Leda Fox-Cotton the bohemian London photographer, adopts Stephen, the working-class orphan, and saves him from both unrequited love and the responsibility that comes with the Mortmain family.Question 3. [story of finishing the book last night by candle light in my electricity free castle] So, in short Nick, I thought it astonishing! I didn't read your piece until I'd finished reading Capture, of course, but I see there is some dispute about when Rowling first read it and its consequent influence on her as a writer. Can you bring us up to speed on the subject and where you land on this controversy?* She First Read It on her Prisoner of Azkaban Tour of United States?tom saysOctober 21, 2011 at 4:00 amIf I recall correctly, Rowling did not encounter this book until 1999 (between PoA & Goblet) when, on a book tour, a fan gave her a copy. This is pertinent to any speculation about how ‘Castle' might have influenced the Potter series.* Rowling Website: “Books I Read and Re-Read as a Child”Question 4. Which, when you consider the other books on that virtual bookshelf -- works by Colette, Austen, Shakespeare, Goudge, Nesbit, and Sewell's Black Beauty, something of a ‘Rowling's Favorite Books and Authors as a Young Reader' collection, I think we have to assume she is saying, “I read this book as a child or adolescent and loved it.” Taking that as our jumping off place, John, and having read my piece, do you wish you had read it before writing Harry Potter's Bookshelf?Harry Potter's Bookshelf: The Great Books behind the Hogwarts Adventures John Granger 2009Literary Allusion in Harry Potter Beatrice Groves 2017Question 5. So, yes, I certainly do think it belongs -- with Aurora Leigh and Little Women -- on the ‘Rowling Reader Essential Reading List.' The part I thought most interesting in your piece was, of course, the Shed elements I missed. Rowling famously said that she loved Jo Marsh in Little Women because, in addition to the shared name and the character being a wannabe writer, she was plain, a characteristic with which the young, plain Jane Rowling easily identified. What correspondences do you think Little Jo would have found between her life and Cassandra Mortmain's?* Nick Jeffery's Kanreki discussion of Rowling's House on Edge of Estate with Two Children, Bad Dad ‘Golden Thread' (Lethal White)Question 6. Have I missed any, John?* Rockefeller Chapel, University of ChicagoQuestion 7. Forgive me for thinking, Nick, that Cassandra's time in church taking in the silence there with all her senses may be the biggest take-away for the young Rowling; if the Church of England left their chapel doors open in the 70s as churches I grew up in did in the US, it's hard to imagine Jo the Reader not running next door to see what she felt there after reading that passage. (Chapter 13, conversation with vicar, pp 234-238). The correspondence with Beatrice Groves' favorite scene in the Strike novels was fairly plain, no? What other scenes and characters do you see in Rowling's work that echo those in Castle?* Chapter 13, I Capture the Castle: Cassandra's Conversation with the Vicar and time in the Chapel vis a vis Strike in the Chapel after Charlotte's Death* Beatrice Groves on Running Grave's Chapel Scene: ‘Strike's Church Going'Question 8. I'm guessing, John, you found some I have overlooked?Question 9. The Mortmain, Colly, and Cotton cryptonyms as well as Topaz and Cassandra, the embedded text complete with intratextuual references (Simon on psycho-analysis), the angelic servant-orphan living under the stairs (or Dobby's lair!) an orphan with a secret power he cannot see in himself, the great Transformation spell the children cast on their father, an experiment in psychomachia a la the Shrieking Shack or Chamber of Secrets, the hand-kiss we see at story's end from Smith, love delayed but expressed (Silkworm finish?), the haunting sense of the supernatural everywhere especially in the invocation that Rose makes to the gargoyle and Cassandra's Midsummer Night's Eve ritual with Simon, the parallels abound. Ghosts!* Please note that John gave “cotton” a different idiomatic meaning than it has; the correct meaning is at least as interesting given the Cotton family's remarkable fondness for all of the Mortmains!* Kanreki ‘Embedded Text' Golden Thread discussion 1: Crimes of Grindelwald* Kanreki ‘Embedded Text' Golden Thread discussion 2: Golden Thread Survey, Part II* Rose makes an elevated Faustian prayer to a Gargoyle Devil: Chapter IV, pp 43-46* Cassandra and Simon celebrate Midsummer Night's Eve: Chapter XII, pp 199-224Let's talk about the intersection of Lake and Shed, though, the shared space of Rowling's bibliography, works that shaped her core beliefs and act as springs in her Lake of inspiration and which give her many, even most of the tools of intentional artistry she deploys in the Shed. What did you make of the Bronte-Austen challenge that Rose makes explicitly in the story to her sister, the writer and avid reader?“How I wish I lived in a Jane Austen novel.” [said Rose]I said I'd rather be in a Charlotte Bronte.“Which would be nicest—Jane with a touch of Charlotte, or Charlotte with a touch of Jane?”This is the kind of discussion I like very much but I wanted to get on with my journal, so I just said: “Fifty percent each way would be perfect,” and started to write determinedly.Question 10. So, I'm deferring to both Elizabeth Barrett Browning and J. K Rowling. Elizabeth Barrett Browning valued intense emotion, social commentary, and a grand scope in literature, which led her to favour the passionate depth of the Brontës over the more restrained, ironical style of Jane Austen. Rowling about her two dogs: “Emma? She's a bundle of love and joy. Her sister, Bronte, is a bundle of opinions, stubbornness and hard boundaries.”Set in the 30s, written in the early 40s, but it seems astonishingly modern. Because her father is a writer, a literary novelist of the modern school, do you think there are other more contemporary novelists Dodie Smith was engaging than Austen and Bronte?Question 11. Mortmain is definitely Joyce, then, though Proust gets the call-out, and perhaps the most important possible take-away Rowling the attentive young reader would have made would have been Smith's embedded admiration for Joyce the “Enigmatist” she puts in Simon's mouth at story's end (Chapter XVI, pp 336-337) and her implicit criticism of literary novels and correction of that failing. Rowling's re-invention of the Schoolboy novel with its hidden alchemical, chiastic, soul-in-crisis-allegories and embedded Christian symbolism can all be seen as her brilliant interpretation of Simon's explanation of art to Cassandra and her dedication to writing a book like I Capture the Castle.* Reference to James Joyce by Simon Cotton, Chapter IX, p 139:* The Simon and Cassandra conversation about her father's novels, call it ‘The Writer as Enigmatist imitating God in His Work:' Chapter XVI, pp 331-334* On Imagination as Transpersonal Faculty and Non-Liturgical Sacred ArtSacred art differs from modern and postmodern conceptions of art most specifically, though, in what it is representing. Sacred art is not representing the natural world as the senses perceive it or abstractions of what the individual and subjective mind “sees,” but is an imitation of the Divine art of creation. The artist “therefore imitates nature not in its external forms but in its manner of operation as asserted so categorically by St. Thomas Aquinas [who] insists that the artist must not imitate nature but must be accomplished in ‘imitating nature in her manner of operation'” (Nasr 2007, 206, cf. “Art is the imitation of Nature in her manner of operation: Art is the principle of manufacture” (Summa Theologia Q. 117, a. I). Schuon described naturalist art which imitates God's creation in nature by faithful depiction of it, consequently, as “clearly luciferian.” “Man must imitate the creative act, not the thing created,” Aquinas' “manner of operation” rather than God's operation manifested in created things in order to produce ‘creations'which are not would-be duplications of those of God, but rather a reflection of them according to a real analogy, revealing the transcendental aspect of things; and this revelation is the only sufficient reason of art, apart from any practical uses such and such objects may serve. There is here a metaphysical inversion of relation [the inverse analogy connecting the principial and manifested orders in consequence of which the highest realities are manifested in their remotest reflections[1]]: for God, His creature is a reflection or an ‘exteriorized' aspect of Himself; for the artist, on the contrary, the work is a reflection of an inner reality of which he himself is only an outward aspect; God creates His own image, while man, so to speak, fashions his own essence, at least symbolically. On the principial plane, the inner manifests the outer, but on the manifested plane, the outer fashions the inner (Schuon 1953, 81, 96).The traditional artist, then, in imitation of God's “exteriorizing” His interior Logos in the manifested space-time plane, that is, nature, instead of depicting imitations of nature in his craft, submits to creating within the revealed forms of his craft, which forms qua intellections correspond to his inner essence or logos.[2] The work produced in imitation of God's “manner of operation” then resembles the symbolic or iconographic quality of everything existent in being a transparency whose allegorical and anagogical content within its traditional forms is relatively easy to access and a consequent support and edifying shock-reminder to man on his spiritual journey. The spiritual function of art is that “it exteriorizes truths and beauties in view of our interiorization… or simply, so that the human soul might, through given phenomena, make contact with the heavenly archetypes, and thereby with its own archetype” (Schuon 1995a, 45-46).Rowling in her novels, crafted with tools all taken from the chest of a traditional Sacred Artist, is writing non-liturgical Sacred Art. Films and all the story experiences derived of adaptations of imaginative literature to screened images, are by necessity Profane Art, which is to say per the meaning of “profane,” outside the temple or not edifying spiritually. Film making is the depiction of how human beings encounter the time-space world through the senses, not an imitation of how God creates and a depiction of the spiritual aspect of the world, a liminal point of entry to its spiritual dimension. Whence my describing it as a “neo-iconoclasm.”I want to close this off with our sharing our favorite scene or conversation in Castle with the hope that our Serious Reader audience will read Capture and share their favorites. You go first, Nick.* Cassandra and Rose Mortmain, country hicks in the Big City of London: Chapter VI, pp 76-77Question 12. And yours, John?* Cassandra Mortmain ‘Moat Swimming' with Neil Cotton, Chapter X, 170-174* Cassandra seeing her dead mother (think Harry before the Mirror of Erised at Christmas time?): Chapter XV, pp 306-308Hogwarts Professor 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 hogwartsprofessor.substack.com/subscribe

The Epstein estate tried to shut down the lawsuit Ghislaine Maxwell filed against it by arguing that her claims were legally baseless and strategically opportunistic. Maxwell had sued the estate seeking reimbursement for legal fees and protection she claimed Epstein had promised her, but the executors countered that no such binding agreement existed. They portrayed her demand for indemnification as both speculative and self-serving, especially given her criminal conviction and the mountain of evidence tying her to Epstein's trafficking operation. In their view, Maxwell was attempting to shift responsibility for her own conduct onto a dead man's estate that already faced enormous financial pressure from survivor settlements and ongoing litigation.To reinforce their position, the estate argued that Maxwell's lawsuit was essentially an effort to rewrite history—attempting to cast herself as someone entitled to Epstein's financial shield despite her central role in enabling his crimes. They emphasized that the estate had no obligation to fund her defense, especially when her actions were outside the scope of any legitimate employment or partnership and were, instead, criminal in nature. The executors also noted that satisfying Maxwell's claims would siphon money away from compensation intended for survivors, contradicting the estate's publicly stated commitments. Ultimately, their motion to dismiss framed Maxwell's lawsuit as a legally flimsy maneuver designed to grab resources she was never owed and to distance herself from the consequences of her own conduct.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

What happens to your legacy when your wishes aren’t clearly planned—or when life throws unexpected changes your way? This episode of Financial Straight Talk with Jim Fox dives into the complexities of wills, trusts, and beneficiary decisions, revealing why legacy planning is never “one and done.” Learn how family dynamics, changing relationships, and overlooked details can derail your intentions. Discover why a true financial plan goes beyond products and investments, and why ongoing communication is key to ensuring your money does what you want—now and for generations to come. Ready to connect with Jim today? Get some Financial Straight Talk! Follow us on social media: YouTube | FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Behind the heels and handbags lies a story rarely told in property. Estate agent Sharon Carter from East Anglia shares the unseen challenges of being a single woman in the UK property world, from loneliness after long viewings to the quiet resilience required to keep going. Raw, honest, and long overdue, this conversation explores mental health, self worth, and finding peace in the everyday.

 THE UNRAVELING OF THE STRONG MARRIAGE Colleague Barbara Weisberg. Weisberg details the unraveling of the Strong marriage as Mary grows restless at the Waverly estate. Amidst the onset of the Civil War, Mary begins an affair with Peter's brother, Edward, who is grieving his own wife. The segment ends tragically with the death of Mary's young daughter. NUMBER 6

Streaming was supposed to save us money. Instead, it quietly rebuilt cable… with better branding and worse self-control. Don and Tom trace the journey from rabbit-ear TV to today's subscription sprawl, where “it's only $14 a month” quietly becomes hundreds per year. They break down why streaming costs have exploded faster than inflation, how duplication and inertia drain wallets, and what actually works to fix it (bundling, pruning, and strategic binge-and-cancel). From there, the show pivots to listener questions covering smart investing for an 18-year-old, retirement withdrawal sequencing, trust and estate planning pitfalls, and why complexity is often the real enemy of good financial decisions. 0:04 Life before streaming: rabbit ears, three channels, and forced family labor 0:48 Rewatching Bewitched and realizing old TV was… not great 2:27 Cable's rise, early streaming optimism, and Netflix's cheap beginnings 3:30 Subscription creep: listing the modern streaming pileup 4:16 Streaming prices vs inflation — why this hurts more than groceries 6:43 Average household streaming costs and the real percentage increase 8:21 Duplicate subscriptions and why households overpay without realizing it 9:37 Live TV bundles, YouTube TV vs Hulu, and paying cable prices again 12:30 Binge-and-cancel as a legitimate cost-control strategy 14:02 Value judgments: paying for services you don't actually watch 15:20 Annual audits, forgotten subscriptions, and silent monthly leaks 18:17 Investing $9,000 for an 18-year-old with decades ahead 19:20 Why a Roth IRA plus one global ETF can be enough 20:53 Retirement withdrawals: taxable vs IRA confusion clarified 22:45 When wealth gets big enough that DIY stops making sense 24:00 Trusts, trustees, and why professional oversight is expensive 27:15 Estate planning as a team sport (advisor + attorney) 29:33 Why every TV character is suddenly a podcaster 30:49 Gratitude, rankings, and why the audience matters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Primavera, estate, autunno, inverno: le stagioni scandiscono la nostra vita. Ma perché esistono? E chi decide quando iniziano e finiscono? In questo video rispondiamo a una domanda che spesso diamo per scontata: perché ci sono le stagioni. Scopriremo, insieme a Giorgia Giulia, che non dipendono dalla distanza tra la Terra e il Sole, ma dall'inclinazione dell'asse terrestre, di circa 23,5 gradi, e dal modo in cui il nostro pianeta orbita attorno al Sole nel corso dell'anno. Vedremo cosa succede quando l'emisfero nord o sud è inclinato verso il Sole, come cambiano la durata del giorno e della notte e perché questo dà origine alle stagioni, ai solstizi e agli equinozi. E capiremo anche perché, nelle zone equatoriali e ai poli, le stagioni non sono quattro come da noi. Prendi parte alla nostra Membership per supportare il nostro progetto Missione Cultura e diventare mecenate di Geopop: https://geopop.it/ngCbN Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling the pressure of mum guilt while building your property career? In this episode, Belvoir franchisee Patsy Day from Norfolk and Suffolk shares her journey of balancing family life with a demanding estate agency career. She opens up about sacrifices, support networks, and thriving in a male dominated industry, offering honest insights and practical advice for juggling ambition, motherhood, and resilience. Join the conversation and share your experiences.

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE! What was meant to be a routine paranormal investigation quickly became something far more disturbing. In their new book, Haunting of Emery Estate, Rob Gutro and Monique Toosoon recount their investigation into one of the area's most notorious locations. What they encountered inside Emery Estate wasn't a single presence—but three distinctly different spirits, each leaving behind a very different impression. The first was a young boy, whose presence carried both sorrow and longing. The second seemed bound to an object, its energy anchored to something from the past. And then there was the third—an entity whose arrival shifted the atmosphere entirely, replacing curiosity with unease and fear. Today on The Grave Talks, we sit down with Rob and Monique to explore what unfolded during that investigation, how the experience escalated, and what it means when an investigation crosses from observation into something far more personal. Some hauntings reveal stories. Others reveal warnings. This is Part Two of our conversation. “Haunting of Emery Estate” is available on Amazon or wherever books are sold. For more information, you can visit Rob's website at robgutro.com or Monique's website, moniquetoosoon.com. #EmeryEstate #HauntedInvestigation #ParanormalBooks #TrueParanormal #GhostEncounters #HauntedPlaces #TheGraveTalks #DarkEntities #RealHauntings  Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE! What was meant to be a routine paranormal investigation quickly became something far more disturbing. In their new book, Haunting of Emery Estate, Rob Gutro and Monique Toosoon recount their investigation into one of the area's most notorious locations. What they encountered inside Emery Estate wasn't a single presence—but three distinctly different spirits, each leaving behind a very different impression. The first was a young boy, whose presence carried both sorrow and longing. The second seemed bound to an object, its energy anchored to something from the past. And then there was the third—an entity whose arrival shifted the atmosphere entirely, replacing curiosity with unease and fear. Today on The Grave Talks, we sit down with Rob and Monique to explore what unfolded during that investigation, how the experience escalated, and what it means when an investigation crosses from observation into something far more personal. Some hauntings reveal stories. Others reveal warnings. “Haunting of Emery Estate” is available on Amazon or wherever books are sold. For more information, you can visit Rob's website at robgutro.com or Monique's website, moniquetoosoon.com. #EmeryEstate #HauntedInvestigation #ParanormalBooks #TrueParanormal #GhostEncounters #HauntedPlaces #TheGraveTalks #DarkEntities #RealHauntings  Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

Single Estate whiskies are made from grain grown at or close to a distillery, and there's a new coalition of distillers joined by the University of Kentucky to promote so-called "estate whiskies." The Estate Whiskey Alliance is made up of farm distilleries all the way up to Maker's Mark, which is growing all of the grain for its Star Hill Farm whiskies on-site. We'll talk with leaders of the Alliance on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, the Jim Beam Distillery in Kentucky will be shut down for all of 2026, leaving some distillery workers in doubt about their jobs heading into the holidays. 

Attorney Bradley Edwards, who has represented over 200 victims of Jeffrey Epstein, revealed that a so-called "birthday book" given to Epstein for his 50th birthday—including an allegedly suggestive letter from Donald Trump—is in the possession of Epstein's estate. Edwards said multiple victims, and even Ghislaine Maxwell, were involved in assembling the book and that its existence was “an absolute fact.” He added that the executors of Epstein's estate would readily comply with a congressional subpoena to produce the book, calling it a critical piece of evidence that could settle questions about what exactly is inside—such as whether there truly is a Trump-signed card with risqué artwork.Edwards emphasized its potential significance, saying the item could aid victims' healing and “go down in history” as an artifact revealing who Epstein considered close to him. He noted the book may also include letters from Epstein's family and other content that could unearth details about the broader network around him. His comments have prompted Rep. Ro Khanna to push for a congressional subpoena to obtain the book. Meanwhile, Trump has denied sending any erotic letter and has filed a defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, which first reported on the book's existence.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Bombshell Claim on Who Is Hiding Epstein's Birthday BookBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

In late 2022, the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) reached a landmark settlement with the estate of Jeffrey Epstein to resolve its civil racketeering claims under the territory's Criminally Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (CICO), which is similar to a RICO statute. The government, led by then-Attorney General Denise George, had argued that Epstein's estate and associated entities used his properties and corporate structures in the territory as tools in a criminal enterprise that enabled sex trafficking, sexual servitude, and fraud. Under the settlement, the estate agreed to pay $105 million in cash and turn over half of the proceeds from the sale of Little St. James — Epstein's infamous private island where many crimes allegedly occurred — to the USVI. The agreement also included payment of roughly $450,000 for environmental remediation on another Epstein-owned island, and the estate pledged to wind down operations in the territory and provide documents to assist ongoing investigations. No admission of liability was made by the estate or its co-executors.As part of the settlement framework, the USVI government earmarked proceeds to benefit survivors and the territory more broadly. Funds from the island sale were designated for a trust to support local victims of sexual abuse, trafficking, and misconduct, as well as for counseling, advocacy, law enforcement, and public safety programs. The settlement also required the return of more than $80 million in economic development tax benefits that Epstein's companies had allegedly fraudulently obtained to fuel his enterprise. While the deal brought one major chapter of litigation to a close, some observers noted that it concluded without full discovery or depositions that might have further exposed details of Epstein's network and enablers — a point of lingering frustration among critics despite the financial restitution achieved.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

This is a home for fans where Lisa Marie Presley's memory is cherished. The LMFP Fan Tribe is hosted by one of the most dedicated voices in the community: Hosted by Jacob from the Lisa Marie Presley Fan Club Tune in for heartfelt discussions, deep dives into her remarkable life, and a celebration of her enduring legacy. I promise to keep the light of Lisa Marie shining brightly.This podcast is not affiliated with EPE, ABG, or Lisa Marie Presley's Estate.

Russell & Robert meet Barbara Dawson for a behind the scenes visit to Francis Bacon's Studio, installed in Dublin's iconic Hugh Lane Gallery. The gallery is currently closed to the public for major renovations so we thought it would be a great opportunity to bring the studio and galleries to life with this exclusive audio tour, while closed to public. A visit to Francis Bacon's Studio at Hugh Lane Gallery gives you a unique opportunity to experience the working process of one of the twentieth century's greatest artists.Born in Dublin in 1909, Bacon grew up in county Kildare. He left home at the age of sixteen and eventually settled in London where he established himself as one of the leading international artists of his generation. Bacon moved into 7 Reece Mews, London, in 1961 where he lived and worked until his death in 1992.In 1998, director Barbara Dawson secured the donation of Francis Bacon's studio from the artist's heir, John Edwards, and Brian Clarke, executor of the Estate of Francis Bacon. Her vision was to remove the entire studio including all of the items without exception, as well as the architectural features, and relocate the studio as it was, to the Hugh Lane Gallery.In the August of that year, as project manager, she assembled a team of conservators, curators, and archaeologists to carry out the move. The archaeologists made survey and elevation drawings of the small studio, mapping out the spaces and locations of all the objects, while the conservators prepared the works for travel and curators tagged and packed each of the items, including the dust. The walls, doors floor and ceiling were also removed.Follow @TheHughLane and visit: https://hughlane.ie/arts_artists/francis-bacons-studio/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief with The Guardian, after the release of more images related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Marla and Ron talk ghosts with author and psychic Rob Gutro. Who haunts the Emery Estate & Linville, tune in and find out!

A federal court denied then–U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Denise George's request to freeze the Epstein estate's bank accounts after determining that the extraordinary relief she sought was not supported by the procedural posture of the case. George argued that an immediate freeze was necessary to prevent the dissipation of assets while the territory pursued civil enforcement claims tied to Epstein's sex trafficking operation. The court, however, found that the request did not meet the high legal threshold required for such an action, emphasizing concerns about due process and the absence of a sufficient showing that assets were in imminent danger of being improperly transferred or concealed.The denial had significant consequences for the USVI's broader strategy. Without a freeze in place, the estate retained control over its funds as litigation continued, allowing money to flow toward legal fees, administration costs, and the victims' compensation program. Critics argued that the ruling weakened the territory's leverage and accelerated the depletion of resources that could have supported deeper discovery and enforcement. For George, the decision became emblematic of the systemic barriers facing efforts to aggressively pursue Epstein's estate, reinforcing her claim that legal and institutional structures consistently favored containment and closure over transparency and accountability.to  contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

The Epstein estate tried to shut down the lawsuit Ghislaine Maxwell filed against it by arguing that her claims were legally baseless and strategically opportunistic. Maxwell had sued the estate seeking reimbursement for legal fees and protection she claimed Epstein had promised her, but the executors countered that no such binding agreement existed. They portrayed her demand for indemnification as both speculative and self-serving, especially given her criminal conviction and the mountain of evidence tying her to Epstein's trafficking operation. In their view, Maxwell was attempting to shift responsibility for her own conduct onto a dead man's estate that already faced enormous financial pressure from survivor settlements and ongoing litigation.To reinforce their position, the estate argued that Maxwell's lawsuit was essentially an effort to rewrite history—attempting to cast herself as someone entitled to Epstein's financial shield despite her central role in enabling his crimes. They emphasized that the estate had no obligation to fund her defense, especially when her actions were outside the scope of any legitimate employment or partnership and were, instead, criminal in nature. The executors also noted that satisfying Maxwell's claims would siphon money away from compensation intended for survivors, contradicting the estate's publicly stated commitments. Ultimately, their motion to dismiss framed Maxwell's lawsuit as a legally flimsy maneuver designed to grab resources she was never owed and to distance herself from the consequences of her own conduct.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

Episode Reprise We're excited to bring back this timely conversation as business owners focus on year-end planning and tax strategy. This episode remains especially relevant right now, and we're thrilled to reshare these insights from the team at John A. Knutson & Co. for anyone preparing for a future transition. -In this episode of Poised for Exit, we're joined by Cindy Mclagan and Jonathon Lansink from John A. Knutson & Co., PLLP. We sit down for an insightful conversation on estate and tax planning for business owners preparing to exit!Jonathon and Cindy address why proactive estate and tax strategies are critical for protecting generational wealth and ensuring smooth business transitions. From the use of trusts and gifting strategies to navigating the complexities of estate tax law, this episode is packed with practical advice for owners, advisors, and financial professionals alike.Our conversation covers how to properly fund trusts, the role of irrevocable trusts in real estate planning, and the value of building a collaborative team that includes CPAs, attorneys, and financial advisors. Additionally, Jonathon and Cindy also touch on the challenges of generational family businesses and best practices for onboarding estate planning clients.If you're advising clients or preparing your own business for a future transition, this episode delivers grounded, actionable insights to help you plan ahead with clarity and confidence.Connect with Julie Keyes, Keyestrategies LLCFounder, Consultant, Author, Pod-caster and Instructor

Case Law Update   •          Dominique Bellamy, Personal Representative of the Estate of Ericka Bellamy v Citizens United Reciprocal Exch, unpublished opinion per curiam of the Court of Appeals, issued November 17, 2025 (Docket No. 371648) •          Phase One Rehab, LLC v Allstate Prop & Cas Ins Co, ___ Mich App ___ (2025) (Docket No. 369413)   Trending Topics in PIP Litigation   •          Effect of Related Tort Claims on PIP Benefits Under MCL 500.3116 •          Sharon Call and James Call and Frankenmuth Ins Co v L & KJ Enterprises, LLC d/b/a Family Tire Service of Manistee, ___ Mich App ___ (2025)(Docket No. 366229)

The final Bourbon Bytes Podcast episode of 2025 is here, and it's a big one. In this episode, Clifton wraps up the year with honest reflections on the future of Bourbon Bytes, the bourbon industry heading into 2026, and a "Byte-Sized Review" of the brand-new Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Cask Strength Bourbon. Willett is one of the most polarizing names in whiskey, and this new four-year-old, cask strength release has sparked plenty of debate. Is it a promising step forward for Willett's own distillate, or does the price and presentation lean too hard on hype? Clifton breaks down the nose, palate, finish, value, and expectations while also sharing broader thoughts on availability, pricing, and what bourbon drinkers may see more of in the coming year. Whiskey news, honest reviews, and real talk to close out 2025. Cheers, and see you in 2026

AP correspondent Ed Donahue reports on the release of more Jeffrey Epstein photos.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Mark Mascarenhas. Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to educate listeners—especially entrepreneurs, small business owners, and aspiring millionaires—on financial planning, wealth management, and risk mitigation strategies. It emphasizes the importance of discipline, clarity, and professional guidance in achieving financial success and sustaining wealth across generations. Key Takeaways Financial Planning is Foundational A written financial plan is the first step before any investment portfolio is built. Success is defined individually—financial, health, or lifestyle goals. Diversification & Risk Management Digital assets like Bitcoin should only make up 2–3% of a portfolio for high-net-worth clients with high risk tolerance. Fear and greed drive markets; advisors help clients maintain discipline. Long-Term Care & Insurance Planning for long-term care is essential, typically starting in your 50s. Term life insurance early locks in health; whole life policies provide stability and living benefits. Tax Strategy Use tax-loss harvesting, asset location strategies, and estate planning to minimize tax burdens. Estate planning focuses on transferring wealth tax-efficiently to future generations. Millionaire Mindset Millionaires are clear, disciplined, optimistic, and collaborative. 74% of millionaires work with financial advisors vs. 34% of the general population. Power of Compounding Compounding interest is the cornerstone of wealth accumulation—requires patience and discipline. Avoid lifestyle creep and impulsive spending, especially for younger millionaires and influencers. Fiduciary Responsibility Advisors act in the client’s best interest; success is mutual. Trust and transparency are critical in client-advisor relationships. Notable Quotes On Risk & Bitcoin:“You could potentially double your money, but you could also potentially lose 70% of it.” On Financial Planning:“Every dollar needs a job description.” On Millionaire Mindset:“Successful people view us as CFOs—they’re the CEOs.” On Compounding:“If you could win 72% of the time, would you play that game? Yes. That’s the stock market.” On Retirement Success:“Living the same or better lifestyle in retirement than you do today while working.” On Fiduciary Role:“We make more money when the client makes more money.” #SHMS #BEST #STRAWSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Mark Mascarenhas. Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to educate listeners—especially entrepreneurs, small business owners, and aspiring millionaires—on financial planning, wealth management, and risk mitigation strategies. It emphasizes the importance of discipline, clarity, and professional guidance in achieving financial success and sustaining wealth across generations. Key Takeaways Financial Planning is Foundational A written financial plan is the first step before any investment portfolio is built. Success is defined individually—financial, health, or lifestyle goals. Diversification & Risk Management Digital assets like Bitcoin should only make up 2–3% of a portfolio for high-net-worth clients with high risk tolerance. Fear and greed drive markets; advisors help clients maintain discipline. Long-Term Care & Insurance Planning for long-term care is essential, typically starting in your 50s. Term life insurance early locks in health; whole life policies provide stability and living benefits. Tax Strategy Use tax-loss harvesting, asset location strategies, and estate planning to minimize tax burdens. Estate planning focuses on transferring wealth tax-efficiently to future generations. Millionaire Mindset Millionaires are clear, disciplined, optimistic, and collaborative. 74% of millionaires work with financial advisors vs. 34% of the general population. Power of Compounding Compounding interest is the cornerstone of wealth accumulation—requires patience and discipline. Avoid lifestyle creep and impulsive spending, especially for younger millionaires and influencers. Fiduciary Responsibility Advisors act in the client’s best interest; success is mutual. Trust and transparency are critical in client-advisor relationships. Notable Quotes On Risk & Bitcoin:“You could potentially double your money, but you could also potentially lose 70% of it.” On Financial Planning:“Every dollar needs a job description.” On Millionaire Mindset:“Successful people view us as CFOs—they’re the CEOs.” On Compounding:“If you could win 72% of the time, would you play that game? Yes. That’s the stock market.” On Retirement Success:“Living the same or better lifestyle in retirement than you do today while working.” On Fiduciary Role:“We make more money when the client makes more money.” #SHMS #BEST #STRAWSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Mark Mascarenhas. Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to educate listeners—especially entrepreneurs, small business owners, and aspiring millionaires—on financial planning, wealth management, and risk mitigation strategies. It emphasizes the importance of discipline, clarity, and professional guidance in achieving financial success and sustaining wealth across generations. Key Takeaways Financial Planning is Foundational A written financial plan is the first step before any investment portfolio is built. Success is defined individually—financial, health, or lifestyle goals. Diversification & Risk Management Digital assets like Bitcoin should only make up 2–3% of a portfolio for high-net-worth clients with high risk tolerance. Fear and greed drive markets; advisors help clients maintain discipline. Long-Term Care & Insurance Planning for long-term care is essential, typically starting in your 50s. Term life insurance early locks in health; whole life policies provide stability and living benefits. Tax Strategy Use tax-loss harvesting, asset location strategies, and estate planning to minimize tax burdens. Estate planning focuses on transferring wealth tax-efficiently to future generations. Millionaire Mindset Millionaires are clear, disciplined, optimistic, and collaborative. 74% of millionaires work with financial advisors vs. 34% of the general population. Power of Compounding Compounding interest is the cornerstone of wealth accumulation—requires patience and discipline. Avoid lifestyle creep and impulsive spending, especially for younger millionaires and influencers. Fiduciary Responsibility Advisors act in the client’s best interest; success is mutual. Trust and transparency are critical in client-advisor relationships. Notable Quotes On Risk & Bitcoin:“You could potentially double your money, but you could also potentially lose 70% of it.” On Financial Planning:“Every dollar needs a job description.” On Millionaire Mindset:“Successful people view us as CFOs—they’re the CEOs.” On Compounding:“If you could win 72% of the time, would you play that game? Yes. That’s the stock market.” On Retirement Success:“Living the same or better lifestyle in retirement than you do today while working.” On Fiduciary Role:“We make more money when the client makes more money.” #SHMS #BEST #STRAWSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Estate planning attorney Todd Lutsky of Cushing & Dolan joins the show for his weekly listener call-in segment and discusses the best ways to protect assets through estate planning. What are the top factors to consider when going through this process?

Meet @msmaverickmuse, vintage queen, creative powerhouse, and estate-sale treasure hunter! She and Get Thrifty host Maggie Scivicque (@podcastwithmaggie) talk Hollywood glam, turning thrift finds into opportunity, and how to be your own muse.   SHOW NOTES: Epic vintage and Hollywood glam! Tips on being your own muse! Develop a "Designer Eye" for fabrics and patterns. Estate sales are hidden treasures, especially for vintage. Don't overlook thrifted finds for resale. Her amazing brand collabs! How thrifting helped her launch her creative career in LA. How shopping secondhand can empower artists and creators financially and creatively.

Willett surprised everyone recently when they released their first ever budget friendly "purple top." The purple foil that adorns the Willett Family Estate Bourbon is nothing short of legendary, but it also typically carries a hefty price tag. So, when Willett recently released a 4 year old small batch bourbon (with a purple top) at 125 proof and an MSRP just shy of $70, it definitely turned some heads. But, how does it taste? We got to work for this short and blinded this new release against a shelfer that had a similar proof and age. How did it all turn out? Well...you have to listen to find out. --------------------------SocialsIG: https://www.instagram.com/themashupkyFB: https://www.facebook.com/themashupkyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themashupkyJoin our community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheMashUpBourbonPodcastPartnership(s)Visit Bourbonoutfitter.com and enter code THEMASHUP for a special discount or visit bourbonoutfitter.com/THEMASHUPMusic: All the Fixings by Zachariah HickmanThank you so much for listening!

The Epstein estate tried to shut down the lawsuit Ghislaine Maxwell filed against it by arguing that her claims were legally baseless and strategically opportunistic. Maxwell had sued the estate seeking reimbursement for legal fees and protection she claimed Epstein had promised her, but the executors countered that no such binding agreement existed. They portrayed her demand for indemnification as both speculative and self-serving, especially given her criminal conviction and the mountain of evidence tying her to Epstein's trafficking operation. In their view, Maxwell was attempting to shift responsibility for her own conduct onto a dead man's estate that already faced enormous financial pressure from survivor settlements and ongoing litigation.To reinforce their position, the estate argued that Maxwell's lawsuit was essentially an effort to rewrite history—attempting to cast herself as someone entitled to Epstein's financial shield despite her central role in enabling his crimes. They emphasized that the estate had no obligation to fund her defense, especially when her actions were outside the scope of any legitimate employment or partnership and were, instead, criminal in nature. The executors also noted that satisfying Maxwell's claims would siphon money away from compensation intended for survivors, contradicting the estate's publicly stated commitments. Ultimately, their motion to dismiss framed Maxwell's lawsuit as a legally flimsy maneuver designed to grab resources she was never owed and to distance herself from the consequences of her own conduct.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com

The $500 million lawsuit was filed by a woman who claimed she suffered severe and lifelong medical complications after being repeatedly raped by Epstein as a teenager. In her complaint, she alleged that Epstein knowingly infected her with HPV, which later developed into cancer requiring multiple surgeries and ongoing treatment. She argued that Epstein used his wealth, power, and manipulation to coerce her into silence while knowingly exposing her to a dangerous virus. The lawsuit framed the decades of medical trauma she endured as a direct consequence of Epstein's abuse, asserting that the estate should be held financially responsible for the staggering health and emotional costs she continued to face.The complaint also accused the Epstein estate of minimizing and concealing the extent of her injuries and the long-term consequences of Epstein's conduct, even as other survivor claims moved through the compensation fund. She argued that her damages far exceeded what the fund could offer, both because of the scale of her medical bills and the lasting impact on her quality of life. By seeking $500 million, she contended that the estate must finally acknowledge the full breadth of harm Epstein inflicted—harm that, in her case, would last for the rest of her life.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

SUBSCRIBE TO JORDAN'S FREE NEWSLETTER. PEACE TALKS: Want Jordan's advice on how to navigate relationships amid the polarizing political climate? ⁠SUBMIT YOUR DILEMMA HERE⁠. Have a GOOD NEWS story to submit? Email me at jordan@unbiasednetwork.com. Get the facts, without the spin. UNBIASED offers a clear, impartial recap of US news, including politics, elections, legal news, and more. Hosted by lawyer Jordan Berman, each episode provides a recap of current political events plus breakdowns of complex concepts—like constitutional rights, recent Supreme Court rulings, and new legislation—in an easy-to-understand way. No personal opinions, just the facts you need to stay informed on the daily news that matters. If you miss how journalism used to be, you're in the right place. In today's episode: What We Know About the Brown University Shooting and Person of Interest (2:02) House Democrats Release Photos from Epstein Estate; Here's What to Know About Them (12:51) FDA Reportedly Considering Adding "Black Box" Warning to COVID Vaccines (~19:23) New Congressional Report Accuses D.C. Police Chief of Manipulating Crime Data (~24:26) Quick Hitters: FBI Foils NYE Terrorist Plot, Milwaukee Judge's Trial Starts Today, Trump Sparks Controversy with Reiner Post (~31:05) Critical Thinking Segment (~34:05) SUBSCRIBE TO JORDAN'S FREE NEWSLETTER. Watch this episode on YouTube. Follow Jordan on Instagram and TikTok. All sources for this episode can be found here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Jane Doe 43 accuses Jeffrey Epstein and several of his closest associates—Ghislaine Maxwell, Sarah Kellen, Lesley Groff, and Natalya Malyshev—of participating in and facilitating Epstein's long-running sex trafficking operation. The complaint, brought through her legal counsel, alleges that the defendants were not only aware of the abuse but were active participants in grooming, recruiting, and coercing underage girls to engage in sexual acts with Epstein and his powerful associates. Jane Doe 43 claims she was one of the many young victims ensnared in this network, suffering serious emotional and physical harm as a result.The lawsuit paints a picture of an organized, high-functioning operation where each defendant played a specific role in maintaining Epstein's trafficking enterprise. Maxwell is described as the primary enabler who helped lure and manipulate girls, while Kellen, Groff, and Malyshev are portrayed as essential logistical coordinators who scheduled encounters, managed Epstein's properties, and ensured a steady supply of victims. By demanding a jury trial, Jane Doe 43 is seeking accountability not only from Epstein's estate but also from the living co-conspirators who, she alleges, helped facilitate the abuse and enabled his crimes to continue for years without interruption.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Microsoft Word - RansomeComplaint - Final for Filing

The co-executors of Jeffrey Epstein's estate — Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn — filed a formal response opposing the U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General's emergency motion in the ongoing civil action against the estate. They described the government's request as “legally meritless” and urged the court not to grant the extraordinary relief sought, asserting that the Attorney General was trying to improperly interfere with their authority to manage the estate. The co-executors argued that the liens and restrictions the government placed on estate funds were invalid under Virgin Islands probate law and the territory's Criminally Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, claiming the Attorney General lacked the legal basis to freeze or control assets that the probate court had already put under their administration.They further contended that the government's actions were harming the estate's ability to preserve assets, pay ordinary bills, maintain property, defend ongoing litigation, and fund the victim compensation program that the co-executors had established. The response emphasized that the probate court — not the Attorney General's office — has primary jurisdiction over estate administration and that legitimate claims by victims will ultimately be addressed through that process. By arguing that the Attorney General's motion threatened to usurp the co-executors' fiduciary duties and disrupt orderly estate management, they sought to have the court reject the motion and keep control of Epstein's assets.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Republicans accuse the Democrats of playing politics with release of photos from the estate of late sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, that feature rich and powerful people, including Donald Trump. Also: Thailand attacks what Cambodia describes as civilian facilities near their shared border; Iranian security forces use violence to detain Nobel Peace Prize winner, Narges Mohammadi; the curtain is about to come down on John Cena, one of the most celebrated wrestlers from the world of Sports Entertainment and analysis shows pop song lyrics are getting sadder. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

New photos from Jeffrey Epstein's estate showing the notorious sex offender with Donald Trump and a whole lot of others. Democrats say there may be more to come. Plus, a CNN exclusive, Congresswoman Gabby Giffords speaks out against the attacks on her husband and much more. Plus, Michigan's fired football coach appears in court as we learn the troubling allegations that landed him behind bars. As well as the latest on the Brian Walshe story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump, Bannon, Clinton, and Gates are just some of the men seen in new photos linked to the dead pedophile Jeffery Epstein. A look at why Democrats on the House Oversight Committee call the images significant. Plus, stunning details behind the arrest of former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Building a $2.5 million portfolio is hard. Spending it without running out? That's even harder. Welcome to the 700th episode of the BiggerPockets Money Podcast! To mark this milestone, hosts Mindy Jensen and Scott Trench are tackling one of the most critical—and most overlooked—aspects of financial independence: decumulation. Most people obsess over building wealth but stumble when it's time to actually spend it. The withdrawal strategy you choose can mean the difference between a comfortable 40-year retirement and running out of money at the worst possible time. In this episode, we cover: Sequential vs. blended vs. cyclical withdrawal strategies—which is right for you? How to create a tax-efficient drawdown plan that could save you hundreds of thousands The role of Roth accounts, traditional IRAs, and taxable brokerage accounts in your withdrawal strategy When to do Roth conversions and how to time them for maximum benefit Healthcare planning in early retirement and how it affects your withdrawal strategy Estate planning considerations and maximizing what you leave behind Real-world scenarios: what withdrawal strategies look like in practice The biggest mistakes retirees make in the decumulation phase Whether you're just starting your FI journey or you're ready to retire next year, this comprehensive guide will help you spend your money strategically, minimize taxes, and make your nest egg last. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices