Podcasts about Rome

Did the Beast of Revelation already fall in the first century? In this episode, Jay Rogers examines the dramatic final years of Nero Caesar and the events that brought the Roman emperor's reign to a violent end. From political rebellion and military defections to Nero's suicide and the chaos that followed, this study explores whether Revelation's imagery of judgment and the downfall of the Beast finds its fulfillment in the historical record. Jay traces the collapse of Nero's empire, the Year of the Four Emperors, and the impact these events had on the early church. He also examines key passages in Revelation that many scholars connect to Nero and first-century Rome, offering historical context often overlooked in modern prophecy discussions. If Revelation was written before AD 70, Nero's downfall may not simply be Roman history—it may be one of the most significant fulfilled prophecies in the New Testament.

Sources:https://substack.com/@returntotradition1Contact Me:Email: return2catholictradition@gmail.comSupport My Work:Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/AnthonyStineSubscribeStarhttps://www.subscribestar.net/return-to-traditionBuy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/AnthonyStinePhysical Mail:Anthony StinePO Box 3048Shawnee, OK74802Follow me on the following social media:https://www.facebook.com/ReturnToCatholicTradition/https://twitter.com/pontificatormax+JMJ+#popeleoXIV #catholicism #catholicchurch #catholicprophecy#infiltration

In this GMM takeover of the SwimSwam Podcast, we have Gretchen Walsh, fresh off her haul of seven medals at the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships: five golds and two silvers. And Pan Pacs was arguably her weakest overall competition of the year. In 2026, Gretchen made the choice to travel and race fast everywhere: Beijing, Rome, Fort Lauderdale, U.S. Nationals and Pan Pacs. She noted that she took for granted all the racing she did as an NCAA star, and she wanted that experience back. The results were impressive, but Gretchen is candid that she was not satisfied with her times at Pan Pacs. She talks through that frustration and explains how she evaluates a meet where the medal count says one thing but her own expectations say something else.

Behind the impressive relics the Romans left behind lurks a much darker story: that most of Rome was built on the back of enslaved people.It's shocking to know that up to 30% of Roman society was made up of enslaved people. So how was this represented in every day life? What was life like for different enslaved people in the Roman empire? And was freedom ever a possibility?Joining Kate today is Roman historian Emma Southon, whose new book Servus: The Moving, Enthralling True Story of Slavery in the Roman Empire takes us back to this world.This episode was edited by Hannah Feodorov. Produced by Stuart Beckwith. The 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.  You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.Betwixt the Sheets is a History Hit podcast.History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™Voting is now open for the Listener's Choice Award at this year's Podcast Awards! UK & Ireland listeners please place your vote on the Spotify mobile app here: https://open.spotify.com/s/xhg6PJa Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What can the collapse of an ancient republic tell us about the health of the American republic today? More than two thousand years ago, Rome was a functioning republic. It had elections, political institutions, a powerful Senate, ambitious leaders, and citizens who believed their system could endure. It didn't. The Roman Republic was ultimately replaced by autocracy—but, importantly, its collapse wasn't inevitable. And that's the argument at the heart of Michelle Berenfeld's new book, Lessons from a Lost Republic: What Ancient Rome Can Teach Us About This American Moment. Berenfeld is a professor of classics at Pitzer College and an archaeologist who has spent her career studying Rome's rise, transformation, and fall. Her warning is striking: the forces that undermined the Roman Republic—concentrated wealth and power, endless warfare, political violence, and a legislature that gradually surrendered its own authority—can sound remarkably familiar today. And there's another important connection. The American Founders knew Roman history. They deliberately called our legislature the Senate. They built a Capitol. And they were deeply concerned about what happened when a republic surrendered too much power to a single leader. As America approaches its 250th anniversary and the 2026 midterm elections, Berenfeld argues that the past isn't simply something to commemorate. It may be a warning. Today, we'll talk about what Rome can—and cannot—teach us about this American moment, why Congress may be the most important institution to watch, and whether a republic can recognize the warning signs before it's too late.

Barry Strauss, Part Two: Strauss examines subsequent Jewish rebellions across the Roman Empire, beginning with the coordinated Diaspora Revolt during Trajan's Parthian campaign. The revolt severely disrupted Rome but led to the destruction of Alexandria's large Jewish community. To assert dominance, Emperor Hadrian rebuilt Jerusalem as the pagan city Aelia Capitolina, banning the Jewish temple. This provoked the Bar Kokhba Revolt (132–136 AD) under Simon bar Kokhba. Using asymmetrical guerrilla warfare and tunnels, the rebels fought bitterly before their defeat at Betar. Strauss concludes with the 4th-century Gallus Revolt and 7th-century Sasanian campaign. (3)

Gaius and Germanicus: The hosts debate whether empires end, comparing modern American dynamics with ancient Rome. Germanicus notes that as Rome expanded, its elites became highly globalized and disconnected from regular citizens, a pattern mirrored by modern Western globalists. When Rome collapsed in the West, the Eastern Empiretransformed cohesively into a Greek-Roman Byzantine state bound by shared religion and language. In contrast, American elites have degraded domestic coherence over thirty years. Germanicus hopes for a similar "renovatio" for America, though he remains skeptical, as Gaius closes discussing rising global sea temperatures. (3)

Gaius and Germanicus: Gaius references a modern memoir detailing Tehran under bombardment and randomly cruel regime retaliation. He highlights a billboard comparing Israeli-US forces to the defeated Roman Emperor Valeriankneeling before Persian King Shapur I, which stiffens Iranian defiance. Germanicus agrees, analyzing Rome and Persia's superpower deadlock and criticizing narcissistic, uneducated American elites who rely on "shock and awe." He observes that precision bombing fails to break morale. Instead, it unexpectedly binds civilians closer to the state as the regime visibly protects them, normalizing conflict and hardening resistance. (2)

Barry Strauss, author of Jews vs. Rome, Part One: Strauss covers the First Jewish-Roman War, focusing on the defense and subsequent fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Relying heavily on the historian Josephus—who surrendered at Jotapataand prophesied Vespasian's rise to secure his own survival—Strauss examines the siege led by Vespasian's son, Titus. Despite Jerusalem's robust, thick fortifications, internal factional infighting among Jewish rebel leaders John, Simon, and Eleazar doomed the defense by destroying the city's critical grain supply. This culminated in the devastating destruction of the Second Temple and Jerusalem's absolute leveling. (1)

Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians while under arrest in Rome, expecting to be executed by his enemies. He had every reason to ruminate on injustice, catastrophize about his future, and let fear steal whatever remained of his peace. Instead, he gave us one of Scripture's most practical and powerful tools: Philippians 4:8. Eight categories of thought to intentionally redirect our minds toward — what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. This is not denial of the hard things. It is an active, deliberate exercise of free will that redirects the mind away from what is toxic and toward what is life-giving. Paul began the same letter by declaring that to live is Christ and to die is gain. He had already settled his future with God, and that settled foundation is what made the redirecting of thoughts not just possible but natural. The same is available to us. When the mind locks down under the weight of unpleasant burdens, we can make the same choice Paul made in prison. And as he promises in the verse that follows, the God of peace will be with us. Today's Bible Verse "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things."— Philippians 4:8, NIV Ponder Today You can change your own mind — and that is a gift from God. The brain He gave you is not only capable of absorbing the world around you. It is capable of making active decisions about what to focus on. Philippians 4:8 is an invitation to exercise that capacity deliberately. Paul wrote this from prison, expecting death. His circumstances were not improved by verse 8. His mind was. That distinction matters enormously. Choosing our thoughts wisely does not change our situation — it changes how we move through it. The eight categories in Philippians 4:8 are a practical tool for redirecting a locked-down mind. What is true? What is noble? What is right? What is pure? What is lovely? What is admirable? What is excellent? What deserves praise? Walking through these questions is a form of active, faith-filled meditation. Redirecting thoughts is not the same as ignoring hard realities. Paul acknowledged that anger, fear, and the desire for revenge are real. He simply refused to let them set up permanent residence. Choosing what we think about is an act of resistance against what would otherwise consume us. The God of peace follows the practice of thinking wisely. Philippians 4:9 makes a direct promise: when we put these things into practice, the God of peace will be with us. The presence of peace is not automatic. It follows the discipline of directed thought. A Prayer for You Today Dear God, my mind gets filled up fast these days. It sometimes feels like a jumble of deadlines, bad news, unsavory media, and fears about my future. Thank You for reminding me in Philippians 4:8 that this mind You gave me can not only absorb but also make active decisions. I can choose what I focus on, and I am so grateful You gave me eight ideas to replace fear, anger, and worry. Please empower me to clear my head today. Move me to make time in my schedule to purposely choose what I want to think about. And keep showing me lovely, pure, noble, and praiseworthy things so I can follow the path of peace You desire for me. In Your holy name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This episode starts with a celebration of Dolly Parton's extraordinary generosity and cultural impact, then moves into a serious theological conversation about hypocrisy, leadership, and what makes a church spiritually healthy or toxic. Mike, Suzie, and Tim connect Jesus' warnings in Matthew 23 and Luke 12 to modern church culture, power, and the temptation to perform righteousness rather than live it.Why was Dolly Parton so universally loved, from the left to the right? Should Churches have a tax exempt status or does that malform the Church, structuring it like a business? How are we, today, to relate to the Pharisees and Jesus's warnings about their posture?Timestamps00:00 - Dolly Parton as a cultural and moral icon01:00 - Surprising examples of Dolly's generosity03:00 - Why Dolly is beloved across ideological lines05:25 - The question of doctrinal purity and salvation06:53 - Rob Bell versus Mark Driscoll and the “greater heresy” debate08:08 - Measuring a life by fruit, dignity, and consistency12:05 - Benny Johnson, Rome, and the irony of Christian empire language15:07 - Listener question: can 501(c)(3) status shape toxic church culture?16:40 - Suzie on tax status versus church culture18:28 - When tax structure becomes an opportunity for corruption21:37 - Tim on systemic abuse and why the model feels broken24:41 - Why leadership still matters in the New Testament26:08 - Ephesians 4 and leadership for church flourishing27:33 - Hebrews 13, submission, and the danger of abusive authority31:48 - Spiritual leadership modeled by Jesus, not American hierarchy34:29 - Paul's refusal to build status around himself35:51 - Teaching through the first woe in Matthew 2339:40 - Hypocrisy as “judging under” and split identity41:30 - The yeast of the Pharisees as corrupting influence43:49 - Fear, sparrows, and what Jesus says to disciples under pressure47:38 - Three ways truth gets exposed: life, persecution, and final judgment51:23 - Gehenna as a kingdom image, not a simplistic hell map54:17 - The God who judges also knows and loves you55:23 - Public confession, denial, and persecution56:17 - Tim on work, power, and the American dream as a church model58:38 - Why the point is not only identifying Pharisees, but avoiding becoming them61:06 - Suzie on famous failures, confession, and being found out in mercy63:35 - How secrecy and lack of truth-telling deepen corruptionAs always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.Our Merch Store! https://www.etsy.com/shop/VOXOLOGY?ref=shop_sugg_marketLearn more about the Voxology PodcastSubscribe on iTunes or SpotifySupport the Voxology Podcast on PatreonThe Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology RadioFollow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on FacebookFollow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerreMusic in this episode by Timothy John StaffordInstagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

This podcast is sponsored by Earn Haus.  More information at www.EarnHaus.com/Bobandtom The BOB & TOM Show — August 31, 20266:00 AM 6:00 Snail Man-Mango6:04 Tom's puppy had poop problems this morning.6:09 Bra talk6:12 No lions in Indiana—they saw pigs.6:22 Letter—our kitten Gomez can't stop looking at Josh on TV.6:25 Letter—color way—dumbing down of America—Caitlin Clark.6:27 Letter—paddles with holes in them.6:28 Letter—on a road trip—fence called dog wire.6:30 Talking about trash.6:46 Wants normal-sized boxes of cereal—Tom.6:49 There is a plane in the movie Ben-Hur—Pat.6:49 Letter—listened to Dolly Parton interview—loved it.6:52 Pumpkin spice song—Pat.6:54 There are pumpkin spice trash bags. 7:07 “La Grange”—ZZ Top7:10 Sports7:21 Illegal reptile trade show7:24 100,000 cockroaches found7:31 Melort alcohol is nasty—70 proof7:34 SWR—greatest height jumping from airbag—called blobbing7:47 Weekend in History 8:02 Banana spider helps with ED8:05 Not supposed to kill spiders8:08 Pope featured in Vanity Fair—on the best-dressed list8:10 Leo the 14th “I am”—Pat8:25 Ever seen a movie with homeless men?8:25 Using vaginal secretions as perfume—vabbing8:27 Tom loves David Muir8:29 Online-only relationships—Kristi8:31 Man with smallest penis had surgery to enlarge it—surgery successful—Kristi8:33 Sudan and the Congo have largest penises8:36 Girth Brooks8:46 Today in History8:56 Tom stole Josh's joke from out under him 9:07 Coffins are not airtight9:08 Cheese balls fall out of truck on highway9:11 Mac and cheese is back—Pat Godwin9:21 Josh's costume at Six Flags was so hot to wear—Foghorn Leghorn9:22 Explains how they cleaned the costume9:26 PBR truck stolen—PBR inside9:30 DoorDash driver delivered food naked9:45 Women's prosthetic leg washed up on shore9:50 Rome telescope was launched9:52 “La Grange”—ZZ Top 7:00 AM8:00 AM9:00 AM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You don't need a bad man to destroy a republic. You need a competent one with a practical problem and a solution that works a little too well.Gaius Marius should never have mattered. He was a nobody from a hill town southeast of Rome. He clawed his way into the Senate through military competence because his family had no name and no network. And then he faced a genuine crisis — Rome literally could not fill its legions. He fixed it. He removed the property qualification that had kept the landless poor out of military service, saved Rome from Jugurtha in North Africa, and then saved Rome again from the Germanic tribes that nearly annihilated it in 105 BC.He did what nobody else could do. And the same reform that saved Rome killed the Republic 60 years later.This is the mechanism. Not the myth. The specific chain of cause and effect that turned a manpower reform into personal military armies loyal to individual generals rather than to the state — the mechanism Sulla would use in 88 BC to march on Rome, and Caesar would use in 49 BC to finish the Republic.This is Episode 119 of The Fall of the Republic series on The Roman Pattern.Chapters:00:00 How republics actually die01:36 Where we are in the series02:28 Marius: the new man from Arpinum04:34 Rome's manpower crisis — the property qualification problem06:35 The Jugurtha War — "a city for sale"08:07 107 BC — Marius opens the ranks11:05 Aquae Sextiae and Vercellae — Rome saved from annihilation15:07 The mechanism — how soldier loyalty shifted from Rome to the general17:46 Saturninus and the first veteran land grants (103, 100 BC)18:33 Breaking the Lex Genucia — five consecutive consulships21:11 Sulla learns the trick22:17 88 BC — Sulla marches on Rome24:18 Marius flees — two ruins looking at each other25:06 Return, purges, and 17 days26:29 Money, Borders, Power — the three fault lines28:17 The pattern — load-bearing constraints30:36 Next week: SullaSources referenced in this episode:— Sallust, Bellum Jugurthinum— Plutarch, Life of Marius— Appian, The Civil Wars, Book 1— Livy, Periochae 65-80— Orosius, Histories Against the Pagans— Mary Beard, SPQR— Ronald Syme, The Roman Revolution (1939)— H.H. Scullard, From the Gracchi to NeroThe Fall of the Republic series continues Monday with Sulla — the first man in Roman history to march his legions on Rome itself.Subscribe for The Roman Pattern every Monday.#Rome #MarianReforms #RomanRepublic

At 83, Gina Ceccarelli thought the romantic chapter of her life was over. Then she met Dwight Moberg, a 91-year-old widower from California. There was just one complication, Gina speaks Italian and Dwight speaks English, so most of their conversations happen through hand gestures and a translation app.The person who brought them together is Menbere "Menbe" Akiklu. Forty years earlier, Menbe was a young Ethiopian mother living in a shelter in Rome, trying to rebuild her life after escaping an abusive relationship. One of the few people who showed her kindness was Gina, who brought food, knitted clothes for her baby son and helped her find her feet in a foreign country. Over the years the two women lost touch, but decades later, after building a successful life in America, Menbe found herself thinking about the woman who had helped her. Determined to thank her, she went back to Italy to track Gina down.When she finally did, Menbe saw that Gina, now widowed, was living alone and so decided that repaying an old kindness would require something more than a simple thank you. She brought her to the US, setting in motion an unexpected matchmaking mission and a little nudge towards love. Presenter: Asya Fouks Producer: Edgar MaddicottLives Less Ordinary is a podcast from the BBC World Service that brings you the most incredible true stories from around the world. Each episode a guest shares their most dramatic, moving, personal story. Listen for unbelievable twists, mysteries uncovered, and inspiring journeys - spanning the entire human experience. Step into someone else's life and expect the unexpected.   Got a story to tell? Send an email to liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or message us via WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784   You can read our privacy notice here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5YD3hBqmw26B8WMHt6GkQxG/lives-less-ordinary-privacy-notice

Do you write in a journal? If you don't know, have you ever done so in the past? Have you ever used a journal as a means of self-therapy? These and other similar questions come to us in a two recent email from two long-time listeners, and we decided to devote an entire episode to this interesting topic. (Since we're both writers, you might not be surprised to hear our answers!) But listen all the way to the end to discover the published journals that we have most enjoyed reading. WE LOVE LISTENER QUESTIONS! Email us your questions and we might just end up taping an entire episode as an answer! Email us here. ------------------------------------- COME TO ROME WITH US: Our 4th annual Bittersweet Life Roman Adventure is taking place this year from 1 to 7 November 2026! If you'd like to be part of an intimate group of listeners on a magical and unforgettable journey to Rome, discovering the city with us as your guides, find out more here. AD-FREE LISTENING: After well over 10 years on the air with little-to-no advertising, in 2026 we have finally made the difficult decision that this completely independent and self-funded show is no longer sustainable without it. HOWEVER! If you join us on Patreon, for as little as $3 per month, you will have access to all new episodes completely ad-free! ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started. GET TWO BONUS EPISODES PER MONTH: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life at the $5 per month level or above, and you will have access to two all-new (and sometimes wacky) bonus episodes every single month. As well as ad-free listening, occasional live meet-ups, and access to our chat community. Visit our Patreon site to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider Libsyn for your hosting service! Use this affliliate link to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us. JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us on Facebook or Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon. TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!

Episode Synopsis:The church in Rome was predominately Gentile–made up of recent converts from Greco-Roman paganism to Christianity.  Such Gentiles knew little if anything about the Old Testament, nor its central figures, Abraham, Moses, and David.  They knew that Jewish Christians cared about dietary restrictions, as well as circumcision–a surgical procedure which seemed bizarre to former Gentile pagans.  They knew the Jews revered the law of Moses–which they claimed to be the very commandments from God.  Gentiles ate things Jews did not.  They touched things Jews regarded as unclean.  As new Christians, Gentiles were learning about the evils of idolatry and the importance of rejecting the libertine sexual ethics and practices of Roman life in favor of a biblical sexuality.  But they were also learning about Moses, Abraham, the law, and the covenants God made with Abraham and Moses.  Paul has been clear in the opening chapter of his letter to Rome.  “You Gentiles may not have known who Moses was, nor why the commandments God gave to Israel through him at Mount Sinai were so important, but you do know what is right and what is wrong because God has made it plain to you through the created order, which, until coming to faith in Jesus, you tried to suppress in unrighteousness.  You may claim ignorance, but you knew deep down inside that the things you were doing lead to death."  But Paul is not finished.  Even as he exposes Gentile godlessness and the futility of exchanging the truth of God for pagan nonsense, you can almost hear the Jewish Christians in Rome cheering Paul on.  Eyewitnesses of bad Gentile behavior and victims of Gentile oppression, Jewish converts, of course, were thrilled to hear Paul “give it to them good.”  “About time someone called out the Gentiles for their sinful and immoral practices.”But as the second chapter of Romans unfolds, Paul shifts gears and raises the uncomfortable reality of Jewish hypocrisy.  “OK, you Jews who criticize the Gentiles, do you do the same things they do?”  “How can you judge the Gentiles when you are no better.”  The truth is, God is going to judge all people according to their works–Jew and Gentile.  The blessing/curse principle will apply to all humanity.  Those who do good will receive God's blessing, while those who do not keep God's commands will face him on the day of judgment.  Yes, Paul has good news to proclaim, but there can be no good news until we realize that we are sinful, law-breakers, and deserving of God's wrath whether we be Jew or Gentile.For show notes and other recommended materials located at the Riddleblog as mentioned during the Blessed Hope Podcast, click here:  https://www.kimriddlebarger.com/

Josiah Osgood, author of Lawless Republic, Part One: Marcus Tullius Cicero rises as a "new man" from outside Rome's traditional political elite, building an exceptional reputation in the Roman Forum. His debut felony case defends Sextus Roscius against parricide, exposing a corrupt financial conspiracy and establishing his legendary storytelling style. Cicero then transitions to prosecution to take on Gaius Verres, the deeply connected and highly corrupt governor of Sicily. Verres had systematically plundered Sicilian art and failed to defend Syracuse from pirate raids while living luxuriously. Verres flees into exile mid-trial, cementing Cicero's reputation as a daring reformer. (1)

Augustus was Rome's first Emperor. But who made his empire possible? Behind the throne stood Marcus Agrippa, the brilliant general whose victories secured the Roman world yet whose name was consciously erased from the record by his erstwhile great friend.In this very special episode Tristan Hughes is joined by bestselling author Robert Harris to uncover the remarkable life of Agrippa. How did a man from relative obscurity become Augustus's most trusted ally? What role did he play in the victory at Actium and the birth of the Roman Empire? And why did this extraordinary figure disappear from Rome's public memory?MOREHow Slavery Built the Roman EmpireListen on Apple Listen on Spotify Young Caesar v Mark AntonyListen on Apple Listen on Spotify The Ancients is now on YouTube! Watch here: @TheAncientsPodcastPresented by Tristan Hughes. Editor is Natasha Hughes. Produced by Joseph Knight and McKenna Fernandez. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailIn 1973, sixteen-year-old John Paul Getty III had one of the most recognizable surnames on Earth.His grandfather, J. Paul Getty, was known as the richest man in the world—an oil billionaire famous not only for his staggering fortune, but for his eccentricity, complicated family relationships, and legendary reluctance to part with his money.But being a Getty didn't necessarily mean having money.Living in Rome, Paul was rebellious, restless, frequently broke, and already notorious enough that the Italian press had nicknamed him “The Golden Hippie.” He'd been expelled from schools, arrested at a political demonstration, crashed more motorcycles than any teenager reasonably should, and spent his nights drifting through Rome's clubs and piazzas among artists, actors, models, and celebrities.Meanwhile, hundreds of miles to the south, another kind of family had discovered a lucrative business: kidnapping.In Part One, we trace the rise of the extraordinary Getty fortune, the tragedies that would inspire talk of a “Getty curse,” and the history of Calabria's powerful 'Ndrangheta. Then we follow Paul through the streets of Rome on a hot July night in 1973.At around three in the morning, a large white car slows beside him.Three men get out.Paul sees guns.He is struck in the head and manages one question:“Oh, please, what have I done?”Then everything goes black.This is Part One of the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III.Part Two continues with Paul's disappearance, the extraordinary ransom negotiations, a family that initially refuses to pay—and the horrifying package that finally convinces everyone that the kidnapping is real.Support the show

A slave girl's quiet faith led her wealthy Roman mistress all the way to martyrdom — and to heaven. Serapia, a young Christian slave in ancient Rome, never preached to her mistress Sabina — she simply lived her faith so visibly that Sabina couldn't stop noticing, and eventually asked to be baptized herself. When Serapia was arrested and martyred for her faith, Sabina stepped forward publicly as a Christian too, choosing martyrdom rather than staying safely silent. "The slave went first. The mistress followed." ⭐Following Sts. Sabina and Serapia's example doesn't have to end when the episode does.  Grab our free Every Day's a Feast Day calendar — a saint and a challenge for every day, right at home: https://shop.catholicsprouts.com/pages/every-days-a-feast-day-follow-along  

Full Text of Readings Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 124 The Saint of the day is Saint Jeanne Jugan Saint Jeanne Jugan's Story Born in northern France during the French Revolution—a time when congregations of women and men religious were being suppressed by the national government, Jeanne would eventually be highly praised in the French academy for her community's compassionate care of elderly poor people. When Jeanne Jugan was three and a half years old, her father, a fisherman, was lost at sea. Her widowed mother was hard pressed to raise her eight children alone; four died young. At the age of 15 or 16, Jeanne became a kitchen maid for a family that not only cared for its own members, but also served poor, elderly people nearby. Ten years later, Jeanne became a nurse at the hospital in Le Rosais. Soon thereafter, she joined a third order group founded by Saint John Eudes. After six years she became a servant and friend of a woman she met through the third order. They prayed, visited the poor, and taught catechism to children. After her friend's death, Jeanne and two other women continued a similar life in the city of Saint-Sevran. In 1839, they brought in their first permanent guest. They began an association, received more members, and more guests. Mère Marie of the Cross, as Jeanne Jugan was now known, founded six more houses for the elderly by the end of 1849, all staffed by members of her association—the Little Sisters of the Poor. By 1853, the association numbered 500 and had houses as far away as England. Abbé Le Pailleur, a chaplain, had prevented Jeanne Jugan's reelection as superior in 1843; nine years later, he had her assigned to duties within the congregation, but would not allow her to be recognized as its founder. In 1890, the Holy See removed him from office. By the time Pope Leo XIII gave her final approval to the community's constitutions in 1879, there were 2,400 Little Sisters of the Poor. Jeanne died later that same year, on August 30. Her cause was introduced in Rome in 1970. She was beatified in 1982, and canonized in 2009. Reflection Jeanne Jugan saw Christ in what Saint Teresa of Calcutta would describe as his “distressing disguises.” With great confidence in God's providence and the intercession of Saint Joseph, she begged willingly for the many homes that she opened, relying on the good example of the Sisters and the generosity of benefactors who knew the good that the Sisters were doing. They now work in 30 countries. “With the eye of faith, we must see Jesus in our old people—for they are God's mouthpiece,” Jeanne once said. No matter what the difficulties, she was always able to praise God and move ahead.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Host Matt Trump (fighting a temperamental mic cord) turns his leftover map slides into a full episode on a provocative question: did the barbarians actually destroy Rome, or preserve it? Picking up from last week's Phantom Time detour, he leans on Belgian historian Henri Pirenne and the book Medieval Cities, bought decades ago as an Austin physics grad student, to argue a mainstream but revisionist case. The thesis: the Germanic tribes (Goths, Angles, Saxons, Franks) did not want to burn Rome down. They wanted in, preserving Roman civilization under new rulers, feudalism, and above all the Church, which outlived the state. What truly severed the ancient world, Pirenne argues, was the Arab conquest cutting Christian Europe off from Mediterranean commerce, shifting Europe's center of gravity north. Expect Hagia Sophia, Ravenna mosaics, Justinian, and pointed parallels to whether America is reliving Rome's fall.

What happens when you combine Disney magic, Italy, and the entire family? Lauren is back from an incredible Adventures by Disney vacation through Italy, traveling from Rome to Venice! This week, she takes us along for the journey and shares what it's really like to experience Italy with Adventures by Disney.

Patrick explores Catholic teaching through real-life dilemmas, questions, and stories from listeners, highlighting everything from marriage annulments and sacramental discipline to the emotional truth of end-of-life and abortion topics. Amid calls about faith, relics, ministry roles, and conscience, he brings doctrine close to the messiness of daily life, threads personal testimonies with practical wisdom, and blends theological clarity with encouragement for those wrestling with their own situations. Tradition, candid dialogue, and human experience all collide as listeners and Patrick wrestle with what it means to do the right thing. Mary Jane (email) – I’m remarrying and my future husband is not Catholic (01:14) Lena - My sister wants to touch a necklace with her husband's ashes in it to a relic. (06:38) Michael (email) - Here are two fantastic movies to add to your up-and-coming movies to watch list Jim - How can I donate to the church and have the proceeds go to the neediest? (09:58) Beatrice – I had pre-mature child and it’s beautiful to watch them grow. Each child fights for every breath and they have a desire to live (15:18) Marie (email) - I don't know why you always say, "I'm talking to you Catholics," that doesn't matter with other religions to get remarried after divorce. The rule applies to ALL people not to get remarried after divorce unless the first marriage was invalid. (21:13) Jerry – Why the center of the Church became Rome (22:54) Mark - Respecting life and why people rationalize the end-of-life issue (25:03) Tony – Mental state for mortal sin (28:47) Grace - if you are minister of care, why can’t you also be eucharistic minister? (39:24) Stuart - What if parents did not bring up kids to the faith and feel guilty later on. Are they responsible for their children’s decisions? (43:49) Joanne - If you commit adultery but go to confession, do you need to tell the ex-spouse you committed adultery?

Gary begins a response to an individual who says he left partial preterism for dispensationalism. Gary rehearses his own path to preterism and how the Bible is what led him there. Reading the NT in the context of the OT, in addition to the historical context of first century Israel in subjection to Rome (not to mention the tradition of the Judaizers), has to be taken into account when reading the letters of the NT and the four Gospels.

On a past Bittersweet Moment, Tiffany remembered accidently smearing a bit of lipstick on the doorframe of one of the buildings she lived in her first months in Rome, and how that red streak is still there, 18 years later. And how, somehow, every time she sees it, it reminds her of her earliest days in Rome, almost an "I was here" moment. This episode from our archive is Inspired by this idea. Katy and Tiffany talk about other moments in their life that they have felt a similar sensation, how common that might be, and why we sometimes feel the need to leave parts of ourselves behind when we leave a place. ***The Bittersweet Life podcast has been on the air for an impressive 10+ years! In order to help newer listeners discover some of our earlier episodes, every Friday we are now airing an episode from our vast archives! Enjoy!*** ------------------------------------- COME TO ROME WITH US: Our 4th annual Bittersweet Life Roman Adventure is taking place this year from 1 to 7 November 2026! If you'd like to be part of an intimate group of listeners on a magical and unforgettable journey to Rome, discovering the city with us as your guides, find out more here. AD-FREE LISTENING: After well over 10 years on the air with little-to-no advertising, in 2026 we have finally made the difficult decision that this completely independent and self-funded show is no longer sustainable without it. HOWEVER! If you join us on Patreon, for as little as $3 per month, you will have access to all new episodes completely ad-free! ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started. GET TWO BONUS EPISODES PER MONTH: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life at the $5 per month level or above, and you will have access to two all-new (and sometimes wacky) bonus episodes every single month. As well as ad-free listening, occasional live meet-ups, and access to our chat community. Visit our Patreon site to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider Libsyn for your hosting service! Use this affliliate link to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us. JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us on Facebook or Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon. TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!

Holly Koehler has spent almost thirty years in rooms most people never think about: windowless UN offices in New York, the FAO in Rome, and what she calls "oftentimes very boring hotel ballrooms around the world," where countries hash out how the ocean actually gets managed. She's the Vice President of Policy and Outreach at the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), and before that she spent thirteen years at the U.S. State Department's Office of Marine Conservation, chairing international fisheries negotiations. In this episode, she walks Andrew through how a grad-school internship on sea turtles turned into a career built entirely around one question: how do you manage a species that ignores every border humans have drawn? Andrew and Holly cover what a Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO) actually is and why nearly the entire ocean is already covered by one, why she says listening, not legal expertise, is the most important skill she's ever used at the negotiating table, and the story behind an all-night Thanksgiving session that produced a landmark UN resolution protecting deep-sea corals and seamounts from bottom trawling. Holly also explains why ISSF treats governance as being just as important as fishing practices, drawing a direct line from her anthropology background to her belief that governance is what civilization itself is built on, and breaks down exactly how ISSF's audits and public compliance data connect to the eco-labels shoppers see on a can of tuna. This is the episode the whole week has been building toward. If you've been following along with Monday through Thursday's solo episodes, you've already heard the RFMO explainer, the bottom-trawling story, and the High Seas Treaty history. Here, Holly connects all of it, in her own words, including a memorable detail that resolves a question left open earlier in the week: which UN resolution she was actually in the room for. Takeaways: International fisheries governance runs through treaty-based RFMOs that nearly every country with a stake in a fishery has legally bound itself to join and follow. The negotiating skill Holly says matters most isn't legal expertise, it's listening for what a country means behind what it says, since "where you stand depends on where you sit." The all-night Thanksgiving session that produced UN Resolution 61/105, the landmark bottom-trawling and seamount protections covered in this show's Tuesday companion episode, was chaired by Holly herself. Holly measures negotiating success by getting an agreement strong enough to matter while keeping every country that needs to ratify or implement it "inside the tent." ISSF doesn't certify fisheries itself. It builds the audited evidence trail, through annual company audits and public vessel compliance data, that feeds into the Marine Stewardship Council certification a shopper actually sees on a label. Support Independent Podcasts: https://www.speakupforblue.com/patreon Need help with your ocean non-profit, company, or project? Get the help you need with Pisces Oceans Inc.: https://www.piscesoceans.ca Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube  

Rome (Survivor, Flock League ) joins for a wild Randomizer draft and then we rip a few BBM Bash drafts with BBChosen (yes, he's back) and Clay.

Trusting that God will provide, Ignatius begs and travels through Rome and Venice before finally reaching Jerusalem. He longs to remain in the Holy Land and help souls, but the Franciscan authorities order him to leave — forcing him to surrender even this deeply cherished desire. About the Series We are bringing you the entire text of “The Autobiography of St. Ignatius Loyola” in podcast form. Over 12 episodes, join our pilgrimage guides Fr. Jack Bentz, SJ, and Cameron Bellm as we make our way through this spiritual classic. The series premiered on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, with episode 2 dropping Friday, July 31 — the Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola. These first two episodes and the remaining 10 episodes (dropping on subsequent Fridays) will all appear here on the AMDG podcast feed. The series is edited by Frank Tuson, who also composed all the music you hear on the podcast. The podcast uses a translation of the “Autobiography” by Fr. Parmananda Divarkar, SJ. The text is read by Fr. George Drance, SJ. Produced by Mike Jordan Laskey. "The Autobiography of Saint Ignatius Loyola Podcast," a special-edition series of AMDG, is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

The Vandals have gone down in history as the barbarians who helped bring down the Western Roman Empire. Their name became synonymous with violence and destruction, but who were they really?In this episode, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Andy Merrills to uncover the real story of the Vandals. From their migration across Europe to the conquest of Carthage, they explore how the Vandals emerged as a formidable power at the heart of Rome's final crisis; what archaeology reveals about their rule, and whether the Vandals were really as destructive as their reputation suggests.MOREThe Goths:Listen on AppleListen on Spotify The Franks:Listen on AppleListen on Spotify Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why have Christians used the symbol of a fish to represent Jesus? Pastor Adriel Sanchez takes viewers on a virtual tour through ancient catacombs in Rome and explains the history of ancient church symbols that still remain popular today. DOWNLOAD IS GOD FAIR? A classic essay from the late J.I. Packer on whether God is really fair. FOLLOW US YouTube | Instagram | X/Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter WHO WE ARE Sola Media serves today's global church by producing resources for reformation grounded in the historic Christian faith. For over thirty-five years, Sola has walked alongside Christians in their faith, pointing away from novelty and ourselves, and toward Christ and his gospel as proclaimed in the Scriptures, articulated in the ancient Christian Creeds, and summarized in the confessions of the Protestant Reformation. Learn more: https://solamedia.org/

Patrick answers questions that spiral from halal dietary practices and biblical references to the surprising origins of indulgences and the nuances of detachment from sin. Alongside spirited exchanges about feast days, the roots of the Church in Rome, and the difference between supernatural and preternatural, personal and touching stories surface. Faith’s everyday grit meets thoughtful explanations as Patrick connects with listeners in ways both thoughtful and unexpected. Paul (email) - Can you clarify how your conversation regarding animals Peter says are OK to eat, and how Halal meat might differ in the way the animal is killed. Isn't Halal killing a sacrifice? (00:30) Alex (email) - Why is the Catholic Church headquartered in Rome, even though Jesus lived and died in the Middle East? (07:31) Patrick in Central California (email) - How can 1 John 1:5 say God is light with no darkness in Him when Exodus 20:21 and 1 Kings 8:12 describe Him dwelling in thick darkness? Travis - There are different feasts for different saints. How should we celebrate a saint's feast day? (18:02) Matt - What does it mean to be detached from all sin? (24:13) Mark - Is there a point in which the pursuit of indulgences could become sinful? (30:46) Maria - Who created indulgences? Are they in the Bible? (36:52) Maria - Is there any way I can get a physical copy of the 'Keep Going' album? I want to get a copy for my husband. (39:51) Val - What re Preternatural gifts? Can you explain what this term means vs supernatural? (46:37)

Ukraine marks 35 years of independence, the state of Russia's opposition ahead of elections, the debate about whether to ban the far-right Alternative for Germany party, and underground spaces in Rome to cool down. Then: Turkey's controversial regional ambitions, Belarusian students targeted abroad, how a French town inspired communism in China, and a dangerous plunge in Munich.

Friends of the Rosary,Today, August 27, the Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Monica (333-387), who, through prayer and tears, gave the great Augustine to the Church of God.We also celebrate today the feast of the Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or the Franciscan, and the feast of Mary, Health of the Sick.St. Monica prayed, endured, hoped, and trusted God for years, especially for the conversion of her son, Saint Augustine, one of her three children, as well as for Navigius and Perpetua, who later became a nun.At about the age of sixteen, Augustine fell in with bad companions and took a concubine. Monica greatly desired that her son become a Christian, and for this she labored long—praying, pleading, weeping.To her joy, Augustine was baptized in Milan by Saint Ambrose at the age of thirty-two. She died in Ostia in 387. Augustine praised God for his mother: “Graciously you heard her, and you did not despise her tears when they flowed down from her eyes and watered the earth beneath, in whatsoever place she prayed.”St Monica was born in Tagaste, northern Africa, and died in Ostia, near Rome. Monica was a Christian, but her husband Patricius was a pagan and a man of loose morals. Monica's virtues and prayers, however, converted him, and he was baptized a year before his death. When her son, Augustine, joined the Manichean sect and went astray in faith and morals, Monica's tears and prayers for her son were incessant. She followed him to Milan, where Augustine went to teach, and there continued to storm heaven with her prayers for her son.In today's readings from the Gospel, Saint Paul reminds the Corinthians that God has enriched them with grace and will keep them firm to the end. In parallel, Jesus tells His disciples to stay awake and be ready, like faithful servants waiting for their master. Ultimately, God asks us to stay awake in love, keep doing what is right, and trust His timing.We ask Lord Jesus to give us the patient faith of Saint Monica, helping us to stay awake in prayer, faithful in our duties, and steady in hope while we wait for His grace to bear fruit.Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play

Rome has been called the Eternal City, but its history has been far from linear. It went from being the largest, most important city in the world to a small backwater, then made a remarkable turnaround to become once again the most important city in Italy. It has been a center of power, religion, and economics, and it has also been used as a quarry for people who wanted materials for their villas. Learn more about the three-thousand-year history of Rome and its dramatic comeback on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Shop the store at Shop.Everything-Everywhere.com Sponsors Hexclad Get 10% off your order at hexclad.com/DAILY Mint Mobile Save 50% on Unlimited premium wireless plans starting at $15/month at MintMobile.com/EED Quince Go to quince.com/daily for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! DripDrop Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code EVERYTHING for 20% off your first order! Square Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/daily Horizon3 Go to horizon3.ai/everything and request your free NodeZero demo Babbel Go to babbel.com/daily for up to 60% off Subscribe to the podcast!  https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/ -------------------------------- Executive Producer: Charles Daniel Associate Producers: Austin Oetken & Cameron Kieffer   Become a supporter on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/everythingeverywhere Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Ds7Rx7jvPJ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everythingeverywhere/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/everythingeverywheredaily Twitter: https://twitter.com/everywheretrip Website: https://everything-everywhere.com/  Disce aliquid novi cotidie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Swaim, Ken Hensley, and Kenny Burchard continue their series on Clement of Rome, and what he tells us about early Christianity. In this episode, they look at what Clement has to say about worship in the early Church. How was it structured? Who presided over it? And what resemblance, if any, did it bear to how Christians worship today? The Coming Home Network was established in 1993 to help inquiring clergy and laity of various faiths -- or even no faith at all -- with fellowship, resources, and encouragement as they explore the possibility of becoming Catholic. Find out more about our work: https://www.chnetwork.org Join our FREE Online Community: https://community.chnetwork.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHNetwork Twitter: https://twitter.com/chnetwork Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cominghomenetwork Support our mission: https://www.chnetwork.org/compass

This week, Katy takes us to Rome, GA to tell the story of Peggy Snead, the legendary madam who ran one of the South's most talked-about houses of ill repute for decades, hiding in plain sight in a small Southern town. Get ready for a wild ride through a local dirty little secret.This episode is sponsored by:GO Realty https://www.gorealtyalabama.com/Cherokee Family Healthcare http://cherokeefamilyhealth.com/The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce https://cherokee-chamber.org/Easy Street, Restaurant, Bar, and Performance Hall https://www.facebook.com/easystreetcentreTheme song is The Legend of Hannah Brady by the Shane Givens Bandhttps://open.spotify.com/track/5nmybCPQ5imfGH8lEDWK4k?si=0fa2a98df6264c39

Full Text of Readings Memorial of Saint Monica Lectionary: 428 The Saint of the day is Saint Monica Saint Monica's Story The circumstances of Saint Monica's life could have made her a nagging wife, a bitter daughter-in-law, and a despairing parent, yet she did not give way to any of these temptations. Although she was a Christian, her parents gave her in marriage to a pagan, Patricius, who lived in her hometown of Tagaste in North Africa. Patricius had some redeeming features, but he had a violent temper and was licentious. Monica also had to bear with a cantankerous mother-in-law who lived in her home. Patricius criticized his wife because of her charity and piety, but always respected her. Monica's prayers and example finally won her husband and mother-in-law to Christianity. Her husband died in 371, one year after his baptism. Monica had at least three children who survived infancy. The oldest, Augustine, is the most famous. At the time of his father's death, Augustine was 17 and a rhetoric student in Carthage. Saint Monica was distressed to learn that her son had accepted the Manichean heresy—”all flesh is evil”—and was living an immoral life. For a while, she refused to let him eat or sleep in her house. Then one night she had a vision that assured her Augustine would return to the faith. From that time on, she stayed close to her son, praying and fasting for him. In fact she often stayed much closer than Augustine wanted. When he was 29, Augustine decided to go to Rome to teach rhetoric. Saint Monica was determined to go along. One night he told his mother that he was going to the dock to say goodbye to a friend. Instead he set sail for Rome. Monica was heartbroken when she learned of Augustine's trick, but she still followed him. She arrived in Rome only to find that he had left for Milan. Although travel was difficult, Monica pursued him to Milan. In Milan, Augustine came under the influence of the bishop, Saint Ambrose, who also became Monica's spiritual director. She accepted his advice in everything and had the humility to give up some practices that had become second nature to her. Saint Monica became a leader of the devout women in Milan as she had been in Tagaste. She continued her prayers for Augustine during his years of instruction. At Easter 387, Saint Ambrose baptized Augustine and several of his friends. Soon after, his party left for Africa. Although no one else was aware of it, Saint Monica knew her life was near the end. She told Augustine, “Son, nothing in this world now affords me delight. I do not know what there is now left for me to do or why I am still here, all my hopes in this world being now fulfilled.” She became ill shortly after and suffered severely for nine days before her death. Almost all we know about Saint Monica is in the writings of Saint Augustine, especially his Confessions. Reflection Today, with Google searches, online shopping, text messages, tweets, and instant credit, we have little patience for things that take time. Likewise, we want instant answers to our prayers. Monica is a model of patience. Her long years of prayer, coupled with a strong, well-disciplined character, finally led to the conversion of her hot-tempered husband, her cantankerous mother-in-law and her brilliant but wayward son, Augustine.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Today, we dive into the legendary life of the Greek hero Hercules—from his divine origins and the meaning behind his name to the 12 Labors and his lasting influence on Rome and beyond. Welcome to History Camp!

If all roads lead to Rome in high-intensity strength training, what should you focus on to get the most meaningful results?   In a bit of a role reversal, I'd recently had the privilege of being a guest on the Fitless Podcast, hosted by Dr. John Ambrosio (DC) and Blain Duesing, and they've kindly let me also release the episode here on HIB.   We go into some of the biggest lessons in strength training and in business that I've learned, including the right mindset when it comes to training and gains, common mistakes that HIT business owners make, low training volume with higher results, peptides, and more.   If you want to see me in the hot seat and what I've learned from asking HIT experts questions throughout the years, please check out this episode, courtesy of John and Blain! ━━━━━━━━━━━━ Get a FREE course to grow your strength training business here  ━━━━━━━━━━━━ Want More Help Growing? Book a Strategy Call With Lawrence Here ━━━━━━━━━━━━ Get NEW Precision-Engineered MedX Machines here

Spolia, from a Liverpool neighborhood to ancient Rome. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In 533, a twenty-eight-year-old general named Belisarius sailed from Constantinople with 15,000 men to reconquer North Africa from the Vandals, a kingdom that had held it for nearly a century since the sack of Rome. The last time the Eastern Empire had attempted the crossing, the entire fleet had been destroyed. Belisarius landed, defeated the Vandal king in two battles, entered Carthage without a fight, sat on the enemy's throne, and was awarded the first proper Roman triumph in five hundred years. Then Justinian sent him to retake Italy with 7,000 troops. He took Sicily, took Naples, took Rome, and held it against a Gothic army that outnumbered him roughly twenty-to-one for over a year, personally leading cavalry charges from the crumbling Aurelian Walls. When the Goths offered him the crown of the Western Roman Empire, he pretended to accept, walked into Ravenna, arrested the Gothic leadership, and shipped them to Constantinople. Italy was Roman again. And Justinian, terrified of the man who had made it possible, recalled him, stripped his command, and never gave him the resources to finish anything again. Today's guests are Matteo and Matthew Storm, the father-and-son hosts of Lost Roman Heroes, who devoted a five-part series and over five hours to the life of Belisarius. We discuss why a man who did more than anyone since Aurelian to restore the Roman Empire has been almost completely erased from popular memory, how the Plague of Justinian and a volcanic winter destroyed everything Belisarius had reconquered, why Procopius wrote two radically contradictory portraits of the same man, and whether Antonina was the most unfairly maligned woman in Byzantine history or one of its most destructive. We look at why Justinian gave the eunuch Narses everything he never gave Belisarius and what that reveals about how empires manage the men they depend on, why the legend of Belisarius blinded and begging in the streets has persisted for fifteen hundred years despite being almost certainly false, and whether a civilization truly dies when its last true believer falls.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roberta Recchia is the author of the debut novel All That is Left of Life, available from Scribner. Translated by Antonella Lettieri. Born in Rome in 1972, Roberta Rossella Recchia lived for a time in Lille, France, where she earned a master's degree in international relations and cultures. She worked for ten years for a big company and then quit office work to devote herself to teaching. She currently teaches English in a high school in Rome. She is passionate about film and literature, especially Russian and French. She lives with her chihuahua, Claudio, in a small town on the coast of Lazio, Italy. Antonella Lettieri is a London-based translator with over ten years of experience working in English and Italian. She was the 2023 NCW Emerging Translator Mentee for Italian and was awarded first prize in the 2023 John Dryden Translation. *** Today's episode is brought to you by Rula. Thousands of people are already using Rula to get affordable, high-quality therapy that's actually covered by insurance. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rula.com/otherppl⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get started. *** ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Otherppl with Brad Listi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a weekly podcast featuring in-depth interviews with today's leading writers. Available where podcasts are available: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, etc. Get ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How to Write a Novel,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ the debut audio course from DeepDive. 50+ hours of never-before-heard insight, inspiration, and instruction from dozens of today's most celebrated contemporary authors. Subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brad's email newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support the show on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email the show: letters [at] otherppl [dot] com The podcast is a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠proud affiliate partner of Bookshop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, working to support local, independent bookstores. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the previous episode we looked at learned, elaborate, elite magical practices and the books that enabled them in East Rome. In this episode we discuss the magical practices and objects with which normal, non-specialist Romans navigated their mediæval world. Alicia Walker is our guide in the territory where the esoteric becomes everyday.

BB28 Sunday Nominations and Unlocked Ep Recap, Week 7 Also available on YouTube. Big Brother 28 is all about shifting alliances and missed chances as the vets tighten their grip on the house. Taran Armstrong leads this recap episode with Kirsten MacInnis and Chappell, tackling a week packed with a supersized double-episode, dealmaking, and strategy fails. From Dee's HoH win to a messy veto plan, players are scrambling to survive as the power shifts yet again. The podcast kicks off with a review of the jam-packed Unlocked and main episode, featuring Dee's balance beam HoH win, although much of the house intentionally throws the comp, turning a shot at safety into Dee's game to play. Tension rises as Dee uses her Big Brother bribe to strike a deal with Yash, locking in safety for herself, Devens, and Angela for Yash's next potential HoH. The house is buzzing with doubts, especially as Barrett, Mallory, and Melody all choose to either throw or underperform in competitions, and then act shocked or upset when they lose control. Meanwhile, Yash uses the diary room to confess to lying and spinning the blame, ramping up drama between Drew and the vets and setting the stage for a split. Kirsten questions Mallory and Melody’s strategy of throwing comps after struggling all season, but not owning up to it. Taran spotlights Dee's bribe deal with Yash and debates if the vague contract terms could be twisted in future weeks. Dee quickly turns on Drew as her HoH target after being convinced by Yash's pitch about his supposed disloyalty. Barrett gets called out for not protecting his top ally Drew and for going along with the plan even though it may not help his own game. Chatter reveals that Lala, Taylor, and Drew are in the line of fire, with house relationships growing tense and the possibility of a backdoor swirling. With the vets locking down power and deals tying up Yash, will the underdogs finally seize the moment, or have they missed their chance by playing it safe? Catch the episode for the full breakdown on strategy, shifting loyalties, and what could happen next in the Big Brother 28 house. (301 words) 00:00 Big Brother Nominations and Unlocked Recap Kicks Off 05:24 Family Visits and BB Bonds 10:06 Rome and Lyric Relationship Spotlight 14:30 Diary Room and Missing Moments 19:42 OTEV Competition: Behind the Scenes 24:47 HOH Competition—Power Moves Missed 31:31 Dee's Big Brother Bribe Deal 39:03 Yash's Lies Shape Big Brother Game 42:22 Drew's Nomination and New Target 50:47 Nomination Altercation and Spoilers 56:33 Mallory Blindsided by Veto Plan Never miss a minute of RHAP's extensive Big Brother coverage! LISTEN: Subscribe to the Big Brother podcast feed WATCH:  Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube SUPPORT:  Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!

Gaius and Germanicus: Germanicus attributes these failures to a psychological myth of omnipotence that has "suckled" every post-Cold War president: George H.W. Bush dipping a toe into Somalia, Bill Clinton's cruise missile war on Serbia, Barack Obama's targeted killings, Donald Trump mesmerized by unlimited power despite "mature" advisers, and Joe Biden's "feckless adventure" in Ukraine, sputtering that the US was the "greatest nation with the biggest military of all time." The failed campaign to defeat Russia should have been the alarm bell; instead the establishment stayed blind, and the current president—driven by instant gratification and poll rises, as in the first-term Miami meeting with Xi Jinping where he launched cruise missiles at a Syrian airport while serving chocolate cake—has proven American power "evanescent," "brittle," and "superficial." The hosts then catalog the petty feuds with "subkings" that Rome would have discouraged: the aggressive feud with Canada and Mark Carney despite a century of shared history; threats to invade Greenland, prompting the Danes to enlarge their army; disparaging loyal South Korea while courting Kim Jong-un, a "fratricidal cretin" whose flattery Germanicus calls "creepy"; threatening to throw steadfast Oman "into the ocean"; and destroying the bridge built by Giorgia Meloni, the EU's effective "Trump whisperer." Rather than championing an end to Europe's migration crisis, the president has backed the Sultan of Morocco over Ceuta and Melilla, inciting one of the continent's worst flashpoints—conduct Germanicus reads not as dementia but as narcissism grown into "incipient and growing megalomania," in sharp contrast with the implicit rules of the "divine Augustus," whose disregarding heirs Caligula and Nero did not last long. (2)

BB28 Sunday Nominations and Unlocked Ep Recap, Week 7 Also available on YouTube. Big Brother 28 is all about shifting alliances and missed chances as the vets tighten their grip on the house. Taran Armstrong leads this recap episode with Kirsten MacInnis and Chappell, tackling a week packed with a supersized double-episode, dealmaking, and strategy fails. From Dee's HoH win to a messy veto plan, players are scrambling to survive as the power shifts yet again. The podcast kicks off with a review of the jam-packed Unlocked and main episode, featuring Dee's balance beam HoH win, although much of the house intentionally throws the comp, turning a shot at safety into Dee's game to play. Tension rises as Dee uses her Big Brother bribe to strike a deal with Yash, locking in safety for herself, Devens, and Angela for Yash's next potential HoH. The house is buzzing with doubts, especially as Barrett, Mallory, and Melody all choose to either throw or underperform in competitions, and then act shocked or upset when they lose control. Meanwhile, Yash uses the diary room to confess to lying and spinning the blame, ramping up drama between Drew and the vets and setting the stage for a split. Kirsten questions Mallory and Melody’s strategy of throwing comps after struggling all season, but not owning up to it. Taran spotlights Dee's bribe deal with Yash and debates if the vague contract terms could be twisted in future weeks. Dee quickly turns on Drew as her HoH target after being convinced by Yash's pitch about his supposed disloyalty. Barrett gets called out for not protecting his top ally Drew and for going along with the plan even though it may not help his own game. Chatter reveals that Lala, Taylor, and Drew are in the line of fire, with house relationships growing tense and the possibility of a backdoor swirling. With the vets locking down power and deals tying up Yash, will the underdogs finally seize the moment, or have they missed their chance by playing it safe? Catch the episode for the full breakdown on strategy, shifting loyalties, and what could happen next in the Big Brother 28 house. (301 words) 00:00 Big Brother Nominations and Unlocked Recap Kicks Off 05:24 Family Visits and BB Bonds 10:06 Rome and Lyric Relationship Spotlight 14:30 Diary Room and Missing Moments 19:42 OTEV Competition: Behind the Scenes 24:47 HOH Competition—Power Moves Missed 31:31 Dee's Big Brother Bribe Deal 39:03 Yash's Lies Shape Big Brother Game 42:22 Drew's Nomination and New Target 50:47 Nomination Altercation and Spoilers 56:33 Mallory Blindsided by Veto Plan Never miss a minute of RHAP's extensive Big Brother coverage! LISTEN: Subscribe to the Big Brother podcast feed WATCH:  Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube SUPPORT:  Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!