Podcasts about Scotland

Did you know that you start losing bone AND muscle mass as soon as the age of thirty? Or that your fingers and toes don't have muscles? Or how women in Scotland are starting to compete in the lighting of Dinnie Stones – which weighs 733 pounds?! These are topics that Chris discussed with Bonnie Tsui, author of the book On Muscle: The Stuff That Moves Us and Why It Matters. They also discuss what strength and weightlifting means in today's society – especially as more women enter the sport. Bonnie and Chris also discuss studying martial arts, playing on sports teams, and the benefits of functional mobility as you age. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Tuesday, December 30th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson Trump bombed Nigerian ISIS camps It was a first in United States history. President Donald Trump authorized US military action against ISIS-linked camps in northwestern Nigeria for the purposes of defending Christians who have been the brunt of a genocide that's taken place over the last decade. At least two camps, run by the Muslim terrorists, were hit by 18 precision missiles last Thursday on Christmas Day, reports The Guardian. Nicaragua banned Bibles Nicaragua has banned Bibles at the border.  Tourists may not carry Bibles in any form into the country, according to new regulations. Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that the list of forbidden items now includes Bibles, newspapers, magazines, books of any kind, drones and cameras. The Nicaraguan government has also shut down 1,300 religious organizations since April 2018. Repression has picked up since the 2021 election when Daniel Ortega was elected for a fourth consecutive term in office.  Leading opposition candidates were jailed before the sham election.   Nicaragua has the fourth worst economy in South America, just above Cuba, Venezuela, and Haiti. Scottish pro-life grandmother arrested outside abortion mill A 75-year-old grandmother is the first to be arrested in Scotland for coming within 656 feet of an abortion mill. This comes after an anti-protesting law was passed last year.   The Times reported that Rose Docherty was holding a sign that simply stated: “Coercion is a crime. Here to talk, only if you want.” In John 3:20, Jesus said, “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” Puerto Rico recognizes pre-born baby as a person Puerto Rico will now recognize the human fetus as a natural person from conception. That's the substance of a new law which is intended to provide the unborn child with dignity, rights of inheritance, and legal recognition. Sadly, the country still allows abortion for reasons connected to the alleged “life and health of the mother.” Iran's skyrocketing inflation and war with U.S., Israel, & Europe External and internal pressures are increasing on nations worldwide. Iran has edged up into 53 percent year-on-year inflation. That's the fifth worst in the world.  The economy is exasperated by water and energy shortages. And the nation is dealing with rising numbers of protests and strikes. In a published interview late last week, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran was in a "full-scale" war with the U.S., Israel and Europe. Russia's unrelenting attacks on Ukraine And Russia continues its war on Ukraine. Russia Today reported an additional 32 settlements in the Donbas area came under Russia control in December. United States sold $11 billion of arms to Taiwan Following the U.S. sale of $11 billion of arms to Taiwan, the Chinese armed forces have initiated an aggressive military exercise in the South China Sea.  It's the largest scale blockade and attack simulation ever conducted to date. The communist nation is conducting live-fire exercises extremely close to the shores of Taiwan.  The official People's Liberation Army news site announced that the drills include “task forces of bombers, amphibious assault ships, and anti-ship missiles.” But keep in mind Isaiah 40:15. The prophet wrote, “The nations are as a drop in a bucket and are counted as the small dust on the scales; [The Lord]  lifts up the isles as a very little thing. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn nor its beasts sufficient for a burnt offering. All nations before Him are as nothing, and they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless.” U.S. blocks Venezuela's oil exports Things are heating up in Venezuelan waters — as the U.S. military continues its blockade of the nation's oil exports.  Tankertruckers.com reports  about $1 billion of oil, or about 8-10 tankers, have been held up in the Caribbean by the current blockade.   The Venezuelan government relies on oil exports for about two-thirds of its financing. Venezuela is pushing 250 percent inflation, year-over-year. That qualifies as the absolutely worst conditions in the world. Private Texas schools applying for $10,000 government grants Now, in stateside news, private schools in Texas are signing up for state funding. At least 600 private schools have applied for grants under a new law, for the 2026-27 school year, according to Center Square.  The pilot program is offering $10,000 grants to 100,000 students in the Lone Star state. U.S. dollar less desirable Will the dollar retain supremacy in the world market? The U.S. dollar is less and less desirable by national banks around the world.  The percent of the world's foreign exchange reserve, held in U.S. assets, has dropped off from 72 percent to 57 percent since 1999.  Oklahoma college teacher fired for penalizing Biblical worldview The teacher at the University of Oklahoma who had given a Christian student a zero score on her paper for advocating a biblical view of gender has been fired.  The university issued a statement charging the teacher assistant, by the name of William Curth, with arbitrary grading. The student, Samantha Fulnecky, had appealed to the Bible in her essay, noting that, “God created men in the image of His courage and strength, and He created women in the image of His beauty. He intentionally created women differently than men.” Dad rescued daughter from kidnapper on Christmas And finally, a Texas dad rescued his daughter from a kidnapper on Christmas Day, reported WDBJ7.com.   The 15-year-old was walking her dog, when she was abducted at knife point. Her father traced her location by the phone — and found his daughter in the suspect's truck, rescued her, and called the authorities. Praise God she was not physically harmed.  What a courageous father! Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, December 30th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

From the BBC World Service: The South Korean e-commerce company Coupang has announced a compensation deal worth $1.18 billion for customers after a massive hack that affected two-thirds of the country's population. Coupang is often called “South Korea's Amazon,” and nearly 33 million accounts were exposed. Plus, following the major hack that hit production facilities for Jaguar Land Rover, we look back at this year in cyberattacks. Also: the earliest-known coin minted in Scotland.

Keith shares a mindset-shifting quote from John D. Rockefeller that challenges the idea of trading time for money.  He revisits some of the year's most powerful real estate investing lessons, and breaks down the big forces shaping today's housing market—affordability, supply & demand, demographics, and interest rates.  All of this sets the stage for his data-driven national home price outlook for next year—without the usual crash-and-doom hype. Episode Page: GetRichEducation.com/586 For access to properties or free help with a GRE Investment Coach, start here: GREmarketplace.com GRE Free Investment Coaching: GREinvestmentcoach.com Get mortgage loans for investment property: RidgeLendingGroup.com or call 855-74-RIDGE  or e-mail: info@RidgeLendingGroup.com Invest with Freedom Family Investments.  For predictable 10-12% quarterly returns, visit FreedomFamilyInvestments.com/GRE or text  1-937-795-8989 to speak with a freedom coach Will you please leave a review for the show? I'd be grateful. Search "how to leave an Apple Podcasts review"  For advertising inquiries, visit: GetRichEducation.com/ad Best Financial Education: GetRichEducation.com Get our wealth-building newsletter free— GREletter.com or text 'GRE' to 66866 Our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/GetRichEducation Follow us on Instagram: @getricheducation Complete episode transcript: Keith Weinhold  0:00   Welcome to GRE. I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, learn from a quote attributed to the world's first billionaire, it will change how you see wealth building. I'll explain why national home prices have never crashed. Then it's gre, 2026, home price appreciation forecast. You'll learn the future the exact percent that home prices will appreciate or depreciate next year. Today on get rich education   Speaker 1  0:29   since 2014 the powerful get rich education podcast has created more passive income for people than nearly any other show in the world. This show teaches you how to earn strong returns from passive real estate investing in the best markets without losing your time being a flipper or landlord. Show Host Keith Weinhold writes for both Forbes and Rich Dad advisors and delivers a new show every week since 2014 there's been millions of listener downloads of 188 world nations. He has a list show guests include top selling personal finance author Robert Kiyosaki. Get rich education can be heard on every podcast platform, plus it has its own dedicated Apple and Android listener phone apps build wealth on the go with the get rich education podcast. Sign up now for the get rich education podcast, or visit get rich education.com   Corey Coates  1:14   You're listening to the show that has created more financial freedom than nearly any show in the world. This is get rich education.   Keith Weinhold  1:30   Welcome to GRE from Lake Huron, Michigan to Lake Tahoe, California and across 188 nations worldwide. I'm Keith Weinhold, and you're listening to get rich education. You know something I love, quotes that shift your entire mindset, paradigm, and once your mind is shifted, actions follow. Actions develop into patterns. Those patterns become habits, and habits become the new, transformed you few quotes hit harder than the one from resource tycoon John D Rockefeller. He lived from 1839 to 1937 in fact, Rockefeller is widely regarded as the world's first billionaire. His quote, you might have heard it before. It is this, he who works all day has no time to make money. That sounds paradoxical, even provocative. It's sort of like it's inviting you to come in and want to learn more about it. And this is because most people's concept of income generating is to work 40 hours a week for a salary or an hourly wage. But what does that quote really mean? He who works all day has no time to make money, and be sure to capture the all day part of that quote that ties right back into the show that I did with you two weeks ago about the K shaped economy breakdown, where you learned about how capital compounds labor doesn't most people sell their time for dollars, but trading time for money makes you too busy to actually build Wealth. Working and building wealth. Those things are two separate distinct activities in how you're investing your time and energy. Now, most people start out with a wage or a salary job. I surely worked by pushing brooms and cubicle dwelling before investing in my first rental property. But if you're working all day in a job, physically or mentally well, then you're consumed by tasks that only pay you. Once you're occupied, you can often get exhausted and you're only concerned with short term output. You're focused on the next deadline, not the next decade, when all your hours are spent on labor, you have no bandwidth to do what you need to do, which is, create vision, acquire assets, build a portfolio, develop systems, learn tax strategy, evaluate investment deals, network with like minded investors, or refine your strategy with a GRE investment coach. Be cognizant that labor only pays today. Wealth building pays forever. Even if your work a day job, salary doubled, you would have to ask, how would that even build wealth? You could retire earlier, but you would have to keep working the hours, and let's remember that wealth equals freedom. You can't architect a wealth plan from the assembly line. Now, that's something that Rockefeller would have agreed with. Wealth requires less. Leverage and labor has none. So working all day means no leverage. You are the engine instead making money, that means using leverage, and instead of you being the engine, well, the engine is something else, like assets, systems, technology, other people's time, other people's money, and borrowing to inflation profit. Rockefeller believed and proved that leverage beats labor 100 to one. He's not discouraging work. In fact, it's just the wrong type of work, because he was one of the hardest working people alive. And really the bottom line here, with this quote, he who works all day has no time to make money, is that Rockefeller meant that if you spend your life doing tasks, you'll never rise high enough to own things that pay you for life. Earning a living is a different activity than building wealth, and once your mindset is shifted, actions follow, yep, actions develop into patterns, and those patterns become the new you. well as the last episode of the year on the show here, 52 weeks worth, I sure hope that I've helped you think, learn and grow your wealth, as have our guest contributors here early in the year, the father of Reaganomics was here, a man that frequently advised a president inside the White House. He told us how much he dislikes tariffs. Tariffs block free trade, and trade improves our lives. Major apartment investor, Ken McElroy, was here this year, and he predicted that the American home ownership rate will fall below 60% that would be major it's currently at 65 if the home ownership rate falls to 60% that would unleash millions of new renters into the market, and it has not been that low in decades, if ever you got a lot of mortgage insights with chailey Ridge, including learning how you can qualify for income property loans without a w2 job, without a pay stub or without tax returns by instead getting a DSCR loan. You'll recall this year that I discussed 50 year mortgages, and I did that before it even hit the news cycle, telling you that it could be coming and that it could be proposed. I explained why I like 50 year mortgages more than 30 year loans, but be aware it is not imminent that they're coming. Also this year, economist Richard Duncan and commentator Doug Casey discussed the Fed. Richard told us how the President is trying to totally restructure who serves on the Fed, trying to get low interest rate pushers in there. And then just last week, Doug and I discussed how fed decisions just keep hollowing out the middle class. A and E television star Todd drillette told us how to negotiate. I had four good discussions with our own investment coach, nuresh this year, more than usual, a pastor and I discussed a rare topic, what the Bible says about money. You learned how to use AI in your real estate investing and when not to. We had a few episodes about that. But above all the shows this year, they were about you, probably more than any other year that we've had here. I did more listener question episodes where I answered your questions as you wrote in, and I also had more listeners come right onto the show and tell me how this show has personally built their wealth. And of course, this year, I got to meet more of you in person when I served as a faculty member on the terrific real estate guys Investor Summit to see and I got to meet you personally for more than just a handshake. The event was set up so that chances are you had dinner with me as well. So rather than this show being a one way chat from me to you this year was more of a dialog between you and I and more two way communication. A lot of new topics are coming for next year, both me teaching and some great guests. If there's something on the show that you'd like to hear more of or less of, let us know. Write into us or use your voice to tell us either way you can do that. At get rich education.com/contact, let us know what you want to hear more of or less of. Do you like shorter term tactics like when and how to increase the rent? Or do you like mid range tactics like how to constantly do cash out refinances and get a tax free windfall from your properties every year. Or do you like more of the long term strategies like specifically how you profit from inflation? Let us know what you like again, at get rich education.com/contact, now, even if you're listening 10 years. Years from now, which I know you very well. May, I'm going to break down next year's home price appreciation forecast, but I'll do it in a way where you'll learn how to analyze a market for all time coming up. It's gre 2026, national home price appreciation forecast. Learn the future to the exact percent. First listen to this from Freedom family investments and Ridge lending group, because I'm a client of both myself and they can help you. I'm your host. Keith Weinhold   Keith Weinhold  10:29   you know, most people think they're playing it safe with their liquid money, but they're actually losing savings accounts and bonds don't keep up when true inflation eats six or 7% of your wealth. Every single year I invest my liquidity with FFI freedom family investments in their flagship program. Why fixed 10 to 12% returns have been predictable and paid quarterly. There's real world security backed by needs based real estate like affordable housing, Senior Living and health care. Ask about the freedom flagship program. When you speak to a freedom coach there, and that's just one part of their family of products, they've got workshops, webinars and seminars designed to educate you before you invest. Start with as little as 25k and finally, get your money working as hard as you do. Get started at Freedom, family, investments.com/gre, or send a text now it's 1-937-795-8989, yep, text their freedom coach, directly. Again, 1-937-795-8989,   Speaker 2  11:40   the same place where I get my own mortgage loans is where you can get yours. Ridge lending group and MLS, 42056, they provided our listeners with more loans than anyone because they specialize in income properties. They help you build a long term plan for growing your real estate empire with leverage. Start your prequel and even chat with President Caeli Ridge personally. While it's on your mind, start at Ridge lending group.com that's Ridge lending group.com   Robert Kiyosaki  12:14   this is our Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Author Robert Kiyosaki. Listen to get rich education with Keith Weinhold. And there is, I respect Kate. He's a very strong, smart, bright young man.   Keith Weinhold  12:35   Welcome back to get rich education. It's episode 586 the last show of the year. I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, I am proud to present to you in this segment of the show gre 2026, national home price appreciation forecast, where I use my insight and experience so that you'll learn the exact percent that national home prices will either appreciate or depreciate next year. It's the fifth consecutive year that we're doing this. I nailed the first three spot on and then this year happened. I'll get to reviewing my track record, total accountability. First understand something, real estate values have never crashed in your entire lifetime, even if you're 90 years old, to grab eyeballs, slack jawed, tick tock. Call them crash talk. Economists keep making awful predictions about a housing price crash, and none of them have been worse than one that published last month in Newsweek, which outlines a as it's called, correction worse than 2008 and says national home prices will fall 50% five zero, starting as soon as next year. That's absurd, and I can't believe that a respectable publication would platform a view from an analyst like that, and I'm not going to call out that Doomsayer analyst's name. That's not my style. I'm sure you can find it that crash is about as likely as one social media post changing your political affiliation later today. Look, doomsayers don't care about you. They make dire predictions because they care about them. It elevates their clicks, their followers and their name recognition, and they never hang around to follow up on that prediction, but it harms you, because you miss out on the equity gains, and that's the real damage. In fact, this particular analyst also called for this year to have the second largest home price decline since World War Two. Well, national home prices have only fallen twice in that time period. In fact, going further back. Back to the 1930s Great Depression. They've only fallen twice. Yes, that means home prices have risen every single year since the 1930s except for two periods, a small decline of less than 1% around 1990 and then, of course, the severe downturn from the housing bubble and great recession from 2007 to 2011 or 2012 that's where prices dropped in total, 25 to 26% from peak to trough. Now why do I say that that period around 2008 was not a housing price crash. Well, because it wasn't. Instead, it was a slow bleed. The definition of financial crash is a sudden, sharp and widespread drop in prices. That's the definition. Well that can happen in some other asset classes like stocks or Bitcoin or perhaps even precious metals, but not real estate. It is neither sudden nor sharp. The worst year, 2008 saw home prices drop 12% in that one year and some of the other years bracketing it, home prices fell three to 4% in each of those years. So then during this time period of price attrition, during the global financial crisis, each month, real estate values fell just a few tenths of 1% maybe half of 1% or even one full percent, not a crash, a slow bleed. This means that it took about five years for values to fall, a total of near 25% I mean, that makes it really clear that it's not a crash. And again, this period was about 2007 to 2012 don't get me wrong, it was bad. I was a real estate investor both before and during 2008 but to call it a crash is hyperbolic, and that is because words mean things. I think a lot of media consumers get so conditioned to mass media sensationalism that they've forgotten what a crash even means. At some point, it begins to bend our very lexicon back around 2007 I remember I frequently checked a website called implode meter. Yeah, that's the name of it. It tracks, failing banks. I looked the other day and implodemeter.com is still in existence, even though it's not nearly as spicy as it used to be during the GFC, because lending has been pretty stable for a long time, and loans are well and carefully underwritten. So home prices are unusually stable over time, because, in a sense, housing is not a normal market. It is slow, regulated, credit driven, and it's emotionally sticky, even though rental property is less emotional. Well, the values of one to four unit property are tied to primary residence values, and that's where the emotion exists. So if you put all those together, you get prices that creep upward most years and rarely fall at all. Nationally. The real estate market moves too gradually to be crash susceptible. It is the place for real wealth building values also are not going to double annually if you want to scroll for dopamine hits from the couch. Well, you can do that with a prediction market like call she or in crypto with altcoins, while your real estate keeps leveraging dollars in a stable way in the background. That's how you can think about it. All right, so we've established since the Great Depression, home values have fallen twice and once substantially. Well, right now, home prices are up about 2% year over year. Most places have appreciated, especially the more affordable markets. Not only has home price growth been slow, though, rent growth has been slow as well. Single Family rents are up 1% per totality. Apartment rents are down one to 2% per Zumper. But back to our focus today, forecasting national home prices. Everything we're discussing is nominal price change, meaning not inflation adjusted, and it's single family homes up to fourplexes. Well, as we use context to build up to the big reveal today, where I'll tell you the exact percent that home prices will rise or fall next year. Could 2008 happen again any time soon? Let's isolate that out. It's important to look at history rather than. Having some uninformed hunch in both periods with price attrition around 1990 and 2008 these two falls have some attributes in common. So let's look at that. What led to these rare falls in home prices, irresponsible lending, forced selling, a vacancy issue and overbuilding. All four of those factors were in place during those two periods now leading up to 1990 the irresponsible lending was on the commercial side. That was the savings and loan crisis, but it did trickle into the residential market, and then in 2008 it was on the residential side. But of all four of those factors, none of them are in place today. Zero borrowers are strongly underwritten because they've got those full documentation loans, and virtually no one is forced to sell in a fire sale. In fact, homeowners still have these record equity positions of about 300k fewer than 3% of homeowners have a negative equity position, and there is no vacancy issue. Because, in fact, we've been under building. We'll look at that. So for next year, no substantial price of drawdown is coming. None's expected. We can isolate that out. Since I was investing directly in real estate through 2008 I know what happened is that when people walked away from properties, they did so because the economy got rough, their variable rate mortgages rose, they couldn't make their payments, or they just had no motivation to make their payments because they were underwater and had zero protective equity. In a lot of cases, it's almost impossible for that to happen today, homeowners can make their payments, and they're motivated to do so because they have that erstwhile equity to protect, like I said last week, through the Census Bureau data and realtor.com we know a couple things. Four in 10 homeowners have no mortgage at all. They own their property free and clear. Among the group with mortgages, 70% of borrowers still have a mortgage rate locked in at under 5% and blending those together for you means that then 82% of borrowers either have no mortgage or they've got a rate under 5% this translates to really affordable payments, along with The protective equity, even if inflation heats up again, it still cannot touch a borrower's mortgage payment amount because it is fixed. As we're leading up to the big reveal of next year's number, we're about to look at affordability, supply, demand and the effect of mortgage rates on prices. Of course, that word affordability, that has been the most central word to home buying for a couple years now, affordability will improve in three main ways. If either home prices fall, mortgage rates fall, or wages rise, it takes at least one of those three things, the good news is that this year, wages have been rising faster than both stated inflation and home prices. Wages have been rising close to 4% that looks to continue at least into the early part of next year. Well that improved affordability allows home prices to move up, and it gives room for rents to move up as well. Now when it comes to mortgage rates, if you're new to listening to me, it will be groundbreaking for you to realize that today, mortgage rates are low, and increases to mortgage rates usually lead to increases in home prices, not decreases. If you're new here, both of those facts might leave you saying what I thought it was the opposite. How can that be? I won't spend much time on this because longtime listeners already know these two things, but they do go into the forecast the long term 30 year fixed rate mortgage averages 7.7% per Freddie Mac thirst, that set goes back to 1971 and rates are lower than that now, and mortgage rates have risen 1% or more seven different times since 1994 and home prices increased all Seven times right alongside those rising mortgage rates. In fact, when rates more than doubled in 2022 what happened? Home prices soared to their highest appreciation year in a long time. It reinforced this so, yes, way higher rates equaled way. Higher prices. It's not that one directly causes the other. This is correlation versus causation. It's because rate increases confirm that the economy is doing well. I have discussed that extensively in previous episodes, so mortgage rates actually don't have that much to do with home prices, and that's why it is hardly going into the forecast for next year. I'll tell you what trying to forecast mortgage rates to then use that to predict home prices, that is a fantastic way to waste your time. Now, 1x factor that could make that different for next year is that this President, he imposes his will to make rates low no matter what. So even if the economy is good, which typically leads to higher rates, wholesale push to make rates low, and that's an artificial phenomenon. Wouldn't that make home prices boom if we had a strong economy and low rates? The fact that affordability is still historically low today, though, we appear to be off the bottom. Affordability is still historically low today, that has less to do with mortgage rates than most people think, since, again, rates are low when they're in the low sixes, like they currently are. Instead, affordability is soured, because over the long term, decades, wages haven't kept up with true inflation. That's what's really going on with affordability and what everybody misses, and because affordability is still strained, home prices cannot rise a lot, say 10 or 12% next year. That can't happen on a national basis next year, now, a bill is advancing through Congress now to make housing more affordable. It's got bipartisan support relaxing zoning requirements in such a bill that could help build more homes, but if the government tries to help by making access to loans easier, that is going to lead to even higher prices and really will not help with affordability beyond the short term. In fact, just this month, the Fed has resumed QE quantitative easing. And that effectively means that it is ramping up the number of dollars being printed. And these are just more dollars in existence coming in to chase real estate and every other assets values higher we look at the employment picture. Although unemployment has been ticking up lately, it is still low at under 5% what about housing supply versus demand? And future supply versus demand? Well, this is basic econ and it will totally affect future prices. Actually visited the home of the father of economics, Adam Smith in Scotland this year, the man that nearly invented the supply demand concept starting with supply. I think anyone in real estate knows that generally, over six months of housing supply is too much. Under six months is too little. Six months is sort of that balanced point. What does that really mean? Well, months of supply is how long it would take to sell all the homes currently for sale if no new listings came on the market. All right, that's all that means. Well, currently, that level is 4.2 months that is low, and that puts some upward pressure on prices as well. Another way to think about it is with the active listing count of single family homes and condos. All this means is the number of homes currently for sale and available to buy right now. That's what active listing count means when you see that statistic out there? Well, one and a half to 2 million is the normal level of units needed to adequately house our growing population, for single family homes and condos. Well, that figure bottomed out in 2022 and it's only hovered around one or 1.1 million for a few months now, we are under supplied, and it takes a long time to build our way out of it. Now, apartment buildings are a different story. They are oversupplied, but again, today, we're here focused on the future price direction of one to four unit properties. So that's supply, not as tight as it was, but still on the tight side, and then demand. Where is demand coming from? It comes from us. There's more of us. As our population keeps growing, there is a lot of housing demand coming. Not only is there pent up demand from those trying to afford a home as soon as they can, but more broadly. Demographically, I will point back to that period where there was a surge of us births from 1990 to 2010 there were over 4 million births every single one of those years, births peaked in 2007 if you add 40 years to that, because 40 years is now the average age of the first time homebuyer. That's still a mind blowing figure to me, 40 years the average age of the first time homebuyer. You add that to 2007 that peak birth rate year, and this demand won't even peak until about 2047   Speaker 2  30:36   and this doesn't even include additions from immigration, demand, demand, demand, propping up prices for decades, but for next year, improved affordability, which is expected that boosts the demand for those that have the capacity to pay. Well, considering everything we've covered, I'm about to reveal the number for next year. But first, I mean, gosh, don't you wish everyone actually followed up on their past forecasts, like I'm about to I don't think I've ever seen a price crash predictor follow up, because they're always wrong. Well, what is the track record of get rich, education, home, price appreciation forecasts. It's the fifth straight year I'm doing this, and I always release the forecast in the final days of the year in anticipation of the coming year, just like you and I are doing together now. For 2022 I said that prices would rise nine to 10% the year ended, and they came in at 10% 2023 a lot of people said home prices would fall because they had just seen a terrific run up. I said a price fall would not happen, largely due to that jaw droppingly low supply that we had then. I said zero, there wouldn't be any change. They came in at exactly zero. There was no price change in 2023 for 2024 I forecast 4% they came in at exactly 4% this is all documented. You can go back and listen to those episodes. They're all near year end. So yes, three straight years, I nailed it to the exact percent. How about this year? Just before the year began? Do you remember what my forecast figure was from listening here about a year ago, it was 5% home price appreciation. The year is not over yet, and real estate statistics move pretty slowly. Figures lag, but we pretty much know where it's going to end up. And as we look at this same stat set that I consistently use, which is the NARS national median existing single family home price, it is 2.2% as of late in the year, and it's almost certainly going to end up at 2% appreciation. So I would call that a miss, probably not a terrible call, but far enough apart to call that a miss, 5% forecast versus 2% actual for this year. That's the track record. So before I reveal the number for next year, in the last four I've nailed three of them spot on, and why was appreciation less than I expected for this year? Well, a few reasons. One of them is that inflationary pressure from tariffs was postponed. That Tariff Schedule was changed more times than anyone could have possibly forecast, and affordability stayed stubbornly low too. And here we go for 2026 how much home price appreciation or depreciation do I expect? Well, I haven't said this in any of the previous forecasts, because it's the easiest thing to say, and I often avoid saying the easiest thing, but this is just what I see coming, and that is, I expect more of the same. It's the first time I've said more of the same, which is drumroll here, 2% home price appreciation for next year. No wild figure or hyperbolic material here, in order to attract attention that is my best target for the truth, I'm here to do my best to be accurate and help you make the most informed decision, 2% for next year. So a 500k property today should cost you about 10,000 more dollars next year, and as we know, with a figure like 2% which is less appreciation than the long run historic 5% or so, with this 2% appreciation on new purchases, you leverage that five to one with your 80% loan, and you get a 10% return on your down payment. And you add in the other four ways real estate pays to your 10% leverage appreciation and at historic norms, you can end up with a 29% total ROI. That's realistic. I outlined the math of that in an earlier episode this year when I discussed how real estate pays five ways in a slow market, there you have it, 2% forecast home price appreciation for next year. If you want the charts that support the forecast and more, there's a way for you to get a hold of that, and also the best real estate maps, stories and investment opportunities that you won't see in any headlines. They are all in my free weekly newsletter. The newsletter also gives you access to my free real estate pays five ways. Video, course, that is it. GRE letter.com Get it all at one easy place. Gre letter.com I look forward to talking to you in the new year. I'm Keith Weinhold, don't quit your daydrem   Speaker 3  36:06   nothing on this show should be considered specific, personal or professional advice. Please consult an appropriate tax, legal, real estate, financial or business professional for individualized advice. Opinions of guests are their own. Information is not guaranteed. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. The host is operating on behalf of get rich Education LLC, exclusively.   Keith Weinhold  36:34   The preceding program was brought to you by your home for wealth building, GetRichEducation.com  

Taiwan has put its forces on high alert after China began a live-fire rehearsal of a blockade of the island. Is Beijing responding to a recent US-Taiwan arms deal? Also in the programme: a special report from Myanmar, where some people have been voting in elections for the first time since a military coup five years ago; and how the discovery of a silver coin has excited historians in Scotland. (Photo: Taiwan Air Force Mirage 2000 fighter jets prepare for takeoff at an airbase in Hsinchu, Taiwan, 29 December 2025. Reaction in Taiwan after China announces live fire drill around Taiwan - 29 Dec 2025. Credit: Photo by Ritchie B Tongo/EPA/Shutterstock)

From the BBC World Service: The South Korean e-commerce company Coupang has announced a compensation deal worth $1.18 billion for customers after a massive hack that affected two-thirds of the country's population. Coupang is often called “South Korea's Amazon,” and nearly 33 million accounts were exposed. Plus, following the major hack that hit production facilities for Jaguar Land Rover, we look back at this year in cyberattacks. Also: the earliest-known coin minted in Scotland.

The Conservatives call on the Home Secretary to take action over the British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, who has apologised for past tweets about killing Zionists and the police. Also: Russia revises its stance on peace negotiations, after accusing Ukraine of targeting one of President Putin's official residences. And the next instalment in our series about next year's local and devolved elections in England, Scotland and Wales.

With her owners away, a Highland cow goes out to play.Written especially for this podcast by Alice.  If you enjoyed this story, please do leave us a review.  And, if you'd like to suggest an animal for a future Animal Tales story, you can do so by emailing podcast@animaltales.uk. We would love to hear from you.  Animal Tales Books!Collections of Animal Tales children's stories are available to buy exclusively at Amazon. Simply search for Animal Tales Short Stories or follow this link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CLJQZ9C9?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_sirpiBecome a PREMIUM SubscriberYou can now enjoy Animal Tales by becoming a Premium Subscriber. This gets you:All episodes in our catalogue advert freeBonus Premium-only episodes (one per week) which will never be used on the main podcastWe guarantee to use one of your animal suggestions in a storyYou can sign up through Apple Podcasts or through Supercast and there are both monthly and yearly plans available.   Discover a brand new story every Monday, Wednesday and Friday – just for you!  You can find more Animal Tales at https://www.spreaker.com/show/animal-tales-the-kids-story-podcastA Note About The AdvertsIn order to allow us to make these stories we offer a premium subscription and run adverts. The adverts are not chosen by us, but played automatically depending on the platform you listen through (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc) and the country you live in. The adverts may even be different if you listen to the story twice.We have had a handful of instances where an advert has played that is not suitable for a family audience, despite the podcast clearly being labelled for children. If you're concerned about an advert you hear, please contact the platform you are listening to directly. Spotify, in particular, has proven problematic in the past, for both inappropriate adverts and the volume at which the adverts play. If you find this happening, please let Spotify know via their Facebook customer care page. As creators, we want your child's experience to be a pleasurable one. Running adverts is necessary to allow us to operate, but please do consider the premium subscription service as an alternative – it's advert free.

This week, I sat down with Martin Towns to unpack a career built across brokerage, private equity, institutional fund management, and now global leadership, and what it takes to scale a real estate investment platform across multiple cycles and geographies. Martin is Global Head of Real Estate at M&G, responsible for the strategic direction and growth of a real estate business managing approximately $50bn of assets across 26 countries in Europe, Asia and North America. He has more than 20 years' experience in real estate investment management, including 15 years at M&G, and previously held roles at Close Brothers Investment Bank and Jones Lang LaSalle. In this conversation, Martin shares how growing up in rural Scotland led him into Land Economy, why his early years at JLL and Close Brothers shaped his understanding of risk and cycles, and how living through the Global Financial Crisis fundamentally influenced his approach to leverage, structuring and downside protection. We discuss why he joined M&G when the platform was still UK focused and internally funded, and how proprietary capital was used to seed strategies that later scaled into global third party businesses. Martin explains the evolution of M&G's residential and living platforms, the creation of its Capital Solutions business for large institutional investors, and the strategic thinking behind acquiring value add specialist Beaumont. We also explore investor behaviour across regions, the return of capital to core real estate, how global LP preferences are shifting, and what leadership looks like when you move from doing deals to setting strategy at scale. Key Topics Covered in This Episode ✅ From Rural Scotland to Global Real Estate Leadership How Martin's early career choices and formative experiences shaped his long term investment philosophy. ✅ Lessons from the GFC Why understanding cycles, leverage and macro risk remains critical for institutional real estate investors. ✅ Building a Global Platform at M&G How internal life assurance capital helped seed strategies that later scaled into multi billion pound global funds. ✅ Living, Capital Solutions and Value Add Why residential and living assets became institutionalised and how bespoke mandates and co investment changed M&G's growth trajectory. ✅ Acquiring Beaumont The rationale behind adding value add capability and how to integrate specialist teams without destroying culture or performance. And of course, I asked Martin the big question: Who are the People, what Property, and which Place would you invest in if you had £500 million to deploy? If you have thoughts or questions about this episode, drop them in the comments. I'd love to hear your take. The People Property Place Podcast is powered by Rockbourne, recruiting leadership talent for real estate funds, owners, investors, and developers.

Grief doesn't ask to be rushed—and it doesn't cancel out joy.In this episode of the Woo Curious Podcast, Eileen sits down with Yarrow Magdalena, grief companion and host of Grief Magic, for a gentle, honest conversation about loss, ritual, and what it means to live alongside grief in a culture that struggles to hold it.Together they explore grief as sacred, the importance of grief literacy, how creativity and textiles can support mourning, and why connecting with land and seasons can help us feel less alone. This episode is for anyone who has loved, lost, and is learning how to keep their heart open anyway. A soft place to land.

Support Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://libri-vox.org/donateIn July 1879, Robert Louis Stevenson left Scotland to meet his future wife in her native California. Leaving by ship from Glasgow, Scotland, he determined to travel in steerage class to see how the working classes fared. At the last minute he was convinced by friends to purchase a ticket one grade above the lowest price, for which he was later thankful after seeing the conditions in steerage, but he still lived among the 'lower' classes. His comments on the experience make interesting reading. His father however was so shocked at the thought of his son associating with people 'beneath him' that the work was not published for a number of years, (Summary by annise)Genre(s): *Non-fiction, Travel & GeographyLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): emigrant (2), steerage (1), trans atlantic (1Support Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://libri-vox.org/donate

message me: what did you take away from this episode? Ep 108 (http://ibit.ly/Re5V) Liz McNeill and the 5th anniversary wrap up#PhDMidwives #research #midwifery #doctoralstudies #supportnetwork #cheersquad #celebrations #globalmidwifery #phdlife #profdoc #DNP #DMPFive years on, the numbers tell a hopeful story—119 countries tuned in—but the real win is what listeners do with the ideas. We revisit a year of fiercely practical conversations that move from thriving after burnout to the politics of consent, from water birth service design to the realities of dual-qualified pathways, and from oxytocin research to the tools that measure and mend birth trauma. Along the way we challenge how naming shapes midwifery's visibility in research and policy, and we keep circling a core truth: informed choice isn't a slogan, it's practice.We also look ahead with purpose. I share my PhD submission timeline, a speaking-and-meetup tour across England, Scotland, Denmark, and the ICM conference in Lisbon. Most importantly, I'm calling in clinical doctoral midwives—PhDs, professional doctorates, DNPs—whose bedside perspective keeps scholarship honest and useful. If you're 12 months post-completion or working toward it, your voice belongs here.To widen the circle, we're considering launching “Spotlight On,” a new stream for trailblazers shaping midwifery and women's health outside formal doctorates: service redesigners, community advocates, educators, and policy shifters. Expect focused, story-rich chats that you can translate into practice the next day. If an episode sparks a better question with a woman in your care, or gives you language to push for change in your unit, the mission is working.If this resonates, help the midwifery voice carry further: follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a rating with one guest you want to hear next. Your suggestions shape the next hundred conversations. Support the showDo you know someone who should tell their story?email me - thruthepodcast@gmail.comThe aim is for this to be a fortnightly podcast with extra episodes thrown inThis podcast can be found on various socials as @thruthepinardd and our website -https://thruthepinardpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ or ibit.ly/Re5V

This podcast was recorded at-and in partnership with-the 2014 StAnza International Poetry Festival. Jennifer Williams talked to Jacob Polley about meaning and lack thereof, about resisting the idea of ‘home' and about remaining open to possibility when you're writing and much more. Jacob Polley is the author of three acclaimed poetry collections, The Brink, Little Gods and, most recently, The Havocs, as well as a Somerset Maugham Award-winning novel, Talk of the Town. Born in Cumbria, he lives in Scotland where he teaches at the University of St Andrews. Many thanks to James Iremonger  for the music in the podcast. Image: Mai Lin Li.

Before you say "yes" to that promotion at work, you need to hear this.You've crushed your targets. You're the superstar. Now, your company wants to "reward" you with a Sales Manager title. I'm telling you: it's a bait you shouldn't swallow blindly. In this episode, I break down the brutal reality of the "Promotion Trap."Most top performers move into management only to find their income slashed, their stress tripled, and their freedom gone.What You Stand to Lose: * Your Paycheck: Why moving from commissions to a capped salary might be financial suicide for you. * Your Control: You go from being responsible for your own wins to being held hostage by a lazy team. * Your Peace: The hidden "lifestyle tax" that causes marital strain when the money stops flowing.I share real stories from Nigeria to Scotland—including the rep who will lose millions in bonuses just for a fancy title. If you want to keep winning, you must understand the difference between selling and leading.Level Up Your GameI am hosting a Live Online Sales Training from January 12th–23rd, 2026. I will teach you how to master the phone, close deals faster, and take advantage of your commissions.Listen to the full episode now to save your career, and hit Subscribe so you never miss a truth bomb.

Mark and Rachel celebrate 60 Years of the Mountain Bothy Association with a trip to Ryvoan Bothy to get a sense of the very lively bothy culture in Scotland.

A full NHS investigation is under way after Scotland's biggest hospital released the wrong body for a cremation. The mistake was made by mortuary staff at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. They have been suspended. The error involved incorrect labelling. It emerged only after the funeral service and cremation had taken plac

This week, Jacob delivers his weekly "Word for the Weekend" teaching from Scotland during the November conference. This week's message is about current events. This teaching was originally taught on RTN TV's "Word for the Weekend" on November 22, 2025 and can be found on RTN and Moriel's YouTube and ministry channels. Word for the Weekend streams live every Saturday. See RTNTV.org for more information

Welcome to another episode of Crime Time Inc. with Simon and Tom! In this engaging discussion, they explore Tom's recent article in The Scotsman on public inquiries in Scotland. Tom emphasises the vital role of inquiries, citing the Piper Alpha disaster, while critiquing the growing number of politically motivated inquiries that waste time and money—over £250 million in the last decade alone.They navigate the myriad of ongoing inquiries in the UK, highlighting the inefficiencies of the Undercover Policing Inquiry. The conversation shifts to the potential of modern technologies, like body cameras, to reduce the need for inquiries and improve accountability.As they contemplate the future of intelligence gathering in law enforcement, Tom reveals how digital methods are transforming crime-fighting strategies. Simon discusses shoplifting as a “gateway crime” and reflects on the increased sophistication of theft tactics in today's landscape, driving home alarming statistics of £2.2 billion lost by UK retailers. The hosts highlight the implications for store security and community safety, along with the ongoing decline of local policing.Concluding the episode, Simon and Tom invite listeners to share their insights on broader crime trends and hint at future discussions on organised crime in North America. Join us for a vital blend of holiday spirit and pressing social dialogue!About Crime Time Inc.Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic.This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history.Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work.Two crime worlds. One podcast.New episodes released regularly throughout the season.Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us.Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey.http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tales From The Tailgate Season Finale wraps three LSU home games featuring Texas A&M, Arkansas, and Western Kentucky. Fans traveled from Scotland, Australia, Denmark, London, Montana, and beyond to experience LSU tailgating, Tiger Stadium, food, culture, and tradition.

Happy New Year from Destination Eat Drink! On our special New Year’s episode we’re ringing in the new year by banging bread on the wall in Ireland, celebrating the constellation of Matariki in New Zealand, and observing First Footing in Scotland. Plus, throwing furniture off the balcony in Naples and adding whisky to trifle! [Ep 369] Show Notes: Foodie Travel Guides by Destination Eat Drink Flavour Trails food and whiskey tours in Ireland Mickela’s TV show Bare Feet Daniel Stables travel writer Dan’s book Fiesta: A Journey Through Festivity Edinburgh food tours with Nell at Edinburgh Food Safari Brent’s video from the Lille, France Christmas Market

For the past several years, Steve Kim has been completing his PhD in Scotland. G. K. Chesterton is one of the people Steve has been studying in his doctoral work. In this episode of the AC Podcast, Andy and Steve explore Chesterton's theology of wonder while driving and hiking through the Scottish Highlands.

In the second of our two Christmas Specials we are joined from Scotland by Chris Beetham - 2024 Scotlands Strongest Man & 2025 UK Strongest Man runner up (by 1.5 points!) Chris is a full time Structural Engineer, father of two, owner of Dodge City Strength Gym, youth Rugby coach, coach to 35 strength athletes AND a Pro Strongman himself! We learn about Chris' rugby background, how he fell in love with Strength Training & his life as a competitive Powerlifter then Strongman & how he 'engaged feast mode' to transform himself from a naturally slim guy into the man he is today - top tip - double dinners!

Due a technical issue this has been delayed by a couple of days   https://folkinscotland.wixsite.com/mysite http://derekfindas.bsky.social/

Send us a textIn this episode of The Coven of Awesomeness Podcast, we're starting with Witchy Wisdom. We're answering a listener's questions about what to do with the stuff from your spell when the spell is finished. As usual, the answer is whatever you want, but of course, we dig a bit deeper with some helpful suggestions.Then we're discovering depictions of witchcraft in visual art throughout history. From early sculptures of magical goddesses to anti-witch propaganda in early mass media right up to modern day witches in artwork of every persuasion, we're digging into all of it. Plus we share our favorite witchy artwork and talking about artwork as witchcraft as well.Then, Renee is reflecting on a year of learning to rest, and the Universe is showering Louise with good vibes to help reaffirm that she's on the right track.For complete show notes and links, go to awesomeon20.com/episode237Follow Renee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Renee_awesomeon20/Follow Louise on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Louise_awesomeon20Support the showIf you're able, give this podcast your support by joining the International Coven of Awesomeness on Patreon so we can keep sharing witchy content for that's free for all.Get your free ebook How to Work with the Moon to Get Things Done.Check out the latest workshop offerings from the STC Witchcraft Academy for both online workshops and in-person circles in the Glasgow, Scotland area.Find all your favorite recipes and witch tips at Awesome on 20 Kitchen Magick.Book a tarot reading with Renee at Sagittarian Tarot & Coaching. Join the Moon Magic Membership coven to receiving ongoing support in your witchcraft journey. Join our Coven of Awesomeness Facebook group open to everyone.

Welcome to the thirty-ninth episode of the Zoology Ramblings Podcast! In this episode, Emma and Robi adopt a wintery, festive theme for this December episode. They start by looking back at their wildlife adventures from 2025. Robi also explores the question 'to Beave or Not To Beave?', when considering the role of beavers contributing to natural flood management. For his species of the week, Robi discusses the festive reindeer and Emma talks about the Arctic fox and her special connection to them in Iceland. For their local conservation stories, Robi spotlights some exciting new research showing how reintroducing wolves in Scotland could help regenerate forests and sequester carbon. Emma platforms the European Young Rewilders, with Emma and Robi keen to join the movement. Robi and Emma end with their global conservation news, with Robi delving deeper into polar bear hunting and management, breaking down WWF's stance on this topic. Emma ends by sharing some sad new for snowy owls in Sweden, but also some better news for the species in North America. We look forward to bringing you with us into 2026!Robi Watkinson is a Conservation Biologist and wildlife filmmaker specialising in the spatial and movement ecology of large carnivores, camera trapping survey methods, rewilding, metapopulation dynamics and conservation planning. He has an MSc in Conservation Biology from the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, and the Institute of Communities and Wildlife in Africa, University of Cape Town. He is based between Cape Town and London, and has strong interests in equitable and inclusive conservation, palaeontology and wildlife taxonomy and evolution!Emma Hodson is a Zoologist and wildlife content creator, currently working in the community and engagement team at Avon Wildlife Trust. Emma's role as a Wildlife Champions Project Officer involves supporting and upskilling people to take action for nature in their local communities. Emma has experience in remote wildlife fieldwork, and has been part of Arctic fox, macaw and cetacean research teams in Iceland, Peru and Wales respectively. She has also been involved in animal care and rehabilitation work in Costa Rica and South Africa. Emma is particularly passionate about the interface between community engagement and wildlife monitoring, and enjoys running workshops and giving talks on topics including camera trapping, beaver ecology and rewilding. You can watch "Rewilding A Nation" for free on WaterBear by following this link: https://www.waterbear.com/watch/rewilding-a-nation . You can follow more of our weird and wonderful wildlife adventures on instagram: @zoologyramblingspodcast & @robi_watkinson_wildlife & @emma_hodson_wildlife

This episode originally broadcast on December 25, 2025. The original podcast post is here: https://pixelatedgeek.com/2025/12/binary-system-podcast-486-mayor-of-kingstown-season-4-episode-9-teeth-and-tissue/Okay you guys, this is a really weird episode to drop on a holiday: the latest chapter of Mayor of Kingstown (possibly the second-to-last episode ever?) bombarded us for 47 solid minutes with death, torture, plot twists, betrayal, and excrement MERRY CHRISTMAS.Seriously, this was hands down our favorite episode of the season, but maybe don't drink a cup of coffee before watching it, that's gotta be bad for your heart. One day we will stop using spinningmerkaba's Christmas On Mars as the outro at Christmas, but today is not…yeah, you know us better than that, we're never gonna stop using this.Here's our conversation about episode 8 we mentioned, giant GIANT spoiler warnings for that one.Looking for a present for that hard-to-shop-for person? Want to buy them (or yourself) a square foot of a castle in Scotland? Look no further! You can support the restoration of Dunan's castle, legally call yourself Lady or Laird, AND if you use this link to get there, you can support this podcast too! ScottishLaird.co.uk.For updates, fan art, and other randomness, come follow us on Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and Instagram!Buy us a coffee

Celtic Christmas is here. Carols, reels, and winter warmth from Belfast to Pittsburgh. Turn it up and deck the halls...Celtic style. Do you need a soundtrack for lights, baking, or a snowy drive? This week's Irish & Celtic Music Podcast is packed with festive favorites and fresh Celtic Christmas cheer. The Gothard Sisters, Kinnfolk, Irish Christmas in America, Ritchie Remo, The Chivalrous Crickets, Boston Blackthorne, The Shamrocks, The Rogues, Terry McDade & The McDades, Plunk Murray, Kathleen MacInnes, The Irish Rovers, Celtic Woman, Sean Griffin, Seán Heely On the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast #739  -  -  Subscribe now! GET CELTIC MUSIC NEWS IN YOUR INBOX The Celtic Music Magazine is a quick and easy way to plug yourself into more great Celtic culture. Enjoy seven weekly news items with what's happening with Celtic music and culture online. Subscribe now and get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free. VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 FOR 2025 This is our way of finding the best songs and artists each year. You can vote for as many songs and tunes that inspire you in each episode. Your vote helps me create this year's Best Celtic music of 2025 episode. You have until December 4 to vote for this episode. Vote Now! You can follow our playlist on YouTube to listen to those top voted tracks as they are added every 2 - 3 weeks. THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC 0:13 - The Gothard Sisters "Here We Come a Caroling" from A Celtic Christmas 3:27 - WELCOME 6:12 - Kinnfolk "A Wintertime Feast" from A Wintertime Feast 10:58 - Irish Christmas in America "Set Dances_Single Jig  -  An Suisin Ban, The Hunt, Clancy's" from A Long Way From Home 15:42 - Ritchie Remo "Christmas Family" from Home For Christmas 18:52 - The Chivalrous Crickets "Carol Set  -  Sussex Carol / Bring a Torch Isabella / In dulci jubilo / Ding Dong Merrily on High" from A Chivalrous Christmas 24:23 - FEEDBACK 28:41 - Boston Blackthorne "Christmas in Pittsburgh 1943" from A Celtic Christmas 33:37 - The Shamrocks "Christmas in Belfast" from Single 36:56 - The Rogues "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" from Hellbound Sleigh 38:13 - Terry McDade & The McDades "Maybe This Christmas" from Winter Rose 40:44 - THANK YOU 42:59 - Plunk Murray "I Saw Three Ships" from Christmas in the Pub 45:52 - Kathleen MacInnes "Santa Take Me Home" from Single 48:48 - The Irish Rovers "Bells Over Belfast" from An Irish Christmas 51:54 - Celtic Woman, Sean Griffin "I'm in Love for Christmas" from Nollaig – A Christmas Journey 55:34 - CLOSING 57:17 - Seán Heely "Silent Night" from So Merry as We Have Been 1:02:15 - CREDITS Support for this program comes from Hank Woodward. Support for this program comes from Dr. Annie Lorkowski of Centennial Animal Hospital in Corona, California. Support for this program comes from International speaker, Joseph Dumond, teaching the ancient roots of the Gaelic people. Learn more about their origins at Sightedmoon.com Support for this program comes from Cascadia Cross Border Law Group, Creating Transparent Borders for more than twenty five years, serving Alaska and the world. Find out more at   www.CascadiaLawAlaska.com The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was produced by Marc Gunn, The Celtfather and our Patrons on Patreon. The show was edited by Mitchell Petersen with Graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. Visit our website to follow the show. You'll find links to all of the artists played in this episode. Todd Wiley is the editor of the Celtic Music Magazine. Subscribe to get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free. Plus, you'll get 7 weekly news items about what's happening with Celtic music and culture online. Best of all, you will connect with your Celtic heritage. Please tell one friend about this podcast. Word of mouth is the absolute best way to support any creative endeavor. Finally, as we celebrate Celtic Christmas, remember this: caring for the earth is part of the old traditions. It's stewardship. It's community. Clean energy isn't just good for the planet. It's a gift to our families and our neighbors. Solar and wind are now the cheapest power sources in history, yet too many politicians would rather toast billionaires by the fire than help working families keep their homes warm and their bills low. Real change begins when we stop letting the ultra - rich write our energy policy and run our government. Choose affordable, renewable power. Clean energy means lower costs, greater freedom, and a world that can still sing for future generations. Promote Celtic culture through music at http://celticmusicpodcast.com/. WELCOME THE IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST * Helping you celebrate Celtic culture through music. I am Marc Gunn. I'm a Celtic musician and also host of Pub Songs & Stories. Every song has a story, every episode is a toast to Celtic and folk songwriters. Discover the stories behind the songs from the heart of the Celtic pub scene. This podcast is for fans of all kinds of Celtic music. We are here to build a diverse Celtic community and help the incredible artists who so generously share their music with you. If you hear music you love, please email artists to let them know you heard them on the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. Musicians depend on your generosity to release new music. So please find a way to support them. Buy a CD, Album Pin, Shirt, Digital Download, or join their community on Patreon. You can find a link to all of the artists in the shownotes, along with show times, when you visit our website at celticmusicpodcast.com. Email follow@bestcelticmusic to learn how to subscribe to the podcast and you will get a free music - only episode. You'll also learn how to get your band played on the podcast. Bands don't need to send in music, and you will get a free eBook called Celtic Musicians Guide to Digital Music. It's 100% free. Again email follow@bestcelticmusic WANT MORE CELTIC CHRISTMAS MUSIC? I host multiple podcasts, but the other big show of the year is Celtic Christmas Music. It's a free podcast highlighting Christmas music by Celtic musicians. The show is nearly as old as this podcast. You can enjoy 6 new episodes every year, all supported by folks like you. In fact, head on over to the Celtic Christmas Music Patreon page so you can listen to the show for free and follow it as well. IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODFEST Today's show is brought to you by Irish & Celtic Music PodFest. Our first ever festival will feature three Celtic bands, including yours truly, Marc Gunn. It's happening Sunday, March 8, 2026 at The Lost Druid Brewery in Avondale Estates, GA. Follow our event page on Facebook for more details. Or even better, Follow us for Free on our Patreon page. While you're there, you'll also find out about the Kickstarter we're launching for an album of the Best Celtic Music of 2025. And you can find out how You can get involved. ALBUM PINS ARE CHANGING THE WAY WE HEAR CELTIC MUSIC I got an email from Discmakers, my CD manufacturer, saying they were forced to raise their prices because of tariffs by our president. This is a tax on Americans. So if you love CDs, remember that the prices will go up. So please support those higher priced CDs. But there is an option for those who don't want to buy CDs and for those who want a better alternative for the environment. It's the Album Pin. Album Pins are lapel pins themed to a particular album. You get a digital download of the album. Then you can wear your album. All of my latest Album Pins are wood - burned and locally produced. This makes them better for the environment. And they are fun and fashionable. If you want to learn more about Album Pins, you can read more about them on my celtfather.Substack.com or just buy one at magerecords.com THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST! Because of generous patrons like you, the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast releases new episodes nearly every single week. Your support doesn't just fund the show—it fuels a movement. It helps us share the magic of Celtic music with thousands of new listeners and grow a global community of music lovers. Your contributions pay for everything behind the scenes: audio engineering, stunning graphics, weekly issues of the Celtic Music Magazine, show promotion, and—most importantly—buying the music we feature from indie Celtic artists. And if you're not yet a patron? You're missing out! Patrons get: Early access to episodes Music - only editions Free MP3 downloads Exclusive stories and artist interviews A vote in the Celtic Top 20 Join us today and help keep the music alive, vibrant, and independent.

A stage-IV metastatic melanoma diagnosis is often delivered with words like incurable and life-limiting. In this deeply moving episode, Dr. Michael Karlfeldt sits down with Kevin Donaghy, an IT consultant from Melrose, Scotland, who has lived more than six years beyond his diagnosis—and transformed his personal cancer journey into a global mission of hope. Through his lived experience and the revolutionary impact of immunotherapy, Kevin offers rare insight into what it truly means to navigate advanced cancer with courage, honesty, and humanity.Kevin shares the emotional realities of being told his cancer was medically incurable, the isolation and fear that followed, and how finding community during COVID lockdowns became a turning point for his mental health. Out of that connection grew Stories of Cancer and Hope, an anthology of 39 real-life cancer stories—some triumphant, some heartbreaking—all designed to offer solidarity to those who feel alone. Listeners will hear powerful reflections on cancer ghosting, mental health struggles, redefining hope, and why shared stories can be as life-saving as treatment itself.This episode is essential listening for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals alike. Whether you are newly diagnosed, supporting a loved one, or seeking deeper understanding of the emotional side of cancer, Kevin's story reminds us that hope is not a single outcome—it is something that evolves, connects, and endures.Key Topics CoveredLiving beyond a stage-IV metastatic melanoma diagnosisThe emotional shock of being told cancer is “incurable”Immunotherapy for melanoma: promise, risks, and realitiesCancer isolation, loneliness, and “cancer ghosting”Mental health challenges and suicidal ideation in cancer patientsThe healing power of community and shared lived experienceCreating Stories of Cancer and Hope and distributing thousands of free booksHow hope changes throughout the cancer journeySupporting families and caregivers through understanding and empathyConnect with Kevin Donaghy & Stories of Cancer and HopeWebsite: https://www.storiesofcancerandhope.co.uk/Social Media:LinkedIn: Kevin DonaghyInstagram: Kevin A Donaghy, Stories of Cancer and HopeBluesky: storiescancerhope.bsky.socialAmazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kevin-Donaghy/author/B0D7S7LRMJ?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=d17d4d5b-3bb2-4adf-87a3-b274a0211630 -----------------------------------------------A Better Way to Treat Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding, Preventing and Most Effectively Treating Our Biggest Health ThreatGrab my book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM1KKD9X?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 Unleashing 10X Power: A Revolutionary Approach to Conquering CancerGet it here: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/unleashing-10x-powerPrice: $24.99100% Off Discount Code: CANCERPODCAST1 Healing Within: Unraveling the Emotional Roots of CancerGet it here: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/healing-withinPrice: $24.99100% Off Discount Code: CANCERPODCAST2-----------------------------------------------Integrative Cancer Solutions was created to instill hope and empowerment. Other people have been where you are right now and have already done the research for you. Listen to their stories and journeys and apply what they learned to achieve similar outcomes as they have, cancer remission and an even more fullness of life than before the diagnosis. Guests will discuss what therapies, supplements, and practitioners they relied on to beat cancer. Once diagnosed, time is of the essence. This podcast will dramatically reduce your learning curve as you search for your own solution to cancer. To learn more about the cutting-edge integrative cancer therapies Dr. Karlfeldt offer at his center, please visit www.TheKarlfeldtCenter.com

*Enjoy a preview of our new My Heroine Journey podcast:Do you ever feel tired of living the same old story? Of fighting the same battles, losing to the same villain, never getting your eyes locked onto your happy ending?Are you ready to embody your own inner heroine so you can live the life written in your stars?If you said, “YES!”…Welcome to the journey.In today's episode, clinical hypnotherapists, intuitives, fantasy-storytelling lovers, and sisters, Megan and Kate, dive into:The reason they pivoted to this new pathwayThe importance of understanding neuroscience and Universal Laws in creating what you want The truth about your core heroine self and why you should want to be her NOWTheir own Heroine Code that has time and again helped them create their dream life, heal trauma wounds, and become their most authentic selves to dateSo if you're ready to create your dream life through mindset magic, inspired action, and self-love, then let's get the adventure started!What did YOU think of this week's read?Support the showScotland is calling! Join the Scotland Fantasy Tour HERE Want to explore the world of SJM with us? Become a PATRON and gain access to our entire Sarah J. Maas series collection! LISTEN to our new My Heroine Journey podcast and follow us here: APPLE / SPOTIFY / WEBSITE

What's your most loved and least favourite song on Cocteau Twins' 1990 album Heaven or Las Vegas? Ranking such a semi-wordless shimmery masterpiece was a strange, wonderful experience. TMI abounds. San Diego's Cocteau coverband, the Mocteau Twins inspired Adam to choose it and the whole band was kind enough to send us their story and favorites!  Available at WeWillRankYouPod.com, Apple, Spotify and Las Vegas. Please tell us how YOU would rank tonight's tunes on Instagram, Facebook and Threads  @wewillrankyoupod !FILE UNDER/SPOILERS:Ambient, baby, Blue Bell Knoll, Kate Bush, Capitol Records, Cherry Coke, Cherry-Coloured Funk, Christmas lights, Cocteau Twins, the Cure, Miley Cyrus, dream pop, electronic, experimental, Fifty-Fifty Clown, Fotzepolitic, 4AD, Elizabeth Fraser, Frou-Frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires, GARLIC FONDUE, harmonies, Robin Guthrie, Heaven For Last Vegans, Heaven or Las Vegas, Iceblink Luck, Jericho, Johnny and the Self Abusers, Las Bagels, London, Lucy Belle, Massive Attack, misheard lyrics, Mocteau Twins, Alanis Morrissette, newborn, pedals, Pitch the Baby, Matt Pond PA, psychedelia, Simon Raymonde, reverb, Ride, Road River and Rail, Chappell Roan, Scotland, September Sound, shoegaze, Simple Minds, the Sundays, swirling, Twickenham, Wolf in the Breast, 1990.US: http://www.WeWillRankYouPod.com wewillrankyoupod@gmail.comNEW! Host tips: Venmo @wewillrankyoupodhttp://www.facebook.com/WeWillRankYouPodhttp://www.instagram.com/WeWillRankYouPodhttps://www.threads.net/@WeWillRankYouPodhttp://www.YerDoinGreat.com (Adam's music page)https://open.spotify.com/user/dancecarbuzz (Dan's playlists)http://www.instagram.com/MocteauTwins

In part 2, the dialogue steers towards the chilling case of Peter Tobin. Jane recounts her involvement with the investigation while working as a crime reporter, detailing the harrowing circumstances surrounding Tobin's victims. The narrative explores Tobin's disturbing patterns and the subsequent media frenzy that ensued as the gruesome details of his actions unfolded. The discussion also draws parallels between the three killers, exploring their psychological profiles and the societal conditions that may have contributed to their deviant behaviors, while emphasising that not all those who face similar hardships turn to violence.Throughout this episode, listeners gain a profound understanding of the human psyche involved in such sinister actions, alongside the workings of law enforcement and the media during these landmark investigations. Experts from different fields share their perspectives, not only enhancing the audience's grasp of the narratives but also stirring empathy for the victims and their families. Including anecdotes, personal reflections, and the ethical dilemmas faced by those within the true crime sphere, this episode stands as an informative and deeply engaging examination of Scotland's serial killer history.As the episode draws to a close, Simon, Tom, and Jane invite listeners to reflect upon the complexities of crime, the constant battle for justice, and the importance of storytelling in healing both communities and families affected by these tragic events. It's a riveting journey into the depths of human behavior, law enforcement dynamics, and the enduring quest for truth in the world of crime. Tune in for an enlightening experience that appeals to true crime aficionados and general listeners alike, and don't forget to engage with their various platforms for more riveting discussions.#Crime Time Inc#serial killers#Robert Black#Angus Sinclair#Peter TobinAbout Crime Time Inc.Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic.This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history.Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work.Two crime worlds. One podcast.New episodes released regularly throughout the season.Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us.Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey.http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine Scotland locked in winter's grip: snow whispering across cobbled streets, hearth fires glowing against the dark, families drawn close for warmth. While much of the world fixes its gaze on Christmas Day, Scotland's true winter soul once beat loudest on another night entirely — Hogmanay, New Year's Eve. Ancient, fierce, and alive with ritual, Hogmanay was not simply a celebration. It was survival, identity, and hope rolled into one blazing night. No one knows exactly where the word Hogmanay comes from — perhaps Old French, perhaps Norse, echoes of Yule carried on northern winds. Its origins hardly mattered. The Scots claimed it and it has flourished ever since. In 1560, the Scottish Reformation reshaped the nation. The newly formed Presbyterian Kirk condemned Christmas as a "Popish" feast, and by 1640 Parliament had banned it outright. December 25th became an ordinary working day. For generations, there were no Christmas trees, no carols, no gifts — only cold labour and dark skies. But celebration did not disappear. It moved - to the New Year. Hogmanay became Scotland's great release — a night of fire, song, and superstition when the year itself could be cleansed and reborn. Homes were "redded": floors swept, ashes cleared, debts settled. Only a clean house could welcome a clean future. As midnight approached, the world seemed to hold its breath. Then came first-footing. The first person to cross a threshold after midnight would shape a household's fortune for the year ahead. It had to be a tall, dark-haired visitor — a lingering memory of blond hair Viking terror — carrying gifts heavy with meaning: coal for warmth, bread or black bun for food, salt for flavour, a coin for prosperity, and whisky for cheer. Doors opened. Glasses filled. Neighbours moved from house to house, laughter growing louder as night blurred into morning. Across the Highlands and islands, fire took centre stage. Ancient pagan echoes flared to life as flaming rituals lit the darkness, burning away evil and calling back the sun. Nowhere is this more vivid than Stonehaven, where huge blazing fireballs are swung through the streets by locals - a spectacle of raw power and communal joy that has endured for centuries. Today, Hogmanay has burst onto the world stage. Edinburgh ignites with torchlight processions, roaring street parties, and fireworks crowning the castle sky. Visitors from every corner of the globe feel it — the pulse of something older than the city itself. And yet, beneath the spectacle, the heart remains unchanged. At midnight, hands link. Voices rise. Auld Lang Syne carries across streets, hills, and glens, a song of memory, friendship, and shared humanity. The old year is released. The new one welcomed with thunderous cheers. In Scotland, Hogmanay is more than celebration. It is defiance — a promise that even in the deepest winter, fire will burn, songs will be sung, whisky will warm the blood, and hope will return. It is the past roaring into the present, daring the darkness to linger. So if you ever stand on Scottish soil as the year turns, wrap up against the cold, learn the words of Auld Lang Syn, raise a glass — and step into a night where history, community, and joy collide in one unforgettable moment.

In the final episode of 2025, Round Trip Death travels to Scotland for a deeply intimate and powerful conversation with Jane Dawson. Jane's near-death experience (NDE) occurred during the birth of her son, after hours of unmedicated labor left her physically exhausted and emotionally depleted.At the moment she felt she could no longer continue, Jane's spirit separated from her body. The pain vanished, replaced by a velvety darkness filled with peace, love, and profound relief. In that space, she encountered the spirit of her father, who had recently passed away. Their connection was not verbal, but a soul-to-soul “knowing”—an infusion of unconditional love that would ultimately call her back to life.Jane returned to her body after her son was born, though reluctantly, and her healing unfolded gradually over the years that followed. After her NDE experience, she had ongoing signs from her father—unexplainable scents, moving objects, and an unmistakable sense of loving presence—convincing her that consciousness survives physical death.The near death experience transformed Jane's worldview. Once plagued by fear of death, deep self-loathing, and depression, she began a lifelong journey of spiritual discovery and self-love. She came to understand heaven not as a place “above the clouds,” but is an energetic state of being—limitless, loving, and deeply personal.Today, Jane works as a spiritual medium and teacher, sharing the same truth her father showed her at the edge of life during her NDE: we are never alone, love never dies, and healing is always possible.Send CHRISTMAS CARDS TO:Eric & Will BennettPO Box 771Heber City, UT. 84032____________________________Video Version Of This Episode: https://youtu.be/T8Fs_yHBUpkJane: https://janedawson.co.uk/RoundTripDeath.comDonate to this podcast: https://www.roundtripdeath.com/support/

Episode 30 - Barbara Buchanan tells the first of our dark tales for this yuletide. This episode was written by Barbara Buchanan, with music and sound design by Nick Cole-Hamilton. You can find us now on Mastodon, BlueSky and Facebook, using the handle @TalesWyrd And be sure to recommend the podcast to any likeminded wyrdos you know. The Tales From Wyrd Scotland logo was designed by Andrew Cowan: www.andrewcowan.co/ This is a you better run media production

The Go Radio Football Show: 23rd of December, 2025. This is a catch-up version of the live, daily Go Radio Football show.  Paul Cooney is joined by Mark Guidi and Peter Grant for analysis, big opinions, transfer window predictions to title talk. The Go Radio Football Show, weeknights from 5pm-7pm across Scotland on DAB, Online, Smart Speaker and on the Go Radio App. IOS: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/go-radio/id1510971202  Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.thisisgo.goradio&pcampaignid=web_share  In Association with Burger King. Home of the Whopper, home delivery half time or full time, exclusively on the Burger King App  https://www.burgerking.co.uk/download-bk-app. Follow us @thisisgoradio on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Tik Tok  Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbsfwnlMFeI&list=PLBoA8NYTpHtcqoS3M5IrA0C7K-iCmvg-F For more Podcasts from Go Studios, head to: https://thisisgo.co.uk/podcasts/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ATeQD... 

Allen, Joel, Rosemary, and Yolanda break down the TPI Composites bankruptcy fallout. Vestas is acquiring TPI’s Mexico and India operations while a UAE company picks up the Turkish factories. That leaves GE in a tough spot with no clear path to blade manufacturing. Plus the crew discusses blade scarcity, FSA availability floors, and whether a new blade manufacturer could emerge. Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard’s StrikeTape Wind Turbine LPS retrofit. Follow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary Barnes’ YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us! Allen Hall: [00:00:00] Welcome to the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast. I’m your host, Allen Hall. I’ve got Yolanda Padron and Joel Saxum in Texas. And Rosemary Barnes is back from her long Vacation in Australia and TPI. Composites is big in the news this week, everybody, because they’re in bankruptcy hearings and they are selling off parts of the business. Vestas is, at least according to News Reports positioned to acquire. A couple of the LLCs down in Mexico. So there’s uh, two of them, TPI in Mexico, five LLC, and TPI in Mexico, six LLC. There are other LLCs, of course involved with this down in Mexico. So they’re buying, not sure exactly what the assets are, but probably a couple of the factories in which their blades were being manufactured in. Uh, this. Is occurring because Vestas stepped in. They were trying to have an auction and Vestas stepped forward and just ended up buying these two LLCs. [00:01:00] Other things that are happening here, Joel, is that, uh, TPI evidently sold their Turkish division. Do you recall to who they sold? That, uh, part of the Joel Saxum: business too, two companies involved in that, that were TPI Turkey, uh, and that was bought by a company called XCS composites. Uh, and they are out of the United Arab Emirates, so I believe they’re either going to be Abu Dhabi or Dubai based. Uh, but they took over the tube wind blade manufacturing plants in Isme, uh, also a field service and inspection repair business. And around 2,700 employees, uh, from the Turkish operation. So that happened just, just after, I mean, it was a couple weeks after the bankruptcy claim, uh, went through here in August, uh, in the States. So it went August bankruptcy for TPI, September, all the Turkish operations were bought and now we’ve got Vestas swooping in and uh, taking a bunch of the Mexican operations. Allen Hall: Right. And [00:02:00] Vestas is also taking TPI composites India. Which is a part of the business that is not in bankruptcy, uh, that’s a, a separate business, a separate, basically LLC incorporation Over in India, the Vestus is going to acquire, so they’re gonna acquire three separate things in this transaction. The question everybody’s asking today after seeing this Vestus move is, what is GE doing? Because, uh, GE Renova has a lot of blades manufactured by TPI down in Mexico. No word on that. And you would think if, if TPI is auctioning off assets that GE renova would be at the front of the line, but that’s not what we’re hearing on the ground. Joel Saxum: Yeah, I mean it’s, the interesting part of this thing is for Vestas, TPI was about 35% of their blade capacity for manufacturing in 2024. If their 30, if, if Vestas was 35%, then GE had to be 50%. There [00:03:00] demand 60. So Vesta is making a really smart move here by basically saying, uh, we’ve gotta lock down our supply chain for blades. We gotta do something. So we need to do this. GE is gonna be the odd man out because, I mean, I think it would be a, a cold day in Denmark if Vestas was gonna manufacture blades for ge. Allen Hall: Will the sale price that Vest has paid for this asset show up in the bankruptcy? Hearings or disclosures? I think that it would, I haven’t seen it yet, but eventually it’ll, it must show up, right? All, all the bankruptcy hearings and transactions are, they have an overseer essentially, what happens to, so TPI can’t purchase or sell anything without an, um, getting approved by the courts, so that’ll eventually be disclosed. Uh, the Turkish sale will be, I would assume, would be disclosed. Also really curious to see what the asset value. Was for those factories. Joel Saxum: So the Turkish sale is actually public knowledge right now, and [00:04:00] that is, lemme get the number here to make sure I get it right. 92.9 million Euros. Uh, but of, of course TPI laden with a bunch of non-convertible and convertible debt. So a ton of that money went right down to debt. Uh, but to be able to purchase that. They had to assu, uh, XCS composites in Turkey, had to assume debt as is, uh, under the bankruptcy kind of proceedings. So I would assume that Vestas is gonna have to do the same thing, is assume the debt as is to take these assets over and, uh, and assets. We don’t know what it is yet. We don’t know if it’s employees, if it’s operations, if it’s ip, if it’s just factories. We don’t know what’s all involved in it. Um, but like you said, because. TPI being a publicly traded company in the United States, they have to file all this stuff with SEC. Allen Hall: Well, they’ll, they’re be delisted off of. Was it, they were Joel Saxum: in Nasdaq? Is that where they were listed? The India stuff that could be private. You may ne we may not ever hear about what happened. Valuation there. Allen Hall: Okay, so what is the, the [00:05:00] future then for wind blade production? ’cause TPI was doing a substantial part of it for the world. I mean, outside of China, it’s TPI. And LM a little bit, right? LM didn’t have the capacity, I don’t think TPI that TPI does or did. It puts Joel Saxum: specifically GE in a tight spot, right? Because GEs, most of their blades were if it was built to spec or built to print. Built to spec was designed, uh, by LM and built by lm. But now LM as we have seen in the past months year, has basically relinquished themselves of all of their good engineering, uh, and ability to iterate going forward. So that’s kind of like dwindling to an end. TPI also a big side of who makes blades for ge if Vestas is gonna own the majority of their capacity, Vestas isn’t gonna make blades for ge. So GEs going to be looking at what can we, what can we still build with lm? And then you have the kind of the, the odd ducks there. You have the Aris, [00:06:00] you have the MFG, um, I mean Sonoma is out there. This XCS factory is there still in Turkey. Um, you may see some new players pop up. Uh, I don’t know. Um, we’ll see. I mean, uh, Rosemary, what’s, what’s your take? Uh, you guys are starting to really ramp up down in Australia right now and are gonna be in the need of blades in general with this kind of shakeup. Rosemary Barnes: What do we say? My main concern is. Around the service of the blades that we’ve already got. Um, and when I talk to people that I know at LM or XLM, my understanding is that those parts of the organization are still mostly intact. So I actually don’t expect any big changes there. Not to say that the status quo. Good enough. It’s not like, like every single OEM whose, um, FSAs that I work with, uh, support is never good enough. But, um, [00:07:00] it shouldn’t get any worse anyway. And then for upcoming projects, yeah, I, I don’t know. I mean, I guess it’s gonna be on a case by case basis. Uh, I mean, it always was when you got a new, a new project, you need a whole bunch of blades. It was always a matter of figuring out which factory they were going to come from and if they had capacity. It’ll be the same. It’s just that then instead of, you know, half a dozen factories to choose from, there’s like, what, like one or two. So, um, yeah, I, that’s, that’s my expectation of what’s gonna happen. I presumably ge aren’t selling turbines that they have no capability to make blades for. Um, so I, I guess they’re just gonna have a lot less sales. That’s the only real way I can make it work. Allen Hall: GE has never run a Blade factory by themselves. They’ve always had LM or somebody do it, uh, down in Brazil or TPI in Mexico or wherever. Uh, are we thinking that GE Renova is not gonna run a Blade Factory? Is that the thought, or, or is [00:08:00] that’s not in the cards either. Rosemary Barnes: I don’t think it’s that easy to just, just start running a Blade Factory. I mean, I know that GE had blade design capabilities. I used to design the blades that TPI would make. So, um, that part of it. Sure. Um, they can, they can still do that, but it’s not, yeah, it’s, it’s not like you just buy a Blade factory and like press start on the factory and then the, you know, production line just starts off and blades come out the other end. Like there is a lot of a, a lot of knowhow needed if that was something that they wanted to do. That should have been what they started doing from day one after they bought lm. You know, that was the opportunity that they had to become, you know, a Blade factory owner. They could have started to, you know, make, um, have GE. Take up full ownership of the, the blade factories and how that all worked. But instead, they kept on operating like pretty autonomously without that many [00:09:00] changes at the factory level. Like if they were to now say, oh, you know, hey, it’s, uh, we really want to. Have our own blade factories and make blades. It’s just like, what the hell were you doing for the last, was it like seven years or something? Like you, you could easily have done what? And now you haven’t made it as hard for yourselves as possible. So like I’m not ruling out that that’s what they’re gonna try and do, because like I said, I don’t think it’s been like executed well, but. My God, it’s like even stupid of the whole situation. If that’s where we end up with them now scrambling to build from scratch blade, um, manufacturing capability because there’s Yolanda Padron: already a blade scarcity, right? Like at least in the us I don’t know if you guys are seeing it in, in Australia as well, but there’s a blade scarcity for these GE blades, right? So you’re, they kind of put themselves in an even more tough spot by just now. You, you don’t have access to a lot of these TPI factories written in theory. From what we’re seeing. You mean to get like replacement blades? Yeah. So like for, for issues? Yeah. New [00:10:00] construction issues under FSA, that, Rosemary Barnes: yeah. I mean, we’ve always waited a, a long time for new blades. Like it’s never great. If you need a new blade, you’re always gonna be waiting six months, maybe 12 months. So that’s always been the case, but now we are seeing delays of that. Maybe, maybe sometimes longer, but also it’s like, oh well. We can’t replace, like, for like, you’re gonna be getting a, a different kind of blade. Um, that will work. Um, but you know, so that is fine, except for that, that means you can’t do a single blade replacement anymore. Now, what should have been a single blade replacement might be a full set replacement. And so it does start to really, um, yeah. Mess things up and like, yeah, it’s covered by the FSA, like that’s on them to buy the three blades instead of one, but. It does matter because, you know, if they’re losing money on, um, managing your wind farm, then it, it is gonna lead to worse outcomes for you because, you know, they’re gonna have to skimp and scrape where they [00:11:00] can to, you know, like, um, minimize their losses. So I, I don’t think it’s, it’s, it’s Yolanda Padron: not great. Yeah. And if you’re running a wind farm, you have other stakeholders too, right? It’s not like you’re running it just for yourself. So having all that downtime from towers down for a year. Because you can’t get blades on your site. Like it’s just really not great. Rosemary Barnes: Yeah, and I mean, there’s flaws on there. Like they’ve got an availability guarantee. Then, you know, below that they do have to, um, pay for that, those losses. But there’s a flaw on that. So once you know, you, you blast through the floor of your availability, then you know, that is on the owner. Now it’s not on the, um, service provider. So it’s definitely. Something that, yeah, there’s lots of things where you might think, oh, I don’t have to worry about my blades ’cause I’ve got an F, SA, but you know, that’s just one example where, okay, you will, you will start worrying if they, they yeah. Fall through the floor of their availability guarantee. Joel Saxum: Two questions that pop up in my mind from this one, the first one, the first one is [00:12:00] directly from Alan. You and I did a webinar, we do so many of ’em yesterday, and it was about, it was in the nor in North America, ferc, so. They have new icing readiness, uh, reporting you, so, so basically like if you’re on the, if you’re connected to the grid, you’re a wind farm or solar farm and you have an icing event, you need to explain to them why you had an outage, um, and why, what you’re doing about it. Or if you’re not doing something about it, you have to justify it. You have to do all these things to say. Hey, some electrons weren’t flowing into the grid. There’s certain levels. It’s much more complicated than this, but electrons weren’t flowing into the grid because of an issue. We now have to report to FERC about this. So is there a stage when a FERC or uh, some other regulatory agency starts stepping into the wind industry saying like, someone’s gotta secure a supply chain here. ’cause they’re already looking at things when electrons are on the grid. Someone’s got a secure supply chain here so we can ensure that [00:13:00]these electrons are gonna get on the grid. Could, can something like that happen or was, I mean, I mean, of course that’s, to me, in my opinion, that’s a lot of governmental overreach, but could we see that start to come down the line like, Hey, we see from an agency’s perspective, we see some problems here. What are you doing to shore this up? Allen Hall: Oh, totally. Right. I, I think the industry in general has an issue. This is not an OEM specific problem. At the minute, if this is a industry-wide problem, there seems to be more dispersed. Manufacturers are gonna be popping up. And when we were in Scotland, uh, we learned a lot more about that. Right, Joel? So the industry has more diversification. I, I, here’s, here’s my concern at the minute, so. For all these blade manufacturers that we would otherwise know off the top of our heads. Right. Uh, lm, TPI, uh, Aris down in Brazil. The Vestus manufacturing facilities, the Siemens manufacturing [00:14:00] facilities. Right. You, you’re, you’re in this place where. You know, everybody’s kind of connected up the chain, uh, to a large OEM and all this made sense. You know, who was rebuilding your blades next year and the year down, two years down the road. Today you don’t, so you don’t know who owns that company. You don’t know how the manager’s gonna respond. Are you negotiating with a company that you can trust’s? Gonna be there in two or three years because you may have to wait that long to get blades delivered. I don’t know. I think that it, it put a lot of investment, uh, companies in a real quandary of whether they wanna proceed or not based upon the, what they is, what they would perceive to be the stability of these blade companies. That’s what I would think. I, I, Vestas is probably the best suited at the minute, besides Siemens. You know, Vestas is probably best suited to have the most perceived reliability capability. Control, Joel Saxum: but they have their own [00:15:00] blade factories already, right? So if they buy the TPI ones, they’re just kind of like they can do some copy pasting to get the the things in place. And to be honest with you, Vesta right now makes the best blades out there, in my opinion, least amount of serial defects. Remove one, remove one big issue from the last couple Allen Hall: years. But I think all the OEMs have problems. It’s a question of how widely known those problems are. I, I don’t think it’s that. I think the, the, the. When you talk to operators and, and they do a lot of shopping on wind turbines, what they’ll tell you generally is vestus is about somewhere around 20% higher in terms of cost to purchase a turbine from them. And Vestus is gonna put on a, a full service agreement of some sort that’s gonna run roughly 30 years. So there’s a lot of overhead that comes with buying a, a Vestas turbine. Yes. You, you get the quality. Yes. You get the name. Yes, you get the full service agreement, which you may or [00:16:00] may not really want over time. Uh, that’s a huge decision. But as pieces are being removed from the board of what you can possibly do, there’s it, it’s getting narrow or narrow by the minute. So it, it’s either a vestus in, in today’s world, like right today, I think we should talk about this, but it’s either Vestus or Nordic. Those are the two that are being decided upon. Mostly by a lot of the operators today. Joel Saxum: That’s true. We’re, and we just saw Nordex, just inked a one gigawatt deal with Alliant Energy, uh, just last week. And that’s new because Alliant has traditionally been a GE buyer. Right. They have five or six ge, two X wind farms in the, in the middle of the United States, and now they’ve secured a deal with Nordex for a gigawatt. Same thing we saw up at Hydro Quebec. Right. Vestas and Nordex are the only ones that qualify for that big, and that’s supposed to be like a 10 gigawatt tender over time. Right. But the, so it brings me to my, I guess my other question, I was thinking about this be [00:17:00] after the FERC thing was, does do, will we see a new blade manufacturer Allen Hall: pop Joel Saxum: up? Allen Hall: No, I don’t think you see a new one. I think you see an acquisition, uh, a transfer of assets to somebody else to run it, but that is really insecure. I, I always think when you’re buying distressed assets and you think you’re gonna run it better than the next guy that. Is rare in industry to do that. Think about the times you’ve seen that happen and it doesn’t work out probably more than 75% of the time. It doesn’t work out. It lasts a year or two or three, and they had the same problems they had when the original company was there. You got the same people inside the same building, building the same product, what do you think is magically gonna change? Right? You have this culture problem or a a already established culture, you’re not likely to change that unless you’re willing to fire, you know, a third of the staff to, to make changes. I don’t see anybody here doing that at the minute because. Finding wind blade technicians, manufacturing people is [00:18:00] extremely hard to do, to find people that are qualified. So you don’t wanna lose them. Joel Saxum: So this is why I say, this is why I pose the question, because in my mind, in in recent wind history, the perfect storm for a new blade manufacturer is happening right now. And the, and the why I say this is there is good engineers on the streets available. Now washing them of their old bad habits and the cultures and those things, that’s a monumental task. That’s not possible. Allen Hall: Rosemary worked at a large blade manufacturer and it has a culture to it. That culture really didn’t change even after they were acquired by a large OEM. The culture basically Rosemary Barnes: remained, they bizarrely didn’t try and change that culture, like they didn’t try to make it a GE company so that it wasn’t dur, it was wasn’t durable. You know, they, they could have. Used that as a shortcut to gaining, um, blade manufacturing capabilities and they didn’t. And that was a, I think it was a choice. I don’t think it’s an inevitability. It’s never easy to go in and change a, a culture, [00:19:00] but it is possible to at least, you know, get parts of it. Um, the, the knowledge should, you should be able to transfer and then get rid of the old culture once you’ve done that, you know, like, uh. Yeah, like you, you bring it in and suck out all the good stuff and spit out the rest. They didn’t do that. Joel Saxum: The opportunity here is, is that you’ve got a, you’ve got people, there’s gonna be a shortage of blade capacity, right? So if you are, if you are going to start up a blade manufacturing facility, you, if you’re clever enough, you may be able to get the backlog of a bunch of orders to get running without having to try to figure it out as you go. Yolanda Padron: I feel like I’d almost make the case that like the blade repair versus replace gap or the business cases is getting larger and larger now, right? So I feel like there’s more of a market for like some sort of holistic maintenance team to come in and say, Hey, I know this OEM hasn’t been taking care of your blades really well, but here are these retrofits that have proven to be [00:20:00]to work on your blades and solve these issues and we’ll get you up and running. Rosemary Barnes: We are seeing more and more of of that. The thing that makes it hard for that to be a really great solution is that they don’t have the information that they need. They have to reverse engineer everything, and that is. Very challenging because like you can reverse engineer what a blade is, but it doesn’t mean that, you know, um, exactly like, because a, the blade that you end up with is not an optimized blade in every location, right? There’s some parts that are overbuilt and um, sometimes some parts that are underbuilt, which gives you, um, you know, serial issues. But, so reverse engineering isn’t necessarily gonna make it safe, and so that does mean that yeah, like anyone coming in with a really big, significant repair that doesn’t go through the OEM, it’s a, it’s a risk. It, it’s always a risk that they have, you know, like there’s certain repairs where you can reverse engineer enough to know that you’re safe. But any really big [00:21:00] one, um, or anything that involves multiple components, um, is. Is a bit of a gamble if it doesn’t go through the OEM. Joel Saxum: No, but so between, I guess between the comments there, Yolanda and Rosemary, are we then entering the the golden age of opportunity for in independent engineering experts? Rosemary Barnes: I believe so. I’m staking, staking my whole business on it. Allen Hall: I think you have to be careful here, everybody, because the problem is gonna be Chinese blade manufacturers. If you wanna try to establish yourself as a blade manufacturer and you’re taking an existing factory, say, say you bought a TPI factory in Turkey or somewhere, and you thought, okay, I, I know how to do this better than everybody else. That could be totally true. However, the OEMs are not committed to buying blades from you and your competition isn’t the Blade Factory in Denmark or in Colorado or North Dakota, or in Mexico or Canada, Spain, wherever your competition is when, [00:22:00] uh, the OEM says, I can buy these blades for 20 to 30% less money in China, and that’s what you’re gonna be held as, as a standard. That is what’s gonna kill most of these things with a 25% tariff on top. Right? Exactly. But still they’re still bringing Joel Saxum: blades in. That’s why I’m saying a local blade manufacturer, Rosemary Barnes: I think it’s less the case. That everyone thinks about China, although maybe a little bit unconventional opinion a about China, they certainly can manufacture blades with, uh, as good a quality as anyone. I mean, obviously all of the, um, Danish, uh, American manufacturers have factories in China that are putting out excellent quality blades. So I’m not trying to say that they dunno how to make a good blade, but with their. New designs, you know, and the really cheap ones. There’s a couple of, um, there’s a couple of reasons for that that mean that I don’t think that it just slots really well into just replacing all of the rest of the world’s, um, wind turbines. The first is that there are a lot of [00:23:00] subsidies in China. Surely there can only continue so long as their economy is strong. You know, like if their economy slows down, like to what extent are they gonna be able to continue to, um, continue with these subsidies? I would be a little bit nervous about buying an asset that I needed support for the next 30 years from a company like. That ecosystem. Then the other thing is that, um, that development, they move really fast because they take some shortcuts. There’s no judgment there. In fact, from a develop product development point of view, that is absolutely the best way to move really fast and get to a really good product fast. It will be pervasive all the way through every aspect of it. Um, non-Chinese companies are just working to a different standard, which slows them down. But also means that along the way, like I would be much happier with a half developed, um, product from a non-Chinese manufacturer than a half developed product from a Chinese manufacturer. The end point, like if China can keep on going long enough with this, [00:24:00] you know, like just really move fast, make bold decisions, learn everything you can. If they can continue with that long enough to get to a mature product, then absolutely they will just smash the rest of the world to pieces. So for me, it’s a matter of, um, does their economy stay strong enough to support that level of, uh, competition? Allen Hall: Well, no, that’s a really good take. It’s an engineering take, and I think the decision is made in the procurement offices of the OEMs and when they start looking at the numbers and trying to determine profitability. That extra 20% savings they can get on blades made in China comes into play quite often. This is why they’re having such a large discussion about Chinese manufacturers coming into the eu. More broadly is the the Vestas and the Siemens CAAs and even the GE Re Novas. No, it’s big time trouble because the cost structure is lower. It just is, and I. [00:25:00] As much as I would love to see Vestas and Siemens and GE Renova compete on a global stage, they can’t at the moment. That’s evident. I don’t think it’s a great time to be opening any new Blade Factory. If you’re not an already established company, it’s gonna be extremely difficult. Wind Energy O and M Australia is back February 17th and 18th at Melbourne’s Pullman on the park. Which is a great hotel. We built this year’s agenda directly from the conversations we’ve had in 2025 and tackling serial defects, insurance pressures, blade repairs, and the operational challenges that keeps everybody up at night around the world. So we have two days of technical sessions, interactive roundtables and networking that actually moves the industry for. Forward. And if you’re interested in attending this, you need to go to WMA 2020 six.com. It’s WOMA 2020 six.com. Rosemary, a lot of, uh, great events gonna happen at. W 2026. Why don’t [00:26:00] you give us a little highlight. Parlet iss gonna be there. Rosemary Barnes: Parlow is gonna be there. I mean, a highlight for me is always getting together with the, the group. And also, I mean, I just really love the size of the event that uh, every single person who’s there is interested in the same types of things that you are interested in. So the highlight for me is, uh, the conversations that I don’t know that I’m gonna have yet. So looking forward to that. But we are also. Making sure that we’ve got a really great program. We’ve got a good mix of Australian speakers and a few people bringing international experience as well. There’s also a few side events that are being organized, like there’s an operators only forum, which unfortunately none of us will be able to enter because we’re not operators, but that is gonna be really great for. For all of them to be able to get together and talk about issues that they have with no, nobody else in the room. So if, if you are an operator and you’re not aware of that, then get in touch and we’ll pass on your details to make sure you can join. Um, yeah, and people just, you know, [00:27:00] taking the opportunities to catch up with clients, you know, for paddle load. Most or all of our clients are, are gonna be there. So it is nice to get off Zoom and um, yeah, actually sit face to face and discuss things in person. So definitely encourage everyone to try and arrange those sorts of things while they’re there. Joel Saxum: You know, one of the things I think is really important about this event is that, uh, we’re, we’re continuing the conversation from last year, but a piece of feedback last year was. Fantastic job with the conversation and helping people with o and m issues and giving us things we can take back and actually integrate into our operations right away. But then a week or two or three weeks after the event, we had those things, but the conversation stopped. So this year we’re putting some things in place. One of ’em being like Rosemary was talking about the private operator forum. Where there’s a couple of operators that have actually taken the reins with this thing and they wanna put this, they wanna make this group a thing where they’re want to have quarterly meetings and they want to continue this conversation and knowledge share and boost that whole Australian market in the wind [00:28:00]side up right? Rising waters floats all boats, and we’re gonna really take that to the next level this year at Allen Hall: WMA down in Melbourne. That’s why I need a register now at Wilma 2020 six.com because the industry needs solutions. Speeches. That wraps up another episode of the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast. Thanks for joining us. We appreciate all the feedback and support we received from the wind industry. If today’s discussion sparked any questions or ideas, we’d love to hear from you. Just reach out to us on LinkedIn and please don’t forget to subscribe so you’d never miss an episode. For Joel Rosemary and Yolanda, I’m Allen Hall. We’ll catch you next week on the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast.

A Winter Solstice story! The giant, Mother Winter, is herding deer when a terrible snowstorm hits. Thank goodness for the kindness of the people of Glen Lyon in Scotland! Writer: Tessa FlanneryVoice Over Artist: Rebecca CunninghamProducer: Tessa Flannery and Maria WurtteleExecutive Producer and Host: Rebecca CunninghamTheme Song: Megan Bagala Links for the Grownups!Sign up for the Pen Pal ProgramJoin The Girl Tales ClubGet the Girl Tales Starter PackGirl Tales EventsPurchase a Personalized StoryListen to Ghost TourJoin the Girl Tales PatreonRebecca's NewsletterFacebookInstagramBuy the Girl Tales Team a CoffeeStarglow Media

Thanks to Emily, Jo, and Alexandra for their suggestions this week! Further reading: Highland Cattle Society Mongolian Sheep The Donkey Sanctuary The Highland cow is so cute (picture taken from the first site linked above): Some fat-tailed sheep (picture taken from the sheep article linked above): Donkeys: A happy donkey and a happy person (photo taken from the Donkey Sanctuary’s site, linked above): Show transcript: Welcome to Strange Animals Podcast. I'm your host, Kate Shaw. After last week's giant fish episode, this week we're going to have a shorter episode of animals you've probably seen, especially if you live in the countryside. But first, I forgot to credit two people from last week's episode, Dylan and Emily, who both wanted to hear about mudskippers along with Arthur! I had so many names I missed some. This week we'll talk about some domestic mammals, suggested by Alexandra, Jo, and Emily. Let's start with Emily's suggestion, the Highland cow. Cows are classified in the family Bovidae, which includes not just the domestic cow and its relations but goats, sheep, antelopes, and many other animals with cloven hooves who chew the cud as part of the digestive process–but not deer or giraffes, and not the pronghorn even though people call it an antelope. It is confusing. Many bovids have horns, usually only two but sometimes four or even six, and those horns are never branched. Sometimes only the male has horns, sometimes both the male and female. Bovids don't have incisors in the front of the upper jaw, only in the lower jaw. Instead, a bovid has a tough dental pad that helps it grab plants. The Highland cow is a breed of domestic cow that originated in Scotland, although it's now popular in many other places too. It's a tough animal with a long outer coat of fur and a short, fuzzy undercoat that helps it survive harsh winters. Most are reddish-brown, but some are black, silvery-white, dun, or other shades. It has long, wide horns and its long fur usually falls over its face, which protects its eyes and also looks incredibly cute. Not only can the Highland cow thrive on pasture that's considered poor, meaning the plants aren't as nutritious, it's also disease resistant, even-tempered, and intelligent. It's a compact, relatively small cow, but it's not a miniature cow. Like, you can't pick it up like a dog, although you could probably hug one if the farmer says it's okay. A bull can stand about 5 feet tall at the shoulder, or 1.5 meters, while cows are smaller overall. The Highland cow is raised for its meat, which is naturally lean and delicious. But because they also happen to be small for cows, and so even-tempered, and so cute, many small farms and petting zoos keep a few just as pets. Since the Highland cow likes eating plants that other cow breeds won't touch, it's also helpful for clearing overgrown land. Next, Alexandra wanted to learn more about the fat-tailed sheep, another bovid. The sheep is one of the oldest domesticated animals in the world, with some experts estimating that it was first domesticated at least 11,000 years ago and possibly over 13,000 years ago, around Asia and the Middle East. Sheep are especially useful to humans because not only can you eat them, they produce wool. Wool has incredible insulating properties, as you'll know if you've ever worn a wool sweater in the snow. Even if it gets wet, you stay nice and warm. Even better, you don't have to kill the sheep to get the wool. The sheep just gets a haircut every year to cut its wool short. Wild sheep don't grow a lot of wool, though. They mostly have hair like goats. Humans didn't start selecting for domestic sheep that produced wool until around 8,000 years ago. The fat-tailed sheep isn't a single breed but a type of sheep, most common in central Asia, northern Africa, and the Middle East. It's adapted for life in arid conditions, where there isn't a lot of water. The fat deposits on both sides of the tail act like a camel's hump, allowing the animal to absorb the stored fat if it can't find enough food and water. The fat-tailed sheep can have a really huge tail, so big it can make up almost a third of its body weight. Because the fat mostly collects on either side of the tail bones, the tail's shape has two lobes, which makes the sheep look like it has an extra butt on its butt. In some breeds, the tail gets wider as the fat deposits grow, while in other breeds, the tail just gets longer, sometimes so long it actually brushes the ground. The tail fat helps the sheep, but it's also considered a delicacy to people. Wherever the fat-tailed sheep is raised, there are special recipes to cook the tail. Many breeds of fat-tailed sheep also produce long, coarse wool that's used to make carpets and felt. We'll finish with Jo's suggestion, the domestic donkey. Donkeys are equids, and instead of cloven hooves like bovids, they have solid hooves. They're closely related to horses and zebras, and more distantly related to rhinoceroses and tapirs. The domestic donkey is descended from the African wild ass. Researchers estimate it was domesticated around five to seven thousand years ago by the ancient nomadic peoples of Nubia in Africa, and quickly spread throughout the Middle East and into southern Asia and Europe. The domestic donkey is a strong, sturdy animal that's usually fairly small. One of the biggest breeds is the American Mammoth Jackstock, and another is the French Baudet du Poitou, which has long fur. Both breeds can be as big as a horse. Big donkey breeds like these were mostly developed to cross with horses, to produce even larger, stronger mules. Mules are hybrid animals and are infertile, but they're very strong. The donkey is usually gray or brown and has long ears. Most have a darker stripe down the spine, called an eel stripe, and another stripe across the shoulders. Many have a lighter-colored nose, belly, and legs. The donkey's mane is short and stands upright. The donkey's small size and big strength has made it a popular working animal throughout the world. It can carry loads, can be ridden, and can pull carts and plows. It's famously tough and can be stubborn if it doesn't feel like it's being treated well, and it can even be dangerous when it kicks and bites. Sometimes farmers keep donkeys with their sheep or other animals, because the donkey will look out for danger and warn the herd by braying if it sees a predator. If the predator gets too close, the donkey will attack it instead of running away. In many places in the world, the donkey is an important work animal even today. Not everyone is lucky enough to afford a tractor or truck, so donkeys do the same work for people that they've done for thousands of years. The problem is that when a donkey gets old or is injured, and can't work anymore, sometimes they're killed for meat or just abandoned. Luckily there are donkey rescues who do their best to help as many donkeys as they can, especially the Donkey Sanctuary. The Donkey Sanctuary started in England in 1969, but it now has sanctuaries throughout Europe, and it runs programs that offer free veterinary care and education about donkeys for people in many parts of the world. One important thing the Donkey Sanctuary does, and other donkey rescues do too, is give a home to elderly donkeys who can't work anymore. It's only fair that a hard-working donkey gets to retire and have a peaceful old age. You can find Strange Animals Podcast at strangeanimalspodcast.blubrry.net. That's blueberry without any E's. If you have questions, comments, corrections, or suggestions, email us at strangeanimalspodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening!

This week on Anime Pulse we got Christmas Gift unboxings, the charity for a real life counterpart to a virtual horse, and Chicken Tikka Masala. Up first IRL news sees Andrew gets in some last minute shopping while he is in Scotland, and Joseph is totally cheating his way through a separate save in New Vegas. Then in the industry news some fans raise money to give a racing horse a place to retire, bet they'll be on Santa's good list. Right before reviews Joseph and Andrew perform the annual Anime Pulse gift exchange, what will they get? Finally reviews! Joseph ignores all the advances a bunch of hot demi-humans make towards him, because dammit he's a doctor not a bachelor! And Andrew heads to a small room to share it with a criminal as they sing their hearts out.

Victoria Lenormand is a former police detective turned holistic coach, Reiki master, and passionate advocate for alternative education and social justice. With a 28-year career in public service behind her, Victoria's lens is both compassionate and sharp: she's witnessed firsthand how institutions can sometimes fail those they claim to serve. Her journey took a transformative turn when her youngest son's autism diagnosis revealed the flaws in rigid educational and medical systems. Choosing to home educate, she and her family embraced a life of flexibility, healing, and empowerment—living in a motorhome before settling in Scotland and exploring a more intuitive way of living. Her family's transformation, sparked by a combination of diet, environment, and deep listening, revealed the healing power of choice and the cost of ignoring it.Today, through Gemini Directions, Victoria now works with families and individuals who feel stuck inside systems not made for them. Her work draws on training in wellness coaching, trauma-informed care, and energy work—but more than anything, it's shaped by real-world experience: managing crisis with calm, asking better questions, making space when the default is to push through. Victoria speaks to parents at breaking point, professionals navigating burnout, and educators or policymakers open to doing things differently. Her conversations centre around those day-to-day quiet acts of courage: advocating for yourself, questioning “normal,” and moving toward something slower, more responsive, and often more effective.Takeaways:The value of a child is often revealed in the challenges they face, not just in their successes.When traditional education fails to meet a child's needs, parents must explore alternative educational paths.Creating a supportive community is essential for families navigating the complexities of education and special needs.Empowering children to take charge of their own learning fosters autonomy and encourages a love for education.Resilience is cultivated through overcoming challenges and learning to adapt in the face of adversity.The holistic approach to education recognizes the interconnectedness of emotional, physical, and academic well-being.Chapters:00:20 - Choosing to Withdraw: A New Direction06:20 - The Journey of Learning and Discovery08:23 - The Journey of Learning and Inclusion18:51 - Navigating Educational Change22:49 - Rethinking Education: Navigating New Possibilities28:20 - The Journey of Personalization in Learning34:45 - Navigating Educational Change and Personal Growth40:01 - The Importance of Community Support in Challenging Times42:38 - The Power of Resilience and Community

Richie is joined by author and criminologist Stuart Waiton. Did you know that the UK's Supreme Court recently declared that in Scotland, men who stand accused of sexual offences against women cannot receive a fair trial? It's a national scandal and yet the press and broadcast media won't touch it. Why? Stuart shares his thoughts. The guys also discuss the Labour government's plan to limit jury trials in the UK and social engineering in UK schools. Don't miss this.https://www.jimsscotland.org/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks7qpxxD9FI

100. Jamie is joined by four incredible women from around the world: Sarah (44), Johanne (44), Bidi (43), and returning guest Katie (46). All four are currently pregnant, and they are openly discussing their experience of pregnancy over 40. The goal of this show to hear about pregnancy over 40 straight from pregnant women themselves instead of hearing it after the birth. In this roundtable discussion, we dive deep into four very different journeys: Johanne shares her 15-year journey of faith, which included 6 embryo transfers and a life-changing myomectomy to remove fibroids before finally reaching 6 months pregnant. Sarah and Katie discuss the decision to use donor eggs after 40. Sarah shares her "dream" pregnancy in Scotland despite a grapefruit-sized fibroid, while Katie talks about the reality of a VBAC after a previous C-section. Last, Bidi, a former digital nomad, shares her shock at conceiving just two months after moving in with her partner at age 43. From delayed cord clamping and C-section birth plans to the "mental scramble" of losing your identity during pregnancy, no topic is off-limits. Whether you are dealing with unexplained infertility, navigating advanced maternal age protocols, or just need to hear that you aren't alone in the "miscarriage club," this episode is a testament to the power of persistence. Find out how these four women moved past the "geriatric" labels to embrace the beauty (and the heartburn!) of pregnancy in their 40s. Get the transcript and more information about this episode:https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/episode100/Please donate to the show if you found this podcast helpful! I can't keep it going without your help. If you received value from this show, even if it's as small as the price of a coffee, please consider donating today! Thank you! https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/donate/

Merry Christmas, everyone! I'd like to thank you all properly and share some exciting news with you all after an interesting year. Tune in to find out what's been going on and what's next for me. If you're curious about what happened after the accident and what the future holds, then keep watching until the very end. Thank you all for everything you've helped us with.All our love, Sam & Christine xxOriginal Christmas Sleep Stories for you to enjoy:- 'The Lost Cat of Christmas' {MORAG} - https://youtu.be/l0WPLR6jVwk- 'The Grinch' - https://youtu.be/7S92RuAxd78- 'The Christmas Miracle' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTkFlf65xIE&t=979s- 'The Christmas Wish' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Azr4PasmdNc&t=1159s- "The Girl Who Lost Belief in Christmas" - https://youtu.be/hOanYHd6DtsStory 4, 'Warm Both on a Christmas Night' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmGz-akLn2Y&t=2282s- 'Hogwarts on Christmas Eve' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUwS1dLq2hg- 'Festive Fireplace Fairy Tales' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kKeWB_1g4U&t=978sSupport me in creating these stories on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/snoozewithsamIf you enjoy these sleep stories, it would mean to world to me if you showed your appreciation and support through my Patreon. This way I can continue to do what I do!Thank you.Sam00:00 - Introduction02:30 - Photographs of car crash10:36 - What now?15:05 - What's NEXT? Support me here: https://www.patreon.com/snoozewithsam​Music and visuals are a combination of original productions and/or may include licensed and adapted, remixed, or transformed material from:https://freemusicarchive.org/homehttp://www.epidemicsound.com/https://www.videvo.net/https://www.canva.com/Spatium by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoonMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)Music : "The End of the World" by Tristan Lohengrinwww.tristanlohengrin.comLicensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/"Snooze with Sam" whispers sleepy stories of Scotland's natural world, all with the help of a soft, soothing Island voice. Lay yourself down, get comfortable and lose yourself in the sea of gentle tones gifted by one of the world's most beautiful countries.These original works are the property of Snooze with Sam, © Copyright 2020-2025. All rights reserved.YOU CAN NOW DONATE HERE: https://ko-fi.com/snoozewithsamThank you! :) S xVisit snoozewithsam.com and support us through our amazing merchandise!

Glamis Castle in Scotland is famous for its royal history, Shakespearean legends, and ghost stories, but none are more powerful than the tale of the Grey Lady. Long before she became a haunting figure in the castle chapel, Janet Douglas was a noblewoman caught in a deadly political feud with King James V. Accused of witchcraft, tortured by proxy, and burned at the stake while her teenage son was forced to watch, Janet's story is one of Scotland's cruelest miscarriages of justice.In this episode, we trace the real history behind the haunting, from the brutal rise of the Douglas feud to the King's obsession that destroyed Janet's life. Then we explore the paranormal legacy she left behind: sightings of a robed woman kneeling in prayer, the forbidden chapel chair reserved only for her, cold spots, emotional disturbances, and Glamis Castle's long reputation as one of Britain's most haunted locations.A tragic blend of Scottish history, royal betrayal, and one of the UK's most enduring ghost legends.hauntedamericanhistory.comPatreon- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/hauntedamericanhistory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LINKS FOR MY DEBUT NOVEL, THE FORGOTTEN BOROUGHBarnes and Noble -   https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-forgotten-borough-christopher-feinstein/1148274794?ean=9798319693334AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQPQD68SEbookGOOGLE: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=S5WCEQAAQBAJ&pli=1KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-forgotten-borough-2?sId=a10cf8af-5fbd-475e-97c4-76966ec87994&ssId=DX3jihH_5_2bUeP1xoje_SMASHWORD: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1853316 !! DISTURB ME !! APPLE - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disturb-me/id1841532090SPOTIFY - https://open.spotify.com/show/3eFv2CKKGwdQa3X2CkwkZ5?si=faOUZ54fT_KG-BaZOBiTiQYOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/@DisturbMePodcastwww.disturbmepodcast.com TikTok- @hauntedchris LEAVE A VOICEMAIL - 609-891-8658  Twitter- @Haunted_A_HInstagram- haunted_american_historyemail- hauntedamericanhistory@gmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A slow weave of some of the past year's Field Recordings, from a child playing in the snow to a brass band playing Christmas carols in the street. Father and daughter build a snowman in the backyard, Copenhagen, Denmark on 2nd January 2025 – by Joyce de Badts Cracking the ice underfoot over a frozen puddle, Low Bentham, North Yorkshire, UK in early January 2025 – by Charlotte Petts Ice on Queen's Park Pond, Glasgow, Scotland in January 2025 – by Katie Revell “Recorded using a contact microphone at Queen's Park pond on the Southside of Glasgow, during a cold snap in January. The pond had frozen over (which doesn't happen often), and people were walking and skating on it. One person asked if I was measuring the thickness of the ice. I handed my headphones round a group of kids, and it was fun to watch their reactions to the sci-fi noises…” Snow slowly melting from a bridge next to Ribblehead viaduct, North Yorkshire, UK in early January 2025 – by Charlotte Petts Listening to the river flow as the snow melts into the water from the fields nearby,  River Wenning, Bentham, North Yorkshire, UK in early January 2025 – by Charlotte Petts Tawny Owls voicing the starry dark, the foot of Dartmoor, UK at 5am on 3rd January 2025 – by Kirsteen McNish “I stood on the doorstep to look at the stars because of the ice bright visibility and heard them calling to each other.” Primal scream atop Bernal Hill, San Francisco, USA on 20th January 2025 at 9am – by Kristina Loring “A group of organizers had distributed flyers in our neighborhood for a timely cathartic moment atop the large mountain park that overlooks the city of San Francisco and the bay. It was organized to coincide with the swearing-in of the newest conservative American regime on Inauguration day. But one's rage can't be limited to whoever is in the presidential office. We scream for a litany of injustices—an endless list that cannot be exhausted here. Many rages filled my lungs that day and escaped my mouth in an inarticulate howl. Beneath the rage was a yearning for: Justice for Palestinians everywhere. Justice for trans folks everywhere. Justice for refugees everywhere.” Dead leaves on a silver birch, Stanton Moor, Derbyshire, UK on 5th February 2025 – by Rose de Larrabeiti “I took myself to Derbyshire for a few days in early February. I walked up to Stanton Moor with my dog Rosie (not named by me!) looking for a Bronze Age stone circle called the Nine Ladies. Nearby were silver birches with their dead brown leaves rustling in the wind.” Babble of Ta Ta Creek spring, British Columbia, Canada in early February 2025 – by PJ Howe “Here is a little recording of our local spring. We hiked through 2ft of snow in the -10 temps to the head of our local creek. Due to the deep cold we are in, the ice formations around the spring are spectacular. The quiet babble of the creek makes this such a special place.” Geothermal mud pools in Rotorua, Aotearoa (New Zealand) on 8th February 2025 – by Will Coley Woodpecker in back garden, south-east London, UK on 14th February 2025 – by Cesar Gimeno Lavin “This morning I was delighted to find that, after quite a few months, this woodpecker has returned! Back to the very same tree. I love how the sound echoes around the garden.” ‘Silence' in Doubtful Sound, Aotearoa (New Zealand) on 15th February 2025 – by Will Coley Steam train arriving and then departing, Haworth, West Yorkshire, UK on 17th February 2025 – by Cesar Gimeno Lavin Walking in the dry, squeaky-crunchy snow on Elm Street in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada on 22nd February 2025 – by Laura Nerenberg “The snow was delightfully squeaky and I took every chance I could to stomp around…” The last performance of the world's largest pipe organ, Philadelphia, USA on 22nd March 2025 – by Alex Lewis “Thousands of people gathered on Saturday, March 22nd at Macy's in Philadelphia, PA to hear the last performances of the Wanamaker Organ – possibly the world's largest pipe organ – as the department store marked its final weekend in business. This is an excerpt from the final recital by John Wanamaker Grand Court Organist Peter Richard Conte. My wife gave this piece the unofficial title: ‘an elegy for in-person shopping'.” Squeaky frogs, Watcarrick, near Eskdalemuir, Scotland on 25th March 2025 – by Geoff McQueen ‘Hands Off' March, New York, USA on Saturday 5th April 2025 – by Jon Moskowitz Nightingales at Knepp, Sussex, UK in April 2025 – by Charlotte Petts “…from my camp out at the Knepp estate last week – managed to creep up pretty close to a nightingale singing in the shrubby hedgerows. Absolutely gorgeous to fall asleep to them calling out to each other through the night.” Cows in Los Lagos de Covadonga, Asturias, Spain in May 2025 – by Sarah Kramer and Nina Porzucki  Bells heard through a window, Vilnius, Lithuania in the morning on 26th May 2025 – by Eleanor McDowall Creek bed, Lerderderg State Park on Wurundjeri Country, Australia in May 2025 – by Camilla Hannan Bingo on a roasting Saturday evening in Derbyshire, June 2025 – by Andrew Conroy ‘Little Tibet', Parco nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise, Italy in June 2025 – by Cosmin Sandu River through wood, Boise River, USA on 22nd June 2025 – by Ariana Martinez “This tape was gathered in Boise, Idaho with a contact microphone affixed to a tree root partially submerged in the Boise River.” Dawn chorus, Lopez Island, USA in 2025 – by Joe Harvey-Whyte Primary night watch party after Zohran Mamdani's win, Brooklyn Masonic Temple, New York on Wednesday 26th June 2025 – by Rachel Humphreys Protest after the vote, Westminster, London, UK on 2nd July 2025 – by Eleanor McDowall Ringing the peace bell, Hiroshima, Japan on 14th July 2025 – by Lisa Hack Knossos Palace, Crete, Greece on 17th July 2025 at 11.30am – by Giles Stokoe Pans protest outside Downing Street, London, UK at 6pm on 25th July 2025 “Hundreds gather outside Downing Street banging pots and pans as Israel's blockade continues to cause the starvation of Palestinians in the Gaza strip. 120 people – 80 of them children – have been confirmed dead from famine as of 26th July. In the last 24 hours two babies have died from malnutrition. Nearly 1000 Palestinians have been shot to death by Israeli soldiers whilst queuing for food.” Goats going home, Sabugueiro, Serra da Estrela, Portugal, late evening on 13th August 2025 – by Katherina Lindekens Gongs, Glastonbury Tor, Somerset, UK on 21st August 2025 – by Barny Smith Waves on a shingle beach, St Leonards-on-Sea, UK, late September 2025 – by Eleanor McDowall New York Mayoral Election Results, Paul's, Brooklyn, NY, USA on 4th November 2025 – by Brian Pester Democratic Socialists of America election night party, Bushwick, NY as Hell Gate NYC livestream called the race at 9.44pm on 4th November 2025 – by Kalli Anderson Inside a rainwater collection tank, London, UK on 10th November 2025 – by Cesar Gimeno Lavin 2 minutes silence from the rooftop of St Paul's Cathedral, Rememberance Sunday at 11am, 2025 – by Joe Harvey-Whyte Unknown instrument in the subway at two minutes to midnight, Metropolitan / Lorimer St station, New York, USA on 12th November – by Jonah Buchanan “Descending the stairs, I was disappointed to see a two-digit number in the wait time for the train. the music started a couple minutes later. they had a pedal and an instrument i couldn't identify. i wouldn't say it was dreamy, and there's not really a synonym i can find that captures it. maybe bewitching…” UK farmers tractor protest on the day of the budget, Rupert Street, Soho, London, UK at 14.29 on 26th November 2025 – by Clare Lynch “16th century Soho fields being ploughed in protest by 21st century musical tractors.” Cows grazing in the fog, Cerro, on the Lessini Mountains, North of Verona, Italy in late November 2025 – by Davide Erbogasto “…some cows were grazing in the field, regardless of the rain, fog or snow. Their bell kept me company through the week.” Crystal Palace Band playing at the Crystal Palace Christmas Tree lights turn-on, London, UK on 29th November 2025 – by Alan Hall First big snow of the season, Pittsburgh, USA on 2nd December 2025 – by Dennis Funk “This first big snow was really dreamy. It started late in the night after I'd gone to bed, and had already stopped by morning. When I woke up there was the shock of a white, white world and a few inches on the ground. I got lost in the stillness of the day, and watched little heaps tumble from branches when a breeze rattled through.”

Keith Longstreth takes us through an extraordinary life shaped by the rhythms and risks of the Cold War. Born into an Air Force family, Keith grew up on bases across the world—from Scotland to Italy to Texas, where he describes a poignant last farewell to President Kennedy before his assassination. His career in the USAF placed him behind the scenes of America's most critical aircraft, including time at RAF Upper Heyford during the tense early 1980s. There, he lived through chemical-attack drills, nuclear-strike simulations, and the ever-present pressure of NATO–Soviet confrontation. Rising to become an astronautical engineer, Keith later worked on GPS satellites and experiments flown on the Space Shuttle. Episode Extras ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/episode435/ ⁠⁠Help me preserve Cold War history. ⁠⁠⁠ You'll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you'll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/⁠⁠⁠⁠ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to ⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/store/⁠⁠ CONTINUE  THE COLD WAR CONVERSATION Follow us on BlueSky ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social⁠⁠ Follow us on Threads ⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations⁠⁠ Follow us on Twitter/X ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod⁠⁠ Facebook ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/⁠⁠ Instagram ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/⁠⁠ Youtube ⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Max Pearson presents a collection of the week's Witness History interviews from the BBC World Service. We learn about how a Norwegian businessman brought salmon sushi to Japan in the 1980s. Our guest is cookbook author Nancy Singleton Hachisu, who tells us more about the history of sushi in Japan and around the world. We hear about the first opera written for TV in 1950s America and how U.S Marshalls used fake NFL tickets to capture some of Washington DC's most wanted. Plus, how disability rights campaigners in India led to a change in the law in 1995 and when Scotland played hockey in Germany during the cold war. Finally, the story of when Laurel and Hardy spent Christmas at an English country pub. Contributors: Bjørn-Eirik – Norwegian businessman who brought salmon sushi to Japan Nancy Singleton Hachisu – cookbook authorArchive of Gian Carlo Menotti – Italian composer Stacia Hylton – former U.S Marshall Javed Abidi – Indian disability rights campaigner Archive of customers at The Bull Inn – the pub that Laurel and Hardy visited in 1953Valerie Sinclair – member of Scotland's hockey team who played West Germany in 1961 (Photo: Japanese demonstration to Norwegian royal family. Credit: Bjørn-Eirik Olson)

It’s the end of season 3, and we have a winner right here with us! Dolores is telling Wells all about her last day in Scotland (which was her version of a wellness retreat), and what it was like to win alongside her friends. What was her biggest takeaway from this entire experience? Did she actually cry before having to leave the castle? What is it about Traitors that she’s SO obsessed with?! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Wow, this is your job? I didn't know that was a job! That's amazing. Can I have this job?"  That offhand epiphany neatly sums up the enviable career path of wildlife, adventure, and travel photographer Chelsea Mayer. From an early start with her mom's camera to her selection for an Ambassador mentorship, before becoming a partner photographer, with Girls Who Click, all the way through to her certifications as a 100-ton boat captain and professional divemaster, the course Chelsea plotted has made her undeniably qualified for a thriving career. In today's show, we do a deep dive into the steps she's taken to keep her career moving forward and the vital role of mentors who've kept her motivated and focused on details that count. And on the flip side, Chelsea talks about common fears and obstacles creatives must overcome to land a dream job like her current role with National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions.  "There are so many different paths to get a job in photography or adjacent to photography," Chelsea points out. Yet, as her story make crystal clear, "How do you know that you want to do it if you didn't know it exists? Guest: Chelsea Mayer Episode Timeline: 2:15: Chelsea's early interest in photography and filmmaking, then adding structure through formal education. 5:31: From a casual whale watching trip to finding a photo job on the boat. 8:26: Chelsea's involvement with the organization Girls Who Click—from ambassador to partner. 13:18: Chelsea talks about uncertainty and roadblocks in building her photo career.  15:29: Pivoting to a new opportunity to sell limited edition fine art prints due constant travel in her current job. 18:49: Overcoming a fear of public speaking in a new role at National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions. 22:04: Chelsea's gear for whale watching expeditions and underwater work.   24:48: Chelsea's disarming approach to teaching, the inspiration she draws from the outside world, and finding focus in photographing for fine art prints. 30:46: Chelsea describes a magical underwater experience with a Mola Mola.   32:48: Breaking through walls and asserting herself in a male dominated field. 36:01: Chelsea's aspirations for the future: owning a boat and teaching photography in Antarctica. 37:24: Advice for other young photographers: become undeniably qualified. Guest Bio: Chelsea Mayer is a photographer and cinematographer specializing in wildlife, adventure, and portrait photography. A California native, she attended UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television, earning a BA in film production. After spending a few years working on films, Chelsea turned her sights seaward to work as a wildlife photographer and social media manager for local whale watching boats. In 2022, she joined National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions as a certified photo instructor, captain, and naturalist, traveling along the Pacific coast from Alaska to Baja, and to Scotland. Chelsea is a US Coast Guard-licensed 100-ton Captain, a professionally certified Divemaster, a certified naturalist for a number of organizations, and a Partner Photographer with Girls Who Click, a nonprofit mentorship organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of female nature photographers. When not on expedition or pursuing photo projects, Chelsea works as a dive supervisor, camera assistant, and safety diver for natural history film productions.  Stay Connected: Chelsea Mayer Website: https://www.chelseamayerphotography.com/ Chelsea Mayer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseamayerphotography/ Credits: Host: Derek Fahsbender Senior Creative Producer: Jill Waterman Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein Executive Producer: Richard Stevens  

This week, it's raw, real, and straight from the crowd. I'm sharing live recordings from IrishFest Atlanta, plus a couple gems listeners sent in. You'll hear chatter, claps, and the kind of energy you only get in the moment. Hit play and come hang out at the festival with me. Sundials, Heather Dale, Celtic Brew, Olivia Bradley, Kira Doppel, Sarah Ling, Kathleen O'Donohoe, May Will Bloom, Irish Brothers, The Muckers, Fialla This week on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast #738  -  -  Subscribe now! GET CELTIC MUSIC NEWS IN YOUR INBOX The Celtic Music Magazine is a quick and easy way to plug yourself into more great Celtic culture. Enjoy seven weekly news items with what's happening with Celtic music and culture online. Subscribe now and get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free. VOTE IN THE CELTIC TOP 20 FOR 2025 This is our way of finding the best songs and artists each year. You can vote for as many songs and tunes that inspire you in each episode. Your vote helps me create this year's Best Celtic music of 2025 episode. You have until December 4 to vote for this episode. Vote Now! You can follow our playlist on YouTube to listen to those top voted tracks as they are added every 2 - 3 weeks. THIS WEEK IN CELTIC MUSIC 0:12 - Sundials "Star of the County Down" from Live Recording 3:52 - Heather Dale STORY OF LISTENING 6:09 - WELCOME 8:39 - Celtic Brew "Dominic's Farewell to Cashel / Contentment is Wealth" from live recording at IrishFest Atlanta 10:25 - Olivia Bradley "My Match It Is Made" from live recording at IrishFest Atlanta 14:19 - Kira Doppel and Sarah Ling "Broken Pledge Set" from live recording at IrishFest Atlanta 18:43 - Kathleen O'Donohoe "Castle Dromore" from live recording at IrishFest Atlanta 21:39 - FEEDBACK 21:57 - HEATHER DALE ON FEEDBACK That was part of an interview that I did with Heather Dale a while back. Suffice it to say… I want your feedback for the new year. If you have questions or comments. If you have your own story to share, I'd love to hear it and share it with our listeners. Feel free to send an audio file, if you like. Or just email me follow@bestcelticmusic 27:19 - May Will Bloom "Gypsy Rover" from live recording at IrishFest Atlanta 30:25 - Irish Brothers "Brennan on the Moor" from live recording at IrishFest Atlanta 33:03 - The Muckers "The Crash" from live recording at IrishFest Atlanta 36:40 - THANKS 38:26 - STORY OF HEROES OF OUR TIME and ONE OF US One of my family's favorite songs by Heather Dale is the song "One of Us". She talks about it. 45:12 - Heather Dale "One of Us" from Imagineer 48:32 - STORY OF LEAF 53:02 - Heather Dale "Leaf" from Sphere 56:54 - CLOSING 57:48 - Fialla "Not a Doctor" from live recording 1:02:42 - CREDITS Support for this program comes from Cascadia Cross Border Law Group, Creating Transparent Borders for more than twenty five years, serving Alaska and the world. Find out more at   www.CascadiaLawAlaska.com Support for this program comes from Hank Woodward. Support for this program comes from Dr. Annie Lorkowski of Centennial Animal Hospital in Corona, California. Support for this program comes from International speaker, Joseph Dumond, teaching the ancient roots of the Gaelic people. Learn more about their origins at Sightedmoon.com The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was produced by Marc Gunn, The Celtfather and our Patrons on Patreon. The show was edited by Mitchell Petersen with Graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. Visit our website to follow the show. You'll find links to all of the artists played in this episode. Todd Wiley is the editor of the Celtic Music Magazine. Subscribe to get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free. Plus, you'll get 7 weekly news items about what's happening with Celtic music and culture online. Best of all, you will connect with your Celtic heritage. Please tell one friend about this podcast. Word of mouth is the absolute best way to support any creative endeavor. Finally, remember. Clean energy isn't just good for the planet, it's good for your wallet. Solar and wind are now the cheapest power sources in history. But too many politicians would rather protect billionaires than help working families save on their bills. Real change starts when we stop allowing the ultra - rich to write our energy policy and run our government. Let's choose affordable, renewable power. Clean energy means lower costs, more freedom, and a planet that can actually breathe. Promote Celtic culture through music at http://celticmusicpodcast.com/. WELCOME THE IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC PODCAST * Helping you celebrate Celtic culture through music. I am Marc Gunn. I'm a Celtic musician and also host of Pub Songs & Stories. Every song has a story, every episode is a toast to Celtic and folk songwriters. Discover the stories behind the songs from the heart of the Celtic pub scene. This podcast is for fans of all kinds of Celtic music. We are here to build a diverse Celtic community and help the incredible artists who so generously share their music with you. If you hear music you love, please email artists to let them know you heard them on the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. Musicians depend on your generosity to release new music. So please find a way to support them. Buy a CD, Album Pin, Shirt, Digital Download, or join their community on Patreon. You can find a link to all of the artists in the shownotes, along with show times, when you visit our website at celticmusicpodcast.com. Email follow@bestcelticmusic to learn how to subscribe to the podcast and you will get a free music - only episode. You'll also learn how to get your band played on the podcast. Bands don't need to send in music, and you will get a free eBook called Celtic Musicians Guide to Digital Music. It's 100% free. Again email follow@bestcelticmusic I have an interesting show for you today as we wait for the results of the Celtic Top 20 and we finish our annual Celtic Christmas episode. First, I reached out to Celtic musicians on the show and asked for them to email audio recordings of live performances they did. I had only a couple responses. In fact, the first artist you heard today was… But I also recorded a bunch of performances at IrishFest Atlanta this year. I got permission to use many of those recordings for this special episode. These are live, raw recordings that I made in the audience. So you'll hear people chatting and weird sounds throughout. But we did our best to get you some of the best recordings from this show. If you have a live recording you made, send it to me. Because I would like to do this again next year. Finally, I found pieces of an interview I did with Heather Dale a couple years back. I'm slipping those recordings, along with some of her music and the stories behind the songs. THANK YOU PATRONS OF THE PODCAST! Because of generous patrons like you, the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast releases new episodes nearly every single week. Your support doesn't just fund the show—it fuels a movement. It helps us share the magic of Celtic music with thousands of new listeners and grow a global community of music lovers. Your contributions pay for everything behind the scenes: audio engineering, stunning graphics, weekly issues of the Celtic Music Magazine, show promotion, and—most importantly—buying the music we feature from indie Celtic artists. And if you're not yet a patron? You're missing out! Patrons get: Early access to episodes Music - only editions Free MP3 downloads Exclusive stories and artist interviews A vote in the Celtic Top 20 Join us today and help keep the music alive, vibrant, and independent.