Podcasts about intentions

Hi friends! Thank you so much for being here with me ! Today we are talking about what it means to Knit with intention, and along with that all the usual things, finished objects ,work in progress , shop news, and, a little tangent here and there! You can find photos of all my FO's and WIP's on my blog, which is linked below. You can find the link to my Shop below and to all of my social medias. Hoping you are all well, and I'm excited to be back!ShopBlogFind me here

Goals are measurable outcomes that are only valuable when they're aligned in the right direction - with out intentions.Was this helpful? If so then you need to check out the 7 Fundamentals Of Self Improvement which features short summaries of the most popular and impactful episodes from the past 7 years.Takes only 5 minutes to read through them today but it'll help you avoid years of making things so much harder than they need to be. Plus, I bet you'll be surprised to learn what they are...

Let us know what you think of this episode with a text!The guys do absolutely nothing to shorten their stay in purgatory, despite their half-baked plans for Lenten sacrifice and redemption.Email: 3copstalk@gmail.comWebsite: https://www.3copstalk.comYoutube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCFWKMerhChCE6_s5yFqc4awFacebook: 3 Cops Talk | FacebookInstagram: https://instagram.com/3copstalk?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Is Sarah the victim of a "brushing scam," or does she have a secret admirer living down the street? This week, we are playing detective to solve the Amazon mystery box riddle. Sarah received a random assortment of items that suggests she either has a stalker or a crafting soulmate she hasn't met yet. Meanwhile, Susie learns the hard way that Facebook Marketplace is a lawless wasteland after a "porch pirate" swiped her items right from under her nose.In This Episode:The Amazon Glitch: We debate whether receiving random packages is a fun surprise or a security breach.Aspirational Clutter: We break down the psychology behind the stuff we keep for our "fantasy selves." If you have a closet full of hobbies you never started, you are suffering from Aspirational Clutter. We discuss how to let go of the guilt and clear the space.The Fresh Start Effect: Did you already abandon your New Year's Resolutions? We explain the science of the "Fresh Start Effect" and how to hit the reset button on your goals without waiting for January 1st.The Friendship Move: We tackle a massive cultural debate: Society expects us to move across the country for a romantic partner, but is it crazy to move for your friends? We discuss the rise of platonic life partnerships and why prioritizing community might be the key to happiness.Whether you are drowning in clutter, dealing with online scammers, or reconsidering your living situation, this episode is the reset you need.Join the Debate! We need your vote in the comments:The Box: Is Sarah's mystery sender creepy or sweet?The Move: Would you pack up and move to a new city just to be closer to your best friend?The Clutter: What is the one "aspirational" item you refuse to throw away? (We know you have that yoga mat...)Tell us your "Facebook Marketplace Horror Story"!#AspirationalClutter #FreshStartEffect #AmazonMystery #DeclutteringTips #FriendshipGoals #MovingForFriends #Podcast #FacebookMarketplace #NewYearsResolutions #PsychologyHacksBrain Candy Podcast Website - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/Brain Candy Podcast Book Recommendations - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/books/Brain Candy Podcast Merchandise - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/candy-store/Brain Candy Podcast Candy Club - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/product/candy-club/Brain Candy Podcast Sponsor Codes - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/support-us/Brain Candy Podcast Social Media & Platforms:Brain Candy Podcast LIVE Interactive Trivia Nights - https://www.youtube.com/@BrainCandyPodcast/streamsBrain Candy Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braincandypodcastHost Susie Meister Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemeisterHost Sarah Rice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imsarahriceBrain Candy Podcast on X: https://www.x.com/braincandypodBrain Candy Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/braincandy (JOIN FREE - TONS OF REALITY TV CONTENT)Brain Candy Podcast Sponsors, partnerships, & Products that we love:Get $10 off your first month's subscription and free shipping when you visit https://nutrafol.com and enter promo code BRAINCANDYHead to https://cozyearth.com and use my code BRAINCANDY for up to 20% off.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tom and DJ talk about the intentions of driving and getting out of your own head/wayDiscord LinkShow your lizard brains on the outside with Merch!CLICK HERE FOR THE MERCHYoutube LinkSpicy Cat Racing Store

What if the life you're chasing isn't actually the one you want? In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius Mirshahzadeh sits down with New York Times bestselling author and investor Sahil Bloom to challenge traditional definitions of success and wealth. Sahil shares the mindset behind “chop wood, carry water,” why small daily actions matter more than big resolutions, and how he walked away from private equity after realizing he was playing the wrong game. They explore personal sovereignty, aligning values with actions, finding work you genuinely enjoy, and why trust has become the most valuable currency in today's world. Sahil also unpacks the core ideas behind his book “The 5 Types of Wealth” and what it really means to design a life that feels rich beyond money. In this episode, Darius and Sahil will discuss: (00:00) Introduction and New Year's Intentions (06:37) Sahil's Origin Story and Insecurities (12:20) The Realization of Misalignment (18:21) Taking Small Steps Towards Change (23:00) Career Transition and Reflections on Private Equity (24:07) The Power of Passion in Success (27:36) Finding Your 'Hitting the Ball' Moment (30:22) The Courage to Explore New Paths (34:08) Navigating the New World of Work (36:08) The Journey into Content Creation (44:37) Redefining Wealth Beyond Money Sahil Bloom Sahil Bloom is a New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, and investor best known for “The 5 Types of Wealth,” a transformative guide to designing a meaningful life. His work reaches millions each week through his writing, social insights, and bi-weekly newsletter, The Curiosity Chronicle. An experienced investor, Sahil is the Managing Partner of SRB Ventures, a $10M venture firm, and the owner of SRB Holdings. He has invested in 40+ startups, including multiple unicorns, following seven years in private equity. A Stanford graduate and former NCAA baseball player, Sahil blends high performance, thoughtful living, and practical wisdom to help people redefine what it truly means to be wealthy. Connect with Sahil: Website: https://www.sahilbloom.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahilbloom  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sahilbloom/  Book: https://www.the5typesofwealth.com/  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Write a review for The Greatness Machine using this link: https://ratethispodcast.com/spreadinggreatness.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's ditch the good mom complex and replace it with the energy of the mom you actually want to be. Trying to squeeze into an external definition of "perfection" is draining the very vitality you need to build your empire and connect with your kids. We're redefining motherhood on our own unapologetic terms and reclaiming the frequency that naturally attracts more wealth and opportunity. Press play to move away from the Pinterest-centric idea of a Good Mom and discover how stepping into your unique alignment is the key to activating your next level of income. PS. Start creating a path to YOUR dreams and desires while showing up as the money making mom you want to be  

Les tips de Laura Magrino, numérologue !

Korey and Joe sit down with Henrik Sjöman, Senior researcher at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences & Scientific Curator at Gothenburg Botanical Garden. Henrik and the guys talk about the need for more communication and collaboration between arborists and landscapers in order to properly care for trees and plants. The guys and Henrik also discuss the importance of being selective in what you plant,and planting with a purpose. If you enjoyed the podcast please rate, review, subscribe and tell a fellow tree lover! Send your questions or topics you would like us to discuss to ⁠info@discoveringforestrypodcast.com⁠.Be sure to follow us on all your favorite social media platforms!Twitter/X: @DisForestryPodInstagram: @discovering_forestryFacebook: Discovering ForestryYouTube: @discoveringforestry6905LinkedIn: Discovering Forestry PodcastMusic credit:⁠ Cool Tools Music Video - "Timber"⁠   ⁠Muzaproduction “Sport Rock Logo 1”⁠Hosted by: Joe Aiken & Korey LofyProduced by: Nico ManganielloArtwork by: Cara Markiewicz & Nico Manganiello

Struggling with taking action on your goals even though you have a plan? In this episode I share habits and hacks for taking action even when you don't feel like it.    I share my personal story of losing momentum and strategies I use to overcome procrastination so as to form lasting habits that achieve real success.    Check out my latest blog post on Business Coaching with an example of a client who I recently helped - check out her business Mini Marketa   Read my latest substacks Setting Your New Year's Intentions   3 ingredients that will help you make real progress on your goals   Get in touch for 1:1 Business Coaching

Stop abandoning your goals by February. In this episode of The Vibe With Ky Podcast, Licensed Mental Health Counselor Chelsie Maccarone explains why standard resolutions often lead to burnout and how to set intentions that fit your real life. This season is presented by Sucreabeille and their gender-neutral ADHD scent 'Why Did I Walk Into This Room?' available HERE. Instead of trying to bulldoze your personality to build a new one from scratch, Chelsie suggests viewing personal growth like a home renovation. This conversation explores moving out of survival mode and finding peace in the process. Key Takeaways:Why you should eat your goals like a cake, one bite at a time.How to regulate your nervous system after years of survival mode.The danger of comparing your reality to a curated social media set. More From Chelsie:Healthy Minds & More WebsiteInstagramJoin The Vibe With Ky: https://thevibewithky.comMental Health Hub: https://thevibewithky.com/mental-health-resources-hubInstagram: https://instagram.com/thevibewithkyPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/thevibewithkyFacebook Subscriber Hub: https://www.facebook.com/thevibewithky/subscribe/Disclaimer: I am not a licensed mental health professional. Please seek professional help if needed.

If your mind feels like a browser with too many tabs open, it's time to detach from the noise. In this session, we use the "double inhale" breath hack—the fastest way to reset your nervous system and turn off the panic loop.Today, you are invited to drop the physical anchor and stop replaying the past. We practice the core truth that you are not your thoughts; you are the one listening to them. Switch your mindset to attract ease, success, and inner peace through deep mindfulness and somatic release.What You'll Experience:The Double Inhale Hack: A science-backed breathing technique to pop the lungs open and signal safety to the brain.The Rucksack Release: A visualization to drop the weight of the past and unclench the physical tension in your jaw and shoulders.Solar Plexus Radiance: Building an internal shield of golden light to protect your energy from the chaotic world outside.The River of Thoughts: Learning to sit on the bank and watch worries float by without getting swept away.Timestamps for Your Journey:0:00 – Cold Open: Detaching from the "Busy Mind" noise.0:45 – Welcome to the Inner Radiance Reset.1:12 – The 4-Minute Breathing Bridge: The Double Inhale Technique.2:46 – Mind-Body Connection: Scanning for tension and softening the jaw.3:17 – Releasing Negativity: Letting go of the "heavy rucksack."4:36 – Affirmation & Visualization: Embracing the radiance of the now.5:34 – Inner Light Expansion: Creating your shield of protection.7:27 – The River of Time: Detaching from worries and regrets.8:18 – "My Thing": 3 Caring Tips for a Happier Life.9:43 – Final Relaxation: Honoring your worthiness.11:15 – Join the Vitality & Boundary Series (Next Steps)."My Thing": 3 Caring Tips for a Happier, More Positive LifeThe Labelling Technique: When spiraling, say "I am having a thought about..." to remind yourself that thoughts are not reality.The Somatic Shake: If stress builds, shake your hands and legs for 30 seconds to physically release stored trauma from the body.The Digital Fast: Leave your phone in another room for 5 minutes before any main event to create space for authentic connection.Next Step: This session is part one of our Vitality and Boundary Series. If you found peace today, please Subscribe and Share this show to help our community grow. Stay tuned for Part 2: Protecting Your Peace.

Feeling the weight of "optimization mode"? If you woke up today feeling like your motivation has worn off, you are not alone. In this 10-minute session, clinical hypnotherapist Martin guides you through a "hard reset" for your nervous system to reclaim your inner peace and resilience.Whether you are navigating burnout or seeking a powerful morning boost, this meditation uses somatic healing and vagus nerve stimulation to anchor you in the present moment. Learn to turn off the stress switch and manifest a day where challenges are handled with absolute ease.

What does it really take to redesign education systems for a future that demands equity, human-centered innovation, and world-class learning outcomes?In this riveting Black Excellence Series episode of Voices for Excellence, Dr. Michael Conner sits down with visionary systems leader Dr. Tauheedah Baker-Jones—a powerhouse in transformational education reform whose work bridges research, policy, and practice. As the Southeast Regional Director of the National Center on Education and the Economy and co-founder of the Trinity Strategy Group, Dr. Baker-Jones brings a rare lens: one grounded in faith, justice, and rigorous, evidence-based systems change.From her early days as a classroom teacher in Los Angeles to her groundbreaking role as the first Chief Equity and Social Justice Officer for Atlanta Public Schools, Dr. Baker-Jones has championed coherent, high-impact leadership in some of education's most complex contexts. Her doctoral research at Harvard explored the execution of controversial change efforts in polarized environments—and she didn't stop at the theory. She applied these frameworks in real time, helping to move the needle on outcomes for thousands of students in Atlanta, even amid unprecedented adversity.You'll hear her powerful philosophy: "Design for outcomes, not intentions," and discover her signature Amplify Impact framework—a discipline-driven, change management model shaped by moral clarity, systems architecture, and the deep belief that every child must thrive, not by accident but by design.What you'll learn in this episode:Bold Frameworks for Equity-Centered Change: Why coherence, not isolated initiatives, must guide system redesignSystemic Excellence vs. Good Intentions: How to shift from performative cycles to clear execution aligned to outcomesWhy Equity Is an Engineering Principle: A pragmatic and visionary reframe of equity as intentional design for universal excellenceLeading Through Controversy with Moral Clarity: What it means to be courageous when your leadership becomes a political targetLong-Life Learning & 22nd-Century Readiness: How forward-thinking systems must evolve for a globally connected, AI-enabled futureThe Critical Triad for Transformation: Change management, systems design, and disciplined executionDrawing from both global research at NCEE and real-world systems leadership, Dr. Baker-Jones leaves us with a human truth: the future of learning must be intentionally designed to elevate every learner—and that requires moral leadership, courage, and coherence at every level.Subscribe and share to continue driving the future of education for all.

Ever feel like you're moving too fast—sending the wrong email, rushing a hire, buying the thing you immediately regret? Life, business, and social media push us to act on impulse, and rushing can cost you time, energy, and money. In this episode, I share how impulsive decisions keep your intentions buried, how fear, urgency, greed, and indifference sneak into your choices, and five tactical ways to slow down, get clear, and act with aligned intention—starting today.Whether you're running a business, juggling a family, or just trying to keep up, these strategies will help you stop rushing, reclaim your authority, and finally let your intention guide your actions.Listen now and learn how to act with clarity, not chaos: missytolley.com#MissyTolley #SoulSchool #TheSpiritualCEOPodcast #PurposeToProfit

Tread Perilously's TV Movie month continues with Deadly Intentions ... Again? After serving time for the attempted murder of his first wife, Dr. Charles Raynor returns to the loving embrace of his second wife, Sally. She has a plan to get him back into the workforce and see his medical license restored. Raynor has other plans -- finishing off his first wife and the federal prosecutor  who put him behind bars. Will he be able to do so without the second Mrs. Raynor finding out? Also, what of his own adoptive mother, who hates Sally for baffling class reasons? Will Sally come to her senses and see Raynor has deadly intentions ... again? Erik and Justin try to figure out what happened to Fairuza Balk's character. They also try to glean the plot of the original Deadly Intentions. The cast -- which includes Harry Hamlin, Joanna Kerns, Conchata Ferrell, and Balk -- prove to be great even if the script lets them down. Erik tries to determine how much of the film is truly based on actual events. A current year appraisal makes a certain subplot far more troubling than the film intends. Erik suggests first-time filmmakers should make thrillers instead of horror movies and Justin reveals an important truth about The Traitors.

Skandinavian Folklore and Feast Days.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Syv Slags Kaker. (or, Seven Sorts of  Cookies)December 22nd – Evening, Five Days LaterJorunn said, “Well, Gunnar, we are back at our starting point, and this concludes the tour. We got off to a rough start on the first day, but since then, I have enjoyed spending time with you. After my mom got divorced, I stopped dating. Sure, I went out in mixed groups with my friends, but I cannot remember the last time I went somewhere, by myself, with a man. The divorce made me lose all confidence and trust in men. Why enter a relationship, and give my heart to a man, knowing it is going to fail? My father hurt my mother and me so badly, that neither of us have recovered. You were so wonderful to me this week, and showed me that not all men are like my father.”Jorunn looked at me with pleading eyes, “I don’t want this tour to end. I don’t want you to leave. Can you please stay in Oslo at least a few more days?”Jorunn didn’t want me to go. And I didn’t want to leave her either. I replied, “Jorunn, I cannot think of anyone or any place I would rather be than here in Oslo, with you.”Jorunn said, “It’s still early enough that we may be able to find seating without a reservation. I know a great place for seafood.”“Lead on,” I replied.Jorunn and I discussed the now-completed tour while enjoying a delicious dinner at a small kafé. I offered suggestions for the tour, but otherwise let her know I enjoyed seeing Norway, and I told her what a wonderful guide she was. After returning to America, I promised to recommend her tours to everyone I knew.As I looked over the dessert menu, I asked Jorunn, “I’m willing to stay a few more days. Are there any other Norwegian Christmas traditions or activities worth doing over the next few days?”“If you put down that dessert menu, there is one called Syv Slags Kaker. I baked seven kinds of cookies to celebrate Jul. If you come to my house, we can have coffee and you can sample all seven kinds.”“That sounds great,” I replied. Jorunn was inviting me to her home. She was beautiful and funny, and I admit I developed fantasies about her as I watched her vlog videos back in the nursing home. Heck, I even created new fantasies over the last week. She was much warmer toward me at the end of the tour. In Tromsø, we shared a blanket as we rode in a sleigh pulled by an actual reindeer. But after the Nutcracker ballet, I held back and did not cross any lines. Could a 56-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman have a sexual relationship? I managed to keep up with Jorunn all week and didn’t see any reason not to. I reached below the table to carefully re-position myself before standing up.We made our way to the Train Station and rode to Jorunn’s neighborhood. As we walked to her house, I noticed many homes with a lighted star in one of the windows.“What are those stars,” I asked.“They are a tradition in Norway. A star is lit on the first Sunday of Advent to help guide the Three Wise Men.”We stopped in front of a modest house. There was no star in the window, but I saw sheaves of oats hung from one of the trees. I was familiar with the tradition of putting out something for the birds in the frigid days of December. As we stepped inside, I was suddenly surprised. “Hi, Mom! I would like you to meet Gunnar Larsen.”“Good evening, Mr. Larsen. Jorunn has been sending me text messages all week about your exciting travels. I hope you enjoyed your tour. My name is Leah.”This was not what I expected. I hoped to be alone with Jorunn. The family resemblance was striking and quite apparent. Leah’s straight hair was a bit shorter than Jorunn’s but matched her daughter’s pure blonde color. Her blue eyes stood out from her attractive face. She was wearing a multi-colored Norwegian Dale sweater and green trousers. I possessed absolutely no experience telling how old Norwegian women are. She must be in her forties but looked younger.I said, “I enjoyed Jorunn’s tour very much. Your daughter is quite talented in many ways. Please, call me Gunnar.”Jorunn said, “Gunnar was asking about other Jul traditions and activities here in Norway over Christmas. I thought Syv Slags Kaker would be a good one, and your cookies are the best ones in Oslo. I’ll make us some coffee.”Leah looked at me, “Please sit Gunnar. How much longer will you be staying in Norway?”I replied, “About two more weeks. I wanted to celebrate the New Year here before returning to America.”I talked about the completed tour, and she seemed interested enough that I rambled on.“I really enjoyed visiting Lillehammer. It brought back memories of watching the 1994 Winter Olympics, probably my favorite one. The music was fantastic, and the woman who sang the Olympic Hymn at the opening ceremony possessed such a wonderful voice.”Leah replied, “Her name is Sissel Kyrkjebø. She is still extremely popular today, and we consider her a national treasure. I was 18 at the time, and worked at those Olympics.”“I’d love to hear more about that,” I replied. “It was nice to see many of the venues still being used. I also enjoyed the Olympic Museum in Maihaugen, which told the history of the 1994 Olympics. I was surprised to learn that Norway has won more Olympic medals than any other country. But the highlight for me was riding the chairlift to the top of the Lysgårdsbakkene ski jump. The views were amazing. I can’t imagine anyone being brave enough to make such a jump.”“I agree with you on that!” laughed Leah.I continued, “We also flew to Tromsø, and I got to see the Northern Lights. We can sometimes see them in southern Minnesota, but they were much more impressive here with the clear Norwegian air. Jorunn and I took a ride in a sleigh, pulled by actual reindeer. Reindeer are much larger than I thought. We visited a Sami farm, where we ate reindeer stew and learned about the Sami culture.”“I’ve never been, but I hear it’s really fun,” replied Leah.“Bærums Verk was also a highlight. You may already know that the town dates to the 1600s. I loved the old buildings and cobbled streets. Although the Christmas Market was small, I found it unique, with artisans selling handmade crafts. It was nice to see the old crafts like glassblowing, ironwork, and woodworking.”Jorunn returned with a large tray, holding coffee and cookies, and we began sampling.Leah asked, “Did you take Gunnar to Pepperkakebyen in Bergen? It’s a marvelous gingerbread village in my hometown. There are over 200 small gingerbread houses, and with the tiny lights turned on, it looks so real.”Jorunn replied, “A week goes by quickly, mamma. There is only so much time. The gingerbread houses are very nice, and I have fond memories of going there with you.”As we continued talking and munching cookies, I looked around at the decorations. There was an advent calendar, wreaths, angels, gnomes called nisse, hearts, stars, and candles. The decorations looked more natural, perhaps a bit less commercialized than in America. There was a real tree, complete with its wonderful pine smell, a star at the top, garland, tinsel, ornaments, and white lights.I looked at Leah, “I noticed that you don’t have a Christmas star in the window as many of the other houses do.”Leah replied, “I found my former husband in bed with another woman. I immediately divorced him. Among the many things he took from Jorunn and I, was our Christmas Star.”Leah sounded deeply hurt and from more than just the missing star. After tasting the last of the seven cookies, Leah asked how I liked them. “The waffle-like Krumkaker was probably my favorite. We tried making them in Minnesota, but yours turned out so much better. And, of course, the Pepperkaker gingerbread stars were great.” I held up another cookie and said, “I don’t know the name of this one, but it was also excellent.”Leah replied, “That one is Serinakaker, a Norwegian butter cookie.”I realized the inevitable, “It is getting late. Thank you both, Leah and Jorunn, for a wonderful evening. I need to get back to my hotel and figure out what to do over the next few days.”I saw Jorunn look at her mother, who nodded. As I stood up, Leah did too. “Nonsense, Gunnar. I won’t have it. Come, spend Christmas with Jorunn and me! Nearly everything in Oslo shuts down in the afternoon on Christmas Eve and stays closed until the 27th. No restaurants or shops will be open. I have an unused bedroom upstairs. Come celebrate Jul with us.”I caught the signal between mother and daughter and wondered if this was pre-planned. But spending Christmas alone in my hotel sounded almost as bad as spending it alone in the nursing home. It was an easy decision. “I accept.”Leah said, “Good. I’ll stop by your hotel tomorrow and help you move your things. Perhaps we can have lunch as well at one of the restaurants along Karl Johans gate.”“It would be my pleasure, ” I replied. “Let’s say, about 11:00 AM”Little Christmas EveDecember 23rd - MorningIt was December 23rd, known in Norway as Lille Julaften. Spending Christmas with Leah and Jorunn created a problem for me. I needed to find at least one Christmas present for each, just in case they bought a gift for me. I got up early and headed out to search. Reflecting on last night, and indeed, the last week, it ended up being far simpler than I feared. I soon found a gift for each, along with reusable cloth gift bags in Christmas colors.I heard a knock on my hotel door and opened it. Leah stood there, holding a coat over her arm. She was wearing a traditional Norwegian folk costume called a bunad. Her blonde hair, simply styled, was highlighted by two attractive braids.I smiled and said, “What a pleasant surprise. You look like you just stepped out of a fairy tale.”She looked past me into the messy room, then took a step toward me and surprised me with a kiss on my cheek. She stepped back and started laughing. “It didn’t work. I am a fairy tale princess, but you are still a frog! It looks like we have some work to do cleaning up your lily pad.”As Leah entered the room, I said, “I already packed a small bag, enough for a few days.”Leah walked over to the pile of clothes from my week-long trip. She picked up a shirt and sniffed it. Then she pulled a wool sweater out from the pile. “Keep your wool sweaters away from the rest of your dirty clothes. Wool is harder to clean and may pick up the smell. Let me see what else you packed.”Leah dumped out my small gym bag onto the bed and then began tossing things aside. “This won’t do. We need to take all of your clothes back to my house and wash them.”Fond memories returned. Whenever we went on a trip, Solveig would always dump out my suitcase and re-load it with other clothes. Solvieg would also pick out clothes for me to wear whenever we dressed to go out to weddings or a party.Leah said, “Don’t expect me to wash them for you. I have other things to do to get ready for Christmas. You’ll have enough free time you can wash them yourself. We will gather everything up after we come back from lunch.”What a woman! I can see where Jorunn inherited her strong personality. We left my hotel, and Leah took me to one of her favorite kafés. As we walked, Leah’s bunad drew eyes, and attracted smiles, as if she were a magnet. As we waited for our food, I asked Leah about her bunad.Leah replied, “I don’t get to wear my bunad very often. I usually wear it for National Day in May, and for weddings and baptisms, but I haven’t been to many of those lately. Christmas is also an acceptable time to wear it.”Leah wore the traditional white blouse with a silver neckpin. Her vest was bright red with a handmade breastplate. Her navy skirt was trimmed with intricate embroidery, and covered in front by a white apron. Around her waist and running down the front was a decorative handwoven belt.“I grew up east of Bergen, in the Hardanger region, so my bunad is in the Hardanger style. While details may vary, you can tell where someone is from by which style of bunad they are wearing. It would not be proper to choose a bunad from a different region simply because you prefer a different color.”“That’s a lovely silver brooch you have on. It looks very old.”“It was my grandmother’s. Norwegians have a spiritual connection to silver, and silver brooches are handed down for many generations. One day, it will be Jorunn’s.”The food was excellent. I have not eaten a bad meal here in Norway. Leah was a great conversationalist, and she freely shared her humor and wit. Her stories from the 1994 Olympics were fascinating, and even though Jorunn and I were just there, I wanted to go back. I learned Leah worked as a radiology technician at a local hospital here in Oslo and took the entire holiday off. The meal finished too quickly, and we returned to my hotel.As we gathered my assorted clothing, I saw one of my socks on the floor, so I walked around Leah to pick it up. Turning quickly, I found myself face-to-face with her. We stared at each other for a moment, then moved at the same time. Our lips came together, and we kissed. Not a gentle kiss, but a passionate one, long and deep. Intentions were clear on both sides.We separated. Leah said, “I have not had sex since divorcing my husband nearly three years ago. That bastard took away more than my Christmas Star, he took away my trust in men. I am forty-seven years old. I never go out on dates, because I’m afraid to open my heart again to another man. Jorunn texted me every night for the past week and would send short videos she took during the day. She kept repeating how much fun she was having with you, and how nice a man you are. I know it sounds funny, but after watching and reading what Jorunn sent me, I feel like I already know you, and have made it past the first date. I know you lost the woman you loved. I cannot replace her in your heart, but if you are ready, I would like to share mine.”This was unexpected. “When I was in Minnesota, I watched Jorunn’s vlog almost every night. She is so sweet and funny and does such an excellent job. Even though I never met Jorunn, I felt like I knew her. To use your dating analogy, it’s one of the reasons I picked her as a tour guide. I felt comfortable with Jorunn and was too afraid to trust another tour company. When I came to Norway, I left my past behind. It is time for me to find something, or someone, to love.”Our bodies came together, and our lips re-joined. Any fears of rejection vanished as I locked my lips onto those of this beautiful Norwegian woman. Our tongues danced with each other, while our hands moved quickly over each other’s bodies.“Help me take off my bunad,” pleaded Leah.Together, we unclasped, unbuckled, unbuttoned, and untied, removing one layer at a time of the intricate bunad and laying it over a chair. It was like slowly opening the best Christmas present I have ever gotten, as more of Leah’s body slowly revealed itself to me. Her breasts were small, but firm, and went well with her slender frame. I forgot how delicate a woman’s features are, and Leah’s body was perfect in every way. Below her waist, I found a mound of pure blonde hair, barely darker than the color on her head.“I have no other words, you are truly a gorgeous woman, Leah.”“Thank you, Gunnar. Now it’s my turn to have fun.”Leah approached me. With small steps, she moved gracefully. She lifted my pullover shirt, pausing as it obscured my eyes. “Don’t take your shirt off. Just enjoy the sensations.” In the darkness, her fingers teasingly played with the hairs on my chest. A fingernail flicked back and forth over my nipple, drawing it to an erection. Moving lower, Leah unbuckled my trousers and slid them down, taking my knickers with them. I was not yet erect, but moving rapidly in that direction. Cool fingers wrapped around my cock and lifted, while a single fingernail twirled against my ball sack. Her tongue dragged across the tip of my cock. Then, Leah’s hands moved behind me to cup and squeeze my bum cheeks. Her warm breath washed over my cock.Leah stood and pulled my shirt the rest of the way off, and I stepped out of my trousers. We remained like this, both naked, looking longingly at each other. Leah reached up and touched my hair. “You have just a touch of grey. I like that. Few mature men are as blessed as you, with a firm, lean body. I see all kinds of patients. You look like a forty-year-old.”I suppose that was one benefit of eating the low-fat, low-sugar, and tasteless nursing home food. I lost nearly thirty pounds. “I am older than I look, and you should know that I had a stroke two years ago. I am doing much better, but still have a balance issue, and sometimes slur my words."Slurring your words might just be because you have a lazy tongue. Perhaps we can find a way to fix that later.”For a moment, I wondered what she meant, then hoped my notions might come true. Leah dropped to her knees directly in front of me and ran a finger along my nearly erect shaft. “It feels so nice to touch a real one again. What a lovely cock you have.”I said, “I’m sorry. I don’t have a very large penis.”Leah laughed, “Anything more than a mouthful is just wasted. Now let’s begin. I will say a Norwegian word, and you repeat it. Listen carefully to my pronunciation and maybe we can fix your American accent.”Leah said, “Penis.” Then she grabbed my cock with her right hand.This might be fun, so I replied, “Penis!”Leah whispered, “Rub.” Then she began gently sliding her hand along my shaft. Without any lubrication, there was quite a bit of friction.I replied, “Rub!”Leah said, “Lick.” Leah extended her tongue, and starting near the base, began leaving wet trails along each side of my glistening cock. The warm softness of her tongue brought me to full erection.It felt fantastic, and I gasped out, “Lick!”Leah said, “Suck.” She opened her mouth wide and took in the head of my cock, using her tongue to tease the underside. Bringing her lips together, I felt the insides of her mouth pressing inward and squeezing tightly against me. When her suction began, she pulled the head of my cock deeper into her mouth. Leah’s head pulled back ever so slightly, allowing her soft lips to glide over me until my cock was almost freed. But not quite. Using the extra room, Leah teased my opening with the tip of her tongue. From the way her tongue easily twirled around, I was certain I contributed my pre-cum.Then her suction pulled me deeper into her mouth. She look

Skandinavian Folklore and Feast Days.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Syv Slags Kaker. (or, Seven Sorts of  Cookies)December 22nd – Evening, Five Days LaterJorunn said, “Well, Gunnar, we are back at our starting point, and this concludes the tour. We got off to a rough start on the first day, but since then, I have enjoyed spending time with you. After my mom got divorced, I stopped dating. Sure, I went out in mixed groups with my friends, but I cannot remember the last time I went somewhere, by myself, with a man. The divorce made me lose all confidence and trust in men. Why enter a relationship, and give my heart to a man, knowing it is going to fail? My father hurt my mother and me so badly, that neither of us have recovered. You were so wonderful to me this week, and showed me that not all men are like my father.”Jorunn looked at me with pleading eyes, “I don’t want this tour to end. I don’t want you to leave. Can you please stay in Oslo at least a few more days?”Jorunn didn’t want me to go. And I didn’t want to leave her either. I replied, “Jorunn, I cannot think of anyone or any place I would rather be than here in Oslo, with you.”Jorunn said, “It’s still early enough that we may be able to find seating without a reservation. I know a great place for seafood.”“Lead on,” I replied.Jorunn and I discussed the now-completed tour while enjoying a delicious dinner at a small kafé. I offered suggestions for the tour, but otherwise let her know I enjoyed seeing Norway, and I told her what a wonderful guide she was. After returning to America, I promised to recommend her tours to everyone I knew.As I looked over the dessert menu, I asked Jorunn, “I’m willing to stay a few more days. Are there any other Norwegian Christmas traditions or activities worth doing over the next few days?”“If you put down that dessert menu, there is one called Syv Slags Kaker. I baked seven kinds of cookies to celebrate Jul. If you come to my house, we can have coffee and you can sample all seven kinds.”“That sounds great,” I replied. Jorunn was inviting me to her home. She was beautiful and funny, and I admit I developed fantasies about her as I watched her vlog videos back in the nursing home. Heck, I even created new fantasies over the last week. She was much warmer toward me at the end of the tour. In Tromsø, we shared a blanket as we rode in a sleigh pulled by an actual reindeer. But after the Nutcracker ballet, I held back and did not cross any lines. Could a 56-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman have a sexual relationship? I managed to keep up with Jorunn all week and didn’t see any reason not to. I reached below the table to carefully re-position myself before standing up.We made our way to the Train Station and rode to Jorunn’s neighborhood. As we walked to her house, I noticed many homes with a lighted star in one of the windows.“What are those stars,” I asked.“They are a tradition in Norway. A star is lit on the first Sunday of Advent to help guide the Three Wise Men.”We stopped in front of a modest house. There was no star in the window, but I saw sheaves of oats hung from one of the trees. I was familiar with the tradition of putting out something for the birds in the frigid days of December. As we stepped inside, I was suddenly surprised. “Hi, Mom! I would like you to meet Gunnar Larsen.”“Good evening, Mr. Larsen. Jorunn has been sending me text messages all week about your exciting travels. I hope you enjoyed your tour. My name is Leah.”This was not what I expected. I hoped to be alone with Jorunn. The family resemblance was striking and quite apparent. Leah’s straight hair was a bit shorter than Jorunn’s but matched her daughter’s pure blonde color. Her blue eyes stood out from her attractive face. She was wearing a multi-colored Norwegian Dale sweater and green trousers. I possessed absolutely no experience telling how old Norwegian women are. She must be in her forties but looked younger.I said, “I enjoyed Jorunn’s tour very much. Your daughter is quite talented in many ways. Please, call me Gunnar.”Jorunn said, “Gunnar was asking about other Jul traditions and activities here in Norway over Christmas. I thought Syv Slags Kaker would be a good one, and your cookies are the best ones in Oslo. I’ll make us some coffee.”Leah looked at me, “Please sit Gunnar. How much longer will you be staying in Norway?”I replied, “About two more weeks. I wanted to celebrate the New Year here before returning to America.”I talked about the completed tour, and she seemed interested enough that I rambled on.“I really enjoyed visiting Lillehammer. It brought back memories of watching the 1994 Winter Olympics, probably my favorite one. The music was fantastic, and the woman who sang the Olympic Hymn at the opening ceremony possessed such a wonderful voice.”Leah replied, “Her name is Sissel Kyrkjebø. She is still extremely popular today, and we consider her a national treasure. I was 18 at the time, and worked at those Olympics.”“I’d love to hear more about that,” I replied. “It was nice to see many of the venues still being used. I also enjoyed the Olympic Museum in Maihaugen, which told the history of the 1994 Olympics. I was surprised to learn that Norway has won more Olympic medals than any other country. But the highlight for me was riding the chairlift to the top of the Lysgårdsbakkene ski jump. The views were amazing. I can’t imagine anyone being brave enough to make such a jump.”“I agree with you on that!” laughed Leah.I continued, “We also flew to Tromsø, and I got to see the Northern Lights. We can sometimes see them in southern Minnesota, but they were much more impressive here with the clear Norwegian air. Jorunn and I took a ride in a sleigh, pulled by actual reindeer. Reindeer are much larger than I thought. We visited a Sami farm, where we ate reindeer stew and learned about the Sami culture.”“I’ve never been, but I hear it’s really fun,” replied Leah.“Bærums Verk was also a highlight. You may already know that the town dates to the 1600s. I loved the old buildings and cobbled streets. Although the Christmas Market was small, I found it unique, with artisans selling handmade crafts. It was nice to see the old crafts like glassblowing, ironwork, and woodworking.”Jorunn returned with a large tray, holding coffee and cookies, and we began sampling.Leah asked, “Did you take Gunnar to Pepperkakebyen in Bergen? It’s a marvelous gingerbread village in my hometown. There are over 200 small gingerbread houses, and with the tiny lights turned on, it looks so real.”Jorunn replied, “A week goes by quickly, mamma. There is only so much time. The gingerbread houses are very nice, and I have fond memories of going there with you.”As we continued talking and munching cookies, I looked around at the decorations. There was an advent calendar, wreaths, angels, gnomes called nisse, hearts, stars, and candles. The decorations looked more natural, perhaps a bit less commercialized than in America. There was a real tree, complete with its wonderful pine smell, a star at the top, garland, tinsel, ornaments, and white lights.I looked at Leah, “I noticed that you don’t have a Christmas star in the window as many of the other houses do.”Leah replied, “I found my former husband in bed with another woman. I immediately divorced him. Among the many things he took from Jorunn and I, was our Christmas Star.”Leah sounded deeply hurt and from more than just the missing star. After tasting the last of the seven cookies, Leah asked how I liked them. “The waffle-like Krumkaker was probably my favorite. We tried making them in Minnesota, but yours turned out so much better. And, of course, the Pepperkaker gingerbread stars were great.” I held up another cookie and said, “I don’t know the name of this one, but it was also excellent.”Leah replied, “That one is Serinakaker, a Norwegian butter cookie.”I realized the inevitable, “It is getting late. Thank you both, Leah and Jorunn, for a wonderful evening. I need to get back to my hotel and figure out what to do over the next few days.”I saw Jorunn look at her mother, who nodded. As I stood up, Leah did too. “Nonsense, Gunnar. I won’t have it. Come, spend Christmas with Jorunn and me! Nearly everything in Oslo shuts down in the afternoon on Christmas Eve and stays closed until the 27th. No restaurants or shops will be open. I have an unused bedroom upstairs. Come celebrate Jul with us.”I caught the signal between mother and daughter and wondered if this was pre-planned. But spending Christmas alone in my hotel sounded almost as bad as spending it alone in the nursing home. It was an easy decision. “I accept.”Leah said, “Good. I’ll stop by your hotel tomorrow and help you move your things. Perhaps we can have lunch as well at one of the restaurants along Karl Johans gate.”“It would be my pleasure, ” I replied. “Let’s say, about 11:00 AM”Little Christmas EveDecember 23rd - MorningIt was December 23rd, known in Norway as Lille Julaften. Spending Christmas with Leah and Jorunn created a problem for me. I needed to find at least one Christmas present for each, just in case they bought a gift for me. I got up early and headed out to search. Reflecting on last night, and indeed, the last week, it ended up being far simpler than I feared. I soon found a gift for each, along with reusable cloth gift bags in Christmas colors.I heard a knock on my hotel door and opened it. Leah stood there, holding a coat over her arm. She was wearing a traditional Norwegian folk costume called a bunad. Her blonde hair, simply styled, was highlighted by two attractive braids.I smiled and said, “What a pleasant surprise. You look like you just stepped out of a fairy tale.”She looked past me into the messy room, then took a step toward me and surprised me with a kiss on my cheek. She stepped back and started laughing. “It didn’t work. I am a fairy tale princess, but you are still a frog! It looks like we have some work to do cleaning up your lily pad.”As Leah entered the room, I said, “I already packed a small bag, enough for a few days.”Leah walked over to the pile of clothes from my week-long trip. She picked up a shirt and sniffed it. Then she pulled a wool sweater out from the pile. “Keep your wool sweaters away from the rest of your dirty clothes. Wool is harder to clean and may pick up the smell. Let me see what else you packed.”Leah dumped out my small gym bag onto the bed and then began tossing things aside. “This won’t do. We need to take all of your clothes back to my house and wash them.”Fond memories returned. Whenever we went on a trip, Solveig would always dump out my suitcase and re-load it with other clothes. Solvieg would also pick out clothes for me to wear whenever we dressed to go out to weddings or a party.Leah said, “Don’t expect me to wash them for you. I have other things to do to get ready for Christmas. You’ll have enough free time you can wash them yourself. We will gather everything up after we come back from lunch.”What a woman! I can see where Jorunn inherited her strong personality. We left my hotel, and Leah took me to one of her favorite kafés. As we walked, Leah’s bunad drew eyes, and attracted smiles, as if she were a magnet. As we waited for our food, I asked Leah about her bunad.Leah replied, “I don’t get to wear my bunad very often. I usually wear it for National Day in May, and for weddings and baptisms, but I haven’t been to many of those lately. Christmas is also an acceptable time to wear it.”Leah wore the traditional white blouse with a silver neckpin. Her vest was bright red with a handmade breastplate. Her navy skirt was trimmed with intricate embroidery, and covered in front by a white apron. Around her waist and running down the front was a decorative handwoven belt.“I grew up east of Bergen, in the Hardanger region, so my bunad is in the Hardanger style. While details may vary, you can tell where someone is from by which style of bunad they are wearing. It would not be proper to choose a bunad from a different region simply because you prefer a different color.”“That’s a lovely silver brooch you have on. It looks very old.”“It was my grandmother’s. Norwegians have a spiritual connection to silver, and silver brooches are handed down for many generations. One day, it will be Jorunn’s.”The food was excellent. I have not eaten a bad meal here in Norway. Leah was a great conversationalist, and she freely shared her humor and wit. Her stories from the 1994 Olympics were fascinating, and even though Jorunn and I were just there, I wanted to go back. I learned Leah worked as a radiology technician at a local hospital here in Oslo and took the entire holiday off. The meal finished too quickly, and we returned to my hotel.As we gathered my assorted clothing, I saw one of my socks on the floor, so I walked around Leah to pick it up. Turning quickly, I found myself face-to-face with her. We stared at each other for a moment, then moved at the same time. Our lips came together, and we kissed. Not a gentle kiss, but a passionate one, long and deep. Intentions were clear on both sides.We separated. Leah said, “I have not had sex since divorcing my husband nearly three years ago. That bastard took away more than my Christmas Star, he took away my trust in men. I am forty-seven years old. I never go out on dates, because I’m afraid to open my heart again to another man. Jorunn texted me every night for the past week and would send short videos she took during the day. She kept repeating how much fun she was having with you, and how nice a man you are. I know it sounds funny, but after watching and reading what Jorunn sent me, I feel like I already know you, and have made it past the first date. I know you lost the woman you loved. I cannot replace her in your heart, but if you are ready, I would like to share mine.”This was unexpected. “When I was in Minnesota, I watched Jorunn’s vlog almost every night. She is so sweet and funny and does such an excellent job. Even though I never met Jorunn, I felt like I knew her. To use your dating analogy, it’s one of the reasons I picked her as a tour guide. I felt comfortable with Jorunn and was too afraid to trust another tour company. When I came to Norway, I left my past behind. It is time for me to find something, or someone, to love.”Our bodies came together, and our lips re-joined. Any fears of rejection vanished as I locked my lips onto those of this beautiful Norwegian woman. Our tongues danced with each other, while our hands moved quickly over each other’s bodies.“Help me take off my bunad,” pleaded Leah.Together, we unclasped, unbuckled, unbuttoned, and untied, removing one layer at a time of the intricate bunad and laying it over a chair. It was like slowly opening the best Christmas present I have ever gotten, as more of Leah’s body slowly revealed itself to me. Her breasts were small, but firm, and went well with her slender frame. I forgot how delicate a woman’s features are, and Leah’s body was perfect in every way. Below her waist, I found a mound of pure blonde hair, barely darker than the color on her head.“I have no other words, you are truly a gorgeous woman, Leah.”“Thank you, Gunnar. Now it’s my turn to have fun.”Leah approached me. With small steps, she moved gracefully. She lifted my pullover shirt, pausing as it obscured my eyes. “Don’t take your shirt off. Just enjoy the sensations.” In the darkness, her fingers teasingly played with the hairs on my chest. A fingernail flicked back and forth over my nipple, drawing it to an erection. Moving lower, Leah unbuckled my trousers and slid them down, taking my knickers with them. I was not yet erect, but moving rapidly in that direction. Cool fingers wrapped around my cock and lifted, while a single fingernail twirled against my ball sack. Her tongue dragged across the tip of my cock. Then, Leah’s hands moved behind me to cup and squeeze my bum cheeks. Her warm breath washed over my cock.Leah stood and pulled my shirt the rest of the way off, and I stepped out of my trousers. We remained like this, both naked, looking longingly at each other. Leah reached up and touched my hair. “You have just a touch of grey. I like that. Few mature men are as blessed as you, with a firm, lean body. I see all kinds of patients. You look like a forty-year-old.”I suppose that was one benefit of eating the low-fat, low-sugar, and tasteless nursing home food. I lost nearly thirty pounds. “I am older than I look, and you should know that I had a stroke two years ago. I am doing much better, but still have a balance issue, and sometimes slur my words."Slurring your words might just be because you have a lazy tongue. Perhaps we can find a way to fix that later.”For a moment, I wondered what she meant, then hoped my notions might come true. Leah dropped to her knees directly in front of me and ran a finger along my nearly erect shaft. “It feels so nice to touch a real one again. What a lovely cock you have.”I said, “I’m sorry. I don’t have a very large penis.”Leah laughed, “Anything more than a mouthful is just wasted. Now let’s begin. I will say a Norwegian word, and you repeat it. Listen carefully to my pronunciation and maybe we can fix your American accent.”Leah said, “Penis.” Then she grabbed my cock with her right hand.This might be fun, so I replied, “Penis!”Leah whispered, “Rub.” Then she began gently sliding her hand along my shaft. Without any lubrication, there was quite a bit of friction.I replied, “Rub!”Leah said, “Lick.” Leah extended her tongue, and starting near the base, began leaving wet trails along each side of my glistening cock. The warm softness of her tongue brought me to full erection.It felt fantastic, and I gasped out, “Lick!”Leah said, “Suck.” She opened her mouth wide and took in the head of my cock, using her tongue to tease the underside. Bringing her lips together, I felt the insides of her mouth pressing inward and squeezing tightly against me. When her suction began, she pulled the head of my cock deeper into her mouth. Leah’s head pulled back ever so slightly, allowing her soft lips to glide over me until my cock was almost freed. But not quite. Using the extra room, Leah teased my opening with the tip of her tongue. From the way her tongue easily twirled around, I was certain I contributed my pre-cum.Then her suction pulled me deeper into her mouth. She look

Skandinavian Folklore and Feast Days.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Syv Slags Kaker. (or, Seven Sorts of  Cookies)December 22nd – Evening, Five Days LaterJorunn said, “Well, Gunnar, we are back at our starting point, and this concludes the tour. We got off to a rough start on the first day, but since then, I have enjoyed spending time with you. After my mom got divorced, I stopped dating. Sure, I went out in mixed groups with my friends, but I cannot remember the last time I went somewhere, by myself, with a man. The divorce made me lose all confidence and trust in men. Why enter a relationship, and give my heart to a man, knowing it is going to fail? My father hurt my mother and me so badly, that neither of us have recovered. You were so wonderful to me this week, and showed me that not all men are like my father.”Jorunn looked at me with pleading eyes, “I don’t want this tour to end. I don’t want you to leave. Can you please stay in Oslo at least a few more days?”Jorunn didn’t want me to go. And I didn’t want to leave her either. I replied, “Jorunn, I cannot think of anyone or any place I would rather be than here in Oslo, with you.”Jorunn said, “It’s still early enough that we may be able to find seating without a reservation. I know a great place for seafood.”“Lead on,” I replied.Jorunn and I discussed the now-completed tour while enjoying a delicious dinner at a small kafé. I offered suggestions for the tour, but otherwise let her know I enjoyed seeing Norway, and I told her what a wonderful guide she was. After returning to America, I promised to recommend her tours to everyone I knew.As I looked over the dessert menu, I asked Jorunn, “I’m willing to stay a few more days. Are there any other Norwegian Christmas traditions or activities worth doing over the next few days?”“If you put down that dessert menu, there is one called Syv Slags Kaker. I baked seven kinds of cookies to celebrate Jul. If you come to my house, we can have coffee and you can sample all seven kinds.”“That sounds great,” I replied. Jorunn was inviting me to her home. She was beautiful and funny, and I admit I developed fantasies about her as I watched her vlog videos back in the nursing home. Heck, I even created new fantasies over the last week. She was much warmer toward me at the end of the tour. In Tromsø, we shared a blanket as we rode in a sleigh pulled by an actual reindeer. But after the Nutcracker ballet, I held back and did not cross any lines. Could a 56-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman have a sexual relationship? I managed to keep up with Jorunn all week and didn’t see any reason not to. I reached below the table to carefully re-position myself before standing up.We made our way to the Train Station and rode to Jorunn’s neighborhood. As we walked to her house, I noticed many homes with a lighted star in one of the windows.“What are those stars,” I asked.“They are a tradition in Norway. A star is lit on the first Sunday of Advent to help guide the Three Wise Men.”We stopped in front of a modest house. There was no star in the window, but I saw sheaves of oats hung from one of the trees. I was familiar with the tradition of putting out something for the birds in the frigid days of December. As we stepped inside, I was suddenly surprised. “Hi, Mom! I would like you to meet Gunnar Larsen.”“Good evening, Mr. Larsen. Jorunn has been sending me text messages all week about your exciting travels. I hope you enjoyed your tour. My name is Leah.”This was not what I expected. I hoped to be alone with Jorunn. The family resemblance was striking and quite apparent. Leah’s straight hair was a bit shorter than Jorunn’s but matched her daughter’s pure blonde color. Her blue eyes stood out from her attractive face. She was wearing a multi-colored Norwegian Dale sweater and green trousers. I possessed absolutely no experience telling how old Norwegian women are. She must be in her forties but looked younger.I said, “I enjoyed Jorunn’s tour very much. Your daughter is quite talented in many ways. Please, call me Gunnar.”Jorunn said, “Gunnar was asking about other Jul traditions and activities here in Norway over Christmas. I thought Syv Slags Kaker would be a good one, and your cookies are the best ones in Oslo. I’ll make us some coffee.”Leah looked at me, “Please sit Gunnar. How much longer will you be staying in Norway?”I replied, “About two more weeks. I wanted to celebrate the New Year here before returning to America.”I talked about the completed tour, and she seemed interested enough that I rambled on.“I really enjoyed visiting Lillehammer. It brought back memories of watching the 1994 Winter Olympics, probably my favorite one. The music was fantastic, and the woman who sang the Olympic Hymn at the opening ceremony possessed such a wonderful voice.”Leah replied, “Her name is Sissel Kyrkjebø. She is still extremely popular today, and we consider her a national treasure. I was 18 at the time, and worked at those Olympics.”“I’d love to hear more about that,” I replied. “It was nice to see many of the venues still being used. I also enjoyed the Olympic Museum in Maihaugen, which told the history of the 1994 Olympics. I was surprised to learn that Norway has won more Olympic medals than any other country. But the highlight for me was riding the chairlift to the top of the Lysgårdsbakkene ski jump. The views were amazing. I can’t imagine anyone being brave enough to make such a jump.”“I agree with you on that!” laughed Leah.I continued, “We also flew to Tromsø, and I got to see the Northern Lights. We can sometimes see them in southern Minnesota, but they were much more impressive here with the clear Norwegian air. Jorunn and I took a ride in a sleigh, pulled by actual reindeer. Reindeer are much larger than I thought. We visited a Sami farm, where we ate reindeer stew and learned about the Sami culture.”“I’ve never been, but I hear it’s really fun,” replied Leah.“Bærums Verk was also a highlight. You may already know that the town dates to the 1600s. I loved the old buildings and cobbled streets. Although the Christmas Market was small, I found it unique, with artisans selling handmade crafts. It was nice to see the old crafts like glassblowing, ironwork, and woodworking.”Jorunn returned with a large tray, holding coffee and cookies, and we began sampling.Leah asked, “Did you take Gunnar to Pepperkakebyen in Bergen? It’s a marvelous gingerbread village in my hometown. There are over 200 small gingerbread houses, and with the tiny lights turned on, it looks so real.”Jorunn replied, “A week goes by quickly, mamma. There is only so much time. The gingerbread houses are very nice, and I have fond memories of going there with you.”As we continued talking and munching cookies, I looked around at the decorations. There was an advent calendar, wreaths, angels, gnomes called nisse, hearts, stars, and candles. The decorations looked more natural, perhaps a bit less commercialized than in America. There was a real tree, complete with its wonderful pine smell, a star at the top, garland, tinsel, ornaments, and white lights.I looked at Leah, “I noticed that you don’t have a Christmas star in the window as many of the other houses do.”Leah replied, “I found my former husband in bed with another woman. I immediately divorced him. Among the many things he took from Jorunn and I, was our Christmas Star.”Leah sounded deeply hurt and from more than just the missing star. After tasting the last of the seven cookies, Leah asked how I liked them. “The waffle-like Krumkaker was probably my favorite. We tried making them in Minnesota, but yours turned out so much better. And, of course, the Pepperkaker gingerbread stars were great.” I held up another cookie and said, “I don’t know the name of this one, but it was also excellent.”Leah replied, “That one is Serinakaker, a Norwegian butter cookie.”I realized the inevitable, “It is getting late. Thank you both, Leah and Jorunn, for a wonderful evening. I need to get back to my hotel and figure out what to do over the next few days.”I saw Jorunn look at her mother, who nodded. As I stood up, Leah did too. “Nonsense, Gunnar. I won’t have it. Come, spend Christmas with Jorunn and me! Nearly everything in Oslo shuts down in the afternoon on Christmas Eve and stays closed until the 27th. No restaurants or shops will be open. I have an unused bedroom upstairs. Come celebrate Jul with us.”I caught the signal between mother and daughter and wondered if this was pre-planned. But spending Christmas alone in my hotel sounded almost as bad as spending it alone in the nursing home. It was an easy decision. “I accept.”Leah said, “Good. I’ll stop by your hotel tomorrow and help you move your things. Perhaps we can have lunch as well at one of the restaurants along Karl Johans gate.”“It would be my pleasure, ” I replied. “Let’s say, about 11:00 AM”Little Christmas EveDecember 23rd - MorningIt was December 23rd, known in Norway as Lille Julaften. Spending Christmas with Leah and Jorunn created a problem for me. I needed to find at least one Christmas present for each, just in case they bought a gift for me. I got up early and headed out to search. Reflecting on last night, and indeed, the last week, it ended up being far simpler than I feared. I soon found a gift for each, along with reusable cloth gift bags in Christmas colors.I heard a knock on my hotel door and opened it. Leah stood there, holding a coat over her arm. She was wearing a traditional Norwegian folk costume called a bunad. Her blonde hair, simply styled, was highlighted by two attractive braids.I smiled and said, “What a pleasant surprise. You look like you just stepped out of a fairy tale.”She looked past me into the messy room, then took a step toward me and surprised me with a kiss on my cheek. She stepped back and started laughing. “It didn’t work. I am a fairy tale princess, but you are still a frog! It looks like we have some work to do cleaning up your lily pad.”As Leah entered the room, I said, “I already packed a small bag, enough for a few days.”Leah walked over to the pile of clothes from my week-long trip. She picked up a shirt and sniffed it. Then she pulled a wool sweater out from the pile. “Keep your wool sweaters away from the rest of your dirty clothes. Wool is harder to clean and may pick up the smell. Let me see what else you packed.”Leah dumped out my small gym bag onto the bed and then began tossing things aside. “This won’t do. We need to take all of your clothes back to my house and wash them.”Fond memories returned. Whenever we went on a trip, Solveig would always dump out my suitcase and re-load it with other clothes. Solvieg would also pick out clothes for me to wear whenever we dressed to go out to weddings or a party.Leah said, “Don’t expect me to wash them for you. I have other things to do to get ready for Christmas. You’ll have enough free time you can wash them yourself. We will gather everything up after we come back from lunch.”What a woman! I can see where Jorunn inherited her strong personality. We left my hotel, and Leah took me to one of her favorite kafés. As we walked, Leah’s bunad drew eyes, and attracted smiles, as if she were a magnet. As we waited for our food, I asked Leah about her bunad.Leah replied, “I don’t get to wear my bunad very often. I usually wear it for National Day in May, and for weddings and baptisms, but I haven’t been to many of those lately. Christmas is also an acceptable time to wear it.”Leah wore the traditional white blouse with a silver neckpin. Her vest was bright red with a handmade breastplate. Her navy skirt was trimmed with intricate embroidery, and covered in front by a white apron. Around her waist and running down the front was a decorative handwoven belt.“I grew up east of Bergen, in the Hardanger region, so my bunad is in the Hardanger style. While details may vary, you can tell where someone is from by which style of bunad they are wearing. It would not be proper to choose a bunad from a different region simply because you prefer a different color.”“That’s a lovely silver brooch you have on. It looks very old.”“It was my grandmother’s. Norwegians have a spiritual connection to silver, and silver brooches are handed down for many generations. One day, it will be Jorunn’s.”The food was excellent. I have not eaten a bad meal here in Norway. Leah was a great conversationalist, and she freely shared her humor and wit. Her stories from the 1994 Olympics were fascinating, and even though Jorunn and I were just there, I wanted to go back. I learned Leah worked as a radiology technician at a local hospital here in Oslo and took the entire holiday off. The meal finished too quickly, and we returned to my hotel.As we gathered my assorted clothing, I saw one of my socks on the floor, so I walked around Leah to pick it up. Turning quickly, I found myself face-to-face with her. We stared at each other for a moment, then moved at the same time. Our lips came together, and we kissed. Not a gentle kiss, but a passionate one, long and deep. Intentions were clear on both sides.We separated. Leah said, “I have not had sex since divorcing my husband nearly three years ago. That bastard took away more than my Christmas Star, he took away my trust in men. I am forty-seven years old. I never go out on dates, because I’m afraid to open my heart again to another man. Jorunn texted me every night for the past week and would send short videos she took during the day. She kept repeating how much fun she was having with you, and how nice a man you are. I know it sounds funny, but after watching and reading what Jorunn sent me, I feel like I already know you, and have made it past the first date. I know you lost the woman you loved. I cannot replace her in your heart, but if you are ready, I would like to share mine.”This was unexpected. “When I was in Minnesota, I watched Jorunn’s vlog almost every night. She is so sweet and funny and does such an excellent job. Even though I never met Jorunn, I felt like I knew her. To use your dating analogy, it’s one of the reasons I picked her as a tour guide. I felt comfortable with Jorunn and was too afraid to trust another tour company. When I came to Norway, I left my past behind. It is time for me to find something, or someone, to love.”Our bodies came together, and our lips re-joined. Any fears of rejection vanished as I locked my lips onto those of this beautiful Norwegian woman. Our tongues danced with each other, while our hands moved quickly over each other’s bodies.“Help me take off my bunad,” pleaded Leah.Together, we unclasped, unbuckled, unbuttoned, and untied, removing one layer at a time of the intricate bunad and laying it over a chair. It was like slowly opening the best Christmas present I have ever gotten, as more of Leah’s body slowly revealed itself to me. Her breasts were small, but firm, and went well with her slender frame. I forgot how delicate a woman’s features are, and Leah’s body was perfect in every way. Below her waist, I found a mound of pure blonde hair, barely darker than the color on her head.“I have no other words, you are truly a gorgeous woman, Leah.”“Thank you, Gunnar. Now it’s my turn to have fun.”Leah approached me. With small steps, she moved gracefully. She lifted my pullover shirt, pausing as it obscured my eyes. “Don’t take your shirt off. Just enjoy the sensations.” In the darkness, her fingers teasingly played with the hairs on my chest. A fingernail flicked back and forth over my nipple, drawing it to an erection. Moving lower, Leah unbuckled my trousers and slid them down, taking my knickers with them. I was not yet erect, but moving rapidly in that direction. Cool fingers wrapped around my cock and lifted, while a single fingernail twirled against my ball sack. Her tongue dragged across the tip of my cock. Then, Leah’s hands moved behind me to cup and squeeze my bum cheeks. Her warm breath washed over my cock.Leah stood and pulled my shirt the rest of the way off, and I stepped out of my trousers. We remained like this, both naked, looking longingly at each other. Leah reached up and touched my hair. “You have just a touch of grey. I like that. Few mature men are as blessed as you, with a firm, lean body. I see all kinds of patients. You look like a forty-year-old.”I suppose that was one benefit of eating the low-fat, low-sugar, and tasteless nursing home food. I lost nearly thirty pounds. “I am older than I look, and you should know that I had a stroke two years ago. I am doing much better, but still have a balance issue, and sometimes slur my words."Slurring your words might just be because you have a lazy tongue. Perhaps we can find a way to fix that later.”For a moment, I wondered what she meant, then hoped my notions might come true. Leah dropped to her knees directly in front of me and ran a finger along my nearly erect shaft. “It feels so nice to touch a real one again. What a lovely cock you have.”I said, “I’m sorry. I don’t have a very large penis.”Leah laughed, “Anything more than a mouthful is just wasted. Now let’s begin. I will say a Norwegian word, and you repeat it. Listen carefully to my pronunciation and maybe we can fix your American accent.”Leah said, “Penis.” Then she grabbed my cock with her right hand.This might be fun, so I replied, “Penis!”Leah whispered, “Rub.” Then she began gently sliding her hand along my shaft. Without any lubrication, there was quite a bit of friction.I replied, “Rub!”Leah said, “Lick.” Leah extended her tongue, and starting near the base, began leaving wet trails along each side of my glistening cock. The warm softness of her tongue brought me to full erection.It felt fantastic, and I gasped out, “Lick!”Leah said, “Suck.” She opened her mouth wide and took in the head of my cock, using her tongue to tease the underside. Bringing her lips together, I felt the insides of her mouth pressing inward and squeezing tightly against me. When her suction began, she pulled the head of my cock deeper into her mouth. Leah’s head pulled back ever so slightly, allowing her soft lips to glide over me until my cock was almost freed. But not quite. Using the extra room, Leah teased my opening with the tip of her tongue. From the way her tongue easily twirled around, I was certain I contributed my pre-cum.Then her suction pulled me deeper into her mouth. She look

What happens when a birthday, a mother–daughter healing arc, and a whole lot of Spirit show up in the same recording? You get an episode that's equal parts weepy, hilarious, grounding, and wildly affirming. Polly Green and her mom, Maya, join Sarah and Jane for a conversation about intuition that interrupts your day, mediumship coming online, and what it really looks like to learn boundaries when you're sensitive (and when life has felt like “WTF are we doing here?”). Along the way, we hear about sobriety as a doorway to spiritual clarity, why nature and water can be medicine, and how an honest conversation can transform decades of tension into something they lovingly call “deep fun.” There's also a masterclass in intention-setting (hello, Maldives whale shark!), the tenderness of making peace before a transition, and the simplest, truest mantra of the whole hour: life is trustable… maybe.   Key Takeaways Sometimes intuition speaks once—and that's the point. A single “voice” can be loud enough to change how you trust yourself forever. Sobriety can be a spiritual boundary, not just a lifestyle choice. They name alcohol as a quick way to lose energy sovereignty—especially for sensitive people. Mediumship without boundaries can feel scary, not magical. The difference-maker is learning to choose what you connect with—and what you don't. Nature is nervous system medicine. Water, rivers, and the outdoors aren't just pretty—they can be clearing, resetting, and stabilizing. Healing a parent–child relationship can be surprisingly practical. Say the hard thing. Let it land. Let repair be real. Then—laugh. (That part matters.) “Deep fun” is a legit spiritual path. Depth doesn't have to be grim. Joy can be devotional. Intentions work better when they're specific. Not just “have a good trip”—but every step: airport lines, flights, energy, even the whale shark. Your identity can evolve without losing what you love. Letting go of ego around a passion can bring it back to you… cleaner and sweeter. A new mantra for uncertain times: “Life is trustable… maybe.” (And sometimes “maybe” is enough to keep going.)   “I've always had a very strong intuition and I've always listened to it.” —Polly “People don't really need me. I want to help them have their own connection without me.” —Polly “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us be glad and rejoice in it.” —Maya “Life is trustable… maybe.” —Maya   Polly Green's Website: https://www.pollyandtheotherside.com/ Medium Curious Website: https://www.mediumcurious.com Jane's Website: https://www.janemorganmedium.com Sarah's Website: https://www.sarahrathke.com Jane's new cohort 'Source Studio'; https://www.janemorganmedium.com/higher-calling Instagram: @mediumcuriouspod Medium Curious Substack 

February 10, 2026 Lord, What Are Your Intentions? Hosea 2:14-23 Robby Higginbottom Tuesday AM Men's Bible Study Series: Hosea—Let Us Return

Hi my loves

I LOVED this conversation with Dr. Chris Laoutaris when I was able to ask him about the significance of Shakespeare's First Folio, the individuals involved in its creation, and the financial and legal challenges faced during its publication. Chris also talked about the role of John Hemmings and Henry Condal, the professionalisation of playwriting, and the impact of published plays on society. The discussion also touches on the controversial use of the term 'works' in the context of Shakespeare's plays, the mystery of the False Folio, and Shakespeare's potential intentions for publishing his works during his lifetime.This episode was recorded at the Harvington History Festival 2025, at Harvington Hall in Worcestershire. Tickets for the 2026 festival will be on sale at the end of February 2026 from HarvingtonHall.co.uk - and I will be back there too, bringing you more interviews with these fascinating historians. Thank you for listening to this episode, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more here for you to browse through including over 50 fantastic historian interviews with people such as Tracy Borman OBE, Gareth Russell, Helen Carr and many more. You can also watch this interview on my Youtube channel - click here.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Dr. Chris Littaris and the Shakespeare Institute00:59 The Significance of the First Folio02:48 The Role of Hemmings and Condal in Shakespeare's Legacy06:10 The Financial Backing Behind the First Folio08:51 Target Audience and Professionalization of Playwriting12:11 The Challenges of Copyright and Rights Negotiation14:51 The Controversial Use of 'Works' in the First Folio17:58 The Mystery of the False Folio20:56 The Impact of Published Plays on Society23:49 Shakespeare's Intentions for His Works26:00 Conclusion and Further ResourcesJoin my Patreon - click here and enjoy ad-free extended interviews with bonus content, Historical Book Club, early access to content, exclusive blogs, discounts on British History Events and more for all for £5/month.You can also give me one off support by donating at www.buymeacoffee.com/PhilippaYou can support me for free by commenting on this episode and subscribing to the channel. Visit British History Tours for full details of history tours and events.⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️About PhilippaPhilippa is a Historian and the founder of British History Tours and British History Events.Receive weekly history news (including links to new historian interviews) from Philippa by subscribing to my SubstackI'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-surveyPhilippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the week since The Invisible Coup: How American Elites and Foreign Powers Use Immigration as a Weapon. debuted atop the bestseller lists, Mexico's president and ambassador to the US have tried to dismiss the book's findings about Mexican consulates interfering in US domestic politics, waving off multiple quotes from numerous Mexican politicians and consular officials themselves. In a statement released by her office, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said, “I categorically deny any involvement or attempt by Mexico to interfere in the internal affairs of the United States.” Schweizer has already been asked to testify at a Senate hearing in March on several of The Invisible Coup's most eye-popping revelations. On the most recent episode of The Drill Down, Schweizer responds to the Mexican government's denials.

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2892: Reid Peterson explores how setting gentle goals and flexible intentions can provide structure and emotional relief during the grieving process. By focusing on life-affirming goals and moment-to-moment intentions, grievers can create space for healing without pressure or judgment. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://griefrefuge.medium.com/how-goals-and-intentions-help-with-grief-81abeafd805d Quotes to ponder: "Listing out 5 life focused goals will help sustain some balance in your grieving process." "It's easy to think that the more you keep yourself busy, the less grief will hurt." "Intentions are naturally more self compassionate, forgiving, nurturing, and supportive."

In this week’s Self Love Podcast Quicky, Kim invites you to approach the new year with compassion, simplicity and self trust. Rather than setting goals from pressure or external expectations, she encourages choosing intentions based on how you want to feel and what you truly want to give yourself. Kim explores self love as a… Continue reading SLP 551: Self Love Quicky – Self Love, Intentions and Trusting Your Body The post SLP 551: Self Love Quicky – Self Love, Intentions and Trusting Your Body appeared first on The Wellness Couch.

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2891: Reid Peterson offers a compassionate take on why traditional SMART goals often fall short during the grieving process. Instead of pushing for progress, he encourages a more intuitive approach, like creating a personal sanctuary, to allow emotions to be safely processed without pressure or timelines. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://griefrefuge.medium.com/how-goals-and-intentions-help-with-grief-81abeafd805d Quotes to ponder: "Most people impacted by grief say that Smart goals don't work so well. They feel so much pressure to move on too quickly." "Your grief process is unique and the last thing you want to do is put more pressure on yourself, feel overwhelmed, and then feel stuck in your grief." "Essentially, you're dosing your grief. It's a focused time to grieve and mourn. It's also limited."

What does it take to shift from goal-driven leadership to identity-led leadership? In this episode, we sit down with Bianca D'Alessio — star of HBO Max's Selling the Hamptons, top-ranked real estate broker, and author of Mastering Intentions: 10 Practices to Amplify Power and Lead with Lasting Impact. Bianca shares why ambition isn't the enemy — misalignment is, and how setting intentions (not just goals) transforms your confidence, leadership style, relationships, and long-term success. Timestamps00:00 Intro: Goal-driven vs identity-led leadership 01:15 Why Bianca felt successful… but not aligned 03:10 The real shift: “Who am I becoming?” 05:00 Reframing failure into growth + resilience 06:20 Why Bianca seeks failure (and what it unlocks) 07:45 Perfectionism kills creativity + connection 08:30 Leading with vulnerability vs being “stoic” 09:20 How to know you've hit a growth ceiling 11:00 Work identity vs personal identity (and why it causes crisis) 12:10 “If you don't want to be a people person… don't be a manager.” 13:40 Mastering Intentions: transformation starts with self-awareness 15:40 Bianca's family intervention moment (rock bottom clarity) 19:45 Teamship: why life and leadership aren't solo sports 23:10 Stop trying to be liked by everyone — focus on respect 25:50 When inner circle resistance reveals your priorities 27:20 What misalignment feels like (the warning signs) 29:10 Bianca's alignment reset: daily/weekly check-ins + giving yourself grace 30:20 Bianca's #1 tip: write down your story + use it as your superpower 31:10 Where to find Bianca + closing remarksConnect with Bianca D'AlessioWebsite: biancadalessio.com Book: Mastering Intentions: 10 Practices to Amplify Power and Lead with Lasting Impact (Available on Amazon) Follow Bianca: LinkedIn, InstagramCalls to Action✔️ Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with a colleague, friend, or leader who needs alignment right now ✔️ Watch on YouTube: Shed the Corporate Bitch TV ✔️ Follow the show: balloffirecoaching.com/podcastSupport the show

This is part 1 of 2Karen sits down with Andy to take…well I wouldn't call it accountability. The cake? Does that work? It was an interview, anyway. Then Heavenly finally shows up to the Married to Medicine girls trip in Miramar, and she's going to have to give an incredible stump speech to get Simone's forgiveness. Will Simone shut up long enough for her to get one out? To watch this recap on video, listen to our bonus episodes, and get ad free listening,, go to Patreon.com/watchwhatcrappens. Find bonus episodes at patreon.com/watchwhatcrappens and follow us on Instagram @watchwhatcrappens @ronniekaram @benmandelker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Find bonus episodes at patreon.com/watchwhatcrappens and follow us on Instagram @watchwhatcrappens @ronniekaram @benmandelker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sydney Seiler, Dr. Patrick Cronin, Rachel Minyoung Lee, and Markus Garlauskas discussed North Korea's direction in 2026 and what to expect from Kim Jong Un in terms of the diplomatic front with Moscow, Beijing, the ROK, the U.S., and more.

New Year's resolutions often fail because they're rooted in pressure, guilt, and external expectations. In this episode, we take a different approach.Instead of forcing change through rigid resolutions, we explore how to set intentions that align with your nervous system, values, and real-life capacity. This is about sustainable growth, not burnout direction over perfection, and consistency over intensity.You'll learn how to:Reframe goal-setting without shame or all-or-nothing thinkingSet intentions that evolve with your life instead of controlling itCreate momentum through alignment rather than discipline aloneIf traditional goal-setting has never worked for you, this episode offers a more human, grounded path forward.Questions, comments? Need help with your health or want to collaborate with me?Email me here:psynautical@gmail.comCheck out my book:Psynautical: Alternative Health, Philosophy and Spiritualityhttps://amzn.to/2wU1kiDPersonal blog & website:http://www.jaredheldt.comDiscounted vitamins, supplements, and more:https://www.iherb.com/?rcode=UVA431YouTube channel (Psynautical Podcast):https://www.youtube.com/@psynauticalRemedylink holistic supplements:https://remedylink.com/ref/45/My Redbubble store (clothing, masks, etc.):https://www.redbubble.com/people/psynautical/shopFree 30-minute health discovery call:https://zcal.co/psynautical/30minhealthdiscoverySupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/psynautical-alternative-health-spirituality-and-philosophy/donations

Dans l'émission de ce mois-ci, je partage 5 leçons apprises l'an dernier pour vivre une vie plus créative, alignée et intentionnelle. On parle créativité, slow living, consommation intentionnelle, tri des contenus et création pour le plaisir.→ Soutenez la production de ces contenus gratuits pour le prix d'un café ici : https://www.patreon.com/florieteller→ Notes : https://florieteller.com/cc230Boutique d'art & papeterie créative : https://cafeauxetoiles.myshopify.com/Ateliers d'introspection créative : https://cafeauxetoiles.podia.com/La lettre créative et sereine du mois :  https://cafeauxetoiles.fr/lettre/Café aux étoiles, ma maison d'édition sereine et onirique : https://cafeauxetoiles.fr/Discord de Café aux étoiles : https://discord.gg/ytjReRaKmKSite d'artiste : https://florieteller.com/Qui suis-je ?Je m'appelle Florie Vine, je suis une artiste plurielle & slow et la fondatrice de Café aux étoiles. Avec Café créatif, je partage des idées et ressources pour mener une vie créative et sereine dans le monde moderne.Crédit musique : Teller of the Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Send us a textFeeling behind? This is your 2026 permission slip to start again. We're ditching the Jan 1st pressure for the ancient wisdom of Imbolc. Discover why the 'sludge' is a vital part of your reset and how to turn resolutions into rhythmic intentions.Welcome to the first episode of 2026!If you feel like you've already 'failed' your resolutions or the January sludge has kept you stuck, this episode is your permission slip to start again. We're moving away from the pressure of January 1st and looking at why the season of Imbolc is actually the perfect time to breathe life into who you want to be in 2026.So, in this episode, Christina dives into why the pressure to "hit the ground running" on January 1st often clashes with the natural world and our own internal rhythms.Christina explores the transition from the Year of the Snake, the cosmic shift into a Numerological Year 1, and how the ancient wisdom of Imbolc offers a more conscious way to plant our intentions. Whether you're navigating personal upheaval, global tensions, or just a very rainy UK winter, this episode is an invitation to stop "failing" at your resolutions and start nurturing your seeds.In This Episode, You will hear about:The "Rocky Start" to 2026: Why external factors and global tensions might be making your January feel heavier than expected.Numerology & Astrology: Transitioning into a Year 1 (New Beginnings) while shedding the final layers of the Year of the Snake.Ancient Wisdom vs. Modern Calendars: How to utilize the Spring Equinox and Imbolc as the true start of the year.The Power of Quiet: Why craving social media silence and "trying on" new versions of yourself is a vital part of the intentional process.Intentions as Tones, Not Goals: Moving away from success/failure and toward a "broad stroke" approach to your year.Christina's special Imbolc Event takes place FOR FREE on Saturday the 31st of January at 4pm EST/9pm GMT. Sign up HERE!Meanwhile, if sleep is escaping you at the moment, don't forget to download her special Spiritual Sleep Solution Bundle Christina Fletcher is a Spiritual Alignment coach, energy worker, author, speaker and host of the podcast Showing Up Whole.She specialises in practical spirituality and integrating inner work with outer living, so you can get self development off of the hobby shelf and integrated as a powerful fuel to your life. Through mindset, spiritual connection, intuitive guidance, manifestation, and mindfulness techniques Christina helps her clients overcome overwhelm and shame to find a place of flow, ease, and deep heart-centered connection.Christina has been a spiritual alignment coach, healer and spiritually aware parent coach for 7 years and trained in Therapeutic Touch 8 years ago. She is also a meditation teacher and speaker. For more information please visit her website www.spirituallyawareliving.com Want to uncover where you need the most energy alignment? Take her new Energy Alignment Quiz to identify which of your energetic worlds (mind, body, heart or spirit) needs aligning the most! Or Follow her on her social media accounts:FacebookInstagramorLinkedin...

Today I'm joined by Mika Fox on Yoga | Birth | Babies.  A native New Yorker, Mika lives on the Upper West Side with her husband and baby boy, Nogah. She works in account management at a tech company and loves to dance, hike, travel, and practice yoga. Mika is also a PYC alum, having attended classes from weeks 14–39 of her pregnancy. Her birth story took unexpected twists and turns, but one thing remained constant throughout: her deep trust in her body and her baby. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don't forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After their first time reading together, poet-pals Lynne and Patricia sit down with a seriously sleep-deprived Dion at the Dream Inn in Santa Cruz, California to read and discuss their poems as the sound of waves pulses in the background.Lynne Thompson was the 4th Poet Laureate for the City of Los Angeles. The daughter of Caribbean immigrants, her poetry collections include Beg No Pardon (2007), winner of the Perugia Press Prize and the Great Lakes Colleges Association's New Writers Award; Start With A Small Guitar (2013), from What Books Press; and Fretwork (2019), winner of the Marsh Hawk Press Poetry Prize. Thompson's honors include the Tucson Festival of Books Literary Award (poetry) and the Stephen Dunn Prize for Poetry as well as fellowships from the City of Los Angeles, Vermont Studio Center, and the Summer Literary Series in Kenya. Her work has appeared in Ploughshares, Poetry, Poem-A-Day (Academy of American Poets), New England Review, Colorado Review, Pleiades, Ecotone, and Best American Poetry, to name a few.Patricia Smith is the author of ten books of poetry, including The Intentions of Thunder: New and Selected Poems (Scribner 2025), winner of the National Book Award for Poetry; Unshuttered; Incendiary Art, winner of the 2018 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award, the 2017 Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the 2018 NAACP Image Award, and finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize; Shoulda Been Jimi Savannah, winner of the Lenore Marshall Prize from the Academy of American Poets; Blood Dazzler, a National Book Award finalist; and Gotta Go, Gotta Flow, a collaboration with award-winning Chicago photographer Michael Abramson. Her other books include the poetry volumes Teahouse of the Almighty, Close to Death, Big Towns Big Talk, Life According to Motown; the children's book Janna and the Kings and the history Africans in America, a companion book to the award-winning PBS series.  Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, Poetry, The Paris Review, The Baffler,  BOMB, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Tin House and in Best American Poetry and Best American Essays.Smith is a professor in the Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton University and a former Distinguished Professor for the City University of New York.

Welcome to Episode 252, where we share LISTENER TOP TEN READS of 2025! In past years, there hasn't been much of a spread between the first and second place books on the list. But this year there is a 15-point spread between the first and second books! As usual, the first-place book was a novel, but the second-place book was nonfiction—a first ever for that. Usually, nonfiction doesn't show up until well into the list's mid-teens. Thanks to everyone who shared their top tens– you help grow our TBR lists! Reminder that we have a Top 10 shelf on our Bookshop.org page for purchase and for you to learn more about each of the books. We also talk about our 2026 Reading Intentions. These are often works in progress, which is a good thing, because after recording, we both realized we had forgotten a couple of intentions. It had been a longer-than-usual time span since we last recorded a regular episode, so we had some catching up to do in our “Just Read” segment, which includes: BETH IS DEAD by Katie Bernet PRACTICAL MAGIC by Alice Hoffman A BACKWARD GLANCE by Edith Wharton BODYWORK: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative by Melissa Febos POSTMORTEM and BODY OF EVIDENCE by Patricia Cornwell THE AUTHOR WEEKEND by Laura Zigman (release date 5/5/2026) A TANGLE OF OBSIDIAN by Lydia M. Hawke THEO OF GOLDEN by Allen Levi We had some wonderful Couch Biblio Adventures, but we also managed to get out into the world. Emily visited Slackline Press in Branford, Connecticut, and Davoll's General Store in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, where she saw Catherine Newman in conversation with Emily Franklin. Chris was in Huntsville, Alabama, and visited The Snail on the Wall bookstore, named after Virginia Woolf's short story, “The Mark on the Wall.” She also checked out the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library. Happy listening, take care of yourself, and stay safe out there. Until next time, we wish you lots of Happy Reading!

In this episode, Michele explores a powerful but often overlooked distinction that can make or break any meaningful change: strategy vs. tactics.Inspired by a coaching conversation with a client struggling through Veganuary, this episode unpacks why caring deeply—and even making a strong values-based decision—is often not enough to create consistent follow-through.Whether your goal is moving in a vegan or plant-based direction, improving your health, writing a book, changing your drinking, or following through on any important intention, this episode will help you identify what might be missing—and how to make change feel lighter instead of heavier.In this episode, you'll learn:The difference between strategy (the “why” and identity-level decision) and tactics (the real-life actions that create movement)Why many smart, motivated people feel like they keep “restarting”—and why it's not a motivation problemHow having strategy without tactics leads to exhaustion and self-blameWhy tactics without strategy often feel brittle, artificial, or short-livedHow writer Steven Pressfield's work on “Resistance” offers a powerful parallel for vegan and lifestyle changeWhy support and accountability are tactics, not strategies—and how to tell if support is actually helpingWhat “good accountability” sounds like (and what it doesn't)How routines, defaults, and reflection can help you stay engaged when life gets loudMentioned in this episode:The War of Art by Steven PressfieldThe concept of “Resistance” and the idea of “turning pro”Veganuary and values-based changeStrategy and tactics as transferable skills for any life transitionListener reflection:Ask yourself:Do I have a strategy without tactics?Or tactics without strategy?Where might support or reflection make this change lighter instead of heavier?Subscribe & Review:If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us grow and share the message of plant-based living with more listeners.For more information, to submit a question or topic, or to book a free 30 minute Coaching session visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠veganatanyage.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@micheleolendercoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music, Production, and Editing by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Charlie Weinshank⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For inquiries email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠charliewe97@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Virtual Support Services: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://proadminme.com/⁠

on this episode, we get more Intentional!! we talk about the Current Events from this weekend. we also get Into some Sports Banter. hosted by joe Aka nero von Doom. unfollow me!! this is we family son!!

We are at the end of January - have you forgotten about your New Year's Intentions? In today's episode, we are going to reignite your inspiration simply by getting started. Sometimes you don't need to wait for motivation to strike - it will come once you begin. Take a look at your intentions and ask yourself, what can I do right now? Tune in to begin. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Send us a textIn this New Year's episode, I explore the very real consequences of last year's Past Year Review. Most notably, I decided to retire from a beloved community mental health clinic and launch Park West Integrative Psychiatry — sparked by a desire for creativity, continued learning, and a growing belief in integrative trauma-informed approaches such as EMDR, Internal Family Systems, ketamine-assisted therapy, hypnosis, and breath-based practices.This episode reflects on how intentionally examining meaning and purpose can lead to significant life changes — changes that invite both opportunity and risk, excitement and fear.To close the episode, I share a recording of my retirement speech from the clinic, which turns into an unexpected sing-along and a fitting ritual for marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.Chapters0:13 — Nerves and a Big Career Pivot 0:52 — Last Year's Review and 2025 Intentions 1:46 — Leaving a Beloved Community Clinic 2:46 — Why Change Now, and What's Next 3:09 — New Directions in Trauma Treatment and Psychiatry 4:05 — Building Park West Integrative Psychiatry 5:02 — Fear, Complexity, and Finding Balance 6:00 — A Cautious Note on Year-End Reviews 6:20 — Reflections on Podcast Growth 7:06 — Upcoming Group Therapies and Retreats 7:54 — Yellowstone Lessons and Old Friends 8:40 — Gratitude, Global Listeners, and What's Next 9:11 — Retirement Speech and Sing-AlongSign up for the Developing Meaning Substack newsletter for updates and behind-the-scenes reflections.Theme music by The Thrashing Skumz. Developing Meaning is produced by Consilient Mind LLC.

Plan what to do when you want to do nothingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you set intentions at the beginning of 2026? Do you have a plan for them? You are much more likely to meet your goals if you have a solid plan in place that is realistic and attainable. In today's episode, Rachel shares some examples on how to make a plan for your intentions - and stick to it. Tune in to begin. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Would you like to develop more creative confidence? Have you ever embarked on, or considered, a sketching practice? In this episode of The Gentle Rebel Podcast, we explore the link between the two in conversation with artist, printmaker, and creative coach Sam Marshall. Sam is based here in the UK and has recently released a beautiful book called Sketch: A Project Guide To Drawing With Confidence. I was fortunate enough to receive a digital copy last year and honestly, wow. It inspires, equips, and gently mentors people to start a drawing practice and engage with their natural creativity. What I love most about the book is its emphasis on helping you find your own creative voice. This is supported by Sam's Sketch Squad, a small group of participants who work through the exercises together. Seeing the same prompts interpreted in wildly different ways has a surprisingly powerful effect. For me, the most helpful part was witnessing the sheer range of styles, approaches, and ways of noticing the world. https://youtu.be/yfiDlMKtMQA Creative Confidence and the Beauty of Difference A huge part of creative confidence is realising that differences in how we see, what we notice, and what we care about are not flaws. This is why art and creativity sit at the heart of being human. Creative expression is our collective humanity experiencing itself in all its weird and wonderful variety. I was reminded of this recently while talking about map-making as a way to understand our relationship with different areas of life. If you give the same prompt to 100 people, you do not get a single map done well. You get a hundred completely different maps. That is what I hope people take into and out of this conversation. Difference is beautiful. It is not about doing it right. What Sam offers through this book is a sketching practice that gives us tracks along which to see, feel, and experience the world in a more alive and interesting way than when we are stuck in ultra-productivity mode, trying to make everything efficient and easy. Why a Sketching Practice Builds Creative Confidence A drawing practice helps us slow down, observe, and engage our creative spirit through process rather than outcome. There is something gently rebellious about sketching in the digital age, where the default response is to pull out a phone and take a photo. There is a difference between capturing something quickly so we can hoard and move on, and drawing as a way of anchoring ourselves in the environment. Drawing asks us to stay. To notice. To let time pass while the world happens around us. Light shifts. Shadows move. People come and go. Smells, sounds, and sensations change. Rather than consuming the environment, we are engaging with it. Sam shares a lovely story about drawing in public and finding herself surrounded by Japanese school children. It creates a beautiful image of the quiet, magnetic energy that people who are deeply engaged with life often carry. Perhaps we are drawn to them because they are interesting. Or perhaps because they are moving at a pace many of us are craving. Practice Over Skill Focusing on practice rather than skill also reshapes what success means in art. Instead of achievement, accomplishment, or the finished piece, success becomes about rhythm, consistency, and an ongoing relationship with seeing and making. Letting go of outcome-oriented art is not about lowering standards. It is about shifting attention. It is not about producing pretty drawings. Rather, it is about sitting down with your sketchbook and using it as a tool for observing. Drawing anchors us in space and time, allowing us to witness change as it unfolds. The Sketching Exercises Sam Walks Us Through In the conversation, Sam takes us through the thinking behind the book’s exercises, each designed to build creative confidence through experience. In the Home Starting where you are. Noticing objects and spaces you have spent years with, perhaps without really seeing them. Outside the Home Venturing out to see the walls of your world from the outside. Noticing what is close by and reconnecting with physical space. It reveals details in neighbourhoods and communities that often go unseen. The Stories We Tell Ourselves About Drawing Sam explores some of the beliefs that hold people back, such as:“What if I am not good enough?”“I do not want to look silly or draw like a five-year-old.” Portraits Portraits were the most challenging exercise for many Sketch Squad members. They require vulnerability. You ask something of another person, and you share something personal in return. This is something we see in Tuula’s Photoyoga For Your Mind Experience. 25 Days of Drawing Simple prompts designed to build a habit and keep you drawing without overthinking it. Drawing in Public Another edge for many people. Being seen doing something personal and slightly unusual in a culture that loves to judge creative effort. Drawing on Holiday Experiencing places through the slowness of drawing adds depth to memory. Sam shares a sketchbook from her recent trip to Japan, which holds far more meaning for her than a photo album ever could. A helpful reminder for any habit, too. Start on the first day away. Intentions turn into behaviours quickly, for better or worse. Drawing From Paintings A way of engaging critically with art as part of the human story, not just as a product. It teaches us about history, context, and what we might want to bring into our own practice. Experimental Drawing Combining senses. Drawing from music, film, collage, and even dreams. The Personal Project Turning the practice into a chosen project that marks a pause between chapters. Sam explains why she calls this a personal project rather than a final assignment. How Creative Confidence Actually Grows Creative confidence does not arrive before we start. It emerges along the way. Through consistency, we become confident in what we notice and why we care. For experimental types, confidence is not something we can fake into existence. But we can trust that playful, curious engagement with something like a sketching practice develops capacities we do not yet have language for. I hope you enjoy the conversation. Thank you again to Sam for giving her time so generously and for walking us through the thinking behind, beneath, and within the book. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Connect with Sam through her website and on her Instagram.

Are New Year's resolutions helping your mental health, or quietly burning you out? In this episode of the Get Psyched Podcast, we unpack the difference between resolution culture and intention setting, and why the way we approach change can deeply impact our emotional well-being, self-worth, and nervous system.Resolution culture often tells us we need to fix or reinvent ourselves to be worthy. Intention, on the other hand, invites curiosity, compassion, and sustainable growth. We explore how shifting your mindset from “have to” → “get to” can reduce anxiety, increase motivation, and support long-term mental wellness.Today, we explore:

We're bringing new year energy to this episode all about our intentions and goals for 2026. We both share our word for the year and the goals we have for ourselves. Plus, we record messages for our future selves.Friends of the Show can listen to an extended version of this episode in which we each share a secret goal for the year. Shhhhh!See full show notes on our website: 2026 IntentionsBecome a Friend of the Show! Join our Patreon community and listen to extended versions of the show.Connect with us on Instagram: @higirlsnextdoorWe love to get your emails: higirlsnextdoor@gmail.comYour reviews on Apple Podcasts or where ever you listen really help the show – thank you!And, read Kelsey's RISING*SHINING blog and Substack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's episode is starting with a mini solo episode and continuing with a conversation that I am honored to re-share with Emily Ley. She wrote a devotional book titled Sure as the Sunrise in 2022, and in today's episode, we focus in on the idea of creating a word for the year along with how to create a grace filled morning routine that will work for whatever your life looks like right now. This conversation was so encouraging and comes at the perfect time of year as we are looking towards the fresh start of the new year, but I hope this episode reminds you that any day can be a fresh start. More Minimal-ish New Year Episodes: Episode 213: 4 Ways to Walk Intentionally into 2024 - Other Ways to Set Goals or Intentions for the Year Episode 212: The Annual Minimal-ish Goal Setting Episode- Reflecting on Your Year and Setting Goals that Align with Your Values Episode 165: One Small, Impactful Change to Start the Year (Changing the New Years Narrative) Links: Emily's Devotional: Sure as the Sunrise ⁠Emily's Website⁠ ⁠Emily on Instagram⁠ ⁠Podcast Website⁠ ⁠Desirae on Instagram⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the chapter that once fit you perfectly is meant to close for something bigger and better?Brand marketer and TBM team member Eugenia Ali shares her deeply honest journey of unraveling corporate success to build a life rooted in intuition, creativity, and self-trust. From climbing the ranks at Google to honoring the whispers of the universe, Eugenia walks us through the tender process of healing her core wound of belonging, reconnecting with her inner child through the Return to Magic Challenge, and manifesting a career that finally feels like home.Eugenia's story is kismet, full of magic, and winks from the universe. What truly sets her apart is her willingness to meet obstacles head-on and take action. Whether you're just beginning to notice intuitive pings, feeling the call but unsure of your next step, or a seasoned manifester seeking deeper alignment, Eugenia is your newest Expander.**Trigger warning: Discussion of miscarriage and the toll of stress on the body**Find the complete show notes here -> https://tobemagnetic.com/expanded-podcast Resources: Return to Magic - 15 Day Manifestation ChallengeA 15-day guided journey to reparent your inner child, reconnect with your magic, and step into this new year as your most confident, regulated, and magnetic self yet. Join our membership to access! (It's not too late to join in. Start any time!) The Pathway Membership gives you unlimited access to all of our manifestation workshops—including How to Manifest, Unblocking Your Inner Child, Shadow, Love, Money, Rock Bottoms, Ruts, and Energetic Updates —plus 70+ self-hypnosis tracks designed to unlock your full potential.LEARN MORE HERE Get the latest from TBMJoin the Pathway now - Return to Magic Challenge available now! New to TBM? Free Offerings to Get You StartedLearn the Process! Expanded Podcast - How to Manifest Anything You Desire Get Expanded! The Motivation - Testimonial LibraryReady to find out what's holding you back? Try our Free Clarity Exercise Be an EXPANDER! Share Your Manifestation StorySubmit to Be a Process GuestWhat did you manifest during the Money Challenge? Share a voice note of your question, block, or Process to be featured in an episode! This Episode is brought to you by: Bon Charge - 15% off with code MAGNETIC Red Light Neck and Chest Mask ARMRA - Get 30% off your first subscription order with code TBMColostrum: Immune Revival - Immune barrier superfood  In this episode we talk about:Eugenia's cultural background and upbringing and the impact of frequent moves on belonging and identityInner child reconnection through the Return to Magic challengeThe tension between productivity culture and self-worthEugenia's corporate career path from Sakara, to Google, to TBMHer amazing experiences in brand marketing, and big partnerships like NYFW, the MET Gala, and moreThe health and emotional toll of high-stress corporate workPersonal wake-up moment leading to re-evaluation of prioritiesHow intuition and direct action (DMing Jessica) catalyzed Eugenia's pivotThe role of reprogramming tools, DIs, and somatic emotional workLessons on ego, alignment, and recalibrating intuitionReflections on vulnerability, growth, and the ripple effects of following inner guidanceMentioned In the Episode: Expanded x Ep. 280 Double Your Income, Jump Off The Corporate Cliff, and Create Your Dream Career: The Process with Allie CarrExpanded x Ep. 196 - Stop Forcing and Start Flowing with Alexis Smart and Grace AbbottExpanded x Ep. 208 - How To Create Financial Freedom Part 1 with Lacy, Jessica & GraceExpanded x Ep. 186 - The Difference Between Fear & Intuition with Taylor Paige - Angel Reader & IntuitiveExpanded x Ep. 274 - Healing the “Witch Wound” & Stepping into Your Power with Taylor Paige Clip of Dr. Tara on Feel Better, Live MoreHow to Go Freelance with Grace - use code JESSICA for $10 off!Follow Grace Abbott at IG at @howtogofreelanceWatch our full-length video episodes on Youtube!Find our Return to Magic Challenge plus all our workshops and all workshops mentioned inside our Pathway Membership! (Including the Return to Magic Challenge, Surrender DI Playlist, Validation DI, and Worst Case Scenario DI) HOW TO MANIFEST by Lacy Phillips (with exercises by Jessica Gill)Available now! The Expanded Podcast, from To Be Magnetic™ (TBM), is the leading manifestation podcast rooted in neuroscience, psychology, and energetics. Hosted by TBM's Chief Content Officer Jessica Gill, with monthly appearances from founder Lacy Phillips, Expanded is where science and the mystical meet to help you manifest in the most grounded, practical, and life-changing way.At TBM, we've redefined manifestation through Neural Manifestation™—our proven, science-backed method developed with neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart. This process helps you reprogram limiting beliefs at the subconscious level so you can create the life most aligned with your authenticity.Each week, we take you inside the TBM practice to help you expand your subconscious to believe what you desire is possible. Through expert interviews, thought leader conversations, TBM teachings, and real member success stories, you'll learn how to: – Rewire your subconscious mind and step into your worth – Heal your inner child and integrate shadow work – Set boundaries, strengthen intuition, and reclaim self-worth – Manifest relationships, careers, abundance, and experiences that align with your true selfWith over than 40 million downloads and a global community in over 100 countries, Expanded has become the gold standard in manifestation content. Think of it as your weekly practice for expanding your mind, believing what you want is possible, and manifesting the life you're meant to live.Past guests include leading voices such as Mel Robbins, Lewis Howes, Jenna Zoe, Martha Beck, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. Gabor Maté, Mark Groves, and Brianna Wiest. Where To Find Us!@tobemagnetic (IG)@LacyannephillipsLacy Launched a Substack! - By Candlelight - Join Here@Jessicaashleygill@tobemagnetic (youtube)@expandedpodcast

Chinese Sinister Intentions in Cuba and Nicaragua. Guest: STEVE YATES. China maintains a significant presence in Cuba, utilizing the island for intelligence gathering and signals facilities targeted at the United States. As Venezuela'soil subsidies to Cuba potentially end, the island faces economic collapse. The US may utilize travel restrictions and economic pressure as leverage.1959 HAVANA

Verno and Jacoby return as they discuss the Wolves' victory over the Cavs in which Anthony Edwards became the third-youngest player to reach 10,000 points and explain what could be causing the disappointing season from the Cavs. They then debate whether Anthony Davis is seriously injured, discuss the Pacers ending their 13-game losing streak, and just what the Wizards' plans are with Trae Young. Next, the guys go through their first loves and loathes of the year. (00:00) Welcome to The Mismatch! (03:01) Anthony Edwards reaches scoring milestone in Wolves' win over Cavs (09:03) Cooper Flagg shines, but Anthony Davis appeared to get hurt again in Mavs' loss (17:07) Pacers finally end 13-game skid with win vs. Hornets (24:30) Trae Young finally gets traded; goes to the Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert (35:42) Latest Giannis comments (37:41) Verno and Jacoby's no. 1 loves of the week (44:01) Verno and Jacoby's no. 1 loathes of the week (53:17) No. 2 loves of the week (01:02:28) No. 2 loathes of the week (01:12:20) No. 3 loves of the week (01:17:25) No. 3 loathes of the week Leave us a message on our Mismatch Voicemail line! (323) 389-5091 Hosts: Chris Vernon and David Jacoby Producers: Jessie Lopez, Stefan Anderson, and Jeff Shearin Social: Keith Fujimoto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices