Podcasts about Intimate

What if the peace and presence you long for is already here—closer than you imagine? In this guided meditation, we explore the practice of awakening an intimate presence with life as it is. Through mindful awareness of the body, breath, heart, and senses, we gently release habitual striving and return to the living reality of this moment. As we soften into a receptive awareness, we discover a natural spaciousness that can hold whatever arises with kindness and ease. This meditation invites you to: ✨ Relax into embodied awareness and presence ✨ Cultivate a gentle, friendly attention toward your inner experience ✨ Sense the aliveness of the body from the inside out ✨ Rest in the stillness and openness of awareness itself ✨ Deepen trust in the loving presence that is your true nature Whether you're new to meditation or a longtime practitioner, this practice offers a pathway home—to the intimacy, peace, and awake heart that are always here. Our introduction music is from "Opening" by Adrienne Torf, © 2025 ABT Music

Reddit Stories - My Boyfriends Coworker Sent Him An Intimate Picture of Herself And I'm Totally Done. OP discovers her boyfriend's female coworker sending increasingly intimate messages and pictures. Though OP trusts her boyfriend, she feels disrespected and wants him to set firm boundaries before the situation damages their relationship.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/lost-genre-reddit-stories--5779056/support.

After making seven seasons of the CBBC series, Malory Towers, it's already abundantly clear that Ella Bright is brimming with talent and experience, but Prime Video's Off Campus is bound to send her star soaring in a significant way. Based on the hugely popular book series by Elle Kennedy, Off Campus Season 1 puts the spotlight on the main characters of the first novel, The Deal. Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli) is Briar University's impossibly popular star hockey player who can get just about any girl he wants. Bright's Hannah Wells, on the other hand, is a quiet songwriter who tends to keep clear of the college party scene. Not a likely pair. Plus, Hannah has a crush on someone else.When Garrett struggles with his philosophy class, he opts to turn to a top student for help, Hannah, and the two strike up a deal; she'll help him with his classwork and he'll help her get who she thinks is the guy of her dreams, Josh Heuston's Justin. However, the longer they fake date in an effort to make Justin jealous, the more evident it becomes that they're actually the perfect fit for one another. In the end, Garrett and Hannah fall for each other, and the viewer falls for them as a couple.The trouble is, Season 2 of Off Campus is based on the second book of Kennedy's series, and that book, The Mistake, has different main characters. Does that mean we'll get a lot less Hannah and Garrett in Off Campus Season 2? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Without Sophia, his AI Co-Host, Detlef Schlich returns to the physical presence of a real conversation: two people sitting inside a gallery, surrounded by paintings, sculptures, handmade objects, and the quiet energy of a space that has only recently been brought back to life. Felicitas speaks about discovering the empty room by chance, renovating it over nearly a month, and turning it into a living continuation of her artistic path.At the heart of the episode is the meaning of the name Gallery Emptiness. For Felicitas, emptiness is not a void, not absence, not nothingness. It is a space without fixed essence — a field of relation, vibration, energy, and possibility. This becomes the philosophical pulse of the conversation.The episode also opens towards future plans for the gallery: spoken word evenings, poetry, word games, small performances, mini theatre, workshops, clothing upcycling, and creative gatherings where people can explore expression in a personal and playful way. There is also a subtle but strong critique of disposable fashion culture — the tendency to buy, wear once, and discard. Felicitas offers another path: clothing as second skin, as personality, as self-made presence.Gallery Emptiness becomes more than a gallery. It becomes a small cultural chamber in Bantry — a place for art, words, encounter, transformation, and community.The episode closes with a new Los Inorgánicos song:“Emptiness Is Not a Hidden Void”A poetic reflection on Felicitas' statement, the gallery, and the strange beauty of a space that begins empty only so something alive can enter.Detlef Schlich is a rock musician, podcaster, visual artist, filmmaker,ritual designer, and media archaeologist based in West Cork. He is recognised for his seminal work, including a scholarly examination of the intersections between shamanism, art, and digital culture, and his acclaimed video installation, Transodin's Tragedy. He primarily works in performance, photography, painting, sound, installations, and film. In his work, he reflects on the human condition and uses the digital shaman's methodology as an alter ego to create artwork. His media archaeology is a conceptual and practical exercise in uncovering the unique aesthetic, cultural, and political aspects of media in culture.WEBSITE LINKS WAW Official YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@WAWBandFrom the forthcoming WAW albumThe Stories of Nil YoungTwo songs from WAW's developing album project The Stories of Nil Young — a mythopoetic journey along the Nile, where river, memory, loss, cooperation and hope flow into music.AfricaSmileAfricaSmile follows the Nile as an imagined journey from its sources to the Mediterranean Sea — a river of memory, movement, rhythm and myth.The song turns the meeting of the White Nile and the Blue Nile into a fragile image of cooperation. It is not a naïve peace anthem, but a wounded musical hope: two different currents meeting, listening, and still moving forward together.The Niles Bittersweet SongThe Nile's Bittersweet Song is the first official single by WAW / Wild Atlantic Way — Detlef Schlich and Dirk Schlömer.The song follows the Nile as a river of memory, beauty, loss and contradiction: a life-giver, but also a force that can take away what it once nourished. Through the story of Kamau, it becomes a poetic reflection on childhood, fragile hope, and the emotional landscape carried by a river that is both kind and cruel.Inspired by East African storytelling traditions and shaped along the Wild Atlantic Way in West Cork, The Nile's Bittersweet Song is a mythopoetic musical journey about water, grief, resilience, and the deep human longing to keep moving with the current.Inspired by East African storytelling traditions and shaped along the Wild Atlantic Way in West Cork, The Nile's Bittersweet Song is a mythopoetic musical journey about water, grief, resilience, and the deep human longing to keep moving with the current.WAW BandcampSilent NightIn a world shadowed by conflict and unrest, we, Dirk Schlömer & Detlef Schlich, felt compelled to reinterpret 'Silent Night' to reflect the complexities and contradictions of modern life.https://studiomuskau.bandcamp.com/track/silent-nightWild Atlantic WayThis results from a trip to West Cork, Ireland, where the beautiful Coastal "Wild Atlantic Way" reaches along the whole west coast!https://studiomuskau.bandcamp.com/track/wild-atlantic-wayYOU TUBE*Silent Night Reimagined* A Multilayered Avant-Garde Journey by WAW aka Dirk Schlömer & Detlef Schlichhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAbytLSfgCwDetlef SchlichInstagramDetlef Schlich ArTEEtude I love West Cork Artists FacebookDetlef Schlich I love West Cork Artists Group ArTEEtudeYouTube Channelsvisual PodcastArTEEtudeCute Alien TV official WebsiteArTEEtude Detlef Schlich Det Design Tribal Loop Download here for free Detlef Schlich´s Essay about the Cause and Effect of Shamanism, Art and Digital Culturehttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/303749640_Shamanism_Art_and_Digital_Culture_Cause_and_EffectSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/arteetude-a-podcast-with-artists-by-detlef-schlich/exclusive-content

Photographers Cheryle St. Onge and Scott Offen join PhotoWork with Sasha Wolf to discuss their photobooks, Calling the Birds Home and Grace, both published by L'Artiere Editions. In this conversation, St. Onge and Offen generously share their deeply personal approaches to collaborating with and photographing people with whom they have profound emotional connections. St. Onge reflects on documenting her mother's experience with dementia, describing the work as an act of communication, care, and connection. Offen discusses his collaborative portrait project with his partner, Grace, exploring themes of co-authorship, gender, representation, and aging. https://www.cherylestonge.com/ https://www.scottoffen.net/ Scott Offen (b. 1960) is an American East Coast photographer whose work has been exhibited across the United States and prominently featured online. Scott holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Fine Arts from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. He was selected as a finalist for the Critical Mass top 200 Photolucida award in 2021 and has been chosen as a participant in the Chico Hot Springs Portfolio Review in 2020 and 2021. Scott became a recipient of the MassArt Graduate Thesis Award in 2024. Cheryle St. Onge was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. She grew up on college campuses as the only child of a Physics professor and a painter. She received an M.F.A. from Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, Massachusetts. St. Onge's work focus on the crossover of art and science and photography's ability to distill our sense of time and curiosity. She makes pictures predominantly with an 8 x 10 view camera and considers her work a collaborative process. Her photographs have been widely exhibited, most notably at London's National Portrait Gallery, Princeton University, Griffin Museum, University of Rhode Island, Massachusetts College of Art, Rick Wester Fine Arts, and with the American Institute of Architects traveling exhibition. She has received numerous awards and residences, among them a 2009 John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, a Critical Mass Finalist Exhibition Award, Polaroid Materials Artist Support Grant, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Graduate Fellowship, and was named one of the ‘Top 50 Photographers' in the country by Time Magazine.

Shocking... I've been in the States for a long time, so I told my wife she could be intimate with another man as long as protection was used. Now I have found out she is pregnant by someone else. I feel deeply betrayed by her actions, and I want a divorce.

Jared Brady and Jonathan Singletary sit down to talk about fatherhood, inheritance, and the difference between intention and what's already in the body. Jonathan Singletary is a Los Angeles-based musician, songwriter, and founder of Piano & Prayer, a musical meditation and community gathering practice featured in the LA Times that has grown into a meaningful spiritual presence for thousands of people. Jared Brady is a creative director, actor, and co-founder of Shared Entertainment. Both men are in the middle of the work. Jonathan reaches for his daughter on instinct before the decision clears his mind. Jared watches his father's disappointment move across his own face and recognizes it. Neither of them is reporting from a solved place — they're two fathers who love their kids, who came from fathers they love, and who are sitting with the uncomfortable truth that some of what they're trying not to repeat is already running underneath everything. What holds this conversation together is a question Jared names explicitly: when you strip away the edited version of yourself, what voice are you actually parenting from? This episode earns its warmth by being honest first — about cost, about inheritance, and about the grace it takes to extend that same grace back to your own father. This one is for anyone who is actively trying to parent differently than they were parented, and discovering that the work is less about what you know and more about what you notice. ———————— Show some love on Daddy Day with our sponsor Arya! Go to http://arya.fyi/shan and use code DADDY10 ;) LOVERS! Get 15% off OneSkin with the code LOVERSBYSHAN at https://www.oneskin.co/LOVERSBYSHAN  #oneskinpod Showing love to our sponsor Biologica. Take their Quick Hormonal Life Stage Quiz to find the formula that's right for you, and get up to 32% on your purchase: https://biologica.com/lovers Lots of love to our sponsor, Quince. Go to quince.com/lovers for FREE shipping and 365-day returns. ———————— Follow Jonathan Singletary Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathansingletary Website: https://www.jonathansingletary.com Piano & Prayer: https://www.jonathansingletary.com/piano-and-prayer/patreon Follow Jared Brady → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enjoyjaredbrady Want more LOVERS? Get a free weekly Love Letter → http://loversbyshan.com/newsletter Join the Lovers Community → https://www.loversbyshan.com/community Explore free quizzes + worksheets → http://loversbyshan.com/quizzes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Gruber of Daring Fireball joins the MacBreak Weekly panel this week! A deep dive into Apple's new Siri following WWDC. Why Apple Intelligence & the new Siri is not coming to the EU initially later this year. And could the iPhone Ultra's launch be delayed this year? Private Cloud Compute Severely Limited for Third Party Devs. The future of Siri, or: why private inference isn't private enough. I tried Siri AI, and so far it actually works. How much Gemini is really inside Siri AI? The EU's DMA Folly. Reports of iPhone Ultra launch delays are 'false,' says leaker. Apple Vision Pro helped Disney re-engineer a classic EPCOT ride. Under-16 social media ban announced by UK government. Fox to Buy Roku Streaming Service in $25 Billion Deal. Picks of the Week Andy's Pick: Google Earth Flight Simulator for the Web John's Pick: Hovercraft Christina's Pick: Parachute Backup Hosts: Leo Laporte, Andy Ihnatko, and Christina Warren Guest: John Gruber Download or subscribe to MacBreak Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/macbreak-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: zocdoc.com/macbreak hipebl.ai

John Gruber of Daring Fireball joins the MacBreak Weekly panel this week! A deep dive into Apple's new Siri following WWDC. Why Apple Intelligence & the new Siri are not coming to the EU initially later this year. And could the iPhone Ultra's launch be delayed this year? Private cloud compute severely limited for third party devs. The future of Siri, or: why private inference isn't private enough. I tried Siri AI, and so far it actually works. How much Gemini is really inside Siri AI? The EU's DMA Folly. Reports of iPhone Ultra launch delays are 'false,' says leaker. Apple Vision Pro helped Disney re-engineer a classic EPCOT ride. Under-16 social media ban announced by UK government. Fox to Buy Roku Streaming Service in $25 Billion Deal. Picks of the Week Andy's Pick: Google Earth Flight Simulator for the Web John's Pick: Hovercraft Christina's Pick: Parachute Backup Hosts: Leo Laporte, Andy Ihnatko, and Christina Warren Guest: John Gruber Download or subscribe to MacBreak Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/macbreak-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: zocdoc.com/macbreak hipebl.ai

John Gruber of Daring Fireball joins the MacBreak Weekly panel this week! A deep dive into Apple's new Siri following WWDC. Why Apple Intelligence & the new Siri is not coming to the EU initially later this year. And could the iPhone Ultra's launch be delayed this year? Private Cloud Compute Severely Limited for Third Party Devs. The future of Siri, or: why private inference isn't private enough. I tried Siri AI, and so far it actually works. How much Gemini is really inside Siri AI? The EU's DMA Folly. Reports of iPhone Ultra launch delays are 'false,' says leaker. Apple Vision Pro helped Disney re-engineer a classic EPCOT ride. Under-16 social media ban announced by UK government. Fox to Buy Roku Streaming Service in $25 Billion Deal. Picks of the Week Andy's Pick: Google Earth Flight Simulator for the Web John's Pick: Hovercraft Christina's Pick: Parachute Backup Hosts: Leo Laporte, Andy Ihnatko, and Christina Warren Guest: John Gruber Download or subscribe to MacBreak Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/macbreak-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: zocdoc.com/macbreak hipebl.ai

John Gruber of Daring Fireball joins the MacBreak Weekly panel this week! A deep dive into Apple's new Siri following WWDC. Why Apple Intelligence & the new Siri are not coming to the EU initially later this year. And could the iPhone Ultra's launch be delayed this year? Private cloud compute severely limited for third party devs. The future of Siri, or: why private inference isn't private enough. I tried Siri AI, and so far it actually works. How much Gemini is really inside Siri AI? The EU's DMA Folly. Reports of iPhone Ultra launch delays are 'false,' says leaker. Apple Vision Pro helped Disney re-engineer a classic EPCOT ride. Under-16 social media ban announced by UK government. Fox to Buy Roku Streaming Service in $25 Billion Deal. Picks of the Week Andy's Pick: Google Earth Flight Simulator for the Web John's Pick: Hovercraft Christina's Pick: Parachute Backup Hosts: Leo Laporte, Andy Ihnatko, and Christina Warren Guest: John Gruber Download or subscribe to MacBreak Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/macbreak-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: zocdoc.com/macbreak hipebl.ai

John Gruber of Daring Fireball joins the MacBreak Weekly panel this week! A deep dive into Apple's new Siri following WWDC. Why Apple Intelligence & the new Siri are not coming to the EU initially later this year. And could the iPhone Ultra's launch be delayed this year? Private cloud compute severely limited for third party devs. The future of Siri, or: why private inference isn't private enough. I tried Siri AI, and so far it actually works. How much Gemini is really inside Siri AI? The EU's DMA Folly. Reports of iPhone Ultra launch delays are 'false,' says leaker. Apple Vision Pro helped Disney re-engineer a classic EPCOT ride. Under-16 social media ban announced by UK government. Fox to Buy Roku Streaming Service in $25 Billion Deal. Picks of the Week Andy's Pick: Google Earth Flight Simulator for the Web John's Pick: Hovercraft Christina's Pick: Parachute Backup Hosts: Leo Laporte, Andy Ihnatko, and Christina Warren Guest: John Gruber Download or subscribe to MacBreak Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/macbreak-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: zocdoc.com/macbreak hipebl.ai

John Gruber of Daring Fireball joins the MacBreak Weekly panel this week! A deep dive into Apple's new Siri following WWDC. Why Apple Intelligence & the new Siri are not coming to the EU initially later this year. And could the iPhone Ultra's launch be delayed this year? Private cloud compute severely limited for third party devs. The future of Siri, or: why private inference isn't private enough. I tried Siri AI, and so far it actually works. How much Gemini is really inside Siri AI? The EU's DMA Folly. Reports of iPhone Ultra launch delays are 'false,' says leaker. Apple Vision Pro helped Disney re-engineer a classic EPCOT ride. Under-16 social media ban announced by UK government. Fox to Buy Roku Streaming Service in $25 Billion Deal. Picks of the Week Andy's Pick: Google Earth Flight Simulator for the Web John's Pick: Hovercraft Christina's Pick: Parachute Backup Hosts: Leo Laporte, Andy Ihnatko, and Christina Warren Guest: John Gruber Download or subscribe to MacBreak Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/macbreak-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: zocdoc.com/macbreak hipebl.ai

The challenging field of family law is a vital part of the litigation profession, demanding an understanding of both the law and the psychological trauma that can dramatically affect the well-being of children and others caught in the middle. Guest Ashish Joshi is a Michigan attorney and author who has devoted his career to helping those struggling through the most difficult situations imaginable. Family violence, coercion, and control are, unfortunately, a huge and often under recognized part of our legal reality. The field of family law can include issues including parental alienation, child abduction, the weaponization of children and their relationships with sparring parents, gaslighting and manipulation, and even complicated adjacent areas of law such as hidden assets, stalking, and pet abuse. Family law litigation requires a complex skill set and mental toughness, but it's a vital part of our lives. Joshi shares how practicing in the field involves working with people going through the worst period of their lives, the protection of innocent and powerless victims, and the field of psychology and human behavior. Looking for a challenge and the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life? Family law litigation is a demanding and rewarding field. Also in this episode, quick tips from Erin Clifford, managing director at Clifford Law Offices, about avoiding legal burnout. Have a question, comment, or suggestion for an upcoming episode? Get in touch at MRogson@SkywardInsurance.com or JAReederJr@gmail.com. Resources Mentioned:  “Litigating Family Violence: A Practitioner's Handbook” by Ashish Joshi “Cross Examining Experts in the Behavioral Sciences,” by Demosthenes Lorandos “Justin Fairfax Killed His Estranged Wife and Himself 2 Weeks Before a Court Deadline to Move Out,” Associated Press  American Bar Association American Bar Association Litigation Section

Singapore's new Online Safety Commission (OSC) rolls out to combat cyberbullying, deepfakes, and online harms. But will this law protect victims, or will trolls simply hide in darker corners? Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.Imagine discovering that your face and voice have been hijacked, manipulated into a deepfake, and broadcast across the internet. It is a chilling violation of privacy, and it proves a terrifying point: no one is immune to online harms. As digital abuse, cyberbullying, and image-based violence become increasingly normalised, the rules of engagement are also shifting. Enter the Online Safety Commission (OSC) that Singapore is officially rolling out in June 2026. This new regulatory watchdog is designed to force tech giants to take down harmful content and give victims some respite from the harassment and bullying. But will this new law actually have the teeth to protect us? Or will trolls quickly invent new ways to circumvent it? In this episode of In Your Opinion, assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong sits down with legal expert and founder of SG Her Empowerment (SHE) Stefanie Yuen Thio. Yuen Thio shares her personal ordeal as a deepfake victim and uncovers the severe realities of digital abuse facing youths in Singapore today – including the alarming normalisation of teenagers selling intimate photos for $50. Highlights (click/tap above): 3:14 Her personal experience surviving a deepfake attack 7:43 How "trusted flaggers" like SHE get harmful content taken down faster than standard reporting 9:57 What the new Online Safety Commission (OSC) actually means for victims of cyberbullying 24:36 The disturbing reality of youths commodifying their bodies and selling intimate photos for $50 27:22 Beyond the law: The urgent need for age assurance technology and bystander intervention Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Follow Lynda Hong on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/Gm2v Host: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai Executive producers: Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #inyouropinionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Axton preaches: This sermon develops John Behr's understanding of the Logos along with William Desmond's picture of the betweenness of the intimate universal. (Register for the course, Metaxology, taught by William Desmond, which will cover the philosophy and theology of William Desmond as it applies to ethics, aesthetics, peace, and the Christian life. The course will run from 2026/6/20–2026/9/19. Sign up here: https://pbi.forgingploughshares.org/offerings) If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Become a Patron!

Meeting PurposeDiscussing how to give feedback to high-performing, defensive colleagues.Separate the Person from the Problem: Frame feedback around the "water bottle" (the issue) to avoid activating defensiveness. Use neutral language like "workable" vs. "unworkable" instead of "right" vs. "wrong."Decouple Performance: Unpack "performance" into its component parts (e.g., sales targets + adherence to process). This prevents the person from anchoring to one metric and dismissing feedback on others.Build Relational Capital: Invest in personal conversations ("intimate" vs. "admin") and praise publicly to build trust. Deliver critical feedback privately to avoid triggering face-saving behavior.Manage Internal Friction: Acknowledge that internal and external "friction" (the gap between theory and practice) is constant. The goal is to improve your ability to navigate it, not eliminate it.Scenario: A high-performing colleague (e.g., a top sales rep) makes a costly error (e.g., a quoting mistake) and responds defensively to feedback.Austin's Reaction: Frustration at the person's defensiveness, especially when they are normally receptive.Key Discovery: Austin realized he was applying coaching tools only in formal coaching contexts, not in peer-to-peer colleague interactions.1. Separate the Person from the Problem"Water Bottle" Analogy: Frame the issue as an object separate from the person.Neutral Language: Use terms like "workable" vs. "unworkable" instead of "right" vs. "wrong."Decouple Performance: Define "performance" beyond a single metric (e.g., sales) to include process adherence, quality, and teamwork.2. Build Relational CapitalPraise Publicly, Reprimand Privately: This avoids triggering face-saving behavior.Personal Conversations: Invest in non-work discussions to build trust."Admin" vs. "Intimate" Conversations: Be clear on the type of conversation you're having.3. Manage Your Internal StateDecouple Anger from Passion: Reframe your intensity as passion for the person's success."Angry for you, not at you": A powerful reframe to communicate support."Help, Hug, or Listen?": Before offering advice, ask yourself what the other person needs.Friction (von Clausewitz): The gap between theory and practice is constant. The goal is to improve your ability to overcome it, not eliminate it.Relatability: Leaders should selectively share their own struggles to be more human and relatable, avoiding an "impossible ideal" that discourages the team.Coaching Permission: Coaching is most effective when the other person has granted permission.Austin: Apply the feedback framework (water bottle, neutral language, decoupling performance) in future colleague conversations.Austin: Proactively build relational capital through personal conversations and public praise.Austin: Practice reframing internal frustration as passion for the other person's success.

In this episode of Previously On, Jillian is joined by Kenny Marshall to break down Off Campus Episode 4, "The Breakup", which might be the most misleading episode title of the season.A chaotic night at Drunk Shakespeare forces several characters to confront feelings they've been avoiding, and suddenly the walls are coming down all over campus. Hannah and Garrett's fake relationship starts feeling a lot more real, Allie finally follows through on ending things with Sean, and Justin unknowingly proves why he and Hannah were never going to work.Because vulnerability is the name of the game this week, we're counting down our Top 5 "Vulnerability Looks Good on Them" Moments, including Hannah opening up to Garrett, Garrett showing up for Hannah exactly when she needs him, and one of the sweetest grand gestures we've seen on the show so far.Plus, we discuss why this episode feels like High School Musical for theater kids and hockey players, Logan's impossible crush, Tucker's frat hazing storyline, and the moment Off Campus officially became more than just a fake dating romance.If you're watching along, grab your skates and your Shakespeare tickets because this is the episode where everything changes!00:00 Intro to pod03:01 Ep 4 "The Breakup" Recap11:26 Top 5 Vulnerability11:44 Allie Sean breakup18:29 Hannah opens up24:10 Self plessure30:28 Nothing wrong with you33:41 Hannah's grand gesture40:43 Garrett and Dean41:40 Justin44:30 Jules calls out JohnThank you to Matt Buechele (@mattbooshell) for creating our new theme song. You can listen to "Sunscreen" on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1gFHHF3QyQxjbbKXV3qLu9Buy our merch: ⁠https://www.etsy.com/shop/PreviouslyOnTeenTV⁠Follow Previously On Teen TV on Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/previouslyon_teentv/Follow Previously On Teen TV on TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@previouslyon_teentv⁠⁠Subscribe to our YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe2lgvvZGKMrQ8v24FmDdWQ?sub_confirmation=1⁠#offcampus #offcampusreaction #primevideo #hannahwells #thedeal #garrettgraham #ellabright #podcast #tvbreakdown #tvpodcast #tvreview #bookadaptation

We'd love to hear from you! Please send us a Text Message!If you haven't heard it yet, start with Part 1. Think ballads and relaxed grooves. Take a break and cool out over the beauty and intimacy of some of Link's best ballads sung by 4 or 5 top vocalists who have worked with him over for 3 or 4 decades and are all still going strong. All that's required of you are a good pair of headphones, an easy chair  and the time to do it. Get the inside stories on how and why the songs were written – the story behind the real life drama. Take a walk in the snow, an evening on the beach, a ride through the desert of the great Southwest, a night under the stars and so much more. Part 2 is the same concept as above presenting 9 more songs,Theater of the Imagination is presented by Watchfire Music

Design Day session: the bedroom   The Declutter workshop, get your access here.    Design Day: 1 room edition. Reserve your session here.   Explore G.A. Atelier and all offers here.   Join me inside the G.A. Atelier Substack here.   The Atelier Design hour - uncover your home's possibilities - book your session here   Gigi's J'adore - A monthly note of pieces & places. Join the exclusive list.   Connect on Instagram

I talk with Adam about the Chor Yuen movie Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan 

We'd love to hear from you! Please send us a Text Message!Think ballads and relaxed grooves. Take a break and cool out over the beauty and intimacy of some of Link's best ballads sung by 4 or 5 top vocalists who have worked with him over for 3 or 4 decades and are all still going strong. All that's required of you are a good pair of headphones, an easy chair  and the time to do it. Get the inside stories on how and why the songs were written – the story behind the real life drama. Take a walk in the snow, an evening on the beach, a ride through the desert of the great Southwest, a night under the stars and so much more.Theater of the imagination is presented by Watchfire Music:  watchfiremusic.com 

Paul Axton preaches: Jesus' promise of peace, not as the world gives but his peace, is the beginning of an alternative subjectivity which William Desmond calls the "intimate universal" or an opening of a communicative subjectivity with the transcendent.  (Register for the course, Metaxology, taught by William Desmond, which will cover the philosophy and theology of William Desmond as it applies to ethics, aesthetics, peace, and the Christian life. The course will run from 2026/6/20–2026/9/19. Sign up here: https://pbi.forgingploughshares.org/offerings) If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider donating to support our work. Become a Patron!

The Big Unlock · Podcast with Dr. Nele Jessel, Chief Medical Officer, athenahealth In this episode, Dr. Nele Jessel, Chief Medical Officer at athenahealth, explores the rapid shift in physician sentiment toward AI and why healthcare may finally be reaching a true inflection point in digital transformation. Dr. Jessel explains how decades of EHR-induced administrative burnout initially made clinicians wary of new technology. However, the arrival of ambient note generation changed the game almost overnight, removing immense cognitive load and restoring the intimate, face-to-face physician-patient relationship. A core theme of the discussion is the critical pivot toward clinician-guided development rather than vendor-driven solutions. Dr. Jessel details how athenahealth uses rapid “pre-alpha” prototyping to tackle the modern challenge of interoperability data-overload, deploying large language models to synthesize complex clinical records into actionable insights at the point of care. While emphasizing that medicine remains an art that requires a human in the loop for diagnostics, she outlines a future where autonomous, agentic AI conquers administrative burdens like prior authorizations. Ultimately, healthcare is reaching a true inflection point, transforming the EHR from a passive data repository into an invisible, intelligent assistant. Take a listen. This guest appearance was facilitated through conversations initiated at ViVE.

2026 Apr 26 SUN: FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Acts 2: 14a. 36-41/ Ps 23: 1-3a. 3b-4. 5. 6 (1)/ 1 Pt 2: 20b-25/ Jn 10: 1-10

If you've ever wondered whether your sex life is “normal”, this episode is for you. This episode of The Indo Daily is brought to you by our sister podcast Just Between Us with Jennifer Zamparelli. In this special listener Q&A episode, Jen is joined by sex educator and intimacy coach Grace Alice O'Shea to answer the questions people are often too embarrassed to ask out loud. From awkward body reactions to feeling undesired in a relationship, no topic is off limits. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Virgin Island Season 2 recap, we're breaking down Episodes 5-8 and the biggest moments from the series so far. From emotional breakthroughs and confidence-building exercises to first intimate experiences and life-changing therapy sessions, the contestants continue their journey to overcome fears, anxiety, body image issues and relationship challenges.We cover the key developments for Bertie, Katie, Tegan, Joy, Will and the rest of the cast, including the most emotional moments, surprise breakthroughs and major milestones that had viewers talking.⭐ Biggest breakthroughs⭐ Contestant progress updates⭐ Emotional therapy sessions⭐ Intimacy and confidence challenges⭐ Key moments from Episodes 5, 6, 7 & 8If you're watching Virgin Island Season 2 on Channel 4, this is your complete Episodes 5-8 breakdown and review.#VirginIsland #VirginIslandSeason2 #Channel4 #RealityTV #TVRecap #EpisodeBreakdown #RealityTVReview #VirginIslandRecap #Channel4Reality #TVDiscussion

Jim Krosschell and I sat down for a discussion about his latest poetry book release "Man Afield" and more. About "Man Afield"Man Afield is a lyrical journey through the living world, guided by a backyard naturalist attuned to both wonder and warning. These poems chronicle spiritual and physical excursions into landscapes larger than any one mind or body — places where awe, joy, disorientation, and reckoning intertwine. Organized in six evocative sections, the collection:I. bears witness from a seaside deck;II. wanders through yard and neighboring woods;III. explores the shifting shoreline;IV. imagines the vast and restless ocean;V. surveys the scars of environmental damage;VI. honors home in its many meanings. Throughout, the poems dwell in the charged space where humans and the natural world meet. They examine our peculiar paradox: we are the only species that knowingly fouls its own nest — and the only one capable of choosing restraint. With clear-eyed honesty, Man Afield mourns the grinding erosion of precious places while celebrating the stubborn beauty that persists despite us — and sometimes because of us. From deck to forest trail, from tidal pull to smoke-streaked sky, these poems trace one person's evolving relationship with plants, animals, weather, memory, and spirit. Intimate yet expansive, they invite readers to travel outward into the wild and inward toward belonging.​Man Afield is at once a field journal, a meditation, and a love song — to earth, to home, and to the fragile bond between them.Learn more and make your purchase: https://www.prolificpulse.com/jimkrosschell

Send us Fan MailHere, I'm joined by six members of Many Shades of ALS, a community team within I AM ALS, for a roundtable that breaks the stereotype of who gets ALS. We talk honestly about “ghosting” after diagnosis and why people disappear even when they care, then get specific about what real support looks like. We also name the moments that sting most: when people speak to our caregivers instead of speaking to us, or when impatience turns a conversation into a dismissal.Many Shades of ALS also pushes the bigger fight forward. We dig into awareness gaps for people of color, the need for natural history studies, and why diverse ALS clinical research is not optional if we want better treatments and, ultimately, a cure. If this conversation changes the way you think about ALS, help us widen the circle: subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find these stories. Thank you for listening. Hugs, LorriFollow and see what's coming next: Instagram,  Facebook,  Twitter, TikTok,  LinkedIn.

Learning Weekly from Rebbe Nachman ben Simcha Faiga in Likutei Moharan Torah 44:7 & 8 we focus on Consistency in Tefilah revealing the Secrets aka Kevasim of Torah & Creation through the Holy Air of Eretz Yisrael. By giving Tzaddakah aka Charity supporting the Holy Land Israel we purify the air around us protecting ourselves from the confusing floods of the world

Reddit Stories - My Brother Heard My Boyfriend And Me Being Intimate Through The Wall   But I Wasn't Home. OP suspects her boyfriend cheated with her brother's girlfriend after her younger brother complained about hearing intimacy through the wall, even though OP was not home. Now OP and her brother compare suspicious late-night behavior.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/lost-genre-reddit-stories--5779056/support.

In this episode of The Estranged Heart, Kreed explores the harmful use of the term 'intimate terrorist' in family estrangement contexts, emphasizing the importance of nuanced understanding and curiosity over labels that deepen divides. Key TopicsThe impact of language in family estrangementThe difference between control and boundary-settingThe consequences of labeling a partner as a terroristThe importance of curiosity and nuance in reconciliationThe role of generational conditioning in family conflictsChapters00:00 Understanding the Term 'Intimate Terrorist'06:31 The Impact of Labeling on Relationships12:33 The Consequences for the Adult Child15:39 Generational Perspectives on Estrangement19:13 The Importance of Curiosity in Estrangement22:40 Reframing Language and Its PowerResources & SupportFacebook Support Group (facilitated by Kreed) - https://www.facebook.com/groups/estrangedmotherssupportgroupOne-on-One ServicesPrivate coachingConsultingMediation servicesConnect with Kreed:Website: theestrangedheart.comEmail: hello@theestrangedheart.comSupport the work: Buy Me a Coffee (donation platform)Disclaimer: Kreed Revere is not a licensed therapist. Nothing in this podcast should be considered or taken as therapy. If you need therapeutic support, please seek out a therapist near you.

Pastor Eric continues his series on the Spirit of God. In this sermon we look who the Spirit is, and what roles He plays. We also consider the importance of being in communion with Him.

Questions? Comments? Text Us!What happens when suffering enters a new season of life? How do we face aging, grief, limitation, and uncertainty without surrendering our sense of purpose?In the latest Jerry & Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue, the married philosophers return for another stimulating dialogue exploring suffering, aging, calling, and the search for meaning. Beginning with the Serenity Prayer and the Stoic distinction between what we can and cannot control, the conversation moves into deeper questions about suffering as a source of growth, the temptation to “give up” too early in life, and the challenge of remaining fully engaged with one's purpose.Abigail reflects on resisting cultural narratives of decline, particularly those imposed on women, while sharing her thoughts on aging, neuropathy, resilience, and refusing to “die before you're dead.” Jerry connects these reflections to themes from God: An Autobiography, including the idea that “suffering is the law of growth in the universe.”The discussion also explores antisemitism, historical responsibility, Aristotle's vision of human flourishing, the story of David and Goliath, and the question of what it means to live in alignment with one's deepest calling.This is a rich and personal conversation about suffering, purpose, spiritual courage, and remaining fully alive on the timeline of human history.Whether you are navigating grief, searching for meaning, or trying to discern what still has your name on it, Episode 284 offers a thoughtful and deeply human exploration of the courage required to keep living fully. Other Series:The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series:The Life Wisdom Project – Spiritual insights on living a wiser, more meaningful life.From God to Jerry to You – Divine messages and breakthroughs for seekers.Two Philosophers Wrestle With God – A dialogue on God, truth, and reason.Jerry & Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue – Love, faith, and divine presence in partnership.What's Your Spiritual Story – Real stories of people changed by encounters with God.What's On Our Mind – Reflections from Jerry and Scott on recent episodes.What's On Your Mind – Listener questions, divine answers, and open dialogue. Stay ConnectedShare: questions@godanautobiography.comGet the books: God: An Autobiography, Radically Personal, Confessions of a Young Philosopher, A Good Look at EvilShare Your Story | Site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

James Lasdun describes the Murdaugh family's century-long dominance of South Carolina's legal system. He compares Alex's betrayal of trust and embezzlement to the intimate crimes punished in Dante's deepest circles of hell. (10/16)1920 CHARLESTON

Kylie Minogue's 1994 self-titled album - often referred to by fans as KM94 - marked one of the biggest reinventions of her career. After leaving the Stock Aitken Waterman hit machine and signing with Deconstruction Records, Kylie embraced a more mature, sophisticated sound inspired by house music, trip-hop, R&B, and 90s club culture. The result was the birth of what many fans now call “Indie Kylie” or “Cool Kylie.”In this episode of CCTV: The Nonstop Pop Show, Chris and Chantel Nicole give their honest track-by-track review of "Kylie Minogue" (1994), discussing the standout songs, hidden gems, production, vocals, visuals, and how this era changed the trajectory of Kylie's career. We also dive into the album's legacy, its connection to "Impossible Princess", and why critics began taking Kylie seriously as an album artist during this period.Was KM94 ahead of its time? Is this secretly one of Kylie's best albums? Join us as we revisit one of the most fascinating eras in Kylie Minogue's discography.Join us on Patreon!: https://www.patreon.com/CCTVPOPSFollow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/cctvpops0:00 - Intro1:06 - "Kylie Minogue" Album Info2:57 - Album Cover4:37 - "Confide In Me"15:12 - "Surrender"20:15 - "If I Was Your Lover"24:37 - "Where Is The Feeling?"35:08 - "Put Yourself In My Place"43:58 - "Dangerous Game"52:11 - "Automatic Love"56:31 - "Where Has The Love Gone"1:01:03 - "Falling"1:06:33 - "Time Will Pass You By"1:10:43 - Cut or Keep1:12:40 - Overall Thoughts & Final RatingReferences:“Confide In Me” MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxZkjq9z5wg&pp=ygUba3lsaWUgbWlub2d1ZSBjb25maWRlIGluIG1l “Confide In Me” Live at Showgirl Tour 2005 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqHv8UYNti4&pp=ygUba3lsaWUgbWlub2d1ZSBjb25maWRlIGluIG1l Jane Lancaster - “It's A Fine Day” MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vgcYBwyw28&pp=ygUPaXQncyBhIGZpbmUgZGF5 “Where Is The Feeling?” MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgp4SauJzms&pp=ygUia3lsaWUgbWlub2d1ZSB3aGVyZSBpcyB0aGUgZmVlbGluZw%3D%3D “Where Is The Feeling?” Live at Don't Forget Your Toothbrush https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spyr1yW4Abs&pp=ygUia3lsaWUgbWlub2d1ZSB3aGVyZSBpcyB0aGUgZmVlbGluZw%3D%3D “Put Yourself In My Place” MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9t6wef5xlE&pp=ygUma3lsaWUgbWlub2d1ZSBwdXQgeW91cnNlbGYgaW4gbXkgcGxhY2U%3D “Put Yourself In My Place” Live at the Prince's Trust Rock Gala 1994 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyWOtRFvyIc “Dangerous Game” Live at Intimate and Live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ87aetzGBw&pp=ygUca3lsaWUgbWlub2d1ZSBkYW5nZXJvdXMgZ2FtZQ%3D%3D “Automatic Love” Rapino Brothers Demo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJg-WJb01S8&pp=ygUla3lsaWUgbWlub2d1ZSBhdXRvbWF0aWMgbG92ZSBwb3J0dWdhbA%3D%3D “Automatic Love” Live at Parabens RTP Portugal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCSU64L2BwE&pp=ygUla3lsaWUgbWlub2d1ZSBhdXRvbWF0aWMgbG92ZSBwb3J0dWdhbA%3D%3D Kylie Live at T in the Park 1995 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDZEx-R4fRw

Roy Wyman offers a dharma talk on the topic: The Intimate Breath. Enjoy!  Wild Heart Meditation Center in a non-profit Buddhist community based in Nashville, TN. https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.orgDONATE: If you feel moved to support WHMC financially please visit:https://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org/donateFollow Us on Socials!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WildHeartNashville/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildheartnashville/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildheartmeditation

Full show - Wednesday | Job interview | News or Nope - Norovirus, hantavirus, a Harry Potter bar, and Jason Collins | Gardening is starting to grow on Erica | OPP - My secret is stopping me from being intimate | How could Slacker have helped in this situation? | Got any plans later? | Did Erica marry a hoarder? | Before you admit to an affair... | Stupid stories www.instagram.com/theslackershow www.instagram.com/askslacker www.instagram.com/ericasheaaa www.instagram.com/thackiswack www.instagram.com/radioerin

Candy needs help navigating the dating world. Does she need to upfront about her past and her secrets? What should she do?

As disciples, we are committed to following Jesus Christ. As our Good Shepherd, He is committed to leading us. He does so by His mighty hand -- and He has other ways of leading us as well. Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to learn more.Scripture Used in Today's MessagePsalm 73:21-24Psalm 37:23-24 To find Tom on Instagram, Facebook, TiKTok, and elsewhere, go to linktr.ee/tomthepreache

Send us Fan MailIn Episode 253, host Andrea Atherton sits down with Laziena Hodge for a deeply honest conversation about self-awareness, relationships, and the unmet emotional needs that quietly shape our behaviors. Together they explore how many of the ways we react, overgive, people-please, shut down, or seek validation were learned as survival strategies long before adulthood. This episode invites listeners to look beneath the surface of their patterns with compassion and curiosity, asking not “What's wrong with me?” but “What part of me is still longing to feel seen, safe, or loved?” Through vulnerability and reflection, Andrea and Laziena discuss the importance of learning to meet our own emotional needs so we can show up more present, grounded, and authentic in connection with others.The conversation also dives into the powerful truth that relationships become mirrors for healing and growth. Intimate relationships often reveal the parts of ourselves we have avoided, abandoned, or disconnected from, offering opportunities to heal old wounds instead of repeating them unconsciously. Andrea and Laziena explore how conflict, triggers, and emotional reactions can become doorways into deeper self-understanding when approached with awareness instead of blame. They also touch on the ways many people overgive in relationships hoping to receive love in return, and how healing begins when we stop abandoning ourselves to earn connection.Andrea and Laziena beautifully discuss how our relationships with our children can also awaken profound inner child healing. Parenting often reflects back the emotional experiences we had growing up, inviting us to break generational cycles and offer both ourselves and our children more compassion, presence, and emotional safety. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that healthy love does not come from losing ourselves in others, but from learning to know, nurture, and honor ourselves first. If you have ever struggled with repeating relationship patterns, emotional exhaustion, or seeking worth outside yourself, this conversation offers insight, healing, and hope for creating more conscious and connected relationships.Lazina Hodge - lazina.com30-minute Consultation with Andrea https://www.andreaatherton.com/booking-calendarAndrea Atherton  Websitehttps://www.andreaatherton.com/Love Anarchy Websitehttps://www.andreaatherton.com/podcasthttps://loveanarchypodcast.buzzsprout.comLove Anarchy Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/loveanarchypodcast/Andrea Atherton Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/andreaatherton-17/

Father Tim Grumbach joins Trending with Timmerie Episode Guide The need for intimate friendships (1:38) The Met Gala — Clothing & Poverty (24:48) A pro- life governor for California? Sheriff Chad Bianco (38:13) Change your brain chemistry – natural hits of serotonin (43:51) Tomorrow on Trending (50:52) Resources mentioned: Fr. Tim on Strava https://www.strava.com/athletes/270830?utm_source=ios_share&utm_medium=social&share_sig=E55FD7111778107292&_branch_match_id=1538383868523305169&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXLy4pSixL1EssKNDLyczL1vfLcjNKLff2CzNKsq8rSk1LLSrKzEuPTyrKLy9OLbJ1zijKz00FAPcDgic9AAAA The Bible on friendship https://relevantradio.com/2026/02/a-face-transplant-from-another-person/ Boosting serotonin https://www.instagram.com/p/DXl1EInFO2E/?igsh=MWc3bjI0ODFib2lpdw==

Read OnlineObedience—the Gateway to Intimate LoveJesus said to his disciples: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” John 14:21Most people would not think of “love” as obedience to commandments. Yet, that is precisely how Jesus defines it. To understand the truthfulness of His teaching, we must first consider the nature of love.Saint Thomas Aquinas defines love as both an emotion and an action. As an emotion, it is part of our human nature and is the first response of the concupiscible appetite to a good perceived as desirable. This natural love is directed toward goods apprehended through the senses, such as food, people, or enjoyable activities. Since love as an emotion pertains to the sensory appetite and is tied to physical or sensible goods, it plays an essential role in the human experience. However, it's important to note that just because a good is perceived as desirable does not mean it is truly good for us or in accord with God's perfect will.The love that Jesus speaks of in today's Gospel, however, far transcends natural love. While it does involve desire and emotion when perfected, it is ultimately charity—a supernatural, spiritual love flowing from our union with Him. Charity, infused by grace, elevates love to a higher, rational act of the will, seeking the good of another for the other's sake and fulfilling God's commandments as an expression of that love.This distinction invites us to examine the type of love we have toward God and others. If our love for God is purely emotional, it will be dictated by superficial and sometimes misguided desires. When we feel consolation on an emotional level, we might respond with an emotionally loving sentiment toward God. When something inspires us and we feel His presence, we might desire Him intensely. Yet, while this form of love has its place and will play a role in our relationship with God when our soul is fully perfected, it is initially a poor guide to charity. The same principle applies to our relationships with others.Sometimes the pure love of charity hurts on a natural level. The demands of charity often call us to act contrary to our immediate desires and to love even when we do not feel like loving. Earlier in Chapter 14 of John's Gospel, Jesus expresses the ideal of charity even more clearly: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). At the very heart of charity toward God is obedience. This obedience involves a three-fold process.First, with our minds, we must understand God's will, believe it, and assent to it as the highest good, even if our disordered appetites initially resist His will. Once our minds clearly perceive and understand the highest good to which we are called—God's perfect commandments—our wills must choose to follow them. When our disordered appetites interfere, we must rely on grace to strengthen our resolve and enable us to choose the higher good.When this process becomes habitual, and our minds and wills are regularly directed toward God's will, even our emotions and appetites begin to conform. We come to delight in His commandments, finding refreshment and fulfillment in them. This spiritual delight far surpasses emotional satiation. This is because only God's will—expressed through His commandments—can make us whole and enable us to become who we are created to be. Though the journey is often challenging, what joy we experience when we delight in God's will through grace!Reflect today on Jesus' clear invitation to love Him through obedience to His will. Because His love for us is perfect, His commands are always for our good. Sometimes we are like children with erratic emotions and desires who need the gentle direction of a loving parent. Don't see God's commands as a burden; the opposite is true. God's commands set us free to love through charity and to experience both spiritual and emotional joy in the process. When we love Jesus with this highest form of love, we will be gifted with a relationship with Him and His Father, Who will reveal themselves to us, satisfying our every desire. My demanding Lord, Your commands are perfect and guide me into the highest good achievable. May I never perceive Your commands as a burden but have the wisdom I need to understand they are for my good, for Your glory, and for the good of all. I choose You and Your will today and always. Help me to embrace Your will with joy and confidence. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image - Copy of typical catholic image of Jesus ChristSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Upgrade your pleasure with LELO — use code TARA20 for an extra 20% OFF on top of existing sales: https://lelo.to/LELOxLuvBitesIn this episode of Luvbites by Dr. Tara Podcast, interabled couple Amber and Neven join Dr. Tara to share their journey navigating love and intimacy after Neven's spinal cord injury. They discuss his injury, the adaptive tools and medications that support their sex life, and how they've built connection, confidence, and pleasure together.This episode is sponsored by LELO — luxury pleasure products designed to elevate intimacy and help you discover what feels best | https://lelo.to/LELOxLuvBites Connect with Dr. Tara on www.luvbites.coConnect with our guest on TikTok:@amberandneven

Intimate and explicit images of A-list celebrities – that's what the world woke up to on the 31st of August 2014. “The Fappening” saw thousands of leaked celebrity nudes dumped onto 4chan, Reddit, and Twitter. It gave unprecedented access to the most overtly private images anyone could imagine – but how on earth did it happen? This week on ShortHand we're taking a deep dive into the grubby world of AnonIB and leaked-nude “collectors”: users who hoard and circulate explicit images without the subject's consent – celebrity or not. So how do these images come to be online? And how do we stop it from happening? --Patreon - Ad-free & Bonus EpisodesYouTube - Full-length Video EpisodesTikTok / Instagram

Jason's bowling shenanigans, Colleen's baked potato conundrum, a story about the wrong Branson "Joseph," and Colleen's Donny Osmond intimate moment dreamSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Last time we spoke about the beginning of the first battle of Changsha. From Chongqing, Chiang debated defensive strategies for Hunan, ultimately adopting Plan B after Xue Yue's pleas, focusing on successive resistance north of Changsha to thwart Japanese advances. Japanese forces, under Okamura Yasuji, launched assaults in Jiangxi and Hunan. In Jiangxi, the 106th and 101st Divisions attacked Huibu and Gao'an, where Chinese troops under Luo Zhuoying and Song Kentang fiercely resisted. Gao'an fell briefly but was recaptured by the 32nd Army and the elite 74th Army, with heavy casualties on both sides, as recounted by soldier Liu Qihuai. In Hunan, Japanese units crossed the Xin Qiang River and landed at Yingtian, facing brutal opposition. At Bijia Mountain, Qin Yizhi's 195th Division held for four days; Battalion Commander Shi Enhua's reinforced unit perished entirely, their fragmented remains mourned by locals. Along the Miluo River, Chen Pei's 37th Army fortified positions, repelling waves of Japanese attacks, including suicide squads disguised as civilians. Recruit Yang Peyao's unit endured bombardments, inflicting significant enemy losses before withdrawing at dusk.   #197 The First Battle of Changsha Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Major Luo Wenlang, battalion commander of the 3rd Battalion, 55th Regiment, 19th Division of the 28th Army, harbored a peculiar quirk: he couldn't sleep soundly without unwrapping his leg bindings, a small ritual that anchored him in the chaos of war. Since the war's eruption, such luxuries were rare, and unwrapping his bindings every night became an impossibility, leaving him to endure restless slumbers. Tonight, however, sleep eluded him entirely; he tossed and turned on his makeshift bed, his mind a whirlwind of unrest. Two days after the northern Hunan battle ignited like a powder keg, the 55th Regiment received urgent orders from Division Commander Tang Boyin to race to Wukou in Pingjiang County. Their path wound through Luo Wenlang's hometown of Fulinpu, a twist of fate that stirred conflicting emotions. Entering the village under the cover of night, the entire battalion encamped in the commander's modest family village, with battalion headquarters naturally established in his ancestral home.   Luo yearned to step across that familiar threshold but dreaded it, for his parents remained oblivious to a devastating truth. They slaughtered chickens and prepared meat, hosting the battalion staff with drinks and hospitality, after all, this was their son's unit gracing their home. Luo orchestrated door planks and straw for bedding, posted sentries, and deftly evaded his parents until they retired. Before dawn broke, he mustered the troops, ensured they were fed, and led them onward, slipping away like a shadow. By noon on the 22nd, they reached Wukou, only to receive fresh directives: rush to Yingtian to bolster the 95th Division against the enemy's audacious landings. The 3rd Battalion spearheaded the division's reinforcements, marching relentlessly through day and night, arriving at Dongtang, over 30 kilometers southeast of Yingtian—on the 23rd, hearts sinking upon learning Yingtian had already fallen into enemy clutches.   Luo Wenlang sought out the retreating 95th Division Commander Luo Qi to beg for a mission, his resolve unyielding. Luo Qi, anticipating his arrival, relayed Commander Guan Linzheng's ironclad instructions: The 19th Division's reinforcements would assume Dongtang's defenses. With the main force still en route, Luo Qi tasked Luo's battalion with relieving a segment held by a replacement regiment. He handed over a map, sketching a line with a pencil, a simple stroke that thrust Luo Wenlang and his men onto the front lines of fate. An operations staff was dispatched to guide them to the position and oversee the handover.   As the troops advanced, they encountered scattered soldiers fleeing like startled rabbits; seizing a platoon leader revealed they were indeed from the replacement regiment. Mere minutes from division HQ, the enemy was already closing in, a predator's breath hot on their necks. Luo Wenlang and Deputy Battalion Commander Wu Yacui split the battalion, launching a counterattack on Dongtang from dual routes. Fortune favored them; the Japanese held only an exhausted company, crumbling under a single, ferocious charge. They swiftly deployed two companies to the positions, reserving one as a bulwark. By dusk, the full 55th Regiment arrived, accompanied by the rest of the 19th Division's reinforcements, allowing the battered 95th Division, ravaged at Yingtian, to withdraw for desperate reorganization. The regimental commander positioned Luo's 3rd Battalion on the regiment's vulnerable left wing. In the blink of an eye, it was the 27th, aligning with the 15th of the eighth lunar month. Amid the relentless great battle, few noted the calendar, and the skies hung heavy with clouds. Luo Wenlang twisted on his straw bed, his thoughts a snarled knot of anxiety and memory.   At 11 p.m., gunfire shattered the night; a barrage of machine gun bullets riddled the battalion HQ house, raining thatch and dust upon Luo like fallout from a storm. Catastrophe had struck! Luo surged toward the positions with the bugler—his battalion signal chief—and the reserve force, ascending the hilltop in a frenzy. Halfway up, he spotted 8th Company's Lieutenant Platoon Leader Rong Fayu leading over 20 soldiers in retreat. Bellowing "Why unauthorized retreat?" while brandishing his pistol, he compelled Rong to rally and turn back. The Japanese had launched a nocturnal assault; 8th Company Commander Yi Zuitao lay slain by a fatal shot, over a dozen comrades felled in brutal close combat, the survivors scattered like leaves in the wind; the high ground now belonged to the enemy.   Upon learning of Dongtang's loss, the regimental commander personally led the regimental reserve, his face etched with urgency. Under flickering lantern light, poring over the map with Luo, Division Commander Tang Boyin telephoned, his voice a whipcrack of command: Recapture it before dawn, or both would face the merciless hand of military justice. After seizing the high ground, the enemy hesitated to press further; Luo surmised the darkness concealed paths, and their numbers were not overwhelming. Forgoing the regimental reserve, he led 7th Company's 4 squads and remnants of the routed 8th Company in a stealthy ascent. Near the position, a ravine concealed over 20 8th Company soldiers, rallied by Sergeant Squad Leader Tan Tianrong, who had lurked in wait for reinforcements, dreading exposure at dawn under the enemy's gaze.   Spotting the battalion commander personally spearheading the counterattack, Tan Tianrong's face lit with fierce joy; his men, armed with grenades, surged as the vanguard. Intimate with the terrain even in blindness, they hurled explosives into bunkers, trenches, and works. The commander orchestrated the charge; the Japanese force of 40-50 men crumbled, over half slain or maimed, the remnants fleeing northward to their village stronghold. It was past 4 a.m.; the moon pierced the clouds, bathing the earth in a silvery glow. With positions reclaimed, the night revealed its secret: tonight was Mid-Autumn. Moonlight unraveled the tangled threads of his past; Luo draped his clothes over his shoulders, sat beneath the luminous orb, and wept in solitary anguish.   Before the war, devastating news had arrived: his brother Luo Yinong had been killed in Jiangxi. Luo had three brothers; the eldest shouldered half the family's burdens, their bond unbreakable. The brother had enlisted first in the 50th Army, climbing to battalion commander through sheer valor. He and his younger brother had followed suit, inspired by that call to arms.   Wartime conscription demanded only one per family, but battling the devils was a duty for the nation and its people. His brother had risen to deputy regimental commander before his end. The 50th Army notified him first. Engulfed in battle, there had been no time to console his grieving parents or tend to the funeral; it weighed on his heart like an unyielding stone. His sister-in-law, diligent and unassuming, cared for a young boy and carried another child; the long, arduous days ahead loomed like an endless shadow. The night dew brought a biting chill, the moon an icy sentinel; Luo shivered uncontrollably, his tears mingling with the frost.   The sky hung heavy with overcast gloom, yet the moon lurked beyond the clouds, casting a faint, ethereal light that warded off utter darkness. Along the road, a unit's elongated black shadow snaked southward in hurried silence, a serpent of weary resolve pressing through the night. Qin Yizhi reined in his horse, pausing to gaze back: the queue stretched onward, silent and impeccably orderly, belying the exhaustion of a force scarred by days of ferocious combat, their spirits unbroken amid the shadows. After the Japanese seized the 195th Division's defiant outpost at Bijia Mountain, they surged across the Xin Qiang River in a merciless onslaught. The river, shallow enough to wade knee-deep, offered no true impediment; the real barrier was forged from the defenders' scorching blood, a crimson testament to their unyielding stand. The 195th Division clashed in a maelstrom of cruelty; positions were heaped with corpses time and again, the Xin Qiang's waters churning blood-red in relentless cycles of carnage. From the night of the 23rd to the dawn of the 25th, respite was a forgotten dream; Okamura Yasuji, in a gesture of grim respect, inscribed Qin's name in elegant calligraphy and hung it within his command tent, a haunting trophy of the foe's tenacity.   Following their triumphant landing at Yingtian, the Japanese entangled the Ninth War Zone's left-wing defenders in a protracted snare, their advances grinding slowly like a predator toying with prey, menacing the flanks of the frontal troops with insidious intent. On the evening of the 27th, Xue Yue issued the fateful order for the 15th Army Group to withdraw to the precarious ground between the Miluo River and Shangshan City, ushering this blood-soaked force into an all-night march toward the next defensive crucible. Late into the night, a brief halt was called. Soldiers slumped to the ground, adjusting leg wraps and gear with mechanical precision; logistics teams darted through the ranks, distributing rations like lifelines; cooks, having forged ahead, arrived with steaming pots of rice soup, infusing the air with a rare warmth. Though no clamor broke the hush, a quiet camaraderie enveloped the queue, a fleeting balm against the war's chill.   The division staff claimed a flat expanse beside a farmhouse yard for their respite. Qin settled onto a stone roller used for grinding grain, nibbling at his meager ration and sipping the hot soup that steamed in the cool air. Suddenly, moonlight pierced the clouds, cascading down in silvery streams; the familiar contours of the farmhouse stirred a flood of warmth in his heart, evoking memories of home.   Chongqing, Huangshan Villa. Every window was shrouded in double layers of thick curtains, sealing out any sliver of betraying light, as if the very walls conspired to guard secrets from the encroaching night. Tonight's ethereal protagonist rose languidly from the eastern valley, its orange-red moonlight casting an aura of drowsy reluctance, as though it had not fully shaken off the slumber of the day. The feeble glow dappled the building's roof, balcony, and the surrounding hillsides, intersections, and thickets, where armed shadows lurked, capturing every rustle in the oppressive silence. Only upon close inspection could one discern the faint specks of moonlight glinting off steel helmets. Yet, beyond those fortified walls, another realm pulsed with life, a vibrant contrast to the shadowed vigilance outside. The front hall, living room, and dining room blazed with brilliant light. Vibrant flowers, dominated by chrysanthemums in full, defiant bloom, infused the air with color and fragrance; a phonograph murmured a cheerful Guangdong melody, weaving an atmosphere thick with festive joy, a deliberate illusion amid the storm of war.   Chiang Kai-shek, clad in a flowing black silk gown, strode ahead with poised grace, escorting his guests into the dining room alongside the elegantly attired Soong May-ling, their conversation laced with laughter and warmth. At the table, Soong May-ling's smile was a beacon of diplomacy, as she artfully arranged the seating to suit hierarchies and alliances, while servers in crisp white uniforms moved with nimble precision. This was Chiang Kai-shek's intimate Mid-Autumn family banquet; beyond a handful of pivotal military and political figures, the gathering brimmed with relatives. Guests and kin alike noted Chiang's buoyant spirits tonight; his smiles were wide and genuine, his discourse light and expansive, delving into casual topics with uncharacteristic ease.   In September 1939, China's War of Resistance Against Japan had entered its grueling third year. After the initial cataclysm of turmoil and disarray, the government and military had clawed their way to stability, adapting to this unprecedented historical crucible, with operations finally aligning into a semblance of order. According to figures proclaimed by Minister of Military Affairs He Yingqin to Chinese and foreign reporters on the 13th of this month, Japanese invaders had seized 521 counties across 12 provinces, a vast swath of conquest. Yet, the Japanese imperialists had exacted this toll at a staggering cost. Just prior, on August 30, the Hirannuma Cabinet, installed a mere eight months earlier, had collapsed in mass resignation. Hirannuma Kiichiro's predecessor, Konoe Fumimaro, had similarly bowed out amid governmental failures, chiefly the unmet ambitions in the Sino-Japanese War that he had boldly promised to parliament, exacerbating domestic political and economic woes. Days ago, when Wang Pengsheng briefed Chiang on Japan's turbulent politics, he quipped: "Konoe said three months to destroy China; three months didn't work, nor three years, who knows about 30 or 300. Hirannuma had no solutions, down in eight months. Does Abe have good ideas? How long can he be prime minister?" Indeed, Abe Nobuyuki, Hirannuma's successor, would endure a mere four and a half months before resigning in ignominy. Tonight's feast showcased Chiang's favored cuisines: delicate Jiangsu-Zhejiang dishes mingled with robust Sichuan flavors. Chiang abstained from alcohol, raising his cup in mere symbolic toasts to his guests. During the meal, as if by unspoken accord, no one broached the raging domestic battles or the volatile international landscape; conversations meandered through trivialities, skirting anything heavy or discordant, a fragile bubble of normalcy.   On September 3, Britain and France had declared war on Germany, shattering the global order in a seismic shift. Foreign newspapers already bandied the term "Second World War," a phrase that evoked freshness, exhilaration, and sheer terror in equal measure. China's diplomacy surged with newfound vigor. In April, Ambassador to the US Wang Zhengting had negotiated a $20 million loan with American banks on China's behalf. In May, Stalin responded to Chiang's overtures, agreeing to exchange arms for Chinese tea, wool, raw hides, and more. A month later, the first consignment of light and heavy weapons—including artillery and heavy machine guns—arrived via clandestine routes through Xinjiang and Mongolia, bolstering the central army's frontlines. In August, Hu Shih, Wellington Koo, and Chien Tai represented the Nationalist Government at the 19th League of Nations Assembly, laying bare the Japanese imperialists' atrocities in China before the world and rallying global forces for peace to support China's defiant stand. Soon after, British and American civic groups ignited "China Week" campaigns, pressing their governments to aid the beleaguered nation. Waves of foreign volunteers streamed in from distant shores: doctors, journalists, ordnance engineers, even retired soldiers clamoring to join the fray on the frontlines.   "If we could pull America into this war..." Through Soong May-ling's subtle, persuasive influence, Chiang allowed himself to daydream of that prosperous, dynamic young powerhouse across the vast ocean. Thus, on this Mid-Autumn night, his talk turned to America, to his correspondence with President Roosevelt regarding the "tung oil loan." That saga had unfolded the previous October; T.V. Soong had jetted to America, securing a loan with China's tung oil, a commodity scarce in the US, as collateral. China had boldly requested $400 million; America countered with $25 million, a classic tale of "ask high, settle low." Yet, the funds were secured. One success paved the way for many. Soong May-ling had once confided to Chiang: "In mobilizing US aid for China's resistance, I'll make a difference." When Chiang responded with a smile, "Thank you, Madam," he could scarcely foresee how his beautiful wife's extraordinary prowess in fulfilling this solemn vow would astonish him, etching eternal glory for Chinese women worldwide and elevating Soong May-ling to the zenith of her life's achievements.   The most direct echo of the First Battle of Changsha's thunderous saga resides in the Ninth War Zone's meticulous report on the northern Hunan and southern Hubei operations, submitted to the Chongqing Military Committee and Chiang Kai-shek himself, a faded relic now entombed amid the vast ocean of Nationalist Government military and political archives in Nanjing's Second Historical Archives of China. This document, a painstaking compilation of combat dispatches from divisions, armies, and army groups, stands as a testament to valor and sacrifice. Tragically, time's relentless march and human folly have ravaged this priceless artifact, leaving only shards and whispers to conjure the heart-wrenching inferno of that bloody clash.   "October 24, Year 28. Urgent. To Chongqing. Chairman Chiang. Secret. Submitted by Commander Xue on orders." The rice paper has yellowed to a deep, somber hue, brittle and parched; a careless touch could reduce it to dust. Some pages lie fractured, their remnants affixed to white paper, forever unable to reclaim their original wholeness. Leafing through page by page unleashes a pungent miasma, a scorched, acrid, decayed blend that assaults the senses. Traces of fire and water mar the original rice paper sheets, with countless fragments glued haphazardly to white backings, their sequences lost to eternity.   "...The Xin Qiang River spanning from Lujiao to Leishi Mountain, defending a front of over 110 li..." "Enemy 13th and 33rd Divisions, parts of the Hata Detachment, naval units, and artillery, cavalry, engineers totaling..." "...Began attacking us first with artillery... fortifications completely destroyed, then infantry charged; relying on our officers and men all resolved to coexist with the homeland..." "...And launched balloons to direct artillery... our army braved the cannons... repelled them, corpses filling the river, turning the water red..." "Division casualties also reached over a thousand... failed to inflict greater strikes and annihilate... deep inner guilt, besides vigorously training troops awaiting orders to kill the enemy..." "...Attack casualties heavy, then concentrated large forces... artillery fire so dense like continuous firecrackers for hours... released poison gas, Wang Street garrison all heroically sacrificed, then breached... Zhao Gongwu kowtows, October 15"   Zhao Gongwu commanded the 2nd Division under Zhang Yaoming's 52nd Army. This unit first held the line along the Xin Qiang River, then fell back to northeast of Fengjiang Bridge to staunch the enemy tide once more; after October 6, it hammered southward-marching Japanese from the west in the Yanglin Street and Dajing Street regions. Through these crucibles, the division bled over half its strength. A fragment of an envelope clings to a sheet of white paper, its words faintly visible: "Changsha 126-3 Zhang Yaoming," "Hunan Jinjing Air Mail," "Combat Process by..." and the like. The stamp remains remarkably intact—a philatelic gem now. Measuring 1.5 cm square, it features Sun Yat-sen's portrait at its center, inscribed "Republic of China Post" below, with "5" in the upper right, "fen" to the left, and "5" in each lower corner. I sat at the long table in the spacious, brightly lit reading room, staring vacantly, my thoughts grinding to a halt. These remnants are all that endure for posterity, of that monumental battle, of the scorching blood and vanished lives of countless unnamed Chinese soldiers. With hands that once gripped a rifle, I gently caressed those pages from a bygone era; they were cold, devoid of any lingering breath.   As the full moon of the 15th of the eighth month dissolved into the golden-red blaze of sunrise, Qin Yizhi's 195th Division had already plunged into the rugged mountains and dense forests encircling Fulinpu. Per directives from 15th Army Group Commander Guan Linzheng, the 195th was to forge a new defensive bastion centered on Fulinpu, 40 to 70 kilometers from Changsha. Their mandate: stall the Japanese southward juggernaut, granting precious time for allied forces to muster and fortify around the city. Despite the grueling all-night march, morale soared undimmed. The advance chief of staff doled out positions to each regiment, and the troops dove into fortification labors with fervent zeal. The 195th Division's unyielding stand along the Xin Qiang River had already etched preliminary glory upon this unit in its baptism of fire. "Fame in one battle" echoed as a battle cry throughout the division, where collective honor intertwined with personal valor. Honor and triumph formed the bedrock for soldiers and armies alike. Yet, another fire fueled their resolve.   On September 23, amid the Japanese forcing the Xin Qiang River, Guan Linzheng's voice crackled over the phone to Qin Yizhi: "Facing you is the 6th Division." The 6th Division, a name that ignited fury in Chinese troops and civilians, forever linked to the demonic specter of Tani Hisao. Moments later, the whisper spread like wildfire through every trench: "The Japanese army that perpetrated the Nanjing Massacre is right in front." Agitation rippled through the ranks; some donned fresh uniforms and shoes from their packs, casting aside the worn; others flouted discipline to bid farewells to hometown comrades: "Today we fight to the death here; see you in the next life." "Tell my mother I died fighting the Nanjing Massacre enemies."   Some company commanders commanded their mess sergeants to expend all funds on hearty feasts. All Japanese were foes, but the 6th Division embodied a blood debt, an unforgivable vendetta; the Chinese nation does not lightly forget its tormentors. In the Xin Qiang River maelstrom, the 195th Division battled with heroic ferocity. Some soldiers, in their final breaths, murmured: "Die then; it's worth it." Others lamented slaying too few devils, gritting teeth, eyes refusing to close in eternal regret. Now under Inaba Shiro's command, the 6th Division splintered southward after breaching the Xin Qiang; roughly a thousand hounded the 195th to Fulinpu. On the morning of September 29, the Japanese blundered into the 195th's meticulously laid ambush. Qin Yizhi, pulse racing with excitement and tension, fumbled the binoculars from his guard's hand. His command sliced the air: "Begin." War history chronicles: "The 6th Division advanced south from the Miluo River along the Xinshi-Liqiao road and Xinshi-Fulinpu routes. The over a thousand reaching Fulinpu were ambushed by the Nationalist 195th Division, suffering heavy losses." As Japanese artillery and aircraft unleashed hell upon the 195th's positions, Qin orchestrated a swift southward withdrawal to the environs of Shangshan City. Again, without pause, they erected fortifications and set deadly traps.   On the morning of September 30, the pursuers from Fulinpu closed in on Shangshan, their numbers swollen to over 1,500. Qin Yizhi clenched his jaw, his demeanor icy calm, allowing the Japanese to creep into the kill zone before barking: "Hit them hard!" Combat raged from dawn to dusk, obliterating over 700 foes. Qin ascended a hill, surveying through binoculars, then erupted: "Bad! The enemy is retreating." Upon receiving Qin's telegram, Guan Linzheng scrutinized the map, momentarily stunned, then replied: "Enemy shows no retreat signs yet; proceed per original plan. Your unit to block at Shangshan City line until October 2." Xianning, Okamura Yasuji's 11th Army HQ.   Combat maps bristled with markings, staff officers darting amid ringing phones and clattering telegrams. The colossal red arrow in northern Hunan had fractured into tributaries, surging over 100 km southward from the outset; one tendril pierced to Yong'an City, a mere 30 km from Changsha. Vast swaths of northern Hunan lay conquered, yet Okamura sensed the tide turning, it was time to retreat. The Chinese employed their time-honored gradual resistance, battling while retreating with cunning grace. Some units fell back directly, others amassed on flanks—what portent did that hold? In Okamura's shrewd mind loomed an equally shrewd Xue Yue; he envisioned his adversary methodically weaving a snare.   Post-Yingtian landing, the 15th Army Group's timely evasion had unraveled his "Xiang-Gan Operation Plan" like fragile thread. If encircling and annihilating the Chinese main force proved unattainable, what purpose in pressing onward? Telegrams from 3rd Division's Fujita Susumu, 6th's Inaba Shiro, and 13th's Tanaka Seiichi piled on his desk, pleading to assault Changsha—for headlines and Imperial accolades, perhaps, but blind to their exposed supply lines vulnerable to enemy thrusts? Ground logistics teetered on collapse; the air force resorted to airdrops for isolated regiments. Venturing further south would stretch lines to breaking; a severed artery spelled doom for the vanguard. When would these commanders mature into true stewards of the Imperial Army? Okamura fretted and pitied them in equal measure.   At 4 p.m. on September 30, Okamura decreed a halt to advances at Shangshan and Yong'an. He commenced orchestrating the retreat. Changsha, Yuelu Mountain, Ninth War Zone Command Forward HQ. October 1. Xue Yue stood before the map, Guan's latest telegram clutched in hand. Qin's second missive insisted on Japanese withdrawal, corroborated by 15th Army Group scouts from Yingtian: This morning (October 1), Japanese transports unloaded artillery stowed the previous night, hauling it back to Yueyang; intercepted wires revealed a regiment aborting its southward push, standing idle. Guan assessed the mosaic and commanded counteroffensives: intercept if feasible, pursue relentlessly, deny the Japanese escape; he relayed retreat indicators to Xue. Xue paced the chamber, head bowed in contemplation. Chief of Staff Wu Yizhi, Staff Director Zhao Zili, and their cadre tracked his every step with expectant eyes, awaiting the verdict. Xue's thoughts whirled through military stratagems and beyond.   Pre-war, Xue had segmented the war zone's forces into tripartite blocs: Northern Hunan under Guan Linzheng's 15th, Yang Sen's 27th, and Shang Zhen's 20th Army Groups as "A Cluster"; Northern Jiangxi Nanchang with Yunnan Army Lu Han's 1st Army Group and the 74th Army as "B Cluster"; the Wuning, Xiushui, Hunan-Hubei-Jiangxi border guarded by Sichuan Army Wang Lingji's 30th Army Corps, Fan Songpu's Border Advance Army, and 8th Army; augmented by 3 armies' 7 divisions in general reserve. Before the storm broke, Xue pored over maps, tracing every mountain, river, road, and bridge, envisioning burial grounds for the invaders.   Now, beneath Changsha, 200,000 troops formed a tightening net. The "decisive battle in Changsha suburbs" blueprint had been wired to Chongqing. Chiang and the nation yearned for a resounding triumph as the resistance pivoted into a new epoch?! A masterful drama, honed over half a month's toil, neared its crescendo; yet that cunning fox appeared to sniff the trap's metallic tang, freezing in place. "Commander, phone from Minister Chen." "Brother Boling, good news." Chen Cheng's voice brimmed with levity, "Your formal appointment published. What? Ninth War Zone Commander! First to congratulate; document tomorrow." Shedding the "acting" prefix was inevitable; Chiang had intimated as much long ago. But for a man and general, true worth lay not in titles, but in forging indelible feats. Splendor was judged not by underlings, colleagues, or superiors, but by peers in the craft of war.   Unmoved by the promotion, Xue exhaled a profound sigh. Though the 15th's intelligence couldn't confirm a wholesale retreat, preparations for dual contingencies were imperative. Victories came hard; a splendid battle, harder still. He summoned Wu Yizhi and Zhao Zili to devise countermeasures for the enemy's potential flight. October 2, Sichuan Army Yang Sen's 27th Army Group, Yang Gancai's 134th Division special service company, under Company Commander Wan Mingyu, slogged through the profound mountains and forests on the northern Mufu Mountains' flanks. The 134th's covert mandate: infiltrate enemy rear via treacherous terrain, sabotage supply arteries in the Chongyang-Xianning sector, and deliver a dagger to the Japanese spine when opportunity struck, bolstering frontal defenses.   Past 3 p.m., a crystalline mountain stream materialized. Wan decreed a respite. Over 100 soldiers, drained from a half-day's ascent, collapsed like puppets with severed strings. Most propped their torsos with rifles in one hand, fanning hats to ward off the relentless forest mosquitoes with the other. Regaining breath, they devoured rations washed down with stream water. Some unfurled towels and ventured downstream, letting the cool flow rinse away layers of sweat. Then, a muted engine drone encroached from the heavens. Wan peered through the foliage: a low-flying plane vectored southward, its wings emblazoned with the Rising Sun.   A transport; Wan recognized the temporary Japanese airfield near Xianning. With lines overextended, airdrops sustained isolated units. Wan was prying open a can with his bayonet, the tip etching a cross on the lid before levering along the edge; paired with a rice ball, it promised a savory repast. His orderly proffered a cup of fresh stream water; 2nd Platoon Leader Hu Yaozong perched nearby on a rock, smirking, poised to pilfer from the opened tin. Wan warded off this Sichuan Pixian compatriot. The plane droned overhead then.   Both glanced skyward; the platoon quipped: "Open quick, damn, I'll repay two cans later." Commander: "Want cans? Sky has; shoot plane down, enough for two lifetimes, bloat your mother-in-law first." The can hailed from a prior supply raid. Platoon: "You want me to shoot the plane?" Commander: "Bastard! You shooting or not?" The platoon snatched the light machine gun from a tree fork, jamming the butt against his belly, one hand on the grip, aiming crudely: "Come down, you turtle son!" The other hand squeezed the trigger. Wan assumed jest, resuming his task. "Da-da-da..." Wan jolted; the half-opened can tumbled to his feet, spilling Japanese fish onto Chinese soil. Recoil floored the platoon; he hurled the gun like a branding iron, face ashen. Inspecting the trigger, he snarled: "Whose damn fault, why no safety?!" The gunner dashed over; tall and even-tempered: "Safety was on; how'd it fire without pulling?" Wan's initial panic: "Damn! Position exposed."   The company spearheaded the division's reinforced regiment to raze a recent Japanese depot, guarded by a mere company—but exposure doomed the regiment deep in hostile territory. The assault had been plotted for days; pre-departure, Yang Gancai had toasted them. Wan had sworn a blood oath: No return to Sichuan without success. Hu had jested then: "No Sichuan return means wanting Hunan girl as concubine." Banter was fine in peace, but in war's grip, this was no trifling errand. Wan unleashed a torrent of curses, rising to survey the environs. The main force lagged 15 km behind; advance or abort post-blunder? Enemy rear was a labyrinth; this isolated band teetered on a razor's edge. As if to compel a choice, the radio operator approached; Wan itched to lash out. In his fury and indecision, a miracle unfolded.   The transport's engines hacked like a consumptive invalid, then a witness spied the plane banking left, plummeting, its nose inexorably toward a colossal rock 3-4 km distant. It rebounded twice on the stone, nose and left wing crumpling; the fuselage, fragile as parchment, tumbled gently, skewing onto the slope amid splintered trees. Wan gaped, then bellowed: "Assemble!" The men snapped from reverie, charging downhill in a frenzied cascade. One hour later, 134th Deputy Commander and Reinforced Regiment Commander Liu decoded Wan's vanguard transmission via radio. Another hour passed before Liu received Yang Gancai's directive: Abort Mountain Leopard operation; return with documents expeditiously. One day hence, October 3, Okamura Yasuji's original retreat order from October 2 dawn, addressed to northern Hunan's 6th, 33rd Divisions, Nara and Uemura Detachments, plus its Chinese translation, landed on Xue Yue's desk.   Fifteen days later, at the Changsha Victory Celebration, unit accolades were proclaimed; for "shooting down enemy plane, obtaining vital enemy documents," meritorious honors went to 134th Commander Yang Gancai and Deputy Liu. Each received 1000 yuan and one 3rd Class Baoding Medal. Okamura's October 2 order original: Chinese forces retreated to Miluo and Xiushui Rivers banks assembling; to avoid disadvantage, this army should quickly withdraw to original positions, restore combat strength.   Withdrawal plan as follows: … Xue's October 3 order original:   "Northern Hunan frontal units with current posture immediately pursue facing enemy fiercely, must capture in Chongyang-Yueyang south area. ... Pursuit units may detach part to monitor and sweep enemy collection troops; main force execute overtaking pursuit... Already deep behind enemy advance units vigorously destroy enemy transport lines, cut escape routes."   From October 3, Chinese forces unleashed ferocious counteroffensives against the Japanese on three fronts: northern Hunan, southern Hubei, and the Hunan-Hubei-Jiangxi border; the invaders receded like a vanishing tide, never to reclaim their ground. The 25th and 195th Divisions hounded the 6th Division and Nara Detachment from Fulinpu back to the Miluo River, then to the Xin Qiang River. On October 8, the Japanese fled across the Xin Qiang; the 195th's 566th Brigade surged in pursuit, launching a nocturnal raid on Xitang-Jianshan. Gains were modest, but the enemy, entrenched in their den, resisted with feral tenacity. Qin commanded the brigade's withdrawal southward; northern Hunan operations concluded.   In southern Hubei, the 79th Army chased remnants of the 33rd Division from Sanyan Bridge to Pingjiang, across Nanjiang Bridge, hounding them back to their Tongcheng lair. On the Hunan-Hubei-Jiangxi border, 30th Army Group Commander Wang Lingji orchestrated a pincer against Japanese at Xiushui. The foes retreated to Sandu, mounting a stubborn defense. Chinese assaults faltered for three days; on the fourth night's blitz, victory crowned their efforts, expelling the invaders to their original Wuning stronghold. With both armies reclaiming pre-war lines, the First Battle of Changsha drew to its resounding close.   Over days, Xue Yue received a deluge of congratulatory telegrams and letters from the Nationalist Government, Military Committee, National Assembly, myriad civic groups, party officials, and social luminaries. As hoped, among them was Chiang Kai-shek's effusive missive, brimming with joy. For Xue Yue, this one sufficed. Chiang Kai-shek's telegram to Xue Yue:   "In this northern Hunan campaign, over half the enemy was annihilated. The triumphant news has invigorated the nation, all due to effective command and soldiers' valor; I commend without reservation. Thoroughly investigate and report meritorious personnel from this battle; also report the dead and wounded for awards and relief. With this initial victory foundation laid, our officers and men's responsibilities grow heavier; urge your subordinates to extra vigilance, redoubled effort, avoiding arrogance or complacency, to amass great achievements, my deepest hopes."   As if countering Chongqing's high-powered broadcasts, Japanese radios in Wuhan, Nanjing, Beiping, and Manchukuo blared at full volume: "In this Xiang-Gan operation, valiant Imperial forces penetrated over 100 km into northern Hunan, sweeping anti-peace elements, routing Chinese central main forces, inflicting over 40,000 enemy casualties, a pivotal triumph advancing the holy war. Having achieved objectives, Imperial troops have victoriously withdrawn..."   In the aftermath of the First Battle of Changsha, the Japanese high command spun a tale of calculated restraint, insisting their assault was merely a spoiling raid, a calculated jab never intended to seize and hold the city indefinitely. With brazen confidence, they downplayed their toll, claiming a mere 850 souls lost to death and 2,700 wounded in the fray, while boastfully asserting they had slain 44,000 Chinese defenders and taken 4,000 captive, painting a picture of overwhelming triumph amid the smoke and ruin. Yet, foreign military observers, peering through the fog of propaganda with detached scrutiny, painted a starkly different canvas. They gauged Chinese losses at a far more tempered 20,000 killed and wounded, a heavy but bearable scar on the nation's resolve, while estimating Japanese casualties soared to around 30,000, a grievous hemorrhage that belied the invaders' claims of minimal sacrifice. Military historian Michael Clodfelter, sifting through the annals of conflict, ventured an even grimmer tally: a staggering 50,000 Japanese casualties endured in the relentless clash, a testament to the ferocity of Chinese resistance and the high price of imperial ambition. In the battle's locale, neither side claimed clear victory, but globally for the resistance, it favored China. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. The First Battle of Changsha unfolded in September 1939 during China's War of Resistance Against Japan. Japanese forces under Okamura Yasuji advanced into Hunan and Jiangxi, crossing rivers and capturing key positions like Yingtian amid fierce Chinese defenses led by Xue Yue.