Podcasts about Invictus

Get AudioBooks for Free Best Self-improvement Motivation Invictus: Best Morning Motivational Speeches Start your morning with strength and determination through powerful motivational speeches focused on resilience, courage, discipline, and success! ⁠We Need Your Love & Support ❤️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 3 Audiobooks Free -

Adrian Chiles presents Radio 4's Saturday morning show. Our wonderful guests today include JJ Chalmers, who has been a design-technology teacher, Royal Marine and Invictus games medallist. He is now a regular presenter on Television and Radio. We also have with us a legend of the food and restaurant world, Ruth Rogers. And a couple of podcasting Dads - Matthew Carter and Lawrence Price - who've got fellow fathers to come together and share their feelings by offering classes in braiding girls' hair.Plus the Inheritance Tracks of the actor Jason Watkins. Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies Assistant Producer: Ribika Moktan and Lowri Morgan Researcher: Jesse Edwards Editor: Andrea Kennedy

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode, Keepers Bridgett and Evan welcome back Perry Clark to continue our discussion on Madness in Culture and Era! Let’s discuss why this topic matters and dive into Invictus, Dark Ages, Regency, Gaslight, and 1920’s Classic! Patreon Plug & Update Dear listeners! We have patreon.Our Patreons literally keep the lights on and make this show possible. So if you love this content, and you want to keep it alive, we ask that you visit patreon.com/MUP and subscribe to be a backer.  And if financial support isn't in the cards right now, you can spread the good word of MUP in your communities by sharing a link and heaping glowing praise upon us where others can see. And furthermore, you can hang out with us on Discord! The Discord Plug Our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D  And thank you to our editor GENE for editing this episode.  Main Topic Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Main Topic! As mentioned in the intro, tonight we've gathered to discuss Madness in Culture and Era! How did this topic originate? What does it mean? Let's unpack! Questions:  Why does this topic matter? Why do we care? Each setting/culture has its own: Relationship to the supernatural/religion Relationship to violence Understanding of mental health Ways of treating and dealing with trauma (or not) Invictus https://www.chaosium.com/invictus/ https://goldengoblinpress.com/ Dark Ages https://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu-dark-ages-3rd-edition-hardcover Highlights from sourcebook: Humors table; no diagnosed conditions; religious healing (monasteries, pilgrimage, relics) Regency https://www.chaosium.com/regency-cthulhu-pdf/ Highlights from sourcebook: Mesmerism & Reassure; Reputation Gaslight https://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu-by-gaslight-keepers-guide-pdf Highlights from sourcebook: Alienist occupation; Mental health, asylums, Bedlam; insanity as a legal defense https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susto https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture-bound_syndrome  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanganyika_laughter_epidemic  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_mania 1920s (Classic) https://www.chaosium.com/call-of-cthulhu-keeper-rulebook-pdf/ Sources Cited:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lJ_QxYrGrTzTkAr_Gb1O-P9sDzfze1MtufSepHM8PkE/edit?usp=sharing Homeworkd Dear listener, tell us something new that you learned from this episode, or some inspiration that you've gathered to launch your own research into the topic! 

This episode, Keepers Bridgett and Evan welcome back Perry Clark to continue our discussion on Madness in Culture and Era! Let’s discuss why this topic matters and dive into Invictus, Dark Ages, Regency, Gaslight, and 1920’s Classic! Patreon Plug & Update Dear listeners! We have patreon.Our Patreons literally keep the lights on and make this show possible. So if you love this content, and you want to keep it alive, we ask that you visit patreon.com/MUP and subscribe to be a backer.  And if financial support isn't in the cards right now, you can spread the good word of MUP in your communities by sharing a link and heaping glowing praise upon us where others can see. And furthermore, you can hang out with us on Discord! The Discord Plug Our MUP Discord and we are all there! We invite all of our listeners to come and enjoy the community of horror gaming and cute pet pics. Link in the show notes: MU Discord server invite link: https://discord.gg/vNjEv9D  And thank you to our editor GENE for editing this episode.  Main Topic Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Main Topic! As mentioned in the intro, tonight we've gathered to discuss Madness in Culture and Era! How did this topic originate? What does it mean? Let's unpack! Questions:  Why does this topic matter? Why do we care? Each setting/culture has its own: Relationship to the supernatural/religion Relationship to violence Understanding of mental health Ways of treating and dealing with trauma (or not) Invictus https://www.chaosium.com/invictus/ https://goldengoblinpress.com/ Dark Ages https://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu-dark-ages-3rd-edition-hardcover Highlights from sourcebook: Humors table; no diagnosed conditions; religious healing (monasteries, pilgrimage, relics) Regency https://www.chaosium.com/regency-cthulhu-pdf/ Highlights from sourcebook: Mesmerism & Reassure; Reputation Gaslight https://www.chaosium.com/cthulhu-by-gaslight-keepers-guide-pdf Highlights from sourcebook: Alienist occupation; Mental health, asylums, Bedlam; insanity as a legal defense https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susto https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture-bound_syndrome  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanganyika_laughter_epidemic  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_mania 1920s (Classic) https://www.chaosium.com/call-of-cthulhu-keeper-rulebook-pdf/ Sources Cited:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lJ_QxYrGrTzTkAr_Gb1O-P9sDzfze1MtufSepHM8PkE/edit?usp=sharing Homeworkd Dear listener, tell us something new that you learned from this episode, or some inspiration that you've gathered to launch your own research into the topic! 

A new week means new questions! Hope you have fun with these!Nine Goblins, Swordheart, and Nettle and Bone are all books by Ursula Vernon who is better known by what pen name?Also known as the ñandú, which distant relative of the ostrich is South America's largest flightless bird?Which children's game has players tapping plastic cubes with hammers while not letting a figurine fall through the board?On what long running sci-fi show did the phrase "resistance is futile" originate?Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe are members of which pop duo?Rene Magritte's The Treachery of Images features what item (or does it)?In modern Olympic rugby, what is the total number of players on the field at one time, and how long is a full match excluding halftime?In a male flower, the anther which produces the pollen, is located on the top part of what?Which 2 bodily functions, one that you do about 20,000 to 22,000 a day and one that you do about 200-1000 times a day, can a human not do at the same time?What Czech runner is the only one to win the 5000m, 10,000m and a marathon in a single Olympics?From the wild version of which vegetable are Brussels Sprouts, Kale, and Broccoli developed?In the film Invictus, Matt Damon plays the captain of a rugby union team from what country?How many marines were depicted in the flag raising at the Iwo Jima War Memorial?George Reeves, Dean Cain, and Tom Welling all played which character and his alter ego on Television?The Big Dipper is part of which constellation? We'll accept the Latin name or animalIn which part of the body would you find the Hyoid Bone?MusicHot Swing, Fast Talkin, Bass Walker, Dances and Dames, Ambush by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Don't forget to follow us on social media:Patreon – patreon.com/quizbang – Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Check out our fun extras for patrons and help us keep this podcast going. We appreciate any level of support!Website – quizbangpod.com Check out our website, it will have all the links for social media that you need and while you're there, why not go to the contact us page and submit a question!Facebook – @quizbangpodcast – we post episode links and silly lego pictures to go with our trivia questions. Enjoy the silly picture and give your best guess, we will respond to your answer the next day to give everyone a chance to guess.Instagram – Quiz Quiz Bang Bang (quizquizbangbang), we post silly lego pictures to go with our trivia questions. Enjoy the silly picture and give your best guess, we will respond to your answer the next day to give everyone a chance to guess.Twitter – @quizbangpod We want to start a fun community for our fellow trivia lovers. If you hear/think of a fun or challenging trivia question, post it to our twitter feed and we will repost it so everyone can take a stab it. Come for the trivia – stay for the trivia.Ko-Fi – ko-fi.com/quizbangpod – Keep that sweet caffeine running through our body with a Ko-Fi, power us through a late night of fact checking and editing!Quiz, trivia, games, pub+trivia, pub+quiz, competition, education, comedy

À propos de Jams Of The YearCréé par Raphael Melki et Belkacem Meziane, Jams Of The Year est un podcast dédié aux amateurs de musique funk, soul, rap et r&b. Chaque épisode met en lumière une année spécifique, avec une sélection soignée de 12 morceaux emblématiques qui illustrent l'évolution des genres.Janvier – David Ruffin : My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)Premier coup d'éclat en solo pour l'ex-chanteur des Temptations. Produit par Harvey Fuqua et Johnny Bristol, ce titre devient son plus grand succès des années 60.Février – Booker T & The MG's : Time Is TightIssu de la B.O. du film Uptight, ce chef-d'œuvre instrumental s'inscrit dans le climat social brûlant de l'après-Martin Luther King. Son groove imparable servira plus tard d'introduction culte aux concerts des Blues Brothers.Mars – Dyke & The Blazers : We Got More SoulVéritable soldat de la genèse du funk, Arlester "Dyke" Christian clame ici la fierté noire. Accompagné par les futurs musiciens d'Earth, Wind & Fire, il systématise l'usage du mot "funky" et pose les bases des breakbeats chers au hip-hop.Avril – Jr. Walker & The All Stars : What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)Le saxophoniste au son rauque signe ici un n°1 R&B mémorable. Soutenu par les Funk Brothers de Motown, ce titre démontre la puissance mélodique d'un artiste capable de faire chanter son instrument comme personne.Mai – Clarence Reid : Nobody But You BabeAvant de devenir l'extravagant Blowfly, Reid livre un joyau de la soul de Miami. Très inspiré par le groove des Isley Brothers, le morceau bénéficie de l'appui magistral des Memphis Horns.Juin – Lou Rawls : Your Good Thing (Is About To End)Ami d'enfance de Sam Cooke, Rawls réinterprète cette composition d'Isaac Hayes et David Porter. Sa voix de baryton exceptionnelle transforme ce titre en un succès majeur, annonçant sa future stature de star de la Philadelphia Soul.Juillet – Isaac Hayes : Walk On BySur l'album révolutionnaire Hot Buttered Soul, Hayes réinvente totalement le standard de Dionne Warwick. Accompagné par les Bar-Kays, il crée une fresque orchestrale devenue l'une des sources de samples les plus utilisées de l'histoire du hip-hop.Août – The Glass House : Crumbs Off The TableLancé sur Invictus, le label des transfuges de Motown (HDH), ce quatuor de Détroit brille par une production nerveuse. Le titre est co-écrit par Ron Dunbar.Septembre – The Honey Cone : Girls It Ain't EasyCe trio vocal, incluant la sœur de Darlene Love, est la réponse de Hot Wax aux Supremes. Leur harmonie parfaite et leur sens du tube les mèneront rapidement au sommet des charts mondiaux.Octobre – Donny Hathaway : The GhettoPremier single de l'immense Donny Hathaway, ce titre quasi instrumental devient un hymne intemporel de la soul urbaine. Novembre – The Meters : Look-A-Py PyLes rois du funk de La Nouvelle Orléans livrent un second album produit par Allen Toussaint. Avec un jeu de batterie syncope signé Zigaboo Modeliste, le groupe définit ici l'essence même du groove minimaliste et efficace.Décembre – B.B. King : The Thrill Is GoneLe "King of the Blues" accède à une renommée internationale grâce à ce blues mineur agrémenté de cordes. Ce succès magistral lui vaudra un Grammy et restera sa signature absolue auprès du grand public.Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Geeky and Sigard are back to talk about Invictus...or should we say DefenseCon, 4.8, and much more!Parlee House: https://discord.gg/parleehouse Star Seekers Intergalactic Org Page: https://robertsspaceindustries.com/orgs/SSINT Friends of the Show:Open Comms Radio: https://bit.ly/OpenCommsRadioOearth's Youtube: https://bit.ly/3oxm7hN Snorkel's (O_OJ) Youtube: https://bit.ly/O_OJ UndeadParrot's Youtube: https://bit.ly/UndeadParrot Music for this podcast was provided by Cody Vidal AKA AdmiralCody (https://codyvidal.bandcamp.com/) and Kayla Gutierrez (Kalibri) kaylagutierrez.bandcamp.com Starjump Fleetviewer: https://hangar.link/ Where to find us: Email: citizencastsc@gmail.com Text: 646-783-8154 Twitter: @citizencastsc Show Page: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/citizencastsc Discord: https://discord.gg/pdJyTVJ6mp YouTube: https://bit.ly/3hAnGqH Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/chekov425 In Game: waytoogeeky, chekov42, Sigard-Olufson

He’s picked a fight with Donald Trump, embarked on an unsanctioned royal tour, and undermined one of his late grandmother’s last wishes. So what is Prince Harry playing at - and what will the Royals do about it? Today, we unpack the inner workings of Sussex, Inc with Associate Editor Jenna Clarke Read more about this story at theaustralian.com.au and see the video by subscribing to our YouTube channel. Harry angers Trump days before Charles visits the US ‘Always complain, never explain’: Meghan Markle’s new AI business shows her true colours Commentary: Harry and Meghan down under put Hyacinth Bucket to shame This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meghan Markle's Sydney wellness retreat appearance draws fresh scrutiny after a brief but high-profile stop at the so-called “Megstock,” complete with VIP photos, heavy security, and a rather Australian shoey incident as she and Prince Harry departed. We also look at the couple's Bondi Beach crowds, their meetings with survivors and first responders, the growing criticism that parts of the tour feel staged, and the latest sharp media commentary from Britain and Australia. Plus, a café's cheeky AI royal photo causes confusion, and an Invictus family encounter brings one of the lighter moments of the trip.Get episodes of Palace Intrigue by becommming a paid subscriber on Apple Podcasts. Click the button that says uninterrupted listening.  Just $5 a month, and that includes many ofther shows on the Caloroga Shark network.A new season of King William is available now.Our royal newsletter written by Deep Crown is available for free.Royal Books:Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors by Tom BowerWilliam and Catherine: The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside StoryThe Royal Insider: My Life with the Queen, the King and Princess Diana

The P.O.E.T.S. touch down and begin their infiltration. But when they encounter the perplexed locals, will all appear as it may seem?Featuring:Dusty (⁠⁠⁠@dustehill⁠⁠⁠) as the Game MasterAkino (⁠⁠⁠@akinomiiart⁠⁠⁠) as TechnomancerAmelia (⁠⁠⁠@amelia-g-music⁠⁠⁠) as CanaryAubrey (⁠⁠⁠@aubreyvakarian⁠⁠⁠) as TeliavelisReed (⁠⁠⁠@reedplays⁠⁠⁠) as Golden Boyand special guest Logan (⁠⁠⁠@holloworange⁠⁠⁠) as Indigo-12! Please check out more of his work on the ⁠⁠⁠Bloom&Blight⁠⁠⁠ podcast!Lancer is created by Tom Parkinson Morgan (author of Kill Six Billion Demons) and Miguel Lopez of Massif Press. Bring Your Own Mech is not an official Lancer product; it is a third party work, and is not affiliated with Massif Press. Bring Your Own Mech is published via the Lancer Third Party License. Lancer is copyright Massif Press. Support the official release at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://massif-press.itch.io⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/bringyourownmech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get the official season 1 album, Bring Your Own Mixtape vol. 1! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ownmech.bandcamp.com/album/bring-your-own-mixtape-vol-1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DRC CUSTOM OUTFITTERS Download: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ownmech.itch.io/drc-custom-outfitters-a-lancer-supplement⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pilot NET Discord Server: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/p3p8FUm9b4⁠

Geeky and Sigard have returned to talk about how they like 4.7, 4.8, Invictus, and more!Parlee House: https://discord.gg/parleehouse Star Seekers Intergalactic Org Page: https://robertsspaceindustries.com/orgs/SSINT Friends of the Show:Oearth's Youtube: https://bit.ly/3oxm7hN Snorkel's (O_OJ) Youtube: https://bit.ly/O_OJ UndeadParrot's Youtube: https://bit.ly/UndeadParrot Music for this podcast was provided by Cody Vidal AKA AdmiralCody (https://codyvidal.bandcamp.com/) and Kayla Gutierrez (Kalibri) kaylagutierrez.bandcamp.com Starjump Fleetviewer: https://hangar.link/ Where to find us: Email: citizencastsc@gmail.com Text: 646-783-8154 Twitter: @citizencastsc Show Page: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/citizencastsc Discord: https://discord.gg/pdJyTVJ6mp YouTube: https://bit.ly/3hAnGqH Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/chekov425 In Game: waytoogeeky, chekov42, Sigard-Olufson

Programa Nº 125 de "Voces del Misterio", vigésimo primero de la Temporada 2009/2010. “Efemérides (5 de Febrero), VI Semana del Misterio de Sevilla, Aviones en la Antiguedad, Invictus, Carta sonora 'la historia del fantasma Phillips', El sonido del Universo, Libro 'Extrañas historias de un periodista', Nikola Tesla”. Comenzaremos el programa con nuestras habituales efemérides del día de hoy, 5 de Febrero de 2010. Alberto Luis Fernández y Jesús García entrevistarán a José Manuel Garcia Bautista sobre la VI Semana del Misterio que se celebrará en Sevilla del 6 al 14 de Febrero de 2010. Nuestros OOPARTs (Objetos Imposibles) nos llevarán a conocer los "Aviones en la Antiguedad". Jorge Medina en su "Rincón de la Historia" nos hablará de "Invictus". Jesús Callejo en su "Carta Sonora" nos lleva a conocer la historia del fantasma Phillips. Nuestro "Informativo del Misterio" pondrá fin a la primera hora de programa e iniciará la segunda. En la "Zona de Misterios" escucharemos el sonido del Universo vía NASA. Nuestra recomendación bibliográfica se centrará en la obra "Extrañas historias de un periodista" de José María Armengou y para finalizar, en "La Aldea Irreductible" Javier Peláez nos lleva a conocer a Nikola Tesla, un genio y revolucionario inventor de su época. Un programa dirigido por José Manuel García Bautista y Jordi Fernández. Audio perteneciente a la primera etapa, en Radio Betis. Fecha de emisión: 05/02/2010 RECORDAROS que este PODCAST NO es el OFICIAL del programa “Voces del Misterio”. Para comentarios sobre los temas tratados o las opiniones de los colaboradores, podeís contactar directamente con el programa a través de su web (https://www.vocesdelmisterio.com) o el correo electrónico: "vocesdelmisterio@gmail.com". PARANORMALIA: https://paranormaliaweb.github.io/ (WEB), https://www.facebook.com/paranormaliaweb/ (Facebook) y https://x.com/paranormaliaweb (X).

A domestic abuser who threatened to kill the mother of three of his children and burn her family's house down has been jailed. But the father of Martin Creed's victim says “justice has not been served”, after he admitted abusing his partner of eight years in a caravan on Sheppey.  Also in today's podcast, a man has appeared in court after being accused of murdering his mother at their home near Dover.  The 64-year-old victim was attacked at a home in Khartoum Square on Sunday.  A mum who moved to a garden city for a “blissful green escape” says it's become a “living hell” thanks to ongoing construction. Within weeks of moving in to the property at Ebbsfleet Garden City last August with her son she'd realised she'd moved into a working building site.  A team of veterans have arrived in Kent as they attempt to sail around the UK. They're using two wooden tall ships which are traditionally rigged and will be docked at Ramsgate for the next few days. And in cricket, Adam Hollioake insists he's a better coach for his first season in charge of Kent.  He's been speaking as they look to get their new County Championship campaign underway against Durham this Easter long weekend.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New claims suggest Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may see the 2027 Invictus Games as a potential path back toward royal life, but insiders say any reconciliation remains unlikely. Tensions with Queen Camilla resurface amid fresh allegations tied to Tom Bower's book, while debate grows over Harry's long-term role with Invictus. Experts weigh in on Meghan's brand challenges, and a lively television exchange highlights the ongoing divide in public opinion.Get episodes of Palace Intrigue by becommming a paid subscriber on Apple Podcasts. Click the button that says uninterrupted listening.  Just $5 a month, and that includes many ofther shows on the Caloroga Shark network.Our royal newsletter written by Deep Crown is available for free.Royal Books:Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors by Tom BowerWilliam and Catherine: The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside StoryThe Royal Insider: My Life with the Queen, the King and Princess Diana

What were the hidden details you might have missed from the royals' Nigerian state banquet? The Talking Royals team delve into what really happens when the King plays host at Windsor Castle.From Princess Kate's stunning banquet gown, to the King holding hands with the Nigerian President, plus everything that the guests ate and drank.And what did TikTok icon 'Bus Aunty' say to the monarch, when she met him at a special royal reception? Bemi Orojuogun joins us in the studio to tell us what it meant to her to meet the King.Plus: What did Harry and Meghan have to say about the royal author who criticised the Invictus games? Find out what was in the Sussexes' jaw-dropping response.

Prince Harry is said to be frustrated with the pressures of the entertainment industry and reportedly ready to step away from Hollywood, while Meghan Markle remains determined to continue producing projects despite setbacks with Netflix.Sources say Meghan is focused on moving forward with new ideas and leaning on her industry connections, while Harry appears more comfortable concentrating on Invictus and charitable work.Meanwhile, royal commentators are mocking Meghan's planned appearance at a luxury women's retreat in Australia, comparing the event to a Comic-Con style meet-and-greet after reports that guests may pay around $1,700 for photos and access.And could a new dramatization of the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandal be coming to television?Insiders say studios are exploring projects connected to The Crown brand, a possibility that reportedly has Prince William furious.If you enjoy royal drama, check out our podcast series Crown and Controversy, often described as picking up where The Crown left off. You may also want to try Palace Intrigue Presents: King William, a fictional look at the future of the monarchy.Get episodes of Palace Intrigue by becommming a paid subscriber on Apple Podcasts. Click the button that says uninterrupted listening.  Just $5 a month, and that includes many ofther shows on the Caloroga Shark network.Our royal newsletter written by Deep Crown is available for free.Royal Books:Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors by Tom BowerWilliam and Catherine: The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside StoryThe Royal Insider: My Life with the Queen, the King and Princess Diana

Episódio 020 de Dias Úteis, um podcast que oferece poesia pela manhã, de segunda a sexta-feira. O poema de hoje é de William Ernest Henley. A leitura é de Sandra Barão Nobre, autora dos projectos https://abiblioterapeuta.com e a https://acordofotografico.com/ . Tema musical original de Marco Figueiredo, com voz de José Carlos Tinoco. Saiba mais sobre os nossos projectos em www.assdeideias.pt.

We discuss the Nintendo Indie World for March 2026 and dive into the wonderful world ready to explore in Pokémon Pokopia. SHOW DOT POINTS The Indie World Showcase featured a variety of new indie games. Dylan expressed excitement for the game Densha Attack. The game My Little Puppy has a unique premise involving dogs and heaven. Heave Ho 2 was announced, continuing the multiplayer co-op experience. Moonlighter 2 is set to release on Nintendo Switch in 2026. Dylan shared his thoughts on the shadow drop trend in gaming. Rumours suggest the next God of War game will feature Faye as the lead character. The gaming community has mixed reactions to the idea of a female lead in God of War. Capcom's recent showcase highlighted announcements for Mega Man and Resident Evil. Ubisoft announced a remake of Assassin's Creed Black Flag, raising questions about their choice. Assassin's Creed Black Flag remains a fan favourite. New titles like Hex and Invictus are on the horizon for Assassin's Creed. Live service games face high risks and rewards in the gaming industry. Local events like Level Up Tasmania support game development communities. Pokémon Pokopia has received high praise and is the highest-rated Pokémon game to date. The gameplay in Pokopia allows for creative environmental interactions. Scott Pilgrim EX expands on the beloved original game with new content. The emotional storytelling in games is becoming more prominent. The gaming community is eager for new multiplayer experiences. Game reviews provide insights into the evolving landscape of gaming. YOUR HOSTS

What does courage look like under fire? In captivity? In command? In service? This edition of Long Blue Leadership was recorded on location at the U.S. Air Force Academy's 33rd National Character and Leadership Symposium. We've explored these questions with our guests and captured the conversations for you. Ted Robertson, Multimedia and Podcast Specialist for the Air Force Academy Association and Foundation, hosts this special episode featuring voices shaped by combat, crises and lifelong service. Their message to cadets is clear: Leadership is earned through character, and character is forged in hard moments. - Seg. 1: Lt. Col. Mark George and C1C Jaime Snyder, officer and NCLS cadet director, respectively, set the stage for this year's NCLS and for the podcast. - Seg. 2: Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Israel "DT" Del Toro on courage in times of crisis. - Seg. 3: Task Force Hope developer and facilitator Maj. Tara Holmes on preparing future leaders to handle crisis before it happens. - Seg. 4: Former POW Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier '64, on leading in circumstances out of your control. - Seg. 5: Annapolis grad and Vietnam-era aviator, Capt. (Ret.) J. Charles Plumb on how character breeds courage. All of our guest's lives and careers reflect the reality of this year's theme through combat, crisis and service.     CONNECT WITH THE LONG BLUE LINE PODCAST NETWORK TEAM Ted Robertson | Producer and Editor:  Ted.Robertson@USAFA.org Send your feedback or nominate a guest: socialmedia@usafa.org   Ryan Hall | Director:  Ryan.Hall@USAFA.org  Bryan Grossman | Copy Editor:  Bryan.Grossman@USAFA.org Wyatt Hornsby | Executive Producer:  Wyatt.Hornsby@USAFA.org      ALL PAST LBL EPISODES  |  ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS     FULL TRANSCRIPT OUR SPEAKERS:  - Host, Ted Robertson, Multimedia and Podcast Specialist, United States Air Force Academy Association and Foundation  - Seg. 1: C1C Jaime Snyder, NCLS Cadet Director; Lt. Col. Mark George, NCLS Officer  - Seg. 2: Senior Master Sargent Israel Del Toro  - Seg. 3: Maj. Tara Holmes, Task Force Hope  - Seg. 4: Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier '64  - Seg. 5: Capt. (Ret.) J. Charles Plumb   Ted Robertson 0:00 Welcome to Long Blue Line Podcast Network coverage of the 33rd annual National Character and Leadership Symposium. I'm Ted Robertson, multimedia and podcast specialist for the Air Force Academy Association & Foundation, coming to you from Polaris Hall located here at the United States Air Force Academy. This year's symposium centers on the theme Courage to Lead in the Profession of Arms: Combat and Crisis-tested Character, where attendees and cadets will explore how courage in all its forms shapes leaders when uncertainty, fear and consequence are real. Our coverage will start with the Center for Character and Leadership Development's Lt. Col. Mark George and NCLS director, Cadet 1st Class Jaime Snyder. They'll set the stage not only for NCLS, but for today's coverage. Then we'll talk with four key leaders speaking at the symposium, including Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Israel Del Torro on keeping courageous during times of crisis. We'll also talk with Task Force Hope developer and facilitator, Maj. Tara Holmes, on preparing leaders to handle crisis before it happens. Then, former POW, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier, USAFA Class of '64, on leading in circumstances out of your control. And finally, Annapolis grad and Vietnam-era aviator, Capt. (Ret.) J. Charles Plumb, on how character breeds courage. All of our guests' lives and careers reflect the reality of this year's theme through combat, crisis and service. So I want to bring in our first two guests to help, as I said, frame the discussion today. We're going to dig in to learn what this is all about and sort of the “why” behind it. Cadet Jaime Snyder, 2026 NCLS director. Cadet Snyder, you've helped lead the organizing of the National Character and Leadership Symposium — 33rd year for this, as you know, and part of that work, you've trained cadets and permanent party. I'm going to ask you to explain permanent party, all of which helps strengthen your own public speaking and leadership communication skills. You want to kind of expound on that a bit? C1C Jaime Snyder 2:20 Yes, sir. So a part of my role being in NCLS is to, one, provide the guidance, the support and resources on the cadet side to succeed. But what really makes NCLS special is that we integrate permanent party with cadets. So oftentimes me, in supporting and training permanent party, is giving them cadet perspective, because while they're over here and the Center for Character and Leadership Development, we're over there in the Cadet Wing, and I can be the mediator between both parties. Ted Robertson 2:46 Let's talk a little bit about permanent party. What does that term mean? Who does that describe? C1C Jaime Snyder 2:52 Oh yes. Permanent party describes the civilian and military faculty that works in the Center for Character and Leadership Development that assists with the execution of NCLS — the National Character and Leadership Symposium. Ted Robertson 3:05 How big is the team behind this event every year? C1C Jaime Snyder 3:08 It's kind of complex where we'll get search cadets. We'll get a large number of volunteers, approximately around 300 from the Cadet Wing. Internal staff consists of 50 cadets who work it throughout the entire year, and around 50 staff members who are permanent party who work in the Center for Character and Leadership Development. Ted Robertson 3:29 I want to bring in next Lt. Col. Mark George, who is the experiential and training division chief and NCLS program director, the very fortunate man that gets to work for some incredibly talented cadets. Col. Mark George 3:43 That is absolutely true. Thanks to for having us on. Cadet Snyder has done an outstanding job leading this team. I came into this a little bit late. You know, we've had some reorganization here at the Academy, and after some shuffling, I got the honor and the privilege to take over NCLS while the planning was well underway. So my job was to just make sure this train kept rolling, that people had the resources that they needed, the top cover they needed. And as Jamie said, he was training me as a permanent party member to make sure that I had the cadet perspective. And then, you know, we were moving this ball forward as we got to this event. Ted Robertson 4:23 So coming up in the podcast we'll get to the sort of “why” and what's at the core of NCLS. Colonel, let's start with you. What is National Character and Leadership Symposium designed to do for cadets?   Col. Mark George 4:38 Sure. The National Character and Leadership Symposium — NCLS — is designed to bring exemplars that embody the core values and the traits that we want cadets to have when they become leaders on Day 1 and inspire them to a lifetime of service.   Ted Robertson 4:57 Cadet Snyder?   C1C Jaime Snyder 4:59 We definitely see at USAFA, there is a clear correlation with NCLS and character development. One thing we want cadets to get out of NCLS is to further develop leaders of character who are going to join the fight in the Air Force and Space Force, and that's why I see the epitome of NCLS as it's an opportunity to hear people's perspectives as well as learn from it and apply it to their daily lives. Ted Robertson 5:24 Gentlemen, this year's theme focuses on the courage to lead in the profession of arms. Cadet Snyder, we'll start with you. How did that theme come together, and why is it especially relevant for cadets right now? C1C Jaime Snyder 5:40 With our current structure at USAFA, we've had some implement of change. We recognize that the future war conflict is more prevalent than ever, and that it's important for the cadets to understand that we're changing the way we approach training, as well as what we're learning in curriculum. So this NCLS was an incredible opportunity to discuss courage when leading in the profession of arms, but furthermore, courage and crises-tested character. Which is what we're trying to further push along with what we do in training as well as what we teach in leadership. Ted Robertson 6:15 You make good decisions when your character is strong. You make those decisions with integrity when your character is intact and it's strong. Would you agree with that, Colonel? Col. Mark George 6:25 Absolutely. And I think Cadet Snyder hit the nail on the head that we really want the cadets to understand that the environments that they're stepping into are going to require that courage to do hard things. In my day, like we didn't necessarily think about the fight in that way. You know, we were kind of stovepiped in. And these cadets, whatever environment they may be stepping into, the next conflict is going to require a lot, a high demand of them, and their character is their foundation for that. Ted Robertson 6:59 One of the things you can say about this event is that it brings together voices from combat, crisis, athletics, academia and industry. How intentional is that mix, Cadet Snyder, and what do cadets gain from hearing such different perspectives on leadership and character? C1C Jaime Snyder 7:18 I think by hearing different perspectives, you get to see how universal courage is. When we say courage, it's not just one thing, it's also moral, social, spiritual. And by looking at different versions of courage, you can understand that there's different ways to actually apply courage. Understanding that courage is not the absence of fear, also knowing that courage is not simply being a confident individual. That it's more complex than you may define courage, and so you can then apply it that way — by looking at different perspectives. Ted Robertson 7:53 Colonel, I'll address this one to you as well. Col. Mark George 7:56 Sure. Courage — we're talking about courage here, and there's a heavy focus on the combat side with this year's speakers. The thing that sticks out to me is that courage always involves a decision to do the hard thing. And that's what all of our speakers brought this year. They're showing how in different environments, whether it's in a prison cell in Hanoi or up on the Space Station or — there's a hard decision and the right thing is sometimes pretty obvious, but it doesn't mean it's easy. It does not mean it's easy to do. And so courage always involves a decision to do the right thing. Ted Robertson 8:39 Cadet Snyder? C1C Jaime Snyder 8:40 What he said I find to be very true — understanding that courage is not simply doing something physical, but also in a leadership role, especially — we're talking to cadets who are going to soon be commissioned officers. It's important to know that you need to make the right decision on and off the battlefield. Ted Robertson 8:58 So from your perspective as a cadet — and this one is just for you, Cadet Snyder — what does it mean to help shape an event like NCLS while you're still developing as a leader yourself? C1C Jaime Snyder 9:10 What I've seen through NCLS is taking the time to relax. Don't focus on the future and focus where you're at right now, and that's character development. So don't let the pursuit of tomorrow diminish the joy today. We all have this aspiration to graduate, throw our hats in the air, Thunderbirds fly over. But right now it's important to focus on character development as that's going to be important as future officers. Ted Robertson 9:35 That makes 1,000% very clear sense. But I do want to ask you, less than 100 days from the day you toss your hat — you're giving me a big smile right now — talk about how that feels right now for you. C1C Jaime Snyder 9:47 It's incredible, and a part of it is less daunting, because I can say this institution has really prepared me to commission, and so it's more liberating than daunting for me. Ted Robertson 9:58 Col. George, I'm going to direct this one straight to you, and this is an ask of you from the leadership perspective: How do we events Like NCLS fit into the broader effort to intentionally develop leaders of character here at the Academy. Col. Mark George 10:14 So I get the honor of leading the experiential and training division in the Center for Character and Leadership Development. So we're all about creating experiences and those opportunities for cadets to have different types of environments where they'll learn about character. And right now, NCLS is an opportunity to listen to where people's character was tested, how they overcame it. And then we also have different events that we try to put the cadets in where we'll actually test their character. And that could be on the challenge tower, it could be through our character labs where we're having discussions. NCLS is a huge part of that, because the planning cycle is so long. Ted Robertson 10:59 Cadet Snyder? C1C Jaime Snyder 11:00 Yes, sir. One thing I wanted to add on to that is with NCLS, one thing that makes this event the most unique experience that I've had is the fact that we get to engage in meaningful dialog. This isn't a brief. This is an experience for everyone who attends. I've had the opportunity to talk to Col. George's son, who aspires to possibly come to the Air Force Academy. So I don't want to say this is just for cadets, but it's also a promotion tool. And understand that what we do at NCLS is very important. And anyone who wants to attend can come and see what we're doing and how important it is.   Col. Mark George 11:33 I want to thank you for that, by the way. He looks up to you, and that meant a lot.   Ted Robertson 11:37 That's pretty visionary stuff. That's touching the next generation. That's fantastic. All right, this is for you both. When cadets look back on NCLS years from now, what do you hope they're going to remember feeling or being challenged to do differently?   C1C Jaime Snyder 11:56 There is a very strong human component to NCLS, and with that, there's a human experience. Understanding that we're getting speakers and we'll see their bios that they're incredible. They have incredible stories of making the right decision when tensions were high, and getting to hear their stories and understand that they ultimately were no different than we are. Some of them were Air Force Academy graduates. Some graduated from the Naval Academy, West Point, other colleges, but they were young, 20-year-old people like we were as cadets. And so getting to understand where they're coming from, human experience is vital to NCLS, and how do we grow and understand where they're coming from? Ted Robertson 12:38 Col. George? Col. Mark George 12:39 Yeah, I think what I would want the cadets to remember is how these speakers made them feel. You're right, you won't remember every nugget of wisdom that was said. I just had the opportunity to talk with Gen. Scott Miller, and he was an incredible leader. And I feel like everything he was saying was gold. I wish I'd been able to write it down. But he really makes you feel like you understand just how important your role is going to be as a young leader. And when you come away as second lieutenants from this place, you've had incredible opportunities and now you're stepping out in the real world. I would think I want the cadets to remember that like, “Hey, what I do matters, and how I lead is very important to getting this mission done.”   Ted Robertson 13:24 Lt. Col. Mark George and C1C Jaime Snyder, officer and cadet in charge of the 33rd NCLS. Congratulations on the event. Well done, and thank you for spending time here with us on the podcast today. Hearing from both the cadet perspective and the senior leadership behind NCLS makes one thing very clear: This symposium is intentionally designed not just to inspire but to prepare future leaders for moments when character will be tested. And that brings me to my first featured guest, a man whose life story embodies what combat and crisis-tested character truly means. Israel “DT” Del Toro, welcome to the podcast. It's an honor to be with you here at the National Character and Leadership Symposium. Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Israel Del Toro 14:18 Thank you, Ted. Thanks for having me. Good to see you again.   Ted Robertson 14:21 Yes, it's not the first time we've gotten to spend some time together. Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 14:24 It's always great to talk to people, try and spread the word of the whole spark and the promise of my dad. Ted Robertson 14:30 The spark and the promises are the two things that really stood out to me about that interview — your heart and your soul man, from a very, very early age. Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 14:39 You know, losing my dad at 12, and then a year and a half later, losing my mom to a drunk driver, and being the oldest, you know, having to now kind of step up to be, like, the parent figure to my younger siblings. It was challenging.   Ted Robertson 14:55 Out of all of that, you wound up as a retired — you are currently a retired senior master sergeant. You took responsibility for your siblings, as you say, after you were orphaned as a teenager, and ultimately in the service combat-wounded airmen, and you survived catastrophic injuries against incredible odds, and that did not keep you down. One of the things that you did was you became an Invictus Games gold medalist. You're now a national speaker, and you talk a lot about resilience and purpose.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 15:27 Yes, sir. Yeah, Invictus, I won gold in shot put. It was pretty awesome. You know, everyone was just going nuts. Ted Robertson 15:37 You kind of make me feel like that was a soul-feeding, motivating time for you.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 15:42 It was. At that time, I was probably one of the senior guys, kind of. Obviously, I was one of the senior guys, wounded guys on the team, and so a lot of people looked up to me. And sometimes I wish — people would say, “Man, it's great. You're such trailblazer.” You're sometimes like, “Man, I just want to be one of the guys. I just, I just want to be No. 10.” You know, everything's all done, and no one's focusing everything on me. But it's a burden that I'm willing to carry on to try and continue to help people.   Ted Robertson 16:19 I want to linger here in your background a bit, because it's more than just impressive. I think impressive is pretty trite to describe what your background is. Let's start with before the Air Force and before combat, and just how your life demanded responsibility at such a young age. And what I want to ask is, how did stepping up for your family shape the leader that you became? Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 16:40 Well, I contribute that totally to my dad. I truly do. My dad was there. My dad, you know, I went everywhere with my dad. My dad — you know, he came from Mexico to this country, and he gave up a lot. You know, my family in Mexico is very wealthy, their ranchers and all that. He came here with nothing. And he always used to tell me, he's like, “Don't ever be envious of someone that's successful. Learn from them. Ask them questions.” He also used to tell me, “If you don't succeed, it's no one else's fault by yourself. Don't blame where you came from, where you grew up from, the situation. It is only your fault.” So my dad always had told me these little lessons and obviously the last lesson he gave me the night before he passed: Always take care of your family. And that just stayed with me, that kind of continued to shape me all throughout my life, all through my journey, at a young age to teenager to young adult to the military and to now, to this day, that really guided me to who I am. Now, it's like, I always hear people say, “Oh, man, I don't know if I can do it.” I was like, “Yeah, you can. You Just never know. You weren't ever put in that situation” I always believe — you always hear the fight or flight. “What are you gonna do?” I just fight, and I continue to fight. I just don't see the flight in me. And, you know, being the promise of take care of your family. Yes, I tell people, that originated with my family — my brothers and sisters. But throughout time it has evolved to now anyone I see that's having a hard time that needs maybe to hear a story or read a book or hear a journey to help them find that spark, because I see them now as my family. I see that as my family, as my mission now.   Ted Robertson 18:50 Let's stay with spark for a minute. It's just one of my favorite things that you've ever talked about. You're down, you've been badly burned, you're worried about whether you're going to survive, and a medic is helping you out, and he does something for you. He says something to you.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 19:07 Yeah, you know, the medic — I always like to say, you know, yes, I'm Air Force. Those guys were Army, and we bust each other's chops. But, we're all brothers and sisters, and we're down range, you know? We take care of each other, we tell stories, we talk about our family. So these guys knew what had happened in my past with my family. So when I'm, you know, laying there, after I coordinate getting air, and I started the adrenaline going down, I started getting scared. I was having a hard time breathing, and I just wanted to lay down and sleep. The medic came and reminded me, “DT, remember what you promised your son, that you'll never let him grow without his dad. Fight for your son. You got to fight for your son.” And he's just making me yell it. You use anything you can to keep your guy motivated, to help that spark go, keep going. And that's what he did. He found that spark to keep me going, to keep me fighting until that medevac came and to get me on that helicopter, to the FOB, to the hospital, and then to eventually San Antonio. Ted Robertson 20:24 After that injury, that's when the fight shifted. You had to get off the battlefield. You had to get that out of your head. You had to start battling for your recovery. So what did courage look like when progress seemed like it was slow and at one point nothing was guaranteed? Israel Del Toro 20:46 Yeah, it, you know, when he had a shift from now being on the battlefield to now a different kind of battle and your recovery, your way of life — it's difficult because you have people telling you this is what your life's going to be. You know, being told that you're never going to walk again. You got to be in a hospital for another year and a half, respirator for the rest of your life and your military career is pretty much over. You know, I like to say there's two choices again: Who you're going to be? Are you going to take the easy path, which is, I'm going to sit in a chair, accept what they say, hate life, you know, curse the world. Are you going to take the hard path where I want to fight? I'm going to show you I can do this. I'm going to prove that I still have value, and I want to come out of this ahead and show not only my son but the rest of the world. You stay positive, you find that spark, you will come out ahead. Ted Robertson 21:48 All right, last question on your background, because we're going to roll all this into why you're here and what messages you want to share with the cadets and the attendees that are here. You did something I don't think most human beings would even think about after that ordeal that you had been through all those years, everything. You reenlisted, and it wasn't just a medical milestone. It wasn't because you could, it was a conscious decision. So what internal commitment had to come first for you to make that decision. Israel Del Toro 22:22 You know, I guess it was, for me it was I loved my job. I knew I could teach, I could be prepare these next guys to [be] the next generation operators. Ted Robertson 22:38 You've never stopped being committed. You've never stopped. So it brings you to NCLS. This is the 33rd year for NCLS, and when you speak to cadets here, what message do you want them to take away with them? Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 22:53 I guess my message more is about that when you're in the military, no matter whatever happens to you, you still have a role to play. Even when I got hurt, did I miss being with my teammates? Yes, but now refocusing, OK, I'm here in this hospital, and I see all these wounded guys here as I guess I'm wounded also, but in my head is like I was still NCO in the Air Force. I still have a job to do. Yes, I'm hurt, I'm wounded, but the job of a leader is, no matter where you're at, is you try and take care of your troops. You try and make things better for them, even if you never see any of the benefits — that is your role. And so that's kind of what I want to leave with these guys that, you know, you're going to always have  challenges throughout your career, but you've always got to remember it's not about you, it's about the guys under you to take care of you. You know, I had a group of cadets yesterday and they were just asking me about leadership. So you know what? The best way to be a great leader is to earn the respect of yourtroops. If you demand it, you're not a leader, but when you earned the respect and they'll die for you, that is the greatest feeling. You know, I gave an example of one of the best moments I had after my injury, is after I got hurt, they sent my replacement, and he comes in and obviously introduce him to the scout team, to the Army company, individuals in leadership, and then the SF team, and all these guys I'm supporting. And the guy comes in like, “Hey, I'm here to replace DT.” And all of them, “You can't replace DT.” And I told that was the best moment that that's the best moment of respect, because I had Army guys saying, “He's our guy.” And that's the thing I told them, it's like, when you get to that moment when your guys say, “Nah, he's our guy,” I was like, “He can't replace him.” That is where you've truly earned the respect of your troops.   Ted Robertson 25:21 Israel, the only word that I can pull out of myself right now for your journey to describe it as “remarkable,” and you continue to give of yourself, and that's a wonderful thing. Your opportunity for a couple of final thoughts here, before we close out.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 25:38 Final thoughts, man, putting me on the spot, aren't you. I guess my final thoughts would be, you can't do it on your own. I'm not here right now, because I did it my own. I did it. I'm never gonna say that I did. I had friends, I had family, I had my wife that were by my side all throughout my journey to medical individuals. And I had those dark times, and I'm going down that spot, that rabbit hole, they were there to pull me out of it. So I think it's like, you know, don't try and do it on your own. We all need help. You know, the goal is, don't be prideful. There's a reason pride is one of the seven deadly sins. But, you know, ask for help, ask for advice. It's not going to hurt you. If anything, it will make you stronger and better. That's parting thoughts for the individuals listening to this. Ted Robertson 26:53 Perfect. Israel “DT” Del Toro, what a privilege to sit with you again. Want to say thank you from all of us for your service and continuing to lead by the example, which is a very rich and broad and deep example. Your story reminds us, and should remind us, that courage doesn't end with just survival. It always continues in service to others. Israel, thank you for being here.   Senior Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro 27:18 Thanks, Ted. I appreciate it. Thanks for having me again.   Ted Robertson 27:21 Israel's story reminds us that crisis and moral injury don't always arrive on a schedule, and that leaders are often expected to navigate those moments without ever having been taught how. That's where our next conversation takes us: into the intentional work of preparing leaders before crisis arrives. Maj. Tara Holmes, welcome to the podcast. It's great to have you with us as part of the National Character and Leadership Symposium.   Maj. Tara Holmes  27:46 Thanks for having me; glad to be here.   Ted Robertson 27:48 You are currently deputy chief of staff here at Headquarters USAFA. You are formerly chief of cadet development for CCLD, the Center for Character and Leadership development. By way of background, you flew.   Maj. Tara Holmes  28:01 So I am a B-52 electronic warfare officer by trade, and then moved over into white jets. So instructed in the in the T-1 and I've kind of been in education and training for, I'd say, since about 2017.   Ted Robertson  28:19 You also hold a Doctorate in Business and Management, and you are an AETC master instructor. I will let you explain AETC.   Maj. Tara Holmes  28:27 Air Education Training Command, that's one of the that's our majcom that's responsible for education and training, and they have a pathway to become a master instructor. So I finished the qualifications for that while I was in white jets and working over at Squadron Officer School.   Ted Robertson  28:46 So let's talk about your work with Task Force Hope. We'll talk about what Task Force Hope is, but you are and have been a developer and facilitator of Task Force Hope, which is a crisis and moral injury leadership workshop.   Maj. Tara Holmes  29:01 Task Force Hope is about providing immediately useful tools to our workshop participants to prepare them to lead through crisis, whether that is no-kidding combat related, or whether that's crisis on the home front, going through stuff in life that's really hard. We work through a series of key concepts and exercises, through storytelling and participant engagement that hopefully provides our participants some self-awareness and some tools to recover as it deals with their relationships.   Ted Robertson  29:39 We talked about this. There's a lot of nuance in what you're teaching these people. There's discernment in it. Who should you talk to, who you should trust with information that you want to share? Because ultimately, some of this becomes a pressure release valve, right?   Maj. Tara Holmes  29:52 Yeah, so one of the key concepts that we talk about is worthiness, right? I think often people feel pressure to not share what they're going through because they don't think their problems are worthy of attention, whether theirs or someone else's. That's one thing that we spend a lot of time on. And like you said, you know, who to who to share with, and at what level, some people are more free with sharing than others, and that's OK. So we work through some frameworks that help illustrate how people can kind of work through those levels, or gain some self-awareness and some clarity around where they fall. Something that is a, you know, deep seated secret for you, maybe something that somebody else is willing to openly share, they just don't see it as that big of a deal. So it's definitely about self-awareness and learning some tools to help relieve some of the pressure and drain on our batteries, as it were, that comes from holding these things in.   Ted Robertson  30:52 People who are attending the workshop are going to learn some things that they may not realize are draining their batteries. You're teaching them to discern what those are, and to be careful to try to avoid those. It sounds like an example to me of things that we don't realize we do, that drains us, right, instead of energizes us.   Maj. Tara Holmes  31:10 So we use the kind of metaphor of a smartphone, right? So there are things that drain us, that are big, that we're taking a lot of energy to conceal the hard things that we're dealing with in our life. But then there's, like, the pesky background apps, there's the things that are always running in the background of our lives that drain our energy without us really even noticing it. You know, so for me as an officer, but also as a mom and a spouse, some of the things that are always draining my batteries are my to-do list, the laundry app, maybe social media apps. Sometimes I've probably spend way too much time reading the news these days. That's kind of always on for me. We have these big things that are draining our batteries, but then we have these like small things that are constantly going on, right? So Task Force Hope is about recognizing what those things are for us and then making a commitment to ourselves to make this space and time to recover.   Ted Robertson  32:09 So that brings us to a really unique place. You kind of function at the intersection of character, leadership and development pretty much every day. So how do you define character when you're responsible for shaping it across an entire Cadet Wing.   Maj. Tara Holmes  32:24 To me, character is the essence of who they are. It is how you show up day after day. It's the habits that you have. That's why, when you do something out of character, people are able to say that. You know, we talk about building character strengths as building blocks towards certain virtues. And virtues is really excellence of character. So it's easy to talk about how to be an excellent athlete, or how to be an excellent academic, right? And that's one of our core values, is being excellent. Well, how do you have excellent character? It's really about leveraging your character strengths in a way that can lead you to be more virtuous, and that's the goal.   Ted Robertson  33:05 You've served, both operationally and as an instructor. Tell me how those things shape the way you think about preparing leaders not just to perform but to endure.   Maj. Tara Holmes  33:19 What comes to mind is the importance of training and building those habits. We're, you know, in the previous question, we talked about it in terms of character. You know, you can, you can use any kind of training. It's about building readiness, right? And being able to build those habits so that when you are faced with a challenge, you have a way to work through the challenge, right? That really came out for me, both operationally and as an instructor. So operationally, you rely on your training to get your job done, and then as an instructor, you're helping others build those habits so that one day when your students are faced with challenges, they can rely on their training as well.   Ted Robertson  34:01 We've talked a bit about your experiences and how they shape the way you think about preparing leaders, not just to perform but to endure. And now let's bring it right down to the direct connection between Task Force Hope and why you are here talking about this program to attendees at NCLS. When we talk about Task Force Hope, it's a program that is really designed to prepare leaders to navigate crisis and recover from both emotional and moral injury. What can you tell me about a gap that a workshop like this fills, that traditional leadership education sometimes or often misses?   Maj. Tara Holmes  34:38 Task Force Hope is preventative in nature. It's training to prevent people from letting their burdens get the best of them so that they can show up. They have the tools to show up fully charged when stuff hits the van. And not only that they do that for themselves, but then they can help their teammates or their subordinates also get there. It's self-awareness, because we all perform self-care differently, and what you need to recharge your batteries is different from the way that I would do it. So it's being intentional and having some tools to be able to identify what works for you and then how to make space in your life, and building that commitment to yourself, to make that space so that the next time that you face a crisis, you're not facing it at 10%, you're full up, you're ready to go. So it's that sustained self-care, if that's what you want to call it. And it's important to say that you know, in a 75-minute session, we're really doing our best to provide exposure to key concepts and these tools. What we hope is that people walk out with the start of something. It's not it's not the end of their work to be done.   Ted Robertson  35:54 How often do you hear the question, “Why didn't I hear this earlier in my career?”   Maj. Tara Holmes  36:00 Every workshop. Last year, after the workshop, we had a 1970-something graduate say that exact thing. For me personally, I had four people say something, you know, “Hey, I was a cadet here in '90-something, '80-something, 2000-something. And, you know, I really wish that I would have had this earlier.” So that's what we're trying to do. We're trying to bring it as early as we can.   Ted Robertson  36:26 OK, so our last question of our visit, if cadets take just one lesson from Task Force Hope and NCLs this year, what is your hope for that lesson to be?   Maj. Tara Holmes  36:39 My hope is that they're worth it. No problem is too big or too small to be dealt with, and like we talked about earlier, I think often people keep things to themselves because they feel like they shouldn't bother others, or there's their supervisors or their teammates with what's going on in their lives. And that's a drain. Like, that's a drain on the system. It eats up your energy, right? But our cadets are worth it. Whatever they're dealing with, big or small, is worthy of being addressed. I hope that's the takeaway, and that we all deal with things, right? We don't always know what other people are dealing with.   Ted Robertson  37:22 Maj. Holmes. Thank you for the work you're doing to prepare future leaders, not just to lead in moments of clarity, but to stand firm in moments of crisis. We appreciate you being here.   Maj. Tara Holmes  37:32 Thanks, Ted.   Ted Robertson  37:33 That focus on preservation, resilience and moral courage brings us to our next conversation, one shaped by combat, captivity and a life of service under the most demanding conditions. Coming up next, my conversation with Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Mechenbier. Gen. Mechenbier, welcome to the podcast. It is a huge honor having you here, sir.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier 37:56 I hope you feel that way in a half hour so well,   Ted Robertson  37:59 Well, the conversation does promise to be interesting, because your life is… interesting. That was a pregnant pause, sir.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier 38:07 Yeah, I've enjoyed it. It's different.   Ted Robertson  38:11 Just to sort of frame things, you retired as a major general, and what year was that, sir,   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier 38:15 2004   Ted Robertson  38:16 And you were USAFA Class of '64. You're a Vietnam-era pilot, having flown F-4s, you were shot down on your 113th combat mission, but that was you also your 80th over North Vietnam. OK, prisoner of war. Then for almost those entire six years following that, being shot down. You come with 3,600 flying hours across lots of different aircraft.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  38:42 I was privileged fly either for primary capability or for familiarization with 43 different airplanes.   Ted Robertson  38:49 And now you describe yourself as a lifelong advocate for veterans and public service.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  38:56 Well, yeah, I mean, I go to a couple prisons in Ohio, and “work with” is probably overstating my role. Veterans who are incarcerated for long periods of time. But my role is just to go there, spend some time, shoot the breeze with them, no agenda, no desired learning objective and let them know that somebody outside knows that they're there.   Ted Robertson  39:19 What I want to do is spend some time in your background. All right, I want to start with combat and captivity and how that tests leadership in its most extreme forms. And this is in course in keeping with the theme of NCLS here, what did character mean to you when circumstances were entirely beyond your control?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  39:38 The Vietnamese kept us in small groups of one and two or three guys. I mean, we never really until near the end and later on when we got a little organization. But it got very down, very personal, when at one time, I was in a cell with four guys, three Class of 1964 Air Force Academy graduates and one poor Oklahoma State University graduate, and amongst the four of us, we had a senior ranking officer. And of course, you got the same rank, you go alphabetical. And so we made Ron Bliss the senior ranking officer in our room. We had a communication system. We had guidelines that, you know, which were basically consistent with the code of conduct. You know, name, rank, serial number, date of birth, don't answer further questions. Keep faith with your fellow positions. That was the key. Keep faith. Never do anything that you'd be embarrassed to tell somebody you did.   Ted Robertson  40:34 What you're explaining is how different leadership looks, and even how you describe it, how different it is from command. So now it comes down to trust and accountability and courage, and how do those show up in those conditions?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  40:51 It was really a matter of, we always knew we were still in the fight. That was one thing that was with us, and so you just kind of conducted yourself with, OK, I'm not going to let myself be used. Now, we also knew that the more you resisted pushed back, the less likely they were to make you go meet an antiwar delegation or write a confession or do something else like that. So they tend to pick on, if you will, the low-hanging fruit or the easier guy to get to. So we always wanted to set the bar just a little bit out of their reach.   Ted Robertson  41:25 All right, having gone through all of that, it really can change people quite profoundly. So when you look back at it, what leadership lessons stayed with you long after you got out of captivity?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  41:39 In the movie Return of Honor. Capt. Mike McGrath, Navy guy, describes the guys in their ability to resist torture and do things. And that's what you learn. Everybody's got a breaking point. If mine's here and somebody else's is there, that doesn't make me better or worse than them. So you learn to appreciate the talents and the weaknesses. If you know the foibles, the cracks in everybody around you and not to exploit them, but to understand them, and then to be the kind of leader that that they need.   Ted Robertson  42:12 Sir, one of the recurring themes when you're discussing leadership with leaders right is knowing something about each of your people so that you can relate to them in a way that that works for them and motivates them.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  42:23 Yeah. Mark Welch, who's also a graduate and he is a chief of staff of the Air Force, always had a saying: “If you don't know what's going on, it's because you didn't ask.”   Ted Robertson  42:32 Now we're going to roll all that into your long journey between captivity and your visit here to NCLS this year. When you're speaking to the cadets at this year's event, what's your main hope? What do you hope they understand about courage before they even ever face combat?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  42:54 Well, courage is a reaction to a clear and present threat. Nobody knows how they're gonna — know he's gonna say, OK, I'm gonna go to Vietnam and I want to get shot down, and when the Vietnamese capture me, I'm going to give them a middle finger and I'm going to be the meanest bad ass and hardest-to-break prisoner. Yeah, it's how you respond to the to the immediate perception of bodily harm or being used or something else like that. So courage is, yeah, it just happens. It's not something that you can put in a package and say, “OK, I've got courage.” It's how you respond to the situation, because you might respond quite differently than what you think.   Ted Robertson  43:35 And I have to say, you presented your story and you delivered your message in kind of a unique way. You drew from some contemporary references, specifically three clips from a movie that you like, that I was curious. How did you sum up your entire life in three movie clips from Madagascar? How did you do that?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  43:57 Well, the three movie clips — when I watched the movie, I was looking at it, I have got two favorite movies. Madagascar is one, and the other is a Kelsey Grammer movie, Down Periscope. I mean, I think that is a perfect study in in leadership. But in the movie Madagascar, the premise was penguins can't fly, but yet it opens up with them applying resource, innovation imagination, and they eventually get this airplane to fly. OK, great. Success. Well, like everything else in life, things go wrong, and you got to have, No. 1, a backup plan, an exit ramp or a control mechanism for the disaster that's pending. So that's the second movie clip we saw. And then the third one was towards the end of the movie, when the crash landing has happened and the skipper asks for an accounting, and he's told that all passengers are accounted for, except two. And he says, that's the number I can live with. And the message there is, you go through life — you're going to have successes, but you're going to have failures, and failure has a cost, and it's not always pleasant, but that's OK, because that's life.   Ted Robertson  45:15 How do you explain how leaders can prepare themselves morally and mentally for moments they can't predict or control.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  45:25 Watch movies like Madagascar and Down Periscope. You know, there's a breadth of unintentional, if you will, guidance on how to be a leader, if you know where to look or if you're looking for it. I mean, that's part of the whole progress program at the Academy. Nobody's going to say, OK, here's a scenario, lead these resources to a proper conclusion. It's kind of like, OK, here's the situation. What do we do? What can we do? What can't we do? It's like, in my presentation, I talk about being able to run across a pasture in nine seconds, in 10 seconds, but if the bull can do it, you're in trouble. So you got to realign your thinking, you got to realign your goals and you got to realign the application of resources. So that's the leadership part, right there. It's a realization of what you can and what you can't do. It's a realization of what you, your people, your resources, can and can't do. It's a realization of what the technology you have at your disposal to do your mission can and can't do. So it's all about workarounds and being flexible. And then the other thing is, we live in a world that just seems to be everything's got a prescription and a protocol on exactly how to do everything. Doesn't work that way. You got to be able to go left and right. You got to be able to be a little imaginative.   Ted Robertson  46:42 What parting thought did you leave the cadets with?   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  46:45 That failure is part of life. It's not death. And I'm part of an organization called American 300 — we go around and talk to young enlisted people and all the services to get them to understand that failure is a learning opportunity. It's not a dagger in the heart, and don't be afraid or ashamed to try, because if you don't, you'll never know what your true potential is. So with the cadets, we close with that last part from the movie Madagascar that basically said, OK, success comes with a price. Be aware and accept it.   Ted Robertson  47:23 All right, we've got to close it out here, but recap, if you would one more time that message that you want cadets to leave here with from having heard you speak.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  47:32 You are now a living, breathing, viable, productive part of our United States Air Force. You bring talents that are unique. Apply them, but understand that they're all very transitory, and you have part of a larger community. If you stick with a community rather than the “I did,” “I want,” I have,” you'll go a long way.   Ted Robertson  47:54 All right, and stepping outside of that very briefly for your final thoughts, what would you like to leave listeners with today.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  48:01 Be proud of the young men and women who are in our military now, not just those at the Air Force Academy. You know, our whole military structure has changed over the years. You know, it's a dynamic world. You got to be flexible and embrace change. We're so reluctant to change. Change is fine, except when you try to change me, is the old saying, but we all have to change. We have to be part of the world in which we live.     Ted Robertson  48:26 Gen. Mechenbier, I want to thank you from all of us for being here sharing those leadership lessons of yours and a lifetime of service that will continue to shape others — future leaders — for a very, very long time to come. We appreciate you very much.   Maj. Gen. Edward Mechenbier  48:43 Thank you much.   Ted Robertson  48:44 Our final conversation brings us to leadership at the strategic level, where decisions affect institutions, alliances and the nation itself. Capt. Charles Plumb, welcome to the podcast today, sir.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  48:56 Thanks, Ted. Appreciate being here.   Ted Robertson  48:59 It is a privilege to have you. You retired as a Navy captain in 1991 and you have not slowed down, not one inch since. We're going to talk a little bit about the work that you're doing in some very interesting spaces. And what informs all of that. Naval Academy, Class of '64.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  49:15 Yep, the Great Class of '64.     Ted Robertson  49:17 The great —that's how you express class pride?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  49:20 Everybody knows the Great Class of '64.   Ted Robertson  49:23 So you are an Annapolis man.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  49:25 I am, in fact.   Ted Robertson  49:26 No doubt. And a pilot. You flew F-4 Phantoms, and you are a Vietnam-era pilot. You spent most of your time over North Vietnam. Sometimes you got sent to South Vietnam, depending on what was going on. But you said that you have flown 74 combat missions.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  49:45 Actually 74 and a half, Ted. I have one more takeoff and I have landings.   Ted Robertson  49:50 We should remember that, because it's a very important part of your life we haven't talked about yet. Since you got out of captivity, and then you retired a few years later, you became a published author and a speaker, and as such, you have been to every state, several countries, 5,000 presentations you've delivered in the leadership and character development space. Is there any reason you should not be here at NCLS?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  50:24 Well, I appreciate that. You know, this is a great symposium, and I'm really proud to contribute to it.   Ted Robertson  50:32 Captain, you are a former POW.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  50:36 Yes, I was shot down on my 75th mission and captured, tortured and spent the next 2,103 days in communist prison camps.   Ted Robertson  50:49 You said you got moved around a lot.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  50:52 We did. I was in six different camps, and some of those camps more than once. We never really understood why. We kind of suspected that they wanted to try to deny any fraternization with their guards, and they wanted to keep us on our toes, because they recognized that being military guys, we were going to have leadership, and we were going to have organization and community and we were going to organize, to fight them, and they didn't want that. So they moved us around and kind of shuffled us up, which didn't work. We always had a military organization in every camp that I ever went to.   Ted Robertson  51:31 You found ways to support each other. You found ways to have a leadership structure, even in captivity.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  51:39 We were all fighter pilots or air crews and most of us were we, you know, we had 10 Air Force Academy grads from '64 in five Naval Academy grads from '64 and so we had in a lot of other academy grads. I don't remember how many, but probably 70 total academy grads. And so, you know, we were, we were dedicated. We were lifers. We were, you know, we were very focused guys, which helped out a lot that we knew a lot about military leadership.   Ted Robertson  52:11 You grew up in the Midwest, and you married a Midwestern girl.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  52:15 I did, my high school sweetheart the day after I graduated from Annapolis, we got married in the chapel, and my buddies were holding up their swords as we came out of the chapel. So it was a beautiful day.   Ted Robertson  52:27 Let's go back to how you found your way to the Naval Academy.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  52:32 I was a farm kid from Kansas. Never seen the ocean, never been out of the four states of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri. Never been in an airplane, and I needed an education. Found that the Naval Academy offered me an education.   Ted Robertson  52:50 Outside of Air Force Academy circles, you probably already know that we think of, you know, salty sea dog sailors when we think of people going in the Navy, but you chose aviation.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  53:02 I did. As a kid, I would see these Piper Cubs fly over and I was fascinated by flight, and wondered if I'd ever be able to ride in an airplane. That was my thought when I was a kid. I didn't have any hopes of ever being a pilot, you know, let alone a fighter pilot. That was, I was out of the realm. Nobody, as I grew up, ever told me that I could do that, or I should do that, or, you know, it would be a hope of mine to ever pilot an airplane. But I went to the Naval Academy and found out that was one of the options, and I took advantage of that option.   Ted Robertson  53:43 Yeah, and it led you, of course, to over North Vietnam, and the rest is that part of your history   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  53:51 Launched on the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk on my wife's birthday, the 5th of November, wave goodbye to her, and promised her I'd be back in eight months. I didn't make it.   Ted Robertson  54:04 Hard. Very hard story to hear. Let's talk about all of that informing your presentation now, again, 5,000 of these delivered in the leadership and character development space, but you talk a lot about, in your presentation — and you keynoted here at NCLS — the mental game side of this, the integrity, the choices that you have to make, and character that sort of frames all of that.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  54:38 My message to the cadets, and really to most of my audiences, is around challenge and adversity. And I tell the cadets that they work awfully hard trying to get a degree. They study, they go to computers, they read books all to get a degree. And what I point out to them is that more important than the degree that they will get from the Air Force Academy is a character that they build while they are here. That the integrity first, you know, is part of their motto. And if, in fact, they can learn and live that integrity, if they can learn and live the commitment that they have, if they can learn in and live these kind of ethereal things, the things that you can't measure, things you can't define, the things that, you know, that crop up in your in your mind, in the back of your mind, are more important than the lessons they learn from a computer. And so that's kind of my message.   Ted Robertson  55:49 You know, we're in a leadership laboratory here. The art and the science is character development. And you're talking about a kind of character that leads people to make good decisions and make those decisions with integrity in mind. How did that play into your captivity and getting you through that?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  56:09 You know, of course, I studied leadership at the Naval Academy, and I think that my period of experience more than teaching me anything, it validated what I had learned. And the whole idea — and I love the fact that this is called, you know, the Character and Leadership Symposium, because lots of times you see leadership without character, that's a negative kind of leadership. And if a leader does not have character, he doesn't last very long, and he's not very effective. And so if you can keep your character up front, the leadership can follow easily. And that's pretty much what we had in the prison camps. Several of the qualities of leadership that I promote are the things that almost came natural in a prison camp. First of all, we had to find a focus, a reason. We had to find, you know — and that was developed by our leadership in the prison camp. Return with honor — that was our motto, return with honor. And we all rallied around that.   Ted Robertson  57:22 So all of that said, you're standing here in front of a really big group of people as a keynote speaker, lot of cadets, mostly cadets, yeah.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  57:31 Now there were cadets. I'm speaking on a panel with Ed Mechenbier, my good buddy, and we're on a panel with mostly cadets. The first presentation, the keynote was by invitation only. So there were a number of civilians in the audience, number of cadets. There were Naval Academy midshipmen in my audience today. And we had ROTC people, and, you know, from all over the country. So it was quite a wide audience.   Ted Robertson  58:04 Quite a wide audience. And so if we were just focusing on what you leave with cadets, what do you want them to take away from their experience today?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  58:15 I hope they understand my message, that more important than the degree that they graduate with, is the character that they graduate with, and the importance of the integrity that that they learned here, because that was vital in the prison camp, is integrity. We had to have each other's back, and when we when we finally were released, we refused to be released until all the sick, injured and enlisted men had gone home, and it was a question of integrity, is a question that this is the right thing to do. It's not the easy thing to do. Largely, the integrity thing to do is not the easiest thing to do, and that's what I wanted to leave with the cadets. In addition, I want them to know that regardless of what situation they're in, they still have a choice, and their choice is the way they respond to the surrounding adversity situation that they're in.   Ted Robertson  59:21 An Annapolis grad of '64, Midwest kid from Kansas who makes it into the cockpit, and like you said, 74 and a half flights, then some time in captivity, then to a published author with thousands of presentations all over the country, and some in in other countries. What final thoughts would you like to leave today, sir?   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  59:47 Well, you know, I think I've already told you, you know, you're a great interviewer, Ted, and I appreciate your questions. I think, finally, this whole idea of self-determination and I think that we all, and not just the cadets, but graduates and families and business people, families. You know that we all have choices, and sometimes when we deny the choice and give up that ability to make our life better for ourselves. And you know, we do it sometimes even when we're not even thinking about it. It's just automatic to blame somebody else for the problem, and in doing so, we give away that choice.   Ted Robertson  1:00:34 Don't give away the choice. Yeah, build that character and stick by your integrity all the time. Capt. J. Charles Plumb, what a privilege it is to meet you, sir. Glad that you're here at NCLs and keynoting like you are, and I do hope that our paths cross again.   Capt. J. Charles Plumb  1:00:52 Ted, thank you very much. I appreciate your willingness to tell my story. Thanks for that.   Ted Robertson  1:00:57 You're welcome, sir. Thank you. Ted Robertson Close As we've heard throughout these conversations, courage isn't a single moment. It's a lifelong practice, from cadets just beginning their journey to leaders shaped by combat and crisis to senior commanders responsible for forces and futures. Character is tested when certainty disappears and it's revealed by how we choose to lead. That's the challenge of the National Character and Leadership Symposium, and it's a challenge that extends far beyond these walls. I'm Ted Robertson, thank you for joining me for our Long Blue Line Podcast Network coverage of the 33rd National Character and Leadership Symposium. This podcast was recorded on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.         The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation      

With the campaign of Barack Obama in 2007-2008, the U.S. saw a resurgence in interest in Nelson Mandela, with Americans projecting a parallel with our own first black president. You can almost hear the gears turning in Clint Eastwood's mind watching 2009's Invictus–hoping to goad Obama towards symbolic reconciliation rather than expropriative redistribution. We look at Obama's initial posturing and discuss whether or not he was doing the Mandela affect.Huge thanks to Isaac for guesting on this episode! Check him out @coexist.inc on instagram, as well as his podcast, Coexist Inc., here, and on twitter as @coexistinc Check out our website to search for episodes at: remembershuffle.comGive Remember Shuffle a follow on Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@RememberShufflePod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to interact with the show between episodes. It also makes it easier to book guests.  

As the Epstein fallout intensifies around Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Meghan Markle is reportedly urging Prince Harry to stay silent and avoid being dragged into what one royal expert calls the biggest royal crisis since Princess Diana's death. Duncan Larcombe says Meghan will be wary of “guilt by association” and likely telling Harry, “keep your head down, don't get involved.”Harry is said to be especially distressed for Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, two of the few royals who maintained ties with him. Meanwhile, Meghan is preparing a carefully curated Valentine's Day publicity blitz for her As Ever brand, built around romance and nostalgia — even as speculation swirls about the couple leading increasingly separate professional lives.Reports claim the Sussexes are on “different paths,” with Meghan focused on Hollywood and Harry on Invictus and UK commitments. There are even whispers of contingency plans should things unravel. Add in Kim Kardashian drama, an EastEnders jam joke, and accusations Meghan is in “meltdown mode,” and it's another week of relentless Sussex headlines.Meanwhile, Prince William attempts to refocus attention on conservation efforts in Saudi Arabia — planting trees, praising ecological restoration projects and talking Arabian leopards — as the wider royal storm shows no sign of easing.Palace Intrigue is your daily royal family podcast, diving deep into the modern-day drama, power struggles, and scandals shaping the future of the monarchy."Crown and Controversy: Norway" is covering the trial of Marius Borg Høiby as the Norwegian Royal Family is faced with multiple scandals of their own.Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here.

Prince William launches a high-stakes visit to Saudi Arabia at the UK government's request, holding private talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and positioning himself as a serious diplomatic asset. Back in Los Angeles, Meghan Markle steps out solo at a Hollywood gala amid fresh talk of diverging lives, while Harry stays home and focuses on Invictus and legal battles — underscoring the couple's increasingly separate paths.Palace Intrigue is your daily royal family podcast, diving deep into the modern-day drama, power struggles, and scandals shaping the future of the monarchy."Crown and Controversy: Norway" is covering the trial of Marius Borg Høiby as the Norwegian Royal Family is faced with multiple scandals of their own.Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here.

DAPHNE & THE DUKE TO BE WED!! With the first part of Bridgerton Season 4 streaming on Netflix now, John & Greg continue Lady Whistledown's scandal sheet! Download PrizePicks today at https://www.prizepicks.onelink.me/LME... & use code REJECTS to get $50 instantly when you play $5! BRIDGERTON 1x4 Reaction Highlights:    • BRIDGERTON S1 EPISODE 4 REACTION – ONE KIS...   BRIDGERTON 1x3 Reaction Highlights:    • BRIDGERTON SEASON 1 EPISODES 1 & 2 REACTIO...   BRIDGERTON 1x1 & 1x2 Reaction:    • BRIDGERTON SEASON 1 EPISODES 1 & 2 REACTIO...   Gift Someone (Or Yourself) An RR Tee! https://shorturl.at/hekk2 Greg Alba & John Humphrey react to Season 1, Episode 5 of Netflix's Bridgerton, titled “The Duke and I,” a pivotal chapter that dramatically reshapes the series' central romance. Following the scandalous duel, the episode shifts into married life for Daphne and Simon—revealing that love, intimacy, and power are far more complicated behind closed doors. Phoebe Dynevor (Younger, Fair Play) portrays Daphne Bridgerton as she navigates the realities of becoming Duchess of Hastings, discovering both passion and painful misunderstandings within her marriage. Regé-Jean Page (For the People, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves) gives a layered performance as Simon Basset, whose unresolved trauma and refusal to confront his vow about having children leads to one of the season's most talked-about and controversial storylines. The episode features standout moments including the lavish wedding ceremony, the emotionally charged honeymoon scenes, and the tense confrontation that exposes the cracks in their seemingly perfect union. Elsewhere, the wider ton continues to churn with intrigue as Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh – Doctor Who, Invictus) offers sharp counsel, Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel – Lady Macbeth, Dune: Prophecy) grows increasingly obsessed with unmasking Lady Whistledown, and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan – Derry Girls, Big Mood) quietly observes from the sidelines. “The Duke and I” marks a major tonal shift for Bridgerton, trading courtship fantasy for emotional fallout and setting the stage for the conflicts to come. Intense Suspense by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Support The Channel By Getting Some REEL REJECTS Apparel! https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ Follow Us On Socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/  Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reelrejects?lang=en Twitter: https://x.com/reelrejects Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ Music Used In Ad:  Hat the Jazz by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Happy Alley by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... POWERED BY @GFUEL Visit https://gfuel.ly/3wD5Ygo and use code REJECTNATION for 20% off select tubs!! Head Editor: https://www.instagram.com/praperhq/?hl=en Co-Editor: Greg Alba Co-Editor: John Humphrey Music In Video: Airport Lounge - Disco Ultralounge by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Ask Us A QUESTION On CAMEO: https://www.cameo.com/thereelrejects Follow TheReelRejects On FACEBOOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM:  FB:  https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/ TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thereelrejects Follow GREG ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/thegregalba/ TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thegregalba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Radar Online claims Harry is privately furious after Meghan posted a photo from his Afghanistan service alongside Invictus imagery, timed just after Harry rebuked President Trump's comments about NATO troops. Sources allege Harry feels his military record is being pulled into a political moment and worries it could bring unwanted attention while he's already under scrutiny. Meanwhile Meghan teases a new As Ever jam drop with a throwback 2018 Roland Mouret dress and a “something sweet” message, while Invictus announces a new London awards programme for September, including an Invictus Resilience Award. Jennie Bond suggests Invictus Birmingham 2027 could be a “white flag” moment for public reconciliation. In the second half: Andrew is spotted in Grenadier Guards gear despite losing the honorary role, Beatrice is photographed riding with him in a visible show of support, and reports claim Andrew was “appalled” by the size of Marsh Farm as his Royal Lodge exit approaches. Plus an update on Norway, where the Royal House says it will largely carry on with duties as the Marius Borg Høiby trial begins in early February.Palace Intrigue is your daily royal family podcast, diving deep into the modern-day drama, power struggles, and scandals shaping the future of the monarchy.Hear our new show "Crown and Controversy: Prince Andrew" here.Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here.

Meghan and Harry's EPIC Fail of a year that was 2025 continues - from Invictus half-truths to her disastrous "As ever" creepy IG brand reveal, to that time that she almost burned our skin off with her silly DIY bath salt recipe from her show, "With Love, Meghan" - let's unpack it all. Watch the FULL video that this clip came from here-   https://youtu.be/FYd-YF9jSRU Love the show? Leave a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify (or wherever you get your podcasts!) and SHARE this episode!   Want to WATCH my episodes? - Go to my YouTube Channel and subscribe -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2FsXn-xhr4mYIAK0569BBw   I have a channel membership over there if you'd like to support me! Simply click on the "join" button underneath my YT videos - thanks.   Can't join but want to support my podcast? Help keep me caffeinated and fill my tip jar here - https://buymeacoffee.com/jenniferc    Other stuff    I've been a licensed esthetician and a makeup artist for over two decades - Want to see a list of all of my favorite beauty product recommendations? Everything I love, use, and wear all the time - CLICK HERE - https://shopmy.us/jenniferc/shelves   BUY MY ONLINE SKINCARE GUIDES HERE-  https://jenniferchristopherson.com     In Christ, Xo Jennifer    Disclaimer- This video/podcast episode is under Fair Use: Section 107 of the Copyright Act provides the statutory framework for determining whether something is a fair use and identifies certain types of uses—such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research—as examples of activities that may qualify as fair use. All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended. All Opinions are my own and within my right to express under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution      

Speculation flares after Harry and Meghan post a dance clip, with Radar Online claiming the couple are discussing a third child in 2026 and that Meghan may be reassessing her public strategy. People sources insist As Ever's apparent stockpile is preparation for international expansion, including a big push into the UK, though insiders say Harry is worried about the cost and the pace. Plus, GB News draws backlash for using a Harry lookalike to reenact courtroom testimony, and royal commentators weigh whether Meghan would return to the UK for Invictus. We also revisit claims Harry advised Brooklyn Beckham and debunk a viral TikTok rumour about Meghan and Jimmy Kimmel that appears to have no evidence behind it.Palace Intrigue is your daily royal family podcast, diving deep into the modern-day drama, power struggles, and scandals shaping the future of the monarchy.Hear our new show "Crown and Controversy: Prince Andrew" here.Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here.

Nouveaux pilotes, un brin déjantés, à bord de la Libre Antenne sur RMC ! Jean-Christophe Drouet et Julien Cazarre prennent le relais. Après les grands matchs, quand la lumière reste allumée pour les vrais passionnés, place à la Libre Antenne : un espace à part, entre passion, humour et dérision, débats enflammés, franc-parler et second degré. Un rendez-vous nocturne à la Cazarre, où l'on parle foot bien sûr, mais aussi mauvaise foi, vannes, imitations et grands moments de radio imprévisibles !

looking for more DTP content and swag? www.thereadinesslab.com/dtp-linksJanuary 10, 2020: Leadership, Resilience, and Building a Mission-Driven Life January 10, 2020, is a defining date—not just for this podcast, but for leadership, resilience, and what it truly means to commit to a mission. In this reflective episode of the Disaster Tough Podcast, host John Scardena looks back on the day he left a stable corporate career to go all-in on building Doberman Emergency Management. This conversation is not about COVID, headlines, or hindsight—it's about decision-making under uncertainty, values-based leadership, and the personal cost of choosing purpose over comfort. John shares hard-earned lessons from years of entrepreneurship, emergency management, and crisis leadership—drawing parallels between disaster response and navigating business crises. He explains how mission-driven organizations endure, why comparison is corrosive to leadership, and how resilience is built not through ease, but through repeated adversity. The episode centers on three powerful leadership principles:Stop measuring success by comparison and instead focus on whether those around you have what they need.Ignore criticism from people you wouldn't seek advice from, and be intentional about whose voices shape your decisions.Build resilience deliberately, understanding that mitigation matters—but storms will still come.John also reflects on the poem Invictus by William Ernest Henley, using it as a lens to discuss grit, accountability, and personal responsibility in moments when circumstances feel overwhelming. The episode closes with a reminder that long-term leadership is about endurance, sacrifice, family, and learning to embrace the journey—come what may. This episode is essential listening for:Emergency managers and first respondersEntrepreneurs and executives navigating uncertaintyLeaders building mission-focused organizationsAnyone facing burnout, criticism, or high-stakes decisionsIf you're building something that matters—and feeling the weight that comes with it—this episode offers perspective, clarity, and hard-won encouragement grounded in real experience, not theory.

Meghan Markle is reportedly angling for a friendship with Jennifer Aniston, fueling talk of Hollywood alliances and brand expansion, while questions swirl over how eager Prince Harry is for a social reboot. Speculation grows over a possible UK return tied to Invictus, with commentators floating highly choreographed reconciliation imagery — including the ultimate long shot, a public thaw with Kate. Add in family-heavy Instagram posts, debate over whether King Charles could appear with Harry at Invictus, fringe conspiracy chatter targeting Kate, brutal new polling for the Sussexes, and Valentine's dinners at Balmoral, and it's another crowded chapter in royal drama.Palace Intrigue is your daily royal family podcast, diving deep into the modern-day drama, power struggles, and scandals shaping the future of the monarchy.Hear our new show "Crown and Controversy: Prince Andrew" here.Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here.

Prince William reportedly brings in crisis heavyweight Liza Ravenscroft from Edelman — officially “non-crisis,” which is exactly what people say right before the crisis. The Palace read is simple: if Harry's security gets restored and a Sussex presence returns to Britain ahead of Invictus 2027, Kensington wants its comms operation ready for impact. Also in the mix: the chatter about William's 2025 income and the jealousy narrative from the Sussex side, Kate's upcoming Windsor reception for the Red Roses, and the latest round of royal micro-drama — including who didn't post a birthday message and why everyone noticed. Toss in Sophie doing hockey drills, and the Tindalls living their best Australian life, and you've got a full royal buffet.Palace Intrigue is your daily royal family podcast, diving deep into the modern-day drama, power struggles, and scandals shaping the future of the monarchy.Hear our new show "Crown and Controversy: Prince Andrew" here.Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here.

In this episode, Mike Zwick continues the conversation with special guest Whitney from "The Invictus Project" to share a powerful journey their non-profit has performed to serve those that need help the most. For more information please visit https://www.theinvictusproject.org/   "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." -Galatians 2:20

In this episode, Mike Zwick is joined by very special guest Whitney with "The Invictus Project" to share a powerful journey their non-profit has performed to serve those that need help the most. For more information please visit https://www.theinvictusproject.org/   "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." -Galatians 2:20

HEADLINES:• Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Reportedly Set to Buy Barcelona for €10 Billion• Jared Kushner Pulls Out of Trump Tower Belgrade Project With Alabbar's Eagle Hills• Abu Dhabi–Based IHC Increases Stake in Invictus, Firm Backed by Sudan's Richest FamilyNewsletter: https://aug.us/4jqModrWhatsApp: https://aug.us/40FdYLUInstagram: https://aug.us/4ihltzQTiktok: https://aug.us/4lnV0D8Smashi Business Show (Mon-Friday): https://aug.us/3BTU2MY

China has docked an uncrewed Shenzhou spacecraft with Tiangong Space Station which will return the crew currently on orbit in April 2026. NASA has reduced the number of astronaut missions on Boeing's Starliner contract and said the spacecraft's next mission to the International Space Station (ISS) will fly without a crew. The US Space Force (USSF) has awarded multiple small contracts to develop prototypes for space-based interceptors, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Greg Gillinger, SVP for Strategy & Development, Integrity ISR. Selected Reading China completes first emergency mission to Tiangong space station- Reuters NASA, Boeing Modify Commercial Crew Contract Space Force Awards Secret Contracts for Golden Dome Interceptors - Bloomberg Blue Ring to Become First Fully Commercial Space Domain Awareness Mission in GEO with Optimum Technologies' Sensor ESA - Two UK sites shortlisted for INVICTUS hypersonic test programme NASA's Mars-bound ESCAPADE Mission Captures First ‘Selfies' Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.  Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check out BeerBiceps SkillHouse's YouTube 1O1 Course - https://youtube.beerbicepsskillhouse.in/youtube-101Share your guest suggestions hereMail - connect@beerbiceps.comLink - https://forms.gle/aoMHY9EE3Cg3Tqdx9BeerBiceps SkillHouse को Social Media पर Follow करे :-YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2-Y36TqZ5MH6N1cWpmsBRQ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/beerbiceps_skillhouseWebsite : https://beerbicepsskillhouse.inFor any other queries EMAIL: support@beerbicepsskillhouse.comIn case of any payment-related issues, kindly write to support@tagmango.comLevel Supermind - Mind Performance App को Download करिए यहाँ से

In this special, Eric reports on the Blu Ray launch of Season 2 at the BFI London. Plus has a Q&A with the folks at The Word On Blakes 7 show, new effects bod Chris Thompson, top fan Andy Spencer, Blakes 7 Invictus creator Neil, and the legend that is Mat Irvine (who i forgot to thank on the show, but thank here).

Con Albert Díez. Esta semana: Es semana de Clásico. Escuchamos a Brizuela, Peñarroya y Scariolo. Análisis del Barça-Real Madrid con Pilar Casado. El periplo greco-otomano del Profesor Paniagua que nos habla de la crisis del Fenerbahçe y del díscolo Ja Morant. Actualidad NBA con Rubén Parra: no quedan Invictus, Doncic con números de extraterrestre y fecha para el regreso de LeBron James

Technology is a great tool but don't promote it to the CEO.   As William Ernest Henley said in his poem Invictus ... I am the master of my fate,   I am the captain of my soul.  And I would suggest you should also act that way.   On this week's Business Acquisition Podcast, I'll share my thoughts on technology and specifically ChatGPT with some tips on how to utilize ChatGPT best.   I'll also give you a challenge!    It's all in this week's podcast, so if you think you're ready for some hard truths, give it a listen!    To Your Success,   Bruce Whipple https://brucewhipple.com/

Prince Harry heads to Kyiv with his Invictus team, pledging to help war-wounded Ukrainians while critics question his security contradictions. Donald and Melania Trump's second state visit kicks off this week, Kate Middleton makes headlines with an improvised hair bun, and Paul Burrell launches a royal podcast. Plus, cancer vaccine theories, Graham Norton's royal wish list, Sarah Ferguson and Celebrity Traitors, and more.

Morgan Freeman has spent decades captivating audiences with his performances in films like The Shawshank Redemption, Driving Miss Daisy and Invictus. In this conversation, Freeman opens up to Al Roker about his journey from stage to screen, his admiration for Nelson Mandela and the lessons he's carried through his career. Freeman also shares his latest project, the Symphonic Blues Experience, which blends American blues with European classical music, something he calls one of the most meaningful accomplishments of his life.

On the second anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's passing, the focus shifts to whether Prince Harry will meet King Charles. William reportedly wants no part of it, fearing it would give Harry legitimacy. Meanwhile, Harry is said to have a “list of demands,” faces calls to step back from Invictus, and may finally be done with tell-all books. Plus, Prince William pops up in Eugene Levy's travel show, and Meghan's latest interview leaves viewers questioning the laugh track.

After a long summer aboard a secret superyacht, the Prince and Princess of Wales finally return to royal duties—with a photo-op at the Natural History Museum. But behind the scenes, reports say King Charles is preparing for a private meeting with Prince Harry, though William reportedly thinks it's “a terrible idea.” Meanwhile, Meghan shares new behind-the-scenes photos of Archie and Lilibet to promote her Netflix series, raising eyebrows about whether the kids are off-limits—or part of the brand. Plus: another key ally steps away from Invictus, and critics are openly mocking Meghan's latest reinvention as a “jam-making butterfly.”

This week, in the seventh episode of our summer series, BIG SCREEN, BIG CRUCIBLES, we look at INVICTUS.It's the story of how after apartheid, President Nelson Mandela uses the national rugby team to unite a deeply divided South Africa and win the 1995 Rugby World Cup, transforming a nation through the universal language of sport.It would prove to be a crucible-riddled pursuit that requires all of Mandela's intelligence, charm and ingenuity.Dive deeper into your personal narratives with our BIG SCREEN, BIG CRUCIBLES guided journal, meticulously crafted to enhance your experience with our podcast series exploring cinema's most transformative crucible stories. This journal serves as a dedicated space for introspection, inviting you to connect the profound journeys of on-screen characters with the pivotal moments that have shaped your own life.Download yours at https://mailchi.mp/09b58af7eebf/bigscreensbigcrucibles

This month we talk about Jen at the BBC, AI in science communication, a supernova in NGC7331, whether Betelgeuse has a companion, Exoplanet shenanigans, European hypersonic space planes, and of course our monthly sky guide and general chat.   Produced by Paul, Jen, John, Damien & Dustin

Ryan and Dustin dive into a sports smorgasbord! They review "Invictus," break down Bobby Bonilla Day, and celebrate the Albany Firebirds' championship. Plus, they analyze the Steelers-Dolphins trade, discuss NHL free agency moves, and reveal their favorite #48 athletes. It's a jam-packed episode of sports talk you won't want to miss! No Credentials Required is part of Belly Up Sports Media Network. Belly Up Sports: www.bellyupsports.com | www.youtube.com/@bellyupsports Invader Coffee: Fuel For the Fearless! Save 15% with promo code BELLYUP at checkout! | https://www.invadercoffee.com/?rfsn=6061080.e802273&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=6061080.e802273 Follow No Credentials Required on social media X/Instagram: @nocredsreq Facebook: www.fb.com/nocredsreq YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nocredsreq MERCH! Show the world you're a Cred Head! | https://www.bonfire.com/store/no-credentials-required/ Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/WknBEUQY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we answer emails from Isaiah, Jack, Jon and Luke.  We discuss preliminary transition issues and de-risking, Jack's "25 x 4" risk parity style portfolio, Invictus and similar themes, treasury bonds and gold as co-diversifiers and ESG funds.  And revel on how we Tom Sawyer'ed Paula Pant into creating a nice 'Risk Parity Portfolio Blueprint" for us.And THEN we our go through our weekly portfolio reviews of the eight sample portfolios you can find at Portfolios | Risk Parity Radio.To donate to the Top of the T-Shirt campaign and double your fun, please visit the Father McKenna Center donation page and note "Risk Parity Radio Match" when making your contribution.Additional Links:Father McKenna Center Donation Page:  Donate - Father McKenna CenterAfford Anything Podcast Episode:  #618: How to Retire at 50 While Supporting Aging Parents, with Frank Vasquez - Afford AnythingPaula Pant's Risk Parity Radio Blueprint:  Frank Vasquez Risk Parity Portfolio Giveaway.docxClaudia Moise Paper:  Flights to Safety, Volatility Risk, and Monetary Policy by Claudia E. Moise :: SSRNProfessor Aswath Damodaran on ESG Funds:  The Difficult Truth about ESG Investing with Aswath DamodaranFRDM Fund:  FRDM – Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF – ETF Stock Quote | MorningstarBreathless AI-bot Summary:What happens when retirement portfolio theory meets real-life investment challenges? In this illuminating episode of Risk Parity Radio, Frank Vasquez responds to listener questions that cut to the heart of creating resilient, diversified portfolios for financial independence.A military member with six years left before retirement asks how to transition from a heavy equity allocation to a risk parity approach without triggering unnecessary tax consequences. Frank offers practical guidance on using existing retirement accounts to begin de-risking immediately, demonstrating how macro allocation principles can work within institutional constraints. The advice highlights a crucial lesson: reducing overall market exposure takes precedence over perfecting individual asset selections.The psychological challenges of portfolio construction take center stage when a medical professional shares his "25 by 4" portfolio, showing equal allocations to large cap blend, small cap value, gold, and intermediate treasuries. While validating the approach, Frank addresses the emotional resilience needed when certain assets inevitably underperform for extended periods. This conversation exposes a troubling disconnect between certified financial planning education and practical portfolio construction, particularly regarding gold's vital diversification benefits.Misconceptions about long-term treasury bonds receive special attention, with Frank explaining why their value in risk parity portfolios transcends historical performance during falling interest rates. Their tendency to show negative correlation with stocks during recessions provides the portfolio protection that enables sustainable withdrawal strategies.For those interested in values-based investing, Frank challenges the notion that commercial ESG products truly align with personal ethics. His recommendatSupport the show

Vance Boelter, the right-wing assassin who is now in custody after a two day manhunt in Minnesota will face murder charges.We have updates on: The Proud Boys' $100M lawsuit against their friends at the DoJ and Trump's appeal of the E. Jean Carroll case.There is a new lawsuit against Elon Musk for bribing Wisconsin voters in the Supreme Court race. Plus, the defamation trial against the pillow man Mike Lindell has concluded. Thank you, CB Distillery Use promo code CLEANUP at CBDistillery.com for 25% off your purchase. Specific product availability depends on individual state regulations. Allison Gillhttps://muellershewrote.substack.com/https://bsky.app/profile/muellershewrote.comHarry DunnHarry Dunn | Substack@libradunn1.bsky.social on BlueskyWant to support this podcast and get it ad-free and early?Go to: https://www.patreon.com/aisle45podTell us about yourself and what you like about the show - http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=short