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This week, JD & Steve broke down the glorious 1980 sci-fi film Flash Gordon. We broke down the background of the character, the wonderful premise, the cast, the visuals, and of course, the amazing soundtrack. And it wouldn't be Rebel Nerd Radio without some tangents. We shared our reactions to the brand new Mandalorian & Grogu trailer, took an unnecessary detour in the 1980s and Italian food, and we put forth the question: Who is the greatest sci-fi villain of all time?Tune in and prepare for a campy nerdy cheese fest!Follow us at https://bio.link/rebelnerdradio and don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and join us for more galactic shenanigans every Tuesday at 7pm EST!#StarWars #RebelNerdRadio #FlashGordon
How do you say “amazing” in Italian? Here you'll learn the best word to use, a few common alternatives, and tips on when Italians would actually use them. Learn about our Online Italian School and get a free mini lesson every week: https://joyoflanguages.online/italian-school Subscribe to our new YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@joyoflanguages.italian?sub_confirmation=1 Get the bonus materials for this episode: https://italian.joyoflanguages.com/podcast/Amazing-in-Italian Today's Italian words: Questo risotto è fantastico = This risotto is amazing Questa focaccia è fantastica = This focaccia is amazing Fantastico! - Amazing! È fantastico - That's (lit. it is) amazing
JJ welcomes Sheila Donohue for a conversation that blends entrepreneurship, lifestyle, and the art of curated Italian wines and foods. Sheila shares how her company, Verovino, sources small-batch, farm-made wines, olive oils, and specialty foods—many not readily available in the U.S.—and delivers them to both consumers and businesses across America. In This Episode Meet Sheila in Bologna: Sheila shares her life in Bologna, Italy, where she's lived since 2001, and how Italy shaped her expertise and relationships with producers. What Verovino does: Verovino curates and imports authentic, sustainably made, small-batch products—primarily from Italy, plus select producers from other countries and California—selling B2B and direct-to-consumer. From fintech to food & wine: Sheila explains her background in financial technology (fintech), her sommelier training in Italy, and how her personal immersion in artisan food culture inspired the company. Starting from a "clean slate": In 2017, after major life changes, Sheila began building Verovino—funded through savings—and took early action by importing product and going door-to-door to find customers. How the business grows: Sheila emphasizes the importance of continuity (repeat business), building scale, and covering operating expenses. She explains how an omni-channel strategy helps stabilize the business: Distributors nationwide Wine stores & restaurants (especially in California) Direct-to-consumer shipping across the U.S. Corporate gifting & events Marketing & education that compounds: Verovino invests in education and storytelling through digital marketing—especially their blog and YouTube channel—to build long-term brand trust and demand. Product philosophy: As a sommelier-led team, Sheila curates for variety and distinction: reds, whites, rosés, orange wines, sparkling (dry and sweet), plus standout olive oils—including single-varietal olive oils with specific pairing profiles. Events as a growth engine: Sheila shares how tastings, fundraisers, private events, and collaborations introduce people to the products—because tasting creates appreciation and connection. Specialty foods: The conversation highlights a Piedmont hazelnut producer offering toasted hazelnuts, caramelized hazelnuts, hazelnut creams, pasta, and pestos—plus JJ's enthusiasm for pistachio cream and clean ingredients. Wine club & gifting: Sheila describes Verovino's monthly or quarterly wine club, curated shipments with insider notes and stories, and a growing trend of gifting memberships (including personalized letters). Gift sets: Verovino offers curated gift sets—popular in December—and a standout option that pairs wine + olive oil, plus expanded options for non-wine drinkers. A second brand line for broader appeal: To avoid being pigeonholed and to meet different market needs, Sheila shares how Verovino expanded into a separate line for more "recognizable" wines, including Prosecco and kegs—ideal for events and high-volume restaurant service. Advice for new producers: Sheila emphasizes the need to stand out in a crowded market—especially as the wine industry faces headwinds—and to clearly differentiate your product and message. Memorable Moments JJ connects her own journey as a winemaker (High Vibrational Wines) and discusses why she values small-batch, purpose-driven production over mass distribution. A fun community collaboration emerges: JJ invites Sheila to co-create a March event in Ojai with "Women Behind the Business: Real Conversations," potentially adding a wine tasting experience—and they discover their birthdays are both in March. Connect with Sheila / Verovino Website: Verovino.com YouTube: Vero Vino Instagram & Facebook: VeroVinoGusto Closing: JJ encourages listeners to explore Verovino for personal discovery, gifting, and creating meaningful food-and-wine experiences that bring "a taste of Italy" home.
JJ welcomes Sheila Donohue for a conversation that blends entrepreneurship, lifestyle, and the art of curated Italian wines and foods. Sheila shares how her company, Verovino, sources small-batch, farm-made wines, olive oils, and specialty foods—many not readily available in the U.S.—and delivers them to both consumers and businesses across America. In This Episode Meet Sheila in Bologna: Sheila shares her life in Bologna, Italy, where she's lived since 2001, and how Italy shaped her expertise and relationships with producers. What Verovino does: Verovino curates and imports authentic, sustainably made, small-batch products—primarily from Italy, plus select producers from other countries and California—selling B2B and direct-to-consumer. From fintech to food & wine: Sheila explains her background in financial technology (fintech), her sommelier training in Italy, and how her personal immersion in artisan food culture inspired the company. Starting from a "clean slate": In 2017, after major life changes, Sheila began building Verovino—funded through savings—and took early action by importing product and going door-to-door to find customers. How the business grows: Sheila emphasizes the importance of continuity (repeat business), building scale, and covering operating expenses. She explains how an omni-channel strategy helps stabilize the business: Distributors nationwide Wine stores & restaurants (especially in California) Direct-to-consumer shipping across the U.S. Corporate gifting & events Marketing & education that compounds: Verovino invests in education and storytelling through digital marketing—especially their blog and YouTube channel—to build long-term brand trust and demand. Product philosophy: As a sommelier-led team, Sheila curates for variety and distinction: reds, whites, rosés, orange wines, sparkling (dry and sweet), plus standout olive oils—including single-varietal olive oils with specific pairing profiles. Events as a growth engine: Sheila shares how tastings, fundraisers, private events, and collaborations introduce people to the products—because tasting creates appreciation and connection. Specialty foods: The conversation highlights a Piedmont hazelnut producer offering toasted hazelnuts, caramelized hazelnuts, hazelnut creams, pasta, and pestos—plus JJ's enthusiasm for pistachio cream and clean ingredients. Wine club & gifting: Sheila describes Verovino's monthly or quarterly wine club, curated shipments with insider notes and stories, and a growing trend of gifting memberships (including personalized letters). Gift sets: Verovino offers curated gift sets—popular in December—and a standout option that pairs wine + olive oil, plus expanded options for non-wine drinkers. A second brand line for broader appeal: To avoid being pigeonholed and to meet different market needs, Sheila shares how Verovino expanded into a separate line for more "recognizable" wines, including Prosecco and kegs—ideal for events and high-volume restaurant service. Advice for new producers: Sheila emphasizes the need to stand out in a crowded market—especially as the wine industry faces headwinds—and to clearly differentiate your product and message. Memorable Moments JJ connects her own journey as a winemaker (High Vibrational Wines) and discusses why she values small-batch, purpose-driven production over mass distribution. A fun community collaboration emerges: JJ invites Sheila to co-create a March event in Ojai with "Women Behind the Business: Real Conversations," potentially adding a wine tasting experience—and they discover their birthdays are both in March. Connect with Sheila / Verovino Website: Verovino.com YouTube: Vero Vino Instagram & Facebook: VeroVinoGusto Closing: JJ encourages listeners to explore Verovino for personal discovery, gifting, and creating meaningful food-and-wine experiences that bring "a taste of Italy" home.
Please follow us on: Instagram or Facebook ! In this episode, Kimberly and Tommaso share their experiences after living in Italy for almost a month. They discuss the daily adjustments, from understanding local customs to enjoying Italian cuisine. Key Points: The Italian Tabacchi: More Than Meets the Eye: Kimberly and Tommaso explain how a “tabacchi” in Italy serves multiple purposes beyond selling cigarettes. It is a place to purchase a “Marco da Bolo,” a stamp needed for immigration applications. This discovery highlights the unique role of local establishments in daily Italian life. The Rhythm of Reposo: Kimberly and Tommaso describe the challenge of adapting to store closing times for “riposo” or “pausa,” the Italian equivalent of a siesta. Store hours vary, making it tricky to plan errands. They joke about needing a spreadsheet or an “Airtable database” to keep track of business hours. These closures offer a peaceful atmosphere, especially during midday, creating a quiet charm in the streets. Grocery Shopping Adventures: A humorous incident occurs when Kimberly attempts to bring a two-wheel shopping cart into a grocery store. She learns that these carts are not allowed inside due to unspoken rules. Kimberly ‘s New York City instincts made her hesitant to leave her cart unattended. The grocery manager's reaction to her concern about theft provides a moment of cultural contrast. A Culinary Awakening: Kimberly and express their delight in the quality and accessibility of Italian food. Small “alimentaries” (local markets) specialize in different products, from prosciutto to Parmigiano. Even simple roasted vegetables become a culinary revelation due to the fresh ingredients and olive oil. They highlight the artistic display of food in shops, which makes shopping a visually appealing experience. The Echoes of History: Living in a village with roots dating back to the Bronze Age give Kimberly and Tommaso a deeper appreciation for history. The Venetian architecture in their village adds to its charm. Tommaso Il Favoloso reflects on his lifelong dream of living in Europe and the magical feeling of making Italy his home. Ciao!
This week, we tip our hats to the trailblazing all (or mostly) girl bands of alternative rock. Speaking of the trailblazers, today's ceremonial Third Lad certainly is one. As a musician and songwriter, Genny Schorr (aka Genny Body) was a member of one of the first mostly female punk bands in LA, Backstage Pass, along with past O3L guest Marina Muhlfriedel (aka Marina Del Rey), Joanna Spock Dean, and Holly Beth Vincent, later of Holly & The Italians (of “Tell That Girl To Shut Up” fame). They were critical in the launch of legendary LA punk club The Masque. They landed a track on Rhino Records' seminal LA punk comp, Saturday Night Pogo. They played with, and their story intertwines with, a jaw-dropping list of punk, new wave, and rock heroes. After Backstage Pass, she was invited to be in the Go-Go's. She owned the influential rock n' roll clothing boutique Strait Jacket with Stiff Records' impresario Jake Rivera, which launched a long career as a wardrobe designer and stylist to the stars. Many of those stylish videos, album covers, and magazine shoots you love from the ‘80s? Genny had a hand in sculpting the look. She lived with and toured with Linda Ronstadt as her personal wardrobe stylist as the singer transformed her image from new wave darling on the Get Closer tour to sophisticated starlet stepping in front of Nelson Riddle's big band. She styled and toured with the Bangles at their peak. But ultimately, All Roads Lead to Punk - which just happens to be the title of Genny Schorr's incredible new memoir of sex, drugs, rock n' roll and fashion fromHoZac Books. It's not only a fantastic page-turner, but the photos and ephemera make it an indispensable time capsule of the era. If you think the stories Genny shares on O3L are incredible...just wait til you read the book! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This episode of The JB and Sandy Show is a rollercoaster of nostalgia, laughter, and relatable moments that will have you grinning from ear to ear. The show kicks off with a hilarious debate: is TGI Fridays really making a comeback, or are we all just chasing the glory days of the 90s? JB and Sandy reminisce about the heyday of mall hangouts, Long Island Iced Teas, and the unforgettable “Drunk Joe”—the neighbor who once broke down his own door after a night of epic revelry. “There's no way in the world Drunk Joe is alive. No. There's just… I mean, filthy, nasty, dirty. You can't drink like that and 30 years later still be alive, right?”
Show: West Coast Women Rising (also airing on: Spirit, Purpose & Energy • Nutrition Alternative Medicine • Fit 2 Love • Women, Men & Relationships • Health & Wealth) Host: JJ Flizanes Guest: Sheila Donohue, Founder of Verovino (based in Ventura, CA; living in Bologna, Italy) Overview JJ welcomes back Sheila Donohue for a conversation that blends entrepreneurship, lifestyle, and the art of curated Italian wines and foods. Sheila shares how her company, Verovino, sources small-batch, farm-made wines, olive oils, and specialty foods—many not readily available in the U.S.—and delivers them to both consumers and businesses across America. In This Episode Meet Sheila in Bologna: Sheila shares her life in Bologna, Italy, where she's lived since 2001, and how Italy shaped her expertise and relationships with producers. What Verovino does: Verovino curates and imports authentic, sustainably made, small-batch products—primarily from Italy, plus select producers from other countries and California—selling B2B and direct-to-consumer. From fintech to food & wine: Sheila explains her background in financial technology (fintech), her sommelier training in Italy, and how her personal immersion in artisan food culture inspired the company. Starting from a "clean slate": In 2017, after major life changes, Sheila began building Verovino—funded through savings—and took early action by importing product and going door-to-door to find customers. How the business grows: Sheila emphasizes the importance of continuity (repeat business), building scale, and covering operating expenses. She explains how an omni-channel strategy helps stabilize the business: Distributors nationwide Wine stores & restaurants (especially in California) Direct-to-consumer shipping across the U.S. Corporate gifting & events Marketing & education that compounds: Verovino invests in education and storytelling through digital marketing—especially their blog and YouTube channel—to build long-term brand trust and demand. Product philosophy: As a sommelier-led team, Sheila curates for variety and distinction: reds, whites, rosés, orange wines, sparkling (dry and sweet), plus standout olive oils—including single-varietal olive oils with specific pairing profiles. Events as a growth engine: Sheila shares how tastings, fundraisers, private events, and collaborations introduce people to the products—because tasting creates appreciation and connection. Specialty foods: The conversation highlights a Piedmont hazelnut producer offering toasted hazelnuts, caramelized hazelnuts, hazelnut creams, pasta, and pestos—plus JJ's enthusiasm for pistachio cream and clean ingredients. Wine club & gifting: Sheila describes Verovino's monthly or quarterly wine club, curated shipments with insider notes and stories, and a growing trend of gifting memberships (including personalized letters). Gift sets: Verovino offers curated gift sets—popular in December—and a standout option that pairs wine + olive oil, plus expanded options for non-wine drinkers. A second brand line for broader appeal: To avoid being pigeonholed and to meet different market needs, Sheila shares how Verovino expanded into a separate line for more "recognizable" wines, including Prosecco and kegs—ideal for events and high-volume restaurant service. Advice for new producers: Sheila emphasizes the need to stand out in a crowded market—especially as the wine industry faces headwinds—and to clearly differentiate your product and message. Memorable Moments JJ connects her own journey as a winemaker (High Vibrational Wines) and discusses why she values small-batch, purpose-driven production over mass distribution. A fun community collaboration emerges: JJ invites Sheila to co-create a March event in Ojai with "Women Behind the Business: Real Conversations," potentially adding a wine tasting experience—and they discover their birthdays are both in March. Connect with Sheila / Verovino Website: Verovino.com YouTube: Vero Vino Instagram & Facebook: VeroVinoGusto (Links can be added to your show notes page.) Closing: JJ encourages listeners to explore Verovino for personal discovery, gifting, and creating meaningful food-and-wine experiences that bring "a taste of Italy" home.
Today on the show Eric is joined by Raffi Nasr of Craft Pita to go through some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. First Raffi and Eric discuss a CultureMap exclusive regarding Brasserie 19 owner Charles Clark's 2 new Italian concepts coming soon, 2 recent closures (Succulent Fine Dining and Fainmous BBQ), and the return of Spanish Village. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Hong Kong Food Street and Honest Mary's are featured. Got a question for Eric? Email him at eric@culturemap.com. Follow Eric on Instagram @ericsandler and check out some of Eric's latest articles online at Culturemap.com: Exclusive: Houston Restaurateur Brings Two New Italian Spots to Montrose Parking Problems Shutter Houston Restaurant After Less Than a Year Houston Barbecue Joint Will Soon Shutter Due to $72,000 of Unpaid Rent Iconic Houston Tex-Mex Restaurant will Reopen in New Third Ward Project Houston Charity Dining Event Returns with $15 Lunches and $25 Dinners
We owe you an explanation here twisted humans, thank you for your patience. We start off with some updates this week, then we tell you the story of the Axeman of New Orleans. Between 1918 and 1919, the unknown killer known as the Axeman terrorized Italian immigrant families, slipping into homes by chiseling away back door panels and attacking victims with their own axes. He left valuables untouched, bodies brutalized, and a city gripped by fear. When a chilling letter signed “The Axeman” was published in March 1919, he claimed to be a demon from “the hottest hell” and promised to spare any home playing jazz at exactly 12:15 a.m. The result? A city-wide night of music to keep death at bay. Despite arrests, accusations, and rampant speculation, his spree ended as mysteriously as it began. Was it coincidence that the murders stopped alongside the influenza outbreak? Or did something happen to the killer himself? Over a century later, the Axeman's bloody legacy still lingers in New Orleans lore— PSST we will be there at the end of March 2026. We love you and thank you for listening. In the meantime, keep it twisted.
Nick McDaniel is joined by Jacked Jameson and Rosario Grillo for another packed episode of Tapped In covering the biggest stories in Georgia independent wrestling.We break down major headlines, title situations, heated rivalries, and what's building toward Spectacle. There's steel cage drama, momentum shifts, and plenty of behind-the-scenes perspective you won't get anywhere else.The Let's Get Kraken segment delivers more chaos, hard lessons, and unexpected twists, while our non-wrestling Mt. Rushmore debate turns into a surprisingly passionate discussion.We close things out with Making the Drives, previewing a loaded weekend across Georgia — championship matches, stipulations, and can't-miss shows.If you follow Georgia indie wrestling, this is your weekly pulse check.
JJ welcomes back Sheila Donohue for a conversation that blends entrepreneurship, lifestyle, and the art of curated Italian wines and foods. Sheila shares how her company, Verovino, sources small-batch, farm-made wines, olive oils, and specialty foods—many not readily available in the U.S.—and delivers them to both consumers and businesses across America. In This Episode Meet Sheila in Bologna: Sheila shares her life in Bologna, Italy, where she's lived since 2001, and how Italy shaped her expertise and relationships with producers. What Verovino does: Verovino curates and imports authentic, sustainably made, small-batch products—primarily from Italy, plus select producers from other countries and California—selling B2B and direct-to-consumer. From fintech to food & wine: Sheila explains her background in financial technology (fintech), her sommelier training in Italy, and how her personal immersion in artisan food culture inspired the company. Starting from a "clean slate": In 2017, after major life changes, Sheila began building Verovino—funded through savings—and took early action by importing product and going door-to-door to find customers. How the business grows: Sheila emphasizes the importance of continuity (repeat business), building scale, and covering operating expenses. She explains how an omni-channel strategy helps stabilize the business: Distributors nationwide Wine stores & restaurants (especially in California) Direct-to-consumer shipping across the U.S. Corporate gifting & events Marketing & education that compounds: Verovino invests in education and storytelling through digital marketing—especially their blog and YouTube channel—to build long-term brand trust and demand. Product philosophy: As a sommelier-led team, Sheila curates for variety and distinction: reds, whites, rosés, orange wines, sparkling (dry and sweet), plus standout olive oils—including single-varietal olive oils with specific pairing profiles. Events as a growth engine: Sheila shares how tastings, fundraisers, private events, and collaborations introduce people to the products—because tasting creates appreciation and connection. Specialty foods: The conversation highlights a Piedmont hazelnut producer offering toasted hazelnuts, caramelized hazelnuts, hazelnut creams, pasta, and pestos—plus JJ's enthusiasm for pistachio cream and clean ingredients. Wine club & gifting: Sheila describes Verovino's monthly or quarterly wine club, curated shipments with insider notes and stories, and a growing trend of gifting memberships (including personalized letters). Gift sets: Verovino offers curated gift sets—popular in December—and a standout option that pairs wine + olive oil, plus expanded options for non-wine drinkers. A second brand line for broader appeal: To avoid being pigeonholed and to meet different market needs, Sheila shares how Verovino expanded into a separate line for more "recognizable" wines, including Prosecco and kegs—ideal for events and high-volume restaurant service. Advice for new producers: Sheila emphasizes the need to stand out in a crowded market—especially as the wine industry faces headwinds—and to clearly differentiate your product and message. Memorable Moments JJ connects her own journey as a winemaker (High Vibrational Wines) and discusses why she values small-batch, purpose-driven production over mass distribution. A fun community collaboration emerges: JJ invites Sheila to co-create a March event in Ojai with "Women Behind the Business: Real Conversations," potentially adding a wine tasting experience—and they discover their birthdays are both in March. Connect with Sheila / Verovino Website: Verovino.com YouTube: Vero Vino Instagram & Facebook: VeroVinoGusto Closing: JJ encourages listeners to explore Verovino for personal discovery, gifting, and creating meaningful food-and-wine experiences that bring "a taste of Italy" home.
JJ welcomes Sheila Donohue for a conversation that blends entrepreneurship, lifestyle, and the art of curated Italian wines and foods. Sheila shares how her company, Verovino, sources small-batch, farm-made wines, olive oils, and specialty foods—many not readily available in the U.S.—and delivers them to both consumers and businesses across America. In This Episode Meet Sheila in Bologna: Sheila shares her life in Bologna, Italy, where she's lived since 2001, and how Italy shaped her expertise and relationships with producers. What Verovino does: Verovino curates and imports authentic, sustainably made, small-batch products—primarily from Italy, plus select producers from other countries and California—selling B2B and direct-to-consumer. From fintech to food & wine: Sheila explains her background in financial technology (fintech), her sommelier training in Italy, and how her personal immersion in artisan food culture inspired the company. Starting from a "clean slate": In 2017, after major life changes, Sheila began building Verovino—funded through savings—and took early action by importing product and going door-to-door to find customers. How the business grows: Sheila emphasizes the importance of continuity (repeat business), building scale, and covering operating expenses. She explains how an omni-channel strategy helps stabilize the business: Distributors nationwide Wine stores & restaurants (especially in California) Direct-to-consumer shipping across the U.S. Corporate gifting & events Marketing & education that compounds: Verovino invests in education and storytelling through digital marketing—especially their blog and YouTube channel—to build long-term brand trust and demand. Product philosophy: As a sommelier-led team, Sheila curates for variety and distinction: reds, whites, rosés, orange wines, sparkling (dry and sweet), plus standout olive oils—including single-varietal olive oils with specific pairing profiles. Events as a growth engine: Sheila shares how tastings, fundraisers, private events, and collaborations introduce people to the products—because tasting creates appreciation and connection. Specialty foods: The conversation highlights a Piedmont hazelnut producer offering toasted hazelnuts, caramelized hazelnuts, hazelnut creams, pasta, and pestos—plus JJ's enthusiasm for pistachio cream and clean ingredients. Wine club & gifting: Sheila describes Verovino's monthly or quarterly wine club, curated shipments with insider notes and stories, and a growing trend of gifting memberships (including personalized letters). Gift sets: Verovino offers curated gift sets—popular in December—and a standout option that pairs wine + olive oil, plus expanded options for non-wine drinkers. A second brand line for broader appeal: To avoid being pigeonholed and to meet different market needs, Sheila shares how Verovino expanded into a separate line for more "recognizable" wines, including Prosecco and kegs—ideal for events and high-volume restaurant service. Advice for new producers: Sheila emphasizes the need to stand out in a crowded market—especially as the wine industry faces headwinds—and to clearly differentiate your product and message. Memorable Moments JJ connects her own journey as a winemaker (High Vibrational Wines) and discusses why she values small-batch, purpose-driven production over mass distribution. A fun community collaboration emerges: JJ invites Sheila to co-create a March event in Ojai with "Women Behind the Business: Real Conversations," potentially adding a wine tasting experience—and they discover their birthdays are both in March. Connect with Sheila / Verovino Website: Verovino.com YouTube: Vero Vino Instagram & Facebook: VeroVinoGusto Closing: JJ encourages listeners to explore Verovino for personal discovery, gifting, and creating meaningful food-and-wine experiences that bring "a taste of Italy" home.
What if the hardest part of moving abroad isn't finding a house, but finding yourself? In this episode, Doreen Cumberford sits down with Vivian Chiona, founder of Expat Nest, an online counselling platform offering psychological support in nine languages to expats, repats, and global nomads worldwide.Vivian brings warmth, wisdom, and 12 years of experience helping internationally mobile people navigate the emotional terrain that logistics can't fix. Together they explore the invisible side of expat life including the culture shock, identity shifts, and loneliness that can ambush even the most seasoned global citizen.In this episode you'll discover:Why saying goodbye well is a skill — and why it matters for how you arriveThe most common blind spots expats have when they think moving is "just logistics"Warning signs your mind and body are telling you to seek supportHow transgenerational patterns shape your expat experience (and why your grandparents' journey might be living in your bones)Why loneliness is really about disconnection — and practical ways to rebuild belongingThe secret to a happy repatriation: building your global village back homeVivian's mantra for every expat: "This too shall pass"About Vivian Chiona: Vivian is a psychologist, intercultural expert, and founder of Expat Nest offering e-counselling in nine languages including English, Greek, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, and Arabic. Services cover individuals, teenagers, couples, and families. A free 15-minute consultation is available, and direct billing with many insurances is offered.Connect with Vivian at:
This week on Two Cents Gets Distracted, Scotland did the most Scottish thing imaginable.Lose to Italy… then immediately turn around and snap England's 12-game winning streak.Yes, the Scots beat the English. The rugby world rejoiced. Bagpipes were heard from space. We are, frankly, delighted.Meanwhile, Wales have somehow discovered new geological layers of rock bottom. France treated them like training cones, playing Harlem Globetrotters rugby with offloads, flair, and the kind of ominous swagger that should concern literally everyone.Italy vs Ireland? Suddenly… tight? Competitive? Slightly terrifying if you're Irish? Is this an Italian renaissance, or are we witnessing the slow fade of Ireland's golden generation? We attempt to answer that question with absolutely no qualifications whatsoever.Plus — Super Rugby is back! The Crusaders lost (we celebrate responsibly). The Blues also lost (less fun). Balance has been restored to the universe.All that, plenty of nonsense, and a decent helping of rugby chat.Grab a beer and enjoy
Mike D'Antoni grew up in West Virginia with a dream of someday playing in the NBA. He achieved his dream by playing with the Kings. But he was out of the NBA in only three years. Then he had a chance to play in Italy where he became a superstar for Olimpia Milano. This is the story of his Italian adventure.CREDITSRick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voiceJacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher MUSIC"" by"Horizons" by Roa SPORTS HISTORY NETWORKsportshistorynetwork.comsportshistorynetwork.com/podcasts/basketball-history-101/ FACEBOOKm.facebook.com/Basketball-History-101-103801581493027/ BUSINESS CONTACTbballhistory101@gmail.com
Fluent Fiction - Italian: Lost in a Maze: Embracing Vulnerability at Carnival Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2026-02-17-08-38-20-it Story Transcript:It: Il sole invernale splendeva sopra i Giardini di Villa Borghese, illuminando i cespugli coperti di brina.En: The winter sun shone over the Giardini di Villa Borghese, illuminating the frost-covered bushes.It: Era il periodo di Carnevale, e l'aria vibra di musica a distanza e risate.En: It was the Carnival period, and the air vibrated with distant music and laughter.It: Lorenzo e Giulia passeggiavano tranquillamente, due amici con obiettivi diversi ma una meta comune: il labirinto al centro del parco.En: Lorenzo and Giulia walked peacefully, two friends with different goals but a common destination: the maze at the center of the park.It: "Giulia, sei sicura che questo sia il modo giusto per entrare nel labirinto?" chiese Lorenzo, osservando il complesso muro verde che li circondava.En: "Giulia, are you sure this is the right way to enter the maze?" asked Lorenzo, observing the complex green wall surrounding them.It: Giulia rise. "Non importa se è il modo giusto. Il divertimento sta nel perdersi un po', non credi?" La sua voce era un misto di entusiasmo e una leggera sfida.En: Giulia laughed. "It doesn't matter if it's the right way. The fun is in getting a little lost, don't you think?" Her voice was a mix of enthusiasm and a slight challenge.It: Lorenzo scrutò i sentieri stretti del labirinto, intimorito ma anche incuriosito.En: Lorenzo scrutinized the narrow paths of the maze, intimidated but also intrigued.It: Era un ragazzo riservato, senza mai osare mostrarsi completamente agli altri.En: He was a reserved boy, never daring to fully show himself to others.It: Tuttavia, i suoi occhi brillavano d'avventura, almeno agli occhi vivaci di Giulia.En: However, his eyes sparkled with adventure, at least in the lively eyes of Giulia.It: Mentre si addentravano, le siepi diventavano più alte e dense, e Lorenzo iniziò a preoccuparsi.En: As they ventured deeper, the hedges became taller and denser, and Lorenzo began to worry.It: Sapeva quanto fosse importante il Carnevale per lui: aveva lavorato segretamente a un costume che voleva mostrare a Giulia, la sua amica fidata e la musa nei momenti di insicurezza.En: He knew how important Carnival was to him: he had secretly worked on a costume he wanted to show Giulia, his trusted friend and muse in moments of insecurity.It: "Giulia, se rimaniamo bloccati qui," iniziò titubante Lorenzo, "potremmo perdere la parata. Io ho qualcosa di speciale da mostrarti."En: "Giulia, if we get stuck here," began Lorenzo hesitantly, "we might miss the parade. I have something special to show you."It: Giulia lo guardò con interesse. "Davvero? Allora dobbiamo sbrigarci! Ma prima... dimmi qualcosa di te, Lorenzo. Non ti apro mai completamente."En: Giulia looked at him with interest. "Really? Then we must hurry! But first... tell me something about yourself, Lorenzo. You never really open up."It: Lorenzo esitò, ma il calore nell'intonazione di Giulia lo incoraggiò.En: Lorenzo hesitated, but the warmth in Giulia's tone encouraged him.It: "Ho sempre paura, sai? Di fallire, di essere giudicato. Ma... sto lavorando su un costume. Qualcosa di diverso."En: "I'm always afraid, you know? Of failing, of being judged. But... I'm working on a costume. Something different."It: Giulia sorrise, sentendo il cuore del suo amico aprirsi. "Anche io ho paura, Lorenzo. La paura di non riuscire a dare vita alle emozioni nei miei testi."En: Giulia smiled, feeling her friend's heart open up. "I'm afraid too, Lorenzo. The fear of not being able to bring emotions to life in my writing."It: Si fermarono in un punto del labirinto, un piccolo spiazzo circolare che sembrava una bolla temporanea di silenzio.En: They stopped at a point in the maze, a small circular clearing that seemed like a temporary bubble of silence.It: Fu un momento di sincerità tra di loro.En: It was a moment of sincerity between them.It: "Proviamo questa via," propose Lorenzo, indicando un sentiero poco battuto.En: "Let's try this path," proposed Lorenzo, pointing to a less traveled path.It: Era una direzione sconosciuta, ma l'inspiegabile fiducia che provarono li spinse ad avanzare.En: It was an unknown direction, but the inexplicable trust they felt pushed them to move forward.It: Col tempo che rapidamente scorreva, giunsero improvvisamente a una radura centrale.En: As time quickly passed, they suddenly reached a central clearing.It: L'uscita era visibile tra i rami intricati.En: The exit was visible among the intricate branches.It: I minuti contati li fecero correre, mano nella mano, fuori dal labirinto proprio mentre il Carnevale iniziava a Roma con uno strabiliante corteo di carri colorati.En: The few remaining minutes made them run, hand in hand, out of the maze just as Carnival was starting in Rome with a dazzling parade of colorful floats.It: Con il cuore che ancora batteva per la corsa, Lorenzo rivelò finalmente il suo costume.En: With hearts still pounding from the run, Lorenzo finally revealed his costume.It: Era una meraviglia di colori e dettagli rinascimentali, un'opera d'arte vivente.En: It was a marvel of colors and Renaissance details, a living work of art.It: Giulia osservava con occhi sbalorditi e pieni di ammirazione.En: Giulia watched, eyes wide with amazement and admiration.It: "Lorenzo, è incredibile," disse lei, sentendo un genuino battito d'emozione pulsare attraverso di lei.En: "Lorenzo, it's incredible," she said, feeling a genuine surge of emotion pulsing through her.It: "Ero alla ricerca dell'emozione umana, e tu me l'hai mostrata in un modo che non mi aspettavo."En: "I was searching for human emotion, and you showed it to me in a way I didn't expect."It: Mentre la parata passava, Lorenzo e Giulia sentirono un cambiamento.En: As the parade passed by, Lorenzo and Giulia felt a change.It: Lorenzo capì che la sua timidezza poteva essere il suo punto di forza.En: Lorenzo realized that his shyness could be his strength.It: Giulia, invece, trovò le emozioni autentiche che cercava, imparando a cogliere il valore della vulnerabilità.En: Giulia, on the other hand, found the authentic emotions she was looking for, learning to appreciate the value of vulnerability.It: E così, tra i colori vivaci e le risate del Carnevale, si resero conto che trovare la via d'uscita non era soltanto questione di sentieri nel labirinto, ma anche di rivelazioni interiori che, insieme, si erano aiutati a scoprire.En: And so, amidst the vivid colors and laughter of Carnival, they realized that finding the way out wasn't just a matter of paths in a maze, but also of inner revelations that, together, they helped each other discover. Vocabulary Words:the frost: la brinathe laughter: le risatethe goal: l'obiettivothe destination: la metathe maze: il labirintothe hedge: la siepethe costume: il costumethe muse: la musathe parade: la paratathe emotion: l'emozionethe path: il sentierothe clearing: la radurathe detail: il dettagliothe work of art: l'opera d'artethe authenticity: l'autenticitàthe vulnerability: la vulnerabilitàthe bush: il cespugliothe revelation: la rivelazionethe enthusiasm: l'entusiasmothe challenge: la sfidathe silence: il silenziothe warmth: il calorethe shyness: la timidezzathe adventure: l'avventurathe insecurity: l'insicurezzathe branch: il ramothe trust: la fiduciathe change: il cambiamentothe strength: la forzathe Renaissance: il Rinascimento
Fluent Fiction - Italian: Unveiling Ancient Secrets: A Journey of Rivalry and Unity Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2026-02-17-23-34-02-it Story Transcript:It: Il vento freddo sibila tra le rovine dell'Acropoli.En: The cold wind whistles among the ruins of the Acropoli.It: L'inverno avvolge il luogo in un abbraccio gelido.En: Winter envelops the place in a frigid embrace.It: La neve copre il tempio nascosto, celando i suoi segreti millenari.En: Snow covers the hidden temple, concealing its millennia-old secrets.It: Lorenzo cammina piano, il cuore pieno di speranza.En: Lorenzo walks slowly, his heart full of hope.It: Vuole fare una scoperta importante.En: He wants to make an important discovery.It: Deve dimostrare qualcosa, non solo al mondo, ma a se stesso.En: He needs to prove something, not only to the world but to himself.It: Giulia è lì, vicino a lui.En: Giulia is there, near him.It: Anche lei è archeologa.En: She is also an archaeologist.It: Sono rivali, sempre in competizione.En: They are rivals, always in competition.It: Ma oggi, Lorenzo sente che potrebbero essere alleati.En: But today, Lorenzo feels that they might be allies.It: La neve è alta.En: The snow is deep.It: Il lavoro è difficile.En: The work is difficult.It: Il tempio è avvolto in un silenzio quasi sacro.En: The temple is wrapped in an almost sacred silence.It: Il tempo stringe.En: Time is tight.It: È il periodo di Carnevale, gli altri festeggiano, ma loro lavorano.En: It's the Carnevale season; others are celebrating, but they are working.It: Matteo, il giovane assistente di Giulia, guarda ammirato i due archeologi.En: Matteo, Giulia's young assistant, looks on in admiration at the two archaeologists.It: La tensione è alta, ma anche la determinazione.En: The tension is high, but so is their determination.It: Lorenzo si ferma davanti a un muro antico.En: Lorenzo stops in front of an ancient wall.It: Ha un'intuizione.En: He has an intuition.It: "Giulia," dice, "forse dovremmo lavorare insieme."En: "Giulia," he says, "perhaps we should work together."It: Lei esita, ma poi annuisce, sorridendo leggermente.En: She hesitates but then nods, smiling slightly.It: Sanno entrambi che unendo le forze possono fare grandi cose.En: They both know that by joining forces, they can achieve great things.It: Iniziano a scavare, passo dopo passo.En: They begin to dig, step by step.It: Le mani sono fredde, ma il loro spirito è caldo.En: Their hands are cold, but their spirit is warm.It: Dopo ore di lavoro duro, trovano una porta nascosta.En: After hours of hard work, they find a hidden door.It: Con pazienza, Lorenzo e Giulia la aprono, rivelando una camera segreta.En: With patience, Lorenzo and Giulia open it, revealing a secret chamber.It: All'interno, oggetti antichi splendono debolmente nella luce delle torce.En: Inside, ancient objects glimmer faintly in the light of the torches.It: È una scoperta incredibile.En: It is an incredible discovery.It: Un artefatto speciale brilla di magia e storia.En: A special artifact shines with magic and history.It: L'emozione è palpabile.En: The excitement is palpable.It: Le teorie storiche sono confermate.En: Historical theories are confirmed.It: Le mani di Lorenzo tremano leggermente.En: Lorenzo's hands tremble slightly.It: Giulia lo guarda, i suoi occhi brillano di gioia e rispetto.En: Giulia looks at him, her eyes shining with joy and respect.It: Hanno fatto qualcosa di grande insieme.En: They have done something great together.It: Lorenzo sente il peso della storia e capisce che non è solo un traguardo personale.En: Lorenzo feels the weight of history and understands that it's not just a personal achievement.It: È una vittoria condivisa.En: It's a shared victory.It: La notizia si diffonde velocemente.En: The news spreads quickly.It: Lorenzo e Giulia sono invitati a un simposio internazionale.En: Lorenzo and Giulia are invited to an international symposium.It: Insieme presentano le loro scoperte.En: Together they present their discoveries.It: Ricevono applausi e riconoscimenti.En: They receive applause and accolades.It: Lorenzo si rende conto che condividere il successo lo fa sentire completo, felice.En: Lorenzo realizes that sharing success makes him feel complete, happy.It: L'eredità familiare continua, ma ora, con il suo valore aggiunto.En: The family legacy continues, but now, with his added value.It: Il tempio è ancora lì, misterioso e antico, ma ora Lorenzo sa che non è solo nella sua ricerca.En: The temple is still there, mysterious and ancient, but now Lorenzo knows he is not alone in his quest.It: Ha scoperto l'importanza della collaborazione e della condivisione.En: He has discovered the importance of collaboration and sharing.It: Ecco il suo vero traguardo: crescere, imparare e fare la differenza, insieme.En: This is his true milestone: to grow, learn, and make a difference, together. Vocabulary Words:the wind: il ventocold: freddowhistles: sibilathe ruins: le rovinethe winter: l'invernoenvelops: avvolgefrigid: gelidothe temple: il tempioconcealing: celandomillennia-old: millenarithe archaeologist: l'archeologa/l'archeologorivals: rivalicompetition: competizioneallies: alleatithe tension: la tensionethe determination: la determinazionethe intuition: l'intuizioneto hesitate: esitareto nod: annuireto dig: scavarethe chamber: la camerato glimmer: splenderethe torches: le torcethe artifact: l'artefattothe excitement: l'emozionepalpable: palpabileto tremble: tremarethe respect: il rispettoto confirm: confermarethe discovery: la scoperta
Free audio/mp3 version of this video: www.fluentamerican.com/podcastWant to go through Fluent American videos in a guided, structured way (and work with me every week)? Join the Institute: www.fluentamerican.com/instituteWelcome to the Schwa Mill, where we review pronunciation files you send us and give feedback to help you achieve a more natural American English sound the next time you talk!Send us audio files for FREE here in our Schwa Mill Telegram group: https://t.me/+TJTAfM5tEyQ1ODMx************Have you ever thought about speaking American English like a native speaker, especially for accent/pronunciation?As a language learner myself, I get the desire to sound more natural in a language I've learned, and I'm sorry if the language learning journey has ever been discouraging. I believe the sound you want is in reach though!This channel is one small step to make to move you closer to your goal. For those who want more help, find more info about Magnet Lab at www.fluentamerican.com/magnetlab to see if a deeper dive with me could help your goals become your reality.Who am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.#fluentamerican #americanenglish #pronunciation
Sometimes a chocolate bar is just a chocolate bar. And sometimes it's something else entirely. Sometimes it's an experience, and sometimes that experience comes with a remarkable history. Trader Joe's Blonde Bar, our first foray into the world of blonde chocolate, is this kind of chocolate bar. Join us as we pay a visit to our Italian bean-to-bar chocolate supplier, where the third generation of the founding family is both honoring their history and embracing modern technologies to push the boundaries of what's possible. Transcript (PDF)
A London gravedigger spent two years quietly digging up the dead by day and selling their bodies, teeth, and severed limbs to hospitals by night — with a 14-year-old girl holding the basket.HEAR THE NEW SONG FOR THIS EPISODE! https://youtu.be/7_uVLP_0YUM *** For the final story in this podcast episode, "Knights, Dragons, and Dino DNA"... “DINOSAUR” is a pop-punk thought experiment about ancient monsters, biblical beasts, and the uncomfortable possibility that some things might not be as settled as we're told. From Behemoth to Leviathan to a certain long-necked lake resident, the song asks a simple question: if it looks like a dinosaur, sounds like a dinosaur, and terrifies everyone like a dinosaur… what exactly are we waiting for? It's a raised eyebrow to long-held beliefs set to power chords. (Interpret responsibly.)IN THIS EPISODE: The Phaistos Disc was discovered in 1903, by Italian archaeologists in southern Crete. Since then the disc has remained a mystery as no one has been able to decipher the writings upon it, nor who made the object, what was it used for, and even if it's a genuine archaeological discovery or a clever fake. (The Phaistos Disc) *** Usually you learn that a place is haunted simply because people say it is. It's common knowledge around the town or neighborhood… but when the government of your country says a place is haunted, you'd better danged well listen. Such is the case with India's Bhangarh Fort. (Bhangarh Fort – The Most Haunted Place in India) *** At the end of 1894 French army captain Alfred Dreyfus, a graduate of the École Polytechnique, and a Jew of Alsatian origin, was accused of handing secret documents to the Imperial German military. After a closed trial, he was found guilty of treason and sentenced to life imprisonment on the dreaded Devil's Island. But that's just the beginning of the story that later became known as The Dreyfus Affair. (The Dreyfus Affair) *** We've all heard of the power of the mind – it's been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of pain, some well-trained individuals can use their mind to slow their rate of respiration, to bring their heartbeat down to almost nothing with no long-term ill effects… but what about controlling things outside of your own body? Is the mind that powerful? Some believe so – and they also believe it's one possible explanation for hauntings. (The Wild PK of the Poltergeist) *** Is it possible that our history books are wrong and that humans actually did walk with dinosaurs? It might not be as far-fetched as it sounds, especially when you look at tales of knights, dragons, and T-Rex DNA. (Knights, Dragons, and Dino DNA) *** We'll have a short tale about Joseph Naples… who chose the macabre career of being a grave digger… but only because it made it easier for him to be a grave robber… and a body snatcher. (A London Body Snatcher)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Show Open00:02:56.690 = A London Body Snatcher00:11:52.171 = The Phaistos Disc ***00:24:08.962 = Bhangarh Fort – The Most Haunted Place in India00:32:12.421 = The Dreyfus Affair ***00:41:16.636 = The Wild PK of the Poltergeist00:47:23.109 = Knights, Dragons, and Dino DNA ***00:56:08.245 = Show Close*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad breakHELPFUL LINKS & RESOURCES…https://WeirdDarkness.com/STORE = Tees, Mugs, Socks, Hoodies, Totes, Hats, Kidswear & Morehttps://WeirdDarkness.com/HOPE = Hope For Depression or Thoughts of Self-Harmhttps://WeirdDarkness.com/NEWSLETTER = In-Depth Articles, Memes, Weird DarkNEWS, Videos & Morehttps://WeirdDarkness.com/AUDIOBOOKS = FREE Audiobooks Narrated By Darren Marlar SOURCES and RESOURCES:#ChurchOfTheUndead: “DRAGONS, SLAYERS, AND A DINO BOAT RIDE”: https://weirddarkness.com/dragons-slayers-and-a-dino-boat-ride/“Knights, Dragons, and Dino DNA” posted at Earth Chronicles: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/9cvh5mwa“A London Body Snatcher” by Suzie for DiggingUp1800.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/akvjtuxk“The Phaistos Disc” by Brian Haughton: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/swkhu9ah“Bhangarh Fort” from BuggedSpace.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/r3uyrjc4“The Dreyfus Affair” by Syd Albright for CDA Press: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/n5upfkvb“The Wild PK of the Poltergeist” by Dr. Michael Grosso for Consciousness Unbound:=====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: July 20, 2021EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/JosephNaplesABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all things strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold cases, conspiracy theories, and more. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “20 Best Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a blend of “Coast to Coast AM”, “The Twilight Zone”, “Unsolved Mysteries”, and “In Search Of”.DISCLAIMER: Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.#WeirdDarkness #BodySnatching #BodySnatchers #GraveRobbing #Resurrectionist #JosephNaples #TrueCrime #DarkHistory #LondonHistory #CreepyHistory #MacabreHistory #GravediggerSecrets #SpaFields #Clerkenwell #GeorgianEngland #BoroughGang #CriminalHistory #HistoricalCrime #BowStreetPatrol #CorpseTrade #MedicalHistory #ResurrectionMen #ColdBathFields #ScaryStories #HorrorHistory #GraveyardSecrets #TrueCrimeHistory #1800sCrime #BritishHistory #DarkPast
In this episode of Gangland Wire, host Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective, steps outside traditional Mafia territory and into a shadowy world just as dangerous—and just as fascinating: the international theft of ultra-rare automobiles. Gary is joined by author Stayton Bonner, former senior editor at Rolling Stone, and legendary car-recovery specialist Joe Ford, the real-life figure behind Bonner's book The Million Dollar Car Detective. At the center of the story is a breathtaking pre-World War II automobile—the Talbot-Lago Teardrop Coupé—once described as the most beautiful car in the world. Stolen from a Milwaukee industrialist's garage in 2001, the car vanished into the international underground of elite collectors, forged paperwork, and high-stakes deception. Joe Ford explains how he became the go-to investigator when rare cars worth millions disappear—and why stolen vehicles are far harder to recover than stolen art. What follows is a years-long global hunt involving disgruntled mechanics, fabricated titles, shell corporations, Swiss intermediaries, and a billionaire buyer now locked in civil litigation. Bonner adds rich historical context, tracing the car's glamorous past—from European aristocracy to Hollywood royalty—and exposing how loneliness, obsession, and greed often surround these legendary machines. The conversation expands into other notorious cases, including the disappearance of the original James Bond Aston Martin from Goldfinger, and how wealthy collectors sometimes knowingly harbor stolen artifacts. This episode is a true-crime story without guns or gangs—but filled with deception, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of justice across borders. If you love investigative work, high-end crime, and stories that feel like James Bond meets Gone in 60 Seconds, this one's for you.
On the night of November 11, 1940, the HMS Illustrious launched two waves of Swordfish torpedo bombers against the Italian fleet anchored at Taranto. Despite losing formation in the clouds and facing intense anti-aircraft fire, the British pilots pressed home their attacks against the Italian battleships. When the smoke cleared, three battleships—the Littorio, Conti di Cavour, and Duilio—had been torpedoed and damaged, with the Cavour never returning to service. This episode covers the dramatic night attack, the damage inflicted on the Italian fleet, and the aftermath that shifted the balance of naval power in the Mediterranean while providing a glimpse of the future of carrier-based warfare. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on History of the Second World War. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
February 17th is a big day in Tiffany's life this year... from Martedi Grasso with Aurelio (aka Pulcinella) to her Italian sister-in-law's Master's graduation to her mom's birthday. Hear Katy and Tiffany chat about what Italian graduation looks like (and what it takes to get your degree) as well as the fun and the surprising (yet very traditional) Carvenale costume Aurelio chose this year. ------------------------------------- COME TO ROME WITH US: Our third annual Bittersweet Life Roman Adventure is in the books! If you'd like to join us in 2026, and be part of an intimate group of listeners on a magical and unforgettable journey to Rome, discovering the city with us as your guides, find out more here. ADVERTISE WITH US: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started. BECOME A PATRON: Pledge your monthly support of The Bittersweet Life and receive awesome prizes in return for your generosity! Visit our Patreon site to find out more. TIP YOUR PODCASTER: Say thanks with a one-time donation to the podcast hosts you know and love. Click here to send financial support via PayPal. (You can also find a Donate button on the desktop version of our website.) The show needs your support to continue. START PODCASTING: If you are planning to start your own podcast, consider Libsyn for your hosting service! Use this affliliate link to get two months free, or use our promo code SWEET when you sign up. SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. Click here to find us on a variety of podcast apps. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us. JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email here. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tag #thebittersweetlife with your expat story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon. TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide!
Last autumn Italian workers shut down their country in opposition to the Gaza genocide. In the United States, in contrast, labor activists wanting to take a stand in solidarity with Palestinian workers are frequently chastised for trying to involve their unions in the affairs of other countries. Yet labor historian Jeff Schuhrke illustrates that U.S. unions have long been involved in Palestine — for almost a century supporting Zionism and then the state Israel. (Encore presentation.) National Labor Network for Ceasefire Jeff Schuhrke, No Neutrals There: US Labor, Zionism, and the Struggle for Palestine Haymarket Books, 2025 Photo by Nikolas Gannon on Unsplash The post Zionism and U.S. Unions appeared first on KPFA.
From Kalulu red card scandal, Chiellini and Comolli Juventus fury, moral panic over Bastoni and Chivu in Italian media, magical Modric Milan's hero, Malen can't stop scoring for Roma, to Alisson Santos heroics for Napoli, to Fiorentina take massive win over Como where Fabregas fries Morata, and Atalanta right back in top 4 race over Lazio who hope season ends, Orban red card sends Hellas Verona into a tailspin, preview of Champions League, Europa League and Conference League playoffs, as well as this week's Baggio, Serie ASS and Premface of the week plus much, much more when Nima and Carlo break down all the main talking points from Match Day 25 of the 2025/2026 Serie A season. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro - Match Day 25 Episode Overview 03:16 Inter Milan Vs Juventus - Pierre Kalulu Sending Off Scandal 14:55 Serie A Referee Crisis - Gianluca Rocchi Must Resign 25:26 VAR - The Protocol Must Be Changed 28:30 Italian Cancel Culture - Moral Panic Meltdown On Bastoni & Chivu 49:55 Juventus - Spalletti Won Tactical Battle But Di Gregorio Does A Handanovic 54:53 Inter - End Big Match Curse But Carved Open Way Too Easily In Midfield 57:55 AC Milan - Magical Modric As Füllkrug Woke Penalty Not Costly 01:01:44 Roma - Malen Continues To Deliver In Gasperini System 01:04:02 Napoli - Alisson Santos Changed Game As Conte & Co Remain Unbeaten At Home 01:08:32 Fiorentina Record Massive Win Over Como As Fabregas Fries Morata 01:10:03 Atalanta Right In Serie A Top 4 Race As Lazio Can't Wait For Season To End 01:11:08 Best Of The Rest - Sassuolo Score Two Wonderful Goals Against Udinese, Orban Red Card Sends Hellas Verona Into Rage Mode As Parma Win, Cremonese Fail To Score Against Genoa As Bologna Beat Torino 01:13:58 Champions League, Europa League & Conference League Playoff Preview - Juve Clash With Galatasaray In Istanbul, Inter In Arctic Conditions Against Bodo/Glimt, Atalanta Travel To Dortmund, Bologna Host Brann & Fiorentina At Home To Jagiellonia Białystok 01:17:00 Baggio, Premface & Serie ASS Of The Week - Italian Sport Shines As A Whole Italian Football Fails, Another Carragher Owngoal, Serie A Aleksandro Vs Ruben Amorim Mixup & More If you want to support The Italian Football Podcast and get every episode, simply become a member on Patreon.com/TIFP OR Spotify OR YouTube Memberships. Your support makes The Italian Football Podcast possible. Follow us: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Episode Description: What would you do if a hundred raccoons surrounded you—just for a handful of marshmallows?
Documents released by the U.S. Justice Department show that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein spent years corresponding with figures in the cybersecurity community and repeatedly tried to involve himself with two of the world's biggest hacker conventions, DEF CON and Black Hat, in Las Vegas. According to emails reviewed by Politico, Epstein's interest in cryptography and cybersecurity extended back to at least 2010, and he discussed topics ranging from network security to ways of pushing negative information about himself down in internet search results. Though he expressed a desire to attend these major events — even at times proposing to bring high-profile guests — there's no clear evidence he ever actually got into either conference, and organizers like Jeff Moss have said there's no proof he followed through on plans to attend.The documents also reveal Epstein's broader tech network, including contacts with researchers and entrepreneurs introduced through academic and startup circles. Among those mentioned was Italian security researcher Vincenzo Iozzo, who communicated with Epstein about potential business opportunities and emerging technologies but has denied doing any technical work for him. An FBI file included in the release also alleges Epstein may have had an unidentified “personal hacker” who developed offensive cyber tools sold to governments, though the name was redacted and some of the claims remain unverified.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Jeffrey Epstein spent years building ties to well-known hackers - POLITICO
In our newest series led by our Italian reporter Matteo we get to hear from a worker organizer, Romeo, of the Feb 6, 2026 international strike of Mediterranean dockworkers against war and for Palestine. CALP or the Autonomous Collective of Port Workers is a militant collective of workers who have had enough of the ruling imperialist class trying to force them into complicity with international crimes against humanity so they have become sand in the machine, shutting down weapons shipments coming through their ports. Join the discord: discord.gg/tDvmNzX Follow the pod at instagram.com/workstoppage, @WorkStoppagePod on Twitter, John @facebookvillain, and Lina @solidaritybee
Today's story: A “millionaire” is someone with a net worth of one million dollars. But the reality of a million dollars today is very different from when the word entered English in the late 1700s. Today's millionaires are more likely to drive ordinary cars, live in the suburbs, and manage their own daily chores than live the lavish lifestyles we often associate with the word “millionaire.”Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/839Get the full story and learning resources: https://plainenglish.com/839--Plain English helps you improve your English:Learn about the world and improve your EnglishClear, natural English at a speed you can understandNew stories every weekLearn even more at PlainEnglish.comMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com
England managed to get over the line against a spirited Italian team in Kolkata to qualify for the Super 8s. Henry Moeran and Steven Finn review the action from Eden Gardens and we hear from player of the match Will Jacks, Italy Captain Harry Manenti, England captain Harry Brook plus England all-rounder Sam Curran and Italy opener Justin Mosca.
No donuts today as Jill isn't feeling well (listen to her voice) and Tom says he's on a diet. The hosts open the show by discussing big Toyota news: The Highlander is going EV only for 2027. Listen in for Jill and Tom's take on this announcement. Also discussed is Jeep's new lower-cost V8 Wrangler model. Next, Tom shares a brief take on the very-affordable Chevrolet Trax in topline Activ trim. Should entry-level shoppers take a look at Chevy's least-expensive model? Listen in. Still in the first segment, the hosts co-review the sporty Alfa Romeo Stelvio Intensa small crossover. Jill and Tom agree that there is a lot here to like here, though the very-engaging Italian model is not without its compromises. In the second segment, Jill and Tom are joined by Evan Frank, Seat Engineering Manager for Nissan. Evan explains why denim especially is so tough on car and truck seats, and how Infiniti has been using a jeans-clad robot to test vehicle seats for long-term wear resistance. It's a great conversation. In the final segment, Jill is subjected to Tom's "Even More Spelling" quiz, plus, the duo discusses Cadillac's surprising commitment to electric vehicles, and a North American Car of the Year/Society of Automotive Engineers-sponsored scholarship program. Listen in for details. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
We recap the rest of Kyle's San Diego trip with guitar swap meets, retro gaming stores, classic Italian joints galore! We also chat watches, Kyle's new hobby, and our favorite "live" albums. You can help support the show on our PATREON for as little as $1 a month! Double down to bump it to $2 a month and you'll get an extra episode every week! Join the fun on our Facebook group! Follow us on the fuckin' Gram! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for the video version of the show, demos, vlogs, and more! We have shirts available at The Jerk Store! Check out our band Plane Without a Pilot Hosted by Brian Gower and Kyle McIntyre
Documents released by the U.S. Justice Department show that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein spent years corresponding with figures in the cybersecurity community and repeatedly tried to involve himself with two of the world's biggest hacker conventions, DEF CON and Black Hat, in Las Vegas. According to emails reviewed by Politico, Epstein's interest in cryptography and cybersecurity extended back to at least 2010, and he discussed topics ranging from network security to ways of pushing negative information about himself down in internet search results. Though he expressed a desire to attend these major events — even at times proposing to bring high-profile guests — there's no clear evidence he ever actually got into either conference, and organizers like Jeff Moss have said there's no proof he followed through on plans to attend.The documents also reveal Epstein's broader tech network, including contacts with researchers and entrepreneurs introduced through academic and startup circles. Among those mentioned was Italian security researcher Vincenzo Iozzo, who communicated with Epstein about potential business opportunities and emerging technologies but has denied doing any technical work for him. An FBI file included in the release also alleges Epstein may have had an unidentified “personal hacker” who developed offensive cyber tools sold to governments, though the name was redacted and some of the claims remain unverified.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Jeffrey Epstein spent years building ties to well-known hackers - POLITICOBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
Greek mythology has a way of cycling back. Every generation seems to take a turn with these stories, reshaping them to fit the tools and tastes of the moment. With a new version of The Odyssey directed by Christopher Nolan on the horizon, it feels like a good time to revisit a few earlier attempts. Not the definitive versions. Just four films that each capture a different moment in how the myths were staged.Jason and the ArgonautsDirected by Don Chaffey and brought to life by the stop motion work of Ray Harryhausen, this remains the standard for mythological adventure on film.The skeleton fight is still the showcase. Harryhausen animated seven sword fighting skeletons by hand, frame by frame, matching choreography that had already been filmed with live actors. It took months to complete just a few minutes of screen time. The patience shows. The movement has weight and timing that still feels precise.There is also Talos, the bronze giant, who creaks to life in a way that feels mechanical and ancient at the same time. No digital polish. Just careful craft. The film was not a major hit in 1963, but it built its reputation through television airings and revival screenings. Filmmakers like Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson have pointed to it as an influence.Clash of the TitansNearly twenty years later, Harryhausen returned for what would be his final feature. Released in 1981, the same summer as Raiders of the Lost Ark, it feels like a bridge between eras.Medusa is the standout. Instead of legs she has a serpentine body, and the sequence plays almost like a horror film, full of shadow and flickering light. Harryhausen again handled the creature effects himself, at a time when optical and early digital techniques were starting to change the industry.The cast gives the film a formal tone. Laurence Olivier plays Zeus and Maggie Smith appears as Thetis. There is also Bubo, the small mechanical owl added after the success of Star Wars. Even at the time some viewers were unsure about that addition. It says a lot about where fantasy films were headed in the early 1980s.HerculesDirected by Luigi Cozzi and starring Lou Ferrigno, this version of Hercules leans into spectacle in a way that is sometimes baffling and sometimes charming.Ferrigno had already been known for playing the Hulk on television, so casting him as Hercules made sense on a physical level. The film itself mixes Greek myth with science fiction imagery, including cosmic visuals and creatures that feel closer to Italian fantasy cinema than to Homer.It was part of a cycle of sword and sandal films in the early 1980s, many of them international co productions designed for global markets. The effects are uneven, but there is sincerity here. It commits to its vision without irony.The OdysseyDirected by Andrei Konchalovsky and starring Armand Assante, this two part television adaptation aired in 1997 as an event production.The format allows it to cover more of the journey than most feature films attempt. The Cyclops sequence and the Sirens episode stand out, helped by visual effects that were ambitious for network television at the time. The production won an Emmy for visual effects and reflects a brief period when large scale myth adaptations were being mounted for prime time audiences.Watching it now, you can see both its limits and its effort. It wants to treat the source material seriously, without reducing it to spectacle alone.Taken together, these films show how the same source material can shift with the era. Stop motion craft in the 1960s. Transitional fantasy in the early 1980s. International genre filmmaking. Large scale television in the 1990s.When Nolan releases his Odyssey, it will enter a long line of attempts to translate these myths into something contemporary. Revisiting these earlier versions is a way to see how each generation solved the same problem with different tools.They are worth tracking down. Not because they are perfect, but because each one reflects a moment when someone decided these ancient stories were still worth staging carefully.Thanks for reading Video Store Podcast! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.videostorepodcast.com
Send a textMarried by the Mob RecapIn this episode, Wendy, Kelli, and Lori share their experiences attending a live show featuring Renee Graziano, known for her role in Mob Wives. They discuss the fun atmosphere, family connections, and the cultural significance of Italian weddings. The trio reflects on the performances, the interactions with the cast, and their excitement for the future of Mob Wives. They encourage listeners to attend similar events and share their thoughts on the show's impact.TakeawaysThe live show was a fun experience reminiscent of family weddings.Meeting cast members added a personal touch to the event.The atmosphere felt familiar and comfortable, like an Italian wedding.Renee Graziano's interaction with the audience was genuine and relatable.The show featured a mix of entertainment and personal stories.The hosts felt a strong connection to the Italian culture represented.They expressed excitement for the return of Mob Wives.The event encouraged audience participation and engagement.The hosts hope for more live shows in the future.The conversation highlighted the importance of community and shared experiences.Support the showhttps://www.wewinewhenever.com/
Welcome to another episode of Death Don't Do Fiction, the AIPT Movies podcast! The podcast about the enduring legacy of our favorite movies! This February we're kicking off our “Fast February” series, where we cover the movies that made Vin Diesel a star and taught the world to live their lives one quarter mile at a time, The Fast & Furious franchise! In this week's episode, Alex, Tim, and returning guest Bill Mueller discuss the one that started it all, 2001's The Fast and the Furious!Limp Bizkit! Ja Rule! Cheesy lines! Chunky boots that would make Guy Fieri jealous! A fittingly quick and entertaining pace! Recognizable Los Angeles locations! Questionable car talk! Exciting new home video technology! Legally purchased DVD players! Overheated manifolds! Reckless contempt for carpooling! Shockingly organized crowds of young, illegal street racers! A guy playing guitar at a party! Product placement for Pizza Hut, Corona, and most-notably, the nitrous oxide brand NOS! A great high-speed heist to open the movie and plenty of (mostly) real stunts and action! Occasional surreal, anime-influenced racing scenes years before the Speed Racer movie came out! A versatile cast of young actors on the verge of stardom, including Vin Diesel with a rare shred of humility, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez laying the foundation for one of cinema's most iconic female action heroes, and Matt Schulze making the most of his very punchable face! A 2001 time capsule which may have borrowed heavily from Point Break, but still has great chemistry between the two leads with some impressive world building and story mechanics, and would surprisingly go on to become one of the biggest and most influential action franchises in movie history!In addition, Alex shares his spoiler-free thoughts on Spring Breakers, The Beekeeper, Lucio Fulci's dance-themed giallo Murder Rock, and Sam Raimi's return to horror, Send Help!You can find Death Don't Do Fiction on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. As always, if you enjoy the podcast, be sure to leave us a positive rating, subscribe to the show, and tell your friends!The Death Don't Do Fiction podcast brings you the latest in movie news, reviews, and more! Hosted by supposed “industry vets,” Alex Harris and Tim Gardiner, the show gives you a peek behind the scenes from two filmmakers with oddly nonexistent filmographies. You can find Alex on Twitter, Bluesky, or Letterboxd @actionharris. This episode's guest, Bill Mueller, can be found on Bluesky. Tim can't be found on social media because he doesn't exist. If you have any questions or suggestions for the Death Don't Do Fiction crew, they can be reached at aiptmoviespod@gmail.com, or you can find them on Twitter or Instagram @aiptmoviespod.Theme song is “We Got it Goin On” by Cobra Man.
Fluent Fiction - Italian: Under the Leaning Tower: A Family's Valentine's Reconciliation Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2026-02-16-23-34-02-it Story Transcript:It: Nel cuore dell'inverno, il cielo sopra Pisa era limpido e freddo.En: In the heart of winter, the sky above Pisa was clear and cold.It: La Torre pendente sembrava vegliare sulla città, inclinata e solenne.En: The Leaning Tower seemed to watch over the city, tilted and solemn.It: Era il giorno di San Valentino, e sotto i suoi archi si preparava un incontro speciale.En: It was Valentine's Day, and beneath its arches, a special meeting was being prepared.It: Luca, Gianna e Matteo si trovavano là, ciascuno con il cuore pieno di aspettative e dubbi.En: Luca, Gianna, and Matteo were there, each with a heart full of expectations and doubts.It: Luca era il più grande, e sentiva il peso della responsabilità.En: Luca was the eldest and felt the weight of responsibility.It: Dopo anni di silenzi e incomprensioni, aveva deciso di riunire la famiglia.En: After years of silence and misunderstandings, he had decided to bring the family together.It: Voleva spezzare il cerchio del passato.En: He wanted to break the cycle of the past.It: Era convinto che niente fosse più forte della famiglia, neanche i vecchi rancori.En: He was convinced that nothing was stronger than family, not even old resentments.It: Aveva organizzato tutto nei minimi dettagli.En: He had organized everything down to the smallest details.It: Gianna guardava la Torre con scetticismo.En: Gianna looked at the Tower with skepticism.It: Lo spettacolo era impressionante, non c'è dubbio, ma il suo cuore era ancora chiuso.En: The sight was impressive, no doubt, but her heart was still closed.It: La sua mente ritornava ai litigi passati.En: Her mind returned to past arguments.It: Non era così sicura che fosse possibile dimenticare.En: She wasn't so sure it was possible to forget.It: Ma era lì, curiosa di vedere cosa, se qualcosa, sarebbe cambiato.En: But she was there, curious to see what, if anything, would change.It: Matteo, il più giovane, aveva sempre creduto nella possibilità di un nuovo inizio.En: Matteo, the youngest, had always believed in the possibility of a new beginning.It: Con il suo sorriso sincero, cercava di scaldare l'atmosfera fredda.En: With his sincere smile, he tried to warm the cold atmosphere.It: Credeva che l'amore potesse vincere su tutto, e voleva vederlo accadere davanti ai suoi occhi.En: He believed that love could conquer all, and he wanted to see it happen before his eyes.It: Luca aveva preparato un'attività speciale.En: Luca had prepared a special activity.It: Chiese a ogni membro della famiglia di condividere un ricordo felice, un momento in cui l'amore familiare era stato più forte di qualsiasi altra cosa.En: He asked each family member to share a happy memory, a moment when family love had been stronger than anything else.It: "Ricordiamo i bei tempi," disse, la voce tremante di emozione.En: "Let's remember the good times," he said, his voice trembling with emotion.It: Cominciò Matteo, raccontando di un pomeriggio d'estate passato a ridere e giocare negli spruzzi delle fontane di una piazza.En: Matteo began, recounting an afternoon of summer spent laughing and playing in the sprays of a square's fountains.It: La sua risata riecheggiò sotto il cielo d'inverno, rompendo il ghiaccio.En: His laughter echoed under the winter sky, breaking the ice.It: Gianna ascoltava, le braccia incrociate sul petto.En: Gianna listened, arms crossed on her chest.It: Poi, pian piano, il suo viso si rilassò mentre Luca parlava di una festa di Natale, quando tutti si erano stretti intorno al tavolo, illuminati dalle luci dell'albero.En: Then, slowly, her face relaxed as Luca spoke of a Christmas party when everyone gathered around the table, illuminated by the tree lights.It: Infine, Gianna parlò.En: Finally, Gianna spoke.It: Con esitazione, ma con sincerità, ricordò un compleanno passato insieme, il calore delle voci che cantavano, l'affetto nei loro occhi.En: With hesitation, but with sincerity, she remembered a birthday spent together, the warmth of voices singing, the affection in their eyes.It: La sua voce si incrinò, e per un momento sembrò che il mondo stesso si fosse fermato.En: Her voice cracked, and for a moment, it seemed as if the world itself had stopped.It: Il silenzio seguì, ma era pieno di comprensione.En: Silence followed, but it was full of understanding.It: Alla fine, un sorriso timido si affacciò sul volto di Luca.En: In the end, a shy smile appeared on Luca's face.It: "Abbiamo bisogno di continuare a creare ricordi," disse.En: "We need to keep creating memories," he said.It: "Passiamo oltre."En: "Let's move on."It: La tensione si dissolse lentamente.En: The tension slowly dissolved.It: Uno alla volta, fecero un passo avanti, abbracciandosi.En: One by one, they stepped forward, embracing each other.It: Il calore del loro abbraccio sfidava il freddo dell'inverno.En: The warmth of their hug defied the winter cold.It: Dalla Torre, i turisti osservarono quel gruppo di persone trasformarsi sotto i loro occhi.En: From the Tower, tourists watched that group of people transform before their eyes.It: Sentivano l'eco della riconciliazione.En: They felt the echo of reconciliation.It: Nulla era dimenticato, ma tutto era perdonato.En: Nothing was forgotten, but everything was forgiven.It: La famiglia si ricompose sotto la storica Torre di Pisa, portando con sé la promessa di un futuro più luminoso.En: The family came together again under the historic Leaning Tower of Pisa, carrying with them the promise of a brighter future.It: Luca imparò che l'apertura e il dialogo potevano guarire vecchie ferite, Gianna lasciò andare il suo scetticismo, e Matteo vide realizzato il suo sogno di unità familiare.En: Luca learned that openness and dialogue could heal old wounds, Gianna let go of her skepticism, and Matteo saw his dream of family unity realized.It: Quel giorno, sotto il cielo d'inverno, la famiglia trovò una nuova forza tra le ombre della storia.En: That day, under the winter sky, the family found new strength amidst the shadows of history.It: E la Torre, inclinata e antica, rimase come testimone silenziosa della loro promessa.En: And the Tower, tilted and ancient, remained as a silent witness to their promise. Vocabulary Words:the heart: il cuorethe sky: il cieloclear: limpidothe responsibility: la responsabilitàmisunderstandings: incomprensionito break: spezzareresentments: rancorismallest details: minimi dettaglithe skepticism: lo scetticismoarguments: litigihesitation: l'esitazionesincerity: la sinceritàbirthday: compleannothe hug: l'abbracciothe fondness: l'affettoto crack: incrinarsithe world: il mondounderstanding: la comprensionetension: la tensioneto dissolve: dissolversitourists: i turistireconciliation: la riconciliazionethe promise: la promessawounds: le feriteto heal: guarireto let go: lasciare andareunity: l'unitàstrength: la forzashadows: le ombrethe witness: il testimone
Fluent Fiction - Italian: Giovanna's Tuscan Quest: Secrets of Winemaking Unveiled Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2026-02-16-08-38-19-it Story Transcript:It: Giovanna guardava fuori dal finestrino del pullman.En: Giovanna looked out the window of the bus.It: Le colline toscane scorrevano come un dipinto animato.En: The Tuscan hills passed by like an animated painting.It: Era inverno, e i vigneti dormivano sotto il cielo pallido.En: It was winter, and the vineyards slept under the pale sky.It: La sua scuola aveva organizzato una gita all'azienda vinicola di Francesco, un luogo famoso per le sue tecniche tradizionali di vinificazione.En: Her school had organized a trip to Francesco's winery, a place famous for its traditional winemaking techniques.It: Appena arrivati, la cantina era un via vai di gente.En: As soon as they arrived, the winery was a bustle of people.It: Si svolgeva un vertice internazionale e le persone parlavano lingue diverse.En: An international summit was taking place, and people were speaking different languages.It: Giovanna era entusiasta ma un po' preoccupata.En: Giovanna was excited but a little worried.It: Doveva impressionare Francesco.En: She had to impress Francesco.It: Il suo progetto finale dipendeva da questo.En: Her final project depended on it.It: Lorenzo, il suo compagno, era meno interessato ai vini.En: Lorenzo, her classmate, was less interested in the wines.It: "Andiamo a vedere cosa c'è da mangiare," propose con un sorriso.En: "Let's go see what's there to eat," he proposed with a smile.It: Ma Giovanna aveva una missione.En: But Giovanna had a mission.It: Doveva parlare con Francesco.En: She had to talk to Francesco.It: Doveva vedere le botti, sentire l'odore dei mosti fermentati e prendere appunti.En: She needed to see the barrels, smell the fermenting musts, and take notes.It: Durante la visita, Francesco era molto occupato.En: During the visit, Francesco was very busy.It: Salutava i delegati, rispondeva alle domande, ma appena accennava ai segreti dei suoi vini.En: He greeted the delegates, answered questions, but only hinted at the secrets of his wines.It: Giovanna lo seguiva attentamente, sfogliando il suo quaderno.En: Giovanna followed him closely, leafing through her notebook.It: Ogni dettaglio era importante.En: Every detail was important.It: Quando la visita finì, gli studenti si prepararono a ripartire.En: When the visit ended, the students prepared to leave.It: Ma Giovanna non era soddisfatta.En: But Giovanna wasn't satisfied.It: Decise di prendere un rischio.En: She decided to take a risk.It: Sarebbe restata indietro.En: She would stay behind.It: Aspettò che Francesco finisse di chiudere per la sera.En: She waited for Francesco to finish closing for the evening.It: "Scusi," disse timidamente quando lui si avvicinò alla porta.En: "Excuse me," she said timidly when he approached the door.It: "Ho molte domande."En: "I have many questions."It: Gli mostrò le pagine fitte di note.En: She showed him the pages filled with notes.It: Francesco si fermò e sorrise.En: Francesco stopped and smiled.It: "Hai lavorato sodo," commentò, interessato.En: "You've worked hard," he commented, interested.It: "Domani mattina, prima che inizi il vertice, ti farò vedere tutto."En: "Tomorrow morning, before the summit starts, I'll show you everything."It: Giovanna non poteva crederci.En: Giovanna couldn't believe it.It: La sua determinazione era stata premiata.En: Her determination had been rewarded.It: Si sentiva viva, parte di qualcosa di più grande.En: She felt alive, part of something bigger.It: Quella notte, tornò in albergo con Lorenzo che la prendeva in giro bonariamente per il suo coraggio.En: That night, she returned to the hotel with Lorenzo teasing her good-naturedly for her bravery.It: Il giorno dopo, mentre la cantina era ancora silenziosa, Francesco guidava Giovanna attraverso le sale.En: The next day, while the winery was still silent, Francesco guided Giovanna through the halls.It: Le raccontò delle botti di rovere antiche, dei metodi tramandati nei secoli.En: He told her about the ancient oak barrels, about the methods passed down for centuries.It: Giovanna annuiva, il cuore leggero e la mente affamata di sapere.En: Giovanna nodded, her heart light and her mind hungry for knowledge.It: Alla fine della mattinata, ringraziò Francesco con un grande sorriso.En: At the end of the morning, she thanked Francesco with a big smile.It: Ora aveva tutto ciò che le serviva per il suo progetto e qualcosa di più: una fiducia nuova in se stessa.En: Now she had everything she needed for her project and something more: a new confidence in herself.It: E mentre il pullman lasciava la cantina, Giovanna guardava fuori, non più solo osservando il paesaggio, ma immaginando il suo futuro, luminoso come un sorgere del sole sulle colline toscane.En: And as the bus left the winery, Giovanna looked out, no longer just observing the landscape, but imagining her future, bright as a sunrise over the Tuscan hills. Vocabulary Words:the window: il finestrinothe vineyards: i vignetithe trip: la gitathe winery: la cantinathe summit: il verticethe barrels: le bottithe fermenting musts: i mosti fermentatinotebook: il quadernothe landscape: il paesaggiotraditional techniques: tecniche tradizionalithe delegates: i delegatithe secrets: i segretithe confidence: la fiduciaanimated painting: dipinto animatothe risk: il rischioquestion: domandathe proposal: la propostathe aroma: l'odorethe smile: il sorrisoimpressed: impressionatarewarded: premiatathe oak barrels: le botti di roverethe details: i dettaglithe project: il progettohalls: le salehungry for knowledge: affamata di saperelight heart: cuore leggerointernational: internazionaletimidly: timidamentesatisfied: soddisfatta
Want to go through Fluent American videos in a guided, structured way (and work with me every week)? Join the Institute: www.fluentamerican.com/instituteWelcome to the Schwa Mill, where we review pronunciation files you send us and give feedback to help you achieve a more natural American English sound the next time you talk!Send us audio files for FREE here in our Schwa Mill Telegram group: https://t.me/+TJTAfM5tEyQ1ODMx************Have you ever thought about speaking American English like a native speaker, especially for accent/pronunciation?As a language learner myself, I get the desire to sound more natural in a language I've learned, and I'm sorry if the language learning journey has ever been discouraging. I believe the sound you want is in reach though!This channel is one small step to make to move you closer to your goal. For those who want more help, find more info about Magnet Lab at www.fluentamerican.com/magnetlab to see if a deeper dive with me could help your goals become your reality.Who am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.#fluentamerican #americanenglish #pronunciation
Our guest in this episode joined us from the USA, we loved chatting with Anthony Castelvecchi about his passion for learning and sharing knowledge about the Italian Diaspora around the world, he does this through Oriundi- which is a vibrant and popular social media platform he has created. You can find Oriundi by clicking the links below:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/oriundi_?igsh=MXZueWQzeTAxY3hnZg==Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/share/1CFducxyE5/?mibextid=wwXIfrYouTube:https://youtube.com/@oriundigroup?si=Rfai0CNnAt6vpLFn
Documents released by the U.S. Justice Department show that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein spent years corresponding with figures in the cybersecurity community and repeatedly tried to involve himself with two of the world's biggest hacker conventions, DEF CON and Black Hat, in Las Vegas. According to emails reviewed by Politico, Epstein's interest in cryptography and cybersecurity extended back to at least 2010, and he discussed topics ranging from network security to ways of pushing negative information about himself down in internet search results. Though he expressed a desire to attend these major events — even at times proposing to bring high-profile guests — there's no clear evidence he ever actually got into either conference, and organizers like Jeff Moss have said there's no proof he followed through on plans to attend.The documents also reveal Epstein's broader tech network, including contacts with researchers and entrepreneurs introduced through academic and startup circles. Among those mentioned was Italian security researcher Vincenzo Iozzo, who communicated with Epstein about potential business opportunities and emerging technologies but has denied doing any technical work for him. An FBI file included in the release also alleges Epstein may have had an unidentified “personal hacker” who developed offensive cyber tools sold to governments, though the name was redacted and some of the claims remain unverified.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Jeffrey Epstein spent years building ties to well-known hackers - POLITICOBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.
Dirk has a stimulating encounter with a friend s wife.By Original Aramis. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories.Dirk was halfway through another of his wandering road trips, this time to see an old biker buddy of his who had moved two states away when he was transferred by his company. Dirk had known Hal Jenkins since high school; he was one of the few people that Dirk got along with, and they had been friends ever since. When Hal got into motorcycles Dirk had approached him about joining the MC, but Hal said he just wasn t into it so he didn t. That didn t matter to Dirk as Hal was a true biker in every sense of the word, and the two of them had gone through some pretty interesting times and some pretty interesting women before Hal was transferred.When Hal called Dirk about six months ago to invite him to his wedding, you could have knocked Dirk over with a feather. Hal was the last person besides himself that Dirk would have ever thought would get married, but Hal told Dirk that his fianc , Renee, was the woman of my dreams in every possible way and that he wanted to marry her ‘before she wises up! Dirk was unable to make the wedding since it was scheduled for the following week Hal never was one for planning things out which is one reason Dirk never thought he would ever get married but they had planned instead on Dirk riding out to see him and staying for a few days. The earliest Hal s schedule at work would let that happen was six months away, but the time had finally passed and now Dirk was sitting in Hal s man cave (his garage) with their bikes parked in the driveway, cooling off after a long day s ride. It was the afternoon of the last day of Dirk s two-day visit, and they had made the best of it. They were sitting in a couple of foldable camp chairs enjoying a couple of cold bottles of beer with Dirk still wearing his colors, talking about anything and everything, just enjoying life and each other s company.So whattaya think about my ol lady, Dirk? Hal asked, grinning at him over his beer bottle. She s really something, ain t she?Yes, she most certainly is! Dirk replied, nodding as he spoke. When he had met Renee upon his arrival, to say he was stunned would have been the understatement of the year. The best way to describe Renee was to say that she was what everyone thought about when they thought of the term 'biker chick.Renee was about five feet five inches tall and around 115 pounds, Dirk would have guessed, with just enough meat on her bones to make her look really good. Dirk also would have guessed that at least eight pounds of that would have been breast meat, because Renee had a simply magnificent pair of tits. Full and round with just the right amount of sag to make them wobble inside the white halter top she was wearing when he first saw her, they were truly a sight to behold. The halter top was showing about a mile of cleavage, something which Dirk appreciated very much, and was a perfect match for the low-slung faded jeans she was wearing. The jeans were skintight until they reached her knees and then flared out just enough to give her a retro '60s hippie kind of look. Her waist was tapered and her stomach was flat, and while not as firm as a young girl s it was still firm enough to be very enticing. The faux diamond that hung from her navel only added to the look.And to top it all off, Renee had the blackest hair Dirk had ever seen, wavy and long, going down past her shoulders nearly to the middle of her back. Her hair was very thick as well, so Dirk imagined that she had either some Italian or Middle Eastern blood in her veins. The only thing missing from Renee having a complete 'biker chick look was a tattoo or two, and when she turned to walk away from him Dirk saw not only a rounded, firm ass that swayed enticingly as she walked but a butterfly 'tramp stamp peeking out from above the waistband her jeans as well.But the thing that drew Dirk s attention the most, even more than her spectacular bustline (Dirk had always been a 'boob man ) was Renee s face, specifically her lips. Renee had big, dark brown eyes, high cheekbones, and a perfect nose that sat above the fullest, softest, most beautiful and absolutely perfect pair of lips he had ever seen.He had no idea how Hal had been lucky enough to land a woman who looked the way Renee looked, but he was glad for his old friend all the same.Yeah, I m damned lucky to have her, and you better believe I know it! Hal said, taking a pull from his beer. Dirk was just about to fire up a cigar when Hal surprised him so much with his next statement that he nearly burned his face off.And how about those lips, huh? Ain t those the best pair of dick sucking lips you ve ever seen on a broad? Hal said, grinning at Dirk.Jesus, Hal! Dirk said, shaking his hand to put out the match he was using to light the cigar.What? Hal said, looking at him.That s your wife you re talking about, you know! he said, putting the cigar back into the pocket of his vest while he was trying to make light of what he thought could turn out to be a bad situation. Hal quickly proved that he had nothing to worry about.Hell, I know that! But she don t mind, trust me, Hal said, grinning at Dirk. I brag about her and those big DSLs to my friends all the time whether she s here or not!And she really doesn t mind? Dirk asked, genuinely surprised.Hell, no, she doesn t mind! Hal said, laughing. She loves to hear me brag about her! I think it kind of turns her on, you know? he said, lowering his voice in a conspiratorial way. All I know is that every time she hears me bragging about her DSLs to my friends, we have some of the best sex ever!Well, some women are like that, that s for sure, he said, having run into a woman or two like that in his life as well.And besides, she really does! Hal said, raising his beer bottle to his lips to take another drink.She really does, what? Dirk asked, doing the same.She really does suck a mean cock! Dirk sprayed beer out of his mouth when Hal said this.Dammit, Hal! he said, sitting up and wiping the beer from the front of his shirt and vest.Well, she does! Hal insisted, not understanding what all the fuss was about. I tell ya, that woman can suck a golf ball through a garden hose!I m sure she does well, maybe not quite that good, but still warn me before you say something like that, willya? Dirk said, sitting back in his chair again.You don t believe me, Hal said, looking at Dirk.Huh? Dirk said.About how good Renee is at sucking dick. You don t believe me!Of course I do! You ve never lied to me before, have you?No, I haven t.Okay, so why wouldn t I believe you now?Then what s with that 'maybe not quite that good part, then? Hal asked.I didn t mean anything by it, Hal, really, Dirk said, concerned that he d hurt his friend s feelings. I m sorry, I m sure she s just as good at sucking dick, as you say she is.Okay, well, then let me prove it to you, Hal said, a smile creeping across his face.Prove it to me? How? Dirk asked.By letting Renee suck your dick, he said, grinning at Dirk.Are you serious? Dirk asked, staring at his old friend. I mean, really? You re serious? You want Renee, your own wife, to suck my dick? he asked, not believing what he had heard.Serious as a heart attack, my brother! Hal replied, sitting back in his chair and grinning at Dirk. He lifted his beer bottle to his lips and took a drink before continuing. And trust me, when she s done with you, you ll be thanking me for letting her do it! That woman can suck the chrome off a trailer hitch, I tell ya!This is incredible, Dirk said, sitting back in his chair, still holding his beer in one hand. I can t believe you d have Renee do that!Well, you d better believe it, my friend, because it s about to happen! Hal said, getting up and going over to the short staircase leading to the door that opened into the house. He climbed up the three steps and opened the door, then called out to his wife.Hey, Renee, darlin , would you come in here for a minute, please? he said, then walked back over and sat down in the camp chair to await her arrival. It was less than a minute later when Renee appeared in the doorway, giving them both a big smile. She was wearing the same jeans as before, but this time she was wearing a red and white striped tube top instead of the halter.Yes, baby? she said, her hands on the sides of the doorframe.'My God, but that woman is hot! Dirk thought to himself, taking a drink from his beer.I been braggin on you and those DSLs of yours again to Dirk here, tellin him all about how good you are at giving blowjobs and all, and I m not sure he believes me, Hal said, motioning towards Dirk with his beer. Renee looked at Dirk and her smile got bigger.So you want me to suck his dick to prove it to him, baby? she said, looking Dirk straight in the eyes. Is that it?Yep, that s it, darlin ! Hal said, smiling.I can do that! Renee said, her smile bigger than ever. She walked down the three steps into the garage, her big tits swaying in the tube top, never taking her eyes off of Dirk. She walked over to him and stopped in front of him, standing between his feet as he sat in the chair. She looked down at him for just a moment, still smiling, before she spoke again.How about it, Dirk? Would you like for me to suck your dick? she asked, her voice low and sultry. I m really good at sucking dick, and I d just love to prove it to you by sucking yours!What about Hal? You know, your husband? Dirk said, looking up into those dark brown eyes that were now sparkling and filled with desire. You d do that with him sitting right there? he asked.Sure! Renee replied, her smile getting a bit bigger. I suck dick in front of him all the time, don t I, baby? she said, her eyes traveling down to Dirk s crotch and lingering there for a moment before going back to his eyes.You sure do! Hal said, grinning proudly. Every time we throw a party, she finds a guy that turns her on and she just has to suck his dick, and I always get to watch! he explained.And then, when the party is over, we go into the bedroom and I tell Hal all about it, how it turned me on, how good the guy s cum tasted, and then we have the best sex you can imagine! she said, her smile never faltering.But she never fucks anyone else, though, Hal said. That s reserved just for me, right, darlin ? Hal said. Renee nodded as she replied.That s right, baby, nobody fucks me but you! she said. So how about it, Dirk? You want me to show you how good I am at sucking cock by sucking yours?Sure, why the fuck not! Dirk said, tossing his hands up in the air and letting them drop to the arm rests of the chair, still holding on to his beer with one hand. He was trapped and he knew it, so why not sit back and enjoy it?'Besides, there s no way she s as good as Amy, Dirk thought to himself, thinking of the girl he d met at a club party a few weeks ago. She had really gone at him, and the memories were still fresh.Good! Renee said, moving in closer. She reached down and spread his legs further apart, then knelt down between them right in front of his crotch. Hal, honey, you might want to turn the fan on and close the garage door, she said, settling in front of Dirk. We don t want to give the neighbors a free show, and with the door closed it s gonna get hot in here pretty quick!Good point, baby! Hal said, getting up and going over to the button on the wall next to the door to the house and pressing it. The garage door slid closed behind them, and then Hal flipped a switch next to the garage door button and a fan mounted up in a corner of the ceiling came on. Then Hal walked over to a canoe that was lying on the floor next to the wall, picking up a floatation cushion and then handing it to his wife.Here, darlin , use this! Hal said, handing her the cushion.Thank you, baby! Renee said, taking the cushion from him and putting it on the ground in front of her to kneel on. As soon as she was settled, she reached up and began unfastening Dirk s jeans, smiling as she worked at getting them open.I bet you have a big dick! You have a big dick, don t you, Dirk? she asked, looking up at him and smiling while getting the jeans open and pulling down the fly.See for yourself! he said, making Renee grin. She reached inside his jeans for his cock and was pleasantly surprised to find that he wasn t wearing anything under his jeans. She looked up at him and grinned as she wrapped her fingers around his soft cock.No underwear! she said, pulling his cock out of his jeans and then spreading the fly of the jeans as wide as possible. I like that! But right now, I m gonna wrap my lips around your cock and suck it until it s hard, she said, looking up at him and smiling. I just love feeling a man s cock get hard in my mouth!Before Dirk could reply she dipped her head down and put her lips on the head of his cock, sucking his entire soft cock into her mouth. She looked up at him as sucked hard, her cheeks hollowing in, running her tongue over and around the sensitive tip. This made Dirk jump just a little as he was really sensitive at the tip of his dick, and Hal chuckled at his reaction.Told you she was good! he said, grinning at Dirk. But you ain t seen nothin yet!Renee pulled her head back and let his hardening cock slip out of her mouth, holding the head in her mouth for a moment before sucking it all in her mouth again. She did this several times, pleased to find that Dirk was getting harder, longer, and thicker in her mouth very quickly. She slid her mouth up to the head of his cock, holding it there for a moment before she released it from her mouth with a soft 'pop. She smiled up at him as she spoke, gripping his cock tightly in one hand while opening his jeans further with the other.Let s get these big balls out, shall we? she said, smiling up at him as she pulled his balls out of his jeans. Oooh, nice! I just love playing with a man s balls! she said, massaging them in her hand while still pumping his cock. He was rock-hard by now, the precum beginning to flow with a drop of the clear fluid appearing at the tip of his cock.Oh, look! she said, grinning up at him as she noticed the drop of precum. Is that for me? Yummy! she said, sticking her wide, long tongue out and licking up the drop of slick fluid, making sure she licked as much of the head of his cock as she could in doing so. She had the widest, longest, and thickest tongue Dirk had ever seen, and she was good with it very good. As he watched, she put her lips right on the tip of his cock and sucked, pulling more of the fluid out of him.Hmm! she moaned, smiling up at him. She sat back a little and swallowed, then ran her wet tongue over her lips and smiled, looking directly at him. Eye contact was obviously a big thing with her, and she was very good at it among other things, as he was about to find out.I m gonna give you a tongue bath, and then I m gonna suck the cum right out of you! she said, grinning from ear to ear. She looked like an excited little girl with her hand gripping a nice, big lollypop, and Dirk had a feeling that was exactly how she was going to treat him like a treat ready to be swallowed. She stuck that wide, thick tongue out again and slowly licked him from the base of his balls all the way up to the head of his cock, never taking her eyes from his.Want me to time you, baby? Hal asked, taking a pull from his beer.Sure! Renee replied, grinning up at Dirk as she pumped his cock in her hand. Let s see if I can break my record on how fast I can make him cum!So what s your record? Dirk asked.Five minutes! she said, giving him a sly smile before licking his cock again. But I have a feeling you might take a little bit longer than that, she said, licking him again.What makes you say that, baby? Hal asked.Call it a hunch, Renee replied, never taking her eyes from Dirk, but I just have a feeling that ol Dirk here is gonna be a tough nut to crack or to make cum, that is!Guess there s only one way to find out, huh? Dirk said, smiling at her. She smiled back as she replied.I guess so! she said, giving him one last, wet, lingering lick from his balls to the head of his dick.You ready, baby? Hal asked, holding up his wrist with his watch on it, thumb on the button.Oh, yeah! Renee replied, grinning up at Dirk.Go! Hal said, starting the stopwatch.Renee lowered her mouth down to his cock and took the head into her mouth, clamping her lips around the shaft just behind the flared ridge. Then she applied suction, lots of it, and then slid her mouth down onto his hard shaft, taking his entire length into her mouth in one long, fluid motion. She pulled her head back up the length of his shaft slowly, running her thick tongue over and around his cock as she did, massaging and squeezing his balls with one hand, maintaining the suction she was applying. When she got to the head of his cock she paused, keeping it trapped in her mouth, running her tongue over and around the sensitive head before sliding her mouth back down his cock once more, literally sucking it into her mouth and down her throat. She pushed her face down until her nose bumped against his abdomen, and she moaned as she made the trip back up his cock once more, her cheeks hollowing in from the suction she was applying.Um! she moaned, looking up at Dirk and smiling around his cock in her mouth. When she got to the head of his cock she held it in her mouth again, sucking on it while running her thick tongue along the underside. The suction she was applying was incredible, and Dirk could feel the precum being sucked from him. Her eyes rolled back into her head as she let about half of the head of his cock out of her mouth, her big, soft lips wrapped around it as she sucked on him. Then she moaned again as she slid her mouth back down his cock once more, making loud slurping noises as she sucked his throbbing shaft into her wet, sucking mouth. His cock was coated with her saliva by now, and he could feel it running down his balls as she worked on him.'Holy shit, she s good! She s even better than Amy! Dirk thought to himself as he watched Renee gobbling his cock over and over again. She was applying constant suction on his cock, pausing every now and then to draw a breath either through her nose or through her mouth when she opened her lips up just enough to breathe before clamping them around his cock again. She was obviously a fan of sloppy blowjobs, as by now his cock and balls and the front of his jeans were drenched with her saliva, and the garage was filled with the slurping sounds she was making as she sucked his cock.While she was working on his cock with her mouth, she was busy working on his balls with her hand. She massaged and squeezed them as she sucked on his cock, pulling and tugging on them as well. Dirk gritted his teeth as she tugged on them particularly hard as she sucked on his cock very hard, dragging her mouth back up its length. Dirk knew that if she kept this up he d be cumming in her mouth in no time, and he was determined to resist as long as he could.Renee looked up at him as she paused to suck on the head of his cock yet again, the loud slurping sounds filling the garage. She winked at him before looking over at her husband, tapping her finger against the back of her other wrist, her mouth still clamped onto the head of Dirk s cock. Hal looked down at his watch and smiled.Four min
Dirk has a stimulating encounter with a friend s wife.By Original Aramis. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories.Dirk was halfway through another of his wandering road trips, this time to see an old biker buddy of his who had moved two states away when he was transferred by his company. Dirk had known Hal Jenkins since high school; he was one of the few people that Dirk got along with, and they had been friends ever since. When Hal got into motorcycles Dirk had approached him about joining the MC, but Hal said he just wasn t into it so he didn t. That didn t matter to Dirk as Hal was a true biker in every sense of the word, and the two of them had gone through some pretty interesting times and some pretty interesting women before Hal was transferred.When Hal called Dirk about six months ago to invite him to his wedding, you could have knocked Dirk over with a feather. Hal was the last person besides himself that Dirk would have ever thought would get married, but Hal told Dirk that his fianc , Renee, was the woman of my dreams in every possible way and that he wanted to marry her ‘before she wises up! Dirk was unable to make the wedding since it was scheduled for the following week Hal never was one for planning things out which is one reason Dirk never thought he would ever get married but they had planned instead on Dirk riding out to see him and staying for a few days. The earliest Hal s schedule at work would let that happen was six months away, but the time had finally passed and now Dirk was sitting in Hal s man cave (his garage) with their bikes parked in the driveway, cooling off after a long day s ride. It was the afternoon of the last day of Dirk s two-day visit, and they had made the best of it. They were sitting in a couple of foldable camp chairs enjoying a couple of cold bottles of beer with Dirk still wearing his colors, talking about anything and everything, just enjoying life and each other s company.So whattaya think about my ol lady, Dirk? Hal asked, grinning at him over his beer bottle. She s really something, ain t she?Yes, she most certainly is! Dirk replied, nodding as he spoke. When he had met Renee upon his arrival, to say he was stunned would have been the understatement of the year. The best way to describe Renee was to say that she was what everyone thought about when they thought of the term 'biker chick.Renee was about five feet five inches tall and around 115 pounds, Dirk would have guessed, with just enough meat on her bones to make her look really good. Dirk also would have guessed that at least eight pounds of that would have been breast meat, because Renee had a simply magnificent pair of tits. Full and round with just the right amount of sag to make them wobble inside the white halter top she was wearing when he first saw her, they were truly a sight to behold. The halter top was showing about a mile of cleavage, something which Dirk appreciated very much, and was a perfect match for the low-slung faded jeans she was wearing. The jeans were skintight until they reached her knees and then flared out just enough to give her a retro '60s hippie kind of look. Her waist was tapered and her stomach was flat, and while not as firm as a young girl s it was still firm enough to be very enticing. The faux diamond that hung from her navel only added to the look.And to top it all off, Renee had the blackest hair Dirk had ever seen, wavy and long, going down past her shoulders nearly to the middle of her back. Her hair was very thick as well, so Dirk imagined that she had either some Italian or Middle Eastern blood in her veins. The only thing missing from Renee having a complete 'biker chick look was a tattoo or two, and when she turned to walk away from him Dirk saw not only a rounded, firm ass that swayed enticingly as she walked but a butterfly 'tramp stamp peeking out from above the waistband her jeans as well.But the thing that drew Dirk s attention the most, even more than her spectacular bustline (Dirk had always been a 'boob man ) was Renee s face, specifically her lips. Renee had big, dark brown eyes, high cheekbones, and a perfect nose that sat above the fullest, softest, most beautiful and absolutely perfect pair of lips he had ever seen.He had no idea how Hal had been lucky enough to land a woman who looked the way Renee looked, but he was glad for his old friend all the same.Yeah, I m damned lucky to have her, and you better believe I know it! Hal said, taking a pull from his beer. Dirk was just about to fire up a cigar when Hal surprised him so much with his next statement that he nearly burned his face off.And how about those lips, huh? Ain t those the best pair of dick sucking lips you ve ever seen on a broad? Hal said, grinning at Dirk.Jesus, Hal! Dirk said, shaking his hand to put out the match he was using to light the cigar.What? Hal said, looking at him.That s your wife you re talking about, you know! he said, putting the cigar back into the pocket of his vest while he was trying to make light of what he thought could turn out to be a bad situation. Hal quickly proved that he had nothing to worry about.Hell, I know that! But she don t mind, trust me, Hal said, grinning at Dirk. I brag about her and those big DSLs to my friends all the time whether she s here or not!And she really doesn t mind? Dirk asked, genuinely surprised.Hell, no, she doesn t mind! Hal said, laughing. She loves to hear me brag about her! I think it kind of turns her on, you know? he said, lowering his voice in a conspiratorial way. All I know is that every time she hears me bragging about her DSLs to my friends, we have some of the best sex ever!Well, some women are like that, that s for sure, he said, having run into a woman or two like that in his life as well.And besides, she really does! Hal said, raising his beer bottle to his lips to take another drink.She really does, what? Dirk asked, doing the same.She really does suck a mean cock! Dirk sprayed beer out of his mouth when Hal said this.Dammit, Hal! he said, sitting up and wiping the beer from the front of his shirt and vest.Well, she does! Hal insisted, not understanding what all the fuss was about. I tell ya, that woman can suck a golf ball through a garden hose!I m sure she does well, maybe not quite that good, but still warn me before you say something like that, willya? Dirk said, sitting back in his chair again.You don t believe me, Hal said, looking at Dirk.Huh? Dirk said.About how good Renee is at sucking dick. You don t believe me!Of course I do! You ve never lied to me before, have you?No, I haven t.Okay, so why wouldn t I believe you now?Then what s with that 'maybe not quite that good part, then? Hal asked.I didn t mean anything by it, Hal, really, Dirk said, concerned that he d hurt his friend s feelings. I m sorry, I m sure she s just as good at sucking dick, as you say she is.Okay, well, then let me prove it to you, Hal said, a smile creeping across his face.Prove it to me? How? Dirk asked.By letting Renee suck your dick, he said, grinning at Dirk.Are you serious? Dirk asked, staring at his old friend. I mean, really? You re serious? You want Renee, your own wife, to suck my dick? he asked, not believing what he had heard.Serious as a heart attack, my brother! Hal replied, sitting back in his chair and grinning at Dirk. He lifted his beer bottle to his lips and took a drink before continuing. And trust me, when she s done with you, you ll be thanking me for letting her do it! That woman can suck the chrome off a trailer hitch, I tell ya!This is incredible, Dirk said, sitting back in his chair, still holding his beer in one hand. I can t believe you d have Renee do that!Well, you d better believe it, my friend, because it s about to happen! Hal said, getting up and going over to the short staircase leading to the door that opened into the house. He climbed up the three steps and opened the door, then called out to his wife.Hey, Renee, darlin , would you come in here for a minute, please? he said, then walked back over and sat down in the camp chair to await her arrival. It was less than a minute later when Renee appeared in the doorway, giving them both a big smile. She was wearing the same jeans as before, but this time she was wearing a red and white striped tube top instead of the halter.Yes, baby? she said, her hands on the sides of the doorframe.'My God, but that woman is hot! Dirk thought to himself, taking a drink from his beer.I been braggin on you and those DSLs of yours again to Dirk here, tellin him all about how good you are at giving blowjobs and all, and I m not sure he believes me, Hal said, motioning towards Dirk with his beer. Renee looked at Dirk and her smile got bigger.So you want me to suck his dick to prove it to him, baby? she said, looking Dirk straight in the eyes. Is that it?Yep, that s it, darlin ! Hal said, smiling.I can do that! Renee said, her smile bigger than ever. She walked down the three steps into the garage, her big tits swaying in the tube top, never taking her eyes off of Dirk. She walked over to him and stopped in front of him, standing between his feet as he sat in the chair. She looked down at him for just a moment, still smiling, before she spoke again.How about it, Dirk? Would you like for me to suck your dick? she asked, her voice low and sultry. I m really good at sucking dick, and I d just love to prove it to you by sucking yours!What about Hal? You know, your husband? Dirk said, looking up into those dark brown eyes that were now sparkling and filled with desire. You d do that with him sitting right there? he asked.Sure! Renee replied, her smile getting a bit bigger. I suck dick in front of him all the time, don t I, baby? she said, her eyes traveling down to Dirk s crotch and lingering there for a moment before going back to his eyes.You sure do! Hal said, grinning proudly. Every time we throw a party, she finds a guy that turns her on and she just has to suck his dick, and I always get to watch! he explained.And then, when the party is over, we go into the bedroom and I tell Hal all about it, how it turned me on, how good the guy s cum tasted, and then we have the best sex you can imagine! she said, her smile never faltering.But she never fucks anyone else, though, Hal said. That s reserved just for me, right, darlin ? Hal said. Renee nodded as she replied.That s right, baby, nobody fucks me but you! she said. So how about it, Dirk? You want me to show you how good I am at sucking cock by sucking yours?Sure, why the fuck not! Dirk said, tossing his hands up in the air and letting them drop to the arm rests of the chair, still holding on to his beer with one hand. He was trapped and he knew it, so why not sit back and enjoy it?'Besides, there s no way she s as good as Amy, Dirk thought to himself, thinking of the girl he d met at a club party a few weeks ago. She had really gone at him, and the memories were still fresh.Good! Renee said, moving in closer. She reached down and spread his legs further apart, then knelt down between them right in front of his crotch. Hal, honey, you might want to turn the fan on and close the garage door, she said, settling in front of Dirk. We don t want to give the neighbors a free show, and with the door closed it s gonna get hot in here pretty quick!Good point, baby! Hal said, getting up and going over to the button on the wall next to the door to the house and pressing it. The garage door slid closed behind them, and then Hal flipped a switch next to the garage door button and a fan mounted up in a corner of the ceiling came on. Then Hal walked over to a canoe that was lying on the floor next to the wall, picking up a floatation cushion and then handing it to his wife.Here, darlin , use this! Hal said, handing her the cushion.Thank you, baby! Renee said, taking the cushion from him and putting it on the ground in front of her to kneel on. As soon as she was settled, she reached up and began unfastening Dirk s jeans, smiling as she worked at getting them open.I bet you have a big dick! You have a big dick, don t you, Dirk? she asked, looking up at him and smiling while getting the jeans open and pulling down the fly.See for yourself! he said, making Renee grin. She reached inside his jeans for his cock and was pleasantly surprised to find that he wasn t wearing anything under his jeans. She looked up at him and grinned as she wrapped her fingers around his soft cock.No underwear! she said, pulling his cock out of his jeans and then spreading the fly of the jeans as wide as possible. I like that! But right now, I m gonna wrap my lips around your cock and suck it until it s hard, she said, looking up at him and smiling. I just love feeling a man s cock get hard in my mouth!Before Dirk could reply she dipped her head down and put her lips on the head of his cock, sucking his entire soft cock into her mouth. She looked up at him as sucked hard, her cheeks hollowing in, running her tongue over and around the sensitive tip. This made Dirk jump just a little as he was really sensitive at the tip of his dick, and Hal chuckled at his reaction.Told you she was good! he said, grinning at Dirk. But you ain t seen nothin yet!Renee pulled her head back and let his hardening cock slip out of her mouth, holding the head in her mouth for a moment before sucking it all in her mouth again. She did this several times, pleased to find that Dirk was getting harder, longer, and thicker in her mouth very quickly. She slid her mouth up to the head of his cock, holding it there for a moment before she released it from her mouth with a soft 'pop. She smiled up at him as she spoke, gripping his cock tightly in one hand while opening his jeans further with the other.Let s get these big balls out, shall we? she said, smiling up at him as she pulled his balls out of his jeans. Oooh, nice! I just love playing with a man s balls! she said, massaging them in her hand while still pumping his cock. He was rock-hard by now, the precum beginning to flow with a drop of the clear fluid appearing at the tip of his cock.Oh, look! she said, grinning up at him as she noticed the drop of precum. Is that for me? Yummy! she said, sticking her wide, long tongue out and licking up the drop of slick fluid, making sure she licked as much of the head of his cock as she could in doing so. She had the widest, longest, and thickest tongue Dirk had ever seen, and she was good with it very good. As he watched, she put her lips right on the tip of his cock and sucked, pulling more of the fluid out of him.Hmm! she moaned, smiling up at him. She sat back a little and swallowed, then ran her wet tongue over her lips and smiled, looking directly at him. Eye contact was obviously a big thing with her, and she was very good at it among other things, as he was about to find out.I m gonna give you a tongue bath, and then I m gonna suck the cum right out of you! she said, grinning from ear to ear. She looked like an excited little girl with her hand gripping a nice, big lollypop, and Dirk had a feeling that was exactly how she was going to treat him like a treat ready to be swallowed. She stuck that wide, thick tongue out again and slowly licked him from the base of his balls all the way up to the head of his cock, never taking her eyes from his.Want me to time you, baby? Hal asked, taking a pull from his beer.Sure! Renee replied, grinning up at Dirk as she pumped his cock in her hand. Let s see if I can break my record on how fast I can make him cum!So what s your record? Dirk asked.Five minutes! she said, giving him a sly smile before licking his cock again. But I have a feeling you might take a little bit longer than that, she said, licking him again.What makes you say that, baby? Hal asked.Call it a hunch, Renee replied, never taking her eyes from Dirk, but I just have a feeling that ol Dirk here is gonna be a tough nut to crack or to make cum, that is!Guess there s only one way to find out, huh? Dirk said, smiling at her. She smiled back as she replied.I guess so! she said, giving him one last, wet, lingering lick from his balls to the head of his dick.You ready, baby? Hal asked, holding up his wrist with his watch on it, thumb on the button.Oh, yeah! Renee replied, grinning up at Dirk.Go! Hal said, starting the stopwatch.Renee lowered her mouth down to his cock and took the head into her mouth, clamping her lips around the shaft just behind the flared ridge. Then she applied suction, lots of it, and then slid her mouth down onto his hard shaft, taking his entire length into her mouth in one long, fluid motion. She pulled her head back up the length of his shaft slowly, running her thick tongue over and around his cock as she did, massaging and squeezing his balls with one hand, maintaining the suction she was applying. When she got to the head of his cock she paused, keeping it trapped in her mouth, running her tongue over and around the sensitive head before sliding her mouth back down his cock once more, literally sucking it into her mouth and down her throat. She pushed her face down until her nose bumped against his abdomen, and she moaned as she made the trip back up his cock once more, her cheeks hollowing in from the suction she was applying.Um! she moaned, looking up at Dirk and smiling around his cock in her mouth. When she got to the head of his cock she held it in her mouth again, sucking on it while running her thick tongue along the underside. The suction she was applying was incredible, and Dirk could feel the precum being sucked from him. Her eyes rolled back into her head as she let about half of the head of his cock out of her mouth, her big, soft lips wrapped around it as she sucked on him. Then she moaned again as she slid her mouth back down his cock once more, making loud slurping noises as she sucked his throbbing shaft into her wet, sucking mouth. His cock was coated with her saliva by now, and he could feel it running down his balls as she worked on him.'Holy shit, she s good! She s even better than Amy! Dirk thought to himself as he watched Renee gobbling his cock over and over again. She was applying constant suction on his cock, pausing every now and then to draw a breath either through her nose or through her mouth when she opened her lips up just enough to breathe before clamping them around his cock again. She was obviously a fan of sloppy blowjobs, as by now his cock and balls and the front of his jeans were drenched with her saliva, and the garage was filled with the slurping sounds she was making as she sucked his cock.While she was working on his cock with her mouth, she was busy working on his balls with her hand. She massaged and squeezed them as she sucked on his cock, pulling and tugging on them as well. Dirk gritted his teeth as she tugged on them particularly hard as she sucked on his cock very hard, dragging her mouth back up its length. Dirk knew that if she kept this up he d be cumming in her mouth in no time, and he was determined to resist as long as he could.Renee looked up at him as she paused to suck on the head of his cock yet again, the loud slurping sounds filling the garage. She winked at him before looking over at her husband, tapping her finger against the back of her other wrist, her mouth still clamped onto the head of Dirk s cock. Hal looked down at his watch and smiled.Four min
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Indy shares a few of his favourite Mexican novels, like; Pedro Paramo, Like Water For Chocolate, Hurricane Season, & more. Samantha takes the next step in her Outlander fandom as she begins to read Diana Gabaldon's novels, and we prepare for next week's feature; the Italian classic Cinema Paradiso! I Love This You Should Too is hosted by Samantha and Indy Randhawa Cinema Paradiso is a 1988 coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. Set in a small Sicilian town, the film centres on the friendship between a young boy and an aging projectionist who works at the titular movie theatre. The Italian-French co-production stars Philippe Noiret, Jacques Perrin, Antonella Attili, Pupella Maggio and Salvatore Cascio. The film score was composed by Ennio Morricone and his son, Andrea, marking the beginning of a collaboration between Tornatore and Morricone that lasted until Morricone's death in 2020. Credited with revitalizing Italy's film industry, Cinema Paradiso has been cited as one of the greatest films of all time, and a world cinema classic.[3] The ending is considered among the greatest endings in film history. It was a commercial success, and won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film[4] and the Cannes Film Festival's Grand Prix. It was nominated for 11 BAFTA Awards and won five; including Best Actor for Philippe Noiret, Best Supporting Actor for Salvatore Cascio, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Foreign Language Film, a record for a foreign language feature until it was broken by All Quiet on the Western Front in 2023.
Miami, FloridaFebruary 15, 1933A warm Wednesday evening in Bayfront Park. President-elect Franklin Roosevelt has just finished a short speech from the back of an open touring car when a five-foot-one Italian bricklayer named Giuseppe Zangara climbs onto a wobbly folding chair, pulls a thirty-two caliber revolver, and fires five shots into the crowd. Roosevelt is untouched. But Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak, who had just stepped away from the president-elect's car, takes a bullet to the lung. He will be dead in nineteen days. Zangara will follow him to the grave thirteen days after that — one of the fastest trips from crime to electric chair in American history. The official story is a madman and bad aim. But in Chicago, where the mayor's own police bodyguards had recently tried to assassinate the head of the Capone organization, not everybody was buying it.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime-historian--2909311/support.You can pay more if you want to, but rent at the Safe House is still just a buck a week, and you can get access to over 400 ad-free episodes from the dusty vault, Safe House Exclusives, direct access to the Boss, and whatever personal services you require.We invite you to our other PULPULAR MEDIA podcasts:If disaster is more your jam, check out CATASTROPHIC CALAMITIES, telling the stories of famous and forgotten tragedies of the 19th and 20th centuries. What could go wrong? Everything!For brand-new tales in the old clothes from the golden era of popular literature, give your ears a treat with PULP MAGAZINES with two new stories every week.This episode includes AI-generated content.
A new crew of four astronauts has arrived at the International Space Station for an eight-month science mission. They'll study everything from bacteria to plants, all while helping NASA prepare for future trips to the Moon and Mars. Meanwhile, SpaceX successfully launched 24 new Starlink satellites on Feb. 14 from California. The Falcon 9 rocket's first stage landed safely on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean.Investigators have found DNA at Nancy Guthrie's property that does not belong to her or anyone close to her, as the search for her enters its third week.President Donald Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to ramp up pressure on Iran, targeting oil exports to China. Meanwhile, the U.S. military is preparing for possible weeks-long operations.U.S. investors are suing the South Korean government over one of its leading e-commerce platforms. This comes as an international controversy escalates.An Italian ice dance couple is enjoying their final Olympic Valentine's Day. Details on their love story that began more than 16 years ago.
Le Olimpiadi invernali in Italia | Spendieren Sie einen Cafè (1€)? Donate a coffee (1€)? https://ko-fi.com/italiano Livello #A2Buongiorno cari amici e amanti dell'italiano e benvenuti all'episodio numero 218.Oggi parliamo di qualcosa di molto attuale in Italia e cioè delle olimpiadi invernali che si svolgono proprio in questo periodo in Italia.Sono cominciate il 6 febbraio e termineranno il 22 febbraio. I vari giochi si tengono in diverse parti del nord Italia tra la Lombardia e il Trentino Alto Adige. L'inaugurazione è stata allo stadio San Siro di Milano, ma ci sono state e ci saranno prove sportive nella Valtellina, sempre nella regione della Lombardia, a Cortina d'Ampezzo, nella regione Veneto e in Trentino Alto Adige.Pensate che la prima edizione di questo giochi invernali si è svolta nel 1924 per proseguire poi ogni quattro anni. Dal 1994 hanno luogo negli anni pari che non si possono dividere per quattro. La prima volta che i giochi olimpici invernali avrebbero dovuto essere in Italia era il 1944. La località avrebbe dovuto essere proprio la città di Cortina d'Ampezzo, ma i giochi all'epoca sono stati cancellati a causa della guerra. La prima volta quindi che i giochi olimpici invernali hanno avuto luogo in Italia è stato il 1956 proprio nella città di Cortina d'Ampezzo e quest'anno, ...- The full transcript of this Episode (and excercises for many of the grammar episodes) is available via "Luisa's learn Italian Premium", Premium is no subscription and does not incur any recurring fees. You can just shop for the materials you need or want and shop per piece. Prices start at 0.20 Cent (i. e. Eurocent). - das komplette Transcript / die Show-Notes zu allen Episoden (und Übungen zu vielen der Grammatik Episoden) sind über Luisa's Podcast Premium verfügbar. Den Shop mit allen Materialien zum Podcast finden Sie unterhttps://premium.il-tedesco.itLuisa's Podcast Premium ist kein Abo - sie erhalten das jeweilige Transscript/die Shownotes sowie zu den Grammatik Episoden Übungen die Sie "pro Stück" bezahlen (ab 20ct). https://premium.il-tedesco.itMehr info unter www.il-tedesco.it bzw. https://www.il-tedesco.it/premiumMore information on www.il-tedesco.it or via my shop https://www.il-tedesco.it/premium
Ralph welcomes, Robert Weissman co-president of Public Citizen, to discuss his Senate testimony about the many ways the Trump Administration's assault on fraud is itself fraudulent. Plus, Ralph informs us of a report from Aljazeera about the MK-84 weapon the IDF is using in Gaza that is designed to generate so much heat it literally vaporizes people.Robert Weissman is a staunch public interest advocate and activist, as well as an expert on a wide variety of issues ranging from corporate accountability and government transparency, to trade and globalization, to economic and regulatory policy. As the president of Public Citizen, he has spearheaded the effort to loosen the chokehold corporations and the wealthy have over our democracy.Every American should be worried about fraud. So it's fine for the committee to be talking about fraud, but it should be based on actual facts and what's actually happening, which is not what's going on with this focus on Minnesota… And without a doubt, if the concern is about fraud in the public or the private economy right now, the number one problem with fraud is the Trump administration.Robert WeissmanThanks to the Supreme Court decision on Presidential immunity, Trump believes (correctly) that he will not be held criminally accountable for anything that he does while he's President. And that is true so long as that Supreme Court decision stands. And I think it's fair to say that basically everyone who's working for him right now—who I think are committing all kinds of crimes, including through the sale of pardons and through the outrageous use of ICE in Minnesota and around the country—I think they expect they're going to get pardoned before he goes. So I think they think they too will be (and they're probably not wrong in expecting it) that they too will be immune from criminal prosecution (at least federal criminal prosecution) for any crimes they commit while they're in the administration.Robert WeissmanIn Case You Haven't Heard with Francesco DeSantisNews 2/13/26* Our top stories this week concern the Jeffrey Epstein case. According to POLITICO, Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna, who, along with Republican Congressman Thomas Massie has led the charge to release the Epstein files, “took to the House floor Tuesday and read aloud the names of six ‘wealthy, powerful men' whose names were originally redacted,” in the files. These names include billionaire Victoria's Secret owner Leslie Wexner, Emirati shipping magnate Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, and Italian politician Nicola Caputo, among other more mysterious figures like Salvatore Nuara and Leonic Leonov. Khanna used congressional representatives' unique power under the speech and debate clause to make these names public, after combing through the files personally along with Rep. Massie. Khanna added “if we found six men that they were hiding in two hours, imagine how many men they are covering up for in those 3 million files.”* Speaking of hiding names in the files, Axios reports that Representative Jamie Raskin stated that “when he searched President Trump's name in the unredacted Epstein files… it came up ‘more than a million times.'” The implication of this statement is clear: Trump's cronies in the Justice Department are covering up the extent of Trump's relationship and involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. Another member of the administration, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, admitted under Senate questioning that he had lunch with Epstein on his island, along with his family, claiming he “could not recall” why they did. The administration is allowing members of Congress to view the unredacted files within certain hours via a database they describe as confusing, unreliable, and clunky.* Another surprising revelation from the files is that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries apparently solicited campaign donations from Epstein back in 2013. According to MSN, Epstein received a campaign solicitation via email from a fundraising firm touting Jeffries as “one of the rising stars in the New York Congressional delegation,” and offering Epstein “an opportunity to get to know Hakeem better.” Jeffries denies having any knowledge of this firm's outreach to Epstein and decried House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer's implication that he had any relationship with the late sexual predator and financier, calling Comer a “stone cold liar” and a “malignant clown.”* In non-Epstein related news from Capitol Hill, last week lawmakers held a hearing to probe the operations of autonomous taxi service Waymo. While Republicans chose to focus on Waymo's supposed ties to Chinese companies, Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts grilled the chief safety officer, Mauricio Peña, on the company's reliance on workers abroad for key safety decisions. Peña admitted that while some operators are located in the US, others – who step in when robotaxis encounter “unusual situations” – work remotely from the Philippines. Markey called this “completely unacceptable,” emphasizing that these workers may need to react “in a split second” during dangerous scenarios. Waymo is just the latest company marketing its services as high tech and autonomous, but later revealed to be reliant on cheap foreign labor. This from Business Insider.* ICE lawlessness continues to roil Congress. Many Democrats are now sounding the alarm that Trump's immigration police – masked, armed, accountable directly to him and backed to the hilt by the administration – could be used as a tool to suppress voter turnout by conducting raids at or near polling locations, thereby scaring citizens into staying home. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut said “Trump is trying to create a pretext to rig the election.” Murphy, along with some Senate Democratic allies, pushed leadership to demand that ICE be banned from polling sites as a condition of government shutdown negotiations, but leadership balked, per POLITICO. While such a scenario can sound far-fetched, Trump has “falsely and repeatedly claimed for more than a decade that millions of illegal immigrants vote in the U.S., arguing that was one factor in his 2020 loss,” and, just before the 2020 election, he pledged to send “sheriffs” and “law enforcement” to polling places.* Drop Site News' Jacqueline Sweet reports 70 organizations, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and Unitarian, as well as civil rights, academic, legal, peace, and human rights groups, submitted a formal request to the National Security Division of the Justice Department seeking a “Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) investigation into Canary Mission.” Canary Mission is a shadowy, infamous group that tracks pro-Palestine activity on college campuses. In 2018, they appeared at the George Washington University wearing spooky masks in an attempt to intimidate the student government into voting down a BDS resolution. They failed. This latest letter comes on the heels of a Drop Site story from January that “showed among other things that Canary is operated in Israel by a large Israeli team.” As the letter notes, the Foreign Agent Registration Act “exists precisely to address this type of potential activity carried out in the United States for the benefit of a foreign country.”* In more news regarding pro-Palestine activism, last week, six defendants linked to Palestine Action, a direct action protest group in the United Kingdom, were acquitted of aggravated burglary in connection with an alleged break in at Elbit Systems, a defense firm with close ties to the Israeli military, in August 2024. The persecution of Palestine Action has gone far beyond normal law enforcement. Some activists have been in pre-trial detention for over 500 days, more than double the maximum limit set by the Crown Prosecution Service. The case of the Palestine Action protestors has drawn outcry from international human rights groups, including the United Nations and Human Rights Watch. As HRW notes, in July of last year, the British government declared Palestine Action a terrorist organization and have now detained over 2,700 protestors over infractions as minor as holding a sign reading “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.” As of now, over 20 activists are still in detention awaiting trial, many beyond the legal limits, and the six acquitted activists may face retrial. But for now, the group has scored a major victory in the face of overwhelming odds.* Turning back to domestic news, New York Governor Kathy Hochul appears to have pulled off a fait accompli in her reelection campaign. Last year, former Representative Elise Stefanik dropped her bid for the Republican gubernatorial nomination and sitting Rep. Mike Lawler declined to run. Now, Hochul's main primary opponent – Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado – has dropped his bid after Hochul secured the endorsements of New York City Mayor and political superstar Zohran Mamdani as well as the entirety of the New York Democratic congressional delegation. This from the New York Times. This is a stunning political feat for a Governor who won the narrowest gubernatorial election in the state since 1994 when she was last up in 2022. It now seems that Hochul will square off against Bruce Blakeman, the Trump-endorsed Republican executive of Nassau County in November.* Meanwhile in Los Angeles, the dynamic of the Mayoral race was upended this week by the last-minute decision of Councilmember Nithya Raman to throw her hat into the ring against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. Raman, an urban planner by trade, chairs the Council's Housing and Homelessness Committee and has “built her political identity around tenant protections, homelessness policy and efforts to accelerate housing production,” per the Los Angeles Daily News. Raman was the first of several Councilmembers elected with DSA support and she has maintained a strong relationship with the local branch despite tensions with the national organization, primarily over Israel/Palestine issues. Bass, who won a narrow election against billionaire developer Rick Caruso in 2022, has faced harsh criticism over her handling of the devastating fires in 2025 and her inability to make significant progress on the city's homelessness crisis. However, Bass maintains the support of much of the city's Democratic establishment, including the unions and much of the City Council and Raman's late entry will make it difficult for her to consolidate majority support across the sprawling western metropolis.* Finally, in a David-and-Goliath tale, we turn to TJ Sabula, the UAW Local 600 Ford factory line worker who called Trump a “pedophile protector.” Infamously, the president retorted by giving Sabula the finger and mouthing, “F--- you.” Ironically, Trump also trotted out his iconic catchphrase “You're fired.” Well, Sabula was not fired – and in fact “has no discipline on his record,” – because he was protected by his union, per the Detroit News. In a recent address, UAW Vice President Laura Dickerson said “TJ, we got your back,” adding “In that moment, we saw what the president really thinks about working people…As UAW members, we speak truth to power. We don't just protect rights, we exercise them.” UAW President Shawn Fain, who has emerged as a firebrand leader of the revitalized labor movement, commented “That's a union brother who spoke up…He put his constitutional rights to work. He put his union rights to work.”This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe