Podcast appearances and mentions of King Ferdinand

The pineapple - today a familiar tropical fruit, boxed in lunch kits and blended in cocktails - was once the most exotic and awe-inspiring delicacy known to Europeans. Its journey from the hands of Indigenous cultivators in the rainforests of South America to the hothouses of Georgian England is a tale of exploration, obsession, imperial rivalry, and horticultural espionage.In this first episode of a two-part series, John and Patrick trace the pineapple's origins to the Tupi-Guarani people, for whom the nana was a cherished crop. Then came Columbus, who encountered the fruit on the island of Guadeloupe and, dazzled by its flavour, brought it back to Spain as a trophy of the New World - presenting it to King Ferdinand as evidence of the riches ripe for conquest. From there, the pineapple set off on an extraordinary global voyage, becoming an object of fascination in courts and colonies alike.Within decades, the fruit had spread to Asia and Africa, and it wasn't long before European elites became obsessed. In England, King Charles II embraced the pineapple as a symbol of royal magnificence, commissioning portraits to cement its mythic status. Meanwhile, the Dutch, ever resourceful, mastered the art of growing pineapples using rotting tanners bark in heated greenhouses, setting off a botanical arms race. The English soon caught up thanks, ironically, to a Dutchman of their own.Join John and Patrick as they uncover the tropical fruit that ignited imperial rivalries, captured royal imaginations, and reshaped global agriculture. The humble pineapple was never just a fruit - it was power, prestige, and paradise incarnate.----------In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business-----------Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community.Support us!Share this episode with your friendsGive a 5-star ratingWrite a review -----------Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter here for extra stories related to recent episodes, book recommendations, a sneak peek of upcoming episodes and more.-----------Step into history - literally! Now is your chance to own a pair of The History of Fresh Produce sneakers. Fill out the form here and get ready to walk through the past in style.-----------Instagram, TikTok, Threads:@historyoffreshproduceEmail: historyoffreshproduce@gmail.com

THIS WEEK CHRIS IS TALKING ABOUT THE SPANISH INQUISITION! The Spanish Inquisition was one of history's most infamous religious crackdowns, kicking off in 1478 under Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. Its original goal? To root out heresy and enforce Catholic orthodoxy, but it quickly turned into a powerful tool for social and political control. Jews, Muslims, converted Christians (called conversos), and anyone who didn't “fit the mold” were often targets. Trials were secretive, evidence was thin, and torture was totally on the table. Even after confessing, people could still be burned at the stake. NO ONE WAS SAFE BABE! WILD crazy ways to torture and get people to confess. LGBTQ individuals and outspoken women were persecuted under vague charges like “sodomy” and “witchcraft.” Over 300 years, the Inquisition left a legacy of fear, paranoia, and thousands dead. It finally ended in 1834, but its shadow still lingers in discussions of religious oppression, systemic abuse, and, let's be honest, the original Catholic guilt trip!! #ChrisDistefano #history #Podcast #comedy Our Sponsors:BetterHelp - Christories is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit https://BetterHelp.com/CHAOS to get 10% off your first month.Chubbies - Your new wardrobe awaits! Get 20% off @chubbies with the code chaos at https://www.chubbiesshorts.com/chaos #chubbiespodLucy Goods - http://lucy.co/chaosL-Nutra - Visit https://prolonlife.com/CHAOS to claim your 15% discount and your bonus gift. Welcome to Christories where comedian Chris Distefano tells you about a time in history. We uncover the REAL TRUTHS in World History that you may have not known about! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Full Text of ReadingsWednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent Lectionary: 246The Saint of the day is Saint Francis of PaolaSaint Francis of Paola's Story Francis of Paola was a man who deeply loved contemplative solitude and wished only to be the “least in the household of God.” Yet, when the Church called him to active service in the world, he became a miracle-worker and influenced the course of nations. After accompanying his parents on a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, he began to live as a contemplative hermit in a remote cave near Paola, on Italy's southern seacoast. Before he was 20, he received the first followers who had come to imitate his way of life. Seventeen years later, when his disciples had grown in number, Francis established a Rule for his austere community and sought Church approval. This was the founding of the Hermits of St. Francis of Assisi, who were approved by the Holy See in 1474. In 1492, Francis changed the name of his community to “Minims” because he wanted them to be known as the least (minimi) in the household of God. Humility was to be the hallmark of the brothers as it had been in Francis's personal life. Besides the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, Francis enjoined upon his followers the fourth obligation of a perpetual Lenten fast. He felt that heroic mortification was necessary as a means for spiritual growth. It was Francis's desire to be a contemplative hermit, yet he believed that God was calling him to the apostolic life. He began to use the gifts he had received, such as the gifts of miracles and prophecy, to minister to the people of God. A defender of the poor and oppressed, Francis incurred the wrath of King Ferdinand of Naples for the admonitions he directed toward the king and his sons. Following the request of Pope Sixtus IV, Francis traveled to Paris to help Louis XI of France prepare for his death. While ministering to the king, Francis was able to influence the course of national politics. He helped to restore peace between France and Brittany by advising a marriage between the ruling families, and between France and Spain by persuading Louis XI to return some disputed land. Francis died while at the French court. Reflection The life of Francis of Paola speaks plainly to an overactive world. He was a contemplative man called to active ministry and must have felt keenly the tension between prayer and service. Yet, in Francis's life it was a productive tension, for he clearly utilized the fruits of contemplation in his ministry, which came to involve the workings of nations. He responded so readily and so well to the call of the Church from a solid foundation in prayer and mortification. When he went out to the world, it was not he who worked but Christ working through him—“the least in the household of God.” Saint Francis of Paola is a Patron Saint of: Sailors Jane de Chantal: A Saint for the Depressed Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Hail and well met Adventurers!  The party has just defeated the evil remnants of King Ferdinand and his protector Erdwin and have received blessings of power from the fallen heroes.  Aldon has discovered that the Morgrim he has been talking to isn't Morgrim.  The party is now to begin their journey eastward.  What new adventures await our daring party?  Find out in this adventurous episodeSupport the showClick on the link above to help support our podcast by donating to our Patreon. Where you will get exclusive companion piece episodes, special Discord access, and other goodies!Find us on Social Media! Twitter @PUGSpod Instagram @p.u.g.s.pod email pugspod@gmail.com Join our Discord server!https://discord.gg/GfFQ6qrRr6

The Book Report Series: ( Dogs of God )ABOUT DOGS OF GODFrom the acclaimed author of Warriors of Godcomes a riveting account of the pivotal events of 1492, when towering political ambitions, horrific religious excesses, and a drive toward international conquest changed the world forever.James Reston, Jr., brings to life the epic story of Spain's effort to consolidate its own burgeoning power by throwing off the yoke of the Vatican. By waging war on the remaining Moors in Granada and unleashing the Inquisitor Torquemada on Spain's Jewish and converso population, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella attained enough power and wealth to fund Columbus' expedition to America and to chart a Spanish destiny separate from that of Italy. With rich characterizations of the central players, this engrossing narrative captures all the political and religious ferment of this crucial moment on the eve of the discovery of the New World.The year Columbus sailed the ocean blue, 1492 was also the year that Moorish Granada fell to Catholic Spain and the year King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella expelled the Spanish Jews. Reston brings together these three stories, showing how the exploration of the New World, the war against Muslims and the Inquisition were part of the monarchy's attempt to purify the world for Christendom and advance the Spanish empire. The three threads were intertwined pragmatically as well as ideologically: Property confiscated from Jews and heretical Catholics went into the war chest that funded the march against the Moors. Jews who had converted to Christianity came under suspicion if they so much as set their table with a fresh tablecloth on Friday (the Inquisitor and his minions saw that as a sign that the converso might be observing the Jewish Sabbath), and Reston spares no detail when describing the atrocities the Inquisition committed against these suspects. This history is also distinguished by its vivid portrait of Queen Isabella (Ferdinand is not quite so well-developed), who emerges as a woman of deep faith and more than a hint of grandiosity, frequently likening herself to the Virgin Mary and the apocalyptic woman of the Book of Revelation. The most important sections chronicle Spain's pursuit and conquest of Moorish land, from the fall of Málaga in 1487 to the seizing of Granada. The defeat of the Moors may seem like ancient history to Americans, Reston points out, but it is vivid indeed to the Islamic terrorists who bombed Madrid. Donations to the podcast: CashApp Tag: $faroutflowPayPal Email: feelrealmusic@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jamaine-farmer-bey/support

Send us a textEver wonder how gratitude can transform your life and relationships? Join me, Jesse Cope, on the American Soul Podcast as we navigate the intricacies of thankfulness, faith, and personal growth. Amid the updates from my homestead, including the latest joy offered by a new duck pond, we explore the power of cherishing moments with God and loved ones. As the holiday season approaches, let's revisit the timeless tradition of Thanksgiving proclamations—an enlightening exercise especially dear to homeschoolers and students who cherish history and heritage.The episode continues with a candid look at Christopher Columbus's first voyage in 1492, focusing on the powerful blend of faith and exploration. Discover how Columbus and his crew prepared spiritually for what was not just an adventure but a mission to spread Christianity across uncharted territories. By examining Columbus's dialogues with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, we reveal the religious undertones that fueled one of history's most significant journeys. This exploration dispels some misconceptions about Columbus, offering a nuanced view of his intentions and the complex motivations that guided European explorers.Dive into a thoughtful discussion on the portrayal of Columbus and the indigenous peoples, with an emphasis on correcting historical misconceptions. We bring to light the advocacy of figures like Bartolomé de las Casas, a stalwart defender of indigenous rights, and explore the enduring impact of faith on historical narratives. These dialogues encourage reflection on justice, rights, and the genuine motivations behind historical events. With faith as a cornerstone, join us in understanding the profound role it played—and continues to play—in shaping our world.Support the showThe American Soul Podcasthttps://www.buzzsprout.com/1791934/subscribe

The Spanish Inquisition, a phrase that evokes images of torture chambers, religious persecution, and a dark chapter in human history. But what was the Inquisition truly about? Was it a brutal campaign of religious oppression, or a complex historical phenomenon with nuanced motivations? In this episode of History for Weirdos, Andrew looks into the murky depths of the Spanish Inquisition, separating myth from reality, and exploring the motivations behind this infamous institution. Join Stephanie and Andrew as they unravel the intricate tapestry of events that led to the establishment of the Inquisition by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, the methods employed by its inquisitors, and the lasting impact it had on Spain and the world. From the persecution of religious minorities to the suppression of intellectual dissent, we examine the Inquisition's far-reaching influence and the profound consequences it had on countless lives. Prepare to be both fascinated and disturbed as we explore the dark side of human history, and shed light on a period that continues to intrigue and horrify to this day. - Thank you for listening Weirdos! Show the podcast some love by rating & subscribing on whichever platform you use to listen to podcasts. Your support means so much to us. Let's stay in touch

A small step in the wrong direction can sometimes be magnified by greed and willful moral blindness. This was the case seventy years before St. Peter Claver was born in 1580 to a farming family outside of Barcelona, Spain. King Ferdinand of Spain authorized the purchase of 250 African slaves in Lisbon for his territories in New Spain. One hundred years later, 10,000 African slaves were arriving every year to the New Kingdom of Granada, today known as Columbia. The king's small decision to supposedly help farmers and landowners in New Spain meet their need for laborers allowed the slave trade to grow to epidemic proportions throughout the Americas.  St. Peter life's work as a Jesuit priest was among the men and women who arrived exhausted, maltreated, and sick in the port city of Cartagena. He would meet the ships upon their arrival and go down into the holds where the human cargo was packed tightly together. It is estimated that one third of the men and women died in transit. Peter would carry medicine, food, bread, and lemons to those who survived. He attended to their human needs first and then, over time, tried his best to meet their spiritual needs.  Peter also preached the Gospel message to the merchants, sailors, and ship owners. He tried to impress upon them that we are all human beings and that we have a common need to be treated with dignity and respect. When he visited the plantations where the African Americans were working, he would stay with them rather than in the comfortable homes of the landowners. He preached in the city squares, country areas, and was often among the sick in the hospitals. Fellow Jesuit Fr. John Harden could have been reflecting on the life of Peter Claver when he recently wrote: “Love is shown more in deeds than in words. Love does not mean that I like doing what I'm doing, love means that I do it, and the doing is your love.”    Over the course of his life, the conservative estimate is that Peter baptized 300,000 people - and he continued his instructions after they were baptized by distributing holy pictures and having translators help him to preach. He heard 5,000 confessions on a yearly basis. It should be no surprise that his last years were filled with ill health. Unable to leave his room, his community assigned an ex-slave to attend to his needs. Unfortunately, this man abused him and stole his food. Peter did not complain, seeing his ill treatment as a penance for his sins. When he died on September 8, 1654, word spread quickly. People came from all over the countryside to visit his room, which was soon stripped of everything that could be seen as a relic. His life was such a heroic example of the Christian praxis of love and the exercise of human rights that September 9th, the day after Peter's death, is celebrated today in Columbia as Human Rights Day.  St. Peter Claver, pray for us.  

The narrator shares his story of suddenly running into his old best friend while in New York City- the problem being that his old pal had died 12 years ago. The old friend convinces our narrator to join him at a Ghost Club in a fashionable apartment in the city that night where he can meet a bevy of ghost celebrities from the past, which he agrees to. While at the huge gathering, King Ferdinand of Spain notices that our narrator is looking at a very rare set of old spoons, and tells him he must keep them, refusing to take no for an answer.  Upon leaving the party, the owner of the apartment confronts him outside and accuses him of breaking and entering his apartment. 

TORAH PORTION Deuteronomy 4:25–40, HAFTARAH Jeremiah 8:13–9:23, APOSTLES Luke 19:41–48. The Fast of Av (Tisha B'Av) is the biblical “fast of the fifth month” (Zechariah 7:3; 8:19) and lasts from sunset to sunset. It's the saddest day of the year, when many tragedies happened. But in the Final Redemption, it will be turned into a festival. Today in History: All the men of fighting age who rebelled and refused to go into the Promised Land were condemned to wander 40 years and die in the wilderness (tradition, Numbers 14). In the year 586 BCE, the Babylonians destroyed the first Holy Temple (see 2 Kings 25:9). In the year 70 CE, the Romans burned down the second Holy Temple. In 133 CE, the Romans crushed the Jewish “Bar Kochba” revolt at the city of Beitar. In 1290 CE, King Edward I forced all Jewish people to leave England. In 1492 CE, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella expelled all Jewish people from Spain. In 1941 CE, just before the 9th of Av, the German Nazis decide to try to kill all Jews. In 1942 CE, the Nazis began taking masses of Jews from Warsaw, Poland to kill them in camps. This week's portion is called: Va'Etchanan (I pleaded). Think about: What Scripture spoke to you most today and why? Did you learn something about God, or something you need to do in your life? Daily Bread for Kids is a daily Bible reading podcast where we read through the Torah and the Gospels in one year! Helping young Bible-readers to study God's Word, while also discovering its Jewish context! THE KIDS' JOURNAL is available from ⁠⁠⁠https://arielmedia.shop⁠⁠⁠ BUSY MOMS who want to follow the Daily Bread readings on podcast for adults, can go to ⁠https://dailybreadmoms.com⁠ The Bible translation we are reading from is the Tree of Life Version (TLV) available from the Tree of Life Bible Society. INSTAGRAM: @dailybreadkids @arielmediabooks @dailybreadmoms Tags: #DailyBreadMoms #DailyBreadJournal #BibleJournaling #Messianic #BiblePodcast #BiblicalFeasts #Journal #biblereadingplan #Messiah #JewishRoots #Yeshua #GodIsInControl #OneYearBible #MomLife #MotherCulture #FaithFilledMama #BiblicalWomanhood #Proverbs31woman

Welcome to this special episode of “Daily Bread for Kids,” where kids take turns reading through Lamentations. The Ninth of Av is the saddest day of the year on the Hebrew Calendar. Both of God's Holy Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed on this day. This year has been extra sad with war in Israel. It is custom in Israel to read the Scroll of Lamentations, which the Prophet Jeremiah wrote when he saw the destruction of the First Holy Temple. God promises that one day he will turn the Ninth of Av into a happy festival. Until then, we mourn with those who mourn. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. The Fast of Av (Tisha B'Av) is the biblical “fast of the fifth month” (Zechariah 7:3; 8:19) and lasts from sunset to sunset. It's the saddest day of the year, when many tragedies happened. But in the Final Redemption, it will be turned into a festival. Today in History: All the men of fighting age who rebelled and refused to go into the Promised Land were condemned to wander 40 years and die in the wilderness (tradition, Numbers 14). In the year 586 BCE, the Babylonians destroyed the first Holy Temple (see 2 Kings 25:9). In the year 70 CE, the Romans burned down the second Holy Temple. In 133 CE, the Romans crushed the Jewish “Bar Kochba” revolt at the city of Beitar. In 1290 CE, King Edward I forced all Jewish people to leave England. In 1492 CE, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella expelled all Jewish people from Spain. In 1941 CE, just before the 9th of Av, the German Nazis decide to try to kill all Jews. In 1942 CE, the Nazis began taking masses of Jews from Warsaw, Poland to kill them in camps. - Daily Bread for Kids is a daily Bible reading podcast where we read through the Torah and the Gospels in one year! Helping young Bible-readers to study God's Word, while also discovering its Jewish context! THE KIDS' JOURNAL is available from ⁠⁠⁠https://arielmedia.shop⁠⁠⁠ BUSY MOMS who want to follow the Daily Bread readings on podcast for adults, can go to ⁠https://dailybreadmoms.com⁠ The Bible translation we are reading from is the Tree of Life Version (TLV) available from the Tree of Life Bible Society. INSTAGRAM: @dailybreadkids @arielmediabooks @dailybreadmoms Tags: #DailyBreadMoms #DailyBreadJournal #BibleJournaling #Messianic #BiblePodcast #BiblicalFeasts #Journal #biblereadingplan #Messiah #JewishRoots #Yeshua #GodIsInControl #OneYearBible #MomLife #MotherCulture #FaithFilledMama #BiblicalWomanhood #Proverbs31woman

Sounds & Sweet Airs - The Complete Works of Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost Act 4 While Don Armado begins to cast the upcoming court entertainment, King Ferdinand's men prepare to visit the Princess' caravan in disguise, little knowing that their cunning plan has been pre-empted... CAST King Ferdinand - Peter Collier Berowne - Philip Donnelly Dumain - Harry Lock Longaville - TJ Lea Princess - Jacki Dann Rosaline - Hannah Rogers Maria - Helen Tamlyn Katherine - Kirsty Woolven Boyet - Alan Curtis Costard - Andrew Faber Don Armado - Stephen J Davies Moth - Caspia Huntington-Davies Dull - David Ault Holofernes - Mary Hall Nathaniel - Andrea Richardson CREW Writer - William Shakespeare Producer / Director - Dario Knight Sound Engineer - Stephan Medhurst Title Music - Cercles Nouvelles Additional Music - John Bjork

Sounds & Sweet Airs - The Complete Works of Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost Act 3 Costard's errand to deliver the letters quickly goes awry, drawing two scholars into the tangled love story. Meanwhile, Berowne, Dumain, Longaville and King Ferdinand are about to discover just how dedicated each other is to their vow... CAST King Ferdinand - Peter Collier Princess - Jacki Dann Berowne - Philip Donnelly Dumain - Harry Lock Longaville - TJ Lea Boyet - Alan Curtis Costard - Andrew Faber Jaquenetta - Erika Sanderson Don Armado - Stephen J Davies Dull - David Ault Holofernes - Mary Hall Nathanial - Andrea Richardson CREW Writer - William Shakespeare Producer / Director - Dario Knight Sound Engineer - Stephan Medhurst Title Music - Cercles Nouvelles Additional Music - John Bjork

Sounds & Sweet Airs - The Complete Works of Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost Act 2 A new challenge to King Ferdinand's vow arises, as the Princess of France and her train arrive at the gates of his court. Meanwhile, Costard finds himself employed in the delivery of two love letters - one from Don Armado to Jaquenetta, and the other from Berowne to Rosaline, attendant to the princess... CAST King Ferdinand - Peter Collier Princess - Jacki Dann Berowne - Philip Donnelly Rosaline - Hannah Rogers Dumain - Harry Lock Katherine - Kirsty Woolven Longaville - TJ Lea Maria - Helen Tamlyn Boyet - Alan Curtis Costard - Andrew Faber Don Armado / First Lord - Stephen J Davies Moth - Caspia Huntington-Davies CREW Writer - William Shakespeare Producer / Director - Dario Knight Sound Engineer - Stephan Medhurst Title Music - Cercles Nouvelles Additional Music - John Bjork

Hail and well met Adventurers!  The party has encountered none other than King Ferdinand in a fight to the death.  Will the party survive this deadly encounter?  Tune in to find out!Support the showClick on the link above to help support our podcast by donating to our Patreon. Where you will get exclusive companion piece episodes, special Discord access, and other goodies!Find us on Social Media! Twitter @PUGSpod Instagram @p.u.g.s.pod email pugspod@gmail.com Join our Discord server!https://discord.gg/GfFQ6qrRr6

Full Text of ReadingsTuesday in the Octave of Easter Lectionary: 262The Saint of the day is Saint Francis of PaolaSaint Francis of Paola's Story Francis of Paola was a man who deeply loved contemplative solitude and wished only to be the “least in the household of God.” Yet, when the Church called him to active service in the world, he became a miracle-worker and influenced the course of nations. After accompanying his parents on a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, he began to live as a contemplative hermit in a remote cave near Paola, on Italy's southern seacoast. Before he was 20, he received the first followers who had come to imitate his way of life. Seventeen years later, when his disciples had grown in number, Francis established a Rule for his austere community and sought Church approval. This was the founding of the Hermits of St. Francis of Assisi, who were approved by the Holy See in 1474. In 1492, Francis changed the name of his community to “Minims” because he wanted them to be known as the least (minimi) in the household of God. Humility was to be the hallmark of the brothers as it had been in Francis's personal life. Besides the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, Francis enjoined upon his followers the fourth obligation of a perpetual Lenten fast. He felt that heroic mortification was necessary as a means for spiritual growth. It was Francis's desire to be a contemplative hermit, yet he believed that God was calling him to the apostolic life. He began to use the gifts he had received, such as the gifts of miracles and prophecy, to minister to the people of God. A defender of the poor and oppressed, Francis incurred the wrath of King Ferdinand of Naples for the admonitions he directed toward the king and his sons. Following the request of Pope Sixtus IV, Francis traveled to Paris to help Louis XI of France prepare for his death. While ministering to the king, Francis was able to influence the course of national politics. He helped to restore peace between France and Brittany by advising a marriage between the ruling families, and between France and Spain by persuading Louis XI to return some disputed land. Francis died while at the French court. Reflection The life of Francis of Paola speaks plainly to an overactive world. He was a contemplative man called to active ministry and must have felt keenly the tension between prayer and service. Yet, in Francis's life it was a productive tension, for he clearly utilized the fruits of contemplation in his ministry, which came to involve the workings of nations. He responded so readily and so well to the call of the Church from a solid foundation in prayer and mortification. When he went out to the world, it was not he who worked but Christ working through him—“the least in the household of God.” Saint Francis of Paola is a Patron Saint of: Sailors Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Eric Z. Weintraub spoke with me about his newly released novel, South of Sepharad: The 1492 Jewish Expulsion from Spain. Eric and I talked about what we're writing, the role of Eric's Jewish heritage in his decision to write about this topic, the research his project required, and how he found a publisher. Here's a description of South of Sepharad: Fleeing death by the Spanish Inquisition, a Jewish doctor makes an impossible choice between home and faith, then struggles to lead his family on a journey for a new life. GRANADA, SPAIN, 1492. Vidal ha-Rofeh is a Jewish physician devoted to his faith, his family, and his patients. When Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand conquer Granada they sign the Alhambra Decree, an edict ordering all Jews convert to Catholicism or depart Spain in three months' time under penalty of death. Against his wife's belief that converting is safer than exile, Vidal insists they flee. Unwillingly leaving behind their oldest daughter with her Catholic husband, Vidal's family joins a caravan of 200 Jews journeying to start their lives anew across the sea in Fez. On the caravan, Vidal struggles to balance his physician duties of caring for the sick while struggling to mend strained relationships with his family. At the same time, his daughter back home finds herself exposed to the Spanish Inquisition living as a converso in a Christian empire. Presenting readers with a painful but important part of Jewish history, South of Sepharad is a heroic, heart-breaking story of a father who holds tightly to his faith, his family, and his integrity all while confronting the grief of the past and the harsh realities of forced exile. Purchase South of Sepharad on Amazon (affiliate). Check out Eric's website, and follow him on Instagram,  Facebook and Twitter. Ways you can help the show: Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook! Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Subscribe to my mailing list here. Follow the show on Instagram! Purchase Alison's historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate). Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!

Departing from Puerto Rico with grand plans to establish a new colony, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León set out on his ill-fated second expedition to Florida on February 15th, 1521.  Ponce de León's reputation as a conquistador preceded him, with tales of his brutal conquests in Hispaniola preceding his quest for new lands. Despite being ousted from power by his rival Diego Columbus, Ponce de León received a charter from King Ferdinand to explore and govern distant territories. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly reveal why de León named his ‘discovery' "Florida"; explain why the ‘tree of death' played a pivotal part in his downfall; and discover where those ‘Fountain of Youth' rumours came from…  Further Reading:  ‘Ponce de Leon: Florida & Fountain of Youth' (HISTORY, 2009): https://www.history.com/topics/exploration/juan-ponce-de-leon ‘Ponce De Leon Never Searched for the Fountain of Youth' (Smithsonian Magazine, 2013): https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/ponce-de-leon-never-searched-for-the-fountain-of-youth-72629888/ ‘Juan Ponce de León: Meet the Spanish explorer who discovered Florida' (10 Tampa Bay, 2019): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-BjLdHerRk Love the show? Join

In our final episode on the Spanish Inquisition, I cover its structure and organization. Specifically, I explain how the Spanish Crown, notably King Ferdinand, controlled the Inquisition for his purposes. Then I discuss the Acts of Faith or Autos de Fe as they were originally called, which were the large performances that were part sentencing and part executions. WebsitePatreon Support/Bonus EpisodesThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5553835/advertisement

Christopher Columbus convinces King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella that according to the Bible, the earth is round. Therefore, three ships were needed to reach the people on the other side of the earth so they could then share the gospel with them. “God sits above the circle of the earth.” Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬ AtW1 #kids, #christiankids, #storiesforchristiankids, #theearthisround, #gointoalltheearthandpreachthegospel, #fishbytesforkids, #fishbytes4kids, #fishbitesforkids, #ronandcarriewebb, #roncarriewebb Journey in the New World by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://www.twinmusicom.org/song/258/journey-in-the-new-world Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org Sent from my iPad

A small step in the wrong direction can sometimes be magnified by greed and willful moral blindness.  This was the case seventy years before St. Peter Claver was born in 1580 to a farming family outside of Barcelona, Spain.  King Ferdinand of Spain authorized the purchase of 250 African slaves in Lisbon for his territories in New Spain.  One hundred years later, 10,000 African slaves were arriving every year to the New Kingdom of Granada, today known as Columbia.  The king's small decision to supposedly help farmers and landowners in New Spain meet their need for laborers allowed the slave trade to grow to epidemic proportions throughout the Americas. St. Peter life's work as a Jesuit priest was among the men and women who arrived on slave ships from West Africa exhausted, maltreated, and sick in the port city of Cartagena.  He would meet the ships upon their arrival and go down into the holds where the human cargo was packed tightly together.  It is estimated that one third of the men and women died in transit.  Peter would carry medicine, food, bread, and lemons to those who survived.  He attended to their human needs first and then, over time, tried his best to meet their spiritual needs.  Peter also spoke the Gospel message to the merchants, sailors, and ship owners. He tried to impress upon them that we are all human beings and that we have a common need to be treated with dignity and respect.  When he visited the plantations where the African Americans were working, he would stay with them rather than in the comfortable homes of the landowners.  He preached in the city squares, country areas, and was often among the sick in the hospitals.  Fellow Jesuit Fr. John Harden could have been reflecting on the life of Peter Claver when he recently wrote: “Love is shown more in deeds than in words.  Love does not mean that I like doing what I'm doing, love means that I do it, and the doing is your love.”   Over the course of his life, the conservative estimate is that Peter baptized 300,000 people - and he continued his instructions after they were baptized by distributing holy pictures and having translators help him to preach.  He heard 5,000 confessions on a yearly basis.It should be no surprise that his last years were filled ill health.  Unable to leave his room, his  community assigned an ex-slave to attend to his needs.  Unfortunately, this man abused him and stole his food.  Peter did not complain, seeing his ill treatment as a penance for his sins.  When he died on September 8, 1654, word spread quickly.  People came from all over the countryside to visit his room, which was soon stripped of everything that could be seen as a relic.  His life was such a heroic example of the Christian praxis of love and the exercise of human rights that September 9th, the day after Peter's death, is celebrated today in Columbia as Human Rights Day.  St. Peter Claver, pray for us.  Blessings, Fr. Kevin MacDonald, C.Ss.R.

#228.**To support the podcast or to sponsor an episode: https://seforimchatter.com/support-seforimchatter/ or email seforimchatter@gmail.com (Zelle/QP this email address)****Corporate sponsor of the series Gluck Plumbing: For all your service needs big or small in NJ with a full service division, from boiler change outs, main sewer line snake outs, camera-ing main lines, to a simple faucet leak, Gluck Plumbing Service Division has you covered. Give them a call -   732-523-1836 x 1. **Spanish Jewry Through the Ages, Episode 13: Prof. Francois Soyer - The Expulsion and Forced conversion of the Jews in Portugal, 1497We discussed the origins and history of the Jews of Portugal, the effect of the expulsion from Spain in 1492 on Portugal and its Jews, how many Jews traveled from Spain to Portugal, Portugal's "promise" to the Jews, King Jao II, King Manuel I and his marriage to Isabel - daughter of King Ferdinand and Isballa of Spain, the confiscation of Jewish land, the taking of the Jewish children, the forced conversions, and much moreTo purchase, "The Persecution of the Jews and Muslims of Portugal: King Manuel I and the End of Religious Tolerance (1496-7)": https://brill.com/display/title/14251?language=enTo purchase Prof. Haim Beinart's, "The Expulsion of the Jews from Spain": https://amzn.to/3P8Gpxq

The Capitulations of Santa Fe granted a number of official titles to Columbus as well as ten per cent of any treasure he was able to secure on his ...

Full Text of ReadingsPalm Sunday of the Lord's Passion Lectionary: 37 and 38The Saint of the day is Saint Francis of PaolaSaint Francis of Paola's Story Francis of Paola was a man who deeply loved contemplative solitude and wished only to be the “least in the household of God.” Yet, when the Church called him to active service in the world, he became a miracle-worker and influenced the course of nations. After accompanying his parents on a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, he began to live as a contemplative hermit in a remote cave near Paola, on Italy's southern seacoast. Before he was 20, he received the first followers who had come to imitate his way of life. Seventeen years later, when his disciples had grown in number, Francis established a Rule for his austere community and sought Church approval. This was the founding of the Hermits of St. Francis of Assisi, who were approved by the Holy See in 1474. In 1492, Francis changed the name of his community to “Minims” because he wanted them to be known as the least (minimi) in the household of God. Humility was to be the hallmark of the brothers as it had been in Francis's personal life. Besides the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, Francis enjoined upon his followers the fourth obligation of a perpetual Lenten fast. He felt that heroic mortification was necessary as a means for spiritual growth. It was Francis's desire to be a contemplative hermit, yet he believed that God was calling him to the apostolic life. He began to use the gifts he had received, such as the gifts of miracles and prophecy, to minister to the people of God. A defender of the poor and oppressed, Francis incurred the wrath of King Ferdinand of Naples for the admonitions he directed toward the king and his sons. Following the request of Pope Sixtus IV, Francis traveled to Paris to help Louis XI of France prepare for his death. While ministering to the king, Francis was able to influence the course of national politics. He helped to restore peace between France and Brittany by advising a marriage between the ruling families, and between France and Spain by persuading Louis XI to return some disputed land. Francis died while at the French court. Reflection The life of Francis of Paola speaks plainly to an overactive world. He was a contemplative man called to active ministry and must have felt keenly the tension between prayer and service. Yet, in Francis's life it was a productive tension, for he clearly utilized the fruits of contemplation in his ministry, which came to involve the workings of nations. He responded so readily and so well to the call of the Church from a solid foundation in prayer and mortification. When he went out to the world, it was not he who worked but Christ working through him—“the least in the household of God.” Saint Francis of Paola is a Patron Saint of: Sailors Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

How could the smallest town in the furthest corner become the epicenter of music? Because it has been the silent epicenter of the US from the beginning. In today's episode we cross paths with King Ferdinand, Ponce De Leon, Beethoven, W.C. Handy, Sam Philips, Robert E Lee, Charles Dickens, Helen Keller, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Mark Twain, Alexander Graham Bell, Woodrow Wilson and even Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil. 

Ferdinand VII was a bad person, a lousy husband, and has been called the worst king of Spain ever. But the intense political turmoil of the time has been historically overshadowed by the legacy of his big, weirdly shaped, uncontrollable penis. His four wives (all named Maria) each had terrible experiences with his dastardly dong, because if the anatomy wasn't challenging enough, the guy behind it was the REAL dick.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 202St. Michael the Archangel is God's greatest warrior. God will make you a warrior like St. Michael, if you'll only ask Him.ResourcesIn an effort to provide you with the best, most helpful experience we can, any resource mentioned in The Cantankerous Catholic podcast will always be listed in this section. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases on links that are for purchases made from Amazon. This costs you nothing, but Amazon pays me a small commission on purchases made through those links. This helps to support this apostolate.For This EpisodeWhat We Believe… Why We Believe It Bulletin InsertsPodcasters ParadiseThe Lay Evangelist's HandbookAmerican Writers & Artists InstituteThe Sacred Heart Wins! with Bishop Joseph Strickland Edmund asks, “How can we encourage our Bishop to support Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone's pastoral decision to exclude Pelosi from receiving the Eucharist?”Mark asks, “Do faithful bishops really believe that NOT exposing the corruption in the Church is in the best interest of the Church?”Peter asks, “Shouldn't we occasionally hear “sensitive” issues like contraception, divorce, homosexual propaganda, etc. mentioned—even explicated—from the pulpit?Javier asks, “What prayer or action plan can you recommend to remind our Catholic families that God (good) has conquered the Devil (evil)?”Catholic BootcampThis week Joe Sixpack—The Every Catholic Guy's Catholic Bootcamp is titled Miracles.Catholic QuotesThis week's quote is from St. Francis of Assisi.Catholic StoriesThis episode features a story about King Ferdinand of Naples.For All Sixpack Warriors Help Keep the Joe Sixpack—The Every Catholic Guy Apostolate AliveFOR CHECKS: make checks payable to Cassock Media, P.O. Box 41, Villa Ridge, Missouri 63089I Want To Learn More About The Catholic Church!What We Believe… Why We Believe It Bulletin InsertsMarian Catechist Apostolate Basic CourseRank & Review The Cantankerous Catholic so more Catholics can join us!Earn Money Online Courses & ToolsSHOW ME HOW TO MAKE MONEY ONLINE! My email listFor the record, I believe the easiest way to consistently earn six-figures a year online is to begin a local digital marketing agency. And small businesses need your help more than ever since COVID. Be certain to browse this list.Quick Start...

This indigenous people's appreciation day, I want everybody in America to listen to chapter 1 of #howardzinn's people's History of the United States, not just because it tells the truth about the #genocide that #Columbus carried out, but because Mr assface #NaziTrump wanted to ban this book! He knows that it shows the REAL man we know as Columbus and give credit for discovering the Americas, as a brutal, bloodthirsty, avaricious f****** tyrant and human trafficker who wrote letters bragging about the brisk trade in 14 year old girls! Columbus was the #jeffreyEpstein of his era!! Who carried out genocide against these kind, beautiful,gentle people of Cuba and Dominican Republic and Haiti! Everybody should know this Indigenous People's Day- which in my view, if I were in a position to change it, should replace the name of #Thanksgiving and #ColumbusDay-- that Columbus was actually imprisoned by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain, for his brutal treatment of the indigenous peoples! These carried out the Spanish Inquisition! Tainos t a i n o s was the name, is their name of the Native peoples of that land! Zarco nearly exterminated Taino people, decimating the population in only a few years. There were 250,000 on Cuba, and within a few years, sharpening his f* swords on people, brutally enslaving them to find gold or bring him Cotton, he cut that number in half. The man our lame-ass history books call Christopher Columbus did his best to exterminate the populations of #Cuba and #Haiti and #DominicanRepublic! We know from modern documentaries in this podcast, about Columbus that he was actually the bastard son of a Portuguese Prince, his mother was Jewish and he was a Templar, the knights of Christ. This is probably where he got his name Christopher Columbus. Christopher Columbus was not his real name, it was #zarco z a r c o, he was born in Cuba, portugal, and that's why he named Hispaniola cuba, and places around Cuba he gave names of other Portuguese towns near Cuba portugal. He did not speak It. I'm absolutely sure that this detail of his birth was hidden from us - we are told he was born in Genoa Italy, but he was not! He was born in Cuba, portugal! But they don't want you to know that, because they don't want you to know that he annihilated the population of Cuba, present-day cuba! I think the US owes Cuba and Haiti and Dominican Republic an apology official apology, we changed the names of the holidays, and give reparations to these countries, or Island States! Share if you agree!Don't get stuck w/ turkeys in midterms! Speak the F up now America or forever hold your peace! There are 399 insurrectionist candidates running for office around the country! Speak the F up! Call Congress White House DOJ demand theyre all disqualified NOW! https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjypGiID6u2/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=. I know the US Department of Justice is really busy these days! Trying to gather an ironclad case against the worst criminal in human history! But! Why the hell is Trump still running around free, sowing chaos, fomenting more rebellion? And all his lackeys from January 6th! 399 insurrectionist candidates are running for office around the country! Please for God sake, America do your job! Make some noise, idiots! Tell your elected officials to read the Constitution! The Constitution says clearly in 14th Amendment section 3 that no insurrectionist May hold office, or run for office! So, don't let them stick us with these turkeys! Speak the f up! Call the doj call Congress call the White House demand indictments and that they remove them all from office and bar them all from these elections, these midterms coming up in like a month! Remove them all! They are unfit and unqualified, because they made that decision to betray their country, and cheat in elections, try to steal our elections with their fake electors! All of them must be disqualified so speak the F up, America don't let them turn this place into a s* country please!

In this episode, we explore Henry VIII's court broadly while considering the first few months of his reign. Henry quickly marries Katherine of Aragon in an effort to cement an alliance with King Ferdinand of Spain in the hope that the two would shortly declare war on France. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastSubscription Feed: www.glow.fm/westernciv

After the death of Alphonse the Magnanimous, his son, Ferdinad, has quite a time managing to hold on to the kingdom of Naples what with revolting Barons, meddling popes and even an Ottoman invasion! Will the poor man ever get any peace and quiet?

We continue our conversation with LFBI professor and author of Church History, Greg Axe. This time we cover the Spanish Inquisition — the false trial and slaughter of tens of thousands of people for the purpose of political control. We look at key players like King Ferdinand, Isabella, and the “heretics” tortured and murdered under the pretense of Christ's kingdom. Visit https://www.lfbi.org/ Buy Greg Axe's book “Church History” at https://www.lfbi.org/books

Full Text of ReadingsSaturday of the Fourth Week of Lent Lectionary: 249All podcast readings are produced by the USCCB and are from the Catholic Lectionary, based on the New American Bible and approved for use in the United States _______________________________________The Saint of the day is Saint Francis of PaolaFrancis of Paola was a man who deeply loved contemplative solitude and wished only to be the “least in the household of God.” Yet, when the Church called him to active service in the world, he became a miracle-worker and influenced the course of nations. After accompanying his parents on a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, he began to live as a contemplative hermit in a remote cave near Paola, on Italy's southern seacoast. Before he was 20, he received the first followers who had come to imitate his way of life. Seventeen years later, when his disciples had grown in number, Francis established a Rule for his austere community and sought Church approval. This was the founding of the Hermits of St. Francis of Assisi, who were approved by the Holy See in 1474. In 1492, Francis changed the name of his community to “Minims” because he wanted them to be known as the least (minimi) in the household of God. Humility was to be the hallmark of the brothers as it had been in Francis's personal life. Besides the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, Francis enjoined upon his followers the fourth obligation of a perpetual Lenten fast. He felt that heroic mortification was necessary as a means for spiritual growth. It was Francis's desire to be a contemplative hermit, yet he believed that God was calling him to the apostolic life. He began to use the gifts he had received, such as the gifts of miracles and prophecy, to minister to the people of God. A defender of the poor and oppressed, Francis incurred the wrath of King Ferdinand of Naples for the admonitions he directed toward the king and his sons. Following the request of Pope Sixtus IV, Francis traveled to Paris to help Louis XI of France prepare for his death. While ministering to the king, Francis was able to influence the course of national politics. He helped to restore peace between France and Brittany by advising a marriage between the ruling families, and between France and Spain by persuading Louis XI to return some disputed land. Francis died while at the French court. Reflection The life of Francis of Paola speaks plainly to an overactive world. He was a contemplative man called to active ministry and must have felt keenly the tension between prayer and service. Yet, in Francis's life it was a productive tension, for he clearly utilized the fruits of contemplation in his ministry, which came to involve the workings of nations. He responded so readily and so well to the call of the Church from a solid foundation in prayer and mortification. When he went out to the world, it was not he who worked but Christ working through him—“the least in the household of God.” Saint Francis of Paola is a Patron Saint of: Sailors Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

On March 31, 1492, the world changed. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella issued a decree that expelled the Jews from Spain. One of the most famous paintings in the world depicts the moment from the perspective of the Catholic Church, as the local cleric accuses the Jews of trying to bribe the King into revoking the decree by claiming that the offer was the moral equivalent of thirty pieces of silver. Ancient history, you say? If only it were…

On March 31, 1492, the world changed. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella issued a decree that expelled the Jews from Spain. One of the most famous paintings in the world depicts the moment from the perspective of the Catholic Church, as the local cleric accuses the Jews of trying to bribe the King into revoking the decree by claiming that the offer was the moral equivalent of thirty pieces of silver. Ancient history, you say? If only it were… --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/plausibly-live/message

This week we head to Granada in southern Spain to witness one of the most important years in the history of not only Europe, but the whole world. In 711 a band of Berber tribesmen made the short voyage from North Africa to Southern Spain, landing near Gibraltar. The land they found mesmerised them with its beauty and natural abundance, they settled down, built cities and were joined by Arabs from across the vast Muslim Empire who made al-Andalus their home. Towards the end of the eleventh century, Christian Europeans began the long process of Reconquista, reclaiming the lands they saw as being rightfully theirs. By the late fifteenth century, only Granada remained in Arab hands and in 1492, Boabdil, the last Sultan of Granada, handed over the keys of the city to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella – the joint Catholic rulers of Spain. We are visiting this watershed moment in the company of Professor Elizabeth Drayson, Emeritus Fellow in Spanish at Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge. Her new book, Lost Paradise, The Story of Granada, she reveals the full wonder of this city's history, highlighting the experiences of some of its minority populations including Jews, Gypsies, women. As ever, much, much more about this episode is to be found at our website tttpodcast.com. Click here to order Elizabeth Drayson's book from John Sandoe's who, we are delighted to say, are supplying books for the podcast. Show Notes Scene One: 2 January 1492, in Granada. Christian and Muslim royalty have assembled for the official surrender of the city to the Catholic monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. Scene Two: Mid-July, 1492, on the road to Cádiz, the route to one of Spain's biggest seaports, as Jewish families prepare to sail into permanent exile from their homeland. Scene Three: September 1492, in the old wood-panelled library of the University of Salamanca. Queen Isabella I of Castile meets Spain's most renowned Humanist, Antonio de Nebrija, to accept his newly published grammar of the Spanish language. Memento: the gold ring set with a turquoise owned by the last Muslim sultan of Granada. People/Social Presenter: Violet Moller Guest: Elizabeth Drayson Production: Maria Nolan Podcast partner: Unseen Histories Follow us on Twitter: @tttpodcast_ Or on Facebook See where 1492 fits on our Timeline       

In the early summer of 1514, Spanish conquistador Ponce de Leon returned home to the court of King Ferdinand as a hero. De Leon was among the first of Spain's conquistadors to discover gold-- right here in Puerto Rico. And that was enough for him to be knighted and bestowed all sorts of royal honors. By that time, Europe had been suffering a shortage of gold and silver for nearly a century; mines and mints had closed down all across the continent, triggering what economic historians call ‘The Great Bullion Famine' in the mid 1400s. So the supply of money, i.e. gold and silver, was essentially stagnant. Technically European money supply was falling, because most European kingdoms ran a trade deficit with Asia and the Middle East. Yet at the same time, European economies were finally starting to grow again following the consequences of the Black Plague and the Hundred Years War. English wool production, for example, nearly tripled between the mid 1400s and the early 1500s. So with more goods and services being produced at a time that money supply was falling, prices declined. This essentially what deflation is. Wages, rents, and food prices in Spain, for example, dropped 25% over a century, according to economic historian E.J. Hamilton. Now that actually sounds pretty good. But to Europe's rulers, this deflation was a total catastrophe. And it sparked a number of international expeditions to find more gold. Ponce de Leon was just one of many conquistadors to discover rich mineral deposits in Latin America… and then enslave the local populations to mine them. The end result was a veritable mountain of gold being transported back to Spain, triggering a flood of new money into Europe's economies. Suddenly there was a surge in the money supply… yet roughly the same amount of goods and services being produced. You can probably imagine what happened next: inflation. These are clearly simple concepts; it doesn't take a Ph.D. in economics to understand that, when you flood the financial system with money, it's going to have an impact on prices. That was true in Spain in the 1500s. And it's true today as well. Earlier this year when the government announced sharply higher inflation for the month of March, the Federal Reserve deemed the inflation to be ‘transitory'. That was six months ago. Inflation has surged even higher since then. It's not hard to understand why. First off-- the Fed expanded the money supply last year more than in any other year in US history except for 1943. That's obviously going to have an impact. At the same time, the government forced businesses to close… and then paid people to stay home and NOT work. So essentially we had a LOT more money in the system, but far fewer goods and services being produced. This has predictably created substantial inflation. Here's what's really interesting, though. In its announcement yesterday, the Fed tacitly acknowledged this big inflation problem. They understand that their zero interest rate policy and their bonanza of money printing are both driving prices higher. They also understand that inflation is a MAJOR concern. But then they essentially said, “Yeah, we'll get to it in a couple of months.” This was astonishing. To give you an example, the Fed has been engaged in a ‘bond buying' program… which means that they're flooding the financial system with $120 billion per month in new money. This is definitely a major factor that contributes to inflation. Yet according to its announcement yesterday, the Fed is not even going to START the process of terminating this program until November. And even then, it will take them until the middle of NEXT YEAR before it's been fully wound up. What's more, the Fed suggests that they might start raising interest rates by the end of 2022… and only HALF of the voting members think that's a good idea. Unreal.

In the early summer of 1514, Spanish conquistador Ponce de Leon returned home to the court of King Ferdinand as a hero. De Leon was among the first of Spain's conquistadors to discover gold-- right here in Puerto Rico. And that was enough for him to be knighted and bestowed all sorts of royal honors. By that time, Europe had been suffering a shortage of gold and silver for nearly a century; mines and mints had closed down all across the continent, triggering what economic historians call ‘The Great Bullion Famine' in the mid 1400s. So the supply of money, i.e. gold and silver, was essentially stagnant. Technically European money supply was falling, because most European kingdoms ran a trade deficit with Asia and the Middle East. Yet at the same time, European economies were finally starting to grow again following the consequences of the Black Plague and the Hundred Years War. English wool production, for example, nearly tripled between the mid 1400s and the early 1500s. So with more goods and services being produced at a time that money supply was falling, prices declined. This essentially what deflation is. Wages, rents, and food prices in Spain, for example, dropped 25% over a century, according to economic historian E.J. Hamilton. Now that actually sounds pretty good. But to Europe's rulers, this deflation was a total catastrophe. And it sparked a number of international expeditions to find more gold. Ponce de Leon was just one of many conquistadors to discover rich mineral deposits in Latin America… and then enslave the local populations to mine them. The end result was a veritable mountain of gold being transported back to Spain, triggering a flood of new money into Europe's economies. Suddenly there was a surge in the money supply… yet roughly the same amount of goods and services being produced. You can probably imagine what happened next: inflation. These are clearly simple concepts; it doesn't take a Ph.D. in economics to understand that, when you flood the financial system with money, it's going to have an impact on prices. That was true in Spain in the 1500s. And it's true today as well. Earlier this year when the government announced sharply higher inflation for the month of March, the Federal Reserve deemed the inflation to be ‘transitory'. That was six months ago. Inflation has surged even higher since then. It's not hard to understand why. First off-- the Fed expanded the money supply last year more than in any other year in US history except for 1943. That's obviously going to have an impact. At the same time, the government forced businesses to close… and then paid people to stay home and NOT work. So essentially we had a LOT more money in the system, but far fewer goods and services being produced. This has predictably created substantial inflation. Here's what's really interesting, though. In its announcement yesterday, the Fed tacitly acknowledged this big inflation problem. They understand that their zero interest rate policy and their bonanza of money printing are both driving prices higher. They also understand that inflation is a MAJOR concern. But then they essentially said, “Yeah, we'll get to it in a couple of months.” This was astonishing. To give you an example, the Fed has been engaged in a ‘bond buying' program… which means that they're flooding the financial system with $120 billion per month in new money. This is definitely a major factor that contributes to inflation. Yet according to its announcement yesterday, the Fed is not even going to START the process of terminating this program until November. And even then, it will take them until the middle of NEXT YEAR before it's been fully wound up. What's more, the Fed suggests that they might start raising interest rates by the end of 2022… and only HALF of the voting members think that's a good idea. Unreal.

In the early summer of 1514, Spanish conquistador Ponce de Leon returned home to the court of King Ferdinand as a hero. De Leon was among the first of Spain's conquistadors to discover gold-- right here in Puerto Rico. And that was enough for him to be knighted and bestowed all sorts of royal honors. By that time, Europe had been suffering a shortage of gold and silver for nearly a century; mines and mints had closed down all across the continent, triggering what economic historians call ‘The Great Bullion Famine' in the mid 1400s. So the supply of money, i.e. gold and silver, was essentially stagnant. Technically European money supply was falling, because most European kingdoms ran a trade deficit with Asia and the Middle East. Yet at the same time, European economies were finally starting to grow again following the consequences of the Black Plague and the Hundred Years War. English wool production, for example, nearly tripled between the mid 1400s and the early 1500s. So with more goods and services being produced at a time that money supply was falling, prices declined. This essentially what deflation is. Wages, rents, and food prices in Spain, for example, dropped 25% over a century, according to economic historian E.J. Hamilton. Now that actually sounds pretty good. But to Europe's rulers, this deflation was a total catastrophe. And it sparked a number of international expeditions to find more gold. Ponce de Leon was just one of many conquistadors to discover rich mineral deposits in Latin America… and then enslave the local populations to mine them. The end result was a veritable mountain of gold being transported back to Spain, triggering a flood of new money into Europe's economies. Suddenly there was a surge in the money supply… yet roughly the same amount of goods and services being produced. You can probably imagine what happened next: inflation. These are clearly simple concepts; it doesn't take a Ph.D. in economics to understand that, when you flood the financial system with money, it's going to have an impact on prices. That was true in Spain in the 1500s. And it's true today as well. Earlier this year when the government announced sharply higher inflation for the month of March, the Federal Reserve deemed the inflation to be ‘transitory'. That was six months ago. Inflation has surged even higher since then. It's not hard to understand why. First off-- the Fed expanded the money supply last year more than in any other year in US history except for 1943. That's obviously going to have an impact. At the same time, the government forced businesses to close… and then paid people to stay home and NOT work. So essentially we had a LOT more money in the system, but far fewer goods and services being produced. This has predictably created substantial inflation. Here's what's really interesting, though. In its announcement yesterday, the Fed tacitly acknowledged this big inflation problem. They understand that their zero interest rate policy and their bonanza of money printing are both driving prices higher. They also understand that inflation is a MAJOR concern. But then they essentially said, “Yeah, we'll get to it in a couple of months.” This was astonishing. To give you an example, the Fed has been engaged in a ‘bond buying' program… which means that they're flooding the financial system with $120 billion per month in new money. This is definitely a major factor that contributes to inflation. Yet according to its announcement yesterday, the Fed is not even going to START the process of terminating this program until November. And even then, it will take them until the middle of NEXT YEAR before it's been fully wound up. What's more, the Fed suggests that they might start raising interest rates by the end of 2022… and only HALF of the voting members think that's a good idea. Unreal.

Have you met someone who was really crazy about his socks? I had not, till I met King Ferdinand! Here is a fantastic story of the King and his love for his socks. Come, listen to Radhika as she tells you more about him. Happy Listening! www.sweetpeatales.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sweet-pea-tales/message

Today we celebrate the botanist who discovered the function of leaves. We'll also learn about a visionary German naturalist and polymath who recognized the power and complexity of nature as he explored Central and South America. We hear an excerpt about the power of gardening to turn a gardener into a philosopher. We Grow That Garden Library™ with a book about the best way - the very best way - to cook vegetables from the garden. This is a cookbook that teaches how to make individual vegetables shine - and it’s a cookbook every vegetable gardener should have in their kitchen. And then we’ll wrap things up with a fun little story about the winning entry at the 1917 Raisin Day Parade. Subscribe Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart To listen to the show while you're at home, just ask Alexa or Google to “Play the latest episode of The Daily Gardener Podcast.” And she will. It's just that easy. The Daily Gardener Friday Newsletter Sign up for the FREE Friday Newsletter featuring: A personal update from me Garden-related items for your calendar The Grow That Garden Library™ featured books for the week Gardener gift ideas Garden-inspired recipes Exclusive updates regarding the show Plus, each week, one lucky subscriber wins a book from the Grow That Garden Library™ bookshelf. Gardener Greetings Send your garden pics, stories, birthday wishes, and so forth to Jennifer@theDailyGardener.org Curated News A farmer to chef reveals his deep vegetable knowledge | Agrinews | Mark Kennedy Facebook Group If you'd like to check out my curated news articles and original blog posts for yourself, you're in luck. I share all of it with the Listener Community in the Free Facebook Group - The Daily Gardener Community. So, there’s no need to take notes or search for links. The next time you're on Facebook, search for Daily Gardener Community, where you’d search for a friend... and request to join. I'd love to meet you in the group. Important Events May 6, 1742 Today is the birthday of Jean Senebier, a Swiss pastor and botanist. Where would we be without Senebier? Still breathing... but lacking the knowledge that carbon dioxide is consumed by plants and, in turn, that plants produce oxygen as part of the process of photosynthesis. In a nutshell, Senebier’s work is crucial because he had learned the function of leaves: capturing carbon for food. Before Senebier, the purpose of leaves and what they did for plants and people was unknown. It was Jean Senebier who said, "Observation and experiment are two sisters who help each other." May 6, 1859 Today is the anniversary of the death of the naturalist and botanist Alexander Von Humboldt. He was 89 years old. When it came to his expeditions, Alexander didn't travel alone. In 1799, Alexander was accompanied by the French botanist Aimé Bonplant. In 1806, Friedrich Georg Weitsch painted his portrait; two years after he returned from his five-year research trip through Central and South America. Friedrich painted a romantic, idealized vista of Ecuador as the setting for Alexander's painting. Alexander had climbed the Chimborazo Mountain in Ecuador, believed at the time to be the highest mountain in the world, so perhaps Friedrich imaged Alexander viewing the landscape from Chimborazo. Surrounded by a jungle paradise, a large palm shades Alexander's resting spot. In the painting, a very handsome Alexander is seated on a large boulder; his top hat is resting upside down on the boulder behind him. Friedrich shows the 37-year-old Alexander wearing a puffy shirt that would make Seinfeld jealous, a pinkish-orange vest, and tan breeches. In Alexander’s lap, he holds open the large leather-bound Flora he is working on, and in his right hand, he has a specimen of "Rhexia speciosa" (aka Meriania speciosa). A large barometer leans against the boulder in the lower-left corner of the painting. It symbolized Alexander’s principle of measuring environmental data while collecting and describing plants. King Ferdinand was so pleased with the portrait that he hung it in the Berlin Palace. that he ordered two more paintings to be made featuring Alexander's time in the Americas. Alexander was a polymath; he made contributions across many of the sciences. He made a safety lamp for miners. He discovered the Peru Current (aka the Humboldt Current. He believed South America and Africa had been joined together geographically at one time. He named the "torrid zone,"; the area of the earth near the equator. Apropos the area he was exploring, torrid means hot, blistering, scorching. He went to Russia, and it was there that he predicted the location of the first Russian diamond deposits. Alexander was also a pragmatist. It was the Great Alexandre Von Humboldt who said: "Spend for your table less than you can afford, for your house rent just what you can afford, and for your dress more than you can afford." Alexander developed his own theory for the web of life. Humboldt wrote: "The aims I strive for are an understanding of nature as a whole, proof of the working together of all the species of nature."  In 1803, in Mexico, he wrote, "Everything is Interaction.” Unearthed Words “Lilacs on a bush are better than orchids. And dandelions and devil grass are better! Why? Because they bend you over and turn you away from all the people in the town for a little while and sweat you and get you down where you remember you got a nose again. And when you’re all to yourself that way, you’re really proud of yourself for a little while; you get to thinking things through, alone. Gardening is the handiest excuse for being a philosopher. Nobody guesses, nobody accuses, nobody knows, but there you are, Plato in the peonies, Socrates force-growing his own hemlock. A man toting a sack of blood manure across his lawn is kin to Atlas letting the world spin easy on his shoulder.” ― Ray Bradbury, American author and screenwriter, Dandelion Wine Grow That Garden Library Eating from the Ground Up by Alana Chernila This book came out in 2018, and the subtitle is Recipes for Simple, Perfect Vegetables: A Cookbook. In this book, Alana says, “Vegetables keep secrets, and to prepare them well, we need to know how to coax those secrets out.” Alana divides her cookbook into these key sections: Barely Recipes (Recipes that let the vegetables shine), A Pot of Soup, Too Hot To Cook, Warmth, and Comfort, and Celebrations and Other Excuses to Eat With Your Hands. Alana’s cookbook was inspired by the question, “But what’s the best way to eat a radish?” Alana was at a booth at the farmer’s market. “One side of the table held a tower of radish bunches, and the other, a basket of bagged baby arugula. When my first customer held a bunch of radishes and asked me for direction, I did my best to answer. “Throw them into a salad? Slice them up and dip them in hummus?” Not enamored with her lackluster response, Alana went home and experimented. “Next Saturday, when someone asked me my favorite way to eat a radish, I was ready. “Make radish butter! Chop them up fine and fold them into soft butter with some crunch salt, parsley, and a little lemon juice.” I think the whole town at radish butter that week. Each week that first summer, I’d take vegetables home from one mark to prepare for the next, studying up for the following week’s questions. The result was this cookbook. Isn’t that fantastic?! This book is 272 pages of vegetable mastery in the kitchen. You can get a copy of Eating from the Ground Up by Alana Chernila  and support the show using the Amazon Link in today's Show Notes for around $5 Today’s Botanic Spark Reviving the little botanic spark in your heart May 6, 1917 On this day, The Fresno Morning Republican shared a full-page story about the raisin industry. The Raisin Day parade had been held the previous week. The winning entry was a series of five floats that told the story 40-year-old raisin industry. Here’s an excerpt: The first float showed the pioneer and his family after their Journey from the east to the fertile valley of the San Joaquin. The pioneer's vision was portrayed by a float in advance. Then came the realization of his vision with the little home and the raisin grapevines. But there was no organization, no cooperative marketing, and each grower sold his crop to the packer or marketed his crop. Disaster came, and the third float denoted poverty. The vineyard was mortgaged and sold by the sheriff. The fourth float portrayed prosperity. The businessman, grower, and laborer were linked together for better conditions.  The fifth float denoted the result of the cooperation and wealth to the vineyardist. The original Sun-Maid [Raisin Girl] Miss Lorraine Collett was on this float. Thanks for listening to The Daily Gardener. And remember: "For a happy, healthy life, garden every day."

Hale and well met Adventurers!Our heroes are in Morgrims home city of Ürsnæ as representatives of King Ferdinand.  Morgrim has passed the stage of the battle royal for the tournament and has come to his first challenge of fighting the Masked Maurader.  Will Morgrim overcome his challenge?  Will Seirryth be able to blend in with the nobles now that the King is with them?  Will Sai and Aldon be able to secure Morgrims victory with their support?  Find out this and more in this weeks episode!

Ponce De Leon never searched for the Fountain of Youth but the search for it extends thousands of years and even multiple countries. What is the true history of the Fountain of Youth? And what does Mean Girls have to do with Ponce De Leon and his name being tied to it?Find out on today's episode of Facts-Chology!*You definitely won't live foreverSourceshttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Herodotus-Greek-historianhttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-the-Great#ref59260https://www.greekboston.com/culture/mythology/fountain-of-youth/https://www.history.com/news/the-myth-of-ponce-de-leon-and-the-fountain-of-youthhttps://www.legendsofamerica.com/fl-fountainyouth/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/ponce-de-leon-never-searched-for-the-fountain-of-youth-72629888/https://www.grunge.com/236799/the-tragic-history-of-the-search-for-the-fountain-of-youth/https://www.dma12.org/the-fountain-of-youth-myth-or-reality/https://www.theroot.com/did-a-black-man-discover-the-fountain-of-youth-1790899464Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/Factschology)

Hale and well met Adventurers!The party is in Ürsnæ and getting ready for the Tournament to crown the king and honor the god Arbmos. Morgrim has been on a proverbial roller coaster of emotions as he has encountered not only his former lover, the king, his father, but also his dead brother all in the span of a day! King Ferdinand sent the party here to participate in the tournament in his stead but also to investigate the weird phenomenon of the dead appearing, since spirits and specters aren't a thing in Aezeron, and Aldon and Sorrow encountered one of these spirits with Aldon getting nearly taken out in the process. Why are spirits appearing in Ürsnæ? Will Morgrim qualify for the tournament? Will Sai’s debauchery catch up to haunt him? Find out right meow!

Hail and well met Adventurers!The party has finally made it to Ürsnæ after much sidetracking, to Seirryths chagrin. What awaits the party after being sent by King Ferdinand? Will Morgrim be welcomed back after his two year exile? Will Sorrow find her brother? Tune in to find out.

Tired of all the crazy partying, King Ferdinand and his men decide to renounce women to focus on their studies; however the Princess of France and her ladies make them eat those words. Come hang out in the craziest frat house as we all start to learn the TRUE meaning of love and "Saturdays are for the Boys."Directed by Nadia Atkinson and Erik Hylko

Full Text of ReadingsMemorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church Lectionary: 470All podcast readings are produced by the USCCB and are from the Catholic Lectionary, based on the New American Bible and approved for use in the United States _______________________________________The Saint of the day is St. Teresa of AvilaOn Oct. 15, Roman Catholics celebrate the Spanish Carmelite reformer and mystic St. Teresa of Avila, whose life of prayer enriched the Church during the 16th century counter-reformation. Teresa Sanchez Cepeda Davila y Ahumada was born in the Castilian city of Avila during the year 1515, the third child in a family descended from Jewish merchants who had converted to Christianity during the reign of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Her father Alphonsus had become an ardent Catholic, with a collection of spiritual books of the type his daughter would later compose herself.As a child, Teresa felt captivated by the thought of eternity and the vision of God granted to the saints in heaven. She and her younger brother Rodrigo once attempted to run away from home for the sake of dying as martyrs in a Muslim country, though they soon ran into a relative who sent them back to their mother Beatrice. When Teresa was 14, her mother died, causing the girl a profound grief that prompted her to embrace a deeper devotion to the Virgin Mary as her spiritual mother. Along with this good resolution, however, she also developed immoderate interests in reading popular fiction (consisting, at that time, mostly of medieval tales of knighthood) and caring for her own appearance. Though Teresa's spiritual directors in later life would judge these faults to be relatively minor, they still represented a noticeable loss of her childhood zeal for God. Alphonsus decided his teenage daughter needed a change of environment, and sent her to be educated in a convent of Augustinian nuns. Teresa found their life dull at first, but soon came to some understanding of its spiritual advantages. Illness forced her to leave the convent during her second year. But the influence of her devout uncle Peter, along with her reading of the letters of the monk and Church Father St. Jerome, convinced Teresa that the surest road to salvation lay in forsaking marriage, property, and worldly pleasures completely. Against the will of her father, who wanted her to postpone the decision, she joined the Carmelite Order.Teresa became a professed member of the order at age 20, but soon developed a serious illness that forced her to return home. She experienced severe pain and physical paralysis for two years, and was expected to die when she went into a coma for four days. But she insisted on returning to the Carmelite monastery as soon as she was able, even though she remained in a painful and debilitated state.For the next three years the young nun made remarkable progress in her spiritual life, developing the practice of recalling herself into the presence of God through quiet contemplation. As her health returned, however, Teresa lapsed into a more routine prayer life. While she remained an obedient Carmelite, she would not re-establish this close personal connection to God for almost twenty years. When she was nearly 40, however, Teresa found herself dramatically called back to the practice of contemplative mental prayer. She experienced profound changes within her own soul, and remarkable visions that seemed to come from God. Under the direction of her confessors, Teresa wrote about some of these experiences in an autobiography that she completed in 1565. Teresa had always been accustomed to contemplate Christ's presence within her after receiving him in the sacrament of Holy Communion. Now, however, she understood that the presence she received did not simply fade: God was, in fact, with her always, and had been all along. It was simply a matter of putting herself in his presence, with love and attention as one could do at any moment. This revolution in her spiritual life enabled Teresa to play a significant role in the renewal of the Church that followed the Council of Trent. She proposed a return of the Carmelites to their original rule of life, a simple and austere form of monasticism founded on silence and solitude that had received papal approval in the 12th century and was believed to date back to the Old Testament prophet Elijah. Together with her close collaborator, the priest and writer later canonized as Saint John of the Cross, she founded what is known today as the Order of Discalced Carmelites discalced, meaning barefoot, symbolizing the simplicity to which they chose to return the order after a period of corruption. The reform met with fierce opposition, but resulted in the founding of 30 monasteries during her life.Teresa's health failed her for the last time while she was traveling through Salamanca in 1582. She accepted her dramatic final illness as God's chosen means of calling her into his presence forever. O my Lord, and my spouse, the desired hour is now come, she stated. The hour is at last come, wherein I shall pass out of this exile, and my soul shall enjoy in thy company what it hath so earnestly longed for. St. Teresa of Avila died on Oct. 15, 1582. She was canonized on March 22, 1622, along with three of her greatest contemporaries: St. Ignatius Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, and St. Philip Neri. In 1970, Pope St. Paul VI proclaimed St. Teresa as one of the first two woman Doctors of the Church, along with 14th century Dominican St. Catherine of Siena. Saint of the Day Copyright CNA, Catholic News Agency

Full Text of ReadingsSaturday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 466All podcast readings are produced by the USCCB and are from the Catholic Lectionary, based on the New American Bible and approved for use in the United States _______________________________________The Saint of the day is St. Francis BorgiaFrancis Borgia was born October 28, 1510 inGandia, Valencia, Spain asthe son of the Duke of Gandia, the great grandson, from his fathers side, of Pope Alexander VI, the notorious Borgia pope, and from his mothers side, the great grandson of King Ferdinand of Aragon.Francis grandmother joined her daughther in a convent of Poor Clares after the death of her husband and helda pious influence in the court of the Borgia, to which Francis is indebted. It was with these two women that holiness penetrated into the scandalous lineage of the Borgia family.Francis grew to be a pious young man, posessed of many natural gifts and a favorite at the court of Charles V. It is recounted that one day Francis passed through Alcal, followed by his escort, and exchanged an emotional glance with a poor man being escorted to prison by the Inquisition. This man was Ignatius of Loyola, and at this moment Francis could not have had any idea what an importantrolethis man wouldplay in his destiny.In 1539 Francis was appointed Viceroy of Catalonia, and four years later, upon the death of his father, the Duke of Gandia. He built a university there, received the degree of Doctor in Theology, and invited the Jesuits to his duchy.His wife died in 1546, and Francis entered the Society of Jesus in 1548, but was ordered by the Pope to remain in the world until he had fulfilled his obligations to his ten children and his duchy.Two years later he left Gandia, never to return, and joined the Jesuits in Rome. He immediately set about initiating grand projects he convinced Ignatius to found the Roman College, and a year later he left for Spain, where his preaching and example sparked a renewal of religious fervour in the country, drawing pilgrims from far and wide to hear him preach. In 1556 he was placed in charge of all the missions of the Society, and his energetic work transformed them. He also initiated the missions to Peru, New Spain and Brazil.He was elected as general on July 2, 1565, and although in poor health for his last years, he executed the governance and initiated projects of the Society with great energy. He introduced so many reforms to the society of Jesus that he was considered in some ways to be its second founder. Francis was a man of contemplation and action in the fullest sense, and clearly drew much strength from the silence of his prayer.He died in Rome on September 30, 1572, in Ferrara, Spain, two days after returning from an apostolic journey to Spain.Saint Francis Borgia is one of the great saints of the Catholic Reformation, and was cannonized by Pope Clement X in 1670. Saint of the Day Copyright CNA, Catholic News Agency

Connect with Michael and BobThe Climb on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-climb-podcast/Bob Wierema: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-wierema/Michael Moore: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpmoore/Connect with Tim SwindleTwitter: https://twitter.com/timswindlePornaments: https://www.pornaments.com/The Climb is Produced by Straight Up Podcasts[00:00:00] Tim Swindle: [00:00:00] Hey, you know, do we think that there's other people like us that would enjoy this and then, you know, there is some element of like going around and can you share the idea before you start spending a lot of money? You know, you can go kind of just test your thesis. And so you share the idea with people and you can just tell, like, is it clicking?[00:00:19] Do they like it? Are they laughing? Are they like stupid? This is dumb. You know? So everybody just was like, that sounds like a really funny, except for a game. And. It convinced us to keep going. And then as you keep going, and as you build momentum, you just start to feel more confident and the confidence builds and you're willing to take more risks, et cetera.[00:00:42]but you don't have to start out, you know, you don't have to go all in out of the gate. Like you can take baby steps to start. [00:00:50] Bob wierema: [00:00:50] All right. Today on the climb, we had a good friend of mine joined Michael and myself that, Share some of the success that he's had as an entrepreneur talks about how he makes a shift from call it corporate America and entrepreneurship in a number of different venues and really how his whole focus is on his lifestyle and the quality light that he's going to live with him and his family.[00:01:16] And it's just a great conversation. Thrilled to have Tim swindle join Michael and myself today.[00:01:31] Tim. Welcome to the climb podcast. Thanks for joining us today. [00:01:36] Tim Swindle: [00:01:36] Thanks for having me. [00:01:38] Bob wierema: [00:01:38] Absolutely. Well, I think to get started for the benefit of all the listeners. Can you give us a little background on, on who Tim is and you know, where you started and kind of where you sit today?[00:01:50]Tim Swindle: [00:01:50] Sure. Tim swindle, I live on the North side of Chicago.[00:01:55] I'm married with a 10 month old as of today and a dog. I went to [00:02:00] university of Illinois and I've started a couple of businesses and recently exited a few of them and Mon to a new ventures as we speak, [00:02:10] Bob wierema: [00:02:10] maybe start with, I think your story where you came, you know, in school, I know you had an awesome time doing some travel abroad and then kind of bring us up to speed of where are you, where are you?[00:02:21] Took that from what you learned from that?[00:02:24]Tim Swindle: [00:02:24]  Sure. So, my junior year at university was able to fortunate enough to be able to go over to Sylvia Spain for my second semester of junior year. And, it was, I think looking back on it even today, was probably the best three months stretch of my life. I've I peaked when I was 21 years old.[00:02:50]so we did it a little different, you know, a lot of folks that study abroad, they, they would kind of go on this journey, this solo journey and meet new friends and things like that. And ours was a little different where we just uprooted like eight to 10 of our best friends and just moved us over to, to Spain for a semester.[00:03:10] And, it was, it was just an incredible experience to kind of be, you know, off on our own truly, you know, no parents that could drive down and show up at our dorm or anything like that. you know, we obviously were going to school, but it was, it was designed to. To get out and see Spain too, you know, your Monday to Thursday classes.[00:03:28] And then we would go visit different spots in Spain on the weekends and things like that. So lived with a Spanish family, which was also a really cool experience and, no new new Avalon spaniel. So that was[00:03:42] not really knowing a lick of Spanish. I know a few phrases. [00:03:50] Michael Moore: [00:03:50] you know,That gets you through like two or three months in Spain, right there called me a few other things and you're all right. Yeah cause Tim, if, [00:04:00] if you would've told me that, that you were fluent in Spanish, I would have been answering some tough questions at home with my fiancé to why my Spanish is not as good as it should be after six and a half years, [00:04:13] Tim Swindle: [00:04:13] you need to, you need to get on that.[00:04:17] Bob wierema: [00:04:17] And so I think go into like, How you found a job after that and all that. I think that story is really interesting. Cause you know, as we were talking the other day, how that's even shaped you to kind of where you are today and there's some, some of those, as we talked about the crossroads to find moments in, in those experiences, [00:04:36] Tim Swindle: [00:04:36] So as I was studying abroad in Spain, I was having a really good time and I happened to talk to my dad and just mentioned to them, listen, like I'm having a really good time over here.[00:04:48] I would prefer not to come back to the States for summer. This is summer going into senior year. And she was like, all right, let me, let me see what I can do. And he happened to right after I got off the call with him, ran into our neighbor at the time who was a partner at a trading firm. they're based in Chicago, but they had an office in London and he mentioned to him how he just, you know, talked to Tim and Tim in Spain and was looking for an internship.[00:05:11] Do you guys have anything? So he put a call. This is all without me, knowing this puts a call on to partner over in London. And so a couple of hours later, I got a call from this guy in London. That's like, Hey, I'm Dave with Marquette partners. You know, we're going to fly you over here for an interview to London and think about, you know, have you moved here for the summer?[00:05:29] And I'm just like, who's this I've been drunk for the past three months. Yeah. and so it worked out that I did fly over there and interviewed with the firm and. I ended up just going straight from, Spain over to London for the summer. And then that worked out well and they ended up hiring me basically right out of that program.[00:05:53]so it was nice to kind of go into senior year, being stressed about, you know, finding a job. And I had one lined up for the [00:06:00] backend and ended up going, you know, moving back to London after graduation. [00:06:04] Michael Moore: [00:06:04] That's awesome. [00:06:05] Bob wierema: [00:06:05] And you, [00:06:06] you loved London.[00:06:08]Tim Swindle: [00:06:08] I do. I did. I do. I  hope to go back there to spend some time, some significant time with my family.[00:06:16]that's definitely a goal of mine. I just think there's just so much that I owe. To travel and we can get into a little bit later, but I've done a few stints of extensive travel. And I think has really shaped my view on the world and it's opened my eyes and I think hopefully made me a much better person and a more interesting person.[00:06:36] And I would love to share that, you know, with my kids, hopefully one day, [00:06:41] Michael Moore: [00:06:41] you know, Tim and, in visiting with you. Prior to the podcast, kind of getting up to date, getting to know each other. Since that time I've just been on this memory lane of my semester abroad in Granada, just a couple of years before you.[00:06:54] And you know, the impact that that had. I mean, it just changed everything. The whole world got a lot bigger. You mean, there's, there's more than Texas Michael. I mean, we all do everything bigger in Texas, but it's okay. It takes a while to get out of the border. But when you do it's, it's, it's a big world out there and I'm stumbling around the streets of the all by scene are going up to the alarm, bruh, and thinking about and learning about the history.[00:07:25] And you know, that being the, I mean, it's one of the eight wonders of the world, the last Maura stronghold, and then Isabella Cattolica and King Ferdinand come in and establish Catholicism down there. It was just like, this is so much older than anything in Texas or the United States for that matter. It just completely changed my mindset.[00:07:45] Tim Swindle: [00:07:45] Yeah. I mean, you're walking down streets that are older than our country. Right. I mean, it just, yeah. It's, it's a eye-opening experience for sure. [00:07:56] Michael Moore: [00:07:56] Yeah. It's, it's certainly changed the way I [00:08:00] viewed things and then talking about the opportunity to go back. So last spring, which marked 20 years, since my semester abroad, I took my wife and kids.[00:08:11] And we went and sat in my old classroom and by the old apartment that I lived in, and of course I couldn't show my 14 year old and 12 year old daughters, everything that I experienced in Granada, but we had a really good time going down memory lane and, and just showing them that. And we went over to Sylvia and had an amazing time up to Madrid.[00:08:30] It was. I think carrying forward, I want to make sure that you know, that my girls continue to understand that they're a little bit is one thing. but the world is a whole another thing and it's fun to explore. [00:08:45] Tim Swindle: [00:08:45] Yeah, it's something I definitely am going to encourage, you know, my daughter and if we have additional kids and then anybody I speak to you, right?[00:08:53] Yeah. I am very close with my high school still. I went to high school here in Chicago at San Ignatius college prep and they invited me back. to speak to the senior class. I don't know why they did it. And, I'm still confused as to why I was invited, but I, I took it very seriously and it was a huge honor as they were starting to kind of explore their path, going to college and what they wanted to do, et cetera.[00:09:20] And my speech essentially, or I'm studying abroad and I just encouraged all of them as they're kind of going off on yeah. You know, onto adulthood that it's something that if they have the opportunity to that, it's the best decision that I've ever made. And I think what happens is when you're here in college and you've got your group, good group of friends, or if you're in a fraternity or sorority and you just kinda like become obsessed with this little world that you're.[00:09:49] A bit fish in a small pond about, and it's like, Oh, you know, you have either the big borrowers, right. So it's like, you're going to miss another Saturday night at cams.[00:09:58]Bob wierema: [00:09:58] Right. It's the exact same as [00:10:00] the one before it, right? [00:10:01] Tim Swindle: [00:10:01] Yup. Exactly. And I had friends, you know that  unfortunately they, they have the opportunity to leave, but they were.[00:10:08] Too sure that that life for cams right. Was, was all they needed. And I think it's sad to be honest. And so anyway, I just tried to share that little bit of a, of advice with these, with these seniors. [00:10:21] Bob wierema: [00:10:21] Well, Tim we're, I mean, we're on the topic and instead of coming back, like, let's talk, I mean, you have, you mentioned it.[00:10:27] You have done some extensive travel to help us understand what that was like, what it means to you, how we shaped who you are and who Tim is. [00:10:36] Tim Swindle: [00:10:36] Yeah. So, so I started off outside of that. this kind of leads into a little bit of, you know, Tim later in life. And, I was a partner at a software company that we ended up selling to LinkedIn.[00:10:50] And at the same time I had also started. A board game company called utter nonsense and with the acquisition of LinkedIn acquiring the software company, and then with having things in a good place with the board game company that I kind of intentionally set up to be a. Kind of a lifestyle business where I overhead outsourced a lot of things.[00:11:15] Basically I had one employee, which was my sister and it allowed me to, I basically said, you know, I've been grinding for the past 15 years between, you know, all through my twenties. And then once I kind of jumped into entrepreneurship when I was 30 and I just said, you know, I need a break. And at the time I was pretty serious with my girlfriend.[00:11:36] I probably knew that. You're getting engaged with somewhere in our future. So I just said, let's do it. And so we picked up and, and went and traveled kind of the Southern hemisphere for about six months. So he did like New Zealand, Austria, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, and then finished in Hawaii for three weeks.[00:11:55] So it was a pretty incredible trip. [00:11:58] Bob wierema: [00:11:58] That's great. What was your [00:12:00] favorite part of that? Is there a piece that like six out of place or? [00:12:04]Tim Swindle: [00:12:04] well, I mean, if I better, if I don't say this I'm gonna be sleeping on the couch. cause we had engaged in Bali and that was, so [00:12:14] Bob wierema: [00:12:14] that was the best part. That's all you need to say,[00:12:19] Tim Swindle: [00:12:19] but I think, I think Japan would, I would say was. You know, the favorite as far as just places that we've visited. I dunno what it is. I've even before going there, I have kind of had this. Romantic obsession kind of with Japan, I just felt like this weird kindred spirit. And I don't necessarily believe in like, what is it?[00:12:41] My wife's Indian. And so  I'm butchering this, but, where it's like, you're your rebirth? Right? And I was like, cause I Japanese in a bass in a past life because it just felt like I was at home. Just the people, the culture, the food. Just the energy, the vibe, you know, it was just, it just felt good.[00:12:59] So I really enjoy Japan [00:13:03] Michael Moore: [00:13:03] while we're on the topic of you racking up some brownie points. Like, I mean, how did you know that she was the one. [00:13:12] Tim Swindle: [00:13:12] Deep here, Michael, [00:13:15] Michael Moore: [00:13:15] we're not all surface level in Texas, man. I mean, there's a philosophical side to us, you know? [00:13:22]Tim Swindle: [00:13:22] so for me, I, So I'm, I just turned 40 and at the time I was, I think, 36.[00:13:30] And so I think compared to the majority of my friends who had already been married and most had kids, it was a little later, you know, as far as, Settling down if you will. And I think for me it was a timing thing. So I'll say, and I'll say this to her too. I think she knows this is that it's not like the one type of thing for me.[00:13:52] It's like, Hey, timing's right. I had gotten to a place kind of professionally where I wasn't going to be. [00:14:00] Working 80 hours a week at that point. And I could put in the time to something else. So I kind of committed to, I guess, selfishly, you know, I've been selfish if you will, for the first kind of 14 years post-graduation.[00:14:12] And a lot of that was focused around career and having fun, I guess, to call it what it is. And so I think at that point I just was, was ready and. there like a little bit of a funny kind of backstory to us meeting. we had met basically like 10 years prior when she was actually interning at a job in Chicago and she went to the mutual party and she's a couple years younger than I am.[00:14:39] And so she was still in college. I was like 24, 25. I just remember seeing her. And I was like, wow, who is this? You know, Duffle Indian barrel and that was it. And, but I kind of never forgot her. And then 10 years later, we happened to run into each other at Lollapalooza here in Chicago. And, kind of just timing was right.[00:15:00] Hit it off and just get engaged in Bali and have a kid and a dog and living up in Lakeview and life comes at you fast. [00:15:09] Michael Moore: [00:15:09] No, that's great. That's awesome perspective.[00:15:12]Bob wierema: [00:15:12] You mentioned the word, like being selfish with yourself.  Right. And I think a lot of people think about that and think about that when that comes to their careers, you think of that in a bad way, in a good way.[00:15:23] In that time that you were, you know, quote unquote selfish, [00:15:27] Tim Swindle: [00:15:27] I think it been in a good way. I think I used that opportunity to get some stuff out of my system, personally, just having fun. And then also, like I said, professionally, I was able to take some risks that I think would have been difficult to do.[00:15:42] Had I had a kid with, or had a wife with kids and all these responsibilities. And, you know, I made the leap into entrepreneurship when I was 30. And I think there was something about turning 30 that really made me want to do that. I, I always had the itch and I hadn't [00:16:00] had different entrepreneurial kind of activities when I was younger, but I never had kind of pursued it as my, my only form of living and income, et cetera.[00:16:09] So I think had I had, you know, not been selfish, and choose to go that route. I don't know that I could have gone on this path of bunch of partnership. I mean, I don't want to say it's impossible, but it just be, it be a hell of a lot harder. So in that regard, like I don't look at it as a negative. I look at it as, you know, I think it's about, so [00:16:29] Michael Moore: [00:16:29] if you take life like that, like I have to do this.[00:16:32] And I think it's important for our listeners to think about this. Like there's buckets, right? You've got. Your professional life. You've got your home life and your wife, you've got maybe a spirituality bucket may be, an exercise or hobbies bucket. Like I loved your little slogan on LinkedIn and said just a squirrel, trying to find a nut.[00:16:53] I mean, it sounds like you've found a bunch of them, you know, but how do you, how do you segment those buckets now and keep them all kind of  harmonious?[00:17:03]Tim Swindle: [00:17:03] Well, I, as you can tell them, I then buy that LinkedIn profile. I definitely am not someone that takes life too seriously. And again, this is something that, that was part of the growth journey for me.[00:17:15] I think I was probably a little. Stiffer. If you had known me in my twenties and early thirties, very, again, just kind of career focused, success focused and, you know, had some humbling experiences and have grown to appreciate just. You know, finding the humor and most things, you know, you can be a, a business person and have a fun.[00:17:43] And so that's something that I try to do and have a good balance of quality of life too. So, you know, for me, for me personally, again, I I've really felt just on quality of life at this point in my career. And [00:18:00] I think that it's also. It's ironically, or I should say it's ironic. That's I've also, you know, I guess achieved the most success I've had financially.[00:18:09] And I don't think that's an accident. I think that I've become kind of more of a whole well rounded person. It's made me. I don't know. I think I'm more passionate about the things I'm working on when I'm working on them and, you know, touching on some of the, other aspects that you, that you just mentioned.[00:18:27] So, you know, being physically in shape, I work out, you know, five to six days a week, obviously married now with a kid that those require a lot of time. And so I think that you. Have, you know, those buckets that you talked about and you can be, you need to be a little more disciplined. And so that when I'm focused on work, I'm very focused on work.[00:18:50] And if I think you're only working all the time that. You're not going to be as productive. I don't know. I mean, I just, I think it's hard to use, you know, and so I think for me, was kind of the schedule that I have now I'm more productive than I, than I ever was because I'm more focused and I'm enjoying also a key part of it, enjoying what I'm doing.[00:19:13] Bob wierema: [00:19:13] I want to come back to the quality of life. You said, talk about you're focused on lifestyle. So maybe go back to that point when you were 30 and then bring us back to here. So you said I wanted to go be an entrepreneur. It was time to make that change at 30. So talk about that change and then what that man and how some of those entrepreneurial businesses came about.[00:19:35] Tim Swindle: [00:19:35] Sure. So was working kind of in commercial real estate and country production space. The closest thing I would say to kind of a corporate job that I've had working in office, you know, dressing up every day and CBS reports, right. Those types of things. And I had, you know, it sort of dabbling a little bit in investing and I invested in a company with guys that I went to college [00:20:00] with that had started a software company, a sales software company.[00:20:04] And, you know, I think there was just something about my life at that point where I just said, you know, I'm not happy with what I'm doing and this isn't the kind of the path that I want to be on for the rest of my life. And, Decided to, you know, talk to those guys and, and jumped on board to help, grow that company.[00:20:21] And, that was a, that was a grind. You know, you go in kind of bright eyed and bushy tailed, you know, left kind of like a very good. You know, secure job to go jump into this, this software startup that had like one client at the time and just, you know, really no idea what, what I was doing for sure. I don't know if any of us did and it, you know, what you think, Oh, you know, we're going to, we're going to raise capital.[00:20:50] We're going to grow this thing or an exit for some huge number in two or three years in life. And we're sipping margaritas and, You know, like most entrepreneurial stories go, that just was not the case. And so with the business that we had started, we ended up pivoting it. It was initially I'll get into the details, but we kind of pivoted it to more of a sales software from a data room solution.[00:21:12] And that was where we, you know, achieved kind of a different trajectory, but that was, you know, already three years into it, which was, you know, a grind of three years of. You know, not wondering, not knowing if we're going to make payroll, that type of thing. You know, fortunately you kind of hit our stride and things just kind of worked out at the right time where LinkedIn was a big client of ours.[00:21:33] They had success with their salespeople, you know, using the product and, you know, wanting to talk about, you know, integrating our company with theirs. [00:21:42] Bob wierema: [00:21:42] Tim, when you, when you guys, you know, as we talk like crossroads, right. And you were just saying, Hey, we, we were going down this road and we had to go over here.[00:21:51] How hard was it to make that change? That like fundamental change in the business at that point you're three years in, I mean, was that a [00:22:00] part of the business at that point? Or was that like entirely shifting focus? [00:22:04] Tim Swindle: [00:22:04] It was entirely shifting focus. Yeah. It was like, we basically kind of stalled out essentially, and we had not achieved the kind of growth trajectory that you need to, at that point, we'd raised significant capital.[00:22:19] And so it was just like, Hey, we've got to do something. And we. Picked on a particular piece of the software that we felt like it was really kind of like the secret sauce. So we were designed for one thing, but we found that customers were using it differently. Like it was meant to be more of like a, just a kind of very vanilla sharing of, of secure documents.[00:22:42] But we saw that how we were solving the problem that people were using it more of like a sales approach where things that we did, like it put their brand front and center and they really liked that. And so. so anyway, so we just kind of homed in on some of those really core. Concepts that, that we were using, but really then designed it to be a sales solution for how salespeople were sharing content with their clients.[00:23:06] And, and then gave some really valuable analytics back to the sales rep to understand what the client was doing. And so we, again, just kind of focused on those core elements and made it very scalable. So the original software was. not very scalable. She said it was kind of a heavy lifting process to sign on new clients.[00:23:25] And this was meant more, just go to the website, sign up, et cetera. And so those were massive decisions. I mean, rebranded the company, whole new software was completely new and, convinced fortunately that. we convince our investors that this was the right move. They continued to support us. And, so it ended up having, you know, I have the ending, but, there was definitely times there where you're like, are we doing the right thing?[00:23:50] I mean, constantly dope until the end up until the sale. You just don't know. But, fortunately it all worked out. [00:23:58] Michael Moore: [00:23:58] Did that pivot with [00:24:00] your investors? Did it, did it require like a capital call or anything? Along that line or did you have enough? [00:24:07] Tim Swindle: [00:24:07] Sort of, yeah, that's it. I mean, we definitely, we did, we needed more money to, to make this move.[00:24:14] We also elevated our staff. You know, I think we had realize that if you're going to be a technology company, then you should probably have all that in house. Whereas previously we had outsourced most of that to abroad. And so to hire engineers in house, you know, in the States is expensive, but we just figured that was the right move.[00:24:34] And so. We were still fortunate in the sense that like our legacy products, we were continuing to service it and have recurring revenue. So we had, you know, we still had it. We just realized that that wasn't going to take us to the promised land. So that provided kind of like keep on the lights type of capital.[00:24:54]but then we were able to convince existing and new investors that, you know, we needed to kind of. Do this pivot to hopefully take us to the next level. So we're fortunate that almost everybody was on board with us on that decision. [00:25:10] Bob wierema: [00:25:10] Was it, Tim, was it a, a group of investors? I mean, you say investors, is it, did you have five or did get 75?[00:25:17] Tim Swindle: [00:25:17] We read a lot. Yeah. It was more not, I mean, again, you know, this was a, you know, it starts out with family and friends. Yeah. Because the thing is, once you take capital, you're kind of always capital raising with their startup. It just, it kind of never seems like it ends and you know, so early on, you're just kind of getting whatever checks you can get.[00:25:39] And then we did get a little bit more institutional, as time went on, but it was a pretty thick cap table. [00:25:47] Bob wierema: [00:25:47] So, if you look back on that and kind of how that always structured, where you have done it differently, or that's just kind of the way it was. So, you know, talking about, you know, an entrepreneur now looking at the same type of [00:26:00] decision, any recommendations or advice you'd give, [00:26:04] Tim Swindle: [00:26:04] I'd say the biggest thing would to be, to kind of make that pivot sooner.[00:26:07] Right? I think we kind of held on. Too long giants and make something that wasn't working work. And I think that's looking back on it, you know, we should have done that a year or two sooner. [00:26:22] Michael Moore: [00:26:22] Got it. Yeah. I mean, we all have instances in whatever profession you're in. Were there certain things or conversations that are  its 20 X, a hundred X harder than anything else that you have to do.[00:26:37] And I got to imagine the. The capital call back to the basis is certainly falls in that category.[00:26:44]Tim Swindle: [00:26:44] It does. And not only do we need more money, but yeah, we're basically spinning up an entirely new business.[00:26:53] So, but I mean, I, I, I learned so much through that experience. I kind of look at that as my MBA. And, you know, just feet to the fire. it certainly has shaped me and, you know, future businesses that now I've launched myself. And, I'm still very active. I'm very, but I'm, I'm, I'm active in, like the angel investment community.[00:27:18] So. Can I keep my eye foot and one foot in the air water with the high tech software startups, just by investing, not something that I want to run personally. And then I've gone decidedly, you know, very low tech with, you know, my current businesses that I'm, that I'm running. So, you know, especially, I still love it.[00:27:40] I just, you know, it's not something that, that whole, you know, raising tons of capital. Burning cash, the hiring a big team and things like that. Those are just it's. It's not for everyone. It's not for me. I've decided that, you know, my style is more kind of the solo preneur, if you will. And [00:28:00] that just provides a better quality of life for what I'm looking for right now.[00:28:04]Bob wierema: [00:28:04] So maybe talk, talk about that, transition into that, your next with utter nonsense and what that was, and then kind of the same what's beginning to kind of end in that story. [00:28:17] Tim Swindle: [00:28:17] Yeah. So, so as we're building point drive the software company, and again, you know, kind of not knowing if we were gonna make it, but also, you know, just having the entrepreneurial itch still.[00:28:28] I have this idea with a buddy to create a, a car game, like a physical board games, like a party game, akin to like the cards against humanity and. We had read this article in ink magazine that kind of described how cards against humanity. He brought their game to life and it just seemed like it was kind of a blueprint.[00:28:48] I was reading this. I was like, wait a second, like this, this, this is doable. And we, yeah, I'm going to have to happen having to have a. A game that we'd been playing for years at like friends, Lake houses and just, you know, stupid drinking game basically. but we have that and we were like, I think that we can take that and turn it into a real product.[00:29:09] And so we kind of moved very quickly and, brought that thing to life. You know, hire comedians to help write content, hired a graphic designer to design the packaging. And, you know, coming up with the name did a little Kickstarter just to bring it to life or, you know, bring it to the market. And nothing had been, you know, much of a success that's to that point, but we released.[00:29:31] I, we, we, we put ourselves out there and you guys, one of the big lessons I've learned is that sometimes, you know, the universe comes back to you when you put yourself out there. And, basically the target buyer had come across our, our little. Project. And, all of a sudden, you know, two months after launching, we were going to be brought into all 1800 target stores and then, you know, all major, a lot of major retailers after that, you know, [00:30:00] came in, came in line because of the, kind of the validation that we got from target and, so much different experience, right.[00:30:05] From what we had with the, with a software company, this was very bootstrapped, very lean. And it's kind of outsourced everything that we needed and, you know, but it did, it did finally, or fortunately kind of caught fire pretty quickly, which is, which is unusual.[00:30:22]Bob wierema: [00:30:22] Yeah, well, you kind of ruined it for me because I thought I was just imagining you sitting in the basement, you know, drink and wine or whiskey or something right now, these cards.[00:30:32] But now you're telling me content creators too. [00:30:37] Tim Swindle: [00:30:37] I mean, we tried and we got into it and we're like, We're not that funny. Well, I think you just need to be honest with yourself about your skillset. And, I think, you know, we realize that there's, there's better people out there that are good with, writing content.[00:30:57] And so we initially, yeah, we reached out to just start our network. You know, we had some friends that were comedians at second city. A friend that I grew up with was writing for one of the big, late night shows out in LA and another guy was in Hollywood writing movie script. So it was just like, Hey, you want to have some fun with, you know, stupid side project.[00:31:15] And so it worked out for everyone [00:31:19] Bob wierema: [00:31:19] that tells me that I didn't, my phone didn't rang. So I'm not funny enough,[00:31:25]Michael Moore: [00:31:25] Bob. We may,  we may have to have like a, the climb podcast, alumni group. Come back on and do a whole podcast where we just play the game. I've played it many a time. It is good. That could be a lot of fun.[00:31:42] We might get in a little trouble, but [00:31:45] we have a good time. [00:31:46] Tim Swindle: [00:31:46] So, yeah. So there's still kind of the finishing story that is so, so launched that while we were building the software company shortly after the software company end up getting acquired. And the game had kind of, you [00:32:00] know, really hit its stride.[00:32:02] And that was about when I decided to take off and go travel for that six months. As soon as I got back, we had launched a second version of the game. The original is kind of a radar and adult version. And then we came up with a, kid friendly family friendly version based on just customer feedback and like, Hey, we love your game.[00:32:23] But take out half the deck. Yeah. Yeah. So we, we heard enough of that, where we thought, you know, the opportunity was there to do a family version. And so, you know, at that point, showing that kind of the concept was, was repeatable and had different variations that could come to life because, you know, from it.[00:32:46] I just started to get some attention from a few of the bigger kind of towing game folks that are in the industry. And there was a group in particular killer that, had a, had a strong affinity for it. And, ended up acquiring that, Hmm. In 2018, I believe in 2000 end of 2017, I'm so sold that sold that company at the end of 2017, early 18.[00:33:12] Bob wierema: [00:33:12] One of the things I thought was really cool. You mentioned is you took this blueprint from cards against humanity is you said, like we read this article. We had this idea. Yeah. I think, you know, is we've talked to other peoples, there's this like, fear of, well, how are we going to do it? Better than what they already did.[00:33:29] Like, how is this gonna work? Right. Michael and I talked about it when we talked about, even the idea of the podcast is there's millions of podcasts out there. Like what made you guys go? This is going to work. Like we got this, like, this is gonna, or were you just like, Hey, we can give it a shot. And if we don't work, it doesn't work.[00:33:48] Tim Swindle: [00:33:48] I think the early indicator for us was that we personally were users of the product. Right. And we hadn't created it. We didn't, it wasn't a [00:34:00] finished form, but kind of the idea, the concept we had been essentially playing for years. And so we had this. Validation, I would say through our, through our friend group.[00:34:13] And so then it's just a matter of, Hey, you know, do we think that there's other people like us that would enjoy this and, and then, you know, there is some element of like going around and getting, you know, you share the idea before you start spending a lot of money. You know, you can go kind of just test your thesis.[00:34:31] And so you share the idea with people and you can just tell, like, is it clicking? Are they how they're responding? Do they like it? Are they laughing? Are they like stupid? This is dumb. You know? So, I think just with some basic research on our, on our end, just really talking to family and friends about the concept that everybody just was like, that sounds like a really funny.[00:34:53] Concept for a game and just, it convinced us to keep going. And then as you keep going, and as you build momentum things just, I can start falling in place. You know, the name, I thought it was a big one. the packaging, you know, it was just, you just start to feel more confident and the confidence builds and you're willing to take more risks, et cetera.[00:35:15]but you don't have to start out, you know, Going after, you know, doing a big, you don't have to go all in out of the gate, but you can take baby steps. [00:35:25] Michael Moore: [00:35:25] Yeah. Tim, one of the things I thought was interesting, you kinda hit on yesterday. Maybe we can take a deep dive in for our listeners is, you know, sort of looking at it two different avenues, right?[00:35:38] You have the high growth cash burning, private equity routes. You can go for the bootstrap. You know, on the ground route, which seems to be more the route that you go. And you mentioned yesterday, that's a lot more fun. Like give us a little color around that. [00:35:54] Tim Swindle: [00:35:54] Yeah. So I think there's something about in today's [00:36:00] environment where.[00:36:01] These startups are romantic, you know, something very romantic about starting a startup, right. And funded. I personally having been through it and seeing kind of both sides that, you know, I think there's something kind of nice about going slow. And not, you know, raising outside capital if you don't need it.[00:36:24] And, you know, I say that with a, with a bit of hypocrisy. Cause as I mentioned, you know, I am an active angel investor, and some, some businesses do require it. Right? So the software in particular, you generally speaking, are having to hire engineers who are expensive and you know, your overhead is just going to be something that, you know, most of you.[00:36:45] I don't know, coming from money that you probably can't afford to get it off the ground. It is. So I saw, I realized that there's, you know, there's different, that's the businesses that have different needs in terms of at least from a capital perspective to start. but for me personally, again, you know, kind of done that and again, for some people, that's what they want and they want the high growth, super-fast paced.[00:37:09] They want to manage a big team, you know, they. They enjoy the process of raising capital and working with investors, that group of investors, and, you know, and they might just be very tech savvy and they like the technology side of things, et cetera. So there could be a number of reasons that, you know, it's a better fit for folks that want to go that route.[00:37:30] Or, you know, again, me personally, I, I kind of stumbled across this physical product CPG. Doing things on my own approach. And it just, it's a, it's a better fit, you know, for, for me personally, I mean, there's things you have to adjust to. I mean, for instance, I'm, you know, working from home most days, you're not interacting with, you know, at least.[00:37:51] In person, you know, a big team all the time, which nobody is these days. Anyway. So this whole transition was not a big [00:38:00] deal for me. It's like I got to work from home and not see people. That's okay. So yeah, I mean, I just, and again, like the quality of life, there's just, you know, I've maybe wake up on a certain day and be like, Hey, I want to go.[00:38:12] I ride my bike or take the dog for an hour and a half walk. Right. I mean, it's just, there's not some meeting that I have to be at, you know, so it's not a matter of not working hard. I probably work harder actually now than I have. So I think that's kind of the misconception is that you don't, you know, you don't work hard going this path.[00:38:31] It's not, it's not at all what I'm saying. It's just a, it's a little bit more on my own terms, I guess is the difference. And, that's just a. The place that I am happy being right now. And if I'm lucky enough to I'll, I'll continue down this path. So [00:38:46] Bob wierema: [00:38:46] Tim, when you, when you're working on your own, like where do you go for advice, counsel, mentorship, bouncing ideas off, things like that.[00:38:56] Like, do you have a, a group or do you go outside or, you know, what's, what's that Avenue for you when you need that, that extra support [00:39:06] Tim Swindle: [00:39:06] Twitter. [00:39:08] Bob wierema: [00:39:08] Okay.[00:39:16]Tim Swindle: [00:39:16] so I do enjoy Twitter. I'd say that's kind of my, my drug of choice when it comes to social media and I get a lot of value from it. So I follow. Other entrepreneurs that I just respect and they help just give me bits of wisdom and encouraged me, you know, in ways that, that I need just to kind of keep going, et cetera.[00:39:41] And then currently working out is like a big thing for me. because I look at it as kinda like met my meditation time. It's just, it's this. Quiet peaceful, turn off the radio or turn off the cell phone and think so. I called Tim time and I just get a lot of Tim time for, you know, [00:40:00] 45 minutes to an hour where.[00:40:02] You know, you're just able to think through problems. And it's been, [00:40:06] Bob wierema: [00:40:06] there's been rumors of you on the Peloton being quite the Peloton athlete.[00:40:14] Tim Swindle: [00:40:14] I do. I am a big fan. I mean, they don't need any, help these days with where their stock is at, but I will say that I am a  of, of the Peloton, big family. And also I do, I mean, today I did there. I did a yoga session. I do their kind of strength claim, clock classes. And I just think they've got a they've executed very well from the technology, the actual.[00:40:41] Physical product, the bike I've been, you know, in my case had the bike, is just so well done. the trainers, you know, the talent that they have is fantastic. So I think just from top to bottom on the top, that they've just done a really nice job. [00:40:54] Michael Moore: [00:40:54] Yeah. No, that visualization that they created, where, you know, whether it's a live class or whatever, and you're, you can see where you're.[00:41:03] Ranked. I mean, it's, it's genius. [00:41:05] Tim Swindle: [00:41:05] Yeah. Competitive juices flowing. You know, you always want to beat your personal record or sometimes, you know, match up against a buddy or something. Yeah. [00:41:16] Michael Moore: [00:41:16] I think the first time, you know, outside of like organized sports, you would have played in, in high school or whatever that really hit me.[00:41:24] It was obviously way pre Peloton, but it was the first sprint triathlon I ever did. And, you know, it's age banded and your, you know, your relative, you know, I mean, there was like a low end and a high end and had gotten through the swim, which was definitely the biggest struggle. I mean, I was kind of built to sank, not built to swim and, and then I get on the bike and I'm feeling pretty good. And this lady comes flying past me, who you know, is [00:41:53] built twice as wide as I am. And there's a 43 on her calf. So she's [00:42:00] probably good eight years older than me and just goes flying past me. And I'm like, Oh, hell with that. I think, you know, and I was on a, like a, Oh, I can't remember what you call them. It's called a 29 or, but it's a, it's a mountain bike and a road bike kinda mixed together.  And I think I averaged like 23 miles an hour, which was way faster than I had ever gone. And it just pissed me [00:42:23] off. Exactly. That process works[00:42:27]Tim Swindle: [00:42:27] I'm with you on the, I'm going to try Alphonse, I think, you know, for former athletes, if we can call ourselves that, you know, you miss that.[00:42:37] And that was something that, for me, it was a bill. It was a way to kind of get some of those competitive juices back. So I'm a big fan of, you know, the triathlon and hope to get back out there. So [00:42:51] what's, what's next for Tim Swindell what do you got going now? What is, you know, what's, you got some ideas on the docket, you know, of your next venture.[00:43:02] Yeah. So I, after selling the, the board game, Just had a lot of fun with it, quite frankly. And I was like, you know, I'm going to devote the rest of my career. So doing things that make me happy, that I find fun basically, and that provide hopefully fun other people. And so that's, I'd say like one kind of overarching theme of, of, you know, my professional life at this point is that.[00:43:32] I will only pursue projects personally, that I'm going to, let's say run for, have to be fun. And so with that, obviously games qualify. And so I've, I've teamed up with, another, another guy and actually to two different guys, to launch a, Toy and game company. And we have a couple new ones out there.[00:43:56] We are coming out with a new one later this year. [00:44:00] And, so that's been a blast and, you know, still early on in, in this latest venture, but, you know, It's going, it's going well so far so excited about that. And then do was fun. I can say it without laughing is, it's a, adult themed ornament company called Pornaments and [00:44:19] Michael Moore: [00:44:19] nice.[00:44:23] That's great. [00:44:26] Tim Swindle: [00:44:26] So it's something that's like most good ideas. Was a, conversation over drinks with a buddy a couple of years ago. And we just thought it'd be hilarious to come out with, you know,  ornaments and call them Pornaments. That was it. That was the conversation, but it just, it never left my brain.[00:44:45] And, you know, being an entrepreneur, there's always ideas that pop in that I think are going to be the next big thing. And. They typically turn out to be the dumbest idea ever. And what was I thinking? But parliaments, believe it or not, I just couldn't shake it. And I looked at, I looked into it kind of right away a couple of years ago, and basically someone would beat us to it.[00:45:05] So somebody who had acquired the IP and trademarks and the domain for Pornaments dot com and this was something, you know, most businesses, I would say the name could be whatever, but this is just kind of felt too perfect. And. So I was like, it needs to be that. So I just looked into it some more and realize that they had acquired the IP, but they hadn't really done too much with it.[00:45:29] Like they, I think attempted at one point, but they weren't actively selling them. So I kind of figured that this was going to fall by the wayside and they were going to relinquish it at some point and I was be there to scoop it up fast forward three or four years. And I would just kind of check down there periodically.[00:45:43] And again, just the idea, just never, and I'd mentioned against kind of similar thing with the game where I've mentioned it to people and people just would die laughing when I would explain the concept and they've even come back to me around Christmas time, be like, you know, I'm looking for like a gag gift.[00:45:58] Like, did you ever do that? Ornaments [00:46:00] thing. And so I was just like, I have to figure this out. So I really tracked down the company that, that had initially tried it and was maintaining, you know, the IP. And I, it turns out that they're a, they're the largest glass ornament manufacturer in the country. And, and this was coming up like a fun little side project that, and basically.[00:46:23] Just didn't work out for them. They had a very different approach than I have. So I got in touch with the CEO and told him a little bit about my background, heard it's a woman CEO and her, and I just hit it off and she let me basically acquire the IP and we are not partners. And so they've become my manufacturer and I relaunched the brand late last year.[00:46:44] And just to kind of, again, test the waters to see if this was something that, you know, anybody else would find interesting or funny or whatever. And it's, basically I sold out of them almost a month and a half, and I'm going to be doubling down. Not in Dublin, I'm going big this year. So hopefully, it continues to go in the right direction.[00:47:06] Bob wierema: [00:47:06] That's so good. That is so good. How does the distribution channel work on that? Are you in retail stores or is it all online or how does that work? [00:47:17] Tim Swindle: [00:47:17] So I'm figuring that out is the short answer, but no. So the previous company, they, they have, as their business model, they have a retail only strategy. And, you know, as you could imagine for a porn moment, not many retailers are probably gonna take that on.[00:47:37] Michael Moore: [00:47:37] Yeah. It's not in Target. [00:47:39] Tim Swindle: [00:47:39] No, no, they're not a good, not a good fit the brand. And I will say, you know, as much as it's silly and all these things, like there's some very real business reasons for why I wanted to do this business. I, you know, I still work with retailers and I love retailers, but I am, I'm fascinated by the [00:48:00] rise of the direct to consumer movement.[00:48:02] And. I, I feel like, you know, that's just the business that I've wanted to try. And I felt like this is the perfect business to do direct to consumer because there's not gonna be the many retailers that would take it anyway. Know. So. So that was it. And so, so yeah, they had retailers and again, like, you know, there's going to be the small kind of like weird gag gift shops or whatever, but, you know, you're not going to get the big target Walmart order and that's more of their bread and butter is working with kind of major retailers.[00:48:37]and then in general, we're going through this shift right now to eCommerce. And so that's kind of hopefully skating to where the puck is going to have a thing that. You know, I want to be on board with, and so, yeah, so for me, it's, it's largely, e-commerce, I've got a website, you know, this year I'll be spinning up Amazon, maybe an Etsy site, but it's going to be all through basically my own channels and.[00:49:01] I was hoping to rely on social media as a big distribution channel for at least from a marketing perspective, that was the original thesis, but it turns out that they have rules against, you know, the kind of the rated R nature of theme, of, of things with, with our supplements and products in general.[00:49:19] So, so anyway, so, so I'm still figuring that piece out as far as just raising awareness, et cetera, you know, working with. We'll just say kind of on-brand type companies. Let's say like the chive or something like that. Barstool sports, right? Those could be opportunities for distribution for me. that I'm currently working on.[00:49:39] Bob wierema: [00:49:39] I have like so many questions that probably are not appropriate for this podcast that I want to ask. [00:49:44] Tim Swindle: [00:49:44] I will say sometimes people's like, when I say the name, they go to like porn stars, like as ornaments and I, that's not it. And it's really meant to be more. [00:49:53] Michael Moore: [00:49:53] Thanks for answering that question. [00:49:55] Tim Swindle: [00:49:55] It's it's Santa's like in his underwear [00:50:00] was going after a gingerbread people going after it.[00:50:04] You know, there's some stuff, a little more risqué, but it's really bad to be just stupid, funny, you know, Christmas care jurors in positions and things that, you know, wearing things that you wouldn't normally see them wearing. I love it. That's so good. Actually. That's why I mentioned that before we got on the side.[00:50:24] I just got, you know, so, so last year we launched with just kind of their old inventory. So that was part of going through the process. They had some excess inventory. I was like, just give that to me. I'll see if this, you know, it's something that is still relevant. So we have a bunch of new ones coming out this year.[00:50:40] And I'm super excited because I just, I just, they just arrived and, I just teased them on my Instagram feed. so [00:50:47] Bob wierema: [00:50:47] all right. I'm, I'm pulling it up right now. I mean, I gotta, I gotta look on Instagram right now. That's great. [00:50:54]Tim Swindle: [00:50:54] I'll be sharing later on this year. That will, hopefully it'll try to think of a way to say it without ruining it.[00:51:01] But what's this they're safe, including our president is I'll just leave it at that. So good. I don't know how Michael feels about that down in Texas, but [00:51:12] Michael Moore: [00:51:12] I think he looks, I mean, if you're in public office, you bet you better be ready right now. You know, Bob, we were talking about gifts for all of our[00:51:23] Podcasts guests. I mean, we may have just come up with a, a home. [00:51:28] Tim Swindle: [00:51:28] Yeah, there you go. [00:51:31] Michael Moore: [00:51:31] Where can everybody find, find them [00:51:33] at the show notes for everybody? Put them in stock? Yeah. [00:51:40] Bob wierema: [00:51:40] Tim is you. We've had a lot of conversation with some of our guests, our own mentors, influential people in their life. I mean, do you have a couple, two or three or one that stick out to you that have just been an inspiration for you or kind of that rock to lean on when you need him or her?[00:51:59] Tim Swindle: [00:51:59] I would [00:52:00] say that one of the guys that I worked for my, in my twenties, after I finished trading, I moved into real estate and construction industry. And, worked for dive that I'd kind of grown up, being very close with and he had built a, you know, let's start it out as, you know, a fairly small operation into, one of the largest in the country.[00:52:25] And so that was someone that I was close with growing up and looked up to, and then had the opportunity to work directly for him. And, you know, so I'd say that definitely was one. No, but outside of that, I think. The most of mine come from books. I really enjoy reading books about entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs.[00:52:49] One that I didn't, I don't know if it's, I want to say, you know, these like really deep philosophical books, but, and so some of them are cliche, but I really enjoyed shoe dog. the film that film I did and bought his building of, of Nike, I think it's, it's just a very entertaining, but a great, you know, tons of lessons, that are filled in, in the book with the story of entrepreneurship.[00:53:16] And so that one in particular sticks out as, you know, one that I enjoyed and found inspiration [00:53:23] Michael Moore: [00:53:23] sidebar on that one. Did you see and watch the last dance on ESPN? [00:53:28] Tim Swindle: [00:53:28] Yes. Love with Jordan. [00:53:31] Michael Moore: [00:53:31] I love that piece where he's like, didn't even want to go to Nike. Didn't want to do anything there. And then, I mean, look, what, what happens from there?[00:53:40] I mean, there's got, I'm guessing that's a big part of the book, right? [00:53:43] Tim Swindle: [00:53:43] It was, yeah, that was a huge score. And that took them from, you know, this track and field, you know, kind of niche shoe, into, I think they'd done some tennis stuff maybe at that time. I'm into very much mainstream basketball and took taking over converse.[00:54:01] [00:54:00] So yeah, just the fabric. It's a fascinating story. And to build it into this kind of global iconic brands, you know, in our lifetime too, right. I mean, guys, Alive. I mean, this isn't been around forever, you know? And then is it just cause you brought it up? I mean, especially as a kid from Chicago though with the Michael Jordan story, where's the thing, all of that from our childhood and getting to see how that guy just had.[00:54:25] I mean, man, would you not want to be against him? [00:54:29] Michael Moore: [00:54:29] Oh my God. Well I loved, I mean, it was one in his mama that said you're getting on that plane. I mean, she convinced him to go out and see Nike. Yeah, that was such a great how all of that came together with the timing of COVID-19 and everybody being pinup at home with nothing to watch.[00:54:47] And then that gets released as a 10 part series. That was just unbelievable. [00:54:53] Tim Swindle: [00:54:53] Yeah, that, yeah. I don't like to see me as anymore. Hell you. I mean, it's like the guy, you know, I think right on the bottle is the Bobcat's he's got his, you know, Jordan brand or et cetera. And then the timing of this was, was, was great.[00:55:11] But yeah, I mean, that was just, I thought it was a really done documentary and it was kind of fun to get a behind the scenes, look at how he lives his life. And, and one of the lines that I loved from him, I mean, so clearly. Him just being this outrageous competitor. And, it will stop at nothing type of thing.[00:55:27] And, but they were giving him crap about his gambling and like, listen, he's like, I don't have a gambling problem. I have a competitiveness, Bravo[00:55:41] Michael Moore: [00:55:41] attitude of just winning was, was [00:55:44] Tim Swindle: [00:55:44] incredible. [00:55:45] Michael Moore: [00:55:45] All he wanted all counts. [00:55:47] Tim Swindle: [00:55:47] Yeah. It doesn't matter who you got to run over the piss off, you know, and maybe they'll send them. He's not the most loved guy. Right. but that's not what he's trying to be, you know, he's trying to win. [00:56:00] So definitely, I mean, you talked about inspiration.[00:56:02] I mean, Michael Jordan. Sure. Yeah. [00:56:04] Michael Moore: [00:56:04] I love too. How, I mean with decades behind. Them actually competing on the floor. Like there is no love lost with him and Isaiah Thomas. I mean, it is still alive and well it's like, you guys are just never going to stop, but, you know, I mean, obviously just watching it all and thinking about watching those games with my dad or my brother or whatever, growing up, how they, one thing I really took away is that, you know, it can be lonely at the top.[00:56:35] And his, because of the choices that he made, I mean, he was a pretty isolated guy in order to be able to do what he did, but, wow. Just fantastic. [00:56:46] Tim Swindle: [00:56:46] Who was your sports hero growing up, Michael? [00:56:50] Michael Moore: [00:56:50] No, I'd have to put Nolan Ryan up there being from Texas, you know, don't, don't come try to charge the mound on that guy.[00:56:59] He's gonna hook you like a, like a steer and tell you who's boss. you know, exactly, exactly right. Big sports family. We grew up watching. I mean, you got to go back to like, You know, one of my dad's favorite and then I was a catcher was Roy Campanella and just how he played the game at that time. that would have been a big one.[00:57:25] Tim Swindle: [00:57:25] There's another [00:57:26] Michael Moore: [00:57:26] awesome, awesome catcher. [00:57:28] Tim Swindle: [00:57:28] You know, that's the, [00:57:29] Michael Moore: [00:57:29] that's the quarterback of the field, man, [00:57:31] Tim Swindle: [00:57:31] right? It is. [00:57:33] Michael Moore: [00:57:33] Hardest job. I would say we were having this conversation last night. I was with a couple of buddies and, we're I don't know how we got to this. We're actually, we're talking about the last dance too, and, and said, well, who and somebody said, well, Walter Payton, I said, I loved Walter Peyton.[00:57:48] And then I said, but after I remember growing up and how much I loved Bo Jackson, I mean, Bo and Bo knows and that whole thing. And I mean, the guy was [00:58:00] playing baseball, football, you know, the guy ran so hard. He dislocated his hip. I mean, combined the guy, he was just, he was an animal physical specimen [00:58:11] reminiscent of myself in high school a little bit, you know?[00:58:19] Bob wierema: [00:58:19] Well, Tim work, [00:58:20] we're coming up on an hour. As we kind of wrap things up. What, what would you, you know, in, in, in Mike Hallie's like, say like at the end we like to ask, what, what would you like people to know more about Tim? You know, as we end things here, you know, what, what, you know, like, what's your saying?[00:58:40] You like to always say, well, it's, it's not what you know, it's who knows you.[00:58:51] So, what would you like everybody to kind of know about, about Tim? [00:58:56]Tim Swindle: [00:58:56] just cause he threw out a quote. I was gonna throw out one of, one of my favorites and it's, live a life that makes a story worth telling. [00:59:04] Michael Moore: [00:59:04] Tim you couldn't.  Oh, put it, [00:59:06] put a bow on it, better with you talking about success, focus versus you being lifestyle focused.[00:59:13] And I mean, I could just see the passion and I know you well enough to know, like you guys are just living life and happy and all that, and it's just so great to see. So thank you so much for sharing everything today and being open with us and spending the hour with us today. [00:59:29] Tim Swindle: [00:59:29] My pleasure guys. Thank you for having me and good luck and continued success with both of your careers and this podcast, and you know, excited to see where this goes.[00:59:40] Michael Moore: [00:59:40] Absolutely. Thank you so much, Tim. Thanks Tim. [00:59:44] Tim Swindle: [00:59:44] Take care.[00:59:56] Michael Moore: [00:59:56] thanks so much for tuning into this episode of the climb. If [01:00:00] you enjoyed the episode. Please consider subscribing. And if you know someone who you would think would enjoy the podcast, feel free to share this with them. Thanks again. And we'll see you on the next [01:00:10] Tim Swindle: [01:00:10] episode. . 

Brought to you by Sweet Tea Shakespeare, this full cast reading of Love's Labour's Lost Part 2 was directed by Assistant Artistic Director Claire Martin. Casting is as follows: King Ferdinand of Navarre, Abraham Ntonya | www.abrahamntonya.com | Instagram & Twitter: @abrahamntonya Longaville, Robbie Diaz Dumaine, Jamie Sanders | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNJtad-8iHyNuhyyEO6RO7A Berowne, Ronald Román-Meléndez Constable Dull/Forester, Sarah Duttlinger English Costard, Benjamin Apple Don Adriano de Armado, Jeremy Fiebig Mote, Emily Garrison | www.emilygarrison.com Jaquenetta, Traycie Kuhn-Zapata Boyet, Bryson David Hoff Princess of France, Claire F. Martin Maria, Siena Brown Katharine, Sabrina Close Rosaline, Kelsey Petersen | https://www.kelseypetersen.com/ Sir Nathaniel/Marcadé, Gus Allen Holofernes, Amanda M. Rogus The show was produced by Jeremy Fiebig and Stage Managed by Jessie Wise. Our General Manager is Ashanti Bennett. Jen Pommerenke also assisted with this episode. Contact us at hours@sweetteashakespeare.com Make a monthly, sustaining pledge on Patreon to support the work of Sweet Tea Shakespeare and its artists. We are a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Sweet Tea Shakespeare: Patreon: patreon.com/sweetteashakes Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetteashakes Twitter: https://twitter.com/sweetteashakes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetteashakes YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SweetTeaShakespeare Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/sweetteashakes This project is supported by the Arts Council in part by contributions from businesses and individuals, and through grants from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sweetteashakes/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sweetteashakes/support

Brought to you by Sweet Tea Shakespeare, this full cast reading of Love's Labour's Lost Part 1 was directed by Assistant Artistic Director Claire Martin. Casting is as follows: King Ferdinand of Navarre, Abraham Ntonya | www.abrahamntonya.com | Instagram & Twitter: @abrahamntonya Longaville, Robbie Diaz Dumaine, Jamie Sanders | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNJtad-8iHyNuhyyEO6RO7A Berowne, Ronald Román-Meléndez Constable Dull/Forester, Sarah Duttlinger English Costard, Benjamin Apple Don Adriano de Armado, Jeremy Fiebig Mote, Emily Garrison | www.emilygarrison.com Jaquenetta, Traycie Kuhn-Zapata Boyet, Bryson David Hoff Princess of France, Claire F. Martin Maria, Siena Brown Katharine, Sabrina Close Rosaline, Kelsey Petersen | https://www.kelseypetersen.com/ Sir Nathaniel/Marcadé, Gus Allen Holofernes, Amanda M. Rogus The show was produced by Jeremy Fiebig and Stage Managed by Jessie Wise. Our General Manager is Ashanti Bennett. Jen Pommerenke also assisted with this episode. Contact us at hours@sweetteashakespeare.com Make a monthly, sustaining pledge on Patreon to support the work of Sweet Tea Shakespeare and its artists. We are a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Sweet Tea Shakespeare: Patreon: patreon.com/sweetteashakes Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetteashakes Twitter: https://twitter.com/sweetteashakes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetteashakes YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SweetTeaShakespeare Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/sweetteashakes This project is supported by the Arts Council in part by contributions from businesses and individuals, and through grants from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sweetteashakes/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sweetteashakes/support

On this episode of The Sofa King Podcast, we travel back to castle times and look at one of the worst crimes the Catholic Church ever committed: The Inquisition. While the Spanish Inquisition is the most famous, there were inquisitions in Rome, Portugal, The New World and tons of colonies in Central and South America. The Inquisition was based on a series of edicts passed by the Catholic church and enforced by local kings and queens. The purpose? To eradicate heretics, supposedly. And who were heretics? Well, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Protestants, those who committed sodomy, families that couldn’t produce children, and many more. In some areas of the world, the Inquisition was pretty mild. The point of the Inquisition was to get heretics to confess, and a few lashes later they were free to go on about their business (as long as the converted to Catholicism or got the hell out of town). But in other areas such as Spain, it got medieval. People were tortured on The Rack, The Catherine Wheel, and the Strappado. They were burned and water boarded. They were imprisoned for years with no real trial, and they were often burned at the stake. Historians vary wildly from this being a pandemic of murder to being a mild case of murder, but death was the result. (Estimates we read were between 1250 and 300,000 deaths…) Spain had it the worst. For one thing, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella just ended a civil war and needed a legal way to get rid of their enemies. Heretics! Second, they needed money to fight a crusade where they would make more money. Heretics! The Inquisition is seen by many as a power grab and last gasp of the old monarchy and papal structure trying to hold on to power. As the world changed, fear of torture and death kept everyone avoiding the change. And for the record, I’m not going to make a “Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition” joke here.   Visit Our Sources: https://www.history.com/topics/religion/inquisition https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Inquisition https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/spanish-inquisition.htm https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-inquisition https://www.historyrevealed.com/eras/medieval/in-a-nutshell-spanish-inquisition/ https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/controversy/the-inquisition/the-truth-about-the-spanish-inquisition.html https://historycollection.co/snap-crackle-pop-torture-methods-of-the-spanish-inquisition/  

Following his first voyage, #Columbus was appointed Viceroy and Governor of the Indies under the terms of the Capitulations of Santa Fe. In practice, this primarily entailed the administration of the colonies in the island of Hispaniola, whose capital was established in Santo Domingo. By the end of his third voyage, Columbus was physically and mentally exhausted, his body wracked by arthritis and his eyes by ophthalmia. In October 1499, he sent two ships to Spain, asking the Court of Spain to appoint a royal commissioner to help him govern.[citation needed] By this time, accusations of tyranny and incompetence on the part of Columbus had also reached the Court. Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand responded by removing Columbus from power and replacing him with Francisco de Bobadilla, a member of the Order of Calatrava. Bobadilla, who ruled as governor from 1500 until his death in a storm in 1502, had also been tasked by the Court with investigating the accusations of brutality made against Columbus. weki Arriving in Santo Domingo while Columbus was away during the explorations of his third voyage, Bobadilla was immediately met with complaints about all three Columbus brothers: Christopher, Bartolomeo, and Diego. Bobadilla reported to Spain that Columbus regularly used torture and mutilation to govern Hispaniola. The 48-page report, found in 2006 in the national archive in the Spanish city of Simancas, contains testimonies from 23 people, including both enemies and supporters of Columbus, about the treatment of colonial subjects by Columbus and his brothers during his seven-year rule.[98] According to the report, Columbus once punished a man found guilty of stealing corn by having his ears and nose cut off and then selling him into slavery. Testimony recorded in the report stated that Columbus congratulated his brother Bartolomeo on "defending the family" when the latter ordered a woman paraded naked through the streets and then had her tongue cut out for suggesting that Columbus was of lowly birth.[98] The document also describes how Columbus put down native unrest and revolt: he first ordered a brutal crackdown in which many natives were killed, and then paraded their dismembered bodies through the streets in an attempt to discourage further rebellion.[99] "Columbus's government was characterised by a form of tyranny," Consuelo Varela, a Spanish historian who has seen the document, told journalists. "Even those who loved him had to admit the atrocities that had taken place."[98] Because of their gross misgovernance, Columbus and his brothers were arrested and imprisoned upon their return to Spain from the third voyage. They lingered in jail for six weeks before King Ferdinand ordered their release. Not long after, the king and queen summoned the Columbus brothers to the Alhambra palace in Granada. There, the royal couple heard the brothers' pleas; restored their freedom and wealth; and, after much persuasion, agreed to fund Columbus's fourth voyage. But the door was firmly shut on Columbus's role as governor. Henceforth Nicolás de Ovando y Cáceres was to be the new governor of the West Indies.[100] --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/vegansteven/message

On the 17th April 1492, the Catholic Monarchs of Spain – Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand – signed an agreement to support Christopher Columbus’ voyage in which he crossed the Atlantic and discovered the ...

Eleanor of Castile (1241 – 28 November 1290) was an English queen consort, the first wife of Edward I, whom she married as part of a political deal to affirm English sovereignty over Gascony. The marriage was known to be particularly close, and Eleanor travelled extensively with her husband. She was with him on the Ninth Crusade, when he was wounded at Acre, but the popular story of her saving his life by sucking out the poison has long been discredited. When she died, at Harby near Lincoln, her grieving husband famously ordered a stone cross to be erected at each stopping-place on the journey to London, ending at Charing Cross. Eleanor was better educated than most medieval queens and exerted a strong cultural influence on the nation. She was a keen patron of literature, and encouraged the use of tapestries, carpets and tableware in the Spanish style, as well as innovative garden designs. She was also a successful businesswoman, endowed with her own fortune as Countess of Ponthieu. Eleanor was born in Burgos, daughter of Ferdinand III of Castile and Joan, Countess of Ponthieu. Her Castilian name, Leonor, became Alienor or Alianor in England, and Eleanor in modern English. She was named after her paternal great-grandmother, Eleanor of England. Eleanor was the second of five children born to Ferdinand and Joan. Her elder brother Ferdinand was born in 1239/40, her younger brother Louis in 1242/43; two sons born after Louis died young. For the ceremonies in 1291 marking the first anniversary of Eleanor's death, 49 candlebearers were paid to walk in the public procession to commemorate each year of her life. Since the custom was to have one candle for each year of the deceased's life, 49 candles would date Eleanor's birth to the year 1241. Since her parents were apart from each other for 13 months while King Ferdinand was on a military campaign in Andalusia, from which he returned to the north of Spain only in February 1241, Eleanor was probably born toward the end of that year. The courts of her father and her half-brother Alfonso X of Castile were known for their literary atmosphere. Both kings also encouraged extensive education of the royal children and it is therefore likely that Eleanor was educated to a standard higher than the norm, a likelihood which is reinforced by her later literary activities as queen. She was at her father's deathbed in Seville in 1252. Eleanor's marriage in 1254 to the future Edward I of England was not the only marriage her family planned for her. The kings of Castile had long made a tenuous claim to be paramount lords of the Kingdom of Navarre due to sworn homage from Garcia VI of Navarre in 1134. In 1253, Ferdinand III's heir, Eleanor's half-brother Alfonso X of Castile, stalled negotiations with England in hopes that she would marry Theobald II of Navarre. The marriage afforded several advantages. First, the Pyrenees kingdom also afforded passage from Castile to Gascony. Secondly, Theobald II was not yet of age, affording the opportunity to rule or potentially annex Navarre into Castile. To avoid Castilian control, Margaret of Bourbon (mother and regent to Theobald II) in August 1253 allied with James I of Aragon instead, and as part of that treaty solemnly promised that Theobald would never marry Eleanor. In 1252, Alfonso X had resurrected another ancestral claim, this time to the duchy of Gascony, in the south of Aquitaine, last possession of the Kings of England in France, which he claimed had formed part of the dowry of Eleanor of England. Henry III of England swiftly countered Alfonso's claims with both diplomatic and military moves. Early in 1253 the two kings began to negotiate; after haggling over the financial provision for Eleanor, Henry and Alfonso agreed she would marry Henry's son Edward (by now the titular duke), and Alfonso would transfer his Gascon claims to Edward. Henry was so anxious for the marriage to take place that he willingly abandoned elaborate preparations. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/allthingsplantagenet/support

Eleanor of Castile (1241 – 28 November 1290) was an English queen consort, the first wife of Edward I, whom she married as part of a political deal to affirm English sovereignty over Gascony. The marriage was known to be particularly close, and Eleanor travelled extensively with her husband. She was with him on the Ninth Crusade, when he was wounded at Acre, but the popular story of her saving his life by sucking out the poison has long been discredited. When she died, at Harby near Lincoln, her grieving husband famously ordered a stone cross to be erected at each stopping-place on the journey to London, ending at Charing Cross. Eleanor was better educated than most medieval queens and exerted a strong cultural influence on the nation. She was a keen patron of literature, and encouraged the use of tapestries, carpets and tableware in the Spanish style, as well as innovative garden designs. She was also a successful businesswoman, endowed with her own fortune as Countess of Ponthieu. Eleanor was born in Burgos, daughter of Ferdinand III of Castile and Joan, Countess of Ponthieu. Her Castilian name, Leonor, became Alienor or Alianor in England, and Eleanor in modern English. She was named after her paternal great-grandmother, Eleanor of England. Eleanor was the second of five children born to Ferdinand and Joan. Her elder brother Ferdinand was born in 1239/40, her younger brother Louis in 1242/43; two sons born after Louis died young. For the ceremonies in 1291 marking the first anniversary of Eleanor's death, 49 candlebearers were paid to walk in the public procession to commemorate each year of her life. Since the custom was to have one candle for each year of the deceased's life, 49 candles would date Eleanor's birth to the year 1241. Since her parents were apart from each other for 13 months while King Ferdinand was on a military campaign in Andalusia, from which he returned to the north of Spain only in February 1241, Eleanor was probably born toward the end of that year. The courts of her father and her half-brother Alfonso X of Castile were known for their literary atmosphere. Both kings also encouraged extensive education of the royal children and it is therefore likely that Eleanor was educated to a standard higher than the norm, a likelihood which is reinforced by her later literary activities as queen. She was at her father's deathbed in Seville in 1252. Eleanor's marriage in 1254 to the future Edward I of England was not the only marriage her family planned for her. The kings of Castile had long made a tenuous claim to be paramount lords of the Kingdom of Navarre due to sworn homage from Garcia VI of Navarre in 1134. In 1253, Ferdinand III's heir, Eleanor's half-brother Alfonso X of Castile, stalled negotiations with England in hopes that she would marry Theobald II of Navarre. The marriage afforded several advantages. First, the Pyrenees kingdom also afforded passage from Castile to Gascony. Secondly, Theobald II was not yet of age, affording the opportunity to rule or potentially annex Navarre into Castile. To avoid Castilian control, Margaret of Bourbon (mother and regent to Theobald II) in August 1253 allied with James I of Aragon instead, and as part of that treaty solemnly promised that Theobald would never marry Eleanor. In 1252, Alfonso X had resurrected another ancestral claim, this time to the duchy of Gascony, in the south of Aquitaine, last possession of the Kings of England in France, which he claimed had formed part of the dowry of Eleanor of England. Henry III of England swiftly countered Alfonso's claims with both diplomatic and military moves. Early in 1253 the two kings began to negotiate; after haggling over the financial provision for Eleanor, Henry and Alfonso agreed she would marry Henry's son Edward (by now the titular duke), and Alfonso would transfer his Gascon claims to Edward. Henry was so anxious for the marriage to take place that he willingly abandoned elaborate preparations. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/allthingsplantagenet/support

Available from Audible.co.uk (https://adbl.co/2nNVHNR) More than a century has passed since Liliath crept into the empty sarcophagus of Saint Marguerite, fleeing the Fall of Ystara. But she emerges from her magical sleep still beautiful, looking no more than nineteen, and once again renews her single-minded quest to be united with her lover, Palleniel, the archangel of Ystara. A seemingly impossible quest, but Liliath is one of the greatest practitioners of angelic magic to have ever lived, a genius at making icons to summon angels, and supremely adept in forcing them to do her bidding. Liliath already knew that most of the inhabitants of Ystara died from the Ash Blood plague or were transformed into beastlings, and she herself led the survivors who fled into neighbouring Sarance. Now she learns that angels shun the Ystaran's descendents. If they are touched by angelic magic, their blood will become ashes, or they will turn into beastlings. They are known as Refusers, and can only live the most lowly lives. But Liliath cares nothing for the descendants of her people, save how they can serve her. It is four young Sarancians who fix her interest, for they are the key to her quest: Simeon, a studious doctor-in-training; Henri, a dedicated fortune hunter; Agnez, an adventurous musketeer cadet; and Dorotea, an icon-maker and scholar of angelic magic. The four feel a strange, immediate kinship from the moment they meet, but do not know why, or suspect their importance. Only Liliath knows their secret, and she draws them in to her complex plot, just as she manipulates Queen Louisa and her musketeers; King Ferdinand and his guards; Cardinal Duplessis and her pursuivants; and the Refuser Night King Biscaray and his criminal gangs. All become pawns in Liliath's grand scheme to fulfill her destiny and be united with the love of her life. No matter the cost to everyone else.

It's Thursday, and theater critic J. Wynn Rousuck is back with another of her weekly reviews of the Maryland regional stage. Today, she joins Tom to spotlight Chesapeake Shakespeare Company's new production of the Bard's ----Love's Labour's Lost,---- staged outdoors ----In the Ruins---- at the Patapsco Female Institute (PFI) Historic Park in Ellicott City.In this pun-filled romantic comedy penned by William Shakespeare in the mid-1590s, King Ferdinand of Navarre (played by Jonathan Jacobs) and three courtiers -- Berowne (Jose Guzman), Longaville (J.C. Payne), and Dumanin (Alexander Kafarakis) -- agree to avoid the distractions of women for three years while they study and pray. Their high-minded plans are derailed when the beautiful Princess of France (played by Lauren Davis) and her three ladies -- Rosaline (Elana Michelle), Maria (Micaela Mannix), and Katherine (Hilary Morrow) -- arrive on a diplomatic mission, and the men soon become love-struck fools. For their part, the women conspire to confound the men's amorous ambitions, but the play ends as the death of the Princess's father puts all the romancing on hold for a year.Directed by Erin Bone Steele, the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company production of Love's Labour's Lost continues at the PFI Historic Park in Ellicott City through Sunday, July 28th. For more information, click here.

We are on the cusp of continuous warm nights.   Warm soil temps will take a few more weeks.   Recently, I had a gardener ask me about their hearty hibiscus that was planted last year.  They were worried it wasn't coming back; they didn't see any sign of life yet.   In Minnesota, gardeners often start to freak out a bit if they don't see signs of life during these first sunny days in May.   But remember, warmer weather plants won't start to do their thing until soil temps warm up.  The soil temp has about a 2-3 week lag on the night time air temp. We are still about a week away from warm nights - nights over 60 degrees.  Warm soil will happen at the end of the month or the beginning of June.   So, don't be alarmed if some of your summer perennials still seem dormant, that's because they are waiting for warmer soil temps to get going.       Brevities #OTD On this day in 1742, Jean Senebier, a Swiss pastor and botanist, is born. Where would we be without Senebier? Still breathing... but not appreciating the role Senebier played in getting the world to realize that carbon dioxide is consumed by plants and in turn, plants produce oxygen as part of the process of photosynthesis. Senebier’s work is important because he had learned the function of leaves: capturing carbon for food. Prior to Senebier, the purpose of leaves  and what they did for plants and people was unknown. It was Jean Senebier who said,  "Observation and experiment are two sisters who help each other."   #OTD Today, in 1806, along the banks of Idaho’s Clearwater River, Lewis and Clark discoverd  the Nine-leaf lomatium, Lomatium triternatum. A species of flowering plant in the carrot family and known by the common name nineleaf biscuitroot, the nine-leaf lomatium is so-named because each leaf divides into three narrow leaflets that, in turn, divide into three more (triternatum, from the Latin, means “three times three”). Lewis and Clark collected many varieties of lomatiums which are found only west of the Mississippi River. Lomatiums are used by herbalists as a remedy for viral illnesses. In 2018, the NIH reported the case of a woman who had taken lomatium extract - marked LDM-100 - for the flu and ended up with a severe rash all over her body for a week.  The title of the article, "Worse than the Disease? The Rash of Lomatium Dissectum"     #OTD The naturalist and Alexander Von Humboldt died today in 1859, he was 89 years old. In 1806, Friedrich Georg Weitsch painted his portrait, in 1806, two years after he returned from his five-year research trip through Central and South America. Humboldt didn't go alone; he was accompanied bythe French botanist Aimé Bonplant in 1799. Weitsch painted a romantic, idealized vista of Ecuador as the setting for the painting. Humboldt had climbed the Chimborazo Mountain in Ecuador, believed at the time to be the highest mountain in the world, so perhaps Weitsch imaged Humboldt viewing the landscape from Chimborazo. Surrounded by a jungle paradise, a large palm leaves shade Humboldt's resting spot.In the painting, a very handsome Humboldt is seated on a large boulder, his top hat is resting upside down on the boulder behind him. Weitsch shows the 37-year-old Humboldt wearing a puffy shirt that would make Seinfeld proud, a pinkish-orange vest, and tan breeches.  In his lap, he holds open the large leather-bound Flora he is working on and in his right hand he has a specimen of  "Rhexia seciosa" (aka Meriania speciosa).  A large barometer leans against the boulder in the lower left corner of the painting. It symbolized Humboldt’s principle of measuring environmental data while collecting and describing plants. King Ferdinand was so pleased with the portrait (which he had hung in the Berlin Palace), that he ordered two more paintings to be made featuring Humboldt's time in the Americas. Humboldt was a polymath; he made contributions across many of the sciences. He made a safety lamp for miners. He discovered the Peru Current (aka the Humboldt Current). He believed South America and Africa had been joined together geographically at one time. He named the "torrid zone"; the area of the earth near the equator. Apropos the area he was exploring, torrid means hot, blistering, scorching. He went to Russia and it was there that he predicted the location of the first Russian diamond deposits. Humboldt was also a pragmatist. It was the Great Alexandre Von Humboldt who said "Spend for your table less than you can afford, for your house rent just what you can afford, and for your dress more than you can afford." Humboldt developed his own theory for the web of life. "The aims I strive for are an understanding of nature as a whole, proof of the working together of all the species of nature," "Everything is Interaction," he noted in his Mexican diary in 1803.      #OTD After afive-year, £41 million restoration Temperate Housere-opened to the public on this day in 2018.  The ironwork was stripped and repainted with many coats, 15,000 pains of glass were replaced, 69,000 sections of metal, stone and timber repaired or replaced. Home to 10,000 plants - some are the world’s rarest and most threatened plants - Kew's Temperate House is the largest Victorian glasshouse in the world.     Unearthed Words   #OTD  On this day The annual meeting of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society was held at Horticultural Hall at 3 :00 p.m. on May 6, 1946.    Here's an excerpt from their delightful minutes:   From the President's Address:   At the end of the war we were met with this question, "Will interest in gardening continue to grow or will there be a falling off ... with the coming of peace and a greater opportunity for other recreational pursuits?"   We proceeded on the assumption that fewer vegetable gardens would be made but that, on the other hand, a greater number of people than ever before would turn their attention to the growing of ornamental plants...   It is a duty for each one of us to plant a home garden. Membership in the Society has shown a remarkable growth and now numbers well over 8,000. Our magazine Horticulture has been remarkably successful in attracting members for the Society from all parts of the country.   Report of the Secretary   Interest in horticultural pursuits is steadily increasing, if it can be measured by the increase in membership shown by this Society in the past year.   Twelve months ago we had 7,200 members. As of today, the Society has 8,151 members.   Membership figures are always of interest as indicating trends.   The high point of this Society was in 1938, when the total membership was slightly greater than 9,000. Ten thousand members was the goal at that time but, because of the necessity of increasing revenue, the dues were raised from $2.00 to $3.00 a year.   This increase in dues was followed by an immediate drop in membership which continued until 1942 when the Society reached its low point of the last decade with a membership of 6,633.    Since that time it has been climbing steadily, year by year, and it seems reasonable to believe that in another year or two the 9,000 mark will again be reached.    The present figure is, of course, far beyond that of any similar organization in the country, although it is pleasant to learn that the New York and Pennsylvania societies are also showing an upward trend. Edward I. Farrington. Secretary.   Report of the Library Committee   Almost all the events and developments of 1945-1946 center... upon our return to peace-time living.   In the reading room, for instance, visitors are no longer predominantly in uniform.   The questions a year ago were often about the plants of the Pacific areas or what a gardener should visit while stationed in Boston. Now they are most often on the design of small home properties, the choice of good plant materials, the fine points of flower gardening, or the management of a greenhouse.       Today's book recommendation: The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's New World by Andrea Wulf "The Invention of Nature" reveals the extraordinary life of the visionary German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) and how he created the way we understand nature today. Though almost forgotten today, his name lingers everywhere from the Humboldt Current to the Humboldt penguin. Humboldt was an intrepid explorer and the most famous scientist of his age. His restless life was packed with adventure and discovery, whether climbing the highest volcanoes in the world, paddling down the Orinoco or racing through anthrax–infested Siberia. Perceiving nature as an interconnected global force, Humboldt discovered similarities between climate zones across the world and predicted human-induced climate change. He turned scientific observation into poetic narrative, and his writings inspired naturalists and poets such as Darwin, Wordsworth and Goethe but also politicians such as Jefferson. Wulf also argues that it was Humboldt’s influence that led John Muir to his ideas of preservation and that shaped Thoreau’s ‘Walden’. Wulf traces Humboldt’s influences through the great minds he inspired in revolution, evolution, ecology, conservation, art and literature.  In The Invention of Nature Wulf brings this lost hero to science and the forgotten father of environmentalism back to life.     Today's Garden Chore   If you're a mom, Mother's day is coming up. Start thinking about the colors and plants you'd like for your front containers and then make a list for your kids.   You can give them some license as well - ask the plants person to help you find something green and viney, or purple and tall, and so forth. For years, I did this with my kids and they spent a decade of Mother's Days helping me plant their annuals in the front planters and hanging baskets. It was a fantastic photo op, a wonderful way to get them involved in setting the stage for beauty around the front door, and getting them to notice annuals.  Many happy memories with this chore.       Something Sweet to ignite the botanical spark in your heart   #OTD On this day, last year was the 50th Anniversary of the Hudson, Massachusetts Garden Club on May 6, 2018.   With a familiar genesis story, the club began in 1968 as a group of sixteen friends and neighbors (Grace Adams, Helen Doyle, Phyllis Dyson, Peggy Gilroy, Elvira Jacobs, Sandra Joyce, Sharon Kearney, Teresa Landry, Jean Laviano, Waldro Lynch, Arline Parker, Jeanne Piecewicz, Viola Ross, Claire Shepard, Jeanne Simkins, and Cynthia Sylvia).  All shared a love of flowers and gardening.  Today the club has 41 members and the club's purpose is to promote interest in gardening, horticulture, conservation, and floral arranging, as well as serve the community in civic betterment.   It's a lovely thing to combine your love for gardening and beautifying the community - all while having a good time.   Most monthly meeting programs consist of guest speakers or hands-on activities, but over the years club members have taken out-of-town day trips to Arnold Arboretum, Elm Bank Reservation, Garden in the Woods, Tower Hill Botanic Gardens, Pickity Place, and Fuller Gardens. Camaraderie and having fun are the club’s primary goals. All are welcome to join the club and members are not required to reside in Hudson. For more information, contact Diane Durand at 978-621-9665 or Patricia Main at 978-562-6910.         Thanks for listening to the daily gardener, and remember: "For a happy, healthy life, garden every day."

Granada, Spain's cathedral facade, built shortly after the Reconquista, declares triumph for the victorious Christian forces. The adjacent Royal Chapel provided a fitting resting place for Queen Isabella of Castile and King Ferdinand of Aragon, who ruled during the final Reconquista victory. At http://www.ricksteves.com, you'll find money-saving travel tips, small-group tours, guidebooks, TV shows, radio programs, podcasts, and more on this destination.

Granada, Spain's cathedral facade, built shortly after the Reconquista, declares triumph for the victorious Christian forces. The adjacent Royal Chapel provided a fitting resting place for Queen Isabella of Castile and King Ferdinand of Aragon, who ruled during the final Reconquista victory. At http://www.ricksteves.com, you'll find money-saving travel tips, small-group tours, guidebooks, TV shows, radio programs, podcasts, and more on this destination.

The Battle of White Mountain was the decisive battle of the early part of the Thirty Years' War. The Thirty Years' War really began in Prague when the Protestant nobility of Bohemia threw the Catholic representatives of King Ferdinand out of a window. Because Ferdinand was also the Holy Roman Emperor, he was able to amass a large army against Bohemia. Meanwhile, Bohemia would elect a new King, the very Protestant Frederick V, Elector Palatine. This elevated Frederick from a minor prince to a King, and was seen to provide a variety of Protestant alliances for the Bohemians. They needed it, because Emperor Ferdinand had gathered his own army, which was much better trained and drilled under the command of Johann Tsercales, Count of Tilly. Tilly's army carved through Western Bohemia, and easily came upon Prague in the late fall of 1620. The Bohemian army came out to meet Tilly's force at White Mountain near Prague, where they were routed. Almost as soon as any engagement took place, the Bohemian army fled the field. Frederick and his family needed to flee Prague, and Ferdinand would reclaim the throne of Bohemia, re-Catholicizing the nation by force.

Rebroadcast of the long-running radio program, "The Ave Maria Hour," a presentation of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. www.AtonementFriars.org Today’s episode tells the story of Christopher Columbus’ efforts to convince King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to finance a sailing expedition to find a western route to the Orient. Columbus finally obtained royal support in 1492. This was achieved with the intervention of Juan Pérez, Superior of the Franciscan friars of La Rábida, near Huelva, with whom Columbus had stayed in the summer of 1491.

My conversations with Rene Ricard were many, but this conversation, from early 2013, was the only one we agreed to record for this show focusing on his poetry, paintings, and life at the Chelsea Hotel under new ownership.   ---- Mentors are hard to come by; one who takes you in, spends time with you and teaches you something that may one day become useful.   Recently, I attended a brilliant show called Fabulous You at Tiger Strikes Asteroid Gallery in Brooklyn.  The concept of the exhibition was for the gallery artists to select work from their mentor, or peer, and to exhibit it next to their own.  The show reminded me of all I have learned from my mentors and precocious contemporaries over the duration of my own career.  We alone have the power to chose our own mentors and bosses, as a surrogate for the examples we want to follow and one day pass on to other eager rookies.  This episode is dedicated to those who intend to insight curiosity and cognitive knowledge in others, especially in this unstable chaos of fact vs. fiction and post-truth.   Today, I would like to celebrate one of my friends in particular, Rene Ricard.  At one time he was my boss, and during that year he became a mentor to me, a commanding influence by imparting his taste, unsurpassed wisdom and opinion of all things.     From a life fully lived, he was mercurial, sharp-witted and sharp-tongued, truly informed (he read and read and to absorb concise facts on all historical periods - -  he read Museum catalogues from cover to cover, which is an act I now practice and promote).  He was an underground Warhol movie star, art critic, painter, and poet.  He is credited with launching the career of Basquiat for whom, in 1981, his essay The Radiant Child was published in Artforum.  He had no room for BS, but he was generous, and above all - with information, he taught me his first person history of New York and more.     Rene enlightened me on the finer details of general world history — mostly through art, including social etiquette and the ways of life over greasy steak and cheese sandwiches he liked to share before starting the days work at his Midtown studio.  He brought me along to parties of NYC Painting Gods and Goddesses I had admired since my own teenage move from New England to New York City, like Rene’s own.     My friend Rita Barros, whom Rene lived with and is spoken about later in this show, had arranged visiting me in Granada Spain, where I was living between 2011 and 2012; Rita, Antonio, Rosario and Rene made the trip from Lisbon.   Rene was unforgettably excited to interact with the art, tromp-l’œil, architecture, food and everything in between.   He made an arresting performance for the begging Gypsy’s in front of the Cathedral, where Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand are set in their tombs.  If I recall correctly, as my memory will never be what his was, Rene was wearing his recently purchased heeled Flamenco dancing shoes.     Back in 2013 after years of dinners and delicious conversations at Rita’s apartment in the Chelsea, we agreed to record one of our conversations in his Chelsea Hotel studio.   Rene passed away less than a year later.   At the time of the conversation, and unfortunately still today, there was severe discontent in the Hotel.   Artists who had been living there for over 40 years were being appallingly harassed by what can only be considered slumlords, trying to drive out the tenants with whatever means possible to free up space in the historic 222 West 23rd Street building.  The plan of the new owners was to convert it into a luxury hotel however, some still have the New York fighting spirit.   I learned a great number of things from Rene, chiefly to have a fucking opinion and express it with all that you have while being prepared to back it up with authority; facts, and experience.   Just listen and absorb….

A visit to the old royal residence of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. Once under Visigoth and Islamic rule. It was turned into a fortress when the Christians came to power. Used as the site for the Spanish Inquisition. Historic figures have resided here at one time or another.

In North America, the year 1492 is inextricably linked to Columbus’s discovery of the West Indies, funded by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. But in Spain itself, the year brought two events that at the time appeared more vital to the health and spiritual purity of the kingdom: the conquest of Granada from the last Muslim rulers of Andalusia, and the expulsion of the Jews whose families had inhabited Iberia since the height of the Roman Empire. Against the backdrop of the Spanish Inquisition, The Mapmaker’s Daughter (Sourcebooks, 2014) tells the story of Amalia Riba–child of a converso family whose father embraces Christianity to save his family and whose mother pays lip service to the new religion even as she teaches her daughters to observe Jewish ritual in secret. During Amalia’s long and varied life, she travels from her childhood home in Sevilla to Portugal and to Castile, to Granada and to Valencia–accompanied by the exquisitely decorated atlas painted by her great-grandfather and charting her course between security and identity. With a sure hand, Laurel Corona explores the importance of choice, the prices paid for resistance and assimilation, and the overlapping of identity and community, especially in the lives of women. Along the way, she makes a powerful case for the value of diversity–not only in the past but in the present. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In North America, the year 1492 is inextricably linked to Columbus’s discovery of the West Indies, funded by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. But in Spain itself, the year brought two events that at the time appeared more vital to the health and spiritual purity of the kingdom: the conquest of Granada from the last Muslim rulers of Andalusia, and the expulsion of the Jews whose families had inhabited Iberia since the height of the Roman Empire. Against the backdrop of the Spanish Inquisition, The Mapmaker’s Daughter (Sourcebooks, 2014) tells the story of Amalia Riba–child of a converso family whose father embraces Christianity to save his family and whose mother pays lip service to the new religion even as she teaches her daughters to observe Jewish ritual in secret. During Amalia’s long and varied life, she travels from her childhood home in Sevilla to Portugal and to Castile, to Granada and to Valencia–accompanied by the exquisitely decorated atlas painted by her great-grandfather and charting her course between security and identity. With a sure hand, Laurel Corona explores the importance of choice, the prices paid for resistance and assimilation, and the overlapping of identity and community, especially in the lives of women. Along the way, she makes a powerful case for the value of diversity–not only in the past but in the present. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PODCAST SATELLITE / The Voice of IsraelWWW.PODCASTSATELLITE.COMwith Prince Handley  PROPHETIC CALENDAR FOR ISRAEL & THE GOYIMTHE NEXT DECADE: 2014 THRU 2023WATCH FOR THESE EVENTS You can listen to this message NOW.Click on the LibSyn pod circle at top left. (Allow images to display.)Listen NOW or download for later.  You can also listen here >>> LISTEN NOW  After you listen to this message, you can scroll down for all messagespreviously in the Archives (with Show Notes).  Please email this message to a friend.  24/7 release of Prince Handley blogs, teachings, and podcasts >>> STREAM  Text: "follow princehandley" to 40404 (in USA)  Or, Twitter: princehandley  _____________________________________  DESCRIPTION:If you are Jewish … and if you live in Israel … here are specific events to watch for. Many of these events are “signs” pre-recorded in the Hebrew scriptures to alert you.  1. To let you know HOW and by WHAT MEANS your enemies will deceive you; and, 2. To prepare you for the coming of Mashiach to Israel to establish His Kingdom.  If you are NOT Jewish, and you do not live in Israel … then for sure study this info.  Prophetic events for the decade 2014 thru 2023. Intel and info to help you prepare.PLUS ... NEW Global banking info and intel on the 10 world leaders to arise.  _____________________________________  PROPHETIC CALENDAR FOR ISRAEL & THE GOYIMTHE NEXT DECADE: 2014 THRU 2023WATCH FOR THESE EVENTS   New developments of international law (United Nations) and world government in association with the International Criminal Court with possible warrants for the arrests of Israeli political and military leaders. (These also work concomitantly with pressure on Bibi Netanyahu to go along with West Bank concessions to Abbas and Palestinians: A ploy endorsed secretly by Obama and Kerry for the deadline of signing by April 29, 2014.) The expansion of the global homosexual-lesbian agenda fulfilling the prophecy of Yeshua concerning conditions on Planet Earth before the appearing of Mashiach. (Brit Chadashah: “As it was in the days of Lot, so shall It be in the days of the appearing of the Son of Man.” (see Torah: Genesis Chapter 19) Civil and military strife in the confines of the Euphrates River: Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. World War III will ultimately – in the future – emerge from this area (the 6th Trumpet of Revelation: Chapter 9, verses 13-21). One-third of the world's population will be killed as a result of this war. This will NOT affect Israel now, but will in the future. The loss of critical alliance of the USA and its leadership in helping Israel. Unless the political landscape changes drastically in the USA, Israel will be “hung out to dry.” There is a lack of majority of leaders in both major political parties with real “backbone” of leadership in the USA anymore. Only a MIRACLE from G-d can change the current political climate in the USA and cause her to again be a real supporter of Israel. More control over the minds of youth in countries outside of – and opposed to – Israel. This is not just in the Palestinian camp where young people are taught to hate Jews. This is happening in Germany, USA, and other “Western” camp countries influential in Global Politics and ideology. Germany, the enabler of Naziism, hates home schooling. In the USA, the Obama administration wants to eliminate home schooling; to require all students to be in public overview so they can be taught “worldview” without religious contradiction: tolerance and political correctness. The political, psychological and sociological pressures on Israel and the Jewish People in 10 more years – if not less – will be exacerbated.1 EDITOR'S NOTE: The false messiah (anti-Messiah)2, like Hitler, knows he must control the minds of youth in order to accomplish global domination. His world view must be taught in public (government controlled) school systems globally. The government must control the school systems for the world dictator to rule without opposition: politically, financially (thru entitlements and purchased votes via unions), and ideologically. Peace accord signed by April 29th. USA President Obama and Secretary of State, John Kerry, are pushing for a Middle East peace agreement to be signed between Israel and the Palestinians by April 29th. This may or may not happen; however, if it does happen – and IF it is the Seven Year Covenant spoken of by Daniel the Prophet – , the Sixth Trumpet of Revelation may occur during the first three and one-half years after signing. WHY? The Sixth Trumpet marks the beginning of the Euphrates conflict (Revelation Chapter 9:14-15) which explodes into World War III with the one-third of the human population being killed. This will make a perfect backdrop for the anti-Christ to rise to power with his promise of world peace. A future Seven Year Peace Accord is prophesied and definite! The peace accord designed by Obama-Kerry may or may not be the Seven Year Covenant which Daniel the Prophet (Tanakh: Daniel Chapter 9, verse 27) told us about. However, the New World Leader (false messiah, anti-messiah or anti-Christ) will probably rise to power as the result of the Euphrates conflict, and he will make a Seven Year Covenant (the one prophesied) between Israel and the Palestinians. We know that three and one-half years after a seven year peace treaty (covenant) is signed that the false messiah will go into the Jewish Temple and proclaim that he is god. After the BIG – prophesied – Seven Year Covenant is signed, (may NOT be in 2014) there will be two (2) distinct periods of 42 months or three and one-half years. The Jews will be allowed to rebuild their Temple on the Temple Mount. In the middle of the seven years (at the end of the first half) the World Leader (the “Beast” or anti-Messiah) will order the Jews to stop the animal sacrifices and he will go into the Temple and commit an abomination (proclaim that he is God and/or Messiah). See Tanakh: Daniel 8:9-14, Daniel 9:27 and Brit Chadashah: Revelation 11:2, 13:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4. EDITOR'S NOTE: Be aware that in the midst (in between) the events I have described happening for the next decade (2014 thru 2013) the following events MAY also happen: 1. A Middle East war that will place Israel in control of the whole Middle East. A war between Israel and all of the Middle East MAY happen, not just bordering Arab states like Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. Israel will "fly down upon the shoulder of the Philistines (the Palestinians) to the west". In context Israel will strike against Egypt and Iraq (Assyria) and "plunder the people of the East." Israel MAY control these nations, and evidently, their wealth as a result of the plundering. Lexicographically, the "people of the East" include the Arab nations of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, and others. Notice that most prophecy teachers will NOT cover this as it is NOT “general” enough to protect them if it does NOT take place. They may make a partial allusion to this conflict by reference to Psalm 83 with expanded hyperbole! You may study specifics about this conflict by clicking on the link in the paragraph above. 2. The Ezekiel 38 conflict. See what Ezekiel is saying to us TODAY. Russia, Turkey, Iran and other Middle East and North East African nations will form an alliance to attack Israel. This we know for sure. Realize that BEFORE the LORD wipes out the Magog Alliance on the hills of Israel (Ezekiel 38 and 39), there is an attack planned upon Israel by Iran. This is evident by Iranian posture and declarations, by Intel, and by present geopolitical climate. This attack is imminent. 3. An unexpected attack upon the USA or Israel by Asian / Eastern power(s). In the last days their will be a major military, political, and economic force that arises from the East. This could include present day Iraq, Syria, Eastern Turkey, the southern steppes of Russia (from the former USSR), Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, or North Korea. This force may be an amalgamation of national and cultural social interests flowing together for advancement, protection, control and power. 4. Cosmic “signs” that may appear. (NOTE: These are NOT what Yeshua was talking about in Matthew 24:29 when he was quoting Joel 2:31.)  Red blood moons and other signs associated with the Jewish feasts and holidays: Passover, April 15, 2014Feast of Tabernacles, October 8, 2014Passover, April 4, 2015Feast of Tabernacles, September 28, 2015 These four Red Blood Moons are known as "Tetrads" and have appeared in coordination with Jewish Feast Days of Passover and Tabernacles three (3) times in the last 500 years, so they may definitely be something to consider as signs dealing with Israel. Each of these three times were during times of persecution and / or attack on the Jews or Israel and MAY be future prophetic indicators. 1493-94 (After the Spanish Inquistion in 1492 under King Ferdinand in Spain.)1949-50 (After Israel won the Arab - Israeli War of Independence in 1948.)1967-68 (After the Six Day War won by Israel in 1967.) POST NOTE: The April 15 "Red Blood Moon" mentioned above March 27, 2014, appeared as scheduled April 15, 2014. Here are several photos taken by people in different countries where it could be seen: PHOTOS OF BLOOD RED MOON APRIL 15, 2014. Check out, "Your Views of the Blood Moon" #22.   5. Judgment upon Egypt with the Nile River drying up. Three places in the Tanakh (the Old Testament), the scriptures speak of the Nile River being dried up because of judgment from the LORD. This has NOT happened yet: Isaiah 19:5, Ezekiel 30:12, and Zechariah 10:11. Equalization of the nations of the world with unequal wealth distribution. WhileMarxists and socialists like Obama propagate “wealth distribution,”9 the truth is that they (the ones who promote the concept) are on the “wealth gleaning”9 side of the equation. Fact: 83 members of Communist China's National People's Congress (NPC) are billionaires in terms of US Dollars.3Ask Barack and Michelle Obama what percentage of their income they gave to charity! The poorer and less educated populace in socialist dominated countries are coerced, propagandized or bought off in a tradeoff of “votes for handouts.” The scriptures prophesy global equalization to facilitate One World Government. Just as Global (one-world) Religion and Global (one-world) Economic System are necessary for control of the populace, so is Global (one-world) Government. World domination is contingent upon the evolution or formation of a Global Elite sector: a small group of people … extremely wealthy9 and powerful … who control political and economic sectors. You can read about such control in Revelation Chapter 18, and notice there are 21 specific – literal – commodities listed. Study “Babylon, the Enemy of Israel, Exposed – Part 1” and “Babylon, the Enemy of Israel, Exposed – Part 2.” GFC4 – FSB5 – G-SIB6 – BIS7 – OPMF8 are synonyms for International cooperation for a Super Bank that controls ALL central banks. Talk about inflation? You haven't seen anything yet! See Prince Handley's prophecy of a Global Financial Collapse dated Tuesday, May 6, 2008. The Global Financial Crisis of 2008 will pale in comparison to what you see happen next. This conglomeration will produce a windfall of “false money” – money that is stolen from the public – resulting in a cycle of endless and greater financial controls that will prepare the way for The Mark of the Beast: 666. EDITOR'S NOTE: 1. A one-world currency is NOT necessary for the New Global Economy prophesied by the Holy Bible … only Global Financial Control. 2. Also, do NOT put long range trust in gold as it may be regulated in the future. Put your trust in the G-d of Israel. 3. Use your credit cards and enjoy them, but realize that each new innovation in card / credit technology is one more step closer to control that will be ultimately utilized by the Global System of The Beast. Hyper inflation9 or stagflation will create economic havoc for most of the population. Recent gains in the stock market (Dow at 17,000) create a false sense of security among investors. As our money loses value due to government printing false money (increasing money supply or “quantitative easing”), prices go UP … and so do stocks! The stock market is NOT gaining value … our money is losing value! The economy is about to fall apart. The Federal Reserve Board knows this. The Fed is simply “propping up” the economy by “quantitative easing” and low interest rates. The new head of the Fed, Janet Yellen, is in complete agreement with the Obama strategy of injecting more than $3 Trillion Dollars of “stimulus funds” into the economy. EDITOR'S NOTE:: While in graduate school I worked for the Federal Reserve Bank twice. There was NO privacy then, so don't think there is now! Technology and Super Science. Development of world's fastest WiFi in Israel. Wilocity, located in Caesarea, Israel, is delivering the world's first multi-gigabit wireless chipsets based on the new WiGig 60GHz and IEEE802.11ad standards for super high-speed downloads, docking, networking, and high definition video at over 10x today's typical Wi-Fi transmission rates. Almost 25 times faster than the highest home internet speeds. You can download a two hour HD movie in just over two minutes, run 14 devices simultaneously, or download 10 songs in 1.5 seconds. The potential to propagate the Good News of Messiah and the Word of the LORD globally is exponentially increasing in these Last Days. “But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” (Tanakh: Daniel 12:4)   WHAT TO WATCH FOR PROBABLYAFTER THE NEXT DECADEA KEY ENDTIME GEOPOLITICO SCENARIO Ten national leaders – heads of governments – will arise during the same time period. These ten world leaders will receive power during the same time period as the coming World Leader (“The Beast”). The ten leaders will have “one mind” and will give their power and strength unto the false messiah, the anti-Christ (“The Beast”). These ten world leaders will have power on earth, but they are NOT from the earth.11 They are extra-terrestrial creatures. How do we know? Revelation 17:14 says, “These shall (at the very end of the last three and one-half years) make war with The Lamb.” The Lamb is Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus, the Messiah) who will come to deliver Israel at the Battle of Armageddon. No earthly king or leader could oppose the Messiah when he returns. Only stupid demonic beings of the “spirit” world who follow Satan would attempt such an act. The ANSWER: Make sure you know the Messiah. Do NOT wait until the spirit of deception10prophesied in the Holy Bible overtakes you and you can no longer be saved. Pray this prayer: “God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, please reveal to me if Yeshua (Jesus) is my Messiah. If so, I ask Him to take control of my life – to be my Lord . Please save me. Forgive my sins and help me to live for You … and take me to Heaven when I die. Amen!” Baruch haba b'Shem Adonai. Your friend, Prince HandleyPresident / RegentUniversity of Excellence Copyright © Prince Handley 2014All rights reserved.    ______________________________________________  If you feel the LORD would like you to help Prince Handleydeliver the message of Good News to Israel and the world,   A TAX DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT WILL BE SENT TO YOU______________________________________________   FOOTNOTES: Romeike vs. Holder. http://www.eagleforum.org/projects/courtwatch/romeike-homeschooling-case.html False messiah, anti-Messiah, the Beast: Tanakh: Daniel Chapter 9 (verse 27), Daniel Chapter 11 (verse 31), Daniel Chapter 12 (verse 11); and, Brit Chadashah: Matiyahu Chapter 24 (verse 15), Revelation Chapter 13 (verses 1 thru 10). The USA has only one billionaire in politics: Michael Bloomberg of New York. GFC. Global Financial Crisis with primary manifestation in 2008 (originated in 2007) and accelerated by corrupt government buyouts of failing institutions, especially in USA. FSB. Financial Stability Board created in 2008 by the G20 countries to regulate and control the international financial system. G-SIB. 29 Globally Systematically Important Banks. The biggest internationally connected banks to be favored and protected in time of economic crisis (even if embezzlement, corruption and mismanagement are the facilitators). BIS. Bank of International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland. Acts as a SUPER bank for ALL individual country central banks. OPMF. Outright Permanent Money Finance. This will create giant, immoral, unethical money transfers and a greater disparity in wealth distribution. Money can be created out of nowhere (like USA present Fed policy of “quantitative easing”) and given to governments. This, of course, magnanimously decreases the value of your money. (More supply … less demand or value.) Inflation and wealth distribution with wealth gleaning on the top end. Economic disruption. The problem is NOT famine, but inflation and scarcity. Revelation 6:5-6. Spirit of deception prophesied in the Holy Bible. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11. Ten national leaders that arise during the Time of the End. The development of a hybrid species in the end times – through which the anti-Christ MAY derive his submissive leadership core– could well be the result of fallen spirit forces (demons) facilitating the same, rather than aliens from another planet.These fallen spirit forces (demons) may be from extra-dimensional time-space: not from other planets, but from a megaverse (outside our traditonal concept of space-time continuum). See “2014 Boolean Blog: Israel and the Four F's of the Last Days,” by Prince Handley. (Scroll down to the section on “Fallen spirits.”)   Podcast time: 20 minutes, 58 seconds.   Copyright 2014 Prince HandleyAll rights reserved  __________  24/7 Prince Handley BLOGS, teachings, and podcastsClick the Dove above_______________World ServicesBox ADowney, California 90241 USA     University of Excellence http://www.uofe.org/Prince Handley Portal http://www.princehandley.comSubscribe to The Healing and Miracle Podcast here: SUBSCRIBESubscribe to The Voice of Israel Podcast here: SUBSCRIBEHealing and Miracle Podcast: http://www.healing.libsyn.comVoice of Israel Podcast: http://www.podcastsatellite.libsyn.com/Rabbinical Studies: http://www.realmiracles.com/rabbinical.htmIsrael News and Prophecy: http://www.podcastsatellite.com/If you need healing, deliverance, or prayer, email to: princehandley@gmail.com  

PODCAST SATELLITE / The Voice of IsraelWWW.PODCASTSATELLITE.COMwith Prince Handley  PROPHETIC CALENDAR FOR ISRAEL & THE GOYIMTHE NEXT DECADE: 2014 THRU 2023WATCH FOR THESE EVENTS You can listen to this message NOW.Click on the LibSyn pod circle at top left. (Allow images to display.)Listen NOW or download for later.  You can also listen here >>> LISTEN NOW  After you listen to this message, you can scroll down for all messagespreviously in the Archives (with Show Notes).  Please email this message to a friend.  24/7 release of Prince Handley blogs, teachings, and podcasts >>> STREAM  Text: "follow princehandley" to 40404 (in USA)  Or, Twitter: princehandley  _____________________________________  DESCRIPTION:If you are Jewish … and if you live in Israel … here are specific events to watch for. Many of these events are “signs” pre-recorded in the Hebrew scriptures to alert you.  1. To let you know HOW and by WHAT MEANS your enemies will deceive you; and, 2. To prepare you for the coming of Mashiach to Israel to establish His Kingdom.  If you are NOT Jewish, and you do not live in Israel … then for sure study this info.  Prophetic events for the decade 2014 thru 2023. Intel and info to help you prepare.PLUS ... NEW Global banking info and intel on the 10 world leaders to arise.  _____________________________________  PROPHETIC CALENDAR FOR ISRAEL & THE GOYIMTHE NEXT DECADE: 2014 THRU 2023WATCH FOR THESE EVENTS   New developments of international law (United Nations) and world government in association with the International Criminal Court with possible warrants for the arrests of Israeli political and military leaders. (These also work concomitantly with pressure on Bibi Netanyahu to go along with West Bank concessions to Abbas and Palestinians: A ploy endorsed secretly by Obama and Kerry for the deadline of signing by April 29, 2014.) The expansion of the global homosexual-lesbian agenda fulfilling the prophecy of Yeshua concerning conditions on Planet Earth before the appearing of Mashiach. (Brit Chadashah: “As it was in the days of Lot, so shall It be in the days of the appearing of the Son of Man.” (see Torah: Genesis Chapter 19) Civil and military strife in the confines of the Euphrates River: Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. World War III will ultimately – in the future – emerge from this area (the 6th Trumpet of Revelation: Chapter 9, verses 13-21). One-third of the world's population will be killed as a result of this war. This will NOT affect Israel now, but will in the future. The loss of critical alliance of the USA and its leadership in helping Israel. Unless the political landscape changes drastically in the USA, Israel will be “hung out to dry.” There is a lack of majority of leaders in both major political parties with real “backbone” of leadership in the USA anymore. Only a MIRACLE from G-d can change the current political climate in the USA and cause her to again be a real supporter of Israel. More control over the minds of youth in countries outside of – and opposed to – Israel. This is not just in the Palestinian camp where young people are taught to hate Jews. This is happening in Germany, USA, and other “Western” camp countries influential in Global Politics and ideology. Germany, the enabler of Naziism, hates home schooling. In the USA, the Obama administration wants to eliminate home schooling; to require all students to be in public overview so they can be taught “worldview” without religious contradiction: tolerance and political correctness. The political, psychological and sociological pressures on Israel and the Jewish People in 10 more years – if not less – will be exacerbated.1 EDITOR'S NOTE: The false messiah (anti-Messiah)2, like Hitler, knows he must control the minds of youth in order to accomplish global domination. His world view must be taught in public (government controlled) school systems globally. The government must control the school systems for the world dictator to rule without opposition: politically, financially (thru entitlements and purchased votes via unions), and ideologically. Peace accord signed by April 29th. USA President Obama and Secretary of State, John Kerry, are pushing for a Middle East peace agreement to be signed between Israel and the Palestinians by April 29th. This may or may not happen; however, if it does happen – and IF it is the Seven Year Covenant spoken of by Daniel the Prophet – , the Sixth Trumpet of Revelation may occur during the first three and one-half years after signing. WHY? The Sixth Trumpet marks the beginning of the Euphrates conflict (Revelation Chapter 9:14-15) which explodes into World War III with the one-third of the human population being killed. This will make a perfect backdrop for the anti-Christ to rise to power with his promise of world peace. A future Seven Year Peace Accord is prophesied and definite! The peace accord designed by Obama-Kerry may or may not be the Seven Year Covenant which Daniel the Prophet (Tanakh: Daniel Chapter 9, verse 27) told us about. However, the New World Leader (false messiah, anti-messiah or anti-Christ) will probably rise to power as the result of the Euphrates conflict, and he will make a Seven Year Covenant (the one prophesied) between Israel and the Palestinians. We know that three and one-half years after a seven year peace treaty (covenant) is signed that the false messiah will go into the Jewish Temple and proclaim that he is god. After the BIG – prophesied – Seven Year Covenant is signed, (may NOT be in 2014) there will be two (2) distinct periods of 42 months or three and one-half years. The Jews will be allowed to rebuild their Temple on the Temple Mount. In the middle of the seven years (at the end of the first half) the World Leader (the “Beast” or anti-Messiah) will order the Jews to stop the animal sacrifices and he will go into the Temple and commit an abomination (proclaim that he is God and/or Messiah). See Tanakh: Daniel 8:9-14, Daniel 9:27 and Brit Chadashah: Revelation 11:2, 13:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4. EDITOR'S NOTE: Be aware that in the midst (in between) the events I have described happening for the next decade (2014 thru 2013) the following events MAY also happen: 1. A Middle East war that will place Israel in control of the whole Middle East. A war between Israel and all of the Middle East MAY happen, not just bordering Arab states like Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. Israel will "fly down upon the shoulder of the Philistines (the Palestinians) to the west". In context Israel will strike against Egypt and Iraq (Assyria) and "plunder the people of the East." Israel MAY control these nations, and evidently, their wealth as a result of the plundering. Lexicographically, the "people of the East" include the Arab nations of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, and others. Notice that most prophecy teachers will NOT cover this as it is NOT “general” enough to protect them if it does NOT take place. They may make a partial allusion to this conflict by reference to Psalm 83 with expanded hyperbole! You may study specifics about this conflict by clicking on the link in the paragraph above. 2. The Ezekiel 38 conflict. See what Ezekiel is saying to us TODAY. Russia, Turkey, Iran and other Middle East and North East African nations will form an alliance to attack Israel. This we know for sure. Realize that BEFORE the LORD wipes out the Magog Alliance on the hills of Israel (Ezekiel 38 and 39), there is an attack planned upon Israel by Iran. This is evident by Iranian posture and declarations, by Intel, and by present geopolitical climate. This attack is imminent. 3. An unexpected attack upon the USA or Israel by Asian / Eastern power(s). In the last days their will be a major military, political, and economic force that arises from the East. This could include present day Iraq, Syria, Eastern Turkey, the southern steppes of Russia (from the former USSR), Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, or North Korea. This force may be an amalgamation of national and cultural social interests flowing together for advancement, protection, control and power. 4. Cosmic “signs” that may appear. (NOTE: These are NOT what Yeshua was talking about in Matthew 24:29 when he was quoting Joel 2:31.)  Red blood moons and other signs associated with the Jewish feasts and holidays: Passover, April 15, 2014Feast of Tabernacles, October 8, 2014Passover, April 4, 2015Feast of Tabernacles, September 28, 2015 These four Red Blood Moons are known as "Tetrads" and have appeared in coordination with Jewish Feast Days of Passover and Tabernacles three (3) times in the last 500 years, so they may definitely be something to consider as signs dealing with Israel. Each of these three times were during times of persecution and / or attack on the Jews or Israel and MAY be future prophetic indicators. 1493-94 (After the Spanish Inquistion in 1492 under King Ferdinand in Spain.)1949-50 (After Israel won the Arab - Israeli War of Independence in 1948.)1967-68 (After the Six Day War won by Israel in 1967.) POST NOTE: The April 15 "Red Blood Moon" mentioned above March 27, 2014, appeared as scheduled April 15, 2014. Here are several photos taken by people in different countries where it could be seen: PHOTOS OF BLOOD RED MOON APRIL 15, 2014. Check out, "Your Views of the Blood Moon" #22.   5. Judgment upon Egypt with the Nile River drying up. Three places in the Tanakh (the Old Testament), the scriptures speak of the Nile River being dried up because of judgment from the LORD. This has NOT happened yet: Isaiah 19:5, Ezekiel 30:12, and Zechariah 10:11. Equalization of the nations of the world with unequal wealth distribution. WhileMarxists and socialists like Obama propagate “wealth distribution,”9 the truth is that they (the ones who promote the concept) are on the “wealth gleaning”9 side of the equation. Fact: 83 members of Communist China's National People's Congress (NPC) are billionaires in terms of US Dollars.3Ask Barack and Michelle Obama what percentage of their income they gave to charity! The poorer and less educated populace in socialist dominated countries are coerced, propagandized or bought off in a tradeoff of “votes for handouts.” The scriptures prophesy global equalization to facilitate One World Government. Just as Global (one-world) Religion and Global (one-world) Economic System are necessary for control of the populace, so is Global (one-world) Government. World domination is contingent upon the evolution or formation of a Global Elite sector: a small group of people … extremely wealthy9 and powerful … who control political and economic sectors. You can read about such control in Revelation Chapter 18, and notice there are 21 specific – literal – commodities listed. Study “Babylon, the Enemy of Israel, Exposed – Part 1” and “Babylon, the Enemy of Israel, Exposed – Part 2.” GFC4 – FSB5 – G-SIB6 – BIS7 – OPMF8 are synonyms for International cooperation for a Super Bank that controls ALL central banks. Talk about inflation? You haven't seen anything yet! See Prince Handley's prophecy of a Global Financial Collapse dated Tuesday, May 6, 2008. The Global Financial Crisis of 2008 will pale in comparison to what you see happen next. This conglomeration will produce a windfall of “false money” – money that is stolen from the public – resulting in a cycle of endless and greater financial controls that will prepare the way for The Mark of the Beast: 666. EDITOR'S NOTE: 1. A one-world currency is NOT necessary for the New Global Economy prophesied by the Holy Bible … only Global Financial Control. 2. Also, do NOT put long range trust in gold as it may be regulated in the future. Put your trust in the G-d of Israel. 3. Use your credit cards and enjoy them, but realize that each new innovation in card / credit technology is one more step closer to control that will be ultimately utilized by the Global System of The Beast. Hyper inflation9 or stagflation will create economic havoc for most of the population. Recent gains in the stock market (Dow at 17,000) create a false sense of security among investors. As our money loses value due to government printing false money (increasing money supply or “quantitative easing”), prices go UP … and so do stocks! The stock market is NOT gaining value … our money is losing value! The economy is about to fall apart. The Federal Reserve Board knows this. The Fed is simply “propping up” the economy by “quantitative easing” and low interest rates. The new head of the Fed, Janet Yellen, is in complete agreement with the Obama strategy of injecting more than $3 Trillion Dollars of “stimulus funds” into the economy. EDITOR'S NOTE:: While in graduate school I worked for the Federal Reserve Bank twice. There was NO privacy then, so don't think there is now! Technology and Super Science. Development of world's fastest WiFi in Israel. Wilocity, located in Caesarea, Israel, is delivering the world's first multi-gigabit wireless chipsets based on the new WiGig 60GHz and IEEE802.11ad standards for super high-speed downloads, docking, networking, and high definition video at over 10x today's typical Wi-Fi transmission rates. Almost 25 times faster than the highest home internet speeds. You can download a two hour HD movie in just over two minutes, run 14 devices simultaneously, or download 10 songs in 1.5 seconds. The potential to propagate the Good News of Messiah and the Word of the LORD globally is exponentially increasing in these Last Days. “But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” (Tanakh: Daniel 12:4)   WHAT TO WATCH FOR PROBABLYAFTER THE NEXT DECADEA KEY ENDTIME GEOPOLITICO SCENARIO Ten national leaders – heads of governments – will arise during the same time period. These ten world leaders will receive power during the same time period as the coming World Leader (“The Beast”). The ten leaders will have “one mind” and will give their power and strength unto the false messiah, the anti-Christ (“The Beast”). These ten world leaders will have power on earth, but they are NOT from the earth.11 They are extra-terrestrial creatures. How do we know? Revelation 17:14 says, “These shall (at the very end of the last three and one-half years) make war with The Lamb.” The Lamb is Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus, the Messiah) who will come to deliver Israel at the Battle of Armageddon. No earthly king or leader could oppose the Messiah when he returns. Only stupid demonic beings of the “spirit” world who follow Satan would attempt such an act. The ANSWER: Make sure you know the Messiah. Do NOT wait until the spirit of deception10prophesied in the Holy Bible overtakes you and you can no longer be saved. Pray this prayer: “God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, please reveal to me if Yeshua (Jesus) is my Messiah. If so, I ask Him to take control of my life – to be my Lord . Please save me. Forgive my sins and help me to live for You … and take me to Heaven when I die. Amen!” Baruch haba b'Shem Adonai. Your friend, Prince HandleyPresident / RegentUniversity of Excellence Copyright © Prince Handley 2014All rights reserved.    ______________________________________________  If you feel the LORD would like you to help Prince Handleydeliver the message of Good News to Israel and the world,   A TAX DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT WILL BE SENT TO YOU______________________________________________   FOOTNOTES: Romeike vs. Holder. http://www.eagleforum.org/projects/courtwatch/romeike-homeschooling-case.html False messiah, anti-Messiah, the Beast: Tanakh: Daniel Chapter 9 (verse 27), Daniel Chapter 11 (verse 31), Daniel Chapter 12 (verse 11); and, Brit Chadashah: Matiyahu Chapter 24 (verse 15), Revelation Chapter 13 (verses 1 thru 10). The USA has only one billionaire in politics: Michael Bloomberg of New York. GFC. Global Financial Crisis with primary manifestation in 2008 (originated in 2007) and accelerated by corrupt government buyouts of failing institutions, especially in USA. FSB. Financial Stability Board created in 2008 by the G20 countries to regulate and control the international financial system. G-SIB. 29 Globally Systematically Important Banks. The biggest internationally connected banks to be favored and protected in time of economic crisis (even if embezzlement, corruption and mismanagement are the facilitators). BIS. Bank of International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland. Acts as a SUPER bank for ALL individual country central banks. OPMF. Outright Permanent Money Finance. This will create giant, immoral, unethical money transfers and a greater disparity in wealth distribution. Money can be created out of nowhere (like USA present Fed policy of “quantitative easing”) and given to governments. This, of course, magnanimously decreases the value of your money. (More supply … less demand or value.) Inflation and wealth distribution with wealth gleaning on the top end. Economic disruption. The problem is NOT famine, but inflation and scarcity. Revelation 6:5-6. Spirit of deception prophesied in the Holy Bible. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11. Ten national leaders that arise during the Time of the End. The development of a hybrid species in the end times – through which the anti-Christ MAY derive his submissive leadership core– could well be the result of fallen spirit forces (demons) facilitating the same, rather than aliens from another planet.These fallen spirit forces (demons) may be from extra-dimensional time-space: not from other planets, but from a megaverse (outside our traditonal concept of space-time continuum). See “2014 Boolean Blog: Israel and the Four F's of the Last Days,” by Prince Handley. (Scroll down to the section on “Fallen spirits.”)   Podcast time: 20 minutes, 58 seconds.   Copyright 2014 Prince HandleyAll rights reserved  __________  24/7 Prince Handley BLOGS, teachings, and podcastsClick the Dove above_______________World ServicesBox ADowney, California 90241 USA     University of Excellence http://www.uofe.org/Prince Handley Portal http://www.princehandley.comSubscribe to The Healing and Miracle Podcast here: SUBSCRIBESubscribe to The Voice of Israel Podcast here: SUBSCRIBEHealing and Miracle Podcast: http://www.healing.libsyn.comVoice of Israel Podcast: http://www.podcastsatellite.libsyn.com/Rabbinical Studies: http://www.realmiracles.com/rabbinical.htmIsrael News and Prophecy: http://www.podcastsatellite.com/If you need healing, deliverance, or prayer, email to: princehandley@gmail.com  

In the early 1820's most of Italy was still ruled by the same men who had squared off against Napoleon - Grand Duke Ferdinand in Tuscany, King Ferdinand in Naples, and Pope Pius VII in the Papal States. King Victor Emmanuel I had abdicated in 1821 and his brother Charles Felix was now king, but they were men cut from the same cloth, so Piedmont still had a decidedly pre-Napoleonic mindset. There will be a changing of the guard, and by 1831 all of these men will be dead and gone, replaced with new rulers who will be some of the key players in the Italian Unification. We're also going to see another wave of revolutions in that break out in 1831, and which will meet much the same fate as those in 1820 and 21.

The Spanish Inquisition has cast a long shadow in the public imagination, with Inquisitors playing the role of villain on stage and screen. But what was the Inquisition-really? Established in 1480 to deal with heresies under King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, the Spanish Inquisition was a highly regulated institution with enormous political and legal power whose influence reached all the way to the Americas for over three hundred years. Guest Miriam Bodian from UT’s Department of History separates truth from legend and reveals the intricacies of the Inquisition’s processes and inner workings.

This episode is titled Point – Counter Point and details The Catholic Reformation.We've spent the last several episodes considering the Protestant Reformation of the 16th C. The tendency is to assume the Roman Church just dug in its heels in obdurate opposition to the Protestants. While the 17th C will indeed see much blood shed between the religious factions of Europe, it would be wrong to assume the Roman Church of the early decades of the Reformation was immediately adversarial. Don't forget that all the early Reformers were members of and usually priests in the Roman Church. And reform was something many had called for a long time prior to Luther's break. The Conciliar Movement we talked about some episodes back was an attempt at reform, at least of the hierarchy of the church, if not some of its doctrine. Spain was a center of the call for Reform within the church. But Luther's rift with Rome, and the floodgate it opened put the Roman Church on the defensive and caused it to respond aggressively. That response was what's called the Catholic Counter-Reformation. But that title can be misleading if one assumes the Catholic Church became only more hide-bound in reaction to the Protestants. Several important reforms were made in the way the Church was run. And Protestant theology urged Catholic theologians to tighten up some of theirs.I like the way one historian describes the 16th C in Europe. If the 16th C was likened to a football game, with every 25 years representing a quarter, by the end of the 1st quarter, the Protestants were winning 7 to 0.By halftime, it was Protestants 35, Roman Catholics 7By the end of the 3rd quarter its 42-35 in favor of the Protestants.But by the end of the game, it's 42 to 45 in favor of the Catholics.I apologize to our European listeners who find American Football a mystery. Don't worry, many Americans do as well.The point is—Protestants had some quick gains, but by the end of the 16th C, largely because of the Jesuits, the Roman Church had recouped many of its losses and had gone on to a revitalized church and faith.When Rome realized the seriousness of the Protestant challenge, it mobilized its spiritual warriors = The Society of Jesus, better knowns as the Jesuits. They convened a new and militant council and reformed the machinery of Church Hierarchy. Faced with the rebellion of half of Europe, Catholicism rolled back the tide of Protestantism until by the end of the 16th C it was limited to the northern third of Europe.Well before Luther posted his theses on Wittenberg's castle-church door, an aristocratic group at Rome had formed a pious brotherhood called the Oratory of Divine Love. They had a vision for reformation of both Church and Society but one that began within the individual soul.The Oratory was never larger than fifty members, yet had huge influence. It provoked reform in the old monastic orders and contributed leaders to the Church of Rome as it laid plans for a general council to deal with internal reform and the emerging Protestant movement. Among the members of the Oratory who later emerged as significant figures were Sadoleto, who debated with Calvin; Reginald Pole, who tried under Bloody Mary to turn England back to Rome; and Pietro Caraffa, who became Pope Paul IV.But throughout the 1520s and 30s, when the Protestants were making their most rapid advancements, the Catholic Church took no real steps toward reform. The reason was political. The changes that needed to be made had to be settled in a Council and Emperor Charles V and popes fought a running battle over the calling of that Council. The feud lasted twenty years. They couldn't agree on where it was to be held, who would be invited, nor what the agenda would be. All these had far-reaching consequence. So the Council was never called; and the reforms it might have adopted were delayed.There were all kinds of other intrigues between the Emperor and Popes as Charles waged war with what were supposed to be Catholic kings and rulers beholden to the Pope. At one point, Charles ordered his troops to march on Rome. In May 1527, when their commanders were killed, Spanish and German mercenaries stormed Rome and pillaged, plundered, and murdered for weeks. The pope took refuge in the Castle of St. Angelo, but finally had to surrender and endure half a year of imprisonment. Many saw this sack of Rome as evidence of how out of hand things had gotten. They took it as a manifestation of divine judgment, enhancing the need and call for reform.Reform came with the arrival of Pope Paul III in 1534. He was a most unlikely candidate for spiritual leadership. He had four children. But the sack of Rome sobered him. He realized time had come for reform to begin in the House of God. He started where he felt a change of heart was most urgently needed, in the College of Cardinals. He appointed a number of advocates for reform. Among them, leaders of the Oratory of Divine Love. Pope Paul then appointed nine of the new cardinals to a commission on reform. The head of the commission promoted an agenda that included reconciliation with the Protestants and a return to the faith of the Apostles; radical ideas indeed!In 1537, after a wide-ranging study of conditions in the Church of Rome, the commission issued its official report. Titled, Advice … Concerning the Reform of the Church, it said disorder in the Church could be traced directly to the need for reform. The papal office was far too worldly. Both popes and cardinals needed to give more attention to spiritual matters and stop dabbling in secular pursuits. Bribery in high places, abuses of indulgences, evasion of church law, prostitution in Rome, these and other offenses must cease.Pope Paul took action on several of the recommendations in the report, but his most significant response was a call for a General Council of the Church. After intense negotiations he agreed with Emperor Charles V on a location for the assembly, a town in northern Italy under imperial control called Trent.Even then, however, no Council assembled for years, because King Francis I of France did everything he could to prevent it. In his lust for control of Europe, Francis feared a council would strengthen Charles's hand. He even incited the Turks against the Emperor. Two wars between Francis and Charles delayed the opening of a Council until 1545, almost three decades after Luther's hammer sounded on Wittenberg's door.By 1545, reform at Rome was on the rise. Pope Paul's new rigor was apparent in the institution of the Roman Inquisition and an official Index of Prohibited Books—works that any Catholic risked eternal damnation by reading. All the books of the Reformers were listed, as well as Protestant Bibles. For many years in Spain, merely possessing one of the banned books was punishable by death. The Index was kept up to date until 1959 and was finally abolished by Pope Paul VI.In Catholic Spain, reform preceded the arrival of Martin Luther in Germany. The euphoria at evicting the Muslims in the Reconquista, coupled with devotion to medieval piety and mysticism fueled reform. When Queen Isabella began her rule in 1474, she brought a heart to reform Spanish Catholicism and quickly gained papal approval for her plan. Cardinal Francisco Jimenez, archbishop of Toledo, was Isabella's main supporter in reorganizingthe Church. Jimenez and Isabella embarked on a campaign to cleanse corruption and immorality from the monasteries and convents of Spain. They required renewal of monastic vows, enforced poverty among clergy, and emphasized the necessity of an educated priesthood.Believing the key to effective leadership was high standards for scholarship, they founded the University of Alcala, outside Madrid, which became a center of Spanish religious and literary life. The University was instrumental in publishing a new multilingual edition of the Bible, which included Hebrew, Greek, and the Latin Vulgate—in parallel columns.The Spanish Reformation, like the Protestants who formed break away groups all over Europe during the 16th C, knew little of the idea we enjoy today of religious toleration.  We'll talk more about his in an upcoming episode as we look at the European Wars of Religion. The Pope gave Isabella and her husband, King Ferdinand, authority to use the Inquisition to enforce compliance with church doctrine and practices. The Jews were special victims of Spanish intolerance. In 1492, the Spanish crown decreed all Jews must either accept Christian baptism or leave Spanish territories. Over 200,000 Jews fled Spain as a result, losing land, possessions, and in some cases, lives. The crown passed similar laws aimed at Muslim Moors. Jimenez, now the Grand Inquisitor, ruthlessly pursued their forced conversion.In 1521, the year Luther stood before the Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms, a Spanish nobleman was fighting in the Emperor's army against the French. A cannon-ball shattered one of his legs. During a long and painful recovery, bored to tears, he picked up a couple inspirational books popular at the time. One was on the lives of the saints and the other a life of Christ. The long process toward his conversion had begun.Weary of the army, he entered the Benedictine abbey of Montserrat, where he exchanged his nobleman's clothes for a simple pilgrim's smock and turned in his sword and dagger. For nearly a year, in the little town of Manresa, thirty miles north of Barcelona, he gave himself to an austere life of begging door to door, wearing a barbed girdle, and fasting for days at a time. A dark depression settled over his soul. He considered suicide. Then he had what many a mystic has known—a spiritual breakthrough so intense it felt like an incandescent illumination. A wave of ecstasy engulfed him and Ignatius Loyola, became, in his own words, “another man.”In an attempt to hang on to what he'd gained, Loyola produced a plan for spiritual discipline, a kind of spiritual military manual for Christian storm-troopers dedicated to the Pope. The result was the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, the greatest force in Catholicism's campaign to recapture the territory, both literal and spiritual, lost to the Protestants.It was the reforming Pope Paul III, who approved Loyola's new Society of Jesus. The daring soldiers of Christ promised the Pope they'd go wherever he sent them; whether that was to the Turks, the New World, or the Lutherans.While a youth, Ignatius left his home in the castle of Loyola near the Pyrenees and entered the court of a noble family friend. There he grew into something of a “playboy” who spent his days playing military games, reading popular romances, and his nights pursuing the local girls. Then he went off to war, and everything changed.After his recovery and time at Manresa, Ignatius came to a very different conclusion about man's spiritual condition to that arrived at by Martin Luther. Luther was convinced the human will is enslaved; man cannot save himself. Only God can deliver him. Loyola came to the belief man has the power to choose between God and satan. By the disciplined use of his imagination man can strengthen his will to choose God and his ways. That strengthening comes through the spiritual disciplines Loyola devised.One of his spiritual exercises aimed to make the horrors of hell real. Loyola wrote - “Hear in your imagination the shrieks and groans and blasphemous shouts against Christ our Lord and all the saints. Smell the fumes of sulfur and the stench of filth and corruption. Taste all the bitterness of tears and melancholy and growing conscience. Feel the heat of the flames that play on and burn the souls.” The same technique, of course, could be used to represent the beauties of the Nativity or the glories of heaven. By proper discipline, Ignatius said, the imagination could strengthen the will and teach it to cooperate with God's grace.Ignatius concluded that fully surrendering to God meant more education. He entered a school in Barcelona to sit with students half his age to study Latin, then threw himself into a year of courses at the University of Alcala. Out of it came his conviction learning must be organized to be useful. The idea eventually grew into the Jesuits' famed plan of studies, which measured out heavy but manageable doses of the classics, humanities, and sciences.Ignatius became such a fervent advocate for his views, the Inquisition examined him more than once about his theology. Disturbed they'd question his devotion, he left for Paris, where he spent seven years at the university, and became “Master Ignatius.” He gathered around him the first of his companions: including the young Spanish nobleman, Francis Xavier; not the leader of the X-Men. This guy was a lot older and not a mutant.Ignatius shared with these men his program for sainthood, called the Spiritual Exercises. A review of his religious experiences following his conversion, the Exercises prescribe several periods or phases of intense meditation on various aspects of Faith and Practice.Ignatius charted a path to spiritual perfection that included,Rigorous examination of the consciencePenance, andA rejection of guilt once God's forgiveness was given. The Exercises became the basis of every Jesuit's spirituality. Later popes prescribed them for candidates for ordination, and Catholic retreats applied them to lay groups.In 1540, Pope Paul III approved the, at-that-time, small Society of Jesus as a new religious order. Following Ignatius' metaphor, they were chivalrous spiritual soldiers of Jesus. Adopting the military theme, they were mobile, versatile, ready to go anywhere and perform any task the Pope assigned. As a recognized order, they added to their earlier vows of poverty and chastity the traditional vow of obedience to their superiors and a fourth vow of special loyalty to the pope. They were governed by a Superior General elected for life. Their choice for the first General was of course, Ignatius.The aim of the order was simple: To restore the Roman Catholic Church to the position of spiritual power and influence it had held three centuries before under Innocent III. Everything was subordinated to the Church of Rome because Ignatius believed firmly that the living Christ resided in the institutional church exclusively.One of the most fascinating feature of the Jesuits was their attempt to live in the world without being of it. Loyola wanted them to be all things to all men. They almost succeeded.That first generation under Loyola's leadership rode at a full gallop into their new assignments which were to convert the heathen and re-convert Protestants. Francis Xavier went to India, then Southeast Asia, and all the way to Japan. More than any others, the Society of Jesus stemmed, and at times reversed, the tide of Protestantism in Europe. When Ignatius died in 1556, his order was a thousand strong and had dispatched its apostles to four continents. By anyone's reckoning, that's an amazing feat.No mission of that first generation of Jesuits proved more decisive than the part they played in the Council of Trent from 1545 to 63. Only thirty-one council fathers led by three papal legates were present for the opening ceremonies of the council. None of them could have guessed their modest beginning would lead to the most important Council between Nicea in 325 and Vatican II in 1962. Under the influence of two Jesuits, Trent developed into a powerful weapon of the Counter-Reformation.The council fathers met in three main sessions.The 1st was from 1545–47,The 2nd from 1551–52, andThe last from 1562–63. During the second series of sessions several Protestants were present, but nothing came of it. From start to finish the Council reflected the new militant stance of Rome.While there are points of agreement between Catholic and Protestant theology on many issues, the distinctive doctrines of the Protestant Reformation, things like sola scriptura and sola fide were vigorously rejected at Trent.While the Reformers stressed salvation by grace alone; the Council of Trent emphasized grace AND human cooperation with God to avoid, in Loyola's terms, “the poison that destroys freedom.” Ignatius advised, “Pray as though everything depended on God alone but act as though it depended on you alone whether you will be saved.”Protestants taught the religious authority of Scripture alone. Trent insisted on the supreme teaching office of the Roman popes and bishops, as essential-interpreters of the Bible and sole-arbiters on what constitute Biblical Orthodoxy.Trent guaranteed Roman Catholicism would be governed by a collaboration between God and man. The Pope remained, seven sacraments were retained, and the doctrine of transubstantiation was affirmed. Saints, confessions, and indulgences all stayed.After four centuries, we look back to the Reformation Era and see the unity of Western Christendom was permanently shattered. Men and women in Loyola's lifetime did not see that truth. The fact dawned on Europe slowly. It would paint the Continent red in the following Century.

This episode of CS is the 3rd Overview in the series so far.We've spent quite a bit of time tracking the Reformation and need now to give a brief overview and analysis of what we've seen as we prepare for launching into the next era of Church History.There's a well-worn saying in English I'm not sure other languages duplicate. It says that “you can't see the forest for the trees.” The idea is that details can obscure the bigger picture. You fail to see a forest because all you see is a lot of trees.As we've spent many episodes tracking the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, we may be so distracted by all the names, places, dates and movements, we miss the larger picture and the summary effect of all this on the people of 16th C.Trends from the previous century came to fruition in the 16th that made for a monumental shift in people's idea of what The Church was. Consider a couple of the things that happened in the 15th C.Constantinople fell to the Turks in 1453.The New World was opened to Europe at the close of the Century. Till then, European Christians felt hemmed in by Muslims to the S and E, and by the Atlantic to the W. Missions were conceived of almost exclusively as the conversion of Muslims. Challenges to Christianity were pretty much limited to the threat of an aggressive Islam. That view seemed potent when news of the Fall of Constantinople washed over Western Europe.Yet in the hundred years of the 16th C, the situation changed dramatically. To the E and S, Islam was countered by the Spanish Reconquista and the failure of the Turks to take Vienna. The Battle of Lepanto in 1571 saw the end of Muslim naval power in the Mediterranean. Muslims armies, which had seemed irresistible till then, began to roll back.Then, the Atlantic, once an impassable barrier, suddenly became a highway. New worlds opened with the discovery of The New World. Sailing W, Spanish conquistadors conquered a realm far larger than their homeland.The Portuguese sailed S around Africa, setting up trade centers and missions in the Far East. And Islam, which had appeared the greatest barrier to Christian expansion, saw its main territory surrounded by the growing economic and military power of Europe. North Africa and western Asia shifted from being Muslim realms to European colonies.In all these lands newly opened to Europeans, Christianity established a foothold. Some of them would centuries later become their own vibrant center of missionary outreach at a time when Europe was growing increasingly secular.But, few who lived in the 15th C could comprehend the massive consequences of the events they witnessed. When Spain and Portugal came near to blows over who had the rights to what, the pope thought he could work a compromise by decreeing the W belonged to Spain while the E belonged to Portugal. But what about when sailing W leads to the E, and vice versa? The inevitable conflict was played out in the Philippines.King Ferdinand of Spain and his grandson, the famous Emperor Charles V, before whom Luther appeared at the Diet of Worms, were far more concerned with the politics of Europe than the promises of a New World. That would be like a company in the Year 2000 being more concerned with the telegraph than mobile cellphones.During the 16th C, when these vast geopolitical changes were taking place, the towering edifice of medieval Christianity collapsed. The Council of Trent tried to salvage what it could and set the scene for what became modern Catholicism. Protestantism diffused into dozens of groups amid the ruins of the medieval Church. The long-held ideal of a single church, with the vicar of Christ as its visible head, never a view held by the Eastern Church, lost its power in the West as well. From then on, Western Christianity was divided among a plethora of groups divided up along cultural and doctrinal differences.In spite of corruption and the many voices calling for reform, there was agreement among Christians the Church was in essence one, and its unity ought to be manifest in its organization. Most chief figures of the Reformation at first held such an understanding of the Church. Only a few rejected it. Most Protestant leaders believed the unity of the Church was crucial to its nature, and that although it was temporarily necessary to break unity to be faithful to God's Word, that faithfulness demanded all effort at regaining unity.As in the Middle Ages, people of the early 16th C took for granted that the survival of a nation-state required religious agreement among its subjects. That notion, which Christians rejected when a minority in the old Roman Empire, became the prevailing view after the conversion of Constantine. All who lived in a Christian state must be Christian and faithful members of THE Church. A bare-few places allowed Jews and Muslims to live among them but only as a lower-class, disenfranchised and persecuted.This view of national and concomitant religious uniformity is what led to the many wars of religion of the 16th and 17th Cs. Then, in some areas sooner than others, a conclusion was reached that religious tolerance was preferable to the devastation these wars brought. So began the long process, as one after another the various European states adopted policies of religious tolerance. That produced the modern idea of the secular state.The 16th C also witnessed the collapse of the ancient dream of political unity under an Empire. Charles V was the last emperor who would harbor such illusions. After him, the so-called emperors were little more than kings of Germany with limited power.The Conciliarist hope of reforming the Church was also shaken. For several decades, Protestant reformers hoped a universal council would set the pope's house in order. But the opposite took place. The papacy achieved its own reformation without help from a council.  By the time the Council of Trent met, it was obvious it wouldn't be an ecumenical council so much as a papal tool.Sincere believers, both Protestant and Catholic, saw many of the old certainties crumble around them. Discoveries taking place in the New World posed questions unanswerable by the old guidelines. Medieval foundations like papacy, empire, and tradition, no longer held. As Galileo had demonstrated the Earth wasn't a fixed point of reference, now it seemed there was NO fixed point to be trusted.Such were the times of Erasmus, Luther, Calvin, Knox, and the other great reformers. While the world was in chaos, they resolved to stand firm in Faith and the power of the Word of God. Luther and Calvin insisted that the power of the Word was such that, as long as the Roman Church continued reading, even though the pope and his advisors refused to listen, there was always in the Roman communion a “vestige of the church.” So they anticipated the day when the Church would once again cleave to the Word and set aside their differences to emerge in a united church once more.

This episode of CS is titled is titled “English Candles.”We've spent the last several episodes looking at the Reformation & Counter-Reformation in Europe. In this episode we'll take a look at how the Reformation unfolded, specifically in England.The story of the Church in England is an interesting one. The famous, or infamous, Henry the VIII was king of England when Luther set fire to the kindling of the Reformation. Posturing as a bulwark of Catholic orthodoxy, Henry wrote a refutation of Luther's position in 1521 titled “Defense of the Seven Sacraments” and was rewarded by Pope Leo X with the august title, Defender of the Faith. Ironic then that only about a decade later, Henry would hijack the church, officially ousting the Pope as head of the Church IN England and making himself head of the Church OF England.What makes the story of these years in England so interesting is the marital & political shenanigans Henry VIII played. The intrigues played out for the thrones of Spain, France & England all make for the best drama and most people don't realize that so many of the famous names of history all lived right at this time and knew each other, at least by reputation. If the story was a movie dreamed up in Hollywood, most would consider it too far-fetched.Without getting into the minutiae of the details of Henry's multiple marriages, it was his lust for power & desire to produce a son & heir that motivated him marry, divorce, re-marry and do it all over again. Henry persuaded the Pope to allow him to marry his sister-in-law, that is, his dead brother's wife, Catherine of Aragon, herself the daughter of Queen Isabella & King Ferdinand of Spain, sponsors of Christopher Columbus. Catherine gave Henry a daughter named Mary but no sons. So Henry put her aside and married his mistress, the vivacious & opinionated Anne Boleyn.In order to set Catherine aside so he could wed Anne, Henry had to persuade the Pope, who had taken some persuading to allow him to marry Catherine in the first place, to annul that marriage, saying he ought never have been allowed to marry her in the first place. The archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer was employed by Henry to put pressure on Rome to grant the annulment. But Pope Clement VII wouldn't budge. So in 1531, Henry announced to the clergy they were from then on to look to him as the head of the Church in England. It's at that point we may say that the Church IN England, became the Church OF England.For the next few years, there was effectively little difference between Roman Catholicism and what later came to be called Anglicanism. But under Thomas Cranmer's guidance, the Church of England began a halting process of departure from its Roman past.It seems this departure can be assigned in part to Anne Boleyn. A woman of astute intellect & firm convictions, she found much merit in the Reformed position and had a hand in seeing Thomas Cranmer appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury.Cranmer is an interesting figure. He seems in his early years to vacillate in his opinions and comes off as being anything but the stalwart bulldog of protestant ideals, as a Luther or Calvin. Yet, he went to the stake at the end of his life rather than recant his most dearly held beliefs. And what he did in the Church of England was truly remarkable.Once the break with Rome came, Cranmer quietly set about to install the Reformation ideas of Calvin in England. He didn't really do much while Henry VIII sat the throne but as soon as his reform-minded son Edward became king, he went to work in earnest.Cranmer was born in Nottinghamshire and attended Cambridge, where he was ordained a priest. He threw himself into his studies, becoming an outstanding theologian, a man of immense, though not original, learning. In 1520, he joined other scholars who met regularly to discuss Luther's theological revolt in Europe.Cranmer's theological leanings remained merely academic until he was drawn into the politics of the day. In August 1529, King Henry VIII happened to be in a neighborhood Cranmer was visiting, and he ended up conversing with the king. Henry was trying to figure out how to divorce Catherine so he could wed Anne Boleyn. Impressed with Cranmer's reasoning, Henry commanded Cranmer to write a treatise backing the king's right to divorce and then made Cranmer one of his European ambassadors.It was in this capacity that Cranmer made a trip to Germany, where he met the Lutheran reformer Andreas Osiander, and his niece, Margaret. Both Osiander's theology and niece so appealed to Cranmer, despite his vow to celibacy, he married Margaret in 1532. Because of the complex political situation in England, he kept this a secret.In August 1532, the aged archbishop of Canterbury died, and by March of the next year, Cranmer was consecrated as the new archbishop. Cranmer immediately declared the king's marriage to Catherine void & the king's previously secret union w/Anne Boleyn valid.Cranmer advocated the policy of royal absolutism, or what is popularly known as The Divine Right of Kings. Cranmer said his primary duty was to obey the king, God's chosen, to lead his nation and Church. Time and again in Henry's rocky reign, Cranmer was ordered to support religious policies of which he personally disapproved, and he always obeyed the king. And for this, Cranmer has been labeled a vacillator, a waffler – a leader of uncertain loyalty and fidelity to the Lord. Let's hold off judging that judgment till we see his end.In 1536, he became convinced, he said, by questionable evidence, that Anne had committed adultery, and he invalidated the marriage. In 1540, he ruled Henry's proposed marriage to Anne of Cleves was lawful—and when Henry sought a divorce from her just 6 months later, Cranmer approved it on the grounds the original marriage was unlawful!We'd be wise to be careful of assigning the archbishop the title of lackey. Yes, his flip-flopping on Henry's marital life is distressing, but given what we know about the King, what would have happened if he'd opposed his wishes? He'd have quickly been shorted by about 9 inches and Henry would have appointed a replacement bishop who gave him what he wanted. Cranmer had important work to do in reforming the Church of England and understood he was uniquely positioned to do it. Yeah, Henry VIII was a piece of work. But Cranmer was installing reforms in the Church that would make sure future kings couldn't get away with what Henry was getting away with. Though he bent to the king's will regarding his marital state, time and again, Cranmer alone of all Henry's advisers pleaded for the lives of people who fell out of royal favor, like Sir Thomas More, Anne Boleyn, and Thomas Cromwell. He even publicly argued against Henry's Six Articles, which were aimed at moving England back into the Roman Church. Then, in an apparent sign of weakness, when the Six Articles were approved by Parliament, he went along with the king's policies. But again. What else could he do?Some would say he ought to have stood strong, like Luther at the Diet of Worms. But if he had, it's debatable if the Church of England would have become the Anglican Church. And lest we assume that Henry was just an tyrannical spoiled brat who happened to be king, he intervened on Cranmer behalf when court politics threatened the archbishop's position and life. It was Cranmer Henry asked for on his deathbed.With Henry's death & his sons Edward VI ascension to the throne in 1547, Cranmer's time arrived. The young king's guardian, Edward Seymour, began to make the Church of England determinedly Protestant. Cranmer took the chief role in directing doctrinal matters. He published his Homilies In 1547, which required all clergy to preach sermons emphasizing Reformed doctrine. He composed the first Book of Common Prayer which was only moderately Protestant, in 1549, then followed it up in 1552 by a 2nd edition that was more clearly Protestant. Cranmer also produced the Forty-Two Articles a year later. This was a set of doctrinal statements that moved the Church of England even further in a Reformed, and I mean Calvinist direction.These documents became critical to the formation of Anglicanism, and the Book of Common Prayer (BCP), though revised over the years, still retains Cranmer's distinctive stamp and is used by millions of Anglicans worldwide.When Edward VI died in 1553, Cranmer supported his cousin, the Lady Jane Grey as the new sovereign. She was even more reform minded than Edward had been. While monarch, Edward had changed the rules of succession to ensure she'd receive the crown, and his older half-sister Mary Tudor, as the daughter of Catherine of Aragon, a staunch Roman Catholic, from gaining the throne. But Lady Jane Grey was deposed in only 9 days, and Mary triumphantly entered London.Parliament immediately repealed Henry VIII and Edward VI acts and reintroduced the pro-Catholic heresy laws. Mary's government began a relentless campaign against Protestants. Cranmer was charged with treason and imprisoned in November 1553. After spending nearly 2 years in prison, Cranmer was subjected to a long, tedious trial. The foregone verdict was reached in February 1556, and in a ceremony carefully designed to humiliate him, Cranmer was degraded from his church offices and handed over to be burned at the stake. He was just one of thousands of Protestants to know Queen Mary's fury, earning her the title Bloody Mary.Cranmer's long imprisonment and harsh treatment combined to weaken his resolve. Hoping to avoid the stake, he became convinced he should submit to a Catholic ruler and repudiate his reforms. He signed a document that said, “I confess and believe in one, holy, catholic visible church; I recognize as its supreme head upon earth the bishop of Rome, pope and vicar of Christ, to whom all the faithful are bound subject.”Even with this confession in hand, the Royal Court & Parliament believed Cranmer had to be punished for the havoc he'd wreaked on the Church. The plan was still to burn him at the stake—but he'd be allowed to make one more profession of his Catholic faith and so redeem his soul though his body would perish in the flames.On the night before his execution, Thomas Cranmer was seated in an Oxford cell before a plain wooden desk, weary from months of trial, interrogation, and imprisonment, trying to make sense of his life. Before him lay the speech he was to give the next morning, a speech that repudiated his writings that had denied Catholic teaching. Also before him was another speech, in which he declared the pope “Christ's enemy and antichrist.”Which would he give on the morrow?The next morning he was led into a church, and when it was his turn to speak, he drew out a piece of paper and began to read. He thanked the people for their prayers, then said, “I come to the great thing that troubles my conscience more than any other thing that I ever said or did in my life.” Referring to the recantations he had signed, he blurted out, “All such bills which I have written or signed with my own hand are untrue.”Loud murmurs sped through the congregation, but Cranmer continued, “And as for the pope, I refuse him as Christ's enemy and antichrist, with all his false doctrine. And as for the sacrament—” But no more words were heard by the crowd because Cranmer was dragged from the stage out to the stake. The fire was kindled and quickly the flame leapt up. Cranmer stretched out his right hand, the one who'd written the previous recantation, into the flame and held it there as he said, “This hand has offended.” He died with the words of many of the martyrs, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!”Within just 2 years, Elizabeth I ascended the English throne and moved the church back in a Protestant direction, revising Cranmer's 42 Articles to 39, and adopting his Book of Common Prayer as the guide to worship. Today Anglicanism & its New World counterpart in Episcopalianism, is the expression of faith for 50 million worldwide.[1]As we end this episode, I want to mention 2 more who lost their lives in Bloody Mary's purge; Nicolas Ridley & Hugh Latimer.Ridley was Thomas Cranmer's chaplain when Cranmer was Archbishop of Canterbury. He eventually became the bishop of London. He helped Cranmer write the Book of Common Prayer. Ridley was instrumental in altering the interior of the churches of England. He replaced the stone altars with simple wooden tables for the serving of Communion. He shifted the work of priests from sacramental & sacerdotal work inside the church to pastoral work outside it.Hugh Latimer started out as a passionate preacher of Catholicism. When he received a degree in theology in 1524, he delivered a lecture assailing the German Lutheran heir to Luther's legacy, Philip Melanchthon, for his high view of Scripture.Among Latimer's listeners was Thomas Bilney, leader of the Protestants at Cambridge. After the lecture, Bilney asked Latimer to hear his confession. Believing his lecture had converted the evangelical, Latimer readily agreed. The “confession,” however, was a stealthily worded sermon on the comfort and confidence the Scriptures can bring. Latimer was moved to tears, and to Protestantism.Latimer's sermons then targeted Catholicism and social injustice. He preached boldly, daring in 1530 to give a sermon before King Henry VIII that denounced violence as a means of protecting God's Word. For this he won the king's respect.He became one of Henry's chief advisers after the king's break with Rome. Appointed bishop of Worcester, he supported Henry's dissolution of the monasteries. However, when he opposed the Henry's retreat from Protestantism in the Six Articles, he was put under house arrest for 6 years.Freed during the reign of Edward VI, he flourished as one of the Church of England's leading preachers. But with the ascension of Mary, he was again imprisoned, tried, and along with Ridley & Cranmer, condemned to death.According to Foxe's Book of Martyrs, Ridley arrived at the field of execution first. When Latimer arrived, the 2 embraced and Ridley said, “Be of good heart, brother, for God will either assuage the fury of the flame, or else strengthen us to abide it.” They both knelt and prayed before listening to an exhortation from a preacher, as was the custom before an execution for heresy.A blacksmith wrapped an iron chain around the waists of Ridley and Latimer. When the wood was lit, Latimer said, “Be of good comfort, Mr. Ridley, and play the man! We shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust never shall be put out.”As the fire rose Latimer cried out, “O Father of heaven, receive my soul!” and he died almost immediately. Ridley however, hung on, with most of his lower body having burned before he passed from this earth into Heaven's waiti ng arms.[2][1] Galli, M., & Olsen, T. (2000). 131 Christians everyone should know (372–374). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.[2] ibid