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Episode 269- The Nightmare Before Christmas Also Available OnSearchable Podcast Transcript Gun Lawyer — Episode 269 Transcript SUMMARY KEYWORDS Second Amendment, New Jersey Democrats, gun laws, machine gun conversion devices, digital instructions, firearm components, gun owner gulag, cash bail, pre-trial detention, carry killer bill, sensitive places, gun rights, constitutional rights, gun lawyer. SPEAKERS Evan Nappen, Speaker 2, Teddy Nappen Evan Nappen 00:15 I’m Evan Nappen. Teddy Nappen 00:17 And I’m Teddy Nappen. Evan Nappen 00:19 And welcome to Gun Lawyer. So, the New Jersey Democrats are going to give gun owners a Nightmare Before Christmas. What they are doing is pushing a package of Second Amendment oppression upon us, and they decided that the perfect time to do it is right before Christmas. On Monday, December 22, the Senate will be having a voting session. They’re going to be looking at bills that we’re going to talk about right now, and you need to take action. You know, you need to let the legislators know that you oppose this. Hopefully you belong to the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs. If not, you need to join. That’s anjrpc.org. They send out the news releases where you can immediately take action and let the legislature know your feelings on their oppression of our Second Amendment rights as they continue to attack them. Evan Nappen 01:33 Now, we have some very problematic laws that they’re going to be trying to jam through, and I want to make sure that you’re aware of what they are and what they mean. So, we have what is A-4974, and its companion in the Senate is S-3893. (https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S3893) This bill establishes criminal penalties for sale and possession of machine gun conversion devices. Now, of course, these things are already banned. They’re already banned under federal law and state law, but New Jersey just can’t ban something enough, right? So, they’re just duplicating here even more bans upon bans. This is supposedly addressing so-called Glock triggers, but New Jersey usually finds a way to expand it to all kinds of other nonsense. We’ve seen these things lead off into false charges over devices that are not designed to convert to machine guns, but instead designed to simply improve accuracy and a trigger or those kind of things. So, these things are just problematic, and they’re just putting bans on top of bans. And they just want to make sure their name is on a piece of law where they’re “doing something about it”. You know, to sell red meat to their base. So, we have that to deal with. Page – 1 – of 10Evan Nappen 03:16 Additionally, we have A-4975 and the Senate companion bill is S-3894. (https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A3894) This bill establishes a crime of possessing digital instructions to illegally manufacture firearms and firearm components. Now, keep in mind, back in 2018 Murphy signed a law banning the use and sale these digital files already, but this bill is even worse. The mere possession of the files will result in incredibly harsh penalties, even if you unknowingly possess them on a long forgotten computer, etc. So, New Jersey is turning firearm information, pure firearm digital information, into the equivalent of possessing child pornography. Simple possession of the digital file itself. Evan Nappen 04:20 It doesn’t matter that you never had any intention to actually build a firearm, but this gun information is itself being turned into contraband. Now, of course, this brings in First Amendment issues as well as Second Amendment issues, and I’m sure this will as well be subject to challenge. But nonetheless, it puts gun owners at risk that utilize internet and such for downloads of different things. Strictly for informational purposes. Even though you had no intent to 3D print a gun or not, or to use it with a CNC machine to make guns or even gun parts. So, this bill is another oppression of Second Amendment rights, and this time an oppression of First Amendment rights. But since when do Democrats care about rights? So, you need to oppose this as well. Evan Nappen 05:25 There is another bill, Assembly 4978, and the Senate companion is 3897. (https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S4000/3897_I1.HTM) Now, this bill requires the Attorney General to report data regarding shootings that did not result in bodily injury. This type of data accumulation is used so then they can twist it into political fodder to further pass other Second Amendment oppression laws. This is their game. So, this is a step in, you know, focusing on the potential discharge law, making accidents into crimes, and using it to become automatic licensing disqualifiers, what become essentially per se felonies. This is how their evil works. This is what they do. This is their machinations, and this is the beginnings of them laying the groundwork to do that very thing. We’ve seen this playbook before, as they put data together that they then abuse in the manner that suits their purposes. So, of course, we have to fight this. Evan Nappen 06:53 Another incredibly serious other bill that’s in the Nightmare Before Christmas is Assembly 4981. The companion is S-3900. (https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A4981) Now, this bill is a Gun Owner Gulag enhancement bill. This law will take the Gun Owner Gulag and make it even worse. So, as you should be familiar, but I want to make sure you are, New Jersey has the Gun Owner Gulag, which is New Jersey’s elimination of cash bail. In getting rid of cash bails, like so many progressive blue states took those actions to do that in the specifically during the, you know, defund police movement and all that. You normally hear about the cashless bails being utilized, where actual criminals, bona fide bad guys, you know, rapists, murders, etc, are put in a revolving door and released very quickly out in the street, particularly if they have other characteristics that the Left is favoring, such as being, you Page – 2 – of 10know, illegally in the country and things like that. They want those people out fast. So, it gets used in that way. Evan Nappen 08:15 But when it comes to weaponization of it against gun owners, well, that’s a different story. They want to imprison us. Okay? So they want to make sure that any gun owner that has a problem, well, they’re going to be subject to the Gulag, where they’re going to be held without bail until their trial, because there is no more bail in New Jersey. And what happens is the prosecutor seeks what is called pre-trial detention. And if pre-trial detention is granted, you’re going to sit in jail, having been proven guilty of nothing, until your trial, and that can be months or years. So, this is the Gulag, and that’s how it operates. Well, that’s bad enough. We fight these Gulag cases all the time, trying to get gun owners out because just about any gun offense is a felony level. New Jersey calls them crimes, and they’re normally warrant offenses. You get arrested and then you’re put through the Gulag where you’re held for 48 hours while the prosecutor decides whether to seek pre-trial detention or not. Evan Nappen 09:20 And their policies are, generally, in every gun case, they seek the Gulag, which is to hold you without bail. So, you’re going to be held at least, normally, another five days before your hearing, where your attorney will finally get to argue to get you out. And if your attorney is not successful in doing that, you are staying in with no bail. Well, this bill is an enhancement to that. It will allow the court to take even more time on any firearm offense where they get to hold you for yet another seven days, so that an operability report can somehow be provided regarding the operability of a firearm, which is often irrelevant to the criminal charge, especially in New Jersey. Operability is not even necessarily required for a firearm conviction, but here the abuse of it will be added into the Gulag’s initial holding of the gun owner. So, now you’re going to be arrested on the warrant charge on whatever the allegation of the firearm offense is, even though you’re innocent, it won’t matter. It’s a gun offense. So, the 48 hours, the prosecutor by way of their policy is going to hold you seeking pre-trial detention. Then that pre-trial detention hearing has to get scheduled within, arguably, five days, and normally it’s about that, five days, before you have the hearing. Evan Nappen 10:57 But if we get to that hearing and they say, oh no, we want another seven days, at least, here the seven days to get an operability report. So, now you’re going to be in jail for approximately two weeks, two weeks, without bail, because there is no bail. And that’s just to get you to the hearing so your attorney can try to argue to defeat the prosecutor’s motion for pre-trial detention. And they’re going to now throw this into the mix. So, you can figure with any gun arrest, you know, you’re falsely accused of being in a “sensitive place” or you’re falsely accused of possession of an assault firearm, or you’re falsely accused of unlawful possession of your handgun. You know all kind of false charges and gun rights oppression that I deal with all the time in practice. Well, you’re going to be at least two weeks in jail now before we can even get you out so we can fight the charge that will eventually get you acquitted of. Isn’t that cute? And that’s if your attorney knows how to get you out and succeeds in doing so. Because if not, you’ll just sit in jail until your trial to finally prove that. So, this is the just horrible addition to the Gun Owner Gulag. Page – 3 – of 10Evan Nappen 12:20 These bills need to be fought, and they need to be fought vigorously. Make sure you make your voices heard. Make sure you belong to ANJRPC, the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs. They have a full-time paid lobbyist. They have a vigorous process here trying to fight this, but of course, we’re dealing with a state where it is a tremendous battle for the forces of constitutional rights protection. Here to succeed, it’s a difficult, challenging environment, but we have to keep up the fight. We have to make our voices known, and we can make changes. As a matter of fact, that Gulag bill, the Association was able to change the original form where it was an indefinite amount of time until they finally got the report. At least it’s been modified to a mere seven days extra. So, now it’s only two weeks in jail, guilty of nothing. Simply because you lawfully exercised your rights in New Jersey. So, these laws are terrible. They are more oppression from our oppressors. We need to fight it and make sure you do. Evan Nappen 13:44 Now, on a little bit of a Christmas gift here, despite the nightmare that the New Jersey Democrats are placing upon us. I do want to mention that thanks to President Trump and his appointment of judges throughout the land, not the least of which, of course, is the Supreme Court, getting three conservative constitutionalist judges there. But also his ability to add to the judges of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. And because of President Trump particularly adding the last two judges that are constitutional judges that understand the significance of the Second Amendment, the full panel of 14 judges has agreed to hear the appeal in the Siegel versus Platkin, which is the Carry Killer lawsuit that challenges all these sensitive places and the other onerous restrictions that were put forward in the Carry Killer bill. And as you may know, the initial appeal with the three-judge panel, the three-judge panel that had ruled not tremendously in our favor, has been wiped out, wiped out. Now, the full panel of 14 judges are going to hear and decide the Carry Killer bill. This is very good news for us. Evan Nappen 15:26 This is something that makes me cautiously optimistic that we’re going to see some protection and our Second Amendment rights enforced, and it’s very, very important. Of course, New Jersey fought tooth and nail to try to stop the full panel from granting the en banc full panel, but the Association, particularly my good friend and colleague, Dan Schmutter, was successful here in having that full panel take the case. So, this will also bode well, because by getting a decision that knocks out most, if not all, of the Carry Killer bill, it’ll also lay the groundwork for the Supreme Court of the United States. If we start getting split decisions in the circuits over these sensitive place gambit that the Second Amendment oppressionists have pulled after Bruen to try to limit our rights, we may, in fact, see even a national case killing it permanently for the country. But here in New Jersey, we stand in good stead at the moment. Evan Nappen 16:47 Keep in mind that, at the moment, where can you carry and what are the categories where you can and can’t carry right now, at the current state. Remember, you cannot lawfully carry, even with a New Jersey carry permit, within 100 feet of a public gathering, demonstration or event requiring a Government permit. You’re still barred from zoos, parks, beaches, recreational facilities or areas owned or controlled by the state, county or local government unit designated as a gun-free zone. Publicly Page – 4 – of 10owned or leased libraries or museums. Bars or restaurants where alcohol is served and any other sites or facilities where alcohol is sold for consumption on the premises. Entertainment facilities. Casinos and related facilities. And healthcare facilities. Evan Nappen 17:41 Now you currently can lawfully carry with a New Jersey carry permit, of course, while this appeal is not resolved. These things are still blocked, though, and you’re able to carry, and this isn’t a complete list. But essentially in vehicles. As you may recall, the carjacker protection law that was built into the Carry Killer law, saying that you couldn’t have your loaded gun on your person in your vehicle. That is still blocked, and we are, we may carry in our vehicle, in that manner. Private property open to the public is no longer and still is not a sensitive place. In public film locations, we are able to carry. Additionally, the ruling is still in effect blocking the insurance requirement. As you may recall, at some point, Murphy issued an Executive Order banning the sale of so-called murder insurance, where you had gun owner protection programs, and then proceeded in the Carry Killer bill to mandate by law that you get actual murder insurance. Meaning insurance if someone commits an intentional act with a firearm, essentially murdering somebody. That’s been blocked. So, we don’t have to have insurance to have a carry license. And blocking certain permit procedures and requirements that were more administrative in nature. Evan Nappen 19:23 So, this is where we’re standing. But the good news is, with the full panel reviewing it, I’m very excited to see that outcome, and so should you. So, there is still hope. There is hope that the judiciary is going to speak for our rights, and that same full panel will be also considering New Jersey’s magazine ban and so-called assault firearm ban. So we are hopeful for some very good outcomes here, and we’ll keep you informed here on Gun Lawyer. Evan Nappen 20:07 Let me also mention our good friends at WeShoot. That’s where Teddy and I both shoot and where we get our training. And you will love WeShoot. WeShoot is a great indoor range right in Lakewood, conveniently off the Parkway. They constantly run great sales, and they have great service, a fantastic pro shop and a state of the art range, great training. I really can’t give it high enough praise. We love WeShoot, and so will you. Check out WeShoot at weshootusa.com. They have a great website with beautiful photographs. And you don’t want to miss the WeShoot girls that are there posing with some of the finest guns that you will ever see. So, make sure you go to WeShoot and take advantage of that fantastic resource for gun owners, right in New Jersey. Evan Nappen 21:11 And let me also shamelessly plug my book, which is New Jersey Gun Law, the Bible of New Jersey gun law. Make sure you get the book, folks. You need this book. It is the guidebook to keeping you safe, out of jail and not committing GOFUs in New Jersey. It’s 120 topics, all question and answer. It fills you in so you will know what the law is. It is the guidebook used by thousands and thousands of gun owners throughout New Jersey. You can get your copy today by going to EvanNappen.com. EvanNappen.com. Hey, Teddy, what do you have for us today? Page – 5 – of 10Teddy Nappen 21:56 Well, one of the things you know, it’s the holidays, Christmas, and everything’s coming along, and all the wins that have been coming through, and all the crazy insanity that you’ve described. I always think back to the show that you introduced me to, Paladin. There’s a particular episode, I think it was even the Christmas episode where Paladin is there. It’s a whole deal with the fan, like, there’s a small, I think it’s like a house living out there. And the ending line to the whole episode is, it’s Christmas. He’s saying to the guy, it’s Christmas. This is the, this is the one day of the year where we pretend there’s no evil. And that kind of sticks with me in the idea of this is supposed to be the time spent with family, and particularly, we can pretend and not think about all the anti-gun jerks and the gun rights oppressors. This is the time to enjoy Christmas movies, particular ones that involve firearms. So, as I was scanning through the internet, I saw one, I love this article, the top 10 Christmas movies with guns. (https://blog.cheaperthandirt.com/top-10-christmas-movies-with-guns/) Hey. Evan Nappen 23:17 So, that is what Christmas should be about. Guns. Teddy Nappen 23:22 Yeah, exactly. And to start things off, of course, they go with the most controversial one, which is Die Hard. Evan Nappen 23:31 Which we will agree is a Christmas movie. Teddy Nappen 23:35 Correct. I’ve heard all the debates. Evan Nappen 23:37 Ho, ho, ho. I have a machine gun. How does it get any less Christmas than that. Teddy Nappen 23:42 And quite simply, it’s not Christmas without Hans Gruber falling off the Nakatomi building. Evan Nappen 23:49 Yeah, and you know what gun he had, right? Teddy Nappen 23:55 So, well, you had Bruce Willis with his Beretta 92 with the focus. Evan Nappen 24:01 Of course. Teddy Nappen 24:02 But there’s also the MP 5. Page – 6 – of 10Evan Nappen 24:05 Yippie IA, Yippie Ki A. Teddy Nappen 24:08 And the P7 M13s. Evan Nappen 24:12 P7 that what Hans there, I believe, had. Teddy Nappen 24:17 Correct. And it was very good gun play in that part, where he’s no bullets, and it tricks him. The next one, this is actually, it’s one of those where it’s like, what the heck is this movie? I had to watch it, though. I think you were there when we watched Fat Man. Evan Nappen 24:36 Oh god, yeah. Teddy Nappen 24:37 It is probably the funniest, like, weirdest film you could watch. We have Mel Gibson and is this whole plot to murder Santa Claus. It’s him fighting, fighting Boyd Crowder from Justified. Walter Goggins. Crazy gun play between a 1911 and the fat man using a Colt Walker. Evan Nappen 25:06 Yep, definitely. It’s an entertaining film. Teddy Nappen 25:12 Yeah, it’s just one of those. I was like, okay, interesting. Now, this is technically Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang, which is a Christmas heist of a film. I don’t know if you ever saw it. With Robert Downey, Jr. Evan Nappen 25:26 I may have. Teddy Nappen 25:27 Kind of an action comedy. They’re carrying their Vector CP One. Evan Nappen 25:34 Oh, Vectors are in it. Huh, okay. Teddy Nappen 25:35 Yeah. And, of course, another HK P7. It’s kind of one of one of those, you kind of spot there. But I was like, I didn’t realize it involved Christmas. Page – 7 – of 10Teddy Nappen 25:44 The one I will highlight, though I always thought was funny, he put on Home Alone, one and two. Here’s the reason. Because, remember, the kid, he plays that clip, the black and white movie where he keeps. Evan Nappen 25:44 Well, you know, the P7 used to be the pistol of the New Jersey State Police, but they had over 40 accidental discharges with it, and they gave it up. And that’s because, although it was marketed as being one of the safest guns, the problem is, it’s a front squeeze that cocks the gun, when you squeeze the front. Unlike a 1911 that has a safety on the back, this squeeze cocks from the front. And the problem is, if you, if you’re not practiced and trained well enough, when you draw the gun out of a holster, you’re cocking it as you pull it out, and that creates a situation that is not exactly the safest situation to be in. There were numerous ADs with that gun. So, something to keep in mind. I think they’re cool and a very interesting design, but I remember seeing Superintendent Pagano talking about it. And he basically said, hey, look, it’s not the gun’s fault. He’s blaming his men. How nice of him. Yeah, right. So that was that episode of the gun, in theory, seeming like it may have been one of the safest guns, but in reality, it was prone to needing a lot of training to make sure that you didn’t cock it until you were ready to. So, there you go. Evan Nappen 27:36 Oh yeah. Teddy Nappen 27:36 The bad guys, oh yeah, yeah. Well, I believe you, but my tommy gun don’t. And it’s like, you’ve been smooching with everybody. Snuffy, Dale, Leo, Little Mo with the gimpy leg, Bony Bob, Cliff, and the guy thinks he’s actually like sleeping with all these individuals. Evan Nappen 27:58 Great. Teddy Nappen 27:59 Yeah. The Thompson 1921 AC sub machine gun. The actual movie is Angel With Filthy Souls. Evan Nappen 28:08 Hmm huh. Okay. Teddy Nappen 28:11 Yeah. Evan Nappen 28:11 So, that was actually a clip from an actual movie? Teddy Nappen 28:14 Yeah, that was funny. And, of course, The Christmas Story with the Red Ryder BB gun. Page – 8 – of 10Evan Nappen 28:20 Oh, the classic of all classics. And in New Jersey, that’s a firearm. It’s not a BB, you know? It’s not just a little old BB gun. There it is, bona fide, defined as a firearm. Teddy Nappen 28:32 Yeah. And they threw in some honorable mentions, like White Christmas. Where it takes, the start is at the Battle of the Bulge. So, you have the M1 Garand coming into play of that. And then. Evan Nappen 28:46 As Patton said, the greatest battle rifle ever devised. Teddy Nappen 28:51 I’d agree. And then you have Scrooged with Santa wielding the XM 556 mini gun. Evan Nappen 29:00 Okay. Teddy Nappen 29:02 And then also Bill Murray with his, remember, he had a stainless snub nose revolver because he’s freaking out that a ghost is there. Evan Nappen 29:10 Okay, yeah. Teddy Nappen 29:12 They couldn’t determine that. Evan Nappen 29:14 He didn’t do much with him and guns, but yeah. Unless it’s some gun for taking out ghosts, right? Ghost Busters. Teddy Nappen 29:22 Oh, and of course, our Majesty’s Secret Service, James Bond and Christmas, what more could you want? With his Walther PPK. Evan Nappen 29:33 Oh yeah, James Bond sometimes had some screwy gun stuff. I remember in one of them where he has an AR7, and the guy’s talking about. And it’s a 25 caliber AR. I’m like, it’s not 25. It’s 22. But hey, what do they know? Teddy Nappen 29:52 Yeah, it’s, this is just a fun list, and it’s something I just kind of like, wow, I didn’t really consider some of these as, like, Chrismas movies. But I guess so. Page – 9 – of 10Evan Nappen 30:03 Well, as long as it has guns in it, we’ll declare them to be Christmas movies. Teddy Nappen 30:08 Fair enough. If it has a gun and it’s a Christmas movie, that’s it. Evan Nappen 30:11 That’s it. That’s the standard from now on. From now on, that’s the standard. Teddy Nappen 30:16 There you go. Evan Nappen 30:17 Oh, that’s good stuff, Teddy. And soon we’ll be enjoying Christmas guns. That’s the deal. That’s the deal. Hey, it is very important that we discuss this week’s GOFU, which is the Gun Owner Fuck Up. These are mistakes that actual clients make that causes them problems, expensive problems. You get to learn for free. And this week’s GOFU is about printing. And I don’t mean printing with your computer printer. I mean about your gun showing when you’re carrying concealed. Now, in New Jersey, it’s not illegal to print. Believe it or not. A gun has to be concealed, but it doesn’t address printing while concealed. However, in New Jersey, you don’t want to print. Because not only do we need to carry concealed, but you want to keep that concealment private and secret. Evan Nappen 31:20 New Jersey is loaded with all kinds of people that are scared of guns, aren’t used to guns, and they can end up calling police because they think someone’s carrying a gun. And next thing you know, even though you’re legal to carry. You also give away tactical advantage, if people can make you as carrying. And this is an issue where individuals can make false accusations against you if they believe that you’re carrying. So, you want to make sure you don’t print when you conceal carry in Jersey. Make sure you are as discrete as possible. Also, you don’t want to inadvertently end up in a sensitive place and have a gun identified on you because you’re printing. You shouldn’t be in a sensitive place, but if you’re printing and in a sensitive place, then you’re going to have a bigger problem. So, be very conscientious when you carry, whether or not you’re printing, or whether your method of carry allows for inadvertent display of your firearm, even for a moment, because you want to stay discrete. You want your concealed carry to be concealed carry, and ultimately that gives you, if nothing else, a tactical advantage of surprise should you need your gun. Evan Nappen 32:51 This is Evan Nappen and Teddy Nappen reminding you that gun laws don’t protect honest citizens from criminals. They protect criminals from honest citizens. Speaker 2 33:01 Gun Lawyer is a CounterThink Media production. The music used in this broadcast was managed by Cosmo Music, New York, New York. Reach us by emailing Evan@gun.lawyer. The information and opinions in this broadcast do not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state. Page – 10 – of 10 Downloadable PDF TranscriptGun Lawyer S3 E269_Transcript About The HostEvan Nappen, Esq.Known as “America's Gun Lawyer,” Evan Nappen is above all a tireless defender of justice. Author of eight bestselling books and countless articles on firearms, knives, and weapons history and the law, a certified Firearms Instructor, and avid weapons collector and historian with a vast collection that spans almost five decades — it's no wonder he's become the trusted, go-to expert for local, industry and national media outlets. Regularly called on by radio, television and online news media for his commentary and expertise on breaking news Evan has appeared countless shows including Fox News – Judge Jeanine, CNN – Lou Dobbs, Court TV, Real Talk on WOR, It's Your Call with Lyn Doyle, Tom Gresham's Gun Talk, and Cam & Company/NRA News. As a creative arts consultant, he also lends his weapons law and historical expertise to an elite, discerning cadre of movie and television producers and directors, and novelists. He also provides expert testimony and consultations for defense attorneys across America. Email Evan Your Comments and Questions  talkback@gun.lawyer Join Evan's InnerCircleHere's your chance to join an elite group of the Savviest gun and knife owners in America.  Membership is totally FREE and Strictly CONFIDENTIAL.  Just enter your email to start receiving insider news, tips, and other valuable membership benefits.   Email (required) *First Name *Select list(s) to subscribe toInnerCircle Membership Yes, I would like to receive emails from Gun Lawyer Podcast. (You can unsubscribe anytime)Constant Contact Use. Please leave this field blank.var ajaxurl = "https://gun.lawyer/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php";

In this episode of our parenting series, we sit down with Dr. Tyler and Catie Smiley. Tyler, senior pastor at Lakewood, and Catie share their story as a couple—how they met, how God brought them together, and the journey that led them into family life and ministry. They open up about raising their three boys and also share the beautiful story of how they recently welcomed a little girl into their family through adoption. This conversation is both honest and encouraging, offering a glimpse into the joys, challenges, and faith that shape the Smiley family.

Joy that lasts is not based on feelings. It is based on a faithful God.In this encouraging Christmas-season message, John Gunter invites us to reflect on what truly brings joy. From John 15 and Romans 8 to Isaiah 35, we are reminded that joy is not the absence of sorrow. It is the presence of Christ. Real joy is rooted in obedience, endurance, and confidence that nothing can separate us from the love of God.Key Takeaways:Fleeting happiness rises and falls with circumstancesEnduring joy is found in walking closely with ChristObedience leads to alignment, and alignment leads to joy

Join Gary and Shannon as they dive into the latest headlines and captivating stories! In this episode, they discuss the holiday weather updates and the troubling case of an OC cheerleader abuser. The conversation shifts to the dynamics between Amazon and LAX, revealing intriguing insights. Plus, they highlight the iconic Manolo Blahnik and a heartwarming story from Lakewood about a cat that stole hearts. Don’t miss the Talkback segment, where they tackle the critical issue of addiction, followed by #TrueCrimeTuesday, featuring an in-depth look at the shocking murder of Rob and Michelle Reiner. Tune in for a mix of informative discussions and thought-provoking stories!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

House hacking in Colorado just paid off for 30-year-old Carly Caprio. She’s living for free in a Lakewood fourplex after completing her fourth house hack in 2025. Even better? When she moves out next year, this property will generate over $2,500 in monthly profit while she continues building her portfolio toward early retirement. Chris Lopez sits down with Carly Caprio, one of the most disciplined house hackers in Colorado, alongside regular panelists Jeff White (Envision Advisors) and Troy Howell (Nova Home Loans). Carly’s journey started with a $17,500 first-time buyer grant that made her first townhouse purchase possible despite working a nonprofit job. Since then, she’s converted properties from 3 to 5 bedrooms and 5 to 6 bedrooms, navigated challenging tenants including paranoid relapses and 3am emergency calls, pivoted to Section 8 when needed, and most recently locked up an all-brick Lakewood fourplex for $849,500 with just 5% down. What makes Carly’s story particularly compelling is her rock-solid financial discipline. Troy Howell confirms she’s increased her savings dramatically between properties while maintaining zero car payments and living below her means. The result? She’s already matched her W2 income through rental cash flow and qualified for progressively larger properties without any salary increases. Her fourplex currently rents three units at $1,750 each while she lives for essentially free in the fourth unit. Once she moves out, the projected income jumps to $7,780 monthly against a $5,454 mortgage payment. Jeff White calls Carly his “Mount Rushmore” house hacker for good reason. She didn’t chase trendy strategies or overextend herself. Instead, she executed the same proven playbook four times, learning from each property and improving her systems. When faced with disastrous tenants (one who stood in doorways watching people sleep, another who drank two bottles of tequila and one bottle of vodka within 48 hours), she adapted her screening process and converted to Section 8 rather than quitting. When friends expressed fear about living with strangers, she demonstrated how to maintain control over tenant selection while building serious wealth. In This Episode We Cover: $17,500 first-time buyer grant that launched Carly’s 4-property portfolio Why 2-4 unit properties are easier to qualify for than single-family homes How debt-to-income improves with each house hack (no salary increase needed) Converting 3-bed townhouse to 5-bed using existing egress windows Managing terrible tenants and when to pivot from rent-by-room to Section 8 $849,500 Lakewood fourplex breakdown: 5% down, 6% rate, $1,750/unit rents Living free now vs $2,500 monthly profit when she moves out Financial discipline tactics that matched her W2 income in three years Why the first property is hardest and subsequent deals get easier Female investor perspectives on safety and building wealth through house hacking And So Much More! Carly’s story proves house hacking in Colorado isn’t dead despite 6% interest rates and higher property prices in 2025. With the right financing strategy, disciplined savings habits, and willingness to sacrifice short-term comfort for long-term wealth, reaching financial freedom in your 30s remains achievable. Whether you’re a woman considering your first house hack or an experienced investor looking for inspiration, Carly’s methodical approach and honest discussion of challenges offers a realistic roadmap. Watch the YouTube Video https://youtu.be/569rUnGaVmw Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction02:33-Meet Carly: 30 Years Old, 4 House Hacks, Financial Freedom Achieved05:21– Finding Her First Property in Just 2 Showings06:44 – Wild Tenant Stories: Relapses, Paranoia, and 3AM Calls 09:30 – Pivoting to Section 8 Strategy 10:35– Property #4: The Lakewood Fourplex at $849,50012:15 – Qualifying Power: Why 2-4 Units Beat Single Family15:17 – Deal Breakdown18:43 – First 6 Weeks: Smooth Operations, Tenant Transition, Paying in Cash20:48 – Long-Term Vision Including Early Retirement and Moving to Colombia21:44 – Advice for Female Real Estate Investors25:24 – How Carly Matched Her W2 Income in Under 3 Years28:00 – First-Time Buyer Grants: $17,500 Free Money That Changed Everything29:14 – The Truth About House Hacking: First One’s Hardest, Then It Gets Easier Connect with our Guests: Carly Caprio: carly.caprio@gmail.com Jeff White: jeff@envisionrea.com Troy Howell: troy.howell@novahomeloans.com LinkedIn: Troy Howell Website: https://www.novahomeloans.com/loan-officer/troy-howell/ Who is Nova Home Loans? For over 40 years, we've been focused on helping homeowners find the perfect loan to fit their financial needs and personal goals. Working with NOVA is a personalized experience from initial application to final loan closing and beyond. We will be with you every step of the way toward successful homeownership. Start working with NOVA & Troy Howell today! NOVA FINANCIAL & INVESTMENT CORPORATION, DBA NOVA HOME LOANS NMLS 3087/ EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY/8055 EAST TUFTS AVENUE, SUITE 101/DENVER, CO

I DO HAVE SOME GOOD STUFF TODAY And it is in the form of a wonderful woman in Lakewood with a dream of allowing people to get on stage and do something they've never done before. I will talk to Brit Stueven at 1pm today about her upcoming event at the Lakewood Cultural Center on Wednesday, January 28th called Not Til Now. What is it? A storytelling and comedy event where people finally do what they've always wanted — share a story, try stand-up, or create on stage — for the very first time. Find out more and buy your tickets here!

Episode 268-Tresspassing on Our 2A Rights Also Available OnSearchable Podcast Transcript Gun Lawyer — Episode 268 Transcript SUMMARY KEYWORDS New Jersey gun rights, Assembly 6211, criminal trespass, sensitive places, carry killer bill, Supreme Court, trespass law, private property, research facilities, utility company property, school property, fourth degree crime, defiant trespasser, gun attorney, national reciprocity. SPEAKERS Evan Nappen, Speaker 2, Teddy Nappen Evan Nappen 00:16 I’m Evan Nappen. Teddy Nappen 00:18 And I’m Teddy Nappen. Evan Nappen 00:20 And welcome to Gun Lawyer. So, the New Jersey gun rights oppressors are at it again. They have a bill that is apparently moving forward. It is Assembly No. 6211, and apparently they’re trying to jam it through before the end of the year here. (https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A6211/bill- text?f=A6500&n=6211_I1) You know, it’s on the fast track, apparently. We’ll see. This bill is to make and criminalize the going into a place that you would otherwise be legally allowed to carry, but for giving a, putting up a sign that says “no carry”. Now, the Attorney General, as you may be aware, in New Jersey, is giving away these free signs. You know, prohibiting guns on premises, but the law regarding that falls into trespass. It’s not actually part of New Jersey’s “sensitive places” in the Carry Killer bill. Evan Nappen 01:34 Because in the Carry Killer bill, there was an extreme property ban that basically said about private property, that any private property you had to have a sign that gave you permission to have your gun. In other words, there needed to be a sign out on any private property you were going to go into with your gun. And that would include businesses and anywhere else that said, essentially, hey, we love guns. Bring in your gun, you know, in so many words. Now that was shot down by the court in the federal litigation, you know, which was brought to you by the State Association, the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs. They challenged it in federal court in front of Judge (Renee Marie) Bump. And what happened was the judge basically ruled, and this is a current law in New Jersey, that when it comes to private property, if it’s open to the public, it’s not a prohibited area. You don’t have to get prior permission if it’s open to the public, unless it’s somehow otherwise a prohibited place. So, you know, if you want to walk into 7-11 with your gun, it’s open to the public, and they don’t need to have a sign that says guns are permitted. You’re good to go. And that’s how it currently is. Page – 1 – of 11 Evan Nappen 03:02 But as you may be aware, Hawaii passed a similar law, and it got upheld there. It didn’t get knocked out the way we did in New Jersey. They said, oh no, you need their prior permission. This law is now upheld there, and the Supreme Court of the United States has taken up that case. So, we’re going to get a SCOTUS ruling on the legality of that type of anti-gun and oppression-type law that they love to pass. We’re going to probably get some great, I’m hopeful, to get some great law out of the Supreme Court that we can use to fight other sensitive places. But what New Jersey is now doing, and this is something they try to do, they’ve done it in other areas, is they try to figure out sneaky end runs. Sneaky ways to oppress our rights. Sneaky ways to get around laws that protect our rights. Evan Nappen 04:11 So, you know, they’ve done it and attempted to do it with PLCAA, Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, where they’re not, under federal law, dealers and manufacturers and stuff are supposed to be protected. But New Jersey created this whole consumer protection angle that they’re exploiting to try to get around that so they can try to litigate, you know, gun shops and manufacturers out of existence, using and abusing consumer protection laws. Well, now what they’re going to do here with this bill is abuse the trespass laws in such a manner. Because it’s not the classic “sensitive place” that was in Carry Killer bill, but instead, they’re amending the trespass law in New Jersey to pull this off. Evan Nappen 04:59 Here’s what they’re doing. It falls under N.J.S. 2C:18-3, which is New Jersey’s trespass law. And this is to create criminal trespassing while carrying a firearm. You see how they put criminal trespassing while carrying a firearm. But really what it’s doing is criminalizing carrying a firearm into private property that says no guns, which is contrary to essentially the sensitive place victory that we had. It probably is going to be further decimated by the Supreme Court in its discussion, but nonetheless, New Jersey now has the following offense. So, if it passes, and they’re pushing to pass it, a person commits an offense if, knowing that the person is not licensed or privileged to do so, the person enters or surreptitiously remains, so just go with enters. Don’t worry about your staying, you know, secretly there. But enters any research facility, structure, so there’s a comma after research. So, that’s a standard research facility. It’s not just about research facilities, research facility. Evan Nappen 06:24 But they hide this stuff in there so that, you know, it’s way broader than it’s initially appearing. Research facility, structure, or separately secured or occupied portion thereof, or in or upon utility company property, or in the sterile area or operational area of an airport. So, buried in this presentation of saying, oh, we’re protecting research facilities, utility company property and airports, is the very broad structure prohibition, just stand alone structure. It’s not just structures of a research facility or a utility company or an airport. Then it says an offense under this subsection is a crime of the fourth degree. That’s up to a year and a half in State Prison, by the way. If it is committed on a school property, see, school property is part of this. Why? Because that goes to that structure, you see. Oh, well, of course, we want to keep guns out of school. So, that’s okay. That’s where they’re right. This is their whole way of sneakily selling this. Page – 2 – of 11 Evan Nappen 07:37 An offense under this section is a crime of the fourth degree, if it’s committed in a dwelling. So, this makes anybody’s home now part of this. An offense under this section is a crime the fourth degree, if it’s committed at a research facility, a power generation facility, a water treatment facility, public sewage facility, water treatment facility, public water facility, nuclear electric generating plant or any facility that stores, generates or handles any hazardous or chemical compounds. So, again, they add all that in, but don’t lose sight that all structures are still covered, even though they’re doing a laundry list of these other things to conceal what they’re doing. Don’t fall for their trick here. An offense under this subsection is a crime of the fourth degree, if it’s committed upon a utility company, and an fence is a crime of the fourth degree, if it’s committed in a sterile area or operational area of an airport. Otherwise it’s a disorderly person. Evan Nappen 08:35 So, oh, okay. If it’s another structure of some sort, you know, a dwelling, it’s just a DP, right? Wrong. Because here’s what they do. A crime of the fourth degree under this section shall be a crime of the third degree. So, they’re going to bump it up now to five years in State Prison, right? If the person possesses a firearm while committing the offense, regardless whether they have a permit to carry or not. And then get a load of the next line. A disorderly person’s offense under the subsection shall be a crime of the fourth degree if the person possesses a firearm. So, now they’re making it essentially a felony, felony, level, you know, New Jersey fourth degree. A year and a half in State Prison if you trespass in this manner. Evan Nappen 09:24 But wait, they’re not done. Because you may say, well, I would never just go into a place that I wasn’t allowed to go into. But here’s where they add in even more of the fun stuff that they use to oppress our rights. Defiant trespasser is a person that commits a petty disorderly persons offense, if the person possesses a firearm while committing the offense of a disorderly person’s offense, regardless of whether the person is a holder of a permit to carry. It doesn’t matter if the person is not licensed or if you’re knowing you’re not licensed, or enters or remains in the place, okay? And then it says. This can be given by, and here’s the punchline, folks, posting in a manner prescribed by law or reasonably likely to come to the attention of the intruders. That puts into place those free no gun signs, so that businesses and other places can post these signs. Now creating a fourth degree crime for taking your firearm into these places that have the “no gun” posting. Evan Nappen 10:40 Now, it claims that there’s an affirmative defense if the structure was, at the time, open to members of the public. But here’s the catch. The actor complied with all lawful conditions imposed on access or remaining in the structure. Oh, well, one of those conditions is no guns. So, again, they come back and get our gun rights. It makes believe it’s a defense, but it really isn’t, because of the condition that the sign creates. And that puts you back into the felony level gun rights oppression mode. Then it goes in even further to say the conspicuous posting of a sign prohibiting or otherwise indicating that it’s not permissible to carry a firearm in the structure or place shall give rise to an inference that an actor who accesses or remains in that structure or place while carrying a firearm knowingly was not licensed or privileged to enter or remain. It’s virtually like a presumption, but they’re calling it an inference. Page – 3 – of 11 Evan Nappen 11:56 So, right away, if that signs there, you’re going to be subject by that inference to arrest for having your firearm. Did not comply with all lawful conditions imposed on access to or remaining. So, again, there’s a sign, and you didn’t comply. FOURTH DEGREE FELONY for you, and you lose all your gun rights and get thrown in the Gun Owner Gulag while you’re at it. Three, did not reasonably believe that the owner of the structure or place where the other person in power to license access would have licensed them to do it and remain. So, this is their latest move, folks, to criminalize going on to property and pushing their “No Trespassing” angle. Because if the Hawaii case, depending on how it’s decided, invalidates these, in essence, the private property sensitive place prohibition, their new gambit is now doing it by way of the trespass laws. So, the gun rights oppressors are out doing their evil in their oppression of our rights. We need to stop Assembly No. 6211. It is going to be causing a lot of problems if that passes, and if it does, really what we need to do is get a website that shows every business that says “no guns”. And make sure that nobody goes to those businesses. Nobody gives those businesses any money, first of all. Teddy Nappen 13:49 I would, I would actually take it a step further. I want to do a sticker campaign where, if you see that sign, you sticker that puts on it says, rob me. Evan Nappen 13:59 Yeah, right, that’s pretty funny. Teddy Nappen 14:01 Well, I mean. Evan Nappen 14:02 Well, here’s what it is. Teddy Nappen 14:03 Pretty much, there are sending that message. Evan Nappen 14:04 Well, pretty much. They are making it much more dangerous because basically anybody seeing that sign of “no guns” knows that it is their prime target to be robbed, because they don’t believe in guns. They’re just advertising the fact that they’re helpless, defenseless, and it’s really rather stupid. But on the other hand, I’d like to see stickers out there, and there are signs and stickers that I know are available, where guns are welcome. You put the sign that you welcome lawful carriers and that ends up protecting you and others. And on the same website, we should list these places that welcome guns, and those are places that our business needs to go to. We need to use the power of our dollar to make them pay or to benefit those that try to stand up for our rights. So, this is their latest attack. We want to make you aware of it and stay vigilant. If you belong, which hopefully you do, to the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, you will probably receive the email alert about this very thing. Also, NRA and others, I’m sure, will be putting it out there, but this is what we’re up against here in New Jersey. Page – 4 – of 11 Evan Nappen 15:33 I have a couple other things to talk about real quick here. I want to mention that Toms River is now the 13th municipality to nullify carry permit fees. So, if you live in Toms River and you apply for a carry, they are going to refund the $150 to you that New Jersey requires that you pay. That’s really great. Congratulations to Toms River for joining the other 12 states, that these states, I mean other towns, not states, sorry, other towns. They are now the 13th town to do it, municipality. The other thing interesting about Toms River is that they have approved over 1600 post-Bruen carry applications. Toms River is apparently the second largest number of approved post-Bruen permits. I’m getting all this from an article from our good friend, John Petrolino, at Bearing Arms. (https://bearingarms.com/john- petrolino/2025/12/11/toms-river-marks-13th-nj-municipality-to-nullify-carry-permit-fees-n1230887) John Petrolino does great research and writing, and he has a particular focus, as well, on New Jersey. This is really interesting stuff, and it’s great to see the municipalities. The other municipalities, by the way, so, the list is Englishtown, Howell, Toms River, Beachwood, Butler, Dumont, Franklin Borough, Hardyston, Hopatcong, Medford Lakes, Vernon, Cresskill, and Redington. Boy, it feels like I’m reading a school closing list almost, doesn’t it? But those are the municipalities that have decided to refund all or part of permit fees. So, good work to those towns and those that helped to get that through. Evan Nappen 17:28 And by the way, I want to mention that John Petrolino has another article in Bearing Arms. He’s very much on top of these issues, and it’s titled, “Are We Closer to Getting a True Accounting of New Jersey Carry Permits?” (https://bearingarms.com/john-petrolino/2025/12/10/are-we-closer-to-getting-a-true- accounting-of-new-jersey-carry-permits-n1230878) And what John has done is filed under essentially the Freedom of Information legislation that New Jersey has, their version of it, which is the Open Public Records Act. And he’s looking to get the number of carry permits determined. And although we have some numbers, the problem is that it lists approved applications, but that’s not necessarily the number of currently valid permits to carry. Additionally, the carry permits do not include retired law enforcement permitting that occurs under 39-6. So, he’s looking to get the numbers of RPOs out there that have carries as well, because they’re still civilians, even though they’re retired police, and those, too, are carry permits. And knowing this information is important, as it shows more and more folks out there exercising their rights and carrying to defend themselves and others. Evan Nappen 18:55 I also want to point out another interesting headline here that I caught. This, too, is from Bearing Arms and is by Cam Edwards. (https://bearingarms.com/camedwards/2025/12/11/north-carolina-womans- lawsuit-gives-scotus-a-chance-to-establish-national-reciprocity-n1230888) I think this is really exciting. You know, we all want to see national reciprocity. And there is a bill pending, you know, HR 38, and we may see some action on it. They’re pushing it in the federal, in the Fed there for Congress to get it passed. But the problem is, of course, the Democrats, who always want to oppress our rights, and it seems that when it gets most likely to the Senate overcoming cloture, the filibuster, the Democrats are going to again kill anything that expands our ability to enjoy our Second Amendment rights. Now, maybe it’ll go through. Maybe some will see the light. There’s always a chance, and it would be great. I’m not getting my hopes up for it to pass until we get the 60 votes of solid Second Amendment Page – 5 – of 11 supporters in the Senate, but it’s good to at least get on record those oppressors of our Second Amendment rights for election time. So, if it doesn’t pass there, that’s still worth the effort. Evan Nappen 20:14 However, what is interesting is we may be able to get national reciprocity from court action, from judiciary, from challenges brought up to the Supreme Court. And this is very interesting. Because the article, “North Carolina Woman’s Lawsuit Gives SCOTUS”, which is, of course, Supreme Court of the United States, “a Chance to Establish National Reciprocity”. So, that’s exciting. What happened was Eva Marie Gardner was driving in Montgomery County, Maryland, and her car was allegedly hit by an assailant, who ran her off the road before exiting his vehicle and rushing towards her. She said she screamed for him to get away, but when he continued advancing, she drew her pistol in self-defense. She never fired a shot. When the police arrived on the scene, they ended up releasing the man who ran her off the road and arrested Gardner for illegal possession of her firearm. She now lives in North Carolina but had a valid concealed carry permit from Virginia. However, Maryland doesn’t recognize carry permits from other states, and she was ultimately convicted despite raising Second Amendment claims. Evan Nappen 21:39 So, she filed on her own after fighting this, after the Maryland Supreme Court denied her case. She took the case to the Supreme Court, filing a cert petition on her own behalf, asking for this consideration. And apparently one of the judges in the Supreme Court took a great interest in it and asked for the State to file response. And because of that, this is exciting, Gardner also filed a full faith and credit argument. You know, that one state needs to recognize another state’s documents, and not only that being a Second Amendment protection. Evan Nappen 22:26 And, you know, ordinarily, a pro se petition has very little chance of the Supreme Court taking it, but because one justice took an interest in it after Maryland waived its right to respond, you now see that some top litigators in the Supreme Court are taking up her case. The Second Amendment Foundation is also filing an amicus, and this is really good stuff. So, there is a chance here, based on this pro se petition from this woman who defended herself and then, of course, became victimized by Maryland’s anti-gun law that doesn’t recognize any other states outside permit. This may be the case, if SCOTUS takes it, that can force national reciprocity by way of our constitutional rights, and that would be fantastic. It will negate the need for Second Amendment legislation to pass, or maybe pave the way for it to pass, who knows? But that is something exciting that we’re going to be keeping an eye on, and we hope to see success. And, man, I will be ecstatic, and I’ll be the first to be telling you if SCOTUS takes a national reciprocity case. Evan Nappen 23:57 Hey, let me tell you about our good friends at WeShoot. Teddy and I just re-qualified down at WeShoot for our New Jersey carries. We did our CCARE. It was great. We love WeShoot. It’s a great place to shoot with great training. And they are running some awesome specials. They, of course, have the BUL Armory UR, which is a double-stack race gun. And they have the Springfield Saint Victor V2, which is really cool gun. It has next-gen ergonomics, flat-faced trigger, and top-tier reliability for defense or Page – 6 – of 11 range work. And they have a Ruger LC Carbine. And they’re running some super sales. It’s their last sale of 2025, and you should check out these sales that are going to go from now until the 24th. They’re offering a two-hour private lesson with 20% off. They have 1,000 rounds of nine millimeter for only 245 bucks. That’s a great deal. They have carry classes at 10% off. They have 200 rounds of .223 for $119.99. They’re offering 5% off gift cards at $100 or more. They’re offering 500 rounds of .380, for 149.99. They have Radical Firearms FR15 for only 499.99. They’re offering $300 off double action defense pistols. They have the ATI AR-15 for 399.99, and they’re offering $500 off Phoenix Trinity Firearms. So they are running some great sales. Evan Nappen 25:53 And guess what? It doesn’t end there. They’re doing 10% off all Glock pistols they have. WeShoot pistol bags for 9.99. Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 for 385. And 10% off Vaulttek Safes and accessories. They have 15% off Stopbox Safes. 25% off all used guns. 25% of all used guns. 15% off Byrnas. 10% off Savior Gun Bags, etc. They are running just tremendous sales. And that’s not all of them even. So, listen, get down to WeShoot, and check out these great sales. They’re running great prices. The sales extended. They’re offering even super deal on individual membership and upgrades. Go to weshootusa.com. They’re right there in Lakewood, easily accessible off the Parkway. It’s where Teddy and I shoot, and you’ll love to shoot there, too. Check out WeShoot. Evan Nappen 27:02 Also, let me mention again, the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs. They’re there fighting the fight for us. Man, they’re in the trenches, battling it out in federal court. We should have some exciting developments. Probably next show I’ll be telling you about something very exciting happening in federal court with the state Association. It’s really great stuff. We’ll be very excited about it. I have to just make it as a teaser for now, though. And they’re challenging the magazine ban and the assault firearm ban. They have a full time lobbyist. I mean, this is our group so we can fight the gun rights oppressors. You need to be a part of our state association. Go to anjrpc.org, anjrpc.org, and make sure you join. Evan Nappen 27:59 Also, make sure you get a copy of my book, New Jersey Gun Law. It’s the Bible of New Jersey gun law. You can go right to EvanNappen.com and order your copy. It’s over 500 pages, over 120 topics, all question and answer. It is a book relied upon by thousands upon thousands of New Jersey gun owners. It’s a book used by the State Police Firearms Division, lawyers, judges, and most importantly, so many great shooters and listeners to the show. And I know how much you love it. It’s a labor of love for me to write it. When you get the book, scan the front QR code, and join my private database of subscribers that get the updates. You can immediately access the archives and get the updates. Go to EvanNappen.com and get your copy today. Hey, Teddy, what do you have for us today in Press Checks? Teddy Nappen 28:52 Well, as you know, Press Checks are always free, and honestly, this was born out of a meme. Where, you know, you’re scrolling through, you’re trying to find, and I saw this one little post. It said, the UK, 30 years ago, disarmed themselves, and now they’re arresting you for Facebook posts. Let that sink in. Page – 7 – of 11 Now, I knew the UK disarmed themselves, but I had no idea what he was referencing. And as someone who likes to understand history, I found that it was referencing the Firearms Amendment Act of 1997. (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/5/contents) Teddy Nappen 29:35 So, just pause for a moment. You have James Carville, who’s making the argument that if the Dems ever take back power, they’re going to make Puerto Rico a state. They’re going to make D.C. a state. And they’re going to pack the court. So, with that in mind, in their goal to “save democracy”, I think to myself. If the Left had unfettered power, no roadblocks, what would they do to destroy our rights? And after reading this bill, here it is. Looking at the UK, it is the future, if they ever take back power, and what they will do to destroy our rights. So, I pulled it up right off of the UK Government website. They’re bragging about it for anyone to, you know, if anyone wants any new ideas. Here’s, here’s, what they can look at. So, the subsection describes weapons that are prohibited, and there shall be inserted the following. Any firearm which either has a barrel less than 30 centimeters in length, or less than 60 centimeters in length overall, other than air weapons, small caliber pistol, muzzle loading gun, or firearm designed with signaling apparatus. Then it goes into its laundry list of except for slaughtering instruments, firearms used for humane killing, not human killing, humane killing of animals, and shot pistols for shooting vermin. By the way, all these require a firearm certificate. Evan Nappen 31:14 Wait a minute. They didn’t see No Country for Old Men, I guess, because they still. Teddy Nappen 31:17 No, I guess not. Evan Nappen 31:18 Yeah, right, huh, yeah. Teddy Nappen 31:20 Call it like, yeah. Evan Nappen 31:24 Call it. Teddy Nappen 31:26 And they go, and, by the way, each of these has to earn, you have to qualify for a firearm certificate, because they will just say the after the constabulary has to say, well, sorry, we don’t think you this is gonna go for that. And also, they have races at athletic meetings. Oh, I love this one, trophies of war stuff obtained in 1946 as a trophy of war so, you can keep it. Still off. Evan Nappen 32:00 Can you keep it? Or do you have to turn it in? Or do you have to d-wat it? Page – 8 – of 11 Teddy Nappen 32:03 Well, here’s the crux of it. It has to be used for exhibit or display, which goes into for that, or any firearm prior to 1919. And again, it has to be earned by certificate. Evan Nappen 32:17 So, they’ve created these incredibly onerous, it sounds like they basically banned all handguns there, and just continue to be the formerly Great Britain. And since the banning of all these guns, and the turn in of all these guns, and not only guns, but they also do it to knives, too. Teddy Nappen 32:43 Correct. Evan Nappen 32:43 Now they’re going, now they’ve focused on speech because they’ve got nothing to worry about. They disarmed the citizenship. Teddy Nappen 32:52 Yeah, and also, if you were to violate said prohibition, it’s five years states prison. So, you know, might as well keep to like, Jersey standard. You know, five years. Evan Nappen 33:04 Yeah. I mean, it’s pretty weird that Great Britain can actually make New Jersey at times look pro-gun. Teddy Nappen 33:12 Yeah. Evan Nappen 33:12 I mean, that’s pretty sad. Yeah. Teddy Nappen 33:15 This is the worst offense, and this is the part that’s disgusting. It just shows you the abuse of rights. The power of the search warrant. If a justice of the peace, or in Scotland, Sheriff, is satisfied by information on a reasonable grounds that a suspect offense is about to or is committed, or the connection to a firearm ammunition, that there is a danger to public safety or peace. What does that mean if you have a connection to a firearm? Let’s say, I don’t know, making a Facebook post about you shooting in Texas and then coming back to the UK. They can get a search warrant to search your premises and arrest you promptly for any connection to a firearm. Evan Nappen 34:01 Well, the only difference there, Teddy, is New Jersey already has that. It’s just that you’re not arrested. That’s a TERPO (Temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order) right there. That is New Jersey’s TERPO. Now you just get your guns seized and your house searched and your gun rights taken. The UK is going to arrest you and criminally charge you. But New Jersey doesn’t have any due process up front on the Temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order, basically what’s called Red Flag. And that standard Page – 9 – of 11 is very similar to what you just said in the UK. So, we’re not, we’re really not that far behind in New Jersey from totalitarianism, oppression of our Second Amendment rights. And it’s just disgusting. We’re following this same model in the former, that the formerly Great Britain is doing. Teddy Nappen 34:54 Yeah, and to be, to set the tone. And this is something for the UK to think about. You guys do realize that you’re, that the whole point of the Second Amendment is to defend yourself. And case in point, as they always like to say, well, we don’t have very much gun crime. However, your rapes ticked up about, oh, I don’t know, 15 times from the early 2000s to 2024. Now it’s up to 71,000 rapes a year, which, you know, if you’re letting in massive amounts of Afghans who commit rape up to 17 times more than a native born. Yeah. Evan Nappen 35:40 Well, you know, now you’re touching on that whole other wokey, crazy issue where they’re not getting the assimilation. Not getting assimilation to whatever their culture formally was. I mean, they don’t seem to care, though, you know. I guess they’re, they’re motivated in taking away rights of their citizens, and yet the crime wave that they’re experiencing is disgusting. They get denied their rights to defend themselves, and for that matter, they have the most effective means to defend themselves. Even though the statistics show pretty clearly what the problem is. And yet they’ll try to blame everything else but what factually stares them in the face. So, it’s a shame, but we’ve got to take warning and heed in New Jersey. Because we’re heading down that path, and it’s getting worse and worse. The only thing on the good news is with Supreme Court taking two gun cases, hopefully taking more, with federal law changing, with the Justice Department looking at civil rights violations as through Second Amendment laws that oppress, and that they will be going after these states and other localities. There’s a lot that we can at least be hopeful about here, because as we stay vigilant, it is not all doom and gloom, though. There are things that we should be positive about, and we just have to keep on fighting, and that’s what we’re going to do. Evan Nappen 37:36 Now, let me tell you about this week’s GOFU, folks. This GOFU, as you know, is the Gun Owner Fuck Up. These are expensive lessons that clients have learned that you get to learn for free and not repeat them. And this week’s GOFU is about stolen guns. If you have a gun that you think is lost or stolen, I want to remind you that New Jersey requires you to report it within 36 hours. If it’s lost or stolen, the law states that you have 36 hours to report it, and if you don’t report it, then you can face serious problems. Including the use of your failure to report, and we’ve seen this, to take away your gun rights, to move to revoke your gun licenses, permits, and this is how they will use it. Even though you’re a victim of theft, they will still try to use that against you. Evan Nappen 38:44 And keep in mind, you have an obligation to report it, but keep in mind that after you report it, there is a decent chance, we’ve seen it, that they will then use the fact that you reported a gun stolen or lost to still try to take away your rights. But at least you were conforming with the law when we have that fight. This is the game that’s out there, and it’s really a problem. Because they want guns reported stolen and you do need to report them stolen, you’re failure to do so can have bad ramifications. But even when Page – 10 – of 11 you do report it stolen, prepare yourself that you may be facing licensing actions over that. If you end up where you have a gun that you think is missing or stolen and you want to know what you need to do, you need to call a gun attorney right away and discuss your specific fact circumstance so that it can be properly dealt with and you can prepare for any potential ramifications. Evan Nappen 39:48 This is Evan Nappen and Teddy Nappen reminding you that gun laws don’t protect honest citizens from criminals. They protect criminals from honest citizens. Speaker 2 39:58 Gun Lawyer is a CounterThink Media Production. The music used in this broadcast was managed by Cosmo Music, New York, New York. Reach us by emailing Evan@gun.lawyer. The information and opinions in this broadcast do not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state. Page – 11 – of 11 Downloadable PDF TranscriptGun Lawyer S3 E268_Transcript About The HostEvan Nappen, Esq.Known as “America's Gun Lawyer,” Evan Nappen is above all a tireless defender of justice. Author of eight bestselling books and countless articles on firearms, knives, and weapons history and the law, a certified Firearms Instructor, and avid weapons collector and historian with a vast collection that spans almost five decades — it's no wonder he's become the trusted, go-to expert for local, industry and national media outlets. Regularly called on by radio, television and online news media for his commentary and expertise on breaking news Evan has appeared countless shows including Fox News – Judge Jeanine, CNN – Lou Dobbs, Court TV, Real Talk on WOR, It's Your Call with Lyn Doyle, Tom Gresham's Gun Talk, and Cam & Company/NRA News. As a creative arts consultant, he also lends his weapons law and historical expertise to an elite, discerning cadre of movie and television producers and directors, and novelists. He also provides expert testimony and consultations for defense attorneys across America. Email Evan Your Comments and Questions  talkback@gun.lawyer Join Evan's InnerCircleHere's your chance to join an elite group of the Savviest gun and knife owners in America.  Membership is totally FREE and Strictly CONFIDENTIAL.  Just enter your email to start receiving insider news, tips, and other valuable membership benefits.   Email (required) *First Name *Select list(s) to subscribe toInnerCircle Membership Yes, I would like to receive emails from Gun Lawyer Podcast. (You can unsubscribe anytime)Constant Contact Use. Please leave this field blank.var ajaxurl = "https://gun.lawyer/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php";

Send us a textHadassa Hirsh is the founder and director of Unite, a vibrant community for frum single women. For the past five years, she has led Unite in Lakewood with a mission to create belonging, empowerment, and genuine connection. Known for her warmth, creativity, and thoughtful leadership, Hadassa designs weekly programs, Shabbatons/retreats and conversations that help women feel inspired, connected to others and embrace their best selves throughout this stage.Donations:Ein. Charity number 86-1886680https://uniteprograms.ddock.gives/About us: Instagram: unite_lkwdBrochure: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1iG0wXzc-iHI3Xs0v7b1oFonWSHdojPkdiicXfn97164/edit?usp=drivesdk-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------https://wig-guru.com - Use Code 'Brainstorm' For 10% Offhttps://ourvillageny.org-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For more Brainstorm go to...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2aPCiuzsIoNKYt5jjv7RFT?si=67dfa56d4e764ee0Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brainstorm-with-sony-perlman/id1596925257Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@brainstormwithsonyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/brainstormwithsony

Route 66 will turn 100 next year. It slithers along I-40 as a road that almost didn't think it needed to be there. So much of roadside America vanished once they built the interstate, but you can still see signs of it here and there.While glancing over at Route 66, as I drove back from Ohio to California, I couldn't help but see how America has become so divided between those who exist in the virtual new frontier of the internet and those who still live in the long-forgotten old America, an America Big Tech will soon leave behind. A week or so ago, while driving through Lakewood, Ohio, I saw two police officers helping a ranting and raving woman open her locked car door. They just stood there, with their heads down, doing their job as temperatures sank to 20 degrees and the snow flurries swirled around their heads. They wanted to be home with their families, but there they were, doing their jobs.Cleveland is a symbol of an America in steep decline. Emptied out factories, some areas so crippled by poverty, they look like third-world countries. The businesses have been abandoned, graffiti covers almost every block, and most people know to stay away from these neighborhoods.My daughter was commissioned to paint a mural on the side of an abandoned building near a vacantd lot in a lower-middle-class neighborhood in Cleveland to dress it up a little. It is cities like Cleveland that Trump was elected to help fix. And it is why bringing in millions from poverty-ridden countries only means these Americans are pushed to the back of the line. His methods might be crude and in some cases, reckless, but his intentions have always been the same. Not just to Make America Great Again, but to Make America Safe Again. The Democrats can't keep America safe because they have become disconnected from real life and exist inside a self-perpetuating feedback loop that tells them only what they want to hear.They can't keep us safe on the streets. They can't keep businesses safe. They can't keep us safe on the roads. They can't keep families safe in cities ruled by gang warfare. They can't keep women safe from violent attacks by random lunatics who should not even be roaming the streets at all. They can't keep women and girls safe in locker rooms. They can't keep children safe in classrooms where they insist upon rewriting America's history and foisting an ideological cult upon the young so that they, too, grow up believing they can change their gender if the color of their skin makes them bad people. They can't keep those strung out on fentanyl safe either, the hundreds of thousands of overdoses every year. If anything, the Democrats are fighting to protect the rights of the drug cartels, like they fight to protect the rights of illegal immigrants, and like they fight to protect the rights of criminals. The Democrats exist in a protective bubble. They never see or hear the stories that come in brief flashes: a woman was punched on the subway, a man was carjacked with his toddler watching, a store was robbed, and a family was shot at a fast-food restaurant. Protesters beat someone up for wearing a MAGA hat, and a woman is kicked out of a gym for accurately calling attention to a naked man in the locker room. They can't really address any of these problems, so they shapeshift their message to see what works. Once they win, they can't deliver. Trump is trying to deliver, and all they're doing is trying to stop him. Democrats RisingTyler Robinson has never looked better. He was smiling as he strode into the courthouse on trial for the murder of Charlie Kirk. And why wouldn't he be smiling? He knows he's a hero on the Left, and he knows that a loud faction of the Right is defending him by blaming - wait for it - Israel.Amanda Seyfried has refused to apologize for saying Charlie Kirk was “hateful,” even if her words echoed Robinson's, who said that Charlie deserved to be killed because he “spread too much hate.” Seyfried, who has a major movie coming out in a couple of weeks, will be celebrated for her comments and will likely earn an Oscar nomination for a different role in which she plays the presumed second coming of Christ in the Shaker movement. Oh, the irony. The Kirk assassination should have rocked America to its core, as previous political assassinations have. Maybe it would have shaken us all awake so that we could ask, How did we ever get here? But if the Trump near-assassination didn't do it, if so many of the Real Housewives of the Democratic Party celebrated with cold glasses of Chardonnay and an Instagram post, nothing would.The Democrats have the wind at their backs with major wins in elections all over the country, including the first Democrat to win in Miami in almost 30 years. They believe they have the messaging right and are hitting on affordability, healthcare, and a living wage. So by the looks of it now, nothing can stop them from taking the House in 2026 and the presidency in 2028.They haven't changed a thing. They haven't tacked to the center. They haven't confronted “gender affirming care.” In fact, they're openly bragging about supporting it, at least if the performative meme factory of frontrunner Gavin, the Great White Male Hope for the Democrats in 2028, is any indication.Here is Ben Shapiro.To them, opposing “trans kids” is “hate.” And that is what got Charlie Kirk killed, except that his death was like lifting a fallen tree in the forest. All of the creepy crawlies came out. It isn't just the Left. Some on the Right are making a play for the giant hole Charlie left behind. “I don't care about the midterms,” says Candace Owens. “I hate the Republican Party,” says Tucker Carlson. Marjorie Taylor Greene is enjoying her fifteen minutes of fame by being a useful idiot for the Left, telling CNN and 60 Minutes everything they want to hear. MAGA is tearing itself apart. What separated Charlie Kirk from the parasitic vultures who have flown in to peck at the corpse is that he wasn't in it just for clicks and views or for money. He was in it because he believed in it, and he was dedicated to helping defeat the Left to save this country, especially its youth. Without him, however, the Democrats can use their powerful media machine to manipulate the message, even to deflect from their own craziness long enough to fool the public into trusting them before they once again demand that all must comply or else. That's our potential future if the Right can't get it together to mount a proper offense.The problem for the Democrats is that the mass delusions they push onto the American public have almost no practical application in the real America, the one I've just seen as I've driven across the country.What I saw was an America that needs politicians not just for “affordability,” but to keep things running - buses, grocery stores, schools, and most especially, to keep them and their neighborhoods safe, something the Democrats can't and won't do. Trump telling working-class Americans to buy fewer dolls this Christmas is the kind of thing that can sink a presidency and a legacy. True, he isn't running for re-election, but it's the kind of thing that will stick. The truth matters less than the perception, and for now, the Democrats control the media and thus, the message. To defeat the Democrats, Trump and MAGA will have to find a way to tell Americans to buy as many dolls as they want because now they can afford them. Sticks and StonesThe greatest crime imaginable to the Good People of the Left is a bad word. I was there when we began curating our soft language. Make the words inoffensive, and the problems will be solved. There is no homelessness; there are the “unhoused” people. There are no drug addicts, but mentally ill people. We don't give away our pets, we “rehome” them. It isn't catastrophic, life-altering medications and surgeries that sterilize children and wreck their bodies for life. It's “gender affirming care.” So, of course, Trump would be their biggest enemy. He got famous for saying anything, even if — especially if — it was shocking. The Left knows this and yet, they can't help themselves. It's “dangerous” because bad words are “dangerous” in a Woketopia ruled by soft language.They exist in an ecosystem that turns the story of a Cinnebon employee caught on tape using the N-word into the biggest scandal of the week. That convinces them that every terrible thing they've said and done for ten years has been justified. This country is infested, they believe, with “racists,” and they plan to do something about it once they take back power. How will they do that? By mandating thought and speech, just as they did last time. The internet gives them that kind of control to decide who gets to stay and who has to go. They won't only use it, they'll expand on it. But words are nothing compared to a bullet in the neck, a punch in the face, or a knife across the throat. But even if the victims are not white, crime remains an elusive concept for them because crime presents as “systemically racist police,” or mass incarceration, or something Trump and MAGA did. They especially ignore crimes by illegal immigrants. Cleveland and other cities like it have been ravaged by crime and drugs. Trump's answer was to send in National Guard troops to protect ICE agents and clean up the cities. Then he began bombing the cartel boats bringing drugs to the United States. Everything he does is to keep America safe, and yet, to the Democrats, that's criminal activity. So the citizens languish, overdose, and die, and the only person to ever do anything about it is the guy they still want to impeach, destroy, or even kill. Of Thee I SingI have just spent the past few weeks driving across this big, beautiful, complicated country, and I've never seen a greater disconnect between the traumas foisted upon Americans by the Democrats and the reality of life on the ground. In real life, we can still see each other as fellow Americans. The guy in the elevator can pet my dog and talk to me about how much he misses his dog, who died last year. There are no identifiers that pit us against each other, unless someone is wearing a MAGA hat or a No Kings t-shirt.But that is not true online. We are tracked and traced, our likes and our friends are used to put us in a specific category. An America ruled by the Left will take that one step further, all the way to 1984, where those allowed in are only those who love Big Brother.During the last Civil War, one of the greatest concerns was holding the Union together. It mattered that America survive. Here's hoping we honor their sacrifice, find a better way forward for all of us, and yes, hold onto the dream. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sashastone.com/subscribe

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In this episode of the OnStage Colorado podcast, hosts Alex Miller and Toni Tresca reflect on the year in Colorado theatre, discussing recent performances, notable shows, and the impact of national politics on local arts funding. They highlight various productions, including It's a Wonderful Life, Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol and Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum, while also addressing leadership changes within theatre organizations. Also in this episode a look at the Top 10 Colorado Headliners — upcoming shows worth checking out:Santa's Big Red Sack: The Final Season, The People's Building, Aurora, Dec. 4-24Grandma's Last Hayride, Golden Outpost, Dec. 4-20Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol, Breckenridge Backstage Theatre, Dec. 10-31Three Leaches New Play Festival (Weekend 2), Three Leaches Theater, Lakewood, Dec. 11-13Little Women & The Nutcracker, Ballet Ariel in Lakewood and Northglenn, Dec. 12-28The Notebook: The Musical, Denver Center Buell Theatre, Dec. 16-28Ben Roy's Ha-Ha Holiday Comedy Show, Denver Comedy Undergroun, Dec. 26-27New Year's Eve with Eddit Ifft, Comedy Works South, Dec. 31New Year's Eve with Emo Philips, Comedy Works Downtown, Dec. 31NYE Comedy Showcase, Denver Comedy Lounge, Dec. 31

Episode 267-Vote for Gun Lawyer Also Available OnSearchable Podcast Transcript Gun Lawyer — Episode 267 Transcript SUMMARY KEYWORDS Gun Lawyer, podcast of the year, Gundies awards, Second Amendment, New Jersey gun laws, assault firearms, registration, inheritance, gun rights, Supreme Court, firearms instructor, tactical rabbi, gun rights oppression, voting prizes, gun lawyer nomination. SPEAKERS Evan Nappen, Speaker 2, Teddy Nappen Evan Nappen 00:16 I’m Evan Nappen. Teddy Nappen 00:17 And I’m Teddy Nappen. Evan Nappen 00:19 And welcome to Gun Lawyer. Well, folks, I’m proud to say that Gun Lawyer has been nominated for Podcast of the Year by The Gundies. And The Gundies, it’s a really cool awards program in which they look to honor various voices and those who are influencers and writers regarding our precious Second Amendment rights. This is an honor, and I’m very proud to be nominated. And what I’m doing now is I am shamelessly asking for your vote, because with The Gundies, it’s you who vote. If you go to thegundies.com, www.TheGundies.com, thegundies.com, you’ll see there are 19 different categories for different things — influencer, writer, all kinds of stuff. And on there is Podcast of the Year. Please go there and vote for Gun Lawyer for Podcast of the Year. Evan Nappen 01:42 And by doing that, not only will you help promote the show, but because we focus on these horrible problems, particularly with a centered focus on New Jersey, because New Jersey is just where the brunt of the Second Amendment oppression takes place. This will help bring greater awareness nationally to our cause, to our fight against gun rights oppression. So, we can win Podcast of the Year nationally and more people will pay attention to New Jersey and what Gun Lawyer has to say. And if you vote, you can actually win prizes. They give prizes to folks, you know, randomly, who vote. Voting closes December 15. Okay? You can vote one vote per category every day. So, vote for Gun Lawyer every day. Okay? You can do it once a day. Evan Nappen 02:47 If you vote in all 19 categories, if you pick in all 19 categories, and it’s all free, by the way, and if you watch a video at the bottom of the page, you earn an extra vote for every category that day. There are prizes. Every time you vote, you’re automatically entered to win. And the grand prize is an all expense paid trip to The Gundy Awards, which takes place in Las Vegas. And in each category, there are Page – 1 – of 11 sponsors that have prizes. So, this is exciting and fun, and, you know, it would mean something to me and Teddy, if you would be so kind as to jump on thegundies.com and vote for Gun Lawyer. Evan Nappen 03:31 I would also highly recommend our good friend, John Petrolino, for top 2A writer. You know, John is just great, and man, does he cover New Jersey and so many other things as well. He’s such an in-depth great reporter, and he’s brought so many of these great issues to the forefront. You know, we’ve talked about a lot of the great work that John has done. So, give John a vote in the top 2A writer category. And, of course, our good friends at WeShoot, they were also put out there for Firearms Instructor of the Year. And I would ask you to consider the Tactical Rabbi, that’s right, Tactical Rabbi for Firearms Instructor of the Year, and Bul Armory for the Most Innovative Brand of the Year. So, there’s four of the categories with some suggestions. And so, if you’re inclined to do so, please jump on this. We have till December 15, and hopefully this will be successful. It will be a lot of fun for you, and maybe you’ll even win some prizes by doing it. Teddy Nappen 04:49 I will also say to everyone voting for us, for Gun Lawyer, it is critical, because we need to give national awareness. I don’t think people outside of New Jersey realize the damage that the Gun Owner Gulag has created, and New Jersey is the petri dish. This is where they test all their crazy nonsense. Evan Nappen 05:13 New Jersey is a gun owners hell. Teddy Nappen 05:14 Correct. Evan Nappen 05:15 New Jersey is a gun owners hell. I wish The Gundy’s had an award for, you know, worst state. You know, greatest gun owner hell. New Jersey would win that every year. Teddy Nappen 05:26 Anti-gunner of the year. Anti-gunner. Evan Nappen 05:28 No. Gun rights oppressionists award. The Top Gun Rights oppressionist state. It is crazy, but this is actually a positive award. So, they look to get the voices and the folks out there that are all going to bat for our rights. And everybody who’s nominated, I want to congratulate all the nominees across the board. They’re all out there, spreading the word, fighting the lame-stream media, and trying to get past the agenda that the anti-gunners try to control and their lies that they put out to get us disenfranchised of our rights. It really is a battle that we’re in, and this is yet another tool in that battle. So, go to TheGundies.com and give us your vote. Make your voice heard. Page – 2 – of 11 Evan Nappen 06:23 Say, you know, one of the things I wanted to talk about, and it’s something that comes up a lot. And every once in a while, I think it really pays to do this. I want to talk about the so-called intrinsically evil “assault firearms”. That’s right, you know, New Jersey has had a ban on so-called “assault firearms”, and that in its current form, it was enacted back in May of 1990 and became effective in 1991. During that one year period of time, they allowed you to render inoperable your so-called “assault firearms”, but if you did that, you had to file a Certificate of Inoperability. If you just rendered them inoperable and didn’t file the paperwork, it’s no good. It’s the same as having an actual “assault firearm”. They did allow registration of a handful of guns, which they called registration, where you could keep them. This included the AR-15 and the M1A and the M1 Carbine, but you had to pay $50 and register it. If you actually have a registered assault firearm, it allowed you to keep so-called large capacity magazines with that gun, as long as you use that gun in competition in the DCM (Director of Civilian Marksmanship), which no longer exists, by the way. It’s now the CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program). Evan Nappen 07:55 Now, very few did that. But, of course, if you did register one of those guns, I want you to be aware of something. If back in 1990 to 91 you registered an “assault firearm”, registered “assault firearms” in New Jersey are not inheritable. Firearms normally are inheritable in New Jersey, and they pass to your heirs without any paper registration or license. But registered “assault firearms” are not inheritable. So, if you have a registered “assault firearm” and you don’t want to just lose it to the State, you may want to think about disposing of it sooner rather than later. So that it is something that is just not a loss to the estate. Now, if you have an unregistered “assault firearm”, well that is inheritable. Believe it or not, only registered assault firearms are not inheritable. Evan Nappen 08:18 Of course, you may say, well, how can a unregistered “assault firearm” be legal for inheritance? Well, first of all, if you rendered it inoperable, that’s not registration. So, those guns are inheritable. And if you stored your “assault firearm” outside of New Jersey and didn’t register it, then it can be inherited by your heirs. Now, they can’t bring it into New Jersey either, but they can, in fact, inherit it. So, it’s only registered “assault firearms” that are not inheritable. The “assault firearm” law is just full of quirky, bizarre garbage like this. And it is insanity. As far as a law being written, its one of the worst-written criminal laws ever written. Absolutely. It is essentially beyond complete comprehension. Evan Nappen 09:51 It is a very complicated and often contradictory, five-part definition of what is supposedly an “assault firearm”. And the reason it’s so complicated is that they really can’t be defined, because “assault firearm” is just a pejorative term. The original assault rifle, if you will, the assault rifle, you know, is the German Sturmgewehr. And that assault rifle was full automatic fire and semi auto. So, it was a select- fire weapon. So, assault firearms are not assault rifles and assault weapons, which you may have heard that term assault weapon, is what the Federal law at one point banned back in 1994. But that law went away in 2004, and it hasn’t come back. So, the Federal assault weapon ban has been DOA since 2004. New Jersey still has an assault firearm law, and neither of those are assault rifles, of which the traditional classic Sturmgeweher, a medium caliber firearm that would be select fire. Page – 3 – of 11 Evan Nappen 11:09 So, what New Jersey did was contrive this definition with this complicated five parts. The first part is a laundry list of about 67 named guns. Now, of these named guns, some of them I’ve never even encountered in the wild. Okay? I’ve never even seen some of these that are on this list, and some, I think, are just made up. Maybe they like read it on the internet somewhere and thought it qualified as an “assault firearm”. But if your gun is a named gun on the list, then it becomes banned by name. Then if it’s not on the list or it’s not exactly as named on the list, then the other part of the law identified any firearm manufactured under any designation which is substantially identical to any of the firearms on the list. Evan Nappen 12:07 So, the question became, well, what does “substantially identical” mean? I mean, even think about those two words for a minute – substantially identical. Well, identical means exact. Substantial means almost. How could something be almost exact? It’s like being a little bit pregnant. I mean, you are or you’re not. I mean, this is ridiculous. You now have to guess, when this law came out, is my gun substantially identical to a gun on the list? What does that even mean? I brought a challenge to that. It was in the case of State v. Merrill, and I won. It was on an MAK 90, where the judge tossed the assault farm law in the trial court. It was Judge Farren in Monmouth County in State v. Merrill. He tossed the law as being unconstitutional, not because of the Second Amendment, but tossed it because of being vague, unconstitutionally vague. A person could not understand from the law what’s banned. In order for a law to be valid criminally, you have to understand how to conform your behavior, and under this law, you couldn’t. Because no one could tell what “substantially identical” meant. Evan Nappen 13:13 Then along came a Federal lawsuit, after I won it in State court, trying to knock out the law. And in that case, the Attorney General named in the lawsuit filed the Attorney General Guidelines to save the law by defining what “substantially identical” meant in that part of the definition. He defined substantially identical as the 1994 Federal Crime Bill definition of a assault firearm that was feature specific, even though New Jersey didn’t have a feature specific ban. The ’94 Crime Bill is what became essentially New Jersey’s list of compliant guns or not, and that is what we’re still using to this day. Those guidelines from the Attorney General. So, when you talk about whether a gun is compliant or not, and you go to those guidelines, that’s where the substantially identical comes in. Evan Nappen 14:16 So, when you look at the list of guns, it says on there Colt AR-15 and CAR-15. And let’s say you have a Bush Master, you know, XM 15, or you have Davis, or whatever. It doesn’t matter is, but it’s like an AR- type platform. Is it substantially identical or not to this? How do we know? Well, that’s where the Attorney General Guidelines came in to save what was otherwise an unconstitutional law, which itself is questionable whether this. But the court upheld it based on this. Even though the question is, how did our legislators in 1990 know that their unconstitutional law that had a vague definition would be saved by a Federal bill passed in 1994, four years later? That’s pretty amazing. Their crystal ball there to know that, isn’t it? But somehow, that’s been what we’ve been living under. Page – 4 – of 11 Evan Nappen 15:12 Under the guidelines of the Attorney General, substantially identical gets defined as any semi-automatic rifle that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least two of the following features. You have to have two. And that would be a folding or telescoping stock, a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon, a bayonet mount, a flash suppressor or threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor and a grenade launcher. Now, I know a lot of you, you know, go out grenade launching on the weekend. So, beware of that one in there. If you look at these features that make a gun substantially identical or not, I mean, a bayonet mount? What the hell does a bayonet mount have to do at all with any of this? I mean, was it because of all the drive by bayonetings? It’s, it’s nuts, but this is what we live under. But the reason we have those guidelines is not because you find them in the law. You find those guidelines, saving the law’s ass, if you will, by defining the term “substantially identical” that I had gotten knocked out as unconstitutional in that State v. Merrill case. Evan Nappen 16:25 Additional definitions for assault firearm include a semi-automatic shotgun with either a magazine capacity exceeding six rounds, a pistol grip or folding stock. So, if you have a semi-automatic shotgun and it holds over six rounds. And let me just tell you, this is a great example of just how stupid the Attorney General Guidelines are. Because the Attorney General Guidelines, incorporating the Federal ’94 bill says about shotguns that it can’t exceed five rounds. Well, that’s crap. Completely wrong. New Jersey law says it can hold six. Can’t be over six. The guidelines say five but that’s because they didn’t know what they were doing when they passed the guidelines. It contradicts New Jersey’s law, okay? But with shotguns that are semi-automatic, all it takes is one feature. It’s not two. So, if you have a semi-automatic shotgun with a pistol grip, it’s an assault firearm. If you have a semi-automatic shotgun with a folding stock, it’s an assault firearm. If you have a semi-automatic shotgun that holds over six rounds, then it’s an assault firearm. Okay? It’s a one-feature deal on shotguns. Evan Nappen 17:38 Now, if you have a pump action shotgun, if you have a wonderful Mossberg 590 or a tactical Remington 870 or any other pump shotgun, you can have any damn feature you want on it. You can have a bayonet mount. You can have folding stock. You can have a magazine capacity of a tube that holds nine rounds. No problem. You can have a shroud on it. You can whatever you want on a pump shotgun. No problem. Pumps are not covered by this at all. So, trick out your pump shotgun to your heart’s desire, but be very careful when it comes to your semi-automatic shotgun. Evan Nappen 18:24 It also prohibited, under another section, a semi-automatic rifle with a fixed magazine capacity exceeding 10 rounds. However, the original definition in 1990 set a semi-automatic firearm with a fixed magazine capacity exceeding 15 rounds, and this included tube-fed .22s, your classic Marlin Model 60, and you know your Remingtons and Winchesters that were semi-auto and held over 15 rounds in the mag tube. But what happened was they became a laughing stock, New Jersey, over their ban on .22s, and it became detrimental to them trying to oppress our rights so badly that they actually amended New Jersey’s assault firearm law to exclude tube-fed .22s. So, if you now have a semi-automatic .22 rifle that has a fixed tubular magazine and holds over 10 rounds, it is not an assault firearm. It’s legal. Your Page – 5 – of 11 tube-fed, semi-auto .22 can hold as many rounds as the tube wishes, and is possible to hold. Not a problem. So, that’s how that works. Evan Nappen 19:45 And then finally, they throw in this ridiculous part or combination of parts designed or intended to convert a firearm into an assault firearm. Don’t you love when the definition uses its own words to define itself? Say, that isn’t vague or confusing, is it? Or any combination of parts in which an assault fire may be readily assembled if all those parts are in the possession or under control of the same person. So, you have that catch all of parts nonsense as well. So that is New Jersey’s assault firearm definition. Evan Nappen 20:18 Possession of an assault farm is extremely serious in New Jersey. It’s a crime of the second degree. It carries up to 10 years in State Prison, and it has a minimum mandatory of three and a half years, no chance of parole. If you get convicted of possession of an assault firearm, you’re looking at the judge’s hands being tied, and you will have to do a minimum of three and a half years with no parole in State Prison. Additionally, if you’re charged with assault firearm, you will be thrown in the Gulag, and there’s a presumption against you getting bail if you’re charged, not even convicted, just charged with possession of an assault firearm. New Jersey has lost its mind when it comes to this and so many other gun laws, but it’s always worth a review. I want to make it clear to my listeners just how bad it is, so that you don’t end up a GOFU on New Jersey’s idiotic assault firearm ban. Evan Nappen 21:20 Hey, let me mention our good friends at WeShoot. Of course, WeShoot is the range where Teddy and I shoot. They have great training and a beautiful range, right there in Lakewood, New Jersey, centrally located. They’re a great resource. You can get your CCARE certificate there so you can get your carry, ad you can get all kinds of training. They offer other training for a carry license from other states. They can offer you advanced training, great range, so you can hone your skills and stay on target. WeShoot. You go to weshootusa.com. Beautiful photographs. They’ve got the WeShoot girls there posing with great guns. You’ll love looking at that. And you can check out their pro shop where they have great deals. Great gear, great guns, and great folks at WeShoot, weshootusa.com. It’s a great place. We love it, and I know you will, too. Evan Nappen 22:21 Aso in this battle, this entire time, it’s been the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs (ANJRPC). The Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs are in the courts right now battling the assault firearm law. I’m feeling more and more hopeful, folks that we’re going to see the Supreme Court take up assault firearms and large capacity magazine cases. New Jersey’s fighting it out. It may, in fact, be the New Jersey case that the Supreme Court hears down the road, maybe others. They’re proceeding pretty rapidly to the Supreme Court. We’re getting mixed decisions in the different jurisdictions, which also leads to the Supreme Court wanting to take the cases. It is really important that we finally get a case from the Supreme Court where they look at items that get banned. Page – 6 – of 11 Evan Nappen 23:11 The Supreme Court does have two cases this session that they’ve picked looking at the “sensitive places”, which is really important, because that will help fight New Jersey’s Carry Killer bill. It goes at one of the laws that New Jersey, in fact, has regarding property, private property, and whether or not it can be banned. They’re also looking at whether marijuana can be a disqualifier or not, whether that’s a lawful disqualifier that can take away your Second Amendment rights. They may finally eliminate Bang or Bong. You can’t have both. So, these cases will be very interesting, and they also can have much more far reaching consequences and help us in our battle to fight the gun rights oppression. So, these are things to look forward to. And your State Association, the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, is there fighting these issues out and filing amicus briefs in other cases, and also in the legislature with our paid lobbyists full time. Keeping an eye on the shenanigans going on down there. So, make sure you join the Association so you can stay updated and you can take action as you get those email alerts. It’s very important. So, join anjrpc.org today. Evan Nappen 24:36 And let me also mention my book, New Jersey Gun Law. It’s the Bible of Jersey gun law. It’ll help you stay legal in New Jersey and not fall into these traps and these things that we talk about, like the whole understanding of assault firearms. If you’re confused by what I said, you can read it slowly, carefully in my book, under the chapter assault farms. I put it in question and answer so anyone can understand it. I want you to understand it. I want my fellow gun owners not to be turned into criminals and to lose their gun rights. It’s why I wrote the book. So, get your copy today. Go to EvanNappen.com, EvanNappen.com, and get my book, New Jersey Gun Law. It makes a great holiday gift. Check it out, the 25th Anniversary Edition. And when you get the book, scan the front cover, the QR code right there, and you will get our link right to my archive, where you can download the 2025 Comprehensive Update. Of course, I’ll be doing updates for the new year, and you’ll want to get them. You’ll get notified of that and any other crazy changes that take place in New Jersey. We have to be eternally vigilant. Teddy, what do you have for us this week? Teddy Nappen 25:53 Well, as you know, Press Checks are always free. And this is something that you know when you see it, you have to think, what would the Left do if they had unfettered power? If they, you know, added more states and packed the court and made every illegal a voter? If they had unfettered power, what does that lead to? Well, I was flipping through Bearing Arms, and sure enough, a British man was arrested for a picture of himself posing with a shotgun. This is an article by Tom Knighton. (https://bearingarms.com/tomknighton/2025/12/01/british-man-arrested-for-picture-of-him-shooting- shotgun-n1230765) Evan Nappen 26:34 He was posing with the shotgun. Where? Teddy Nappen 26:37 Correct. In the United States! Yeah, of course, they got arrest the man for posing with something that’s across the entire continent. The British IT consultant was arrested after posting a photograph of himself holding a gun during the holidays in the United States. The case drew sharp criticism from Elon Musk Page – 7 – of 11 everybody as West Yorkshire. He was shocked after police visited then detained him over the image, which he says was taken legally on private property in Florida. Evan Nappen 27:05 Wait, there’s guns in Florida? Teddy Nappen 27:16 I know – shocker. The West Yorkshire Police later visited his home and advised him to be careful about what he posts online. Evan Nappen 27:27 What’s all this, then? What’s all this then? Teddy Nappen 27:33 Right! Yeah, and the officers did not ask to see any proof that he had taken the photograph in the U.S. as they then returned to his home at 10 pm and promptly arrested him. The bail documents referred showed there were allegations of possessing a firearm with a cause, with intent to cause fear of violence, as well as separate allegations of stalking linked to another photo. Evan Nappen 28:04 Are you sure this wasn’t a Monty Python episode? I mean, it’s unbelievable. Teddy Nappen 28:09 Yeah, and he was held overnight before being interviewed. So, they locked him up and said, all right, we’re gonna get you in the morning. Evan Nappen 28:17 They jailed him over it even. Good grief. Teddy Nappen 28:19 They dropped the charges. But then said, you better not lead any more incitement as you posted a photo. Evan Nappen 28:25 Oh, God, you can’t. Teddy Nappen 28:28 You can’t get any more Orwellian than that. Being arrested over a photograph. Not even possession of firearms, because they can’t do that in England. A photograph. Evan Nappen 28:41 Well, you know, I had a case similar, Teddy. Not quite that, but close, you know. When I had a case with a guy whose son had passed the New Jersey Hunter and was a New Jersey Hunter. He was posing with his gun. He just had a picture with his firearm. Nothing bad. No threats, nothing. And they Page – 8 – of 11 went and tried to cause a huge problem for him and his family. It was outrageous over just a picture of his son legally with a gun. And that was New Jersey. Now, luckily, he didn’t get arrested and criminally charged and thrown in jail. But still, you know, these things can happen even in New Jersey, and it’s getting worse and worse. So, we have to be very vigilant of this. And it shows you. I mean, the U.K. is just the, I would call them, the formerly Great Britain. Formerly Great Britain. Teddy Nappen 29:47 I just call it hell. Because what they are looking to do now, I just. I like to highlight these stories that have come up in the past, because unfortunately, the Left are very good at memory holing the utter insanity they pull. For instance, in the U.K., and this is from The Mirror by Kelly-Anne Mills. (https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/autistic-girl-who-told-cop-30673891) Remember the autistic girl who got arrested for using “homophobic language” for calling the cop, oh, you’re my lesbian Nana. They dragged her to the police and promptly arrested her. Arresting an autistic girl, 16 years old, for saying she looks like my lesbian Nana, who she did have. Evan Nappen 30:34 She didn’t say it in a bad way. Teddy Nappen 30:36 No, she just said you look like my Nana. Evan Nappen 30:40 Yeah. Teddy Nappen 30:41 And it showed her being dragged out, which, or if you they go into like, for autistic people, can’t, they freak out if you even touch them. But the dragging her through in the massive footage, which, it’s just such an embarrassment. By the way, it was the West Yorkshire Police. I’m noticing a pattern being the Orwellian thought crime police. They outdid themselves with this one, which this came up recently. Do you remember that woman who was arrested for silent prayer? Evan Nappen 31:11 Oh, a thought crime. Thought crime, that’s good. Yeah, great. Teddy Nappen 31:15 Yeah, well, finally it came due where the West Midland Police were forced to pay 13,000 pounds to the woman for falsely arresting her. Teddy Nappen 31:27 For silently praying outside an abortion clinic. But take this as you will. She was still arrested for thought crime. This is coming right from the ADF International U.K. Utter insanity. (https://adfinternational.org/en-gb/news/silent-prayer-arrest-payout) And when I look at this, I see this is what the Left wants. They want you and I, Dad, to be dragged out and arrested for our speech, Page – 9 – of 11 because that’s the only way they can win. They can’t win in the battlegrounds of ideology. Showed that by them killing Charlie Kirk. Now they want to go for arresting you for your ideas. That is their goal. Evan Nappen 31:27 Good. Evan Nappen 32:03 We couldn’t do the Gun Lawyer show in the U.K. We’d be raided, jailed, and forget it. Yeah. I mean, you know, we still have a First Amendment here, and we love the entire Constitution, not just the Second Amendment. But we’re facing oppression of all our Constitutional rights, but at least we still have them. It’s really sad about how the formerly Great Britain has been just turned into a laughing stock and a place that I wouldn’t even want to step foot in. I mean, at one point I would have loved to have gone there. But nope, not anymore, man. Not a chance. They are just nuts, and their suppression of so many rights and what they’ve let happen to their country is just sad, very sad. Evan Nappen 32:57 Hey, let me tell you about this week’s GOFU. This week’s GOFU is an important GOFU because we have the holidays coming up. And, you know, we all, I’m sure, love to watch A Christmas Story, right? A Christmas Story is a classic with Ralphie. But the star of A Christmas Story, not just Ralphie, is the Daisy BB gun, right? The Daisy BB gun. And I’m sure many of you have fond memories if you were fortunate enough as a kid to have a Daisy BB gun. But I’ve got to tell you, BB guns in New Jersey are firearms, folks. Keep that in mind. A BB gun is defined as a firearm in New Jersey. You cannot just give a BB gun to your child, to your son or to your daughter. You cannot do that. It’s the same as if you just gave them a gun. Evan Nappen 34:01 If you buy a BB gun, it’s your BB gun. If you want to shoot the BB gun with your child, you need to be with them in the same way as if it is a modern cartridge firearm. You can’t just give them that BB gun to keep in their room, to go out in the woods alone and play with it and have fun like we did in the old days. You cannot do that. It is a firearm. You can lose your gun rights and even face criminal charges. And so can your child. So, the GOFU is, remember, air guns are firearms in New Jersey. Treat them the same as firearms in any way that you would want to give a firearm, okay? Gifting a firearm in New Jersey itself is not permitted without proper paperwork. So, you can’t buy any gun for anyone and just give it to them. They’re going to have to have a transfer done with paper, with a pistol purchase permit for handguns and a firearm ID card for long arms. And if they’re not immediate family, it has to go through a dealer. The only way you gift a gun in New Jersey is with full paperwork. So, that’s the GOFU. Keep it in mind during this holiday season. Evan Nappen 35:33 This is Evan Nappen and Teddy Nappen reminding you that gun laws don’t protect honest citizens from criminals. They protect criminals from honest citizens. Page – 10 – of 11 Speaker 2 35:44 Gun Lawyer is a CounterThink Media production. The music used in this broadcast was managed by Cosmo Music, New York, New York. Reach us by emailing Evan@gun.lawyer. The information and opinions in this broadcast do not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state. Page – 11 – of 11 Downloadable PDF TranscriptGun Lawyer S3 E267_Transcript About The HostEvan Nappen, Esq.Known as “America's Gun Lawyer,” Evan Nappen is above all a tireless defender of justice. Author of eight bestselling books and countless articles on firearms, knives, and weapons history and the law, a certified Firearms Instructor, and avid weapons collector and historian with a vast collection that spans almost five decades — it's no wonder he's become the trusted, go-to expert for local, industry and national media outlets. Regularly called on by radio, television and online news media for his commentary and expertise on breaking news Evan has appeared countless shows including Fox News – Judge Jeanine, CNN – Lou Dobbs, Court TV, Real Talk on WOR, It's Your Call with Lyn Doyle, Tom Gresham's Gun Talk, and Cam & Company/NRA News. As a creative arts consultant, he also lends his weapons law and historical expertise to an elite, discerning cadre of movie and television producers and directors, and novelists. He also provides expert testimony and consultations for defense attorneys across America. Email Evan Your Comments and Questions  talkback@gun.lawyer Join Evan's InnerCircleHere's your chance to join an elite group of the Savviest gun and knife owners in America.  Membership is totally FREE and Strictly CONFIDENTIAL.  Just enter your email to start receiving insider news, tips, and other valuable membership benefits.   Email (required) *First Name *Select list(s) to subscribe toInnerCircle Membership Yes, I would like to receive emails from Gun Lawyer Podcast. (You can unsubscribe anytime)Constant Contact Use. Please leave this field blank.var ajaxurl = "https://gun.lawyer/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php";

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority riders will see service cuts in the coming year. Work is already being done to decide which buses, trains and trolley routes will be impacted. The changes are in an effort to save more than $11 million in the new budget. The transit authority has already announced that Wi-Fi will not be available on trains, buses and trolleys beginning later this month. We will begin this week's “Sound of Ideas Reporters Roundtable” with a discussion on the proposed changes as well as the rest of the week's top stories. Ohio needs to do more to make roads safer for drivers and passengers according to a national safety group. The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety released its state reports and gave Ohio a "yellow" or caution rating. U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno says the time has come to end dual citizenship. Being an American, he declared, is "all or nothing." He's backing legislation that would prevent U.S. citizens from holding citizenship in another country. So if you are an American Citizen and have Irish citizenship, for example, because your grandmother was born there, you have to pick one. An LGBTQ+ entertainment development in Lakewood will close at the end of the month. Opened in 2022, Studio West 117 included bars, restaurants and a gymnasium. This week Cleveland City Council signed off on the exit deal for the Browns. The Haslam Sports Group, which owns the team, will vacate the existing Downtown stadium for a new enclosed stadium to be built in Brook Park. The current timeline would have the Browns open the season in the new stadium in the fall of 2029. Ohio lawmakers want to further restrict where convicted sex offenders can live. The state already has laws that prevents such offenders, and those who commit any crimes against children, from living near schools, preschools and child care facilities. This bill would also prohibit residency near the victims themselves. Gov. DeWine vetoed a bill that would have expanded the hours 14- and 15-year-olds could work throughout the school year from a 7 pm clock out to 9 pm. The legislature approved the expansion, which Democrats opposed on the grounds it was a way for businesses to secure cheap labor. The governor thinks young kids shouldn't be working late, except maybe on their homework. Guests: -Glenn Forbes, Supervising Producer of Newscasts, Ideastream Public Media -Gabriel Kramer, Reporter, Ideastream Public Media -Karen Kasler, Statehouse News Bureau Chief, Ohio Public Radio/TV

Ruby Ramirez-Patterson shared how Caterina’s Club helped her family get into a new home after struggling for years, giving them stability and a fresh start. She expressed hope that her mother and siblings could access the same life-changing support. Gas prices sparked conversation as Hawaii—despite having only one refinery—is paying a dollar less per gallon than California. A police pursuit ended with a deputy-involved crash in Lakewood. “The Foosh” had an emotional reunion with the heroes who saved his life—Kenyati Hubbard and Paul Rifino. Rich Jacoby from The Gold Show stopped by, noting that both gold and silver prices are rising. In sports, Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas signed a one-year, $5 million deal, and the show replayed his World Series home run. And in exciting news, Ring Doorbell inventor Jamie Siminoff just released a brand new book titled “Ding Dong”.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Dustin Alberty sits down with the newest class of AIW Academy graduates who are set to make their debut on December 12th at The Roxy in Lakewood, Ohio.   Tickets: https://dice.fm/event/pypg3p-absolute-intense-wrestling-cultivate-12th-dec-the-roxy-at-mahalls-lakewood-tickets

In this episode of The Restaurant Coach Podcast, I sit down with Megan Coignard, owner of Nicolo's Pizza in Lakewood, Colorado—an independent restaurant operator who was once drowning in chaos, burnout, and the never-ending cycle every owner knows too well: firefighter mode. Two years ago, Megan picked up the phone because she had hit a … Continue reading Episode 177 – From Firefighter Mode to Success Mode with Megan Coignard →

When Jesus had every right to demand, He chose to kneel and serve.In this closing message of the Made to Serve series, John Gunter teaches from John 13, reminding us that a gospel-shaped life looks like a towel and a basin, not a title and a throne. If you want to reflect Jesus, you do not wait to be asked. You simply serve where you are. This message calls the church to return to the example of our Lord, who made humility the mark of greatness.Key Takeaways:Serving others is not beneath us. It is the heart of ChristHumility is not thinking less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself lessWe each have a place to serve. Start where you are and watch what God does

Keith discusses seven ways to get a lower mortgage rate, emphasizing the historical impact of the 1940s GI Bill on homeownership and wealth creation.  Caeli Ridge, founder of Ridge Lending Group, digs into smart tactics like adjustable rate mortgages, DSCR loans, and down payment options, plus insider tips on boosting your creditworthiness, timing your rate lock, and planning ahead so you can maximize your returns.  They also explore trends like 50-year mortgages and portable mortgages, and the benefits of FHA and VA loans for first-time buyers.  Resources: Want expert guidance on your next real estate investment or mortgage? Reach out to Ridge Lending Group for personalized support and a full range of loan options—whether you're a first-time buyer or seasoned investor. Visit ridgelendinggroup.com or call 855-74-RIDGE to take your next step! Episode Page: GetRichEducation.com/582 For access to properties or free help with a GRE Investment Coach, start here: GREmarketplace.com GRE Free Investment Coaching: GREinvestmentcoach.com Get mortgage loans for investment property: RidgeLendingGroup.com or call 855-74-RIDGE  or e-mail: info@RidgeLendingGroup.com Invest with Freedom Family Investments.  For predictable 10-12% quarterly returns, visit FreedomFamilyInvestments.com/GRE or text  1-937-795-8989 to speak with a freedom coach Will you please leave a review for the show? I'd be grateful. Search "how to leave an Apple Podcasts review"  For advertising inquiries, visit: GetRichEducation.com/ad Best Financial Education: GetRichEducation.com Get our wealth-building newsletter free— GREletter.com or text 'GRE' to 66866 Our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/GetRichEducation Follow us on Instagram: @getricheducation Complete episode transcript:   Keith Weinhold  0:01   Welcome to GRE. I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, seven ways you can get a lower mortgage interest rate. We'll break them down loan types available to you that you never heard of, and learn how the 1940s GI Bill shaped the mortgage that you get today on get rich education   Speaker 1  0:22   Since 2014 the powerful get rich education podcast has created more passive income for people than nearly any other show in the world. This show teaches you how to earn strong returns from passive real estate investing in the best markets without losing your time being a flipper or landlord. Show Host Keith Weinhold writes for both Forbes and Rich Dad advisors, and delivers a new show every week since 2014 there's been millions of listener downloads of 188 world nations. He has a list show guests include top selling personal finance author Robert Kiyosaki. Get rich education can be heard on every podcast platform, plus it has its own dedicated Apple and Android listener phone apps build wealth on the go with the get rich education podcast. Sign up now for the get rich education podcast, or visit get rich education.com   Corey Coates  1:07   You're listening to the show that has created more financial freedom than nearly any show in the world. This is get rich education. You Keith,   Keith Weinhold  1:23   welcome to GRE from the Romanian Black Sea to the Egyptian Red Sea and across 188 nations worldwide. I'm Keith Weinhold, and this is the indefatigable get rich education before we discuss the seven ways that you can get a lower mortgage rate and more in the 1940s before my dad was born, the GI Bill gave veterans returning from World War Two access to cheap home loans, and that single policy decision might have done more to shape the modern American Housing landscape than Anything else in the last 100 years. Think about it, millions of young men, almost kids, really had just spent the better part of their early adulthood in Europe or the Pacific. They came home, married their sweethearts, started families, and suddenly America had this booming demand for housing, but demand alone doesn't build homes. You also need money. You need access to credit, and that's where the GI Bill stepped in. It didn't just thank returning service members for their sacrifice. It handed them something way more powerful, the ability to buy a home with little money down a low interest rate and underwriting standards that would frankly look like a fantasy today, that access to credit sparked one of the biggest housing booms in American history. You had these entire suburbs that sprang up overnight, Levittown in New York, Lakewood in California. These were master planned communities, and they really became a blueprint for Post War America. We had the booming 50s, and this had a lot to do with it. Here's the part that most people don't understand. This wasn't just about housing. This was about wealth creation, because for better or worse, home ownership has been the primary wealth building vehicle for the American middle class these past 100 years, when you give millions of people a subsidized path into property ownership, you're not just giving them a roof. You're giving them equity appreciation, leverage, tax benefits. You're giving them the engine, this flywheel that spins up generational wealth in a lot of ways. The GI Bill is the earliest institutional example of what I at least tell you here on the show, real estate pays five ways. Now they didn't call it that in 1947 but that's exactly what it was. Veterans earned appreciation as suburbs grew. They had amortization working for them, they collected tax advantages. Inflation slowly eroded their fixed rate mortgage balances too. And here's the thing, these weren't even speculative investments. They were homes that they lived in. Now, of course, the GI bill wasn't perfect. It expanded opportunity for millions of people, but it excluded a lot of people too. Lenders and local governments often blocked black veterans and other minorities from accessing the same benefits. That's a whole story unto itself, but the takeaway for today is, when you combine demographic momentum with favorable financing, you can remake a nation, and that's why housing policy still matters today, which we'll get. Two shortly, when you change access to credit or just tweak it, you change the trajectory of families and markets for generations, and the GI Bill proved that. So when we talk about interest rates, affordability, supply shortages, or any of the high frequency housing data that we cover here, remember that the stories aren't just about numbers. They really are about people. They're about giving ordinary Americans the chance to build wealth the same way that those World War Two veterans did through ownership, stability and the quiet compound leverage, not compound interest. Compound leverage that real estate delivers over time.    Keith Weinhold  5:49   I'm bringing you today's show from, I suppose, a somewhat exotic location. I am inside Caesar's Palace, which is right near the very middle of the famed Las Vegas Strip, that's where I'm at. The hotel staff is always accommodative of the show setup. This might seem a little strange to you, because I'm not a gambler. The reason I'm here is that my brother lives 25 minutes away, and I've been with him during Thanksgiving. Next week, I'll bring you the show from Buffalo, New York, and then two weeks from now, I have something heart warming to tell you about that, and it is a real estate story. I'll be broadcasting the show from upstate Pennsylvania. I'll be there to visit my parents. My brother's also coming in from Nevada to be there. That's where the four of us, mom, dad, my brother and I will sit around the same dining room table in the same kitchen of the same home that my parents have lived in since the 1970s nothing has changed, and all four of us know our spots at the table. And actually, it's not even called the dining room table. It is the supper table, as my parents call it so, from flashy Caesar's Palace today to Buffalo and then to Appalachian simplicity in Pennsylvania, the stability and continuity of my parents living in the same home and four wine holds sitting around the table during the holidays, it is so rare. I imagine less than one or 2% of people can do this. I'm just profoundly grateful and proud of Kurt and Penny Weinhold for being the best, most stable parents I could have asked for. It's almost too much to ask, and if you don't have that in your life. Ah, you can do something about that. You can provide the same decency and stability for your children.    Keith Weinhold  7:50   Let's talk about seven proven ways you can get a lower mortgage rate with this week's terrific guest. Though, we'll focus on investment properties. A lot of this applies to primary residences as well.   Keith Weinhold  8:07   We are joined by the founder of the lender that's created more financial freedom for real estate investors than any other mortgage originator in the nation, the eponymous Ridge lending group. And though that sounds impressive, my gosh, she didn't even need that introduction for you the listener, because she's one of the most recurrent guests in show history. Welcome back to GRE Caeli Ridge,   Caeli Ridge  8:30   I am delighted to be here as always, Keith, thank you for your support and acknowledgement. I love what you do, and I'm hoping that I can bring more value today to your listeners in what it is that we do, educating the masses, right?   Keith Weinhold  8:42   You've been doing that here for about 10 years. And yes, we're talking about a woman with a reputation for writing emails in all caps, yet still maintains a great relationship with everybody. I mean, congrats, shaile. I couldn't possibly pull that off myself.   Caeli Ridge  8:58   Thank you, Keith. And you know, I'm going to stay by my all caps, man, it's a speed thing. It all boils down to the number of seconds in the day that I can just move quickly through an email. Yeah, I love my all caps.   Keith Weinhold  9:09   Apparently recipients are still replying, well, you can get a lower mortgage rate in at least seven ways. You can get an adjustable rate mortgage, do a midweek lock in, negotiate seller credits. Have a high credit score. Do a two one buy now, which is kind of old school, but some home builders are using it boost your DTI or buy now, not later. Those are some of the strategies for lowering your mortgage rate. What are your thoughts with regard to that?   Caeli Ridge  9:39   I think all of those are viable. I would just say on the adjust for a mortgage. The pushback I would give there is, is that for residential property, specifically, single family, up to four units, we are not finding that spread between the arm and a 30 year fix. We've been the industry as a whole, secondary specifically been on the inverted yield. Now this gets a little tough. Nickel, and I won't go down that rabbit hole, but 08, 09, the housing and lending crash created an environment within secondary markets where an inverted yield has made a 30 year fixed mortgage more favorable in the rate department. Now that's not always going to be the case. I am a huge fan of the adjustable, but what would work right now is an adjustable with the all in one not to take too much time on that topic, but that would be an adjust rate mortgage that I think would save interest or reduce the rate of which interest is accruing,   Keith Weinhold  10:30   the all in one loan, which we discussed extensively back at the beginning of this year here on the show. Long term, though, I have seen adjustable rate mortgages work for a lot of people, because really, the compelling proposition of the arm is that it guarantees that you get a lower rate in the near term, and yet there's only a chance that you're going to have a higher rate in the long term   Caeli Ridge  10:53   and further. Let's I mean, let's dissect that a little bit. I am a huge proponent. I love an adjustable rate mortgage when the arm is pricing a half or a full percentage point plus over a fixed especially for non owner occupied and the reason for that is, and this is statistically speaking, feel free to look this up, guys, the average shelf life of a mortgage for an investment property is about five years. Great point, right? And we know that if that's the case, right, we're refinancing to harvest equity. We're refinancing maybe to reduce an interest rate from where the market was before, et cetera, et cetera. So that would be the first thing I would say. And then also remember, you guys the first 10 years of an amortized mortgage, 30 year fixed, amortized mortgage, how much of that payment is going to the principal? Because people will often push back by saying, well, either an interest only, or an adjustable and what happens if it changes or it goes up? Most of your payment is going to the interest anyway, and that reset to harvest equity. Borrowed funds are non taxable. We always say that, right? I think it's fully justified. So I love an arm, I just don't know, in comparison to a 30 year fixed today, like a five year ARM versus a 30 year fixed we are in a place that it makes sense, but normally, to your point, absolutely. Fan   Keith Weinhold  12:06   that spread needs to widen for the arm to make more sense. What about doing a mid week rate lock in? Is that a thing?    Caeli Ridge  12:13   Yeah. And you know, I don't have any empirical evidence here. Okay, I don't have any data points that actually prove this, except for 25 years in the business and locking loans every day of my life. There's something about a Monday and a Friday. And I have some conspiracy theories. I don't know that. I it's necessary to share them here, but midweek locks tend to be more favorable in both points and interest rate than you'll find on a Friday and a Monday. I think largely it has to do with, you know, the stock exchanges shutting down for the weekend, right? You got a Friday, you got two days in between. You got foreign markets, and all the things that can explode and happen during that amount of time. So I think they hedge a little bit. So on Friday, going into the weekend, I think that there's something about that and why interest rates are a little less favorable. And then Monday, of course, coming off the weekend, similarly, maybe there's some truth to that too.   Keith Weinhold  13:02   Now, negotiating seller credits has really been a trend to help with affordability. Tell us about specifically what you're seeing there, what's common.   Caeli Ridge  13:11   So we're talking to investors. I can tell you that the loan products you guys are going to have access to are going to cap you, okay, you're going to cap at, per guideline, 2% of the purchase price. Okay, remember that your points that you're paying when you get into locking an interest rate are going to be calculated on the loan size, all right. So the first thing to know is seller paid closing costs, maximum is going to be 2% per underwriting guidelines. That 2% is based on your purchase price. Anything that you're paying points for is going to be on the loan balance, the loan size, so there's going to be a little extra there for you that can contribute or can pay for some other closing costs, right, depending on the numbers. Now, if you're smart enough, or lucky enough, or whatever, the market is viable enough that you can negotiate more than 2% from the seller to pay towards closing costs, you're going to be limited on what you can do on the loan side. But let's say that you go and you've negotiated 4% seller will pay 4% towards your closing costs. Then in that case, you can reduce, you got the two points that you're allowed per guideline. And then you can reduce the purchase price by the difference you don't want to leave that money on the table.   Keith Weinhold  14:15   That's how it's done. And then there's just simply having a higher credit score. What's the highest credit score that really helps you get the lowest mortgage rate for both primary residences and non owner occupied properties. Loan product   Caeli Ridge  14:29   type dependent. But I would say overall, 760 and above is kind of that threshold. There are products that go 780 maybe even on the rare occasion, 800 and above. If I had to pick a number as the absolute pinnacle, I'm going to go 780    Keith Weinhold  14:41   All right, so having a credit score above those thresholds really doesn't help get you a lower interest rate. It's really just a little flex that you've got an 811, credit score, or whatever it is. Now the two, one buy down. That's something that we used to see long ago. A few home builders are bringing it back. And what that does it allow? Homebuyers to pay a lower interest rate for the first two years with the seller covering the difference, and that allows the seller to get their price. They don't have to lower the price of the home at all. But the two one buy down, and you see that written, two, one that has been employed more recently. Tell us about that.    Caeli Ridge  15:18   Well, the builders are struggling in some cases, right? The affordability buzzword is all over the place. So they've had to get creative and find ways in which they can move their inventory. So I think they've done a good job at kind of shaving off some of their margins to satisfy or improve the terms for the consumer. So I like the two. One, if you can get it   Keith Weinhold  15:37   now, one can boost their DTI as well their debt to income ratio and Taylor. When we've talked about that before, we've usually talked about reducing your debts in order to improve your DTI. However, a lot of people don't think about the fact that, oh, well, you can increase your income that lowers your DTI to help you qualify. So tell us what is the max DTI that you can have   Caeli Ridge  16:00   maximum debt to income ratio, in most cases on a full dock loan is going to be 50% now, depending on the type of income that you earn or that you've demonstrated, how you calculate that can get a little bit tricky. But if you're just a straight w2 wage earner, we don't have, you know, commissions or bonuses or anything that we consider variable income, then you just take your gross income times 50% whatever that number is, all of your liabilities on the credit report, we do not count ordinary living expenses like food and gas and utilities and cell phone bills. It's the minimum payments on the credit report. As long as whatever that add up is fits within that 50% you're good to go.    Keith Weinhold  16:37   Now, when it comes to improving our DTI to get a lower mortgage rate, I tend to think it's easier to knock out some debts to improve your DTI. But what about the other side of it? What about increasing your income to improve your DTI, lower your mortgage rate and qualify? Can you talk about some of the strategies for increasing your income with respect to DTI?    Caeli Ridge  17:02   Absolutely. And the biggest one, I think that we probably want to focus on most is going to be on a schedule E, right? That's the one that you're going to have more control over. So when we talk about rental income and how we might be able to boost that first, it might be important to share that there are two ways in underwriting that we will calculate or quantify rental income. The first way is called the acquisition year formula. I'll give you that in just a second. It's very easy, but the way I think we focus on here, because acquisition year is going to be what it is, you're going to have very little ability to manipulate or change that once our rental properties fall on our tax return, specifically the Schedule E of a federal tax return, you as the taxpayer or the borrower are going to have some access to maximize or increase the income, or, let's actually get a little bit more granular there to maximize the gain or minimize the loss, by means of depreciation, maybe a cost seg, maybe we make sure that one time, extraordinary expenses are demonstrated on the tax return in the appropriate way so that underwriting can add those things back. So I know that this sounds technical, but the scheduling is the way that I would say is the easiest for an investor to maximize income, reduce debt to income ratio. And I will close by saying that ridge lending, I think one of our most valued value adds is the ability to help our clients look at their draft tax returns on an annual basis and present them with, Hey, listen, Mr. Jones, if you file this way, this draft tax return, if it files this way, this is what it means to your debt to income ratio. Here's my advice, right? We go into a lot of depth there with our clients.   Keith Weinhold  18:39   That is a smart, long term planning piece that most mortgage companies are not going to give you. They're not going to be forward looking, looking out for your next three years of growing your income property portfolio. And shortly, we'll talk about a way for you to qualify loans where you don't have to show tax returns or W twos or pay stubs. But while we're talking about how to get a lower mortgage rate and some creative ways to do that, I brought up, buy now, not later. And what do I mean by that? What I mean is say, properties appreciate even 3% over time. Buying now, I mean that is going to net you more equity if you buy now rather than waiting, than it would in the savings from a rate drop, when you look at the appreciation run up, however, if rates go up, then you get both the lower price and the lower rate by buying now, not later.   Caeli Ridge  19:32   And I would add to that, we have to remember that in addition to a very modest 3% in the home appreciation, we should be appreciating our rents at even a modest 2% a year, right? Depending on where you are, et cetera. I know that there's exceptions to the rule. And then finally, we got to add in that tax benefit, what you're going to get in your deductions, et cetera, et cetera.   Keith Weinhold  19:51   Yeah, great point. Well, I brought up seven ways that you can get a lower mortgage rate. Can you share a few more with us? Some common ones? Because I know. That almost everyone that calls in there wants to inquire about mortgage rate as well.    Caeli Ridge  20:03   Everybody wants, yep, everybody wants to talk about the rate, despite my vervet opposition to say, do the math. Do the math. Do the math. You know, the easiest one there would be buying down the rate. I'm going to try and formulate an example. Let's say you've got a really high wage earner and in the thick of their earning years, and they're trying to prepare for retirement down the road. It's a longer term burn. They desperately need tax deductions, and the deal that they're looking at, yeah, it's okay, but they want some extra expenses on the Schedule E, maybe they buy the rate down by three even 4% because points on an investment loan transaction are tax deductible, so that might be something, and they obviously benefit from the lower interest rate. Now I may push back on this, and I think again, I know I sound like a broken record here, but we really need to do the math. What are we getting versus what are we giving up to get a 6% or five and a half percent interest rate? What does that mean in real, tangible cost, and what's that? Break even? It's actually a fairly simple calculation. When you just divide the difference in what you're getting versus what you're paying for, and that'll give you the number of months that it takes to recapture the incentive versus the expense. But that would be the easiest one. Keith, I would say buying down points, using paying additional points to get that lower interest rate,   Keith Weinhold  21:20   buying down your rate. It could feel good in the short term, but it's often not the best long term or even intermediate term move when you do the math, as you always like to say, well, you the listener here, you know that you can qualify for mortgage loans, for rental properties without needing a w2 without needing a pay stub and without even needing to show tax returns, because you need all those things for a conventional loan, but for a DSCR loan, debt service coverage ratio, you don't. So talk to us about the pros and cons of a DSCR loan versus a conventional   Caeli Ridge  21:53   loan. Okay? And I've got a hook here too, because I think the listeners are gonna be very, very pleased to hear at the end of this statement, what's happening with DSCR in conjunction or comparison, rather to the conventional so DSCR everybody means debt service, coverage ratio. It's a very simple formula. We are going to take the gross rents and divide it by the principal and interest and taxes and insurance and association. If it applies, that's it.   Keith Weinhold  22:18   $1,000 in gross rents, $800 in p i, t i, that yields a DSCR of 1.25 Correct?   Caeli Ridge  22:25   Yes, you're absolutely right. The one that I use as I, just to keep it simple, is 1000 rents, 1000 piti. That's a 1.0 right? As long as the gross rents are equal or greater than the p i, t i, you're going to be in a position to get the more favorable rates. Now that's not to say that we can't go below a 1.0 ratio. You can actually have a property, we have products that will allow the DSCR to be a point seven five. That would mean, in this scenario, if you had rents, gross rents of 750, and the piti was 1000 you can actually get that loan done. That is allowed. The rate gets a little bit hairy. So more often than not, we're at the 1.0 and above. So this is just a really great way for investors who are either recently self employed, maybe they're adjusted gross, they just write everything off for reasons that you can imagine. Why? Right? They don't want to pay the taxes. It could be 100 different reasons. The DSCR option is such a great solution to provide a 30 year fixed mortgage same same similar leverage, if not sometimes even better than a Fannie Freddie, than a conventional loan, you can usually leverage a little bit more, in some cases, on a DSCR like a two to four, for example, two to four unit residential property, Fannie Freddie, they kind of cut those loan to values a little bit, and the DSCR loans don't care about that. So you can get the same leverage as a single family would in a DSCR. The only other primary difference is these DSCR loans are going to come with prepayment penalties. Typically, the standard is about three years, but we're usually not refinancing in the first 36 months. Anyway, if you know that that's applicable to you, then you'd have to buy the prepay down or out, which you can do otherwise. DSCR is amazing. Oh, and I'll give you the little hook here. So something I have observed this is maybe very recent 4550 ish days, the margin for interest rate difference between conventional and DSCR is really starting to narrow. DSCR products are really performing well, and that interest rate improvements that we've been seeing for those products is not far off from what the Fannie Freddie's are, and I've even seen examples where DSCR beats a 30 year fixed Fannie Freddie rate. Now those are for the higher loan amounts. I can explain if you want, but otherwise, that's good news.   Keith Weinhold  24:36   Okay, this is really good news. It's a time in the cycle where dscrs could very well make sense for you without that huge documentation Shakedown that you need with W twos and pay stubs and everything else. There are a lot of nascent trends in the mortgage industry, and we're trying to separate some of them from being rumors, from being something that can truly happen. We're talking about 50 year mortgages and poor. Affordable mortgages. More on that. When we come back, you're listening to get rich education. Our guest is Ridge lending Group President, Chaley Ridge   Keith Weinhold  25:07   You know, most people think they're playing it safe with their liquid money, but they're actually losing savings accounts and bonds don't keep up when true inflation eats six or 7% of your wealth. Every single year, I invest my liquidity with FFI freedom family investments in their flagship program. Why fixed 10 to 12% returns have been predictable and paid quarterly. There's real world security backed by needs based real estate like affordable housing, Senior Living and health care. Ask about the freedom flagship program. When you speak to a freedom coach there, and that's just one part of their family of products, they've got workshops, webinars and seminars designed to educate you before you invest, start with as little as 25k and finally, get your money working as hard as you do. Get started at Freedom family investments.com/gre, or send a text now it's 1-937-795-8989, yep, text their freedom. Coach, directly, again. 1-937-795-8989,   Keith Weinhold  26:18   The same place where I get my own mortgage loans is where you can get yours. Ridge lending group and MLS, 42056, they provided our listeners with more loans than anyone because they specialize in income properties. They help you build a long term plan for growing your real estate empire with leverage, start your pre qual and even chat with President Chaley Ridge personally, while it's on your mind, start at Ridge lending group.com, that's Ridge lending group.com   Dana Dunford  26:50   this is hemlanes co founder, Dana Dunford. Listen to get rich education with Keith Weinhold, and don't quit your Daydream.    Keith Weinhold  26:58   welcome back to get rich education. We're talking with Ridge lending Group President and Founder, Chaley Ridge about how you can get lower mortgage rates, and also about some trends in the industry, separating what's really a rumor in what could really happen squaring on 50 year mortgages and portable mortgages, those are both things only being discussed by the administration to help with affordability. FHFA Director Bill Pulte created some jarring news recently when he publicized this. What are your thoughts on the 50 year mortgage?    Caeli Ridge  27:39   You know, on a primary residence basis, I'm not so sure I need to maybe put some more thought into that. But for an investment property, I love it. Man, anything to keep that payment down so that, because, remember, we talked about earlier in the show here the percentage of mortgages, let's just use our 30 year fixed for a second that for a rental property that start on day one and then stroke a check 360 times later to pay that to zero. Is a fraction of a percent right? We are refinancing these things. We are selling them and doing 1031 exchanges. So anything that can keep my cash flow higher and my payment lower, I am all for it. Now, the people that push back and say, Well, I want to pay off my mortgage in 15 years. I don't want to pay extra interest, you are welcome to do that. So there's a second piece to this that I think is equally as important as maximizing cash flow, and that is your qualification. All right, if this comes to pass, and right now, it could just be noise, okay, and I'm speaking specifically for investment property, but if this is available to us, the debt to income ratio component, because think about it like this. So I'm going to keep using my 15 year and my 30 year, because that's kind of what we understand. The payment difference between a 30 year 360 month and a 15 year 180 month can be substantial depending on the loan size. I mean, it can be hundreds and hundreds of dollars for the individual that is dead set and say, I don't want to pay the higher interest. I want to pay these things off. We may have arguments about that whole strategy to begin with, but overall, if they still want to do that and that's their decision, Fine, take the 30 year fixed payment. Take the 30 year fixed mortgage. Apply the difference. You can figure out that payment difference very easily. Apply it religiously. Every month. You will cross the finish line in about 15.4 years. Download an amortization calculator online. You can find them everywhere. Plug in your numbers, and you'll see what I'm talking about. If you were to do this, let's say the difference is 200 bucks a month, and you send it in every month with your 30 year fixed mortgage payment, you will cross the finish line to pay that thing off in about 15.4 years. So yes, you'll pay a few extra months of interest. But what have you done to your qualifications, right, your payment now on your debt to income ratio, when we're looking at this thing for a future optimization, never take the shorter term amortization, ever, ever, ever, you won't pay the higher interest that the 30 year or the 50 Year will probably come with because you've accelerated the payoff so long, if that's your choice. Now for everybody else that really wants. To maximize that cash flow. And they get that, they're going to be refinancing this every five, six, whatever it is, years take it, man, I am all for the longer term amortization on a rental.   Keith Weinhold  30:10   I agree with you. I even like the 50 year on a primary residence, but yeah, Chaley, right here on the show, several weeks before Bill Pulte made the announcement, I actually talked about the 50 year mortgage and compared it to the 30 and the reasons that I like it because I knew there was a chance it could be coming, since this administration is trying to do so much to help out with affordability, people buy based on a payment, not a price that lowers the payment. A 50 year mortgage helps you benefit from inflation, and there are a lot of other advantages that have to do with that, although you probably are going to pay a higher interest rate on a 50 than you would a 30. And you know, Chaley, when the 30 year mortgage had its Advent just after World War Two, I'm going to guess 75 years ago, people were having this same conversation like, oh, 30 years, my gosh, you're never going to pay off the home. And really, that's not what it's about.    Caeli Ridge  31:01   Not at all, not at all. And remember, you guys, I would encourage everybody listening to this to actually go get that amortization table and see how much interest is baked in and how it is applied and paid. It is the back end of any of these amortized mortgages where the principal actually starts to get applied in a meaningful way. The 50 year mortgage, or the longer term amortization is a huge advantage. I'm speaking for investors. Mostly. I love it.   Keith Weinhold  31:26   Some people say, are you nuts? Look at how much more interest you're paying over the life of the loan on a 50 year mortgage versus a 30 year mortgage. We already touched on that you're not going to keep that loan for the life of it, and if you just take the difference from the lower payment that a 50 Year gives you, and invest that in 8% return, you are going to crush 2x to 3x oftentimes, what the paltry interest savings are over several decades,    Caeli Ridge  31:26   and somebody else is making that payment right. We have tenants that are responsible   Keith Weinhold  31:47    100% and then there's something that I don't know if portable mortgages would fly. And what this means is that when borrowers move, they could keep the rate, keep their term and keep their lender, presumably for the new home you might have seen it in the news. You the listener that Fannie May remove the minimum credit score requirements from desktop underwriting. And Chaley, I think you let me know elsewhere that those changes don't affect non owner occupied, but of course, it could affect the broader housing market in pricing. What are your thoughts about lowering the credit score requirement   Caeli Ridge  32:28   so similar to the portable stuff, until it really reaches mainstream and it affects the non owner occupied I'm not deep diving into those things. The basis of it, though, is, is that, yeah, they're removing that minimum credit score requirement from a du underwrite that stands for desktop underwriter, as you said, that is Fannie Mae's sophisticated, automated underwriting system, and I think it's just going to give more eligibility to lower income households and people trying to become homeowners that have found the barrier for entry very restrictive because They have credit issues.    Keith Weinhold  33:00   Well, let's talk about FHA and VA loans, something that we have rarely, if ever touched on. Our listeners know that I started out making my first ever property of any kind, an FHA loan with three and a half percent down on a fourplex, living in one unit, renting out the other three. Tell us about some trends there in FHA and VA loans   Caeli Ridge  33:21   we actually just did house hack campaign. We did a webinar on it, co living, all those different ways in which, you know, the younger generation, especially, and this is true for anyone. I don't want to pigeonhole it, can get themselves into home ownership and propel them into the real estate investing as an asset class. I am such a big fan of this model, in this strategy, for anybody that's interested and willing to kind of coal mingle or habitat, like you did a four Plex at three and a half percent down, you've got three tenants that are making your mortgage payment. VA, likewise, any of the Gubby loans, which include VA, FHA, USDA, you can get high, high leverage and up to four units. So I'm a huge fan of that. And then the CO living is another thing that I think is not quite mainstream, but I think it's gaining steam    Keith Weinhold  34:09   for those that don't know what we're talking about, you can use an FHA loan with a three and a half percent down payment, as long as you live in one of the units, your credit score can even be pretty low, and you can do that with a single family home, duplex, triplex or fourplex. You can get those same benefits with a VA loan and zero down   Caeli Ridge  34:29   USDA also zero down if you're in the right zip code. How does one qualify for a USDA loan? You know, there's a website I would have you check out. We don't do a ton of those. We have the ability, of course, but there's income restrictions and all of this. They've got, actually, a pretty slick website where you can go online, type in the zip code, make sure it's in a rural area, what your income is. There's all these inputs, and it'll tell you if you'd be a candidate for it. But yeah, it's good. Rates zero down. I like the product.   Keith Weinhold  34:56   Well, there have been a lot of newsy items when it comes. Comes to mortgages. Caeli and I think we should drop back before we're done here and talk about the basics. Just basically, what does it take to get a non owner occupied loan for residential income property?   Caeli Ridge  35:12   You know, there's so many options for investors today that I would say that if you have access to and even with what we just said, house hack. I mean, listen, if you've got 3% down, three and a half percent down, you can probably assure yourself you can get into a property. And if you can't qualify from a income debt to income ratio perspective, you've got three or four other models, which include DSCR, bank statement loans, asset depletion loans, overall, I would say that this is an individual conversation. Chances are you could probably qualify today, and if you can't, one of the things that I love about Ridge lending is, is that we're going to help you plant the seeds and show you how to qualify. If it takes you three months or six months or a year, that's what we do.   Keith Weinhold  35:56   Yeah, we've definitely noticed the difference here and that you do help that investor with long term planning? I do my own loans at ridge, and my assistant here at GRE she recently got the ball rolling with you in there at Ridge as well.   Caeli Ridge  36:11   Brenda, yes, yes, that was fantastic. We are very looking forward to helping her.   Keith Weinhold  36:16   Well, you know, chili, I've come here with a lot of questions that I had. What's the question No one's asking you, but you wish that they would.   Caeli Ridge  36:25   I think it probably would be for me, planning. You know, we get a lot of questions about interest rates. That's kind of top of mind for everybody. More about planning, having people that are interested in real estate as an asset class and an investment have the conversations to say, this is where I'm at today. This is where I'd like to be in five years. Tell me how to get there, and we can have those high level conversations that really sort of reverse engineer it and say, Okay, this is where you stand today from an underwriting perspective. This is where you need to be, and here's how we're going to get you there. It's always about planting seeds and creating those roadmaps, as I like to say so I would say that that would be top of my list.   Keith Weinhold  37:02   That's exactly what you do in there, and that's really what sets you apart. Well, remind our audience how they can get a hold of ridge.   Caeli Ridge  37:11   Yes, there's a couple ways. Of course, our website, Ridge lending group.com Please email us info at Ridge lending group.com and then call us toll free. 855-747-4343, 855-74-RIDGE  is an easy way to remember.   Keith Weinhold  37:25   It's really been valuable this time. Chaley, thanks so much for coming back onto the show.   Caeli Ridge  37:29    Appreciate you. Keith.   Keith Weinhold  37:36   Oh yeah, good pointed info from Chaley over at Ridge, I think that the important things for you to remember from our conversation is that, gosh, isn't it so glaring like in your face that you have options. All these options when you engage with a lender, you're going to learn that there are probably loan programs that you've never even heard of, some that you might fit into and even if you aren't adding more property, if you're not in that phase, there are ways that you can take your existing loans and consolidate them or refinance them, or use them to produce a tax free windfall for yourself and the US is often the envy of other world nations with the flexibility that we have here in our mortgage market. I've never known anyone that does this better than Chaley and her team. I mean, they are real difference makers. If you learn something on today's show, hey, Don't hoard the good stuff. Engage in the nicest kind of wealth redistribution. Tap the Share button right now and share this on social, or text this episode to one friend who'd appreciate it. That would mean the world to me. I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, don't quit your Daydream.   Speaker 2  38:57   Nothing on this show should be considered specific personal or professional advice, please consult an appropriate tax, legal, real estate, financial or business professional for individualized advice. Opinions of guests are their own. Information is not guaranteed. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. The host is operating on behalf of get rich Education LLC, exclusively   Keith Weinhold  39:25   The preceding program was brought to you by your home for wealth building, getricheducation.com  

The days are getting short and the nights are getting long, but Denver is already feeling the holiday spirit. And we're back with our monthly guide to the best of Denver. That means we've got plenty of recs for how to make the most of your Mile High December, from a cozy greasy spoon cafe in Lakewood to a Christmas-y comedy show sure to make you bust a gut.  If you're new here, welcome! We've put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Denver community.  Also, check out Market in the Park-et's Sweater Fest this weekend! It's a great place to get started on your holiday shopping, and we're sponsoring the “Beautiful Sweater Contest” — Send us your pics! For even more tips on how to make the most of December in Denver, check out our newsletter Hey Denver's take on what to do this month.  If you enjoyed today's sponsored interview with Andy Cambron, the CEO of Multipass, learn more here. Check out their upcoming events below! Elf Yoga Krampus Konvention Holiday Tea-Family Experience The Fantastic Hosts' Family Extravaganza Learn more about the other sponsors of this December 1st episode: Warren Village The People Park Colfax Bid Multipass Ballpark Denver And we're also powered by our members, who enjoy an ad-free version of the show. Find out more membership.citycast.fm about how to become a member of City Cast Denver. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here citycast.fm/advertise.  Got questions or comments about this episode? You can reach us at denver@citycast.fm  Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our xoptions for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise

At the beginning of Parashat Chayei Sarah, the Torah goes into great detail regarding Avraham Avinu's purchase of the Me'arat HaMachpelah. The Ramban writes that this story is told at length because it represents one of the greatest tests of Avraham's life. Chazal tell us that when Moshe Rabbeinu questioned Hashem about making the work harder for Benei Yisrael in Miẓrayim, Hashem replied that He missed Avraham and gave an example of Avraham's steadfast emunah. Hashem had promised Avraham the entire land of Eretz Yisrael, yet when he needed a place to bury Sarah Imeinu, he could not find one until he was forced to pay an exorbitant sum — and still, he did not question Hashem. The Mefarshim are bothered, because from the pesukim it seems Avraham easily found a burial site, and the Benei Chet offered it to him free of charge. The Alshich HaKadosh explains that Avraham requested an "Achuzat Kever", a permanent burial place — one in which Sarah would rest until Tichiat HaMetim. However, the Benei Chet were only willing to offer a temporary plot; they did not want Avraham to hold a permanent stake in the land. Avraham then asked to speak directly with Efron Hachiti, offering to purchase the entire property where the Me'arah stood. Efron hinted that it would cost an enormous amount, and Avraham paid it in full, without the slightest complaint or question of Hashem's promise. Think about what Avraham was experiencing at that moment. He had just passed what may have been the greatest test in history — the Akeidat Yitzchak — and upon returning, he learned that his beloved Sarah had suddenly passed away. Wanting only to perform the mitzvah of k'vurah as quickly as possible, he found himself dealing with the most difficult, dishonest people imaginable. He was denied a place to bury his wife in a land that the Creator Himself had promised him as an eternal inheritance. When a person suffers loss and grief, it is natural to be emotionally fragile; to then face new frustration can easily cause one to lose patience or become angry. Yet Avraham Avinu maintained the same calm, pleasant demeanor throughout. He treated the Benei Chet and Efron with the utmost respect and paid an outrageous price — all while knowing that Hashem had already granted him this very land as a gift. This unwavering composure and acceptance were what impressed Hashem so deeply. Hashem was showing Moshe Rabbeinu the greatness of Avraham: that no matter how far Hashem pushed him, he never lost himself; he never let the test diminish his emunah. Whenever a person faces a situation in which he could easily lose control or complain, he must remember: Hashem put him there. Hashem is watching to see if he will rise above it. Avraham accepted everything that came his way with joy, knowing it was the Ratzon Hashem — the will of HaKadosh Baruch Hu. That was what Hashem "bragged" about to Moshe Rabbeinu. A man told me about his daughter who lives in Lakewood. Her brother-in-law asked to borrow her car for a night. She gladly agreed, but he unfortunately totaled it. Just a few days later, her brother asked if he could borrow her other car for the night. After what had just happened, she easily could have refused, saying she needed a break from lending her car. But Hashem was testing the depth of her middat hachesed. She smiled and handed him the keys. That night, he too got into an accident and caused major damage to the second car. She could have become upset, blaming them for carelessness — yet she accepted everything from Hashem with understanding and calmness. A few days later, their name was drawn in a local yeshivah raffle, and they won a brand-new Toyota Sienna worth $40,000. If a person worries about damage to his car, he must remember that Hashem can give him ten cars if He wishes. Our concern should not be about possessions — but about our character, our response to challenges, and how we accept Hashem's will. The harder the test, the greater the potential for growth.

On today's show: Isn't working out supposed to make you feel better? Because Bill doesn't feel that way. Is it "circle back after the new year" season yet? Good Vibes at 6:55! "Wicked: For Good" opens today and then Sabrina Carpenter is going to have "Alice In Wonderland". Hash It Out: Dave is sick of his neighbor Mark's leaves making it over into his yard. Alyssa's College of Knowledge! Alyssa is very unhappy about the remodel at Malley's in Lakewood. Plus, what is the unexpected thing that makes you cry? And a list of topics to avoid at the Thanksgiving dinner table.

Jaime Castro, a longtime officer who leads the Dallas Police Association, the city's largest and oldest police union, was placed on administrative leave Friday while the department conducts an internal affairs investigation. The exact nature of the investigation was unclear Monday. In other news, a ferocious scam is making a comeback, thanks to artificial intelligence and other modern-day techniques like caller ID and social media messaging. Texas ranks 11th in the nation in victimization with an average per person loss of $1400; Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone spinoff Dutton Ranch used the KPMG Plaza at Hall Arts in downtown Dallas on Monday as a stand-in for downtown Chicago. The production shut down Crockett Street in the Arts District between Ross Avenue and the Hall Arts Center's parking garage entrance from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. to accommodate crew; and Dallas Tex-Mex restaurant Muchacho, known for its queso, margaritas and fajitas, is slated to open in Lakewood next year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does it look like to live a life shaped by the gospel, not just saved by it?In this first message of the Made to Serve series, John Gunter preaches from Philippians 1 and 2, calling the church to unity, humility, and Christlike service. This message challenges listeners to look beyond personal comfort and embrace the mindset of Jesus, who emptied himself, became a servant, and gave his life as an example for us to follow.Key Takeaways:Unity is not about agreeing on everything. It is about agreeing on the most important thingHumility lifts others up instead of lifting yourself upA gospel-shaped life reflects Jesus in relationships, service, and sacrifice

Tiffany is diving deep into cosmetic surgeries, how far is too far? PLUS scammers are still scamming, this time a man's image has been used for over 15 years by dating scammers. AND a car chase in Lakewood. That and more on KFIAM-640!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HOUR 1 Hour 1 of Rush to Reason hits the ground running as John Rush welcomes Steve House, former Colorado GOP Chair and longtime health-care executive, for a rapid-fire look at the future of AI, medicine, and education. What happens when artificial intelligence reads your bloodwork better than your doctor? Could peptides disrupt Big Pharma the way streaming crushed cable? And why have drug launch prices jumped from $2,100 in 2008 to over $180,000 today? Steve breaks down the explosion of AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Quarrio—platforms that can analyze symptoms, generate medical summaries, explain drug interactions, and even role-play ER physicians or comedians like Bill Burr. If AI can help people avoid unnecessary appointments, reduce anxiety, and make smarter decisions, will unions, bureaucracies, and giant health systems try to block it? John and Steve push further: Could AI slash labor costs, reinvent classrooms, and eliminate menial tasks across entire professions? Will institutions embrace it—or fight it? And are we heading toward a world where advanced expertise becomes accessible to everyone? This hour is provocative, funny, and packed with bold predictions. HOUR 2 Hour 2 explodes with political heat as John Rush breaks down the real story behind the government shutdown and the six Democrats who crossed party lines. Were they acting on principle—or trying to affect last week's elections? With 42 million Americans on SNAP, John asks: Why is dependency rising when jobs are everywhere? Should drug testing, tighter restrictions, and accountability be required before taxpayers foot the bill? Caller Dan pushes the discussion into health-care reform, HSAs, and free-market medicine, sharing shocking billing stories. John argues conservatives are missing a huge opportunity by refusing to use AI as a communication tool—while the Left embraces it. Caller Jeff raises the case for lifestyle-based insurance rates, while Brad from Lakewood unleashes a blistering critique of GOP messaging, low turnout, and Trump's reliance on Truth Social. If conservatives can't communicate their wins, how do they expect to win elections? This hour is fiery, blunt, and unapologetically honest. HOUR 3 Hour 3 delivers political fireworks, hard data, and eye-opening corruption. John Rush welcomes “Jerzee Joe,” (https://www.youtube.com/@jerzeejoe3145) who arrives with statistics showing how broken the system is. Why are only 0.25% of federal employees fired for cause when private industry averages 3–5%? Why do blue states like New Mexico and New York lead the nation in SNAP dependency, while Wyoming and Utah stay near 5%? And how can one man collect six sets of SNAP benefits across multiple states? Joe reveals massive NGO fraud, including a St. Louis nonprofit that burned $11 million on luxuries and a Minneapolis restaurant claiming to feed thousands—but feeding only 40 paying customers. He then exposes the Chicago Teachers Union for spending $173,000 on a “recording studio” with a pool in New Mexico. The hour shifts as market analyst Scott Garliss (https://cscottgarliss.substack.com) breaks down panic surrounding Michael Burry, AI stocks like NVIDIA and Palantir, and whether an “AI bubble” is looming. Are pessimists fueling fear while long-term investors reap the rewards? Fast, sharp, and packed with revelations—this hour pulls no punches.

HOUR 1 Hour 1 of Rush to Reason hits the ground running as John Rush welcomes Steve House, former Colorado GOP Chair and longtime health-care executive, for a rapid-fire look at the future of AI, medicine, and education. What happens when artificial intelligence reads your bloodwork better than your doctor? Could peptides disrupt Big Pharma the way streaming crushed cable? And why have drug launch prices jumped from $2,100 in 2008 to over $180,000 today? Steve breaks down the explosion of AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Quarrio—platforms that can analyze symptoms, generate medical summaries, explain drug interactions, and even role-play ER physicians or comedians like Bill Burr. If AI can help people avoid unnecessary appointments, reduce anxiety, and make smarter decisions, will unions, bureaucracies, and giant health systems try to block it? John and Steve push further: Could AI slash labor costs, reinvent classrooms, and eliminate menial tasks across entire professions? Will institutions embrace it—or fight it? And are we heading toward a world where advanced expertise becomes accessible to everyone? This hour is provocative, funny, and packed with bold predictions. HOUR 2 Hour 2 explodes with political heat as John Rush breaks down the real story behind the government shutdown and the six Democrats who crossed party lines. Were they acting on principle—or trying to affect last week's elections? With 42 million Americans on SNAP, John asks: Why is dependency rising when jobs are everywhere? Should drug testing, tighter restrictions, and accountability be required before taxpayers foot the bill? Caller Dan pushes the discussion into health-care reform, HSAs, and free-market medicine, sharing shocking billing stories. John argues conservatives are missing a huge opportunity by refusing to use AI as a communication tool—while the Left embraces it. Caller Jeff raises the case for lifestyle-based insurance rates, while Brad from Lakewood unleashes a blistering critique of GOP messaging, low turnout, and Trump's reliance on Truth Social. If conservatives can't communicate their wins, how do they expect to win elections? This hour is fiery, blunt, and unapologetically honest. HOUR 3 Hour 3 delivers political fireworks, hard data, and eye-opening corruption. John Rush welcomes “Jerzee Joe,” (https://www.youtube.com/@jerzeejoe3145) who arrives with statistics showing how broken the system is. Why are only 0.25% of federal employees fired for cause when private industry averages 3–5%? Why do blue states like New Mexico and New York lead the nation in SNAP dependency, while Wyoming and Utah stay near 5%? And how can one man collect six sets of SNAP benefits across multiple states? Joe reveals massive NGO fraud, including a St. Louis nonprofit that burned $11 million on luxuries and a Minneapolis restaurant claiming to feed thousands—but feeding only 40 paying customers. He then exposes the Chicago Teachers Union for spending $173,000 on a “recording studio” with a pool in New Mexico. The hour shifts as market analyst Scott Garliss (https://cscottgarliss.substack.com) breaks down panic surrounding Michael Burry, AI stocks like NVIDIA and Palantir, and whether an “AI bubble” is looming. Are pessimists fueling fear while long-term investors reap the rewards? Fast, sharp, and packed with revelations—this hour pulls no punches.

HOUR 1 Hour 1 of Rush to Reason hits the ground running as John Rush welcomes Steve House, former Colorado GOP Chair and longtime health-care executive, for a rapid-fire look at the future of AI, medicine, and education. What happens when artificial intelligence reads your bloodwork better than your doctor? Could peptides disrupt Big Pharma the way streaming crushed cable? And why have drug launch prices jumped from $2,100 in 2008 to over $180,000 today? Steve breaks down the explosion of AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Quarrio—platforms that can analyze symptoms, generate medical summaries, explain drug interactions, and even role-play ER physicians or comedians like Bill Burr. If AI can help people avoid unnecessary appointments, reduce anxiety, and make smarter decisions, will unions, bureaucracies, and giant health systems try to block it? John and Steve push further: Could AI slash labor costs, reinvent classrooms, and eliminate menial tasks across entire professions? Will institutions embrace it—or fight it? And are we heading toward a world where advanced expertise becomes accessible to everyone? This hour is provocative, funny, and packed with bold predictions. HOUR 2 Hour 2 explodes with political heat as John Rush breaks down the real story behind the government shutdown and the six Democrats who crossed party lines. Were they acting on principle—or trying to affect last week's elections? With 42 million Americans on SNAP, John asks: Why is dependency rising when jobs are everywhere? Should drug testing, tighter restrictions, and accountability be required before taxpayers foot the bill? Caller Dan pushes the discussion into health-care reform, HSAs, and free-market medicine, sharing shocking billing stories. John argues conservatives are missing a huge opportunity by refusing to use AI as a communication tool—while the Left embraces it. Caller Jeff raises the case for lifestyle-based insurance rates, while Brad from Lakewood unleashes a blistering critique of GOP messaging, low turnout, and Trump's reliance on Truth Social. If conservatives can't communicate their wins, how do they expect to win elections? This hour is fiery, blunt, and unapologetically honest. HOUR 3 Hour 3 delivers political fireworks, hard data, and eye-opening corruption. John Rush welcomes “Jerzee Joe,” (https://www.youtube.com/@jerzeejoe3145) who arrives with statistics showing how broken the system is. Why are only 0.25% of federal employees fired for cause when private industry averages 3–5%? Why do blue states like New Mexico and New York lead the nation in SNAP dependency, while Wyoming and Utah stay near 5%? And how can one man collect six sets of SNAP benefits across multiple states? Joe reveals massive NGO fraud, including a St. Louis nonprofit that burned $11 million on luxuries and a Minneapolis restaurant claiming to feed thousands—but feeding only 40 paying customers. He then exposes the Chicago Teachers Union for spending $173,000 on a “recording studio” with a pool in New Mexico. The hour shifts as market analyst Scott Garliss (https://cscottgarliss.substack.com) breaks down panic surrounding Michael Burry, AI stocks like NVIDIA and Palantir, and whether an “AI bubble” is looming. Are pessimists fueling fear while long-term investors reap the rewards? Fast, sharp, and packed with revelations—this hour pulls no punches.

Send us a textPatrick Dethlefs has always let his instincts guide him. While he found early inspiration as a young musician everywhere from Jimmy Page to The Allman Brothers, the Colorado native put most of his energy into original material.“I don't think I was a big learner of other people's songs, even in the beginning,” Dethlefs says. “First getting the guitar, I think I just learned chords and put them together in a different way.”The current chapter of Joel Van Horne's story begins with a family cabin in Wyoming's Medicine Bow National Forest. The Lakewood native grew up in a musical household, but the memories and moniker of that special retreat, built and named by his grandfather, inspired the defining stage of his artistic journey as Covenhoven.“It's a very meaningful place to me and my family,” Van Horne says. “I wanted to make a record to say thank you to my grandfather.” Thank you for listening to The Mountain-Ear Podcast, featuring news and culture from peak to peak! Additional pages are linked below!If you want to be involved in the podcast or paper, contact our editor at info@themountainear.com and/or our podcast host at media@themountainear.com! Head to our website for all of the latest news from peak to peak! SUBSCRIBE ONLINE and use the coupon code PODCAST for A 10% DISCOUNT for ALL NEW SUBSCRIBERS! Submit local events to promote them in the paper and on our website! Find us on Facebook @mtnear and Instagram @mtn.ear! Listen and watch on YouTube today! Share this podcast around by scrolling to the bottom of our website home page or by heading to our main hub on Buzzsprout!Thank you for listening!

Do you want to see your church become passionate about the original songs your worship team is writing?   Alexandra Osteen from Lakewood Music reveals the simple language shift that transformed their congregation from passive listeners to passionate champions of their original worship songs. In this episode, you'll discover:  • The one word change that creates instant ownership  • How to connect your songs to your church's DNA  • Why writing for your local church first, creates global impact  • The storytelling strategy that gets your team invested  Imagine walking into Sunday service knowing your congregation is genuinely excited to sing the songs God wrote through your team. This isn't just about getting people to tolerate your originals. This is about creating a culture where the language of your community becomes the declarations they sing throughout the week.  Listen now to discover Lakewood's proven strategy for congregational passionate ownership.   Worship Online is your new secret weapon for preparing each week. With detailed song tutorials and resources, you and your team will save hours every single week, and remove the stress from preparing for a set. Try a free trial at WorshipOnline.com and see the transformation!   Mentioned in the Episode  Lakewood Music's New Release  ---  If you like what you hear, please leave us a review! Also, shoot us an e-mail at podcast@worshiponline.com. We want to know how we can better serve you and your church through this podcast.  Don't forget to sign up for your FREE 2-week subscription to Worship Online at WorshipOnline.com!  The Worship Online Podcast is produced by Worship Online in Nashville, TN.

In this episode of the Parsha Review Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores Parshat Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23–25), beginning with Sarah's lifespan—“100 years and 20 years and 7 years”—which Rashi interprets as her retaining the innocence of a 20-year-old at age 100 and the beauty of a 7-year-old at age 20. The parsha immediately transitions from her passing to Abraham sending Eliezer to find a wife for Isaac, teaching that marriage must be built with the end in mind: not just someone to live with, but someone to die with, focused on long-term purpose and legacy. Abraham, the icon of chesed (kindness), seeks a wife embodying kindness to balance Isaac's natural gevurah (sternness) inherited from Sarah. Rabbi Wolbe stresses that the patriarchs' actions are binding signs for us: prioritize good character over fleeting glamour, as external beauty fades but inner goodness endures.Rabbi Wolbe contrasts superficial “falling in love” (external attraction) with Torah-based matchmaking, where intellect precedes emotion—investigating character through references, teachers, and friends before ever meeting. True love (ahava) stems from hav (to give); the more one gives selflessly, the deeper the love grows. He urges couples to be givers, not takers, and to humble themselves like dust (lakol tia) to honor each other's perspectives, creating a new unified “us” from two distinct individuals. The parsha's repeated narrative emphasizes looking beyond surface miracles to inner essence—Rebecca's proactive kindness to Eliezer and his camels proves her character. Marriage is Hashem's tool for perfection: spouses challenge and elevate each other, building a unique harmony. Rabbi Wolbe shares personal anecdotes, including his son traveling from Lakewood to Montreal to pursue his future wife, reinforcing that men must actively seek and invest effort. He closes with stories illustrating commitment for children's sake and the Mishnah's advice to marry young to avoid entrenched selfishness._____________This episode of the Parsha Review Podcast is dedicated in honor of Lenny & Teresa FriedmanDownload & Print the Parsha Review Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharingRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on November 11, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on November 13, 2025_____________Subscribe: Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1651930083)Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/22lv1kXJob5ZNLaAl6CHTQ) to stay inspired! Share your questions at awolbe@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Torah, #Parsha, #Genesis, #Marriage, #Relationships, #Soulmates, #Ancestors, #Sarah, #Abraham, #Kindness, #Unity, #Differences, #Isaac, #Rebecca, #Kindness, #Selflessness, #PersonalGrowth, #Partner, #Purpose, #Priorities, #Therapy, #LifePartner ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode of the Parsha Review Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores Parshat Chayei Sarah (Genesis 23–25), beginning with Sarah's lifespan—“100 years and 20 years and 7 years”—which Rashi interprets as her retaining the innocence of a 20-year-old at age 100 and the beauty of a 7-year-old at age 20. The parsha immediately transitions from her passing to Abraham sending Eliezer to find a wife for Isaac, teaching that marriage must be built with the end in mind: not just someone to live with, but someone to die with, focused on long-term purpose and legacy. Abraham, the icon of chesed (kindness), seeks a wife embodying kindness to balance Isaac's natural gevurah (sternness) inherited from Sarah. Rabbi Wolbe stresses that the patriarchs' actions are binding signs for us: prioritize good character over fleeting glamour, as external beauty fades but inner goodness endures.Rabbi Wolbe contrasts superficial “falling in love” (external attraction) with Torah-based matchmaking, where intellect precedes emotion—investigating character through references, teachers, and friends before ever meeting. True love (ahava) stems from hav (to give); the more one gives selflessly, the deeper the love grows. He urges couples to be givers, not takers, and to humble themselves like dust (lakol tia) to honor each other's perspectives, creating a new unified “us” from two distinct individuals. The parsha's repeated narrative emphasizes looking beyond surface miracles to inner essence—Rebecca's proactive kindness to Eliezer and his camels proves her character. Marriage is Hashem's tool for perfection: spouses challenge and elevate each other, building a unique harmony. Rabbi Wolbe shares personal anecdotes, including his son traveling from Lakewood to Montreal to pursue his future wife, reinforcing that men must actively seek and invest effort. He closes with stories illustrating commitment for children's sake and the Mishnah's advice to marry young to avoid entrenched selfishness._____________This episode of the Parsha Review Podcast is dedicated in honor of Lenny & Teresa FriedmanDownload & Print the Parsha Review Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharingRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on November 11, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on November 13, 2025_____________Subscribe: Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1651930083)Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/22lv1kXJob5ZNLaAl6CHTQ) to stay inspired! Share your questions at awolbe@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Torah, #Parsha, #Genesis, #Marriage, #Relationships, #Soulmates, #Ancestors, #Sarah, #Abraham, #Kindness, #Unity, #Differences, #Isaac, #Rebecca, #Kindness, #Selflessness, #PersonalGrowth, #Partner, #Purpose, #Priorities, #Therapy, #LifePartner ★ Support this podcast ★

Every time we see the hand of Hashem in our daily lives, it strengthens us to internalize that He is constantly orchestrating every event that takes place. A woman told me her family lives in an out-of-town community. Last year, during winter break, a few boys went away for Shabbat to their neighborhood. They originally planned to stay on a different side of town, but at the last moment, those plans fell through, so they ended up coming to her side of town for Shabbat. The problem was, they had nowhere to eat. Her father was asked if he could host two of the boys for Shabbat lunch. Normally, he does not like having boys over when his teenage daughters are home. But that Shabbat, something extremely uncommon happened — all his daughters were away. So he happily invited the boys in. They immediately took a strong liking to one of them, a thoughtful and refined boy whose family lives in Switzerland and who was learning in Lakewood. After Shabbat, they learned more about him, and this year, baruch Hashem, he married their daughter. How were they going to find the right match for her? Hashem brought the boy from across the world, directly into their home. The yad Hashem was unmistakable. A man told me another remarkable story. He received a phone call from an acquaintance in Israel asking for help. This acquaintance explained that his young son had a rare illness called PKU, where the body cannot break down protein. To get the necessary nutrition, the child needs a special formula called phenyl-free. But recently, the manufacturer had stopped producing it in Israel, leaving the three hundred people who rely on it scrambling to find it elsewhere. The father said he didn't know anyone in the United States. This man was the only person he could think of. He told him that he and his wife had been trying to figure out who to call, but nothing came to mind. Then the mother went to pray on Rachel Imenu's yohrzeit at Kever Rachel in Beit Lechem, pouring out her heart for her child's needs. That night, suddenly, this man's name came to mind. He told him, don't worry, I'll help you. He searched online and found the formula on a website. It was expensive, and there were sixteen cases available. He immediately asked friends if they wanted to participate in the mitzvah of helping these families. Baruch Hashem, together they bought all sixteen cases. The order was set to arrive at his home, and he knew someone flying to Israel that week. At first, the delivery date said it would take several days, which meant the traveler would miss it. But later that night, the shipping estimate suddenly changed, and the delivery was scheduled for the very next day. When this man saw where the formula was being shipped from, he nearly fell off his chair. The cases were coming from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The mother had gone to pray in Beit Lechem by Kever Rachel, begging for Hashem's help with this exact formula. And the very next day, the formula was shipped from Bethlehem. Hashem showed that He was listening in the most precise, unmistakable way. They received so many cases that they were able to distribute them to other families in Israel who desperately needed them. The yad Hashem was so clear. Every detail, every timing, every connection — all orchestrated with exact precision. And when we pay attention, we realize He is sending us messages like these all the time.

Prayer is not a reaction. It is preparation.In this final message of the Prepared series, John Gunter teaches from James 5 about how prayer and perseverance go hand in hand. We are called to bring every situation to God whether it is suffering, celebration, sickness, or sin. True community is built through authenticity, shared burdens, and the faith to trust God even when life hurts.Key Takeaways:Faith is not just tested by trials. It is revealed in how we respondPrayer is not passivity. It is participation in God's workConfession and restoration build unity, not shame

Send us a textBrenda Fraser is a mosaic artist using vintage jewelry to create stunning wall art.As a mixed media artist, Brenda Fraser has received many awards including “People's Choice Award” for Steampunk Summer” at Soulard Art Gallery in St Louis; “Best in Mixed Media Category” from St. Peters Cultural Arts Center, and won a “People's Choice” award in Lakewood, Colorado. She is 2025 Fellow with Artists Inc and earned a prestigious spot with the 2025-2026 “Emerging Artists and Entrepreneurship Program” with the St. Louis Art Fair. She is a member of the Best of Missouri Hands. She also was accepted into a juried shows at the Quincy Art Center (Illinois), the Hermann Art Walk, the Green Door Art Gallery in Webster Groves, Wentzville Recreation Center, Artisans in the Loop, Edwardsville Arts Center, Wentzville at Crossroads Arts Council and at Framations in St. Charles.She is one of the featured artists at the Missouri History Museum's “Sold on St. Louis” gift shop. In 1996, while living and working in fundraising on the East Coast, she and her mother were driving and had a car crash. Only Brenda survived.Brenda was told that her life was a miracle.  A private session provided some profound understanding. Brenda made a list of the qualities of the partner she desired, and she showed up. Brenda moved to Missouri in Oct 2004 and started attending CSL St. Louis earlier that summer.Thru CSL, she learned of a Hindu guru (Dr. Pillai) who taught Wayne Dyer the "ah" meditation, and from that workshop, big shifts occurred. Instead of buying a set of Mala Beads from Dr. Pillai, she learned and created her first set of Mala beads.  Her partner, Patrice repaired Brenda's mother's broken rosary (broke during the car crash of 1996), and they ultimately started making jewelry in 2005 and selling it. They sold their jewelry for 15 years until Covid hit. In 2013-14, she raised the funds and made plans to travel to Ghana to work with women who are jewelry makers, using beads made from recycled glass. The experience was profound in many ways. She mentored and inspired the women to further their education, and to leave the impoverished village to move to the capital city where the work paid more. One woman took her advice, Regina went to school and moved to the capitol. Brenda has her mentor for 11 years and occasionally sends her funds.Brenda's work in fundraising and in art has been a supportive energy for healing others, promoting good causes and healing for herself.Support the showDonate – CelesteFrazier.com

4pm: Video Guest – Bill Kirk – Washington Gun Law // Lakewood man faces felony charges for death threats against Gov. Ferguson // Trump foe Boasberg hit with articles of impeachment // 5 takeaways from Seattle, King County elections // Video Guest – Eitan Levine – Comedian and Offical NYC Jewish Spokesman // The Voters Who Propelled Mamdani to Victory // Mamdani calls out Trump in victory speech

After 28 years with the Los Angeles Police Department, 4 years leading Birmingham PD, and now serving as Chief of the Lakewood Police Department in Washington, Chief Patrick Smith has seen nearly every side of policing. A former U.S. Marine, Chief Smith shares how discipline, innovation, and compassion have guided him through a career that's spanned both coasts and multiple agencies. In this episode, he reflects on how he built Birmingham's Real-Time Crime Center from scratch, introduced new technology in Lakewood that reduced stolen vehicles by 67%, and why leadership lessons from the Marine Corps still shape the way he leads today. Chief Smith also dives into what makes a true “A-Player” officer, the power of compassion in law enforcement, and how staying grounded in who you are—no matter your rank—defines lasting success in policing.

Most arguments are not just about what someone said. They are rooted in what we want.In this message from James 4, John Gunter explains how submission is a spiritual posture that prepares us for obedience, peace, and humility. When we fail to prepare our hearts, we react in pride, blame others, and miss the opportunity to reflect Christ. This message is a call to submit early so that we are not left scrambling when the pressure comes.Key Takeaways:Conflict is often the result of unmet desires and prideSubmission to God brings peace, clarity, and spiritual authorityYou cannot resist the enemy if you are not standing under the authority of God

Some Washington farmers are not pleased with President Trump’s decision to increase beef imports from Argentina. A Lakewood man has been arrested for making ‘veiled’ threats to Governor Bob Ferguson. Old footage of Zohran Mamdani shows the NYC mayoral candidate saying ‘the boot of the NYPD is on your neck, it’s been laced by the IDF.” // LongForm: GUEST: Saul Spady on if Seattle’s local economy is heading in the same direction as Detroit.  // Quick Hit: J.K. Rowling is calling out Glamour UK magazine for featuring nine biological men as their ‘women of the year.’

This time, we have another big home haunt hop and DFC Expo to share!

A person can plan, prepare, and work as hard as possible, but without Hashem's help, nothing will succeed. We make the efforts, but the outcome is never in our hands. From the simplest tasks of daily life to the greatest undertakings, we are dependent every moment on the blessing of Hashem. Be'ezrat Hashem , Living Emunah on the Parashah Volume 2 is about to be released. During the summer, I received a phone call from one of the sponsors who was going to help bring this project to fruition. He explained that he had fallen on hard times and was not going to be able to fulfill his pledge. I wished this man berachah v'hatzlachah , and then I turned to Hashem and asked Him to please send a different messenger to help. The very next morning, I overslept and missed my alarm. That small mishap caused me to pray in a shul I did not normally attend. After tefilah, as I stood in the lobby, a man recognized me and asked if I had time to hear a nice hashgachah peratit story. I told him most definitely, and he began. He told me about his associate, whom we'll call Yehuda, who was in the nursing home business. For nearly three years, Yehuda had been trying to secure a meeting with a very influential man in the industry. At last, the meeting was scheduled — Thursday night in a Manhattan restaurant. But Yehuda gave a shiur every Thursday night in Lakewood, and he never missed it under any circumstances. Now he was torn. This was the opportunity he had waited for, yet it would mean skipping his shiur. He tried to reschedule, but was turned down. Finally, with great strength, he told the man he could not attend and canceled the meeting. At first, he felt terrible. Three years of waiting, and he had given it up. But then he told himself: A person never loses by doing the will of Hashem. That Thursday, he prayed Minchah in Lakewood, as usual, being that he didn't have to travel to Manhattan. In that very minyan, he met a man who was even more prominent in the nursing home business than the one he had originally been scheduled to meet. He introduced himself, arranged a meeting, and ended up with a deal far greater than he could have imagined. Yehuda was overjoyed. By holding onto his shiur, he saw Hashem's blessing so clearly. When the man finished his story, I thanked him — and then asked if he might know someone who would be interested in sponsoring Living Emunah on the Parashah Volume 2 . His eyes lit up. "What? Living Emunah on the Parashah? I'm the number one fan of that book! I've given out over forty copies of the first volume. It has brought so many people closer to religion. It would be my greatest honor and pleasure to help sponsor the new volume." And just like that, the missing sponsor was replaced. It was then that I understood why I had overslept that morning. Hashem guided me to the shul where the very person I needed was waiting. Everything gets accomplished only with siyata diShmaya. While we were talking, a rabbi visiting from Israel overheard part of the conversation. He walked over and asked, "Are you sharing hashgachah peratit stories?" When we said yes, he told us he had one of the greatest stories that ever happened — and it happened to him personally. With Hashem's help, I will share that story tomorrow.

In our 101st episode of Kosher Money, we take you out of town to Columbus, Ohio, one of America's most surprising, affordable, and fast-growing Jewish communities.If you've ever wondered what out-of-town Jewish life really looks like, this episode will open your eyes. Rabbi Avi Goldstein and Meir Perlmutter share how Columbus became a thriving hub of Orthodox life, complete with kosher restaurants, strong schools, affordable homes, and a deep sense of connection.We explore:

Dodgers Host Tim Cates joined the show to preview Game #1 of the World Series — Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays — bringing the energy from his morning show “Sax and Cates in the AM” on AM 570 KLAC with former Dodger Steve Sax. Then Conway floated a hilarious idea: Vegas oddsmakers are already betting on California's next governor — and “Governor Tim Conway Jr.” has a nice ring to it!

This week Dominic Garrini calls in from a 1987 payphone to discuss the new upcoming "Cultivate" concept debuting in December at The Roxy in Lakewood, Ohio. 

The adoption of the Hart-Celler Act in 1965, triggered a wave of immigration to the U.S. not seen since before the First World War. But these newcomers were now far less likely to have come from Europe than Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America. And they were far more likely to settle in suburbia than the “inner city.” In The New Suburbia: How Diversity Remade Suburban Life in Los Angeles After 1945 (Oxford UP, 2024) Becky M. Nicolaides analyzes the consequences of mass migration by looking at how four LA suburbs reacted—wealthy San Marino and Pasadena, working class South Gate, and lower middle class Lakewood. She invites the reader to consider whether in becoming more diverse, a community becomes more tolerant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

The adoption of the Hart-Celler Act in 1965, triggered a wave of immigration to the U.S. not seen since before the First World War. But these newcomers were now far less likely to have come from Europe than Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America. And they were far more likely to settle in suburbia than the “inner city.” In The New Suburbia: How Diversity Remade Suburban Life in Los Angeles After 1945 (Oxford UP, 2024) Becky M. Nicolaides analyzes the consequences of mass migration by looking at how four LA suburbs reacted—wealthy San Marino and Pasadena, working class South Gate, and lower middle class Lakewood. She invites the reader to consider whether in becoming more diverse, a community becomes more tolerant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

A personal episode as Waldie is one of the biggest influences on L.A. in a Minute, I sit down with D.J. Waldie - the preeminent author of Los Angeles, who finds the "poetry and meaning in the confines of regular life in Los Angeles. A native & resident of Lakewood (the most impactful neighborhood in the world) since 1946, Waldie's unique perspective and acute insights inspired Joan Didion to describe him as infinitely moving and absolutely original. Waldie is the author of the powerful and seminal work, Holy Land, and continuing with California Romantica (w/ Diane Keaton), Becoming Los Angeles, and the his newly released Elements of Los Angeles.

Littleton, Colorado, wants to ban everything other than single-family homes. The neighboring town of Lakewood wants to allow more housing variety. Norm and Abby dive into what's driving these radically different responses to the housing crisis and what happens when cities try to exempt themselves from change. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Two Denver Suburbs Take Different Paths as Residents Face Housing Crunch: We Can Manage It, but Just Barely.” by John Aguilar, The Denver Post (October 2025). Abby Newsham Painting Instagram X/Twitter Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.   This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

More and more motorcycle riders are dying on Colorado roads. Last year, 165 motorcyclists died, the highest number ever recorded in our state. Sgt. Ivan Alvarado with the Colorado State Patrol explains some of the reasons behind the trend. Then, we speak with Laurie Montoya, the founder of the Lakewood-based non-profit, BikerDown Foundation, which advocates for and helps bikers who get injured and their families. Plus, Colorado jazz musician Tony Exum Jr. is back on stage in Denver on Saturday. 

WhoStephanie Cox, CEO of the National Ski PatrolRecorded onJune 3, 2025About National Ski PatrolFrom the organization's website:The National Ski Patrol is a federally-chartered 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association. As the leading authority of on-mountain safety, the NSP is dedicated to serving the outdoor recreation industry by providing education and accreditation to emergency care and safety service providers.With a primary focus on education and training, the organization includes more than 30,000 members [Cox says 32,000 on the pod] serving 650 patrols in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia. Our members work on behalf of local ski/snowboard areas and bike parks to improve the overall experience for outdoor recreationalists. Members include ski and bike patrollers, mountain and bike hosts, alumni, associates, and physician partners.The National Ski Patrol operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, deriving its primary financial support from membership dues, donations, user fees, and corporate sponsorships. …The national office is located in Lakewood, Colorado, and is staffed with full-time employees that handle administrative duties.Why I interviewed herThe Storm focuses unapologetically on the lift-served variety of skiing. I'll often reinforce that point by teasing Uphill Bro for skiing in the wrong direction or making fun of myself for being a lazy U.S. American happy to ride a machine up the mountain. That, mostly, is a shtick to express my preference for an ordered ski experience over the wild variety. Acres of glades twisting down the mountainside – yes, please. But I'll also take that groomed run-out back to the six-pack. This all-you-can-eat variety of skiing feeds the adrenaline monster, stows energy for the bristling explosive down. The fun part. But my hyperbolic preference for the down is also a sort-of cover-up. Because what really glues me to the trail-labeled and lift-laced bumps is that gigantic and ever-present panic button floating alongside me: ski patrol.Oh I just ran into a tree? Well that's inconvenient because now I can't remember how to speak English or why I have eight empty Miller Lite cans in my backpack. But no need to fret. Within five minutes a corps of uniformed professionals specifically trained in the idiosyncratic art of piloting an injured moron down an ungroomed hillside on an eight-foot-long sled will materialize with crackling radios and stabilize me. It's kind of amazing. Like who thought of this? I guess the same person who came up with lifeguards at the beach. When a squirrel misses its branch and falls 75 feet to the forest floor there is no Squirrel 911. Just a variety of bobcats and coyotes who are about to find an easy dinner. Humans are quite amazing animals in this way, setting up systems both highly effective and borderline invisible that grant us wide margins of error to in most cases survive even catastrophic misjudgments.Depending on your view of human nature, the existence of ski patrol is either the most or least predictable miracle layer of organized commercial ski centers. The cynical may interpret this network of makeshift shacks and their occupants as liability shields, a legal hey-we-tried taskforce vaguely taming the chaos inherent in an impossible and awkward activity. But a more generous interpretation might view ski patrol as the most benevolent component of a ski area, the only piece not intended to generate income, an acknowledgement that any one of us, on even the gentlest slope, could in an instant need someone who knows exactly what to do.I prefer that latter interpretation, but the truth is of course a complex blend of the cynical and the generous viewpoints, interlaced with a million other factors. We are all vaguely aware of this, which doesn't mean we can explain it. I mean, why is ski patrol at every ski area? The question is both simplistic and baffling. Well of course there's ski patrol because there always is. OK. But shouldn't there be some live-free-or-die exception in the rowdy ski world of backwoods trails axe-cut by misanthropic good ole' boys putting two middle fingers to society's nine-to-five, collared-shirt expectations? Like “hey man, look at the waiver, if you break your leg it's not my goddamned problem.” But there they are, anyplace there's a ski lift, wearing that same plus-symbol uniform, enforcing that same yellow-signed skier code, blanketed with that same aura of stoic unsurprise and readiness: ski patrol. Is this omnipresence simply custom and tradition? State or federal law? Insurance requirement? Do patrollers work for the ski area or for some agency or entity? An imposition like restaurant food inspectors? Enforcers like a city's police department? Attendants like stadium ushers? It's hard to say without asking, so I asked.What we talked aboutTouring ski patrols across America; #SkiVirginia; Ski Patrol's philosophical evolution over time; patrol saving my butt in Maine; how NSP ensures that patrollers are prepared to deal with the worst injuries at even the smallest ski areas; evolving and adapting over time; “this organization is by and large run by volunteers”; Avy dogs; why ski patrol is everywhere; organizational history; the relationship between NSP and individual ski areas; who funds NSP; paid versus volunteer patrollers; “one of my big goals for the organization is to make sure that all patrols fall under the NSP shield”; a couple of major ski area patrols that are not part of NSP; the general public “is not going to notice the difference” between a paid and volunteer patroller; where most of the paid patrollers work, and why; the amazing number of years the average volunteer patroller commits to the work; the rising cost of living in mountain towns; why NSP does not involve itself in pay or benefits conversations between patrollers and resorts; staying neutral on unionization drives; what it means to modernize NSP; and applying tech to help police on-mountain collisions.What I got wrong* I referenced a recent snowless winter at Wintergreen, Virginia, and said it was “in 21/22 or 22/23.” It was the winter of 2022-23, which, according to Snow Brains, was the ski area's third snowless winter in a decade, after the 2016-17 and 2018-19 campaigns.* At one point in our conversation, I mentioned “voluntary volunteers.” Which I don't know Man talking is hard I guess.Why now was a good time for this interviewI'd initially reached out to Cox as a follow-up to my podcast conversation with United Mountain Workers union President Max Magill, conducted in the wake of the December-to-January Park City patrol strike that leveled the ski area and sent owner Vail Resorts spiraling:National Ski Patrol, it turns out, has no involvement in or position on unionization. That was a bit of a record scratch but also clarifying: patrol union drives, at least for now, lack a national sponsor that could propel the movement to critical mass. Still, it seemed odd that a national organization's most visible umbrella would stand neutral on the trajectory of a tectonic movement flexing against consolidating, ever-more-distant management and escalating mountain-town affordability crises. So we talked about it a bit anyway.What I've learned, 212 episodes into The Storm, is that organizations and entities are rarely – maybe never – what you expect them or want them to be. In episode 11, recorded in January 2020, just a few months after The Storm's launch, I asked Win Smith, then National Ski Areas Association board chair and onetime owner of Sugarbush, the now very-innocent-seeming question of what the organization was doing to subsidize small or independent ski areas. Smith patiently explained that the NSAA was a trade organization, not a charity (I'm paraphrasing), and that their mission was education, lobbying, and helping to establish uniform operating standards and best practices, not a U.N.-style stabilizing force money-cannoning resources where necessary. I get that now, and have developed, through extensive interaction with the group, a deep appreciation for what the NSAA is and does, even if it is not the thing 2020 Stu thought it was or should be.I guess that's the point of The Storm Skiing Podcast: a dumb guy asking dumb questions like “so when are you going to build a gondola over Interstate 90 to connect Alpental to the rest of Summit at Snoqualmie?” and letting the nice smart people say “well wouldn't that be nice but we have other priorities,” when they mean, “sure let me pull $100 million out of my back pocket to build a more-or-less useless lift that would also spark two decades of environmental litigation and has as much chance of clearing airspace over a federal road as a Russian stealth bomber.” Luckily I don't mind asking dumb questions. They emerge from an impulse to sort reality from fiction, to tell the story of modern lift-served skiing by tapping the brains who understand some little corner of it. Podcast NotesOn recent Ski Patrol leadershipThis could maybe go under the sometimes-included “questions I wish I'd asked” section, but really I don't wish I'd asked about it, as I have inherently little interest in organizational human drama, or the appearance of such. In this case, that maybe-drama is the rapid recent turnover in NSP leadership, aptly described by Jason Blevins last year in The Colorado Sun:The former executive director of the nonprofit World Child Cancer heath organization arrived at the National Ski Patrol two years ago, becoming the fourth director of the organization in only five years. The former bosses reported conflicts with the group's member-elected board of directors. An online petition was calling for an overhaul of the venerable organization that formed in 1938. Staff were bailing after years of turmoil that included board members twice suing their own organization. The group was losing its relevance in a quickly shifting ski resort industry.Cox landed with a plan. She started visiting ski patrols across the country. She shepherded an overhaul of the organization's training programs. She enlisted staff and kept them onboard. She mended fences with her board.Whatever happened before, Cox just hit her third anniversary with the organization, and I was mostly interested in her efforts to modernize the 87-year-old NSP.On skier visit numbers nationally and in ColoradoColorado annually accounts for nearly one in four U.S. skier visits. Here's the breakdown from last winter, according to the Kotke end-of-year survey, the definitive statistical ski industry report published annually by the NSAA:On breaking my leg at Black Mountain of MaineMost of you are tired of hearing about this, but if you're new here, this is my big ski-patrol-saves-my-ass story:On federal chartersAn important piece of the NSP why-does-it-exist puzzle is its status, since 1980, as a federally chartered nonprofit organization. Congress charters such organizations “to carry out some regional or national public purpose,” according to a 2022 report on congress.gov. As with just about anything, a comprehensive list is frustratingly difficult to find (that's why I moonlight as ski area spreadsheet mad scientist), but federally chartered organizations include such vaunted entities as the American Red Cross, the Boy and Girl Scouts of America, and Disabled American Veterans. Here's a probably-not-entirely-accurate list on Wikipedia, and a government list from 1994.On “14 patrols unionizing across the west”Here's a list I compiled of unionized ski area groups back in January. I haven't updated it, so there may be a few additions since:On Snow AngelsThis is a pretty good gut-check conversation for the Speed Gods among us:On Wachusett's anti-theft systemSki theft sucks, and some ski areas are better at fighting it than others. One of the best I'm aware of is Wachusett, Massachusetts, which has installed a comprehensive system of ski-rack-to-parking-lot cameras that has reduced thieves' success rate to near zero. “A lot of times, the police will be waiting for them when they get home with the stolen board,” longtime Wachusett President Jeff Crowley told me on a 2022 visit to the ski area.The Storm explores the world of lift-served skiing all year long. Join us. Get full access to The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast at www.stormskiing.com/subscribe