Podcasts about laughing

It's back-to-back weirdos being weird about Kira, but this time it's Dukat! In an A plot that runs the length of the episode without check-ins back at the station, Kira and the ex-Gul enter a game of cat and mouse (or Bird of Prey and defrocked Cardassian?) and Matt and Andy are along for the ride.[Episode discussion begins around 45:00]

Today we do something a little different but with our classic debate analysis spin - a SPY DEBATE! What happens when a whistleblower debates an establishment person in the domain of espionage and geopolitics? Enjoy! Full pod is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElMSJDkqSYQ Send Superchats at any time here: https://streamlabs.com/jaydyer/tip Timestamps: 0:00 Start 2:00 Music 19:00 Podcaast starts 22:00 More Candace Madness 1:22:00 I Cry Laughing 1:31:00 Kiriakou vs Bustamante Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnt7Iy8GlmdPwy_Tzyx93bA/join Order New Book Available here: https://jaysanalysis.com/product/esoteric-hollywood-3-sex-cults-apocalypse-in-films/ Get started with Bitcoin here: https://www.swanbitcoin.com/jaydyer/ The New Philosophy Course is here: https://marketplace.autonomyagora.com/philosophy101 Set up recurring Choq subscription with the discount code JAY60LIFE for 60% off now https://choq.com Subscribe to my site here: https://jaysanalysis.com/membership-account/membership-levels/ Follow me on R0kfin here: https://rokfin.com/jaydyer Music by Dr Evo the Producer, Jay Dyer and Amid the Ruins 1453 https://www.youtube.com/@amidtheruinsOVERHAUL Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnt7Iy8GlmdPwy_Tzyx93bA/join #entertainment #podcast #comedyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jay-sanalysis--1423846/support.

Today we do something a little different but with our classic debate analysis spin - a SPY DEBATE! What happens when a whistleblower debates an establishment person in the domain of espionage and geopolitics? Enjoy! Full pod is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElMSJDkqSYQ Send Superchats at any time here: https://streamlabs.com/jaydyer/tip Timestamps: 0:00 Start 2:00 Music 19:00 Podcaast starts 22:00 More Candace Madness 1:22:00 I Cry Laughing 1:31:00 Kiriakou vs Bustamante Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnt7Iy8GlmdPwy_Tzyx93bA/join Order New Book Available here: https://jaysanalysis.com/product/esoteric-hollywood-3-sex-cults-apocalypse-in-films/ Get started with Bitcoin here: https://www.swanbitcoin.com/jaydyer/ The New Philosophy Course is here: https://marketplace.autonomyagora.com/philosophy101 Set up recurring Choq subscription with the discount code JAY60LIFE for 60% off now https://choq.com Subscribe to my site here: https://jaysanalysis.com/membership-account/membership-levels/ Follow me on R0kfin here: https://rokfin.com/jaydyer Music by Dr Evo the Producer, Jay Dyer and Amid the Ruins 1453 https://www.youtube.com/@amidtheruinsOVERHAUL Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnt7Iy8GlmdPwy_Tzyx93bA/join #entertainment #podcast #comedyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jay-sanalysis--1423846/support.

We're joined by Chude Jideonwo — journalist, TV host, storyteller, and author — for a rich and engaging conversation. From being a genuine So Nigerian fan to sharing his thoughts on the growth of the podcast scene in Nigeria, Chude brings insight and depth to the conversation.He also opens up about his deeply personal new book, How Depression Saved My Life, speaking candidly about navigating depression, choosing healing, and the discipline and mindset shifts that led to his weight loss and personal transformation.It's a vulnerable and insightful conversation about growth, purpose, and learning to live intentionally, even when life gets heavy.JOIN THE WHATSAPP CHANNEL:https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBii6eLtOjA3h8LHg2BFOLLOW US ON:http://twitter.com/sonigerian_http://Instagram.com/sonigerian_http://twitter.com/damiar0shttp://instagram.com/_damiiaros7http://twitter.com/medici__ihttps://instagram.com/medici.ihttps://www.instagram.com/chudeity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teacher Berates Class for Laughing at Renee Good Student recorded audio!

Teacher Berates Class for Laughing at Renee Good Student recorded audio!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.racket.newsLink Here: Listen to subscriber-only audio in your podcast appShare the Free Previews of America This Week:Watch ATW on YouTube below:

During the 2024 campaign, I would tell everyone how uniquely dangerous Trump is. That, if elected, he'll be a fascist and try to turn America into a fascist dystopia. And people laughed, said it couldn't happen here, and “but eggs are too expensive” or “Biden is too old” or whatever. And they voted for Trump. Well, it's happening here. I hope they get it now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most of us think of humor as something that happens at comedy clubs or in group texts with friends. But what if laughter could actually make you better at your job, more creative, and more connected to the people around you? Chris Duffy is a comedian, TV writer, and host of TED's award-winning How to Be a Better Human podcast. In the first half of today's show, he shares five big ideas from his new book Humor Me: How Laughing More Can Make You Present, Creative, Connected, and Happy. Later, we hear from Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas about their book Humor, Seriously. Sponsored By: Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at shopify.com/daily

Life is busy. Loud. Exhausting. And somehow we're still supposed to be creative inside of it.In Episode 242, Silas and Samantha talk honestly about what creativity looks like when life is laughing you straight in the face. From parenting and exhaustion to guitars, Halloween theatrics, perfectionism, and letting go of the idea that creativity has to be “big” to count, this episode is part therapy session, part philosophical ramble, and part classic Black & A Half chaos.If you've ever felt like you used to be creative and aren't sure where that version of you went...this one's for you.

Wrapping up the hour with a little snippet on Schaefer's Vikings and Producer Joey's Packers.

Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok is generating roughly one nonconsensual sexual image per minute on X. It's not just celebrities - victims include images of children, dead bodies, and Holocaust survivors. This week, users asked Grok to create a sexualized AI image of Renee Good's dead body, the woman shot and killed by ICE in Minnesota. And Elon? He's posting jokes about it. We break down how we got here, why it's only getting worse in the US, what some countries are trying to do about it, and what happens when the richest man in the world builds AI specifically for abusers. How Grok's sexual abuse hit a tipping point (by Kat Tenbarge): https://spitfirenews.com/p/grok-csam-deepfakes-abuse-elon-musk Grok's AI Sexual Abuse Didn't Come Out of Nowhere (by Samantha Cole): https://www.404media.co/grok-ai-sexual-abuse-imagery-twitter/ The Twitter-to-Fame Pipeline of the 2010s (w/ Celebrity Memoir Book Club): https://omny.fm/shows/there-are-no-girls-on-the-internet/the-twitter-to-fame-pipeline-of-the-2010s-w-celebrity-memoir-book-club Coverage of research into Grok requests, (by Nana Nwachukwu at Dublin’s Trinity College AI Accountability Lab): https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/08/grok-x-nonconsensual-imagesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drop us a line or two . . .In this episode, Queenie and TT ring in the new year with their signature blend of humor, candor, and side-eye, starting with global political shockwaves and landing squarely in the realities of midlife bodies, boundaries, and burnout.They talk cannabis consumption, Massachusetts moving forward with social-consumption licenses, the rapid saturation of dispensaries, and what it means when access finally becomes… ordinary. Along the way, they debut original AI-assisted music, play a round of Did This Happen Stoned or Is It Kaka? (featuring hemp-filled urinals and allegedly high chickens), and add a crucial entry to the F*** It List: being available 24/7.Equal parts funny, unnerving, and grounding, this episode is about paying attention, setting limits, and maybe—just maybe—trying something different.“Episodes may include original AI assisted music created by Humble Pond Productions alongside licensed intro and outro music.”SHOW NOTES (DETAILED)New Year disorientation and global political anxietyWhen “this isn't funny anymore” becomes realCannabis consumption check-inTHC-infused drinks vs. smokingMassachusetts advances social-consumption cannabis licensesEvent organizers, hospitality licenses, and economic opportunityDispensary saturation, branding, and market identityOriginal song: Could've Done This If StonedGame: Did This Happen Stoned or Is It Kaka?Hemp-filled public urinals in the NetherlandsChickens accidentally consuming cannabis compostCircular economy, composting, and environmental designThe F* It List:** Being available 24/7Catholic guilt, work conditioning, and boundary backlashPhones, vigilance, and nervous-system exhaustionMidlife bodies, pelvic floors, urgency, and realityClosing reflections on technology, productivity, and sanity Welcome to the Closet Disco Queen Pot-Cast, a #1 ranked Women in Cannabis (Feedspot, Million Pods; 2025) comedy podcast with music and pop culture references that keeps you laughing and engaged. Join our hosts, Queenie & TT as they share humorous anecdotes about daily life, offering women's perspectives on lifestyle and wellness. We dive into funny cannabis conversations and stories, creating an entertaining space where nothing is off-limits. Each episode features entertaining discussions on pop culture trends, as we discuss music, culture, and cannabis in a light-hearted and inclusive manner. Tune in for a delightful blend of humor, insight, and relatable stories that celebrate life's quirks and pleasures. Our Closet Disco Queen Pot-Cast deals with legal adult cannabis use and is intended for entertainment purposes only for those 21 and olderVisit our Closet Disco Queen Pot-Cast merch store!Find us on Facebook and Green Coast RadioSound from Zapsplat.com, https://quicksounds.com, 101soundboards.com #ToneTransfer

Kira forgets about Odo in this heart-breaking, difficult-to-watch, but undeniably great episode. And Odo FINALLY doesn't forget to use his T-1000 silver weapon hands to do SOMETHING.[Episode discussion begins around 51:00]

In this episode of The Healers Café, Manon Bolliger, speaks to Frank, who discussed his mental health struggles, including major depressive disorder and chronic suicidal ideation, and how humor helps him cope. Frank emphasized the importance of starting conversations about suicide, noting that one person dies by suicide every 40 seconds globally. He highlighted the need for empathy and intervention to prevent suicides, sharing stories of how his talks have helped individuals. Frank aims to save a life a day through his work. For the transcript and full story go to: https://www.drmanonbolliger.com/frank-king     Highlights from today's episode include:  For some people, suicide is always an option their brain offers, even for small problems (e.g., car breaks down: "fix it / buy a new one / kill myself").  Naming it ("chronic suicidal ideation") helps people realize they're not freaks and not alone, which can be profoundly relieving and life-changing. Suicide often results from a cascade of factors, like a car accident with many causes (nighttime, rain, slick road, etc.). A simple intervention—someone asking, "Are you okay?" or showing they care—can interrupt that cascade and literally save a life (e.g., Kevin Hines on the Golden Gate Bridge). You highlight that in contexts like MAID in Canada, people are often met with serious validation of ending life but not always offered a gap—humor, caring connection, or alternative ways of seeing their situation.   ABOUT FRANK KING: Frank King, Suicide Prevention Speaker, writer for The Tonight Show for 20 years, speaker and comedian for 39. His speaking is informed by his lifetime of Depression and Suicidality and coming close enough to ending his life that he can tell you what the barrel of his gun tastes like. Turning that long dark journey of the soul into 13 TEDx Talks, sharing his lifesaving insights with corporations, and associations. He's shared the stage with comedians, Jeff Foxworthy, Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld, Dr. Ken Jung, Ellen DeGeneres, Dennis Miller, and Bill Hicks, as well as entertainers, Lou Rawls, The Beach Boys, Randy Travis, and Nancy Wilson. On top of all of that, he has survived 2 aortic valve replacements, a double bypass, a heart attack, and losing to a puppet on the original Star Search and has lived to joke about it all. Core purpose/passion: To save a life a day. –  Facebook |  Instagram |  LinkedIn  |  mentalhealthcomedian.com | howtomakemoneyspeaking.com | Born to Be Funny YouTube   | Mental With Benefits YouTube  | A Matter of Laugh or Death YouTube  | Suicide, The Secret of My Success YouTube | Dry Bar Comedy Special   ABOUT MANON BOLLIGER, RBHT, FCAH: As a retired Naturopath 1992-2021, I saw an average of 150 patients per week and have helped people ranging from rural farmers in Nova Scotia to stressed out CEOs in Toronto to tri-athletes here in Vancouver. My resolve to educate, empower and engage people to take charge of their own health is evident in my best-selling books:  'What Patients Don't Say if Doctors Don't Ask: The Mindful Patient-Doctor Relationship' and 'A Healer in Every Household: Simple Solutions for Stress'. and What if Your Body is Smarter than You Think?  I am the Founder & CEO of The Bowen College Inc. which teaches BowenFirst™ Therapy and holds transformational workshops to achieve these goals. So, when I share with you that LISTENing to Your body is a game changer in the healing process, I am speaking from expertise and direct experience". Mission: A Healer in Every Household! For more great information to go to her weekly blog:  http://bowencollege.com/blog.  For tips on health & healing go to: https://www.drmanonbolliger.com/tips Follow: Manon Bolliger website  | Linktr.ee | Rumble | Gettr  | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | LinkedIn | Follow: Bowen College Inc. | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn | YouTube | Twitter | Rumble | Locals ABOUT THE HEALERS CAFE: Manon's show is the #1 show for medical practitioners and holistic healers to have heart to heart conversations about their day to day lives. Subscribe and review on your favourite platform: iTunes | Google Play | Spotify | Libsyn | iHeartRadio | Gaana | The Healers Cafe | Radio.com | Medioq | Audacy | Follow The Healers Café on FB: https://www.facebook.com/thehealerscafe   Remember to subscribe if you like our videos. Click the bell if you want to be one of the first people notified of a new release.   * De-Registered, revoked & retired naturopathic physician after 30 years of practice in healthcare. Now resourceful & resolved to share with you all the tools to take care of your health & vitality!  

Running through the John Harbaugh checklist the Dolphins will need to prepare. Previewing Canes - Ole Miss with Don Bailey Jr. Laughing at Solana as Bam Adebayo continues to struggle. Plus, a detour into the newspaper world.

Chris Duffy is an award winning comedian with experience working on comedy shows with Wyatt Cenac and John Oliver, and host of the podcast "How To Be A Better Human". He discusses his new book, Humor Me: How Laughing More Can Make You Present, Creative, Connected, and Happy, which explores the science behind laughter, and why it is important. 

1-6 Dirty Work Hour 4: The Sound Soiree will have you laughing, plus the"best of" Snoop on Warriors/Clippers broadcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1-6 Dirty Work Hour 4: The Sound Soiree will have you laughing, plus the"best of" Snoop on Warriors/Clippers broadcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Valentine In The Morning: We asked listeners to confess the most inappropriate place they couldn’t stop laughing — the moments where holding it together just wasn’t an option. Then we talked relationships: did you hard launch or soft launch your love story, and why? Listen live every weekday from 5–10am Pacific: https://www.iheart.com/live/1043-myfm-173/Website: 1043myfm.com/valentineInstagram: @ValentineInTheMorningFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/valentineinthemorningTikTok: @ValentineInTheMorningSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support for KUTX's Love Austin Music Month coverage comes from Eldorado Cafe, embracing a community of folks who believe sharing food and music feeds the soul. I like to say that Free Week is a time for exploration, moving on feeling, looking to be pulled in by sound and locked into place. And if you’re […] The post haha laughing: Pulled Apart By Horses appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

What if the biggest barrier to innovation in your organization isn't lack of ideas, budget, or talent—but fear?Tom Fishburne, the Marketoonist, whose cartoons have appeared in more marketing decks than most actual strategies joins Marc and V to reveal why corporate fear is sabotaging innovation, and the surprisingly simple tool that breaks through it.With his weekly cartoons reaching over 500,000 readers and experience at General Mills, Nestlé, Method Products, and HotelTonight, Tom has spent two decades documenting what actually stops good ideas from becoming reality.In this conversation, we explore:The "Scolded Syndrome": The DBS Bank story where fear of being "scolded" paralyzed an entire organization until one senior executive squatted in a corner holding his earlobes and changed everythingWhy fear kills innovation faster than any competitor: How "I might get scolded" becomes the silent phrase that stops transformationThe simple tool hiding in plain sight: Why humour isn't just comic relief—it's Apple's "most powerful tool to drive fear out of the system"From business school to half a million readers: The terrifying moment a Harvard professor threw Tom's first cartoon on an overhead projector, and how that panic became a callingThe pressure release valve every team needs: How humour defuses tension, unlocks honest conversations, and enables better decision-makingWhy you're juggling unicycles on pogo sticks: The impossible "more with less" paradox and how to survive it without breakingTom reveals how he's used cartoons to navigate impossible client situations, transform hierarchical cultures at major banks, and help teams move from fear-based paralysis to innovation-driven action. This isn't about becoming funnier—it's about becoming braver.The takeaway: Innovation doesn't die because we lack good ideas. It dies because we're too afraid to voice them, test them, or defend them. And the antidote isn't another framework or process it's giving people permission to be human.If you've ever felt your team second-guessing every decision, if "we might get in trouble" stops more initiatives than budget constraints, or if innovation feels like performance theater rather than actual progress this episode offers a path forward.Featured in this episode:Tom Fishburne, The Marketoonist Creator of 23 years of weekly marketing cartoonsPublished author and contributor to NYT, Fast Company, Wall Street JournalTED speaker on "The Power of Laughing at Ourselves at Work"TIMESTAMPS/CHAPTERS00:00 - 04:30 | The First Laugh That Changed EverythingTom's origin story: the terrifying moment a Harvard Business School professor put his first cartoon on an overhead projector in front of 80...

For our first show back in the new year Richie will be sitting down with comedians Judi Love, Kyrah Gray and Slim. They'll be talking the highs and lows of 2025, the craziest moments of the year, things they want to leave behind and plans for 2026.Expect a hilarious and honest conversation!Produced by Unedited for BBC Radio 1Xtra.

Send us a textThis is the first episode of 2026 — and it sets the tone for everything that comes next.In this solo episode of Kyle Talks, Kyle lays out a simple but ambitious goal for the year ahead: bring back the art of conversation.Not perfect conversations. Not easy conversations. Real conversations.Whether your goal this year is personal growth, rebuilding confidence, learning discipline, or simply connecting better with people around you, this episode is an invitation to step forward — together.In this episode, Kyle reflects on:• Why goals mean nothing without action • How having better conversations is a form of discipline • Why understanding does not require agreement • The role of emotion in disagreement — and how to handle it • When it's healthy to walk away from a conversation • Why casual conversations matter just as much as serious ones • How self-control changes the tone of dialogue • What it means to listen in a culture that rewards shouting • Why Kyle Talks exists — and where it's headed in 2026This episode isn't about being right. It's about being present, curious, and human.Kyle challenges listeners to take responsibility for the conversations they're part of — at home, online, at work, and in the world — and reminds us that changing culture doesn't start with institutions. It starts with people choosing to talk.A question for listeners:What's one conversation you've been avoiding — and what would it look like to approach it with honesty and self-control?The Mission for 2026Kyle Talks is about talking to people again. Agreeing. Disagreeing. Laughing. Listening. Building connection without dehumanization.This year is about showing up imperfectly and continuing anyway.If this episode resonated with you, consider leaving a review or sharing it with someone you'd like to have a better conversation with. Invite them to the table.Let's talk.Social Media:Insta/X: kyleTHEhortonYoutube: KyletalkssTiktok: KyleTalkssIntro: Head In The Clouds by Matthew MorelockOutro: Surfaces Type Beat - Jellyfish BeatsSupport the show

Drop us a line or two . . .In this post-holiday episode, Queenie and TT ease their way out of Christmas and toward the New Year with warmth, humor, and perspective. They reflect on family gatherings, traditions, grief, nostalgia, and the strange emotional whiplash that follows the holidays—when the house empties, the cookies remain, and memories linger.The Queens check in on what they've consumed, share laughter over matching dog pajamas, holiday indulgences, and the realities of midlife bodies, then move into cannabis news from across the country, highlighting the inconsistencies and absurdities of state laws.The episode features original AI-assisted music, including a Closet Disco Queen Musical Interlude, recurring segments like Did This Happen Stoned or Is It Kaka?, and the first F*** It List entry of the new year: letting go of things you simply cannot control.Thoughtful, funny, and deeply human.Long-Form Show NotesPost-Christmas reflections and easing into the New YearFamily traditions, loss, nostalgia, and honoring loved onesThe quiet after the holidays—and what lingersWhat Queenie & TT consumed todayHoliday indulgence, cookies, chocolate, and giving yourself graceHealth oddities: humming, fart walks, digestion, and ancient wisdomCannabis news: inconsistent laws, decriminalization myths, and state-by-state absurditiesConsumption lounges and what may be coming nextGame: Did This Happen Stoned or Is It Kaka?The F* It List:** Saying f*** it to things you can't controlMidlife boundaries, comparison, comfort, and choosing yourselfClosing reflections on time, priorities, and being proud to still be here Welcome to the Closet Disco Queen Pot-Cast, a #1 ranked Women in Cannabis (Feedspot, Million Pods; 2025) comedy podcast with music and pop culture references that keeps you laughing and engaged. Join our hosts, Queenie & TT as they share humorous anecdotes about daily life, offering women's perspectives on lifestyle and wellness. We dive into funny cannabis conversations and stories, creating an entertaining space where nothing is off-limits. Each episode features entertaining discussions on pop culture trends, as we discuss music, culture, and cannabis in a light-hearted and inclusive manner. Tune in for a delightful blend of humor, insight, and relatable stories that celebrate life's quirks and pleasures. Our Closet Disco Queen Pot-Cast deals with legal adult cannabis use and is intended for entertainment purposes only for those 21 and olderVisit our Closet Disco Queen Pot-Cast merch store!Find us on Facebook and Green Coast RadioSound from Zapsplat.com, https://quicksounds.com, 101soundboards.com #ToneTransfer

Send us a textAlyssa experiments with new foods - receives a gift from her neighbor - buying her long-lived in house she plans to renovate - and had major intestinal surgery, also a gut renovation Support the showInstagram

In this Episode, we relive the clips and craziness that had the internet talking all year. Kate describes one of the most bizarre viral videos of the year, while we break down the influencer who somehow went viral… despite having zero vocabulary!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we head into 2026, we take a look back at our favourite things from 2025. 00:00 - Auld Lang Syne 02:20 - The Murderbot Diaries 13:50 - Andor, Season 2 20:21 - Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy 21:19 - Department Q 25:18 - Common Side Effects 28:39 - Last One Laughing 32:16 - Wavelength App 33:47 - Weapons 34:09 - Slay the Spire 34:31 - Hell or High Rollers 35:55 - Einstein on the Beach 36:59 - skate. 37:09 - Drops of God 37:54 - Blue Prince 42:28 - The Roottrees are Dead 45:21 - Civilization 47:49 - Daybreak 55:13 - Gibberers 56:40 - Strike All that, and a Happy New Year, on Ep238. On this episode were Dan (@ThisDanFrost), Kris (@DigitalStrider), and Sam (@MrSamTurner). Our Spotify Playlist brings together lots of great thematic music inspired by the stuff we talk about, our Steam Curator page collects every video game we've ever reviewed available on the platform, and our BoardGameGeek page does the same for every boardgame. And if you'd like to see what we're up to between podcasts, your best bet is our Instagram page. Links to where you can find us - StayingInPodcast.com Note: sometimes we'll have been sent a review copy of the thing we're talking about on the podcast. It doesn't skew how we think about that thing, and we don't receive compensation for anything we discuss, but we thought you might like to know this is the case.

Quaranteam - Dave In Dallas: Part 11 Cleanup: The Air Force arrives with a mop. Based on a post by RonanJWilkerson, in 12 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels. Dave's second quandary was his position, nearly on the middle of the pad, left him seriously exposed. Applying the aggressiveness taught by Carter, he knew Liv had him protected to the right, so he closed with the occupied building, moving to the far corner. A quick look showed him there were again two doors, like the other building. And two men emerging from the far door. Turning their backs to him as they followed a third man who was just rounding the opposite corner. That put him out of Dave's sight, but into Liv's. As the men receded, Dave fired into their backs. Neither was at a sprint, so they fell forward without the dramatic tumbling of the earlier target. A simultaneous rifle crack announced the death of the lead in that trio. He paused. Dave couldn't hear any sounds coming from the building. He remained wary, uneasy. How many more will it take? He waited. An eternity later, the door on one of the smaller buildings slowly opened. Two hands held high and outward came into view, followed by the woman they were attached to. She moved slowly. She was too far away for Dave to read her facial expression but she was giving all the big outward signs of surrender. Two more women exited another of the smaller buildings. One was an average build, the other rotund. The latter's feet seemed reluctant to move. Great. Don't know if there's anyone left in the big building, and now I have unknowns coming in from the houses. Other women began issuing from what must be the dwellings. Eight in all. As they neared, most had curious, guarded expressions on their faces. The big one had a look like she rarely smiled, ever. "Alright, that's close enough! Just stop where you are. Pick a leader and send her forward." There was a brief discussion which resulted in a medium height brunette walking towards him. The third woman out glared daggers into the back of the brunette's skull. The angry one argued hard with all of them, but none seemed interested in anything she had to say. Dave waited until the brunette reached easy speaking distance. "Stop right there. What's your name?" "Sandy." "How many of you are there?" "I don't rightly know." She looked thoughtful. "All the men were in the community building. Us women and our kids were in our homes. Jeb, the man that bound me to him, came in awhile ago with a new woman. She was out, like from the shot he gave me before." That confirms they're using the QT serum . "If he bound you to him with that shot, why are you awake?" "Oh, that was a few weeks back for me. I knew him a little bit before lockdowns started. Then he just shows up and says he has this safe place to stay and we can both be safe from the virus runnin' round, but I have to take this shot and sleep with him. He's been an okay guy, and I ain't had no boyfriend in several months anyway. 'Sides, he didn't tell me that I couldn't be with anybody else after that. Which sucks, but mostly he's been okay. Only been an asshole a few times, but that's pretty fair for most guys I've met. No offense." Dave smirked. "Sandy, how many men are there in your community?" She stopped, looking off to the side, thinking. "Well, there was the ten that left saying' they's gonna raid a rich man's house for somethin', never told us what. Now we know why. They were out collectin' poon like we's just a bunch a deer and no tag limit." Sandy paused. "Is that why you're here? You come to scoop us up and make us your whores?" "No, ma'am." We killed more than ten, so that can't be all . "If you ladies were bound to these men, we'll need to take you to the people that hand out the vaccine to see what they can do for you. But ma'am, please, how many men total are there?" The far door of the community building opened slowly, and a woman stepped out. It was the one Dave had seen inject one of the women right before she got raped. "Get over with the others. Is anyone else inside?" The woman shook her head no and moved swiftly to join the pack. "Oh, right. Well, after the ten left, all six of the others took off saying' they could do just as good somewhere else. But only three of them came back, including Jeb. As soon as they's back they took the nurse, that's the woman that just came out, well they took her and the two women bound to two of the guys that didn't come back and a bit later those women are out cold again. I thought the whole shot thing was permanent, but maybe not if the guy's dead? I hope so, 'cuz we're about to be in a bad way aren't we?" Thirteen. Thirteen men here. Dave counted off in his head. He thought they'd taken out thirteen, but he wasn't going to make assumptions. Especially when one part of his brain was parodying an old farcical movie about how many bullets had been fired from a gun. An 80's flick set in the 50's. "Alright Sandy, is there anyone else left in the houses?" "Just the kids, and some unconscious women. The men said they'd gotten them; reassigned?" She looked frustrated. "Guess I still wasn't good enough to keep that asshole by m'self." Dave deliberately gave Sandy an appraising look. "I think that has more to do with his greed than your looks or personality." "Well ain't you sweet?" Sandy licked her lips and looked Dave up and down. "Easy, I meant every word I said, but I already have several partners. Those six that left attacked my house." Sandy's face dropped. "I don't know if I should hate your guts for killing Jeb, or thank you, for the same thing." After a pause she spoke again. "You should be careful of Debbie. Her husband brought her here for some kinda rebel nation shit. She's already pissed he came back with some hot blonde from a rich man's house. But not so mad at him she's just gonna let you killin' him slide." "Is she the rather large woman that looks like she sucked on an entire lemon tree?" "That's the one." "How 'bout we settle on neutrality for now? Look, let's get all of you back in your homes and warm. I'll need to call the authorities to make sure you all get taken care of before that serum starts doing ugly things." Sandy walked back to the assembled throng. Another debate broke out. Debbie leading a third of the group in angry objections. Then she turned to face Dave. "Where's our men? What gives you the right to come bargin' in here?" She headed for the far end of the building. Several others followed, more than just the ones that had agreed with her. Dave knew things would turn ugly as soon as these women saw the dead bodies. His fastest route into the open yard space was behind him. He sprinted the way he'd come, entering the yard through the gap just as the women began kneeling near selected bodies. By the women's placement, some of the men must have sprinted from the building's edge. Instead of a clump near the corner, there was a line of a few reaching towards the tree line. Dave felt a cold turn inside. Rationally, he could see the line ended well before the trees, suggesting Liv had taken all of them down before they got close. But could one have gotten through? That thought was interrupted by Debbie leaving the line of dead, beginning to search the yard and moving as quickly as her thick legs would carry her. Dave moved to get clear of the gap and the bodies just beyond it. Several of the other women left the line of dead as well. They slowly swarmed about the open space while Debbie made a beeline for the gap. Then she noticed a body in the grass. Fury returned to her face after a brief look of relief. Then she paused. Her chest was already heaving from exertion. When she faced Dave, the anguish was obvious. "You fucking coward! You shot 'em in the back! You shot my husband!" She began a slow charge at him. Dave sorted through his options. The only sure way he had of stopping this woman was his weapon, but he had no desire to shoot an unarmed woman grieving her husband. He could outrun her easily, but he needed to stay in the area. For a moment, Dave's brain played an image of him making short sprints and the woman chasing after him like some schoolyard game. Not helping dammit . Dave took a few steps backwards, bringing him near the back wall of the community building. He noticed the dryer vent again, which meant the pile of pipes wasn't far. He'd have to be careful if he backpedaled any more. Falling on his ass would not engender obedience or respect. Debbie's tirade ended in a screech as she reached into her pocket. Her hand came back out with a small revolver. Shit. Shit. Shit. Dave brought his weapon up faster than her and pulled his trigger. Click . No round fired. The weapon jammed. Shit . Dave dove sideways and backwards just as Debbie fired. He felt a smack on his shoulder as he fell. His hand landed on the pipe pile. He grabbed and rolled away from the wall as another shot spanged off the brick. As he rolled, he swung one arm, releasing one of the two rods he'd snagged. He threw one leg out and came up from his roll, facing Debbie as she recovered from the rod that hit her. Her motion and his brought them in close proximity. On instinct, Dave snapped out with the remaining rod, striking Debbie's wrist. She shrieked in pain as she dropped the pistol. Dave followed up with two strikes to her knee before stepping back into a ready stance. Debbie cried out, but still managed one step forward before the side of her head exploded. Dave turned from Debbie's corpse to scan the area. All of the other women were on the ground. Clearly, they'd done the math in their head and figured out he had a partner in the trees. "Don't make us shoot anyone else. We only came here because we were attacked. The people that attacked us and another house are now all dead. We've done what we came for. We are not leaving you hanging. We know you've been given Quaranteam doses so your lives are bound to these men. There is a way to free you from that bond." Dave decided a bit of vague spitballing could be useful here and played it fast and loose based on what he'd learned in the past 24 hours. "Well, not exactly free you, but transfer that bond to someone else. This time, you will have a choice in that bonding. But, I will not countenance any threat to myself or my partner. And as you can see, she is very protective of me as well. You can also see she is a damn good shot. I want all of you to gather over here, in the lee of this building, while I get someone here to help." The women got up, moving slowly so as not to provoke Dave or his hidden partner. Once they were all clumped together, he pulled out his cell phone. Time to call Detective Verratti. Chapter 13; Cleanup. October 29, 2020 8:20am "Wait, wait, wait. What do you mean you and Olivia are at the compound? Didn't you say you and your special forces friend; Carter? That the two of you were heading to the compound?" On another call, Dave would have switched ears by now. The burning in his left shoulder threatened to make that shift a very painful decision. "No, detective, I simply said we." "Dammit, professor, why the hell wouldn't you take the trained spec-ops guy on something; oh, fuck." "Exactly. Carter and his wife have been dead for two months now. Carter was the security expert in our prepper community. He ran us through many drills on how to protect ourselves and those around us. Olivia is an excellent long-range shot. She proved it again today. Took out half the compound with her sniping. Shot one that was coming at me with a.38, when my gun jammed." "Okay, okay. Damn. Look, I contacted the Air Force when you sent me the text saying you were there. As soon as the liaison red off the coordinates, whoever was on the other end of the phone got pissed. If I overheard correctly, they gathered a small force and headed that way by chopper. I think they lifted off about twenty minutes ago. Expect them in less than an hour. If they arrive in the same mood their boss was in, keep your head down. I know I'm already in deep shit. After getting shouted at over the phone, the Air Force liaison went into my boss' office and shouted for ten minutes straight. Professor; I'm sorry I got you into this." Dave signed off that call, then texted Liv. -Sling your rifle, come into the glade with pistol drawn. He stuffed his phone back in his pocket and waited. Half his energy was devoted to ignoring the pain in his arm. The adrenaline and other wonderful bio-chemicals the body produces during high stress situations all drained out in the past ten minutes so nothing got in the way of his arm screaming at his head for doing damn fool things. On the plus side, the bleeding had stopped. Mostly. As long as he didn't move it. The blood that had come out was enough to stain most of his sleeve, but not significantly impair his thinking from blood loss. Liv emerged from the tree line with all the charisma of a warrior queen. As Dave requested, her rifle was slung cross body, and her 10mm pistol was in her hands, held low, as her eyes scanned her surroundings. She took a bit of extra 'dwell time' when her eyes passed over the assembled women. Liv strode purposefully across the ground, halting at a position within easy talking range, yet too far to make them both a single target. Dave looked her over, examining her face and posture. Concern for the psychological impact of this on Olivia was uppermost in his mind. Great time to be worried about that, huh? After all the fighting is done. Genius . He snapped himself back to reality. There would be time later for self-recrimination. Liv's visual scanning kept lingering on Dave's left shoulder. "We need to treat that. It'll be tricky to do while maintaining security." "There's an Air Force team on their way. Detective Verratti said they may be unhappy, but I'm sure they'll have a medic. Or at least a first aid bag." "How long?" "Less than an hour. Sounds like forty minutes, most likely." "That arm shouldn't wait that long. You need stitches." "Got any in your back pocket, Liv?" Dave hadn't meant to get testy, but the pain was eroding his 'nice function' and the conversation felt like it was spiraling already. The flat look from Olivia carried a tinge of hurt, and forgiveness, and her own self-restraint. "Sorry, Olivia." She nodded in response, her eyes once again on their charges. One of them stood and moved slowly towards Dave. Livy squared her shoulders to the woman, but made no other change in her focus. When the woman was halfway to him, Dave recognized her as the lady that came out of the building as he spoke with Sandy. The one Sandy identified as a nurse. "Sir, would you let me look at your wound? I'm a nurse." Liv looked at him cautiously, then gave him one slow blink. Dave restrained himself from chuckling. From her, the slow blink meant anything from 'sure' to 'don't make me say I told you so'. Dave nodded at the woman. She approached slowly, then cautiously brought one hand up to examine his wound. She pulled back on the shirt to ascertain the extent of the injury. "I can treat it temporarily for now. You need stitches; which we don't have. And a painkiller. All they have here for that is alcohol, marijuana and meth. None of which I would recommend." Dave chuckled. With her finger so close, his shaking caused her to jab the side of the open gash. Dave flinched and gritted his teeth. "Oh, I'm so sorry." The nurse jumped back, pulling her hand back to her chest. Her other hand clasped the offending one closely, like she was putting it in time out. "It's okay, ma'am. I'm the one that moved suddenly." "Parker. My name is Parker." "Dave." "Well, Dave, you've got a decent flesh wound that will make a good reminder scar once it heals. You need to get stitches as soon as possible. Like today. Wait too long and it won't do any good. In the meantime, I can bandage it up. I'll need to go inside to get some clean cloth, though." Her eyes held the obvious question of whether he would let her. "How did you wind up here?" "I was on a transport from the vaccine center on my way to my Oracle designated partner when the bus got hijacked. Fifteen of us were diverted from someone we'd chosen to these guys that made their choices just by looking at us. They went in order, so whoever had priority got first pick, and so on." That matched what Verratti told Dave. More importantly, she didn't hesitate and there was no sign of falsehood in her eyes or face. Carter taught him to be careful who you trust, but you have to trust someone. There was a haunted look in her eyes, but no deception. "Liv, can you escort this nurse inside so she can get something to bandage me with?" The young brunette that had known him longer than anyone left alive gave him a funny look. "Or maybe you escort her, so you can sit down and put your arm on a table while she does her work. Should be easier for both of you that way." The nurse's face immediately took on a restrained, but amused look. "Don't say it, let's go," said Dave with a sigh. He followed her back around to the front of the building. She entered through the first door. It opened into the kitchen area. In short order, she scooped up the first aid kit and led Dave into the dining space. The room still smelled of the recent nonconsensual ruttings. Parker visibly flinched when the smell hit her. She came to a dead stop when she saw the body lying against the wall. The look on her face suggested her desire to not be here, and not be reminded of the events of this morning and her part in them, was warring with her professional instincts. Dave watched as she composed herself and ushered him to take a seat with just a hand gesture. Dave sat so Parker's back would be towards the body. As she tended his wound, he searched for visual clues. The man was older, at least fifty, likely over sixty, judging by the condition of his skin. Prominent wrinkles and liver spots, and a leathery look of someone that spent much of his life with a heavy tan. A distinctly aquiline nose and patrician features shouted 'man of money' even more so than his silk pajamas. Necessarily, Parker - more specifically her face - lay in Dave's line of sight as he looked about. Underneath the mien of professional concentration lay clear signs that removing the visual cue of the dead body was barely tamping down her anxiety. When she reached into the kit to find the scissors; so she could trim the excess off the bandage; her fingers first brought out the razor. The way she stared at it was unsettling. She paused to wipe away newly forming tears before finishing with Dave's gauze. As she neatly placed each piece of unused equipment in the kit, he gently took her chin in his right hand, turning her head to look directly at him. "Parker, you've had to make some tough choices here. You did the best you could with what you had. You're an ER nurse, right?" He recalled that tidbit from the detective's discussion. Parker nodded in affirmation. "Okay, so your training and experience is to do everything you can to get your patient that next heartbeat, to take the next breath, and another, and another. Just keep them going, and let someone else do the fancy work once you're sure the patient is alive right?" Her face contorted further as she nodded. "But I didn't. I didn't keep her alive. They took her outside ;” Parker's voice trailed off as she wept, her chest heaving. "An older blonde woman, probably in her mid-forties right?" She nodded, still weeping, not looking at him. "Her name is Natasha, and she's alive." Parker's head snapped up. Her eyes were wide in astonishment and hope. "But; how?" "I killed those men with a silenced pistol. She's hiding in my truck. Actually, I need to check on her. My partner had some spare clothes in there. Hopefully she found them." "Can I see her? Please? I just ;” The wild, desperate look in her eyes was impossible to deny. Dave gave his arm a few careful motions, testing out the pain level for various directions and ranges. It gave him an excuse to delay answering and drew her attention back to occupational concerns. "Yeah, we can do that. First, I need to touch base with my partner though." Gesturing he said, "Let's go." Parker quickly rose, snatching up the first aid kit. She deposited it back in its secure place in the kitchen before exiting, with Dave right behind her. She glanced over her shoulder several times to check that Dave was still with her as she walked around the building and straight towards Olivia. Over the last few steps, she veered off, giving Dave and Liv enough space to talk privately while she remained close by. Dave filled Livy in on what was happening. "Maybe you should escort her though, in case Natasha has not found your clothes. Besides, it would give you a chance to move about instead of standing here, getting cold." "Are you sure she saw me well enough to be comfortable when I approach? You, she got a good look at. And vice versa." Liv added a wink. Dave looked at her, his face flat and unimpressed. "Oh come on, David, you have nine women at home, came out here to dispense some justice on the assholes that attacked us, and picked up a groupie." "For crying out loud, Liv. She's not; Okay, fine, I'll escort the nurse. That woman's been through enough trauma without being exposed to your humor." Liv gave him an enigmatic smile as he walked away with Parker. Dave pointed to the gap in the trees he'd used for entry and exit previously. Once inside, the nurse stopped him. "David, I; I'm not sure if anything can be done for her." "What do you mean? "I mean, I; um, I'm not sure how much I can say. She needs something that I'm not sure is possible anymore." "You mean you couldn't extract any more semen from the dead guy's balls?" "How the hell did you know that?! That's confidential information! No one's supposed to know!" "Parker, these guys attacked my house. We killed three of them. The bodies were on my back deck and driveway with their balls cut off. Later, we get here and I see you jab the old guy in the balls with a syringe and the shot changes color. You're reassigning these women from the dead guy to the attackers using the dead man's cum, right?" She hung her head. "It was the only way to keep them alive." "And as long as they're alive, there's hope. There's a chance to fight another day, right?" She raised her head again, eyes watery, looking as if she really wanted to believe in the thin reed he offered her. "But, what about her? She's bound to that guy, and I couldn't get any more cum out. Depending on when she last slept with him, she's got a week or two before this stuff eats her up from the inside. It'll be like what they wanted to do to her, but in slow motion." Her voice cracked as she spoke. "Parker, I want you to consider something, and this is not a knock on you, but the conditions. You are an ER nurse, working under field conditions. If we take his body back to a hospital, or the vaccine center, do you think maybe a lab tech with precision equipment and ideal conditions could manage to eke out enough semen to let her switch partners?" She smiled again, taking a shaky breath. The suggestion relaxed her enough to acquiesce when he motioned her down the trail. "I don't know. I don't know, but it's worth a try. We have to move fast though. There's a time limit on how long we have to get it done." "Then we'll make sure when the Air Force gets here with their chopper, Natasha and the dead body are on the first bird out." Parker said no more as they walked. Dave only spoke to guide her on the path. When they got into visual range of the truck, Parker's steps took on an extra urgency, like she wanted to run, but held herself back. Dave signaled for her to fall in trail behind him and wait when they neared the truck. "Natasha? Natasha, it's David. I'm here with the nurse. The compound is secure now. The Air Force is on its way. We came to check on you. Did you find the clothes in the truck?" A blonde head slowly peeked over the dashboard, only one eye visible. That one eye held enough wariness for a dozen faces. The head scanned about carefully, never spending much time away from Dave and Parker. "All of the attackers are dead, Natasha. They can't hurt you." Her head cleared the dashboard and moved towards the passenger door, the same side Dave and Parker stood several feet away from. The door opened at a glacial pace. Then two legs clad in grey sweatpants stepped down. Natasha stepped clear of the door, wearing a thin white shirt, grey sweatpants that threatened to fall off, and a look of nervous hope and apprehension. Dave tried to ignore what the cold was doing to her nipples. Rigidly holding his eye contact on her face, he said, "Parker here is an ER nurse. How about letting her examine you? And then join the rest of the women. The ladies abducted with you are all; asleep, but there are women that were captured previously, like Parker here." Natasha glanced quickly at Parker. "They captured you too?" "Nearly two months ago. Our transport was hijacked after we'd already had our injections. We were on our way to our Oracle match partners when the attack happened." Natasha's wariness fell in the face of shared trauma; and the knowledge of traumas she'd been spared. She closed the distance and hugged Parker. The nurse initially stood shocked, unresponsive, her arms limp at her sides. Slowly, her hands rose, clasping onto Natasha's shoulder blades before she began shaking with sobs of relief. Reluctantly, Dave stepped in. When he spoke, he used the softest tone he was capable of. "Ladies, we need to get back. I'd rather not walk back into the clearing after the Air Force folks arrive, armed. That tends to make them nervous." He pitched his words softly, but firmly. Parker nodded in acknowledgement. The two shared a look that communicated; something. Then Dave noticed the older blonde still had nothing on her feet. "No socks in the bag?" he asked. Natasha shook her head no. Dave sighed, walked in front of her, turned his back to her and crouched. "Come on." He lowered his weapon to dangle from its sling. "What?" "Get on my back, I'll carry you." "Uh, are you sure about this? With your arm like it is?" Parker queried. "My back can carry the burden without straining my arm muscles." After a brief pause, he heard her moving hesitantly before her weight rested on his back. Her arms came around his neck. Then he hooked his hands under her knees and stood carefully. With Parker following behind, Dave navigated the path quickly. He maintained a slightly stooped posture that Carter had taught as the best way to carry a ruck. It worked quite well for carrying a person, too. The trio made good time through the woods and emerged from the tree line very deliberately, so as not to startle Liv, who was still on guard. The smile on the brunette's face when Dave emerged with Natasha on his back was unmistakable. Dave studiously ignored it. Once they were over soft grass, he lowered Natasha to the ground. He was uncomfortable sending these two to huddle with the rest of the women, but he wasn't sure what else to do. Until the moment he was ready to open his mouth. "Liv, take Parker and inspect the houses. Check on the women that got imprinted. Keep an eye out for kids or other adults. If it's just kids, reassure them the best you can. Keep them where they are if possible." Parker spoke up. "What if we bring; Natasha?; with us. I think my spare shoes would fit her. I can get her a jacket too." Dave looked at Liv, questioningly. She gave a short nod in response. Dave shrugged his agreement. After a long backwards look at Dave, Natasha followed the other two, leaving Dave on guard over the women huddled against the building. Most of them wore some manner of jacket and long pants. A few were in pajama pants and thick housecoats. All remained quiet, barely even talking amongst themselves. One brunette, a bit older, kept glancing at Dave. After several minutes, she rose and slowly approached him. As she got closer, Dave had a strange sense of recognition. Like he should know who she was, but couldn't place her. "Hi, um, I just wanted to say thank you. I've been stuck here for over a month. Several of us have, including the nurse that was with you earlier." Her dark eyes gleamed as she continued. "Listen, I know we'll need new partners soon. I think you should know that a few of the girls are already discussing the possibility of getting paired with you." Dave stiffened. His spine, not his cock. "Well, that's very flattering, but I didn't come here for that. Hell, I already have nine partners. My house is getting kinda full. I know the CDC guy that showed up a month and a half ago said I could wind up with twelve or more, but, uh, I could be just fine with stopping where I am. So, thank you, but no thank you. I mean, unless you specially match to me and don't have anyone else nearly as good a match." Her eyes widened. "Oh, no. No, I wasn't speaking personally. I mean, I appreciate what you've done, but not that far. The others just asked me to come over, sort of as a spokesperson. You know, use my fame in the hope that would help get your approval." It was the mild gravelly tone in her voice that finally did it. "Oh. Oh, shit. Aurora Hensley?" Dave shook his head. "Sorry, I knew I recognized you, but my brain just didn't place you until after you spoke for a bit. How the hell did a star like you wind up here?" Miss Henley tried to grin to cover up her grimace, but it didn't work. "Please, call me Rory. Lockdown stopped production on my show. You may have noticed we don't have a new season out." Dave nodded. "Yes, a few of my partners grumbled about it." "Ah, but not you, huh?" she said with a real grin this time. "Oh, I've watched some re-runs with them a few times. It's just that cop shows are only a fifty-fifty interest for me. Mostly, the ones I like get into the crime lab stuff, and yours didn't have that. No offense." Dave shrugged with the last statement. She examined him coyly. "Ah, so the fact that the two leads were women has nothing to do with it?" The words were accusatory, but something about her tone suggested she was playing with him. "Naw, not particularly. The story is well executed I think. It's just a type that only sometimes grabs my interest. I did appreciate that the show featured two female leads, without pounding the fact in the viewer's face. It stood on the writing and acting, and didn't beat some political drum." "Well, thank you. I think." She smirked at him. "Sorry for dodging, it's just; it hurts you know?" A shadow passed over her features, causing Dave to place a hand on her shoulder. He also forced himself to scan the group again, making sure no one was using his distraction to do something. He kicked himself for his obliviousness and made sure he kept his focus where it needed to be, without sacrificing the conversation. "Look, I know this is all still fresh, so if you don't want to talk about what these guys did to you here, you don't have to. I'm sure they'll have profess--" "Oh no, not that. I mean, I might, but honestly, you wiping them out is already a big help. That's why I came up to thank you." Then Rory grinned slyly again. "It's also why some of them want to thank you." "Well, with the vaccine, that's a rather permanent thing. They need to take some time to think it over first, and use the matching system, um, Oracle." "True, very true. You know, it's tempting to come at you like a rescued princess, just like the others. But in truth, I have a friend I was on my way to meet when our transport was hijacked. He's been a good friend for years, but we never dated or anything. He showed up as a reasonable match, so I was supposed to be with him. I'm going to call him as soon as I can to see if he's still interested." "More than likely, he'll be thrilled to hear you're alright." "Yes, probably. He's a good man. The girls like him." As soon as the words came out of her mouth, Rory grimaced like she'd been stabbed and the wielder was twisting the knife in her guts. Dave got a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I, uh, I have to go." She turned away briefly, then turned back. "No, wait." She took a few deep breaths before continuing. "The reason I came over in the first place." She paused for a hiccupping sob. "Um, look, I can never express how much I appreciate what you've done for me here. If you need anything. Anything at all. I know people. People in entertainment, and in politics. Just call me. I'd be glad to help." With tears in her eyes, she turned back towards the wall and walked swiftly, managing not to run. Rory's rushed return and obvious emotional turmoil was greeted by consternation among the small crowd of women. Two took the time to stare at him, worry clear on their faces. Quiet conversations started up and rapidly turned internal. The women clustered around Rory, wrapping her in hugs. When they finally parted, they began speaking again, in low tones, and long periods in which all were silent. It was quite some time before Liv, Parker, and Natasha came around the right side of the building. All appeared in good spirits. Natasha now sported a denim jacket over her white T-shirt and a pair of tennis shoes on her feet. As they approached, Dave noted that Natasha was no longer grabbing at the waist band of the sweatpants to keep them up, so some solution had been found. The jacket was of sufficient length to conceal whatever that had been. Likewise, it was likely she had socks to go with the shoes, but there was no visible gap between pants and shoes to confirm that deduction. The relaxed look on her face would have to do. Parker spoke first when they came within a reasonable speaking distance. "Sixteen women are in imprinting sleep in the houses. I checked their vitals, and nothing appears amiss. Except that they're all blondes." "I told the others while we were out, Drew, the man we were paired to, only had blondes in his; team." Natasha spoke slowly, not quite reluctantly. "It was a fetish of his. Though there was variety, of a sort. Cheerleader, businesswoman, that sort of thing. I was the 'older woman' blonde. One is a teenager, just barely survived to get injected. I; I knew him before this, or at least, I thought I knew him. We went to many of the same charity dinners and such. He was so cordial in public." Parker hugged Natasha around the shoulders, a supportive measure to remind her that problem was in her past. Then Olivia spoke. "A few houses had kids. They are awake and hungry. A little worried, but not frantic. I was thinking we could get a meal going in the main cafeteria instead of separate little meals in each house." "Sure," Dave replied. "That's a good plan. First, we'll need to get the body out of there." "Body?" Liv asked. "Drew, the man all those women are partnered to. These guys were re-imprinting the women to themselves in the cafeteria space." Dave kept his voice carefully neutral. "How the hell does that work?" "We're not supposed to know, but what I saw here and at our house, I made some good guesses that Parker confirmed. You and I are probably going to spend a lot of time explaining ourselves, so the less I share the better." Liv's nodding reply carried an undertone of expectation that, once all this blew over, Dave had better spill what he knows. A small traitorous part of Dave's heart took that as a possible indication that Liv wanted to know a way out of the bonding effects of the serum. Dave's brain was pretty convinced that was B S, though he would certainly ask if she wanted out later. The idea of keeping any woman bound to him against her will made him physically nauseous. Doing that to his Livy Bean was unacceptable in the extreme. "Tell you what," Dave continued, "You stay here for a few minutes. I'll haul the body out of the cafeteria and around to this side of the building. Then, Liv, supervise getting breakfast going in the cafeteria; and I mean supervise, you maintain control and security, someone else cooks. Parker, you can escort the kids from the houses to the cafeteria." Still facing the nurse, he asked, "Who would you recommend do the cooking?" "Sandy and Rory are pretty good. Together they should be able to handle breakfast for all the kids." "OK, sounds good. Wait 'til I get the body moved around to this area before you get moving." All three women nodded. Dave immediately stalked off, eager to get things in motion before the military arrived and brought everything to a halt while they took their time coming to the same conclusions Dave had already arrived at. The kids needed to be fed. He went around the right side of the building for once, since it provided the shortest route to his destination. As soon as he stepped inside, he was greeted by the older man's corpse lying flat on the floor, up against the wall, his silk pajama pants still pulled down to his knees. That was the first thing to fix. Doing his best to avoid touching the corpse (or another man's naked body), Dave took hold of the waistband near each knee and pulled them up and over the man's hips. That done, he stopped to consider the best way to get the body moved. Rigor. Rigor mortis had set in. None of the man' joints would move. And he'd been left on the floor, jammed into the corner between wall and floor for hours. There were two options Dave could see: grab and lift by the man's shoulders and drag him with his heels on the ground. A little awkward, but doable. The downside there was the chance his pajama pants cuffs could snag on something and come all the way off. Hell, even part way was undesirable. The second option was to get this guy onto Dave's shoulder like a two by four. A one hundred and fifty pound two by four. Sure, no problem. Mentally retracting all the curses he'd flung at Carter during upper body workouts, Dave went to work. First, he knelt beside the corpse. Then he lifted the torso so it lay on his shoulder. The next part was tricky. Silk didn't give a lot of traction to grab with. Neither did flesh. It took three tries that quickly returned to the floor-kneeling position when the body began to slip before Dave managed to successfully gain his feet on the fourth attempt, the body securely balanced on his left shoulder. And every single time he used his left arm for anything, a serenade of pain accompanied the act. He'd had experience getting through doorways with lumber or pipes on his shoulder, so while it was cumbersome, Dave managed the maneuver just fine. Though he had to use his left arm to operate the door. He couldn't avoid whimpering as he forced the injured limb to comply. Once outside, it was quite easy to make the brief trek around the building and dump the body in the grass a reasonable distance from the line of dead pointing towards the trees. He also picked up the staccato sounds of a chopper, low, and building quickly. Parker was halfway to the houses and Liv had disappeared into the cafeteria building with Rory and Sandy when their heads turned, picking up the sound. Figuring it was the safest course of action, Dave walked to the middle of the open space he'd fought in, away from others, his hands away from his body and his weapons slung on his back or holstered. He knew Olivia had the presence of mind to do the same. One Blackhawk landed to Dave's left, on the other side of the unused building. A second landed beyond the community building, presumably beyond the first house and to the left of the others. The third Blackhawk landed to Dave's right, well clear of the community building. The rotor blast was strong, but not overwhelming. The moisture in the air guaranteed no dust blown around, and the cold snap was too recent to kill off any grass, so at least there was no debris kicked up by the artificial cyclone. Troops began to disgorge from the chopper the moment the wheels touched grass, running straight out, hunched over, weapons in hand. Dave slowly turned to face them, his hands clearly away from his body. "You David Belsus?" The voice was pissed, loud, and behind him. Oops. Of course the team leader was on the first chopper that landed. Hadn't Carter harped something about leading from the front? "That's me." A short, strongly muscled man stepped around into Dave's field of view. "You blew my fucking op, dammit. Hunting these boys down was my job." "Considering the number of women enslaved to these fucking animals you clearly aren't doing your fucking job!" "Don't piss me off asshole. I'm willing to consider you're one of the good guys, for now. Fuck with me and I'll throw you in a hole so deep, you'll water the rice paddies in China when you pee." Dave wisely shut the fuck up. Carter had told him there were two very important times to know in the military; when to shut up, and when to shut the fuck up . This seemed like the latter. "You got the wanna bees at your house. A few real troops here. You got lucky, Boy Scout. Stand down and let us do our jobs." Before the short, powerfully built man turned away, Dave noted the nametape on the man's uniform; Barnett. The two chevrons upside down on the top of his rank insignia meant he was a Technical Sergeant; an E-6, a middle level NCO. "Sergeant Barnett?" Dave called to get his attention. The little bantam turned, one eyebrow cocked. "The kids in this place haven't been fed breakfast yet. My partner is inside the community building with a few women who've been stuck here for over a month. They're getting something cooked up while the nurse moves the kids. You think you can let that plan roll forward? Otherwise, you'll have some cranky kids to deal with soon. "Is she armed?" "My partner?" Dave got a nod in response. "Yes, she has a slung rifle and a holstered pistol. If you go in cautious, and announce yourself, there shouldn't be a problem. Or you can send me in ahead of you." "Sure, fine. Just know if you try anything stupid, my two partners behind you will drop you in a heartbeat." "I think we understand each other." Dave stepped off deliberately, at a steady pace, getting around the corner of the building with Sgt Barnett two arm's lengths to his right. He could hear the soft footsteps in the grass of two more people behind him. Barnett wasn't bluffing. Dave reached the door of the cafeteria space. He knocked twice, then slowly opened it. "Hey, Liv? It's me, I'm coming in. There's some Air Force folks with me. Keep your weapons holstered and your hands visible. These folks seem a mite twitchy." Olivia stood in the Archway between the dining side and the kitchen side. The sounds of pans and utensils and sizzling meat were quickly joined by the aroma of bacon. Dave's stomach grumbled. Two voices behind him tittered. Seems his guards and executioners heard him. They guffawed when Barnett's stomach responded. "Should we let you two get a plate boss?" The laughing voice behind Dave almost had a Tinkerbell fairy quality to it. Great. My erstwhile executioner leaves pixie dust in her wake. Liv kept quiet. Verbally that is. Her eyes were laughing though. Laughing loud enough to make up for the silence of her lips. "No, they're cooking for a bunch of hungry kids. Leave 'em alone." Barnett paused, looking between Liv and Dave, and sizing them up. "You two, one at a time, very carefully, place your weapons on that back counter. You're closer, young lady, so you go first." Liv sighed, staying stony faced. Dave widened his eyes and nodded his head, with a slight tilt towards the counter. With an exasperated exhale, she unslung her rifle, touching only the sling, and only with her thumb, laying it on the counter. In doing so, she now had her back to the archway leading to the kitchen. She deliberately used her left hand to remove her pistol. Liv then placed it beside the rifle. Her combat knife came next. Placing it with her firearms, she stepped away from the counter and faced the others. "Boot knife." Barnett said flatly. "Excuse me?" Liv asked blankly. "Remove the knife from your boot and place it on the table." Liv pursed her lips, rolled her eyes, and then complied. Tinkerbell tittered. "Step over there." Dave waved his arm towards the opposite corner from where Liv had been, along the wall separating the kitchen space and the dining space. Olivia moved as indicated, her eyes locked on the two behind Dave. "Okay, now you." Dave walked to the counter. He unslung his SMG, again, using only his thumb, and placed it beside Liv's rifle. With open, deliberate motions, his pistol quickly followed. "Don't make me say it again." "I don't have any knives. Never been any good with 'em." Liv snorted. "You shittin me? You came in here with no knife? Better a weapon you're only mediocre with than no weapon at all." Dave just shrugged. "You're doing a great job of convincing me you merely got lucky; twice; rather than win by skill and teamwork." Dave elected not to rise to barb. "Stand over there with your girlfriend." Dave turned and walked along the wall. He took the opportunity to look at the two guards. One was a wasp waisted, svelte brunette with her hair back in a bun. The other; fucking well looked like Tinkerbelle. Pale skin, silky blonde hair in a braid that wrapped around her head like a home-grown crown. Give her a pair of wings and no one would even blink if she claimed to be the fictional character. Well, Tinkerbelle never carried an M4 with a daylight scope. Sure as shit would have given that saucy wink though. Once Dave was beside Livy, Barnett spoke to the two of them. "You will both get a full debriefing at headquarters. For now, let's start with the disposition of the corpse of one Andrew Bilk. He was a very rich man, and someone wants an accounting of his death. Starting with where his body is." "Out in the grass. The goons in this camp had his body on the floor, up against the wall there" Dave pointed, "since we had kids coming in soon, I thought it best to get him out of here, so I carried him out into the grass near the other bodies. He's the one in the silk pajamas." "Silk pajamas? That should be easy to distinguish." "Oh, uh Sergeant Barnett? There is a time critical element here. The blonde lady we rescued first, Natasha, she was bound to the rich guy; Bilk you said? Anyway, she needs to be re-partnered. I don't know the exact timeline, but he died around or just after midnight. Problem is, the nurse around here couldn't get any more semen out of the rich guy's nuts, so her only shot is if a lab geek can eke out enough for her. She and the body need to get back to Dallas fast." "Right. Okay, Silvia?" The brunette focused on Barnett. "Yes, sergeant?" "Find this Natasha woman, get her and the silk clad corpse on a chopper and send them back now." "Yes, sergeant." She slipped out the door like vanishing smoke. "Also," Dave interjected, "in the houses are several women that the nurse, Parker, was forced to re-pair from the rich guy to one of these clowns. That was this morning, so they're all in imprinting sleep at the moment. The ones that imprinted later might be able to recognize which redneck imprinted which blonde." Barnett raised an eyebrow. "Apparently, the rich guy had a fixation with blondes." Tinkerbelle ran a hand down her side, giving her body a little wriggle as she did so. "Alright, I'll let lab techs and medicos sort that mess out. We've got a convoy of trucks enroute to haul these folks back to Dallas." As Barnett spoke, the sound of rotors could be heard. As the sound built, the door opened and five kids went straight to the nearest table. Parker followed in after them. "Oh, hey Dave. Listen, some Air Force woman pulled Natasha away. I think they just left on a chopper." Dave nodded. "Are you the nurse that used the Dead Man's Switch on these women?" Barnett asked. Parker stiffened. "Yes, I am. It was either that or let them die." "Relax, I'm not your judge or your jury. I'm just trying to establish a few facts and identities. Do you think you can remember which woman paired with which man?" "Not all of them, but some. The first was the one with the enormous" she suddenly remembered there were kids in the room, "uh, assets. The boss man took her for himself." "Okay, that's fine. Uh, Jessie, think you can find a notepad for ;” "Parker." "Parker here to write down what she remembers on the pairings this morning. The ones from before should be able to tell us themselves." The short blonde exited with haste. Parker checked in with the kids before approaching the sergeant. "Can I check in with the kitchen, to see when their breakfast is ready?" "No need," said Rory, passing through the arch with a plate in each hand, "breakfast is served." Sandy was right behind her, carrying three plates, one in her left hand, and two more up her left arm. The kids cheered. Sandy also had silverware in her right hand. She set that down first. Unburdened, Rory came across the room to Dave. "Listen, Parker mentioned being paired increases a man's metabolism. We made some extra. Would you like something?" "What if the kids want seconds?" "We made enough in case the older two ask for seconds, and still serve a couple of adults." "Like me and the sergeant here?" Rory grinned, "Correct. Why don't you two sit, and I'll bring out two more plates." "I appreciate that, Rory, but Liv hasn't eaten either. Neither has Parker, or you, or ;” "I know, I know, I've got five more servings in here. Sandy and I can make more shortly." "You don't ha--" "Hush. I want to." She leaned in close. "It helps keep my mind off other things." Immediately, Rory exited to the kitchen. Sandy followed after. As they passed through the arch, Jessie, the little blonde Air Force attack pixie came back bearing a portfolio containing a yellow legal pad and a pen. She handed that off to Parker and found herself an out of the way spot along the wall. Dave watched as Parker took a seat several spaces down from the children. After staring blankly at the page for almost a minute, she began writing at a steady pace. Absorbed in watching her, Dave was surprised when Sandy brought him a plate and silverware. Bacon, scrambled eggs, and toast. A perfectly worthy American breakfast. As he ate, Dave noted his companion / captor's face. The man's fair skin was as unpale as possible without adding descriptors like 'sun-kissed'. His jet-black hair strongly suggested an eastern or southern European heritage. That presumption was supported by the darkening along his jawline. Clearly a man that had to shave twice a day to remain within military regs. Unless of course, he went undercover, in which case he could grow a partial disguise in short order. Liv caught his eye as she returned from the kitchen. She took a seat next to Dave, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before digging into the scrambled eggs on the plate of food she'd carried in. She giggled at his pro forma protest when she stole a piece of bacon off his plate. Liv, on one side of Dave, missed the small grin on Barnett's face over the exchange. Her partner saw it though. Another enlisted woman came through the door carrying a sizable hardcase, the kind that usually has thick foam padding inside. She proceeded directly to the counter and swiftly stowed the weapons in the case. Then she carried the case back outside. "We're going to cycle the civilians through here for some breakfast before we entrain for Dallas," Barnett said. "When you're through here, meet me out on the lawn space where we started. Both of you." "You got it." Barnett took his plate and silverware through the kitchen archway. Shortly after, Dave heard the outer door to the kitchen open and close. Dave took a few more minutes to finish his meal. Liv spoke as he arranged his silverware on his plate. "Before you go, you should talk with Aurora. I think you two have something to share." Dave looked at her flatly. "She'd bonded, Liv." The young woman's smile broadened. "Not quite what I meant." Then she grew serious. "Just talk to her. Really, I think it could be good for both of you." She smirked when Dave walked away, fixing her with a wary eye. He found the sink, with a dishwasher beside it. Quickly, he rinsed his plate, placing it in the dishwasher. Rory and Sandy both objected, but he waved them off. Dave went ahead and rinsed the plate and silverware in the sink as well, along with a few cooking utensils. After drying his hands, he approached Rory. "Olivia said we should talk. She didn't say what about. Is this just her idea, or something you want to discuss?" Rory looked downward and swallowed. She looked back up. The haunted look in her eyes tugged at Dave's heart. Sandy noted their faces and suggested they step outside for a private conversation. Rory took his hand and led Dave out of the kitchen's heat and into the cool damp outside. Following her example, he leaned one shoulder against the wall, facing her. He waited for her to speak. "When we were surveying the houses; checking on the women and kids; Liv was asking me how I got here, what I dealt with getting here and being here. Honestly, she was just trying to make conversation. She didn't know what that would lead to." Dave waited again as Rory screwed up her resolve. Hopefully, his eyes were communicating support and patience. He could try speaking words of comfort or support, but the moment seemed too fragile to withstand him saying anything. "One of her questions was why didn't I try to escape after we were captured, before we were imprinted. Or why didn't we try signaling for help once we were stuck here. I can't speak for the others, but; I was not in a good place mentally when I was captured." She paused again, but not as long this time. Her shoulders came inward though, like she was trying to shrink; or hide. "Casey, the man I was supposed to partner with after getting my vaccine shot, is a good friend. He; spent time, when he could, talking to me by Zoom after; after ;” Rory shook with silent sobs. In Dave's heart, he knew what was coming next. The cold hand that gripped him, sapped the joy out of moments with his new family. His brain kept trying to reject the knowledge. Finally, she looked him directly in the eyes. Her composure shattered. "I had two daughters. They were both teenagers." As her tears poured out, Dave stepped in closer, wrapping his arms around her, his own visage twisted with the shared pain. He said nothing, merely held her for several minutes. When her shaking subsided, he waited a bit more. Finally, he took a deep breath and brought his mouth near her ear. With a shaky voice, he said, "My son's name was Eddie. He was twenty-three years old." Her arms around him tightened. Neither spoke. Several minutes later, Rory pulled her head back, an empathetic look on her face. She kissed Dave on the cheek and went back inside. Dave took a few minutes to collect himself. Feeling reasonably steady, he walked around the building. Liv and Barnett were there, waiting. "Okay, so here's what's happening. Most of these people are going back by truck. The convoy is nearly here. You two have a date with Air Force Intel, DPD, and possibly the FBI. You're going back in a chopper, now." Barnett paused, giving Dave a moment to process what he'd said. "Is that white pickup about three hundred meters back along the entry road yours?" "Yes." "Keys." "Excuse me?" "Gimme your keys. I'll have one of my people drive it with the convoy. We'll have it waiting for you when the intel boys and detectives decide to loosen the thumbscrews." Dave pulled his keys out and tossed them to the sergeant. "What about our weapons?" "They'll be in your vehicle." Dave nodded in acknowledgment. Jessie, the little pixie blonde, motioned for Dave and Liv to follow her. She led them to the nearby chopper and walked them through the seat harness mechanism. Two other Air Force personnel took seats on either side of the pair. Jessie returned to Barnett as the rotors began to move. Two minutes later, Dave watched the ground recede. Air Force personnel were scattered all over the compound. As of yet none of the kids had been in the big grassy area where the bodies lay. Just as the nose dipped and turned, Dave caught sight of military trucks edging down the dirt road into the camp. To be continued in part 12, Based on a post by RonanJWilkerson, in 12 parts, for Literotica.

Tuesday, December 30th, 2025Today, Border Czar and $50K dollar Cava bag bribe recipient Tom Homan didn't receive a normal background check; the retired policeman that was jailed in Tennessee for posting a Trump meme on facebook is suing; a newly unsealed order in the Abrego case includes emails proving Todd Blanche's office had a hand in charging him; Jeanine Pirro indicted alleged pipe bomber Brian Cole last night using a local grand jury in superior court; the Social Security Administration is facing record backlogs under Trump; more artists are cancelling their Kennedy Center performances since Trump added his name to the building; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News. Guest: Jordan WoodDemocrat Running for Congress to represent Maine's 2nd DistrictJordan Wood for Mainehttps://bsky.app/profile/jordanwood.bsky.socialhttps://www.instagram.com/jordanwoodmaine/https://www.facebook.com/jordanwoodmainehttps://substack.com/@jordanwoodmaineFBI Sources BLOW WHISTLE on Trump LIES about THE FILES - YouTubeStories:Border czar Tom Homan didn't receive normal background check during bribery probe | MS NOWHow Social Security has gotten worse under Trump | The Washington PostA retired policeman was jailed over an anti-Trump meme. Now he's suing. | The Washington PostMore musicians cancel Kennedy Center concerts after Trump's name added to building | NBC News Good TroubleYou all are amazing! Pathways to Citizenship link to MATCH Allison's Donationhttps://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_86ff5236-dd26-11ec-b5ee-066e3d38bc77&WidgetId=6388736Allison is donating $20K to It Gets Better and inviting you to help match her donations. Your support makes this work possible, Daily Beans fam.Donate to It Gets Better / The Daily Beans FundraiserJoin Dana and The Daily Beans and support on Giving Tuesday with a MATCHED Donationhttp://onecau.se/_ekes71From The Good Newshttps://www.biminisharklab.comThe Martin Sheen PodcastPatrons Sponsoring Patrons - The Daily Beans→Go To DailyBeansPod.com Click on ‘Good News and Good Trouble' to Share YoursSubscribe to the MSW YouTube Channel - MSW Media - YouTubeOur Donation Links|Pathways to Citizenship link to MATCH Allison's Donationhttps://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_86ff5236-dd26-11ec-b5ee-066e3d38bc77&WidgetId=6388736Allison is donating $20K to It Gets Better and inviting you to help match her donations. Your support makes this work possible, Daily Beans fam.Donate to It Gets Better / The Daily Beans FundraiserJoin Dana and The Daily Beans and support on Giving Tuesday with a MATCHED Donationhttp://onecau.se/_ekes71More Donation LinksNational Security Counselors - Donate

Singing along with the crowd at a concert. Cheering together at a sports game. Laughing with the audience at a funny moment in a movie. Even getting work done in a busy cafe or library. These are moments when you might experience what has been called collective effervescence, a feeling of social unity that comes from a shared moment. As the year draws to a close, we want to celebrate the uniquely human moments that people share together. Tell us about a recent moment of collective effervescence that you've experienced. Guests: Shira Gabriel, psychology professor, University at Buffalo DJ D Sharp, official DJ for the Golden State Warriors Zoe Ellis, director of music ministries, GLIDE memorial church Bryan Steele, communications director, Golden Gate Triathalon Club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when sexual shame hijacks our internal compass—and what becomes possible when we reclaim it? In this powerful and playful episode of Open Deeply, Kate Loree and Sunny Megatron are joined by the brilliant and beloved Dirty Lola—award-winning sexpert, edutainer, and longtime voice in the sex-positive community—for a deep dive into shame, pleasure, creativity, and liberation. We begin with joy: how pleasure becomes more accessible when shame loosens its grip. From there, the conversation moves into the roots of sexual shame—especially religious and cultural conditioning—and how that shame doesn't just distort our relationship to sex, but to ourselves, our intuition, and our capacity for free thought. Lola shares her own journey of growing up in a religious household, breaking free from rigid belief systems, and cultivating a life grounded in curiosity, humor, and embodied truth. Together, we explore: • How shame disables the internal compass and hands power back to controlling institutions • The surprising relationship between shame, rigidity, and creativity—and why creativity may be a powerful antidote • Kink as both a site of shame and a pathway to healing • Laughing at what once felt unbearable • Fourteen different forms of shame—from sexual and relational shame to creativity, illness, and survivor shame—and which ones still tug at us • The difference between being ashamed and refusing to tolerate shaming environments • What a truly shame-free space feels like in the body • Why “being ashamed of being ashamed” can trap people in a hall of mirrors—and how to take the first brave step out • How to balance safety, risk tolerance, and liberation amid the many sources of shame in the United States today Come for the sex-positive wisdom. Stay for the liberation. Dirty Lola's Bio: Dirty Lola is an award-winning sexpert, edutainer, and longtime voice in the sex-positive community. With over 11 years of experience working in sex shops, she's helped thousands navigate toys, turn-ons, and the beautifully messy world of pleasure. Known for blending humor, honesty, and empathy into her work, she has hosted live Q&A shows, appeared on your favorite podcasts and streaming services, spoken on national stages, and guided folks through love, sex, and everything in between. Whether it's kink, communication, or keeping the spark alive, she's got the answers — and the lube. How to find Dirty Lola: IG - @DirtyLola Threads - DirtyLola FB - Dirty Lola How to find Sunny Megatron: Website: http://sunnymegatron.com Facebook http://facebook.com/sunnymegatron Twitter http://twitter.com/sunnymegatron Instagram http://instagram.com/sunnymegatron Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@sunnymegatron YouTube https://www.youtube.com/sunnymegatron American Sex Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/2HroMhWJnyZbMSsOBKwBnk How to find Kate Loree: Website http://kateloree.com Instagram: http://instagram.com/opendeeplywithkateloree Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@opendeeplywithkateloree Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kateloreelmft Twitter http://twitter.com/kateloreelmft YouTube https://youtube.com/channel/UCSTFAqGYKW3sIUa0tKivbqQ Open Deeply podcast is not therapy or a replacement for therapy.

Let's be real healing isn't always soft, calm, or aesthetic.In this episode, I'm talking about the messy, awkward, and very human side of healing that doesn't get talked about enough. The moments when you feel regulated one day and triggered the next. When growth feels uncomfortable. When you're doing the work… but it still looks chaotic sometimes.We'll explore:✨ The expectation vs. reality of healing✨ Emotional whiplash and why it doesn't mean you're failing✨ Why healing gets awkward before it gets peaceful✨ Letting go of the pressure to “look healed”✨ Laughing at yourself without shaming yourself✨ Giving yourself grace in the messy momentsIf you've ever thought, “I thought I was healed… why am I acting like this?… this episode is for you.”Healing isn't always pretty.But messy healing is still healing.Because this… This Is Healing.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all! This episode features Chit and Quae  with many friends of the show getting together to exchange drinks and more. Enjoy!

Is a badmiral trying to Make Earth Great Again? Has Avery Brooks finally found a plot to match the size of his performance? And can he outsmart Not Nick Lacarno from Not Nova Squadron? Either way, Not Leah Brahms may save the day!Happy Gratitude festival, crew! We are gratitudinal for all of you. [Episode discussion begins around 1:15]

Weekly sermon at Trinity Church Denver 

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Dr. Stephanie J. Wong talks with filmmaker and sports producer Jon Hill to explore how identity, loss, and creativity have shaped his life and work. Jon opens up about his mixed-race heritage—growing up with a Thai mother and an American father whose love story began in Thailand during the Vietnam War—and how that unique background inspired his film Above the Clouds, now available on streaming platforms. The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Jon reflects on losing his father at 25 and the long, unexpected journey of grief that followed. He shares how a chance encounter and a miraculous experience during his father's final moments sparked a short film that eventually became a feature-length comedy, created over 13 years. Through humor and honesty, Jon offers thoughtful insights into coping with loss, acknowledging emotions, and understanding that healing is never linear. We also dive into Jon's professional world—from covering major events like the Super Bowl and World Cup at Fox Sports to navigating independent filmmaking and advocating for Asian representation in media. The episode wraps with stories of resilience, work-life balance, a surreal Michael Jordan birthday party moment! This episode blends laughter, reflection, and inspiration, offering listeners a powerful reminder of how personal stories can become meaningful art—and how connection can emerge from even the most difficult experiences. ========================================== Jon Hill's Full Bio: Jon Hill is the writer and director of the film Above the Clouds, currently streaming on Amazon Prime. He is also a 2x Emmy Award winning sports producer that travels the world covering the largest sporting event such as the World Cup and the Super Bowl. His film talks about the struggles of losing a parent, and dealing with loss through comedy. It's based on the true events after his father passed when he was 25. Instagram: @jhill_aka_da_streaming_king  ========================================== For more mental health and entertainment content,   Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/color_of_success/ https://www.facebook.com/colorofsuccess https://www.tiktok.com/@colorofsuccesspodcast Subscribe to our YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiaS5_HScsbFOJE5lYrEsxw To purchase Dr. Wong's book: Cancel the Filter: Realities of a Psychologist, Podcaster, and Mother of Color

What if the best holiday moments are the ones you don't plan? From festive fails to favorite treats and family traditions, Jessica and Kelly explore the beauty of embracing the season as it unfolds. This episode is a cozy reminder that balance, joy, and connection matter more than getting everything “right.” Inside This Conversation:  Holiday fails can lead to funny stories and resilience. School holiday activities can be overwhelming for parents. Shopping early can help avoid stock issues during the holidays. Elf on the Shelf can be a fun tradition, but it can also be stressful. It's important to prioritize family traditions that bring joy. Advent calendars can be a fun way to celebrate the season. Gift expectations can lead to disappointment if not communicated. Food and drink play a significant role in holiday celebrations. Appetizers can be the highlight of holiday parties. Finding joy in the holidays is essential, even amidst stress.   Chapters 00:00 Holiday Fails and Festive Disasters 02:35 School Holiday Activities and Traditions 04:37 Holiday Shopping Strategies 06:27 Elf on the Shelf and Holiday Magic 08:22 Advent Calendars and Holiday Treats 10:34 Holiday Food Opinions and Appetizers 17:08 Reflections on the Holiday Season Connect With Us:

Let's go back to our magical little village: Acciaroli, Italy.Here, people don't grow old — they grow bold. Active. Engaged. Laughing. Loving. Cooking. Fishing. Dancing.With no chronic diseases stealing their joy.Out of 1,000 residents:300 are over 100 years oldVirtually no dementiaZero significant cataracts — despite blazing coastal sunThey don't take hormonesThey don't live in doctor officesTheir cardiovascular health looks like a 20-year-old American

UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS - OUT NOW: https://wawdpod.com/lights-spotifyhttps://wawdpod.com/lights-apple-----Episode 217 is here. I start this one the only responsible way. By unboxing a Sheetz package and trying on six or seven different Sheetz shirts like I am getting paid in MTO coupons. I asked for “one of each,” and Sheetz said, “Bet. Hold my street taco.” So now I own enough shirts to dress an entire grand opening line in Camp Hill.We also need to talk about the Camp Hill Sheetz grand opening chaos. Fifty to a hundred people outside. Cars wrapped around the block. Ribbon cut. Holiday vibes. My next ask is simple. Put me on the schedule as the DJ for these openings. One day. One location. I bring the energy. I bring the bits. I wear an unreasonable amount of Sheetz merch and act like a functioning adult.Then we hit the news spiral. TGI Fridays went viral because a server walked a toddler around the restaurant, and corporate rewarded her with a $500 check after flying people out to do a filmed presentation. So of course the internet did the real bonus and a GoFundMe started cooking. After that, I pitch the only gift idea men want. A Godzilla costume and a cardboard city to destroy. Also, if you want the ultimate holiday hack, give your boss a Christmas card. You want to keep your job, go write “thanks for paying me” on a $3 card and live another day.We finish strong with media and politics chaos. Netflix is still trying to collect podcasts like Infinity Stones. Melania has a movie trailer and a production company, because why not. Trump announces big moves, including marijuana rescheduling talk, and then drops the Patriot Games, aka Hunger Games: Home Edition. It's a lot. So yes, I close the episode the same way I opened it. Confused. Laughing. Wearing a Sheetz shirt.Also, stream my Christmas song “Under the Christmas Lights” right now. Put it on repeat. You know what to do.**********Disclaimer: We at the What are We Doing podcast want to make it clear that the views and opinions expressed in this video belong solely to the speakers or authors and do not represent the views and opinions held by YouTube, its partners, or its owners.We must also emphasize that the information contained in this video has been produced with no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding the validity, accuracy, reliability, completeness, legality, or usefulness of what is said or expressed. Therefore, we strongly advise that no one viewing or listening to this video should rely on the information presented herein.We want to make it clear that the speakers or authors in this video express their views in an "artistic" manner as defined within the YouTube guidelines and that this video is purely for entertainment purposes only.

Georgie and Phil have a real conversation in easy English about laughing – what we do when we find someone or something funny. Learn to talk about jokes, sitcoms and stand-up comedians.SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/newslettersWATCH THIS PODCAST: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/real-easy-english/251219WATCH THE LONDON LETTER CHALLENGE: ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the_london_letter_challenge/FIND BBC LEARNING ENGLISH HERE: Visit our website ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish Follow us ✔️ https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/followusLIKE PODCASTS? Try some of our other popular podcasts including: ✔️ 6 Minute English ✔️ Learning English Vocabulary ✔️ Learning English StoriesThey're all available by searching in your podcast app.

Let's talk about the childhood lore that was lowkey traumatizing but we can laugh about now. Keep the conversation going on our Instagram @accordingtwo.Follow us on Instagram:According Two: @accordingtwoMegan Stitz: @megan_marie32Ciera Stitz: @ciera_joJoin our virtual book club!-Spotify users please use the link belowBecome a Paid Subscriber: ⁠⁠https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/according-two/subscribe⁠⁠-Or join our Patreon: https://shorturl.at/kotsU

This week on Hope Talks, we welcome singer, songwriter, comedian, and storyteller Mark Lowry—best known for writing the beloved Christmas song “Mary, Did You Know?” and for his years with the Gaither Vocal Band.  In this warm and funny Christmas conversation, Mark shares his hope story, beginning with a devastating car accident that left him with multiple broken bones and unexpectedly launched his journey as a songwriter. Forced into stillness, he encountered God's presence in a fresh way. Mark reflects on how he stepped into music and comedy, how “Mary, Did You Know?” was born, and why joy and humor matter so deeply in the Christian life. He also tells the stories behind several songs on his latest album, There Is Hope, offering an encouraging reminder that God is near, faithful, and working even when life feels broken.  Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.   So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.   Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.   Listen in to learn more: (10:30): Joy Isn't the Absence of Pain—It's the Presence of Jesus (17:45): You Don't Have to Understand the “Mortgage” to Belong in God's House (32:40): Humor Opens Hearts: If They're Laughing, They're Listening (1:24:30): Stuck This Christmas? Serve Someone—It'll Pull You Out of the Funk   Mark Lowry Resources Learn more about Mark Lowry, his music and ministry: https://marklowry.com/   Check out his latest album, There is Hope: https://marklowry.myshopify.com/products/there-is-hope-cd-mark-lowry    Hope for the Heart resources Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance  100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart    Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night   God's plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/   Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON 

We are well into the Christmas season. Maybe for you it's felt like pure joy, or maybe you've been thrown some curveballs. Walking through cancer to remission, Heidi Lee Anderson knows all about curve balls and what it looks like to walk into hard spaces with hope and also a good laugh. Even when the gifts we wish we could give back just keep giving. From what I understand, life threw you a curveball today, and you have a snow day there. What do snow days look like at the Anderson house? Is there a special snack y'all eat on snow days or this time of year? What were snow days like for you as a kid? Do you have any other funny motherhood curveball stories? One of the things we think a lot about at Christmas is the hope that comes because of Jesus' birth. How do you think that hope has allowed you to take a curveball that would crush some people and find humor and hope there? I wouldn't have thought of the book of Joshua in the Bible for one that has curveballs, but you did... how did that happen?What is something during Christmas you've been tempted to feel upset about, and God has given you joy there? You can find Heidi Lee Anderson's book ⁠"⁠All In, All Yours⁠" and find Heidi HERE.You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch *affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

Brought to you by Genny Cream Ale (not really).The new show starts with PTF and Sean Clancy of This Is Horse Racing talking about The Jockey's Circle -- where you can find many excellent gift ideas -- and recapping the top stories from 2025 including Sovereignty and Forever Young.Next up we have David Hill, who talks about his American Gambler substack where he and PTF recently had a good chat about Bill Barich's Laughing in the Hills. You can access it here. You can buy David's book The Vapors in his online shop.

Holly brings the case against her mother, Joelle. Joelle can't tell a story about her day to day without cracking herself up. When she's giggling, no one can understand what she's saying. Joelle says talking to her daughters makes her so happy. She feels relaxed enough to let it all hang out, giggles and all. But Holly says STOP LAUGHING. She just wants to know what Joelle is talking about. Who's right? Who's wrong? It's the holidays! Get your JJHo merch at MaxFunStore.com! Right and wrong caps, Pure Justice Smell candle, and cozy gothcozyclothes! And a ticket to see us in January at SF Sketchfest makes a LOVELY gift! Sunday, January 18 at Marines' Memorial Theatre, on sale now!We are on TikTok and YouTube! Follow us on both @judgejohnhodgmanpod! Follow us on Instagram @judgejohnhodgman!Thanks to reddit user u/HarryElephante for naming this week's case! To suggest a title for a future episode, keep an eye on the Maximum Fun subreddit at reddit.com/r/maximumfun!Please consider donating to Al Otro Lado. Al Otro Lado provides legal assistance and humanitarian aid to refugees, deportees, and other migrants trapped at the US-MX border. Donate at alotrolado.org/letsdosomething. Judge John Hodgman is member-supported! Join at $5 a month at maximumfun.org/join!

Jared hangs in Delray Beach with comedian and “Dominican daddy” Ian Lara as they dive into life, dating, and the art of staying glued to your phone. They talk about the chaos of moving apartments, the weird pressure of being “funny” while dating, and why comedians crave instant feedback like oxygen. Ian breaks down the wildest story from his new YouTube special Material Boy, including a date that turned into a cat-removal emergency. Tune in for big laughs, sharp takes, and a very real look at the comedian's brain!Exclusive $35-off Carver Mat Frames at https://on.auraframes.com/JTRAIN promo code JTRAIN

In this raw breakdown, Ryan Schlipp unleashes a deep dive into the Green Bay Packers' offensive line struggles, pulling no punches on why it's one of the worst in team history and a massive roadblock to success. Backed by PFF data from 2006 to now, he exposes the shocking lows in run and pass blocking that are squandering Jordan Love's elite play and Josh Jacobs' potential. If you're a Packers fan tired of the hype, this episode lays out the brutal truth on coaching missteps and draft failures that could derail the season. Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom hold their own, but Aaron Banks, Sean Ryan, and Anthony Belton rank as some of the worst performers in 20 years of Packers data – with Belton dead last in both run and pass blocking. Historic comparisons reveal how shuffling positions for versatile players like Elton Jenkins and Jordan Morgan has backfired, turning potential stars into patchwork fixes. Bold take: The offensive line's catastrophic state isn't just average – it's panic-worthy, hindering the run game and pressuring Love more than any Packers QB in decades. Tease on fixes: Immediate changes needed at guard and center, plus a rant on why free agents like Xavier McKinney shine while drafts hollow out the trenches. This episode is brought to you by PrizePicks! Use code PACKDADDY and visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/PACKDADDY to get started with America's #1 fantasy sports app. Drop your hot takes on the Packers' OL mess in the comments – agree with the panic or think it's overblown? Hit subscribe, leave a review, and share with fellow fans to keep the conversation going. Stay tuned for tomorrow's potential "Laughing at the Enemy" roast if time allows. To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com Or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/packernetpodcast Help keep the show growing and check out everything I'm building across the Packers and NFL world: Support: Patreon: www.patreon.com/pack_daddy Venmo: @Packernetpodcast CashApp: $packpod Projects: Grade NFL Players ➜ fanfocus-teamgrades.lovable.app Packers Hub ➜ packersgames.com Create NFL Draft Big Boards ➜ nfldraftgrades.com Watch Draft Prospects ➜ draftflix.com Screen Record ➜ pause-play-capture.lovable.app Global Economics Hub ➜ global-economic-insight-hub.lovable.app

Dangers abound back in Sector 001 and that means it's time for a Sisko family vay-cay! Ben and his dad perform at the top of their lungs, Odo escapes Dax's merciless bullying to go seagull-to-seagull with the changelings, while Leah Brahms returns in her secret identity![Episode discussion begins around 50:00]