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On Your Left!

Welcome to Day 2885 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2885 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 136:1-9 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2885 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2885 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title for Today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Cosmic Anthem of Enduring Love In our previous episode on this grand, poetic landscape, we scaled the magnificent, soaring finale of Psalm One Hundred Thirty-Five, verses fifteen through twenty-one. We witnessed a devastating, razor-sharp polemical assault against the silent, breathless idols of the nations. We watched the psalmist ruthlessly strip away the mystical propaganda of the pagan cultures, exposing their silver and gold statues as completely mute, blind, and deaf. We confronted the terrifying law of spiritual assimilation—realizing that those who place their trust in hollow, manufactured systems will inevitably become just as hollow and spiritually dead as the idols they worship. We closed our trek by stepping into the vibrant, living courts of Jerusalem, joining the unified, roaring anthem of the true assembly, shouting Hallelujah to the living King who dynamically rules the cosmos from His embassy on Mount Zion. Today, we transition directly from that daytime temple victory into what is universally recognized as the absolute mountain peak of Hebrew liturgy. We are entering the opening movement of Psalm One Hundred Thirty-Six, verses one through nine, in the New Living Translation. In the ancient Jewish tradition, this masterpiece is known as the “Great Hallel”—the supreme song of praise, traditionally sung during the Passover seder. This psalm takes the theological truths we uncovered in our last episode, and sets them to a beautiful, rhythmic, and antiphonal chant designed to reshape our entire understanding of reality. As we step onto this new trail, we will hear the thunderous voice of the congregation responding to every single line of divine truth with an unyielding, cosmic refrain. Let let us adjust our lenses, quiet our hearts, and join the grand procession. The first segment is: The Supreme Sovereign of the Celestial Council Psalm One Hundred Thirty-Six: verses one, two, and three. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever. The liturgy opens with a majestic, triadic call to worship that establishes the absolute, unrivaled supremacy of the Creator. We hear the temple leader shout the declaration, and the massive congregation roars back the eternal echo: “His faithful love endures forever.” To fully unlock the immense, explosive weight of these opening verses, we must view this language through the profound lens of the Ancient Israelite divine council worldview, as masterfully taught by Doctor Michael S. Heiser. In our modern, Western theological context, we often read terms like “God of gods,” or “Lord of lords,” as mere rhetorical hyperbole—poetic ways of saying God is the biggest and the best. But to the ancient Near Eastern mind, this was a highly technical, legal description of celestial hierarchy. The psalmist is explicitly naming the Elohei ha-elohim—the supreme, uncreated Sovereign who presides over the entire assembly of heavenly beings. We must recall the foundational cosmic geography of Deuteronomy, chapter thirty-two, verses eight and nine. When the Most High divided the nations at the Tower of Babel, He allocated the different people groups to the oversight of lesser spiritual beings—the sons of God, the territorial elohim. These spiritual principalities subsequently rebelled, becoming corrupt, demanding worship for themselves, and plunging the pagan world into darkness. They set up their own rival thrones, claiming absolute lordship over their respective empires. The psalmist stands in the temple courts and hurls a massive, polemical challenge into the unseen realm. By commanding the people to give thanks to the “God of gods,” and the “Lord of lords,” he is legally reasserting Yahweh's supreme authority over the entire cosmic rebellion. He is stating that the rebel principalities of Babylon, Egypt, and Rome are merely created entities, middle-management spirits who owe their very existence to the High King. They may claim to be gods, but Yahweh is the Sovereign over their council. Their authority is localized and temporary; His supremacy is absolute and universal. Notice the specific engine that powers this supreme governance. Why does the universe remain secure under the God of gods? Because “His faithful love endures forever.” The Hebrew word used here is our foundational, majestic anchor word: Hesed. It refers to a loyal, stubborn, covenant-keeping affection that refuses to let go. The psalmist is making a radical claim: the ultimate, structural fabric of the cosmos is not blind power, chaotic fate, or erratic anger—which is what the pagan nations believed about their capricious deities. The bedrock of the universe is the relentless, fiercely loyal Hesed of Yahweh. Every star hangs in space, and every legal decree of the divine council is issued through the filter of this enduring love. The second segment is: The Miraculous Architect of Cosmic Order Psalm One Hundred Thirty-Six: verses four, five, and six. Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles. His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully. His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to him who placed the earth on the water. His faithful love endures forever. The anthem transitions from the composition of the celestial council, to the initial acts of creation, demonstrating that Yahweh's Hesed is the driving force behind the physical architecture of our world. We are commanded to praise the One “who alone does mighty miracles.” The use of the word “alone” is another intentional, razor-sharp polemic against the rebel spirits. The pagan cultures credited their localized deities with all kinds of supernatural feats, believing that Baal brought the rain, or that Ra managed the sun. But the psalmist clears the stage, declaring that when it comes to true, cosmic, and foundational miracles, Yahweh operates completely without rivals. He needs no help from the divine assembly; His own voice is entirely sufficient to organize the void. He proves this by pointing to the skies: “Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.” The Hebrew text implies that the heavens were designed with deep, mathematical wisdom and artistic precision. In the ancient biblical worldview, the creation of the heavens was an act of establishing boundaries, building a beautifully ordered home where life could safely flourish, completely insulated from primeval chaos. The psalmist then moves his focus down to the geography of our home in verse six: “Give thanks to him who placed the earth on the water.” To the ancient Near Eastern mind, this imagery was filled with intense, dramatic tension. They believed that the dry land was established, and anchored, directly over the dark, deep, and roaring waters of the primordial ocean—the realm of Yamm, which represented the terrifying forces of unmitigated chaos. Left to themselves, the wild waters would instantly rise up to swallow the land, flooding the world back into a formless void. But Yahweh executed a mighty miracle of stabilization. He flattened the earth, drove back the roaring tides, and placed the dry ground securely "on the water," pinning the chaotic deep beneath His feet. He built a structural breakwater for humanity. When the congregation chants, “His faithful love endures forever” after this verse, they are recognizing that the very ground they stand upon is a direct gift of divine mercy. The earth remains solid, and the chaos waters are kept at bay, simply because the loyal Hesed of the Creator actively maintains the boundaries of creation every single second. The third segment is: Overruling the Astral Principalities Psalm One Hundred Thirty-Six: verses seven, eight, and nine. Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights— His faithful love endures forever. the sun to rule the day, His faithful love endures forever. and the moon and stars to...

Seattle hotel bookings have so far not met expectations. The UFC event at the White House last night was quite the spectacle but the Left still found things to be upset about. // LongForm: GUEST: Senor Legal Counsel with the Alliance Defending Freedom Hal Frampton is representing a female wrestler suing the WIAA after a biological male sexually assaulted her during a match. // Quick Hit: Oregon Democrat’s bill would bar ICE from detaining unaccompanied migrant kids. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez calls herself a Southwest Washington business owner. Her shop is in Oregon.

Bump and Stacy break down how much the Mariners have changed during Cal Raleigh’s time on the injured list, they answer your questions about how the Seahawks can avoid a Super Bowl hangover in Four Down Territory, they discuss which Mariners players could make it in the NFL in The Timeline, and they hop aboard the Hype Train. 

Let's talk about the mom club.When you are struggling to get pregnant, it feels like people keep getting into the “mom club.” It's annoying. All they do is talk about mom club stuff. It feels like every conversation is about what it's like being a mom. It hurts to hear it. It's overwhelming to be around.You want to be in the mom club, but you are annoyed with the mom club. You want to be a mom, and you're overwhelmed by the people who are moms.The mom club brings up a lot of feelings. Let's talk about those feelings!⭐️ Suggest a partner!We partner with fertility clinics, hospitals, therapy centers, and anyone who serves the infertility community. https://form.typeform.com/to/Q7ht8QsV⭐️ Help us change how the world sees infertility!Join a monthly giving club, support the show, and raise awareness about infertility and mental health. https://www.uniquelyknitted.org/uniquely-committed❤️ This podcast is produced by Uniquely Knitted.Uniquely Knitted exists to transform the experience of infertility. Our mission is to heal the traumas of infertility, miscarriage, and loss, and to end the isolation that comes with struggling to conceive. We achieve this by providing innovative, evidence-based preventative mental health support to those fighting to grow their families.Discover more at https://www.uniquelyknitted.org/Support the show

The mainstream narratives are crumbling!

A storm was perched over DC for Fight Night. And just like that, the storm went around DC as if commanded by God Himself…The UFC event at the WH was spectacular. It was like the Super Bowl of fighting, and the commercials alone were worth the price of admission. The UFC event at the White House was spectacular—Super Bowl of striking and grappling, where the commercials alone delivered more knockout value than most fight cards. I read this tweet about the event:Remember when Obama joked that Donald Trump would never be President and Trump hit back by strategically dismantling the entire Democratic Party over a 10 year period culminating with a UFC Fighter announcing that Michele Obama is a man.And how about that Marine Corps BAND! Super Bowl of elbows and egos, where even the commercials could knock you out. And that Marine Corps Band? They didn't just play—they dropped the national anthem like it owed them money. And they played all the music, and truly shocked me with how good they were.I won't spend a lot of time on this, but I will say that watching fighters showcase their abilities and sportsmanship was something to behold.It was a toxic masculinity extravaganza. And every one of the fighters thanked President Trump for the event.I felt like it was Roman times without all the death and sex.Shout out to the new Secret Service too. Not one single “mysterious” incident where Democrats could try their annual tradition. Smooth, professional, and apparently allergic to letting history rhyme. Refreshing.Speaking of Leftists, let's take a breath and examine the exquisite contradictions of the modern Left. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Meghan McCain and Miranda Wilkins break down one of the strangest political spectacles in recent memory: a UFC event on the White House lawn complete with military flyovers, motocross stunts, and a crowd packed with celebrities, athletes, and political heavyweights. Then, the conversation shifts to the culture war after a competing anti-Trump event featuring Bette Midler, Jane Fonda, and other progressive activists sparked debate online about which side is connecting with Americans. Later, NewsNation host and bestselling author Batya Ungar-Sargon joins the show to discuss her new book, The Jews and the Left, rising antisemitism, the future of both political parties, and why she believes American politics is undergoing a major realignment. Plus: The controversy surrounding comments made during the UFC event Why Democrats continue struggling with working-class voters Graham Plattner and the latest political fallout JD Vance, Marco Rubio, and the future of the GOP Why Meghan and Miranda are fully invested in the rumored romance between Keke Palmer and Sean Evans A surprising update from Miranda's long home-buying journey And yes, there is also a spirited debate about Tyra Banks, reality TV, and whether America's Next Top Model was even remotely normal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Growing up she kept her mouth shut and tried to be ‘good enough'. Sue Krogh started out as a people-pleaser, following society's advice, she tried to stay in the mold of what was expected but somewhere along the way she started listening to herself instead. Slowly, through time, awareness and diligence, Sue realized she is of worth, and she has value because she now fully accepts her humanity. All of it.Realizing she will never be completely satisfied, she sees that things will never be perfect so why make that the goal. Something is always left undone and for Sue, that has made all the difference in empowering her to show up in her own life accepting it all.Sue is our guest this week for Permission to Want More: What's Next and What's Left. This is part one of our conversation.You can find Sue on Instagram at suecrowcoaching.Thanks for being part of the UY conversation.If you'd like a copy of the Companion Guide to this series or if you want to attend our monthly FREE webinar, email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com. The Unabashed You website has a page for each guest of photos, quotes and a blog with embedded audio at unabashedyou.com. You can find the show on other podcast platforms.Want to lend your support and encouragement? We invite you to follow, rate, review and share.Social media (direct links):FacebookInstagramYouTubeIf you have questions or comments email us at: unabashedyou@gmail.com.We build upon on website visits, social media and word of mouth to share these episodes. We appreciate growth knowing these conversations help you think, celebrate who you are, and move you in some way.So be encouraged and continue to listen, read and be inspired.

If Giannis does end up being a Boston Celtic, how motivated is he to win now? Does he have anything left in the tank and will he continue to be injured?

In this week's episode, host Blaine gives the usual hello, introduction, and overview (0:02) before inviting Adam and Donovan into the episode. They begin with hellos to specific listeners whom they know join the podcast each week (0:42). To kick off non-spoilers, Blaine and Donovan have plenty of thoughts on Amazon's 'Spider-Noir' (2:19). The three of them then discuss what certain knowlege adds to watching the end of a season, especially one like 'Widow's Bay' (8:55). They mostly praise 'Cape Fear' and its first episode (15:50). Finally in non-spoilers, they explain why most people would get invested with the series 'Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed' (23:06). In spoilers, the three hosts converse about how 'Widow's Bay' sets up its final episode and what that could entail (27:19). They lay out the reasons why 'Cape Fear' is full of potential (41:36). Finally, the three enjoyed 'Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed' and the explain with specifics on why that was (50:54). For more from The Alabama Take team, visit the website here.

The FBI says it disrupted an alleged terror plot targeting UFC Freedom 250 in Washington, D.C., preventing what authorities described as a potentially deadly attack involving explosive-laden drones and sniper teams. Todd examines the disturbing rise of political hatred and asks a difficult question: how far has the radical left gone in normalizing violence against its opponents?Todd also responds to criticism surrounding UFC Freedom 250 at the White House, exploring why traditional masculinity, combat sports, and American culture continue to spark outrage among political activists. Plus, a look at historical White House sporting events, Teddy Roosevelt's boxing sessions, and the double standards surrounding what is considered acceptable on White House grounds.

The Dazai no Sochi--the head of the Yamato government in Kyushu--was a powerful position, with a lot of autonomy with lucrative opportunities.  The people in this position were often powerful members of the court capable of representing the sovereign.  They would often go on to become quite powerful in their own right.  So who were the movers and shakers that held this prestigious position during Uno no Sarara's reign?  This episode, we take a look at those who held the position and those who supported them. For more, check out our blogpost:  https://sengokudaimyo.com/podcast/episode-151 PS:  Hang around to the end (or check the end of the transcript) for information on some possible updates coming to the show. Rough Transcript Welcome to Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan.  My name is Joshua and this is Episode 151: The Dazai no Sochi of the late 7th century   Tsukushi no Masaru was busy.  A new boss was coming in, and he wanted to make sure everything was prepared.  The Dazai may have been about as far as one could get from the capital and still be in Yamato, but it was also the first—and sometimes only—encounter some would have with the archipelago, so there was no excuse to be slacking off.  Of course, this was hardly his first new boss, though for as long as he'd been on the job, each one could well be his last.  He was getting a bit long in the tooth, after all.  Twenty-nine years was a long time to be working in the same position.  As Masaru paused, he thought back on some of the people he'd served.  There was Soga no Akae—he was ambitious.  Apparently he'd been in some rather compromising positions before coming out, but he'd done well enough when he went back.  Shame that he backed the wrong horse. That did bring a chuckle to old Masaru's throat, though.  He remembered when Prince Kurikuma had come out there, to the the Dazai, , and there were still people around who told stories of him.  When those Afumi court stooges had showed up to try and conscript the barrier guards, Prince Kurikuma and his sons just stared them down.  Everyone had been afraid that it would end in bloodshed, or at least that there would be consequences for defying the court, but Kurikuma was adamant, and the messenger had left with his tail firmly between his legs. Then there was Shima. By the time he came, Masaru already knew how everything was supposed to work. He may not have been in charge, but that wasn't his ambition.  It was enough for him to be good at what he did.  He didn't need to go all the way to the Palace and deal with the politics there—there were enough politics out here already.  Shima, though, he was clearly suited for that Palace life.  He was a capable administrator, but Masaru could tell he was ambitious.  When he left, everyone knew that he would be going on to bigger and better things. And now there was another Prince coming out. So they would get the government offices prepared and greet him with proper fanfare.  They'd bring him in and hold the ceremonies, and then they would get down to work.  A stream of officers would present him with what they were working on and what had to happen.  Masaru would be there to help make sure that everything was running smoothly and nothing got too out of hand.  And that was the way things worked out on the edge of the realm.   Welcome back to Sengoku Daimyo.  We are still covering the reign of Uno no Sarara, and, similar to last episode, we are going to continue to talk about the people who made up Yamato at this time.  This episode, more specifically, we are going to be turning away from the capital, in Asuka, and looking all the way over to Tsukushi—modern Kyushu—and at the people who served as Dazai no Sochi, or head of the local government out there, as well as the bureaucrats and staff that worked for them—at least as far we know.  Many of them went on to have considerable careers that took them well beyond Kyushu.  At the same time, we'll take a look at some of the things that happened under their rule as what Aston translates as the "Viceroy of Tsukushi". After that, I have a special announcement about the podcast at the end of the episode, so if you are interested in learning more about what we plan on doing, please listen all the way to the end to hear about some plans for the future. And with that out of the way, let's begin. So we are talking about the position of Dazai no Sochi or the Viceroy of Tsukushi.  Often these people are referred to only as being of the "Tsukushi no Dazai" or the "Tsukushi no Ohomochi".  The term "Sochi" appears later, and we first see this term applied to Prince Kawachi, in 689.  It seems to show up with two different characters, which might be a term from the later Taihou code that was retroactively applied or may refer to an evolution of the position over time.  I'm honestly not sure.  There is still plenty of confusion over what was meant in some of the references. We've discussed this position before on the podcast: This was the sovereign's representative to the world outside of the archipelago.  Not only did the Dazai no Sochi  oversee all of Tsukushi—all of Kyushu— and extensive defensive forces stationed there and in the outlying islands, but they oversaw all diplomatic and trade missions to and from the archipelago.  Envoy missions would come to Tsushima, where they would get a local pilot and send word ahead.  They would then be received at the government center, the Dazai, near modern Fukuoka and Hakata bay.  For most envoys, this was as close as they would ever get to Yamato proper.  They would offload their goods there and be put up at the government supplied quarters in Wogohori.  They would be wined and dined there, entertained as appropriate to their status, while word was sent on to the capital.  In rare cases, envoys would be sent on another journey through the inland sea to Naniwa, and then on to Asuka, but otherwise their journey would end at the Dazaifu.  Any return gifts would come back with the correspondence from the capital, and thus be handed out to the envoys and their escorts before the mission was sent back home to Silla, Tamna, or wherever they had come from. Being the middle man in this operation offered a lot of power and authority, but it also would have been quite lucrative.  While diplomatic missions brought gifts for the court, they also brought  trade goods, of which the Dazai no Sochi could have first  pick.  This is on top of the fact that this position often came with a stipend equaling the labor of hundreds of individuals.  Many of the Dazai no Sochi would serve limited terms, eventually returning to Asuka, where we see them take on powerful positions. Take, for example, our first Dazai no Sochi, Tajihi no Mabito no Shima. Tajihi no Shima was born, we are told, in or around 624 to Tajihi no Maro and a daughter of Ohotomo no Hirafu.  Tajihi no Maro, Shima's father was a powerful noble in the court of Ohoama, aka Temmu Tennou, and he had enough standing that he was one of the named individuals who provided eulogies for Ohoama on the occasion of his passing.   The Tajihi family were quite well placed: they were descendants of Hinokuma no Takata no Miko, aka Senka Tennou, Shima's great-grandfather.  This earned them the kabane of "Mabito", or "True Person" because of their royal lineage.   Tajihi no Shima was placed in charge of the Dazai from at least 682.  His predecessor that we know about is Prince Yagaki, who was dismissed around 676, and we don't know who filled the gap between him and Shima. Shima had quite the run.  We don't know exactly when he returned to the court in Asuka, but it cannot have been later than 689, when we see Awada no Mahito in the position.  A year later, in 690, Shima was made Udaijin, or minister of the right.  That's a huge deal and we will talk about that in a bit, but what did Shima actually oversee during his tenure as Dazai no Sochi? We have quite a few events attributed to him, this reign.  In 686, we see the Tsukushi no Dazai sending tribute in the form of human beings:  Common men and women of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, along with 62 priests and nuns.  We aren't told where these men and women came from, but I suspect that they were refugees or captives from all the fighting on the peninsula.  That they were given as tribute suggests to me that they were enslaved—or at the very least they were not free.  If they were uneducated, they were likely put to work as labor, perhaps building out the new capital or opening new farmlands.  Later we see the various missions from Silla around the death of Ohoama, and the back and forth that went on, there, and in 688 the Tsukushi no Dazai entertained Kara, a Minister of Tamna, aka modern Jeju island, who had been sent by the king of that small country.  You may recall that Tamna, while late to the game, may have been one of the last holdouts of an early Japonic speaking people outside of the archipelago. Being the Tsukushi no Dazai, Shima would not have only been concerned with foreign envoys, but also with two other groups of Hayato—specifically the Ohosumi no Hayato and the Ata no Hayato.  Little is known about them, other than that Yamato considered them to be distinct ethnic and cultural groups living in the far south of Kyushu.  We've talked before about how southern Kyushu maintained a significantly different material culture through Kofun period until more recent times.  We also have indication that they had a distinctive shield and even art style—the famous "Hayato shields" appear to have been appropriated by the court, along with a contingent of Hayato men that were expected to act as an exotic guard for the sovereign and the court.  The earliest reliable evidence we have for them is a record from 682.  There are some questions as to whether or not they were related to the groups previously called Kumaso or even the Tsuchigumo, but there is no clear historical or archaeological  evidence linking them other than the common cultural finds in Kyushu more generally. The Ata and Ohosumi Hayato may have been distinct clans or lineage groups living in Ohosumi and the area of modern Satsuma.  We have a record in 687 of the Ata no Hayato attending Ohoama's funeral and presenting a eulogy.  The chiefs who came brought 337 others—a sizeable contingent—and they were all given presents by the court.  Later, we would see presents given out to 174 Hayato by Shima's successor in the Dazai, Awada no Mahito, and then in 692 we know that the court sent priests to preach Buddhism to Ata and Ohosumi.    In 695, Hayato of Ohosumi were entertained in the capital, and they even held a wrestling match for the Queen and her attendants in the area west of Asukadera, by the site of the famous Tsuki tree. So the Hayato would have been another group that Shima no doubt dealt with on a somewhat regular basis in his capacity as Dazi no Sochi—and then later on when he returned to Asuka and took up his new role as Udaijin.   And as I mentioned, that appointment was a Big Deal.  The position of Udaijin had been vacant since Nakatomi no Kane, one of the infamous leaders of the Afumi court, was non-consensually removed from the position—and this plane of existence—when he was executed in 672, at the closure of the Jinshin no Ran.  After that, Ohoama appears to have been gun-shy about sharing power with anyone outside the royal family.  The position had been left vacant for about 18 years.  So what made Uno no Sarara take up Shima as Minister of the Right?  And what about the Minister of the Left, or the Sadaijin? Well, we don't have a Sadaijin, but we do have a Dajodaijin in the form of Prince Takechi, Ohoama's first-born son.  The Dajodaijin was the Prime Minister in charge of the entire Dajokan, the Council of State, made up of the ministers of the left and right and the 8 bureaus of the government.  The Sadaijin and Udaijin served under the Dajodaijin, in that hierarchical order, with the Sadaijin generally being considered higher in precedence.  So it looks like, in this case, they had the Dajodaijin, Prince Takechi to run the Council and Shima, as Udaijin would have been responsible for ensuring the administration of the eight bureaus was properly carried out. That Shima was appointed just under Prince Takechi again shows the power and influence he likely had and the trust he must have had from Uno no Sarara.  Remember, the Crown Prince, Kusakabe, had died before he could take the throne.  Uno was enthroned as Queen, while the Crown Prince, Karu, was still a minor.  Whereas Ohoama had his wife and many sons to help him run things, Uno no Sarara was running thin.  As had been seen with Prince Ohotsu, there was always the threat that one of Ohoama's other sons could be propped up on the throne.  Uno had to look after Karu's birthright, but there was no guarantee that he would make it to adulthood in times before modern medicine.  It appears that Prince Takechi was actually considered the next in line, just in case something happened to Karu before he could ascend the throne, which makes sense that Prince Takechi was also trusted as Dajo Daijin.  Shima's place as Udaijin must have been indicative of similar trust that he would look after the royal family's interests.  This was no doubt helped by the role he played as Dazai no Sochi. As Udajin, Tajihi no Shima went on to have a rather incredible career.  He was given 4 cho of land for his residence.  This appears to be around 10 acres or so—a not inconsiderable amount of land, and it probably refers to the amount of land he was granted in the new Fujiwara capital city.  Later, in the Nara capital of Heijo-kyo, Prince Nagaya's residence was about that size and Fujiwara no Nakamaro's residence is thought to have been about twice that.  This would have given Shima space for multiple buildings, sprawling gardens, servants quarters, quarters for his wives and children, and much more. Tajihi no Shima would continue in his role as Udaijin, and would eventually, be promoted to the position of Sadaijin, a post he held only briefly, as he passed away almost a year later. He was not forgotten, however.  It is thought that he was the model for one of the suitors of Kaguya Hime in the famous story of Taketori Monogatari—the tale of the Bamboo Cutter.  Taketori Monogatari, also known as Kaguya Hime Monogatari, is considered the oldest known story in the Monogatari form.  It was probably written in the late 9th or early 10th century, with references to it appearing in works as early as 909 CE.  This suggests that Tajihi no Shima and others were still remembered, at least in part, over a century later. Shima is also thought to have been the patron of the famous poet, Kakinomoto no Hitomaro, one of the famous 36 immortal poets.  We'll have to include Hitomaro in a later episode, though we might come back to him after this reign, as he isn't mentioned in the Chronicles, but we do have some fragmentary biographical information thanks to his inclusion in the Man'yoshu.  In fact, he's probably one of the most famous poets in the Man'yoshu who is not otherwise mentioned.  We are told that he was the court poet during the reign of Uno no Sarara, so it makes sense that Shima may have very well been his patron and helped him get his start. Now while Shima was back in Asuka, making it big in the court, the position of Tsukushi no Dazai had to be filled, and we are told that the mantle was taken up by Awada no Mahito no Ason.  This name is a bit tricky, as it seems to have two kabane:  Mahito and Ason.  Since his father is said to have been Kasuga no Awada no Omi no Kudara, the assumption seems to be that "Mahito" was his name, rather than his kabane.  Although it was likely pronounced "Mabito" at the time, I'm going to go with the modern pronunciation of "Mahito" in part to distinguish it from the kabane.  A quick side note:  When reading names from this period, we usually see the kabane coming right after the family name, as the kabane is basically a rank for the family and not the individual.  But we do occasionally see the kabane tacked on at the end of a name, as in Awada no Mahito's case.  I would also like to quickly draw your attention to his father's name:  Kudara.  That can also be read as Baekje.  Was this an indication that his father or an ancestor came from the continent, perhaps from Baekje?  Or just that he had close ties to that kingdom?  I couldn't find anything specific, but it seems interesting that he was put in place at the Dazai, where dealing with the continent would have been an important part of his duties. Awada no Mahito was not just a noble of the court, and even if his father was of Baekje descent, that may not have been the main thing that gained him the position.  It may have also had to do with an earlier incident.  We are told that in 653 Mahito was one of those who traveled with the 2nd envoy to the Tang court as a scholar monk.  He would later return to secular life, but that experience must have been a big feather in his cap, helping him land a good position at court.  In fact, in 685, we are told that he was Jikikwoushi rank—a fairly respectable position for anyone at the time—and he apparently tried to get his father raised to the same rank as he was.  Aston translates the record as saying he was willing to give his rank to his father, but it is unclear to me if this means he was offering to give up his rank altogether.  At the very least it seems that he felt awkward outranking his father—a good, filial attitude, it would seem.  However, Ohoama didn't care.  In the past, rank may have been given to entire families, but now the court was giving rank to individuals, and the rank Mahito had earned was his, not his father's.  And so his request was denied. Four years later, Ohoama was gone and Awada no Mahito was sent to the Tsukushi no Dazai.  We are told that he was in that position as of 689.  If that was the position of Dazai no Sochi, however, he didn't hold it for long, as Prince Kawachi was raised up to that position that same year, and here we have a bit of a conundrum.  Mahito is only mentioned as "Tsukushi no Dazai" while Prince Kawachi is specifically mentioned, at least twice, as Tsukushi no Dazai no Sochi.  There are some who suggest that Mahito may have been the Dazai Daini, an assistant to the Dazai no Sochi—effectively the second-in-command it would appear.  This makes some sense, when you consider it, and he may even have been acting Dazai no Sochi until Prince Kawachi was appointed. Of course, because our records are quite lackluster, and we are never actually told when Tajihi no Shima left the position, it is possible that Awada no Mahito was actually the Dazai Sochi for many years leading up to 689, and that Shima had returned to Asuka some time ago.  This is the problem with the way things are written—sometimes they mention a name and sometimes just a position, and rarely do they mention when someone stepped down. Still, Mahito oversaw a few things that we can be somewhat sure about as they happened after he is first mentioned in the position, though it was all in the same year.  For one thing, he is the one who presented gifts to the 174 Hayato in the first month of 689.  This included cloth, ox hides, and deerskins.  He was also there when the Queen sent relief to the Barrier Wardens whose terms were up.  These were the Sakimori, a position set up to defend the archipelago and repel any potential invasions.  I would assume they were regularly rotated out, especially if they were expected to man the fortifications out on some of the islands.  It is interesting that we don't often see them referenced, so it isn't clear to me why the reference was made here—it may have just been a note in one of the sources the Chroniclers were using. Later that same year, we also see garments being given out—likely meaning official court clothing—to the Tsukushi Dazai and others.  This was probably to bring them all in line with the latest formal wear being used in the court in Asuka.  We also know that in the 6th month of that year they entertained the Silla envoys, who were given various presents. And then, two months later, Mahito is out and Prince Kawachi comes in.  At the same time that Prince Kawachi is being made the Dazai no Sochi, our previous Dazai no Sochi, Tajihi no Shima, had his rank and fief increased.   I doubt this was a coincidence, and it is one of the things that, for me, lends credence to the idea that Shima had just then returned to Asuka and Prince Kawachi was his replacement, suggesting that Mahito had really just been in an acting capacity while the change over was taking place. Unfortunately, if we were looking for more information about Prince Kawachi's background, we would be disappointed.  Although he is a prince, probably descended from Nunakura, aka Bidatsu Tennou, we don't have a lot about him.  He—or someone with the same name, since we do see these Princely titles get reused, it seems—is found in the reign of Ohoama traveling with Ohotomo no Yasumaro and Fujiwara no Ohoshima to go entertain Gim Jisyang of Silla.  Later we see a Prince Kawachi delivering eulogies during Ohoama's funeral.  That suggests he held an important position, and that he was somewhat familiar with the continent, but we don't get a whole lot more.  Our next evidence is when he was appointed to the post of Dazai no Sochi in 689, a position he would hold until his death in 694—which may also explain why we just don't see too much of him in the record.  A promising career may have been cut short, as happened all too often back in that day and age. Still, as Dazai no Sochi, he had plenty to keep him busy.  Not a month after he arrived, Isonokami no Maro and Ishikawa no Mishina arrived at the head of a delegation.  They were there to deliver patents of rank to members of the Tsukushi government and to inspect the fortifications at the edge of the archipelago.  These were the same fortifications being manned by the newly arrived Sakimori. Speaking of the members of the Tsukushi government, it took a lot of people to make the Dazaifu work, not just the Sochi giving people orders about what they should do.  There were numerous assistants helping to keep everything running.  Some of them would have just been dealing with the Sochi's own residence, while others were clerks, guards, and more.  It really was a miniature version of the court in Asuka, and would have required a lot of people to tend to it.  And we know of at least one of them:  Tsukushi no Fubito no Masaru, whose imagined thoughts we heard at the top of the episode.  In 691, Masaru was recognized for 29 years of service as a secretary to the Tsuksuhi no Dazai.  Twenty-nine years in place suggests to me that he would have likely been one of the longest serving members of the Tsukushi government center.  He would have known where all the bodies were buried—perhaps quite literally.  While the Dazai no Sochi was often a temporary appointment, sometimes just for a few years, they would have likely leaned on Masaru for his expertise.  This is just like how modern government appointees like ambassadors may come and go, including for political reasons, but they rely on permanent staff, including a lot of locals, to provide the institutional knowledge they need to do their jobs.  One can assume that if Masaru had been successful for 29 years he knew how things were supposed to work.  And so I hope that his superiors made sure to remember that when Secretary's day rolled around. Prince Kawachi didn't make it 29 years, but he made it five.  He might have gone even longer, but he died in office in 694 and was posthumously raised in rank for his service.  History is full of stories, but in real life, the stories don't always follow the expected narratives.  As much as we'd like to think otherwise, good, moral people do not always triumph and sometimes those who do awful things are never punished.  And some times stories come to abrupt ends.  Of course, looking back, it just is what it is.  Prince Kawachi's life becomes little more than a footnote.  And yet, what if he had gone on?  Would he have followed Tajihi no Shima to help become one of the grand ministers of the court?  Unfortunately, we will never know.  He could have been a rising star, but we just know about his passing. Five months after Prince Kawachi's untimely death, he was followed in the post by Prince Mino.  Prince Mino would continue in the position, it seems, through the end of the reign in 697—or at least nobody else was appointed until 700, when Isonokami no Maro—apparently the same one who had previously come out to inspect the fortifications during Prince Kawachi's tenure—was appointed.  Although he came into the position in the next reign, we'll still touch on him, as he was another notable figure at this time. Looking back at Prince Mino, however, we seem to run into a problem—there are too many Princes Mino in the record.  If you just use the English translations, you'll find several references to Prince Mino, but if you look at the original text, you'll see that there are at least three different spellings.  For one it means "Beautiful Field" and another is just "Three Fields".  A third "Mino" is spelled with characters that don't necessarily create obvious meaning, and may just be a phonetic spelling. It is possible that all of these Princes Mino are the same.  Spelling wasn't standard, and different characters could be used for the same name.  On the other hand, we have one set of characters being used to describe a Prince Mino who supported Ohoama during the Jinshin no Ran, while another, the "Three Fields" Prince Mino, describes one of the sons of Prince Kurikuma, who was with his father in Tsukushi when the Afumi court came calling.  Since travel wasn't necessarily an overnight endeavor—unless you were Ohoama, rushing through the mountains to the east—it would seem that the Prince Mino in Tsukushi is unlikely to be the same one as the Prince Mino who joined Ohoama's forces back in the Home Provinces. So let's make the assumption that Prince Mino—Prince "Three Fields" Mino—is one person and the others are separate.  What do we know about him? Well, he appears to have had experience with Tsukushi and the government out  there, since he would be the son of Prince Kurikuma, a former Tsukushi Dazai no Sochi.  We talked about Prince Kurikuma before, back in numerous episodes, but particularly in episodes 128 and Episode 144, as well as references in betweend. Prince Kurikuma was not only a significant factor in the outcome of the Jinshin no Ran, denying the Afumi court the resources of all of the defenders at the Tsukushi fortifications, he shows up in local legends in Tsukushi still today.  So he definitely seems to have had an impact on the region.  It also suggests that Prince Mino had connections in the area through his father. After his father's posting as Dazai no Sochi ended, Prince Mino appears to have returned with him to Asuka.  He is described as a key member in Ohoama's court.  He was one of the Princes mentioned in the audience at the Daigokuden in 681, when Ohoama instituted the commission to bring together the various court sources that we presume would eventually lead to the creation of the Chronicles—the Nihon Shoki and the Kojiki.  Later, he become a daibu, a high official, of the Household Bureau, responsible for the household of the sovereign, the sumera no mikoto.  This meant the upkeep of the palace, the kitchens, and the various servants waiting on the sovereign and his family.  This also means that he was likely close to the movers and shakers of the court. One of the projects under his purview appears to have been the laying out of a new palace and a new capital city.  In 682 he headed up the investigations at the place called Nihiki, determining that it would be a good location for what would eventually become Fujiwara-kyo—a project still underway in Queen Uno's reign.  He was also sent out to Shinano two years later to look for a site for a second capital.  It ended up not happening, but he spent a couple months and eventually came back with a map of the region.  It may be that the Fujiwara-kyo project took up a lot of Mino's time and effort, because we then don't hear from him for another decade, during which Ohama passed away and so much more happened.  Assuming he was still involved with the Fujiwara capital project, however, we see that in 691 there was a ceremony held for the tranquility of the new capital—a Chin-sai or, what we would today call a "Ji-chin-sai".  This is a "land pacification ceremony" done when breaking ground on a new building or other project.  So it looks like planning and land clearing had taken some 10 years, but it was finally ready to get started.  Later that same year we hear of them laying out the residences of high ranking nobles, like the Udaijin, Tajihi no Shima, and we also see the Queen inspecting the roads.  Then, a year later in 692, they were holding the land pacification ceremony for the new palace.  The queen would move into the new palace in the very last months of 694. But by that time, Prince Mino was on to his next assignment.  He had been appointed Tsukushi Dazai no Sochi earlier that year following the death of Prince Kawachi.  Not much more is said of Tsukushi for the next three years of the reign, but we do see the Hayato visiting Asuka, presumably with Prince Mino's assistance. We don't have a clear idea of when Prince Mino retired—it's certainly not in the Nihon Shoki—but we know that he did because he was succeeded in the role by none other than Isonokami no Maro, who would take up the position in 700.  Prince Mino, on the other hand, returned to the court, where he would eventually pass away in the year 708. And that was the last Dazai no Sochi who held the position during this reign, but I do want to talk about the one who came after Prince Mino just a bit—though more because this was an up-and-coming court noble whom we should be watching. Isonokami no Maro was born, by all accounts, in the year 640.  Despite his name he was actually born to a family that we know somewhat well from much earlier on: The Mononobe.  In fact, his father is apparently Mononobe no Muraji no Umaro, and he appears to be descended from the main line of the Mononobe family, which had declined ever since Mononobe no Moriya had been defeated and killed by Soga no Umako and others. And it seems that the Mononobe curse of being on the losing side in a contest for power hit Maro during the Jinshin no Ran, because we see him, at that time referenced as Mononobe no Muraji no Maro, along with two servants, or Toneri, serving Prince Ohotomo—aka Koubun Tennou—up to the very end.  In fact, when Ohotomo fled and the Afumi court deserted him, only Mononobe no Maro and the servants stayed with him when he eventually strangled himself. And one would think that would be it.   You were with the rival for the throne in the most contentious fight in recent memory.  You couldn't protect him and you were on the wrong side.  Sure, Ohoama was going to pardon you because he couldn't just rid himself of half of the court and hope things would still run smoothly—that would be a surefire recipe for disaster, and nobody wanted the government crippled like that.  However, you can't imagine that those on the losing side would be given any position of trust or authority. And yet, in 676, we see that Mononobe no Maro was sent to Silla.  And he wasn't just helping out: he was sent as the chief envoy of Ohoama's court.  That is quite the turnaround in four years, and we don't really know why, but it has been speculated that Ohoama was actually impressed.  While other members of the Afumi court fled and abandoned Ohotomo to his enemies, Maro and the two toneri with him did not, staying with Ohotomo until the bitter end, and likely conveying what had happened to the other side once it was all over.   That kind of loyalty was impressive, especially back then. It is also thought that Maro may have benefited from the fact that Enoi no Okimi, who was also descended from the Mononobe family, fought on the side of Ohoama.  This is a common scenario we see throughout Japanese history, where different members of the same family fight on different sides of a conflict, often meaning that no matter who wins the family can still claim to have been on the winning side.  When Okimi passed away in 676 he was posthumously recognized as the ujigami, or clan head, of the Mononobe, leading some to suspect that a bit of his shine may have rubbed off on Maro as well. In 684, when the various kabane were being rectified by Ohoama's court, the Mononobe no Muraji were included as Ason, or Asaomi.  There is some thought that around this time is when Maro changed his name to Isonokami, which is a name that was previously used by members of the Mononobe, including one of the brothers to Mononobe no Moriya.  We see him mentioned as Isonokami no Maro in 686, as one of those giving a eulogy for Ohoama: specifically he gives the eulogy on behalf of the Houkan, or Nori no Tsukasa, the Judicial officers.  He is mentioned right after Fuse no Miushi, whom we talked about last episode, who would go on to become a Dainagon and, later, Udaijin, or Minister of the Right. The first connection between Isonokami no Maro and Tsukushi was in 689, and we noted it earlier—he came out to inspect the fortifications as well as to hand out patents of rank to the court officials working out there on the edge of the realm.    He would return to Asuka in time to be a part of Uno no Sarara's official enthronement ceremonies.  There he is named Mononobe no Maro, and is in charge of the shields.  Given what we know of the role of the Mononobe as the early soldiers of the court, it makes sense that he would play this role, and that they would use the name Mononobe rather than Isonokami.  In the same way, the ritual was conducted by Fujiwara no Ohoshima, but he is recorded as Nakatomi no Ohoshima, probably because these were roles specifically for the Mononobe and Nakatomi, rather than for the Isonokami and the Fujiwara. This is another thing that can be quite frustrating when researching Japanese history—names can change at the drop of a hat, and people often had various ancestral names and titles that could be pulled out for various political or ceremonial reasons.  If you don't have the history or understand the nuance it can be easy to just think that it is a different person altogether.  And when you don't have much information, sometimes you have to ask yourself which is it? Maro would stay close to Queen Uno, even accompanying her to Ise shrine, and then, in the following reign, he would succeed Prince Mino as Dazai no Sochi in the year 700.  It isn't clear, however, if he left for the Dazaifu immediately, since in 701 he is noted as having been promoted from the office of Chunagon to Dainagon, and in that same year he went with Royal Prince Osakabe to pay respects at the house of the late Udaijin, Tajihi no Shima, who had just passed away.  He then left for Tsukushi in 702—or possibly headed back.  But in 703, he was once again back in Asuka, paying condolences on the death of the next Udaijin, Abe no Miushi—aka Fuse no Miushi, the same one whom Maro had pronounced a Eulogy with during the funeral ceremonies for Ohoama.  Isonokami no Maro would go on to take the mantle of Udaijin, and then eventually Sadaijin as well.  He would be raised up to the second rank, along with the famous Fujiwara no Fubito, who took the vacated position of Udaijin.  This meant that technically Maro was the senior of the two, though many people think that Fujiwara no Fubito held most of the actual power.  Regardless of that, Isonokami no Maro nonetheless would go on to become the highest ranking court noble before his eventual death in 717.  At that point he was 78 years old, by the reckoning of the day, and he had seen multiple sovereigns, several bloody conflicts, and the creation of two permanent capitals—Fujiwara kyo and Heijo kyo, in modern Nara.  He went from being a supporter in the Afumi court, on the wrong side of the Jinshin no Ran to become the highest ranking court noble in the land.  He would be granted the head of the Mononobe family and would continue to prosper as Isonokami.  It was truly a remarkable career over an incredible span of time. And there you have it.  A look at some of those that were sent out to the Dazaifu in Tsukushi.  In later years, the post of Dazai no Sochi would be seen more as a burden than a blessing, but at this point it was still a lucrative and powerful position.  Several of those involved in the Dazaifu or who held the position as Dazai no Sochi would go on to even more powerful positions back in Asuka.  Whilst this posting did move you further away from the politics—perhaps not always a bad thing—it also put you atop a structure where one had considerable power, authority, and autonomy, at least at this point. Next episode we'll get back to the court in Asuka and take a look at a little more of what is going on.  Before I end this, however, a quick administrative note about the podcast.  This creation is a labor of love.  It was started largely as a way to get myself to regularly dive into the Chronicles and really see what was going on.  In particular, I was excited about the Asuka period, because I don't think we really have enough of a sense of what life was like and what was going on back then.  It was clearly a very dynamic time, and yet we tend to see it through the lens of later Nara and Heian court culture, which was still very much evolving.  The stories that I *didn't* know about were what drew me to this project, and I hope that we've all learned a bit more as the project has continued. And we are reaching the end of the area that is covered by the main Chronicles, the Kojiki, the Nihon Shoki, and the Sendai Kuji Hongi, which have been our main guides through this period.  But that doesn't mean we are bringing things to a close. Next we have the Shoku Nihongi and many other grecords, and I am going to keep up with the project and the schedule as best I can.  In fact, it looks like I may be able to devote even more time to it in the near future as some drastic life changes are coming for me, such that I will no longer be working a 9-to-5 job while also trying to get this podcast out like clockwork twice a month—not to mention my other passion, teaching traditional Japanese martial arts here in the DC region at a local not-for-profit dojo.  This is happening as we are also in the process of building a house, traveling, and more.  But it does mean that we are going to be looking into alternative sources of funding beyond just donations.  We are eternally grateful to everyone who has donated, but I may end up doing something that I've been putting off for a while: allowing advertisements.  I want to do this so that we can continue to offer this for podcast for free, but hosting, staying up to date on sources, etc. does cost money.  I'm not looking to make a huge profit, but if we can at least get the podcast paying for itself, that would be a good start. Before I do that I'll look to find a way that we can get subscribers on Patreon and elsewhere ad-free copy.  I just need to figure that out, but once I do, I'll let you all know. So there you have it.  We aren't going to stop the podcast, but we may be adding a bit more to it in the future.  I hope, though, that we can do more beyond the historical chronicles.  For instance, did you know that we have an English translation of a 17th century cookbook up on our website, SengokuDaimyo.com?  I would love to redact those recipes and maybe provide some cooking videos for anyone who would want to try them.  A shoutout to Max Miller of Tasting History, who reached out to us about using a couple of our translations for his episodes on historical Japanese cooking – Max is a great guy and his series and cookbook are well worth following.  But there's a lot more to explore: one of my favorites so far that we've tried is "keiran", or "eggs": doughy balls filled with brown sugar and cooked in a miso based soup.  I don't know if there is anything like that still being served in Japan, but it's a strange and pleasant recipe and I would love to do that again and record it for everyone to try. All of this is in the works, and nothing will change immediately, but I wanted to keep you all in the loop.  Thank you so much for listening, I can't tell you how much it means. And of course, as always, if you like what we are doing, please tell your friends and feel free to rate us wherever you listen to podcasts.  If you feel the need to do more, and want to help us keep this going, we have information about how you can donate on Patreon or through our KoFi site, ko-fi.com/sengokudaimyo, or find the links over at our main website,  SengokuDaimyo.com/Podcast, where we will have some more discussion on topics from this episode. Also, feel free to reach out to our Sengoku Daimyo Facebook page.  You can also email us at the.sengoku.daimyo@gmail.com.  Thank you, also, to Ellen for their work editing the podcast. And that's all for now.  Thank you again, and I'll see you next episode on Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan.

Jane Fonda, like so many on the Left, is the worst kind of hypocrite. She plays the part of a free speech warrior while participating in the most totalitarian movement this country has ever seen.There she was, yet again, yapping into a microphone to protest Trump's UFC 250. The signs behind her are ablaze with pure lies - Civil Rights! The First Amendment! You can't silence us! But Jane Fonda and the company she founded, Women's Media Center, do not practice what they preach. They fired me for the crime of voting for Donald Trump. I had been regularly hired for almost ten years to write their Women in Oscars report until a story broke in the Hollywood Reporter calling me a “MAGA darling.” And just like that, my 25-year career as a “woman-owned” Oscar website went up in flames, as did my freelance gig for WMC.It's true, I did vote for Donald Trump. Not only did I vote for him, but I also made my support for him known on social media, which is what caught the reporter's attention in the first place. I was supposed to cower in fear. Support the Democrats or else. I could have done what a lot of people did and kept my vote for Trump secret, but I didn't think I should have to. Weren't we the side that stood up for free speech and free expression?No. We weren't then, and aren't now. There is a long trail of writers, thinkers, actors, artists, musicians, and ordinary citizens who have been destroyed by the Left's machine for the crime of dissent. And thousands more who suffer in silence, knowing there are so many things they can't say.Only one side regularly censored users on social media, and that was the Biden administration working with the FBI. Only one side used the FBI and the CIA to censor the Hunter Biden laptop to thwart the re-election of the sitting president. That wasn't the Right.Because Jimmy Kimmel got a slap on the wrist and Trump sued CBS News, and there's a merger with Paramount and Warner Bros., to people like Jane Fonda, that means the First Amendment is under threat. My message to her: clean your own house, Jane. Jane Fonda obviously wasn't directly involved in firing me. She has no idea who I even am. It was someone else, someone I trusted, maybe someone who seemed like a decent person, but, like everyone else, from writers to publicists to friends, once I crossed that bright red line, I was no longer someone they would associate with at parties, let alone hire.It certainly wasn't because I did not do good work. I did. I even asked Grok to fact-check my memory, and here is what came back:Nobody knows the Oscars like I do, and I did the best work for them on the cheap because I liked doing it. I tried to make my case as clearly as possible to the Hollywood Reporter that I could not go along with the unprecedented lawfare against Trump, and especially not “gender affirming care” on minor children. These things motivated me to do more than just vote. I had to go public. I thought my support would help others come out from the shadows. I knew as I was talking to that reporter that nothing I said would make a difference. I wouldn't have even talked to her except she said she'd write the story anyway. She was reporting on what I thought and what I was tweeting, which was verboten inside utopia. And boy, did the hammer come down.After the story broke and I felt every door that had once been open to me slam in my face, I kept hearing yet another piece of bad news. The studios were pulling their ads. Yet another writer was leaving the site. I was not invited to screenings, parties, and premieres. The publicists all ghosted me. It was as though I had been arrested for committing mass murder.One of the last of the gut punches was losing that freelance gig at Women's Media Center. I kind of knew it was coming because, of course, it would be. They all went along with it, and almost no one had the courage to push back or resist any of it. I wrote to them anyway because I wanted to hear it from them. And I got the expected answer.Jane Fonda founded the Women's Media Center in 2005, along with Robin Morgan and Gloria Steinem. They describe themselves as “a progressive, nonpartisan nonprofit focused on increasing the visibility, influence, and decision-making power of women and girls in media.”They were perfectly happy to drop a woman writer for the sole crime of not agreeing with their politics. I'd say they don't really support women in media so much as they support those who go along with them.I never played the woman card, but I could have. I built my site just to build it, and it became successful. I was a single mom in 1999 and raised my baby and my website at the same time. It is quite the story, especially for those who pretend to care about women in media. Why would it matter if I voted for Trump? Why would that mean I could no longer write the report? Why have they decided that all of this is okay, to treat half the country like toxic waste? How have they gotten away with it, and what will be their plans should they take back absolute power?They have painted themselves into a trauma corner with nowhere else to go, and in so doing, alienated themselves from much of this country. Where can you go when you've already gone as far as humanity ever has? Hitler, the Nazis, fascism. They've now gone to the only place they can go, wishing for and hoping for Trump's death and vowing never to forgive anyone who voted for Trump. A Royal CourtThere was a time when I believed in all of it, too. The miracle of the first Black President and First Family. How one leader could bring together so much of American society, all of us reaching for the same goal because we all believed in a New America.We projected our fantasies of goodness onto them as they built what looked like a Royal Court of the most impressive and important people in the country, including rock stars like Bruce Springsteen and Katy Perry, actors like Robert De Niro and Julia Roberts. They were the party, and we were the adoring crowd. But all of that came with a price. If you want to be in the Royal Court, you'd best play ball because if you don't, they can and will crush you. I had no idea that everything I built could be destroyed just because I dissented, and yet that is exactly what happened. Jane Fonda's Women's Media Center dropping me was the most disappointing because I believed in her, too. Now I know the truth. I am just one example. There are hundreds of people who are not welcome to work in the film industry if they are not ideologically compliant. We've been living with this for ten years now, and it's become our new normal. Very few people are brave enough to stand up to them. Deep down, they all know it because they are too afraid to say the wrong thing, too. It's easier to point their finger at Trump than confront what they have become - the blacklists, the shunning, the destroying of people's careers. If they could do it to me, they can do it to anyone.What they don't see, what they can't see, is what they've done to the other half of the country for ten years. They want us all to think it's perfectly normal that our late-night talk show hosts are purely partisan, or that it's perfectly fine for Hollywood to continue to tell the story from inside their Doomsday Cult rather than the reality of all Americans.They don't see themselves as the ones who can't tolerate dissent or free speech and who fire people just for voting for Donald Trump. They believe themselves to be the chosen ones, the righteous few who have staked their claim on the New America, and those who aren't on board must be purged. They've convinced themselves that it was perfectly fine that Jimmy Kimmel made an inhumane joke about Charlie Kirk moments after his brutal assassination, but when millions of upset viewers flooded the station with angry calls to have him removed, they called that a threat to free speech.They don't seem to care that Biden imported millions of illegal immigrants into the country, and when many of them turned out to be murderers, rapists, and child molesters, they left a trail of victims, but those victims are invisible to the Left. They never even hear about them because in their minds, those illegal immigrants are to be protected above American citizens.So Julia Roberts and Bruce Springsteen continue to use the deaths of Renee Goode and Alex Pretti as examples of authoritarianism and to make American citizens feel shame for caring about their country and wanting a secure border and to be protected from harm. They never spent one minute comforting the mothers whose children were harmed by policies they supported.It wasn't Trump who shot Pretti and Goode. They put themselves in a dangerous position to go to war against Federal agents who were doing their jobs. In the Left's fever dream, they were battling Nazis. But they never notice or care or even try to understand why so many Americans wanted Trump to follow through on his promise to mass deport illegal immigrants, something every president has done. These mothers, like a lot of Trump supporters, had no other choice because this country, at the hands of the Left, means denying reality to serve utopia. You can't talk about crime if the perp is an illegal immigrant or a person of color, just as you can't discuss the harms of “gender affirming care.” I know, I've tried. They melt down like the housewife in The Stepford Wives who glitches at any confrontation of reality. That's how it's felt to me all these years, like I'm trying to talk to preprogrammed robots who know what you can and can't say. I kept wondering what happened to everyone and why they were all acting exactly the same way. They were insulated from the rest of the country, and their imaginations got the better of them.What really happened to the ruling aristocracy, especially, is that they fell in love with their own reflection. They began to believe their own publicity, and so they couldn't imagine the fault could ever possibly lie with them.It would have just been so much easier and so much better for everyone if they had just tried to understand why they lost. They never will, and so, they are doomed to repeat the same mistakes. And we have to suffer through it every time one of them finds a microphone. // This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sashastone.com/subscribe

Get this episode's interactive exercise ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join 'The Academy' to get 2x weekly Zoom lessons with me⁠⁠ Feeling stuck on the edge of conversations, waiting for the perfect moment to jump in? In this episode, Charlie introduces the “branching out” technique: a simple way to spot natural pauses, steer the chat, and become more active without forcing it. Through one pub conversation replayed five different ways, you'll learn how small conversational moves can make you feel less passive and more in control. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Denmark is often celebrated as one of the world's most LGBTQ+-friendly countries. It was the first nation to legally recognize same-sex unions and remains a leader in many measures of equality. But does that mean the work is finished?In this Pride Month episode, Derek speaks with Steve Taylor, Head of Secretariat at Copenhagen Pride, about Denmark's LGBTQ+ journey—from trailblazing victories to the challenges that remain today.Together they discuss Denmark's place in European equality rankings, ongoing debates around conversion therapy, protections for transgender and intersex people, LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, and why progress can stall when societies assume the job is already done. They also explore the importance of Pride beyond Copenhagen, the role of community, and what recent events in places like Hungary reveal about the need to defend rights that many people take for granted.Whether you're celebrating Pride, curious about LGBTQ+ life in Denmark, or interested in how social progress happens, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at where Denmark has been—and where it still has room to grow.

More details on the Iran peace deal. Newsom is under investigation, the Left is losing creditability, LA voter fraud, DEI at ASU, and Obama is getting shamed. Plus, the latest on an explosive drone attack plot at the White House. The Conservative Circus Show

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The FBI says it disrupted an alleged terror plot targeting UFC Freedom 250 in Washington, D.C., preventing what authorities described as a potentially deadly attack involving explosive-laden drones and sniper teams. Todd examines the disturbing rise of political hatred and asks a difficult question: how far has the radical left gone in normalizing violence against its opponents?Todd also responds to criticism surrounding UFC Freedom 250 at the White House, exploring why traditional masculinity, combat sports, and American culture continue to spark outrage among political activists. Plus, a look at historical White House sporting events, Teddy Roosevelt's boxing sessions, and the double standards surrounding what is considered acceptable on White House grounds.

How does the Jewish future look to someone who's been on an intellectual journey from bourgeois American suburbs to Israel's Ḥaredi community to the halls of academia and the Diaspora Jewish left? Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Professor Shaul Magid of Harvard University for a special double length episode examining sociopolitical trends among the younger generation of politically engaged Israelis and Diaspora Jews. The two also discuss anti-Semitism, the collapse of Liberal Zionism, and the next stage of Jewish liberation.

On this episode of Left of Str8 Show Interviews, Scott Fullerton welcomes Benjamin Hightower, singer/songwriter, veteran, and America's Got Talent performer, for an inspiring conversation about military service, music, identity, faith, and advocacy. Benjamin shares his transition from the Air Force to the stage, his songwriting process behind “Holy Astronaut,” and his passion for supporting LGBTQ+ youth and veterans' mental health. His AGT journey has been highlighted as part of his extraordinary move from military service into performance.Listen to the story behind the Holy Astronaut song and discover how faith and romance intersect in this latest track. Get the full inspiration behind the lyrics and hear the chorus.This video provides an intimate look at the creative process behind my new music release, Holy Astronaut. I discuss the core themes of maintaining personal conviction while fully supporting a partner's passions, even when those passions take you to the edges of the cosmos. If you are interested in the intersection of faith and love, this breakdown offers context on why I wrote these specific lines.By watching, you will gain a deeper understanding of the song meaning and the emotional weight behind the chorus. I explain the artistic choices made to capture the feeling of worthiness in a relationship. Whether you are a fan of thoughtful songwriting or curious about the inspiration behind Holy Astronaut, this discussion clarifies the narrative arc I intended for the track.Subscribe for weekly songwriting breakdowns, and comment below on which part of the song resonated with you the most.Watch Left of Str8 Interviews every week for smart, funny, and heartfelt conversations with LGBTQ creatives, straight allies, entertainers, authors, musicians, filmmakers, and changemakers. Each episode goes beyond the usual interview to uncover the stories, struggles, laughs, and lessons behind the work — with guests who inspire, entertain, and remind us why visibility matters. Subscribe and come back weekly for fresh voices, meaningful conversations, and a little bit of fabulous you will not find anywhere else.Subscribe for excellent interviews from Entertainment, Music, Books and Advocacy. Hit the little bell for weekly notifications. New Episodes drop every week. Tell your friends.Follow Us on Instagram:Scott Fullerton: @leftofstr8Benjamin Hightower: @benjaminhightower_Tik Tok:Scott Fullerton: @leftofstr8Benjamin Hightower: @benjaminhightower

Joe talks about the Left telling on themselves when they talk about tourists loving AmericaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ceasefire or shakedown? Inside Iran’s reported terms: Sanctions gone. Cash unfrozen. Hormuz handed over. Was this a negotiation or a surrender demand? JD Vance makes the media rounds to deny any US surrender and promises a “performance based deal”. From the locker room to the Lord: why athletes are embracing Christ. What’s behind this new faith revival in sports; especially these teams? Mike Johnson blames Democrats—but did Senate Republicans kill the Save Act? And what is he promising to do to get it passed? With Special Guests Brigitte Gabriel, Act For America & Brian Maloney, RealAmerica.vote - Andrea delivers the sharpest analysis in her unique southern style, with a focus on America First policies built on accountability.Support Our Mission: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ZMGRBFGDJKRS8See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Examining the history and theories behind the Beast of Gévaudan and its trail of bodies. Was it a mythical beast, a pack of wild animals, or a serial killer? Support us directly: https://www.redwebpod.com It's 1764, and France is reeling from a devastating war, when suddenly the southern countryside finds itself terrorized by an unknown predator. Even after the Royal Army seemingly hunts the creature down and presents a carcass to the king, a second wave of headless bodies begins to appear soon thereafter. Since then, the creature has sparked many conspiracies as to the true nature of these killings. Was this a prehistoric monster, a serial killer hiding amidst the chaos, or something else? Today, we uncover the grisly history of the Beast of Gévaudan. Sensitive topics: Child death, animal death Our sponsors: Head to http://TryFirstleaf.com/REDWEB to sign up and you'll get 50% off your first box PLUS free shipping for an entire year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone wants a simple answer: When should I give my kid a phone? The problem is, there isn't one. It's one of the biggest parenting debates out there—phones, Snapchat, social media, and whether keeping our kids offline is protecting them or leaving them out. From flip phones and family tracking apps to group chats, Snap Maps, and the reality of how kids actually communicate today, we're unpacking the pressure many of us feel and the balancing act of keeping our kids safe while helping them stay connected. We talk about the fear of exclusion, the risks that come with social media, why one-size-fits-all rules rarely work, and why every child's readiness looks different. The question isn't always, "Is my child ready for a phone?" Sometimes it's, "Am I ready to parent one?"If you're navigating the digital world with tweens or teens, this episode is for you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Michael Woodward.

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this Monday Headline Brief of The Wright Report, Bryan breaks down the new US-Iran peace memorandum, a deal that reopens the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian and Omani oversight while extending the current ceasefire by 60 days. He digs into the billions in protection payments Arab nations are reportedly sending to Tehran, how Russia has helped Iran rebuild its missile stockpile after the war, and why Trump is furious with Netanyahu over new strikes on Hezbollah just as this fragile deal comes together. Bryan also covers the growing US weapons shortage and how China's grip on rare earth minerals is complicating America's ability to rearm. Plus, conservative wins take shape in Peru and Colombia, Cuba makes a surprising pivot away from communist economic policy, the Tren de Aragua gang leader is killed in a US strike, new details emerge on ballot harvesting in Los Angeles, Elon Musk becomes the world's first trillionaire and Democrats react, Pennsylvania steelworkers get a major boost, diesel mechanics receive pardons, and a new study links low vitamin C to brain health in older adults. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32   Keywords: Wright Report, Bryan Dean Wright, Iran peace deal, Strait of Hormuz, Trump Iran memorandum, Netanyahu, Hezbollah, IRGC, Israel Iran ceasefire, Peru election Keiko Fujimori, Colombia Gustavo Petro, Cuba economic reform, Venezuela Tren de Aragua, China rare earth minerals, Elon Musk trillionaire, SpaceX, US Steel Pennsylvania, diesel mechanic pardons, Los Angeles ballot harvesting, Karen Bass, vitamin C brain health

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Michael Woodward.

Shannon Sharpe, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson and Iso Joe Johnson react to Diego Lopes beating Steve Garcia, Jalen Brunson took $113 pay cut for Knick, Dylan Harper not happy with role and Angel Reese gets into scuffle Subscribe to Nightcap presented by PrizePicks so you don’t miss out on any new drops! Download the PrizePicks app today and use code SHANNON to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/NI... 43:37 - Jalen Brunson left $113M on the table when he signed his contract extension with the Knicks48:00 - Devin Vassell said that Dylan Harper wasn’t happy with his playing time and certain role53:15 - Dream beat Tempo56:50 - Q & Ayyy (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements.) #ClubSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Detroit Lions Podcast hits minicamp week with Jeff Risdon on site Tuesday and Wednesday. Expect post-practice recaps later each day and a possible live show Wednesday if time and bandwidth cooperate. The focus is clear: identify real roles before the summer break, then reset for training camp in late July. O-line puzzle and the return game Juice Scruggs headlines the interior line watch. Left guard sits as the only unsettled starting spot, and Christian Mahogany is the early favorite. Scruggs will still be in the mix. He has NFL snaps, power in short spaces, and the mobility to reach. Hand placement has been inconsistent. The question this week is how he looks under Hank Fraley and where he ranks in the rotation. Ben Bartch remains a name to track as he works back from a Lisfranc injury. Greg Dortch steps into the wide receiver and special teams conversation. He profiles as WR4 and the first man up to handle punt and kick returns. He creates yards after the catch. He turns a quick swing into a chain-mover. Jeff wants to see his vision and acceleration up close, plus how he plays through contact and extends to win throws outside his frame. Dortch might be bigger in person than the listing suggests, another note to verify this week. Bubble battles: Meeks, Hassanein, and Turner Number 13 is no longer Craig Reynolds. It is Jackson Meeks, an undrafted wideout possibly sliding toward tight end duties. The staff will test whether he is a supersized receiver or a true hybrid. There is a depth need for that body type behind Isaac TeSlaa, and Kendrick Law is out for the year. Meeks draws fan buzz, but he still must prove it after practice-squad time last season. Ahmed Hassanin shares that spotlight. Both Meeks and Hassanein have supporters, yet their NFL evidence is limited to flashes. Meeks might have the cleaner path today. Hassanin's chances could hinge on Peyton Turner. If Turner is healthy and close to his first-round traits, he grabs a job. Marcus Davenport, despite his own injuries last season, mentored young players. Turner could fill that presence too, even if health becomes an issue. Mekhi Wingo's best position Mekhi Wingo needs a defined role. He is compact for the interior. The staff will test him as a heavy end or as an undersized three-tech. The goal is to find a lane that maximizes leverage and burst. With a crowded room, any clarity on his spot and place in the pecking order matters. LSU ties run deep on this staff, and the desire to unlock Wingo is real. Programming notes and NFL headlines Daily recap shows land later in the day during minicamp. A live Detroit Lions Podcast on Wednesday remains possible. Jeff also addressed two NFL items. Aldon Smith's passing at 36 is a sobering reminder that players carry real lives and real struggles. On the salary-cap front, void years are surging. Myles Garrett's deal includes eight void years. The Lions use void years often. Patrick Mahomes added four. It front-loads flexibility and pushes charges forward. Helpful now, potentially costly later. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #detroitlionsminicamp #juicescruggs #christianmahogany #gregdortch #puntreturner #yardsaftercatch #jacksonmeeks #ahmedhassanein #peytonturner #marcusdavenport #mekhiwingo #voidyears Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iranian media has confirmed that President Trump has reached a peace deal with what remains of the country's leadership. The move drew cheers from Trump's supporters, but fair-weather neoconservatives are furious. Can Trump keep Israel and Iran in line long enough to seal the deal? How will this impact the Middle East going forward? J. Burden joins me to discuss geopolitics as well as the Left's reaction to the America 250 celebration.   Follow on: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-auron-macintyre-show/id1657770114 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3S6z4LBs8Fi7COupy7YYuM?si=4d9662cb34d148af Substack: https://auronmacintyre.substack.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuronMacintyre Gab: https://gab.com/AuronMacIntyre YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/c/AuronMacIntyre Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-390155 Odysee: https://odysee.com/@AuronMacIntyre:f Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auronmacintyre/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the people you lost never really left?In this powerful and unexpectedly funny episode of Mindset Mastery Moments, Dr. Alisa Whyte sits down with Certified Psychic, Evidential, and Trance Medium Barbra Banner for a conversation about grief, spirit, purpose, and the signs we often dismiss as coincidence.Barbra shares how her spiritual awakening began during the pandemic with flying objects, flashing lights, mysterious orbs, and a clear push from Spirit that she could no longer ignore. After decades of volunteering in crisis environments, including women's crisis work, emergency room trauma support, and crisis response alongside police, Barbra realized her life had been preparing her to help grieving families in a deeper way.Together, Dr. Alisa and Barbra explore how mediumship can support healing, why laughter matters in grief, how loved ones may still communicate, and why being open to signs can shift pain into connection.This episode is spiritual, grounded, funny, and full of “you can't make this stuff up” moments.Listen now and open your mind to healing, connection, and a different way to look at loss.Exclusive Free Resources for ListenersExplore evidence-based research and holistic tools to help comfort your mind and soul after a loss:Free Spiritual Tools: Access free articles, free e-books, interviews, and free classes from decades-long spirituality pioneer Dr. Mark Pitstick at www.SoulProof.com.Connect with Barbra BannerOfficial Website: bannermedium.comInstagram: @bannermedium13TikTok: @barbrabanner13Facebook: Connect with Barbra"Our loved ones don't become silent when they leave their physical bodies; we just have to learn how to listen to a brand new language."Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Have you ever felt stuck in the same cycle, making the same mistakes, or carrying the same struggles no matter how hard you try to change? In week eight of our Acts series, Here for Good, Pastor Dwan Hill explores Peter’s message following the miraculous healing of a man who had never walked before. While the crowd focused on the miracle, Peter pointed them to something even deeper: the power of Jesus to heal what’s broken beneath the surface. Acts 3 reminds us that God created the world good, but sin has distorted what He intended. Left on our own, we often find ourselves trapped in cycles of striving, shame, and self-reliance. But through Jesus, there is another way. Peter’s invitation to “repent and turn to God” isn’t about punishment or guilt. It’s an invitation to freedom, refreshing, healing, and restoration. Whether you’re carrying hidden struggles, searching for a fresh start, or wondering if real change is possible, this message offers hope that God can meet you exactly where you are and begin transforming your life from the inside out. What is one area of your life where God may be inviting you to turn toward Him today? Share your thoughts in the comments below. If this message encouraged you, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs hope today. Join our Acts study: crosspoint.tv/acts

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Michael Woodward.

In this powerhouse episode of the Battleground America podcast, the hosts break down a massive wave of monumental headlines. First, we celebrate a historic milestone as a Reuters report confirms the United States has officially surpassed Saudi Arabia and Russia to become the world's number one oil exporter, reaching a record-breaking 10.5 million barrels per day. We look at how global shipping reroutes away from the Strait of Hormuz have hyper-charged our economy and sent the US dollar to a dominant 51.1% share of global transactions. Then, we dive into absolute outrage over the breaking election results from Los Angeles, exposing how progressive City Councilwoman Nithya Raman erased a massive lead to lock insurgent Republican Spencer Pratt out of the mayoral runoff. Finally, Senator Ron Johnson drops a massive COVID-19 bombshell on health data hidden by federal agencies, while the hosts contrast Elon Musk's historic wealth creation at SpaceX with the way the Left funnels taxpayer cash into corporate NGOs. Custom Labels Battleground America Podcast, US Oil Export Milestone, Energy Independence, Strait of Hormuz, LA Mayoral Primary, Spencer Pratt Campaign, Mail-In Ballot Controversy, Senator Ron Johnson, COVID Data Scandal, SpaceX IPO Millionaires

In this comprehensive, blockbuster compilation of the day's transcripts from the Battleground America podcast, the hosts break down the massive forces colliding across the country. First, we celebrate an monumental economic victory as the United States officially eclipses Saudi Arabia and Russia to become the world's number one oil exporter at a record-shattering 10.5 million barrels per day—driving world transactions to a historic 51.1% petrodollar dominance and sparking a massive domestic economic boom. Then, the gloves come off. The host tears into the establishment political machine, slamming the newly brokered Trump-Iran peace deal as "pallets of cash" for unlocking $25 billion in frozen assets. We then expose the intense political theater surrounding the federal SAVE Act after Mitch McConnell blocked voter integrity measures from his hospital bed. Turning to local battlegrounds, we unpack the absolute outrage over the Los Angeles mayoral primary after progressive Nithya Raman erased a 40,000-vote deficit to edge out populist outsider Spencer Pratt from the runoff. Finally, we expose a terrifying COVID-19 medical bombshell as Senator Ron Johnson reveals documented evidence of hidden vaccine adverse events buried by federal agencies, contrasting genuine wealth creation against the Left's network of corrupt corporate NGOs. Battleground America, US Oil Export Record, Energy Independence, Petrodollar Dominance, Iran Peace Deal Controversy, SAVE Act Vote, LA Mayoral Primary, Spencer Pratt Campaign, Senator Ron Johnson, COVID Data Scandal

In this packed episode of the Battleground America podcast, the host targets the biggest stories shaping the nation. First, we dive into a striking new Harvard Harris poll showing that 71% of Democrat voters now back deporting criminal illegal immigrants, proving a major base revolt over border safety following the DHS shutdown backfired and handed a massive $70 billion enforcement victory to Republicans. Next, we break down the high-stakes political theater surrounding the SAVE Act after Mitch McConnell and a handful of Republicans blocked it, while exposing why a clean version of the election integrity bill still has a real fighting chance. We celebrate a historic financial milestone as Elon Musk reaches paper trillionaire status after listing SpaceX on the NYSE, creating thousands of working-class millionaires while completely outmaneuvering the Left's targeted legal onslaught. Finally, the host recounts a close call at Greenville's Haywood Mall, demanding a heavy crackdown on local crime and a surge in visible security after a terrifying shootout involving a 17-year-old suspect. Battleground America Podcast, Harvard Harris Poll, Voter Realignment, SAVE Act Senate Vote, Mitch McConnell Hospitalization, Elon Musk Trillionaire, SpaceX NYSE IPO, Haywood Mall Shooting, Greenville Crime Crackdown, Border Security Fundin

Josh opens the show by breaking down the latest reports surrounding a potential Iran deal. What do we actually know, what remains unclear, and why hasn't the public seen the text of the agreement? Josh examines the information being released by Iran, raises concerns about what may be included in the deal, and explains why Americans should be demanding more transparency before celebrating any diplomatic breakthrough. Later, Josh is joined by Rebeccah Heinrichs, Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, to discuss what she's hearing about the proposed agreement and why caution is warranted as negotiations appear to be moving forward. Heinrichs shares her analysis of the strategic implications for the United States, Iran, and the broader Middle East. Josh also takes on the Left's latest attempt at counter-programming following last night's MMA event at the White House. He explains why he believes the effort fell flat, failed to connect with everyday Americans, and serves as another example of Democrats misunderstanding the issues and cultural moments that resonate with voters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do we have this hour? A whole lotta me, and I'm going to do what I always do which is to entertain you with the stupid idiocy of the Left.Elon Musk…richest man in the world.He's approaching King Solomon's wealth. The Bible states Solomon received 666 talents of gold per year (roughly 25 tons). At current gold prices, this equates to $1–1.6 billion annually in gold alone (older estimates used lower prices like $240 million–$1.1 billion). biblestudy.org Reign length: Over 40 years, plus additional revenues from trade (e.g., ships returning every three years with gold, ivory, etc.), tributes from vassal states, taxes from districts, and gifts (like from the Queen of Sheba). Total wealth: Factoring in accumulated reserves, control of trade routes, vast building projects (Temple and palace), and the kingdom's overall economy, sources converge on ~$2.1–2.2 trillion as a common figure. Some range it to $2–3 trillion. vocal.mediaAnother segment where I show you Leftism at work, which means it fails. That was a trick. Leftists don't work, Silly!Leftism is LA-ZY!Trump is the KING of workarounds. Democrats try their skullduggery, and Trump kick ‘em where it hurts.How frustrating it is for Democrats to try so hard to stop Trump and he just gets more powerful!I see why they are INSANE and want to attack anything MAGA.Have you seen MAGA people fighting back? Literally knocking Leftists out.ALL OVER THE WORLD.The world is getting Trumpified!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Let's take a breath and examine the exquisite contradictions of the modern Left. These are the people warning that your carbon footprint will murder the planet in a slow apocalyptic bake. The same ones who unleashed a virus, weaponized the panic, and turned it into the perfect mechanism for election interference and pharmaceutical windfalls. Precision timing, wasn't it? ICE just pulled 700,000 violent criminals off American streets. Actual predators with rap sheets longer than most congressional careers. Democrats' response? Defund the agency immediately. Because apparently the real public safety threat is the people removing the threats. They came within striking distance of nominating an actual Nazi for Senate in Maine. Not hyperbole, not online slang — the real article. Yet we're still lectured daily about which side endangers democracy. In Los Angeles, the mayor's race looks like it was decided with the same creative bookkeeping that defines their national playbook. The frontrunner presided over burning streets and an exploding homelessness crisis she swore she would fix. Now Spencer Pratt claims he's holding audio receipts that could expose the entire operation. Democrats treat clean elections the way vampires treat sunlight — they'll do anything to keep it away. Cheating isn't a tactic for them. It's the default setting. And the Trump contortions remain comedy gold. The man who struck Iran's nuclear ambitions, collapsed their economy, and left them economically gasping is now portrayed as some kind of reckless warmonger desperate to “pay them off” to end a conflict that isn't even officially a war. The mental yoga required to sell that story should qualify for the Olympics. They shrug at systemic welfare fraud that drains billions, but the sight of a self-made trillionaire sends them into convulsions. A man who generated that wealth by building products people voluntarily buy — no coercion, no subsidies, no mandates. That offends their sensibilities more than endless dependency schemes. So instead of acknowledging human achievement, they pivot straight to outrage theater. The world's first trillionaire deserves fireworks. They're delivering eulogies and pitchforks. This and plenty more on today's show. So here are the questions worth asking out loud: How does a political faction simultaneously fear productive billionaires and coddle career criminals? When did preventing fair elections become their most consistent skill set? And if innovation and voluntary exchange trigger them more than chaos and dependency, what exactly are they conserving — because it clearly isn't progress? Lines are open. Let's hear it.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Get the GovClose Certification: https://www.govclose.com/sales-certification Our students learn the government contracting skills to :1. Start their own consulting business that can earn up to $400k as a "solopreneur" advising businesses that sell to the government.2. Land high paying sales executive jobs with companies in the public sector.3. Increase government contracting revenue for companies selling to the US government.Watch: The rise of solo consultants and why it pays so well https://youtu.be/rTfC3ug9XusChapters00:00 How $115K in Air Force Gear Led to Government Contracts00:36 From Air Force Special Ops to Government Contracting02:03 Landing Paid Government Contracting Consulting Clients04:31 The $115K Gear Question That Started Everything05:45 Will AI Replace Government Contracting Jobs?07:45 The Biggest Problem in Government Contracting08:33 Best Ways to Make Money in Government Contracting09:49 Why Companies Need Government Contracting Consultants11:47 Why Government Contracting Is Hard but Lucrative13:15 Building a GovCon Consulting Business14:09 RFPeasy and the Future of GovCon Software15:45 $50K a Month From Government Contracting Software?17:42 Government Contracting Scams to Avoid19:46 What Companies Should Pay GovCon Consultants For20:11 How to Spot Fake Government Contracting Experts22:12 RFP Writing and Client Transparency Problems24:21 RFPeasy Demo: AI Tools for Government Contractors27:21 What Federal Sales Teams Need to Win Contracts29:45 Building a Federal Sales Roadmap31:39 Using USAspending Data for Capture Strategy35:24 Reading Federal Market Data the Right Way36:39 Finding Top Contracting Offices in USAspending38:37 Onboarding GovCon Clients Faster39:45 Finding RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, and SBIR Opportunities41:12 Contracting Officer Search and Outreach Warnings44:21 Exporting GovCon Lead Lists45:00 Capability Statement Text for Federal Opportunities46:45 Pipeline Tracking for Government Contracts48:00 AI Proposal Writing for RFPs and RFIs49:30 Why Human Review Still Matters With AI Proposals50:33 RFPeasy Security, FAR Helper, and MVP Features51:33 How to Try RFPeasy.app52:18 GOVCLOSE50 Discount Code and Closing— — — — —RFP EASY PODCAST LISTENER OFFERUse code GOVCLOSE50 and get your first month free.Redeem at https://rfpeasy.app — offer active through July 31, 2026.— — — — —Built by Dakota Ward, U.S. Air Force Combat Controller veteran and founder of Gov Access Solutions LLC.Start now → https://rfpeasy.appABOUT RICK HOWARDRick Howard is a retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel and former DoD acquisitions officer who managed over $82 billion in federal contracts. He is the founder of GovClose and the DoD Contract Academy, with 400+ graduates working as government contract consultants, federal account executives, and business owners winning federal contracts.--Connect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govclose/

In this episode of Shit Platypus Says, members Laurie R, Cam H, and Ethan L dig into the archives for a wide-ranging conversation on Cuba. Together, they trace Cuba's historical role in the socialist imagination and ask what the latest crisis means in the shadow of the twentieth century. Their discussion is interspersed with highlights from an interview members Ben K. and Mohammad H. conducted with Steve Eckardt of the Chicago Cuba Coalition. Listen for a reflective conversation on whether, and how, Cuba still matters for anyone trying to think seriously about the past, present, and future of the Left. ----- Links: Fidel Castro, “The Universal Conscience,” speech to the Cultural Congress of Havana, January 1968, in The New Left Reader, ed. Carl Oglesby (New York: Grove Press, 1969), 186–206. Ethan Linehan, “The revolution marooned: Cuba and the Left,” in Platypus Review 114 (March 2019) https://platypus1917.org/2019/03/02/the-revolution-marooned-cuba-and-the-left/ 
C.D. Hardy, “Cuba and Trotskyism's breakdown,” in Platypus Review 116 (May 2019) https://platypus1917.org/2019/05/01/cuba-and-trotskyisms-breakdown/ Joseph Hansen, "Cuba- The Acid Test: A Reply to the Ultra-Left Sectarians" https://www.marxists.org/archive/hansen/1962/11/acidtest.htm Tom Kerry, "Anatomy of Stalinism" (1972) Kerry's remarks about Cuba are in the Q&A, which is not included in the published Education for Socialists pamphlet (pdf below), but audio is available online, link below in three parts. https://www.marxists.org/history/etol/document/swp-us/education/anatomy-of-stalinism.pdf Audio, part 1:https://marxists.architexturez.net/history/etol/audio/kerry/The%20Anatomy%20of%20Stalinism%20Part%201.mp3 Audio, part 2: https://marxists.architexturez.net/history/etol/audio/kerry/The%20Anatomy%20of%20Stalinism%20Part%202.mp3 Audio, part 3: https://marxists.architexturez.net/history/etol/audio/kerry/The%20Anatomy%20of%20Stalinism%20Part%203.mp3 C. Wright Mills, Listen, Yankee! (1960) https://archive.org/details/listenyankeerevo0000mill

Have you ever walked into a room and completely forgotten why you were there? Do you constantly find yourself trying to remember where you put your keys? Since Brian's unexpected passing in January, Adrienne has found herself forgetting appointments, losing her train of thought mid-sentence, rereading emails multiple times, and wondering if something was actually wrong with her. As it turns out, she's not alone.In this episode, Adrienne explores the very real experience often called widow brain or grief brain—the memory lapses, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and decision fatigue that so many people experience after a major loss.She shares her own struggles navigating grief, probate, finances, parenting, and everyday life while trying to function with what sometimes feels like 97 browser tabs open at once.Along the way, she explores cognitive overload and what has helped her cope. Learning that forgetting things may not be a sign that you're failing—it may be a sign that your brain is working overtime to adapt to a life you never expected.If you've ever wondered why grief makes even simple tasks feel harder, this conversation is for you.Because sometimes healing looks a lot less like moving on and a lot more like walking back into the room to remember why you went there in the first place.Send us Fan MailFor those who have reached out asking how to support Adrienne and her family during this time, click here to donate. There is absolutely no expectation—just sincere gratitude.We Didn't Plan For This Special SeriesThis series exists because so many of you reached out and said, “I didn't plan for this either.”If you've gone through a diagnosis, a loss, a life change, a career shift, a divorce, becoming a caregiver, moving, starting over — we want to hear your story.You don't have to have it figured out. You just have to be willing to share honestly.How Yoga Changed My Life a PodcastSend Us Your Stories!If you have a story about how yoga, meditation, breath work, journaling, or movement changed your life, we want to hear from you! These podcasts are really about the same thing — how people move through the seasons of life they didn't plan for, and what helps them along the way.If you'd like to be on the show or share your story:  Fill out our guest form or email us at yogachanged@gmail.com Follow us on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@yogachanged...

Hop into the Way Back Machine as this week on GENZ/X™, JM & Braxton take us to 1983 and 2009! First up, the 1983 cautionary tale War Games starring Matthew Broderick, Ally Sheedy, and Dabney Coleman. Braxton takes us to a controversial choice: X-Men Origins: Wolverine from 2009 as a great movie starring Hugh Jackman, […] The post 011 GENZ/X | Would You Like To Play A SNIKT! appeared first on The LEFT Show.

In this episode of The Knight Report podcast, hosts Mike Broadbent, Richie O'Leary, and Alec Crouthamel react to Rutgers Football landing a commit from 2027 wide receiver Isaiah Alvarez from Don Bosco Prep. After that, the guys talk about what else is left for the Scarlet Knights in the 2027 class. 0:00 – Intro & Today's Topics 2:00 – Isaiah Alvarez: Who Rutgers Beat Out 5:00 – Don Bosco Pipeline & Dave Brock's Track Record 8:00 – Alvarez Film Review & Slot Role Projection 11:30 – Commitment Ceremony: Sights & Scenes with Alec 17:00 – Receiver Recruiting Update: Jonathan Dillon & Others 26:00 – Freshman Wide Receivers: Early Playing Time Outlook 28:30 – 2029 QB Offers: Walker Snee & Justin Merriman 32:00 – 2027 QB Recruiting Update 34:30 – Tyler Younger Update: Alabama Emerges 37:30 – Terrance Smith Decision Day: SEC Frontrunner 40:00 – Remaining DT Targets: Burch & Augustin 42:00 – Senegal World Cup Training Site Experience 46:00 – Rutgers Turf Program & World Cup Connection 49:00 – Netflix Filming at SHI Stadium 52:00 – Dallas Ward Update: Rutgers vs. Michigan State vs. Minnesota 55:00 – Jeremiah Joseph Boston College Visit Controversy 59:00 – Basketball Summer Practices Begin Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

He is getting ghosted and we try to get the answers for him and to why he was 'left on read'. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What to even say about this episode …. It is everything that makes TVDU incredible, from an iconic ship to a devastating character death, all with an unexpected family member reveal in between. This episode made us sick to our stomachs!!!Remember to rate, review, and share, brothers!Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @doppelgangerspodcast!

Health Update: Still fighting this stomach bug. Starting to feel better. I will return next week. I wanted to play a reloaded episode of one of my favorite intros. Ben writes "Well I finally got up the nerves to send this, back in 2015 I was a Jr in high school. My buddy had called me to see if I wanted to hangout and see his new toy. The toy was a Jeep Wrangler YJ that was abandoned. Even more interesting it was abandoned by a gentlemen that later that same year went to his friends house and shot him. He had some issues I guess. So whilst we went out there we swapped from my brothers truck to mine and proceeded to meet them in the woods. So this is Sweden Maine where he found this. Kinda middle of nowhere. So we get to the Jeep and my friend and my brothers friend go out in the Jeep, leaving my brother and I with my pickup in this clearing. We noticed it was very quiet where we were. Right about then is when a gum ball sized rock landed between us. We looked at each other and played it off. Both kinda bothered we agreed to go towards the entry of the trail to get out of there. (Guess it felt safer) well when we got a little further down the trailer my brother pulled over. (He always drove) it was getting dark probably like 6:30-7pm in May. When I jumped out I looked at this tree too admiring the sky. I saw an entire flock of birds fly out of this tree. I proceeded to slowly drop my head looking down the tree the whole time. When I got to the middle of the tree is when I saw something. I saw a figure in the woods. Left arm and leg obscured by the tree looked as if it's left palm was against the tree. It was rocking slightly, it had a long arm that I could see on its right side and a big build. I couldn't see the feet but the head, shoulder, torso, and leg all on the left was clearly visible (as a silhouette). It was rocking slightly left to right and could see it breather. I looked at my brother and he was frozen looking at it. I asked him "what is that?" He only responded with "get in the truck" I looked back and it was still standing there swaying. I looked back at my brother and said again "what the f— is that?" To which my brother responded with "get in the f—— truck." My door was still open so I kinda dove backwards into it. My brother quickly had it started and the clutch already out and fishtailing away. I couldn't bring myself to look backwards. But we were spooked. There was an interesting situation with a set of lights behind us upon our escape but I'm not sure what to make of it. We called the friends that we were leaving so they either had to ditch the Jeep or drive it back to his house. Oddly they too sounded distressed. But they agreed to meet on the trail. We flew back down the trail driving way faster than anyone should. We came up to them and they stuffed the Jeep in the woods. What caught my attention next was they ran and I mean RAN to my truck, keeping a hand on my hood the whole time. I slid up against my brother so to make room for them. It was a regular cab. We drove out of there and my brother and I not wanting to get played asked them why they were so worked up. They stated to us the they had gotten stuck for a moment and whilst working it out of the mud something slapped the side of the Jeep and rocked it side to side. It was too dark for them to see anything under the heavy tree canopy and the night setting in more. It certainly was a wild time. Only other thing was some vocalizations the year prior that sounded exactly like the other howl captured in Maine. That's my story Wes thanks for doing what you do."

Is the Democratic Party collapsing under the weight of anti-Semitism, open-border policies, identity politics, and the abandonment of working-class voters? Or is something even bigger happening beneath the surface? Batya Ungar-Sargon joins Jillian Michaels for one of the most explosive conversations of the year. From the growing divide inside MAGA to the civil war tearing apart the Left, Batya exposes the political realignment nobody in the mainstream media wants to talk about. Why are Black voters abandoning Democrats? Why are former liberals sounding the alarm? And why are Americans increasingly rejecting the political establishment on both sides? Plus: Trump's biggest test yet. Will the Iran crisis end in peace, regime change, or a wider war? What happens if Trump's strategy succeeds—and what happens if it fails? Batya also breaks down the shocking alliance forming between the woke right and the woke left, the Israel-Gaza debate consuming American politics, the controversies surrounding Sam Harris and Megyn Kelly, and the argument at the center of her explosive new book. And looking ahead to 2026 and beyond: Could the midterms become a political bloodbath? Is the future of the Republican Party JD Vance or Marco Rubio? Is the Democratic Party headed toward Gavin Newsom, AOC, or something even more radical? The answers may surprise you. Listen until the end. #JillianMichaels #BatyaUngarSargon #MAGA #Trump #Iran #Israel #2026Midterms Chapters 00:00 - Intro 00:33 - Trump's Iran Crisis Deepens 01:12 - Graham Platner Controversy 02:06 - Dangerous Debates 04:06 - The Ultimate Political Realignment 05:21 - Ana Kasparian = Nick Fuentes 07:02 - Sam Harris Wakes Up 08:42 - Democratic Party Implosion Looming 09:41 - Ditching Wokeism Forever 11:47 - Yale Study Shatters Matrix 14:16 - California Municipal Meltdown Escalates 15:19 - Black Voters Fleeing Democrats 18:06 - Immigration Exploitation Exposed 20:08 - Trump's Populist Coalition Surges 21:52 - Megyn Kelly Changes Teams? 23:30 - Elite Identity Politics Fails 28:09 - MAGA Civil War Explodes 31:13 - The Influencer Exodus Trajectory 34:06 - America's Looming Economic Crash 38:56 - Working-Class Voters Betrayed 41:13 - Corporate Media Attacks 44:40 - 2026 Midterm Predictions 46:57 - Anti-Zionism Infiltrates Mainstream Left 51:56 - Israel-Gaza Money 54:43 - Hidden Global Genocides Ignored 56:30 - The Dangerous Putin Myth 57:29 - Tucker Carlson Controversy Shockwaves 59:18 - Marco Rubio Momentum 59:48 - Gavin Newsom Threat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices