Podcasts about lighten

Welcome back to Dial Emma! Each week, I'll be answering your dilemmas with honesty, empathy, and a few therapeutic truth bombs to help you make sense of life's stickiest moments. If you've ever wished you had a therapist in your back pocket, Dial Emma is here to help.Our dilemma this week comes from a listener who is navigating a lifelong struggle with weight and self-acceptance. After years of dieting without lasting success, she finally found hope through weight-loss injections - but when she had to stop due to the cost, the weight, and the shame that comes with it, returned. Now, she finds herself caught between the pressure to start the medication again and the desire to accept herself as she is.To help me respond to our lovely listener and provide some much needed scientific insight, I'm delighted to be joined by Dr. Fredrik Nyström, professor of medicine at Linköping University in Sweden and author of Lighten the Load on Your Shoulders. Fredrik has spent more than 30 years working within endocrinology and studying hormone-producing glands and organs, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes.Fredrik and I explore the complexities of weight management, the societal pressures that often influence our relationship with food and appearance, and the psychological impacts of dieting. We also discuss the role of GLP-1 agonists in weight loss, the importance of self-acceptance in a world filled with conflicting messages about body image, and the power of challenging societal norms and embracing personal choices when it comes to our health and wellbeing.If you have a dilemma for Emma, please fill out this form. ---Dial Emma is hosted by Emma Reed Turrell, produced by Lauren Brook.---Social media:Emma Reed Turrell @emmareedturrellDial Emma @dialemmapodcastEmail: contact@dial-emma.uk

In this episode of Tea with Self, I share how a quiet week of decluttering became an unexpected act of homecoming. What started as clearing a few cupboards turned into a gentle ritual of release, of making space not just in my home, but within myself. Through letting go of what no longer serves, donating what can bless someone else, and even cleansing my home with sage and Palo Santo, I discovered that decluttering isn't really about tidiness, it's about energy, clarity, and coming back to centre. If you've been feeling disconnected or overwhelmed, this episode is your invitation to begin again, one drawer, one shelf, one soft breath at a time. Because sometimes, the path back to yourself begins with a single cleared space. For reflections and free resources, visit Kiransinghuk.com and explore my Digital Library. For more personal musings, join me on Substack at Midlife by Design: Curating Your Next Chapter.

Introduction: We're Not Putting on a Show (1 Corinthians 2:1–5) Because the show will replace God's MESSAGE. (1 Cor 2:1–2) John 17:17 – Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. Because the show will replace God's METHODS. (1 Cor 2:3–4) Because the show will replace God's MISSION. (1 Cor 2:5) Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Small Group DiscussionRead 1 Corinthians 2:1-5What was your big take-away from this passage / message?What are some ways you have seen a church make the Gospel into a show / performance?Why does God prefer to work through weak people instead of strong & talented people (1 Cor 2:3-4)?How can you tell if a “good preacher” is a real Spirit-filled preacher, or a talented man just using his own gifts?BreakoutPray for one another. AUDIO TRANSCRIPT Open those Bibles up to the book of 1 Corinthians. We're going to be in chapter 2.Let's just pause for a moment.And I'm going to ask that you would please pray for me to be faithful to communicate God's Word accurately and clearly.I will pray for you to have a heart open to receive what God said in His Word.Alright? Let's pray.Father, there are so many things that compete for our attention and devotion.Give us a hunger for your Word, because it is through your Word that we know you.So I pray, Father, that our appetites would be for nothing but the bread of your Word.Let us dial into what your teaching is here in this passage, Father. We pray in Jesus' name.Amen.Amen.1 Corinthians chapter 2, are you there?I was today years old when I learned what that phrase meant.How many people have heard that? I was today years old. How many have heard that one? How many of you used that?Some of you are like, I don't know what you're talking about. Well, maybe you're not hip like Justin Cady,knowing all the vernacular of the children.But let me give you an example. I was today years old when I learned that on a box of tic-tacs,do you know when you open it up, there's this little oval in here? Do you know what that's for?That is to serve the tic-tac. Did you know that?Have you been just eating your tic-tac straight from the box like a wolf?Did you know that you're supposed to use this thing to...Ta-da!Maybe you can flick it in your mouth.Never mind.I'm going to give you, in all seriousness, the biggest and most shocking thing.The whole phrase I was today years old means there's something I should have known.I'm just finding out this thing that I should have known my whole life and wow, it changes everything.Well, here's the biggest one of all time.Did you know that you have the ability to take power out of the cross of Jesus Christ?Did you know that? You might be leaving here today saying I was today years old when I learned.I can empty the cross of Jesus Christ of its power. Do you realize you have that ability?The Bible says we do have that ability. Look back at chapter 1 verse 17.We covered this a couple of weeks ago, but very briefly because I knew we would be hitting it hard this week.But chapter 1 verse 17, Paul says, "For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel,and not with words of eloquent wisdom lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power."What? I can take power away from the cross of Christ? That's what he said.How can I take power away from the cross? How can I empty the cross of Christ of power?He tells us right here in verse 17 by relying on eloquent wisdom.Look at chapter 2. We're going to look at the first five verses, but I want us to read it all first.I want us to be very clear what the Lord is saying here.Paul says through inspiration of the Holy Spirit, "And when I came to you, brothers,did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were notimplausible words of wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."See a theme there? Over and over and over he's talking about wisdom.And you're like, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, hang on, hang on, timeout Pastor Jeff, hang on."I thought wisdom was a good thing, right?And we've had whole sermon series on wisdom and there's books in the Bible called wisdom literature.I thought wisdom was a good thing. Why are we poo-pooing wisdom here today, Pastor Jeff?Well, wisdom is one of those words that can have different connotations depending on the context.A lot of words like that, right? Like the word aggressive.Is that a good word or a bad word?Well, depends on where we're using it, right? It's great if you're playing hockey.It's bad if you're in a meeting. See?Or how about the word judge? You hear that word judge, is judging good or bad?Well, depends how you use it. We are commanded to judge to discern.But we are forbidden to judge in the sense of criticizing people like we talked about in the sermon on the Mount.So you see, judge is bad or good depending on the context. And it's the same with wisdom.Because the Bible is clear there is God's wisdom and there is man's wisdom.And the obvious point of this passage, all circles around this idea of not man's worldly, earthly wisdom.That's the point. He says it in verse 1. He says it in verse 4. He says it in verse 5.So to sum up this passage, here's what Paul is saying.He's saying, "I didn't come proclaiming man's wisdom. My message was not in man's wisdom and your faith can't be in man's wisdom."You're like, "What's he saying? What's the problem here? Why is he so adamant about this?"Well, you have to understand something about the Greeks.You have to understand something about the people that lived in Corinth.You see, for them, public speaking was entertainment and competition.Now please dial in here, because if you miss this, you're going to be so confused as we go through these verses.Public speaking was entertainment and competition.They would actually compete for money and prizes and fame with public speaking.So for the Greeks, those in Corinth, public speaking was putting on a show.Public speaking was a performance.Remember, they didn't have TV.They weren't sitting down to entertaining themselves by watching the Judge Judy or whatever.They didn't have the internet where they would sit on their phone and death scroll through countless videos about cats.That's not how they were entertained.They were entertained in the Greek culture by two things, really.Sports, we get that, right? But their other form of entertainment was public speech.And public speech, listen, public speech was evaluated on eloquence.We get that, because how many countless TV programs do we have about judging talent?Right? The Americans got talent and American Idol and The Voice, The Mass Singer, what else is there?All these shows where, you know, so you think you can dance, we're constantly evaluating the talent level of people on these programs.Public speaking was that in Corinth.Now, do you see the issue?Paul came to them with a speech, the Gospel.He came to them with a speech and he came to a culture that evaluates a speech based on the performance of the performer.So if you look at this passage again, I'm going to look at it again, just abbreviating it, but you could substitute this phrase where it talks about wisdom.You could substitute putting on a show. That's what he was talking about here.Paul's saying, "When I came to you, brothers, I did not come proclaiming you the testimony of God by putting on a show."And then down in verse 4, "My speech and my message was not about putting on a show."And then in verse 5, "Your faith might not rest in the show, but the power of God."You see? That was the issue for that culture.And you're like, "Phew! Stinks for that culture because I get a... You know what, Pastor Jeff, it would be absolutely horrible.I mean, that would be terrible if people today turned the Gospel into our show.I mean, could you imagine how tacky it would be if people made church a performance?We don't have to stretch our imagination, do we?What do you see when you go to a lot of churches and Bible conferences, right?Fog machines and lights and how about a man pole dancing and swallowing swords?That happened at a men's conference.And oh, every spring I gag as I see churches promoting this summer at such and such church, summer at the movies.Life lessons according to Toy Story 2.I'm like, "Really? You've preached through the whole Bible and you're out of material and now we're turning to Pixar.Really?We made it into a show.Come to our church. We're dropping Easter eggs out of a helicopter.Oh, you know what the worst is. This could be... And this is personal opinion. This is the worst.The pastors that get on stage dressed up like a character.Have you seen this? Have you seen this nonsense?Pastor Taylor sent me a video for the record making fun of it.He sent me a video of a pastor that got on stage and their whole thing was Indiana Jones.And look, I love Indiana Jones, but the pastor was dressed like Indiana Jones.It was so stupid. He had a whip and he's just standing up there.It was so foolish.I have a... Noa guy who's a pastor, local-ish.We're talking about what's happening in church, what's going on in your ministry right now.And he went on and on and on bragging. He bought an evil-can-evil costume and preached as evil-can-evil.I'm like, "Great. Did you have to spend 20 minutes explaining to the people under 60 who evil-can-evil is?"Like, "Really? That's church?"What are we doing?If you sit these people down that are putting on these performances, these pastors,that are putting on these performances, like, "Why are you doing this?Why are you standing on stage waving a silly whip around like Indiana Jones? What are you doing?"They would say, "Well, that's how I get people to church.""Hey, no need to thank me, Jesus. I have a brilliant plan to fill the seats."And just as sad, churchgoers applaud these gimmicks because they get attention, right?That's why we're sharing these videos. They get attention.Oh, but then we get out to do each other, don't we?He dressed like Indiana Jones next week, harvest."You come to church next week. I'm going to be dressed as Darth Vader."[sighs]Your faith is weak.Won't that be awesome?You're like, "No, Pastor Jeff, that would be stupid."And you're right.We're going to top the other guy, and then we're going to top ourselves, right?Okay, so my thing with Darth Vader, people are clapping and giggling for that.So what am I going to do next week that's better than that, right?Just like one of those Lord of the Ring elves or something, and we'll blast fireworks on stage.What are we doing?This is exactly what Paul's talking about here.This is the principle. Lofty speech, human wisdom, plausible words.It's making the gospel into a show in order to win people.Paul says, "I didn't do that when I came to you in the Harvest Bible Chapel.We're not doing that either."And somebody right now is like, "Oh, Pastor Jeff, come on, what's the big deal?"Lighten up.I mean, if it draws people to church,why wouldn't we apply a little worldly wisdom?Listen, we are not putting on a show.We are not putting on a show.That is a hill that I will die on.You're like, "Well, what's the issue?"Well, let's revisit the text here, and we're going to see it's a much bigger issue than you think.We're not putting on a show.Write some things down. Number one, because the show will replace God's message.That's why the show, the show will replace God's message.Look at the first two verses again.Paul says, "And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to youthe testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom, for I decided to know nothing among you."Except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."When I came to you, you can revisit this story."Acts chapter 17, Paul was in Athens and he preached and responds, "Not so great."Then Acts chapter 18, he goes to Corinth.He's alone and he's looking around and he's like, "This place is even worse than Athens."And Paul here is saying, "So when I came to you, did I come with the fancy talk?Did I come like your public speakers putting on a show for you?"He's like, "No, no, no, no, the Gospel isn't about that.I didn't come to you like one of your philosophers.I came to you as a witness of Jesus Christ."And I love this.What is it?He says, "For I decided."It wasn't a whim.It wasn't one of those tweak and go things, last minute change.He goes, "No, no, no, no, no.I made the decision ahead of time that I'm not going into Corinth and I'm not going to try to dazzle them into the kingdom."By the way, do you think Paul could have?Do you think he had the ability to dazzle people with the knowledge that he had?Yeah, he could have.He said, "I will not do that."So what was your plan, Paul?He tells us this was my plan, verse 2, "For I decided to know nothing among you."Except what?Say it.Jesus Christ and say it.Him crucified.That's it.That's all I wanted to know.That's it.The only thing I wanted to know.The only thing I wanted to teach.The only thing I wanted to talk about was Jesus Christ and Him crucified.You're like, "Oh, time out question.Isn't there more to the Bible than that?"I mean, isn't there more to the Bible than that?Nope, there's not.Listen, the cross of Jesus Christ is literally everything.Everything.How is it that a person is saved?How is it that a person can have their sins taken away and the promise of being in glory with their God forever?How does that happen?The cross of Jesus Christ.How do we know that God loves us?How do we know that the God who created us has a love and compassion and He really cares for us?How do we know?The cross of Jesus Christ.How do we know that God is holy, that God is a God of justice?How do we know that God always upholds His Word, always does what He says?How do we know that?The cross of Jesus Christ.How does God feel about sin?How does God feel about our rebellion, our thumbing, our noses at Him and our...How does God feel about our sin?Where do we get our answer? Shout it out.That was the weakest shout it out I've ever heard.Come on, you can even hit the Sunday School Answer here.How do we know how God feels about sin?Where do we look? Tell me.The cross!That tells us.You know, I was really hitting this this week, hard thinking,is there anything that's not finding its foundation in the cross?I couldn't think of anything.And somebody's like, well, how about money?How about money, Pastor Jeff?Does the cross speak to money?Yeah, it does.Why do we give?Because God is a God who expresses His love through giving.And the cross of Jesus Christ tells us why we should be generous givers.Read 2 Corinthians chapter 8.He talks all about that there.So yes, the cross is a foundation even for giving.Oh, okay, okay, Pastor Jeff.Very slick.What about marriage and sexuality?I bet the cross doesn't talk about that.Oh, you got me. No, you didn't.Who did Jesus die for?His bride.Jesus died so that He could have a bride that was spallus.And heaven is described as the marriage supper of the Lamb.And husbands are to conduct themselves in a home in the pattern of Christbecause the purpose of a marriage is to put on a graphic displayof the relationship Jesus has with the church.Husbands represent the self-sacrificing love of Jesus Christ to their wives.Do you see how the cross speaks to marriage?We could do this all day.Fight me.Fight me.Show me something.Show me something that the cross of Jesus Christ doesn't cover.Doesn't explain.Paul says, "I wanted to know nothing.I decided I'm not going to know anything except Christ and Him crucified."Then I'm going to tell you, church,it is absolutely baffling to me when I see all these goofy gimmicks that people are doing in churches.It's absolutely baffling to me when we're dressed up like Indiana Jonesor Evil Can Evil or Super Mario or whatever.It's absolutely baffling to me.I'm like, do you realize the message that we have in the Word of God?Do you know what this message is?The message is God spoke everything into existence.He created us in His image.We rebelled against Him so God in His love came to this earth as a manand demonstrated supernatural abilities proving who He was.And then in the ultimate act of love, He sacrificed Himself on the crossso that we could be forgiven and then they put Him in a tomb and He rose from the dead.And that's not it.Then He flies to heaven and He's making a place because He's going to come backand He's going to take us so that we can be there with Him forever in a place that's so glorious.And like, is there anything better than that?There's the greatest message in the world.And somehow we think it needs bling.We think we need some kind of a gimmick to make Jesus exciting.What are you talking about?That's Paul's point here.It's the greatest message and it always will be in any attempt to put on a show.It's not going to enhance the gospel. It's going to replace the gospel.You know what I mean by that?Take our good friend Indiana Jones.I hope you weren't in that service.But if you were, could you imagine what people were talking aboutwhen they walked out of church that day?Do you think they walked out of church going, you know,after watching the pastor get around and waving his silly little whip around?Do you think people walked out of church going, Jesus Christ is so awesome?Do you think they walked out of church going, oh how wonderful the salvation of Godthat He would so love us?I'll tell you what people said walking out of that church.People walked out going, man I got to find my temple of doom VHS.We've replaced the message of how to be safe from hell with nonsense to entertain people.Well, at harvest Bible Chapel, Bible is our middle name.We are committed to pillar number one, proclaiming the authority of God's word without apology.Why are we so committed to nothing but expository preaching, representing the word?Why are we so committed to that?Like why are you so hard-nosed about that?I'll give you three reasons why.Number one, because it's commanded.God said this is what we were to talk about.So that's what we're going to talk about.It's commanded.Second reason that we're so committed to the word of God is it's literally the only thing that's effective.God said He is watching over His word to perform in Jeremiah 1.God says Isaiah 55, that His word always accomplishes the purposes for which He sends it out.It's effective.Nothing else will change a person.But the Spirit of God working through the word of God.That's it. That's the only way change happens.There's another reason that we're so committed to the word of God is because it's unifying.In John 17, Jesus was praying for us, and Jesus said, "Sanctify them in the truth."Sanctify means set apart.Jesus said, "Regarding His people, regarding us, we are to be set apart in the truth."Like where do we find that?Right there, Jesus said it.As He was praying to His Father, He says, "Your word is truth."So Jesus said, "The thing that must unify us, church, isn't some gimmick or a favorite form of entertainment.The thing that must unify us is the word of God. Get under the word."That's why we're committed to that.And you know what? I got to tell you this personally.This is so freeing for me.This is so freeing.I don't have to wonder what to say to you.See, we don't get in our offices through the week and we're like,"Oh, Pastor Taylor, what do you think we should say this week?Let's come up with some really great thing that's going to really fire people up."We don't have to do that.We just have to share the word of God.It's so freeing. I don't have to think, "How do I top last week's show?"I mean, people were really entertained last week.How do I top that?It's freeing for you, too.It's freeing for you.We talk about witnessing.One of the main obstacles people have about witnessing,I hear this all the time, Pastor Taylor,you've heard it a billion times as well, give or take.But you know what people say about witnessing?They say, "I don't know what to say."I would share my faith, but I'll be honest with you.I don't really know what to say. Yes, you do.You know exactly what to say.What do I say?Try this. Try Paul's technique.Nothing but the cross. How about that?Nothing but the cross. Share that.Do you know about the cross? Share that.You know, when people come to you and they're like,"Well, you know what does the Bible say about politics?"And like, Republicans and Democrats, you're like,"Well, do you know that Jesus Christ died for your sins?Did you know that?"And then they're like, "Well, what does the Bible say about AI?"I mean, AI is kind of scary.What does the Bible say about that?And your response is,"Do you know that God loved you so muchthat He sent His Son to die on the cross for you?That's how much God loves you."And they're like, "Well, does the Bible say anythingabout in vitro fertilization?"And she's like, "No, no, no. All I know is that Jesus died for you."That's all we need to know.We're not putting on a show because the showwill replace God's message of the cross of Christ.Number two, write this one down.We're not putting on a show because the show will replace God's methods.The show will replace God's methods.Look at verses 3 and 4 again.He says, "And I was with you in weakness and in fearand much trembling.And my speech and my message were notin plausible words of wisdom,but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power."Paul reminds them, he didn't come to themlike a boxer going to the ring.Like, "I fired up."Yeah!You see, there's really goofy, like,WWE professional wrestlers.Do you ever see these guys that come to the ring with the fireworks?Yeah!Yeah, and Paul's like, "That's not how I came to you.Like some goofy entertainer."He says, "I came to you. Use the three words, 'weakness,' fear, and trembling."What do you mean?What do you mean by that?Well, you look at how it's used biblically.Trembling is talking about mental anxietyover an important issue.That's when you feel something heavy in your heart and mind.You feel something so heavy that it's like weighing on you.And here's what I mean.Have you ever had the unfortunate business of having to give somebody newsyou didn't want to give them?Unfortunately, in my role, I've had to do that too many times.And it's so heavy on you.You're driving to the person's house because you have to tell them face to facethat there's been a terrible accident and things don't look good,that heaviness that you have while you're heading there.And delivering the message, just...That's what he's talking about.Or the heaviness, like if you have to confront somebody about their sin.Like, it's been brought to my attention that so-and-so is involved in a relationshipthat shouldn't be involved in.Now I gotta go talk to them about that.You see, you don't walk into that like a WWE wrestler, do you?Like, "Hey, guess what? I got news for you.There's been a terrible tragedy!"Like, what's the matter with you?No, that's the heaviness of having to deliver a serious message.That's what he's talking about here.Paul says, "This was my posture when I was with you.Not exactly the celebrity showman that the Corinthians would have preferred."Paul is saying, "I came in weakness because I didn't want to put on a showbecause I didn't want to get in God's way."Why, Paul? Why?Because the show will replace God's methods.You're like, "Well, what is God's method for reaching lost people?What is God's method?"It's the foolishness of preaching from a weak preacher.That's God's method.Did you ever say something like magnanimous, you have this really idealistic convictionand then the word of God kind of changes your mind on that?What I mean is, in past time I've said things like,"Well, you know what? The messenger is insignificant. The message is everything."After my study this week, I'm not so convinced of that anymore.Yeah, look, we established already that the message cannot be replaced.We already talked about that.But you cannot separate gospel content and gospel communication.Because according to this, in 117 that we already talked about at the beginning,you can suppress the power of the gospel message if attention is taken away from thatand put on the speaker.And you're like, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, hang on. Hang on a second, Pastor Jeff.Are you telling me that popular people can't be faithful preachers?"Sure they can.So long as the spotlight isn't on them, you see.You're like, "Well, where's the line? Where's the line?"It's a hard issue. I'm not sure that we can see the line, but I know that God can.And I know that there is a difference between preaching Christ and showing off.And please hear me. You don't need to dress up as Indiana Jones to show off in church.You can dress like Pastor Taylor.You know, you really hurt his feelings by laughing just there.There is nothing wrong with how you're dressed.I'm sorry, Pastor Taylor.Do you know what this thing is for in a tic-tac box?You put the tic-tac in there.Moving right along.You don't need to dress up as Indiana Jones to show off.You can dress like Pastor Taylor, but unlike Pastor Taylor, you can try to make yourself the star.Unlike Pastor Taylor, you can put all the attention on yourself.You know, the message of the cross, you know what the message of the cross is?The message of the cross is about the humiliation of God.And preaching and witnessing require the humiliation of man.If you're sitting here today and you're like, "Well, I'm not really anything special.I'm just a sinner saved by grace."Well, if that's your attitude, then that's exactly why God wants to speak through you.Because you've found nothing to boast of in yourself.And instead, all you can do is exalt Jesus Christ.The power is in the gospel, which is why it must be preached by someonewho isn't going to drown out the gospel message with the sound of tuning their own horn.So we're not putting on a show because the show will replace God's method of preaching through weak men.One more.We're not putting on a show, number three, because the show will replace God's mission.Look at verse 5.He says that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.See here Paul's landing. This is the end game.The results.Here's the bottom line.If you're dazzled by men, your faith is going to be in men.But if you are dazzled over the power of God, if your experience is with the power of God,then your faith is going to be in God.What you win people with is what you win them to.See we're not putting on a show, why?Because if we win people with the show, with entertainment, we've won them to entertainment.And guess why people are going to come to harvest?Because they want entertained.But if we win people with Jesus, we've won them to Jesus.And people are going to come to harvest because they want to know Jesus.Putting on a show replaces God's mission.Instead of making disciples of Jesus, I'm making disciples of me.There's a very pragmatic problem with that too.If the church is replacing God's mission for the show, it leaves the converts vulnerable.Why? Because there's always a more impressive performance.There's always a more charismatic personality out there.There's always a better show somewhere else.And that's why, listen, that's why people bounce around churches.People bounce around churches looking for something more entertaining.They're not going to use the word entertaining.They want something that is going to be more appealing to them.We hear it all the time."Oh Pastor Jeff, we love harvest.We love the people here and we love you.But such and such church has a better playground.We've got little kids and they need better facilities like that with playground and stuff.I had one family.I said, "Oh Pastor Jeff, we love harvest."But he said, "My kid, he had a 12 year old kid.He said, "My kid loves the concert atmosphere at such and such church, so we're going there."I'm like, "First of all, Dad,I seriously doubt the wisdom of leaving the decision of the spiritual direction of the familyin the lap of the most immature member of the family.That's a problem.But is that how we're picking churches who has the best concert?You see, if the faith of the responders is produced by the preacher's show,what if the preacher leaves?What happens when that preacher retires?What are we going to do now?Worse, what if the preacher fails?See, you replace the mission for the showand Paul says you're missing out on God's power.God's power, you're like, "Well, what is the power?What is the power?"You're like, "Oh, I know this one.I know what the power is because I've seen this on TV."Who's that guy that's...He slaps people and heals them?What's his name? Benny Hill?Hen, Benny Hinn.Benny Hill's different.I've seen that show.He slaps the people and they're down.And then he waves at a group of people and they all fall down.That's the power of God, right?Well, back in chapter 1 verse 18 of Pastor Taylor preached on last week,we learned what the power of God is.You know what the power of God is?The gospel.The gospel. Romans 1.16, the gospel is the power of God.You're like, "Well, do we see the power of God at Harvest Bible Chapel?"Yeah.Every time that we have a baptism serviceand you have somebody stepping in to the tubgoing, "I turn from my sin and I receive Jesus Christ, I am born again."You're witnessing the power of God.Every time somebody chooses forgiveness,"I was wronged, I was offended, I want to forgive, I want the relationship restored."Every time that happens, you're seeing the power of God.Every time somebody uses spiritual gifts to minister to others in the church,you're seeing the power of God.You see, the power of God is a changed life.You're the power of the Holy Spirit.That only comes from Jesus.In church, we are doing a major disservice to peopleto replace people experiencing His power with people enjoying my performance.I have no power at all.I can't save anyone.I can't change anyone.Only Jesus Christ can do that through His Spirit.So we're not putting on a showbecause the show will replace God's mission of making disciples of Jesus.The Harvest Bible Chapel, there's no tricks for results herebecause the Gospel just simply points to the bloodied Jesus Christ on the crossand says, "There, right there on the cross is your salvation.There on the cross is your example.There on the cross is your victory.There on the cross is your power."So this is a call for discernment.Look, are you new here?You're a first-time visitor here today?Have you been bouncing around visiting churches?And this is just one of many that you've been checking out.Or maybe you're somebody who's been attending for a while.Maybe you're even a member who's been thinking about moving on.I just want to ask you a couple of questions in light of what God says here.What are you looking for in a church?Wait, wait, maybe that's not the right question.Maybe the better question is what should you be looking for in a church?More fireworks?More pizazz?Or is Jesus what you really want?Are you saying, you know, I want to know the Gospel.I want nothing more than to experience the power of God in my life.Well, wherever you choose to worship,I would encourage you to make your decision based on the right factors.I have no say over what other churches do.I have some say here in a harvest Bible chapel.We're not putting on a show.We buy our heads as the worship team makes their way back up.Father in heaven, we bow before you as people who live in a culturebombarded by entertainment.Bombarded by churches trying to win people through goofy stuff.Father, your word is so clear on that in this passage.That your Gospel doesn't need help.It's just He's proclaimed.Father, I'm sorry for all the times that I thought it was about me.I'm sorry God for all the times that I was trying to factor in some element of creativityor something to really wow people and your Gospel doesn't need that.My efforts will just replace the pure, simple, clear message of the crucified Christ.Father, I pray for all of us that we would have the discernment that only comes from your spirit.That as we are evaluating where we are worshiping and how we are worshiping,we're evaluating the methods that you've laid out in your Word.We're evaluating the mission that you've laid out in your Word.We're evaluating the message that you've given us, Father.Give us discernment.We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

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Do you use your tech to it's full capability? Probably not and that's okay BUT there are lots of simple ways you can leverage it to make life easier. Transfer some of that mental load onto these devices we spend so much time with and embrace the positive ways tech enhances our lives.My guest this week, Amanda Jefferson, is relatable and super tech savvy. You'll love her down to earth personality paired with her simple strategies. You won't want to miss this one. I know I've already used the copy/paste a dozen times! You can save $5 off either The Busy Woman's Tech Survival Guide or Apple Watch Simplified  with the code SIMPLE

When you think about strengthening your bones, do you consider what's inside your home? This episode of the Stronger Bones Lifestyle Podcast shines a light on how clutter affects not just your stress levels but also your physical safety, confidence, and even your ability to age well.I'm joined by Heather Aardema, a functional medicine certified health coach and founder of The School of Living Lighter. Heather shares her personal story of being forced to let go of almost everything she owned after a toxic mold exposure— and how this experience transformed her health, perspective, and purpose.Together, we explore the surprising connection between your outer environment and your inner well-being. Clearing clutter isn't just about having a neat home—it's about preventing falls, lowering stress hormones that weaken bones, and creating space for healing and joy.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhy clutter can quietly impact bone health and overall well-beingHow decluttering lowers stress, supports healing, and reduces overwhelmHeather's powerful journey of loss, resilience, and transformationSimple ways to create a safer home environment for fall preventionHow letting go of what no longer serves you opens space for freedom and growthAction StepsStart small – declutter one drawer, one surface, or one corner of a room.Think safety first – remove tripping hazards to lower your risk of falls.Lighten the mental load – notice how creating space shifts your mood and energy.Ask yourself: Does this item support the healthy, vibrant life I want to create?Resources and LinksConnect with Heather at School of Living LighterLearn about my program: Healthy Gut Healthy BonesFor more episodes, visit: Stronger Bones Lifestyle PodcastDebi's TakeawayYour bones thrive in an environment of safety, space, and ease. By decluttering, you aren't just organizing—you're removing barriers to movement, lowering stress, and making room for the healthier, stronger life you deserve.

Listen to today's podcast... It's the end of the day and you're exhausted frustrated and wondering if this is what your life has come to. You hear yourself describing your day as if it were someone else using those words. It takes a lot of energy to be positive, to keep things in perspective and to actively look for the good in someone. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!      Today's Tips For Building Resiliency And Celebrating Positive Attitude Month: It is essential that you take care of yourself. Maintain your balance. Be sure to have other pursuits that you can count on for pleasure and distraction Eat properly to control your mood swings and to feel more energetic. Cut out caffeine which makes us more sensitive to those around us, Get plenty of sleep. Probably more than what you're getting right now. Lighten up. Have fun and remember to smile. And if you think what I'm recommending will never work, well then it may be time for you to commit to some self-reflection. Looking for better ways to build your resiliency? Take my free online vulnerability test at WorkSmartLiveSmart. com under the resources and courses tab. #mentalhealth #hr

durée : 00:10:02 - Le Disque classique du jour du mardi 30 septembre 2025 - Pour leur tout premier album chez Harmonia Mundi, Robin Pharo et son ensemble Près de votre oreille explorent l'univers si poétique et personnel de William Lawes. Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les autres épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France.

durée : 00:10:02 - Le Disque classique du jour du mardi 30 septembre 2025 - Pour leur tout premier album chez Harmonia Mundi, Robin Pharo et son ensemble Près de votre oreille explorent l'univers si poétique et personnel de William Lawes. Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les autres épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France.

Imagine a world where educators can boost their productivity, task management, and overall well-being with the aid of an AI assistant. In this groundbreaking book, an experienced school leader offers practical strategies for leveraging AI to support a more efficient and effective way to work. The 62 strategies in this book will help leaders – including those with limited technical knowledge – use AI tools to address critical aspects of leadership in education, such as collaborative decision-making, building relationships and trust, personalized professional learning, data analysis and improvement, and parent and community engagement. Follow on Twitter: @ISTEofficial @mrhooker @Rdene915 @jonHarper70bd @shellthief @hyphenatic @bamradionetwork #edchat #edtech #edtechchat Resources: AI for School Leaders | Hacking GenAI in Education: Conversation Starters Vickie Echols brings over 30 years of experience as a K-12 principal, curriculum coordinator, university educator, and consultant, empowering school leaders to focus on what matters most: their students, their teams, and their own well-being. In her latest book, AI for School Leaders: 62 Ways to Lighten Your Workload and Focus on What Matters (ISTE, 2024), Vickie shares actionable strategies to harness AI for greater efficiency, balance, and clarity in school leadership—perfect for navigating today's fast-paced educational landscape. Rooted in real-world challenges and opportunities, Vickie's expertise bridges education, technology, mental health, and leadership, inspiring leaders to thrive while transforming schools into places where everyone can succeed.

The author of What's On Her Mind talks about sharing and reducing organizational work See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today I'm sharing something a little different on the podcast—a limited-time replay of my How to Lighten Your Mental Load masterclass. This class was taught live on Zoom, but I wanted to offer you a chance to listen in case you missed it or want to revisit the tools. It won't be on the feed forever, so make sure you tune in while it's available.    In this class, I walk you through three practical takeaways from my Self-Assured Motherhood (SAM) framework that can immediately shift how you experience the invisible weight of motherhood:

Have you ever noticed that some of the parents in Disney movies…aren't exactly the best role models?   They love their kids deeply, but their fears, expectations, and blind spots often get in the way of connection. As I rewatched a few of these classics recently, I couldn't help but think, "These parents could really use the Self-Assured Motherhood program!" In this episode, I'm sharing three SAM principles through the lens of Disney families—because studying cartoon characters makes everything more fun (and surprisingly relatable!):

347. The Mom Glow Method: 4 Pillars to Radiant Self-Care for Busy Moms | Routines, Schedules, Time Management, Time Blocking, Home Organization, Planning, Plan, Planner, Self Care, Alone Time, Me Time, Self Care for MomsShow Notes – Episode 347: The Mom Glow Method: 4 Pillars to Radiant Self-Care for Busy MomsFeeling burned out, depleted, or like there's never enough time for yourself? You're not alone, mama. In this episode, I'm introducing you to the Mom Glow Method, built around The Luminous Life Framework: 4 Pillars of Glow. Together, we'll walk through the pillars—Life-Giving, Lighten, Luster, and Lux—and I'll show you how to weave them into your daily, weekly, monthly, and social self-care rhythms. These aren't just fluffy extras; they're the foundation for feeling energized, joyful, and pampered, even in the chaos of back-to-school season.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why moms often feel like racehorses with no finish line in sight (and how to stop running on empty).The 4 Pillars of Glow and how each one restores your energy and joy.Practical examples of how to bring these self-care rhythms into real mom-life.How to create space for yourself without guilt—even in busy seasons.By the end of this episode, you'll have simple, practical tools to help you shine again—because a glowing mom lights up her whole home.Happy listening & keep on thriving Mama, XO, KimResources & Links:>>> Join the Back to School Summit → [Check it out here!]>>> Download your FREE Weekly Planning Checklist → [Get Yours Today!]

Have you ever been told that your perfectionism is a problem? Maybe you've felt like it's the reason you're stressed, restless, or never satisfied with yourself. But what if perfectionism isn't actually the enemy? What if it's a form of power that, when channeled with compassion, can actually bring you more joy and meaning? In this episode, I'm joined by Katherine Morgan Schafler, a psychotherapist and the author of The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control. Katherine offers a refreshing perspective: perfectionism doesn't need to be “fixed” or hidden—it can be embraced and redirected in healthier, more adaptive ways. In this conversation, you'll learn:

Are you carrying a weight you weren’t designed to carry? If we’re going to live lighter, one of the biggest weights we have to deal with is unforgiveness, but what do we do with it? Do we continue to carry it, make it a part of who we are, or superimpose our hurt onto someone else? The power of the gospel is the forgiveness we experience through Jesus Christ, and He gives us the ability to lose the weight of our unforgiveness. Join us as Pastor Jeff Little continues our series Live Lighter at Milestone Church! Welcome to Milestone Church! For over 20 years, we’ve helped people like you grow in their faith, connect with a life-giving and spirit-filled church, and embody the mission of reaching people and building lives. From weekend services to resources for every age and stage of life, there’s a place for you here! Whether you're joining us from right here in Keller, McKinney, Haslet, Argyle—or anywhere around the world—we’re honored to have you as part of our spiritual family. Each week, you’ll find encouraging messages, full services, and stories that help you take practical steps in your faith journey. We believe when you encounter Jesus, everything changes—and you don’t have to walk that journey alone. Join Pastor Jeff Little each weekend for encouraging, Bible centered messages. Take a Next Step with Us Everything you need is here:

Today on the podcast we get a vulnerable update from our Host Lisa Bennett regarding her continued health struggles and the ways they are pointing her to Jesus.

Part 4 - God's Plan in Delay Psalm 6:3 I. Our Problem In God's Delays (Psalm 13:1-2) Psalm 142:2 What Kind of Problems Do We Face in God's Delays? 1. We Struggle With Feeling Forgotten Psalm 13:1b, 10:1, Isaiah 49:15 2. We Struggle With Feeling Frustrated (Psalm 13:2) ■ Because Of The Constant Emotional Drain (V. 2a) ■ Because Of Crushing Enemies Gloating (v. 2b) 1 Peter 5:8 II. Our Petition in God's Delays (Psalm 13:3–4) ● David's Fears: 1. Death – v. 3 2. Defeat – v. 4a 3. Disgrace – v. 4b ● David's Three Prayers: 1. Strengthen my faith – “Consider me” (v. 3) 2. Guide my way – “hear me” (v. 3) Psalm 34:4 3. Refresh my soul – “Lighten mine eyes” (v. 3) Psalm 51:12, Psalm 51:3 III. Our Praise in God's Delays (Psalm 13:5–6) Psalm 7:1, 30:12, 104:1 David Prays For God's: ○ Kindness – v. 5a Psalm 71:1, 147:11 ○ Forgiveness – v. 5b ○ Goodness – v. 6 Habakkuk 2:3 4 Practical Ways to Respond to Divine Delays 1. Trust God's Character 2. Maintain Spiritual Disciplines 3. Embrace The Gift Of Time 4. Sow Seeds In Joy Habakkuk 3:17–19

The Invisible Mental Load of Homemakers: Why It's So Heavy and How to Lighten It Have you ever felt like your brain never switches off? From remembering dentist appointments, planning meals, keeping track of school schedules, to making sure the laundry detergent doesn't run out—it's a lot. This ongoing juggling act is what experts call the mental load, and for homemakers, it can feel overwhelming and unrelenting. In this episode, we dive into: What the mental load really is (and why it goes far beyond housework). Why homemakers often feel like the default “family manager.” The emotional weight of being the one who anticipates, plans, and organizes for everyone. Practical ways to notice, name, and begin redistributing the load. ✨ Free Resource for You ✨ To support you on this journey, I've created the Whole You Planning Tool—a simple but powerful guide to help you do a systems check for yourself and each family member. This tool will help you spot hidden drains on your energy, rebalance responsibilities, and create more breathing room in your daily life. Download your FREE Whole You Planning Tool here to do a "SYSTEMS CHECK" ✨ Essential oils are key to lowering stress level and getting into a resting state! ✨ To support you on this journey,  I have made you a link to purchase wholesale:  Delete or add what you want! LINK TO BUY GROUNDING ESSENTIAL OILS Why This Episode Matters When the mental load goes unacknowledged, it leads to burnout, resentment, and exhaustion. But when we shine a light on it, we can make intentional changes that benefit everyone in the household. If you've been craving more balance, clarity, and peace in your home life—this episode is for you. Welcome to The Well Community! Join our FACEBOOK COMMUNITY for more support and encouragement to refill daily with faith, self care, health, wellness and essential oil education! Follow Kari on Insta Email hello@thewellteam.com Schedule a free 30 minute consult for potential coaching with Kari here  https://www.thewellteam.com/karidaviscoaching VISIT www.THEWELLTEAM.COM for all coaching programs, blog and essential oil education!

St. Louis mom Amanda Hausmann knows what it feels like to be overwhelmed with the demands of a career and parenthood. It's why she left her job as an attorney to create MomMoment. The app connects moms who need support tackling everyday household tasks with other parents who are looking for flexible income. Hausmann discusses the demands of modern parenthood and why she believes labels like “stay at home mom” and “working mom” are divisive and insufficient.

Ever feel like you're doing everything for everyone and still falling short? That's the mental load, and it might be silently sabotaging your business, your relationships, and your sanity. Today's guest is Dr. Morgan Cutlip: a psychologist, relationship expert, and author on a mission to help women feel whole, light, and deeply connected in all their relationships. With a PhD in psychology and a knack for translating research into real-life solutions, she's helped hundreds of thousands of people navigate the complexities of love, family, and partnership.  Her books Love Your Kids Without Losing Yourself and her upcoming title A Better Share tackle the emotional and mental responsibilities women disproportionately carry, especially when it comes to marriage, motherhood, and yes, running a business. If you've ever wondered why you're burnt out even when your partner or team is “helping,” or if you've struggled to balance being a boss and being present at home, this conversation is for you. We're diving into how the mental load affects your business, your boundaries, and your personal life, and what you can do to take some of that weight off. Want to go deeper? Pre-order Dr. Morgan's brand new book, A Better Share: How Couples Can Tackle The Mental Load for More Fun, Less Resentment, and Great Sex now!  Goal Digger Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/goaldiggerpodcast/ Goal Digger Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goaldiggerpodcast/ Goal Digger Show Notes: https://jennakutcherblog.com/emotional-labor-and-burnout-women  Thanks to our Goal Digger Sponsors: Sign up for your $1/month Shopify trial period at http://shopify.com/goaldigger.  Find a co-host today at http://airbnb.com/host.  Start your risk-free Greenlight trial today at http://greenlight.com/goaldigger!  Save 30% on Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security at https://bitdefender.com/goaldigger  and keep your business protected. Get 20% off our $25.00 Working Genius assessment at https://workinggenius.com with promo code GOALDIGGER. Reach the right professionals with LinkedIn Ads, used by over a billion professionals worldwide. Get your $100 credit at https://www.linkedin.com/goal!

Al and Kev go through a list of 22 farming games Timings 00:00:00: Theme Tune 00:00:30: Intro 00:02:11: What Have We Been Up To 00:12:37: Game News 00:43:58: New Games 00:48:23: The 22 Best Steam Farming Games of all Time 01:33:28: Outro Links Whimside Herdling Ritual of Raven Abyss: New Dawn Star Birds Len’s Island “1.1” Update Disney Dreamlight Valley “Emotional Rescue” Update Overthrown “Coastal” Update Starsand Island Trailer Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home Special Edition Infinity Nikki x Stardew Valley We Harvest Shadows Neverway The 22 Best Steam Farming Games of All Time Contact Al on Mastodon: https://mastodon.scot/@TheScotBot Email Us: https://harvestseason.club/contact/ Transcript (0:00:30) Al: Hello farmers and welcome to another episode of the harvest season my name is al. (0:00:36) Kev: My name is Kevin and Al, you drop the ball, you miss the chance. (0:00:41) Kev: The way we should have started this week was, “Why is podcasting so hard?” (0:00:46) Al: Oh, disaster. Maybe we need to start that again. (0:00:49) Kev: Oh dear. (0:00:55) Kev: Yeah, it’s probably harder for Sakurai to make Kirby out. (0:00:59) Al: It’s true, though. But it’s not. It’s not true. It’s not hard. (0:01:06) Kev: AirRiders isn’t a podcast, probably. (0:01:06) Al: Yeah, yeah, that is true. Probably. Yeah, so we are here, as I said. (0:01:08) Kev: Well, that was a great direct. (0:01:16) Al: We’re gonna talk about Cuchco Games. Lots of Cuchco Games, because we have a list to talk about. (0:01:18) Kev: Yeah. (0:01:23) Al: There’s a list. Did I find this list? I found this list, didn’t I? This is a list on cozy game reviews (0:01:26) Kev: Yes, you did. (0:01:31) Al: of the 22 best Steam farming games of all time. Brackets updated for 2025. (0:01:38) Kev: What an apropos subject after last week’s episode. (0:01:44) Al: So we’re going to talk about that. (0:01:46) Al: Next we’re going to go through it and see if we agree because not only has it got them all listed, it says what they’re all best for. They’ve all got a specific thing that the writer thinks that they’re best for. (0:01:56) Kev: Which is a good move, um, well, you know, we’ll get to the list. We’ll get to the list. I like the list content (0:02:00) Al: It gives us something to talk about, so we’ll see how we go. (0:02:08) Al: Before that, we’ve got quite a lot of news. We’ll get into that soon, but first of all, Kevin, what have you been up to? (0:02:14) Kev: Oh, this is I’ve been thinking about this it’s been the hardest part for me to think about this week because I’ve been busy and not (0:02:22) Kev: a lot of the usuals (0:02:26) Kev: Let’s see here at battle can’t Sonic event finish, so I’m still playing but it’s it’s whatever (0:02:32) Kev: Pokemon unite is good (0:02:36) Kev: We had the world championships just last weekend, so we had announcements there (0:02:41) Kev: That was fun. I don’t even remember who it is now, but (0:02:45) Kev: Oh gosh, what is it? Oh, no, I have to look up the list (0:02:48) Kev: I don’t remember but I mean I’ve been playing it’s good the latte both lattes are out now (0:02:54) Kev: They’re pretty fun (0:02:55) Kev: Especially when you can actually play with someone and you can use them both because they so specifically designed to work with each other (0:03:03) Kev: So that’s pretty cool (0:03:07) Kev: But (0:03:08) Kev: Yeah, you know unite still play. It’s wild (0:03:12) Kev: We’re almost at a hundred playable Pokemon in the game (0:03:14) Kev: That’s wild to think (0:03:17) Kev: That’s like what almost 10% of the the techs (0:03:23) Kev: But but yeah, it’s been good. Oh gosh, I cannot (0:03:28) Kev: I don’t remember (0:03:32) Kev: Sorry, I was trying to Google it was stalled for talking but either way I’m playing unite it’s been good (0:03:39) Kev: Let’s see other than that, um, yeah, just a lot of the same as usual stuff. I’ve been playing (0:03:44) Kev: I picked up a new show now that I finished monk (0:03:48) Kev: Have you ever heard of dr. Quinn medicine woman now (0:03:54) Kev: Okay, so it is a show from the 90s it is (0:04:02) Kev: How should I put this frontier (0:04:05) Kev: Style American setting kind of like little house (0:04:06) Al: Okay, yeah. (0:04:09) Kev: But it’s a little more a little less saccharine (0:04:12) Kev: It is the titular character. (0:04:14) Kev: It is a female doctor, Dr. Quinn, which is, you know, given in that timeframe and setting, leads to a very different dynamic, right? (0:04:28) Kev: So yeah, it’s been enjoyable. I think it’s a little more “real” than, say, Little House or some of the other more… (0:04:42) Kev: Uh, I should… (0:04:45) Kev: It doesn’t paint over some of these details, so you know I’ve just been here enjoying a show about a (0:04:52) Kev: Trying to find a home and community (0:04:55) Kev: Despite the backdrop of a society where misogyny (0:05:00) Kev: bigotry racism et cetera are pretty strong, you know, I (0:05:06) Kev: Don’t know if that resonates with anyone, but you know (0:05:08) Al: Not at all, not at all. (0:05:11) Kev: So it’s been good (0:05:13) Kev: It is from the 90’s. (0:05:14) Kev: So it looks a little dated, um, and, and you can still feel the 90’s like hairstyles permeating the show though. (0:05:22) Kev: Um, but, uh, but, uh, but yeah, it’s been fun. (0:05:25) Kev: That’s Dr. (0:05:26) Kev: Quinn, medicine woman. (0:05:27) Kev: Like I said, just something to fill the, the show hole. (0:05:29) Kev: Um, but yeah, that’s, that’s, that’s roughly what I’ve been up to. (0:05:33) Kev: It’s been busy week. (0:05:34) Kev: I made it, I made like a two day, one day gone the next day back work trip this week. (0:05:39) Kev: That was wild. (0:05:40) Al: What have I been up to? (0:05:40) Kev: Um, yeah, so I’m tired. (0:05:42) Kev: What about you? (0:05:45) Al: I’m still playing Donkey Kong Bonanza, so it’s a long game. (0:05:50) Kev: All right (0:05:56) Kev: Yeah, it’s a lot of bananas to find (0:05:58) Al: It is a lot of bananas, yeah, I’ve put like maybe like 10 hours into it or something so (0:06:04) Al: far and I saw that there was a new world record put up today, so I went out to look at it (0:06:10) Al: and what I’ve done in that like 10 hours they did in 50 minutes, like oh goodness me, so (0:06:17) Al: I think I’ve got quite a lot of the game left to go because the world record is over four (0:06:21) Al: hours, so I’m maybe a quarter of the way through but that doesn’t feel right, but I don’t know. (0:06:29) Al: I did say, I think I said true endings, maybe that’s getting all the bananas, so maybe I’ve (0:06:33) Al: got, maybe I’m halfway, I might be about halfway through, we’ll see. (0:06:34) Kev: Hmm (0:06:37) Kev: Hmm have you done that art mode at all the the sculpting mode or whatever? (0:06:41) Al: I have not, no, I’ve not. (0:06:43) Kev: Okay, I’ve seen people do some crazy nonsense in them. That’s pretty cool (0:06:46) Al: Yeah, yeah, yeah, so yeah, I’m enjoying that, we’ll see how long that takes me, but this (0:06:57) Al: week I’ll probably be starting Story of Seasons Grand Bazaar, so who knows, how bizarre, so (0:07:02) Kev: How bizarre, how bizarre. (0:07:06) Al: I guess we’ll see a mate put down Donkey Kong for a bit. (0:07:10) Al: I think that’s pretty much it gaming wise. (0:07:17) Al: I’ve been catching up on a bunch of shows that I missed when I was on holiday, so I’ve (0:07:22) Al: just finished Sandman and it was good. (0:07:25) Kev: Oh, how was it? (0:07:28) Kev: Was it just weird? (0:07:30) Al: It was good if you can ignore the fact that it’s no gaming, then it’s good. (0:07:30) Kev: Okay. (0:07:34) Kev: Well, I feel like, you know, I feel like, in this day and age, (0:07:40) Kev: people get pretty good at that, if you just ignore the, you know, monster at the top. (0:07:42) Al: Well, yeah. Mm. So, yeah, no, that was good. And I think I’m going to watch Wednesday this (0:07:56) Al: week. So, yeah. (0:07:58) Kev: Oh, yeah, that’s all right. Okay. You know what you I assume you watch season one (0:08:05) Kev: Did you watch any Adams family prior to Wednesday (0:08:10) Kev: Okay, cuz I’m cuz I I’m a big fan of the animals family. Um, so I’m I had not watched Wednesday. So I’m curious how (0:08:17) Kev: That you know how it compares to the other relations, but alright (0:08:22) Kev: I’ll be curious to hear your thoughts. Anyways (0:08:26) Al: Yeah, I think that’s about it for me. (0:08:29) Al: Oh, no, I started on. (0:08:30) Al: So I’ve been watching through my mentions a couple of times. (0:08:33) Al: I’ve been watching through all the James Bond films. (0:08:35) Al: So I’m now on the Daniel Craig films. (0:08:37) Al: So on the home stretch nearly there. (0:08:40) Kev: Okay, okay, how is there any overall trends like they’re (0:08:44) Al: Hmm. So I don’t think there is like an upward or downward (0:08:46) Kev: Like better worse (0:08:51) Al: trend. They have like a good one followed by multiple terrible (0:08:53) Kev: Mm-hmm (0:08:55) Al: ones. I will say that one thing I’ve noticed watching them all (0:08:57) Kev: Yeah (0:09:01) Al: like we started in November. So we watched them all in the last (0:09:02) Kev: Yeah, yeah (0:09:05) Al: nine months basically. One thing I’ve noticed is that they’re (0:09:06) Kev: Yeah (0:09:08) Al: all basically the same film. (0:09:10) Kev: Yeah (0:09:13) Kev: Now we’re talking oh (0:09:14) Al: So I mean, if you like that, then that’s good. I did get to the (0:09:17) Kev: Yeah, yeah, I mean (0:09:21) Al: point where we hit the, what’s his name? I’m so bad with the (0:09:29) Al: actor’s name sometimes. The Piers Brosnan ones. So we hit (0:09:32) Kev: » Yeah. (0:09:33) Al: 95 with GoldenEye. And I was like, oh, fantastic. We’re (0:09:34) Kev: » Yeah. (0:09:36) Al: finally, we’re finally getting out of the, you know, maybe we’ll (0:09:39) Al: get some bad baddie other than the USSR. And then I’m pretty (0:09:43) Kev: Yeah, yeah they do. (0:09:43) Al: pretty sure they go back in time. (0:09:44) Al: to make the USSR the baddie again. (0:09:49) Al: And then in the end, I would just watch Casino Royale and there’s a little bit (0:09:53) Al: where, where M goes, Oh, I wish we were, I wish we were back in the cold war. (0:09:57) Kev: Yeah, yeah, man, that’s that’s good stuff. Obviously, you and I is Nintendo, Pokemon, MCU fans, we can we can handle a whole lot of the same thing done over and over. But that’s that’s that’s fascinating. (0:09:59) Al: They really do miss that easy baddie. (0:10:05) Al: So yeah. (0:10:18) Al: - Yeah. (0:10:22) Al: I guess it’s different when you’re seeing the same thing (0:10:24) Al: every three years rather than every week. (0:10:27) Kev: Yeah, you know, that’s a good point. That’s a good point. But still, I mean, hey, you’re still trucking, you didn’t cause you to, to give up or die. So it’s because there’s at least something there. (0:10:38) Al: Yeah. Yeah, nearly there, nearly there, definitely. I’ve watched all the Daniel Craig ones as (0:10:44) Al: well, so I can’t officially say that I’ve watched every James Bond film. I just haven’t (0:10:48) Kev: Yeah (0:10:50) Al: watched these ones in a while, so. And Rona hasn’t seen the newest one, so. (0:10:51) Kev: Right, right (0:10:54) Kev: Okay, there you go. Hey congrats (0:10:57) Kev: Good stuff. Oh, I found the unite Pokemon. It’s sorry (0:11:04) Kev: Okay (0:11:05) Kev: We are getting Empoleon which sure starters always a safe choice. We are getting Vaporeon (0:11:13) Kev: Which means that the only Eevee evolutions we didn’t have were the original three. So we (0:11:18) Kev: Are now getting them that’s now confirming two other ones down the line (0:11:23) Kev: But most interestingly we are getting Delmise the (0:11:29) Kev: Living seaweed on an anchor. I’m excited about that. I like the freak pics. Delmise is a good freak pic (0:11:38) Al: Fun. Yeah. I look forward to seeing how Dalmay’s, you know, moves. (0:11:39) Kev: Yeah (0:11:43) Kev: Yeah, I’m just gonna flow it’s all just gonna flow (0:11:49) Kev: But yeah, oh well drags it drags itself (0:11:50) Al: You never know, should be something more interesting. (0:11:54) Al: Yeah, you just hear this scraping sound. (0:12:00) Kev: Oh, that’d be incredible. Oh my gosh (0:12:02) Al: Especially, I presume there’s no in-game chat, like audio chat in Unite. (0:12:08) Kev: Yeah, there is. There is a voice, yeah. (0:12:10) Al: Well there is, does it have, has it got, what’s it called, where you’re like, (0:12:15) Al: it changes depending on how close to the character you are. (0:12:18) Kev: Oh, proximity? No, it does not have proximity as far as I know. (0:12:19) Al: » Yeah. (0:12:20) Al: » That’d be brilliant. (0:12:21) Al: So if you could hear, like, the scraping come closer to you, that’d be brilliant. (0:12:22) Kev: The scraping. (0:12:28) Al: Feels like it’s something out of a horror film. (0:12:31) Kev: That’s incredible. Oh, I love dumb eyes. Oh, that’d be great. (0:12:38) Al: All right, should we get into some news? (0:12:41) Kev: Oh, you mean a lot of news. So much news. (0:12:43) Al: So, yeah, we have some games that have released (0:12:49) Al: that I completely missed when I was doing my catch-up (0:12:52) Al: of all the news in the break. (0:12:57) Al: So we’re just gonna quickly go through those. (0:12:59) Al: First up, we have Whimside, Whimside or Whimside. (0:13:03) Al: I don’t know how they want it to be said, (0:13:04) Al: but it’s one of those. (0:13:04) Kev: Yeah (0:13:06) Al: So that is out now. (0:13:08) Al: So a hoo to windside. (0:13:08) Kev: That’s (0:13:10) Kev: That’s the desk that’s your rusty like Pokemon collector (0:13:16) Al: Correct, yes. (0:13:17) Al: It’s a creature collector, the game that sits at the bottom of your screen, and fits easily (0:13:18) Kev: Which (0:13:22) Al: into your routine. (0:13:23) Kev: It looks kind of in-depth I don’t want to use it as a you know thing on the side (0:13:28) Kev: But I am kind of interested to just play get (0:13:32) Al: Yeah. It has 194 reviews so far, very positive 85%. So that’s good. (0:13:39) Kev: some look some of those were also just pokemon there was just a squirtle in in that trailer (0:13:46) Al: Well Squirtle is just a blue turtle, so come on. Next we have Herdling, they are also out now, (0:13:49) Kev: it is you’re not wrong yeah that’s true (0:13:56) Al: came out on the 21st of August, that one wasn’t one that I missed because it’s only just out. (0:13:56) Kev: they nope that just came out that’s (0:14:01) Al: So that is the you’re gathering a herd of mysterious creatures on a stirring and beautiful (0:14:07) Al: journey into the mountains. And this is published by Panic, they’re… (0:14:08) Kev: It’s Journey, the game Journey, but cows. (0:14:16) Al: the Untitled Goose Game people and also the… (0:14:22) Kev: Wow, that looks nothing like a criminal ghost game. A publisher? Okay, okay. (0:14:25) Al: No, well they’re just the publisher, they didn’t they didn’t write the game, but they’ve (0:14:33) Al: Panic are also the they’ve turned into a publisher as well. But they’re also the, and I’m just trying (0:14:41) Al: to remember the name of it. Nope, nope. (0:14:42) Kev: one game give me a hint is it stray oh oh my goodness wow these guys are heroes (0:14:47) Al: In our game the Playdate, the console, they also did the console. (0:14:54) Kev: hurdling exclusive to the play date or with the tool exclusive to the play date where you use the (0:15:00) Kev: crank to herd the cows uh oh okay yeah so these guys are (0:15:01) Al: Oh, they did fire watch as well. (0:15:12) Kev: gonna publish weird things that’s cool good for them i’m actually more interested in hurdling now (0:15:20) Kev: now that I have this I mean not that the publisher just the developer or whatever you know but uh (0:15:22) Al: Yeah, I (0:15:26) Al: Yeah, but I mean a publisher tells you something especially when they’ve only published like 10 games or something so (0:15:32) Al: It’s not like they’re throwing them out there. They’re taking anything that comes (0:15:36) Al: unlike some other games publishers (0:15:38) Kev: But (0:15:39) Al: But yeah, I mean it looks much more kind of fire watchy than it does anything else in terms of it’s because obviously fire watch is (0:15:44) Kev: Yeah (0:15:46) Al: much more (0:15:47) Al: straight and serious and (0:15:49) Kev: Yeah (0:15:50) Al: and they look. (0:15:52) Al: kind of meditative, almost. (0:15:53) Kev: Yeah (0:15:55) Kev: Yeah, it’s not yeah, that’s a good way of describing it right very Zen sort of thing (0:16:00) Kev: Just walking with some cows up a mountain (0:16:00) Al: Hmm. Big haticos. (0:16:05) Kev: The character even wears red like the journey (0:16:08) Kev: Character with the scar. It’s fine. Journey is a good game (0:16:14) Al: Next we have a ritual of Raven, which is also out now. (0:16:20) Al: So this is an isometric, story-based farming game. (0:16:26) Kev: cards, lots of cards, everywhere. I don’t understand the mechanics. Do you farm (0:16:34) Kev: with cards? It kind of looked like that. (0:16:38) Al: Yeah, I think so. I think you use the cards to create spells because you’re awake (0:16:43) Kev: okay right let’s see enchant constructs to help grow herbs and ingredients to help you complete (0:16:49) Kev: your book of shadows using the mystical deck of cards you’ll be able to enchant constructs to (0:16:54) Kev: plows plow sow seeds water and harvest them for you collect all 22 constructs and create thriving (0:17:01) Kev: herb garden um so yeah looks like you do use the cards to make stuff to farm that’s kind of (0:17:08) Al: Yeah. Yup, so that’s out now. Next, we have Abyss New Dawn. This is out in early access now. (0:17:17) Al: I think they had a delay. Are these the ones that delayed the game? They were meant to come (0:17:24) Al: out and then they were like, “Oh no, we’ve got an issue.” There we go. This is the one. Abyss (0:17:26) Kev: Did I lose the button, too? (0:17:31) Al: New Dawn release may be delayed by a few days. During Steam’s review process, our latest build (0:17:36) Al: was rejected due to a technical issue of three achievements. (0:17:38) Al: We’ve already fixed or submitted the build for approval. Steam usually takes three to (0:17:43) Al: five days for the review, so the release date may be delayed until August 25th. It was not. (0:17:48) Al: It ended up releasing Friday 22nd, so I don’t think it was delayed at all, but they thought it might be. (0:17:49) Kev: Yeah, um, so this, first of all, I hate. (0:18:02) Al: Oh yes, this is a warm village above a deadly abyss below. Will you farm in peace or dive in? (0:18:10) Kev: Okay, so first of all, I hate that name, like good heavens what an awful name, just like, it’s just so generic, it doesn’t tell you anything, um… (0:18:14) Al: Yes, also it feels like it’s the second in a series. This is the sequel to Abyss. It’s (0:18:24) Al: Abyss New Dawn. But I don’t think that’s the case. It is not the case. (0:18:25) Kev: yeah yeah okay this is gonna sound kind of weird this this game doesn’t look (0:18:34) Kev: like it was AI generated but it looks like the concept was generated concept (0:18:40) Kev: because it feels like it has so much going on like all these hallmarks you’ve (0:18:44) Kev: got Animal Crossing as characters you got farming you got fishing (0:18:49) Kev: customization and then the abyss the abyss is actually just dinosaurs it’s (0:18:54) Kev: It’s just a dinosaur world. (0:18:55) Kev: I don’t know. It looks well made. It’s a tough market out here. (0:19:04) Kev: That’s all. (0:19:04) Al: Yeah, I’m not seeing anything make me want to play this. (0:19:06) Kev: No, as much as I love dinosaurs, I’d rather play paleopine. (0:19:13) Kev: I would, I’m not trying to entertain them. (0:19:16) Al: Yeah, do you want to fight dinosaurs or do you want to tame them? That’s the question. (0:19:21) Kev: Also, so they have the Animal Crossing decorate your house because, of course. (0:19:25) Kev: The one question I don’t see, and I think this is a big problem a lot of games have, (0:19:30) Kev: can you actually use the furniture? Can you sit in the couch or lying in the bed? (0:19:36) Kev: Because that kills me when you can’t, and a lot of games do it. But anyways, yeah. (0:19:43) Kev: Bismuthon, that’s early access. I probably won’t play it. Bite Slime, that’s in the video. (0:19:55) Kev: Not fight slimes or anything, just fight slime singular. Or the general concept of slime, I guess. (0:20:05) Al: Yeah, yeah, I don’t I’m not excited to to play this let’s put it that way (0:20:11) Kev: I’m not either (0:20:14) Al: All right moving on to something I am excited to play (0:20:17) Kev: Okay, okay, I tried (0:20:18) Al: Starbirds (0:20:20) Kev: Okay, let’s see here. So I tried looking at this. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Remember this one now. Yeah. Yeah (0:20:21) Al: Starbirds (0:20:24) Al: So so starbirds have announced that the their early access is releasing on the 4th of September. So just to (0:20:33) Al: So, remind people. (0:20:35) Al: This is the game made by the people who did Dorph Romantic, and it is based on the YouTube channel Kurtzkazat in a nutshell. (0:20:49) Al: They do science-based videos, very interesting videos, all very meticulously researched and stuff. (0:20:56) Al: And this is in their art style, and it is an asteroid-based building and resource management game. (0:21:03) Kev: yeah that yeah it’s it’s um it’s a lot those are a lot of words but the good the game the game looks (0:21:08) Al: You know Dorph Romantic, right? You know the game. You don’t know Dorph romantic. You would (0:21:10) Kev: good I don’t want to like I don’t actually no no hold on (0:21:16) Al: you definitely recognize it if you clicked on it. Click through to the developer on Steam (0:21:20) Al: and click on Dorph romantic. It’s a really record. It’s kind of it’s got the like tiles (0:21:25) Al: like the hexagon tiles and it’s it’s like a building puzzle game. Yeah, it’s pretty (0:21:31) Kev: That is that is just settlers of Katon the game (0:21:37) Al: it, it, it, it pretty much. (0:21:38) Al: Um, but it’s single player, I think, um, it’s got 15,000 overwhelmingly positive reviews. (0:21:40) Kev: Sure sure (0:21:46) Al: It’s a very big game, they’re romantic. (0:21:47) Kev: Oh, I’m sure okay, is it good to have you played it? (0:21:53) Al: I haven’t played it, but I mean, there’s overwhelmingly positive on the Rivens team. (0:21:58) Kev: That’s true well (0:21:59) Al: So like people like it. (0:22:01) Kev: I guess so that’s true (0:22:02) Al: It’s not, I’m not, I’m not the biggest management game guy. (0:22:06) Kev: Yeah, that is true (0:22:08) Kev: So I’m also okay for starboard. So it is very heavy on the management. You have networks of cables and roads and flow (0:22:16) Kev: But I think the art style is very charming (0:22:19) Kev: very cartoony (0:22:20) Al: What I like about it as well is it’s very small scale. (0:22:24) Al: So I think one of my issues with management games is, (0:22:27) Al: here’s an infinite canvas, make something. (0:22:31) Kev: Yeah. Mine it. (0:22:31) Al: And you’re like, but maybe I don’t want to. (0:22:33) Al: And what this does is it goes, here’s a mini asteroid. (0:22:36) Al: Mine it. (0:22:37) Al: And then those all connect together eventually. (0:22:40) Al: And so it does create this bigger thing, (0:22:41) Al: but it’s like much smaller scale at the start. (0:22:44) Kev: Very piecewise. Yeah. Yeah, I see what you’re saying. Yeah, I think that’s cool too. Very (0:22:44) Al: I like, yeah. (0:22:51) Kev: Like discrete as in with the E at the end (0:22:56) Kev: Discrete units of (0:22:59) Kev: Resource management and then you connect them all together for a bigger network. I like it. That’s a fun idea (0:23:06) Kev: Also your birds I (0:23:08) Kev: Like I like to parrot a toucan. I don’t know what bird that is. Looks like it has a toucan beak but parrot (0:23:14) Kev: So I’m not sure I like that bird (0:23:16) Al: Alrighty, so that yeah, that’s 4th of September that comes out, Starbirds. (0:23:21) Kev: That’s sooner than it should be. Oh, where did all this go? Jeez (0:23:28) Al: Yeah, that’s two weeks away, less than two weeks away. (0:23:30) Al: That’s a week and a half away. (0:23:30) Al: That’ll be a week away when this game episode comes out. (0:23:32) Al: Alrighty, next we have Lens Island. (0:23:36) Al: They’ve released their 1.1 update. (0:23:38) Al: That is out now. (0:23:40) Al: That includes, it is the community feedback update. (0:23:42) Al: update. It brings a bunch of changes such as free (0:23:46) Al: camera orbiting. Okay, junk loading settings and performance (0:23:51) Al: boost, you can change how far away you can see things, which (0:23:54) Al: is really cool. If you’ve got like, a really good computer, (0:23:57) Al: you can see islands miles away in the distance. I really like (0:24:00) Al: that because yeah, that’s really nice. Increased performance of (0:24:05) Al: spending farms always good. A sorting button for storage items (0:24:09) Al: should have been there in 1.0. Edit constructions with new move (0:24:13) Al: button. The move button should have been 1.0. When Earth was (0:24:16) Al: this was one of the things I complained about in the in my (0:24:16) Kev: Yup. (0:24:18) Al: review of it. Why on earth? Why on earth did I have to delete (0:24:20) Kev: Yup. (0:24:21) Al: something and recreate it? So silly. You did at least when you (0:24:22) Kev: Yup. (0:24:25) Al: recycled something, you got all the materials back. So you (0:24:26) Kev: Right, right, right. (0:24:27) Al: didn’t waste anything. But it’s just still such an annoying (0:24:30) Kev: Yeah, I agree. Like, I feel like almost every game that has you, you know, building constructs or buildings or whatever should have this feature. (0:24:38) Kev: And a lot of them don’t. A lot of, I don’t know why. (0:24:42) Al: Yeah, another thing that should have been in there is the crop status UI, so if you hover over a crop, you can see whether it’s ready to harvest or not, which is good. (0:24:52) Kev: That seems important. (0:24:53) Al: Yeah, yeah, I found it later on. So after the podcast, I read that I found out that you can craft a scythe, and if you use the site that only gets rid of things that are harvestable, but before that, you just have to guess. (0:25:05) Kev: Oh, that’s good. That’s good. Good good (0:25:12) Al: So you can create a new companion, the black bear, so you can get an animal black bear companion. (0:25:18) Kev: Now this I like just because I like bears in general good good for you. He added a bear (0:25:24) Al: Yeah, yeah, I think I’m probably gonna stick with my dog. I like my dog, but (0:25:26) Kev: Can you pet the bear? (0:25:30) Kev: Yeah (0:25:31) Al: There’s tempting (0:25:35) Kev: I’m tempted. I don’t play this game. But if I did I’d get a bear (0:25:39) Al: Haha, I (0:25:42) Al: Haven’t played it for a few weeks (0:25:43) Al: But I will hopefully get back into it at some point the problem is this is the one that I have to play on my (0:25:48) Al: computer with my mouse and keyboard, so you know and (0:25:53) Al: Next we have Disney Dream. (0:25:54) Al: I’m just going to say a new episode. (0:25:56) Kev: What property is it today or this time? (0:26:01) Al: This is the emotional rescue update. (0:26:04) Al: Let’s see. (0:26:06) Al: Joy and sadness. (0:26:08) Al: You’ve got, so there we go. (0:26:10) Al: We’ve got inside out, that’s what it’s called. (0:26:11) Kev: Inside out as in joy and sadness TM, but the capital letters (0:26:19) Kev: That (0:26:21) Kev: How should I put this like this is a (0:26:25) Kev: complete nonsensical like (0:26:28) Kev: There’s no logic in this world because it’s just whatever cartoons (0:26:33) Kev: but it (0:26:34) Kev: But despite that, I don’t know it feels weird that you can hang out with you know (0:26:40) Kev: and psychological constructs. (0:26:41) Kev: You win. You know, the rest of the guys are actual lions or dogs or people. (0:26:48) Kev: But, whatever. I liked Inside Out. I didn’t see Inside Out, too. (0:26:53) Kev: Inside Out, first one, was a good movie. (0:26:55) Al: I enjoy, I think Inside Out 2 was just as good if not better than Inside Out 1. (0:27:00) Kev: Ooh! Ooh! That’s interesting. I’ll have to check that out. (0:27:03) Al: It’s very good. I think that so many sequels, I understand why people get frustrated with them, (0:27:09) Al: but I think Inside Out was not, I mean, whether it was a cash grab or not, I don’t care, right? (0:27:15) Al: Like it doesn’t feel like a cash grab, it feels like a continuation of the story in good and better (0:27:15) Kev: Yeah (0:27:20) Kev: Sure, I mean (0:27:22) Al: ways, right? Like it’s, it takes the concept. (0:27:23) Kev: Yeah (0:27:25) Al: And it goes further with it in a way that can completely break you. (0:27:27) Kev: Yeah (0:27:30) Kev: Sure sure, I mean, yeah, okay, it’s not (0:27:34) Kev: It’s difficult but being a cash grab and being an excellent sequel are not mutually exclusive (0:27:40) Al: Exactly. (0:27:41) Kev: Um, just very, very rare, but, but it is, it, it’s theoretically. (0:27:45) Kev: Possible. So sure. Um, okay. I, I have one question from the sequel. (0:27:50) Kev: Okay. So you remember in the first movie, you, sometimes you see the, (0:27:55) Kev: the minds of other people, the parents or whatever, (0:27:57) Kev: and they have the five emotions. (0:27:58) Al: Yes. No. Explain why they weren’t there with the main character who I can’t remember the (0:27:59) Kev: Do they explain why all these other emotions weren’t there? No. (0:28:05) Kev: Darn it. Darn it. (0:28:11) Al: name of, but not why the new ones wouldn’t be in Riley, that’s the name, yeah, but why (0:28:13) Kev: Riley. (0:28:16) Kev: Yeah. Darn it. That’s fine. That’s fine. Yeah. I mean, I mean, I mean, (0:28:16) Al: they wouldn’t be in the other ones. No, they don’t explain that. No, they do explain why (0:28:21) Kev: it makes sense that you get new emotions as you get older. (0:28:23) Al: why they’re not in Riley. (0:28:25) Kev: You get, you know, more nuanced. It’s totally makes sense. (0:28:28) Al: Yeah, the metaphors are both fun and painful. (0:28:35) Kev: Now you say, is it painful? Cause it’s too real. (0:28:38) Kev: Is that what it is? Oh, yeah. (0:28:42) Kev: Oh, yeah. (0:28:42) Al: a little bit yeah you’re a big anxiety boy aren’t you yeah yeah then then then yeah (0:28:45) Kev: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, yeah. (0:28:52) Al: watch it but but watch it on an emotionally stable day (0:28:52) Kev: Oh, oh, so it can be so that was so the rest of your day can be emotionally unstable. (0:28:58) Al: or you know semi-emotionally stable (0:29:08) Al: no I think I think it’s one of those ones where it will break you but in a healing way (0:29:12) Kev: Sure, sure. (0:29:13) Al: you know like therapy you know you go into therapy and sometimes you come out crying (0:29:14) Kev: Yeah, no, I get that. (0:29:16) Kev: Yeah, yeah, yeah. (0:29:18) Al: but also you feel better in some ways as well it’s kind of like that (0:29:22) Kev: Yeah, I get that. (0:29:22) Kev: Yeah, no, I know what you mean. (0:29:24) Kev: I mean, like, like the first one, the shocker. (0:29:26) Al: not that watching watching films obviously important to note watching films is not a (0:29:30) Al: suitable alternative to therapy do therapy please and thank you (0:29:34) Kev: Yeah, that’s that’s a good thing to do that (0:29:36) Al: if you can if you can afford it if you can’t talk to your friends (0:29:38) Kev: You go go or (0:29:42) Kev: Okay, yeah, here’s my my PSA helpful hint for the day (0:29:46) Kev: I always always recommend because therapy can be very expensive, right? (0:29:52) Kev: Especially on the states where we have to deal with you know medical insurance and yada yada (0:29:57) Kev: If you find that to be a challenge go seek out your nearest University (0:30:02) Kev: They may have a clinic with students. (0:30:04) Kev: They may have a clinic with students in training to be full psychologist/counsellors, which is usually generally affordable. (0:30:06) Al: Hmm. (0:30:10) Kev: Or they can make it affordable. (0:30:13) Kev: And it’s pretty okay because they still are supervised by actual, you know, fully certified therapists and whatnot. (0:30:20) Kev: So, yeah, go look at your local university. (0:30:24) Kev: Anyway, so that’s Disney Dreamlight Valley! (0:30:30) Al: - Yes, that’s Disney Dreamland Valley, go to therapy. (0:30:37) Al: Next, we have Overthrown, (0:30:39) Al: they have released a coastal update. (0:30:42) Kev: Okay. (0:30:42) Al: So that includes some coastal related things. (0:30:45) Kev: Okay, so I saw that and my first question was what is overthrown? I did not remember this game at all. (0:30:50) Al: This is the one where you can like pick up the sawmill (0:30:54) Al: and throw it at trees and it’ll turn the trees (0:30:56) Al: into planks of wood, stuff like that. (0:30:58) Kev: Yeah, which is (0:30:59) Al: It’s like the. (0:31:02) Kev: The very it’s very cool concept to be honest I saw it (0:31:07) Al: and you can also in their ritual run. (0:31:08) Kev: Yeah, you are not running across water and everything (0:31:13) Kev: And it’s multiple. It’s it’s chaotic and and boy that that main character (0:31:18) Kev: They’re the default design or whatever that is a breath of the wild outfit. That is blue link blue (0:31:24) Al: Yeah, fair. (0:31:27) Kev: But but it’s fine (0:31:28) Kev: What a wild goofy game (0:31:30) Kev: What a novel idea to pick up the sawmill and chop down the whole forest by running with it (0:31:37) Kev: We’re throwing buildings at the invaders that’s good stuff. I like that. That’s fun (0:31:43) Kev: Coastal I like coastal stuff you can throw pirate ship now (0:31:46) Al: All right, next we have Starsand Island have released a trailer for the game. (0:31:54) Al: Have you watched it yet, Kevin? (0:31:56) Kev: let me see which one is this no this is not the hold on there’s a lot of games (0:32:03) Kev: trying to merge one this isn’t the allegory allegory game (0:32:08) Kev: yeah no we’ll get to that later oh gosh I missed this one I was going through (0:32:15) Kev: the doc and it’s this one actually let me see here live reaction okay those are (0:32:20) Kev: pretty graphics hate the name of course goes without saying oh that’s anime that (0:32:25) Kev: That is some anime. (0:32:27) Kev: Uhm, okay, a lot of customization, farming, cat, ooh, is that an arcade? Actual arcade? (0:32:34) Kev: Why is it always snake? They always be, “Oh, you’re right, on a deer there’s some pandas, and a bamboo raft, so we can go build your aquarium.” (0:32:45) Kev: Oh, I kind of remember, yeah, I remember this, build the house, 3D spirit favor house, yeah, yeah, yeah, water slide into the ocean. (0:32:53) Kev: There’s a lot of stuff. (0:32:56) Kev: Yeah, build your 3D Animal Crossing Spiritfare pool party house. (0:33:03) Kev: Okay, that’s… (0:33:05) Al: I feel like this game is either going to be another Stardew Valley like a big really popular (0:33:12) Al: really good farming game or it’s Sugardew Island again and I can’t tell which like I (0:33:14) Kev: Yeah, there is a metal ground, you don’t think so? I kind of, I mean, I mean, you have reason (0:33:19) Al: don’t think there’s going to be a middle here I don’t know for this game like there are (0:33:25) Al: many games in the middle ground I don’t think this one can be in the middle ground it’s (0:33:29) Al: one or the other like it might be that this game is entirely fake I’m still not convinced (0:33:37) Kev: to believe that there’s a guy playing guitar with ostriches and sheep, there’s backup dancers. (0:33:43) Kev: That’s… (0:33:46) Kev: I like that. I don’t know if it’s real. (0:33:48) Al: you can get a boat with a water slide (0:33:48) Kev: But… (0:33:50) Kev: Into the ocean. (0:33:53) Al: for some reason. I’m so confused about the boat. Where’s the boat? (0:33:54) Kev: Yeah. (0:33:59) Al: Like, am I riding the boat somewhere? Because I can customize the boat, (0:34:03) Kev: Yeah, it makes you think like it’s your main base, but they show you a room. Yeah, you (0:34:03) Al: right? But it’s not. You’ve got a farm. (0:34:10) Al: So what is this? Why is this boat? Is it from traveling places or is it just a (0:34:13) Al: second home? Why was I going down the slide in (0:34:15) Kev: Probably (0:34:17) Al: might feel soon. (0:34:19) Al: So many questions. (0:34:20) Kev: There’s a lot of questions what why are you writing a legendary Pokemon not the ostrich the deer one (0:34:26) Al: And an ostrich. (0:34:29) Al: Yeah, I know I saw the deal, but the ostrich definitely looks (0:34:32) Al: fine. I would ride an ostrich. That sounds fun. (0:34:33) Kev: I (0:34:34) Al: Also, there’s a baby chick on the ostriches head for some reason. (0:34:37) Kev: It does something, you know us oh, yeah, there are there is chick. Oh, I think you customize the ostrich (0:34:44) Kev: I see one the flower too. I don’t know (0:34:46) Al: There’s a snake minigame where instead of a snake, you’re a capybara. (0:34:50) Kev: Which is I don’t like that concept I (0:34:54) Kev: Don’t like yeah, no or rather the the cap of the air gets longer. No, I don’t get that (0:34:54) Al: Of a long capybara. (0:35:03) Al: Oh, you’re fine with a long capybara just as long as it stays the same length. (0:35:04) Kev: You (0:35:06) Kev: Yes, I don’t I don’t like yes, it’s the increase here that’s making me uncomfortable but (0:35:06) Al: Is that what you’re saying? (0:35:13) Kev: Yeah, yeah (0:35:15) Kev: It’s a wild game. I (0:35:18) Kev: Don’t know (0:35:20) Kev: it looks real enough, but (0:35:24) Kev: You can put a carousel in the middle of your boat (0:35:28) Kev: It’s wild. I (0:35:30) Kev: I don’t know what what is the point of all I like. (0:35:33) Kev: What is the impetus here? Why do you write ostriches? I don’t get it. (0:35:37) Al: You get round fast, obviously. Come on. (0:35:39) Kev: Yeah, you know, apparently writing ostriches is incredibly dangerous in real life. (0:35:45) Al: Well yeah, obviously. They’re terrifying birds. (0:35:46) Kev: Yeah, yeah, but like, yeah, they are. (0:35:52) Kev: I like them, though. Anyways, I mean, it it has caught my attention (0:35:57) Kev: just because it’s it’s I don’t know what to make of it. (0:36:03) Kev: It hasn’t it hasn’t put me off. (0:36:06) Kev: So good for you, Star Santa, even with the name, you’ve you’ve caught my attention (0:36:11) Kev: to a degree, Star Santa Island. (0:36:13) Al: I also worry that there might just be too much in this game, that’s always a problem (0:36:17) Al: with these games. (0:36:18) Kev: You know, it feels like that’s kind of a recurring theme these days. (0:36:23) Kev: Like they’re just do stardew, but bigger or add more and bloat and bloat and oh, (0:36:34) Al: Well, we’ll see. We will keep you posted on this game. (0:36:38) Kev: We’re obligated to. (0:36:42) Al: Next, we have Harvest Moon Home Sweet Home Special Edition. (0:36:47) Al: So this is the console version of this game for Switch and PS5. (0:36:53) Al: We now have a price. It is $40 and it’s up for pre-order now coming out Q4. (0:37:00) Kev: It’s… we all know what it is. It’s the harvest moon. The Natsume… (0:37:10) Kev: Well, I’m not gonna get it, I’ll be honest. (0:37:13) Al: That’s fair. I will say, I still think this is actively a good game. My big question is, (0:37:22) Al: is there going to be an update coming to the mobile version that gives us the stuff that (0:37:26) Kev: Hmm (0:37:28) Al: this version has, like the hover bike and stuff like that? (0:37:31) Kev: I I wouldn’t rule it out. Not something has been surprising us lately. So maybe actually it’s more than 0% chance (0:37:34) Al: Yep, I never expected an update for this game. (0:37:43) Al: On the console to give us controller support, for example, never expected that and we got (0:37:48) Al: it. So maybe, maybe, but it’s weird that they’ve not done anything about it, like told us anything (0:37:55) Al: about it yet. (0:37:58) Kev: Well, it’s better than scong than in the communication. (0:38:02) Al: Next we have in what is both surprising and not surprising crossovers, like was this on (0:38:09) Kev: I (0:38:12) Al: your bingo guard of crossovers? (0:38:13) Kev: Well, no because (0:38:14) Al: No, but if you said, if you told me this was going to happen, I would say, okay, sure, (0:38:19) Al: I can see that. (0:38:21) Al: And that is Infinity Nicki cross Stardew Valley. (0:38:21) Kev: I. Okay, so to begin with, I was not familiar with Infinity Nicky. So that was my first (0:38:31) Kev: response. What is Infinity Nicky? I watched a I watched the trailer. I watched a gameplay (0:38:32) Al: This is the dressing up game, isn’t it? (0:38:39) Kev: trailer. I still don’t understand what this game is. Yeah, but it’s also gotcha. (0:38:42) Al: I’m pretty sure this is the, uh, yes, it’s the dress up game. (0:38:47) Al: So the whole point it’s, yes, it’s a gacha great dressing up game. (0:38:51) Al: So the collaboration is in Infinity Nikki. (0:38:54) Kev: very anime. Yeah. (0:38:57) Al: It’s not in Stardew Valley. (0:38:59) Al: Um, but I don’t think we know for certain, I’ve not, I didn’t notice (0:39:03) Al: anything in the trailer that gave us an indication as to what it was, but (0:39:05) Al: I’m guessing it’s Stardew inspired outfits in Infinity. (0:39:10) Kev: I thought that 3D… still pixelated, but 3D Junimo was in the game. (0:39:17) Al: Yeah, I think that’s just, this is the trailer. I don’t think that actually is going to… (0:39:20) Kev: Are you sure? Mmm… (0:39:23) Kev: I don’t know. I kind of feel like it is. It felt very… (0:39:26) Kev: That was a very detailed model for just a trailer, in my opinion. (0:39:31) Kev: There’s creatures for, to some extent, in this game. I don’t know what they do. (0:39:36) Kev: But… yeah, I don’t know. (0:39:40) Kev: But regardless, like… (0:39:44) Kev: It’s… (0:39:45) Kev: First of all, it’s… (0:39:47) Kev: It’s so many other Stardew crossovers. (0:39:49) Kev: Like, it’s, you know, 2D pixelated, indie developer, whatever, right? (0:39:54) Kev: Like, it’s kind of on the same realm as Stardew. (0:39:58) Kev: Uh, Infinity Nicky is a very high-fidelity, 3D anime, mohoyo-looking game. (0:40:09) Kev: And so it’s wild to see. (0:40:10) Kev: We started getting upgraded, like just visually, you know, up to that level. (0:40:17) Al: Oh, here’s interesting. So, apparently, Infiniti Nikkei is getting updated to have (0:40:23) Al: homes. Apparently, he didn’t have homes before. And farming. (0:40:27) Kev: Yeah, yeah, yeah, that’s correct. I do I did see that (0:40:32) Al: So, that’s interesting. (0:40:34) Kev: And well, there’s your there’s your Avenue (0:40:36) Kev: What what a get for this infinity Nikki go for the big one and I’ll start it to introduce your new home (0:40:44) Kev: Farming update with it (0:40:47) Kev: Yeah, this this whole thing is wild apparently so the internet thought so too (0:40:52) Al: Yes, so just to clarify, I think this article is mostly clickbait, but I wanted to just (0:40:58) Kev: Yeah, I agree (0:41:00) Al: have a quick chat about it. So this is a random article on a random site. Stardew Valley creator (0:41:05) Al: defends free Infinity Nikki crossover after backlash as he genuinely thought the players (0:41:11) Al: would like it. So I don’t think he’s actually responding to complaints about the fact that (0:41:17) Al: this exists. The quote comes from a tweet where he says there have (0:41:22) Al: been a few collaborations between Stardew Valley and other games over the years. To (0:41:27) Al: be clear, I never received any money from these collabs. I’ve only done them because (0:41:31) Al: I was a fan of the other games or because I genuinely thought the players would like (0:41:34) Al: it. That is not like the headline definitely makes it sound like he’s specifically talking (0:41:40) Al: about this collab. And he and he’s like making it makes it sound like it’s going, Oh, I’m (0:41:44) Al: really sad. People don’t like it. I genuinely thought the players would like it. Like that (0:41:48) Al: doesn’t seem to be the case. And if you look in the YouTube comments for this video, like (0:41:52) Al: it is mostly positive and or mostly just like shock in general, right? (0:41:56) Kev: Uh (0:41:58) Kev: I I don’t know because the (0:42:01) Kev: concern they tweeted is uh (0:42:03) Kev: Just a couple days ago, um right around the time of the trailer dropping (0:42:08) Kev: So I think he might be obviously he’s getting (0:42:11) Kev: He has a lot of people that follow him and send him comments and stuff. So (0:42:16) Kev: he I suspect there was a (0:42:19) Kev: Maybe not a large but you know how these things are a vocal minority of people (0:42:24) Kev: Who complained about this because (0:42:26) Kev: I can see the logic right concerned a star do we that’s a success right he’s (0:42:32) Kev: already getting success from stardew and now he’s collabing with the gotcha game (0:42:37) Kev: which is probably making insane boatloads of money because gotcha games (0:42:41) Kev: that’s what they do so oh look at that and see now he’s collaborating with big (0:42:42) Al: Yeah. Yeah, so well, so yeah, so my I suspect it was a small number of people who are like, oh, (0:42:54) Al: I can’t believe he’s doing this, he must just be getting a bunch of money. And so he’s like, (0:42:57) Al: no, no, I’m not getting money. And that’s all he really cared about doing, right? That’s because (0:43:00) Kev: Yeah, sure, sure, sure. (0:43:01) Al: that’s really all he said is, I don’t get money from the collabs, play it or don’t, I don’t care. (0:43:02) Kev: Yeah. (0:43:06) Kev: Yeah, pretty much. (0:43:06) Al: Right? Like, I think these are fun. And that’s basically what he’s saying, which is a fair thing (0:43:11) Al: to… to point out. I just… (0:43:12) Al: feel like this then article just takes it as like this stupid over the top forced to apologize (0:43:20) Al: because it you know it’s just like oh my word gonna know and then of course I’m playing into (0:43:20) Kev: yeah yep and then and then QS I think the 3d dream was part of it I’m still (0:43:24) Al: that by talking about it. I’m still not sure what this collab actually is as well but it (0:43:34) Kev: I’m standing by that (0:43:35) Al: we’ll see. Well I think it’ll just be inspired designs but we will see. (0:43:40) Kev: yeah I don’t know how should I put this it’s wild to me that started concerned (0:43:48) Kev: I knew what this game was from what I’ve seen. (0:43:50) Kev: in other interviews he seems a little out of touch with the gamesphere but here we are (0:43:54) Al: Yeah, maybe. All right, to finish off the news, we have two new games to talk about, (0:44:03) Al: and I don’t know why, but this is apparently horror time. One of them is called We Harvest (0:44:10) Al: Shadows, a single-player first-person farming horror allegory, (0:44:14) Al: become a recluse, build up your farm, and survive the lonely nights. (0:44:18) Kev: Yeah, this is what I said was the allegory game, um, yeah, um, this is, this is just straight (0:44:21) Al: All right. Okay. There we go. (0:44:26) Kev: horror. (0:44:27) Kev: There is no cozy here. (0:44:29) Kev: Um, it’s full 3D, first person, spooky lighting, you know, uh, run down shack you’re living (0:44:38) Kev: in. (0:44:39) Kev: You are leading a lamb to a sacrifice, it looks like, I don’t like that. (0:44:45) Kev: Um, okay. (0:44:48) Kev: I hate about, um, not just games, but like, I hate when anything describes itself as an (0:44:56) Kev: allegory or allegory, excuse me, um, uh, because like, that kind of defeats the point. (0:44:58) Al: Yeah. (0:45:04) Kev: You know, you should be able to figure it out. (0:45:04) Al: Yeah. Also, an allegory to what, right? Like, you can’t just say that. (0:45:06) Kev: And the worst part, exactly, right? (0:45:09) Kev: Exactly. (0:45:10) Kev: If you’re gonna tell me, okay, what is it for? (0:45:13) Kev: Tell me. (0:45:14) Kev: Right? (0:45:15) Kev: If you’re going to be, you know, maybe you’re inspired off. (0:45:18) Kev: Something or give me a general idea. (0:45:20) Kev: I guess I can get it, but, but you’re just okay. (0:45:25) Kev: Why were you telling me you’re, you mean something? (0:45:28) Kev: That’s like, this game has thoughts. (0:45:31) Kev: This game has emotions. (0:45:32) Kev: Okay, good for you. (0:45:34) Kev: I would hope your game does, but yeah, it’s very bizarre. (0:45:37) Al: Yeah, what am I meant to do with this information? Right? Bizarre. (0:45:44) Al: Oh my word, those creatures are horrifying. Sorry, (0:45:44) Kev: But anyways, the game itself… (0:45:46) Al: I was just watching the end of the trailer and just got jump scared from that horrible creature. (0:45:48) Kev: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, that said, I was about to say that exactly, the it is very just straight horror, those are Resident Evil-esque looking creatures at the end of that trailer. (0:46:00) Kev: Um, and you got a shotgun, and I don’t know what you’re supposed to survive, and you’re still farming somehow, apparently. (0:46:08) Kev: Um, yeah, I’m generally not a big horror, like straight horror. (0:46:10) Al: Obviously. I mean, why not? (0:46:18) Kev: Um, at least game-wise, um, so I don’t know if I’ll be checking that out, but it’s a little more refreshing than, than, you know, what is this, Star Sand Island baby? (0:46:31) Kev: A bit, it’s New Dawns, but definitely more exciting than that. (0:46:32) Al: And the other one, which I’m not 100% sure whether we have or haven’t talked about this (0:46:41) Al: one, because like some things are ringing bells. (0:46:42) Kev: We have I or I am like positive or do we talk about just on discords? (0:46:44) Al: We have talked about this, right? (0:46:48) Al: It’s not, it’s, this is the thing I can tell, it’s, it’s on, it’s not, it wasn’t on my list (0:46:49) Kev: I can’t remember because it was on a direct (0:46:54) Al: of games that are upcoming. (0:46:56) Al: So I either didn’t talk about it or I forgot to put on the list, but anyway, we’re talking (0:47:02) Al: about it. (0:47:03) Al: That’s never a way. (0:47:04) Al: The interesting thing about this one is the pixel artist is the one who did Celeste. (0:47:09) Al: So that’s exciting. (0:47:10) Kev: - Yeah, so that’s good work already. (0:47:12) Al: After quitting her dead end job, Fiona starts over on a farm and becomes the immortal hero (0:47:17) Al: of a dead God. (0:47:18) Al: Make friends, fight through horrors and pay your debt in this nightmarish life sim RPG. (0:47:24) Al: This is giving Cult of the Lamb. (0:47:26) Kev: yep it’s it’s still stardew-esque because you have a town and you’re interacting with characters and (0:47:33) Kev: possibly romancing but genuine horror there are some

Send Dr. Li a text here. Please leave your email address if you would like a reply, thanks.In episode 245 of the Make Time for Success podcast, Dr. Christine Li dives into the challenges and unique opportunities of midlife, focusing on how women can lighten their emotional and physical loads. She explores the energy drains that often come with this life phase—like clutter, overwhelming obligations, and outdated routines—and offers three practical strategies for decluttering, setting better boundaries, and reclaiming time for self-care and joy. If you're ready to feel more vibrant and empowered in midlife, this episode is for you!Timestamps:00:00:00 – 00:01:19Dr. Li introduces the episode's focus on midlife energy drains and the importance of releasing what no longer serves us.00:01:27 – 00:02:10Quick background on Dr. Li and the podcast's mission.00:02:10 – 00:04:24Overview of midlife challenges and the unique loads it brings.00:04:24 – 00:09:25Segment 1: Tackling physical and emotional clutter—tips and mindset shifts.00:09:25 – 00:13:15Segment 2: Examining expectations and perfectionism—how to lighten your internal load.00:13:15 – 00:16:25Segment 3: Identifying hidden energy drains, especially tech habits.To get the free download that accompanies this episode, go to https://maketimeforsuccesspodcast.com/midlifeTo sign up for the Waitlist for the Simply Productive Program, go to https://maketimeforsuccesspodcast.com/SPFor more information on the Make Time for Success podcast, visit: https://www.maketimeforsuccesspodcast.comGain Access to Dr. Christine Li's Free Resource Library -- 12 downloadable tools and templates to help you bypass the impulse to procrastinate: https://procrastinationcoach.mykajabi.com/freelibraryTo work with Dr. Li on a weekly basis in her coaching and accountability program, register for The Success Lab here: https://www.procrastinationcoach.com/labConnect with Us!Dr. Christine LiWebsite: https://www.procrastinationcoach.comFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/procrastinationcoachInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/procrastinationcoach/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@procrastinationcoachThe Success Lab: https://maketimeforsuccesspodcast.com/lab                        Simply Productive: https://maketimeforsuccesspodcast.com/SPThe 10th round of the Re-Energize Your Home 5-Day Challenge begins September 8th. This fun, free, effective event will give you tools to not only get a handle on your clutter, but also show you how to reclaim the energy in your home, your mind, and your life. Sign up at https://maketimeforsuccesspodcast.com/challenge

*As parents (grandparents), sometimes we can struggle with finding pleasure and satisfaction in our children Why we struggle to find pleasure in our children: 1.      We struggle because we’re too busy! a.       We’re often so busy with “serious” things that we’re uptight and just look right over them. 2.      We struggle because we’ve adopted a secular worldview! a.       The culture says that children are a burden and time robbers. b.      Many young women today are choosing to delay child.  bearing or forego it altogether. 3.      We struggle because we’ve forgotten our purpose! a.       What’s the purpose for having children? The goal? b.      If we lose our purpose we can lose our pleasure in them. The Solution: If we’re going to take pleasure in our children, we need to see two things. 1.      We need to see OURSELVES through God’s eyes! a.       The way we view our children is often influenced by how we think God sees us (even our earthly fathers). b.      David said that God “rescued me because he delights in me” (Psalm 18:19)…and “God delights in every detail of our lives” (Psalm 37:23).                                                               i.      Not because of anything in us, but because we belong to him in Christ.  c.       Our children need to know that we love them regardless of what they do simply because they belong to us! 2.      We need to see our CHILDREN through God’s eyes! a.       Psalm 127 gives us a wonderful perspective on how God sees children. b.      The point of vs 3-4 is this: children are a valuable possession. c.       3 metaphorical descriptions:                                                               i.      Gift (heritage) – extremely valuable…given by God                                                             ii.      Reward – a blessing and source of joy, fulfillment, satisfaction                                                           iii.      Arrow – use for defense…shot out to hit a target Closing thoughts & Application What kind of a legacy are we leaving behind? What memories will our children take with them? What have we communicated to them? Practical Application for showing our children we take pleasure in them (The 4 L’s) 1.      Lingering with them - Enjoy spending time with your children and having meals with them with the television off and no distracting handheld devices. 2.      Lisenting to them – Pay attention when they have something to say. Ask questions and discover their dreams. 3.      Learning alongside them – Do projects together, read to your children and grow together. 4.      Laughing with them – Funny stuff happens in the family all the time. Lighten up! Laugh about life and tell humorous stories from your past. Having fun together is an essential ingredient in delighting in your child.

Are you constantly thinking, planning, remembering, and managing—even when no one sees it? That invisible checklist in your head is called the mental load, and it might be the very thing stealing your balance. In this episode of the Faith-Led Working Moms Podcast, we're diving deep into the mental exhaustion many Christian working moms silently carry and how to begin releasing it. We'll walk through three powerful but simple steps to lighten the weight on your mind—so you can create space, think clearly, and experience peace in your everyday life. If you've ever felt mentally maxed out, this episode will help you name the burden, invite God into it, and begin finding the balance your soul is craving. Plus, don't miss the Summer Reset Sale on the Faithfully Balanced course—designed to help you go from stretched thin to peacefully grounded in just four weeks. And join our free Faith-Led Working Moms Community where you'll find support, encouragement, and women walking the same journey. What you'll learn in this episode: What the mental load is and how it affects your ability to feel balanced Why time management alone won't solve your mental fatigue How to prayerfully identify what's yours to carry—and what's not Practical ways to simplify and delegate as an act of faith A biblical reminder that your mind matters to God Scripture Referenced: Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Resources + Links:

I am breaking down my CLEAR method, letter by letter. This week I talk about LIGHTEN. How can we let go of the mental and emotional overwhelm?••• Instagram @simpleintentional Read www.simpleintentional.com Want more support? Work with me one-on-one! Reach out at hello@simpleintentional.com

Are you feeling exhausted or burnt out from the mental load?  In this episode, I speak with Professor Leah Ruppanner – sociologist, gender equity advocate, and founder of the Future of Work Lab at the University of Melbourne. Leah unpacks the mental load in a way you've never heard before - why it's not just cognitive, but deeply emotional too. If you've ever felt invisible, overwhelmed, or wondered why you're carrying so much, this conversation is for you. Leah's insights are validating, refreshing, and might just change the way you move through motherhood and work. From gendered expectations and the invisible labor women carry, to the societal norms that fuel mum guilt, Leah shares evidence-based insights and practical ways to help you begin to lighten the load.  You will hear about: - The true definition of the mental load (spoiler: it's more emotional than you think) - Why some mental load solutions don't work (and what might) - How gender norms are holding us back at home and at work - The real reason mum guilt exists and how to release it - How workplaces can (and must) better support caregiving - What the research says about dads, mental load, and the desire to be more present - Leah's vision for structural change and redefining care as essential infrastructure   MORE LINKS Connect with Leah via her website www.leahruppanner.com or on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/leah-ruppanner-1657a417/ Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity and the website  www.workingmumma.com.au or connect with Carina on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/carina-obrien/   SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW  If you loved this episode, please take a moment ot subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps us reach more working mums who need this resource to help them navigate the juggle of career and motherhood. Thanks for tuning in and see you next week. 

We're bringing you a summer replay that's all about decision fatigue - that overwhelming feeling when your brain is running on empty from making 1,500 decisions before lunch. In this episode, we break down why teachers are uniquely susceptible to mental exhaustion and share four practical strategies to lighten your decision-making load. Whether you're mapping out your classroom, planning new routines, or just trying to choose which planner to buy, we'll help you reduce overwhelm and set yourself up for a calmer school year. Prefer to read? Grab the original episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/decision-fatigue-teachers/Resources:Join the Teacher Approved Club!Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.Shop our teacher-approved resources.Join our Facebook group, Teacher ApprovedLeave your review on Apple Podcasts!Related Episodes to Enjoy:Episode 77, 3 Reasons Why a First Day of School Script Will Save Your SanityEpisode 64, Your Summer To Do List – How Teachers Can Choose the Best Tasks for Big ImpactEpisode 19, Your Back to School GoalsMentioned in this episode:Sign up for our FREE Essential 5 Challenge July 29-31 at https://secondstorywindow.net/essential5

The relationship between the Clintons and Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein is indisputable at this point. Yet the legacy media still refuses to accept the facts for what they are: Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton were very, very close to Epstein and Maxwell. The question is, when will the legacy media do their job and get all of the sordid details? My guess is, never.(commercial at 16:36)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10935097/Ghislaine-Maxwell-touted-connection-Bill-Clinton-lower-sentence-trafficking.html 

The relationship between the Clintons and Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein is indisputable at this point. Yet the legacy media still refuses to accept the facts for what they are: Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton were very, very close to Epstein and Maxwell. The question is, when will the legacy media do their job and get all of the sordid details? My guess is, never.(commercial at 16:36)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10935097/Ghislaine-Maxwell-touted-connection-Bill-Clinton-lower-sentence-trafficking.html 

If there's one thing I hear over and over from high school counselors, it's that there's just never enough time in the day. That's why I loved this conversation with Kaci Ranger—so much so that I'm bringing it back as a listener favorite! In this episode, Kaci and I talk through simple, effective time management strategies that are actually doable for busy counselors. We cover everything from building a realistic daily schedule to setting boundaries around email and meetings, plus easy ways to organize your digital tools without adding to your plate. Whether you're brand new to the role or deep into your counseling career, I know you'll walk away with a few tips to help you lighten that mental load.Resources Mentioned: More episodes on time managementLeave your review for High School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsConnect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews https://counselorclique.com/interviewsVisit my TpT store https://counselorclique.com/shopSend me a DM on Instagram @counselorclique https://instagram.com/counselorcliqueFollow me on Facebook https://facebook.com/counselorcliqueSend me an email mailto:lauren@counselorclique.comJoin the Clique Collaborative http://cliquecollab.comOriginal show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/time-management-strategies-for-counselors/

The relationship between the Clintons and Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein is indisputable at this point. Yet the legacy media still refuses to accept the facts for what they are: Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton were very, very close to Epstein and Maxwell. The question is, when will the legacy media do their job and get all of the sordid details? My guess is, never.(commercial at 16:36)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10935097/Ghislaine-Maxwell-touted-connection-Bill-Clinton-lower-sentence-trafficking.html Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

The relationship between the Clintons and Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein is indisputable at this point. Yet the legacy media still refuses to accept the facts for what they are: Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton were very, very close to Epstein and Maxwell. The question is, when will the legacy media do their job and get all of the sordid details? My guess is, never.(commercial at 16:36)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10935097/Ghislaine-Maxwell-touted-connection-Bill-Clinton-lower-sentence-trafficking.html Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

Happy Birthday, Habit Thrivers!This month marks the 3-year anniversary of the Habit Thrive Podcast!Three years of sharing this space together.Three years of stories, reflections, laughter, real talk, and habit shifts that have shaped my life … and hopefully yours, too.Over the past 3 years, I've noticed a quiet shift within myself - a lightening up that affects my life emotionally, mentally and spiritually.I'm sharing these shifts in my life in the hopes that it serves as an inspiration to you to keep at it - keep being present, keep exploring, and keep trying new things. These are your years! The years where you get to say “yes” to what matters right now.Here's to many more!Love,Lorrie xoxoxLoving the show? Let's connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & BeyondLoving the show? Let's connect! Find me:Facebook: Women's Wellness Community: For women wanting to rock their “Me Now” YearsInstagram: @Habitguru365Website: lorriemickelson.comMemberVault: lorriemickelson.vipmembervault.comHabits, Mindfulness Routines & Self Care For Women 50 & Beyond

In this episode, we speak with Shiri Grosbard, culture architect, community builder, and employer branding expert. Shiri has spent over two decades exploring how people shape companies - and how companies shape people. From co-founding G CMO, Israel's leading marketing leadership community, to shaping culture at AppsFlyer and Verbit, she's built her career on connecting values, storytelling, and growth. At its core, her leadership is about building people. A vocal advocate for women's leadership, Shiri speaks openly about breaking barriers, lifting others as she climbs, and rewriting the narratives that hold women back. Whether mentoring future leaders or challenging limiting norms, she walks the talk. Her approach blends bold self-belief with pragmatic experimentation, and her path illustrates the power of intentionality and presence, whether you're building culture, a career, or a community. In this conversation, we explore: Seeing is becoming. Representation matters. As Shiri puts it: “You can't be what you can't see.” Empowering women by leading visibly, fearlessly, and unapologetically. Shiri shares what it means to model confidence, challenge norms, and speak success into reality - especially for the next generation of women leaders. “I don't like it when women say, ‘Oh, I got lucky.' We create our own opportunities.” Bold belief at 23. A young Shiri told a potential boss: “I know that I'll be an asset to any organization that's going to take me.” That confidence set the tone for her transformative early career. Knowing when to step down Launching something doesn't guarantee you can lead it forever: “The fact that you know how to build something from scratch doesn't mean you can run it five years later.” Friction fuels progress. Hearing “no” often signals you're on to something: “I get motivated when people tell me, ‘No, that's not a good idea.' It… motivates me.” Vision, imagination, and fearless action. She combines vivid imagination with a healthy dose of risk-taking: “If I can see it, I can do it. And also, I'm not afraid to fail.” The pre-manifestation ritual. Long before “manifesting” was popular, Shiri tracked and envisioned her goals annually: “If you're very targeted, if you know what you want, it's easier to get it.” Entrepreneurship within structure. Not every organization thrives with creative energy: “Some organizations want you to be in your box.” Unexpected entry points. Her biggest career booster? Fluent English - not a tech degree: “What got me the foot in the door was actually my linguistic skills.” Lighten up to level up. Her life mantra is simple: “What's the worst case scenario? If we're healthy… we can handle it.” Don't ask for permission ask for forgiveness She believes in taking action before waiting for permission: “I'd rather not ask and then say, ‘oops, sorry.'” You are more than your job. She warns against tying identity to employment: “The essence is Shiri. It's not the place that I work for.” Prepare for the unpredictable. Always have a Plan B - especially later in life: “Always have something else going on so you don't give someone else that power.” If you're designing your career, building culture, or carving out leadership on your own terms - this episode offers grounded insights, intentional strategies, and real-world courage.

Building stronger relationships in college - and more authentic relationships - can happen with the 3Rs Framework: Recognize, Release, and Realign. To tell us more about that, it's time to introduce Dr. Kiana Dancie. She is a one-woman revolution at the intersection of laughter, healing, and empowerment. She is an award-winning comedian, transformational speaker, celebrated actress, best-selling author, certified emotional intelligence coach, and serial entrepreneur. With over 15 years of experience in entertainment and personal development, she has masterfully turned her pain into purpose and her voice into a vessel for global healing. Whether through her best-selling books, her captivating keynotes, her unapologetic comedy, or her movement-making platforms, Dr. Kiana Dancie is not just someone to watch—she's someone to work with, learn from, and never forget. In episode 582 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out about Kiana's biggest struggles and Georgia Southern, what inspired her to merge comedy with emotional healing and empowerment, how group laughter exercises and storytelling can break down emotional barriers, how the “Sisterhood Reset” program uses her 3Rs Framework to Recognize, Release, and Realign, what "baggage" college students carry the most, one take away from her book "Bye Bye Bags: Laughing to Lighten the Load", what students who feel stuck in their trauma or are afraid to be vulnerable should do, what is the lasting change she brings in the Baggage Claim Worldwide Collegiate Tour, what is the Campus Comedy Corner and what can students do if they are not comfortable in front of a group. Enjoy!

Why does summer break feel less like a break and more like running a 24/7 snack bar, cruise ship, and emergency repair hotline—with zero staff but you?! If you've ever packed 12 snacks, 4 swimsuits, and all the sunscreen only to forget your kid's shoes—or found yourself negotiating screen time while unclogging a toilet—this episode is your new best friend. In this episode, we're diving into how to lighten the invisible load for moms during summer, when the mental chaos hits peak levels. You'll laugh, you'll nod, you might even text this episode to your BFF with the words “OMG THIS IS ME.” We'll be serving up easy (but powerful!) shifts to help you stop solving everyone's problems, name that mental chaos out loud, and even sneak away guilt-free—because yes, you deserve magic moments too. If you're tired of being the default parent slash camp director slash snack locator… this one's for you. Listen and learn how to lighten the invisible load for moms—because it's time for you to enjoy summer too. Resources We Shared: Turn "I'm bored" into "Look what I built!" with our digital kids course, Not So Bummer Summer! Get all the details HERE! Use the code PODCAST50 to get 50% off! Join our FREE No Guilt Mom Podcast group Visit No Guilt Mom Follow us on Instagram! Check out our No Guilt Mom Amazon Shop with recommended books and books from podcast guests HERE! Rate & Review the No Guilt Mom Podcast on Apple here. We'd love to hear your thoughts on the podcast! Listen on Spotify? You can rate us there too! Check out our favorite deals and discounts from our amazing sponsors here! #parentingpodcast #parentingtips #selfcare #mentalload #kids #teenager #toddler #preschooler #baby #noguiltmom #invisibleload, #summerchallenges, #familydynamics, #motherhood, #communication #delegation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lighten your load without lowering your intensity!  @trisaleehutch brings the heat with 5 must-have tools for your home health care kit. These game-changing essentials help you level up your care—without weighing you down. Smarter tools, stronger support. If you found this content helpful, go to https://PTonICE.com to check out our collection of Free Resources like the MMOA Digest our Bi-Weekly Research Email that goes out to thousands of clinicians.

Have you ever felt like you were carrying all the mental load at home? Like you're the one remembering the gifts, refilling the coffee, scheduling the doctor's appointments, and making sure the dishwasher actually gets emptied? Life Coach and Fair Play Method Facilitator Katelyn Denning is here to help us make the invisible load more visible – and finally figure out how to share the responsibilities that keep life moving. If you've been carrying too much for too long, this episode is just what you need.

Lighten up if are too serious but if not, take the time to teach a kid about the real life.

Do you ever walk into a room and forget why you're there—because your brain is juggling 35 invisible tabs at once?In Episode 302 of Her Home and Heart, we're unpacking the mental and emotional load that so many Christian homeschool moms silently carry. From constant planning to managing emotions, homeschool, meals, and life—it's no wonder we feel exhausted. I'll walk you through how to recognize the signs of cognitive overload, how to dump and delegate what's weighing you down, and how to create flexible rhythms that work with your season—not against it.

Summer brings big changes for Christian mamas, whether your kids are home from school or you're switching up your homeschool routine. In this episode, Natalie shares how to navigate the summer schedule transition with grace and find peace in the chaos. With practical tips and biblical encouragement, you'll learn how to embrace a messier home, lighten your schedule, and slow down to savor simple moments with your kids. Natalie also shares a personal story about letting her kids' LEGOs take over the dining room and offers her Trigger Tracker to help you manage those trigger-y summer moments. Tune in to discover how to make this summer joyful and restful, leaning on God's promise of rest.Key PointsUnderstand the Summer Shift: Whether your kids are home from school or you're adjusting homeschool routines, summer can feel chaotic. It's normal to feel overwhelmed, but you can reframe this season as a gift to slow down and connect with your kids.Practical Tips for a Slower Summer:Embrace a Messier Home: Let go of the pressure for a spotless house. Try a 15-minute daily “reset” with your kids and remember that messes are signs of your blessings (Psalm 127:3).Lighten the Schedule: Avoid overpacking with activities. Choose 1-2 meaningful outings per week and leave room for spontaneity (Ecclesiastes 3:1).Build Simple Connection Moments: Prioritize presence with low-effort activities like reading or a backyard picnic. Use everyday moments to share God's love (Deuteronomy 6:7).Protect Your Peace: Watch for triggers of anger or overwhelm. Pause to pray and use the Trigger Tracker to respond with grace (Matthew 11:28).Personal Story: Natalie shares how letting her kids' LEGOs take over the dining room one summer helped her embrace the mess and find joy in the moment.Biblical Encouragement: Lean on God's promise of rest in Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”Do You Have a Critical Heart, Mama?Help! I'm Angry Now: Calm Mom Anger in the MomentDestructive Anger on Wheels: Dealing with Mom Rage in the Car With KidsStaying Calm Through Tattling & Sibling RivalryRefresh Your Soul to Calm the Mom Anger and RageGrab Natalie's FREE Trigger Tracker!Make Wellness - Biactive Precision Peptides Questions, thoughts, feedback? Send me a text!Connect with Natalie: Natalie's Website: nataliehixson.comInstagram: instagram.com/angrymamacoachPinterest: pinterest.com/nataliehixsonYouTube: @angrymamacoachAcknowledgements: Producer and editor: Skye Hixson Music: Simon Reid www.simonreidmusic.com

Contingency planning (Amazon Affiliate) is second nature for first responders—but constantly living in "what if" mode comes at a cost. In this episode of the Tactical Living Podcast, Coach Ashlie Walton and Sergeant Clint Walton explore the mental load of always having a backup plan—and how it affects decision-making, relationships, and long-term emotional health.

Today, we're diving into the invisible but exhausting reality of the mental load—the constant thinking, planning, and remembering that so many moms carry daily. You'll learn what the mental load really is, why it feels so heavy, and how to begin lightening it through six practical, mindset-shifting steps. From redefining your household standards to sharing responsibilities more effectively and reclaiming your recovery time, this episode offers a powerful reset for any mom who feels like she's always on. You don't have to carry it all—and this is your starting point for feeling lighter, clearer, and more at peace.If you'd like to get the show notes for this episode, head to: https://leighgermann.com

"What need is there to weep over parts of life? The whole of it calls for tears. New ills will come, or old ones will return. Meanwhile, keep your spirit cheerful." - Epictetus, DiscoursesThe other day, my daughter was stressed about some complicated logistical stuff happening two days in the future. She was visibly distraught and trying to figure out what to be prepared for in case it all went badly. I am not great at this myself, but I reminded her that tomorrow's troubles don't require your negative energy today. Lighten up. Thanks for reading Geeky Stoics! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Seneca wrote in one of his "Letters to Lucilius” that, "We are tormented by what is to come more than by what is. The future is uncertain, and we often suffer more in imagination than in reality." That is to say, we go over scenarios for how badly something could go, it causes us suffering, and then it comes, and it wasn't really that bad. Then we laugh. What was I so worried about? There's a balance between planning for all eventualities (being prepared) and suffering in advance of imagined problems. You're planning a hike and need to prepare for the possibility of rain and sleet, so you pack a rain jacket and the appropriate shelter. You don't get into a huff about weather that hasn't come yet. That's silly. When it's all said and done, though, and you realize you've been wound tight over imagined struggles that never even came about, feel free to have a laugh about it. Don't take yourself so seriously, or even this messy life. If you want to go a bit deeper on humor and leadership and when to laugh it off, check out this video above. It's exclusive to newsletter subscribers before it hits YouTube later this week. Be well. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.geekystoics.com

Struggling with Mental Clarity in your daily routine? Boost focus, reduce stress, and improve life quality with Dr. Gregory T. Obert's FREE mindfulness training.

Are you constantly juggling your family's calendar and feeling the weight of the mental load? In this episode of The Parenting Reset Show, Tess Connolly, LCSW, talks with Jessica Etting, founder of Jam, the AI-powered family organization app designed to help parents of tweens and teens lighten their mental load and foster independence.They explore how Jam helps families:Centralize and simplify family schedulesEmpower kids and teens to manage their own activitiesTransition from parental “policing” to supportive partnershipImprove family communication and reduce stressJessica also shares how the Jam Family Calendar integrates with existing tools, protects privacy, and encourages responsibility in tweens and teens. If you're a busy parent looking for smarter ways to stay connected and get organized, this episode is a must-listen.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage02:23 Introducing Jam: The AI Family Organizer05:35 The importance of Organization in Family Life 07:59 Empowering Kids with Jam11:47 Enhancing Family Connectivity thorough Organization15:35 Transitioning from Policing to Partnership16:50 Integrating Family Calendars21:46 Managing Privacy and Personal Schedules24:57 Subscription and Accessibility of Jam Family Calendar28:05 Mental Load And Emotional Well-Being32:03 Gratitude and Family SupportFind out more about Jessica Etting's App Jam here

Do you ever feel like you’re holding it all together—barely? This episode of The Encourager Podcast dives into the invisible mental load that women often carry and how to lighten it without letting everything crash. Rebekah shares: A personal story of a stressful May launch (hello, Maycember!) Why invisible tasks like remembering school forms and food preferences matter 3 key strategies to reduce the load: Externalize it with a brain dump Delegate & automate Use pre-decided rhythms to save mental energy

Let's talk about that feeling. The one where you're managing doctor's appointments, school events, birthday gifts, grocery lists, carpool logistics—and yet somehow, it still looks like you're "just" staying on top of life. But under the surface? It's heavy. It's exhausting. It's invisible. In today's conversation, I sat down with Dr. Morgan Cutlip (yes, again—and you'll see why!) to talk about her brand-new book A Better Share and how we can finally name, understand, and redistribute the mental load many of us carry. We dive deep into what the mental load actually is (spoiler: it's more than just remembering appointments), how it shows up in your everyday life, and how to finally start conversations with your partner that don't end in frustration or tears. Even if you feel like you've already "tried talking about it," this episode offers powerful reframes, practical scripts, and gentle encouragement to keep going—because you deserve a life that doesn't constantly feel like one giant to-do list. In this episode, we chat about: Why "just tell me what to do" misses the mark in partnerships The 3 overlapping types of tasks that make up the mental load (and why they're so hard to delegate) The hidden cost of emotional labor in motherhood What to say when your partner gets defensive (and how to prep for the convo so you don't spiral) How to ask for appreciation (and why that's not needy—it's necessary!) If you've ever felt like you're carrying too much—and no one quite sees it—this episode is a must-listen.