Podcasts about Luck

Send us a textEvery time you've been successful, it wasn't luck — it was intention. In this episode, I talk about how focus —not fortune —fuels your progress. Bethenny Frankel wrote, “Intention is a form of energy,” and she's right. The times I've felt scattered, drained, or stuck weren't because I was cursed with bad luck — it was because I wasn't being intentional.When you're intentional, you simplify your life. You tune out the noise and lock in on the signal. You start to see the leaks — the people, habits, and distractions that drain your energy — and you plug them. You stop chasing luck and start creating momentum.This episode is about bringing you back — back to focus, back to clarity, back to the thing that truly matters. Because when you can explain why you do what you do to yourself, you don't have to explain it to anyone else.Be intentional about being intentional. Focus is fuel. Luck follows focus.Support the show

00:00 – 10:45– James is back from Berlin and talks about how his trip went, his thoughts on the Colts overtime win against the Falcons 10:46 – 21:55 – Morning Checkdown 21:56 – 39:53– Concerns for the Colts at the bye?, is Alec Pierce the best WR on the team, how have James’ expectations changed as the season has gone on, the strong Week 11 slate of NFL games 39:54 – 1:09:02 – Big Ten Network’s Mike DeCourcy joins us to discuss the start of the college hoops season, Purdue’s expectations, the early returns on Darian DeVries and the Hoosiers, what would be considered a successful first season for IU, his thoughts on Butler, the Aaron Rodgers experience for his Steelers, the Mike Tomlin hot seat, the Nicholas Cage/John Travolta movie Face/Off, Morning Checkdown 1:09:03 – 1:18:42 – Caller asks about how big the trade during the Finals was for the Pacers, more Pacers thoughts 1:18:43 – 1:23:19 – Jeff talks about eating McDonalds right by the Vatican, James’ food in Berlin 1:23:20 – 1:49:18 - – NFL Network’s Stacey Dales joins us to discuss her trip to Berlin, Chris Ballard kissing Jonathan Taylor during her postgame interview, her thoughts on the Colts at 8-2 at the bye, Daniel Jones’ career resurgence, the addition of Sauce Gardner and what it does for the Colts secondary going forward, JT-MVP?, her basketball career and thoughts on Caitlin Clark and Stephanie White, Morning Checkdown 1:49:19 – 1:58:26 – IU gets back in action tonight, Colts fan in Seattle asks if he should go to the Colts-Seahawks game after getting burned years ago with the Luck retirement, 1:58:27 – 2:04:49 – Kevin should be back tomorrow, listener says the Colts fan in Seattle shouldn’t attend the game for fear of bad voodooSupport the show: https://1075thefan.com/the-wake-up-call-1075-the-fan/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Alyshia sits down with Pierson Fodé: an actor who you likely have seen all over your Netflix homepage this year. Pierson breaks down the brutal soap-opera contract that became the "best acting bootcamp" he ever had, memorizing up to 120 pages a day, and how he later reinvented himself as an actor to shake casting directors' "soapy" perceptions. We also get into why he loves self tapes including the unconventional farm-boy slate that impressed James Gunn during his Superman audition. He shares his audition approach and belief that hard work is your luck in this industry. Pierson now stars in Netflix's upcoming holiday rom-com A Merry Little Ex-Mas and recently led Netflix's #1 film worldwide The Wrong Paris. Up next, he joins Jennifer Lopez in Robert Zemeckis' highly anticipated thriller The Last Mrs. Parrish. These are the unforgettable stories that landed Pierson Fodé right here. Credits: The Wrong Paris A Merry Little Ex-Mas Swiped The Man from Toronto The Last Mrs. Parrish Naomi & Eli's No Kiss List Based on a True Story Leverage: Redemption Animal Kingdom Supergirl The Real Bros of Simi Valley Dynasty The Bold and the Beautiful iCarly Guest Links: IMDB: Pierson Fodé, Actor, Producer THAT ONE AUDITION'S LINKS: For exclusive content surrounding this and all podcast episodes, sign up for our amazing newsletter at AlyshiaOchse.com. And don't forget to snap and post a photo while listening to the show and tag me: @alyshiaochse & @thatoneaudition THE BRIDGE FOR ACTORS: Become a WORKING ACTOR THE PRACTICE TRACK: Membership to Practice Weekly PATREON: @thatoneaudition CONSULTING: Get 1-on-1 advice for your acting career from Alyshia Ochse COACHING: Get personalized coaching from Alyshia on your next audition or role INSTAGRAM: @alyshiaochse INSTAGRAM: @thatoneaudition WEBSITE: AlyshiaOchse.com ITUNES: Subscribe to That One Audition on iTunes SPOTIFY: Subscribe to That One Audition on Spotify STITCHER: Subscribe to That One Audition on Stitcher EPISODE CREDITS: WRITER: Erin McCluskey WEBSITE & GRAPHICS: Chase Jennings ASSISTANT: Elle Powell SOCIAL OUTREACH: Alara Ceri

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In today's episode, Tim Whitaker engages in a conversation with Dr. Brandon Ambrosino, author of 'Is It God's Will? Making Sense of Tragedy, Luck, and Hope in a World Gone Wrong.' They explore Brandon's journey from Pentecostalism to Catholicism, the complexities of the problem of evil, and the implications of Christian nationalism on faith. Brandon on X | @BrandonAmbro Chapters 01:54 Brandon's Journey: From Pentecostalism to Catholicism 16:50 Exploring the Problem of Evil 42:09 The Intersection of Faith and Christian Nationalism 51:51 Rethinking Theology and Community Engagement ____________________________________________________ TNE Podcast hosts thought-provoking conversations at the intersection of faith, politics, and justice. We're part of the New Evangelical's 501c3 nonprofit that rejects Christian Nationalism and builds a better path forward, rooted in Jesus and centered on justice.  If ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠you'd like to support our work or get involved, visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠www.thenewevangelicals.com⁠⁠⁠  Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals  Subscribe On YouTube @thenewevangelicals This show is produced by Josh Gilbert Media | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joshgilbertmedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We remember the FM107 days (at least as much as we can), Alexis went to a birthday party that serves adventure park realness, Jason has luck procuring a Home Depot R2D2, and Gen Z is hot for used athletic wear -- do with this this trend is cool or nasty?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#141: You Attract What You Are: How to Intentionally Attract Success & Luck Into Your Life DM me "PDF" on Insta to get a 90 day scaling roadmap Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/grantmitt/ Business Scaling Workshop 11/11 5 pm CST  https://grantmittconsulting.com/free-workshop-sign-up Apply for business mentorship (Book a call) https://grantmittconsulting.com/b2b-vsl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Ricardo discusses the role of luck and probability in project management. He explains that while luck can influence outcomes, it favors those who are prepared. Probability, he says, is not a prediction but a decision-making tool that helps manage uncertainty. Effective project managers turn randomness into results through preparation: identifying risks, creating contingency plans, defining triggers, and building buffers. Ricardo also warns against hindsight bias, which makes us underestimate luck after success. He recommends modeling uncertainty with scenarios, using simulations for high-risk decisions, protecting the critical path with buffers, and designing flexibility into projects. True management, he concludes, is not about eliminating luck but shaping how it affects outcomes—turning uncertainty into smarter choices and opportunities. Listen to the podcast to learn more!

Learn about REAL Relationship Astrology in our 4 week live course HERE: https://www.camwhiteastro.com/realrelationshipastrology With Mercury Retrograde and it conjoining Mars, as well as Jupiter stationing Retrograde, it's time to make your own luck this week! 00:00 intro 01:07 monday 05:01 tuesday 09:38 wednesday 13:18 thursday 18:19 friday 20:05 saturday 21:43 sunday 24:47 next week 08:44 real relationship astrology 14:33 happy or right vide 25:20 Mercury RX video #astrology #horoscope #mercuryretrograde

All Chapters AI Contribution: Courtesy of Google NotebookLM

An Angel For Bishop: Part 1 When two damaged souls collide can they find salvation. In 4 parts, based on a post by BurntRedstone. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, 2010 Chapter 1 The early winter storm raged and thrashed across the mountain range. It seemed especially angry with the narrow mountainside road Dan was cautiously driving his jeep on. The fierce winds fought to push the jeep across the icy road into the deep ravine below. If it wasn't for the heavy tire chains he'd installed at the base of the mountain he'd already be tumbling down that cliff. He hadn't intended on being away from his cabin at all before the winter storms arrived. He'd discovered that some of his med kit supplies had expired and needed replacing before he was snowed in for the season. It was definitely a bad idea to skimp on medical supplies when you had no access to a hospital, or doctors, for up to four months. And since he was in town anyway he'd decided to stock up on extra food as, you know, no grocery stores in his neighborhood. With the sudden arrival of what was turning out to be a monster storm he was in danger of not making it back to his neighborhood at all. He knew the road behind him was empty of cars as he'd been the last one through before the highway patrol closed the gates to the mountain road. By now the road behind would be completely impassable so there was no going back. Not that he intended to. Not when he was almost at his turn off. From the curving mountain road he'd be turning uphill, driving up a rough fire road for two miles then into an even more rugged trail for another mile through the forest to his house. If the storm picked up any more even his customized jeep with its extra clearance wouldn't make it beyond the highway and he'd have to snowshoe in the remaining distance. That was not something he was looking forward to. Dan's jeep ground its way along the snowy road getting closer and closer to the fire road. A short time later he rounded the last bend and spotted the road marker indicating his turn was just ahead. On his right side was a thin strip of trees and beyond that nothing but sky. It was a scary section of road with minimal guard rails. It paid to take extra care here. He almost missed spotting the body in the tree as he drove past. Dan's subconscious mind latched onto the image and his foot was pressing carefully on the brake before his conscious mind knew why. Once he stopped he looked back over his shoulder to confirm what he'd seen. It wasn't just an odd shadow or a clump of branches. He could clearly see a body leaning into the branches of one of the trees dangling over the edge of the cliff. He put the jeep in park with the engine still running, set the hazards on, and cranked the heat up to full. He pulled his hood up and gloves on before he stepped out of the warm cabin of his jeep into the wailing storm. He made his way to the back of the jeep and looked again at where the body was in the tree. He'd have to climb up to get it and that was going to be risky. He pulled his climbing rope out of the back hatch of the jeep and stepped into the harness. Once secured, he tied the end of the rope to the trailer hitch and quickly made his way over to the side of the road. He could see the short section of guard rail had been slammed into, bent over, and broken off. It rested precariously on the edge. There was very little evidence of skid marks as the snow was blowing very hard by this point. He cautiously stepped forward and looked over the edge. Not too far below, maybe 50 feet, he saw the remains of one of those trike motorcycles. What kind of moron would be driving a motorcycle this late in the season? Just to the left of the wrecked bike and sprawled across a broken spruce tree stretching out over the abyss was the moron. Dan could see his legs were bent at an unnatural angle. Hell, his torso was bent wrong as well. Most likely his back was broken. The blizzard was making it very difficult to see the man clearly but he thought he could make out some kind of emblem on the ripped leather jacket. It could be a Blood Brothers jacket but he wasn't sure. Christ, he hoped not. If he was from that gang he was a LONG way from home. Dan called out to see if the man was still alive but either the storm was whipping the sound of his voice away or the man was dead. He looked up at the body in the tree and realized the helmet had moved to look in his direction so this one was definitely still alive. From here he couldn't tell if it was a slim man or a woman. The baggy leathers made it impossible to tell accurately. He took a few more steps towards the tree and saw its roots were deeply entangled with the rough cliff side. He judged it to be sturdy enough to support his weight if he climbed up. Just as he prepared to step off onto the tree he heard the unmistakable sound of a gunshot followed by a feminine cry. He looked up and saw the right sleeve of the leather jacket was torn and there was blood dripping from it. Dan looked down and saw the man below was holding a gun and was struggling to hold it steady. When he saw it swing towards him he flung himself back from the edge. A second shot rang out digging through the ground where he'd just stood. "What the fuck are you doing?!?" Dan yelled over the edge. "I'm here to rescue you!" "The bitch is mine! She dies with ME!" he heard the man reply. Another shot was fired but this one hit a branch to the woman's left. The man was deranged! Dan wouldn't be able to get to her before the maniac below hit something vital. And if Dan tried to climb out there he would likely be the target of the next bullet. He'd taken enough bullets in his life. He had to stop him. Quick! He frantically looked around for a weapon, something he could use to stop the idiot with the gun. Another shot rang out and the woman's helmet snapped to the side as the bullet grazed it. The only thing Dan saw was the broken section of guard rail. He reached down and with a huge effort lifted it above his head. It was damn heavy as chunks of two posts were still attached. Dan shuffled to the cliff's edge just above where the man was. He heaved the metal beam and lumber over the edge and watched as it fell. The man squealed in terror as the plummeting chunk of steel and lumber rushed down to crash into his broken body. It tore him and most of the spruce tree from the cliff face and they all fell hundreds of feet onto the rocks below. The crushed trike, which had been braced by the tree, slowly slid off the small ledge and tumbled after its owner. Dan quickly stepped out onto the tree and climbed up to the woman. He called out but she was limp and leaning into the tree. He saw that one of the branches had pierced her shoulder, pinning her in place. It probably saved her from falling to her death. The branch hadn't gone all the way through. He strapped her to his harness then he gently pulled her loose from the branch. Luck was on her side again. There was very little blood so nothing major had been hit by the branch. She was unexpectedly light. Dan got a good grip then descended the tree with her and pulled her backwards onto the road. Once safely away from the cliff he untied her and removed his harness. He scooped her up and carried her to the passenger side of the jeep. Once the door was open he slid her limp body onto the seat and pushed the seat back into its reclined position. Closing the door he raced around the back of the jeep, dropped the rope and harness through the hatch and got back into the driver's side. His face stung from the interior heat but after a few seconds it started to feel really good. Dan reached into the back seat and grabbed one of the new packages of bandage wrap. He used his belt knife to open the package and cut a section off. He did a quick field dressing on both her arm and the puncture wound on her shoulder. He reached under her helmet and pressed his fingers to her neck. Her pulse was a little weak but it seemed steady. Her skin was so cold! Looking at the bandages he realized it was all he could do for now. He really had to get her back to his house if he was going to save her from freezing to death. Slipping back into gear Dan rolled the jeep forward out of the snow pile that had accumulated around the vehicle. Soon he was moving steadily forward and he could see the fire road just ahead. The trees sheltered it better than the open highway but there was still a fair amount of snow to drive through. Dan turned into the road and maintained a steady pace as the road climbed ever upwards. The jeep was really struggling in the drifts as he rolled over the final crest before the forest trail. He quickly glanced at his passenger then swung the jeep into the trail and surged forward. The going was especially tough here but the chains continued to grip and dig into the hard ground beneath the snow. Occasionally he had to fight the wheel as the jeep slipped sideways, threatening to pin itself between the trees. Somehow he kept the momentum going until the jeep suddenly left the forest and he faced his garage door fifty feet ahead. Dan pushed the button on the remote strapped to his visor and saw the garage door begin to climb. He rolled the jeep forward slowly until it settled on the pad inside the garage. He pressed the remote button again and the door closed behind the jeep. He rushed over to the inside door and propped it open. He went back to the passenger side, opened the door and carefully lifted the woman's body out of the jeep, keeping her helmeted head against his shoulder. He couldn't get over how light she was. She had to be at least as tall as him but she felt like nothing in his arms. As quickly and carefully as he could he carried her into the house and into the first guest bedroom. He set her on the bed and began to remove her damp clothing. The boots were first then her damp socks. The skin on her toes was the lightest shade of pink so it didn't look like she had frostbite there. The leather chaps came off fairly easily but her jeans were very damp. He unbuttoned them and slipped the zipper down. They weren't very tight but that was mostly due to how much weight she seemed to have lost. The skin on her legs almost seemed loose. She wasn't wearing panties and it looked like she kept herself completely shaved down below. A flash of gold drew his eyes to a single ring piercing her clitoral hood. He looked away, embarrassed. He dried off her legs with a thick towel he grabbed from the room's bathroom. He removed the chin strap and slid the helmet slowly and carefully upwards until he could toss it aside. Long but dull and matted platinum blond hair poured out of the helmet. It felt a bit like dry straw. He pushed it away from her face and sucked in a breath. She was exquisite! Almond shaped eyes (bruised looking and still closed), fine brows, high cheekbones, slender nose, and full, lush lips which currently looked dry and chapped. She was a true beauty, or would be if she could add on some healthy weight. Her cheeks were a little sunken. While he wanted to take a closer look at his patient he still had to remove her damp jacket and shirt. Both came off relatively easily and again Dan could see the woman was badly underfed. She wore no bra underneath her shirt and considering her obvious and rather large breast implants he was more than a little surprised by this. Those breasts had to be uncomfortable without some support. He saw more piercings, both of her nipples had small gold bars with loops. Dan dried her torso and arms with the towel then wrapped her in a thick, soft electric blanket from the room's closet and set it to a medium-high setting. He ran back to the jeep and grabbed the medical supplies he'd bought. He closed the garage door and went back to the woman. Opening the blanket to get access to her wounds he cleaned them and replaced her bandages. Aside from the grazed arm and the puncture on her shoulder there weren't any other fresh injuries he could see. Healed or healing ones though, she had plenty of scars to prove she'd born quite a lot of pain in her life. Some looked like burn marks, like someone had used her arm as an ashtray. He'd done what he could for now. He closed up the blanket and pulled the bed's quilt over her as well. Her pulse had steadied and seemed strong to him. He'd just have to wait for her to wake up so he could question her about where she might be feeling pain. He felt totally inadequate for the task of being her doctor but he was all she had as the storm continued to rage outside and showed no signs of lessening. He went back to the jeep and unloaded the food. He put most of it into the huge pantry in the kitchen but the meat went into the deep freezer in the garage. Back in the small bathroom of the guest bedroom he poured a glass of water and put it on the end table next to the bed. It was likely she'd be thirsty when she woke up. A quick look at the clock on the wall showed him it was past dinner time but he was more tired than hungry. The window in the room showed the sun must have set as all he could see was the snow that blew against the glass and blackness beyond. He sat in the room's only chair to keep vigil over his patient but shortly exhaustion pulled him down into its embrace and he was gone. Chapter 2 Bullets whizzed by his head, one taking a nip of his ear as it passed. Still he ran on. He had to get back to the house. He could hear the steady beat of the approaching copter's blades as he ran from cover to cover, popping up to fire a round through the head of the next unlucky bastard to get between him and the house. He felt the sting of a bullet passing through his calf but he put that sensation aside and continued on. He slammed into the front door of the house only this time it was locked and he had no way in. Dan gasped awake, the nightmare still raw in his mind. He could feel the familiar ache in his right calf. He leaned forward and put his head in his hands. His forehead was dripping wet. He shuddered as the reaction left his body. It was obvious to him what had triggered him this time. He hadn't been shot at in years but you never forget. Pulling his hands down he noticed the room around him. He glanced at the clock and was startled to see that he'd slept through the night. It was almost 7am. Then he felt eyes on him. Right! The woman! He looked over at her and saw she was awake and staring in his direction from behind her bangs, her gaze dull. The bed's quilt had been thrown back but she was still cocooned within the electric blanket. She had it wrapped around her head and all the way down and over her feet. Only her face showed. He stepped to the side of the bed and knelt down so he wasn't towering over her. Her eyes remained downcast, pointing somewhere in the general vicinity of his chest. He tried to get her to look into his eyes but she seemed to be avoiding this. He didn't quite know what to make of this behavior. "Hi, my name's Dan. Dan Bishop. You were in an accident out there on the mountain road. I found you and brought you to my home because the road back to town was closed by snow." He saw no response. "Can you hear me?" She nodded almost imperceptibly. "Can you tell me your name?" Nothing. "I need you to wiggle your toes." He saw a slight motion at the bottom of the blanket. "Good! How about your fingers?" The sides of the blanket moved a little as she moved her fingers. "That's excellent! Can you tell me where you might be feeling pain?" Nothing. Dan was feeling desperately out of his element. She could obviously understand what he was saying but she couldn't or wouldn't talk. Maybe she was frightened or embarrassed. I mean, she was in a strange place and a stranger had obviously removed her clothes. God! He was suddenly so embarrassed himself! While he knew it had been necessary he was still a little ashamed for having undressed her when she was unconscious. "Look, I'm terribly sorry for removing your clothes but they were wet and you were freezing to death. I'll get you something warm to wear." Dan suddenly realized there probably wasn't any woman's clothing in his house. He walked over to the dresser and checked in a few of the drawers. Nothing. "Uh, I might have something in the other rooms. I'll be right back." He rushed through the other guest rooms and again found nothing except a skimpy white bikini bathing suit. Last summer his buddy Wally visited with his latest girlfriend and she must have left it behind. She'd been petite and her tits had been much smaller than this woman's but he thought the swimsuit might be a good substitute for underwear at least. He went into his room and gathered up a flannel shirt, a thick sweater, some fleece sweat pants which had a drawstring, and a pair of warm socks. When Dan returned to the woman she hadn't moved but her eyes tracked him when he entered. "I have some clothes for you. Sorry, I don't have any woman's clothing but you can wear this stuff to keep warm until I've washed and dried the clothes you were wearing. I found a bathing suit you can use as underwear, if you want." She said nothing but continued to keep him in her view. He knelt once more beside the bed. "Can you tell me your name?" he asked gently but still got no response from the woman. "I'd feel more comfortable using a name than just saying 'Hey You'." He caught the flick of her eyes up to his face then to the doorway then back down to his chest. Was she expecting the man she was riding with to show up? Considering the scars he'd seen on her, it might explain some of her current behavior. If the asshole with the gun had been one of the Blood Brothers he'd probably treated her poorly. She seemed too frightened to talk. He rubbed his face and decided there wasn't going to be a better time to tell her. He wondered how much she recalled of her 'rescue'. That might be a good place to start. "Do you remember the accident?" he asked. She shook her head with a tiny motion. "When I found you, you were stuck in a tree on the side of the road. Your... traveling companion had fallen about 50 feet below and was very badly injured." Dan saw her eyes flick up to his face occasionally as he spoke. "I thought he was dead so I tried to get you out of the tree. But he wasn't dead. He started shooting at us. Do you have any idea why he would do that?" he asked gently. Tears were starting to well up in her eyes and she shook her head briefly. God, he wasn't ready to deal with tears. He rushed ahead. "I didn't have a choice. He kept shooting at you and managed to hit you twice. I couldn't reach him to stop him so I- I dropped a section of the guard rail on him and he fell the rest of the way to the bottom of the ravine. He didn't survive the fall. I'm so sorry! Was he your husband? A boyfriend?" Her eyes closed and the tears were forced out. A single tear rolled down each cheek. But strangely she seemed to relax a little. He heard her breathe out in a long sigh. Dan hadn't realized she was holding her breath. Then she spoke for the first time. It was almost a whispered croak. "Master." What she'd said didn't register with Dan. It had also been so quiet. "I'm sorry, what?" "Master," she said again. Dan sat back on his heels. This was way outside his area of experience. He shook his head and went back to his original question now that he got her talking. "OK, let's put that aside for now. I'd really like to know your name." Her eyes dropped back to his chest. His frustration surged and engaged his mouth before his brain regained control. "What did your Master call you?" As soon as the words left his lips he wished he could take them back. What a colossal asshole he was! This was exactly why he avoided being around people. "Whore... slut... bitch... cunt... cum-dump... fuck-hole," she immediately whispered, as if she wasn't at all disturbed by his cruel question. Dan was shocked. Then he considered the evidence of the physical abuse. Why hadn't he expected there to be mental abuse to go with it? She seemed to be having trouble with her throat. He caught her glance to the glass of water. God he was so stupid! She was parched and the glass of water was right there beside her. Full. She hadn't taken a drop though he could hear that her throat was raw. He took the glass and lifted it to her lips as he helped her sit up slightly. She sipped at first but when he didn't take it away she began to gulp at the water desperately. "Whoa, easy now. Drink slower or you'll make yourself sick," he said. She immediately stopped and dropped her eyes again. "I didn't say you should stop drinking. If you want more, please drink. Just take smaller sips. Let your stomach adjust," he said, using as calm a voice as he could. She glanced up again then she began to sip at the water. When it was almost gone she pulled back slightly so he put the glass back on the end table and allowed her to settle back on the bed. He was realizing that she wasn't going to collapse in grief with the loss of her "master" and that was a tremendous relief for Dan. She still seemed to be a little nervous but was no longer looking to the doorway every few seconds. So, he was probably right when he'd guessed she was expecting the man to arrive. That was one BIG concern out of the way, for both of them it seemed. "Look, I'm not going to use those names on you so I'd prefer your real one." Her eyes flicked up to his face once. "Do you remember your name?" he asked. She paused then shook her head. How could you not recall your own name? What the hell had been done to her? Well, he couldn't just give her a name. Assigning her a name like Mary, Joan, or Brenda just felt wrong. But a nickname might be okay. It was a friendly gesture as long as the name didn't offend. He thought about what his Mom would have said if she had been alive to meet this young woman. First thing she'd do is feed the poor dear as she was so 'willowy'. His mom loved those old genteel expressions. He smiled at the memory of his mother. He looked at the woman and decided that 'Willow' really did suit her. Gracefully slender and lithe. At least it did now with her underfed body. He'd have to be careful how he approached this. He didn't want to hurt her feelings. "Would you mind if I called you 'Willow' until you recall your real name?" he asked gently. She looked into his eyes with surprise. Even her mouth made a cute little o shape. When she realized she was keeping eye contact she quickly looked down but he could see a smile forming on her lips which she tried to hide. She gave him a little nod in agreement. It was time for him to follow his mother's 'advice' and get some food into her to begin her restoration. "OK 'Willow', I'm going to go make us some breakfast. Considering you look like you haven't eaten in a while I'm going to have you start with some warm porridge and we will see how your stomach handles that. If you are fine by lunch I will start slowly increasing your portions from that meal onwards. Is that okay with you?" She gave him another small nod though she kept her eyes down. He was getting a little exasperated by that but he wouldn't push her. "I'll just step out to the kitchen to prepare the food. You should get dressed and come meet me there when you are ready, okay? It's just down the hall to the left." He went to the kitchen and prepared breakfast for them both. Porridge for her and eggs for him. The simple act of cooking settled his nerves. Dealing with people was still very difficult for him. He always felt so uncomfortable around people and always said the wrong things. As he worked on preparing the meals he realized that it actually felt good taking care of someone other than himself. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed it with his self-imposed isolation. He hadn't heard her enter the kitchen so he jolted a little when he turned back from the fridge to find her standing topless at the end of the counter. She was wearing his socks and track pants but was holding the shirt and bikini top in her hands. He was so surprised he dropped an egg from his nerveless fingers. His eyes locked on her chest until the egg cracked on the floor at his feet. He glanced down and said "Shit!" Willow's expression froze and she dropped down before him and knelt with her forehead pressed to the floor. Her hair fell over the broken egg and soaked it in. He could see she was trembling. Grabbing some paper towels he knelt down and gently took her shoulders in his hands. She flinched deeply at his touch at first but he helped her sit back on her heels then he used the paper towels to sop up the raw egg in her hair. She'd need to wash it but first he wanted her to eat something so she wouldn't pass out in the shower. She kept her eyes down looking at the floor. He did his best to keep his eyes off her chest. "Willow, you didn't do anything wrong. Even if you had I wouldn't expect you to kneel at my feet. okay? I don't know what that guy did to you but you aren't going to be treated poorly here." Her trembling slowed to a stop as the beating she was expecting didn't happen. She cautiously glanced at his face and saw he had an uncomfortable smile. She was obviously confused and looked back down again. "Can I ask you why you are topless?" he asked gently. Willow held out the bikini top. She held it against her chest but he could see she didn't know how to tie the straps. He'd never tied one of these before either but she didn't even seem willing to try. He helped them both stand. Steeling himself to consider this as just another engineering puzzle he could help her without being embarrassed by the personal nature of the task. Standing this close to her he realized that she was actually a couple of inches taller than his 5' 8". He actually had to look up a little to look in her eyes. It was then, when he was just inches from her face that he noticed her eyes. They were the most amazing shade of green with gold flecks. Finding himself getting lost in her eyes he pulled himself back to the task at hand. He took the bikini top from her and tied the top straps together and slipped the loop over her head. Then he got behind her and pulled the bottom strings under her arms and tied it in a bow on her back. He came back around to her front to see if he'd tied it correctly. Her large breasts were straining at the fabric and spilling out of the bottoms. He realized he should have tied the lower string first to provide support under her heavy breasts then tie the top strap to lift the flesh up into a comfortable position. She stood quietly with no expression on her face while he redid the ties. Soon she was looking spectacular in the silky bikini top though it was a little small and struggled to support her bounty. The small gold rings in her nipples could easily be seen pushing against the fabric. Willow shyly looked into his eyes and he was surprised to see a little desperate need there. Like she was looking for acceptance or praise. He was a little uncomfortable but words sprung to his lips automatically. "You look truly lovely!" And she did, aside from looking like she was starving. She certainly had the frame and foundation for true beauty. If she hadn't been so neglected she would be gorgeous. Her expression underwent a strange transformation at his words. She looked shocked at first, like she'd never heard someone mention her beauty before. Then her eyes welled up with tears and she bit her lower lip. She lowered her eyes again but the smile stayed on her lips. Dan took his fleece shirt from her hand and held it out for her to place her arms into the sleeves. He turned her around once the shirt was over her shoulders so he could button up the front. He really needed to hide her amazing tits as his erection was threatening to split his jeans. Having his hands so close to them was not helping. He grabbed some more paper towel and wiped up the remains of the dropped egg. Then he turned back to their breakfast and allowed the homey activity take his thoughts away from Willow's beauty and the tightness developing in his pants. When he was finished he noted that she was still standing exactly where he'd left her. Dan raised an eyebrow and pointed to the chair at the small table by the window. She went to the chair and sat. He placed the full bowl and spoon before her and went back to get his own meal. When he returned he could see her eyes were fixed on the bowl but she hadn't moved. The scent of its rich flavor was gently rising in the steam towards her face and Dan saw a line of drool had tracked from the corner of her mouth to drop to her lap from her chin. "Willow? Willow!" Dan said, trying to get her attention. She jumped slightly then flinched, expecting a slap. "It's okay, you can eat. I made sure it's not too hot. It's safe," he said gently. She lifted the spoon awkwardly then scooped a good amount into her mouth. She froze when the porridge hit her tongue. Her eyes closed in bliss as she rolled the warm porridge across her tongue then swallowed it. She glanced at Dan from under her bangs then quickly took another scoop, then another. Accelerating. Dan reached out and gently took her hand. She froze and looked down, trembling. "Willow, it's okay. Just eat slower or you might make yourself sick. We have all the time in the world. Enjoy your meal." He released her hand after making sure she'd keep the spoon in it. She glanced at him then slowly scooped out another spoonful and slowly put it in her mouth, all the while keeping an eye on him for his approval. Dan felt ridiculous. She was a grown woman and she was asking him to show her how to eat? Before his buzzing nerves provoked him into saying something stupid again he took a deep breath and began to eat his own breakfast. Out of the corner of his eye he saw that she was matching his pace exactly. He'd lift his food to his mouth and she'd lift her spoon to her mouth. He sighed and wondered again what had happened to her to make her this way. She almost seemed desperate for his approval. Didn't she realize she was free of that moron? After breakfast they would need to have a little talk. Hmm... maybe after she showered. She was a little ripe, probably a by-product of her malnutrition. And he had to wash and mend her clothes. Soon he could hear the scrape of her spoon on the bowl as she went after the last morsels of her breakfast. He had probably given her a little too much but it was fairly easy on the stomach, very nutritious, and the extra helping of honey he'd added would start her on track to get some flesh back onto those bones. He poured her some sweet herbal tea to help warm her up and she sipped at this while he finished his own meal. He caught her eyeing a piece of bacon on the edge of his plate and she instinctively pinched her eyes shut and winced when she realized he'd seen her looking. Dan felt so helpless at seeing her fear, then it made him angry at the son-of-a-bitch who did this to her but he knew his anger would frighten her more, so he just let out a slow breath and tried to center himself. He picked up the bacon and held it out to her just before her lips. Willow's nose twitched as she smelled the bacon. Her eyes opened a little and she saw he was feeding her the piece. Something needful flared in her eyes again, making Dan uneasy, and she gently leaned forward to take the bacon into her mouth. As she closed her lips they softly kissed his fingertips. She shyly looked into his eyes again and this time he instinctively knew she was asking for something from him he was not prepared to give. Dan gave her a quick smile then gathered up the dishes and brought them over to the kitchen sink. He kept his back to her and willed his cock to relax. When her soft lips touched his fingers it felt like lightning running straight up his arm, down his spine, and straight to his groin. When he'd got his breath back he glanced over at her and saw she was still munching on the piece of bacon, getting as much enjoyment from it as she could. She glanced at him with a worried look then swallowed it. She still seemed anxious and a little lost, like she had somehow done something wrong and was looking for someone to give her the answer. Dan wished someone would give him some answers. First though, she needed a shower and he needed to fix her clothing situation. He knew that the shower in the master bathroom was where the soaps and shampoos were (he lived here alone after all). So she had better use his bathroom to clean up. He walked back to her and she glanced at his face briefly, trying to read his expression. "I think it would be good and you'll feel much better if you took a shower. You can use the one in my room. I'll get you some fresh clothes and a towel for you. okay?" Willow just nodded and stood up to follow him. He walked into the master bath and pulled a plush towel and a loofa sponge from the small linen closet. When he turned back to Willow she was completely naked and looking curiously into the big shower stall. The girl was not in the least bit self-conscious about being naked in front of him. Dan didn't scold her for being naked as he knew she would just be frightened so he kept his eyes on the shower stall as he pointed out the features and how to operate it. Once she seemed to understand the controls he continued. "Uh, um, the hot water is fed from an underground hot spring into an insulated storage tank and our cold water comes from a tank fed by a nearby stream so you won't run out of either. There are biodegradable soaps and shampoos on the rack there. Here's a new loofa scrub brush you can use as well. I'll leave you clean clothes on the counter just inside the door. I'll get these washed immediately after your shower," he said as he bent down and picked up the clothes she'd stepped out of. Dumping the dirty clothes inside and pulling the laundry bag from the hamper he turned to leave and felt a gentle tug at his sleeve. He looked back and she was standing very close, trembling slightly, looking down but stealing quick glances at his eyes. He could see that desperate need was back in her eyes. "Willow, please take your shower. You'll be fine now. We'll talk once you are done and dressed again, okay?" he said, his voice trembling slightly. God she was so beautiful but so damaged! He could really mess her up if he wasn't careful. To Be Continued in part 2, based on a post by BurntRedstone for Literotica

An Angel For Bishop: Part 1 When two damaged souls collide can they find salvation. In 4 parts, based on a post by BurntRedstone. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, 2010 Chapter 1 The early winter storm raged and thrashed across the mountain range. It seemed especially angry with the narrow mountainside road Dan was cautiously driving his jeep on. The fierce winds fought to push the jeep across the icy road into the deep ravine below. If it wasn't for the heavy tire chains he'd installed at the base of the mountain he'd already be tumbling down that cliff. He hadn't intended on being away from his cabin at all before the winter storms arrived. He'd discovered that some of his med kit supplies had expired and needed replacing before he was snowed in for the season. It was definitely a bad idea to skimp on medical supplies when you had no access to a hospital, or doctors, for up to four months. And since he was in town anyway he'd decided to stock up on extra food as, you know, no grocery stores in his neighborhood. With the sudden arrival of what was turning out to be a monster storm he was in danger of not making it back to his neighborhood at all. He knew the road behind him was empty of cars as he'd been the last one through before the highway patrol closed the gates to the mountain road. By now the road behind would be completely impassable so there was no going back. Not that he intended to. Not when he was almost at his turn off. From the curving mountain road he'd be turning uphill, driving up a rough fire road for two miles then into an even more rugged trail for another mile through the forest to his house. If the storm picked up any more even his customized jeep with its extra clearance wouldn't make it beyond the highway and he'd have to snowshoe in the remaining distance. That was not something he was looking forward to. Dan's jeep ground its way along the snowy road getting closer and closer to the fire road. A short time later he rounded the last bend and spotted the road marker indicating his turn was just ahead. On his right side was a thin strip of trees and beyond that nothing but sky. It was a scary section of road with minimal guard rails. It paid to take extra care here. He almost missed spotting the body in the tree as he drove past. Dan's subconscious mind latched onto the image and his foot was pressing carefully on the brake before his conscious mind knew why. Once he stopped he looked back over his shoulder to confirm what he'd seen. It wasn't just an odd shadow or a clump of branches. He could clearly see a body leaning into the branches of one of the trees dangling over the edge of the cliff. He put the jeep in park with the engine still running, set the hazards on, and cranked the heat up to full. He pulled his hood up and gloves on before he stepped out of the warm cabin of his jeep into the wailing storm. He made his way to the back of the jeep and looked again at where the body was in the tree. He'd have to climb up to get it and that was going to be risky. He pulled his climbing rope out of the back hatch of the jeep and stepped into the harness. Once secured, he tied the end of the rope to the trailer hitch and quickly made his way over to the side of the road. He could see the short section of guard rail had been slammed into, bent over, and broken off. It rested precariously on the edge. There was very little evidence of skid marks as the snow was blowing very hard by this point. He cautiously stepped forward and looked over the edge. Not too far below, maybe 50 feet, he saw the remains of one of those trike motorcycles. What kind of moron would be driving a motorcycle this late in the season? Just to the left of the wrecked bike and sprawled across a broken spruce tree stretching out over the abyss was the moron. Dan could see his legs were bent at an unnatural angle. Hell, his torso was bent wrong as well. Most likely his back was broken. The blizzard was making it very difficult to see the man clearly but he thought he could make out some kind of emblem on the ripped leather jacket. It could be a Blood Brothers jacket but he wasn't sure. Christ, he hoped not. If he was from that gang he was a LONG way from home. Dan called out to see if the man was still alive but either the storm was whipping the sound of his voice away or the man was dead. He looked up at the body in the tree and realized the helmet had moved to look in his direction so this one was definitely still alive. From here he couldn't tell if it was a slim man or a woman. The baggy leathers made it impossible to tell accurately. He took a few more steps towards the tree and saw its roots were deeply entangled with the rough cliff side. He judged it to be sturdy enough to support his weight if he climbed up. Just as he prepared to step off onto the tree he heard the unmistakable sound of a gunshot followed by a feminine cry. He looked up and saw the right sleeve of the leather jacket was torn and there was blood dripping from it. Dan looked down and saw the man below was holding a gun and was struggling to hold it steady. When he saw it swing towards him he flung himself back from the edge. A second shot rang out digging through the ground where he'd just stood. "What the fuck are you doing?!?" Dan yelled over the edge. "I'm here to rescue you!" "The bitch is mine! She dies with ME!" he heard the man reply. Another shot was fired but this one hit a branch to the woman's left. The man was deranged! Dan wouldn't be able to get to her before the maniac below hit something vital. And if Dan tried to climb out there he would likely be the target of the next bullet. He'd taken enough bullets in his life. He had to stop him. Quick! He frantically looked around for a weapon, something he could use to stop the idiot with the gun. Another shot rang out and the woman's helmet snapped to the side as the bullet grazed it. The only thing Dan saw was the broken section of guard rail. He reached down and with a huge effort lifted it above his head. It was damn heavy as chunks of two posts were still attached. Dan shuffled to the cliff's edge just above where the man was. He heaved the metal beam and lumber over the edge and watched as it fell. The man squealed in terror as the plummeting chunk of steel and lumber rushed down to crash into his broken body. It tore him and most of the spruce tree from the cliff face and they all fell hundreds of feet onto the rocks below. The crushed trike, which had been braced by the tree, slowly slid off the small ledge and tumbled after its owner. Dan quickly stepped out onto the tree and climbed up to the woman. He called out but she was limp and leaning into the tree. He saw that one of the branches had pierced her shoulder, pinning her in place. It probably saved her from falling to her death. The branch hadn't gone all the way through. He strapped her to his harness then he gently pulled her loose from the branch. Luck was on her side again. There was very little blood so nothing major had been hit by the branch. She was unexpectedly light. Dan got a good grip then descended the tree with her and pulled her backwards onto the road. Once safely away from the cliff he untied her and removed his harness. He scooped her up and carried her to the passenger side of the jeep. Once the door was open he slid her limp body onto the seat and pushed the seat back into its reclined position. Closing the door he raced around the back of the jeep, dropped the rope and harness through the hatch and got back into the driver's side. His face stung from the interior heat but after a few seconds it started to feel really good. Dan reached into the back seat and grabbed one of the new packages of bandage wrap. He used his belt knife to open the package and cut a section off. He did a quick field dressing on both her arm and the puncture wound on her shoulder. He reached under her helmet and pressed his fingers to her neck. Her pulse was a little weak but it seemed steady. Her skin was so cold! Looking at the bandages he realized it was all he could do for now. He really had to get her back to his house if he was going to save her from freezing to death. Slipping back into gear Dan rolled the jeep forward out of the snow pile that had accumulated around the vehicle. Soon he was moving steadily forward and he could see the fire road just ahead. The trees sheltered it better than the open highway but there was still a fair amount of snow to drive through. Dan turned into the road and maintained a steady pace as the road climbed ever upwards. The jeep was really struggling in the drifts as he rolled over the final crest before the forest trail. He quickly glanced at his passenger then swung the jeep into the trail and surged forward. The going was especially tough here but the chains continued to grip and dig into the hard ground beneath the snow. Occasionally he had to fight the wheel as the jeep slipped sideways, threatening to pin itself between the trees. Somehow he kept the momentum going until the jeep suddenly left the forest and he faced his garage door fifty feet ahead. Dan pushed the button on the remote strapped to his visor and saw the garage door begin to climb. He rolled the jeep forward slowly until it settled on the pad inside the garage. He pressed the remote button again and the door closed behind the jeep. He rushed over to the inside door and propped it open. He went back to the passenger side, opened the door and carefully lifted the woman's body out of the jeep, keeping her helmeted head against his shoulder. He couldn't get over how light she was. She had to be at least as tall as him but she felt like nothing in his arms. As quickly and carefully as he could he carried her into the house and into the first guest bedroom. He set her on the bed and began to remove her damp clothing. The boots were first then her damp socks. The skin on her toes was the lightest shade of pink so it didn't look like she had frostbite there. The leather chaps came off fairly easily but her jeans were very damp. He unbuttoned them and slipped the zipper down. They weren't very tight but that was mostly due to how much weight she seemed to have lost. The skin on her legs almost seemed loose. She wasn't wearing panties and it looked like she kept herself completely shaved down below. A flash of gold drew his eyes to a single ring piercing her clitoral hood. He looked away, embarrassed. He dried off her legs with a thick towel he grabbed from the room's bathroom. He removed the chin strap and slid the helmet slowly and carefully upwards until he could toss it aside. Long but dull and matted platinum blond hair poured out of the helmet. It felt a bit like dry straw. He pushed it away from her face and sucked in a breath. She was exquisite! Almond shaped eyes (bruised looking and still closed), fine brows, high cheekbones, slender nose, and full, lush lips which currently looked dry and chapped. She was a true beauty, or would be if she could add on some healthy weight. Her cheeks were a little sunken. While he wanted to take a closer look at his patient he still had to remove her damp jacket and shirt. Both came off relatively easily and again Dan could see the woman was badly underfed. She wore no bra underneath her shirt and considering her obvious and rather large breast implants he was more than a little surprised by this. Those breasts had to be uncomfortable without some support. He saw more piercings, both of her nipples had small gold bars with loops. Dan dried her torso and arms with the towel then wrapped her in a thick, soft electric blanket from the room's closet and set it to a medium-high setting. He ran back to the jeep and grabbed the medical supplies he'd bought. He closed the garage door and went back to the woman. Opening the blanket to get access to her wounds he cleaned them and replaced her bandages. Aside from the grazed arm and the puncture on her shoulder there weren't any other fresh injuries he could see. Healed or healing ones though, she had plenty of scars to prove she'd born quite a lot of pain in her life. Some looked like burn marks, like someone had used her arm as an ashtray. He'd done what he could for now. He closed up the blanket and pulled the bed's quilt over her as well. Her pulse had steadied and seemed strong to him. He'd just have to wait for her to wake up so he could question her about where she might be feeling pain. He felt totally inadequate for the task of being her doctor but he was all she had as the storm continued to rage outside and showed no signs of lessening. He went back to the jeep and unloaded the food. He put most of it into the huge pantry in the kitchen but the meat went into the deep freezer in the garage. Back in the small bathroom of the guest bedroom he poured a glass of water and put it on the end table next to the bed. It was likely she'd be thirsty when she woke up. A quick look at the clock on the wall showed him it was past dinner time but he was more tired than hungry. The window in the room showed the sun must have set as all he could see was the snow that blew against the glass and blackness beyond. He sat in the room's only chair to keep vigil over his patient but shortly exhaustion pulled him down into its embrace and he was gone. Chapter 2 Bullets whizzed by his head, one taking a nip of his ear as it passed. Still he ran on. He had to get back to the house. He could hear the steady beat of the approaching copter's blades as he ran from cover to cover, popping up to fire a round through the head of the next unlucky bastard to get between him and the house. He felt the sting of a bullet passing through his calf but he put that sensation aside and continued on. He slammed into the front door of the house only this time it was locked and he had no way in. Dan gasped awake, the nightmare still raw in his mind. He could feel the familiar ache in his right calf. He leaned forward and put his head in his hands. His forehead was dripping wet. He shuddered as the reaction left his body. It was obvious to him what had triggered him this time. He hadn't been shot at in years but you never forget. Pulling his hands down he noticed the room around him. He glanced at the clock and was startled to see that he'd slept through the night. It was almost 7am. Then he felt eyes on him. Right! The woman! He looked over at her and saw she was awake and staring in his direction from behind her bangs, her gaze dull. The bed's quilt had been thrown back but she was still cocooned within the electric blanket. She had it wrapped around her head and all the way down and over her feet. Only her face showed. He stepped to the side of the bed and knelt down so he wasn't towering over her. Her eyes remained downcast, pointing somewhere in the general vicinity of his chest. He tried to get her to look into his eyes but she seemed to be avoiding this. He didn't quite know what to make of this behavior. "Hi, my name's Dan. Dan Bishop. You were in an accident out there on the mountain road. I found you and brought you to my home because the road back to town was closed by snow." He saw no response. "Can you hear me?" She nodded almost imperceptibly. "Can you tell me your name?" Nothing. "I need you to wiggle your toes." He saw a slight motion at the bottom of the blanket. "Good! How about your fingers?" The sides of the blanket moved a little as she moved her fingers. "That's excellent! Can you tell me where you might be feeling pain?" Nothing. Dan was feeling desperately out of his element. She could obviously understand what he was saying but she couldn't or wouldn't talk. Maybe she was frightened or embarrassed. I mean, she was in a strange place and a stranger had obviously removed her clothes. God! He was suddenly so embarrassed himself! While he knew it had been necessary he was still a little ashamed for having undressed her when she was unconscious. "Look, I'm terribly sorry for removing your clothes but they were wet and you were freezing to death. I'll get you something warm to wear." Dan suddenly realized there probably wasn't any woman's clothing in his house. He walked over to the dresser and checked in a few of the drawers. Nothing. "Uh, I might have something in the other rooms. I'll be right back." He rushed through the other guest rooms and again found nothing except a skimpy white bikini bathing suit. Last summer his buddy Wally visited with his latest girlfriend and she must have left it behind. She'd been petite and her tits had been much smaller than this woman's but he thought the swimsuit might be a good substitute for underwear at least. He went into his room and gathered up a flannel shirt, a thick sweater, some fleece sweat pants which had a drawstring, and a pair of warm socks. When Dan returned to the woman she hadn't moved but her eyes tracked him when he entered. "I have some clothes for you. Sorry, I don't have any woman's clothing but you can wear this stuff to keep warm until I've washed and dried the clothes you were wearing. I found a bathing suit you can use as underwear, if you want." She said nothing but continued to keep him in her view. He knelt once more beside the bed. "Can you tell me your name?" he asked gently but still got no response from the woman. "I'd feel more comfortable using a name than just saying 'Hey You'." He caught the flick of her eyes up to his face then to the doorway then back down to his chest. Was she expecting the man she was riding with to show up? Considering the scars he'd seen on her, it might explain some of her current behavior. If the asshole with the gun had been one of the Blood Brothers he'd probably treated her poorly. She seemed too frightened to talk. He rubbed his face and decided there wasn't going to be a better time to tell her. He wondered how much she recalled of her 'rescue'. That might be a good place to start. "Do you remember the accident?" he asked. She shook her head with a tiny motion. "When I found you, you were stuck in a tree on the side of the road. Your... traveling companion had fallen about 50 feet below and was very badly injured." Dan saw her eyes flick up to his face occasionally as he spoke. "I thought he was dead so I tried to get you out of the tree. But he wasn't dead. He started shooting at us. Do you have any idea why he would do that?" he asked gently. Tears were starting to well up in her eyes and she shook her head briefly. God, he wasn't ready to deal with tears. He rushed ahead. "I didn't have a choice. He kept shooting at you and managed to hit you twice. I couldn't reach him to stop him so I- I dropped a section of the guard rail on him and he fell the rest of the way to the bottom of the ravine. He didn't survive the fall. I'm so sorry! Was he your husband? A boyfriend?" Her eyes closed and the tears were forced out. A single tear rolled down each cheek. But strangely she seemed to relax a little. He heard her breathe out in a long sigh. Dan hadn't realized she was holding her breath. Then she spoke for the first time. It was almost a whispered croak. "Master." What she'd said didn't register with Dan. It had also been so quiet. "I'm sorry, what?" "Master," she said again. Dan sat back on his heels. This was way outside his area of experience. He shook his head and went back to his original question now that he got her talking. "OK, let's put that aside for now. I'd really like to know your name." Her eyes dropped back to his chest. His frustration surged and engaged his mouth before his brain regained control. "What did your Master call you?" As soon as the words left his lips he wished he could take them back. What a colossal asshole he was! This was exactly why he avoided being around people. "Whore... slut... bitch... cunt... cum-dump... fuck-hole," she immediately whispered, as if she wasn't at all disturbed by his cruel question. Dan was shocked. Then he considered the evidence of the physical abuse. Why hadn't he expected there to be mental abuse to go with it? She seemed to be having trouble with her throat. He caught her glance to the glass of water. God he was so stupid! She was parched and the glass of water was right there beside her. Full. She hadn't taken a drop though he could hear that her throat was raw. He took the glass and lifted it to her lips as he helped her sit up slightly. She sipped at first but when he didn't take it away she began to gulp at the water desperately. "Whoa, easy now. Drink slower or you'll make yourself sick," he said. She immediately stopped and dropped her eyes again. "I didn't say you should stop drinking. If you want more, please drink. Just take smaller sips. Let your stomach adjust," he said, using as calm a voice as he could. She glanced up again then she began to sip at the water. When it was almost gone she pulled back slightly so he put the glass back on the end table and allowed her to settle back on the bed. He was realizing that she wasn't going to collapse in grief with the loss of her "master" and that was a tremendous relief for Dan. She still seemed to be a little nervous but was no longer looking to the doorway every few seconds. So, he was probably right when he'd guessed she was expecting the man to arrive. That was one BIG concern out of the way, for both of them it seemed. "Look, I'm not going to use those names on you so I'd prefer your real one." Her eyes flicked up to his face once. "Do you remember your name?" he asked. She paused then shook her head. How could you not recall your own name? What the hell had been done to her? Well, he couldn't just give her a name. Assigning her a name like Mary, Joan, or Brenda just felt wrong. But a nickname might be okay. It was a friendly gesture as long as the name didn't offend. He thought about what his Mom would have said if she had been alive to meet this young woman. First thing she'd do is feed the poor dear as she was so 'willowy'. His mom loved those old genteel expressions. He smiled at the memory of his mother. He looked at the woman and decided that 'Willow' really did suit her. Gracefully slender and lithe. At least it did now with her underfed body. He'd have to be careful how he approached this. He didn't want to hurt her feelings. "Would you mind if I called you 'Willow' until you recall your real name?" he asked gently. She looked into his eyes with surprise. Even her mouth made a cute little o shape. When she realized she was keeping eye contact she quickly looked down but he could see a smile forming on her lips which she tried to hide. She gave him a little nod in agreement. It was time for him to follow his mother's 'advice' and get some food into her to begin her restoration. "OK 'Willow', I'm going to go make us some breakfast. Considering you look like you haven't eaten in a while I'm going to have you start with some warm porridge and we will see how your stomach handles that. If you are fine by lunch I will start slowly increasing your portions from that meal onwards. Is that okay with you?" She gave him another small nod though she kept her eyes down. He was getting a little exasperated by that but he wouldn't push her. "I'll just step out to the kitchen to prepare the food. You should get dressed and come meet me there when you are ready, okay? It's just down the hall to the left." He went to the kitchen and prepared breakfast for them both. Porridge for her and eggs for him. The simple act of cooking settled his nerves. Dealing with people was still very difficult for him. He always felt so uncomfortable around people and always said the wrong things. As he worked on preparing the meals he realized that it actually felt good taking care of someone other than himself. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed it with his self-imposed isolation. He hadn't heard her enter the kitchen so he jolted a little when he turned back from the fridge to find her standing topless at the end of the counter. She was wearing his socks and track pants but was holding the shirt and bikini top in her hands. He was so surprised he dropped an egg from his nerveless fingers. His eyes locked on her chest until the egg cracked on the floor at his feet. He glanced down and said "Shit!" Willow's expression froze and she dropped down before him and knelt with her forehead pressed to the floor. Her hair fell over the broken egg and soaked it in. He could see she was trembling. Grabbing some paper towels he knelt down and gently took her shoulders in his hands. She flinched deeply at his touch at first but he helped her sit back on her heels then he used the paper towels to sop up the raw egg in her hair. She'd need to wash it but first he wanted her to eat something so she wouldn't pass out in the shower. She kept her eyes down looking at the floor. He did his best to keep his eyes off her chest. "Willow, you didn't do anything wrong. Even if you had I wouldn't expect you to kneel at my feet. okay? I don't know what that guy did to you but you aren't going to be treated poorly here." Her trembling slowed to a stop as the beating she was expecting didn't happen. She cautiously glanced at his face and saw he had an uncomfortable smile. She was obviously confused and looked back down again. "Can I ask you why you are topless?" he asked gently. Willow held out the bikini top. She held it against her chest but he could see she didn't know how to tie the straps. He'd never tied one of these before either but she didn't even seem willing to try. He helped them both stand. Steeling himself to consider this as just another engineering puzzle he could help her without being embarrassed by the personal nature of the task. Standing this close to her he realized that she was actually a couple of inches taller than his 5' 8". He actually had to look up a little to look in her eyes. It was then, when he was just inches from her face that he noticed her eyes. They were the most amazing shade of green with gold flecks. Finding himself getting lost in her eyes he pulled himself back to the task at hand. He took the bikini top from her and tied the top straps together and slipped the loop over her head. Then he got behind her and pulled the bottom strings under her arms and tied it in a bow on her back. He came back around to her front to see if he'd tied it correctly. Her large breasts were straining at the fabric and spilling out of the bottoms. He realized he should have tied the lower string first to provide support under her heavy breasts then tie the top strap to lift the flesh up into a comfortable position. She stood quietly with no expression on her face while he redid the ties. Soon she was looking spectacular in the silky bikini top though it was a little small and struggled to support her bounty. The small gold rings in her nipples could easily be seen pushing against the fabric. Willow shyly looked into his eyes and he was surprised to see a little desperate need there. Like she was looking for acceptance or praise. He was a little uncomfortable but words sprung to his lips automatically. "You look truly lovely!" And she did, aside from looking like she was starving. She certainly had the frame and foundation for true beauty. If she hadn't been so neglected she would be gorgeous. Her expression underwent a strange transformation at his words. She looked shocked at first, like she'd never heard someone mention her beauty before. Then her eyes welled up with tears and she bit her lower lip. She lowered her eyes again but the smile stayed on her lips. Dan took his fleece shirt from her hand and held it out for her to place her arms into the sleeves. He turned her around once the shirt was over her shoulders so he could button up the front. He really needed to hide her amazing tits as his erection was threatening to split his jeans. Having his hands so close to them was not helping. He grabbed some more paper towel and wiped up the remains of the dropped egg. Then he turned back to their breakfast and allowed the homey activity take his thoughts away from Willow's beauty and the tightness developing in his pants. When he was finished he noted that she was still standing exactly where he'd left her. Dan raised an eyebrow and pointed to the chair at the small table by the window. She went to the chair and sat. He placed the full bowl and spoon before her and went back to get his own meal. When he returned he could see her eyes were fixed on the bowl but she hadn't moved. The scent of its rich flavor was gently rising in the steam towards her face and Dan saw a line of drool had tracked from the corner of her mouth to drop to her lap from her chin. "Willow? Willow!" Dan said, trying to get her attention. She jumped slightly then flinched, expecting a slap. "It's okay, you can eat. I made sure it's not too hot. It's safe," he said gently. She lifted the spoon awkwardly then scooped a good amount into her mouth. She froze when the porridge hit her tongue. Her eyes closed in bliss as she rolled the warm porridge across her tongue then swallowed it. She glanced at Dan from under her bangs then quickly took another scoop, then another. Accelerating. Dan reached out and gently took her hand. She froze and looked down, trembling. "Willow, it's okay. Just eat slower or you might make yourself sick. We have all the time in the world. Enjoy your meal." He released her hand after making sure she'd keep the spoon in it. She glanced at him then slowly scooped out another spoonful and slowly put it in her mouth, all the while keeping an eye on him for his approval. Dan felt ridiculous. She was a grown woman and she was asking him to show her how to eat? Before his buzzing nerves provoked him into saying something stupid again he took a deep breath and began to eat his own breakfast. Out of the corner of his eye he saw that she was matching his pace exactly. He'd lift his food to his mouth and she'd lift her spoon to her mouth. He sighed and wondered again what had happened to her to make her this way. She almost seemed desperate for his approval. Didn't she realize she was free of that moron? After breakfast they would need to have a little talk. Hmm... maybe after she showered. She was a little ripe, probably a by-product of her malnutrition. And he had to wash and mend her clothes. Soon he could hear the scrape of her spoon on the bowl as she went after the last morsels of her breakfast. He had probably given her a little too much but it was fairly easy on the stomach, very nutritious, and the extra helping of honey he'd added would start her on track to get some flesh back onto those bones. He poured her some sweet herbal tea to help warm her up and she sipped at this while he finished his own meal. He caught her eyeing a piece of bacon on the edge of his plate and she instinctively pinched her eyes shut and winced when she realized he'd seen her looking. Dan felt so helpless at seeing her fear, then it made him angry at the son-of-a-bitch who did this to her but he knew his anger would frighten her more, so he just let out a slow breath and tried to center himself. He picked up the bacon and held it out to her just before her lips. Willow's nose twitched as she smelled the bacon. Her eyes opened a little and she saw he was feeding her the piece. Something needful flared in her eyes again, making Dan uneasy, and she gently leaned forward to take the bacon into her mouth. As she closed her lips they softly kissed his fingertips. She shyly looked into his eyes again and this time he instinctively knew she was asking for something from him he was not prepared to give. Dan gave her a quick smile then gathered up the dishes and brought them over to the kitchen sink. He kept his back to her and willed his cock to relax. When her soft lips touched his fingers it felt like lightning running straight up his arm, down his spine, and straight to his groin. When he'd got his breath back he glanced over at her and saw she was still munching on the piece of bacon, getting as much enjoyment from it as she could. She glanced at him with a worried look then swallowed it. She still seemed anxious and a little lost, like she had somehow done something wrong and was looking for someone to give her the answer. Dan wished someone would give him some answers. First though, she needed a shower and he needed to fix her clothing situation. He knew that the shower in the master bathroom was where the soaps and shampoos were (he lived here alone after all). So she had better use his bathroom to clean up. He walked back to her and she glanced at his face briefly, trying to read his expression. "I think it would be good and you'll feel much better if you took a shower. You can use the one in my room. I'll get you some fresh clothes and a towel for you. okay?" Willow just nodded and stood up to follow him. He walked into the master bath and pulled a plush towel and a loofa sponge from the small linen closet. When he turned back to Willow she was completely naked and looking curiously into the big shower stall. The girl was not in the least bit self-conscious about being naked in front of him. Dan didn't scold her for being naked as he knew she would just be frightened so he kept his eyes on the shower stall as he pointed out the features and how to operate it. Once she seemed to understand the controls he continued. "Uh, um, the hot water is fed from an underground hot spring into an insulated storage tank and our cold water comes from a tank fed by a nearby stream so you won't run out of either. There are biodegradable soaps and shampoos on the rack there. Here's a new loofa scrub brush you can use as well. I'll leave you clean clothes on the counter just inside the door. I'll get these washed immediately after your shower," he said as he bent down and picked up the clothes she'd stepped out of. Dumping the dirty clothes inside and pulling the laundry bag from the hamper he turned to leave and felt a gentle tug at his sleeve. He looked back and she was standing very close, trembling slightly, looking down but stealing quick glances at his eyes. He could see that desperate need was back in her eyes. "Willow, please take your shower. You'll be fine now. We'll talk once you are done and dressed again, okay?" he said, his voice trembling slightly. God she was so beautiful but so damaged! He could really mess her up if he wasn't careful. To Be Continued in part 2, based on a post by BurntRedstone for Literotica

SummaryThis is the story of how a "pipe dream," a full-time job, and a Billy Currington song accidentally launched one of barbecue's most memorable brands.Jason Rains, the founder of "Pretty Good At Drinking Beer Barbecue," joins us to share his wild 15-year journey. He started with zero experience and a team name that's a marketing nightmare (but a fan favorite). He pulls no punches, recounting the story of finishing "dead ass last" at a major competition only to fight his way back to a Grand Reserve (second place) finish years later.In this episode, Jason shares the unfiltered story behind his brand, his bold quest to create a sauce "better than Head Country" (a big deal in Oklahoma!), and his new projects, including a non-traditional smoker cookbook and a revolutionary no-sugar-added sauce sweetened with monk fruit.More than just barbecue, this is a story about community, passion, and hustle. Jason balances his full-time job and a return to college for digital marketing, all while running his growing business. His core philosophy? "Food doesn't care about your race. Food doesn't care about your religion... Food brings people together."In this episode, you'll learn:The Origin Story: How a Billy Currington song on a back porch led to the "PGADB" brand.The Competition Grind: The truth about competing, from finishing "dead ass last" in 2015 to claiming a top prize.Oklahoma Sauce Wars: The cultural importance of Head Country and Jason's mission to create a sauce he loves even more.What's Next: A sneak peek at his upcoming second cookbook (focused on non-traditional smoker dishes) and his new no-sugar-added sauce.The "Pipe Dream": How Jason's passion project evolved into a legitimate business with employees.Core Philosophy: Why supporting local businesses and the spirit of community define the barbecue world.The Big Picture: Jason's powerful belief that food is the ultimate unifier, transcending politics, religion, and race.Chapters:0:23 The Origin of "Pretty Good At Drinking Beer Barbecue"3:06 Branding Challenges and Success4:18 Barbecue Competition Experiences5:38 The Evolution of BBQ Sauces6:07 Head Country BBQ Sauce in Oklahoma7:07 Changing Judge Preferences8:12 Developing a Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce10:11 Barbecue Sauce and Family11:37 The Science of Smoking Meat15:06 Smoker Recommendations: Hasty Bake and Oklahoma Joe19:00 The Nook and Local Business Support21:19 Philosophy of Supporting Local Businesses22:19 Challenges of Competing with Big Box Retailers24:26 Why "Pretty Good At Drinking Beer Barbecue" Avoids Walmart25:27 Working with Homeland Stores27:38 The Realities of the BBQ Sauce Business29:59 Shipping BBQ Sauce Nationwide31:09 The Power of Food to Bring People Together31:56 Juggling a Full-Time Job and a "Pipe Dream" Business33:09 The First Cookbook: "I'd Smoke That"34:09 Non-Traditional Smoker Recipes37:18 Plans for the Second Cookbook39:31 The Value of Teaching and Community40:06 Smooth Sailing and Stressful Times41:09 Leaving a Legacy41:35 The Camaraderie of the Barbecue World43:24 First Grand Reserve Win46:25 Helping Fellow Competitors50:18 Favorite Food (Not Barbecue)51:00 Regional Barbecue Styles52:48 Belief in Luck vs. Smartness53:34 Returning to College for Digital MarketingBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/brews-business--5630487/support.

In this conversation, Dan and Nate discuss effective hunting strategies for small properties during the rut. They explore the importance of planning, cycling through tree stands, and making real-time decisions based on deer movement and environmental factors. The discussion emphasizes the significance of using technology like cell cameras, understanding deer behavior, and adapting strategies to maximize hunting success. Takeaways: Planning is crucial for successful rut hunting on small properties. Cycling through tree stands requires careful consideration of access and wind direction. All-day sits can be effective, but breaks are important for mental sharpness. Identifying when to retire a stand is key to maintaining hunting success. Real-time adjustments based on deer movement can enhance hunting effectiveness. Using cell cameras provides valuable intel for stand selection. Finding cover is essential for attracting deer during the rut. Hunting without prior intel requires a focus on fresh sign and terrain features. Luck plays a role in hunting success, but preparation is key. Understanding deer behavior and movement patterns is vital for effective hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, Dan and Nate discuss effective hunting strategies for small properties during the rut. They explore the importance of planning, cycling through tree stands, and making real-time decisions based on deer movement and environmental factors. The discussion emphasizes the significance of using technology like cell cameras, understanding deer behavior, and adapting strategies to maximize hunting success. Takeaways: Planning is crucial for successful rut hunting on small properties. Cycling through tree stands requires careful consideration of access and wind direction. All-day sits can be effective, but breaks are important for mental sharpness. Identifying when to retire a stand is key to maintaining hunting success. Real-time adjustments based on deer movement can enhance hunting effectiveness. Using cell cameras provides valuable intel for stand selection. Finding cover is essential for attracting deer during the rut. Hunting without prior intel requires a focus on fresh sign and terrain features. Luck plays a role in hunting success, but preparation is key. Understanding deer behavior and movement patterns is vital for effective hunting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the THIRD episode of the "Errol Flynn Slept Here" Series, taken from the book "Errol Flynn Slept Here" by Robert Matzen and Micheal Mazzone. Let's get into the book with Chapter 1 and learn about Errol's early life in Tasmania and how this devilishly handsome man became the King of Old Hollywood!   Loving this Errol Flynn Series? Watch it on MY YT CHANNEL - The Episodes come alive with great photos of Errol Flynn, which you can enjoy while I read and discuss the chapters with you! He really was SO handsome- do yourself a favor and WATCH the episodes too! Click here - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyIMNnG5yA1_MnnfJQwAjtzm7215e4JMQ   Love my show? Leave me a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts- thanks WATCH all my episodes - Go to my YouTube Channel and subscribe -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2FsXn-xhr4mYIAK0569BBw I have a channel membership over there if you'd like to support me! Simply click on the "join" button underneath my YT videos - thanks. Can't join but want to leave a tIp? Help keep me caffeinated and fill my tip jar here - https://buymeacoffee.com/jenniferc    Other stuff  I've been a licensed esthetician and a makeup artist for over two decades - Want to see a list of all of my favorite beauty product recommendations? Everything I love, use, and wear all the time - CLICK HERE - https://shopmy.us/jenniferc/shelves   BUY MY ONLINE SKINCARE GUIDES HERE-  https://jenniferchristopherson.com   In Christ, Xo Jennifer    Disclaimer- This video/podcast episode is under Fair Use: Section 107 of the Copyright Act provides the statutory framework for determining whether something is a fair use and identifies certain types of uses—such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research—as examples of activities that may qualify as fair use. All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended. All Opinions are my own and within my right to express under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution    

Thom Brennaman, The CW with hope for VT FB fans, broadcasting for Belichick + UVA resilience and luck by Ed Lane

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci recap the Dodgers Game 7 win over the Blue Jays. Joe notes how 'off-script' the last few games went and how both teams adjusted and delivered an entertaining series. Tom explores the biggest play of the series and believes a huge mistake was made. Tom and Joe highlight some of the side stories and blink moments from the World Series! The Book of Joe Podcast is a production of iHeart Radio. #fsrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tri Beginner's Luck is officially back, and we're kicking off the new season with an absolute must-listen: Ed Chang, COO and co-founder of performance gear brand, Varlo!   This  conversation is about massive career shifts, unexpected race-day challenges, and the true meaning of community in endurance sports.   Imagine leaving the high-stress world of being a high-powered litigation attorney to lead a start-up sports apparel brand. Ed shares his candid experience and the moment he realized his career needed to align with his passion. How did his early involvement with triathlons and nonprofits directly lead to co-founding Varlo, a brand built on empowering athletes?   Ed's triathlon journey is as real as it gets. He recounts a disappointing DNF in his first sprint race and later battling severe open water swim panic attacks. But he didn't quit. Instead, he developed a radical, on-the-spot technique to regain control in the dark water. What did he have to do to stay calm and keep going? Tune in for this remarkable moment of mental fortitude.   Beyond his personal races, Ed's mission is about building safe spaces for all athletes. Learn how his work as Board Chair of the Rails to Trails Conservancy transforms old railways into safe, flat surfaces for everyone to train on. Plus, Ed drops some critical, beginner-focused wisdom every triathlete needs.   This episode is packed with inspiration, practical advice, and a compelling look at how your passion for sport can define your life's purpose.   Press play and join us,  your next breakthrough might just be one listen away.   Let's Tri this!

Hosts Joe Maddon and Tom Verducci recap the Dodgers Game 7 win over the Blue Jays. Joe notes how 'off-script' the last few games went and how both teams adjusted and delivered an entertaining series. Tom explores the biggest play of the series and believes a huge mistake was made. Tom and Joe highlight some of the side stories and blink moments from the World Series! The Book of Joe Podcast is a production of iHeart Radio. #fsrSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

รวมพอตแคสต์ จิตวิทยา "สร้างโชคดี" I Medley The psychology of luck Longplay I #podcast #lucky นื้อหา1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZjO305r800&t=1265s2.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LbezavjIjc3.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoNVTkgQnDI&t=690s4.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtqNICrlv3o&pp=ygUbbHVja3kg4Lir4LiZ4Lix4LiH4Liq4Li34Lit

When an urban explorer discovers a town that's been completely erased from maps, he learns too late why the county went to such extreme lengths to make sure nobody could ever find it again.IN THIS EPISODE: I have two tales of fiction to share with you. One story is from Weirdo family member and professional author T. Lee Harris called “Twenty-Seven Cents of Luck” - but first, Redditor XYLonex brings us a creepypasta titled simply, “Elsewhere, Kentucky”.CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Lead-In00:00:58.635 = Show Open00:02:03.584 = Elsewhere, Kentucky00:18:07.350 = ***Twenty-Seven Cents of Luck00:47:49.244 = Show Close*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad breakSOURCES and RESOURCES:“Twenty-Seven Cents of Luck” by T. Lee Harris: http://www.tleeharris.com/“Elsewhere, KY” by Reddit user XYLonex: https://www.reddit.com/r/nosleep/comments/362cil/elsewhere_kentucky/=====(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: April 27, 2022EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/elsewherekyABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all thing strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold case murders, conspiracy theories, and more. On Thursdays, this scary stories podcast features horror fiction along with the occasional creepypasta. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “Best 20 Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a cross between “Coast to Coast” with Art Bell, “The Twilight Zone” with Rod Serling, “Unsolved Mysteries” with Robert Stack, and “In Search Of” with Leonard Nimoy.DISCLAIMER: Ads heard during the podcast that are not in my voice are placed by third party agencies outside of my control and should not imply an endorsement by Weird Darkness or myself. *** Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.#WeirdDarkness #HorrorStories #CreepyPasta #ScaryStories #GhostStories #ParanormalStories #HorrorFiction #UrbanLegends #HauntedPlaces #TrueHorror

This week we are joined by Kenny Robison from Outta Luck Outdoors. Kenny has set a goal for himself that I think deep down inside we all secretly want to achieve some day and he's hammering away at it. Kenny has set the generous goal of hunting all 50 states in an effort to spread awareness of how the outdoors can help veterans and those suffering from post traumatic stress. He's already git a couple states under his belt and hopefully we'll get him down here in Florida with his family this summer to chase some iguanas.Hazmore Outdoor Products- https://hazmore.net/Use Code UPO15 at checkout for 15% off your next order!HangFree- https://hangfree.co/ Use code UPO10 at checkout for 10% off your next order!Water Feather Boats- https://waterfeathers.com/ Find a Dealer Near YouDayton Archers Club- https://daytonaarchersinc.com/ Mention UPO and get 10% off your membershipBecome a Patron- https://www.patreon.com/user?u=45295718UPO Gear & Such- https://uponation.co/ UPO Social Media- https://linktr.ee/underpressureoutdoors

Send a question for the boys to answer on the next podcast!Welcome back! MACtion for Toledo starts this week with a Wednesday night home match up against NIU. We've had a few more days than normal to lick our wounds after the loss against Wazzou. Tune in for all the pregame info and predictions, MAC championship hopes, and current bowl projections!Also, the boys give an update on how all of our Rockets fall sports are doing and discuss basketball news for both women's and men's teams! TOL!!

Today's episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance

Early voting wrapped up for Tuesday's referendum on the control of Gainesville Regional Utilities. Although 33% of GRU customers are outside of the city, the first challenge to the legality of the referendum was overturned by a court. Regardless of whether the referendum is allowed, maintaining the utility in the state board's hands keeps rates lower for metro area customers. Why a ‘no' vote prevents a continuation of high rates to fund Gainesville handouts.

In this episode, you will hear a Daily Reminder from Ji Kwang Dae Poep Sa Nim about the two types of nirvana.One type of nirvana makes our mind comfortable, and the other allows us to choose one of the six paths of samsara (cycle of rebirth).Thank You very much, Ji Kwang Dae Poep Sa Nim.Love,Gak Duk

Andrew needs backup that there all single-occupancy restrooms should be genderless. Johnny needs backup that no one needs to send voice memos you can just text. Enjoy! Remember to sign up for the Patreon for Post-Show Banter! https://patreon.com/thecavalrypodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

In today's episode, I share how living with gratitude, responsibility, and honesty can turn coincidence into purpose and purpose into legacy. From a formula for luck to lessons learned after losing $100 million, I explain why freedom isn't about doing whatever you want—it's about doing what you love for the sake of others. I talk about building communities that thrive on service, where people buy from each other, sell for each other, and grow together. Real success isn't found in followers or likes but in creating a network rooted in truth, humility, and faith that compounds for generations.

On today's show Mike & Robbie discuss charity bingo, Halloween, the NBA gambling scandal, WWE's Saturday Night's Main Event, and more!

The Pope got a disappointing surprise gift and the picture from the Vatican looks like every White Sox kid who gets the wrong jersey for Christmas. We're judging Jim Bowden's suspected White Sox targets in free agency while Blake Snell is blaming "baseball luck" in the World Series!  Video Version on YouTube! The $1000 Guest Bounty brought to you by Cork & Kerry At The Park gives you a chance to win $1000. Chris Lanuti and Ed Siebert sit at a basement bar on the South Side of Chicago to discuss their favorite team - The Chicago White Sox in a podcast "For Fans, By Fans!" Listen. Subscribe. Share. Video version now available on YouTube! Call 708-459-8406 and leave your comments and questions for the next episode! SUBSCRIBE NOW​ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, everywhere podcasts can be found and always at SoxInTheBasement.com!

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: A Poker Night of Fear and Triumph: When Luck Fades Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2025-10-31-22-34-02-he Story Transcript:He: בפינת חדר עמום ומלא עשן, התישבו אריאל, דוד ושירה באי שקט ומוכנים למשחק הפוקר הגדול של השנה.En: In a dimly lit, smoke-filled corner of the room, Ariel, David, and Shira sat uneasily, ready for the year's big poker game.He: סביבם, שחקנים מחופשים לכבוד הליל כל הקדושים, הוסיפו לאווירה החגיגית והמתוחה.En: Around them, players dressed up for Halloween added to the festive yet tense atmosphere.He: האריאל, ששערו תמיד הסתיר את עיניו מעט, חש בחולשה.En: Ariel, whose hair always partially obscured his eyes, felt a weakness.He: הרגל הארנב שלו, אותה קמע מזל עתיק, נעדר.En: His rabbit's foot, that ancient lucky charm, was missing.He: הוא ידע שהזמן קצר, ובכל רגע גלגלו של שולחן הפוקר עומד להתחיל להסתובב.En: He knew time was short, and at any moment, the poker table's wheel was about to start turning.He: אריאל סקר את החדר בזריזות.En: Ariel quickly scanned the room.He: שולחנות חורקים קיבלו את פניו.En: Creaky tables greeted him.He: שבבים גדושים נערמים בערמות.En: Chips were piled high in stacks.He: האוויר היה מלא בריח סיגריות ועץ ישן.En: The air was filled with the smell of cigarettes and old wood.He: זו הייתה אחת מהפעמים שהרגיש פחד ממשי.En: It was one of those times he felt real fear.He: האם באמת יוכל לנצח ללא קמע המזל שלו?En: Could he really win without his lucky charm?He: הוא הביט שוב בשירה ודוד, שחקנים מצוינים ללא ספק.En: He glanced again at Shira and David, undoubtedly excellent players.He: "מה עושים עכשיו?En: "What do we do now?"He: " לחש לעצמו.En: he whispered to himself.He: כשהמשחק התחיל, אריאל נע בחוסר מנוחה בכיסאו.En: As the game commenced, Ariel shifted restlessly in his chair.He: ידיו זעו על רקעם של הקלפים ודופק לבו הלם.En: His hands moved nervously over the cards, and his heartbeat pounded.He: בינתיים, דוד ושירה ניהלו את סיבוביהם ברוגע, חתך המחוות שלהם לא נח.En: Meanwhile, David and Shira conducted their rounds calmly, their gestures smooth and steady.He: במהלך המשחק, אריאל החליט באומץ להישאר בשולחן.En: During the game, Ariel bravely decided to stay at the table.He: הוא התמקד בכישורים שלו, בסטטיסטיקות ובמבעי הפנים של המתחרים.En: He focused on his skills, the statistics, and the facial expressions of his opponents.He: כשהגיע רגע השיא, הניח אריאל קלפים חיוניים על השולחן והטיל בלוף מבריק שבלבל את דוד לחלוטין.En: When the crucial moment arrived, Ariel laid down essential cards on the table and executed a brilliant bluff that completely confused David.He: ברקע נשמע צחוק של השחקנים האחרים, אך אריאל ידע שהם לא צוחקים עליו - כי הוא, ברגע אחד של אמונה עצמית, הצליח לנצח.En: In the background, laughter of the other players could be heard, but Ariel knew they weren't laughing at him—because, in a single moment of self-belief, he had managed to win.He: התשואות שדדו את החדר מהשקט והכבוד הוענק לו.En: Applause filled the room, replacing the silence, and he was awarded respect.He: אריאל הבין לפתע שאינו זקוק לרגל הארנב.En: Ariel suddenly realized he didn't need the rabbit's foot.He: היו אלה הכישורים והנחישות שלו שעשו את ההבדל.En: It was his skills and determination that made the difference.He: כאשר לקח את הפרס, ידע ברגע זה שהוא השתחרר מכבל המזל.En: As he accepted the prize, he knew at that moment he had freed himself from the chains of luck.He: ועכשיו, סוף סוף, ביטחונו היה תלוי רק בעצמו.En: And now, at last, his confidence relied solely on himself.He: החדר אמנם חזר להיות עמום ומלא עשן, אך אמרותיו של אריאל היו מלאות תקווה להמשך הדרך.En: The room may have returned to being dim and smoke-filled, but Ariel's reflections were filled with hope for the road ahead. Vocabulary Words:dimly: עמוםuneasily: באִי שקטfestive: חגיגיתobscured: הסתירweakness: חולשהcharm: קמעcreaky: חורקיםglanced: הביטrestlessly: בחוסר מנוחהcommenced: התחילgestures: מחוותcrucial: רגע השיאbluff: בלוףconfused: בלבלapplause: תשואותself-belief: אמונה עצמיתchains: כבליםsmoke-filled: מלא עשןstack: ערמותpounded: הלםconducted: ניהלוcalmly: ברוגעstatistics: סטטיסטיקותforesight: ראיית הנולדreckoning: חשבוןgesturing: חותך מחוותdetermination: נחישותreflections: אמרותskill: כישוריםfreed: השתחררBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

Fluent Fiction - Italian: A Halloween Night Poker Game: Laughter, Luck, and Friendship Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2025-10-31-07-38-20-it Story Transcript:It: Nell'aria c'era un'atmosfera magica, quasi mistica, tipica delle serate d'autunno in Italia.En: In the air, there was a magical, almost mystical atmosphere, typical of autumn evenings in Italia.It: Era una notte di Halloween e, nel seminterrato di un'antica villa, si stava svolgendo un'importante partita di poker.En: It was a notte di Halloween and, in the basement of an ancient villa, an important poker game was taking place.It: Il seminterrato aveva un'illuminazione soffusa, con poche lampade che gettavano ombre lunghe e tenebrose sulle pareti coperte di ragnatele finte e decorazioni spettrali.En: The basement had dim lighting, with a few lamps casting long, eerie shadows on walls covered with fake cobwebs and spectral decorations.It: Lorenzo sedeva al tavolo, con il suo solito sorriso sicuro.En: Lorenzo sat at the table, with his usual confident smile.It: Era elegante, ma dietro quella facciata sicura, si nascondeva la paura di perdere il suo tocco fortunato.En: He was elegant, but behind that confident facade, he hid the fear of losing his lucky touch.It: Accanto a lui, c'era Giulia, una rivale astuta, sempre pronta a smascherare i suoi bluff.En: Next to him was Giulia, a shrewd rival, always ready to expose his bluffs.It: Aveva un sorriso furbo e occhi che scrutavano attentamente ogni mossa di Lorenzo.En: She had a sly smile and eyes that scrutinized every move Lorenzo made carefully.It: Poi c'era Francesca, che non mostrava alcun interesse per le tensioni al tavolo.En: Then there was Francesca, who showed no interest in the tensions at the table.It: Indossava un costume da strega, con un cappello enorme e una lunga gonna che sembrava avere vita propria.En: She was wearing a witch costume, with an enormous hat and a long skirt that seemed to have a life of its own.It: Era arrivata per fare compagnia e distrarre, ma nessuno si aspettava che la sua presenza avrebbe cambiato il gioco.En: She had arrived to provide company and distraction, but no one expected that her presence would change the game.It: Mentre le fiches volavano sopra il tavolo, Lorenzo cercava di concentrarsi.En: As the chips flew over the table, Lorenzo tried to concentrate.It: Giulia gli lanciò uno sguardo indagatore, mentre Francesca, facendosi largo con il suo cappello fastidioso, fece cadere un mucchio di fiches col gomito.En: Giulia shot him an investigative glance, while Francesca, maneuvering her bothersome hat, knocked over a pile of chips with her elbow.It: Tutti risero, tranne Lorenzo, che cercava disperatamente di mantenere la calma.En: Everyone laughed, except Lorenzo, who was desperately trying to maintain his composure.It: Poi arrivò il momento clou.En: Then came the climax.It: Lorenzo decise di andare all in.En: Lorenzo decided to go all in.It: Sentì il cuore battere forte nel petto.En: He felt his heart pounding in his chest.It: Ma proprio mentre stavano per rivelare le carte, Francesca si mosse bruscamente.En: But just as they were about to reveal the cards, Francesca moved abruptly.It: La sua gonna sollevò il mazzo di carte davanti a lei, rivelando accidentalmente tutti i suoi assi.En: Her skirt lifted the deck of cards in front of her, accidentally revealing all her aces.It: Tutti scoppiarono a ridere, la tensione si sciolse nell'aria.En: Everyone burst into laughter, and the tension dissolved into the air.It: Lorenzo non poté trattenersi dal ridere.En: Lorenzo couldn't hold back his laughter.It: Guardò Giulia, poi Francesca.En: He looked at Giulia, then at Francesca.It: Le carte, i soldi e la tensione improvvisamente non contavano più.En: The cards, the money, and the tension suddenly no longer mattered.It: L'importante era quel momento, quelle risate tra amici.En: What was important was that moment, those laughs among friends.It: Alla fine, decisero di dividere il piatto.En: In the end, they decided to split the pot.It: Nessuno avrebbe lasciato quella serata con più del necessario, ma tutti con un ricordo prezioso.En: No one would leave that evening with more than necessary, but everyone with a precious memory.It: Lorenzo capì che il poker non era solo una questione di vincite o di fortuna.En: Lorenzo realized that poker was not just a matter of winning or luck.It: Era soprattutto il piacere di condividere quei momenti con amici, anche quelli che, come Francesca, portavano il caos ma anche tanto divertimento.En: It was above all the pleasure of sharing those moments with friends, even those who, like Francesca, brought chaos but also so much fun.It: La villa si riempì di risate e Lorenzo, seduto tra le ombre e le luci tremolanti, sentì che tutto era andato esattamente come doveva andare.En: The villa filled with laughter, and Lorenzo, sitting among the shadows and flickering lights, felt that everything had gone exactly as it should have. Vocabulary Words:the air: l'ariathe atmosphere: l'atmosferamagical: magicamystical: misticathe basement: il seminterratodim: soffusathe shadows: le ombreeerie: tenebrosecovered with: coperte dithe cobwebs: le ragnatelespectral: spettralito scrutinize: scrutarethe costume: il costumethe hat: il cappellothe skirt: la gonnathe chips: le fichesinvestigative: indagatoreto maintain: mantenerethe climax: il momento clouto reveal: rivelareabruptly: bruscamentethe deck of cards: il mazzo di carteto burst into laughter: scoppiare a riderethe pot: il piattoprecious: preziosothe pleasure: il piacerethe chaos: il caosflickering: tremolantito dissolve: scioglierethe bluff: il bluff

Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks sit down with Stanford General Manager and former Colts quarterback Andrew Luck to discuss his transition from playing in the NFL to leading his alma mater. Luck reflects on how Jim Harbaugh influenced his decision to attend Stanford, the importance of authenticity in leadership and how the relentless pursuit of excellence defines the Cardinal culture. Move the Sticks is part of the NFL Podcasts Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode features "In Luck's Panoply Clad, I Stand" written by Phoebe Barton. Published in the October 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine and read by Kate Baker. The text version of this story can be found at: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/barton_10_25 Support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/clarkesworld/membership

Send us a textAYOOOO Welcome back to Luck Management with ya boy Carter Loesch. We are so back.. back with one of the coolest and most intriguing guests I have on this podcast, Public Speaker Sebastian Uzcategui. Incredible times talking about the philosophy and the meaning behind luck. Sebastian's mind works in incredible ways and we really just had a great time being able to bounce off ideas and share our beliefs on all the "traditional" luck management topics. Get amped to learn about his upbringing and how he has gotten to where he is today. Genuinely feel like this is an instant classic episode and due to the incredible nature of our convo, he's going to be coming back on in the next few weeks. Enjoy this episode and reach out to him everywhereSupport the showInstagram: @luck_managementApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1637190216Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4JsxM55BY6tRlGzJCiUnvzBrought to you by CharmND. Check us out on Instagram @charm_ND & @CharmNDShop on EtsyKeep living The Luck Management Lifestyle!

I see people get lucky, but I never do. How do I get the promotion, get recognized, get the opportunity, or get ahead? How do I capture some of that luck? These are the questions we will answer in today's episode of Dev Questions.Website: https://www.iamtimcorey.com/ Ask Your Question: https://suggestions.iamtimcorey.com/ Sign Up to Get More Great Developer Content in Your Inbox: https://signup.iamtimcorey.com/

Every podcaster wants the same thing: a podcast that grows quickly, without eating more of your time, draining your energy, or demanding a marketing budget you don't have. The truth? There's no single “fastest way” to grow your show. If there were, every podcast would already be successful, and you wouldn't still be asking this question. But there IS a repeatable podcast marketing system that makes growth not only possible, but also predictable.In this episode, I'm giving you podcast advice straight from the trenches as I tackle three listener questions that circle the same theme: how do you grow fast in podcasting without burning out or wasting time on marketing you hate. So if you're ready to trade quick-fix gimmicks for a marketing system that gets more listeners tuning in every week (and keeps your sanity intact), hit play and let's dive in.0:58 – Why There's No “One-Size-Fits-All” Podcast Growth Strategy 4:12 – The 90-Day Podcast Marketing Cycle That Turns Experiments Into Results 7:35 – The Podcast Growth Metric That Reveals if Your Show is Truly Working 15:49 – How to Pick Marketing Tactics That Match Your Unique Budget and Bandwidth 20:04 – How to Stop Relying on Luck and Start Creating Predictable Podcast GrowthOther Episodes You'll Love:What Spotify's New Tools Mean For Your Podcast GrowthThe 5 Podcasting Metrics No One's Teaching (That Actually Tell You If Your Show is Growing)→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7USupport the showLiked this episode? Share it with a fellow podcaster! Love this show? Say thanks by leaving a positive review. Want a podcasting growth strategy tailored to your show? Schedule a 1:1 Podcasting Audit with Courtney.Register for Courtney's Podcasting Workshop: How to 10x Your Podcast Growth This Year Curious about PodLaunch®? Book a Demo to see if our podcasting mentorship is the right fit for you and get the podcasting advice you need to grow your podcast. Connect with Courtney: Linked In | Instagram | PodLaunch HQ ©Ⓟ 2018–2025 by Courtney Elmer. All Rights Reserved.

Most people never get rich because they don't understand how money actually works.I'll show you the rules that took me from broke to $100M+, no luck, no shortcuts, just principles that anyone can apply to build real wealth.✅ Get access to my FREE Executive Assistant Playbook: https://go.danmartell.com/3LvPscd▸▸ Subscribe to The Martell Method Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3XEBXez▸▸ Get My New Book (Buy Back Your Time): https://bit.ly/3pCTG78

People may think of hair loss as a guy thing. But by some estimates, half of all women experience hair loss in their lifetime. And when your social media algorithm gets a whiff? Good. Luck. There are some solutions out there based in science, but not every remedy works for every person — or every type of hair loss. (Yes, there are different types. And the type you have matters!) So today, pharmaceuticals correspondent Sydney Lupkin guest hosts the show to talk about causes of hair loss and how to figure out which treatments may be best for you. Interested in more science behind your health? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Do you consider yourself lucky? Or do you consider yourself have earned it by working hard? Or, is it both? Our guest today is Dr. Michael Orkin, is a statistics expert and he shares with us some surprising insights.TODAY'S WIN-WIN:In order to increase your chances, you need to put yourself in positions where opportunities can occur and create more chance.LINKS FROM THE EPISODE:Schedule your free franchise consultation with Big Sky Franchise Team: https://bigskyfranchiseteam.com/. You can visit our guest's website at: https://drmikeorkin.com/Attend our Franchise Sales Training Workshop:  https://bigskyfranchiseteam.com/franchisesalestraining/Connect with our guest on social:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mike-orkin-5600584/recent-activity/all/ABOUT OUR GUEST:DR. MICHAEL ORKIN is a distinguished professor, consultant, researcher, and author with a wealth of experience that offers unique insights into the concepts of chance and luck. He holds a BA in Mathematics and a PhD in Statistics from the University of California, Berkeley. Throughout his career, Dr. Orkin has made significant contributions to the field of statistics, particularly in the gaming industry, where he frequently serves as a consultant. His extensive research has been published in numerous academic papers, and he has delivered invited talks on these topics, including a notable presentation at Google Tech Talks. Dr. Orkin is a Professor Emeritus of Statistics at California State University, East Bay, and he currently serves on the mathematics faculty at Berkeley City College. His expertise and experience make him a leading authority on the statistical principles underlying games, chance, and the role of luck in various aspects of life.    ABOUT BIG SKY FRANCHISE TEAM:This episode is powered by Big Sky Franchise Team. If you are ready to talk about franchising your business you can schedule your free, no-obligation, franchise consultation online at: https://bigskyfranchiseteam.com/.The information provided in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any business decisions. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Big Sky Franchise Team, or our affiliates. Additionally, this podcast may feature sponsors or advertisers, but any mention of products or services does not constitute an endorsement. Please do your own research before making any purchasing or business decisions.

Episode 254In this podcast, New York Times best-selling author and astrologer Chani Nicholas discusses the astrology of the week and what it might mean for us all.The week of October 27th, 2025, is all about abundance. Jupiter (the planet of luck and expansion) forms a supportive aspect to Mars (the planet of action), emboldening us to go after our goals. It also squares off with Venus (the planet of harmony), supercharging our relationships and our desire for collective justice. This is a time of ease, growth, and connection. So get ready to celebrate. And be generous; there's more than enough goodness to go around.This episode covers:Mars' trine to Jupiter on Monday, October 27thMercury's entrance into Sagittarius on Wednesday, October 29thMars' trine to Saturn on Wednesday, October 29thMercury's opposition to Uranus on Wednesday, October 29thMercury's sextile to Pluto on Thursday, October 30thVenus' square to Jupiter on Sunday, November 2ndThis episode was recorded on 10/10/2025.For more, check out your free daily horoscope on the homepage of the CHANI app — now on iOS and Android.P.S. The CHANI Holiday Shop is officially open, and it's our biggest and best ever. It's got everything you've been asking for — from planners to candles, hats, washi tape, zodiac mugs, and even more astro goodies. Plus, everything is 10% off for a limited time. Head to chani.com to start shopping. Your wish list is our command.The music featured in the podcast was created by Latashá.

Want To Watch The Matt King Show?Watch Here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMattKingShowConnect With Matt https://themattking.com/ Learn More About Gobundance https://gobundance.com/tribeWyatt Graves shares his inspiring story of leadership, courage, and the quest to balance family, career, and personal growth.00:00 Who is Wyatt Graves01:27 Interview With Wyatt Graves06:50 Balancing Work and Family Leadership09:33 Breaking Through Plateaus13:50 The Role of Luck and Courage25:30 Living by Core Values32:27 The Journey vs. The Destination37:57 Dealing with Adversity and Setbacks41:16 The Importance of Clarity and Vision52:24 Mindset and Overcoming Challenges56:00 Connecting and Sharing the JourneyConnect With Wyatt https://wyattgraves.com/ Discovering True Wealth Sahil Bloom https://youtu.be/nKob67sIcF4 Thank You To Our Partners! Lauletta Birnbaum, LLC. - Doing Business Justice® https://www.lauletta.com/ Gobundance Members Email: Gobundance@lauletta.comMyOutDesk - The Workforce That Works https://www.myoutdesk.com/APEX Functional Health - Take Control of Your Health https://www.apexfunctionalhealth.com The Matt King Show is a podcast dedicated to uncovering the untold stories of high-achieving individuals—entrepreneurs, athletes, investors, and visionaries—who have forged their own paths to success. Hosted by Matt King, the show goes beyond surface-level interviews, diving deep into the pivotal moments, mindset shifts, and lessons that shaped their journeys. With an engaging and thought-provoking approach, The Matt King Show isn't just about success—it's about the experiences, challenges, and philosophies that define extraordinary lives. This is where ambition meets authenticity, and where listeners gain insights they won't hear anywhere else.

Are you a lucky person? Do the cards just fall well for you? Whether it's always finding a parking spot when you need one or chance encounters that change your life's trajectory for the better, some people seem to have more luck than others. Hannah and Dara explore the world of probability and psychology to figure out if some people are luckier than others, and if there's anything we can do to turn things around. You can send your everyday mysteries for the team to investigate to: curiouscases@bbc.co.ukContributors David Spiegelhalter - Emeritus Professor of Statistics in the Centre for Mathematical Sciences at the University of Cambridge Richard Wiseman - Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology University of Hertfordshire Maia Young - Professor of Organization and Management at UC Irvine, California US Edward Oldfield Producer: Emily Bird Executive Producer: Sasha Feachem A BBC Studios Production

Last episode ended with Sir William Berkeley, on the deck of a ship in the James, watching Jamestown burn to the ground in the wee hours of September 19, 1676. The rebels under Nathaniel Bacon were ascendant, and Berkeley resolved to return to his refuge on the Eastern Shore and plot the next phase of his increasingly desperate war. Little did he know that the tide of the war was about to turn again in his favor. This episode begins in London in the summer of 1676, where Crown officials were just beginning to figure out what to do about the turmoil in Virginia, over which they had incomplete and very emotional news. Charles II made some decisions with long-term consequences for Virginia. At about the same time, in a stroke of luck - good or bad, depending on one's point of view - Bacon died rather horribly. He had done a good job building an organization with an orderly succession plan, but the rebellion had lost its most charismatic leader. A few weeks before Bacon died, at the end of September, the first of several armed merchant ships arrived in the Chesapeake, and after learning about the revolt their captains pledged their service to Berkeley. They would provide crucial support in an amphibious war against rebels along the James and York rivers. One of the captains, Thomas Grantham of the powerful 500-ton Concord, emerged as a courageous and wise diplomat, and would do more than anyone to end the rebellion in early January, 1677. At the end of the war, Berkeley mopped up, and prosecuted and executed most of the leaders of the rebellion. Richard Lawrence, however, disappeared, and was never seen again. The episode ends with the arrival of royal commissioners and a thousand English regular infantry at the end of January, which would be more bad news for Sir William Berkeley. My Substack Check out the new merch store! X – @TheHistoryOfTh2 – https://x.com/TheHistoryOfTh2 Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfTheAmericans Selected references for this episode (Commission earned for Amazon purchases through the episode notes on our website) James D. Rice, Tales from a Revolution: Bacon's Rebellion and the Transformation of Early America Wilcomb E. Washburn, The Governor and the Rebel: A History of Bacon's Rebellion in Virginia Charles McLean Andrews, Narratives of the Insurrections, 1675-1690 Robert Beverley, The History and Present State of Virginia

Roland Frasier and Ryan Deiss crack open the 2025 Forbes 400 and spot a seismic shift: 71% are now self-made, the cutoff is a record $3.8B, and the newest entrants aren't entertainers or app celebrities—they're infrastructure builders (data labeling, energy export, freight platforms, drive-thru formats). The guys lay out a practical framework—B.O.T. (Bottlenecks, Order Flow, Tools)—to find, buy, and scale the “unsexy” choke points where outsized wealth is created. Expect candid takes on ethics and regulation, tax advantages vs. complexity, and why tech alone isn't a moat in the AI era.Key TakeawaysQuiet wealth > spotlight wealth: New billionaires control choke points (permits, labeled data, logistics, power access) instead of chasing virality.Tech isn't the moat—distribution is: If you're just a feature, the platform will build you tomorrow. Own users, data, or order flow.B.O.T. framework:Bottlenecks — Find scarce inputs (power near substations, HIPAA-grade data, specialized trades), professionalize small operators, exit to strategics.Order Flow — Aggregate fragmented brokers (freight, dirt hauling, niche staffing), add AI matching, monetize spread & float.Tools — Bundle niche AI/DevOps tools (monitoring, RLHF QA, rights mgmt.) into suites; sell shovels for the gold rush.Ethics & risk: Bottlenecks ≠ monopolies; add real value or get routed around. Order-flow plays invite regulatory heat—design accordingly.Luck favors the paranoid: Nvidia's rise = timing + category choice. Choose your competitor carefully; it defines your playing field.Episode Highlights00:00 – Cold open: dentists, numb faces, and a record-breaking Forbes 400.03:10 – The stat no one's talking about: 71% self-made, $6.6T total wealth, $3.8B cutoff.08:20 – Why opportunity has more leverage than ever (AI + democratized tools), but tech alone won't save you.12:45 – B is for Bottlenecks: picks & shovels thinking; mini-moats in permits, medical transcripts, underground tank installers for data centers.22:10 – Ethics check: bottlenecks vs. monopolies; how to add value without getting regulated to death.27:05 – O is for Order Flow: Robinhood's play, freight/dirt broker roll-ups, AI pricing/matching, monetizing spread & float.36:40 – The toll-booth trap: if you don't add value, the sides will route around you.41:30 – T is for Tools: why toolmakers outlive trends; bundling niche AI devtools; the Nvidia, Intel, AMD cautionary tales.53:10 – Choosing competitors = choosing categories; luck + timing still matter.57:45 – Operator wrap: how to map your business to B.O.T. this quarter.Memorable Quotes“If all you are is a feature, you don't have a business—you have a countdown clock.”“Quiet wealth lives in the choke points everyone else ignores.”“Bottlenecks aren't monopolies—create value or the market will route around you.”“Tech isn't a moat. Users, data, and distribution are.”Mentioned in This EpisodeForbes 400 (2025): $6.6T total; $3.8B entry; 71% self-madeCategories: Data labeling (Surge AI), LNG export...

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to react to Week 7 NFL highlights and wishing luck with “Baby Doll” corner (2:29). Then, they check in with the Cowboys before guessing the lines for Week 8 and ending with Parent Corner (01:01:13). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Cousin Sal Producers: Chia Hao Tat and Eduardo Ocampo #ULTRACourtside could get you closer to the game! https://michelobultra.com/courtside ENJOY RESPONSIBLY © 2025 ANHEUSER-BUSCH, MICHELOB ULTRA® LIGHT BEER, ST. LOUIS, MO. The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit⁠⁠ www.rg-help.com⁠⁠ to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, I talk about how to use psychology and mindfulness to create more luck in your life. I talk about a mindset of "attraction" and the goodness it will bring your way.My new book "The Opposite of Settling" is out now!Instagram: @case.kenny Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.