Podcasts about Memento

Dr Adam Koontz and Col Willie Grills talk answer listener questions about the written or implied confessions of typical American congregations, having a knowledge and confidence in the Scriptures, distinctions between the sacraments, and seeking counsel from one's friends and pastor. Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Thanks to our sponsors, Ad Crucem and Gnesio Health Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Pr. Willie Grills - Zion Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

What is it like to be a brain surgeon? How much of our personality is determined by brain structure? Do we truly have free will or is it an illusion created by neural processes? Will there ever be a cure for dementia? And could artificial intelligence replace neurosurgeons? In this episode of Good Is In The Details, hosts Gwendolyn Dolske, Ph.D., and Rudy Salo sit down with renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Theodore Schwartz, author of Gray Matters: A Biography of Brain Surgery, to explore the intersection of neuroscience, philosophy, medical ethics, and culture. Dr. Schwartz offers a rare, inside look at what it means to operate on the human brain: the organ that houses memory, identity, personality, and consciousness itself. From the evolution of brain surgery to cutting-edge research, he explains how the brain functions, how structure shapes behavior, and why understanding neuroplasticity is essential to both medicine and human development. The conversation moves into the philosophical debate of free will vs. determinism. If our thoughts, impulses, and decisions arise from neural circuitry, do we truly choose — or are we the product of biology? Is the "mind" something distinct from the brain, or is it an emergent property of physical processes? Drawing on pop culture references like Star Trek, Memento, and Gattaca, this episode connects neuroscience with questions long explored in philosophy and science fiction. The discussion also addresses: How brain injuries alter personality The future of dementia research The promise and limits of neuroplasticity Why AI is unlikely to replace human neurosurgeons What makes brain surgery uniquely human Dr. Schwartz explains why, despite advances in artificial intelligence, neurosurgery requires intuition, judgment, and embodied skill that cannot be automated. This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in: medical ethics neuroscience and consciousness the philosophy of mind free will and determinism dementia and brain health AI in medicine how identity is shaped by the brain The brain is the seat of personality, memory, and moral agency. Understanding how it functions challenges our assumptions about responsibility, autonomy, and what it means to be human. Through thoughtful dialogue, Good Is In The Details bridges philosophy and real-world expertise, offering listeners tools to think more deeply about science, ethics, and the nature of consciousness. Learn more about Dr. Schwartz's work and get a copy of his book. https://www.theodorehschwartzmd.com Join our Good Is In The Details community, book club, and support the pod. https://www.patreon.com/c/GoodIsInTheDetails Get in touch!  Media, Speaking, Pod Topics: https://www.goodisinthedetails.com Get your copy of Interview with Intention. Amazon link here.

“Death in battle for God's sake is better than a shameful and sluggish life.” There is always a lion for the man who does not want to begin. Always a reason. Always a danger. Always a wiser moment to wait for. And so he remains on the road his entire life. Careful. Thoughtful. Unbloodied. Unchanged. St. Isaac is merciless here. Much wisdom can damn a soul. Not the wisdom that fears God, but the kind that calculates and delays obedience. The man who watches the winds never sows. The man who weighs every risk never enters the fight. The simple man jumps into the water. He does not negotiate with fear. He does not preserve his body. He burns with first ardor and moves. This is what we lack. Not knowledge. Fire. The way is filled with blood. Blood means loss. Blood means humiliation. Blood means the death of the life you hoped to keep. If you wish to begin, hold your death in your mind. Remember the day after your burial. Let eternity crush your attachment to this present age. Hope in this life weakens the soul. Do not begin with a divided heart. Divided labor exhausts and yields nothing. God does not give grace in proportion to our techniques but according to the ardor of love and the boldness of faith. “As thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.” Some beat their heads in repentance. Some drown in prostrations. Some burn in psalmody. Some are seized into silence. There are many forms. But all give themselves without reserve. Then comes the ruin. One tastes and turns back. One tastes a little and grows proud. One is enslaved by ambition. One by vainglory. One by greed. One by habit. One begins well and does not endure. These are the lions. Not in the street. In the heart. The one who stands firm does not turn back until he receives the pearl. He begins again and again. He refuses slackness. He does not wait for ideal conditions. He does not demand guarantees. Always begin. If the heart is pure from passion and doubt, God Himself raises the soul. Not because it was clever. Not because it was impressive. But because it believed and stepped onto the blood-stained road without bargaining. Begin. Or die still talking about the journey. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:07:55 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Anthologion 00:08:15 Jesssica Imanaka: https://ignatius.cc/products/anthologion-modern-english 00:08:28 Una's iPhone: What about The Agpeya? Coptic 00:08:43 Jessica McHale: I use the Publicans Prayer Book. Sophia Press. It's a Small Horologion. 00:09:14 Anthony: Reacted to I use the Publicans ... with "❤️" 00:09:24 Una's iPhone: What book is Gather talking about? 00:10:49 David Swiderski, WI: Reacted to "I use the Publicans ..." with

Dr Adam Koontz talks to Jarryd Allison about his experience using Memento, the benefits of fasting, and potential objections. Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Check out the 2026 Men's Gathering Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

A conversation with the actor, author and storyteller Stephen Tobolowsky. Besides being in countless films and episodics over the past 4 decades, Stephen has done a podcast in which he tells stories. The Tobolowsky Files ran for 99 episodes. He has also made 2 films in which the core is his story telling: “Stephen Tobolowsky’s Birthday Party” and “The Primary Instinct”. He has also written several books including “The Dangerous Animals Club”, “My Adventures with God” and “A Good Day in Auschwitz”. Stephen has been in too many movies to mention though he might be best known for his supporting role in “Groundhog Day” as Ned Ryerson. He has also been in “Memento”, “Thelma and Louise”, and “Spaceballs” to name just a few. He has also had recurring roles in episodic television series such as “Silicon Valley”, “The Mindy Project” and “The Goldbergs”. https://youtu.be/KdOohkoAiow

It's all about trios on today's episode, "Trio"! So we brought in the third leg of the Corner Podcast Network, Lindsay, to help be a trio ourselves. She's all caught up, so we can jump right into Funny Girl and Funnier Girl, death by Ohio, and ransacking the apartment for a second time. Lindsay can be found on bsky @LindsayM476.bsky.social. Check out the Corner Podcast Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/c/CornerPodcastNetwork. We also have the Corner Pod Net Discord here: https://discord.gg/Hf8Y2yEJPe. If you want to contact us we can be found at loserlikemepod@gmail.com, or @loserlikemepod.bsky.social on BlueSky. Tanner can be found there @SparkyUpstart, and Christina @CWoodsArt.

Dr Adam Koontz and Col Willie Grills talk about the film Dirty Harry, the significance of the time and place of its setting, why its portrayal of justice outside the law appeals to its audience, and the changes in policing in the last fifty years. Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Thanks to our sponsors, Ad Crucem and Gnesio Health Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Pr. Willie Grills - Zion Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

«Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris» («Ricordati, uomo, che sei polvere e in polvere ritornerai»). Con queste parole, pronunciate dal sacerdote che impone le ceneri sul capo dei fedeli, il Mercoledì delle Ceneri inizia la Quaresima nel rito romano. L'origine di questa formula liturgica risale al primo capitolo della Genesi, quando il Signore, dopo il peccato di Adamo, gli disse: «Con il sudore del tuo volto mangerai il pane; finché tornerai alla terra, perché da essa sei stato tratto: polvere tu sei e in polvere tornerai!» (Gen 3, 19).

Dr Adam Koontz answers listener emails about the making of film, and the communion practices of the early Christian church. Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Check out the 2026 Men's Gathering Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

Ash Wednesday invites us to contemplate our mortality in light of eternity so that as we live our lives, we will live as God sees us. Fr. David Trautman expounds on "Memento mori; memento eternum."If you like what you hear, we hope you'll join us in person if you're in the area. Learn more about us:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/servantsanglican⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.servantsanglican.org/⁠⁠⁠

Dr Adam Koontz interviews Pr Joshua Tinkham about the history of the Baptist confessions, Associationalism, and the Baptist understanding of the sacraments. Pr Joshua Tinkham - Covenant Community Church, Founders Seminary Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Thanks to our sponsors, Ad Crucem and Gnesio Health Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

Host Victor opens by recapping the podcast's current coverage: weekly breakdowns of The Pitt season 2 with his wife Kim (a medical PA), discussion of Industry, and a recommendation to watch the Game of Thrones prequel A Night of the Seven Kingdoms (six-episode season, renewed for season 2). He also notes a Christopher Nolan rewatch series (Following and Memento). He invites feedback via email and Spotify/YouTube comments and asks listeners to share the show.   Victor and Kim then discuss The Pitt episode 6, directed by Noah Wyle (his first directing credit on the show). They describe it as more “mundane” in plot but possibly the best episode of the season due to staff camaraderie and subtle emotional beats. A central throughline is the death of frequent-flyer patient Louie, which the staff grieves, contrasted with new doctor Ogilvy's detached comments. They discuss how ER staff form relationships with frequent flyers and the episode's late reveal that Louie's chronic drinking followed a car accident that killed his pregnant wife.   A major theme is the “invisible work” of nurses: Perlah's grief, Dana cleaning Louie's body, behind-the-scenes patient prep, and how experienced nurses and advanced practitioners often run workflows and handle details. Kim relates this to real practice, including ICU and ER routines and how PAs/NPs frequently have more laceration-repair experience than attending physicians. They also touch on what happens to unclaimed bodies (morgue, possible cremation) and note the episode's visual focus on a homeless patient as part of a broader theme of dignity for underserved people.   They cover other episode storylines: an incarcerated, malnourished patient whom Dr. Al-Hashimi wants to help despite bed pressures; Dana appears to manipulate an oxygen monitor reading (tape is implied) to keep him from being discharged; and a new competent nurse who arrives mid-shift, prompting discussion of ER shift overlap and staffing. They discuss a law student experiencing a first psychotic episode and how wording like “what's wrong with him” can alarm family members.   Victor and Kim analyze a cancer patient on home hospice who refuses to leave the hospital, with a death doula present. Kim suspects heavy pain medication (including ketamine and long-acting morphine) could lead to respiratory compromise, while Victor wonders if the patient is trying to die away from her husband. They also discuss Santos being behind on notes, a comedic/critical AI documentation thread (including errors like urologist vs neurologist and incorrect surgical history), and broader electronic medical record and faxing frustrations.   Additional medical beats include the waitress developing a life-threatening infection leading to an above-knee amputation, a patient demanding repeated D-dimer testing despite being on Eliquis, and Kim explaining what a D-dimer is and how unnecessary testing increases costs. They discuss translation access for hearing-impaired and non-English-speaking patients via video interpreter services. Character moments include Joy revealing she wants to be a pathologist to avoid patient interaction, and a motorcycle knee-laceration case using fluorescein to check joint involvement.   They end by noting Louie dies from pulmonary hemorrhage (Kim would have liked more foreshadowing) and Kim shares a real trauma case involving an alcoholic with liver failure who died from bleeding after a minor accident. Victor briefly previews Drops of God season 2 episode “Brothers and Sisters,” highlighting themes of sibling conflict and a toxic Georgian sibling relationship, and says they will discuss the current and next episode later. Victor closes with reminders about ongoing Industry coverage, the Nolan rewatch, upcoming premieres, and holiday/Valentine's greetings.   00:00 Welcome + What We're Covering on the Podcast This Week 00:35 Why You Should Watch ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' (GOT Spinoff Pitch) 02:32 Other Ongoing Coverage: Industry, Nolan Rewatch, and What's Next with Sona 03:58 Subscribe, Feedback, and Quick Programming Notes (Drops of God Tease) 04:50 Episode 6 Kickoff: Why This Might Be the Best ‘The Pit' of the Season 06:26 Louis' Death as the Emotional Through-Line (and Ogilvy's Cold Take) 09:16 The ‘Invisible Work': Nurses, Body Care, and Behind-the-Scenes Medicine 13:02 NP/PA Skills in the ER: Suturing, Lacerations, and Who Really Closes Wounds 15:30 Frequent Flyers & What Happens When No One Claims a Body 17:50 Underserved Patients Theme: Homeless Man, Inmate Case, and Bending the Rules 22:03 Dana Steps Up + The New Nurse Mystery (Shifts, Overlap, and Staffing) 24:48 Psychosis Case Update: Communicating Uncertainty to Family 26:13 End-of-Life Cancer Patient: Husband Dynamics and Pain Med Risks 28:17 End-of-Life Choices: Hospice, Dignity, and ‘I Don't Want to Leave' 30:00 Santos' Rough Week: Sleep Deprivation, Garcia, and AI Note Chaos 31:30 AI in Medicine vs Reality: Dictation Errors, Copy-Paste Charts, and Fax Machines 33:55 The Waitress Case Turns Critical: Above-Knee Amputation & Medical Anxiety 35:20 ER Testing 101: D-Dimer, Patient Demands, and Healthcare Costs 37:38 Communication Barriers: Sign Language, iPad Interpreters, and Future AI Translation 39:54 Joy & Ogilvy Career Talk: Why Pathology Is the ‘Hard Pass' Specialty 41:33 Motorcycle Knee Laceration Workup: Fluorescein Joint Injection Explained 42:53 Louis' Death & Pulmonary Hemorrhage: Humanizing the Staff + A Trauma Story 46:02 Drops of God Check-In: ‘Brothers and Sisters' and Where the Season's Headed 49:22 Wrap-Up: Upcoming Pods (Industry, Nolan Rewatch) and Farewell

The guys hand out their 'Memento' tattoo lessons from the season, debating the fantasy rules they refuse to forget—from trusting elite offenses to identifying the real kingmakers. They also argue about rushing QBs, late-round strategy, coaching chaos, and which trends will actually matter next season. (00:00) Intro (03:03) Tattoos (38:43) Polaroids (01:12:09) Emails Discord link:  https://discord.gg/Ge8bbYHrau Check out the 2025 Ringer Fantasy Football Rankings: https://fantasyfootball.theringer.com/ Email us! ringerfantasyfootball@gmail.com Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, and Craig Horlbeck Producers: Kai Grady, Carlos Chiriboga, and Cameron Dinwiddie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Yamabe talks with Dr Adam Koontz about the scriptural and historical modes of pastoral formation, the changing nature of education in the internet age, and expectations for what will come in the future. Listen to the full interview Here or on YouTube Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Check out the 2026 Men's Gathering Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

In this episode of Need Some Introduction, host Victor offers an extensive examination of Christopher Nolan's 2000 film 'Memento.' Victor discusses the film's unique storytelling structure, the thematic complexity, and the meticulous craftsmanship involved in its production. He delves into the performances, especially praising Guy Pearce and Joe Pantoliano, and reflects on the movie's lasting impact and success. Victor also touches on the broader context of Nolan's career and the evolution of his filmmaking style. Additionally, co-host Alan joins later in the conversation to share insights and discuss the film's nuances, making this episode a comprehensive exploration of one of Nolan's most celebrated works. mailto:needssomeintroduction@gmail.com Radiolab Episode: https://radiolab.org/podcast/91569-memory-and-forgetting   00:00 Introduction and Current Discussions 00:54 Christopher Nolan's Filmography 01:30 'Following' Follow-up 04:43 Rewatching 'Memento' 11:50 Thematic Analysis and Personal Reflections 18:26 Plot Mechanics and Storytelling Techniques 30:02 Character Analysis and Final Thoughts 51:56 The Terminator's Dilemma 52:16 A Flashback to Guilt 52:45 The Final Revelation 53:09 Living in a Fantasy 53:25 The Cruel Reality 53:40 A Directionless Life 54:04 The Grim Ending 54:16 Reflecting on the Film 54:30 Alan Joins the Conversation 55:23 Discussing the Super Bowl 57:47 Bad Bunny Halftime Show 01:01:33 Kid Rock Controversy 01:03:00 Back to Memento 01:04:36 The Film's Unique Structure 01:13:01 Natalie's Manipulation 01:23:28 The Condition's Reality 01:31:31 Sammy Jenkins' Condition: Fact or Fiction? 01:32:45 The Shocking Truth About Leonard's Wife 01:33:34 The Frame-by-Frame Breakdown 01:34:21 The Power of Suggestion and Memory 01:35:07 Teddy's Revelation: Leonard's True Story 01:37:24 The Cycle of Violence and Manipulation 01:40:48 Nolan's Mastery in Storytelling 01:49:05 The Enigma of Sammy Jenkins 01:55:39 Nolan's Rise to Fame 02:03:44 The Financial Success of Memento 02:12:01 Brad Pitt's Acting Evolution 02:14:38 Alternative Casting Choices 02:16:27 Carrie Ann Moss and Joey Pants 02:20:49 Rewatching Films and Nostalgia 02:33:39 Upcoming Discussions and Final Thoughts

Welcome to the premier episode of #NolanClub! In anticipation of this summer release of The Odyssey Geek History Lesson introduces an exploratory series where Jason and Ashley go back and explore the films of Christopher Nolan in chronological order beginning with this week's episode on: Memento! Can we remember the movie we watched? The podcast we are hosting? Listen along to find out and remember Sammy Jankis.#SpookySeason Merch ► https://www.teepublic.com/stores/jawiinFor exclusive bonus podcasts like our Justice League Review show our Teen Titans Podcast, GHL Extra & Livestreams with the hosts, join the Geek History Lesson Patreon ► https://www.patreon.com/JawiinGHL RECOMMENDED READING from this episode► https://www.geekhistorylesson.com/recommendedreadingFOLLOW GHL►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geekhistorylessonThreads: https://www.threads.net/@geekhistorylessonTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@geekhistorylessonFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/geekhistorylessonGet Your GHL Pin: https://geekhistorylesson.etsy.comYou can follow Ashley at https://www.threads.net/@ashleyvrobinson or https://www.ashleyvictoriarobinson.com/Follow Jason at https://www.threads.net/@jawiin or https://bsky.app/profile/jasoninman.bsky.socialThanks for showing up to class today. Class is dismissed!

On episode 332 of The AwardsWatch Podcast, Executive Editor Ryan McQuade is joined by AwardsWatch Editor-In-Chief Erik Anderson and AwardsWatch contributors Dan Bayer, Jay Ledbetter, and Josh Parham to go back 25 years and take a look at the 74th Academy Awards, covering the films of 2001. On this retrospective, the AW team starts the year off with a look back at a solid year of film in 2001, that brought together some of the most memorable films of the last 25 years. But the winner for Best Picture is not one held in high regard, as A Beautiful Mind took home the top prize, a make-up win for director Ron Howard after losing for Apollo 13. While the film hasn't aged well as a winner, and even as a film, the year has with spectacular films that are mentioned throughout the show like In the Mood for Love, Mulholland Drive, Gosford Park, Memento, Ghost World, The Royal Tenenbaums, In the Bedroom, Hedwig and the Angry Itch, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and more.  In their in-depth discussion, the AW team talked about the film year of 2001, briefly discuss talk about A Beautiful Mind as a Best Picture winner, and how that speaks to the legacy of their nominates and or wins, do an extensive conversation over the below the line categories and nominees for the year, and then the new version of the AW Shoulda Woulda Coulda game, where instead of individual replacements, they must decide as a group who the nominees and winners should be in the top eight categories. The rules of the game state they can only replace two of the nominees that year from each category, except in Best Picture, where the group could replace up to three films to make up the final set of five nominated films. Like past retrospective episodes, it was a fascinating, fun conversation including spirited debates, alliances, vote swinging, celebrating various movies, performances that aren't normally talked about and more that we all hope you enjoy. You can listen to The AwardsWatch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more. You can also listen to it on our AwardsWatch YouTube page. This podcast runs 2h06m. We will be back in next week for a review of the latest film from director Emerald Fennell, Wuthering Heights. Till then, let's get into it. Music: "Modern Fashion" from AShamaleuvmusic (intro), "B-3" from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Dr Adam Koontz follows up the episode on elites by talking about their purpose, what separates them from the merely rich or influential, and how a democratic society produces leaders focused on appearances. Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Thanks to our sponsors, Ad Crucem and Gnesio Health Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

New @greenpillnet pod out today!

Brian Yamabe talks with Dr Adam Koontz about the benefits and drawbacks of different approaches to pastoral formation and what that education needs to achieve. Listen to the full interview Here or on YouTube Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

In this episode of Need Some Introduction, host Victor introduces a new contributor, Alan, as they begin an in-depth rewatch of Christopher Nolan's filmography, starting with his debut film 'Following.' They discuss the thematic elements, noir influences, and notable aspects of Nolan's early career while providing insights and personal anecdotes. The conversation also touches on other filmmakers like David Lynch, the Cohen Brothers, and Mike Leigh, while drawing comparisons to Nolan's recurring motifs and storytelling techniques. The episode concludes with a look ahead to their discussion of Nolan's breakthrough film 'Memento.'   00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:57 Introducing New Contributor Alan 01:54 Rewatching Christopher Nolan's Filmography 02:58 Discussion on Nolan's Early Career and Following 03:54 Conversation with Alan Begins 06:56 Nolan's Filmmaking Style and Career 15:30 Detailed Analysis of Following 21:50 Comparisons and Final Thoughts 40:59 Exploring Noir Elements in Films 41:21 The Coen Brothers' Noir Influence 43:22 Defining Noir: Classic vs. Contemporary 46:19 Nolan and Fincher: Modern Noir Masters 48:14 Christopher Nolan's Early Career and Themes 57:43 Carrie-Anne Moss and Female Characters in Nolan's Films 01:06:42 Guy Pearce's Career and Realism in Films 01:11:08 Mike Leigh's Impactful Films 01:12:15 Upcoming Discussions and Final Thoughts

Katie sits down with the Westworld showrunner, Jonah Nolan for a wide ranging conversation about what keeps him coming back to sci-fi storytelling about technology and human nature. After decades of writing about Ai, Nolan explains why Ai may be good for burgeoning filmmakers, but won't replace Hollywood as we know it.Nolan's past work includes Memento, The Prestige, The Dark Knight, Interstellar and Westworld. Join WIRED's best and brightest on Uncanny Valley as they dissect the collision of tech, politics, finance, and business, from Alexis Ohanian's newest tech venture to the effects of inaccurate information from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on social protests. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Dr Adam Koontz and Col Willie Grills talk about David Lynch's film Lost Highway, confronting your own sin, and why the film portrays the horror of evil so well. Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Thanks to our sponsors, Ad Crucem and Gnesio Health Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Pr. Willie Grills - Zion Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

Join us back and forth in time with Christopher Nolan's 2nd film MementoDirected by Christopher NolanScreenplay byChristopher NolanBased on "Memento Mori"by Jonathan NolanProduced by Jennifer Todd, Suzanne ToddStarring Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe PantolianoCinematography Wally PfisterEdited by Dody DornMusic by David JulyanProduction companies Summit EntertainmentTeam ToddDistributed byNewmarketRelease datesSeptember 5, 2000 (Venice)March 16, 2001 (United States)Running time113 minutesBudget$9,000,000 (estimated)Gross US & Canada$25,544,867Opening weekend US & Canada$235,488Mar 18, 2001Gross worldwide$40,060,108

Brian Yamabe talks with Dr Adam Koontz about the Koinonia gathering which discussed pastoral formation issues, and the positions on either side of the debate. Listen to the full interview Here or on YouTube Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

Dr Adam Koontz and Col Willie Grills talk about the invasion of Cities Church in St Paul, MN, practices to safeguard churchgoers and attitudes towards them, and how people see the doctrine of two kingdoms applied to immigration. Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Thanks to our sponsor, Gnesio Health Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Pr. Willie Grills - Zion Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

LinksTLC - "Waterfalls" Alex was four.No Such Thing as a Fish QI researchers' podcast; Merlin's been listening for yearsNo Such Thing As Debreadtion — No Such Thing As A Fish — Overcast The episode Merlin mentionedKen Burns' Jazz Episode 9 "The Adventure."TLC - "Unpretty" Merlin's favorite TLC song.Dead Drop Spycraft term for passing info without meetingKen Burns' Baseball Source of the Lincoln "tiredest" quoteA Knight of the Seven Kingdoms New Game of Thrones spinoffWhy Are Icelandic Horses Not Called Ponies? (Iceland Mag) Pony-sized but Iceland said it's a horseShip of Theseus (Khan Academy video) The philosophical paradox behind "Thesean Horse"Saint John Coltrane Church (KQED) Yes, there's literally a church for this albumJohn Coltrane - A Love Supreme (1965) The album that inspired the church"Is he quare?" Comedy repetition referenceHarry Enfield British comedian; "Is he queer?" sketchPaul Whitehouse The other half of the old men in the clubI Spy books (Walter Wick Studio) Merlin's analogy for how Claude Code sees things"40, 45 Years" - Stewart Lee The callback kingClaude Code (Anthropic) The AI tool Merlin won't shut up aboutRik Mayall: Lord of Misrule 2014 BBC tribute documentary; narrated by Simon CallowThe Young Ones (IMDb) What you most likely know Rik Mayall fromThe Young Ones - "Bambi" / University Challenge (YouTube) Fry, Laurie, Thompson vs. the ladsNell (1994) Merlin's first memory of Liam Neeson as a leadNell (1994) Trailer "Can't abide a canna peas," is a line Merlin feels like he remembers Jodie Foster's Nell sayingScotiabank Saddledome: Building Design Say it soft, and it's almost like praying.Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing Bob and Paul's fishing showGame of Thrones - "Fire and Blood" (Fandom) Season 1 finale; Daenerys and the dragon eggsLucy Liu on the "Dragon Lady" Stereotype (NextShark) "I could have been wearing a tuxedo and a blond wig"The Slop Hash Merlin's project to get you excited about making something cool."I never said she stole my money" has 7 different meanings Stress a different word, get a different sentence.The Butterfield Diet Plan (YouTube) "The results have been increbidle"The Night Left Eye Burned Down Andre Rison's Mansion (Investigation Discovery) It started with sneakers in a fiberglass bathtubMemento Mori "Remember you will die"Anterograde Amnesia The condition from Memento — can't form new memoriesOne Hundred Years of Solitude García Márquez's masterpieceKieran's very good post "Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía was to remember that distant afternoon when his father was discovered and taken by ICE."Hammer A tool so durable it works across timeCottaging: History of the Term (Idiom Origins) How they got John Gielgud, Wilfrid Brambell, and poor Brian Epstein.Brian Epstein (Beatles Bible) Beatles manager; arrested 1957, blackmailed for years, died a month before decriminalizationClarke's Three Laws "Sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"Ducking Stool Chair on a stick for dunking witches and scoldsRoget's Thesaurus (Project Gutenberg) Category 1: Existence12 Facts About Taking of Pelham 123 (Mental Floss) They fictionalized the dead man's switch to foil copycatsThe 36-Hour Day (Johns Hopkins Press) Read it before someone you love has dementiaSome folks I love and admire do come off sounding a little like the same people who loudly hated Little Richard and disco music.Honestly, sometimes it's legit difficult to notice when we've gotten more emotionally invested than we'd realized in seeming right.And that shit is a LOT to decide to carry forever.

Memento OP and Snorlax Legbeard saga: https://www.youtube.com/playli... Welcome to r/LegbeardStories, where the cringe is real and the stories are even realer. Today's saga? Strap in for a wild ride through brain fog, broken memories, and one of the most aggressive legbeards ever documented. This isn't your average neckbeard cringe—this is next-level gaslighting, obsessive stalking, and a survivor story that rivals Memento for sheer mind-bending chaos. Meet TC: a promising lacrosse star turned amnesiac after a brutal on-field accident. While struggling to rebuild his life through occupational therapy, he stumbles into the crosshairs of “AD”—an unhinged, manipulative legbeard with a passion for bright clothing, unsolicited anime fan art, and rewriting reality to fit her own deranged narrative. This is not a drill: she stalks, she gaslights, she tries to rewrite his memories… and she's NOT taking “no” for an answer. What starts as a simple therapy story quickly turns into a psychological thriller, with AD escalating from awkward texts to full-on kidnapping attempts in a Mazda covered with anime bumper stickers. When the main character literally has to write “DON'T TRUST HER” on his hand just to keep his story straight, you know you're in deep internet legend territory. This is the kind of neckbeard story you just can't make up. ------------------------------------------------------------ #LegbeardStories #TrueStory #GaslightingSurvivor #TherapyHorror #NeckbeardSaga Discord: https://discord.gg/Sju7YckUWu Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/daytondo... PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/daytondo... Patreon: http://patreon.com/daytondoes Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/daytond... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReddX... Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ReddX... Amazon link to my mic: https://amzn.to/3lInsRR ReddX merch: https://reddx-shop.fourthwall.... Character art: https://twitter.com/DarkleyDoe... Creepypasta channel: https://www.youtube.com/Dayton... Gaming channel: https://www.youtube.com/dayton... Wifey's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MrsReddX ------------------------------------------------------------ Playlists: Full neckbeard stories: https://www.youtube.com/playli... All neckbeard stories: https://www.youtube.com/playli... All legbeard stories: https://www.youtube.com/playli... RPG Horror Stories: https://www.youtube.com/playli... Weeaboo tales: https://www.youtube.com/playli... ------------------------------------------------------------ Podcasts: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/... iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/... Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/... Also on Castbox, Audible, and iHeartRadio! it's not all doom and gloom. Enter the Bro Squad—Brick, Bro-Bro, Tiny, and Kahuna—who roll up like SEAL Team Six every time AD makes her move. These aren't just gym bros, they're the support system every brain injury survivor wishes they had. Together, they stand between our protagonist and a world that suddenly makes even less sense than before. If you've ever wondered how gaslighting really works, how survivors cope after memory loss, or what happens when a manipulative stalker meets a determined group of friends, this is your must-watch. We'll break down the tactics, the psychology, and the sheer absurdity of it all, all while paying tribute to the Memento vibe—sticky notes, missing memories, and all. We dive deep into the world of therapy horror stories, amnesia recovery, and internet stalker drama. You'll see how online communities like Reddit's r/LegbeardStories become lifelines for people surviving the worst kind of cringe—and why it's so important to talk about male victims, survivor support, and hidden disabilities in our meme-obsessed age. Stick around for the Gubbinses' savage breakdown, where nothing and no one is safe from roast. By the end of this saga, you'll never look at group therapy, lacrosse, or neon leggings the same way again. Want more wild true stories? Check out the full playlist below for the best/worst of r/LegbeardStories and beyond. Subscribe for weekly Reddit drama, deep-dive survivor stories, internet lore, and roast-heavy commentary you won't find anywhere else. Drop your own tales of gaslighting, therapy fails, or neckbeard encounters in the comments below—your story could be next! And don't forget to hit the bell so you never miss a cringe classic. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channe... Discord: https://discord.gg/Sju7YckUWu Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/daytondo... PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/daytondo... Patreon: http://patreon.com/daytondoes Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/daytond... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReddX... Merch: https://reddx-shop.fourthwall....

Episode GuideMaul Shadow Lord Official Trailer Stargate SG-1 s05ep13 Proving Ground - ability to follow orders & instinctss05ep14 48 Hours - Overriding gate diagnosticss05ep15 Summit - Return of Anubis via proxys05ep16 Last Stand - Survival of the Tok'ras05ep17 Fail Safe - Anubus attacks Earth with a naquaah enhanced meteors05ep18 The Warrior - progress of the Jaffa rebellions05ep19 Menace - possible creator of the Replicatorss05ep20 The Sentinel - effects of teams pretending to be an SG teams05ep21 Meridian - Jonas Quinns05ep22 Revelations - Rise of Anubis and history of the Asgards06ep01 Redemption Part 1 - Anubis attacks Earth agains06ep02 Redemption Part 2 - Bra'tac, Teal'c and Rya'c attack Anubis' weapon built by the Ancientss06ep03 Descent - salvaging a motherships06ep04 Frozen - A real life Ancient frozen in times06ep05 Nightwalkers - variation of the Goa'uld powers without becoming ones06ep06 Abyss - Ba'als06ep07 Shadow Play - Trying to ally with Jonas' home but they're still fighting their battless06ep08 The Other Guys - 1st appearance of Harak, later seen with Anubiss06ep09 Allegiance - Human/Tok'ra/Jaffa alliances06ep10 Cure - Origins of the Tok'ra and the means of stopping the Jaffa reliance on symbiotess06ep11 Prometheus - X303 not the Enterprises06ep12 Unnatural Selection - Human form replicatorss06ep13 Sight Unseen - effects of Ancient devicess06ep14 Smoke & Mirrors - shadow organizations trying to control the Stargates06ep15 Paradise Lost - An all O'Neill and Mayborne episodes06ep16 Metamorphasis - More Niirti experimentss06ep17 Disclosure - Revealing the Stargate program and defeating Kinsey agains06ep18 Forsaken - escaped alienss06ep19 The Changeling - Teal'c without the his symbiote via tretonines06ep20 Memento - test flight of the Prometheuss06ep21 Prophecy - Niirti's experiment on Jonass06ep22 Full Circle - Attack and final rise of AnubisStar Wars KOTOR II The Sith Lords Jedi Guardian Android Gameplay GTA III Definitive Edition Doom II Hell on Earth LinksSupport my Youtube channel by becoming a member today!Blog Podcast YouTube Version Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Adam Koontz talks about why Lutherans have no cultural elites, the societal mechanisms that create an elite, and what elites are supposed to do. Links: https://firstthings.com/the-problem-with-the-evangelical-elite/ https://www.aaronrenn.com/p/the-problem-with-the-evangelical-elite https://www.aaronrenn.com/p/comments-on-the-evangelical-elite https://americanreformer.org/2025/12/why-are-there-no-evangelical-elites/ https://americanreformer.org/2025/12/toward-an-elite-doctrine-of-vocation/ Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

Coming soon, Adam and Josh look ahead to the new movie year with a 2026 Preview Draft. Likely to go early in that draft: Christopher Nolan's THE ODYSSEY. So, we're sharing our 2020 review of Nolan's MEMENTO, a film that screened at the Sundance Film Festival 25 years ago this month. For full access to the Filmspotting Archive, consider joining the Filmspotting Family. Membership also gives you an exclusive feed to ad-free and monthly bonus episodes, a weekly newsletter, access to the Filmspotting Discord, event pre-sales and more. For 20% a monthly or annual membership, use the code "supreme" before Jan. 31. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Message us ANONYMOUSLYSo, someone involved with marketing/promoting this new Dutch movie “Reedland” (2025 d. Sven Bresser) reached out to us. They were like “wanna do…whatever it is you do, we don't really know/care, with it,” and we were like “how did you find us? Are you sure YOU think this is a good idea?” They were like “yep. Watch it and do the dance.” And we're like "uuummm, OK.” Then we did the episode, and sent it to them for approval. They were like “wow. Approved. Give these chimps the Nobel Peace Prize.” So, we're just waiting for that now. The Reedcutter will return in Avengers: Floopitty Dooms 1/20!****A member of the “Review Review,” family is in the fight of her life, you can help! - TAP/CLICK Support the show**All episodes contain explicit language**Artwork - Ben McFaddenReview Review Intro/Outro Theme - Jamie Henwood"What Are We Watching" & "Whatcha been up to?" Themes - Matthew Fosket"Fun Facts" Theme - Chris Olds/Paul RootLead-Ins Edited/Conceptualized by - Ben McFaddenProduced by - Ben McFadden & Paul RootConcept - Paul Root

Most people assume AI “remembers everything” — every chat, every command, every conversation. But that's not how today's systems actually work. On this episode of Today in Tech, Keith Shaw talks with Manifest AI CEO Jacob Buckman about how AI memory really works under the hood, why chatbots feel so different from humans, and what has to change for true long-running digital agents to become reality. Jacob explains concepts like short-term vs. long-term AI memory, context windows, KV caches, and “scratchpad” summaries in plain language. He uses analogies from medicine and the movie Memento to show why current AI tools can ace a single conversation but struggle to stay on task over hours, days, or projects. They also dig into hallucinations, why simply “making models bigger” isn't enough, and how new architectures like power retention aim to give AI a more human-like ability to remember what actually matters over time. You'll learn: * Why AI remembers everything inside a chat window but almost nothing between sessions * How today's memory tricks (summaries, scratchpads, huge context windows) still fall short * How memory limits hold back reliable AI agents for coding, research, and creative work * Why better long-term memory could cut hallucinations and boost trust in business use cases * What “power retention” is — and how it could reshape the next generation of AI systems

Dr Adam Koontz and Col Willie Grills talk about Rome's transition from republic to empire, how the church behaves in relation to government and often mirrors its structure, and why agreeableness is important in a heterogeneous society. Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Thanks to our sponsor, Gnesio Health Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Pr. Willie Grills - Zion Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

In this episode, we break down MEMENTO — Christopher Nolan's mind-bending thriller that tells its story backward to put the audience inside the head of its main character. We analyze how the film's reverse structure forces viewers to experience confusion, uncertainty, and self-deception just like Leonard. We dive into the themes of memory, truth, and identity, and explain why Memento isn't just a puzzle movie — it's a psychological trap designed to make you question every decision being made. From the tattoos to the Polaroids, we break down how Nolan turned storytelling itself into the movie's biggest twist.   Chapters: 00:00 What an insane concept 4:41 Explaining Memento 18:54 How this movie came to be 25:08 Explaining the structure 28:44 The details you may have missed 34:20 The movie is actually kinda funny 40:16 Scenes that secretly reveal Leonards mind 44:50 Insane this is Nolan's second movie ever 47:46 Why are movie theaters dying? 53:53 The seemingly pointless scene 58:45 Our official rating & final thoughts 1:02:38 Cue the music

Memento OP and Snorlax Legbeard saga: https://www.youtube.com/playli... Welcome to r/LegbeardStories, where the cringe is real and the stories are even realer. Today's saga? Strap in for a wild ride through brain fog, broken memories, and one of the most aggressive legbeards ever documented. This isn't your average neckbeard cringe—this is next-level gaslighting, obsessive stalking, and a survivor story that rivals Memento for sheer mind-bending chaos. Meet TC: a promising lacrosse star turned amnesiac after a brutal on-field accident. While struggling to rebuild his life through occupational therapy, he stumbles into the crosshairs of “AD”—an unhinged, manipulative legbeard with a passion for bright clothing, unsolicited anime fan art, and rewriting reality to fit her own deranged narrative. This is not a drill: she stalks, she gaslights, she tries to rewrite his memories… and she's NOT taking “no” for an answer. What starts as a simple therapy story quickly turns into a psychological thriller, with AD escalating from awkward texts to full-on kidnapping attempts in a Mazda covered with anime bumper stickers. When the main character literally has to write “DON'T TRUST HER” on his hand just to keep his story straight, you know you're in deep internet legend territory. This is the kind of neckbeard story you just can't make up. ------------------------------------------------------------ #LegbeardStories #TrueStory #GaslightingSurvivor #TherapyHorror #NeckbeardSaga Discord: https://discord.gg/Sju7YckUWu Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/daytondo... PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/daytondo... Patreon: http://patreon.com/daytondoes Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/daytond... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReddX... Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ReddX... Amazon link to my mic: https://amzn.to/3lInsRR ReddX merch: https://reddx-shop.fourthwall.... Character art: https://twitter.com/DarkleyDoe... Creepypasta channel: https://www.youtube.com/Dayton... Gaming channel: https://www.youtube.com/dayton... Wifey's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MrsReddX ------------------------------------------------------------ Playlists: Full neckbeard stories: https://www.youtube.com/playli... All neckbeard stories: https://www.youtube.com/playli... All legbeard stories: https://www.youtube.com/playli... RPG Horror Stories: https://www.youtube.com/playli... Weeaboo tales: https://www.youtube.com/playli... ------------------------------------------------------------ Podcasts: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/... iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/... Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/... Also on Castbox, Audible, and iHeartRadio! it's not all doom and gloom. Enter the Bro Squad—Brick, Bro-Bro, Tiny, and Kahuna—who roll up like SEAL Team Six every time AD makes her move. These aren't just gym bros, they're the support system every brain injury survivor wishes they had. Together, they stand between our protagonist and a world that suddenly makes even less sense than before. If you've ever wondered how gaslighting really works, how survivors cope after memory loss, or what happens when a manipulative stalker meets a determined group of friends, this is your must-watch. We'll break down the tactics, the psychology, and the sheer absurdity of it all, all while paying tribute to the Memento vibe—sticky notes, missing memories, and all. We dive deep into the world of therapy horror stories, amnesia recovery, and internet stalker drama. You'll see how online communities like Reddit's r/LegbeardStories become lifelines for people surviving the worst kind of cringe—and why it's so important to talk about male victims, survivor support, and hidden disabilities in our meme-obsessed age. Stick around for the Gubbinses' savage breakdown, where nothing and no one is safe from roast. By the end of this saga, you'll never look at group therapy, lacrosse, or neon leggings the same way again. Want more wild true stories? Check out the full playlist below for the best/worst of r/LegbeardStories and beyond. Subscribe for weekly Reddit drama, deep-dive survivor stories, internet lore, and roast-heavy commentary you won't find anywhere else. Drop your own tales of gaslighting, therapy fails, or neckbeard encounters in the comments below—your story could be next! And don't forget to hit the bell so you never miss a cringe classic. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channe... Discord: https://discord.gg/Sju7YckUWu Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/daytondo... PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/daytondo... Patreon: http://patreon.com/daytondoes Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/daytond... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReddX... Merch: https://reddx-shop.fourthwall....

Col Willie Grills talk about the US invasion of Panama and compares it to current military actions in Venezuela.  Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Pr. Willie Grills - Zion Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

Memento OP and Snorlax Legbeard saga: https://www.youtube.com/playli... Welcome to r/LegbeardStories, where the cringe is real and the stories are even realer. Today's saga? Strap in for a wild ride through brain fog, broken memories, and one of the most aggressive legbeards ever documented. This isn't your average neckbeard cringe—this is next-level gaslighting, obsessive stalking, and a survivor story that rivals Memento for sheer mind-bending chaos. Meet TC: a promising lacrosse star turned amnesiac after a brutal on-field accident. While struggling to rebuild his life through occupational therapy, he stumbles into the crosshairs of “AD”—an unhinged, manipulative legbeard with a passion for bright clothing, unsolicited anime fan art, and rewriting reality to fit her own deranged narrative. This is not a drill: she stalks, she gaslights, she tries to rewrite his memories… and she's NOT taking “no” for an answer. What starts as a simple therapy story quickly turns into a psychological thriller, with AD escalating from awkward texts to full-on kidnapping attempts in a Mazda covered with anime bumper stickers. When the main character literally has to write “DON'T TRUST HER” on his hand just to keep his story straight, you know you're in deep internet legend territory. This is the kind of neckbeard story you just can't make up. ------------------------------------------------------------ #LegbeardStories #TrueStory #GaslightingSurvivor #TherapyHorror #NeckbeardSaga Discord: https://discord.gg/Sju7YckUWu Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/daytondo... PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/daytondo... Patreon: http://patreon.com/daytondoes Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/daytond... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReddX... Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ReddX... Amazon link to my mic: https://amzn.to/3lInsRR ReddX merch: https://reddx-shop.fourthwall.... Character art: https://twitter.com/DarkleyDoe... Creepypasta channel: https://www.youtube.com/Dayton... Gaming channel: https://www.youtube.com/dayton... Wifey's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MrsReddX ------------------------------------------------------------ Playlists: Full neckbeard stories: https://www.youtube.com/playli... All neckbeard stories: https://www.youtube.com/playli... All legbeard stories: https://www.youtube.com/playli... RPG Horror Stories: https://www.youtube.com/playli... Weeaboo tales: https://www.youtube.com/playli... ------------------------------------------------------------ Podcasts: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/... iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/... Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/... Also on Castbox, Audible, and iHeartRadio! it's not all doom and gloom. Enter the Bro Squad—Brick, Bro-Bro, Tiny, and Kahuna—who roll up like SEAL Team Six every time AD makes her move. These aren't just gym bros, they're the support system every brain injury survivor wishes they had. Together, they stand between our protagonist and a world that suddenly makes even less sense than before. If you've ever wondered how gaslighting really works, how survivors cope after memory loss, or what happens when a manipulative stalker meets a determined group of friends, this is your must-watch. We'll break down the tactics, the psychology, and the sheer absurdity of it all, all while paying tribute to the Memento vibe—sticky notes, missing memories, and all. We dive deep into the world of therapy horror stories, amnesia recovery, and internet stalker drama. You'll see how online communities like Reddit's r/LegbeardStories become lifelines for people surviving the worst kind of cringe—and why it's so important to talk about male victims, survivor support, and hidden disabilities in our meme-obsessed age. Stick around for the Gubbinses' savage breakdown, where nothing and no one is safe from roast. By the end of this saga, you'll never look at group therapy, lacrosse, or neon leggings the same way again. Want more wild true stories? Check out the full playlist below for the best/worst of r/LegbeardStories and beyond. Subscribe for weekly Reddit drama, deep-dive survivor stories, internet lore, and roast-heavy commentary you won't find anywhere else. Drop your own tales of gaslighting, therapy fails, or neckbeard encounters in the comments below—your story could be next! And don't forget to hit the bell so you never miss a cringe classic. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channe... Discord: https://discord.gg/Sju7YckUWu Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/daytondo... PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/daytondo... Patreon: http://patreon.com/daytondoes Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/daytond... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReddX... Merch: https://reddx-shop.fourthwall....

Dr Adam Koontz follows up the brief on preferred pronouns and answers the question, "Why does what we say matter when God will save all his elect?" Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Thanks to our sponsor, Gnesio Health Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

John Boorman's Point Blank (1967) has long been recognized as one of the seminal films of the sixties, with its revisionary mix of genres including neo-noir, New Wave, and spaghetti western. Its lasting influence can be traced throughout the decades in films like Mean Streets (1973), Reservoir Dogs (1992), Heat (1995), The Limey (1999) and Memento (2000). Eric Wilson's compelling study Point Blank (British Film Institute, 2023) examines its significance to New Hollywood cinema. He argues that Boorman revises traditional Hollywood crime films by probing a second connotation of “point blank.” On the one hand, it is a neo-noir that aptly depicts close range violence, but, it also points toward blankness, a nothingness that is the consequence of corporate America unchecked, where humans are reduced to commodities and stripped of agency and playfulness. He goes on to reimagine the film's experimental style as a representation of and possible remedy for trauma. Examining Boorman's formal innovations, including his favoring of gesture over language and blurring of boundaries between dream and reality, he also positions the film as a grimly comical exploration of toxic masculinity and gender fluidity. Wilson's close reading of Point Blank reveals it to be a film that innovatively inflects its own generation and speaks powerfully to our own, arguing that it is this amplitude, which encompasses the many major films it has influenced, that qualifies the film as a classic. Eric Wilson is Professor of English at Wake Forest University, USA. His publications include Secret Cinema: Gnostic Vision in Film (2006) and The Strange World of David Lynch: Transcendental Irony from Eraserhead to Mulholland Dr (2007). His writing has featured in Psychology Today, L.A. Times, The New York Times and Huffington Post. Daniel Moran earned his B.A. and M.A. in English from Rutgers University and his Ph.D. in History from Drew University. The author of Creating Flannery O'Connor: Her Critics, Her Publishers, Her Readers and articles on G. K. Chesterton and John Ford, he teaches research and writing at Rutgers and co-hosts the podcast Fifteen-Minute Film Fanatics, found here on the New Books Network and on X.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

John Boorman's Point Blank (1967) has long been recognized as one of the seminal films of the sixties, with its revisionary mix of genres including neo-noir, New Wave, and spaghetti western. Its lasting influence can be traced throughout the decades in films like Mean Streets (1973), Reservoir Dogs (1992), Heat (1995), The Limey (1999) and Memento (2000). Eric Wilson's compelling study Point Blank (British Film Institute, 2023) examines its significance to New Hollywood cinema. He argues that Boorman revises traditional Hollywood crime films by probing a second connotation of “point blank.” On the one hand, it is a neo-noir that aptly depicts close range violence, but, it also points toward blankness, a nothingness that is the consequence of corporate America unchecked, where humans are reduced to commodities and stripped of agency and playfulness. He goes on to reimagine the film's experimental style as a representation of and possible remedy for trauma. Examining Boorman's formal innovations, including his favoring of gesture over language and blurring of boundaries between dream and reality, he also positions the film as a grimly comical exploration of toxic masculinity and gender fluidity. Wilson's close reading of Point Blank reveals it to be a film that innovatively inflects its own generation and speaks powerfully to our own, arguing that it is this amplitude, which encompasses the many major films it has influenced, that qualifies the film as a classic. Eric Wilson is Professor of English at Wake Forest University, USA. His publications include Secret Cinema: Gnostic Vision in Film (2006) and The Strange World of David Lynch: Transcendental Irony from Eraserhead to Mulholland Dr (2007). His writing has featured in Psychology Today, L.A. Times, The New York Times and Huffington Post. Daniel Moran earned his B.A. and M.A. in English from Rutgers University and his Ph.D. in History from Drew University. The author of Creating Flannery O'Connor: Her Critics, Her Publishers, Her Readers and articles on G. K. Chesterton and John Ford, he teaches research and writing at Rutgers and co-hosts the podcast Fifteen-Minute Film Fanatics, found here on the New Books Network and on X.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/performing-arts

Thank you to our sponsor, Mantle. Sign up for their hackathon here!After a “weird” year in the markets, hosts Ram Ahluwalia and Christopher Perkins are joined by Ava Labs' President John Wu for a candid debate about where crypto really is in the cycle—and what needs to happen next. The panel wrestles with a question many investors are quietly asking: has the market washed out enough to set up the next move, or is something still missing? They explore why momentum has faded, what signs would suggest it's coming back, and why 2026 keeps coming up in long-term conversations—even as near-term enthusiasm remains divided. Plus, why TGEs are “dying” and, with the rise of super apps, does Coinbase has an edge on Web2 players like Robinhood?  Hosts: Ram Ahluwalia, CFA, CEO and Founder of Lumida Christopher Perkins, Managing Partner and President of CoinFund Guest: John Wu, President of Ava Labs Links: Unchained:  Circle Acquires Interop Labs Team, Excludes Axelar Foundation and Token  Aave's Rushed Governance Vote Draws Backlash UNI Token Rallies as Voting Begins on UNIfication Proposal Bitcoin's Demand Boom is Fading: CryptoQuant Alex Thorn predicts BTC will reach $250K by end of 2027  Memento's research on TGEs  Jeff Dorman on X: “I don't know a single liquid fund that has bought a new token on TGE in over 2 years.” CoinDesk: Coinbase rolls out stock trading, prediction markets and more in bid to become the 'Everything Exchange' The Block:  Coinbase to acquire prediction markets startup The Clearing Company AAVE token holder proposes 'poison pill' for DAO to absorb Aave Labs amid contentious revenue debate Timestamps:

Dr Adam Koontz reads various Christmas poems.   Christmas Day by John Keble A New Christmas Carol by Arthur Machen A Letter from Santa Claus by Mark Twain The Christmas Tree by Robert William Service Journey of the Magi by T. S. Eliot A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas   Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Thanks to our sponsor, Gnesio Health Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

SummaryIn this episode of the Gird Up Podcast, host Charlie Ungemach speaks with Brian Stecker about his new project, Memento, which aims to recapture and revitalize Christian disciplines, particularly for men. They discuss the importance of accountability, the historical practices of the church, and the balance between justification and discipline in the Christian life. The conversation emphasizes the need for intentionality in spiritual growth and the role of fasting and other disciplines in developing a robust Christian life.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Gird Up Podcast and Guest Introduction01:16 Exploring the On The Line Podcast04:05 Introducing Memento: A Movement for Christian Men09:16 Understanding the Memento Program and Its Structure13:36 Building Accountability and Fraternity in Memento18:21 Defining Spiritual Disciplines and Habits in Memento26:40 Historical Expectations of Biblical Knowledge29:01 The Role of Prayer in Christian Life30:11 Asceticism and Its Misunderstandings32:41 Safeguards Against Legalism33:25 Understanding Piety vs. Pietism38:22 The Importance of Fasting41:42 Practical Aspects of Fasting50:52 Concerns About Shifting Focus from Justification54:07 Recognizing and Addressing Personal Challenges56:41 The Intersection of Science and Faith58:17 Combining Ancient Wisdom with Modern Practices01:00:01 The Importance of Discipline in Christian Life01:03:05 The Role of Faith and Works01:06:14 Understanding Risks in the Christian Journey01:08:39 Addressing Modern Antinomianism01:11:06 The Ongoing Process of Spiritual Growth01:12:02 Memento: A New Approach to DevotionBryan's Links:Memento: https://memento70.com/On the Line Podcast: https://ontheline.net/Lutheran Institute of Theology: https://lutheraninstitute.org/Gird Up Links:https://youtube.com/@girdupministries4911?si=tbCa0SOiluVl8UFxhttps://www.instagram.com/girdup_be_a_man/https://www.girdupministries.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The words of the Introit are a prayer, imploring God to keep His saving promise: “Remember us, O Lord, with the favor that Thou bearest unto Thy people: oh, visit us with Thy salvation!” ( Psalm 106:4 ) The collect echoes this plea, “Stir up, O Lord, we beseech Thee, Thy power, and come and help us with…

How can you be more relaxed about your writing process? What are some specific ways to take the pressure off your art and help you enjoy the creative journey? With Joanna Penn and Mark Leslie Lefebvre. In the intro, Spotify 2025 audiobook trends; Audible + BookTok; NonFiction Authors Guide to SubStack; OpenAI and Disney agreement on Sora; India AI licensing; Business for Authors January webinars; Mark and Jo over the years Mark Leslie LeFebvre is the author of horror and paranormal fiction, as well as nonfiction books for authors. He's also an editor, professional speaker, and the Director of Business Development at Draft2Digital. Joanna Penn writes non-fiction for authors and is an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thrillers, dark fantasy, and memoir as J.F. Penn. She's also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. Mark and Jo co-wrote The Relaxed Author in 2021. You can listen to us talk about the process here. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights, and the full transcript is below. Show Notes Why the ‘relaxed' author Write what you love Write at your own pace Write in a series (if you want to) Schedule time to fill the creative well and for rest and relaxation Improve your writing process — but only if it fits with your lifestyle You can find The Relaxed Author: Take the Pressure Off Your Art and Enjoy the Creative Journey on CreativePennBooks.com as well as on your favorite online store or audiobook platform, or order in your library or bookstore. You can find Mark Leslie Lefebvre and his books and podcast at Stark Reflections.ca Why the ‘relaxed' author? Joanna: The definition of relaxed is “free from tension and anxiety,” from the Latin laxus, meaning loose, and to be honest, I am not a relaxed or laid-back person in the broader sense. Back in my teens, my nickname at school was Highly Stressed. I'm a Type A personality, driven by deadlines and achieving goals. I love to work and I burned out multiple times in my previous career as an IT consultant. If we go away on a trip, I pack the schedule with back-to-back cultural things like museums and art galleries to help my book research. Or we go on adventure holidays with a clear goal, like cycling down the South-West coast of India. I can't even go for a long walk without training for another ultra-marathon! So I am not a relaxed person — but I am a relaxed author. If I wanted to spend most of my time doing something that made me miserable, I would go back to my old day job in consulting. I was paid well and worked fewer hours overall. But I measure my life by what I create, and if I am not working on a creative project, I am not able to truly relax in my downtime. There are always more things I want to learn and write about, always more stories to be told and knowledge to share. I don't want to kill my writing life by over-stressing or burning out as an author. I write what I love and follow my Muse into projects that feel right. I know how to publish and market books well enough to reach readers and make some money. I have many different income streams through my books, podcast and website. Of course, I still have my creative and business challenges as well as mindset issues, just like any writer. That never goes away. But after a decade as a full-time author entrepreneur, I have a mature creative business and I've relaxed into the way I do things. I love to write, but I also want a full and happy, healthy life. I'm still learning and improving as the industry shifts — and I change, too. I still have ambitious creative and financial goals, but I am going about them in a more relaxed way and in this book, I'll share some of my experiences and tips in the hope that you can discover your relaxed path, too. Mark: One of the most fundamental things you can do in your writing life is look at how you want to spend your time. I think back to the concept of: ‘You're often a reflection of the people you spend the most time with.' Therefore, typically, your best friend, or perhaps your partner, is often a person you love spending time with. Because there's something inherently special about spending time with this person who resonates in a meaningful way, and you feel more yourself because you're with them. In many ways, writing, or the path that you are on as a writer, is almost like being on a journey with an invisible partner. You are you. But you are also the writer you. And there's the two of you traveling down the road of life together. And so that same question arises. What kind of writer-self do you want to spend all your time with? Do you want to spend all your time with a partner that is constantly stressed out or constantly trying to reach deadlines based on somebody else's prescription of what success is? Or would you rather spend time with a partner who pauses to take a contemplative look at your own life, your own comfort, your own passion and the things that you are willing to commit to? Someone who allows that all to happen in a way that feels natural and comfortable to you. I'm a fan of the latter, of course, because then you can focus on the things you're passionate about and the things you're hopeful about rather than the things you're fearful about and those that bring anxiety and stress into your life. To me, that's part of being a relaxed author. That underlying acceptance before you start to plan things out. If the writing life is a marathon, not a sprint, then pacing, not rushing, may be the key. We have both seen burnout in the author community. People who have pushed themselves too hard and just couldn't keep up with the impossible pace they set for themselves. At times, indie authors would wear that stress, that anxiety, that rush to produce more and more, as a badge of honor. It's fine to be proud of the hard work that you do. It's fine to be proud of pushing yourself to always do better, and be better. But when you push too far — beyond your limits — you can ultimately do yourself more harm than good. Everyone has their own unique pace—something that they are comfortable with—and one key is to experiment until you find that pace, and you can settle in for the long run. There's no looking over your shoulder at the other writers. There's no panicking about the ones outpacing you. You're in this with yourself. And, of course, with those readers who are anticipating those clearly communicated milestones of your releases. I think that what we both want for authors is to see them reaching those milestones at their own paces, in their own comfort, delighting in the fact their readers are there cheering them on. Because we'll be silently cheering them along as well, knowing that they've set a pace, making relaxed author lifestyle choices, that will benefit them in the long run. “I'm glad you're writing this book. I know I'm not the only author who wants peace, moments of joy, and to enjoy the journey. Indie publishing is a luxury that I remember not having, I don't want to lose my sense of gratitude.” —Anonymous author from our survey Write what you love Joanna: The pandemic has taught us that life really is short. Memento mori — remember, you will die. What is the point of spending precious time writing books you don't want to write? If we only have a limited amount of time and only have a limited number of books that we can write in a lifetime, then we need to choose to write the books that we love. If I wanted a job doing something I don't enjoy, then I would have remained in my stressful old career as an IT consultant — when I certainly wasn't relaxed! Taking that further, if you try to write things you don't love, then you're going to have to read what you don't love as well, which will take more time. I love writing thrillers because that's what I love to read. Back when I was miserable in my day job, I would go to the bookstore at lunchtime and buy thrillers. I would read them on the train to and from work and during the lunch break. Anything for a few minutes of escape. That's the same feeling I try to give my readers now. I know the genre inside and out. If I had to write something else, I would have to read and learn that other genre and spend time doing things I don't love. In fact, I don't even know how you can read things you don't enjoy. I only give books a few pages and if they don't resonate, I stop reading. Life really is too short. You also need to run your own race and travel your own journey. If you try to write in a genre you are not immersed in, you will always be looking sideways at what other authors are doing, and that can cause comparisonitis — when you compare yourself to others, most often in an unfavorable way. Definitely not relaxing! Writing something you love has many intrinsic rewards other than sales. Writing is a career for many of us, but it's a passion first, and you don't want to feel like you've wasted your time on words you don't care about. “Write what you know” is terrible advice for a long-term career as at some point, you will run out of what you know. It should be “write what you want to learn about.” When I want to learn about a topic, I write a book on it because that feeds my curiosity and I love book research, it's how I enjoy spending my time, especially when I travel, which is also part of how I relax. If you write what you love and make it part of your lifestyle, you will be a far more relaxed author. Mark: It's common that writers are drawn into storytelling from some combination of passion, curiosity, and unrelenting interest. We probably read or saw something that inspired us, and we wanted to express those ideas or the resulting perspectives that percolated in our hearts and minds. Or we read something and thought, “Wow, I could do this; but I would have come at it differently or I would approach the situation or subject matter with my own flair.” So, we get into writing with passion and desire for storytelling. And then sometimes along the way, we recognize the critical value of having to become an entrepreneur, to understand the business of writing and publishing. And part of understanding that aspect of being an author is writing to market, and understanding shifts and trends in the industry, and adjusting to those ebbs and flows of the tide. But sometimes, we lose sight of the passion that drew us to writing in the first place. And so, writing the things that you love can be a beacon to keep you on course. I love the concept of “Do something that you love, and you'll never work a day in your life.” And that's true in some regard because I've always felt that way for almost my entire adult life. I've been very lucky. But at the same time, I work extremely hard at what I love. Some days are harder than others, and some things are really difficult, frustrating and challenging; but at the end of the day, I have the feeling of satisfaction that I spent my time doing something I believe in. I've been a bookseller my entire life even though I don't sell books in brick-and-mortar bookstores anymore—that act of physically putting books in people's hands. But to this day, what I do is virtually putting books in people's hands, both as an author and as an industry representative who is passionate about the book business. I was drawn to that world via my passion for writing. And that's what continues to compel me forward. I tried to leave the corporate world to write full time in 2018 but realized there was an intrinsic satisfaction to working in that realm, to embracing and sharing my insights and knowledge from that arena to help other writers. And I couldn't give that up. For me, the whole core, the whole essence of why I get up in the morning has to do with storytelling, creative inspiration, and wanting to inspire and inform other people to be the best that they can be in the business of writing and publishing. And that's what keeps me going when the days are hard. Passion as the inspiration to keep going There are always going to be days that aren't easy. There will be unexpected barriers that hit you as a writer. You'll face that mid-novel slump or realize that you have to scrap an entire scene or even plotline, and feel like going back and re-starting is just too much. You might find the research required to be overwhelming or too difficult. There'll be days when the words don't flow, or the inspiration that initially struck you seems to have abandoned you for greener pastures. Whatever it is, some unexpected frustration can create what can appear to be an insurmountable block. And, when that happens, if it's a project you don't love, you're more likely to let those barriers get in your way and stop you. But if it's a project that you're passionate about, and you're writing what you love, that alone can be what greases the wheels and helps reduce that friction to keep you going. At the end of the day, writing what you love can be a honing, grounding, and centering beacon that allows you to want to wake up in the morning and enjoy the process as much as possible even when the hard work comes along. “For me, relaxation comes from writing what I know and love and trusting the emergent process. As a discovery writer, I experience great joy when the story, characters and dialogue simply emerge in their own time and their own way. It feels wonderful.” — Valerie Andrews “Writing makes me a relaxed author. Just getting lost in a story of my own creation, discovering new places and learning what makes my characters tick is the best way I know of relaxing. Even the tricky parts, when I have no idea where I am going next, have a special kind of charm.” – Imogen Clark Write at your own pace Mark: Writing at your own pace will help you be a more relaxed author because you're not stressing out by trying to keep up with someone else. Of course, we all struggle with comparing ourselves to others. Take a quick look around and you can always find someone who has written more books than you. Nora Roberts, traditionally published author, writes a book a month. Lindsey Buroker, fantasy indie author, writes a book a month of over 100,000 words. If you compare yourself to someone else and you try to write at their pace, that is not going to be your relaxed schedule. On the other hand, if you compare yourself to Donna Tartt, who writes one book every decade, you might feel like some speed-demon crushing that word count and mastering rapid release. Looking at what others are doing could result in you thinking you're really slow or you could think that you're super-fast. What does that kind of comparison actually get you? I remember going to see a talk by Canadian literary author Farley Mowat when I was a young budding writer. I'll never forget one thing he said from that stage: “Any book that takes you less than four years to write is not a real book.” Young teenage Mark was devastated, hurt and disappointed to hear him say that because my favorite author at the time, Piers Anthony, was writing and publishing two to three novels a year. I loved his stuff, and his fantasy and science fiction had been an important inspiration in my writing at that time. (The personal notes I add to the end of my stories and novels came from enjoying his so much). That focus on there being only a single way, a single pace to write, ended up preventing me from enjoying the books I had already been loving because I was doing that comparisonitis Joanna talks about, but as a reader. I took someone else's perspective too much to heart and I let that ruin a good thing that had brought me personal joy and pleasure. It works the same way as a writer. Because we have likely developed a pattern, or a way that works for us that is our own. We all have a pace that we comfortably walk; a way we prefer to drive. A pattern or style of how and when and what we prefer to eat. We all have our own unique comfort food. There are these patterns that we're comfortable with, and potentially because they are natural to us. If you try to force yourself to write at a pace that's not natural to you, things can go south in your writing and your mental health. And I'm not suggesting any particular pace, except for the one that's most natural and comfortable to you. If writing fast is something that you're passionate about, and you're good at it, and it's something you naturally do, why would you stop yourself from doing that? Just like if you're a slow writer and you're trying to write fast: why are you doing that to yourself? There's a common pop song line used by numerous bands over the years that exhorts you to “shake what you got.” I like to think the same thing applies here. And do it with pride and conviction. Because what you got is unique and awesome. Own it, and shake it with pride. You have a way you write and a word count per writing session that works for you. And along with that, you likely know what time you can assign to writing because of other commitments like family time, leisure time, and work (assuming you're not a full-time writer). Simple math can provide you with a way to determine how long it will take to get your first draft written. So, your path and plans are clear. And you simply take the approach that aligns with your writer DNA. Understanding what that pace is for you helps alleviate an incredible amount of stress that you do not need to thrust upon yourself. Because if you're not going to be able to enjoy it while you're doing it, what's the point? Your pace might change project to project While your pace can change over time, your pace can also change project to project. And sometimes the time actually spent writing can be a smaller portion of the larger work involved. I was on a panel at a conference once and someone asked me how long it took to write my non-fiction book of ghost stories, Haunted Hamilton. “About four days,” I responded. And while that's true — I crafted the first draft over four long and exhausting days writing as much as sixteen hours each day — the reality was I had been doing research for months. But the pen didn't actually hit the paper until just a few days before my deadline to turn the book over to my editor. That was for a non-fiction book; but I've found I do similar things with fiction. I noodle over concepts and ideas for months before I actually commit words to the page. The reason this comes to mind is that I think it's important to recognize the way that I write is I first spend a lot of time in my head to understand and chew on things. And then by the time it comes to actually getting the words onto the paper, I've already done much of the pre-writing mentally. It's sometimes not fair when you're comparing yourself to someone else to look at how long they physically spend in front of a keyboard hammering on that word count, because they might have spent a significantly longer amount of a longer time either outlining or conceptualizing the story in their mind or in their heart before they sat down to write. So that's part of the pace, too. Because sometimes, if we only look at the time spent at the ‘writer's desk,' we fool ourselves when we think that we're a slow writer or a fast writer. Joanna: Your pace will change over your career My first novel took 14 months and now I can write a first draft in about six weeks because I have more experience. It's also more relaxing for me to write a book now than it was in the beginning, because I didn't know what I was doing back then. Your pace will change per project I have a non-fiction work in progress, my Shadow Book (working title), which I have started several times. I have about 30,000 words but as I write this, I have backed away from it because I'm (still) not ready. There's a lot more research and thinking I need to do. Similarly, some people take years writing a memoir or a book with such emotional or personal depth that it needs more to bring it to life. Your pace will also shift depending on where you are in the arc of life Perhaps you have young kids right now, or you have a health issue, or you're caring for someone who is ill. Perhaps you have a demanding day job so you have less time to write. Perhaps you really need extended time away from writing, or just a holiday. Or maybe there's a global pandemic and frankly, you're too stressed to write! The key to pacing in a book is variability — and that's true of life, too. Write at the pace that works for you and don't be afraid to change it as you need to over time. “I think the biggest thing for me is reminding myself that I'm in this to write. Sometimes I can get caught up in all the moving pieces of editing and publishing and marketing, but the longer I go without writing, or only writing because I have to get the next thing done instead of for enjoyment, the more stressed and anxious I become. But if I make time to fit in what I truly love, which is the process of writing without putting pressure on myself to meet a deadline, or to be perfect, or to meet somebody else's expectations — that's when I become truly relaxed.” – Ariele Sieling Write in a series (if you want to) Joanna: I have some stand-alone books but most of them are in series, both for non-fiction and for my fiction as J.F. Penn. It's how I like to read and write. As we draft this book, I'm also writing book 12 in my ARKANE series, Tomb of Relics. It's relaxing because I know my characters, I know my world; I know the structure of how an ARKANE story goes. I know what to put in it to please my readers. I have already done the work to set up the series world and the main characters and now all I need is a plot and an antagonist. It's also quicker to write and edit because I've done it before. Of course, you need to put in the work initially so the series comes together, but once you've set that all up, each subsequent book is easier. You can also be more relaxed because you already have an audience who will (hopefully) buy the book because they bought the others. You will know approximately how many sales you'll get on launch and there will be people ready to review. Writing in a non-fiction series is also a really good idea because you know your audience and you can offer them more books, products and services that will help them within a niche. While they might not be sequential, they should be around the same topic, for example, this is part of my Books for Authors series. Financially, it makes sense to have a series as you will earn more revenue per customer as they will (hopefully) buy more than one book. It's also easier and more relaxing to market as you can set one book to free or a limited time discount and drive sales through to other books in the series. Essentially, writing a book in a series makes it easier to fulfill both creative and financial goals. However, if you love to read and write stand-alone books, and some genres suit stand-alones better than series anyway, then, of course, go with what works for you! Mark: I like to equate this to no matter where you travel in the world, if you find a McDonald's you pretty much know what's on the menu and you know what to expect. When you write in a series, it's like returning to hang out with old friends. You know their backstory; you know their history so you can easily fall into a new conversation about something and not have to get caught up on understanding what you have in common. So that's an enormous benefit of relaxing into something like, “Oh, I'm sitting down over coffee, chatting with some old friends. They're telling me a new story about something that happened to them. I know who they are, I know what they're made out of.” And this new plot, this new situation, they may have new goals, they may have new ways they're going to grow as characters, but they're still the same people that we know and love. And that's a huge benefit that I only discovered recently because I'm only right now working on book four in my Canadian Werewolf series. Prior to that, I had three different novels that were all the first book in a series with no book two. And it was stressful for me. Writing anything seemed to take forever. I was causing myself anxiety by jumping around and writing new works as opposed to realizing I could go visit a locale I'm familiar and comfortable with. And I can see new things in the same locale just like sometimes you can see new things and people you know and love already, especially when you introduce something new into the world and you see how they react to it. For me, there's nothing more wonderful than that sort of homecoming. It's like a nostalgic feeling when you do that. I've seen a repeated pattern where writers spend years writing their first book. I started A Canadian Werewolf in New York in 2006 and I did not publish it until ten years later, after finishing it in 2015. (FYI, that wasn't my first novel. I had written three and published one of them prior to that). That first novel can take so long because you're learning. You're learning about your characters, about the craft, about the practice of writing, about the processes that you're testing along the way. And if you are working on your first book and it's taking longer than planned, please don't beat yourself up for that. It's a process. Sometimes that process takes more time. I sometimes wonder if this is related to our perception of time as we age. When you're 10 years old, a day compared to your lifetime is a significant amount of time, and thinking about a year later is considering a time that is one-tenth of your life. When you have a few more decades or more under your belt, that year is a smaller part of the whole. If you're 30, a year is only one-thirtieth of your life. A much smaller piece. Just having written more books, particularly in a series, removes the pressure of that one book to represent all of you as a writer. I had initial anxiety at writing the second book in my Canadian Werewolf series. Book two was more terrifying in some ways than book one because finally, after all this time, I had something good that I didn't want to ruin. Should I leave well enough alone? But I was asked to write a short story to a theme in an anthology, and using my main character from that first novel allowed me to discover I could have fun spending more time with these characters and this world. And I also realized that people wanted to read more about these characters. I didn't just want to write about them, but other people wanted to read about them too. And that makes the process so much easier to keep going with them. So one of the other benefits that helps to relax me as a writer working on a series is I have a better understanding of who my audience is, and who my readers are, and who will want this, and who will appreciate it. So I know what worked, I know what resonated with them, and I know I can give them that next thing. I have discovered that writing in a series is a far more relaxed way of understanding your target audience better. Because it's not just a single shot in the dark, it's a consistent on-going stream. Let me reflect on a bit of a caveat, because I'm not suggesting sticking to only a single series or universe. As writers, we have plenty of ideas and inspirations, and it's okay to embrace some of the other ones that come to us. When I think about the Canadian rock trio, Rush, a band that produced 19 studio albums and toured for 40 years, I acknowledge a very consistent band over the decades. And yet, they weren't the same band that they were when they started playing together, even though it was the same three guys since Neil Peart joined Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. They changed what they wrote about, what they sang about, themes, styles, approaches to making music, all of this. They adapted and changed their style at least a dozen times over the course of their career. No album was exactly like the previous album, and they experimented, and they tried things. But there was a consistency of the audience that went along with them. And as writers, we can potentially have that same thing where we know there are going to be people who will follow us. Think about Stephen King, a writer who has been writing in many different subjects and genres. And yet there's a core group of people who will enjoy everything he writes, and he has that Constant Reader he always keeps in mind. And so, when we write in a series, we're thinking about that constant reader in a more relaxed way because that constant reader, like our characters, like our worlds, like our universes, is like we're just returning to a comfortable, cozy spot where we're just going to hang out with some good friends for a bit. Or, as the contemplative Rush song Time Stand Still expresses, the simple comfort and desire of spending some quality time having a drink with a friend. Schedule time to fill the creative well and for rest and relaxation Mark: What we do as writers is quite cerebral, so we need to give ourselves mental breaks in the same way we need to sleep regularly. Our bodies require sleep. And it's not just physical rest for our bodies to regenerate, it's for our minds to regenerate. We need that to stay sane, to stay alive, to stay healthy. The reality for us as creatives is that we're writing all the time, whether or not we're in front of a keyboard or have a pen in our hand. We're always writing, continually sucking the marrow from the things that are happening around us, even when we're not consciously aware of it. And sometimes when we are more consciously aware of it, that awareness can feel forced. It can feel stressful. When you give yourself the time to just let go, to just relax, wonderful things can happen. And they can come naturally, never feeling that urgent sense of pressure. Downtime, for me, is making space for those magic moments to happen. I was recently listening to Episode 556 of The Creative Penn podcast where Joanna talked about the serendipity of those moments when you're traveling and you're going to a museum and you see something. And you're not consciously there to research for a book, but you see something that just makes a connection for you. And you would not have had that for your writing had you not given yourself the time to just be doing and enjoying something else. And so, whenever I need to resolve an issue or a problem in a project I'm writing, which can cause stress, I will do other things. I will go for a run or walk the dogs, wash the dishes or clean the house. Or I'll put on some music and sing and dance like nobody is watching or listening—and thank goodness for that, because that might cause them needless anxiety. The key is, I will do something different that allows my mind to just let go. And somewhere in the subconscious, usually the answer comes to me. Those non-cerebral activities can be very restorative. Yesterday, my partner Liz and I met her daughter at the park. And while we quietly waited, the two of us wordlessly enjoyed the sights and sounds of people walking by, the river in the background, the wind blowing through the leaves in the trees above us. That moment wasn't a purposeful, “Hey, we're going to chill and relax.” But we found about five minutes of restorative calm in the day. A brief, but powerful ‘Ah' moment. And when I got back to writing this morning, I drew upon some of the imagery from those few minutes. I didn't realize at the time I was experiencing the moment yesterday that I was going to incorporate some of that imagery in today's writing session. And that's the serendipity that just flows very naturally in those scheduled and even unscheduled moments of relaxation. Joanna: I separate this into two aspects because I'm good at one and terrible at the other! I schedule time to fill the creative well as often as possible. This is something that Julia Cameron advises in The Artist's Way, and I find it an essential part of my creative practice. Essentially, you can't create from an empty mind. You have to actively seek out ways to spark ideas. International travel is a huge part of my fiction inspiration, in particular. This has been impossible during the pandemic and has definitely impacted my writing. I also go to exhibitions and art galleries, as well as read books, watch films and documentaries. If I don't fill my creative well, then I feel empty, like I will never have another idea, that perhaps my writing life is over. Some people call that writer's block but I know that feeling now. It just means I haven't filled my creative well and I need to schedule time to do that so I can create again. Consume and produce. That's the balance you need in order to keep the creative well filled and the words flowing. In terms of scheduling time to relax instead of doing book research, I find this difficult because I love to work. My husband says that I'm like a little sports car that goes really, really fast and doesn't stop until it hits a wall. I operate at a high productivity level and then I crash! But the restrictions of the pandemic have helped me learn more about relaxation, after much initial frustration. I have walked in nature and lain in the garden in the hammock and recently, we went to the seaside for the first time in 18 months. I lay on the stones and watched the waves. I was the most relaxed I've been in a long time. I didn't look at my phone. I wasn't listening to a podcast or an audiobook. We weren't talking. We were just being there in nature and relaxing. Authors are always thinking and feeling because everything feeds our work somehow. But we have to have both aspects — active time to fill the creative well and passive time to rest and relax. “I go for lots of walks and hikes in the woods. These help me work out the kinks in my plots, and also to feel more relaxed! (Exercise is an added benefit!)” –T.W. Piperbrook Improve your writing process — but only if it fits with your lifestyle Joanna: A lot of stress can occur in writing if we try to change or improve our process too far beyond our natural way of doing things. For example, trying to be a detailed plotter with a spreadsheet when you're really a discovery writer, or trying to dictate 5,000 words per hour when you find it easier to hand write slowly into a journal. Productivity tips from other writers can really help you tweak your personal process, but only if they work for you — and I say this as someone who has a book on Productivity for Authors! Of course, it's a good idea to improve things, but once you try something, analyze whether it works for you — either with data or just how you feel. If it works, great. Adopt it into your process. If it doesn't work, then discard it. For example, I wrote my first novel in Microsoft Word. When I discovered Scrivener, I changed my process and never looked back because it made my life so much easier. I don't write in order and Scrivener made it easier to move things around. I also discovered that it was easier for me to get into my first draft writing and creating when I was away from the desk I use for business, podcasting, and marketing tasks. I started to write in a local cafe and later on in a co-working space. During the pandemic lockdown, I used specific playlists to create a form of separation as I couldn't physically go somewhere else. Editing is an important part of the writing process but you have to find what works for you, which will also change over time. Some are authors are more relaxed with a messy first draft, then rounds of rewrites while working with multiple editors. Others do one careful draft and then use a proofreader to check the finished book. There are as many ways to write as there are writers. A relaxed author chooses the process that works in the most effective way for them and makes the book the best it can be. Mark: When it comes to process, there are times when you're doing something that feels natural, versus times when you're learning a new skill. Consciously and purposefully learning new skills can be stressful; particularly because it's something we often put so much emphasis or importance upon. But when you adapt on-going learning as a normal part of your life, a natural part of who and what you are, that stress can flow away. I'm always about learning new skills; but over time I've learned how to absorb learning into my everyday processes. I'm a pantser, or discovery writer, or whatever term we can apply that makes us feel better about it. And every time I've tried to stringently outline a book, it has been a stressful experience and I've not been satisfied with the process or the result. Perhaps I satisfied the part of me that thought I wanted to be more like other writers, but I didn't satisfy the creative person in me. I was denying that flow that has worked for me. I did, of course, naturally introduce a few new learnings into my attempts to outline; so I stuck with those elements that worked, and abandoned the elements that weren't working, or were causing me stress. The thought of self-improvement often comes with images of blood, sweat, and tears. It doesn't have to. You don't have to bleed to do this; it can be something that you do at your own pace. You can do it in a way that you're comfortable with so it's causing you no stress, but allowing you to learn and grow and improve. And if it doesn't work but you force yourself to keep doing it because a famous writer or a six-figure author said, “this is the way to do it,” you create pressure. And when you don't do it that way, you can think of yourself as a failure as opposed to thinking of it as, “No, this is just the way that I do things.” When you accept how you do things, if they result in effectively getting things done and feeling good about it at the same time, you have less resistance, you have less friction, you have less tension. Constantly learning, adapting, and evolving is good. But forcing ourselves to try to be or do something that we are not or that doesn't work for us, that causes needless anxiety. “I think a large part of it comes down to reminding myself WHY I write. This can mean looking back at positive reviews, so I can see how much joy others get from my writing, or even just writing something brand new for the sake of exploring an idea. Writing something just for me, rather than for an audience, reminds me how much I enjoy writing, which helps me to unwind a bit and approach my projects with more playfulness.” – Icy Sedgwick You can find The Relaxed Author: Take the Pressure Off Your Art and Enjoy the Creative Journey on CreativePennBooks.com as well as on your favorite online store or audiobook platform, or order in your library or bookstore. The post The Relaxed Author Writing Tips With Joanna Penn and Mark Leslie Lefebvre first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Dr Adam Koontz and Col Willie Grills talk about Appalachia, how dependence on government support hurts a people, and people lose can their dignity even while leaving poverty. Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Thanks to our sponsor, Gnesio Health Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Pr. Willie Grills - Zion Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

Dr Adam Koontz and Col Willie Grills answer listener emails about how to bring those living in sin into the church, how to talk to your family who have fallen away from the faith, and whether recent developments in the Catholic church are movements toward ecumenism. Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Thanks to our sponsor, Gnesio Health Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Pr. Willie Grills - Zion Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny

What makes a movie biblical—even if it's not about the Bible? In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson explores that question with a curated list of films that reflect deep biblical structures—movies that “get what's going on in Scripture” better than many that explicitly reference the Bible. These aren't Sunday School adaptations—they're gritty, layered, and emotionally raw. Dru walks through Tree of Life (a meditation on Job and Genesis 1), A Serious Man (Job again, but existential and tragic), East of Eden (sibling rivalry and human depravity), Magnolia and The Breakfast Club (portraits of generational sin), American History X (a dark inversion of Proverbs 1–9), and Memento and Coco (explorations of memory against the backdrop of Deuteronomy). Even No Country for Old Men gets a nod for evoking the lawless chaos of Genesis 6. Throughout, Dru challenges listeners to rethink what it means to portray biblical themes—not by surface references, but by engaging with the deep moral, literary, and theological structures that Scripture unveils. If you've ever wondered whether “secular” films can teach us something profoundly biblical, this is your list. We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 Exploring Biblical Themes in Film 02:47 The Tree of Life and Job's Perspective 06:02 Noah: Misinterpretation of Divine Signs 07:07 East of Eden: Human Depravity and Sibling Rivalry 09:19 Magnolia: Generational Sin and Its Consequences 11:52 No Country For Old Men 13:46 Breakfast Club: The Impact of Parenting 17:13 American History X: The Search for Guidance 20:28 Memory and Identity in Film 23:01 Coco: The Importance of Remembrance

Dr Adam Koontz and Col Willie Grills talk about disciplining the self, training in righteousness, and studying the Scriptures. Visit our website - A Brief History of Power Sign up for Memento, a Lutheran devotional for men. Thanks to our sponsor, Gnesio Health Dr Adam Koontz - Redeemer Lutheran Church Pr. Willie Grills - Zion Lutheran Church Music thanks to Verny