Podcasts about Messenger

St James Church, Evangelical and Reformed Louisville, KY December 14, 2025

Episode 1 of 12 in the “Twelve Nightmares of Christmas” series!In this episode: "The Flash Flood", "The Haunting of Hundley House", "The Messenger of Donner Pass", "House of Plenty"SOURCES AND ESSENTIAL WEB LINKS…All stories in this episode are from the book, “The Spirits of Christmas: The Dark Side of the Holidays” by Sylvia Shults: https://amzn.to/3uT2vMAMusic by Midnight Syndicate: https://www.midnightsyndicate.com= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2024, Weird Darkness.https://weirddarkness.com/hundleyhouse

Text for today's message: Matthew 11:2-15

The School of Love Podcast is a helpful tool designed to help your family build the essential daily habit of praying together as a family. In each short 3-5 minute episode, we follow the daily Mass Gospel and provide a brief meditation geared for the family to help start your prayer. Then you finish the prayer with your own family. Each episode is lead from the home of School of Love Directors, Mike & Kristi Dennihan.

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Fasting (S1) The Messenger ﷺ: “Winter is the Spring for a believer. It's nights are long for night worship and its days are short for fasting”. The Messenger ﷺ: “The best worship is the one where you struggle the most”. The Messenger ﷺ: “I fear the most for my Ummah; overeating, oversleeping, laziness and weakness in certainty”. The Messenger ﷺ: “Hasten to break the fast and delay the Suhoor”.

STERNENGESCHICHTEN LIVE TOUR in D und Ö: Tickets unter https://sternengeschichten.live Der Merkur ist uns vergleichsweise nahe, aber es ist schwer, ihn mit einem Raumfahrzeug zu erreichen. Warum das so ist und was es dort zu erforschen gibt, erfahrt ihr der neuen Folge der Sternengeschichten. Wer den Podcast finanziell unterstützen möchte, kann das hier tun: Mit PayPal (https://www.paypal.me/florianfreistetter), Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/sternengeschichten) oder Steady (https://steadyhq.com/sternengeschichten) Sternengeschichten-Hörbuch: https://www.penguin.de/buecher/florian-freistetter-sternengeschichten/hoerbuch-mp3-cd/9783844553062

Steven welcomes retired Russian physicist and former United Nations interpreter, Vitolg Mazhursky, to this episode to discuss his more recent work as a Shakespeare researcher and his essay on the making of the Shakespeare myth. Support the show by picking up official Don't Quill the Messenger merchandise at www.dontquillthepodcast.com and becoming a Patron at http://www.patreon.com/dontquillthemessenger  Made possible by Patrons: Clare Jaget, Courtney L, David Neufer, Deduce, Earl Showerman, Edward Henke, Ellen Swanson, Frank Lawler, Garrett Jackson, Heidi, James Warren, Jen Swan, John Creider, John Eddings, Jon Foss, Kara Elizabeth Martin, Michael Hannigan, Neal Riesterer, Patricia Carrelli, quizzi, Richard Wood, Sandi Boney, Sheila Kethley, Stephen Hopkins, Teacher Mallory, Tim Norman, Tim Price, Vanessa Lops, Yvonne Don't Quill the Messenger is a part of the Dragon Wagon Radio independent podcast network. For more great podcasts visit www.dragonwagonradio.com

Katie Bochnowski is the Senior Vice President of Customer Success & Services at NowSecure. Katie shares her journey from studying cyber forensics at Purdue University to becoming an expert in mobile app security and forensics. She discusses the impactful work her team does in securing mobile apps, especially in the medtech industry. Katie also offers valuable advice on building relationships within organizations, the importance of security best practices, and staying curious as a professional.  Guest links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestrzempka/ | https://www.nowsecure.com/ Charity supported: Save the Children Interested in being a guest on the show or have feedback to share? Email us at theleadingdifference@velentium.com.  PRODUCTION CREDITS Host & Editor: Lindsey Dinneen Producer: Velentium Medical   EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Episode 070 - Katie Bochnowski [00:00:00] Lindsey Dinneen: Hi, I'm Lindsey and I'm talking with MedTech industry leaders on how they change lives for a better world. [00:00:09] Diane Bouis: The inventions and technologies are fascinating and so are the people who work with them. [00:00:15] Frank Jaskulke: There was a period of time where I realized, fundamentally, my job was to go hang out with really smart people that are saving lives and then do work that would help them save more lives. [00:00:28] Diane Bouis: I got into the business to save lives and it is incredibly motivating to work with people who are in that same business, saving or improving lives. [00:00:38] Duane Mancini: What better industry than where I get to wake up every day and just save people's lives. [00:00:42] Lindsey Dinneen: These are extraordinary people doing extraordinary work, and this is The Leading Difference. Hello, and welcome back to another episode of The Leading Difference podcast. I'm your host, Lindsey, and today I am absolutely delighted to introduce you to my guest, Katie Bochnowski. Katie is Senior Vice President of Customer Success and Services at NowSecure co-author of the book, "iPhone and iOS Forensics," and a recognized expert in mobile forensics and app security testing. Katie holds a master's in Cyber Forensics and Bachelor's of Science and Computer Technology from Purdue University. In her current role, Katie oversees customer support, onboarding and success departments, as well as the mobile AppSec Professional Services Organization that is responsible for pen testing, training, and consulting. All right. Well, welcome. Thank you so much for being here. I'm so delighted to speak with you today. [00:01:37] Katie Bochnowski: Awesome. I'm really happy to be here. [00:01:39] Lindsey Dinneen: Excellent. Well, I would love, if you wouldn't mind just starting off by telling us a little bit about yourself, your background, and what led you to medtech. [00:01:48] Katie Bochnowski: Awesome. Sure. So, I'm Katie Bochnowski. I work for a company called NowSecure. My background, dating back many years to school is in computer technology and more specifically cyber forensics. Where I am now is mobile app security. How I got into that industry is, is really from that forensic background. Our company used to do data recovery and forensic investigations on mobile devices, and we kind of quickly realized that mobile apps are storing a lot of data. So we shifted into proactively working with organizations to secure those apps that reside on devices. And in terms of medtech, obviously you can probably make that connection, but we began working closely with first, companies that really care about the data that's being stored, and transmitted on those apps, which absolutely includes medtech industry. [00:02:43] Lindsey Dinneen: Awesome. Okay, so going back a little bit. So when you were first deciding on college paths and career paths and all those lovely things, what drew you to where you ended up? [00:02:55] Katie Bochnowski: You know, I don't have a great, like "aha" moment for this question. It was just one of those things. I grew up, I had a computer in my house. I did Typing Tutor when I was really young on MS Dos, and I just always en enjoyed that. I had a friend in high school and we both got interested in making our own website with HTML. So, it was just enjoying being around computers and also tinkering to figure out what was wrong with something from a technology perspective. Purdue is where I attended. Purdue had a more generic computer technology degree that I didn't have to know exactly what I wanted to do. You could try different paths, so that's kind of what got me into it. It's not like I knew I wanted to do that my whole life, but I never really went back or questioned it. I always just kind of enjoyed it along the way. [00:03:45] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Excellent. Okay, so the phrase cyber forensics is just exciting. So, can you dive a little bit more into exactly what that means and entails and what it looks like? [00:03:57] Katie Bochnowski: Yeah, absolutely. So, it is exciting- -so much so, in fact, that my senior year of college, the very first time they offered this class, it was called Cyber Forensics, it was an elective and it sounded amazing. And, it was amazing. It was really cool. We went through from start to finish, how you collect evidence from a computer and technology perspective, how you keep it pristine, how you collect the data off of it. We even got to work with local law enforcement as part of an internship to do all that, so I was very lucky in that my very last semester of my four years, they offered this and I just really, really liked it. It always was there in the back of my mind. So yeah, cyber forensics is really the collective of all things digital, which is everything, now. I don't do, necessarily, that work anymore, but I can't even imagine all of the data collection off of Alexas and, and all of those devices. But yeah, that's, that's kind of how I got into that. [00:04:56] Lindsey Dinneen: Wow, that's really cool. Yeah. So, okay, so talking about this data collection and all of these things, I'm curious, what are maybe one or two things that just really surprised you when you started getting into the industry and doing the work? [00:05:11] Katie Bochnowski: I know people always said this, and it shouldn't have been a surprise, but when I first started working for NowSecure-- which was actually called Via Forensics back in the day when I first started-- we worked on a lot of individual cases, so people saying, " Can you recover my deleted text messages, and pictures..." and things like that, and the amount of data that really does reside on those devices still after you delete them, going back months, years. So, I don't know if that's still the case now. I don't know if they do a better job of that, but that was surprising to us. What was also surprising was how much apps are storing and transmitting data on those devices when you don't think about it. So a lot of these cases that we would work on, they would focus so much on voicemails, emails, photos, and text messages, but nobody ever said, "Hey, can you go check the Facebook app or the Messenger app you're using?" That was something we realized pretty quickly, and were shocked to see-- this was 15 years ago-- how many apps were storing incredibly sensitive information on those devices. [00:06:20] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. And so now that there's more awareness of this and people are maybe, hopefully taking a little bit more ownership of even their own awareness and education with all of it, what do you see are the changes and shifts towards better protection? [00:06:38] Katie Bochnowski: Yeah. Great question. So there's a couple things: One, people are more aware, so they are leveraging the best practices really for these things. So there's places you should and shouldn't store data on devices, and you should use encryption for sensitive information and encryption that can't easily be broken into. The platforms themselves, too--Android, iOS-- have also made improvements in protecting those sandboxes. But, it's not everything, so you absolutely still have to be mindful of that. A lot of organizations like medtech companies and financial organizations do add a lot of those extra protections. But a lot of people don't, still. They're not either, don't think about it as much or aren't aware of it. And then the other thing that we see is everyone could have, you know, a hundred percent perfect intentions in storing and protecting that data, but you make a mistake, or you accidentally leave a debug flag on or something like that, where this information still can be accessed even though developers and security organizations are following the best practices there. [00:07:51] Lindsey Dinneen: Hmm. Yeah. So as you look toward the future of device security in general and cybersecurity, what are you looking forward to in terms of improvements, and hope for the future? Because I know there's a lot of things to worry about, just in life. But, what are some of the things that you're hopeful about? [00:08:11] Katie Bochnowski: Yeah. I'm hopeful for the--I'm going to call it the camaraderie--we're seeing between security and development groups. Not that there was argument or debate between them before-- there probably was a little bit-- but we are seeing a lot more organizations have what they refer to as a Security Champions Program, which brings those groups together. Security used to be seen, and probably in a lot of cases still, is seen as that blocker. Developers are being rushed and pushed to release features quickly. They have deadlines, timelines, and then if security finds an issue, it has to go back to the drawing board to remediate. But, with these programs, we're seeing either a development group that has a security champion there, or just teams kind of melding together a little bit more to build that testing earlier on. That's a trend we're seeing increase more and more. And, I believe that's going to only continue because it's just the right thing to do for everyone all around. [00:09:12] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, and that collaboration piece is so critical to eventual success, or hopefully even shorter-term success, like said, so that there's not as many iterations. It's like, "No, let's just integrate and do this from the start well together." Yeah. [00:09:27] Katie Bochnowski: Yep. [00:09:27] Lindsey Dinneen: Cool. Okay, so, you started with NowSecure, and then eventually you got your first medtech client. Could you talk about that experience? [00:09:36] Katie Bochnowski: Yeah, absolutely. Actually, before I even started with NowSecure, I worked for a Fortune 100 company in their security department doing firewall rule management. And, it was all good and everything, but I remember thinking throughout my career, I'm the type of person that likes to do things meaningful, making an impact on people. So, for many years, I was like, "Okay, what am I doing? I'm just executing firewall rules, I'm recovering data..." That's why the forensic work was so appealing to me because you were actually helping assist with investigations that mattered. Then, getting into the mobile app security industry was certainly important, but it took it to a whole new level for me when we got our first medtech client. I remember going on site and seeing some of the things that the apps can do in conjunction with medical devices, implants, et cetera, and thinking, "If you get this wrong, this can impact a human life." That helped bring all of this to a whole new level, and it's something I talk about internally within our organization as well to help people understand how meaningful it is --what we do, what the medtech industry does, and how important it is to get security right. It's just helped me with a new perspective. I love working with our medtech industry clients. It's contagious to be around them and see how much they care about what they do, and, how important it is to their lives --makes an impact on the way I work as well, then. [00:11:06] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, I love that. I think that's so true. I get so inspired by even just talking with these incredible founders, their devices and their heart behind why they're doing what they're doing. It's not an easy road so choosing to do so, and then hearing that passion is what drives them sometimes in those crazy late nights, early mornings, hassle in between, you know? So you started getting medtech clients, and now you've developed a niche offering for that group. I'm wondering, what are some of the common themes that you see companies maybe aren't aware to consider when they're starting their development of their devices and apps? And, perhaps just some general advice: What should people be on the lookout for? [00:11:50] Katie Bochnowski: Yeah, so I guess you-- I shouldn't say unique, but specific to organizations like medtech industry or, financial or healthcare and the apps they build-- is that highly sensitive information. And so I guess my advice and the thing I would point out that I see in those types of applications is not only, of course, best security practices and understanding what's unique in mobile is super important because web apps have been developed for many, many years. Mobile apps now have been many years, but people don't necessarily know that it is unique in the way that they are developed and the different attack surface, right? You have the local device attack surface. You have the attack surface of other apps that could be malicious that are installed on that device. So, understanding what those mobile unique security best practices are is my number one piece of advice for developers. Number two would then be multiple layers of security protection. So, developing a secure app is one part of it, and a very important part of it. What we see is a lot of organizations sometimes are dependent on either the protections of the device OS itself--the Android OS protections or iOS protections. And, there are tools out there that offer protections like tamper detection: If you detect the app is being tampered with, don't launch it. If you detect the app is installed on an exploited, rooted, jailbroken device, don't launch it. Or, don't allow login. Those are important, but those can be bypassed and so I say multiple layers of protection. I'm not against those protections. I think they're very important. I think you should do them, but you should also assume in some cases they can be bypassed, and you need to have that foundational security in the way you develop your applications. [00:13:48] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. So, you've had a really interesting career so far, and I'm sure you've seen a lot of things over the years. What are some moments that really stand out to you, especially with your medtech clients, as, as hitting home that, "Wow, I am in the right place at the right time, making an impact." [00:14:09] Katie Bochnowski: I think it's hard because it's not like there's one single moment. Because what you want to avoid in this industry is a breach, is something like this "oh my gosh," this big negative moment. And so honestly, it's seeing the organizations we work with, not having that happen. When you do see a breach that might be mobile-specific, I immediately jump in and see, "Okay, what happened? How did they exploit this? What was the actual vulnerability that led to this?" We check for that, and we help our customers test for that and knowing, "Okay, whew. They're covered." And we see that kind of stuff all the time. So I don't have, necessarily, a big moment, but I do have those moments along the way where it's like, you see something in the news, and you are not surprised by the way that was exploited. It's something that is foundational to mobile app security, and you know your customers are protected. [00:15:09] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Well, that's a really good reminder in general because sometimes you get those big, crazy, sort of in-your-face moments that are going, "Yes, okay, I know why I'm here." But then, those don't happen all that much, usually. So having those little encouragements along the way of, "No, you're on the right path, you're doing the right things is incredibly... [00:15:30] Katie Bochnowski: It's funny; it actually reminds me of sometimes we'll work with customers and they'll use our products or services--and, they'll be upset because we haven't found anything in a certain amount of time. Seriously. And they're like, "You must not be testing enough" or " You haven't found anything high risk in six months." Sometimes, we have to remind them that's good. "Green is good," is what we always say. "Green is good." And, of course you want to check and make sure you're doing everything, in depth as possible. But, if you do a full two-week pen test and nothing big is found, that's good. You're doing a great job. So, take the win. Green is good. [00:16:07] Lindsey Dinneen: Green is good. I love it. Words to live by. You have had a really interesting trajectory even through NowSecure, but throughout your career and you've stepped into different kinds of leadership roles. I'm wondering how has that evolution been for you as a leader? What are some of your key takeaways that you've discovered work really well, and maybe some lessons learned? [00:16:29] Katie Bochnowski: Yeah, so I was not the person coming out of college that said, "I want to get my MBA, I want to be a CEO, I want to be, you know, high up in an organization." I just knew I liked computer technology, I liked tinkering--that kind of stuff. So I wanted to do things that were interesting. Via forensics, and now, NowSecure really was amazing for me because I got to do all of that. I got to grow with the company. I was really the first employee with the co-founder here, and as the company grew, I naturally started developing the managerial and the leadership roles as we hired more people and got more clients. So for me, I learned on the job, along the way, and when I think about it, I see people that are very ambitious to be a manager and, that's okay too. The best leaders that I've seen have been leaders that have naturally and organically developed a mutual respect, trust, and collaboration with their teams, seeing them as partners and peers and not someone to delegate things to in an authoritative way. And that's not just necessarily from a managerial perspective, because I see individual contributors, on my team for example, that exhibit amazing leadership skills, developing those relationships with other departments. And when you do that, you get-- I don't mean this in the way it's gonna sound, but you get people to do things for you because they want to, because they want to support you. And so that's what I always like to focus on is, just building those relationships, having empathy for other people. And, of course there's delegation that comes with that, but when you do that, then they want to do that for you or for the organization because you've, you've built that foundation. [00:18:20] Lindsey Dinneen: Yes. That's great advice. I really appreciate that. There were several things in there that, stood out to me. One of them was your comment about even individual contributors can be leaders, so even if you are not technically in a managerial role, or you don't have anyone working underneath you at the moment, doesn't mean you can't develop those skill sets and lead yourself and lead your own direction. So I think that's a really important note. And, something to give a little bit of perhaps inspiration, too. So if you want to be in that leadership role at some point, but you're not there yet, doesn't mean you can't build the skills along the way. [00:18:54] Katie Bochnowski: Yeah, absolutely. And I think about, I, I have heard people in the past say, "Oh, I can't go ask them to do something. I don't have the authority to do that." I hear that a lot. " I'm not their manager. I can't tell them to do that." And then there's people that don't even think that way, and just build that relationship and get others to collaborate and work with them. Those are the natural leaders that managers are going to see and want to promote to be the next manager. Right? So, if I'm gonna give another piece of advice, it would say, never say, "I don't have the authority, or I don't have the power to do that." Or "It's above my pay grade" is something that I'm like, "Oh, don't say that," because nothing is. You just need to learn to work with others to figure out how to do that. [00:19:41] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, and I think you're absolutely right about relationship building and collaboration being such a key to success in general. I mean, I think about all of the opportunities that are created and these sort of magical, what feel like magical, synergistic moments that happen, but they're not magical. They're because of intentionally cultivating these relationships. So yeah, I love that. And then helping people come up alongside you. So that's actually a concept I'd love to hear about your experience, either as a mentor or mentee, or anything like that that you've experienced that has really been inspirational to you. [00:20:18] Katie Bochnowski: Yeah. Well, I guess I have maybe two examples. I had someone that was working on my team many years ago and, again, we worked very closely as, I saw him as a partner and he got to a place basically at the organization where I would always tell him, "We could switch jobs, and you could do this and I could report to you and it doesn't matter," because I saw him grow that quickly. And he is now in another position that's probably double my pay and I don't know. But that's... you want to see that. And, some people might be threatened by that, but you shouldn't be, if you are doing the right thing because you want to see people grow into those roles. I don't know if this directly answers your question, but there is a leader who's a CEO of another organization who I have always looked up to, and I just see this is exactly how she leads. You know, everybody respects her. Everybody wants to support her and her mission at her company. Even when you're not working at her company like me, you just see the way she leads and the way she has built relationships throughout all of the employees in her organization. It's just something that I aspire to. [00:21:27] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, absolutely. And sometimes it's really helpful 'cause you'll get your share of... well I think most people at least have had the experience of getting their share of people in leadership roles that they would maybe not wish to emulate. So getting to be inspired by the people who are doing it correctly is is lovely. Yeah. Yeah. I love that. What is your number one, if you could boil it down, piece of advice for ordinary folks who are looking to up their own security game and just be more aware. [00:22:04] Katie Bochnowski: Be curious; don't wait for someone to show you or teach you how to do something. Part of what I oversee is managing a group of mobile app pen testers, and the best pen testers that I've seen are not the ones that have tons of experience or skill. It's actually, we've had two interns come straight out of school, come in and just dive into things without being asked, and just go figure it out and learn. And so be curious. Go try online exams and labs, even if you have no clue what you're doing, just try it, research and figure it out, and be curious. And I guess that's my biggest thing. [00:22:45] Lindsey Dinneen: I love it. Yeah. Curiosity gets you far in life. Yeah. I love that. Okay, so pivoting the conversation a little bit, just for fun. Imagine that you were to be offered a million dollars to teach a masterclass on anything you want. It doesn't have to be in your industry, but it could be. What would you choose to teach? [00:23:07] Katie Bochnowski: Okay, this might take a nerdy turn. [00:23:11] Lindsey Dinneen: Excellent. [00:23:12] Katie Bochnowski: And I would need a lot of education or somebody else who's an expert in this to actually teach the class. But, I've personally gotten really interested the last couple years into brain health, neuroplasticity, managing stress, and the importance of it. And, this is from a personal situation that I went through and not really understanding how just everyday, little stressors--I never saw myself as a highly stressed person. I was actually quite the opposite--but, when you internalize a lot of, just like I said, everyday stressors, doesn't have to be anything big-- arguing with my daughter every morning to get dressed before school has an impact on your body and your brain health. And it started having physical symptoms in me that got scary, right? I don't need to dive into that, but from that, it helped me in meeting with a bunch of health experts and learning that what an impact your brain health really has on you. So if I could go back and teach some of the exercises that I was given--super simple things like these little games on your app that just help work different areas of your brain that you don't normally work. When you get into a routine at work, and every morning you wake up, send your kid to school, sit down at your desk, do the same meetings, emails, you have the same routine every day--you don't have, just a change in your routine, or try new hobbies, things like that, then your brain doesn't grow and, and that affects your health, and your mood, and all of that. I've just learned so much about that, and I remember getting to a point where I was like, "Why isn't this a class, a required class, in high school, college, and beyond. It should be part of onboarding at every job. So I guess that's my answer. I don't think I'm quite qualified to teach it, but I'd love to attend it. [00:25:14] Lindsey Dinneen: There you go. You can facilitate it. How about that? [00:25:16] Katie Bochnowski: Yeah. [00:25:17] Lindsey Dinneen: Excellent. Excellent. Yeah, and how do you wish to be remembered after you leave this world? [00:25:24] Katie Bochnowski: Oh, this is the hard one for me. I think it's probably a cliche answer, but just, you know, caring for others, doing things for others, being kind-- just being a good person... [00:25:38] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. [00:25:38] Katie Bochnowski: ...is really all I want. [00:25:40] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. Very nice. And then final question. What is one thing that makes you smile every time you see or think about it? [00:25:50] Katie Bochnowski: Oh, this is also gonna be probably a common answer--my daughter, my daughter, who is six, going on 16, very much a teenager, but I remember a friend of mine telling me 'cause I remember asking her, when your child grows up, isn't it so sad that, oh, they're no longer a baby, they're no longer one, like to see them grow up. And she said, "Well, maybe a little bit. Each stage is something so new that you're so proud of, of what they've developed and grown that you don't even really think about that." Oh, and it's so true. It's just seeing her read and seeing her-- she's going to be a future leader. I guarantee it. [00:26:27] Lindsey Dinneen: Yay! [00:26:28] Katie Bochnowski: Just the way I've seen her, and so just seeing that, that pride overcomes any kind of, oh, I miss that one. But, of course, I still miss her when she was a baby. But, yeah, so that makes me smile. That and yoga! [00:26:42] Lindsey Dinneen: Yes. Yoga is so wonderful. I mean. Yeah. And speaking of ways to help de-stress, calm down a bit. Yeah. [00:26:51] Katie Bochnowski: It has helped me dramatically, for sure. So... [00:26:53] Lindsey Dinneen: Excellent. Excellent. Well, it has been a true pleasure and honor to have you here today, Katie. So thank you so much for spending a little bit of time, and we are so honored to be making a donation on your behalf as a thank you for your time today to Save the Children, which works to end the cycle of poverty by ensuring communities have the resources to provide children with a healthy, educational, and safe environment. So thank you so much for choosing that charity to support, and also thank you for continuing to work to change lives for a better world. We're grateful, and I wish you the most amazing continued success. [00:27:33] Katie Bochnowski: Thank you for having me. This was awesome. I appreciate it. [00:27:37] Lindsey Dinneen: Awesome. And yeah. Thank you also to our listeners for tuning in, and if you're feeling as inspired as I am right now, I'd love it if you shared an episode with a colleague or two, and we'll catch you next time. [00:27:52] Dan Purvis: The Leading Difference is brought to you by Velentium Medical. Velentium Medical is a full service CDMO, serving medtech clients worldwide to securely design, manufacture, and test class two and class three medical devices. Velentium Medical's four units include research and development-- pairing electronic and mechanical design, embedded firmware, mobile app development, and cloud systems with the human factor studies and systems engineering necessary to streamline medical device regulatory approval; contract manufacturing-- building medical products at the prototype, clinical, and commercial levels in the US, as well as in low cost regions in 1345 certified and FDA registered Class VII clean rooms; cybersecurity-- generating the 12 cybersecurity design artifacts required for FDA submission; and automated test systems, assuring that every device produced is exactly the same as the device that was approved. Visit VelentiumMedical.com to explore how we can work together to change lives for a better world.

Hallo in die Runde. Ab Sonntag gibt es eine S7 bei uns in der Stadt! Was es damit auf sich hat? Hört ihr. Ein großes Thema ist auch: Der NDR-Spendentag zu „Hand in Hand für Norddeutschland“. Thema ist „Leben ohne Sucht“ – und ich bin ganz gerührt von den Geschichten, die die Menschen mit uns teilen. Hört selbst. LG, Tanja Was war heute in Hamburg los? Maiken Nielsen, Ole Wackermann und Tanja Richter werfen im wöchentlichen Wechsel zum Tagesende einen Blick auf die News und das aktuelle Stadtgeschehen. Das sind die Nachrichten heute mit Tanja Richter am Freitag, 12. Dezember 2025 +++HAND IN HAND FÜR NORDDEUTSCHLAND: GROSSER SPENDENTAG+++ Die NDR Benefizaktion "Hand in Hand für Norddeutschland" sammelt wieder Spenden für einen guten Zweck. In diesem Jahr geht es um "Leben ohne Sucht". In Zusammenarbeit mit dem Paritätischen Wohlfahrtsverband werden Hilfsangebote für Menschen mit Suchterkrankungen unterstützt. Mehr dazu berichtet Petra Volquardsen.  Mehr dazu: https://www.ndr.de/ndr-hand-in-hand-fuer-norddeutschland-spendentag-in-hamburg-104.html +++HVV-WINTERFAHRPLAN TRITT SONNTAG IN KRAFT+++ Ab Sonntag fahren mehr MetroBus-Linien rund um die Uhr. Zum Fahrplanwechsel gibt es zahlreiche Änderungen, über die sich Fahrgäste im Netz beim HVV und der Deutschen Bahn informieren können. Außerdem gibt es dann eine S7. Wo die fährt, berichtet Annika Sepeur. +++BEZIRKSVERSAMMLUNG MITTE GOES TO INSTAGRAM+++ Was wird eigentlich in der Bezirksversammlung besprochen – und wann steht der Kreuzungs-Umbau in meiner Straße auf der Tagesordnung? Der Bezirk Mitte will darüber künftig via Instagram Informieren. Ein entsprechender Antrag der Volt-Fraktion hat in der Bezirksversammlung breite Zustimmung gefunden. Was da geplant ist und wofür das wichtig ist berichtet Frauke Reinig +++HAMBURG-LURUP: POLIZEI SCHIESST AUF BEWAFFNETEN MANN+++ In Hamburg-Lurup haben Polizisten in der Jevenstedter Straße am Freitagnachmittag einen Mann niedergeschossen. Die Beamten hatten eine Gerichtsvollzieherin zu einem Termin in einem Wohngebiet begleitet.  Mehr dazu: https://www.ndr.de/schiesserei-106.html  Du hast Feedback zur Folge oder Wünsche für Recherchen? Unsere Podcast-Hosts erreichst du über den Messenger in der NDR Hamburg App, in den Social-Media-Kanälen von NDR Hamburg und via E-Mail an hamburgheute@ndr.de. Alle Folgen des Podcast findest du unter www.ndr.de/hamburgheute

Readings from the Mason City Globe Gazette and Fort Dodge Messenger. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Auto-generated transcript: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, and the Most Gracious is Allah, Lord of the worlds. And peace and blessings be upon the Prophet, the Messenger of Allah, and upon all of his family and friends. Peace and blessings be upon him. We look at the rules of… Continue reading Parenting skills #7

Faith Matters is a weekly podcast for the Messenger newsletter of the Basilica School of Saint Mary, which gets distributed to Basilica School families. It features Father Edward Hathaway, the rector of the Basilica. In this week's episode, he talks about the importance of joy as we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent this weekend. Join us for festive refreshments and the Basilica Christmas Tree lighting, along with the singing of Christmas carols, in the Parish Courtyard at 6 p.m. this Sunday, December 14th, and then afterwards, at 7 p.m., for Lessons and Carols in the church. This Sunday is also Bambinelli Sunday. All are invited to bring the baby Jesus from your Nativity set to be blessed at all the Masses, including the Saturday 5 p.m. Vigil Mass.  Coming up: Food donations for less fortunate Alexandria families can be dropped off on Thursday evening, December 18th, or Friday, December 19th, during the day in our Lyceum, as part of the Basilica's Christmas Dinner Basket Program. Click here for more information.   

Readings from the Mason City Globe Gazette and Fort Dodge Messenger. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Hallo in die Runde. DAS Thema in Hamburg ist - natürlich - der Block-Prozess und die Aussage des Hauptzeugen. Ich sage nur: Er hat nicht nur Christina Block belastet. Was mich aber heute auch bewegt hat: Immer mehr Kinder in Hamburg gehen hungrig in die Schule. Da gibt es aber tolle Projekte, die helfen. Welche? Hört ihr auch in dieser Folge. LG, Tanja Was war heute in Hamburg los? Maiken Nielsen, Ole Wackermann und Tanja Richter werfen im wöchentlichen Wechsel zum Tagesende einen Blick auf die News und das aktuelle Stadtgeschehen. Das sind die Nachrichten heute mit Tanja Richter am Donnerstag, 11. Dezember 2025 +++BLOCK-PROZESS: HAUPTZEUGE BELASTET CHRISTINA BLOCK+++ Im Hamburger Block-Prozess hat der Hauptzeuge David Barkay weiter ausgesagt. Er hat Christina Block belastet – und nicht nur sie. Mehr dazu berichtet Gerichtsreporterin Elke Spanner  Mehr dazu: https://www.ndr.de/block-258.html +++IMMER MEHR KOSTENLOSE SCHULFRÜHSTÜCKE FÜR HAMBURGER KINDER+++ Mehr als doppelt so viele Hamburger Kinder wie noch vor zehn Jahren erhalten ein kostenloses Frühstück in der Schule. Inzwischen gibt es mehr als 30 "Frühstücksclubs" in der Stadt - vorwiegend an Grundschulen in weniger wohlhabenden Gebieten. Warum immer mehr Kinder kein Frühstück zu Hause bekommen berichtet Jenny Witt.  Mehr dazu: https://www.ndr.de/fruehstueck-148.html +++VERFOLGUNGSJAGD IN HAMBURG: MEHRERE MENSCHEN VERLETZT+++ Ein Mann hat sich in Wandsbek eine Verfolgungsjagd mit der Polizei geliefert und dabei einen heftigen Unfall gebaut. Drei Menschen wurden schwer und zwei leicht verletzt. Weitere Informationen hat Polizeireporter Finn Kessler.  Mehr dazu: https://www.ndr.de/unfall-1174.html +++HAND IN HAND: DIE AKTION IN HAMBURG+++ Bei der NDR Benefizaktion "Hand in Hand für Norddeutschland" geht es dieses Jahr um "Leben ohne Sucht". In Zusammenarbeit mit dem Paritätischen Wohlfahrtsverband wird die Hilfe für Menschen mit Suchterkrankungen unterstützt. Auch in Hamburg sollen viele Angebote profitieren.  Mehr dazu: https://www.ndr.de/handinhandsuchthh-100.html  Du hast Feedback zur Folge oder Wünsche für Recherchen? Unsere Podcast-Hosts erreichst du über den Messenger in der NDR Hamburg App, in den Social-Media-Kanälen von NDR Hamburg und via E-Mail an hamburgheute@ndr.de. Alle Folgen des Podcast findest du unter www.ndr.de/hamburgheute

Moin. Dieser Tag war mit Spannung erwartet worden: Im Block-Prozess hat der mutmaßliche Drahtzieher der Kindesentführung ausgesagt. Hier hört ihr, was er gesagt hat. LG, Tanja Was war heute in Hamburg los? Maiken Nielsen, Ole Wackermann und Tanja Richter werfen im wöchentlichen Wechsel zum Tagesende einen Blick auf die News und das aktuelle Stadtgeschehen. Das sind die Nachrichten heute mit Tanja Richter am Mittwoch, 10. Dezember 2025 +++BLOCK-PROZESS: MUTMASSLICHER ENTFÜHRER SPRICHT VON EMOTIONALEM TREFFEN MIT CHRISTINA BLOCK+++ Nach drei Wochen Pause geht der Prozess um die Entführung der Kinder der Hamburger Unternehmerfamilie Block an Silvester 2023 weiter. Heute sagte David Barkay aus. Er gilt als Drahtzieher der Entführung und soll Christina Block im Vorfeld schwer belastet haben. Was er gesagt hat, berichtet Gerichtsreporterin Elke Spanner.  Mehr dazu: https://www.ndr.de/blockprozess-104.html +++GASAUSTRITT: FAMILIE IN HOHELUFT-OST VERLETZT+++ Die Hamburger Feuerwehr ist am Mittwochmorgen zu einem größeren Einsatz nach Hoheluft-Ost ausgerückt. Dort war in einer Wohnung Gas ausgetreten. Warum und wie man sich davor schützen kann, berichtet Polizeireporter Finn Kessler.  Mehr dazu: https://www.ndr.de/hoheluft-100.html +++HAMBURGISCHE BÜRGERSCHAFT DEBATTIERT ÜBER KLIMAENTSCHEID+++ In der letzten Bürgerschaftssitzung des Jahres sorgte der Klimaentscheid noch mal für hitzige Diskussionen. AfD und CDU hatten beantragt, dem Volksentscheid nicht zu folgen. Der sieht vor, dass Hamburg schon 2040 klimaneutral wird. Über die Debatte berichtet Frauke Reinig  Mehr dazu: https://www.ndr.de/buergerschaft-144.html  Du hast Feedback zur Folge oder Wünsche für Recherchen? Unsere Podcast-Hosts erreichst du über den Messenger in der NDR Hamburg App, in den Social-Media-Kanälen von NDR Hamburg und via E-Mail an hamburgheute@ndr.de. Alle Folgen des Podcasts findest du unter www.ndr.de/hamburgheute

Salah (S4) The Messenger ﷺ: “A person going on a journey cannot leave anything better for his family than reciting 2 Rakats for them”. What is the wisdom of Tahajjud? The Messenger ﷺ: “..As for Paradise, its aspirant does not sleep. As for Hell, he who flees from it does not sleep. Today, the Hereafter is surrounded by unpleasant things, the world is surrounded by pleasures. Do not let the pleasures deceive you”. The Messenger ﷺ: “Stick to offering the night prayer, for it extinguishes and replaces sins”.

今週のボイスアヤノ.メ・火曜日収録です・クリスマスの町並み・ライブが近くなってきた・CD出します・年末に買いたいもの

Salah (S2) The Messenger ﷺ: “Salah is the key to all goodness”. One of the ways we can ascertain what this goodness is, is to know what actually happens when we pray: The following priceless things occur when we offer our Salah. One must remember [4], [2] and [3]. [4]: When you start your Salah, 1. Your sins are placed on your head and shoulders. 2. Birr (a special grace) is sprinkled on your head. 3. The Divine Mercy envelopes you from your feet to the Heavens. 4. Angels (a.s) envelope you from your feet to the Heavens. [2]: In Rukuh, 1. You're completely submerged by Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى) Mercy. 2. Your sins fall off. [3]: In sujood, 1. You're prostrating at the Feet of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى. Then, 2. Sins fall from the feet. 3. Your needs are fulfilled.

Readings from the Mason City Globe Gazette and Fort Dodge Messenger. The volunteer Voices of IRIS read newspapers aloud to keep over 11,000 blind and print disabled listeners informed and connected to their communities. Learn more at IowaRadioReading.org

Watch on YouTube » Read this episode » Content marketing is dead. "How-to" isn't a differentiator anymore—AI can do that better than any of us. What actually cuts through now is the messenger, not the message. In this video, I break down why the shift from "How-to" to "How I…" content matters, how connection beats conversion, and why wisdom earned through lived experience is the real currency in a post-AI world. People don't buy from experts—they buy from humans they believe. If you're tired of chasing trends and fighting for attention, this is the path forward: share your wisdom, not just your knowledge. EPISODE LINKS: Join the waitlist for 1:1 Advisory » Join the waitlist for You Are the Brand Academy » CONNECT WITH ME Newsletter Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

Roberta is a sceptic about psychic mediums, since for so many of them, their gifts are so modest, which is... The post Carolyn Molnar Talks About Compassionate Messenger appeared first on WebTalkRadio.net.

Auto-generated transcript: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, and the All-Merciful, and the All-Merciful. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you, and upon your family and friends, and upon your family and friends. Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and upon… Continue reading Parenting skills #5

Show SummaryOn today's episode, we're featuring a conversation with Navy spouse Mackenzie Yaede, family communications and logistics coordinator for Luke's Wings, an organization that provides emergency travel planning services and airplane tickets for the families and loved ones of wounded, ill, and injured service members, Veterans, and fallen officers, during hospital recovery and rehabilitation.Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today's GuestMackenzie Yaede serves as the Family Communications and Logistics Coordinator at Luke's Wings, where she manages the day-to-day operations of the organization's flight assistance programs for wounded warriors, Veterans, fallen officers, and their families. In this role, she reviews and approves flight requests, coordinates with travel partners, supports program reporting, and collaborates with partner organizations—including military hospitals, hospice care centers, and law enforcement agencies—to ensure seamless and compassionate support for those in need.Before joining Luke's Wings, Mackenzie spent several years working in the field of education, where she built a strong foundation in program coordination, student support, and inclusive practices. Most recently, she served as an Education Specialist, leading special education assessments, facilitating individualized education plans (IEPs), and supporting cross-functional teams to promote academic and behavioral growth. Her prior roles in both New Jersey and California focused on delivering targeted interventions, collaborating with families, and fostering equitable, student-centered environments.In addition to her professional work, Mackenzie brings extensive volunteer leadership experience, particularly in support of military families and individuals with special needs. For the last several years, she has overseen key aspects of an annual family camp that supports individuals with disabilities and their caregivers, coordinating inclusive programming and providing meaningful respite and community. While living in San Diego, she also founded and led a military ministry support group at her local parish, offering fellowship and support for military-connected individuals. Her broader volunteer work includes mentoring youth, coordinating service projects, and supporting faith-based outreach programs.As a military spouse with a deep personal connection to the military community and a lifelong passion for service, Mackenzie is proud to support Luke's Wings' mission of keeping families connected during times of healing and recovery. She understands firsthand the power of family presence and is honored to play a role in reuniting loved ones when they are needed most.Links Mentioned During the EpisodeLuke's Wings WebsiteDelta Sky Miles ContributionPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's PsychArmor Resource of the Week is The PsychArmor learning path, Self-Care for Caregivers. Learn how you can prevent burnout and care for yourself throughout your caregiving journey. After completing all of the courses in this series, you'll receive a "Self-care for Caregivers" digital badge to share on social media and highlight your learning journey. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/bundles/self-care-for-caregivers Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on XPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

Robert Barletta, Executive Vice President at Marino Public Relations, joins middle schooler Dayvion to share what it's like to work as a publicist. He tells stories from his early days in government and politics, explains how he helps clients handle emergency situations, and shows why entrepreneurs need a publicist to be the voice of their brand. Dayvion learns from Robert why even after years in the business, staying excited and passionate about your work can make all the difference.

We continue to learn at TheFamilyMinyan.com aka Shtiebel on Yud Tet Kislev from pillar Chassidus & Pinimiyus HaTorah in Likutei Moharan 41 Rebbe Nachman ben Faiga Simcha brings down Kabbalah on Joy... After such a Fabrengen last night at Tzama (see link below) we come on such a Yom Tov with huge Chizzuk from Chassidus, Hashem is the Messenger guiding us towards A Chanukah which will give us the renewed Emuna to elevate our Journeys & Connections. We began discussing from Kisvei Ari the sweetening of judgements, by the knees, the pillars of Netsach and Hod, Chabad & Breslov Chassidus is leading the way for Yaakov aka Yisrael to chup back the cold dark winter days of the coming blessed month of Tevet etc...Rav Shlomo Katz “Podeh Shalom” Tzama Fabrengen @Jerusalem x Rav Moshe Weinberger & Rav DovBer Pinson - https://youtube.com/shorts/XlyDhIF9Qog?si=ko0QVcHUzP6bPcmlUpdated United Souls 58 - Unity Inspires Projects "the Good Points, Charlie Kirk Legacy, Hashem is True Presence & Unifying Business, Friendship & Family!" https://open.substack.com/pub/eligoldsmith/p/unity-inspires-projects-united-souls-f0f?r=oyu71&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true #unitedsouls #goodpoints #charliekirklegacy #presence #unifying #truth #business #friends #family...Dear Eli Goldsmith x Unity Bookings and family,Thank you for becoming a Kehilat Shirat David ambassador!Here is your custom fundraising page: https://causematch.com/shiratdavid/unityflowNow this is live, help us reach the goal by sending the campaign to your friends and family.Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or for support. Thank you for your dedication,Kehilat ShiratDavid.com

Malachi 3:1-3 Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.   Key Words: Lord, Messenger, Prepare, Day, Refiner, Purifier, Offering, Righteousness, Levi Keystone Verses: Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:1) Download Bulletin

“Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” - John 13:16In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. We live in strange times, where mythology is actually history, where instead of teaching history, we obfuscate it, history is written by the victors as they say. If it can be destroyed by the truth, it deserves to be destroyed. Join me around the digital campfire as we explore the cosmos, and uncover hidden gnosis. LINKSJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoCGItGjnTXKeRk4PHcQ8AQ/joinPatreon:https://www.patreon.com/LibraryofgnosisPaypal:https://paypal.me/LibraryofGnosis?country.x=SE&locale.x=sv_SEYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/c/LibraryofGnosis/ Odyssey:https://odysee.com/@Library_of_Gnosis:eFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/Library-of-Gnosis-102241851413980/Bitchute:https://www.bitchute.com/channel/mvPf2ntAUShO/Rumble:https://rumble.com/c/c-1387156 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5Nr8DYq9PhhcIzEaMQcquB?si=FsNuxvo9TsqxXwu-Ge32fgApple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/library-of-gnosis/id1608143632

Auto-generated transcript: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. And peace and blessings be upon the kind and the kind of messengers and messengers. Muhammad and the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him and his family. Peace and… Continue reading Parenting skills #3

This is a week of threshold tensions and clarifications as Mars activates the mutable waters of Pisces and the fiery vision of Sagittarius, while Neptune turns direct at the final degree of Pisces, completing a 14-year collective initiation into dissolving old paradigms.Meanwhile, Mercury completes its transformative Scorpio cycle and re-enters Sagittarius—shifting us from excavation to meaning-making. Expect friction, truth-revelations, and a growing sense that something long dissolving is now giving way to new direction.Mon Dec 8: Mars in Sagittarius square Saturn in PiscesMars strides toward new horizons, only to meet Saturn as Elder of Sacred Limits asking: “Is your fire aligned with your deeper responsibilities? Are you acting from vision—or from impulse?” Productive friction clarifies the difference between inspired action and escapist momentum.Wed Dec 10: Neptune turns direct at 29° PiscesThe Dreamer-Mystic pauses at the threshold of a whole era, whispering: “What illusions have fallen away? What soul-truth is emerging from the mist?” A thin-veil moment—intuition strengthens, old confusion clears, and long-dormant inspiration stirs awake.• Mercury in Scorpio opposes Uranus in TaurusThe Storyteller faces the Awakener for the third time since Oct 29, bringing closure to a revelation cycle. This is the final crack in the old narrative: the truth you've been circling now reveals itself plainly. Liberation from a stubborn mindset that has finally run its course.Thurs Dec 11: Mercury in Scorpio trines Neptune in PiscesThe Intuitive Communicator is blessed by the Mystic Waters of Neptune—insights soften, imagination becomes coherent, inner truth finds language. Clarity through compassion; insight through tenderness.• Mercury re-enters SagittariusSagittarius welcomes the Messenger home: “Now that you've unearthed the depths, what is the meaning you are ready to articulate?” A new storyline begins—one shaped by wisdom, perspective, and possibility.Sun Dec 14: Mars in Sagittarius square Neptune in PiscesThe Adventurer meets the Mystic Fog of Neptune—action dissolves into mystery, purpose is tested, motives are purified. A humbling pause that reorients you from fantasy to authentic vision.• Sun in Sagittarius trine Chiron in AriesThe Solar Truth-Bringer offers warm recognition to the Wounded Healer (Chiron)—your courage and honesty illuminate a healing path for yourself and others. A moment of self-recognition that strengthens inner authority.• Mars enters Capricorn (through Jan 23) After the wild terrain of Sagittarius, Mars becomes a Builder as it enters Capricorn: “I'm ready to commit. What structure will carry my fire forward?” Direction crystallizes—discipline and purpose now support your momentum.Reflections:Where is friction or confusion revealing the need for clearer alignment?What illusion, assumption, or outdated narrative is dissolving—and what truth is emerging in its place?What meaning or wisdom arises now that I've moved through a deep emotional or psychic layer?What commitment or structure wants to take shape to hold my emerging clarity?Podcast Poem: 5 AM in Pinewoods by Mary OliveSupport the showGo to Sheila's website for information for transformational resources: https://www.ontheedgesofchange.com/home-page This episode was co-created with generative AI, engaged as a soul-aligned ally in service of transformation. At the edge where technology meets myth, I choose insight over noise, and alchemy over automation. Thank you for dreaming the future with me.

Luke 3: 1-6https://www.theosisbooks.net/https://www.innerworkforspiritualawakening.net/

JoAnne’s Christmas Curse: Part 1 The Merry Misadventures of the Christmas Cursed. Based on a post by Todd 1 72, in 2 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. The Curse. JoAnne forced her way brusquely through the dense crowd toward the Thai place on the corner. Lord, she hated holiday shopping; screaming brats, the jarring sounds of ringing bells, the constant fucking "gimme, gimme, gimme" of the damn "charity" workers. As if they weren't really there to guilt you into forking over the goddamn money. And all these fucking people just kept on bumping against her, wrinkling her $2000 black skirt and jacket power suit. Didn't they have somewhere to be, didn't people work anymore? Just as she broke free of the crowd, she half-ran-into and half-plowed-over a diminutive blonde girl in some kind of Christmas outfit, sending packages skittering across the frozen ground and knocking the mini-skirted kid on her ass. Great, what the fuck was a kid doing out in the middle of the day anyway; JoAnne stopped. From the size of her boobs, this was no kid; a midget? Crap, they used something else now, like small person or some shit. The blonde glared at her through her skewed hair while she straightened her tilted elf hat for a second, then caught herself and smiled, although, honestly, it looked a little more like she was gritting her teeth. "Merry Christmas, huh?" JoAnne rolled her eyes and started to walk on. "Hey! Aren't you going to help me get all this shit picked up?" JoAnne looked over her shoulder at the flustered little blonde. "Fuck off, I'm busy" and pushed her way into the Restaurant. Finding her way to her usual seat, as she brushed her short, platinum blonde hair back, she sat and pointed at the waitress who immediately ran to the kitchen to get her order started and get her a damn drink. JoAnne pulled out her blackberry and started to pull up her emails; about 10 seconds later her system froze. Shit. The chair across from her pulled out. Without looking up, JoAnne growled. "I don't need any company, and I need space to work. Fuck off." Even with her cold demeanor, her pale skin, white blonde hair and blue eyes drew more attention than she'd ever wanted. Nothing happened. When she looked up, the tiny honey blonde from outside was leaning back in the chair, staring at her with her arms crossed under her outsized boobs. She looked a like a distinctly adult-oriented version of an elf; long blonde hair, pointy ears, a micro-miniskirt and a huge rack that barely stayed in her costume. Despite the rosy cheeks and turned up nose, though, the twinkle in her eyes looked extremely icy. JoAnne sighed. Oh well, if the little bitch wanted to be a problem, she'd have her thrown out. She started to look around for a waiter, then realized nobody was moving. Nobody at all. Inside or in the vast crowd outside. No sound. Everything was frozen. She looked back at the girl, who slowly arched her left eyebrow in an overly dramatic fashion. "Look Sister, I'd tell you not to do anything stupid, but that would be wasted effort. You can't do anything, you're stuck in that chair until I say otherwise. Elf. Christmas. Magic. Bitch." JoAnne started to protest, but her mouth simply froze as the Elf raised her hand. "Don't bother. This isn't a dream. You didn't fall and hit your head. You haven't even had a drink today yet. And it sure as fuck-all wasn't that nasty bran concoction you had for breakfast. On your salary you eat sawdust for breakfast? Fuck, eat a good breakfast and spend five more minutes on the damn elliptical." She waved her hand and JoAnne found she could speak again. "Look if you want an apology;” The Elf cut her off again "It wouldn't be sincere and you wouldn't learn a god damn thing. Don't bullshit me, Baby, I'm a whole lot older than I look. Besides, I have your file." She leaned back, reached two fingers into her ample cleavage and pulled out an ornate, gilt edged scroll, untied it and began to read over it: "Let's see; JoAnne Steadmann, age 32. No personal relationships. Wow, that sucks. You seem to have a severe case of Greed, brought on by a Self-Centered Nature and a Lack of Human Empathy, which seems to have developed around puberty;” Her voice trailed off as she read more. Then: "Damn!? You're Frigid? No Orgasms? No wonder you're a grade-A Bitch! Hell, I wouldn't wish that on anyone! Got your cherry popped in High School, but didn't enjoy it at all. And you didn't even experiment at Wellesley? Damn that's like the lickety-slit capitol of the world. You missed out on a whole lot of the sweet stuff there, Baby." JoAnne just glared at her. Whatever the hell this was about, the little blonde bitch had no right digging into her personal life. "On the bright side you're not entirely freaked out by this, and that's rarer than you think. Too many people have lost belief in Christmas magic; they can lose it completely when shit like this happens. You're pretty enough in platinum-blonde-career bitch sort of way. And, according to Records Division, you never developed any real sex aversions, so that's good;” Shaking her head, the Elf hastily re-rolled the scroll, tucked it back between her oversized boobs, then leaned forward looking intently into JoAnne's eyes. "I can fix this; but I have to follow the rules. I'm not allowed to just go around helping humanity; free will and all that shit. But I can inflict a Christmas lesson on you because you denied the True Meaning of Christmas. You were rude. To an Elf. Within the Fortnight of Christmas." JoAnne leaned back in shock. "Is this going to be one of those ghosts things? I;” The Elf shook her head "Ghosts wouldn't help you at all." She paused. "God, I love that one, it's a classic but it won't work here. I am giving you the gift of Lust. I am removing most of your inhibitions; the sexual ones anyway and 'cursing' you so that at least once a day until Midnight on Christmas Eve, you're going to find yourself in a situation that ends up in sex of some kind or other. Nothing dangerous, nothing that will destroy your life. You may end up feeling a little used and a bit humiliated, but you'll like it. Besides, a little humility would do you a lot of good, Sunshine." JoAnne felt her anger flare "Nobody uses;” And just as quickly found herself muted as the Elf stood up. "Alright, let's get this show on the road, I've got some fucking Joy to spread by the end of the day. Gimme the panties, you won't be needing them." JoAnne tried to resist, but found herself standing, reaching under her skirt and pulling off her black silk underwear and handing them over. She watched in disgust as the little Elf held them up to her nose and breathed in deeply. The Elf shook her head sadly and looked at JoAnne. "Nothing. Just Fabric softener and soap. You really are Frigid. I'm fixing that right now." She stepped over to JoAnne and reached up under her skirt. JoAnne felt the Elf's very warm hand cup her crotch. The Elf looked her in the eye "Damn. Closed up tighter than a bank vault." She rubbed her palm back and forth for a second. "Ah, there it is!" JoAnne's knees nearly gave out and she almost fell to the ground as she felt something hot surge through her whole body, but the Elf steadied her and guided her back into her seat. As Joanne watched, the Elf licked her fingertips delicately. "Much better." "That was your First Orgasm. It's been sort of stuck in the gate for a damn long time. It was a little weak from the time attenuation, so the next time it will feel better." JoAnne stiffened. "Buh, better?" "More powerful, longer." JoAnne couldn't even imagine that. The Elf continued on without really noticing JoAnne's reaction. "Here's the deal, you get a little something every day, each day gets a little more extreme and a little more intense. I've used this one a lot; it was practically standard in Vicki's day; Queen Victoria. It will be a real experience, but you can handle it. Still, if it gets to be too much, call my name three times; its 'Holly Mistletoe" and I'll pop in to help. If you really need it." Suddenly, with a sound like a balloon popping in reverse, Holly was gone and everything was in motion. The waitress rushed up with her drink; which she drank in one gulp, and her food arrived almost immediately. She managed to catch her breath and tried to act normal, although she just didn't have it in her to bitch at the waitress for being too slow like she usually did. She even caught herself leaving a much larger tip than usual. She must be shaken up. The Tattoo. JoAnne slipped into her desk; the walk back had been weird. She'd been so damn conscious of not wearing any underwear, and she normally never thought about; that. And she felt almost feverishly warm, with everybody bumping into her. She kept wondering if they somehow knew she was panty-less. Worse yet, she guiltily realized she kind of liked the idea. She had practically run by her new red-headed secretary and locked herself in the office. She started to buzz the secretary. With a start she realized she couldn't remember her secretary's name. She had just gotten rid of Samantha, the brunette; JoAnne never kept a secretary very long. She was concerned about secretaries learning too much about her; shuffling them back into the secretarial pool after 6 weeks or two big deals. What was the name of the name of the new one; thin, red hair, pixie cut, pointy nose; Lori? No. Lisa? No. Lil; Lillian. That was it. She punched the intercom on her phone. "Lillian, could you bring me a glass of water please?" A somewhat puzzled, "Yes, Ma'am," came back. Which made sense, after all, JoAnne never asked for anything, she ordered things, and she never, ever said please. Lillian quietly and efficiently brought her the water, then stepped out. As she left JoAnne watched her ass sway under her cream colored skirt. It was awfully perky and cute. JoAnne squeaked. She never, ever thought about things like that. She felt warmth growing between her thighs, more and more intense, like an itch that needed a scratch, but much, much more; personal. She shifted and tried to concentrate on work, but the only emails she had were autoreplies informing her that the recipients would be back after Christmas break. A curious tingling was growing just above her privates. She frantically pulled her skirt up and looked down. All her pubic hair was gone, except for a neatly trimmed patch just above her cunt in the shape of a holly leaf. Even more of a shock, just to the left of it was a tiny incredibly intricate tattoo of a mistletoe ball on crossed candy canes. She could just make out the words "Christmas Magic. Bitch." woven into the mistletoe. Shit. Shit. Shit. How the hell do you explain that to your gynecologist? Maybe it was one of those stick on tattoos, she could just rub it. The second she started rubbing, she knew she'd made a mistake. The feeling shot over her like arcs of electricity; she felt her lips go numb, her legs began to shake and her nipples grew achingly hard; she could make out the tips through the fabric of her blouse. She wanted to stop, she really did, but she couldn't; her fingers were playing with her lips and clit almost instantly. Without stopping, she managed to pull her skirt up around her waist and pull open her jacket and shirt. She couldn't get the fucking bra off, but while she massaged her clit she reached inside the bra and began to pinch and tweak her rock hard nipples. She was so wet that her fingers slipped inside without her even realizing it. First one, then a second. She felt her orgasm hit like a train, then a second, then a third, leaving her gasping, barely able to move in her slowly rotating chair. After a few minutes she rearranged herself into some semblance of order, although her shirt and her jacket were each missing a button. No surprise there. Still, she felt better than could ever remember feeling; relaxed, warm and comfortable. She managed to make it through the next few hours, before she decided to leave. Lillian was watching her curiously; not too surprising since she never left before 5:00. JoAnne heard herself say, "Go ahead and take a couple hours, you probably have some Christmas shopping to do or something." That got a warm smile and a "Thank you". The rest of the evening was normal, although she did finger herself; just a little; in the shower. The Package. The next morning, as JoAnne dressed for work, a number of things became obvious. First off, most of her clothing was missing; not one bra or panty was in the condominium. Even the bra she'd had on yesterday had disappeared from the hamper. There was a card sitting on the kitchen island; from Holly; advising her that she would "get those Manhattan Career Bitch costumes back later" if she still wanted them. All her severe black suits were gone as well; they were replaced with very expensive looking red silk suits of a similar type with slightly shorter skirts and sheer white silk blouses with decidedly more "decisive" necklines. Her shoes had changed too; color and about an inch more heel, although they proved surprisingly comfortable. The morning passed fairly productively; with only a couple of odd glances from Lillian. To be on the safe side, she decided to order lunch in the office, but it was almost two in the afternoon before anything happened. Lillian buzzed: "Miss, there's a bike messenger with a package; he says I can't sign for it." "Send him in." A tall, muscular, dark haired guy with a small, brightly colored box walked in. "Sorry, instructions were explicit, you'll have to sign for it." JoAnne sighed and reached for the box; as soon as she touched it, one end popped open and something fell out onto the desk. A vibrator. An enormous, brightly colored vibrator. And of course it hit right on the on/off button. She and the messenger watched it buzz around in a circle on her desktop for a long second before she grabbed it and fumbled it off. "I, uh, this friend;” "No problem. Short blonde woman; she looked like a joker, all dressed up like an elf. Had a hell of a smirk. I figured it was some kind of practical joke." JoAnne watched his firm ass as he left. Lillian followed her gaze as he walked out. "Just want to bite that and hang on." Instead of admonishing her to be more professional, JoAnne found herself nodding and smiling like an idiot. She suddenly caught herself, then hastily shut the door and retreated to her office. The vibrator stared at her from the center of her desk. It was red and white striped, of course. About 8 inches long, had little gumdrop-like rubber nobs all over it and a bullet like tip of gold metal. She decided to stick it in a desk drawer. Another mistake. As soon as she picked it up, the tingling between her thighs began again, and she couldn't physically put the vibrator down. She reached with her empty hand and clicked the intercom on the phone. "Lillian. Hold my calls." "Yes, Miss." There was something in Lillian's voice, but JoAnne realized she didn't have time to deal with it; the tingling was so intense it was almost painful; and she felt like she was suffocating in her suit; it seemed like her clothes were lined with lead weights. She fumbled her skirt off and opened her blouse and shirt, exposing her tits to the cool office air. Her nipples were standing out like fucking spikes and she could feel wetness between her thighs. Good Lord. Her pussy was absolutely dripping. JoAnne clicked on the vibrator and began to run the tip over her excited nipples. She moaned loudly; it was a damn good thing the office was soundproof. Fuck, that felt amazing. She licked her fingers and got her nipples really wet so they stiffened even more with the cold and the vibrator. Damn, how long could they get? Her breath was coming in short pants as she slumped in the chair, and hooked each leg over a chair arm, spreading herself wide open. "Fah-Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Pinching her nipples with her free hand she ran the vibrator all over her inner thighs, eliciting more hot juice from an already wide open and steaming pussy. When she couldn't wait any longer, she began to run the tip of the vibrator over her pussy lips; she planned to do it for a while, but when the tip hit her swollen clit, she spilled over into orgasm, screaming as quietly as she could. "Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes!" As the spasms died away she meant to put the vibrator down and get dressed but her hands seemed to have minds of their own, her free hand spread her pussy lips wide open while she danced the vibrator in and out, just an inch or so; then she plunged it into the gaping hole, screaming loudly as the orgasms exploded through her. Even then, as she pulled the wet shaft out of herself, her hand seemed to slip and the tip slipped down below her cunt, resting against her asshole. The vibrations felt good. Surprisingly good; almost; she felt another orgasm building. This time she did it; she began to frantically rub her clit with her free hand while she gently pushed the tip of the vibrator into her ass. By the time this orgasm settled, she realized had three fingers up her twat and had shoved the vibrator into her ass almost four inches. Still though, she felt in command enough to stop. She switched off the vibrator and shakily dressed herself, thanking God for soundproofing. After she caught her breath, she dropped the vibrator into her purse and clicked the intercom. "Lillian, you, uh, can resume forwarding my calls." "Yes, Miss." Very definitely a smile in her voice. Fuck her, all she could do would be to spread rumors, and if she did she would be back in the secretarial pool without the executive bonus pay. The rest of the day passed quietly and she decided that on her way out she would feel out if Lillian was going to say anything. As she stepped out the door she watched the cute redhead suppress a wicked little smile. "Lillian, I thought it would be a good idea;” Lillian intercepted the thought "...to remind me that secretaries do not discuss their bosses activities with anyone at all. It's in the confidentiality agreement we sign when we get sent up from the pool." At first JoAnne was appalled that Lillian would cut in like that, but she decided to try to be nice; a very different tack for her. "Umm, yeah. I just didn't want any rumors to, you know, start." Lillian smiled mischievously. "I won't say anything to anyone, but maybe next time you might want to completely shut your blinds. And maybe turn off the intercom. Luckily, I was on headset. I don't mind sharing, yesterday sounded great. Today sounded exquisite and looked even better; but if you want privacy;” JoAnne stared at the communication window to the office; it was open nearly a foot. She was sure it had been closed yesterday; and she was the only one with a remote for it. Even the intercom could only be turned on from inside the office. She must have left it on when she; she began to turn bright red, then raced from the office. The Glass Elevator. The next day was Saturday, her only real day off this week; Sunday was a teleconference with Japan from the office, so she had to go in. She stayed burrowed into her bed almost until noon; she just couldn't figure out what to do about the office. If she stayed in her apartment, she might end up masturbating, but at least she would be doing it without an audience. Just the thought of Lillian listening to her and watching her made her feel; uncomfortable, but somehow it didn't feel as bad as it should have, which worried her even more. She finally had to get out of bed to pee; and of course, her pajamas had disappeared overnight. She went to put on a robe at least, but the only thing in the apartment was a red skirt and white shirt combo that looked like they might be made of tissue paper, and a dark red overcoat, a bit too warm for the apartment, but suitable for the snow outside. And of course, red fuck-me shoes. After a moment of irritation she pulled on the skirt and shirt; she might as well have been walking around topless for all the shirt covered her tits, and the skirt was about one centimeter below her ass cheeks. She went over to the refrigerator; not one stick of food. Damn. Her phone battery was dead; she'd apparently forgotten to plug it in. By the time she lifted the receiver on her house phone, she wasn't surprised to find the line dead. She sat down in her easy chair and turned on the TV. She would just wait it out; the phone line would be back soon. Four hours later, with her stomach complaining, and only cooking shows on, she gave up. If she just zipped downstairs, she could grab some food at one of the trendy-take out joints and be back up in fifteen minutes. She looked in the mirror. A class A slut stared back at her; nipples obvious through the shirt, skirt so short it should be illegal. Looked kind of yummy in a way though. She grabbed the bulky wool overcoat and buttoned it completely. Key card. Wallet. She headed out. The internal elevators were out, so she took the glass elevator on the outside of the building; she could see the whole city; the crowds of people looking up at the elevator as it came down. It didn't take long to get her Cuban sandwich and head back. Which was good, the coat was a little warm, even with snowy weather. As she neared the elevator, she heard a familiar voice. "Trying to hide, today?" JoAnne whirled. Holly was perched on a concrete stanchion toying with an oversize Santa hat. JoAnne started to speak, but a wave of Holly's hand cut her off mute. "Take the hat, you'll need it." JoAnne grabbed the hat; and with the same odd reverse pop, Holly simply vanished. JoAnne sprinted for the elevator; this couldn't be good. Get home. Get home. Get; The now familiar tingling almost overwhelmed her, as the elevator door closed. JoAnne jammed the oversize hat on her head and slipped a hand inside the overcoat to push the skirt up and found; nothing. No skirt, no shirt; her clothes had evaporated. She couldn't stop to fight it; she began fingering herself furiously, three fingers slipping into her hole almost instantly. As the elevator crept up, she realized her coat was evaporating like smoke. She felt tears form as the elevator ground to a halt just three floors up; she was fully visible to the crowd. A crazy naked woman, masturbating in an elevator, wearing nothing but a hat! A hat, she was relieved to note, that obscured her hair and face completely. People were stopping to stare; to her horror, she realized she liked it; hell, she loved it! A middle-aged man pulled out a cell phone and snapped her picture as she managed to fit a fourth finger up her gaping pussy. Hot cunt juice flowed over JoAnne’s hand; she began to cum, over, and over; thinking about all those people watching her. At some point, the elevator began to move upward; just in time as an old lady dragged the building's doorman around to see. Snow thickened around the building, obscuring the ascending elevator. It stopped a floor below hers and refused to move further. She grabbed her purse and food and crept up the stairs; the security camera lights were dark; probably thanks to Holly. JoAnne managed to slip into her apartment, although she had had to hide in the stairwell while three people walked by. Once in her apartment, she collapsed on the bed, just in time to hear her email ping on the computer. She almost ignored it, but the timing. The email was from NaughtyList@northpole.org; and it was a video entitled; "Mystery woman puts on Christmas show." With a sinking heart, she opened the file and watched herself masturbating in front of hundreds of men and women, wearing just a Santa hat. According to the file, nearly 500,000 people had watched the video. Half a million people watching her? This time, she was pretty sure it wasn't Elf magic, but either way, she spent the next hour with her new vibrator buried in her pussy, pumping it like a jack hammer. She wasn't sure how many orgasms she had; one helluva lot. She managed to eat her food, then sank into a deep sleep. Video Tele Conference. Sunday morning, JoAnne woke late, and ended up rushing to the office; the red outfits were miraculously back, although she noticed the skirts were shorter. She decided on a businesslike demeanor. Ignore everything with Lillian. Blame it on medication; if she had to. By the time she arrived, a harassed-looking Lillian was already there, clicking cables into position. "Thank god you're here. The main video teleconference is down, so I'd setting up your desk so you can have both slides and video feed. The partners have called three times already. We are good on this end, but Japan is having problems with dual video. They will be able to hear you, but only see the slides and the video, not you. The partners will be listening in on the phone." JoAnne slipped into her chair, just in time to hear the chime of the video teleconference, coming on line. "Mister Nakamura;” her foot kicked a cable and the video feed went dark. She signaled to Lillian while she continued her spiel. Lillian looked under the desk, grabbed some tape and crawled under. After a few mumbled curses from Lillian, the video feed from Japan came back on. JoAnne started to push her chair back, to let Lillian out, but the video flickered again and she felt Lillian pull her back. A few seconds later, Lillian pushed a note into her hand. "Your chair hooked on cables, if you push back, lose whole Video Tele Conference." JoAnne finished her spiel, then turned on the 40 minute auto presentation, and muted her own audio. "Okay, it's on autopilot. And mute." Lillian pushed her head up on JoAnne's thigh and eyed the control critically "Good, it really is on mute. You haven't had a good track record with mute lately, just wanted to check. The chair clipped a wire, I will replace it tomorrow; but don't try to push back right now, or the Video Conference will go down for good, I wouldn't be able to reroute without a whole new set of cables. You seem stressed." JoAnne sighed. "You have no idea." "I can fix that." JoAnne started to respond, but Lillian's meaning became clear as she spread JoAnne's knees apart and began to settle in between them. JoAnne tried to resist, but her thighs seemed to drift even further apart on their own, and she even lifted as Lillian unzipped her skirt and slid it off. JoAnne stopped even trying to resist, just leaning back and letting Lillian's quick and talented tongue slide her up one orgasm after another. Lillian had slid her own clothes off and was fingering herself as she ate JoAnne. Lillian seemed to orgasm in time with her. After a few minutes, JoAnne heard Lillian's fingers pumping in and out of her hot wet tunnel. All too soon, the auto-play pinged and JoAnne had to return to her speech, although Lillian continued tonguing her gently throughout. The response to the presentation was more than good; the order from Japan was at least three times larger than she had anticipated in her best case scenario, so it was no surprise when the partners called her, and told her to come on down to the office. After one more good cum, she untangled herself from the desk, the chair, and Lillian. "Look, I have to go down there;” Lillian smiled cheerfully, but with a wicked edge "It's okay; I have to go to a family thing anyway. At least now it will be easier to put up with. By the way, I love your ‘lawn and landscaping’; and that is the cutest little tattoo; I never heard you like Christmas that much." She gave JoAnne a warm kiss; which tasted of candy canes. As JoAnne Walked out, she could hear Lillian putting things up; and whistling a cheery Christmas tune. The meeting with the partners went particularly well; and Robert, the older brother; commented that he had never seen her more relaxed and in control. That night she fell asleep, wondering what it would be like to return the favor to Lillian; while she used her now-indispensable vibrator on herself. Hard Dictation. The next morning, in the shower, JoAnne realized her little tuft of designer pubic hair hadn't grown out at all; in fact, it looked kind of, well, glittery, like gold glitter along the edges of the naughty holly leaf. All the red clothes were still there, although the skirts seemed even shorter, and there were little emerald holly pins on each lapel. As she picked up her purse, she found a small scroll on top. In shining gilt letters it said: "Sometimes it is better to give, than receive. Be sure to give a Lil' something." JoAnne actually smiled at the blunt hint, as if she hadn't been thinking about Lillian already. She was waking up hornier every damn morning. Still though, the office was mayhem; frantic arrangements to make sure the Japan orders were completed on time, after action reports and a hasty lunch meeting with the partners combined to keep her from even talking to Lillian for more than a second or two, and that about work. Just as she sat down at her desk from the lunch meeting, the intercom buzzed. "Messenger service again, Miss." "Send him in." The same bike messenger walked in, carrying another Holiday package. Even though she knew the package would pop open, she didn't bother to try to stop it. She had a suspicion that if she tried to stop the Elf curse, it would up the ante. He held the box over the desk, and suddenly the bottom flaps dropped open, of their own doing. This time, the packages contents hit the desk with a thud, and didn't move. Some kind of black leather belt contraption, attached to a huge candy-cane striped dildo. She rolled her eyes "My friend is a little;” "Smart ass? Yeah, the little blonde chick, in some kind of Christmas elf get up; kept giggling to herself." "Just like last time" JoAnne presumed. "I'll take your word on that." As he left, JoAnne watched his muscular ass, and puzzled over his words. He'd been there, how often? To vibrators falling out of packages, anyway? After he left, she grinned wickedly; give a Lil' something? She had just the thing. She tucked it into her top drawer. Then cleared the top of her desk off completely. "Lillian? I need you to come in; and take dictation for me." "Yes, Miss Steadmann." Lillian entered. "Your schedule is cleared until tomorrow morning, Miss JoAnne. Both your afternoon appointments just called in and cancelled." JoAnne glanced at the closed office door. Locked, and the blinds were fully closed. She stood up and looked out the office window into the flurries. "Lillian, we need to talk about a performance reward." "Actually, I'm maxed out this year; I was on the CBN team earlier this year. I can't get any more cash awards until next year. JoAnne turned around and backed Lillian up against the desk. "That isn't exactly what I had in mind." Pinning Lillian against the desk, Joanne kissed her hungrily, forcing her tongue into Lillian's mouth. She had Lillian's skirt unzipped and dropped to the floor and her blouse and bra off in seconds. She gently pressed Lillian back until the blonde girl was lying back on the desk, clad in only a mint green thong. JoAnne slid the thong down Lillian's long legs, eyeing Lillian's obviously wet cunt, with its little topping of strawberry blonde hair. Without thinking, she brought the panties to her face and breathed in deeply. They were filled with a musky, heady scent that made her mouth water. She looked right into Lillian's eyes and said, "Aren't you just a horny little thing!" Lillian let her legs fall open. "You have no idea;” "I can fix that." She dropped the thong onto the skirt and slid in between Lillian's creamy thighs, dropping her own skirt and jacket as she did so. She didn't hesitate at all; her mouth closed over Lillian's swollen pink pussy and she began to tongue and suck with abandon. She must have been doing something right, because Lillian's sighs turned to moans; then outright screams of ecstasy. JoAnne also fingered herself to orgasm, and only after Lillian had practically passed out, did she let up. Lillian breathed heavily, "God, that was fucking fantastic!" JoAnne reached into her drawer, and pulled out the strap-on dildo; and slipped the straps on while Lillian watched wide-eyed. "Your reward isn't over; yet." Despite the very thick size of the rubber red and white, spiral–striped cock, Lillian was so wet, it slipped into her easily. JoAnne began to thrust slowly in and out. "You like that?" Lillian breathed in deeply, then brought her legs up around JoAnne’s ass, "Yes. But; you can do it harder if you want." JoAnne thrust deeper and faster. Lillian hissed and grabbed JoAnne's tits, in a tight grip. "God, yes. Harder; please; harder" JoAnne began to really pump hard, Lillian seemed to have no problem taking in the big fake cock. "Fuck. Yeah. Give it to me. Harder. Harder. Harder!" JoAnne began to slam it into her as hard as she could. Lillian began to make a weird keening sound. "Don't fucking stop. Oh fuck. Don't stop. Please don't stop!" Just as JoAnne was sure her legs were going to give out, Lillian's eyes shot open, and she arched her back and screamed incredibly loud. JoAnne felt a huge gush of hot pussy juice squirt around the dildo and drench her. Lillian collapsed so suddenly she slid off the giant dildo. "Holy. Shit." As JoAnne slid the strap-on off, Lillian rolled over onto her stomach obviously trying to marshal the strength to get up. JoAnne eyed her perky ass; particularly the little pink asshole. She was almost ready to reach for the strap-on when the phone rang. Lillian grabbed the phone without getting up. "JoAnne Steadmann's office. Lillian speaking. Uh huh, yes;” As Lillian talked on the phone, JoAnne reached down and parted her ass cheeks. She knew she shouldn't but she just couldn't resist bending over and tonguing the little pink rosebud. Lillian squirmed, but didn't try to get away; in fact she brought her knees up a little to help JoAnne. After she had the little pink asshole dripping with saliva, she continued tonguing while gently inserted her forefinger and began to pump it gently in and out. Lillian was slowly thrusting her ass back on the finger and into her face while talking on the phone. But as soon as she finished the phone call, she came up on all fours and began fucking her ass back against JoAnne's face and finger, grinding until she came. This time when they broke apart, she slid to the other side of the desk, eyeing JoAnne warily, but with a wide smile. "Okay, you're just plain kinky. And something about you just turns my inner slut on full power. Still, we have to stop; you have a meeting in 30 minutes. You'd better wash your face and get dressed." Scowling and smiling at the same time, JoAnne struggled into her clothes as did Lillian. Still, Lillian was absolutely glowing, and walking a little slowly, which made JoAnne smile. The meeting lasted until well after business closing, so Lillian was gone when she went back to get her purse and coat. But the mint green thong was carefully arranged in the middle of JoAnne's desk; with a candy cane sitting on it. To be continued in part 2. Based on a post by Todd 1 72, in 2 parts, for Literotica.

Auto-generated transcript: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. And peace and blessings be upon the honour of the Prophet and the messengers. And peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and upon… Continue reading Parenting skills #2 – Connect to Allahﷻ

Auto-generated transcript: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. And peace and blessings be upon the kind and the kind of messengers and messengers. Muhammad and the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him and his family. Peace and… Continue reading Parenting skills #1

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It was a long week following a long Thanksgiving weekend that opened on CyberMonday with a login-outage at Spotify. Folks who logged out of their Spotify accounts on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday awoke to a virtual lockout which was finally cleared between 3 and 5pm. Google Search Console reports are lagging a couple days behind. This podcast was recorded on a Thursday and that data hadn't been updated since Monday. The Trump administration will add social media inspections of all new H-1B applicants and their H-4 dependents to the list of student and exchange visitors it already inspects. The order forces all applicants to turn their social media privacy settings to "public" in order to allow for inspections. Google and other competitors, mixed with the realities of not owning a the operating system, are causing massive problems of Sam Altman and OpenAI. OpenAI has declared a Code-Red after the release of Google's Gemini 3. OpenAI's ChatGPT needs to urgently improve the chatbot's personalization, speed, reliability, and ability to understand a wider range of queries. Meta is investing a lot more in the Metaverse moving forward. The popular Messenger app is going to be killed quite quickly adding to the resource base being reallocated to the virtual reality project. For transactional or commercial searches, Google's AI Mode is seen delivering traffic for 69% of queries. Google is investing in a massive Gemini App UX overhaul. Google adds LLMs.txt to Search Dev Portal, and then quickly removes them. LLMs.txt documents are present at developers.chrome.com. Do not set-and-forget AI Max or you might max out your budget awfully quick. All this discussion and a lot of Google tips and comments in a nearly two hour long Cyber-Funday edition of Webcology.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/webcology/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this final reading of Chapter 11 from From Trauma to Trust: The Making of a Messenger, Nancy invites listeners into a piercing encounter with the justice of God, the truth about real forgiveness, and the power of the cross to resolve every deep conflict. This is more than a reading—it's a confrontation with the Esau Syndrome and the subtle ways bitterness, self-pity, and entitlement lure us into trading our birthright for counterfeit healing and temporary relief. Nancy doesn't soften the message—because real transformation doesn't come from sentimentality, but from letting Jesus Himself expose, forgive, and free us. Whether you're facing fresh wounds or decades of unresolved pain, this episode calls you to return to the one true fountain, take your controversy to the cross, and finally live free. Thanks for Listening! I hope that after listening to The Tent Talk Podcast, you'll want to start discussions with your team or small group. These resources can help guide your discipleship journey to maturity and destiny with the Father: Episode Notes & Conversation Guide DOWNLOAD HERE https://nancymccready.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/EPISODE-1001-Birthright-or-Bitterness-6.0.pdf LINKS The Devotional Podcast with Nancy McCready https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2hHjwQ_3Qrp1rhbR9nu68wnBtQY0IHzc The Producer's Way School theproducersway.com Nancy's book, From Trauma to Trust www.amazon.com/dp/B096ZML6R3/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION Every journey begins with a conversation, join us on social media to get started! Facebook: www.facebook.com/nbmccready Instagram: www.instagram.com/nbmccready/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nancymccreadyministries SUBSCRIBE Like what you hear? Subscribe to Tent Talk with Nancy McCready so you don't miss an episode! nancymccready.com/podcast/ ABOUT NANCY MCCREADY Nancy McCready is redefining discipleship across nations, cultures, and denominations. Through Nancy McCready Ministries, she partners with leaders to build deep, transformative discipleship cultures that provoke people to walk in freedom and live as mature sons of the Father. Her powerful message comes from her journey of overcoming abuse, addiction, and self-destruction to walk in true freedom. She now dedicates her life to helping others grow in intimacy with the Father and live unto Him. ABOUT TENT TALK PODCAST Tent Talk with Nancy McCready is a listener-funded podcast dedicated to helping Christians along their journey of a deeper walk with Christ. With the support of donors like you, we are able to help our listeners gain a deeper spiritual understanding and connection with the Father. Thank you for your support of the Tent Talk Podcast! nancymccready.com/giving/ Brought to you by Nancy McCready Ministries nancymccready.com/

Send Kevin a Text MessageIn this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz sits down with legendary producer and entertainment executive Suzanne de Passe. From championing the Jackson 5 early in their career to producing Emmy Award–winning miniseries like Lonesome Dove, Suzanne's career is defined by vision, talent recognition, and breaking barriers in Hollywood.An Eclectic, Wonderful Childhood (02:16) Suzanne describes growing up in Harlem, attending the progressive private school New Lincoln, and spending summers in Martha's Vineyard.Suzanne's Superpower (12:46) Suzanne talks about her greatest talent: recognizing the talent of others and knowing what to do with it.The Meeting That Changed Everything (16:22) Through her friendship with Cindy Birdsong of The Supremes, Suzanne met Berry Gordy in 1967, a moment that changed her life forever."One Day, That's Gonna Be Me" (21:19) Standing under the Essex House sign, watching Diana Ross depart in one limo, and the other Supremes in another, Suzanne had a realization: she wanted to be a part of that world.Championing The Jackson 5 (31:39) When Bobby Taylor invited her to hear a young group of brothers sing four songs a cappella, “the hair on the back of my neck flew up,” Suzanne recalls. Despite Barry Gordy's initial resistance to signing another kid act, her relentless advocacy is what finally got the Jackson 5 their Motown audition.Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction (38:04) In 2024, Suzanne was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Ahmet Ertegun Award, the fifth woman and the first solo living female recipient among male legends.Lonesome Dove (40:28) After optioning Larry McMurtry's unpublished novel for $50,000, Swifty Lazar called with news: it had won the Pulitzer Prize. The resulting CBS miniseries was nominated for 19 Emmys, won 11, and received a Golden Globe and a Peabody Award.Immortal Studio: The Next Chapter (51:17) Suzanne has launched the production company Immortal Studio with partners Madison Jones, Cory Martin, and investor Yang Ben Wang. Focused on premium television, the company already has full seasons scripted and is built to be nimble, artist-friendly, and protective of creative vision — avoiding the industry's usual “fingerprinting process,” where too many people try to leave their mark.Suzanne de Passe demonstrates that recognizing talent, whether in five kids singing a capella or an unpublished western novel, combined with persistence and vision, can build an entertainment legacy that spans decades.Host: Kevin GoetzGuest: Suzanne de PasseProducer: Kari CampanoWriters: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, and Kari CampanoAudio Engineer: Gary Forbes (DG Entertainment)For more information about Suzanne de Passe:Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzanne_de_PasseIMDB:https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0210867/Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:For more information about Kevin Goetz:- Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com- Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678- How to Score in Hollywood: https://www.amazon.com/How-Score-Hollywood-Secrets-Business/dp/198218986X/- Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Substack: @KevinGoetz360- LinkedIn @Kevin Goetz- Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com

Diana revisits a former interview with the late Dave Ebert, who went to be with Jesus in July 2024. His wife, Bobbie Ebert, joins the conversation to discuss their unique ministry. The couple uses improv comedy as a tool to help survivors of sex trafficking rediscover their voice, improve communication, and build confidence. Bobby shares her personal story of overcoming abuse and finding faith, while Dave discusses their journey into full-time ministry and their goal of creating a residential facility to support survivors. The episode also touches on the importance of laughter and joy in the healing process and provides details on how listeners can support their mission. 00:00 Introduction: Comedy and Sex Trafficking? 00:23 Sponsor Message: 7 5 3 Academy 01:11 Welcome to The Wounds of the Faithful Podcast 01:42 Introducing Dave and Bobby Ebert 02:12 The Power of Improv Comedy in Healing 04:48 Dave's Ministry Journey 07:50 Bobby's Testimony and Healing Journey 15:38 How Dave and Bobby Met 24:16 A Surprise Proposal 25:29 The Significance of the Ring 26:07 Life After Marriage 27:11 Transition to Full-Time Ministry 28:11 Using Comedy to Heal Trauma 29:24 The Missionary Journey 32:16 Fundraising and Support 32:48 Future Plans and Goals 35:06 The Power of Laughter 41:17 Final Thoughts and Call to Action The website is still up after his passing. Bobbie may be keeping the ministry going in his place. www.gifts4glory.com   Website: https://dswministries.org Subscribe to the podcast: https://dswministries.org/subscribe-to-podcast/ Social media links: Join our Private Wounds of the Faithful FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1603903730020136 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DswMinistries YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxgIpWVQCmjqog0PMK4khDw/playlists Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dswministries/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DSW-Ministries-230135337033879 Keep in touch with me! Email subscribe to get my handpicked list of the best resources for abuse survivors! https://thoughtful-composer-4268.ck.page #abuse #trauma Affiliate links: Our Sponsor: 753 Academy: https://www.753academy.com/ Can't travel to The Holy Land right now? The next best thing is Walking The Bible Lands! Get a free video sample of the Bible lands here! https://www.walkingthebiblelands.com/a/18410/hN8u6LQP An easy way to help my ministry: https://dswministries.org/product/buy-me-a-cup-of-tea/ A donation link: https://dswministries.org/donate/   Dave and Bobbie Ebert [00:00:00] What does comedy and sex trafficking have to do with each other? It's not what you think. We have my guest, Dave Ebert on the show again from the first season of the show to talk to us about his ministry once again. So find out the answer to my question next on The Wounds of the Faithful podcast. Special thanks to 7 5 3 Academy for sponsoring this episode. No matter where you are in your fitness and health journey, they've got you covered. They specialize in helping you exceed your health and fitness goals, whether that is losing body fat, gaining muscle, or nutritional coaching to match your fitness levels. They do it all with a written guarantee for results so you don't waste time and money on a program that doesn't exceed your goals. There are martial arts programs. Specialize in anti-bullying programs for kids to combat proven Filipino martial arts. They [00:01:00] take a holistic, fun, and innovative approach that simply works. Sign up for your free class now. It's 7 5 3 academy.com. Find the link in the show notes. Welcome to the Wounds of the Faithful Podcast, brought to you by DSW Ministries. Your host is singer songwriter, speaker and domestic violence advocate, Diana . She is passionate about helping survivors in the church heal from domestic violence and abuse and trauma. This podcast is not a substitute for professional counseling or qualified medical help. Now here is Diana. Hello friends. Welcome back to the podcast. I'm so glad to be here with you. We have a great show for you. More Dave Ebert. If you didn't hear Dave's first interview, please go back and listen to it. It was excellent. He told his personal [00:02:00] story and then how he started his ministry. He's gonna bring his wife tonight because they're doing this together. So you wanted to get the answer to the question that I posed in the beginning. The power of improv comedy in healing and growth. Reverends Dave and Bobby Ebert are on a unique mission to minister to survivors of sex trafficking using the power of improv comedy. With their help survivors find their voice, tap into their creativity, improve communication, and rediscover confidence as US missionaries. They use their unique calling to help those in need and bring light to the darkest of situations. So there areas of focus on their webpage here. Use comedy to break down walls and find the good soil for the seeds of God's word to be [00:03:00] planted. Rebuild confidence through fun, creative games and challenges. So these survivors are better prepared to reenter society. Provide a needed respite from the challenges of healing and recovery by creating a safe, fun, and laughter rich environment. Demonstrate the love of the father and share the redeeming power of Christ to encourage forgiveness of those who inflicted the unimaginable trauma. So I think you're gonna really enjoy Dave and Bobby. I mean, what, what could go wrong with comedians, right? I know that you're going to be blessed with their stories and their vision to help sex Traffick victims to heal. So without delay. Here's my conversation with Dave and Bobby Ebert. Please welcome back to the [00:04:00] show, Dave Ebert, and we also have his wife Bobby, on the show with us tonight. Welcome both of you guys. Thank you, Diana, for having us back or having me back. And then first time guest, long time listener. Bobby, thanks for having us. This is gonna be great having, uh, comedians on the show again, and you're on episode 12 of season one. So I definitely wanna see what you've been up to since then and you have some updates for us today. Yeah, absolutely. Did you want us to start? There's, there's a lot to cover. Yeah. Just remind the folks what you do, and then I'll have Bobby tell the folks a little bit about herself and what role she plays in the ministry you have there. Awesome. So for the last, decade, I've, run an improv ministry based here in Chicago where we sp spring the, light of Christ into various rooms using comedy to bring people together. [00:05:00] Most of our shows have been either ministry to the homeless or it's been fundraisers where we've raised funds for everything from animal care shelters to people who lost part of their home in a fire. To camps for foster kids, and it's all about bringing people together and uniting them in laughter. 'cause I truly believe that laughter is a gift from God because he knew that things would get stressful and science bears out that laughter is such a stress reliever, such a healthy benefit for the body that there's no way that happened by accident. God designed laughter as a gift to help us, kind of deal with, the things that are stressful and help us forget the things that really aren't our burdens to carry. And part of that ministry included for the last four and a half years have been working at Salt and Light Coalition in Chicago, working with survivors of sex trafficking, using improv as a way to kind of break down the walls that they've had to put up to just to survive because mm-hmm. Frankly, they've [00:06:00] been through hell on earth. And to survive you've gotta develop some calluses and around their heart, around in inside, there's just so many calluses and walls that are up and the gift of laughter kind of unlocks that and allows them to really advance in their healing. Mm-hmm. I'm such a big supporter of what you do, Dave, and, um, when you talk about. Oh, God created humor. I, I really wished in scripture there was more of like Jesus laughing or Jesus telling jokes, don't you? Yeah, I would think that the human experience would tell you that you get 13 men just camping out, walking the water in wilderness. They're gonna crack some jokes. They're gonna make some funny things like James and John teased Peter, oh, help me Lord, I'm drowning. Help me. And he would fire back, Hey, at least I got out of the boat. And the whole, the verse where, Jesus is talking about is easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle. To me, that's. [00:07:00] That could be taken as a sarcastic moment, like just Jesus in front of everybody, just like making this comment, which is so ludicrous. It could easily be interpreted as being of a funny comment. Like, I mean, camel obviously can't pass through a needle. So I think that there are moments you can find in scripture that, that are funny. It wasn't his focus. Mm-hmm. But. Proverbs 17:22 says, Lightheart is like good medicine. Some translations say laughter is like good medicine. So I think mm-hmm. If it's covered at least once, then we can stick to it. 'cause the Bible is true from front to back. But yeah, it would be kind of fun to hear like open night in Jerusalem, open mike night. Yeah. That's awesome. So Bobby, why don't you tell the folks about your background and how you met the Lord maybe, and how you met Dave. Yeah, so [00:08:00] I am Bobby Ebert, Dave's wife. We've been married for eight years and. My testimony starts in my childhood is through a series of abuse growing up all the way from junior high all the way through high school. Um, it became pretty serious. The police ended up being, getting involved and just a wide variety of things that happened with. All of that and being severe trauma, the Lord revealed to me in a vision, my sinful nature. And so how that happened was I was in a counseling session at a crisis center, and it was in the middle of that crisis center session that. The Lord gave me this vision of a Santa Claus list where it has one size, all naughty and then a nice, but instead of it being naughty and nice and who's on that list, and it was all of my sins and I could read [00:09:00] them and I just remember like staring off in this what would look to other people as if a day I was in a daydream and I was just feeling mortified. About myself and the counselor had no idea what was going on. I was just looking off and the car ride home, I was just very silent. I was staying with my best friend and her family, and so they were my transportation, obviously, and I would just start repenting and just like asking Jesus to forgive me for salvation and. So one thing that I had a hard time wrapping my mind around was how does the blood of Jesus actually cleanse us? That is a dirty substance. How does that actually cleanse us? And I could not wrap my mind around that until that moment of [00:10:00] salvation and that veil was, it came right off and I just had like this instant understanding. So that was pretty amazing. And fast forward through. A few more years of going through like hope and healing and some other counseling sessions like the Lord did a really huge work in my heart and in my spirit, and even in my mind, like just completely renewed me and healed me. There is one Wednesday night I went to a church service where I was attending at that time. Happened to be at the back of the subdivision where I grew up and my dad still lived. In our childhood home at that time and on the way to church that Wednesday night, the Lord convicted me and told me three times, forgive your father. Mm-hmm. And I said, no, I am not. And after that third time I said, fine Lord. I will forgive him [00:11:00] if I drive by his house. I see the lights are on and he is up and awake. So after service, I drove by and I pulled in front of the house, and of course all the lights are on, doors are open, windows are open. He is watching tv. So I'm like, Ugh. So I arrived unannounced. And he let me in and we chatted and I had no idea why I was there. And finally I get up to excuse myself so I can travel home. It was a 45 minute ride to where I was living 'cause I had since moved in with another family member. And as I'm walking out the door. I literally have my body half in and half out of the door. And I turned and I said, I forgive you. And I was walking out that door and he says, hold on a minute. You get back in here there bubble. [00:12:00] And he says, what is this a 12 step program you're going through? So I came back and I sat back down and I just told him I could give you everything that has ever happened in my childhood, everything that you've ever done, and all the, I went on and he is like it created this special moment where he opened up and started talking about his childhood and the trauma and different things that he experienced, and he was still very unrepentant. Still is to this day, still denies everything that has. Ever taken place mostly 'cause he is protecting himself and from being vulnerable and having to actually repent. But it created this beautiful moment that had I disobeyed God, my dad to this day would [00:13:00] not be open. To hearing about Jesus. He doesn't always wanna hear it from me, but he'll ask me questions. He'll ask me questions, and he'll ask Dave questions and Dave has his. Unique way of being able to create this bond with my dad, where my dad's more open to speak with him versus me. And that's okay. Yeah. Uh, because he's still gonna get the gospel. Totally. So I'm glad that he's open and he's been. Open for 15 years now, and now he is just starting to do a Bible study with a friend. So God will use anybody and it doesn't have to be me. I planted, I watered seeds, but God gives an increase and he'll use anybody and I just pray, Lord. I don't care who it is, I just pray for his salvation. Mm-hmm. And he's, really into the chosen. And the chosen brings the word to life in a way that ma most people [00:14:00] haven't even thought of before. And so the chosen has been really powerful and getting him closer and closer to taking that final step and like, yes, Lord, I'm yours. So it's been really exciting to see over the last eight years to see, her dad really grow in that way. And, get closer and closer. He's in a crockpot right now. Yes. And a few more hours he'll be ready. Wow. I've talked about the chosen on the show before and some of the guests, and I don't necessarily like some of the liberties they take with some of it, who am I? If the show is getting people to get in the Bible? Mm-hmm. To come to church or to start asking questions. Or renew their relationship with Jesus. So I just let God do what God does, right? Yes. And I think that's a healthy place to be, is that you don't have to think that they're getting everything perfect or doing it right. I, and you know, there are times that we've looked at each [00:15:00] other like, maybe they could have done it differently, but like you said, it is getting people excited about the word and prayerfully people are not forming their entire doctrine and faith based on a TV show, but at least getting their appetite wet for more of the living word. Yes. Awesome. I really just love your story, Bobby, and that you are obedient to what God had called you to do, even though it maybe you were a little afraid to approach your father, but it looks like God's blessing you in that way, and even the healing from the trauma that you've gone through, that's a journey too. Now, how did you meet Dave? I was previously engaged and after that engagement broke off, I was like, Lord, like it's just you and me. And some of that was just a couple years of healing and being able to move on from that previous engagement. [00:16:00] 'cause it was a long-term relationship. We were together for over five years, so. I've been told by a counselor in the past that when you have something happen, you count how many years you've experienced that, divide it in half, and that's about how long it takes to like be able to move on from that, to heal from that. And it was probably about that halfway mark that I really felt like I was ready to move on and I. The Lord was blessing me to move on and to be open to dating again. And there's a few people who presented themselves, and Christians and non-Christians and the non-Christians. I was like, well, you're gonna be wasting your time and you're gonna be wasting my time. Mm-hmm. Yeah. But. Even the Christians who presented themselves, they weren't, they still weren't the right ones that God wanted for me.[00:17:00] And I am grateful because the Lord really showed me to be more discerning. So fast forward, I one day was like, I've always been against. Online dating, meeting people through dating websites and stuff. But I was like done. I was tired of being single and crying my eyes out in my pillow every night and I said, Lord, I don't care I doing this. So I signed up for Christian Mingle that night, and the next day I met a friend of Dave's and we got together and. We kinda. Tested things out for a couple of months and it wasn't a right fit to. But during that time I met Dave. He was actually dating somebody else that he had met, ChristianMingle. And actually I met her on Plenty of Fish. [00:18:00] Oh, sorry. Free site. Well, you were on Christian Mingle though, so the free version. I paid. Alright anyway, so we would all hang out as a group of friends and his relationship ended. My relationship ended with his friend and. Fast forward about three, four months. It's December, and the guy I was dating, he was having a Mark Schultz concert at his church and he needed help and I was like, you need some help. So I'm like, I volunteered to help as concert because he really. Volunteers. And so it was when we were there that Dave in showed interest in me and inquired like, so what is going on between the two of you? And he gave his blessing for Dave to make his move. And whoa, Dave and I [00:19:00] was, he friended me on Facebook along with some other people I met at the church that night. So I was like, okay, whatever. It's just people that I've met. Friending me on Facebook. But then we would start chatting on Messenger for hours on end, and he would try flirting with me. And I was like, Dave, stop. You're like, you're flirting with me. Stop. And I would use his cheesy line, be like, Hey, I can't help it. I'm a Libra, I'm a hopeless romantic. What would you say, Dave? Give us one of your best lines here. I would just say she had a nice smile, just simple, flirty stuff, trying to make her laugh through Facebook Messenger. Yeah. I don't really even remember any of my deadlines. I honestly don't remember either. But fast forward, come March, he asks me to go to a concert. Oh, he is asking me out on a date, and I wasn't for that. And so I assume like a bunch of your guy friends are going and he is like, well, actually mm-hmm. [00:20:00] It's just one friend of mine, my sister, and I'm asking you, and I was like, crap. So I agreed to go and it was so awkward. How do I connect with these people? His sister ended up not going, so it was just me and his friend that he had started to improv the group with. And finally after the concert, his friend started talking about. Moody Radio, moody Church here in Chicago. Okay, here's a point of connection. Here's something to strike up a conversation. And so we started to converse about that and Dave was freaking out thinking, oh no, they're connecting, but we really weren't connecting like that. So he walks me to the train after I protested. 'cause the train was literally right across the street. I could walk myself and. It is Chicago is late at night. At night, [00:21:00] and you're not letting her walk by herself to the train. Mm-hmm. No. I've been to Chicago, but I'm not afraid of the city. So I've had plenty of experiences on my own and as a young kid in the city in some rough neighborhoods. So I am pretty confident. But anyway, I let him walk me to the train, and I have this anxiety about making sure I'm on the trains right away. And so I'm not missing my trains. So I get on this train and he's literally like, what? No hug. All right. So for context, I walked her all the way to the platform of the train. We're talking, and as soon as the doors opened, like literally as soon as they came apart, she was gone. No. So the lamest of lame ploys, I'm like. What, no hug. So she came back out, gave me the side bro hug, and then came back to the train. And here I am leaving this date thinking like, [00:22:00] man, I am in the friend zone. And then know what the friend zone is. So the next day we are talking on the phone and we're talking about this. Concert and what happened, and so to give some back info, the movie Courageous, if everyone has seen that at the end, they're doing the Father's Day speech and they're listing off all the I will declarations that they will do as fathers and men of the home and husbands. When that movie came out and I saw it, I was like, okay, Lord, whoever I marry really has to follow all of those declarations. And so we're on the phone discussing this date and at the, towards the end of the conversation, he starts saying all of these declarations. And he had never seen the movie. And so it was like literally God [00:23:00] was slapping me upside the head and I literally was on my couch like. Oh my. This is my husband. Well, okay Lord. So then it went from there. We dated for seven months, got engaged and got married seven months after our engagement. And now here we are eight years later. I propose at the end of church service. Yes, I had coordinated with, our pastor and I asked him to say, set it up as like a testimony stay. 'Cause it was two weeks before Thanksgiving, set it up as like, do you have any Thanksgiving testimonies? So a couple people shared and then when I realized that nobody was gonna go after, go next, I, that's when I started my testimony and then stood up to the platform and proposed and I was like, wow. Yeah, so, but it's funny though, because he stood up in his seat, well, not on his seat, from his seat, [00:24:00] and started to talk to the congregation, introducing himself and stuff. Okay. But then when he moved up to the front of the church, oh my gosh, Dave, this is not one of your comedy shows. You don't have to stand in front of everybody. You had no clue, huh? Yeah. And so one of the men in the church, he kind of thought it was funny too, and he is like, well, what is this? Like some kind of proposal happening. And as soon as he said that, I started backing up. 'cause I'm on the platform as part of the worship team. I interpreted. The worship in ASL. So I literally was backing up to the wall as far as I could go, and he starts his proposal and you hear the gasps and stuff, and I'm like, oh my goodness, because I'm not. Usually comfortable being center of attention and all [00:25:00] eyes were on me and I was no pressure freaking out. Were you happy that he proposed? Yes. And he will tell everybody that when he. I asked, will you marry me? That I never said yes, but I did several times with my head buried into his shoulder and in his ears. But what is true, I did not give her the ring. She snatched it out of the box. I did. But this is what is really cool. And so God ordained is the ring that he proposed with is his mom's ring. But it also happens to be the same exact ring that I used to look at in the old Sears and service merchandise catalogs when I was a kid. When I was a kid. Mm-hmm. So it was a sign that, yes, this really is of God and this, it really is your [00:26:00] husband. I've never heard that before. That is, yeah. That is something else. Yes. Wow. Years later, and I don't remember. You don't have any children, right? Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. Okay. We're working on it. Not right now though. Yeah. That'll drive up the ratings, the tmmi ratings, because it's been a few years. I didn't wanna assume, but sorry. No, we just go with it here. Yeah. And yeah, I can't make this stuff up. Right, right. Now you were doing the comedy, the improv, like part-time, right? And you were pastoring, weren't you, Dave? We were co children's pastors and have been together basically since we got married. And so that was, that's part-time unpaid volunteer here. [00:27:00] 'cause we've been at small churches. Mm-hmm. And building up rewards in heaven. Yes. Yeah. The economy was part-time and we get paid every once in a while, but it was never an income generator. So I've had a few different jobs that paid the bills, but what's different now is in October of 22, I got laid off and the Lord showed us through several circumstances that it was time to get into full-time ministry. And so this September we went through missions training and we are now a US missionary candidate. And we'll be doing what I've been doing in salt and light full time, which is working with survivors of trauma, using comedy and improv to unlock their creativity and their communication skills and remind them that it's okay to laugh, it's okay to, mm-hmm. Let your guard down and find joy in life. Yeah. So we've been working with specifically trafficking survivors, and the need is [00:28:00] they need to know that. There's hope for them and there is a future for them, and that their hope is in Jesus and that their future is in Jesus as well. So through the comedy, what we do is like the improv workshops with them, and through that we're able to break down the walls in their hearts and turn stone hearts into hearts of clay, and we're able to share the love of Jesus with them. And what's really awesome and was the unwritten benefit and the unwritten aspect is that I, I am a man coming in with these women who survived being abused and just put through literal hell on earth by men. So they're getting a chance to see that, number one, there are. Healthy men that you can trust. Mm-hmm. And also because we're married, Bobby's been able to come to a few of the workshops now, and they're [00:29:00] able to see that there is a possibility of a healthy marriage. And we get to model those things while we're also having fun and seeing God really break down a lot of walls. You lost your job in 2020. I lost my job in 2022 also. It's just amazing how God moves us in a different direction and it's definitely changed my life. And you might remember from our first conversation, Dave, that I was a missionary for 13 years Baptist ary as a church planter. Now that process of becoming a church planter, it's probably different than the process that you're going through to become missionaries, or you just went through candidate school and what does that look like? So it started in January with the application very in depth, had to find 10 references, which to me was like they're serious because especially for guys, we don't have that many close people. We're [00:30:00] just like, we have, Jesus had like really three close people. Mm-hmm. Then he had the 12 disciples, but he had three. And it's like, how am I supposed to have three times as many friends as Jesus, but we got the re re it calling people. Right? And this is Dave, um, Dave Ebert? Yeah. Yeah. The comedian. Oh no. Yeah, that, that's me. And so it was kind like trying to find a groomsman for the wedding. Calling up people from third grade, Hey, uh, what are you doing this weekend? What's your dad doing this? I heard from him for 10 years. Right. And usually when you hear somebody out of the blue after 10 years and they talk really friendly, usually they're trying to get you in some MLM. Right, right. Hey, hey, you wanna buy my tell you about what I'm doing? Yeah, exactly. Yeah. doTERRA unto others as you would have doTERRA unto you. But, so there's application [00:31:00] process and there were interviews with the head of missions, then interviews with the people who would be over my specific department. Several testing a lot of forms that fill out Yeah. Psych tests. Psych tests, psych tests, and then, yeah. Yeah. Make sure that. We can at least lie well enough to, no, I'm kidding. No, to make sure that we're ready because Yeah. When you walk out into full-time ministry, especially with missions where you're responsible for your own fundraising and support raising. It takes a toll and you have to be healthy. You have to be in a good position also. You have to be in a place where you're not like escaping the world to say, oh, I'm just gonna be a missionary and get away from stuff. Mm-hmm. So they do a very good job of vetting and making sure that you're healthy and ready. Yes. And then the candidate school, the orientation was six, 10 hour days of. Learning about fundraising, about how to, honor the [00:32:00] gifts that people give, and also the different rules and regulations that we have to follow because we are accountable to our home church, to our home district as well as to the national assemblies. So a lot of training, a lot of prep, a lot of numbers. And now we're hitting the road calling every pastor we know. The churches that we visited for fundraising with the comedy team, we're connecting with them and just asking them for support. Because what we're gonna do is we're serving organizations that don't have a budget to hire an improv coach. So we wanna go and serve them free of charge and just rely on the body of Christ to make sure that our cats don't go homeless. The goal is to also eventually open our own facility. Wow. So like a home, like a residential home? Yeah, like a residential facility for survivors, men, women and children. And to offer [00:33:00] them a comprehensive therapy as well as job training skills and things to get them on their feet so that once they're on the, in this place where they're ready to start over. If they're ready to start over and start building a life, instead of many trafficking victims when they come out of trafficking, unless they have an organization that walks in hand in hand, they either fall back into drugs, they fall back into that lifestyle again. Or worse, they fall into depression and impossible suicide because. They end up escaping, but they have a record. Yeah, because they're, they've probably been picked up by the police several times. They've also probably got a drug record because either the people that they were quote unquote working for or by their own desire to survive, they. End up on drugs, just trying to cope. Mm-hmm. In many cases, and courts really don't care why you're being arrested for being intoxicated or on drugs. [00:34:00] They just know that you are. And so that makes their lives really hard once they escape, because who's gonna help them? They've got a rap sheet, they've probably got no place decent to stay. Mm-hmm. They might have kids that are now in the system, so they have a lot stacked against them when they get out. We want to be another or be an organization that gives them all the tools they need to not only escape and survive, but to actually start to thrive. Mm-hmm. They can leave their past behind and it will be just a beautiful testimony to share of God's goodness that no matter what you're going through, God can redeem it and heal it. And, we wanna do our own facility here in Illinois and we also wanna reproduce what we're doing because. We believe it's valuable and it's unique, and it helps kind of fill in some of the gaps that traditional therapy might leave. Mm-hmm. Because a lot of the times these survivors have felt betrayed or felt like they can't trust people, [00:35:00] and so traditional therapy doesn't always work. It doesn't always help them free themselves from their past. Yeah. So when comedy is entered into the picture. We can kind of till that soil a little bit so that now therapy is a little bit easier because now the, some of the calluses and the walls are torn down. Yeah. So then you open doors for other types of healing methods once you get through that big block wall. Right. It's been amazing 'cause we've seen women open up publicly for the first time and share their stories where. Traditional therapies may not have worked in that way, if that makes sense. They find more freedom when they start to laugh. When you laugh in a room with other people, there's like this bond that happens where you feel safe because now you have all admitted something about yourselves. If you go to a comedy show and you hear a group of 500 strangers laughing, they're not strangers when they leave that comedy show because in the midst of that, [00:36:00] they laughed and admit they have something in common. And when you admit that you have something in common with 500 other people, now you don't feel alone. Now you feel a little bit of safety and we've seen these women, , find that they are, feel safe enough to share their story for the first time in any kind of a public setting. And as once you shed light on your pain and shed light on what you're struggling with, it doesn't seem quite as big and as daunting and shedding light on it allows you to give it to God and let him finish the healing. Like you say, the laughter is so powerful because it makes you feel good, and then the laughter makes you feel better because all those endorphins and the serotonin levels are. Where they're supposed to be. And you look on the world in a different perspective. It's crazy. Like I, 10 minutes ago I was depressed and now I think I'm gonna make it. And here's something I like to talk about is. When you laugh, when you have like a deep [00:37:00] laugh and you're like truly just enjoying the moment, you naturally lift your head up and automatically your eyes are lifting up. Mm-hmm. It's almost like it's a form of worship when you have a good laugh. Wow. Because you're looking up to where your help comes from. Wow. And. It's just a beautiful sign because when you're laughing you just, you're letting this energy go, whether it's stress or it's just, you're even fatigue. When you let it go, suddenly your shoulders lift up. Suddenly your blood pressure drops and you're reminded that there's more than what's here right in front of you. You lift your eyes up and you realize there's so much more, and that's just a beautiful thing to see. Let's also think about it. God is our father, and what good father doesn't take joy in laughing with his kids. And when you see a healthy father and child relationship, they have moments of giggles and cackles and tickle fights. So [00:38:00] what Good father him doesn't take joy in laughing and enjoying the presence of his kids. So I think that when we laugh. In those moments of where it's pure and it's just joy. He laughs with us. And I think that those, like I said, are moments of worship in a way because we're reminded of his goodness. Yes. God give us a gift. I think that. People outside the Christian community, they, they view us as fuddy daddies and stuffed shirts and that we don't ever have any fun. And we're serious all the time and we're about reading our Bibles and praying all the time and that we don't have any fun. But I like your perspective. Of showing the world that it is a gift from God. And we do have fun. And like I said earlier, talking about Jesus and the 12 disciples, you get a group of guys together that they're gonna goof off, they're gonna laugh. And the adoration that the disciples have for Jesus less Judas is [00:39:00] scar, the adoration. That does not happen when it's just a militant leader saying, thou shalt, there has to be moments of levity, moments of bonding, and pure joy. That's more than just. A rabbi teaching his students the love that they had, the love that they felt for him to be willing to die for him for his name. That doesn't happen in a military setting that happens in relationship where there's moments of levity and laughter, and I can't wait to eventually be and be in heaven and hear Jesus tell some jokes. That'd be amazing. Like why did you really call them Sons of Thunder? Right. Probably farting around the campfire. Ah, yes, exactly. Jesus. Pull my finger. Some people have like checked out at this point. Oh [00:40:00] man. Love it. I'm so glad you're gonna create a center as a goal in the future after the show, I definitely wanna give you some folks to connect with that. I know I've got a lot of connections, but we have the Dream Center here in Phoenix. Okay. And I've gone to a few of their fundraisers and they're an incredible place. They have this center for trafficked women and. And men, and we're very close to Mexico, so we get a lot of trafficked people here in Phoenix. And there'd be somebody to connect with for sure. 'cause they could show you how to create the facility and what not to do, and what to do and what they've learned. They create like apartments for these girls. They're like designer rooms. They're not just like bunks and dorms and stuff. I've seen these rooms. They're incredible. They treat the girls like they're princesses. It's really. Wonderful. And they do teach the skills of how not to go back on the streets and finding your worth in Jesus and your [00:41:00] value. You're not just a piece of meat to be used, you are a daughter of the king. And so yeah, I'll definitely give you their contact information. Do you know Mark Sowersby? Oh yeah. Mark. He's, he's been, uh, on my podcast before. He's a survivor. Yeah. Big time. So. I know that we talked about a lot of different things. Was there anything that we didn't cover today that you wanted to share with the audience? Yeah. So if the Lord is leading you and you feel like, feel like the Lord's saying, support this ministry and uh, give us the opportunity and the tools to go out and reach more survivors of trafficking. 'cause we're working in Chicago right now. And there, there's a plenty of harvest there, but there's also other places that we want to serve as well. Yes. You can go to, partners.gifts fork glory.com and that'll take you right to the, ag website where our, page is. And you can log in and, or you can sign in as a donor. And if you can do one time gift, [00:42:00] if you can do a monthly gift, or if you wanna do the faith promise, which is just your promise between you and the Lord of what you're. Willing to commit to support us. Anything is gonna help us get there. The website is partners.gifts for glory.com and whatever the Lord puts on your heart is gonna be, well appreciated and is gonna be used to serve many survivors. And you know, part of what we're doing is also doing podcasts. 'cause we wanna raise awareness that this is an issue. Mm-hmm. And we are hoping that between working with survivors. Doing advocacy by going, on podcasts or media that eventually we'll work ourselves out of a job and that there will be no more trafficking, there'll be no more slavery. That would be the biggest blessing of all is if we could work hard enough and the Lord would move enough that we would see an end to it. Mm, amen. Yeah. Even if you don't have the money right now to support. Dave and Bobby, you can definitely share this episode. Tell your friends [00:43:00] about the ministry. I definitely have that in the show notes, and we're gonna share the podcast episode like crazy and anything else you wanted to share. If you're listening or watching, be sure to subscribe to the wounds of the Faithful. Check every episode out and I'll go back and see how much I've changed in the last two years since the first time I was on. Yeah, I'm gonna put the episode of Dave's testimony, his story in the show notes, so you guys can just click on that and listen to that. This was great. Had a lot of fun and laughter and learn some things, and you guys are always welcome to come back on the show and give us an update. Absolutely. To see how you're doing and when you open your center up in the future someday. Then I'm gonna come and cut the ribbon. Absolutely. I've been in Chicago a few times. It's a nice city, so God bless you guys, and we wish you the very best. Thank you so much for having [00:44:00] us. Yes, Diana, thank you so much for having us. We love you and we love the show. Love you guys too. Thank you for listening to the Wounds of the Faithful Podcast. If this episode has been helpful to you, please hit the subscribe button and tell a friend you could connect with us at DSW Ministries dot org. Where you'll find our blog, along with our Facebook, Twitter, and our YouTube channel links. Hope to see you next week.    

Show Summarywith Lesa Shaw, an experienced Indigenous consultant and community leader with more than 30 years of service across Tribal, federal, state, and municipal sectors. Lesa and I talk about PsychArmor's effort to develop training materials through their effort supporting Native American and Alaska Native Veterans and Service Members. Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health. About Today's GuestLesa Shaw is a tribal leader, public-health consultant, and advocate dedicated to improving health outcomes for Native and Tribal communities, especially Native American veterans. She holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Oklahoma. Over her career, Lesa has held multiple roles across federal, state, tribal, and local government. She has served as a contracting officer and practice manager with the Indian Health Service, worked as a health-policy analyst for tribes, and served as a municipal-level elected official in the city of Shawnee at the request of the central tribes. In tribal service, Lesa has worked to bridge cultural traditions and modern health policy — advocating for culturally respectful care that honors tribal identity and heritage while addressing systemic inequalities in access to care. More recently, she has been part of the advisory committee of PsychArmor 's Native American & Alaska Native Veterans Health & Wellness initiative — helping guide efforts to make veteran care more culturally informed and supportive of Native and Tribal peoples. Lesa remains deeply committed to amplifying the voices of Native veterans and their families, building trust between tribal communities and federal care systems, and laying the groundwork for long-term, culturally grounded health equity.Links Mentioned During the EpisodeBTM214 – Dr. Melita “Chepa” RankBTM 220 – CSM(R) Julia KellyBTM222 – Dean DauphinaisPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor course course Understanding the VA for Caregivers. This course helps caregivers navigate and better utilize the services of the VA – the largest integrated healthcare system in the country. The content for this course was developed collaboratively with a working group of various VA Departments. You can find the resource here:  https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/understanding-the-va-for-caregivers-2 Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on XPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

In this episode, Nancy reads directly from Chapter 11 of her book From Trauma to Trust: The Making of a Messenger—a piercing and timely section titled The Esau Syndrome. As we continue in the Birthright or Bitterness series, this episode goes beyond emotional healing to expose how uncrucified independence, unresolved conflict, and false forms of forgiveness open the door to deception, torment, and spiritual stagnation. Nancy shares not just her personal story, but a prophetic message for the church—one that calls us to stop settling for lesser healing and step into the full justice, satisfaction, and freedom of the finished work of the cross. This is not about performance, it's about participation in Christ's life and love. If you are ready to stop nursing your wounds and start walking in your birthright, this episode is for you. Thanks for Listening! I hope that after listening to The Tent Talk Podcast, you'll want to start discussions with your team or small group. These resources can help guide your discipleship journey to maturity and destiny with the Father: Episode Notes & Conversation Guide DOWNLOAD HERE https://nancymccready.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/EPISODE-1000-Birthright-or-Bitterness-5.0.pdf LINKS The Devotional Podcast with Nancy McCready https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2hHjwQ_3Qrp1rhbR9nu68wnBtQY0IHzc The Producer's Way School theproducersway.com Nancy's book, From Trauma to Trust www.amazon.com/dp/B096ZML6R3/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION Every journey begins with a conversation, join us on social media to get started! Facebook: www.facebook.com/nbmccready Instagram: www.instagram.com/nbmccready/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nancymccreadyministries SUBSCRIBE Like what you hear? Subscribe to Tent Talk with Nancy McCready so you don't miss an episode! nancymccready.com/podcast/ ABOUT NANCY MCCREADY Nancy McCready is redefining discipleship across nations, cultures, and denominations. Through Nancy McCready Ministries, she partners with leaders to build deep, transformative discipleship cultures that provoke people to walk in freedom and live as mature sons of the Father. Her powerful message comes from her journey of overcoming abuse, addiction, and self-destruction to walk in true freedom. She now dedicates her life to helping others grow in intimacy with the Father and live unto Him. ABOUT TENT TALK PODCAST Tent Talk with Nancy McCready is a listener-funded podcast dedicated to helping Christians along their journey of a deeper walk with Christ. With the support of donors like you, we are able to help our listeners gain a deeper spiritual understanding and connection with the Father. Thank you for your support of the Tent Talk Podcast! nancymccready.com/giving/ Brought to you by Nancy McCready Ministries nancymccready.com/

Have you ever experienced the pain of longing, praying, and hoping for something, only to have it slip through your fingers? In this message, Pastor Caleb unpacks Luke 1:5-25, exploring the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, a couple who were righteous and faithful, yet suffered decades of silent longing and unanswered prayers. Discover the powerful truth that God hears your prayers even when He seems silent, and how His loving discipline is an invitation back to belief. In this sermon, you'll learn: - The Nature of True Faith: Zechariah and Elizabeth were described as blameless and righteous before God. This meant they had inward integrity and were the same person in private as they were in public. - The Tension of the Christian Life: You can be Godly and disappointed, righteous and barren, or blameless and brokenhearted. Faithfulness does not exempt you from heartache. - Two Temptations in the Waiting Room: When you're trying to live faithfully but suffering silently, be careful not to fall into feeling defeated (thinking your pain is payback for sin) or entitled (treating God like a transactional rewards program). - God's Silence is Not His Absence: Even when we feel like He doesn't, God hears our prayers. God broke the personal silence for Zechariah and Elizabeth and the prophetical silence for His people. - The Danger of Unbelief and Discipline as Grace: Zechariah's doubt (unbelief) prompted a loving discipline: nine months of silence. For a genuine follower of Jesus, discipline is not punishment (which was finished on the cross) but a form of grace—an invitation to step back into love and obedience. - The Ultimate Joy of Christmas: The greatest joy Zechariah and Elizabeth found was not in having a child, but in God remembering His people and finally sending His Savior, Jesus Christ. Key Topics Covered: - The Messengers Series: Kicking off the Christmas series by looking at the first messengers of Christmas, specifically the angel Gabriel. - A Personal Story of Loss and Hope: Pastor Caleb's story of naming his stillborn son Gabriel, "God's Messenger of Hope," after the angel. - The Spiritually Dry Season: Zechariah and Elizabeth lived during a 400-year gap where God did not send a prophet or a fresh word. - The Parallel with Elijah: Gabriel's message announced that Zechariah's son, John, would come in the spirit and power of Elijah, paving the way for the long-awaited Savior. - The Consequences of Doubt: Zechariah's questioning, "HOW shall I know this?", revealed a heart full of cynicism, in contrast to Mary's heart of faith. - Discipline and Discipleship: God uses discipline (like a job loss or a hard marriage season) to form us into the image of His Son, teaching us humility and perseverance. - If you are currently feeling stuck in a "waiting room" of life, struggling with doubt, or experiencing a season of discipline, this message will encourage you to trust God's loving heart and respond to the message of hope in Jesus. - Would you like me to share one of the specific application points from the sermon on how to respond to God's voice in a season of discipline or unbelief?

Steven welcomes Professor Nic Panagopoulos from the department of English Literature and Culture at the University of Athens, Greece, to discuss evidence that the works of Shakespeare were heavily influenced by the Greek masters of philosophy and drama. Support the show by picking up official Don't Quill the Messenger merchandise at www.dontquillthepodcast.com and becoming a Patron at http://www.patreon.com/dontquillthemessenger  Made possible by Patrons: Clare Jaget, Courtney L, David Neufer, Deduce, Earl Showerman, Edward Henke, Ellen Swanson, Frank Lawler, Garrett Jackson, Heidi, James Warren, Jen Swan, John Creider, John Eddings, Jon Foss, Kara Elizabeth Martin, Michael Hannigan, Neal Riesterer, Patricia Carrelli, quizzi, Richard Wood, Sandi Boney, Sheila Kethley, Stephen Hopkins, Teacher Mallory, Tim Norman, Tim Price, Vanessa Lops, Yvonne Don't Quill the Messenger is a part of the Dragon Wagon Radio independent podcast network. For more great podcasts visit www.dragonwagonradio.com

Proclaim The Gospel(2 Timothy 4:1-22)For the bulletin in PDF form, click here.Message SlidesCome Before Winter - Chuck SwindollClosing Thoughts on 2 Timothy - StottThe Needs of the Needy - Chuck SwindollMortality - J.I. PackerI solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction. (4:1-2) NASBThe Proclamation of Scripture Commanded (4:1-8) Because we are the next generation, Serve in your SHAPE.Authority: God & Christ (4:1)Charge: Preach the Word (4:2)Preach: Declaration (κηρύσσω) “herald”Be Ready: Preparation (ἐφίστημι) “stand beside”Rebuke: Confrontation (ἐλέγχω) “have words”Reprove: Raising the Issue (ἐπιτιμάω) “make it important”Exhort: Partnering (παρακαλέω) “come alongside”Patience: Long Range View (μακροθυμία) “stay until results come”Teaching: Instruction (διδαχή) “give information well”Need: Sound Doctrine (4:3-5)Need: Paul's Death (4:6-8)Personal Desire: "Come before winter…” (4:9)Paul's Personal Situation: Alone & Not Alone (4:10-18)Final Greeting & Request (4:19-21)Benediction (4:22)God designed the church to proclaim the Word of Godto the very end of our lives—regardless of reception—because the Lord will return to judge the living and the dead.Home Church QuestionsThe Charge (4:1–2)What might it look like to be “ready in season and out of season” in your daily life or ministry? Have you even ministered when not ready?How have you seen the responsiveness of people to the message of the Bible change during your lifetime?The Message, The Means, and the Messenger (4:2)How do “patience” and “instruction” balance out the confrontational aspects of ministry?How can you cultivate a long-range view (“stay until results come”) when people seem resistant to the truth?The Model of a Faithful Finisher (4:6–8)What does it mean to have “fought the good fight” and “kept the faith”?How does the promise of the “crown of righteousness” motivate endurance today? Does it really motivate you personally?The Personal Heart of a Servant (4:19–22)What does this tell us about the importance of relationships?How can we finish our years with the same grace, hope, and focus Paul displayed?Pray for the Unreached: The Tiwa of IndiaThese people of northeastern India live between the hills and plains of Assam and Meghalaya, blending tribal customs with Hindu traditions. Many still worship local gods, though a few have embraced Christ. Their openness and love of festivals, including Christmas, show hearts ready for truth. Pray that Tiwa believers will rise up to disciple others, that their leaders will recognize Jesus as the true source of life, and that a vibrant movement to Christ will take root among them.FinancesWeekly Budget 34,615Giving For 11/16 24,985Giving For 11/23 29,630YTD Budget 726,923Giving 672,902 OVER/(UNDER) (54,021) Fellowship 101New to Fellowship? We invite you to join us on Sunday, January 11th, at 9 AM in the conference room (first floor) to hear about our mission, values, and ministries. During this time, you will meet some of our ministry leaders and get to ask questions. Register at fellowshipconway.org/register. This is an important step in getting connected at Fellowship. New to Fellowship?We are so glad that you chose to worship with our Fellowship Family this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect Card” and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift. Fellowship Women's Potluck and P.J.'sLadies, grab your cozy PJs, a dish to share, and join us for a fun night together on Thursday, December 4th, from 6–8 p.m. at 11 Skyland Dr. (home of Amy McKissack). Come with a friend or make a new one — it's going to be a relaxed evening of food, laughter, and great company! Join a Home ChurchHome Church small groups are about building a deep community where we are transformed into the image of Christ and serve a broken world for the sake of the gospel. If you are not in a Home Church, we encourage you go to fellowshipconway.org/homechurch or stop by the Connection table in the Atrium. Men's Discussion GroupMen's Discussion Group is tackling C.S. Lewis' The Great Divorce starting Thursday, December 4th from 6-8pm. Through fable and allegory, Lewis dreams he's on a bus between Hell and Heaven—a wild setup for compelling conversations. All men are welcome. Widows' Christmas Party Luncheon - Thursday, December 11th Join us for a special time of food, friendship, and Christmas fun! We'll gather at Ambra's home (3680 Gresham Dr) to enjoy lunch and celebrate the season together. Please RSVP by Monday, December 1 to: Judy: (501) 329-3535 or Ambra: (501) 730-6795. Fellowship Women's Hebrews Bible StudyThis February, join us for Jesus Is Greater—an eight-week Bible study through the book of Hebrews created to deepen your faith, renew your hope, and connect you with other women pursuing Jesus. Led by Rebecca Carter and Heather Harrison, we'll meet on Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m., beginning February 3rd at Fellowship. Free childcare by texting Shanna at 501-336-0332 by January 28th. Register at fellowshipconway.org/women.OCC Celebration | December 14We're celebrating the thousands of Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes already packed—each one a Gospel opportunity placed into the hands of a child! Fellowship's goal is 8,200 boxes this year; however, we are a bit shy. Good news, there's still time to hit our goal by packing a box online! Every shoebox built online is $30, which includes shipping, and counts towards the 8,200. Go to https://sampur.se/4fGM4EO Let's finish strong together—let's hit 8,200! Men's Fellowship BreakfastJoin us on Wednesday, December 10, at 6:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Atrium for a great morning of food, fellowship, and encouragement. No sign-up is required—just bring your Bible and come ready to enjoy breakfast, connect with other men, and start your day with prayer and Biblical insight. Questions? Contact Michael at mharrison@fellowshipconway.org.

Sunday, November 30, 2025 - Luke 1:5-25 | The first week of Advent centers on hope. In this message we will see how hope manifests itself in the birth of the one who would proclaim the coming of our Savior. 

Are you ready for God to show up and change your heart this Christmas?In this Advent sermon, Pastor Adam Burton shows how God invites ordinary people into His incredible plans and calls us to prepare our hearts for Jesus. Through the message of Malachi, we learn that when God comes near, He purifies us like a refiner's fire and leads us into true worship. This message helps us slow down, make room for Jesus, and let Him shape our hearts for a joyful and meaningful Christmas season. Central Baptist Church is located in the heart of Maysville, Kentucky. We invite you to join our community and explore our services and programs. For more information, visit our website at ⁠cbcmaysville.com⁠. If you're new or want to get connected, please fill out our digital connection card at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://⁠cbcmaysville.com/connect⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.-------------------------Key Passage: Malachi 3:1-4Series: Come & SeeSpeaker: Pastor Adam BurtonLocation: Central Baptist Church, Maysville, Kentucky-------------------------Connect with Us:⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠-------------------------Subscribe for more biblical teaching and encouragement:⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠Podcasts⁠⁠⁠-------------------------Timestamps:0:00 - Opening0:30 - Introduction3:24 - God Promises a Messenger to Prepare the Way9:29 - God's Coming Brings Purification17:56 - God's Goal Is Worship That Pleases Him24:53 - Conclusion29:25 - Closing

Darren Carlson | Malachi | November 30, 2025