Podcasts about mom

What happens when you see behind the curtain of labor and delivery?In this episode, I speak with Rylee, a young mother who chose to freebirth her first child after working inside the hospital system. From the vantage point of the “business of birth,” Rylee began to question everything she thought she knew about pregnancy. That unraveling brought her face-to-face with the deep dissonance between what she was told was “right” and what her body knew was true.Carrying that knowing into her own pregnancy, she made the radical choice to step away from the system entirely. Rylee shares what it was like to work as a self-described “fearmongering phlebotomist,” to quit, and then to bring her baby earthside in her own power.Her story is one of unlearning, reclaiming, and discovering the strength that emerges when a woman finally trusts herself.What You'll Hear:Why Rylee walked away from working in a hospitalWhat it feels like to stand up to doctors and refuse routine proceduresThe hidden link between hospital “convenience” and high C-section ratesWhy even trusted OBs and familiar clinics can still feel wrongHow she found her rhythm and delivered her baby in a birth pool at homeThe joy of her birth: laughing while pushing, with her mother and husband as witnessesTimestamps:[00:00] Introduction[09:03] Starting to question the hospital method and learning about freebirth[15:45] Climbing out of the system and trusting her instincts[19:57] Defying the doctors and reclaiming her sovereignty[28:15] Realizing that the hospital is a business[36:37] Choosing who she wanted at her freebirth[38:14] The psychedelic moment before labor began[45:40] Moving into the second day of labour, feeling tired, and calling her Mom[48:47] Exhausted, in a trance, and roaring through the portal of labor[51:32] Finding her rhythm and bringing her baby earth side in the pool[58:19] Getting out of the pool, the first cuddles, and delivering the placentaIf you want to connect more with Rylee, follow her on Instagram.Watch Rylee's birth video here.Find more from Emilee on Instagram, YouTube and the Free Birth Society website.Disclaimer: Free Birth Society, LLC of North Carolina shares personal and educational stories and experiences related to freebirth and holistic care. This content is not medical advice, and we are not a licensed midwifery practice. Testimonials reflect individual experiences; results may vary. For services or scheduling, contact info@freebirthsociety.com. See full disclaimer at freebirthsociety.com/youtubeterms.

DAY 20: Healing the Two Blind Men Welcome to the Gospel in a Year on the Catholic Sprouts Podcast. In this episode we are reading Matthew 9:27-38   To get the most out of this journey through the Gospels, we suggest you PRINT THE GOSPEL IN A YEAR NOTEBOOK. It's free and ready for you right here --->  http://catholicsprouts.com/the-gospels-in-a-year-on-the-catholic-sprouts-podcast   Thank you for joining us! Come Lord Jesus!

DAY 19: Healing the Paralytic Welcome to the Gospel in a Year on the Catholic Sprouts Podcast. In this episode we are reading Matthew 9:1-26   To get the most out of this journey through the Gospels, we suggest you PRINT THE GOSPEL IN A YEAR NOTEBOOK. It's free and ready for you right here --->  http://catholicsprouts.com/the-gospels-in-a-year-on-the-catholic-sprouts-podcast   Thank you for joining us! Come Lord Jesus!

Send us a textIn this episode Luke sits down with Mike Murray, the head of Green Ops Carolina to talk about the classes coming to NC.  We discuss his back ground as a former operator, what we are trying to do in NC and what classes we are planning on offering.  Please like, subscribe and share to help us grow the podcast.Check out our YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/c/GreenOpsInc Follow us on Instagram:Green Ops Podcast - Green_ops_podcastGreen Ops - greenopsincLuke - Green_Ops_LukeDex - Green_Ops_DexLove you Mom!

0:00 Intro 0:12 Mom again 7:27 Transportation 12:42 Cats 15:26 Notice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of For The Dads with Former NFL Linebacker Will Compton, hosts Will and Sherm discuss Will shaving his head for the Bussin Bowl Bet, breakdown Will’s Dad Loss from his week alone, and dive into some amazing comments from PT6 —all while keeping the episode fun, light and of course, under an hour. The episode kicks off with the guys talking about Will’s Bald Head before they dive into some hilarious conversations, including: A pop-in from Former NFL Lineman Taylor Lewan Recapping the Bussin Bowl & Sherm’s Wife's Birthday Party Revealing what it takes to get in the Clean Plate Club (CPC) Other highlights include: A hilarious call in blaming the wall-drawings on a special guest Two legendary quotes to get you through the week

Baseball Bots, NASA's Newest, Presidential Gridlock, Teen's Everest Dream, Constitutional First, Styles Goes Stealth & Don't Mess with Mom!

How to Restore Balance in the Life of a Teacher If you've been feeling like life as a teacher has knocked you off your feet, like you're barely keeping it together between lesson plans, responsibilities at home, and the whispers of doubt, you're not alone. Whether you're in a hard season, feeling burned out, or wondering if there's more to this calling, this episode is here to remind you of one simple truth: you were never meant to do this alone. Today, I'm sharing how the foundation of faith and intentional action can help you find your footing again. Because true stability doesn't come from control, a perfect curriculum, or a better schedule. It comes from something deeper. And if you're searching for a better life of a teacher, it starts here with one faithful step forward. In this episode, you'll learn: How to navigate the chaos and restore balance in the life of a teacher Why teacher work life balance begins with faith and intentional focus What it means to teach in a new season (and how to know when it's time) Practical steps for shifting from classroom exhaustion to renewed purpose How to trust God's provision when you're feeling unsure or unqualified Links Mentioned in this Episode about Life of a Teacher:  Teacher Life: Reinvented Facebook Group From Lesson Plan to Front Page Webinar CEO Teacher® Resources Worth Their Weight in Gold You're already a wealth of knowledge! You're a teacher after all. You've got the skills, the passion, and the creativity to build a thriving online business. You may just not yet know what you want to create or how to get started.    If that's you- First things first:  Grab the “Start or Expand Your Teacher Business” workbook. It's your roadmap to success! This isn't just another worksheet to fill your Google Drive downloads folder– it's your personalized blueprint for getting started building a profitable online business.   Now if you are a seasoned CEO Teacher® who has all the systems in place, has started showing up, and is still feeling overwhelmed with all the tasks and to-dos of building your teaching legacy? No problem! Let's break it down together.    Your first step is to understand your CEO Teacher® Type, and all the goodness and inspiration that comes along with your already remarkable skill set! Take the 2 Minute quiz here so we can navigate the hard parts together!   And if leveling up your knowledge with books is your love language, I have a whole library shelf of goodness just for you! CEO Teacher® Book List Ready to connect with a community of inspiring educators? Join the conversation! Instagram: Tag me @theceoteacher and let's chat about your edupreneur journey. No topic is off limits, and it's always a party in the DM's- just sayin'   Podcast: Subscribe on iTunes and never miss an episode. This is your weekly go-to for all things teacher business, marketing, and mindset…   Leave a Review: Help other teachers discover the CEO Teacher® Podcast and lean into their teacher magic!   Join The Community: The CEO Teacher's Lounge is a community for ANY educator building an online business who doesn't want to do it alone. kaysemorris.com/patreon   Let's make your teacher dreams a reality!   P.S. Check out our latest CEO Teacher® Podcast episodes and blog posts for more inspiration and actionable advice. Navigating Life as a Part Time Teacher, Mom, and CEO Teacher® with Kayla Collins It's Time Your CEO Teacher® Journey Brought You Limitless Success The Mindset Shift that Changed My Life as a CEO Teacher®   P.P.S. Don't forget to grab your free bag of virtual teacher goodies and start making your mark online!   I believe in you! YOUR best is yet to come! Kayse

DAY 18: Calming the Storm Welcome to the Gospel in a Year on the Catholic Sprouts Podcast. In this episode we are reading Matthew 8:14-34   To get the most out of this journey through the Gospels, we suggest you PRINT THE GOSPEL IN A YEAR NOTEBOOK. It's free and ready for you right here --->  http://catholicsprouts.com/the-gospels-in-a-year-on-the-catholic-sprouts-podcast   Thank you for joining us! Come Lord Jesus!

  SUBSCRIPTION INTERFACE   You can now find our subscription page at GeorgeHrab.com at this link. Many thanks to the majestic Evo Terra for his assistance.   THE SHOW NOTES   Kansas & One Million Flights Intro No Lefty Tennis Players Interesting Fauna      - Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo         (Dendrolagus goodfellowi) Cultish by Amanda Montell Ask George      - Music for Kids? from John H. Religious Moron of the Week      - Father Alberto Ravagnani Tell Me Something Good      - Uber drive to the ER and beyond… Show Close .........................   Mentioned in the Show   Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo Charles Cornell: Eleven Twelve .........................   Get George's Music Here  https://georgehrab.hearnow.com https://georgehrab.bandcamp.com ................................... SUBSCRIBE! You can sign up at GeorgeHrab.com and become a Geologist or a Geographer. As always, thank you so much for your support! You make the ship go. ................................... Sign up for the mailing list: Write to Geo! Check out Geo's wiki page, thanks to Tim Farley. Have a comment on the show, a Religious Moron tip, or a question for Ask George? Drop George a line and write to Geo's Mom, too!

Have you ever wondered how you'd know if what you're experiencing after childbirth is “normal” or something more serious like postpartum depression?In this honest episode of the Collide Podcast, we sit down with Therapist Rachael Elmore to talk about her journey through postpartum depression and how she found healing. She shares about the bravery it took to ask for help, the emotional and spiritual needs of new moms, and the importance of not walking this road alone. Whether you're a new parent feeling overwhelmed, someone supporting a loved one, or simply curious about the realities of postpartum mental health, this episode will remind you that hope and healing are possible.Meet Rachael ElmoreRachael is a licensed clinical mental health counselor supervisor, award-winning author, and expert speaker with more than 20 years of experience in the counseling field. After overcoming postpartum depression herself in 2012, she wrote the book she wished had been available to her: A Mom is Born: Biblical Wisdom and Practical Advice for Taking Care of Yourself and Your New Baby. Rachael owns a thriving counseling practice in Charlotte, NC, and has helped thousands of people navigate parenthood. She is passionate about encouraging men and women to pursue emotional health and to walk by faith even in seasons of struggle. Her story is a powerful example of resilience, courage, and faith in the midst of hardship.In This Episode, You'll LearnWhat postpartum depression can look like and how to spot the signsWhy it takes courage to ask for help and why that bravery mattersHow the transition into motherhood impacts mental, emotional, and spiritual healthWhy community and support are vital for new parentsPractical wisdom and biblical encouragement for moms navigating the postpartum seasonHow This Episode Will Encourage YouIf you've ever felt overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure of how to navigate the transition into motherhood, this episode will give you both hope and help. You'll be reminded that you don't have to do it alone, and that with support, faith, and honesty, healing is possible.Check Out These Resources Inspired by This EpisodeCollide Counseling Bundle – An online course that addresses 12 of the most common struggles women bring to counseling, this bundle offers practical tools, expert guidance, and encouragement from licensed mental health professionals. Complete with a beautifully designed printed workbook mailed to your door, it provides exercises, reflection space, and resources to support your emotional and spiritual healing.Connect with Rachael - Website | Instagram | FacebookBook - A Mom is BornConnect with Willow - Website | Instagram | FacebookFollow and Support Collide

In which the Musical Man gives a girl scout, the creepy old guy, and his dead Mom the fright of their lives for absolutely no reason at all. Donate today via Patreon: patreon.com/musicalmanpod / Podbean: musicalmanpod.podbean.com / Email: musicalmanpod@gmail.com

On this week's episode of Mom's Car we welcome none other than the Duchess of Duluth, Monica Padman. Dax, Monica, and Best Friend Aaron Weakley talk through the most tempted they've been to sample their own wares, a definitely real, meet-cute write-in question that could have been a full-circle big twist, why Monica's kink is sick men and tasty food, a historic review of pubic hair styles, and whether there's something unattractive or scary about a partner being totally immersed in a new pursuit.#sponsored by @Allstate. Go to https://bit.ly/momscar to check Allstate first and see how much you could save on car insurance.Follow Mom's Car on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch new content on YouTube or listen to Mom's Car ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/plus now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When do parents get to rest?! Ever?! Did my Mom get her Fedex driver fired?!! Jimmy Mack hates the new robot vacuum Jimmy Mack vs. Jimmy Kimmel Become a Certified Fan! Help support the podcast and get our Thursday show, More Mama's Boy!  Chip in on Mama Nancy's birthday massage here! Adopt An Episode! Want to show us a little extra love? Adopt an Episode and get a personal shoutout in an upcoming show! This episode was adopted by the amazing Queen Pam of Georgia! Thank you!! A special thank you to our Boy-lievers for your extra support of our show: Angela P, Donald S, Queen Pam, Karissa R, Lisa H, Michele K, Tina U, Candy Z, Karen W, & Alexandra T.! Listen to my other podcast, “Kramer and Jess Uncensored”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DAY 17: Healing the Centurion's Servant Welcome to the Gospel in a Year on the Catholic Sprouts Podcast. In this episode we are reading Matthew 8:1-13 To get the most out of this journey through the Gospels, we suggest you PRINT THE GOSPEL IN A YEAR NOTEBOOK. It's free and ready for you right here ---> http://catholicsprouts.com/the-gospels-in-a-year-on-the-catholic-sprouts-podcast   Thank you for joining us! Come Lord Jesus!

Back by popular demand, my only recurring guest, Andrew Harrington, graces the studio on wheels in this travel pod discussing summer on the first day of fall.Listen as my husband, co-townie, BFF4E, producer and attorney talk smoothies, summer camp drops, Michigan summers, McDonald's lately, fireworks foibles, bike riding, rain, rain, rain, having NFL players over for dinner and concerts. This episode is sandwiched in between some very serious and difficult topics as a way to reset and smile.Emily Harrington, here! Mom, wife, retired communications liaison and host of the HyperLocal(s) Podcast. Each week I bring you a pod where townies and transplants share their tales of tears and triumphs, losses and wins. In an effort to provide a way for those that don't want a public podcast, but still have a story to tell friends and family, I've created, In Retrospect: A HyperLocal(s) Project, a private podcast. Visit hyperlocalscu.com/in-retrospectThank you so much for listening! However your podcast host of choice allows, please positively: rate, review, comment and give all the stars! Don't forget to follow, subscribe, share and ring that notification bell so you know when the next episode drops! Also, search and follow hyperlocalscu on all social media. If I forgot anything or you need me, visit my website at HyperLocalsCU.com. Byee.

This week we celebrate Stacey's bday with one of her faves, Mom and Dad, starring a bug-eyed Nic Cage! Hey, why not call us on our hotline? (724) 246-4669! Check out the other Compañeros Radio Network shows: Movie Melt Songs on Trial Get Soft with Dr Snuggles Ballbusters Movies About Girls Classic In Search of the Perfect Podcast

Jimmy Kimmel returns Tonight and we have the latest details on what we know, plus who will NOT be airing the return. Also a man trying to serve Taylor Swift deposition papers jumps fence at Travis' house and gets arrested and Reese Witherspoon talks about what it was like being a young Mom in Hollywood. Also a Re-Kendalling romance in the works??Also some local stories that we are loving. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Bardown Breakdown, hosts Tommy V, Mikey, and Justin are joined by Billy Mannino from Two Worlds Recording Studio. They dive into the intricacies of music production, the challenges of running a label, and the importance of community in the music scene. Billy shares insights on his journey, the evolution of his production style, and the exciting projects he's working on, including collaborations with emerging bands.Intro Music Courtesy of Overthinker: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5iQ2tyRloyNp6Yjd5sv73CPower chords and crashing boards. Mikey, Tom, and Justin talk music, hockey, and anything else that gets in their way. Tom and Mikey are lifelong friends that grew up on Long Island during the glory days of alternative music where our local bands were As Tall As Lions, Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, Bayside, The Sleeping, Envy on the Coast, you get the point. We spent many nights together at The Downtown, catching any pop-punk, indie, hardcore, or emo band that came through. This was not a phase, Mom! Fast forward 20 years and we are still just as passionate about the scene as we were during our girl jeans and youth XL band tees days. Tom and Mikey are diehard New York Islanders fans, but Justin (Bolts fan) likes to remind us that we are #notanislespodcast. As we got older we realized we can like more than one thing and running beside our love for music has always been our love for hockey. We have realized we are not alone in this thinking, actually there are many of us that love these two things! This podcast explores just how connected they are!NEW EPISODE EVERY TUESDAY! SUBSCRIBE SO YOU NEVER MISS A GREAT INTERVIEW!#poppunk #punk #emo #hardcore #hockey #nhl #podcast #elderemo #bardownbreakdown #bardownbreakfest

Mom of the week, Dad of the week, never happened story and more selfish people not getting their way and writing bad reviews to hurt businesses.

DAY 16: The Golden Rule Welcome to the Gospel in a Year on the Catholic Sprouts Podcast. In this episode we are reading Matthew 7:1-29   To get the most out of this journey through the Gospels, we suggest you PRINT THE GOSPEL IN A YEAR NOTEBOOK. It's free and ready for you right here ----> ://catholicsprouts.com/the-gospels-in-a-year-on-the-catholic-sprouts-podcast   Thank you for joining us! Come Lord Jesus!      

The Red Sox blew the series finale with a chance to sweep for the 6th time since the All-Star break. -Bullpen Management -Kyle Hudson -Still Doing Dumbs -Can't Score With Bases Loaded -Crochet Home Runs -Wild-Card Series Rotation -Also Won Two Games NEW MERCH: https://section10merch.com Use promo code “Jared” to get up to $1000 in bonus credits AND a special pick on Underdog! PLAY HERE: https://play.underdogfantasy.com/pc-d2PyPbHAPu Get Blue Moon Light delivered by visiting https://get.bluemoonbeer.com/JARED for delivery options. This episode of Section 10 is sponsored by BetterHelp. Talk it out, with BetterHelp.Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://BetterHelp.com/ROCKET #ad Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to https://joindeleteme.com/SECTION10 and use promo code SECTION10 at checkout. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code SECTION10 for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. 0:00 - Another Blown Finale 24:25 - Can't Score With Bases Loaded 29:00 - Last Night's Tied In The 8th 30:05 - Extremely Frustrating Loss 32:00 - We're Gonna Suffer 33:00 - Hudson Grabs Bregman 40:00 - 7pm Saturday Games 49:45 - We Also Won Two Games 53:19 - Game 1, Garrett Crochet 1:08:00 - Kyle Harrison 1:15:30 - Duran Big Swing 1:24:00 - Breggy Movie Clips 1:30:15 - Tatum With Roman & Celo 1:30:58 - Taikus 1:34:35 - T's Mom's Birthday 1:36:30 - House Of Blues, Game 1 WC 1:42:43 - Jared's Neighbor Update 1:46:30 - Justin Slaten 2:00:00 - KKSMVP 2:11:55 - Stop & Shop Look Ahead 2:19:55 - Weather Look Ahead 2:35:40 - Predictions 2:39:45 - Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ellen and Mom discuss the carriage rides, castles, and cleaning in Hardly a Gentleman by Eloisa James.  Plus, Disneyland and a vagina monologue!Come hang out with us! Twitter/Instagram: @notyourmomsromFacebook Group: Not Your Mom's Facebook GroupEmail: notyourmomsromancebookclub@gmail.comNot Your Mom's Romance Book Club is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcast

Mom of two, Misa Pignataro joins us on this episode to talk about picky eaters, the all-important "flavor window" from 6-18 months, and how to make food a high-adventure/low pressure issue in your family.  We're looking at common food struggles and how to address them.  https://www.misascleankitchen.com/

On this week's episode, Mom and Me discuss the relationship gua.

When do you move down to one nap and how?! JUST when you think you've got it figured out, naps shift, bedtime battles creep in, or your little one starts waking from nightmares. If you're in that tricky 12-24 month window, this episode is packed with clarity and encouragement.I'm joined by pediatric sleep coach Brittany Sheehan, who breaks down what's really going on during this stage and how to handle the most common toddler sleep struggles. Together, we cover:How to understand your toddler's evolving sleep scheduleWhat to expect (and how to survive) the transition to one napSimple strategies for handling bedtime resistanceTips for keeping routines on track while travelingNightmares, night terrors, and how to respond when your toddler wakes scaredHelping your little one through fears and anxiety that can interrupt sleepIf you've been second-guessing yourself at bedtime or feel like sleep is always shifting, this episode will give you the tools to move forward with confidence.----------------------------------------------------------------------------IMPORTANT LINKS• Check out Laila's Clean Makeup Bag Staples HERE• Or shop the whole nontoxic makeup site HERE          ◦ Use Code ADVOCATE10 for 10% off!•Toxin Free Laundry Detergent and Cleaning Supplies HERE          ◦ Use Code LEARNINGTOMOM for 30% off!•Join the Patreon HERE•Connect with Brittany HERE• Check out her free training course HERE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------toddler sleep, toddler sleep schedule 12–24 months, toddler nap transition one nap, toddler bedtime battles, toddler nightmares, toddler night terrors, how to transition toddler to one nap, bedtime routine for toddlers, toddler sleep regression, toddler travel sleep tips, toddler fears at night, toddler anxiety at bedtime, Brittany Sheehan sleep consultant, toddler sleep expert advice, Mom podcast, parenting podcast, First time mom podcast,  motherhood podcast, postpartum podcast, infant podcast, newborn care podcast, new baby podcast, pregnancy podcast, how to parent, parenting tips, parenting advice, 2 month old, 3 month old, 4 month old, 5 month old, 6 month old, 7 month old, 8 month old, 9 month old, 10 month old, 11 month old, 12 month old, toddler mom podcast, toddler mom advice, first time mom advice

IT'S JUST COMIC BOOKS•No podcasting backlash from last week. •Patrick was on WGN's Spotlight Chicago this week for Batman Day! https://wgntv.com/news/celebrate-batman-day-with-challengers-comics/ •How DC Comics is hindering our Batman Day. •Deadpool/Batman! •Our (lack o)f Local Comic Shop Day plans. •An unsent email. •20 New #1's for October 1st! •Having to drop a very delinquent subscriber.   This episode is dedicated to owning up to your mistakes.---------- This episode was digitally edited by Cleanvoice. How'd it sound? Contest of Challengers #750 Theme: Adam WarRock (with Mikal kHill) Intro/Outro: James VanOsdol “Patrick” Voices: Richie Kotzen, Christopher Daniels, James Acaster, Sue (Trent's Mom), RJ City, Sebastian Bach, Arune Singh, James VanOsdol “Dal” Voices: James VanOsdol, RJ City, Dalton Castle, Sue (Trent's Mom), Kevin Conroy, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, Bryce Remsberg, Arune Singh Dal and Patrick Artwork: Daimon Hampton ----------Challengers Comics + Conversation 1845 N Western Ave • Chicago, IL 60647 773.278.0155 • ChallengersComics.com

"If I should have a daughter, instead of Mom, she's gonna call me Point B ... " began spoken word poet Sarah Kay, in a talk that inspired two standing ovations at TED2011. She tells the story of her metamorphosis — from a wide-eyed teenager soaking in verse at New York's Bowery Poetry Club to a teacher connecting kids with the power of self-expression through Project VOICE — and gives two breathtaking performances of "B" and "Hiroshima."Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:TEDNext: ted.com/futureyouTEDSports: ted.com/sportsTEDAI Vienna: ted.com/ai-viennaTEDAI San Francisco: ted.com/ai-sf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kurt Becker's Stroll Through Racing History presented by Keeneland - Kurt looks back at the career of  Mom's Command (Part I)

Have you ever felt frustrated with your teen? (Or maybe I should be saying, who hasn't?!) As moms of teens and almost empty nesters, we naturally carry expectations about how our kids should act — and most of the time, those expectations are perfectly reasonable. We want them to show appreciation, to put in effort, to connect with us. But the reality is, teens don't always meet those expectations. And when that happens, we're left feeling frustrated, anxious, and even resentful. In this episode, I'm talking about what I call “invisible contracts.” These aren't mistakes you're making as a mom — they're the hidden expectations that we all carry, often without realizing it, that shape how we experience motherhood at this stage. You'll learn how to recognize them, why they feel so painful when they're not met, and how to shift your mindset so you can reduce anxiety, stop overthinking, and create more peace and connection with your teen. If you're a mom who's ready to feel more connected, confident, and at peace — and to find purpose beyond motherhood as you step into the empty nest years — this episode will show you what's possible.

Welcome back to Chasing Stories Podcast,where we share stories worth celebrating. Today, I'd like to honor a remarkablewoman in my life — my mother, Dorothy.So, pour yourself a cup of coffee, getcomfortable, and bear with me if I get a little emotional.My mom, Dorothy Marie, was born on August 14,1948, to my grandparents Charles and Dorothy Fairfield at Orleans CountyHospital in the southern tier of New York. She grew up in a time of big changesin America. Her childhood wasn't easy. When she was still young, her motherbegan struggling with health issues, and Mom often missed school to care forher and her sisters.As a teenager, she lived with my grandfatherin California for a time. Life with him wasn't simple, and eventually shereturned home just in time for the peace-and-love era and the challenges of theVietnam War years.Before I was born, she worked as a dietarysupervisor at Columbus Hospital in Buffalo. That's where she met my father,Robert. My grandmother didn't approve—she said he was a ladies' man—but Momfollowed her heart. They married, bought their first home in the Black Rockarea, and in 1972, I came into the world kicking and screaming.Mom's life wasn't without hardships. Afterher divorce, she worked tirelessly, even sending money to help my grandmothercare for me. She later remarried, and we became a blended family. Through itall, she remained strong, determined, and full of love.I'll never forget the day, as a young boy, Iwas hit by a Corvette while chasing a ball. By some miracle, I was fine—thoughMom made sure the hospital checked me over from head to toe. She wasprotective, sometimes stubborn, but always full of love.Mom was also my greatest advocate. When Istruggled in school with learning disabilities and stuttering, she fought forme to get the help I needed. She celebrated my victories—like making the meritroll and, later, handing her my high school diploma. That was the best gift Icould ever give her.She was there for every milestone: my firstday of school, standing up for me when I was bullied, and cheering me on as Iworked through challenges. She loved my wife, adored her grandkids, and madeevery holiday memorable—even if her famous “box stuffing” was always on thetable.As the years went on, I had to return thecare she once gave me. When dementia and health issues made it unsafe for herto live alone, I had to make some difficult choices. Moving her to asenior-living community and later to rehab wasn't easy, but I kept my promiseto make sure she was safe, loved, and never alone. In those final years, I gotto be her son again instead of her caretaker, and that was a gift.Mom's life was one of sacrifice, resilience,and endless love. She cheered me on as I earned certificates, made the dean'slist, and joined the National Honor Society. She did the same for hergranddaughter, who followed in those footsteps. She was proud of us, just as wewere proud of her.Dorothy Marie came into this world kickingand screaming—and she left it the same way. But in between, she filled it withlove, laughter, and devotion.Mom, I will always love you. Thank you forbeing my mom. Podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://chasingstoriespodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast Support:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/chasingstoriespodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Destiny's Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://destinysmagicalcreations.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Destiny's Amazon Author Page: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Destiny-Constantin/e/B08QW84ZHN?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1619256834&sr=8-1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Remember to follow us on social media!X @_chasingstoriesDestiny's X @WriterDestiny

DAY 15: Treasure in Heaven Welcome to the Gospel in a Year on the Catholic Sprouts Podcast. In this episode we are reading Matthew 6:16-34   To get the most out of this journey through the Gospels, we suggest you PRINT THE GOSPEL IN A YEAR NOTEBOOK. It's free and ready for you right here ---> http://catholicsprouts.com/the-gospels-in-a-year-on-the-catholic-sprouts-podcast   Thank you for joining us! Come Lord Jesus!  

Al's got the dog fever! This is his story of an opportunity to gain a new furry friend, and share a heartwarming story about his granddaughter. Al dives into his journey through genealogy, revealing a quest to find a long-lost stepbrother. Plus, they take a nostalgic trip down memory lane with Al's childhood football memorabilia and an old newspaper article about his early business ventures. Listen in for laughs, life updates, and a bit of history. Don't forget to rate, subscribe, and tell your friends if you enjoy the show! 00:00 Welcome to the Third Wheel Podcast 00:43 Labor Day Weekend Recap 01:44 Dog Fever: The Search for a New Pet 06:06 Genealogy Search: Finding a Stepbrother 13:06 Family Discoveries and DNA Kits 14:28 Walking with Mom and Childhood Memories 15:26 Fourth Grade Football Pants 16:59 Great-Grandmother's Hair 18:04 Reading an Old Newspaper Article 18:54 Al Mac's Business Ventures 22:44 From Mortgage Broker to Radio Personality 24:29 Podcast Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Inside the Epicenter with Joel and Lynn Rosenberg, brought to you by the Joshua Fund. In this episode of Inside the Epicenter, host Joel Rosenberg sits down with Pastor Gary Hamrick to process the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, a dynamic young evangelical leader and passionate supporter of Israel. Together, they discuss Charlie’s powerful influence on millions, his fearless faith, and how his legacy might ignite the revival and spiritual awakening our nation desperately needs. Tune in for heartfelt stories, biblical perspective, and honest reflection on how moments of tragedy can open doors for hope and renewal—both in the church and in support of Israel. (00:02) "Assassination's Impact: U.S. and Israel"(04:25) Unexpected Assassination Shocks Nation(06:51) "Charlie Kirk's Impact and Legacy"(12:26) "Charlie: Young Evangelist's Impact"(16:12) Impending Youth-Led Spiritual Revival(19:58) Calvary Chapel's Pro-Israel Influence(21:31) "Divine Purpose: Explaining Charlie Kirk"(26:42) Reflecting on Charlie Kirk's Legacy(29:32) "Preparing for Mom's Homecoming"(34:20) Israel & Christianity: Charlie's Perspective(36:08) "Charlie Embraces Biblical Support for Israel"(41:05) Call for Prayer and Support Learn more about The Joshua Fund: JoshuaFund.comMake a tax-deductible donation: Donate | The Joshua FundStock Media provided by DimmySad / Pond5 Verse of the Day 2 Timothy 4:1-5 - In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and discharge all the duties of your ministry. Pray at this moment for Charlie Kirk’s family, including Erica and the two young kids, as well as for his team and the country for strength and encouragement at this crucial time.Praying for a revival among the young generation. Related Episodes: Remembering Dr. Dobson's Legacy of Faith, Family, and Influence Around the World #309 Joel at Refuge Church Pt 2 God Shaking Israel: A Biblical Perspective on Recent Events #296 Honoring Kay Arthur - Discovering God’s Will Through Prayer #290 Dr. Jeff Myers — Why Should Christians Support Israel & Why Many Young Christians Don’t? #284 Donate a generous monthly gift to The Joshua Fund to bless Israel and Her Neighbors now and for the long haul. Become an Epicenter Ally today! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Grabs 164 Orange Township Fire Department, Indiana (April 14, 2025)Chief Gene LandersChief pulls up on house fire, met by mom that said baby was inside.Mom ran inside and chief followed her, quick grab by mom (18 month kid)

Is the American Psychological Association's definition of self-esteem biblical, wise, and healthy? Join AMBrewster to learn what self-esteem is and compare it to God's expectations for our esteem.Truth.Love.Parent. is a podcast of Truth.Love.Family., an Evermind Ministry.Action Steps Purchase “Quit: how to stop family strife for good.” https://amzn.to/40haxLz Support our 501(c)(3) by becoming a TLP Friend! https://www.truthloveparent.com/donate.html Download the Evermind App. https://evermind.passion.io/checkout/102683 Use the promo code EVERMIND at MyPillow.com. https://www.mypillow.com/evermind  Discover the following episodes by clicking the titles or navigating to the episode in your app: Get the "Suffering Well" Online Course for only $25. https://evermind.passion.io/checkout/bb52378a-b9b8-47bb-adda-4f857d58ec4e  Get The Doctrine of Emotions for only $10! https://evermind.passion.io/checkout/72b23bf0-32de-4fe1-973b-f78fefd646b6 TLP 393: What Happens When Your Family Does What's Right in Its Own Eyes? https://www.truthloveparent.com/taking-back-the-family-blog/tlp-393-what-happens-when-your-family-does-whats-right-in-its-own-eyes  How Your Children Respond to Sin Series https://www.truthloveparent.com/how-your-children-respond-to-sin.html  Children & Shame Series https://www.truthloveparent.com/children-shame-series.html  Click here for Today's episode notes, resources, and transcript: https://www.truthloveparent.com/taking-back-the-family-blog/tlp-598-your-child-and-self-esteemLike us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TruthLoveParent/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truth.love.parent/Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TruthLoveParentFollow AMBrewster on Facebook: https://fb.me/TheAMBrewsterFollow AMBrewster on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrewsterhome/Follow AMBrewster on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AMBrewsterPin us on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TruthLoveParent/Subscribe to us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTHV-6sMt4p2KVSeLD-DbcwClick here for more of our social media accounts: https://www.truthloveparent.com/presskit.htmlNeed some help? Write to us at Counselor@TruthLoveParent.com.

Reinvention isn't about chasing more - it's aboutbecoming more you. When your identity (aka self-worth) is closely tied towhat you do, (I'm a fitness instructor, I'm a VP of sales, I'm a full time Mom, I'm a Doctor, etc.) – what happens when that identity changes?  And, what happens when you have NO IDEA what you new identity is? Today Thrivesters, I've invited back our fan favorite –Brenda Johnston to tell us what it's really take to reinvent yourself, shift your identity, and protect your energy in a world that is constantly pulling at you. Brenda is a subconscious and energy mentor, businessre-definer, and unapologetic truth-teller and together we are talking about what happens when old beliefs bump up against new goals, and why aligning your subconscious mind with your future vision might be the missing piece you'vebeen looking for.  From the deeply personal (my own relationship breakthrough during a session with Brenda) to the practical (Brenda's “rubber bubble” technique for protecting your energy), this episode blends authenticity,humor, and straight up truth bombs.My three favorite tidbits from today's episode:The surprising subconscious blocks that can quietly shape your relationships - and how to uncover them.Why redefining success matters more than chasing bigger goals that don't light you up.Simple, daily tools to protect your energy - especially around difficult people or draining situations.If you're ready to reinvent yourself but don't know where tostart - or if you're tired of living a life that doesn't feel like you - this episode is your catalyst to stop performing, hit that reset button and do the next best thing.  For YOU. Now go out there and thrive like you mean it!Links & Resources:Join the Thrive Hive and receive the Weekly Buzz: ⁠https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/MurXaK9⁠Grab my best-selling book Unmute Yourself: https://www.amazon.com/Unmute-Yourself-Speak-Stand-Out/dp/B094988YFDFollow me on Instagram: ⁠@nancy_medoff (https://www.instagram.com/nancy.medoff)Connect with me on LinkedIn: @nancymedoff (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancymedoff/)Daily Energy Management Audio: https://www.brenda-johnston.com/energy-management⁠2-Part Energetic Success Kit: ⁠https://www.brenda-johnston.com/Kit⁠The Creative Content Collective - October 18th at The Creative House in San Diego⁠: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creative-content-collective-one-day-live-workshop-tickets-1693950765339?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing&utm-campaign=social&utm-medium=discovery&utm-content=attendeeshare

Ep. 215 In this special 2-part series, Maryann answers YOUR questions straight from Instagram! Part one dives deep into inner healing, self-discovery, and reclaiming confidence. From childhood wounds to toxic relationships to losing yourself in roles as wife, mom, or professional—this episode is packed with raw, soulful guidance. ✨ “What does healing your inner child actually look like?” ✨ “How do I know if I'm really doing the work right?” ✨ “When was the moment you finally said, enough—I choose me?”

I'm the only child of a hoarder, and Mom died unexpectedly. Support the effort to joyfully redeem decades of suffering here: https://gofund.me/f6a722832

I recorded this at 4 am while laying in a hotel room after my last visit with Mom. Totally surreal!Support the effort to redeem decades of suffering: https://gofund.me/f6a722832

Operaspymaster you may ask? Read on and listen to this episode. In this powerful and multifaceted episode of Unstoppable Mindset, we welcome Kay Sparling, former opera singer, PTSD survivor, and now debut novelist—as she shares her incredible life journey from international stages to the shadowy world of espionage fiction. Kay talks about the creation of her first novel, Mission Thaw, a gripping spy thriller based on her own real-life experiences volunteering with refugees in post-Cold War Europe. Kay and Michael discuss the inspiration behind her protagonist, CIA agent Caitlin Stewart, and how real-world trauma and service led Kay to use fiction as both a vehicle for healing and a call to action on the modern crisis of human trafficking. This is a conversation that transcends genres—music, espionage, activism, and resilience—all converging through the unstoppable spirit of a woman who refuses to stay silent. About the Guest: Kay Sparling was raised in the Midwest. At the age of seven, she began her professional singing career as Gretl in “The Sound of Music” and she continued to perform through high school. After graduation Kay attended University of Kansas and earned a BME in music education and a minor in Vocal Performance. She then attended graduate school in opera voice performance for one year at UMKC Conservatory of Music. She was awarded a grant to finish my graduate studies in Vienna, Austria. From there she won an apprenticeship at the Vienna State Opera. After moving to NYC to complete her second apprenticeship, Kay lived in Germany, Austria, and Italy for many years. In 1999 Kay returned to NYC and continued singing opera and became a cantor for the NYC diocese. After 9/11, she served as a cantor at many of the funeral and memorial masses for the fallen first responders. In 2003, Kay moved from NYC to the upper Midwest and started a conservatory of Music and Theatre where her voice students have been awarded numerous prestigious scholarships and won many competitions. In 2020, the pandemic shut down her conservatory, so she began training to be a legal assistant and now works in workers compensation. Back in 2013, Kay had started writing a journal as a PTSD treatment. She was encouraged to extend the material into a novel. After much training and several drafts, Mission Thaw was published in 2024. Kay is currently writing the second book in the Kaitlyn Stewart Spy Thriller Series. Ways to connect with Kay: Website: https://www.kaysparlingbooks.com X: https://x.com/MissionThaw/missionthaw/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/missionthaw.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/505674375416879 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kay-sparling-8516b638/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missionthaw/ Litsy: https://www.litsy.com/web/user/Mission%20Thaw About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson ** 00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us.   Michael Hingson ** 01:16 Well, hi everyone. Welcome to another episode of unstoppable mindset. I'm your host, Mike hingson, and our guest today is a very fascinating individual. I was just teasing her a little bit about her email address, which is operaspy master@gmail.com I'm telling you, don't cross her. That's all I gotta say. Anyway, we'll, we'll get into all of that. But I really am glad that she is with us. Kay Sparling is a fascinating woman who's had an interesting career. She's written, she's done a number of things. She's used to be an opera, gosh, all sorts of stuff. So anyway, we'll get to all of it and we'll talk about it. I don't want to give it all away. Where would the fun in that be? Kay, welcome to unstoppable mindset.   Kay Sparling ** 02:11 Well, thank you. I'm glad to be here. Well,   Michael Hingson ** 02:13 we're glad you're here. You're from up in Wisconsin. We were going to do this a couple of weeks ago, but you had all the storms, and it stole your internet and your power away, didn't   Kay Sparling ** 02:23 it? It sure did. Yeah, that was a terrible storm we had.   Michael Hingson ** 02:28 Yeah, that's kind of no fun. I remember years ago, I was talking to somebody on the phone. We were doing a sales call, and he said, I might not be able to stay on the phone because we're having a really serious storm, and he said it is possible that the lightning could hit the phone lines, and if it does, it could come in the house. And we talked for a few minutes, and then he said, I'm going to have to hang up, because I just felt a small shock, because the lightning obviously hit the phone line, so we'll have to talk later. And and he was gone. And we did talk later, though he was okay, but still, wow, yeah, there's a lot of crazy weather going on, isn't there? And we were just talking about the, we were just talking about the Canadian wildfires. They're No fun.   Kay Sparling ** 03:15 No, no. Just everywhere is having crazy weather.   Michael Hingson ** 03:20 Well, tell us a little bit about you growing up and all that sort of stuff, and telling me about the the early K   Kay Sparling ** 03:32 Well, growing up, I grew up in a farm community in the in the central Midwest, just you know, right in the middle of the bread basket, you might say, not near where you are now. No no, no further south and in very much agriculture time, I mean skipping ahead. I remember talking to a famous opera conductor when I was an apprentice, and I made some reference, and he goes, Well, how would you know that? And I said, because I grew up on a farm. And he went, Oh, get out here. Nobody makes it, you know, to a major European opera house from a farm. And I went, Well, I did. And later, I asked my mom to send me a picture, because we had had an aerial view taken of our homestead, and it was obvious for miles, all the way around the house and the barn and all, it was just corn fields and soybeans. You know what they showed   Michael Hingson ** 04:40 Illinois, Illinois, and so you showed it to him, yeah,   Kay Sparling ** 04:44 I showed it to him, and he was like, well, doggone, you're not lying. Like, No, I wasn't kidding you. I really did.   Michael Hingson ** 04:51 It shows how good I really am. See how far I progressed.   Kay Sparling ** 04:55 Well, you know, I was one of these kids. I. At five years old, I my parents took me to see sound and music at the theater, and during the intermission. Now I'm five years old, it's pretty late for me, right? But when we're in the concession stand, I tug at my mom's skirt, and I say, Mom, that's what I want to do. And she looks at me kind of funny, and she's kind of funny, and she's kind of confused. Well, what do you want to do work in a theater? You know, a movie theater? No, no, I want to do what those kids are doing on that on the movie screen. And she was like, Well, honey, you know, that's that's really hard to get somewhere like that. So that was when I was five. And then when I was seven, she just, you know, the all the school and the church were telling her, this kid's got a great voice, and they kept giving me solos and stuff. And so when I was seven, she put me in the Sangamon County Fair Little Miss competition. And of course, my talent was singing, so I just sang away. I really can't remember what I sang, but afterwards, a fellow came up to my parents and introduced himself, and he said that he was there, he had family, not, you know, in the area, and that he had grown up there, but since then, he he was in St Louis, and he said, we are, I'm a scout, and I'm looking, I'm an entertainment Scout, and I'm actually looking for, you know, the von trop children. We're going to do a big production, and we'd love to audition your daughter. Well, we were about, think it was an hour and a half away from St Louis, so my parents are like, wow, that'd be quite a commitment. But long story short, I did it, and that started my professional career. I was the youngest Bon Troy. You know, over cradle, yeah. And so it just went from there. And, you know, it was all Broadway, of course, and I did a lot of church singing, you know, it got to be by the time I was, you know, in high school, people were hiring me for weddings, funerals, all that kind of thing. And so I was a Broadway and sacred singer. Went to college. My parents said, you can't depend on a vocal performance degree. What if things don't work out? You have to have something fall back. So I went into vocal music ed at a very, very good school for that, and also music therapy, and, you know, continue being in their shows. And when I when I graduated, continued the Broadway, and one night I was also singing a little bit of jazz in Kansas City, where I was living, someone approached me. She was a voice teacher at the conservatory there, and that conservatory had an apprenticeship with the Kansas City Lyric Opera. And she said I knew you was an undergrad. My husband works where you, where you went to school, and I have been watching you for a long time. And I wish you quit this nonsense of singing Broadway and jazz and rock and everything and get serious, you know, and try opera. So I thought she was crazy to bring that up, but it wasn't the first time it had been brought up. So I have been teaching for a year, and at the end of that school year, I announced everyone I was going to graduate school and I was going to study opera. And so   Michael Hingson ** 08:55 what were you teaching?   Kay Sparling ** 08:57 I was teaching high school choir, okay, at a very big high school, very, very good choir department.   Michael Hingson ** 09:03 Now, by the way, after doing Gretel, did you ever have any other parts as you grew older in Sound of Music?   Kay Sparling ** 09:11 Okay, that's a very cool question. I am one of the few people that I know that can say I have sang every major role in Sound of Music sometime in my life. Ah, okay, because it was so popular when I was Oh, yeah. And as I would grow older, well now you're going to sing, you know, you just kept graduating up. And then pretty soon I sang quite a few Marias. And then after I was an opera singer. During covid, I was asked to sing Mother Superior. Mother Superior. Yeah, literally, have sung, you know, in a decades long career, I've sung every role in Sound of Music.   Michael Hingson ** 09:56 Cool. Well, that's great.   10:00 Yeah, so, so, anyway, so   Michael Hingson ** 10:02 you said that you were going to go study opera,   Kay Sparling ** 10:07 and I did a graduate school, and then I got the chance to get an international grant over to Europe, and so I decided to not finish my masters at that time and go over there and finish it, and most of all, importantly, do my first apprenticeship in Europe. And so I thought that was a great opportunity. They were willing. They were going to willing to pay for everything. And I said I would be a fool to turn this down. Yeah, so off I went, and that's kind of the rest of the story. You know, got a lot of great training, left Europe for a while, moved to New York City, trained best coaches and teachers in the world at the Metropolitan Opera and then, you know, launch my career.   Michael Hingson ** 11:04 So you Wow, you, you've done a number of things, of course, going to Europe and being in Vienna and places like that. Certainly you were in the the right place.   Kay Sparling ** 11:16 Yes, yes, definitely. You know, at that time in the in the middle 80s, United States was we had some great opera houses Iran, but we had very few. And it just wasn't the culture that it was in Europe, in Europe. And so, yes, there was a lot more opportunity there, because there was such a culture established there already.   Michael Hingson ** 11:44 So you went off and you did Europe and saying opera, what were you a soprano? Or what were you that sounds like a way a little high for your voice?   Kay Sparling ** 11:59 Well, you have to remember, I'm a senior citizen now. So this is the way it worked for me, because we're talking decades from the age 27 and I quit singing at 63 so that's a very long time to sing opera. So I started out, as you know, there is a voice kind of category, and each one of those, we use a German word for that. It's called Foch, F, A, C, H, and you know, that is determined by the kind of vocal cords you have, and the kind of training and the literature you're singing, and hopefully that all meshes together if you have good coaches and a good agent and such. And I literally have seen so many different Fox lyric, lyric mezzo, then to, very shortly, lyric soprano, and then for a long time, spinto soprano, which would be the Puccini and a lot of them really popular things. And then I was, I felt I was quite lucky that my voice did have the strength and did mature into a Verdi soprano, which is a dramatic soprano, not many of those around. And so that was, that was an endeavor, but at the same time, that was a leg up. And so most of the time in my career, I sang the bigger Puccini, like, let's say Tosca, and I sang a lot of Verdi. So I was an Italian opera singer. I mostly sang in Italian, not to say that I didn't sing in German or French, but I did very little in comparison to the   Michael Hingson ** 13:56 Italian Well, there's a lot of good Italian opera out there, although mostly I don't understand it, but I don't speak Italian well.   Kay Sparling ** 14:07 The great thing about most houses now is, you know, you can just look at the back of the seat in front of you, and there's the translation, you know, yeah, that   Michael Hingson ** 14:18 doesn't work for me. Being blind, that doesn't work for you. Yeah, that's okay, though, but I like the music, yeah. So how long ago did you quit singing?   Kay Sparling ** 14:32 Um, just about, well, under, just a little under three years ago, okay?   Michael Hingson ** 14:38 And why did you quit? This was the right time,   Kay Sparling ** 14:42 senses or what I had a circumstance, I had to have throat surgery. Now it wasn't on my vocal cords, but it was on my thyroid, and unfortunately, the vocal cord nerve. They had to take out some Cyst On. My right thyroid, and then remove it too. And unfortunately, my vocal cords were damaged at that time, I would have probably be singing still now some you know, I mean, because dramatic sopranos just can go on and on and on. One of my mentors was Birgit Nielsen, famous singer from Sweden, and she was in my grandmother's generation, but she didn't, I went to work with her, and she demonstrated at 77 she could still pop out of high C. And I believe, I believe I would have been able to do that too, but you know, circumstances, you know, changed, but that's okay. Yeah, I had sung a long time, and at least I can speak. So I'm just very happy about that.   Michael Hingson ** 15:51 So when you did quit singing, what did you decide to go do? Or, or, How did, how did you progress from there?   Kay Sparling ** 16:01 Well, I had already made a transition where I had come in 2003 to the Midwest. I came back from New York City, where I lived many, many years, and I started a conservatory of music and acting, and then that kind of grew into a whole conservatory of music. So I was also a part time professor here in Wisconsin, and I taught voice, you know, one on one vocal lessons, so high school and college and graduate school, and so I had this huge studio. So when that happened, I wasn't getting to sing a whole lot, because I was much more focused on my students singing me at that point, especially the older ones, professional ones, and so, you know, I just kept teaching and and then I had started this book that I'm promoting now, and so that gave me more time to get that book finished   Michael Hingson ** 17:10 and published. What's the name of the book?   Kay Sparling ** 17:13 The book is called Mission, thaw.   Michael Hingson ** 17:16 Ah, okay, and what is it about   Kay Sparling ** 17:22 mission thaw is feminist spy thriller set at the very end of the Cold War in the late 80s, and the main protagonist is Caitlin Stewart, who it who has went over there to be an opera singer, and soon after she arrives, is intensely recruited by the CIA. They have a mission. They really, really need a prima donna Mozart soprano, which is what Caitlin was, and she had won a lot of competitions and won a grant to go over there, and so they had been vetting her in graduate school in the United States. And soon as she came to Europe, they they recruited her within a couple weeks of her being there, and she, of course, is totally blindsided by that. When they approach her, she had she she recognized that things were not exactly the way they should be, that people were following her, and she was trying to figure out who, are these people and why are they following me everywhere? Well, it ends up being young CIA agents, and so when the head chief and his, you know, the second chief, approach her, you know, she's not real happy, because she's already felt violated, like her privacy has been violated, and so she wasn't really too wonderful of listening to them and their needs. And so they just sort of apprehend her and and throw her in a car, in a tinted window Mercedes, and off they go to a park to talk to her, right? And so it's all like crazy movie to Caitlin. It's like, what is going on here? And, you know, she can tell they're all Americans, and they have dark suits on, even though it's very, very hot, and dark glasses, you know? So everything is just like a movie. And so when they approach her and tell her about what they need her to do, you know, and this would be in addition to the apprentice she is doing that, you know, she just gets up and says, I'm sorry I didn't come over and be in cloak and dagger. A, you know, ring, I'm getting out of here. And as she's walking away, the chief says, Well, what if you could help bring down the Berlin Wall? Well, now that stops her in her tracks, and she turns around. She goes, What are you kidding? I'm just a, you know, an opera apprentice from the Midwest grew up on a farm. What am I gonna do? Hit a high C and knock it down. I mean, what are you talking about?   Michael Hingson ** 20:28 Hey, Joshua, brought down the wealth of Jericho, after all. Well, yeah, some   Kay Sparling ** 20:34 later, someone tells her that, actually, but, but anyway, they say, well, sit down and we'll explain what we need you to do. And so the the initial job that Caitlin accepts and the CIA to be trained to do is what they call a high profile information gap. She has a wonderful personality. She's really pretty. She's very fashionable, so she can run with the jet set. And usually the jet set in Europe, the opera jet set is also where all the heads of states hang out, too. And at that time, the the Prime Minister was pretty much banking the Vienna State Opera where she was apprenticing. So he ends up being along with many other Western Austrian businessmen in a cartel of human trafficking. Who they are trafficking are all the the different citizens of the countries that USSR let go. You know, when you know just got to be too much. Remember how, oh yeah, we're going to let you go. Okay? And then they would just pull out. And there was no infrastructure. There was nothing. And these poor people didn't have jobs, they didn't have electricity. The Russian mafia was running in there trying to take, you know, take over. It was, it was chaos. And so these poor people were just packing up what they could to carry, and literally, sometimes walking or maybe taking a train into the first Western European country they could get to. And for a lot of them, just because the geographical area that was Austria. And so basically, the Austrians did not want these people, and they were being very unwelcoming and arresting a lot of them, and there was a lot of lot of bad behavior towards these refugees. And so the Catholic church, the Catholic Social Services, the Mennonite Relief Fund, the the UN and the Red Cross started building just tent after tent after tent on the edge of town for these people to stay at. And so the businessmen decide, well, we can traffic these people that have nothing over to the East Germans, who will promise them everything, but will give them nothing. But, you know, death camps, basically, just like in World War Two. So you have work camps, you have factories. They they don't feed these people correctly. They don't they don't give them anything that they promise to them in in the camps. And they say, Okay, be on this train at this time, this night. And then they stop somewhere in between Vienna and East Germany, in a very small train station in the middle of the Alps. And they have these large, you know, basic slave options. And unfortunately, the children in the older people get sent back to the camp because they don't need them or want them. So all the children get displaced from their families, as well as the senior citizens or anyone with a disability. And then, you know, the men and the women that can work are broken up as well, and they're sent to these, you know, they're bought by these owners of these factories and farms, and the beautiful women, of course, are sold to either an individual that's there in East German that just wants to have a sex aid, pretty much. Or even worse, they could be sold to an underground East Berlin men's club. And so terrible, terrible things happen to the women in particular, and the more that Caitlin learns. As she's being trained about what's happening, and she interviews a lot of these women, and she sees the results of what's happened, it, it, it really strengthens her and gives her courage. And that's a good thing, because as time goes through the mission, she ends up having to be much, much more than just a high profile social, you know, information gather. She ends up being a combat agent and so, but that that's in the mission as you read, that that happens gradually and so, what? What I think is really a good relationship in this story, is that the one that trains her, because this is actually both CIA and MI six are working on this, on this mission, thought and the director of the whole mission is an very seasoned mi six agent who everyone considers the best spy in the free world. And Ian Fleming himself this, this is true. Fact. Would go to this man and consult with him when he was writing a new book, to make sure you know that he was what he was saying is, Could this really happen? And that becomes that person, Clive Matthews become praying, Caitlyn, particularly when she has to start changing and, you know, defending herself. And possibly, you know,   Michael Hingson ** 26:38 so he becomes her teacher in   Kay Sparling ** 26:42 every way. Yes. So how   Michael Hingson ** 26:45 much? Gee, lots of questions. First of all, how much of the story is actually   Kay Sparling ** 26:50 true? All this story is true. The   Michael Hingson ** 26:53 whole mission is true. Yes, sir. And so how did you learn about this? What? What caused you to start to decide to write this story?   Kay Sparling ** 27:08 So some of these experiences are my own experiences. And so after I as an opera singer, decided to be a volunteer to help out these refugees. I witnessed a lot, and so many years later, I was being treated for PTSD because of what I'd witnessed there. And then a little bit later in Bosnia in the early 90s, and I was taking music therapy and art therapy, and my psychiatrist thought that it'd be a good idea if also I journaled, you know, the things that I saw. And so I started writing things, and then I turned it in, and they had a person that was an intern that was working with him, and both of them encouraged me. They said, wow, if, if there's more to say about this, you should write a book, cuz this is really, really, really good stuff. And so at one point I thought, Well, why not? I will try. So this book is exactly what happened Caitlin, you know, is a real person, and everyone in the book is real. Of course, I changed the names to protect people and their descriptions, but I, you know, I just interviewed a lot of spies that were involved. So, yes, this is a true story.   Michael Hingson ** 29:06 Did you do most of this? Then, after your singing career, were you writing while the career, while you were singing?   Kay Sparling ** 29:13 I was writing while I was still singing. Yeah, I started the book in 2015 Okay, and because, as I was taking the PTSD treatment and had to put it on the shelf several times, life got in the way. I got my my teaching career just really took off. And then I was still singing quite a bit. And then on top of it, everything kind of ceased in 2018 when my mother moved in with me and she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, but Louie body Alzheimer's, which is a very, very rough time, and so I became one of her caretakers. So I quit singing, put that on hold, and I. I had to really, really bring down the number in my studio I was teaching and spend time here at home. And so I would take care of her, but then after she would go to bed, and she'd go to bed much earlier than I wanted to, that's when I write, and that's when I got the lion's share of this book written. Was during that time, it was a great escape from what I was dealing with, believe it or not, you know, even though there's some real graphic things in the book and all it wasn't, it was a nice distraction.   Michael Hingson ** 30:36 Wow, so you, you lived this, needless to say,   Kay Sparling ** 30:41 Yes, I did, and yes.   Michael Hingson ** 30:45 So you've talked a little bit about what happened to these countries after the collapse of the USSR and communism and so on, these eastern companies, companies, countries. Has it changed much over the years.   Kay Sparling ** 31:03 Oh, yeah, for instance, one, you know, I went to Budapest after they were freed, I guess is what usr would say. Stayed in a five star hotel, and we were lucky if we had running water and electricity at the same time. And every time you went down on the streets, all you'd see is lines, you know, I mean, just because there'd be all like, Red Cross, etc, would be there, and they'd have these big trucks they drove in every day, and it just got to be because they had nothing. If you saw a truck, you'd start running towards it and get in line. You didn't care what it was, you know, and it was. And then fights would break out because they wouldn't have enough for everyone. And then, like, you know, maybe someone's walking away with a bag of rice, and some of us knock them over the head and take, you know, and it was very hard, you know, I was a volunteer there, and it was very, very hard to see this, you know, desperation, one story that I'd like to tell, and I put it in the book. I was riding my bike, you know, on a Friday afternoon to get some groceries at the nearest supermarket where my apartment was, and at that time, they still had the European hours, so they were going to close at five o'clock, and they weren't going to open until seven or eight on Monday morning. So you had to make sure you got there to get your weekend supply. So I was on my way, and I was parking my bike, and this woman, refugee woman, runs up and she has two small children with her, and she's carrying a baby, and she's speaking to me in a language I did not know. I do speak several languages, but I don't know Slavic languages and so, but I'm getting the gist of it that she has nothing to eat, neither do her children, and so I'm patting her on the shoulder, and right when I do that, a policeman that was guarding the door of the supermarket came up to me and, like, grabbed me really hard, and told me in German that I was not To speak to them, and I was not to help them, because if you help them, they'll stay. And I said to him in German, I'm an American. I am not Austrian. I am here on a work visa, and I can do whatever the hell I want to do. Well, he didn't like that. And so I just walked away from him, and I went in the store. And so I got up everything I get. Think of the big need, you know, I never had a baby, so I was trying to kind of figure that out, yeah, and I had to figure it out in German, you know, looking at labels now. And so finally I got, I got some stuff, you know, the stuff I needed, and, and, and the stuff that I got for the family, and I checked out, and I'm pushing the cart, you know, towards them. And he runs up beside me and stops me, and he says, I am going to arrest you if you bring that. I told you not to help them. And I said, again, I don't think I'm breaking any laws. And he said, Oh yes, you are. And I said, Well, I didn't read that in the papers. I didn't see it on TV where anyone said. That you cannot help a refugee. And so we're going back and forth. And so, you know, I'm pretty strong, so I just keep pushing it towards it. Well, she's kind of running down the park, and I'm like, wait, wait, you know, because she's getting scared of this guy, you know, he has a gun, he has a nightstick. Of course, she's scared, and so, you know, I would say, No, no, it's okay, because I can't speak for language, right? And so I'm just trying to give her body language and talk. Well, finally she does stop, and I just throw I give the one sack to the little boy, and one second little girl, they just run and and then, you know, I'm talking to her and saying, you know, it's okay, it's okay. And he grabs me, and he turns me around and he spits in my face.   Michael Hingson ** 35:53 Wow. Talk about breaking the law. But anyway, go ahead.   Kay Sparling ** 36:00 Welcome to Austria in the late 80s. You have to understand their Prime Minister Kurt voltheim won on the Nazi ticket. Mm, hmm. At that very time, if you got on a bus and you saw these businessmen going to work, at least 50% of them were reading the Nazi paper. Okay, so we kind of know what, where his affiliations lie. You know, this policeman and, you know, and I was very aware, you know, of of that party being very strong. And so you have to watch yourself when, when you're a foreigner. And I was a foreigner too, just like her. And so after wiping my face, I mean, I really, really wanted to give him a kick or something, yeah, and I do, I do know martial arts, but I was like, no, no, gotta stay cool. And I just told her to run. And she did and caught up with the children, and, you know, kept running. So that was the first experience I had knowing how unwelcome these people were in Austria. Yeah, so I got involved, yeah, I got involved because I was like, this is absolutely not right.   Michael Hingson ** 37:31 And so the book is, in part, to try to bring awareness to all that. I would think   Kay Sparling ** 37:36 absolutely there are, there are bits of it are, they're pretty darn graphic, but it's all true, and it's all documented. Sometimes people about human trafficking, they think, oh, it's not in my backyard. I'm not going to think about that. Well, I live in a very small college town, around 17,000 people, and two months ago, on the front page of this small paper here in town, there were seven men that were arrested for many counts of human trafficking of underage women and prostitution. So guess what, folks, it is in your backyard. If it's in this little town, it's probably in yours too. And we have to be aware before we can do anything. So we have to open our eyes. And I hope this book opens the eyes of the reader to say, Oh, my God, I knew things were bad, but I didn't realize that torture, this kind of thing went on. Well, it does, and I the International Labor Union estimates that 21 million people are being you. You are victims of human trafficking right now, as we speak, throughout the world, that's a lot of people, a lot of people. So most likely, we've all seen some hint of that going on, it didn't register as it at the time. You know, if you're just walked out of a restaurant, and you're walking to your car that's parked on the street, and you happen to go by an alley and there's restaurants on that row, and all of a sudden you see people being kind of shoved out and put in a truck. That's probably human trafficking, you know? And you know, a lot of people don't pay attention, but like, if they stop and think that doesn't look right, and if those people look like they may be from another country, yeah. And all you have to do is call the authorities, you know, and other ways that you can help are by you know, that that you can get involved. Are, you know, donate to all the different organizations that are finding this now.   Michael Hingson ** 40:19 Was the book self published, or do you have a publisher?   Kay Sparling ** 40:25 I self published, but it's more of a hybrid publishing company that's kind of a new thing that's going on, and so I cannot learn all those different facets of publishing a book, right? It just wasn't in my, you know, skill set, and it also wasn't even interesting to me. I don't want to learn how to do graphic illustration. Okay? So what I did is I hired a hybrid company that had all these different departments that dealt with this, and I had complete artistic control, and I was able to negotiate a great deal on my net profits. So I feel that, after looking into the traditional publishing world and not being exactly pleased with it to say the least, I think that was the right business choice for me to make, and I'm very happy I did it.   Michael Hingson ** 41:46 How do you market the book then?   Kay Sparling ** 41:48 Well, that was, that was the tricky part that that publisher did have some marketing they started, but obviously now they agreed it wasn't enough. So at that point, I attended a virtual women's publishing seminar, and I really paid attention to all the companies that were presenting about marketing. And in that time, I felt one that I just was totally drawn to, and so I asked her if we could have a consultation, and we did, and the rest is history. I did hire her team and a publicist, Mickey, who you probably know, and, yeah, it's been going really great. That was the second smart thing I did, was to, you know, hire, hire a publicity.   Michael Hingson ** 42:50 Well, yeah, and marketing is one is a is a tricky thing. It's not the most complicated thing in the world, but you do have to learn it, and you have to be disciplined. So good for you, for for finding someone to help, but you obviously recognize the need to market, which is extremely important, and traditional publishers don't do nearly as much of it as they used to. Of course, there are probably a lot more authors than there used to be too. But still,   Kay Sparling ** 43:19 yeah, their their marketing has changed completely. I remember I had a roommate that became a famous author, and just thinking about when he started, you know, in the 80s, how the industry is completely changed. Mm, hmm, you know. So, yeah, it's, it's really tricky. The whole thing is very tricky. One thing that I also did is one of my graduate students needed a job, and so I've known her since, literally, I've known her since eighth grade. I have been with this student a long time, and she's done very well, but she really is a wiz at the social media. And so she made all my accounts. I think I have 12 altogether, and every time I do something like what I'm doing tonight, soon as it's released, she just puts it out there, everywhere and and I have to thank her from again that that's probably not my skill set.   Michael Hingson ** 44:37 Well, everyone has gifts, right? And the the people who I think are the most successful are the people who recognize that they have gifts. There are other people that have gifts that will augment or enhance what they do. And it's good that you find ways to collaborate. I think collaborating is such an important thing. Oh, yeah. All too many people don't. They think that they can just do it all in and then some people can. I mean, I know that there are some people who can, but a lot of people don't and can't.   Kay Sparling ** 45:12 Well, I've got other things. I've got going, you know, so maybe if I only had to do the book, everything to do with the book, that would be one thing, but I, you know, I have other things I have to have in my life. And so I think that collaboration is also fun, and I'm very good at delegating. I have been very good at delegating for a long time. When I started my school. I also started a theater company, and if you know one thing, it's a three ring circus to produce an opera or a musical, and I've done a lot of them, and yeah, I would have not survived if I didn't learn how to delegate and trust people to do their own thing. So what are you   Michael Hingson ** 45:58 doing today? What are you doing today? Besides writing?   Kay Sparling ** 46:04 Well, during covid, everything got shut down, and I didn't have an income, and I had to do something. And one of, believe it or not, one of my parents, of one of my students, is an attorney for the state of Wisconsin, and she was very worried. I mean, it looked like I might lose my house. I mean, I literally had no income. And so, you know, I was a small business person, and so she offered me very graciously to come work in the department of workers compensation in the legal Bureau at the state of Wisconsin. So I never have done anything like that in my life. I have never sat in a cubicle. I've never sat in front of a computer unless it was in its recording studio or something like that. So it was a crazy thing to have to do in my early 60s, but I'm a single woman, and I had to do it, and and I did, and it put me on solid ground, and that was one reason I couldn't finish the book, because I didn't have to worry about a live cookie. And so I am continuing to do that in so as in the day, that is what I do. I'm a legal assistant, cool.   Michael Hingson ** 47:32 And so when did mission thought get published?   Kay Sparling ** 47:38 Mission thought almost a year ago, in August of 2024 it launched, yes, okay, yeah. And it was very scary for me, you know, because my hybrid publishers up in Canada, and they were telling me, Well, you know, we're going to get you some editorial reviews and we're going to have you be interviewed. And you know, those very first things where my editor at at the publisher had told me it was one of the really a good book, and that was one of the cleanest books she ever had to edit. And so that kind of gave me some confidence. But you understand, look at my background. I I didn't go to school to be a writer. I had never studied writing. I hadn't done any writing up until now, and so to that was my first kind of sigh of relief when the editor at the publisher said it was really a good book, and then I started getting the editorial reviews, and they were all stellar, and they continue to be. And I'm, I'm still a little shocked, you know, because it takes time, I guess, for a person to switch gears and identify themselves as an author. But you know, after a year now, I'm feeling much more comfortable in my shoes about that. But at first it was, it was trying because I was scared and I was worried, you know, what people were going to think about the book, not the story, so much as how it was crafted. But it ends up, well,   Michael Hingson ** 49:15 it ends up being part of the same thing, and yeah, the very fact that they love it that that means a lot. Yeah, so is, is there more in the way of adventures from Caitlin coming up or what's happening?   Kay Sparling ** 49:30 Yeah, this is hopefully a trilogy, um of Caitlin's most important standout missions. And so the second one is set in the early 90s during the Bosnian war. And this time, she cannot use opera as a cover, because obviously in a war zone, there's no opera. And so she has to. To go undercover as either a un volunteer or Red Cross, and this time, her sidekick is not the Clive Matthews. He has actually started a special squad, combat squad that's going in because, of course, we, none of us, were really involved with that war, right? But that's what he's doing. And so, believe it or not, her, her sidekick, so to speak, is a priest that very early, goes on and sees, you know, this absolute ethnic cleansing going on, you know, massacres and and he tries to get the Catholic Church to help, and they're like, no, no, we're not touching that. And so he goes AWOL. And had been friends in Vienna with the CIA during the first book. He goes to the CIA and says, This is what's going on. I saw it with my own eyes. I want to help. And so he becomes Caitlin's sidekick, which is a very interesting relationship. You know, Caitlin, the opera singer, kind of, kind of modern girl, you know, and then you know, the kind of staunch priest. But they find a way to work together, and they have to, because they have to save each other's lives a couple times. And this is my favorite book of the three. And so basically what happens is called Mission impromptu, and I hope to have that finished at the end of this month. And the reason we call it impromptu is because her chief tells her to just get the information and get out, but her and the priest find out that there is a camp of orphaned boys that they are planning to come massacre, and so they they they basically go rogue and don't follow orders and go try to help the boys. Yeah. And then the third book, she has actually moved back to New York, and she's thinking, well, she does retire from the CIA, and it's the summer of 2001 and what happened in September of 2001 911 and so they call her right back in she literally had been retired for about three months.   Michael Hingson ** 52:35 Well, to my knowledge, I never met Caitlin, so I'm just saying Mm hmm, having been in the World Trade Center on September 11, but I don't think I met Caitlin anyway.   Kay Sparling ** 52:43 Go ahead. No, she wasn't in the towers, but no, I was in New York. And yeah, so they called her back right away. And so the third one is going to be called Mission home front, because that's been her home for a very long time. She's been living in New York.   Michael Hingson ** 53:01 Are there plans for Caitlin beyond these three books? I hope so.   Kay Sparling ** 53:08 I think it would be fun for her to retire from the CIA and then move back to the Midwest. And, you know, it turned into a complete fiction. Of course, this is not true stuff, but, you know, like kind of a cozy mystery series, right, where things happen and people can't get anyone to really investigate it, so they come to Caitlin, and then maybe her ex boss, you know, the chief that's also retired, they kind of, you know, gang up and become pi type, you know, right? I'm thinking that might be a fun thing.   Michael Hingson ** 53:46 Now, are mostly books two and three in the mission series. Are they also relatively non fiction?   53:53 Yes, okay,   Michael Hingson ** 53:57 okay, cool, yes. Well, you know, it's, it's pretty fascinating to to hear all of this and to to see it, to hear about it from you, but to see it coming together, that is, that is really pretty cool to you know, to see you experiencing have the book, has mission thought been converted by any chance to audio? Is it available on Audible or   Kay Sparling ** 54:21 anywhere it has not but it is in my plans. It's there's a little bit of choice I have to make do. I use my publisher and hire one of their readers you know to do it, someone you know, that's in equity, that type of thing. Or you know, my publicity, or people are also saying, well, because you're an actor, and, you know, all these accents, it might be nice for you to do to read your own book. Well, the problem is time, you know, just the time to do it, because I'm so busy promoting the book right now. And really. Right writing the second one that you know, I just don't know if I'm going to be able to pull that off, but I have my own records, recording studio in my voice studio downstairs, but it's just and I have all the equipment I have engineers. It's just a matter of me being able to take the time to practice and to get that done. So it's probably going to be, I'll just use their, one of their people, but yes, yeah, it's coming. It's coming. Well, it's,   Michael Hingson ** 55:29 it's tough. I know when we published last year, live like a guide dog, and the publisher, we did it through a traditional publisher, they worked with dreamscape to create an audio version. And I actually auditioned remotely several authors and chose one. But it is hard to really find someone to read the book the way you want it read, because you know what it's like, and so there is merit to you taking the time to read it. But still, as you said, there are a lot of things going on,   Kay Sparling ** 56:09 yeah, and I have read, you know, certain portions of the book, because some podcasts that I've been on asked me to do that, and I and I practiced and that, it went very well. And of course, when people hear that, they're like, Oh, you're the one that has to do this. You know Caitlin. You can speak her, you know her attitudes and all. And then you also know how to throw all those different accents out there, because there's going to be, like, several, there's Dutch, there's German, there's Scottish, high British and Austrian. I mean, yeah, yeah, Austrians speak different than Germans. Mm, hmm,   Michael Hingson ** 56:53 yeah, it's it's a challenge, but it's still something worth considering, because you're going to bring a dimension to it that no one else really can because you wrote it and you really know what you want them to sound like, Yeah, but it's a it's a process. I and I appreciate that, but you've got lots going on, and you have to have an income. I know for me, we started live like a guide dog my latest book when the pandemic began, because I realized that although I had talked about getting out of the World Trade Center and doing so without exhibiting fear, didn't mean that it wasn't there, but I realized that I had learned to control fear, because I learned a lot that I was able to put to use on the Day of the emergency. And so the result of that was that, in fact, the mindset kicked in and I was able to function, but I never taught anyone how to do that. And so the intent of live like a guide dog was to be a way that people could learn how to control fear and not let fear overwhelm or, as I put it, blind them, but rather use fear as a very powerful tool to help you focus and do the things that you really need to do. But it's a choice. People have to learn that they can make that choice and they can control it, which is kind of what really brought the book to to mind. And the result was that we then, then did it. And so it came out last August as well.   Kay Sparling ** 58:27 Oh, well, if you read my book, you'll see Caitlin developing the same skills you were just talking about. She has to overcome fear all the time, because she's never been in these situations before, and yet she has to survive, you know?   Michael Hingson ** 58:44 Yeah, well, and the reality is that most of us take too many things for granted and don't really learn. But if you learn, for example, if there's an emergency, do you know where to go in the case of an emergency? Do you know how to evacuate, not by reading the signs? Do you know? And that's the difference, the people who know have a mindset that will help them be a lot more likely to be able to survive, because they know what all the options are, and if there's a way to get out, they know what they are, rather than relying on signs, which may or may not even be available to you if you're in a smoke filled environment, for example, yeah,   Kay Sparling ** 59:22 yeah, you should know ahead of time. Yeah, you know, I know the state where I work. I I mostly work at home. I'm able to do that, but we do have to go in once a week, and we just changed floors. They've been doing a lot of remodeling, and that was the first thing, you know, the supervisor wanted us to do was walk through all the way for a tornado, fire, etc, and so we did that, you know, and that's smart, because then you're like, you say you're not trying to look at a chart as you're running or whatever,   Michael Hingson ** 59:56 and you may need to do it more than once to make sure you really know it. I know for me. I spent a lot of time walking around the World Trade Center. In fact, I didn't even use my guide dog. I used a cane, because with a cane, I'll find things that the dog would just automatically go around or ignore, like kiosks and other things. But I want to know where all that stuff is, because I want to know what all the shops are down on the first floor. Well, now that that is the case anymore, but it was at the time there was a shopping mall and knowing where everything was, but also knowing where different offices were, knowing who was in which offices, and then knowing the really important things that most people don't know about, like where the Estee Lauder second store was on the 46th floor of tower two. You know, you got to have the important things for wives, and so I learned what that was. Well, it was, it was, those are important things, but you'll learn a lot, and it's real knowledge. Someone, a recent podcast episode that they were on, said something very interesting, and that is that we're always getting information, but information isn't knowing it. Knowledge is really internalizing the information and making it part of our psyche and really getting us to the point where we truly know it and can put it to use. And that is so true. It isn't just getting information. Well, that's great. I know that now, well, no, you don't necessarily know it now, until you internalize it, until you truly make it part of your knowledge. And I think that's something that a lot of people miss. Well, this has been a lot of fun. If people want to reach out to you, is there a way they can do that?   Kay Sparling ** 1:01:40 Yeah, the best thing is my book website, K, Sparling books.com spelled and it would K, a, y, s, p, as in Paul, A, R, L, I N, G, B, O, O, K, s.com.com, okay, and you can email me through there. And all the media that I've been on is in the media section. The editorial reviews are there. There's another thing that my student heats up for me is the website. It's it's really developed. And so lots of information about the book and about me on on there. And one thing I want to mention is, just because of my background and all the all the people that you know, I know, a friend of mine is a composer, and he wrote a song, a theme song, because we do hope that someday we can sell this, you know, yeah, to for movie and, or, you know, Netflix, or something like that. And so he wrote a theme song and theme music. And I just think that's fun. And then I wanted my students saying, saying it. And then, you know, it's with a rock band, but it's, it's very James Bond, the kind of with a little opera, you know, involved too. But, you know, not a lot of authors can say that on their website, they have a theme song for their books.   Michael Hingson ** 1:03:16 And where is   Kay Sparling ** 1:03:18 it? It would be under, it's going to be about the author. And there's a nice one of my other students is a graphic artist. She She did a graphic a scene of Caitlin with her ball gown, and she's got her foot up on a stool, and she's putting her pistol in her thigh holster, in I think, you know, it's kind of like a cartoon, and it quotes Caitlin saying, I bet you I'm going to be the only bell at the ball with this accessory pistol. And then right underneath that, that song, you can click it and hear it. We also are on YouTube mission. Thought does have its own YouTube channel, so you can find it there as well.   Michael Hingson ** 1:04:05 So well, I want to thank you for being here and for telling us all the stories and especially about mission. I hope people will get it and read it, and I look forward to it coming out in audio at some point. Yes, I'll be lazy and wait for that, I I like to to get books with human readers. You know, I can get the print book and I can play it with a synthetic voice, but I, I really prefer human voices. And I know a lot of people who do AI has not progressed to the point where it really can pull that off.   Kay Sparling ** 1:04:38 Well, no, it cannot. Yeah, I totally agree with you there.   Michael Hingson ** 1:04:42 So Well, thank you for being here, and I want to thank all of you for listening and watching us today. This has been fun. And as some of you know, if you listen to many of these podcasts, we have a rule on the podcast, you can't come on unless you're going to have fun. So we did have fun. We. You have fun? Yeah. See, there you go. I was gonna ask if you had fun. Of course, yes. So thank you all for listening. Love to hear from you. Love to hear what your thoughts are about today's episode. Feel free to email me at Michael H, i@accessibe.com that's m, I, C, H, A, E, L, H, I at accessibe, A, C, E, S, S, i, b, e.com, also, please give us a five star rating. We appreciate it. K, I'll appreciate it. And when this goes up, when you hear it, we really value those ratings and reviews very highly. If you know anyone else who ought to be a guest and KU as well, love to hear from you. Please introduce us. Kay, you'll have to introduce us to Caitlin, but But seriously, we always are looking for more guests. So if anyone knows of anyone who ought to come on and tell a story, we'd love to hear from you. But again, Kay, I want to thank you one last time. This has been great, and we really appreciate you being here.   Kay Sparling ** 1:05:59 Well, thank you for having me.   Michael Hingson ** 1:06:04 You have been listening to the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. Thanks for dropping by. I hope that you'll join us again next week, and in future weeks for upcoming episodes. To subscribe to our podcast and to learn about upcoming episodes, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com slash podcast. Michael Hingson is spelled m i c h a e l h i n g s o n. While you're on the site., please use the form there to recommend people who we ought to interview in upcoming editions of the show. And also, we ask you and urge you to invite your friends to join us in the future. If you know of any one or any organization needing a speaker for an event, please email me at speaker at Michael hingson.com. I appreciate it very much. To learn more about the concept of blinded by fear, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com forward slash blinded by fear and while you're there, feel free to pick up a copy of my free eBook entitled blinded by fear. The unstoppable mindset podcast is provided by access cast an initiative of accessiBe and is sponsored by accessiBe. Please visit www.accessibe.com . AccessiBe is spelled a c c e s s i b e. There you can learn all about how you can make your website inclusive for all persons with disabilities and how you can help make the internet fully inclusive by 2025. Thanks again for Listening. Please come back and visit us again next week.

DAY 14: The Our Father Welcome to the Gospel in a Year on the Catholic Sprouts Podcast. In this episode we are reading Matthew 6:1-15   To get the most out of this journey through the Gospels, we suggest you PRINT THE GOSPEL IN A YEAR NOTEBOOK. It's free and ready for you right here --> http://catholicsprouts.com/the-gospels-in-a-year-on-the-catholic-sprouts-podcast   Thank you for joining us! Come Lord Jesus!

Send us a textDo you know when you are going to need to use your concealed carry pistol? In this episode of the Green Ops Podcast Luke talks with Tom Givens, Owner of Rangemasters about how to use stats to develop your practice sessions, where most violent encounters occur and how the rangemasters record (69-0-3) has 3 forfeits.Tom Givens, owner, founder and lead instructor of Rangemasters started his firearms journey when he was 16 years old.  He became a police officer where he was trained and developed opinions on firearms training in general. After completing a 25-year career in law enforcement and specialized security work, Tom opened his own pistol range in Memphis, TN in 1996.  For 18 years, it was the primary source of handgun carry permit certification for the greater Memphis area.  Soon joined by his wife Lynn, the training duo formed Rangemaster Firearms Training Services to share their expertise with a much broader audience.  They now travel across the country and around the world to arm responsible citizens with the skills and knowledge they need to effectively protect themselves and their families. Tom has now been working in firearms instruction for over 50 years. He has trained security officers; law enforcement officers at the local, state, and federal level; and foreign government agents. Intro/Outro Music:Mesmerize by VDGL https://soundcloud.com/musicforall-61...Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/3ipP00EMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/o2xR6hS9N2MPlease like, subscribe and share to help us grow the podcast.Check out our YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/c/GreenOpsInc Follow us on Instagram:Green Ops Podcast - Green_ops_podcastGreen Ops - greenopsincLuke - Green_Ops_LukeDex - Green_Ops_DexLove you Mom!

DAY 13: Teaching on Anger Welcome to the Gospel in a Year on the Catholic Sprouts Podcast. In this episode we are reading Matthew 5:17-48   To get the most out of this journey through the Gospels, we suggest you PRINT THE GOSPEL IN A YEAR NOTEBOOK. It's free and ready for you right here --->  http://catholicsprouts.com/the-gospels-in-a-year-on-the-catholic-sprouts-podcast   Thank you for joining us! Come Lord Jesus!  

  SUBSCRIPTION INTERFACE   You can now find our subscription page at GeorgeHrab.com at this link. Many thanks to the majestic Evo Terra for his assistance.   THE SHOW NOTES   Permanent Impermanence Intro DEVO on Netflix Religious Moron of the Week      - Joel Webbon from Eileen Williams The History Chunk      - September 18th Occasional Songs for the Periodic Table: 3/7/26 Gilligan's Barchetta Ask George      - Genres? from Christer Tell Me Something Good      - Stick Search LUAG on Friday Kansas! Show Close .........................   Mentioned in the Show   Light Up LUAG 100 Years, 100 Local Artists  Friday, September 19th 5:30–8:30pm At Lehigh University Art Galleries (inside Zoellner Arts Center) FREE AND OPEN TO ALL Here and Now Opening Party Here and Now Exhibition .........................   Get George's Music Here  https://georgehrab.hearnow.com https://georgehrab.bandcamp.com ................................... SUBSCRIBE! You can sign up at GeorgeHrab.com and become a Geologist or a Geographer. As always, thank you so much for your support! You make the ship go. ................................... Sign up for the mailing list: Write to Geo! Check out Geo's wiki page, thanks to Tim Farley. Have a comment on the show, a Religious Moron tip, or a question for Ask George? Drop George a line and write to Geo's Mom, too!

This week on Bows & Company, Mom and I are catching up on everything — from what's been going on with social media, to our conference recap, and a little life and relationship update mixed in. Just a fun chatty epsiode!    Follow me on my ShopLTK!  https://www.shopltk.com/explore/emilyoandbows    

On this week's episode of Mom's Car, we welcome friend of the pod, Erick Richardson. Erick, Dax, and Best Friend Aaron Weakley talk through making a deal with God on a catamaran, the fruitful strategy of taking stock as payment from clients, the former fun of having an unexpected dark side, how Erick came to own 11 rare giant tortoises, and the instability of the market for a cut-off toe. #sponsored by @Allstate. Go to https://bit.ly/momscar to check Allstate first and see how much you could save on car insurance.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Matt Jones (Breaking Bad, Mom) joins us this week to share how growing up in a tumultuous household shaped him into a devoted family man who prioritizes his family over fame. Matt talks candidly about the dichotomy between who he prides himself to be versus the offbeat, aloof characters he gets typecast as. We also talk about the anxiety he experienced at the height of Breaking Bad, our thoughts on the current state of the entertainment industry, and the powerful work he's done through therapy to heal his past. Thank you to our sponsors:

My Mom's neighbor busted her on camera! Does everything have to have a positive spin?? Why couldn't my Mom just read the instagram caption about my assault?! ASK MY MOM: The family cruise  Become a Certified Fan! Help support the podcast and get our Thursday show, More Mama's Boy!  Chip in on Mama Nancy's birthday massage here! Adopt An Episode! Want to show us a little extra love? Adopt an Episode and get a personal shoutout in an upcoming show! This episode was adopted by the amazing Queen Pam of Georgia! Thank you!! A special thank you to our Boy-lievers for your extra support of our show: Angela P, Donald S, Queen Pam, Karissa R, Lisa H, Michele K, Tina U, Candy Z, & Karen W! Listen to my other podcast, “Kramer and Jess Uncensored”! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DAY 12: The Beatitudes Welcome to the Gospel in a Year on the Catholic Sprouts Podcast.  In this episode we are reading Matthew 5:1-16   To get the most out of this journey through the Gospels, we suggest you PRINT THE GOSPEL IN A YEAR NOTEBOOK. It's free and ready for you right here --->  http://catholicsprouts.com/the-gospels-in-a-year-on-the-catholic-sprouts-podcast   Thank you for joining us! Come Lord Jesus!