Podcasts about monicas

El prolífico guitarrista sueco no para de publicar discos. Escuchamos grabaciones de los editados en estos primeros meses de 2025. De 'Sofo session', en trío con Martin Höper al contrabajo y Ola Bothzén en la batería, escuchamos 'Bossa for Miles', 'Once I loved' de Jobim, 'Sunny' de Bobby Hebb, 'La tranquilidad', 'Sommar' y 'Monicas vals' de Bill Evans -con la voz de su hija Tea-; del homenaje a Billie Holiday, 'For Billie', grabado a dúo, voz y guitarra, con Tea, los clásicos 'I´ll be seeing you', 'Lover man', 'My romance' y 'Blue moon'; de 'Live at Jamboree', en concierto en Barcelona, con el bajista Camil Arcarazo y el baterista Jorge Rossy, 'It could happen to you' y 'Skylark'; de 'Sunbeam', en cuarteto con Pär-Ola Landin (bajo), Karl-Henryk Ousbäck (batería) y Britta Virves (piano), 'October song'. Escuchar audio

Vi är tillbaka med Love is Blind-bevakningen! I avsnitt tio snackar vi det obegripliga i att Lauren ens vill ha Dave då han är – låt oss se – inte snygg, inte charmig, inte skön, inte rolig, inte smart, inte rik och dessutom är manipulativ, osäker och av allt att döma verkar ha en värdelös familj. Vi pratar även Ben och Saras diskussion om tiktokdramat, Joey och Monicas stela möte med hennes syrra, Dum Ass Devins syn på politik, plus mycket mer. Enjoy!  Stötta oss på Patreon för regelbundna bonusavsnitt + mer! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hvordan kan du ha en god givende og stress fri julDette er del 2 i denne mini serien der vi deler tanker og refleksjoner for å redusere stress. I dag er fokuset cravings julemat, kaker og alkohol - og gode hacks for å komme igjennom julen med god helse:Hva betyr julen for oss, tradisjoner, bryte med det vi pleier, hvordan holde seg i helsemessig god form denne julenHvorfor er helse viktigere enn haugevis med gaver under treet, og hvordan senke ambisjoneneI julen kommer alle følelser opp, fra vekten, maten, grenser, sukker, alkohol og tett på familienCravings trigger alle I en eller annen form, julen spesielt er det mye fokus på å KOSE seg og mange gruer seg til julen, men fortvil ikkeHva er cravings og hva trigger at man får denne følelsen, og hvilke matvarer søker man lettest for å dempe lysten Bliss Point, UP-mat og hvordan det aktiverer Bliss Point med salt søtt og fett og trigger hjernen til å ville spise merCravings er fysiologisk (blodsukker, næringsnett mat, sulthormoner, mangler)Lær om Mikronæringstoffene som reduserer cravings, Monicas hack for å spise mindre sjokoladeCravings er også psykologisk (stress øker sultfølelsen) og hacks for å holde cravings under kontrollHvordan avlede og distrahere deg fra de øyeblikkene du MÅ ha noe å spiseHvordan virker glutamin på cravings - MCT, Krom, ACV osvHva vi to gjør for å redusere cravingsJulematen, hvordan kan vi nyte maten uten å bli slapp, syk og legge for mye på degHACKS før, under og etter de store måltidene, og dagen etterBruk noe fermentert mat til de fleste måltidAlkohol i julen er ømtåligAlkohol med barn rundt bordet, hvordan kan vi gjøre dette?Alkoholens fysiske skadevirkning på lalle kroppens organer og hormoner og følelserAlkohol gjør at du legger på deg fordi det er tomme kalorier og metaboliseringe av alkohol prioriteres først - alt du spiser lagres som fettNår du sluter of drikke så ordner kroppen helt opp og finner tilbake til sin HomeostaseAlkohol gjør oss ikke så pene, den er vanndrivende størker ut huden, øyne blir tørre, stoler vitaminer, kroppslukten blir ikke behagelig fordi det dunster ut fra svettekjertler og hudHva er Hanxiety - hangover + anxiety er en kombo som er slitsom og vanlig etter en fyllekuleHva er tegn på fyllesyke? Og gode HACKS her også for NÅR du drikkerEr det sosialt drikkepress i ditt miljø?Bevegelse i julen, for å ikke gå inn i 2025 der du er for sliten og uggenGjør noe godt for deg selv, engler i snøen, ta et bad, Badstu og mye merKOLLAGEN: Osloskinlab.no rabattkode: Biohacking60HELSE KONGRESS BIOHACKING WEEKEND 2025: https://kongresspartner.no/no/biohacking-weekend-2025

Hva skal til for å få endring til å skje? Det spørsmålet er sentralt for alle og til alle tider, og for enhver som prøver å lykkes med bærekraftig business er det et helt essensielt spørsmål. To av NHH Executive-studentene våre oppfordret oss til et dypdykk i dette spørsmålet, så vi benyttet sjansen til å invitere våre gode venn og kollega Monica Rydland. Hun har forsket på endringsledelse og endringsagenter i årevis, og arbeider også med dette i Executive-undervisning og som gründer i Co-Create. Monica drar oss med inn i kunnskapen om endringer og hvorfor det er så vanskelig. Vi snakker om endring i motvind og medvind, spør oss om Lean er lystbetont eller ikke og diskuterer endringsagenter på ulike nivåer av organisasjonen. En 13-årig versjon av Monicas sønn gjør sin ankomst, hvilket drar oss inn i to ulike paradigmer på endringsledelse. Sveinung snakker om Farmen, vi får treffe både Børge Beskytter, Frida Fasilitator og flere andre endringsaktører. Vi minner om Victor Normans gamle gravlundsmetafor, mens Lars Jacob snakker om Chesterton's Fence og en hissig okse. Vi gleder oss over Monicas sprang inn i gründertilværelsen, hvor hun arbeider forskningsbasert med endringsledelse, og Monica forteller om samarbeidet hennes med kreative aktører som Thea Hjelmeland. Vi snakker om barns naturlige innovasjonsevner og hvorfor voksne må gå på innovasjonskompetanse for å trigge det samme. Lars Jacob trekker linjer fra endringsledelse til teamledelse og vi blir enige om at vi må snakkes igjen på lufta for å grave oss enda lengre ned i endringsagenter og endringsledelse for bærekraft. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Monica matchar med en man på Tinder. De inleder snart en relation med varandra och reser tillsammans. Snart visar sig mannen att leva dubbelliv med andra kvinnor bakom hennes rygg. Han håller dessutom fullständig kontroll på Monica.- Jag skäms över att jag gick på hans lögner, berättar hon.Hela säsongen av Älskade Psykopat finns på Podplay: https://www.podplay.com/sv-se/podcasts/alskade-psykopat-294350Följ @alskadepsykopat på Instagram. Vill du vara gäst i podden? Maila: emilie.olsson@bauermedia.se

Det er flere og flere som nå enten trapper ned eller slutter på slankemedisiner som Ozempic og Wegovy. Hva skjer da? Vi har med oss Monicas kusine Annette Utbjoa og hennes helseveileder Aleksander Meland. Annette har gått på Wegovy i 14 måneder og har nå trappet ned og sluttet på denne medisinen. Annette deler sin historie åpent og ærlig. Vi snakker om utfordringer, bivirkninger, livsstilsendringer, mental helse og trening. Dette er en livsstilsendring og ingen slankekur.Hvorfor er muskelmasse så viktig mens man bruker Wegovy og for alle egentlig.Hvorfor er oppfølging så viktig på denne reisen?Hvorfor Annette startet med Wegovy?Hvordan ser samarbeidet mellom Annette og Aleksander ut? Hvor ofte møtes de? Hva snakker de om?Hva er Annettes tanker rundt kosthold?Hvordan var det å trappe ned og hvordan har det vært for Annette å slutte på medisin? Hvordan Hjelper Aleksander henne?Hvordan ser Annettes hverdag ut nå? Hvordan takler hun Cravings? Hva er mindful eating?Hvordan fungerer tjenestene og hjelpen til Aleksander? Hvordan bruker man appen?Optimalisering ikke perfeksjoneringTrening med eller uten mat? Fasted cardio? Proteiner og styrketrening?Strategier for kveldscravings?Hvordan ser Digital helseveiledning ut?Aleksander Meland: www. melandressurs.comUtdanning: Bachelorgrad i Idrettsvitenskap: Grunnleggende kunnskap om fysiologi, treningslære og helse. Idrettsterapeut og Muskelterapeut: Utdannet ved Norges idretts- og helseinstitutt (NIHI), spesialisering i muskel- og skjelettbehandling.Digital Helseveileder: Utdannet gjennom ABEL Technologies, med fokus på vaneendring, sunn livsstil, og helhetlig helse. Erfaring: Personlig Trener (4-5 år) Terapeut og Trener ved Klinikk proAktiv (1 år) Digital Helseveileder (2 år): Arbeid med klienter som har komplekse livsstilsutfordringer, inkludert overvekt og mental helse.insta: @aleksander_meland @klinikkproaktiv www.klinikkproaktiv.noAnnette Utbjoa finner du på insta: @frk_utbjoaOslo skin lab: https://www.osloskinlab.noRabattkode: Biohacking60

I'm joined by friend of the pod Monicas to discuss the events from August 8, 2023 that changed everything, putting us in an *NSYNC reunion era and looking ahead to what could be.

This week in The Guidebook I'm joined by Monica Shaw. Monica is a freelance writer, mountain leader, blogger and SAAS business owner. I loved talking to Monica as she has so much going on at once and somehow finds time to work on them all. This is such an interesting conversation, diving into the mind of somebody who juggles multiple revenue streams. In this episode, we talk about: Monicas background and how she found herself launching a niche SAAS software aimed at writers. Her passion for the outdoors and how that led to her combining mountain guiding with blogging. Finding time to work on multiple revenue streams Setting prices and how to manage your time You can learn more about Monica at: Eat Sleep Wild ⁠Writers Residence ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn Learn more about Rachel Meltzer and Pop Club on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Resources & Courses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Disclaimer: We talk about money in this episode. This is not financial advice; we are not financial experts. If you need help with your finances please find a credible, licensed professional to help you! We're just talking about our experiences and what worked for us. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theguidebook/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theguidebook/support

Artist og lærer Monica Johansen har vært å se og høre både på den nasjonale og internasjonale scenen i flere år og etter et sammenbrudd under Melodi Grand Prix begynte hun å snakke offentlig om blant annet psykisk helse. Larvikingen vokste opp blant strender og fjorder sammen med foreldrene sine, og fra det som fra utsiden kunne virke som en trygg oppvekst, manglet likevel noe elementært i Monicas liv. Takk for at du lytter!

Colaboración de Ricado SalazarCancionesNow is the Hour- The 1975Floating on a Moment.- Beth Gibbons

Guilty Pleasures & Makeup sex. (Erotic Coupling)By Virginia_O. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories.Part 1: He reads to her while she deep throats, then rides him.Monica and Howard had fallen asleep after orgasms at each other's hands.She wakes up before him. Wrapped in his arms still, having been held through the night, she yawns and disentangles herself from him slowly so as not to wake him. She washes her face and brushes her teeth and wonders what they've planned for the day. It's a Saturday, and lovely outside. A bit warm, maybe, but good weather for swimming, and as she brushes her teeth, she peeks through the blinds into the backyard. She sees the pool, blue and beautiful, tempting her. Life feels tempting. Checking her phone's calendar she sees they don't have any plans, which she then remembers as having been the plan they made last week. The day is blocked out, labeled “just us”.Going into his study, she finds a novel she's always liked. Howard's voice turns her on, no matter what he's saying, and so she's planned her morning around it. Later, the pool. Now, his voice and this book. Back into bed, she moves the covers off of him, uncovering his cock, hardened to greet the day. Her favorite play thing in her sights, she giggles, waking the owner, Howard.“Good morning, Monica.”“Yes. It is. Good morning. Will you read to me?” As she asks this, she reaches toward him, her hand on and then above his knee, massaging his inner thigh as he drifts into the waking world.“Read to you? What?” He feels her hand and looks down toward it. He sees he's erect and feels himself throbbing toward her. He reaches for her, looking back up, her cheek resting in his hand, her smile resting on his cock. “Sure. I'll read to you.” He's certain this is an expression she hasn't explained yet. He likes where it's going, and is wondering at the hidden meaning of it as her cheek leaves his touch, her hand grasps his wrist, and a book is placed where the warmth of her skin had just been. A book. “Gone With the Wind?”“Yeah. Guilty pleasure of mine. I love that book. You can start reading now.” She opens to the first page for him, and looks into his eyes, blue and beautiful, looking tempting. Life feels tempting, and she wedges herself between his legs, her head resting on his thigh as she kisses the side of his cock. He half drops the book onto her head. Apologizing, he sets it aside, onto the pillow where she slept.“No no no. Don't apologize, and don't put the book down. You said you'd read to me.” She smirks at him, and at the bewildered look on his face, but tries to keep her expression as severe as possible. She's not fooling him, and he laughs at her. “Really, though. Please read to me, Howard.”“Say again?” His hand slips through her hair, pulling her face back toward his cock, where she clearly wants it to be.“I want you to read to me.” she whines, licking at him, whimpering with her desire and a bit of frustration. He nearly always wins the power games they play in bed. She's not actually a sore loser about it, but knows there are moments she'd do anything he asks of her. Those moments frighted and fascinate her. The head of his cock reaches her lips, and she gathers the strength to pull back. “Read now.”“Say please again, Monica.” His fingers twist into her hair further, and he pulls her face toward his tip, watching her smile, lapping at him. He keeps her just short of being able to taste him, and he likes watching her try to. “Say ‘please' again. Mean it.”“Oh! You're impossible. Please. Please read to me. I'll…I'll please you if you'd please read to me. It'll be fun, Howard.”Howard was having fun, but senses the frustration in her voice is pushing past play time, so he picks the book back up. Odd request, wanting to be read to. He's heard odder, and this could be fun, so he begins.Reading the first words, he feels Monica's mouth on his balls, kissing them. Wet kisses. He diverts his eyes to see her, and stops reading to do so. She stops kissing him at that, so he begins again. As he reads on, she licks up the shaft of his cock, then licks the pre cum off the tip, and lets her tongue slide around the head of his cock before….he stops reading, and watches her, but as soon as he does that, she stops where she is and is still until he reads on. He keeps reading, and feels her tongue slide down the other side of his cock, and her tongue laps at his balls from the other side, and again and again. His breathing gets less even, and he's stuttering over the words. The page blurs, but when he stops, so does she, so he keeps on as best he can, and feels his shaft in her throat, feels her throat convulsing around it as he stumbles over the words he's not taking in as he says them.He is in her throat, and being massaged by it, while she inches her way toward him, inching him into her. As her nose reaches his pubic bone and her tongue reaches his balls, he suddenly hates the damn book. Tossing it aside, he grabs the back of her head and watches as she gags on him, licks him, wants him and wants to please him. She's got him close, closer and closer and he drops his hands to his sides, lifting his hips into her further, on edge and out of his mind.Then she pulls off of him, unceremoniously and to his terrible disappointment. He looks at her, incredulous. She looks back, obstinate in her desire. A tense moment is between them, and confusion is on him. His orgasm, previously precariously mounting, slides back. His hips sink back onto the bed.“I want you to read to me, Howard.”“I want you to stop acting like a brat, Monica!” She smiles at him, ear to ear, glad to have provoked him. He is fun. So much so that she forgets to be serious. This registers with him. Her smile registers, and her pleasure at being provocative. “What you want is to please me, Monica. I want to see you show it.”She does very much want to please him. She's wet, writhing in between his legs, wishing he'd continue reading so she could continue sucking him. He sits up, sliding away from her, an unexpected thing, and she is not happy about that. He swings a leg over her head, clearing his body of hers, and starts to stand.“Please Howard, don't! Please…” He looks back at her, smiling, waiting for her to continue. “Please let me please you. Please let me please you.”Happy not to stand up and walk away, Howard lowers himself back onto the bed, but sits propped up for the most part, not letting Monica back in between his legs. He pulls her up toward him, kisses her. Whispers to her to climb onto him and show him how much she wants to please him. As she begins to mount him, acquiescent at last, he stops her with a gesture.“Face the other way, honey. It would please me to see your ass moving as you make me cum. You did say you want to please me?”She climbs onto him, reverse cowgirl, like he wants. She does want to please him, too. His knees move apart, and she feels his hand slide down her back, pushing her chest toward the bed. She reaches back, positions herself onto him, pushes him into her, and rocks back. She hears a soft thud in between his feet as he enters her fully. Looking toward the sound, there's her book. Both her ankles are wrapped by his fingers, and he pulls her legs back, until she's kneeling. Impaled on him and reaching for something to steady herself, she grabs his ankles, finds her rhythm, and tries to bury her face into the covers to suppress her moans, but her face meets with her book instead, and he hears her, loud and lovely and lustful.Rocking onto him, over and over, her orgasm builds and builds until she's sure to cum at any moment, and that's when he holds her still. Her moaning steadily becomes whimpering and finally “Please! Please let me cum!”“Read to me, Monica.”Confused at first, but only because there's little blood flow anywhere that isn't her clit, she only takes a moment before she remembers the book. Opening it, she begins reading, and he begins pumping into her. As she had done with him, he stops pleasing her when she stops reading, but allows her to have him even as she stutters over the words. Eventually she's able to climb back to the top of the feeling, and her pussy grips and massages his cock as she orgasms, bringing him close to climax.Grabbing her hips, he pulls her and pushes her toward and then away from him, faster and harder as she moans and shudders around him until his seed pumps into her and he hold her close as it fills her.It was a good book.Part 2: From Jackie's Diary: Make-up sex power play.I walked into the room at the magic hour, backlit as the sun set behind me. I closed the door, and Howard lit up, happy to see me. It had been too long since we were last alone. He liked my sundress. I did too. I liked it so much that it was the only article of clothing I had on. As  He walked toward me I put my hand up in front of me, palm out. He automatically stopped, looking surprised and a little confused, but curious.I bent forward, cleavage showing as He stood waiting for the next moment. Taking my time, gathering the hem of my dress in my hands, I stood back up, exposed and excited, feigning a strength I didn't have as my knees weakened seeing the hungry look on his face. I couldn't let that hunger go to waste, could I? His eyebrows went up as if asking permission, and I gave my assent with a nod, smiling at my good fortune to have such a willing lover. A warm smile came to us both as He kneeled. I moved forward, toward him more slowly than He cared for.Howard's impatience showed but he didn't verbalize it, wanting to stay in my good grace until his turn came. Ideas darted about in his head about when his turn came. His mouth had started watering since the moment I walked in, and it felt hot, electric and almost too much to take as his tongue licked up my slit and his mouth enveloped my clit, the wet heat of our fluids mingling as my head fell back in the astonished jolt of his electricity meeting mine. He lapped at me, wrapping his hands around my thighs and pulling me into his face. I leaned into him, my hands running through his hair as he mumbled indecipherable words that obviously meant he was feeling an enormous satisfaction after having had such an uncomfortably long abstinence without me.I stepped back, lowering my dress, and his face contorted into frustration. Why would I take his toy away so suddenly when we had just started to play nice? I wanted with so much of myself to straddle his face again and lean into the feeling until I came. I enjoyed the muffled sounds of his ecstasy at creating mine, and I'd missed it so, so much.Another part of me wanted much more of him than his desire. I admit I was holding resentment about how we'd last parted. It wouldn't keep me away, but it would mean it wouldn't be roses and rainbows in the first few minutes just because he eats pussy so well and so willingly. I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down. This had never happened, and at first he remained there with my juices on his chin and his cock as ready as it ever was, yet unsatisfied.Howard wanted me. He wanted me so much that his mouth hung open for a bit, reaching for the right words but realizing it wasn't going to be his just because he wanted it. I'd never wanted him to beg, but would I now? That was a concession he was willing to make. His cock needed that concession, but I stopped him before he got out a word and said I wanted him to sit down, talk to me. The tension was almost too much for him, but he gained his composure, poured a cup of coffee, and asked what I wanted to talk about.I don't want Howard to talk with me, but to me. I come to his side of the table and help he takes his shirt off. I tell him to talk to me and then my mouth meets his for a moment. I wait, and once he starts talking, I start kissing his neck. The feeling distracts him and he becomes speechless, so I stop kissing until he begins again, and that's when my hands wander, caressing him, running my fingers through his hair. He pulls me to him and kisses me, wrapping his arms around me. Pressed against him, I lose my own focus and my moans and staggered breathing put him back on familiar ground. He sees the desperate desire for he floods me and his eyes get wide. Don't get smug, I was doing well there for a minute.He isn't exactly smug, but he is pleased to see my animalistic desire for him hasn't subsided in the least. He can feel me trembling all over with it, and now I'm the one with hungry eyes and he can tell I want nothing more in this moment than to have his cock in me as my hips move to the rhythm he sets with my legs spread and my feelings bare.He stands up and out of his pants as I take his hand to lead him into the bedroom. He doesn't let me lead him, though. He stays standing there, and he sees me turn looking at his feet planted where they are and my pleading confused look. Why would he stop the goings on when they're going so well? He would love to follow me into the bedroom. He likes to see me crawl into the bed with horny impatience and spread my legs for him, knowing every moment he isn't in me borders on being physically painful. He likes the look of surprise and pleasure that I get as he enters me because he knows I want it so much. It's not going to be mine just because I want it, though. He never really makes me wait, but will he now? I know that I will wait. I have no other option but to wait. My desire for him has become a desperate need and I feel like I'm going to burst out of myself with the need. Focusing on my breathing, my heart manages to slow from a gallop to a pounding so I can think somewhat less single mindedly.I know he's angry about me leaving as I did. He wants me back, but isn't going to go back to what had almost become routine just because I got him horny and then started off for the bedroom. He slowly and deliberately sits back down and picks up his coffee. This had never happened, and at first I stand there panting and wet.He has on his poker face. I didn't know he had one. The hunger is my eyes now, and not wanting to waste it, he looks down at his crotch and move his knees further apart, giving me the option but not being insistent. A frustration is mounting in me that is so hard to contain. I need him, so I get to my knees, moving toward him and his irresistible scent gives me hope of my possible future release. My mouth is now the one that's watered, and I lick his balls slowly, looking up at him. I'm trying to gauge when it's my turn. It's not the attitude he'd prefer I have when I could just be glad for the option to please him. That would be preferable, but I'm painfully sexually frustrated. He can see that as I suck his balls into my mouth. It feels good, but he thinks it would be best if I could calm down a bit and adjust my expectations, so he tells me to stop sucking. I open my mouth wider and there's a soft wet sound as the vacuum seal of my lips on his balls is broken, but as I move my head back, his hand meets the back of my head. He had told me to stop sucking. He did not tell me to take him out of my mouth. He guided me closer and then move his hand away.A few seconds pass with me in that position, kneeling before him with his balls in my mouth, trying to stay still. They're a really nice few seconds for him. I'm not able to nag him if his balls block my ability to talk, for one, but the physical sensation also feels really good. He thinks there may be something about this that could settle a lot of issues. I break the silence despite the obstruction and I mumble what he knows to mean I'm asking what he wants me to do. He tells me what he's were thinking about this maybe solving some problems, but even if it doesn't solve a problem, he likes me just like this. If I don't want to stay there, that's ok, too.I stay there, at first thinking this is a little ridiculous, but then I calm down some and it is nice. I don't have to worry about everything in my world like this. Staying in the moment is really a lot easier with him in my mouth. So I stay like that for as long as he likes.When he's ready, he stands up, and let me suck him. He enjoys the muffled sound of my ecstasy at creating his, but this isn't his preferred ending, so He has me stand and lead me into the bedroom, where  He doesn't want me to lay down and accept as is so often my preference, but He laid down, and wants to watch me take initiative. It feels so much more exposing to me, and it is. Almost nothing of my body remains connected to the world except for where I connect with Him in this position. He watches me enjoy the ride.By Virginia O for Literotica

Guilty Pleasures & Makeup sex. (Erotic Coupling)By Virginia_O. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories.Part 1: He reads to her while she deep throats, then rides him.Monica and Howard had fallen asleep after orgasms at each other's hands.She wakes up before him. Wrapped in his arms still, having been held through the night, she yawns and disentangles herself from him slowly so as not to wake him. She washes her face and brushes her teeth and wonders what they've planned for the day. It's a Saturday, and lovely outside. A bit warm, maybe, but good weather for swimming, and as she brushes her teeth, she peeks through the blinds into the backyard. She sees the pool, blue and beautiful, tempting her. Life feels tempting. Checking her phone's calendar she sees they don't have any plans, which she then remembers as having been the plan they made last week. The day is blocked out, labeled “just us”.Going into his study, she finds a novel she's always liked. Howard's voice turns her on, no matter what he's saying, and so she's planned her morning around it. Later, the pool. Now, his voice and this book. Back into bed, she moves the covers off of him, uncovering his cock, hardened to greet the day. Her favorite play thing in her sights, she giggles, waking the owner, Howard.“Good morning, Monica.”“Yes. It is. Good morning. Will you read to me?” As she asks this, she reaches toward him, her hand on and then above his knee, massaging his inner thigh as he drifts into the waking world.“Read to you? What?” He feels her hand and looks down toward it. He sees he's erect and feels himself throbbing toward her. He reaches for her, looking back up, her cheek resting in his hand, her smile resting on his cock. “Sure. I'll read to you.” He's certain this is an expression she hasn't explained yet. He likes where it's going, and is wondering at the hidden meaning of it as her cheek leaves his touch, her hand grasps his wrist, and a book is placed where the warmth of her skin had just been. A book. “Gone With the Wind?”“Yeah. Guilty pleasure of mine. I love that book. You can start reading now.” She opens to the first page for him, and looks into his eyes, blue and beautiful, looking tempting. Life feels tempting, and she wedges herself between his legs, her head resting on his thigh as she kisses the side of his cock. He half drops the book onto her head. Apologizing, he sets it aside, onto the pillow where she slept.“No no no. Don't apologize, and don't put the book down. You said you'd read to me.” She smirks at him, and at the bewildered look on his face, but tries to keep her expression as severe as possible. She's not fooling him, and he laughs at her. “Really, though. Please read to me, Howard.”“Say again?” His hand slips through her hair, pulling her face back toward his cock, where she clearly wants it to be.“I want you to read to me.” she whines, licking at him, whimpering with her desire and a bit of frustration. He nearly always wins the power games they play in bed. She's not actually a sore loser about it, but knows there are moments she'd do anything he asks of her. Those moments frighted and fascinate her. The head of his cock reaches her lips, and she gathers the strength to pull back. “Read now.”“Say please again, Monica.” His fingers twist into her hair further, and he pulls her face toward his tip, watching her smile, lapping at him. He keeps her just short of being able to taste him, and he likes watching her try to. “Say ‘please' again. Mean it.”“Oh! You're impossible. Please. Please read to me. I'll…I'll please you if you'd please read to me. It'll be fun, Howard.”Howard was having fun, but senses the frustration in her voice is pushing past play time, so he picks the book back up. Odd request, wanting to be read to. He's heard odder, and this could be fun, so he begins.Reading the first words, he feels Monica's mouth on his balls, kissing them. Wet kisses. He diverts his eyes to see her, and stops reading to do so. She stops kissing him at that, so he begins again. As he reads on, she licks up the shaft of his cock, then licks the pre cum off the tip, and lets her tongue slide around the head of his cock before….he stops reading, and watches her, but as soon as he does that, she stops where she is and is still until he reads on. He keeps reading, and feels her tongue slide down the other side of his cock, and her tongue laps at his balls from the other side, and again and again. His breathing gets less even, and he's stuttering over the words. The page blurs, but when he stops, so does she, so he keeps on as best he can, and feels his shaft in her throat, feels her throat convulsing around it as he stumbles over the words he's not taking in as he says them.He is in her throat, and being massaged by it, while she inches her way toward him, inching him into her. As her nose reaches his pubic bone and her tongue reaches his balls, he suddenly hates the damn book. Tossing it aside, he grabs the back of her head and watches as she gags on him, licks him, wants him and wants to please him. She's got him close, closer and closer and he drops his hands to his sides, lifting his hips into her further, on edge and out of his mind.Then she pulls off of him, unceremoniously and to his terrible disappointment. He looks at her, incredulous. She looks back, obstinate in her desire. A tense moment is between them, and confusion is on him. His orgasm, previously precariously mounting, slides back. His hips sink back onto the bed.“I want you to read to me, Howard.”“I want you to stop acting like a brat, Monica!” She smiles at him, ear to ear, glad to have provoked him. He is fun. So much so that she forgets to be serious. This registers with him. Her smile registers, and her pleasure at being provocative. “What you want is to please me, Monica. I want to see you show it.”She does very much want to please him. She's wet, writhing in between his legs, wishing he'd continue reading so she could continue sucking him. He sits up, sliding away from her, an unexpected thing, and she is not happy about that. He swings a leg over her head, clearing his body of hers, and starts to stand.“Please Howard, don't! Please…” He looks back at her, smiling, waiting for her to continue. “Please let me please you. Please let me please you.”Happy not to stand up and walk away, Howard lowers himself back onto the bed, but sits propped up for the most part, not letting Monica back in between his legs. He pulls her up toward him, kisses her. Whispers to her to climb onto him and show him how much she wants to please him. As she begins to mount him, acquiescent at last, he stops her with a gesture.“Face the other way, honey. It would please me to see your ass moving as you make me cum. You did say you want to please me?”She climbs onto him, reverse cowgirl, like he wants. She does want to please him, too. His knees move apart, and she feels his hand slide down her back, pushing her chest toward the bed. She reaches back, positions herself onto him, pushes him into her, and rocks back. She hears a soft thud in between his feet as he enters her fully. Looking toward the sound, there's her book. Both her ankles are wrapped by his fingers, and he pulls her legs back, until she's kneeling. Impaled on him and reaching for something to steady herself, she grabs his ankles, finds her rhythm, and tries to bury her face into the covers to suppress her moans, but her face meets with her book instead, and he hears her, loud and lovely and lustful.Rocking onto him, over and over, her orgasm builds and builds until she's sure to cum at any moment, and that's when he holds her still. Her moaning steadily becomes whimpering and finally “Please! Please let me cum!”“Read to me, Monica.”Confused at first, but only because there's little blood flow anywhere that isn't her clit, she only takes a moment before she remembers the book. Opening it, she begins reading, and he begins pumping into her. As she had done with him, he stops pleasing her when she stops reading, but allows her to have him even as she stutters over the words. Eventually she's able to climb back to the top of the feeling, and her pussy grips and massages his cock as she orgasms, bringing him close to climax.Grabbing her hips, he pulls her and pushes her toward and then away from him, faster and harder as she moans and shudders around him until his seed pumps into her and he hold her close as it fills her.It was a good book.Part 2: From Jackie's Diary: Make-up sex power play.I walked into the room at the magic hour, backlit as the sun set behind me. I closed the door, and Howard lit up, happy to see me. It had been too long since we were last alone. He liked my sundress. I did too. I liked it so much that it was the only article of clothing I had on. As  He walked toward me I put my hand up in front of me, palm out. He automatically stopped, looking surprised and a little confused, but curious.I bent forward, cleavage showing as He stood waiting for the next moment. Taking my time, gathering the hem of my dress in my hands, I stood back up, exposed and excited, feigning a strength I didn't have as my knees weakened seeing the hungry look on his face. I couldn't let that hunger go to waste, could I? His eyebrows went up as if asking permission, and I gave my assent with a nod, smiling at my good fortune to have such a willing lover. A warm smile came to us both as He kneeled. I moved forward, toward him more slowly than He cared for.Howard's impatience showed but he didn't verbalize it, wanting to stay in my good grace until his turn came. Ideas darted about in his head about when his turn came. His mouth had started watering since the moment I walked in, and it felt hot, electric and almost too much to take as his tongue licked up my slit and his mouth enveloped my clit, the wet heat of our fluids mingling as my head fell back in the astonished jolt of his electricity meeting mine. He lapped at me, wrapping his hands around my thighs and pulling me into his face. I leaned into him, my hands running through his hair as he mumbled indecipherable words that obviously meant he was feeling an enormous satisfaction after having had such an uncomfortably long abstinence without me.I stepped back, lowering my dress, and his face contorted into frustration. Why would I take his toy away so suddenly when we had just started to play nice? I wanted with so much of myself to straddle his face again and lean into the feeling until I came. I enjoyed the muffled sounds of his ecstasy at creating mine, and I'd missed it so, so much.Another part of me wanted much more of him than his desire. I admit I was holding resentment about how we'd last parted. It wouldn't keep me away, but it would mean it wouldn't be roses and rainbows in the first few minutes just because he eats pussy so well and so willingly. I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down. This had never happened, and at first he remained there with my juices on his chin and his cock as ready as it ever was, yet unsatisfied.Howard wanted me. He wanted me so much that his mouth hung open for a bit, reaching for the right words but realizing it wasn't going to be his just because he wanted it. I'd never wanted him to beg, but would I now? That was a concession he was willing to make. His cock needed that concession, but I stopped him before he got out a word and said I wanted him to sit down, talk to me. The tension was almost too much for him, but he gained his composure, poured a cup of coffee, and asked what I wanted to talk about.I don't want Howard to talk with me, but to me. I come to his side of the table and help he takes his shirt off. I tell him to talk to me and then my mouth meets his for a moment. I wait, and once he starts talking, I start kissing his neck. The feeling distracts him and he becomes speechless, so I stop kissing until he begins again, and that's when my hands wander, caressing him, running my fingers through his hair. He pulls me to him and kisses me, wrapping his arms around me. Pressed against him, I lose my own focus and my moans and staggered breathing put him back on familiar ground. He sees the desperate desire for he floods me and his eyes get wide. Don't get smug, I was doing well there for a minute.He isn't exactly smug, but he is pleased to see my animalistic desire for him hasn't subsided in the least. He can feel me trembling all over with it, and now I'm the one with hungry eyes and he can tell I want nothing more in this moment than to have his cock in me as my hips move to the rhythm he sets with my legs spread and my feelings bare.He stands up and out of his pants as I take his hand to lead him into the bedroom. He doesn't let me lead him, though. He stays standing there, and he sees me turn looking at his feet planted where they are and my pleading confused look. Why would he stop the goings on when they're going so well? He would love to follow me into the bedroom. He likes to see me crawl into the bed with horny impatience and spread my legs for him, knowing every moment he isn't in me borders on being physically painful. He likes the look of surprise and pleasure that I get as he enters me because he knows I want it so much. It's not going to be mine just because I want it, though. He never really makes me wait, but will he now? I know that I will wait. I have no other option but to wait. My desire for him has become a desperate need and I feel like I'm going to burst out of myself with the need. Focusing on my breathing, my heart manages to slow from a gallop to a pounding so I can think somewhat less single mindedly.I know he's angry about me leaving as I did. He wants me back, but isn't going to go back to what had almost become routine just because I got him horny and then started off for the bedroom. He slowly and deliberately sits back down and picks up his coffee. This had never happened, and at first I stand there panting and wet.He has on his poker face. I didn't know he had one. The hunger is my eyes now, and not wanting to waste it, he looks down at his crotch and move his knees further apart, giving me the option but not being insistent. A frustration is mounting in me that is so hard to contain. I need him, so I get to my knees, moving toward him and his irresistible scent gives me hope of my possible future release. My mouth is now the one that's watered, and I lick his balls slowly, looking up at him. I'm trying to gauge when it's my turn. It's not the attitude he'd prefer I have when I could just be glad for the option to please him. That would be preferable, but I'm painfully sexually frustrated. He can see that as I suck his balls into my mouth. It feels good, but he thinks it would be best if I could calm down a bit and adjust my expectations, so he tells me to stop sucking. I open my mouth wider and there's a soft wet sound as the vacuum seal of my lips on his balls is broken, but as I move my head back, his hand meets the back of my head. He had told me to stop sucking. He did not tell me to take him out of my mouth. He guided me closer and then move his hand away.A few seconds pass with me in that position, kneeling before him with his balls in my mouth, trying to stay still. They're a really nice few seconds for him. I'm not able to nag him if his balls block my ability to talk, for one, but the physical sensation also feels really good. He thinks there may be something about this that could settle a lot of issues. I break the silence despite the obstruction and I mumble what he knows to mean I'm asking what he wants me to do. He tells me what he's were thinking about this maybe solving some problems, but even if it doesn't solve a problem, he likes me just like this. If I don't want to stay there, that's ok, too.I stay there, at first thinking this is a little ridiculous, but then I calm down some and it is nice. I don't have to worry about everything in my world like this. Staying in the moment is really a lot easier with him in my mouth. So I stay like that for as long as he likes.When he's ready, he stands up, and let me suck him. He enjoys the muffled sound of my ecstasy at creating his, but this isn't his preferred ending, so He has me stand and lead me into the bedroom, where  He doesn't want me to lay down and accept as is so often my preference, but He laid down, and wants to watch me take initiative. It feels so much more exposing to me, and it is. Almost nothing of my body remains connected to the world except for where I connect with Him in this position. He watches me enjoy the ride.By Virginia O for Literotica

Guilty Pleasures & Makeup sex. (Erotic Coupling)By Virginia_O. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories.Part 1: He reads to her while she deep throats, then rides him.Monica and Howard had fallen asleep after orgasms at each other's hands.She wakes up before him. Wrapped in his arms still, having been held through the night, she yawns and disentangles herself from him slowly so as not to wake him. She washes her face and brushes her teeth and wonders what they've planned for the day. It's a Saturday, and lovely outside. A bit warm, maybe, but good weather for swimming, and as she brushes her teeth, she peeks through the blinds into the backyard. She sees the pool, blue and beautiful, tempting her. Life feels tempting. Checking her phone's calendar she sees they don't have any plans, which she then remembers as having been the plan they made last week. The day is blocked out, labeled “just us”.Going into his study, she finds a novel she's always liked. Howard's voice turns her on, no matter what he's saying, and so she's planned her morning around it. Later, the pool. Now, his voice and this book. Back into bed, she moves the covers off of him, uncovering his cock, hardened to greet the day. Her favorite play thing in her sights, she giggles, waking the owner, Howard.“Good morning, Monica.”“Yes. It is. Good morning. Will you read to me?” As she asks this, she reaches toward him, her hand on and then above his knee, massaging his inner thigh as he drifts into the waking world.“Read to you? What?” He feels her hand and looks down toward it. He sees he's erect and feels himself throbbing toward her. He reaches for her, looking back up, her cheek resting in his hand, her smile resting on his cock. “Sure. I'll read to you.” He's certain this is an expression she hasn't explained yet. He likes where it's going, and is wondering at the hidden meaning of it as her cheek leaves his touch, her hand grasps his wrist, and a book is placed where the warmth of her skin had just been. A book. “Gone With the Wind?”“Yeah. Guilty pleasure of mine. I love that book. You can start reading now.” She opens to the first page for him, and looks into his eyes, blue and beautiful, looking tempting. Life feels tempting, and she wedges herself between his legs, her head resting on his thigh as she kisses the side of his cock. He half drops the book onto her head. Apologizing, he sets it aside, onto the pillow where she slept.“No no no. Don't apologize, and don't put the book down. You said you'd read to me.” She smirks at him, and at the bewildered look on his face, but tries to keep her expression as severe as possible. She's not fooling him, and he laughs at her. “Really, though. Please read to me, Howard.”“Say again?” His hand slips through her hair, pulling her face back toward his cock, where she clearly wants it to be.“I want you to read to me.” she whines, licking at him, whimpering with her desire and a bit of frustration. He nearly always wins the power games they play in bed. She's not actually a sore loser about it, but knows there are moments she'd do anything he asks of her. Those moments frighted and fascinate her. The head of his cock reaches her lips, and she gathers the strength to pull back. “Read now.”“Say please again, Monica.” His fingers twist into her hair further, and he pulls her face toward his tip, watching her smile, lapping at him. He keeps her just short of being able to taste him, and he likes watching her try to. “Say ‘please' again. Mean it.”“Oh! You're impossible. Please. Please read to me. I'll…I'll please you if you'd please read to me. It'll be fun, Howard.”Howard was having fun, but senses the frustration in her voice is pushing past play time, so he picks the book back up. Odd request, wanting to be read to. He's heard odder, and this could be fun, so he begins.Reading the first words, he feels Monica's mouth on his balls, kissing them. Wet kisses. He diverts his eyes to see her, and stops reading to do so. She stops kissing him at that, so he begins again. As he reads on, she licks up the shaft of his cock, then licks the pre cum off the tip, and lets her tongue slide around the head of his cock before….he stops reading, and watches her, but as soon as he does that, she stops where she is and is still until he reads on. He keeps reading, and feels her tongue slide down the other side of his cock, and her tongue laps at his balls from the other side, and again and again. His breathing gets less even, and he's stuttering over the words. The page blurs, but when he stops, so does she, so he keeps on as best he can, and feels his shaft in her throat, feels her throat convulsing around it as he stumbles over the words he's not taking in as he says them.He is in her throat, and being massaged by it, while she inches her way toward him, inching him into her. As her nose reaches his pubic bone and her tongue reaches his balls, he suddenly hates the damn book. Tossing it aside, he grabs the back of her head and watches as she gags on him, licks him, wants him and wants to please him. She's got him close, closer and closer and he drops his hands to his sides, lifting his hips into her further, on edge and out of his mind.Then she pulls off of him, unceremoniously and to his terrible disappointment. He looks at her, incredulous. She looks back, obstinate in her desire. A tense moment is between them, and confusion is on him. His orgasm, previously precariously mounting, slides back. His hips sink back onto the bed.“I want you to read to me, Howard.”“I want you to stop acting like a brat, Monica!” She smiles at him, ear to ear, glad to have provoked him. He is fun. So much so that she forgets to be serious. This registers with him. Her smile registers, and her pleasure at being provocative. “What you want is to please me, Monica. I want to see you show it.”She does very much want to please him. She's wet, writhing in between his legs, wishing he'd continue reading so she could continue sucking him. He sits up, sliding away from her, an unexpected thing, and she is not happy about that. He swings a leg over her head, clearing his body of hers, and starts to stand.“Please Howard, don't! Please…” He looks back at her, smiling, waiting for her to continue. “Please let me please you. Please let me please you.”Happy not to stand up and walk away, Howard lowers himself back onto the bed, but sits propped up for the most part, not letting Monica back in between his legs. He pulls her up toward him, kisses her. Whispers to her to climb onto him and show him how much she wants to please him. As she begins to mount him, acquiescent at last, he stops her with a gesture.“Face the other way, honey. It would please me to see your ass moving as you make me cum. You did say you want to please me?”She climbs onto him, reverse cowgirl, like he wants. She does want to please him, too. His knees move apart, and she feels his hand slide down her back, pushing her chest toward the bed. She reaches back, positions herself onto him, pushes him into her, and rocks back. She hears a soft thud in between his feet as he enters her fully. Looking toward the sound, there's her book. Both her ankles are wrapped by his fingers, and he pulls her legs back, until she's kneeling. Impaled on him and reaching for something to steady herself, she grabs his ankles, finds her rhythm, and tries to bury her face into the covers to suppress her moans, but her face meets with her book instead, and he hears her, loud and lovely and lustful.Rocking onto him, over and over, her orgasm builds and builds until she's sure to cum at any moment, and that's when he holds her still. Her moaning steadily becomes whimpering and finally “Please! Please let me cum!”“Read to me, Monica.”Confused at first, but only because there's little blood flow anywhere that isn't her clit, she only takes a moment before she remembers the book. Opening it, she begins reading, and he begins pumping into her. As she had done with him, he stops pleasing her when she stops reading, but allows her to have him even as she stutters over the words. Eventually she's able to climb back to the top of the feeling, and her pussy grips and massages his cock as she orgasms, bringing him close to climax.Grabbing her hips, he pulls her and pushes her toward and then away from him, faster and harder as she moans and shudders around him until his seed pumps into her and he hold her close as it fills her.It was a good book.Part 2: From Jackie's Diary: Make-up sex power play.I walked into the room at the magic hour, backlit as the sun set behind me. I closed the door, and Howard lit up, happy to see me. It had been too long since we were last alone. He liked my sundress. I did too. I liked it so much that it was the only article of clothing I had on. As  He walked toward me I put my hand up in front of me, palm out. He automatically stopped, looking surprised and a little confused, but curious.I bent forward, cleavage showing as He stood waiting for the next moment. Taking my time, gathering the hem of my dress in my hands, I stood back up, exposed and excited, feigning a strength I didn't have as my knees weakened seeing the hungry look on his face. I couldn't let that hunger go to waste, could I? His eyebrows went up as if asking permission, and I gave my assent with a nod, smiling at my good fortune to have such a willing lover. A warm smile came to us both as He kneeled. I moved forward, toward him more slowly than He cared for.Howard's impatience showed but he didn't verbalize it, wanting to stay in my good grace until his turn came. Ideas darted about in his head about when his turn came. His mouth had started watering since the moment I walked in, and it felt hot, electric and almost too much to take as his tongue licked up my slit and his mouth enveloped my clit, the wet heat of our fluids mingling as my head fell back in the astonished jolt of his electricity meeting mine. He lapped at me, wrapping his hands around my thighs and pulling me into his face. I leaned into him, my hands running through his hair as he mumbled indecipherable words that obviously meant he was feeling an enormous satisfaction after having had such an uncomfortably long abstinence without me.I stepped back, lowering my dress, and his face contorted into frustration. Why would I take his toy away so suddenly when we had just started to play nice? I wanted with so much of myself to straddle his face again and lean into the feeling until I came. I enjoyed the muffled sounds of his ecstasy at creating mine, and I'd missed it so, so much.Another part of me wanted much more of him than his desire. I admit I was holding resentment about how we'd last parted. It wouldn't keep me away, but it would mean it wouldn't be roses and rainbows in the first few minutes just because he eats pussy so well and so willingly. I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down. This had never happened, and at first he remained there with my juices on his chin and his cock as ready as it ever was, yet unsatisfied.Howard wanted me. He wanted me so much that his mouth hung open for a bit, reaching for the right words but realizing it wasn't going to be his just because he wanted it. I'd never wanted him to beg, but would I now? That was a concession he was willing to make. His cock needed that concession, but I stopped him before he got out a word and said I wanted him to sit down, talk to me. The tension was almost too much for him, but he gained his composure, poured a cup of coffee, and asked what I wanted to talk about.I don't want Howard to talk with me, but to me. I come to his side of the table and help he takes his shirt off. I tell him to talk to me and then my mouth meets his for a moment. I wait, and once he starts talking, I start kissing his neck. The feeling distracts him and he becomes speechless, so I stop kissing until he begins again, and that's when my hands wander, caressing him, running my fingers through his hair. He pulls me to him and kisses me, wrapping his arms around me. Pressed against him, I lose my own focus and my moans and staggered breathing put him back on familiar ground. He sees the desperate desire for he floods me and his eyes get wide. Don't get smug, I was doing well there for a minute.He isn't exactly smug, but he is pleased to see my animalistic desire for him hasn't subsided in the least. He can feel me trembling all over with it, and now I'm the one with hungry eyes and he can tell I want nothing more in this moment than to have his cock in me as my hips move to the rhythm he sets with my legs spread and my feelings bare.He stands up and out of his pants as I take his hand to lead him into the bedroom. He doesn't let me lead him, though. He stays standing there, and he sees me turn looking at his feet planted where they are and my pleading confused look. Why would he stop the goings on when they're going so well? He would love to follow me into the bedroom. He likes to see me crawl into the bed with horny impatience and spread my legs for him, knowing every moment he isn't in me borders on being physically painful. He likes the look of surprise and pleasure that I get as he enters me because he knows I want it so much. It's not going to be mine just because I want it, though. He never really makes me wait, but will he now? I know that I will wait. I have no other option but to wait. My desire for him has become a desperate need and I feel like I'm going to burst out of myself with the need. Focusing on my breathing, my heart manages to slow from a gallop to a pounding so I can think somewhat less single mindedly.I know he's angry about me leaving as I did. He wants me back, but isn't going to go back to what had almost become routine just because I got him horny and then started off for the bedroom. He slowly and deliberately sits back down and picks up his coffee. This had never happened, and at first I stand there panting and wet.He has on his poker face. I didn't know he had one. The hunger is my eyes now, and not wanting to waste it, he looks down at his crotch and move his knees further apart, giving me the option but not being insistent. A frustration is mounting in me that is so hard to contain. I need him, so I get to my knees, moving toward him and his irresistible scent gives me hope of my possible future release. My mouth is now the one that's watered, and I lick his balls slowly, looking up at him. I'm trying to gauge when it's my turn. It's not the attitude he'd prefer I have when I could just be glad for the option to please him. That would be preferable, but I'm painfully sexually frustrated. He can see that as I suck his balls into my mouth. It feels good, but he thinks it would be best if I could calm down a bit and adjust my expectations, so he tells me to stop sucking. I open my mouth wider and there's a soft wet sound as the vacuum seal of my lips on his balls is broken, but as I move my head back, his hand meets the back of my head. He had told me to stop sucking. He did not tell me to take him out of my mouth. He guided me closer and then move his hand away.A few seconds pass with me in that position, kneeling before him with his balls in my mouth, trying to stay still. They're a really nice few seconds for him. I'm not able to nag him if his balls block my ability to talk, for one, but the physical sensation also feels really good. He thinks there may be something about this that could settle a lot of issues. I break the silence despite the obstruction and I mumble what he knows to mean I'm asking what he wants me to do. He tells me what he's were thinking about this maybe solving some problems, but even if it doesn't solve a problem, he likes me just like this. If I don't want to stay there, that's ok, too.I stay there, at first thinking this is a little ridiculous, but then I calm down some and it is nice. I don't have to worry about everything in my world like this. Staying in the moment is really a lot easier with him in my mouth. So I stay like that for as long as he likes.When he's ready, he stands up, and let me suck him. He enjoys the muffled sound of my ecstasy at creating his, but this isn't his preferred ending, so He has me stand and lead me into the bedroom, where  He doesn't want me to lay down and accept as is so often my preference, but He laid down, and wants to watch me take initiative. It feels so much more exposing to me, and it is. Almost nothing of my body remains connected to the world except for where I connect with Him in this position. He watches me enjoy the ride.By Virginia O for Literotica

Nytt år, optimisme, nye begynnelser, ny location på Core Balance, re-set, fornyelse og inspirasjon, vaner og nyttårsforsetter er stikkord i dagens Podcast der vi to, Alette og Monica leder showet.Vi oppsummerer litt våre refleksjoner fra Dr. Bill Schindlers tanker om mattrender, om hvilke type fett vi bør bruke i matlagingen og hvorfor vi må avstå fra vegetabilske oljer. Hvordan de skal brukes, hva er forskjellene på frø og fruktoljer. Hvordan kan man bruke og spare på fett fra matlagingen. Bill deler gode oppskrifter på french fries.Bill er matforsker, har skrevet boken "Eat Like a Human", han reiser rundt i forskjellige kulturer og lærer om hvordan man tradisjonelt lagde mat. Monicas sparer på baconfett og Alette sparer på kalkunfett.Hør også hvilke biohacks som er endel av rutinene våre, utendørs dagslys, bruke stearinlys, bruke rødlysterapi, hvilke sups som er aktuelle, spirituell praksis, takknemlighet og meditasjon.Er du keen på å teste keton måleren så har vi fått en rabattkode på den:Biohackinggirl15https://www.sibiosensor.com/products/sibio-ks1-continuous-ketone-monitoring-sensor?fbclid=IwAR3Ynm_YL1MmQqosyZPkZj2vxTXcLg9A0hThrguoC5LwXX0yDQg2adrtxy0_aem_AcONHYwm0mZTWJvcM5Ux4txmPLHn075wni2zwQqJ_P41Z_PrMsFipI4KixB6p810YsasspOxOoJxvT9GPU8AGZu4&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkIbSr_vkgwMVDlaRBR1mBApbEAAYASAAEgLMZPD_BwE&utm_campaign=Xmas-RM-PMAX-240109&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&variant=44845071990998Det er ikke et fett, om du liker animalsk fettsmak prøv denne fra superstate - rabattkode: Corebalance10https://superstate.no/product/sthl-margfett-marrow-fat-gressforet-okologisk-330g/Husk at dersom du er på ski, hopper eller trener på trampoline ute så kan det være smart å bruke en varmeveksler som beskytter lungene for den kalde luften som pustes inn, den blir med denne duppeditten varmet opp og tilført fuktighet. https://skifella.no/produkt/oxyo-one/For å melde seg på Biohacking Weekend den 20 april så kan du finne din billett her:https://www.kongresspartner.no/no/biohacking-weekend-one-day-event-2024

Whats up Bro's? We got a RHOSLC review for you today coming from a sick Steel and a sad Shooter since the Phillies just got spanked by the Diamondbacks... but that's neither here nor there! In this weeks episode, we dive into our rose and thorn before we recap Salt Lake. Its Greek Easter in Utah and we're seeing a lot of fractures amongst the group. Angie is throwing a party for everyone and invites Monica despite her repeating the rumor about her husband. Meanwhile Meredith gets snubbed from the invite list. Mary finds out that her son (who lives with her) has been married for over a year in a very bizarre conversation. At Greek Easter, Angie K pulls Monica aside to talk about the rumor. While Monica took it too far by telling not only Angie about the rumor but also Lisa and other members of the group, Angie seems to place all of the blame on Monica for the rumor and all Monica did was relay it. Its a classic Meredith move as well, reference a rumor, don't say what it is, and let someone else drop the bomb. Shit hits the fan when Monicas mom, Linda, LD for short... interjects in one of the weirder moves we've seen on a housewives show. She attempts to play referee and instead of staying neutral or taking Monica's side, she takes Angie's side and subsequently embarrasses her daughter in front of the entire party. While some may feel that Monica shouldn't speak to her mom that way, what we saw was a narcissistic mother attempting to gaslight her own daughter to look better on TV. Time Stamps: Rose and Thorn (4:00) RHOSLC (9:30) This episode is sponsored by Manscaped. The ultimate body hair trimmer, The Lawnmower 4.0 is the easiest way to get rid of unwanted body hair. No more cuts while trimming, just an easy to use trimmer to leave you your most confident, best self! Use code BravBros at checkout to recieve 20% off plus FREE SHIPPING! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9 years on a waiting list - but we might be able to get James sorted out within two weeks..That leaving cert maths paper - you expect it it to be tough - but Diarmiud is a teacher and says it wasn't fair..Monica lost 100 euro to a tradesman - but she has photos and she's reporting him & lots more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Millions of mothers have watched their children abandon their Catholic faith in a chaotic, stressful and struggling world. Like St. Monica, the women of Millions of Monicas pray for their children to return to the practice of their Catholic faith, and to always stay close to their faith.  On this episode of Catholic Forum, after a Dialog news update, we talk to Jane VanHouten, co-founder and national leader of Millions of Monicas; and Lucy Sneeringer, who is brining this important ministry to Delaware. 

Ny serie i podcasten Motiv! Efter att Alexander Mork producerat serien om “Nattvandraren”, lämnas han med övertygelsen om att den här gärningsmannen har fler brott på sitt samvete och under hans fortsatta intervjuer med förhörsledaren Monica händer någonting oväntat; Monicas minnen väcks till liv och dörren till ett helt annat fall öppnas.Alexander kastas in i sitt livs största mysterium och finner sig snart i en omöjlig labyrint och följer spår som leder till hemliga sällskap, sexfester och mord. Snart börjar en enorm rättsskandal ta form.“Att skapa ett monster” är en serie i 8 delar med premiär 8:e mars. Förhandslyssna på alla avsnitt direkt via Motiv+. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/svenskafall. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ny serie i podcasten Motiv! Efter att Alexander Mork producerat serien om “Nattvandraren”, lämnas han med övertygelsen om att den här gärningsmannen har fler brott på sitt samvete och under hans fortsatta intervjuer med förhörsledaren Monica händer någonting oväntat; Monicas minnen väcks till liv och dörren till ett helt annat fall öppnas.Alexander kastas in i sitt livs största mysterium och finner sig snart i en omöjlig labyrint och följer spår som leder till hemliga sällskap, sexfester och mord. Snart börjar en enorm rättsskandal ta form.“Att skapa ett monster” är en serie i 8 delar med premiär 8:e mars. Förhandslyssna på alla avsnitt direkt via Motiv+. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/rattegangspodden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S3E23 - The One With Ross's Thing   Ross makes the guys look at the weird thing on his butt. Pheebs dates two guys and can't choose which one to stick with and Monicas boyfriend surprises her by not proposing. Help us to continue bringing you these episode by supporting us on patreon www.patreon.com/watchingfriends

The podcast is growing and so is our production company. It's time to give the podcast a little upgraded name: NOTHING SERIOUS. We're still 2 Monicas & a Microphone and right now we're very excited to give you a sneak peak into Season 3. Look for new episodes to drop Spring 2023. In the meantime, follow us on Instagram @2monicaspodcast for all your history, culture, and curiosities entertainment. If you'd like to join our Patreon, or sign up for emails, please sign up at the link in bio on Instagram.

CONTENT & RELATIONSHIPS1st Half - Question of The Day - QUESTION OF THE DAY

S3E16 - The One with the Morning After Ross finds out that when you cheat, you always need to think about the trail. Rachel gets rightfully upset about finding out what Ross did. We learn Gunther has a room mate and the gang get stuck in Monicas room with no food whilst the biggest argument happens right outside. It's all in this explosive episode.   Come support us on patreon at www.patreon.com/watchingfriends

Da Monica som nyskilt med to små barn i 2013 ble diagnostisert med brystkreft fikk hun et krasjkurs i mental trening. I ukens episode snakker vi om hvordan det er å leve med en uforutsigbar sykdom og en uhelbredelig kreftdiagnose. Vi snakker om viktigheten av hverdag, gode relasjoner og fysisk aktivitet. La deg bli inspirert og berørt av Monicas sterke historie og hennes livsglede. Les mer om kompani føniks her: https://www.kompanifoniks.noAnnonsør: Bruk rabattkoden ENGLER og få 10% avslag på ditt kjøp på supersynbiotics.no

Parenting is hard enough, then add the complexity of making your kids "well rounded". Whatever. Fortunately we have Kristin Schmoke Parenting Coach here to help. This episode helps reveal ways to get your kids outside to give you a break, help them regulate and gain appreciation for the beauty of our world. Take a listen and look Kristin up at www.kristinschmokecoaching.com if you need more focused parenting advice. Don't forget to follow her on FB too! A bonus from Nothing Serious Productions and 2 Monicas & a Microphone

Head back to the 90's a relive some of our favorite coming of age movies. Do you remember your first rated R movie? How about a movie you watched at a friend's house because you weren't allowed to watch it on your own? Let's not forget the movies you watched so many times you had the whole thing memorized. Well, these movies are today's topic, oh and they are all from the 90's because that's when we were adolescence. You can find full show notes and resources at www.2monicaspodcast.com 2 Monicas & A Microphone is a Nothing Serious Productions podcast. Follow us on all social media @2monicaspodcast Text "listen" to (504) 528-9994 for episode alerts. Legacy Sponsors for Season Two: www.kristinschmokecoaching.com www.skinbyamethyst.com Kris Porter, Travel Concierge (@travelwithgraceandjoy)

Ep. 73 Mermaids, the fairies of the sea! In this episode we discuss if mermaids are real. No, really! Is it true that Captain Blackbeard, Christopher Columbus, and even John Smith spotted these mystical maids? And if so, how did they describe the creatures. Have there been any modern sightings of mermaids? We think the answer will surprise you. You can find full show notes and resources at www.2monicaspodcast.com 2 Monicas & A Microphone is a Nothing Serious Productions podcast.Follow us on all social media @2monicaspodcastText "listen" to (504) 528-9994? for episode alerts.Legacy Sponsors for Season Two: www.kristinschmokecoaching.com www.skinbyamethyst.com

Hvorfor kan det å få seg nye venner i voksenlivet kjennes både skummelt og vanskelig? For mange skjer det noe i venneflokken og vennskapene når vi får barn, og dynamikken endres i takt med oss selv og livet. Likevel er behovet for å ha venner der, det kan bare føles så strevsomt og sårt å vise at vi ønsker oss nye venner, eller mer kontakt med gamle vennskap. Da forfatter Monica Isakstuen fikk barn merket hun hvor viktig venner er, men også hvor krevende det kan være å holde på alle. «Etter et viss punkt samlet jeg opp vennene mine og tok vare på de jeg hadde. Jeg måtte dyrke noen få, og la andre gå over til å bli bekjente» ble løsningen hennes. Med Oda snakker hun om bakgrunnen for å skeive boka ‘Mine venner', om vennskap som forelskelse, hvorfor vi ofte tenker at antall venner tilsvarer hvor vellykket vi er, og hvordan vi kan finne nye venner i voksenlivet. Artikkel om vennskap: https://www.nrk.no/kultur/hvor-mange-venner-kan-man-ha_-_-ikke-alle-passer-inn-i-voksenlivet-ditt-1.15877497 Monicas bok om vennskap i voksen alder: https://www.ark.no/boker/Monica-Isakstuen-Mine-venner-9788205565401?gclid=CjwKCAjwve2TBhByEiwAaktM1OFIDbdys0Y8qAAurUYhoHezLLwvqzrRqZiUL4c8xXnYNGWVtAsmpBoCc-cQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#product-description

S2E20 - The One Where Old Yeller Dies Chandler and Joey act like Monicas new boyfriend, pheebs has missed out on the endings of so many classic films and ross and rachel discuss why ross knows the names of their future children already and where he got the names from. It was the big book of names.   As of this episode we are ONE YEAR OLD! Happy birthday us! Show your thanks and support by joining our patreon at www.patreon.com/watchingfriends or wish us a happy birthday and tell us some things you've liked about our show so far @watchfriendspod on twitter and facebook, or leave us a review!  

Welcome to the second episode of the Fairytale Mini Series. Listen in while the two Monicas take another peek at fairy tale origin stories but this time they aren't all make believe. No, the fairy tales we explore today were based - in part - on real life people and events. Snow White, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Handsel & Gretle, are they fact or pure fiction? The Grimm Brothers weren't the first to imagine these tales. Listen now for a lighthearted history of fairytales. || Real relatable entertainment focusing on history, culture and curiosities || || Leave a Review || Follow on Spotify | 2 Monicas Podcast Spotify Follow on Apple Podcast | 2 Monicas Podcast Apple Follow on iHeart | 2 Monicas iHeart Follow on Instagram | 2 Monicas Podcast IG Follow on Facebook | 2 Monicas Podcast FB Follow on YouTube | 2 Monicas Podcast YT Follow on Twitter |

What's next for 2 Monicas & a Microphone? Check out the trailer to find out.Find extended show notes at https://2monicaspodcast.com/Follow us on all social media @2monicaspodcastText "listen" to (567) 245-1887‬ for episode alerts.Legacy Sponsors for Season Two: www.kristinschmokecoaching.com www.skinbyamethyst.com

Epi. 47 On today's episode the other Monica catches up with a friend who has all the fashion advice. She's got a formula on how to create an outfit, the dish on websites like Poshmark and Rent the Runway. And she even gives you a little trick on how to get the best buys on Ebay. Here's Chic Life with Amy. || Real relatable entertainment focusing on history, culture and curiosities || Support the show! Force of Nature Clean! - It's strong enough to kill bacteria and viruses just like bleach, but it has no toxic chemicals whatsoever! It also has reusable bottles, it's so much better for the environment than typical cleaners. Click the link to start your journey to a toxin free clean. 2 Monicas & a Microphone Nothing Serious Production Follow us on all social media @2monicaspodcast Additional Nothing Serious productions: Parenting with Heart featuring Kristin Schmoke Spotlight Interviews

Just when you think you've heard it all, 2 Monicas and a Microphone brings you a new Spotlight episode. This week we feature a skincare guru, female founder and all around real woman, Nicole Simpson. Nicole believes in only using essential ingredients to effect real change in your skin. Clean products are her passion. Check out her brand Amethyst Skin Care , @nicoleknowskin on IG and listen to her very real story about navigating the world between corporate, entrepreneur and mother. || Real relatable entertainment focusing on history, culture and curiosities || || Leave a Review || Follow on Spotify | 2 Monicas Podcast Spotify Follow on Apple Podcast | 2 Monicas Podcast Apple Follow on iHeart | 2 Monicas iHeart Follow on Instagram | 2 Monicas Podcast IG Follow on Facebook | 2 Monicas Podcast FB Follow on YouTube | 2 Monicas Podcast YT Follow on...

As the year comes to an end, you might be thinking about resolutions for the new year, and ways to transform your life. So today we have a wonderful story from an inspiring woman Dr. Peeke found on, where else, Twitter!Last year, Monica Ricci lost her marriage, two homes, and a business she loved. In the midst of that upheaval, Monica dropped 30 pounds and built muscle she never imagined possible, creating the health, energy, and strength she had always wanted but could never achieve. Now Monica uses the same process to help individuals and teams transform and create new results.We hear Monicas straight up, unfiltered story of love, loss, rebirth, and how she used her fitness to get through it all!

We talk Pumpkin Spice, so press play, even if you don't know what PSL is. There were numerous sources and resources used in this episode. Enter contests, you might win prizes! Listen to this episode for all you need to know about 2 Monicas & a Microphone September Gift-away. (Closed 2021) It's BIG! It's FUN! And it's all about YOU! You can find full show notes and resources at www.2monicaspodcast.com 2 Monicas & A Microphone is a Nothing Serious Productions podcast. Follow us on all social media @2monicaspodcast Text "listen" to (567) 245-1887? for episode alerts.

Have you ever been hit with a sudden thought? "I wonder what a bean is...how do I not know?" I'm sure some of you do but if you're like one of the Monicas you have no idea. Come learn with us all about things you should know like how do birds fly, why is the sky blue, and why do people yawn? If you know, you know but you'll still have fun. If you don't - well you better listen in! Bonus if you know how to pronounce legume! You can find full show notes and resources at www.2monicaspodcast.com 2 Monicas & A Microphone is a Nothing Serious Productions podcast. Follow us on all social media @2monicaspodcast Text "listen" to (567) 245-1887? for episode alerts.

2 Monicas give their husbands the ultimate Colorblind Tests to see who will be... most colorblind. Find out the winner in this episido. || Real relatable entertainment focusing on history, culture and curiosities || Support the show! Force of Nature Clean! - It's strong enough to kill bacteria and viruses just like bleach, but it has no toxic chemicals whatsoever! It has reusable bottles, it's so much better for the environment than typical cleaners. Click here to start your journey to a toxin free clean. || Leave a Review || Follow on Spotify | 2 Monicas Podcast Spotify Follow on Apple Podcast | 2 Monicas Podcast Apple Follow on iHeart | 2 Monicas iHeart Follow on Instagram | 2 Monicas Podcast IG Follow on Facebook |

It's the day every little girl dreams of - the day she's a giant...monster? Well, for some women it sure seems that way! Listen in as the 2 Monicas scour the internet for the most cringeworthy brides. "Dye your hair! I'm the only blond!" "Pay for your own dinner! Being in my bridal party is honor enough!" YIKES! Better be safe and read their lists of demands for both wedding parties AND guests. It's important to know if you're allowed to wear a full face of makeup. You can find full show notes and resources at www.2monicaspodcast.com 2 Monicas & A Microphone is a Nothing Serious Productions podcast. Follow us on all social media @2monicaspodcast Text "listen" to (567) 245-1887? for episode alerts.

Ep. 26 The world is full of vibrant colors, yet not everyone can see them. They are married to men with this condition. The two Monicas explore the biology and science behind color blindness. This episode is a little nerdy, a little humorous and a whole lot personal. It will leave you thankful you see life in full color. || Real relatable entertainment focusing on history, culture and curiosities || Support the show! Force of Nature Clean! - It's strong enough to kill bacteria and viruses just like bleach, but it has no toxic chemicals whatsoever! It has reusable bottles, it's so much better for the environment than typical cleaners. Click here to start your journey to a toxin free clean. || Leave a Review || Follow on Spotify | 2 Monicas Podcast Spotify Follow on Apple Podcast | 2 Monicas Podcast Apple Follow on iHeart | 2 Monicas iHeart Follow on Instagram | 2 Monicas Podcast IG

Monica Hambrick is an accomplished freelance Alphorn player and teacher.  She is also the founder of the Appalachian Alphorn Adventure located in the beautiful New River Gorge of West Virginia.  In this episode we learn about Monicas teaching history and how curating Alphorn events are helpful in growing the Alphorn community in North America.   https://www.alphornadventure.com

The Jordan brand and the man himself makes a big investment.In this weeks spotlight we look at the career of the legend, Sue Bird.After a week of amazing performances from around the league we look at the impact Candace Parker has made since returning from Injury.Plus Tina Charles and the Mystics pulling out wins shorthanded how strong will they be when everyone is fit.In Olympic news we know the rosters for both the 3v3 tournament and the full 12 person squad for the big tournament.Monica Livingston also joins us to talk about getting in to sport and the impact it has had on her life and how she took the lessens learned on the field to the boardroom.Please check out Monicas website and podcast links are belowhttps://www.monicadlivingston.comhttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-huddle-with-monica-d-livingston/id1552725331Please follow, rate and review. Also check us out at atpsports.netLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep. 20 In a marriage, who picks the movies? Are you the type to watch anything or are you the picky spouse? 2 Monicas discuss movies they've watched with their husbands and the sometimes crazy, sometimes funny conversations that result. From Buddy Games and SPY to Ransom and Taken, 2 Monicas reveal just what happens in their houses on movie night. We just might spark a movie conversation in your house! || Real relatable entertainment focusing on history, culture and curiosities || Support the show! Force of Nature Clean - It's strong enough to kill bacteria and viruses just like bleach, but it has no toxic chemicals whatsoever! It also has reusable bottles, it's so much better for the environment than typical cleaners. Click the link to start your journey to a toxin free clean. 2 Monicas & a Microphone is a Nothing Serious Produ ction || Leave a Review || Follow on Spotify | 2 Monicas Podcast Spotify Follow on Apple Podcast | 2 Monicas Podcast Apple Follow on iHeart | 2 Monicas iHeart Follow on Instagram | 2 Monicas Podcast IG Follow on Facebook | 2 Monicas Podcast FB Follow on YouTube |

In this episode, Shari Oosting sits down with author James K.A. Smith, professor of philosophy at Calvin College, who sets out to speak to this question in his book, On the Road with Saint Augustine: A Real-World Spirituality for Restless Hearts, revealing how Augustine's timeless wisdom speaks to the worries and struggles of contemporary life.James K. A. Smith is professor of philosophy at Calvin University, where he holds the Gary & Henrietta Byker Chair in Applied Reformed Theology and Worldview. Trained as a philosopher with a focus on contemporary French thought, Smith has expanded on that scholarly platform to become an engaged public intellectual and cultural critic. An award-winning author and a widely traveled speaker, he has emerged as a thought leader with a unique gift of translation, building bridges between the academy, society, and the church.The author of a number of influential books, Smith's writing has also appeared in newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and USA Today, as well as in magazines such as America, the Christian Century, Christianity Today, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and LitHub. He serves as editor-in-chief of Image, a quarterly journal at the intersection of art, faith, and mystery.Dayle Rounds (00:01): How does Saint Augustine, an early church father and theologian, still speak to us today in the 21st century? In this episode, James Smith, a professor of philosophy at Calvin University speaks with Shari Oosting about his new book, *On The Road With Saint Augustine: A Real World Spirituality for Restless Hearts*. They discuss how Augustine's teachings provide fresh perspectives for our contemporary context. Smith speaks about how the myth of self-sufficiency could be the root of our anxiety, how a refugee is an appropriate metaphor for the Christian journey, and how we can find liberation in the midst of restlessness. Interlude (00:48): [percussion music + water drop sound] Dayle Rounds (00:48): You're listening to The Distillery at Princeton Theological Seminary. Shari Oosting (00:52): Jamie, thank you so much for talking with me today. James Smith (00:54): Oh, it's really a treat. Thanks Shari. Shari Oosting (00:56): So it was great to spend some time with what feels like you and Saint Augustine. So I'd be curious if you'd walk us into kind of why it felt significant to write this book? Who is Augustine, and why does he matter? James Smith (01:12): Yeah, it's a great question. Because, on the one hand, it's like really? Augustine? Today? It's the 21st century. Hello. Maybe there's more relevant... On the other hand, my intuition and my conviction are that actually, this ancient character gives us a fresh take on our own contemporary contexts. So it really stems from the fact that I think, Augustine has this kind of perennial insight into human nature, into the psychology of the human heart. And, in that sense, he feels like a contemporary. So, we should remind folks, just as a refresher. So when we're talking about Augustine we're talking about somebody who lived in the late 300s and early 400s, so late Roman Empire. But a feature of Augustine that's really interesting is that he's from North Africa. So he's kind of from the provinces. He grows up in a bi-cultural and probably biracial home. James Smith (02:19): So there's all kinds of, sort of, fresh aspects of who Augustine is that we also maybe don't get from the typical theological textbook. So... And then the last, the other piece of it -- is I'm trained as a philosopher. And one of the things that fascinated me was the extent to which 20th-century thinkers who have, you know, influenced us like the writer, Albert Camus, or Jacques Derrida, you know, the terrible postmodernist or Martin Heidegger. These, these were all people who were still grappling with Augustine firsthand. So, there's ways in which we are heirs to this Augustinian inheritance that we might not have realized. Shari Oosting (03:05): Yeah, there's a part where you talk about how, even for those of us who would never define our worldview as Augustinian, or have any of that language, we've been swimming in the water anyway. Can you give, like, a couple of examples of what it means to have kind of absorbed some of his influence along the way? James Smith (03:23): Yeah, let's try this as an example. So one of the things that maybe people don't immediately think of when they think of Augustine is -- he has this really fascinating diagnosis of the restlessness of the human heart. Do you know what I mean? And he's very vulnerable and open about his own sort of struggles of, like, not knowing who he was or what he was about. And especially, you know, in his twenties, he's like trying to figure these things out. And he talks about that specifically, as a kind of restlessness, because as we all -- everybody who's heard of Augustine has heard that famous opening line from the Confessions -- "You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you." What's interesting is, so -- fast forward 1600 years. And, our language of angst, of anxiety is a direct influence from Saint Augustine; the way, you know, we talk about angsty teens now, or whatever it might be. But it's interesting that what put that language on the map for us of an angst, anxiety, this unsettledness, this dis-ease, really trickles down from a German philosopher who was kind of the father of existentialism named Martin Heidegger. And he gave this really sort of influential analysis of angst that then started influencing in France and film and television and literature and things like that. It turns out angst is Heidegger's German translation from when he was reading Augustine's Confessions in like 1919. Shari Oosting (05:11): And now it's all over pop culture and... James Smith (05:14): And you would never know the genealogy of that. So then, what becomes interesting is, I mean -- man, is anything more relevant than anxiety, right? And, so now what, what happens is... My hope is that people come back to an ancient, theologian and bishop like Augustine with these new eyes and say, okay, this was a person who was trying to diagnose anxiety, like cultural and personal and existential anxiety. And that's when I think a text like the confessions sort of opens up afresh to us, and it's not -- it's no longer a kind of spiritual memoir. We don't read it as this moralizing preachy kind of thing. It now it's this interior investigation of his own dis-ease and unsettledness and anxiety. And that, that's why I think he also maybe has something to offer us, as we continue to struggle with that today. James Smith (06:20): Well and it's hard not to think about anxiety, dis-ease without also thinking of our contemporary context, where we've just -- we're living in a global pandemic and our country is in the midst of more and more public exposure to incidents of racial injustice, on top of the ongoing experience, of course. But I wonder, the book came out in '19 and then immediately after we, you know, have been collectively experiencing heightened anxiety and dis-ease. And I wonder if you've had a chance to reflect on that. James Smith (06:56): Yeah. That's... and I can totally identify. I have to say the... Somebody in the New York Times recently described our situation as this languishing that we find ourselves. And it just, I felt so seen. Shari Oosting (07:13): Yeah. Yeah. A friend pointed that same article out to me, and I said, thank you. James Smith (07:17): Yes. It was like, almost gave us permission to sort of name where we are. And I think, I do think someone like Augustine kind of gives you categories and lenses to think about that. So how would that go? Well, on the one hand, Augustine thinks a lot of our anxiety and unsettledness, and not being at peace comes from looking for love in all the wrong places, so to speak. Right? In other words, what he would say is it actually comes from us sort of over-expecting from the even good things that God has surrounded us with. And so what happens is, we kind of like glom onto things, or we fixate on things that we think this is the one thing that's finally going to give me meaning and significance and happiness. And it -- when we, sort of cling to it in that way, it melts between our fingers. That I think is still a very, very powerful analysis of, sort of, our own penchant to look for love in all the wrong places. Interlude (08:30): [Water drop sound] James Smith (08:32): Now, if you pivot and say, okay, well, how would Augustine help us understand where this anxiety comes from in the amorphousness of isolation in the pandemic? Well, this is where, I think, he also has a really interesting account of how and why we are these inherently social creatures. That we are made for friendship. In some ways, friendship is one of his most perennial metaphors for what the good life looks like. And to wither those possibilities of connection is to sort of encase ourselves. And it starts to feel like we are imprisoned within our own mind, we start to feel like we are losing the chance for these connections and webs of meaning and love and significance... And service, I would say, too. Augustine would say the myth of self-sufficiency might be the root of so much of our anxiety. And so then I think what happens is when we are left on our own, we start to experience this dis-ease and we realize, gosh, I need others. I need, and I also need to be needed by others. And that's, I think, what so many of us missed during this past year. Shari Oosting (09:59): Yeah, and we have a culture that's told us that we're independent and we're rugged individuals, but of course, none of us actually is. James Smith (10:06): No, exactly. The other thing I would say too, I mean, if you think of then the sort of injustices that we have witnessed and that too many people have experienced over this past year, Augustine can also... I mean, he has a lot of powerful resources in *The City of God* to help us make sense of why a disordered people sort of steamrolls the neighbor, right? So for Augustine... There's just no possibility of the Christian life for Augustine that is not a social vision. And in that sense, whenever we experience this disruption of the commonweal, because neighbors are being ground under by oppression and exploitation and marginalization, Augustine says, in a sense, the entire -- the fabric of the commonweal itself is rent. And we lose a sense of hopefulness. We lose a sense of commonality and we lose a sense of neighborliness. And there's a lot of ways in which Augustine's diagnosis of what happens in and to Rome (including by the way, Rome's own tendency to idolize itself) actually breeds injustice. And, so I would love to make the case that Augustine's *City of God* is very, very relevant reading for us today. In fact, I couldn't help but geek out when President Biden's inaugural address quoted from *The City of God*, which is... And his point was exactly right. Shari Oosting (11:49): Now. That's fascinating. That's a great transition point. You made choice to think about Augustine as a 'refugee' and as the Christian life as a 'refugee' experience, where often that would be translated as 'pilgrim.' Can you talk a little bit about that choice and what that means, what the implications of that choice are? James Smith (12:08): Yeah, and I have to give a shout out here. The footnotes are in the book, but I have to give a shout-out to a scholar named Sean Hannan, who... I heard him give this amazing presentation at the American Academy of Religion probably four years ago, where he suggested that the language that we typically translate into English from Augustine's works, that we translated as 'pilgrim,' he says that actually there are connotations and resonances in which it would make more sense to translate it as 'refugee.' Well, what difference does that make? Pilgrimage is a kind of sojourn where you actually leave home, go make your pilgrimage, but then you kind of circle back, and for the pilgrim, there's a certain voluntariness almost you could say about that. And there's a kind of -- maybe not... Security isn't the right word... but there's at least a sort of intentionality about it. Shari Oosting (13:13): Or a temporary nature of a pilgrimage? James Smith (13:14): Yeah. And it's temporary. Exactly. Exactly. And it's this kind of circular path. Hannan points out, he says, well, actually, some of the connotation of the phrases that Augustine uses are not of somebody who's going on a trip for spiritual purposes, it's somebody who is fleeing danger, who is trying to escape brokenness, who is running away from injustice and trying to -- importantly -- reach a home they've never been to before. And I think that is a very, very powerful way to re-imagine what the sojourn of the Christian life is in time, which is, in a sense, we are aspiring for a home we've never been to. And yet, to arrive there would be the place where God has built many mansions and says welcome home. The other thing that I found really powerful about that metaphor is, and Hannan highlights this too, the refugee's journey is fraught and vulnerable. Shari Oosting (14:35): Yeah, I'm thinking of Syria. I'm thinking of unaccompanied minors at the Southern border. James Smith (14:40): Absolutely. The tenuousness of the whole endeavor. And it is almost always, even in those contemporary examples, it is so often communal. It's the caravan, it's the boat laden. It's a whole people that are hoping to get somewhere. It is tent cities on the way. And it really kind of opened my eyes to see Augustine afresh. And I felt like it was also probably learning to read Augustine the way, say, the Black church has always read him. In other words, from my white comfort and privilege and status, I'm like, oh yeah, pilgrimage. I would love to go to the El Camino. And that'd be a great to have a trip to Spain. Whereas what we're talking about here is immigration. What we're talking about is asylum. And I think it's spiritually powerful. And then when you see the way that Augustine preaches, one of the things I really try to do in the book is try to say, yes, we know the Augustine of the books of the treatises, confessions, De Trinitate, and so on. But I don't think you can ever really know or understand Augustine until you listen to, read his sermons and read his letters. And in the sermons, you will see him preaching, especially from the Psalms, in a way where he's kind of like with his parishioners in that boat and in the storm-tossed to sea, and he feels the fraught nature of this Christian life. And I think it speaks to a lot of the challenges of an authentic Christian life, one that one that's genuinely, sort of in the world and facing the world. Shari Oosting (16:27): Alright. So you brought this up, so I have to push a little further into this direction. Is there some hesitation about universalizing, in a sense, the refugee experience as the universal Christian experience in some way? Does that question make sense? James Smith (16:43): Yeah, absolutely. No. And I think you're right, that I do think that there is something at the heart of the Christian life as such, that will always experience a spiritually fraught situation if we're really being honest and open about things. Do you know what I mean? On the other hand, I don't think that that should translate into imagining that I experience, the storm-tossed sea the way everyone does, or, that there, that there aren't, for example, Christian communities, for whom this isn't just a metaphor, this is reality. And then actually to see how much the vision of the hoped-for coming city of God animates and sustains them in that situation. I still... It's so unbelievably humbling, for example, to see the way hope works in Black churches, which is almost unthinkable, given what they've endured at the hands of other Christians. Shari Oosting (17:53): And the origin of the Black church in the United States. James Smith (17:56): Yes, exactly. Exactly. What's interesting is that, for Augustine this also wasn't just a metaphor. Like, he kind of put his money where his mouth was, and as a bishop in North Africa, he was actually a really strong advocate for sanctuary for those who were in flight and... Shari Oosting (18:16): Yeah. Talk about that more. That was fascinating to hear about. James Smith (18:19): Yeah. So it's interesting. He really stood up for sustaining congregations and churches as spaces of sanctuary for those who are fleeing all kinds of persecution and injustice. And even to the point where somebody says, well, you know, you never know you might be giving comfort to a criminal or whatever. And Augustine says, I would rather risk that and make sure that I'm giving shelter to those who are fleeing slavery, for example, or fleeing political persecution at the hands of the empire. This church should be a sanctuary. And if that even means we don't always sort of sort out who quote-unquote deserves it. He says, that's not my job. I'm not sorting wheat and tares here. And we have to remember, too, in Augustine's time, a Bishop did have quite a bit of cultural sway and influence, and they're connected with people in power. And how does Augustine use that power? He advocates against the death penalty constantly. He is constantly appealing for clemency, for mercy in judgment. So you see him standing up for those who are being ground under by this experience in ways that I think a lot of people might not have realized. Shari Oosting (19:42): When you think of Augustine as being this kind of journeyer or refugee, at one point, you also described him as an ethnographer, perhaps that's just like a nerdy aside, but I found it just an interesting claim. James Smith (20:00): So what I mean by ethnography -- and by the way, I do think that this is really relevant for those who are engaged in pastoral ministry -- so, let's say, for our purposes, by ethnography, what we mean is: an ability to read the practices of a people in order to understand, sort of, who they are and what's at stake. Do you know what I mean? Shari Oosting (20:25): Can we also call it a little bit of cultural exegesis, but much more locally contextual? James Smith (20:31): Yes, exactly. Cultural exegesis. I love that. I think it's great. And the difference is, we're not just listening to what people say. We are trying to look at what people do. We're trying to understand the rhythms and rituals and routines that shape a people's life. And I'm using people as a community, a sector, whatever, whatever it might be. And so in that sense, it's not just... It's a kind of cultural exegesis, where you're not just attuned to the messages. You're looking at, what I call elsewhere, the cultural liturgies of a society. What are the things we do that do something to us? And I think pastoral care and I think really, really good preaching, has to be informed by that kind of ethnographic attunement, where you sort of read the world that your parishioners are living in, moving in, and what's at stake and what is it doing to us? I have a good friend, Mark Mulder, a colleague of mine in sociology here at Calvin who teaches actually in D.Min. Programs an ethnography course for pastors. So I think this is a really great skill for pastors to develop. What you see in Augustine is exactly that kind of cultural exegesis, where, in his preaching -- and then I would also say, especially in *City of God* -- he doesn't just say, you know, what does Rome stand for? What are the values of Rome, or what's the constitution say or something like that. He's like, no, what are the rites -- R-I-T-E-S of, or what are the rituals that Rome sort of asks of us? And when it asks us to participate in these rituals, what are those rituals subtly doing to us? And so he becomes I think very attuned to the formative dynamics of culture and in some ways the malformative dynamics of culture, which is also, of course, why he's very intentional about sacraments and liturgy as a kind of counter formation to that. Shari Oosting (22:49): But it gives you all these tools, right, for reading our own culture about what are the practices that we engage in, what are the norms? And it kind of makes visible things that otherwise seem invisible if you have been soaking in your own context. James Smith (23:02): Yes, exactly. Especially if, if we've been primed... I bet this is probably less true of your listeners, but I would say in, especially in other wider sectors of Evangelical Protestantism, there's been a tendency to analyze culture as sort of -- propositionally, do you know what I mean? Like, what are the ideas and standards and values and laws or whatever it may be. What we're talking about is, yeah, if you have this sort of Augustinian ethnographic posture, it's not like -- what message is being said? It's what, you know -- what is capitalism? And that's not about economic policies that are set. It's about -- what does the consumer ritual of looking for fulfillment in stuff do to me? Or what do parades of militarism and weekly rituals of nationalism do to us? That's the kind of, sort of, radar that Augustine works. Interlude (24:11): [water drop sound] Shari Oosting (24:14): Let's talk about the concept of being on a journey, being on the road. And, you say at one point that you can go on a journey without moving an inch. So, so talk about some of the different kinds of journeys that Augustine can be a companion for. James Smith (24:29): Yeah. And the title of my book, *On The Road with St. Augustine*, is also a play on the Kerouac, of course, which is this sort of... Basically what happens is, we have absorbed this sensibility, that life is a quest, right? That everybody's on a journey. And what do we mean by that? Well, we're on the road to some destination. We're looking for something, we're chasing something we're after something and whatever that is, whatever we kind of picture as the destination is what we imagined happiness would be. Fulfillment, a significance. Shari Oosting (25:07): Somehow you're going to arrive. James Smith (25:07): Somehow you're going to arrive, exactly. And what Augustine would say is, what happens is so often we imagine, oh, if I can just get to here, then I'll be happy. Then I will have arrived. And what he'll say is, well, basically, if anything you pick as your destination that will count as arrival, if any of that is just finite, your hungry heart is going to chew through it and eventually be dissatisfied. It's not going to work. And so that's the exhaustion of this kind of question. Shari Oosting (25:50): I have to confess. I kept thinking of the *Hamilton* musical song, "They'll Never Be Satisfied." James Smith (25:56): Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. You can also think of Bruce Springsteen at this point. Everybody's got a hungry heart, and there's a sense in which, to put it this way, almost sounds cliche, except I still think he's right... If, because that heart's hunger is infinite, the only thing that could ever satisfy it is ultimately infinite. And so, whatever we're settling for, these finite substitutes, we're deemed to disappointment and that's the exhaustion -- so, okay. That didn't work. What's the next thing. What's the next thing. And I think a lot of us can identify with that. It's like, oh, if I could just get tenure. If I could just get, you know, this pastorate or something... Like now, Augustine's point is this is not about geography, or at least not about physical geography. It's more like the geography of the heart, which is you can be sort of chomping at the bit to "get away" and never leave home because the point is, you're looking for this satisfaction. You're looking for something else and outside of you. Now, I should say, I don't think Augustine wants to demonize or criticize actually that hunger. I think he thinks that's what's built-in. I think he thinks you can't be human and not have the sense that your heart is kind of made for some other shore. Shari Oosting (27:29): So if you're restless, it's not as though you have some sort of human deficiency. James Smith (27:33): No, exactly. It's almost a backhanded testimony that you are the kind of creature who was made for more. That's why I think, you know, pastorally, you might almost say apologetically, Augustine would meet folks in that situation and say, I see you're longing for more. Yes! Yes! Yes! You know, deep, deep affirmation of that. It's just then, where could we find satisfaction? What would arrival look like? Shari Oosting (28:09): Well, you brought up tenure. So can you talk about ambition? Like the way in which this plays out with something akin to ambition? James Smith (28:16): Yes. Yes. And I suppose only egg-head academics would think tenure is ambitious. Shari Oosting (28:22): But Augustine had some, like, he had ambition, right? James Smith (28:24): Absolutely. I mean, I say, if you really want to understand sort of who Augustine was in his time, he was basically a Manhattanite, 1500 years before Manhattan existed, or he's the person who wanted to be working on the hill in the thick of things, changing the world and being admired for doing it. And Augustine is very honest about this, even when he's a bishop. That he says, you know, I'm still ambitious. It's not ambition that's the problem. It's when I imagined that achieving whatever I'm ambitious for would be the ultimate satisfaction. So if I've... What would happen... Let's take my silly example, if, you know, getting tenure was my vision of, like, arrival. There's nothing wrong with hoping to attain that goal. The problem is when I thought that's all I needed to be happy. James Smith (29:25): And then what happens is you get to the top of that hill and, and we all know this. We all know this. You get to the top of the hill. And on the other side of it is this - for lack of a better... A kind of postpartum depression that sets in. And everybody's like, that's it? Really? This is not... So now it's the next thing. And it's the next thing. And it's the next thing. And that's, again, this sort of exhaustion sets in. What is that exhaustion? Restlessness. So what does it look like to be ambitious, but also find rest? Shari Oosting (30:00): Yeah, and what would like a reordered ambition look like? James Smith (30:02): Yeah. So I think Augustine envisions a reordered ambition where now I'm ambitious, not because I think achieving this goal will ultimately give me meaning and satisfaction and happiness. But because now, because I know I rest in God's love for me. In a sense, now, I'm not doing this to prove anything. My ambition is not driven and fueled by demonstrating my worth. Instead, my ambition is propelled from knowing that God's love for me is not dependent on what I accomplish. And I don't know about you, but I find that incredibly liberating. Because now... And so God doesn't say, I love you, sit back and do nothing. It's I love you, you can't do anything that would possibly make me not love you, including failing, not even that it would never affect anybody. So launch out into the deep, take your gifts, discover who you are, and now, you know, unfurl and unfold possibilities that I have packed into this creation as only you could do, so that we can celebrate it. So that it can be a gift to your neighbor. So that it brings joy to the world. And do it excellently and do it as well as you can and train yourself. And what you will find then is now your ambition is sort of the thing that you hold with an open hand. Shari Oosting (31:43): Sounds like a freeway. James Smith (31:45): Yes, exactly. I think so much of how Augustine imagines, what rightly ordered love for the world looks like is it's not love God instead of the world. And it's not cling to the world instead of God. It's receive all of these good and beautiful gifts and hold them in that open hand and be grateful for them, which also means that you could know how to lose them. And I think that's a very vulnerable place to be in. Another reason why I think Augustine is a gift to us is he's also really honest by saying in this life -- that is, in this temporal mortal life, in which we find ourselves, even in Christ -- in this life, it's a long road. There are many miles to go before we sleep. There's still not... Being in Christ is not an escape from restlessness. There's just a kind of different orientation and almost therapy for us in the midst of that. And I find that very liberating too. Shari Oosting (32:53): Yeah. That sense of like an open hand and being able to lose something. There's something that seems really comforting about that. Again, given that we're in a pandemic where there are legitimately so many things to grieve. So how to kind of hold, not because they don't matter. Right. But because things are temporal. James Smith (33:13): Yes. Yes. And it's almost kind of counter-cultural to name that a little bit, but I think you're right. I actually think doing that enables us to grieve more fully. To lament, to honestly lament, and yet do so with hope. Shari Oosting (33:30): Yeah. Well, you've mentioned exhaustion a couple of times, so I have to ask you to talk about what... It sounds to me, the way that you talk about Augustine is he's been a pastor to you. And his sermons and his letters, even in his relationship to his mother. So can you talk about maybe how he's pastored you and what you think rest looks like, in a temporal life that can be exhausting? James Smith (33:55): Yeah. It's, you know, it's funny, I, so many of your listeners must... I imagine pastoral ministry comes with its own loneliness because you're the one who always has to be the pastor and being pastored, I bet is astonishingly rare. And so that can be a very lonely place. And, I would say, Augustine... What I found in Augustine was somebody who like, in a sense, he only gives to me. He doesn't ask any, you know, I don't have to give anything in return and there's there. There's, like, no end to what I learned from him in his sermons in particular. There's such a powerful pastoral presence in those sermons that I find he's almost like the pastor I wish I had. And, rest (this will sound strange) but I would say one of the aspects of rest that I think Augustine articulates is the rest that is found in confession. James Smith (35:02): So that there's something unbelievably liberating in being able to be honest about not getting it right or failing, or as we said, languishing, or just, you know... When Augustine is talking about ambition, you know, in the present tense for himself, and he says, you know, man, I don't know if I'm doing this for God or if I'm doing this for myself and actually I'm probably doing it for both reasons. And there's something like, oh, so we can just say that we could be honest about that. Yes. And God says, I forgive you. I find that incredibly enduring, and I would say it's like, it's counsel, it's, it's deep counsel that you sort of carry with you for a lifetime. Interlude (35:49): [water drop sound] Shari Oosting (35:52): All right, someone who loomed large in Augustine's life was his mother. So, can you introduce us to Monica? James Smith (36:00): Yeah, Monica... She's such an interesting character. She's like helicopter mom extraordinaire. So she, Monica, is an African, probably of Berber origin. She was a Christian and his father was not. She was kind of constantly concerned about the state of Augustine's soul, especially when he was living his kind of frat boy life for 15 years. And what's interesting is Monica is in some ways the star of the Confessions, because she is the sort of incarnate embodiment of God's covenant faithfulness to Augustine. And so she keeps her persistent presence, her indefatigable love for Augustine and also her just confidence that God would hold him and care for him -- is such a steady presence. When I was writing the book, so we, we had an opportunity to spend three weeks, doing sort of field research. James Smith (37:13): And originally we -- unfortunately, because of terrorist activity, we couldn't get to North Africa at the time. So we spent all three weeks tracing his steps from the port city of Ostia up through Rome, and then the ways that he would have made up through Tuscany to Milan, and of course the real sort of culminating scenes of Augustine's life take place in Milan. And then eventually he makes his way back to Africa through Ostia. One of the things that struck me so powerfully is that, in many ways, Monica is more recognized, more celebrated, more revered than Augustine. I mean, if you just think in popular Christian piety in Italy, if you just take, you know, tiny little chapels in out of the way places, how frequently Monica is present is a sign that, of this perennial reality -- which is here is a mother who is praying in tears for the children who are on the run. And if we can all identify with this. Some of us have been that child, we've had those mothers and grandmothers. And so in the sense -- the cult of Monica is such a beautiful, picture of God's own sort of love for us. I was so moved by it. Shari Oosting (38:37): Why do you think that that resonated so deeply with you? James Smith (38:40): To be honest? It's because I have watched my wife, Deanna. So we, I don't know how much autobiography you want to hear. Deanna and I both come from like multiple broken homes, multiple times over. And so we, in a sense, have been trying to be something for our kids that we've never had. And, we've -- you know, our kids are all in their twenties now and things -- and we knew something of what that journey was to like stay alongside children on the run. And Deanna's just utter devotion, just utter unconditional affection and devotion, was such an incarnation of God to me and to her kids that it was so moving. So when we visited the church in Rome where Monica's relics are, and I spotted Deanna in the chapel, and Monica was new to her at that time. And she found this prayer card that listed a sort of a prayer to St. Monica for children on the back of it. And I just looked to the left and I saw Deanna was weeping in this chapel devoted to St. Monica. And I knew that there was this just intense identification. Probably, I bet it's the case, that mothers surely identify with Monica, unlike anybody else could, but there's a sense in which she's also just this human embodiment of indefatigable love and it's so strange because as a philosopher, the way I learned to read Augustine was slanted, if you will. Do what I mean? You come to Augustine in a certain way, and it's crazy that, you know, I'm almost, I was in my forties before I realized, oh, Monica, Monica, Monica is the engine here. And it was... So that was probably my favorite chapter to write. Shari Oosting (40:55): [percussion music starts in the background] Well, that's striking. I mean, when you think about the constellation of people who form others as Christians, the Monicas in that, in that cloud of witnesses, so to speak, loom large, the Deannas loom large, if everyone were to draw out who their kind of religious influencers were, right? James Smith (41:16): Yes. And you know, what's maybe one of the reasons why I'm so humbled by Monica, too, is she's so devoted to prayer. And if I'm honest, this is not what I do. Like, that's not my... It's very hard for me, but you can see that this is somebody who, in a sense, chases her son in prayer to God. And it's -- I think you're right. There are Monica's everywhere. Shari Oosting (41:46): Well, that's beautiful, Jamie. Thank you for the conversation today. James Smith (41:50): It's my pleasure. Thanks for your interest. Dayle Rounds (41:54): You've been listening to The Distillery. Interviews are conducted by me, Dayle Rounds. Sushama Austin-Connor (41:58): And me, Sushama Austin-Connor. Shari Oosting (42:01): And I'm Shari Oosting. Speaker 5 (42:03): I'm Amar Peterman, and I am in charge of production. Dayle Rounds (42:06): Like what you're hearing? Subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your preferred podcast app. The Distillery is a production of Princeton Theological Seminary's Office of Continuing Education. You can find out more at thedistillery.ptsem.edu. Thanks for listening. [water drop sound]  

Ep. 18 Join us today for a lighthearted interview and conversation with Cabaret Singer Meghan Kirk. Her journey to the stage took her from acting in Los Angeles & singing cabaret to flying the world on private jets. One Monica was fortunate enough to connect with her in St. Louis. This two part episode follows Meghan through her journey working for Wolfgang Puck and flying private. || Real relatable entertainment focusing on history, culture and curiosities || Support the show! Force of Nature Clean - It's strong enough to kill bacteria and viruses just like bleach, but it has no toxic chemicals whatsoever! It also has reusable bottles, it's so much better for the environment than typical cleaners. Click now to start your journey to a toxin free clean. 2 Monicas & a Microphone is a Nothing Serious Produ ction || Everything 2 Monicas || Follow on Spotify | 2 Monicas Podcast Spotify Follow on Apple Podcast | 2 Monicas Podcast Apple Follow on iHeart | 2 Monicas iHeart Follow on Instagram | 2 Monicas Podcast IG Follow on Facebook | 2 Monicas Podcast FB Follow on YouTube |

Ep. 16 - If you eat food, you've likely used a condiment or two. Most, if not all of us, have a preference between ketchup & mustard, the tangy zip of that Whip or Mayo, soy sauce or fish sauce, fritssause or mayoketchup. The international world of flavors takes food to another level too. Push play for a whole conversation about the world of condiments and the ways they are used. Get ready to laugh, get ready to gag, get ready to have a conversation about condiments. || Real relatable entertainment focusing on history, culture and curiosities || Support the show! Force of Nature Clean - It's strong enough to kill bacteria and viruses just like bleach, but it has no toxic chemicals whatsoever! It also has reusable bottles, it's so much better for the environment than typical cleaners. Click the link to start your journey to a toxin free clean. 2 Monicas & a Microphone is a Nothing Serious Produ ction || Leave a Review || Follow on Spotify | 2 Monicas Podcast Spotify Follow on Apple Podcast | 2 Monicas Podcast Apple Follow on iHeart | 2 Monicas iHeart Follow on Instagram | 2 Monicas Podcast IG Follow on Facebook | 2 Monicas Podcast FB Follow on YouTube |

Ep. 12 What do you get when you have a love triangle, a secret and night terrors? A thriller story with twists you won't see coming. The Netflix series is based on the best-selling thriller novel by Sarah Pinborough, published in 2017. The story follows Louise, a single mother who begins an affair with her boss, David, and becomes friends with his wife, Adele. This episode breaks down the series with commentary and shock at the ending. Listen now if you can't watch all episodes on Netflix. || Real relatable entertainment focusing on history, culture and curiosities || Support the show! Force of Nature Clean - It's strong enough to kill bacteria and viruses just like bleach, but it has no toxic chemicals whatsoever! It also has reusable bottles, it's so much better for the environment than typical cleaners. Click the link to start your journey to a toxin free clean. 2 Monicas & a Microphone is a Nothing Serious Production || Leave a Review || Follow on Spotify | 2 Monicas Podcast Spotify Follow on Apple Podcast | 2 Monicas Podcast Apple Follow on iHeart | 2 Monicas iHeart Follow on Instagram | 2 Monicas Podcast IG Follow on Facebook | 2 Monicas Podcast FB Follow on YouTube |

Ep. 10 Nostalgia - Soap Operas are synonymous with housewives, drama and fantasy. The love triangles, suspicious deaths and villains in seemingly quiet fictional cities captivated millions for decades. One can only imagine Peg Bundy wore her robe and ate bonbons during the day as she watched Susan Lucci. While we talk about how many husbands Lucci's character had on All My Children, we also play clips from the best intos. For Monica there is nothing more nostalgic than remembering how she discovered soap operas. They bring back good memories from the 90's. Walk through the drama, history and feelings from some of 2 Monicas favorite shows. || Real relatable entertainment focusing on history, culture and curiosities || Support the show! Force of Nature Clean - It's strong enough to kill bacteria and viruses just like bleach, but it has no toxic chemicals whatsoever! It also has reusable bottles, it's so much better for the environment than typical cleaners. 2 Monicas & a Microphone is a Nothing Serious Production || Leave a Review || Follow on Spotify | 2 Monicas Podcast Spotify Follow on Apple Podcast | 2 Monicas Podcast Apple Follow on iHeart | 2 Monicas iHeart Follow on Instagram | 2 Monicas Podcast IG Follow on Facebook | 2 Monicas Podcast FB Follow on YouTube |

Ep. 8 Musicals, love them or hate them, there is a story behind the theater. Dust off your dancing shoes, warm up your voice and belt out the show tunes along with us as we talk through musical history. We cover the origins of Broadway in Vuadville and some of the best-known musicals like Hamilton, Wicked, Chicago, Cats, Phantom and so many more! We even play a little trivia game. How many will you get right? Sources listed on the website. || Real relatable entertainment focusing on history, culture and curiosities || Support the show! Force of Nature Clean - It's strong enough to kill bacteria and viruses just like bleach, but it has no toxic chemicals whatsoever! It also has reusable bottles, it's so much better for the environment than typical cleaners. 2 Monicas & a Microphone is a Nothing Serious Production || Everything 2 Monicas || Follow on Spotify | 2 Monicas Podcast Spotify Follow on Apple Podcast | 2 Monicas Podcast Apple Follow on iHeart | 2 Monicas iHeart Follow on Instagram | 2 Monicas Podcast IG Follow on Facebook | 2 Monicas Podcast FB Follow on YouTube |

Ep. 6 Washington State is known for 'left lane campers" and being too nice at a four way stop. PEMCO even built an ad campaign around these driving characteristics. What drives you crazy while driving? Blinkers? Short Stoppers? Lookie loos? Michigan left turn? Join us for a not so serious look at driving history, pet peeves behind the wheel and more. We promise you'll laugh and realize you're not alone. Sources available on the website. || Real relatable entertainment focusing on history, culture and curiosities || Support the show! Force of Nature Clean - It's strong enough to kill bacteria and viruses jus t like bleach, but it has no toxic chemicals whatsoever! It also has reusable bottles, it's so much better for the environment than typical cleaners. Click the link to start your journey to toxin free cleaning. 2 Monicas & a Microphone is a Nothing Ser ious Production || Leave a Review || Follow on Spotify | 2 Monicas Podcast Spotify Follow on Apple Podcast | 2 Monicas Podcast Apple Follow on iHeart | 2 Monicas iHeart Follow on Instagram | 2 Monicas Podcast IG Follow on Facebook | 2 Monicas Podcast FB Follow on YouTube |

Ep. 4 Bad perms, skunk striped hair, and shaved eyebrows are just the start of these blunders. Laugh at some of YouTube's best DIY videos like burned off hair and DIY body waxing. Walk down memory lane with The Monicas as they relive their worst DIY beauty treatments and realize some things are worth paying for, like professional waxing and Botox. Sources available on the website. || Real relatable entertainment focusing on history, culture and curiosities || Support the show! Force of Nature Clean - It's strong enough to kill bacteria and viruses just like bleach, but it has no toxic chemicals whatsoever! It also has reusable bottles, it's so much better for the environment than typical cleaners. 2 Monicas & a Microphone is a Nothing Serious Production || Leave a Review || Follow on Spotify | 2 Monicas Podcast Spotify Follow on Apple Podcast | 2 Monicas Podcast Apple Follow on iHeart | 2 Monicas iHeart Follow on Instagram | 2 Monicas Podcast IG Follow on Facebook | 2 Monicas Podcast FB Follow on YouTube |