Podcasts about New England

Daniel Cohen is an author, public speaker, and spiritual leader. Daniel is the Rabbi of Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, CT, one of the largest synagogues in New England. In this pod we speak to those things that matter most in life. I ask some big questions. Rabbi Cohen offers comforting answers.   Along the way we discuss – the Purpose (1:00), Legacy (2:30), Abraham 1 and 2 (5:00), Clear Away the Noise (9:10), Teaching from Inspiration (10:45), Flash Mobs of Kindness (11:30), Legacy Academy (15:25), Joe Lieberman (18:30), Elijah Moments  (22:15), Existing vs. Living (27:30), When Bad Things Happen to Good People (28:45), Rabbi and the Reverend (31:45), and final words (35:00). Access Daniel Cohen's inspirational resources @ Rabbi Daniel Cohen Grab a copy of Rabbi Cohen's book @ What will they Say about You when you are Gone?   Want more? Check out Daniel Cohen's podcast @ Judaism in the 21st Century. This podcast is partnered with LukeLeaders1248, a nonprofit that provides scholarships for the children of military Veterans. Send a donation, large or small, through PayPal @LukeLeaders1248; Venmo @LukeLeaders1248; or our website @ www.lukeleaders1248.com. You can also donate your used vehicle @ this hyperlink – CARS donation to LL1248.  Music intro and outro from the creative brilliance of Kenny Kilgore. Lowriders and Beautiful Rainy Day.

After a tough first quarter where the Celtics gave up 39pts after a 6-6 from 3 start from the Pacers, the Celtics calmed down and blew the doors off the Pacers 140-122. JB scored 30pts continuing his ridiculous run scoring 30+ in 8 straight games which is just 1 shy from tying Larry Bird all time. Hauser balled out hitting his first 7 3s. Pritchard scored 29pts and White scored 21!It may not have started perfectly but the Celtics turned it around quickly out scoring the Pacers 47-22 in the 2nd quarter and never relinquishing the lead after with their largest lead being 28 pts!! Make sure to tune into the podcast for a complete player analysis and full game breakdown!This podcast is brought to you by me, Guy DePlacido. I have been a Loan Officer servicing MA, NH and ME for the last 5 years so if you are looking to buy or refinance, reach out to me today at (978) 804-7756 or email me at guy.deplacido@ccm.com! Like the Boston Celtics, I know that you need a great team behind you to win so this year I am partnering with some of my favorites including Deb Burke, and Collin Tucker.If you're looking to buy or sell a home in the near future meet Deb Burke, your trusted realtor at Compass Real Estate, serving MA and NH. With a passion for finding dream homes, Deb is committed to making your real estate journey a breeze. Whether you're buying or selling, Deb's got your back. Reach out today at 978-930-4621 or email deb.burke@compass.com to start your next chapter. Let's turn your real estate dreams into reality!After getting preapproved with me and finding your home with Deb Burke, you'll want to make sure your home is protected and for that, there is nobody better than Collin Tucker at Berlin Insurance Group. Collin is a local agent but he is licensed in all of New England with over 20+ carriers for auto and home insurance guaranteeing the lowest quote possible. I have worked with Collin so many times not only for my clients insurance needs but mine as well. Reach out to Collin Tucker at Berlin Insurance Group at 508-459-1226 or Collin@berlininsurancegroup.comOne of my favorite things about the Celtics is how much they care and give back to the community and INspire Cafe is following that model too. Inspire Cafe is a Community Cafe in Wakefield on a mission to inspire change and creating a more inclusive world where individuals with diverse abilities are not just included but valued. If you're looking for, not only amazing food, but an opportunity to support a cafe that is inspiring change check out INspire Cafe in Wakefield today!

On this week's episode: It's the final Hub on Hollywood episode of 2025! James and Jamie look at the New York Times' best movies of the year, films watched at the movie theater, breakout actors, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review, and more! The Hub on Hollywood, hosted by Jamie and James, delves into the thriving film industry in New England. The podcast explores the production of various projects, including commercials, television shows, and full-length feature films. The podcast offers insight into New England’s growing film industry, as well as entertainment news and reviews. Subscribers can access the podcast on the iHeartRadio app and follow the hosts on Instagram and TikTok for updates.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Quaranteam - Dave In Dallas: Part 6 Planning a Future. Based on a post by RonanJWilkerson, in 12 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels. October 17, 2020. All of Dave's partners were at the park, setting up the folding table and portable gazebo. None of his partners were wilting flowers, so he couldn't exactly muscle his way in to doing the set up. But, they had taken off with the intent that three would return to clean the dishes while the rest hung out in the park for Shawna to get off in barely an hour. Roscoe and Esme, of course, were among those getting to run around in the grass and fresh air. So, Dave was at the sink, scrubbing dishes with some of his favorite songs playing out of his Echo Show in the kitchen. The volume was cranked, and so was Dave's voice as he sang along, rather skillfully, but a bit out of practice. Currently, he was belting through a Kenny Loggins song. One that got him energized and moving. Isabella's eyes, Oh, shine your light and make your momma smile "Who, yeah, shake it baby!" Dave spun around, caught in the act. Doing dishes, and singing. And dancing. Sort of. Mel and Becca stood at the entrance to the kitchen, clapping and whistling. Lupie was beside them, with a smile and a raised eyebrow. "I claim dibs on naming my first daughter Isabella!" Rebecca called out. Melanie pursed her lips and looked defeated. "I'd fight you for that privilege, but with a daughter named Esmeralda, that'd be too close. Besides," Lupie added with a wry smile, "some would say it's the same name, so I guess I got there first." Then, she playfully stuck out her tongue. Now, Lupie is often fun loving, but this was a level of silly unheard of for her. Everyone was too busy laughing with her to show much in the way of shock though. Dave moved in to hug her and delivered a soft kiss. Lupie hummed into the kiss and smiled before pulling back with a playful scowl. "Don't think I forgot you were doing basic chores, David." "They needed doing, and I didn't have much on my plate at the moment, corazon ." Lupie just narrowed her eyes at Dave's reply, but the smile below gave away her jest. For added measure, Dave slapped her ass and then squeezed. That and Lupie's 'Eep!' got Mel and Becca laughing again. Then they took up position behind Dave's shoulders, so he was surrounded by his partners. Their hands slid along his sides in ways that were chaste, for now, but hinted at an interest in something more. "No, horny girls, remember this is Shawna's celebration. Picnic party in the park, the gift from Becca and Reena, and then she gets Dave all to herself until after breakfast." The younger women groaned, but acquiesced. "Shawna's heading straight there from work, and she texted me a few minutes ago she was on her way out the door. We need to wrap up here in short order and get to the park." Lupie sent Dave to wash up and change for the party while the ladies finished the remaining dishes and picked up the last needed items for the party. They got to the park about ten minutes before Shawna, or just enough time for Roscoe to finish saying hello to each of them. The other ladies greeted Shawna warmly, then she advanced on Dave, who had been waiting his turn. "Congratulations, babe. I'm proud of you and happy for you." Shawna wrapped him in a tight hug and a long, lingering kiss that was smoky rather than fiery. "I've been looking forward to that all day." Dave smiled and dropped a quick peck on her lips. "So, just the two of us until tomorrow morning huh?" Shawna grinned. "Umm-hmm. Very accommodating crew you've drawn to you, darling." "And pretty good cooks too. You should get something to eat. I made that cucumber tomato salad you like." "Ooo, with the fresh veggies you just harvested?" Dave nodded. Shawna skipped happily to the table, Dave beside her, holding her hand. Dave ate a double helping of everything. Each dish was tasty, and he was hungry. He sidled up to Shawna. "So how's Skippy the Wonder Boy doing?" Shawna's department now consisted of her, a young and fresh out of college guy with his master's in meteorology, and a young lady that was on her internship last spring when lockdowns hit. Each had different levels of skills, and each had shortages that Shawna, as the boss, had to train them up from. At least 'Skippy' had finished all the classes. He seemed like a pleasant guy on air. Unfortunately, he looked perpetually 14, wearing one of daddy's suits. The scruffy attempt at a beard was not helping. Shawna's scowled. Hard. "Mitchell is coming along just fine. Especially for a young man thrust into a position with far more responsibility than he should have to carry this soon out of school." "I'm sorry, hun. He always comes off as very pleasant, but he also looks way too young." "He is too young. He's handling his professional duties quite well, though. It's his personal life I worry about occasionally." "How so?" "Well, his first partner was a former Cowboys cheerleader, and looks it. She's been off the squad for two years, so she didn't get snapped up by some rich guy wanting a trophy." Shawna paused to a rough exhale. "But yeah, this earnest, and rather naïve, nerd boy has the devastatingly hot, bubbly woman three years older than him dumped in his lap. His first day back after she'd joined him, I thought the top of his head was going to fall off, he was smiling so big." Dave snorted at the image. He could understand the boy's predicament. That made him think. "That was just the start. His second partner was his sister's best friend; she was homecoming queen and prom queen. The sad side is, his sister didn't make it." Shawna's voice caught. "So sometimes he's having sex with this beauty that he never thought would come near him, and sometimes they're crying together over his dead sister and her dead friend." "Damn this fucking virus," Dave said huskily. He blew out a breath. "He really is one of us isn't he?" Shawna nodded. "How many partners does he have?" "Mindy, his fourth partner joined him last week. He's probably getting a fifth soon." She thought for a moment. "Guess that means you'll be getting another lady soon as well." Dave shrugged. "Yeah, maybe. I'm at seven now, so maybe that's it. That would be fine by me. Any one of you alone are incredible." He paused for the appreciative kiss. "I was thinking, if both families are plused up enough to be safe, then maybe we should invite him and his partners over. For games, or just talk and some background music." Shawna brightened. "Now that's the man I fell for." She kissed him firmly on the cheek. "I don't know if he has any friends or family left, and his girls are nice ladies, but not nerds. Well, Ginger, his third partner is an anime fan, but I think that's the extent of her nerd creds. Mindy's an athlete. Now, all of them love him to death, and they may share some of his other interests, but not the nerdy stuff." Dave frowned. "Sounds like Oracle isn't working out for him." "Oh, no. He has interests that aren't strictly speaking nerdy. And I know there's some sharing going on there. Kelly, the former cheerleader, shares his love of gardening." "And that's something Liv and I can share with the both of them." "Yup." "Okay, let's talk it over with the others and plan something." Dave looked chagrined. "So, uh, what's his real name?" Shawna gave him a pursed-lip grin with narrow eyes. "Mitch. Mitchell Westfield" "I'll work on that." Shawna gave him some side-eye, but with a grin, as they walked back to the others. Becca and Reena were waving them over excitedly and everyone had gathered around the box with the cake Lupie'd made. Shawna opened the package Reena held up for her. In the small box was a black t-shirt with the station logo over the heart on the front and "Weather Boss" across the back. The girls had carefully made sure it was just the right fit, not too snug or too loose for Shawna to wear to work. She laughed and hugged each teen. "You two are pretty awesome you know?" Both young ladies beamed. Shawna draped the t-shirt over her shoulder as Lupie opened the box to reveal the cake. It was three layers, with milk chocolate icing. On the top was the station logo, with the words 'Chief Meteorologist'. Around the sides, as one walked around, there was a sun breaking through clouds, a cloud with rain falling from it, and the third tableau depicted a tornado, with a bit of dust obscuring the bottom. "Oh, it's perfect Lupie! Thank you so much!" The ladies embraced before Lupie set about slicing the well-crafted dessert. Naturally, Shawna got the first slice. Between the layers was a thin puree of strawberries; Shawna's favorite. That was good for a small happy dance, which in turn, made Lupie happy. With everyone chatting happily, Dave slipped away from the others. He just had a small side trip he needed to make. About fifteen minutes later, Shawna came around the bend in the sidewalk as it exited the trees near the base of the bridge. She moved, unhurried, to Dave's side as he stood at the peak of the bridge, looking down at the stream passing below. In flood stage, it took a wider path, and might legitimately be called a river. Most of the time, it remained within the narrow channel with broad margins that were pleasant to walk along if you wore the right footwear. "You know, we all saw you leave. We just thought you needed some space. Or some time." She looked into his face, seeing the evidence of tears, but not a full-on bawling episode. "This is Eddie's bridge isn't it?" Eyes watering again, Dave didn't trust himself to speak and merely nodded. Shawna stepped closer and hugged him. They stood like that for a few minutes before she slowly released him. "Thanks. I needed that. I just; I'm such a damn wimp. I know I need to be stronger for all of you, but I; I can't move past this." "You keep focusing on the times you fall down. I see the man that gets back up, shoulders the burden, and keeps going." "I don't want to though, I only do it because I have to." "That's what makes you the man I've fallen in love with. No one wants to take the burden, and some people refuse to do it. You do it, knowing how much pain you'll go through again." "This world sucks ya know." "It always has, we just papered over it and let ourselves forget. Now is one of the times the ugliness rips through the paper walls and makes us look it in the face." Shawna paused to stroke the side of Dave's face soothingly. "Do you remember the Kurlan Naiskos, in TNG?" "Yeah." "One of your voices is an ox. Carry any burden, push through any problem, get the job done no matter the cost to yourself. A low-key hero. Maybe not the only hero within you. All I'm saying is, I am very glad to have you in my life, and to be a part of your life." They stood there at the railing, looking at the water for a minute or so. Then Shawna spoke again. "Honestly David, we're talking about your son's death here. I'd be worried if you weren't having bouts of sorrow. Hell, that would scare the shit out of me. I'd much rather come home to find you curled into a fetal position bawling your eyes out, than you just blithely going about your life as if nothing happened." Dave looked up at her and smiled weakly. "Okay. Sorry, I just feel like such a pussy when I get like this." "Don't make me tell Becca on you," Shawna said with a grin. With a sly smile, Dave rejoined, "So, how may I convince you to keep my dirty secret?" "Hmm, kitty's hungry, Davey." Shawna said in a low tone. Then she nibbled her finger and switched to a higher pitched schoolgirl pleading tone. "Kitty needs cream. Please Davey, pump your cream into my hungry, wet kitty." "Kitty hell, I'm looking at a strong, capable panther that could eat me alive and make me smile the whole time." Shawna grinned, excited. The skirt she wore that day was long and loose, without being flowy. Dave knelt briefly to reach his hands up and pull off her thong panties. He stuffed them in his pocket as she gathered the lower part of her skirt in her hands and leaned back against the railing. Fortunately, Dave was wearing jeans instead of cargo shorts today. Cargos would have dropped to his ankles the moment he unbuckled, leaving his bare ass out for anyone to walk by and see. Though no one seemed to be on the trail today. Instead, he unbuckled and unzipped, lowering his jeans and boxers just enough to bring his already half-erect cock out. When he stepped closer to Shawna, she wrapped her left leg around his waist and draped the skirt to cover the both of them. A few minutes of hungry kisses and energetic groping had Dave at full mast. He slipped himself inside Shawna's drenched pussy while she groaned. They fucked hard. Shawna focused mostly on staying upright and close, but put some effort into fucking back at him. Dave drove himself into her, his hunger matching hers, one hand behind her torso, the other fondling her tit through her shirt and bra roughly, the way she liked when they were going fast. His thumb and forefinger grasped at her nipple, and Shawna hit her first orgasm. She shook in Dave's arms, her rippling inner muscles running riot on his intruding organ. As she calmed, he approached his peak. She could see it in his eyes and urged him onward with soft, lusty whispers. As Dave erupted, she clutched him tight, her body overcome with spasms as the serum renewed her attachment to him, giving her pleasure when he attained climax. When her shuddering subsided, she kissed him warmly. Dave slipped himself out of her and quickly fixed his boxers and jeans. He handed her panties back, so she had something to stem the fluids flowing out of her. There were knowing smiles when they rejoined the others, but no commentary. In the mid-evening, with dusk sufficiently fallen outside, Dave and Shawna lay cozily tangled in the bath. With darkness outside and only the smallest, dimmest light on the vanity, the lighting gave a warm, inviting ambience. Peach bubble bath scented the air more than the water. It was just a little late in the year for a fresh peach; Dave checked that early in his planning. Shawna took another deep breath, a big, lazy grin on her face. "My favorite scent ever." "So can I call you my Georgia peach, even if you're not from Georgia?" "Well, I sort of am. My mother's from Georgia. Mom and Dad met at UGA. He was majoring in Civil Engineering and she was majoring in Music Education. When they graduated, they moved to St Louis to start their new life together. Dad grew up in Creve Coeur, a town near St Louis." "That's a sweet story." "Umm hmm. I'm hoping to have the same happily ever after here. They're both alive and quarantining hard. Hopefully, the vaccine will get there soon. I haven't said anything to them directly, but they are being careful." Dave gave a slight extra squeeze to the hug. They sat there in silence again for a while. Then Dave's hands slipped downward a bit, cupping her tits lightly as he hummed '; really love your peaches wanna shake your tree ;” Shawna recognized the tune and chuckled. It was a long, slow, comfortable night, with more cuddling and light touching than sex. Ditto for the wake up. Chapter 8; Planning a Future. October 19, 2020. Shawna's early shift meant she was home for dinner with enough time to change and sit with the family talking while Lupie and Reena prepared the meal. "Mom was a pretty good painter. She actually sold a few at small auctions. The one she was proudest of, she gave to Dave though. He's a fan of seascapes, so she made this beautiful painting with a cliff in the upper left and a roiling, storm-tossed ocean filling most the canvas. Lots of white caps and ocean spray, dark stormy waters, the whole works. You could almost feel like you were on the deck of a ship struggling to stay afloat in the storm." Liv looked wistful as she spoke of her mom's talents. "Oh! I've seen that one!" Jan exclaimed. The others looked between Livy, Dave, and Jan. With a neutral face that they had become accustomed to at certain times Dave said, "I put it away in a closet to keep it safe. I; went through a dark time there for a while. I didn't want to damage it." "And I found it when I was looking for the book boxes you mentioned. I'm sorry I brought it up, Dave." Olivia nodded her agreement with Jan. "Don't be ladies. Janelle's gift is a bright point. Honestly, I'm at a place now that I would feel safe bringing it back out. And the photos." A small relief settle over the gathering. There were a few spots that obviously held a picture or painting for some years, but had been bare when the ladies arrived. The general state of the world, and the events of Olivia and Melanie's arrival made each reluctant to broach the subject. "It would be good to see pictures of Eddie, Janelle, and; Carter?" Shawna said softly. "I don't think I ever saw Livy's parents, but I met Eddie a few times." Becca chimed in. "He was a nice guy. Kinda handsome too. But, I know where he got that from." She blew an air kiss to Dave. The others grinned or chuckled, with a few nods. "Well, she made the painting in Eddie's senior year, and he was between girlfriends when Mom finished. She had me bring it over on a weekend she knew Eddie was staying with Dave. Dave hadn't moved to this house yet." Dave chuckled, in memory, as he realized where Olivia was going with this story. "Keep in mind, Eddie is almost three years older than me. At the time, I was a few months past fifteen, and Eddie was shy of his eighteenth birthday by a few months. Mom drives me, but hangs back a bit, having me talk to Dave and Eddie. I get to Dave's front door, all flustered, 'cuz here's my crush, that I fantasize about spending my life with," Olivia is beaming a big smile at this point, with Dave replying with a shame-faced smile, "being all happy for this gift I'm giving him and showing me all this affection, but like I'm a well-loved daughter, not a woman he'd go out with. And all these little-girl-in-love feelings are just going haywire." The older ladies all showed some level of sympathy for Olivia. For her part, Becca slipped off her spot, nestled in beside Dave and said, "I don't know what you're talking about." The play-act was good for a chuckle. "That's when Eddie pipes up and offers to take me out that evening. He looked uncertain, but somewhat interested. We were friends, but there'd been no romance, no attraction. I was torn, because Eddie is a; " Olivia swallowed "--was a great guy, but he wasn't the guy I was after. I agreed, though. A week later he admitted that Dave put him up to it, and Mom was almost certainly involved. The three of them made multiple attempts at throwing us together. Hell, Eddie was the only boy Daddy didn't try to scare off." "Wait, so you dated Eddie?" "Not really. It was just two friends hanging out. It happened a few times as Mom, Dad, and Dave kept trying to get us together, but it never stuck. We both thought the other was an incredible person," she paused for a second again, "but there was no; no spark of desire. I mean, yeah, he thought I was pretty, I thought he was handsome, but it just wasn't there." "OK, 'cuz that would have been really weird. Especially if you two had; " "Nope." Olivia said it awfully quick, with a bit of extra color rising in her face. That caused everyone else to lean in. "Girl," was all Shawna said. Olivia rolled her eyes and exhaled hard. "They were trying so hard, and we really liked each other, and we thought maybe if we just tried; but we couldn't kiss without giggling. Like we couldn't bring our lips together we'd bust out laughing first. On the cheek was fine, but lips touching was just too goofy." Olivia stared off into space for a moment. "Okay, there was one time we tried to go all the way. I was over eighteen by then. We each undressed ourselves, but by the time we were both naked, we both had the nervous giggles. On paper, we should have been a great match, but something big was missing." "Oh, I've felt it," Becca said, waving her hand in the air, "I know what the big missing thing was." The whole house cracked up laughing. "Hey, we are talking about my friend here. And he's Dave son, so he was no slouch there. It just wasn't hard. That was a little demoralizing. I'm standing there, naked, tits out, not trying to hide anything, and I was already keeping it trimmed, so it's all out there where he can see it, and he's limp. Full length, but limp. That was a blow to my ego." "Coulda been worse. If you had slept with Eddie ;” A collective shiver ran through the room. "Yeah, yeah that would be weird. I may or may not have gone out the next weekend and found a guy to assuage my hurt ego, though." A few sympathy nods occurred in response. "About two months later, I found another boyfriend, but by then, I knew in my heart I was just biding time 'til I was old enough to pursue Dave. I was over eighteen, of course, but I knew I needed to be a bit older to really get his attention. That relationship eventually petered out, and every guy since has been a month or two fling about twice a year so I don't go crazy." "And now you have your dream guy." Jan supplied. Just then, Reena came out to the arch separating the dining room and living room. "We're starting to bring dishes out to the table. You can start taking seats." Looking at Becca, she added, somewhat resignedly, "Did you tell him yet?" Becca squealed. "I almost forgot! Thank you for reminding me! We were watching MTV earlier, and they're going through a leadership change. Like all the bigwigs got fired, and now they have a new CEO." Dave looked askance. "I haven't been interested in MTV for a few decades, back before they should have stopped using the 'M' if they were being honest." "That's just it though! The new guy has announced they will refocus on music." "But I liked The Real World!" Kareena grumped. Becca stuck her tongue out at Reena, before turning back to Dave. "And you'll never guess who the new head of MTV is!" "I don't follow music industry executives, so no, I really have no idea, who it could be." "But you know this guy," she said with a wide grin. "He's a little white, a little nerdy. He likes polka; " "No. Way." Dave said with a grin on his face. "Weird Al?" Shawna started chuckling. "Seriously?" "Yep! Weird Al Yankovich is the new head of MTV! They're having a grand re-opening Wednesday, noon, Pacific Time. They said there will be themed hours, so certain times will be 80's music, or 90's, or girl-pop, or hard rock, etc." "Wonder if they'll borrow VH1 'Pop-up Video' with the little factoids. That could be a good hour-block too." That's when Lupie appeared to summon them all to the table for dinner. Firmly this time. As dinner wound down, Lupie turned to Becca. "Have you asked him yet?" The little blonde shrunk into herself. "No," she said softly. "Ask me what?" Dave inquired. Reena looked at Becca like she was waiting for her to take the lead, but wouldn't for much longer. Rebecca swallowed hard, inhaled like she was steeling herself, and looked at Dave. "We didn't get a prom. Reena pointed that out last week. And, back then, it wasn't an issue for me. I mean, even without; everything that's going on. But now, it'd be kinda cool. So, um, the others are putting a prom on for us; me and Reena, I mean; so, uh, Dave, would you take me to prom?" Dave was surprised, and a little stunned. "I, uh," he sputtered, until Lupie, Jan, and Shawna fixed him with very determined looks. "Of course. Yes, Rebecca Sampson, I will escort you to prom." The cheers around the table settled after a moment, and attention turned to Reena. She beamed. "Dave, would you take me to prom also?" With a big grin, Dave replied, "Well, I dunno, I already have one prom date ;” his tone was playfully enough to keep most of the panic flutters out of Reena's stomach. "I would happily share a prom date with Reena." Becca interjected. "Then yes, Kareena Agrawal, I will escort you to prom along with Becca." Another round of cheers as both girls laughed. "So, you get a second prom Dave, this time with two hot dates!" Jan teased. Dave looked at her side eyed. "First actually. I wasn't in any kind of social demand in high school." "Wait, you didn't go to prom?" half the ladies exclaimed. Dave scoffed. "It was a social thing. I was a nerd. Okay, I'm still a nerd, don't give me that look. Anyway, I didn't belong at social events. Dances, football games, I didn't go and nobody missed me." "I'm a nerd, and I went to prom, David." Shawna replied. "You're a pretty girl. Boys like to go to dances with pretty girls. Girl nerds still get asked out, especially when they're attractive." No one wanted to ruin the mood by pursuing that line of discussion further, but they all noted an undertone in Dave's comments. October 21, 2020. Dave planted soft kisses on Lupie's shoulder as he drove himself in and out of her hot, wet tunnel. He held her hip with one hand and traced lazy patterns on her abdomen with the other. Lupie's hands rested on the wall as she bent over, pushing her ass out so Dave could pump himself into her sex. They were ten minutes into what was supposed to be a quickie, but both enjoyed the union so much they were subtly stretching out the encounter. Of course, the fact that Esme's room was right next to Dave's office added some need for quiet. And quiet fucks were generally slower. Still, they couldn't take forever. With this many people in the house, no matter how quiet they were, if they kept going, someone would walk in on them. Dave slipped his hand from Lupie's belly up to her tit. He took a firm, possessive grip and rubbed her nipple with his palm and massaging the bulk of her tit with his fingers. Lupie's right hand left the wall and flew to her mouth. Her shoulder braced against the wall, Lupie's eyes rolled back as her torso convulsed. Her low moan of ecstasy was largely stifled by her hand. The undulation of her inner muscles set Dave off, and he fired several ropes of hot cum into her waiting passage. Both stood there for a minute, steadying themselves and luxuriating in the primal satisfaction of the completed act. As Dave softened and slipped out of her, Lupie reached to the side table and grabbed some tissues to catch any leakage. She turned, resting her back against the wall and staring into her lover's eyes. "You know David, tomorrow is the day. Hopefully." Dave looked at her quizzically. "I ovulate tomorrow. I've been tracking it. This time could be the one that gets me pregnant." Dave leaned into Lupie and took her in his arms. A shudder passed through him as he realized he might soon be a father again. A dark, demented voice rose up to remind him just how well that worked out the last time. "Still," Lupie purred with a grin, "I wouldn't mind a second dose tomorrow, just to increase our chances." Dave kissed her slowly on the lips, with no tongue. "Purely for reproductive purposes of course." He added a wink. Lupie hugged him tightly after barking out a short laugh. Then they dressed and she headed back downstairs. Dave opened the new microfridge and pulled out a bottle of water and a pouch of tuna in sunflower oil. Livy and Mel picked up the fridge last week, during the grocery run. The same trip they'd gotten the palmprint secured gunsafe for Livy's headboard. Mel and Reena put it in place while Dave and Liv installed the safe. He guzzled about half the water bottle before setting it down. Then he took his time with the tuna and the other half the bottle. Time enough to mull over his problem. His game might be dead in the water, for good this time. As with so many others, he hadn't heard back from the artists that made the images for him in too damn long. The background artist, Harrison Black, had been incommunicado for months. That may not be an insurmountable problem. There was only one background missing from the scenes he had planned out. Those scenes might be movable to one of the existing settings. Or maybe he could find an artist to make that last image and match Harri's style; but that would be a dicey prospect. As long as he didn't add any new locations, he was good there. But; his character artist was also not responding. His last email two months ago mentioned he was sick. He had finished all of the characters through the last update, but the game had three more characters to complete the cast, and one played a pivotal role in the last two scenes of the pending update. He needed to find a new artist. And negotiate a new contract. For a game whose market may have shrunk drastically. Who the hell would pay money for a game about a guy surviving an apocalypse and fucking hot babes when they're in the middle of an actual apocalypse and every surviving guy had several women addicted to his cum? It was still worth a shot though. After mulling over the wording, Dave opened Discord and navigated to UnVale, the site he'd used before. He found an appropriate thread and started typing. budget: $800 plus 10% of revenue work: headshot and 3d poly-rigged female character, character description (rough physical and detailed personality) provided in further communications. three characters needed. possibly three artists, one per character. Upfront and percentage applied per character. timeline: 6-8weeks Commercial use, erotic game respond by DM please With that done, Dave left the server. There were other things to do. He logged into the email server for Eastfield and checked for messages. His dean emailed with a list of classes for spring semester. Technically, she was offering the list for his approval. Yeah right. She's the dean. Yeah, He'd made full professor rank five years ago, but getting in a pissing match with the dean over class assignments was never a good idea. And she'd never given him reason to anyway. The 'check these to make sure they are right' note always elicited that rebel reaction in him. Interesting. Math department must be shorthanded. Dave had one section of college algebra in addition to two sections of physics. One of those was calc-based, the other algebra & trig based. And then a section of gen ed physical science. That had been awhile, but something he'd done before. He emailed back the list looked fine, but he'd need a copy of the texts for the math and physical science classes, and quickly, so he could start planning. Hard copies if possible. At least a looseleaf version. He tagged in a suggestion they offer an astronomy class or earth science or oceans class. Something more focused that could get the kids attention. Student interest tends to improve student scores, after all. He pointed out with a little review time, he could teach the astronomy or earth science class. If they went with an oceans class, he'd need one of the biology folks to cover the portions of the class on sea life. Ugh. College algebra had some interesting and useful tools but teaching it to a class of mostly 'why do I have to take this'? whiners could make for a demoralizing semester. Well, maybe that would be the plus side of an apocalypse. The survivors might be all that much more desirous to grow and achieve. Okay, plan with positive thoughts. Expect hungry, eager young minds. Or even hungry, eager older minds. And a little bit scared. Some more than others. Lastly, he suggested that whichever of the three they offered should have a field trip component. Now more than ever, it was important to break students out of their doldrums and really see the stuff they talked about in class. "Dave! Dave! Dave!" Becca burst through his office door. "It's on! It's coming on next! Come down!" She gave him a quick kiss on the lips and raced back out. Dave was chuckling by the time she turned around, and rising as she passed the doorframe. He joined her in the living room in short order, without running. Lupie, Liv and Mel were waiting as well. Jan and Esme came out of the library just as Dave hit the bottom of the stairs. "All of you are music video fans?" Dave asked. "Or Weird Al?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. "I'm a you fan, David," Lupie replied, "and a Becca fan. You two are so excited by this, I had to be here to watch." "You exposed me to Weird Al when I was young and impressionable. My interest in him is all your fault." Olivia observed with a smirk. "Hey, I'm just band wagoning here," Melanie chortled. Then Jan chimed in. "This is a cultural event. It would be educational for Esme," she said with a sly grin. The commercial cut away and an aural cascade of celebration sounds issued from the TV. "Hello, all you beautiful people, I'm Martha Quinn, your Video Jockey for this inaugural segment of the renewed Music Television channel. Yes, we are concentrating on music again, and, in honor of the impending Halloween holiday, we have an oldie but a goldie; Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'." The screen cut to the iconic video by the king of pop. The full version. When it ended, Quinn was back. "I get chills from that every time." Martha shook her head, smiling. "Now, with the Thanksgiving holiday not far away, our new CEO has whipped up something to make the meal; just a little extra special." Guitar chords from Eric Clapton's 'Cocaine' start playing. When you eat leftovers, And you're feeling averse, ptomaine Half the room cracked up laughing. Dave didn't hear most the rest of the lyrics, but hell, his family was laughing. And surely the song would play again. It was good to laugh. By the time they settled down, the video was over and Martha Quinn's face stared back at them. "I hope you all enjoined that as much as I did. I'll be back to host 'The '80's Hump Day Show' this evening, but until then my younger colleagues will host shows featuring current, or at least more recent, styles. Our new formatting is geared to exemplify and introduce the unique and wonderful flavors of different eras and genres. We here at MTV would like to foster greater understanding and appreciation between peoples of different generations, so please, at some point during the week, take the time to sit in with us as we cover an era or style you are unfamiliar with and get to know some of the things that make other people in your life tick." Dave couldn't shake the sense that Quinn knew about the Quaranteam serum and was trying to foster connections between partners of well separated age groups, without talking about the serum in even the slightest. Then again, the sentiment had its own value, without the serum issues. October 22, 2020. The doorbell was still an unusual sound to hear these days, even though the house no longer felt like his own pyramid. It definitely wasn't quiet at the moment. House Belsus was in the midst of a round robin Mario Cart championship. Although, this one was a warmup. Shawna wasn't here, so they'd have another contest when the whole house was present. At the moment, Mel and Olivia were frustrated with each other and Esme's otherworldly ability both in the game and playing the two off each other. As the two of them attacked the other, Esme got ahead of them both. Becca was laughing, and well ahead of all three, sailing free and clear of any competitor or trap. Until Esme got a blue shell. Just as it detonated, the doorbell sounded. "I got it!" Reena shouted, leaping to her feet and rushing for the door. Dave rose to follow, but was tackled by Becca, Liv, and Mel. Lupie began to object, since Esme was in the room, but the girls were mostly just hugging, with some kissing. Lips only, no tongue. "Hey, come on! I need to go answer the door," he protested. "Nope," Becca retorted. "Reena hasn't gotten to welcome a new lady to the house yet. And you need to make a proper first impression when she walks in; smothered in adoring women!" Dave rolled his eyes but stopped trying to wiggle free. Lupie and Jan chuckled off to the side. "I heard that from outside." said a voice carrying a tinkle of amusement. All three young ladies scrambled up so Dave could stand and face their newest sister. She stepped forward, offering her hand. "Hi, I'm Vanessa Worton. You must be Dave. You have quite the entourage here." Dave reached his hand out to accept her greeting. Champagne blonde hair; with dark roots; fell from a middle part down the sides of her face to drape a few inches down her shoulders. Round, olive green eyes stared back at Dave from a face balanced between oval and rectangular. The wide smile, with plenty of teeth showing, appeared a mix of forced and natural while her cheeks gathered into pleasant apples above and beside her mouth. Vanessa wore a tight-knit thin teal sweater under a medium beige cardigan. Light tan slacks and slip-on comfortable walking shoes in dappled white and dark grey finished her business casual look. At 5'5" she wasn't exactly short for a woman, but neither was she tall by any stretch. She appeared to be a well-kept late thirties. The skin of her face was supple, but showed signs of experience in life; not all of it positive. Vanessa chuckled. "Well, it's always ego boosting for a man to be speechless upon seeing me. Especially one surrounded by such lovely ladies already." Dave collected himself. "Would you like a seat?" When he saw her noticing the paused game, he added, "We were having a playoff. Although this is really just practice, since Shawna's at work. She'll be home in another hour and a half. That's her usual time, though depending on her shift some days could be earlier or later." "So all of you are into video games?" Vanessa said as she stepped around her large pink rolling suitcase to find a seat. "No, some of us are into video games, and some of us join in for family unity." Lupie rejoined. "I can appreciate that." Vanessa smiled back. "Family sticks together." Her smile looked slightly artificial for a moment. "I like that you all refer to each other as family, rather than a team. It sounds; cozier, comforting. And the whole dogpile thing? Very Norman Rockwell. If Rockwell painted polygamous families," she added with a wide grin. "You must be Lupie," she said approaching the Latina. "I think your letter was the most convincing, and intimidating. I almost passed over Dave so I wasn't getting in the way of, or being overshadowed by, two long term loves." Everyone but Jan, Lupie, and Becca bore puzzled looks. That's when Jan cleared her throat and spoke up. "I was contacted the end of last week to type up a short mention of my time here, my thoughts, and such. I sent that in Sunday night." "I got mine in yesterday." Lupie said. "Me too," said Becca. "It was interesting getting three uniquely different people saying slightly different things that all painted the same picture." Vanessa walked back to Dave. "You're an interesting guy David Belsus." Dave looked slightly uncomfortable by instinct, but quickly applied some of the confidence he'd been gaining or faking. "You seem to have me at a disadvantage, Ms. Worton." "Vanessa. Or preferably, Nessa. Given how; close we are going to be." She flashed him a playfully wicked smile. Dave was getting enough practice now to see beneath the surface. Under the playfully strong woman exterior was a deep current of uncertainty, even nervousness. "I have professional reasons to be here as well. I'm a realtor, so I'm involved in the re-housing project going on. If I hadn't matched to you, I would have been by to visit sometime next week, but as it is, I'd like to start that conversation now, lay out the parameters for all of you and after I wake up from imprinting we can talk about what you; well, what we want," she ended with a grin. "Sounds good," Dave replied. "Re-housing, huh? Are we really supposed to wind up with many more ladies in the house?" "I don't know any more than you've been told, really, but I've seen some families much bigger. Most seem to be heading that direction though. The metroplex - all of North Texas - got hit hard, David." She paused. "Harder than some other areas because of all the deniers. I don't know the numbers, since I'm not involved in that work, but we have a lot fewer men here. We also had a higher loss of women, but not nearly to the same degree as the increased loss of men. Only a few of the women are interested in re-locating, so families here will likely be bigger than families in California or New England; on average anyway." "That's how it's been before all this though too." "Well, yeah," she said with a chuckle. Then she cleared her throat and seemed to settle into a 'professional' facial set. "To ease the logistical load for utilities and other services, the government is encouraging folks to gather into consolidated neighborhoods or downtown living areas. They mostly want people to live in multi-use towers. Basically, skyscrapers with stores and service shops on the bottom floor or two, and residential spaces above. Each family would have one entire floor. A large family might get two floors." "I would rather not live in a high-rise." Dave kept his tone neutral and even, in a way that suggested much more passion behind the sentiment than that actually expressed. "Well that brings us to the communities being formed. Some are on cul-de-sacs with enlarged houses. And the cul-de-sacs are clustered. There are some that have semi-circle roads with houses on the outer edge and a park or shops in the middle. The smaller ones of those are also clustered." "Of course, the Las Colinas and South Lake folks already have their gated communities. They may bring a few others in to occupy a house that was already empty, or vacated by a; casualty, but mostly, they are 'keeping to their own'. I wouldn't expect you; us; to get in there." "Not sure I'd want to." That earned a few nods. "There are a variety of sizes in the midrange communities. Those also vary by amenities in the house. Some houses in the same community have different amenities, inside or outside. In fact some of the nicer communities in the midrange are; choosy, so, again, they could be hard to get into." Dave, Lupie and Liv just shrugged. "Now, generally speaking, the communities will be mixed so there is, as best as possible, a cross section of races, political views, and interests in each community. The intent is to hopefully negate the polarization we've all seen increasing over the past twenty years." All of the older members of the family nodded. Everyone old enough to watch the news knew exactly what she was talking about. "But, there will be some; themed communities. In the Mesquite area, there will be a community of multiple cul-de-sacs near a stables." "And a country bar?" asked Reena, teasingly. "Please," Dave rejoined, "Mesquite is for ropers. They wear bright colored boots and never rode a horse. They drive lift kit pickups without a single scratch in the bed. A whole community of truck balls, rattails and mullets." He paused for a second. "Actually, that's not a bad idea. I could do with never seeing another mullet or rattail." "Or a lift kit." "Or truck balls." "I'll scratch Mesquite off the list of possible destinations for this team. Um, family," Vanessa corrected. "What about Park Cities area?" Dave looked at her balefully. He started ticking off on his fingers, "I make less than six figures, I do not own a tux; and only one suit; and I have no idea what to do with my pinkie finger when drinking tea or coffee." All of the ladies giggled. "Worse," he made quote fingers in the air, "Lupie is Hispanic, Jan is Korean, and Shawna, who's at work at the moment, is black. Not exactly a picture of Park Cities demographics." Vanessa looked like she was about to object, but held off. He wasn't wrong. Changing the topic, she said, "So, all we really need right now is to think about what spaces you will want, and what spaces you will need. Do you need an office? Do any of the women need one as well? Can those be combined?" "That could wind up as an excuse to visit with you more often during the day," Mel asserted. Reena and Becca giggled. Esme hadn't left the room, so she slightly veiled her meaning. "I will need a separate office. Sometimes I just need to focus. Besides, having my own office hasn't stopped y'all from making 'visits' during the day." Lupie blushed at the implication. She wasn't the only one though, just the most recent. "But Dave, I might need some math help," Becca pleaded. Vanessa looked slightly amused while the others laughed. The tale had been shared around. "I should never have told you that story," Dave said with narrow eyes and pursed lips. Though there was a twinkle in his eye and his lips curled up at the corners. "So, something for you ladies to share with me later, I take it?" Dave threw his hands in the air theatrically. "I'm surrounded." "Well, Dave, that's how; " Liv cut herself off as she remembered Esme was still in the room. Esme rolled her eyes. "Do I need to leave?" "No, you do not." Dave replied. "We will watch ourselves. This conversation is one you should have some input on. You might not get what you ask for, but at least I'd like to hear your preferences as much as anyone else's." Vanessa nodded, looking at Lupie. "Yup, just like you said." Lupie blushed. At Dave's reaction, Nessa looked to him and added, "All good things, all good things." "Olaf!" Esme cried. "You should be Olaf for Halloween. That's next week right?! We're doing something for it, right Da- uh, Dave?" Dave did not miss what Esme almost said. If she finished the original word, he might have lost it altogether. As it was, he managed to maintain his composure. He wasn't the only one. Lupie looked ready to bust with joy. Nessa bore a knowing grin that matched the others around the room. The shaky breath he took to steady himself was all they needed to confirm the impact the verbal slip had on him. In their eyes, he could see that for some, it was the reaction they needed him to have. Well, one more proof they all matched well. His natural reactions were what they wanted. Sometimes, anyway. "I think I just ovulated." Livy muttered. "What was that?" Dave asked. "Nothing darling, nothing at all," the busty brunette replied with a mild blush. The cackling of half the room did not help deter attention. "Maybe we should just get back to the discussion topic," Dave said with a wry grin. "Esme, any thoughts?" "Adults are crazy." Vanessa and a few others laughed. Dave just stared at Esme, a slight grin on his face and one raised eyebrow. Esme giggled. "Okay, I'd like a big backyard, a pool and an indoor play space that can also be an art room." Then, with an impish smile she added, "And a pony." "Ponies do not come with a house." Dave observed wryly. "The pool idea is a good one. If there's no community pool close by, that is. I mean, having one in the backyard would be great, but so long as it's easy to get to, a shared pool will do nicely. Is that doable, Nessa?" "Absolutely. Most of the communities either have a pool space already built, or have one planned. Some of the houses have backyard pools." She cleared her throat. "Though, none of the houses have enough yard space for a horse." She winked at Esme. "But two communities are reasonably close to riding stables with lots of pastureland." Dave chuckled and shook his head. "And let's list the art, craft and play space as a want, not a need, but a really want. An indoor space like that could be very handy when the weather sucks. It could also work as a classroom. After all, you can do a lot of science with craft supplies." Esme groaned and slapped her forehead. " That's my signal to leave. Besides, I still have a geography assignment to work on. Let me know when you're ready to finish the game." She slipped out to the library. Vanessa looked at Lupie. "She's adorable." "Thank you. She's also a handful." "I can see that." Vanessa replied. "Doesn't stop me from wanting one. Not right away, I mean, but, sometime in this coming year, I want to start trying." She turned to Dave as she said this. "Is that a problem?" "No. Not at all. We haven't talked about timing or anything, but I'd like to have kids with each of you. At least, I think you all want kids. If I'm wrong, let me know." All the ladies nodded, some adding a few words to express their interest. "Timing is the issue, though. We don't want the whole house pregnant at once. And some have college to complete and careers to establish." "Anyone trying now? If it's not too personal." Lupie raised her hand. "You're family now, or soon will be. It's not too personal. We hadn't said anything yet, but we are trying." The others squealed happily and rushed to hug her. "I think the conversation just came to an end," Dave observed. "That's ok, the main need for tonight was to get you all thinking about what you want. By early next week we should get together and nail down a specific list of needs and wants." She shifted in her seat. "Speaking of which, I'd like to wait until after dinner, maybe an hour after. I'd prefer to have dinner first and give it time to settle." "That's perfectly understandable. We can talk again just before. I'll; " "I am sure of my decision. But that's ok, feel free to ask again later for your peace of mind." At Dave's puzzled look, she explained, "Lupie and Jan mentioned you would be concerned about my comfort level with this decision." Her eyes twinkled. "Your ladies know you, David. I'm looking forward to being here." Dinner was a simple, quick affair of burgers, mac n' cheese from scratch and steamed green beans. Lupie and Mel offered to make something a bit more exciting, but Vanessa insisted quicker was preferred. They smiled and got busy in the kitchen. Nessa recognized Shawna as soon as she entered the living room. She didn't fawn over the local celebrity, exactly, but it took her a minute to adjust. After dinner was a slow time of conversations in pairs and triples. Nessa spent a lot of time listening but shared a few things about herself with the family. Eventually, she gave Dave a look that he was becoming accustomed to. He rose, approached her, and offered his hand. She took his hand and rose to stand beside him. The two ascended the stairs together. Everyone watched but said nothing. There were a few grins exchanged. When they entered the bedroom and shut the door, Vanessa turned to him, pulling herself close and burying her face in his chest. Then she looked up, meeting his questioning eyes. "I want this David. I want to be a part of the family you have here. I want to be with you. I talked with the others downstairs. I know you like to take your time. This isn't your first imprinting though, so you know I won't; get there except at the priming and imprinting; surges. I'll enjoy the efforts, but don't spend too much time on it, it will just be frustrating for me. So, show me your kind, attentive side, but don't overexert yourself on it, ok? Save it for one of the others this evening." Dave stroked her back gently and kissed her forehead. Nessa raised up on her toes and kissed him full on the lips. She hummed when he responded. They took their time, reveling in the closeness. She could feel in his body the desire to give her an emotional bond before the physical one, but the serum did not permit that. Still, that he wanted to do that for her bode well for a future together. The kiss grew more intense. Hands roamed from the 'safe' areas towards the more stimulating parts of the partner's body. Dave and Nessa's breathing increased in unison. That was the best part. That the person getting you all excited was just as excited as you. The hunger in their eyes rebounded, building in power like a laser. The frantic energy powered their hands as they tore at each other's clothes. They were stripped bare in short order, at nearly the same moment. Dave put an arm around her back and began kissing her again, turning himself one quarter away and walking toward the bed. As they arrived, she crawled quickly up the bed, turning on to her back and laying her head on a pillow as she reached the headboard. Dave gazed at her as he drew himself up on the bed with Nessa. Her body was smooth and lovely, well maintained, but not young anymore. Quite alluring. Neither washboard abs nor a paunch. Smooth, medium sized tits with a natural sag, medium brown areolas a bit larger than a half-dollar coin, and nipples slightly smaller than a pencil eraser that were fully erect. Below, her bush was neatly trimmed away from her vulva, which was clearly engorged with arousal as her inner petals flowered themselves outward, her outer lips parted slightly, just barely exposing the tip of her clitoris. Her face had dropped any sense of demur acceptance. She needed him. It was time, she was his and he was hers, for this moment. Dave crawled between her legs and positioned himself over her. He lowered himself enough to make contact over much of their bodies, without resting his weight fully on her. His erection sandwiched between them. He lay soft, gentle, languorous kisses on her forehead, cheeks and lips. She hummed her approval. As his kisses proceeded down her neck to her clavicle, her breathing picked up again. Her pelvis rubbed against him, seeking what only he could give her, seeking the fullness she needed to feel. Dave kept kissing and progressing down to her tits, kissing the yielding flesh there as she began to whimper. The yearning radiated from her in palpable waves. Dave repositioned his face to Nessa's, with his hips arched over her core. She steadied her tumultuous hunger, recognizing his preparation. Dave moved slowly until the tip of his organ rested against her wet, open entrance. He thrust forward, smoothly, firmly, penetrating her depths with half of his length over the course of several seconds. Vanessa responded with a cross between a groan and a cry, clutching him tightly with her hands on his shoulder blades. He pulled back out, eliciting a brief whimper until he thrust full length into her, which earned him a moan of pleasure. Her enthusiasm brought Dave quickly to the point of leaking precum, which had the expected effect the moment the fluid made contact with her velvety interior. Dave held her through her serum induced ecstasy. As she settled, she wrapped her arms around his back and looked into his eyes. He kissed her again as he began thrusting once more. Then he lowered his lips to her ear. "You're mine now Nessa. No other man may touch you." She gasped, excited. "Mine to take care of." He felt her shuddered beneath him. "Mine to enjoy." He felt her inner muscles flex and grasp his thrusting cock. "All mine. Your heart." "Yes." "Your mind." "Yes." "Your body." "Yes." "and your will." He thrust deep, holding himself there and working his hips to strike all of her inner surfaces. "Yes! Please David, please more!" Dave began thrusting with more vigor, pounding her sex with his own. Pummeling her interior as she writhed in her enjoyment of his actions. Her hips rolled and bucked. Her hands clutched and groped on his back; and her eyes. Her eyes implored him to take her like a beast. His breathing ragged, he savaged her lower body, stoking his own fires as surely as hers. So lost he was in the primal act, he never noticed his own building arousal until he'd fired off a few spurts into her, arresting her cries of pleasure and replacing them with a primal scream and orgasmic spasms which ended with her flopping to the bed in a naked heap. "Imprinting; imprinting; imprinting ;” October 23, 2020. With the exception of Shawna, who was gone for work, the entire house devoted all of Friday to prom preparation. Lupie went to the store and picked up a few items she'd held off getting until day-of. On her return, she immediately lay into her prep work, getting the cold appetizers ready. Melanie came in to help in the early afternoon, once she had finished curating the song lists. She was the designated DJ for the evening. Becca and Reena both spent time with her a few days prior, nailing down what they wanted to listen to during dinner and dance to after. Liv and Janice were the decorating committee. They left the living room re-arrangement for last, starting that after Dave and the girls went to upstairs to dress. During the day, they set up the unused bedroom as a hotel room. It was close enough to the upstairs bathroom not to break the illusion. And it was well away from Esme's room. Esme was instructed to use the master bathroom from bedtime until after breakfast. By early afternoon, Becca and Reena retreated to the master bathroom to do their hair and nails. Reena did Becca's nails, and then her own. Once that cycle was done, she did Becca's hair and guided Becca through the steps for doing Reena's. Each girl did her own makeup, though Reena added a few touches to Becca's. Vanessa awoke by lunch time. She was tickled when Dave asked her to help out. He wanted a bit more dance practice. Dave was not a dancer. Mel and Olivia gave him some practice, about an hour or so each, on separate days earlier in the week. Those sessions went about how'd you'd expect. Started off with some innocuous club dancing, progressed into something steamy, and wound up in the horizontal mambo. On the plus side, each coed got her dose before prom night. By mutual acclamation, prom night was exclusively for Reena and Becca, and Dave reserved himself during the day as well. With Vanessa, he practiced a few more sedate dance styles, and a couple of the club moves, without the steamy stuff. She was still a bit sore from the vigor of last night. Although, she said so with a smile. Shawna took an early shift that day and arrived home shortly after Dave and Vanessa wrapped up their dance practice. Shawna first changed into an orange halter dress before taking possession of Dave, hauling him off to their tv room where his clothes were laid out. Nessa went downstairs to help Liv and Janice move the living room furniture to the borders of the room, leaving a respectable dance space in the middle. Once Dave and Shawna were both convinced his suit was laying perfectly, with no lint, and all the colors just right, they descended to the living room to wait with the others. Dave initially proposed he come to the master bedroom door and escort each girl downstairs, but they decided they would rather make their entrance on the stairwell, letting everyone, including Dave, see them as they came down. They drew straws to decide order, only to find out that Reena was drawing to go last and Becca was drawing to go first. A bit more communication would have saved them the whole drawing process and the debate on whether to draw straws or flip a coin, or rock-paper-scissors. The other ladies were dressed nice, but not prom nice. Lupie was looking lovely in her dark blue sundress with 2" (~5cm) diameter white polka dots. Mel & Liv wore 'club wear'. For Mel that meant 'liquid look' black pants and a tight white crop top showing a modest amount of midriff. For Liv it was tight jeans and a frilly blue blouse showing modest cleavage. Janice wore a red cocktail dress with her left shoulder exposed, a skirt that hugged her hips gently and fell past her knees. Nessa borro

Ambassador Francis Rooney joins the show to discuss the importance of the Catholic Church, where it is going under Pope Leo XIV, and his connection to the first American pope. Afterwards, A. J. and Dexter talk about Sargon of Akkad's recent reflections on the future of "liberalism".

(0:00) Matt McCarthy & Andrew Callahan - for Zolak & Bertrand - begin this post-Christmas Day show by analyzing the AFC Playoff picture. How critical is the #1 seed for the Patriots? McCarthy shares his concerns about playing at Denver.(12:50) McCarthy & Callahan deliberate over other holidays and the days that proceed them. They go to the phone lines.(24:48) More calls. Callahan likes the idea of re-formatting the current NFL Playoff system.(35:13) End of the Year Boston Sports Awards: Offensive Player of the Year Award - Nominees are: Roman Anthony, Jaylen Brown, Morgan Geekie, Drake MayePlease note: Timecodes may shift by a few minutes due to inserted ads. Because of copyright restrictions, portions—or entire segments—may not be included in the podcast.For the latest updates, visit the show page on 985thesportshub.com. Follow 98.5 The Sports Hub on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Watch the show every morning on YouTube, and subscribe to stay up-to-date with all the best moments from Boston's home for sports!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to Mystery Quest where this week we are jumping into the weird world of Into the Odd and the scenario 'Turn it Off!' The year is 1890. As a steam liner is caught in a torrential storm off the New England coast five passengers are cast into a struggle for their lives and their sanity... This is Mystery Quest, a roleplaying podcast where we play a variety of one-shot RPG's with a rolling cast of special guests. Mystery Quest Merch AVAILABLE NOW!: https://mystery-quest-shop.fourthwall.com/en-gbp Become a Member or Patron to get $7 off your order - that's like a free membership along with your stylish new adventuring attire! Community Discord: https://discord.gg/z2NW53APFa Check out Into the Odd here: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/399483/into-the-odd-remastered You can check out the scenario, 'Turn it Off' here: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/495683/turn-it-off Podcast: https://www.pickaxe.uk/mystery-quest Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/MysteryQuest Follow the Cast: Tom: https://www.youtube.com/angorytom Harry: https://www.twitch.tv/hrry Simon: https://www.twitch.tv/simonhoneydew Lydia: https://twitch.tv/squidgame Tom B: @TomBates Editing & Sound Design: Oscar Henderson Thumbnail Art: Jack Bailey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sales 101: Show You UnderstandPrice isn't usually the real problem in sales. Most conversations stall because the homeowner doesn't feel understood. In this episode, Sam Wakefield breaks down why understanding—not explaining—is the skill that separates professionals from amateurs.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhy feeling understood drives buying decisionsThe difference between hearing words and understanding meaningA simple Sales 101 structure to show you understandWhy pausing after reflection builds trustHow this step prevents price and “think about it” objections

Fears of a Serial Killer in New England 2025!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/missing-persons-mysteries--5624803/support.

Season 7, Episode 15 opens with a winter-weather whiplash and a running joke about whether this is the Patrick Mahomes episode or the Thurman Munson episode, before Dan, Frank, Alan, and Rich settle into a packed sports menu.The crew congratulates Frank's Knicks for winning the NBA's in-season tournament—then immediately debates why most fans still don't care, even with proposals to move future tournament games into iconic college arenas to boost energy and attendance. From there, it's Hot Stove League time: more Mets head-scratching as New York continues to reshape the roster and pulls in more Yankees bullpen pieces, while the Yankees field trade chatter around Jazz Chisholm. The group also highlights a notable three-team trade involving the Rays, Pirates, and Orioles, and shares genuine excitement for a stronger, star-studded World Baseball Classic lineup.Then the show pivots to a detailed Week 15 NFL recap, including:Bills over Patriots (35–31) after a 21–0 hole, with Dan cashing a successful lone wolf on New England.Ravens shutting out the Bengals (24–0), sparking a blunt debate about Joe Burrow's tone, injuries, roster spending, and accountability.Jaguars crushing the Jets (48–20) with Trevor Lawrence lighting it up.Chargers over Chiefs as Kansas City's season collapses and Mahomes goes down, with Rich nailing another lone wolf.Texans rolling the Cardinals (40–20) and a discussion on whether Houston is a real threat or just smoke and mirrors.Bears dominating the Browns (31–3) as Chicago keeps surprising.Commanders over Giants (29–21) with Rich lone-wolfing Washington and a Giants-focused breakdown on how they're handling Jackson Dart.Eagles blanking the Raiders (31–0), followed by a classic “it's the Raiders” reality check.Seahawks edging the Colts (18–16) and the ongoing debate about whether Seattle's formula is sustainable when “Bad Darnold” eventually shows up.Broncos beating the Packers (34–26) as Denver continues to look like the real deal.49ers handling the Titans (37–24) and the NFC West shaping up as a playoff gauntlet.Saints slipping past the Panthers (20–17) and skepticism about the NFC South ceiling.Rams outgunning the Lions (41–34) with the crew split on whether Detroit is in trouble and whether the Rams are still the class of the NFC.Vikings over Cowboys (34–26) as Dallas moves the ball but can't finish drives, and even reliable kicking goes sideways.The episode closes with Fox Brothers Alarms, the quiet inbox, and the usual mix of sharp takes, running jokes, and “how did that game get away from them?” moments.Special Thanks to:Fox Brothers Alarms - https://foxbrothersalarms.comFirst Baptist church of Phillipsburg NJ http://www.fbcpburg.org/

RJ Bell and Mackenzie Rivers talk NFL betting for Week 17 As the NFL calendar turns to Week 17, the conversation centers on motivation, late season data, and targeted betting angles shaped by how teams actually perform across game segments. The discussion opens with a clear theme, late season handicapping requires a different lens, particularly as playoff incentives sharpen for some teams and vanish for others. With a large sample now available, quarter by quarter and half by half scoring trends are treated as actionable signals rather than noise. That approach drives the headline recommendation of the week, Baltimore versus Green Bay, where the data shows an extreme split between early and late scoring. The first half consistently underperforms expectations while the second half consistently exceeds them, leading to a primary position that the second half will outscore the first. Supporting angles include first quarter unders and first half unders, all pointing to the same structural imbalance rather than a simple total play. Motivation analysis also plays a central role. New England is highlighted as one of the league's strongest first half teams, paired against a Jets team perceived to be prioritizing draft position, making Patriots first half minus seven a featured recommendation. Tennessee's strong recent first quarter performance contrasts sharply with New Orleans' league worst first quarter results, producing a Titans first quarter position split between plus points and moneyline exposure to reduce vig. Game script considerations dominate several player and team prop discussions. Josh Allen's passing yardage under is framed not as a talent fade but as a run heavy Bills game plan when playing from ahead, leading to a correlated parlay pairing Buffalo to win with Allen under 194.5 passing yards. Defensive pressure metrics inform the Chargers team total under against Houston, with the expectation that sustained pressure limits Justin Herbert regardless of game outcome. Additional plays lean heavily on effort and incentive. The Raiders are positioned against a Giants team viewed as actively tanking, while Jacksonville versus Indianapolis is framed as a pure scoring environment with both teams capable of pushing the total over 48.5. Tony Pollard's rushing prop is supported by Tennessee's commitment to the ground game in competitive spots, and Chiefs Broncos under 36.5 reflects quarterback uncertainty and expected conservative game plans. Throughout the analysis, the emphasis remains consistent, late season edges come from understanding who needs the game, who is willing to empty the playbook, and how scoring actually unfolds by quarter rather than relying on full game narratives alone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1970, a curmudgeonly history teacher at a New England boarding school remains on campus during Christmas break to supervise held over students, and ends up forming an unlikely bond with a brainy but damaged troublemaker.Send us a textSupport the showPlease subscribe, rate, and review! Thank you for listening! Hope you enjoy!Instagram: http://instagram.com/moviestheyreprettygoodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087938154530Twitter: https://twitter.com/moviesgoodpodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8iGT7riyJ_K2DFLwfbTemg

By 1816, Frederic Tudor had spent a decade shipping New England ice to Cuba—with little to show for it. Setbacks and vanished profits nearly ruined him, and a gamble on shipping tropical fruit had left him barely solvent. Then a chance conversation sparked a bold new idea: expand the ice trade into the American South. Tudor rushed to South Carolina, only to clash with state officials who refused to grant him a monopoly on trade – a tactic he'd come to rely on. Their refusal forced him to rethink everything, and revise his strategy. But just as he began to find success, a series of catastrophes threatened his health, and events were set in motion that would transform the Ice King's future forever.Be the first to know about Wondery's newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to American History Tellers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/american-history-tellers/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why is the incarnation at the center of our hope as Christians? Today, Stephen Nichols looks to Jonathan Edwards' sermon on Revelation 5, reflecting on the humility and majesty of Jesus' birth. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/5-minutes-in-church-history-with-stephen-nichols/christmas-in-new-england/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

They said it couldn't be done but here we are, getting in our Christmas episode riiiiight before the big day!A few years ago Alexander Payne's The Holdovers made a big splash and became an instant Christmas classic to many. The film follows professor Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti) as he is forced to look after the students without anywhere to go over Christmas break. Through a series of events he bonds with a talented but mischievous student played by Dominic Sessa, in an incredible debut performance, and the school's head cook (Da'Vine Joy Randolph) who just lost her son.Joining us for this conversation is friend of the show Marta Djordjevic. We cover many things including:Dream Criterion Collection titlesThe beauty of New England in the winterHow Payne and cinematographer Eigil Bryld masterfully evoke 1970s cinemaThe way the whole film is shaped by the underlying realities of class, race, and economic disparityLayers of meaning that are revealed in repeat viewingsHow funny the movie isand MORE!We hope you enjoy the film and our discussion! If you do, be sure to tell a friend

Mike Marcangelo and Dave Clarke return with a pivotal late-season episode of Missing the Point as the 2025 NFL season heads into Week 17 and the playoff picture finally comes into full focus. This show centers on two defining Week 16 victories that reshaped expectations across the league, the New England Patriots and the Chicago Bears both delivering comeback wins that solidified their status as legitimate contenders. The episode opens with a deep breakdown of the Bears’ dramatic win over the Green Bay Packers. Mike and Dave discuss Caleb Williams’ continued growth, his ability to respond in high-pressure moments, and why this performance felt like a franchise checkpoint for Chicago. They analyze the late-game execution, DJ Moore’s impact, and Ben Johnson’s offensive philosophy, while debating whether this Bears team is officially ahead of schedule or right on time. From there, the focus shifts to New England’s comeback victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Drake Maye’s performance takes center stage, from navigating early adversity to closing the game with confidence. The guys break down Maye’s decision-making, his chemistry with Stefon Diggs, and why this Patriots team looks more complete than it has at any point since the post-Brady rebuild began. They also examine lingering concerns such as turnovers, pass protection, and whether New England can consistently close out playoff-caliber opponents. Beyond the individual games, this episode zooms out to the broader NFL playoff race. Mike and Dave walk through AFC and NFC seeding scenarios, potential first-round matchups, and which teams are trending up or quietly slipping as January approaches. They debate momentum versus résumé, quarterback ceilings, coaching advantages, and why certain teams feel more dangerous than their records suggest. If you are following the Patriots’ rise, the Bears’ breakthrough season, or the evolving NFL playoff landscape entering Week 17, this episode delivers smart analysis, honest debate, and clear-eyed football conversation when it matters most. Follow Missing the Point:Website: https://www.mtpshow.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@MTPPodX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MTP_podInstagram: https://instagram.com/MTP_podTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@MTP_podFacebook: https://facebook.com/MTPPod

Local sounds of the holiday season from local bands and musicians from The South Shore, Boston, and New England.  Full podcast audio: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/y7yva4fy4jcqywrf/AlmostChristmas2025_12232025.mp3 

A new episode of the Quiet Please Golf Podcast, streaming live on Facebook and the QP YouTube channel. We welcome guest co-host Robert McNeil, ASGCA, whose golf course designs have shaped playing experiences across New England. From initial concepts to final putts, we explore the art and science behind golf course architecture and what it takes to create holes that challenge, engage, and inspire players of every level.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a conversation from January of 2021, Dan Snow tells how, using locally sourced stone, he expresses the intrinsic beauty of a site in bold constructions held together only by gravity, friction, and history.

This episode is sponsored by Lightstone DIRECT. Lightstone DIRECT invites you to partner with a $12B AUM real estate institution as you grow your portfolio. Access the same single-asset multifamily and industrial deals Lightstone pursues with its own capital – Lightstone co-invests a minimum of 20% in each deal alongside individual investors like you. You're an institution. Time to invest like one. _____________ What if a life-altering accident on the beach redirected your entire career, and a mental health crisis became the catalyst for resilient leadership? In this inspiring episode of Bootstrap MD, Dr. Mike Woo-Ming welcomes Dr. Scott Ellner, as he shares his journey from witnessing a roadside trauma that sparked his path to medicine, to practicing in New England, facing burnout and suicidal thoughts, and pivoting to executive roles like leading Integris Health Medical Group. Drawing from surfing metaphors, he discusses mental health stigma, the addiction to identity, finding purpose beyond the OR, and practical tips for physicians navigating pivots, startups, and leadership in chaotic healthcare. Perfect for doctors feeling stuck or seeking nonclinical transitions, this conversation offers hope, transparency, and actionable insights on grit, resilience, and reaching out. Three Actionable Takeaways:   Embrace Mental Health Openly: Physicians face immense stressors—discuss it like physical health. If you're in crisis (e.g., burnout, cynicism), reflect on purpose: "What intimidates me motivates me." Reach out to a trusted person; a simple "Are you okay?" can save lives, as it did for Scott during a dark night on call. Redefine Purpose Beyond Identity: Don't tie your worth to "surgeon" or "physician"—identity addiction fuels burnout. Pivot by exploring passions (e.g., leadership, startups); spend time journaling or in "executive residencies" to learn business acumen, funding pitches, and health system buy-in for new ventures. Use Surfing as a Leadership Metaphor: Adversity builds grit. Paddle through discomfort like cold water or wetsuits. In healthcare chaos (post-COVID), lead by contributing meaningfully; for pivots, seek VC insights on exit strategies and physician influence (e.g., CMO buy-in) to make ideas stick. About the Show: Bootstrap MD is the ultimate podcast for physician entrepreneurs looking to escape traditional healthcare and control their financial futures. Hosted by Dr. Mike Woo-Ming, a successful physician, entrepreneur, and investor, the show delivers actionable insights on starting businesses, creating passive income, and navigating healthcare entrepreneurship. Featuring interviews with industry leaders, physicians, and experts in telemedicine and digital health, it's your guide to building a profitable, fulfilling career.  Tune in weekly at  http://bootstrapmd.com  About the Guest: Dr. Scott Ellner is a former general and trauma surgeon, now President of Integris Health Medical Group in Oklahoma City. A leadership strategist and TEDx speaker, he transitioned from clinical practice after a mental health crisis, drawing from surgery, surfing, and executive roles to help physicians combat burnout and lead sustainably. He's the author of Wipe Out, Rise Up: A Practical and Deeply Human Guide to Leadership, Grit, and Redefining Success in Medicine.  

  Imagine your wedding day going seamlessly.   What secrets can help you ensure everything goes smoothly?   Learn insider wedding tips that cover everything from marriage license requirements to unforeseen costs.   Ensure your big day goes off without a hitch!   Don't miss these expert recommendations designed to make your special day truly memorable!    Stress-free Wedding Planning Podcast #180:  Top 10 Insider Wedding Tips For A Day To Remember.   Host: Sal & Sam Music: "Sam's Tune" by Rick Anthony   TIMESTAMP 00:00 Introduction to Top 10 Insider Wedding Tips For A Day To Remember.  01:00 Podcast Overview and Goals 02:30 Learn to Laugh Together 03:30 Marriage License Requirements 04:15 Allow Extra Time For Transportation 06:00 Stop Halfway Down the Aisle 07:00 Look At Each Other 07:30 Groomsmen's "no phone zone"  11:00 The Bustle  12:00 Unforeseen Costs 13:00 Trying to Please Everyone 14:00 Hold That Kiss. Don't Rush. 14:30 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement 16:00 Closing Remarks and Farewell   Get your FREE no-obligation report TODAY: "8 QUESTIONS YOU MUST ASK A WEDDING PROFESSIONAL BEFORE BOOKING THEM" http://forms.aweber.com/form/55/756659955.htm Music List Giveaway  https://www.afterhourseventsofne.com/guestcontact *** Join us in the Stress-free Wedding Planning Facebook group https://urlgeni.us/facebook/stress-free-wedding-planning Copyright © 2025 Atmosphere Productions LLC All Rights Reserved. Produced by Atmosphere Productions in association with After Hours Events of New England https://atmosphere-productions.com https://www.afterhourseventsofne.com #2026Bride #2027Bride #2028Bride #WeddingPlanning #WeddingCeremony #InsiderWeddingTips #NewEnglandWedding #WeddingPreparations #WeddingChecklist #weddingpro #weddingexperts #WeddingProTips #WeddingIdeas #WeddingPhotography #WeddingGoals #WeddingWisdom #WeddingTips #DreamWedding #WalkDownTheAisle #StressFreeWedding #StressFreeWeddingPlanning #StressFreeWeddingPlanningPodcast #WeddingPodcast #WeddingTipWednesday #WeddingAdvice #WeddingDay #CTweddingdj #WeddingDJ #AtmosphereProductions #AfterHoursEventsOfNE      

We began the program with four interesting guests on topics we think you should know more about! Holiday Deliveries at Risk as Porch Pirates Target Last-Minute Shoppers!Guest: Brian Westnedge - VP, Alliances & Partnerships at Red Sift - 20+ years in the cybersecurity/DMARC space Holiday safety when it comes to products/gifts. How to spot when a gift may not be built well enough for safe use & what to do if a gift you give turns out to be defective.Guest: Don Fountain - leading product safety attorney - partner at Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Littky Rubin. He is also the author of "Defect Safety: A Primer for Lawyers to Identify Defective Products and Promote Consumer Safety Through Litigation," which outlines the hidden gaps in product design, testing, and regulation. What to expect for holiday travel with wintery weather for parts of New England & at least 122 million Americans expected to travel over Christmas and New Year's, according to AAA.Guest: Dan Mazella - Operations Director for the Boston Division of Total Traffic & Weather Network & Traffic reporter Survivor of 1,775 Days of Unjust Detention in Venezuela Shares His Story - Memoir also shares mental strategies and spiritual practices that helped endure captivity, along with insight on Venezuela’s turbulent political landscape.Guest: Jorge Toledo - Venezuelan-born American citizen and former CITGO executive See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textOrder a copy of my debut film, Cape Cod Cthulhu!Merry Christmas Eve to all who are celebrating! This week, there is something special left under your tree. It is a gift you don't have to wait until Christmas Day to open. A brand new mixtape!Mixtape #3 delivers all of the product failures of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s in one convenient podcast episode. These are the things you wouldn't want to get from Santa.This look back at product fails runs the gamut. From Betamax to the Amphicar, from New Coke to Crystal Pepsi, there are loads of big name fails and just as many that will have you running to Google to search for.Whatever decade you grew up in the fails were there and have all been collected in this new Mixtape episode. So sit back, relax, and hope that you can find the receipt if you get any of these products as a gift this holiday season.Merry Christmas to all of my listeners!You can support my work by becoming a member on Patreon. Or you can Buy Me A Coffee!Helpful Links from this EpisodeBuy My New Book, In Their Footsteps!Searching For the Lady of the Dunes True Crime BookHooked By Kiwi - Etsy.comDJ Williams MusicKeeKee's Cape Cod KitchenChristopher Setterlund.comCape Cod Living - Zazzle StoreSubscribe on YouTube!Initial Impressions 2.0 BlogCJSetterlundPhotos on EtsyListen to Episode 224 hereSupport the show

En Semana 17 podrían definirse prácticamente todos los equipos de Playoffs. Repasamos cada uno de ellos previo a este fin de semana de NFL.

Can Drake Maye live up to Tom Brady's level? How long does Josh McDaniels have to stay in New England for? How has Drake Maye been succeeding over Matthew Stafford for his MVP case? What would you give Boston sports players for Christmas? What is the direction for 2nd and 3rd base for the Boston Red Sox? Looking at the entire AFC playoff path for the Patriots. And how long do you warm up for car for in the winter?

Is there a chance that Drake Maye can elevate himself to Tom Brady's level throughout his career? Does Josh McDaniels have to stay with New England for a couple years in order for this team to succeed? Festivus includes KJ and Lyons sharing a grievance and a Festivus miracle.

CLNS Media's Taylor Kyles and SI's Mike Kadlick go LIVE to discuss Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and cornerback Christian Gonzalez being selected as Pro Bowlers, take a look at New England's slate of injuries heading into Week 17, and answer all of your mailbag questions! Patriots Daily on CLNS Media is Powered by:

Evan and Pat talk about recent holiday hockey tournaments, including detailed analyses of the Boys and Girls Prep tournaments, highlighting standout performances and memorable moments. To close the episode, they reflect on the most memorable hockey moments of 2025 and what they look forward to in covering New England hockey in 2026.   Topics 01:12 Holiday Cooking and Traditions 02:50 Holiday Tournament Recap 06:33 Avon Old Farms Christmas Classic 08:05 Flood-Marr Tournament Highlights 16:07 Girls Prep Hockey Highlights 23:58 Loomis and Kent Game Recap 25:17 Andover's Impressive Performance 27:06 Dexter Tournament Highlights 29:12 Rivers and New Hampton Analysis 29:43 Deerfield and New Hampton Insights 33:17 Governors' Promising Season 34:13 St. Mark's Dominance 36:16 Milton's Close Matches 37:19 Condolences to King Philip Community 38:54 Year-End Reflections and Overtime

Our Thematic and Equity Strategist Michelle Weaver and Power, Utilities, and Clean Tech Analyst David Arcaro discuss how investments in AI data centers are affecting electricity bills for U.S. consumers.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----Michelle Weaver: Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Michelle Weaver, Morgan Stanley's U.S. Thematic and Equity Strategist.David Arcaro: And I'm Dave Arcaro, U.S. Power, Utilities, and Clean Tech Analyst.Michelle Weaver: Today, a hot topic. Are data centers' raising your electricity bills?It's Tuesday, December 23rd at 10am in New York.Most of us have probably noticed our electricity bills have been creeping up. And it's putting pressure on U.S. consumers, especially with higher prices and paychecks not keeping pace. More and more people are pointing to data centers as the reason behind these rising costs, but the story isn't that simple.Regional differences, shifting policies and local utility responses are all at play here. Dave, there's no doubt that data centers are becoming a much bigger part of the story when it comes to U.S. electricity demand. For listeners who might not follow these numbers every day, could you break down how data centers' share of overall electricity use is expected to grow over the next 10 years? And what does that mean for the grid and for the average consumer?David Arcaro: Definitely they're becoming much bigger, much more important and more impactful across the industry in a big way. Data centers were 6 percent of total electricity consumption in the U.S. last year. We're actually forecasting that to triple to 18 percent by 2030, and then hit 20 percent in the early 2030s. So very strong growth, and increasing proportion of the overall utility, electricity use.In aggregate, this is reflecting about 150 gigawatts of new data centers by 2030. Just a very large amount. And this is going to cause a major strain on the electric grid and is going to require substantial build out and upgrading of the transmission system along with construction of new power generation – like gas plants and large-scale renewables, wind, solar, and battery storage across the entire U.S.And generally, when we see utilities investing in additional infrastructure, they need to get that cost recovered. We would typically expect that to lead to higher electric rates for consumers. That's the overall pressure that we're facing right now on the system, from all these data centers coming in.We've got these substantial infrastructure needs. That means utilities will need to charge higher prices to consumers to cover the cost of those investments.Michelle Weaver: What are the main challenges utilities companies face in meeting this rising demand from data centers?David Arcaro: There are a number of challenges. If I were to pick a few of the biggest ones that I see, I think managing affordability is one of the biggest challenges the industry faces right now, because this overall data center growth is absolutely a shock to their business, and it needs to be managed carefully given the political and regulatory challenges that can arise when customer bills are getting are escalating faster than expected. The utility industry faces scrutiny and constant attention from a political and regulatory standpoint, so it's a balance that has to be very carefully managed. There are also reliability challenges that are important.Utilities have to keep the lights on, you know, that's priority number one. The demand for electricity is growing much faster than the supply of new generation that we're seeing; new power plants just aren't being built fast enough. New transmission assets are not being built, as quickly as the data centers are coming on. So, in many areas we're seeing that leads to essentially less of a buffer, and more risk of outages during periods of extreme weather.Michelle Weaver: And you mentioned, companies are thinking about how can they insulate consumers. Can you take us through some of the specifics of what these utility companies are doing? And what regulators are doing to respond, to protect existing customers from rate increases driven by data centers?David Arcaro: Definitely. The industry is getting creative and trying to be proactive in addressing this issue. Many utilities, we're seeing them isolate data centers and charge them higher electric rates, specifically for those data center customers to try to cover all of the grid costs that are attributable to the data center's needs.A couple examples. In Indiana, we're seeing that there's a utility there who's building new power plants, specifically for a very large data center that's coming into the state and they're ring fencing it. They're only charging the data center itself for those costs of the power plants. In Georgia, a utility there is charging a higher rate for the data centers that are coming in to the Atlanta area – such that it actually more than covers the costs and compensates other consumers in the form of bill credits or even bill reductions as those data centers come on.Similarly, then, in Pennsylvania, there's a utility that has excess transmission infrastructure than the state's [infrastructure]. They're better able to absorb data center activity. They're able to lower customer bills as the data centers come on, as they spread their costs over a larger customer base in that case. So, this isn't universal though. There are some areas around the country where there are costs related to data center growth that get socialized across all consumers.One approach I also wanted to mention that we're seeing data centers pursue more and more actively is to power themselves. Essentially bring their own power, and they're using gas turbines, engines, and fuel cells that they're deploying right on site. This is actually in many cases faster than connecting to the grid, but it also avoids any consumer impact. Companies like Solaris Energy and Bloom Energy are two providers of that type of solution. And we're also seeing at a broader industry level. Another approach is the idea of data centers being flexible or turning off and not consuming power from the grid at certain times when the grid is facing stress, in an extreme weather scenario in the winter or summer. And that idea is gaining traction as well. So, we think the industry is looking for approaches that could ease the pressure on the system and on reliability, manage the affordability issues while continuing to enable and build data centers.Michelle Weaver: You mentioned what a few different states are doing on this front. But data centers are not evenly distributed through states or evenly distributed across regions. Are there regional differences in how data center growth is impacting electricity prices?David Arcaro: There are a couple of key differences that we're seeing around the country. Some areas just aren't getting that many data centers, you know, so I'd point out the northeast – in New England, in New York, we're just not seeing that much data center growth. So, it's less of an issue, the impact of data center power demand impacting customer bills in those areas. And then in some regions around the country, the utility structure is important to be aware of. There are some regions where the price of electricity fluctuates based on the supply and demand of power, rather than being directly set and controlled by a regulator. In those markets, data centers can actually more directly impact the price of electricity and there just isn't an easy way in that case to ring fence them and protect consumers from the impact of price increases.So that's where we think unique challenges can arise. And over time, we would expect to see the most meaningful rate impacts to consumers in those areas specifically. And examples would be New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio. Those are a couple of the states where we're seeing those more volatile and directly impacted prices.So, as we look at utilities, we think the state exposure is going to be more and more important. And so, a few companies like NextEra, Sempra and AEP are a few utilities that are in states that have less affordability concerns and less direct exposure to rate impacts from data centers. And then several power companies like Vistra and Talen have more of their power plants that are in states that have excess infrastructure; and as a result, potentially less affordability concerns.So, clearly the energy sector is facing real challenges and changes. So, Michelle, how are rising electricity bills actually affecting U.S. households?Michelle Weaver: It's putting even more pressure on a consumer that's already being stretched thin by multiple years of inflation and elevated price levels, and electricity is a really different type of good. It's very different from gasoline or other consumer goods or staples – in that it's an essential good. You need to have it. And it's a network service that households are structurally locked into. Unlike gas where you could adjust your trip frequency or take a different type of transport, there really aren't good substitutes for electricity.And so this dynamic weighs on consumers. They have to continue paying these bills, and it weighs particularly heavily on lower income consumers where utility bills make up a much larger portion of their household budget.So, it crowds out some of that other potential spending.David Arcaro: That makes a lot of sense. It's an important expense to consider in terms of the impact on consumers. And, you know, as a result, are consumers blaming data center electricity demand for this rise that we're seeing in bills or are they pushing back?Michelle Weaver: Yeah. Data center development is quickly becoming a NIMBY or “not in my backyard” issue with communities pushing back and even getting projects canceled. Companies really need to find ways to address local concerns about environmental and water related externalities. And message that they're able to insulate consumers, or do something to mitigate these potentially higher electricity bills.A recent poll of around 2200 voters found that just over half of respondents attribute overall electricity price increases to AI data centers, at least somewhat. While around another third, consider them very responsible. And these responses are consistent across all regions and across political affiliations. And I think this consistency across regions is really interesting. As we're talking about before, data centers are not impacting bills in every region. But consumers are still blaming them and still attributing bill increases there.It's clear that both the energy sector and U.S. consumers are navigating a complex landscape with data center growth at the center of the conversation. As policy responses evolve and the U.S. midterm elections approach, this issue is only going to gain more attention. And we'll be sure to bring you the latest. Dave, thanks for taking the time to talk.David Arcaro: Great speaking with you, Michelle.Michelle Weaver: And thanks for listening. If you enjoy Thoughts on the Market, please leave us a review wherever you listen and share the podcast with a friend or colleague today.

Tune-in as we break down the Patriots' thrilling, fourth quarter 28-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens. We discuss Drake Maye's 380-yard, 2 TD performance and more contributions that willed New England's comeback win. We talk the Pats in the playoffs, and the neck and neck race with the Broncos for the AFC's number one seed. Plus, we react to the 2026 Patriots Pro Bowlers, possible snubs, and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by outdoor writer, Matt Geiger to dive into why we hunt! Matt is a New England native who now lives and hunts in Southwest Wisconsin. The guys dive into Matt's hunting season so far, the ag tag program, stories from the Cazenovia Doe Derby, the importance of hunting rituals, a knife in the knee, the importance of venison as a food source, using venison to as a bridge between hunters and non-hunters, CWD's impact on deer herd dynamics, teaching children through conservation, and the importance of Sharing the Land. All that and more in this week's episode! Huge thanks to Matt for coming on the show, if you want to check out some of his fantastic outdoor writing, head on over to geigerbooks.com or check out his social media @geiger.matt   Big thanks to our fantastic partners: Lone Wolf Custom Gear: www.lonewolfcustomgear.com onX Hunt: www.onxmaps.com Huntworth: www.huntworthgear.com Good Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.com Wisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsin TAKE ACTION THROUGH BACKCOUNTRY HUNTERS & ANGLERS www.backcountryhunters.com/take_action Call the US Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak with your representative Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach is back to chat it up and discuss the holidays with the boys

(0:00) Matt McCarthy & Leroy Irvin - in for Zolak & Bertrand - are joined by Mike Reiss from ESPN to talk everything Patriots. Reiss offers his “Big 3” Takeaways from Sunday Night's Patriots-Ravens game.(11:12) Injury updates from Foxboro following Tuesday's practice, including Milton Williams. Injury concerns going forward.(23:23) McCarthy, Leroy & Reiss discuss the decision to bench Derrick Henry in the 4th quarter with the lead. Reiss calls Harbaugh's decision to bench Henry - a "Christmas gift".(34:51) Today's TakeawaysPlease note: Timecodes may shift by a few minutes due to inserted ads. Because of copyright restrictions, portions—or entire segments—may not be included in the podcast.For the latest updates, visit the show page on 985thesportshub.com. Follow 98.5 The Sports Hub on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Watch the show every morning on YouTube, and subscribe to stay up-to-date with all the best moments from Boston's home for sports!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Celtics beat the Pacers 103-95 in a Joe Mazzulla masterclass. Yes, this is a game that the Celtics should win BUT the Celtics did not come out playing well early. They found themselves down by as many as 20 and 3 minutes into the third quarter, Mazzulla pulled all of his starters and the bench goes OFF! They responded with a 10-2 run forcing a Pacers timeout and extended that run to 19-5 forcing another Pacers timeout! Eventually the bench magic ran out and Mazzulla brought his starters back in but instead of being down 20, they were down just 8 and then you had JB who just took over. JB out scored the Pacers 14-13 in the 4th quarter! The Pacers shot a ridiculous 12-20 from 3 in the first half and just 1-20 in the second so there is certainly a bit of luck in there but they do say water finds its level and the Pacers are the worst 3pt shooting team in the NBA so we will take it. Make sure to listen to the full podcast for the player breakdown and game analysis!This podcast is brought to you by me, Guy DePlacido. I have been a Loan Officer servicing MA, NH and ME for the last 5 years so if you are looking to buy or refinance, reach out to me today at (978) 804-7756 or email me at guy.deplacido@ccm.com! Like the Boston Celtics, I know that you need a great team behind you to win so this year I am partnering with some of my favorites including Deb Burke, and Collin Tucker.If you're looking to buy or sell a home in the near future meet Deb Burke, your trusted realtor at Compass Real Estate, serving MA and NH. With a passion for finding dream homes, Deb is committed to making your real estate journey a breeze. Whether you're buying or selling, Deb's got your back. Reach out today at 978-930-4621 or email deb.burke@compass.com to start your next chapter. Let's turn your real estate dreams into reality!After getting preapproved with me and finding your home with Deb Burke, you'll want to make sure your home is protected and for that, there is nobody better than Collin Tucker at Berlin Insurance Group. Collin is a local agent but he is licensed in all of New England with over 20+ carriers for auto and home insurance guaranteeing the lowest quote possible. I have worked with Collin so many times not only for my clients insurance needs but mine as well. Reach out to Collin Tucker at Berlin Insurance Group at 508-459-1226 or Collin@berlininsurancegroup.comOne of my favorite things about the Celtics is how much they care and give back to the community and INspire Cafe is following that model too. Inspire Cafe is a Community Cafe in Wakefield on a mission to inspire change and creating a more inclusive world where individuals with diverse abilities are not just included but valued. If you're looking for, not only amazing food, but an opportunity to support a cafe that is inspiring change check out INspire Cafe in Wakefield today!

Imagine your work day starting off like any other only to find you've been laid off. What would you do next? Dave Stevens lived this reality a couple of years ago and joins us this week in episode 354 to share the lessons from that experience. We'll take you through how Dave processed the news of being laid off, the warning signs he missed, when he knew it was time to begin searching for a new role, how he thought about what to do next, and the critical importance of his personal and professional network throughout this process. Regardless of your age or the size of your professional network, Dave shares actionable suggestions for building professional connections that we all may be overlooking. Original Recording Date: 10-28-2025 Topics – Background and the Impact of a Layoff Event, Initial Forward Progress and Reliance on a Professional Network, Skills Gaps and Unexpected Positives, Elements of the Personal and Professional Network, Reaching Closure and Reflecting Back on the Lessons 2:27 – Background and the Impact of a Layoff Event Dave Stevens is a Field Solutions Architect at Pure Storage. In this role, Dave is a technical overlay for pre-sales technical personnel at Pure across North America. This is the role Dave took after he was impacted by a layoff. What was Dave's role before he was impacted by a layoff event? For context, the layoff event we discuss in this episode took place around 2.5 years before this recording. Dave was classified as a systems engineer or pre-sales technical resource at his employer supporting multiple account reps. It was more of a solutions architect type of role, and Dave highlights his entry into this organization and role was via acquisition. Was there an element of technical marketing to the role? Nick mentions that Dave often had to attend trade shows in this role. Dave had a virtualization background and went to a lot of events to discuss how his company's products integrated with those different technology ecosystems. The day Dave was laid off started as a normal day at his home office. His boss was based in Europe, so most 1-1 calls were usually late in the day his boss's time (early afternoon for Dave). A meeting popped up that was earlier than usual, but Dave didn't think anything of it. Right after Dave joined the remote session for the meeting, someone from HR joined followed by Dave's boss. Dave wasn't quite sure what to expect and didn't know what was happening. He didn't know if it was a layoff coming or some other kind of situation happening at his company. When Dave was laid off, they told him it was not for performance reasons, but there weren't really any other details provided on why he was being laid off. “So, at that point it was just like, ‘what do I do?'” – Dave Stevens, on receiving layoff news After receiving the news, Dave's access to company systems like e-mail was quickly cut off. He went downstairs and spent the rest of his day relaxing. Dave did not want to talk about what happened any further that first day. Did Dave struggle with separating his identity from his employer or the job he held at all when this happened? Dave says he did, at least a little bit. Dave wanted to be successful in whatever role he found himself, and the reason he was in the systems engineering role at the time of the layoff event is a result of his drive to be successful in the years leading up to that role. “I also wanted to make sure that…the people that I worked with that I enjoyed working with. If I didn't enjoy working with them, then there was no reason to continue staying there. So that's part of my identity on how I interact with work.” – Dave Stevens In the early days of Twitter (now X), Dave defined an identity there. He also created a personal blog. Dave says his identity was often tied to where he worked. “Once this all happened, I just kind of cut that off. And I needed some time to really digest what I just went through that day.” – Dave Stevens Is there something Dave wishes people had done for him when this first happened? Dave says he wishes he would have listened to his wife. Before experiencing the layoff event, a number of colleagues who had entered the company through acquisition like Dave were either leaving or had been laid off (including his boss being laid off). At the time, Dave didn't think much about these events. Dave's wife had encouraged him to look for other jobs before the layoff happened, and he feels he should have listened. “It's much easier finding a job when you have a job. There's not as much pressure on you. You can take your time and really find the job that you want. That's the one thing that kind of took me by surprise….” – Dave Stevens Did Dave's wife also point him in a direction or provide feedback on the type of work he should pursue? We've spoken to previous guests who had spouses that provided insight into the type of work that made them happy. Dave feels like there has been an element of this in place since he and his wife got married. When Dave got a job opportunity to relocate to the New Hampshire area, his wife had some interesting feedback. “It's great that you're going to make more than you're making at the job you are currently, but I don't want you to take a job just because of money. I want you to take a job because it's something you're interested in doing and you're going to be happy at. So, I've always kept that in the back of my mind every time I go and look for a job….” – Dave Stevens, quoting his wife's advice Dave considered this same advice when pursuing his current role at Pure. Because he enjoyed meeting and speaking with people during the interview process, the decision to accept the role was easy. Liking the people he would be working with was more important than a pay increase. 10:53 – Initial Forward Progress and Reliance on a Professional Network How long did Dave need to process before taking the first actions toward a new role? For the first 3 weeks or so, Dave relaxed a little bit. There were a number of projects at home that he needed to do and some that he wanted to do. Working on the projects helped take his mind off what had happened. Dave mentions he was given a severance for about 3 months and wanted to find a new role within that time period if possible. But if he could not find something in that time period, it would not be the end of the world. Dave tells us it was easier to find work when he was laid off than it is currently. Close to the time of this recording, AWS announced job cuts for up to 30,000 people. He made the conscious decision after those first few weeks to spend the first part of the day searching for new jobs and then continued working on different projects in the afternoons. How did Dave know who to reach out to first? Nick argues that most of us likely don't have a list of who we would call if something like this happened. When Dave came to the New England area, he started working for Dell in tech marketing. Through his work, Dave built a tight bond with many of his co-workers. Dave remembers sending a text message to many of his former co-workers (none of which were still at Dell) asking if they knew of any open opportunities. Dave wanted to understand what former colleagues were working on now and what the culture of their company was like. He started by seeking out people he already enjoyed working with and analyzed whether it made sense to go and work with them again. Was Dave open to different types of roles in his job search, or did that not matter? It had to be interesting work and involve people he wanted to work with or enjoyed working with. Dave says as long as it was something in the tech field, it didn't matter too much. Dave began his career in systems administration and tech support and had experience in the storage industry, with backups, and with Active Directory to name a few areas. He had also done technical marketing and was open to returning to it. Dave also looked at pre-sales systems engineering or solution architect roles. What about taking roles that moved him deeper into a business unit like product management? Dave says product management is interesting work, but depending on the company, the work may not always have the technical aspects he likes. Many of the product managers at Pure are quite technical, but most of the product management roles he observed at other companies were not as technical as he would like. “It just didn't interest me. It wasn't technical enough in nature for me.” – Dave Stevens, on moving into product management It sounds like Dave had done a good job of keeping in touch with people in his professional network over time. “I have always made sure to have a small group of folks that I can just reach out to at any time and…chat about anything…. I've always made sure to have that…. I didn't talk to them all the time, but we all interacted in some way, shape, or form whether it was an e-mail or text messaging…even some stuff on LinkedIn. We all kind of kept in touch…. I had people that I could fall back on and reach out to and get advice from if I needed to. This is the time where I really needed some advice on where to go to next.” – Dave Stevens Dave says he was lucky enough to find a new job before the end of his 3 months of severance pay. Dave's wife commented that she wasn't too worried about him. She knew he had a strong professional network. Did anyone in Dave's professional network ask him what he wanted to do next, or did they just start making recommendations based on what they knew about him? Dave says it was a little bit of both. Some people pointed Dave to specific open roles in the same group where they worked (still in tech, of course), while others directed him to the company job site and offered to act as a referral for him. Dave tells us he's very willing to give others a referral. “I want to make sure that people that I know and I like to work with come to work with me.” – Dave Stevens Dave says he also turned on the Open to Work banner on LinkedIn. While this did result in many recruiters reaching out to Dave, many of the opportunities they contacted him about were not interesting. Dave is hearing from many in our industry that bots are reaching out to people and trying to take advantage of them. His advice is that we need to be guarded in our interactions on LinkedIn as a result to avoid scams. 19:10 – Skills Gaps and Unexpected Positives What kinds of skills gaps did Dave see when seeking new opportunities? For context, this was roughly 2.5 years ago. Dave says at that time, AI wasn't as helpful as it is today and was not something that was interesting to him. Dave tells us he uses AI heavily today compared to back then. Dave felt confident in the knowledge and skillset he had built through years of industry experience. Ideally, he would land a new role that overlapped those areas, but if a new role required coming up to speed quickly, he would do what was needed. Dave started looking at public cloud and certifications related to Azure and AWS. “Although it was interesting, it wasn't really what I wanted to do.” – Dave Stevens, on public cloud technologies compared to the technologies with which he was familiar What were some of the unexpected positive outcomes of getting laid off even though it was difficult in the beginning? One positive, according to Dave, is the amount of people in his network he was able to reach out to on LinkedIn. So many people were open to helping. The only negative Dave thinks is maybe not acting quickly enough in starting his job search. “It's really about building not only your personal network but your professional network. And my professional network really came to my rescue and helped me understand that…it's not the end of the world. You're going to make it. You're going to do fine. But let me know if there's any way that I can help you in that journey that you're on right now.” – Dave Stevens Were there any things Dave and his wife had done (conscious or unconscious) to prepare for the layoff event based on market trends? Dave says his wife is very good at managing their home budget, and since they got married, they intentionally build a financial nest egg they could lean on in the event Dave was out of a job. 22:27 – Elements of the Personal and Professional Network What are some of the things Dave is even more intentional about now with his professional network than he was in the past? Dave received some great advice from a co-worker to reach out to one person in his professional network each week. Many times, Dave will do this on LinkedIn or even via text if he has the person's number. “Keep that personal connection going. As much as AI is taking over, as much as we do a lot of things on Zoom, I've learned over my years of working in the industry that there's nothing better than the face-to-face interaction…. It's so much more fun and relaxing to just get out of the office or home office…and just sit down with people and keep that personal connection going.” – Dave Stevens Dave mentions he likes to get together with co-workers in the area every now and then, even if they have the same conversation in person that they would have had on Zoom. It's different and more relaxing. How can younger listeners who may be trying to break into the industry build a professional network when they might not have a deep contact list or large network like someone in the industry for a long time? Nick and Dave talked about this before hitting record and thought it could be helpful to share during our discussion. Dave has a newfound perspective on this from being around his nephews and nieces. The job market is very different today than when Dave first began his career. “Nowadays, resumes just go into a black hole, and you don't necessarily know if you're still in the mix for a current job.” – Dave Stevens Dave has encouraged his nephews and nieces to leverage their personal network to build a professional network. He may know someone who knows someone in the field they want to pursue, for example. “There's no shame or harm in utilizing all your resources…. Utilize your personal network because you don't have the professional network built up yet to help you get that foot in the door.” – Dave Stevens Young people could even use their parents as a way to broaden their own network. It's an opportunity to get introduced to others. Dave uses the example of a chance meeting at a concert that could result in a new connection for someone. Nick would encourage younger listeners to get out to in-person meetup groups on any interesting topic. Go ask people what they are learning, why they work where they work, how they got there, and see if they have advice for you. Dave agrees and has leveraged both local professional groups and meetup groups in the New Hampshire area to meet new people. This is expanding your local professional network as Dave calls it (not to be confused with your global professional network) and is a great thing to do when you move to a new place. You never know when a conversation at a local meetup might help you get a warm lead on a job that will be posted soon. Did the layoff come up in interviews at all? How did Dave handle that? Dave says some people brought it up. In other cases, he brought it up in conversation, wanting people to know he was not let go for doing something wrong. 28:22 – Reaching Closure and Reflecting Back on the Lessons How did Dave know he had reached closure on the layoff situation? Dave thinks he was motivated to take action toward finding a job due to a fear of boredom. He had been working on various projects but knew he would run out of them at some point. Dave had enough time to adjust to not having a job, and he was ready to begin doing some kind of work again. “I didn't want to get bored. I hate being bored. I hate being bored at work. I hate being bored in general. That's really what the impetus was for me to go out and start looking…that fear of relaxing for too long and being bored.” – Dave Stevens At this point Dave reached further into his professional network beyond that first group of friends and former colleagues he mentioned earlier. Does taking action in a direction mean we're ready to move on from what happened? Is it when we have to discuss what happened in an interview, or is it something else? How do we measure this? Dave says it was easier to accept and felt mostly behind him when he was actively looking for a new position. He knew only he could take the actions to move forward. The feeling of what happened before went completely away when Dave accepted a new job at Pure. Dave feels he was very lucky to find a role. Lining up multiple interviews gave Dave momentum and a feeling of positivity. “I feel that people understand that I have the skills for these jobs. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gotten 5 job interviews as quickly after I really started taking action to look for a job. So, I got lucky.” – Dave Stevens If Dave had to do it all again, what would he do differently? Dave feels he has about 10 more years left working in the tech industry. For now, Dave enjoys the job he has, wants to excel doing it, and wants to continue growing. Dave currently works for the best boss he's had to date. “He not only pushes me, but he pushes our entire team to just get better….” – Dave Stevens, on his current manager Dave tells us he does not want to be a people manager or a product manager. “I want to continue to excel and expand my depth of knowledge across the virtualization industry and the storage industry.” – Dave Stevens The work at Pure is very interesting to Dave, which is also motivating him to continue learning and excelling. Part of this is using more AI-focused tooling as it becomes available to use. What does Dave think the role of AI tools is in helping with one's job search? There are a number of tools out there we can leverage to analyze our resume. Dave suggests keeping track of which tool we've used to analyze our resume because that could be used to train a model. In addition to this, use AI to research companies. Use them to help you understand what companies are like and what their culture is like. Many people in a sales role within Pure, for example, use an AI tool of some kind to learn more about their customers. Nick reiterates the nuances of acquisitions. Dave worked for a company that was acquired by another company. Over time there was a pattern of people from the company which was acquired being laid off. Perhaps this is a sign we should watch for and prepare. Dave says we need to be looking at and listening for the signs coming toward us. He listens to his wife more intently when she makes a suggestion. Dave continues to check in with people in his professional network and offers advice when they need it. Dave would encourage all of us to use our personal and professional network if we end up in the situation he was in (experiencing a layoff). “Not everybody is going to be able to help you or is willing to reach out and help you, but when someone does…don't just brush it aside as they want something out of this. They probably genuinely want to help you. So, take advantage….” – Dave Stevens If you want to follow up with Dave on this conversation, Connect with Dave on LinkedIn Check out Dave's blog site Mentioned in the Outro The three week period Dave took to work on projects may have been what gave him the clarity on the type of work he did and did not want to do once he began his search. Dave mentions getting some great advice from his wife and her emphasis on him pursuing roles that would make him happy and be enjoyable work. This echoes something similar to what Brad Christian shared in Episode 264 – Back to Basics: Technology Bets and Industry Relationships with Brad Christian (2/2) when it came to choosing what to do next after a layoff. If you enjoyed this format and want to hear other stories of people recounting their layoff experience, check out these episodes featuring Jason Gass. He talks about the lost art of supporting others in episode 343, which aligns very well with Dave's advice on building our personal and professional network. Episode 342 – Planting Seeds: Networking and Maneuvering Unexpected Job Loss with Jason Gass (1/2) Episode 343 – The Lost Art: Marketplace Heartbeat and Finding Closure after a Layoff with Jason Gass (2/2) Contact the Hosts The hosts of Nerd Journey are John White and Nick Korte. E-mail: nerdjourneypodcast@gmail.com DM us on Twitter/X @NerdJourney Connect with John on LinkedIn or DM him on Twitter/X @vJourneyman Connect with Nick on LinkedIn or DM him on Twitter/X @NetworkNerd_ Leave a Comment on Your Favorite Episode on YouTube If you've been impacted by a layoff or need advice, check out our Layoff Resources Page. If uncertainty is getting to you, check out or Career Uncertainty Action Guide with a checklist of actions to take control during uncertain periods and AI prompts to help you think through topics like navigating a recent layoff, financial planning, or managing your mindset and being overwhelmed.

On this episode of The Wisconsin Sportsman, Pierce is joined by outdoor writer, Matt Geiger to dive into why we hunt! Matt is a New England native who now lives and hunts in Southwest Wisconsin. The guys dive into Matt's hunting season so far, the ag tag program, stories from the Cazenovia Doe Derby, the importance of hunting rituals, a knife in the knee, the importance of venison as a food source, using venison to as a bridge between hunters and non-hunters, CWD's impact on deer herd dynamics, teaching children through conservation, and the importance of Sharing the Land. All that and more in this week's episode!Huge thanks to Matt for coming on the show, if you want to check out some of his fantastic outdoor writing, head on over to geigerbooks.com or check out his social media @geiger.matt Big thanks to our fantastic partners:Lone Wolf Custom Gear: www.lonewolfcustomgear.comonX Hunt: www.onxmaps.comHuntworth: www.huntworthgear.comGood Chance Fly Fishing: www.goodchanceflyfishing.comWisconsin Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: www.backcountryhunters.org/wisconsinTAKE ACTION THROUGH BACKCOUNTRY HUNTERS & ANGLERSwww.backcountryhunters.com/take_actionCall the US Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak with your representative Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/K-7uM5XEJqA  Welcome back to Stories from the River. Today, Charlie Malouf and Manny Rodrigues make a very special announcement: Broad River Retail plans to open a new store in Portland, Maine. Internally announced to Memory Makers during a Companywide Town Hall on December 18th, Broad River is expanding into northern New England in 2026. Broad River is proud to bring an an Ashley Store & Outlet to South Portland in the Jetport Plaza shopping center.  The 44,900 square feet store will feature a flagship Ashley 7.0 showroom, an Ashley Outlet, an expanded sleep shop, and introduce the all-new, exclusive Ashley Luxe collection to the market. The store is set to open in May of 2026, and on today's episode Charlie and Manny discuss the origin story behind their approach on studying the market, selecting the location, and how the area's growth, vibrancy, and demographics made it the ideal next expansion point for Broad River Retail.  They discuss their plans for other stores in the Northeast, particularly in the state of Maine and across the border into Portsmouth, New Hampshire, as they'll look to deploy the hub-and-spoke model that has worked well for them in the Southeast.  The current Broad River Memory Makers play a critical role in this exciting new step, especially as this announcment quickly follows the opening of a store in Spokane, WA, this past Saturday, December 20th, also an exciting move for Broad River, who's until now been based in and around the Carolinas and Georgia area of the country.    Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes.   Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com  Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail 

On this Monday NFL Football recap, Will Compton and Taylor Lewan are joined by Greg Olsen to break down all the biggest storylines from Week 16 of the NFL season. Greg and the boys start with the Philadelphia Eagles getting back on track after wins over the Raiders and Commanders, debating whether Philly has what it takes to make a Super Bowl run. From there, they zoom out to the NFC as a whole and why the conference feels wide open with multiple teams capable of making a deep playoff push. One of those teams is the Chicago Bears, as the guys discuss rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and head coach Ben Johnson, along with the Bears’ future outlook. They also break down Rams vs. Seahawks, the controversial officiating moments from Lions vs. Steelers, and Ravens vs. Patriots, where Drake Maye and New England picked up another big win. To close things out, the conversation turns to the MVP race, including Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye, plus a deeper discussion on the standout quarterback draft class featuring Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, and Drake Maye. Full breakdowns, hot takes, and NFL storytelling...enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suspect officiating, Shedeur capping, and Baker failing to cook. Fearless tackles the most intriguing topics from the weekend football action. Jason Whitlock is joined by Steve Kim on how Derrick Henry could spend much of the fourth quarter on the sidelines as the Baltimore Ravens blew an 11-point lead losing to New England... DK Metcalf tells a Lions' fan, keep my name out your mouth shoving the fan in the stands during the game. Metcalf is the latest in a lineage of Steelers' diva receivers... Why was Myles Garrett well after the play, credited with half a sack? Shedeur Sanders proves once again he's apt to gain more yards rushing than passing, and fails to capitalize during the final three drives to the Browns to victory... Shannon Sharpe says it's all about the pinky. Is Trevor Lawrence now who we thought he was then? The CFP action on Saturday was an abomination. The show concludes with Virgil Walker, Shemeka Michelle and Dre Baldwin discussing Dave Chappelle proving he's the latest "plant" misguiding through idolatry along with the strange twist of Nicki Minaj all but replacing Candace Owens in the TPUSA universe. Buckle up... CLICK HERE to Subscribe to Jason Whitlock's YouTube: https://bit.ly/3jFL36G CLICK HERE to Listen to Jason Whitlock's podcast: https://apple.co/3zHaeLT CLICK HERE to Follow Jason Whitlock on X: https://bit.ly/3hvSjiJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Cheryl Tuppa joins the pod to tell the story of her niece Briana's seven-year entanglement with Twin Flames Universe—from a late-night Google search about soulmates to a full-blown high-control group that nearly swallowed her life and savings. A longtime cybersecurity specialist, Cheryl walks us through how a close, resourceful New England family still missed key early signs, then organized “Team Briana” behind the scenes, contacting ex-members, law enforcement, journalists, and cult consultants (Sarah included), and ultimately helped Briana escape and rebuild her life. We get into money, “divine dish” food control, the pressure to stalk “twin flames,” Jeff and Shaleia's role in mass gender transitions and the Mind Alignment Program, recent FBI action against the group, and why being a “safe place to land” may be the single most important thing loved ones can do.​We also mention therapist and cult specialist Rachel Bernstein, who worked with Briana and has been a guest on our show. Also check out our previous episodes with ex-Twin Flames Universe member Keely Griffin and journalist Alice Hines, who both helped expose the group's abuses and digital reach.And for creative arts therapy approaches, look up clinical psychologist Jennifer French.Be sure to follow Cheryl's YouTube channel and join her mission to expose cults and other high control groups.Trigger warning: This episode contains frank discussion of gender transition under high-pressure conditions, and disordered eating and food control.Also…let it be known that:The views and opinions expressed on A Little Bit Culty do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, group, club, organization, business, individual, anyone or anything. Nobody's mad at you, just don't be a culty fuckwad.**PRE-ORDER Sarah and Nippy's newest book hereCheck out our amazing sponsorsJoin A Little Bit Culty on PatreonGet poppin' fresh ALBC SwagSupport the pod and smash this linkCheck out our cult awareness and recovery resourcesWatch Sarah's TED Talk and buy her memoir, ScarredCREDITS:Executive Producers: Sarah Edmondson & Anthony AmesProduction Partner: Citizens of SoundCo-Creator: Jess TardyAudio production: Will RetherfordProduction Coordinator: Lesli DinsmoreWriter: Sandra NomotoSocial media team: Eric Skwarzynski and Brooke KeaneTheme Song: “Cultivated” by Jon Bryant co-written with Nygel AsselinSUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:Don't let financial opportunity slip through the cracks. Use code CULTY at monarch.com in your browser for half off your first year. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On today’s episode, Jason discusses how the Baltimore Ravens' Sunday Night Football loss to New England signifies the official end of the Big Four Era of NFL quarterbacks (Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Josh Allen), whether or not Drake Maye should be viewed as the MVP favorite after his incredible fourth quarter performance against Baltimore, why it's more clear now than even that we have a dearth of quality quarterbacks in the NFL today, the idea that the Detroit Lions' Super Bowl window is officially closed, what really went down between DK Metcalf and that unruly fan he 'punched' in Detroit, which teams look like the current favorites to make the Super Bowl, and much more! #FSR #OddCouple Follow Jason on Twitter and Instagram. Click here to subscribe, rate and review all of the latest Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ESPN Jets reporter Rich Cimini breaks down the Sunday loss to the Saints, takes a look at the roster and looks ahead to hosting New England. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today’s episode, Jason discusses how the Baltimore Ravens' Sunday Night Football loss to New England signifies the official end of the Big Four Era of NFL quarterbacks (Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Josh Allen), whether or not Drake Maye should be viewed as the MVP favorite after his incredible fourth quarter performance against Baltimore, why it's more clear now than even that we have a dearth of quality quarterbacks in the NFL today, the idea that the Detroit Lions' Super Bowl window is officially closed, what really went down between DK Metcalf and that unruly fan he 'punched' in Detroit, which teams look like the current favorites to make the Super Bowl, and much more! #FSR #OddCouple Follow Jason on Twitter and Instagram. Click here to subscribe, rate and review all of the latest Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Munaf Manji and Mackenzie Rivers talk weekend football action and much more. Munaf Manji and Mackenzie Rivers recap NFL Week 16 Sunday action, beginning with Sunday Night Football, where the Patriots erased a double-digit deficit to defeat the Ravens 28-24. Lamar Jackson exited at halftime with a back injury, forcing Tyler Huntley into action, while Derrick Henry dominated early but surprisingly stopped receiving touches late. A missed pass interference call on New England did not derail Drake May, who threw for over 380 yards, including a highlight touchdown to Kyle Williams, as the Patriots scored 15 unanswered points capped by a Rhamondre Stevenson rushing score and a game-sealing Zay Flowers fumble. The loss likely ends Baltimore's playoff hopes and sparks discussion about John Harbaugh's future, Lamar Jackson's durability, and the Steelers' path to clinching the division, with praise given to Mike Tomlin's sustained success. The conversation then shifts to awards, with Matthew Stafford emerging as the MVP favorite over Drake May and Mike Vrabel leading the Coach of the Year market. Circa Survivor updates follow before a deep dive into Week 17 market movers, including massive downgrades to the Chiefs without Mahomes, Dallas favored over Washington, Lions and Vikings line movement, Bengals upgrades after an offensive surge, Chargers moving to a pick'em versus the Texans, Raiders versus Giants shaping up as a potential tank bowl, and the growing impact of injuries and motivation late in the season. Eagles versus Bills is debated, with Buffalo trusted more long term than Philadelphia. Attention turns to Monday Night Football, where both hosts like the 49ers on the road against the Colts and lean under the total due to Indianapolis' limited offense with Philip Rivers and a slower game script. Jonathan Taylor usage and George Kittle props are discussed, with Kittle's receiving yards favored due to matchup trends. The show closes with promotions for Pregame bulk dollars, the free College Football Bowl Bash contest, and a preview of upcoming NBA Christmas coverage, emphasizing scheduling value, betting opportunities, and appreciation for listeners during the holiday season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hour 1 - The Patriots are back in their rightful place, playoffs. How did they feel about the game last night and what does it mean going forward.

Historian Dan Vogel breaks down the complex history of the Book of Abraham, beginning with the 1835 purchase of Egyptian mummies in Kirtland, Ohio. Rather than seeing the Kirtland Egyptian Papers as a failed attempt by scribes to understand Egyptian, Vogel argues they were Joseph Smith's own working papers. He demonstrates how Smith used these documents to “brainstorm” a new theological framework, allowing him to introduce doctrines like the priesthood ban and the plurality of gods under the guise of an ancient text. This is a replay of my 2019 interview with Dan. https://youtu.be/sFKoRTTZ4SU Don't miss our other conversations with Dan: https://gospeltangents.com/people/dan-vogel Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Arrival of the Mummies and Papyrus The story begins in July 1835, when Michael Chandler arrived in Kirtland with four mummies and several papyrus scrolls. Joseph Smith purchased the collection for $2,400 and quickly identified the records as the writings of the biblical patriarchs Abraham and Joseph. Vogel notes that while Smith identified these as ancient records, they were actually Egyptian funerary texts, specifically the “Book of Breathings” (belonging to a priest named Horus) and the “Book of the Dead” (belonging to Ta-Sherit-Min). “Brainstorming” Book of Abraham Translation A central part of the discussion involves the Kirtland Egyptian Papers, which include “Alphabet” and a bound “Grammar” volume. Vogel disputes the apologetic theory that these documents were a failed attempt by scribes to reverse-engineer Smith’s translation. Instead, he argues they were Smith's own working papers used to “brainstorm” theological concepts. According to Vogel, Smith used these documents to develop complex ideas—such as a priesthood lineage and an Egyptian-themed cosmology—before dictating the final text. Evidence of Oral Dictation Vogel presents compelling evidence that the Book of Abraham was orally dictated. He points to manuscripts where scribes Frederick G. Williams and Warren Parrish wrote simultaneously, making the same in-line corrections as Smith changed his mind about specific wording. Furthermore, the scribes used phonetic spellings for names like “Alcanor” or “Elkenah,” which reflected Joseph Smith's distinct New England non-rhotic accent (e.g., dropping/adding the “r” sound). Filling the Gaps: Invented Characters One of the most significant findings involves the lacunae, or missing portions of the papyrus. Vogel asserts that where the scroll was damaged, Smith invented characters to fill the gaps. These invented characters were then transcribed into the translation manuscripts and given lengthy English definitions that ended up in the Book of Abraham. This suggests that the surviving fragments—which match these characters—were indeed the source material Smith was using. Theological Projection The Book of Abraham served as a tool to introduce new doctrines that Smith was building into the Church's structure. Vogel explains how the cosmology of the stars (like Kolob) mirrored the ecclesiastical structure of the Kirtland Temple. The three ruling planets and twelve others corresponded to the three presidencies and the twelve members of the High Council. In this way, Smith projected his 19th-century priesthood concerns back onto an ancient patriarchal narrative0. Critique of the “Long Scroll Theory” Finally, Vogel addresses the modern apologetic “Long Scroll Theory,” which posits that the Book of Abraham was on a portion of the papyrus that was destroyed in the 1871 Chicago Fire. Vogel argues this is a “fallacy of possible proof”. He maintains that the documentary evidence—specifically the way the characters in the margins of the translation manuscripts match the surviving fragments—proves that Smith was translating from the documents we still possess today. Don't miss our other conversations with Dan: https://gospeltangents.com/people/dan-vogel Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye addresses the media following New England's 28-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, December 21, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patriots players Hunter Henry, Christian Gonzalez and more address the media following New England's 28-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, December 21, 2025. TIMECODEDIGGS / 00:00-05:17HENRY / 05:17-09:34GONZALEZ / 09:34-12:40HAWKINS (podium) / 12:40-16:54KWILLIAMS / 16:54-19:59CHAISSON / 19:59-25:18HAKWINS (locker room) / 25:18-26:20STEVENSON / 26:20-28:19See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel addresses the media following New England's 28-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, December 21, 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.