Podcasts about notably

A recent study in Advanced Healthcare Materials reports a novel method for regenerating tooth enamel using water-based films made from keratin, a protein abundant in sources like wool. Researchers found that these keratin films can self-assemble into organized scaffolds that guide the growth of aligned apatite nanocrystals, mimicking natural enamel formation. When applied to artificially created early enamel lesions (white spot lesions), the keratin-based system was able to repair the damage, restoring both the tooth's optical appearance and its mechanical properties. Notably, the mechanical recovery was significant; nanoindentation tests showed the elastic modulus of damaged enamel increased from ~5 GPa back to ~53 GPa, and hardness recovered from ~0.1 GPa to over 1.0 GPa after treatment. These findings present a promising, simple, and potentially low-cost strategy for the clinical treatment of early dental caries. Disclaimers:• This information is for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical or dental advice.• The study discussed was conducted in vitro (on extracted human teeth in a laboratory setting). Further research and human clinical trials are necessary to confirm these findings and evaluate safety and efficacy.• Always consult with a qualified dental professional before making any changes to your oral healthcare routine or treatment plan.• This channel does not provide medical advice.#Keratin #EnamelRegeneration #Biomineralization #DentalResearch #RegenerativeDentistryS. Gamea, E. Radvar, D. Athanasiadou, et al. “ Biomimetic Mineralization of Keratin Scaffolds for Enamel Regeneration.” Adv. Healthcare Mater. (2025): e02465. https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202502465Alchepharma,Ralph Turchiano,citation,research,study,Keratin,enamel regeneration,biomimetic mineralization,apatite nanocrystals,hard tissue regeneration,dental caries,white spot lesion repair,protein scaffolds,self-assembly,spherulites,nanoindentation,Knoop microhardness,tooth decay treatment,regenerative dentistry,biomaterials,apatite nucleation,hierarchical structure,dental tissue engineering,keratin films,in vitro study,restorative dentistry,tooth repair

Armed with incontrovertible evidence that DEI Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook has committed repeated mortgage fraud, the great and powerful President Donald J. Trump has fired Cook for cause.Naturally, being a DEI appointed woman of a certain sort, Cook has refused to be fired and has filed a lawsuit against Trump in Federal court.  Notably, nowhere in Cook's filed complaint does she deny the mortgage fraud claimed by Trump—that within a single two-week period Cook secured two federally-backed mortgages on separate properties in separate states and claimed both as her primary residence—a status that secures Cook more favorable federally-backed mortgage interest rates, lower insurance rates, and so on.  Apparently false filings on yet a third property also have now come to light.All of these acts of mortgage fraud would qualify as federal felonies for anybody.  These credible and uncontested accusations of mortgage fraud against a Governor of the Federal Reserve, tasked with setting mortgage and other interest rates for the entire nation, obviously makes Cook's continued service on the Board untenable, and provide more than adequate grounds for Trump to fire her for cause. Importantly, removing known Trump-hater Cook from the Federal Reserve Board—she's publicly referred to Trump as a “fascist”—would open the door for a replacement of Cook that would be more amenable to rationally lowering the nation's interest rates, saving billions in interest cost for the nation generally, and turbo-charging home and other purchases for individuals. The #1 guide for understanding when using force to protect yourself is legal. Now yours for FREE! Just pay the S&H for us to get it to you.➡️ Carry with confidence, knowing you are protected from predators AND predatory prosecutors➡️ Correct the common myths you may think are true but get people in trouble​➡️ Know you're getting the best with this abridged version of our best-selling 5-star Amazon-rated book that has been praised by many (including self-defense legends!) for its easy, entertaining, and informative style.​➡️ Many interesting, if sometimes heart-wrenching, true-life examplesGet Your Free Book: https://lawofselfdefense.com/getthebook

Melissa E. Middeldorp, MPH, PhD, University of Adelaide is joined by Jenelle Dziano, Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, The University of Adelaide and Jared Bunch, MD, FHRS, University of Utah School of Medicine, to discuss a study that investigated the relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF), brain glymphatic function, and cognitive performance. Using MRI-derived diffusion tensor imaging along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS), the authors found that patients with AF especially those with no paroxysmal AF exhibited impaired glymphatic activity compared to healthy controls. This reduced glymphatic function was associated with poorer cognitive performance in domains like attention and executive function, and mediation analyses suggested that glymphatic dysfunction partially explains the link between AF and cognitive decline. Notably, in patients who underwent catheter ablation to restore sinus rhythm, glymphatic function significantly improved post-procedure. These findings highlight a novel mechanistic pathway beyond stroke or vascular risk by which AF may contribute to neurodegeneration, and they suggest that rhythm control could offer protective benefits for brain health. https://www.hrsonline.org/education/TheLead https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/46/18/1733/8029578 Host Disclosure(s): M. Middeldorp:   Nothing to disclose. Contributor Disclosure(s): J. Dziano: Nothing to disclose. J. Bunch: Honoraria/Speaking/Consulting: Pfizer, Inc., Heart Rhythm Society

Justin Bieber BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.Justin Bieber has been generating buzz once again with a series of striking new photos posted to Instagram around August 15, prompting widespread commentary and fan speculation about a possible glow-up era or deeper personal change. According to Just N Life, these images—showcasing Bieber's signature tattoos and straight-on gaze—have fueled debates about his current state and relationships, especially after he posted a serene shot with Kendall Jenner. This post reignited old rumors of a romantic connection, which Hailey Bieber playfully dismissed, demonstrating confidence in her marriage. Bieber quickly followed up with an image alongside Hailey, the couple appearing close and content, which shut down some persistent rumors about marital discord.Meanwhile, Bieber's recent public appearances in New York have sparked concern among fans and the entertainment press, including IMDB and The Hollywood Gossip, with some observers remarking on worries about his health and wellbeing. His fashion choices and see-through underwear photos have led to mixed reactions, with debates about whether they reflect marketing savvy or genuine personal struggle. Despite the scrutiny, Bieber remains a visible presence in New York, even as some fans speculate on changes in his appearance and mood.On the business front, Justin has continued to expand his comfort-focused SKYLRK brand, teasing a futuristic orange bench prototype on Instagram. Entertainment Now reports that SKYLRK, launched in July alongside Bieber's seventh studio album Swag, is pushing further into lifestyle and possibly homeware products, although an official release date hasn't been confirmed. Notably, Bieber severed ties with his previous fashion venture, Drew House, in April, signaling a significant business shift. SkyLRK appears to be absorbing much of his creative energy, while his wife Hailey's Rhode Beauty just announced a blockbuster $1 billion sale to e.l.f. Cosmetics according to AOL. Hailey will remain as Chief Creative Officer, and the brand's viral lip-gloss phone cases and pop-ups have cemented the Bieber family's considerable influence and net worth, which PEOPLE estimates near $400 million.Musically, Bieber's recently released album Swag marks his first full-length project since 2021, showcasing a darker, more vulnerable sound shaped by fatherhood and his marriage to Hailey. A PEOPLE source notes that the son Jack Blues's arrival has heavily influenced the album's tone and lyrics, deepening his creative narrative. While the internet isn't fully convinced about every aspect of Bieber's personal journey, his willingness to put both his emotional life and entrepreneurial ambitions on display continues to draw intense scrutiny and admiration. Whether capturing hearts with Met Gala support posts—where he affectionately shouted out Hailey's solo appearance and fashion choices, per AOL—or filling New York venues with music fans, Justin Bieber remains firmly in the public eye, shaping headlines and driving conversations about celebrity reinvention.Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

Gary Morton has spent a lifetime working on cattle outfits throughout the West, most notably the legendary Bell Ranch in New Mexico. He also has established himself as a respected Western artist, painting scenes of working cowboys and beautiful landscapes of the American West (visit garymortonart.com). As a founding member and current board member of the Working Ranch Cowboys Association, Morton has helped promote and preserve the ranching lifestyle for decades. Recently, he contributed to a new audio book, I'll Drop You Off, which is a Christian devotional written by Kris Wilson. Learn more by sending an email to illdropyouoff40@gmail.com, or shop online at amazon.com More Information on the Bell Ranch  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_Ranch    

Last time we spoke about the Battle for South Sakhalin and the Kurile Islands. In August 1945, as Japan teetered on the edge of destruction following the atomic bombings, a desperate situation unfolded. The Soviet Union launched a sudden invasion of Manchuria, catching Japanese forces off guard. On August 14, Japan's decision to surrender was made, announced to the world the following day. However, the Kwantung Army resisted fiercely, engaging in frantic evacuations. In South Sakhalin, Japanese defenders clashed with advancing Soviet troops, facing overwhelming odds. By August 18, chaos reigned on the Japanese side, with forces surrendering and civilians in panic. As the Soviets pushed forward, the situation became increasingly dire for Japan. Despite valiant resistance, the imminent defeat became clear. In a moment of critical decision, Emperor Hirohito accepted the surrender terms, officially sealing Japan's fate and marking the end of the Pacific War. However the Soviets had not yet stopped their onslaught.  This episode is the Soviet Victory in Asia Welcome to the Pacific War Podcast Week by Week, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800's until the end of the Pacific War in 1945.  We are drawing near to the real conclusion of this series! Japan has officially surrendered, however the Soviets are not done just yet. East asia is a delicious piece of cake, laid wide open and Stalin intends to take every piece he can grab before the curtain falls. Now as we last left off it was August 18, and General Yamada's Kwantung Army had surrendered to the Soviet forces led by Marshal Vasilevsky, who were advancing rapidly through Manchuria. Yet, some Japanese units, like those at Kalgan, continued to resist occupation until the month's end. On August 19, following Yamada's announcement that all military operations had ceased, a Soviet delegation arrived at Hsinking.  A daring operation took place, where a 225-strong detachment from the 6th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade, part of the 5th Guards Tank Corps, was airlifted to the city's main airfield. This mission, along with others, was carried out under orders from Marshal Vasilevsky on August 18, following the commander's initial offer of surrender from the Kwantung Army. Vasilevsky's directive was urgent: “The Japanese resistance is broken, and the challenging road conditions hinder the swift advance of our main forces. We need to deploy specially formed, fast-moving, and well-equipped units to capture Changchun, Mukden, Jilin, and Harbin immediately. These units should remain flexible for future missions, regardless of their distance from the main forces.”The push to accelerate operations came directly from Stalin himself. In Kulichkin's biography of Marshal Vasilevsky, he recounts a pivotal phone call on August 15. Stalin was informed that the Japanese had “lost command and control” and were unable to mount a strong defense, with their forces divided into several fragmented groups. Vasilevsky confidently stated, “Even a miracle cannot save the Japanese from total defeat,” stressing the need to maintain the momentum of the offensive. Stalin's response was straightforward: “Good. We need to increase the pace. What proposals do you have?” Vasilevsky revealed plans to use airborne assault forces against larger cities like Harbin, Changchun, Jilin, and Mukden, alongside advanced mobile units across all combined arms armies. These units, consisting of tanks and assault guns, were fully equipped with desantniki, ready to engage firmly in the ongoing operations. The landing at Shenyang revealed a remarkable twist of fate. Waiting at the airfield for evacuation to Japan was none other than the recently abdicated Emperor Puyi of Manchukuo. On August 15, 1945, Puyi tuned in to the radio and listened to Emperor Hirohito's address announcing Japan's surrender. In this historic speech, the Showa Emperor referred to the Americans' use of a "most unusual and cruel bomb," which had just devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki. For Puyi, this was the first revelation of the atomic bombings, information that the Japanese had conveniently withheld from him until that moment. The aircraft carrying Major Chelyshev's force, escorted by fighter planes, landed at 1:15 PM without any opposition and captured him. This small unit's survival hinged on remaining unchallenged, and they successfully secured the airfield. They also freed several Allied personnel held at the nearby Hoten prisoner-of-war camp. As soon as the landing was secured, additional reinforcements were airlifted in later that day, led by General Kravchenko, the commander of the 6th Guards Tank Army. He formally accepted the city's surrender, and the Soviets then transported Puyi to the Siberian town of Chita.  Meanwhile, Vasilevsky's ground offensive pressed on, mostly unopposed, though some resistance persisted. In the Transbaikal Front, Marshal Malinovsky's General Pliyev led his cavalry-mechanized units against the Japanese forces at Kalgan. Other units reached Jehol and accepted the surrender of the 108th Division. General Danilov's 17th Army secured the Shanhaiguan coast, while General Managarov's 53rd Army pushed towards Kailu. The main force of General Kravchenko's 6th Guards Tank Army regrouped at Tungliao and Kaitung, preparing to advance south toward Mukden. General Lyudnikov's 39th Army steadily approached Changchun, confronting the bypassed 107th Division, and General Luchinsky's 36th Army occupied Tsitsihar, accepting the surrender of the 136th Independent Mixed Brigade. At the same time, on General Purkayev's 2nd Far Eastern Front, General Teryokhin's 2nd Red Banner Army continued its siege of the Aihun fortified region. Meanwhile, a forward detachment moved slowly south through the Lesser Khinghan Mountains. General Mamonov's 15th Army began capturing and processing prisoners from the many retreating Japanese units after a successful amphibious assault secured Sansing. The Amur Flotilla supported the army's push towards Harbin, while General Pashkov's 5th Rifle Corps finally reached Poli, which had already been occupied by other Soviet units. In Marshal Meretskov's 1st Far Eastern Front, forward detachments of General Zakhvatayev's 35th Army began arriving at Linkou, focusing on the surrender of Japanese units in the area. Rear elements effectively eliminated the last traces of enemy resistance in the Hutou fortified area.  After a challenging struggle through the wetlands and the capture of Mishan on August 12, advanced detachments of the 35th Army's main force, the 66th and 363rd Rifle Divisions, continued their advance against minimal opposition. The situation was starkly different to their rear, where the 1056th Rifle Regiment of the 264th Rifle Division, supported by the heavily reinforced 109th Fortified Region, worked to dismantle the now-isolated Hutou fortified area. Despite the dire circumstances, the garrison refused to surrender. Thus, the focus shifted to systematically eliminating their defenses, which became a painstaking task. The attackers deployed an artillery destruction group, secured air supremacy, and utilized well-trained assault formations. Their techniques included pouring kerosene or gasoline into ventilation shafts of underground structures, sometimes in alarming quantities. For instance, two tonnes of gasoline were recorded being poured into a single installation before ignition was applied. Despite the brutal and methodical obliteration of their positions, the defenders continued to ignore orders to surrender. Notably, on August 18, a Japanese prisoner was sent under a flag of truce to inform those still holding out that the war was officially over; tragically, he was hacked to death by a sword-wielding officer. Ultimately, this stubbornness led to catastrophic consequences: about 3,000 defenders were killed, blasted and burned, before a small number finally capitulated. Additionally, advanced detachments of General Beloborodov's 1st Red Banner Army reached Shangzhi before continuing towards Harbin, and forward elements of General Krylov's 5th Army pushed on toward Jilin. General Chistyakov's 25th Army commenced disarming General Murakami's 3rd Army, while the 10th Mechanized Corps advanced rapidly westward, crossing the Laoilin Mountain passes to arrive at Tunhua by nightfall. Over in North Korea, the 335th Rifle Division successfully landed in Chongjin, as General Kabanov's Southern Defense Region prepared for an assault on Gensan. In South Sakhalin, despite the surrender of the 125th Regiment and ongoing negotiations with General Mineki's 88th Division, Soviet forces opted to proceed with the planned landing at Maoka. Consequently, Admiral Andreyev's Northern Pacific Flotilla departed from Sovetskaya Gavan in the morning, carrying the bulk of the 113th Rifle Brigade along with a battalion of marines for the long and challenging voyage to Maoka. On Shumshu Island, as General Gnechko's forces were landing their artillery to renew their assault, Japanese officers unexpectedly approached the Soviets under flags of truce, carrying a letter from General Tsutsumi proposing negotiations for surrender. Representatives from both sides began discussions, and by 6 PM, the 91st Division formally surrendered the garrisons of Shumshu, Paramushir, and Onekotan. On August 20, Gnechko dispatched a small detachment on six vessels to seize control of the airfield at Kataoka. However, as they crossed the Second Kuril Strait, batteries on both sides of the narrow waterway opened heavy fire on the Soviet ships, forcing them to withdraw. This breach of the surrender agreement sparked a renewed offensive at 1 PM, coordinated with air strikes. The bases at Kataoka and Kashiwabar were bombed by 61 aircraft, which dropped over 200 bombs, enabling ground troops to push forward up to six kilometers. It was not until General Tsutsumi intervened that the Soviets were assured the Japanese would indeed lay down their arms. Meanwhile, Andreyev's convoy arrived at Maoka harbor on the morning of August 20, successfully landing the first wave of marines amid heavy fog. They quickly spread out and secured the area while the second and third waves of infantry followed behind. By noon, the port area was secured, and the marines began advancing eastward into the city, supported by infantry on their flanks. Taken by surprise, the Japanese defenders were ultimately compelled to retreat, with the 113th Rifle Brigade pursuing them through the mountains to the villages of Futamata and Osaka. In Manchuria, between August 20 and 21, Vasilevsky's units continued their advance to occupy the region's main centers. Stalin urged for greater speed, fearing that any delay might prompt President Truman to order General MacArthur's air-naval assault forces to land there. Notably, Pliyev's first column successfully captured Kalgan, while his second column moved south toward Beijing, securing Gubeikou at the border. Located in one of the passes through the Great Wall, marking the border between Manchukuo and China, the town was garrisoned by Japanese units. These forces surrendered upon the approach of the Soviet troops, who then quickly advanced toward Beijing, about 100 kilometers away. Although not the former capital itself, this area was under the control of Chinese Communist forces known as the 8th Route Army, who aligned with the Soviets. Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek was acutely aware that any Japanese capitulation to the Communists in northern China would allow the latter to occupy vital territories, making their removal difficult. Consequently, he commanded the 8th Route Army not to accept any Japanese surrenders, insisting they only surrender to Nationalist forces, with dire punishments threatened for defiance. Adding to the complexity, the Soviet Union and China had signed the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance, discussed at Yalta, just six days earlier on August 14. This treaty promised mutual respect for sovereignty and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. The Soviets had also committed to providing “moral support and aid in military supplies and other material resources” exclusively to the National Government as the legitimate central authority of China. Thus, a significant political and military predicament loomed. However, the Soviets quickly extricated themselves from this situation when Malinovsky issued an order forbidding Pliyev's forces from crossing the border. As Pliyev recounted, his formations were poised just halfway between Chengde and Beijing, needing “only one 'leap' to the Chinese capital.” He noted, “I had to suspend the offensive and move north beyond the Great Wall.” Units from the 6th Guards Tank Army occupied both Changchun and Mukden, initiating a rail movement towards Port Arthur and Dairen. For those curious, at Pingfan and Changchun, General Shiro Ishii and the remaining personnel from Units 731 and 100 were captured by Soviet forces. In a tragic turn of events, all test subjects were murdered and cremated, while the Japanese attempted to destroy evidence of their facilities but were unable to do so in time. Following their capture, the Soviets launched an extensive campaign to uncover the secrets behind Units 731 and 100, leading to the Khabarovsk Trial. If you want to learn more about what I would call “japans operation paperclip”, the secret dealings between Unit 731 and the Allies after the war, I did make an episode about it over on my patreon. Its pretty gruesome stuff so big disclaimer there.' The Soviets arrived to Dairen on 24 August, although these places had surrendered to air-landed forces two days earlier. This was, no doubt, much to the relief of Stalin, as these were amongst the main locations where he most feared American intervention. Indeed, on the day of the landing he had told Vasilevsky to ‘keep in mind' the fact that any delay could mean ‘Truman will order General MacArthur to land his naval assault forces'. The long-resisting 135th Independent Mixed Brigade finally surrendered at Aihun, while advanced units of the 2nd Red Banner Army secured Nencheng and Peian before pushing towards Tsitsihar and Harbin. Forward detachments from the 15th and 1st Red Banner Armies also reached the already-occupied Harbin. Furthermore, advanced units of the 5th and 25th Armies arrived in Jilin to reinforce the air-landed detachment there. Additionally, units from the 88th Rifle Corps and the 10th Mechanized Corps began their southward movement into Korea, heading toward the 38th Parallel. In North Korea, Kabanov dispatched a marine battalion and other units, totaling around 2,000 men, to occupy the fortified port of Gensan on August 20. The following morning, the landing force arrived and disembarked without opposition. However, the Japanese garrison refused to surrender until orders from higher command were received. Meanwhile, Japanese troops began to peacefully surround the harbor area, while Soviet sailors and marines, in a similarly calm manner, took up their defensive positions. As Kabanov noted, “An incomprehensible situation arose, neither peace nor war. The enemy has numerical superiority, but he neither fights nor wants to capitulate.” Unsurprisingly, he added, “the night passed in suspense.” The surreal situation was resolved when Rear Admiral Hori Yugoro and Colonel Tado boarded the frigate EK-3 to meet with Captain Studenichnikov on the morning of August 22. During their discussions, they attempted to negotiate terms, but the Soviet captain issued a bold threat of an immediate large-scale air strike and the initiation of hostilities at the port unless they surrendered unconditionally. While the latter was likely an empty threat, the Japanese officers signed the surrender agreement nonetheless. The process of surrendering the garrison began that evening and continued until August 26. In total, the Soviets captured more than 7,000 officers and men, along with all their military equipment. Looking toward the northern Kuriles, Japanese forces on Shumshu finally began to lay down their weapons on the afternoon of August 22, as Gnechko's units spread out to secure the island. In Manchuria, airborne detachments were also landed at Dairen and Port Arthur to secure these key administrative centers before the Americans could take control. Vanguard units of the 6th Guards Tank Army arrived to reinforce them two days later. Meanwhile, in South Sakhalin, heavy fighting persisted at Futamata despite Mineki's ceasefire agreement on August 22. Soviet air strikes supported the ground forces when weather conditions allowed, and the Japanese finally surrendered by the nightfall of August 23. At the same time, Andreyev dispatched three marine battalions on a small convoy to capture Otomari. However, a fierce storm forced the flotilla to seek refuge in the port of Honto on the morning of August 24. Once the storm subsided that evening, the force left a company of marines to garrison the port and resumed their voyage to Otomari, arriving there on the morning of August 25, just as elements of the 113th Rifle Brigade reached the eastern outskirts of the city. By noon, the 88th Division surrendered, and the city was secured. Shortly after, the 214th Tank Brigade arrived at Toyohara to secure South Sakhalin's administrative center. Thus, the South Sakhalin operation concluded with nearly 18,320 Japanese soldiers taken prisoner. Yet, this wouldn't mark the end of operations for General Cheremisov's 16th Army. Stalin pushed for the 87th and 135th Rifle Brigades, along with three marine battalions, to assemble at Otomari and execute amphibious landings on the southern Kurile Islands, specifically, Etorofu, Shikotan, and Kunashiri, and the islets of the Habomai group. The failure to include the Kuril Islands in the areas designated for surrender to Soviet forces in Truman's General Order No. 1, originally issued on August 15, exacerbated Stalin's inherent suspicions regarding American intentions. Consequently, Vasilevsky was instructed to organize landings on the Kurils, ensuring that, similar to Port Arthur, Soviet occupation would manifest physically through boots on the ground. Despite Truman's subsequent correction of the omission, mistrust endured, as did the directive to occupy the islands. However, where Stalin hesitated was concerning Hokkaido. Truman's somewhat abrupt rejection of Stalin's demand for a portion of Hokkaido undoubtedly irritated the Soviet dictator, yet he chose not to take further action. Scholarly debates have arisen around the rationale behind Stalin's ‘retreat.' When viewed within the framework of his stated geostrategic goal of securing the Soviet Union's sea lines of communication in the Pacific, it becomes understandable. Churchill once likened the Soviet Union's challenges in this regard to those of a “giant with his nostrils pinched.” A look at the map reveals that control of the Kurils would significantly alleviate this pressure in the Far East, making their acquisition crucial. Similarly, occupying southern Sakhalin would allow the Soviet Union to control the northern side of the La Pérouse Strait, which connects the Sea of Japan to the Sea of Okhotsk. The strait's opposite shore is formed by the northern coast of Hokkaido, and possessing this area would undeniably enhance the security of communications and is therefore highly desirable. However, any unilateral action in this regard would incur a significant and public breach with the Americans, the consequences of which could not be easily predicted. Given that Stalin's claim to the Kurils was firmly based on the agreement reached at Yalta, an agreement which Truman honored, his choice to avoid completely rupturing relations with the U.S. was motivated by strategic self-interest. Consequently, Andreyev's flotilla, carrying these units, departed Otomari on August 27, reaching the west coast of Etorofu at 3:15 AM on August 28. The landing, conducted using small boats, went unopposed and was met by the surrender of General Ogawa's 89th Division. The occupation of the other islands was also peaceful, with the Soviets securing Kunashiri by September 2, and Shikotan and the Habomai islets by September 5. The remaining northern Kurile Islands surrendered without incident as elements of Gnechko's Kamchatka forces arrived at Paramushir on August 24, Onekotan and Shiashkotan on August 25, Matsuwa by August 26, Shimushiru on August 27, and Uruppu by August 29. In total, 63,840 prisoners were taken throughout the Kuriles. On August 24, air-landed detachments arrived at the cities of Pyongyang and Kange to secure the last administrative centers in North Korea. Two days later, units of the 25th Army reached Gensan. With this move, albeit with some geographical liberties, Chistyakov asserted that "the troops of the 25th Army, on the orders of Marshal Meretskov, reached the 38th Parallel.” In the days that followed, units of General Kushibuchi's 34th Army gradually began to surrender and disarm. Finally, in Manchuria, most of Yamada's units had surrendered and were being disarmed. However, one unit continued to resist until the end of the month. The bypassed and encircled 107th Division was engaged in fierce fighting for survival against the 94th Rifle Corps. Due to a lack of communication with Kwantung Army Headquarters, they did not receive any ceasefire orders. As a result, a staff officer from General Iida's 30th Army was dispatched by plane to locate the division and deliver the ceasefire orders. The 107th Division was found near Chalai, and the plane made a forced landing between the Japanese troops and the opposing Soviet forces. The staff officer successfully delivered the orders terminating hostilities in that sector on August 30, which the Japanese troops promptly complied with. By September 1, units of the 53rd Army occupied Kailu, Chaoyang, Fuhsin, and Gushanbeitseifu, while forward detachments secured the Chinchou area on the Liaotung Peninsula. This marked the conclusion of the Manchurian campaign, with the Soviets claiming to have captured between 594,000 and 609,000 prisoners of war across Inner Mongolia, Manchuria, and North Korea. The captured Japanese military personnel were subjected to forced labor in Siberian internment camps, as well as camps in Sakhalin, Manchuria, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia. A significant number were assigned to the construction of the Baikal-Amur Mainline. Unfortunately, the treatment of prisoners of war was deemed inhumane and mishandled. Many suffered from malnutrition, overwork, cave-ins, floods, unsanitary working conditions leading to epidemics, harsh winter weather, violent guards, and brutal suppression of even mild resistance. Disturbingly, some Japanese prisoners were even lynched by their fellow captives. Estimates suggest that between 60,000 and 347,000 Japanese died in captivity. Although 18,616 prisoners were released in 1946, the process of repatriating prisoners of war extended into the 1950s. Those who remained after 1950 were detained for various convictions. However, their release began in 1953 under different amnesties. Following Josef Stalin's death and the subsequent Khrushchev Thaw, the Soviet attitude toward the remaining Japanese prisoners shifted significantly. Accompanied by Soviet officials, they were taken on tours of cities and allowed to purchase gifts for their families. Before repatriation, a banquet in Khabarovsk, hosted by Nikolai Gagen, included high-ranking prisoners such as Jun Ushiroku as attendees. The last major group of 1,025 Japanese POWs was released on December 23, 1956. After that, some Japanese POWs were released in small groups, with some only returning in the 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Interestingly, some prisoners who had been held for decades, many of whom had married and started families during their captivity, chose not to return permanently to Japan. The Soviets committed numerous war crimes during their invasion and occupation of Manchuria and other Japanese territories. During the invasion, Soviet soldiers killed and raped Japanese civilians and looted civilian property. Following the Soviet invasion of Manchuria on August 9, 1945, a large number of Japanese citizens residing in the region sought to repatriate to Japan. The Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers supervised this mass movement and, in October 1945, delegated responsibility to Japan's Ministry of Health and Welfare. The Kwantung Army, which was meant to protect the Japanese settlers in Manchuria, quickly retreated and abandoned them. With most able-bodied men drafted into the army, the majority of those left behind were women, children, and the elderly, rendering them highly vulnerable to attacks from Soviet soldiers and local Chinese seeking revenge.In Soviet-occupied Manchuria and North Korea, the repatriation of Japanese civilians was characterized by violent expulsions, accompanied by widespread looting, mass killings, and rampant sexual violence perpetrated by both Soviet soldiers and local populations seeking retribution. Many Japanese civilians succumbed to starvation, disease, mass killings, and mass suicides. Approximately 223,000 Japanese civilians residing in the Soviet-occupied zones died, most within a year and a half after August 9, 1945. Regarding the extensive rape of Japanese women and girls by Soviet soldiers, a former Japanese soldier, Wakatsuki Yoshio, detailed these grim experiences in his memoir, The Records of Postwar Repatriation “What word can possibly describe the violence committed by the Soviet soldiers on Japanese women? I can only think of the word “hideous”. The victim could be a girl of twelve or thirteen years old or an old lady of almost seventy years old. These soldiers did not choose the sites where they raped them, in public, in broad daylight, even on snow-covered roads”. The Soviet invasion of Manchuria in 1945 left many Japanese women stranded after their male family members were either conscripted or killed. These women, including young girls, endured severe hardships, facing gang rapes by Soviet soldiers and local Chinese militia groups. In a desperate effort to survive, many were forced to marry Chinese men, either out of necessity or in exchange for assistance in repatriating their remaining family members. Disturbingly, some victims were as young as thirteen. Some women were held in groups and subjected to repeated sexual violence over extended periods. In certain instances, to ensure the safety of the group, members of the Japanese community offered women to their perpetrators. There were also reports of women voluntarily submitting themselves to protect their families, younger peers, or others in their communities. After Japan's defeat in 1945, leaders of the Kurokawa Settler Group in Manchuria offered approximately 15 young women, aged 17 to 21, to Soviet soldiers in exchange for protection. This tragic practice continued from September to November 1945, with some of the women later being offered to Chinese soldiers as well. With no protection from Japanese soldiers, Japanese women often had to devise unique strategies to avoid rape. Memoirs from female repatriates detail various escape tactics. Some women hid in attics every night, narrowly avoiding capture or even gunfire. Others managed to trap intruders in rooms before fleeing or bribed Soviet soldiers with valuables, such as wristwatches, to secure their escape. Notably, some women, particularly former geisha and bar workers, voluntarily went with Soviet soldiers to protect others. These women were referred to as tokkōtai (kamikaze) for their self-sacrifice. Additionally, it wasn't just Japanese women who suffered; Korean and Chinese women were also victims of sexual violence at the hands of various perpetrators in Manchuria. British and American reports indicate that Soviet Red Army troops looted and terrorized the local population in Shenyang, a city in Manchuria. A foreign witness described how Soviet troops, formerly stationed in Berlin, were permitted by the Soviet military to enter Shenyang for "three days of rape and pillage." In Harbin, Soviet forces ignored protests from leaders of the Chinese Communist Party regarding the widespread mass rape and looting committed by their troops. In the immediate aftermath of the war in 1945, in areas of Manchuria occupied by the National Revolutionary Army, 176 Koreans were killed, 1,866 were injured, 3,468 were detained, and 320 were raped by armed Chinese mobs. The attacks against Korean residents in Manchuria were believed to stem from a perception of Korean collaboration with Japanese colonial rule. One of the most infamous instances was the Gegenmiao massacre. On August 10 and 11, Xing'an was bombed, nearly destroying its urban functions. It is estimated that 3,000 of the 4,000 civilians. Anticipating the Soviet invasion, Xing'an had prepared an evacuation plan divided into three groups based on residential area and workplace. The Kwantung Army, however, failed to inform the General Office officials about their retreat. As a result, residents in the eastern area, many of whom were self-employed or office workers, had difficulty obtaining information and securing transportation, while those in the western area had military personnel who were first to learn of the situation. Some of the civilians with a handful of armed men had proceeded on foot towards Gegenmiao Township, about 35 kilometers southeast of Xing'an Street, to wait for a train at Gegenmiao Station and then evacuate to Baichengzi. They aimed to receive protection from the Kwantung Army in Baichengzi. Around 11:40 AM on August 14 in the vicinity of Gegenmyo Hill, where a Lamaist temple was located, they encountered an infantry unit consisting of 14 Soviet medium tanks and 20 trucks. The column reportedly stretched for two kilometers, with about a hundred survivors among them. Soviet troops launched an attack from the hilltop, deploying tanks with machine-gun fire. The tanks attacked multiple times, and when they ceased, Soviet soldiers disembarked and ruthlessly shot and bayoneted survivors. Many who escaped death from gunfire were still severely injured or witnessed family members being killed. Some were left holding their loved ones or chose to commit suicide. It is estimated that only about a hundred survivors were later confirmed, including nearly 200 schoolchildren from the Xing'an Street Zaiman National School. Kwantung Army units, which were supposed to escort the civilians and counterattack, had already retreated southward. Even after the Soviet soldiers left, sporadic gunfire continued, presumably due to suicides. Local residents began to plunder the bodies, stripping them of clothes and valuables. Others drowned in the river while attempting to escape. Reports tell of one woman who had her child killed by Soviet soldiers, only to later face an attack from Chinese militia, who stripped her of her clothes and mutilated her. Surviving mothers and children were also attacked, and those separated were often taken by the Chinese. At the time, it was common for Japanese boys to be sold for 300 yen and girls for 500 yen. Some survivors gathered together and began committing mass suicide, killing those who wished to end their lives. Others expressed intentions to form a death squad with rifles for revenge but ultimately did not resist.   After the war ended on August 15, attacks on displaced persons continued. A 12-year-old girl who joined a group of about ten women after the incident reported that they were attacked and robbed, taking over a week to reach Zhenxi Station, 10 kilometers from Gegenmiao Station. The women sought shelter in an abandoned house near the station but were discovered by Soviet soldiers that night who assaulted them until midnight. Afterward, the soldiers piled dry grass into the house, setting it ablaze in an attempt to burn the women alive. The girl and her sister managed to escape through a window, but many others could not flee in time due to the fire's rapid spread. The girl was forced to live as a residual orphan afterward. Fortunately, some Chinese, Mongolians, and Koreans provided food for the survivors, with some Chinese showing kindness towards the children. Those orphaned children, whose parents had been killed, became known as residual orphans, with about 30 in this unfortunate situation. Many women were forced to become residual women as well. Tragically, around 200 students from a local school, including the headmaster and his wife, were killed during this chaos. Some historians believe the attack stemmed from Soviet soldiers mistaking the refugees for armed Japanese troops because men within the group were carrying firearms for protection. In general, displaced persons at this time often carried small weapons like rifles, and some groups were even armed with light machine guns. In the pioneer groups, women sometimes participated in fighting against bandits, and in the Sado pioneer group incident, children above the fifth grade were forced into combat, regardless of gender. There may also have been prior skirmishes with other Japanese civilian groups before the war's end, further complicating the situation as the Soviet Army, which included female soldiers, may have regarded these mixed civilian and armed groups as a threat. According to Soviet military combat records, on August 14, the Soviet 17th Guards Rifle Division, 19th Guards Rifle Division, 91st Guards Rifle Division, and 61st Tank Division were stationed northwest of Gezhne Temple, but there was no combat activity in the area. On August 15, this unit advanced toward Bai Chengzi and occupied Bai Chengzi Station, which was then taken over by tanks from the 61st Tank Division. Despite extensive documentation, nothing about this incident was revealed until 2014 during the process of perestroika. Reports from British and American sources indicate that the 700,000 Soviet troops occupying Manchuria also terrorized and looted the local population in Mukden. They were not deterred by Soviet authorities and engaged in what was described as "three days of rape and pillage," with similar atrocities occurring in Harbin and across the country. Amid the mass repatriation of Japanese civilians living in the region, Japanese women in Manchuria faced repeated sexual violence at the hands of Russian soldiers every day. In North Korea, it was similarly reported that Soviet soldiers raped both Japanese and Korean women. Additionally, Soviet soldiers looted the property of Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans residing in Manchuria and North Korea. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. Amid chaotic surrenders, Emperor Hirohito accepted defeat, but Soviet advances continued relentlessly. As they pushed deeper, the Soviets captured key cities, including Harbin, while Japan's soldiers and civilians struggled for survival against the onslaught. War crimes committed by Soviet troops added to the tragedy, with rampant violence against Japanese civilians. Amidst political tensions, the Soviets secured territory, culminating in the surrender of remaining Japanese forces. The grim conclusion of this campaign marked a profound shift in the power dynamics of East Asia and paved the way for post-war ramifications.

Interview date: October 29, 2024Episode Summary:Nika Kljun, a renowned dancer, choreographer, and life coach, to discuss her extraordinary journey from Slovenia to Hollywood. Nika shares insights on her humble beginnings in her parents' dance studio and how her early success in Europe led to major international opportunities. She talks about her experience working with A-list artists like Beyoncé, JLo, and Britney Spears, and the importance of resilience in the dance industry. Nika also opens up about her transition into life coaching, offering holistic support to dancers and non-dancers alike.Throughout the conversation, Nika discusses the value of perseverance, the impact of social media, and how dancers can handle comparison and negative self-talk. She encourages dancers to trust the process, stay grounded, and embrace their true selves.Show Notes:(00:00) - Introduction to Nika Kljun(04:15) - Nika's Early Dance Journey in Slovenia(08:00) - Transition from Slovenia to LA and the O-1 Visa Process(15:40) - The Struggles and Successes of Starting in LA(24:30) - The Role of Social Media and Comparison in Dance Careers(30:45) - Nika's Transition into Life Coaching and Helping Dancers Mentally(36:20) - The Importance of Self-Care, Mental Health, and Physical Wellbeing(42:00) - Advice for Dancers: Resilience, Forgiveness, and Personal Growth(50:00) - Final Thoughts and Closing RemarksBiography:World renowned choreographer and professional dancer Nika Kljun was born into a family of respected dance pioneers in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The apple didn't fall far from the tree, and Nika shone from a young age. A national and international champion herself, by the time she was a teenager, she coached and choreographed dancers from her family's studio, Bolero, to new heights and world titles. Meanwhile, she built her professional resume and impressive reputation across Europe and the world. Soon enough, Nika moved to Los Angeles, California to further pursue her dreams. It was not long before she had worked with the likes of Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Bieber, and appeared on mainstream televised award shows such as the MTV Video Music Awards, the Latin Grammys, X-Factor, and more. All the while, Nika continued to fulfill her passion for education, teaching often sold out classes to dancers at Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles, and touring the country and world teaching master classes, both individually, and with elite dance convention programs. She is currently on faculty at Jump dance convention. Nika's choreography can be seen on prime time television shows such as Fox TV's So You Think You Can Dance and The Masked Singer, CBS's Come Dance With Me, and more, and in both live and virtual arenas across the world - to name only two of many, Nika choreographed for Taiwanese “Queen of C-Pop” Jolin Cai's Ugly Beauty World Tour in 2019 and J. Balvin's Live TikTok Concert Performance in 2021. In 2018, Nika was a choreographer for Britney Spears' Las Vegas Residency “Domination”, a full circle moment following Nika's portrayal of the megastar during the 2011 VMA Vanguard Britney Spears Tribute Performance. Notably, not only has Nika choreographed for pop culture, music, and dance legend Paula Abdul, but she has been her creative right-hand-woman for six years. Her work on Paula's “Forever Your Girl” Las Vegas Residency in 2019, and her outstanding performance at the Billboard Music Awards in 2019. Their collaborative power continues to flourish throughout current projects. Throughout it all, Nika deeply understands and intently spreads the value of wellness. Now a certified life coach, Nika recently and successfully launched “Shaped By Nika” - a professional-level dance intensive marked by an emphasis on how the mind, body, and spirit can work together towards one's dreams. Connect on Social Media:https://www.instagram.com/nikakljun/profilecard/Website: https://nikakljun.com

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com    Robin: EVERYTHING WAS HOLY….       What are five things no one would know about Burt Ward who played Robin in the TV show Batman?   ### 1. **A Speed-Reading Sensation**   Before hitting the big time, young Burt became an accomplished speed-reader. He was tested before the American Medical Society in Beverly Hills and clocked a staggering **30,000 words per minute with 90% comprehension**—far beyond average reading speeds. ([Classic Movie Hub - CMH][1], [TV Banter][2])   ---   ### 2. **World's Youngest Professional Ice Skater**   At just **two years old**, Burt was featured in the magazine *Strange as It Seems* as the **world's youngest professional ice skater**, thanks to a traveling ice show owned by his father. ([Wikipedia][3], [Classic Movie Hub - CMH][1])   ---   ### 3. **He Did (Most of) His Own Dangerous Stunts**   Unlike many stars, Burt performed most of his own stunts, even though his face made using a stunt double difficult. This led to multiple emergency room visits—**dozens**, he says—due to injuries from stunts like being tied to a table with a real buzz saw inches away or suspended above Bengal tigers. ([Wikipedia][3], [Express][4])   A Reddit user humorously shared one of Burt's more wild stories, recalling how during one stunt he was flung from the Batmobile when the door unexpectedly opened—and cracked an arm. ([Reddit][5])   ---   ### 4. **Musical Collaborations with Frank Zappa**   During *Batman*'s peak, Burt recorded several tracks produced by Tom Wilson and arranged by Frank Zappa. Notably, he released a single featuring "Boy Wonder, I Love You" (written by Zappa) and a cover of "Orange Colored Sky." ([Wikipedia][3], [Classic Movie Hub - CMH][1])   ---   ### 5. **Rescue Work for Giant-Breed Dogs**   Beyond Hollywood, Burt—and his wife Tracy—devoted themselves to canine welfare. In **1994**, they founded *Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions*, significantly impacting the lives of giant-breed dogs. Their nonprofit has facilitated **over 15,500 adoptions** and often houses around **50 dogs at home** awaiting forever families. ([Wikipedia][3], [People.com][6]) Additionally, their company *Gentle Giants* produces natural pet food aimed at boosting pets' longevity and wellbeing. ([People.com][6])   ---   ### Bonus Tidbits:   * Burt actually chose his own stage name: swapping “Gervis” for *Ward* (his mother's maiden name) and altering “Bert” to “Burt” because it had more punch. ([Wikipedia][3], [Classic Movie Hub - CMH][1]) * He holds a **Guinness World Record** for portraying the same live-action superhero in the most episodes (120 as Robin). ([Facts.net][7], [The Famous People][8]) * In **2020**, Burt received a star on the **Hollywood Walk of Fame**—a fitting tribute to the iconic Boy Wonder. ([Hollywood Walk of Fame][9])   To understand the deep meaning of redemption in Greek scripture, it is essential to explore the key terms used by New Testament writers, primarily agorazō and its cognates (exagorazō), and lytron with its related forms (apolytrōsis, lytrōsis). These words paint a picture of redemption as a decisive, costly, and legally binding rescue from the slavery of sin and its consequences.  Key Greek words for redemption Agorazō (ἀγοράζω) and exagorazō (ἐξαγοράζω) The verb agorazō means "to buy or purchase" and is derived from agora, the Greek marketplace or slave market. The related verb exagorazō, which means "to buy out or buy from," intensifies this meaning.  Bought at a price: The use of agorazō emphasizes that humanity was on the auction block of sin but has been purchased by Christ. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:20, "For you were bought with a price" (ēgorasthēte timēs), underscoring the high cost of this purchase. Freedom from the Law: The more intensive term exagorazō highlights a targeted purchase designed to remove something or someone from their previous state. For example, Galatians 4:5 says Christ came to "redeem those who were under the law" (exagorazō tous hupo nomon). This signifies not just a general purchase but a deliberate act of freeing people from the curse and bondage of the Law.  Lytron (λύτρον), apolytrōsis (ἀπολύτρωσις), and lytrōsis (λύτρωσις) This cluster of words emphasizes the idea of a ransom payment that brings about release. Lytron (ransom price): Lytron specifically refers to the monetary price paid to free a slave or captive. In Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45, Jesus says he came "to give his life as a ransom (lytron) for many," directly comparing his death to a payment made to secure the freedom of others. Apolytrōsis (completed redemption): The preposition apo is an intensifier, making apolytrōsis a "stronger form" of the word that denotes a complete and finalized liberation. This is the word used when describing the future, full redemption of believers' bodies at the resurrection (Romans 8:23) and the day of ultimate redemption (Ephesians 4:30). Lytrōsis (the experience of release): This noun refers to the deliverance or liberation that results from the payment of a ransom. Hebrews 9:12 explains that Christ "obtained eternal redemption (lytrōsis) for us".  The holistic and progressive nature of redemption The deep meaning of redemption in the Greek New Testament moves beyond a simple, one-time transaction to a multi-faceted and progressive work of God.  Past: An accomplished fact The price for sin has been paid through Christ's death on the cross, accomplishing a decisive and objective redemption for all believers. The sacrifice of Christ is the ultimate ransom (lytron), securing our justification and the forgiveness of sins (Romans 3:24).  Present: An ongoing reality The power of redemption is at work in believers' lives, delivering them from sin's power and purifying them to be a people for God's possession (Titus 2:14). As part of this transformation, believers are no longer slaves to sin but bondservants of righteousness (Romans 6:18).  Future: A complete deliverance Redemption is not yet fully realized. Believers "groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies" (Romans 8:23). The final stage of redemption will be the complete liberation from corruption and the resurrection of our bodies when Christ returns (Luke 21:28).  A covenantal and communal significance Understanding the Greek word for redemption also brings with it significant implications for our relationship with God and others.  A treasured possession (peripoiēsis) 1 Peter 2:9 refers to believers as "a people for his own possession (peripoiēsis)." The Greek term highlights that God did not simply purchase us to release us, but to acquire and preserve us as his treasured property. This identity echoes the Old Testament concept of Israel as God's segullah, his special, prized possession.  Motivating holiness - HOLY MOTIVATION BATMAN The knowledge that we belong to God motivates believers to live holy lives and not grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). The infinite cost of our redemption, the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18–19), calls believers to live not for themselves but for Christ. 

MasterMind Minutes One Guest, One Question, One Expert Answer in Minutes Not Hours. Today our guest is Mohaimina (“Mina”) Haque Mina is a trailblazing CEO, attorney, and educator, breaking barriers as the first woman CEO of Tony Roma's in its five-decade history. As she spearheads the global restaurant chain, Mina is also actively engaged in the legal sphere, serving as the founder of the Law Office of Mohaimina Haque, PLLC, based in Washington DC, and as an Adjunct Professor of Law Practice Management at American University Washington College of Law.In her legal practice, Mina's expertise spans various areas, including corporate law, immigration law, and litigation. Notably, her immigration practice has facilitated the successful acquisition of Einstein visas, investor visas, and multinational executive visas for numerous individuals from diverse backgrounds.Beyond her roles in business and law, Mina is a pioneer in law practice management. She educates on building virtual firms and managing remote operations with the latest technological advancements, ensuring her students are equipped for the evolving landscape of legal practice.Mina's commitment to innovation extends to her tenure at Tony Roma's, where she is always at the forefront of testing innovative solutions for an agile and adaptable workforce. Her leadership and vision drive the chain's expansion and innovation, while her ongoing legal practice keeps her abreast of legal developments.An inspiring educator, Mina shares her wealth of knowledge and experience with aspiring legal professionals, mentoring them to excel in their careers.Named one of Women We Admire's ‘Top Women Leaders of DC for 2025,' Mina's remarkable achievements, leadership, and dedication to excellence have firmly established her as a true pioneer in both the legal and business communities.Contact Gary: info@frangrow.comVisit: https://www.tonyromasfranchise.com/

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 3: 5:05pm- Last year, New York Judge Arthur F. Engoron found that Donald Trump inflated the value of assets controlled by the Trump Organization in past financial statements. With no jury, Judge Engoron unilaterally chose to fine Trump $500 million and barred him from conducting business in New York for three years. Notably, in 2018, while campaigning to become New York Attorney General, Letitia James vowed to “sue” Trump and routinely spoke of how she would like to see him imprisoned—providing evidence to the defense's legal argument that this civil suit is entirely political. Trump's legal team appealed the decision—and now, a New York Appeals Court has thrown out the half-billion-dollar judgement. In his opinion, Justice Peter Moulton wrote: “While harm certainly occurred, it was not the cataclysmic harm that can justify a nearly half billion-dollar award to the State.” 5:10pm- BREAKING NEWS: There is an active shooter alert on Villanova University's campus. 5:20pm- Is Burgermeister Meisterburger (who made toys illegal in “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”) making a guest appearance on MSNBC right now? 5:40pm- Dr. Victoria Coates—Vice President of the Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation & former Deputy National Security Advisor—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss the Trump Administration's attempts to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia. Plus, Dr. Coates reacts to a Sky News report that Italy has arrested a Ukrainian suspected of involvement in the Nord Stream pipeline explosions in 2022.

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 1: 3:05pm- Last year, New York Judge Arthur F. Engoron found that Donald Trump inflated the value of assets controlled by the Trump Organization in past financial statements. With no jury, Judge Engoron unilaterally chose to fine Trump $500 million and barred him from conducting business in New York for three years. Notably, in 2018, while campaigning to become New York Attorney General, Letitia James vowed to “sue” Trump and routinely spoke of how she would like to see him imprisoned—providing evidence to the defense's legal argument that this civil suit is entirely political. Trump's legal team appealed the decision—and now, a New York Appeals Court has thrown out the half-billion-dollar judgement. In his opinion, Justice Peter Moulton wrote: “While harm certainly occurred, it was not the cataclysmic harm that can justify a nearly half billion-dollar award to the State.” 3:30pm- Jack Ciattarelli—Republican candidate for Governor of New Jersey and a former New Jersey State Representative—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss his tireless efforts to defeat Democrat Mikie Sherrill in November's election. Ciattarelli reacts to a new Eagleton Center for Public Interest/ Rutgers University poll which shows he trails Sherrill by 9-points (their poll last month had Ciattarelli down 20-points). He notes that the poll undercounted male voters and Republicans—which means this race is a coin toss. Plus, energy prices in NJ are skyrocketing and Sherrill's policies are the reason why. 3:50pm- Matt is nearly “concussed” by a falling studio microphone. Rich expresses very little interest in Matt's wellbeing—and is more concerned with the fact that he used the term “concussed.”

The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Show (08/21/2025): 3:05pm- Last year, New York Judge Arthur F. Engoron found that Donald Trump inflated the value of assets controlled by the Trump Organization in past financial statements. With no jury, Judge Engoron unilaterally chose to fine Trump $500 million and barred him from conducting business in New York for three years. Notably, in 2018, while campaigning to become New York Attorney General, Letitia James vowed to “sue” Trump and routinely spoke of how she would like to see him imprisoned—providing evidence to the defense's legal argument that this civil suit is entirely political. Trump's legal team appealed the decision—and now, a New York Appeals Court has thrown out the half-billion-dollar judgement. In his opinion, Justice Peter Moulton wrote: “While harm certainly occurred, it was not the cataclysmic harm that can justify a nearly half billion-dollar award to the State.” 3:30pm- Jack Ciattarelli—Republican candidate for Governor of New Jersey and a former New Jersey State Representative—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss his tireless efforts to defeat Democrat Mikie Sherrill in November's election. Ciattarelli reacts to a new Eagleton Center for Public Interest/ Rutgers University poll which shows he trails Sherrill by 9-points (their poll last month had Ciattarelli down 20-points). He notes that the poll undercounted male voters and Republicans—which means this race is a coin toss. Plus, energy prices in NJ are skyrocketing and Sherrill's policies are the reason why. 3:50pm- Matt is nearly “concussed” by a falling studio microphone. Rich expresses very little interest in Matt's wellbeing—and is more concerned with the fact that he used the term “concussed.” 4:05pm- Dr. Wilfred Reilly—Professor of Political Science at Kentucky State University & Author of “Lies My Liberal Teacher Told Me”—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss Cracker Barrel changing its logo, Donald Trump vowing to eliminate “woke” from the Smithsonian museums, and the history of progressivism. Plus, should Rich and Dr. Reilly write a book together? 4:40pm- While appearing on Fox Business, FBI Director Kash Patel said of the raid on President Trump's Mar-a-Lago home in 2022 by Biden's Justice Department: "There was no predicate to go and invade his home—and we have answered that definitively." 4:50pm- During an interview on Thursday, President Donald Trump revealed he'll do a ride along through Washington D.C. with police and military tonight. 5:05pm- Last year, New York Judge Arthur F. Engoron found that Donald Trump inflated the value of assets controlled by the Trump Organization in past financial statements. With no jury, Judge Engoron unilaterally chose to fine Trump $500 million and barred him from conducting business in New York for three years. Notably, in 2018, while campaigning to become New York Attorney General, Letitia James vowed to “sue” Trump and routinely spoke of how she would like to see him imprisoned—providing evidence to the defense's legal argument that this civil suit is entirely political. Trump's legal team appealed the decision—and now, a New York Appeals Court has thrown out the half-billion-dollar judgement. In his opinion, Justice Peter Moulton wrote: “While harm certainly occurred, it was not the cataclysmic harm that can justify a nearly half billion-dollar award to the State.” 5:10pm- BREAKING NEWS: There is an active shooter alert on Villanova University's campus. 5:20pm- Is Burgermeister Meisterburger (who made toys illegal in “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”) making a guest appearance on MSNBC right now? 5:40pm- Dr. Victoria Coates—Vice President of the Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation & former Deputy National Security Advisor—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss the Trump Administration's attempts to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia. Plus, Dr. Coates reacts to a Sky News report that Italy has arrested a ...

Despite nuclear power's unmatched ability to produce reliable, carbon-free energy at scale, it is often dismissed by clean energy advocates in favor of renewable resources like wind and solar. Cost arguments and public misconceptions around safety and radioactive waste have kept it out of many mainstream climate strategies. But as Tim Gregory argues in his new book Going Nuclear: How Atomic Energy Will Save the World, this exclusion may be the greatest obstacle to achieving net zero goals. In fact, Gregory says in his book “net zero is impossible without nuclear power.” “Claiming renewables on their own are enough to replace fossil fuels is underestimating the challenge of achieving net zero,” Gregory said as a guest on The POWER Podcast. “Fossil fuels have basically defined the world order for the last couple of centuries, and to think that we can replace them with wind power and solar power, which are fundamentally tied to the whims of the weather, and the rotation of the planet in the case of solar, is really underestimating the scale of the challenge,” he said. “We need power that comes in enormous quantities exactly where we need it and when we need it,” Gregory continued. “I don't want to live in a world without solar panels or wind turbines, but to think that they can do it on their own, I think, is honestly naive. We need something that's reliable to compensate for the intermittence of renewables, and nuclear power would be absolutely perfect for that.” Notably, innovative companies and many government leaders around the world are backing nuclear power projects. “Big tech in North America has really cottoned on to these small modular reactors,” said Gregory. “Meta, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are all going to be using small modular reactors to power their data centers. … This isn't just a pipe dream—this is actually happening now in real time. … It's been very, very encouraging watching that unfold.” Public perceptions on nuclear power are also trending in a positive direction, and the movement seems to be bipartisan. “It's very, very encouraging that more than half of people in the UK either strongly support or tend to support nuclear power. Strong opposition to nuclear power, according to the latest poll, is actually below 10%,” Gregory reported. “As such, the two major political parties in the UK—that's the Labor Party, which is kind of our left leaning party, and the Conservative Party, which is our right leaning party—they both support the massive expansion of nuclear power, which is really, really nice actually. It's maybe something that both sides of the political spectrum can agree on.” The same is true in the U.S., where both Democrats and Republicans have gotten behind nuclear power. A case in point is the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act, which was signed into law in July 2024. It passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate with a vote of 88–2, and in the House of Representatives with a vote of 393–13. “If your politics has you more concerned with environmental stewardship, and climate change, and phasing out fossil fuels, and getting rid of oil from the energy system, then nuclear power is for you. But then at the same time, if your politics has you perhaps more leaning towards economic growth, and the economy, and prosperity, and all that kind of thing, then nuclear power is for you as well, because it provides the energy that enables that economic growth,” Gregory said. “And so, it's actually very, very encouraging to see that, at least in most countries, nuclear power is not a partisan issue, which is all too rare in the world these days.”

Friends of the Rosary,Every August 20, we honor St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), abbot, theologian, poet, orator, and writer, and Doctor of the Church, who perfected the monastic rule that would become the model for 163 monasteries of the Cistercian reform.St. Bernard was an apostle of the Crusades, reconciler of kings, leader of peoples, and counselor of popes. He studied grammar, poetry, literature, rhetoric, dialectics, Scripture, and theology.He also held a profound devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, continually seeking her intercession and seeing her as our Mediatrix and as the Star of the Sea who guides us through the darkness of life. The prayer of the Memorare is attributed to him.He wrote De Consideratione, and many of his sermons are excerpted in the Breviary.Notably, his treatise “On Loving God” articulated the reasons we should love God to an immeasurable degree. In all of his works, Abbot Bernard sought to teach to draw our hearts to conversion and love. He regularly emphasized the personal nature of God as revealed in Jesus Christ, our call to mystical union with Him, the need for humility, the benefits of asceticism, and the central role that the Blessed Virgin Mary must play in our lives.He was a theologian, contemplative, and mystic whose central goals were to love God and to draw others into that same love.Many miracles were attributed to him. He had the charism of spiritual discernment and was able to read the inner thoughts and intentions of people.Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play

Send us a textIn this episode of The Dream Collective podcast, Holly explores the intricate meanings behind dreams involving ex-partners and crushes, addressing common inquiries and shared experiences. She delves into how dreams of exes often reflect a quest for closure, illuminating unresolved emotions that may require processing. Notably, she discusses a case where dreams symbolize unaddressed grief over life choices rather than past relationships.Transitioning to crushes, Holly examines the excitement and emotional complexity of these dreams, emphasizing that they often serve as a means to connect with our desires for love and connection, rather than as prophetic messages. The episode highlights the importance of understanding the emotional energy at play in our dreams while encouraging listeners to share their own experiences, fostering a community around our subconscious journeys.HIGHLIGHTS:2:56 Closure in Dreaming6:58 Grieving the Path Not Taken9:58 Manifesting Through Crush DreamsExplore more about me and my offerings:https://www.hollyemmerson.com/site/work-with-meFor more great content, connect with me on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/dreamoracleholly/FREE Dream Meditation:https://www.hollyemmerson.com/freemeditation

What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?Do you ever worry about losing touch with your kids as they grow up? In this episode of Teenagers Untangled I'm joined by Catherine Hickem, a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and founder of Parenting Adult Children Today to explore the growing issue of family estrangement.Catherine is leading a conversation around one of the most overlooked family dynamics: the relationship between parents and their adult children. Despite how common this phase of life is, few resources exist to help parents navigate the transition from authority figure to trusted ally.  *Research shows that about one in four American adults—27%—report estrangement from a family member. Notably, 26% of adult children have experienced estrangement from a father, compared to only 6% from a mother—and many of these rifts eventually heal.We discuss why adult children might cut ties with parents, and what we can do now—while our kids are tweens or teens—to build a strong, lasting relationship.We cover:The most common reasons adult children become estranged from their parentsThe key mistakes parents make (and how to avoid them)How to adapt your parenting style as your children grow into adulthoodThe impact of parental expectations, grief, and cultural pressures on family bondsPractical strategies for fostering trust, open communication, and unconditional loveReal-life stories of reconciliation and hopeCatherine Hickem brings decades of experience working with thousands of families, offering actionable advice and heartfelt encouragement.CATHERINE HICKEM:https://www.parentingadultchildrentoday.com/https://www.instagram.com/parentingadultchildrentoday/Research sources:A longitudinal U.S. study (Reczek et al.), Cornell's Fault Lines project, and the YouGov poll conducted in 2022. OtoZen — a new driving safety appAre you worried about your teenager getting distracted behind the wheel? The OtoZen app helps in real time — not just after something's gone wrong. It has voice alerts, drive scores, and even safe driving challenges you can set together, it's the kind of tech that actually helps your teen build better habits. OtoZen — a new driving safety app OtoZen helps build better habits in real time with voice alerts, drive scores, and safey challenges.Support the showThis episode is sponsored by OtoZen: The brilliant new driving safety app https://www.otozen.com Please hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is teenagersuntangled@gmail.com And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk

The e-discovery company Reveal Data recently announced that it will launch its new generative AI-powered document review platform, called “aji,” in late September. Notably, the company said it is offering full access to the platform at no cost through Dec. 31, in order to enable “the entire legal community to explore and master the next era in GenAI review innovation.”   To discuss the launch of aji, today's episode features Reveal's founder and CEO Wendell Jisa, together with the company's chief technology officer, Matthew Brothers-McGrew. This launch, Jisa says, represents the culmination of a deeply personal 30-year journey in legal tech from delivering photocopies in Chicago during blizzards to leading what he believes is one of the most significant technology companies in the legal industry.    In their conversation with host Bob Ambrogi, Jisa and Brothers-McGrew make the case that generative AI presents the legal profession with the opportunity to become technology trailblazers rather than laggards. Their goal, they say, is to support the profession by democratizing access to AI across firms of all sizes and types.    They also discuss Reveal's recent launch of Reveal Private Deployment, an initiative to support customers in whatever way they want to deploy Reveal's software, whether in the cloud, on-premises, or hybrid. At a time when other companies are pushing their customers away from on-premises deployments and into the cloud, Jisa and Brothers-McGrew say this is yet another way in which Reveal is seeking to democratize access by accommodating the interests of all its customers. Thank You To Our Sponsors This episode of LawNext is generously made possible by our sponsors. We appreciate their support and hope you will check them out.   Paradigm, home to the practice management platforms PracticePanther, Bill4Time, MerusCase and LollyLaw; the e-payments platform Headnote; and the legal accounting software TrustBooks. Briefpoint, eliminating routine discovery response and request drafting tasks so you can focus on drafting what matters (or just make it home for dinner). Paxton, Rapidly conduct research, accelerate drafting, and analyze documents with Paxton. What do you need to get done today?    If you enjoy listening to LawNext, please leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts.  

Last time we spoke about the Soviet invasion of Manchuria. Following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki amidst relentless Allied aerial campaigns, chaos engulfed Japan. Prime Minister Suzuki's cabinet debated surrendering to avoid annihilation while fearing for the imperial family's future. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union launched an unexpected invasion of Manchuria, rapidly advancing and catching Japanese forces off guard. As negotiations unfolded, a group of military conspirators, led by Major Hatanaka, attempted a coup to halt the surrender, believing they could rally support. They seized the Imperial Palace but failed to find the Emperor's recorded surrender speech amid the chaos. In a decisive moment, Emperor Hirohito accepted the Potsdam Declaration, stipulating the emperor's continuation, thus sealing Japan's fate. That same day, the world learned of Japan's capitulation, marking the end of the Pacific War. The once powerful nation now lay in ruins, yet the Emperor's decision bore the weight of a nation saved from further destruction, embodying a fragile hope for the future amidst the horrors of war. This episode is the Battle for South Sakhalin and the Kurile Islands Welcome to the Pacific War Podcast Week by Week, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800's until the end of the Pacific War in 1945.  As we previously discussed, the Japanese Empire made the difficult decision to surrender on August 14, amid the turmoil of the Soviet invasion of Manchuria and South Sakhalin. The following day, this decision was announced to the world. However, in Manchuria, General Yamada's Kwantung Army chose to continue fighting until they received a clear ceasefire order. At this moment, several developments unfolded. General Hongo's 44th Army was on a forced retreat toward the Hsinking-Mukden line under General Ushiroku's command, leaving their 107th Division trapped behind Soviet lines. Meanwhile, General Iida's 30th Army was redeploying to Hsinking, which was starting to be evacuated, while General Uemura's 4th Army had orders to withdraw to Meihokou, taking over positions left by the 30th Army.  The advance of enemy armored columns in the west was severely hindering the evacuation of Japanese nationals. On the 10th, the Kwantung Army requested the Manchukuoan Government to facilitate the evacuation of Japanese residents in Hainking and its surroundings. They directed the Continental Railway Command to prepare ten trains for this purpose, with the first train scheduled to depart from Hsinking that same day. However, the Manchukuoan Government found it nearly impossible to carry out the withdrawal swiftly. They managed to transport only the families of officers and civilians linked to the army, and these families had to flee with just a few hours' notice, taking almost nothing but the clothes on their backs. By the 12th, Hsinking was in a state of chaos. The advance of enemy armored units, coupled with the retreat of the main force of the 44th Army, led to the evacuation of the capital by the Kwantung Army General Headquarters. This turmoil coincided with the arrival of the first refugee trains, carrying Japanese evacuees from the western border areas, causing widespread panic among local residents. Many hurried to the already overcrowded train station, desperate to escape the unfolding crisis. In the face of enemy pressure, the 80th Independent Mixed Brigade and the 119th Division continued to resist assaults at Hailar and Pokotu, respectively. The 123rd Division and the 135th Independent Mixed Brigade were heavily engaged in the fortified regions of Sunwu and Aihun, and the 136th Independent Mixed Brigade was directed to reinforce Tsitsihar, while the 134th Division retreated to Fangcheng. General Shimizu's 5th Army prepared for a last stand at Mutanchiang, while the isolated 124th Division made plans to withdraw. The 132nd Independent Mixed Brigade had already retreated to Tachienchang, and the 128th Division was getting ready to confront the enemy advance at Lotzokou, with General Murakami's 3rd Army holding strong in the Tumen fortified region. Meanwhile, the Nanam Divisional District Unit successfully repelled an amphibious invasion in Chongjin, and the 88th Division's 125th Regiment staunchly defended Furuton on South Sakhalin. In a desperate bid to avoid further disaster, Yamada finally instructed Ushiroku to adhere to their original plan and prepare for a withdrawal to the Hunjen area, even if it meant leaving Japanese citizens and their cities vulnerable to the approaching Soviets. Ushiroku hesitantly agreed to the order but never got the chance to act on it. On August 15, Marshal Vasilevsky's offensive advanced much like the previous days, facing an enemy that continued to resist fiercely. To counter this, orders came to intensify the assault to gain control of key operational and strategic points as quickly as possible. In Marshal Malinovsky's Transbaikal Front, General Pliyev's cavalry-mechanized units encountered heavy opposition from the Inner Mongolian 3rd, 5th, and 7th Cavalry Divisions at Kanbao. Meanwhile, General Danilov's 17th Army pressed toward Chihfeng but was hindered by water shortages, intense heat, and challenging sandy terrain. General Managarov's 53rd Army began its advance toward Kailu, while General Kravchenko's 6th Guards Tank Army continued its march along two fronts. The 7th Guards Mechanized Corps moved east toward Changchun, while both the 9th Guards Mechanized Corps and the 5th Guards Tank Corps advanced southeast toward Mukden. Notably, General Lyudnikov's 39th Army finally captured Tepossi and Wangyemiao.  Heavy Japanese resistance persisted in the sector of the 36th Army, notably in the Hailar Fortified Region and along the road and rail line through the Grand Khingan Mountains leading to Pokotu. The Japanese 119th Infantry Division put up a determined defense of Pokotu, successfully delaying the Soviet forces of the 2nd Rifle Corps from August 15 to 17, despite heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, in the rear of the 36th Army, the fighting in Hailar remained intense. The 86th Rifle Corps employed heavy artillery to systematically dismantle enemy strongholds in the hills to the northwest and southwest of the city. Position after position fell to relentless artillery bombardments, combined with sapper and infantry assaults. Ultimately, the Soviets extinguished the last vestiges of Japanese resistance in Hailar on August 18 when the remaining garrison of 3,827 men surrendered. Concurrently, in Marshal Meretskov's 1st Far Eastern Front, forward detachments of General Zakhvatayev's 35th Army secured Poli. General Beloborodov's 1st Red Banner Army broke through the frontline of the 135th Division and initiated an assault on the last Japanese positions just outside Yehho. Meanwhile, General Krylov's 5th Army, having successfully breached the Ssutaoling heights the previous evening, launched attacks against the 126th Division's positions at Aiho but was ultimately repelled by the defenders. In light of these developments, Generals Kita and Shimizu decided to order a withdrawal toward Hengtaohotzu, which they executed successfully after sunset, leaving behind some units to cover the retreat. Further south, General Chistyakov's 25th Army split into two columns at Heitosai. The 17th Rifle Corps and the 72nd Mechanized Brigade advanced west toward the Taipingling Pass, while the 39th Rifle Corps, along with the 72nd and 257th Tank Brigades, headed southwest toward Wangching. The 17th Rifle Corps effectively breached the main defenses of the Japanese 128th Division, forcing it to retreat to second-line positions southwest of Taipingling. On the morning of August 15, enemy air activity against Army Headquarters intensified significantly. Meanwhile, the Army Commander and several staff officers set out via Pataohotzu to inspect the defenses in the Hoeryong area, where the 101st Regiment was retreating from the Chonghak sector. At noon, while at the headquarters of the 127th Division in Pataohotzu, General Murakami and his accompanying staff listened to the Emperor's broadcast announcing the termination of the war. Opinions among the officers were divided regarding the veracity of this broadcast. After a brief discussion, they decided to continue military operations as per existing instructions until they received a formal cessation order. Later that night, a formal order arrived from First Area Army Headquarters, directing that all active resistance be halted, though self-defense measures were still to be implemented if necessary. Around the same time, a report came in from the 1st Mobile Brigade indicating that their positions in the Wangching area, about 25 miles northeast of Army Headquarters at Yenchi, were under attack by a sizable Soviet tank force. In response, a counterattack force was hastily assembled, consisting of two infantry battalions from the 127th Division. They were directed to advance to Wangching along the Yenchi-Chiulungping road to confront the enemy tanks. These battalions likely included the 3rd Battalion of the 280th Regiment and the 3rd Battalion of the 281st Regiment. Additionally, the 88th Rifle Corps took control of Hunchun and crossed the Inanho River, where they encountered well-entrenched Japanese forces from the 112th Division. To further pressure the enemy, the 258th Rifle Division crossed the Tumen River at Hunyong to attack the Japanese right flank. In General Purkayev's 2nd Far Eastern Front, General Mamonov's 15th Army continued its two-pronged advance toward Chiamussu, while General Pashkov's 5th Rifle Corps pushed forward to Poli. Meanwhile, General Teryokhin's 2nd Red Banner Army assigned some elements to maintain the siege of Sunwu and Aihun while forward detachments bypassed these fortified regions, moving south toward Nencheng and Peian. In South Sakhalin, General Cheremisov's 16th Army faced fierce resistance from Japanese forces at Furuton. Admiral Andreyev's Northern Pacific Flotilla prepared for an amphibious landing at Toro, while the Pacific Fleet, under Admiral Yumashev, successfully landed Major-General Vasily Trushin's 13th Naval Infantry Brigade at Chongjin in the early hours of August 15. This effort aimed to relieve the besieged Soviet naval units and gradually push back against the defending Japanese forces. On August 16, the entire Soviet force, commanded by Lieutenant-General Sergey Kabanov, secured Chongjin city and its port after overcoming strong resistance, just as the 393rd Rifle Division was arriving in the area. Simultaneously, Andreyev's fleet departed from Sovetskaya Gavan and approached Toro in the early hours of the day. At 05:17, 141 marines from the initial reconnaissance detachment successfully landed ashore quietly, and by 06:00, they had taken the port with virtually no opposition. The reconnaissance group then advanced about three kilometers east, where they encountered heavy resistance; meanwhile, the rest of the marine battalion landed successfully by 10:00. After securing Shakhtyorsk at midday, the Soviet marines began their push south toward Esutoru, their main objective, while a supporting infantry battalion landed behind them. To the north, the 56th Rifle Corps managed to break through and capture Furuton, though it failed to seize the strategically significant Happo Mountain. In Manchuria, the 88th Rifle Corps continued its attacks on the 112th and 79th Divisions but was unsuccessful. The 39th Rifle Corps column advanced toward Tumen and Yenchi, while the 17th Rifle Corps column effectively expelled Japanese forces from the Taipingling area to secure the pass. By evening, units from the 1st Red Banner Army cleared Mutanchiang, and the 5th Army units moved south of the city to continue their southwest advance toward Ningan. The 15th Army executed a coordinated amphibious assault, successfully capturing Chiamussu. The 39th Army advanced along the railroad from Wangyemiao to Changchun, with its main force ultimately securing Taonan by the end of the day, while other units reduced the Halung-Arshaan fortified region. Finally, forward detachments of the 5th Guards Tank Corps and the 9th Guards Mechanized Corps secured Tungliao and Kaitung, respectively. On August 17, Prince Takeda Tsuneyoshi, on behalf of the Emperor, arrived at Hsinking to deliver the official ceasefire order. However, this did not cancel ongoing operational missions, as the order stipulated that the cessation of hostilities did not apply to unavoidable acts of self-defense during enemy attacks made before the completion of armistice negotiations. Tokyo's orders demonstrated that Yamada was authorized to conduct on-the-spot negotiations for an armistice with the Soviets. Consequently, the Manchurian Campaign continued amidst the negotiations. Pliyev's Soviet-Mongolian units successfully defeated the Inner Mongolians at Kanbao; the 17th Army overcame light opposition from the 108th Division to occupy Chihfeng; the 39th Army concentrated its forces at Taonan while the 94th Rifle Corps mopped up rear areas; and the 36th Army defeated the 119th Division to capture Pokotu. Simultaneously, the 2nd Red Banner Army directed heavy artillery and air strikes to reduce the Aihun and Sunwu Fortified Regions, while the 15th Army initiated a push south along the Sungari River toward Sansing. The 363rd Rifle Division passed through Chihsi, with the 66th Rifle Division focusing on Poli. Units from the 1st Red Banner Army advanced northwest toward Harbin, and the 72nd Rifle Corps marched southward along the east bank of the Mutan River, attempting unsuccessfully to cross the river north of Ningan. The 17th Rifle Corps pursued the 128th Division, and forward elements of the 10th Mechanized Corps moved sixty kilometers from the Taipingling Pass to secure the critical rail and road junction at Tahsingkou. Additionally, the reinforced 72nd Tank Brigade intercepted the counterattacking force of the 127th Division at Nianyantsun. The 39th Rifle Corps broke through the northern defenses of the 79th Division to seize the outskirts of Tumen, while the 88th Rifle Corps successfully pushed aside enemy defenders at Mayusan to occupy Onsang. At South Sakhalin, as the marine force surrounded Esutoru, the 22nd Independent Machinegun Company was deployed to support the marine assault, which quickly penetrated the urban area and secured the city by midday. Meanwhile, fighting continued around Mount Happo, where the 214th Tank Brigade was dispatched south toward the ultimate objective of Toyohara. However, given the distance involved, it was decided to conduct a second amphibious assault on the port of Maoka. On August 18, Yamada finally issued the ceasefire orders to the 1st, 3rd, and 17th Area Armies, as well as to the 4th Army and the 2nd Air Army. His chief of staff, Lieutenant-General Hata Hikosaburo, met with Marshal Vasilevsky in Harbin to discuss procedures for disarmament, the protection of Japanese nationals in Manchuria, and related matters. Meanwhile, the Kwantung Army Headquarters made extensive efforts to relay as much information as possible about the termination of hostilities and disarmament to its subordinate commands using all available communication methods. However, these efforts were hindered by the wide dispersal of forces, many of which initially refused to surrender. General Higuchi's 5th Area Army received the ceasefire orders on August 17. Although he quickly notified his units—particularly those in Sakhalin and the Kuriles, war continued in these islands for a short period as he sought to prevent a potential invasion of Hokkaido. In Sakhalin, Major Yoshio Suzuki, the Chief of Staff of the 88th Division, received Higuchi's combat order on the afternoon of August 16, preparations for ceasefire were already underway, such as the disbandment of mobilized units, the discharge of some troops, and the disposal of the regimental flag. The division had no tanks or aircraft, and certainly no anti-tank or anti-aircraft weapons that could withstand Soviet forces. In light of this, Suzuki quickly ordered the re-arming of units and the occupation of positions, in accordance with the desire of Mineki and Higuchi to prevent the fall of South Sakhalin and a possible invasion of Hokkaido. Civilians, at this point, were already voicing complaints, wondering if the military was still going to continue fighting. After the surrender of the 125th Infantry Regiment, the Japanese command in the Northern District was effectively assumed by the staff of the 88th Division stationed at Kamishikika. During the fighting on the central military road, by the morning of August 17, evacuation of the civilian population from Kamishikika had been completed, and the town was burned to the ground by Japanese forces' scorched earth tactics, along with an air raid by 20 Soviet aircraft. Kamishikika was abandoned on August 20, marking the start of a full retreat. The construction of a defensive line involving the destruction of the Uro Bridge and the Chidori River Bridge was considered but ultimately abandoned due to the presence of evacuees. Meanwhile, in the Kuriles, a new operation was unfolding. According to Vasilevsky's orders, once operations against Manchuria and South Sakhalin were sufficiently advanced, a small force from the Kamchatka Defense Region, supported by naval units from the Petropavlovsk Naval Base, was to conduct amphibious assaults on the Kuril Islands in preparation for a future landing at the port of Rumoi on Hokkaido's west coast On August 15, President Truman and Soviet Premier Stalin agreed that Japanese forces north of the 38th Parallel would surrender to the Soviets, while those to the south would surrender to the Americans. Stalin's agreement surprised the US, as there was little chance of American forces landing on the Korean peninsula at that time. In what many scholars interpret as an attempt to achieve reciprocal generosity from Truman, Stalin proposed amending the order to include the northern half of Hokkaido and all of the Kuril Islands in the region of surrender to Soviet forces. This northern portion, he stated, should be demarcated by a line drawn ‘from the town of Kushiro on the eastern coast . . . to the town of Rumoe (Rumoi) on the western coast . . .', with both towns included in the occupation area However, Truman only acquiesced concerning the Kuriles, honoring the pact reached at Yalta, while specifying that all the islands of mainland Japan were to surrender to General MacArthur. Nonetheless, concerned by the exclusion of the Kuriles from the original agreement, Stalin instructed Vasilevsky to organize landings to occupy the islands. This mission was assigned to Purkayev's 2nd Far Eastern Front and Yumashev's Pacific Fleet, which, in turn, designated Major-General Aleksei Gnechko's Kamchatka Defense Region and Captain Dmitri Ponomarev's Petropavlovsk Naval Base to execute the first landings on Shumshu and Paramushir, followed by a subsequent amphibious assault on Onekotan. These inexperienced commanders had limited time to plan for their operations, assemble the necessary commercial vessels for transportation, and hurriedly gather the army units dispersed across Kamchatka. Ultimately, the primary unit chosen for the landings was Major-General Porfiry Dyakov's 101st Rifle Division, supplemented by a battalion of marines. Meanwhile, Ponomarev managed to gather an invasion flotilla of 64 vessels. Although the Soviets had air superiority, it was unreliable due to the peculiar climatic conditions. “There were very peculiar climatic conditions in the Far East and Sakhalin; almost every airfield had its own special microclimate. In the coastal zone, frequent outbursts of moist sea air, forming a curtain of thick fog, caused a lot of trouble.”. The limited firepower of Ponomarev's flotilla forced the Soviets to land on the northeast corner of Shumshu, which could be targeted by the coastal guns at Cape Lopatka. Additionally, Gnechko planned a diversionary landing on the southeast side of the island. Opposing the Soviets, Higuchi had Lieutenant-General Tsutsumi Fusaki's 91st Division garrisoning the northern islands of Shumshu and Paramushir, the 41st Independent Mixed Regiment on Matsuwa Island, the 129th Independent Mixed Brigade on Uruppu Island, and Lieutenant-General Ogawa Gonosuke's 89th Division stationed on the southern islands of Etorofu, Shikotan, and Kunashiri.  Shumshu is the northernmost island in the Kuril chain, separated from Cape Lopatka, the southernmost tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula, by the 11-kilometer-wide First Kuril Strait. Covering an area of approximately 388 square kilometers and roughly oval in shape , Shumshu's proximity to Soviet territory, similar to its larger neighbor to the south, Paramushir, ensured that it was strongly defended. The garrison on Shumshu comprised about 8,500 troops, whereas the larger island boasted a garrison of approximately 14,500. The strait between the two islands narrows to about 2.5 kilometers at its smallest point, thus allowing these garrisons to provide mutual support. As Slavinsky notes: “Shumshu and Paramushir, with their naval bases located opposite each other on both sides of the Second Kuril Strait, were, in essence, a single key position.” The capture of Shumshu was crucial to the success of subsequent island operations. While there were several airfields on these islands, they housed very few aircraft, which had been withdrawn earlier to the Japanese main islands in preparation for the anticipated “final battle” with the Americans. However, Shumshu was defended by a tank force from the 11th Tank Regiment, commanded by Colonel Sueo Ikeda. This force consisted of thirty-nine medium tanks, including nineteen Type-97 Chi-Ha tanks and twenty Type-97 ShinHoTo Chi-Ha (improved Type-97) tanks, alongside twenty-five Type-95 Ha-Go light tanks. Both Shumshu and Paramushir were equipped with permanent defensive works along the coast and inland. On Shumshu, these defenses included 34 bunkers and 24 pillboxes within several powerful strongpoints, featuring around 100 guns of varying calibers, some reaching up to 100mm. Approximately 300 prepared firing points were established for both heavy and light machine guns. Most of Shumshu's coast is bordered by cliffs, leading to a concentration of the strongest defenses in areas deemed vulnerable to amphibious assault. Notably, a battery was installed in the wreck of the Soviet tanker Mariupol, which had become stranded on the beach between Cape Kokutan and Cape Kotomari in 1943. Although the island is relatively flat, it possesses several hills with sides that are nearly bare of trees, and these heights also housed additional strongpoints. Shumshu features 120 kilometers of roads, which facilitated terrestrial communication between various points. Additionally, the garrison constructed numerous dummy installations to mislead reconnaissance efforts. Nevertheless, Ponomarev's flotilla departed from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at approximately 05:00 on August 17, moving slowly and stealthily toward their objective in foggy conditions. This weather ultimately forced Gnechko to cancel the planned diversionary landing. In any event, the first landing craft approached the beach at 04:22 hours on 18 August still hidden in the murk, but were forced to halt some 100–150m from shore in water up to 2m deep; they had been overloaded which prevented them getting closer in. The troops of the advanced detachment (two companies of marines, a maritime border guard company, and a submachine gun company) had then to wade, heavily burdened, to dry land. This went on undisturbed until personnel on one of the landing craft opened fire; this, spreading to the other ships, alerted the defenders, who replied with ‘promiscuous' machine-gun fire. Nevertheless, by 05:00 hours, and having suffered only ‘insignificant' losses, the advanced detachment was ashore and its main force, under Major Pyotr Shutov, was moving off the beach into the interior of the island. Two groups of marines moved left and right to deal with enemy positions on the capes flanking the landing ground. They managed to destroy several firing points, but were too few to overcome the stronger resistance nests protecting the gun positions. A series of hills inland formed the initial objective of the advance. Behind them, Dyatlov's first wave faced heavy bombardment from Japanese artillery, suffering significant casualties as the troops struggled to scramble ashore by 09:00. The second wave experienced a similar fate but managed to disembark by 13:00, joining the first wave in advancing on the high ground to the southwest. This second wave successfully repelled a series of Japanese tank counterattacks, resulting in the loss of Colonel Sueo. Despite being pushed back somewhat, the Soviets held their position while their aircraft targeted the naval bases on the island's southern side, aiming to hinder reinforcements from Paramushir. By nightfall, Gnechko's forces had secured a beachhead approximately 4 kilometers wide and 5 kilometers deep, while assault groups successfully destroyed Japanese artillery positions on Cape Kokutan and Cape Kotomari. Meanwhile, Kabanov's new Southern Defense Region command was ordered to quickly land naval units at Odaejin and Gensan to prevent the Japanese from evacuating their forces from Korea to the Home Islands. Consequently, a small naval force from the 13th Naval Infantry Brigade departed from Chongjin, successfully landing unopposed at Odaejin at 08:00 on August 18. Elsewhere in eastern Manchuria, the 25th Army consolidated its hold on northeastern Korea, dispatching the 10th Mechanized Corps west toward Tunhua and Kirin and northwest toward Tungchingcheng amidst the surrender of Murakami's 3rd Army. The 72nd Rifle Corps successfully crossed the Mutan River north of Ningan, while units from the 1st Red Banner Army and the 5th Army were deployed to receive and process surrendering Japanese units of Shimizu's 5th Army. To the north, the 2nd Red Banner Army maintained pressure on the Aihun and Sunwu Fortified Regions, leading to the surrender of the 123rd Division, although the 135th Independent Mixed Brigade continued to resist at Aihun. Be that as it may, the Japanese artillery positioned at Cape Kokutan and Cape Kotomari wreaked havoc on the second echelon, which was comprised of the 373rd Rifle Regiment. During this engagement, a patrol boat and four landing craft were lost, while eight others sustained serious damage. Once again, Soviet troops were forced to improvise ways to reach dry land; however, this time, the echelon's commander, Colonel P.A. Artyushen, along with his headquarters, managed to land via a torpedo boat. It took until 13:00 hours to fully disembark the second echelon, by which point its forward units had linked up with those forces advancing on the high ground to the southwest. By then, Artyushen had assumed command of all the forces ashore. While the number of troops was considerable, they still lacked heavy weapons, with only four 45mm anti-tank guns having been landed. Unsurprisingly, the Japanese counterattacked as soon as possible, with the advanced forward units under Shutov bearing the brunt of the assault. In a reversal of the combat situations previously encountered throughout the war with Japan, Soviet infantry now found themselves facing several tank attacks from the Japanese. One of these assaults was personally led by Colonel Sueo Ikeda, the commander of the 11th Tank Regiment, who was reported to be waving a samurai sword and Japanese flag from the turret, according to some accounts. Fortunately for the Soviets, these Japanese tanks were relatively weak compared to the T-34. While they posed a threat to unsupported infantry, they proved vulnerable to Degtyarev PTRD-41 anti-tank rifles and RPG-43 anti-tank grenades. The tank-led attacks were ultimately repelled, with Colonel Sueo perishing in the fighting. Despite being pushed back somewhat, the Soviets managed to withstand the onslaught. For his heroism during this challenging combat situation, in which he was wounded three times, Shutov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, along with the Order of Lenin and the Golden Star medal. Despite being somewhat pushed back, the Soviets held their ground while their aircraft targeted the naval bases on the southern side of the island to hinder reinforcements from Paramushir. The weather cleared sufficiently in the late morning, allowing Soviet air strikes to commence that afternoon. These strikes involved groups of eight to sixteen aircraft and were primarily directed at the Kataoka and Kashiwabar naval bases, successfully preventing the transfer of Japanese reinforcements from Paramushir. However, the sky remained cloudy enough to hinder any close battlefield support. As Zakharov et al. described it, the situation on the ground “remained tense.” The thinning fog later allowed seven Japanese aircraft to appear at 10:30 hours, attempting to strike at the shipping gathered off the landing beach. Their first strike targeted the Kirov, but it was unsuccessful, and the attackers were driven off by anti-aircraft fire. A second attempt at 12:00 hours focused on the minesweeper T-525, which also failed, resulting in two of the attacking aircraft being shot down by gunfire.  By nightfall on 18 August, it was evident that the Soviet landing had succeeded to the point where the forces would not be driven back into the sea. The invasion force had established a beachhead approximately 4 kilometers wide and 5 kilometers deep, and they were capable of defending this position against any immediate Japanese counterattacks, despite most of their artillery still being stuck offshore. Gnechko, stationed at Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, ordered that enough artillery be transported ashore overnight to resume the offensive, with the goal of occupying the island by the end of 19 August. He also dispatched several self-propelled barges and kungas (shallow-draft boats used for fishing or transport) to assist with the unloading, although these vessels could not arrive until the following morning. To eliminate further artillery attacks on shipping, assault groups were formed to attack and destroy the Japanese strongpoints on Cape Kokutan and Cape Kotomari during the hours of darkness. Shortly after midnight on 17 August, a second order regarding the cessation of hostilities was received from the First Area Army, directing that all fighting be stopped. At daybreak, General Murakami dispatched his intelligence chief, Lt. Col. Fujimoto, to Chiulungping to inform the Soviet tank battalion commander of the end of hostilities. Simultaneously, he ordered all divisions under his command to cease all combat operations. At approximately 16:00 hours, the Soviet tank battalion commander arrived at the Army Officers Club in Yenchi, where he conferred with Major General Hanjiro Iketani, the Army Chief of Staff. The following day, General Iketani traveled to Wangching to conduct armistice negotiations. The 72nd Rifle Corps finally crossed the Mutan River north of Ningan, while units from the 1st Red Banner Army and the 5th Army were deployed to receive and process the surrendering Japanese units of Shimizu's 5th Army. Since the Army began its withdrawal, communications with Area Army Headquarters in Tunhua had been completely disrupted. On the morning of the 17th, a member of the Manchurian Telegraph and Telephone Company's Harbin office sent a message via railway telephone concerning disarmament, stating that he had been asked by the First Area Army Headquarters to relay the information. The Army Commander and his staff, however, suspected it might be another ruse from the enemy's fifth column. They agreed to exercise caution in addressing the matter and decided to send Staff Officer Maeda to Area Army Headquarters in Tunhua by railway gasoline engine car to verify the truth. Colonel Maeda proceeded to the railway station, and while preparing to depart, he received a railway telephone call from Staff Officer Tsumori at Area Army Headquarters regarding the cease-fire order. Subsequently, around 14:00 hours, the Army convened a meeting with representatives from each unit to announce the cease-fire orders. That evening, Soviet forces began entering Hengtaohotzu and immediately started disarming Japanese forces.  Looking west, the bulk of the 36th Army advanced southward and seized the railroad station at Chalantun amid the surrender of the 119th Division. The 86th Rifle Corps, after several days of intense artillery bombardment, finally extinguished the last remnants of Japanese resistance at Hailar, forcing the 80th Independent Mixed Brigade to surrender. Meanwhile, the 39th Army forces prepared for transport to Changchun and then on to the Liaotung Peninsula. The 17th Army moved toward the coast, capturing Pingchuan and Linguan before reaching the coastline at Shanhaiguan, directly across from the Liaotung Peninsula. Additionally, Pliyev's Soviet-Mongolian forces approached the outskirts of Kalgan, where they encountered a small contingent of the China Expeditionary Army. Indeed, with the surrender of the Kwantung Army, the war was coming to an end. However, several independent units, including the one mentioned, would continue to resist into the last days of August, thereby prolonging the Pacific War by another week. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. In August 1945, amidst Japan's turmoil, the Soviet Union surprisingly invaded Manchuria. As chaos ensued, Japanese forces in South Sakhalin faced robust Soviet resistance. Ultimately, Japan's surrender shattered its imperial power, marking a historic end to the Pacific War, leaving a nation in ruins yet igniting a fragile hope for the future beyond the horrors of conflict.

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 3: 5:00pm- Abel Maldonado—former Lieutenant Governor of California—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss California Governor Gavin Newsom's pledge to gerrymander the state even further in order to counter Texas's redistricting efforts. Notably, Republicans currently hold just 17% of the congressional seats in CA—despite nearly 40% of the state voting for Donald Trump in 2024. Plus, Maldonado reacts to a recently resurfaced clip of Newsom from 2011 where he discusses his plan to make California great again. 5:20pm- In a bizarre video he voluntarily posted to social media, former FBI Director James Comey went into great detail about how much he loves Taylor Swift and her music. He's even in a Taylor Swift fan group text! 5:40pm- Daniel Turner—Founder and Executive Director of Power The Future—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss his call for the “Trump administration to investigate what it suspects is a coordinated ‘national lawfare campaign' by left-wing climate activists aimed at influencing thousands of judges on how to approach climate litigation.”

The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Show (08/18/2025): 3:05pm- On Monday, President Donald Trump held a multilateral meeting from the White House—which included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. 3:30pm- While speaking with the press, President Donald Trump expressed optimism about ending the war between Russia and Ukraine—noting that he didn't think an initial ceasefire agreement was necessary while simultaneously forging a path towards a permanent, lasting peace agreement. 3:40pm- President Trump said of the corporate media's coverage of his peace efforts: “No matter what I do, [Zelenskyy] comes out good—maybe Putin comes out good. They'll say Trump was absolutely horrible. And I've lived with that for a long time." 3:45pm- While taking questions from the press, President Trump was asked if American troops would be used to guarantee/enforce any hypothetical peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Trump said that the U.S. would be involved though he would not explicitly state American troops would be involved. 3:50pm- During an interview with Margaret Brennan, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that he saw “movement” from the Russian delegation during Friday's Alaska summit—expressing optimism that an end to the war may be possible at some point. 4:05pm- While speaking with Bill Maher, actor Chris Pratt said of President Donald Trump and the far-left's over-the-top, vitriolic reactions to his administration's policies: "I'd hate to be so mired in hatred for the president that any success from his administration is something I'd have an allergic reaction to...be reasonable here. There are certain things that would be a good thing to have. I want them all to be successful." 4:15pm- Nearly a decade later, Hillary Clinton still thinks the results of the 2016 presidential election may not be legitimate—noting, it's “why we still litigate the election.” Who the heck is still “litigating” the 2016 election (aside from her)? 4:20pm- Following Friday's summit in Alaska, Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted that he would not have invaded Ukraine in 2022 had Donald Trump been president of the United States instead of Joe Biden. 4:30pm- In a post to social media, Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced she will run for Governor of Pennsylvania—challenging incumbent Josh Shapiro. But will Doug Mastriano challenge her in the Republican Primary? 4:45pm- MSNBC is changing its name to “MS NOW”—that'll completely solve the network's ratings problems, right? 5:00pm- Abel Maldonado—former Lieutenant Governor of California—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss California Governor Gavin Newsom's pledge to gerrymander the state even further in order to counter Texas's redistricting efforts. Notably, Republicans currently hold just 17% of the congressional seats in CA—despite nearly 40% of the state voting for Donald Trump in 2024. Plus, Maldonado reacts to a recently resurfaced clip of Newsom from 2011 where he discusses his plan to make California great again. 5:20pm- In a bizarre video he voluntarily posted to social media, former FBI Director James Comey went into great detail about how much he loves Taylor Swift and her music. He's even in a Taylor Swift fan group text! 5:40pm- Daniel Turner—Founder and Executive Director of Power The Future—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss his call for the “Trump administration to investigate what it suspects is a coordinated ‘national lawfare campaign' by left-wing climate activists aimed at influencing thousands of judges on how to approach climate litigation.” 6:05pm- Prior to Monday's multilateral meeting at the White House, President Donald Trump was caught on a hot mic telling Emmanuel Macron: “I think [Vladimir Putin] wants to make a deal for me, you understand that? As crazy as it sounds.” 6:30pm- In a post to Truth Soc ...

I'm excited to welcome John Hamer back to the show. John is a Seventy in the Community of Christ and a remarkable historian of Restoration Churches. Earlier this month, he was in Utah for the 50th Anniversary of Sunstone, and today we'll be talking about the many ways to Mormon, including some of the Restoration Churches/schismatic groups that were represented at Sunstone. This episode will be part of a broader conversation about various Latter Day Saint schismatic movements. Join us for the discussion! https://youtu.be/1-hvle_929o Don't miss our other episodes with John Hamer! https://gospeltangents.com/people/john-hamer/ Copyright © 2025 Gospel Tangents All Rights Reserved Exploring the "Multiple Ways to Mormon" at Sunstone's 50th Anniversary The recent 50th anniversary of the Sunstone Symposium in Utah provided a unique opportunity to delve into the rich and diverse landscape of the Mormon culture and restoration heritage. John Hamer is a three-time guest on Gospel Tangents and a Seventy with the Community of Christ. Sunstone serves as an "open diverse forum" that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, whether they are orthodox LDS, fundamentalists, or members of the Community of Christ. This gathering truly embodies the idea that there is "more than one way to Mormon". There are various schismatic groups that emerged after the pivotal 1844 schism which Joseph Smith died. These groups form distinct branches of the restoration tradition, each with its own unique history and practices. Major Restoration Churches of the Restoration Following the 1844 schism, two primary branches emerged: The Brighamite Branch: This branch is by far the largest expression of the restoration tradition. It includes: ◦ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). ◦ All of the fundamentalist churches, such as the Apostolic United Brethren (AUB) which is also called “The Work”, & the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS Church). ◦ The "new emerging remnant movement" with Denver Snuffer. The Josephite Branch: Named for Joseph Smith III, this branch includes the Community of Christ, formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Within the Josephite tradition, there are also: ◦ Independent expressions or "restorationists". These groups broke away from the mainline Community of Christ Church over issues like women in the priesthood and lineal succession. Some of these have grouped together in a confederacy of churches, like the Joint Conference of Restoration Branches (JCRB. See our interview with apostle Patrick McKay.) ◦ The Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which is considered a "restorationist church" by Josephites. Figures like Terry Patience, the new prophet-president, and Jim Vun Cannon have been prominent within this church. (Jim now leads a different church, the Everlasting Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Day.) These "Josephite fundamentalists" are distinct from polygamists. Lesser-Known but Significant Restoration Churches Sunstone also provides a platform for understanding smaller, yet historically significant, schismatic groups: The Bickertonites (Church of Jesus Christ with headquarters in Monongahela, Pennsylvania): ◦ They are generally considered the third largest branch to emerge after the 1844 schism, with an estimated 25,000 members. ◦ They see themselves as "the true one true church" and are noted for retaining spiritual gifts from the Kirtland era, including speaking in tongues and spontaneous services. Their services feature spontaneous talks and no pre-written bulletins, similar to practices found in the Centennial Park group. ◦ Their heartlands are primarily in Pittsburgh and Detroit. ◦ Notably, they have recently produced an academically trained historian, Daniel Stone, who has focused on William Bickerton and their own history.

Please Subscribe and leave a 5-Star revue. Click here to go to the Doss house's Website. https://www.thedosshouse-pa.com/ Click here to go to our Patreon Page. https://www.patreon.com/222ParanormalPodcast Click here to go to our Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/222paranormal Click here to see Jen's Book Ohio the haunt of it all. https://a.co/d/gpXyvGm Click here for Joe's Book From Zero to Podcaster. https://a.co/d/2EVPJ7B Click here to save on High-End Clothing. https://poshmark.com/closet/happie22   In this hauntingly atmospheric episode, we take you deep into the heart of Loretto, Pennsylvania, as we explore one of the most intriguing—and eerily enigmatic—haunted sites in the region: The Doss House. Joined by paranormal investigator Shanna, we uncover layers of history, mystery, and ghostly lore surrounding a house built in 1810 that continues to chill visitors to this day.   Historical Foundations The Doss House stands as the first home constructed in Loretto on land once belonging to Native American tribes such as the Shawnee, Lenape (Delaware), Asswikales, and Mingoes. Erected in 1810, it's a tangible relic of early American settlement in the area.   Who Were Its Inhabitants? This old house once served dual roles in daily town life—the residence of Loretto's only dentist and later its only barber. According to local lore, both figures may never have left. Visitors frequently report feeling their presence linger in the halls, lending the house its reputation as a nexus of strange encounters.   Paranormal Encounters & Chilling Tales Shanna walks us through some spine-tingling reports: A little girl in a green dress has been seen drifting through the halls—an apparition that has become one of the house's most repeated sightings.   Basement phenomena include shadowy figures and a low, guttural audible growl, creating a sense of dread that many describe as unlike anything they've experienced elsewhere. Upstairs, the staircase is not just historic—it's haunted. One visitor reported being pushed down the stairs by what seemed to be a spirit that reenacts past actions.   A Legacy of Hope Amid the Haunting Shanna's connection to the Doss House runs deeper than spectral sightings. She, along with her wife Danielle, acquired the house in memory of her beloved mother, Holley Cataldo. Their goal? To transform it into a symbol of hope and resilient spirit, weaving Holley's legacy into the fabric of paranormal exploration.   Events, Tours & The Creep It Real Festival The Doss House offers more than ghost stories. It hosts themed events, guided paranormal investigations, and even daytime tours—an immersive experience for history buffs and ghost hunters alike. Notably, Shanna and Danielle organized the wildly successful 2025 Creep It Real Festival, held at the Summer Solstice. Featuring celebrity guests, field researchers, authors, and psychic mediums, it celebrated both the macabre and the meaningful.   How to Visit & Contact Info Located at 278 St. Mary Street, Loretto, PA, The Doss House welcomes paranormal enthusiasts seeking both thrill and storytelling . For bookings or to book an investigation, you can contact them via thedosshouse278@gmail.com or look up Unique Paranormal 1.5 on Facebook   Welcome to the 222 Paranormal Podcast, your gateway to the captivating world of the supernatural. Immerse yourself in our expertly crafted episodes, where we delve deep into a wide range of paranormal phenomena, including ghostly hauntings, cryptid sightings, and unexplained mysteries that defy logic. Each episode is meticulously researched and features engaging discussions with leading experts, seasoned ghost hunters, and renowned paranormal investigators. We cover the latest advancements in ghost hunting technology, offer practical tips for both amateur and experienced investigators, and review essential equipment for your paranormal adventures. Our podcast also explores the rich history of haunted locations, sharing true stories and firsthand accounts that will send chills down your spine. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the paranormal or just curious about the unknown, our content is designed to entertain, inform, and ignite your imagination. Stay tuned as we uncover secrets from the most haunted places around the world and analyze the most intriguing supernatural events. We also provide in-depth interviews with notable figures in the field and explore theories that challenge conventional understanding of reality. By subscribing to our Paranormal Podcast, you'll stay updated with the latest episodes, allowing you to join a community of like-minded individuals who share your fascination with the unexplained. Don't miss out on our exclusive content and special features, which bring you closer to the mysteries that lie beyond our everyday experiences. Dive into the world of the unknown with our Paranormal Podcast and experience the thrill of discovering what lies just beyond the veil of reality. Ohio The Haunt of it All, By Jennifer Shortridge. Discover why Ohio is considered one of the most haunted states. Authentic ghost stories from each of Ohio's eighty-eight counties promise to keep you on the edge of your seat as we delve into legends and lore, from crybaby bridges to headless horsemen, witches' graves to spooky cemeteries, and spectral sightings to terrifying encounters with ghosts. Places marked by murder, mausoleums, and ancient mounds await those who dare to visit. Haunted prisons, long forgotten insane asylums, historic mansions, and ghostly hotels all contribute to Ohio's distinctive and supernatural history. Every county boasts its own folklore, tales, and profound history. Join me in discovering why I believe Ohio is not just the Heart, but also the Haunt of it all.

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are meeting in Alaska, ostensibly to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. Notably absent, however, is Ukraine President Zelensky. His position on a ceasefire has been consistent since the beginning of the war, as you'll hear from Christiane's conversation with him, recorded at the Munich Security Conference in February.    Also on today's show: Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov; Bill Browder, CEO and Co-founder, Hermitage Capital Management, who was deported from Russia in 2005  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

BUFFALO, NY – August 15, 2025 – A new #research paper was #published in Volume 16 of Oncotarget on August 13, 2025, titled “Clinical and analytical validation of MI Cancer Seek®, a companion diagnostic whole exome and whole transcriptome sequencing-based comprehensive molecular profiling assay.” In this study, first authors Valeriy Domenyuk and Kasey Benson, along with corresponding author David Spetzler from Caris Life Sciences in Irving, Texas, introduce MI Cancer Seek, an FDA-approved test designed to deliver comprehensive tumor profiling. MI Cancer Seek demonstrated strong concordance with other FDA-approved companion diagnostics and serves as a powerful tool to guide treatment decisions in both adult and pediatric cancer patients. Cancer remains one of the most complex and diverse diseases to treat. With many targeted therapies currently FDA-approved, selecting the right one for a specific patient requires detailed genetic insights. MI Cancer Seek addresses this need by analyzing both DNA and RNA from a single tumor sample. The tool identifies key biomarkers linked to FDA-approved treatments for several major cancers, including breast, lung, colon, melanoma, and endometrial cancers. One of the most significant strengths of MI Cancer Seek is its ability to deliver accurate and reliable results from minimal tissue input (50 ng). Even when analyzing formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples, which are widely used but often degraded, the test maintained high levels of accuracy. It successfully detected important genetic alterations such as PIK3CA, EGFR, BRAF, and KRAS/NRAS mutations and measured tumor mutational burden (TMB) and microsatellite instability (MSI), both of which are key indicators for immunotherapy response. In clinical comparisons, the test achieved over 97% agreement with other FDA-approved diagnostic tools, confirming its reliability in detecting critical biomarkers. Notably, it showed near-perfect accuracy in identifying MSI status in colorectal and endometrial cancers. The researchers also demonstrated that the test maintains precision across different lab conditions and varying DNA input levels, confirming its robustness for routine clinical use. Beyond its role as a companion diagnostic, MI Cancer Seek incorporates additional features developed under its predecessor, MI Tumor Seek Hybrid. These include detection of homologous recombination deficiency, structural variants, and cancer-related viruses. It also includes advanced tools such as the Genomic Probability Score for identifying the tissue of origin in cancers of unknown primary, as well as a gene signature to guide first-line chemotherapy in colorectal cancer. “One limitation to be considered is the low PPA for ERBB2 CNA detection.” By offering deeper genetic insights from a single, small sample, MI Cancer Seek has the potential to streamline diagnostics, reduce testing costs, and connect patients to effective therapies more quickly. As precision medicine continues to expand, this assay stands out as a comprehensive and efficient solution for meeting the evolving needs of modern oncology. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28761 Correspondence to - David Spetzler - dspetzler@carisls.com Video short - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4hd2FxCYY8 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ To learn more about Oncotarget, please visit https://www.oncotarget.com and connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Oncotarget/ X - https://twitter.com/oncotarget Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oncotargetjrnl/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OncotargetJournal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oncotarget Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/oncotarget/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/Oncotarget/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0gRwT6BqYWJzxzmjPJwtVh MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

Yesterday's hotter-than-expected US inflation data prompted a reassessment of rate cut expectations, driving yields and the US dollar higher. Although most stocks fell, the S&P 500 managed to eke out a marginal gain, largely due tothe strong performance of major tech companies. Notably, Intel's stock jumped on news that the Trump administration was considering taking a stake in the beleaguered chipmaker. Attention now turns to the upcoming Trump-Putin summit, where discussions may significantly impact safe-haven assets like gold and the Swiss franc. To explore the potential implications and trading opportunities, Thomas Caflisch, Head of FX/PM Solutions, shares his insights.(00:00) - Introduction: Helen Freer, Product & Investment Content (00:25) - Markets wrap-up: Jan Bopp, Product & Investment Content (05:16) - FX and metals: Thomas Caflisch, Head of FX/PM Solutions (08:23) - Closing remarks: Helen Freer, Product & Investment Content Would you like to support this show? Please leave us a review and star rating on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

In just seven months since entering the U.S. market, The Repair Academy—a French-based specialist in micro soldering and board repair training—has already sold out its first American course and is preparing for a second. In this ASCDI- and ITAD-focused interview with Doug Green, Publisher of Technology Reseller News, CEO Alexandre Isaac shares how the Academy's intensive two-week program equips technicians with the skills to diagnose and repair high-value electronics, from MacBook motherboards to server boards, that might otherwise be scrapped. The upcoming October 13–25 course, held at iFixit's Chattanooga, Tennessee facility, offers 130 hours of hands-on training. Participants work at fully equipped stations with microscopes, soldering irons, hot air tools, and DC power supplies, learning to read schematics, use diagnostic equipment, and replace components as small as a human hair. The program is designed for both aspiring entrepreneurs and ITAD professionals, with graduates earning the iFixit Pro Repair Academy Certificate—a credential that verifies they can perform real-world board repairs efficiently and to industry standards. Isaac emphasizes the business potential, noting that repair skills can be applied from a home workspace or scaled into a commercial shop. For ITAD companies, the training represents a way to recover value from “no power” devices, keeping high-value hardware like M-series MacBook boards and networking gear in circulation instead of the waste stream. Notably, the Academy offers lifetime course retakes at no additional cost, ensuring mastery and long-term skill retention. The Repair Academy also assists graduates in sourcing quality tools and fosters peer connections through shared housing and group learning—creating a community of professionals who often continue to collaborate. With eight different training programs already established in France, Isaac sees this as the beginning of a broader U.S. offering, including more introductory-level courses. To learn more or register, visit therepairacademy.us.

Brian Parana's BIO:  Brian Parana is not merely a health coach; he is a transformative catalyst who comprehends the intricate balance between professional achievement, personal well-being, and family responsibilities. Brian's over two decades of helping 1,000's of clients0 in the nutrition and fitness industry serve as a testament to the importance of consistency and dedication in impacting individuals' lives. His experience comes from owning 2 CrossFit gyms for years, online speaking opportunities, and serving busy professionals globally as a health & lifestyle coach. Weight loss and improving poor health situations are just the start of his coaching. Notably, he has had the privilege of coaching a 2-time Olympian and CrossFit World Champion. With 15+ years of entrepreneurship, while raising a young family, Brian blends using science-back strategies to empower his clients to regain control and confidence through building a sustainable lifestyle with the relentless demands of managing a successful business and, more importantly, supporting a family. He married his high school sweetheart, Amber, for nearly two decades, while raising 4 children, ranging in age from 15-9: 3 boys and 1 girl. The Paranas share a passion for travel, exploring all 50 states and 3 continents. Their next BIG goal is to visit all 7 continents! In this episode, Virginia and Brian  talked about: How Brian started his fitness journey  How to balance business, family and fitness Motivation vs. Will Power Why AI might be ruining your referrability  Why it's so hard to get results  Takeaway: -If your body wears out, who will run your business? -Who's in your “Me Team” -In the absence of structure, habit always wins (Jay Fiset) -People helping other people..that's just business. -We are in a trust recession - slow down and build relationships.  Connect with Brian on his social media accounts to learn more about his work and insights into networking effectively: LinkedIn URL https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachbrianparana/ Facebook URL https://www.facebook.com/coachbrianparana Instagram URL https://www.instagram.com/coachbrianparana/   Connect with Virginia: https://www.bbrpodcast.com/

How should we understand the words, “in him all things were created” in Col 1.16? Although commonly taken to mean Christ created the universe, this view has contextual, structural, and exegetical problems. In what follows I’ll name six problems with old-creation readings before laying out why a new creation approach makes sense. I presented this talk at the 2025 Unitarian Christian Alliance (UCA) conference in Uxbridge, England. Scroll down to see the full-length paper. For those listening to the audio, here’s a quick reference to Colossians 1.15-20 Strophe 1 (Col 1.15-18a) 15a      who is (the) image of the invisible God, 15b      firstborn of all creation 16a      for in him were created all things 16b                  in the heavens and upon the earth, 16c                  the visible and the invisible, 16d                  whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities 16e      all things have been created through him and for him 17a      and he is before all things 17b      and all things hold together in him 18a      and he is the head of the body of the Church,[12] Strophe 2 (Col 1.18b-20) 18b      who is (the) beginning, 18c      firstborn from the dead, 18d                  in order that he may be first in all things, 19        for in him was pleased all the fulness to dwell 20a      and through him to reconcile all things in him, 20b      making peace through the blood of his cross 20c                  whether the things upon the earth 20d                  or the things in the heavens Here’s Randy Leedy’s New Testament Diagram Here are the slides in the original PowerPoint format Download [13.82 MB] Here are the slides converted to PDF Loading... Taking too long? Reload document | Open in new tab Download [3.16 MB] To read the paper, simply scroll down or read it on Academia.edu.   Listen on Spotify   Listen on Apple Podcasts —— Links —— Check out these other papers by Sean Finnegan Support Restitutio by donating here Join our Restitutio Facebook Group and follow Finnegan on X @RestitutioSF Leave a voice message via SpeakPipe with questions or comments and we may play it out on the air Who is Sean Finnegan?  Read his bio here Get Finnegan’s book, Kingdom Journey to learn about God’s kingdom coming on earth as well as the story of how Christianity lost this pearl of great price. Get the transcript of this episode Intro music: Good Vibes by MBB Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) Free Download / Stream: Music promoted by Audio Library. Below is the paper presented on July 25, 2025 in Uxbridge, England at the 2nd annual UCA UK Conference. Access this paper on Academia.edu to get the pdf. Full text is below, including bibliography and end notes. Colossians 1.16: Old Creation or New Creation? by Sean P. Finnegan Abstract  How should we understand the words, “in him all things were created” in Col 1.16? Although commonly taken to mean Christ created the universe, this view has contextual, structural, and exegetical problems. In what follows, I will explain the difficulties with the various old creation readings of Col 1.16 along with five reasons for a new creation approach. Then I'll provide a new creation reading of Col 1.16 before summarizing my findings in the conclusion. Introduction  Colossians 1.15-20 is a fascinating text of great importance for Christology. Commonly understood to be a hymn, it is fascinating in its cosmic scope and elevated Christology. Although many commentators interpret Paul[1] to say that Christ created the universe in his pre-existent state in Col 1.16, not all scholars see it that way. For example, Edward Schillebeeckx writes, “There is no mention in this text of pre-existence in the Trinitarian sense.”[2] Rather he sees “an eschatological pre-existence, characteristic of wisdom and apocalyptic.”[3] G. B. Caird agreed that Paul's focus in Col. 1.15-20 was not pre-existence (contra Lightfoot), rather, “The main thread of Paul's thought, then, is the manhood of Christ.”[4] In other words, “All that has been said in vv. 15-18 can be said of the historical Jesus.”[5] James Dunn also denied that Paul saw Christ as God's agent in creation in Col 1.15-20, claiming that such an interpretation was “to read imaginative metaphor in a pedantically literal way.”[6] James McGrath argued that “Jesus is the one through whom God's new creation takes place.” [7] Andrew Perriman likewise noted, “There is no reference to the creation of heaven and earth, light and darkness, sea and dry land, lights in the heavens, vegetation, or living creatures,”[8] also preferring a new creation approach.[9] To understand why such a broad range of scholars diverge from the old creation interpretation of Col 1.16, we will examine several contextual, structural, and exegetical problems. While explaining these, I'll also put forward four reasons to interpret Col 1.16 as new creation. Then I'll provide a fifth before giving a new creation reading of Col 1.15-20. But before going any further, let's familiarize ourselves with the text and structure. The Form of Col 1.15-20  To get our bearings, let me begin by providing a translation,[10] carefully structured to show the two strophes.[11] Strophe 1 (Col 1.15-18a) 15a      who is (the) image of the invisible God, 15b      firstborn of all creation 16a      for in him were created all things 16b                  in the heavens and upon the earth, 16c                  the visible and the invisible, 16d                  whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities 16e      all things have been created through him and for him 17a      and he is before all things 17b      and all things hold together in him 18a      and he is the head of the body of the Church,[12] Strophe 2 (Col 1.18b-20) 18b      who is (the) beginning, 18c      firstborn from the dead, 18d                  in order that he may be first in all things, 19        for in him was pleased all the fulness to dwell 20a      and through him to reconcile all things in him, 20b      making peace through the blood of his cross 20c                  whether the things upon the earth 20d                  or the things in the heavens Here I've followed the two-strophe structure (1.15-18a and 18b-20) noted more than a century ago by the classical philologist Eduard Norden[13] and repeated by James Robinson,[14] Edward Lohse,[15] Edward Schweizer,[16] James Dunn,[17] Ben Witherington III,[18] and William Lane[19] among others. By lining up the parallel lines of the two strophes, we can clearly see the poetic form. Strophe 1 15a who is (the) image… 15b firstborn of all creation 16a for in him were created all things… 16e  all things have been created through him… Strophe 2 18b who is (the) beginning, 18c firstborn from the dead … 19 for in him was pleased all… 20a and through him to reconcile all things in him… Such striking repeated language between the two strophes means that we should be careful to maintain the parallels between them and not take a grammatical or exegetical position on a word or phrase that would disconnect it from the parallel line in the other strophe. Some scholars, including F. F. Bruce,[20] Michael Bird,[21] David Pao,[22] among others proposed vv. 17-18a as an independent transitional link between the two strophes. Lohse explained the motivation for this unlikely innovation as follows. Above all, it is curious that at the end of the first, cosmologically oriented strophe, Christ is suddenly referred to as the “head of the body, the church” (1:18a κεφαλή τοῦ σώματος τῆς ἐκκλησίας). Considering its content, this statement would have to be connected with the second strophe which is characterized by soteriological statements. The structure of the hymn, however, places it in the first strophe.[23] For interpreters who prefer to think of the first strophe as cosmogony and the second as soteriology, a line about Christ's headship over the church doesn't fit very well. They restructure the form based on their interpretation of the content. Such a policy reverses the order of operations. One should determine the form and then interpret the content in light of structure. Lohse was right to reject the addition of a new transitional bridge between the two strophes. He called it “out of the question” since vv. 17-18a underscore “all things” and “serve as a summary that brings the first strophe to a conclusion.”[24] Now that we've oriented ourselves to some degree, let's consider old creation readings of Col 1.16 and the problems that arise when reading it that way. Old Creation Readings  Within the old creation paradigm for Col 1.16 we can discern three groups: those who see (A) Christ as the agent by whom God created, (B) Wisdom as the agent, and (C) Christ as the purpose of creation. Although space won't allow me to interact with each of these in detail, I will offer a brief critique of these three approaches. As a reminder, here is our text in both Greek and English. Colossians 1.16 16a      ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ ἐκτίσθη τὰ πάντα 16b                  ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, 16c                  τὰ ὁρατὰ καὶ τὰ ἀόρατα, 16d                  εἴτε θρόνοι εἴτε κυριότητες εἴτε ἀρχαὶ εἴτε ἐξουσίαι· 16e      τὰ πάντα δι' αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰς αὐτὸν ἔκτισται· 16a      for in him were created all things 16b                  in the heavens and upon the earth, 16c                  the visible and the invisible, 16d                  whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities 16e      all things have been created through him and for him 1. Christ as the Agent of Creation Scot McKnight is representative in his claim that “The emphasis of the first stanza is Christ as the agent of creation … and the second is Christ as the agent of redemption.”[25] This view sees the phrase “in him were created all things” as Christ creating the universe in the beginning. However, this position has six problems with it. Firstly, the context of the poem—both before (vv. 13-14) and after (vv. 21-22)—is clearly soteriological not cosmogonical.[26] By inserting vv. 15-20 into the text after vv. 13-14, Paul connected the two together.[27] V. 15 begins with ὅς ἐστιν (who is), which makes it grammatically dependent on vv. 13-14. “It is widely accepted,” wrote Dunn, “that this passage is a pre-Pauline hymn interpolated and interpreted to greater or less extent by Paul.”[28] By placing the poem into a redemptive frame, Paul indicated how he interpreted it. The fact that God “rescued us from the authority of darkness and transferred (us) into the kingdom of his beloved son” is the controlling context (v. 13).[29] As I will show below, I believe vv. 15-20 are ecclesiology not protology, since ecclesiology naturally flows from soteriology. Rather than remaining in the old domain of darkness, vulnerable to malevolent spiritual powers of this age, Colossian Christians are transferred into the new domain of Christ. The context makes it more natural to interpret the creation language of vv. 15-16 in light of Christ's redemptive work—as references to new creation rather than old creation. Doing so retains the contextual frame rather than jumping back to the beginning of time. A second problem arises when we consider the phrase “image of the invisible God” in v. 15. Although some see a Stoic or Wisdom reference here, I agree with F. F. Bruce who said, “No reader conversant with the OT scriptures, on reading these words of Paul, could fail to be reminded of the statement in Gen. 1:26f., that man was created by God ‘in his own image.'”[30] Immediately after making humanity in his own image, God blessed us with dominion over the earth. Philo also connected humanity's image of God with “the rulership over the earthly realms.”[31] But if the Christ of v. 15 is the pre-existent son prior to his incarnation, as the old creation model posits, “How can he be the ‘image of God,'” asked Eduard Schweizer, since “the one who is thus described here is not the earthly Jesus?”[32] It is precisely by virtue of his humanity that Jesus is the image of God not his pre-existence.[33] Thus, image-of-God language points us to the creation of a new humanity. A third problem is that “firstborn of all creation” prima facia implies that Christ is a member of creation (a partitive genitive). This is how Paul thought about Christ as firstborn in Rom 8.29 when he called Christ “firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Clearly he saw Christ as a member of the “ἀδελφοῖς” (brothers and sisters). Furthermore, “πρωτότοκος πάσης κτίσεως” (firstborn of all creation) in v. 15 parallels “πρωτότοκος ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν” (firstborn from the dead) v. 18. Although the former (v. 15) can be taken as a genitive of subordination (firstborn over creation) or as a partitive genitive (firstborn of creation), the latter (v. 18) is unambiguously partitive. Because v. 18 includes the word ἐκ (from/out of), instead of a multivalent genitive, it must mean that Jesus was himself a member of the dead prior to his resurrection. Likewise, he was the firstborn member of creation. To take v. 15 as a genitive of subordination and v. 18 in a partitive sense allows theology to drive exegesis over against the clear structural link between v. 15b and v. 18c. In fact, as the BDAG noted, Christ is “the firstborn of a new humanity.”[34] He is chronologically born first and, by virtue of that, also preeminent.[35] Fourthly, the phrase, “ἐν αὐτῷ” (in him), implies soteriology not protology as it does throughout the Pauline corpus. The prepositional phrases “in Christ,” “in the Lord,” “in him,” and others that are similar occur more than a hundred times in Paul's epistles. McKnight elucidated the sense nicely: “This expression, then, is the inaugurated eschatological reality into which the Christian has been placed, and it also evokes the new-creation realities that a person discovers.”[36] Creation in Christ is not likely to refer to Genesis creation. In fact, apart from Col 1.16, there is no text within Paul or the rest of the Bible that speaks of the origin of the universe as something created “in Christ.”[37] Sadly translators routinely obscure this fact by translating “ἐν αὐτῷ” as “by him.”[38] Amazingly, the NASB and ESV render “ἐν αὐτῷ” as “in him” in every other usage apart from Col 1.16![39] For the sake of consistency, it makes better sense to render “ἐν αὐτῷ” as “in him” and let the reader decide how to interpret it. Fifthly, the line, “and he is the head of the body, the Church” (v. 18a) clearly roots the first strophe in redemptive history not creation. Our English translations follow Robert Estienne's verse divisions, which confusingly combine the last line of the first strophe (v. 18a) and the first line of the second (v. 18b), obscuring the native poetic structure. As I made the case above, the structure of the text breaks into two strophes with v. 18a included in the first one. As I mentioned earlier, vv. 15-20 are a pre-existing poem that Paul has modified and incorporated into the text of Colossians. Ralph Martin pointed out that the poem contains “no less than five hapax legomena” and “about ten non-Pauline expressions.”[40] Additionally, there appear to be awkward additions that disrupt the symmetry. These additions are the most explicitly Christian material. It is likely that the original said, “and he is the head of the body” to which Paul appended “the church.” Edward Schillebeeckx commented on this. In Hellenistic terms this must primarily mean that he gives life and existence to the cosmos. Here, however, Colossians drastically corrects the ideas … The correction made by Colossians is to understand ‘body' as a reference to the church, and not the cosmos. This alters the whole perspective of the cultural and religious setting … The cosmic background is reinterpreted in terms of salvation history and ecclesiology. In fact Christ is already exercising his lordship over the world now … however, he is doing this only as the head of the church, his body, to which he gives life and strength. Thus Colossians claims that the church alone, rather than the cosmos, is the body of Christ.[41] If this is true, it shows Paul's careful concern to disallow a strictly old creation or protological reading of the first strophe. For by inserting “of the church,” he has limited the context of the first strophe to the Christ event. “The addition of ‘the church,'” wrote Dunn, “indicates that for Paul at any rate the two strophes were not dealing with two clearly distinct subjects (cosmology and soteriology).”[42] Karl-Joseph Kuschel wrote, “The answer would seem to be he wanted to ‘disturb' a possible cosmological-protological fancy in the confession of Christ … to prevent Christ from becoming a purely mythical heavenly being.”[43] Thus Paul's addition shows us he interpreted the creation of v16 as new creation. Lastly, theological concerns arise when taking Col 1.16 as old creation. The most obvious is that given the partitive genitive of v. 15, we are left affirming the so-called Arian position that God created Christ as the firstborn who, in turn, created everything else. Another thorn in the side of this view is God's insistence elsewhere to be the solo creator (Isa 44.24; cf. 45.18). On the strength of this fact, modalism comes forward to save the day while leaving new problems in its wake. However, recognizing Col 1.15-20 as new creation avoids such theological conundrums. 2. Wisdom as the Agent of Creation Dustin Smith noted, “The christological hymn contains no less than nine characteristics of the wisdom of God (e.g., “image,” “firstborn,” agent of creation, preceding all things, holding all things together) that are reapplied to the figure of Jesus.”[44] Some suggest that Col 1.15-20 is actually a hymn to Wisdom that Paul Christianized.[45] The idea is that God created the universe through his divine Wisdom, which is now embodied or incarnate in Christ. Dunn explained it as follows. If then Christ is what God's power/wisdom came to be recognized as, of Christ it can be said what was said first of wisdom—that ‘in him (the divine wisdom now embodied in Christ) were created all things.' In other words the language may be used here to indicate the continuity between God's creative power and Christ without the implication being intended that Christ himself was active in creation.[46] Before pointing out some problems, I must admit much of this perspective is quite noncontroversial. That Jewish literature identified Wisdom as God's creative agent, that there are linguistic parallels between Col 1.15-20 and Wisdom, and that the historical Jesus uniquely embodied Wisdom to an unprecedented degree are not up for debate. Did Paul expect his readers to pick up on the linguistic parallels? Afterall, he could have just said “in her were created all things” in v. 16, clearly making the connection with the grammatically feminine σοφία (Wisdom). Better yet, he could have said, “in Wisdom were created all things.” Even if the poem was originally to Wisdom, Paul has thoroughly Christianized it, applying to Christ what had been said of Wisdom. However, the most significant defeater for this view is that applying Wisdom vocabulary to Christ only works one way. Wisdom has found her home in Christ. This doesn't mean we can attribute to Christ what Wisdom did before she indwelt him any more than we can attribute to the living descendants of Nazis the horrific deeds of their ancestors. Perriman's critique is correct: “The point is not that the act of creation was Christlike, rather the reverse: recent events have been creation-like. The death and resurrection of Jesus are represented as the profoundly creative event in which the wisdom of God is again dynamically engaged, by which a new world order has come about.”[47] Once again a new creation approach makes better sense of the text. 3. Christ as the Purpose of Creation Another approach is to take ἐν αὐτῷ (in him) in a telic sense. Martha King, a linguist with SIL, said the phrase can mean “in association with Christ everything was created” or “in connection with Christ all things were created.”[48] Lexicographer, Joseph Thayer, sharpened the sense with the translation, “[I]n him resides the cause why all things were originally created.”[49] William MacDonald's translation brought this out even more with the phrase, “because for him everything … was created.”[50] The idea is that God's act of creation in the beginning was with Christ in view. As Eric Chang noted, “Christ is the reason God created all things.”[51] G. B. Caird said, “He is the embodiment of that purpose of God which underlies the whole creation.”[52] The idea is one of predestination not agency.[53] Christ was the goal for which God created all things. A weakness of this view is that purpose is better expressed using εἰς or δία with an accusative than ἐν. Secondly, the parallel line in the second strophe (v. 19) employs “ἐν αὐτῷ” in a clearly locative sense: “in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell.” So even though “ἐν αὐτῷ” could imply purpose, in this context it much more likely refers to location. Lastly, Paul mentioned the sense of purpose at the end of v. 16 with “εἰς αὐτὸν ἔκτισται” (for him has been created), so it would be repetitive to take “ἐν αὐτῷ” that way as well. To sum up, the three positions that see Col 1.16 as a reference to old creation all have significant problems. With these in mind, let us turn our attention to consider a fourth possibility: that Paul has in mind new creation. Reasons for a New Creation Reading I've already provided four reasons why Col 1.15-20 refers to new creation: (1) calling Christ the image of God points to the new humanity begun in Christ as the last Adam;[54] (2) since the firstborn of the old creation was Adam (or, perhaps, Seth), Jesus must be the firstborn of the new creation; (3) saying Jesus is the head of the church, limits the focus for the first strophe to the time following the Christ event; (4) the context of the poem, both before (vv. 13-14) and after (vv. 21-22) is soteriological, making an old creation paradigm awkward, while a new creation view fits perfectly. The Catholic priest and professor, Franz Zeilinger, summarized the situation nicely: “Christ is (through his resurrection from the realm of death) Lord over the possession granted to him, of which he is the ἀρχή (beginning) and archetype, … and head and beginning of the eschatological new creation!”[55] Additionally, a new creation paradigm fits best with Paul's elaboration of what visible and invisible things in heaven and on earth he has in mind. Once again, here's our text. 16a      for in him were created all things 16b                  in the heavens and upon the earth, 16c                  the visible and the invisible, 16d                  whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities 16e      all things have been created through him and for him By specifying thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities, we discern Paul's train of thought. Form critics are quick to point out that v. 16d is Paul's addition to the poem. Without it, the reader may have thought of sky, land, and animals—old creation. However, with v. 16d present, we direct our attention to political realities not God's creative power or engineering genius. Martha King noted the two possible meanings for εἴτε: (1) specifying the “invisible things” or (2) giving examples of “all things.” Taking the second view, we read “in him were created all things, including thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities.”[56] Randy Leedy also presented this position in his sentence diagrams, identifying v. 16d as equivalent to v. 16c and v. 16b, all of which modify τὰ πάντα (all things) at the end of v. 16a. (See Appendix for Leedy's diagram.) Perriman pressed home the point when he wrote: The fact is that any interpretation that takes verse 16 to be a reference to the original creation has to account for the narrow range of created things explicitly listed. … The Colossians verse mentions only the creation of political entities—thrones, lordships, rulers and authorities, visible and invisible—either in the already existing heaven or on the already existing and, presumably, populated earth. What this speaks of is a new governmental order consisting of both invisible-heavenly and visibly-earthly entities.”[57] Understanding v. 16d as equivalent to “all things” in v. 16a nicely coheres with a new-creation paradigm. However, taken the other way—as an elaboration of only the invisible created realities—v. 16d introduces an asymmetrical and clumsy appendix. A New Creation Reading of Col 1.16 Now that we've considered some problems with old creation views and some reasons to read Col 1.16 from a new creation perspective, let's consider how a new creation reading works. New creation is all about the new breaking into the old, the future into the present. G. F. Wessels said, “Paul made clear that there is a present realized aspect of salvation, as well as a future, still outstanding aspect, which will only be realized at the eschaton.”[58] New creation, likewise, has future and present realities. Exiting Old Creation Before becoming part of the new creation, one must exit the old creation. “Our old humanity was co-crucified“ (Rom 6.6). “With Christ you died to the elemental principles of the world” (Col 2.20). “As many as were baptized into Christ Jesus, were baptized into his death” (Rom 6.3). We were “co-buried with him through baptism into the death … having been united with the likeness of his death” (Rom 6.4-5). Our death with him through baptism kills our allegiance and submission to the old powers and the old way of life “in which you formerly walked according to the zeitgeist of this world, according to the rule of the authority of the air, the spirit which now works in the children of disobedience” (Eph 2.2). Entering New Creation As death is the only way out of the old creation, so resurrection is the only way into the new creation. “You have been co-raised with Christ” (Col 3.1). God “co-made-alive us together with him” (Col 2.13).[59] By virtue of our union with Christ, we ourselves are already “co-raised and co-seated us in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2.6). The result of this is that “we also may walk in newness of life” (Rom 6.4). For those who are “in Christ, (there is) a new creation; the old has passed away, behold (the) new has come into existence” (2 Cor 5.17). “They have been ‘transported,'” wrote Schillebeeckx, “they already dwell above in Christ's heavenly sphere of influence (Col 1.13)—the soma Christou … that is the church!”[60] Community For the people of God, “neither circumcision is anything nor uncircumcision but a new creation” is what matters (Gal 6.15). Those who “are clothed with the new” are “being renewed in knowledge according to the image of him who created, where there is no Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, (or) free, but Christ (is) all and in all” (Col 3.10-11). Through Christ God has nullified the law “in order that he might create the two into one new humanity in him” (Eph 2.14-15). Thus, within new creation, ethnic identity still exists, but it is relativized, our identity in Christ taking priority ahead of other affiliations and duties. Lifestyle When the lost become saved through faith, they become his creation (ποίημα), “created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Eph 2.10). This means we are to “lay aside the former way of life, the old humanity corrupted according to deceitful desires” and instead be clothed with “the new humanity created according to God in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Eph 4.22-24). Rather than lying to one another, we must “strip off the old humanity with its way of acting” and “be clothed with the new (humanity), renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it” (Col 3.9-10). “The ones who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts” and instead “walk by the spirit” (Gal 5.24-25). Ultimately, All Creation Although new creation is currently limited to those who voluntarily recognize Jesus as Lord, all “creation is waiting with eager expectation for the unveiling of the children of God” (Rom 8.19). Because of the Christ event, the created order eagerly awaits the day when it will escape “the enslavement of corruption” and gain “the freedom of the glory of the children of God” (v. 21). Like a bone out of joint, creation does not function properly. Once Christ sets it right, it will return to its proper order and operation under humanity's wise and capable rulership in the eschaton. Eschatology God predetermined that those who believe will be “conformed to the image of his son, that he be firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Rom 8.29). Thus, the resurrected Christ is the prototype, “the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor 15.20). Whereas “in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive” (v. 22). We await Christ's return to “transform the body of our humble station (that it be) shaped to his glorious body according to the energy which makes him able to also to subject all things to himself.” (Phil 3.21). This is the end goal of new creation: resurrected subjects of God's kingdom joyfully living in a renewed world without mourning, crying, and pain forevermore (Isa 65.17-25; Rev 21-22). The Powers Taking Col 1.16 as a new creation text adds key information about the present governing powers to this richly textured picture. In Christ God created thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities. He made these through Christ and for Christ with the result that Christ himself is before all things, and in Christ all things hold together (Col 1.17). He is the head of the body, the Church (Col 1.18). We find very similar language repeated in Ephesians in the context of Christ's exaltation.[61] Ephesians 1.20-23 20 Which [power] he energized in Christ having raised him from the dead and seated (him) on his right (hand) in the heavenlies 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name named, not only in this age but also in the one to come; 22 and he subjected all things under his feet and gave him (as) head over all things in the Church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in all. The parallels are striking. Both speak of Christ's resurrection, Christ's exalted position of authority over all the powers, Christ's role as head of the church, and both mention the fullness. It's easy to miss the connection between these two passages since most think of Eph 1.20-22 as ascension theology and Col 1.15-20 as creation theology. But, if we adjust our thinking to regard Col 1.16 as new creation, we see how the two fit together. In Ephesians we see Christ's ascension to God's right hand as the reason for a cosmic reordering of authorities with the result that all rule, authority, power, and dominion are subjected to him. (Though we may be accustomed to reading these powers in Eph 1.21 as only malevolent owing to Eph 2.2 and 6.12, the list here must be mixed, since only benevolent powers will survive the final judgement and continue into the age to come.) Instead of exaltation, in Colossians Paul employed the language of creation to describe Christ's relation to the powers. Perhaps lesser terms like reassign, reorder, or establish were just too small to adequately express the magnitude of how the Christ event has changed the world—both in heaven and on earth. The only term big enough to convey the new situation was “creation”—the very same word he routinely used elsewhere with the meaning of new creation.[62] We can gain more insight by considering what the powers of Eph 1.21 and Col 1.16 mean. McKnight saw them “as earthly, systemic manifestations of (perhaps fallen) angelic powers—hence, the systemic worldly, sociopolitical manifestations of cosmic/angelic rebellion against God.”[63] I partially agree with McKnight here. He's right to see the powers as both heavenly and earthly, or better, as the heavenly component of the earthly sociopolitical realities, but he has not made room for the new authority structures created in Christ. John Schoenheit helpfully explained it this way: Not only did Jesus create his Church out of Jew and Gentile, he had to create the structure and positions that would allow it to function, both in the spiritual world (positions for the angels that would minister to the Church—see Rev. 1:1, “his angel”) and in the physical world (positions and ministries here on earth—see Rom. 12:4-8; Eph. 4:7-11).[64] We must never forget that Paul has an apocalyptic worldview—a perspective that seeks to unveil the heavenly reality behind the earthly. He believed in powers of darkness and powers of light. In Christ were created thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities (Col 1.16). He is “the head of all rule and authority” (Col 2.10). These new creation realities make progress against the old powers that still hold sway in the world outside the Church. Although the old powers are still at work, those who are in Christ enjoy his protection. With respect to the Church, he has already “disarmed the rulers and authorities” (Col 2.15). We can don “the armor of God that we be able to stand against the methods of the devil” (Eph 6.11) and “subduing everything, to stand” (v. 13). We find glimpses of this heavenly reality scattered in other places in the Bible. Peter mentioned how Christ “is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and power having been subjected to him” (1 Pet 3.22). In John's Revelation, he addressed each of the seven letters to the angels of their respective churches.[65] Although it's hard for us to get details on precisely what happened at Christ's ascension, something major occurred, not just on earth, but also in the spiritual realm. Jesus's last recorded words in Matthew are: “all authority in heaven and upon earth was given to me” (Mat 28.18-20). Presumably such a statement implies that prior to his resurrection Jesus did not have all authority in heaven and earth. It didn't exist until it was created. Similarly, because of his death, resurrection, and ascension, Christ has “become so much better than the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to them” (Heb 1.4). Once again, the text implies that Christ was not already superior to the angels, but “after making purification of the sins, he sat on the right hand of the majesty on high” at which time he became preeminent (Heb 1.3). Perhaps this also explains something about why Christ “proclaimed to the spirits in prison” (1 Pet 3.19). Another possibility is that Christ's ascension (Rev 12.5) triggered a war in heaven (v. 7) with the result that the dragon and his angels suffered defeat (v. 8) and were thrown out of heaven down to the earth (v. 9). Sadly, for most of the history of the church we have missed this Jewish apocalyptic approach that was obvious to Paul, limiting salvation to individual sins and improved morality.[66] Only in the twentieth century did interpreters begin to see the cosmic aspect of new creation. Margaret Thrall wrote the following. The Christ-event is the turning-point of the whole world … This Christ ‘in whom' the believer lives is the last Adam, the inaugurator of the new eschatological humanity. … Paul is saying that if anyone exists ‘in Christ', that person is a newly-created being. … In principle, through the Christ-event and in the person of Christ, the new world and the new age are already objective realities.[67] New creation is, in the words of J. Louis Martyn “categorically cosmic and emphatically apocalyptic.”[68] In fact, “The advent of the Son and of his Spirit is thus the cosmic apocalyptic event.”[69] In Christ is the beginning of a whole new creation, an intersecting community of angelic and human beings spanning heaven and earth. The interlocking of earthly (visible) and heavenly (invisible) authority structures points to Paul's apocalyptic holism. The Church was not on her own to face the ravages of Rome's mad love affair with violence and power. In Christ, people were no longer susceptible to the whims of the gods that have wreaked so much havoc from time immemorial.[70] No, the Church is Christ's body under his direct supervision and protection. As a result, the Church is the eschatological cosmic community. It is not merely a social club; it has prophetic and cosmic dimensions. Prophetically, the Church points to the eschaton when all of humanity will behave then how the Church already strives to live now—by the spirit instead of the flesh (Gal 5.16-25). Cosmically, the Church is not confined to the earth. There is a heavenly dimension with authority structures instantiated under Christ to partner with the earthly assemblies. God's “plan for the fulness of the times” is “to head up all thing in the Christ, the things upon the heavens and the things upon the earth in him” (Eph 1.10). Although this is his eschatological vision, Zeilinger pointed out that it is already happening. [T]he eschatological world given in Christ is realized within the still-existing earthly creation through the inclusion of the human being in Christ, the exalted one, by means of the proclamation of salvation and baptism. The eschaton spreads throughout the world in the kerygma and becomes reality, in that the human being, through baptism, becomes part of Christ—that is, in unity with him, dies to the claim of the στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου (2.20) and is raised with him to receive his eschatological life. The people thus incorporated into the exalted Christ thereby form, in him and with him, the new creation of the eschaton within the old! The body of Christ is thus recognizable as the expanding Church. In it, heavenly and earthly space form, in a certain sense, a unity.[71] The Church is a counter society, and embassy of the future kingdom shining the light of the age to come into the present in the power of the spirit with the protection of Christ and his heavenly powers over against the powers of darkness, who/which are still quite active—especially in the political realities of our present evil age (Gal 1.4). We bend the knee to the cosmic Christ now in anticipation of the day when “every knee may bend: heavenly and earthly and subterranean” (Phil 2.10) and “every tongue may confess that Jesus Christ (is) Lord” (v. 11). Christ's destiny is to fulfil the original Adamic mandate to multiply, fill, and have dominion over the earth (Gen 1.28). He has already received all authority in heaven and earth (Mat 28.18). God has given him “dominion over the works of your hands and put all things under his feet” as the quintessential man (Ps 8.6). Even so, “Now we do not yet see all things subjected to him” (Heb 2.8), but when he comes “he will reign into the ages of the ages” (Rev 11.15). Until then, he calls the Church to recognize his preeminence and give him total allegiance both in word and deed. Conclusion We began by establishing that the structure of the poetic unit in Col 1.15-20 breaks into two strophes (15-18a and 18b-20). We noted that Paul likely incorporated pre-existing material into Colossians, editing it as he saw fit. Then we considered the problems with the three old creation readings: (A) Christ as the agent of creation, (B) Wisdom as the agent of creation, and (C) Christ as the purpose of creation. In the course of critiquing (A), which is by far most popular, we observed several reasons to think Col 1.16 pertained to new creation, including (1) the image of God language in v. 15a, (2) the firstborn of all creation language in v. 15b, (3) the head of the Church language in v. 18a, and (4) the soteriological context (frame) of the poem (vv. 13-14, 21-22). To this I added a fifth syntactical reason that 16d as an elaboration of “τἀ πάντα” (all things) of 16a. Next, we explored the idea of new creation, especially within Paul's epistles, to find a deep and richly textured paradigm for interpreting God's redemptive and expanding sphere of influence (in Christ) breaking into the hostile world. We saw that new Christians die and rise with Christ, ending their association with the old and beginning again as a part of the new—a community where old racial, legal, and status divisions no longer matter, where members put off the old way of living and instead become clothed with the new humanity, where people look forward to and live in light of the ultimate transformation to be brought about at the coming of Christ. Rather than limiting new creation to the salvation of individuals, or even the sanctifying experience of the community, we saw that it also includes spiritual powers both “in the heavens and upon the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities” (Col 1.16). Reading Col 1.15-20 along with Eph 1.20-23 we connected God's creation of the powers in Christ with his exaltation of Christ to his right hand “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Eph 1.21). The point from both texts is clear: as “the head of the body, the Church” (Col 1.18; Eph 1.22), Christ is “before all things” (Col 1.17), “first in all things” (Col 1.18), and “far above all” (Eph 1.21), since God has “subjected all things under his feet” (Eph 1.22). Christ is preeminent as the firstborn of all new creation, “the new Adam … the starting point where new creation took place.”[72] Although the old powers still hold sway in the world, those in the interlocked heaven-and-earth new creation domain where Christ is the head, enjoy his protection if they remain “in the faith established and steadfast and not shifting away from the hope of the gospel” (Col 1.23). This interpretation has several significant advantages. It fits into Paul's apocalyptic way of thinking about Christ's advent and exaltation. It also holds together the first strophe of the poem as a unit. Additionally, it makes better sense of the context. (The ecclesiology of Col 1.15-18a follows logically from the soteriological context of vv. 13-14.) Lastly, it is compatible with a wide range of Christological options. Appendix Here is Col 1.16 from Leedy's sentence diagrams.[73] Of note is how he equates the τὰ πάντα of 16a with 16c and 16d rather than seeing 16d as an elaboration of τά ὁρατά. Bibliography Bauer, Walter, Frederick William  Danker, William F. Arndt, F. Gingrich, Kurt Aland, Barbara Aland, and Viktor Reichmann. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3rd ed. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2000. Bird, Michael F. Colossians and Philemon. A New Covenant Commentary. Cambridge, England: The Lutterworth Press, 2009. Brown, Anna Shoffner. “Nothing ‘Mere’ About a Man in the Image of God.” Paper presented at the Unitarian Christian Alliance, Springfield, OH, Oct 14, 2022. Bruce, E. K. Simpson and F. F. The Epistles to the Ephesians and the Colossians. The New International Commentary on the New Testament, edited by Ned B. Stonehouse. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1957. Buzzard, Anthony F. Jesus Was Not a Trinitarian. Morrow, GA: Restoration Fellowship, 2007. Caird, G. B. New Testament Theology. Edited by L. D. Hurst. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press, 2002. Caird, G. B. Paul’s Letters from Prison. New Clarendon Bible, edited by H. F. D. Sparks. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1976. Carden, Robert. One God: The Unfinished Reformation. Revised ed. Naperville, IL: Grace Christian Press, 2016. Chang, Eric H. H. The Only Perfect Man. Edited by Bentley C. F. Chang. 2nd ed. Montreal, QC: Christian Disciples Church Publishers, 2017. Deuble, Jeff. Christ before Creeds. Latham, NY: Living Hope International Ministries, 2021. Dunn, James D. G. Christology in the Making. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996. Dunn, James D. G. The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon. New International Greek Testament Commentary, edited by Gasque Marshall, Hagner. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996. Heiser, Michael S. The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2019. King, Martha. An Exegetical Summary of Colossians. Dallas, TX: SIL International, 1992. Kuschel, Karl-Joseph. Born before All Time? Translated by John Bowden. New York, NY: Crossroad, 1992. Originally published as Beforen vor aller Zeit? Lane, William L. The New Testament Page by Page. Open Your Bible Commentary, edited by Martin Manser. Bath, UK: Creative 4 International, 2013. Leedy, Randy A. The Greek New Testament Sentence Diagrams. Norfolk, VA: Bible Works, 2006. Lohse, Edward. Colossians and Philemon. Hermeneia. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1971. MacDonald, William Graham. The Idiomatic Translation of the New Testament. Norfolk, VA: Bibleworks, 2012. Mark H. Graeser, John A. Lynn, John W. Schoenheit. One God & One Lord. 4th ed. Martinsville, IN: Spirit & Truth Fellowship International, 2010. Martin, Ralph. “An Early Christian Hymn (Col. 1:15-20).” The Evangelical Quarterly 36, no. 4 (1964): 195–205. Martyn, J. Louis. Theological Issues in the Letters of Paul. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1997. McGrath, James F. The Only True God: Early Christian Monotheism in Its Jewish Context. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 2009. McKnight, Scot. The Letter to the Colossians. New International Commentary on the New Testament, edited by Joel B. Green. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2018. Norden, Eduard. Agnostos Theos: Untersuchungen Zur Formengeschichte Religiöser Rede. 4th ed. Stuttgart, Germany: B. G. Teubner, 1956. Originally published as 1913. Pao, David. Colossians and Philemon. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary of the New Testament, edited by Clinton E. Arnold. Grand Rapid, MI: Zondervan, 2012. Perriman, Andrew. In the Form of a God. Studies in Early Christology, edited by David Capes Michael Bird, and Scott Harrower. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2022. Philo. The Works of Philo. The Norwegian Philo Concordance Project. Edited by Kåre Fuglseth Peder Borgen, Roald Skarsten. Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press, 2005. Robinson, James M. “A Formal Analysis of Colossians 1:15-20.” Journal of Biblical Literature 76, no. 4 (1957): 270–87. Schillebeeckx, Eduard. Christ: The Experience of Jesus as Lord. Translated by John Bowden. New York, NY: The Seabury Press, 1977. Schoberg, Gerry. Perspectives of Jesus in the Writings of Paul. Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, 2013. Schweizer, Eduard. The Letter to the Colossians. Translated by Andrew Chester. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1982. Smith, Dustin R. Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2024. Snedeker, Donald R. Our Heavenly Father Has No Equals. Bethesda, MD: International Scholars Publications, 1998. Thayer, Joseph Henry. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1996. Thrall, Margaret. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians. Vol. 1. The International Critical Commentary, edited by C. E. B. Cranfield J. A. Emerton, G. N. Stanton. Edinburgh, Scotland: T&T Clark, 1994. Wachtel, William M. “Colossians 1:15-20–Preexistence or Preeminence?” Paper presented at the 14th Theological Conference, McDonough, GA, 2005. Wessels, G. F. “The Eschatology of Colossians and Ephesians.” Neotestamentica 21, no. 2 (1987): 183–202. Witherington III, Ben The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary of the Captivity Epistles. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2007. Yates, Roy. The Epistle to the Colossians. London: Epworth Press, 1993. Zeilinger, Franz. Der Erstgeborene Der Schöpfung. Wien, Österreich: Herder, 1974. Footnotes [1] Since the nineteenth century biblical scholars have been divided over whether Paul wrote Colossians. One of the major reasons for thinking Paul didn't write Colossians is his exalted Christology—the very conclusion this paper seeks to undermine. A second major factor to argue against Pauline authorship is the difference in vocabulary, but this is explainable if Paul used a different amanuensis. The theologically more cosmic emphasis (also evident in Ephesians) is likely due to Paul's time in prison to reflect and expand his understanding of the Christ event. Lastly, the proto-Gnostic hints in Colossians do not require dating the epistle outside of Paul's time. Although Gnosticism flourished at the beginning of the second century, it was likely already beginning to incubate in Paul's time. [2] Eduard Schillebeeckx, Christ: The Experience of Jesus as Lord, trans. John Bowden (New York, NY: The Seabury Press, 1977), 185. [3] Schillebeeckx, 185. [4] G. B. Caird, Paul’s Letters from Prison, New Clarendon Bible, ed. H. F. D. Sparks (Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1976), 177. [5] Caird, 181. [6] James D. G. Dunn, The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon, New International Greek Testament Commentary, ed. Gasque Marshall, Hagner (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996), 91. “[W]hat at first reads as a straightforward assertion of Christ's pre-existenct activity in creation becomes on closer analysis an assertion which is rather more profound—not of Christ as such present with God in the beginning, nor of Christ as identified with a pre-existent hypostasis or divine being (Wisdom) beside God, but of Christ as embodying and expressing (and defining) that power of God which is the manifestation of God in and to his creation.” (Italics in original.) James D. G. Dunn, Christology in the Making, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996), 194. [7] James F. McGrath, The Only True God: Early Christian Monotheism in Its Jewish Context (Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 2009), 46. [8] Andrew Perriman, In the Form of a God, Studies in Early Christology, ed. David Capes Michael Bird, and Scott Harrower (Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2022), 200. [9] In addition, biblical unitarians routinely interpret Col 1.16 as new creation. See Anthony F. Buzzard, Jesus Was Not a Trinitarian (Morrow, GA: Restoration Fellowship, 2007), 189–90, Robert Carden, One God: The Unfinished Reformation, Revised ed. (Naperville, IL: Grace Christian Press, 2016), 197–200, Eric H. H. Chang, The Only Perfect Man, ed. Bentley C. F. Chang, 2nd ed. (Montreal, QC: Christian Disciples Church Publishers, 2017), 151–52, Jeff Deuble, Christ before Creeds (Latham, NY: Living Hope International Ministries, 2021), 163–66, John A. Lynn Mark H. Graeser, John W. Schoenheit, One God & One Lord, 4th ed. (Martinsville, IN: Spirit & Truth Fellowship International, 2010), 493–94, Donald R. Snedeker, Our Heavenly Father Has No Equals (Bethesda, MD: International Scholars Publications, 1998), 291–92, William M. Wachtel, “Colossians 1:15-20–Preexistence or Preeminence?” (paper presented at the 14th Theological Conference, McDonough, GA, 2005), 4. [10] All translations are my own. [11] Stophes are structural divisions drawn from Greek odes akin to stanzas in poetry or verses in music. [12] Throughout I will capitalize Church since that reflects the idea of all Christians collectively not just those in a particular local assembly. [13] Eduard Norden, Agnostos Theos: Untersuchungen Zur Formengeschichte Religiöser Rede, 4th ed. (Stuttgart, Germany: B. G. Teubner, 1956), 250–54. [14] James M. Robinson, “A Formal Analysis of Colossians 1:15-20,” Journal of Biblical Literature 76, no. 4 (1957): 272–73. [15] Edward Lohse, Colossians and Philemon, Hermeneia (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1971), 44. [16] Eduard Schweizer, The Letter to the Colossians, trans. Andrew Chester (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1982), 57. [17] Dunn, The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon, 84. [18] Ben  Witherington III, The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary of the Captivity Epistles (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2007), 129. [19] William L. Lane, The New Testament Page by Page, Open Your Bible Commentary, ed. Martin Manser (Bath, UK: Creative 4 International, 2013), 765. [20] E. K. Simpson and F. F. Bruce, The Epistles to the Ephesians and the Colossians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament, ed. Ned B. Stonehouse (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1957), 65. [21] Michael F. Bird, Colossians and Philemon, A New Covenant Commentary (Cambridge, England: The Lutterworth Press, 2009), 50. [22] David Pao, Colossians and Philemon, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary of the New Testament, ed. Clinton E. Arnold (Grand Rapid, MI: Zondervan, 2012), 87. [23] Lohse, 42. [24] Lohse, 43–44. [25] Scot McKnight, The Letter to the Colossians, New International Commentary on the New Testament, ed. Joel B. Green (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2018), 144. [26] Col 1.13-14: “who rescued us from the authority of darkness and transferred (us) into the kingdom of his beloved son in whom we have the redemption, the forgiveness of the sins.” Col 1.21-22: “And you being formerly alienated and hostile in thought in the evil deeds, but now he reconciled (you) in his body of the flesh through the death to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him.” [27] In fact, we can easily skip from vv. 13-14 to vv. 21-22. [28] Dunn, Christology in the Making, 187–88. [29] Sadly, most translations erroneously insert a paragraph between vv. 14 and 15. This produces the visual effect that v. 15 is a new thought unit. [30] Bruce, 193. [31] Moses 2.65: “τὴν ἡγεμονίαν τῶν περιγείων” in Philo, The Works of Philo, The Norwegian Philo Concordance Project (Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press, 2005). See also Sirach 17.3. [32] Schweizer, 64. [33] For a helpful treatment of how the image of God relates to Christology, see Anna Shoffner Brown, “Nothing ‘Mere’ About a Man in the Image of God” (paper presented at the Unitarian Christian Alliance, Springfield, OH, Oct 14, 2022). [34] Walter Bauer et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2000), s.v. “πρωτότοκος,” 2.a. [35] Franz Zeilnger wrote, “Christ is temporally the first of a series that essentially proceeds from him, and at the same time its lord and head.” Franz Zeilinger, Der Erstgeborene Der Schöpfung (Wien, Österreich: Herder, 1974), 182. Original: “als “Wurzel” ist Christus zeitlich der erste einer Reihe, die wesentlich aus ihm hervorgeht, und zugleich ihr Herr und Haupt.” [36] McKnight, 85–86. [37] The closest parallels are 1 Cor 8.6; Heb 1.2; and John 1.3, which employ the preposition δια (through). Upon close examination these three don't teach Christ created the universe either. [38] ESV, CSB, NASB, etc. Notably the NET diverges from the other evangelical translations. Roman Catholic, mainline, and unitarian translations all tend to straightforwardly render “ἐν αὐτῷ” as “in him” in Col 1.16; cf. NABRE, NRSVUE, OGFOMMT, etc. [39] Chang, 150. [40] Ralph Martin, “An Early Christian Hymn (Col. 1:15-20),” The Evangelical Quarterly 36, no. 4 (1964): 198. [41] Schillebeeckx, 186. [42] Dunn, Christology in the Making, 191. [43] Karl-Joseph Kuschel, Born before All Time?, trans. John Bowden (New York, NY: Crossroad, 1992), 336. [44] Dustin R. Smith, Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2024), 5–6. For more on wisdom Christology in Col 1.16 see Dunn, The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon, 89, Roy Yates, The Epistle to the Colossians (London: Epworth Press, 1993), 18–19, 23, G. B. Caird, New Testament Theology, ed. L. D. Hurst (Oxford, England: Clarendon Press, 2002), 46, McGrath, 44, 46. [45] See Dunn, The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon, 89. See also Yates, 18–19, 23. [46] Dunn, Christology in the Making, 190. [47] Perriman, 199. [48] Martha King, An Exegetical Summary of Colossians (Dallas, TX: SIL International, 1992), 53. [49] Joseph Henry Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1996), s.v. “ἐν,” 1722. He recognized the cause was both instrumental and final. [50] William Graham MacDonald, The Idiomatic Translation of the New Testament (Norfolk, VA: Bibleworks, 2012). [51] Chang, 147. Similarly James McGrath wrote, “[I]f all things were intended by God to find their fulfillment in Christ, then they must have been created “in him” in the very beginning in some undefined sense, since it was axiomatic that the eschatological climax of history would be a restoration of its perfect, original state.” McGrath, 46. [52] Caird, Paul’s Letters from Prison, 172. [53] “God so designed the universe that it was to achieve its proper meaning and unity only under the authority of man (Gen. 128; Ps. 86). But this purpose was not to be implemented at once; it was ‘to be put into effect when the time was ripe' (Eph. 110), when Christ had lived a human life as God intended it, and had become God's image in a measure which was never true of Adam. Only in unity with ‘the proper man' could the universe be brought to its destined coherence. For one who believes in predestination it is but a small step from this to saying that the universe was created in him.” Caird, Paul’s Letters from Prison, 178. [54] See also Paul's Adam Christology in Rom 5.12-21; 1 Cor 15.21-22, 45-49. [55] “Christus ist (durch seine Auferstehung aus dem Todesbereich) Herr über den ihm verliehenen Besitz, dessen ἀρχή und Urbild er ist, … und Haupt und Anfang der eschatologischen Neuschöpfung!” Zeilinger, 188. [56] King, 54. [57] Perriman, 200. [58] G. F. Wessels, “The Eschatology of Colossians and Ephesians,” Neotestamentica 21, no. 2 (1987): 187. [59] I realize my translation is awkward, but I prioritized closely mirroring the Greek over presenting smooth English. The original reads, “συνεζωοποίησεν ὑμᾶς σὺν αὐτῷ.” [60] Schillebeeckx, 187. [61] Scholars who make this connection include Caird, New Testament Theology, 216, Caird, Paul’s Letters from Prison, 177, McGrath, 44, Perriman, 201. [62] In fact, only two of the texts I cited above explicitly say “new creation” (2 Cor 5.17 and Gal 6.15). In all the others, Paul blithely employed creation language, expecting his readers to understand that he was not talking about the creation of the universe, but the creation of the new humanity in Christ—the Church. [63] McKnight, 152. [64] Mark H. Graeser, 493. [65] Rev 2.1, 8, 12, 18; 3.1, 7, 14. [66] See Gerry Schoberg, Perspectives of Jesus in the Writings of Paul (Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, 2013), 280–81, 83. [67] Margaret Thrall, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, vol. 1, The International Critical Commentary, ed. C. E. B. Cranfield J. A. Emerton, G. N. Stanton (Edinburgh, Scotland: T&T Clark, 1994), 423, 26–28. [68] J. Louis Martyn, Theological Issues in the Letters of Paul (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1997), 122. [69] Martyn, 121. [70] Whether the old gods actually existed or not is a topic beyond the scope of this paper. Interested readers should consult Michael S. Heiser, The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2019). [71] “[D]ie in Christus gegebene echatologische Welt verwirkliche sich innerhalb der weiterhin existenten irdischen Schöpfung durch die Einbeziehung des Menschen in Christus, den Erhöhten, mittles Heilsverkündigung und Taufe. Das Eschaton setzt sic him Kerygma wetweit durch und wird Wirklichkeit, indem der Mensch durch die Taufe Christi Teil wird, d. h. in Einheit mit ihm dem Anspruch der στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου stirbt (2, 20) und mit ihm auferweckt sein eschatologisches Leben erhält. Die so dem erhöhten Christus eingegliederten Menschen bilden somit in ihm und mit ihm die neue Schöpfung der Eschata innerhalb der alten! Der Christusleib ist somit als sich weitende Kirche erkennbar. In ihr bildet himmlischer und irdischer Raum gewissermaßen eine Einheit.” Zeilinger, 179. [72] “Der neue Adam … Ausgangsort, in dem sich Neuschöpfung ereignete,” Zeilinger, 199. [73] Randy A. Leedy, The Greek New Testament Sentence Diagrams (Norfolk, VA: Bible Works, 2006). This is now available in Logos Bible Software.

On today's show, we chat with Rachael Mann!At the age of seven, Rachael discovered her passion for singing—a gift she attributes to God. Self-trained and a pianist by ear, she quickly developed an ear for harmonies, allowing her to explore her musical talents with ease.Rachael began her musical journey in church, performing her first solo at ten years old with "Somebody Love Me" by Michael W. Smith. Little did she know, nearly a decade later, she would sing with him on one of his albums.Rachael's career gained momentum as she opened for renowned artists such as J. Moss, Salvador, Jars of Clay, and Big Daddy Weave. During the early years of Church of the Highlands' launch in Birmingham, she also served as one of its primary worship leaders. In addition to her live performances, Rachael lent her voice to commercial jingles for major brands including McDonald's and Williamson Medical Center in Nashville. She also has been in several music videos for artists such as Brandon Heath “Give Me Your Eyes” and Salvador “What Would It Be Like”.Relocating to Nashville allowed Rachael to further pursue her dreams. She appeared on two episodes of The 700 Club and worked on her second music project, “The First Noel”, while performing for various events and festivals including CTN Network's “Bridges”. Her contributions to Michael W. Smith's Hymns album reached fans nationwide. In 2016, Rachael had the incredible opportunity to sing with Carrie Underwood at the CMT Awards. Rachael has also been a Production Assistant for American Idol and the GMA Dove Awards.As a recurring guest on Atlanta Live and Atlanta & Company, Rachael has touched millions of viewers. She has been featured on National and Internation radio stations including 93.7 WDJC, Revocation Radio, WIAM Radio, and Victory 91.5 FM, The Antidote, Effect Radio and more!Notably, Rachael's song "Control" was produced by Nathan Walters, a RIAA Gold & Platinum Certified, Dove Award-winning artist and member of Plus One. She has had the honor of singing the National Anthem for various sports teams, including the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Dream, The Savannah Bananas and the Kansas City Royals to name a few, and was a top finalist on Nationally Syndicated The Bert Show for a Thanksgiving song contest. Rachael released her Christmas single, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” in collaboration with producer Nathan Walters on November 1st, 2024. Rachael Mann's powerful new single, "Unfiltered," is out now! This deeply personal song invites listeners into a place of raw honesty and total vulnerability before the Lord — a reminder that true worship begins when we lay down the masks and come just as we are.rachaelmann.org@rachaelmannmusicchristianmusicguys.com@christianmusicguys

In this episode of the Epigenetics Podcast, we talked with Erica Korb from the University of Pennsylvania about her work on BRD4 and the histone variant H2BE, which influences synaptic genes and neuronal activity. Dr. Korb discusses the focus of her lab, which centers on epigenetic mechanisms impacting gene regulation in neurons. Her research primarily examines histone biology and its connection to neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities. Dr. Korb expounds on the collaborative environment at UPenn's Epigenetics Institute, emphasizing how the rich diversity of research topics fosters innovative ideas and projects within the community. Reflecting on her earlier work from her postdoctoral studies, Dr. Korb discusses her first significant findings regarding the protein BRD4. This work demonstrated BRD4's role in mediating transcriptional regulation crucial for learning and memory processes. She explains how disrupting this protein's function in neurons hindered critical gene activations required for memory formation in mice. This foundational understanding opened avenues for exploring the broader implications of chromatin regulation in various neurodevelopmental conditions. Transitioning into her current research endeavors, Dr. Korb reveals how she aims to expand her focus beyond Fragile X syndrome. With her lab now investigating multiple chromatin regulators implicated in various forms of autism spectrum disorders, she describes a recent project where RNA sequencing exposed substantial overlaps in gene expression changes associated with five distinct chromatin modifiers, each contributing uniquely to neuronal function while collectively demonstrating sensitivity to chromatin disruptions. A significant portion of the discussion centers around Dr. Korb's unexpected exploration into how COVID-19 intersects with chromatin biology through a phenomenon known as histone mimicry. Leveraging bioinformatic tools during the pandemic, her lab discovered that certain viral proteins mimic histone sequences, which may lead to altered transcriptional outputs in host cells. This coincidental finding illustrates both the creative adaptability needed in scientific research and the importance of collaborative efforts across disciplines to uncover new insights. The conversation also delves into Dr. Korb's recent work regarding the histone variant H2BE, initiated by one of her graduate students. She explains how prior research only recognized H2BE's expression in the olfactory system, yet her lab has demonstrated its significant role in regulating synaptic genes and memory formation throughout broader neuronal contexts. Notably, they identified a single amino acid change that influences H2BE's function in chromatin accessibility and gene transcription, emphasizing its potential evolutionary conservation across species. In terms of H2BE's role, Dr. Korb elucidates that its activity is integral in response to extracellular stimuli, particularly within the context of neuronal activation. Intriguingly, they found that H2BE expression decreases in reaction to long-term neuronal stimulation, suggesting a complex mechanism of homeostatic plasticity crucial for regulating neuronal activity levels. This research not only advances understanding of chromatin dynamics but also holds implications for neuronal health and disease mechanisms.   References Feierman, E. R., Louzon, S., Prescott, N. A., Biaco, T., Gao, Q., Qiu, Q., Choi, K., Palozola, K. C., Voss, A. J., Mehta, S. D., Quaye, C. N., Lynch, K. T., Fuccillo, M. V., Wu, H., David, Y., & Korb, E. (2024). Histone variant H2BE enhances chromatin accessibility in neurons to promote synaptic gene expression and long-term memory. Molecular cell, 84(15), 2822–2837.e11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2024.06.025 Korb, E., Herre, M., Zucker-Scharff, I., Gresack, J., Allis, C. D., & Darnell, R. B. (2017). Excess Translation of Epigenetic Regulators Contributes to Fragile X Syndrome and Is Alleviated by Brd4 Inhibition. Cell, 170(6), 1209–1223.e20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2017.07.033 Kee, J., Thudium, S., Renner, D. M., Glastad, K., Palozola, K., Zhang, Z., Li, Y., Lan, Y., Cesare, J., Poleshko, A., Kiseleva, A. A., Truitt, R., Cardenas-Diaz, F. L., Zhang, X., Xie, X., Kotton, D. N., Alysandratos, K. D., Epstein, J. A., Shi, P. Y., Yang, W., … Korb, E. (2022). SARS-CoV-2 disrupts host epigenetic regulation via histone mimicry. Nature, 610(7931), 381–388. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05282-z Feierman, E. R., Paranjapye, A., Su, S., Qiu, Q., Wu, H., & Korb, E. (2024). Histone variant H2BE controls activity-dependent gene expression and homeostatic scaling. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology, 2024.11.01.620920. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.11.01.620920   Related Episodes Neuroepigenetic Mechanisms and Primate Epigenome Evolution (Boyan Bonev) DNA Methylation Alterations in Neurodegenerative Diseases (Paula Desplats) The Role of Histone Dopaminylation and Serotinylation in Neuronal Plasticity (Ian Maze)   Contact Epigenetics Podcast on Mastodon Epigenetics Podcast on Bluesky Dr. Stefan Dillinger on LinkedIn Active Motif on LinkedIn Active Motif on Bluesky Email: podcast@activemotif.com

Andrew Cheung boasts over 25 years of invaluable experience as a Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer of 01 Quantum Inc. Throughout his illustrious career, he has consistently spearheaded cutting-edge innovations, and driven product development, resulting in a portfolio of 9 patents within the computer software industry. Notably, his outstanding contributions were recognized with a nomination for the prestigious Ernst and Young Entrepreneur-Of-The-Year award in 2001.Andrew remains at the forefront of technological advancements with his latest focus on Post-Quantum Cybersecurity.   With over 15 years of hands-on experience and extensive expertise in patent application, prosecution, and litigation processes, he has established himself as a formidable force in the field.  His groundbreaking work in Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), leveraging NIST-approved quantum-resistant algorithms, is a testament to his forward-thinking approach.  By combining his PQC engine with patent-protected measures into a wide array of applications, including cryptocurrencies, emails, and AI machine learning systems.  This proactive approach ensures robust protection against potential cyber threats posed by quantum computers, thereby safeguarding the integrity of classical computer systems as we know them today.In this conversation, we discuss:- The history of quantum computing- Quantum's threat to crypto- Building a quantum-safe crypto token- 01's partnership with Hitachi- When will Q-Day arrive?- RSA and elliptic curve encryption- When Q-Day comes, public keys are the most at risk- The crossover of AI and quantum safety- 01 Quantum's partnership with the new crypto foundation01 Quantum IncWebsite: www.01com.comX: @01quantumincLinkedIn: 01 Communique Inc Andrew CheungX: @acheungquantumLinkedIn: Andrew Cheung---------------------------------------------------------------------------------This episode is brought to you by PrimeXBT.PrimeXBT offers a robust trading system for both beginners and professional traders that demand highly reliable market data and performance. Traders of all experience levels can easily design and customize layouts and widgets to best fit their trading style. PrimeXBT is always offering innovative products and professional trading conditions to all customers.  PrimeXBT is running an exclusive promotion for listeners of the podcast. After making your first deposit, 50% of that first deposit will be credited to your account as a bonus that can be used as additional collateral to open positions. Code: CRYPTONEWS50 This promotion is available for a month after activation. Click the link below: PrimeXBT x CRYPTONEWS50

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly investing in artificial intelligence (AI), with a significant portion planning to allocate between $25,000 and $1 million towards technology this year. A recent GTIA survey revealed that 63% of SMBs believe AI will be the most impactful technology in the next two years, and 65% of executives view technology as crucial for achieving business goals. Despite economic uncertainties, 35% of these businesses intend to invest unexpected financial gains into cutting-edge technology, indicating a strong desire for innovation. Notably, many SMBs are purchasing technology directly from vendors, signaling a shift in the market dynamics.The labor market for small businesses is showing signs of change, with a report indicating a decrease in unfilled job openings. While 33% of small business owners reported unfilled positions in July, down from 36% in June, the challenges of finding qualified workers persist. A net 14% of small business owners plan to hire new employees in the upcoming quarter, particularly in skilled trade sectors like construction and transportation. This commitment to growth amidst a tight labor market suggests that automation and AI solutions may become more appealing to SMBs as they seek to enhance efficiency.Major tech companies are reporting strong earnings, with Microsoft leading the way. The company achieved a revenue of $76.4 billion for the fourth quarter of its fiscal year, driven by a 34% increase in Azure cloud services. Amazon and Google also reported significant revenue growth, particularly in their cloud services, with Amazon's AWS generating $30.9 billion. The competitive landscape is shifting, as Microsoft's Bing is gaining market share from Google, highlighting the importance of AI integration in driving business success.Concerns about the integrity of economic data are rising, particularly following the recent job report that showed the weakest job creation since 2010. The report's findings prompted political controversy, including the firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner by President Trump. Experts warn that declining survey response rates and limited resources threaten the accuracy of critical economic indicators. This situation raises alarms about the reliability of data used for economic forecasting, emphasizing the need for trustworthy metrics in navigating the current economic landscape.Three things to know today 00:00 AI Demand, Tight Labor, and Vendor Direct Sales Redefine the SMB Technology Landscape05:16 Microsoft Posts Record $76.4B Quarter, Azure Up 34%, Bing Gains Search Share from Google10:10 Buyers Reject Multiyear SaaS Contracts Amid Rapid AI-Driven Product Changes13:03 Weak Jobs Data Spurs Political Shake-Up as Trump Fires BLS Commissioner, Raising Trust Concerns This is the Business of Tech.    Supported by:  https://syncromsp.com/ Tell us about a newsletter!https://bit.ly/biztechnewsletter All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech

The brand-new “Trump account” is a tax-deferred savings option for American children created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. I break down who's eligible for up to $1,000 in free government contributions, how these accounts work, and how they stack up against other popular savings vehicles like 529 plans, IRAs, custodial accounts, and regular brokerage accounts. If you're a parent or grandparent thinking about the best way to jumpstart your child's financial future, you'll want to tune in for my honest comparison of the Trump account's pros, cons, and quirks, plus tips on making the most of these new opportunities. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [00:00] Trump accounts for children, including eligibility and benefits, compared to other savings options. [04:52] Invest in low-cost US index funds for a child's account. [08:41] 529 accounts offer conservative investment options and potential benefits for education savings. [11:59] Consider a regular brokerage account instead of a Trump account, especially if it's not for college. What Parents Need to Know About the New Trump Account Saving for your child's future can be complicated, and with the introduction of the new “Trump account” via the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, parents have another option to consider. In a recent episode of the Retire with Ryan podcast, host Ryan Morrissey breaks down the ins and outs of this novel account.  What is the Trump Account? The Trump account, established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, is a new type of tax-deferred investment account specifically designed for American children. It bears similarities to familiar accounts like IRAs and 529s in that all investments inside the Trump account grow tax-deferred, letting parents and children potentially maximize compounding returns.  Eligible children, those born between January 1st, 2025, and December 31st, 2028, are entitled to a $1,000 government contribution just for opening the account, regardless of parental income. That's free money that, when invested early, could grow substantially over time. How Does the Trump Account Work? Parents (or guardians) can contribute up to $5,000 per child per year (indexed for inflation starting 2027) until the child turns 18, and employers can contribute up to $2,500 annually, also not counted as taxable income for the child. The account must be opened at investment firms, which are required to limit investment options to low-cost index funds (with expense ratios under 0.10%), such as S&P 500, total stock market, or similar broad-market funds. Once the child turns 18, they gain full access to all the assets in the account. Investments in the account benefit from tax-deferred growth, and withdrawals are taxed at favorable capital gains rates (15% or 20%) rather than ordinary income rates. How Do Trump Accounts Compare to Other Savings Options? Traditional & Roth IRAs: IRAs, including Roth IRAs, require earned income to contribute, posing a barrier for most children. While Roth IRAs trump Trump accounts for long-term tax benefits (withdrawals are tax-free), children generally can't access this unless they have income from work. Also, traditional IRAs add tax deductions but are taxed as ordinary income on withdrawal, compared to the Trump account's capital gains treatment. 529 College Savings Plans: 529s are tailored for college expenses, offering tax-free withdrawals for qualified education costs and sometimes state tax deductions. Plus, investment options can become more conservative as your child nears college age, something currently unavailable in Trump accounts, which are stock-only (at least for now). If used for non-educational purposes, 529s face ordinary income tax and penalties, whereas Trump accounts are taxed at capital gains rates for any withdrawal purpose. Brokerage & Custodial Accounts (UGMA/UTMA): A plain taxable brokerage in the parents' name offers flexibility, letting parents control access and investment options, paying minimal taxes on dividends each year. Custodial accounts shift tax liability to the child but must legally transfer to the child between ages 18 and 25, depending on state laws. Notably, assets in a child's name weigh more heavily against them on financial aid forms than if held by the parent. Who Should Consider Opening a Trump Account? If your child will be born between 2025 and 2028, opening a Trump account is almost a no-brainer to snag the free $1,000. But for ongoing contributions, think about your goals: Saving for college? Stick to a 529 plan for tax-free education withdrawals and more investment flexibility. Want to help your child start life with a nest egg for any purpose? Trump accounts work, but remember your child gets full control at 18. Prefer more flexibility or control over when and how your child accesses the funds? Explore regular or custodial brokerage accounts. The Trump account is an interesting addition to the range of savings vehicles for children, especially thanks to the initial government contribution and low-cost investment options. Still, its quirks, like the child's access at 18 and limited investment choices, mean it won't be a perfect fit for every family. Analyze your family's needs, long-term goals, and how much control you wish to maintain before making your move. Resources Mentioned Retirement Readiness Review Subscribe to the Retire with Ryan YouTube Channel Download my entire book for FREE  Connect With Morrissey Wealth Management  www.MorrisseyWealthManagement.com/contact   Subscribe to Retire With Ryan

A political storm is brewing on Capitol Hill as the House Oversight Committee issues 11 subpoenas tied to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Targets include Bill and Hillary Clinton, former FBI directors James Comey and Robert Mueller, and six former attorneys general. Chair James Comer is demanding unredacted DOJ files by Aug. 19, with depositions beginning Oct. 14. Notably, former U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta, who negotiated Epstein's 2008 “sweetheart deal,” is not on the subpoena list. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if one could prepare their business for a future that doesn't exist yet? With technology evolving at an exceedingly fast pace and AI gaining momentum over the past few years, businesses are having to adjust on the fly or risk being left behind. However, one company, is helping business leaders and CEOs prepare for these technological advancements. That company is Singularity University and I recently caught up with Aaron Vaccaro, the president of Singularity UniversityAaron talks about his background, what the Singularity University does, shifting peoples mindsets, generative AI tools, biological computing and more.More about Singularity University:Since its founding in 2008, Singularity University (SU) has hosted programs and experiences designed for professionals seeking to transform their organisations through exponential technology education and new mindsets. All participants leave their SU experience with the tools, skills, and knowledge they need to prepare for the future of tech.With over 100 experts in various fields who present and speak at SU events around the world, attendees are privileged to the insights of the world of tech, biotech, and more. Among those discussions, they even discuss the endless possibilities of the future, and what leaders and businesses can expect five, even ten years down the road.With a great backing of investors such as the WestRiver Group,Globant AI Powerhouse, Silicon Valley Bank, and Anima Educacao, SU has earned the support of some of the tech industry's largest names across borders. Notably, since its founding, Google and NASA have been among the companies to support SU and its endeavors.

Why I'm not finished yet seeking to improve my rowing technique. Timestamps 00:45 There is no stroke I've ever taken which is perfect yet why do I keep trying? My rowing started as a student in a bank tub, a tub pair and then a clinker eight. One of my first videos showed that I lunged at the catch - this fault has stayed with me ever since! I revert and then correct many times. 03:00 The importance of drills Taught me ways to separate each part of the stroke or exaggerate the movements - so I learned to separate different body parts moving. 04:00 Sculling - a new challenge Starting to scull I began to learn how to make the boat glide. I could see why people choose rowing because it felt so good. The learning journey is a series of steps - I had jumped ahead and then couldn't regain that feeling. I needed to go back and fill in the gaps in my learning so that I could consistently make the movements. Single sculling taught me how to recruit more muscles - how each part contributes to the rowing stroke. Notably, my glutes were a gap in my learning. It also helped my mental endeavour - anything happening was caused by me and the resolution was also mine. I took on new challenges like steering and sweeping on both sides. Sculling taught me boat feel - how the boat responded to the water conditions and the weather. External stimuli taught me how to adjust the stroke to respond to these. Dissipating negative effects caused by externalities or taking advantage of positive influences. Small adjustments to how I was sculling was a good lesson. 07:00 Style versus technique The continuous learning journey is a series of steps forward and backwards. I came to understand the difference between rowing style and technique - viewing scullers from a distance, you can recognise individual people. Now as a masters rower, aging adds another dimension. As my body changes I'm making different adaptations and changes e.g. strength training. And different challenges - learning to blend crews together from differing techniques. The pleasure of making a crew fire by everyone making small changes so we together make the boat go better is high. My perfect stroke today in this crew will be different from that in another crew lineup. The journey is never only, the challenges continue. Enjoying the process of the journey rather than seeking a singular destination is why I love being a masters rower still working on finding the perfect stroke. Want easy live streams like this? Instant broadcasts to Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn. Faster Masters uses StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5694205242376192

The Mishna in Masechet Ta'anit (26b) states that one may not eat meat or drink wine during the final meal before Tisha B'Ab. This is the only restriction on the consumption of meat mentioned by the Mishna or Gemara. On the level of strict Halacha, one is permitted to eat meat during the days preceding Tisha B'Ab, and even on the day before Tisha B'Ab, except during the last meal before the fast. However, customs were accepted among many Jewish communities to abstain from meat already earlier. The Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 551:9) brings three customs. Some refrain from eating meat already from after Shabbat Hazon (the Shabbat immediately preceding Tisha B'Ab); others observe this restriction throughout the Nine Days; and others follow the practice not to eat meat throughout the entire three-week from Shiba Asar Be'Tammuz through Tisha B'Ab. The Shulhan Aruch writes that everyone should follow his community's custom. Of course, this prohibition applies only on weekdays. According to all customs, one may eat meat on Shabbat, even the Shabbat before Tisha B'Ab. These customs developed for two reasons: 1) as part of our obligation to reduce our joy during this period when we are to reflect upon the destruction of the Bet Ha'mikdash; 2) the destruction of the Bet Ha'mikdash resulted in the discontinuation of the offering of sacrifices, such that G-d no longer has meat, as it were, so we, too, should not enjoy meat. The Gemara (Baba Batra 60b) states that there were those who, after the destruction of the Bet Ha'mikdash, decided to abstain from meat and wine, since there were no longer animal sacrifices or wine libations offered to G-d. However, they were told that by this logic, they should also refrain from grain products, because flour offerings (Menahot) could no longer be offered, and even from water, because the water libations (Nisuch Ha'mayim) were no longer offered. Quite obviously, we cannot live this way, and so we are not required to abstain from those products which were offered in the Bet Ha'mikdash. Nevertheless, as part of our effort to focus our attention on the tragedy of the Hurban (destruction) in the period leading to Tisha B'Ab, the custom developed to refrain from meat. Notably, not all communities accepted these restrictions. The Maggid Mishneh (Rav Vidal of Tolosa, Spain, late 14 th century) writes that in his area, the custom was to permit meat except on Ereb Tisha B'Ab. The Meiri (Provence, 1249-1315) writes that there was a practice among the exceptionally pious to refrain from meat on Ereb Tisha B'Ab, but even they did not refrain from meat before that day. Regardless, the Shulhan Aruch emphasizes that people whose communities observe the custom to refrain from meat during this period must adhere to the custom. Those who violate this practice are included in King Shlomo's stern warning in Kohelet (10:8), "U'foretz Geder Yishechehu Nahash" – "He who breaches a fence, a snake shall bite him." Even if a restriction that applies on the level of custom, and not as strict Halacha, is binding and must be obeyed. Nevertheless, since refraining from meat is required only by force of custom, there is greater room for leniency than there is when dealing with strict Halachic prohibitions. Thus, it has become accepted to permit meat when a Siyum celebration is held, and one should not ridicule those who rely on this leniency. In fact, it is told that Rav Moshe Feinstein (1895-1986) would conduct a Siyum every night during the Nine Days in the place where he would spend his summers, so that the people could eat meat. Since the prohibition to begin with is observed by force of custom, and not on the level of strict Halacha, the leniency of a Siyum is perfectly legitimate. In practice, when should we begin abstaining from meat? The accepted custom in our Syrian community is to begin refraining from eating meat from the second day of Ab. Although different opinions exist regarding the consumption of meat on Rosh Hodesh Ab, our custom follows the view of the Hida (Rav Haim Yosef David Azulai, 1724-1806) permitting the consumption of meat on this day. This was also the custom in Baghdad, as mentioned by the Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909), and this is the generally accepted custom among Sepharadim. One who does not know his family's custom can follow this practice and begin refraining from meat on the second day of Ab. The Kaf Ha'haim (Rav Yaakov Haim Sofer, Baghdad-Jerusalem, 1870-1939) cites an earlier source (Seder Ha'yom) as ruling that Torah scholars should follow the stringent practice of abstaining from meat already from Shiba Asar Be'Tammuz. However, recent Poskim – including Hacham Ovadia Yosef – ruled that since nowadays people are frailer than in the past, and Torah scholars need strength to continue their studies and their teaching, they should not observe this stringency. They should instead follow the more common custom to refrain from meat only after Rosh Hodesh Ab. One who wishes to eat a meat meal late in the day on Rosh Hodesh Ab should ensure not to recite Arbit early, before sundown. Once he recites Arbit, he in effect ends Rosh Hodesh, and begins the second day of Ab when eating meat is forbidden. One who wishes to recite Arbit early on Rosh Hodesh Ab must ensure to finish eating meat beforehand. The custom among the Yemenite Jewish community was to follow the Mishna's ruling, and permit eating meat except during the final meal before Tisha B'Ab. However, Hacham Ovadia Yosef ruled that once the Yemenites emigrated to Eretz Yisrael, they should follow the rulings of the Shulhan Aruch, and abstain from meat during the Nine Days. This prohibition applies even to meat that is not fresh, such as it if was canned or frozen. The Nehar Misrayim (Rav Aharon Ben Shimon, 1847-1928) records the custom among the Jewish community in Egypt to permit eating chicken during the Nine Days. As mentioned earlier, one of the reasons for the practice to refrain from meat is that we commemorate the loss of sacrificial meat in the Bet Ha'mikdash. Accordingly, Egyptian Jews permitted eating chicken, as chickens were not brought as sacrifices. This is the custom among Jews of Egyptian background even today. The Shulhan Aruch (551:10), however, explicitly includes chicken in his formulation of the custom to refrain from meat during the Nine Days. The Mishna Berura writes that one who is unable to eat dairy products (such as if he suffers from a milk allergy), and thus has limited options for food during the Nine Days, may eat chicken. If one needs to eat meat for health reasons, he should preferably eat chicken instead of beef, as there is greater room for leniency when it comes to chicken. Hacham Ovadia Yosef writes that if one removed the meat from a dish that consisted also of other food – such as if the meatballs were removed from the spaghetti – then, strictly speaking, the remaining food is permissible. Nevertheless, it is customary to be stringent in this regard and refrain from eating food which had been cooked together with meat. If parve food was prepared in a meat pot, the food may be eaten during the Nine Days, since it does not have meat in it. Even if the pot had been used with meat less than 24 hours before it was used to cook the parve food, the parve food may be eaten. This food contains the taste of meat, but not actual meat, and it is thus entirely permissible during the Nine Days. (In fact, according to the ruling of the Shulhan Aruch, this parve food may be eaten together with milk or yoghurt. The meat taste in this food has the status of "Noten Ta'am Bar Noten Ta'am" – a "second degree" taste, as the pot absorbed the taste of the meat, and the parve food then absorbed the taste from the pot. At this point, the taste does not forbid the food from being eaten with milk.) Hacham Ovadia Yosef allowed eating soup from bouillon cubes or bouillon powder during the Nine Days. It is permissible to eat fish during the Nine Days, though some have the custom not to eat fish during the final meal before Tisha B'Ab. One is allowed to eat synthetic meat during the Nine Days. Although one might have thought that this should be avoided due to the concern of Mar'it Ha'ayin – meaning, a person eating synthetic meat might be suspected of eating actual meat – we do not have the authority nowadays to enact new prohibitions out of this concern. If a person forgot that it was the Nine Days, or forgot about the restriction against eating meat, and he recited a Beracha over meat but then remembered that it is forbidden, he should take a bite of the meat, because otherwise his Beracha will have been recited in vain, in violation of the severe prohibition of Beracha Le'batala (reciting a blessing in vain). This is a far more grievous transgression than partaking of meat during the Nine Days – which, as we explained, is forbidden only by force of custom – and it is therefore preferable to take a bite of the meat so that the blessing will not have been recited in vain. (This resembles the case of a person who prepared to eat a dairy food within six hours of eating meat, and remembered after reciting the Beracha that he may not eat the dairy food. In that case, too, he should take a bite of the dairy food so the Beracha will not have been recited in vain. This applies also to someone who recited a Beracha to eat before praying in the morning, and then remembered that he may not eat because he had yet to pray. Even on fast days – except Yom Kippur, when eating is forbidden on the level of Torah law – if someone recited a Beracha over food and then remembered that eating is forbidden, he should take a small bite of the food.) If a person owns a meat restaurant, he is permitted to operate the restaurant during Nine Days, even in a Jewish community, where most or all of his customers are Jews. Given the leniencies that apply, such as permitting meat at a Siyum, and when necessary for health reasons, it is not for certain that the people coming to eat will be violating the custom to refrain from meat. As such, operating the restaurant does not violate the prohibition against causing people to sin. However, it is proper for the restaurant owner to place a visible sign at the entrance to the restaurant informing people of the widely-accepted custom to refrain from eating meat during the Nine Days. Just as many observe the custom to refrain from meat during the Nine Days, it is also customary to refrain from wine during this period. Although the practice in Jerusalem was to be lenient in this regard, and drink wine during the Nine Days, the practice among other Sephardic communities is to refrain from wine. This was also the custom in Arab Soba (Aleppo), as documented in the work Derech Eretz, and this is the practice in our community. There are two reasons for this custom. First, wine brings a feeling of joy, and during the month of Ab, until Tisha B'Ab, we are to reduce our joy and reflect on the destruction of the Bet Ha'mikdash. Secondly, we refrain from wine because we can no longer pour wine libations on the altar. Of course, wine – like meat – is permissible on Shabbat during the Nine Days. The restriction applies only on weekdays. It is permissible to drink other alcoholic beverages during the Nine Days, such as beer and whiskey. Cognac, however, is a type of wine, and is therefore forbidden. One should not drink grape juice during the Nine Days, but grape soda is allowed. Cakes that are baked with grape juice instead of water are allowed during the Nine Days unless the taste of grape juice is discernible, in which case one should refrain from these cakes. Vinegar made from wine is permitted for consumption during the Nine Days, because it has an acidic taste and does not bring enjoyment. Similarly, juice extracted from unripe, prematurely-harvested grapes is permissible. The Shulhan Aruch allows drinking wine at Habdala on Mosa'eh Shabbat during the Nine Days. The Rama (Rav Moshe Isserles, Cracow, 1530-1572), however, writes that according to Ashkenazic custom, the Habdala wine is given to a child to drink. The Shulhan Aruch also writes that one may drink during the Nine Days the cup of wine over which Birkat Ha'mazon is recited. When three or more men ate together, and they recite Birkat Ha'mazon with the introductory Zimun, it is customary for the one who leads the Zimun to hold a cup of wine during Birkat Ha'mazon which he then drinks after Birkat Ha'mazon, and according to the Shulhan Aruch, this cup may be drunk during the Nine Days. However, Hacham Ovadia Yosef rules that since nowadays people generally do not make a point of reciting Birkat Ha'mazon over a cup of wine, this is not permitted during the Nine Days.

On today's show, we chat with two-time guest, Kevin Sorbo! Still beloved by audiences nationwide, “What If…” stars Kevin Sorbo, Kristy Swanson, John Ratzenberger, and Debby Ryan. Notably, “What If…” marks the first faith film for Jenkins and for Kevin Sorbo—an early signal of the impact Jenkins would later make on global faith audiences.  The story follows Ben Walker (Kevin Sorbo), a businessman who abandoned his faith. One day, Ben wakes up living the life he was destined for—married to his college sweetheart (Kristy Swanson) and serving as a small-town pastor. Featuring memorable performances by John Ratzenberger and Debby Ryan, the film blends humor, heart, and a powerful family theme.  “Before ‘The Chosen,' this was the project that changed everything for me. ‘What If…' helped me realize the kinds of stories I want to tell,” said director Dallas Jenkins. “To this day I hear from people who loved it, so I was thrilled to reconnect with the cast so we could bring back this movie to a new audience.”  “Dallas Jenkins is a true visionary, and‘What If…' is where it all began, Fifteen years later – and after all of the profound success Fathom Entertainment accomplished with Dallas and his team on ‘The Chosen' – this is a terrific opportunity to revisit ‘What If…' with a special Fathom presentation,” said Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Entertainment. “Audiences are going to be moved by this film all over again—and the new reunion footage makes it even more meaningful for audiences to see it all on the big screen.”Kevin Sorbo is a distinguished American actor, producer, and director, renowned for his iconic role as Hercules in Hercules: "The Legendary Journeys".  His compelling charisma and strength have captivated audiences globally, solidifying his status as a versatile talent in the entertainment industry.  Transitioning into faith-based cinema, Kevin has dedicated his career to producing and starring in films that champion Christian values and family unity.  His works, including "God's Not Dead" & Let "There Be Light", demonstrate that movies reflecting traditional values can achieve significant box office success, inspiring and uplifting audiences www.fathomentertainment.com/releases/what-if-15-anniversary/sorbostudios.com@christianmusicguyschristianmusicguys.com

Justin Bieber is back with his seventh studio album: the aptly-titled SWAG. The lo-fi, reverb-laden record is a remarkably candid look inside the world of Bieber, using the palette of both underground pop and 90's R&B to accentuate lyrics about his wife, his struggles, and his "standing on business." Notably, it's his first album post-split with manager Scooter Braun, and the first where Bieber has been in full artistic control. On this episode of Switched On Pop, we tap into the SWAG mindset and attempt to understand Bieber's newfound vision, what it's saying, and ultimately, if it even still matters. Songs discussed: Justin Bieber – DAISIES Justin Bieber, Daniel Caesar, Giveon – Peaches Justin Bieber, Sexyy Red – SWEET SPOT The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber – STAY Justin Bieber, Druski – STANDING ON BUSINESS Justin Bieber – ALL I CAN TAKE Peter Gabriel – In Your Eyes Justin Bieber – GO BABY Justin Bieber – TOO LONG Justin Bieber, Gunna – WAY IT IS Justin Bieber, Dominic Fike – Die For You Justin Bieber, Burna Boy – Loved By You Justin Bieber, Lil B – DADZ LOVE Mk.gee – Alesis Mk.gee – Are You Looking Up Dijon – The Dress Justin Bieber – WALKING AWAY Haim – Don't Wanna Justin Bieber, Dijon – DEVOTION Justin Bieber – One Less Lonely Girl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last time we spoke about Operation Downfall. The Allies, under General Krueger, initiated a decisive campaign to clear the Japanese from Luzon. As they faced the entrenched Shobu Group, challenges included treacherous terrain and a resilient enemy. Simultaneously, Japan braced for an invasion, mobilizing reinforcements and devising defensive strategies to ward off the impending Allied assault. As July approached, General Yamashita's forces prepared to execute a final breakout, but progress was hampered by relentless guerrilla attacks and adverse weather conditions. With Operation Downfall looming, Allied troops focused on strategic landings in Kyushu and Honshu, driven by a relentless determination to defeat the Japanese militarily. The intense battles of Luzon became a precursor to this monumental operation, marking a turning point in the Pacific War.  This episode is The Siege of Japan Welcome to the Pacific War Podcast Week by Week, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800's until the end of the Pacific War in 1945.  Boy I have been waiting a long time to come to this point. One of the most significant events in human history that deeply affects us to this very day. Nuclear war is as much a threat today as it was during the cold war. The dropping of the Atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were deeply complicated events fraught with issues of morality. It goes without saying whether or not the bombs needed to be dropped, their actual impact on the surrender of Japan and so forth are still issues hotly debated to this very day. I have spoken on the issue countless times on my personal channel and podcast, but I figure to do this subject justice I will create a full episode for it. Thus in this episode we are going to just cover what happened, but rest assured I will come back to this later on. As we last explored, following the successful invasion of Luzon in the Philippines, along with the fall of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, American forces began preparing for the final invasion of the Japanese Home Islands. This operation was codenamed Operation Downfall. One key initiative leading up to this invasion was a comprehensive air-sea blockade and bombardment campaign against Japan itself. Previously, we detailed the extensive firebombing and precision bombing efforts executed by General LeMay's 21st Bomber Command. However, during this crucial period, the B-29 Superfortress bombers undertook a distinct operation under the codename Starvation. This single operation would be one of the largest factors that contributed to the surrender of Japan and its one most people have never heard of. In July 1944, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz proposed a bold plan to use B-29 Superfortress bombers to mine the waterways surrounding the Japanese Home Islands. Although Generals Henry H. Arnold and Walter Hansell expressed concerns that this mining campaign could distract from the B-29's primary role as a strategic bombardment aircraft, they eventually agreed to assign one bomber group to focus on aerial mining when conditions permitted. On December 22, Hansell's 21st Bomber Command was directed to formulate a naval mining program aimed at executing between 150 to 200 sorties each month, which was set to begin in April 1945. However, by this time, General Curtis LeMay had taken command of the 21st Bomber Command. LeMay was notably enthusiastic about the idea and successfully recommended to Washington an upgraded mining program that aimed to deploy up to 1,500 mines each month using a full B-29 wing. LeMay viewed aerial mining in a different light than Arnold or Hansell, seeing it as a vital extension of strategic bombing. He recognized that most of Japan's war production materials, as well as a significant portion of its food supplies, were imported from regions such as China, Southeast Asia, and the Dutch East Indies. Japan's industrial heartland is primarily found on Honshu, its largest and most industrialized island, while Shikoku, another island, also lacks essential resources such as iron ore and high-quality coal. These crucial materials were sourced from Kyushu and Hokkaido, both of which are other Japanese islands. All these resources were transported by sea, so without easy access to raw materials, Japan's industrial output would come to a grinding halt. The only aircraft capable of deploying mines effectively where they were needed were the B-29s. Areas such as the Inland Sea, the Sea of Japan, and the Korean Peninsula were out of reach for other Allied aircraft. Additionally, Allied submarines could only venture into these perilous waters with great risk. Notably, about 80% of Japan's merchant fleet utilized the Shimonoseki Strait, a critical waterway that separates Kyushu from Honshu. Understanding the strategic advantage of closing this strait, LeMay decided to allocate an entire wing of B-29s specifically to mine this vital route. Brigadier General John Davies commanded the 313th Bombardment Wing, tasked with deploying approximately 2,000 naval mines each month into Japanese waters. The primary goals of this operation were to prevent essential raw materials and food supplies from reaching the Home Islands, hinder the supply and mobilization of Japanese military forces, and disrupt transportation routes in the Inland Sea of Japan. Between March 27 and April 12, Davies' bombers targeted key enemy shipping bases located in Kure, Sasebo, and Hiroshima. They also focused on the Shimonoseki Strait, a narrow and strategically important waterway that links the Inland Sea with the Tsushima Strait. Notably, after these attacks, this strait was successfully closed for two weeks. On May 3 and 5, the 313th Bombardment Wing laid down a total of 1,422 mines in the waters surrounding the Shimonoseki Strait, as well as near major urban centers like Tokyo, Nagoya, Kobe, and Osaka. These efforts aimed to severely disrupt maritime commerce between Japan's major industrial areas. Just a week later, the minefields expanded from the Shimonoseki Strait to include Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan's four main islands, and northwest Honshu, the largest island containing Tokyo. By the end of that month, these mines were proving remarkably effective, accounting for the sinking of more ships than Japanese submarines. In fact, within the Shimonoseki Strait alone, 113 ships had been sunk. Between June 7 and July 8, American forces expanded and fortified minefields along the western coast of Japan while also replenishing the existing minefields in the Shimonoseki Strait and the Inland Sea. During this effort, they successfully laid a total of 3,542 mines across 14 missions. The "total blockade" officially commenced on July 9 and continued until the end of the war. Throughout this period, American forces executed 474 sorties, dropping another 3,746 mines that replenished existing minefields and extended coverage to harbors in Korea. In total, Brigadier General Davies conducted 46 missions that laid down 26 minefields containing 12,135 mines. Remarkably, only 15 B-29s were lost during these operations. In turn, the mines accounted for the sinking or damaging of 670 Japanese ships, with a total loss of 1.25 million tons. This mining campaign effectively strangled Japanese industry, as the denial of essential raw materials to factories proved more disruptive than the direct bombing of the plants themselves.  Despite the clear vulnerability of Japan's economy to disruptions in coastal shipping, Japanese authorities were alarmingly unprepared to address the threat posed by air-dropped mines. By August 1945, Japan had committed 349 ships and 20,000 personnel to counter the Starvation campaign, but these efforts were overwhelmingly ineffective. The shipping crisis escalated to such a degree that searchlights and anti-aircraft batteries were redeployed from urban centers to defend expected mining targets. Additionally, suicide boats were employed in desperate attempts to clear the minefields. Royal Navy historian S.W. Roskill commented on the situation, stating, “The blockade had, in fact, been far more successful than we realized at the time. Although submarines initially played a critical role in enforcing the blockade, it was the air-laid mines that ultimately strangled Japan.” Japanese officials shared this assessment. A director from a Tokyo steel company reflected on the situation, noting that the denial of essential raw materials to factories caused far greater disruption than the direct bombing of the plants themselves. This contradicted the views of US Army Air Forces experts back in Washington. In a striking remark after the war, a Japanese minesweeping officer told American forces, “The result of B-29 mining was so effective against shipping that it eventually starved the country. You could have likely shortened the war by starting this campaign earlier.” Meanwhile, General LeMay continued his firebombing campaign against Japan. By the end of May, urban areas around Tokyo Bay had been devastated, prompting the 21st Bomber Command to shift focus westward toward the densely populated industrial complexes lining Osaka Bay. On June 1, 521 B-29s were dispatched to bomb industrial targets situated along the Yodo River, with an escort of 148 P-51 fighters. Unfortunately, an undetected thunderstorm struck en route, which meant only 27 P-51s reached Osaka, while another 27 crashed, and the remaining fighters had to return to Iwo Jima. Despite these complications, the B-29s bombed from altitudes ranging between 18,000 and 28,500 feet, successfully dropping 2,788 tons of incendiary bombs on Osaka. The attack resulted in the burning of 3.15 square miles, destroying 136,107 houses and 4,222 factories. Four days later, on June 3, 530 unescorted B-29 Superfortresses launched a bombing raid on the city of Kobe. Of those, 473 aircraft targeted the city, resulting in the destruction of 4.35 square miles. This devastating strike led to the demolition of 51,399 buildings, while another 928 suffered significant damage. The raid, however, came with losses, as 11 bombers were downed, and 176 were damaged in the operation. On June 7, 449 B-29s returned to Osaka. Despite facing heavy cloud cover that restricted visibility, they managed to burn an additional 2.21 square miles of the city, destroying another 55,333 buildings.  By the conclusion of General Curtis LeMay's maximum-effort area bombing campaign, the six most significant industrial cities in Japan, Tokyo, Nagoya, Kobe, Osaka, Yokohama, and Kawasaki, had been left in ruins. Major factories were either destroyed or severely damaged, while thousands of smaller household and feeder industrial units were consumed by flames. Casualty figures surged into six figures, leaving millions of people homeless. The evacuation of survivors further complicated efforts to secure labor for the factories that remained operational. Japan's air-raid protection system proved woefully inadequate to withstand a protracted siege by very heavy bombers. The system lacked sufficient organization, trained personnel, shelters, fire-fighting equipment, and facilities for relief and evacuation. Additionally, there was a significant deficiency in civilian indoctrination regarding emergency procedures. Under the relentless pressure of repeated major attacks, local Air Raid Precaution organizations collapsed, adding strain to an already overburdened imperial government. Japanese civilians, who had been conditioned by victory propaganda, displayed little of the discipline that helped German citizens endure years of aerial bombardment. As news of military defeats and the impact of B-29 precision strikes filtered into the great cities, residents began to lose confidence in their leaders' ability to protect them or care for the victims of the attacks. Abe Motoki, the Minister of Home Affairs at the time, later remarked, “I believe that after the raids on Tokyo on May 23-24, 1945, civilian defense measures in that city, as well as in other parts of Japan, were considered a futile effort.” Regarding the operational cost of this campaign for the 21st Bomber Command, it was not considered excessively burdensome. Over the course of 17 maximum-effort incendiary attacks, LeMay dispatched a total of 6,960 B-29s, which dropped 41,592 tons of bombs. The losses amounted to 136 B-29s, averaging only 1.9% of the sorties, a rate significantly lower than what had been endured in earlier months, and quite acceptable by the standards of conventional strategic bombing. Meteorologists predicted that the summer monsoon would keep Japan's skies covered with clouds for most of the upcoming months, from June to August. As a result, LeMay shifted strategies under what became known as the Empire Plan. This approach prioritized targeting industrial and military sites during daylight hours when the weather permitted, while secondary cities that had sufficient industrial capability became targets for nighttime area attacks. This change meant that since no single target warranted a full four-wing maximum effort, multiple missions could be scheduled in a single day. Accordingly, on June 9, 110 B-29s attacked three aircraft factories located in Narao, Atsuta, and Akashi. The strikes successfully destroyed the factories in Narao and Atsuta, but an unfortunate miscalculation led to the bombing of the town near Akashi. The following day, June 10, a force of 280 B-29s, escorted by 107 P-51 Mustang fighters, targeted six distinct sites in the Tokyo Bay area. The mission yielded significant results, with all targets sustaining heavy damage. Finally, on June 15, 516 B-29s were dispatched for one last firebombing raid against Osaka and the neighboring city of Amagasaki. In this combined assault, 444 bombers dropped over 1,350 tons of incendiary bombs, incinerating an additional 1.9 square miles in Osaka and more than half a square mile in Amagasaki. Starting on June 17, General Curtis LeMay's firebombing campaigns began to focus on medium-sized secondary cities across Japan. On that day, 477 B-29 Superfortresses targeted the cities of Omuta, Hamamatsu, Yokkaichi, and Kagoshima, burning a combined total of six square miles in these urban areas. The success of this initial multi-target mission ensured the continuation of the program, establishing an operational pattern that would remain standard during the final weeks of the war. In total, multiple incendiary attacks were conducted on sixteen occasions, averaging about two missions per week. Between June 17 and August 14, American forces carried out 8,014 sorties, dropping a staggering 54,184 tons of incendiaries across 58 secondary cities. On June 22, 446 B-29s were dispatched to strike six targets located in southern Honshu, including the crucial Kure Naval Arsenal. In this mission, 382 bombers released 2,103 tons of bombs, inflicting heavy damage to these essential manufacturing facilities. Just four days later, on June 26, a force of 510 B-29s, accompanied by 148 P-51 Mustang escorts, targeted locations in southern Honshu and the nearby island of Shikoku. However, dense clouds over much of the area complicated assembly and forced many aircraft to attack targets of opportunity individually or in small groups. As a result, adverse weather conditions would delay subsequent daytime raids until July 24.  In the coordinated strike program that commenced in June, the decision to focus on either the Empire Plan or urban industrial targets was largely influenced by weather conditions. As the program took shape, the 315th Bombardment Wing (VH) became available for combat operations. This wing operated somewhat independently from the other bomber units, with its activities significantly guided by the specialized equipment of its aircraft. Authorized for deployment in the Pacific in December 1944, the 315th settled at Northwest Field, Guam, during May and June. Its commander, Brigadier General Frank A. Armstrong, Jr., was a seasoned veteran of the strategic air offensive against Germany. The B-29s of the 315th Wing differed in two key respects from those of other units. They were equipped with the AN/APQ-7 (Eagle) radar, a sophisticated radar system designed for bombing, instead of the conventional AN/APQ-13 radar. The latter had primarily served as a navigational aid. While crews had become adept at using the AN/APQ-13 for night or poor-weather bombing, it lacked the precision necessary for accurate strikes. The Eagle radar, however, offered significantly greater definition and, although it required a long bomb run averaging seventy miles, this was not considered a serious hindrance in the tactical context of Japan. To further enhance its night-bombing capabilities, the Superfortresses had been stripped of all armament except for the tail gun. This modification, along with the Eagle radar, clearly marked the 315th as a dedicated night-bombing unit. There were various proposals for the use of these specially equipped B-29s, including high-altitude bombing, area bombing, and aerial mining. However, by the time the 315th Wing was ready for combat, the 313th Bombardment Wing had already gained proficiency in aerial mining, while all wings had become adept at area bombing using the AN/APQ-13. Training for the 315th had focused heavily on night radar tactics, with less emphasis on visual bombing and daytime formation flights. It was evident that if the Eagle radar was to undergo a thorough scientific evaluation, it should be tested against a specific set of targets that were preferably large in size and located along the coastline. In the view of the 21st Bomber Command, the oil industry met these requirements perfectly. The 315th Bombardment Wing initiated its specialized campaign on June 26 with a targeted strike against the Utsube Oil Refinery in Yokkaichi, the top-priority target. By August 14, the wing had conducted 15 additional missions against a total of 10 targets, which included various petroleum refineries and synthetic plants, such as the Maruzen Oil Company in Wakayama, Mitsubishi Oil Company in Kawasaki, and Nippon Oil Company plants spread across Akita, Kansai, Kudamatsu, and Amagasaki, as well as the Imperial Fuel Industry Company in Ube and Toa Fuel Industry in Wakayama. During the campaign, the 315th Wing dispatched a total of 1,200 B-29s, 1,095 of which successfully bombed their primary targets, dropping 9,084 tons of 500-pound general-purpose bombs deemed particularly effective against the scattered installations. The increase in bomb load capacity was made possible by stripping the planes of unnecessary equipment and conducting bombing missions individually at night. As the crews gained experience, they were able to increase the average weight carried from 14,631 pounds during the first mission to 20,684 pounds by August 9. Despite concerns about safety from removing most of the aircraft's armaments, only four planes were lost and 66 sustained damage throughout the campaign. The 20th Air Force estimated that the B-29 attacks led to the destruction of approximately 6 million barrels of tank storage capacity, and the United States Strategic Bombing Survey (USSBS) reported that refining capacity had been reduced from 90,000 barrels a day in December 1941 to around 17,000 barrels. However, the strategic impact was more apparent than real, as many storage tanks were empty and refinery production had fallen to just 4% of capacity before the very heavy bomber campaign began. The lack of precise intelligence regarding the state of Japan's economy had justified the emphasis on the oil program as a form of reinsurance. Nevertheless, the blockade had effectively severed the nation's oil resources, resulting in tankers remaining idle at the docks. On July 1, Admiral Halsey's 3rd Fleet departed San Pedro Bay to initiate the first preliminary strikes in preparation for Operation Olympic. This operation involved battleships and heavy cruisers conducting surface bombardments of industrial targets in eastern Japan, while lighter forces performed anti-shipping sweeps along the coast. Additionally, a fleet of submarines advanced ahead of Admiral McCain's Task Force 38 to eliminate picket boats and establish lifeguard positions. At 18:15 on July 9, the force began its 25-knot approach toward the Home Islands, launching its first strikes against the Tokyo area at 04:00 on July 10. A total of 1,732 sorties were executed, targeting locations from Koriyama to Hamamatsu, dropping 454 tons of bombs and 1,648 rockets over Honshu with negligible opposition. American airmen reported the destruction of 109 enemy aircraft and damage to 231 during these strikes.   Following this, Halsey's fleet moved north to bombard Hokkaido and northern Honshu, which were beyond the effective range of the B-29s and had previously evaded attack. At 05:59 on July 14, Rear-Admiral John Shafroth's Bombardment Group Able, consisting primarily of three battleships and two heavy cruisers, was tasked with attacking the Kamaishi Works of the Japan Iron Company. By midday, Shafroth's forces had opened fire on Kamaishi, marking the first surface bombardment of Japan by a hostile fleet in over 80 years. Between 12:10 and 14:19, a total of 802 16-inch shells, 728 8-inch shells, and 825 5-inch shells were expended, setting the town ablaze as key industrial and residential targets were hit and resulting in the sinking of one oil tanker, two barges, and one small ship in the harbor. Simultaneously, McCain's carriers closed to within 80 nautical miles of Japan, launching 1,391 sorties against Hokkaido and northern Honshu to target railways, shipping, and airfields, again facing only light resistance. In the ensuing strikes, American planes sank over 50,000 tons of shipping and naval craft, including the destroyer Tachibana, four minesweepers, eight naval auxiliaries, and around 20 merchant vessels, with significant losses occurring at Muroran and Hakodate. In addition, 25 enemy planes were destroyed, while American losses totaled 24 aircraft and 17 airmen, about half of whom were lost in combat. Task Force 38 launched another assault on July 15, executing 966 combat sorties that dropped 355 tons of bombs and expended 2,093 rockets. This operation resulted in the sinking of 65 vessels and damaging 128 others, as well as the destruction of 48 locomotives and damage to 28. Widespread destruction was inflicted on several facilities, particularly the Aomori–Hakodate railcar ferry system, which transported 30% of the coal between Hokkaido and Honshu. The strikes devastated the ferry system, sinking eight ferries, beaching eight more, and damaging two. In total, 70 auxiliary sailing colliers were sunk, and 11 were damaged, along with 10 steel freighters lost and 7 damaged. The ferry strikes were the brainchild of Halsey's operations officer, Captain Ralph “Rollo” Wilson. “When the first action reports began to sift in,” Halsey related: He snatched them up and pored over them; the ferries were not mentioned. Later reports also ignored them. Rollo was sulking and cursing when the final reports arrived. I heard him whistle and saw him beam. “Six ferries sunk!” he said. “Pretty soon we'll have ‘em moving their stuff by oxcarts and skiffs!”  Additionally, 20 city blocks in Kushiro were razed. The most significant outcome of these operations was the virtual severance of Hokkaido from Honshu. By the end of the raids, Halsey's 3rd Fleet had achieved the sinking of 140 ships and small craft, damaging 235 others, and destroying 38 planes while damaging 46. Meanwhile, Rear-Admiral Oscar Badger's Bombardment Group Baker, composed of three battleships, two light cruisers, and eight destroyers, was assigned to bombard Muroran. Between 09:36 and 10:25, this group fired 860 16-inch shells at the Nihon Steel Company and the Wanishi Ironworks, targeting both the coal liquefaction plant and coke ovens. This bombardment inflicted severe damage on those facilities and resulted in the destruction or damage of 2,541 houses in Muroran. As Hasley recalled “These sweeps and bombardments accomplished more than destruction. they showed the enemy that we made no bones about playing in his front yard. From now on, we patrolled his channels and shelled his coast almost every night that the weather permitted.” Additionally, Rear-Admiral James Cary Jones' four light cruisers conducted a sweep along the east coast of Honshu to hunt for Japanese shipping; however, they reported no contacts during their mission. Early on July 16, Task Force 38 retired east of Honshu to begin refueling and rendezvoused with Admiral Rawlings' Task Force 37, which agreed to operate closely as an additional task group for Admiral Halsey. At 03:50 on July 17, the two task forces began launching strikes against central Honshu despite adverse weather conditions. The American forces executed 205 sorties targeting the Mito area, while British aircraft flew 87 sorties against airfields and railyards along the northwest coast of Honshu. Despite the bad weather, several small craft and locomotives were destroyed, though the operation resulted in the loss of nine aircraft and four airmen. Later that afternoon, Halsey detached Badger's augmented Bombardment Group to attack Hitachi, a significant industrial and electronics-producing city. The 53-minute bombardment commenced in fog and rain at 23:14, during which 1,207 16-inch shells, 267 14-inch shells, and 292 6-inch rounds were expended against the Tago and Mito Works of the Hitachi Manufacturing Company, as well as the Yamate Plant and copper refining facilities of Hitachi Mine, resulting in severe devastation. On July 18, McCain's two leading carriers launched a total of 592 sorties against Yokosuka, specifically targeting the heavily camouflaged battleship Nagato at the naval base. The attacks resulted in the sinking of one old cruiser, one minesweeper, one submarine, one incomplete destroyer, and three patrol vessels, in addition to damaging one subchaser, one old destroyer, and one old battleship. Although Nagato was hit multiple times and suffered heavy damage, it managed to stay afloat. Meanwhile, three carriers also targeted airfields and other opportunities in Tokyo, while Task Force 37 attacked a seaplane base at Kitaura and airfields at Nobara, Naruto, Chosi, Kanoike, Natori, and Kitakawa. The recent raids resulted in the destruction of 43 enemy planes and damage to 77 others on the ground, along with the destruction of three locomotives and the derailing of four electrified train cars by rockets. However, the American forces incurred losses of 14 aircraft and 18 aircrew, as the 3rd Fleet flyers reported encountering the fiercest anti-aircraft fire they had yet experienced. Additionally, Rear-Admiral Carl Holden's four light cruisers were detached during the night to sweep shipping off Sagami Bay and to target the radar site at Cape Nojima. On July 21, Captain Thomas Hederman's Destroyer Squadron 61, consisting of nine destroyers, was assigned to conduct another anti-shipping sweep off Sagami Bay. Pursuing four radar contacts, the destroyers engaged targets at midnight on July 22, firing guns and torpedoes from 7,000 yards. This action resulted in the sinking of the 800-ton freighter No.5 Hakutetsu Maru and damaging the 6,919-ton Enbun Maru. In response, Japanese coastal artillery, the minesweeper W-1, and subchaser Ch-42 returned fire, but Hederman's squadron successfully retired without damage. Although minor in scale, the Battle of Sagami Bay would ultimately be the last surface action of the war. Meanwhile, as part of Operation Barney, a planned submarine penetration of the Sea of Japan, nine submarines succeeded in sinking 27 Japanese merchant vessels and one submarine, totaling 54,786 tons.  On June 8, the submarine Barb commenced her twelfth patrol, tasked with terrorizing the Sea of Okhotsk using her newly installed 5-inch rocket launchers. Over the following weeks, Skipper Commander Eugene “Luckey” Fluckey executed successful rocket bombardments on Shari, Hokkaido, and targets in Shikuka, Kashiho, and Shiritoru on Karafuto (southern Sakhalin), also employing the submarine's deck guns to destroy 35 sampans in the town of Kaihyo To. Observing Karafuto trains transporting military supplies to ports, Fluckey devised a plan to intercept these trains. Engineman Third Class Billy Hatfield recalled how, as a child, he had placed nuts on railroad ties and watched as the weight of passing trains cracked them between rail and tie. Realizing this principle could be adapted, he suggested rigging an automatic detonator. Fluckey had many volunteers for the mission, including a Japanese POW, and carefully selected Hatfield and seven others, deciding against leading the shore party himself. Just after midnight on July 23, 1945, Fluckey maneuvered Barb to within 950 yards of the Karafuto coast. Led by Lieutenant William Walker, the team launched two rubber rafts at 00:30. Before they left, Fluckey instructed them, “Boys, if you get stuck, head for Siberia, 130 miles north, following the mountain ranges. Good luck.” Upon reaching the shore, the Americans located the tracks and buried a 55-pound scuttling charge and battery beneath the rails, positioning it under a water tower they planned to use as a lookout. As Motor Machinist's Mate First Class John Markuson climbed up, he unexpectedly found he was scaling a sentry tower, causing him to retreat without alerting the sleeping guard. When a train passed, the team dove for cover before resuming their work after it had gone by. Shortly after 01:30, Walker's team signaled their return to Barb, which was now just 600 yards offshore. Fifteen minutes later, while the boats were halfway back, Fluckey heard the rumble of an approaching train. He hoisted a megaphone and urged the crew to “Paddle like the devil, boys!” At 01:47, a 16-car Japanese train struck Hatfield's detonator, resulting in a massive explosion that sent debris soaring 200 feet into the air and reportedly killed 150 Japanese. Minutes later, all eight Americans were safely aboard Barb, which then slipped back into the night, having successfully executed the only amphibious invasion of Japan during World War II. Returning to the main action, Halsey aimed to eliminate the remnants of the Combined Fleet at the heavily fortified Kure Naval Base. Consequently, Task Force 38 began launching the first of 1,363 sorties against ships and airfields in Kyushu, Shikoku, and Honshu, ringing the Inland Sea at 04:40 on July 24. A total of 599 tons of bombs and 1,615 rockets were unleashed over Kure, resulting in the sinking or damaging of 22 warships, which totaled 258,000 tons. Among the affected vessels were the battleships Hyuga, Ise, and Haruna; fleet carriers Amagi and Katsuragi; the escort carrier Kaiyo; heavy cruisers Tone and Aoba; as well as light cruisers Oyodo and Kitakami. In addition, another 53 vessels amounting to 17,000 tons were sunk at various locations, including Hiroshima Bay, Niihama, Bungo Channel, and Kii Channel. At Kobe, the incomplete fleet carrier Aso was also attacked and damaged. American Hellcats and Corsairs effectively swept aside Japanese aerial opposition, shooting down 18 enemy planes while destroying 40 aircraft and damaging another 80 on the ground. Furthermore, around the Inland Sea, 16 locomotives were destroyed and five were damaged, while 20 hangars sustained damage. Three oil tanks were set ablaze at Kure and one at Tano. Additionally, four electric trains and a roundhouse were strafed at Hamamatsu, and various military installations, including barracks, warehouses, power plants, and factories around the airfields, received significant damage. Simultaneously, Rear-Admiral Rawlings' Task Force 37 conducted 257 sorties against targets in Japan and the surrounding offshore areas, sinking the escort carrier Shimane Maru in Shido Bay, along with a number of destroyers, small escorts, and coasters. Meanwhile, Jones' light cruisers swept through the Kii Channel before bombarding the Kushimoto seaplane base and airfields at Cape Shionomisaki during the night. Supporting these efforts, General LeMay dispatched 625 B-29s against seven targets in the Nagoya and Osaka areas, successfully inflicting heavy damage on all of them despite the spotty weather, marking this as the last major attack on the Japanese mainland during the war, as two weeks of cloudy weather ensued. In the early hours of July 25, McCain's aircraft carriers resumed launching strikes against airfields and shipping in the Inland Sea and the Nagoya-Osaka areas. During this operation, they executed a total of 655 sorties, expending 185 tons of bombs and 1,162 rockets, successfully sinking nine ships totaling 8,000 tons and damaging another 35 vessels. The strikes also resulted in the downing of 21 Japanese planes, with an additional 61 aircraft destroyed on the ground and 68 damaged. After refueling on July 27, Halsey's carrier forces moved to launch points located 96 nautical miles off Shikoku. At 04:43 on July 28, they resumed strikes over the Inland Sea, focusing on targets from northern Kyushu to Nagoya, as well as airfields across Honshu along the Sea of Japan. This resulted in McCain flying a total of 1,602 sorties, dropping 605 tons of bombs and expending 2,050 rockets. These attacks sank 27 ships, amounting to 43,000 tons, including the battleships Ise and Haruna, the fleet carrier Amagi, and the Combined Fleet flagship Oyodo. Additionally, 78 vessels totaling 216,000 tons were reported damaged, among them the fleet carrier Katsuragi, heavy cruiser Tone, and light cruiser Kitakami. American pilots reported the destruction of 21 Japanese aircraft in the air and claimed 115 destroyed on the ground across 30 area airfields. They also successfully destroyed 14 locomotives, four oil cars, two roundhouses, three oil tanks, three warehouses, one hangar, and a transformer station. In support of these efforts, Task Force 37 conducted 260 sorties against the eastern Inland Sea, targeting the dockyard at Harima and sinking or severely damaging four corvettes at Maizuru. Meanwhile, the 7th Air Force's 11th and 494th Bombardment Groups carried out a day-long raid on Kure, successfully sinking the heavy cruiser Aoba. By sunset that evening, the Imperial Japanese Navy had effectively ceased to exist, though the cost for the Americans was steep, with losses amounting to 101 planes and 88 men since July 24. As Halsey moved east to target the Osaka-Nagoya area, Shafroth's reinforced Bombardment Group was detached on July 29 to bombard Hamamatsu. During the night, they successfully unloaded 810 16-inch shells, 265 14-inch shells, and 1,035 8-inch shells, damaging the Imperial Government Railway locomotive works, igniting a blaze at the Japanese Musical Instrument Company, and wreaking havoc on infrastructure along the critical Tokaido main line. The following day, McCain's carriers conducted 1,224 sorties against airfields in Osaka, Kobe, Maizuru, and Nagoya, expending 397 tons of bombs and 2,532 rockets. These strikes resulted in the sinking of 20 vessels totaling 6,000 tons and damaging another 56 ships. The pilots also claimed destruction of 115 enemy aircraft on the ground, while inflicting severe damage on numerous industrial targets, including aircraft factories and naval docks in Maizuru. In Miyazu Bay, the destroyer Hatsushino struck an air-dropped naval mine, marking the final loss of 129 Japanese destroyers sunk during the war. That night, seven destroyers advanced deep into Suruga Bay, unleashing 1,100 5-inch shells on Shimizu within seven minutes, successfully destroying or damaging 118 industrial buildings. Typhoon weather would impede the operations of the 3rd Fleet for the next two weeks, as Admiral Nimitz ordered Halsey to steer clear of southern Japan, which was set to become the target of a new and deadly weapon: the atomic bomb. The U.S. Army had begun its project to develop an atomic bomb on August 16, 1942, under the auspices of the Manhattan Project. The project was directed by Major-General Leslie Groves and involved renowned scientists such as Robert Oppenheimer, Enrico Fermi, Niels Bohr, Richard Feynman, and Albert Einstein. Over time, it expanded to include a design center at Los Alamos and two production facilities at Hanford and Clinton. By August 1945, the teams at Los Alamos had successfully designed, developed, and built a gun-type atomic bomb capable of forcing five pounds of uranium-235 against another 17 pounds at high speed, thereby achieving critical mass and releasing immense heat, light, blast, and radiation. The team was also experimenting with an even more powerful device: the plutonium bomb, which utilized an implosion method whereby a sphere of plutonium was compressed by conventional explosives to reach criticality. By early August, scientists had managed to produce enough nuclear material to create only one uranium device, known as Little Boy, and one plutonium bomb, referred to as Fat Man. Each weapon had the potential to annihilate an entire city, and American leaders were prepared to use them if it could compel the Japanese Empire to surrender without necessitating an invasion of Japan. A Targeting Committee led by Groves, consisting of Manhattan Project and Air Force personnel, recommended Hiroshima, Niigata, Kokura, and Nagasaki as primary targets.  Groves' Targeting Committee employed several criteria to select sites for atomic bomb targets. The chosen targets had to possess strategic value to the Japanese and be situated between Tokyo and Nagasaki. Additionally, the target needed to feature a large urban area with a minimum diameter of three miles and must be relatively untouched by previous bombings, ironically spared for potential atomic destruction at a later stage. A crucial condition was that, to the best of their knowledge, these areas should harbor no concentrations of Allied prisoners of war. However, this requirement was challenging to ascertain accurately due to a lack of reliable information about the locations of prisoners. Initially, the committee considered 17 candidates and selected five primary targets: Hiroshima, Yokohama, Kokura, Niigata, and Kyoto. On May 28, they narrowed the list to three: Kyoto, Niigata, and Hiroshima. Hiroshima was significant as it housed Hata's 2nd General Army headquarters and featured a large shipyard, while Niigata was a major industrial city with an important port. Moreover, Kyoto held considerable cultural and religious significance for the Japanese. Secretary of War Stimson, having previously cautioned General Arnold about the humanitarian consequences of targeting cities with incendiary bombings, insisted on removing Kyoto from the list after intense discussions with Groves. On July 21, President Truman concurred with Stimson during their meetings in Potsdam, deciding that Kyoto should be spared. Subsequently, Kokura, known for its large arsenal and ordnance works, replaced Kyoto. Additionally, LeMay's staff reportedly included Nagasaki as an alternate target due to potential weather issues, as it was home to Mitsubishi's arms factories, electric production facilities, ordnance works, and extensive dockyards, making it a valuable target. Meanwhile, a high-level civilian Interim Committee, under Secretary of War Henry Stimson, ultimately advised President Truman on the use of nuclear weapons, reasoning that their deployment would be no worse than the current incendiary bombing campaigns against Japan. The committee also recommended that an atomic bomb be deployed as soon as possible, without warning, to maximize shock value and target a "war plant… surrounded by workers' houses." Following a successful operational test of the experimental plutonium bomb conducted at Trinity on July 16, President Truman authorized General Spaatz to prepare for the bomb drops before August 3. Colonel Paul Tibbets' 509th Composite Group had been specially organized in secret since September 1944 to deliver nuclear weapons, and by June, it had arrived at Tinian under the command of LeMay's 21st Bomber Command. General Twinning replaced LeMay as commander of the 21st on August 1, and he would ultimately issue the direct orders for Tibbets to drop the atomic bomb. The atomic bomb mission had a convoluted command structure. The Joint Chiefs of Staff were largely left out of the chain of command. LeMay was Tibbet's nominal commander; however, Groves still had extensive control over the operation through his deputy Brigadier General Thomas Farrell on Tinian. The 21st Bomber Command would determine when the atomic bomb mission was launched, based on suitable weather conditions. Even at this stage, General of the Air Force Henry "Hap" Arnold and LeMay were still skeptical about the Manhattan Project; they thought B-29 incendiary and high-explosive bombing operations would suffice to end the war soon. LeMay even questioned the 509th CG pilots' ability to conduct the mission; he wanted seasoned Pacific B-29 veteran crews to drop the nuclear cargo. While the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) and Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) prepared for an impending invasion, the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) continued its bombing campaign against Japan. The crews of the 509th Composite Group needed to acclimate to the navigational challenges, varied weather conditions, extensive distances, and the geography of the region, all while becoming accustomed to combat situations. Training commenced at Tinian on June 30, with conventional operational missions over Japan beginning on July 20. To prepare for their atomic missions, the crews trained with "pumpkins," which were specially constructed bombs designed to mimic the appearance and weight of nuclear weapons. This allowed them to practice handling and releasing the bombs. They also rehearsed navigational procedures, visual bomb release techniques, and dropping the weapon at an altitude of approximately 30,000 feet. Following the drop, the crew conducted high-speed, radical turns to evade the nuclear effects after detonation. During their first mission, a B-29 from the 509th sought an alternative target in Tokyo. The crew aimed to drop their 10,000-pound "pumpkin" on the Imperial Palace, but unfortunately, they missed their target. Had they succeeded in killing the emperor, it could have significantly impacted Japan's decision-making process, potentially fortifying the Japanese people's resolve to continue the war. Military leaders might have seized control in the aftermath, pushing their forces to keep fighting. Throughout their training, the units of the 21st Bomber Command intentionally avoided targeting Hiroshima, Niigata, Kokura, and Nagasaki during these practice runs. In total, Tibbets directed his crews on numerous combat missions that targeted 28 cities and involved the dropping of 49 "pumpkins." Remarkably, the 509th lost no aircraft during these operations. While Tibbets focused on perfecting the delivery method, the weapons Little Boy and Fat Man were being transported to Tinian. Some weapon assemblies were delivered by C-54 and B-29 aircraft from Kirtland Field near Albuquerque, while the cruiser Indianapolis delivered the fissionable material for Little Boy from San Francisco on July 26. Four days later, the submarine I-58 unexpectedly attacked the Indianapolis with six torpedoes while the cruiser was en route to Guam, successfully sinking it. Of the crew, 850 Americans survived the sinking, and another 316 were belatedly rescued by August 8. By July 31, most of the assembly of Little Boy had been completed. However, a detonation expert would need to emplace the cordite charges to fire the uranium "bullet" through the gun device to the uranium core after take-off, minimizing the risk of an inadvertent nuclear explosion in the event of a B-29 crash. Additionally, the crew carrying the atomic bomb had to exercise caution when descending once Little Boy was armed because the primary radar or a backup barometric fuse could potentially trigger an explosion if the aircraft descended too rapidly with the fuses in place. On August 2, B-29 crews arrived at Tinian with the assemblies for Fat Man. On that same day, General Twinning and President Truman approved the plan to bomb Hiroshima. Two days later, Colonel Tibbets briefed the crews about the mission, confirming that he would pilot the aircraft carrying the atomic bomb. Tibbets' B-29 No. 82, later named Enola Gay, was supported by three weather reconnaissance aircraft that reported conditions at Hiroshima, Kokura, and Nagasaki, as well as two additional B-29s assigned to conduct scientific and photographic missions. At 02:45 on August 6, Enola Gay took off from Tinian, with diversionary attacks by 604 B-29s throughout Japan also scheduled for that day, as coordinated by Twinning. After passing through Iwo Jima at approximately 05:55, Captain William Parsons and Second-Lieutenant Morris Jeppson armed the bomb at 07:30. Throughout the journey, the B-29s ascended slowly, reaching an altitude of over 30,000 feet as they crossed Shikoku and Honshu, finally reaching Hiroshima at 31,060 feet. At 09:12, Tibbets executed his final approach from the 'initial point', flying east-west over the city towards the intersection of the Ota and Motoyasu Rivers. Approximately at 09:15, Little Boy was released, and Enola Gay immediately began its turn away to escape the impending explosion. However, the bomb mistakenly descended towards the Shima Surgical Hospital rather than the intended target, the Aioi Bridge. At 09:16, Little Boy detonated at an altitude of 1,890 feet, just as Tibbets was about six miles away from the blast point. As a result of the atomic blast, the immediate area around the epicenter was heated to an astonishing 1 million degrees Celsius, instantly incinerating or vaporizing all people, animals, buildings, and other items within that zone. Hiroshima police officials estimated that immediate casualties amounted to 71,379 individuals who were either killed or reported missing. In the surrounding areas, the blast effects crushed unreinforced structures before igniting them, resulting in an additional 68,023 wounded, with 19,691 of those injuries classified as serious. Subsequent assessments, potentially incorporating the impacts of radiation sickness or more precise accounting, recorded 30,524 individuals as seriously wounded and 48,606 as slightly wounded. Just two minutes after detonation, a growing mushroom cloud of highly radioactive dust and debris soared to a height of 20,000 feet. Within eight minutes, Tibbets' crew could observe the mushroom cloud from 390 miles away. Ultimately, the dust cloud peaked at approximately 60,000 feet in altitude. Soon after, a thick, black, radioactive rain fell upon the areas beneath the cloud. The center of the city was utterly devastated; over four square miles of the urban center, which encompassed seven square miles in total, were completely flattened, resulting in about 60% of the city's area being destroyed. An additional 0.6 square miles suffered damage, while more than 75% of the city's 90,000 buildings were obliterated. The ensuing fires compounded the devastation, contributing to countless deaths and injuries. Tragically, some American prisoners of war were present in Hiroshima and lost their lives in the explosion. Meanwhile, Enola Gay safely returned to Tinian at 14:58, where Tibbets was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, while the rest of the crew received Distinguished Flying Crosses for their participation in the mission. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. Japan was broken. To be perfectly honest she had been broken long ago. Her leadership had been spending months trying to figure out the best possible way to surrender, while the civilians and troops were suffering horribly. Aerial mining strangled her of food, high explosive and incendiary bombs, killed untold scores of people, and then the Atomic weapons were let loose upon her. It was over.

Former Nexon CEO Owen Mahoney joins Aaron Bush for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about the current and future state of the games industry. While Owen had a successful decade-long run leading one of Asia's most important gaming companies, this episode explores what he's been thinking about since stepping down – namely through his sharp (and sometimes spicy) essays critiquing industry norms and offering a vision for what comes next. We discuss the realities of managing $100M+ budget decisions, the troubling positions of many Western publishers, the benefits of simplifying publisher strategies, and Owen's bullishness on AI. Notably, despite slow industry growth at present, Owen explains why he thinks our industry could triple in size from here. Whether you're an executive, founder, or just fascinated by how games are built and funded, this episode is packed with battle-tested insights and bold predictions. We'd like to thank Lightspeed Venture Partners for making this episode possible! With its dedicated gaming & interactive media practice, the firm invests from an over $6.5 billion pool of early and growth-stage capital. If you're interested in learning more, go to https://gaming.lsvp.com/.We'd also like to thank Overwolf for making this episode possible! Whether you're a gamer, creator, or game studio, Overwolf is the ultimate destination for integrating UGC in games! You can check out all Overwolf has to offer at https://www.overwolf.com/.If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Who's On:Guest - Owen Mahoney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owen-mahoney-11515/ Host - Aaron Bush: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-bush-846b8185/ Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

Key changes in tax law related to the newly passed One Big Beautiful Bill significantly impact the financial independence (FI) community. Notably, the extension of tax rates and the higher standard deduction provide more planning certainty for early retirees, allowing greater financial management under these new regulations. Brad & Sean Mullaney discuss the critical tax provisions like enhanced charitable contribution deductions for non-itemizers, updates to state and local tax deductions, and the introduction of a senior deduction for retirees. They also explore strategies for maximizing premium tax credits starting in 2026.   Disclaimer Sean's discussions on the ChooseFI podcast and articles and messages published on ChooseFI.com are intended for general educational purposes and are not tax, legal, or investment advice for any individual. The ChooseFI podcast and its owners, employees, and agents do not endorse Sean Mullaney, Mullaney Financial & Tax, Inc., or their services.   Key Topics Discussed: Introduction to the New Tax Bill 00:00:00 Overview of the One Big Beautiful Bill and its significance for the FI community. Impacts of Extended Tax Rates 00:02:20 Explanation of the permanence of the tax rates and the increased standard deduction. Changes to Charitable Contributions 00:13:12 Details on new deductions for non-itemizers and adjustments to itemized deductions. State and Local Tax Deduction Update 00:23:26 Increase of deductible cap from $10,000 to $40,000, impacting itemization strategies. Exploration of the Senior Deduction 00:30:05 Introduction of a $6,000 deduction aimed at seniors aged 65 and older. Understanding Premium Tax Credits 00:39:10 Strategic planning opportunities utilizing bronze ACA plans and HSAs to maximize tax benefits. Actionable Takeaways: Maximize Your Standard Deduction: Consider traditional contributions to optimize your tax situation. 00:10:15 Utilize Bronze ACA Plans: Start in 2026 to lower premiums and leverage HSA contributions for enhanced tax benefits. 00:42:07 Key Quotes: "The new standard deduction is a game-changer for those pursuing financial independence." 00:08:46 "These are crucial planning implications that can optimize your tax situation." 00:17:36 "Shift your income from high tax brackets to the 0% tax bracket for maximum savings." 00:12:19 Timestamps: 00:00:14 - Importance of premium tax credits for the FI community. 00:03:05 - Risk of the standard deduction decreasing without the new law. 00:10:15 - Optimizing tax situation with traditional contributions. 00:14:00 - Details on the charitable contributions deduction. 00:25:19 - Update on the state and local tax deduction cap. Related Resources: YouTube Video on Premium Tax Credits: Watch Here [Timestamp: 00:45:00] Cody Garrett and Sean Mullaney's Book Notification: Sign Up Here [Timestamp: 00:59:35] Discussion Questions: How does the new tax bill affect your approach to retirement planning? 00:00:10 What strategies can be adopted to make the most of the new standard deduction? 00:10:15 Summary: This episode dives into the legislative changes that may significantly influence financial planning for those aiming for early retirement. By understanding the implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill, listeners can better navigate their financial futures.

So far this month, the S&P 500 index has returned more than twice its long-term average return for July. Notably, the S&P 500 Equal Weight index, which gives equal importance to small and large companies alike, reached two all-time highs last week from none for this year. The index's two largest sectors are industrials and financials, sectors that follow the ups and downs of the overall economy. When many stocks are participating in an uptrend, it usually means the uptrend is stronger.Meanwhile, the recent US-EU trade deal, which includes a 15% tariff on European goods, should put pressure on Mexico and Canada to get deals done by the Friday deadline. However, negotiations may not be as straightforward: Canadian Prime Minister Carney said last week that Canada "will not accept a bad deal", and Trump said, “We haven't really had a lot of luck with Canada. I think Canada could be one where there's just a tariff, not really a negotiation."

We're excited to kick off a new season of the RiskCeller podcast after a well-deserved break! In this episode, we not only catch up on personal adventures and favorite wines, but we also unveil a shift in our show's format, moving beyond insurance industry news to tackle a wider range of timely topics and in-depth interviews. This fresh approach is about delivering a perfect mix of hard-hitting news and thoughtful, expert discussions for our listeners, whether you're an insurance professional or just intrigued by the broader legal landscape.One of the major issues we explore is third-party litigation funding and its destabilizing effects on the insurance sector. We discuss how litigation financing, where outside investors fund lawsuits for a slice of the settlement, has grown rapidly in the U.S., fueling what's often called “social inflation.” This trend is creating complications for insurers by inflating the costs of claims and pushing up premiums for everyone, from homeowners to small businesses. Notably, the episode centers on our interview with Minnesota State Senator Judy Seberger, an insurance defense attorney leading efforts for more transparency and consumer protections in litigation funding. Her bill, SF-2929, aims to shine light on industry practices and guard against predatory lending in the legal system.Throughout the episode, we reflect on the ripple effects that rising litigation costs have on insurance premiums and consumer experience. We compare trends across states, dig into the ethical and economic challenges posed by third-party funding, and debate if more states should follow Minnesota's lead. Our ongoing mission is to clarify the impact of legal and insurance industry changes and share insights from credible guests. If you're seeking fresh perspectives and actionable information on insurance, legal news, and consumer protection, you won't want to miss this season.Takeaway List:The podcast is changing its format to cover broader topics beyond just insurance.Litigation financing is destabilizing the insurance sector.Howden is making significant moves in the insurance brokerage space.Third-party litigation funding is a growing concern in the legal industry.Judy Seberger is advocating for transparency in litigation funding.The SF-2929 bill aims to protect consumers from predatory practices.Insurance premiums are affected by rising litigation costs.State legislation on litigation funding is evolving, with few states having robust laws.Social inflation is fueled by third-party funding in lawsuits.Industry experts like Chubb's CEO are calling for ethical and systemic reforms.The podcast will feature more interviews with industry leaders and policymakers.Listeners can expect a mix of breaking news, analysis, and practical advice.Chapters:00:00 Welcome Back and Summer Adventures05:27 Changes in the Podcast Format06:52 Current Events and Legal News13:54 Insurance Industry Developments16:28 Deep Dive into Litigation Funding26:23 Interview with Judy Seberger56:05 Wrap-Up and Future DiscussionsConnect with RiskCellar:Website: https://www.riskcellar.com/Guest: Judy SebergerLinkedIn: Judy Seberger's LinkedIn Profilelinkedin.com/in/judy-sebergerJudy Seberger, State Senator, Minnesota Senate Official Page: senate.mn/members/member_bio.html?mem_id=1248Email: sen.judy.seberger@senate.mnBrandon Schuh:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552710523314LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-stephen-schuh/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schuhpapa/Nick Hartmann:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjhartmann/

The Trump administration is back at the US Supreme Court, with yet another soundly reasoned legal argument by Solicitor General John Sauer. This time the argument is whether an unelected, black-robed, tyrannical, inferior, federal district trial court judge can order the Article II Executive Branch to continue funding an executive agency of which the judge is fond. Notably, this very question was decided by the Supreme Court only four months ago, in essentially an identical case with identical facts.But the inferior federal courts continue to act in open rebellion against the Article III Supreme Court, as well as against the Article I Legislative Branch and the Article II Executive Branch.In other words, the unelected, black-robed, tyrannical, inferior federal district trial courts have seized a claimed authority that is superior to the entirety of our Constitutional order. The #1 guide for understanding when using force to protect yourself is legal. Now yours for FREE! Just pay the S&H for us to get it to you.➡️ Carry with confidence, knowing you are protected from predators AND predatory prosecutors➡️ Correct the common myths you may think are true but get people in trouble​➡️ Know you're getting the best with this abridged version of our best-selling 5-star Amazon-rated book that has been praised by many (including self-defense legends!) for its easy, entertaining, and informative style.​➡️ Many interesting, if sometimes heart-wrenching, true-life examplesGet Your Free Book: https://lawofselfdefense.com/getthebook

We've gathered a veritable podkova of podcast guests this week to discuss the "final" entry in the Mission: Impossible franchise. Past and no doubt future guest of the show Michael DeLaney joins us, along with manager of the Tatooine Moons, Ethan Krupp, both M:I enthusiasts who have helped us on M:I episodes in the past! Notably missing is Mike's wife Caitlyn, but she makes a small guest appearance, so be on the lookout for that.You can contact the show at agoodpodcast@gmail.com and find us @HowStarWarsIsIt on all platforms, but since all platforms are kind of evil now, you should probably just email us. That's the best way to get a hold of us! You can also follow Mike @WordGospel09 on Youtube and Instagram and Josiah @JosiahDotBiz on social media, but once again, just email us. And don't forget to rate and review on iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts! And if you REALLY like the show head over to our Patreon at patreon.com/howstarwarsisit for bonus episodes, Star Wars movie commentaries, and more!

Episode Overview In this episode of the Solar Maverick Podcast, Benoy Thanjan speaks with Robb Jetty, CEO of REC Solar.  Rob shares insights from his 23-year journey in renewable energy, REC's behind-the-meter and utility-scale development strategy, and the company's active role in greenfield projects, energy storage, and asset repowering. Benoy Thanjan Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy and he is also an advisor for several solar startup companies.  He has extensive project origination, development, and financial experience in the renewable energy industry and in the environmental commodities market.   This includes initial site evaluation, permitting, financing, sourcing equipment, and negotiating the long-term energy and environmental commodities off-take agreements. He manages due diligence processes on land, permitting, and utility interconnection and is in charge of financing and structuring through Note to Proceed (“NTP”) to Commercial Operation Date (“COD”). Benoy composes teams suitable for all project development and construction tasks. He is also involved in project planning and pipeline financial modeling. He has been part of all sides of the transaction and this allows him to provide unique perspectives and value. Benoy has extensive experience in financial engineering to make solar projects profitable. Before founding Reneu Energy, he was the SREC Trader in the Project Finance Group for SolarCity which merged with Tesla in 2016.  He originated SREC trades with buyers and co-developed their SREC monetization and hedging strategy with the senior management of SolarCity to move into the east coast markets.  Benoy was the Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners which is a national solar installer where he focused on project finance solutions for commercial scale solar projects.  He also worked for Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund, where he analyzed potential investments in renewable energy projects and worked on maximizing the financial return of the projects in the portfolio.  Benoy also worked on the sale of all of the renewable energy projects in Ridgewood's portfolio.   He was in the Energy Structured Finance practice for Deloitte & Touche and in Financial Advisory Services practice at Ernst & Young.  Benoy received his first experience in Finance as an intern at D.E. Shaw & Co., which is a global investment firm with 37 billion dollars in investment capital. He has a MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from the Stern School of Business at New York University.  Benoy was an Alumni Scholar at the Stern School of Business.  Robb Jetty Rob Jetty is the Chief Executive Officer of REC Solar, a leading independent power producer (IPP) and clean energy developer focused on delivering innovative behind-the-meter and small utility-scale solar and storage solutions across the U.S. With over 23 years of experience in the renewable energy industry, Rob has built a career spanning the full lifecycle of clean energy development—from founding a regional EPC firm in 2002 to holding senior leadership roles at some of the industry's most influential organizations, including Recurrent Energy, General Electric, and EDF Renewables. As CEO of REC Solar, Rob is steering the company's strategic growth following its 2023 acquisition by ArcLight Capital Partners. Under his leadership, REC is focused on expanding its operating fleet through greenfield development, M&A, and repowering of aging solar assets. The company operates more than 150 solar projects totaling approximately 300 MW across 16 states. Rob's deep understanding of project development, corporate procurement, and grid-scale renewables enables REC to serve diverse sectors including food & beverage, cold storage, special districts (MUSH market), and fleet electrification. Notably, the company led the development of a solar-powered EV bus charging hub for the Anaheim Transportation Network, and a microgrid at Kona Village Resort in Hawaii, supporting resilience and clean energy access.   Stay Connected: Benoy Thanjan Email: info@reneuenergy.com  LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com   Robb Jetty LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertjetty/ Website: https://recsolar.com/ REC Solar Case Studies:  https://recsolar.com/resources/case-studies/

Coming up on episode #1024, Josh welcomes Michael Phillips for a review of Ari Aster's EDDINGTON. We'll also replay Adam and Josh's Top 5 Joaquin Phoenix Performances from April 2023. Notably absent from that Top 5? Phoenix's Theodore from Spike Jonze's HER. That's because the 2013 film was in the 'penalty box', having been the subject of a recent bonus show shared exclusively with Filmspotting Family members. Here it is for the first time in the main feed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edition No199 | 23-07-2025 - The gates of the financial level crossing are coming down, but the Russian banking system is still stuck on the tracks, like the idiot driver that ignores the signals and bells and thinks they can cross in time. The express train of sanctions and consequences is careening down the tracks. Get ready for the troubled Russian banking sector to be turned to scrap by the impact, a pile of fiscal junk, entirely because of Putin's reckless and senseless decisions. Russia's economy is about to implode—and the silence on its banking system is deafening. Russian banks are teetering, bailouts are rumoured, and the Kremlin is quietly crafting laws to lock down the narrative. Why now? Because the war, sanctions, and mounting debt have created a financial tinderbox—and Ukraine's lighting matches.----------DESCRIPTION:The Imminent Collapse of Russia's Banking SystemIn this episode of Silicon Bites, we delve into the unfolding banking crisis in Russia. The financial instability is being exacerbated by sanctions related to the war in Ukraine, leading to a significant strain on the system. Notably, several top Russian banks are quietly discussing emergency bailouts, and there's growing internal panic over rising bad loans and delinquency rates. The Kremlin is implementing laws to suppress information and control the narrative, even as the economy faces a potential collapse. We explore how high interest rates, inflation, and declining revenues are contributing to this financial turmoil, and why comprehensive sanctions by Western allies are crucial to forcing Putin's wartime economy to its breaking point.----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Support Acknowledgment00:23 The Russian Banking Crisis Unfolds01:26 Emergency Bailouts and Hidden Debts02:40 Rising Bad Loans and Economic Warnings04:53 Sanctions and Global Isolation05:46 Censorship and Economic Control07:26 Conclusion: The Path Forward----------SOURCES: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/22/russian-banks-will-fall-the-question-is-how-hard-a89912 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-17/russian-banks-have-discussed-seeking-bailouts-within-next-year https://nationalsecurityjournal.org/russias-economy-is-a-ticking-time-bomb/ https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/18/eu-agrees-new-sanctions-on-russias-oil-and-banks-after-robert-fico-lifts-his-veto https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/17/russias-largest-banks-exploring-bailouts-as-bad-loans-grow-bloomberg-a89862 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-18/eu-backs-revised-russia-oil-price-cap-and-new-russia-sanctions https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-debt-bank-bailout-bad-loans-rates-ukraine-war-2025-7 https://uatv.ua/en/comprehensive-isolation-of-russia-s-financial-sector-is-gaining-momentum-the-governor-of-the-national-bank-of-ukraine/ https://kyivindependent.com/russias-systematically-important-banks-discussing-bailout-within-next-year-07-2025/ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-26/russian-banks-fear-debt-crisis-is-coming-as-war-strains-economy https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/22/oman-tightens-banking-restrictions-on-russian-firms-vedomosti-a89918 https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2085142/russia-economy-loan-defaults-vtb-bank https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/07/17/russian-banks-prepare-bailout-putins-war-hammers-economy/ ----------

"I've been given life to affect life, and that's what I'm grateful for." - Mark Durante Mark Durante is the inspiring founder of Rize Up Medical, known for his pioneering work in regenerative medicine. After enduring a life-changing heart transplant and overcoming severe neuropathy pain through regenerative therapies, Mark dedicated himself to transforming patient care. His company, Rize Up Medical, empowers medical practitioners nationwide by incorporating cutting-edge regenerative therapies into their practices, revolutionizing patient outcomes and improving healthcare methodologies. Mark's compelling journey from a heart transplant patient to a leader in medical innovation highlights his commitment to improving lives through advanced medical practices. Episode Summary: In this captivating episode of "All My Health, There's Hope," host Jana Short engages with Mark Durante, founder of Rize Up Medical, in a heartfelt conversation about the power of regenerative medicine and his incredible personal journey. Mark shares his transformative experience from being a patient in need of a heart transplant to becoming a groundbreaking figure in regenerative therapies. His story is a testament to overcoming adversity and harnessing the potential of innovative medical treatments to improve the lives of patients nationwide. Mark Durante delves into the specifics of his journey with neuropathy and heart failure, shedding light on how regenerative medicine played a pivotal role in his recovery and eventual mission to help others. Through the Rize method, Mark has helped numerous practitioners implement regenerative solutions, addressing a range of conditions, from cardiac and neurological issues to orthopedic concerns. With a focus on wellness and sustainable health solutions, Mark's insights provide valuable knowledge on how the intersection of technology, medicine, and patient care can lead to life-changing outcomes. Notably, this episode underscores the importance of organ donation and how medical advancements can offer renewed hope for those facing debilitating health challenges. Key Takeaways: Mark Durante's transformative experience with a heart transplant and neuropathy led him to pioneer regenerative medicine advancements. Rize Up Medical aids practitioners in integrating cutting-edge regenerative therapies, enhancing patient care and practice growth. Regenerative medicine offers hope for numerous conditions, from neurological to orthopedic, showing promise in rejuvenating health. Advances in biologics and regenerative methods can positively impact aesthetics, wellness, and longevity, providing pathways to a better quality of life. The episode highlights the critical role of organ donation and how innovative medical treatments are pivotal in saving lives and offering hope. Resources www.rizeupmedical.com IG: @‌rizeupmedical FB: @‌rizeupmedical https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-durante/ Get in touch with Jana and listen to more Podcasts: https://www.janashort.com/ Show Music ‘Hold On' by Amy Gerhartz https://www.amygerhartz.com/music. Get the Best Holistic Life Magazine Subscription! It is one of the fastest-growing independent magazines centered around holistic living. https://bestholisticlife.info/BestHolisticLifeMagazine Grab your gift today: https://bestholisticlife.info/BestHolisticLifeMagazine Connect with Jana Short: https://www.janashort.com/contact/