Podcasts about oomph

Today's crossword was a debut for Gene Louise De Vera, so a few lusty "huzzahs" would not be out of place. The grid had some interesting features: we liked the  the juxtaposition of 39D, Children's author Asquith, ROS, and 40D, "Hel-l-lp!",  SOS. We were pleased to see the presence of 19A, "The Gift of the Magi" writer, OHENRY, and had hoped to also see OHHENRY, the chocolate bar, but we'll settle for a small glass of 48D, Dessert drink made with frozen grapes, ICEWINE.All in all, a fine crossword, and we give it a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.Besides the crossword, we also have a spot of delightful listener mail, so check it out!Show note imagery: MARA Rooney, in the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.We love feedback! Send us a text...Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

The relationship between brands and news media has deteriorated in recent years. WARC's Alex Brownsell is joined by Omar Oakes, founder at OOmph and Jamie Credland, CEO of World Media Group, to discuss why and how the relationship can bounce back.To learn more, read the latest Global Ad Trends, part of WARC Media, a quarterly report which draws on WARC's dataset of advertising and media intelligence to give a holistic view on the industry.WARC Media subscribers can read the report in full.If you're yet to join, you can find a sample of the report here.

AP correspondent Julie Walker reports on Sarah Palin's testimony at her New York Times defamation trial.

Abbiamo ascoltato: Eisbear (Grauzone) Traumst du (Oomph!) Junge (Die Ärzte) Kein züruck (Wolfsheim) Tu einfach dein Bestes und mach dir keine sorgen (Superpunk) Wir sind groß (Mark Foster) Leichtes gepäck (Silbermond) Ich bin ich (Rosenstolz)

Kratzen: Reichtum Kratzen: Immer Die Nerven: Das Glas zerbricht und ich gleich mit Gewalt: Trans Safi: Der Golem Freunde der italienischen Oper: Der Garten Eisbrecher: Das neue normal Oomph! Feat. Nina Hagen: Fieber DAF/DOS: Kom xPropaganda: The night Gut und Irmler: Früh Ah! Kosmos & Hainbach: Feather Falls Kai Niggemann: The pretty blaze Kai Niggemann: Called Phoenix Kai Niggemann: Heart Murmur

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Room and Bored: Part 5 Dale's schedule filled up with women's requests.. Based on a post by Krosis, in 5 parts. Listen to the ►  Podcast at Steamy Stories. At college, Melanie reminded Dale of their date that weekend. He nodded, he was originally going to cancel, but now that Nancy and Dale had -- was 'broken up' the correct term? -- well, whatever it was, it was done, so he figured he'd take the pretty platinum blonde to the movie and try to get on with his life. Just before he left the campus, though, he got a picture message from an unknown number. Confused, he opened it to see a photo of him taking Nancy from behind in their kitchen. The pic was a bit grainy, obviously taken from outside the house, but both their faces could easily be identified. A text then arrived from the same number: *My place, 6pm -- Helena*   That morning, Helena woke at 8 AM sharp. She had no choice in the matter, her parents had drilled it into her for most of her life so that she wouldn't be late for school, and even now, when she was no longer attending any house of learning, her body still habitually woke her up at that time. "Ugh, " She got up, stretched her lithe body, and pulled on some sweatpants and a tight t-shirt over a bra and undies. As she headed toward her bedroom door, she glanced out her window and stopped short. Dale's house across the street had its front windows open, and, she squinted, was that, ? She rushed down the hallway to the second floor's front balcony and threw it open. Sure enough, that was Nancy bent over the kitchen counter, getting fucked by, "Dale?" Helena pulled out her phone and zoomed the camera in. Not good enough! She cast about, saw her Dad's bird watching binoculars, and grabbed them. She pressed her camera lens to one of the eye holes of the binos and lined up the shot. There! She snapped several pics before she saw Dale thrust deep and cry out as he filled the voluptuous housewife with his cum. Shaking, Helena went back inside to decide what to do about this revelation. Obviously if Nancy's husband saw these pics, then her marriage would be over, and Dale would probably get the shit kicked out of him. Helena didn't like the thought of that, but she didn't care about Nancy's marriage; she barely knew the woman. She got a text from her Mom: *Won't be home tonight, try not to fuck the whole neighborhood while we're out, slut* Helena's parents hadn't come home the previous night either. She was pretty certain that they were over at a swinger couple's house, and it seemed that they had hit it off. Her mother was always ribbing Helena about her high sex drive, but the young woman had actually been a virgin until she had tricked a blindfolded Dale into sex almost 2 weeks ago, and even that had been an accident. Thinking about Dale's long cock slipping inside her and filling her with his sizable load made her nipples hard. It had been a frequent masturbatory inspiration since. She needed more, and with these pics she knew she could get more, she just had to be bold, like her mother. 'Like mother, like daughter,' she heard her mother's voice in her head. "Yeah," she agreed. Dale finds himself at the beck and call of demanding women. Things were strained between Dale and Nancy after he got home from school, not only because she had broken off their burgeoning romance, but also due to his concern about Helena's text that contained picture evidence of him and his married landlady having sex. What did Helena want from him? he wondered. After dinner, he headed over to Helena's house at 6 PM, as ordered. The strawberry blonde answered the door, as usual, with a menacing grin on her pretty face. She was wearing a tight t-shirt and sweatpants today. "Right on time, slave." Dale stared at her. Slave? "Get in here." He stepped in and she closed and locked the door behind him. "Oh, now that you're here, I don't know what to make you do first." "What are your plans for that pic?" he asked her. "Nuttin'," she replied, "as long as you do what I say, obvs." "And if I don't do what you say?" She sighed. "It gets sent to Nancy's husband, and terrible things happen. You ready to stop talking now?" "Nancy's a good person, Helena; she doesn't deserve this." She stepped forward, the top of her head coming only as high as his chin. Dale hadn't realized how short she actually was. "She's a cheating whore, and her husband deserves to know, don't you think?" He bit his tongue and scowled, realizing that yelling wouldn't help the situation. She turned back away from him. "Okay, so the pics are saved to my cloud, and I even printed 'em out, in case you're good enough at computers to hack my account." Dale sighed, Helena had prepared well. "What do you want me to do?" She bounced, her B-cups bobbling about in her shirt. "Ooh, I was hoping I'd be inspired when you got here, but now, too many options, and I can't decide on any! Oh, I know, " She pulled out her phone and started typing. "I joined a View dit group for masters and slaves earlier today, so I'll ask them what I should have you do. Hmm, " Blip! Blip! Blip! Her eyes lit up and she laughed, "Ha, awesome! C'mon up to Mom's room." He followed her up the ornate staircase to Trish's bedroom. "Sit on the bed." She rummaged through her mother's wardrobes and grabbed some things. "Wait here, " She went into the adjoining bathroom and closed the door. A few minutes later, she came out, still wearing the t-shirt, but now she had garters with dark, thigh-high nylon stockings on instead of her sweatpants. She dropped her phone onto the side table, climbed onto the bed, and nibbled her lower lip, reminding Dale of her mother. Sitting at the head of the bed, she spread her legs and he could see that she also had some lacy black panties on. She extended one long, slim leg. "Suck on my toes." He blinked. She had been wearing Chucks when he came in, so her feet were probably sweaty. She frowned and reached for her phone. "How disappointing." Dale grabbed her dainty, stocking-covered foot and shoved the toes into his mouth, grimacing as he started to suck on them. "Mmm, " she sighed, smiled, and started typing again. A few minutes later, she said, "Dang, this person really likes nylons. Do you like my legs, Dale? You can stop sucking." He let go of her toes. Despite the degradation of the act, his cock was getting hard. "Yes, you have gorgeous legs, Helena." "Just like my Mom's?" He considered. "Hers are gorgeous too." She was watching him very closely now. "Which do you prefer?" He didn't know how he should answer. "Be honest, I won't get mad." "Your mom's are more toned; she works hard to keep in shape. You're naturally slim, so you don't need to work out. Sorry, I think toned is better than slim." "Hmm, I see, take out your cock." "Uh, " "Now!" Dale got off the bed, pulled down his jeans and underwear, and stood there. At Helena's direction, he sat back on the bed before her. Then she moved her feet down and took his cock between them. "Umm, " It was awkward, but she was determined. Soon, she was able to stroke up and down his rising erection between her stockinged feet, the nylon catching at the skin of his shaft as it rasped up and down. Dale had never felt anything like it before. "Why, are you doing this?" he gasped. "Because I want to. Why else?" She moved one foot so the arch of her foot pressed against his shaft and her toes grasped at the head of his cock while her other foot continued to stroke. He was having trouble controlling his breathing. "Fuck, I'm gonna, " "Yeah? So cool!" She moved her feet upon him faster until he grunted and shot his cum onto the bottom of her nylon-covered foot. She kept stroking him, but it soon became overwhelmingly sensitive and he backed off, looking embarrassed. She waved him away. "Okay, you can go, but make sure you're ready for when I call." He pulled on his clothes and went home. Helena pulled off the dripping stocking and sucked the foot of it into her mouth as she frigged her clit. Tasting Dale's sperm again, she quickly came, thrilling at the thought of what she did, and what she'd do to him next time.   Dale got a call from his parents as he walked through the front door. "Hey, Mom! Yeah, just got home from my job." He looked over and saw Nancy sitting on the couch, watching TV. He went into the kitchen to fix himself a snack. "Umm hmm, umm hmm, yeah, she's taking care of me." Nancy glanced over and saw Dale looking at her as he said that. She blushed but kept watching her show. "Yep, I'm making a new life here, Mom. Yeah, love you too, say hi to Dad!" New life, Nancy's hand caressed her midsection, thinking about the huge load of sperm Dale had pumped into her that very morning. She had been careless, allowing the young man to plunder her vulnerable insides with his no doubt potent sperm as her body entered its fertile time of the month. She could feel her pussy moistening at the memory, but she had broken it off with him for good this time. She had called her husband, and he would be coming home early at her insistence. She heard Dale head downstairs to his suite and sighed. He still had Trish across the street to satisfy his urges, so he'd survive just fine.   *Got a treat for you today! Cum over at 7pm* That had been from Trish the next day. Both the Milfy blonde and her daughter were ordering him around now. Helena opened the door for him, wearing only short-shorts and a sports bra today, with her strawberry blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail. Her skin shone, and he thought that she might have been exercising. "Her bedroom, come to mine after." She gave him a wink. "Trish?" He opened the master bedroom door to find the leggy blonde laying on her bed, completely naked, and she brought a friend! "Um, " "Close the door, Dale. This is Marietta, and she's been looking forward to making your acquaintance after I told her about all the fun we've been having." "Uh, hi." Dale couldn't believe how much this pretty, older Latina lady looked like a darker-skinned version of Nancy, with large tits, a curvy body, and dark, shoulder-length curls instead of Nancy's auburn tresses. She was likewise naked, her legs wide, with Trish's face between them. "I've been getting her ready for you," Trish said as she got up and strode over to him. Then she kissed him hard and he tasted the other woman's juices on her lips. "We want several loads from you tonight, Dale, so get undressed." She sat back down on the bed and waited. He quickly disrobed and climbed onto the bed, uncertain. Trish's treat for him was a threesome! "How do you want to do this?" Trish asked Marietta. The newcomer shrugged, uncertain, she seemed shy as well, covering her large tits as best she could with her arms. "Hmm, okay, Dale, lay down." He did, and Trish situated her pussy above his face while he felt Marietta climb astride his hips, the women facing each other. Dale speared his tongue between Trish's pussy lips. "Umm! Good boy, Dale, come on, Mari, get on that cock." Dale felt the other woman grasp his hard member, direct it to her pussy, and then start to press down upon it. "Fuck, he's big," she groaned. Dale felt a bit proud at that. He grabbed Trish's hips and pulled her down onto his tongue. "Uhh, you're getting better at that, Dale," Trish moaned as he also licked at her clit before dipping his tongue inside again. Marietta had gotten half of his cock inside her, and it seemed like she was struggling. "Let me, " Trish said, and she leaned forward. Dale couldn't see what she did, but the other woman groaned and slipped further down his cock as her pussy loosened up. After she pulled up a bit and pressed down again a few more times, he was all the way inside her. "Got it, all, " she moaned. Dale could feel her pussy trembling around his shaft. "You want that cum? You have to earn it, Mari, move that ass, " Trish ordered her friend. Dale felt Trish shift as she pushed Marietta back, causing the newcomer to arch her spine as she continued to ride him. This new angle caused the head of his cock to rub along her G-spot, and he heard her gasping as his member pleasured her insides. After a few minutes, Trish whispered to her friend, "Oh, he's gonna fill you up with that hot cum soon, I can tell. Won't that feel good, babe, all that sperm inside you?" Marietta whimpered, and Trish took one of the woman's prominent nipples into her mouth. Dale couldn't hear or see any of this, though. He felt Marietta's pussy grip him tighter, and he pushed two fingers into Trish's pussy as he continued to lick at her clit. He was indeed getting close, the two women overwhelming his senses. He felt Trish lean forward more, her fingers flicked at Marietta's clit on the down-strokes, but on the upstrokes she caressed the base of Dale's cock. That was it for him, he grunted into Trish's pussy as his balls gave up their cargo and shot his orgasm up his lengthy shaft and deep inside Marietta's sultry pussy. Upon feeling Dale's cock throb, followed by a wet, warm pressure deep inside her, Marietta came. "Oh! Ah! Aie!" "Yes!" Trish sat up and pulled her friend into a hot, tonguey kiss as her boytoy inseminated the woman. "Umm, " Finally, both of them rolled off of Dale and they all lay there, panting. After a few minutes, Trish engulfed his cock with her mouth and sucked all of his and Marietta's combined juices from it. Pretty soon, his member rose to near full size again. "Ah, youth, " Trish commented, and climbed astride him. She was able to take all of him inside her juicy pussy without issue, and began to slam herself down upon him, quickly approaching her own release. She glanced to the side, saw Marietta playing with her own clit as she watched Trish and Dale fucking, and came. "Oh-oh! Yes, " Trish played with her own nipples as pleasure washed over and through her. When Trish's orgasm was done, she dismounted. "Get over there and fuck Marietta again, stud." Marietta looked at Dale with wide eyes. "Trish, I'm not sure I can, oomph!" Dale had leapt upon the voluptuous woman and slipped his hard cock back inside her spermy pussy. He thrust into her quickly, wanting to achieve his second release of the night. If he blurred his eyes, he could almost believe that he was having sex with Nancy again. He felt Trish come up behind him and wrap her arms around his chest while pressing her pelvis to his ass. "Hm, like this, it's almost like I'm fucking her," she breathed into his ear. "This is so damn hot." Dale could only agree. "You've probably already impregnated her, but let's make doubly sure, hmm?" "What?" Dale slowed down but Trish moved one arm down around his hips so she could keep thrusting from behind, which pushed his hips forward. "Trish, " "I'm sorry for not letting you know beforehand, Dale, but I didn't know what you'd do if you knew. Marietta's a single professional, and she wants a baby, so I offered your, stud services, " She nibbled on his ear. "C'mon, you can't tell me that you aren't turned on by this." She continued to thrust from behind, but Dale wasn't fighting back, only letting his hips be pushed and pulled by her as his cock sluiced into the body of the fertile woman below him. He acknowledged that it was indeed hot, shooting his cum inside this voluptuous lady. Trish had been practically training his brain for this moment, urging him to play 'knock me up' every time they had sex. Had her method been purposeful, or a happy coincidence? He couldn't think on that very well, as he was approaching his second orgasm of the night. "Oh, please, " Marietta stared into his eyes, her need written plainly on her face as she pushed her rounded hips up at him. Finally, Dale let go, thrusting faster into the sexy woman until he felt another cum rising from his loins. "Uh, umm, Uh!" "Yes, " both women moaned as he thrust deeply inside Marietta and fired another load of baby juice deep inside her. "Umm!" Marietta moaned as she furiously played with her clit and came again. Dale felt her pussy suckling on his cock, urging more of his potent sperm to penetrate her fertile insides. He fell upon Marietta, his energy gone. Trish let go, and the Latina enveloped him with her arms and legs, brought his face to hers, and kissed him passionately. "Thank you, Dale. Oh, " He felt a small orgasmic aftershock squeeze his cock. When he recovered enough, he redressed. "I, uh, gotta go, " "Thank you, Dale," Trish said, "you'll get an extra-special treat next time for being such a good boy." "I, may not survive, " he moaned. He looked back at Marietta. "Err, nice to meet you, " he said lamely. She waved as he stumbled out of the master bedroom. He was going to head home and sleep forever, Helena's bedroom door opened and her finger beckoned. "Oh shit, " The extra-long conclusion. "Helena, " "Hist!" The slim strawberry blonde silenced Dale with a wave of her arm before ushering him into her bedroom and closing the door behind him. "I said you were mine after Mom was done with you." He sat on her bed. "I'm wasted. Those women, " He stopped. Helena dropped the robe she had been wearing, revealing the same garters and hose from the previous day, but now she was also wearing a dark, sheer bustier that propped up her B-cup tits and deepened her cleavage. ", whoa." The eighteen-year-old blushed for a moment as Dale stared at her outfit, but then took a breath. "So, get those pants off." He unfastened his jeans. "Sure, but nothing's gonna happen; I've been wrung dry." "We'll see about that. Also, whisper if you have to say anything." She gave a pointed look toward the air vent near the ceiling. "The walls have ears." He glanced at the vent and then sat back on her bed. As expected, his penis was limp and lifeless. Helena climbed onto the bed with him. "You don't like how I look?" She seemed offended. "You're gorgeous, totally sexy," Dale replied, "but holy shit those women got two loads out of me, back-to-back. I may not be able to cum again for days." "Lay back." He did so, sighing, and Helena moved her nylon-covered feet to his penis again. However, unlike last time, it just didn't respond to the manipulations of her dainty tootsies. She finally gave up. "Damnit," she swore under her breath, "Mom just can't let me enjoy myself." She moved up the bed and lay back on a pillow, huffing in frustration. Dale lay down beside her. "How do you mean?" "She keeps telling me how much I'm like her, a goddamn cumslut, useless for anything but sex, and now I can't even get that going because she drained you like a fucking vampire." "She said all that?" "Shush!" She waved her hand at the air vent. He moved closer so he could whisper. "So the ice princess and dominatrix acts are because of what your mom says? You don't have to listen to her. Did you blackmail me because you thought I wouldn't be interested in you otherwise?" She looked into his eyes as they lay there. "Well, yeah. When we met, I treated you like shit I found on the bottom of my shoe." He considered for a moment. "Tell me something you like, a hobby or pastime." She thought for a moment. "I like anime." "Me too! Attack on Titan, My Hero Academia, " "Assassination Classroom?" "Yeah! See, we have something in common. And that's just one thing, I'm sure we have others, but you never bothered to find out." He peered out the window into the night. "Why were you looking at Nancy's house so early in the morning, when you caught us, doing that?" She looked embarrassed. "I always look out there when I wake up. Sometimes I see you heading to school." "You've been watching me?" She flushed. "Yeah, and when you're doing stuff with Mom, " "You've been spying, too." Dale marveled at this, both Nancy and Helena had spied on him doing sex stuff. How many other women were so, sex driven? he wondered. Helena nibbled her lower lip, thinking of the sexy sounds that had come through the air vent from her mother's room for the last hour. She began to rub her thighs together. "I don't get out much." Dale closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. "Jesus, you're a hot girl that likes anime and sex, you could honestly have any guy you wanted just by showing interest in them, and instead you blackmailed me." "Soo, you do want to go out with me?" He looked at her confused but hopeful look. "If you had asked yesterday, I'd have said yes, well, I guess not while I'm 'servicing' your mother, " "I wouldn't make you stop, that's hot, and I'm not jealous," she informed him, "but why yesterday?" "Because that was before you blackmailed me!" "Oh."   "Dale?" He started awake, confused. Where was he? Oh, right, on Helena's bed. She was still in the garters and bustier, so he figured that he'd only been out for a moment. He looked at his phone, it was 9 PM, so he'd been napping there for the last hour. "Were you just watching me sleep?" he asked her. "You looked like you needed to rest, so I went on my phone for a bit," she replied. "I was hoping a nap might help Mr. Pokey down there." He considered his penis, but it still seemed devoid of energy. "Hm, probably not." "What if I, ?" She took it in hand and started pulling at it. After a minute of that, she sighed and took it into her mouth. "Ahh, " he moaned. The warm, inverse pressure felt good, but his cock still remained lifeless. After another minute she gave up. "Damnit! This is so frustrating. How about, ?" She pulled down on her bustier so that her B-cup boobies popped out, each topped with a pink pencil eraser nipple. Dale felt a twinge down below, and licked his lips as he gazed at her luscious tits. "Yeah?" Helena looked hopeful. "Maybe, ?" She moved forward to press a nipple into his mouth, and Dale began to suckle on it. "Ooh, that feels, wow, " she moaned. She climbed astride him so that he would have better access to her tits, which then caused her panty-covered pussy to settle onto his mostly still-soft penis. "Hmm, ." she moaned in pleasure and frustration. "Are those my stockings and garters?" They froze and turned to the door. Trish was there in her shorty robe, her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed as she beheld her 18-year-old daughter rubbing herself on her 19-year-old boy-toy. "Mom! I, uh, " Helena scrambled off of Dale, but that only revealed his half-naked form. "Dale, go home and we'll talk later. Helena, my dear, we are going to have a discussion right now." He grabbed his pants and bounded past Trish and out of the room. Helena's bedroom door slammed behind him.   Friday after school, Dale just hung out in his basement suite. Nancy hadn't invited him up for dinner for the previous couple nights, and he was pretty sure that was no longer an option with her; they were now just landlady and renter, which was even less than what they had been when he moved in. *You up for that extra special treat?* Trish messaged him. Despite cumming twice in rapid succession the previous night with her and Marietta, Dale felt his cock perk up at that text. Still, he wasn't sure what he'd be walking into, after what happened between Trish and Helena. Instead of heading upstairs to leave, which could have caused him to run into Nancy, he instead left by his outside suite door. Trish opened the door for him, wearing her sheer shorty robe that showcased her glorious gams. "No Helena?" he asked, confused. "She's around," she said mysteriously. Dale paused for a moment, thinking. "Can I just quickly, ?" He headed toward the lower floor washroom. "Yeah, come on up to my bedroom when you're ready." When Dale walked into Trish's bedroom a few minutes later, he stopped short. Helena was tied, one extremity per post of Trish's four-poster bed, face down and naked, grunting and yelling into the ball gag that secured her mouth. Dale just stared. "I, uh, " Trish lightly slapped her daughter's ass, causing the girl to rage. "I was able to get out of her that she blackmailed you, though not what with. That was about it, though. Did you fuck her, Dale?" He just stood there, taking in the bizarre sight. "No, she just rubbed one out of me with her feet." Trish looked at her daughter, surprised and a little impressed. "Feet? Huh. Well, I've informed Little Miss Sunshine here that if she uses whatever she's been holding over you, she'll be on the street sucking whatever disease-ridden dicks she can find for cash. I won't support this kind of behavior under my roof." She slapped Helena's tight ass again, eliciting another grunt of outrage from the girl. Dale stayed standing in the bedroom doorway. "So what's going on here?" Trish came forward. "Your extra special treat! You're going to take her anal virginity." Helena screamed into the gag. "And how does Helena feel about that?" Trish harrumphed and crossed her arms. "I don't give a fuck. This girl needs to be taken down a peg, and you have the big peg to do it with." She reached for Dale's zipper. He stepped back, pulled out his phone, tapped the screen a few times, and put it away. "So that conversation where you were telling me that you wanted me to anally rape the daughter you forcibly tied to your bed has been uploaded to the cloud." Trish stepped back, shocked. "Dale, !" "Untie her, now." He had never seen Trish cowed before. She quickly did as commanded, freeing Helena, who then rushed over to hug Dale, tears streaming down her face. Trish sat on the bed. "Now what?" Dale gave Helena a squeeze. "Now we talk."   Dale had actually taken Psychology as his college minor (not that anyone ever asked). They sat on the bed and he let Helena rage at her mother about how she had put her down and called her a slut ever since her daughter had grown tits. After some pointed questioning, Dale was able to get out of Trish that she, herself, had been a sexually charged young woman, and had gotten pregnant the very first time she had sex, at 18. She had been stupid, but lucky in that Stephen had taken responsibility and married her. She had seen her daughter taking after herself and didn't want her making the same mistake. Along the way, though, things changed from protective to abusive, she admitted, but she didn't know how to change course. "Right here, this is where you change course," Dale told them. "Blackmail, anal rape? This is rock bottom, so there's nowhere to go but up, right?" "I'm sorry, baby, I love you," Trish sobbed, tears mucking up her mascara as she held out her hands to her daughter. Helena, still holding on to Dale's arm, tightened her grip. He turned to her, "If you think this is salvageable, at least take her hand." She did after a moment, and Trish gave her a hopeful smile. After some more discussion, Dale felt that they had done as much as they could for the day. He got Trish to promise that they'd seek out a family counselor. "I think it's pretty much a given that I won't be coming around again, as handyman or otherwise." Trish nodded. "I'm sorry, Dale, I betrayed your trust with Marietta and misjudged your character with Helena. I hope you'll forgive me." Without comment, he gave her a hug. Then he hugged Helena and went home.   "Hey, hey, Dale!" Dale stopped short as he habitually entered the house through the front door. Michael, Nancy's husband, home almost a week early, was in the kitchen grabbing a bag of chips. "You're back!" Dale stated, stunned. "Yep! Front, too," the older man winked at Dale. Dale sighed. For a guy who didn't have any kids, Michael sure loved dad jokes. "Well, welcome back. I gotta, " Dale pointed to the basement suite door and headed there. "Sure, sure, thanks for taking care of Nancy while I was away, champ." "You're welcome," Dale grumped, and headed down into his cave.   On Saturday, Melanie rolled up in her old Toyota Corolla to pick up Dale for their date. As he got into the passenger side, he noted that she was wearing a white knee-length skirt and a blue blouse under a long, furry coat. "I hope that's not real fur," he joked as she drove. "Definitely not!" Dale offered to pay for the movie, but Melanie refused. "I asked You out," she said indignantly. "Besides, how am I going to get you at my mercy in the back seat of my car if you don't owe me?" She gave him a silly grin to show that she was kidding. Dale frowned. If their genders had been reversed and he had said that, he'd probably have gotten a swift kick in the nards! He laughed uncomfortably. The movie was awesome, as were most Marvel movies. They shared a popcorn, and their hands touched frequently as they pulled the buttery snack from the bucket. When it was gone, they just continued to hold hands. "Wait until after the credits," he told her. "Well Duh!" she responded. After the post-credits scene, they reluctantly disengaged and headed back to her car. Instead of taking Dale home, though, Melanie pulled into an industrial area and parked in a darkened corner of a cul-de-sac. "Did you know that I've had a crush on you for a while?" she asked as she turned the car off. "Yeah? Oomph!" Melanie had unbuckled and rushed her face to his, catching him off guard. As the platinum blonde's tongue slipped into his mouth, though, his libido beast, unfulfilled for the last couple of nights, awoke, and he kissed her back passionately. After a while, first base moved to second, and Dale felt up Melanie's C-cups through her blouse. She redoubled her kissing and, emboldened, Dale suggested that they move into the back seat. "I dunno, oh, " she moaned as Dale found one of her nipples through her bra. "Um, okay." They removed their coats as they moved into the larger space of the back seat and made out some more. Dale was able to move his hands under Melanie's blouse to unsnap her bra, and soon he was palming her warm tits directly. They weren't as large as Nancy's, or even Trish's, but they were nice. "Hmm, " she moaned into his mouth. As they continued the make-out session, Melanie naturally lay back across the seats. Dale took advantage of the change of position by moving between her legs, and soon they were dry humping. As the teen couple thrust their covered loins together, her skirt slipped up further and further, and soon he was rubbing his jeans-covered crotch against her panty-covered pussy. Melanie was breathing heavily and thrusting her pelvis at him, her eyes closed as she was overwhelmed by the sensations. Dale reached down and unzipped his jeans, needing to be inside her. He took his turgid member in hand, used the head to move the gusset of her panties aside, "Dale." , and started to press it into her sex, "Dale! Stop!" , he could feel her wet pussy lips, opening to welcome him, Then he was on the floor of the car, his cheek stinging. "What the hell, Dale?" Melanie yelled. "I told you to stop!" His head was muzzy, both from his bubbling hormones and the slap. He replayed the last few seconds in his head. She Had told him to stop, and he had just been focused on getting his cock wet! He tucked his shrinking member back into his pants and sat back up on the seat, but opposite her. "I'm so sorry, Melanie, I thought you wanted me." Melanie had closed her legs and pulled her skirt back down, and was now looking at him with apprehension. "I did, I do, but, well, number one, you weren't listening, number two, I'm a virgin, and number three, you need to use a condom!" Dale blinked. With all the sex he'd had over the last few weeks, none of it had been with a condom, he hadn't even considered buying any for this date. Also, "You're a virgin?" Here he was, about to deflower Melanie in the back of an old Corolla. He felt like shit. She looked embarrassed. "Well, yeah, remember I was the fat girl with glasses in high school? Nobody asked me out, not even to prom. Then, after the weight loss and eye surgery, I moved here for college, and there you were, I mean, I've had offers from other guys recently, and even a girl, but I kept waiting for you to ask me out." His mind was racing, putting together the pieces that had contributed to his raging, one-track-mind libido over the last few weeks. He considered his date, looking so vulnerable. "Melanie, I wouldn't blame you if you just took me home, but will you listen to my story? It may explain things." She watched him for a while, thinking. Then she nodded. "But we're getting our coats back on, 'cause it's getting cold in here." Bundled back up, Dale told her everything about Nancy, Trish, and even Helena. He explained how Trish's seduction technique and frequent sexual demands, combined with his on-again, off-again 'relationship' with Nancy and Helena's master-slave blackmail must have warped his mind a bit, causing him to focus on the fucking instead of on making sure that Melanie was okay with what they were doing. He also apologized again. She looked at him, wide-eyed. "That was all true? You're not just making up stories, like in class?" He nodded. She pondered what he had said. "All right, I'll forgive you, but I'm going to need something from you, let's call it a trust exercise." Confused, he responded, "Okay, " She nibbled her lower lip. "That story was really fucking hot, and I need to cum. You said Trish taught you how to use your tongue, so, " She pulled down her panties and spread her legs for him, showing off her trimmed blonde muff. ", get in there, and if you make me feel good, I'll make you feel good after. No intercourse, though." Dale was likewise still horny from the making out, as well as from recounting his story. He dove between Melanie's legs and did his absolute best, giving her a screaming orgasm within a couple of minutes. Then she asked him to lay back, and she unfastened his jeans to pull his stiff cock out. "Holy shit! No wonder you've been getting laid so much! Oh!" She engulfed the head with her mouth and he moaned. She inexpertly licked and stroked him to orgasm. While he did warn her that he was going to cum, the sheer volume took her by surprise, and it spilled out as she choked trying to swallow it all, causing it to splatter back onto his crotch and drip down her chin. She licked it all up, marveling at how tasty it was.   Dale and Melanie took their relationship slowly, sticking with blowjobs and pussy eating when they got too wound up. He gave Nancy his notice and moved out the next month for campus housing that was closer to his new girlfriend. A few weeks later, Nancy and Michael rekindled their relationship after she informed him that she was finally pregnant. Michael figured that he had knocked his wife up just before he left for his extended work trip, and she didn't correct him, having started her last period a little after he left. The man stopped being depressed about his low sperm count and returned to his former attentive self, though he still orgasmed way too quickly for her liking.   "Mom?" Helena shuffled into her mother's bedroom. Trish put down her book. "Yes, Helena?" "I think I'm pregnant." Trish scrutinized her daughter and sighed. She had noticed the girl gaining some weight, most notably in her boobs, but hadn't said anything. "How many periods have you missed?" "A couple. I figured you can miss one sometimes, right? But then this month's didn't come either, and it's been another few weeks." Trish frowned. "Dale said you two didn't have sex. Did he lie?" "Umm, no, " The strawberry blonde looked very guilty. "But it's his?" Helena nodded. 'You conniving little bitch,' Trish thought but didn't say. They were working on their relationship with the help of a family therapist, as Dale had suggested. She considered her former boy-toy, now gone for weeks. He had succeeded in impregnating her friend Marietta, and now Helena as well. Trish also had a sneaking suspicion about Nancy also getting pregnant right after her husband left on an extended work trip. I'm the only woman he didn't knock up, she realized, feeling a little left out. "What're we gonna do, Mom?" Helena's pregnancy was already past the number of weeks their state allowed for abortion, so it seemed that Trish was going to be a Gilf in under a year! She sighed. Like mother, like daughter, she told herself again.   Eventually Dale and Melanie did have sex, though he made sure that it was in a properly romantic setting, and she wore garters and stockings, as he had requested. He wore a condom, as she had requested. He started a new game of Dragon Era for them to play together, this time as a female Elf Wizard. While Melanie's role playing choices weren't as interesting as Nancy's, she still occasionally surprised him. After Dale's English professor crushed his dreams and told him, quite frankly, that the young man's writing skills weren't sufficiently amazing to make a living at it, he switched majors to Psychology. He kept writing in his spare time, though, as he enjoyed it, you may have red some of his erotic stories online. By Krosis, for Literotica.  

2024 was a bit of a rough year, with job losses, hard economic times, and low business confidence. The new year offers a chance to reset. Dr Dougal Sutherland offers his top tips for starting 2025 off with some oomph: If you have a job, count your blessings! Lots of people lost theirs last year and so it's important to remember that even though it may not be the best job in the world, at least you're in paid employment! Plan out your holidays for the year as best you can. Have a look for the public holidays that are happening in 2025, can you make any of these into longer weekends (e.g. four days instead of three) and give yourself that extra time to rest and recover? Looking ahead I can see there is quite a gap of public holidays between Matariki and Labour Day – can you plan for some leave then? Four months is a long time to go without a break, especially in winter. Make a daily ‘Have to, Hope to, Love to list' – “Have to” are things you must do today; “Hope to” are things that you can do if you have time; “Love to” is at least 1 thing per day that fills your cup – make sure to give this as much priority as “Have to”. Take some time to reflect on 2024 – what did you learn from the year? What went well and you would like to keep doing? Anything that you would like to avoid doing again that you did last year? Think about the people in your life – are there some who you would like to see more of? Can you plan ahead to make time for them? On the other hand, is there anyone who it may be better off not to have in your life? Are there some (polite) ways that you ease off these relationships? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two stories of scholarly lasses with healthy libidos.Based on the posts by Select Redux. Listen to the ► Podcast at Steamy Stories. Stimulating ReadingSexual adventures amid the bookshelves.Unlocking the big oak doors, Emily glances up at the Spring sun filtering through the stained-glass windows of the 'Institute'. Originally endowed by a Victorian benefactor, now part of a modern university, this old building goes unnoticed by most people passing by on this bright 1993 morning.The research library within opens just three days a week with Emily, its part-time librarian, fitting the job around her PhD studies. Some colleagues consider it a fusty backwater; Emily rather enjoys the church-like surroundings, lofty ceilings and marble floors, and calm, quiet ambience.Starting the day as usual at 8.45am, Emily turns on the lights, picks up the post and then sits at the front desk waiting for students to arrive. The job isn't the most exacting; mainly helping undergraduates locate obscure books, its perk being plenty of time to write her thesis and, blush-making to admit, peruse the rather splendid erotica section. Something that's become a bit of a habit, leaving her distracted and almost perpetually aroused.This 'special collection' is kept locked; its key is supposedly secure in a safe; in fact on a chain around Emily's neck. Currently 'in between boyfriends' (no, not like that!) in truth modern men, mostly boys inhabiting adult bodies in her opinion, don't do it for Emily. Call her traditional, she wants someone old-fashioned.Emily's romantic, bookish outlook on life sometimes feels unsuited to modern times and is exemplified by today's attire: cardigan, blouse, and a string of pearls, the epitome of respectability; a typical librarian. A knee-length skirt, sensible shoes, minimal makeup and glasses habitually perched upon her head complete the academic look. However, underneath one (who? she reflects glumly) might be surprised to find some almost sinfully brief lingerie adorning her trim figure. Perhaps not so conservative;Later that afternoon, Emily looks at her watch, half an hour until closing, not likely to see anyone else today she thinks. Wrongly, because striding confidently through the rotating door and purposefully approaching her desk is a new customer. In contrast to the usual scruffy students (although arguably the lecturers are worse) he's smartly dressed. Wearing a tie in fact; Emily likes a chap in a suit and his fits very well. This tall man with silvery grey hair favors her with a confident smile and Emily melts inside, lust at first sight.Michael, they are quickly on first name terms, is a postgrad mature student working on the final dissertation of an English literature MA. He's taken a couple of weeks' leave from an unspecified (Emily suspects high-powered and well-remunerated) job to complete it. Meaning, she sends a silent prayer of thanks to whichever celestial deity might be responsible, he'll be making frequent trips to the library. Visits she soon begins to eagerly anticipate, feeling disproportionately disappointed on days when this charming, personable and undoubtedly assertive man doesn't appear. Get a grip girl, chides her inner voice, whatever your fantasies this is a purely professional relationship."What did you do before studying," she enquires one morning."Came from money, followed the family tradition into the City and made some more," he shrugs. "Clichéd thing for a privileged person to say but it didn't make me happy.""What does?""Good writing, which explains why I'm here in literary mode, how about you?""A very bright kid from a feckless, under-achieving family; got a scholarship, got out of my dead-end town and got a higher education. Not having money means I have to take a series of dull jobs to pay my way." There's no need to make her point any more strongly, Michael gets the implication."I detect a steely determination," he responds without rancor."Academically, yes," she agrees, "in order to remain with my beloved books, but unfashionable though it is I'd happily be rescued by a knight in shining armor. Will you be my knight?" Christ, she thinks, where did that come from? Silly mare you've blown it now."If you'll be my damsel in distress I'd be delighted," Michael answers lightly, but a die has been cast."What are you working on today?" he enquires conversationally when next visiting."These books were recently acquired for the special collections section. I'm trying to catalogue them," she explains, outwardly serene, but heart beating fast."Ah the erotica," Michael raises a knowing eyebrow, "better leave you to it then." He turns to a nearby table with a couple of hefty tomes and commences making notes while covertly observing Emily, absently twirling a lock of hair with one hand, the other no longer on the table but underneath. Much later, abruptly jolted from a pleasurable reverie by his shadow, Emily becomes abruptly aware of Michael's looming presence."You're spending a lot of time on books from that particular genre," he says, it isn't a question."Well; " she stammers."Perhaps that's why you've twice left the University's precious erotica shelves unlocked lately?"Her eyes widen in shock. "How did you know?" It's true, no point in denying the fact."I notice things. An accident I'm sure, but rather careless, some might even say naughty. Are you naughty Emily?" Silence, the cat has got her tongue. "Do you deserve to be punished? Might that be a better solution than the matter being brought to the attention of the Vice-Chancellor?" Michael presses home his advantage. "Those rare editions are extremely valuable. Perhaps you need to be taught a lesson, bought to book one might say." Emily gets the joke, but it's no laughing matter."Punished; lesson?" she stammers, "what do you mean?""I think you know to what I'm referring, you've read enough about spanking, no doubt wondered what it might be like. I don't believe you're as innocent as you pretend Emily, I saw you slide a hand under your skirt just then. Most unprofessional, you deserve to have your bottom smacked.""Oh; " Overwhelmed by his quiet certainty that she'll obey, Ellie discovers in herself a complimentary willingness to defer; feels her pussy throbbing with desire at every word Michael utters. This is ridiculous, thinks her rational brain, I'm an independent woman, he's no right to demand my obedience. But you know you want to, responds her libidinous subconscious, you've so often dreamt of such a scenario, and how you'd willingly submit;She nods anxiously towards the door. With an unreadable expression, Michael walks purposefully towards the entrance, locks it and returns."Bad girls require discipline," he whispers in her ear."They do, sir," she meekly agrees."Come here." Emily stands next to him, hands behind her back."Turn around and lean forward against the desk."Deferentially, eyes downcast, Emily complies; wrapping his left arm around her slender waist Michael slowly, and deliberately raises her skirt. Emily wishes her boobs were just a little bigger; wishes her arse was just a little smaller but knows her lovely legs are just right. Now so does he.A grunt of male disapproval, "I don't like tights," he tugs her pantyhose down revealing flawless bottom cheeks, "next time I expect you to wear stockings." Next time, who said anything about next time? Despite her mounting panic, Emily has an epiphany of understanding; Michael's coercion is more implied than actual, less of a threat by him as a need within her. He runs his hands appreciatively over her pristine, unmarked bottom then tugs those unexpectedly racy, almost transparent black panties up hard into Emily's damp divide, the silken scrap disappearing between puffy pussy lips, chafing her swollen clit."Turns you on doesn't it" he growls, holding her tightly."Yes, but I'm scared," she whispers and it's true, the physical proximity and her helplessness in the hands of an alpha male are more exciting than anything Emily has ever before encountered.Emily tenses, holding her breath, awaiting the inevitable; yet the initial smack still catches her by surprise. At first, it's mainly about the ringing percussive sound, a numbing shock. Prudently Michael allows a pause, he can tell it's her first time. Gradually her skin pinkens and a sharp stinging sensation suffuses Emily's posterior."Oh," she looks at him wide-eyed, "oh yes," amazed by her compliance with the punitive intentions of a man she scarcely knows. A second spank, slightly harder this time."Feeling it now aren't you," Michael mutters, "rather different from in the stories you're so keen on?" True, the reality of what before was only fevered fiction is raw and immediate." I'll stop if you ask me to," he adds."Surely not when I've been so wicked," Emily replies huskily. The scene is set, and his hard palm strikes her bottom repeatedly as Michael methodically and unhurriedly continues, Emily's body responding animatedly to the burning sensation gradually suffusing her derriere."Keep still," he commands as she squirms in a futile attempt to dissipate the smart.Eventually, Emily has no idea how long, five minutes, or an eternity, Michael ceases her chastisement. Both are breathing heavily now, albeit for different reasons. He slides a hand up her inner thigh and under her knickers."Good girl," Michael whispers, pushing an exploratory digit into Emily's sopping sex. She shuts her eyes and moves against his fingers, Emily is needy, alas, her evident excitement is unrequited. Taking her by the shoulders, Michael turns the shaken young woman to face the wall."Make yourself respectable," he instructs in a tone countenancing no dissent, "don't move until I've left, no rubbing your bottom, or anywhere else. I'll let myself out," he kisses the top of her head, "and be back soon to do one final bit piece of research, don't miss me too much."And then he's gone; taken Emily to the edge and abandoned her unsatisfied. Which, thinks Emily, bottom glowing fiercely, is truly sadistic. Simmering with sexual awakening, she's no intention of being denied. Walking stiffly towards her chair Emily sits, wincing as her tender buttocks contact with the seat. Legs spread and eyes closed she pushes a hand down the front of her panties and addresses her pent-up frustration with flying fingers, and soon has a shattering orgasm.On Monday morning, after a weekend mentally replaying this momentous encounter, and multiple flouting of Michael's embargo on masturbation, Emily walks into work full of hope for what the new week may bring. Inwardly more confident, her outward appearance has also altered. She's taken more care with makeup, mascara and her favorite cherry red lipstick. Does her best not to tug down her hem at every step. Emily hasn't previously worn such a short skirt and worries people may notice she's wearing stockings. Once at work, it's business as usual, albeit with some appreciative glances from borrowers, being desired is an unfamiliar but welcome ego boost. Emboldened, Emily experiments with undoing the second button of her blouse.She can't conceal her unhappiness when Michael fails to arrive and becomes increasingly despondent when he doesn't turn up on Tuesday and Wednesday either. By Thursday she's almost lost hope. Turning to the erotica collection for comfort a photograph falls from between the pages of a book on 'Le Vice Anglaise'. Emily looks aghast, Michael! But it can't be, the date scribbled on the back is 1936, does her dom have a doppelganger? All too much of a conundrum to deal with in her overwrought state, Emily locks up early and heads disconsolately home.On Friday she settles onto her stool and re-opens the same book. Was Michael ever really here, she wonders? Could this have been some sort of hallucination, an epic instance of self-delusion? Of course not, get real, examine the facts, she inwardly chides. Consider the evidence of two days of sitting gingerly, the finger marks on your sore buttocks visible in the mirror. She was spanked alright, the pertinent question being whether she will see Michael again, let alone reach the sexual conclusion so ardently desired. Not being clairvoyant, Emily doesn't have a clue about either outcome, for now, she tells herself sternly, you'd better get on with some work. Mentally listing the day's mundane tasks Emily doesn't notice a familiar figure quietly enter the building until he's immediately adjacent. Caught unawares her incipient shout of shock is stifled by his hand."I'll remove it from your mouth," his voice whispers, "if you promise not to scream, understood?" Emily remains frozen, struggling to get to grips with her predicament, then nods assent."Where did you appear from?" she enquires in a small voice."Not important right now," he shushes."Your picture; " She points at the faded sepia print on the table."My father," he laughs, "chip off the old block, aren't I? Long gone, of course, he put up the money to establish the erotica collection you've so much enjoyed." Helping the shaken young woman to her feet he moves Emily to face a bookcase."Just relax," he says calmly, trailing a hand teasingly up and down the back of her thighs."Relax," she tenses at the suggestion, "when I don't know what you intend to do.""I think you can hazard a pretty accurate prediction," he teases."I'm quite sure you're planning to punish me again," says Emily shivering with anticipation at the thought, "what might occur afterwards is what's preoccupying me.""What do you hope happens?" he enquires, lips brushing the nape of her neck."I think you can make a very good guess," Emily replies cheekily.Right now, she can't think of anything she wouldn't let him do, Emily has read many salacious books and has a vivid imagination."I'm enjoying your new look," says Michael appreciatively, "let's explore beneath; " He unbuttons her blouse to the waist, frees her boobs and rolls each erect nipple in turn between finger and thumb. In response, Emily kisses him hard on the mouth, her acquiescence clearly in no doubt. His other hand slips between her thighs and encounters wetness between them. Emily moans at this touch, yearning to be penetrated by the hard cock she can feel bulging through his trousers and pressing against her thigh."You'll endure a harsher correction this time," he murmurs, bending Emily across the desk while removing his belt."The door", she gestures urgently.He shrugs off her concern. "We'll just have to take the chance; I find a little jeopardy adds a frisson of excitement." Wrestling up the short, tight skirt exposes the soft curves of Emily's hips and beautiful bottom; Michael monetarily enjoys the sight, and then pulls her knickers down and off."Someone wants to be fucked pretty badly," he observes, a hint of amusement in his voice as he glimpses her damp, pouting slit. With no warning he straps Emily, hard and fast, leaving blazing bands of hurt across both cheeks and down to her stocking tops. She yelps, groans and stamps her feet, nevertheless thrusting out her buttocks to meet each of the worn leather's cruel kisses. A further dozen overlapping strokes sear across her fiery red behind until Emily thinks she can't possibly endure further chastisement."Hurts," she whimpers, tears in her eyes, although the perfect pain only serves to stoke a fire of arousal down below. Aware of her limits Michael runs his hands along the insides of Emily's legs and pulls her knees apart, leaving her open and exposed. His tongue repeatedly explores the length of her labia, right up to the nub of her clit, building each caress into a rhythmic repetition. Emily feels an orgasm inexorably approaching, her breathing becomes fast and uneven."Fuck you're tight," he observes crudely, sliding a finger into Emily's inviting pink cunny and then positioning his erection at her slick entrance."Stop teasing and do it hard!" she screams, last vestiges of dignity and reserve surrendered. Lewdly Emily pushes back her hips, anxious to have him inside her. Equally caught up in the intensity of the moment, Michael fills the lusty librarian with the cock she craves. All inhibitions abandoned, Emily feels the rhythm of his thrusts increasing, her pussy spasms and takes them both to an inevitable sexual crescendo. They lay silent for a moment before Michael chivalrously passes Emily a large linen handkerchief to mop the come leaking onto her nylon-clad thighs."I think my poor bottom has suffered quite enough for one day," she whispers sensually, "how about you take me home to your place and fuck me again, slowly and gently?""How about we take one of the books from the special collection to provide us with inspiration?" he replies."Oh, I think I've already done quite enough research," Emily responds with a giggle."Then let's grab a bottle of wine and see if we can't put theory into practice," agrees Michael.Cut to a year later, doctorate earned; Emily has been promoted to take charge of the main university library. There's a new young woman librarian at the Institute, still on probation and requiring guidance. Emily considers herself a firm but fair manager and has kindly offered an after-hours tutorial on the special collection. A recently successful MA student, now a research fellow, somewhat older and vastly experienced, may join them;By Select Redux for LiteroticaCleverness is SexyWinning a quiz transformed Alice from swot to hot.By Select ReduxAn exceptionally brainy young woman, Alice has pursued her academic interests to the exclusion of almost everything else in life. There will, she reasons, on the verge of her 23rd birthday, the M A she's strived so hard to attain nearl

Two stories of scholarly lasses with healthy libidos.Based on the posts by Select Redux. Listen to the ► Podcast at Steamy Stories. Stimulating ReadingSexual adventures amid the bookshelves.Unlocking the big oak doors, Emily glances up at the Spring sun filtering through the stained-glass windows of the 'Institute'. Originally endowed by a Victorian benefactor, now part of a modern university, this old building goes unnoticed by most people passing by on this bright 1993 morning.The research library within opens just three days a week with Emily, its part-time librarian, fitting the job around her PhD studies. Some colleagues consider it a fusty backwater; Emily rather enjoys the church-like surroundings, lofty ceilings and marble floors, and calm, quiet ambience.Starting the day as usual at 8.45am, Emily turns on the lights, picks up the post and then sits at the front desk waiting for students to arrive. The job isn't the most exacting; mainly helping undergraduates locate obscure books, its perk being plenty of time to write her thesis and, blush-making to admit, peruse the rather splendid erotica section. Something that's become a bit of a habit, leaving her distracted and almost perpetually aroused.This 'special collection' is kept locked; its key is supposedly secure in a safe; in fact on a chain around Emily's neck. Currently 'in between boyfriends' (no, not like that!) in truth modern men, mostly boys inhabiting adult bodies in her opinion, don't do it for Emily. Call her traditional, she wants someone old-fashioned.Emily's romantic, bookish outlook on life sometimes feels unsuited to modern times and is exemplified by today's attire: cardigan, blouse, and a string of pearls, the epitome of respectability; a typical librarian. A knee-length skirt, sensible shoes, minimal makeup and glasses habitually perched upon her head complete the academic look. However, underneath one (who? she reflects glumly) might be surprised to find some almost sinfully brief lingerie adorning her trim figure. Perhaps not so conservative;Later that afternoon, Emily looks at her watch, half an hour until closing, not likely to see anyone else today she thinks. Wrongly, because striding confidently through the rotating door and purposefully approaching her desk is a new customer. In contrast to the usual scruffy students (although arguably the lecturers are worse) he's smartly dressed. Wearing a tie in fact; Emily likes a chap in a suit and his fits very well. This tall man with silvery grey hair favors her with a confident smile and Emily melts inside, lust at first sight.Michael, they are quickly on first name terms, is a postgrad mature student working on the final dissertation of an English literature MA. He's taken a couple of weeks' leave from an unspecified (Emily suspects high-powered and well-remunerated) job to complete it. Meaning, she sends a silent prayer of thanks to whichever celestial deity might be responsible, he'll be making frequent trips to the library. Visits she soon begins to eagerly anticipate, feeling disproportionately disappointed on days when this charming, personable and undoubtedly assertive man doesn't appear. Get a grip girl, chides her inner voice, whatever your fantasies this is a purely professional relationship."What did you do before studying," she enquires one morning."Came from money, followed the family tradition into the City and made some more," he shrugs. "Clichéd thing for a privileged person to say but it didn't make me happy.""What does?""Good writing, which explains why I'm here in literary mode, how about you?""A very bright kid from a feckless, under-achieving family; got a scholarship, got out of my dead-end town and got a higher education. Not having money means I have to take a series of dull jobs to pay my way." There's no need to make her point any more strongly, Michael gets the implication."I detect a steely determination," he responds without rancor."Academically, yes," she agrees, "in order to remain with my beloved books, but unfashionable though it is I'd happily be rescued by a knight in shining armor. Will you be my knight?" Christ, she thinks, where did that come from? Silly mare you've blown it now."If you'll be my damsel in distress I'd be delighted," Michael answers lightly, but a die has been cast."What are you working on today?" he enquires conversationally when next visiting."These books were recently acquired for the special collections section. I'm trying to catalogue them," she explains, outwardly serene, but heart beating fast."Ah the erotica," Michael raises a knowing eyebrow, "better leave you to it then." He turns to a nearby table with a couple of hefty tomes and commences making notes while covertly observing Emily, absently twirling a lock of hair with one hand, the other no longer on the table but underneath. Much later, abruptly jolted from a pleasurable reverie by his shadow, Emily becomes abruptly aware of Michael's looming presence."You're spending a lot of time on books from that particular genre," he says, it isn't a question."Well; " she stammers."Perhaps that's why you've twice left the University's precious erotica shelves unlocked lately?"Her eyes widen in shock. "How did you know?" It's true, no point in denying the fact."I notice things. An accident I'm sure, but rather careless, some might even say naughty. Are you naughty Emily?" Silence, the cat has got her tongue. "Do you deserve to be punished? Might that be a better solution than the matter being brought to the attention of the Vice-Chancellor?" Michael presses home his advantage. "Those rare editions are extremely valuable. Perhaps you need to be taught a lesson, bought to book one might say." Emily gets the joke, but it's no laughing matter."Punished; lesson?" she stammers, "what do you mean?""I think you know to what I'm referring, you've read enough about spanking, no doubt wondered what it might be like. I don't believe you're as innocent as you pretend Emily, I saw you slide a hand under your skirt just then. Most unprofessional, you deserve to have your bottom smacked.""Oh; " Overwhelmed by his quiet certainty that she'll obey, Ellie discovers in herself a complimentary willingness to defer; feels her pussy throbbing with desire at every word Michael utters. This is ridiculous, thinks her rational brain, I'm an independent woman, he's no right to demand my obedience. But you know you want to, responds her libidinous subconscious, you've so often dreamt of such a scenario, and how you'd willingly submit;She nods anxiously towards the door. With an unreadable expression, Michael walks purposefully towards the entrance, locks it and returns."Bad girls require discipline," he whispers in her ear."They do, sir," she meekly agrees."Come here." Emily stands next to him, hands behind her back."Turn around and lean forward against the desk."Deferentially, eyes downcast, Emily complies; wrapping his left arm around her slender waist Michael slowly, and deliberately raises her skirt. Emily wishes her boobs were just a little bigger; wishes her arse was just a little smaller but knows her lovely legs are just right. Now so does he.A grunt of male disapproval, "I don't like tights," he tugs her pantyhose down revealing flawless bottom cheeks, "next time I expect you to wear stockings." Next time, who said anything about next time? Despite her mounting panic, Emily has an epiphany of understanding; Michael's coercion is more implied than actual, less of a threat by him as a need within her. He runs his hands appreciatively over her pristine, unmarked bottom then tugs those unexpectedly racy, almost transparent black panties up hard into Emily's damp divide, the silken scrap disappearing between puffy pussy lips, chafing her swollen clit."Turns you on doesn't it" he growls, holding her tightly."Yes, but I'm scared," she whispers and it's true, the physical proximity and her helplessness in the hands of an alpha male are more exciting than anything Emily has ever before encountered.Emily tenses, holding her breath, awaiting the inevitable; yet the initial smack still catches her by surprise. At first, it's mainly about the ringing percussive sound, a numbing shock. Prudently Michael allows a pause, he can tell it's her first time. Gradually her skin pinkens and a sharp stinging sensation suffuses Emily's posterior."Oh," she looks at him wide-eyed, "oh yes," amazed by her compliance with the punitive intentions of a man she scarcely knows. A second spank, slightly harder this time."Feeling it now aren't you," Michael mutters, "rather different from in the stories you're so keen on?" True, the reality of what before was only fevered fiction is raw and immediate." I'll stop if you ask me to," he adds."Surely not when I've been so wicked," Emily replies huskily. The scene is set, and his hard palm strikes her bottom repeatedly as Michael methodically and unhurriedly continues, Emily's body responding animatedly to the burning sensation gradually suffusing her derriere."Keep still," he commands as she squirms in a futile attempt to dissipate the smart.Eventually, Emily has no idea how long, five minutes, or an eternity, Michael ceases her chastisement. Both are breathing heavily now, albeit for different reasons. He slides a hand up her inner thigh and under her knickers."Good girl," Michael whispers, pushing an exploratory digit into Emily's sopping sex. She shuts her eyes and moves against his fingers, Emily is needy, alas, her evident excitement is unrequited. Taking her by the shoulders, Michael turns the shaken young woman to face the wall."Make yourself respectable," he instructs in a tone countenancing no dissent, "don't move until I've left, no rubbing your bottom, or anywhere else. I'll let myself out," he kisses the top of her head, "and be back soon to do one final bit piece of research, don't miss me too much."And then he's gone; taken Emily to the edge and abandoned her unsatisfied. Which, thinks Emily, bottom glowing fiercely, is truly sadistic. Simmering with sexual awakening, she's no intention of being denied. Walking stiffly towards her chair Emily sits, wincing as her tender buttocks contact with the seat. Legs spread and eyes closed she pushes a hand down the front of her panties and addresses her pent-up frustration with flying fingers, and soon has a shattering orgasm.On Monday morning, after a weekend mentally replaying this momentous encounter, and multiple flouting of Michael's embargo on masturbation, Emily walks into work full of hope for what the new week may bring. Inwardly more confident, her outward appearance has also altered. She's taken more care with makeup, mascara and her favorite cherry red lipstick. Does her best not to tug down her hem at every step. Emily hasn't previously worn such a short skirt and worries people may notice she's wearing stockings. Once at work, it's business as usual, albeit with some appreciative glances from borrowers, being desired is an unfamiliar but welcome ego boost. Emboldened, Emily experiments with undoing the second button of her blouse.She can't conceal her unhappiness when Michael fails to arrive and becomes increasingly despondent when he doesn't turn up on Tuesday and Wednesday either. By Thursday she's almost lost hope. Turning to the erotica collection for comfort a photograph falls from between the pages of a book on 'Le Vice Anglaise'. Emily looks aghast, Michael! But it can't be, the date scribbled on the back is 1936, does her dom have a doppelganger? All too much of a conundrum to deal with in her overwrought state, Emily locks up early and heads disconsolately home.On Friday she settles onto her stool and re-opens the same book. Was Michael ever really here, she wonders? Could this have been some sort of hallucination, an epic instance of self-delusion? Of course not, get real, examine the facts, she inwardly chides. Consider the evidence of two days of sitting gingerly, the finger marks on your sore buttocks visible in the mirror. She was spanked alright, the pertinent question being whether she will see Michael again, let alone reach the sexual conclusion so ardently desired. Not being clairvoyant, Emily doesn't have a clue about either outcome, for now, she tells herself sternly, you'd better get on with some work. Mentally listing the day's mundane tasks Emily doesn't notice a familiar figure quietly enter the building until he's immediately adjacent. Caught unawares her incipient shout of shock is stifled by his hand."I'll remove it from your mouth," his voice whispers, "if you promise not to scream, understood?" Emily remains frozen, struggling to get to grips with her predicament, then nods assent."Where did you appear from?" she enquires in a small voice."Not important right now," he shushes."Your picture; " She points at the faded sepia print on the table."My father," he laughs, "chip off the old block, aren't I? Long gone, of course, he put up the money to establish the erotica collection you've so much enjoyed." Helping the shaken young woman to her feet he moves Emily to face a bookcase."Just relax," he says calmly, trailing a hand teasingly up and down the back of her thighs."Relax," she tenses at the suggestion, "when I don't know what you intend to do.""I think you can hazard a pretty accurate prediction," he teases."I'm quite sure you're planning to punish me again," says Emily shivering with anticipation at the thought, "what might occur afterwards is what's preoccupying me.""What do you hope happens?" he enquires, lips brushing the nape of her neck."I think you can make a very good guess," Emily replies cheekily.Right now, she can't think of anything she wouldn't let him do, Emily has read many salacious books and has a vivid imagination."I'm enjoying your new look," says Michael appreciatively, "let's explore beneath; " He unbuttons her blouse to the waist, frees her boobs and rolls each erect nipple in turn between finger and thumb. In response, Emily kisses him hard on the mouth, her acquiescence clearly in no doubt. His other hand slips between her thighs and encounters wetness between them. Emily moans at this touch, yearning to be penetrated by the hard cock she can feel bulging through his trousers and pressing against her thigh."You'll endure a harsher correction this time," he murmurs, bending Emily across the desk while removing his belt."The door", she gestures urgently.He shrugs off her concern. "We'll just have to take the chance; I find a little jeopardy adds a frisson of excitement." Wrestling up the short, tight skirt exposes the soft curves of Emily's hips and beautiful bottom; Michael monetarily enjoys the sight, and then pulls her knickers down and off."Someone wants to be fucked pretty badly," he observes, a hint of amusement in his voice as he glimpses her damp, pouting slit. With no warning he straps Emily, hard and fast, leaving blazing bands of hurt across both cheeks and down to her stocking tops. She yelps, groans and stamps her feet, nevertheless thrusting out her buttocks to meet each of the worn leather's cruel kisses. A further dozen overlapping strokes sear across her fiery red behind until Emily thinks she can't possibly endure further chastisement."Hurts," she whimpers, tears in her eyes, although the perfect pain only serves to stoke a fire of arousal down below. Aware of her limits Michael runs his hands along the insides of Emily's legs and pulls her knees apart, leaving her open and exposed. His tongue repeatedly explores the length of her labia, right up to the nub of her clit, building each caress into a rhythmic repetition. Emily feels an orgasm inexorably approaching, her breathing becomes fast and uneven."Fuck you're tight," he observes crudely, sliding a finger into Emily's inviting pink cunny and then positioning his erection at her slick entrance."Stop teasing and do it hard!" she screams, last vestiges of dignity and reserve surrendered. Lewdly Emily pushes back her hips, anxious to have him inside her. Equally caught up in the intensity of the moment, Michael fills the lusty librarian with the cock she craves. All inhibitions abandoned, Emily feels the rhythm of his thrusts increasing, her pussy spasms and takes them both to an inevitable sexual crescendo. They lay silent for a moment before Michael chivalrously passes Emily a large linen handkerchief to mop the come leaking onto her nylon-clad thighs."I think my poor bottom has suffered quite enough for one day," she whispers sensually, "how about you take me home to your place and fuck me again, slowly and gently?""How about we take one of the books from the special collection to provide us with inspiration?" he replies."Oh, I think I've already done quite enough research," Emily responds with a giggle."Then let's grab a bottle of wine and see if we can't put theory into practice," agrees Michael.Cut to a year later, doctorate earned; Emily has been promoted to take charge of the main university library. There's a new young woman librarian at the Institute, still on probation and requiring guidance. Emily considers herself a firm but fair manager and has kindly offered an after-hours tutorial on the special collection. 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Skip the Queue is brought to you by Rubber Cheese, a digital agency that builds remarkable systems and websites for attractions that helps them increase their visitor numbers. Your hosts are Paul Marden and Oz Austwick.Fill in the Rubber Cheese 2024 Visitor Attraction Website Survey - the annual benchmark statistics for the attractions sector.If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website rubbercheese.com/podcast.If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on Twitter for your chance to win the books that have been mentioned in this podcast.Competition ends on 21st August 2024. The winner will be contacted via Twitter. Show references: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenpriestnall/https://linktr.ee/oomphincStephen Priestnall founded oomph, now an accredited B Corp, in 2005, acquired Decision Juice in 2009 and is globally recognised as a specialist in CX driven transformation projects and digital innovation. He has advised at a senior level across public and private sector organisations in the UK, Americas, Asia and the Middle East and is an instigator of international research studies into behaviour change. He is a Board Trustee with Aneurin Leisure Trust, advising on CX and communications strategy and a founding Director at Wellbeing Economy Cymru, part of the global Wellbeing Economy Alliance, advocating for a new approach to economic sustainability for people and planet. Transcription:  Paul Marden: Welcome to Skip the Queue, a podcast for people working in and working with Mister attractions. I'm your host, Paul Marden. On today's episode, I speak to Stephen Priestnall, the CEO of oomph, a CX focused agency based in the UK and UAE who help clients to understand people and design better experiences. We're going to go back to first principles and understand what customer experience is all about and understand what attractions can do better to serve the needs of their customers. Paul Marden: Hello, Oz. Oz Austwick: Hi, Paul. So this is the last episode of Season 5, right? Paul Marden: Yes, that is right. Can you believe after we took the reigns from. From young Ms. Molson not too long ago, that we would actually make it to the end of the season? Oz Austwick: Do you know, it's crazy, isn't it? I mean, five seasons of a podcast. Most podcasts don't get through to the end of one season. And I can remember listening to this podcast years ago and actually sending people links as an example of what a good podcast is. And now here we are, you and I, at the end of Season 5. It's crazy.. Paul Marden: Yay. Guardians of this little baby. Oz Austwick: Yeah. Yeah, no pressure. So today's quite an interesting one, right? Paul Marden: Yeah. I've got a guest who has been a friend of mine for some time, Stephen Priestnall of Oomph agency. And we're going to talk a little bit about customer experience. So nice little chat between Stephen and I, and then you and I will come together in a little while and talk a little bit about. Let's reminisce about season five and talk a little bit about what might happen in Season 6. Oz Austwick: Awesome. Great. I'm looking forward to it. Paul Marden: Let's get on with it then. Welcome to podcast, Stephen. Stephen Priestnall: Nice to be here, Paul. Thanks for inviting me. Paul Marden: Good to have you on. Longtime listeners will know that we always start the podcast with some icebreaker questions, which hopefully not too challenging, but we get to know you a little bit better before we start talking about work. So both of my icebreakers are all about visiting attractions this time. So how organised are you in advance? If you go to an attraction, do you take a picnic with you, or are you always partaking of a cup of tea and a slice of cake in the coffee shop? Stephen Priestnall: I think it would have to be a particularly kind of informal attraction for me to have thought about taking a picnic beforehand. So normally it's just the anticipation of going to the place, and then I'll utilise the services in the place. Paul Marden: I love a good slice of cake in the coffee shop afterwards. Scone, cream, tea and scone that would be me. Stephen Priestnall: No way. Maybe a bit of our breath or fruitcake. It's probably more me. Paul Marden: Oh, lovely. I was at the Roman Baths yesterday with my little girl and we had a lovely wander around and they had a brilliant self guided tour. So if you've got a choice, do you go for a self guided tour? Do you wander around and follow your nose? Or would you rather have a guide take you around and tell you the stories? Stephen Priestnall: I almost never have a guide to take me around. And then sometimes I even find the self guided tours a little bit invasive. If I'm in a different country where there is kind of a language barrier, a filter, then I might use it then. But you know what? I kind of like that the ability just to bump from one bit to another. Paul Marden: Yeah. Stephen Priestnall: And experience the experience through my own kind of filter. So that's what I would normally do. I haven't been able to wander around with the headphones on, almost never with a guy. Paul Marden: Yeah, they had a lovely one at the Roman Baths yesterday. So it had both adult interpretation and kids interpretation, and I found myself switching to the kids one so that I was experiencing what Millie was experiencing, because I was saying to her, “Oh, did they tell you what that was?” “Oh, no, that wasn't in the kids version.” So I swapped the kids one and it brought it to life. It was really. It became much more shared experience for us. Stephen Priestnall: Yeah, well, that's like that's like the horrible history stuff. Yeah. But actually, it's brilliant. Rattles that was what they were on about in the tudor period, then. I didn't get it until now. Paul Marden: Yeah, look, listeners, Stephen and I have known each other for quite some time. We've been working together a lot on different projects, and his agency, Oomph, does a lot of work in customer experience. And so today's episode is going to be a little bit more about a primer on what do we mean by customer experience? And really, what I'd like to get to the bottom of today is what can attractioners do better to serve the needs of their customers. Yeah. So, really, Stephen, what I want to do is pick your brains. Let's introduce this whole subject of CX and customer experience and help people to better understand a little bit about what does that mean and how can they bring that into their day to day work in running attractions and meeting customers. Paul Marden: So, before we start that, why don't you tell us a little bit more about you and a little bit more about Oomph. So that listeners can better understand the context. Stephen Priestnall: Yeah, thanks, Paul. We've positioned ourselves around the concept of customer experience for about ten years now, and customer experience ten years ago was a bit of an oddball place to be. It kind of grew out of the user experience, the UX world, with a little bit of event management thrown into it and a little bit of actually, you need to think about people in the middle of all of this. And we come from a background of combining digital and data quite successfully to kind of help devise communications campaigns, kind of brand engagements, that kind of thing. And what we could see was if you brought all these things together as data was getting more sophisticated, with digital interactions on the rise, that you could get yourself much more informed about the way in which people's customers were actually behaving. Stephen Priestnall: And not so much what they were actually how they were behaving, but also what their needs were that drove the behaviours. And so we have, we've grounded our work and customer experience around a very clear desire to understand the needs of our clients' customers, and then to hold that mirror up for our clients and say, “Look, I know you have these products and services to sell and to engage with, but what we're going to do is a job of letting you know at the point of engagement they're hitting your customers needs in this way. And if you then flip the lens around from the customer need first rather than the product or service first, you might determine a different way of building that service or designing that interaction, or maybe even changing the way in which you invite customers into a journey with you.”Stephen Priestnall: So a lot of data and digital inside are our space port that inform CX. And then in the last couple of years, AI has been another transformative technology that we've started to utilise. And we know we treat it as good AI. We know there's bad AI out there, but the good AI is really helpful. Paul Marden: That's really interesting. We know from the Rubber Cheese Survey this year that most attractions have dabbled. They've played with ChatGPT, or something like that. But there's still a large portion of attractions that have done nothing with AI. And then there's a couple that I would consider at the leading edge. So they're doing things beyond GPT. They're looking at AI enabled CRM or AI enabled workforce management solutions.Paul Marden:  So there's some interest in here, but it's definitely, there's a conversation that we've had on the podcast just recently with Oz and I talking about the idea that we can't quite figure out if we're in a bubble because a lot of people that we talk to talk a lot of good game about AI, but when we're talking to the businesses, the clients, they're only just getting into this in the most shallow way. Agencies like yours and ours are kind of. We're leading the conversation on this, I think. Stephen Priestnall: Well, I think it's really interesting you frame it like that, because one of the things that has informed our approach to CX is the idea of understanding behaviour change, which is a science in itself. So if any listeners are familiar with behaviour change, you'll know how long the tail of kind of investigation evaluation that is. We launched a study in 2020 which ended up over three years and three waves, 10,000 respondents looking at the impact of Covid-19 on people's behaviour and their interaction with organisations. That is part of our research centre which we call tide of events, which is now about to launch another study which is going to be looking at the impact of AI. Paul Marden: Oh really? Stephen Priestnall: As employees, as citizens, as customers, as service users, as members, as supporters. I'm expecting some very interesting things to come out of that study as well. Paul Marden: Yeah, very interesting. So there's this idea of kind of CX thinking and embedding that, embedding it the heart of your agency, but you then helping your clients to embed it into the business. So how can CX thinking help an attraction to improve its offering? And I think if we can look at that in two directions, because obviously most visitor attractions are an in person experience, there's lots of thinking around their interaction and the experience that they feel when they're in the attraction itself. But there's a lot of us looking at either side of that interaction. How do we use marketing to get more people to want to do stuff? And then how do we make sure that they got the best experience after they did and reengage with us. How can CX thinking offline and online help an attraction? Stephen Priestnall: The principles of customer experience thinking, certainly from our perspective, is to deal with the reality of that there are people involved. And I think you and I both know, Paul, in the digital world it's kind of quite easy to forget as a person we spend a lot of time in front of technology, trying to get technology to do stuff that we think is helpful. And then it's easy to lose sight of the goal, which is to help a person achieve a task or do something which they have, they enjoy doing. I think in the world of attractions, destinations, then when you're in a kind of physical world, that you're sat in that environment designing something, and you're a physical person yourself. Stephen Priestnall: And as a designer, looking in that environment, feeling that, okay, well, if I walk from here to here, it's going to feel like that. If I put this in the wrong place, if my member of staff is trained in the wrong way and uses the wrong language, that's going to have a direct impact. So you kind of get brought back to the people side of it quite a lot when you're in it in person. So I would say that the world of CX thinking is about bringing the importance of the human into the overall experience. So you don't treat the digital experience with kind of it in a different frame set than you treat the in real life, in person experience. Stephen Priestnall: And that's quite hard to do, because sometimes you're trying to drive the digital experiences as a kind of conversion funnel to get people to do something and buy something or consume some content. And you can kind of get hung up on the word optimisation and funnel management, and you then get drawn into, how can we push people through to the next phase? And push people through to the next phase? And imagine if you're in an attraction, and yeah, you might make certain parts, physical areas, a place where you would want people to go to, but you wouldn't have somebody walking up and nudging them in the back, pushing them down the aisle and stopping them from turning around and staying in one place. Paul Marden: Yeah. Stephen Priestnall: And yet, that's often what happens in the digital world. It becomes an optimisation process to kind of channel a particular behavior that we think is optimal for the organisation. So the world of CX stands back from that, identifies the needs that were satisfying, and looks at Paul and Stephen as two individuals who are unique as individuals, and can be defined by a set of age, gender, sociological, economic characteristics. But actually, Paul and I might have five or six relevant needs for the attraction of which two are consistent. And, you know, two or three are completely different. So we can't treat Paul as Paul and Stephen as Stephen. We have to understand the relationship between the needs that we have as individuals and the thing that we're doing, or the point of the point on the journey we're on. Stephen Priestnall: And I think that's tricky to kind of link the digital and the in real life worlds together. But that's the trick I like to think the kind of CX approach would bring. Paul Marden: Yeah. Just as you're saying that it can be hard to think about the person. But also many of the attractions that we work with have very different offerings. And so consequently they have very different audiences that have very different needs. And, you know, are you trying to serve online an audience that's never going to attend? How do you serve those people's needs? If you've got an educational remit, how do you serve those people's needs whilst at the same time serving the needs of the people that you want to bring in and spend money on site with you? If you're a historic house that also has a golf course and it has a hotel and it has some sort of kids attraction associated with it, there's so many different audiences. Paul Marden: So that kind of CX thinking can help you to step back. Stephen Priestnall: Absolutely. And actually just maybe think of a great triangulation process between three different clients that we've been working with recently that show that kind of breadth of differences. So we work with the saudi arabian government on a new, one of their giga projects on a new destination out in the desert near Rhea called Duria. And that is an amazing set of destination components. Golf courses, equestrian centres, hotels, business centres. And that's creating a destination for a country which has never had any tourism in it before. So with a whole bunch of high net worth individuals that you've got to think about, then also a challenge to get people who live in Saudi to not spend the $90 billion a year that they do going to visit the rest of the world and to actually visit somewhere in Saudi. Stephen Priestnall: So we've had a set of kind of challenges around how do you drive a customer journey, a visitor journey for that. And we've been working with an organisation called Marketing Manchester, helping them devise a new segmentation so they can, I'm going to use the term, attract the right kind of visitors to go to Manchester to hook in with their sustainability strategy. They don't just want people in the shopping malls and going to the football, sports events or shows, albeit they would like that. They also want to understand the community engagement, the cultural engagement and the environmental footprint that they leave behind. And then we're just in conversations with North York Moore's National Park. And then there's a whole different set of conversations about engagement with the local community, communities, a little bit arms folded about tourists. How do you make that come together? Stephen Priestnall: And all of this is about people and it's about understanding people's relationship with people and things. Paul Marden: Brilliant. So let's have a little think about given that those are the ideas behind CX thinking. If you were starting out down this road, what are the simple things that people can do to start to bed the customer at the heart of their thinking as they're planning their services? And I'm thinking in terms of, we've got very different types of attractions in this country, very small, up to, you know, big international attractions. Let's pick the small guys. Yeah. Imagine you're running a small town museum and, you know, you've got a handful of people working in the team. How can you start to embed the customer into your thinking to improve the service? Stephen Priestnall: So I think, I don't think the principles change with scale. I think that the executional methods will change with scale, but the principles. And you can have, you know, if you've got a small team of three or four people, you can have these three or four people working together in a room. You can support a research or not, if you can afford the research that great. If you can't, then you use. So we use a term called foundational intelligence. So before we start any research with a client which might go and look at their customers or prospective customers or visitors.Stephen Priestnall: We say, “Right, let's go all of the information in your organisation on the surface, first, because there's however many people around the room's years of experience, which is not necessarily formed in a cx way, but if we get that on the table, we've probably got a 60, 70, 80% starting point for what we're going to need to know in the end. I think that's the first thing I would say, is take confidence in the fact you've got some foundational intelligence about customer experience. But there might be a clever way of bringing that out through a little workshop. So you ask the right questions of each other. And one of the ways which I think is useful to do and quite practical is to think about three different ways of looking at people as individuals. Stephen Priestnall: So think about themselves as a, you know, a standard attribute based, if you like, cohort or segments, you know, age, demography, all those things that we talked about, but then move those to one side and then ask a relatively straightforward question, what needs are being satisfied by your services? So it's kind of, what's the point of what you do? Yeah, well, harsh question. Paul Marden: Yeah. Stephen Priestnall: But it's devoid from, if you like, knowing your customers at that point, devoid from any transaction based evaluation or business case to say, what's the point of what we do? Why do people turn up and then be quite hard about answering those questions. And when you get the first answer in your head, which is based on what you've always thought you've always done, just go right. Is that really why people turn up? Paul Marden: Is that right? Stephen Priestnall: Really why people walk through the door? Is that really why people tell their friends about us? Paul Marden: There's a little bit of lean thinking there, isn't there? You've got five whys, haven't you? You could go, but why? But why? But why? Just to keep pushing yourself to think that hard thought. Stephen Priestnall: Exactly. Whatever, you know, whatever little mental games you want to play with it, that's the kind of point. What's the point? And then the next lens to look at it is the journey your visitors are on in order to not just get to your destination, but get out of your destination and be reflecting on it to their I, peers, friends, colleagues, family. And that journey doesn't mean I book a ticket, I turn up, I walk around the attraction and then I go home. It means what are the component parts of that journey when they're in planning more just you asked me earlier on about whether I plan a picnic. What are they planning? How likely are they to plan? Do they not want to plan? Do they just want to turn up? Stephen Priestnall: You know, when they're getting to, when they're coming, when they're traveling to the destination, how are they traveling? What's their preferred method of travel? And then what are the different ways in which people engage with the attraction itself? And then what happens afterwards when they walk out? Do they walk out and go for a beer? Forget about it. Did they do that thing you do in a golf club where you spend the next 3 hours talking about what you did for the last 3 hours? And what's the version of that could be done in social media afterwards? And again, do that. Do that without necessarily worrying too much about who does what. So you end up these kind of journey components. Stephen Priestnall: Now all these things can be really heavily researched if you've got resources and the time to do that, but you can do it in a room with three or four people in 2 or 3 hours. And what you'll end up with is a set of right. The people who visit us look a bit like this. Typically, here's five or six types of people, here's a pool type, here's a Steven type, here's a whoever else type of. We've got ten or eleven needs. Well, who knew we had ten or eleven needs? That were satisfying. Paul Marden: Yeah. Stephen Priestnall: So you write those down. Oh, look, we got a journey which looks like planning, engagement, reflection. And I use those three terms because we use them all the time because they're nice and easy to get your head around. Planning, engagement, reflection, and within engagement here are all the different bits that are happening in engagement here. At the different bits that, all right, we might have a dozen, maybe even two dozen components underneath those kind of three big things. And you've then got a bit of a jigsaw. And it's also objective at that point as well. You've then got this objective jigsaw to say, which of those five or six groups of people have which of those needs do we think you might end up with that funny place where. Stephen Priestnall: Oh, actually that cohort doesn't have any of those needs, so we think they really like coming to us, but we're not doing anything to satisfy their needs or this other group that we don't get many of. Look how many needs we're satisfying in that group. Maybe we should be targeting that group. Paul Marden: Yeah. Stephen Priestnall: So whether you're. Whether you go outwards and change your segmentation, your targeting, or whether you come in with and change your service design, you've already got some things to think about. And then when you map the journey on top of that, and again, you know, nice. It could be a done on paper, it could be done. There's loads of tools online you can do this without getting too scientific. You've then got the points at which, all right, so if that need is being satisfied for those people at that point, we now have a design intervention to work out. So we now have, essentially, we have a brief, we have a specification now that might be a piece of digital interaction, it might be a piece of communications design, it might be a piece of signage in the attraction, it might be a follow up social media nudge. Stephen Priestnall: You're then not inventing what you think it is that you need to do for your attraction. We use a phrase which I think clients are pretty comfortable with in the end because it. It's a real reflection. It's completely normal for organisations to kind of end up with an inside and view of the world. Everything is all about the product and the service because that's where the investment goes, that's where the thinking goes. And what we try and do is just to persuade people to take an outside in view. So actually look at this from the point of view of the customer. And I think what the exercise I've just described does is help you take that outside in view. Paul Marden: I'm smiling for those listening. I'm smiling because I just, it reminds me of so many times where I can, you know, I can see observing in the projects that we do or just, you know, interacting with the outside world, where you can tell that people often take a very parochial internal view and they'll communicate with the outside world in their own internal language. They will try and, you know, influence people to do things rather than thinking, how does this appear outside? Stephen Priestnall: Yeah, and it's, it, but it's also, it's not a critique. It's normalised behaviour. If you just think about how organisations grow, you end up with an idea, you know, where often it is about the customers. You've got this entrepreneurial, innovative spark that kicks the idea off, satisfying the needs. And then you build up a bunch of teams who, by definition, have broken out into departments with different roles and responsibilities. And then, and then the sense of self of the people in those teams is derived from the departmental responsibility. Paul Marden: Yes. Stephen Priestnall: But as a consequence, you then are trained, naturally trained to be inside out. Paul Marden: Yeah. Stephen Priestnall: And so, it's normal. And then when that, then when the salesperson comes back and says, “Why did you build it like that?” You know, the designer, the product person says, “Well, because that's the best way of doing this thing.” And the salesperson says, “I can't sell that.” And that actually, and I don't know how much. In your podcast, Paul, you talked about agile, but this is when the concept of squads really can work. I think that you have to take real care with squads because they can end up creating rooms of people who don't understand each other. I think unless there's one other thing I would say about the human part of CX, you have to take this into the culture of the organisation as well. So you asked me earlier, how do you present a CX focus for an organisation? Stephen Priestnall: Well, you can't just drop the results of that little workshop on top of everybody, because it's the going through the process of looking at those three lenses that puts you in a different mindset. If you then just end up telling the product people or telling the sales people or telling the ops people, can you do it like this now? They'll just add that onto their list of things to do. It won't be a change. Paul Marden: But when you bring those people into the conversation, I think it brings a different perspective, doesn't it? And I think that's the one thing I've learned from you in the few years that we've known one another is that when you boil it down, everything is a CX project. And I don't think I ever really thought about that. That there can be something which to me seems so navel gazing, internally focused as a technical project to deliver in the business. But actually, when you think, when you apply the rigor of thinking about the client, the customer, then you find that it is a CX driven project, even if it is completely internally facing. It can be about the communication between two teams, but in the end, because they don't have good communication, it's resulting in this poor customer experience over here. Paul Marden: So when you think about it hard, then these projects have a CX focus, even when they are very kind of internally facing.Stephen Priestnall: And it's sometimes difficult. I mean, I think that's a really good articulation of it. It sometimes can be a challenge to make that process seem worthwhile, because what you end up doing is spending more time challenging what you think is right at the beginning of the process. And there's always a desire from somewhere to move things on. I think that there's a little value based model that I always apply in my head, which if we treat this kind of CX phase as the planning phase, and then you go through a design phase, then you go through a build phase. For every extra hour you spend in planning, without spending that, you would spend ten more hours in design and a hundred more hours in production. So if you leave that hour aside, you're going to have a tenfold in design phase. Stephen Priestnall: And if you don't deal with it in design phase, you'll have it 100 fold, then build phase. But choosing to do that extra hour, which is tension filled, it might be a bit of conflict, there might be a bit of defensiveness. It needs to be carefully managed and kind of cajoled, but the value of it is meant. Paul Marden: Yeah. So you've described this kind of approach to take, identifying who the customers are, trying to use a little bit of intuition to be all science if you've got the budget to go and do the research, but to understand those customers in more detail and what their needs are, and then driving down and finding out where, you know, the journey maps onto that and where the gaps are and starting to look to fill those gaps. Is there room in the world for a dirty bottom up approach where you can see a problem already and you want to address that problem? Can you attack this from both angles or do you need to start from a top down approach? Stephen Priestnall: I'm an arch pragmatist and if we know there's a problem to solve and it's screaming for a solution, then that's going to solve the problem. I would only cancel that try and stand back and look at the unintended consequences through a very objective lens. You don't need to spend long doing that. But I think the magnetism of solving a problem that's been a longstanding problem can also act as a set of blinkers. So that's the only thing I would say. Paul Marden: Yeah, you can be distracted by the screaming problem that turns out not to be the real root cause. If you take the bigger picture of you. Stephen Priestnall: If we got this horrendous problem just before checkout, whether that's a digital or at the attraction itself and queuing up going on, you know, there's a need to solve that through a piece of technology or extra stuff on the tills. But actually, it turns out that there's a funneling process going on in the start of the process that's causing everybody to end up at the checker at the same time. And that can be solved by a different distribution of products in the attraction itself, or bringing in some different content to inform people in the digital journey. That means they don't have to do task X and Y because they now know about it. You know, we've all had that before, which it looks like people can't get through this bit of the funnel. Let's try and make this bit of the funnel easier. Stephen Priestnall: Let's try and do more things. More buttons, more. Let's just try and make it easier. But actually, it turns out, if only we'd given that visitor to the digital journey more time to consume content and not push them through the first stage of the transaction process so quickly, they would have entered the second stage much better informed and relaxed about completing the overall thing. Paul Marden: It's just such a challenge, isn't it? Because I can just feel me even now with our fictitious scenario, all I want to do is squeeze them down the funnel. But you have to focus at the end about getting the right outcome, don't you? Stephen Priestnall:  There's another great metaphor I like to use, and we do this all the time because we talk about something called sustainable customer experience. And sustainable customer experience strategy isn't about a green CX strategy. It's about saying, if you get your CX strategy right, you will have to spend less money on acquiring new customers, so it's more economically sustainable and there's a really interesting kind of just different way of looking at it. So normally if you look at the typical retail conversion process, if you get 100 people on the top of a digital funnel, you might get five out the end as a conversion there's usually really simple numbers, five. So everybody works on how do we make five six? That's the big thing because that's like 20% improvement. If you get five to six, we've just put 20% on the bottom line. Stephen Priestnall: Meanwhile there's 95 people. Do you care? Are you interested? I came here for a reason and you don't like me anymore, so. Well, goodbye then. So what we do is we say, right, we want to put as much effort into understanding the 94. It's not wasted effort. I'm a pragmatist, as we do making the five six, because if out of that 94 we can get another 20 over the next twelve months to do the same thing. We've not spent any money on customer acquisition. We've built and engaged in a relationship. We've had opportunities to talk and engage them, which probably means they're going and talking to other people and checking about the experience. So they're probably doing some recruitment for us anyway, which we can also nudge behaviour. Stephen Priestnall: And then what that does, it changes the mentality inside the organisation to not just think about, we've got six out the other end. Yes. Celebrate. And actually think about. Because imagine if you did that physically. Imagine if physically you could see the hundred people in a queue and everybody went off celebrating the 6th that went through. And then you look back and you looked at these 94 people just milling around having a chat with each other and what just happened. Paul Marden: Yeah, that would feel pretty uncomfortable, wouldn't it? Stephen Priestnall: It will. Especially for an attraction. Paul Marden: Yeah, for sure. Look, this has been brilliant. It's nice. I think sometimes to take a step back and look at that kind of the 101 class, the intro to the subject. And I think this is a subject that we will come back to again and again. We've talked about taking it back to its first principles a little bit today, but this is embedded within the attraction sector. They know and understand the people that come through the door. This is something that they take really seriously, obviously. But I think there are ways in which we can take what we've learned today and use that as a springboard into some more deeper conversations. Paul Marden: Maybe in Season 6, which is coming up where we can talk a little bit more about, you know, your conversations about AI, the direction that you take these things in. How does AI help you in a world where you want to be cx centric? What does AI do for you? So thank you ever so much. This has been brilliant. Thank you. Stephen Priestnall: Really enjoyed it. Paul Marden: One last ask of you, though. We always ask our interviewees to come up with a book recommendation. And it can be fiction, it can be factual, it can be about the subject. But we will give this book away to the first person that retweets the show advert and says, I want Stephen's book. So what is the book that you'd like to share with the world? Stephen Priestnall: Well, so I'd love to say it was. It was a book I wrote in 1986 on expert systems in context. I was doing AI back in the 80's. That one is out of print. You definitely will get hold of it. Instead, it's a book that I think challenges, whatever your persuasions about understanding of the environment and climate, challenges your way of thinking about. It's a book by an activist called George Monbiot, and it's called Feral. And it's to do with the rewilding of Britain, the potential for rewilding Britain. And again, whether you're minded to think that's a good thing or not, it's a great book to just think, okay, that's my perceptions challenge. I hadn't thought of things like that. Paul Marden: Excellent. So, listeners, if you'd like to get a copy of Stephen's book, then head over to X, find the show tweet that we put out and say, I want Stephen's book. And the first person to do that will get a copy. Stephen, this has been wonderful. Thank you all so much. And hopefully we will talk more about this in Season 6. Stephen Priestnall: Thank you very much, Paul. Oz Austwick: He's a really interesting guy, isn't he? Paul Marden: He is indeed. I said to Stephen afterwards, it was such a nice conversation because we've been working together for years, and today I got to ask the questions I've been too embarrassed to ask for the last few years because I really should, at this point, know the answers to them. But today I was able to take the place of the listener and ask those questions without fear of embarrassment. Oz Austwick: Yeah, there does come a point where you kind of feel that you probably shouldn't be asking this question anymore. You should already know this. Yeah, I love that. I thought, it's really interesting. I love this concept of nudging that he talked about, and it's something I've been aware of online for years, but the kind of putting it in the context of happening in the real world, I thought was really interesting. It gives you a bit of insight into how weird it is that we try and force people into certain pathways online. When you'd never dream of doing that in the real world, just having somebody outside a room just pushing you into it. Yeah, you wouldn't do that. Paul Marden: You're in a queue for the log flume and you get poked in the back to say, “Do you want to buy your photo? Do you want to buy your photo? You really do want to buy the photo, don't you?”Oz Austwick: Well, I mean, that does kind of happen, doesn't it? It's usually my children that are doing it, if I'm being honest. But, yeah, really interesting stuff. Paul Marden: A nice way to round out some amazing interviews and fireside chats that we've had over Season 5 and look forward to Season 6. Oz Austwick: Yeah, I'm really excited about Season 6. Paul Marden: Yeah, we want to do something a little bit different, don't we? Oz Austwick: Yeah, well, I mean, firstly, I'll get to start the season of the podcast. Because I wasn't here at the start of Season 5. I've kind of just weaseled my way in halfway through the season and gone, “Yes, mine now.” Paul Marden: Tell listeners, what is it that we want to do differently? Oz Austwick: Well, it feels a bit weird to me that we're creating a podcast all about the visitor attraction sector, which is designed to get people out of their houses to a place and actually experience it in the real world. And yet you're sitting in exactly the same room, and I'm sitting in exactly the same room. And as we pointed out not long ago, I'm wearing the same t shirt as I seem. This appears to be my podcast t shirt. And yet, you know, we're not getting out. So we're gonna get out. We're gonna get in a car and go to a place and record a podcast in an attraction with a person. And I think that's amazing. Paul Marden: Yeah, I just can't wait. We've got a couple lined up. One's crazy, one's going to be a big event. It could be really fun, but we love listeners with attractions who would like two blokes and some cameras to turn up to invite us along. We would love to come and visit your venue. We would love to talk about whatever subject it is that you think our listeners would like to discuss, and we'll come along and we'll record it in real life at your place and see how amazing your venue is and talk more about the stuff that everybody's interested in. Oz Austwick: Absolutely. But it's not just that we're going to do a little bit differently, is it? We're kind of focusing a little bit more on different groups. Paul Marden: Yeah. There was some lovely feedback for those, for listeners that listened to Kelly's final episode, her swan song. When Ross from Drayton Manor came on and talked about his experience of being on the podcast and how influential it was for him to have his 15 minutes of fame for Skip the Queue, and how important that was to him in his stage, in his career, that prompted us to think about, can we use this platform now that so many people before us built to help to shine a light on new and emerging talent in the sector? So if you are in early stages of your career and you are doing something interesting in the attraction space, could be digital, it could be something customer focused in real life. Paul Marden: There's so many different ways where we could have an interesting conversation about what it is that you do and why other people would find it interesting. You know, invite us in. We would love to have that conversation with people. If you know someone, if there's someone in your team who, you know, you can see is doing amazing things and could grow in their career with the spotlight shone on them, and there's lots of people like that, then point them in our direction. Point us in their direction. We can definitely do something to help them to share their story and hopefully to benefit from that springboard, that stepping outside and talking to the outside world about what you do can really have on a career. Oz Austwick: Yeah, absolutely. I think it's lovely that hopefully now, after five seasons, the podcasts kind of mature enough that we don't need to lean on those famous, influential people in the industry quite as much. And hopefully that maybe we've got enough loyal listeners and enough of us standing as a podcast that we can tell stories just because they're interesting. Yeah, you already know the name of the person we're talking to, so, yeah, that's going to be really exciting. Paul Marden: But, you know, there are stories to be told that we don't know about yet that I'm sure will be going on inside listeners minds and, you know, hit us up, send us an email, send us a tweet, an X. I don't know what. I don't know. That's another story, isn't it? But send us a message by carrier Pigeon, if you can, that tells us what you think we should be talking about, the people we should be meeting and the stories that should be told. We would love to hear from you. Oz Austwick: Yeah, and in the meantime, enjoy your two or three weeks without Skip the Queue. Paul Marden: Yeah, absolutely. Hopefully you're all busy working in your attractions, being absolutely swamped. If the attractions I've been to are anything to go by, it is a rip roaring success of a summer. We've had some pretty good weather and yeah, we'll be looking back at this September October time thinking what an amazing summer it was after a disappointing start to the year. Oz Austwick: So yeah, well, fingers crossed. Absolutely. Paul Marden: Thank you, Oz. It's been delightful. I've enjoyed every minute of it. Oz Austwick: Yeah, me too. Here's to Season 6. Paul Marden: Yeah, see you on the other side. Paul Marden: Thanks for listening to Skip the Queue. If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review. It really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on Twitter for your chance to win the books that have been mentioned. Skip The Queue is brought to you by Rubber Cheese, a digital agency that builds remarkable systems and websites for attractions that helps them increase their visitor numbers. You can find show notes and transcriptions from this episode and more over on our website, SkiptheQueue.fm. The 2024 Visitor Attraction Website Survey is now LIVE! Help the entire sector:Dive into groundbreaking benchmarks for the industryGain a better understanding of how to achieve the highest conversion ratesExplore the "why" behind visitor attraction site performanceLearn the impact of website optimisation and visitor engagement on conversion ratesUncover key steps to enhance user experience for greater conversionsFill in your data now (opens in new tab)

Previously on Saga of the Jewels…The life of seventeen-year-old RYN, bookish son of a wealthy landowner, changes forever when his hometown is destroyed by the EMPIRE and everyone he has ever known is killed. Ryn discovers that the Empire are seeking TWELVE PRIMEVAL JEWELS which grant the power to manipulate different elements, and that his father had been hiding the FIRE RUBY. He sets out to take revenge on the Imperial General who killed his family and retrieve the Fire Ruby, and along the way meets NUTHEA the lightning-slinging princess, SAGAR the swaggering skypirate, ELRANN the tomboy engineer, CID the wizened old healer, VISH the poppy-seed-addicted bounty hunter, and HULD the fighting monk. Together the companions decide to find all of the Jewels in order to stop the evil EMPEROR from finding them first and taking over the world. They have thus far succeeded in retrieving the Fire Ruby, borne by Ryn, and the Lightning Crystal, borne by Nuthea. They have now come to the land of FARR where under the guidance of the Farrian fighting monk HULD they have entered the Earth Temple in order to attempt to find the EARTH EMERALD…EPISODE TWENTY-SEVEN: THESE DOORS ARE MADE OF STONE“At least no more of those golem things appeared when you pushed the doors like last time,” Ryn called up to Sagar where the skypirate stood at the top of the flight of earthen stairs.“Yeah, that's something…” said Elrann nearby.“Sure,” Sagar called down, “but how are we going to get through these doors? They're shut fast, I tell you!”“Maybe Huld can try them?” Ryn suggested.“Rrrr,” came Sagar's growl of irritation from above, echoing through the large hall. Despite himself, the side of Ryn's mouth twitched up into a half-grin. “Fine! I wouldn't say he's much stronger than me, though!”Ryn turned to the monk, who wore his usual blank smile.“Do you mind having a go, Huld?”“I will try.”The monk plodded up on the steps and stood next to Sagar. He put his hands on the doors and pushed.“No,” he confirmed, “I am not strong enough to move these either.”“See?” said Sagar, holding out his hands sanctimoniously.“Why don't you try your special technique thingy?” yelled up Elrann.“You mean The Strike That Moves Mountains?” Huld said.“Yeah! That one.”“Hang on,” Sagar called down, “the last time he did that, those golem things appeared and attacked us! We don't want that to happen again!”“I'm ready with my fire,” Ryn said.“Yes,” said Nuthea, “but you are meant to be conserving your mana.” She shook her head at him like he was a naughty child. Annoyance tightened Ryn's mouth, but it quickly turned to a suppressed laugh. Nuthea could be so bossy sometimes he just had to laugh at her.“Right,” said Elrann, “that could happen, but this is the best bet we've got at the moment.”“So would you like me to try?” said Huld deferentially from the top of the steps. He was the picture of politeness, but Ryn wondered if underneath that gentle giant exterior the monk was experiencing any irritation with them.“Yeah,” said Elrann. “Go for it!”“Rrrr,” growled Sagar.Huld set his feet, pulled back his hands behind his body and breathed in loudly, sucking in the stale air.Ryn braced himself. His fingers tingled, ready to summon flame if need be.Huld drove his open palms into the stone doors. An almighty boom resounded throughout the chamber, followed by...…cavernous silence. “Well that's done absolutely nothing,” observed Sagar. “Again.” The skypirate marched back down the stairs. Huld followed.“Anyone else got any smart ideas to try?” Sagar said in exasperation as the two of them re-joined the circle of the group in the faint glow-worm light.“It's another puzzle…” said Cid, stroking his beard. “Like the last floor. Although it seems we may not be able to solve this one just by blasting through it, since these doors are made of stone.”“Rrrrr!” growled Sagar loudly, turning purple in the light from the glow-worms as he lost his temper. “This is a load of chocobo-poodoo! I'm sick of puzzles! There must be a simple way through!”All of a sudden he turned and ran back up the stairs, so fast he must be calling the wind to assist him, and indeed Ryn felt his hair flutter. When Sagar reached the top, this time he shouted “WIND!” and flung his hands forwards at the doors.The party didn't see the gust but they felt the disturbance in the air even from where they were sitting on the floor. The back-blast of his own wind attack off the doors knocked Sagar backwards, and he flew into the air away from them. His hands waved around frantically for a moment, but then he managed to convert his momentum into a backflip and put them out on either side of him to raise a smaller gust below himself and float to the floor more slowly. Sagar touched down on the ground almost gracefully.“Godsdammit!” he yelled all the same, most ungracefully, frustrated that his attack hadn't done anything to the doors. Ryn wasn't sure why he evoked the gods, or the hells, so often when he didn't even believe in them.“That was pretty cool, too,” said Elrann.That seemed to calm Sagar down a bit. He sighed, and let his hands drop to his sides. “It didn't work, though...”“Of course not,” said Cid. “We've established that the element of Earth is highly resistant to the element of Wind.”“Yes thank you, old timer,” said Sagar, completely unthankfully. “I've had just about enough of you stating the bleeding obvious. I'd figured that out by now. So how are we going to get through them? Hey—you should try your fire, pup.”“You reckon?” Ryn said. For once the skypirate had spoken to him almost like he was an equal, even if he still used the same term of address as for a baby dog. “Well why not?” Sagar said. “The old timer says earth is supposedly ‘weak' to fire, isn't it?”“But they're made of stone.”“Have you got any better ideas?”Ryn shrugged, and walked up the steps to test out a small fire attack on the stone doors.It didn't even mark them. They remained exactly as they were, indifferent and immovable.Next Elrann tried shooting them with one of her pistols. Then Cid tried saying some more magic words and passwords. Even Vish, under coercion, had a go at trying to work his blade into the very thin crack between the two doors and prise them open, but to no avail. For some reason Nuthea refused to even bother to try a lightning attack, though Ryn supposed that was fair enough. It made sense to him that lightning was likely to be completely ineffective against earth as an elemental pairing.Eventually they all found themselves sitting or lying in a circle on the worm-lit floor, tired, fed up and at a complete loss about how to get past the doors.“Welp, this is fun,” Elrann said sarcastically. “I guess we're going to have to retrace our steps and find a way back, or else we're going to die of starvation or thirst in here. Or boredom.”“Raarrrrr!” Sagar said. That was a really big one, Ryn thought. “There's got to be a way through!” He slammed his fist onto the floor next to him where he sat.As he did so, Ryn noticed that the floor got a bit darker for a moment where he had hit it. “Hey…” Ryn said. “Do that again, Sagar…”“Do what?” said Sagar.“Hit your fist on the ground.”“Why? Are you going loopy, pup?”“Just do it,” Ryn said impatiently. Then he thought he better add, “Please?”“Well, since you asked so nicely…”Sagar hit the ground with the side of his fist again, even harder than the last time. “There. Happy?!”This time Ryn saw them. When Sagar's fist connected with the floor, the glow-worms inside the floor nearest the place that he hit wriggled quickly away from the point of impact for a moment, then slowly came back to it.“They're moving!”“What are moving?!”“The glow-worms are moving away from your hand when you hit the floor!”Sagar thumped the floor again to test this.“...so they are. Who cares?”“That must be the key to solving the puzzle!”“What good is that going to do us, pup? It's just moving some worms around.” “No, don't you see?” Ryn said.He stood up, and then tried stomping his foot on the ground. The glow worms wriggled away from the spot where he stomped, taking their light with them. He stomped again, somewhere else nearby, and some of the worms that had moved away from his first stomp kept going, moving away from this one too, so that it got a little darker around his foot.“We can affect them!” Ryn said. “We can move them, herd them!”The others were frowning at him.“What good is that going to do us?” said Sagar. “It's a nice trick, but it's not going to get us through those doors, pup, is it?”“No,” said Cid, standing up too, “I think young man Ryn might be onto something. The boy is right—the worms are the only things in this room that we can affect. It's the best lead we've had so far. Come!”He started to stomp on the ground too and, while Ryn had to admit that the two of them looked quite silly taking big exaggerated steps around the darkened hall together, the worms moved for Cid as well.Nuthea joined in, then Elrann, then Huld (he got a lot of worms moving), then at their request even Vish. And at last Sagar breathed another big sigh and joined them too.The worms were definitely moving, only they were wriggling around inside the floor all over the place in random directions away from different people's feet.“Hey!” Ryn called over the noise of their galumphing feet. “If we all stomp in the same place, we might be able to make them go in the same direction!”They all clumped together and began to stomp near each other, their footwear illuminated by the glow worms that fled their feet: Ryn's brown leather shoes, Nuthea's golden slippers, Sagar's steel-capped boots, Elrann's simple laced plimsolls, Cid's simple sandals, Vish's black shoes with upturned toes, and Huld's bare feet. Combined, they made a tremendous racket, like the sound of drums being beaten very fast and erratically, that echoed throughout the hall.Thudthudthudthudthudthudthud. Sure enough, the glow-worms fled through the floor away from the vibrations of their feet, faster than Ryn had seen them move yet, and many of them all in a group together, taking their light with them in a moving puddle of luminescence.“It works!” proclaimed Ryn in jubilation.“Yes, this is all well and good, pup,” yelled Sagar, ever persistent in his antagonism, “but what's the point?! Where are we going to herd them?!”The answer seemed obvious to Ryn. “Up the stairs, of course!”“This is ridiculous!” Sagar yelled.Neither Ryn nor the others bothered to contradict him, but he joined in all the same. Ridiculous it may be, but this was the only action that had changed anything in this room thus far, so Ryn reasoned the worms must have something to do with the doors at the top of the steps.Under his direction, they began to stomp their way over to the foot of the steps. As they stomped, more glow-worms got caught up in the big group that they were pushing towards the step, and now they were shepherding a big mass of them about three measures across. The light from all of these worms collected together to form a shimmering pool, and they seemed to be emitting it more intensely as they moved away from the party's thudding feet.They reached the steps. A few of the moving worms broke off from the main pack and moved around the bottom step, but most of them went into it.“Keep going!” Ryn spurred the others on over the sound of their stomping feet. “Get them up the steps!”Once most of the worms had burrowed into the earth of the first step, it lit up white with their glow. This must be the key to progressing through this room. They waited until the worms had moved a little way along the big step, away from their footfall, and then, Ryn leading, they all hopped up onto the step and continued to stomp.The worms continued to flee, quickly, across the first step and into the earth of the second step.“Keep going!” Ryn called again.They carried on like this, driving the worms up another step, then another, another, another.Thudthudthudthudthud went their feet on the earth below them.And then they were at the top of the steps, driving the worms they had collected towards the doors of stone, all stood in front of them together and jogging on the spot like idiots.The mass of glow-worms moved along the top step and arrived at the doors.Then they disappeared underneath them.“Huh?” Ryn exclaimed aloud.Everyone stopped stomping.“Well, that's bloody brilliant,” said Sagar. “We've chased them into whatever room's beyond the doors. Now we've lost them and it's even darker in here than it was before. Great work, pup.”“No,” said Ryn, at the situation. He had been sure they had been onto something. Cid had said so as well.One God, he found himself saying inside his head. Show me the way through.Keep stomping! he thought.“Keep stomping!” he said out loud. He didn't know why he said it; he just did, and started to stomp again, his eyes fixed on the immovable stone doors.Nuthea joined in again. Cid. Elrann. Huld. Vish. Thudthudthudthudthud. Sagar didn't bother this time.“What's the point, pup?” Sagar yelled. “This is a waste of time! You're just driving the worms further away!”And then the doors began to glow.The grey stone of them started to turn white. As Ryn's eyes stretched wide, he saw hundreds of tiny worms burrowing out of the front of them, coming up through their surface.“Of course!” Cid yelled. “The worms eat earth, and that's what makes them give off the light! We could see them before because some of their light got through the earth near its surface! But stone is more opaque, and blocks it out! They're eating through the stone now, so we can see them as they reach the surface!”Cid was right. Not only were the doors glowing, hundreds of small white worms poking out of them in different places, but they actually seemed to be shrinking too. They stomped harder. Ryn noticed that Sagar had joined in again, and gone uncharacteristically quiet.And now he noticed something else too. The worms were still giving off their light, and when they reached the surface of the doors they were poking their little squidgy glowing ends out, but then they were stopping still, not eating any more of it.Apparently stone was more filling than soil, or whatever the floor and steps were made out of.“We need more of them!” he cried. He took charge. “Cid, Nuthea, Vish, you stay here and keep stomping! Huld, Elrann, Sagar, come with me! We need to herd more of the worms up the steps!”Sagar actually did what Ryn suggested without protest this time and came with him, Elrann and Huld down the steps. Together, they chased down the remaining glow-worms in the floor of the hall, stomping and stamping and cooperating together to herd them back towards the steps and up them, a group at a time. Each time they got to the penultimate step, Cid, Nuthea and Vish would stop stomping for a moment to let the new batch of worms pass under their feet, and then resume again, driving them into the doors, then up and through them.At last, Ryn and the others managed to sweep up the last of the glow-worms from the floor and herd them up the steps and into the doors. They had caught every single last one now, and the only light in the hall came from the glowing doors where they all stood at the top of the steps. The last worm disappeared into the stone doors.They all stamped together in front of them, willing the final batch of worms up through the doors.The doors flared with bright, white light, the brightest yet.Ryn put his hand over his face to cover his eyes.The party stopped stomping.Ryn took his hand away from his eyes.The doors just weren't there anymore. The worms had eaten through the entirety of them.Instead they could now see another cramped, darkened, rectangular, earthen corridor, to which the doors had been barring access.They could see the shape of the corridor because the worms had apparently all dropped back into the earthen floor, though all Ryn could see of them was a pool of white light now coming from the floor in front of them; a wide disc of brightness.The disc shot forward, along the floor, taking its light with it, threatening to leave them in darkness.“Come on!” Ryn yelled to the others. “We need that light!”He shot forwards too, pursuing the pool of light across the floor, and the others ran with him without hesitation.The light-pool led them down the corridor, left at a turn, around a bend, right at another turn. If they ran at full pelt, they were just able to keep up with it, sometimes even to run into the encirclement of its glow below their feet, though it was moving fast now, and they never kept this up for very long.It was as though they were making their way through another version of the ground floor they had gotten lost in before, only this time they had the disc of light to guide them and illuminate their path.Though that didn't turn out to be the only thing that was different about this floor.Ahead of them, in this latest corridor that the light had led them into, running at the front of the pack Ryn could see that the floor dropped away.He stopped just in time, pulling up and halting his run, and the others crashed into the back of him, and would have knocked him forwards into the pit had he not braced himself for the impact. “Oi!” said Sagar.“Hey!” said Elrann. “What gives?”Ryn recoiled from the edge of the pit even more when he saw, as the pool of light moved down the side of the pit and passed underneath them, a few metres below at the bottom of it, row upon row of sharpened, earthen spikes.“Wow,” said Elrann when she looked over the edge and saw them too. “It's a good thing you did stop.”On the other side of the pit the pool of moving light came up and reached the floor of the corridor again, and carried on moving quickly away from them.Their part of the corridor got darker.“Quick!” Ryn said desperately. “How are we going to get across this gap?”“We'll have to jump again,” said Sagar. “I'll boost us over with a gust. Come back a bit, everyone; you'll need a run up.”They ran back a few paces away from the pit. It was still getting darker as the light moved away from them—they could only just see where the pit started now.“One…” said Sagar, “two... three... run! Jump! WIND!”Ryn took his running leap over the lip of the pit with the others and felt Sagar's wind blast rush into him from behind, picking him up and carrying him through the air above the spikes.A brief sensation of weightlessness, and he landed clumsily on the other side of the pit, lost his footing, put his arms out to break his fall, rolled and came up again, then carried on dashing forwards to try to catch up with the rapidly receding pool of light.The pool of light which reached the end of the corridor and turned left, deepening the darkness once again.Ryn hit the end-wall and went left too. He pushed himself to keep running, his lungs and legs burning, and began to gain on the pool of light.“Ryn!” called Nuthea from behind. “Which way? We didn't see!”“Left!” Ryn shouted over his shoulder. “Hurry!” He must not lose the light.When he had looked round briefly he had seen Sagar, Vish and Huld's faces lit up in the worm-light behind him, but he couldn't wait for them to catch up. He must keep pace with the light.The light which he had nearly reached again, which was moving down the corridor, past a thin tubular protrusion that stuck out about a hand's breadth into the middle of it, at around chest-height. That was weird. What's that for? Ryn thought as he ran following the light towards it.Hands grabbed hold of his shoulders.“Get down, you stupid boy!” shouted Vish.The hands forced him down with ferocious strength, but he kept his momentum so that he ended up diving to the floor and skidding along it for a few metres on his stomach. It was only a hard earth floor, but it knocked the air out of Ryn and grazed his belly.Above him, a sound like someone rapidly chopping vegetables—thunkthunkthunk.“Hey!” Ryn said to Vish, who had forced him down and ended up on the floor with him, his masked face only inches away from Ryn's own. “What was that for?”Then he saw. A couple of metres back, a number of feathered darts stuck out of the wall on the opposite side from the tube.Sagar reached the tube, but instead of diving under it as Vish had with Ryn, he made a wind-assisted jump over it, and three more darts shot out of the tube and thunked into the wall on the other side.“Watch out, you lot!” Sagar called back the way he had come as he ran past Ryn and Vish on the floor. “There's a tube about halfway down this one that shoots darts!”Ryn scrambled to his feet. He wasn't about to let Sagar get ahead of him.  Run, Ryn, run, he thought, an old rhyme coming back to his mind as he hurtled after Sagar and the light. But he would have to change the words now. Run, Ryn, run away, live to fight another day, live to train another way, live to find the Jewels and make the Emperor pay.The pool of light reached the end of the corridor and went right, deepening the darkness again. Sagar followed it. Behind Ryn the others were calling and shouting about something, but there wasn't time to worry about them. He must keep pace with the light.“Swinging axe!” yelled Sagar from somewhere up ahead.Huh?Ryn pulled up just in time, and a huge curved-bladed axe moved across his vision perpendicular to the corridor, inches away from his nose. It swung from the corridor ceiling, and as it reached one wall with the tip of its blade it hung suspended in stillness for a moment, then swung back the other way.Ryn took a deep breath and waited for his moment, hearing Vish and Huld arrive behind him.“Swinging axe,” he informed them matter-of-factly.Vish grunted his acknowledgement. Huld didn't even bother to do that.The axe reached the apex of its ascent again and hung.“Now!” Ryn yelled, and the three of them shot past the axe, further down the corridor, after Sagar, after the light.“Swinging axe!” Ryn called back one more time as he heard the others arriving in the corridor behind them.“Slow down, would ya?!” Elrann called back. Ryn couldn't slow down or he might lose the light. “Stay together!” he called back, still without looking. “We've got to keep up with this light or we'll lose our way! We'll keep telling you what the traps are up ahead as we reach them!”It got darker again as the pool of light turned down yet another corridor, Sagar hot on its tail.Ryn, Vish and Huld reached the corner and turned too.This time they were greeted by Sagar running towards them in pursuit of the pool of light, which was now moving very quickly back along the corridor it had apparently just gone down. Behind him, something stirred and grumbled in the shadows.“ROLLING BOULDER!” Sagar cried, even as the pool of light passed underneath Ryn's feet and the skypirate pushed past him in the opposite direction.“Oh, poodoo,” Ryn swore as he saw the giant grey boulder that filled the entire width of the corridor rolling rapidly towards them.He turned with Vish and Huld and ran for his life. They rounded the corner they had just turned down.In the distance, beyond Sagar and the light-pool, Nuthea, Elrann and Cid were stood on the other side of the swinging axe, waiting for the right moment to dash past it.“What's going on?” said Nuthea when she saw the light moving towards her.“At least now we can see again!” said Elrann.“Turn around!” yelled Sagar. “There's a massive rolling boulder behind us!”A tremendous crash sounded from behind them.Ryn dared to hope that the boulder would stop in its tracks now that it had hit a wall, and looked round.Nope.“Damned magical shrine-temple!” Sagar cursed in exasperation.They kept running, barely avoiding another swing of the axe-blade in their mad rush, following the light-pool as it shot back the way it had come, sweeping Nuthea, Elrann and Cid into their wake.They were all near to the moving light-pool now, as they ran together, Ryn back at the head of the pack next to Sagar and Vish.They turned a corner as they heard a sound of snapping metal. That must be the boulder smashing its way through the swinging axe-trap.Back they went, back past the shooting dart trap, which they all ducked under or jumped over. The boulder rolled after them.Back they went, back over the spiked pit, which they flew over again with a quickly coordinated jump and wind-assistance from Sagar.A little way on the other side of this pit, they all stopped and turned, convinced that the boulder would fall into the pit, and stop.Instead, the spikes at the bottom of the pit rose up to meet the boulder, and it continued to roll over the tips of the spikes, over the pit.  “Oh, come on!” cried Ryn as they all turned and continued to run.The boulder rolled after them.Back they went, back to the first fork they had reached when they had got past the stone doors at the start of this floor.The boulder rolled after them.This time the light-pool moved straight on past the turning to the doors, in the other direction from which it had initially taken on their arrival on this floor.“Stupid bloody glow-worms!” Sagar cried. “It's like they're teasing us, leading us into all these traps!”“We've got to keep following them!” yelled Ryn. “It's our only option!”“I know, pup! Do you think I don't know that?”“It's not a tease!” yelled Cid, “It's a test!”“Shut up, old timer! I'm starting to get testy with you!”Another turn at the other end of this corridor, more corridors, more turns.But no more traps, for now.And yet still the boulder rolled after them. Never more than a corridor behind. If anything, it seemed to be getting faster.Ryn began to pant and wheeze as he ran, and his chest burned.“Huld, do you have any idea how much further we have to go?” he gasped to the monk.“I am sorry,” said Huld as he ran, almost breathless too, exasperation in his voice. “I do not. Just to remind you: I have. Never. Been. Here. Before!”“Hey, look!” Elrann called out.The light-pool had stopped. It had gotten some length ahead of them in their exhaustion from sprinting so long, but about twenty paces away at the end of this corridor it had stopped at last in front of a solid wall that seemed to be made out of something shiny which shimmered as it reflected its glow.It was probably because Ryn was trying to work out what this wall was made of that he didn't notice the new pit in front of him, into which he fell.“Oomph!”He pushed himself up and rubbed his arms where he had landed on them.There was another thump from nearby.“Stupid pup!” Sagar said next to him.“What did I do?” Ryn said.“You didn't look where you were going!”“Neither did you!”Thank the One, at least there were no spikes at the bottom of this pit, just a cold, flat, earthen floor about ten feet down and a few feet long. There was, however, still a giant boulder in the corridor above, rolling towards them.The heads of the others appeared at the lip of the pit above.“Quickly!” said Nuthea. “Captain Sagar, we need you to boost us over this pit as well!”She still manages to add the honorific to his name, even at a time like this…Sagar wind-boosted himself and Ryn as they jumped back up to the corridor, on the side that they had fallen down from.The boulder had nearly reached them.“Hurry!” Nuthea cried.“Windaaaaaaarragggaaaahh!” Sagar shouted, as he and everyone else were thrown through the air above the pit by the great gust of wind that he summoned.This time there was no question of a smooth landing. They all crashed into each other in the corridor on the other side of the pit, banging limbs and heads and collapsing in a bug jumbled heap, then disentangling themselves from one another and scrambling up cursing and bickering.A massive boom issued.Ryn got up to see that the boulder had fallen into the pit after them.It rolled forwards a few paces in the pit, then sank down a little and came to a halt, where it made a clicking sound, pressing on some sort of mechanism that he and Sagar hadn't noticed had been built into the floor of it when they had been down in it.A creaking noise followed, this time from behind Ryn.He spun to see the steel doors at the end of the corridor, which apparently the glow worms were not able to eat through, opening.Opening onto glorious blue sky and sunlight which lit up the corridor completely, dimming the glow from the worm-pool on the floor ahead.A flood of warm air from the world outside filled the corridor, pleasantly caressing Ryn's face.At last; they had made it to the top of the Shrine.To be continued… This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sagaofthejewels.substack.com

Max "Morton" Pasichnyk, the esteemed Ukrainian producer, stands as the creative force behind the heavy/power metal studio project Morton. His vision for the project initially blended classic heavy metal with modern power-metal influences, culminating in a unique sonic identity. Despite evolving stylistically over time, traces of heavy-metal roots remain evident in every composition. Grimoire marked Morton's debut release, a five-track endeavor entirely composed, performed, recorded, and produced by Max himself, disseminated freely across the internet. As Max assembled a live lineup while recording, Morton transitioned from a studio project to a full-fledged band, characterized by rigorous rehearsals and relentless dedication to crafting new material. In November 2010, Morton unveiled their inaugural music video, "Sleeping King," earning acclaim from listeners and peers worldwide. This success spurred the band's focus on crafting their debut full-length album, which materialized as Come Read The Words Forbidden, released in Ukraine and Japan in the summer of 2011, accompanied by an official live video for "Brotherhood Of Light." Come Read The Words Forbidden's global release by AFM Records in October 2011, followed by its distribution in Russia, solidified Morton's presence across the globe. The subsequent year saw Morton sharing stages with renowned acts like U.D.O., Mike Terrana, Within Temptation, Coroner, Oomph, and My Favorite Scar, signaling a new chapter in the band's live performance repertoire. In September 2012, Morton released their third music video, further expanding their reach across various digital platforms and musical TV channels. Looking ahead, the band anticipates the release of their second full-length album in 2015, poised to continue their musical journey under Max Morton's visionary leadership. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT: Being able to relate to musicians and coach them Improving your own musicianship through recording Making musicians comfortable in the studio Recording guitars using DIs and reamping vs capturing live amps Tips for recording with Dis Should you record guitars using gates? How string and pick selection impact the sound of your guitars Recording metal vocals Controlling screaming vocals Being strategic with headphone mixes for singers A simple process for layer vocals and building harmonies How to get a solid low end in metal music Using tools like compressors and EQs as analyzers To learn more about Max Morton, visit: https://mortonstudio.com/ Notable gear mentioned in this episode: SM7B: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/DKLEP5 For tips on how to improve your mixes, visit https://masteryourmix.com/ Looking for 1-on-1 feedback and training to help you create pro-quality mixes? Check out my new coaching program Amplitude and apply to join: https://masteryourmix.com/amplitude/ Download your FREE copy of the Ultimate Mixing Blueprint: https://masteryourmix.com/blueprint/ Get your copy of my Amazon #1 bestselling books: The Recording Mindset: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Pro Recordings From Your Home Studio: https://therecordingmindset.com The Mixing Mindset: The Step-By-Step Formula For Creating Professional Rock Mixes From Your Home Studio: https://masteryourmix.com/mixingmindsetbook/ Join the FREE MasterYourMix Facebook community: https://links.masteryourmix.com/community To make sure that you don't miss an episode, make sure to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or on Android. Have your questions answered on the show. Send them to questions@masteryourmix.com Thanks for listening! Please leave a rating and review on iTunes!

Time stamps ⬇️ 00:03 know that it is possible 00:23 what it means to be truly “happy” 01:18 happiness is created through your intentional choice 01:54 being happy has nothing to do with external factors, perfection is an illusion 02:49 how to handle undesired circumstances while choosing happiness 03:30 JUST ONE THING i did that made me happy 24/7 05:22 6 happiness affirmations Podcast episode 100 : happiest life affirmations to program your subconscious mind - https://open.spotify.com/episode/7fA56MCCjJtadN00hCP3k6?si=TUA4HIYiRAupGB_cw_P5Ag Podcast episode 7 : how to grow thicker skin and not let anything affect your beautiful bubble - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4gFNmb3Z2DuEGusIbQiBo9?si=LUZYeTcySL2lBGrHLErNKQ

“Figuring out the formula for OOMPH An important physical quantity, the name of which we'll give later, corresponds to the intuitive idea of oomph. The more oomph something has, the harder it is to stop, and the more ability it has to knock other things over. Let's figure out the formula for oomph. If you already know the formula from a previous class, please “play along” and don't give it away. We've structured this tutorial so that you'll learn something even if you already know the formula. We know some of you don't like mucking around with intuitions, but trust us, in this tutorial it'll lead somewhere quickly, and you'll end up practicing some physics.” © University of Maryland Physics Education Research Group, Fall 2004. ​6-1 More about me https://linktr.ee/imanigibson --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/markedrose/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/markedrose/support

MONSTER PARTY GETS WORDY! JAMES GONIS, SHAWN SHERIDAN, LARRY STROTHE, and MATT WEINHOLD, revisit a topic that provides our listeners with a unique glimpse into their minds. Cthulhu help us! It's a psycho psyche-slicing celebration called... THE MONSTER PARTY WORD ASSOCIATION GAME VOL. 2!!! Again, this game is exactly what you think. We each take turns saying a word, and the others must respond with the first genre-related thing that pops into their minds. This game is a tried and true technique utilized by therapists throughout the ages. So what could be more fun than listening to a bunch of nerds who frivolously misuse it? This game was first introduced in a PATREON EXCLUSIVE segment, but was such a hit that we had to do it as a regular episode! Then that episode was such a giant hit that we felt we had to do another one! But this one needed something extra! Some OOMPH! And that OOMPH came in the form of a guest! Helping to navigate the dark waters of our minds is a returning guest, and friend of the show. She's a brilliant comedian, podcaster, film expert, 70mm film tech, and projectionist to the stars! Please welcome back, the incomparable... GARIANA ABEYTA! (THE POPCORN MAFIA, THE CINEFAMILY, THE TELLURIDE FILM FESTIVAL, OPPENHEIMER) FEEL FREE TO PLAY THE MONSTER PARTY WORD ASSOCIATION GAME AT HOME! BUT IF SOMEONE HAPPENS TO BRING UP BONE TOMAHAWK... JUST WALK AWAY.  

PLAYLIST: 1. FAITH NO MORE - NAKED IN FRONT OF THE COMPUTER 2. NINE INCH NAILS - LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH 3. OOMPH! - NUR EIN MENSCH 4. IN HEARTS WAKE - FAREWELL 5. ERRA - PALE IRIS 6. VERONA ON VENUS - DEAD HEROES HANG 7. PAIN - REVOLUTION 8. DARKTHRONE - BLACK DAWN AFFILIATION 9. HIDDEN TRACK-TEMA OCULTO

In the final hour of this Friday edition of The Morning Shift, Tiffany Blackmon, Mike Johnson and Robb Tribble, filling in for Beau Morgan kick off the final hour by giving some people Wake Up Calls! The Morning Shift crew also allows callers to hand out some Wake Up Calls as well! Next, Tiffany, Mike and Robb continue the final hour by spending some time with Atlanta United Color Analyst & Host of Atlanta Soccer Tonight Jason Longshore! Robb, Mike, Tiffany, and Jason discuss what the buzz is around Atlanta United's season opener against the defending MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew, if fans should be optimistic about Atlanta United this season, what the future holds for Thiago Almada and how much longer he thinks Almada will be with Atlanta United, if fans can expect a more balanced team this season, and what it will take for Atlanta United to be a MLS Cup contender. The Morning Shift crew closes out the show by diving into the life of Robb Tribble in The Life of Squid, featuring Robb Tribble! On this edition of The Life of Squid, featuring Robb Tribble, Robb, Tiffany, and Mike react to Nigerian singer and songwriter Omah Lay sexually dancing with a man's girlfriend on stage to his song 'Bend You'.

Psychologist Dr Dougal Sutherland joined Wilhelmina Shrimpton for a chat about beginning the year with oomph.  Top tips include:  -Daily scheduled activity -Mapping your activities to match your personal energy flow -Learning how to mentally switch off from work    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**And what to focus on NOW through the end of the year, so 2024 can be amazing** It's time to check in on your manifestations and give them a little OOMPH as we gear up for 2024, yeah!? In fact, in this quickie episode Monica is sharing with you her 3 juiciest manifestation tips to help you create your dream life next year! HINT: the manifesting starts *now*, so you better not be throwing in the towel.

Budget 2024 was the first full term Budget for this Madani government but was it game changer? P. Gunasegaram, Independent Business Writer gives us his honest review and whether a very different Budget should have been tabled on October 13.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.Image credit: Bernama

PLAYLIST: 1. MARILYN MANSON - KINDERFELD 2. TILL LINDEMANN - LECKER 3. NA CHUI - TILL THE END 4. EMIGRATE - I'M NOT AFRAID 5. OOMPH! - WEM DIE STUNDE SCHLÄGT 6. RAMMSTEIN - RADIO 7. CODE ORANGE - A DRONE OPTING OUT THE HIVE 8. HIDDEN TRACK-TEMA OCULTO

Oomph! — Richter und Henker (2023)

Eisbrecher: This is Deutsch Eisbrecher: Volle Kraft voraus Oomph!: Nur ein Mensch Janus: Isaak U-Tek: Das Mass der Dinge Eco: Entfesselt Melotron: Kein Problem And One: Zeit ohne Zeit Northern Lite: Raise the dead Fiji: Dark Night Kontrust: I physically like you Fiddler's Green: Shanghai'd in Portsmouth Die Buben im Pelz: Die Wüdn

Interview mit Oomph!, Aufregung um Strg_F, Thy Art Is Murder und Rammstein, und die wichtigsten Alben der Woche (u.a. Kvelertak, Baroness, Molybaron).

Hoy escuchamos: Barracüda- De qué les sirve, Los de Marras- Hoy (Directo), Roadwolf- Mark of the devil, Kings Crown- Down below, Queen Marsa- I am the land, Edge of Forever- Where are you?, Vitalines- Judgement day is here, Carlos Tarque- He vuelto para veros arder, Diamonds and Guns- September, Royal Blood- Mountains at midnight, Blind Channel- Deadzone, Oomph!- Nur ein mensch, Dark The Suns- PhoenixEscuchar audio

This episode marks the beginning of our mini-hiatus…..dun dun dunnnnn. A very positive, purposeful, and much needed time of rest for us Cowboys. We're taking the month of September off from podcasting in order to renew our energy for the big things that we have in store for The Conscious Cowboys. In the past, we've been hesitant with taking time off because we viewed it as giving up on our dreams (we know, sounds dramatic). We never wanted to slow down the momentum that we've built. However, we've realized that by giving ourselves this break we're essentially creating even more space to refuel our love for this podcast and become even more clear on our vision & the very big plans that we have for this brand. With all that said, we're already looking forward to being back in action and gently nudge anyone who is currently craving rest to take that lil break in order to come back with a bit more passion. We also would like to nudge (a slightly more aggressive nudge) y'all to catch up on some of our past episodes during this break if you're needing a visit from your favorite Cowboys. Love y'all! We hope the month of September treats you very well. xoxo Let's Connect Follow us on Instagram: @theconsciouscowboys Learn more at theconsciouscowboys.com Watch our full episodes and more on Youtube: The Conscious Cowboys _____We're two best friends who are building a brand with the mission of amplifying what it means to be well. We strive to be as authentic as possible so that our conversations facilitate true connection while building upon a community that values a more conscious way of life. We're known as “The Cowboys” by those we love, so it's only fitting that our brand reflects exactly who we are. We release an episode every Wednesday, so tune in, and enjoy this wild ride.

Hoy escuchamos: Sinherey- Castaways, Sinheresy- The life you left behind, Guns and Roses- Perhaps, Death Dealer Union- The integument, Metalite- Blazing skies, Icon of Sin- Heart of the wolf, Spirit Adrift- Barn Burner, Danko Jones- Guess who´s back, Sherinian Phillips- Inertia, Oomph!- Richter und henker!, Annisokay- Throne of the sunset , To Kill Achilles- And I´m an adicct, Ministry- Goddamn white trash.  Escuchar audio

What do you do when you feel like you're doing more thinking than doing. When you know you're a good person but somehow when you were created the batteries were not included. Are there specific steps a person can take when feeling unmotivated? Question: Is there a store where I can get some “oomph”? Dan,I wonder how to get motivated. I'm making six figures in a respectable job but in my personal life I'm not really even trying to reach my goals. While we don't have a physical store for oomph, we delve into the importance of setting clear objectives and focusing on personal goals in order to find the drive we all seek. As you may know, there are times when we find ourselves doing more thinking than doing, feeling like good people without the necessary motivation "batteries." We discuss 13 strategies to combat these feelings and find the spark that propels you forward. PLUS, we share three resources to help you get and stay motivated: 1. My upcoming FREE webinar on August 31st: 5 Steps To Turn Your Dream Into Reality 2. Our FREE 30-Day Strangest Secret Challenge, September 1 -30 3. Day Job To Dream Job with Nightingale Conant  Get direct links for all three resources in the podcast show notes here: https://www.48days.com/get-motivated/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you do when you feel like you're doing more thinking than doing. When you know you're a good person but somehow when you were created the batteries were not included. Are there specific steps a person can take when feeling unmotivated? Question: Is there a store where I can get some “oomph”? Dan,I wonder how to get motivated. I'm making six figures in a respectable job but in my personal life I'm not really even trying to reach my goals. While we don't have a physical store for oomph, we delve into the importance of setting clear objectives and focusing on personal goals in order to find the drive we all seek. As you may know, there are times when we find ourselves doing more thinking than doing, feeling like good people without the necessary motivation "batteries." We discuss 13 strategies to combat these feelings and find the spark that propels you forward. PLUS, we share three resources to help you get and stay motivated: 1. My upcoming FREE webinar on August 31st: 5 Steps To Turn Your Dream Into Reality 2. Our FREE 30-Day Strangest Secret Challenge, September 1 -30 3. Day Job To Dream Job with Nightingale Conant  Get direct links for all three resources in the podcast show notes here: https://www.48days.com/get-motivated/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A winning Sunday crossword by Chandi Deitmer, with a bevy of sound aural puns forming a brilliant theme, amid a sea of other fine clues, including the apostrophe-rich 44D, Cap'n's subordinate, BOSN; the always welcome (as a word, at any rate) 26D, Nonsense, to Brits, TOSH; and one of our favorite Grammy Award winners, 40A, Grammy winner Hill, LAURYN. Definitely FTW, we give it 5 squares on the JAMCR scale.Contact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Get ready to gird your Oomph and Marbles, as the kids in the Halfling Clubhouse lead you on a delve into 70s and 80s kids' shows, both real and imaginary! This show we're looking at Dare-Luck Club, published by Lou Hoefer and Dandyline Games. Gangsters, aliens, and pirate treasure await you in this RPG for […]

OOMPH!, Asking Alexandria, Bob Marley, Staind, Nita Strauss

GKN is a female-focused podcast hosted by  @SharonNJGaffka @brittcarterr GKN Social Channels:  Https://linktr.ee/girlsknownothing  Instagram: @girlsknownothingpod  Tiktok: @girlsknownothingpod TikTok: @girlsknownothing

In this captivating episode we  delve into the mystical world of oracle cards and tarot cards. Together, they explore the rich history, symbolism, and transformative power of these ancient divination tools, as well as how individuals can use them for self-reflection and personal growth.The conversation begins by demystifying oracle cards and tarot cards, explaining that they are both decks of illustrated cards that offer profound insights and guidance. In the realm of divination and self-discovery, oracle cards and tarot cards have captivated individuals seeking guidance and insights. While both these card decks serve as powerful tools, they have distinct characteristics and purposes. Let's explore the differences between oracle cards and tarot cards and learn how to select the right deck for your personal journey.Purpose and Structure:Oracle Cards: Oracle cards are flexible and intuitive. They can be themed around specific subjects, such as angels, animals, or emotions, allowing for a wide range of interpretations. Tarot Cards: Tarot cards follow a more structured system with a fixed number of cards, usually 78 in total. Tarot decks consist of Major Arcana (22 cards representing archetypal themes) and Minor Arcana (56 cards divided into four suits). Symbolism and Imagery:Oracle Cards: Oracle cards often feature vivid imagery and symbolism that connects to universal themes and emotions. They are designed to evoke intuitive and immediate responses, providing simple yet profound messages.Tarot Cards: Tarot cards possess intricate symbolism and archetypal imagery. Each card represents a specific aspect of human experience and carries layers of meaning. Tarot readings involve delving into the symbolic language of the cards to uncover deeper insights and patterns.Card Selection and Usage:Oracle Cards: When selecting an oracle deck, it is crucial to choose one that resonates with your energy and intuition. Consider themes, artwork, and overall vibe to find a deck that speaks to you. Oracle cards can be used for daily reflections, single-card draws, or more elaborate spreads, depending on your preference.Tarot Cards: Tarot decks come in various artistic styles and interpretations. To select a tarot deck, explore different options and connect with the imagery and symbolism that resonate with you. When using tarot cards, shuffling and spreading the cards in a specific pattern (spread) allows for a comprehensive reading.  Support the showWe hope you found the episode to be enlightening and insightful. Our goal is to create content that not only entertains but also helps you grow spiritually and connect with your inner self. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to like, subscribe, and write a review. Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us and helps us to improve the quality of our content and reach a wider audience. We believe that by sharing knowledge and insights about spirituality, we can help to inspire positive change and personal growth. So, if you find our podcast to be meaningful and informative, we encourage you to share it with your friends and family. Thank you once again for your support and for joining us on this journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth. We look forward to sharing more episodes with you in the future. You TubeFacebookFacebook Group Find Your Baddass Life Purpose

What does it mean to train with oomph? It means you got to put enough into your training so you are stressing the body in a positive way.

Oomph is a strange and fascinating word. Not only does it have an interesting onomatopoetic sound, but it is also toting around a deeply significant truth. The word “Oomph” has come to mean “exertion” or “strength invested into a task”—and that is an idea that is near absent in the modern Christian experience, but desperately in need of returning. Because Christianity that is worth its salt involves an active, aggressive, soul-sweating givenness to the multitudinous tasks of spiritual obedience. In other words, it doesn't shrink back from doing hard labor for Jesus Christ, but courageously exerts and spends itself on assignments that would cause normal everyday humanity to blanche.

In this episode, I discuss the concepts of "oomph" and "umph" from basketball and how they relate to your marketing. 

There are so many people in business who don't make it to 6 or 7 figures.And it's NOT because they're not good at what they do, or because there is too much competition or they aren't capable  … It's because they don't have that Oomph to keep going. Hamish and I were fired up after one of our Start Up Squad masterclasses so we recorded this fiery Q&A for you whilst eating our acai bowls (multitasking at its finest). If you are currently trying to build your business, to do something you've never done before and feel like you're stuck or just don't know how to keep going … this episode is for you! You'll hear: What Hamish and I do to PUSH THROUGH when we feel like giving up The difference between DESIRING something and being COMMITTED to having it How you can still ACHIEVE your DREAMS (even without Soniq the Hedgehog crazy energy) … and so much more! Are you READY to build your Fempire!  Check out the Start Up Squad hereJoin the FEMPIRE list – get exclusive business tips and updates from Erika via a weekly emailCome say hello on Instagram!  @thequeenofconfidence

On this week's episode of Own the Microphone, Bridgett McGowen welcomes a speaker and author who focuses on disrupted technology education with more than 14 years teaching experience, Rachael Mann. Bridgett and Rachael discuss Rachael's talking points, memorable moments, difficult audience members, technology in presentations, and more! 0:45 Rachael's podcast style. 3:40 What does Rachael mostly speak on? 6:28 Memorable moments. 10:40 Feedback. 20:00 Rachael Mann has not always been a confident speaker. 23:56 A question for Bridgett. 31:50 One last tip. Listen and Subscribe to the Own the Microphone Podcast with Bridgett McGowen on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and the CLNS Media Network mobile app.

In this episode, the hosts explained why founders who regularly attend industry events are often better positioned to support their brands than those who don't, riffed on the impact of sleek and clever packaging and marveled at a sparkling water brand's latest LTO. This episode also features an interview with Michael Lewis, the founder and general manager of oomph!, a new brand of low-sugar, functional candy chews and gummies that is backed by venture capital firm Science Inc., an investor in Liquid Death and Dollar Shave Club, among others.  Show notes: 0:45: No, These Are Not Dad Jokes. Long Lists Getting Longer. Some Standout Package Design. – Ray got the show going with a few truths before he, John and Mike spoke about why networking opportunities at BevNET Live and NOSH Live are unlike those at other industry events. They also highlighted a new olive oil brand with a catchy name and unusual label, why Ray was particularly impressed with a recently launched plant-based breakfast sandwich, an RTD cocktail whose package resembles the shape of a CD and a collaboration that, TBH, is pretty special. 20:20: Michael Lewis, Founder and General Manager, Oomph! – Lewis met with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif at Natural Products Expo East 2022 where he spoke about how Science Inc., which developed and incubated oomph, evaluated the opportunity for better-for-you candy, why the venture capital firm saw him as the right person to lead the charge, how oomph is applying learnings from early customer feedback into its marketing and communication strategy and why innovation is top of mind. Brands in this episode: Dream Pops, Single & Fat, Ferm Fatale, Alpha Foods, Graza, Brightland, Cocchi, Whitebox Cocktails, Sap's, Aura Bora, Chubby Snacks, TBH, Transcendence Coffee, oomph!, Liquid Death, SmartSweets

The crew is back for Episode No. 2 of the week! Alison, Shayna, and Sara begin the show by inviting Producer Jeremy in for a Taylor Swift follow up. We have many Bits O'News including Josh Norris, U.S. Women's Hockey, the Blue Jackets, and Phil Kessel. Then, instead of our Shit List, we focus on the positive including the Kraken and Golden Knights and NHL players as cheese. And finally, our FMK intertwines with Sara's Style Rankings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features an interview with Marshall Rabil, the co-owner of specialty peanut brand Hubs, who spoke about the brand's efforts to reach younger consumers and the duality of his roles as a steward and modernizer of his family's business. Also, the hosts discussed the news that Bang Energy has filed for bankruptcy and why innovative entrepreneurs are often hamstrung by their own achievements. Show notes: 0:49: The Best Of October Deadlines. Jack's Been Here Before. Expo East And Todd's Dilemma. – Ray was a bit hoarse, but reminded Mike of Man U's prowess and the hosts collectively reminded listeners of upcoming deadlines to submit applications for BevNET and NOSH's Best of 2022 awards along with those for the latest editions of the New Beverage Showdown and NOSH Pitch Slam. They also chatted about how NOSH Live Winter 2022 will offer entrepreneurs a direct connection with investors and other industry leaders and John explained why beverage professionals should be wary of underestimating Jack Owoc and celebrating recent challenges affecting Bang Energy. Later, they offered praise for “shimmering water” brand Loftiwater, while noting the uphill battle it faces and highlighted a few notable new products, including better-for-you candy, buckwheat snacks and breakfast biscuits. 33:00: Interview: Marshall Rabil, Co-Owner, Hubs – Rabil met with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif at BevNET headquarters in Newton, where they riffed on the seafood scene in Massachusetts and Virginia before discussing the origins of the peanut industry in the U.S. and how Hubs has become the standard bearer for specialty peanuts. Rabil also spoke about the company's evolving retail strategy, how new products, brand partnerships and creative marketing initiatives are attracting new consumers, how pricing reflects quality and the elements of Hubs' effective trial strategy. Brands in this episode: Hubs, Pop & Bottle, Bang Energy, La Colombe, Loftiwater, Wholly Veggie, Smart Sweets, Tid Bits, Oomph, Liquid Death, Brazi Bites, Nitro Beverage Co., Lil Bucks, NuttZo, Nguyen Coffee Supply, Jackson's Chips, Paqui, Kanira, Olyra

This talk was given by Diana Clark on 2022.09.22 at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA. ******* For more talks like this, visit AudioDharma.org ******* If you have enjoyed this talk, please consider supporting AudioDharma with a donation at https://www.audiodharma.org/donate/. ******* This talk is licensed by a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License

Guest commentator Joseph Scrimshaw doesn't like it, doesn't agree with it but he accepts it!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.