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What's happening at the suspected Noah's Ark site in Turkey? Tony sits down with the lead investigator of the Durupinar site for an exclusive interview about the latest developments and the ongoing search for Noah's Ark.Slingshot Nation, we're switching things up today. Tony had an opportunity to go straight to the source and talk about the news coming out of Turkey, so we're bringing that conversation to you in place of our usual format. What are investigators reporting, what could it mean, and how close are we to getting answers about this mysterious formation?Watch the interview, hear the update firsthand, and let us know where you stand. Could the Durupinar site hold the remains of Noah's Ark?Subscribe to Slingshot Nation and join the conversation.#NoahsArk #Durupinar #SlingshotNationTake Control of Your Money and claim $10 in US Stablecoin (USA₮)! Download now at http://wallet.rumble.com/Confessionals and use the code confessionals10.This is a paid advertisement for Rumble Wallet. Rumble is compensating me for this ad.Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. Offer available to US residents only. Offer not available in New York State. Must be 18+. Offer is available for a limited time and for the first 500 wallets activated and funded. Details and full official rules available at http://rumble.com/promoofficialrules.Please consider donating to this breast cancer organization: https://merkmerch.com/collections/limited-time-offers/products/pattys-breast-friends-breast-cancer-awareness-teeIf you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
Could something ancient still be hiding in the mountains of East Tennessee? Tony Merkel talks with Tabitha Prock about her family's encounters with the mysterious White Thing and her father's story of witnessing the excavation of an enormous skeleton. As they dig deeper, the conversation begins to connect these strange accounts to the history of the land and the unsettling stories that have been passed down through generations. Tabitha explains why she believes these experiences are more than just local folklore and why certain places in the region seem to carry something unusual about them. The deeper they go, the harder it becomes to separate legend from forgotten history—and this conversation makes it clear there is still much more waiting to be uncovered.If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
Learning to Glow: Tips for Women's Health, Optimal Wellness and Aging Gracefully
Send us Fan MailWhole30 Favorites: Sugar Supplement Sugar Shield Click HERE Use Code GLOW for a discount! I recently completed my second Whole30, and in this episode I'm sharing my honest experience, what I ate, what I missed, the results I noticed, and whether I think it was worth it.I explain what Whole30 is, why it's considered an elimination program rather than a long term diet and how the reintroduction phase can help you identify food sensitivities or reactions. I also cover the foods you can and cannot eat, including added sugar, grains, legumes, dairy, alcohol, and processed foods. I share practical tips for preparing, eating out, traveling, and making Whole30 easier including Whole30 friendly options at Chipotle, CAVA, and Urban Plates. I also talk about breakfast ideas, snacks, meal prep, protein, eating at Disneyland, and the biggest challenges I experienced.Finally, I share why I did Whole30, how it affected my habits, sleep, inflammation, skin, and relationship with food, what I missed most, and whether I plan to do it again.Find Jess below!Website: Simply Jess Skincare SIMPLY JESS SKINCARE:Each and every product is naturally derived, highly concentrated and most importantly, super performing! Every product was born out of a need to have a truly pure product that met my high standards for efficacy. Subscribe to Our Newsletter! You can take 20% off Your Order of our all natural skincare line with code: PODCAST Shop Now! Favorite Supplements for Health and Fat loss: Click HERE My favorites are the Power Greens, Digestive Enzymes and Brain Power Favorite Mouth and Face Tape- Use Code JESSICAITURZAETA15 for 15% off Click Here Mushroom Coffee-15% off with Code: SIMPLYJESSSKINCARE15 Click HereEmail Us! jess@learningtoglow.comFollow us! Instagram Tik Tok
What happens when spiritual warfare becomes something you can actually see and fight on the other side? Tony Merkel sits down with Jade to explore his extraordinary experiences in the Second Heaven, where he describes dark strongholds and terrifying encounters with Dogman entities during battles that feel every bit as physical as our own reality. Jade reveals what he believes is happening beyond the veil and why these encounters may have implications for the spiritual warfare taking place here. But when he ventures deeper into this hidden realm, he encounters something far more massive and disturbing than the Dogmen.If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
What if memories were real entities that inhabit places, and what if music could give those places a voice?In this episode of Makers & Mystics, Stephen Roach sits down with composer Michael Anderson to explore the strange and beautiful relationship between memory, time, place, music, and faith.Michael's latest work, Hallov, is a 24-piece musical journey through birth, pain, joy, death, and what might come after. Described by Michael as “a movie score without the movie,” the album follows a protagonist through a series of imagined spaces while a mysterious “Spirit of Time” moves alongside him.For Michael, those spaces are more than settings. They are repositories of memory. An old church, a car ride, a hallway, a family dinner- places can hold the people we loved, the moments we experienced, and even the versions of ourselves we have left behind.Together, Stephen and Michael explore how music can give those memories a voice and how recurring melodies can function almost like memories themselves, returning throughout the album in different forms as the story unfolds.The conversation moves from Michael's childhood fascination with spaces to the autobiographical memories woven throughout Hallov, including a Wednesday night dinner with his grandparents, leaving Florida for a new chapter of life, and the haunting experience of imagining one's own death.Along the way, they explore the spiritual questions underneath the music: What happens to our memories when we enter eternity? Does the hope of new creation mean that our painful experiences are erased, or might they somehow be gathered into wholeness? And what might it mean to believe that even our tears and suffering have a place in the story God is making new?At the heart of the conversation is a deeper question: What if memory is not simply something we carry from the past, but a place where we encounter the mystery of who we have been, who we are becoming, and who we might be in eternity?For artists, Michael offers another important invitation: to resist the temptation to stop creating because someone else has created something greater. The joy of art isn't found in being the best. Sometimes the most important thing we can do is simply finish the work we've begun—and celebrate that it exists.Michael Anderson is a composer who blends classical music with jazz, pop, electronics, and soundscapes. He is drawn to memorable melodies and heartfelt narratives, using music as a way to explore story, memory, and human experience. His latest project, Hallov, brings together his love of cinematic music and storytelling in an immersive 24-piece exploration of time, memory, faith, death, and hope.Connect with Michael on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicbymichaelanderson/Send us Fan MailSupport the showCONNECT WITH USWebsite: http://www.makersandmystics.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/makersandmystics Support the show: patreon.com/makersandmystics Sign Up for Our Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/g49Ks1GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG
In Episode 597: Fort Polk Dogman, Gabriel shares his encounter with a mysterious creature while he was in the military in 2010. The encounter took place during a training mission in a remote area known as "The Box" inside Fort Polk, Louisiana. Gabriel and his sergeant were tasked with harassing a fake military base during the night, but Gabriel was left alone after his sergeant went back to retrieve a forgotten radio. As he waited alone in the woods, he described feeling a sudden eerie silence in the natural sounds, and he noticed strange occurrences, including a pulsating red light and a large, black shape behind a bush. As his fear intensified, he stood up with his machine gun, intending to fend off what he initially thought might be a bear. However, when he attempted to fire the weapon, a terrifying and powerful roar froze him in his tracks. The creature stood up on two legs and was much taller than him, with yellow, glowing eyes that felt malevolent and ancient. Gabriel felt an intense sense of evil emanating from the creature, leading him to believe it was not an ordinary animal but something far more sinister and supernatural. For years, he had believed it was a demon, and it was only later, in 2021, that he learned about the term "Dogman" as he attempted to make sense of his experience.If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
In this episode, Landry shares a real coaching case study showing how a cyclist improved significantly after cutting training volume from 13 to 15 hours a week down to 7 to 9 hours a week. The episode is especially useful for time-crunched cyclists who want to keep progressing without adding more hours.He breaks down the specific training changes that helped the athlete get stronger, including year-round consistency, eliminating junk miles, and using targeted intensity and aerobic work more strategically.
The latest UFO disclosure drop may be connecting dots that have been sitting in plain sight for decades. We dive into newly released UAP material involving strange craft encounters, unexplained injuries, warp-drive concepts, wormholes, government contractors, and the $22 million program connected to Skinwalker Ranch—where researchers investigated everything from UFOs and orbs to poltergeist activity and Bigfoot-like creatures.But what if these stories aren't separate at all? We examine reports of massive cloud-like UAPs, government research into breakthrough propulsion, Bigelow-linked programs, and the possibility that the most important data has never been made public. From Skinwalker Ranch to interdimensional theories and secret aerospace research, this episode asks whether the latest disclosure is finally revealing pieces of a much larger picture.If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
Can Christians have demons, or does salvation mean demonic influence is no longer possible? In this powerful conversation, Tony Merkel sits down with evangelist Ben Hughes to explore Christian deliverance, spiritual oppression, the Holy Spirit, and the supernatural power of God. Ben shares his dramatic conversion story, his first encounters with deliverance, and what he says he has witnessed after decades of ministry; including demons leaving Christians, miraculous healings, and lives radically transformed by Jesus.The conversation also tackles one of the biggest questions facing the modern Church: Does Jesus still heal today? Ben recounts stories of blind eyes seeing, deaf ears opening, people leaving wheelchairs, and his own family walking through severe sickness while continuing to believe God for healing. Tony also opens up about spiritual warfare surrounding his own calling and ministry. Whether you're skeptical of deliverance, convinced the gifts of the Spirit continue today, or simply trying to understand what Scripture says about the supernatural, this conversation will challenge you to take another look.If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
Learning to Glow: Tips for Women's Health, Optimal Wellness and Aging Gracefully
Send us Fan MailOur guest Jason Richards, lead inspector and co-founder of PureHealth Mold Inspections shares some valuable information with us today about mold. We have been talking with guests over the past weeks that have suffered from chronic illness that have also been affected by mold in the home so I was so excited to talk to Jason from his point of view. Because we know mold can wreak havoc on our health but what do we do about it and what can we do to protect ourselves. Today we talk about: · Common symptoms of mold exposure· How we can proactively protect our homes· How people can be affected in different ways in the same householdThis episode was really informative and there are some great practical tips! Please share this with someone that could use this information in your life! Find Jason:https://www.purehealthmold.comFind Jess below!Website: Simply Jess Skincare SIMPLY JESS SKINCARE:Each and every product is naturally derived, highly concentrated and most importantly, super performing! Every product was born out of a need to have a truly pure product that met my high standards for efficacy. Subscribe to Our Newsletter! You can take 20% off Your Order of our all natural skincare line with code: PODCAST Shop Now! Favorite Supplements for Health and Fat loss: Click HERE My favorites are the Power Greens, Digestive Enzymes and Brain Power Favorite Mouth and Face Tape- Use Code JESSICAITURZAETA15 for 15% off Click Here Mushroom Coffee-15% off with Code: SIMPLYJESSSKINCARE15 Click HereEmail Us! jess@learningtoglow.comFollow us! Instagram Tik Tok
What could make a man abandon everything he believed and risk his life to follow Jesus? Tony Merkel sits down with Steve Kang to hear his incredible journey from a radical Buddhist upbringing to becoming a passionate follower of Christ. After a devastating spiral led to a life-threatening crisis, Steve says he experienced the terrifying reality of Hell before his life took a dramatic turn toward Jesus. His transformation would eventually take him into underground churches in China, where he witnessed Christians risking everything for their faith. This is a powerful story of redemption, radical faith, and what it truly means to surrender everything to follow Jesus.If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
What happens when the art form you once loved becomes a way of proving your worth?For oboist, educator, and author Merideth Estevez, classical music began as a source of joy and wonder. As a child, it was even a language through which she experienced God. But somewhere along the way, the pursuit of excellence became entangled with perfectionism, achievement, and the need to prove herself.In her book Art Is How God Loves Us, Merideth invites us to reconsider what art actually is. Rather than seeing art as something reserved for the technically gifted, she describes it as “atoms responding to transcendence”—our participation in the creative abundance already at work in the world.In this conversation, we talk about the difference between perfectionism and excellence, what an oboe reed can teach us about faith, why imperfection can be a sign of life, and how technical training can become a vocabulary rather than a prison. We explore the relationship between tradition and innovation, the ways art can become a spiritual gateway, and what it might mean to encounter God through a symphony, a painting, a river, or even the ordinary creative choices of everyday life.Ultimately, Merideth offers an invitation to see ourselves differently: not as people who have to earn our worth through what we create, but as people made in the image of an Artist—and therefore already invited to create.Merideth Estevez is an oboist, educator, author, and coach whose work explores the intersection of creativity, faith, and wellbeing. She is the author of Art Is How God Loves Us and The Artist's Joy.In this episode:Redefining art as “atoms responding to transcendence”The difference between perfectionism and excellenceTradition, innovation, and learning the rules so we can break themArt as a spiritual gatewayFinding God in unexpected works of artWhy you don't have to consider yourself an artist to createLearn more about Merideth Estevez and her work at artistsforjoy.org.Send us Fan MailSupport the showCONNECT WITH USWebsite: http://www.makersandmystics.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/makersandmystics Support the show: patreon.com/makersandmystics Sign Up for Our Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/g49Ks1GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG
Something strange is happening at the top of the AI industry.OpenAI's Sam Altman, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, and xAI's Elon Musk are suddenly sounding similar warnings about the pace of advanced AI development. At the same time, former OpenAI and Anthropic employee Jacob Coxon is raising alarms about the race toward artificial superintelligence.In this episode of Slingshot Nation, Tony, Jack, and Derek break down the AI 2027 scenario, self-improving AI, the global race with China, government systems like Sentient, and the growing concern that AI may soon advance faster than anyone can control.Are these warnings simply preparation for what's coming—or have the people closest to the technology already seen something that changed the conversation?If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
Can something follow a family for generations without anyone fully understanding what it is? Tony Merkel sits down with Kathryn to unpack a disturbing encounter at her parents' home that turned an ordinary night into a terrifying confrontation with something she couldn't explain. What happened next forced her to confront the reality of spiritual warfare and ultimately discover the power and protection found in Jesus Christ. As they dig into her family's history, the more it appears her encounter may not have started with her.If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
Learning to Glow: Tips for Women's Health, Optimal Wellness and Aging Gracefully
Send us Fan MailEpisode Mentioned 183 How to Decrease Sugar Cravings with Chris Mearns: CLICK HERE Sugar Shield Code GLOW for 15% off check out Supplement HERE Today our guest Lindsey shares her experience of gaining 50 pounds after years of bodybuilding preparation, what her lab work revealed and how she rebuilt her health with a different approach to training, nutrition and recovery.We talk about what midlife women can focus on instead of endless cardio and aggressive calorie cuts. Lindsey also explains how to approach fat loss, maintenance and strength training in a way that supports our hormones, confidence, long-term health and ability to age independently.In this episode, we discuss:How a year of extreme bodybuilding preparation and chronic stress led to a 50 pound weight gainThe lab results that helped explain what was happening, including zero progesterone, insulin resistance, low thyroid levels and high cortisolWhy perimenopause can mean having a smaller stress bucket and less tolerance for high intensity training and under eatingWhy replacing excessive cardio with strength training may be a better approach for many women in midlifeWhy daily movement and realistic step goals matterWhy protein and muscle preservation are so important during a weight loss phaseHow to find maintenance calories and begin with a modest calorie deficitWhy weight loss phases should be followed by maintenance phasesLINDSEY MATHEWS, CSCS,also known as Trainer Lindsey, is a certified strength and conditioning specialist with more than two decades of experience helping women achieve sustainable fitness and weight-loss results. She specializes in working with women over 40, particularly those navigating perimenopause, by providing personalized strategies that support natural hormone balance, reduce stubborn body fat, and restore confidence.Find Lindsey Below: MoxieByLindsey.com: http://www.moxiebylindsey.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trainerlindsey/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@trainerlindseyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@trainerlindseyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@trainerlindseyPodcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nourish-strengthen-with-trainer-lindsey/id1692560051Presale link for Lindsey's book: http://www.moxiebylindsey.com/booksFind Jess below!Website: Simply Jess Skincare SIMPLY JESS SKINCARE:Each and every product is naturally derived, highly concentrated and most importantly, super performing! Every product was born out of a need to have a truly pure product that met my high standards for efficacy. Subscribe to Our Newsletter! You can take 20% off Your Order of our all natural skincare line with code: PODCAST Shop Now! Favorite Supplements for Health and Fat loss: Click HERE My favorites are the Power Greens, Digestive Enzymes and Brain Power Favorite Mouth and Face Tape- Use Code JESSICAITURZAETA15 for 15% off Click Here Mushroom Coffee-15% off with Code: SIMPLYJESSSKINCARE15 Click HereEmail Us! jess@learningtoglow.comFollow us! Instagram Tik Tok
How deep can someone go into witchcraft before there seems to be no way back? Jenny Joy joins Tony Merkel to share a disturbing journey through childhood trauma, occult practices, demonic encounters, and an underground witchcraft temple that pulled her deeper into darkness. Even after coming to Jesus, Jenny says the spiritual battle was far from over, leading to a series of intense deliverance experiences that exposed just how much torment had followed her for years. Her story moves from terrifying encounters and spiritual bondage into a fight for freedom, healing, and a completely transformed life. This is a powerful testimony of deliverance, spiritual warfare, and what happened when a former witch finally broke free.If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
We live in a world of fast content, instant communication, next-day shipping, and things designed to be quickly replaced. But what happens when an artist chooses to work against the grain of social norms? Jake Weidmann is one of only nine Master Penmen in the world, but his work extends far beyond calligraphy. A multidisciplinary artist working in drawing, oil painting, sculpture, wood carving, and bronze, Jake has devoted himself to the long process of mastering his craft.In this conversation, Jake shares what he calls “The Art of Slow” and why the slow, contemplative devotion to excellence might be a way of resisting disposability and recovering a long, even eternal view of our calling as makers.Jake shares about his new book, The Heart of The Maker, and the creative process from practice and inspiration to failure, perseverance, repentance, and finishing well. This is a conversation about craft, patience, tradition, creativity, and the things we choose to make that might outlast us.Jake Weidmann is a multidisciplinary artist and one of the world's nine living Master Penmen. His work explores calligraphy, drawing, painting, sculpture, wood carving, and the relationship between creativity, faith, and tradition. Send us Fan MailSupport the showCONNECT WITH USWebsite: http://www.makersandmystics.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/makersandmystics Support the show: patreon.com/makersandmystics Sign Up for Our Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/g49Ks1GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG
Is demonic possession becoming more visible in public? In this episode of Slingshot Nation, Tony, Jack, and Derek examine several disturbing recent stories, including Jonathan Cahn's attack on an airplane, the Lindsay Clancy case, and the shocking Times Square stabbing in New York involving a woman armed with large knives who continued advancing after police deployed Tasers. The guys ask whether these incidents could point to something deeper happening spiritually or whether there are other explanations that need to be considered. The conversation will break down the signs of demonic possession, demonic influence, spiritual oppression, unusual behavior, hostility toward God, and other traits traditionally associated with demonic activity in Scripture and Christian teaching. How can believers distinguish between mental illness, criminal behavior, spiritual warfare, demonic oppression, and possible possession without jumping to conclusions? This episode explores demonic possession, spiritual warfare, demons, deliverance, Jonathan Cahn, Lindsay Clancy, the Times Square stabbing, biblical demonology, and supernatural encounters, while asking one central question: Are we witnessing a rise in demonic possession?Take Control of Your Money and claim $10 in US Stablecoin (USA₮)! Download now at http://wallet.rumble.com/Confessionals and use the code confessionals10.This is a paid advertisement for Rumble Wallet. Rumble is compensating me for this ad.Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. Offer available to US residents only. Offer not available in New York State. Must be 18+. Offer is available for a limited time and for the first 500 wallets activated and funded. Details and full official rules available at http://rumble.com/promoofficialrules.If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
What if the spiritual war around us is happening in a realm we can't see? Tony Merkel revisits the incredible experiences of Hunter, Jade, and Caleb, three men whose encounters with the Second Heaven begin connecting in ways that are difficult to ignore. From Dogman and mysterious portals to direct encounters with spiritual warfare, their stories suggest that the supernatural world may be far more active—and much closer to our reality—than most people realize.As their experiences begin lining up, Tony explores what these encounters could reveal about the unseen battle taking place around us and why understanding the darkness ultimately points back to the protection, authority, and hope found in Jesus Christ.If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
Learning to Glow: Tips for Women's Health, Optimal Wellness and Aging Gracefully
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I'm talking with Tim James, host of Tim Talks Energy and founder of Chemical Free Body.Tim shares the health crisis that changed the direction of his life, including severe digestive issues, painful skin problems, low energy, and an emergency appendectomy while traveling in Peru. We talk about how processed foods, poor nutrition, and chronic stress affected his health and what inspired him to take a more active role in his healing journey.We also talk about creating more energy in midlife, becoming more intentional about the foods we eat, shopping for simple ingredients, finding local farmers, and building supportive health communities.One of my favorite parts of this conversation is our discussion about the connection between physical healing, emotional stress and nervous system regulation. Tim explains why nutrition is only one part of the healing process and why we also need to look at the stressors and relationships affecting our bodies.Tim shares practical ideas for reading labels, choosing nutrient dense foods, reducing processed ingredients, and creating daily habits that support better energy and deeper rest. He also explains how he uses his Organic Energy formula and the protocol he recommends to his community.Shop his amazing Green juices and use coupon code: GLOWClick HERE to shop using code GLOW Find Jess below!Website: Simply Jess Skincare SIMPLY JESS SKINCARE:Each and every product is naturally derived, highly concentrated and most importantly, super performing! Every product was born out of a need to have a truly pure product that met my high standards for efficacy. Subscribe to Our Newsletter! You can take 20% off Your Order of our all natural skincare line with code: PODCAST Shop Now! Favorite Supplements for Health and Fat loss: Click HERE My favorites are the Power Greens, Digestive Enzymes and Brain Power Favorite Mouth and Face Tape- Use Code JESSICAITURZAETA15 for 15% off Click Here Mushroom Coffee-15% off with Code: SIMPLYJESSSKINCARE15 Click HereEmail Us! jess@learningtoglow.comFollow us! Instagram Tik Tok
Could the truth behind alien abductions be far more disturbing than the public has been led to believe? The Confessionals host Tony Merkel sits down with Karin Wilkinson, author of Stolen Seed, Evil Harvest, to hear her chilling testimony of a lifetime of encounters that began in childhood and eventually led her into what she describes as a hidden underground program. As her memories became clearer, Karin began questioning who these beings really were, what they wanted from humanity, and why she believes the truth is being hidden behind the growing UFO disclosure narrative. Her search for answers ultimately led her to a terrifying conclusion about the spiritual nature of these entities and the deception surrounding them. But Karin's story doesn't end in fear. She reveals the moment everything changed when she turned to Jesus Christ and discovered that the beings she had feared her entire life no longer had power over her.If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
How do the images we see shape the way we understand ourselves and one another?In this episode of Makers & Mystics, Stephen Roach sits down with art historian and author Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt to explore her new book, Look Like a Lady: Five Visual Tropes of Womanhood and How to See Ourselves Differently.Drawing from centuries of art history, Elissa identifies five recurring ways women have been depicted and understood: Venus, Vessel, Maiden, Mother, and Monster. These aren't simply artistic categories. They are stories that can quietly shape our expectations about beauty, femininity, motherhood, sexuality, agency, and even holiness.Together, Stephen and Elissa explore how these visual tropes have influenced both popular culture and Christian imagination and consider the alternative stories that can help us see women as whole, particular, embodied people rather than objects, symbols, or stereotypes.The conversation moves from ancient Greek sculpture and Renaissance paintings to Victorian photography, contemporary beauty culture, purity culture, and the ways women are represented within the church.Along the way, Elissa introduces five counter-stories:Witnessing instead of objectifyingBeing instead of becoming an empty vessel for someone else's meaningMoving instead of remaining passive or containedCultivating instead of being reduced to motherhoodPartnering instead of viewing men and women as threats or oppositesAt the heart of the conversation is a deeper question: What might it look like to recover a vision of womanhood rooted not in cultural expectations, but in the particularity, dignity, agency, and belovedness of each person created in the image of God?For artists, this conversation offers an invitation to consider how the images we create participate in forming the imagination of the people who encounter them.And for all of us, it raises an important possibility: perhaps freedom doesn't come from simply rejecting old stories, but from learning to recognize them—and telling truer ones.Elissa Weichbrodt is an art historian, educator, and author. Her new book, Look Like a Lady: Five Visual Tropes of Womanhood and How to See Ourselves Differently, examines the ways visual culture has shaped our understanding of womanhood and offers a more expansive, hopeful vision.Connect with Elissa on Instagram: http://instagram.com/elissabrodtGet the book: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9781587436925_look-like-a-ladyListen to our previous conversation with Elissa: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s11-e07-redeeming-vision-with-dr-elissa-yukiko-weichbrodt/id1090123738?i=1000605110237Send us Fan MailSupport the showCONNECT WITH USWebsite: http://www.makersandmystics.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/makersandmystics Support the show: patreon.com/makersandmystics Sign Up for Our Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/g49Ks1GET A MAKERS X MYSTICS COFFEE MUG
In episode 643: Quest For The Ancient Sundial, Brian Jeffrey, from Black Mass Paranormal, joins us in studio to dive into the mysterious and often eerie realm of the paranormal across East Tennessee. He explores unsettling missing person cases like that of Summer Wells and discusses bizarre phenomena such as potential portals and supernatural activities. Brian takes us through personal encounters with inexplicable sounds and sightings in mystifying locales like Black Mountain and Frozen Head. He shares chilling accounts of a shadowy figure, a witch-like presence, and ghostly translucent entities, reflecting on the challenges of documenting such elusive phenomena with antiquated equipment. Brian also ventures into speculative territory with mentions of possible government cover-ups and portals to other dimensions. Tony then shares his future plans to return to a site he'd visited 4 years prior, with new information on what could possibly be reptilian entities occupying the area.Black Mass Paranormal: https://www.youtube.com/@blackmassparanormalIf you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
This episode explores the differences between climbing and flat riding in cycling, and how riders can improve their performance in both areas through targeted training strategies. Landry shares insights on muscle recruitment, biomechanics, core strength, and specific drills to enhance cycling efficiency.
What happens when entire islands appear, disappear, and leave behind no trace? Today on Slingshot Nation, Tony, Derek, Jack, and Brian (Tony & Jack's dad) are diving into the mysteries of floating islands, the Philadelphia Experiment, MH370, UFOs, and the possibility that secret technology could be crossing the boundaries between worlds. They'll also explore strange manuscripts, occult knowledge, supernatural encounters, and the idea that humanity may have gained access to things it was never meant to understand. Could these disappearances be connected, and are we seeing evidence of something moving through the veil?If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
Something is shifting, and what happened behind the scenes at The Confessionals has the team convinced the battle is becoming more real. After an intense Second Heaven roundtable, a violent storm moves in as disturbing dreams and unexplained experiences begin unfolding across multiple homes. The timing and similarities are difficult to ignore, leaving Tony and the team questioning just how much spiritual warfare is taking place beyond what we can see. But as the darkness becomes more tangible, so does their understanding of the authority and power found in Jesus Christ. This raw conversation pulls back the curtain on a remarkable twenty-four hours that may mark the beginning of an entirely new chapter for The Confessionals.If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
Learning to Glow: Tips for Women's Health, Optimal Wellness and Aging Gracefully
Send us Fan MailAmanda Soukoulis shares her personal health collapse in her 20's and how it led her into helping others with functional medicine and nutrition. This conversation focuses on why symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, and poor sleep often trace back to deeper root causes rather than willpower.Amanda also shares the importance of testing in the right order, how gut health connects to hormones and detoxification, and why peptides can be a useful tool when the body is ready for them.Key topicsAmanda shares her own turning point: waking up with hives, body aches, severe bloating, and 35 pounds of sudden weight gain after appearing outwardly very healthy.We discuss how high performance, heavy training, emotional stress, and under-fueling can overwhelm the body even when labs initially look normal.She outlines the main issues uncovered in her own case: bacterial pathogen in the gut, postmenopausal-level estrogen in her 20s, adrenal fatigue, sluggish thyroid, and later mold toxicity.Amanda shares how mold toxicity can show up as low energy, brain fog, sleep problems, inflammation, and weight-loss resistance, even when the source is not obvious.Amanda also introduces peptides, how they work as signaling molecules, and why she sees them as an advanced tool that works best after foundational healing.Find Amanda Soukoulis: HereCustom Session with Amanda! DM GLOW to her on Instagram: CLICK HERE Find Jess below!Website: Simply Jess Skincare SIMPLY JESS SKINCARE:Each and every product is naturally derived, highly concentrated and most importantly, super performing! Every product was born out of a need to have a truly pure product that met my high standards for efficacy. Subscribe to Our Newsletter! You can take 20% off Your Order of our all natural skincare line with code: PODCAST Shop Now! Favorite Supplements for Health and Fat loss: Click HERE My favorites are the Power Greens, Digestive Enzymes and Brain Power Favorite Mouth and Face Tape- Use Code JESSICAITURZAETA15 for 15% off Click Here Mushroom Coffee-15% off with Code: SIMPLYJESSSKINCARE15 Click HereEmail Us! jess@learningtoglow.comFollow us! Instagram Tik Tok
What is really lurking in the forests of Land Between the Lakes? Returning guest and retired sheriff Martin Groves joins Tony Merkel once again after sharing some of the most gripping and disturbing Dogman and Bigfoot encounters ever discussed on the show in Episode 514, “Terror In The LBL,” and Episode 538, “Dogman's Trace Of Death.” Drawing from years of investigating the strange activity surrounding this mysterious wilderness, Martin recounts encounters that seem to blur the line between flesh-and-blood creatures and something far more supernatural. As the conversation goes deeper, an unsettling possibility begins to emerge: what witnesses are seeing in these forests may only be one part of a much larger mystery connected to forces beyond our understanding. Through the fear, unanswered questions, and increasingly strange patterns surrounding these encounters, Martin ultimately points toward God as the answer to understanding what may truly be lurking beyond the veil.If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
episode 672: The Farm Of Terror, Eric Mintel, from Eric Mintel Investigates, shares his extraordinary journey from performing at the White House to exploring the mysteries of the supernatural. He explains the chilling encounters and eerie phenomena that he has documented, from ghostly apparitions and UFO sightings to cryptid investigations. In particular, Eric shares his experiences from his investigations on Lee Hample's property from episode 659: The Beast Of Bray Road, where Lee has encountered this cryptid creature countless times, and has been documenting it for several years. Eric's investigation stories aim to enthrall listeners with firsthand accounts of the paranormal, unraveling the thin veil between our world and the unknown.If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
What does it mean to glorify God through art?For many artists, the desire to glorify God can become an expectation that their work should communicate an explicitly religious message. But what happens when that expectation begins to constrict the artist? What if our attempts to make art that clearly communicates faith actually prevent the art from becoming genuinely transformative?In this solo meditation, Stephen Roach explores the relationship between Christian faith, artistic freedom, and the glory of God. Drawing on the work of Hans Rookmaaker and Flannery O'Connor, as well as the strange prophetic performances of Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, Stephen asks whether art needs to be explicitly religious in order to be spiritually meaningful.Stephen revisits the story of Paolo Veronese and his controversial painting of The Last Supper, which brought him before the Catholic Inquisition in 1573. The story raises an important question for artists and faith communities alike: what happens when our desire to protect familiar expressions of faith leaves no room for artistic imagination?Perhaps glorifying God through art doesn't always mean making art that is easily recognizable as Christian. Perhaps sometimes it means following our creative curiosity into places that are unfamiliar, challenging, ambiguous, or even strange.In a world where familiar religious imagery can become wallpaper, what might happen if we made room for art that surprises us again?In this episode:Rethinking what it means to "glorify God" through artWhy treating art as a "tool" for evangelism can strip it of its powerThe shocking performance art of Ezekiel, Isaiah, and JeremiahPaolo Veronese's controversial Last SupperHow religious conformity can restrict artistic creativityWhy faith communities need to cultivate curiosity rather than judgmentThe danger of familiar truths becoming spiritually dullABOUT THE HOSTStephen Roach is the host of Makers and Mystics, a podcast exploring the intersection of creativity, faith, and the human experience. He is an artist, curator, poet, and musician. He is currently writing How to See Invisible Things, a book exploring the future of art and faith. Stephen has spent over a decade advocating for creativity as a spiritual discipline and calling.RESOURCES AND LINKSArt Needs No Justification by Hans Rookmaaker — the book referenced for its argument that art has intrinsic value apart from evangelistic use Five Creativity Killers and How to Avoid Them by Stephen Roach — Stephen's booklet where he first wrote about Paolo Veronese's trialDisclaimer: This episode is a case for unconventional art, but I want to be clear that it is not a disparagement of sacred art: work created specifically for devotional or liturgical environments and practices. My critique of “easy art” is not meant to diminish the beauty or value of sacred art.—Stephen RoachSend us Fan MailSupport the showCONNECT WITH USWebsite: http://www.makersandmystics.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/makersandmystics Support the show: patreon.com/makersandmystics Sign Up for Our Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/g49Ks1
How deeply have ancient occult practices shaped the strange phenomena people are still encountering today? Tony Merkel sits down with Isaac Weishaupt and Joel Thomas for a conversation that challenges the way we understand the entities operating beyond our everyday reality. They examine the possibility that modern encounters may be connected to spiritual forces and practices that have followed humanity for centuries. As the conversation goes deeper, the familiar idea of extraterrestrials begins to give way to something far stranger and potentially more dangerous. This episode asks a disturbing question: are we witnessing something new, or simply seeing an ancient phenomenon wearing a modern face?If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
Learning to Glow: Tips for Women's Health, Optimal Wellness and Aging Gracefully
Send us Fan MailToday, we're joined by Dr. Colette Sinclair to explore the powerful connection between our emotions, stress, and overall health. Dr. Sinclair explains why physical wellness alone may not be enough when emotional and mental patterns are left unaddressed. She shares how stress, nervous system dysregulation, and negative thought patterns can affect everything from immunity and hormones to cardiovascular health.She also offers practical tools for shifting your emotional state, including awareness, breathwork, and intentional state training. We had such a wonderful conversation that we ended up talking longer than usual!Make sure to visit Dr. Sinclair's website below and check out her book:Dr. Colette D. Sinclair has practiced for twenty years at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and contemplative science. She is the creator of Emotional Posture®, a pioneering methodology for cultivating elevated emotional states that restore nervous system balance, expand consciousness, and build sustainable inner alignment. She is the founder of Integrated Mental Wellness, a collaborative collective offering natural alternatives for mental and physical wellness. Her new book is Emotional Posture: Six Energetic States to Create and Sustain Inner Alignment (Balboa Press/Division of Hay House, 2026). Learn more at Dr. Sinclair | Emotional Posture. Follow on Instagram here Find Jess below!Website: Simply Jess Skincare SIMPLY JESS SKINCARE:Each and every product is naturally derived, highly concentrated and most importantly, super performing! Every product was born out of a need to have a truly pure product that met my high standards for efficacy. Subscribe to Our Newsletter! You can take 20% off Your Order of our all natural skincare line with code: PODCAST Shop Now! Favorite Supplements for Health and Fat loss: Click HERE My favorites are the Power Greens, Digestive Enzymes and Brain Power Favorite Mouth and Face Tape- Use Code JESSICAITURZAETA15 for 15% off Click Here Mushroom Coffee-15% off with Code: SIMPLYJESSSKINCARE15 Click HereEmail Us! jess@learningtoglow.comFollow us! Instagram Tik Tok
Could the growing UFO disclosure movement be infiltrating the Church with a spiritual deception hiding in plain sight? Tony Merkel sits down with Paul Bach for a powerful discussion about the growing UFO phenomenon and the belief system forming around non-human intelligence. Paul opens up about the controversial pastors meeting and explains the warning he believes the Church urgently needs to hear. The conversation examines whether modern encounters with NHI could connect to ancient spiritual realities and a much larger deception unfolding around disclosure. As interest in contact and UAPs continues to grow, Paul challenges Christians to test these claims against Scripture rather than simply accept the answers being offered. This episode will challenge how you see UFO disclosure and leave you asking one crucial question: what are we really making contact with?If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
On tonight's show, Jeremiah shares the ghostly interactions he has experienced over the last 10 to 15 years- all of which seem to have spawned from one initial event. If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
Brendan Housler explains that FTP isn't one system but reflects aerobic base, VO2 max “ceiling,” lactate handling, durability, and time to exhaustion, so raising threshold requires targeting your specific limiter instead of doing random FTP workouts. He prioritizes first building an endurance foundation (2–3 hour rides feeling fresh), then using VO2 max and over-unders, followed by supra-threshold work (just above FTP), and lastly steady-state TTE workouts (e.g., 3x20, 2x30, 1x45). He suggests using 5-minute power as a rough VO2 proxy and comparing FTP/5-min power (fractional utilization) to decide whether to focus on VO2 work or threshold, while noting anaerobic riders can skew 5-minute results. He emphasizes fueling key sessions, adjusting focus around race season, and maintaining year-round purpose by stacking training across seasons and years.Chapters:00:00 Stop Surviving Intervals00:47 FTP Is Multiple Systems02:59 Four Buckets Framework03:25 Base Before Intensity05:05 Find Your Limiter05:42 Ceiling Test With 5-Minute07:14 VO2 Max Workout Menu08:21 Supra Threshold Bridge09:41 Over Unders For Surges10:32 Build Time To Exhaustion11:54 Recap And Next Steps12:52 Sample Week And Caveats13:56 Fueling And Coaching Plugs15:14 Offseason Purpose And Wrap
The AI Breakdown: Daily Artificial Intelligence News and Discussions
Opposition to AI data centers has become one of America's fastest-moving bipartisan political issues, driven by concerns about electricity, water, noise, property values, jobs, and a deeper mistrust of Big Tech. NLW provides an end-to-end primer on what data centers actually do, why public sentiment has turned so sharply, where the loudest claims fall apart, and how transparency, community control, and direct local benefits could offer a path forward.Executive Agent Leadership - Returns in September -- Learn how to use agents - https://training.besuper.ai/Free Webinar - Agentic Loops for Knowledge Workers - 8/26/26 26pm https://aidailybrief.ai/webinarBrought to you by:KPMG – Research from KPMG and the University of Texas at Austin shows the highest-impact AI users treat AI like a reasoning partner — and those skills can be taught at scale. Learn more at https://kpmg.com/us/SophisticatedHarbor - Invest in the AI ecosystem. https://www.harborcapital.com/aidailyHyperagent - Hire a fleet of always-on agents. New users get $1,000 in inference. hyperagent.com/aidailybriefRackspace Technology- One accountable partner to build, operate and run your full enterprise AI stack https://www.rackspace.com/Section - Section turns AI investment into workforce transformation and ROI - https://www.sectionai.com/Blitzy - Want to accelerate enterprise software development velocity by 5x? https://blitzy.com/AssemblyAI - The best way to build Voice AI apps - https://www.assemblyai.com/briefRobots & Pencils - Cloud-native AI solutions that power results https://robotsandpencils.com/The AI Daily Brief helps you understand the most important news and discussions in AI. Our Newsletter is BACK: https://aidailybrief.beehiiv.com/Interested in sponsoring the show? sponsors@aidailybrief.ai
The UFO conversation is changing, but are we asking the right questions about what these beings actually are? Tony sits down with Derrick Warfel, author of UFOs and God, for a fascinating conversation about non-human intelligence and the spiritual reality that may be hiding behind the phenomenon. Derrick challenges the popular idea that these beings are simply advanced visitors from another world and makes the case that what we are witnessing may be interdimensional and deeply connected to the supernatural realm described throughout Scripture. They explore alleged abductions and the striking similarities between modern alien encounters and supernatural experiences reported throughout human history. Tony also shares a chilling story from his own investigations that raises difficult questions about possession, altered experiences, and what may be happening beyond what we can physically see. As UFO disclosure moves further into the mainstream, this conversation asks whether humanity is prepared for the possibility that the phenomenon is far more spiritual than extraterrestrial.If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
The AI Breakdown: Daily Artificial Intelligence News and Discussions
Even experienced AI users can fall behind as new features and working methods arrive. NLW breaks down nine techniques worth trying now—from live voice mode, workflow teaching, custom skills, and Claude's /design command to team agents, GrokBot, local models, and deceptively useful two-word prompts. In the headlines: an AI-assisted personalized cancer vaccine clears a Phase III trial; OpenAI introduces private safety processing; and Replit launches Free Mode with GPT-5.6 Luna.Free Webinar - Agentic Loops for Knowledge Workers - 8/26/26 26pm https://aidailybrief.ai/webinarBrought to you by:KPMG – Research from KPMG and the University of Texas at Austin shows the highest-impact AI users treat AI like a reasoning partner — and those skills can be taught at scale. Learn more at https://kpmg.com/us/SophisticatedHarbor - Invest in the AI ecosystem. https://www.harborcapital.com/aidailyHyperagent - Hire a fleet of always-on agents. New users get $1,000 in inference. hyperagent.com/aidailybriefRackspace Technology- One accountable partner to build, operate and run your full enterprise AI stack https://www.rackspace.com/Section - Section turns AI investment into workforce transformation and ROI - https://www.sectionai.com/Blitzy - Want to accelerate enterprise software development velocity by 5x? https://blitzy.com/AssemblyAI - The best way to build Voice AI apps - https://www.assemblyai.com/briefRobots & Pencils - Cloud-native AI solutions that power results https://robotsandpencils.com/The AI Daily Brief helps you understand the most important news and discussions in AI. Our Newsletter is BACK: https://aidailybrief.beehiiv.com/Interested in sponsoring the show? sponsors@aidailybrief.ai
The AI Breakdown: Daily Artificial Intelligence News and Discussions
The anti-AI backlash is becoming more meme-driven and politically powerful—but also, in a few important ways, more productive. NLW looks at Liquid Death's viral Jason Kelce ad, Josh Shapiro's aggressive new data center rules, and OpenAI's voluntary training pause to ask whether the AI debate is finally creating room for concrete standards instead of blanket bans. Free Webinar - Agentic Loops for Knowledge Workers - 8/26/26 26pm https://aidailybrief.ai/webinarBrought to you by:KPMG – Research from KPMG and the University of Texas at Austin shows the highest-impact AI users treat AI like a reasoning partner — and those skills can be taught at scale. Learn more at https://kpmg.com/us/SophisticatedHarbor - Invest in the AI ecosystem. https://www.harborcapital.com/aidailyHyperagent - Hire a fleet of always-on agents. New users get $1,000 in inference. hyperagent.com/aidailybriefRackspace Technology- One accountable partner to build, operate and run your full enterprise AI stack https://www.rackspace.com/Section - Section turns AI investment into workforce transformation and ROI - https://www.sectionai.com/Blitzy - Want to accelerate enterprise software development velocity by 5x? https://blitzy.com/AssemblyAI - The best way to build Voice AI apps - https://www.assemblyai.com/briefRobots & Pencils - Cloud-native AI solutions that power results https://robotsandpencils.com/The AI Daily Brief helps you understand the most important news and discussions in AI. Subscribe to the podcast version of The AI Daily Brief wherever you listen: https://pod.link/1680633614Our Newsletter is BACK: https://aidailybrief.beehiiv.com/Interested in sponsoring the show? sponsors@aidailybrief.ai
Learning to Glow: Tips for Women's Health, Optimal Wellness and Aging Gracefully
Send us Fan MailWe have guests Dr. Jacques MoraMarco and Dr. Yun Kim on the podcast talking about their book: Walking Your Way to Vitality. Dr. MoraMarco is a fourth-generation lineage holder of Sun Tai Chi, a pioneer in East Asian medicine in California, and Dean Emeritus of Emperor's College of Traditional East Asian Medicine. Dr. Yun Kim is a fifth-generation student of Sun Tai Chi and founder of Emperor's Wellness. Together they share their practical approach to walking, breath work, Tai Chi principles and Qigong, mindfulness, healthy aging and nervous-system wellbeing. In this episode, we cover:• The difference between Tai Chi and Qigong• Three Tai Chi animal walks for balance and healthy aging• The Vitality Walk and its simple mudra and breathing pattern• How mindfulness and counting can quiet a busy mind• The Immunity Walk and nervous system regulation• How backward walking may strengthen the legs and support the kneesI loved this episode and have been incorporating what I have been learning in my morning routine and have been loving it! Check out their book below: https://www.walkingyourwaytovitality.comFind Jess below!Website: Simply Jess Skincare SIMPLY JESS SKINCARE:Each and every product is naturally derived, highly concentrated and most importantly, super performing! Every product was born out of a need to have a truly pure product that met my high standards for efficacy. Subscribe to Our Newsletter! You can take 20% off Your Order of our all natural skincare line with code: PODCAST Shop Now! Favorite Supplements for Health and Fat loss: Click HERE My favorites are the Power Greens, Digestive Enzymes and Brain Power Favorite Mouth and Face Tape- Use Code JESSICAITURZAETA15 for 15% off Click Here Mushroom Coffee-15% off with Code: SIMPLYJESSSKINCARE15 Click HereEmail Us! jess@learningtoglow.comFollow us! Instagram Tik Tok
Could the strange phenomena capturing the world's attention be hiding a much deeper spiritual reality? Tony Merkel sits down with Jae Woodward of WoodwardTV for a fascinating conversation that challenges the conventional explanations surrounding the unexplained. Jae explains why he believes the coming “age of disclosure” could actually become an age of deception, and why some encounters may not be what they appear to be. As the conversation unfolds, Jae connects modern reports with ancient spiritual ideas and explores why deception and perception could be central to understanding the phenomenon. Tony and Jae go deep into a perspective on the unexplained that may completely change how you look at what's happening around us.If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
Every great artist from Caravaggio to Frida Kahlo has fought the same invisible war, and Stephen Roach makes the case that it is not a coincidence.In this solo reflection, Stephen traces a decade-long question that has haunted him: why does creative expression seem to attract so much internal and external opposition? Drawing on scripture, church history, and the lives of artists who battled addiction, trauma, and mental illness, he builds a case for why creativity and faith are so deeply intertwined, and why that connection makes artists a centerpiece in a spiritual battle. He highlights an uncanny parallel between the King of Tyre in Ezekiel 28 and the artisans in Exodus, then lands in the present moment, asking what it means to keep making human art in an age of artificial intelligence. Listeners will walk away with a framework for understanding creative resistance and a renewed sense of why their work matters.KEY TOPICS COVERED• Why creativity is rooted in the image of God• The historical pattern of struggle among great artists, from addiction to mental illness• The church's complicated relationship with the arts• What the rise of AI means for the future of human creativity• Why art may be the last human frontier in an automated worldABOUT THE HOSTStephen Roach is the host of Makers and Mystics, a podcast exploring the intersection of creativity, faith, and the human experience. He is an artist, curator, poet, and musician. He is currently writing How to See Invisible Things, a book exploring the inner life of art and faith. Stephen has spent over a decade advocating for creativity as a spiritual discipline.RESOURCES AND LINKS The War of Art by Steven Pressfield - referenced for its concept of Resistance and creative struggleSend us Fan MailSupport the showSign Up for Our Newsletter! http://eepurl.com/g49Ks1Connect with Makers & MysticsWebsite: https://makersandmystics.comPatreon: https://patreon.com/makersandmysticsInstagram: https://instagram.com/makersandmystics
The AI Breakdown: Daily Artificial Intelligence News and Discussions
AI is changing what effective knowledge work requires. NLW presents five essential skills for working with agents, building new tools, and recognizing opportunities that were previously impossible—grounded in the domain judgment AI can't replace. In the headlines: Cursor takes on GitHub, Anthropic's revenue surges, and Stripe acquires OpenRouter.AIDB's AI Summer Adventure: https://summeradventure.ai/Brought to you by:KPMG – Research from KPMG and the University of Texas at Austin shows the highest-impact AI users treat AI like a reasoning partner — and those skills can be taught at scale. Learn more at https://kpmg.com/us/SophisticatedHarbor - Invest in the AI ecosystem. https://www.harborcapital.com/aidailyHyperagent - Hire a fleet of always-on agents. New users get $1,000 in inference. hyperagent.com/aidailybriefRackspace Technology- One accountable partner to build, operate and run your full enterprise AI stack https://www.rackspace.com/Section - Section turns AI investment into workforce transformation and ROI - https://www.sectionai.com/Blitzy - Want to accelerate enterprise software development velocity by 5x? https://blitzy.com/AssemblyAI - The best way to build Voice AI apps - https://www.assemblyai.com/briefRobots & Pencils - Cloud-native AI solutions that power results https://robotsandpencils.com/The AI Daily Brief helps you understand the most important news and discussions in AI. Subscribe to the podcast version of The AI Daily Brief wherever you listen: https://pod.link/1680633614Our Newsletter is BACK: https://aidailybrief.beehiiv.com/Interested in sponsoring the show? sponsors@aidailybrief.ai
The AI Breakdown: Daily Artificial Intelligence News and Discussions
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei says the strongest criticism of AI companies is that they still haven't delivered the enormous benefits they've promised—and that no amount of marketing can substitute for real results. His rare public response sparks a larger debate over what the industry must actually do to prove its value. In the headlines: ZAI releases GLM 5.3, Anthropic keeps a powerful new model internal, and investors anticipate a $2 trillion Anthropic IPO.AIDB's AI Summer Adventure: https://summeradventure.ai/Brought to you by:KPMG – Research from KPMG and the University of Texas at Austin shows the highest-impact AI users treat AI like a reasoning partner — and those skills can be taught at scale. Learn more at https://kpmg.com/us/SophisticatedHarbor - Invest in the AI ecosystem. https://www.harborcapital.com/aidailyHyperagent - Hire a fleet of always-on agents. New users get $1,000 in inference. hyperagent.com/aidailybriefRackspace Technology- One accountable partner to build, operate and run your full enterprise AI stack https://www.rackspace.com/Section - Section turns AI investment into workforce transformation and ROI - https://www.sectionai.com/Blitzy - Want to accelerate enterprise software development velocity by 5x? https://blitzy.com/AssemblyAI - The best way to build Voice AI apps - https://www.assemblyai.com/briefRobots & Pencils - Cloud-native AI solutions that power results https://robotsandpencils.com/The AI Daily Brief helps you understand the most important news and discussions in AI. Subscribe to the podcast version of The AI Daily Brief wherever you listen: https://pod.link/1680633614Our Newsletter is BACK: https://aidailybrief.beehiiv.com/Interested in sponsoring the show? sponsors@aidailybrief.ai
The AI Breakdown: Daily Artificial Intelligence News and Discussions
AI is solving old problems while creating entirely new ones. NLW looks at how people and companies are responding to AI slop, rising token costs, uneven productivity, workforce deskilling, and the long-term challenge of preserving human expertise.AIDB's AI Summer Adventure: https://summeradventure.ai/Brought to you by:KPMG – Research from KPMG and the University of Texas at Austin shows the highest-impact AI users treat AI like a reasoning partner — and those skills can be taught at scale. Learn more at https://kpmg.com/us/SophisticatedHarbor - Invest in the AI ecosystem. https://www.harborcapital.com/aidailyHyperagent - Hire a fleet of always-on agents. New users get $1,000 in inference. hyperagent.com/aidailybriefRackspace Technology- One accountable partner to build, operate and run your full enterprise AI stack https://www.rackspace.com/Section - Section turns AI investment into workforce transformation and ROI - https://www.sectionai.com/Blitzy - Want to accelerate enterprise software development velocity by 5x? https://blitzy.com/AssemblyAI - The best way to build Voice AI apps - https://www.assemblyai.com/briefRobots & Pencils - Cloud-native AI solutions that power results https://robotsandpencils.com/The AI Daily Brief helps you understand the most important news and discussions in AI. Subscribe to the podcast version of The AI Daily Brief wherever you listen: https://pod.link/1680633614Our Newsletter is BACK: https://aidailybrief.beehiiv.com/Interested in sponsoring the show? sponsors@aidailybrief.ai
The AI Breakdown: Daily Artificial Intelligence News and Discussions
OpenAI's Computer History and GrokBot's “teach a task” feature point to a new phase of AI: tools that learn how you work so they can take more work off your plate. NLW introduces the AI Deputization Audit, a simple framework for deciding what to hand over, what to do alongside AI, and what to keep for yourself. In the headlines: Gemini 3.7 Flash, the true cost of cheaper models, GPT-5.6 Sol's ultra-fast mode, and more OpenAI executive turnover.AIDB's AI Summer Adventure: https://summeradventure.ai/Brought to you by:KPMG – Research from KPMG and the University of Texas at Austin shows the highest-impact AI users treat AI like a reasoning partner — and those skills can be taught at scale. Learn more at https://kpmg.com/us/SophisticatedHarbor - Invest in the AI ecosystem. https://www.harborcapital.com/aidailyHyperagent - Hire a fleet of always-on agents. New users get $1,000 in inference. hyperagent.com/aidailybriefRackspace Technology- One accountable partner to build, operate and run your full enterprise AI stack https://www.rackspace.com/Section - Section turns AI investment into workforce transformation and ROI - https://www.sectionai.com/Blitzy - Want to accelerate enterprise software development velocity by 5x? https://blitzy.com/AssemblyAI - The best way to build Voice AI apps - https://www.assemblyai.com/briefRobots & Pencils - Cloud-native AI solutions that power results https://robotsandpencils.com/The AI Daily Brief helps you understand the most important news and discussions in AI. Subscribe to the podcast version of The AI Daily Brief wherever you listen: https://pod.link/1680633614Our Newsletter is BACK: https://aidailybrief.beehiiv.com/Interested in sponsoring the show? sponsors@aidailybrief.ai
Could the spiritual realm be operating around us right now—and most of us have no idea? In this gripping conversation, Tony sits down with Simba to unpack his extraordinary claims of encountering hell, heaven, demonic forces, and the overwhelming power of Jesus Christ. Simba describes a spiritual reality he says completely transformed how he understands prayer, Scripture, eternity, and the unseen battle surrounding everyday life. His message after returning is urgent and unmistakable: heaven is real, hell is real, and there is no middle ground. This powerful Simba's powerful encounter will challenge what you believe about spiritual warfare, life after death, and the reality of the supernatural world.If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
The AI Breakdown: Daily Artificial Intelligence News and Discussions
Grok 4.6 is fast, capable, dramatically cheaper than the leading models—and another sign that AI users have more genuinely strong options than ever. NLW explores how competition from xAI, Chinese labs, and open-weight models is giving individuals and businesses more freedom to choose the right combination of intelligence, speed, and price. In the headlines: massive funding rounds, booming infrastructure demand, and changes to the White House model-testing framework.AIDB's AI Summer Adventure: https://summeradventure.ai/Brought to you by:KPMG – Research from KPMG and the University of Texas at Austin shows the highest-impact AI users treat AI like a reasoning partner — and those skills can be taught at scale. Learn more at https://kpmg.com/us/SophisticatedHarbor - Invest in the AI ecosystem. https://www.harborcapital.com/aidailyHyperagent - Hire a fleet of always-on agents. New users get $1,000 in inference. hyperagent.com/aidailybriefRackspace Technology- One accountable partner to build, operate and run your full enterprise AI stack https://www.rackspace.com/Section - Section turns AI investment into workforce transformation and ROI - https://www.sectionai.com/Blitzy - Want to accelerate enterprise software development velocity by 5x? https://blitzy.com/AssemblyAI - The best way to build Voice AI apps - https://www.assemblyai.com/briefRobots & Pencils - Cloud-native AI solutions that power results https://robotsandpencils.com/The AI Daily Brief helps you understand the most important news and discussions in AI. Subscribe to the podcast version of The AI Daily Brief wherever you listen: https://pod.link/1680633614Our Newsletter is BACK: https://aidailybrief.beehiiv.com/Interested in sponsoring the show? sponsors@aidailybrief.ai
Some wounds can't be seen, but they can shape an entire lifetime. Tony Merkel welcomes Kelly Hawley, who has spent decades helping survivors of extreme trauma find healing through Jesus Christ and Warrior Bride Ministries. Kelly shares why she believes many people have lived their entire lives trapped by fear and hidden emotional wounds that few truly understand. She explains how trauma can profoundly affect the human mind and why genuine restoration begins with Christ rather than simply coping with the past. This conversation explores the hope that exists even in the darkest circumstances and reveals why no life is beyond God's ability to restore.If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890
What if the evidence for biblical giants is hiding in plain sight? In this episode, Travis Roy joins Tony Merkel to recount the terrifying night he witnessed a massive humanoid sprint across a dark Texas road, an encounter that launched years of investigating giant footprints and ancient mysteries. As his search deepened, Travis uncovered fossilized human tracks that he believes challenge conventional history and raise profound questions about the Nephilim, ancient America, and the biblical record. Rather than relying on speculation, he shares the discoveries that convinced him something extraordinary once walked this land, and why those findings continue to shape his understanding of Scripture and the supernatural today. If you've ever wondered whether giants were real, this conversation offers a compelling look at the evidence and why it matters.If you're able, consider helping the Merkel family with medical expenses by donating to Lindsay's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b8f76890