Podcasts about pausing

Have you ever promised yourself you'd say no, set a boundary, or speak up… and then said yes anyway?In this episode, the last of the People-Pleasing Mini-Series, host Elizabeth Mintun explores why self-trust is hard, why guilt and old patterns show up, and how you can begin making changes with compassion and steadiness. Elizabeth addresses why understanding the pattern isn't enough to shift it, how the nervous system interprets self-prioritization as risk, and the waves of guilt, fear, and identity disorientation that can arise when we are making a healthy change for ourselves. Elizabeth also shares her personal journey with people-pleasing as well as a free workshop happening Thursday, February 26th, called From People-Pleasing to Self-Trust. Key TakeawaysAwareness ≠ immediate change. Understanding people-pleasing patterns is important, but your nervous system operates on survival wiring, so behavior change happens gradually.Self-trust can feel destabilizing at first. Saying no, setting limits, or interrupting old patterns can trigger guilt, fear of being misunderstood, and identity disorientation. This is normal.Micro-shifts and consistent practice matter. Pausing, regulating your nervous system, and practicing boundaries in relationships gradually rewires old pathways.Caring without disappearing is possible. You don't have to harden, withdraw, or stop caring about others. Self-trust is about staying present with yourself in the context of relationships. Resources Sign up for the free workshop From People-Pleasing to Self-Trust: Reclaim Yourself Without Burning Bridges here:https://go.thecalmingground.com/people-pleasing-to-self-trustLearn more about 1:1 Coaching with Elizabeth Mintun here. Contact Elizabeth: elizabethmintun@thecalmingground.comFind Elizabeth on Facebook & IG @thecalminggroundSubscribe to The Calming Ground Podcast so you never miss an episode. If you loved this conversation, please share it with a friend!

Send a textThis conversation explores the power of pausing—choosing awareness over reaction in a rapidly changing world. "Pausing long enough to respond with awareness."  As shifts in technology, AI, and market dynamics accelerate, the discussion highlights the importance of staying grounded rather than being pulled by fear or urgency.   "AI is just another part of the change."...I can either work forward and be enthusiastic or be down." The hosts reflect on intuition and spiritual awareness as practical stabilizers, offering perspective on how to navigate change with clarity and self-trust. AI is examined not as a threat or authority, but as a tool—useful for organization and intellect—while personal responsibility and inner guidance remain central.Ultimately, this episode invites listeners to respond consciously, embrace change thoughtfully, and use evolving circumstances as an opportunity for growth.  "I need to know what my part is in everything."Join this monthly membership for steady support right where you are today, while gaining the clarity and awareness needed to move through the world feeling grounded and confident. Use code TNT20 to receive 20% off the membership.Enter ReAwaken Here Ready to FEEL more FREEDOM within? Access the FREE video series created by The Wayshowers College here! Enjoy the first chapter of The Soul Quake Survival Guide here!Support the showHi! I'm Teresa. I have created this podcast to support "unseen" aspects of your life. You can call this the spiritual side. The podcast offers interviews of authors, healers, and thought leaders, for a positive higher spiritual perspective. Including ourselves! Our mission is to stimulate your inner wisdom, meaning, and enthusiasm for your unique journey. My husband Tom and I are also certified Spiritual Educators, and Consultants, who help make spirituality practical. We work spiritual awareness and sensitivity in all areas of our life for positive living. Through TNT ( Teresa n' Tom :) SpiritWorks, we can help you tap into your own Inner Guidance system on a daily basis, create a healthy balance between Thought and Feeling, and discover a stronger connection between you and your personal Spirit Guides through your Inner and Outer communication system: your Four Spiritual Gifts. Unlock ways to make the spiritual part of life practical. Connect with us at TNT SpiritWorks today! Follow us on:

This year, Reflections – Take A Minute becomes more personal. I'm sharing Qur'anic verses that have carried me — especially in seasons where I had to confront worry, uncertainty, and the fear of not having enough.In this reflection, I sit with Allah as Ar-Razzaq — The Provider. Provision is not only wealth. It is timing. It is peace. It is protection. It is doors opening in ways we did not plan. When anxiety creeps in, this verse reminds me that my sustenance was written long before my fears appeared.Qur'anic Reflection:Qur'an 51:58Take a minute today to remember: what is meant for you will not miss you.For your sadaqah this year, please support the work of The Barakah Lifestyle NG:Sadaqah Details — The Barakah Lifestyle NGWema BankThe Barakah Lifestyle NG8216316498Mint Finex BankThe Barakah Lifestyle NG1102217122

Learn More about Raz at: https://razpatel.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/razpatelofficial Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRazPatelShow Listen to her Podcast at: https://razpatelshow.podbean.com/ Show Notes:

AI is all the rage these days, and while there are many benefits to it, I'm concerned we're outsourcing too much of our thinking to artificial intelligence.    When you do so, it's affects how you show up as a communicator.   And so, I'm releasing a 6-part series on the communication skills you need to improve in the age of AI.   In this fifth episode of the series, I explore the essential communication skill of pausing before you respond.   I share my perspective on how taking a moment to reflect can transform conflicts into growth opportunities and improve leadership effectiveness.   Practicing the skill of pausing before you respond to criticism, feedback, ideas you don't agree with, or disrespect is difficult but essential for effective leadership. Asking questions like "What could I be missing?" opens the door to growth, with empathy and curiosity being vital tools in your communication toolkit.   To learn more about my communication coaching, go to https://michaelashford.com. 

This year, Reflections – Take A Minute becomes more personal. I'm sharing Qur'anic verses that have carried me — especially in moments when I needed mercy more than anything else.In this reflection, I sit with repentance. With returning. With the truth that no matter how far we feel, Allah's mercy is always closer. There is no mistake too big, no season too messy, no distance too wide. We are invited back, again and again.Qur'anic Reflection:Qur'an 39:53Hadith (Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim):“If he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.”Take a minute today to remember: returning is always possible.For your sadaqah this year, please support the work of The Barakah Lifestyle NG:Sadaqah Details — The Barakah Lifestyle NGWema BankThe Barakah Lifestyle NG8216316498Mint Finex BankThe Barakah Lifestyle NG1102217122

From Unconscious Loops to Empowered AgencyEpisode Summary:Are you running your life, or are your habits running you? In this episode, we dive deep into the "muscle memory of the mind" and how to find the leverage necessary to live no other way. We explore the five primary triggers—Location, Time, Emotional State, Other People, and Preceding Actions—and how to build the guardrails that protect your energy and your "Why."Watch it here https://youtu.be/W_XjbC4dRbIThe Catalyst Toolkit: Habits & AlignmentAs an Empowerment Catalyst, I don't just talk the talk—I walk the path. Here is how I am staying grounded and aligned during my current 21-day manifestation cycle.Current 21-Day Catalyst Goals (Day 9/21):Connection & Community: Reaching out to 10 people daily to nurture my 4/1 network and bridge the gap between "hustling" and "being."Conscious Nourishment: Tracking daily fuel via MyFitnessPal to move from unconscious snacking to intentional vitality.The Daily Alignment Affirmations:"I am not a victim of my triggers; I am the architect of my responses.""My energy is a sacred resource; I honour it by setting boundaries that fuel my soul.""I move with the rhythm of my Emotional Generator strategy—waiting for clarity, then acting with conviction."Catalyst Gratitudes:For the Support Circle: Deep gratitude for the steady presence of my nearest and dearest.For the Vision: The lakeside cottage with the year-round pool—my mortgage-free sanctuary—is already real in my mind.For the Body: Gratitude for the moments of ease and the resilience to lead even through the flares of neuralgia.The Empowerment Habit Tracker (For Your Week)Use this "Catalyst-Approved" framework to audit your own loops this week:Trigger Category: The "Old" Habit Loop. The "New" Catalyst Response: Location. Feeling "stuck" at the desk.Stepping outside to recalibrate my sensory input.TimeThe 3:00 PM energy slump.High-protein fuel and a 5-minute gratitude reset.Emotional StateMasking stress with humor.Pausing to ask: "What is my authentic self feeling?"Other People Pushing "uphill" to please others. Responding only when I have a "defined" YES.Catalyst Reflection: Asking the Hard QuestionsBefore our next session, grab your journal and ask yourself the questions from my booking form:On a scale of 1-10, how much of your daily energy is spent "hustling" vs. "being"?Does your stress show up as physical symptoms or sensory overwhelm?What is the biggest thing stopping you from being your most authentic self today?Resources & Connection:

In Wednesday's State of the State address, Gov. JB Pritzker proposed to pause the state's tax incentives for new data center construction amidst growing concerns of environmental hazards, water and power usage, and the future of AI. We break down the announcement with Invisible Institute Director of Public Strategy Maira Khwaja and Director of Data Trina Reynolds-Tyler. Plus, Chicago woke up to dusty, muddy cars and streets on Ash Wednesday, helpful voter guides released ahead of primary day, and we're checking in on our favorite backyard chickens. Good News: Soundtrack Sessions, Chicago Dyke March Community Iftar Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Feb. 20 episode: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners Access Contemporary Music – Use promo code PIANO for 20% off South By Southwest – Unlock a 10% discount on your Innovation Badge when you use code citycast10 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Pelvic floor tips to move from tension and guarding to comfort and confidence If you've been listening to this series and thinking… “Okay, I understand what might be causing my pain.” “I see how stress and mental load are affecting my body.” “But what do I actually DO?” This episode is your next step. Pain with intimacy is common — but it is not something you have to push through, numb out, or accept as your new normal. Today we're talking about practical, body-based strategies to reduce pelvic floor tension, rebuild safety, and gradually restore comfort and confidence in the bedroom. Because healing isn't about forcing relaxation. It's about creating safety. In This Episode, We Cover: Why pushing through pain makes it worse The pain → guarding → more pain cycle Why many women with painful intercourse actually have an overactive pelvic floor (not a weak one) The importance of downtraining before strengthening 360 breathing and long exhale techniques to calm tension “Hip breathers” and mobility work that support pelvic relaxation External soft tissue release before internal work How to approach dilators or pelvic wand work safely (if appropriate) The power of slowing down arousal and removing performance pressure Lube, positioning, and small environmental shifts that make a big difference How graded exposure helps retrain the brain and calm pain pathways The Big Reframe Pain with intimacy is not a sign that you are broken. It is information. Your nervous system and pelvic floor are communicating something — often about tension, overwhelm, fear, or past experiences. When we respond with pressure, force, or avoidance, the guarding increases. When we respond with safety, breath, and gradual progression, the body adapts. Your brain and pelvic floor are deeply connected — and both can relearn safety. Practical Starting Points If you're experiencing pain with intercourse, consider: ✔️ Pausing penetration temporarily ✔️ Focusing on breath and long exhales daily ✔️ Addressing hip, inner thigh, and glute tension ✔️ Prioritizing arousal before penetration ✔️ Experimenting with positions that give you control ✔️ Removing pressure to “perform” Remember: intimacy does not equal penetration. Connection and pleasure are broader than we were taught. When to See a Pelvic Floor PT You may benefit from professional support if: Pain persists beyond a few months You have a history of tearing or scar tissue You experience severe guarding or anxiety You're avoiding intimacy entirely DIY approaches aren't helping Inside RESTORE, we focus on breath coordination, nervous system regulation, mobility, and pelvic floor retraining in a progressive, supportive way. For more complex or severe pain, 1:1 pelvic floor physical therapy may be the best next step. You do not have to navigate this alone. Up Next in the Series In our next episode, we'll talk about rebuilding confidence and reclaiming pleasure — not just reducing pain. Because healing is not just about eliminating symptoms. It's about expanding what's possible. If this episode resonated, share it with someone who needs to hear that pain with intimacy is treatable — and that softness is strength. ~ XO Dr. Des

What if the way you age isn't determined primarily by your genes, your diet, or even how much you exercise—but by how intelligently you manage your thoughts, emotions, and everyday habits? Many of us make well-intentioned health plans that never quite stick—despite knowing what we should be doing. This episode explores why behavior change is so difficult, how unconscious programming shapes daily habits, and what science reveals about making lasting change without burnout or deprivation. Today's guest brings a powerful framework—Lifestyle Intelligence—to help us align how we think, feel, and live as we age. Lloyd Glauberman is a clinical psychologist, researcher, and pioneer in behavioral wellness. He is the founder of the Lifestyle Intelligence App, a science-based digital platform designed to align daily habits in eating, movement, sleep, and mindset. With more than 40 years in private practice, he is also the creator of Hypno-Peripheral Processing (HPP), a clinically validated audio method used by over 125,000 people worldwide. At 78, Lloyd brings both scientific expertise and lived experience to what it truly means to age with clarity, resilience, and vitality.  Episode Timeline 00:00 — Introduction : genes, mindset, and lifestyle intelligence 02:00 — Why habits fail and behavior change is hard 05:00 — Lloyd's story and the birth of Lifestyle Intelligence 10:00 — Childhood programming and unconscious habit formation 16:00 — Awareness, attention, and micro-habits that shape aging 21:00 — Sleep, brain cleanup, and longevity 26:00 — Hypno-Peripheral Processing and subconscious change 33:00 — Pausing, being present and "doing nothing" as a skill 38:30 — Key takeaways, resources, and Call to Action Contact Lloyd Glauberman PhD. Website: https://lifestyleintelligencelq.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloydglaubermanphd/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifestyleintelligencelq/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LifestyleIntelligenceLQ Contact Dr. Gillian Lockitch: Download Mushroom Power: Quick Guide to Medicinal and Culinary Mushrooms  Connect with Dr. Gillian Lockitch at askdrgill@gmail.com to request a phone conversation or zoom call   Join the Growing Older Living Younger Facebook Community  here  Share the Growing Older Living Younger podcast link for anyone you care about and invite them to subscribe Enjoy the conversation and try the app  

Send a textThis week's episode is a very real one for me. I share a life update, the emotional rollercoaster I've been quietly riding, and how I stayed grounded in my program even when my heart and mind were all over the place. If you've been holding it together lately, this episode may feel like a deep exhale. This one is honest, and grounding, especially for those of us managing full lives while trying to live intentionally.Quote of the Week:“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” — RumiCitations:Raichle, M. E., et al. (2001). A default mode of brain function. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.Gross, J. J., & Levenson, R. W. (1997). Hiding feelings: The acute effects of inhibiting positive and negative emotion. Journal of Abnormal Psychology.Appleton, A. A., et al. (2013). The association of emotional suppression with inflammation and health outcomes. Journal of Psychosomatic Research.Kashdan, T. B., & Rottenberg, J. (2010). Psychological flexibility as a fundamental aspect of health. Clinical Psychology Review.Adam, T. C., & Epel, E. S. (2007). Stress, eating and the reward system. Physiology & Behavior.Let's go, let's get it done. Get more information at: http://projectweightloss.org

This year, Reflections – Take A Minute becomes more personal. I'll be sharing Qur'anic verses that have carried me, strengthened me, and reminded me of Allah in moments when I needed it most.In this first reflection, I sit with the comfort and accountability of knowing that Allah sees us — in our effort, in our quiet struggles, and even in the parts of our lives no one else witnesses. A gentle reminder that we are never alone, never unseen, and never outside His awareness.Qur'anic Reflection:Qur'an 57:4Take a minute today to pause with this reminder.For your sadaqah this year, please support the work of The Barakah Lifestyle NG:Sadaqah Details — The Barakah Lifestyle NGWema BankThe Barakah Lifestyle NG8216316498Mint Finex BankThe Barakah Lifestyle NG1102217122

I use this Momplex episode to share some of the most humbling lessons I've learned as a mom and to call BS on the idea that we have to be perfect. For years, I believed that every mistake meant I was failing and that everyone was judging me and my kids. I now see mistakes as feedback, not proof that I'm a bad mom. Backed by neuroplasticity and growth mindset, I talk about how our brains—and our lives—are always capable of change. I share real stories about chasing gold stars, comparing my kids to others, taking their behavior personally, and gripping so tightly to their outcomes that I missed the actual moments with them. I also admit how long I put my own life on hold. In this episode, I invite you to drop the shame, live your own life more fully, and model self-compassion and resilience for your kids. The 5 things I talk about: Waiting for praise – Depending on others' validation instead of my own. Holding my kids to someone else's timeline – Pushing milestones instead of trusting their pace. Taking it personally – Making their moods and meltdowns about me. Being obsessed with their wins and losses – Treating their outcomes like a report card on my parenting. Waiting on my life because of them – Pausing my own dreams instead of showing them what a fully lived life looks like. If you are interested in watching the show rather than listening to it - you can do that by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After more than eight years of releasing weekly episodes and recently passed the 400 mark, I wanted to sit down and share what's really been going on behind the scenes. In this episode, I talk honestly about this current season of life - adding another baby, full schedules, late nights, early mornings - and what it feels like when you've been living beyond your capacity for a long time. I share why this podcast is taking a pause, what I mean by doing a "controlled burn," and how I'm learning to stop treading water and start building the boat instead. I'll talk about margin, connection, and redefining what thriving looks like when life feels full.  

Ashley Herd is the founder of Manager Method, former Head of HR North America at McKinsey & Company, national keynote speaker, top 10 business podcast host, and a LinkedIn Top Voice who has trained over 250,000 managers. With a background that spans law, HR, and corporate leadership across global companies like McKinsey and Yum! Brands, Ashley brings a rare blend of practical wisdom and real-world empathy. Her new book, The Manager Method, provides a simple, powerful framework—Pause, Consider, Act—to help managers lead with confidence, avoid burnout, and create high-performing teams. On this episode we talk about: How Ashley made her first dollar as a Subway “sandwich artist” and the lessons it taught her about leadership Why she left a high-profile role at McKinsey to build her own leadership training business The surprising similarities between corporate leaders and front-line managers How social media helped her reach millions with practical management advice Ashley's three-step “Pause, Consider, Act” framework from her book The Manager Method What it's really like to write and publish a book with Hay House Top 3 Takeaways Great management isn't about titles or degrees—it's about practicing empathy, communication, and self-awareness. Social media can democratize leadership training, giving valuable education to people at every level. Pausing before reacting—whether as a leader, coworker, or entrepreneur—can turn a difficult moment into a growth opportunity. Notable Quotes “The smartest people in the world often need practical training just like everyone else.” “Whether it's a McKinsey partner or a McDonald's manager, everyone deserves access to good leadership training.” “Sometimes the hardest thing about leadership isn't knowing what to do—it's taking a breath before you do it.” Connect with Ashley Herd: LinkedIn: Ashley Herd on LinkedIn Twitter/X: @managermethod Instagram: @managermethod Website and Book: managermethod.com Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.  Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Powerful women don't win on LinkedIn by being louder. They win by being clearer. In this episode of Good Girls Get Rich, I'm breaking down three counter-intuitive shifts powerful women make on LinkedIn—and why they work so well for visibility, authority, and trust. You'll hear why: Editing your message is more powerful than adding more content Authority comes from patterns, not viral posts Pausing (and letting people catch up) is a leadership move, not a weakness If you've ever felt pressure to post more, explain yourself, or chase engagement just to stay visible, this episode will help you rethink everything you've been taught about LinkedIn strategy. This is about signal over numbers, calm confidence over noise, and positioning that makes your success feel inevitable—not desperate. I'll also share what this actually looks like in practice on LinkedIn, and how we work through these shifts inside the Visibility Salon. Listen in, take notes, and then practice this—because power isn't announced. It's inferred. Try the Visibility Salon free: www.karenyankovich.com/freetrial    Magical Quotes From The Episode: "Power isn't announced. It's inferred." "Editing is one of your most powerful leadership tools." "Authority comes from patterns, not posts."   Help Us Spread The Word! It would be awesome if you shared the Good Girls Get Rich Podcast with your fellow entrepreneurs on Twitter. Click here to tweet some love! If this episode has taught you just one thing, I would love if you could head on over to Apple Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW! And if you're moved to, kindly leave us a rating and review. Maybe you'll get a shout out on the show!   Ways to Subscribe to Good Girls Get Rich: Click here to subscribe via Apple Podcasts Click here to subscribe via PlayerFM Good Girls Get Rich is also on Spotify Take a listen on Podcast Addict

There's a moment in growth where it feels like your life is quietly falling apart. Things that used to make sense don't anymore. Motivation drops. The old version of you feels gone, but the new version hasn't fully arrived.In this episode, we talk about why everything often feels off right before real change happens. That strange in-between phase where you've outgrown your old life, but the next chapter hasn't materialized yet — and how easy it is to mistake that space for failure, stagnation, or regression.This is about the pause before momentum. The final shedding before alignment. And why feeling stuck doesn't mean you're doing something wrong — it usually means you're right on time.If you've been asking yourself, “Why does nothing feel right lately?” — this conversation will land.WORK WITH ME: https://stan.store/respectfullygabbyFollow for more on social media: www.instagram.com/respectfullygabbywww.tiktok.com/@respectfullygabby Grab a copy of my book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FBN2NS9P

A round-up of the main headlines in Sweden on February 10th 2026. You can hear more reports on our homepage www.radiosweden.se, or in the app Sveriges Radio. Presenter/producer: Sujay Dutt

Many dental leaders make decisions based on how the day feels instead of what the data shows. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt is joined by Miranda Beeson, ACT Dental coach and leadership advisor, to explain why leading from emotion creates reactive leadership and how metrics create clarity, consistency, and confidence for teams. You will learn how data removes emotion from decision-making, how to pause emotional reactions, and how to use key performance indicators to guide smarter conversations and actions. Listen to Episode 1006 of The Best Practices Show!Main TakeawaysLeading from feelings creates reactive decision-making and inconsistency for the team.Metrics reveal patterns over time and provide an objective truth that removes emotion from leadership conversations.Data-driven leadership allows teams to align around priorities and solve problems instead of chasing anxiety.Reviewing metrics consistently helps leaders respond thoughtfully rather than react emotionally.Sharing data weekly builds accountability and ownership across the entire team.Measuring and reporting on a focus area regularly accelerates improvement.Verifying emotional reactions with data builds trust and credibility as a leader.Snippets01:43 Why today's Metric Monday focuses on feelings versus data.02:18 How leading with data creates smarter leadership decisions.03:20 How personal bias disappears when data is introduced.04:38 What reactive leadership looks like in a dental practice.06:05 Why leading with feelings creates inconsistency for teams.07:42 How teams unify when data is shared consistently.08:45 Using weekly reporting to drive improvement.10:18 Pausing emotional reactions and verifying them with data.13:25 Asking which KPI confirms or challenges a feeling.14:50 Using capacity data to validate schedule concerns.15:45 Why coaches help remove emotional stories from leadership decisions.Guest Bio/Guest ResourcesMiranda Beeson has over 25 years of clinical dental hygiene, front office, practice administration, and speaking experience. She is enthusiastic about communication and loves helping others find the power that words can bring to their patient interactions and practice dynamics. As a Lead Practice Coach, she is driven to create opportunities to find value in experiences and cultivate new approaches.Miranda graduated from Old Dominion University and enjoys spending time with her husband, Chuck, and her children, Trent, Mallory, and...

Miracles can happen on Christmas Eve.Based on a post by auguy86, in 2 parts. Listen to the ► Podcast at My First Time.“I; I don’t want to just be a charity case,” Ken replied. “If you do this, Gabrielle;”“It will only be because I want to. Promise,” Gabby replied, finishing his thought. “Now, your first lesson in kissing: making the move. I’m a young, attractive woman who has been making eye contact with you all night and finding every excuse in the book to touch you. You may not realize it, but when a woman does that, it means she’s ready for you to make the move. Try it on me, just like I did.”Mimicking Ken, Gabby closed her eyes, waiting for the moment that Ken would kiss her once more. He leaned in as she had done, trying to take his time and not rush anything. As he was about to kiss her, he remembered that agonizing wait when he could sense her almost on top of him. Pausing mere centimeters from her lips, he allowed the tension to build up for a few moments. Soon, a huge smile began to form on Gabby’s lips; she was enjoying this, and he hadn’t even touched her yet! Ken collected his courage and finally met her lips with his, moving them ever so slightly as he kissed her. He only had his instincts to guide him, but she didn’t seem to mind one bit.“Umm; that was very nice,” Gabby whispered as they parted. “Good job in mimicking my technique. Let’s try one more. This time, lick your lips just a bit before you kiss me, and try to let our mouths fit together like a puzzle. You can take my lower lip between yours, or I can take your lip between mine. Tilting your head to the side a bit is also a natural position. The possibilities are almost endless. When you’re ready, don’t be afraid to put your tongue in my mouth. In the future, you’ll want to be careful about doing this too soon, but for our purposes tonight, go right ahead.”Ken did as she instructed, and found that the increased moisture to be quite pleasant. It allowed each of their lips to slide along the other’s with little effort. All too soon, he felt Gabby take his lower lip in hers, sucking lightly and even nibbling for an instant. After she did this a second time, Ken took the hint and reciprocated in kind, eliciting a contented murmur from Gabby. As their kissing became more passionate, he could no longer resist the urge to taste this gorgeous woman. Still tentative, he pressed his tongue against the crease of her lips, which parted to allow him entry. Though he didn’t know what to do once he was in, he soon found himself enthralled in Gabby’s passions. Her tongue danced with his, exploring his mouth in a slow, methodical fashion. This gave him the perfect gauge to judge his own efforts by. After nearly twenty minutes of making out, they finally separated, their faces flushed from the experience.“Holy shit.” Ken sighed.“You, my friend, are one quick study. The next girl that kisses you may well get addicted and refuse to let you go,” Gabby agreed with a playful grin. Leaning back on the sofa, she reached down and unbuttoned the top button of her jeans, asking, “You ready to learn something else?”In spite of his hardening cock, Ken couldn’t help but feel like he was doing something he shouldn’t. “Look, you seriously don’t have to;”“I want to,” she said with confidence. “Ken, you are such a sweet, special guy, and I want to show you that. I want to prove to you how lucky a girl I would be to have a guy like you.”Would be? What’s that supposed to mean?“I’ve never made love to a virgin, Ken,” she continued. “But I know what I love in bed, and I think I can help you get quite good at this. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, but if you’ll allow me, I’d love nothing more than to take your virginity tonight.”Ken was torn. This woman certainly drove him crazy, but part of him worried this was all an elaborate setup. Women never came on to him like this, let alone one this beautiful! Then again, she hadn’t balked in the slightest in kissing him. Hell, she had even encouraged him to French kiss her. In spite of the fact that he had every reason to be distrusting after Jacqueline’s message, he recognized that she had shown him nothing but kindness and patience. He didn’t believe in destiny or fate, but if there was a moment in which he was supposed to lose his virginity, this had to be it.“Okay; I want to,” he whispered.“I’m glad,” she replied with a warm smile.Fumbling with his belt, he said, “I guess I’d better;”“There’s plenty of time, Ken,” Gabby reassured him. “If we do this, I want to do it right. I want to show you the proper way to take a girl around the world. That starts with what we were doing earlier, only this time, you can start removing my clothes in the process.”As Ken leaned in and resumed their kissing, Gabby guided his hands lower and slipped them underneath her sweater. He spent a few moments enjoying the warm sensation of skin-to-skin contact before tugging her sweater up. They separated for a moment so that Gabby could finish peeling her top off, revealing a simple, black silk bra. As they continued making out, Ken reached behind her, trying to decipher the key to unhooking the ever-hated bra.“Want some advice?” Gabby asked with a slight giggle.“Sure,” Ken signed, beginning to get frustrated.“Feel for the crease, then slip one finger under and one finger over. Squeeze together and rub your fingers until it unhooks.”Concentrating, Ken did as she instructed. The clasp itself was easy to find, and her descriptions were spot on. To his surprise, it only took one unsuccessful attempt before he managed to snap the garment open.“Impressive,” Gabby marveled.“Thanks, but that was all you. I’d be lost without your instructions.”“You’re a natural student; you take direction well. Ready for the next lesson?”“Oh yeah,” Ken said with anticipation.“Your kissing skills have grown by leaps and bounds in just a few minutes. Now you should remember that you don’t have to kiss just my lips. My cheeks, my neck, my shoulders; my entire body is your playground. Few things turn a woman on more than a man whose only desire is to worship every inch of her form.”With that, Gabby shrugged her shoulders and slipped her bra off, revealing her ample D-cup tits to Ken. He was utterly speechless at the sight he now beheld. They were not only large, but quite perky as well. Her tiny pink nipples, already hard from their making out, were the perfect accent to Gabby’s most notable assets. As he drank her in, he felt her guide his hand towards her, reaching him out to touch her tit. It barely fit into his hand, yet it was so soft and warm that it felt like it just belonged there. Taking a deep breath, Ken now reached in with both of his hands, squeezing her tits together and exploring every inch of their surface. Remembering her words from a moment ago, he leaned in once more and began to kiss his way from her lips down to her chest.“Yes; just like that.” she cooed.Arriving at the valley of her bosom, he made his way to one side, kissing her tit while also stimulating her nipple with his finger.“That’s so good, Ken; ooh, you can suck on them too,” she whispered with encouragement.Ken’s heart leapt at her suggestion, and he moved to take one of her tiny nipples in his mouth. He sucked with eagerness at first, but Gabby soon coaxed him to go slower.“Careful there; be gentle.”“Sorry.”“Quite alright, they’re just a bit sensitive,” she said with a sweet giggle.Ken spent quite some time lapping at her tits, alternating sides every so often. At first, Gabby advised him on when to change so as not to over stimulate one side or the other. Soon, though, Ken was moving back and forth all on his own, driving her wild with lust in the process. After several minutes of this, she lifted his head up, a wicked grin on her face.“Ready for the big reveal?” she asked, lowering the zipper of her jeans.“Uh; uh huh.”Lifting her hips up, Gabby slipped her jeans over her curvy ass and down her long legs before kicking them off with her boots. She then turned to recline back on the sofa, spreading her legs a tiny bit. The smoldering come hither look she gave Ken was enough to bring any man to his knees.“Come on, Ken; you’ve got a Christmas present to open.”Ken’s mouth went dry as he stared at her black thong panties, mesmerized in disbelief by what was about to happen. With trembling hands, he slipped his fingers into her waistband and slid the silky garment off, revealing Gabby’s shaven pussy at last. In that moment, Ken had completely forgotten that he was still wearing all his clothes.“I just love the way you’re looking at me,” Gabby breathed, breaking his trance. “It’s like you won the lottery or something.”“I; think I did.”“So sweet. Now then, time to learn how to really make a woman happy. Most women are at least willing to engage in oral sex, but you always need to give at least as much as you receive. It’s only polite. And there’s no better way to make a woman want to suck your cock; than to eat her pussy without prompting. With that said.”Gabby now spread her legs wide for him, beckoning him to explore her delectable womanhood. Following a trail she laid with her fingers, Ken began to kiss his way up her leg and inner thigh. After repeating the action on her other leg, he arrived at her soaked pussy, breathing in the musky aroma seeping from within her.“Spread my lips, Ken,” Gabby whispered.Using a gentle touch, he did as she asked, gazing deep into her slick tunnel. He soon leaned forward, touching his tongue to the folds of her labia. She tasted different than he had expected, perhaps a bit salty, but nothing unpleasant in Ken’s mind. He continued to taste and tease her lips for a few moments, and she began to squirm and writhe under him in pleasure.“Oh, yes; that’s just right, Ken; you can move a little higher, too. See that little bump there? That’s my clit. She’s sensitive, but if you pay enough attention to her; something good is bound to happen.”He tilted his head upwards a bit, running his tongue along her lips as he arrived at her clit. Flicking the nub a couple of times, he was surprised at just how strong Gabby’s reaction was. Ken liked that. She was having the time of her life, and it was all because of him. Feeling a twinge of confidence, he redoubled his efforts and began lapping at her clit again and again, never giving her a chance to rest.“Yes; yes, that’s fucking incredible!” she cried out.As Gabby’s hips began to buck, Ken looped his arms around her thighs on instinct, helping her to remain still. He continued his worshipping of her womanhood, savoring every drop of her juices as she squirmed and squealed in delight. Soon, he began to sense that her thrashing was reaching a crescendo and an ultimate plateau. He received almost immediate verbal confirmation of this.“Holy shit; Fuck that’s awesome! Oh, Ken don’t stop; don’t; stop; please don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop; ah!”Ken knew in an academic sense that women could achieve powerful orgasms. Still, he had never actually seen it happen, let alone experienced it by his hand, or rather his tongue. Yet lying beneath him was the most beautiful woman he had ever met in his life, and she was becoming even more beautiful by the second as her body erupted in ecstasy. The look of pleasure on her face as her eyes fluttered closed was awe-inspiring. A few final licks to her pussy, and she gently pushed his face away from her crotch.“That’s quite enough; but oh so wonderful.” she sighed. “You’re a natural, Ken.”“Thanks. That’s; got to be the hottest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Seeing you lose control like that, it was surreal.”“So sweet,” she said, sitting up straight on the sofa. “For all your supposed awkwardness, you sure know how to pay a girl a compliment.” She leaned forward, planting a long, slow kiss on his lips. As they parted, she whispered, “Ready for your due reward?”With a slight gasp, he replied, “Oh, hell yes.”Gabby stood from the sofa, smiling the entire time. Reaching behind the armrest of the sofa, she pulled out a dark blue sleeping bag and began to spread it out on the thick rug in front of the fire.“It’s a tradition,” she explained, seeing the look of confusion on Ken’s face. “When I was a little girl, I swore I’d catch Santa in the act by sleeping next to the tree. He’d never be able to sneak past me. Well, my parents told me to go for it, but that it wouldn’t work; he’s too good. Sure enough, he had come and gone the next morning. He even left a note next to my pillow that said, ‘Nice try, Gabby. Merry Christmas.’ Ever since then, I’ve slept by the tree every Christmas Eve.”“Love it,” Ken grinned.By now, she had finished spreading the sleeping bag out on the floor and affixed a couple of pillows at the head for them. As it was designed for one person, she had opened it completely and laid it out flat, making it large enough for two to lie on. Seeing what she was doing, Ken grabbed a large throw blanket from the sofa to cover up with.“Why, thank you,” she said. “But don’t you think you’re a bit overdressed?”“Huh?” Ken had been so entranced with Gabby’s naked body that he’d forgotten that he was still wearing his clothes. “Oh, uh, I guess so.”“Can I help with that?” she asked with a mischievous grin.“Sure.”Gabby sauntered over to him, wrapping him in a warm hug as they stood next to the fireplace. After kissing his lips, she moved to his cheek and neck, just as he had done to her before. As she began to drive him crazy, she slipped her fingers into his tee shirt and pulled it off of him, exposing his bare chest to her. Now with a new playground to explore, Gabby continued from where she left off. She first lingered around his neck and shoulders, then down his chest before finally reaching his stomach. As she knelt before him, she unbuckled his belt and slid his jeans and boxers down to his ankles, freeing his rock hard cock at last.Ken was not large my most standards, being only about five inches in length at full staff, but to Gabby he was perfect. She had no hesitation as she began to lightly stroke his length in her hand, and soon began to take him in her mouth bit-by-bit. Ken was in blissful agony; not only was he receiving is first blowjob, but he also had to keep from exploding too soon, all while concentrating on standing still. She sucked him for a few seconds more before releasing him.“If you get close, let me know, okay? I want this inside my pussy, too.”Ken could only nod in reply. She soon resumed her pleasuring of his member, sucking him with gleeful determination. He had been so good to her tonight; she only wanted to reward his efforts. Slowing her pace, she gazed up at him with her smoldering eyes, her pretty face framed by her long blonde hair. As Ken began to lose himself in her beauty, he also felt a familiar bubbling up in the pit of his stomach. Though he panicked for a moment, he soon had the presence of mind to tap Gabby on the forehead.“I think you’d better slow down,” he stammered.Releasing his cock from her mouth with a pop, Gabby grinned and replied, “Good. Because I think it’s time for me to take your virginity.”After switching off the gas logs, she stretched out on the open sleeping bag and held part of the blanket up, beckoning Ken to slide in with her. He did so with eagerness, though was still nervous as hell; he had no idea what he was doing! Sensing his doubts, Gabby spoke with soft confidence and reassurance.“Let’s go you on top to start. That way you can control it so you don’t go off too soon. Honestly, though, don’t worry about stamina. You’ve already lasted through one of my blowjobs, which is no small feat, if I do say so myself. You ready?”“Um, yeah; I think so. But do we need any; protection? I don’t have a condom or anything.”With a warm smile, she replied, “Don’t ever change, Ken. Sweet, humble, and considerate, that’s what you are. I don’t have any diseases per my last doctor’s visit two months ago, and I know you’re a virgin so I don’t think there’s any concern.”“That’s good. But; what if you get pregnant? I’m not sure I’d be able to pull out in time.”“Well,” she paused, her smile becoming more bittersweet. “It’s a long story, but trust me when I say that there’s no risk of me becoming pregnant. We’re clear to let loose with this, as long as you’re comfortable with that, of course.”“I am. I just; wanted to be sure.”“Thank you, Ken. Now, if you please, my pussy is aching for your cock, and you’d best make her happy.”Positioning his pelvic region between her legs, Ken attempted to push into her, but his slick cock merely grazed the surface before slipping up to her belly. Gabby just smiled and reached down, taking a gentle grip on his cock with her hand and guiding him to the entrance of her pussy. Feeling a bit of give, he followed his instincts and penetrated her at long last, his virginity melting away in the process. She was divine, far tighter than Ken had ever imagined in his wildest dreams and fantasies.“Oh Ken; that’s just where you belong,” she cooed in satisfaction.“Holy fuck; so tight.” he could only reply.Ken began to thrust in and out of her, keeping his tempo moderate at the start to get a feel for how sensitive he was. The sensations of making love to this goddess were only enhanced by the look of sheer enjoyment in Gabby’s eyes. He prayed that he would be able to last and enjoy it all, even if only for a few minutes. As he continued thrusting into her, Gabby began to get a mischievous look in her eyes.“You’re thinking something,” Ken observed.“Uh huh. Wanna learn a trick that’ll drive any girl nuts?”“Sure.”“Come up on your knees and keep your torso straight up. Try to get to where you can keep yourself inside me without having to balance on your arms.”“Like this?” he asked, relaxing back on his folded knees.“Exactly. You can also stretch my leg out against your chest to help you balance.”“Very nice,” he said as he followed her instructions.&ld

Miracles can happen on Christmas Eve.Based on a post by auguy86, in 2 parts. Listen to the ► Podcast at My First Time.“I; I don’t want to just be a charity case,” Ken replied. “If you do this, Gabrielle;”“It will only be because I want to. Promise,” Gabby replied, finishing his thought. “Now, your first lesson in kissing: making the move. I’m a young, attractive woman who has been making eye contact with you all night and finding every excuse in the book to touch you. You may not realize it, but when a woman does that, it means she’s ready for you to make the move. Try it on me, just like I did.”Mimicking Ken, Gabby closed her eyes, waiting for the moment that Ken would kiss her once more. He leaned in as she had done, trying to take his time and not rush anything. As he was about to kiss her, he remembered that agonizing wait when he could sense her almost on top of him. Pausing mere centimeters from her lips, he allowed the tension to build up for a few moments. Soon, a huge smile began to form on Gabby’s lips; she was enjoying this, and he hadn’t even touched her yet! Ken collected his courage and finally met her lips with his, moving them ever so slightly as he kissed her. He only had his instincts to guide him, but she didn’t seem to mind one bit.“Umm; that was very nice,” Gabby whispered as they parted. “Good job in mimicking my technique. Let’s try one more. This time, lick your lips just a bit before you kiss me, and try to let our mouths fit together like a puzzle. You can take my lower lip between yours, or I can take your lip between mine. Tilting your head to the side a bit is also a natural position. The possibilities are almost endless. When you’re ready, don’t be afraid to put your tongue in my mouth. In the future, you’ll want to be careful about doing this too soon, but for our purposes tonight, go right ahead.”Ken did as she instructed, and found that the increased moisture to be quite pleasant. It allowed each of their lips to slide along the other’s with little effort. All too soon, he felt Gabby take his lower lip in hers, sucking lightly and even nibbling for an instant. After she did this a second time, Ken took the hint and reciprocated in kind, eliciting a contented murmur from Gabby. As their kissing became more passionate, he could no longer resist the urge to taste this gorgeous woman. Still tentative, he pressed his tongue against the crease of her lips, which parted to allow him entry. Though he didn’t know what to do once he was in, he soon found himself enthralled in Gabby’s passions. Her tongue danced with his, exploring his mouth in a slow, methodical fashion. This gave him the perfect gauge to judge his own efforts by. After nearly twenty minutes of making out, they finally separated, their faces flushed from the experience.“Holy shit.” Ken sighed.“You, my friend, are one quick study. The next girl that kisses you may well get addicted and refuse to let you go,” Gabby agreed with a playful grin. Leaning back on the sofa, she reached down and unbuttoned the top button of her jeans, asking, “You ready to learn something else?”In spite of his hardening cock, Ken couldn’t help but feel like he was doing something he shouldn’t. “Look, you seriously don’t have to;”“I want to,” she said with confidence. “Ken, you are such a sweet, special guy, and I want to show you that. I want to prove to you how lucky a girl I would be to have a guy like you.”Would be? What’s that supposed to mean?“I’ve never made love to a virgin, Ken,” she continued. “But I know what I love in bed, and I think I can help you get quite good at this. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, but if you’ll allow me, I’d love nothing more than to take your virginity tonight.”Ken was torn. This woman certainly drove him crazy, but part of him worried this was all an elaborate setup. Women never came on to him like this, let alone one this beautiful! Then again, she hadn’t balked in the slightest in kissing him. Hell, she had even encouraged him to French kiss her. In spite of the fact that he had every reason to be distrusting after Jacqueline’s message, he recognized that she had shown him nothing but kindness and patience. He didn’t believe in destiny or fate, but if there was a moment in which he was supposed to lose his virginity, this had to be it.“Okay; I want to,” he whispered.“I’m glad,” she replied with a warm smile.Fumbling with his belt, he said, “I guess I’d better;”“There’s plenty of time, Ken,” Gabby reassured him. “If we do this, I want to do it right. I want to show you the proper way to take a girl around the world. That starts with what we were doing earlier, only this time, you can start removing my clothes in the process.”As Ken leaned in and resumed their kissing, Gabby guided his hands lower and slipped them underneath her sweater. He spent a few moments enjoying the warm sensation of skin-to-skin contact before tugging her sweater up. They separated for a moment so that Gabby could finish peeling her top off, revealing a simple, black silk bra. As they continued making out, Ken reached behind her, trying to decipher the key to unhooking the ever-hated bra.“Want some advice?” Gabby asked with a slight giggle.“Sure,” Ken signed, beginning to get frustrated.“Feel for the crease, then slip one finger under and one finger over. Squeeze together and rub your fingers until it unhooks.”Concentrating, Ken did as she instructed. The clasp itself was easy to find, and her descriptions were spot on. To his surprise, it only took one unsuccessful attempt before he managed to snap the garment open.“Impressive,” Gabby marveled.“Thanks, but that was all you. I’d be lost without your instructions.”“You’re a natural student; you take direction well. Ready for the next lesson?”“Oh yeah,” Ken said with anticipation.“Your kissing skills have grown by leaps and bounds in just a few minutes. Now you should remember that you don’t have to kiss just my lips. My cheeks, my neck, my shoulders; my entire body is your playground. Few things turn a woman on more than a man whose only desire is to worship every inch of her form.”With that, Gabby shrugged her shoulders and slipped her bra off, revealing her ample D-cup tits to Ken. He was utterly speechless at the sight he now beheld. They were not only large, but quite perky as well. Her tiny pink nipples, already hard from their making out, were the perfect accent to Gabby’s most notable assets. As he drank her in, he felt her guide his hand towards her, reaching him out to touch her tit. It barely fit into his hand, yet it was so soft and warm that it felt like it just belonged there. Taking a deep breath, Ken now reached in with both of his hands, squeezing her tits together and exploring every inch of their surface. Remembering her words from a moment ago, he leaned in once more and began to kiss his way from her lips down to her chest.“Yes; just like that.” she cooed.Arriving at the valley of her bosom, he made his way to one side, kissing her tit while also stimulating her nipple with his finger.“That’s so good, Ken; ooh, you can suck on them too,” she whispered with encouragement.Ken’s heart leapt at her suggestion, and he moved to take one of her tiny nipples in his mouth. He sucked with eagerness at first, but Gabby soon coaxed him to go slower.“Careful there; be gentle.”“Sorry.”“Quite alright, they’re just a bit sensitive,” she said with a sweet giggle.Ken spent quite some time lapping at her tits, alternating sides every so often. At first, Gabby advised him on when to change so as not to over stimulate one side or the other. Soon, though, Ken was moving back and forth all on his own, driving her wild with lust in the process. After several minutes of this, she lifted his head up, a wicked grin on her face.“Ready for the big reveal?” she asked, lowering the zipper of her jeans.“Uh; uh huh.”Lifting her hips up, Gabby slipped her jeans over her curvy ass and down her long legs before kicking them off with her boots. She then turned to recline back on the sofa, spreading her legs a tiny bit. The smoldering come hither look she gave Ken was enough to bring any man to his knees.“Come on, Ken; you’ve got a Christmas present to open.”Ken’s mouth went dry as he stared at her black thong panties, mesmerized in disbelief by what was about to happen. With trembling hands, he slipped his fingers into her waistband and slid the silky garment off, revealing Gabby’s shaven pussy at last. In that moment, Ken had completely forgotten that he was still wearing all his clothes.“I just love the way you’re looking at me,” Gabby breathed, breaking his trance. “It’s like you won the lottery or something.”“I; think I did.”“So sweet. Now then, time to learn how to really make a woman happy. Most women are at least willing to engage in oral sex, but you always need to give at least as much as you receive. It’s only polite. And there’s no better way to make a woman want to suck your cock; than to eat her pussy without prompting. With that said.”Gabby now spread her legs wide for him, beckoning him to explore her delectable womanhood. Following a trail she laid with her fingers, Ken began to kiss his way up her leg and inner thigh. After repeating the action on her other leg, he arrived at her soaked pussy, breathing in the musky aroma seeping from within her.“Spread my lips, Ken,” Gabby whispered.Using a gentle touch, he did as she asked, gazing deep into her slick tunnel. He soon leaned forward, touching his tongue to the folds of her labia. She tasted different than he had expected, perhaps a bit salty, but nothing unpleasant in Ken’s mind. He continued to taste and tease her lips for a few moments, and she began to squirm and writhe under him in pleasure.“Oh, yes; that’s just right, Ken; you can move a little higher, too. See that little bump there? That’s my clit. She’s sensitive, but if you pay enough attention to her; something good is bound to happen.”He tilted his head upwards a bit, running his tongue along her lips as he arrived at her clit. Flicking the nub a couple of times, he was surprised at just how strong Gabby’s reaction was. Ken liked that. She was having the time of her life, and it was all because of him. Feeling a twinge of confidence, he redoubled his efforts and began lapping at her clit again and again, never giving her a chance to rest.“Yes; yes, that’s fucking incredible!” she cried out.As Gabby’s hips began to buck, Ken looped his arms around her thighs on instinct, helping her to remain still. He continued his worshipping of her womanhood, savoring every drop of her juices as she squirmed and squealed in delight. Soon, he began to sense that her thrashing was reaching a crescendo and an ultimate plateau. He received almost immediate verbal confirmation of this.“Holy shit; Fuck that’s awesome! Oh, Ken don’t stop; don’t; stop; please don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop; ah!”Ken knew in an academic sense that women could achieve powerful orgasms. Still, he had never actually seen it happen, let alone experienced it by his hand, or rather his tongue. Yet lying beneath him was the most beautiful woman he had ever met in his life, and she was becoming even more beautiful by the second as her body erupted in ecstasy. The look of pleasure on her face as her eyes fluttered closed was awe-inspiring. A few final licks to her pussy, and she gently pushed his face away from her crotch.“That’s quite enough; but oh so wonderful.” she sighed. “You’re a natural, Ken.”“Thanks. That’s; got to be the hottest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Seeing you lose control like that, it was surreal.”“So sweet,” she said, sitting up straight on the sofa. “For all your supposed awkwardness, you sure know how to pay a girl a compliment.” She leaned forward, planting a long, slow kiss on his lips. As they parted, she whispered, “Ready for your due reward?”With a slight gasp, he replied, “Oh, hell yes.”Gabby stood from the sofa, smiling the entire time. Reaching behind the armrest of the sofa, she pulled out a dark blue sleeping bag and began to spread it out on the thick rug in front of the fire.“It’s a tradition,” she explained, seeing the look of confusion on Ken’s face. “When I was a little girl, I swore I’d catch Santa in the act by sleeping next to the tree. He’d never be able to sneak past me. Well, my parents told me to go for it, but that it wouldn’t work; he’s too good. Sure enough, he had come and gone the next morning. He even left a note next to my pillow that said, ‘Nice try, Gabby. Merry Christmas.’ Ever since then, I’ve slept by the tree every Christmas Eve.”“Love it,” Ken grinned.By now, she had finished spreading the sleeping bag out on the floor and affixed a couple of pillows at the head for them. As it was designed for one person, she had opened it completely and laid it out flat, making it large enough for two to lie on. Seeing what she was doing, Ken grabbed a large throw blanket from the sofa to cover up with.“Why, thank you,” she said. “But don’t you think you’re a bit overdressed?”“Huh?” Ken had been so entranced with Gabby’s naked body that he’d forgotten that he was still wearing his clothes. “Oh, uh, I guess so.”“Can I help with that?” she asked with a mischievous grin.“Sure.”Gabby sauntered over to him, wrapping him in a warm hug as they stood next to the fireplace. After kissing his lips, she moved to his cheek and neck, just as he had done to her before. As she began to drive him crazy, she slipped her fingers into his tee shirt and pulled it off of him, exposing his bare chest to her. Now with a new playground to explore, Gabby continued from where she left off. She first lingered around his neck and shoulders, then down his chest before finally reaching his stomach. As she knelt before him, she unbuckled his belt and slid his jeans and boxers down to his ankles, freeing his rock hard cock at last.Ken was not large my most standards, being only about five inches in length at full staff, but to Gabby he was perfect. She had no hesitation as she began to lightly stroke his length in her hand, and soon began to take him in her mouth bit-by-bit. Ken was in blissful agony; not only was he receiving is first blowjob, but he also had to keep from exploding too soon, all while concentrating on standing still. She sucked him for a few seconds more before releasing him.“If you get close, let me know, okay? I want this inside my pussy, too.”Ken could only nod in reply. She soon resumed her pleasuring of his member, sucking him with gleeful determination. He had been so good to her tonight; she only wanted to reward his efforts. Slowing her pace, she gazed up at him with her smoldering eyes, her pretty face framed by her long blonde hair. As Ken began to lose himself in her beauty, he also felt a familiar bubbling up in the pit of his stomach. Though he panicked for a moment, he soon had the presence of mind to tap Gabby on the forehead.“I think you’d better slow down,” he stammered.Releasing his cock from her mouth with a pop, Gabby grinned and replied, “Good. Because I think it’s time for me to take your virginity.”After switching off the gas logs, she stretched out on the open sleeping bag and held part of the blanket up, beckoning Ken to slide in with her. He did so with eagerness, though was still nervous as hell; he had no idea what he was doing! Sensing his doubts, Gabby spoke with soft confidence and reassurance.“Let’s go you on top to start. That way you can control it so you don’t go off too soon. Honestly, though, don’t worry about stamina. You’ve already lasted through one of my blowjobs, which is no small feat, if I do say so myself. You ready?”“Um, yeah; I think so. But do we need any; protection? I don’t have a condom or anything.”With a warm smile, she replied, “Don’t ever change, Ken. Sweet, humble, and considerate, that’s what you are. I don’t have any diseases per my last doctor’s visit two months ago, and I know you’re a virgin so I don’t think there’s any concern.”“That’s good. But; what if you get pregnant? I’m not sure I’d be able to pull out in time.”“Well,” she paused, her smile becoming more bittersweet. “It’s a long story, but trust me when I say that there’s no risk of me becoming pregnant. We’re clear to let loose with this, as long as you’re comfortable with that, of course.”“I am. I just; wanted to be sure.”“Thank you, Ken. Now, if you please, my pussy is aching for your cock, and you’d best make her happy.”Positioning his pelvic region between her legs, Ken attempted to push into her, but his slick cock merely grazed the surface before slipping up to her belly. Gabby just smiled and reached down, taking a gentle grip on his cock with her hand and guiding him to the entrance of her pussy. Feeling a bit of give, he followed his instincts and penetrated her at long last, his virginity melting away in the process. She was divine, far tighter than Ken had ever imagined in his wildest dreams and fantasies.“Oh Ken; that’s just where you belong,” she cooed in satisfaction.“Holy fuck; so tight.” he could only reply.Ken began to thrust in and out of her, keeping his tempo moderate at the start to get a feel for how sensitive he was. The sensations of making love to this goddess were only enhanced by the look of sheer enjoyment in Gabby’s eyes. He prayed that he would be able to last and enjoy it all, even if only for a few minutes. As he continued thrusting into her, Gabby began to get a mischievous look in her eyes.“You’re thinking something,” Ken observed.“Uh huh. Wanna learn a trick that’ll drive any girl nuts?”“Sure.”“Come up on your knees and keep your torso straight up. Try to get to where you can keep yourself inside me without having to balance on your arms.”“Like this?” he asked, relaxing back on his folded knees.“Exactly. You can also stretch my leg out against your chest to help you balance.”“Very nice,” he said as he followed her instructions.&ld

Miracles can happen on Christmas Eve.Based on a post by auguy86, in 2 parts. Listen to the ► Podcast at My First Time.“I; I don’t want to just be a charity case,” Ken replied. “If you do this, Gabrielle;”“It will only be because I want to. Promise,” Gabby replied, finishing his thought. “Now, your first lesson in kissing: making the move. I’m a young, attractive woman who has been making eye contact with you all night and finding every excuse in the book to touch you. You may not realize it, but when a woman does that, it means she’s ready for you to make the move. Try it on me, just like I did.”Mimicking Ken, Gabby closed her eyes, waiting for the moment that Ken would kiss her once more. He leaned in as she had done, trying to take his time and not rush anything. As he was about to kiss her, he remembered that agonizing wait when he could sense her almost on top of him. Pausing mere centimeters from her lips, he allowed the tension to build up for a few moments. Soon, a huge smile began to form on Gabby’s lips; she was enjoying this, and he hadn’t even touched her yet! Ken collected his courage and finally met her lips with his, moving them ever so slightly as he kissed her. He only had his instincts to guide him, but she didn’t seem to mind one bit.“Umm; that was very nice,” Gabby whispered as they parted. “Good job in mimicking my technique. Let’s try one more. This time, lick your lips just a bit before you kiss me, and try to let our mouths fit together like a puzzle. You can take my lower lip between yours, or I can take your lip between mine. Tilting your head to the side a bit is also a natural position. The possibilities are almost endless. When you’re ready, don’t be afraid to put your tongue in my mouth. In the future, you’ll want to be careful about doing this too soon, but for our purposes tonight, go right ahead.”Ken did as she instructed, and found that the increased moisture to be quite pleasant. It allowed each of their lips to slide along the other’s with little effort. All too soon, he felt Gabby take his lower lip in hers, sucking lightly and even nibbling for an instant. After she did this a second time, Ken took the hint and reciprocated in kind, eliciting a contented murmur from Gabby. As their kissing became more passionate, he could no longer resist the urge to taste this gorgeous woman. Still tentative, he pressed his tongue against the crease of her lips, which parted to allow him entry. Though he didn’t know what to do once he was in, he soon found himself enthralled in Gabby’s passions. Her tongue danced with his, exploring his mouth in a slow, methodical fashion. This gave him the perfect gauge to judge his own efforts by. After nearly twenty minutes of making out, they finally separated, their faces flushed from the experience.“Holy shit.” Ken sighed.“You, my friend, are one quick study. The next girl that kisses you may well get addicted and refuse to let you go,” Gabby agreed with a playful grin. Leaning back on the sofa, she reached down and unbuttoned the top button of her jeans, asking, “You ready to learn something else?”In spite of his hardening cock, Ken couldn’t help but feel like he was doing something he shouldn’t. “Look, you seriously don’t have to;”“I want to,” she said with confidence. “Ken, you are such a sweet, special guy, and I want to show you that. I want to prove to you how lucky a girl I would be to have a guy like you.”Would be? What’s that supposed to mean?“I’ve never made love to a virgin, Ken,” she continued. “But I know what I love in bed, and I think I can help you get quite good at this. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, but if you’ll allow me, I’d love nothing more than to take your virginity tonight.”Ken was torn. This woman certainly drove him crazy, but part of him worried this was all an elaborate setup. Women never came on to him like this, let alone one this beautiful! Then again, she hadn’t balked in the slightest in kissing him. Hell, she had even encouraged him to French kiss her. In spite of the fact that he had every reason to be distrusting after Jacqueline’s message, he recognized that she had shown him nothing but kindness and patience. He didn’t believe in destiny or fate, but if there was a moment in which he was supposed to lose his virginity, this had to be it.“Okay; I want to,” he whispered.“I’m glad,” she replied with a warm smile.Fumbling with his belt, he said, “I guess I’d better;”“There’s plenty of time, Ken,” Gabby reassured him. “If we do this, I want to do it right. I want to show you the proper way to take a girl around the world. That starts with what we were doing earlier, only this time, you can start removing my clothes in the process.”As Ken leaned in and resumed their kissing, Gabby guided his hands lower and slipped them underneath her sweater. He spent a few moments enjoying the warm sensation of skin-to-skin contact before tugging her sweater up. They separated for a moment so that Gabby could finish peeling her top off, revealing a simple, black silk bra. As they continued making out, Ken reached behind her, trying to decipher the key to unhooking the ever-hated bra.“Want some advice?” Gabby asked with a slight giggle.“Sure,” Ken signed, beginning to get frustrated.“Feel for the crease, then slip one finger under and one finger over. Squeeze together and rub your fingers until it unhooks.”Concentrating, Ken did as she instructed. The clasp itself was easy to find, and her descriptions were spot on. To his surprise, it only took one unsuccessful attempt before he managed to snap the garment open.“Impressive,” Gabby marveled.“Thanks, but that was all you. I’d be lost without your instructions.”“You’re a natural student; you take direction well. Ready for the next lesson?”“Oh yeah,” Ken said with anticipation.“Your kissing skills have grown by leaps and bounds in just a few minutes. Now you should remember that you don’t have to kiss just my lips. My cheeks, my neck, my shoulders; my entire body is your playground. Few things turn a woman on more than a man whose only desire is to worship every inch of her form.”With that, Gabby shrugged her shoulders and slipped her bra off, revealing her ample D-cup tits to Ken. He was utterly speechless at the sight he now beheld. They were not only large, but quite perky as well. Her tiny pink nipples, already hard from their making out, were the perfect accent to Gabby’s most notable assets. As he drank her in, he felt her guide his hand towards her, reaching him out to touch her tit. It barely fit into his hand, yet it was so soft and warm that it felt like it just belonged there. Taking a deep breath, Ken now reached in with both of his hands, squeezing her tits together and exploring every inch of their surface. Remembering her words from a moment ago, he leaned in once more and began to kiss his way from her lips down to her chest.“Yes; just like that.” she cooed.Arriving at the valley of her bosom, he made his way to one side, kissing her tit while also stimulating her nipple with his finger.“That’s so good, Ken; ooh, you can suck on them too,” she whispered with encouragement.Ken’s heart leapt at her suggestion, and he moved to take one of her tiny nipples in his mouth. He sucked with eagerness at first, but Gabby soon coaxed him to go slower.“Careful there; be gentle.”“Sorry.”“Quite alright, they’re just a bit sensitive,” she said with a sweet giggle.Ken spent quite some time lapping at her tits, alternating sides every so often. At first, Gabby advised him on when to change so as not to over stimulate one side or the other. Soon, though, Ken was moving back and forth all on his own, driving her wild with lust in the process. After several minutes of this, she lifted his head up, a wicked grin on her face.“Ready for the big reveal?” she asked, lowering the zipper of her jeans.“Uh; uh huh.”Lifting her hips up, Gabby slipped her jeans over her curvy ass and down her long legs before kicking them off with her boots. She then turned to recline back on the sofa, spreading her legs a tiny bit. The smoldering come hither look she gave Ken was enough to bring any man to his knees.“Come on, Ken; you’ve got a Christmas present to open.”Ken’s mouth went dry as he stared at her black thong panties, mesmerized in disbelief by what was about to happen. With trembling hands, he slipped his fingers into her waistband and slid the silky garment off, revealing Gabby’s shaven pussy at last. In that moment, Ken had completely forgotten that he was still wearing all his clothes.“I just love the way you’re looking at me,” Gabby breathed, breaking his trance. “It’s like you won the lottery or something.”“I; think I did.”“So sweet. Now then, time to learn how to really make a woman happy. Most women are at least willing to engage in oral sex, but you always need to give at least as much as you receive. It’s only polite. And there’s no better way to make a woman want to suck your cock; than to eat her pussy without prompting. With that said.”Gabby now spread her legs wide for him, beckoning him to explore her delectable womanhood. Following a trail she laid with her fingers, Ken began to kiss his way up her leg and inner thigh. After repeating the action on her other leg, he arrived at her soaked pussy, breathing in the musky aroma seeping from within her.“Spread my lips, Ken,” Gabby whispered.Using a gentle touch, he did as she asked, gazing deep into her slick tunnel. He soon leaned forward, touching his tongue to the folds of her labia. She tasted different than he had expected, perhaps a bit salty, but nothing unpleasant in Ken’s mind. He continued to taste and tease her lips for a few moments, and she began to squirm and writhe under him in pleasure.“Oh, yes; that’s just right, Ken; you can move a little higher, too. See that little bump there? That’s my clit. She’s sensitive, but if you pay enough attention to her; something good is bound to happen.”He tilted his head upwards a bit, running his tongue along her lips as he arrived at her clit. Flicking the nub a couple of times, he was surprised at just how strong Gabby’s reaction was. Ken liked that. She was having the time of her life, and it was all because of him. Feeling a twinge of confidence, he redoubled his efforts and began lapping at her clit again and again, never giving her a chance to rest.“Yes; yes, that’s fucking incredible!” she cried out.As Gabby’s hips began to buck, Ken looped his arms around her thighs on instinct, helping her to remain still. He continued his worshipping of her womanhood, savoring every drop of her juices as she squirmed and squealed in delight. Soon, he began to sense that her thrashing was reaching a crescendo and an ultimate plateau. He received almost immediate verbal confirmation of this.“Holy shit; Fuck that’s awesome! Oh, Ken don’t stop; don’t; stop; please don’t stop don’t stop don’t stop; ah!”Ken knew in an academic sense that women could achieve powerful orgasms. Still, he had never actually seen it happen, let alone experienced it by his hand, or rather his tongue. Yet lying beneath him was the most beautiful woman he had ever met in his life, and she was becoming even more beautiful by the second as her body erupted in ecstasy. The look of pleasure on her face as her eyes fluttered closed was awe-inspiring. A few final licks to her pussy, and she gently pushed his face away from her crotch.“That’s quite enough; but oh so wonderful.” she sighed. “You’re a natural, Ken.”“Thanks. That’s; got to be the hottest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Seeing you lose control like that, it was surreal.”“So sweet,” she said, sitting up straight on the sofa. “For all your supposed awkwardness, you sure know how to pay a girl a compliment.” She leaned forward, planting a long, slow kiss on his lips. As they parted, she whispered, “Ready for your due reward?”With a slight gasp, he replied, “Oh, hell yes.”Gabby stood from the sofa, smiling the entire time. Reaching behind the armrest of the sofa, she pulled out a dark blue sleeping bag and began to spread it out on the thick rug in front of the fire.“It’s a tradition,” she explained, seeing the look of confusion on Ken’s face. “When I was a little girl, I swore I’d catch Santa in the act by sleeping next to the tree. He’d never be able to sneak past me. Well, my parents told me to go for it, but that it wouldn’t work; he’s too good. Sure enough, he had come and gone the next morning. He even left a note next to my pillow that said, ‘Nice try, Gabby. Merry Christmas.’ Ever since then, I’ve slept by the tree every Christmas Eve.”“Love it,” Ken grinned.By now, she had finished spreading the sleeping bag out on the floor and affixed a couple of pillows at the head for them. As it was designed for one person, she had opened it completely and laid it out flat, making it large enough for two to lie on. Seeing what she was doing, Ken grabbed a large throw blanket from the sofa to cover up with.“Why, thank you,” she said. “But don’t you think you’re a bit overdressed?”“Huh?” Ken had been so entranced with Gabby’s naked body that he’d forgotten that he was still wearing his clothes. “Oh, uh, I guess so.”“Can I help with that?” she asked with a mischievous grin.“Sure.”Gabby sauntered over to him, wrapping him in a warm hug as they stood next to the fireplace. After kissing his lips, she moved to his cheek and neck, just as he had done to her before. As she began to drive him crazy, she slipped her fingers into his tee shirt and pulled it off of him, exposing his bare chest to her. Now with a new playground to explore, Gabby continued from where she left off. She first lingered around his neck and shoulders, then down his chest before finally reaching his stomach. As she knelt before him, she unbuckled his belt and slid his jeans and boxers down to his ankles, freeing his rock hard cock at last.Ken was not large my most standards, being only about five inches in length at full staff, but to Gabby he was perfect. She had no hesitation as she began to lightly stroke his length in her hand, and soon began to take him in her mouth bit-by-bit. Ken was in blissful agony; not only was he receiving is first blowjob, but he also had to keep from exploding too soon, all while concentrating on standing still. She sucked him for a few seconds more before releasing him.“If you get close, let me know, okay? I want this inside my pussy, too.”Ken could only nod in reply. She soon resumed her pleasuring of his member, sucking him with gleeful determination. He had been so good to her tonight; she only wanted to reward his efforts. Slowing her pace, she gazed up at him with her smoldering eyes, her pretty face framed by her long blonde hair. As Ken began to lose himself in her beauty, he also felt a familiar bubbling up in the pit of his stomach. Though he panicked for a moment, he soon had the presence of mind to tap Gabby on the forehead.“I think you’d better slow down,” he stammered.Releasing his cock from her mouth with a pop, Gabby grinned and replied, “Good. Because I think it’s time for me to take your virginity.”After switching off the gas logs, she stretched out on the open sleeping bag and held part of the blanket up, beckoning Ken to slide in with her. He did so with eagerness, though was still nervous as hell; he had no idea what he was doing! Sensing his doubts, Gabby spoke with soft confidence and reassurance.“Let’s go you on top to start. That way you can control it so you don’t go off too soon. Honestly, though, don’t worry about stamina. You’ve already lasted through one of my blowjobs, which is no small feat, if I do say so myself. You ready?”“Um, yeah; I think so. But do we need any; protection? I don’t have a condom or anything.”With a warm smile, she replied, “Don’t ever change, Ken. Sweet, humble, and considerate, that’s what you are. I don’t have any diseases per my last doctor’s visit two months ago, and I know you’re a virgin so I don’t think there’s any concern.”“That’s good. But; what if you get pregnant? I’m not sure I’d be able to pull out in time.”“Well,” she paused, her smile becoming more bittersweet. “It’s a long story, but trust me when I say that there’s no risk of me becoming pregnant. We’re clear to let loose with this, as long as you’re comfortable with that, of course.”“I am. I just; wanted to be sure.”“Thank you, Ken. Now, if you please, my pussy is aching for your cock, and you’d best make her happy.”Positioning his pelvic region between her legs, Ken attempted to push into her, but his slick cock merely grazed the surface before slipping up to her belly. Gabby just smiled and reached down, taking a gentle grip on his cock with her hand and guiding him to the entrance of her pussy. Feeling a bit of give, he followed his instincts and penetrated her at long last, his virginity melting away in the process. She was divine, far tighter than Ken had ever imagined in his wildest dreams and fantasies.“Oh Ken; that’s just where you belong,” she cooed in satisfaction.“Holy fuck; so tight.” he could only reply.Ken began to thrust in and out of her, keeping his tempo moderate at the start to get a feel for how sensitive he was. The sensations of making love to this goddess were only enhanced by the look of sheer enjoyment in Gabby’s eyes. He prayed that he would be able to last and enjoy it all, even if only for a few minutes. As he continued thrusting into her, Gabby began to get a mischievous look in her eyes.“You’re thinking something,” Ken observed.“Uh huh. Wanna learn a trick that’ll drive any girl nuts?”“Sure.”“Come up on your knees and keep your torso straight up. Try to get to where you can keep yourself inside me without having to balance on your arms.”“Like this?” he asked, relaxing back on his folded knees.“Exactly. You can also stretch my leg out against your chest to help you balance.”“Very nice,” he said as he followed her instructions.&ld

February invites reflection on self-love and compassion, making it the perfect time for a heartfelt conversation with author, speaker, and personal development coach Ginger Rothhaas. In this episode, the discussion explores why being human is hard — and how it can become gentler through self-compassion, awareness, and intentional practices. Drawing from her book Being Human: 150 Practices to Make It Easier and her work through Compassion Fix, Ginger shares how neuroscience, psychology, and spirituality intersect to help us navigate self-criticism, overwhelm, and disconnection. From the power of the Compassionate Pause to learning when it's time to make a personal "U-turn," this conversation offers grounded wisdom, hope, and practical tools for living with more ease, alignment, and kindness toward ourselves and others.  Key Takeaways:   Self-compassion is a learned skill that helps interrupt self-criticism and create emotional safety.  Pausing to reflect on what's "mine to do" can shift overwhelm into clarity and empowerment.  The way we talk to ourselves shapes our sense of worth, resilience, and hope.  Compassion for self and others grows when we recognize our shared humanity.  Small, intentional practices can realign us with our purpose and make being human feel lighter.  About Ginger Rothhaas:  Ginger is an author, speaker, and personal-development coach who helps people with the hard parts of being human. She works with clients in the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and theology to help them quiet racing minds, practice self-compassion, improve relationships, and trust their decisions. She founded Compassion Fix in 2017 by herself in Brookside and moved to a larger space in Leawood as she has built a team of 10 therapists and coaches who help children, teens, and adults navigate life.   Ginger began her career as a change-management business consultant in a large firm. She also was an adjunct professor at Xavier University. And then at age 40 decided to go to seminary. She studied world religions and theology for four years, achieving a Masters in Theology and Divinity. Following that she became a coach, wrote a book, and founded Compassion Fix. Most importantly she is mom to Chase and Lauren, a college sophomore and a college freshman, one in Manhattan Kansas and one in Manhattan New York. She loves spending time in the flint hills of Kansas and swimming in the ocean as often as possible.   Connect with Ginger Rothhaas at:  https://www.compassionfix.com/   https://www.instagram.com/gingerrothhaas/?hl=en   https://amzn.to/3NG2PaQ   Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at:  https://smallchangesbigshifts.com  hello@smallchangesbigshifts.com  https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts  https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts  https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco  Thanks for listening!  Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.  Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!  Subscribe to the podcast  If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.  Leave us an Apple Podcasts review  Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. 

Send us a textMany times to obtain the truth we need we must pause our doubt.  Pausing doubt can be one of the most beneficial things we can do when afflicted with mental health concerns.Support the show

Erin Lee, Protect Kids Colorado founder joins Dan to comment on Children's Minnesota pausing hormones and puberty blockers for minors after pressure from the Trump administration against transgender procedures.

In the early 20th century, factory workers — later known as the “Radium Girls” — were hired to paint watch and instrument dials with radium‑based luminous paint. They were instructed to keep their brushes sharp by shaping them with their lips. In the following years, many of these workers developed devastating illnesses, including severe bone and jaw damage, anemia and cancer, that were ultimately traced to chronic radium exposure.For Holly Elmore, an evolutionary biologist and executive director of PauseAI US — an organization that seeks a global pause to advanced AI development — this tragedy is a stark warning for our current era. In a talk she gave Dec. 9 for the Berkeley AI Risk Speaker Series, Elmore argues that we're repeating this mistake with artificial intelligence by assuming we can safely play with a technology we don't fully understand. “The expectation of many people in AI safety, for many years, has been that when we got to this point, the AI, once it was aligned, would figure out the answers for us,” she says. But Elmore warns that this approach is like clearing a minefield by walking through it. As AI capabilities grow, she says, the probability of accidents increases — and unlike minor software glitches, these could be "one-shot" events that we cannot recover from. She points to risks ranging from the automated assembly of bioweapons to the unpredictable disruption of the social and environmental systems we depend on for survival. Instead of waiting for a machine to solve its own safety problems, she contends that experiments with such high-stakes technology are too costly to continue without a pause.“The scale of the danger really could cripple civilization or cause extinction,” she says, “and the possibility of this alone is reason enough to pursue pausing frontier AI development.”Watch a video of Elmore's talk.Listen to the episode and read the transcript on UC Berkeley News (news.berkeley.edu/podcasts/berkeley-talks).Music by HoliznaCC0.Photo courtesy of PauseAI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textThis episode features Nick Brunacini, Terry Garrison and John VanceWe dig into why reactions make or break leadership, how to de-escalate without dodging accountability, and why the best chiefs manage problems early and at the lowest level. Stories from the fireground and the station show how kindness, clarity, and standards live together.• Owning attitude and response under stress• Differentiating training gaps from discipline issues• Managing at the lowest level with real support• Using personal power over positional power• Pausing before acting to create options• Fixing problems early before they gain seniority• Stopping freelancing and backing standards• Modeling humor, consistency and calm• Handling HR and law enforcement escalation wisely• Treating one-offs differently from habitual behaviorRead Terry Garrison's article here: https://bshifter.com/think-youre-a-strong-leader-your-reactions-might-prove-otherwise/Buy “Timeless Tactical Truths from Alan Brunacini” at bshifter.com in our store for only $10!This episode was recorded at the Alan V. Brunacini Command Training Center in Phoenix on February 3, 2026.For Waldorf University Blue Card credit and discounts: https://www.waldorf.edu/blue-card/For free command and leadership support, check out bshifter.comSign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/BuckslipShop B Shifter here: https://bshifter.myshopify.comAll of our links here: https://linktr.ee/BShifterThanks for listening - please subscribe and give us your support! 

In this episode of Be Truly Heard, coach and voice expert Anne Leatherland is joined by Vic Taylor, marketing strategist, author of Six Figure Niche and founder of the Young Hustle Hub. Vic shares her journey from a long corporate career into entrepreneurship, reflecting on how experience, confidence and business ownership changed the way she shows up and speaks.The conversation explores how personal setbacks became unexpected turning points that reshaped Vic's work and purpose. Together, Anne and Vic discuss the importance of community, clarity and self-belief in business, as well as how voice, breath and nervous system regulation play a powerful role in speaking with authority and authenticity.Key TakeawaysFinding your voice often comes with experience. Vic reflects on how maturity, life experience and entrepreneurship helped her move from holding back in corporate spaces to confidently sharing her opinions and ideas.Low points can become catalysts for growth. Personal and professional challenges ultimately led Vic to new models of service, community and impact.Entrepreneurship allows you to choose how you show up. Building her own business gave Vic the freedom to speak, create and lead in ways that felt aligned and authentic.Breath and voice are deeply connected to confidence. Learning how to breathe, pause and regulate the nervous system transformed Vic's experience of speaking, including recording her audiobook and delivering talks.Speaking with authority doesn't mean speaking faster or louder. Pausing, grounding and taking space can create a stronger sense of leadership and presence in a room.Community supports confidence. Both Vic's work and Anne's Be Truly Heard programme highlight the power of women supporting one another to grow, speak up and be heard.Best Moments“I probably bit my tongue a lot because I felt like my opinion wouldn't be heard.”“It was at my lowest points that something new and better began to grow.”“Unconscious incompetence, you don't know what you don't know.”“Taking a breath before you speak can be completely game-changing.”“What I have to say is worth your time stopping to listen.”About the HostWith over 28 years' experience, Anne Leatherland helps clients develop vocal confidence and personal growth. Her holistic approach bridges science, education and the performing arts, supporting women to be truly heard in business.Find out more: https://anneleatherland.co.uk/ Email List: https://vocal-intuition.kit.com/ed71c6c765Be Truly Heard: https://vocal-intuition.kit.com/c1dac14aceAlso - coming up Voice Bites on 10th Feb: Lost Voice = Lost income. Don't let a cold derail you 12.15 -12.45 PM

WORST DAY EVER for SILVER Cold Snap in Florida – Massive Critter Drop New Fed Chair named Pausing on space PLUS we are now on Spotify and Amazon Music/Podcasts! Click HERE for Show Notes and Links DHUnplugged is now streaming live - with listener chat. Click on link on the right sidebar. Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter Interactive Brokers  Warm-Up - WORST DAY EVER for SILVER - Cold Snap in Florida - Massive Critter Drop - New Fed Chair named - Pausing on space Markets - Bitcoin plunges - Crypto "winter" - Deep dive into January economic results - USD rises from multi-month low - EM still powered ahead - ELON - PT Barnum move Cold Snap - On February 1, 2026, Florida faced a significant drop in temperatures, reaching a record low of 24°F (-4°C) in Orlando. This marked the lowest temperature recorded in February since 1923. - Iguanas dropping from tress all over the streets - Iguanas can survive temperatures down to the mid-40s Fahrenheit (around 7°C) by entering a "cold-stunned" state, where they appear dead but are just temporarily paralyzed and immobile; however, prolonged exposure to temperatures in the 30s and 40s, especially below freezing, can be lethal, particularly for smaller individuals, leading to tissue damage and organ failure. - They get sluggish below 50°F (10°C) and fall from trees as they lose grip. - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued Executive Order 26-03 on Friday, allowing residents to collect and surrender cold-stunned green iguanas without a permit during an unprecedented cold weather event. Right on Schedule - Remember we talked about how the Nat Gas price was going to reverse, just as quickly as it spikeed? - Nat gas down 25% today - down about 28% from recent high - Still about 50% higher than it was before the spike. THIS! - Nvidia Corp. Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang said the company's proposed $100 billion investment in OpenAI  was “never a commitment” and that the company would consider any funding rounds “one at a time.” - “It was never a commitment,” Huang told reporters in Taipei on Sunday. “They invited us to invest up to $100 billion and of course, we were, we were very happy and honored that they invited us, but we will invest one step at a time.” Then Oracle announced that it will do a fundraiser in the form of equity and debt - needs to fund more datacenter build-out. - What happened to the OpenAI $300 Billion committment? - Or is the money that NVDA "committed to OpenAi, that they must have committed to Orcle, not a committment - GIGANTIC CIRCLE JERK Fungus - -Interesting - Did you know? Botrytis cinerea, a fungus causing grey mold, affects grapes by causing bunch rot, ruining fruit in high humidity. - While it often destroys crops, specific dry, warm conditions can transform it into "noble rot," concentrating sugars and creating high-value dessert wines (e.g., Sauternes, Tokaji) with honeyed, raisin-like, and apricot flavors. January Economic Review Employment — Job growth was nearly flat in December, with 50,000 new jobs added and earlier months revised lower. — Unemployment dipped slightly to 4.4%, but it's still higher than it was a year ago. — Long-term unemployment didn't change and remains high, and the labor force participation rate slipped to 62.4%. — Average hourly earnings rose 0.3% in December and are up 3.8% over the past year. — Weekly jobless claims stayed close to last year's levels, showing a labor market that is cooling but not weakening sharply. FOMC / Interest Rates — The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged at 3.50%–3.75%. — Most policymakers agreed the economy continues to grow at a solid pace, though job gains are slowing and inflation remains above target. — Two committee members supported a small rate cut, but the majority preferred to wait. - Fed Chair Powell: Clearly, a weakening labor market calls for cutting. A stronger labor market says that rates are in a good place. It isn't anyone's base case right now that the next move will be a rate hike. - The economy has once again surprised us with its strength. Consumer spending numbers overall are good, and it looks like growth overall is on a solid footing. - Upside risks to inflation and downside risks to employment have diminished, but hard to say they are fully in balance. We think our policy is in a good place. - Overall, it's a stronger forecast since the Fed's last meeting. Haven't made any decisions about future meetings, but the economy is growing at a solid pace, the unemployment rate is broadly stable and inflation remains somewhat elevated, so we will be looking to our goal variables and letting the data light the way for us. - Most of the overrun in goods prices is from tariffs. We think tariffs are likely to move through, and be a one-time price increase. - Dissent: Miran and Waller (Miran is a admin shill and Waller wanted job as Fed Chair) GDP & Federal Budget — Economic growth remained strong in Q3 2025, with GDP rising at an annualized 4.4% driven by strong spending, higher exports, and reduced imports due to tariffs. — Investment was mixed, with business spending increasing while housing activity declined. — The federal deficit for December rose to $145 billion, though the fiscal year-to-date deficit is slightly smaller than last year. Inflation & Consumer Spending — Personal income and consumer spending rose moderately in October and November. — Inflation, measured by the PCE index, increased 0.2% in both months and roughly 2.7% year-over-year. — The Consumer Price Index rose 0.3% in December, with shelter, food, and energy all contributing. — Producer prices also increased, though 2025 producer inflation slowed compared to 2024. Housing — Existing home sales rose in December, but the number of homes for sale is still low. — Prices dipped a bit from November but remain higher than they were a year ago. — New-home sales in October were steady compared with the prior month but much higher than last year. — New-home prices fell compared to 2024, though they are still high relative to long-term norms. Manufacturing — Industrial production rose 0.4% in December and was up 2.0% for the year. — Manufacturing output increased, while mining activity declined and utility output jumped. — Durable goods orders grew sharply in November, driven by a big increase in transportation equipment, pointing to strong demand in key industries. Imports & Exports — Import and export prices rose slightly through November 2025. — The goods trade deficit widened in November because exports fell while imports increased. — For the year so far, both exports and imports are running above 2024 levels, though the overall trade deficit remains larger. Consumer Confidence — Consumer confidence fell sharply in January after improving in December. — Both views of current conditions and expectations for the future weakened, with expectations dropping well below the level that often signals recession risk. Earnings — Roughly one-third of S&P 500 companies have reported Q4 earnings, and overall results are strong. — 75% of companies have beaten EPS estimates, though this is slightly below long-term averages. Revenue beats remain solid at 65%. — Companies are reporting earnings 9.1% above estimates, which is well above the 5-and 10-year surprise averages. — The S&P 500 is on track for 11.9% year-over-year earnings growth, marking the 5th straight quarter of double-digit earnings growth. — Eight of eleven sectors are showing positive year-over-year earnings growth, led by Information Technology, Industrials, and Communication Services. — The Health Care sector shows the largest earnings declines among lagging categories. — The forward 12-month P/E ratio sits at ~22.2, elevated relative to 5-and 10-year averages, signaling continued optimism despite tariff and cost concerns. — FactSet also notes the S&P 500 is reporting a record-high net profit margin of 13.2%, the highest since 2009. INTERACTIVE BROKERS Check this out and find out more at: http://www.interactivebrokers.com/   S3XY No More - Tesla is ending production of the Model S sedan and Model X crossover by the end of Q2 2026 to focus on autonomous technology and humanoid robots (Optimus). - Do we have any idea with the TAM for either of these are? - Huge assumptions that Robotaxi will be a bug part of the global transportation. But, what if it isn't? - Unproven being built, taking out the proven - investors were not too happy about this...Stock was down after earnings showed continued sluggish EV sales and BIG Capex for Robotaxi refit, robots and chip manufacturing. But... - Friday - not to allow TESLA stock to move down tooo much. - With SpaceEx looking for an IPO in June - valuations have moved from $800B to 1.5T supposedly. - Now there is discussion of merging in xAI and possibly Tesla - Tesla shares dropped after earnings FED CHAIR PICK - Drumroll: Kevin Warsh - Seems like a good pick from the aspect of experience and ability - Deficit reducer? - More hawkish than market expected? - Announce Friday after several leaks in the morning And then... - Silver futures plummeted 31.4% to settle at $78.53, marking its worst day since March 1980. -It was down 35% during the day - the worst daily plunge ever on record. - It was the worst decline since the March 1980 Hunt Brothers crash. - The sharp moves down were initially triggered by reports of Warsh's nomination. - However, they gained steam in afternoon U.S. trading as investors who piled into the metals raced to book profits.- USD Spiked higher - Gold was down 10% - GOLD saw a drop of 10% to the close - 12% intraday - this was also a record - Bitcoin is down 25% from its recent level 2 weeks ago - ALL BEING BLAMED ON THE FED CHAIR PICK -- QUESTION - Will Trump back-peddle this OR talk to supporters in congress or tell them not to confirm him if markets continue to act squirrely? Fed Statement and Rates - Fed out with statement - no change on rates - Changes: Inflation up, employment steady, economy strong - Does not bode for much in the way of cuts - probably on hold though end of Powell term Apple Earnings - Apple reported blowout first-quarter earnings on Thursday, and predicted growth of as much as 16% in the current quarter, matching the period that just ended. - Sales could be even better, Apple said, if the company just secure enough chips to meet its customers' iPhone demands. - The company reported $42.1 billion in net income, or $2.84 per share, versus $36.33 billion, or $2.40 per share, in the year-ago period. - Apple saw particularly strong results in China, including Taiwan and Hong Kong. Sales in the region surged 38% during the quarter to $25.53 billion. - “The constraints that we have are driven by the availability of the advanced nodes that our SoCs are produced on, and at this time, we're seeing less flexibility in supply chain than normal,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said. - Stock up slightly - no great moves.... Blue Origin - Blue Origin will pause tourist flights to space for “no less than two years” to prioritize development of its moon lander and other lunar technologies. - The decision reflects Blue Origin's commitment to the nation's goal of returning to the Moon and establishing a permanent, sustained lunar presence. - The pause in tourist flights grounds the company's reusable New Shepard rocket, which has sent more than 90 people to the edge of space and back to experience brief periods of weightlessness. - Datacenters on the Moon? (sounds like a Pink Floyd album)     Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? ANNOUNCING THE WINNER OF THE THE CLOSEST TO THE PIN CUP 2025 Winners will be getting great stuff like the new "OFFICIAL" DHUnplugged Shirt!     FED AND CRYPTO LIMERICKS   See this week's stock picks HERE Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter

Organizational consultant Jacqueline Robinson joins me for a powerful conversation on authenticity, leadership, and what it truly means to lead from within. We explore my proprietary framework, Authentic Imprint™ the alignment of strengths, core values, mission, and emotional recognition and how these elements shift depending on the season of life you're in. Jacqueline shares how her mission of elevating people and celebrating culture has served as a North Star throughout her career, even during seasons of caretaking, entrepreneurship, and personal disruption. Her reflections reinforce that authenticity isn't static it's a daily practice of self-management. We also went deep into emotional recognition and energy management, especially in a world filled with distraction, pressure, and constant task switching. Jacqueline highlightes how awareness naming emotions before they shape behavior allows leaders to respond instead of react. From leveraging CliftonStrengths intentionally, to dialing strengths up or down when needed, to redefining productivity as managing energy instead of time, this conversation is a reminder that leadership starts internally. When we lead ourselves well, alignment follows and so does impact, whether locally or globally. Top 3 Takeaways: 1. Authentic leadership starts with alignment: When strengths, values, mission, and emotional awareness work together, leadership feels more natural and sustainable. 2. Emotional recognition is a leadership skill: Pausing to notice and name emotions helps leaders stay grounded, focused, and intentional especially during stressful seasons. 3. Manage energy, not just time: True productivity comes from protecting attention, prioritizing what matters most, and honoring what fuels your well-being. Episode Minutes: Minute 3: Exploring the Authentic Imprint Assessment Minute 9: Understanding Strengths and Emotional Recognition Minute 15: Aligning Actions with Values Minute 29: Managing Energy vs. Time Links + Resources from This Episode: Learn more about Jaclynn's work at www.jaclynnrobinson.com Explore purpose-driven products at www.jaclynnrobinson.com/shop Follow Jaclynn on Instagram  Take the free 3-minute Authentic Imprint Assessment Get a copy of Dana's book, The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within Learn more about The Strengths Journal

Your voice isn't missing. It's been muted by survival. In this powerful episode of Harder Than Life, Kelly Siegel sits down with Benny Salas for a raw conversation about trauma, voice, identity, and what it really takes to step into your purpose. Benny shares deeply personal stories of childhood abuse, shame, addiction, and silence—and how reclaiming his voice became the foundation for healing, leadership, and legacy. Together, Kelly and Benny break down why most people don't fear public speaking—they fear judgment, rejection, and being fully seen. This episode explores authenticity over performance, confidence built through clarity, and why your story isn't your weakness—it's your assignment. Key Takeaways

Kankelfritz & Friends chat about the importance of pausing to pray. Also, every wondered what Moses would of Googled back in his time? We have the list!

6.1 Session OutlineStep 1: Quick meaning check (Purple Culture) — confirm overall meaning.Step 2: Audio 1 —  full listens (normal speed, continuous).Step 3: Audio 2 — short exposure listen (no answering, no repeating).Step 4: Stop while you still feel stable. Ending early is better than pushing into frustration.If you feel strong that day, you can extend Audio 1 repetition. Audio 1 is the main engine for stability.At this stage, success is not measured by perfect understanding or fast answers.Success looks like:• Less tension during listening• Less urge to pause, rewind, or ‘prove' understanding• Meaning feels more familiar across repetitions• Questions feel less threatening over time (even without answering)• You can stay present even when understanding is incompleteThis training is NOT saying you should accept confusion forever. Meaning still matters—we stabilize it using Purple Culture.This training is NOT saying you should ‘try harder.' It is saying: adjust the environment so the brain learns stability.This training is NOT saying you must be comfortable immediately. It is saying: discomfort becomes familiar through safe exposure.No. Audio 2 is not a comprehension test. It is pressure exposure. You will gradually understand more as meaning stabilizes through Purple Culture + Audio 1.Not necessarily. In this system, uncertainty is allowed. You can finish a full listen, then clarify meaning afterward. This trains ‘stay present' rather than ‘escape.'Because the training is partly neurological. Pausing teaches the brain to rely on control. Continuous listening teaches the brain to tolerate movement—closer to real life.Yes, but not by forcing speed early. First we reduce the doubt spiral and stabilize meaning under movement. Speed becomes natural when the system underneath is stable.You do not need a report card. If you want to share feedback, use simple signals:• ‘Audio 1 felt easier today.'• ‘Audio 2 felt tense / neutral / easier.'• ‘I noticed I wanted to pause when…'• ‘After clarification, the meaning stayed more stable.'Purple Culture builds meaning.Audio 1 stabilizes meaning through repetition.Audio 2 builds familiarity with pressure without performance.No pass/fail. No proving. We are building stability first, then speed later.

Apply to Work With Tier 11: https://www.tiereleven.com/apply-nowAre you still pausing “winning” ads because Meta tells you the CPA is broken? In this episode, we break down the next layer of our three-part series on why turning off Meta's conversion obsession is the smartest move you can make right now.John Moran walks us through a real case study where individual category campaigns, feeder strategy, and engagement metrics drove an 80% lift in new customers. We unpack why hook rate, CTR, and directional signals matter more than platform-reported conversions, and how Shopify and blended nCAC become the real source of truth.We also connect the dots between Meta and Google in a way most marketers completely miss. You'll hear how improved Meta creative reduced Google spend by 20% while increasing total new customers by 37%. And if you want proof that Meta is a top-of-funnel growth engine and not an attribution tool, this episode lays it out step by step.In This Episode:- Why should not pause winning ads- Hook rate & outbound CTR benchmarks- Example of benchmarking with nCAC- Amazon, Google, and Meta sales overlap- Case study: Meta's impact on Google resultsMentioned in the Episode:Previous Episodes On Why You Should Not Pause Ads: https://www.youtube.com/@perpetual_trafficTier 11's nCAC: https://www.tiereleven.com/ncacTier 11's Data Suite: https://www.tiereleven.com/what-we-do/data-suiteListen to This Episode on Your Favorite Podcast Channel:Follow and listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perpetual-traffic/id1022441491Follow and listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/59lhtIWHw1XXsRmT5HBAuKSubscribe and watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@perpetual_traffic?sub_confirmation=1We Appreciate Your Support!Visit our website: https://perpetualtraffic.com/Follow us on X: https://x.com/perpetualtrafConnect with John Moran:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmorangadsConnect with Ralph Burns: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphburnsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ralphhburns/Hire Tier11 - https://www.tiereleven.com/apply-nowConnect with Lauren Petrullo:Instagram -

(00:00-19:25) Joined by friend of the show, Blues analyst Joey Vitale. Complimenting Tim's question asking skills. The art of asking questions to athletes and just listening. New gerbils. Calling games from in between the benches. Joey didn't get invited to the gala. Joey's insight on last night's win over the Panthers. We're gonna have a drive by surprise guest.(19:33-31:28) Drops of the Week. Drops of the Week. We've got a surprise guest on the line. Caller Tom. Tom Ackerman joins us. Tom is a Jackson defender. National Champion Tom Ackerman. The win still doesn't feel real. SLU will be a tough matchup with they make the tournament. Putting the radio wars on hold for now.(31:38-53:47) Gabe DeArmond of Power Mizzou joins us and he's fired up for the Walk Up The Hill for the Mississippi State game? Not sure that Mizzou is that good. Dennis Gates' development of players. Government names. Pig Brown. Rich in Warrenton is on the line and wants to talk Charles S. Dutton. Tales of Dan Devine and Warrenton Golf Course. Top notch call regardless of what the texters say.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We talk a lot about slowing down and how it's really good for us, but we talk much less about what it means to stay.  Like really stay.... without doing it for productivity gains.  This episode explores holding space for yourself,  not as a technique, but as a way of inhabiting yourself, experiencing yourself without the need to learn from it yet (and why that's really good for your HPA axis!)Join me for this short but profound episode. ******************‘Becoming' is the new membership I've created for this phaseBecoming is a space for women in this in-between phase where old identities no longer fit, and new ones haven't fully arrived yet.The waitlist is now open.

Links & Mentions: Consult booking link: www.dryazdancoaching.com/consult Email me: DrDYazdan@gmail.com Make more money video: www.dryazdancoaching.com/MDM Follow me for more tips: (@DrYazdan) www.instagram.com/dryazdan and (@DrYazdanCoaching) www.Instagram.com/dryazdancoaching Episode Summary: Inside this episode, we break down the unspoken power structures in the operatory, within your team, and in your patient relationships — and how to use this awareness to elevate your entire practice

204. The Journey of Core Leadership   TVF 204 – The Journey of Core Leadership (with Miki Feldman Simon   In this episode of the Visibility Factor podcast, host Susan M Barber speaks with Miki Feldman Simon. She is a former corporate executive, speaker, and now the author of CORE Leadership. Some of the topics included  her transitions into multiple roles and companies in leadership and her journey to becoming an author. The importance of self-leadership, navigating career transitions, and the CORE leadership framework that Miki has developed and included in her new book. The conversation emphasizes the significance of self-reflection, operationalizing values, and the power of pausing to make intentional decisions. Miki shares personal stories and insights from her coaching experiences, highlighting the impact of clarity and purpose in leadership. Takeaways Miki has a diverse background in leadership roles across various industries. Transitions in career can be navigated by recognizing transferable skills. Self-reflection is crucial for understanding personal values and priorities. The author's journey involved setting clear goals and seeking feedback. The Core Leadership framework emphasizes self-leadership and intentionality. Operationalizing values helps align actions with personal beliefs. Pausing can lead to better decision-making and creativity. Real-life applications of the framework can transform leadership styles. Visibility in leadership is about showing up authentically and intentionally. Changing one's mind is a sign of growth and adaptability. The book that Miki recommends is Think Again by Adam Grant To learn more about Miki's work and her new book: https://mikifeldmansimon.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikifeldmansimon/ Other resources mentioned in the podcast:

There's a belief there may come a point when insurers' goodwill runs out in areas most exposed to climate risk. AA Insurance has told Buller District Council it's temporarily stopped offering new home and landlord cover in Westport due to flood risk, though existing policies can still be renewed. MinterEllisonRuddWatts insurance partner Andy Horne told Mike Hosking it's unusual for an insurer to be this open. He says the reality is insurers are increasingly making risk-based decisions about where they'll offer cover. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apply to Work With Tier 11: https://www.tiereleven.com/apply-now CPAs look awful, so you pause the ads, and then revenue drops across channels. That's not you. That's the new reality of Meta Andromeda and the GEM-style ecosystem where “underperformers” can be the very ads feeding your whole business.John Moran is back to help us break down why cost per result and conversion columns can completely derail your decision-making. We walk through a real example where shifting spend away from a core set of ads didn't just hurt Meta; it dragged down Amazon, Google, and everything else. Stick around to learn how we analyze ads by spend, identify themes the market is responding to, and only layer in conversion data after we've found the real winners.In This Episode:- Why you should stop pausing “underperforming” ads- Case study: Analyzing active ads differently- How spending shifts affect performance across channels- Using ad spend instead of conversions to find winning ads- Real-life example of using spend to analyze ads- CPA and conversion data challengesMentioned in the Episode:Previous Episode On Why Meta Is The Best Ad Platform: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRnglXjlwMo Partner With Our Meta Ads Experts: https://www.tiereleven.com/apply Listen to This Episode on Your Favorite Podcast Channel:Follow and listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perpetual-traffic/id1022441491 Follow and listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/59lhtIWHw1XXsRmT5HBAuK Subscribe and watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@perpetual_traffic?sub_confirmation=1We Appreciate Your Support!Visit our website: https://perpetualtraffic.com/ Follow us on X: https://x.com/perpetualtraf Connect with John Moran:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmorangadsConnect with Ralph Burns: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphburns Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ralphhburns/ Hire Tier11 - https://www.tiereleven.com/apply-now Connect with Lauren Petrullo:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/laurenepetrullo/LinkedIn -

In this episode, Michael Easley sits down with Jon Gauger, author, radio personality, and lifelong lover of Scripture, to explore how the Psalms can transform the way we think and speak to ourselves. From anxiety and impatience to sleepless nights and moments of regret, Jon shares how memorizing and meditating on Psalms reshapes our self-talk, helps us navigate life's challenges, and strengthens our relationship with God. Jon shares his personal journey of replacing negative thoughts with Scripture, including practical examples from his daily life, work, and travels. Michael and Jon also discuss the life of David—the ultimate example of a man after God's own heart—and how his Psalms provide guidance, encouragement, and hope for us today. If you've ever struggled with self-doubt, worry, or mental fatigue, this episode will show you the power of Scripture to renew your mind and bring peace to your soul. What You'll Learn in This Episode: -How to use the Psalms to combat negative self-talk and anxiety -Practical steps for memorizing Scripture and making it a daily habit -Ways Scripture can bring calm during sleepless nights and stressful days -Lessons from the life of David on repentance, humility, and faith -How to respond wisely and peacefully in moments of crisis -Why worship, patience, and praise are choices that shape our thinking -Real-life stories of mentors, travel experiences, and moments of faith in action Timestamps & Topics Discussed: 0:00 – Opening prayer and welcome 0:29 – Michael's love for the Psalms and teaching them 1:27 – Introduction of Jon Gauger and Powerful Self-Talk from the Psalms 3:12 – Why Jon wrote the book: transforming negative self-talk 7:31 – Understanding constant self-talk and what Scripture says about it 10:21 – Using Psalms for rest and sleep 13:19 – Waiting patiently and trusting God (Psalm 27) 18:12 – “Relax, He's Doing the Doing” and committing your soul 19:41 – Choosing worship and praise in daily life 20:56 – How social media affects self-talk 25:36 – Pausing and trusting God in crises 28:46 – Brag on God: encouraging others through our response 33:58 – How Scripture memorization influences thought, speech, and action 35:16 – David's life as a model for self-talk, repentance, and faith 38:16 – Psalm 51: turning to God in moments of sin and regret 39:15 – Closing reflections and encouragement to engage with Scripture Links Mentioned: Powerful Self-Talk From The Psalms by Jon Gauger Follow on Instagram and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelinContext https://www.instagram.com/dreasley/ For more information on Dr. Michael Easley and Ask Dr. E Visit: https://www.michaelincontext.com

Life with other people is full of opportunities to practice patience—because people will annoy us. Sometimes it’s the small things: lateness, forgetfulness, insensitive comments, noisy habits, or careless moments that stack up until irritation starts to simmer. When we feel annoyed, it’s easy to believe we’re justified in snapping back, withdrawing, or keeping a mental record of someone’s faults. But this devotional reminds us that annoyance is often a crossroads: we can react from the flesh, or respond with grace. Grace doesn’t pretend wrong is right. It simply chooses love over resentment in the many everyday moments when someone falls short. And the reason we can extend grace is because God has already given us grace—more than we could ever earn or deserve. Our relationship with Him is built entirely on His mercy toward our own shortcomings. Using 1 Peter 4:8, the devotional paints a helpful picture: love “covers” like a blanket. Instead of exposing every irritating mistake to the harsh light of judgment, love chooses to cover it—letting small offenses go rather than turning them into walls between people. That kind of grace protects relationships and keeps minor annoyances from becoming major divisions. This doesn’t mean ignoring serious harm or refusing to address sin that needs confrontation. But for the multitude of small, everyday irritations, the call is to pause, breathe, pray, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us see others the way God sees them. Sometimes empathy grows when we remember people may be stressed, tired, hurting, or overwhelmed. And when we choose to cover with love instead of react with anger, God’s grace flows through our relationships—blessing everyone involved, including us. Main Takeaways Annoyance is common, but it’s an opportunity to respond with grace instead of irritation. God calls us to extend grace because we’ve received grace for our own mistakes. Love “covers” many small offenses, preventing minor irritations from becoming major division. Pausing to pray can interrupt reactive anger and invite the Spirit’s guidance. Empathy helps—people may be acting out of stress, pain, or exhaustion. Today’s Bible Verse “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” - 1 Peter 4:8, NIV Your Daily Prayer Here is a brief excerpt from today’s prayer: “Fill my heart with your deep love so it can act like a blanket, covering their mistakes instead of exposing them.” You can listen to the full prayer or read the devotional at the links below. Looking for more daily encouragement and faith-filled content? LifeAudio – Discover daily devotionals, Christian podcasts, and biblical encouragement at LifeAudio.com Crosswalk – Explore faith, prayer, and Christian living resources at Crosswalk.com This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. “Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In today's Daily Shift, we explore the pressure to react quickly — to respond, explain, or have an opinion before you've had time to check in with yourself. Urgency is often mistaken for responsibility, but responding immediately isn't the same as responding intentionally. This episode offers permission to pause, allowing your nervous system the time it needs to register what's happening before choosing how to engage. Pausing isn't avoidance or indifference — it's a form of care that supports clarity, regulation, and grounded communication. In this episode, we explore: Why urgency can override self-awareness The difference between reacting and responding How pausing supports nervous system regulation Choosing clarity over pressure A gentle reminder from today's shift: You don't owe immediate responses Pausing is a form of care Clarity comes from slowing the moment down Take a breath and allow yourself the space to respond with intention.

Many survivors of covert narcissistic abuse feel calmer the moment they stop explaining themselves. In this episode, we explore why over-explaining becomes a survival response, how hypervigilance and emotional exhaustion keep the nervous system on high alert, and why pausing brings real relief. For many people, explaining didn't come from insecurity—it came from learning that safety depended on being understood. Over time, this pattern trains the body to stay in fight-or-flight, constantly preparing to defend, clarify, or soften. Renee shares a personal “popcorn moment,” a rare instance of staying calm while reactive behavior unfolded, and how stepping back made it possible to observe patterns clearly without taking them personally. This is not an episode about making decisions, setting boundaries, or taking action. It's about permission. Permission to pause. Permission to stop explaining, fixing, or defending. And permission to let your nervous system settle before asking yourself what comes next. If clarity has left you feeling tired instead of empowered, this episode offers relief—not urgency—and reinforces that pausing is not avoidance. It is regulation. DISCLAIMER:THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY RENEE SWANSON, COVERT NARCISSISM PODCAST, AND CNG LIFE COACHING IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE USED FOR DIAGNOSIS PURPOSES AND NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR CLINICAL CARE. PLEASE CONSULT A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FOR GUIDANCE SPECIFIC TO YOUR CASE. THIS MATERIAL DISCUSSES NARCISSISM IN GENERAL. RENEE SHARES STORIES FROM HER PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AS WELL AS FROM THOSE SHE HAS TALKED WITH FOR SEVERAL YEARS. HER MATERIAL DOES NOT CLAIM THAT ANY SPECIFIC PERSON HAS NARCISSISM AND SHOULD NOT BE USED TO REFER TO ANY SPECIFIC PERSON AS HAVING NARCISSISM. PERMISSION IS NOT GRANTED TO LINK TO OR REPOST THIS MATERIAL TO SUPPORT AN ALLEGATION OR SUPPORT A CLAIM THAT ANY SPECIFIC PERSON IS A NARCISSIST. THAT WOULD BE AN UNAUTHORIZED MISUSE OF THE MATERIAL AND INFORMATION PROVIDED. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You understand why you avoid. You see the pattern. And you're still doing it. In this episode, Kim Polinder explores the frustrating gap between self-awareness and actual change — and why insight alone rarely leads to different behavior. Rather than framing change as a decision or a motivation problem, this conversation breaks down procrastination as a capacity issue. Kim walks through four common "false fixes" people rely on when they're trying to change — strategies that look responsible on the surface but quietly reinforce avoidance. Using real-life relational examples, nervous system science, and practical reframes, this episode explains why waiting to feel calm, trying to be perfect, forcing yourself through hard moments, or endlessly consuming self-help content often backfires. The focus is not on fixing yourself, but on building emotional capacity: the ability to stay present with discomfort, repair when things go sideways, and stop turning one hard moment into a verdict about who you are. Timestamps & Topics [00:00:00] – The Conundrum: Why self-awareness doesn't change behavior. [00:01:39] – Defining Capacity: Why change requires extreme discomfort. [00:02:48] – False Fix #1: Waiting to feel calm or "ready" before acting. [00:03:59] – False Fix #2: The perfectionism trap and the cost of "doing it right". [00:06:50] – False Fix #3: Forcing exposure without a support system. [00:08:45] – Pausing to Avoid vs. Pausing to Build Capacity. [00:14:09] – False Fix #4: Searching for the "Golden Key" of insight. [00:16:40] – Short-term relief vs. Long-term training of the nervous system. [00:19:35] – Why willpower fails under emotional threat. [00:22:00] – Compassionate Curiosity: How to stop abandoning yourself. [00:24:37] – Why we lose access to our skills when triggered. [00:27:13] – The Lab Partner: The necessity of community and repair. [00:29:14] – Invitation to the Virtual Cohort: Building capacity in real-time. Kim's website: https://www.kimpolinder.com/ Kim's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kp_counseling/ Kim's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@engineeringlovepodcast

So much of life happens at full speed. We move from task to task, responsibility to responsibility, often missing the quiet gifts God places in our path. This devotional begins with a small interruption in the middle of an ordinary chore—one unexpected moment of wonder as a hummingbird appears near wildflowers. Just a few seconds of stillness became a reminder that God is present, creative, and kind. Sometimes it doesn’t take a major life event to wake our hearts up again; it can be something as small as noticing what God has made. The devotional points us to a bigger truth: creation itself is a constant testimony to God’s goodness. Paul spoke of this when people mistakenly tried to worship him and Barnabas after a healing. He redirected their attention to the true God, reminding them that the Lord has already shown His kindness through everyday gifts like rain, harvest, and the joy that comes from being provided for. God’s care isn’t hidden—He has written evidence of His character into the world around us. For those who follow Jesus, nature becomes more than scenery. It becomes a steady invitation to remember who God is: faithful, generous, and attentive. A leaf, a cloud, the warmth of the sun, the scent of flowers—each can pull us out of the swirl of stress and back into gratitude. When we pause to notice, we’re reminded that God is still at work, still providing, still loving, and still worthy of praise. Today’s devotional encourages us to build that pause into our rhythm—making space to marvel, to thank Him, and to let the ordinary goodness of creation restore our hearts. Main Takeaways God often reminds us of His presence through small, everyday moments of wonder. Creation provides ongoing testimony to God’s kindness, provision, and care. Pausing to notice helps interrupt stress and re-center the heart in gratitude. Even simple gifts—rain, food, beauty—reflect God’s faithful goodness. Wonder can lead us to worship when we choose to slow down and pay attention. Today’s Bible Verse “Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy” (Acts 14:17, NIV). Your Daily Prayer Here is a brief excerpt from today’s prayer: “Help me to regularly take time to pause and marvel at what You have made… allowing the beauty and wonder of nature to remind me of Your love and kindness.” You can listen to the full prayer in this episode or devotional at https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-daily-prayer/ Looking for more daily encouragement and faith-filled content? LifeAudio – Discover daily devotionals, Christian podcasts, and biblical encouragement at LifeAudio.com Crosswalk – Explore faith, prayer, and Christian living resources at Crosswalk.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if stepping back from your career isn't failure, but the most ambitious decision you'll ever make?In this deeply validating and paradigm‑shifting conversation, I sit down with Neha Ruch, founder of Mother Untitled and author of The Power Pause, to dismantle everything we've been taught about ambition, worth, and identity after motherhood.Neha gives language to a season so many women live in silently: the in‑between. The pause. The questioning. The reinvention.If you've ever felt torn between who you were and who you're becoming, this episode will meet you right where you are.What you'll get out of this episode… Why wanting more time with your children doesn't make you “less driven”How career pauses can actually become reclamation, not regressionThe guilt, shame, and societal pressure ambitious women face when they slow downHow to answer the dreaded question: “So… what do you do?”Why redefining success is the most radical move you can makeHow to make this choice strategically, not reactivelyConnect with NehaWEB / https://www.motheruntitled.com/aboutusIG / https://www.instagram.com/neha_ruch BOOK / https://www.thepowerpause.com/thepowerpause This Episode is Sponsored by Chai TonicsStarting the year without pressure? Same. I'm choosing ritual over resolution with Chai Tonics — a calming chai ritual for focus, gentle energy, and nervous-system support when January feels loud. Try it at https://bit.ly/trychaitonics  and use code BRAVETABLE for 15% off.Breathe better with JASPRAs a mama healing from mold toxicity, air quality has become deeply personal for me. JASPR removes 97.1% of mold in just 1 hour. Use code BRAVE for $400 OFF: https://jaspr.co/brave Support your body with REJŪVMy go-to science-backed red light therapy for faster recovery, reduced soreness, and deeper repair. Try it today with code BRAVETABLE: Https://werejuv.com/?ref=NEETABHUSHANFollow along for more tips, community, and resources to brave a better you!YOUTUBE / @TheBraveTableIG / @neetabhushan IG / @thebravetable TIKTOK / @neeta.bhushanWEB / https://neetabhushan.comIf you loved this episode, check out…Ep. #358: Why “Good Mothers” Lose Themselves (And How to Reclaim You) with Vanessa Bennett (Apple | Spotify | YouTube)Ep. #301: Braving Burnout, Motherhood & Identity: The Unlearning We All Need with Michelle Grosser (Apple | Spotify | YouTube)Ep. #370: Founder, Mama, ADHD? How to Stop Shaming Your Brain & Start Thriving (Apple | Spotify | YouTube)To receive a free gift, email a screenshot of your 5-star review of The Brave Table to support@globalgrit.co

"We named the dog Indy."This week's scariest movie is... Good Boy. This film has everything: Pausing for paws. WW1 pilots. And playing fetch till your arm falls off. If you love kibble noodle soup energy, top-billed dogs, and serious Courage the Cowardly Dog energy, this episode's for you!Please Subscribe, Rate, and Review The Horror Virgin to help more people discover our community.What did you think of our episode on Good Boy? Tell us on social media @HorrorVirgin FB/IG, @HorrorVirginPod TwitterUp Next: Bring Her Back (2025)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Happy Potluck Saturday, Heal Squad. This one starts with stories… and ends with a line that might change how you walk into rooms, conversations, and family gatherings in 2026: We're not doing this. Kev reflects on saying yes too fast, learning to pause with “let me get back to you,” and why excitement doesn't have to mean instant commitment. From business decisions to big life choices, sometimes the most powerful move is giving yourself space to think. Kev shares a New Year's Eve moment where the old pattern almost took over… and how choosing not to chase, fix, or manage it changed everything. This episode is a reminder that you don't have to ride every merry-go-round you're invited onto. You're allowed to walk away. You're allowed to protect your energy. And you're allowed to say, calmly and clearly, this stops here. Talk shawtly!   -- HEAL SQUAD SOCIALS IG: https://www.instagram.com/healsquad/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healsquadxmaria HEAL SQUAD RESOURCES: Heal Squad Website:https://www.healsquad.com/ Heal Squad x Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HealSquad/membership Maria Menounos Website: https://www.mariamenounos.com My Curated Macy's Page: Shop My Macy's Storefront EMR-Tek Red Light: https://emr-tek.com/discount/Maria30 for 30% off Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/maria  AG1: https://www.drinkag1.com/healsquad Use code: HEALSQUAD ABOUT MARIA MENOUNOS: Emmy Award-winning journalist, TV personality, actress, 2x NYT best-selling author, former pro-wrestler and brain tumor survivor, Maria Menounos' passion is to see others heal and to get better in all areas of life. ABOUT HEAL SQUAD x MARIA MENOUNOS: A daily digital talk-show that brings you the world's leading healers, experts, and celebrities to share groundbreaking secrets and tips to getting better in all areas of life. DISCLAIMER: This Podcast and all related content (published or distributed by or on behalf of Maria Menounos or http://Mariamenounos.com and http://healsquad.com) is for informational purposes only and may include information that is general in nature and that is not specific to you. Any information or opinions provided by guest experts or hosts featured within website or on Company's Podcast are their own; not those of Maria Menounos or the Company. Accordingly, Maria Menounos and the Company cannot be responsible for any results or consequences or actions you may take based on such information or opinions. This podcast is presented for exploratory purposes only. Published content is not intended to be used for preventing, diagnosing, or treating a specific illness. If you have, or suspect you may have, a health-care emergency, please contact a qualified health care professional for treatment.