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On this episode, my guest is Hasan Kerim Güç. Kerim graduated from Istanbul High School in 1992 and from Yildiz Technical University in 1996. Between 1997-2004, he completed his master's degree in Information Systems and Business Administration in Baltimore, USA. He returned to Turkey in 2010. Realizing that the treasure he had been looking for for 14 years was right in his own home, he took the position of Chief Editor at Nefes Publishing House in 2014. Kerim nourishes his business life with Sufi studies and is pursuing a doctoral degree from the Usküdar University Institute for Sufi Studies. He has published four books.Show Notes* Rejecting the American Dream* Anatolian and Sufi Hospitality* Sufis and the Ottomans* Tanri misafiri (“God's guest”)* Togetherness, and the roots of Religion* When we welcome suffering, we make honey out of pain* Submission, servants and the prophet Mohammed* The Conference of the Birds / Stories from the Thirty Birds* Limits to hospitality in the Islamic world* Bereket / Baraka* Rumi's Guest HouseHomework* Kerim Vakfı* Stories from the Thirty Birds* Cemalnur Sargut: A Sufi Life of Love, Suffering, and Divine Union* Cemalnur Sargut Books* Kerim Guc - Instagram* Kyoto University Kenan Rifai Center for Sufi Studies* Ken'an Rifâî Chair of Islamic Studies at Peking University* University of North Carolina (UNC) Ken'an Rifâî Chair in Islamic StudiesTranscriptChris: [00:00:00] Welcome to the End of Tourism podcast, Kerim. Hoș geldiniz.Kerim: Thank you very much for having me.Chris: Yeah, it's my pleasure. Thank you for joining me today. Perhaps you could tell our listeners, where you find yourself and what the world looks like there for you.Kerim: Well, first of all, I'm an immigrant also. I was an immigrant. I lived in the US for a while, and then I came back to to my own country. And things are very different here than there, than it is in US. From the perspective of what I did... I was actually an engineer, and I was working in the IT fields, and I was living the American dream, and then I realized that there was some kind of an emptiness, and this whole thing, and I decided to go back to Turkey and [00:01:00] study Sufism, and since my mother was actually a Sufi teacher. She decided to actually move this whole Sufism into academia. So, she basically established an institute in Istanbul - Üsküdar Istanbul - at the University of Üsküdar. The difference between this institute and the other schools, the people like myself, like engineers, coming from different disciplines, including lawyers and whatnot, they were not able to do their masters or PhDs in Sufism, because in other universities, they require for you to actually have theology backgrounds. But with this new establishment, we were able to educate people from all different disciplines and, [00:02:00] so we basically concentrated on ethics rather than the religion itself.So, a lot of people coming from different areas, especially the white-collar people, living this, like - how do I say that? - it's a world of money and materialism and all kind of that stuff. They're coming to our institute and realizing that money or career is not the only goal for life.And we started to concentrating on things like spirituality more than the materialist world.Chris: Thank you. Well, I'm very much looking forward to exploring these themes with you and a little bit of the work that you do with Kerim Vakfı.Kerim: Sure.Chris: And so for the last season of the podcast, I'm very much interested in focusing on different hospitality traditions and practices from around the [00:03:00] world, as I mentioned to you. And, one of the key themes of the podcast is radical hospitality. Now, the word “radical” comes from Latin and it means “rooted,” or we might even say “local” or “living.”And so. I'm curious if there are any radical hospitality practices that you think are unique to your place, to Istanbul, or to the Sufi community that you might be willing to share with us today?Kerim: Well, Istanbul, actually, is a very metropolitan city. So like the other metropolitan cities, we kind of lost that - what we call the hospitality of Anatolia. Anatolia is basically the Eastern part of Istanbul. And in Istanbul, we have, right now, 25 million people in a very small area. And in older days when the population was smaller, [00:04:00] we were able to show our hospitality, because the Turkish hospitality is very famous, actually. In this area the hospitality is very famous, including the, you know, Greek and Arab hospitality. Usually, it's a little bit different than the western countries.For instance, we welcome people - we used to, and probably still, in the countryside - the people coming from other cities or countries or whatnot. The locals actually helped them out as much as possible. They even invite them to their own houses and let them stay for how long they want to stay. And this was kind of like a regular thing in the old days. It's still going on very much in the eastern side of Turkey, pretty much in the countryside. [00:05:00] But Istanbul, like other cosmopolitan cities, we kinda lost that. You know, neighbourly things. We have a lot of neighbours and we we have always good... we used to have a lot of good relationship with them, but nowadays, again, because of this material world, we kind of lost this hospitality.So from the Sufi point of view, hospitality is very important. It's interesting that you mentioned the “radical.” You were talking about where “radical” come from, but you didn't talk about where “hospitality” comes from. See, there is a relationship between the hospital and the hospitality and the way the Sufis look at things is very much like the illnesses in our body are our guests. So, we don't think that they're bad for you. They're actually [00:06:00] the guests of our house for a time being. So we show them the hospitality as much as we can, and then hopefully we say goodbye to them.Chris: Wow. Wow. That's fascinating. I do know that the term “hospitality,” hospital is part of that, and hospital historically came from these notions of hospitality. I mean, in the western world in, and at least in the Christian world, there's a kind of unauthorized history in which a lot of this hospitality, as you mentioned, that was offered to the stranger, was done by the families or the individual houses or homes within a community. A stranger would come and they would ask for hospitality, ask for food and shelter, and the family would have to decide whether to do that and how to do it. [00:07:00] And then at some point, the institution of the Church kind of stepped in and said, “you know what? You don't have to do this anymore. When the stranger comes to the community, when they show up at your door, just send them to us. Just send them to the church and we'll give them what they need.”And so this did a number of things, but the two most obvious ones, I think, are that the family, the individuals in the family and the community on a grassroots level, slowly ended up losing their ability, their unique kind of familial or personal ability to host the stranger. And at the same time, of course, the church used this as a way to try to convert, the stranger.Kerim: Right.Chris: And so I'm curious if there's anything in that realm that you see in the Islamic world, maybe in the Sufi world... you mentioned that, since the [00:08:00] imposition of modernity and the industrial Revolution in the world, we see less and less possibilities for small-scale, grassroots hospitality between people, in part, because there's so much movement, and of course, because the hospital has its brothers and sisters in the sense of the “hotel” and the “hostel.”Kerim: Absolutely.Chris: So, I'm curious if there's anything like that that comes to mind for you in regards to the Islamic world.Kerim: Well, one thing is about like the Ottomans. The Ottomans, when they were coming from the Anatolia and then started conquering all those places in the Balkan area, Greece and Bulgaria, Hungary and all those places, after they actually conquered, they sent Sufis to those places. And, like in Hungary, there is a person, his name is [00:09:00] Gül Baba, which means “Rose Father.” That's what they call him. He actually has his own tekke (tekke is like a church for Sufis). And this place, it's like a school more, more like a school, but it's a religious school.And in this tekke, he actually finds all those people with needs, and he pretty much helped them out with all those needs. And the people coming from different religions, they actually started liking people like from the Turks' point of view, because the Turks were symbolized by these Sufi movements. And instead of, you know, pushing people to convert or demolishing the churches and rebuilding mosques and stuff. Instead of that, they actually [00:10:00] welcomed people from all over the world, or all over the place, basically, to stay in the tekke, to eat and to get education in the tekke. So this was a great strategy of Ottomans. That's how they actually stayed in Europe for almost like 600 years. So that was very much like, you know, their strategy, I think. And in a good way.Chris: Yeah, you know, in my research I found out that there's still Sufi orders in the Balkans a group called the Bektashi.Kerim: Right.Chris: And of course, with the very little historical understanding that I had, I was very surprised. I had no idea. But of course, when I eventually went to visit the regions that my father is from, I saw churches, synagogues, and mosques, all in the same little neighbourhoods.[00:11:00] So, quite an impressive kind of understanding that the major religions in those places could coexist for so long. And that in the context of someone who grew up in North America, who thought it was the opposite (previously) and such things are so difficult.Kerim: Right. Right.Chris: So, Kerim, a mutual friend of ours has told me, that in the Turkish language, there is a phrase (and excuse my pronunciation). The phrase is tanri misafiri.Kerim: Right.Chris: Which translates into English as something like “God's guest.”Kerim: Right.Chris: Or “the guest sent by God.”Kerim: Right. Right.Chris: And so I'm wondering if you could speak about this phrase, maybe what it means to you and where you think it comes from?Kerim: Well, in Anatolia, it's a very famous phrase. And like I said previously, you know anybody coming from somewhere else, who comes into somebody's [00:12:00] house, is allowed to stay in the house as “the guest of God,” because we believe that God has sent that guest to us and we try to... you know, it's more like making that guest happy means making God happy. So, that's the understanding of older generations.In today's metropolitan areas, I don't think it's possible because of the security problems and everything. But like I said, in the countryside, people are very welcoming when it comes to this, because it is very important that knowing that person is actually coming from God, from Allah, so we have to take care of that person as much as possible to please God, actually.So that's how it is. I still see that in many cities in the [00:13:00] more eastern side of Turkey or south side of Turkey, or even north side of Turkey except in the bigger cities. But in the smaller cities, people are much more welcoming, again because of this specific idiom, actually.Chris: From tanri misafiri?Kerim: Right. Tanri means “God” in our language. In the original Turkish language, it's tanri, and, misafiri means “ the guest.”Chris: Yeah. So beautiful. Thank you for sharing that with us.Kerim: Absolutely.Chris: And so when guests arrive in a home, you know, in English, at least in, in the context of the older traditions, it is said that the guest or the potential guest, the stranger, asks for hospitality. They don't necessarily say “ they ask for food,” which we can imagine that surely they [00:14:00] do. They don't necessarily say that “they ask for shelter” or “accommodation,” which we surely we could imagine they do. But the literature often says they ask for hospitality.And so, when we think of hospitality today, we often think about people sitting around a table eating food together. And so I'm curious if there's a shared understanding among Sufis or at least the community that you live among and in, about the importance of both eating food and eating food together.Kerim: Togetherness is probably one of the most important things in the Islamic religion. Because like even our way of worshiping God - Allah - we try to do that in a union as much as possible. It is very interesting, the words that “religion” comes from.[00:15:00] Re- means “again,” and legion means “union.”So it's almost like “religion” itself means “to recreate the union,” “to reshape the union,” “ to have the union back,” because we have the tendency to be alone. And even you can imagine that in the western countries, in the western world, a lot of people want to be alone.Like, there's a lot of individuals rather than a group of people. And in the eastern world, it's a little bit different. We are more like family-oriented people. We try to do things together. I mean, there are advantages and disadvantages obviously, but there is a difference between them.So, we always had this [notion that] “the more is better,” basically. You know, more people is better. So, we help each other, [00:16:00] we understand each other, we talk about our problems. When we try to solve them, it's easier together. And if there's pain, you know, the pain actually, can be eased with more people, easier, I think, compared to have this pain alone. So, again, we're more family-oriented people.And the Sufi are very much like that. The Sufi always pray together, and they think that it creates a n energy, basically. It produces an energy that basically helps all of them at the same time, in a union.Chris: Hmm hmm. And do you find that sitting down for a meal together also creates that kind of union, or recreates as you were saying?Kerim: I think so. Doing any kind of activities, including eating... eating is basically the most common activity [00:17:00] that we do in our daily life and getting together, to talk about our things together, and discuss things together, all those things - togetherness, when it comes to the idea of togetherness - I think, is beautiful.Chris: Hmm, hmm. Amen. Yeah, I very much agree with that, Kerim.And so, when we think about hospitality, and we think about food, we often imagine big banquet tables and as you said, this sense of togetherness and celebration.But there's also, you know, from what little I've read, there's also this important aspect of the religious life in the Islamic world, and perhaps in the Sufi world as well that points to, maybe not the absence of food, but a different way of being fed, and a different way of feeding that doesn't [00:18:00] include the food we're used to, the kind of material food. And we often refer to this as fasting. And so, there's a beautiful video that you sent me, Kerim, of your mother speaking, and she recalls a phrase in that video from her own mother who said that “when we welcome suffering, we make honey out of pain.”And so, this is a question I very much want to ask you because I've fasted myself quite intensely. I'm curious, what is the honey that comes from fasting? Or, what do you think is the honey that comes from fasting?Kerim: Right? First of all, yeah, fasting is in our religion. So, we basically do that one month in the whole year. It's called Ramadan. In some cases, we actually do that because our Prophet Muhammad, when he [00:19:00] lived, he was fasting every Monday and every Thursday. So it was like a common practice for some of the religious people. And at least we do that one month in the whole year.And obviously, that month is a little bit difficult, you know, because we not only stop eating, we also stopped drinking and all that stuff. In theory, we should not be lying, we should not be telling bad things to other people or gossiping and all that stuff, but usually we do during that time. I mean, in theory, we should not be doing that.So it's like a whole discipline thing - the whole fasting. And at the end of the thirty days, you become a really, really different person. And first of all, one thing that [00:20:00] I feel, is that you understand the people who do not have food. We still have people in the world, unfortunately, in Africa, and all those places, the people, having less access to food as we do, and we feel like, oh yeah we don't actually thank God for all those things that he's giving to us. And this is the time that you start thinking about the reality and start thanking God for actually giving us all that food, twenty-four hours, seven days [a week]. And when you are fasting during that time, you are understanding the feeling of these people, who are like poor and who cannot eat.There are people now, in the social media, we are seeing people, who never had [00:21:00] chocolates in their life. The people living in these countries or in the cities or metropolitan cities, we never think about these things.So, we take these things for granted, and during that time of fasting, you start thinking about these stuff and then you become more thankful, and that's basically honey itself, after the suffering. And I wouldn't say “suffering,” because we don't suffer as much as they do, honestly.And we're just telling our egos, “just stop for a day to do bad things and stop eating,” and all that stuff that ego wants to have. And again, it's at the end of the thirty days, you become a new person because now you have a different mentality. Now, in the other eleven months, you still forget about these things, but [00:22:00] again, it comes through. It's like a cycle.Chris: Yeah. Yeah. I totally agree with you that, you know, gratitude is the honey and...Kerim: Absolutely.Chris: ...I remember the fasting that I did over the course of four years, and I don't know if it was as intense as the fasting that happens during Ramadan, but doing that fasting and trying to feed something other than myself for a time imbued a degree of hospitality and gratitude that I don't think I had ever felt before. And it sticks to me. It sticks to my bones to this day. And it's something that, like you said, I also have to constantly remind myself of those moments when I sit down to eat a meal, because it's so easy to forget.Kerim: Absolutely. Absolutely. And one thing is [00:23:00] basically during that time of fasting, you basically stop feeding your ego, and start feeding your spirit, basically. That's what I think.Chris: That's beautiful. Yeah. I absolutely understand that. Thank you, Kerim.So my next question is around the word “ submission.” So, translated into English, the word “Islam” means “submission.” Now I've read that this word can also be translated to mean “servants of God.” Servants of God.Now in English, the word “servant” can be synonymous with “host.” A servant and a host. Now, there's a book by an author named Mona Siddiqui called Hospitality in Islam. And in that book she writes, it's actually a quote, but she writes,“'What is faith?' The Prophet replied, ‘the giving of [00:24:00] food and the exchange of greetings.' He ends on a most dramatic note saying, “a house which is not entered by guests is not entered by angels.”Kerim: Perfect. Yeah.Chris: And it seems that in this phrase, the Prophet is suggesting that the way we are with guests and strangers has something to do with how we are with the divine, which I think you kind of alluded to a little bit earlier.And so I'm curious, is this something that you've seen in your own days or in those of others that you know? Is hospitality a practice that connects us to the divine?Kerim: Absolutely. Because reaching God, you need to reach people first. To be able to reach God... when I say “reach God,” meaning be in communication with Him, is basically being in a communication [00:25:00] with the people he created. So, to serve the people is basically serving him from the Islamic point of view.So, and that's a hadith that you mentioned in the book. It's a hadith of Prophet Mohammed, like you said. And Prophet Mohammed always... it was a common practice that he was hosting maybe, you know, 10-15 people every night. And he was a poor person, by the way. I mean, he doesn't have much money, much food or anything, but they share. There was a time that... there's a story that somebody, actually, one of his apostles rather, asks him to visit him for a dinner. So he invites him to a dinner.But during his conversation, Prophet Mommed said, “can I bring my friends too?”[00:26:00]And the apostle says, “of course you can bring your friends.” And he brings hundreds of people. Now, the host only have some bread, and maybe a little bit meat, and a little bit rice in the cup.So, he was ashamed because he doesn't have any money, and the Prophet Mohammed is going to bring all those guests together, and he didn't know what to do. But he uses submission, basically.He said, well, if Prophet Mohammed is coming, then something is going to happen. And as he was thinking all those things, Prophet Mohammed puts his hand on top of the rice holder. And every time he was putting rice onto the dishes, the rice never ends, the meat never ends. So he served like 200 people during this invitation and the food never ended.[00:27:00]So he was happy for his submission, basically.Chris: Wow. Beautiful. Thank you, Kerim.Kerim: Of course.Chris: You know, you have this beautiful book - that is still in the mail, unfortunately I haven't got my hands on it yet, but I'm very much looking forward to it - called Stories From the Thirty Birds, which I understand is inspired by The Conference of the Birds, this incredible book from I think the 1300s.And I'm curious if you could tell us a little bit about that book and what, if any inspiration or maybe teachings around hospitality that come from both, The Conference of the Birds and how you've employed it in your book.Kerim: Right. The Conference of the Birds is really a beautiful story of Farid ud-Din Attar who lived in Nishapur, which is in Khorasan, in Iran, today. And he was one of the very famous [00:28:00] Sufis at that time. He was the teacher of Rumi. A lot of people know Rumi. And he wrote this book about birds, millions of birds, who are in the process of going to their king, which is the phoenix (or what we call it simurg). And during that time, during that travel, they go through seven valleys, and in each valley some of the birds get lost, because the valleys actually symbolize things.Like, the first valley is the valley of intention. So, a lot of birds actually don't have the intention to reach their king. The king is basically symbolizing Allah (God), and the birds are symbolizing us very much, and we are getting [00:29:00] lost during the time of life. Like, our intention is basically this world. If our intention is staying in this world, then we stay in this world. And that's the valley of intention.And a lot of birds, like half of them, actually, get lost in this stage.And the second valley is the valley of love. And the birds that get lost in this valley are the ones that actually think the beauty is in this world, rather than they don't see the beauty of God himself. So they see the shadow of that beauty in the world, but they're content with that beauty, and they don't really want to move on.And again, the third valley is the value of wisdom. And the birds that get lost in this valley are the ones who think that knowledge, [00:30:00] in this world, is more important than anything else, and they don't realize the source of the knowledge is actually their king.So on and so forth, they go through the seven valleys and at the end of the seventh valley, only thirty birds remain. And the thirty birds, they're ready to see their king, and they go through this mountain called Qaf, where the simurg, the phoenix lives (behind the mountain). And it's very difficult to get there, basically. When they get there, they can't find the king over there. They only find a mirror. So, they realize the king is themselves, but more specifically, the union of thirty birds. So simurg - the [00:31:00] phoenix - in Iranian, in Persian means “thirty birds,” actually. Si is “thirty.” “Burg” is “bird,” actually.So from what we understand is, the union of ourselves, what we are seeing, is our reflection, because the king is actually a perfect mirror. But we don't see ourselves, only, we see the union of thirty birds together. So there are birds that we don't think live together. For instance, a hawk doesn't live with a smaller bird together, but in this union, they live together. There in one. And they use whatever advantage they have together. So it's almost like being one and using the characteristics of every single bird [00:32:00] itself.Chris: And I imagine that someone growing up in a culture like that, whether back then or more recently, and hearing this story or hearing it multiple times throughout their life or maybe once a year, that that notion also might arise in the way that they are with others, the way they are with strangers.Kerim: Right.Chris: And so, I have one final question for you, if that's all right?Kerim: Absolutely.Chris: So, before we say farewell I'd like to ask you about Istanbul, and I'd like to ask you about the limits to hospitality. So, last year, on a trip I took to the city I met a friend of a mutual friend of ours, and for a couple of hours we walked around the Karakoy neighbourhood and he spoke to me about how the city has changed quite a bit over the last decade.For many people who grew up in Istanbul, the city [00:33:00] might now appear to be very difficult to live in. He said that the cost of living has skyrocketed. The rents, the rent prices or costs have doubled. And much of this is a combination of tourism and gentrification in the city.Now it seems that many religious traditions speak of the importance of welcoming strangers and offering them hospitality, but they also speak of the limits to such hospitality. In one particular, hadith or saying of the Prophet Mohammed, it is said that “hospitality is for three days. Anything more is charity or sadaqah.”Again, excuse my pronunciation.Kerim: No. That's perfect pronunciation.Chris: And so I'm curious, you mentioned a little bit earlier, in the Sufi community and perhaps in the Islamic communities, there is this notion of togetherness, but also that “more is better.” And so I'm [00:34:00] curious in the context of what's happening in Istanbul and what's happening in many places around the world, do you think there should also be limits to the hospitality that is offered to the guest or stranger?Kerim: Well, of course. I mean, of course we have financial issues here, and it's very difficult for us to actually serve other people as much as we want to. But again, when we are together, even if it's very difficult to live in the city, it's still something, you know?What I see: the rent went up, like you said, so the people try to move into their family houses, the houses there of their families and everything. And in western countries, it's difficult. You usually don't do this kind of stuff, but in our community, it's much easier to do these things. And, you know, the families welcome the children [00:35:00] more than other countries. So that's something I think that's a positive thing.But to the strangers. What do we do for strangers? Obviously, we do as much as possible. We may not be able to serve them as much as we used to, obviously, before this inflation. And we have the highest inflation in the world, or probably the second-highest inflation. So again, it's difficult, and Istanbul became probably one of the most expensive cities in the world. But even that, again, we may not be able to take them to dinner every night, but we serve what we have in the house, like in the Prophet Mohammed's story.Whatever we have, we share. And, we call it bereket, as in Arabic baraka, they call it. Baraka is something [00:36:00] like... we use it for money. It's not “more money.” That's not important. How do I say that? I don't even know how to say it in English, but it's more like “the luck of the money, itself.” Basically, you may be able to buy more stuff with less money based on your luck. That's basically what we call it. Bereket. So the bereket is much more important than the amount of the money or the financial thing. And the bereket always goes up when you share it.Chris: Beautiful. Yeah, I love that. I mean, in English, not to reduce it at all, but in English we say, quality over quantity.”Kerim: Yeah, absolutely.Chris: And you said that, in order to offer hospitality or the hospitality that we would like to offer to our guests, sometimes maybe that means not doing it all the time, [00:37:00] because one simply cannot. Right. It's not possible.Kerim: Right.Chris: But yeah, it's a really beautiful point.Kerim: Rumi is a very important Sufi, probably known by many Americans. Even the world knows him. He wrote a poem, which is about the guests. So, if you don't mind, I'm gonna read that, uh, it's called the Guest House and it goes like:This human life is a guest house. Every dawn, a new visitor arrives.A gladness, a sadness, a pettiness, a flash of insights all come knocking, unannounced.Welcome them all. Make room even if a band of sorrows storms inand clears your rooms of comfort.Still honour every guest.[00:38:00] Perhaps they empty you to prepare you for something brighter.The gloomy thought, the shame, the bitterness,greet them at the door with a smile, and lead them inside.Be thankful for whoever comes, for each is sent as a messenger from the beyond.So that's a poem by Rumi, and I think it pretty much explains the whole hospitality thing.Chris: Yeah, that's a gorgeous, gorgeous poem. I love that. I'll make sure that's up on the End of Tourism website when the episode launches.And so finally, Kerim, uh, I'd like to thank you so very much for being willing to join me today, to be willing to speak in a language that is not your first, or mother tongue, and to share with us some of the beauty that has touched your days. Before we say goodbye, [00:39:00] perhaps you could tell our listeners how they can follow and learn more about Kerim Vakfı, Stories from the 30 Birds, your book, and any other projects you might want them to know about.Kerim: We have a Sufi centre in North Carolina, at the University of North Carolina. We have a centre in China, Beijing University, and another center in Kyoto University in Japan. And my mother's book about the commentary of some Quranic verses is the one. For instance, Yasin is available through Amazon and my book Stories from the 30 Birds is available on Barnes and Noble and all that other places in US.Chris: Beautiful. Well, I'll make sure that those links are all available on the End of Tourism website and on my Substack when the episode comes out. [00:40:00] And on behalf of our listeners, tesekkur, tesekkur.Kerim: I thank you. Get full access to Chris Christou at chrischristou.substack.com/subscribe
Bob DeMarco shows off his growing Microtech knife collection in Episode 661 of The Knife Junkie podcast. Starting with the SOCOM Elite, which represents so many firsts in his knife life, Bob walks through the SOCOM Elite Auto, the SOCOM Bravo made by Rike Knives, the SOCOM Elite Ram-Lok, the LUDT Gen 3, the Ultratech and Troodon double-edged out-the-fronts, the Stitch (a Borka Blades collaboration), and the new Amphibian with a Ram-Lok. He even pulls out a clone of the Stitch to show the difference between the real thing and a knockoff.Before the Microtech segment, Bob runs through a stacked pocket check featuring the Off-Grid Knives Polaris XL in Vanax steel, the Spyderco MicroJimbo, the Cold Steel Urban Edge push dagger, the TKell Knives Adversary, and the Cold Steel Mayhem. In the Knife Life News, he covers the Artisan Cutlery Trust, the Boker Sledgedog, the Sencut Securis, and two new Buck EDC folders, the Ferrox and the Nomad.The First Tool segment tells the story of the Pesh Kabz, a Persian knife designed to punch through armor. Bob explains how this narrow, reinforced blade became both a battlefield sidearm and a richly decorated status object across Persia, Afghanistan, and India.In the State of the Collection, Bob shows off his Edgy American Junkie knife, freshly returned from Shane of Edgy American Bladeworks with a new finish, a reground CruWear blade, a razor edge from Kyle Conley of Clinging Verks Sharpening, and a new leather sheath from 1931 Leatherworks. He also unboxes the Jack Wolf Knives Gateway Barlow in Miami CamoCarbon from the second production run.Whether you are a Microtech fan already or just getting curious about the brand, this episode gives you an honest look at what makes these knives worth collecting, straight from someone who carries them hard and knows the difference between the real deal and everything else.Find the list of all the knives shown in the show and links to the Knife Life news stories at https://theknifejunkie.com/661. Support the Knife Junkie channel with your next knife purchase. Find our affiliate links at https://theknifejunkie.com/knives. You can also support The Knife Junkie and get in on the perks of being a patron, including early access to the podcast and exclusive bonus content. Visit https://www.theknifejunkie.com/patreon for details. Let us know what you thought about this episode and leave a rating and/or a review. Your feedback is appreciated. You can also email theknifejunkie@gmail.com with any comments, feedback, or suggestions. To watch or listen to past episodes of the podcast, visit https://theknifejunkie.com/listen. And for professional podcast hosting, use our preferred platform: https://theknifejunkie.com/podhost.
In this episode, Breht interviews Adnan Husain -- Professor of Medieval history and Chair of the Religious Studies department at Queens college -- about the deep historical roots of today's Middle East. The conversation traces the arc from ancient Persia to the Islamic era, explores how Iran became a center of Shi'a Islam, and examines the long rivalry between Persian and Ottoman power. Along the way, they unpack the Sunni-Shia split, the political role of Turkey in the region, the ways Western narratives about Islam were forged through the Crusades and carried forward into the modern world, Zionist Expansionism, and the ongoing illegal war of aggression waged by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, and indeed, the whole region. Check out Adnan's previous appearences on Rev Left HERE Subscribe to Adnan's YouTube channel HERE Watch Adnan's 2 Part episode on Yemen HERE Listen to Guerrilla History podcast HERE --------------------------------- Support Rev Left and get bonus episodes on Patreon Make a one-time donation to Rev Left at BuyMeACoffee.com/revleftradio Follow RLR on IG HERE Learn more about Rev Left HERE
Co-hosts Nick Hauselman and Jared Yates Sexton analyze a world barreling toward escalation as the Trump administration stares down a closed Strait of Hormuz. While the American economy teeters, European allies have begun navigating their own paths, negotiating directly with Iran and signaling a massive fracture in the Western alliance. The duo examines the disconnect between military reality and the hubris of an administration that seems to have ignored the tactical nightmares of Persian topography and drone warfare. From the potential collapse of the petrodollar to the suspicious timing of Chinese military sorties around Taiwan, the conversation maps out the crumbling of the American global order. This episode also dives into the bizarre rift between Donald Trump and Tucker Carlson. With Carlson alleging a CIA-led criminal referral against him, Nick and Jared peel back the layers of deep politics, investigating whether this is a genuine investigation or a shot across the bow in a brewing far-right civil war. Join our patreon and unlock a lot of great content like Live Shows and our Discord discussion: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast
Quietmind Astrology — Learn Vedic Astrology with Jeremy Devens
Unlock the full potential of the Vedic New Year at https://www.quietmindastrology.com/newmoonThe structures you choose to sync up with deeply shape your psychology and sense of alignment with the world. While the Gregorian calendar is the global civil standard, it was primarily designed by Pope Gregory to organize society around Easter rather than astronomical precision. In this episode, I explore seven different New Year dates—from the Lunar New Year in East Asia to the Vedic Solar and Lunar resets—and how each offers a unique energetic shift. We discuss why many people feel a "haze" rather than a renewal on January 1st and how syncing your life with the cycles of the moon, the sun, and the seasons can point you back to your true nature.QUOTES“The structures you sync up with shape your psychology.”“If you're syncing up with a structure that's just sort of made up, that's going to shape your psychology to follow things that are not so much in sync with you, in sync with nature, or what's really aligned with your spirit and soul.”“The Gregorian calendar is really a civil calendar—a way to organize society.”“From the Vedic sidereal perspective, I think the Vedic lunar new year makes the most sense. It's a reset in the lunar year that is a bit more precise.”TIMESTAMPS00:00 How Time Structures Shape Your Psychology01:15 The Gregorian Calendar: A Civil Tool for Society02:04 The Lunar New Year: Moon Cycles and Tides03:54 2025 Water Snake vs. 2026 Fire Horse Energy05:31 Why January Often Feels Like an Internal "Haze"06:21 The Vedic Solar New Year: Sun Entering Sidereal Aries07:45 The Vedic Lunar New Year: Precision and the Chitra Month09:09 The Significance of the Vernal (Spring) Equinox10:13 2026 Eclipse Portals and New Year Shifts10:34 Persian, Islamic, and Jewish New Year Traditions12:11 Your Birthday as a Personal Sense of Renewal12:58 Chitra Nakshatra: Resetting with the "Big Picture"13:52 Returning to Your True Nature through Seasonal Alignment14:29 Ayurveda: Adapting Your Habits to Your Dosha and DigestionKEYWORDSVedic astrology, Jyotish, Gregorian calendar, Lunar New Year, Vedic Solar New Year, Chitra Nakshatra, Vernal Equinox, Ayurveda, Fire Horse 2026, Water Snake 2025, psychology of time.FREE RESOURCES⭐️ Free Birth Chart: http://www.quietmindastrology.com/freebirthchart⭐️ Free Horoscopes: https://www.quietmindastrology.com/freehoroscopes⭐️ Podcast (Spotify, Apple, etc): https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/astrology⭐️ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/quietmindastrology⭐️ YouTube: http://www.quietmindastrology.com/youtubeWORK WITH ME⭐️ Book a Reading: http://www.quietmindastrology.com/reading⭐️ Decode Your Chart: https://www.quietmindastrology.com/101⭐️ Mentorship: http://www.quietmindastrology.com/mentorship⭐️ Yoga Teacher Training Podcast: https://www.anchor.fm/yogateachertrainingNEXT STEP⭐️ Unlock the full potential of the Vedic New Year at https://www.quietmindastrology.com/newmoon
IMAGINE YOU'RE a teenage boy kidnapped by a foreign army and dragged from your home to a land far far away, placed in a school to indoctrinate you in the ways of your pagan, polytheist captors, trying to survive while remaining faithful to the One True God. That's the beginning of the story of the prophet Daniel, and that is the focus of the new novel by this week's guest and regular contributor to our monthly Iron and Myth series, Brian Godawa (godawa.com). Brian, an award-winning screenwriter and best selling novelist, applies his gift of storytelling to the one of the most compelling characters of the Bible. Daniel saw the progression of the neo-Babylonian kingdom from the time of Nebuchadnezzar until it fell to the Persian king Cyrus the Great. Daniel: Exile in Babylon is the first of a trilogy that tells the story of Daniel, his life, and the warfare in the unseen realm between God's loyal angels and the fallen rebels who compete with one another for power, even as they strive against their creator, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.Click here for more background on Daniel: Exile in Babylon: https://godawa.com/product/daniel-part-1-babylonian-exile/
2. The debate continues with a comparison of Emperor Trump to Nero and Claudius, questioning if his current crisis is a result of bad luck or hubris. While Claudius favored low-risk, calculated campaigns, Trump's offensive is characterized as a "rash and incalculably risky gambit" that mirrors strategic failures in Ukraine. This conflict has solidified the Russia-Chinabond and left Israel "naked and exposed" due to US failures. Germanicus argues that the US ignored the "weak points" of its own coalition, turning Gulf State bases into liabilities rather than security assets. Likening Trump's overconfidence to Hitler's before the invasion of Russia, the speakers suggest that the US has "got suckered" into a war it cannot win through air power alone. They conclude that the only rational path is to accept defeat and reorganize, as the Romans did when facing superior Persian cavalry. (2)1680 CONSTANTINOPLE
IMAGINE YOU'RE a teenage boy kidnapped by a foreign army and dragged from your home to a land far far away, placed in a school to indoctrinate you in the ways of your pagan, polytheist captors, trying to survive while remaining faithful to the One True God. That's the beginning of the story of the prophet Daniel, and that is the focus of the new novel by this week's guest and regular contributor to our monthly Iron and Myth series, Brian Godawa (godawa.com). Brian, an award-winning screenwriter and best selling novelist, applies his gift of storytelling to the one of the most compelling characters of the Bible. Daniel saw the progression of the neo-Babylonian kingdom from the time of Nebuchadnezzar until it fell to the Persian king Cyrus the Great. Daniel: Exile in Babylon is the first of a trilogy that tells the story of Daniel, his life, and the warfare in the unseen realm between God's loyal angels and the fallen rebels who compete with one another for power, even as they strive against their creator, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Click here for more background on Daniel: Exile in Babylon: https://godawa.com/product/daniel-part-1-babylonian-exile/ Follow us! X: @viewfrombunker | @sharonkgilbert | @derekgilbertTelegram: t.me/gilberthouseSubstack: gilberthouse.substack.comYouTube: @GilbertHouse | @UnravelingRevelationFacebook.com/viewfromthebunker Thank you for making our Build Barn Better project a reality! The building has HVAC, a new floor, windows, insulation, ceiling fans, and an upgraded electrical system! We truly appreciate your support. If you are so led, you can help out at www.GilbertHouse.org/donate. —— Download our free app! This brings all of our content directly to your smartphone or tablet. Best of all, we'll never get canceled from our own app! Links to the app stores for iOS, iPadOS, Android, and Amazon Kindle Fire devices are at www.GilbertHouse.org/app. Please join us each Sunday for the Gilbert House Fellowship, our weekly Bible study podcast. Log on to www.GilbertHouse.org for more details. JOIN US IN ISRAEL! We will tour the Holy Land October 11–23, 2026 with an optional three-day extension to Jordan. For more information, log on to GilbertHouse.org/travel. —— Special offers on our books and DVDs: www.gilberthouse.org/store. Discuss these topics at the VFTB Facebook page (facebook.com/viewfromthebunker) and check out the great podcasters at the Fringe Radio Network (Spreaker.com/show/fringe-radio-network)!
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Find me on Substack!Arie van Gemeren is a CFA, Goldman Sachs veteran, and CEO of Lombard Equities Group who translates 2,000 years of wealth-building history into actionable modern real estate and investment strategy.Episode Sponsor: Fiscal AI is a modern data terminal that gives investors instant access to twenty years of financials, earnings transcripts, and extensive segment and KPI data—use my link for a two-week free trial plus 15% off: https://fiscal.ai/talkingbillions/3:00 – Ari's family origin story: grandmother fled Nazi Berlin to South America, father grew up fatherless in Bolivia, came to the U.S. at 18 speaking no English, put himself through medical school. History was alive in the household.5:15 – The contrarian leap from Wall Street to real estate. Started at Fisher Investments, moved to Goldman Sachs, but it was his Persian father-in-law who kept asking: "Why would I do that when I could buy a good property?"7:30 – The live-in flip that changed everything. Bought a Bay Area bungalow for $515K, invested $60K in renovations, saw equity jump to $850–900K. "I was hooked."9:18 – At Goldman, wealthiest clients — especially Middle Eastern tech entrepreneurs — were pouring profits into real estate, not stocks. Pattern recognition clicked.11:59 – Real estate vs. stocks: "They're both tremendous wealth-building asset classes." Ari argues for a portfolio approach — stocks as majority for passive investors, real estate as complement. Introduces the scarcity insight: the stock market is the only market where inventory shrinks over time via buybacks.19:51 – Timeless principles and behavioral finance. Nothing new under the sun — 8,000 years of recorded history isn't enough for human nature to evolve. Patience, discipline, avoiding excessive leverage are the throughlines of lasting fortunes.21:43 – Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union as an investing parable: certainty vs. conviction. "If you are so convinced of your thesis that you cannot hear contrary advice… guys confuse having a strong thesis with it being the absolute truth."33:27 – Concentrated wealth creation. 67% of the world's billionaires are self-made first-generation who built companies — a form of concentration investing.40:17 – Generational wealth traps. The "first generation builds, second maintains, third loses" proverb exists in Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish. Contrasts Vanderbilt collapse with Walton and Grosvenor family structures.47:12 – The Hanseatic League: 500+ years of patient, boring warehouse ownership that generated extraordinary wealth and even conquered Copenhagen.57:33 – Success redefined: "What we're really looking for is freedom and independence."Podcast Program – Disclosure StatementBlue Infinitas Capital, LLC is a registered investment adviser and the opinions expressed by the Firm's employees and podcast guests on this show are their own and do not reflect the opinions of Blue Infinitas Capital, LLC. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice.Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.
After President Trump said Iran seemed ready to make a deal to end the war but the terms weren't good enough, Tehran has been carrying out further missile and drone strikes on US allies across the Middle East. The Iranian foreign minister has denied that Iran has targeted civilian or residential areas in the Middle East - only US military targets. And he said the war would end when Iran was "certain" it could not be repeated. We hear from our Persian service correspondent about what she makes of these claims, and what people inside Iran are worrying about. Also: Iran warns the United Arab Emirates to begin evacuating the port zones in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah. So are people heeding these warnings? We hear from our correspondent in Dubai. Tehran continues to fire missiles towards Israel, most of which were intercepted by air defences. But at least one got through, as we hear from our correspondent in Tel Aviv. And how the war is impacting the oil industry and pushing up prices - we hear how increased use of wind and solar energy could give consumers more predictability in terms of cost. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
HelloIt's with deep sadness that I've learned the passing of Professor Daniel Newman a prominent scholar of Medieval Arab Cuisine and a friend of this podcast.He was a guest four years ago, almost to this day when we talked about Persian cuisine in the middles ages, the influence of Arab and Islam on it, and of course vice versa.It was a fascinating discussion that lasted almost two hours and I thought i'll share with you the best bits, edited down with all the lovely fun facts and delicious recipes of the vast, fascinating period.And of course I want to dedicate this episode to all Iranian people who are suffering at this horrible time, under unimaginable conditions.In memoriam of the lovely Daniel Newman. 1963- 7th March 2026.Love,Thom{The music on this episode is titled nihavend pesrev and is probably by a Greek composer of Ottoman era named Πετράκης (Tiryaki) (1543; - 1600)He was an important Rum composer and musician in the Ottoman empire of the 16th century. He lived in the Istanbul and participated in a dervish order, having the nickname, Tiryaki (theriaklis).Lived probably between 1543 and 1600, and attributed approximately 10 compositions.In some sources mention the Great Petrakis (Petraki I Kebir), but is more likely to relate to Peter the Peloponnesian later. Petros Peloponnesios or Peter the Lampadarios (c. 1735 – 1778). He was a cantor, composer and teacher of Byzantine and Ottoman music. He served as second domestikos (ecclesiastic official of the Byzantine Empire and later part of the Orthodox Church in Constantinople, present day Istanbul) between his arrival about 1764 until the death of Ioannes Trapezountios, and it is assumed that he became lampadarios (leader of the left choir) between 1770 and 1778 at the Great Church of Constantinople, after Daniel the Protopsaltes became Archon Protopsaltes.}Support the podcast on Ko-Fi and Patreon for ad-free episodes! https://ko-fi.com/thedeliciouslegacypodcasthttps://www.patreon.com/c/thedeliciouslegacySupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-delicious-legacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Podgap, Mohsen and Hanie explore one of Iran's most fascinating archaeological treasures: the Hasanlu Golden Bowl. Discovered in 1958 in northwestern Iran, this remarkable artifact dates back more than 3,200 years and is covered with symbolic engravings that reflect ancient myths and beliefs.We talk about the discovery of the bowl, the ancient civilization that lived near Lake Urmia, and the stories behind the figures carved on its surface. In the episode, we explain each character and symbol on the bowl. To make it easier to follow, the images of these figures are included in the Patreon transcript for free. you can just join to the patreon.com/podgap in order to access the transcription of this episode. If Podgap makes your Persian learning journey easier and more enjoyable, share it with your friends — it truly means the world to us!We'd also love to hear from you: drop us a message anytime at podgapp@gmail.comBy subscribing to us at www.patreon.com/podgap you will get access to Persian Transcription & Glossary list of all the episodes that were published.
Exploring the Connection Between Matthew 17 and the Book of Esther For BibleInTen.com – By DH – 14th March 2026 Welcome back to Bible in Ten. Today we come to Matthew 17, and in this series that leads us naturally to Book 17 of the Old Testament: Esther. And with an explanation of the overall pictorial contents of Matthew 17 provided in the previous episode, Matthew chapter 17 becomes much clearer and in this supplementary episode, we will see how Esther strengthens it as a supporting witness. Esther is not just a story about Jewish survival in Persia. Esther is a book about the Lord hidden from open view, but still directing all things toward redemption. The book exists not mainly to magnify the Jews, but to show the unseen faithfulness of God in preserving them for the sake of His promises and ultimately for the sake of the Redeemer, the true subject of Scripture. The Esther Bible Study available on the Superior Word develops the following pictures: Ahasuerus pictures God, the ruler over the world. Vashti pictures disobedience and loss of access to the throne. Esther pictures the Gospel, especially in her mediating role before the king. Haman pictures Law, even law bringing wrath and death. Mordecai pictures Christ: hidden at first, then honored, then exalted, then clothed with authority, then writing with full power, then sending letters of peace and truth, and finally having his greatness recorded through all the realm. That makes Esther a strong support for what Matthew 17 is picturing. 1) “After six days” — the approach to kingdom rest Matthew 17 begins, “after six days.” As was said this points toward the six-thousand-year course of man's time before the seventh-day rest, the millennial kingdom. Esther supports this by opening in a royal setting already marked by splendor, order, and throne-rule. Shushan is treated almost like a paradise-throne setting, and Ahasuerus is taken as picturing the divine throne-rule itself. So both chapters begin not with chaos, but with the king and the court already in view. 2) Christ revealed in glory before a select company On the mountain, Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John. That is the hidden unveiling of the King before His glory is openly seen by all. Esther supports this pattern through hiddenness before manifestation. The whole book works by concealed identity, concealed movements, and God working in the background long before the reversal appears. The Lord is not named openly in Esther, yet He is there, hidden, moving everything toward the appointed outcome. So Matthew 17's select-company glory scene sits very comfortably beside Esther's hidden-providence structure. 3) Moses and Elijah testify that all prior revelation converges on Christ Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus, but not as equals. They are witnesses. That fits Esther's Christ structure too. The whole book drives toward one central exalted figure: not Vashti, not Haman, not even Esther by herself, but finally Mordecai in exaltation. And Mordecai is clearly picturing Christ Jesus, the one advanced to authority by the king. So just as Matthew 17 narrows the law and prophets toward Christ, Esther narrows all of its movements toward the greatness of Mordecai, a picture of the greatness of Christ. 4) “Hear Him” and “Jesus only” This is the heart of Matthew 17. The Father says, “Hear Him,” and the disciples then see “Jesus only.” That fits Esther, because Esther repeatedly moves the reader away from outward structures and toward the one through whom life and deliverance actually come. Esther is a picture of the beautiful Gospel message, but Mordecai is the Christ figure who ends up invested with the king's authority and acting with the signet. The signet granted to Mordecai pictures the authority of Christ. So if Matthew 17 says, in effect, “Hear Him”, Esther says in its own symbolic way: the decisive authority now rests with the Christ-figure who bears the king's signet. 5) Hidden glory must wait for resurrection-grounded disclosure Jesus tells them not to publicise the vision until after resurrection. Again, Esther supports this because Esther is a book of timed disclosure. Esther conceals her identity, Mordecai watches from outside, and the hidden plan only comes into the open at the appointed hour. The Lord is working behind the scenes and the book's whole structure depends on that hiddenness. So Matthew 17 and Esther both teach: that public revelation comes only when the right moment arrives. 6) Elijah / restoration and Israel's future turning Matthew 17 speaks of Elijah in two ways at once: John the Baptist has already fulfilled an Elijah-like role, but Jesus' wording also leaves a still-future restoration role in view. Esther also supports a future restoration by showing that the covenant people are threatened but not discarded. Esther is treated as a book of redemptive history in which the Jews are preserved because God's promises to them stand, and because the Messiah must come and return in connection with them. Esther strengthens the Matthew 17 reading that Israel is not finally cast off. God is not finished with Israel chiefly through Jesus' future-tense words about Elijah restoring all things, and then reinforced through the picture of Israel's healing and restored sonship later in the chapter.” Though threatened and with God's face hidden from open view, they are brought through to preservation, mourning, reversal, and future blessing 7) The afflicted boy and Israel's incurable condition The Matthew 17 explanation treats the afflicted boy as picturing Israel in its historical condition: wounded, unstable, and untreatable by human means. Esther strongly confirms that pattern. The Jews stand under a decree of destruction that has to be properly and purposefully dealt with. Haman, picturing Law, has issued a death-word, and the people are trapped unless royal intervention occurs. In Matthew 17 the boy is incurable by the disciples. IN Esther the Jews are doomed under an irreversible decree. In both: the people cannot heal or save themselves. 8) Christ alone intervenes to heal and deliver In Matthew 17, Jesus heals what the disciples could not. In Esther, the same pattern appears through the Mordecai-Christ picture and the Esther-Gospel mediation. Matthew 17 pictures Israel's future restoration, healing, and restored sonship through Christ. The book of Esther supports that pattern by showing that although the first decree of death cannot be revoked, a new decree can be issued through Mordecai's royal authority that brings life to the threatened people. The old word of death cannot simply be revoked, but another word can be issued which grants life. That second word comes through Esther and Mordecai, and the edict issued by Mordecai is explicitly treated as a picture of the New Covenant. Mordecai, picturing Christ, receives the signet, acts with royal authority, and sends out the saving word. Thus Esther is supportive of Matthew 17's portrayal of Messiah Himself being the one who intervenes. 9) The cross remains central IN Matthew 17 Jesus speaks of betrayal, death, and resurrection. A portion of the notes by CG on this from Esther chapter 10 bear repeating: Haman pictures Law, but Christ actually died. It was Christ who was nailed to the cross, and so in type and picture, Christ became our Haman, our Man under Law, if you will. It is no different at all than Christ equating Himself with the serpent on the pole in John 3:14, or Paul saying that God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us. In the death of His body, the law died with Him for all who believe. For all who don't, Law, and thus the enmity, remains. This is where the marvelous symbolism of a very misunderstood passage in the book of John is explained. It says in John 20, “Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.” Many fanciful explanations have been made up about this, but the truth is revealed in what happened to Haman, when he was taken to be executed... they covered his face. The Law was to die. Christ died in fulfillment of the law. When He arose, the face covering was removed, and carefully folded. It was an intentional act of the Lord showing that the shame of death through Law had been removed for those who trust in Him. The people of Israel, the Jews, even to this day, celebrate Purim, and yet they are celebrating the exact opposite of what they think they are celebrating. They curse Haman, stamp their feet, and howl wildly as his name is read, and yet, he simply pictures Law that they are still under. Until they come to Christ, Haman will continue to come after them to destroy, to be killed, and to be annihilated because of the ministry of death, meaning Law (2 Corinthians 3:7). Why do the Jews celebrate Purim? It is because of what pur signifies. It is a lot, a broken piece, and thus Purim, the plural of pur, signifies broken pieces. Pur means “to break,” “frustrate,” “make ineffectual,” “annul,” “bring to naught.” This is what Christ has done concerning our covenant with death according to Paul – For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 The Jews cling to the law, but it is Christ who has defeated that enemy. The law is annulled in Christ. This is the message of Purim. Life Application There is also a striking present-day echo. In 2026, Purim began on the evening of March 2nd just 2 days after Israel was again in direct conflict with Iran. Just as Haman was also not himself Persian (he was Amalekite who gained influence at the heart of the palace and used imperial power against God's people). In a similar way, The Islamic Republic of Iran's rulers are militant usurpers who seized control of the land of Persia in 1979 and have held the nation in bondage ever since. Even the recent reports and speculation about Israeli intelligence using covert medical cover—dentists, hidden tracking, to coordinate a sudden destruction on the Supreme Leader —carry an Esther-like atmosphere. Just for fun check out the link to a stop motion lego video about this by “Stop Motion Sam”! The deeper parallel is the same: the enemy appears secure, the plot seems advanced, yet unseen movements are already in motion, and when the appointed moment comes, the reversal is sudden.
Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Dan Greenall, who shares the following recording and notes:Broadcaster: V32 Persian/Farsi numbers station Date of recording: March 13, 2026 Starting time: 0226 UTCFrequency: 7.842 MHz Receiver location: Israel Receiver and antenna: Kiwi SDR with MLA-30+ Active antenna Mode: Single Side Band Notes: Background material obtained via Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty.This radio signal first started broadcasting on February 28, about 12 hours after the United States and Israel began bombing Iran.A man's voice can be heard speaking Persian, counting out a series of apparently random numbers. The numbers are read out for varying stretches of time, followed by a pause in which the word tavajjoh -- which translates as "attention" -- is spoken three times. (around the 48 second mark in the attached recording)Beginning on March 4, the signal started to be jammed, with a cacophonous screech of electronic noise that made it all but impossible to hear the numbers. The original transmission paused for a period of time, then moved to another shortwave frequency.The transmission, that has been dubbed V32 by at least one group, is called a numbers station, a Cold War-era tool that employs radio transmissions and old-school cryptology to transmit secret messages, usually to spies around the world. It's location is suspected to be somewhere in central Europe.The attached recording of V32 was made on March 13, 2026 around 0230 hours UTC on 7842 kHz upper sideband USB using a Kiwi SDR located in Israel. I began the recording on 7841.9 kHz, but switched after a few minutes to 7842 kHz. This will account for the change in voice pitch. Also attached is a brief recording of the jamming signal, or “bubble jammer”, made on March 6, 2026 on 7910 kHz (V32's original frequency) at 0218 UTC.
Welcome to One Bright Book! Join our hosts Frances, Dorian, and Rebecca as they discuss ORLANDO by Virginia Woolf and chat about their current reading. For our next episode, we will discuss THE WOMEN OF BREWSTER PLACE by Gloria Naylor, a choice Rebecca has made based upon some love Hanif Abdurraqib shared for the novel in a recent podcast. We would love to have you read along with us, and join us for our conversation coming to you in April. Want to support the show? Visit us at Bookshop.org or click on the links below and buy some books! Books mentioned: Orlando by Virginia Woolf The Waves by Virginia Woolf To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf Jacob's Room by Virginia Woolf Three Guineas by Virginia Woolf Harriet Hume by Rebecca West The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster Wax Child by Olga Ravn, translated from the Danish by Martin Aiken The Witch by Marie Ndiaye, translated from the French by Jordan Stump The Remembered Soldier by Anjet Daanje, translated from the Dutch by David McKay Women Without Men by Shahrnush Parsipur, translated from the Persian by Faridoun Farrokh Taiwan Travelogue by Shuang-zi Yang, translated from the Mandarin Chinese by Lin Ling Small Comfort by Ia Genberg, translated from the Swedish by Kira Josefsson There Is No Antimemetics Division by qntm Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Canas Trouble Maker: The Fierce, Unruly Life of Jessica Mitford by Carla Kaplan Shattered: A Memoir by Hanif Kureishi The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Stern Baldwin: A Love Story by Nicholas Boggs The Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor Read Rohan Maitzen on Orlando at her blog Novel Readings. Further resources and links are available on our website at onebrightbook.com. Browse our bookshelves at Bookshop.org. Comments? Write us at onebrightmail at gmail Find us on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/onebrightbook.bsky.social Frances: https://bsky.app/profile/nonsuchbook.bsky.social Dorian: https://bsky.app/profile/ds228.bsky.social Rebecca: https://bsky.app/profile/ofbooksandbikes.bsky.social Dorian's blog: https://eigermonchjungfrau.blog/ Rebecca's newsletter: https://readingindie.substack.com/ Our theme music was composed and performed by Owen Maitzen. You can find more of his music here: https://soundcloud.com/omaitzen.
NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN - Persian News at 15:30 (JST), March 13
Affordable Interior Design presents Big Design, Small Budget
Betsy Helmuth discusses the benefits of a premium membership, springtime decor, and recaps the previous episode on buying art online. She highlights the pros and cons of shopping for rugs online, budget tips, preferred sources, trending styles, and warns against viscose rugs. Plus, she introduces her YouTube channel and social media links. Timestamps: 0:00 Premium membership benefits 1:32 Springtime greetings and setting 1:55 Recap of previous episode on buying art online 2:39 Spotlight on shopping for rugs online 4:00 Advantages of buying rugs online 6:24 Disadvantages of buying rugs online 10:32 Budget considerations for rugs 13:26 Preferred rug shopping sources 18:52 Classic and trending rug styles 21:59 Warning against viscose rugs 23:54 Shipping and return policies 25:06 Introduction of YouTube channel and social media links 26:41 Thank yous and closing remarks - Buying rugs online offers a vast selection and easy price comparison but comes with challenges in color accuracy and tactile experience. - For high-quality rugs, expect to spend between $600 and $3000, and avoid rugs made with viscose due to their susceptibility to staining. - When choosing a rug, consider classic patterns like geometric or Persian styles for longevity and avoid solid colors to minimize visible stains. Links: Uploft.com AffordableInteriorDesign.com Submit your design questions to be featured on the show Become a Premium Member and access the bonus episodes Click here to become an interior designer with Uploft's Interior Design Academy. Get Betsy's book: betsyhelmuth.com/book For more about our residential interior design services, visit ModernInteriorDesign.com For our commercial interior design services, visit OfficeInteriorDesign.com Follow Us: Instagram: @uploftinteriordesign Facebook: facebook.com/UploftIntDes TikTok: tiktok.com/@uploftinteriordesign LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/uploft-interior-design If you enjoy the show, please spread the word and leave a review on iTunes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
One of the strongest ties between the diaspora and home is music. In Iran, music can be politically contentious.In Canada, it connects a community to its past and to its future. Days after the bombings began in Iran, Nahlah Ayed spoke to three Iranian-Canadian musicians and composers about the role of music in a time of uncertainty."Music can be an escape, can be a consolation... Like if we are the stars and galaxies on the planets of the universe, music is like the dark matter of that universe. It's that gravitational force that we know is there but we can't quite put our finger on it." — composer and pianist Iman HabibiGuests in this episode:Tahare Falahati is a Persian traditional singerKaveh Mirhosseini is an Iranian composer and conductorIman Habibi is a composer and pianist
The 1919 Anglo-Persian Agreement made every Persian government that followed unviable. Britain wanted Iran to be a colony, but couldn't find a viable collaborator in the Qajjar Shahs or the Majlis. So, in 1921, they used one of their favorite moves: they organized a coup to overthrow a government they had installed and supported. The … Continue reading "Interwar 7: Reza Khan and the Cossack Coup of 1921"
Tonight, March 11, 2026, we hear from a couple of patriots who are qualified to know whether the Trump military campaign in Iran is winning or losing the day: former Thunderbird “MaxAfterburner” (the YouTube name of fighter pilot Max Bodenheimer, and Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, the Centcom Commander picked by President Trump. Bodenheimer and Cooper KNOW WHAT THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT. And their conclusion that Trump’s entire plan to end an unspeakably evil mullah regime, and thereby make it possible for the Persian people to take back their country…..IS both militarily, patriotically, and morally right!
Is Iran on the brink of collapse, or is the West making its biggest mistake yet?Brother Sharghzadeh returns to break down the recent attacks on Iran and what they mean for Muslims in the East and the West. We get into the secular Persian mindset, what ordinary Iranians actually think about their government, the death of Khamenei, nuclear war scenarios, and the questions every Sunni Muslim needs to be sitting with right now.The Muslim world has the numbers, the history, and the faith. What it's missing is unity, and moments like this make that cost impossible to ignore.*JOIN OUR YOUTUBE MEMBERSHIP*OR*Support Us @* https://www.ansaripodcast.com/OR*Patreon:* https://www.patreon.com/c/theansaripodcast/membership*Join The Cosmos Club Newsletter:* https://www.ansaripodcast.com/cosmos-club*Ayubi Collective*FREE 10-Part Masterclass “How to Build Your Own Multi-Billion Dollar Business”https://www.ayubi.com/ansari*Provision Capital:* https://www.provisioncapital.com*Humaniti:* https://donor.muslimi.com/page/Humaniti-emergency-Ansari00:00 Do Iranians Know their Enemy?05:12 The Annoying Iranian Diaspora09:51 Do Iranians like Their Government14:03 Ad15:42 The greatness of Iran20:03 What The West plans to Do to Iran24:07 Nuclear War in Iran and The End Times30:14 Ad32:03 Who Was Khameini & was he loved?43:08 How Should Sunnis Understand Iran?47:40 Muslims NATO51:28 Hypocrisy and Potential Ruin of Arab States01:10:07 Muslim NATO01:12:00 Ad01:13:49 What's the Future Hold?01:21:44 Final Thoughts#muslimpodcast #islamicpodcast #iran #Khamenei #ummah #IranWar #WW3*Listen on All Audio Platforms:* https://tr.ee/JeX-ILYSyj*Follow The Ansari Podcast**Instagram:* https://instagram.com/ansaripodcast*TikTok:* https://tiktok.com/@theansaripodcast*Twitter/X:* https://twitter.com/ansaripodcast
Two new names to me, Xi Van Fleet and Ryan Bodenheimer, are part of our discussion tonight on March 10, 2026. Both Xi (pronounced “she”) and Ryan (known on YouTube as MaxAfterburner) are stupendous American patriots. Xi Van Fleet grew up under the oppression of the Chinese Cultural Revolution. I just purchased her new book “Made in America”, in which she shows how we Americans dumbly helped build and save the Chinese Communist Party. Ryan Bodenheimer was a member of the Air Force’s Thunderbirds. He flew an F-15E in the dumb “forever war” in Afghanistan. He agrees that that forever war was insane. But he also is an incredibly qualified person to make the assessment he makes of President Trump’s Iran War. Bodenheimer does not suffer the libertarian or pacifist propensity of wavering Trump supporters who wrongly have concluded that Trump must be a “Zionist tool” because he’s fighting to protect America against the nuclear fanatic mullahs who have crushed the formerly-great Persian culture in Iran. Trump truly wants to end the “forever war” that has infested the Middle East since 1948. The Zionists under Netanyahu want to destroy Iran, in their own version of religious fanaticism. Trump wants to save America, the world, and Iran from that perpetual war. Trump is not Netanyahu’s toy. Quite the contrary, Trump will be the undoing of Zionism. And the possible saving of a non-Zionist Israel itself.
Savage discusses "Trump's war," questioning when it will end and warning it is the biggest U.S. military operation since the 2003 Iraq invasion. He explains that Americans hate war and that prolonged conflict could shatter the global economy, destabilize the Middle East, and doom Republicans in the midterms. He warns about the consequences from oil shocks, Russian involvement, potential escalation into a world war, and domestic terror. He then discusses Iran's Persian history before it was seized by radical Islam. He points to President Jimmy Carter and U.S. liberals for the 1979 revolution that overthrew the Shah and empowered Khomeini. He encourages listeners to pray for peace and the President as he leads in this uncertain conflict.
Teddi and Dolores are sitting down with GG and Tanin from The Valley: Persian Style! Where do their relationships stand with Sky? Was Tanin on thin ice with her to begin with? How did GG unsuccessfully try to mend things with her?Plus, they’re giving us relationship updates, business statuses and telling us the truth about Adam’s tabouli… Is it really that good?!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Max Amini (comedian and actor) joins Chris Cuomo to talk about what the world misunderstands about Iran and the people who live there. Born in Arizona to an Iranian family and raised partly in Iran, Amini describes what it was like growing up between two cultures — experiencing both the warmth of Persian culture and the repression of the Islamic Republic. He explains the “double life” many Iranians live under the regime, the difference between the Iranian people and their government, and why Western audiences often get the country's identity wrong. Cuomo and Amini also discuss cancel culture in comedy, the pressure artists face in a social media age, and how propaganda and political messaging shape how Americans view the Middle East. Amini argues that storytelling — even through comedy — can help bridge cultural misunderstandings and bring attention to the reality of life inside Iran. The conversation also touches on the Iranian revolution, the role of the regime in fueling regional conflicts, and why Amini believes the Iranian people deserve to have their story told beyond the stereotypes often seen in the news. Join The Chris Cuomo Project on YouTube for ad-free episodes, early releases, exclusive access to Chris, and more: https://www.youtube.com/@chriscuomo/join Follow and subscribe to The Chris Cuomo Project on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday: https://linktr.ee/cuomoproject Head to https://factormeals.com/cuomo50off and use code cuomo50off to get 50% off and free breakfast for a year (new customers only, auto-renewing subscription required). Get 20% off and free rush shipping on LEAN, the weight loss supplement from Brickhouse Nutrition, at https://takelean.com with promo code CUOMO. Head to https://Superpower.com and use code CUOMO at checkout for $20 off your membership. Live up to your 100-Year potential. #superpowerpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On this Tuesday episode, Dylan is joined by Golnesa & Tanin from The Valley: Persian Style for a finale-time catch up that feels like the group is truly back. They talk why this cast dynamic feels more authentic than what we've seen before, the Persian culture and Farsi moments that make the show hit different, and why calling Mercedeh “Mercedeh” actually matters. They also get into MJ and Tommy's marriage turmoil, why Golnesa's relationship with Dennis is “hot and cold”, hiring people according to their astrological sign. Plus, Golnesa and Tanin break down the Skye spiral, the “beneath me” energy, and why some people really need to read the room. Go to the BravoByBetches YouTube page to watch full length episodes every Tuesday & Friday: Youtube.com/@BravoByBetches Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Day 11 of the Gulf War and today's propaganda is that Iran has been holding back their secret weapons and are about to strike! Here at home the political distractions continue with the usual suspects pointing fingers over last week's missile strike at the girls school in Minab.
I believe many of the patriots I admire most, like Tucker Carlson, are about to be proved very wrong in their well-intended proclamations that President Trump’s military action is doomed to become a fiasco. Here on March 9, 2026, I see something quite different in my historical crystal ball. James Kelso, says the reverse: Trump’s military action will be short, not long; Trump’s forces will be ever-more-successful and devastating in the utter obliteration of the evil Islamic Revolutionary Guard; American lives lost will be very, very low, not huge as Tucker and others predicted; Donald Trump, after his brilliantly-led whirlwind, will loudly put out the call to all Persian patriots to come out of their shelters, take back their streets and country. And the Persian people, just like the Iranian women’s soccer team in Australia, WILL RISE UP. Quite quickly, the Persians will take back their country. And Donald Trump will forever be remembered as having freed the whole world from the nuclear terrorist nightmare of a Communist Iranian tyranny that has all along been a tool of the source of evil afflicting the whole world for half-a-century….the Chinese Communist Party. Maduro falls, the Mexican cartels fall, Cuba is freed. Iran finds freedom after 47 years of slavery. And who’s next? The CCP.
Teddi and Dolores are sitting down with GG and Tanin from The Valley: Persian Style! Where do their relationships stand with Sky? Was Tanin on thin ice with her to begin with? How did GG unsuccessfully try to mend things with her?Plus, they’re giving us relationship updates, business statuses and telling us the truth about Adam’s tabouli… Is it really that good?!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Most people imagine the Roman Empire collapsing in a single moment.Barbarians at the gates.Cities burning.The empire ending overnight.But that's not what actually happened.In the year 260 AD, Rome didn't fall.It split.After the capture of Emperor Valerian by the Persian king Shapur I, the Roman world fractured into three rival states.In the west, the general Postumus created the Gallic Empire, ruling Gaul, Britain, and Spain with stronger borders and better money than Rome itself.In the east, the wealthy trading city of Palmyra rose under Odaenathus and later Queen Zenobia, controlling the empire's richest trade routes and eventually seizing Egypt.What remained in the center was a weakened Roman state struggling with civil war, currency collapse, and a rapidly shrinking tax base.For nearly fifteen years, the Roman Empire existed as three separate empires.This is the Roman Pattern.When a central state can no longer provide security, stable money, and legitimate authority, the edges stop listening.They build their own systems.In this episode we explore:• The capture of Emperor Valerian • The creation of the Gallic Empire • The rise of Zenobia and Palmyra • Rome's catastrophic currency debasement • How Aurelian violently reunited the empire • Why the Rome that survived was never the same History doesn't repeat.But it rhymes.Subscribe for more episodes exploring the hidden forces behind Rome's rise and fall.
In this next installment of Heaven Shaking the Persian Bear I explain the aggadah of the specific power awarded to Dobiel over the Persian bear kings in the symbolic scroll and how it influenced through the kingdoms of the beast around the earth. We'll briefly discuss the significance of the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf in the present conflict as it pertains to the decree of the scroll.
When Luke records Jesus commanding the Twelve to take nothing for the journey, neither staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money, he activates a deliberate stripping that recalls the scriptural logic of exile as exposure. The Hebrew root ג-ל-ה (gimel-lamed-heh) can function as “to uncover” or, by extension, “to go into exile,” linking displacement with nakedness in the prophetic texts themselves. There, exile is repeatedly portrayed as being uncovered, stripped naked, and shamed before the nations. Nakedness is not merely physical but signals dispossession and removal from the land. In Luke 8, the Gerasene demoniac embodies this condition, naked, outside the city among the tombs, cut off from communal and tribal life, a living figure of exposure in exile. When Jesus restores him, he is clothed and seated in his right mind, and he is commanded to return home to bear fruit as a witness, with nothing in hand but the knowledge of his sins and the command of God. Immediately afterward, in Luke 9, Jesus sends the Twelve out divested of staff and supplies, stripped of institutional and tribal supports, and of any authority derived from them. Though not naked in body, they are stripped of the signs of power, protection, affiliation, and provision. Both the demoniac and the Twelve thus reflect the same scriptural function: exile as nakedness, and exposure out in the open as the precondition of restoration for mission.ῥάβδος (rhabdos) / מ-ט-ה (mem-ṭet-heh)Staff; tribe, delegated power. From the triliteral root נ-ט-ה (nun-ṭet-heh), to stretch out, to extend, to incline.“And you shall take in your hand this staff [מַטֶּה (maṭṭeh)] with which you shall do the signs.” (Exodus 4:17)The staff represents what is stretched out. In Exodus, it symbolizes the instrument through which delegated authority operates, acting as an extended hand. In Numbers 17, each leader brings his staff, which denotes his tribe. Extension here signifies lineage: what is stretched out becomes a branch, and that branch becomes a tribe. Thus, the rod is not just wood but a visible symbol of authority and continuity, indicating the ordered descent and delegated power.ῥάβδος (rhabdos) / ש-ב-ט (šin-bet-ṭet)Rod, scepter, tribe. From the triliteral root ש-ב-ט (šin-bet-ṭet), associated with striking and ruling.“You shall break them with a rod [בְּשֵׁבֶט (be-šebeṭ)] of iron.” (Psalm 2:9)The rod is the instrument of rule. It disciplines, enforces, and governs. In Proverbs, it corrects; in Isaiah, it becomes the rod of divine anger; in royal psalms, it signifies sovereign authority. The same word names a tribe, linking governance with structure. The rod is therefore not merely a stick but embodied jurisdiction, the visible sign of judicial and royal power.ῥάβδος (rhabdos) / ק-ל-ל (qof-lamed-lamed)Rod; stick; branch, to be light, slight.“And the Philistine said to David, ‘Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks [בַּמַּקְלוֹת (ba-maqqelot)]?'” (1 Samuel 17:43)This rod belongs to the field, not the throne. It is the shepherd's implement, the ordinary support of the traveler. In Genesis 30 Jacob uses rods in the tending of flocks; in Samuel David carries them into battle as a shepherd confronting a warrior. The stick here signifies pastoral presence rather than institutional authority. It is wood in the hand of the lowly, not the emblem of a court.ῥάβδος (rhabdos) / ש-ע-ן (šin-ʿayin-nun)Staff of support. From the verbal root ש-ע-ן (šin-ʿayin-nun), to lean upon, to rely.“Behold, you are trusting in Egypt, that broken staff [מִשְׁעֶנֶת (mišʿenet)] of reed.” (Isaiah 36:6)The staff here is what one leans upon. It represents reliance, alliance, and structural backing. When it breaks, dependence collapses, and the individual who is leaning on it falls. The rod becomes a metaphor for political trust and misplaced confidence. It is not an instrument of striking but of support, the symbol of that upon which stability rests.ῥάβδος (rhabdos) / שַׁרְבִיט (šarbiṭ)Scepter; royal staff. Likely a Persian (modern-day Iran) loanword associated with imperial authority.“If the king holds out the golden scepter [שַׁרְבִיט (šarbiṭ)] that is in his hand, he shall live.” (Esther 4:11)In Esther, the rod is sovereignty compressed into a single gesture. Life and death depend on whether it is extended. It is not the shepherd's staff, not the tribal symbol, not the rod of discipline. It is ceremonial kingship embodied in gold. The scepter draws the line between execution and mercy, exclusion and acceptance. Authority is visible, concentrated in the king's hand.But does the king's own life ultimately matter? A wise leader knows that his life is of little value because it does not belong to him. As Jesus commands, the sign of God is neither the owner, the support, nor the strength of God's many peoples. There is no god but God. Scripture repeatedly shows, through Persian rulers like Cyrus and Xerxes, that real control belongs neither to Israel, nor to the king, nor to the empire. Sovereignty belongs to God alone, who governs history itself, directing kings as easily as he directs the sun and the moon, according to his plan.πήρα (pera)Shepherd's bag.“And he took his staff [τὴν ῥάβδον (ten rabdon)] in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook and put them in the shepherd's bag [εἰς τὴν πήραν τὴν ποιμενικήν (eis ten peran ten poimeniken)]…” (1 Samuel 17:40 LXX)David advances toward Goliath carrying two things: the rabdos (ῥάβδος) and the pera (πήρα). The rabdos is the shepherd's staff, the maqel (מַקֵל), a rod in the hand of one who tends flocks. The pera is the shepherd's satchel, the container of stones and the place of stored provision. One extends the arm; the other holds what sustains the strike. This is the only occurrence of pera (πήρα) in the Septuagint.The five stones evoke Torah, the Five Books. Their smoothness carries the root ח-ל-ק (ḥet-lamed-qof) / ح-ل-ق (ḥāʾ-lām-qāf). In Hebrew, ḥalaq is to divide, to apportion, to allot. In Arabic, ḥalaqa is to shave, to make smooth, to strip bare. These are not separate functions. To smooth a stone is to shape it by removal. To allot land is to cut it from the whole. The triliteral holds division and preparation together.The brook itself sharpens the resonance. Naḥal (נַחַל), from the root נ־ח־ל (nun-ḥet-lamed) / ن-ح-ل (nūn-ḥāʾ-lām), in Hebrew is a wadi, a seasonal stream. But the same consonants in both languages yield naḥalah (נַחֲלָה), naḥala (نَحَلَ) / niḥla (نِحْلَة) inheritance, endowment, gift, or allotted possession. Water and land converge in the root. David reaches into the stream and draws out inheritance. Surat al-Naḥl سورة النحل refers to “The Bee,” an animal associated with provision, honey, and divinely guided producti...
FULL STREAM 3-6-2026 1569 LONDINIUM In this broadcast, host John Batchelor is joined by guests Jeff Bliss of "Pacific Watch" and Germanicus (Michael Vlahos). Jeff Bliss details a West Coast in transition, beginning with Las Vegas, which is rebuilding through massive infrastructure projects like the Bright Line high-speed rail and the Boring Company. He contrasts the privately-financed Bright Line with California's state-run rail project, labeling the latter a $110 billion "money sink" that has failed to lay any track. Bliss's recent travels highlight a broader urban decline, describing Portland and Reno as "ghost towns" and documenting a harrowing fentanyl crisis in Sacramento right outside the state capital. He notes that despite $28 billion being allotted for homelessness, California's "Care Court" has only treated 22 people, while refinery closures and high taxes push gas prices toward $5-$8 per gallon. This economic pressure is driving a corporate exodus of pillars like Starbucks and Amazon to business-friendly states like Tennessee. (1)Shifting to international affairs, Germanicus examines the unfolding war with Iran, noting that the U.S. administration has invoked a "sacred narrative" to justify the conflict as a divinely sanctioned mission to punish "demonic forces". However, he warns of growing fissures in the U.S.-Israeli alliance. While the U.S. frames the war as one of liberation for the Persian people, Israel's objective is the existential destruction of Iran as a regional power. These divergent goals, Germanicus predicts, will create severe strategic tension as the conflict intensifies. (2)3-
Azar Nafisi, author of the internationally acclaimed memoir Reading Lolita in Tehran, addresses the question: Where do Iranians who have stood up to their ruthless government get their courage?I reached out to Nafisi following Iran's traditional 40-day mourning period for the thousands of people killed by the ruling clerics' enforcers during nationwide demonstrations against the regime.It seemed incredible that on the 40th day – after seeing the regime's use of widespread violence – Iranians would come out yet again. I wanted to know – is there something about that 40-day tradition, that generates courage?Nafisi grew up in Iran's capital, studied in the U.S. in the 1970s, and returned to her homeland after the revolution – for 18 years – to teach western literature to Iranian college students. Her insights on courage come from her personal experience and from a deep understanding of Iranian and Persian history and culture. We had this conversation three days before the war began. Nafisi's insights will be highly relevant for a long time to come.
This week, we begin a two-part series on Alexander the Great,.
Welcome back to The Viall Files: Reality Recap! Today, we welcome the incredibly honest Sky Askari from the Valley Persian Style to get into her feelings on all her cast members, the show, and if she would return! Meanwhile, the Age of Attraction trailer dropped! Yayyy!!! We get into it. Plus, we dive into some Summer House and RHOP reunion. "Dude, this is so exhausting. Get a life!" The Viall Files is going LIVE with the new cast of Temptation Island on May 6th! Tickets are on sale NOW! For more information, please visit netflixisajokefest.com. Want ad free episodes and incredible bonus content? Start your 7 Day Free Trial of Viall Files + here: https://viallfiles.supportingcast.fm/ HEY! YOU! DO YOU NEED DATING AND RELATIONSHIP ADVICE? Email asknick@theviallfiles.com and be a part of future Ask Nick episodes! Subscribe to The ENVY Media Newsletter Today: https://www.viallfiles.com/newsletter Listen to Humble Brag with Cynthia Bailey and Crystal Kung Minkoff now! Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/humble-brag-with-crystal-and-cynthia/id1774298881 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4NWA8LBk15l2u5tNQqDcOO?si=3b868996930347e8 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humblebragpod Listen To Disrespectfully with Katie Maloney and Dayna Kathan now! Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disrespectfully/id1516710301 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0J6DW1KeDX6SpoVEuQpl7z?si=c35995a56b8d4038 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCh8MqSsiGkfJcWhkan0D0w To Order Nick's Book and/or learn more about the show, go to: https://viallfiles.com THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: CashApp - For a limited time, new Cash App customers can earn $10 if they use code FAMILY10 in their profile at signup and send $5 to a friend within 14 days. Terms apply. Mint Mobile - If you like your money, Mint Mobile is for you. Shop plans at https://mintmobile.com/viall Veracity -get the protein you need and satisfy your cravings the natural way with Veracity. Head to https://veracityhealth.co and use code VIALL for up to 60% off your order. IM8 - Give your body what it deserves with IM8! Go to https://IM8HEALTH.com/viall and use code VIALL for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets plus ten percent off your order. Clearstem - Discover the CLEARSTEM difference — Because CLEAR SKIN CHANGES EVERYTHING. Go to https://clearstem.com/viall and use code VIALL at checkout for 15% off your first order. Ritual - Don't settle for less than evidence-based support. Save 25% on your first month at https://ritual.com/viall Tropical Smoothie Cafe - Tropic Fan Fest is ON from March 9th - March 15th at Tropical Smoothie Cafe® and that means FREE SMOOTHIES* with Tropic Bowl or food purchase, every day, all week long! For Tropic Rewards® members only. Not a member yet? Join today and get in on the fun! To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/theviallfiles Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro / Age of Attraction Trailer 07:45 - Some Shows + Household Headlines 20:20 - Squid Game 23:30 - Summer House 35:35 - Sky Joins 1:02:35 - RHOP 1:11:50 - Outro Episode Socials: @viallfiles @nickviall @nnataliejjoy @sky_askari @ciaracrobinson@justinkaphillips @leahgsilberstein @the_mare_bare
An encore presentation in honor of Coleman Barks, who passed away on February 23, 2026. Tami Simon speaks with Coleman, a leading scholar and translator of the 13th-century Persian mystic, Jelaluddin Rumi. Coleman's work was the subject of an hour-long segment in Bill Moyers' Language of Life series with PBS. He has published numerous Rumi translations, including with Sounds True the audio programs I Want Burning, Rumi: The Voice of Longing, and his new three-CD collaboration with cellist David Darling called Just Being Here: Rumi and Human Friendship. In this episode, Tami speaks with Coleman about the extraordinary friendship between Rumi and his teacher, Shams Tabriz, and how translating Rumi requires entering a trance state. Coleman offers insights on grace as he and Tami listen to selections from Just Being Here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Shahram Hadian is founder of Truth in Love Ministry. He is a Christian pastor and a former Muslim. Shahram was born in Iran and came to America in 1978 to escape an oppressive Islamic regime and committed his life to Jesus Christ in 1999. Iran is a nation that has a 3,200+ year Persian history that was taken over by leaders that, according to Shahram, were not even of Persian descent. He explains just how oppressive this Iranian regime has been to its own people. For example, amidst the recent unrest, snipers were shooting at these unarmed protesters. Women had body parts removed in order to hide sexual assaults. Other individuals are said to have been executed inside their hospital beds. Then there's the problems America has had with them, beginning with the Iran hostage crisis of 1979. You'll also hear comments from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, where he mentions the delusions of the Iranian leadership which Shahram said refers to Iran's eschatology. Basically it's the idea that the more chaos and instability they can create, the quicker they will hasten the coming of their messiah. What are we to make of the mosques on U.S. soil that are mourning the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and encouraging others to go into martyrdom like him? Since Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world, why aren't we vetting these mosques to see if they're supported by money from Iran? Where's the political will to do this? Why do Islamic leaders teach martyrdom via jihad? Does it have to do with the fact that Islam is a works-based religion? These and other questions are answered by Shahram as he sheds light on this issue of Iran's oppression.
It is uncannily providential that the events unfolding right now in Iran — ancient Persia — are echoing events that took place nearly 2,400 years ago in that very same region.And it is all happening as we celebrate Purim and Shushan Purim, a story that centers entirely around Persia.It was in the days of Achashverosh, as we read in the Book of Esther, a Persian king, who ruled over 127 provinces. His minister named Haman incited him, calling for the genocide and annihilation of every Jew; men, women and children. And then, in a stunning and miraculous reversal, everything turned around. Not only were the Jews saved but they were able to eliminate all the enemies that called for their extinction.That is the story of Purim.And here we are today, literally happening now. In the same region. At the same time of year. A regime and leader named Khamenei (so similar to Haman) that for years has called for the annihilation of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. And once again, events are turning. Once again, history is pivoting before our eyes, and the Persian Haman of our times has been eliminated. And we pray — this time once and for all — that we will achieve genuine and lasting peace.Coincidence? Or Divine choreography?Please join Rabbi Simon Jacobson for this critically important discussion: Purim and Persia — Then and Now as we explore the parallels, and above all, the lessons. Because when you step back and see the bigger picture of history, you begin to understand the small picture — our personal lives, our challenges — and how they shape the future of our world.
Shay Khatiri, Vice President of Development and a Senior Fellow at Yorktown Institute, discussing his upbringing in Iran and the newly-ignited conflict between the U.S. and the Islamic Republic. Khatiri shares his unique perspective as a Persian immigrant, having grown up in Iran as a witness to the regime's brutal tactics firsthand. He highlights the regime's history of violence, including the 444-day Iran Hostage Crisis and the regime's killing of over 600 Americans. He also delves into the protests and the role of the U.S. in supporting the Iranian people's desire for change. We're joined by John Dombroski, founder and president of Grand Canyon Planning Associates. Audio clips from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s (D) testimony before the House Oversight Committee on reports of rampant misuse of federal funding in his state.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to another Reality TV Corner! 00:00 - Intro01:20 - Summer House21:14 - RHOP32:54 - The Valley: Persian Style40:35 - Jersey Shore42:06 - Drag Race45:18 - Top Chef48:33 - Married to Medicine52:28 - Love is Blind55:48 - Traitors58:07 - Below Deck Down Under01:01:27 - Survivor01:02:01 - Outro Join our Patreon for more content! - patreon.com/Beyondtheblinds Follow us on Instagram - instagram.com/beyondtheblindspod Kelli on IG - Instagram.com/laguna_biotch Troy on IG - Instagram.com/troyjeanspears Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/Todd Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comBe confident in your portfolio with Bulwark! Schedule your free Know Your Risk Portfolio review. Go to KnowYourRiskPodcast.com today. Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com/ToddGet the new limited release, The Sisterhood, created to honor the extraordinary women behind the heroes. Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE at:The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple PodcastsThe Todd Herman Show | Podcast on SpotifyWATCH and SUBSCRIBE at: Todd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTubeMike O'Rourke, a special forces combat veteran and CEO of Advanced Operational Concepts joins to help us make sense of the military operation taking place in The Middle East…Episode Links:'Unlikely, Unlikely, Unlikely': MS NOW's Barry McCaffrey Predicts Failure In Iran Mark FinkelsteinHacked traffic cameras and US intelligence: How a plot to kill Iran's supreme leader came together“Monarchists & Zionists claim Iranians are 'celebrating' the death of Ayatollah Khamenei. If that is true, why are people flooding the streets demanding revenge?” BREAKING: American pilots reportedly shot down over Kuwait were carrying a “blood chit” a survival message sewn inside their jackets. Written in English, Arabic, Turkish, Persian, and Kurdish, it reads: Footage of Kuwaiti locals approaching one of the shot down American pilots this morning. “Are you OK? Thank you for helping us.”
The Valley Persian Style ends its season with classy GG throwing wine at Sky because she doesn't like the valley. Good lord. Are they getting money from the Valley Chamber of Commerce or what? Literally no one has ever stood for the val this deeply. To watch this recap on video, listen to our bonus episodes, and get ad free listening, go to Patreon.com/watchwhatcrappens. Find bonus episodes at patreon.com/watchwhatcrappens and follow us on Instagram @watchwhatcrappens @ronniekaram @benmandelker Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
He’s married to Reza Farahan from The Valley Persian Style, Adam Neely joins Eddie for this week’s episode of The Eds. Hear how starting their whole relationship on reality TV almost ruined their marriage. Plus, do Adam and Reza want to have kids anytime soon?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Gaius recounts meeting Prime Minister Mossadegh as a child, framing the current crisis within a century of failed American "engineering" in Persian affairs. They reflect on the unsustainable, "European-import" nature of the Shah's regime and conclude that foreign intervention historically backfires, leading to revolutionary outcomes inimical to American interests.1979 TEHRAN
Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/Todd Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comBe confident in your portfolio with Bulwark! Schedule your free Know Your Risk Portfolio review. Go to KnowYourRiskPodcast.com today. Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com/ToddGet the new limited release, The Sisterhood, created to honor the extraordinary women behind the heroes. Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE at:The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple PodcastsThe Todd Herman Show | Podcast on SpotifyWATCH and SUBSCRIBE at: Todd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTubeThere's a lot of opinions flying around about the War with Iran. So, which one matters?Episode Links:"I'm being bombarded by different emotions." CBS News contributor Masih Alinejad, whose parents and siblings live in Iran, says the Iranians she's spoken to are overcome with joy that "their killers have finally been the target of the U.S. government and they see justice; but at the same time, they are worried, they're concerned that if this is not going to lead to regime change... if the American government, the Israeli government only target the military leaders, not the political leaders, then the people of Iran are going to be left alone."The Hodgetwins are not pleased. 3.5 MILLION followersBabak Taghvaee - The Crisis WatchBREAKING: This Iranian Sky News Australia anchor is going worldwide for her FAREWELL MESSAGE to Ayatollah Khamenei live on-air, dropped straight in Persian. "A message to the late Supreme Leader: You son of a b*tch, BURN IN HELL!"I am a woman from Iran. Let me tell you honestly how women like me see politicians like you in America, women who speak about freedom from the safety of Congress while sympathizing with our killers under Islamic regimes. You stand next to the American flag, speaking about freedom. Now you launch campaigns saying, “No War With Iran.” Now I want to introduce you to a brave Iranian woman who understood America better than you ever will.Red Pill, USA is not pleased 311,000 followersBREAKING: Muslim protesters in Washington DC are chanting “ALLAHU AKBAR” and marching with “NO WAR” signs. They are very angry that the ayatollah was killed. They are showing their true colors. - BREAKING: Iranians are now tearing down statues of ayatollah Khamenei. Iranians are taking back their country.Wow it's crazy in downtown dc right now as hundreds of Persians descend on the White House to celebrate the ouster of the Iranian Islamic regime.” - Raheem J. Kassam, Editor @thenatpulse, Butterworth's co-owner, ex-Farage advisor, co-founder of War Room, bestselling author of ‘No Go Zones' and ‘Enoch Was Right'“Targeting the IRGC is not an attack on Iran or its people—it's quite literally the opposite. It's targeting the very force that massacred 40,000 unarmed protestors just a few weeks ago. Iranians are celebrating the strikes to dismantle the Ayatollah's killing machine.” - Kasra Aarabi (کسری اعرابی) @KasraAarabi, Director of IRGC Research, United Against Nuclear Iran (@UANI). Specialist on Iran & its military apparatus | PhD-ing IRGC @univofstandrews | فارسی | Own ViewsI'm Shaking While I'm Writing This. All Of Iran Is Celebrating The Death Of Khamenei. Cry Harder, Lefties!George Galloway is “Straight talking, straight forward. Leader @WorkersPartyGB Seven time Parliamentarian. Anchor @moatstv”Iranian boys CHEERING as bombs rain on their own country!In what might be some of the most powerful footage to come out of today, Israelis and Iranians are dancing and celebrating side by side in the streets of London.Did Israel REALLY bomb schoolgirls in Iran today? BOMBSHELL ALERT! Iranian sources expose the TRUTH: It was the regime's OWN deadly explosionIranian Christians God answered their prayers
Recapping the incredible final 2 episodes of The Valley Persian Style! Enjoy!Follow me on social media, find links to merch, Patreon and more here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It’s the season finale of The Valley: Persian Style! Did GG “accidentally” spill her drink on Sky to see if she’d melt like the Wicked Witch of the Valley? Were they all turning it up a notch so this season would end with a bang?! What are Tamra and Dolores’ overall thoughts on this show? Now that they’ve witnessed the dysfunction in this group, who do they want to return and who do they not care to see again? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.