Podcasts about Pisa

Timestamps00:00 – Introduction00:28 – What are Babel Fees?01:56 – MLabs' Leaner Approach: Pisa02:24 – How Pisa Works02:52 – Wallet & DApp Integration Goals03:19 – Example Use Case04:19 – Pisa User Experience05:12 – Integration Options06:09 – Confirming ADA Is Still Used Under the Hood06:37 – SPO Involvement?07:34 – How Pisa Handles Transactions08:31 – What Users Receive09:30 – Pisa Fees & Revenue Model11:09 – Support for Long-Tail Tokens12:07 – Developer Integration Effort13:35 – Target Audience & SDKs14:05 – Pisa Launch Timeline14:33 – Upcoming CIP Standard15:27 – Closing RemarksIn this episode, I speak with Ben Hart, Chase, and Luke from MLabs about Pisa – their smart contract implementation of Babel fees on Cardano. Pisa allows users to pay for transaction fees, minimum ADA, and collateral using native tokens instead of ADA. The smart contract handles real-time token swaps behind the scenes and returns a ready-to-submit transaction. No changes to the Cardano ledger are required. SPOs are involved as normal, and there's no batching – just seamless UX. Developers can integrate Pisa with a few lines of code via HTTP API or an upcoming NPM package. Topics include:What Babel fees areHow Pisa improves the user experienceDifferences from other solutions like AquariumDeveloper integration and the planned CIPLaunch timelines and supported tokensPisa launches within 60 days and is set to improve onboarding for wallets, DeFi apps, and games across Cardano.

Join us on this episode of Trending in Education as Mike Palmer talks with Dr. Margaret Honey, President and CEO of the Scratch Foundation. We dive into the world of Scratch, the visual programming language that's empowering a new generation of creative thinkers and makers. Dr. Honey shares her unique career path, starting from her high school days reading about experimental schools to her impactful work at Children's Television Workshop (now Sesame Workshop) and the New York Hall of Science. We explore how Scratch, developed at the MIT Media Lab by Mitch Resnick, isn't just about teaching kids to code formally, but about providing an accessible, playful tool for creative expression. Discover how over 150 million young people have used the platform since 2007, creating more than a billion projects. We discuss the critical role of curiosity and imagination in a world increasingly shaped by AI, emphasizing how these distinctly human attributes help us remain in the driver's seat of technology. Learn about the maker's mindset embedded in Scratch, where users actively engage with the platform to bring their ideas to life through games, stories, and animated environments. We also differentiate between Scratch Junior (for younger children) and Scratch, highlighting how the platform fosters durable skills like grit, resilience, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Dr. Honey explains Scratch's commitment to maintaining productive struggle and experimentation, ensuring AI serves as a tool to enhance, not replace, human creativity and problem-solving. We also discuss the broader implications for K-12 education, the shift towards using technology as a generative tool for problem-solving and knowledge representation, and the importance of fostering a sense of agency in learners. Dr. Honey touches on the PISA assessment's new "Learning in the Digital World" component and how it aligns with Scratch's constructivist principles. Finally, we hear about the "Curiosity Convening" in October 2025, bringing together global researchers and practitioners to explore the most effective ways to nurture curious, hands-on learning. Key Takeaways: Cultivating Curiosity & Imagination: In an AI-driven world, human attributes like curiosity and imagination are crucial for staying in control of technology and fostering creative competencies. The Maker's Mindset and Durable Skills: Scratch promotes an active "maker's mindset," encouraging children to build and create, thereby developing essential durable skills such as grit, resilience, logical thinking, and debugging. AI as an Enhancement, Not a Replacement: The Scratch Foundation aims for AI to be a tool that aids problem-solving and sparks curiosity, rather than performing tasks for users, preserving the valuable "productive struggle" in learning. Learning as Development: Emphasizing that learning is a foundational form of human development, fostering interaction, collaboration, and a sense of agency, rather than solely focusing on test outcomes. Global Shift in Education: We are seeing a global movement, exemplified by the OECD's new assessment, towards using technology as a generative tool for problem-solving and building representations of knowledge, shifting beyond simply learning to code. Don't miss this insightful conversation that illuminates the future of education, work, and how we can empower the next generation with the skills and mindset to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Video versions are up on Youtube and Spotify.

El P. Javier Olivera Ravasi, SE, aborda en esta entrevista la persecución religiosa contra los cristianos, silenciada hoy en gran parte de los medios de comunicación.Para ayudas a QNTLC: https://fundacionsanelias.org/

Il punto sul calciomercato in casa Genoa: al momento non sarebbe arrivata alcuna offerta per Ahanor, mentre in entrata spunta il nome di Pessina. Gilardino passa al Pisa, mentre il Genoa Club Moneglia riposiziona la bandiera. Buoncalcioatutti!

O Programa para Avaliação Internacional de Alunos (PISA) da OCDE irá introduzir uma nova avaliação em 2029 focada na literacia em Inteligência Artificial (IA) e media, sublinhando a necessidade de pensamento crítico na era digital. Esta mudança visa equipar os alunos para identificar preconceitos, compreender algoritmos e reconhecer manipulação em conteúdos digitais, preparando-os para um mundo onde a desinformação é prevalente. As escolas são incentivadas a integrar estes conceitos transversalmente no currículo, focando-se em questões essenciais e exemplos práticos para desenvolver a capacidade dos alunos de avaliar a fiabilidade das fontes e participar eticamente no espaço digital. O objetivo é capacitar os jovens para questionar os sistemas que moldam a sua experiência online e a sua visão do mundo, transformando-os de consumidores passivos em cidadãos informados e críticos.

Ora è ufficiale: Alberto Gilardino è il nuovo tecnico del Pisa. Ne parlano in questo episodio Tommaso Murdocca e Roberto Ugliono.Potrero, dove tutto ha inizio. Un podcast sul calcio italiano e internazionale.Su Mola powered by Como TV (https://tv.comofootball.com) nel 2025 potete seguire in diretta ed in esclusiva le partite della Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana, Recopa, Liga Profesional Argentina, Copa de la Liga Profesional Argentina, Eredivisie, HNL croata, Scottish Premiership, Coppa di Scozia, Super League greca, Coppa di Grecia e Coppa del Portogallo.Diventa un supporter di questo podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/potrero--5761582/support.

In dieser Folge von Kreide.KI.Klartext sprechen Diana Knodel und Gert Mengel mit Florian Rampelt, einem der profiliertesten Köpfe an der Schnittstelle von Bildung, Future Skills und Künstlicher Intelligenz in Deutschland. Florian leitet beim Stifterverband den Programmbereich Future Skills und KI und ist außerdem Geschäftsstellenleiter des KI-Campus – der zentralen Lernplattform für KI-Kompetenzen in Deutschland. Vom Hauptschullehrer über die Lehrerbildung bis hin zum Bildungs-Start-up – sein Weg ist ebenso ungewöhnlich wie wegweisend. In dieser Folge erfahrt ihr: • warum der technologische Wandel nur dann gelingt, wenn Menschen souverän handeln können • was das neue AI Literacy Framework von OECD und EU leisten will – und was nicht • wie Schulen, Lehrkräfte und Hochschulen jetzt ins Handeln kommen können • warum Ethik nicht nur mitgedacht, sondern formuliert und gelebt werden muss • und was Florian sich für den PISA-Test 2029 wünscht Wir sprechen außerdem über Herausforderungen bei der Lehrkräftebildung, den Unterschied zwischen breiten und spitzen Future Skills – und warum die KI-Kompetenz nicht im Informatikunterricht verortet werden darf.

Tejto novelizácií Ústavy nerozumiem. Rodičia i učitelia riešia úplne iné problémy, tvrdí skúsený pedagóg Juraj Hipš. Na Slovensku nie je vzdelanie výťahom k lepšiemu životu, toto je náš problém. Tisícky detí z chudobných pomerov sa ku kvalitnému vzdelaniu vôbec nedostanú. Mrháme ich talentom no a tu niekde sa začína i polarizácia spoločnosti, upozorňuje Hipš. Približne tretina funkčných analfabetov vo veku 15 rokov, výsledky PISA meraní, ktoré samotný rezortný minister označil za "národnú katastrofu" a únik našich najlepších mladých mozgov do zahraničia. Popritom pretrvávajúca segregácia vo vzdelávaní a veľmi silná závislosť vzdelania detí na sociálnom postavení ich rodičov. K tomu treba pripočítať ešte i šíriacu sa epidémiu dušených a psychických problémov detí či mládeže, rastúce prípady šikany na školách - a dokonca už aj neraz brutálneho násilia v triedach končiaceho dokonca smrťou.A odpoveď štátu? Okrem iného je to i aktuálna snaha vládnej koalície zakotviť - v spolupráci s KDH, do Ústavy definície muža -ako otca, ženy - ako matky či posilniť práva rodičov pri vzdelávaní ich detí.Tuší vôbec slovenská politická elita čím žijú naše deti a čo ich naozaj trápi? Nie sú všetky tie politické deklarácie o deťoch ako priorite spoločnosti vo svetle reálnych faktov len prázdnymi rečami a skutočné problémy ich kvalitného vzdelávania nám zúfalo unikajú? A prečo nie je škola iba o vzdelávaní, ale aj o výchove? No a napokon, kto sú to tie naše "neviditeľné deti", ktorých potenciálom tak strašne - ako spoločnosť, mrháme?Ráno Nahlas s dlhoročným pedagógom, podpredsedom modelovej inovatívnej školy Alma vo Zvolene Jurajom Hipšom. Pekný deň a pokoj v duši praje Braňo Dobšinský.

Tejto novelizácií Ústavy nerozumiem. Rodičia i učitelia riešia úplne iné problémy, tvrdí pedagóg Juraj Hipš. Na Slovensku nie je vzdelanie výťahom k lepšiemu životu, toto je náš problém. Tisícky detí z chudobných pomerov sa ku kvalitnému vzdelaniu vôbec nedostanú. Mrháme ich talentom no a tu niekde sa začína i polarizácia spoločnosti, upozorňuje Hipš. Približne tretina funkčných analfabetov vo veku 15 rokov, výsledky PISA meraní, ktoré samotný rezortný minister označil za "národnú katastrofu" a únik našich najlepších mladých mozgov do zahraničia. Popritom pretrvávajúca segregácia vo vzdelávaní a veľmi silná závislosť vzdelania detí na sociálnom postavení ich rodičov. K tomu treba pripočítať ešte i šíriacu sa epidémiu dušených a psychických problémov detí či mládeže, rastúce prípady šikany na školách - a dokonca už aj neraz brutálneho násilia v triedach končiaceho dokonca smrťou.A odpoveď štátu? Okrem iného je to i aktuálna snaha vládnej koalície zakotviť - v spolupráci s KDH, do Ústavy definície muža -ako otca, ženy - ako matky či posilniť práva rodičov pri vzdelávaní ich detí.Tuší vôbec slovenská politická elita čím žijú naše deti a čo ich naozaj trápi? Nie sú všetky tie politické deklarácie o deťoch ako priorite spoločnosti vo svetle reálnych faktov len prázdnymi rečami a skutočné problémy ich kvalitného vzdelávania nám zúfalo unikajú? A prečo nie je škola iba o vzdelávaní, ale aj o výchove? No a napokon, kto sú to tie naše "neviditeľné deti", ktorých potenciálom tak strašne - ako spoločnosť, mrháme?Ráno Nahlas s dlhoročným pedagógom, podpredsedom modelovej inovatívnej školy Alma vo Zvolene Jurajom Hipšom. Pekný deň a pokoj v duši praje Braňo Dobšinský.

Tanquem un curs marcat pels esfor

Pierwsze wzmianki o miejscowości pojawiają się w XIV wieku. Jest ściśle związana z Chmielnikiem, choć istniała już przed lokacją miasta. Znaczący dla niej był okres reformacji, z którą wiąże się nazwisko Oleśnickich. Wioska swoje miejsca znalazła również u Jana Długosza. Pisał o niej Jan Długosz. To tu urodził się słynny aktor Janusz Zakrzeński, który zginął tragicznie w katastrofie smoleńskiej. Do Przededworza ponownie zapraszają Cezary Jastrzębski i Robert Szumielewicz. 

„Ohne Künstliche Intelligenz in den Schulen und im Unterricht wird Deutschland die Mindeststandards bei PISA & Co. nicht erreichen können“, erklärt Ulrich Trautwein, Leiter des Hector-Instituts für Empirische Bildungsforschung und Professor an der Universität Tübingen. Wie sieht ein Schulunterricht mit KI in Zukunft eigentlich aus? Wozu brauchen wir dann noch Lehrkräfte? Wie lernen Heranwachsende dann noch selbstständiges Denken? Und was geschieht mit den Daten? Kann KI tatsächlich die Bildung fördern? Darüber spricht er beim „Innovationslabor Zukunft“, dem KI-Festival am Schauspiel Stuttgart.

O codzienności, królu szos i locie.

Sonia Gentili"Un giorno di guerra"Nino Aragna Editorewww.ninoaragnoeditore.itFinalisti Premio Viareggio Répaci, 2025Poesia:Maurizio Cucchi, La scatola onirica, MondadoriSonia Gentili, Un giorno di guerra, AragnoMariangela Gualtieri, Ruvido umano, EinaudiAldo Nove, Inabissarsi, Il SaggiatoreIl tempo della realtà è un solo giorno, perché una sola occasione è data alla realtà, ed è un giorno di guerra: quella che i viventi combattono dalla nascita per restare vivi, le guerre storiche di ieri e di oggi, la guerra delle scelte e delle relazioni affettive. Da questo tempo reale, limitato e incessantemente dialettico, e in particolare dal conflitto tra oggetto e sguardo, nasce anche la poesia. Nella sezione Roma 1944 / 2024 il nano Elia di Piazza Armenia ucciso per sbaglio dalla contraerea è inventato, come è inventata la bambina che incontra il partigiano in Via Rasella. Lui, il partigiano, invece è esistito davvero: si tratta di Rosario Bentivegna, coraggioso esecutore dell'azione antitedesca che ebbe luogo in quella strada il 23 marzo 1944. L'espressione «ibn sharmuta» che ricorre nella poesia Soldati è l'insulto per eccellenza nel mondo arabo (“figlio di puttana”). Altre evidenti allusioni alla realtà contemporanea disseminate nel libro potranno essere facilmente colte dal lettore.Sonia Gentili   è docente universitaria (Sapienza università di Roma), poetessa (L'impero e la Gorgone, Perrone, 2007; Parva naturalia, Aragno, 2012; Viaggio mentre morivo, Aragno, 2015, premio Viareggio e premio Pisa; I quattro gesti della creazione, Aragno, 2020, menzione speciale premio Gozzano), narratrice (I filosofi, Castelvecchi, 2019), autrice per ragazzi (Favole per credere alle favole, Ali Ribelli, 2022). Con l'artista Ambrogio Palmisano ha creato il collettivo di poesia visiva Gentili-Palmisano (www.gentilipalmisano.com), le cui opere sono state esposte in vari musei italiani.IL POSTO DELLE PAROLEascoltare fa pensarewww.ilpostodelleparole.itDiventa un supporter di questo podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/il-posto-delle-parole--1487855/support.

Jake and Matt analyse the next teams being promoted from Serie B to Serie A before the 2025/2026 Season commences. These being Sassuolo, Pisa & Cremonese. Naturally also bidding farewell to teams relegated from Serie A; Empoli, Venezia & Monza.Get an in depth analysis of how their clubs spend, how they play, their star players, their fanbases and all the must know details before the season commences.00:00-05:42 Intro05:42-9:40 Star Players going to Serie B09:40-12:27 Serie B Playoffs12:27-25:42 Cremonese25:42-39:36 Sassuolo39:36-51:20 Pisa51:20-57:09 Serie B RelegationSpecial Shoutout to our Media Partners Benevo Bid - Check out their collection here; https://benevobid.com/#acmilan #inter #juventus #torino #napoli #atalanta #bologna #fiorentina #roma #lazio #lecce #cagliari #udinese #monza #venezia #como #hellasverona #parma #empoli #genoa #football #soccer #footballpodcast #podcastPatreon (Support our Content): https://patreon.com/Serieaspotlight?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@serieaspotlightInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/serieaspotlight/Twitter: https://x.com/SerieASpotlight?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Quaranteam – Book 1: Part 12 The girls continue their pitches to Andy. Based on a post by CorruptingPower, in 25 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels. Nicolette smiled, shaking her head a bit. "I split from Josh the week after the party, because, well, it's not important, beyond the fact that he was a fucking asshole and I was sick of dealing with it. I haven't seen him in years now, and it's actually better that way. If he's dead, good, good riddance, fuck him, he deserved it. As for her partner, well, Bill wasn't a bad guy, although I never really talked much to him, or should I say I wasn't much permitted to talk to him, because he was from the old school of domination, with the leather whip and the iron fist, and he didn't like submissives giving him any back talk. Whitney was mostly happy with him, although she'd admitted to me a couple of times that she could've done without Bill's sadistic streak of inflicting pain on her. Pain wasn't really her thing. She didn't mind it from time to time, but it wasn't something she got off on. Bill did. But Bill died from the virus in April, leaving Whitney sort of lost and directionless." "I'm certainly not into inflicting pain on people, Nicolette, but I don't know that even on my best or worst days I could be fairly described as a dom." Nicolette giggled and waggled a finger in his direction. "You might have the other girls fooled, Master, but not me, and frankly, I don't think Ash buys it either. When I was pitching this to her yesterday, I pointed out to her that sexuality is, well, it's sort of like a menu at a Cheesecake Factory “ there are so many options that you are bound to find things you like just every once in a while, instead of every day. And you are a good and kind man, but I've also seen that sometimes you just want to take something, to claim something. There is a beast in you raging to get out, and I've tried to make sure I'm around to fill that need for you. We all heard it when you were having your first go at Taylor, and even Niko told me afterwards she thought you were holding back a little, like you were worried we might judge you for it, but your household loves you and trusts you, Master." The maid pushed the button and the image changed again, showing a head on almost portfolio picture of Whitney, her wrists bound together in rope, a collar around her neck, still wearing a bra, her hair pulled back into a ponytail, a very lustful look in her icy blue eyes drilling straight into the camera. "She took this photo just for you, Master. Nobody other than the three of us has seen it. Not only does she want to join the staff, she wants you to collar her. Hell, she said if you wanted to, she would even get tattooed or branded for you." "Branded?" Andy gasped suddenly. "I would never!" "Oh, I told her that, and she said that just made you sound even more dreamy, but wanted you to have that option on the table. She doesn't want to be one of your wives, because she says that would put her on equal level with you. She wants to belong to you. She's always going to be submissive, but do you have any idea how hard it's going to be for a single submissive woman to find a sexual partner right now, much less one who isn't a complete asshole? The biggest problem with the BDSM scene, in my eyes anyway, is that too many people don't respect boundaries, that they aren't respectful of one another. Whitney's never going to feel bad about not getting to sleep in your bed, but if you tell her to one night, she will, gladly, as long as it doesn't become a habit. When it comes to the house, she will be the kind of control freak you need running your digital life, but all that desperate need for control, that's why she likes to be completely out of control when it comes to her sexuality. Wearing a collar from you isn't a mark of shame; it's a thing of pride and beauty for her. And all of the women you have in this house, Master, they're all such wonderful and warm women, friendly and inviting, and even though we've told them time and time and time again that we're merely the staff, they're still treating us as friends, because we are their friends, even if we still work for you." Andy had been listening to all of this very intently, because the expression on Nicolette's face wasn't one of concern, but one of excitement, of enthusiasm, of pride. "Why'd she take a picture just for me?" "Because after Bill died half a year ago, she was aimless, and I got, well, to be blunt, I got very worried about her. I couldn't go and check up on her because of the quarantine, but we FaceTimed every day. We still do. And I've told her all about this house, about you, Master, and all your amazing partners, and about a month ago, Whitney started saying something I've been hearing a lot from her lately. 'I wish I had what you have.' She was waking up from her fugue state over the loss of Bill, and she wanted something again, for the first time in months. She wasn't just thinking about what her next meal was, or how to solve some routing problem at work. She had a genuine desire to introduce something, someone into her life again. You. This. All of this," the maid said, gesturing around her. "You two sound very close," Ash said. "I don't know that you made it clear to me just how close when you were presenting to me for practice." Nicolette nodded. "She's, well, she's probably my best friend, the person I can be myself with the most, and I'm worried about her. You have to understand, she's like an old watch that's been wound up too tightly. When I say she's a control freak, I might be understating the case, but before now she's always had that release valve of having Bill to take over for at least a few hours every week, where she wasn't allowed to have any control, and through that, all that pressure got released. You can give that to her again, Master." "Do you really think I'm a good match for her sexually?" Andy said. "I'd hate to bring her here and disappoint her." The French girl's face spread into a mischievous grin. "Like I said, Master, Whitney's going to be like me, not an everyday food, but definitely a delicious treat that you simply must indulge in now and then. And I'm a very good judge of character, so I want you to try and look me in the eyes and tell me that the idea of having a woman who literally will not lift a finger until you tell her to do so doesn't turn you on at least a little bit, to have such total control over a woman that she is waiting with baited breath for you to give her a command. I'll bet everything I own that you can't." Andy smirked and blushed a little bit. "I'm not sure there's many men who could say that. I certainly wouldn't want that if she didn't want that but,” Nicolette nodded vigorously. "But she does, she absolutely, positively, definitively does want that. From you. I think the biggest challenge you'd have with her is the feelings you'd have when you put the collar on her, because I can tell you, her one and only demand is that you collar her when she arrives, and that she only ever takes the collar off to bathe. I know you're going to have reservations about it, which is why I'm spending so much time reassuring you that this is ultimately what she wants. It's an odd thing for a man who describes himself as a feminist to do, collaring a woman, but realize, you are giving her what she wants “ the ability to not have to think for a bit." Ash grinned a little bit. "You forgot to tell him the final thing." Nicolette held her fingers to her mouth, trying to stifle a giggle once more, as she nodded. She then picked up the remote and clicked the button again, as the image advanced one more time. At first, Andy thought the image was the same, but then he saw it, resting atop of her bound wrists. A first edition of "The Demon Dies At Midnight," a small press book he'd done for himself before he'd started writing the Druid Gunslinger books, in many ways the precursor to the whole series. It was a short novel, more of a novella really, that Andy had written just to sort of test the idea of writing long form fiction, and while it shared some similarities with the Druid Gunslinger books, it was a stand alone tale about a freelance demon hunter who traveled the world, trying to find the demon that had laid a curse on him when he was a child. Andy had used a print on demand service for the book, and only 2000 copies had been sold before he had found a publisher for all his work, starting with the Druid Gunslinger books. His publisher had scooped up the rights to his first book along with the Druid Gunslinger books. Once they did, Andy had stopped the print on demand version of it, so those 2000 were all that was ever going to be printed with that cover, a touch more erotic than the publisher was comfortable with. He'd looked and the first editions were worth several hundred dollars on the secondary market now, even though copies of the second edition, the one done by his current publisher with its less racy cover, were available for ten bucks. "She's a fan of yours, Master, going back to the beginning. You can't see it, but that copy of your book is signed, by you, when you were doing signings in Santa Cruz." "She would've been living in Chicago when that book came out!" Andy laughed. "So you can't me she's been a fan of mine since then." "Oh, she bought it on the secondary market a couple of years ago, when she first started getting into your writing, long before I met you. She said it was worth it to have the original rather than a second edition. She reads loads and loads of sci fi and fantasy, but says you're an excellent writer, one of her favorites. When she found out you were my Master, she begged and pleaded with me to find some way for her to be able to join me. I told her I would keep my eye open for an opportunity, but that I didn't want to be disrespectful and ask you on my own." Andy clicked his tongue, shaking his head. "I told you that you could come to me with anything, Nicolette." "I know you did, Master, and thank you for that, but you have been wall to wall busy since you first arrived here a month or so ago, and there just never seemed to be an opportune moment until Hannah started talking to us about you being able to request people, which brings us all up to speed, here and now," she said, gesturing to the image behind her. "I don't just think she's an obvious yes, Master, I think she's the most obvious yes. And if you need a little help stoking the fires of the shades of a controlling bastard that hide inside that warm soul, you know I'm always willing to lend a hand or whatever you might need. Whitney and I have played together sexually before, and if she comes here, I have no doubt that she and I will be play partners again. You have a lot of amazing women on offer for you here, but this one has to be a slam dunk. Thanks for giving me the chance to introduce you to my best friend, and I can't wait to hear you tell me to invite her over." The maid pressed the button and the image of Whitney disappeared to be replaced by "Next: Niko" in white letters on a black background as she stood up and made her way to the door. Andy leaned over to Aisling. "Give me 5 10 minutes, okay?" Aisling grinned and nodded. "You're the boss, boss." He stood up quickly and made his way out into the hallway, closing the door behind him, as he moved quickly to catch up to Nicolette, just as she was about to reach the stairwell leading upstairs. "One sec, Nicolette," Andy said, "I have one more question for you." Nicolette smiled as she turned back to him, standing at the edge of the stairs. "Of course, Master, what can I " As soon as he was within reach of her, he grabbed her by the waist and spun her around, bending her forward until her back was nearly perpendicular with the wall, lifting her dress up and tugging her panties aside with one hand, unbuttoning his jeans with another. Before it even dawned on her what was happening, he lined the head of his cock up against her snatch and just shoved forward with one rough, penetrating thrust, sinking hilt deep as a groan was ripped from her throat, deep and sultry. "Was this what you wanted?" "Fuck yes, Master!" she whined, as he drew back and then thrust forward again with a harsh shove, forcing her cunt to swallow up his cock. Her hands reached before her, trying to brace herself, as he reached forward and grabbed her by the throat, making her stand upright, even while scooting forward as best she can, until her tits were mashed against the wall, her face tilted towards the ceiling, when he drew back and then punched forward again. "Is it wrong of me that your filthy little fuckmaid has been fingering her sloppy cunt thinking of her Master slamfucking her best friend?" Andy couldn't help but laugh about that, as he drew back again. "Is that the only thing you've been thinking about?" "Fuck!" she whimpered as he railed her again, lifting one of her legs to allow him to penetrate a little bit deeper. "You know that it isn't, Master. Your bratty little slut thinks about you all the time, imagining her Master doing so many dirty things to her." He shifted his hips a little bit, making sure he was good and slick, before he pulled her away from the wall and then moved her over to a table, forcing her forward, yanking her panties down to her ankles before tugging it off of her entirely. He grabbed the lacy underthing in his hand and then bent her over the table, pushing her knees to make her get a little bit lower, and before it could even register what he was doing, the head of his thick cock pressed against the rosebud of her asshole and just sunk through, greasing its way deep inside of her ass, lubed up with the drippy juices from her cunt. "Fuck oh fuck oh fuck you're fucking thick, Master, that's such a big fucking cock you've shoved up my tight young ass!" Nicolette whimpered, her voice squealing upward in pitch until it was a shrill shriek, more like a siren than a person. "I've been dreaming about being your stuffed little buttslut, Master, so just fucking hammer me already!" Andy had a weird notion, and he decided to follow through on it, as he reached around and stuffed Nicolette's panties into her mouth, and he could swear she clamped down even more tightly in excitement. Her hands were free, so if she wanted to, she could've pulled them out any moment. And yet, she didn't. Instead, the moans burbling from her throat grew more intense, her hips trying to push her ass back into his firm thrusts as much as she could. She was throwing her body back at him any which way she was able, but for the most part, she was simply getting railed, keeping as much of his cock buried inside of her ass for as much of the time as she could. After a minute or so, she started spasming and clamping down on his cock, and he couldn't resist, so he unloaded a heavy load of cum into her asshole, sweat dripping from his forehead against the back of her neck, until he softened enough to slip out of that tight pucker. When he leaned back, he tucked his cock away and pulled up his boxers and jeans, zipping them up, a wry smile on his lips as Nicolette turned around, an incredibly satisfied look upon her face. She pulled her panties from her mouth and that wild grin was the happiest he'd ever seen on Nicolette's face before. "Now that is how you fucking use me, Master," she purred with as much sensuality as she could. "And you have fucking earned keeping these for a bit." She leaned forward and tucked her panties into the front pocket of his jeans. "And don't worry, I'll fish them out of the laundry later." She tipped her head up and kissed him for a moment. "Thanks so much for that! Jesus! Au revoir!" Andy took his hand and wiped sweat from his forehead and grinned a bit to himself as he watched her head up the stairs. "Well then. Job done." When Andy headed back into the room, he found Aisling waiting with a shit eating smirk on her face. "Got your release valve off with the hired help?" she teased. Andy blushed a little bit, realizing that the door wasn't all that thick, and that he had taken Nicolette not all that far from the room, but then he decided he had nothing to be embarrassed about. "Look, she made it abundantly clear what she wanted from me, and so I damn well gave it to her," he said with a laugh, as he moved to sit down in his chair. "It had been over a week for her anyway, so she was due. You can tell Niko we're ready for her now." Niko was practically coming through the door when he said it. "She already knows. She was enjoying listening in on you giving Nicolette exactly what's she's been waiting for for a week now," she giggled. "And she, uh, I, I'm here now. How's presentations been so far?" Andy was about to answer out of reflex when he felt Aisling's hand on his arm, and heard her say, "No dirty snooker from you, missy. He's not tellin' you nuffin'." "He was about to, though," she winked at the redhead. Niko was in her uniform, something Andy had rarely seen her in, even though she wore it nearly every day. When she headed to the base, she always left before he got up, and she changed out of the uniform before she came home, so it was a little surprising to see her decked out in the formal wear. Her hair was up and pinned back, and she even had the chest candy on her uniform, as she'd been known to call it. "Going to present someone from the base?" Andy asked, suspecting it was the reason for the uniform. "You got it," she said, picking up the remote as she pushed a button as the image changed to a rather stern looking blonde woman in her mid forties with a hawkish nose. "I want to introduce you to Captain Tracy Bells, sir. She's a, y'know, we could do the whole thing, Ash, or we could just,” "It's yer call, Niko," the Irish redhead said to her, a conspiratorial grin on her face. Niko nodded, then motioned for Ash to come and join her, which she did, throwing Andy completely off guard. "Look, I'm not pitching Captain Bells to you, Andy," Niko said with a smile. "Because frankly, she's got a giant stick up her ass. I don't really have anyone to pitch you at all, to be frank. That's not why I'm here. It's a pretense." Andy tilted his head to one side. "Then why are you taking up a pitch slot?" "Well, it seemed like the best time that Ash and I could get you all to ourselves. For this," she said, pushing the button, as the image changed. In its place was a selfie that clearly Niko had taken just a day or two earlier, of her and Aisling. They each seemed to be holding something in their free hands, and just as it was dawning on Andy what they were, both girls spoke at the same time. "We're Pregnant!" Andy pointed a finger at Aisling, who nodded, then over at Niko, who nodded as well, then kept jumping his fingertip back and forth between the two of them as they both kept nodding, wild smiles on their faces. "What, both of you?" "Yep!" Niko said, giggling, as both her and Aisling started walking around the table, one on each side of it, closing in on him like a planned maneuver, leaning against the table, pinning him in his spot. "Most of your girls have synched up their time clocks, love," Aisling said, "So it was bound to happen to a couple of us at the same time. Niko and I are just glad it's us first." "Well, we sort of made sure that we were," Niko giggled. "I thought you were both on birth control still!" he said, although the smile on his face made it clear he wasn't upset. "Did everyone stop taking their birth control?" Aisling shook her head. "So far, I think we're the only ones who have." "We both stopped taking them a few months ago," Niko said. "When I started seeing and hearing the horror stories about the hospitals while I was working on base, I knew that this was going to happen, this or something like it, so I told Aisling and we just stopped taking our birth control pills, and well, here we are!" "I ran into town for the tests Saturday morning, and wouldn't you know it, two buns in two ovens, all from one chef!" Aisling said, as Andy wrapped his arms around both of them, hugging them intensely tight. "And you're both happy? I know you both did this intentionally, but sometimes people get second thoughts. I'm not! Getting second thoughts that is. I mean, I'm happy, I promise you I'm happy, but I want to be sure you're both happy." "We're ecstastic, hon," Niko said to him, nuzzling her face against his cheek. "We weren't sure when the best time to tell you would be, but when the whole pitching process started, we wanted to be sure you understood that maybe getting a nanny into the house wasn't such a wild idea." "Who knows?" Andy asked. "Just us and you," Aisling said. "We haven't told anyone yet." Andy kissed Niko, then Aisling, then Niko again, then Aisling again. "It's damn nice to have to some good news for once. So, should we go get lunch and tell the rest of the household?" "Sounds good to me," Andy said. "Niko?" "Absolutely," Niko said. As they headed towards the door, she leaned over and pushed the button on the remote, changing the slide so it was a black screen again with the words "Next: Piper." The last of the girls' pitches to Andy. Chapter 26 Lunch had been great fun. Once Aisling and Niko had told Andy, they'd wanted to tell everyone as soon as possible, so the moment they'd sat down for lunch, they'd told everyone straight out, which had led into a small celebration, and sort of let Andy slip into the background with his thoughts. Sure, the girls all congratulated him, but they were all much more interested in how Niko and Ash were feeling about everything, so Andy could do a little bit of his own research. When he had half a minute, he asked Katie for both more about Lexi, and what she thought of Jade Dillon. He also did a little bit of talking with Sarah about Maya Steele, since clearly they ran in similar circles. When he had a moment, he also pinged Hannah to see if she'd heard anything about Olivia Shoemaker, Asha's "influencer" friend. Finally, he asked Jenny about Katie's ex, Dr. Morgan Fitch. By the end of lunch, he almost wished he'd brought his yellow notepad with him. It was a lot of names, a lot of opinions and thoughts to keep from getting scrambled around in his brain. But his own opinions were starting to bake in, to settle and coalesce into something more solid. His mind was so wrapped up in his thoughts, he almost overlooked how lunch was, as it always was, amazing. He made sure to tell Jenny just how excellent it was, and she said he could thank her by making sure to bring Alexis into the family. He didn't answer her, but his smile probably gave him away. He didn't mind. When they were walking back towards the meeting room, Aisling slipped her arm around his waist, leaned in and kissed his cheek. "You're happy Niko and I are expectin', right, love?" She had a smile on her face, so she was simply reinforcing what she already knew. "Sometimes you can bit understated 'bout these kinds of things." Andy chuckled a little, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "You know that I am, Ash. I'm sorry if I seemed a little distant at lunch. This is just a lot of information to take in all at once, lots of people to consider, lots of decisions to make. Shit, people's lives and livelihoods hang in the balance of my stupid judgment. The decisions I'm going to make tomorrow have real, genuine consequences, things I gotta live with for the rest of my life, and I don't want to let anyone down. Turning anyone down feels like  " "Stop," Ash said, holding him from walking any further. "I told you up front that nobody was going to hold anything against you, and we're all going to honor that. You didn't have to let anyone have a say, and you're letting everyone have a say. That's all anyone has the right to ask of you." She sighed, then laughed for a second. "Jaysis, if it was me, I'd have thrown the towel in and just taken nobody, but you're not doing that, despite the fact that nobody would've blamed you if you did. Instead, you set down what your reasonable capabilities are, and everyone agreed to them. So stop getting in your own damn way and just get on with it already." He had to laugh with her at that point, nodding in agreement. "Okay, okay, I get it. No more moping about this, and no more overthinking it. Just listen to the pitches, make my decisions and move forward with our lives. I'll hold you to nobody being mad, though." "Everybody knows what's coming down the pipeline, Andy," Ash said. "It'll be alright. I promise you, it'll all be alright. Now let's get these last four underway. There's still a few surprises left to spring on you, and it's always fun to watch your expression when you're caught off guard." "What kind of crazy surprises do you have lined up for me?" he said, as Piper strode through the door confidently, dressed in her Team USA gear, some sort of warm up suit. He was certain she wasn't wearing the full Olympian gear underneath it, but the very presence of the outfit seemed designed to send a message. "You should know she doesn't have anything planned for you, Andy," Piper said, smirking at him. "This is all us." "How are you feeling, Piper? Head starting to clear up? Starting to feel more like yourself again?" Andy asked. "A lot better, yeah. The first few days, it was like, I dunno, like I was walking through fog, like every inch of my body was coated in maple syrup," the brunette volleyball player said, looking around the room a bit before looking back at Andy. "I was living in quicksand, but over the last couple of days, all of that's been lifting and I've felt mostly like myself again. I've been trying to get back on my work out regimen, so that's helped some. But I think the further I get away from that state, the better off I'll be." She looked better, there was no denying. Her eyes didn't have the dark, heavy bags underneath them that they had when they first met. She'd also put a little bit of weight back on, but Andy suspected that was because she had been massively dehydrated when they'd first met. He was glad to see her coming back into being her full self. "A couple more weeks and I'll be right as rain again. But that's not why I'm here today." "Yeah, well, it doesn't hurt for me to ask about you first." "Yeah yeah," Piper said, as she picked up the remote, pressing the button as a Nordic looking blonde appeared on the screen. "I don't know how much you follow the Olympics, but if you do, you might recognize my friend Brooke Maloney here. She's being hyped as the next big thing for the woman's swim team. She's going to enter a number of various swim competitions,  breast stroke, freestyle, relay,  but obviously there aren't any games this year, and she's going out of her mind swimming laps in the compound's pool." The blonde, much like Piper, looked fit, although she looked much shorter in comparison, with broader shoulders and a wide smile on her face, sitting at a table full of athletes. Piper pushed the button again and the screen advanced to a new image, one of Piper and Brooke sitting on a blanket at some outdoor concert. "What do you mean 'compound?'" Andy asked. "A lot of the soon to be Olympians were at the US Training Camp, putting in a hard six months before the Olympics," Piper said. "Me and the rest of the volleyball team were going to be diverted there when the lockdown had been going for a few months, but it was deemed 'too risky' for any of us to be moved. Well, up until our dear Mister Covington decided to scoop me up and tried to make me into his own personal plaything. Thanks again for rescuing me from that, by the by." "I'm just glad you're not mad it's me you're bound to." "We've been over this, Andy," she sighed, a polite smile on her face. "I'm happy it was someone as nice as you. Let's move things forward. Now, one of the dirty little secrets you may not have heard about the Olympics is that after an athlete competes in their particular event, they go back to the Olympic village and they let off all that pent up steam that's been building in them for years. I haven't had a chance to experience myself personally, but our trainers and coaches have been telling us about it for as long as we've been old enough to hear the stories. I don't need that pressure valve any more because, well, I have you. But my friend Brooke, well, she doesn't have that." She pushed the button and the image advanced to another picture of Brooke, this time in Daisy Duke cutoff jean shorts, a white tied up shirt and a wide brimmed stetson hat, somewhere at a country bar, a Corona in hand with a lime. Her blonde hair was done up in short pigtails, which looked odd on her by Andy's reckoning. "Brooke and I have been friends for a couple of years now, and believe me, the Olympics is literally all she thinks about," Piper said. "She wants to win gold medals so much it, it's eating her up inside. Now with the 2020 games being pushed back until at least 2021, she's going out of her mind, like a predator able to see its prey under glass but not being allowed to hunt it." Piper pushed the button and the picture changed to an image of Brooke leaning against a Shelby Cobra, dressed in overalls, covered in grease, a wrench in her hand. "Her only other real passion is classic cars. She's something of a gearhead, and any time she's not training, she's working on cars. She's done more than a couple frame off restorations and more than a handful of heavy mods. She's had a couple of boyfriends over the years, but they never last all that long." "So what's she like in the sack, Pipes?" Ash asked her. "She's about as vanilla as they come," Piper answered. "She likes things slow and steady, smooth and soft. But she'll be a good lover, and a good friend." "Complications you anticipate?" Andy asked. "You're from pretty different worlds, but I've often been told that opposites attract, so maybe that won't be as big an issue as I think it might be," she shrugged. "You're pretty rock'n'roll, and she's a country girl at heart. You're a big city guy and she's a small town girl. She's at church every Sunday and I'm pretty sure you're an aethist. So maybe that's all too much to scale, but then again maybe it isn't. I'm sure whatever you decide, it'll be the right decision." Piper pushed the button and the screen advanced again, back to a black screen, with the words "Next: Sarah" in a cartoonish white lettering. "Any reason you didn't suggest any of the other girls from your volleyball team, just out of curiosity?" Andy asked. "I would've figured they would've been some of your best friends." The brunette smirked, flashing him a little wink. "Oh they are, but there's no way in hell I'm sharing my man with the likes of them. Let'em find their own hunk and they can keep their sticky fingers off of mine." With that, Piper headed out of the room, leaving the door open behind her, striding confidently down the hallway. "So, just to warn you about the next one, Andy, we do know in advance that you have met her a couple of times, but in the pictures we've seen, you always looked friendly, so we're going off that," Aisling said to him, as she texted Sarah to head to the conference room. "If we're wrong in those assumptions, ye can tell us and we'll let the matter drop then and there." "Oh yeah?" Andy said, suddenly wondering what familiar face was going to grace the screen in moments. "Where do I know her from?" The Irish redhead waggled a finger in his direction. "Just be patient, love. She'll up and in front o' ya in just a minute or two." Andy rolled his eyes with a grin. "Then what's the harm in telling me early?" "The harm is Sarah will have my tits in a wringer if I spill the goss before she's here." "Good lord, you girls and your secrets," he muttered in amusement. The statuesque redhead arrived moments later, and she immediately came over to hug Aisling, a giggle slipping from Sarah's mouth. "Congrats again, Ash," Sarah said to her. "I didn't want to say it in front of the others, but I am totally fucking jealous of you right now, you wouldn't even fucking believe me how jealous I am. Today is obviously the day I stop taking my birth control, because, damn, my clock is ticking, girlfriend." Ash shook her head with a mischievous grin. "You don't want to wait until you're a little more settled in first, Sarah? Or until you're married?" Sarah pulled back from the hug, looking over at Andy, licking her lips with a wild smile. "Shit, if I thought I could get him to do it, I'd beg him to fuck me until I was knocked up right here on this table, right here and now. But I've only got ten minutes, so maybe I should just get to the presentation." Andy gestured to the remote with a smile. "Maybe." "One thing first, though." Sarah had come into the meeting in a dress skirt and a dark red silk blouse, but she turned around, did something, then turned back, bringing a glistening finger to Andy's lips before the actress slipped it into his mouth, and he could taste her cunt on it. "Just so you know how much the idea of you breeding me turns me on." She winked at him as she pulled her fingertip from his lips and walked back to the other side of the table. "On with the show, Sares," Aisling poked. "Yeah, totes, Ash, I'm getting' there." Sarah picked up the remote and clicked the button, as the screen behind her flickered to life. "Oh look! It's you! And you're with one of my other total favorite writers, Larissa Cotton!" Andy immediately recognized the shot. It was taken about five years ago, at DragonCon. Andy hadn't wanted to go, but he'd been nominated for a Hugo, an award he'd ended up winning, for "Behind The Darkest Sky," the most successful of the Druid Gunslinger novels, partially because it was the most risky of the books. When Andy had written it, he'd almost thought it might be the end of the series if it didn't work, if the audience didn't trust him to stick around long enough to see the story continue in the next one. He'd left the Gunslinger in a hell of a mess at the end of the book, and while he was over half way through writing the next one when "Behind The Darkest Sky" had come out, he'd still been in a very nervous place about going to a convention. At the Hugo awards for the night, he'd found himself sat with a handful of authors he hadn't met before that night, including Larissa Cotton, a Hispanic woman from Portland who'd written an amazing book called "Ions At Dawn," a technothriller about a woman who finds herself grappling with an archaeological find that threatens to rewrite the basic underpinnings of science. Andy had read all the nominees and found her book fascinating, although maybe a bit too heady for the average reader. Larissa was nothing like any writer he'd ever met before. She was brash, confident, boisterous and outspoken, the loudest presence in any room, and yet, never in a harsh way. She was a plus sized woman, thick but not in an unappealing way. The silver hoop in her nose had been a little off putting, and Andy had found the overwhelming number of tattoos more than a little distracting, almost perhaps no more than the goth Lolita look meets skater punk she'd been rocking at the party. They'd gotten along reasonably well, although Larissa had gotten rip roaringly drunk by the end of the night. Andy and a couple of others had needed to help her back to her hotel room, since she was nearing blackout stages by the end of the night. Andy and Larissa had reminded occasionally in contact since then, but they certainly weren't what Andy would describe as close. They'd met up a couple of times in the years since, but generally it had just been if they'd been in the same town, and then only within a group of people. "Larissa lives up in Portland," Andy said. "Sure, but that can change," Sarah said. "I mean, Emily and I both lived in LA until we moved here. Asha's lived most of her life in London and Piper spent most of her life in Florida. People move, Andy. That can't be an excuse." "Well, no," Andy laughed, "but she was also engaged last I heard." "Wait, what?" Sarah asked. "I talked to her like three months ago, and she didn't mention it, and I didn't see any engagement ring." He shrugged. "Maybe I misheard, or maybe they called it off. It was a couple of years ago, when a bunch of us were getting drunk after our ComicCon panels. She said she'd just sold the film adaptation rights to 'Ions At Dawn' to somebody and we all went out to celebrate." Aisling nodded. "She sold the rights to Sarah, as a matter of fact." The taller redhead pushed the button on the remote and the screen advanced to an image of Sarah and Larissa at a conference table shaking hands. "My production company, Awkward & Dorky Films, to be more specific. We agreed to let her give us a first draft if she agreed to go through the notes and revisions process without too many complaints." "Heh," Andy smirked. "And 'Ris agreed to that? Talk about being prickly to editors. She damn near took my head off when she had me read a first draft of her third book, 'Castle of Yesterdays,' and I gave her notes on it." "It totally couldn't have been as bad as you're making it out to be, Andy," Sarah teased. "Don't be such a baby. Suck it up." "I believe she told me that I could roll up my notes and shove them into my cock until I was crapping them out," he said. "Fuck," Sarah muttered. "You must've been really hard in those notes." "Not really?" He shrugged a little. "I mean, I offered some opinions and I told her that a couple of the chapters went on too long with nothing happening, and that the climax felt overly weak but that it was a great first draft. I mean, I liked the book a lot. But that's what you do with first drafts,  show them to someone, figure out what works and what doesn't, then make a real book out of it." "I liked 'Castle of Yesterdays,' though, Andy!" Sarah whined. "Sure!" he said, waggling a finger at her. "You just read the final version, which went through about six revisions. And, for what it's worth, she ended up using most of my notes. I mean, I didn't hold it against her that she didn't like getting notes. Every author can be a little bit of a prima donna sometimes." "Well, as of July, I don't think she was married or engaged or whatever, and she's completely rad. Also, you two get along, because you've obviously gone out for dinner and drinks before, and she trusted you enough to let you read her first draft of a new book, so that seems good enough to me, don't you think?" "I mean, we weren't close friends, but we were, er, are friendly acquaintances. I don't know that either of us thought the other was their type, though. She seemed to be into people who were way more of the 80s skateboard punk ethos than me." "You saw her with a man at some point?" "Oh yeah," Andy said, "Well, no. I mean, not directly, but she showed me a picture of her and 'her man,' she called him. He was big, fit fellow. Broad shoulders, six pack. About as far from me as any man can possibly get. He looked like he could've bench pressed me for hours without breaking a sweat, and she, well, she looked happy." Sarah shrugged a little bit. "Whoever he was, Andy, he completely didn't last, because when she and I were meeting to discuss our notes for the screenplay, she was sniping about how she hadn't had a proper lay in months. So big and hunky didn't work for her, so maybe you could. I know she thinks you're cute. I told her I had a crush on you and she said 'Well, who could blame you?' so I think she does too." "How well do you know her, Sarah?" The taller redhead shrugged. "Not all that well, but she's been nice to me, and she's someone you know, so maybe that could be something that would work for you." "Do you have any idea whether or not we'd be sexually compatible?" Sarah shrugged with a smile. "It's never come up, so I don't have any idea." "Possible challenges?" "Two writers in the same room might always want to be editing one another?" she giggled. "I genuinely don't know, Andy. But I thought it was a good idea so I wanted to suggest it." "Fair enough then." "One last thing before I go," Sarah said, pushing the button to advance the screen to an image that read "next: Sheridan" on it in a frilly cursive font. "I was telling you at lunch that I think bringing Maya Steele into the family is a great idea, so I wanted to stress that while I haven't changed my mind on that, I did forget to tell you not to ever get into a drinking contest with her. Your head will hurt and your liver will be punching you for days." "And yet, you still think I should bring her in?" Sarah nodded emphatically. "Maya's a bad ass, and you need someone as direct as her in your life. I mean, Neeks handles most of that, but really, Maya's got her beat hands down." "Are you trying to convince me not to bring her in? Someone more direct than Niko?" "It'll be fine, Andy," Sarah said, flipping her hair with one hand. "I already know you're going to pick her, so trust me when I tell you that is the correct decision to make." "And if that isn't the decision I'm making?" "Then you're being a fucking idiot and you'd better come to your senses before your final decision, because no man should be allowed to be that fucking stupid. Obvs. But I know you're totally not and you're really just fucking with me, and that's cool," she said as she walked around the table before leaning down and kissing him firmly, pressing her lips against his for a long moment. "Have fun with the rest of the pitches!" As Sarah walked out of the room, Aisling shook her head while sending the message to Sheridan for her to make her way up to the pitch room. "It can be very hard to remember she's been nominated for an Oscar when she acts like that," the smaller redhead said. "But I guess it's part of her 'girl next door' charm. Anyway, what did you think? You're not mad about Sarah pitching Larissa?" "Why would I be mad?" he laughed. "I just don't know that it'd work. But it's something I'll definitely consider when I'm doing my deliberations, especially since Sarah seems to think Larissa might be into me. I never got that vibe, but  " "But it's well established you barely know a woman's into you even when she's sitting in your lap and whispering into your ear that she wants you to fuck her brains out." Andy gave her a disapproving smirk. "I'm not that bad." "You're not far from it, anyway." Sheridan came strolling into the room, wearing what she had at lunch, far less dressed up than most of the girls, wearing jean shorts over a leotard or a swimsuit, her frizzy blonde hair mostly tucked back, damp but not soaked. Andy half wondered if she'd been swimming in the pool while she'd been waiting. Sheridan had been known to enjoy swimming, even though the weather was dipping into the cooler side. Since her job as a performer was on hold until the pandemic was under control, she'd done her best to find ways to occupy her time. "Heya stud," she said with a wink as she wandered over to sit down in the chair. "I'm not gonna ask you if you've made decisions yet, but I am gonna ask how you're feeling about the process so far. It's hella cool that you're giving us input into that, and it's a big deal, so thanks for that. Anyway, I think you're gonna find my friend a wild ride." "Let's get to it then," Andy said. Sheridan picked up the remote and pushed the button as the screen popped to life, a image of Sheridan sitting with a young woman in her late 20s or early 30s, with jet black hair and skin the color of desert sand. She was a little more on the plump side, with a mischievous smile. They were sitting at a wood table on the patio of some local bar. "This is my friend Tala Jordan," the blonde said. "Her parents immigrated here from Iran in 1970. We met in high school and became besties. She's the one who talked me into quitting smoking. We were roommates in college down at Santa Cruz and we've been roomies on and off again since we both graduated in 2012." "Why do I feel like I've seen her somewhere before?" Andy said, the woman's face looking vaguely familiar in a way he simply couldn't place. "You go to a lot of concerts, Andy?" "Some." "Well, then she's probably been singing with an opening band you've seen at a concert." Sheridan pushed the button and the image advanced, showing Tala playing an electronic keyboard on a stand, and singing into a microphone. He recognized the stage as The Independent, a small but influential club in San Francisco that also tended to get some big name acts. "Boom Goes The Dynamite, Castle Idea, The Grendelles, Lowball Skyscrapers, Girls Gone Danger, hell, probably at least half a dozen more that I can't remember. Every time I talk to her, it seems like she's got some new band she's playing with." "What does she do when she's not playing in a band?" Aisling asked. Andy was certain she probably already knew the answer to the question and was simply asking for his benefit. "She's a carpenter," Sheridan said, pushing a button to advance to a slide of Tala working on a desk. "More specifically, she's a cabinetmaker, most of the time, anyway. She and a couple of her friends opened their own custom furniture house about five years ago, and people really like their stuff, because that's kept her afloat while living in the Bay, although to be fair, she's also gotten a very specific kind of clientele as of late." "What's that?" Andy asked. Sheridan pushed the button again, and the new image showed Tala sitting on top of a desk with dozens of shelves, a hutch atop it that had a number of closed doors on it. "She's become a puzzle maker. Custom puzzle boxes, puzzle desks, that kind of thing. It's a weird little niche, but it pays incredibly well, and she's made stuff for people like Kris Angel, Neil Patrick Harris and Elon Musk. Those projects usually take a month or two's worth of work, but they pay for an entire year or two's worth of mortgage, so she's okay with it." "Fascinating. What's she like as a person?" "She's wicked smart and very funny." She pushed the button and the image advanced again, showing the two of them standing on the Golden Gate bridge, their backs to the Bay. It must have been extremely windy on the day the picture was taken, because both women were doing their best to keep their hair from flying all over the place. Both girls were clearly laughing hysterically. "Some people think she can come across as a bit mean, but they just don't recognize she's only busting their balls a bit. She always told me that the Persian sense of humor can go over the heads of people not smart enough to keep up with her, and that she doesn't mind. She's a lot like Niko, and considering how much you and she get along, I think you'll dig Tala loads." Andy nodded. "Do you think she and I would be sexually compatible? What's she want out of a man?" Sheridan grinned from ear to ear and Andy immediately wondered what he'd said to trigger such a reaction. "If you had asked me two weeks ago, I would've given you an entirely different answer than the one I can give you today, dude. So when I told her about the whole imprinting process, and all about the accident we had with me getting primed early, I expected to see Tala be hella concerned about me, but instead, she got this freaky look on her face, and I realized about half way through my story that she was jilling off, while I told her about it. It turned her on so much she just couldn't help it," the blonde said, licking her lips with wolfish delight. "I'd never known before, but she's always had this pheromone fetish. Like, she gets turned on by the idea of being so turned on that she doesn't have control of her self, that she's turned into some carnal unstoppable beast who is going to fuck even if she has to move hell to get it." Andy swallowed a mouthful of air awkwardly. "When I told her about your first encounter with Piper, I swear to god, she fucking came just hearing about it. She wasn't even touching herself at that point, 'cause she was holding the phone with both hands. I asked her about it, and she said she was kinda embarrassed to talk about it, but admitted that it'd always been a fetish of hers. I found out all of this yesterday when I called to ask her if she'd be interested in me putting her forward for a chance to join you." "And I take it that the tales of the imprinting process only enhanced her interest?" "Totes. Obvs she wants to be here, but she also wants you to edge her all the time." "What do you mean edge her?" "She asked what happens when you try and stretch out the amount of time a girl needs to get her dose, and I told her your story about you and Lauren, and she wants to constantly be going towards that state. That turns her on like you wouldn't imagine. So seems to me like you get multiple ticks in the win column by bringing her here." "Possible challenges?" "Well, being quarantined in New Eden's gonna be rough on her, because she's big into spending time with her parents. She moved into their house when the pandemic started, and I know when people come into New Eden, they can't leave until the pandemic's over, so you'll need to make sure she understands that, but I'm betting the idea of getting to live out her number one sexual fantasy, like, all the fucking time might be enough to convince her that her folks will be okay on their own." "How close are you two, Sheridan?" "She's, like, one of my best friends, maybe my best friend, actually. I think you'd like her a lot. I know we haven't spent, like, loads of time together, but she really wants this, and you've got me, and you seem to like me well enough, so maybe you'd like her too, y'know?" Andy nodded with a smile. "Okay then. Thanks for talking to me about her, and I'll be letting everyone know tomorrow what my decisions are." "Yep, I got the spiel on the rules from Ash before we got started, so I know how it works," she said, pressing the button to advance the screen once more, bold white letters reading "next: Taylor" on the black background. "Just remember, while we all gotta live with'em, you're the one who's gonna have to fuck'em every couple of weeks, so don't take anyone you don't wanna dip your wick into on the regular, y'hear?" With that, Sheridan headed out of the room, leaving Andy and Aisling alone in the room again. "I didn't even know there was a fetish for that kind of thing." "You live near San Francisco, love," Aisling teased. "You more than anyone should know there's a fetish for every kind of thing. And nobody's judging. If it's not your thing, no problem. If it turns you on thinking about it, no problem. To thine own self be true, like Polonius said." "You know it's meant to be bad advice when he says it in Hamlet, right?" Andy replied. "Don't be such a geezer about it." "I'm a writer, Ash. Being a geezer about the English language is right there in the job description." Taylor knocked on the door, and had to be told twice to come in. She was actually dressed in clothing now, Lauren obviously having made an exception for the day, as the girl was still in her time of punishment. Andy wasn't sure that Lauren would make her go the whole month, but as of yet, the Aussie had shown no sign of suddenly doling out leniency. Taylor had on a pair of gym shorts and a white muscle t shirt that did very little to mask her impressive bust, but her hair was drawn back into a modest ponytail, high on her head, done up in a scrunchy. "So I'm the last one, huh?" she said, as she came into the room, looking at the chair then looking at Andy expectantly. "Sit, sit," Andy said. "If she's letting you get dressed to pitch, I'm sure she's fine with you sitting in a chair while you go through the whole process. And if she wasn't, I'm certain she would have said something." "Yeah, I guess you're right," Taylor said, finally moving to sit down in the chair. "Uh, hi! I did want to be sure and say thank you for letting us all do this, sir. I know you've been a little overwhelmed by all the female attention you've been getting, but it's very kind of you to allow us to suggest our friends to you, to make this home a little more like home." "Just as long as none of you get mad if I don't choose the people you pitch," Andy said. Taylor's bright blue eyes widened and she shook her head. "Oh,

Molti articoli di un certo valore, per non parlare di bancomat e carte di credito, contengono un chip che permette di identificarli individualmente e di garantirne l'originalità. Per impedirne la clonazione, un gruppo di ricercatori dell'Università di Pisa sta lavorando a una nuova generazione di chip in silicio, capaci di implementare tecniche di crittografia fisica dette "ad altissima entropia" e di farlo già a livello hardware: la chiave di sicurezza del chip non deve, cioè, essere scritta all'interno di una memoria presente a bordo, che potrebbe essere letta dall'esterno; deve invece essere impressa nella sua struttura fisica, rendendo la clonazione pressoché impossibile. Questo è l'obiettivo del progetto CyberSiliconID, finanziato dal Fondo Italiano per le Scienze Applicate con 4.6 milioni di euro. Ce ne parla Giuseppe Iannaccone, professore al Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Informazione dell'Università di Pisa.

Dall'Università di Pisa arriva un'innovazione che potrebbe rivoluzionare il monitoraggio delle terapie oncologiche: un biosensore impiantabile capace di rilevare in tempo reale l'assorbimento dei farmaci chemioterapici.La chemioterapia, infatti, richiede un delicato equilibrio tra efficacia nel combattere il tumore e la potenziale tossicità per il paziente, un bilanciamento che dipende molto dalla quantità di farmaco effettivamente assorbita dal tessuto malato.Qui entra in gioco il lavoro dei ricercatori pisani, che hanno sviluppato un sensore sottilissimo, una sorta di "francobollo". Se necessario, durante un intervento chirurgico, può essere posizionato direttamente sull'organo o sul tessuto da monitorare. Questo sensore, sfruttando la fluorescenza che acquisisce in presenza di chemioterapici, permette di monitorarne l'assorbimento. La sua peculiarità è che, dopo alcuni giorni, si dissolve e viene riassorbito dal corpo, proprio come i punti di sutura.Ne parliamo con Giuseppe Barillaro, professore di Elettronica del Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Informazione dell'Università di Pisa.

On this week's episode of Paranormally Speaking with Neal Parks: A Journey through Haunted Europe! From Paris France to Barcelona Spain, to Pisa, Rome, Vatican City, Naples and Pompeii. Journey with me through Haunted Europe.

Dante Alighieri (1265 - 1321)Translated by Bartolomé Mitre (1821 - 1906)La Divina Comedia (también conocida como La Comedia) es un poema teológico escrito por Dante Alighieri. Se desconoce la fecha exacta en que fue escrito aunque las opiniones más reconocidas aseguran que el Infierno pudo ser compuesto entre 1304 y 1307–1308, el Purgatorio de 1307–1308 a 1313–1314 y por último, el Paraíso de 1313–1314 a 1321 (fecha esta última, de la muerte de Dante). La primera parte narra el descenso del autor al Infierno, acompañado por el poeta latino Virgilio, autor de la Eneida, a quien Dante admiraba. Acompañado por su maestro y guía, describe los nueve círculos en los que son sometidos a castigo los condenados, según la gravedad de los pecados cometidos en vida. Dante encuentra en el Infierno a muchos personajes antiguos, pero también de su época, y cada uno de ellos narra su historia brevemente a cambio de que Dante prometa mantener vivo su recuerdo en el mundo; cada castigo se ajusta a la naturaleza de su falta y se repite eternamente. Es particularmente recordada la historia de Paolo y Francesca, amantes adúlteros que se conocieron al leer en el libro de Lanzarote los amores de la reina Ginebra y este caballero, que fue motivo de inspiración y homenaje por poetas románticos y contemporáneos, así como la historia del conde Ugolino da Pisa, el último viaje de Ulises, el tránsito por el bosque de los suicidas, la travesía del desierto donde llueve el fuego y la llanura de hielo de los traidores, estos últimos, considerados los peores pecadores entre todos. (Resúmen de Arturo)

La primera y más repetida descripción que se oye sobre el nuevo animal es que no es nuevo, sino que lo conocemos bien, pues se trata de un clavado de regreso al viejo PRI.

En este episodio de Hack Tu Vida, conversamos con Marcela Cárdenas, Coach de Performance, Liderazgo y Chief Revenue Officer, (ex Fairplay, ex Cabify) sobre lo que realmente implica liderar desde la autenticidad, la resiliencia y el propósito en un mundo en constante cambio. Desde su experiencia liderando equipos en América Latina hasta su propia transformación personal tras enfrentar retos físicos y emocionales, Marcela nos regala una conversación íntima, poderosa y muy práctica. Hablamos sobre: - Qué es la resiliencia y cómo desarrollarla como un músculo diario. - Cómo construir una rutina energética que te sostenga en los momentos difíciles. - El impacto del liderazgo consciente en la cultura organizacional. - Qué significa realmente ser una mujer líder sin necesidad de emular modelos masculinos. La importancia del propósito, la empatía y la vulnerabilidad como herramientas de transformación. - Cómo las maratones, el deporte y el ritmo lento nos enseñan a liderar y vivir con profundidad. Un episodio lleno de verdad, reflexiones y herramientas prácticas para quienes están en procesos de cambio, quieren liderar desde su esencia y buscan encontrar fuerza incluso en los momentos de incertidumbre.

This is the recording between Matt Mullenweg and Mary Hubbard on stage at WordCamp Europe 2025. They covered everything from regulation in the EU, the FAIR package manager announcement, and new education pathways, to what's next for WordPress core and the ecosystem. The session started with Mary interviewing Matt, followed by a live Q&A with the audience, tackling concerns from longtime contributors, organizers, and first-time attendees alike.Matt opened with thoughts on the European regulatory landscape, pointing out both the good intentions and friction caused by cookie consent banners and compliance rules. He emphasized WordPress' alignment with other open-source CMS projects like Drupal and Joomla, and the potential for advocacy through EU-based hosting companies. The topic of establishing a legal presence for the WordPress Foundation in the EU came up—an idea that's being considered but seen as too complex to act on right now.The FAIR project announcement got a cautious but open-minded response from Matt. While he acknowledged the potential of a federated repository for plugins and themes, he highlighted significant concerns around trust, rollout coordination, and analytics. He stressed the importance of plugin safety, org infrastructure, and recent advances in automated vulnerability scanning. Then came a rapid-fire Q&A: contributors asked about AI in WordPress, the sustainability team's future, WooCommerce's branding against Shopify, Campus Connect's expansion, funding WordCamps in underrepresented regions, and even the need to modernize internal tools like CampTix. A big highlight was the 150-hour university credit pilot launching in Pisa this month—an exciting new way to bring student contributors into the project at scale.Have a listen to the whole audio episode while you're on the go!  ★ Support this podcast ★

Ilaria Bonacossa"Meriggiare pallido e assorto"Eugenio Montale: 100 immagini per i 100 anni di Ossi di Seppia.Palazzo Ducale, Genova - fino al 29 giugno 2025https://palazzoducale.genova.it/mostra/2025-meriggiare-pallido-e-assorto/Mostra a cura di Ilaria Bonacossa  e Paolo Verri con Michela Murialdo.Una co-produzione a cura di Fondazione Arnoldo e Alberto Mondadori, Palazzo Ducale di Genova ed Electa.Realizzata grazie al contributo concesso mediante l'Avviso pubblico Strategia Fotografia promosso dalla Direzione Generale Creatività Contemporanea del Ministero della Cultura.Catalogo: ElectaA 100 anni dalla prima pubblicazione di Ossi di seppia, la Fondazione Arnoldo e Alberto Mondadori in collaborazione con la Fondazione Palazzo Ducale di Genova organizza la mostra Meriggiare pallido e assorto. Eugenio Montale: 100 immagini per i 100 anni di Ossi di Seppia. Fotografie di Iole Carollo, Anna Positano, Delfino Sisto Legnani. Ossi di seppia è uno dei testi poetici che hanno segnato l'intero Novecento non solo italiano, ridefinendo il ruolo della poesia nei confronti della realtà, nei confronti della quale, come scrive Gianfranco Contini, Montale non ha nessuna certezza.Qualcosa del genere sta accadendo oggi alle immagini, allo status stesso del vedere: se ne discuterà insieme a tre giovani talenti della fotografia italiana – Iole Carollo, Anna Positano e Delfino Sisto Legnani – che, prendendo spunto dal capolavoro montaliano, realizzeranno 99 scatti originali che verranno offerti al pubblico di Palazzo Ducale di Genova. Le fotografie saranno la parte principale di una mostra che includerà anche edizioni originali (messe a disposizione da Fondazione Arnoldo e Alberto Mondadori e da Beppe Manzitti, collezionista di Edizioni Originali di Letteratura italiana del Novecento), appunti, diari, fotografie d'epoca che tracceranno il percorso poetico che dalla prima edizione degli Ossi porta al 1975, anno in cui a Montale viene attribuito il Premio Nobel per la letteratura.L'evento del Nobel avrà un concreto approfondimento grazie alla documentazione di Epoca e alle foto originali di Domenico Porzio che accompagnò alla proclamazione il poeta genovese.In occasione della mostra si svolgerà un “public program” molto intenso, condiviso con l'Università di Genova e con il Comune di Genova, che avvieranno nell'occasione un percorso di visita en plein air dei luoghi montaliani.La mostra sarà a ingresso gratuito ed è realizzata grazie al contributo concesso mediante l'Avviso pubblico Strategia Fotografia promosso dalla Direzione Generale Creatività Contemporanea del Ministero della Cultura. ll catalogo sarà a cura di Electa.Iole Carollo (1977) è una fotografa e ricercatrice indipendente con una formazione in archeologia, con una laurea in Conservazione dei Beni Culturali e una specializzazione in Archeologia Minoica e Micenea. La sua pratica fotografica esplora l'incontro tra antico e contemporaneo, con un'attenzione particolare alla rappresentazione della storia umana attraverso l'arte e l'archeologia. Collabora con istituzioni pubbliche e private e con artisti contemporanei, realizzando campagne fotografiche, cataloghi d'arte e pubblicazioni scientifiche nel campo archeologico e artistico. I suoi interessi abbracciano l'esoeditoria, i processi comunitari e la forma archivio. Nel 2021 è stata selezionata dall'ICCD per documentare il patrimonio culturale del Sud Italia nel progetto PON Itinerari Digitali. È stata anche invitata come fotografa/artista nel 2022 per il progetto europeo FitForThem, all'interno del Workshop CreaLab organizzato dalle università di Valencia, Palermo e Opole, dove ha condiviso la propria riflessione sulla migrazione. Le sue fotografie sono state pubblicate in riviste come Il Venerdì de La Repubblica, Il Giornale dell'Arte, Il Corriere della Sera, Artribune, Annali della Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa e sono presenti in collezioni private e istituzionali, tra cui il Polo Regionale di Palermo per i Parchi e i Musei Archeologici, Museo Antonino Salinas. Co-fondatrice di Église, associazione culturale che promuove la cultura visiva, è inoltre parte del festival Zines Palermo dal 2019.Anna Positano è una fotografa e ricercatrice indipendente con una formazione in architettura. Il suo lavoro si concentra sui paesaggi alterati dall'uomo da una prospettiva materialista ed esplora l'anti-capitalismo, le teorie postcoloniali e l'ecologia. Oltre alla sua attività di ricerca, lavora su commissione per architetti, riviste e istituzioni. È socia fondatrice dello Studio Campo.Delfino Sisto Legnani, dopo essersi laureato in Architettura, ha iniziato a lavorare come fotografo freelance per le più importanti riviste e giornali indipendenti e istituzionali. Grazie al suo originale punto di vista e ad un approccio progettuale all'obiettivo fotografico, con i suoi colleghi di DSL Studio sono diventanti un punto di riferimento internazionale per la fotografia di architettura e design. In alternanza tra reportage, fotografia di architettura e still life, i suoi progetti personali sono stati premiati ed esposti in musei e istituzioni come la Biennale di Venezia, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, Triennale di Milano, Chicago Architecture Biennale, Manifesta 12, MAXXI, nonché in numerose gallerie e mostre"Meriggiare pallido e assorto"Electa www.electa.itIl volume Electa accompagna la mostra Meriggiare pallido e assorto. Eugenio Montale: 100 immagini per i 100 anni di Ossi di seppia (13 maggio - 29 giugno 2025) organizzata da Fondazione Arnoldo e Alberto Mondadori, Palazzo Ducale Fondazione per la Cultura ed Electa, promossa da Regione Liguria e Comune di Genova. Il progetto è sostenuto da Strategia Fotografia 2024, promosso dalla Direzione Generale Creatività Contemporanea del Ministero della Cultura in occasione del centenario della raccolta di Eugenio Montale. A partire dalle sue poesie, tre fotografi hanno accettato la sfida di ‘dialogare' con il poeta ligure, puntando l'obiettivo sui suoi luoghi, reali e lirici. Come anche Ugo Mulas fece quando nell'estate 1962 realizzò una serie di scatti di paesaggio, confrontandosi con Ossi di Seppia.Iole Carollo, Anna Positano, Delfino Sisto Legnani hanno dato una rilettura visiva delle poesie di Montale con tre proposte divergenti per linguaggi, approcci e sensibilità che ha determinato una meditazione fotografica che si muove tra fedeltà e interpretazione, attualità e memoria, paesaggi reali e interiori. Il libro e la mostra puntano così ad approfondire il rapporto tra poesia e immagine, parola e visione; a riflettere sull'ispirazione reciproca delle due ‘arti' e al contempo sulla loro autonomia sollevando questioni radicate ma attuali attorno concetti di ‘descrizione, ‘interpretazione', ‘illustrazione' nel confronto tra verbale e visivo.I saggi critici in catalogo di Marcello Ciccuto e Elio Grazioli delineano inoltre lo sguardo montaliano, col suo rapporto problematico con la fotografia ma anche le risonanze tra poesia e paesaggio: se da un lato Montale diffidava della fotografia intesa come mera riproduzione, dall'altro i suoi componimenti sono attraversati da immagini potenti, sintetiche, essenziali; un'estetica che oggi trova nuovi interlocutori nello sguardo dei tre fotografi.IL POSTO DELLE PAROLEascoltare fa pensarewww.ilpostodelleparole.itDiventa un supporter di questo podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/il-posto-delle-parole--1487855/support.

We're at Euroanaesthesia 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. Here we discuss the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care's initiatives, focusing on the innovations in the scientific program in anaesthesia and perioperative medicine, and the importance of inclusivity and diversity within the society. The episode also highlights the future direction of the society, the role of trainees, and offers insights into the upcoming Congress in Rotterdam. Listeners are encouraged to apply for roles and join the society for its educational resources and global networking opportunities. Presented by Kate Leslie with her guests, Michel Struys is Professor and Chair, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands, and chair of the Scientific Committee of ESAIC, and Fabio Guarracino, Head of the Department of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia and Intensive Care at Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy, and incoming chair of the Scientific Committee of ESAIC.

Til tross for mange års innsats med tiltak mot mobbing, ser det ut til at problemene vedvarer. I denne episoden av KS-podkasten «Der livet leves» spør vi hvorfor problemet vedvarer, og hvilke tiltak som faktisk virker. En bekymringsfull utviklingKS har nylig publisert en ny utgave av «Status kommune». Den peker på at det ikke bare står bra til med barn og unge, som vokser opp i norske kommuner. 10 prosent av ungdommer i alderen 15–29 år utenfor utdanning og arbeid, og 11 prosent lever i familier med vedvarende lavinntekt. Pisa-undersøkelsen viser at læringsresultatene faller både i Norge og andre land, og Elevundersøkelsen dokumenterer at flere barn og unge opplever mobbing.Vi snakker med Christian Wendelborg, forsker ved NTNU samfunnsforskning og prosjektleder for analysen av Elevundersøkelsen, som viser at mobbetallene har økt til tross for tiltak fra skolenes side. Vi spør hva som er årsakene, hvem som mobber og hvorfor.Se til Drangedal!Da Lene Heibø Knudsen startet i ny jobb som kommunalsjef for kunnskap, mangfold og kultur i Drangedal kommune, delte mange vonde historier om mobbing i lokalavisa i Drangedal. Bare noen dager etter snakket Knudsen direkte til kommunestyret, og var tydelig på at noe måtte gjøres!Knudsen har fått mye av æren for at kommunen klarte å gjøre noe med problemet og snu trenden. Drangedal gikk fra å bli omtalt som mobbebygd til en megadugnad for utenforskap.Vi spør hvilke tiltak som virket, og hvilke råd hun har til andre kommuner?Mobbeombudets rolleFra høsten 2018 ble det innført en ordning med fylkesvise mobbeombud for barnehage og grunnskole. Et mobbeombud jobber for å sikre et trygt og godt skolemiljø for alle elever.Gørill Hillersøy er mobbeombud i Vestland fylkeskommune, og forteller om jobben sin og egne erfaringer i podkasten. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the second part of a monthly, six-episode series celebrating the fact that exactly 40 years ago this year, my family and I spent six months in a striped motorhome travelling around Europe. I was nine years old and yes, this trip had an enormous impact on my life - I'm sure you wouldn't be listening to this podcast today if Van Life 1985 hadn't taken place! Throughout the series, I'll include chats recorded with my Dad this year, extracts from my late Mum's travel diary from 1985, and of course my own memories and thoughts. In this episode, we drive briefly through Spain, which none of us really remember (sorry, Spain, I do love you now!). We then had some fun times in Italy, with vivid memories of climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and quite the adventure getting mixed up with the local police in the small town of Potenza. We spend a few weeks thoroughly enjoying Greece before diverting back through Italy, Venice in particular, en route to our next country. A big thanks to Context Travel for sponsoring this series, and an even bigger thanks to my Dad for agreeing to be part of it. Links: Context Travel - https://bit.ly/contexttravel - use the code THOUGHTFULTRAVEL to get 15% off any online booking. Context Travel operate walking tours in cities around the world, and have interesting and qualified subject-matter experts leading your walk Listen to Part 1 of Van Life Diaries: Episode 348 - https://notaballerina.com/348 Join our Facebook group for Thoughtful Travellers - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtfultravellers Join our LinkedIn group for Thoughtful Travellers - https://notaballerina.com/linkedin Sign up for the Thoughtful Travellers newsletter at Substack - https://thoughtfultravel.substack.com Show notes: https://notaballerina.com/351 Support the show: https://thoughtfultravel.substack.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

80 penaliste italiane contro il reato di femminicidio: “Puramente simbolico”. Con noi Gaetana Morgante, professoressa di diritto penale alla Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna di Pisa e firmataria del documento. Svizzera: crolla il ghiacciaio del Birch, ingoiando il villagio di Blatten. Sentiamo Massimo Frezzotti, glaciologo dell’Università Roma Tre. Referendum dell’8 e 9 giugno: oggi il nostro approfondimento sul terzo quesito sul lavoro, relativo ai contratti a termine con Marco Grimaldi, deputato di Avs per il sì, e Giulio Sottanelli, deputato di Azione per il no.

Fluent Fiction - Italian: Climbing Towers and Overcoming Fears: A Tale of Trust Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2025-05-23-22-34-02-it Story Transcript:It: La torre sembra toccare il cielo azzurro, inclinata verso il sole primaverile.En: The tower seems to touch the blue sky, leaning towards the spring sun.It: Giovanni respira a fondo il profumo dei fiori che sale dai giardini vicini.En: Giovanni takes a deep breath of the flower scent rising from the nearby gardens.It: La sua passione per la storia lo ha portato fin qui, in cima alla Torre di Pisa.En: His passion for history has brought him all the way here, to the top of the Torre di Pisa.It: Accanto a lui, Clara e Luca osservano il panorama, mentre i turisti sotto sembrano piccoli insetti.En: Next to him, Clara and Luca observe the panorama, while the tourists below seem like tiny insects.It: Giovanni sorrise, ma dentro di sé era preoccupato.En: Giovanni smiled, but inside he was worried.It: Il suo amore per l'architettura lo aveva sempre spinto a visitare luoghi storici, ma la paura che la sua salute potesse fermarlo era sempre lì, nascosta.En: His love for architecture had always driven him to visit historical places, but the fear that his health might stop him was always there, hidden.It: Respirare in cima alla torre era un po' difficile.En: Breathing at the top of the tower was a bit difficult.It: Clara si avvicinò a Giovanni.En: Clara approached Giovanni.It: "Che vista meravigliosa, vero?"En: "What a wonderful view, isn't it?"It: gli disse.En: she said to him.It: Giovanni annuì, ma sentì un peso nel petto.En: Giovanni nodded, but felt a weight in his chest.It: Il suo respiro cominciò a farsi corto.En: His breath began to shorten.It: No, proprio ora no, pensò.En: Not now, not now, he thought.It: Gli occhi di Giovanni si posarono sull'involucro argentato del suo inalatore nella tasca del giubbotto.En: Giovanni's eyes settled on the silver casing of his inhaler in the pocket of his jacket.It: Doveva prendere una decisione.En: He had to make a decision.It: Avrebbe potuto continuare a fingere, sperando che l'attacco passasse da solo.En: He could have continued pretending, hoping that the attack would pass on its own.It: Ma un saggio istinto gli suggerì diversamente.En: But a wise instinct suggested otherwise.It: Clara si accorse subito che qualcosa non andava.En: Clara immediately realized that something was wrong.It: "Giovanni, stai bene?"En: "Giovanni, are you okay?"It: chiese, premurosa.En: she asked, concerned.It: Luca stava ammirando la vista e non si era accorto di nulla.En: Luca was admiring the view and hadn't noticed anything.It: Giovanni finalmente parlò, anche se con un filo di voce.En: Giovanni finally spoke, even if with a faint voice.It: "Clara, credo di avere bisogno del mio inalatore," disse, cercando di mantenere la calma.En: "Clara, I think I need my inhaler," he said, trying to stay calm.It: Clara agì rapidamente.En: Clara acted quickly.It: Prese l'inalatore dalla tasca di Giovanni e glielo porse.En: She took the inhaler from Giovanni's pocket and handed it to him.It: "Respira, Giovanni.En: "Breathe, Giovanni.It: Lentamente," disse, posandogli una mano rassicurante sulla schiena.En: Slowly," she said, placing a reassuring hand on his back.It: Giovanni seguì le istruzioni e dopo qualche istante, il suo respiro tornò normale.En: Giovanni followed the instructions, and after a few moments, his breathing returned to normal.It: La tensione nel corpo di Giovanni si sciolse e una nuova consapevolezza nacque in lui.En: The tension in Giovanni's body melted away and a new awareness was born in him.It: "Grazie, Clara," disse.En: "Thank you, Clara," he said.It: Si rese conto che chiedere aiuto non significava essere un fallito.En: He realized that asking for help did not mean being a failure.It: Anche i più forti hanno bisogno di sostegno, e significava che poteva comunque godersi quei momenti unici.En: Even the strongest need support, and it meant he could still enjoy those unique moments.It: Clara sorrise e batté una mano sulla spalla di Giovanni.En: Clara smiled and patted Giovanni's shoulder.It: "Nessun problema, siamo una squadra," rispose.En: "No problem, we're a team," she replied.It: Luca finalmente si voltò, ignaro dell'accaduto.En: Luca finally turned, unaware of what had happened.It: "Siete pronti per scendere?"En: "Are you ready to go down?"It: chiese con un sorriso.En: he asked with a smile.It: Giovanni guardò di nuovo il panorama, poi Clara e Luca.En: Giovanni looked at the panorama again, then at Clara and Luca.It: "Sì, avanti," disse con una sicurezza rinnovata.En: "Yes, let's go," he said with renewed confidence.It: La torre rimaneva lì, un testimone silenzioso del legame tra amici, della bellezza dell'architettura e della forza della fiducia.En: The tower remained there, a silent witness to the bond between friends, the beauty of architecture, and the strength of trust.It: Mentre il gruppo scendeva gli scalini, il sole di primavera continuava a splendere, promettendo nuove avventure davanti a loro.En: As the group descended the steps, the spring sun continued to shine, promising new adventures ahead of them. Vocabulary Words:the tower: la torreto lean: inclinarsithe scent: il profumothe gardens: i giardinito observe: osservarethe insects: gli insettito be worried: essere preoccupatothe architecture: l'architetturathe decision: la decisionethe instict: l'istintothe view: la vistathe chest: il pettothe casing: l'involucrothe jacket: il giubbottoto pretend: fingereto breathe: respirareto act: agirethe tension: la tensionethe awareness: la consapevolezzato melt: sciogliersito hand: porrethe support: il sostegnothe shoulder: la spallato be ready: essere prontoto trust: fidarsito descend: scenderethe step: lo scalinothe witness: il testimonethe bond: il legameto promise: promettere

Chat Stevens dials in with breaking sponsorship news. Ned tours Pisa and then heads for the hills. Get your BIKMO T-Shirt!Check out out Giro merch! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for daily coverage of the Giro d'Italia recorded on the road as the race makes its way from Albania to Rome. Our daily coverage features race analysis, interviews and daily postcards from Italy, plus our regular check-in with Tudor Pro Cycling's Larry Warbasse. Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast Instagram @thecyclingpodcast Friends of the Podcast Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to new special episodes every month plus a back catalogue of more than 300 exclusive episodes. The Cannibal & Badger Friends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our new virtual pub, The Cannibal & Badger. A friendly forum to talk about cycling and the podcast. Log in to your Friends of the Podcast account to join in. The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it's after 11am). Dvine Cellars 2025 Girovagando Wine Selection As every year, Dvine Cellars and The Cycling Podcast have selected six wines that showcase the 'terroir' of the Giro d'Italia. Head to Dvine Cellars to make an order. The Cycling Podcast is on Strava The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

David's in Girona, Pete's back on the IOM and Ned's in Pisa.Check out David's epic ride!Get yourselves BIKMO-covered and claim your free T shirt! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jaime Saavedra is one of the world's most influential education reformers. Former Minister of Education in Peru and now Director of Human Development for Latin America and the Caribbean at the World Bank, he has led and advised some of the region's most ambitious efforts to improve learning outcomes at scale. In this episode, he unpacks what it really takes to deliver effective education reform—not just design it. Drawing on decades of experience, Saavedra outlines four essential conditions for change: sound technical design, sustainable financing, strong implementation capacity, and political will. He explains why many systems fail despite good intentions, and why reforms succeed when countries invest in teachers, strengthen bureaucracies, and centre policy around student learning. From the turnaround in Peru after disastrous PISA results, to lessons from Sobral and the province of Mendoza, this conversation offers a masterclass in how to transform systems—not just schools.

Más de la mitad de las personas sintieron miedo con el apagón según un estudio de la UGR, el informe PISA demuestra el efecto negativo de las pantallas en las aulas y el cardiólogo Akram Loubad impulsa una fundación para ayudar a la ciudad de Gaza. Con Silvia Vidal desmontamos la “operación bikini” y analizamos su relación con los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria. Además, saludamos a Rocío Rodríguez, tras ‘Tu cuerpo no es el problema. Cómo reparar tu conexión emocional con la comida y tu imagen corporal'.

Goga y Marisol analizan la primera semana del Giro de Italia con el liderato Isaac del Toro (UAD), la primera Maglia Rosa para México, también comentan la actuación latinoamericana, con tres representantes en el top 10 y conversan con Nairo Quintana (MOV) desde Pisa, durante el segundo día de descanso.  Además, la victoria de Juan Sebastián Molano (UAD) en la última etapa del Tour de Hungría y el título general del ecuatoriano Harold Martín López (XAT). Demi Vollering (FDJ-SUEZ) revalidó el título de la Vuelta al País Vasco, una semana después coronarse como bicampeona de la Vuelta a España. #GirodItalia #TdH100 #ItzuliaWomen2025 _______

In questo episodio facciamo un viaggio da Roma - capitale d'Italia - a Cumiana, il piccolo paese del Piemonte in cui sono cresciuta. Impariamo a riconoscere regioni, province, comuni e frazioni, e scopriamo perché in Italia tutto è un po' come una lasagna: a strati! Un episodio utile per orientarsi in Italia, ma anche per esplorare la lingua e la cultura partendo dal territorio.Parliamo di: Italia “politica”: cosa significa e come si differenzia dall'Italia fisicaCom'è divisa e governata l'Italia: regioni, province, comuni, frazioniChe cos'è un capoluogo? differenza tra capoluogo di provincia e di regioneRegioni a statuto speciale: Sardegna, Sicilia, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Valle d'AostaViaggio da Roma a Cumiana: città, paesi, dialetti e paesaggiLuoghi che cito: RomaToscana (regione)Siena, Arezzo, Pisa, Livorno (città e capoluoghi di provincia)Emilia Romagna (regione)Bologna, Modena, Parma (città)MonferratoCumiana e AllivellatoriLINK UTILI:Il mio audio libro: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠STORIE DI VITALIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Le trascrizioni sono nell'Area membri “Il Caffè”: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CLICCA QUI PER ISCRIVERTI!⁠⁠⁠⁠

¡QUE RUEDE LA PELOTA! ⚽ Once Caldas afirma su paso a la siguiente ronda de la Sudamericana

Today we had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Francesco Sassi for a wide-ranging discussion on global energy and geopolitics. Francesco is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Oslo and previously served as a Research Fellow in energy geopolitics and markets at Ricerche Industriali ed Energetiche (RIE). Francesco holds a Ph.D. in Political Science – Geopolitics from the University of Pisa, where he focused his research on the Sino-Russian gas interdependence. We were drawn to his straightforward analysis, insightful commentary, and use of maps to bring complex dynamics to life. We were thrilled to visit with Francesco and learn from his perspective. In our conversation, we explore the rise of political risk in energy markets and the growing global interdependence of the energy system, driven by factors such as China's increasing influence in shaping energy geopolitics, new interdependencies created by energy technology, trade and manufacturing, as well as disruptions like COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war. We examine Russian gas volumes to Europe, Spain's leadership in clean energy and the implications of its recent blackout, and the dual forces shaping Europe: rising cross-border interconnectivity projects alongside increasing energy nationalism. We touch on President Trump's recent visit to the Middle East, which is part of broader interest in energy and AI investment in the region, OPEC+ strategy, market share pressures, and the impact of low oil prices on Russia. Francesco shares his perspective on the potential for a Putin-Zelensky meeting, tensions between India and Pakistan, and how energy policy is becoming increasingly central to electoral platforms in Europe. We turn to Argentina's recent progress under President Milei, Israeli investment in lithium extraction technology in Argentina's lithium triangle, and how energy and mineral resources are increasingly being used as tools of foreign policy and geopolitical leverage. We close with Francisco's thoughts on the growing power of energy as a force shaping international relations and global industrial strategy. It was a dynamic and insightful conversation. Mike Bradley kicked off the discussion by noting that broader markets rallied substantially on Monday following news that China and the U.S. have agreed to a “tentative” tariff deal. Broader equity markets (S&P 500) have completely retraced their losses since Trump's April 2nd Day of Liberation and are now up slightly (+4%). Meanwhile, the S&P Volatility Index has plunged from its April 8th tariff volatility highs and is now trading near YTD lows, something to be monitored closely as any surprise event could send broader markets lower. On the bond market front, the 10yr bond yield is trading sideways even though April CPI came in lower than expected. PPI will be released on Wednesday and if it too prints lower than expected, it could provide room for the Fed to begin cutting rates at their June 18th FOMC meeting. On the crude oil front, WTI price has rebounded nicely over the past week and now trades at ~$63/bbl. Oil traders remain focused on future OPEC+ production increases and increasingly on whether U.S. E&Ps will begin altering their 2025 capex plans at these lower prices levels. He wrapped up with a look at key events this week, notably NRG Energy's acquisition of LS Power's portfolio of natural gas generation assets (~13gw for ~$12 billion). The move follows Constellation Energy's mid-January deal to acquire Calpine Corp. and demonstrates that both companies are positioning themselves for an acceleration in electricity growth this decade. Many thanks to Francesco for sharing his time and insights with us today. We hope you enjoy the discussion as much as we did! Our best to you all.

In this enlightening episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark and Dr. Kaleb Rashad engage in a thought-provoking dialogue with Dr. Michael Fullan, an internationally acclaimed advocate for deeper learning. Together, they explore whether deeper learning is the key to addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by the new age of AI. Dr. Fullan introduces the concept of "systemness," emphasizing the need for systemic change over isolated educational initiatives. The conversation covers the transformative progress in Anaheim, driven by the integration of systemness and the five Cs of compassionate learning. Tune in to discover how AI can be a powerful accelerator for education when underpinned by a strong pedagogical and cultural foundation, and what it means to cultivate spirit work in learning environments. This episode is a must-listen for educators, administrators, and anyone interested in the future of education and AI's role in it. Outline (00:00) Introduction to Deep Learning and AI (02:30) Systemness: The Key to Educational Transformation (05:55) Challenges and Successes in Anaheim (08:52) The Impact of PISA and System Change (10:13) Bottom-Up Change: Building Capacity from the Ground Up (14:45) The Five Elements of Systemness (17:30) AI in Education: Opportunities and Cautions (21:14) Spirit Work and Collaboration (31:35) Nuance in Leadership Links Watch the video here Read the full blog Kaleb Rashad Linked In Michael Fullan Press Kit Michael's Books Mentioned In This Episode Leading in a Culture of Change The New Meaning of Educational Change 6th Edition Nuance: Why Some Leaders Succeed and Others Fail Coherence eKadence Education Reimaged The Creation of Settings and the Future Societies Getting Beyond Better offers a primer for social entrepreneurs Humility is the New Smart Michael Fullan Sees Global Momentum for Deep Learning

Iniziamo la puntata celebrando l'impresa sportiva del Pisa che, a distanza di 34 anni, tornerà a giocare in Serie A nella prossima stagione. Ci raccontano i segreti di questo trionfo mister Pippo Inzaghi, il presidente dei nerazzurri Giuseppe Corrado e Roberto Lacorte.Poi, nella seconda parte della puntata, abbiamo il nostro Leo Turrini e Andersinho Marquez per parlare dell'approdo, ufficiale da ieri, di Carlo Ancelotti sulla panchina del Brasile a partire da giugno.

Sandro Paolini joins us to discuss all things gelato!  He's the founder and gelato artisan behind Pinolo Gelato on Division St. in Portland. Born in Pisa, Italy, Paolini has a rich background in agriculture and forestry, which deeply influences his approach to crafting authentic Italian gelato. After moving to the United States, he combined his agricultural expertise with culinary passion, and was the inspiration for to bring the art of handmade authentic gelato to Portland, He opened Pinolo Gelato in 2015 and has been learning and honing his craft ever since.   Pinolo Gelato is located at 3707 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202 and can be found at https://www.pinologelato.com/ also @pinologelato Instagram.   Right at the Fork is supported by:  Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com  RingSide Steakhouse:  www.RingSideSteakhouse.com  Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

C'è molto di italiano nel PSG che conquista la finale di Champions League: i gol di Fabian Ruiz e Hakimi e le parate, ancora decisive, di Gigio Donnarumma, per la gioia del nostro convocato Franco Ordine. C'è anche l'interista Michele Dalai con noi che non vede l'ora di godersi la finale stellare del 31 maggio. Torniamo però sulla semifinale show che abbiamo visto in tv l'altra sera, con tutte le polemiche social sulla telecronaca, secondo alcuni, "troppo interista" dello Zio Bergomi: il commento è del critico televisivo Antonio Dipollina di Repubblica.In questa puntata di Endurance Race cercheremo di far parlare Roberto Lacorte anche di motori che tornano sabato con la 6 Ore di Spa, ma sarà molto difficile togliergli dalla testa la promozione in Serie A del suo Pisa.

It's Jimbo, James Horncastle, Julien Laurens, Pol Ballús and Seb Stafford-Bloor ahead of a giant week across the continent.The Champions League semi-final second legs are upon us. Can Arsenal overturn a 1-0 deficit in Paris? Will we see another classic between Inter and Barcelona? Who's going to Munich? We also look at the semis in the Europa and Conference League.Barca then have a Clásico on their hands on Saturday, with the chance to take a huge step towards the La Liga title. And while Ancelotti may be on the way out of the Bernabeu, what will Trent Alexander-Arnold bring to Los Blancos next season?Bayern win the Bundesliga for the 12th time in 13 seasons with Harry Kane securing the first trophy of his career and Vincent Kompany vindicated after his shock appointment in Bavaria.Napoli stay 3 points clear at the top of Serie A while Roma make it 19 games unbeaten under Claudio Ranieri to boost their top 4 hopes.Plus promotions for Pisa and Paris FC, and the latest chapter of the Antony redemption story.Produced by Charlie Jones.RUNNING ORDER:• PART 1: Moment of the week (03.30)• PART 2: Champions League semi-final second leg preview (06.30)• PART 3: Serie A latest - Roma on fire, Pisa promoted (22.00)• PART 4: Barca and Real get ready for El Clasico (32.00)• PART 5a: Europa & Conference semi-final previews (42.00)• PART 5b: Kane and Kompany win the Bundesliga (48.00)• PART 6: Ligue 1 welcomes Paris FC (60.00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Jimbo, James Horncastle, Julien Laurens, Pol Ballús and Seb Stafford-Bloor ahead of a giant week across the continent. The Champions League semi-final second legs are upon us. Can Arsenal overturn a 1-0 deficit in Paris? Will we see another classic between Inter and Barcelona? Who's going to Munich? We also look at the semis in the Europa and Conference League. Barca then have a Clásico on their hands on Saturday, with the chance to take a huge step towards the La Liga title. And while Ancelotti may be on the way out of the Bernabeu, what will Trent Alexander-Arnold bring to Los Blancos next season? Bayern win the Bundesliga for the 12th time in 13 seasons with Harry Kane securing the first trophy of his career and Vincent Kompany vindicated after his shock appointment in Bavaria. Napoli stay 3 points clear at the top of Serie A while Roma make it 19 games unbeaten under Claudio Ranieri to boost their top 4 hopes. Plus promotions for Pisa and Paris FC, and the latest chapter of the Antony redemption story. Produced by Charlie Jones. RUNNING ORDER:  • PART 1: Moment of the week (03.30) • PART 2: Champions League semi-final second leg preview (06.30)  • PART 3: Serie A latest - Roma on fire, Pisa promoted (22.00) • PART 4: Barca and Real get ready for El Clasico (32.00) • PART 5a: Europa & Conference semi-final previews (42.00) • PART 5b: Kane and Kompany win the Bundesliga (48.00) • PART 6: Ligue 1 welcomes Paris FC (60.00) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Timestamps:2:53 Inter v Barcelona preview20:51 Ranieri's magical Roma28:54 Pisa promoted to Serie A31:43 Bologna v Juventus36:05 Milan v Bologna x237:58 Lazio talk40:36 Where does Milan end up?41:54 Fiorentina talk44:56 Raphina Azzurri call-up46:30 Controversy with national teams

Beppe, a native Italian, started his journey in active travel over two decades ago and, with the help of his wife Heather, co-founded Tourissimo, one of the top adventure travel companies in Italy. With years of expertise designing cycling and adventure tours across all 20 regions of Italy, Beppe and Heather have the inside scoop on the most authentic and unforgettable experiences Italy has to offer.So grab your espresso (or a glass of vino Italiano), and let's explore Italy region by region!Northern Italy: Adventure, Culture, and Alpine BeautyLombardy (Lombardia)Running along the Swiss border, Lombardy is Italy's largest and wealthiest region—a land of striking contrasts and cultural riches. Home to nearly 10 million people, Lombardy contains 12 of Italy's largest cities: Milan, Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Mantua, Pavia, Cremona, Lecco, Lodi, Monza, Sondrio, and Varese. The region blends modern sophistication with old-world charm, from the fashion capital and bustling metropolis of Milan to the serene, postcard-perfect landscapes of Lake Como.Lombardy is dotted with some of Italy's most beloved lakes, including Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, Lake Garda, Lake Iseo, Lake Idro, and many more. Picturesque villages like Bellagio offer sun-drenched escapes along Lake Como's shores, while the medieval towns of Bergamo and Mantova enchant visitors with cobblestone streets, sweeping views, and centuries of history.Culinary lovers will be spoiled for choice with Lombardy's 60 Michelin-starred restaurants—3 with three stars, 6 with two stars, and 51 with one star. Be sure to savor the region's iconic Risotto alla Milanese, a creamy saffron-infused dish that's a local staple. Wine enthusiasts won't want to miss a glass of Franciacorta, Italy's sparkling answer to Champagne.November is a wonderful time to visit, with cooler temperatures and fewer tourists. It's also the perfect season to explore Lombardy's slice of the Alps, where charming mountain towns await nestled among the peaks. For an unforgettable adventure, consider attending the 2025 Winter Olympics, which will be held in Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo!Tourissimo Tip– If you are flying into Milan, select the correct airport because Milan has two airports! For info, check out the following Tourissimo blog: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/avoid-this-common-travel-mistake-know-milans-two-airportsVenetoVeneto, the birthplace of Prosecco, Polenta, and the iconic Spritz, is a region rich in charm, culture, and culinary delights. Stretching from the Italian Riviera to the Venetian Pre-Alps and the stunning Dolomites, Veneto is home to both natural beauty and historic towns. Its capital, the enchanting floating city of Venice, is world-famous for its canals, gondolas, labyrinthine streets, and undeniable romance.Each of Venice's islands offers something special: admire the colorful houses of Burano, renowned for its lace-making traditions; visit Murano, celebrated for its centuries-old glassblowing artistry; and soak up the peaceful atmosphere of Torcello. Exploring these islands by vaporetto (water bus) offers a quieter, more authentic glimpse into Venetian life. Tourissimo Tip–For a few more suggestions, check out Tourissimo's blog on the Venetian Lagoon: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/our-favorite-destinations-in-the-venetian-lagoonBeyond Venice, Veneto boasts a treasure trove of picturesque towns. Verona, Padua, Vicenza, and Asolo each offer their own distinct history and beauty. Visit Castelfranco Veneto for a charming escape or head to Bardolino to enjoy a boat ride on Italy's largest lake, Lago di Garda. Stroll the waterfront in Castelletto sul Garda or circle the freshwater moat of Cittadella, a red-brick medieval town full of character.In the countryside, the hills of Prosecco promise stunning vineyard views, while the medieval town of Montagnana offers a taste of the past. Nature lovers can visit the volcanic Euganean Hills in Este, and cheese lovers shouldn't miss the small town of Asiago, home to one of Italy's most famous cheeses.Veneto's culinary scene shines with 34 Michelin-starred restaurants—2 with three stars, 3 with two stars, and 29 with one star. Indulge in local specialties like Bigoli in Salsa, a hearty Venetian pasta with anchovy sauce, and toast with a glass of Prosecco, Grappa, or the regional favorite, the Select Spritz. And don't forget—Venetians love to celebrate, so let loose and join the party!Tourissimo Tips–Another fun suggestion is Veneto Marostica, the City of Chess, where they do a living chess match with hundreds of people dressed in medieval costumes every two years: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/marostica-the-city-of-chessPiedmont (Piemonte)Nestled at the foot of the Alps and bordered on three sides by the Mediterranean Sea, Piedmont is one of Italy's most underrated gems. With a diverse landscape that offers adventure and beauty year-round, this region is perfect for both winter skiing and summer hiking and biking, thanks to its stunning Alpine scenery.But Piedmont isn't just about breathtaking views—it's steeped in rich history and cultural significance. As the first capital of Italy, it boasts grand palaces, remarkable art, and sacred relics like the famed Shroud of Turin. The capital city of Turin is a vibrant hub, home to Europe's largest outdoor food market and the monthly Gran Balon flea market, a haven for vintage and antique lovers.Venture beyond the city and you'll discover a region bursting with charm and flavor. Tour the Langhe Hills, a paradise for vineyard visits, and sample Bagna Cauda, a warm anchovy and garlic dip beloved by locals. Wander the lakeside town of Stresa on Lake Maggiore, or stroll the cobbled streets of Neive, where views of rolling hills and storybook cottages create an unforgettable setting. In Asti, you can witness the September medieval horse races and visit the majestic Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta e San Gottardo. For a true fairy-tale escape, head to Macugnaga in the valley of Monte Rosa, a perfect base for both skiing and hiking. And just outside of Turin lies the hidden gem of Lake Orta, a peaceful retreat away from the crowds.Piedmont's culinary scene is just as spectacular. With 35 Michelin-starred restaurants—2 with three stars, 3 with two stars, and 30 with one star—the region is a paradise for food lovers. Dine in Alba during white truffle season (September to January), and savor iconic regional dishes like Agnolotti del Plin and Coniglio Arrosto. Wine enthusiasts will be in heaven here—Piedmont is the land of Barolo, the "king of wines," and Barbaresco, two of Italy's most prestigious reds.Tourissimo Tips:Piedmont is home to the Slow Food movement: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/why-piedmont-is-renowned-for-its-slow-foodTourissimo Tip–Check out this blog for a guide to a day of eating in Turin: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/a-day-of-eating-in-turinTourissimo Tip–One of the Best Meals of Your Life will be at the Piazza Duomo in Alba!Emilia-RomagnaLocated in central Italy along the Adriatic coast, Emilia-Romagna is a vibrant and diverse region known for its perfect blend of “slow food” and “fast cars.” This area is considered both the culinary and automotive capital of Italy, offering rich traditions, warm hospitality, and unforgettable experiences.Food lovers will be in heaven here. Emilia-Romagna is the birthplace of iconic Italian delicacies such as Mortadella, Tortellini in Brodo, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, traditional Balsamic Vinegar, Lambrusco, and egg-based fresh pastas like lasagna, tortellini, and tagliatelle. A visit to Parma lets you savor authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano and world-class Prosciutto, as well as enjoy the elegant Teatro Regio opera house.The region also has a need for speed—it's home to legendary automotive brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati. For car enthusiasts, the Ferrari Museum in Modena is a must-see. Emilia-Romagna even has a dedicated cycling tourism office, and in summer 2023, it played host to several stages of the Tour de France, which began in nearby Florence.Beyond the food and cars, Emilia-Romagna offers a range of enchanting destinations. The capital city of Bologna is known for its Piazza Maggiore, the Two Towers, and the scenic Santuario Madonna di San Luca. In Ravenna, marvel at the dazzling, colorful mosaics and the historic San Vitale Basilica. Along the coast, vibrant seaside resorts like Cervia, Cesenatico, and Rimini create a lively, carnival-like party atmosphere from late May through September. For a more peaceful experience, explore the medieval gem of Brisighella, a lesser-known treasure full of charm.When it comes to fine dining, Emilia-Romagna doesn't disappoint. The region boasts 24 Michelin-starred restaurants, including one three-star, three two-star, and twenty one-star establishments. Visitors are often struck by the warmth and generosity of the locals—some of the most hospitable people in Italy—who express their love through exceptional food and outstanding service.Tourissimo Tips:Did you know that there is a whole other country within Emilia Romagna? https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/san-marino-the-other-small-country-within-italyTourissimo Tip–Pietra di Bismantova was an inspiration for Dante: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/pietra-di-bismantova-the-inspiration-for-dantes-purgatoryTourissimo Tip–You can cross the Rubicon: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/crossing-the-rubiconTrentino-South TyrolNestled along Italy's northern border with Switzerland, Trentino–South Tyrol is a stunning mountainous region that blends Italian and Austrian influences, making it a top destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. With its striking Alpine scenery, exceptional cuisine, and rich cultural duality, this region offers the best of both worlds.The South Tyrol capital, Bolzano, is renowned for having the highest quality of life in Italy, combining the clean, efficient infrastructure often associated with Germany with the flavorful food and spirited lifestyle of Italian culture.Outdoor adventurers will be captivated by the Dolomites, with their dramatic limestone peaks—ideal for hiking, skiing, and breathtaking vistas. Don't miss the Alpe di Siusi, Europe's largest Alpine meadow, which is especially stunning in spring and summer. Explore shimmering Lake Garda and uncover the region's medieval past through spectacular castles like Schloss Tirol, Castel Roncolo, and Castel d'Appiano.Tourissimo Tip–An off-the-beaten-path outdoor paradise can be found in the Alps of Trentino. Check out the Val di Sole. This is one of the areas that Beppe and Heather regularly go to on their personal vacations in Italy: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/the-wild-dolomitesThe culinary offerings here reflect the region's unique blend of cultures. Traditional dishes range from Bratwurst and Goulash to Italian-style pastas with hearty meats like deer. Foodies should try Speck, a savory smoked ham, perfectly paired with a glass of Gewürztraminer, a fragrant white wine native to the area. The region also produces excellent white wines and lighter reds that pair beautifully with its alpine cuisine.When it comes to fine dining, Trentino–South Tyrol excels with 33 Michelin-starred restaurants, including three three-star, five two-star, and twenty-five one-star establishments, making it one of Italy's most impressive gourmet regions.LiguriaLocated along Italy's rugged northwestern coastline, Liguria—also known as the Italian Riviera—boasts dramatic cliffs, colorful seaside villages, and incredible culinary traditions. The region is best known for the five picturesque villages of Cinque Terre, as well as the glamorous resort towns of Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure.Tourissimo Tip– If you visit the Cinque Terre, don't forget to look up, and hike up away from the crowds to see the heroic vineyards: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/the-heroic-winemaking-of-the-cinque-terreBecause of the narrow, winding roads with steep drop-offs, many travelers prefer to explore the region via the local train or by public or private boat. If you're planning to hike the famous trails, be aware that entrance permits are now required due to landslides and overtourism.In the regional capital of Genoa, dive into maritime history, visit the iconic San Lorenzo Cathedral, and wander the city's old port area. Just outside Genoa, discover the secluded San Fruttuoso Abbey, accessible only by boat or footpath. In Vernazza, one of the Cinque Terre towns, visit the Doria Castle and the beautiful Santa Margherita Church.Liguria is also a celebrity hotspot, and its cuisine is just as impressive as its scenery. Known as the birthplace of pesto, the region is famous for Pesto alla Genovese, made with a special local basil. Be sure to try the region's olive oil, garlic, cheeses, and exceptional seafood, especially the anchovies. Other regional specialties include Focaccia di Recco, a cheese-filled flatbread, and lighter olive oils that perfectly complement Ligurian dishes.For fine dining, Liguria is home to seven Michelin-starred restaurants, all with one star, offering refined cuisine rooted in the region's coastal and agricultural traditions.Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Friuli)Tucked between Veneto, Austria, and Slovenia, Friuli-Venezia Giulia is a lesser-known gem that offers a unique blend of Alpine landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and coastal charm. The region features part of the Dolomites, ideal for hiking, skiing, and capturing breathtaking scenery.The capital, Trieste, is a refined port city with a fascinating blend of Italian, Austro-Hungarian, and Slavic influences. Don't miss the Miramare Castle, perched over the sea with stunning views. In Cividale del Friuli, stroll through cobbled streets and sample Frico, a savory, crispy dish made of cheese and potatoes, best enjoyed with a glass of Schioppettino, a bold red wine native to the region.For outdoor adventures and relaxation, spend a beach day at Lignano Sabbiadoro, camp in Sistiana, bike the trails around Grado, or explore the ancient Roman ruins in Aquileia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to visit the enormous Grotta Gigante (Giant Cave), stroll through Unity of Italy Square, and tour the Revoltella Museum for modern art.Friuli-Venezia Giulia is also home to seven Michelin-starred restaurants, including two two-star establishments and five one-star venues, reflecting the region's quiet but impressive culinary scene.Tourissimo Tip– A hotel that Heather and Beppe love in Cormons is La Subida. It's a unique, high-end, and rustic property nestled in nature that boasts a 1-Michelin star restaurant: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/hotels-we-love-la-subidaAosta ValleyNestled in the northwestern tip of Italy, where it borders Switzerland and France, the Aosta Valley is Italy's smallest and highest region—a true mountain paradise. This alpine jewel is renowned for its dramatic snowcapped peaks, storybook castles, and a unique blend of French and Italian culture, as both languages are spoken here.The region is home to Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco), Europe's highest peak, which straddles the borders of Italy, France, and Switzerland. While the summit lies on the French side, visitors on the Italian side can experience the Skyway Monte Bianco, a breathtaking cable car ride offering panoramic views of the Alps.Key landmarks include the striking Matterhorn, the impressive Fénis and Savoy Castles, and the Bard Fortress, one of the largest and most remarkable fortifications in the Alps. After a day in the mountains, relax in one of the region's thermal spas, and indulge in Fonduta, a rich, velvety cheese fondue perfect for chilly alpine evenings.Wine lovers should sample the region's distinctive red mountain wines, especially Enfer d'Arvier, known for its bold flavor and high-altitude character.Tourissimo Tip–A fun tradition is the Friendship Cup, a communal cup of coffee: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/the-friendship-cup-of-valle-daostaCentral Italy: History, Art, and Rolling HillsTuscany (Toscana)Tuscany, the heart of the Renaissance, is a captivating region of rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, vineyards, and timeless art and architecture. Located just below Italy's northern regions, it's a haven for art lovers, history buffs, and food and wine enthusiasts alike. From Chianti to Brunello di Montalcino, the region offers a wide variety of world-class wines.The regional capital, Florence, is one of Italy's most walkable and safe major cities, making it ideal for solo travelers. Admire its architectural wonders while sipping on Chianti Classico and indulging in a local favorite—Bistecca alla Fiorentina. Must-see landmarks in Florence include the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo), Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Galleria dell'Accademia, home to Michelangelo's David. For iconic views, head to Piazzale Michelangelo.Beyond Florence, explore the historic cities of Siena, Lucca, and San Gimignano, each offering its own charm. Don't miss the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the Siena Cathedral, and spend time in the picturesque public squares like Piazza del Campo, Piazza della Signoria, and Piazza del Duomo.For off-the-beaten-path adventures, discover medieval hilltop villages such as Sorano, or head to the Maremma coast for scenic beaches and bold wines. Tuscany also shines in its culinary excellence, boasting 41 Michelin-starred restaurants—including 1 three-star, 5 two-star, and 35 one-star establishments.Tourissimo Tip–3 places in Tuscany you didn't know existed: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/three-places-in-tuscany-you-did-not-know-existedUmbriaUmbria, often called the "Green Heart of Italy," is the country's only completely landlocked region, nestled between Tuscany, Lazio, and Le Marche. Though it lacks large cities, Umbria more than makes up for it with breathtaking natural beauty, medieval towns, and a rich culinary tradition.One of Umbria's most impressive sights is the Cascata delle Marmore (Marmore Falls)—the second tallest waterfall in Europe. Nature lovers and photographers alike will be amazed by its dramatic 165-meter drop. The region is also home to Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, one of Italy's most revered saints, and a major pilgrimage destination.Food lovers will delight in Umbria's hearty, earthy cuisine, featuring lentils, mushroom-based dishes, cured meats, and the prized black truffle (Tartufo Nero di Norcia). Pair these specialties with a glass of Sagrantino di Montefalco, a robust red wine unique to the region.Umbria's culinary excellence is further reflected in its four Michelin-starred restaurants: Casa Vissani, Vespasia, Ada, and Elementi. Each holds one Michelin star, offering refined takes on the region's rustic flavors.Tourissimo Tip–Norcia is definitely one of Italy's culinary gems: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/norcia-one-of-italys-culinary-gemsMarcheLocated in central Italy on the Adriatic side, Marche is a beautiful region with a population of 1 million people, known for its charming towns, rich history, and welcoming, hardworking culture. The region offers stunning destinations like Urbino and Ancona, along with pristine beaches such as Spiaggia della Due Sorelle, Parco Naturale Monte San Bartolo, Mezzavalle, and the Riviera del Conero, not to mention many picturesque nature reserves.Must-see landmarks include Castello di Gradara, Palazzo Ducale di Urbino, the Sanctuary of the Holy House of Loreto, Cattedrale di San Ciriaco, Tempio del Valadier, and the breathtaking underground Frasassi Caves. Marche's favorite cities and nearby towns also include Gubbio, Assisi, Perugia, Orvieto, and Cascia.For those drawn to religious history, highlights include the Papal Basilica of Saint Francis, the Sacred Convent of Saint Francis, Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli, and Basilica di Santa Chiara in Assisi, as well as the Basilica of Santa Rita da Cascia. History lovers should visit Rocca Paolina, Piazza IV Novembre, Fontana Maggiore, Piazza del Comune, and Grotta di Monte Cucco, while museums like Narni Sotterranea, the National Gallery, and Nobile Collegio del Cambio offer rich cultural experiences.This region is famous for its culinary tradition, especially its mastery of seafood, and is home to seven Michelin-starred restaurants — including Uliassi in Senigallia, proudly holding three Michelin stars, along with one two-star and five one-star establishments. No visit would be complete without tasting Olive all'Ascolana, fried stuffed olives that perfectly capture Marche's local flavor. All of this, combined with the region's natural beauty and warm, fun, and friendly locals, makes Marche a truly unforgettable destination in the heart of Italy.Tourissimo Tip–Ascoli Piceno, the town where the Ascoli olive is from, is beautiful, especially at night when it appears to glow: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/ascoli-piceno-the-italian-town-that-glows-at-nightLazioLazio, one of Italy's central regions, though often considered a southern region by Italians, is a place rich with history, iconic landmarks, and hidden gems. At its heart is the capital city of Rome, a destination overflowing with opportunities for exploration. Essential sites include the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Roman Forum, Spanish Steps, St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and countless other remarkable attractions. No visit to Rome is complete without savoring its famous dishes, including Cacio e Pepe — a creamy cheese and pepper pasta — along with local favorites like Spaghetti alla Gricia, Pasta all'Amatriciana, and Pasta Carbonara, best enjoyed with a glass of crisp Frascati wine while taking in views of the Colosseum. Lazio as a whole has 107 two-star Michelin restaurants and 105 one-star restaurants. If you find yourself in the Trastevere neighborhood, there are many wonderful popular restaurants, including La Scaletta and Le Mani in Pasta.Another must-see is Vatican City, home to the Vatican and its world-renowned religious and artistic treasures. In December 2025, Rome will host the Jubilee, or Holy Year — a significant Catholic Church event focused on forgiveness, reconciliation, and spiritual renewal, held only once every 25 years and drawing pilgrims from across the globe.Beyond Rome, Lazio offers a beautiful coastline and peaceful countryside, perfect for travelers seeking quieter escapes. Among its hidden gems is Ostia Antica, an ancient Roman city that once served as the bustling port of Rome, located at the mouth of the Tiber River. With its blend of legendary landmarks, culinary traditions, religious significance, and off-the-beaten-path treasures, Lazio is a captivating region waiting to be explored.Tourissimo Tip–There's a wonderful project underway to create a cycle path around the perimeter of Rome: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/cycling-in-rome-grab-a-bike-and-bike-the-grabAbruzzoAbruzzo, known as Italy's green region, lies in the central-eastern part of the country and boasts a stunning combination of mountains, coastline, and unspoiled nature. Along the beautiful Trabocchi Coast, visitors can admire the historic trabocchi — ingenious wooden fishing structures built by fishermen centuries ago to safely fish the Adriatic waters, many of which have now been converted into charming seaside restaurants where you can dine on fresh seafood while suspended above the waves with sunsets as your backdrop. When it comes to dining, Abruzzo currently boasts four Michelin-starred restaurants; there are three 1-star restaurants and one 3-star restaurant. Food lovers shouldn't miss Arrosticini, the region's famous grilled lamb skewers, or a glass of bold Montepulciano d'Abruzzo red wine. Outdoor enthusiasts have countless opportunities for adventure, from swimming at the Stiffe Caves and strolling the Ponte del Mare to relaxing on the beaches of Riserva Naturale Guidata Punta Aderci and hiking to the iconic Rocca Calascio. Lakeside escapes await at Lago di Scanno and Lago di Barrea, while the towering Gran Sasso d'Italia and the expansive Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, and Lazio e Molise offer breathtaking scenery and pristine trails. The region is home to many national parks — Abruzzo, Lazio, Molise National Park, Gran Sasso and Laga Mountains National Park, and Maiella National Park — perfect for hiking, biking, trail running, and spotting the highest peaks of the Apennine Mountain Range. Cyclists can enjoy the Bike to Coast cycle path, a 131 km (81.4 mile) route running along the Adriatic coast from Pescara to Vasto. History and architecture lovers will appreciate sites like Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio, Centro Storico di Sulmona, Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere, and the Medieval Village of Pacentro. For a uniquely tranquil experience, visit the enchanting Gardens of Ninfa. Abruzzo is also a fabulous winter skiing destination and keeps traditions alive with events like Transumanza, the seasonal migration of livestock, primarily sheep, between the high-altitude pastures of the region. With its mountain majesty, historic villages, flavorful cuisine, and coastal charm, Abruzzo offers something unforgettable for every traveler.Tourissimo Tips:More info on the trabocchi coast: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/abruzzos-trabocchi-coastAbruzzo Bike to Coast is a beautiful bike path along the coast: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/cycling-along-abruzzos-coastMoliseOne of Italy's most untouched and lesser-known regions, Molise is famously nicknamed “the region that doesn't exist,” though it's rich in history, traditions, and natural beauty. This quiet region offers a mix of beaches and mountains, including part of the National Park of Abruzzo within the Apennines mountain range, filled with abundant wildlife, hiking trails, and winter ski opportunities. Tourissimo Tip–The Region That Doesn't Exist: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/the-italian-region-that-doesnt-existThe capital city, Campobasso, is home to notable sites like Monforte Castle and several Romanesque churches, while the charming coastal town of Termoli draws visitors for its beaches, trabucchi (historic fishing huts now serving fresh seafood), and local specialties like brodetto, a traditional seafood stew. Along the Molise coast in Termoli, dining at a trabucchi offers fresh catches with a side of Adriatic views. History buffs should visit the Samnite ruins in the Pietrabbondante archaeological area, the well-preserved Saepinum Archaeological Area, and landmarks like Lago di Castel San Vincenzo, the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Purification, Monforte Castle, and the Basilica of Saint Mary of Sorrow. A must-see is the Marinelli Bell Foundry, founded in 1339. It's the oldest continuously operating bell foundry in the world, Italy's oldest family business, and the official provider of bells to the Vatican. Food lovers can sample Cavatelli, a local pasta specialty, paired with Tintilia, a rare red wine unique to Molise. The region is also home to seven one-star Michelin restaurants and several local food tours that showcase its rustic culinary traditions. While Molise's quiet charm and untouched landscapes make it a special destination, visitors should note that English is not widely spoken, making it a truly authentic Italian experience for those eager to explore one of the country's hidden gems.Southern Italy: Sun, Sea, and Ancient WondersCampania The birthplace of Neapolitan pizza, the Mediterranean Diet, and Mozzarella di Bufala, Campania is one of Italy's most vibrant and culturally rich regions. Home to the bustling regional capital Naples (Napoli), it boasts some of the country's most iconic destinations, including Pompeii, the stunning Amalfi Coast, and the tranquil Cilento Coast.Along the sparkling, deep-blue waters of the Golfo di Napoli, you'll find must-visit coastal towns like Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, as well as the famous islands of Ischia, Capri, and the colorful Procida. Visitors can hike the breathtaking Path of the Gods, explore the hauntingly preserved ruins of Archaeological Pompeii, forever shadowed by the gray cone of Mt. Vesuvius, and savor the region's culinary gems like ultra-fresh seafood and crisp Falanghina wine.History and culture lovers shouldn't miss Sansevero Chapel Museum, San Carlo Theatre, the Catacombs of San Gennaro, and the lush Villa Cimbrone Gardens. Campania also impresses with its historic castles, including the Royal Palace of Caserta, Ovo Castle, and Castello Aragonese d'Ischia. Wine enthusiasts should head to the province of Avellino, known for producing some of the best wines in southern Italy.Tourissimo Tip–Wine is also grown inland on the Amalfi Coast, and there are some vines that are 250 years old (pre-phylloxera): https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/old-vines-on-the-amalfi-coastNature lovers will be drawn to the Cilento, Vallo di Diano, and Alburni National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its biodiversity, dramatic landscapes, and cultural heritage, featuring ancient ruins like Paestum and Velia, the majestic Padula Charterhouse, and idyllic coastal villages.Campania is also a paradise for food lovers, home to 51 Michelin-starred restaurants, including one three-star, eight two-star, and forty-two one-star establishments. From world-famous landmarks to hidden treasures, Campania offers an irresistible blend of history, nature, food, and coastal charm.CalabriaWith its rugged coastlines, dramatic landscapes, and hidden treasures, Calabria is a must-visit region in southern Italy. Known for its bold flavors and rich culinary traditions, visitors should sample 'Nduja, a spicy, spreadable sausage paste, and the region's famous Calabrian chiles. The local cuisine embraces cucina povera, a tradition of simple, hearty dishes featuring handmade pasta made with just flour and water. Calabria offers a growing fine dining scene with six one-star Michelin restaurants. For nature lovers, Calabria is home to three stunning national parks — Sila, Aspromonte, and Pollino — ideal for hiking, wildlife spotting, and immersing in untouched landscapes. Along the coast, Capo Vaticano stands out as one of the world's most beautiful beaches, offering breathtaking views and crystal-clear waters. History buffs and castle enthusiasts can explore impressive fortresses like Castello Ruffo di Scilla, Castello Murat, Castello di Le Castella, and Castello Aragonese. Don't miss charming towns and villages such as Tropea, famous for its clifftop views and beaches, as well as Scilla, Pentedattilo, and Le Castella. With its authentic culture, stunning coastlines, flavorful cuisine, and rich history, Calabria remains one of Italy's most captivating yet underrated regions.Tourissimo Tip–Way off the beaten path, lies a  unique museum in Mammola, Calabria https://calabriastraordinaria.it/en/news/visit-to-musaba-the-sistine-chapel-of-calabriaPugliaKnown as the Maldives of Italy, Puglia is a sun-drenched region celebrated for its whitewashed hill towns, ancient olive groves, and miles of stunning coastline. With a dry Mediterranean climate and scenery that often feels more Greek than Italian, Puglia is famed for its beaches in Salento, crystal-clear waters, and charming seaside towns. One of its most iconic sights is the fairytale-like trulli houses of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This region is also a food lover's paradise, offering specialties like Orecchiette pasta with turnip greens, the classic Fave e Cicoria (fava bean purée with wild chicory), and fresh seafood paired with crisp vegetables. Wine lovers can savor Primitivo, a bold local red. For fine dining, the region boasts nine one-star Michelin restaurants, blending rustic flavors with refined culinary creativity.Puglia is dotted with unique cities and towns worth exploring, including Locorotondo, Otranto, Lecce, Monopoli, Ostuni, Gallipoli, Bari, Alberobello, and Polignano a Mare. Nature and history enthusiasts will enjoy visiting extraordinary sites like the Grotte di Castellana, the dramatic Cave of Poetry, the ancient Basilica San Nicola, and the scenic Gargano Peninsula. With its thousand-year-old olive trees, Puglia is the largest olive oil producer in the world, known for its strong, spicy oils. The locals here are famously warm and welcoming, going out of their way to make visitors feel at home.Puglia's blend of natural beauty, rich tradition, and heartfelt hospitality makes it one of Italy's most captivating and underrated destinations.Tourissimo Tip–Here are some of the gems of Puglia: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/some-of-the-gems-of-pugliaBasilicataBasilicata, a remote yet captivating region with a population of just 500,000, offers a wealth of unique experiences despite its secluded location. Among its most intriguing destinations are the ghost town of Craco and the ancient cave city of Matera, both steeped in history and cinematic charm. Other towns worth visiting include Maratea and Palombaroa, each offering its own cultural and scenic appeal.Tourissimo Tip–Matera is magical! https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/destination-highlight-matera-the-city-of-stonesThe region is rich in historical and religious landmarks, such as the Crypt of Original Sin with its remarkable frescoes, and the medieval Melfi Castle. Don't miss the towering Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Maratea, a striking monument that overlooks the Tyrrhenian coast.For a taste of local flavor, try Peperoni Cruschi—crispy, sun-dried peppers that are a beloved regional delicacy. Basilicata is also known for its exceptional wines, especially the bold, full-bodied reds of Aglianico del Vulture DOC, made primarily from the Aglianico grape. White wine lovers will appreciate the region's Greco di Tufo and Fiano varietals as well. Basilicata also has a total of 14 one-star Michelin restaurants. Adventurers can experience an adrenaline rush on The Angel's Flight, a giant zip line that offers stunning views and a thrilling ride through the Lucanian landscape.SicilySicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, is a world of its own, offering a diverse landscape of coastlines, mountains, and magical towns such as Cefalù, Palermo, Taormina, Catania, Noto, Agrigento, and Syracuse. Palermo serves as the cultural and diplomatic capital of the region, while Catania stands as its business hub.A volcanic island and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sicily boasts a rich collection of cultural and natural treasures. Highlights include the awe-inspiring Valley of the Temples, the active volcano Mount Etna, the stunning Duomo di Cefalù, and the picturesque islands of Stromboli, Bella, and Ortigia. The region is also home to the renowned Baroque Triangle in the Val di Noto region of southeastern Sicily, where the eight towns of Caltagirone, Militello Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa, and Scicli have been recognized by UNESCO for their outstanding examples of late Baroque architecture.Sicily's culinary scene is just as impressive. Indulge in traditional Sicilian cannoli, filled with sheep's milk ricotta cheese and always stuffed fresh to order. Take a street food tour to savor local favorites like arancini, and don't miss sipping on a glass of Nero d'Avola, one of Sicily's most famous wines. The region is also internationally celebrated for its top-tier agriculture and winemaking.For a taste of authentic Italian charm beyond the tourist trail, explore the towns featured in I Borghi Più Belli d'Italia—Italy's list of its most beautiful hidden gems. Tourissimo Tip–This is a great tip for all 20 regions of Italy. Find out more here: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/the-most-beautiful-small-towns-in-italyFood lovers will be delighted to know that Sicily is also home to 23 Michelin-starred restaurants, including three two-star establishments and twenty with one star.Tourissimo Tip–If you visit Corleone, you should definitely learn about the legacy of the Mafia. We in North America tend to have a romanticized view of the mafia, but for the locals, the history is more brutal. See some photos and learn more here: https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/letizia-battaglia-groundbreaking-photojournalist-who-fearlessly-documented-the-mafia-in-her-native-sicilySardiniaSardinia, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily, is a rugged, rural paradise known for its natural beauty, deep-rooted traditions, and ancient history. The island is home to features like the Apennine Coast, the Adriatic Coast, and the Apennine Mountains. Most of Sardinia's population lives in the capital region of Cagliari, but much of the island remains untouched, offering visitors a glimpse into authentic Italian island life.One of Sardinia's most fascinating distinctions is that the Barbagia region is recognized as a Blue Zone—an area with an unusually high number of centenarians. This longevity is attributed to the region's healthy diet, active lifestyle, and strong sense of community. For outdoor enthusiasts, inland Sardinia offers some of the best biking and hiking experiences in all of Italy.Tourissimo Tip–What is a Blue Zone? https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/blue-zoneThe island's coastlines are just as enticing. Costa Smeralda is often described as paradise on earth, with stunning beaches like Spiaggia di Tuerredda, Cala Goloritzé, and Spiaggia di Porto Giunco perfect for sunbathing and swimming. Don't miss the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park (Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago di La Maddalena), a protected area with crystal-clear waters and pristine landscapes.Charming towns such as Alghero, Bosa, and Cagliari add to the island's appeal. Many of Sardinia's towns are nestled in the mountains located in the island's center, offering a peaceful and scenic escape.Cultural and historical attractions abound. Must-see sites include the Nora Archaeological Park, Bastione di Saint Remy, Parco Archeologico Naturalistico di Santa Cristina, and the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Cagliari. For an unforgettable natural wonder, venture into the Frecce delle grotte srl and Neptune's Grotto, stunning sea caves accessible by boat or stairs carved into cliffs.Sardinia is also home to a unique ancient civilization. Scattered across the island are over 7,000 nuraghe—megalithic stone structures built during the Nuragic Age (c. 1900–730 BC). These mysterious, tower-like buildings are the island's most iconic symbol, and some scholars believe there were once over 10,000 nuraghe structures in total.Religious architecture also impresses, with highlights like the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta e Santa Cecilia, the Church of the Holy Trinity of Saccargia, and the Basilica di San Simplicio showcasing Sardinia's spiritual and artistic heritage.Sardinian cuisine reflects its mountainous geography. Surprisingly, for an island, the diet leans more toward land-based ingredients than seafood. Signature dishes include Porceddu (roast pig), Fregola (a traditional Sardinian pasta), and the adventurous Casu marzu—a sheep's milk cheese intentionally infested with live maggots and considered a local delicacy. Sardinia also holds 16 one-star Michelin restaurants.To accompany these flavors, try a glass of Cannonau red wine, known for its high polyphenol content and potential health benefits, or the refreshing Vermentino white wine, perfect for warm Mediterranean days.Tourissimo Tip–Magic Trick or Pasta Making? https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/magic-trick-or-pasta-making From the Alps to the Mediterranean, each Italian region is a world of its own. Want to see it all? Check out Tourissimo's amazing trip planning and Italian information at tourissimo.travel! Buon viaggio!From the Alps to the Mediterranean, each Italian region is a world of its own. Want to see it all? Check out Tourissimo's amazing trip planning and Italian information at tourissimo.travel! Buon viaggio! 

Welcome in for another edition of the Morning Espresso from the SDH Network, brought to you by Oglethorpe University, Atlanta's premier undergraduate learning experience and soccer powerhouse.Atlanta United scored first, but lost control of the match with Nashville afterwards. Following the goal, Nashville outshot Atlanta 10-2 and had 70% possession. They eventually found an equalizer and the match finished in an unfulfilling 1-1 draw. Atlanta is back in action next Saturday in Chicago against the Fire, who will be missing their goalkeeper Chris Brady following his red card in the first half of the Fire's 0-0 draw with Orlando.LA Galaxy lost last night in Kansas City 1-0 even though they didn't concede a shot, the goal was an own goal in the 13th minute. The Galaxy also lost both of their star wingers, Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec, due to injury. Other MLS highlights of note include Vancouver going unbeaten in 10 games after a 2-1 win over RSL, Miami bouncing back from two home losses with a win over Red Bulls, and New England keeping their hot streak going since putting Carles Gil into a free role in their 3-5-2 shape.Parity is alive and well in the NWSL as the top 8 teams are separated by 4 points. Kansas City and Orlando are tied for the top spot with 15 points so far in the season.A verdict is expected tomorrow by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the Club Leon case against FIFA over their spot in the Club World Cup. If FIFA's ruling is upheld, then we'll see the playoff game between LAFC and Club America go ahead. The winner of that would start the tournament here in Atlanta against Chelsea on June 16. Harry Kane has finally won a trophy after almost 700 games as a pro for club and country. Of course it wasn't straightforward... Bayern drew to RB Leipzig 3-3 on a late goal from the opposition and needed Leverkusen to slip up in their game later in the day, which ended 2-2 giving Bayern the title. Two big promotions, Pisa in Italy and Paris FC in France. Pisa hasn't been in Serie A since 1991 while Paris FC hasn't played in Ligue 1 for 46 years. Nothing beats Burnley's celebrations for getting back to the Premier League, they had Natasha Bedingfield on hand to sing the unofficial promotion anthem for them "Unwritten". She sang it for the fans at Turf Moor and the squad sang it with her in the locker room.Playoffs are set in Mexico and Argentina, they'll start next weekend. Champions League in Europe returns this week with Barcelona and Inter hopeful on injury returns while PSG and Arsenal try to shake off league losses over the weekend.More Espresso Tuesday on the SDH Network, presented by Oglethorpe University.

Episode: 3040 Leonardo and Borelli.  Today, two hemispheres come together.

Niles, Illinois is home to an exact replica of Italy's leaning tower of Pisa - only it's half the size of the original structure.READ MORE IN THE ATLAS: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/leaning-tower-niles