Podcasts about pretend

Pretend we don't have social media. Learn how to ask for a chance. #ThePitch #INICIVOX #VirtualMentorship

Passover 3 1 Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You can't eat from any tree in the garden'?" 2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden. 3 But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, 'You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.' " 4 "No! You will certainly not die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 6 The woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 So the Lord God called out to the man and said to him, "Where are you?" 10 And he said, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid." 11 Then he asked, "Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?" 12 The man replied, "The woman you gave to be with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate." 13 So the Lord God asked the woman, "What have you done?" And the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." 14 So the Lord God said to the serpent: Because you have done this, you are cursed more than any livestock and more than any wild animal. You will move on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life. 15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel. 16 He said to the woman: I will intensify your labor pains; you will bear children with painful effort. Your desire will be for your husband, yet he will rule over you. 17 And he said to the man, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'Do not eat from it': The ground is cursed because of you. You will eat from it by means of painful labor all the days of your life. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. 19 You will eat bread by the sweat of your brow until you return to the ground, since you were taken from it. For you are dust, and you will return to dust." 20 The man named his wife Eve because she was the mother of all the living. 21 The Lord God made clothing from skins for the man and his wife, and he clothed them. 22 The Lord God said, "Since the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil, he must not reach out, take from the tree of life, eat, and live forever." 23 So the Lord God sent him away from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. 24 He drove the man out and stationed the cherubim and the flaming, whirling sword east of the garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:1–24 [CSB] We may not see...understand or accept the reason...or think it deserving... This...the result and consequences of sin... …especially since it was not us...but our first parents...who did it...who began this journey... Why should we be held accountable for them? Why should we be blamed...we didn't ask to inherit this mess! But we have to stop and think. Let's go ahead and drop the original...the first...and just ask about our own individual sins. Sure, but then we will do what Adam and Eve did...won't we? We are all ready and willing to then blame our parents...or the devil...or anything...else... Yet they remain ours...and they are because of us. But this is Lent.  And so...today...we could stand before God...naked...ashamed and guilty... If we chose to try and justify ourselves in anyway… And that which we fear...would overwhelm us with terror...and...dread... So… think along those lines… what are you going to say to Him? What's to be done? This day and age...though...we are all about denial, changing the rules and the definitions...so that we don't have to feel so bad...because if there are less things we do wrong...well...then... They tell us… out there… that we then… need not fear and tremble... ...as we will surely not die...at least not as soon as we once did...we are on the way to finding its cure all on our own... Yes, we will cheat it...we will beat it… so no… don't…  let's not call sin, sin. Let's not deal with it as we used to. Live and let live. Or...not too long ago it was all about cover-up. Pretend to be good...put on a good face...at church especially...and maybe no one will notice... …and maybe God is at least pleased that I try.... But… there are other ways too...to deflect all of this...that which we feel...that brings sleepless nights...and worries... We can justify ourselves...you know...say that the ends justify the means...and all that...after all, it was for a good cause... Well, wasn't it? You could also just plead ignorance of the Law... But that is why we have Lent...each and every year...as no matter what we come up with to try and deal with what we are and what we have done... Lent arrives again... And Lent is God coming after us... Lent is all about God exposing our to light reality… bringing it all full bore...right between the eyes of the world… of humanity... …and also, if need be… aiming for the heart. Ours? You? Me? Everyone… lest we forget… but all whom God makes to sit up and pay attention... Again...is this YOU and this is ME? Are you hiding in the bushes...there... Are you trying to cover yourself with things that don't do the job. Are you who like pointing the finger and blaming others. YOU. IS GOD LOOKING AT YOU? IS GOD POINTING HIS FINGER AT YOU? OR ME? And we have nowhere to go… do we and… are there really any excuses left? My hand is caught in the candy jar… Is there blood on our hands? YOU...yes...ME...yes...HE IS TALKING TO US... ARE YOU GETTING UNCOMFORTABLE?  Are you yet? What have you done? What have you left undone? You...YOU who knows...THAT HE KNOWS...all too well...in fact... This is about you...this is about your life...and paying the piper...reaping what you have sown... Well, you wanted to dance. You wanted to do your own thing. You wanted to make your own way in the world... With your own rules... How has that been going for you...now that it is the morning after. Now that your head hurts. Now that you are in a fix and cannot get yourself out. Now that you are sick... Now that you are dying... Now that the time of your life is done and gone...and you are old...and you are dying? What now? What do you have to say? What do you have to show for yourself? From dust we are taken, and to dust we will return. Everything comes to an end.  Everything crumbles and fades away. Everything is taken away. That is the very meaning of Lent. This is what Lent is for… each year… Lest we forget… Again! We do… with all those voices out there… and in here… saying differently… Lent is to bring us to this place. To this point. Again! To bring us to this understanding about ourselves and our lives. And to show us that there is nothing we can do about it... as if we remain in it… as it will not end well. Sa what's left then? Well...yes, we can continue in this… those many ways,,, that try to avoid or ignore… but...in the end...here we are. Before God, just like our first parents. God has (and thank God He has) brought us to this now...here and now. He is doing this right now. That is what Lent is for. That is what God wants. Because this is the start also of the Passover. His Passover. And His passing over kills. His passing over spills blood, wrecks lives, destroys kingdoms...small and great. Yes. And He passes over all...the whole world this time. He comes. He is coming. He is here. All of this while we are holding the bag...without anything that could help us...that could prevent the fallout...that could be used in our favor. Most will die because of it. And yet...His passing over also saves. Anyone who has His blood covering them… lives. His Sacrifice is offered instead of ours. His life in place of ours. Just like He did for our first parents, He brings His covering to us. Just like He made a way for Israel, Jesus is the way for the whole world...for us. Yet it all begins in facing these terrible facts about ourselves.... It requires pleading guilty. But again, better today, then in the end where there no longer is a covering to hide our shame and remove our guilt. This is what our first parents faced. This is what the Jews faced in the Exodus, and then had to deal with when Jesus exposed their hypocrisy. But they too, like Adam and Eve, all tried to avoid it. This is what we try all too often. We still… knowing all this… we still all too often try our best to cover up, blame and make excuses... Do we want to insist on this? Do we remain stubbornly justifying ourselves? Then doomed they and we are to die. Thrown out of God's presence. But there is no need! As God began the Passover...that which has been there from the beginning. God provided the way out...the way of escape...the sacrifice, time and again. That blood that hid shame and the stain of our sin.... This until the right time...and then God became the sacrifice, once and for all. This once and for all removed the shame and cleansed us of sin. That is why the Passover is such a big deal.

Cuando se cumplen cuatro años del inicio de la guerra en Ucrania, Josep Borrell, ex Alto representante de la Unión para Asuntos Exteriores y Política de Seguridad y presidente del CIDOB, reconoce en Las mañanas de RNE que de momento Rusia ha fracasado tras su invasión: "Pretendía en dos semanas llegar a Kiev y cuatro años después sigue intentando arañar trozos en la parte este del país. Zelenski sigue en Ucrania, la OTAN está más reforzada y Europa, por el momento, ha demostrado una unidad que era imprevisible y poco probable. El resultado de Putin en esta guerra es calamitoso".Sobre el rol que desempeña Europa en el conflicto, cree Borrell que está jugando un papel más esencial y decisivo que antes, ante la falta de ayuda por parte de Estados Unidos, por voluntad expresa del presidente Trump. En cuanto a las conversaciones para terminar con la guerra, Borrell destaca que el que habla con Putin es el presidente estadounidense: "Los europeos no hablamos con Putin. Algunos proponen que quizá habría que hacerlo". Añade que Trump pone presión sobre los dos lados pero más sobre Ucrania que sobre el presidente ruso: "La guerra está en un punto muerto, en el sentido de bloqueo. Ninguno de los dos es capaz de empujar al otro". "Ucrania demuestra una capacidad de resistencia inaudita [...] Si Europa deja de apoyar militar y económicamente a Ucrania, Ucrania no puede resistir. Así de claro", añade en RNE el ex Al representante de la UE. En Europa, dice, "tenemos que seguir apoyando a Ucrania si queremos que Ucrania resista". Entrevista completa en RNE Audio.Escuchar audio

ACCOUNTABILITY HAS BEEN ESCAPED ALL AROUND THIS WEEK! In this week's weekly wrap-up, Emily and I OF COURSE jump into the latest episode of The Traitors. Maura is SO BAD at this game… but then, she drops some BOMB selfies on Instagram, and… sigh… I'm right back with you. Then, we get into Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model. Tyra has taken a lot of the brunt of the heat for ANTM, but there's a LOT of accountability that needs to be SHARED all around! Then, more Epstein files spiraling (Prince Andrew, Trump allegations, etc.).  DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN TODAY! Video content credit: 1 - @barrettpall 2 - @joe.ie & @comedyjoe_ 3 - @mrcodydahler 4 - @justinthenickofcrime 5 - Sascha Riley via @jongeardev 6 - @purpleroom_politics 7 - @nomadicallyryan 8 - @unitingnow 9 - @harryjsisson 10 - @shookbyava 11 - @wffnews Listen to “She's Speaking with Emily Hanks” podcast on Apple Podcasts! Listen to “She's Speaking with Emily Hanks” podcast on Spotify! Follow Emily on Instagram! Subscribe to Emily's YouTube channel, where we go live every single Sunday!   *** HEY! Some of you have asked how you can show your appreciation for all the content provided by your mama's favorite Black geek. How about you buy me a beer/coffee? CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT! ***   New episodes of “I Ken Not with Kendrick Tucker” are released weekly!   DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE, RATE, AND REVIEW! I LOVE 5 STARS! EMAIL ME AT IKENNOTPODCAST@GMAIL.COM! FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM! FOLLOW ME ON THREADS! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's the power of pretend and the power of the imaginary? Of inhabiting a different Otherworld, of inhabiting a different person within an emergent tale? What is it about that which is so compelling?Thanks to Pat and Alex for the call-ins.Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message:speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon:patreon.com/rpgrescue Email:roleplayrescue@pm.meBlogroleplayrescue.com Bluesky Social:https://bsky.app/profile/ubiquitousrat.bsky.socialRoleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore:https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Logo and artwork by MJ Hiblen:https://www.patreon.com/MJHiblenART/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's the power of pretend and the power of the imaginary? Of inhabiting a different Otherworld, of inhabiting a different person within an emergent tale? What is it about that which is so compelling?Thanks to Pat and Alex for the call-ins.Game on!Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message:speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon:patreon.com/rpgrescue Email:roleplayrescue@pm.meBlogroleplayrescue.com Bluesky Social:https://bsky.app/profile/ubiquitousrat.bsky.socialRoleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore:https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Logo and artwork by MJ Hiblen:https://www.patreon.com/MJHiblenART/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every Thursday around this time, we detail some of the wildest confessions from the streets of Mzansi. We get YOU to weigh in on your unfiltered thoughts. Here's what anonymous shared with us: “I pretend to be broke, not because I am, but because the people closest to me won't stop asking for money. It started with small favours. ‘Can you help just this once?' Then it became expectations. Family members are counting my salary before I even get paid. Friends making plans with my wallet in mind. I tried being honest. I said no. I explained boundaries and suddenly I was ‘selfish', ‘forgetting where I come from', ‘acting better than everyone else'. So now I lie. I complain about being broke. I downplay promotions. I hide wins, because it's easier than being guilt-tripped by the people who raised me and grew up with me. They say money shouldn't come between family and friends, but money already has. So tell me… am I wrong for protecting myself, or wrong for lying to the people who expect me to provide?"

This week, Kelsey accidentally ruins Chad's Valentine's Day surprise and they figure out a new way to navigate arguments. Plus, great listener questions including comedy and mental health, navigating career jealousy, supplements and more! Write into pretendproblemspodcast@gmail.com with your advice questions and stories and we'll answer them on the show! Subscribe to the podcast, and give it a 5-star rating and review to help the show move up the charts. Video for the episodes is on Kelsey’s YouTube channel!Watch the episodes and subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9UBPfi4B_j1Ua7xDOcyBnASee Kelsey on tour: https://punchup.live/kelseycook/ticketsSee Chad on tour: https://punchup.live/chaddaniels/ticketsWatch Kelsey's special “Mark Your Territory” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uYqWsDhWkkA?si=J9hgt5nKtMLxB1sjWatch Chad's special "Mixed Reviews" on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1kVr3zkz7E&t=663sFollow Kelsey on social media: @KelseyCookComedyFollow Chad on social media: @thatchaddaniels Theme Song cowritten by Matthew Facca and Alex Bent This episode is sponsored by Talkiatry! Head to Talkiatry.com/PRETEND and complete the short assessment to get matched with an in‑network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Lenders are finally calling in billions in troubled commercial real estate loans — and the era of “extend and pretend” is ending. Citing new reporting from The Wall Street Journal, Chris explains surging defaults, collapsing office demand, and why hybrid work may have permanently changed the market.What happens next? Foreclosures, falling property values, and the rise of “zombie” office buildings — with major consequences for banks, cities, and the economy.

Not only does Mysterian Ideology cost the taxpayers too much money, but it also hurts the people who Mysterians pretend to care about. Johnny Heidt with guitar news. Heard On The Show:Twins starting pitcher Pablo López expected to miss 2026 seasonMinnesota lawmakers honor Hortmans at start of new legislative sessionThe Rev. Jesse Jackson, who led the Civil Rights Movement for decades after King, has died at 84See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, we're revisiting one of the most terrifying series ever produced for PRETEND. It's about a gang-stalking internet group known as The Pests. Content Advisory: This episode is disturbing and includes language and topics not suitable for all audiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the success of his version of the Ohio Express “Yummy Yummy Yummy” last year   Champagne decided to to revisit “I Can’t Pretend” as song he was familiar with as the drummer for Canada’s Teenage Head who recorded their version of the punk/surf classic on their 1985 album “Trouble In The Jungle”. “This is a song that I have loved for a very long time and I have always thought of recording it” says Champagne.  “It fits really well with the new material I am currently writing. The vibe of the song is perfect and it seemed like a great opportunity to give the song some attention and put a bit of my style into it”. “Because this is a cover song my goal was to keep the integrity and spirit of the song yet lend a little bit of my style. I wanted this song to blend well with what original music I have been writing and recording and I think it turned out just the way I intended”. Gene Champagne from Hamilton, On Canada is a singer/songwriter and solo artist, also known for being the drummer for Teenage Head, The Killjoys and The Black Halos. His version of “I Can’t Pretend” is two parts CanCon.  Gene will be supporting The Boys (UK)  Fri March 13th       – Toronto,Ontario- The HorseshoeSat March 14th      – Hamilton,Ontario -The CorktownSun March 15th     – London,Ontario – Palasad Social Bowl LinksSpotifyApple Music BandcampInstagramFacebook Checkout my YouTube Channel with long form interviews from the Subversives | the History of Lowest of the Low. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9d1VSeOHYuxFWKuRdmn9j8UTW6AHwS_fAlso my Weekly Tour Vlog is up an live on the YouTubeshttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9d1VSeOHYuwphwhc4zd0VgY66f1OUQZp Pledge monthly with Patreon https://www.patreon.com/apologueShop Apologue products at http://apologue.ca/shopCheck out new Four Square Here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/foursquare/brighton-beach-ephttps://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/foursquare/seven-oh-sevenhttps://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/foursquare/industry-at-home–21st-anniversary-remix-remasteredhttps://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/foursquare/when-weeks-were-weekends

Listening is the most underrated sales skill because it's the one that actually tells you what the buyer is thinking, not what you wish they were thinking.  Most salespeople believe they listen well, but in real conversations—especially under pressure—we drift into habits that feel like listening while we're actually rehearsing our next line. In Japan, in the US, in Europe—whether you're selling to an SME, a startup, or a multinational—buyers can feel when you're not fully present. Are you really listening to the buyer—or just waiting to talk? Most salespeople aren't listening; they're mentally queuing up their next point, and the buyer can hear the delay. This shows up in every market: a SaaS rep in San Francisco, a relationship banker in London, or an account manager in Tokyo can look attentive while their mind is sprinting ahead. The trigger is usually one "important" phrase—budget, competitor, timing—then your attention snaps away from the buyer and into your internal monologue. You're still hearing, but you're not taking in. That gap matters because buyers don't only communicate in words. In executive-level meetings at firms like Toyota or Rakuten, meaning often sits inside tone, pace, hesitations, and what goes unsaid. Post-pandemic, with more hybrid calls on Zoom or Teams, these cues are easier to miss—unless you deliberately train for them. Do now: Treat every buyer conversation like a live intelligence feed: if you're writing your reply in your head, you've stopped listening. What are the five levels of listening in sales? There are five levels—Ignore, Pretend, Selective, Attentive, and Empathetic—and most sales calls hover around levels 2 or 3.  Ignore doesn't mean staring at your phone; it can mean being hijacked by your own thoughts the moment the buyer says something provocative. Pretend looks like nodding, eye contact, "mm-hmm"—but your brain is busy building the pitch. Selective listening is the killer in modern B2B: you filter for "yes/no" buying signals, but you miss the conditions attached to them (timeline, stakeholders, risk concerns). Attentive listening is full-focus: no interruptions, no filtering, paraphrasing to confirm. Empathetic listening goes further—eyes and ears—reading what's behind the words and "meeting the buyer in the conversation going on in their mind." That's as relevant in procurement-heavy Japan as it is in fast-moving US sales teams. Do now: Identify which level you default to under pressure—and train upward, not sideways. What does "ignoring the client" look like if you're still in the room? You can "ignore" a buyer while looking directly at them—by following your own thoughts instead of their words. This is common when the client says something that sparks urgency: "We're also talking to your competitor," "Budget is tight," "We need this by Q2." The moment you latch onto that, the rest of what they say fades into the mist because you're fixated on the counterpoint you must deliver. In enterprise sales, this is where deals quietly die: you respond to the wrong problem, at the wrong depth, to the wrong stakeholder. In Japan, where meaning can be indirect and consensus-based, this is riskier—what's not said can be the real message. In Australia, where communication is often more direct, you can still miss the nuance in tone—especially in remote calls where you're juggling slides, notes, and chat. Do now: When you feel triggered, pause and mentally label it: "That's my ego talking—back to the buyer." Why do salespeople "pretend" to listen—and how can you spot it? Pretend listening happens when your body language says "I'm with you" but your mind is already pitching, defending, or debating.  You nod. You lean in. You look professional. But internally you're preparing the product dump, building the objection-handling case, or rehearsing the "killer story." It's the classic "lights are on, but you're not home" dynamic—common across industries like consulting, insurance, tech, and professional services. The modern version is worse: you're also glancing at CRM notes, Slack messages, or the next meeting timer. Buyers notice because your responses don't quite match what they said. You answer a question they didn't ask, or you jump too early. In negotiation-heavy environments (Japan, Germany, regulated sectors), this reads as disrespect. In faster markets (US startups), it reads as shallow. Do now: After the buyer speaks, summarise in one sentence before you respond with anything else. Is "selective listening" efficient—or does it sabotage sales outcomes? Selective listening is efficient for hearing buying signals, but it often sabotages effectiveness by skipping the context that makes the "yes" or "no" meaningful.  Salespeople are trained to hunt for signals: interest, hesitation, resistance. But if you only listen for yes/no, you miss the conditions attached—like internal politics, compliance concerns, implementation capacity, or fear of change. You also jump the gun: you hear the "no" early and start crafting your rebuttal while the buyer is still explaining why. The Japan example is instructive: because the verb often arrives at the end of the sentence, you're forced to hear the whole thought before reacting. In English, you can start manufacturing your reply mid-sentence, which feels fast but can be sloppy. Across APAC, where indirectness can be a politeness strategy, selective listening becomes a deal-killer because the meaning sits in the qualifiers. Do now: Don't respond to the first "yes/no." Wait for the full sentence—then ask one clarifying question. What's the difference between attentive listening and empathetic listening—and which closes deals? Attentive listening makes you accurate; empathetic listening makes you influential because it reveals what the buyer is really protecting.  Attentive listening is full presence: you don't interrupt, you don't filter, you paraphrase to confirm understanding. This alone differentiates you in any market—Japan, the US, Europe—because most professionals are distracted. Empathetic listening is the next level: you listen with your eyes and ears, tracking tone, body language, and what isn't being said. You sense anxiety behind a budget objection, or politics behind a "we'll think about it." You aim to "meet the buyer in the conversation going on in their mind," which is exactly what executive-level selling requires. In leadership cultures where saving face matters (Japan, parts of Asia), empathy helps you surface concerns safely. In direct cultures (Australia, US), empathy helps you avoid brute-force pitching and instead guide the decision. Do now: Paraphrase the facts, then reflect the feeling: "It sounds like timing isn't the only concern here." Conclusion If you want to sell more, stop trying to be more persuasive and start trying to be more present. The five levels of listening are a diagnostic tool: most salespeople drift between Pretend and Selective because their brain is busy performing. Attentive listening earns trust. Empathetic listening uncovers truth. And the fastest way to improve your buyer conversations is to practise listening where it's hardest—at home, with people who don't have to pay you to stay polite. Author credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results.  He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー).  Greg also publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, and hosts six weekly podcasts. On YouTube, he produces The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews, which are widely followed by executives seeking success strategies in Japan. 

Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson kick off a Presidents' Day episode from the Hendrickson Library with a quick reset on the show's running trivia thread—last week's question on FDR's failed 1937 “court-packing” push—and a new prompt for listeners: who was Abraham Lincoln's political hero? They also trade a few studio-quality-of-life notes (and Chris's ongoing desire for better signage) before moving into the day's agenda.The conversation takes a detour into culture and Americana with news that Robert Duvall has passed away at age 95. John and Chris swap favorite Duvall roles and recommendations, landing on Open Range and Secondhand Lions as must-watches, with a few quick nods to The Godfather, MASH, Days of Thunder, and Gone in 60 Seconds.From there, they pivot into Iowa policy: the annual TIF (tax increment financing) report is out, and they walk through the basic mechanics of TIF—borrowing against projected future property-tax increments—while highlighting why the “free lunch” argument often collapses in practice. The top-line number that grabs attention: roughly $4.7B in TIF-related debt statewide, paired with concerns about permissive rules and the extent to which incentives become direct developer subsidies rather than targeted remediation or infrastructure.Finally, John previews his research on property-tax reform efforts nationwide, arguing Iowa isn't an outlier and that caps/limits are being explored even in places you wouldn't expect (often driven by education-cost pressure). They contrast true reform (reducing the growth of government costs so taxpayers actually pay less) with “shell game” approaches that simply swap one revenue source for another. The episode closes with a broader warning about high-tax states pursuing new levies (including wealth-tax proposals) and why Iowa's competitiveness hinges on resisting the spending trajectory that creates those shortfalls.0:00 Intro + Presidents' Day open1:44 Trivia recap + Lincoln question3:00 Robert Duvall segment5:29 TIF report reset + definition13:43 Property-tax caps spreading nationwide19:21 Why tax swaps fail without spending restraint22:15 “Seat at the table” + taxpayer focus29:28 States raising taxes + why it matters for Iowa32:34 Closing

In this extraordinary bonus episode from the African Americans in Sport Podclass, Dr. Langston Clark sits down with Dorian Hairston—poet, educator, former University of Kentucky baseball player, and author of "Pretend the Ball is Named Jim Crow: The Story of Josh Gibson"—for a conversation that bridges sports history, poetry, and the humanization of Black athletic excellence.Josh Gibson was a Negro League baseball legend credited with hitting over 800 home runs in his career. He died in January 1947, just months before Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in April of the same year. But Gibson's story is more than statistics—it's about a 19-year-old who lost his wife during childbirth, a man who faced Jim Crow at every turn, and an athlete whose greatness was confined by systemic racism.Dorian's book tells this story through poetry, not traditional biography. Using persona poems written from the perspectives of Josh Gibson, his wife Helen, his son Josh Gibson Jr., teammates like Hooks Tinker, and even time-traveling observers, Harrison creates what he calls "historical fiction"—using real historical figures and events to explore empathy, humanity, and the messy complexity of history.In this conversation, Dorian shares his journey from being a student-athlete who earned All-SEC Academic honors while playing baseball at Kentucky, to becoming an English major mentored by Kentucky's first Black Poet Laureate, Frank X Walker, to joining the Affrilachian Poets collective dedicated to "making the invisible visible" in Appalachian storytelling. He discusses the power of complex identity, the importance of preparing for life after sports, and why poetry is the best medium for humanizing historical figures who are often reduced to one-dimensional narratives.Support the showhttps://www.patreon.com/c/EA_BookClub

Today we call out the little things people do in public that make us silently shake our heads. And as always, the Text Club delivers their own can’t‑miss replies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part two of this month’s new release series is centered around a pretty diverse set of tracks from our friends at Rum Bar Records. Veteran Minneapolis rockers High On Stress opens the proceedings with two retrospective tracks from their new EP, and then we have the b-side of the debut Rum Bar release by legendary actor/musician/DJ Michael Des Barres! There’s also the classic R&B sounds of Angela Tini (recorded by Deke Dickerson!), the punk-ish power of Inflatable Idols and The Spackles before concluding with a frantic cover of The Barracudas “I Can’t Pretend” by Gene Champagne. There’s plenty of other Ledge friends, including fellow South Dakotans Friends of Cesar Romero, Brad Marino, Phil Cook & the Fall Dogs, Ricky Rochelle, and so much more. Plus, a ton of great new Australian bands that I didn’t realize were dominating the second half of the show until I was looking up biographical details. What tracks did you enjoy the most? For more info, including setlists, head to http://scotthudson.blogspot.com

Let's start with something honest.Most people don't know what they're doing.They just learned how to sound like they do.

Last week Fox News was desperate to talk about anything, but the latest scandals unearthed in the Epstein files, Trump's falling poll numbers, Democratic wins in deeply red districts, and the president's virulently racist social media post that depicted former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes.The network dedicated most of its airtime to the alleged abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie, one of the anchors of The Today Show on NBC.Fox News turned into a true crime channel with a singular focus of covering every tiny detail of Guthrie's disappearance. Producers played the emotional pleas of the Guthrie family on a loop while a series of guests who were mostly retired FBI agents gave their expert opinion on the case.For most of the week there were few developments that changed much about the mysterious crime. The network's excessive coverage felt exploitative of a vulnerable family trapped in a nightmarish situation.In between long segments about the shocking case Fox News included stories about Trump's saber-rattling towards Iran and any segment that depicted ICE agents as victims. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit decodingfoxnews.substack.com/subscribe

What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Twilight ALAN Problems, YouTube, Sea Lion Moms, Apes Play Pretend, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find TWIS in all the podcast directories. If you […] The post 11 February, 2026 – Episode 1047 – Let's Pretend With Some Science! appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.

Tuesday, February 10th, 2026Today, new data shows less than 14% of those arrested by ICE are violent criminals; Trump's Justice Department seeks to dismiss Bannon's contempt conviction; Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyer says she will clear Trump's name if he pardons her; ICE eyes Social Circle Georgia for its next massive concentration camp; in something that I couldn't make up if I tried- attendees of a March for Life rally have been exposed to the measles; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News.Thank You, SmallsFor a limited time, get 60% off your first order, plus free shipping, when you head to Smalls.com/DAILYBEANS. The LatestTulsi Gabbard is Covering Up a Call About Someone Close to the White House | muellershewrote.comBeans Talk | MAGA Has to Pretend to Like The TPUSA Halftime Show | YouTube StoriesLess than 14% of those arrested by ICE in Trump's 1st year back in office had violent criminal records, document shows | CBS NewsJustice Department seeks to wipe out Bannon conviction for defying Jan. 6 committee | POLITICOTrump administration news, Ghislaine Maxwell to plead the Fifth, DHS funding talks deadline approaches | CNN PoliticsMarch for Life attendees may have been exposed to measles, DC Health warns | NPR Good TroubleTimes New Resistance — Abby HaddicanAbby Haddican Studio @abbyhaddican - Instagram→How to Film ICE | WIRED→Standwithminnesota.com→Tell Congress Ice out Now | Indivisible→Defund ICE (UPDATED 1/21) - HOUSE VOTE THURSDAY→Congress: Divest From ICE and CBP | ACLU→ICE List  →iceout.org→Demand the Resignation of Stephen Miller | 5 Calls→2026 Trans Girl Scouts To Order Cookies From! | Erin in the MorningGood NewsLegal Analysis and Resources Related to the Federal Enforcement Surge in MinnesotaiDignity.orgMinneapolis City Council delays liquor license renewals for hotels reportedly housing ICE - Bring Me The NewsJan. 6 rioter faces felony charge after destroying anti-ICE sculpture - Bring Me The Newsrichfieldleadershipnetwork.com Tour — DANA GOLDBERG→Go To Good News & Good Trouble - The Daily Beans to Share YoursSubscribe to the MSW YouTube Channel - MSW Media - YouTubeOur Donation LinksPathways to Citizenship link to MATCH Allison's Donationhttps://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_86ff5236-dd26-11ec-b5ee-066e3d38bc77&WidgetId=6388736Allison is donating $20K to It Gets Better and inviting you to help match her donations. Your support makes this work possible, Daily Beans fam. Donate to It Gets Better / The Daily Beans FundraiserJoin Dana and The Daily Beans with a MATCHED Donation http://onecau.se/_ekes71More Donation LinksNational Security Counselors - Donate

Was anyone else jealous of the people who played the role of the grass in Bad Bunny's halftime show? Plus, Savannah Guthrie spoke out in a new video as the search for her mother continues… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Economic policy affects more than just spreadsheets. When leaders fail to control spending, undermine markets, or delay hard decisions, families feel it through higher prices, fewer opportunities, and slower growth. With rising concerns about affordability, the consequences of poor economic policy aren't abstract — they shape how people live, work, and plan for the future. Price controls, restrictive immigration policies, and higher taxes don't solve these problems. They make them worse.In the episode of This Week's Economy, we examine what happens when policymakers ignore first principles. I break down why recurring shutdowns expose deeper budgeting failures, how states are approaching tax relief and economic freedom, what a new pick for Fed chair could mean for inflation and stability, and why labor shortages and immigration policy matter for long-term growth. Across each issue, the lesson is the same: prosperity follows discipline, sound incentives, and trust in markets — not political shortcuts.Catch the full episode on YouTube, Apple Podcast, or Spotify, and visit my website at vanceginn.com for show notes and more information about my work at Ginn Economic Consulting.

After a train derails near their home, Wayne and Mary wake up to find the area surrounded by a cloud of chlorine gas. Linda is run off the road, attacked and left for dead by a group high on meth. Holly and her boyfriend are beaten and tied up by a mugger who turns out to be a serial killer.This Episode is sponsored by BetterHelpApartments.com - To find whatever you're searching for and more visit apartments.com the place to find a place.BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/SURVIVED to get 10% off your first month!Mint - To get the new customer offer and your new 3-month premium wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to Mintmobile.com/survivedTempo - Check out TempoMeals.com/SURVIVED for 60% off your first box!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

En la Historia Sonora de hoy con Ana Francisca Vega por MVS Noticias: Niña derriba escultura de más de 60 mil posavasos que pretendía romper récord mundialSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Chad and Kelsey talk about the recent winter storm and the news in Minneapolis, that they might be getting a puppy, and more! Plus great listener emails including people weighing in on the "you didn't have to do that" debate. Write into pretendproblemspodcast@gmail.com with your advice questions and stories and we'll answer them on the show! Subscribe to the podcast, and give it a 5-star rating and review to help the show move up the charts. Video for the episodes is on Kelsey’s YouTube channel! Watch the episodes and subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9UBPfi4B_j1Ua7xDOcyBnA See Kelsey on tour: https://punchup.live/kelseycook/tickets See Chad on tour: https://punchup.live/chaddaniels/tickets Watch Kelsey's special “Mark Your Territory” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uYqWsDhWkkA?si=J9hgt5nKtMLxB1sj Watch Chad's special "Mixed Reviews" on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1kVr3zkz7E&t=663s Follow Kelsey on social media: @KelseyCookComedy Follow Chad on social media: @thatchaddaniels Theme Song cowritten by Matthew Facca and Alex Bent This episode is sponsored by Talkiatry! Head to Talkiatry.com/PRETEND and complete the short assessment to get matched with an in‑network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.

Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/Todd Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comBe confident in your portfolio with Bulwark! Schedule your free Know Your Risk Portfolio review. Go to KnowYourRiskPodcast.com today. Alan's Soaps https://www.AlansArtisanSoaps.comUse coupon code TODD to save an additional 10% off the bundle price.Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com/ToddGet the new limited release, The Sisterhood, created to honor the extraordinary women behind the heroes. Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.154 “Bishops” Pretend Jesus Is Pro-Anarchy // A DEI Judge does DEI Things // The Musliming of the UKEpisode Links:A Joint Letter from 154 Bishops of The Episcopal Church - Whose Dignity Matters?No other Supreme Court Justice has ever been to the Grammy's… Kentanji Brown Jackson not only doesn't know what a woman is, but applauded for the “we are on stolen land” bit for Billie Eilish. She absolutely can't be impartial and should be impeached.JUST IN: The first openly gay judge of Bexar County, Texas was just ARRESTED on a FELONY for illegally handcuffing an attorney and locking him in a jury box — Judge Rosie Speedlin-Gonzalez. Leftism is a mental disease.Texas Judge Rosie Speedlin-Gonzalez who was just arrested for handcuffing an attorney, was in a battle over her pride flags. She claims she was “targeted” for being asked to remove all her lgbtq merch from around the courtroom.Banned a “Walk With Jesus' march to avoid provoking the local Muslim community….UK - Sadiq Kahn and the London police just banned a scheduled ‘Walk for Jesus' Event - for fear of upsetting the Muslim community. However, across London, Muslim take over entire streets to pray and Islamic prayer rings out across the City - while Christian Street preachers get arrested. This is England now. “If we let Christian's parade through London - Local Muslims will attack them” “So we are going to remove the right of British Christians” In Britain Christian Gatherings such as ‘The ‘Walk for Jesus' for fear of their safety.BRITAIN: THE WAR ON CHRISTIANITY JUST WENT NEXT LEVELWhat Does God's Word Say? 2 Corinthinas 5:20-2120 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.Romans 13 Submission to Governing Authorities13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.2 Peter 3:11-1811 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[b] That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

#209: What if the simplest test for justice is the one we avoid most: did the punishment fit the alleged crime? We take a hard, human look at the Minneapolis ICE shootings and the narratives that sprang up around them, using a nurse's experience with de‑escalation to question why armed authority is often granted more leeway than caregivers who face chaos daily. In an ER, high stress and long hours never excuse unnecessary force; training, restraint, and accountability are the baseline. If that's true without a gun, why accept less when the state carries one?Across the conversation, we trace the patterns that blunt our empathy: the impulse to reframe victims through their worst moments, the comfort of silence framed as neutrality, and the churn of headlines that create political whiplash before any change can stick. History offers blunt lessons. The language of “just comply,” “don't get involved,” and “it's not my place” has appeared before every time a marginalized group was targeted. Silence doesn't sit in the middle; it leans toward power.We also talk directly about privilege without shame. If you can look away, you have margin others don't. Use it. Challenge dehumanizing talk in your circles, center proportionality and human dignity, and keep the focus on the moment where harm happened. We test our shared moral floor with examples most people agree on, then ask for consistency when the state uses force. You don't need perfect words or a public platform to matter—you need the courage to be specific, to ask better questions, and to let compassion lead even when it's uncomfortable.If this moved you, subscribe, share the episode with someone who needs a thoughtful push, and leave a review telling us how you'll show up this week. Your voice helps more people choose humanity over comfort.You can now send us a text to ask a question or review the show. We would love to hear from you! Support the showFollow me on social: https://www.instagram.com/babbles_nonsense/

After a train derails near their home, Wayne and Mary wake up to find the area surrounded by a cloud of chlorine gas. Linda is run off the road, attacked and left for dead by a group high on meth. Holly and her boyfriend are beaten and tied up by a mugger who turns out to be a serial killer.This Episode is sponsored by BetterHelpApartments.com - To find whatever you're searching for and more visit apartments.com the place to find a place.BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/SURVIVED to get 10% off your first month!Mint - To get the new customer offer and your new 3-month premium wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to Mintmobile.com/survivedTempo - Check out TempoMeals.com/SURVIVED for 60% off your first box!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What do you do when your partner hurts you? Do you lash out? Shut down? Pretend it didn't happen? In this episode, John and Nicole dive deep into what happens when we get hurt in relationships—and why most of us handle it completely wrong.The truth is, you're probably extending your own suffering way longer than necessary. That initial hurt? It only lasts 60-90 seconds. Everything after that is what YOU add to it.In this episode:• Why taking things personally is destroying your peace• The difference between malice and ignorance (and why it matters)• How to process emotions instead of expressing OR suppressing them• Why doing hard things makes you emotionally bulletproof• The one question that instantly shifts your perspective in conflictPlus, a real example from our own relationship where John dropped the ball—and what we learned from it.Email us: betterthanperfectpodcast@gmail.comWebsite: betterthanperfectpod.com

Louis The Child returns for another round of #PlaygroundRadio with tunes MPH, googly eyes, MGMT, Passion Pit, Soul Reductions, A$AP Rocky and many more!Playground Radio Intro 00:00:00Feed Me & Crystal Fighters - Love Is All I Got 00:00:56 Myd - Our Home 00:04:59 Sam Gellaitry - NERVOUS 00:08:30 Don Low - FUNK MOTOR 00:11:54 Street Player - Nothing You Can Do 00:13:34 googly eyes - Bruises on the Peach 00:16:17 A$AP Rocky ft. Brent Faiyaz - STAY HERE 4 LIFE 00:19:06 Beat Connection - Another Go Round 00:23:03 KH, Nelly Furtado - Only Human (MPH Remix) 00:27:12 camoufly - go!!!!!! 00:31:14 Yves, PinkPantheress - Soap 00:33:50 Snakehips, Louis The Child - Nobody Else But U 00:36:16 Louis The Child ft. KFlay - It's Strange 00:39:46 Passion Pit - Little Secrets 00:43:52 MGMT - Time to Pretend 00:47:49 Soul Reductions - Got 2 Be Loved 00:51:58 Fcukers - L.U.C.K.Y 00:58:39

What starts as a breakdown of busted weather models quickly spirals into a much bigger story—power outages, storm prep, media fear cycles, and then a hard pivot into immigration enforcement, riots, and political pressure at the highest levels.

Tara delivers one of the starkest warnings yet: what's unfolding in Minneapolis isn't protest — it's the early infrastructure of a domestic insurgency ⚠️

Send us a textNooooo Riss! You were gone too soon! But like, it was probably for the best, right? It was what Riss would have wanted. And did want, if you believe the words of Riss herself! What else was Alissa to do?? Give her a hug? Pretend she wasn't brainwashed and become great friends? Honestly probably a better friend than the boys. You could probably trust Riss with your pet. Or maybe not, maybe I'm just too trusting. IS THAT SUCH A CRIME??? In the aftermath of her demise, what will the gang do to get off this planet? What is this strange evil creature that keeps popping up, and will it come after our heroes? Only way to know is to listen to the latest episode of DDDUUUNNNNGGGEEEOOONNNN RRRRRAAADDDIIIOOOO  HHHHHHOOOOUUUUURRRR!!!:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::THIS SHOW IS NSFW AND NSFK (Not safe for kids. sorry kids!)Our DM is Dalton Rusher-RiddleOur Players are Andrew Gehrlein, Michael Adair & Alissa AdairTheme song by Dustin HookSound effects from Zapsplat and PixabayBackground music by Lexin_Music, DELOsound, JuliusH on PixabayPlease check out our Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, AND NOW PATREON on our Linktree to keep up with the latest DRH news!Bye for now~:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Support the show

Get ready for a laugh-out-loud live episode! Hosts Chris and Stu discuss the top 5 Things People Pretend To Like!Prepare for tons of laughs,Recording this episode was an absolute blast, and we hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed creating it!Disclaimer: we talk utter drivel and do not listen if you are easily offendedSpecial Thanks to Our Sponsor:A big shoutout to our amazing sponsor, the Say What Podcast. Their support keeps us going strong, so be sure to check them out!Watch and Support Hardcore Listing!Want to watch this episode and help Hardcore Listing keep rolling? Head over to our Patreon page! By becoming a patron, you'll gain access to exclusive content, behind-the-scenes footage, and the chance to pick your very own Top 5 topics for future episodes!www.patreon.com/hardcorelistingStay Connected!Don't miss out on updates, extra content, and all things Hardcore Listing—follow us on social media:Twitter: @hardcorelistingInstagram: @hardcorelisting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tonight's illustration acting as prayer…This might sound so simple. You will feel better if you pick up a pen and put it to paper. Your hands are craving the invitation to move. I am telling you the truth. These times require that we tend our hearts and bodies and minds. Pen and paper can help, really.We need to tend our energies, not just once in a while. Every single day, several times a day, right now, is a good time to breathe. The stress mounts and the stories confound. Our reality as we know it is shape-shifting. Our bodies and brains struggle to know how to be. But I will tell you this.Breathing happens when the pen moves. Right now, you can pick up a pen and begin to let your energy flow out the end in shapes, marks, and sparks. It doesn't matter what you draw. Just move the pen as if it has a life of its own. Let your pen be a wild pony.You can even close your eyes. As you do this, you say to yourself, or something like, I am releasing any energy that is trapped inside of me that does not belong to me. I am letting go of what I am holding so there is more space to love and learn and be present.Right now as I move this pen, I become more myself again. It is happening now. Right now, you can pick up a pen and begin to write what comes. It doesn't matter what you write. Just move the pen and let the words fall out the end. Watch the end of the pen as it moves on the paper.Pretend it is a thread emerging from within the inner tapestry of your body that must be stitched into creation now. And as you write with your magical thread, say to yourself, or something like, The energy inside of me that feels impossible to hold is being released right now. As I move this pen, I regulate myself,I care for myself, and I know there is enough space to love right now. I choose presence right now. I am here. I am alive and I love and I'm becoming more myself again and it is happening right now. My mother used to say we can write a poem anytime.Just pick ten things right around you and make a list and string them together like beads. Oh, won't you… Right now, you can pick up a pen and let the energy flow out. Your body isn't made to hold all of these images and stories and headlines.Picking up the pen allows them to spill out of the too tight places and squished up, tangled up, emotional landscapes. They need light and pens and paper. The sorrows around us, it is all happening, but it did not have to happen. And we grieve because we know this isn't how it is supposed to be,but it is how it is right now. The desire to help and serve can feel maddening because sometimes we feel helpless. Self-expression turns helplessness into life force. We are not helpless. We are helpful beings. We are walking each other home. We remember it will not always be this way,Yet the turn in the story toward what our heart desires isn't in sight yet. Right now. Will you pick up a pen and just keep that energy moving? Don't let it freeze in place. Don't let it get stuck. Those images and energies, they don't belong to you. You cannot hold them all inside.It won't help anyone for you to try to hold the pain of the world. You can love just as much without digesting the pain. Your empathy is being overtaken by the collective suffering, and that is understandable, but, dear one, right now, you can call it back.Mark the page with your truth, your shadow, your angst, your love, your hope, your optimism. You know, the optimism that won't go away?Bring it, bring it, bring it, bring you. The page does not fear your grief. The pen does not resist your pain. When I say you might feel better by picking up the pen...It is not so that we don't see what is happening or to bypass reality. Rather, it is an invitation to feel just a little tiny bit better so actions are more clear and energy is more available and heart is not defended. It is hard to not have a defended heart, the pen and the paper open.Consider saying this or something like this. Right now I call my energy back to myself. Right now I release holding what isn't mine to hold. Right now I love with my whole heart without taking on someone else's pain. Right now I pick up the pen and self-express the impossible.If this gets me through the next day or hour or minute, So be it. If this clears my mind and shows me the actions I need to take, that is good enough. If this keeps me from being frozen and numb, I will take it. This pen and this paper hold my prayer.Dear One, your hands are craving the invitation to move. Dear ones, my prayers flow together with yours in this great river of life. Tonight, as I draw the elemental feminine rising up from stardust dreaming, I express my pain with a pen. I am stardust dreaming of becoming earth and tree and bird.I am stardust dreaming of becoming water, sparking life into creation through lightning. I am stardust dreaming of becoming fire, the sun shining on smooth skin. I am stardust dreaming of becoming the sky. The clouds rise up from my mind. The sun and the moon and the stars are in my pen and in my paper.Without the sun and the rain and the tree, there would be no paper, no pen. Everywhere I look,I am stardust dreaming of returning home to myself. When this world has become too dense for beauty to reveal herself, then I remember I am stardust dreaming of becoming me, and that is enough.One day long ago, a star dreamed of having an identity, and that identity is me. When I create, I remember the ancient stardust that I am. ”We are all cooling sacks of stars” says Sue Hoya Sellers.Prayers and candles and pen and paper from Minneapolis and all that are hurting for so many reasons.It doesn't have to be this way, but it is. And so we must choose to continue on in a good way, loving, healing, and becoming. Start us dreaming. Thich Nhat Hanh says, if you are a poet, you will see clearly that there is a cloud floating in this sheet of paper.Without a cloud, there will be no rain. Without rain, the trees cannot grow, and without trees, we cannot make paper. The cloud is essential for the paper to exist. Sending love from my heart to yours. Can you feel it?Shiloh Sophia Get full access to Tea with the Muse at teawiththemuse.substack.com/subscribe

Some places don't announce themselves as haunted. They don't have legends or warnings attached to them. They just feel… off.In a small cattle town in the Texas panhandle, an old shop building with living space above it became a gathering place for a group of friends who already felt a little outside the norm. Nothing dramatic ever happened there at first. No rituals. No séances. Just quiet nights, movies, and conversation in a building that had been standing far longer than any of them had been alive.Then one night, the temperature changed instantly. A heavy roof door behaved in a way it physically shouldn't have. Something crossed the room that no one could explain. And moments later, an object that had survived decades without damage suddenly shattered for no visible reason.What makes this story unsettling isn't just what happened — it's that everyone present experienced it together, and none of them could make sense of it then… or now.#RealGhostStories #TrueParanormal #UnexplainedEvents #PoltergeistActivity #HauntedBuilding #SharedExperience #OldBuildings #SomethingWasThere #RealGhostStoriesOnline #UnseenForce #ParanormalPodcast #CantExplainIt #TexasHauntingsLove real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

This week, Kelsey reaches a new low in an airplane bathroom, she and Chad watch the season premiere of Fear Factor, Chad has a revelation about marriage, and they read some great emails about proposals and in-laws! Write into pretendproblemspodcast@gmail.com with your dating and relationship advice questions and we'll answer them on the show! Subscribe to the podcast, and give it a 5-star rating and review to help the show move up the charts. Video for the episodes is on Kelsey’s YouTube channel! Watch the episodes and subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9UBPfi4B_j1Ua7xDOcyBnA See Kelsey on tour: https://punchup.live/kelseycook/tickets See Chad on tour: https://punchup.live/chaddaniels/tickets Watch Kelsey's special “Mark Your Territory” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uYqWsDhWkkA?si=J9hgt5nKtMLxB1sj Watch Chad's special "Mixed Reviews" on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1kVr3zkz7E&t=663s Follow Kelsey on social media: @KelseyCookComedy Follow Chad on social media: @thatchaddaniels Theme Song cowritten by Matthew Facca and Alex Bent This episode is sponsored by Talkiatry! Head to Talkiatry.com/PRETEND and complete the short assessment to get matched with an in‑network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.

Homily of Fr. Mike O'Connor from Mass on January 21, 2026, at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church in Bay St. Louis, MS. Readings 1 Samuel 17:32-33, 37, 40-51 Mark 3:1-6 If you would like to donate to OLG and her livestream ministry, please go to https://olgchurch.net/give  

Hoy se celebra el Día Mundial del Abrazo, una iniciativa que cumple 40 años desde que, en 1986, la promoviera el psicólogo estadounidense Kevin Zaborney. Pretendía este hombre contrarrestar la vergüenza que detectaba entre sus compatriotas para mostrar sus sentimientos en público. 

Paid Advertisement:Go to http://blackoutcoffee.com/SALTY and use code SALTY for 20% off your first order.Website: https://saltmustflow.comOTHER PLATFORMSRumble: https://rumble.com/c/SaltyCrackerYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SaltyCrackerTwitter/X: https://x.com/SaltyCracker9Locals: https://saltycracker.locals.com/SUPPORT SALTYWebsite: https://saltmustflow.com/support/SubscribeStar: https://www.subscribestar.com/salty-crackerCash App: https://cash.app/$saltmustflowMerchandise: https://saltmustflow.com/shop/Mrs. Salty's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChnZMOno3rthe1LHvcxufdwMusic by: https://incompetech.com/ Crinoline Dreams In Your Arms--Disclaimer-- These are the opinions and ramblings of a foul-mouthed lunatic. They are for entertainment purposes only and are probably wrong. You listen at your own risk.

Have you ever opened a published TTRPG adventure, read three chapters in, and thought: "There is absolutely no way my players will do any of this"? Welcome to Adapting Published TTRPG Settings, where the RPGBOT crew explains why modules are suggestions, railroads are imaginary, and your Big Bad will absolutely die three sessions early because someone invented an arcane nuclear device. Whether you're running Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder 2e, or your favorite tabletop roleplaying game, this episode is all about how to customize published adventures, steal player backstories, break plots responsibly, and still pretend you planned it all from the beginning. Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts dive deep into adapting published TTRPG settings to better suit your table, your players, and the chaos they inevitably create. Drawing from years of experience running official D&D adventures, Pathfinder 2e campaigns, and homebrew nightmares, the team explains why no module survives first contact with players—and why that's a good thing. Topics include how to customize published adventures without breaking the story, when it's okay to railroad (yes, really), and how to balance sandbox freedom with guided play. The hosts discuss common pitfalls like breaking narrative continuity, accidentally ruining game mechanics, and losing focus when a side quest becomes the main plot. You'll also learn why player backstories, class features, and character goals are the best raw material for reshaping any tabletop RPG setting. Practical advice covers adding new villains, replacing weak encounters, cutting boring dungeons, and remixing iconic elements from other TTRPG adventures and settings. From fixing overly linear modules to turning side quests into emotional gut punches, this episode is a masterclass in adventure customization for Game Masters who want their campaigns to feel personal, memorable, and fun. Key Takeaways for Game Masters Published TTRPG adventures are guidelines, not gospel, and should be adapted to fit your players' interests and play style. There is a healthy middle ground between sandbox chaos and rigid railroading, often called a guided experience. Player backstories, goals, and class mechanics are the best tools for customizing published modules. It's easier to add content than remove it, but cutting boring or irrelevant sections is sometimes necessary. Breaking the story, mechanics, or balance can be fun—if you know what you're doing and why. Players don't remember plot holes; they remember closed narrative loops that make past actions feel meaningful. If a side quest becomes more fun than the main plot, promote it—your players will thank you. Every published TTRPG setting can support wildly different campaigns depending on how the GM adapts it. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati

Why You Don't Understand Spoken English (Biggest Listening Mistakes + What to Do Instead)  Do you understand English when you read it but struggle when people speak? You're not bad at English. You're making common listening mistakes that most English learners never fix. In this lesson, I break down the biggest English listening and comprehension mistakes that block fluency, confidence, and professional communication, and I show you exactly what to do instead. If you: • Pretend you understand English when you don't • Miss small words like "the," "to," or "are" • Get confused by fast, natural speech • Struggle with English vowel sounds • Avoid real English videos because they feel "too hard" This video is for you. You'll learn: • Why pretending to understand English hurts you long-term • How to ask for clarification in English naturally and professionally • How reduced speech affects English listening • Why function words matter for listening and speaking • How vowel sounds change meaning in English • How to train your ear using real English audio and video • The listening habits fluent English speakers actually use This is real-world English listening, not textbook English. By the end of this video, you'll understand: • Why native speakers sound "too fast"  • What you're actually missing when you listen  • How to stop nodding and guessing  • How to build listening confidence for work, meetings, and conversations  This lesson is ideal for intermediate to advanced English learners who want to:  • Understand native speakers more easily  • Speak more clearly and naturally  • Sound more confident in English  • Improve professional communication  Best for: English listening practice English comprehension skills Understanding fast English Reduced speech in English Real English listening for learners Business English listening Advanced English listening If you want to stop guessing, stop translating, and finally understand real spoken English, start here. Hashtags: #EnglishListening #EnglishComprehension #LearnEnglish #SpokenEnglish #EnglishFluency #AdvancedEnglish #BusinessEnglish #RealEnglish  00:00 Introduction 00:34 How to learn faster 00:50 I'm Gabby from GoNaturalEnglish.com 01:02 Let's start with the biggest listening mistake 03:35 How to fix the first listening mistake 04:13 Phrases for clarification 06:25 Another big listening mistake 07:22 How to fix the second listening mistake 08:40 Third big listening mistake 09:18 How to fix the third listening mistake 10:27 A fourth big listening mistake 11:25 Examples to fix this big listening mistake 12:35 A fifth big listening mistake 13:35 Examples and how to fix this big listening mistake 15:05 Listening trains your pronunciation and speaking skills 16:03 Stop listening passively (and what to do instead) 17:55 Your new fluent listening identity 21:15 Fluent Communication Class update 21:45 Listening practice and phrases 26:23 Listening quiz

YouTube link: https://youtube.com/live/8dGbAm7AnKgSupport the show

Skeptic Susan Gerbic invited PRETEND inside one of her psychic sting operations. In Part 1 of this three-part series, we go inside "Operation Gobble Gotcha," a Thanksgiving sting targeting celebrity psychic Matt Fraser. Susan and her team of volunteers infiltrate one of Matt's online group readings to observe his techniques in real time. What they witness isn't a connection to the other side. It's a technique called cold reading. And once you see it, you can't unsee it. BINGE ALL THREE EPISODES: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/didnt-see-it-2-147839354?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/pretend/id6443456985 ABOUT SUSAN GERBIC: Susan Gerbic is a Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and founder of Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia, a group that has written over 2,000 Wikipedia articles on science and pseudoscience — viewed more than 200 million times. Her most famous investigation, "Operation Pizza Roll," was featured in The New York Times Magazine and exposed medium Thomas John's hot reading techniques. Susan runs the nonprofit About Time, which funds her ongoing psychic investigations. LINKS & RESOURCES: Susan Gerbic's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PsychicsExplained About Time Project: https://www.abouttimeproject.org/ NYT Magazine feature on Operation Pizza Roll: https://archive.ph/20190226135004/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/26/magazine/psychics-skeptics-facebook.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Jon addresses one of the most loaded questions parents ask quietly: what does it mean when my child wants to play guns, war, or “bad guys”? Grounded in the idea that most parents aren't reacting to the play itself, but to the meaning they're afraid it carries, he looks beneath the behavior to what high-arousal play is actually doing in a child's brain. All of this plus "What to actually do...." Send us a textCLICK HERE to Register or learn more about the 5 Brain Hacks that will CHANGE your LIFE  Support the showLinks to help you and me: To support the Podcast, Subscribe on Substack Get Jon's Top Five Emotional Regulation Games Get Jon's Book Punishment-Free Parenting Preorder Jon's Children's Book Set My Feelings Free Follow Whole Parent on Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, Youtube

In this conversation, Josh and Greg discuss the importance of business planning, financial projections, and measuring success in specific terms rather than averages. They emphasize the owner's responsibility in managing finances, the impact of seasonal trends, and the significance of job costing for profitability. The discussion also touches on the need for transparency within teams, the importance of customer relationships, and the value of craftsmanship in the trades. Leadership's role in handling failure and creating a performance-driven culture is highlighted, along with an announcement for an upcoming boot camp aimed at helping tradespeople elevate their businesses.  

PRETEND's first live YouTube AMA, co-hosted by Patreon supporter Katie Watson. The conversation covers listener questions about the making of PRETEND, behind-the-scenes stories, and what's coming next. Highlights include: how Javier knows when a story is worth pursuing (hint: it's like fishing) and his techniques for getting interview subjects to let their guard down. He shares updates on past subjects including LaDonna and Frank Abagnale. Looking ahead to 2026: Season 25 kicks off next week with psychic stings featuring undercover Patreon supporters. Also coming: State of Corruption (North Carolina), a caught-on-camera confessional, and a Word of Faith Fellowship update—the DA supposed to try the case is now on trial himself. 00:00 Intro 02:53 Katie's Podcast Journey 04:08 The Art of Storytelling 06:09 Balancing Bias in Journalism 07:49 Building Trust with Interviewees 13:33 Balancing Podcasting and Life 14:55 Ponzi Playbook & Criminal Conduct 17:22 Scariest Interview Subjects 20:08 LaDonna Updates 26:15 Red Flags and Trust 27:37 Telepathy Tapes 30:58 The Truth in Storytelling 34:36 Interview Techniques 37:20 Biggest Challenges in Podcasting 39:14 Balancing Truth and Twists 42:37 Family Reactions 44:11 Maintaining Neutrality 45:19 Dream Project: Speed Dial 46:56 What's Coming in 2026 50:06 Proudest Series 58:35 Word of Faith Update 01:03:33 Season 25 Announcement Blind Dave (Katie's YouTube show "Only in the UK"): https://youtube.com/@blinddave88 Decoding the Unknown: https://youtube.com/@decodingtheunknown2373 The Greatest Hoax on Earth by Alan Logan: https://a.co/d/gIHDef2 ChaptersLinks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

'Tis the season for true crime chaos! Hosts Kristen Seavey from Murder, She Told, Javier Leiva from PRETEND, and Shaun from Sins & Survivors join forces to explore Christmas crimes gone horribly wrong. From a bath salts-fueled home decorator in suburban Ohio to a serial burglar stealing Robert De Niro's wrapped presents right from under his tree, these real-life Grinches prove that the holidays bring out the worst in some people. The hosts also dive into the disturbing case of postal workers who intercepted letters to Santa meant for underprivileged children...stealing laptops, iPads, and gift cards intended for kids in need. But the main event is a fresh-off-the-press case from Bangor, Maine. When a couple woke up to find a stranger sleeping on their couch surrounded by their unwrapped Christmas presents. Police body cam footage reveals just how terrifying this "funny" story really was.  Want to see the footage?  https://youtube.com/shorts/XOBl40Ky6Dc Murder, She Told:  https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/bertha-cote-1 PRETEND: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vaCjR7UvlN9aTIzW6kNCo?si=6c96588b93d04eb3 Sins & Survivors: https://open.spotify.com/show/1W2swCx9LP38sFY06294pB?si=4b64a4ba692a4025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's another unhinged episode of the Spitballers Podcast. From copyright caroling to a great round of What's the Difference. The laughs are sure to flow all the way through one of our best drafts ever… Things People Pretend to Like. This is an episode you don't want to miss! Re-brand Mondays with some comedy! Subscribe and tell your friends about another funny episode of The Spitballers Comedy Podcast!Connect with the Spitballers Comedy Podcast:Become an Official Spitwad: SpitballersPod.comFollow us on X: x.com/SpitballersPodFollow us on IG: Instagram.com/SpitballersPodSubscribe on YouTube: YouTube.com/Spitballers Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.