Podcasts about Reader

Host Jason Blitman talks to bestselling author Tom Ryan about his latest adult mystery, We Had A Hunch. Highlights include:

“Keep not back.” — Isaiah 43:6 Although this message was sent to the south, and referred to the seed of Israel, it may profitably be a summons to ourselves. Backward we are naturally to all good things, and it is a lesson of grace to learn to go forward in the ways of God. Reader, […]

Another week, another violent encounter with ICE in a Chicago neighborhood, as federal agents targeted residents on the city's Southeast Side earlier this week and unleashed more tear gas on protesters. We are breaking down what we know so far with Block Club Chicago's Francia Garcia Hernandez and TV host Brandon Pope. Plus, CTA fares are expected to jump next year, Chicago is expanding free composting, and we've got our favorite picks at the Chicago International Film Festival.  Nominate City Cast Chicago as best podcast and Hey Chicago as best email newsletter in the Reader's Best of 2025.  Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us on social media @CityCastChicago You can also text us or leave us a voicemail at  773-780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 17 episode:  Chicago Board of Election Commissioners  The Other Art Fair Window Nation MUBI Babbel — Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

A few weeks ago, we did an episode about how to make friends in Chicago. But in addition to the many free or low-cost clubs and activities you can find around the city, private social clubs also seem to be gaining popularity. So host Jacoby Cochran is talking with Payton Turner, a creator who follows arts and culture and has been making videos about Chicago's social clubs. She explains why she joined Soho House, what it took to get in, and what to know about some of the other clubs. Nominate City Cast Chicago as best podcast and Hey Chicago as best email newsletter in the Reader's Best of 2025. Good News: Ear Taxi Festival and Chicago Fridge Opera Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct.16 episode:  Chicago Board of Election Commissioners  The Other Art Fair Window Nation Babbel – Get up to 55% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

Episode Summary: In this episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s vital for our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being: how to renew your mind. Have you ever felt stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts, worry, or defeat? You’re not alone. But the good news is that God’s Word provides us with clear guidance on transforming our thinking and experiencing peace, hope, and victory. In this episode, we’ll explore what the Bible says about renewing your mind, why it’s crucial for mental health, and practical steps you can take to align your thoughts with God’s truth. Let’s embark on this hope-filled journey together! In honor of National Train Your Brain Day, today we’re going to be talking about Breaking Free from Negative Thinking: Renewing Your Mind Through Scripture. Quotables from the episode: Romans 12:2 highlights the transformative power of aligning our thoughts with God’s will rather than the world’s patterns. Science shows that thought patterns are established through neural pathways in the brain. Repeated thoughts and behaviors strengthen these pathways, much like well-worn trails in a forest. This process, known as neuroplasticity, means the brain is constantly reshaping itself based on our experiences, emotions, and repeated patterns of thinking. We often believe things that aren't true because of cognitive biases and mental shortcuts our brains use to process information (like confirmation bias, negativity bias, emotional reasoning) While science describes how thought patterns are formed, Scripture offers a roadmap for transforming unhealthy or false beliefs through God’s truth, creating new neural pathways aligned with His Word. Renewing the mind is not a one-time event but a continual process of growth and surrender to God’s truth. Our emotions are the outward manifestations of the thoughts we believe. As such, our thoughts influence our emotions, decisions, and actions, shaping our overall mental health. From a scientific perspective, our thoughts matter because they influence our brain's structure, emotional health, and overall behavior. This scientific understanding underscores the importance of intentionally aligning our thoughts with truth. Scripture gives us the blueprint for this renewal, while science shows the profound impact it has on our mental and physical health. Research has demonstrated a connection between dwelling on negative or untrue thoughts and experiencing anxiety, depression, or hopelessness. In order to break free from destructive thought patterns, it’s important to replace lies with truth To recognize thoughts inconsistent with God’s Word, ask these questions: Does this thought align with Scripture? Is this thought producing fear, doubt, or condemnation? Does this thought reflect God’s character and promises? Replace these thoughts with Scripture. Gratitude shifts our focus from problems to God’s goodness and faithfulness. Accountability, encouragement, and prayer from fellow believers is important to ensure that we are surrounded by voices who will speak truth into our circumstances. Renewing the mind isn’t about striving in our own strength but relying on the Holy Spirit to guide, convict, and transform us. Renewing your mind is a powerful and transformative process that aligns your thoughts with God’s truth, bringing hope, peace, and clarity to your life. By identifying and replacing lies with Scripture, meditating on God’s Word, speaking His promises, cultivating gratitude, and seeking support from a godly community, you can break free from negative thought patterns and experience lasting mental health. Most importantly, remember that you’re not doing this alone. The Holy Spirit is your helper, leading you every step of the way. Let’s commit to this journey of renewal together and trust God to do a transformative work in our minds and hearts. Scripture References: Romans 12:2 commands: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Job 3:25 “What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Psalm 1:2-3 encourages us to meditate on God’s law day and night, promising that we will be “like a tree planted by streams of water.” Proverbs 18:21 “The tongue has the power of life and death.” Psalm 139:14 “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” John 14:26 “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” Recommended Resources: Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue Social Media Links for Host: For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, I speak with Professor Guy Leschziner, a consultant neurologist and leading sleep specialist who has spent over a decade as the clinical lead at one of Europe's largest sleep disorder centers. Drawing on insights from neuroscience, clinical practice, and evolutionary biology, Guy explores the fascinating world of sleep—from its biological functions to its profound impact on our physical and mental health. Expect to learn: — Why studying the extremes of human behavior helps us understand normal brain function — How sleep affects everything from immune function to cognitive performance — The surprising way our brain's "glymphatic system" cleans toxins during deep sleep — Why insomnia treatments like CBT-I are so effective and how they work. And more. You can learn more about Guy's work at https://www.guyleschziner.com. --- Guy Leschziner, Ph.D., is a neurologist specializing in sleep disorders and epilepsy, serving as Consultant Neurologist at London Bridge Hospital and Clinical Lead for the Sleep Disorders Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, one of Europe's largest sleep units. He is also Reader in Neurology at King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. Dr. Leschziner is the author of The Nocturnal Brain, The Man Who Tasted Words, and The Seven Deadly Sins, and has presented sleep-focused series for BBC Radio and Channel 4. --- Interview Links: — Guy's website: https://www.guyleschziner.com/ — Guy's book: https://amzn.to/3VvTnb6

Kelsey Hutton is a Métis author from Treaty 1 territory and the homeland of the Métis Nation, also known as Winnipeg, Canada. Kelsey was born in an even snowier city than she lives in now (“up north,” as they say in Winnipeg). She also used to live in Brazil as a kid. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction & Fact, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Augur Magazine and others. When she's not beading or cooking, you can find her at KelseyHutton.com, on Instagram at @KelseyHuttonAuthor, or on Twitter/X at @KelHuttonAuthor.This story originally appeared in Analog Science Fiction & Fact, Jan/Feb 2024.Narration by: Christina M. RauChristina M. Rau, The Yoga Poet, leads Meditate, Move, & Create workshops for various organizations in person and online. Her collections include How We Make Amends, What We Do To Make Us Whole, and the Elgin Award-winning Liberating The Astronauts. She moderates the Women's Poetry Listserv and has served as Poet in Residence for Oceanside Library (NY) since 2020. Her poetry airs on Destinies radio show (WUSB) and appears in various literary journals like fillingStation and The Disappointed Housewife while her prose has appeared in Punk Monk Magazine and Reader's Digest. During her downtime, she watches the Game Show Network. http://www.christinamrau.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're switching things up this week and sharing some of our favorite Bible study recommendations! This episode is a little different from our usual book chats, but it's something that's been on our hearts lately. Whether you're just starting out in your faith or have been studying for years, we've got resources for every stage of the journey. Tune in for a mix of personal favorites and practical tools to deepen your time in the Word. We compiled a list of all of our recommendations for you here!   Make sure to check out our Instagram bio for a link to our storefront where you can find links to all the studies we reference today!   Currently Reading: Alchemised by SenLinYu If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir  

The Windward Institute invites all new and returning READ listeners for a five-part Fall 2025 series, What We all Can Learn about Reading, Together. This series brings together 20 guests including researchers and educators. We'll dive into reading research, practice, and lived experience. This series is for everyone, whether you're just starting to learn about reading education or you've been immersed in it for years. This episode explains the research on universal screening for risks of reading difficulties. As states around the country continue to introduce universal literacy screening programs in schools, you will learn about the evidence supporting the rationale and benefits through a public health lens. In this episode, you will learn abouta definition of universal literacy screening and its benefits on student outcomes with Jay Russell, EdD, Associate Director of the Haskins Global Literacy Hub at Yale University.the characteristics of effective literacy screeners with Marilu Gorno-Tempini, MD, PhD, Director of the Language Neurobiology laboratory of the UCSF Memory and Aging Center and the UCSF Dyslexia Center.the role of screening and progress monitoring within coherent assessment and data systems with Jamie Williamson, EdS, Head of School at The Windward School and Executive Director of The Windward Institute.the research on screening for emergent bilingual students learning to read in English with Laura Rhinehart, PhD, Assistant Researcher at the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice at UCLA.implications for translating screening policy into practice with Carlin Conner, PhD, Senior Research Scientist at Virginia Literacy Partnerships at UVA.Thank you for joining our special READ Podcast series: What We All Can Learn About Reading, Together. You can also tune into this series at The Windward Institute's YouTube page.We invite you to share your top bookmarks from this episode by connecting with us on Instagram @thewindwardinstitute, or Facebook.  Subscribe to READ's newsletter for access to monthly episodes: SubscribeUntil next time READers! 

“And be not conformed to this world.” — Romans 12:2 If a Christian can by possibility be saved while he conforms to this world, at any rate it must be so as by fire. Such a bare salvation is almost as much to be dreaded as desired. Reader, would you wish to leave this world […]

Host Jason Blitman talks with Megha Majumdar about her acclaimed second novel, A Guardian and a Thief—recently nominated for the Kirkus Prize and shortlisted for the National Book Award.Conversation highlights include:

Amy Reader is an Asheville-based fiber artist and educator. She works primarily with wool, yarn, felt, and thread. Her work explores tiny moments of joy found in the natural world, translated through her vivid sensory experience as an autistic artist. Amy has been a professional artist since 2018. She was named one of The Rising Tide's 20 On The Rise in 2019. In 2023, her solo show Beneath the Surface was featured on the Hello, Rose City! Artist Corner on KGW in Portland, OR. Amy splits her time between creating her artwork, teaching workshops, and creating educational content for her Patreon.

Living out your deepest fears sounds fun right? Especially when they are carried on the winds of a storm. What if we told you a charming, unbelievably handsome, relentless man would be there offering to teach you how to overcome those fears?This week we are joined by Shaylin Gandhi, author of The Nightmare Bride. We continue our discussion of death. Having to face our fears and be willing to let go of our fears, loved ones, and self doubt.Laughter, depth, and of course another glimpse into death starts now. Enjoy!You can find Shaylin Gandhi on instagram @authorshaylingandhi and tiktok @shaylingandhiSend us a textSupport the showConnect with usInstagram: https://bit.ly/ourIGpageTikTok: https://bit.ly/ourTiktokpageIntro and Outro music, Sexy Fashion Beat from Coma-Media

Hockeyn har sin Wayne Gretzsky, basketen har sin Michael Jordan och världslitteraturen har sin William Shakespeare. Han är störst.Sonen till en handskmakare från en liten engelsk skitstad blev på något vänster hela världens bard. Hur är det möjligt? Är det ens möjligt? Kan det verkligen stämma? I 200 år var det ingen som ställde den frågan. Men under det tidiga 1800-talet kom en ny generation Shakespeare-kännare som inte fick mannen och texten att gå ihop. De som anser att handelsmannen Will Shakespeare var en front för en eller flera egentliga upphovsmän kallas anti-stratfordianer. De har lanserat en uppsjö olika kandidater.Konspirationsteorierna om Shakespeare är en finkulturens Q-anon. Oförarglig, men lika benfast övertygad om att hemliga koder gömmer sig ibland stavelser och rim. Vi ger oss ut på en vild jakt som tar oss till drottning Elisabeths privata kammare, små hålor i Ohio samt till de svenska kultursidornas debatter anno 2006.Ett kul avsnitt, tycker vi.----Varför in prenumerera på podden? historiepodden.supertcast.com——Läslista:Bergsten, Staffan, ”Kärt besvär förgäves”, Uppsala Nya Tidning, 2006-10-20Bryson, Bill, På spaning efter William Shakespeare: en kortfattad historik, Forum, Stockholm, 2008Burman, Carina, ”Att vara eller att inte vara Shakespeare”, Svenska Dagbladet, 2006-10-22Ekerwald, Carl-Göran, Shakespeare: liv och tänkesätt, Norstedt, Stockholm, 1998Friberg, Gösta & Brodin, Helena, Täcknamn Shakespeare: Edward de Veres hemliga liv, Stockholm: Bonnier, 2006Hägglund, Kent, William Shakespeare: en man för alla tider, Ordfront, Stockholm, 2006Johansson, Ulf & Bomba, Andreas (red.), Vad hände egentligen?: nytt ljus över historiens mysterier!, Det bästa [Reader's Digest], Stockholm, 1992 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sue William Silverman joins Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about evolving as a writer and bringing freshness to the same subject, experimenting with truncated and fractured forms, making a collection more cohesive, writing to feel centered, utilizing a recurring persona, the divided self in memoir, trusting the pieces will fall into place, giving ourselves new challenges, leaning into sensory details, writing as imagistically as possible, focusing on our obsessions, claiming our story, and her new collection Selected Misdemeanors: Essays at the Mercy of the Reader.   Also in this episode: -using metaphor -our core narratives -casting a light on the narrator's interiority Books and resources mentioned in this episode: -Heating and Cooling by Beth Ann Fennelly -flash essays at Brevitymag.com -find Sue's complete list of book recommendations at SueWilliamSilverman.com   Sue William Silverman is an award-winning author of nine works of nonfiction and poetry. Her new book, "Selected Misdemeanors: Essays at the Mercy of the Reader," is a collection of flash essays. Her book on the craft of writing, "Acetylene Torch Songs: Writing True Stories to Ignite the Soul," won the 2024 IPPY Silver Award. Her memoir-in essays collection, "How to Survive Death and Other Inconveniences," won the gold star in Foreword Reviews INDIE Book of the Year Award and the Clara Johnson Award for Women's Literature. Other works include "Love Sick: One Woman's Journey through Sexual Addiction," made into a Lifetime TV movie; "Because I Remember Terror, Father, I Remember You," which won the AWP Award; and "The Pat Boone Fan Club: My Life as a White Anglo-Saxon Jew." She's co-chair of the MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her media appearances include The View, Anderson Cooper-360, and PBS Books.  Connect with Sue: Website: www.SueWilliamSilverman.com Facebook: SueWilliamSilverman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suewilliamsilverman University of Nebraska Press: https://tinyurl.com/mwph3wvs Bookshop.org: https://tinyurl.com/56n9u9p5 Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/bsa7ay22   – Ronit's writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Rumpus, The New York Times, Poets & Writers, The Iowa Review, Hippocampus, The Washington Post, Writer's Digest, American Literary Review, and elsewhere. Her memoir WHEN SHE COMES BACK about the loss of her mother to the guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and their eventual reconciliation was named Finalist in the 2021 Housatonic Awards Awards, the 2021 Indie Excellence Awards, and was a 2021 Book Riot Best True Crime Book. Her short story collection HOME IS A MADE-UP PLACE won Hidden River Arts' 2020 Eludia Award and the 2023 Page Turner Awards for Short Stories.  She earned an MFA in Nonfiction Writing at Pacific University, is Creative Nonfiction Editor at The Citron Review, and teaches memoir through the University of Washington's Online Continuum Program and also independently. She launched Let's Talk Memoir in 2022, lives in Seattle with her family of people and dogs, and is at work on her next book. More about Ronit: https://ronitplank.com Subscribe to Ronit's Substack: https://substack.com/@ronitplank Follow Ronit: https://www.instagram.com/ronitplank/ https://www.facebook.com/RonitPlank https://bsky.app/profile/ronitplank.bsky.social   Background photo credit: Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash Headshot photo credit: Sarah Anne Photography Theme music: Isaac Joel, Dead Moll's Fingers

Episode Summary: In this episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective, we sit down with Kenza Haddock, author of The Three Enemies of Your Mental Health: Gain Lasting Victory Over the Devil, the Flesh, and the World. Together, we explore the spiritual and emotional challenges that impact mental health and uncover the biblical strategies to overcome them. Kenza shares practical insights on identifying and defeating these "three enemies" - the devil, the flesh, and the world - through the power of God’s truth. Whether you’re battling anxiety, negative thought patterns, or the pressures of the world, this conversation will equip you with faith-filled tools to experience victory and lasting peace. Join us for an inspiring and hope-filled discussion on reclaiming your mental and spiritual well-being. Quotables from the episode: Today, we're going to be talking about conquering the three enemies of mental health. We’re attacked by the enemy on a daily basis. The key is to recognize the attack and fight back with the right weapons. I grew up in an Islamic household. And so just growing up, my understanding of the character of God was distorted. And so I grew up believing in a different God, but I thought he was the right God. I came to know the Lord is through a dream about Jesus. Growing up, I battled with my own depression. I battled with anxiety, but I didn't know that they were clinical depression and anxiety. It's like I was high functioning. I thought anxiety was the norm. It was normal for me to think something bad is about to happen. I had the symptoms of the clinical diagnosis. And it was about, I'd say, early 20s or so, when my depression just got worse and worse, to the point of suicidal ideations because I felt like I was, I had no hope. I decided to blaze my own trail. And I mean, I drove into astrology. I drove into chakras, reiki, everything you can think of. I tried to figure out my own purpose in life. And none of that brought me the peace that I remembered feeling when I had a dream about Jesus. What's incredible is God is so kind and so patient with us. You know, he didn't stop pursuing me. He didn't throw in the towel on me. He just kept pursuing and pursuing and he knew I was going to hit a dead end at some point and I did. I decided to give my life to Jesus and after I gave my life to Jesus and I moved to South Carolina and I just started my life from scratch. The Lord called me to the field of counseling. I had never thought I was going to become a counselor, but I felt the Holy Spirit for the first time, and I just felt this call toward the field. So I went back to school, finished my clinicals, and then I started treating brothers and sisters in the faith from both a clinical and a biblical perspective. I could not believe just how many patients I had who were self -professing believers, who struggled with the same ideas and the same issues and negative thoughts and oppressions that I struggled with as a Muslim. I noticed that even believers are not equipped to fight against spiritual forces of darkness. They're not. How did your family take it when you became a believer in Jesus Christ? – They didn't take it well. I had experienced persecution because of that. And the reason I moved to South Carolina is for safety reasons. I needed to start my life from scratch, but of course they found me and you know the Bible says count the cost Jesus said count the cost and for me the count the cost was my mother my father brother sisters my family was everything to me and I was raised with I pledged my allegiance to my family and so my allegiance would have been divided. When Jesus says that basically you have to put him before your mom and dad, it's not that you need to hate them, it's that you need to love him more. How does scripture reveal the roles of the devil, the flesh and the world as adversaries to mental health? What I have seen my practice is the devil will do anything possible to split our faith in Jesus. So even if it's 90% in Jesus and 10% in the object of our faith, that's splitting your faith in Jesus. We were made for relationships. When we spend time with the Lord, when we spend time with God, there is a chemical that gets released in our body and that chemical is serotonin that chemical combats depression just naturally okay now what happens is because we have the wrong perspective of God. We don't spend time with Him. We think the Bible is outdated. A lot of people think that. They have actually done a research out of Biola University where they claim that God is, they found that most people believe that God is mean, harsh, or distant. Those are the top three adjectives they use to describe God. And because of all of that, we run to self -medicate. And so, we self -medicate by watching too much Netflix, too much TV, right? We don't pay attention. For overcoming enemy number one, the devil, you have to renounce your dealings with the kingdom of darkness. There's no way around that. Now, number one, if you're not a believer, you have to give your life to Jesus. And I feel like I have to say this because I have had patients who came to see me and said, "Can you do it for me because you're a believer? Can we bypass Jesus?" No, we can't bypass Jesus. That's just not how it works. And the reason they say that is because they believe Jesus is a dictator and they have the wrong perspective about him. And so, they don't understand that he's a God who pursued them to the point of dying on the cross for them to satisfy the righteous requirement of sin so that they can have a relationship with Him. And so, number one, you have to have a relationship with Jesus. Psalm 139 that says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that's offensive to you and lead me to the path of everlasting life." And just ask him to show you what in your life is taken priority or is not of him. And he will show you. It's a dangerous prayer, but he will show you. Don't ever think that God is condemning you because in Jesus there's no condemnation and God is not a man that he should lie. He doesn't lie to you. There's no condemnation. He may convict you if you're acting in a way that is incongruent to who you are in Jesus. But conviction says, "Hey, you should not have done that." Condemnation says, "Hey, you're a loser, you're this, you're that, and you'll never come back from it." There's a huge difference between the two. One, it redeems you. Because conviction is for the purpose of restoring our relationship with God. But condemnation serves to separate us. You know, when we feel guilty or condemned, we're embarrassed. And so, we separate ourselves from others and from God. So, there's a huge distinction between the two. The other area that the enemy gets a foothold besides lying to us is that very subtle did “God really say…? If he really loved you he would have X, Y, and Z.” It's that little word really that gets us to doubt what the Bible says about God. That's the oldest lie. It's the oldest lie. It dates back to Genesis and so what he does is he induces doubt. That's the cycle of enemy number one. He induces doubt and when he says “did God really tell you?” or “Does God really love you?” “Is God really looking out for you?” And he'll come to you, especially in times when you're desperate, then doubt leads to temptation and when you act on it and you don't receive God's forgiveness or you don't repent and receive God's forgiveness, it leads to shame and shame is going to lead to hiding. Unfortunately, we wear these masks and I call them defense mechanisms. Defense mechanisms are basically masks that we wear in order to keep God from, I mean, he's trying to heal us, but we try to push him away and keep him from healing the wounds that he's trying to heal. And these defense mechanisms that we employ, and I list all of them in the book, but most common ones are denial, like we deny that there's an issue with us, or there's repression, meaning we don't deny the problem, but we deny its effects on us. We act like, “Oh, no, everything is fine. Everything is okay.” Meanwhile, God wants us to bear our hearts to him. He wants us to surrender our wounds to him. Another practical way is ask the Lord to prioritize your life. It's a dangerous prayer and it's a dangerous request because he will prune who needs to be pruned. Yes, he will. Anything that doesn't bear fruit, he’s going cut off. So, it is a risky prayer, but what a fruitful prayer. Yes, because we were made for his purpose, and we were made to bear fruit. He made us for a specific purpose. And so many times, we just hit one dead end after another, after another, and we live a frustrated life, but really we can live a fruitful life if we just surrender to him and ask him, "Lord, I can't do it by myself. I need you to please just prioritize my life according to your will." And he will, because he wants to be part of every detail of our lives. For the longest time, I had a habit of just waking up and I just felt like I would wake up with anxiety. And believe it or not, so many people deal with this. They wake up and it's like, as soon as their feet hit the floor, like their heart is racing. And what I have found, something that I have found that has helped me so much. And if you want to start this tomorrow morning, and it has a clinical and a biblical basis is tomorrow morning, when you wake up, because it has helped me, instead of first thing is checking your phone, checking your email, because that's what I was doing, is first thing you do, start thanking the Lord God, spend 10 minutes, even if you have to wake up 10 minutes earlier, spend time thanking God for 10 minutes for everything He has done for you. You can find something, even if you are in the midst of despair, you can find something to thank God for. When we start thanking God, there's a chemical in our brain that gets released. It's called serotonin and it combats depression. That chemical floods your body, first thing in the morning, and so it decreases anxiety and it raises, it almost puts a shelter around your brain for any depressive thoughts. That's from a clinical perspective. From a biblical perspective, the Word of God says the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. When we're thanking God for everything He's doing for us and thanking and for who he is, God's presence, God is love and his presence comes and inhabits our praises. God is love and perfect love casts out fear. So, the spirit of fear has to flee when God's presence is there. No matter how many mistakes you have made in the past, no matter how bad you had messed up in the past, that God's grace covers you and there's no way that you could have outrun God. God's grace covers you and his mercy is new for you each and every morning and so remember that and remind yourself of that. God is not looking down on you with a magnifying glass. God loves you and he is just in love with you. And it's the enemy who brings those thoughts that accuse you. The war over your mind doesn’t have to be lost. Scripture References: Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 62:8 “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Recommended Resources: The Three Enemies of Your Mental Health: Gain Lasting Victory Over the Devil, the Flesh, and the World by Kenza Haddock Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Kenza Haddock: Website For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Guest: Kenza Haddock is a licensed professional counselor with expertise in treating complex mental health conditions through both clinical and biblical methods. A former Muslim, she has spoken at conferences and churches and been featured in numerous media outlets regarding the intersection of Christianity and mental health counseling. Kenza and her husband own Oceanic Counseling Group LLC headquartered in South Carolina. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Description: In this moving episode, listeners share their own tender and personal stories inspired by Jen's bestselling book, "Awake," which debuted at number three on the New York Times bestseller list. The touching and heartrending voicemails coming in from readers of “Awake” highlight our yearning to build our lives on solid foundations, our propensity to reach for community and friendship, and the shared human experience we feel around suffering and pain. In this deeply emotional episode, listeners recount overcoming stories of adversity and finding hope, often describing "Awake" as a "life raft" during their own challenging times and Jen gets to hear the profound impact that “Awake” is having on readers everywhere. Tune in for an inspiring journey through the voices of those touched by "Awake." Thought-provoking Quotes: “These listener voicemail episodes are so resonant. I love them. Y'all always say the truest, most beautiful, hardest things. Honestly, I'm always grateful for your courage to come on this show and say your thing out loud.” – Jen Hatmaker “I didn't know Jen was about to curl up in my cave and hold me close. I didn't know her story, which I expected to be irrelevant to mine, would tell me that I am okay, normal, and I won't stay this way.” – Anonymous reader/listener “The best teachers don't tell, they show. Although you say this book is not prescriptive and you're not telling us what to do, you've shown us how to live a life and get through hard things with integrity, honesty, discretion, and strength. You've shown us how to take responsibility and ownership of our own shit. Your friends have shown us how to show up fully and unconditionally. Beautiful examples of love and friendship. Your family has shown us how to be there as an unwavering and loving presence to get through their hardest things.” Reader/listener, Denise “My life broke apart too and thankfully I had friendships to fall back on. It wasn't a thing where I was grateful in hindsight. I was able to be grateful for it in the moment, which is not typically how stories unfold.” – Anonymous reader/listener Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Awake: A Memoir by Jen Hatmaker - https://amzn.to/3KDAalt 107 Days by Kamala Harris - https://amzn.to/47aZ6tb Poems & Prayers by Matthew McConaughey - https://amzn.to/473gy1Q Fierce, Free and Full of Fire: The Guide to Being Glorious You by Jen Hatmaker - https://amzn.to/48jrtXg Emily P. Freeman Podcast episode 374: Tell the Whole Truth with Jen Hatmaker - https://emilypfreeman.com/podcast/374/ For the Love Podcast: A Lantern for Others in Dark Spaces: Jen Hatmaker on Sharing Her Most Tender Story - https://jenhatmaker.com/podcasts/series-64/a-lantern-for-others-in-dark-spaces-jen-hatmaker-on-sharing-her-most-tender-story/ 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker - https://amzn.to/4mTSzrM Connect with Jen!Jen's Website - https://jenhatmaker.com/ Jen's Instagram - https://instagram.com/jenhatmakerJen's Twitter - https://twitter.com/jenHatmaker/ Jen's Facebook - https://facebook.com/jenhatmakerJen's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JenHatmaker The For the Love Podcast is presented by Audacy.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With all the focus on what the feds are doing in Chicago, let's remember there are still local stories unfolding. Neighbors have been pushing for more information about what will happen to Ford City Mall on the Southwest Side. Bridge Industrial is seeking to buy the property to turn it into an industrial corridor. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with the Sun-Times Lee Bey and Block Club's Atavia Reed about the plans for the mall, the businesses that are still there, and what they'll miss about this legendary third space. Nominate us for the Reader's “Best of Chicago” for “Best Podcast” and Hey Chicago for “Best Email Newsletter” Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter.  Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Oct. 8 episode:  Window Nation TimeLine First Ascent Climbing – City Cast listeners can buy one Day Pass and get one free Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

This week Kate Sheppard and Colin Colbourn return to ask if Notting Hill is the greatest romcom of its generation.About our guests:Dr. Kathleen Sheppard earned her PhD in History of Science from the University of Oklahoma in 2010. After a post-doctoral teaching fellowship at the American University in Cairo, she arrived at Missouri S&T in the fall of 2011. She teaches mainly survey courses on modern Western Civilizations, which is arguably one of the most important courses students in 21st century America can take. Her main focus is on the history of science from the ancient Near East to present day Europe, United States, and Latin America. She has taught courses on the history of European science and Latin American science, as well as a seminar on women in the history of science.Sheppard's research focuses on 19th and 20th century Egyptology and women in the field. Her first book was a scientific biography of Margaret Alice Murray, the first woman to become a university-trained Egyptologist in Britain (Lexington, 2013). Murray's career spanned 70 years and over 40 publications. Sheppard is also the editor of a collection of letters between Caroline Ransom Williams, the first university-trained American Egyptologist, and James Breasted from the University of Chicago (Archaeopress, 2018). Sheppard's monograph, Tea on the Terrace, is about hotels in Egypt as sites of knowledge creation in Egyptology during the discipline's “Golden Age,” around 1880 to 1930.Women in the Valley of the Kings: The Untold Story of Women Egyptologists in the Gilded Age was published in July 2024. It has been reviewed in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and was a top 6 Reader's Choice non-fiction book on Goodreads.Dr. Colin Colbourn is the Lead Historian for Project Recover, where he manages historical operations to locate and identify U.S. service members missing in action from past conflicts. He is a graduate of Ball State University and went on to earn his MA and Ph.D. in U.S. History from the University of Southern Mississippi. His work at Project Recover blends family outreach, archival research, case analysis, and global field investigations to bring home missing service men and women. At Project Recover, Dr. Colbourn works with an interdisciplinary team of archaeologists, oceanographers, marine scientists, and engineers in order to apply modern technology to the mysteries of the past. Dr. Colbourn also teaches U.S. Military History as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Delaware.

(SPOILER) Your Daily Roundup covers why two contestants up and left “Love is Blind's” filming, comparing TV ratings now to days past, and answering a “Reader Email” discussing the Big Brother ending and Golden Bachelor.   Music written by Jimmer Podrasky (B'Jingo Songs/Machia Music/Bug Music BMI) Ads: ZocDoc – Click on https://zocdoc.com/RealitySteve to find and instantly book a top rated doctor today.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Now on whom dost thou trust?” — Isaiah 36:5 Reader, this is an important question. Listen to the Christian's answer, and see if it is yours. “On whom dost thou trust?” “I trust,” says the Christian, “in a triune God. I trust the Father, believing that He has chosen me from before the foundations of […]

“Anything that you're forcing is not going to be as good as what's coming naturally out of your heart and soul.” – Megan Michelle, PhD. Today's featured author is an award-winning leader and world traveler, Megan Michelle, PhD. Megan and I had a fun on a bun chat about her book series, “The SEAL Saga”, turning adversity into creativity, how she ensures realism in her stories, and more!!Key Things You'll Learn:How Megan's recovery from open-heart surgery sparked the creation of her romance-action-adventure seriesWhy writers should trust their creative instincts and embrace their unique writing processWhy it's ok for authors to merge genres to create the story they want to readHow her academic background helps her enrich her storytelling and character depthMegan's Site: https://www.megan-michelle.com/Megan's Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0DKFV5S6M/allbooksThe opening track is titled, “Unknown From M.E. | Sonic Adventure 2 ~ City Pop Remix” by Iridium Beats. To listen to and download the full track, click the following link. https://www.patreon.com/posts/sonic-adventure-136084016 Please support today's podcast to keep this content coming! CashApp: $DomBrightmonDonate on PayPal: @DBrightmonBuy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dombrightmonGet Going North T-Shirts, Stickers, and More: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/dom-brightmonThe Going North Advancement Compass: https://a.co/d/bA9awotYou May Also Like…Ep. 966 – From Near-Death Experience to Bestselling Novelist with Tash Doherty (@misseducated__): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-966-from-near-death-experience-to-bestselling-novelist-with-tash-doherty-misseducated/Ep. 798 – Mixing Business with Pleasure to Publish Pleasurable Reads with Liv Arnold (@liv_au): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-798-mixing-business-with-pleasure-to-publish-pleasurable-reads-with-liv-arnold-liv_au/Ep. 714 – “Drink Wine and Be Beautiful” with Kimberly Noel Sullivan (@KimberlyinRome): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-714-drink-wine-and-be-beautiful-with-kimberly-noel-sullivan-kimberlyinrome/Ep. 992 – Why It's Never Too Late To Thrive & Write A Novel with Margie Zable Fisher (@mzfisher): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-992-why-its-never-too-late-to-thrive-write-a-novel-with-margie-zable-fisher-mzfisher/Ep. 799 – Love, Laughter, and Mafia Inspired Novels with Marianna Buffolino: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-799-love-laughter-and-mafia-inspired-novels-with-marianna-buffolino/Ep. 989 – Get Fabulous Or Die Tryin' with Nkrumah Mensah: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-989-get-fabulous-or-die-tryin-with-nkrumah-mensah/348.5 - “Treasures of the Heart” with Lawna Mackie (@Lawnamackie): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/3485-treasures-of-the-heart-with-lawna-mackie-lawnamackie/291 – “Unleash the Goddess Within” with Diane Vich (@dianevich) #C2H: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/291-unleash-the-goddess-within-with-diane-vich-dianevich-c2h/Ep. 382 – “Coming Out as Yourself” with Stephanie Lavigne (@stephlavigne): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-382-coming-out/Ep. 947 – Edgy Empathy with Tuula Costelloe: https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-947-edgy-empathy-with-tuula-costelloe/257.5 (Host 2 Host Special) – “Write Words” with Kristine Raymond (@k_raymondauthor): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/2575-host-2-host-special-write-words-with-kristine-raymond-k_raymondauthor/Ep. 318 – “Beautiful, Frightening and Silent” with Jennifer Anne Gordon (@JenniferAnneGo5): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-318-beautiful-frightening-and-silent-with-jennifer-anne-gordon-jenniferannego5/Ep. 858 – Playing Hard with Beth Pellino-Dudzic (@Bethnewauthor): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-858-playing-hard-with-beth-pellino-dudzic-bethnewauthor/Ep. 312 – “Reader to Dark Fantasy Writer” with Liz Butcher (@lunaloveliz): https://www.goingnorthpodcast.com/ep-312-reader-to-dark-fantasy-writer-with-liz-butcher-lunaloveliz/

Host Jason Blitman talks to author Lily King about her newest novel, Heart the Lover. Conversation highlights include:

The California Attorney General filed a lawsuit against the city of El Cajon on Friday over its controversial license plate surveillance program.The lawsuit comes after KPBS reported that the El Cajon Police Department is openly defying a 2023 legal bulletin, which prohibits sharing data from license plate reader systems with outside agencies.We discuss the latest and how the lawsuit fits into the larger conversation around immigration enforcement in San Diego.Guest:Gustavo Solis, investigative border reporter, KPBS

My guest today worked for Club Med from 1991 to 1992, beginning her first season at Club Med Copper Mountain as both a Hostess and a stand-up comedian. Wait—what? Don't worry, we'll get into that! She's an award-winning advertising creative, a former stand-up comedian, and the author of five novels and counting. Her latest series just took gold in the Reader's Favorite book awards. Along the way, she even stepped into the ring with WBC female boxing champion Christy Martin, and lived to tell the tale. With her husband Blaine, she co-founded Slow Burn Marketing and Slow Burn Story lab, has sold multiple movie scripts, and co-hosted a podcast for couples in business. Beyond her Club Med adventures, we'll also dive into her latest book, V-Life. Please join me in welcoming the one and only, Honey Parker! In this episode, Honey takes us back to life before Club Med and shares how she landed her very first season at Copper Mountain. Honey opens up about her three seasons with Club Med, then dives into her fascinating journey after: from stand-up comedy and performing with the legendary Groundlings, to screenwriting, and her latest book, V-Life. And there's more, Honey will return for a second interview soon, where we'll explore the stories we didn't get to this time, including why she stepped into the ring with a Hall-of-Fame WBC boxing champion! Get ready for an inspiring, funny, and unforgettable conversation with Honey! **My First Season podcast has always been ad-free and free to listen to and is available to download on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Samsung Podcasts, Podbean App, Podchaser, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Pandora and Listen Notes. And if you like what you hear, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.    Visit Honey's website for a complete collection of her books: HONEY PARKER BOOKS - Best-selling author Honey Parker writes fiction with humor and heart.      

In this Self-Publishing Advice Conference highlight, discover how reviews, contests, and awards can boost your reputation and drive engagement in the session, “Proof is Profitable.” Hannah Jacobson of Book Award Pro and Edward Trayer of The Wishing Shelf Book Awards share case studies and practical strategies alongside a panel of award-winning indie authors. Together, they explore how to use customer reviews to build trust, enter and win contests to gain recognition, and leverage awards to enhance your brand's prestige and attract a wider audience. This is a post from SelfPubCon (The Self-Publishing Advice Conference), an online author event run free twice yearly in association with the Alliance of Independent Authors. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center, with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog posts and a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. You can do that at http://allianceindependentauthors.org.

Howard is a dog trainer who used to be a meter reader. He goes over his encounters with various types of dogs and describes a mauling taking place with a co-worker.

Join our book club!  / lifeonbooks  Get the Freedom App to remove distractions and read more books:https://freedom.sjv.io/N9074OJoin the Life on Books mailing list to stay up to date on all of our latest book giveaways, projects, and more!https://linktw.in/BRYAnVhWant to read one book from every country? Check out our resource online:https://linktw.in/ZeoltyWant to know my all time favorite books? Click the link below!https://bookshop.org/shop/lifeonbooksFollow me on Instagram:  / alifeonbooks  Follow Andy on Instagram  / metafictional.meathead  Books Mentioned in this Episode (purchasing through these links helps to support the show)Vineland by Thomas Pynchonhttps://amzn.to/4mMfAg3https://bookshop.org/a/103053/9780141...White Noise by Don Dellilohttps://amzn.to/3VJRGXFThe Calf by Leif Hoghaughttps://amzn.to/4mO9n3oTram 83 by Fiston Mwanza Mujilahttps://amzn.to/4pMfjwhhttps://bookshop.org/a/103053/9780143...How to Quiet a Vampire by Borislav PekicGesell Dome by Guillermo Saccomannohttps://amzn.to/40xgAMThttps://bookshop.org/a/103053/9781940...Europe Central by William T. Vollmanhttps://amzn.to/4nZz5mnhttps://bookshop.org/a/103053/9780143...Moby Dick by Herman Melvillehttps://amzn.to/4nqVB7Mhttps://bookshop.org/a/103053/9780143...Rainbow Stories by WIlliam T. Vollmannhttps://amzn.to/4nysYprhttps://bookshop.org/a/103053/9780140...Fathers and Crows by William T. Vollmannhttps://amzn.to/46JJlbjThe Butterfly Stories by William T. Vollmannhttps://amzn.to/4gPx0Hbhttps://bookshop.org/a/103053/9780802...The Dying Grass by Wiliam T. Vollmannhttps://amzn.to/48JjL8Thttps://bookshop.org/a/103053/9780143...The Atlas by William T. Vollmannhttps://amzn.to/46ydNXbhttps://bookshop.org/a/103053/9780140...The Kukotsky Enigma by Ludmilla Ulitskayahttps://amzn.to/3KQSR53https://bookshop.org/a/103053/9780810...Flowers of Mold by Ha Seong-nanhttps://amzn.to/3IOi9QHhttps://bookshop.org/a/103053/9781940...Schattenfroh by Micahel Lentzhttps://amzn.to/4886Mxthttps://bookshop.org/a/103053/9781646...Stoner by John Williams

Elon's worth drops, a little… Meta using Chatbot info for ads… Amazon launching it's own food brand... Walmart to remove synthetic dyes in it's brands… Automakers claim EV sales are up… Government freezes money earmarked for NYC… Who Died Today: Jane Goodall 91… Hunter S Thompson death being case reviewed... Email: ChewingTheFat@theblaze.com www.blazetv.com/jeffy $20 off annual plan right now ( limited time )... New movie / We Bury The Dead… Terminal List 2 wrapped filming… Football means series slow watching & family time… Reading Rainbow coming back on Saturday… Brian Boone joins the program / Uncle Johns Know It All Bathroom Reader… Uncle John's Know It All Bathroom Reader: Superior Trivia! Amazing Facts and Figures! (Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Annual): Bathroom Readers' Institute: 9781667208480: Amazon.com: Books Bank Heist in 1878… Mars Family History… Joke of The Day… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Summary: When we think of Christmas, we picture the manger scene, shepherds in the fields, angels singing, and a star guiding the way. But what if we’ve been missing one of the most important parts of the story all along? In her new book, The Spirit of Christmas, award-winning author Cynthia Ruchti invites us to rediscover the Holy Spirit’s presence woven throughout the Christmas narrative—from Genesis in the Garden of Eden to the cry of a baby in Bethlehem. This conversation will open your eyes to the power, presence, and promise of the Spirit of God in ways that may forever change how you experience Christmas. Quotables from the episode: Christmas often stirs our hearts with nostalgia—decorations, carols, and retelling the story of Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. Yet, as beautiful as those traditions are, there’s more to the Christmas story than we typically notice. Before the babe was conceived, the Holy Spirit was already at work, setting the stage and preparing the hearts of the biblical characters we know and love. This season, let Him set the stage and prepare your heart too. In her book, The Spirit of Christmas, Cynthia Ruchti helps us uncover the often-overlooked role of the Holy Spirit in God’s plan of redemption, reminding us that the Spirit has been present from the beginning—guiding, comforting, and empowering. If you’ve ever longed to experience Christmas with fresh wonder and deeper meaning, this conversation will encourage you to see the season through new eyes. I have found it fascinating that over the course of my life and maybe others have been in the same boat, we might grow up understanding Jesus quite well, or, and we hear Jesus loves me from when we're newborns and aren't even aware, perhaps, of that. And then I personally had gone through some seasons of my life where I thought, "I think I understand Jesus pretty well. I'm getting a good handle on who is this Jesus. I'm not sure I'm as familiar with God the Father as I need to be." So, I had a season of my life that was in my early 20s where I dove in and thought, "I need to know you better, God, my Father," and took an approach as I looked at the Word and noticed that throughout the Old Testament, God described himself as a God of love, which I thought was a New Testament idea. I understood who he was as the majestic Creator, and I think probably it kept him a little distant from me because I saw just that. Then a relative of mine had a heart transplant and I took a fresh Bible, and I circled everywhere in the Bible where the word love or heart appeared because I wanted this person who wasn't close to the Lord at the time to know and understand that God has been talking about the subject of love for a very long time. He's all over the Bible, so page after page was filled with the circled or the little heart drawn around the word love or the word heart. Then there came a season in my life where I thought, "I think I better understand now. We will never fully understand, but I think I better understand. God the Father, God the Son. Do I really understand the Holy Spirit? I know he is. I believe what the Bible tells me about the Holy Spirit, but do I really understand his role or how the different roles of the Trinity make a complete God for us? So, I investigated that, and I watched for his presence, but not as deeply as I did after I was challenged to look for the Holy Spirit's presence in the Christmas story. There was an editor who challenged me with that at a writer's conference. I found it fascinating. I thought that would be a very interesting study. We assume, I think, in the back of our minds that maybe the Holy Spirit is that presence that comes upon Mary in that moment when she conceives Jesus, the baby Jesus, as an infant just minutes old. And then we're not sure where else he might actually show up in the Christmas story. So that was a challenge to me, and I thought it sounded fascinating, but I didn't take the invitation from that editor seriously until a couple of weeks later, when she wrote to me and said, "I want you to write that book." So, then I got very serious and started the deep dive research of where is he? And in some ways, it was kind of a where's Waldo of the Holy Spirit in the Christmas story. That's what began this adventure. And for me, it really did alter my view of how I approach Christmas now for many reasons. And that was one of the reasons that I wanted us to have this conversation because I don't think we're alone in that tendency to not really acknowledge the Holy Spirit as much as we acknowledge Jesus or God the Father. I grew up in a denomination that the only time the Holy Spirit got mentioned was when it was God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, period. So, I like that You took that editor up on the challenge to look for the Holy Spirit throughout the Christmas story. I wondered how far back I would have to trace to find the first evidence of the Holy Spirit and Christmas being linked together. And I realized it was in verse one. It was when the Spirit was hovering over the waters of a world that had yet to be created that was going to need a Redeemer. As we know, God has no beginning and no end, eternity past, eternity present farther than man can imagine. I realized that this in the formation with at creation, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, at creation forming a world that they knew was going to need a Redeemer and that that Redeemer was going to be thousands of years away from that moment. I saw the person of the Holy Spirit caring about what was going to happen all those centuries later, even in the creation process. How does that first crime connect to Christmas? There would have been no reason for Jesus to come as a human being if there were any way that we as humans could have behaved ourselves without him. And it wasn't very long into that early beginning creation story before that was so evident that without Christ present, without the Holy spirit present within us. We were never going to be able to satisfy what needed to be satisfied and keep us in a place where we could walk daily, in essence, walking by the Spirit like it talks about in the New Testament. When I began to put the pieces together of this incredible depth of story, this depth of even the communion of the Father and the Son and the Spirit, we saw the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament present in brief moments leading up to when Jesus would be born and then later on as we take that story even farther to his death and his resurrection and his intentional promise, “Hang in there people it's not only okay that I go back to heaven it's better for you that I do because then the Holy Spirit can come, reside inside you, and help you operate out of a place of knowing exactly my heart, knowing what God my Father,” Jesus said, “wants of you, and what will help you to live a life that will allow you to pillow your head every night in peace, no matter what's going on in the rest of your life.” The other thing that I really appreciate about Jesus knowing our every need is when he reminds us that he's got to send the Holy Spirit to remind us of all truth. As a neuropsychologist, that's one of the areas that I love to focus on the most because I have a short memory, and I need those reminders. I love how the spirit of Christmas is our reminder of the gift of the spirit. I didn't grow up in a denomination that had an actual practice of Advent, of intentional preparation for Christmas season. I knew the word, Advent. I knew it was a good word. I knew it was a healthy word and lovely, but we just didn't have that particular practice. We oftentimes, even with Lent, that was another, it seemed like it was for a denomination that was more liturgical, let's say, in thought. But I think more and more these days, we're realizing that every heart needs to be prepared. Every heart needs to “prepare him room” as the one Christmas carol says. It’s actually for any day, but when we think about Christmas in particular, it is so easy to get caught up in all the to -dos and all the menus and all the party planning and all the some-things we're very happy to participate in, some things that just seem like one more chore. And it's kind of this wild cacophony of noise and tension, and there may be relationships that are especially challenged at Christmastime, there may be work -related things that are especially difficult at Christmastime. That is not at all what this is supposed to be about. But we early church members apparently understood that we need time to get our hearts ready for this such, such a holy, holy season. And the Holy Spirit is part of that. As we take a look at what was the Holy Spirit's role in the original story that began way back at creation, but was threaded throughout Scripture as He was present in speaking to Isaiah about a virgin shall conceive way back then. And it didn't say shall conceive in the next day or two. Again, thousands of years from that prophecy, but the Holy Spirit was inspiring that prophet Isaiah to speak of that. And as we look at it in the time period in which those words were spoken, there was chaos. There was political chaos. There was trouble on every hand. There was the son of a king who was now the king, and he was being a lousy king. And this interesting thing: I think he wanted to do the right thing. King Ahaz, I think, wanted to do the right thing. He heard from God, but he didn't trust that what he heard from God was enough. He needed to find other voices that he would listen to. He was getting influenced by all kinds of other people. And Isaiah was trying to bring him back to, "No, there is one God, and you can trust him." And as the Spirit was inspiring Isaiah to speak the words, he was saying to King Ahaz, "Ask God, ask him for a sign, and he'll tell you.” Ahaz didn't have that kind of relationship with God. So, he said, "Oh, I don't want to test God in any way." And through the Holy Spirit's words, through Isaiah, we hear, and if we set it in modern language, we might say, "I'll give you a sign. A virgin is going to conceive and bear a son." And then, and we know some of the rest of that wording. How interesting that in a chaotic world, with a king who wasn't paying attention to the right voices, not unlike the worlds we might be operating in: maybe our boss isn't listening to the right voice, but we have to respond to the boss. Maybe our family members are all chaotic and confused and worrying about where are we going to set Uncle Ralph this Christmas, because he's going to torture these family members even with just teasing. That's the very world that a savior was promised to that world, promised by the Holy Spirit. And it's the same with us now. When I started to study, what was the Holy Spirit's role? He often came to those in the biblical story, some of it in the New Testament now, he came to those who were fearful. They were in danger for their lives. And the Holy Spirit would come on the scene and bring peace or hope or comfort. He would bring guidance where there wasn't any guidance. He accompanied Mary on her journey to visit Elizabeth. Nobody else did. We're not told anybody else was there on that journey, which was a long journey for Mary, except the Holy Spirit, who had to have been whispering comfort and strength, and “you will get through this. I'm here for you. I am with you. I am always with you.” And then Mary and Elizabeth met one another and the baby in Elizabeth's womb knew the Savior was being carried by this woman who couldn't even feel kicks in her own body yet. It was too new, too soon. So, as I look at whether it's darkness or depression or anxiety or legitimate fear or relationship troubles, those scenes were the scenes where the Holy Spirit showed up in the Bible. Those are the scenes I need him to show up in my Christmas. He is there. I just may not have observed that he was there, is there, and was there in the original Christmas story too. The Spirit of Christmas reminds us and brings us back to that recognition that he always was there, and he is there today. To us, waiting often seems purposeless and painful, yet the cry of “how long?” appears throughout scripture. I think one of the things that is toughest about any waiting time is believing you are alone in the waiting. I think honestly, whether it's waiting for a diagnosis or it's waiting for the medicine to kick in, or it's waiting for family members to reconcile, or it's waiting for the job that we believe is out there somewhere that we haven't found yet, whatever the situation is, I believe that what intensifies that waiting experience and makes it full of tension in the natural is the belief that we're alone. Even if we have a loving spouse to share with or we have other family members or a good friend we can converse with, deep down in our soul, it's that misunderstanding that makes us believe that we are alone. And the Holy Spirit is saying, "Untrue. This is untrue. I am here in the waiting, and that's what will make everything change." Mary had a long wait after that moment when the angel said, "You will bear a Savior." She had waiting even from those early days of raising this little baby. Before Jesus' ultimate ministry began, there was another waiting time where she was by his side before the ultimate reason he came to earth was fulfilled. Mary got to witness much of that, even being at the foot of the cross as she watched that ultimate moment then that we relate to Easter but it's so much part of the Christmas story too. As we discover where the Holy Spirit is present, we mimic what he did or what he said. If we see him as comforter, who can we be a comforter for? If we see him as a provider, who can we be a provider for? One of the tips that was given in the book as an idea was, do you really need your Christmas meal more than you need to give your Christmas meal to a family that has none? Can I have turkey any time of the year? Absolutely I can. Would it be a better move for our family to take our meal and give it to someone who has none? I would be acting like the Holy Spirit did and like the heart of Jesus is to forego a need that I think is a need of my own to meet somebody else's need. I make a parallel of the idea of if I'm looking for the Holy Spirit, what I'm looking for is the kind of fruit that he provides: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self -control. So, if I'm going to give good gifts like the Holy Spirit gives, how can I be peace for someone who needs it? How can I be a presence? How can I be evidence of faithfulness? That might be in a visit to someone who is ignored or overlooked during the holiday. We think of those things as philanthropic sometimes or we think of them as just plain old kindness but on the other hand if we see it as the kind of thing the Holy Spirit does, then we realize this is far holier of an act than just a kind deed. When we look at it from that approach and we take that approach we're fueled to be able to and do it more and more and enjoy the process and not see it as an obligation. It has always bothered me the idea of anyone spending Christmas alone. When we discuss the idea of the Holy Spirit is always present, what a better way to show that presence and that love that Jesus came to offer us by reaching out to those who might be alone, who are wondering “where is God today? Does he even see me?” Those are the people who are the most grateful for the smallest of acts because they feel seen. And isn't that what we all want? It's such a gift to know that we are seen by the Holy Spirit. The day after Christmas we're often sitting in a pile of opened packages and empty boxes and toys that the batteries have run out already, and maybe disappointments for how we hoped it would go that it didn't. There are people who are taking ornaments out of the box and it might be baby's first Christmas. We may remember that special day and the ornament brings us pain because hanging it on the tree may be a reminder that that child is no longer here or is estranged from us. Someone will have a Christmas like that. We intentionally set up the devotional to be a short read, one a day, so that for day after day after day of December, including the day after Christmas, there's a reminder of places you might not have thought to look, until I wrote the book. And then we also include a list of helpful hints. We include a downloadable that has to do with how many of these different roles did the Holy Spirit play in this actual event? Part of the advice and the very practical advice is maybe do what I did and make it an actual adventure. Take time to intentionally watch for his presence or be his presence. Let his presence in you shine somehow throughout the holiday season. It can't help but change what your Christmas looks like. One of the outcomes of my own journey to take a better, stronger look at what is this all about is that it really helps us to understand where the meaning of Christmas is and where the meaning isn't. The meaning of Christmas isn't how many parties can I get on my calendar. The meaning is likely more in what can I remove and not lose anything but instead gain. I might gain time that I needed. I might gain a more peaceful attitude toward this season. I might see that some of the things I have worked so hard to do or thought they were so important to make Christmas perfect, aren’t that important. How can we make Christmas any more perfect? Something that God did, that God was all over and did. What we often call essential to Christmas, whether it's that meal or the certain decorations or the tradition that we had of cutting down our own tree or the special hot cocoa that grandma makes; If any of those things are removed from our traditions, is Christmas still going to happen? Absolutely. What's our heart going to be like if we miss the cocoa? Not much difference. What if we miss the Holy Spirit in Christmas? That will make a huge difference - For sure. The idea that the Trinity loved what they created together despite humanity's fall is so powerful. We are the ones He came to save. The Bible would call us Gentiles; we were not born into the original children of Israel. We all can trace our lineage way back to the beginning, but we weren't considered the original children of Israel to which much of the Bible was written. But we are the ones he came to save. There's a verse in Galatians that I don't have memorized yet, but I want to, where it talks about God sent the Son so that we could have the Holy Spirit. When I stumbled on that verse, I thought, He sent Jesus to save us, yes. Jesus had to come as a human, had to leave everything he knew that was so perfect and come into this imperfect world and tolerate us. So, I'm now just fascinated by that idea that God the Father sent the Son to save the world so that we could have the Holy Spirit. That makes the complete picture. And that makes the waiting easier. It makes the feelings of defeat easier. And it makes those times of joy richer. The Holy Spirit, like God the Father and Jesus the Son, is always true to Himself. But that truth shows up in his behavior, we might say, throughout the Christmas story. And it will always be related to something that is so completely positive, but also so completely meeting the needs of the human heart, which is the need for his presence, the need for his comfort, the need for his peace. Scripture References: Luke 1:49 “For the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is His name.” Recommended Resources: The Spirit of Christmas: Discovering His Presence Throughout the Advent Season by Cynthia Ruchti Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Cynthia Ruchti: Website / Facebook / Instagram / X / LinkedIn For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Guest: Cynthia Ruchti is an acclaimed writer and speaker. A former radio producer, she is a popular media guest and has been featured on numerous TV, radio, and online outlets. Her written work has received recognition with Publishers Weekly starred reviews, Christian Retailing's BEST Awards, Readers' Choice Awards, Reviewers' Choice Awards, The Carol Award, two Christy finalists, and more. Her tagline is, "I can't unravel. I'm hemmed in Hope." Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When faced with an unsolved case, sometimes authorities are willing to think outside of the box.... but consulting a psychic????  While some police agencies and investigators claim to have received valuable information from psychics in real cases, there is a general skepticism within law enforcement and the public due to a lack of concrete evidence and the potential for public ridicule. However, psychic detectives have been featured in numerous television shows and media, providing captivating narratives of how paranormal phenomena could be used to solve true crimes. In honor of Oaktoberfest, this episode is a compilation of cases where psychics were able to provide detailed information that ultimately helped solve real true crime cases. Sources: Cahn, L. (2024, July 11). 20 mysteries actually solved by psychics. Reader's Digest. https://www.rd.com/list/mysteries-solved-by-psychics/ The Yale Daily News. (2012, November 10). Dead men tell tales in trial for 28-year old murder - Yale Daily News. Yale Daily News. https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2002/02/11/dead-men-tell-tales-in-trial-for-28-year-old-murder/ https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Top-50-13250472.php Wiki, C. T. U. M. (n.d.). John DeMars. Unsolved Mysteries Wiki. https://unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/John_DeMars Call, M. (2021, October 2). BELVIDERE MAN GETS LIFE PLUS 20 FOR HAMMER KILLING. The Morning Call. https://www.mcall.com/1989/10/07/belvidere-man-gets-life-plus-20-for-hammer-killing/   Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep

We're going to be honest with you all…September was a weird month for us! We have all been in a reading slump for what feels like a whole year and it definitely showed in how much we read. Kyleigh is at 5 books so far, Hannah read 6 (and they all had 1 thing in common) and Micaela read 1 book. To help fill the time, we had you all send in some questions and had a little Q&A! Here's hoping next month is better to us! Make sure you grab a copy of Alchemised by SenLinYu for our October book club pick and come hang out with us on Instagram!   Currently Reading: Alchemised by SenLinYu Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Daughter of No Worlds by Carrisa Broadbent  

Functional human eggs have been generated using human skin cells in a breakthrough study. What impact could this have on couples with fertility issues? BBC Health Correspondent James Gallagher explains. How long covid is affecting menstrual cycles. Dr Jackie Maybin, Reader and Consultant Gynaecologist at the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian explains her findings.With a rising trend of parents using unprescribed melatonin to help their children sleep, we examine the risks. G6PD deficiency affects more than 400 million people worldwide, but it also distorts the standard diagnostic test for diabetes. As a result, potential cases are missed. We ask what can be done to address this issue.And a new eye drop that's been improving presbyopia, an ocular condition that often occurs as we age, causing long-sightedness. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Hannah Robins Assistant Producer: Alice McKee

⚠️ Quick note: In today's episode, one of Jade's answers unfortunately disappears into the ether. It turned out not to be as simple of a fix as we first hoped, but as soon as we're able to repair it, we'll update the file. Thanks for listening (and for rolling with the hiccups)Host Jason Blitman talks to author Jade Chang about her newest novel, What a Time to Be AliveHighlights include:

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.Nonfiction doesn't have to be intimidating—or boring. In this episode, I'm joined by Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks Podcast, to talk about the changing book landscape, how she built her long-running show, and why nonfiction can be just as binge-worthy as your favorite romcom.We dive into trends in publishing, the rise of BookTok, and why Traci believes there's a nonfiction book for everyone. She shares practical tips for finding the right style of nonfiction for your taste, her favorite starter recommendations, and how to embrace memoirs, microhistories, and narrative nonfiction.

This episode is about a very special issue of The New Ecozoic Reader that has just been released. This special issue, edited by the Forum's own Sam Mickey and Sam C. King, offers retrospective and prospective views on the field of religion and ecology: looking at where we've been, where things stand now, and how the field, and our work together, could evolve going forward. The issue is very intergenerational and includes essays by both esteemed and established figures in the field, and younger scholars, just emerging on the scene. The issue includes a foreword by Iyad Abumoghli of UNEP Faith for Earth Coalition, a preface by Sam King and Sam Mickey, an Introduction by Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim, and contributions from: Heather Eaton, David Haberman, Elizabeth Allison, Whitney A. Bauman, Ibrahim Ozdemir, Jason Brown, Kim Carfore, Sarah Pike, Lisa E. Dahill, Nancy Wright, Jim Robinson, Melanie L. Harris, Christopher Key Chapple, Dan Smyer Yu, Charisma K. Lepcha, Philip P. Arnold, Sandra L. Bigtree, Graham Harvey, Russell C. Powell, Rachael Petersen, Terra Schwerin Rowe, and Larry Rasmussen. More information is available here: https://ecozoicstudies.org/the-new-ecozoic-reader/

Sam Reader teaching on 1 John 1-2:1. Below are discussion questions from his teaching:What are some foundational truths you need to be reminded of regularly? And why do you need to be reminded of them?What fellowship have you experienced with God? What about within the Christian community? Where do you long for deeper fellowship in your life?When was the last time you confessed sin in the presence of a trusted brother?

Episode Summary: In this episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective, my guest Bill Derrick and I share how to navigate life’s unexpected challenges with faith and resilience. Drawing on powerful biblical principles, we discuss how to trust God in the midst of life’s storms and find restoration and hope when circumstances feel overwhelming. Our conversation dives into practical tools for facing adversity, embracing God’s peace, and emerging stronger through trials. If you’ve ever wondered how to hold on to faith when life takes an unexpected turn, this episode will inspire and equip you to trust God’s plan and find hope in the storm. Quotables from the episode: I was also learning about the curse of success. When you're very successful, you feel like you could do no wrong. And you feel like you've got all the answers. And I had to learn that neither one of those points were necessarily true. I also had to learn that, yes, I'm in control until I'm not, and now I'm not in control anymore. And last of all, I had to kind of learn that my priorities, because of success probably, had gotten out of whack. When somebody asks you, “what's your priorities?” You automatically say, "Well, that's easy. God, family, and business." I think during this time, my priorities of success now, not necessarily when things went bad, but when we were very successful, one might look at the priorities as being more like “business, business, business, and then God and family, because we were doing well.” Just stick with it because the storm will end. It may not end the way you want it, but it will end and there will be blessings that you will find because of the storm. From a practical standpoint, as leaders, when you do your planning, you plan for success. You don't necessarily plan for what happens if we fail? That's a hard thing to do as a business leader. From a faith standpoint, we're told in the Bible to build your house on a solid foundation so that when the storms come, we don't get washed away. So from that standpoint, I think that's how you can prepare: you go into these storms on the right foundation of faith and trust in God. I was realizing that God had just spent five or six years preparing me. I mean, you know, it sounds a little weird, but I was prepared. I said, we don't know what we were ready for, but we're ready for it and I don't know what the future holds but we're ready to move forward and because I knew that God was going to be there. I feel a calmness, a contentment, that brings me at peace with my situation. I am so grateful for a lot of things and I tell people don't be like me and have to get to the point where things start to be taken away from you for you to be grateful. Being grateful can change your life. First of all, don't ask the question, “where is God?” God is there. The first question we need to ask is, "Where am I?" And lean into God. He doesn't necessarily cause these things, but at the same time, He uses them for our benefit. And if we can just get our minds to that point to where we understand that and we can say, "All right, God, I'm along for the ride. I'm going to do what I can, but you're driving and I need to let you take me where you want me to go." Unexpected circumstances can upend our neatly planned life at any time. God is always there. The question is, do we trust Him enough to help us through the storm by His means and His way? I am amazed at how blind I was before the storm and how God was working in my life. No matter what your circumstances, no matter what your age, no matter what your physical or mental situation, no matter how tragic your experience – believe and trust in the Lord. We all have a choice to make when the storms of life assail us. We can blame God and get angry, or we can let Him take control and trust Him. When things are stripped from our life, it helps lead us back to where we can trust God for our future. The storms we face in life don’t always end the way we want nor when we want them, yet they are often unwanted gifts from God. When things are stripped from our life, it helps lead us back to where we can trust God for our future. Recommended Resources: Restored by the Storm: Navigating Through Life’s Unexpected Challenges by Bill Derrick Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Bill Derrick: Website / Facebook / Instagram / LinkedIn / X For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Guest: Bill Derrick holds a degree in engineering and an MBA. He helped lead his family construction business through a recession, rebuilt it, and watched it grow in both residential and commercial business. He is a cancer survivor who shares his journey. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

[@ 2 min] Alright, this week…Matthew Polenzani goes Inside the Huddle! The internationally acclaimed, Evanston, Illinois-native superstar tenor returns to his home stadium as Giasone in Medea. [@ 19 min] Then…What's YOUR favorite season? We'll break down the nominations for the International Opera Awards, and put a thumb on the scale for the audience choice Reader's Award….you know there's gotta be some advantage to being a friend of the show. [@ 38 min] Plus, in the Two Minute Drill...opera for Veterans, Dr. Cristina Yang makes her Met debut, and some *good* news in Philly and the UK! GET YOUR VOICE HEARD Stream new episodes every Saturday at 10 AM CT on amplisoundsradio.com operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 operaboxscore.bsky.social

Michael Rosen on the linguistic comfort food of clichés, pragmatics and how we use language to connect us beyond the actual words used. Derek Bousfield explains how words do more than carry meaning: context governs what we say and how it's understood. Dr Bousfield is Reader in Pragmatics and Communication and Co-Director of The Manchester Centre for Research in Linguistics and co-author of Talking in Clichés: The Use of Stock Phrases in Discourse and Communication. Produced for BBC Audio Bristol by Beth O'Dea, in partnership with the Open University. Subscribe to the Word of Mouth podcast and never miss an episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/b006qtnz

Host Jason Blitman talks to 2025 Kirkus and National Book Award longlisted author Angela Flournoy about her newest book, THE WILDERNESS. Highlights include:

It's a celebration... get your bus passes ready...and swear that you will always listen to the TIC show. On this episode we are celebrating Emily's birthday. Josie and the Pussycats is one of her favorite films, what better way to continue OUR celebration of female friendship than with a trio of rockstars?We go deeper and chat about the bigger message of subliminal marketing (you should listen to the Tongue In Cheek podcast, you should listen to the Tongue In Cheek podcast). Send us a textSupport the showConnect with usInstagram: https://bit.ly/ourIGpageTikTok: https://bit.ly/ourTiktokpageIntro and Outro music, Sexy Fashion Beat from Coma-Media

In this wildly entertaining episode of The Ben and Skin Show, hosts Ben Rogers, Jeff “Skin” Wade, Kevin “KT” Turner, and Krystina Ray dive headfirst into the Dallas Observer's “Best of Dallas 2025” Reader's Choice Awards, and the results are as surprising as they are hilarious.From Shady's winning Best Burger to Josie Records taking top vinyl shop, the crew reacts to each category with local insight, personal stories, and plenty of off-the-wall commentary. Whether it's debating the best breakfast hash browns, reminiscing about KT's legendary Texas Twinkie moment, or trying to figure out what makes a water park “f'ing dope,” this episode is a celebration of all things Dallas — with a heavy dose of comedy.

Transcript: http://nav.al/density

EVEN MORE about this episode!Discover how to embrace aging as a gateway to freedom and vitality with Dr. Christiane Northrup, world-renowned expert in women's health. In this empowering conversation, we explore how seeing the body as a radiant, intelligent system—not a machine destined to fail—can transform health, joy, and spiritual connection. From breaking free of fear-based narratives and beauty standards to understanding symptoms as powerful messengers, Dr. Northrup shares insights from Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom and her pioneering work in holistic women's health.We also dive into the history of women's health care—from language shaped by male dominance to the evolving role of hormone treatments—and highlight the importance of vitamin D, iodine, and bioidentical hormones. With personal stories and expert wisdom, this episode reminds us that choice, positivity, and spiritual practices are medicine too.To order Amata Products, go to https://askjulieryan.com/hormonesGuest Biography:Christiane Northrup, M.D. is a visionary pioneer in women's health, board-certified OB/GYN, and New York Times bestselling author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, The Wisdom of Menopause, and Goddesses Never Age. A frequent guest on shows like Oprah, Good Morning America, and The View, she has also hosted eight successful PBS specials. Recognized as one of Reader's Digest's “100 Most Trusted People in America” and part of Oprah's “Super Soul 100,” Dr. Northrup has received global honors, including the Zelenko Foundation's Rosa Parks Award for courage in truth and justice. Today, she continues to inspire millions through live events, her Substack podcast True North, and her wellness brand Amata Life.Episode Chapters:(0:00:01) - Gateway to Freedom(0:06:58) - Medical School and Women's Health Language(0:15:28) - The Cultural Shift in Obstetrics(0:21:47) - The Journey of Health and Aging(0:35:24) - Reclaiming Women's Health Through Holistic Care(0:45:43) - Empowerment in Women's Health Care(0:59:35) - Bioidentical Hormones and Alternative Therapies(1:05:58) - Women's Hormones and Health Improvements(1:17:32) - Power of Choice and Joyful Living➡️Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan YouTube➡️Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan Español YouTube➡️Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan Português YouTube➡️Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan Deutsch YouTube➡️Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan Français YouTube✏️Ask Julie a Question!

I once read this in an article in Reader's Digest: “Primates, like bonobos, mountain gorillas and chimps often follow confrontations with friendly behavior like embracing or kissing…The only species that has so far failed to show outward signs of reconciliation is the domestic cat.”1 Unfortunately, there are more than a few cats in the church today. When Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him, suggesting seven times as generous, Jesus responded with “seventy-seven times,” meaning there's no limit to forgiveness. C.S. Lewis put it best when he said that we all agree that forgiveness is a beautiful idea until we have to practice it. But through the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:21–35, you will discover being forgiven means forgiveness is part of your calling and how to practice it.

send us a text via Fan Mail!There are some unique challenges that come with having a voracious reader on our hands - providing quality literature, vetting age appropriate content, giving them a challenge as necessary.  I share some ideas in navigating these concerns..As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Before Austen Comes Aesop: The Children's Great Books and How to Experience Them - an interview with author Cheri Blomquist (podcast)Before Austen Comes Aesop: The Children's Great Books and How to Experience Them by Cheri Blomquist How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide for Intelligent Reading by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren Teaching the Classics (Center For Lit)A Landscape with Dragons: The Battle for Your Child's Mind by Michael D. O'Brien Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt Books Children Love by Elizabeth Laraway Wilson Good Books for Catholic Kids (website) Let the Authors Speak by Carolyn Hatcher Common Sense Media: Book Reviews (website) Contact On Instagram at @make.joy.normal By email at makejoynormal@gmail.com Search podcast episodes by topic www.bonnielandry.ca Shop my recommended resources Thanks for listening to Make Joy Normal Podcast!

A New Hampshire doctor and his wife kept a secret from their children, friends, and community for nearly two decades. That was until the federal government discovered the lie. After the publication of their story in Reader's Digest in 1947, the entire nation would know. Images, links, and transcripts for this podcast can be found at https://uselessinformation.org/a-white-lie-podcast-246/ You can follow the Useless Information Podcast on these platforms: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uselessinformationpodcast X (Twitter): https://t.co/7pV2H8iXJV Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/FlipSideofHistory/ The Useless Information Podcast is a member of the Airwave Media podcast network.  Visit https://www.airwavemedia.com/ to listen to more great podcasts just like this one. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron's at the controls this week to help keep Bob and Steve in line as they discuss the awesome power of Bane, the shocking actions of Doom, robots, politics, and the promise of Neon Ichiban.Books: White House Robot ROmance #1, New History of the DC Universe #1-2, Absolute Batman #8-12, SPECTATORS OGN, C.O.R.T. Children of the Round Table #1, Captain America #3, One World Under Doom #7, Fantastic Four #19, FF #1, I Saw It! (One-Shot)Other Stuff: Wet Leg (concert) Faetooth + Slow Crush (concert), Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, Nobody 2The Comic Book Podcast is brought to you by Talking Comics (www.talkingcomicbooks.com). The podcast is hosted by Steve Seigh, Bob Reyer, Joey Braccino, Aaron Amos, John Burkle, and Bronwyn Kelly-Seigh who weekly dissect everything comics-related, from breaking news to new releases. Our Instagram handle is @TalkingComicsPodcast and you can email us at podcast@talkingcomicbooks.com.