Podcasts about Senior

In this episode of This Week in the NFL, Cowboy, Senior & D'Amato recap all the hard hitting action from this past weekend of the 2025 season and dig into week eighteen! 

In this episode, the focus is on clergy abuse—a topic made even more pressing by recent headlines. The featured guest, Sandy Phillips Kirkham, shares her harrowing ordeal of being abused by a charismatic youth pastor starting at the age of 16. Sandy discusses the grooming process, the five years of abuse, and how she was ultimately expelled from her church while her abuser was merely relocated. She delves into the long-lasting impact of the abuse on her life and her spiritual journey, how she concealed her trauma for 27 years, and how she ultimately confronted her abuser. Sandy also provides valuable insights and actionable advice for preventing abuse and supporting victims within church communities. Her story is also detailed in her book, ‘Let Me Prey on You,' which offers a detailed account of her journey from victim to advocate. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:47 Welcome to the Podcast 01:32 Introducing Today's Topic: Clergy Abuse 02:17 Sandy Phillips Kirkham's Early Life and Church Involvement 06:22 Meeting the Abuser: The Charismatic Youth Pastor 08:43 Red Flags and Grooming Tactics 13:51 The First Inappropriate Act 16:37 The Abuse Escalates 21:06 The Aftermath and Church's Response 28:15 Life After Abuse: Marriage and Keeping Secrets 32:09 Protecting Future Generations 35:17 The Importance of Sex Education in the Church 36:32 Techniques for Discussing Sex with Children 37:22 Personal Experiences with Sex Education 38:20 Triggering Memories and Emotional Breakdown 40:13 The Journey of Healing Begins 41:31 Understanding Clergy Abuse and Self-Forgiveness 43:52 Confronting the Abuser 47:07 Challenges in Seeking Justice 54:47 Preventing Abuse in the Church 01:00:31 Supporting Victims of Clergy Abuse 01:05:07 Final Thoughts and Resources Sandy Kirkham and her husband Bill enjoy life with their two grown children, two beautiful granddaughters, and two fairly well-behaved dogs. Sandy continues to use her voice to help victims of clergy abuse. She currently serves on the board of Council Against Child Abuse. Sandy has spoken before the Ohio Senate, a Maryland court, and appeared on a local television show in Boston. Her story, “Stolen Innocence,” was told in a documentary produced by The Hope of Survivors. Sandy works with survivors conducting victim support conferences. She has participated in The Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) panels moderated by SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests), sharing her perspective from the non-Catholic point of view. Sandy has been a presenter/speaker at major events on clergy abuse including the Hope & Healing Conference. Sandy has earned a certificate of completion from the Faith Trust Institute entitled, “A Sacred Trust: Boundary Issues for Clergy and Spiritual Teachers.” https://sandyphillipskirkham.com/ https://www.facebook.com/KirkhamAuthor/  sandykirkhamauthor@gmail.com  Purchase her book “Let Me Prey Upon You” on amazon: https://sandyphillipskirkham.com/shop/let-me-prey-upon-you/   Link Tree   Website: https://dswministries.org Subscribe to the podcast: https://dswministries.org/subscribe-to-podcast/ Social media links: Join our Private Wounds of the Faithful FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1603903730020136 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DswMinistries YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxgIpWVQCmjqog0PMK4khDw/playlists Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dswministries/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DSW-Ministries-230135337033879 Keep in touch with me! Email subscribe to get my handpicked list of the best resources for abuse survivors! https://thoughtful-composer-4268.ck.page #abuse #trauma Affiliate links: Our Sponsor: 753 Academy: https://www.753academy.com/ Can't travel to The Holy Land right now? The next best thing is Walking The Bible Lands! Get a free video sample of the Bible lands here! https://www.walkingthebiblelands.com/a/18410/hN8u6LQP An easy way to help my ministry: https://dswministries.org/product/buy-me-a-cup-of-tea/ A donation link: https://dswministries.org/donate/   Sandy Phillips Kirkham [00:00:00] Special thanks to 7 5 3 Academy for sponsoring this episode. No matter where you are in your fitness and health journey, they've got you covered. They specialize in helping you exceed your health and fitness goals, whether that is losing body fat, gaining muscle, or nutritional coaching to match your fitness levels. They do it all with a written guarantee for results so you don't waste time and money on a program that doesn't exceed your goals. There are martial arts programs. Specialize in anti-bullying programs for kids to combat proven Filipino martial arts. They take a holistic, fun, and innovative approach that simply works. Sign up for your free class now. It's 7 5 3 academy.com. Find the link in the show notes. Welcome to the Wounds of the Faithful Podcast, brought to you by DSW Ministries. Your host is singer songwriter, speaker and domestic violence advocate, [00:01:00] Diana Winkler. She is passionate about helping survivors in the church heal from domestic violence and abuse and trauma. This podcast is not a substitute for professional counseling or qualified medical help. Now here is Diana. Hello. Welcome everyone. Welcome to my regular listeners, as well as some new listeners that have joined us today. I have a great guest for you today. We're going to be talking about clergy abuse today. Religious leader, abuse. Pastor, youth leader. You've seen this in the news recently with all these preachers being arrested or charged with sexual misconduct or rape or [00:02:00] pedophilia. I'm sure you've seen the news. Well, today we're going to hear a story about a woman who's been victimized in that way and she's fighting back. So let me read her bio for you. A church is where an insecure 16-year-old girl should feel welcome, happy, and most importantly, safe tragically. For some, the church can become a place of great harm. Sandy Phillips Kirkham details her account of how charismatic youth minister preyed upon her, a betrayal which left her broken with a shattered faith and the ultimate shame of being blamed enforced from the church she loved. Despite a successful and happy life, is a wife, mother, and friend. Sandy successfully concealed her abuse for [00:03:00] 27 years until a trigger forced her to face the truth. Sandy's story will take you on her journey of healing. Her strength and courage will inspire you. Let me pray upon you her book details. Sandy's journey from innocent 16-year-old, a victim to a survivor, and advocate. We please welcome Sandy Phillips. Kirk, welcome Sandy to the show. Thanks so much for coming on. Well, thank you for having me. I'm glad to be here. Wow. So I've been listening to you on the Preacher Boys podcast and thought you had a really great story, and so I wanted to come and bring you on so my listeners can hear your story as well. Mm-hmm. So tell us a little bit about your home and your church environment growing up. Let's [00:04:00] start from the beginning here. Okay. I'm the oldest of five. My parents were divorced when I was about seven, which that was really the impact of my life, of just how it altered everything about that time in my life. Then my mother remarried and we moved in with my stepfather shortly after my father remarried, and so I was dealing with these blended families and it was just very confusing for me at the time, my parents and stepfather did not attend church. So I, I wasn't a part of a church until I was about eight, and that's when my best friend who lived up the street invited me to go with their family, and I went with them and I went every Sunday after that, I absolutely fell in love with church. It was a place that I felt safe. I think it provided for me a place away from home that I felt comfortable and I got attention there. I was very active even as a small child. I went to vacation Bible school, church camp, love Sunday School. I sang in a junior choir. Really, it was a just a great place for me to [00:05:00] be. When I was 13, I was baptized and then my faith really deepened and my involvement in the church became even more so, started teaching Sunday school and teaching vacation Bible school. I started serving on committees with adults and doing more of the activities that would, , just be more in depth than just typical youth group activities. So, it's just no exaggeration to say that if the doors of the church were open, I was there and I loved it. I loved serving God. I felt that was the place for me, and everything about it was brought me joy and peace in the church. Wow. You really, were very sincere in your faith. It was not a fake one. I hear a lot of stories of. Being brought up in the church and being made to go to church and, you just go through the motions kind of thing. But it sounds like it was the opposite for you. It was that you really believed this with all your heart. Was that a fundamental Baptist church you were going [00:06:00] to or what? It was a church, Christ Christian Church, which is similar to the Baptist. It's an independent church. Yeah, that's the church. That was so something happened while you were serving the Lord and loving God. You met your abuser? Yes. Shortly after I turned 16, our church hired a new youth pastor, and from the moment he arrived, he was totally different than anyone we'd ever seen before. He was very charismatic, very dynamic. His sermons were really like nothing we'd ever heard before, and people were just drawn to him. He had a personality that people found themselves wanting to be around him. They wanted to please him. So he was very good at asking people to do things and they didn't hesitate. It, it was just a different kind of atmosphere. When he came to the church, the youth group exploded in numbers. We went from like 25 to almost 200 in a very short time. Even the [00:07:00] adult church was growing because people just came to hear him preach because he was so good at what he did. He was 30, married with two children, but he really acted more like our age group. He dressed like we did. He. Went to our football games at school, he knew our music. So he just, he really, he was tuned into us and in return we found ourselves, all of us being willing to please him and wanna do anything we could to make the youth group and the church better. So when people think of a profile of a child abuser, they usually think, oh, some dirty old man, that his roaming fingers or what have you, but this youth pastor sounded like, okay, he was really good looking and hip and really loved the young people. Mm-hmm. Is that typical of. Well, it's, it's typical in the sense that it's not the, dirty old man hiding in the bushes. Most abusers [00:08:00] are people we know. They're people that we like. They're usually people that, connect with people very well, and that's what makes them so dangerous because they're not obvious with what they do, and they're very good at that. They pretend to be one of us. They pretend to care, but in reality, their goal is to find a way to take advantage of the most vulnerable in, in the group. And so, predators are usually drawn to places where they will find vulnerable people. The gymnastics team is an example of that. The Boy Scouts, anywhere where you can, and certainly the church because we are welcoming into people who are in need. Oftentimes. Then there are many people in the church who are vulnerable to these types of men, and sometimes women. Were there any red flags? That you should have seen or noticed when you were around this youth pastor? Well, he came with so many different ideas and different ways of doing things. And one of the things that he was doing now, this was in the [00:09:00] seventies, so cultures were changing and it was free love and kind of thing. But he came into our church and he expected everyone to hug each other. So we were always hugging each other. And he also expected us to say how much we loved each other and that we love you and not just that I love you in Christ. He would simply walk up, give you a hug and say, I love you. Now you know, that may seem innocent, but that's a little odd for that pastor to be saying those kinds of things. And it also blurs the lines because when you say to someone, I love you, that can be confusing to. Young teenagers and even to vulnerable adults. So, but he did that with everybody. It wasn't like he picked someone else special, but, so the hugging in the contact was kind of a red flag in the beginning. But for me personally, I babysat for his family. His wife worked evenings. Mm-hmm. So one night after he came home, he asked me to go to his basement and listen to a song by Neil Diamond. [00:10:00] Well, it felt a little weird 'cause I'd never. I've been around a pastor that wanted to talk to me about anything but church in the Bible. But I went to the basement. Yeah. I mean a Neil Diamond song. So I went to the basement. I know, but that's a trigger factor for me sometimes. So anyway, I went to the basement and he put this record on and I sat down on the couch and instead of sitting in a chair or another place, he came on the couch and sat very close to me. And I remember feeling uncomfortable, but I didn't say anything. 'cause I thought, well, he is just sitting next to me. It's no big deal. But that's a red flag that I felt because it felt uncomfortable to me. And then the other times that I would babysit for him. His wife wouldn't come home till late in the evening, so he would come home around seven or eight and after the kids were in bed, instead of taking me home, he wanted me to sit and talk with him all evening. So we'd talk about the Bible or we'd talk about church, and sometimes he'd ask me what I thought of his [00:11:00] sermon, which at age 16, I'm flattered that this man has any idea that I would have some opinion about this great sermon that he just gave. So I didn't see anything wrong with that because he's my pastor. But had that occurred with my 30-year-old neighbor down the street, every time I went to babysit, I know I would've come home to my mother and said, okay, this is weird. Mm-hmm. Every time I babysit, this man wants to sit and talk to me all evening. I mean, what interest would I have as a teenager wanting to talk to this 30-year-old married man? But because my pastor was who he was and he tapped into our common connection of the church and God, and again, many times he would give me books to read 'cause he wanted me to get better in my deep, in my spirituality. So I didn't see anything wrong with it because of who he was. And so I just accepted that behavior, which is another tool and technique. They look for ways to get into you. Mm-hmm. [00:12:00] That don't seem obvious. And that was, so those were two red flags for me. Now as far as the congregation goes, I was in his office a lot by myself, but so were other kids, because he would actually call us into his office and say, I want you to come in and tell me what's going on in your life. Talk to me about your problems. Instead of us going to him, he would encourage us to come into his office. So while that probably wasn't a good thing, no one saw it as a bad thing. It seemed normal, but he called me into his office a lot more than the other kids. And later on there were people who did say to me, there were times when I wondered why he said something to you like that, or I noticed something one time. And so I think people notice some things, but no one thought enough of it to say, okay, there's something going on that doesn't seem right. So those were the red flags that I think in the beginning were very subtle. But they were hard to see, [00:13:00] and this is really important to distinguish these things because I was groomed by a guidance counselor in seventh grade. Mm-hmm. But he was one of those dirty old men that, he was doing creepy stuff. Yeah. But I never would have seen myself. A pastor and he's talking about spiritual things and he's talking about God and mm-hmm. He's not talking about sex. He's not watching, you're not watching dirty movies together. No, he's not, buying you sexy lingerie. It's, Hey, he's doing spiritual things. Mm-hmm. It's a setup. It's that grooming process you're talking about. It's pulling someone in to gain their trust, in a very di diabolical way, because he's using the church to do that. That's really scary. That scares mm-hmm. Scares me to death. What were the first times that he did something really inappropriate that you were just like, whoa? Well, the very [00:14:00] first time, was after a youth group meeting that was held in my home. I was the song leader. He put me in a leadership position, and it was very important to him that the evening always go well and that we were to make people feel welcome. And so at the end of the evening, I was nervous because I wanted to make sure that he thought everything went well. And he came up to me in my hallway and began telling me how great the evening was and how proud he was of me. And I was on Cloud nine. I was flattered that he felt that way. I felt good that the evening went so well. And then he just slowly bent down and he kissed me. And it wasn't, it was a kiss, but it seemed somewhat innocent to some extent. And I, I remember thinking, I think he just kissed me. Then my next thought was, well, he's my pastor and I don't think he would be doing anything he shouldn't be doing. And it was just a quick kiss. And he's always hugging people. And so maybe this is just his way of showing his appreciation for the evening. It was really [00:15:00] the only way in my 16-year-old mind that I could justify it because I couldn't think about this man doing anything he shouldn't be doing. And this was a person that everyone loved and thought so highly of, so how could I think he was doing something he shouldn't be doing? So I just let it go. I didn't think anything more about it. I mean, did you have any sex ed or anything? Did you know the birds and bees? Nine. Well, yeah, I'm 16. I did. Yeah, I did. But I wasn't, I hadn't dated much. I wasn't allowed to date till I was 16, so I hadn't had any dating experience. I had one kiss before this with a boy at camp. So I wasn't. Worldly or knowledgeable about all those things. But, and again, it was such a quick innocent type kiss. He didn't grab me, he didn't push me against the wall. I just, and again, I think for me it was okay if he's, if this is more than just a kiss, then what do I do with it? So therefore I'm just gonna say it's [00:16:00] nothing because I don't know what else to do. Um, wow. I let it go. I let it go. But as I babysat for him, he, sometimes when I would leave, he would kiss me and sometimes he wouldn't. So, I didn't see it as a con, kind of a continual thing that he was always wanting to kiss me. He always hugged me. But the kissing became more intense as it went along. So it, it would be another year, before he would have sex with me. And so that grooming process and kind of pushing the boundaries each time he was with me, finally ended with him having sex with me. Oh, wow. Now, some of us listening are like an adult having sex with a child or 16-year-old. Can you unpack that a little bit more, the process of how he got to that point? I mean, that the first time you had intercourse, I mean, did he, you know, go to a hotel with you and you had a candlelight dinner, or was it in the backseat of the car?[00:17:00] Was it an accident? It wasn't an accident. He was very deliberate and I had every intentions of having sex with me that night. I babysat, I was babysitting, I put the kids to bed, I walked down the steps. I assumed that we would go into the living room. Or the family room, sit on the couch and talk about the things we always talked about. But instead, he stopped me at the bottom of the stairs and he took me into the living room, and immediately put me on the floor and began undressing me. Um, and wow, I froze. I, I literally froze and I kept thinking to myself, he's going to stop. He's going to stop. And that the entire time he's whispering into my ear how much he loves me, that he would never hurt me, and that he can, I can trust him. And then he kept asking me, do you love me? Do you love me? And I, of course, I'm answering yes, because well, yes I do, because that's what I've told him for the past year. I, I, I just, I was so confused and what my real reaction was, I froze. Mm-hmm. Um, he, he sort of pushed my head under the [00:18:00] stereo. And so when he is starting to get farther than I thought he would ever go. I blocked, I just blocked it out and I started reading the serial numbers underneath the stereo. Oh my goodness. Just to be thinking of anything else. Um, at one point he then just picked me up and took me upstairs. He literally put me on the bed, penetrated me, and that was it. And I was horrified. I was absolutely horrified. I, I wanted to cry. I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what to do. Um, he left the room, told me to get dressed, and he would take me home. And I remember sitting on the bed and I put the bedspread around me because I was so embarrassed that I didn't have my clothes on. Mm-hmm. Oh, wow. Um, and then I just remember thinking I just had sex. I'm no longer a virgin. I just had sex with this man and. He took me home. Now, in the [00:19:00] book, of course, I go into a little bit more detail, but Right, he took me home and just before I got outta the car, he said to me, now, you know, this is something between the two of us, you can't tell anyone. And of course I'm thinking, who would I tell? I, I don't want anybody to know. I just did this. So, that was the first time. And then I think I, at that point I kept thinking, you know, I've had sex with him. So now I'm committed to him again. I'm at this point, I'm 17 years old. I'm still like, what do I do with this? I don't, I don't know what to do with this. Um, and he was convincing me that he loved me. He was convincing me that he needed me in his ministry and that God, this was God's will in our lives. He threw that at me. Eventually he would say to me that we were married in God's eyes. I mean, twisting the scripture and using God as a reason that we should be together. And so. I started to accept that. There were a couple times I went to him and told him that I couldn't do this anymore. I felt [00:20:00] guilty. He would respond in one of two ways. One, he would say to me how much he needed me, how much he loved me, and that he couldn't live without me. So that was the guilt part of it. Or he would respond and by saying to me, you know, you're no longer a virgin. No one else is gonna want you. I'm the only one that knows how to love you, and you are committed to me, and this is gonna be the way it is. And I saw no way out. I didn't see a way out. And so the relationship continued for five years. Wow. Five years. It went on for five years. That is a long time. And it, during that time, he became more aggressive physically. Uh, he hit me. He became sexually more deviant. It just progressed. It got worse and worse. And to a point that I finally, I was, my self-esteem was so low. I hated myself for what I'd been doing. So I finally just accepted that this was my life. I knew [00:21:00] I'd never get married. I knew I'd never have children, and this wouldn't be over until he said it was over. This went on for five years and nobody in the church noticed it. Your parents didn't notice it. You know, people say, well, where were your parents? Well, first of all, my parents were thrilled. I was in church. I mean, this was a time in the seventies when drugs were. Prevalent girls were, having free sex. So for them, what safer place could there be than to be in church? So, and they saw his intention toward me and his involvement with me as a good thing. I mean, he would take me on hospital visits with him. I mean, they saw this as being positive. And they knew how much I loved being there and that it was a place that I liked to go. So they didn't see it. And many in the church didn't see it began because who suspects the pastor of such behavior. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And especially in the seventies when this wasn't an open topic like it is now, you wouldn't have dared thought anything like that. And so [00:22:00] it's not uncommon for people in the church, to miss the signs and to ignore what they really do see, because they just can't believe that it would be something that would be happening in their church because then they'd have to do something about it. Yes, exactly. When did it all come crumbling down? It does crumble. Eventually it does. Two elders became suspicious and followed him one night and found us together in a hotel room. And then from then on, the next month and a half was an absolute nightmare for me. Hmm. It was initially hoped that they could keep what he had done, quiet and keep it from the congregation. Now, I have to say one thing before I forget. This wasn't his first incident of sexual misconduct. Oh. Prior to and just after he was awri, he arrived at our church. A young woman from his first church came forward and accused him of sexual misconduct. When he was [00:23:00] confronted by my elders, he didn't deny it. He said it was true. He asked for forgiveness, that it would never happen again. It was a mistake. So within six months. That's when he was kissing me in my hallway. So this, so these elders were aware that this was the second time that there had been an incident with this man of sexual abuse and misconduct. But in spite of that, they tried to keep it quiet in hopes of moving him to another church. And so I was told during that time where I was to sit, how I was to respond to questions. I wasn't to talk to anyone. I wasn't to tell anyone about what had happened, including my parents. And this was all in an effort to keep it quiet. Well, that effort failed. And so it was determined that he should address the congregation. He did it in a very vague way, just simply said that he'd sinned. He'd sinned against God, and he'd sinned against his wife. And that was his confession. That was it. Two days later, he had me meet [00:24:00] him in a hotel room after that confession in front of the congregation. Now. He was moved to the next church. He was given a going away party. There was actually a vote to maybe keep him, but the vote failed and they decided to move him to the next church. About, two weeks, three weeks later, I was called in by the elders, and this is probably the hardest part of my story for me. Mm-hmm. I was called in by the elders and I was told that because of my behavior I was to leave the church. I was devastated. I loved that church. It was the only church I knew, and here I was being told by these two elders that I wasn't fit to worship there any longer. Mm-hmm. He could be forgiven and given a second, third chance. I couldn't be, I was told that to leave the church. I wasn't given any counseling. I wasn't helped in any way. I was simply told to leave and I did. I left. [00:25:00] And that I told people many times, as horrific as the abuse was, having been told to leave, that church had a greater impact on me spiritually than the actual abuse did. I don't think I ever recovered from that. It still haunts me to this day to some extent. That response of the church really devastated me. So that was the crumbling, as you called it? It came crashing down and I would, I left the church. So did that change your perception of God? What was your relationship with God this time? Yes. You were kicked outta the church, but. Well, I felt a disconnect from God. I never blamed God. I never felt like God caused this to happen. I, in fact, I carry the blame and the shame. I felt guilty for what I had done. And so I never blamed God, but because of the relationship being tied in with God and the [00:26:00] prayers that this man would give, and then, you know, he'd give these wonderful sermons about marriage and sanctity of marriage on a Sunday morning after having sex with me the night before. I had difficulty separating all of that, and there were so many trigger factors associated with the church and prayer that God really did. It was hard for me to have any kind of relationship with God. I did. I didn't become an atheist like a lot of victims do, and who become angry at God. I simply just. I just put him on the back burner. I knew he existed, but I didn't have a connection with him any longer. So for 27 years, I, I never prayed. I never opened my Bible. I went to church because when I met my husband, he was a Methodist. And I thought, well, I'll go to the Methodist Church. It's a different denomination. Mm-hmm. I'll just go on. It should be fine. It didn't work that way. I had anxiety attacks in church. I, his [00:27:00] reminders of him were constant, but I forced myself to go. I made sure that I went because I knew when we had children, I wanted them to have that church experience. But every time I walked past the minister's office, I got a knot in my stomach. Oh yeah. It had nothing to do with that minister. But you understand that. I mean, it, but I did that for 27 years. It became my norm. I just knew that when I walked past that office, I was gonna get a knock my stomach, certain hymns. I can tell you what his favorite hymn was, and every time that was played, that's who I thought of. I couldn't pray. It was so, I did have a deep, deep disconnect for 27 years, and I have to tell you, I missed it. I actually mourn that loss of my spiritual life, but I didn't know how to get it back. Because I'm keeping this secret. I'm still carrying guilt and shame. I couldn't forgive myself. I didn't feel worthy to be in church. So with all of that mixed in, I just put myself on autopilot and said, [00:28:00] well, this is the way my life will be and I'll just have to accept it. It just sounds so unfair. Somebody that loves the Lord so much and served in the church and so innocent and being kicked out. Oh, but it sounded like maybe meeting your husband would've been a positive thing for you. How did you guys meet? I actually worked at his office, so I met him there. We dated for about two years, and I just found him to be a kind, loving soul. He was very unassuming. He wasn't arrogant. He didn't, he wasn't a boastful type of person. He didn't like taking credit for things, even though he deserved it sometimes. He was just a good hearted person, and I just, I fell in love with him immediately. I really did. I thought this was a great, great guy. I mean, I will tell you, I have said many times because before I met him, I was on a destructive path. I did not have any self-esteem. [00:29:00] I saw myself just simply as some sex object that, I was only good for that. And so when I met him, he saved my life because he loved me for who I was and showed me that I was worthy. So I've often said to him, you saved my life, and he will respond back with you made mine, and you can't get any better than that. So meeting him was a turning point for me, but I kept a secret from him for 27 years, and I lived in fear that he'd always find out that I'd had this affair with a married man. And I know in my heart that it wouldn't have made a difference to him. But people who've been abused never forget the words, don't ever tell. And I never forgot those words. And I never forgot what the consequences could be if I were to tell someone. Because when my elders found out, they blamed me. And I, I couldn't bear the thought that if I were to tell him. [00:30:00] Somehow he would find fault with me, or I wondered, would he wonder why I didn't feel confident enough to tell him? Would he feel betrayed that I kept a secret? Would he see me differently sexually? All those fears that I had while unfounded were still present in my mind. And so I never could tell him. And I had to do a lot of play acting and pretending, through our married life in the sense that the times I was having trigger factors, I had to hide them. And I know he would've been supportive, but I couldn't see that. Because while trauma affects you at the time of the abuse, it's lifelong. It doesn't leave you. And so I lived with that for 27 years. So did you have. Intimacy issues when you were together? Was that what you're talking about? The triggering? No, I, know a lot of victims do, and that's understandable. I really didn't, because he was so different from my abuser [00:31:00] and I recognized that my abuser was emotionally violent mm-hmm. And physically, he just wasn't loving in any sense of the word. I was simply used for sex. Mm-hmm. And I didn't have that with my husband. And so I could separate that a little bit. But I think the guilt of hiding the secret had an impact on our marriage as far as my able to be intimate with him in an emotional way. I'm really glad to hear that. I, you are not the first person that I've heard that. The victim has hidden a secret from her husband. I passed her and a pastor's wife and her husband did not know. Mm-hmm. Children didn't know, and it was a family member that was the abuser. And I kept telling her, you've got to tell him. Mm-hmm. You know why? It's because, and I was thinking this when I was listening to your, the other shows that you were on. I'm thinking about your children and your grandchildren. If I was abused, [00:32:00] I would be like. How do I keep my children and grandchildren from going through what I just went through, you know? Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Well, that's an interesting thing because most people would assume that my daughter, I would've been all over it and worried sick every time she left the house. Yeah. But I actually had the opposite, reaction because keep in mind, I didn't see myself as an abuse victim. I saw myself as someone who participated, who willingly went into this relationship and stayed in it willingly, which is not the case when you're abused. There's the control, the manipulation, all of those things that play into keeping a victim in a relationship and they see no way out. So for me, I just assumed I got one bad apple in the whole barrel, that this didn't happen to other people and that I had an affair. But my daughter, who I knew, she would never have an affair with a married man, I just knew that. So I. Sent her on [00:33:00] retreats. I sent her to church camp without fear because again, I'm thinking, okay, this just doesn't happen to other people and this is not something I need to be concerned about with her. However, with my granddaughters, it's totally different because now I understand what really occurred and the damage that can occur when you've been abused. And so with my granddaughters, her mom and dad have talked to them, about good touch, bad touch. And I too have talked about to her, but I've been a little bit more probably detailed about it. Mm-hmm. And as she gets older, these men, the techniques change as you get older and they, after they go after teenage girls, so mm-hmm. Hopefully I'll be able to help her understand, what happens when someone's grooming. I want her to understand her personal space, that if you're not comfortable when someone hugs you, it's okay. That's right. Say I, I don't want you to touch me that way. Mm-hmm. Or say if they don't feel comfortable and we put a lot on kids to do that. 'cause here [00:34:00] we're asking a child to say to an adult, no. Mm-hmm. So it's okay to go to your mother or your mom and say, can you tell so and so Uncle Jimmy or whoever it is, I don't wanna be hugged. So we need to make sure our kids understand that their personal space is their space. And if they don't want someone in that space, it's okay to say no. I also think it's important to tell kids that good people can do bad things. Yeah. Because, as we talked about earlier, our abusers are not strangers. They're not mean people. Mm-hmm. They're usually good people. They're usually people who've given us gifts. They're people who help us. They're people who tell us how wonderful we are. So it's hard for children, even adults, to see this individual who. Who on one side is a good individual who does a lot in the church, who's done all these wonderful things. And so we, we have to tell these kids, just because they're a good person doesn't mean they can't do bad things. And so that's kind of the message I hope to get to my granddaughters that I didn't give to my [00:35:00] daughter. And fortunately she didn't have any issues with church or any, anybody abusing her. But I certainly did not, guide her in the right way in that sense because I just, like I said, I just assumed that I was the only one that this would ever have happened to. Well, I think, I hear a lot in the church that they don't teach sex ed because they don't want the kids to go out and have sex. Mm-hmm. And so a lot of these kids are like ignorant as to, what is healthy and what is not proper, yeah. We need to teach 'em that our bodies or are going to respond. They were built that way. God intended us to have feelings. You know, when we are around the opposite sex, that's normal. Mm-hmm. So we need to make sure kids understand. But there are barriers and there are boundaries that need to be taken. But you're absolutely right when we don't talk at it, then we figure it out on their own. And we could, we can all imagine when you're leaving teenagers to [00:36:00] their own devices to figure out things. That's probably not gonna lead in a good spot. No, we have the internet now, which when we, right. When you and I were younger, we didn't have the internet. We didn't have cell phones. No. If you wanted a Playboy magazine, you had to go to that kind of a neighborhood to get something. Yes. You know? Yes. It was a lot more difficult. Yes, absolutely. But too many parents are embarrassed to talk to their children about sex and, you know, everybody listening needs to listen. You need to find a way to talk to them about these things. And one of the techniques that I use with my daughter, just in talking about sex in general, kids don't want to hear their mom and dad talk to 'em about this. So what I did would say, I read a magazine article about this girl who did such and such so that I put it off on something else that's, a non-entity of a person. And I'll say, or Have you ever heard of this? And of course I know she's got a little embarrassed, but I, it opened the dialogue without me coming [00:37:00] out and saying, have you heard of oral sex? Instead, I would talk to her and say, I heard this about this. This is what kids are doing, blah, blah, blah. So you kind of have to find techniques and ways to sneak around it sometimes, but you absolutely need to talk to, because they know it's out there and they're going to experiment. That's just part of being a teenager. Yeah, my parents chickened out. They just gave me a book to read. Same, probably the same book. I got, I forget what it was called. Where did I come from? Or something. It was a cartoon book. Mm-hmm. And I'm grateful for that. And, they just, after I finished the book, do you have any questions? Yeah, yeah. I had a lot of, older people that were friends and I would actually go to my older. Senior citizen friends and ask them questions rather than ask my parents. Right? Yeah, yeah. It's more comfortable that way for sure. Like I said, it's not the topic that we like to talk to with our kids and our kids don't wanna hear it, but being uncomfortable is not an excuse not to do that. And in school you get [00:38:00] the basics of the mechanics of it, but then that ends, that's all you get there as well. And that's not as helpful either. Yeah. The sixth grade menstrual cycle, health class. Yeah, exactly. That's it. They separate the girls and the boys. Yeah. We were all really embarrassed and Yes, yes. Yeah, exactly. Great information. So let's, circle around back to, okay, you've been hiding this secret forever. Mm-hmm. And nobody knows about your past. And then one day you got triggered. So what happened that day? Well, that's the first chapter of my book, and that is one day I was driving to a golf tournament in Tennessee. We live in Cincinnati. I was driving, my daughter was in college. She was playing in a golf tournament. I was driving down there and I was about halfway when I saw an exit sign for the town of Kingsport, Tennessee. And that is the. Town to which my [00:39:00] abuser was sent after he left our church, and it just sent me over the edge. Mm-hmm. All of a sudden I'm thinking, I'm in the town where he lives. Am I close to his house? Am I close to the church where he's now a minister? I mean, even though it'd been 27 years, I thought he was probably still there. I didn't know, but that's what my mind was telling me. I, all of a sudden I felt his presence in the car. I, I could smell him. I could hear him. Oh. I was, it was unbelievable to me what was happening to me. I didn't even know what was happening. I pulled to the side of the road Oh, good. And I sobbed. Yeah. I sobbed for about 20 minutes and I was just trying to figure out what was happening because anytime I had trigger factors before I could manage them, I could control them. I kind of let them happen and then I push 'em back down. Mm-hmm. This one wasn't going back down and I was a mess. I was just an absolute mess. I was able to get through the weekend. I drove back home and all I could think about was, what am I gonna do? What am I gonna do? [00:40:00] I wanted to stop thinking about him and I couldn't. I spent the next two weeks, really in anxiety. I, my husband would leave for work and I would just walk around the house, wring my hands, trying to figure out why I was feeling the way I was feeling. What was I gonna do with these feelings till at one point I finally decided I was gonna tell my best friend, and I was absolutely petrified to tell her because for the first time in 27 years, I was going to utter the words. I was sexually abused by my youth pastor. And I remember thinking, he's gonna find out and I'm gonna get in trouble. I just, I was 49 years old and I'm still afraid of this man. But I did tell her, it was, it took me a long time to, to get the words out, but I did, she was very supportive. She was very kind. She was patient as she waited for me to tell her. And so that started my journey of healing just by telling that first person. I then told two or three other of my close friends, so the four of us spent [00:41:00] many days and many hours on the screened in porch of one of my friends just letting me talk. Mm-hmm. And being able to express what had happened to me. I wasn't ready to tell all of the story. I mean, there's parts in the book that I won't go into here because they're pretty mm-hmm. Embarrassing and some things that I did. So I wasn't ready to tell them everything, but I told them enough that it helped me start to release what had been done to me. And so that was the first thing that I did, I think. And then the next thing I did, which was so valuable, and I encouraged victims to do it as well, I just read everything I could on clergy abuse or sexual abuse in itself. So I began to learn the terms of grooming, manipulation, gaslighting, and then I could see how he methodically used each one of those things on me to get me to do the things he got me to do, and to stay in that relationship for those five years. And that was huge for me. So [00:42:00] it was, for the first time as I began reading, I understood that I had been abused. Now, it still took me a while to admit that I really was sexually abused because I didn't want that label. I didn't wanna be an abuse victim. And there was a part of me. We all wanna be loved. And so there was still a part of me that I wanted to think that there was some part of him that cared about me, that this wasn't just purely about sex and that he wasn't just using me for his own gratification. And I had to get past that. I had to finally come to terms with, no, this man didn't do the no one who loves you, would do the things he did and ask the things he did of me. So that took me a while, to finally admit, okay, this was an abusive relationship. So I told someone, educating myself, and then I had to learn to forgive myself. I had to let, I had to let go of the guilt [00:43:00] and shame because any guilt and shame belongs squarely on him. This was a man that I should have been able to trust. It was in a place that should have been the safest place on earth for me. And he took advantage of a vulnerable teenager who had, I didn't have a major crisis in my life, but he knew my home life was an upheaval at times. He knew that I didn't see my dad very much. So he used that to against me. And I had to forgive myself for being who I was at the time and being able to respond the way I did for the coping skills I had at the time. Sure. You can look back. I, and I think, why didn't I say this? Why didn't I do that? But I couldn't because of, of the re of the relationship he had created between us. Mm-hmm. I had lost all power. He was in complete control of this relationship, so I had to forgive myself and that wasn't easy either. Then, and I don't know that this is something all victims should do, but I just felt this need [00:44:00] that I needed to confront him. I just felt like I couldn't move past this unless I was able to face him. Now, I had no contact with him for 27 years. I didn't even know if he was still alive, but I hired a private investigator and he found him ministering in a church in Alabama. And so I had my investigator contact him and we set up a time and a meeting that we would meet. And I took my husband, I took my friend who was a counselor and another friend who was at the church at the time. Um, I wanted her at this point. You told your husband at this point, I'm sorry. Yes, that's correct. I, it was probably three months after I told my friends, that I said to him I would like to meet him in his office and talked to him about something and. I was terrified. I don't know how else to say it. I just was so afraid. Not that I needed to be, but I was. And I probably sat there for almost, [00:45:00] I would say, 40 minutes and just cried. I was able to finally get out. I'm okay, the kids are okay, and then I started crying again. He couldn't have been any more supportive, more loving. I remember looking at his face and I said I was sexually abused by my youth pastor, and he didn't. His expression didn't change, and then I said. I was their babysitter and his face just dropped. And for the first time, I could see the pain I was feeling was reflected in his face. It was, I almost wanted to hug him to say, I'm sorry. 'cause I could see how much it hurt him to know that this had been done to me, especially as a baby. I mean, the picture became complete for him once I said that. And so he was very supportive. I think he was worried about me confronting this man, for a couple reasons. But one, I think he was worried that I would be disappointed in his reaction, and that I would be expecting too much of this [00:46:00] person to understand what he did to me and show any kind of remorse, and that I, it would hurt me even more. And one of my fears was that, I was afraid he wouldn't meet me. I was afraid that he was gonna say, no, I'm not gonna meet with you. And my husband said, oh, he's gonna meet with you all right? Because if he doesn't meet with you, you just tell him. Call the church secretary. We'll call every elder. We're gonna, he, somebody's gonna hear your story if he doesn't want to hear it. So he did agree to meet with me. I went down to Alabama and the meeting took place and I said the things that I wanted to say to him. I wanted him to get what he did to me. But he didn't, he never could understand the damage. It was almost as if, okay, I shouldn't have done it and I'm sorry I did it. Okay, now what do you want? It was, get away. You bother me? Yes. And his greatest fear as most narcissist, and I believe he was, narcissistic, but his greatest fear was that I was going to demand that he be removed from the ministry. I mean, that's what he [00:47:00] was most concerned about, how this was going to impact him. And he should have been out of the ministry. So I went to his. Boss. I was told this, and something happened 27 years ago. He, we think he's safe. We're not worried, in spite of the fact that during the meeting he had admitted that there had been multiple occurrences of sexual misconduct throughout his ministry. Not all teenagers, some were most were probably women. And then he said he had gone to therapy because he had been identified as a sexual addict. And I kept thinking, who, what? What world, what world? Does this make sense that a man who has been identified by a psychologist as a sex addict belongs in the ministry? Nope. But here was this church. So I sent a letter to his 11 elders thinking, okay, somebody in this eldership is gonna see this. Is I something's wrong here. Not one responded totally [00:48:00] ignored me. 11 elders totally ignored me. Wow. No worries. So then, I decided to go to his denominational leaders, which were in Indianapolis. And there again, while they were sympathetic to my story and apologize that it happened, they said, we're an independent church. Our churches hire and fire their own ministers. We have no control and if they choose to keep this man, we can do nothing about it. And so what, I was shut down and basically I had no place else to go. I had pretty much. Done everything I could do. And it wasn't my place in the man that he be removed. I expected the church to be, the church was to do the right thing. Exactly. I assumed so naively that once they heard my story and once they understood the background of this man, surely someone would say, this isn't right. But again, keep in mind he's very charismatic. He brings in [00:49:00] people, he brings in money. And to be fair, and probably I'm being a little too gracious, these men are very good at manipulating not only the victim but the congregation as well. They're very good at getting control of the congregation so that they find themselves following this man no matter what he would do. Yeah. And that's basically what happened. There was going to be, I got a four page letter from his boss telling me that, know, I'm going to. Ruin this church if I continue on this path and that I'm going to feel all this guilt because I'm gonna be responsible for the damage that I will do to pe people's spiritual lives. I mean that, it was an incredible, I put the letter in the book, I, because it is so incredibly, hard to believe that someone write that to a victim of abuse. Just So that was What year did that happen? 2004. Okay. So we did have. We did have the internet. Oh, yes. And this was after the Catholic, [00:50:00] church had their, exposure of sexual abuse within their church. So yes, this was, it was out there for sure. This wasn't something that you would think, oh, I can't believe this happened. And again, he had admitted to these past instances. I mean, this wasn't someone who was saying, oh, I don't know what she's talking about. Or, oh, this is the only time it ever happened. He had been in therapy because he was a sexual addict, So he wasn't registered as a sex offender? I guess not. And in my case, at the time of the abuse, the age of consent was 16. So I had no legal recourse because of I was either legally age of consent. Now that has been changed in Ohio. It's now 18. It's now 18, but many states it's still 16. There are several states where the age of consent is 16. Now, the interesting about that is. His contact sexual contact with me was not considered a crime. However, if he had been my high school teacher, it would've been a crime. What, so pastors I know [00:51:00] does not make sense. It does not make a leg of sense. No, it does not. So it, they don't consider him a teacher. They don't cons, they don't, they considered an affair. A mutual. Relationship if he'd been my teacher, that's a different story. So yeah, I had no legal recourse. And that was frustrating. But I couldn't change that. So it was what it was. I just had to accept that he, yes, he belonged in jail. Yes, there's no doubt and should be registered as a sex offender, but I'm not so sure that even if he's registered as a sex offender, these people in Alabama and wherever he is now, would. Even take that as a concern. Well, you know, the millennials now, they'll just, they just post stuff on Facebook and Twitter and call the evening news and they have, yes. News people at their doorstep, right. Ready to mm-hmm. Track this guy's name through the mud. Mm-hmm. But you didn't choose to do that, I guess. No, you know, I'm very careful about naming him in the sense that, part of my story is that I [00:52:00] reconnected with his wife. She actually divorced him after they moved, because again, he committed sexual misconduct. She was 20, I think, at the time, so it wasn't a minor, but that's beside the point. This is a man in a position that, a professional who does not cross boundaries like that. So, to no one surprise, he committed sexual misconduct the third time, so she divorced him. And part of, I guess letting go of some of the guilt that I felt, I wanted to. Connect with her to at least tell her, not that I was responsible for what happened, but how very sorry I was for her pain and suffering as well because she was part of the youth group. I mean, she was there at the church all the time. We sang in the choir together. So it was like I had a relationship with her. Oh wow. To some extent. And of course when, we were found, when he was found out by the elders, she was upset and she of course, didn't wanna have anything to do with me, which is understandable. So I actually think I [00:53:00] also wanted to give her the opportunity to say whatever she felt she needed to say to me if she wanted to. I mean, I didn't know what she was gonna say or react. I thought maybe she'd hang up on me. I didn't know. So I called her one day. My investigator found her phone number and gave it to me, and she couldn't have been any more gracious. I, she never blamed me. She understood as she, as the years went on, what this really was just like I did. She's remarried. She's has a wonderful husband now. And so I visited her several times. We keep in contact. And so part of my not wanting to expose him too much is that it would be hurtful to her. And he does have children. Now. I know that, well, whatever consequences are as a result of this are all on him, but I don't feel the need to add to that. That's not my purpose in speaking out. And so, mm-hmm. I've gone to his church leaders, I've done everything I can to get him removed from the ministry. And nothing, it's just [00:54:00] he's still, I don't know that he's still a pastor, but he still remains in good standing within that denomination to this day. Yeah. I mean, sometimes we have to just let God. Right. Dish out the justice. It may not be in our timeline, it may not be the way that we think it should happen, but Right. He's not gonna get away with this. No. And again, I did my part. Yes. So my conscience is clear and I am able to say I did what I could do and whether or not they removed him, I certainly hope that I maybe put some doubt in some of their minds and maybe questioned their motives in keeping this man. I don't know. But, I feel I did what I could do and I feel good about that. I feel good about that. Absolutely, you should. And what I'm really interested in is, you're trying to keep this stuff from happening to other people, so, I mean, what can we do to prevent some of this stuff? Well, it's [00:55:00] difficult again, because these men are among us as wolves in sheep's clothing, and so they're difficult to spot. But a couple things. I think the first thing I would tell people is if something doesn't seem right. Keep your antenna up. Don't just ignore it or just don't think, oh, well that can't be true because he's the pastor. Mm-hmm. If it's behavior that you wouldn't accept in someone else, or it's something that you would question in someone else, then question it in the pastor or the choir director, whoever it is. Don't be blinded by the person. The persona that they're presenting to you. So that's the first thing I would say is keep your antenna up. The other thing is we, and we're churches, I think are doing better about this, but you've got to have policies in place that say, no, you're not taking a 16-year-old girl on your hospital visit with you. Yes. That's, that's not normal. That's not right. What is she doing going on a hospital visit with you in a car? And of course now we have the texting [00:56:00] and there should be absolutely no texting between a pastor, a youth minister, and anyone in the congregation. And that includes, no, don't forget the meeting for the church luncheon. No, there should be no texting because you, it's too hidden and it's too easily moved to the next step. And that's how it starts. You know, all of the abuse when it's someone you know, it always starts with small things and subtle things. It doesn't, innocent things. Innocent things that, yeah, that, that are innocent. But so that's why, so no texting. Yeah. So put in the policy, those places of, when you take a 10-year-old child to the bathroom, you make sure there's another adult with you. Absolutely. That's for your safety as well as for the child's safety. Mm-hmm. So I, I think we need to be aware. And then I would also say watch for the vulnerable in your, among your church or your group. Watch for the kid that's got issues at home and is looking for a father figure. Be aware that they're going to be more susceptible to someone who's a predator and pay [00:57:00] attention to their cues and kind of keep in touch with them as well in a sense of asking questions and how they're doing and be the kind of a person that they might feel comfortable coming to if something were to happen to them because they're the ones that are gonna be most vulnerable, to a predator. So that's kind of, an overview of what. Maybe a help to try and stop and prevent some of this. Yes, I like lots of video cameras. They're cheap now. You can put a camera, you can hide cameras all over the church facility and Yes. And I think too, talking to this about this issue to the congregation before anything happens, maybe having a person in your congregation who is the go-to person on this topic, who, who's researched what all these grooming and manipulation is so that they are even more equipped to, to notice the signs. So you have a person who's kind of in charge of that topic and then address it to the congregation once a year and say, here's our policy and here's what we expect of our pastors and here's what we would hope you would [00:58:00] do if you notice something. So it just brings it out so that people feel like if there is something that they know is going on or something's wrong, they feel comfortable going to someone about it. Those are all really great tips for leaders and, church members. So what, what if I am listening and I am being subjected to some of this stuff, what should I do? Well, what you need to do and what is the hardest thing to do is to tell someone. Yeah. And it's hard to do because when you're in an abusive relationship, you are being controlled by your abuser. And the narrative is what he is directing. And so he's going to tell you, look, you can tell anybody you want. They're not gonna believe you. And he tells you that over and over again. He's also going to tell you that you are going to be in trouble if you tell anyone. And then there's that problem of you sort [00:59:00] of care about this person. Here's someone that has been helping you, who's been your mentor, and you don't wanna get him in trouble. So with all those dynamics involved, it's very difficult for victims to come forward. But I am telling you, you don't wanna wait the 27 years that I did no. And live with this guilt and the shame and the angst and the anxiety. First of all, it's not worth it. You're not doing anyone any favors, especially yourself, because there is help out there. But they can only help you if you're able to be able to tell someone. And believe me, I understand how difficult that is. It's not easy. Mm-hmm. But I would hope that I hearing my story and others that you will understand that there is help out there and you need to tell someone. 'cause it won't end until you tell someone. And if you need to, you go to someone that you trust. And if you need to, you go outside the church. Yes. You tell someone you know is going to listen to you. [01:00:00] Hey, I tell my listeners, you can call me anytime mm-hmm. And email me and I'm sure you'd say the same thing. Exactly. Reach out to Sandy if mm-hmm. You need somebody to talk to. Mm-hmm. Or you don't know what is the next step I need to take here? Right. It is scary to make First step. It's very scary. Very scary. Absolutely. So then there's the rest of us, those that have not experienced clergy abuse, maybe we're members in the church, maybe we're friends or family. What are some helpful things for us to do to support a victim? Helpful things to say, maybe there's things we shouldn't say, well, that's a yes. First, I would say anytime you're aware of a victim of clergy abuse or anybody who's been abused, whether it's clergy or not, reiterate to that victim that it was not their fault and that there was nothing they could have done, should have done that would've prevented this. And by doing that, you are [01:01:00] telling that person they're free to speak to you. And victims need to hear it over and over again because we do blame ourselves. Children as young as five will blame themselves because they allowed someone to touch them 'cause mommy said not to. And the that guilt in that shame that victims carry, it's difficult to let go of it. So to hear someone say to us, it's not your fault is so freeing. So that's the first thing. The second thing I would say is. Let them know that you will listen to them without judging them, and you will hear their story without being shocked that you are able to say, tell me everything you need to tell me, or Tell me as little as you wanna tell me. Give them a comfort place to go to talk. And then I would say, and this is difficult for people who have spiritual lives or who are part of the church, be very much aware that things such as prayer and Bible reading and [01:02:00] scripture can be very triggering for those who've been abused in the church. Mm-hmm. So things that you would find comforting like prayer. Can be a very major trigger factor for victims. And so instead of saying to a victim, I'll pray for you, or Can I pray with you? The best thing you could say would be to phrase it in such a way as to say, I understand because of what you've been through, prayer can be difficult. And so I would like to pray for you, but I would completely understand if you don't want to pray or you won't, don't even want me to pray for you. And so you've opened up the door to say to this person, wow, I don't have to feel guilty because I can't pray. You know, when we've grown up in the church and we've been told how wonderful church and prayer and all those things are, we still carry that guilt too because we're no longer connected to God. So to have a person on the outside. Recognize that these can be trigger factors is again, a gift. It's a [01:03:00] gift. So those things I think would be the most helpful when dealing with a person of clergy abuse. And give them time. Don't push forgiveness. Don't push trying to get them back into church. 'cause some victims will never be able to go back to church if you let them find their own pace of time and you do it without judging them. And I know that's kind of hard sometimes for Christians and people in the church because we love the church and we find it to be such a wonderful place and we want this person back in the church. Yes. But it, it may not be the best place at that point for that victim. Such valuable advice. I That is awesome. And again, back to like, when you're talking about the sex education, open up the dialogue, you know? Yeah. Bring it up. Bring it up before they bring it up. Again, I read in the newspaper that this girl was molested by, a gym teacher. You know that, that ha I know that happens. And then let 'em know that if. It is, like you said, allowing that comfort to be able to [01:04:00] talk to someone. I think for me it was important to give my side of the story. No one had a clue that he was emotionally and verbally and physically abusive to me. They saw this as a little love affair and that we had this, magic little love affair. Evil temptress. Yes, exactly. And so I wanted them to know the full story. That was important for my healing too. And they did that. And, they welcomed me back to the church. I went back, I've been back a couple times for, a youth group reunion that we had. So, and that was difficult. But again, I thought that was necessary for me to move forward. I had to let go of my past. I had to figure out, not to forget it, but how was I going to incorpo

Get 200 business ideas here: https://clickhubspot.com/fda Episode 779: Sam Parr ( ⁠https://x.com/theSamParr⁠ ) and Shaan Puri ( ⁠https://x.com/ShaanVP⁠ ) talk to Alex Smereczniak( https://x.com/AlexfromFranzy ) about one of the most overlooked paths to wealth creation.  Show Notes: (0:00) Intro (2:21) Turning $2K into $400K revenue (8:48) A case for franchising (10:56) The blueprint (16:02) How one operator opened 100 franchises (23:43) Another Nine (30:19) Waterloo Turf (33:47) PopUp Bagels (36:36) Red Flags (41:10) Nothing Bundt Cakes, Crumbl Cookie, home services (46:06) Garage Kings (50:15) Senior care (51:52) Funeral homes, crime scene clean up, pet cremation (55:24) Red flags (1:02:21) The Flynn Group — Links: • Franzy - https://franzy.com/  • WakeWash - https://wakewashwfu.com/  • Dave's Hot Chicken - https://daveshotchicken.com/  • Another Nine - https://anothernine.com/  • Waterloo Turf - https://waterlooturf.com/  • PopUp Bagels - https://www.popupbagels.com/  • Roark Capital - https://www.roarkcapital.com/  • Nothing Bundt Cakes - https://www.nothingbundtcakes.com/  • Benjamin Franklin Plumbing - https://www.benjaminfranklinplumbing.com/  • Garage Kings - https://garagekings.com/  • Bio 1 - https://bio1sd.com/  • Aftermath - https://aftermath.com/  • Flynn Group - https://flynn.com/  — Check Out Shaan's Stuff: • Shaan's weekly email - https://www.shaanpuri.com  • Visit https://www.somewhere.com/mfm to hire worldwide talent like Shaan and get $500 off for being an MFM listener. Hire developers, assistants, marketing pros, sales teams and more for 80% less than US equivalents. • Mercury - Need a bank for your company? Go check out Mercury (mercury.com). Shaan uses it for all of his companies! Mercury is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column, N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust, Members FDIC — Check Out Sam's Stuff: • Hampton - https://www.joinhampton.com/ • Ideation Bootcamp - https://www.ideationbootcamp.co/ • Copy That - https://copythat.com • Hampton Wealth Survey - https://joinhampton.com/wealth • Sam's List - http://samslist.co/ My First Million is a HubSpot Original Podcast // Brought to you by HubSpot Media // Production by Arie Desormeaux // Editing by Ezra Bakker Trupiano //

Gaza has been a place of terror, war and struggle, but also a place with a rich cultural and artistic history. Much of that has been damaged or destroyed the last two years. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown looks at the losses, but also at the hope some artists have for the future. It's part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Dr. Pat Harris is a European specialist in veterinary and comparative nutrition. Dr. Nicky Jarvis is head of Veterinary and Care at Redwings Horse Sanctuary in Norfolk, England. Both are experienced equine veterinarians who have a passion for senior horses.My Senior Horse - Episode 36 Guests and Links:Guest: Dr. Pat Harris and Dr. Nicky JarvisConnect with Host: Kimberly S. Brown of Editorial Director of My Senior Horse | Email Kim (kbrown@equinenetwork.com) | Follow Kim on LinkedIn (@kimberlylsbrown)

Senior joins the show to talk Music, Hockey and all things Christmas! You can now watch episodes of Tales with TR on YouTube! Head over to https://www.youtube.com/@THPN to watch the latest episode Check out TerryRyan.ca Welcome to Tales with TR: A Hockey Podcast presented by The Hockey Podcast Network. Join former Montreal Canadiens' first-round draft pick & Shoresy star Terry Ryan, as he talks about the sport of Hockey, brings on various guests, and shares tales of his life and professional hockey career. Why Rememberance Day is EXTRA Important for Terry Ryan Host: Terry Ryan @terryryan20 Network: @hockeypodnet Editor: Isha Jahromi - "The City Life Project" on Youtube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Yes we're still off on our Christmas/New Year holidays but never fear! We have ANOTHER bonus subscriber episode for you to enjoy.BUT CRUCIALLY, DON'T FORGET! The comedy history podcast that has spent as much time talking about the invention of custard as it has the industrial revolution is here with its first ever live show! Thursday 15th January at the Underbelly Boulevard in London's Soho.

What does dating look like later in life, and personal growth? In this powerful episode, host Chuck Tuck sits down with Dr. Victoria Vaughn to unpack the realities of senior dating, online dating, and redefining intimacy beyond sex.Drawing from real-life dating stories and her candid memoir, Oh, the Frogs I Kissed Before I Finally Found My Prince, Dr. Vaughn shares hard-earned dating advice, common dating pitfalls, and lessons learned while navigating love after loss. Together, they explore why intimacy doesn't always mean physical connection, how self-reflection shapes healthier relationships, and why friends, family, and financial stability often play a bigger role than we expect.From spotting red flags in online dating to balancing heart and logic, this conversation offers insight, honesty, and hope for anyone seeking meaningful relationships later in life. Whether you're dating again, considering it, or supporting someone who is, this episode delivers wisdom you can apply immediately.

Gaza has been a place of terror, war and struggle, but also a place with a rich cultural and artistic history. Much of that has been damaged or destroyed the last two years. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown looks at the losses, but also at the hope some artists have for the future. It's part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In this episode of Brain Driven Brands, Sarah and Nate play a rapid-fire game of Smash or Pass with some of the most overused, misunderstood, and quietly dangerous ideas in modern marketing. We tear into things most teams can't say out loud… and the ones they're afraid to admit: – Why you can't optimize an emotion that was never there – Why most "testing" is really just for the founder's ego – How beautiful creative can hide a serious idea drought – Why iteration can be growth (but usually isn't) – And how creative fatigue is often just leadership fatigue in disguise This isn't a how-to episode. It's a how-are-you-thinking episode. We talk about idea tracking vs. concept hoarding, empathy vs. data, AI vs. taste, speed vs. depth—and why most ads fail because they're answering questions no customer ever asked. If you're running paid media, managing a creative team, or quietly wondering why "doing more" keeps working less… this one will feel uncomfortably familiar in a good way. (Listen for the moments where we disagree. That's where the real insight lives.) Original tweet:https://x.com/SarahLevinger/status/1994428068220273056?s=20

What happens when two seniors fall in love at the Y? Why, they get married in the pool, of course. AND For Maria Carlin, a 36-year-old mother from Long Island, that moment came on a July morning when she placed her four-year-old son, Jack, into his car seat and began racing him to the hospital. To see videos and photos referenced in this episode, visit GodUpdates! https://www.godtube.com/blog/seniors-marry-in-a-pool.html https://www.godtube.com/blog/god-worked-a-miracle.html Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This week on Around the ACL, Meesh, Trey, and Anthony break down Days 3 and 4 of Signature #1 in Myrtle Beach, where the 2026 Pro season truly ramps up. We walk through the schedule, broadcast windows, and what to expect as Pro Singles, Tiered Singles, and Pro Doubles take center stage on livestreams and ESPN+. The crew explains how the Signature bracket system works, including rounders, qualifying spots, and seeding for Pro, Women's, Junior, and Senior divisions, before diving into a full Singles Brackets breakdown across all four brackets. We discuss who might advance and what early performances may tell us about the season ahead. We wrap things up with general thoughts on Doubles, early trends we're watching, and bold predictions in our Hole-y Hot Take finale.

Rick Morse is a Senior Financial Advisor along with being a Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Long Island, NY. In this episode Rick talks about music, your money, and planning your future! Rick graduated from Ithaca College in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. He earned his Certified Investment Management Analyst® designation at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification and the Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™ designation. He is a member of Investment Management Consultants Association, CFP Board of Standards and the Institute for Preparing Heirs. Rick grew up navigating two worlds with complimentary sets of values. One culture focused on achieving success while the other focused on enjoying success. His focus includes multi-generational wealth planning, business succession strategies and tax aware investment management. He advises high net worth families, corporate executives, foundations and profit sharing plans. His goal is to help clients bridge the gap between building wealth and preserving it and has his clients make thoughtful, unhurried decisions. Rick has the knowledge, experience, and access to fully capitalize on the extensive resources and global reach of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.  Website https://advisor.ml.com/sites/ny/melville-ny/morse-group Listed as Richard Morse on the website Location Melville, NY About Music Matters with Darrell Craig Harris The Music Matters Podcast is hosted by Darrell Craig Harris, a globally published music journalist, professional musician, and Getty Images photographer. Music Matters is now available on Spotify, iTunes, Podbean, and more. Each week, Darrell interviews renowned artists, musicians, music journalists, and insiders from the music industry. Visit us at: www.MusicMattersPodcast.comFollow us on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/musicmattersdh For inquiries, contact: musicmatterspodcastshow@gmail.com Support our mission via PayPal: www.paypal.me/payDarrell  voice over intro by Nigel J. Farmer          

Kelly Cates is joined by Jamie Redknapp and Alan Pardew to discuss Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace with Archie Gray getting his first senior goal. Plus, all the post-match reaction from both managers, Archie Gray and Will Hughes.Listen to every episode of the Sky Sports Premier League Podcast here: skysports.com/sky-sports-premier-league-podcastYou can listen to the Sky Sports Premier League Podcast on your smart speaker by saying "ask Global Player to play the Sky Sports Premier League Podcast".For all the latest football news, head to skysports.com/premier-leagueFor advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk

The Senior Fire Fighter Podcast from PFFA, hosted by Josef Kuehnast. These long form interviews discuss the life and career of some of Portland Fire & Rescue's high performing, dedicated members.

Rosette Garcia, President of the San Diego Women's Foundation, and Deborah Martin, CEO of Elder Help of San Diego, talk about the Foundation's mission to foster collective philanthropy for a more equitable San Diego, and Elder Help's services to help seniors remain independent, with a focus on addressing isolation. Garcia and Martin shout out Elder Help's reception of a $60,000 grant from the Foundation.About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media  "Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 20 years.  "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.   For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting.   About Mission Fed Credit Union  A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/

A look at what parents and students should know about how to prepare for life after high school.

Senior staff at Community IT share what happened in nonprofit IT in 2025: AI and non-AI. What tips and advice have you missed? Top Nonprofit IT Stories of 2025As is our tradition, we asked some of our senior staff to talk about the most important nonprofit IT stories of 2025. This year, Carolyn gave them two categories – something in AI – or something that might not have gotten as much attention because it wasn't something in AI.AI continues to be a really big story. It has been described as the water we are all swimming in, whether we like it or not. It's going to be impacting all of us, and transforming every sector that nonprofits care about, in the coming years. Education, environment, government, health, privacy and advocacy, immigration, the economy – its easier to ask what issue will not be transformed in 2026 by AI because the answer is none. And in addition to transforming the communities nonprofits care about, perhaps more immediately AI will be transforming the day-to-day work nonprofit staff do, in new and quickly evolving ways. Community IT will continue to be a trusted partner as you make AI decisions and learn AI tools for productivity and added value.In addition to reflecting on AI or giving advice on AI tools, many of our staff members gave practical tips on changes to look for in 2026, from budgeting for increasing costs of laptops because of increasing costs of RAM storage (caused by AI needs!) to the increased security of Microsoft 365 login protections, to data protection considerations and updates to look out for, including Microsoft Archive. Data security and the value of data to nonprofits will continue to be of high importance in 2026, as will the evolution of cybersecurity. Finally, we know 2025 was very challenging to our nonprofit sector. With all of the changes our friends and colleagues are negotiating, we hope we can help nonprofit IT be the least difficult to manage. _______________________________Start a conversation :) Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/ email Carolyn at cwoodard@communityit.com on LinkedIn Thanks for listening.

James Stewart joined Justin Barrasso on his podcast "High Above Ringside". Justin is the Senior editor, Undisputed and a reporter with the Boston Herald. James and Justin talk about John Cena's final year, who will be World Champion sooner, what they're looking for in 2026. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

SUMMARY: In this episode, Aaron Hovivian and Terryn Turner unpack a critical hiring mistake many growing businesses make: treating every hire the same. They explain why some roles require speed while others demand patience. When teams are drowning, burning out, or relying on excessive overtime, especially in lower-cost or entry-level roles, waiting for the "perfect" hire creates more damage than moving quickly. In these situations, hiring fast relieves pressure, protects top performers, and restores operational stability. The conversation contrasts this with high-impact leadership roles, where hiring slowly is essential. Senior positions carry cultural, financial, and strategic weight, and rushing them can destabilize an organization. Using real client examples, they emphasize pacing hires based on urgency, role impact, and business stage. The episode reinforces a practical ops principle: scale by protecting your people, hiring with intention, and matching hiring speed to the level of risk each role carries.   Minute by Minute: 00:00 Introduction and Weather Talk 02:09 Hiring Strategies: Fast vs. Slow 09:08 The Importance of Timing in Hiring 14:55 Avoiding Burnout and Managing Team Capacity 21:02 Optimizing Roles and Responsibilities

AP's Lisa Dwyer reports on a new kind of "Senior moment"

289. mini-program dla polskich seniorów. W dzisiejszej audycji - o kolędzie Franciszka Karpińskiego „Bóg się rodzi”

Need to hire a senior tech expert but unsure where to start? Wondering how to spot top talent, avoid costly mistakes, and make sure your next hire truly elevates your business? If you're searching for a proven method to add high-level technical skill to your team, today's lesson is built for you.In this episode, Omar answers Gustav's question and breaks down his step-by-step process for finding and hiring senior tech talent. Drawing from decades of experience in the software game and real-life lessons building, scaling, and selling his own software company, he shares the strategies, insider tips, and practical know-how you need to make sure your project is in the right hands. From filtering candidates by skill and communication chops, to setting up the relationship for success, you'll get a practical guide to making smart, effective tech hires that will save you time, money, and plenty of future headaches.Ready to level up your hiring game? Hit the play button at the top of the page and learn how to find and secure the senior tech expertise your business deserves!To submit your questions, visit 100mba.net/q.Watch the episodes on YouTube: https://lm.fm/GgRPPHiSUBSCRIBEYouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

2025 on The InterviewIn 2025, the BBC launched The Interview, bringing you the best conversations from across the BBC. People shaping our world from all over the world.This special episode for The Documentary features three of the most compelling conversations from The Interview across the year. Senior politicians are held to account by experienced BBC journalists, who also bring a unique and personal insight to the conversation, with a behind-the-scenes take on each encounter that took place.US Energy Secretary Chris Wright's controversial challenge to climate orthodoxy was the subject of his conversation with the BBC's climate editor Justin Rowlatt. Like his boss President Trump, Secretary Wright believes the threat from climate change is exaggerated, and the rush to decarbonisation by renewables has been an expensive mistake. In an interview with BBC presenter Paul Njie, Somalia's president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud defends his efforts to tackle the terrorist insurgency in his country. And he stands firm in the face of demands for independence from the northern region of Somaliland - the unity of Somalia, he says, is sacrosanct. British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood set out her plans for a radical reform of the UK asylum system in a conversation with the BBC's Nick Robinson. It makes for an uncompromising message for those trying to enter Britain illegally. Thank you to the all the teams across the BBC who have helped us make The Interview throughout 2025. The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC. You can listen on the BBC World Service on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 0800 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out three times a week on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts. Presenter: Lucy Sheppard Producers: Ben Cooper, Clare Williamson, Farhana Haider, Lucy Sheppard Editors: Justine Lang and Nick Holland Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.

In this episode of The Executive Appeal, we welcome Mohamed Massaquoi, Founder of VESSOL, who brings deep expertise in leadership, mindset, and organizational performance.As we head into the Christmas holiday, Mohamed shares his remarkable journey and the lessons in resilience, focus, and high-pressure decision-making that now shape his work with executives and leadership teams.Senior executives often find themselves buried under decision overload, struggling to trust their teams, and trying to execute effectively while juggling personal and professional complexities—especially at this time of year. Mohamed offers practical insights on how leaders can build executive teams that operate with true ownership and autonomy, so fewer decisions roll up to the top.Listeners will learn:- How to foster a culture of proactivity where leaders and teams make high-quality decisions independently- Strategies for guiding your team through transitions, change, and complex business environments—without micromanaging- Ways to reduce bottlenecks and accelerate execution across departments- Techniques for managing leadership stress while staying fully present for your teamIf you're still the chief problem-solver for your executive team—constantly firefighting or overwhelmed by decisions that shouldn't need your attention—this episode is for you.

The Battle of Mansfield, Part One

Mansfield Senior heads to Ashland for a big OCC matchup

Filippo Sala"Zucchero Sugar Fornaciari"Come il soul all'improvvisoAncora Libriwww.ancoralibri.itChi è Zucchero Sugar Fornaciari? Il timido bimbo cresciuto a Roncocesi o il Gran Pastore del Blues all'italiana? Il giovane che cerca fortuna a Sanremo o la rockstar che duetta con Pavarotti, Clapton e Miles Davis? Se non si può tracciare un bilancio dell'Artista che oggi raccoglie i frutti dopo anni di semina, certo si può guardare l'Uomo. Diavolo e acqua santa, New Orleans e la Bassa, amore e solitudine: ecco l'arte del miscuglio, cifra stilistica di un artista figlio della provincia emiliana. Zucchero Sugar Fornaciari: un nome d'arte che, con ironia, scomoda perfino la Santissima Trinità. Lui che, battezzato Adelmo, da quarant'anni ci fa compagnia, con la sua musica sincera e piena di vita.Filippo Sala si è laureato in Linguaggi dei Media all'Università Cattolica di Milano, ateneo con il quale collabora tutt'ora con lezioni in veste di esperto sul rapporto tra musica, letteratura e spiritualità nei corsi di Italiano per la Comunicazione e Beni Culturali. Senior graphic designer presso una nota multinazionale del make-up, è da sempre appassionato di culture giovanili. Nella sua attività di divulgatore organizza corsi e talk sul rapporto tra i linguaggi artistici quali fumetto, cinema, fotografia e gli orizzonti dell'intelligenza artificiale.Cantautore, dagli anni Novanta a oggi ha suonato con Skiantos, Statuto e Nomadi ed è attualmente impegnato con la sua band, il Milanestrone, nella divulgazione e nel rinnovamento del dialetto milanese attraverso rassegne, concerti e spettacoli di teatro-canzone. Studioso innamorato del fenomeno Beatles e fin da bambino collezionista dei Fab Four, ha pubblicato i saggi Cantautori di Frontiera (Le Lettere, 2022) e Attraverso l'universo. L'anima pop dei Beatles (Àncora, 2024).Diventa un supporter di questo podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/il-posto-delle-parole--1487855/support.IL POSTO DELLE PAROLEascoltare fa pensarehttps://ilpostodelleparole.it/

In this episode of This Week in the NFL, Cowboy, Senior & D'Amato recap all the hard hitting action from this past weekend of the 2025 season and dig into week seventeen! 

Hire Yourself Podcast with Pete GilfillanAgeism is real, and it's accelerating. In this reuploaded episode, Pete breaks down how executives in their late 40s, 50s, and 60s can protect themselves from being pushed out of corporate life before they're ready. With layoffs rising, loyalty disappearing, and older leaders being overlooked or replaced, Pete outlines eight practical steps to stay relevant, protect your income, and build long-term security.In this episode, Pete discusses:Acknowledging ageism as a real threat Ageism is growing across industries. Recognizing the bias early helps you prepare and take strategic action before it impacts your career.Modernizing your resume and online presence Showcasing recent accomplishments, updated skills, and new certifications helps counter the perception that older executives aren't up to date.Continuing to build and demonstrate leadership Senior-level leaders bring decades of experience. Highlighting decision-making skills, innovation, and cross-generational leadership reinforces your value.Leveraging your network and building mentorship Strong professional relationships increase your visibility, create opportunities, and help validate your expertise.Upskilling and reskilling to stay relevant Staying current with technology, AI, data, and new systems demonstrates adaptability and commitment to growth.Leading multi-generational teams Showing strength in mentoring younger talent and collaborating across age groups helps counter age-based assumptions.Creating a Plan B through business ownership Real estate, consulting, and especially semi-absentee franchise ownership can help create income security when corporate roles disappear.Advocating for yourself in the workplace Communicating your value and maintaining visibility helps reduce the impact of bias, even in environments where ageism is never openly acknowledged.Key Takeaways:Ageism is real, rising, and impacting executives earlier than ever.Fifty percent of corporate executives over 50 are pushed out before they are ready.Only ten percent of those who get pushed out earn the same or more in their next role.You must protect yourself before ageism hits, not after.Building income security outside of corporate — especially through semi-absentee franchise ownership — creates real stability and control.A side business gives you a runway, a pivot point, and a safety net when corporate life shifts unexpectedly.“Ageism is unavoidable, but being unprepared is optional. Build something on the side so you're never caught flat footed.” — Pete GilfillanCONNECT WITH PETE GILFILLAN:

Senior lecturer at AUT, Dr Amandine Sabadel is a chemist, ecologist, environmental scientist and an eel expert. She's with Bryan to discuss why finding where they breed is so important - and why it's proving so difficult.

High and tight Top 10 for General Well Servicing! Merry Christmas and see you in 2026!This show and all of our shows brought to you by the Mainline Automotive Group! Worth the drive, every time, guaranteed.

St. Francis two-way lineman Jaylen Torres, who controlled both sides of the line of scrimmage and helped the team to its first state title since 2008, is the Kane County Chronicle football Player of the Year.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Home fires take their toll in lost lives, injuries and destroyed property.  During Christmas, house fires can be avoided or prevented. Make sure you take the time for precautions.  In this episode we will review the Top 3 ways to prevent fire in your home during the Holidays. These tips are good for everyone. Whether you own your home or you are renting. Feel free to share this episode with your friends and loved ones.   HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!!  If you loved this episode, kindly leave us a Review - FOLLOW this show and Share it on Social !  It would mean the world  

As 2025 comes to a close, political attention is already shifting to the 2028 presidential race, with early moves from both parties signaling what's ahead. At Turning Point USA's AmericaFest, newly named CEO Erika Kirk endorsed Vice President JD Vance. Meanwhile, Democrats, emboldened by some recent electoral wins, are floating familiar names as potential 2028 contenders. Republican strategist and Targeted Victory chief communications officer Matt Gorman joins the Rundown to break down the early jockeying. Gas prices have been falling, with drivers paying about 25 cents less per gallon than when President Trump returned to office. However, electricity bills are rising for many Americans. Senior energy analyst & and FOX Business Network contributor, Phil Flynn, joins the Rundown to forecast what could happen to gas and energy prices in 2026 and how the President's policies may impact those costs. Plus, commentary by FOX News Senior Medical Analyst, Dr. Marc Siegel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get to know LSU Beach Volleyball fifth-year senior Amaya Messier, who joined the Tigers from the University of Utah, on the latest episode of The Real Deal. Messier is a native of Aurora, Colo. and went to Cherokee Trail HS. Watch on LSU Plus.

What happens when a fragmented internal tool becomes the strategic backbone of a multibillion-dollar enterprise? In this podcast hosted by EY Platform Operations Lead Justin Leibow, Microsoft Senior Technical Product Lead Sangeetha Rajkumar shares how she rebuilt an overlooked portfolio system into a high-impact engine for clarity, alignment, and productivity. She traces her journey across T-Mobile, Microsoft, Amazon, and Walmart, and reflects on the product thinking, leadership lessons, and human-centered mindset that shaped her approach to scale and transformation.

Nottingham Forest will be 17th in the Premier League at Christmas after a miserable performance against Fulham as they lost 1-0. Senior players flopped as Forest created almost nothing, playing poorly in their third away game in a row. Matt Davies is joined by Elliott Talbot, Pete Blackburn and Steve Battlemuch to discuss the game in full. #nffc #nottinghamforest

Today - A senior Cochise County prosecutor has been fired and arrested following a disturbing incident in Sierra Vista that’s now under criminal investigation.Support the show: https://www.myheraldreview.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Jenny Mathers, Senior lecturer in International Politics at Aberystwyth University.

This sermon is preached by Pastor Bogdan Kipko, Senior and Founding Pastor of Forward Church. We hope you are encouraged by the message from God's Word, and we are thrilled to help you find hope in Jesus.For more information about Forward Church, please visit: www.forward.fmTo listen to all audio messages from Forward Church, please visit: www.forwardchurchpodcast.comTo support Forward Church financially, please visit: https://bit.ly/fwdchurchFollow Pastor Kipko on Instagram: www.instagram.com/kipko Watch all sermons from Forward Church on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kipko To get in touch with Forward Church or to request Pastor Bogdan Kipko to speak at your church or event, please send an email to: admin@forward.fm If you are visiting Southern California, we would love to have you come and enjoy the Sunday Service at Forward Church!

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureAll [CB] are now dropping rates because the US is dropping rates, we saw this during Trump first term. Initial jobless claims show the labor market is not weakening. Trump gives a speech on the state of the economy and the next inflation is almost inline with what the Fed wants. Trump has destroyed the Fed narrative, next phase coming. Trump is now in the process of setting everything up preparing for the midterms and stopping the [DS] form doing us harm. The seditious 6 sent the message, Trump just countered it with a 1776 bonus to the military. The patriots are in the process of bringing down the entire corrupt system. It’s being exposed and dismantled. Panic in DC. Economy https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/2001625195526971703?s=20 (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); https://twitter.com/profstonge/status/2001646305320546453?s=20 Initial Jobless Claims Show No Signs Of Labor Market Distress  After the Thanksgiving Week debacle, the number of Americans filing for jobless benefits for the first time remains back in the same – very low – range it has been in for the last four years at 224k…  So despite the uptick in the BLS-derived unemployment rate, jobless claims data show no signs of acute distress anywhere. Source: zerohedge.com https://twitter.com/RealEJAntoni/status/2001662433983696966?s=20 https://twitter.com/Geiger_Capital/status/2001647313157263628?s=20 https://twitter.com/RealEJAntoni/status/2001656024097272170?s=20 No, Inflation Did Not “Cool Unexpectedly”, It Slowed Because Trump Policies are Working    While the media proclaim, “inflation cooled unexpectedly,” the reality is that it's not unexpected.  The results of a slowing of price increase are not accidental; they are the result of Trump's domestic economic policies working. [Non-Paywall Source and Media Spin] President Trump has been cutting waste, fraud and abuse in runaway government spending; slashing costly regulations across all sectors of the economy and ending Green New Scam energy policy in favor of drill, baby, drill.  As noted by NEC Chairman Kevin Hasset, Trump has reduced deficit spending overall. There's still a long way to go, but significant MAGAnomic progress is being made.  Oh, and that skyrocketing “tariff inflation” the same shocked pundits proclaimed was sure to happen this time, well, that has not surfaced either.  Just like it didn't surface in 2018 or 2019 when the tariffs were applied the first time. NEW YORK –  Source: theconservativetreehouse.com Trump is winning against the CB system. https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2001649080762872069?s=20 https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/2001477403961626755?s=20  he took office–tariffs to create fair trade, reduced income tax, gutting the Green Energy Scam, promoting investment in American manufacturing, reducing the federal bureaucracy and eliminating crippling regulations, deporting illegal aliens and eliminating the “free stuff” we taxpayers give them, getting the Fed onboard, etc. But that plan needed time. Time enough to make the economy shine come the mid-terms. Now we will start to see the fruits of that plan, and Trump’s speech tonight is to announce that. Is he right? One thing I’ve learned is to never bet against Trump. Maybe he is wrong. Maybe I’m wrong. But I still have trust. Political/Rights Nolte: Failing Oscars Demoted to YouTube Starting in 2029, the irrelevant Oscars will have its annual irrelevant Academy Awards show broadcast on — lol — YouTube. To dwindling ratings and cultural relevance, the Oscars have been broadcast on ABC since 1976. The final broadcast will occur in 2028, which also happens to be the 100th anniversary of the award ceremony. So now the Oscars will stream on YouTube, where anyone who wants to can watch them for free online, at least through the end of the deal in 2033. Source: breitbart.com https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/2001675341828342074?s=20  Another didn't even know what building they were at. Meanwhile, no one had info on the shooter, and no one was rushing in. The suspect eventually slipped away. 10 were shot. 2 died. Brown University and the police failed, and now families are furious. And rightfully so! It wasn't just chaos. It was incompetence with a badge, and the price was paid in blood. Source: @Rightanglenews https://twitter.com/C_3C_3/status/2001369540119392433?s=20 https://twitter.com/DataRepublican/status/2001714347605922149?s=20  student. Chatman resigned from Utah after attempting to reform the university's police department and later took his position at Brown. His efforts coincided with student-led campaigns, including those supported by Fanaeian, to reduce campus policing in the wake of Lauren McCluskey's murder. At Brown University, Chatman recently faced an unanimous vote of no confidence back in October for the charge of having “directly contributed to an all-time low in morale and has strained the department's ability to effectively serve the Brown University community.” At the University of Utah, the student campaign to scale back policing was led by Emirya Fanaeian, the same leader of SLC Armed Queers. Fanaeian deleted the group’s social media in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination. She led a student research effort into campus policing while Chatman was employed there. Credit: @SKDoubleDub33 + @iamlisalogan … Developing. https://twitter.com/DataRepublican/status/2001340901537517902?s=20  appeared to contradict what was visible in the videos. We learned witnesses had actively coordinated to prevent one of their own from being charged. This is the same group that deleted its social media posts on the day of Charlie Kirk's assassination and is alleged to have had advance knowledge along with multiple trans groups. Then the police officer yesterday refused to comment on what the shooter shouted although multiple media reports had already said it wash “Allah Akbar.” Between that plus the mainstream celebrations of Kirk’s death and Jay Jones’s election, we cannot just yet write off the possibility that this country has fallen so far off the end that students and professors automatically are covering for the shooter even though they saw someone get shot point blank in the face. https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/2001748138324038022?s=20  home is about 50 miles from Providence, Rhode Island, where the Brown shooting took place. “Senior law enforcement officials tell Target 12 that federal, state and local authorities are now examining possible ties between the two crimes,” WPRI reported. “Multiple people familiar with the investigation said they have discovered evidence showing the two may be linked.” Loureiro was shot and killed in his home. The suspect remains at large. Loureiro was named head of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center at MIT last year. Speculation in media and online discussions has included possible ballistic matches (e.g., 9mm casings recovered at Brown) or similar vehicles spotted at both scenes (e.g., unverified mentions of Nissan Sentras), but these remain unsubstantiated and are not confirmed as the linking evidence.  Some online commentary has also suggested motives tied to international actors, like Iran, based on celebratory posts in certain Telegram channels, but this is purely speculative and unconfirmed. https://twitter.com/EWess92/status/2001718099972886750?s=20 DOGE Geopolitical https://twitter.com/amuse/status/2001502910677397573?s=20 ‘German' Globalist Authoritarianism: Berlin Migrant Housing Costs Skyrocket to Nearly €1 Billion, Tripling Since 2020    Newly released government figures have revealed the capital spent nearly €900 million ($9.8 million) in 2024 alone to house migrants, many of which do not have any kind of status in the country, almost triple the cost from just four years earlier, Die Welt reports. Internal Senate data confirms that accommodation expenses for foreign nationals reached €883 million last year, compared with €312 million in 2020, an increase of 183%. The numbers expose the real cost of mass migration policies pushed by Berlin's left-liberal globalist political class.  Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/2001674979348484469?s=20 https://twitter.com/RadioGenoa/status/2001634609424220333?s=20 https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/2001462937920184556?s=20 War/Peace FBI Agents Thought Clinton’s Uranium One Deal Might Be Criminal – But McCabe, Yates Stonewalled Investigation: Report Remember Uranium One? The massive 2010 sale of US uranium deposits to Russia approved by Hillary Clinton and rubber-stamped by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) – after figures linked to the deal donated to the Clinton Foundation? Turns out rank-and-file FBI investigators thought there was enough smoke to launch a criminal investigation, but internal delays and disagreements within the DOJ and FBI ultimately caused the inquiry to lapse, newly released records reveal.   The Uranium One transaction – involving the sale of a Canadian mining company with substantial U.S. uranium assets to Russia's state-owned nuclear firm Rosatom – became a flashpoint during Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. Critics argued that then-Secretary of State Clinton, a member of CFIUS, helped approve the deal while donors connected to Uranium One made large contributions to the Clinton Foundation.  The newly released documents suggest that the circumstances surrounding Uranium One were never fully investigated, leaving unresolved questions about how a strategic U.S. asset came under Russian control – and whether potential criminal conduct went unexamined due to internal delays and legal disputes. Source: zerohedge.com https://twitter.com/JoeLang51440671/status/2001445235759436036?s=20 https://twitter.com/HansMahncke/status/2001673497563607325?s=20 https://twitter.com/Dmytruk__Artem/status/2001657781443596657?s=20  Everything in our life is ‘for now.' The position may change in the future. Politicians change, some live, some die.” This statement cannot be interpreted in any other way. It refers specifically to Donald Trump and his team, who have consistently and reasonably opposed Ukraine's accession to NATO and the continuation of the war. Zelensky is effectively speaking about the physical elimination of political opponents. I have said this many times before. Zelensky has done and will continue to do everything to destroy Trump and everything associated with him — politically, informationally, and beyond. I have also stated that Zelensky is connected to assassination attempts on Trump and is also involved in the killing of Charlie Kirk. Today, the militant faction of the West reacts painfully to the truth, because this truth destroys their convenient narrative and shows that they are accomplices of a terrorist regime that is prepared to wait for people to die in order to retain power and prolong the war. Medical/False Flags https://twitter.com/robbystarbuck/status/2001468009248960833?s=20 https://twitter.com/HHSResponse/status/2001691600083091515?s=20 HHS, RFK Jr moves to STOP funds for hospitals that perform child sex changes [DS] Agenda https://twitter.com/amuse/status/2001676158140563662?s=20  case in US history is still billing Minnesota taxpayers. Feeding Our Future defendant Gandi Yusuf Mohamed, who changed his name before indictment, operates assisted living homes paid through Medicaid. Rep Kristin Robbins says the state paid him $49M over five years, including $132,000 this year alone. Despite red flags, Gov Tim Walz's administration approved licenses and kept payments flowing https://twitter.com/WallStreetApes/status/2001623482342224289?s=20   at 2 locations “Less than 150 square feet in size, smaller than some bathrooms — stores had one register, no carriages, no hand baskets” “One legitimate supermarket in the same area as these stores redeems approximately $80,000 in and SNAP benefits per month. Over the last 20 months, the Juswala variety store was redeeming between 3-6x that amount monthly” The 2 fake convenient store owners caught were both from Haiti https://twitter.com/amuse/status/2001342827804909728?s=20 President Trump's Plan https://twitter.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/2001437584468082999?s=20  cases like the pipe bomb investigation. And that's only a small part of the work he went about every single day delivering for America. He not only completed his mission – he far exceeded it. We will miss him but I'm thankful he accepted the call to serve. Our country is better and safer for it. https://twitter.com/TonySeruga/status/2001666110945661112?s=20 these 4 walls all day separated from my wife in DC.” https://twitter.com/ThePatriotOasis/status/2001662279184466380?s=20  to receive this check right before Christmas—We love you and your families, and we wish you a very Merry Christmas.” https://twitter.com/WarClandestine/status/2001484437091959133?s=20  in US cities nationwide and Trump has been threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act for months. Trump said this warrior dividend will be delivered before Christmas, and the $1,776 is meant to honor the founding of our nation. Christmas and 1776? Kind of reminds me of one very special painting. https://twitter.com/StephenM/status/2001421552496087246?s=20   No more. America's might will secure America's rights. America's military will defend America's destiny. For Americans, first and always. https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2001013033447952648?s=20 President Trump wasn’t playing “5D Chess” yesterday. There was no “OP” to leak information to retards like Tucker Carlson about war. None of that happened. The Whitehouse has been telling people for 2 days the speech was about the economy. Get a grip. https://twitter.com/MJTruthUltra/status/2001412804864094502?s=20  History. As President, he passed the highly ineffective ‘Unaffordable’ Care Act, resulting in his party losing control of both Houses of Congress, and the Election of the largest House Republican majority since 1946. He presided over a stagnant Economy, approved the one-sided Iran Nuclear Deal, and signed the one-sided Paris Climate Accords, both of which were later terminated by President Donald J. Trump.” “Under Obama, the ISIS Caliphate spread across the Middle East, Libya collapsed into chaos, and Russia invaded and took Crimea. In Ukraine. He crippled small businesses with crushing regulation and environmental red tape, devastated American coal miners, and weaponized the IRS and Federal bureaucracies against his political opponents. Obama also spied over the 2016 Presidential Campaign of Donald J. Trump, and presided over the creation of the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, the worst political scandal in American History. His handpicked successor, Hillary Rodham Clinton, would then lose the Presidency to Donald J. Trump.”  JOE BIDEN “Sleepy Joe Biden was, by far, the worst President in American History. Taking office as a result of the most corrupt Election ever seen in the United States, Biden oversaw a series of unprecedented disasters that brought our Nation to the brink of destruction. His policies caused the highest Inflation ever recorded, leading the U.S. Dollar to lose more than 20% of its value in 4 years. His Green New Scam surrendered American Energy Dominance and, by abolishing the Southern Border, Biden let 21 million people from all over the World pour into the United States, including from prisons, jails, mental institutions, and insane asylums. His Afghan Disaster was among the most humiliating events in American History, and resulted in the murder of 13 brave American Servicemembers, with many others gravely wounded. Seeing Biden’s devastation, the heinous Russia invaded Ukraine, and Hamas terrorists launched the October 7th attack on Israel.” https://twitter.com/DanScavino/status/2001516571106083001?s=20 (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");

0:30 - Brown/MIT: They got their guy 31:57 - Immigration angle 56:48 - Retired FBI supervisory special agent James Gagliano faults Brown University’s lack of functioning cameras for delaying the shooter investigation and the death of an MIT professor days later. 01:14:57 - Writer and photographer Chris Arnade, currently walking around the world, asks why Americans are unhappy — even in the most successful country in human history. Chris is also the author of Dignity: Seeking Respect in Back Row America and his substack Chris Arnade Walks the World 01:32:42 - Senior fellow at the Discovery Institute’s Center on Human Exceptionalism, Wesley J Smith: Illinois Swallows the Hemlock of Assisted Suicide. Follow Wesley on X @theWesleyJSmith 01:47:29 - Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, president of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy and co-founder of the Muslim Reform Movement, on why strong vetting is essential to protecting American values from radical Islamism. Dr Jasser is running for congress in Arizona’s 4th district - z4az.com 02:07:34 - 2025’s Final Open Mic Friday!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been said that nobody can fully understand the meaning of love unless they've had a dog. Billy Collins agrees, and he recently released his 12th volume of poetry, called “Dog Show." Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown spent time in New York City with Collins, and dogs, exploring this enduring relationship. It’s part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In the final show of 2025, Patrick Gray and Adam Boileau discuss the week's cybersecurity news, including: React2Shell attacks continue, surprising no one The unholy combination of OAuth consent phishing, social engineering and Azure CLI Venezuela's state oil firm gets ransomware'd, blames US… but what if it really is a US cyber op?! Russian junk-hacktivist gets indicted for cybering critical… err… a car wash and a fountain Microsoft finally turns RC4 off by default in Active Directory Kerberos Traefik's TLS verify=on … turns it off, whoopsie

Senior executives are often told to focus on big-picture strategy while delegating the specifics of execution. But, according to Scott Cook, cofounder and former CEO of Intuit, smart leaders also spend time on the details of how the organization gets work done at every level, including the front lines. Working with Harvard Business School professor Nitin Nohria, he studied companies from Toyota to Amazon to better understand why hands-on leadership, from the CEO down, works and how to do it without micromanaging. They are coauthors of the HBR article "The Surprising Success of Hands-On Leaders."