Podcasts about Seven pillars

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Josh and Avonlea Roy who vulnerably shares their journey of healing after infidelity and betrayal. From the pain of discovery to finding hope through the Pure Desire podcast in 2023, they recount the insights that helped them take their first steps toward restoration. Transitioning into group work with Betrayal & Beyond and Seven Pillars of Freedom, they discuss how these experiences deepened their healing and reshaped their faith. With honesty and encouragement, they reflect on pivotal moments that helped them rebuild trust, reconnect emotionally, and rediscover joy in their marriage. They also share how Pure Desire counseling and the Summit events provided breakthrough guidance along the way. Now hosts of their own show, Love After Lies, they offer wisdom, encouragement, and a message of hope to couples wondering if healing is possible. This episode is a reminder: love after betrayal is not only possible—it's worth fighting for.Resources:Join A Group!FREE Counseling ConsultationAll Our ToolsLove After Lies PodcastThe Toxic War on MasculinityAuthentic Intimacy (Juli Slattery) GET STARTEDFree eBook: 7 Keys To Understanding Betrayal TraumaFree eBook: 5 Steps to Freedom From PornSchedule Your Free 15-Minute Counseling ConsultationJoin A Pure Desire Online Group SOCIALSFollow us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramFollow us on X (Twitter) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Summary In this conversation, Chris Dyer shares insights on leadership, company culture, and the importance of saying yes to opportunities. He discusses his current projects, including AI in social media management and environmental initiatives in the wine industry. Dyer emphasizes the significance of positive leadership and the seven pillars that contribute to a thriving workplace culture. He reflects on his personal growth journey and the transformative power of embracing new experiences. Takeaways Successful people do not focus on their weaknesses. The spirit of the deal is about shrinking the loop. Positive leadership is about understanding what works. Saying yes can lead to unexpected opportunities. Company culture is crucial for employee satisfaction. The seven pillars of leadership are essential for success. Transformational leadership requires constant learning. AI can streamline social media management for organizations. Environmental responsibility is important in all industries. Personal growth often comes from stepping outside comfort zones.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Energy Check 01:59 Chris Dyer's Background and Current Projects 05:36 AI and Social Media Management 09:22 The Wine Industry and Environmental Impact 13:29 Transformational Leadership and Company Culture 17:39 The Seven Pillars of Positive Leadership 21:18 The Importance of Saying Yes 25:22 Positive Leadership vs. Toxic Positivity 29:24 Conclusion and Future Endeavors

This week on the Risen & Fallen Podcast, I sit down with Bill Goodwin, founder of Priority Living Consulting Group and author of Priority Living: Seven Pillars to Make Your Life Count. Bill shares the incredible story of the day he went into respiratory failure, died, and came back with a transformed understanding of purpose, leadership, and intentional living. We dive into: • What Bill learned from dying and returning to life • How that moment reshaped his mission and priorities • The Seven Pillars of Priority Living • Why so many people feel directionless — and how to change it • How to build a meaningful life through discipline, clarity, and self-leadership • My own reflections on growth, struggle, and finding purpose through the rise and the fall If you're in a season of rebuilding, searching for clarity, or trying to live more intentionally, this conversation will speak directly to you. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs it.   Get a FREE Chapter of his book, Priority Living: Seven Pillars to Make Your Life Count https://www.prioritylivingcg.com/priority-living-book   Bill's links: https://linktr.ee/coachbillgoodwin   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-goodwin-09549099/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/bill.goodwin.14289210 IG: @coachbillspeaks AND @prioritylivingconsultinggroup   Website :https://www.prioritylivingcg.com   If you liked the show, help it grow!   Leave a review and rate 5 stars on Apple Podcast, and Spotify!

On this episode of The Ricecast, Pastors Willy Rice and Dan Pigsley talk about the Thanksgiving, The Florida Baptist Convention, Pastor's Come Before Winter Sermon, The SBC Presidency, and The Seven Pillars of Renewal needed for the Southern Baptist Convention. On October 31, 2025, Pastor Willy Rice announced his intention to allow his name to be placed in nomination for the Presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention in 2026. In doing so, he has begun outlining the “Pillars of Renewal” that will shape his vision and focus for this season of renewal within the SBC.Learn More at www.baptistrenewal.usSupport the showFind us at! Calvary.us

On this episode of The Ricecast, Pastors Willy Rice and Dan Pigsley talk about the cold weather, The Florida Baptist Convention, Missions Month, The SBC Presidency, and The Seven Pillars of Renewal needed for the Southern Baptist Convention. On October 31, 2025, Pastor Willy Rice announced his intention to allow his name to be placed in nomination for the Presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention in 2026. In doing so, he has begun outlining the “Pillars of Renewal” that will shape his vision and focus for this season of renewal within the SBC.Learn More at www.baptistrenewal.usSupport the showFind us at! Calvary.us

On this episode of The Ricecast, Pastors Willy Rice and Dan Pigsley talk about College Football (GO GATORS), CCHS Volleyball State Championship, The SBC Presidency, and The Seven Pillars of Renewal needed for the Southern Baptist Convention. On October 31, 2025, Pastor Willy Rice announced his intention to allow his name to be placed in nomination for the Presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention in 2026. In doing so, he has begun outlining the “Pillars of Renewal” that will shape his vision and focus for this season of renewal within the SBC.Learn More at www.baptistrenewal.usSupport the showFind us at! Calvary.us

Hal Shurtleff, host of the Camp Constitution Report, interviews Dr. Max Lyons of The Biblical Thinker.  His website and E-mail:  https://thebiblicalthinker.com/   thebiblicalthinker@gmail.comDr. Max Lyons served as teacher and administrator in three Christian schools since 1979. He has served as Principal at the elementary, middle and high school levels, and was the Head Administrator and CFO at StoneBridge School. His last school position was Director of Guidance at Atlantic Shores Christian School.  He has extensive experience in all aspects of Christian School management, including curriculum development, teacher professional development, recruiting and admissions, fundraising, business management, board development, and guidance and counseling. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Virginia Wesleyan College, a Masters in Christian School Administration from Regent University, and a Ph.D. in Christian Education from Whitefield Theological Seminary. From 2014-25 he served as Director of Teaching Services at the Foundation for American Christian Education and he currently serves FACE as a Coach in the Leading Schools Program. Max is a teacher, coach, curriculum writer, consultant, and conference speaker, specializing in the areas of Bible, history, government, economics, and Biblical worldview. He has taught a FACE Principled Studies Group (Biblical worldview Sunday school class) for over three decades.His nine publications include the Student Worldview Dictionary, Celebrate our Christian Holidays Like You Were There, Government Takes All…What's Left for Me?, Sons and Daughters Walking in the Truth, How to Establish a Christian School to Restore the Republic, The Seven Pillars of Liberty, Free Men and Free Markets, The Principle Approach to Teaching Bible  and The High School Student's Complete Guide to College Planning. He and his wife Margie co-authored an upper elementary Bible curriculum entitled Thinking and Acting Like Jesus. He is co-author of Odyssey of Faith, a children's book and Virginia history curriculum. He has several books published in Portuguese that are used by a network of Principle Approach schools in Brazil. Government Takes All…What's Left for Me? and Free Men and Free Markets are published in Spanish.Max currently serves as President of The Biblical Thinker, and In his spare time Max writes and produces publications with Margie and Rachel, enjoys outdoor activities including pickleball, and remodels properties owned by his children and family.Max and Margie have four children and eight grandchildren, and they attend Kempsville Presbyterian Church.Camp Constitution is a New Hampshire based charitable trust.  We run a week-long family camp, man information tables at various venues, have a book publishing arm, and post videos from our camp and others that we think are of importance. Please visit our website www.campconstitution.net

When I first connected with Wendy Pitts Reeves, I knew she was someone who truly gets it — the ups, downs, and constant balancing act of running a private practice. In this episode, Wendy joins me to share her powerful framework, The Seven Pillars of a Thriving Private Practice, and it's one you'll want to take notes on. Wendy has spent decades building her own successful practice in Tennessee and now helps other therapists do the same through her coaching and podcast, Ideal Practice. In our conversation, we dive into what it takes to build a business that's not just profitable, but purposeful — one that fits who you are and how you want to live. We talk about: Why getting clear on your purpose changes everything How to serve your ideal clients (and enjoy the work again) The importance of solid systems and boundaries Developing a confident money mindset And how your perspective shapes your success This is one of those conversations that reminds us why we do this work — and how to build a practice that truly supports both your clients and your life.

Welcome to The Superhumanize Podcast. I'm your host, Ariane Sommer, and today we're diving into one of the most paradigm-shifting conversations in modern medicine: the metabolic theory of cancer.For decades, we've been told that cancer is primarily a genetic disease, a matter of unlucky mutations that require aggressive pharmaceutical interventions. But what if that's only part of the story? What if cancer is fundamentally a metabolic disease, a disorder of cellular energy production that we can address through diet, lifestyle, and targeted metabolic therapies?This isn't fringe science. And it's giving patients new hope, and new options, beyond the standard cut, poison, and burn model. Today, I'm thrilled to welcome Dr. Donese Worden to the show. Dr. Worden is a board-certified Naturopathic Medical Doctor, researcher, and global health educator who has dedicated her career to bridging conventional and alternative cancer care. She's collaborated with Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, served as CEO of Care Oncology, and works directly with Dr. Seyfried on metabolic cancer research. She's also the creator of the 7 Pillars of Health framework, a comprehensive approach to resilience that addresses everything from sleep and gut health to spiritual wellbeing.Dr. Worden's motto is 'Educate, Empower, Enlighten,' and that's exactly what we're going to do today. We'll explore the metabolic theory of cancer, discuss both prevention and treatment strategies, and give you a roadmap for building resilience at every level.Episode Highlights00:00 Welcome + why the “metabolic theory of cancer” matters02:00 Genetics vs. metabolism: why only ~5% is strictly genetic (and gene expression is modifiable)03:45 Warburg's mitochondrial lens; PET scans lighting up because cancer voraciously consumes sugar06:45 How we veered away historically; incentives that kept oncology gene-centric09:00 What damages mitochondria today: toxins, antibiotics (without mitigation), chronic stress10:30 Stress as a metabolic driver; why it keeps glucose high even on a “good” diet12:30 Ketogenic therapy for cancer: high fat, lower protein (individualized), carbs mainly from veggies15:00 Measuring correctly: Keto-Mojo, GKI (Glucose-Ketone Index); skip urine strips for accuracy17:00 Fast stress relief protocols: music-guided entrainment, breath work, active meditation, journaling20:15 Somatic breath work in practice; rapid emotional release21:00 Best fats and how Dr. W screens with food-sensitivity testing first23:15 Keto cycles for prevention: 6-week blocks a couple times per year24:15 Exercise as mitochondrial medicine: HIIT + resistance for biogenesis and cancer risk reduction26:00 The KetoPet model: ketogenic diet + HBOT + interval training; lessons for humans28:15 Starting movement in late-stage cases; meeting people exactly where they are30:15 “Press–Pulse” strategy: what stays constant vs. what's pulsed to outsmart tumor adaptation32:00 Repurposed meds (e.g., metformin, doxycycline) and why many oncologists can't step outside SOC33:00 Bridging care: when surgery/chemo/radiation have a role; aiming at cancer stem cells37:15 Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT): driving O₂ into cells; why it's pulsed and protocol-specific39:30 Outcomes Dr. W sees most consistently: better quality of life, often longer survival41:00 The psychology of prognosis; belief, stress, and manifestation43:00 The “placebo” as your body's own pharmacy (parasympathetic healing state)44:15 Targeting glutamine along with glucose; where evidence stands now (e.g., berberine, exercise, stress)46:45 The Seven Pillars of Health overview (self-audit)48:30 Pillar 1 — Sleep: deep/REM, how you feel on waking49:15 Pillar 2 — Body: strength,...

Unlocking Human Potential: The Journey of Overcoming Adversities with Daniel MetcalfeIn this episode, Jason engages with Daniel Metcalfe, who shares his compelling life journey from a near-fatal accident to becoming a leader in health and wellness. Daniel discusses the importance of maintaining health, both physically and cognitively, while pursuing success. He emphasizes the role of mindset, the body's healing capabilities, and resilience. They explore the seven pillars of natural health and the transformative power of challenges. Daniel also provides insights on his innovative balance training for brain activation and shares personal anecdotes that highlight the significance of overcoming adversities to achieve greatness.00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Dan01:33 Dan's Incredible Journey Begins05:46 The Turning Point: Overcoming Adversity07:25 The Power of Mindset and Resilience12:24 Rebuilding and Achieving New Heights19:00 The Darkest Moments and Finding Purpose37:40 Creating a Revolutionary Product48:18 Business Challenges and Lessons Learned53:30 Debt Forgiveness and Emotional Impact53:50 Belief vs. Hope54:40 Company Relaunch and Success Stories55:46 Balance and Health59:42 Personal Triumphs and Brain Health01:19:17 Seven Pillars of Natural Health01:36:35 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode of Talking Nutrition, Johan is joined by functional health practitioner and educator Nick Tognietti.You'll learn about 'The Seven Pillars of Disease Reversal, Prevention, and Longevity', and how these pillars are the very foundation of a long, healthy, happy life.Johan and Nick dive into Nick's personal health journey and how he reversed his own kidney issues, how this ultimately led him to start his own practice, how to take full responsibility for your own health, and much more.Enjoy this week's episode, and make sure to follow Nick on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lifestyle_of_eden/ You can also listen to his podcast 'Lifestyle of Eden' on Spotify. Want a FREE in-depth habit assessment to see if your current nutrition and lifestyle slow down your metabolism and keep you from losing fat sustainably? Go to: https://checkout.odysseycoachingsystems.co/metabolism-lifestyle-quiz138572 ... ... and Johan will email you a personalized video with a detailed 90-day roadmap that'll help you break through any weight loss plateaus, STOP yo-yo-dieting, and finally create the body you're proud of!

In this episode of Momentum Mastery, we explore how to create lasting transformation by focusing on the seven key areas of life:PhysicalMentalEmotionalSpiritualRelationshipsCareerCreativity✨ Learn how to:Recognize and reprogram negative thought patternsUse meditation, journaling, and breathwork to calm the mindRewire your subconscious through affirmations and self-talkCelebrate small wins to build long-term momentumShift your perspective to gratitude—even for life's challenges

This is Dr. Pete Norris from The Beauty of Grace Podcast. We would love to hear from you. Support the show

This is Dr. Pete Norris from The Beauty of Grace Podcast. We would love to hear from you. Support the show

What if one leadership communication skill could instantly energize your relationships and boost your impact? In this episode, you'll discover a communication tool that goes far beyond a quick “thank you.” It's about tapping into genuine gratitude in a way that not only uplifts others but also transforms how you show up as a leader. If you've ever wanted your team to feel more valued and engaged—or you've been searching for a way to feel more grounded and joyful yourself—this conversation is exactly what you need. Here's what you'll walk away with when you listen: How writing letters of gratitude benefits not just the recipient, but you as the writer. Seven proven ways gratitude strengthens leadership, builds loyalty, and elevates morale. Practical, easy-to-use frameworks to express meaningful appreciation—even if writing isn't your thing. Press play now to learn how gratitude can become your secret leadership advantage—and start practicing a skill that will transform both your career and your life. Check out: [02:59] – The First Letter of Gratitude Joel Zuckerman shares how a single unexpected letter sparked an ongoing practice that transformed both his life and his relationships. [08:35] – The Seven Pillars of Expressive Gratitude A rapid-fire breakdown of the seven powerful benefits of writing letters of gratitude, from personal growth to creating a ripple effect. [17:28] – Seven Paragraphs, Seven Sentences, Seven Words Joel explains his simple framework for making gratitude practical—whether you want to write a full letter or just offer a quick but powerful acknowledgment. About Joel Zuckerman: Joel has written for decades about golf, travel, and sports for all sorts of different publications, and this year, he released a book that we are very excited to share with you in this episode. The book is called Gratitude Tiger, and it's all about a specific practice that's going to create more joy for you and for others. Leadership Without Using Your Soul podcast offers insightful discussions on leadership and management, focusing on essential communication skills, productivity, teamwork, delegation, and feedback to help leaders navigate various leadership styles, management styles, conflict resolution, time management, and active listening while addressing challenges like overwhelm, burnout, work-life balance, and problem-solving in both online and in-person teams, all aimed at cultivating human-centered leadership qualities that promote growth and success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clay Hicks shares how (and why) he created the H7 Network, the first word-of-mouth platform in formal business networking. Connect with him at  https://www.linkedin.com/in/claytonrhicks/ For more great insight on professional relationships and business networking contact Frank Agin at frankagin@amspirit.com.

In this week's episode, we take a new approach—using AI to debate and unpack Kevin Whelan's “The 7 Pillars of Wealth: Your Guide to Complete Financial Independence in the 21st Century.” Drawing on the WealthBuilders philosophy, we explore the actionable blueprint for building lasting wealth, why the old rules no longer work, and how anyone can start their journey to financial independence—regardless of their starting point.Key Topics Covered:The 21st Century Wealth ParadigmWhy wealth-building today is about more than just accumulating moneyThe shift from individual to collaborative wealth creationKevin Whelan's Blueprint: The Pantheon AnalogyThe structure: a solid foundation, seven pillars, and a protective roofThe guiding principle: Never let a month go by without building wealthThe Foundation: Financial SmartnessFour key areas:Debt smart: Manage or eliminate debt strategicallyTax smart: Use tax advantages legally and intelligentlyBill smart: Optimise regular expenses to free up capitalSure smart: Protect your plan against the unexpectedThe Roof: The Three L'sLegal: Wills, trusts, and asset ownershipLegacy: Passing on wealth and purposeLegend: Sharing financial wisdom to build an enduring legacyThe 7 Pillars of WealthHome Equity – Leveraging your home as an asset, not just a liabilityPensions – Unlocking the power of pensions for current and future wealthInvestments – Building confidence and protecting against market volatilityProperty Portfolio – Beyond buy-to-let: creative property strategiesBusiness – Working on your business, not just in it, for maximum ROIIntellectual Property – Monetising your ideas and expertiseJoint Ventures – The power of collaboration to accelerate wealthThe New Financial RealityThe “triple whammy”: Demise of final salary pensions, unreliable state pensions, and low annuity ratesWhy the next generation faces new challenges—and opportunitiesMindset Shifts & Practical StepsThe importance of a personal “why” as your catalystThe new declaration of financial independence: Seven core values for WealthBuildersThe three stages of asset income: Security, Independence, AbundanceCommon Traps and How to Avoid ThemThe “five C's”: Consumed, Capacity, Complexity, Confusion, CatalystWhy a multi-pillar mentor and strategic plan are now essentialPractical TakeawaysEvery financial decision should move you closer to building wealth—there are no neutral choices.Identify your “financial independence number”: the monthly asset income you need for the life you want.Embrace collaboration—joint ventures can unlock exponential growth.Focus on legacy: True wealth is about passing on values and wisdom, not just money.Take action: Decide “how much, by when?” and commit to your own journey.Resources Mentioned:Download 'The 7 Pillars of Wealth' eBook by Kevin WhelanConnect with Us:Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.For more inspiring stories and actionable tips, subscribe to Wealth Talk and leave us a review!Next Steps On Your WealthBuilding Journey: Join the WealthBuilders Facebook CommunitySchedule a 1:1 call with one of our teamBecome a member of WealthBuildersIf you have been enjoying listening to WealthTalk - Please Leave Us A Review!If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review WealthTalk on your favourite podcast platform

What if the local church isn't just one voice among many—but the lens through which heaven breathes hope into society? Could it be that revival is not random, but built on pillars we've been called to restore?This message explores the prophetic picture of a church not on the sidelines of the world, but at the very center of God's redemptive story. Drawing from Ephesians, Proverbs, Isaiah, and the life of Nehemiah, we see how the church holds the keys to the kingdom—keys that unlock healing in broken families, wisdom in weary businesses, and courage in cultural chaos. Whether you're longing to know your purpose or hungering to see your faith impact the world around you, this message will awaken a fresh love for the local church and the role you play within it.Get the message notes: https://linccollective.co/2025/08/12/open-house-a-church-that-changes-things/Scriptures: Ephesians 1:23; Matthew 16:18–19; Proverbs 9:1–6; Isaiah 11:1–300:00 – A Church That Changes Things03:32 – The Church at the Center, Not the Sidelines06:55 – The Seven Pillars and the Power of the Table15:21 – Unlocking the Kingdom: Authority and Access25:12 – Isaiah 11 and the Spirit That BuildsConnect with us:Website: http://lincchurch.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/lincchurchFacebook: https://facebook.com/lincchurchTwitter: https://twitter.com/lincchurchPodcast: https://apple.co/2Jx8wG0#LINCchurch #LINC To support this ministry financially and help us continue to reach people all around the world click here: https://lincchurch.com/giving

Are you living life on autopilot, feeling stuck in a cycle of unfulfillment? In this eye-opening solo episode, I delve into the seven pillars of intentional living that can help you break free from survival mode and start thriving. Drawing from my own experiences as a single father, divorcee, and someone who's faced profound loss, I offer a roadmap to help you realign your life with purpose.The Seven Pillars of Intentional Living1. Financial AlignmentDiscover why earning more isn't always the answer and how understanding the rules of money can transform your financial outlook. Learn to align your spending with your values and build a foundation for true wealth.2. Mental MindfulnessUnpack the mental clutter that's sabotaging your decisions. I share my personal strategies for journaling, reflection, and coaching to help you achieve mental clarity - a necessity for every aspect of your life.3. Physical InvestmentYour body is the vessel that carries your purpose. Learn why treating movement, sleep, and nutrition as assets is crucial for achieving your goals and living a purposeful life.4. Emotional LiteracyUnderstand how emotions drive your decisions and behavior. I explain why developing emotional intelligence is essential for creating a robust financial strategy and living intentionally.5. Continuous LearningExplore why personal development is the bridge between where you are and where you want to be. I share insights on how to keep growing and avoid the pitfalls of complacency.6. Intentional RoutinesSuccess is built on daily choices. Learn how to structure your days around what truly matters and create routines that reflect your core values.7. Storytelling PowerDiscover the healing and connecting power of sharing your story. I explain how vulnerability can be a strength and why learning to tell your story effectively is crucial for personal growth.This episode is packed with actionable advice for anyone feeling lost or stuck in their current life situation. Whether you're struggling with finances, relationships, or finding your purpose, you'll find guidance to help you start living intentionally.Don't miss this opportunity to reframe your perspective on success and start giving a heck about your whole self. Tune in now and take the first step towards living life on purpose, not by accident! Connect with Dwight Heck:Website: https://giveaheck.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/give.a.heckFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/dwight.heckFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GiveaheckYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@giveaheckLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwight-raymond-heck-65a90150/TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@giveaheckX: https://x.com/give_a_heck

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Join our masterclass and enjoy the retirement you always dreamed of: https://bit.ly/4mtrBrH Feeling stuck, drained, or disconnected in retirement? You're not alone. In today's video, Mark and Jody share real-life stories, hard truths, and practical strategies to help you reignite your purpose, rebuild structure, and reclaim your energy in this next chapter of life. From the hidden dangers of endless free time and isolation to the warning signs of Retirement Drift™, they offer powerful solutions grounded in their Seven Pillars framework. You'll learn how to reset your habits, find daily micro-purpose, strengthen your health and relationships, and turn your discovery years into your most fulfilling phase yet. If you're ready to stop drifting and start living with intention, this episode is a must-watch. #retirement_transformed #retirementcouple #retirement BUY MARK'S BOOK! The Evolving Man: Life Virtues Men Don't Talk About USEFUL FINANCIAL TOOLS https://geni.us/new_retirement Use this link for a FREE 14 Day Trial! [Get the FREE Downsizing Guide] How to prepare to downsize your home CONNECT: Engage in our Free Facebook Community ✔️ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/retirementtransformed ✔️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retirementtransformed ✔️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retirementtransformed ✔️ Amazon Shop: https://www.amazon.com/shop/retirementtransformed ABOUT RETIREMENT TRANSFORMED Husband and wife duo, Mark & Jody Rollins, inspire and serve as personal guides to meaningful, transformational journeys for individuals who are planning for, going through or are living in retirement. This is everything in retirement beyond your financial plan. We are not financial advisors or medical experts. Any advice we give is our own and should not be taken as professional advice. This video is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Please seek professional assistance before making any financial decisions or changes that can affect your physical or mental health. FTC: Some links mentioned above may be affiliate links, which means we earn a small commission if you buy a product from the specific link. This video is not sponsored. All Content and video segments are the copyright and owned by ©Retirement Transformed and cannot be used without permission.

Cáel  Defeats The Illuminati: Part 19The Great Hunt.Book 3 in 19 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels.‘The Hunt is never an easy thing because in the Wild there are things which hunt the hunters'September 11th: First Day Of The Great HuntCentral ArgentinaFelix was still nursing his hurt hand when I came back from my Ishara-space."Well?" he smirked."Plenty of good news," I smirked right back from the place where I had dropped when Felix had cold-cocked me. "Suffice it to say the weather on the final day will be in our favor ~ no more precise answer than that from the goddess SzélAnya ~ plus our horses will not throw us, or give away our position. That's from the Goddess Epona by the way.""Finally, the Goddess Ishara will be watching over us and our travails... she will send omens to warn us of hunters closing in as well as talk to me in my dreams. Apparently she doesn't want me; us; to shame her in this contest so is taking this competition seriously. Mind you, this means the other goddesses will be taking this contest seriously as well, so we have our work cut out for us again.""What is Ishara the Goddess of again?" the teased me."Oaths, love and medicine," I repeated my answer."Fine," the grinned, "is there any goddess in my corner?""None that bothered talking to me," I snorted. "Want me to knock you out and see what you can see?""Nah... I'm Felix Melena. I work better alone.""You mean in alone in a team of two, right?""Yeah; a team of four actually, Nyilas. Don't forget our mounts," Felix motioned to our two horses.I was ecstatic because they had brought Peppermint down from 'Summer Camp' for this romp through the Pampas. To me she was the perfect mare for this endeavor.Felix had been gifted with a spirited gelding named 'Thunderbolt'; 'Rayo' in Spanish. He was a black haired beast with white sox and a white diamond on his forehead. Felix had wanted a stallion, but the Horse-mistresses of Epona had nixed that choice as highly impractical for a horse-virgin such as himself. I had to agree as stallions had far too much spirit and the likelihood of one making noise when it smelled an unknown mare was far too high... so a gelding it was.Not that an 'unknown' mare was that much of a possibility. See, we had been put down where the other thirty huntresses would also be starting from; a makeshift corral our host Freehold had put together as the entrance to some 'badlands' in which the hunt would be taking place. There ten Amazons; with their own mounts; manned the place, fed the horses and made sure no one cheated out of the starting gate.We had our 24 hours head start on our pursuers, but that didn't turn out to be the huge edge we thought it would be. We were given the first part of our map... which led to the area we would find our second part of our map... and so on until sometime late Saturday night, or Sunday morning, we would find the final part of our map which would direct us to where our extraction point would be.We were to be extracted at Noon; not sunset as we had originally been told; on Sunday. Actually, anytime between ten minutes before to ten minutes after... so fair this was not seeing as we were novice outdoorsmen. Still, those were the rules we were given so off we went early Thursday morning. In the truest Amazon fashion, this was to be a contest which required the utmost skill and endurance to win.Heading out, Felix and I were deciding on what the enemy strategy, or strategies, would be. We figured some would start by simply trailing us seeing as how they were better both at tracking as well as doing so from horseback. The second group would follow a different, but equally difficult 'Treasure Hunt' toward our final point of extraction and wait for us there.I reminded Felix that neither he nor I nor any of the Amazons would be riding our horses to death, or even injury, because that wasn't the Amazon way. Such callous disregard for one's mount wasn't in them and we had to follow that dictum, or suffer irreparable harm to our own 'honor' should we do so and somehow win. Doing so and losing... we decided to not even go there.This also meant we had to take time for our horses to graze and find water for them to drink along the way. After getting that lecture, Felix wondered out loud if it wouldn't be a better idea for us to let our horses loose and 'hoofing' it ourselves seeing as how the Amazons would also have to follow the same horse etiquette. I had to remind him reluctantly how much faster horses could travel. Horses were the way to go.The difference was there was no rapid charging across the landscape with the Sun at our backs as we headed out. No, we took it at a steady trot until we hit our first terrain feature; a steady gradient cut in the side of a canyon which had been created over the millennia by the forces of wind and rain. Down we went. Our horizon sunk down until all we had were the walls of the canyon.Our map directed us to take this route to the first 'treasure horde', whatever that was. By the way we were moving and how the Sun slowly crawled up above us; recall it was almost 'spring' down under; we figure we were making good progress toward our first target... which we located without too much hassle around noon.It was a Bonanza! Not for us, but for the horses. We had four bags of grain for our mounts. We humans received some sort of indescribable jerky (since it was probably not human we decided to eat it... later [it turned out to be the local flightless bird and it tasted like chicken jerk jerky too!]). There was also the second part of our map which led us farther out into the wilderness. Off we went.Third Treasure Trove.By evening we had found our third treasure trove. The second had contained two compasses and two hatchets (Yippee!). The third had contained two sections of twenty-five meter rope and some flint and tinder so we could start a fire. Felix was all for this as it was butt-numbing cold already and we were damn tired from a day full of riding.We compromised by creating a banked fire. We also decided to sleep instead of pushing on. It was pretty dark outside even with the three-quarters Moon above. We definitely didn't want to walk our mounts into something which could bring them up lame this early in the contest. I assured Felix we couldn't abandon them and leading them would be torture. Essentially we would be disqualified.I won the compass toss and got to sleep the first part of the night. Felix woke me around Moon-set and then I kept watch; there were predators about, or so we believed; until sunrise. Then we ate the last of the jerky, fed and watered our mounts then head out once more. This time our hearts began to hammer within their cages and every noise had sinister implications.See, the Amazons are cheating bitches of all cheating bitches and could have started after us at 12:01 last night and pushed on following our trail through the night. Being expert horsewomen and spectacular trackers they could do shit like that. We, their prey, had to be clever in other ways. What those ways were weren't relatively apparent though.Maybe Pamela could show up and, after slapping me upside my head, give me a clue. No Pamela arrived though so we were on our own. Shortly after the Sun crested the canyon walls; we kept to the canyons just in case; we came across the fourth 'trove'... and it was chilling. We received two binoculars and some more jerky (it was to be our lunch). The binoculars were the chilling part because if WE had some then most likely the Amazons behind us had some as well.Also, the way from our fourth treasure to out fifth put us in the horns of a dilemma. We could either cut over the sides of the canyon to where the fifth treasure trove/map was, or keep to the canyon and travel three times the distance. After a quick discussion followed by some 'rock-paper-scissors' (complete with a prayer to Dot Ishara), I won, so up and over the side we went.To reduce the size of our silhouette, we dismounted and led our horses across the... and stumbled across a herd of cattle; Sweet Mother Ishara! We moved through the herd, waved to the accompanying Amazon gaucho, and went on our way. Felix muttered something about my 'dumb' luck. He-he-he-he-he... We talked to the gaucho, turned on the charm and convinced her to not tell any of our pursuers we had come by this way.She was like nineteen years old and I could tell really took a shine to Felix... so he promised to come back and visit her the moment he won the contest. After we departed her and her track-erasing herd of cattle, I pulled him aside."You had better keep that promise to that girl. If you don't, she and her kinfolk will hunt your ass down and tag you like a mule deer in the Yellowstone," I cautioned him."I know. I know," he grinned. "These are some crazy ass bitches. Besides, being the lone male in a freehold of women has its own appeal."I thought we were in safe territory again when Felix finally asked that doom-laden question."Cáel , where have all their dudes gotten off to?"'Oh shit', I mused. How much of the truth could Felix handle?"I'm only telling you this because I like you," I said then took a deep breath. "They sold them to the Nine Clans... they are a bunch of assassins.""Really?" he studied me. Like he was going to catch me in a lie after four years of dating the most dangerous game on this Earth; girlfriends."Really. Where do you think they get those legion of ninja and combat fighters from? Sure their life expectancy isn't what we have, but it is much better than they would have if they stayed home." There was some part of the truth in that."That seems... short-sighted.""What do you think guys like us are for? Now they won't have to kidnap local passer-byers for weeklong orgies.""How come words has never gotten out about this?" Felix was relentless."It has from time to time, but Havenstone makes sure such reports are relegated to the realm of tabloids and UFO aficionados. If that doesn't work, they bribe some people to bury the story. If that doesn't work, they kill some people.""Now that I believe," Felix nodded."That they kill people to keep their secrets?""Absolutely. They look like the kind of girlfriend who wouldn't be happy unless she burns your balls before your eyes after you break up.""How succinct," I nodded back."So, are we ever going to see Khalid, Trent, or Brian again?""Sure... they are only being kept prisoners and milked of their seeds... but I can arrange for you go to go meet them if you really want to," I offered."No thanks," Felix shook his head then grinned. "They washed out while only you and I remain. Let me find them on my own and get some sort of permission from Ms. Love (Katrina) first. I thought Khalid was kind of cool and Trent was the kind of brother I could invite out for a beer, or ten.""Not Brian?""Brian was too invested in himself and his weevil-ing ways. I couldn't trust him at my back, or with my girl. Mind you, I wouldn't trust you with my girl either, but we are otherwise okay.""Smart move. I have exceedingly low impulse control around the ladies plus an over-developed libido.""Yeah," he smiled my way. "I'd trust you in a knife fight, but not with someone I loved. You are way too smooth, Nyilas. Way too smooth.""What brought that revelation on?""Ms. Lee (Brooke). Normally I can mend any fence with any girl I come across, but not with her after she'd been with you. I admire that," he studied me."So, are you and Gene going to be a regular thing?""Yeah. I think so. I still expect me to be getting plenty of tail at Havenstone once I win this thing, but having a less-lethal girl on the outside wouldn't suck either."So much like me... I admired that about the guy."Once we win, don't ya mean?""Sure thing, Nyilas," he chuckled. "I figure it helps me to help you across the finish line. The better standing you end up in the better an ally you make back at work.""That reminds me; Katrina told me they are going to spin this; your participation in this inaugural Great Hunt is that all sins are forgiven; yadda, yadda, yadda. Thus you still walking around Havenstone being the bad boy you are.""Clever lady and always thinking ahead. Is she seeing anybody?""No, and dude, you don't want to go there. She is far too clever by half to fall for any of our reindeer games. She scares me," I cautioned him."All the more reason to pursue her," he snorted."Go for it," I shrugged. Hey, I'd warned the guy."What about that blonde number I saw you with... Elsa was it?"Oh, he knew exactly who Elsa was, but he was acting all nonchalant about his treatment at her hands."Yeah. Elsa. What about her?""Is she in your stable?""Nope. Not really," I shrugged. "Going after her too?""Oh, definitely.""Good luck with that," I sighed. He'd learn the hard way."There is something you are not telling me.""Yeah. She has the hots for me. Wants to own me... and not in a good way.""Oh... is that your way of cautioning me to be wary of her?""Most definitely. Elsa is one scary lady and she already knows who and what we both are.""What are we?" he was eyeballing me again."Hunters on the prowl. Guys who like a challenge. In your case, the guy who only wants the best. I'm more of an omnivore.""You mean you are a man-slut," he snorted."Got me," I chuckled."So, you think she's out of my league?""No. I think she is Katrina's friend and Katrina sees right through both of us. Elsa might not have those interpersonal skills, but she's twice as lethal. Trust me on that; I've fought her.""How tough was she?""Beat me black and blue then choked me out because I wouldn't surrender.""Oh... I'd like to get her on the mats.""Good luck with that then. Become a 'Runner' and there is even more I can tell you about her. Right now it is all simply in-house stuff.""Corporate confidentiality details, eh? Executive Services purview and stuff like that. Man, I was wrong to look down on your branch of service. I apologize.""Why thank you. I honestly never thought I'd get a sincere apology from you.""I can be wrong once in your lifetime," Felix laughed, "and I'm man enough to admit it.""Oh... and thanks for the sim-cards. They helped me get off that deserted atoll.""No problem. That was Katrina's idea though.""Well, you got them to us so surreptitiously the Chinese suspected nothing.""Don't you mean those rogue Albanians?""Yeah... them too," I laughed along with him."I think we can be friends, Nyilas," he grinned."I think so too. I didn't think so originally. On the first day you and the others treated me like the country bumpkin, but now I think you see me as a survivor... just like you.""Precisely. You know I had the option of leaving Havenstone... no matter how this affair turns out.""And you didn't take it? Who offered you this opportunity anyway?""Katrina.""It might have been a ruse," I warned him. "These bitches don't play fair.""I took that into account... but I love the challenge of this place. It is like no other work environment on Earth. Challenges every day, hot women all around, and the chance to risk my life on a monthly basis. Screw regular corporate America. I've found the place where I belong."Felix sounded so enthusiastic. I hoped he understood the fate he was embracing. I also hoped he found a niche in Havenstone which allowed him to live out his life... hopefully a long, long life. Maybe I should warn him about the 'cliffs'? Perhaps once we had won and were safely back in Havenstone's motherly embrace.Hiding.Fortune favored us backtracking from our seventh treasure trove; our dinner and more grain for the horses. A few birds flew up out of the brush ahead of us. I took that as a sign from Ishara."Felix," I hissed. "Hide!"We looked around and found a draw away from the main canyon floor for us to slink into. I used some brush to cover our side tracks then ran back to cover.No sooner had I gotten there than two Amazons came trotting past us. The lead one was Svetlana Inara and she was tracking us from the saddle. The second one was Beatrice Astarte who was scanning the environment as they moved together following our trail up this vein of the canyon. As soon as they were around the next corner of the vein, Felix and I mounted up and raced down the other way.The sand floor covered our hoof-falls and we had to go that way anyway. We had barely covered the distance to the next draw when we spotted two more Amazons following our earlier trail this way. We had Two Amazon parties on our trail and it wasn't even Friday night yet! This group spotted us and gave chase. They must have ridden their horses hard to get this far because we quickly left them in our dust.This allowed us to slow down a bit and deviate over to where the eight 'treasure' was. Our map had us going back down his particular draw which I thought was most unwise, so we went over the lip of the draw dismounted and led our horses at a rapid run; for us humans; across the greater landscape. Thank SzélAnya, a late afternoon rainstorm fell upon us as we dropped down into the next vein of the canyon before the pursuing Amazons crested the draw we had exited.We walked through the rain until the sun set then debated what to do next. We were going to need light to figure out where the eighth treasure was at; they were all somewhat hidden. We had to keep moving no matter what because we doubted the Amazons on our asses were going to let up. We decided when we got close to the eighth treasure horde I would do the searching while Felix stood watch on the entrance to the draw.Using a hatchet I cut off a branch from a bush and set it alight so I could see what I was doing. It took me twenty long minutes to figure out where the treasure was hidden... night-vision goggles and the map to the ninth map piece. Gleefully, I went back down to where Felix was except... no Felix. Oh Shit! I slipped back and put on my night-vision goggles, got a hatchet at the ready and returned, scanning about.I spotted one Amazon... she was Carla Nemain... and I recalled her being teamed with Ella Mielikki. Anyway, I tried to sneak up on Carla and it almost worked. At the last moment the cloud cover cleared and the three-quarters Moon revealed me. She spun on me with twin fighting sticks while I tried to brain her with the flat side of my hatchet.Yours truly took two punishing blows to his ribs while only clipping her with my hatchet. Still, the blow appeared to cause her to stumble so I pressed my advantage. I knocked one of her two sticks out of her hand then missed twice. I thought I heard someone coming up hard behind me. Well... fuck!"What do you have?" Carla grumbled. "Are you trying to kill me?"I kept silent, pulling out my second hatchet and pressing my luck a little further. I disarmed her and then hammered her down with a hatchet to the top of her skull. Down she went. I spun around just in time to see Ella Mielikki coming at me with a lasso. She launched it a second too late and I was able to bat it aside. She drew her honor blade and kept coming though."Ella... I have two hatchets. This is not a fight you can win," I addressed her."You won't kill me," she kept advancing."Of course not. We are sisters, but I can do... this!" and I attacked her with the flat ends of my twin hatchets. I so had her too... or I would have had I had the extra moment to ensure Carla was unconscious.She wasn't. She jumped me from behind then Ella rushed in from the front and I went down in a tangle of arms, legs and torsos. I was doing surprisingly well wrestling them both despite the odds until Ella put her knife against my throat."Give up," she panted. "You have been captured. Admit it!""I surrender," I sighed then relaxed my body. My two hatchets dropped to the ground."Let's bind him up too," Carla grinned. They proceeded to tie my hands behind my back then my legs together. Then then gave each other a celebratory 'high-five'. Then came their pillaging of our loot. They especially loved our night vision goggles and the grain for 'their' horses. They abandoned our horses, put loose nooses around our necks and began riding off down the canyon, their horses feeding on the grain in feedbags... and there was a suitably humbled Felix...To do so they had to untie our legs, but they compensated for that by tying our elbows together behind our backs as well as our hands. It was a rather painful affair. All in all, our captors were quite triumphant. After a while, I decided to speak."So, how did you catch us so fast?" I asked Carla. She had my noose."I prayed to Nemain and then picked a compass point and rode that way. We came across your path and followed you here."So you weren't the group following us from the afternoon?""No... you were being followed?""Yes... by two groups... both of whom tracked us from the beginning," I sighed."Ella," Carla addressed her companion. "We had better get a move on. There are four others on our track.""Damn it," Ella grumbled. "You take both males. I'll double back and start masking our trail. You pick a different compass point and I'll catch up.""Okay. Come here," Carla accepted Felix's noose from Ella. "We are going... north by northwest."Ella doubled back and was soon out of sight. Carl took the next draw she came across and kept up a steady walking pace. As a matter of safety, she didn't wrap our tethers around her saddle horn on the off chance her horse took off. We could be dragged to death of we were attached to the horse. So, we had a momentary advantage... and took it.I spotted Felix counting down with his fingers behind his back. I spotted him at '4'. I rapidly signaled '3', he went to '2' and I finished up with '1' then we lunged backwards trying to pull her off her horse. With my luck, she tumbled down on Felix's side, horse rearing up. I ran for it, quickly pulling my noose along with me. I heard Carla and Felix cursing behind me.It was gut-check time. I could abandon Felix or attempt to double back and help him with only my legs because my hands were behind my back."Fuck it," I cursed silently as I doubled back. In the forefront of my mind was the notion Felix would come back for me if the roles were reversed. In I charged.Felix was standing, trying to use his martial arts kicks to keep her at bay.He was also absorbing the majority of her concentration because; again; she didn't notice me until I was right on top of her. I put a shoulder into her diaphragm, taking her down and knocking her knife out of her hands. Felix didn't waste a moment giving her as snap-kick to the cranium... knocking her out. I picked up the knife and backed up toward my partner.First I had to saw through his elbow bonds and then his bound hands to free him. This all took precious time. I had just freed him when Carla began moaning. Felix looked to me then to the horse."Go," I urged him on. "Go to the next site and then double back for me. You know which way they will be heading and it is you on horseback versus two of us who aren't."He gave me a quick nod of the head then jumped into the saddle... and almost spilled himself over the other side, but then was off like a flash. I ran off in the other direction. Of course with the minimal lighting and my arms tied behind my back I didn't expect to get too far, but what realistic choice did I have. I certainly wasn't going to give up, damn it.[The Politics Of Not Playing Fair]In hindsight, knowing the Amazons were cheating bitches of cheating bitches, I should have tried to cheat more, but I ended up thinking too much about the male version of honor and not enough about winning. Thankfully, others were much more invested in me winning than that. Add to this and I had family I really hadn't counted on seeing things that way.And then there was the Sanctity of the Contract to consider... which I clearly hadn't, though the opportunity to do so was right there all along.As I was fleeing for my life I caught sight of one person running past me to my right and another to my left as a third slammed into me and took me down. For an instance I was thinking 'now they are operating in groups of four!' then the clothing of the three entered my consciousness. They weren't dressed like Amazons. Their camouflage was all wrong unless you were deliberately trying to hide in this environment.The only people I knew who would do something like that without a plethora of modern weapons being evident; thus being the Seven Pillars; were the Ninja![in Japanese] "Hey there, are you looking for me?"[in Japanese] "Yes we are, Ishara-sama," a feminine voice answered. "Where is your companion? We are supposed to make a good faith effort to save them as well.""Wait... who hired you?""Well, it is supposed to be something of a secret so tell no one, but it was your brother," she replied in thickly accented English. With a few flashes of steel in the moonlight and I was a free Amazon once more."Were did the other two go?""Covering your tracks and laying out a few nuisance traps to confuse the two following you.""Your body feels... awfully familiar," I hazarded conversation of another sort."I am Miyako's older sister; and married. Happily so though I have been repeatedly reminded of your... horn-dog status. It is 'horn-dog' correct?""Yeah," I sighed. "That's me. Let's go find Felix before he gets hopelessly lost."By this time the other two had made it back to us, expertly covering my tracks; they were not leaving any; because, you know, they were ninjas. By the looks of things it must have seemed I flew away because I had simply vanished as well. I wish I could have hung around long enough to see the looks of consternation on the pursuing Amazons' faces, but I had real work to take care of."So basically, my Brother, the Great Khan, has hired three ninja to help me win," I whispered as we made our getaway into the moonlit darkness."Oh no," I could have sworn she smiled, "There are seven of us. We each have other tasks to perform, be it carry extra equipment, or scouting ahead to make sure we don't bump into any more of your girlfriends.""They are not my girlfriends... yet... maybe," I shrugged."Don't make me hit you," she whispered back. "I will hit you if you cheat too much on my little sister. She is so impressionable you know.""Oh... boy," I groaned. A protective older sister while I was on a time table. "Is all of your team female?" I asked instead."Yes. When dealing with our allies the Amazons it was considered the diplomatic thing to do. Now we most move like the autumn breeze over the grass, Ishara-sama.""Please, call me Cáel . What's your name?""Not something I can reveal while on a mission. My name in the team is 'First' as I am the team leader.""I could call you Hatsuyuki," I kept going. Hatsuyuki meant 'First Snow'. We were angling in a different direction suggesting to me we had come across Felix's path and were racing to catch him."I will help you out a bit," she chuckled ever so slightly. "Every woman on the team is a sister, or sister-in-law of Miyako, so we have all heard the tales of your exploits and been suitably warned by Grandmother to not fall for your... reindeer games.""Wow... cut off at the knees before even leaving the starting gate," I frowned."Please concentrate on the task at hand Ishara-sama," she whispered then, "Four more ahead of us. I swear they must have some sort of divine assistance as well.""Cheating bitches of all cheating bitches," I quietly cursed. Hatsuyuki put her hand over my mouth despite the low volume of my words.I risked a peek. It was fucking Elsa and Rachel and they were having a pow-wow with Tormé Maeve and Parul Nammu. By the rules of the Great Hunt, no Amazon could subdue, or otherwise hinder any other Amazon; as long as they didn't have a male. Then all bets were off. After a while the two teams flipped a coin and departed in different ways... which were eerily close to our actual track.The moment they were safely away, we took off once more at a steady jog. Mind you, I was in pretty damn good shape... and these little ninja babes were threatening to run me into the ground such was their stamina. The big thing was breath control. We had to be prepared to be utterly still at a moment's notice. Every Amazon around us was as hunter of some sort, be it of big game, or of humans.Even with their precautions we found ourselves being tracked by Daryna Šauška and Yatta Oxóssi within the hour. Exactly what they were tracking wasn't known to me and was a source of consternation to the Ninja. It was impossible to outrun horse-bound foes at our current pace and if we moved faster, the odds of our enchantment failing would drastically increase."Fuck!" I hissed."What?" Hatsuyuki made brief eye contact then scanned around for whatever threat I might have detected."They are tracking the magic of the enchantment," I enlightened her."Are you sure?""Alal; my Grandfather is," I held her eyes this time. "Honestly, I was going through the Rolodex of my mind when this thought occurred to me. I think it was a mystic rite the Egyptians invented millennia ago, but he knows it.""What is the counter?""I don't know," I sighed, "but I do know your movement is leaving a magical trail behind which glows like the failing light of a sunset to the searcher."Hatsuyuki whispered some arcane words which my ears failed to focus on while making several complicated hand gestures. She gave me one head nod then we took off, jogging in another direction though still angling to intercept Felix. I noticed the change immediately. Dry grass crackled beneath our feet and standing grass bent at our passage. I was the worst offender without a doubt.Later when we stopped for a break, 'Three' returned to tell us the followers had initially been confused by the loss of the spell energy betraying us, but then they dismounted and began tracking us on foot; slower yet still a persistent menace."New plan," I decided. "We set an ambush for them.""We can't do that, Cáel ," Hatsuyuki informed me. "We are forbidden to directly confront our foes."My mind barely hesitated in its skullduggery."But if I confront them, could you steal their horses?""Yes," she grinned once more, or so I thought. "Then set up a field of simple traps with a path I can maneuver through so I can lose them once I have their undivided attention. Can you do that?""Yes," and another smile."Let's get on it," I grinned back. I could tell she was warming up to me. After all, I wasn't pressuring her to save me, or violate her Contract. Instead I was thinking on my feet and utilizing what they were best at to avoid my enemies.[in Japanese] "Team, here is what we must do," Hatsuyuki gathered her girls together and laid out what they needed to accomplish.Twenty minutes later, the ambush was set and the two ladies walked right into it. Apparently the idea I would fight back so aggressively hadn't occurred to them. I smashed straight into Daryna first, knocking her down and running past her. Instinctively she jumped up, cursing me even as she gave chase. For an instance Yatta hesitated, considering mounting up and giving chase, or pursuing on foot. Rapidly riding a horse even in this partially moonlit night was risky so she decided to join Daryna on foot as I raced away. She did grab her lasso first though. Seeing as Daryna was following in my footsteps, it was Yatta who stumbled into the first series of traps, spraining her ankle in the process.Hearing that, I took a quick detour, allowing Daryna to catch up if she cut crossways in her pursuit. Predictably she did so and crashed into her own series of traps while I continued to beat feet out of there. As Daryna untangled herself from the 'spider web' trap; really just a tangle of silk strings; she heard the horses neigh and then take off. The ninja had exploded smoke bombs in the horses' faces to accomplish this feat.By the time Daryna stood up, I was long gone in the foot race. She carefully picked her way back to Yatta, helped her up and then worked her way back to find their saddles cut loose and packs set aside... and their horses long gone as well. From what 'Five' related to us later, Daryna elected to take after their lost steeds while Yatta treated her sore ankle. 'Five' didn't hang around to see how long it took Daryna to return with their mounts. The rest of us had successfully slipped away by that time.Reunited.By the time we had reunited with Felix he had already discovered our next Treasure Trove; more grain, a compass and a map of the whole region. Woot! We still only had one mount until an hour past sunrise when our two steeds came trotting into our brief camp. Now we had three horses. We elected to release Carla's mount to find its way back to her mistress... eventually, we hoped."Care to explain the entourage?" Felix joked."Somebody who is somebody loves me," I shrugged. "I can't tell you who though. I've been sworn to secrecy.""Damn... five female ninja. We have got to not waste this opportunity.""I am so onboard with that plan," I grinned, "but it going to be tough. Most of the only speak Japanese and they are all related to a girl I've already knocked up.""So they all know what a stud you are, Cáel ," Felix laughed. "Give it time and they'll be begging for it. I know the type. Fit, but silent with minimal social skills. They want to know all about how you seduced their sister, cousin, what have you.""God, I hope so," I groaned. "All this abstinence is driving me crazy.""Me too," he chuckled. "Me too."Oh, what we had planned was horribly irresponsible. We had the inaugural First Great Hunt to win for all Mankind after all. Still, it took only three elements to be effective; a stream, river, or lake of some kind to bathe in; to convince the ninja we had to take a bath to remove any scent the Amazons who captured us may have sprayed on us; and the ninjas' willingness to believe such an outlandish excuse to get naked. Once they saw us naked nature would take its course.Well, despite our awesome masculine arsenals... we got nowhere. The ninja babes didn't buy our excuses, blew away our pseudoscientific ramblings (pheromones don't work that way, they insisted) and seriously; we didn't really have the time. So while putting our shirts back on and then going for our boots, two more Amazons came our way. We barely had the warning time to seek cover when Elsa and Rachel came riding down the stream, looking each way for any signs of us.Thanks to our horses remaining perfectly still as well, they gradually moved past our hidey-holes and out of our view. The second the ninjas gave us the 'all clear' we hurriedly finished dressing then headed off in a different direction. The last two Amazons I wanted to confront were Elsa and Rachel. I liked Rachel too much and quite frankly was too afraid of Elsa.Once more we risked using some Ninja Magics to aid our passage through a light, early morning rain. This one put off a confusing area of tracks which were both difficult to follow; Amazons were no dummies; and included our chosen pathway to the next treasure trove. Shortly after an overcast noontime Sun, we hunkered down for a few hours and took a short nap.I would have liked to sleep longer, but according to the two ninja who had stood watch, the whole area appeared to be crawling with Amazons out and about, mounted and dismounted and following our misleading trails, but still being close enough around to make traveling above the canyons frankly impossible. Felix and I had a meeting of the minds with Hatsuyuki.Sending two Ninja off on our steeds wouldn't work because at least one group of the opposition had our binoculars and none of the Ninja could pass for us under such scrutiny. In fact, we couldn't come up with a single plan which guaranteed us a chance to move about unseen. So, we came up with a crazy plan instead. I would take off on Peppermint in an elliptical path meant to draw off as many Amazons as possible.It had to be me because a few of the Amazons might not pursue Felix if he tried the same stunt, focusing on capturing Ishara first... so Ishara had to be the one to play decoy. We shook hands, hugged then scouted around for the best opportunity for me to make a bolt for it... then off I went. What the Ninja planned to do wasn't revealed to us though I had a feeling they weren't enamored with my plan.Peppermint and I came out of the closest draw and set off with a meandering gate; we would need all the speed she could muster soon enough. Unthinkingly, I had also stumbled across an added bonus to my plan. Me and my dumb luck. See, all the Amazons anywhere close to me at the start had been pressing their mounts hard for a day and a half now plus hadn't spent any time last night sleeping whereas me and Peppermint were relatively well fed and watered as well as well rested.Still, my initial sense was that I was simply fucked. All across the plain, Amazons noted my presence within a minute and began moving to hem me in. I imagine once I was unmounted and bound, the grand melee to see who would claim me would begin. I counted twelve of the fine ladies and while none were directly ahead of the direction I was heading in, some were far too close for me to hold out much hope.I didn't give up though. I wasn't in me and apparently it wasn't in Peppermint either. She picked up the pace instinctively when I leaned forward and off we went. Incrementally, all thirteen steeds picked up their speeds. I wasn't going to make it... and then it got worse. Coming out of a draw to my front-right was none other than Ella Mielikki.See appeared as surprised to see me as I was to see her, but that didn't last. She whipped out her lasso and spurred her mount to go faster. She was going to cut me off. I had no out in any other direction. All I had was a plain full of grass and thunderclouds in the distance; just too far away to do me any good.'Remember who you were...' came unbidden to my mind.I leaned forward and began whispering in Peppermint's ear in a language I did not know... but three thousand years ago it had been the language of horse peoples like the Scythians who taught it to their noble young... and so had another people long forgotten by history... the Medians. The words spilled out of me until all that was left was the final benediction; words that would bind man and mount together.[Median] "For Aya," I whispered.Remember who you were; wasn't meant for me. It was for the hundreds of Median steeds my Grandfather had ridden into battle... with his comrades-in-arms for over a thousand years two thousand years ago.Ella was whirling the lasso over her head. We were so close I could read the prayer to Mielikki on her lips as she strove to close those last few hoof-falls. The lasso flew through the air...Peppermint took off in a burst of speed utterly unlooked for. Her ghostly white plume rose majestically over her head; Grandfather's symbol... and now mine. The thunder of a hundred such steeds filled my ears with their power as we pulled away from the falling lasso... now less than a foot... too short. She had missed us and with that throw, passed the last chance the Amazons had to catch me.Rachel would later tell me they were all completely aghast at the pace Peppermint set as we rode past Mielikki, easily outdistancing her thus everyone else. We had escaped them and they knew it. They didn't know how and the looks of utter disbelief the Amazons behind me exchanged left them no doubt I had led them a merry chase only to vanish in a whirlwind of dust as I raced all the way into the storm-burst. Gone, gone, gone.Rachel told me she had then turned to Elsa and laughed heartily."I should have given him my honor blade," she chuckled, "because unlike the rest of you, I knew better.""But, what did he do?" Elsa had asked, truly curious and a bit frustrated."Just being Cáel ," Rachel had shaken her head as she replied. "Just being Cáel ."[Sunday]It was a thick, pounding rain as promised. No one could ride in this. Visibility was down to a few yards and the ground had turned into a morass. Only the greyness of the clouds betrayed the coming of day to us while our final treasure trove; a compass, map and coordinates for the rescue; pointed us in the proper direction... us and thirty Amazons.In our favor, the Ninja threw up a marching cordon around us so we didn't walk into any ambushes, and any Amazons not already at least even with us in the distance separating us from our evacuation point had a chance of catching us. Again, no Amazon worthy of their name would ride in weather like this and in a foot race, we men actually finally had the advantage.I wish I knew who was closest so I could plan accordingly. In strictly hand to hand combat, Felix and I had the advantage on over half those we were confronting. While most excelled at being hunters, beating up their prey with hands and knives wasn't normally their second best feature. No, they were fine combatants, just not in Felix's, or my, league.But then there were the Amazons like Tormé Maeve and Elsa Zorja who could kick our asses without a doubt, and planning how to fight them required a completely different game plan."What's on your mind?" Felix leaned in and shouted into my ear."This ain't over. Not only do we have to reach the evacuation site within a twenty minute window, we have to hope a half-dozen Amazons aren't waiting there for us."Felix nodded."Who is going to be the worst team?""Elsa and Rachel. I'm not sure I can beat Rachel and I'm damn sure I can't beat Elsa," I answered."Leave Elsa to me then. While I've never fought her before, she's also never fought me," he reasoned. "My best bet is an all-out offense; holding nothing back and hope I can outmuscle her before she pulls some surprise on me.""That's about right," it was my turn to nod.One of the Ninja came running back to us."There are two Amazons ahead of us going in the same direction. What do you want to do?"I looked to Felix who cracked his knuckles. He was right too. We didn't have enough time left to race around them; not in this mud; so jumping them and putting them down was our best bet.Bleeding.Our fists were bleeding, I had a knife wound on my left thigh, and Felix's nose was most likely broken, but we had put down two pairs of Amazons in the closing hour of the Great Hunt... and we were still free. We had even recorded the coordinates of where we left the four bound Amazons because leaving them all tied up in these conditions didn't seem fair.So far we had put down Niranjana Ereshkigal and Anna Cybele whose strategy was to figure out where the evacuation point was and then set up an ambush close by, and our old buddies, Tormé Maeve and Parul Nammu, who had been racing up to the evacuation point after some piece of divine intervention. They stumbled into us as we were binding up the first two.Thanks to the Ninja we had a moment's warning before they jogged right into us. It was on! Felix immediately challenged Tormé while I circled Parul, each seeking an advantage. Unfortunately, Tormé began cleaning Felix's clock so spun around and we switched partners."I wanted it to be me and you," she snarled."I was hoping to miss you entirely," I replied. She laughed and closed... and then slipped in the mud and slid right into my knee strike. Before she could clean the cobwebs from her head, I had landed three solid fist strikes to her jaw, rendering her incapable of immediate resistance; one tough chick! I quick glance back to Felix showed me he had Parul well in hand, so I quickly bound Tormé up and took her honor blade so she wouldn't be cutting herself free too soon.After we had Parul secured, Felix slapped me on the back and laughed."You bastard, I saw that," he chuckled. "She slipped.""I'll take it," I was unapologetic. Explaining to Felix how she was Katrina's #1 assassin would take too long. I'd leave it to Katrina to warn him how dangerous dating her would be.And then we heard the helicopter... and looked at our watches. It Was 11:48! We raced up the last bit of the slope to see the helicopter finish its descent. We'd made it... and then we saw Elsa and Rachel climbing up the slope beside us, disguised as we were by the downpour."Cáel !" Elsa screamed out my name. Rachel simply charged Felix wordlessly.I drew Tormé's honor blade and faced Elsa down. "Do you honestly think you can defeat me?" Elsa laughed. "Because Cáel , you cannot. You are already beaten, bruised and bleeding. Surrender and I promise to be gentle.""On any other day, I would agree with you, but this is not like any other day," I held my captured small knife out in a fighting stance."Today... today I have my Grandfather's knowledge and my Father's boundless spirit, Elsa. Today; you cannot defeat me. Come at me and find out, if you must." My stance flowed into an alien design... which came from a time when knives were the only close combat weapon anyone was lucky enough to have. My knife raised up over my head yet still pointing at my opponent while my empty left hand pointed at my foe.Then it occurred to me... if I could withstand the pain, I could grab her blade and hold it in place while I slashed down with my own ceremonial weapon. I could regenerate the damage; that was my edge and this was a fighting stance my Grandfather had perfected with that knowledge when all blades were either sharp stones, or smelted copper.I could see Elsa studying me rapid-quick before she made her lunge. It was so On! The first series of slashing strikes saw me barely missing having my hand cut open. I wasn't so lucky my second time around. Elsa sliced my ring finger to the bone."Damnit, Cáel !" Elsa snapped. "If you are going to fight me, at least use the training Pamela gave you. I have no idea what this crazy stance is supposed to show, but I think it is nothing more than your made-up style again. This time I am going to really hurt you if you don't surrender... Right Now!"Yeah, Elsa was upset she had to actually hurt me. I sensed that in her. Still, the pain quickly receded and I continued to stalk her... silently and with great determination on my face. No response was necessary and I was sure my quietude was unsettling her even more. On the next exchange Elsa moved so fast I couldn't track her blade. Still, I moved my empty palm across to stop her most likely angle of attack.I was wrong. By shifting my entire body to stop her slash, I put myself in the wrong positon; closing the distance between us and intercepting her surprise backslash with my left side at the kidney level. Ouch! Motherfucker! I grunted but used my positioning disadvantage as an advantage. As Elsa's hand recoiled from the dire wound she had given me, I reached out with my left hand and grabbed her wrist.My right hand came down attempting to slash her wrist in this exchange. She caught my right wrist in her left hand. Our bodies collided then my forward momentum slammed into her form and we both fell over. She rolled so we ended up crashing down on our sides, but I refused to release my hold while driving my blade ever downward.I didn't have much advantage over Elsa, but I was superior in upper body strength. It was my old buddy except coming out in my favor today. Slowly my blade inched toward its target."How... can... you... still... be... fighting?" Elsa ground out between her teeth."I am Ishara," was my reply. "The power of the goddess runs through me," I added a lie meant to confuse and dishearten her.She tried to break away by rolling around. I wouldn't let her. I tangled my legs up with hers until we were one conjoined mess. Then she surprised me with a head-butt right as the option was just occurring to me. She smashed my nose. There was blood everywhere, but I wouldn't relent on my hold. Instead, I followed up her head-butt with one of my own.Elsa caught mine with the hardest part of her forehead instead. Our skulls collided. I refused to feel the pain so while she was still reeling from that contact I smashed forward once again; this time impacting her temple and really shocking her. I had to have seemed like a monster to Elsa by this point in our bout; I could feel no pain and no infirmary would hold me back.Lacking every other point of leverage, she went for the 'Tried and True'; her knee impacted my precious gonads and for just that instance, my hold on her weakened. She broke free then rolled away."Stay down," she almost screamed at me. I didn't, instead rising up and resuming my archaic stance once more."This is going to hurt you a whole lot more than me," she promised next. Just then we both heard a titanic scream to my left. By the sound of the grunt which followed, I realized Felix had connected with one of his powerful kicks to Rachel's ribs. I used the positional advantage to charge. We collided once more, each one's opposite hand clamping down on the other's knife hand.While standing, we pushed each other back and forth, attempting kicks and foot stomps all the while my knife approached Elsa's collarbone. We were both too on guard for head-butts to pull one off this grapple, but I didn't need it... because we were in fact, grappling and I had a whole martial art devoted to grappling; Brazilian Jujutsu!I dropped Tormé's honor blade and flipped us around so I landed on top of her. Her blade drew a bloody line along my hip, but not enough damage to cause me any consternation. I could see it in her eyes, the moment we landed in the mud. She realized her mistake by allowing me too close, but the last time she had let that happened she had succeeded in stabbing me in the kidney, so she was taken off-guard for just that instance."Yeah," I chortled, "Just recalling my Brazilian Jujutsu aren't ya?""I can beat it," she ground out."You and an MMA Army," I growled back. She was in danger of having me roll her over... then it would be light's out!Right then Rachel and Felix came crashing down on the two of us, breaking my concentration and my hold. The four of us rolled up and separated once more.Rachel moved to Elsa's side while Felix helped me stand."We are running out of time," Felix informed me. We were. That appeared to be Rachel and Elsa's strategy all along. Keep us occupied for the remaining... eighteen minutes... damn was I out of breath and hurting."Switch," Felix tapped me on the forearm. "I got this."He didn't and he knew he didn't. For some god damn unknown reason, Felix was doing a selfless act for the first time in his life and I couldn't comprehend why."She'll destroy you," I pointed out."You're bleeding; badly," he stated, "and failing fast.""Listen to your friend," Rachel interjected herself into the conversation. Worse, she stepped aside and clearly indicated she would let me pass."Rachel!" Elsa snapped."He's earned it. For the past eighty-four days and then some, Cáel has earned; our respect," Rachel reminded us."Okay," I acknowledged the act of kindness. I moved behind Felix so he could screen me from Elsa... then shoved him as hard as I could across the muddy surface toward freedom. The look he sent back my way was priceless. Reluctantly, he looked back once then jogged to the helicopter and the rewards he deserved for surviving against so many for so long; just like me, but without the Goddesses and my troop of ruthless Amazon allies..."Two on one," I joked."No. I've surrendered my trophy," Rachel smile to me was emotionally crushing."Fine," Elsa nodded then, "Let's continue." This time I didn't have a knife.When we collided this time, she didn't hesitate to stab me in the left pectoral; above the heart, but not by much. I failed to catch her wrist and realized I was all out of game. My regeneration couldn't tackle both bleeding wounds and I was beginning to feel woozy.Elsa fell back."Surrender, Cáel ," her own voice had softened."Never surrender," I laughed back then I began to sway.This time as Elsa closed, she went for the grapple as well. I countered as best I could, but my reflexes were slowing down too. I wasn't going to make it then something tackled us both, slamming Elsa into my chest, stunning her."Felix... you came back," I groggily mumbled as Felix hammered Elsa hard, twice in the temple."You would come back for me. I see that now," he confessed. He half pulled, half-dragged me to our waiting chariot. The clock was a 'ticking."Rachel," I looked over to the other combatant. She hadn't started advancing on us like she should have."Go," she waved us away. "Today... today you have won your freedoms. Now go."What honors Rachel had passed over for whatever reasons were unknown to me. I was terrified she had done it out of love for me. Terrified because I felt so unworthy of such devotion and affection.Yet, Felix and I had made it and as the helicopter took off, I could sense the tension leave my body. My wounds were indeed healing and my blood supply, so witlessly spent was returning to me. Felix leaned into me as the nice Epona medic aboard our ride began to administer her traumatic injury training. I winced because it felt appropriate, not because I was allowed to feel any of the passing pain."You are a Runner now," I looked over to Felix. "Welcome aboard.""Sure thing, Ishara.""Ha," I chuckled. "Call me Cáel . You have earned that right.""I imagine there is something to that," he nodded. "Tell me what it is when you get the chance.""I will," I promised. "That and a few thousand other critically important things none one else will bother to teach you. As the saying goes, 'you've earned it'."Thus Ends The First Great HuntNow onto the final chapter of the First Part of Cáel 's journey.By FinalStand for Literotica.

Listen to today's podcast... Are you running on empty? Have you been neglecting your own needs because others' needs take priority? Self-care is a necessity. Self-care is not self-indulgence. Self-care refers to activities and practices that we can engage in on a regular basis to reduce stress and build our resiliency. Balancing work, family and self-care has always been challenging. The pressure to do it all, to be successful, and to put others first, can cause a great deal of stress. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency! So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Self Care Month: Our list of things to do can get so long that we forget, even neglect, to take care of our minds and bodies. Be aware of your mental and emotional health, stress level, sleep habits, cholesterol level, blood pressure. It is important to honour and care for yourself. Start with setting healthy boundaries around how you spend your time and energy. Look for positive ways to recover, refocus, and re-energize. Focus on sleeping, eating healthy, moving, learning how to pause, simplifying your life and remembering to play. If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com * The International Self-Care Foundation has developed the ‘Seven Pillars of Self-Care' which provide a useful framework and starting point. #mentalhealth #hr

What if the secret to entrepreneurial success isn't working harder, but aligning your life differently? In this eye-opening conversation with Rebecca Elizabeth Whitman – award-winning coach, bestselling author, and host of the Balanced, Beautiful and Abundant podcast – we explore how high-achieving entrepreneurs can escape burnout without sacrificing their ambition.Rebecca shares her remarkable journey from Princeton graduate to direct sales professional, actress, and multi-faceted entrepreneur. Her philosophy of maintaining 3-5 income streams proved invaluable during the pandemic, allowing her to thrive when her primary revenue source disappeared overnight. This practical approach to financial resilience resonates with anyone seeking greater stability in uncertain times.The heart of our discussion centers on Rebecca's transformative "Seven Pillars of Abundance" framework. Rather than positioning financial success as the primary goal, she reveals how spirituality, physical health, emotional wellbeing, romantic relationships, and social connections create the foundation from which financial abundance naturally flows. This counterintuitive approach challenges conventional entrepreneurial wisdom that often prioritizes hustle above all else.For those caught in negative thought patterns, Rebecca offers her powerful "Four A's of Transformation": awareness, acceptance, action, and affirmation. This methodology provides a practical roadmap for shifting from victim mode to victor mindset – illustrated through her own recent experience with a challenging real estate deal. Her refreshing take on time management likens productive work to HIIT training, with intense focus periods followed by intentional recovery.Perhaps most compelling is Rebecca's client transformation story, where an executive assistant set boundaries with her billionaire boss and unexpectedly catapulted her career to new heights. This narrative powerfully demonstrates how creating balance actually enhances performance rather than diminishing it.Ready to transform your relationship with success? Discover Rebecca's free Abundance Journal and 777 Challenge that have helped countless entrepreneurs create alignment in their lives and businesses. Connect with her on Instagram @RebeccaEWhitman to continue your journey toward balanced, beautiful abundance.How to connect with Rebecca?Website: https://www.rebeccaelizabethwhitman.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKOWVJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE5Und0VTNpYm5UNDJkZ2dpAR6dRLIszxhmxVbt2Y1QPD9sn1pL63zu4CdKW8_EuBYeoAYbWINKfrkj2_6EAw_aem_xAvrlHvVknkywdBjOHodNgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3PaOeXvkhIHue2hreB22VwInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaewhitman/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.whitmanPillar.io - https://pillar.io/rebeccaewhitman?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafi24x20CQBee3-u37W-ZbtLucwNXo2SzpKwMirmNDzi_wlNcwLg8XQFfHIsw_aem_tQQRuU4_OljDpxJmePfPGw Support the show

Send us a textJoin Jimmy Clare on this episode of The CrazyFitnessGuy® Show as he welcomes Rebecca Whitman, the Magnetic Abundance Mentor, who shares her inspiring journey from aspiring actress to successful entrepreneur. Rebecca discusses her transformation from feeling overwhelmed and burnt out to achieving a balanced, beautiful, and abundant life. Discover how she empowers women and a few good men to identify their seven pillars of abundance and achieve harmony in all aspects of life. With insights on overcoming toxic relationships, managing burnout, and the importance of self-care, Rebecca provides actionable tips to help listeners reclaim their energy and passion. Tune in to learn about her coaching philosophy, the significance of hydration, nutrition, movement, and meditation in maintaining radiant health, and how to cultivate a fulfilling life. Don't miss this enlightening conversation that encourages you to embrace your unique journey and unleash your inner awesomeness!1. Introduction to Rebecca Whitman2. Transition from Acting to Coaching3. The Seven Pillars of Abundance4. Overcoming Toxic Relationships5. Managing Burnout and Self-Care6. Coaching PFree AI Based Chrome productivity blocker defends against websites, keywords, and adult content PodcastlePodcastle is the easiest way to edit, transcribe, and so much more with AI all in one place!Block PEveryone likes a safer internet thats why I like Block P that makes it safer for everyone!DeepstashLearn new things every day!TickTick To Do ListJoin millions of people to capture ideas, organize to-dos, and make the most of your lifeBreath Work In BedFall Asleep 3x Faster & Wake Up Refreshed – No Pills, Just BreathDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showFollow Jimmy & CrazyFitnessGuy https://c.f.g.crazyfitnessguy.com/ https://jimmy.crazyfitnessguy.com/ Affiliates https://bit.ly/jimmy-vistasocial https://bit.ly/jimmy-recommends-missinglettr https://bit.ly/jimmy-recommends-postoplan https://bit.ly/jc-recommends-hydro-flask Leave Us A Review https://bit.ly/Review-CFG Help Support CrazyFitnessGuy https://bit.ly/CFG-Elite-Podcast https://bit.ly/CFG-Mall https://bit.ly/support-CFG Want To Be A Guest? Want to be a guest on The CrazyFitnessGuy® Show? Send Jimmy Crazyfitnessguy a message on PodMatch, here: https://bit.ly/message-cfg-podmatch Fitness Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Consult a healthcare professional before making any health or fitness changes. Don't rely on this information as a substitute for med...

On this empowering episode of The CrazyFitnessGuy® Show, host Jimmy Clare sits down with Rebecca Whitman, the Magnetic Abundance Mentor and best-selling author who walked away from the Hollywood grind to help people live balanced, beautiful, and abundant lives. No fluff. No toxic positivity. Just real talk that actually helps.Ever feel like you're stuck in a burnout loop, hustling nonstop and getting nowhere? Rebecca gets it. She shares how she broke free from that cycle and built a framework that helps others do the same.Her method — The Seven Pillars of Abundance — is a blueprint for aligning your life with what actually matters, instead of chasing what doesn't.What You'll Learn:Why burnout isn't a badge of honor (said no one ever)How she pivoted from actress to abundance coachThe Seven Pillars of Abundance and how to use themPractical self-care that works for your real lifeHow water, food, movement, and rest fuel lasting changeThis isn't some sugar-coated self-help session. It's a grounded, relatable conversation filled with tools you can start using today.Episode Breakdown:Rebecca's story: from red carpet to realignmentThe hard pivot from burnout to balanceBreaking down the Seven PillarsLetting go of toxic people, habits, and beliefsTools and Resources Mentioned:Podcastle – AI-powered podcast editing and transcriptsDeepstash – Bite-sized ideas worth keepingTickTick – A smarter to-do listBreath Work In Bed – Sleep better, naturallyFree AI Chrome Blocker – Cut the distractionsBlock P – Safe browsing without the noiseDisclaimer: Some links may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It keeps CrazyFitnessGuy going — no yacht, just mission fuel.Support the Show:Shop Official CFG MerchGo Elite for Bonus ContentBuy Me a Virtual SmoothieLeave a Review: Love the episode? Review the show and help others find it.Stay Connected:CrazyFitnessGuy® Main SiteJimmy Clare's SiteJimmy's Favorite Tools:Vista Social – Schedule and publish content with easeMissingLettr – Promote your blog on autopilotPostoplan – AI-powered content schedulingHydro Flask – Hydration done rightWant to Be a Guest? Think your story fits the CrazyFitnessGuy® mission?

Hola Gerardo aquí en otro episodio de Simplemente Yo; La selección de esta semana es Lawrence of Arabia, es una película épica biográfica de aventuras dramáticas de 1962 dirigida por David Lean y producida por Sam Spiegel a través de su compañía británica Horizon Pictures y distribuida por Columbia Pictures. Se basó en la vida de T. E. Lawrence y su libro de 1926, Seven Pillars of Wisdom.   El podcast analiza la compleja historia de producción de la película, desde los diversos intentos de llevar la historia de Lawrence a la gran pantalla hasta los desafíos que se enfrentaron durante el rodaje, como problemas logísticos y la reescritura del guion. También se destaca la banda sonora de Maurice Jarre, lo que subraya su estatus icónico en la historia del cine y subraya la combinación de hechos históricos e interpretación artística que ofrece la película.   Plot: La historia de T. E. Lawrence, el oficial inglés que unió y dirigió con éxito a las tribus árabes durante la Primera Guerra Mundial para luchar contra los turcos.   Espero que lo disfruten ;)   Información adicional del podcast: Enlace del website official de Filmic Notion Podcast: https://filmicnotionpod.com/ Enlace a nuestra página de Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/446nl  

What if your lowest moment became the launchpad for your greatest impact?In this powerful episode of Real Things Living, Brigitte Cutshall speaks with Dan Metcalfe — author of "Born Superhuman" — whose astonishing story of healing after paralysis reminds us of the untapped strength within each of us.3 Key Takeaways:(1) Mindset Shapes Your Recovery: After being told he'd never walk again, Dan refused to accept defeat. He healed his body through an intense mindset shift—proving that belief, not just hope, fuels transformation.(2) The Brain Leads the Body: True movement begins in the brain. Dan's Total Balance approach, developed after a traumatic brain injury, has helped thousands—proving that when you train the brain, the body follows.(3) The Seven Pillars of Natural Health: Dan outlines his holistic framework for optimal living—oxygen, hydration, sleep, nutrition, exercise, mindset, and challenge—all rooted in the power of self-love and personal responsibility.Ready to tap into your innate power to heal? Listen now and explore Dan's work at https://BornSuperhuman.com.

In this episode of the Big Success Podcast, Chris Dyer breaks down the real drivers of company culture and why transparency, trust, and human connection matter more than ever in the age of AI. Drawing on his "Seven Pillars of Culture," Chris shares candid lessons from his own leadership journey, including the moment he realized he was the problem. Whether you lead a remote team or run a fast-growing business, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on building cultures that perform without burning people out.Get out of the day-to-day grind. Learn how to build a business that works without you in 30X Business, designed for real results by one of the world's top business coaches. Join 30x Business here. https://store.bradsugars.com/products/30x-business About Chris Dyer:Chris Dyer is a renowned leadership speaker, author, and workplace culture expert known for helping companies unlock performance through radical transparency and trust. A former CEO who turned his own missteps into a playbook for culture change, Chris now helps organizations thrive by focusing on what makes them humanLearn more about Chris: https://chrisdyer.com/About Brad SugarsInternationally known as one of the most influential entrepreneurs, Brad Sugars is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the #1 business coach in the world. Over the course of his 30-year career as an entrepreneur, Brad has become the CEO of 9+ companies and is the owner of the multimillion-dollar franchise ActionCOACH®. As a husband and father of five, Brad is equally as passionate about his family as he is about business. That's why, Brad is a strong advocate for building a business that works without you – so you can spend more time doing what really matters to you. Over the years of starting, scaling and selling many businesses, Brad has earned his fair share of scars. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy road. But if you can learn from those who have gone before you, it becomes a lot easier than going at it alone.Please click here to learn more about Brad Sugars: https://bradsugars.com/Learn the Fundamentals of Success for free:The Big Success Starter: https://results.bradsugars.com/thebigsuccess-starter

 About Miles SpencerMiles Spencer is a seasoned entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and adventurer who has spent over three decades mentoring tech founders and building companies that have generated more than 1,100 jobs. With three successful digital media exits under his belt, Miles is also the author of the Amazon bestseller A Line in the Sand, inspired by his 1,100-mile expedition through the deserts of the Middle East. His unique journey blends business strategy, exploration, and storytelling, offering valuable insights into leadership, resilience, and the power of curiosity.About this EpisodeIn this episode, Miles Spencer shares the remarkable experiences that have shaped his life—from building startups and investing in game-changing ideas to trekking across vast deserts in search of deeper meaning. He talks about his early beginnings in Pennsylvania and how his family legacy and deep-rooted curiosity led him to both entrepreneurial and exploratory adventures.Miles discusses what he's learned from mentoring startup founders, the importance of solving everyday problems, and how failures taught him more than successes ever could. He also reveals the preparation and mindset needed to take on extreme adventures like scuba diving in the Galapagos and retracing T.E. Lawrence's historic path across the Middle East.We dive into the creation of A Line in the Sand, the cultural and historical discoveries along the way, and the lessons that travel and curiosity can teach us about humanity. From exploring global perspectives to understanding shared values across religions and borders, Miles encourages us to remain curious, plan thoughtfully, and always be open to learning from the world around us.Listeners will walk away inspired by his journey, reminded of the beauty of diverse cultures, and energized to chase their own Green Pill moments.Quotes1:39 - I grew up in western Pennsylvania and the one trait that I think I developed there that's continued through the rest of my life has been curiosity — who, what, why, where, when.3:06 - My experience in mentoring entrepreneurs is very much like mentoring children — it's always more powerful to have someone learn the lesson for themselves.4:39 - The first thing I look for is an ordinary problem that everyday people are experiencing over and over again across the globe.5:26 - Sometimes we're too early, sometimes we're too late, sometimes we're just wrong. But we always got a product into the marketplace to see what people felt.7:00 - In every adventure I've done, it starts with curiosity, followed by research — but eventually, I just need to go and see it with my own eyes.8:22 - What's lucky about my stories is that memory fades, so the stories get better.11:18 - I realized I wasn't in Kansas anymore — this was the Galápagos. These animals are bigger, faster, and sometimes hungrier than humans.12:31 - I couldn't get any comfort with what would inspire some people to do this act. I finished Seven Pillars of Wisdom and thought — let's go see it for ourselves.14:10 - Our trek and the subsequent book really mirror T.E. Lawrence's journey with the Arab Revolt.15:59 - This is a region that has layers of commonality and some conflict — but people of different religions and cultures shared a lot of the same traits.17:38 - With curiosity must come a bit of courage to go outside your comfort zone — and logistics so you can live in the moment.20:05 - Perhaps the same applies to DisThe Matrix Green Pill Podcast: https://thematrixgreenpill.com/Please review us: https://g.page/r/CS8IW35GvlraEAI/review

Become a member of The Metabolic Initiative to access exclusive ad-free episodes, 100s of videos on metabolic health, and earn CMEs here!If you're a clinician, scientist, or anyone interested in taking a deep dive into the complexities of hormone regulation, this episode of The Metabolic Link Podcast is for you! Recorded live at Metabolic Health Summit 2024, this in-depth presentation by Dr. Kyle Gillett—dual board-certified in family and obesity medicine—dives deep into the biochemical, clinical, and therapeutic layers of hormone health.From his foundational “Seven Pillars of Health” to cutting-edge insights on peptides, receptor affinity, and hormone testing strategies, Dr. Gillett provides a masterclass on optimizing hormones for performance, longevity, and metabolic resilience. Designed for professionals and educated listeners alike, this talk bridges clinical relevance with scientific nuance.Access even more from Dr. Gillett—like his exclusive Hormones 101 lecture—inside our medical education platform, The Metabolic Initiative. Start your free trial at https://membership.metabolicinitiative.com.Special thanks to the sponsors of this episode:✅ Genova Connect – Get 15% off any test kit with code METABOLICLINK here✅ Fatty15 – Get 15% off a 90-day Starter Kit with the code METABOLICLINK here ✅ Zocdoc – Find and instantly book a top-rated doctor here✅ Puori – Get 20% off supplements with code METABOLICLINK hereLearn more about Dr. Gillett here!In every episode of The Metabolic Link, we'll uncover the very latest research on metabolic health and therapy. If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, follow, and leave us a comment or review on whichever platform you use to tune in!Please keep in mind: The Metabolic Link does not provide medical or health advice, but rather general information that does not serve as a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. Never delay in seeking medical advice from an appropriately licensed medical provider for any health condition that you may have.In every episode of The Metabolic Link, we'll uncover the very latest research on metabolic health and therapy. If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, follow, and leave us a comment or review on whichever platform you use to tune in!You can find us on all your major podcast players here and full episodes are also up on our Metabolic Health Summit YouTube channel!Find us on social: Instagram Facebook YouTube LinkedIn Please keep in mind: The Metabolic Link does not provide medical or health advice, but rather general information that does not serve as a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. Never delay in seeking medical advice from an appropriately licensed medical provider for any health condition that you may have.

Be an Inspired Leader through the Science of Spiritually Intelligent Leadership What if your greatest leadership tool isn't strategy, but spirit? This week on A New Direction, we sit down with Dr. Yosi Amram, a pioneering psychologist, executive coach, and author of the groundbreaking new book Spiritually Intelligent Leadership: How to Inspire by Being Inspired. Dr. Amram invites us to rethink what it means to lead—not just with intelligence or emotional insight, but with spiritual depth and purpose. Whether you're in the boardroom or on the front lines, this conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about influence, connection, and inspiration. Based on decades of research and real-world coaching, Dr. Amram's book outlines the Seven Pillars of Spiritual Intelligence, including Purpose, Presence, Compassion, Integrity, and more—core qualities that empower leaders to connect more deeply with themselves and others. Far from being religious or abstract, Dr. Amram defines spirituality in an accessible and universal way, making this a must-listen for anyone craving more meaning and authenticity in their leadership journey. In this episode of A New Direction, Dr. Amram shares stories of transformation from top CEOs, as well as practical tools to awaken your own spiritual intelligence. He'll reveal how true inspiration comes not from charisma or command, but from alignment with a greater sense of purpose and service. If you're feeling burnt out or uninspired in your leadership role, this conversation is your invitation to find renewal and clarity. Don't miss this rare opportunity to explore the intersection of leadership and spirit with one of the leading thinkers in the field. Tune in and discover how to lead from within—and inspire others to do the same. Dr. Amram's book: "Spiritually Intelligent Leadership: How to Inspire by Being Inspired", is a tremendously insightful book on a subject matter that until his research lacked scientific rigor. Spiritually Intelligent Leadership is not a religious book.  It's not a doctrine.  It is a book that emphasizes through science that there is a spiritual element to our leadership.  In fact, accounts for more facets of leadership than emotional intelligence. I know the idea of Spiritually Intelligent Leadership feels odd to many if not most people. But Dr. Amram had broken it down into 7 dimensions and 25 behavior characteristics that get to the heart of how to apply Spiritually Intelligent Leadership to not just your life, but your business. The book will make you think and rethink your view on leadership.  And if you have an open mindset, it will allow you to realize that there is more to leadership than simply the physical, mental, and emotional aspects. It will help you see we all need a dose of Spiritually Intelligent Leadership. To learn more about Dr. Yosi Amram and his work goto www.yosiamram.net Please support our sponsors of A New Direction: Enhance Your Audiobook Experience with Zoundy! If you're an author or narrator looking to produce high-quality audiobooks with ease, Zoundy is the ultimate tool you need. Designed specifically for audiobook creation, Zoundy delivers crystal-clear sound, seamless editing capabilities, and professional-grade production tools—all in one intuitive platform. Whether you're recording your own book or refining your narration, Zoundy ensures every word is heard with perfection. And here's the best part: As a listener of A New Direction, you get an exclusive deal! Head over to zoundy.com/jay and use the code JAY25 at checkout to unlock special savings on your audiobook production. Don't settle for anything less than studio-quality sound—power up your audiobook journey today with Zoundy! and Linda Craft Team, REALTORS they can help you sell your home or buy your next home.  For more than 40 years they have been known for helping people make their life transition with their “Legendary Custome...

The title of T E Lawrence (of Arabia)'s  autobiography, 'Seven Pillars of Wisdom' is taken from a verse in the Book of Proverbs.In this episode, we also meet 'Love covers a multitude of sins' and the finger wagging evangelicals' favourite, 'the wages of sin is death'.The Book of Proverbs is not only a treasure trove of wisdom, its beautiful poetic language has also endured.Written and produced by Chas BayfieldMusic by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins MusicCover art by Lisa Goff

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The last days before the Great Hunt.Book 3 in 18 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels.“Can the scorpion ever stop being a scorpion? “"Do we get our legally permitted weaponry back?" The bishop still held my hand."Sure. If it makes you feel better.""I would like to meet your people then," he gave my paw one last shake then released me. "Shall we go?""I will have someone take you to your car. I want to briefly meet with the President, of Havenstone, then I'll join you in the garage. We'll drive over to JIKIT and I'll make the introductions. Good enough?""That is acceptable," he nodded."What about you two?" I regarded the nun and the Swiss Super-soldier. The nun remained vigilant, and silent. The Swiss' eyes flickered to his boss before settling back on me."It is what I volunteered for," he stated firmly."Okay. Please never say I didn't give you a chance to take the sane way out. Also, Bishop Nicolö, circumstances have conspired to up my prospective wedding date to January 1st.""That will be more difficult. Why the change?" he remained grim."We are having twins. By March, this will be very visible.""That is, unfortunate," he shook his head."You have no idea," and then a brainstorm. "And I am curious about resurrecting the Order of the Dragon, the Societas Draconistarum." Technically that meant 'Society of the Dragonists' which was more appropriate than the literal Ordo Draconis."Precisely how do you plan to recreate a crusading Christian Order which was the purview of the Hungarian monarchs?" he didn't sound the least skeptical, just curious."I have billions of euros to fund such a thing," I winked. "Of far greater critical importance, I know where I can find the supernatural guidance and spiritual imperative for such an organization.""You are going to produce a dragon?" his eyes grew larger even as he fought down his fear. Good man. He was adaptive. He'd need to be."I never said such a thing. That would make me sound crazy," I smiled broadly. "Besides, when I say 'dragon', you think 'devil' and that's way too pedestrian for where we are going.""I am not a moral relativist.""Neither am I. I'm out to save lives and nurture the drive in the human spirit to reach for freedom, love and liberty. As you might imagine, I'm pretty freaking outnumbered.""I think you are crazy," he re-evaluated things."I just might be. In all honesty, you should back out now. Take your two compadres back to 25 East 39th Street (the Holy See's Permanent Observer Offices to the UN in NYC) and report 'Mission Failure'. You'll most likely live longer," I reasoned."I am not afraid to die," Sister Rafaela Sophia finally voiced an opinion."That's idiotic," I scoffed before the bishop could reprimand her for opening her mouth. "You should be.""My soul is in God's hands," she set her jaw."Does he talk to you?" I countered."His message is clear.""Not what I asked. I asked if he specifically directed you to toss your life fruitlessly away as an object lesson for the reckless, or careless?""This is uncalled for," Nicolö intervened."Nope. I bet you a phone call to my Brother to physically restore your bishopric that there are four people in this room who have murdered in cold blood," I kept eye contact with the nun, "and she's the odd one out. Right Juanita?""Yes, Ishara," Juanita slipped up. Her spycraft, like mine, needed work."You were in the military?" the bishop asked my bodyguard."Was? I am. Right now," she related. "I will be until I die."That earned me looks from the three Catholics."She is loyal," Nicolö nodded slightly toward her, referring to Juanita's declaration."Huh? To me? Nope. She's loyal to my office, which we shan't get into right now. Back to you, Sister Rafaela Sophia. Are you out to be a martyr, or has some saint, or angel, given you a directive the other two seem to be unaware of which causes you to devalue your life?""I am devoted to the One True God, Christ, our Savior," and Juanita snorted, "and the Virgin Mary," the nun stated firmly. "I don't hear voices in my head.""Juanita, that was rude. Apologize to our guest," I kept looking forward."No." Well, fuck you too."Gun," I commanded. I held out my left hand."What? No. I will not give you one of my guns," she resisted."Juanita, give me your primary weapon, or I will ask Pamela to beat you up the moment I depart for the Great Hunt. After yesterday's stunt, you know she will," I threatened. Fair, I was not. She drew a Glock-20 and handed it to me. I went through the routine, dropped the magazine then ejected the round before opening the door.Oh look, there were four SD chicks outside, ready to escort my visitors downstairs. I didn't even need to waste a phone call. It wasn't like the conference room wasn't being monitored."Excuse me," I took a half step out the door then hurled all three items down the hall. Looking back at Juanita. "Go fetch.""Fuck you," she snapped."And insulting her faith was as degrading to both her faith and her as me doing this to you is degrading to you right now," I lectured her. "It is important to her, therefore it is important to me because she is my guest in the same way it is important to me that I let my bodyguard do her job without being a total asshole all the time. Now go get your God-damn weapon," I barked. Off she went. I left the door open."Now Sister Rafaela Sophia, the point of all this is: I don't give a crap if you are willing to die for God. In fact, that makes you less than worthless to me and the team. I want to know if you are willing to put other motherfuckers in the ground so that Bishop Nicolá, or Mathias, might get to keep doing their jobs.""Murder is a sin," she declared."Go home," I sighed while shaking my head."She answers to me, the Church and God, not you, Mr. Nyilas," the bishop stepped forward."Then you can go home too," I shrugged. "I'm not asking for remorseless killers. I'm asking for people willing to kill to get the hard work done and best of all, for people who know the difference.""Everyone on JIKIT is a professional soldier, or killer?" he asked."No, but the ones who aren't don't carry guns and know to get down when things get funky," I bantered."I vouch for her," he insisted. Juanita came running back into the room."Cool beans. I don't know you either.""You apparently know my service history," he volleyed."Yeah. Ten years a foreigner in the service of France, then you went straight into a university which turns out Jesuits," I riposted."What turned your life around?" he evaded. That was okay. I'd gotten what I wanted. I was willing to bet he had read every bit of public information about me and it was rumored the heavy Catholic membership in the FBI had its benefits to the Church as well. Not so much as to give them insight into JIKIT, but,"Someone risked their life for me. It's been pretty much downhill from there," I confessed. It was the truth. After Katrina gave me the life line on Day Two, it had all spiraled to the revelation of my heritage, Dad's death, Summer Camp, the Hamptons, Romania and Aya's kidnapping."A person, a soldier, died saving my life," the bishop empathized. "Her story is similar. She seeks redemption. She is not suicidal. I am staking both our lives on it."Did he mean him and Mathias, or him and me? I wasn't certain. Still, it was good enough for now. I'd gotten a look at their emotional make up, even the relatively quiet Swiss."Very well," I agreed. "I have to go see the President about my new job description. I'll catch up with you at your car." To the SD team leader, "Take them to the garage. I will join the group of you very soon.""Yes Ishara," she nodded. I exited the room, Juanita in tow. Two SD entered. I was gone before the Papal team left. Upstairs we went, with one last chore to discharge. I had to check on Ms. French to be absolutely freaking sure it was Shawnee, because anyone else would spell disaster.{8:30 am, Monday, September 8th. Last day}A Room full of asistants:Well, there it was, the office of the Executive Director to the President, and not 'Executive Assistant', because this was Katrina's final 'fuck you, no, just her final 'fuck you' before the Great Hunt got underway. I shouldn't assume things, dang it!Anyway, according to the gray-haired matron running gatekeeper to the Office of the President, this was where I was supposed to show up. I shot Juanita a worried look. She glanced my way and shrugged, momentarily willing to not give me shit about the past 24 hours because where I was situated would determine how easily she could do her job.In we went. In the suite were three desks, the 'big' desk situated at the far end of the office space and two far more modest ones on either side of the entryway. The room expanded beyond the chokepoint formed by the two closest desks into a cluttered area. The walls were cluttered with inset bookshelves and portraits of women. Facing one another were a loveseat on my left with bookend plush chairs in an 'L' facing and a full sofa on the right. There were end tables at the ends of the sofa and the corners between the loveseat and each chair.As the door opened, I hadn't knock as this was my office, or so it seemed, the occupants, who had all been sitting in quiet conversation in the central section, began reacting. Oh look ~ Constanza! I nearly had a heart attack before I realized there were three other Amazons also in the room. Sadly, none were behind the 'big desk', so I couldn't tell who was in charge. Two of the other three choices weren't too much better. First off,"Ishara," Marilynn Saint John stood to greet me. I'd last seen her when I'd dedicated her grandmother's (Hayden's) spirit to the halls of my ancestors, not hers, after forcing the political crisis leading to Hayden's suicide ~ her taking herself to the cliffs and in doing so, destroying the Amazon Cult of Blood Purity. Marilynne was clearly still bitter with me. Umm, I could still incite passion in women I hadn't slept with, yet, woot?"Cáel," the senior-most and only friendly face in the room spoke next. Thank goodness it was Beyoncé Vincennes, Head of House Hanwasuit and House Ishara ally."Cáel Ishara," the third individual was deferential which I wasn't sure how to take as the last time I'd encountered her, yeah, things hadn't gone well either."Beyoncé," I started off with a smile. From there, I had to figure out, ah, Beyoncé's eyes flickered to Constanza then Sabia. I knew Marilynn, with her young age, had the least seniority, "Constanza, Sabia, Marilynn. How's tricks?"Glum faces by everyone except Beyoncé. I didn't ask about Sabia's particular well-being. It had been months since I'd beaten her into the mats of the Full-blooded gym. She'd attacked Yasmin, the Brazilian Hottie and my Brazilian Jujutsu sparring buddy, and I'd retaliated by ambushed her when she turned her back on us. Besides, she'd been giving me shit before I even could see straight.Constanza was minus her left eye because of her dire insult to me. If she wasn't capable of working, she wouldn't be here. If she appreciated my 'mercy' in sparing her life ~ her insult was worthy of her death ~ Constanza hid it well. I hadn't spared her expecting a change of heart. I hadn't felt words alone warranted anyone's death. I was a big boy and could take a few insults. House Ishara, as represented by me, could care less. These days, my sisters would be less understanding despite them knowing my heart."Constanza Landau of House Jaya and Marilynn Saint John of House Anahit are Assistants to President Shawnee French," Beyoncé eased things along, "so will be working closely with us, at least for the short term. Sabia Noel of House Guabancex, who I now think you know as well, has joined you as the other 'Assistant' to the 'Executive Director to the President', (that would make me an 'adept', but adept at what?), and since two of the three Regents are unfamiliar with the workings of Havenstone proper, Shawnee has asked me to perform in that role."Beyoncé was, or had been, Havenstone HQ's CFO (Chief Financial Officer). From what I was quickly piecing together, she would essentially be making all the day-to-day decisions concerning the running of Havenstone (how the Host made the majority of its money) until the Regents got up to speed.Only Buffy had actual experience with the New York office and, from what she had told me, solely within Executive Services. While ES knew 'who' did what inside Havenstone, they weren't aware precisely how those Amazons got their jobs done. That would have been an impossible task. Katrina could do it, but she knew it was beyond the ability of most of us 'mere mortals'. Since we were currently at war, the Host needed Katrina completely focused on her duties as Chief Spy-mistress, not baby-sitting the adults.Shawnee indeed had much gravitas among the other House Heads. Not only had she risen up to lead a First House, she had performed heroically during the final days of the last Secret War. Afterwards she had moved into the realm of Amazon jurisprudence and mediation. Until yesterday, she had lived in a House Arinniti freehold in Minnesota's Great Lakes region thus her desire for the 'Training Wheels' period.The Regency would not rule through telecommunication (the upper echelons feared being eavesdropped upon beyond the standard Amazon (read: paranoid) levels) and Havenstone: New York was the center best situated for the current war-fighting operations, so here she lived. I was sure a team from Executive Services was buying, outfitting/spy-proofing and fortifying a dwelling suitable for the President of a Fortune 500 company. Hayden's home would remain the domicile of Sydney thus Marilynn.The same rigmarole would be done for Rhada and Buffy (though I imaged Buffy would bitch endlessly). Publically, they were VP's of a company worth hundreds of billions of dollars and they had to present the public trappings of such leaders.Why did the Amazons do this ~ unmask their leadership to public exposure? Legal-simple: they could request and expect all levels of public and private security for their executives who happened to also be important officials of the Host. Certainly not all executives at Havenstone were officeholders, House Heads, or House Apprentices, but the high level of competence which permitted one often led to the other.Beyonce:As an example: Beyoncé wasn't the most 'bad-ass' lethal chick in House Hanwasuit. As she was preparing to be casted, her intelligence, creativity and diligence at her future craft, finances, was noted by the Host and the members of her House. In due time her name was circulated as Apprentice and the elders approved. When her elder cousin, the prior House Head, took herself to the cliffs, Beyoncé assumed the top spot. Beyoncé wasn't even one of that woman's three daughters.Mirroring her advancement in her House was her advancement in Havenstone's Accounting, Acquisitions and Banking Divisions until she was appointed CFO Havenstone HQ ~ the supreme financial authority inside Havenstone, though the individual regional branches had a greater degree of autonomy than you might normally expect from a 21st century conglomerate, or a Bronze Age autocracy.I had to constantly remind myself, despite the near-constant feuding, Amazons exhibited a phenomenally higher level of trust than I'd ever found in any other society I'd ever witnessed, or read about, before. Though technically Beyoncé could have gone to President Hayden to enforce her decisions ~ or now the Regency ~ she was far more diplomatic in her approach in dealing with the other 'continental' CEO's and CFO's.That meant she had to wrangle the aspirations and resources from:North America (including Latin America, the 'Canadian Arctic' and the North Pacific Ocean),South America (includes both the South Atlantic and South Pacific as far as Samoa),Europe (mostly Central Europe these days plus Antarctica, the 'Russian' Arctic and the North Atlantic),Africa (mostly West-central Africa),India (the subcontinent plus the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean) and,Southeast Asia (which includes Australia)All of which suggested Havenstone hadn't redrawn the Amazons' geographic demarcations since the late 19th century. As an example, an East African venture, say in Tanzania, was as likely to be under the purview of Havenstone: India (due to its control over the Indian Ocean) as Havenstone: Africa (which traditionally had no East Coast holdings due to their constant struggles versus the Arabic slave trade).Returning to Beyoncé: initially she had held the proper 'conservative' (aka man-hating) mindset. My behavior during that first Board Meeting began to change her opinion of me and the New Directive. After the Archery Range incident, Beyoncé became a vocal proponent of the New Directive and faced challenges within her ranks. House Heads do not have to accept challenges and Beyoncé didn't, reasoning with her detractors they had no alternatives save the 'Old Ways' which spelled doom for the Amazon Race.Bing-bang-boom ~ I became the Head of a resurrected House Ishara by the Will of the Ancestors and Beyoncé was vindicated. Not necessarily in the New Directive, but in her support of me thus the rebirth of a sister First House. The purge following High Priestess' Hayden's death was her ultimate absolution. The Ancestors and Destiny had spoken and shown Beyoncé had been piloting House Hanwasuit along the proper course all along.Back to my current circumstances:Oh, why was I Assistant to the Executive Director to the President? It gave me direct access to the finances of Havenstone which was a critical leg of the war-fighting stool ~ people, morale, money and equipment. As Chief Diplomat, I helped with all four of those in varying degrees, allied troops, allied victories, allied bank accounts and allied armaments.The Great Khan, my spiritual 'Blood-Brother', was ramping up his logistic support for my Amazons in Africa, Asia and the Americas. We were 'Allies in the Struggle' and he wasn't going to wait for the Condottieri to begin coordinating with the Seven Pillars to declare them to be his enemies. They were already fighting the Amazons and 9 Clans, his allies, so their fates were sealed.In Japan, my Amazons provided small yet highly effective strike groups which the Ninja families furnished all the support services for. Everything from food to bullets to medical attention as needed. Without reservation, we shared their death-grapple with the Seven Pillars.From the dispatches I was getting back from my family members and envoys in Japan, we were making serious diplomatic inroads with the Ninja. Once again, it was the Amazons shocking capacity for violence as well as their fanaticism, professionalism and proficiency which all impressed our hosts and terrified our enemies, and this from people of a philosophical mindset which had them historically battling samurai.The Black Lotus were running around like rhesus monkeys on crack cocaine unleashed in a China Shop and given RPG's. While the Amazons couldn't help them in China, Indochina & Thailand ~ the Khanate could and was. The Amazons were of more help in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, where the Black Lotus and Amazons were going everywhere on the offensive against the Seven Pillars while the normal tight cohesion and iron-clad confidence, traits which made the 7P's so dangerous ~ were shaken by their horrendous losses in the 'Homeland' aka Mainland China.Less we forget, the 'military intelligence' wing of their organization had been decimated by the Khanate's Anthrax attack due to members of the Earth & Sky sacrificing themselves by being injected with the toxin then allowing themselves to be captured, which always ended in torture and death.Furthermore, the People's Republic of China, while having a scary 18% of the population either captured, imprisoned, dead, or displaced due to the Khanate invasion, that had come with the loss of 63% of their landmass (they had lost all of Nei Mongol, Ningxia & Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Regions, Qinghai and Gansu as well as 90% of Yunnan, 80% of Sichuan and 20% of Shaanxi provinces) to the Khanate and the 'abomination' that was a free Tibet.Then came the Russian 'stab in the back' which entailed the loss of another 10% of their people falling under foreign dominion as well as losing 8% of their most industrialized territory, Manchuria (Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces ~ the Nei Mongol portion of 'Manchuria' was in the Khanate's greedy clutches, from the viewpoint of a Seven P's warrior).Don't get me wrong, they weren't about to throw in the towel. If anything, they were becoming more dedicated to trying harder, digging deep into their knowledge of every atrocity, inhumanity and perversion now deemed necessary to re-chart history back onto its 'correct' path. It was this willingness to act in an even greater sociopathic manner which was being used against them. After all, the 7P's had plenty of proxy allies, who were starting to get really nervous about what their paymasters were now asking them to do,We Amazons were getting some extra special help too. The Booth-gan (Do not call them Thuggee ~ the confederate 9 Clan member based out of India though long since ensconced within various Hindi enclaves across the Globe) had created an all-female group of ultra-fanatical Kali-devotees ~ a gift for the upcoming battle fomented by the Will of the Goddess herself.While Aya was our Queen and the Regency would rule until she wished to assume command of the Amazon People, the nuts-and-bolts of the Host's activities were handled by Saint Marie as Golden Mare (our Minister of War) (technically she held the top spot due to our State of War, though no Golden Mare had ever exercised such authority over a Queen (and she definitely believed Aya was our Queen)), Katrina (as Minister of Intelligence and Security), Beyoncé (as Havenstone (the multinational corporation) ~ our Treasurer/Economic Tsarina) and me (our Foreign Minister).Saint Marie had decided to forgo a public face in order to better facilitate her moving around to various battle fronts and holding clandestine meetings with her junior regional commanders. Her Havenstone corporate title was 'Chief of Security Training and Certification'. As an extra level of deception, the head of Security Services wasn't even a Director-level position, instead being folded into the duties of the Office of the President.To my current circumstances ~ I had been given Constanza's house name which could only mean she wasn't currently assigned to the Security Detail; a fact that couldn't have made her bad attitude any better. Marilynn had completely lost her way as an Amazon when I first met her, burying her pain and confusion in endless partying and intoxicants. I believed only her grandmother's status as High Priestess kept her from the severest of reprimands, or death. I didn't even know what Marilynn's caste was. Sabia,"While I'm sure you are both far more qualified than I, precisely how did you two get these jobs?" I had to ask my two non-coworkers. Constanza glowered. Marilynn flinched."I have an in depth knowledge of Havenstone security procedures and resources," Constanza replied."Shawnee requested me," was Marilynn's comeback. "I also have intimate knowledge of the City of New York and its environs.""Actually, Buffy Ishara recommended you both to Shawnee," Beyoncé corrected their misconceptions. I knew the score. I'd be working intimately with the tight community around the President (Shawnee) and Vice Presidents (Buffy & Rhada). Buffy wanted me to be surrounded by women who hated my guts, so I wouldn't end up boinking them. It rarely worked that way. All too often ladies who hated my still-beating heart ended up punishing me with sex. I wasn't sure why that happened, but it did."Beyoncé, didn't the Chief Diplomat of the Host have her own office? I'm pretty sure Troika had one before her unfortunate collision with Saint Marie," I felt entitled to inquire."Do you feel you've earned that office space?" she riposted."Oh, fuck no!" I waved my hands one over the other to accentuate my denial. "I was just wondering where I could stick Juanita while I'm hanging around, here.""She has the desk right outside the door, Cáel," Beyoncé smiled knowingly. "So there is no way you can sneak past her.""Oh," I grunted. "Buffy again?""No. Pamela Pile put in that particular request.""Oh, Sweet Mother of God, now she is conspiring against me too?""Yes. Some of us realize the greatest hazard to your health is yourself, Ishara," Beyoncé chided me. "We'd like to keep you around, so we listen to those charged with that nigh impossible task.""Is she going to be hanging around the office often?" Constanza asked, either myself, Juanita, or Beyoncé; I wasn't sure. She = Pamela."Please, Constanza," I attempted to intervene, "don't make Pamela kill you. It will upset Mona." Constanza's scowl was accentuated by the eyepatch covering her ruined left socket, the one Pamela had carved out when Constanza had insulted me and House Ishara on our first day of rebirth. I didn't tell Juanita this, because Juanita might just shoot Constanza over the insult before Pamela got a chance to finish the job.The tension was palatable."Mona and I have talked, about Romania, and other things," Constanza grudgingly allowed. It took me a second to realize there was a hidden meaning to what she said. Mona was part of my personal Security Detail bodyguard unit. If she felt Constanza, the woman who had raised her after her birth-mother had died, was a threat to me, she'd feel duty-bound to snuff Constanza first. Amazons were hard-ass bitches alright and I think Mona had made that clear."I hope things can improve between us," I offered to Constanza. "Beyoncé, I just stopped in to say 'hey'. I'm off to JIKIT and I've got three of the Pope's people waiting on me in the garage so,""Vice President Varma requested a moment of your time," Beyoncé smirked. "She is in 2604.""Who?""Vice President Rhada Varma, a moment of your time, alone?" she clarified."Sure thing," I backed out of the office. Once I had some space, I turned to Juanita. "Give me three minutes then bust in and say, I don't know, a tsunami is about to overwhelm the city, or something. Otherwise, I won't get out for at least an hour and I think I've put the Bishop and his people through enough delays as it is.""Are you actually asking me to stop you from having an in-office liaison?" she studied me intently as we walked in the direction of Rhada's office."Yes. It's not likely to happen often, believe me.""Oh, I do, in that you won't ask me to do it often," she grumbled. I'd deal with Juanita's morale problem later. Right now, I had to gird my loins so they wouldn't do anything else with Rhada. I had work to do, damn it!Rhada was sitting at her desk, working on something, stylus raised up so she could chew on the end. Her hair was pulled back in a half-ponytail, the type that captured the rear half of the hair in a ponytail while leaving the front and bangs free to flow down. Rhada's blouse was white & billowy and, as I was soon to discover, her pants were ultra-tight and contour hugging."Mr. Nyilas," she greeted me. "I would like a moment of your time," she relayed what I already knew. She was more than a tad nervous to boot."Vice President Varma," I started off."When in private you may call me Rhada," she interrupted."Rhada, you look more ravishing than ever."That got up her and coming around her desk, which revealed her ultra-tight pants with no sign of her wearing underwear. Yikes! My cock was preparing to do what a cock was meant to do and I just didn't have the time, Really!"Do you have any time?" she let her bosom heave."Not today, ugh," I groaned. See, Rhada took the stylus and dragged it down her chin, throat and in between her bountiful mounds.All of which exposed the top of her black bra."Are you sure, Master?" she enticed me by turning around and then leaning over her desk, point that ass in my direction. My mouth began salivating and my groin ached. I found myself quick-stepping to her and giving those buttocks two firm slaps, one on each cheek."No, damn it, though I'm going to make you pay for this when I get back," I rumbled."Master will make me wait?" she taunted me."That will cost you even more," I growled. "I have business which simply won't wait and here is my captive teasing me with the treasures of her flesh. Bad, war captive," I spanked her yet again, hard. "Bad!" and I spanked her a fourth time. With each beating, Rhada gasped in pain and then exhaled in pleasure."If I've been bad, Master must be extra harsh with me when he returns in triumph from the Great Hunt," she gloated. Rhada had gotten what she wanted, which was another affirmation of my lust for her and our 'game'. I could provide her the release she so desperately craved while allowing her the safety of remaining in the Amazon fold. It was a perfect pairing, for her.I had other problems, such as all the other baby mamas in my life plus the extra-marital affairs I was contemplating. I still took the moments we had to snuggle with Rhada, her grinding that tush into my rod while I held both her arms tightly to her side while raining kisses down onto her neck and head."Sir! A giant tsunami is approaching the city!" Juanita exploded through the door."What?" I coughed. I had a face full of hair."Huh?" Rhada pushed up and away from me. I let her go."Right now," Juanita insisted. She really needed to stop taking me so seriously when I gave her such advice."Really?" from Rhada. She shot me a curious look so I shrugged. What else was I supposed to do with such a flimsy lie forcing our separation? At least I got out of there on time?{9:50 am, Monday, September 8th ~ Last day}(JKIT HQ)"Is this a common occurrence?" Sister Rafaela Sophia whispered to the closest woman, who happened to be Wiesława, the Polish Amazon. Since she hadn't arrived with us from Havenstone, the nun might have assumed she was with the 'Americans', or British."What?" Wiesława responded evenly."Weapons combat, they look real," the nun clarified."They are real. We always practice with real weapons.""Really?""Of course," Wiesława smiled at her. "We believe a few cuts and scrapes now will save lives when the true tests come.""Oh, you are with, Havenstone?" Rafaela clued in."Yes. I am Wiesława of House Živa. I am currently assigned to Unit L, Cáel's unit within JIKIT," she offered her hand to shake. Despite being a full-blooded Amazon from a freehold, her 'human' skills were progressing nicely. The nun shook it."I am Sister Rafaela Sophia of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, that is a Roman Catholic Religious Order." Pause. "Do you hate Catholics too?""Yes. We have lived beside your people for many centuries and found your clergy to be much more dangerous than your pagan predecessors. Still, Cáel thinks you can be relied on and he's proven we can trust outsider women, which I was raised to believe was unlikely, and outsider men, which was basically anathema, so I'm willing to set aside my prejudices and judge you as an individual," the Pole imparted."Outsider men?" Rafaela mumbled."Well, yes," Wiesława smirked. "You are a nun, right?""Yes.""So you set aside the World of Men to live mostly among women, right?""Not entirely," the nun chose her words carefully. "We still rely on priests for religious rights and of course obey the life teachings of Christ and follow the leadership of his Holiness, the Pope, a man.""No one is perfect," the Amazon bantered back."Do you know the teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ?" Rafaela ventured into dangerous waters."Yes. He was the semi-historical Son of your supposed One True God. We are not monotheists. We are Polytheists. Živa is my House's matron Goddess. It is also the name of the first woman to lead the House, her birth name surrendered to Destiny so all the daughters who came afterwards would be equals.""Oh, is Mr. Nyilas also pagan?" she inquired."I am unsure. From what I have been told, he has commended the spirit of his fallen father to your Jesus in a sacred ceremony then, in the presence of your Trinity and the Goddess Ishara, brought in new members to his House. I suspect he may be both," Wiesława reasoned. "Why don't you ask him?""Because he's fighting for his life?" Rafaela looked my way.See, the entire time their discussion had been going on, I had been sparring in a spare room at JIKIT HQ with Estere Abed, the Hashashin assassin (rather redundant ~ like saying the Sahara Desert). I had two tomahawks while she had a scimitar and curved dagger. While we sparred using the furniture as obstacles, Agent-86 was briefing me on various World events to get my input.Addison Stuart (CIA) and Lady Fathom Worthington-Burke (MI-6) were having a chat with Bishop Nicolé de Santis, verifying for themselves he was worth adding to the team. Juanita was having a similar discussion with Rikki Martin (US State Department) concerning my earlier encounter with the Papal team. Nicolé's buddy, Wachtmeister Mathias Bosshart of the Swiss Guard, was getting acquainted with the other security personnel.In comparison, those two had it easy. Both men were in their elements. Nicolé was a spook who pretended to be a diplomat for the Pope and was well acquainted with terms like 'deniable assets', 'plausible deniability' and your direct superior referring to requests concerning your identity/diplomatic status by saying 'I never heard of him and if I had, I have no idea what he was doing when you caught him doing what I don't know what he was doing', or something like that.Mathias was in the company of military-security specialists, brother professionals who were introducing him to his 'sister' professionals. Our Homeland Security gang were almost entirely former military by now. They got along with our JSOC folks and both had gained a limited acceptance with the Amazon security contingent.They bonded over the fact they were forced to work with really shady characters ~ the 9 Clans menagerie ~ who didn't always appreciate JIKIT operational security. Without going into particulars, the Wachtmeister was given the impression the abnormal was the norm and if you didn't think there was a 'down-side' to being able to carry your personally favorite bang-bang (the SG 552-2P Commando in his case) with some serious attachments (read: grenade launcher) around in downtown Manhattan, you probably didn't belong on this team.Back in the room,"He's not fighting for his life," Estere laughed. "He is fighting for mine.""Right," I responded sarcastically. We went through a flurry of exchanges, ending up with me kicking a chair at her. Estere stepped over it, colliding with me.I blocked her dagger, disarmed her scimitar and,"You are dead," she panted down at me, smiling. I was on my back, her straddling me. She had a belt-knife to my throat. I hadn't see her draw it. The scimitar 'disarm' had been a distraction."Woot!" I exhaled."But you're dead," Sister Rafaela misunderstood my good humor."He survived a minute and thirty-four seconds more today than his previous record," Estere responded. She slithered off of me, doing my arousal no good whatsoever, then offered me a hand up."And that's better?""He's a rank amateur with a few months on the job. I've been training to kill people for nearly two decades," Estere smiled. "Care to have a go?""With him, or you?""Either," Estere offered."I don't have a knife, or any hand weapons," she stated."We'll need to remedy that," Wiesława stated. "You should at least carry a knife.""Really? Why?""It is a nearly universal tool," I verbally stepped up. "Even if you are disarmed, you should be able to find one relatively easily, people are less likely to miss a stolen knife than a purloined gun, and a concealed blade could come in handy.""Do you train in knife-work?" Rafaela eye-balled me."Absolutely. It is part of my culture," I grinned."Okay. Can we spar, hand-to-hand?""Sure," I nodded. I put my tomahawks in their harnesses then put my harnesses aside. Estere gave me a wink before giving us the fighting space."So," Rafaela began to circle, "are you Christian?""By your definition, or mine?""By the definition of the Catholic Church."Oh cool, she went for a Savate stance. This was going to get ugly.My "no," was followed by her kick and my block, lunge and grapple. She wasn't nearly as good as Felix. I had her down and in a choke hold within fifteen seconds.Perhaps she thought I'd take it easy on her. She tapped out. I released her, retreated and flowed back to my boxing stance. It took her a moment to realize this was 'practice', not 'an interview'. She hadn't failed in anyone's eyes. We were both doing this to get better."See, I really, truly believe I have talked to supernatural entities ~ some who are considered divinities," I continued. This time she was more careful, trading jabs and blocks with me. "They don't claim to be the One True God. I believe in such a thing, but I also believe having been given the Message, Humanity has been left to muddle things out for ourselves."Whoops, she popped me one."The Woman-Thing this morning?""Yep," I evaded another flurry. She got cocky and I landed three blows, dropping her to the ground. I didn't help her up. Instead, I withdrew and let her get back up on her own before deciding if she wanted to continue. She did."I believe I've seen dragons and ghosts. I have felt legions of my ancestors give me quiet encouragement when I needed it. I know the dead have been brought back to life," I came at her. This time we both went for body blows, knees, elbows and fists. She was not SD-caliber and she needed to be. I grappled and she was forced to tap out again. After she regained her feet, she held up a hand for a pause."Do you believe any of that?" she addressed Estere."I am an adherent of Ismaili Islam yet nothing Cáel has encountered is contrary to my belief system. The Universe is a complex place and the Divine Light is often seen through a fractured lenses," she counseled the nun."Among the escapees were lawyer Francisco Luemba, Catholic Priest Raul Tati, economist Belchior Lanso Tati and former policeman Benjamin Fuca who are serving jail sentences of between three and six years each for supposed links to the rebel group FLEC (Frente para a Libertaé'o do Enclave de Cabinda), which carried out the attack on the Togolese football team at the start of the Africa Cup of Nations in January, 2010," Agent-86 read off yet another bit of global minutia."We need to get to them," I half turned. Sister Rafaela punched me in the gut and I folded up."Oh!" she gasped. "I'm sorry.""Okay," I mumbled. I had to keep with the plan. "Those men. We need to contact our Coils people in Kinshasa and the Warden of the Mountain Ways ('she' was the Amazon Host's leader of Africa ~ in the ancient times, the mountain ways had been the routes of southern vulnerability for the Amazon tribe thus the name).""Okay," both Agent-86 and Estere answered."Why?" 86 added."The Coils and the Host have had a serious problem with no nation in Africa giving them even back room recognition so we are going to take over our own country, Cabinda. It's been struggling to be free of Angola since 1975 and, by latest estimates, we've got strike elements of over 2,000 Amazons ready and waiting next door in Cameroon, Gabon and the Republic of Congo.""So you are going to go to war with Angola?" Estere frowned. "Don't we have enough enemies?""Au contraire," I grinned wickedly. "The resistance movement is genuine," I ticked off my points, "they have tons of offshore oil, and after we set off some spectacular explosions in the two main Angolan ports which are just down the coast, we allow global panic to bully the UN into intervening before the Angolan military launch an effective counter-offensive ~ considering the Angolan Armed Forces (I'd been reading up on a ton of CIA & MI-6 briefings) will most likely involve attrition warfare since they can't beat us in a stand-up fight.""They, the Angolans, have no overland access, they are separated by 60 kilometers of territory belonging to the Democratic Republic of Congo over some sad ass roads Plus the Congo River itself which is freaking huge by the time it gets that close to the Atlantic, Cabinda rests on the Atlantic Ocean by the way. No bridges. The Angolan Navy is anemic. Let me think."I began pacing."Hmm, they have no paratroopers though they have some Special Forces, we will need to hit as many of them in the barracks as we can. Their last invasion was from the north, overland, from the Republic of the Congo, in 1975, not likely to happen this time, though I may have my 'Brother' weasel up a battalion of Indian paratroopers to act as convincing peacekeepers after the initial take over.""Perhaps we can recruit some Vietnamese. I'm sure they'll love fighting in someone else's jungle for a change. We'll need some of 'our' guys to seize the port of Soyo, it is on the wrong side of the river, but has the major refinery the Cabindans will need. Since the entire surrounding province are the same ethnic make-up as the Cabindans, we'll have to take that too.""Man-o-man, I bet by the time this is over they'll really wish they'd given little Cabinda independence back in 1975. As for their other refinery, it is in their capital, Luanda, a few big explosions there too will get the markets jittery. Check that ~ the complete and utter destruction of their major petroleum facility will create a stampede for Peace," I continued. I walked over as our resident computer intelligence genius worked his magic."Blowing things up, you mean killing people," the nun blanched."Yes. This is what I do," I spared her a sympathetic glance. "I've got a madman roaming around in my head who provides me truly epic military advice which normally, but not always, means blowing shit up and killing folks. Welcome to the team," then as the data appeared, "Holy Shit! Did they build their oil refinery in the midst of their ghetto?" I was staggered. The refinery in Soyo was isolated from the town so it could be easily (and safely) seized. It was the one in Luanda which was the 'Holy Shit' site."It looks that way," Agent-86 agreed nonplussed. "Hmm, yeah, here is the port facility then your neighborhood of shoddily constructed one- and two-story dwellings between the refinery and the inland storage tanks, the perimeter barrier appears to be a chain link fence. I'd hate to be their Chief of Security.""Oh yeah," I choked. Estere slipped around to get a look."Whoops," she snorted."What are these people thinking?" I continued. "The whole shebang is exposed to the northern quarter of the city. The storage tanks have residential dwellings on all four sides with numerous side streets. Two teams with RPGs and four rounds apiece, Holy Crap. Sorry Sister.""But I want to save lives," she sputtered."Limiting the collateral damage could be pretty tough," Estere frowned. She toggled throw a series of maps to multiple pictures."Oh, look (dripping sarcasm); they light up the refinery at night. You can sit off the coast in a speed boat under cover of darkness and attack from there," she noted."Damn. Those are a lot of lights," Agent-86 agreed."24-7 operation," I suspected."We will need some experts," the government agent nodded."Or we are going to kill a fuck-load of innocent people. Not just the workers, but can you imagine a fire spreading to those neighborhoods? Shit," I muttered."You can't seriously be contemplating doing something like this," the nun sputtered. "It is inhumane. Think of the families, the children.""Lady, yes I am. Do you have any idea what the Human Rights record of the Angolan Army in Cabinda is? It is truly horrific and in case you missed it, one of the guys in dire need of rescuing by me, due to him being a huge rebel leader who has managed to escape, is also a Catholic priest. He's going to be part of the new government we are going to install once we kill a few hundred Angolans ~ mostly soldiers (more like well over a thousand).""We are going to kill a few hundred so a few hundred thousand can live free, democratic lives without worrying about the local police and political establishment torturing and murdering them. It is all part of the plan.""I think I need to talk with the Bishop.""Hang on. Let me finish," I forestalled her. "He'll get briefed along with everyone else. After all, it is a majority Roman Catholic country as is Angola, so I'm sure your guy can be of immense help.""The people you are putting at risk don't deserve this," she protested."They never do," I nodded in agreement with her. "It rarely stops terrible crap from happening to them though."I felt sorry for the Sister. She thought the Bishop was going to put a stop to this. Poor girl; he was going to do the exact opposite. See, the two competing forces at play here were a communistic kleptocracy (currently ruling Angola) and Catholic liberation theology united with a Cabindan national identity dating back to 1885. At stake was 900,000 barrels a day of petroleum. That was a bunch of funding for somebody. Last I checked, the state run energy conglomerate had misplaced $32 billion, in just three years.Mind you, the Coils of the Serpent and the Amazon Host didn't want to help the People of Cabinda out of the goodness of their hearts either. They wanted cover for the importation of weapons and other war-fighting material so they could kill the Condottieri in Africa. If the rebel leaders-turned-legitimate government didn't play ball well, the Coils were in the 'assassinating people' business and somewhere along the line the survivors would figure out keeping 'us' happy kept them alive. Problem solved.It was Bishop Nicolé de Santis' job to facilitate that understanding. If certain people with Vatican credentials explained the 'facts of life' to the new regime a lot more lives could be saved, Catholic lives. In turn, he could work to make sure the new group in power wasn't nearly as corrupt as the gang we were tossing out. Better education and quality of life, improved infrastructure & security and a nice shiny cathedral, or two.We, as in JIKIT and our component members, didn't want to rule the country and dominate the people's lives. We needed the ports and the airfields with a blind eye turned to our skullduggery. Sure, there would be future considerations. Amazons and Coil members would be fighting and dying for these people's freedom ~ public recognition definitely not required. No; the Amazons wanted to be left alone in their deep jungle homes which was an isolation they basically already had. This was a future chit which said 'don't come looking'.The Coils? Let's just say in the future Cabinda would have embassies around the globe and if occasionally they wanted someone to slip through under diplomatic cover ~ they were good for it. And if the Cabindans ever needed help in the future they knew they had friends in dark places who were now invested in Cabinda's survival. It was a win-win-win, unless you were an Angolan big-wig, or one of their foot-soldier currently serving in Cabinda. Amazons weren't big on taking prisoners, or even giving the opposition the option of giving up.For me, it wasn't lunch yet and here I was plotting to overthrow yet another government in yet another country ~ though in only two, small provinces this time. Thank the Goddess I had the rest of the week

In this episode of The Ambitious Introvert® Podcast, I'm joined by Chris Dyer, a globally recognized expert on company culture and remote work. As a former CEO leading thousands of employees, Chris has built award-winning workplaces, earning recognition as a 5-time Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Company and a Best Place to Work for over 14 years.Chris shares his insights on leadership, workplace culture, and the surprising ways he found introverts thrive in customer service roles. This key data led to a staggering increase in NPS scores from the mid-40s to an incredible 93, and Chris is sharing the how. We also look at his Seven Pillars of Cultural Success, a framework that has helped countless companies transform their work environments, empower employees, and drive business growth.Tune in to hear:

Did you know that 95% of people in the UK and US will never achieve financial independence? The reason isn't lack of opportunity—it's the way they approach wealth-building.Snippet of wisdom 68.In this series, I select my favourite, most insightful moments from previous episodes of the podcast.My guest, the economist Kevin Whelan, reveals the Seven Pillars of Wealth—proven strategies that can help you take control of your financial future, reduce risk, and build lasting wealth.Discover how to turn your home into an income-generating asset without selling it.Learn why traditional pensions and investments often underperform—and what you can do instead.Uncover powerful alternative wealth-building strategies, from property portfolios to joint ventures.˚VALUABLE RESOURCES:Listen to the full conversation with Kevin Whelan in episode #278:https://personaldevelopmentmasterypodcast.com/278Mastery Seekers Tribe: https://masteryseekerstribe.com˚Want to be a guest on Personal Development Mastery?Send Agi Keramidas a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/personaldevelopmentmastery˚Personal development inspiration, insights, and actions to implement for living with purpose.˚Support the showPersonal development insights and actionable inspiration to implement for self-mastery, living authentically, finding your purpose, cultivating emotional intelligence, building confidence, and becoming authentic through healthy habits, meditation, mindset shifts, spirituality, clarity, passion discovery, wellness, and personal growth - empowering entrepreneurs, leaders, and seekers to embrace happiness and fulfilment.Join our free community "Mastery Seekers Tribe". To support the show, click here.

"Generosity is good for the brain.” ”Be intentional and ask yourself, 'When was the last time I did something for the first time?'” “We have to intentionally put ourselves in new spaces.” “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is today.” Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Intercultural Creativity 02:53 The Journey of Genein Letford 05:55 Understanding Intercultural Creativity 09:01 The Importance of Cultural Awareness 11:57 Benefits of Expanding Awareness 15:00 The Role of the Brain in Creativity 18:03 Emotional Intelligence and Learning 20:57 The Arts as a Justice Issue 23:57 Lifelong Learning and Curiosity 26:58 Practical Steps for Creative Engagement 30:25 Unlocking Hidden Potential Through Music 32:20 The Power of Emotional Regulation and the Arts 34:38 Recharging the Brain: The Importance of Breaks 37:48 Seven Pillars of Brain Health 39:19 The Importance of Creativity in Education 42:51 Curiosity and Generosity: Keys to a Fulfilling Life 46:14 Prismatic Leadership: Seeing Hidden Talents 51:17 Legacy of Intercultural Creativity Episode Summary: In this conversation, Genein Letford, a pioneer in intercultural creativity, shares her journey from being an elementary school teacher to becoming a leading voice in creative and intercultural competencies. She discusses the importance of understanding our cultural lenses and how they affect our perception of creativity. Letford emphasizes the need for curiosity and lifelong learning, highlighting the role of the arts in brain development and emotional intelligence. She provides practical advice on how to engage with different cultures and expand one's awareness, ultimately advocating for a more inclusive and creative approach to education and leadership. In this conversation, Genein Letford discusses the importance of music, emotional regulation, and creativity in personal and educational development. She emphasizes the need for breaks to recharge the brain, the significance of integrating arts into education, and the role of curiosity and generosity in leading a fulfilling life. Letford also highlights the concept of prismatic leadership, which involves recognizing and nurturing the hidden talents of team members, and shares her vision for a legacy centered around intercultural creativity. R.O.G. Takeaway Tips: Expose yourself to different cultural lenses to influence your creativity. Travel and make connections with diverse cultures. Curiosity is a key driver of personal and professional growth. The brain benefits significantly from engagement in the arts. Emotional intelligence and brain safety is foundational for effective learning. Arts education is a justice issue that impacts brain development. Lifelong learning should include artistic experiences. It's never too late to invest in creativity and learning. Practical engagement with new experiences can rewire the brain.  Emotional regulation is crucial for success. Dementia prevention starts in early education. Generosity has positive effects on the brain. Great leaders recognize hidden talents in others. Flourishing creatively is key to a fulfilling life. Guest Bio: Genein Letford is a pioneer in the field of Intercultural Creativity™ and a national award-winning educator, best-selling author and global speaker on the creative and intercultural competencies. As a veteran TEDx speaker and top creativity trainer, she has inspired many professionals to redevelop their creative abilities in order to produce inclusive ideas for the classroom and workspace. She is certified in the Intercultural Development Inventory Assessment and delivers one of a kind interactive training on intercultural creativity for organizations. She is the founder and Chief Creative Officer of CAFFE InterCreative Strategies, LLC which trains leaders and employees to unleash their innovative thinking for themselves and in their work while building an inclusive environment. Genein believes creative thinking surrounded by an environment of inclusion are critical skills and she is often called ‘America's Champion of Creativity' for her work in reigniting creativity and inclusiveness in our workforce. Resources: CaffeStrategies.com GeneinLetford.com Genein Letford on Linkedin (in/genein) Genein Letford on Facebook (@GeneinSpeaks) Genein Letford on Twitter/X (@GeneinLetford) Genein Letford on Instagram (@geneinletford) Genein's books Genein's The Create and Grow Podcast  Creative Wealth Academy  Proud Mary by Tina Turner- go to karaoke song Everything Under the Sun by Molly Oldfield The social brain and its superpowers: Matthew Lieberman, Ph.D.  I Heard There Was a Secret Chord by Dr. Daniel Leventon, audiobook on YouTube ​​Music and Mind by Renée Fleming ​​Your Brain on Art by Dr. Ivy Ross and Dr. Susan Magnuson Where to find R.O.G. Podcast: R.O.G on YouTube R.O.G on Apple Podcasts R.O.G on Spotify 5 Year Gratitude Journal: Grounded in Gratitude on Etsy How diverse is your network?  N.D.I. Network Diversity Index What is your Generosity Style?  Generosity Quiz Credits: Genein Letford, Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy, Bridge Between, Inc. Coming Next: Please join us next week, Episode 218, Special Guest, Dr. Maureen Reusch.

If you're enjoying the content, please like, subscribe, and comment! Please consider supporting the show! https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/worldxppodcast/support A Line In The Sand: https://www.amazon.com/Line-Sand-Novel-Miles-Spencer/dp/1917185820/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Wells Jones is an "American Born Abroad" at the US Army Hospital, Bad Connstatt, Germany. Following High School in Bethel, Vermont Wells spent three seasons in Antarctica as a member of the Navy's VXE-6 Antarctic Para-Rescue Team. VXE-6 was contracted by the National Science Foundation as the air wing in support of international Antarctic research "Operation Deepfreeze." During this time he became an Antarctic Survival Instructor and the 7th person to skydive the South Pole - January 19, 1977. After his Antarctic tour he studied acting at Santa Barbara City College and performed in college and Santa Barbara community productions. In 1980 he left Santa Barbara for New York to attend The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Wells' SAG and AFTRA cards soon followed with principal roles in network television commercials and daytime television. In the early 90's Wells co-founded a production company, Aunahil, LLC and produced, wrote and directed over 100 live theatrical and educational events for non-profit organization presented in venues across the country including Constitution Hall for The White House, The Kennedy Center Opera House, Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, Orchestra Hall Chicago, and The Philadelphia Museum of Art. In 2006 Wells completed an 1,100 mile backpack trek with Miles Spencer from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Damascus, Syria retracing T.E. Lawrence (of Arabia) path along the Hejaz as outlined in "Seven Pillars of Wisdom." He has been a board member of "Kayak for a Cause" and kayaked across Long Island Sound annually for five years with several hundred kayakers to raise funds for local charities. Wells has climbed a half dozen Colorado 14er's, skied Colorado back-country bowls and has completed over 40 solo 3 am 7 mile hikes up 12,622' Santa Fe Baldy, NM in all seasons to watch spectacular sunrises. Since his trip to the Middle East, Wells and Miles have been working on a play and book, titled "A Line In The Sand." detailing their travels. ______________________ Follow us! @worldxppodcast Instagram - https://bit.ly/3eoBwyr @worldxppodcast Twitter - https://bit.ly/2Oa7Bzm Spotify - http://spoti.fi/3sZAUTG YouTube - http://bit.ly/3rxDvUL #media #writer #israel #lawrenceofarabia #arabic #saudiarabia #jeddah #parachute #navy #antarctica #skydiving #explore #explorepage #podcastshow #longformpodcast #longformpodcast #podcasts #podcaster #newpodcast #podcastshow #podcasting #newshow #worldxppodcast

On this TCAF Tuesday, Josh Brown is joined by Owen Lamont, Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Acadian Asset Management to discuss his piece “The Seven Pillars of Market Bubbles". Then at 40:44, hear an all-new episode of What Are Your Thoughts with Josh Brown and Michael Batnick! This episode is sponsored by F/M Investments and Rocket Money!  To learn more about F/m ETFs, visit: www.fminvest.com Cancel your unwanted subscriptions today by visiting: http://rocketmoney.com/compound   Sign up for The Compound Newsletter and never miss out! Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecompoundnews Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecompoundnews LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-compound-media/ Investing involves the risk of loss. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be or regarded as personalized investment advice or relied upon for investment decisions. Michael Batnick and Josh Brown are employees of Ritholtz Wealth Management and may maintain positions in the securities discussed in this video. All opinions expressed by them are solely their own opinion and do not reflect the opinion of Ritholtz Wealth Management. The Compound Media, Incorporated, an affiliate of Ritholtz Wealth Management, receives payment from various entities for advertisements in affiliated podcasts, blogs and emails. Inclusion of such advertisements does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof, or any affiliation therewith, by the Content Creator or by Ritholtz Wealth Management or any of its employees. For additional advertisement disclaimers see here https://ritholtzwealth.com/advertising-disclaimers. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. The information provided on this website (including any information that may be accessed through this website) is not directed at any investor or category of investors and is provided solely as general information. Obviously nothing on this channel should be considered as personalized financial advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. See our disclosures here: https://ritholtzwealth.com/podcast-youtube-disclosures/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, I sit down with Rebecca Whitman, a life coach and bestselling author, to explore the key to living a balanced, beautiful, and abundant life. Rebecca shares her framework for the Seven Pillars of Abundance, offering practical strategies to manage time, nurture relationships, and prioritize self-care. We discuss the importance of shifting from scarcity to abundance, the power of gratitude, and how consistency transforms simple actions into lasting success. Rebecca also explains why romance—whether with a partner or life itself—is essential for joy and fulfillment. Her insights will leave you inspired to create harmony across every area of your life.

Sponsored by Freedom Federal Credit UnionIn this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, sponsored by Freedom Federal Credit Union, Rich sits down with Elona Lopari, CEO of The Life School, bestselling author, and business coach. Elona shares her journey from corporate executive to successful entrepreneur, offering insights on aligning purpose with profit and building a legacy-driven business. She breaks down her unique methodology, the Seven Pillars of Success, and emphasizes the importance of personal branding, leadership, and authentic connection. Whether you're a CEO or an aspiring entrepreneur, Elona's advice on working smarter, building systems, and fostering meaningful relationships will inspire you to take your business to the next level.Tune in for actionable strategies and inspiring lessons on leadership, legacy, and growth!Elona Lopari - CoachingSponsor Message:This episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett is proudly sponsored by Freedom Federal Credit Union. Serving businesses in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, and Harford County, Freedom Federal Credit Union offers tailored financial solutions to help your business thrive. Whether you need business checking, savings, loans, or credit cards, they have the tools to support your growth. With over 70 years of local expertise, Freedom Federal is committed to empowering businesses and fostering community success.Visit freedomfcu.org to learn how Freedom Federal Credit Union can support your business. Freedom to grow, freedom to succeed—it's all possible with Freedom Federal Credit Union!Send us a textFreedom Federal Credit UnionHELPING YOU REACH YOUR FINANCIAL DREAMSDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showFollow the Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast on Social Media:Facebook – Conversations with Rich Bennett & Harford County LivingFacebook Group (Join the conversation) – Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast group | FacebookTwitter – Conversations with Rich Bennett & Harford County LivingInstagram – Harford County LivingTikTok – CWRB (@conversationsrichbennett) | TikTok Sponsors, Affiliates, and ways we pay the bills:Recorded at the Freedom Federal Credit Union StudiosHosted on BuzzsproutRocketbookSquadCast Contests & Giveaways Subscribe by Email ...

Spirituality & Hope PodcastFive Primary Points from this Podcast:* Optimizing Vitality and Performance:* The podcast's 2025 focus has expanded to include both vitality and performance optimization, emphasizing that vitality fuels performance in all aspects of life. Vitality is defined as purposeful, energetic, and connected living, while performance is achieving desired outcomes with consistency, efficiency, and resilience.* Seven Pillars of Performance:* Dr. Mishra introduces the "Seven Pillars of Performance," which will be explored over the next several weeks:* Attention* Preparation* Purpose* Pressure (Resilience)* Energy* Emotion* Execution* This episode focuses on the first pillar, "Attention," likened to a laser beam, emphasizing its finite nature and the importance of directed focus.* Practical Strategies for Attention and Awareness:* Work in focused intervals of 30-45 minutes, followed by short breaks, to combat mental fatigue.* Limit digital distractions by disabling notifications and setting specific times for checking emails and social media.* Optimize brain function through sufficient sleep and regular exercise, which enhances focus, decision-making, and pattern recognition.* Lessons from History: Attention and Discovery:* The discovery of penicillin by Dr. Alexander Fleming illustrates the power of attention and awareness in recognizing profound implications. The analogy underscores the importance of situational awareness and focus in making significant contributions.* Call to Action for 2025:* Listeners are encouraged to commit to optimizing their vitality and performance by practicing the discussed strategies and embracing the weekly pillars. The overarching mission for 2025 is to make it a vital and high-performing year, inspiring the audience to "Dare to Be Vital."Spirituality & Hope Podcast This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vitalityexplorers.substack.com/subscribe

What percentage of Americans do you think lose sleep fretting about money matters in the middle of the night? (Hint, it's well over the majority!) When I was livin' it up in San Francisco working in the wine industry, I managed to rack up some impressive debt, and it frequently impacted my slumber. Over the years there were other financial issues such as worry over estate planning once my son was born and then Covid came and tanked the stock market and subsequently sent interest rates up and inflation especially sky high.Sleep is a critical factor in the body's ability to function optimally and repair itself; in other words, it's a cornerstone of metabolic health. Which is why in today's episode #63 of The Nourishment Mindset, we're talking with a financial expert who wants to help YOU get a better night's sleep. (This is a pod-only episode as we're in the middle of a move and I'm also rehearsing for a play so I didn't elect to video edit.)Meet CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy,® Accredited Tax Preparer® and my husband, Patrick Huey. He's a self described “comprehensive financial concierge for real people” and offers plenty of sound, actionable advice as you prepare for 2025.Patrick discusses how to cultivate financial health, what we should and shouldn't worry about and most importantly, how to find balance when it comes to making, saving, spending and giving money. We talk about how to assess financial health, determine if you would benefit from working with a financial advisor and what to look for in your search for a good fit.“Everyone has a plan until you ask them to produce it.” - Patrick Huey, owner of Victory Independent PlanningWe also emphasize the importance of getting that second opinion if you already have your money house in order. I recently had a dentist tell me I needed a freakin' root canal. After seeking a couple of second opinions, I learned that there's nothing wrong with my tooth after performing a simple a cold test with an ice cube at home! While it's standard practice to get a second opinion in medical matters, it's much more rare in the world of finance. If you walk away with one takeaway from this episode, take this: get a second opinion on your financial health, which is significantly more comprehensive than your investments! There are so many money managers out there who do just that — focus solely on investment accounts, leaving estate, tax, health and other planning to others… Or sadly and commonly, no one.Financial health is about so much more and in this episode, you'll learn about Patrick's SMART® approach to gliding into retirement and much more.****I'm thrilled to offer Nourishment Mindset subscribers this special, no obligation offer through January 15: a complimentary signed shipped copy of Patrick's Seven Pillars of Financial Wisdom to help you determine if you're getting the maximum benefit from your current approach to financial health. To receive one, simply email me. (FavorFat@gmail.com)FINE READS-For those who want a more comprehensive read, Patrick spent nearly a decade crafting only the book he could write. AND didn't toss me off our Camas, WA balcony to the coyotes the night I gave him this feedback after reading the manuscript: “There's a lot here. But you need to start over from an organization stand point.”History Lessons for the Modern Investor takes a rollicking romp through the past helping you learn important lessons from historical figures to become a better investor today. For example, Julius Caesar, courtesy of some heavily armed guys in togas, discovered that mental shortcuts can lead to disappointing results. He learned it the hard way, but you don't have to. Nicolaus Copernicus didn't think the universe revolved around him—rare for a genius of his time. His economic theory is the secret to funding a long retirement. And you won't risk getting burned at the stake…To check out all of his books including a travel thriller, visit Patrick's author page.FINE RECIPE with a FINE FIND- Dixie's Go To Tuna Salad with Sea SeasoningI'm combining my Fine Recipe and Fine Find this month since this sea seasoning adds flavor and an essential trace mineral, iodine. I love Maine Coast Sea Seasonings and regularly use their organic triple blend.Sometimes you need a quick, healthy fix and my Go To Tuna Salad is one of my favorites! Serves one so feel free to multiply for more mouths. Add everything together, stir and enjoy:1.One can of tuna, preferably wild caught and in either olive oil or water;2.Mix in 1 generous TB avocado oil mayo — Primal Kitchen and Sir Kensington's are my preferred brands (no stanky seed oils - traditional mayo always has ‘em even if they advertise “olive oil” on the front so check those ingredients);3.Chop 1 mini cucumber (or a half of a regular one) and toss in;4.Add 1tsp Dijon if you enjoy mustard and/or a couple TB finely chopped nuts;5.Generously salt with a high quality brand such as Redmond.6.Consider adding a Sea Seasoning with iodine to support thyroid health and add delicious flavor!PS - If you happen to live in SW Florida, please support local arts come see Last of the Red Hot Lovers, a comedy about a married man's midlife crisis by Neil Simon. We're playing at the Marco Island Center for the Arts theater January 8-26. My character, Bobbi Michelle, is a nutty out of work night club singer who takes medicinal weed instead of tranquilizers because she has this inability to swallow pills. She's essentially harmless — sweet and sexy, but also super ditzy, and her singing is um… you'll see. For more, check out the features in Coastal Breeze and Marco Eagle. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit favorfat.substack.com

Join Rip Esselstyn as he shares the Seven Pillars of success for a plant-strong lifestyle, based on over 35 years of experience. Learn how his 28-day Engine 2 Diet transformed the health of Texas firefighters and how you can achieve similar results. Discover how a whole-food, plant-based diet can help you lose weight, lower cholesterol, and reduce blood pressure in just 7 days. Embrace these pillars and take control of your health today! #PlantStrong #HealthTransformation #Engine2Diet

In this powerful episode of March or Die, we welcome trauma nurse and Army veteran Adam Kasix, who shares his moving journey of overcoming post-traumatic stress and redefining his identity in Christ. Adam discusses his personal battles, the pivotal moments that reshaped his path, and the "Seven Pillars of Revolutionary Freedom" framework he uses in his coaching practice. If you're seeking encouragement, practical advice on reclaiming hope, or insights into spiritual and mental resilience, this conversation is for you. Don't miss Adam's offer for a free consultation to help you start your journey toward healing. Visit: https://chat.adamkasix.com to schedule a chat with Adam!  Follow Jeremy on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeremystalneckerofficialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremystalnecker/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jstalneckerAlso at: https://jeremystalnecker.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Thanks for joining us this week on the LeadCulture Podcast. We're diving deep into the world of high-performing culture with the incredible Chris Dyer!Chris is sharing his eye-opening journey about how he realized just how crucial organizational culture is and the powerful impact it's had on his own business. He's breaking down his framework of seven essential pillars that are game-changers: transparency, listening, recognition, measurement, uniqueness, and learning from mistakes. Chris also talks about the delicate balance leaders need to maintain—never letting one aspect of culture overshadow the others.He's all about encouraging leaders to say 'yes' more often and truly empower their team members. Building a vibrant, healthy culture is no small feat, but with consistent effort and a genuine commitment to your people, it's absolutely within reach. Don't miss this episode—it's packed with practical insights and inspiration for anyone looking to elevate their organizational culture!We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

On this Episode... From Seven Pillars... Photographer and Austin Music Advocate, Michael Wright stopped by the CobraCast Studio for great conversation to say the least... We unveiled the cover for the November Issue of his "Seven" Magazine and we dived into a discussion about the Austin Music Scene you won't want to miss... For more info on Michael and "Seven Pillars", please go to https://sevenpillarsphotography.com/ Much Love, Enjoy ;) Recorded on October 21st, 2024 Sponsored by Iron Wolf Ranch and Distillery  https://ironwolfranch.com/