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Episode 138 When One Plus One Equals Three: A Conversation with National Aphasia Synergy               In this episode you will discover: 1.  People with aphasia hold the map. At NAS, people with aphasia don't just have a seat at the table — they built the table. Real peer leadership changes everything about how an organization thinks and acts. 2.  Recovery is about more than speech. The isolation and psychological distress that follow aphasia are just as real as the communication challenges — and just as deserving of attention and support. 3.  Peer-befriending is life participation in action. When people with aphasia support one another through shared experience, that's not a supplement to good care — it is good care. 4.  Sinergia: one plus one equals three. When survivors and professionals work as true equals, something greater emerges than either could create alone. June is National Aphasia Awareness Month, and around here, that means it's time for one of my favorite podcast traditions. For the past few years running, we've spent this month in conversation with people who know aphasia from the inside — those living it every day. Today is no exception, and this one is a conversation I've genuinely been looking forward to.   Welcome to the Aphasia Access Conversations Podcast. I'm Katie Strong from Central Michigan University, where I lead the Strong Story Lab, and I'm a member of the Aphasia Access Podcast Working Group. Aphasia Access is dedicated to transforming services and environments so people with aphasia can participate more fully in life — and today's guests are living proof of exactly what that looks like.         Today I'm speaking with two leaders from National Aphasia Synergy — known as NAS — a peer-led nonprofit founded in 2021 by people with aphasia, for people with aphasia. NAS was built on the belief that those living with aphasia are best positioned to support others on the same journey. Through peer-befriending, technology empowerment, and community building, NAS works to end the isolation that so often follows a stroke — connecting people across the country through a shared sense of what they call Sinergia: the idea that when survivors and professionals work as true equals, one plus one equals three.   Today's conversation feels especially meaningful to me. I've had the privilege of seeing Trish and Amy in action at conferences like Aphasia Access and ASHA — learning from their presentations and watching their advocacy make ripples far beyond those conference walls. As someone who researches friendship and aphasia, I've followed the peer befriending movement closely — it began in the UK, and when I heard that NAS was bringing it to the United States, led by a peer organization, I thought: this is what life participation actually looks like.   Before we get into the conversation, let me tell you a bit more about our guests.   Trish Hambridge is the President and Founder of National Aphasia Synergy. Trish has lived with aphasia since her stroke in 2008, and that experience is the foundation of everything she has built. A former project manager for AppleCare, Trish has become not only a powerful advocate but a published researcher — partnering with research teams to influence the questions being asked and the evidence being built in our field. Her co-authored work spans game-based rehabilitation design, posttraumatic growth in aphasia, and the measurement of motivation and psychological needs in aphasia rehabilitation — all published in leading journals including the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. She has spoken at conferences including the Aphasia Access Leadership Summit, Aphasia Access Chautauqua and ASHA, serves on the Disability Advisory Committee in Dunedin, Florida, and is a member of Voices of Hope for Aphasia. Her vision brought NAS to life, and her leadership — in the clinic, in the research literature, and in the community — continues to shape it.   Amy Walters is the Vice President of National Aphasia Synergy. Amy has lived with aphasia since her stroke in 2018 — a stroke that, in a striking twist of fate, occurred while she was attending a neurosurgical conference. A Harvard graduate with a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins, Amy spent 30 years as a senior leader in the medical device industry before her stroke, and she has channeled that same expertise and drive into aphasia advocacy. She has presented at neurosurgical conferences to raise awareness, participates in aphasia groups across the country, and brings a remarkable combination of professional knowledge and lived experience to everything NAS does.   So — let's get into the conversation.   Katie Strong: Trish and Amy, welcome. I'm so excited to have you both here today and learn about what's going on in National Aphasia Synergy.   Trish Hambridge: Thank you for the chance to meet.   Amy Walters: We are so pleased to be here with the Aphasia Access Community. Katie Strong: Well, we're delighted that you are sharing your time and expertise with us. I wanted to get started by asking about National Aphasia Synergy. How was it created? Just wondering if you could share the origin story of the organization and how that concept of synergy or working together defines your mission. Trish Hambridge: Long time ago, I had a stroke, major stroke. But I was the same person then as I am now. I remember sitting on the hospital patio in San Jose and Karen, my good friend from college and speech therapist was there, and she was teaching everyone about aphasia. My friends and family were so patient. I remember my Dad talking to me and say, "You are stubborn." and I said, "Thank you!" Because that choice – being subborn - changed everything and gave me the chance to get my identity back. Katie Strong: So, Trish, just to verify, you're saying your stubbornness got you where you are right now. Trish Hambridge: Yes, but yes! Katie Strong: Love it. Trish Hambridge: Sorry to say, I have issues! But going back to the beginning, I had only had five words. Even my 'yes' and 'no' were flipped. Traditional homework is not my cup of tea. Shhh! Quiet, I'm lazy! I needed a better strategy, and I found it with P2Go. It's so much more than an app. It is the tool that gave me my voice back. Katie Strong: I love that, so if I'm understanding correctly, traditional homework is not for you, and that you really needed something that was technology based, which goes back to your expertise in your life, career to be able to really help you communicate, and it was the P2Go. Trish Hambridge: Yeah, yeah, is small, is so, is easy, my opinion. Katie Strong: Well, that's what we're here for today, is your opinion. Trish Hambridge: In 2016, a move to Dunedin, Florida changed everything. I joined Voices of Hope and finally found my community. Then the pandemic hit. But it couldn't stop our connection. We moved to Zoom. I want to be honest, though: some of my friends didn't make it through that storm. Their pain is part of this journey. We build this community in their honor. Katie Strong: Oh, that's really touching, you know. It is. It's hard, so many friends don't stay in our lives for many reasons, but aphasia can really be a challenge for friends sticking around. Trish Hambridge: Yeah, and the technology is not my cup of tea. Katie Strong: Wonderful, wonderful. Thank you for sharing that. Trish Hambridge: In 2021, I stepped up. I moved from a 'Lead Pathfinder' to the Founder of National Aphasia Synergy. I reached out to Debbie Yones, the big cheese of Voices of Hope. She and the Board Director gave me wise advice to help me grow. I didn't do it alone. My sister and my sister-in-law helped me think through the logistics. They helped me build the support for the nonprofit. Because of them, my vision became a reality. Katie Strong: So, your consultation with those important people to your life really helped National Aphasia Synergy become a reality. Trish Hambridge: Yeah. Finally, I asked Amy to join the mission. She became part of the organization. Now, we are moving forward together. Katie Strong: Thanks, Trish. I love that. Amy Walters: Thanks, Trish. Nine years ago, I had my stroke at the neurosurgical conference. Ironic, right? Yeah, the conference was in Colorado Springs. I was in a medically induced coma for 10 days and diagnosed with Global Aphasia. Then I was airlifted to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia, where I had a craniotomy and cranioplasty. On the flight I remembered thinking, "Am I in a simulator? What's happening to me?"   Katie Strong: Wow! That sounds surreal! Amy Walters: My career was in clinical affairs for a medical neurosurgical device company, so I am professionally and personally familiar with neuroplasticity. I know how crucial neuroplasticity is to our physical, mental, and emotional recovery. National Aphasia Synergy was born from a deep need for collaborative survivor-led company. Katie Strong: The advocacy you're doing is really amazing, and I'm so excited for our listeners to be able to hear more about it. Amy Walters: Thank you. When we look at the aphasia community today, we see massive gaps. Most organizations are built for us, but they aren't led by us. The 'medical way' focuses only on the speech deficit, but it leaves a gaping hole in mental health, identity, and social connection. The research is heartbreaking: 40% to 60% of stroke survivors with aphasia experience chronic depression, and in early recovery, a staggering 93% experience high levels of psychological distress. This isn't just about the survivor—46% of our family members also face depression. Our mission is to bridge those gaps. We aren't just here to 'fix' speech; we are here to empower the whole person. We call it Sinergia—the Greek word for Synergy. It means we don't work in silos. We don't have 'experts' on one side and 'patients' on the other. We have a partnership where 1 plus 1 equals 3.   Katie Strong: I love it!   Amy Walters: We are moving away from the isolated patient model and toward a Sinergia where survivors and professionals work as equals to reclaim our lives. We are here to educate and empower our peers to use technology to reclaim their voices. But more importantly, we are here to promote peer-befriending. We reach out to those who are new to this path or struggling to find their way, because no one should walk this road alone. Katie Strong: I know, Amy, I just am so excited. I've been watching this peer befriending happen over in the UK, or reading about it, and hearing about it, and I was just so delighted when I heard that National Aphasia Synergy was taking this up and helping us to, to have a really solid connection. I think one of the things that breaks my heart the most is when I meet someone who has aphasia, who's been living with aphasia for a really long time, and they've never met anyone else who had aphasia. Amy Walters: Heartbreaking. Katie Strong: It really is. It really is. Amy Walters: Our goal is to develop a national community that encourages optimism. We believe a positive outlook isn't just a 'nice feeling'—it is a strategy for recovery. Katie Strong: Heck, yes! Amy Walters: At NAS, we don't just look for what's lost; we build on the strengths that remain. There were gaps in the Aphasia Community. Trish Hambridge: Speech Therapists and care partners are vital to recovery. They have good intentions, but the 'medical way' is often the wrong way. Katie Strong: Yeah, yeah, it's not quite the right way. Trish Hambridge: Many researchers only survey the Speech Therapists and the partners. But what about me? What about us? What am I, chopped liver? Think about the last time someone completely iced us out. It hurts, right? It honestly chips away at our sense of self, leaving us clueless as to where we actually fit in. Katie Strong: Yeah, so Trish, just to recap this for the listeners, you're saying when somebody ices you out, you're asking the listeners to reflect on how that really feels, Trish Hambridge: Yeah, I email [a researcher], and have offered [to be a part of their team] but they are like "Oh no, but sorry." Katie Strong: I hear, I hear you. Yeah and I think what you're bringing up - and you and Amy are bringing up such a great point that as the aphasia research community has not always included people with aphasia. Or they're only including people with mild aphasia versus more severe types of aphasia, so I love that you're calling this out and shining light on it. It's, it's time. Trish Hambridge Here's what the research tells us. Therapists and partners see the journey from the outside. But those of us living it? We know the honest truth. Katie Strong: Yeah, yeah, so as the clinicians, the therapists, and the care partners see that journey from the outside, and you all are living it for sure. Trish Hambridge: It is the 'Chicken and the Egg' problem: Does the partner change first? Or does the people with aphasia change? The answer is: The Environment. We must change the environment to find true recovery. We need to move from being 'patients' to being Lead Pathfinders. Katie Strong: Yes, so I love it. You're, you're flipping the script there and reclaiming your identity, or renegotiating it from that patient role to being a lead pathfinder. I love that terminology. Thank you. Thank you. One of you said this earlier that organizations are for people with aphasia, but National Aphasia Synergy is led by people with aphasia. Why is this distinction critical for the community to understand, and how does it change the way an organization is run? Amy Walters: Right, Katie. In the past, organizations were built for us, like a charity. But National Aphasia Synergy is different. We are led by people with aphasia. We are moving from 'being helped' to leading. This is more than an organization. It is a revolution of identity. At National Aphasia Synergy, we are flipping the script on leadership. Our Board makes decisions with one clear priority: putting voices with aphasia at the forefront. That means leaders like Trish, Bruce, and me are the ones making the big calls. We collaborate with wonderful professionals, like Kait, our SLP, Helen, our Financial and Secretarial support and Will Evans, our Volunteer Consultant. They are essential to our success. They ensure our communication is accessible and our business stays strong. I always think of our board meetings being like a United Nations meeting with "international representatives" (i.e., China, France, Japan, etc.) each of us is coming to the table with a different lived experience, different aphasia types, etc. We work together to "translate" and work through our differing communication styles. But make no mistake: The people with aphasia are the primary drivers of the vision. The professionals provide the tools, but we hold the maps.   Katie Strong: Such a great analogy. I love it and it also sounds like your work is fun too.   Amy Walters: Driving you crazy, but you mean you mean you mean, yeah. Hold the phone!   Katie Strong: Oh, that's great. I love it. Well, what does National Aphasia Synergy offer that others should know about? Trish Hambridge: Look at what we have built together: First, our Peer Befriending Program. A team of four SLPs and four people with aphasia worked as equals to create our training. Today, we have 15 volunteer Allies trained and ready to support the community. Katie Strong: I love it. So, 15 people with aphasia, volunteer Allies, have been trained as peer befrienders to go out and connect with other people who newly have aphasia. Trish Hambridge: Right, but anything like… Katie Strong: Or rather, anybody who has aphasia that they're wanting to connect with. Trish Hambridge: Come! Come! But we meet on Zoom.    Katie Strong: On Zoom, right? Yeah, absolutely. This is all virtual, which is amazing, you know, because you get a good reach, a really, a really great reach. What else is going on? Amy Walters: Second, our Aphasia & Mental Health Video. We have four excellent SLPs sharing the research, stats, resources and the power of neuroplasticity. And we also surveyed 10 people with aphasia to capture the honest truth of our emotional journeys and provide 10 essential tips for recovery. Trish Hambridge: I always start with a roadmap. But originally, we were filming something completely different. But three weeks before the shoot, I went to Debbie and asked: 'What do you think?' She said, 'There are enough basic videos out there... why doesn't NAS focus on Mental Health?' Katie Strong: Yeah, okay. So, you were doing all this planning, and then three weeks before the shoot, you went and talked to Debbie and said, "What do you think?" And she said, "There's already enough videos out there on basic aphasia, but not on mental health. I love it! Trish Hambridge: Yeah and so I agree!!! We agreed right away. We made a right turn...  And changed the plan on the fly! I ran a preview for my friends at Voices of Hope. They loved it, but they asked the killer question: 'Where is the actual resource? Where do we go for help?' Katie Strong: Trish, you are speaking to my heart here, and I know I'm one of those "outsider perspectives" as a clinician. But we just don't have great resources for mental health. It's really challenging. So, I love that your friends at Voices of Hope called you out on that. What happened after that? Amy Walters: That was the lightbulb moment, right? Trish Hambridge: Yeah, a video wasn't enough—we needed a map. So, we built the Aphasia and Mental Health Resources paper. The researchers and I had some serious back-and-forth debate, but that's how you get a solid plan. We ended up with something really cool: real tools for real people. Katie Strong: Love, love it! Trish Hambridge: Third, our Adaptive Growth Culture paper. This provides a brand-new map for recovery that the whole world can use to look past the 'broken parts.' Katie Strong: Yeah, Trish, I've heard you speak on this. That talk you gave it, ASHA. I'm going to say listeners, particularly clinicians, you should check this out, because we need to get our clients with aphasia, our lead pathfinders with aphasia to be able to  think in this sort of way, so yeah, Trish Hambridge: But like I have like the speech therapist and the caregiver, and people with aphasia -  it like, look right -- is the good plan. Katie Strong: Love it, fantastic, Amy Walters: Kait and I shared five powerful aphasia stories on video to show our diversity, our strength, our inhumanity, frankly. All of this lives on our National Synergy website. These aren't just projects, they are the proof that when people with aphasia lead, we create world that actually works for us. Katie Strong: Oh, this is fantastic. And we'll have links to your website in the show notes, but you can certainly Google National Aphasia Synergy, and the website pops right up. I've been exploring it for a little bit, but I was looking at it again this morning, and there's just such great, great stuff on there. So please go and check it out. Well, I'm curious, Amy and Trish, what's on the horizon for National Aphasia Synergy, and how can our listeners, whether they're Aphasia Access members or people living with aphasia get involved or support your work. Amy Walters: We are so proud of what we have built, but we are just getting started. This is our Call to Action. Trish Hambridge: We want the world to get excited about Mental Health!  Katie Strong: And I think get excited about your Adaptive Growth Culture too. Trish Hambridge: Yeah! We recently presented a poster at the Chautauqua virtual conference, and the feedback from Aphasia Access members was powerful. The keynote speaker, Dr. Nina Simmons-Mackie, spoke about moving from 'managing a condition' to 'owning a life.' That is exactly what we do! We focus on the strengths, the emotions, and the identity that the old medical model ignores. Katie Strong: Yeah, so okay. So, Trish, you, you were, I think you presented you National Aphasia Synergy presented a poster at the Chautauqua, the Aphasia Access Chautauqua recently. Trish Hambridge: First time presenting a poster! Katie Strong: I love it, I love it. Yep, and the feedback that you got from the Chautauqua attendees was spectacular, right? And that's when, and, and, and Dr. Simmons-Mackie or Nina Simmons Mackey took that idea and we wove it into her keynote at the end, right, and talked about how it's important for us to support people and people with aphasia and care partners move from managing a condition to owning a life. I mean, that that's powerful stuff. I love it! Trish Hambridge: I'm so honored. Katie Strong: Well, you are out there making an impact. Amy Walters: Thank you. We are building something historic, and we want you to be part of it. Here is how you can join the revolution: Trish Hambridge: To the speech therapists and researchers, Help us build our evidence base. We want the test that adapted growth culture map to prove how it improves mental health and builds confidence. Don't just watch from the sidelines—come test this with us! Soon, I'm taking the Adaptive Growth Culture to the global stage. I'll be at the International Aphasia  Rehabilitation Conference in Athens. Katie Strong: You'll be at the International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference, or IARC, in… Trish Hambridge: Athens!! I am presenting our Adaptive Growth Culture Poster to the top minds in the field. Katie Strong: Fantastic. Trish Hambridge: We have built the roadmap. Now, the researchers will provide the data-driven proof. It is time to see the Adaptive Growth Culture in action. We are moving from lived experience to clinical evidence. Katie Strong: I love it, moving from lived experience to clinical evidence. Amy Walters: That's right, that's right, Trish. If you run a community group, a local program, or a support network, we want to connect with you. Help us build this referral network so that no one is left behind in isolation. We aren't just looking for 'places to go' to pass the time. We are looking for places where we can belong and grow. We are looking for communities that see our potential, not just our deficits. To my peers with Aphasia: Your voice is our power. Share your story or send us a shout-out with your favorite tips and tricks. We also need Buddies for our Peer Befriending program. Help us show the world that we are truly 'owning our lives.' To the Volunteers: We are looking for passionate people to join our Board of Directors. We specifically need one more person with aphasia, as well as SLPs, care partners, and friends. The only requirement? You must believe in the Adaptive Growth Culture. Whether you have the tools or you hold the map, there is a seat at the table for you. Visit us and let's grow together! Katie Strong: Amazing. I hope that our listeners will take you up on the offers that you just laid out there, and that they'll also go out there and share with others that they need to hook everybody up with National Aphasia Synergy. It's a great organization. I enjoyed learning about it more today. And Amy and Trish, I so appreciate you both being here with us and sharing your stories and the amazing work that's going on in National Aphasia Synergy. Trish Hambridge: Thank you. Aphasia Access is fantastic! Katie Strong: I'm glad that you're enjoying Aphasia Access, too. It's a great network, and it's great that we're having lots of communities continue to grow and blossom to support people living successfully with aphasia.   Amy Walters: Hear, Hear! Katie Strong: Thanks. You too. Amy Walters: Thank you. Katie Strong: Have fun in Greece. Trish Hambridge: Yay! Amy Walters: Jealous! Katie Strong: Me too, me too. Amy Walters: Bye, bye. Trish Hambridge: See you. Bye.   On behalf of Aphasia Access, thank you for listening. For references and resources mentioned in today's show, please see our show notes, available on our website at www.aphasiaaccess.org. There you can also become a member of our organization, browse our growing library of materials, and find out about the Aphasia Access Academy. If you have an idea for a future podcast episode, email us at info@aphasiaaccess.org. For Aphasia Access Conversations, here at Central Michigan University in the Strong Story Lab, I'm Katie Strong.     Resources   Below is a list of links to the National Aphasia Synergy (NAS) resources and other organizations as discussed:  NAS Website:  https://nationalaphasiasynergy.org NAS email:  info@nationalaphasiasynergy.org   NAS Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/WeRSynergy (to keep up with what's going on at NAS and for inspirational, adaptive growth mindset content) NAS YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalaphasiasynergy1410 (to watch our Aphasia Stories series, learn about resources, and tune into our quarterly video newsletter, "The Synergy Turf" to hear real people with aphasia) NAS Adaptive Growth Culture paper: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VIq0juI4FTPKqF0Cev8qZAI5I5po5ouO/view?usp=share_link NAS "You Have Options!" Paper:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PBgvb1mDrjnFASaK_dpGL2gnZND_CjaU/view?usp=share_link NAS Aphasia & Mental Health video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GThkxrKbQTI NAS Aphasia & Mental Health Resource paper:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pXbFLtZJ8KZ9Pxpg3HVZHBEd_D7BnsED/view?usp=share_link NAS Aphasia Stories video series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk1GJP6QGrPDOapMhQlmAUBHfVb5-Mnfi&si=BIuoNmeu-TM-ab65NAS  Peer Befriending: To get involved with NAS Peer Befriending, contact  info@nationalaphasiasynergy.org o Flyer:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dCETc1pZck59mw6OgaEjZGnXWOcdSlCh/view?usp=sharing o Video:  https://youtu.be/0RNvCeh0BKM   Referenced resources and organizations: Proloquo2Go AAC App mentioned (what Trish uses):  https://www.assistiveware.com/products/proloquo2go Voices of Hope for Aphasia: https://www.vohaphasia.org/    

David Anthony Burke spent his entire childhood learning to perform emotions from behind a screen — and according to prosecutors, he allegedly spent his early adulthood applying that skill to maintaining a reality nobody around him could detect.This episode goes somewhere different. We're not walking through charges or court dates. We're going inside the person. Burke grew up homeschooled, isolated, recording music in his sister's closet. He told interviewers openly that he'd never experienced the feelings in his songs — that he manufactured them from observation, from the internet, from imagined scenarios. He said the first concert he ever attended was his own. That's the foundation. And according to prosecutors, what allegedly grew on top of it was an entire parallel existence that ran undetected for over a year.We break down three layers of psychology sourced from Burke's own pre-arrest interviews and the People's Brief: the career built on manufactured authenticity, the operating system of secrecy prosecutors allege surrounded the alleged relationship with Celeste Rivas Hernandez, and the parallel worlds prosecutors say Burke allegedly maintained while touring with SZA and performing at Coachella. We examine the welfare check where deputies told Burke that Celeste was thirteen — and the yearbook photo he allegedly showed them while denying he knew her. We trace the alleged thousand-dollar phone delivered through a classmate, the matching “Shhh” tattoos, and the alleged infrastructure of concealment that prosecutors say held it all together.Then the alleged forty-eight hours: the radio interview, the album release, and the tools prosecutors allege were ordered under a fake name. Burke's biggest song is called “Romantic Homicide.” His album is called Withered. According to prosecutors, it reportedly dropped two days after Celeste was allegedly killed inside his house.Burke has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His defense maintains he is innocent and was not the cause of Celeste's death.Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/ Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodThis publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.#D4VD #DavidAnthonyBurke #CelesteRivasHernandez #HiddenKillers #TrueCrime #JusticeForCeleste #TrueCrimePodcast #MurderCase #TrueCrimeCommunity #CrimePsychology

What's this episode about? Shhh. It's a secret... Okay, it's Avengers: Secret Wars. Fellow improviser Austin Mooney from Improv Collective joins me to talk all about it!⁠⁠Improv Collective⁠⁠Steven Shinder: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Books⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Goodreads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠| ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: delayedreplaypodcast@gmail.com

Ringing ears are usually related to tinnitus, and while there isn't always a single cure, there are some unexpected strategies you can try to reduce the noise and make it less disruptive to your life. To support more content like this, become an AARP member at aarp.org. And don't forget to subscribe for more tips and tricks to help make your life a little easier — and happier!

Episode 423: 

Cari amici e amiche,In questa nuova rubrica, dal titolo "I libri consigliati da Favole nel traffico", vi porterò il più spesso possibile dei consigli di lettura adatti a bambini di tutte le età. Si tratterà principalmente di albi illustrati, ma non mancheranno anche libri per bambini più grandi.Lui ha tante cose: una buona memoria, tanti pensieri divertenti, qualche pensiero triste, una lunga lista di desideri e una montagna di idee. Ma non ha un segreto... Marco, Alice, nonna Olga, la mamma di Tina, il vicino e persino la Terra: tutti hanno un proprio segreto. Ma lui no. Finché un giorno ne trova uno, piccolo e prezioso. E la domanda allora diventa: cosa fare di quel segreto? Una storia per raccontare, con garbo e spontaneità, il valore della riservatezza. Età di lettura: da 5 anni.Acquista il libro QUI.Consigliami un libro da leggere al 353/4453010.LINK MIO LIBRO: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AMAZON⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buon ascolto e buona lettura!Maestro Lorenzo

The alleged methodical cover-up in the D4VD case is what separates it from panic — prosecutors say the disposal unfolded over weeks with calculated precision. A shovel allegedly ordered the day after the killing. Two chainsaws a week later. A body bag and inflatable pool twelve days after, all under the fake name "Victoria Mendez." A burn cage two months later. Meanwhile, D4VD allegedly texted Celeste's phone as if she were still alive. The question that follows is obvious: did someone else allegedly know?Tony Brueski and Robin Dreeke work through what the evidence allegedly reveals about David Burke, the singer accused of murdering fourteen-year-old Celeste after she allegedly threatened to expose their sexual relationship. Robin brings retired FBI behavioral analysis to the grooming patterns — the alleged isolation tactics, the matching "Shhh..." tattoos, the reported international travel with a child. The systemic failures run deep: Celeste was reportedly missing three times in 2024 and the system allegedly let her return to danger each time.The accountability question fuels the most anger — why an entire circle of adults allegedly connected to a rising music star reportedly failed to protect a child who was allegedly being groomed in plain sight. D4VD's family dynamics and whether early warning signs allegedly existed get Robin's full behavioral breakdown. Every question leads back to the same unbearable truth: Celeste allegedly needed someone to act, and according to the evidence prosecutors have presented, nobody did.Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8-vxmbhTxxG10sO1izODJg?sub_confirmation=1Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter https://x.com/TrueCrimePodThis publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.#D4VD #CelesteRivasHernandez #HiddenKillers #TrueCrime #RobinDreeke #JusticeForCeleste #DavidBurke #ChildGrooming #HollywoodHillsMurder #TonyBrueski

Affairs and secret relationships are rarely just about sex. Beneath the surface often lies emotional deprivation, identity fatigue, unresolved loneliness, validation-seeking, and psychological escape.In this episode of Becoming Me!, we take an unfiltered psychological and relational deep dive into emotional affairs, side relationships, and hidden attachments. From cognitive dissonance and dopamine-driven attachment to emotional projection and identity fragmentation, this conversation examines what people are truly seeking beneath secrecy and emotional intensity. Because sometimes the “sidepiece” is not exposing who you love most… it's exposing what within you remains unresolved.

On this week's episode of Female Gaze: The Film Club, Morgan is joined by returning guests Paige and Jesse, two of the co-hosts of the podcast, Shhh! My Stories Are On. Jesse and Paige are on the podcast to discuss Meredith Alloway's 2026 film, "Forbidden Fruits." The trio dive into the film's characters, talk about the film's tone, and discuss the horror elements of the film - and so much more! You can follow JesseInstagramBlueSkyYou can follow Paige Instagram BlueskyShhh, My Stories Are On!BlueSkyInstagramAcross the WhoniverseBlueSkyInstagram You can follow Female Gaze: The Film ClubInstagramBlueSkyWebsite

We're on break, but don't worry - we got you covered on the Nathan, Nat & Shaun Holiday Replay, with some of our best bits from 2026! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good morning, afternoon, and evening! You looked me in the eyes! That means it's time for a Pokémon battle! Or we could just watch the original movie, starring Mew, Mewtwo, and Mewthree- ha, just kidding. Mewthree was Japan-only. Join Bodio, Kaylie, and Gibby on a nostalgic adventure to a time when there were only 151 Pokémon and they could all fit into a single rap song you tried and failed to memorize. Also included: theatre feedback, foul-mouthed parrots, and Gibby nearly falling asleep. Shhh, don't wake him!

Chilli noticed her husband stopped wearing his wedding ring. The NY Post says golf fans are criticizing The Masters for having "barbaric" rules. We discuss and solicit calls...have you ever interrupted a quiet moment/event? What happened? MYM...A standing-room-only crowd gathered at Arlington Central Library last week for a powerful unveiling that’s giving transgender youth a new way to share their voices and be seen. CALLS...What's the craziest thing you saw strapped on roof of car? Two tourists in Florida facing felony charges for strapping alligator to roof of car.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest this week is Hollywood Movie director - James Griffiths. Griff was also my team-mate and captain at Old Colfeians but being a Hollywood Movie director sounds somewhat more impressive. This interview was recorded in September of 2019 and it went in all manner of directions. It really ebbed and flowed, not just through the highs and lows of rugby, but of life in general. Like you parents out there who are not supposed to have a favourite child, I'm not supposed to have a favourite podcast… But, if I did, then it might just be this one. Shhh, don't tell the others…. LINKS You can get Griff on Facebook, Twitter (@jgriffter) or Instagram (@griffter71) Leon Lloyd's social enterprise - Switch the Play (https://switchtheplay.com/) Bollywood rugby movie (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdHPULyEpNc) GET STASH England Rugby Store - https://ers.pxf.io/KjV30v British & Irish Lions Store - https://bil.sjv.io/9gNaL4 BUY ME A COFFEE Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast) SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.  

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chadcrouch.substack.comComet Falls is on the south side of Tahoma (Mount Rainier) offering a nice four mile roundtrip hike, perfect for a day when the mountain is socked-in. It's one of the most impressive falls that I've hiked to, dropping about 320 feet (98 m) in a vertical plunge from a hanging valley into a pretty subalpine canyon.I've mentioned this before, but I think waterfalls rarely translate the way you'd hope they would in sound. They're so dazzling to look at, and it's exhilarating to feel the rush of wind and spray near the bottom, but not all that interesting to listen to, it turns out. They kind of sound like FM radio static: Shhh. Most of them anyway. And alas, Comet Falls is no remarkable exception on that score.And so it goes most any waterfall may be more sonogenic when captured in a soundwalk format, as this captures a dimensionality that isn't conveyed in a fixed point recording. The hike to Comet Falls follows Van Trump Creek through the canopy and along hillside openings with talus slopes, where you might find Pika (sounding a high-pitched peep). The wildlife was subdued under the grey sky on this day. Varied Thrush, Dark-eyed Junco, and Pacific Wren can be heard to the attentive listener in headphones, but this is mostly a water soundwalk. Our journey takes us to the waterfall viewpoint and follows a return path for a couple minutes. Another thing about waterfall sound: unless you get really close (like next to water splattering on rocks) it's difficult to discern when you are “there”. This is another composition where I'm keeping to the low octaves of a particularly sonorous electric piano. (It would not sound good on a phone speaker.) I do this to preserve listening space for all the water and wildlife frequencies, and also because I just like the dark (as opposed to bright) vibe for this one. I've always thought that a waterfall walk would make an interesting canvas for a super-minimal synth score for droning synth pads and very slowly morphing pitches and timbres, mirroring the manifold sound of the waterfall's creek outlet. This is not that, exactly. Though it occasionally goes there, it's more melodic and approachable. Written in a D minor, the composition evokes the cloudy sky and the slow climb through the valley. The harmonics are ponderous, peppered as they are with sustained second chords, and textured with organ washes and soft, flutey synth pads.Thanks for reading and listening. Comet Falls Soundwalk is available on all music streaming services tomorrow April 10th, 2026.

Topics: Tokyo starting to lose cherry blossoms (4:20) NASA's Artemis II sent into space (7:05)  Update on Iran/Israel conflict (11:48) Trump signed off on DHS workers to get paid and benefits during shutdown (24:16) Vice Mayor in Florida killed by suspected husband (31:27) My feelings on Paradise Season 2 (38:01) Question: Would You Say Anything? (48:30) Ending Music: Kanye West – Jesus Lord (Instrumental) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Twitter: @My2Podcast Instagram: my2centspodcastg2 YouTube: My2CentsPodcast Business email: my2centspod@yahoo.com

DEFENDANT: Frances Hodgson Burnett EVIDENCE: Secret Garden Rose Gin SCENE OF THE CRIME: The moors, darling, the moors! -- Hi — come sit with us while we get a little giddy and a lot floral. In this episode of True Crimes Against Wine we test a rosy Scottish gin called Secret Garden, riff on three garden-ready cocktails (a Rose Garden Spritz, a Strawberry Smash, and a Lavender-Lemon Stroll), and wander straight into the moody, magical world of Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden. We talk sparkling cava vs prosecco, muddled berries, honey-lavender syrup, and why mint on the rim is a total game-changer, then break down why this hundred-year-old story still makes our hearts ache — the visuals, the soundtrack, the gothic elements, and yes, the complicated colonial moments that deserve honest conversation. Bring a glass, bring a friend, and get ready for springtime vibes, serious giggles, and a few tender asides about loss, literature, and why a secret garden is the best kind of therapy.  

When he worked at a small discount movie theater years ago, the job mostly involved long stretches of waiting around between movies.During those quiet shifts, the staff started sharing stories about strange things happening in the building—things people heard in empty rooms or glimpsed out of the corner of their eye.At first it was easy to laugh it off.But after one particular moment in a hallway outside the restrooms, he started wondering if there might have been something else moving around the theater after closing.#RealGhostStoriesOnline #HauntedTheater #GhostStories #ParanormalEncounter #TrueGhostStory #ShadowFigure #HauntedWorkplace #SupernaturalExperience #GhostSightingsLove real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:

What is dark matter? Why do scientists think it exists? How are they searching for it, and why are they doing it in an underground lab?! Join us on the search for dark matter with Alvaro Chavarria, a physicist running a dark matter detector underneath a mountain in the French Alps. We'll take you inside the lab to visit the detector, and find out why everything we think we know about dark matter… could be wrong.  For more, visit our website! Our question comes from Jeronimo, a Tumble en Español listener! To listen to Tumble en Español, use this link to subscribe wherever you get  your podcasts: https://pod.link/1521514886 Join on Patreon to help us continue to make Tumble: patreon.com/tumblepodcast Shop official Tumble merch: https://tumblepodcast.dashery.com/ Submit a science question: https://www.sciencepodcastforkids.com/contact . . . . . Shhh! This link is TOP SECRET: https://tumble.science/JokeContestant

In this weeks episode, Dottie and Brandon get to talk to Gracie Hawkins, a fashion student at UNA. She gives them all the details about the upcoming Fashion Show hosted by the UNA Fashion and Merchandising Department. As well as the fashion show, Gracie talks about what it is like being a fashion student and why it is her passion. Also, she talks about Usher for some reason. Isn't that neat? So sorry that this episode is late this week, I was off completing missions that are totally secret and I simply cannot share the details with anyone. Comment what adventures you think I was on and I'll respond with some sort of answer! Intro shot by Reagan Lawson with music by Zeke Jones.

We went to the Texas DMV expecting a simple permit transfer.Instead? Full parenting plot twist. I'm sharing our real-life experience trying to switch my daughter's California learner's permit to Texas, from being told it wouldn't transfer, to a surprise moment that felt like straight-up DMV dark magic.If you're:• Moving from California to Texas, or moved• Navigating the Texas DMV with a teenager• Transferring an out-of-state learner's permit• Managing teen driving milestones• Preparing for the six-month wait before the behind-the-wheel testThis episode will sound very familiar.We talk about:– DMV paperwork – Relocating with teens– Almost walking out with more than we expected– Choosing integrity over convenience– And the quiet realization that sometimes, as a parent, it's time to step back and let your child stand in the spotlight.Because not every milestone needs us to be center stage, sometimes motherhood means becoming the steady background character. Supporting, guiding, and holding the line, while they begin to take ownership of their own moments. We left with her permit successfully switched to Texas… and six months of waiting ahead before her driving test.If you're raising a teen driver in Texas (or anywhere), this one's for you.✨ Follow this podcast so you don't miss upcoming episodes on teen milestones, real-life parenting chaos, and honest motherhood conversations.And tell me your Texas teen DMV stories over on Instagram...I need to know I'm not alone in this.

Shhh, don't tell anyone!

It's Women's History Month, and we're covering Women in Cinematography, discussing films with female directors of photography. Kicking off the series, Jesse of the podcast, Shhh, My Stories Are On, is back to discuss the 1999 film, "Jawbreaker," - directed by Darren Stein with cinematography by Amy Vincent. Jesse and Morgan dive into the ways cinematography is used to interrogate the power dynamics, the iconic hallway shots, and what makes Amy Vincent's work standout in this film.You can follow JesseInstagramBlueSkyShhh, My Stories Are On!BlueSkyInstagramYou can follow Female Gaze: The Film ClubInstagramBlueSkyWebsite

Don't Forget About Ignite!  https://fitwomensweekly.com/lp/fww-live/ignite-30/ Ignite now includes meal prep help! Stop the food noise with meals that slap and workouts that are the perfect dose of training! 0:00 Intro  0:41 You're Being Too Aggressive 1:00 How To Back Off But Still See Results 1:27 Make Food More Appetizing 3:00 Are Your Meals Big? 3:47 How To Recovery To Avoid Cravings 4:10 Workouts - How Should You Workout? 5:30 Why Food Noise Is Expected - It Won't Go Away Completely 6:41 Help A Trainer Out Treat FWW With A Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/fitwomensweekly IG: https://www.instagram.com/kindalboylefitness/  Email: Kindal@fitwomensweekly.com  YT: https://www.youtube.com/@Fit-Womens-Weekly  TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@trainerkindal 

Poetry and baring the soul.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Arriving at her house, Leah and I carried my clothes up to the spare bedroom. I thanked Leah once again, then kissed her.Leah softly whispered, “Jorunn is downstairs!”I replied in the same whisper, “Then kiss me quietly.” And she did.I spent the remainder of the day doing my laundry, once Leah showed me how to use her Norwegian washing machine. Leah opened the clothes drying rack, and when done, I laid my clothes out to dry.For dinner, Leah prepared salmon fillets with boiled potatoes. As Jorunn and Leah washed the dishes, I sat on the center seat of the sofa, reflecting on the day. When they finished, both Jorunn and Leah rushed into the living room, extremely excited, and sat down on either side of me. Jorunn turned on the television and switched to Norwegian National Television. I wondered what the fuss was about.“Five more minutes,” yelped Jorunn.After a brief introduction, an old black-and-white movie started. Both Jorunn and Leah snuggled up tight against me and I put my arms around them. It felt great. The show, called “Dinner for One”, featured a 90-year-old countess celebrating her birthday. She invited four friends but outlived them all. Her butler decides to impersonate each of the four missing guests. As he slips into each of the roles, he drinks a toast, and quickly becomes intoxicated, leading to numerous sight gags. It felt good to laugh along with people again. It was rather short, and when it ended, Leah told me it was the most repeated television show of all time and is quite popular in Scandinavian countries and northern Europe.Leah and Jorunn went around rearranging and straightening Christmas decorations, then announced it was time to make Julekurver. I heard of them, but never actually made one. Made of paper, they are heart-shaped and filled with sweets.We quickly cleared the dining room table, then covered it with red and white paper, a plastic rule, a plastic circle, and scissor. Leah and Jorunn both moved quickly, folding a sheet of paper of each color, and I followed their action. Then it was time to measure and cut, and fortunately, they slowed down to allow me to keep up. Using a circle, we marked a half circle and cut the excess away. Then cut strips into the paper, not going all the way across. We wove the red and white papers together in a checkerboard pattern and unfolded them into a perfect heart shape. I thought the process rather inefficient and decided to show off my engineering skills from 3M by making a fancier one. As I unfolded it, Jorunn and Leah laughed, and a moment later, I discovered one way not to make a Julekurver.After a long and active day, I was tired, so I went to bed. Both Jorunn and Leah were talking softly in the living room as I drifted off to sleep.A nocturnal visitorDecember 23rd - Just Before MidnightI was startled awake when I heard my bedroom door close, followed by a soft, “Shush!”I listened closely in the total darkness for footsteps and heard someone approach my bed. Leah must be ready to resume what we started back at the hotel! A hand pulled back the covers, and instinctively I slid toward the middle of the bed to make space. Leah slid in next to me and drew the covers back over us.Leah moved and shifted, and a hand found the back of my head. I expected her lips to follow, and they did. Soft and gentle, a wonderful way for my nocturnal visitor to say hello. Leah told me at the hotel she did not want to feel rushed, so there was no urgency. Her lips retreated, and her hand slid down to caress my cheek, as delicate fingers gently stroked me.I reached out and found her left shoulder as Leah faced me, then marveled at the smoothness as my hand traced her arm downward. Approaching her hand, I extended further to touch her hip. I began softly rubbing, but her ass beckoned, and my hand moved to cup and squeeze her firm cheek. My fingers began shooting sensations of warmth, softness, and inner firmness directly to my brain. I pulled Leah tight against me and discovered she was already completely naked.Leah swung her left leg over me and moved to an upright position, straddling my crotch. Beneath my boxer shorts, my erect cock fought for release. Her hand found my cock within its shelter but did not liberate it. Instead, her hand pushed my cock flat against my lower stomach, and she slid forward, trapping it with the swollen outer lips of her pussy. Leah began slowly gyrating, and even through the fabric of my boxers, I felt her pussy lips spreading as they slid along either side of my hidden cock.The hushed sounds of Leah cooing and moaning barely reached my ears, as dampness built between us. I reached up with both hands, found her small breasts, and used my thumbs to tease her nipples to an erection. A heavy breath followed by a long ‘uh. Oh; Ah!’ brought me close to premature orgasm, but this was not what Leah wanted, so I held back.Leah must have sensed I was close. She stopped gyrating, lifted herself, and then began inching herself up my torso. She paused for a moment and sat on my chest, then her hands reached out to touch my face. Two fingertips began touring my facial features as if Leah wanted to memorize every feature of my face. In the darkness, my senses heightened, her fingers swirled, and circled, and glided over me. I never would have imagined how erotic it felt.Leah resumed moving higher, her knees passing over my shoulders until they rested on either side of my head. I reached up to confirm what lay just inches above my face and grazed the same hairy splendor I sampled back at the hotel. Inhaling deeply, I picked up traces of the same body wash on her thighs. I was ready to dive back in, so I reached up and grabbed Leah’s hips, then pulled her pussy down toward my awaiting tongue. I paused as her short curly hair began painting her scent onto my face. The scent of arousal overpowered my senses. But? Something strange? I froze. The contradiction awoke my twilight dream state.“Why did you stop, Gunnar?” From the darkness came Jorunn’s voice! The dream of Leah's nocturnal visit was replaced by the reality of a beautiful young woman revealing her devotion and desire to this 56 year old guy.I was stunned. I couldn’t reveal the real reason I stopped; was uncertainty. Jorunn’s pussy smelled different than Leah’s! I hadn’t noticed any difference between Leah’s and Jorunn’s tall, fit bodies. If there were any, they were undetectable in the darkness, especially with only my brief exposure to Leah. “I can’t do this with you, Jorunn.” I softly and sincerely spoke.“I want to make love to you tonight, Gunnar. More than anything in the world. Am I not pretty enough? Has not enough time passed since your wife’s funeral? You are the only man in the world I can love to, without fear of being hurt.”“Jorunn, you are an incredibly beautiful woman. For months, I fantasized about holding you in my arms, kissing you, and wishing to be exactly where I am now. But yesterday, I met your mother.”Jorunn asked, “Did she order you not to have sex with me?”I replied, “It’s not that. I think I’m falling in love with Leah. We spent a wonderful day together, and she swept me off my feet. If that love turns out to be mutual, I am prepared to pledge my heart totally to her and her alone. A lifetime commitment, one I will never dishonor. The only reason you and I got this far tonight is that in the darkness and my dream state, I thought you were Leah. I never would have done it otherwise.” But you are a lovely and desirable woman. I respect you and Leah. So much that I cannot be false to either of you. And I cannot dishonor myself, by doing what I know is dishonorable.”Jorunn shifted positions and lay next to me in the bed. In the darkness, Jorunn whispered, “You are so unlike my father. He always put himself first. I was ready to give myself to you tonight. You could have kept quiet and let it happen. Then lied about it to my mother in the morning. But you didn’t. You are a better man than my father ever was, and I know you will make my mother happy. Please don’t be afraid to give her, and yourself, a chance. She really needs someone like you in her life.”I heard a soft sob and reached out to touch Jorunn’s face. She was crying. Jorunn came into my bedroom tonight, looking for someone to love. She didn’t know about Leah and me, or what happened between us at the hotel. I very much doubt her mother would have told her. I admired what Jorunn just did. She was sacrificing her chance at love so that her mother might have one. Jorunn knew that she bore the duty to initiate affection, after so harshly rejecting my romantic advances, last week.Silence followed, before Jorunn finally said, “What you have shown me, Gunnar, is that there are still good men in this world. But I am still afraid to look for them.”I thought back to the day Jorunn and I went sledging. “Remember what you told me at Korketrekkeren? You don’t need to be afraid of looking for a man, Jorunn. What you need to be afraid of is being too afraid to try looking for a man. Promise me that you will push off, just like riding a sledge, and start looking. When you reach the bottom of that scary hill, you will no longer be afraid, and someone you love will be waiting there for you.”“I will, Gunnar. I promise. And thank you.” Jorunn climbed out of my bed and closed the door as she left.Christmas EveDecember 24 - MorningI woke up in the guest room bed. Hearing noises and holiday folk music in the kitchen, I dressed and went downstairs. Leah smiled and said, “God Jul!”, Norwegian's way of saying merry Christmas. Then she made me scrambled eggs with smoked salmon. Afterward, I enjoyed a slice of fruited Christmas Cake with coffee.“Leah, there is something I need to tell you. Jorunn came into my room last night looking for a man to love. In the darkness and my dream state, I thought it was you. It took a moment for me to realize it was Jorunn, and I stopped myself before going too far. Jorunn and I talked, and I confessed my love for you, to her. She understood, and asked that I give that love a chance. I want to do that. I asked Jorunn to no longer be afraid to look for love, and she agreed.”“Thank you for telling me, Gunnar. I have struggled to get Jorunn to go on dates after her father hurt her so badly. You must be a special man to find a place in her heart.”Leah sat down at the table with me, and continued; “I trust Jorunn, and now I trust you. So you will know, I will come to you tonight, bearing a lighted candle.”I said, “That sounds romantic.” My cock jolted to attention, under my trousers. I smiled and winked.Leah replied, “Wait until you see what I will be wearing.” She stood and returned to her baking, as the soft holiday music filled the busy kitchen. Leah's hips softly gyrated to the soft beat as she hummed with the lyrics.Jorunn came down later for breakfast, and after eating, she announced she would be working on edits and voiceovers for her recent videos. Since they were related to Christmas, she wanted to finish them to post them later tonight.Just before lunch, Leah led me back to the television and as we snuggled on the couch, she turned on “Tre Notter til Askepott”, a 1973 Czech reenactment of Cinderella, dubbed into Norwegian. The story was familiar, with Cinderella granted three wishes. It was enjoyable, but the dubbed dialog did not quite match the lips of the actors, so I needed to concentrate on what they were saying. Leah mentioned that this show is so popular in Norway, that storms of protest arose one year when they decided not to broadcast it. They ended up sending it out later in the holiday.Jorunn joined Leah and me for lunch. We ate Risengrynsgrot, which is rice porridge cooked with milk, sugar, and vanilla. We each had a bowl, and hiding in one of the three bowls was an almond. I suspected possible cheating such that I would be the one getting the almond, but as it turned out, Jorunn got the lucky bowl. As her prize, Leah gave Jorunn a chocolate-covered marzipan pig, an oddity for certain, but part of the tradition. There was porridge left over, and Leah said she would use it to make Riskrem, the delicious rice dessert eaten after tonight’s dinner. Solveig’s Riskrem was one of my favorite parts of the holiday season, and I was looking forward to tasting Leah’s.Leah turned to me and said, “If you want to eat, you must help in the kitchen.”Cooking was not something I knew very well, and after Leah led me into the kitchen, I let her know that. But since we were alone, I moved behind her, pulled her blonde hair aside, and nuzzled her neck.Leah said, “If you don’t stop, Gunnar, it will take longer before we eat.” But she wiggled her hips into my crotch before spinning out of my embrace.I helped Leah remove a large roasting pan from the refrigerator and put it in the oven. “That’s a strange-looking piece of meat,” I said.Leah replied, “It is called Ribbe, or roasted pork belly. It is one of the most popular Christmas meals in Norway. I scored the fat layer on top two days ago into a checkerboard pattern. Once cooked, the bottom meat stays tender while the cracklings on top get crispy.”Leah handed me a vegetable peeler and pointed to a bag of potatoes. I needed no further instructions on this. While I worked, Leah flittered around the kitchen, preparing the side dishes. She looked genuinely happy, and we talked and laughed and told tales of Christmases long ago.Just as we pulled the Ribbe from the oven, church bells began ringing from multiple sources. It was 17:00.“It seems like an odd time for church bells,” I said.Leah replied, “In Scandinavia, a new day traditionally starts at sundown, not midnight. Following the old ways, Christmas Day has arrived. It is time to eat.”Jorunn joined us in the mad flurry of activity as places were set, and food moved from the kitchen to the dining room. On the table was Ribbe, boiled potatoes, meatballs, gravy, sausages, sauerkraut, prunes, and lingonberries. Leah poured each of us a tall glass of juleøl, a dark spiced ale, brewed during Christmas all over Norway. She said at one time, a Norwegian king made it illegal to Not brew Christmas Ale. Everything was delicious, and I ate until I could stuff in no more.After dinner, we cleaned up and went into the living room to enjoy coffee, cookies, and a small bowl of Riskrem. I wondered why Leah brought out four bowls of Riskrem. Three topped with whipped cream and a berry sauce, one with only a blob of butter in the middle.Leah said, “We set out a bowl of porridge every Christmas for the fjøsnissen. The tradition evolved from the days when farming families would offer porridge to their barn elf, or nisse. The nisse takes care of the animals in the barn during winter so they don’t get sick. If you don’t do this, the fjøsnissen will play tricks on you.”As we nibbled, Jorunn set the bowl of porridge outside the front door for the fjøsnissen. Then we sat and watched an American Christmas movie on television. After it ended, Leah announced it was time to open the presents. I suspected this would happen and was glad I bought a gift for both Leah and Jorunn. We each dispersed, returned with our packages, and placed them under the Christmas tree.As expected, Leah and Jorunn shared the most gifts for each other, opening the usual mix of chocolates, clothing, and kitchen items. Then Jorunn handed me a gift from her. I opened it and found a DVD labeled, 'Christmas in Norway Tour’, along with a link and instructions to download the video if I preferred. Jorunn told me she made an hour-long video of all the things we did together over the past week, adding music and voiceovers so I would remember the now-completed tour. In exceedingly small letters, at the bottom of the instructions, I saw a link for a story with a similar name and suspected it might be one full of adjectives.Jorunn then opened my gift to her. I remembered the small camera she used this past week and bought her a new top-of-the-line digital camera. From her reaction, I did well.Leah then opened my gift to her. I purchased a genuinely nice Advent star to hang in her window, since she did not have one. It was large and electrically lit and after opening it, she wanted to hang it up right away, which we did. Then we went outside to see how it looked. Leah kissed me and whispered that the Advent Star possessed a special meaning for her this year, a sign of brighter days ahead.Seeing us standing outside, a Julenissen crossed the street and came up to us. The man, dressed in a red jacket with a matching pointed red hat, carried a cloth sack. He was older, and his white beard looked genuine.Jorunn yelled, “God Jul, Julenissen!”As the Julenissen joined us, Leah said, “Nice to see you again, Mr. Bjornstad.”The Julenissen opened a small cloth sack, pulled out a straw goat wrapped with red ribbons, and handed it to Jorunn. Leah explained that the Julenissen come around to houses on Christmas Eve to hand out presents and chocolate to the children. Often, more than one Julenissen would knock on your door during the evening. Unlike America, children get to meet the Julenissen in Norway.“It wouldn’t be the same this year without one of your julebukk!” said an excited Jorunn. Mr. Bjornstad had been coming to Jorunn’s house for a long time, and told us he likes to keep alive the old Norse traditions, such as the julebukk. In addition to handing out hand-made gifts, he tells folklore stories and tales from the days of the Vikings. What a wonderful thing to do to preserve the ancient Norse legacy of sagas and storytelling.Leah excused herself as Mr. Bjornstad started telling such a tale to Jorunn and me. He described Valhalla, where Odin and the brave warriors would train by day, and feast on roast boar and ale at night. Leah returned a moment later with four glasses of Aquavit. We toasted the season and sipped our Aquavit with the Julenissen after the story ended. We then sang a Christmas song together.Then we went back inside and watched the DVD that Jorunn made. The tour sounded exciting and full of fun, which indeed, it was. It also gave Leah another chance to see me in action. It was a full evening, and close to 23:00 when the DVD ended. We were all tired, and it was time for bed. Jorunn told us she was going upstairs to take a shower. Leah and I followed her up to our two bedrooms.A Single CandleDecember 24th - Late EveningFive minutes later, there was a knock on my bedroom door. Opening it, Leah stood there, holding a single candle, and wearing a lavender-colored silk nightgown and robe set. The half-sleeve wrap robe only partially covered her nightgown, leaving the lace-trimmed bustline and hem of her nightgown exposed. She put a finger to her mouth and whispered, “Shhh!” Then she led me by hand to her bedroom. The only light inside came from her single candle.My eyes quickly adjusted, or perhaps it was just my intent stare, “You look incredible.”Leah

Poetry and baring the soul.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Arriving at her house, Leah and I carried my clothes up to the spare bedroom. I thanked Leah once again, then kissed her.Leah softly whispered, “Jorunn is downstairs!”I replied in the same whisper, “Then kiss me quietly.” And she did.I spent the remainder of the day doing my laundry, once Leah showed me how to use her Norwegian washing machine. Leah opened the clothes drying rack, and when done, I laid my clothes out to dry.For dinner, Leah prepared salmon fillets with boiled potatoes. As Jorunn and Leah washed the dishes, I sat on the center seat of the sofa, reflecting on the day. When they finished, both Jorunn and Leah rushed into the living room, extremely excited, and sat down on either side of me. Jorunn turned on the television and switched to Norwegian National Television. I wondered what the fuss was about.“Five more minutes,” yelped Jorunn.After a brief introduction, an old black-and-white movie started. Both Jorunn and Leah snuggled up tight against me and I put my arms around them. It felt great. The show, called “Dinner for One”, featured a 90-year-old countess celebrating her birthday. She invited four friends but outlived them all. Her butler decides to impersonate each of the four missing guests. As he slips into each of the roles, he drinks a toast, and quickly becomes intoxicated, leading to numerous sight gags. It felt good to laugh along with people again. It was rather short, and when it ended, Leah told me it was the most repeated television show of all time and is quite popular in Scandinavian countries and northern Europe.Leah and Jorunn went around rearranging and straightening Christmas decorations, then announced it was time to make Julekurver. I heard of them, but never actually made one. Made of paper, they are heart-shaped and filled with sweets.We quickly cleared the dining room table, then covered it with red and white paper, a plastic rule, a plastic circle, and scissor. Leah and Jorunn both moved quickly, folding a sheet of paper of each color, and I followed their action. Then it was time to measure and cut, and fortunately, they slowed down to allow me to keep up. Using a circle, we marked a half circle and cut the excess away. Then cut strips into the paper, not going all the way across. We wove the red and white papers together in a checkerboard pattern and unfolded them into a perfect heart shape. I thought the process rather inefficient and decided to show off my engineering skills from 3M by making a fancier one. As I unfolded it, Jorunn and Leah laughed, and a moment later, I discovered one way not to make a Julekurver.After a long and active day, I was tired, so I went to bed. Both Jorunn and Leah were talking softly in the living room as I drifted off to sleep.A nocturnal visitorDecember 23rd - Just Before MidnightI was startled awake when I heard my bedroom door close, followed by a soft, “Shush!”I listened closely in the total darkness for footsteps and heard someone approach my bed. Leah must be ready to resume what we started back at the hotel! A hand pulled back the covers, and instinctively I slid toward the middle of the bed to make space. Leah slid in next to me and drew the covers back over us.Leah moved and shifted, and a hand found the back of my head. I expected her lips to follow, and they did. Soft and gentle, a wonderful way for my nocturnal visitor to say hello. Leah told me at the hotel she did not want to feel rushed, so there was no urgency. Her lips retreated, and her hand slid down to caress my cheek, as delicate fingers gently stroked me.I reached out and found her left shoulder as Leah faced me, then marveled at the smoothness as my hand traced her arm downward. Approaching her hand, I extended further to touch her hip. I began softly rubbing, but her ass beckoned, and my hand moved to cup and squeeze her firm cheek. My fingers began shooting sensations of warmth, softness, and inner firmness directly to my brain. I pulled Leah tight against me and discovered she was already completely naked.Leah swung her left leg over me and moved to an upright position, straddling my crotch. Beneath my boxer shorts, my erect cock fought for release. Her hand found my cock within its shelter but did not liberate it. Instead, her hand pushed my cock flat against my lower stomach, and she slid forward, trapping it with the swollen outer lips of her pussy. Leah began slowly gyrating, and even through the fabric of my boxers, I felt her pussy lips spreading as they slid along either side of my hidden cock.The hushed sounds of Leah cooing and moaning barely reached my ears, as dampness built between us. I reached up with both hands, found her small breasts, and used my thumbs to tease her nipples to an erection. A heavy breath followed by a long ‘uh. Oh; Ah!’ brought me close to premature orgasm, but this was not what Leah wanted, so I held back.Leah must have sensed I was close. She stopped gyrating, lifted herself, and then began inching herself up my torso. She paused for a moment and sat on my chest, then her hands reached out to touch my face. Two fingertips began touring my facial features as if Leah wanted to memorize every feature of my face. In the darkness, my senses heightened, her fingers swirled, and circled, and glided over me. I never would have imagined how erotic it felt.Leah resumed moving higher, her knees passing over my shoulders until they rested on either side of my head. I reached up to confirm what lay just inches above my face and grazed the same hairy splendor I sampled back at the hotel. Inhaling deeply, I picked up traces of the same body wash on her thighs. I was ready to dive back in, so I reached up and grabbed Leah’s hips, then pulled her pussy down toward my awaiting tongue. I paused as her short curly hair began painting her scent onto my face. The scent of arousal overpowered my senses. But? Something strange? I froze. The contradiction awoke my twilight dream state.“Why did you stop, Gunnar?” From the darkness came Jorunn’s voice! The dream of Leah's nocturnal visit was replaced by the reality of a beautiful young woman revealing her devotion and desire to this 56 year old guy.I was stunned. I couldn’t reveal the real reason I stopped; was uncertainty. Jorunn’s pussy smelled different than Leah’s! I hadn’t noticed any difference between Leah’s and Jorunn’s tall, fit bodies. If there were any, they were undetectable in the darkness, especially with only my brief exposure to Leah. “I can’t do this with you, Jorunn.” I softly and sincerely spoke.“I want to make love to you tonight, Gunnar. More than anything in the world. Am I not pretty enough? Has not enough time passed since your wife’s funeral? You are the only man in the world I can love to, without fear of being hurt.”“Jorunn, you are an incredibly beautiful woman. For months, I fantasized about holding you in my arms, kissing you, and wishing to be exactly where I am now. But yesterday, I met your mother.”Jorunn asked, “Did she order you not to have sex with me?”I replied, “It’s not that. I think I’m falling in love with Leah. We spent a wonderful day together, and she swept me off my feet. If that love turns out to be mutual, I am prepared to pledge my heart totally to her and her alone. A lifetime commitment, one I will never dishonor. The only reason you and I got this far tonight is that in the darkness and my dream state, I thought you were Leah. I never would have done it otherwise.” But you are a lovely and desirable woman. I respect you and Leah. So much that I cannot be false to either of you. And I cannot dishonor myself, by doing what I know is dishonorable.”Jorunn shifted positions and lay next to me in the bed. In the darkness, Jorunn whispered, “You are so unlike my father. He always put himself first. I was ready to give myself to you tonight. You could have kept quiet and let it happen. Then lied about it to my mother in the morning. But you didn’t. You are a better man than my father ever was, and I know you will make my mother happy. Please don’t be afraid to give her, and yourself, a chance. She really needs someone like you in her life.”I heard a soft sob and reached out to touch Jorunn’s face. She was crying. Jorunn came into my bedroom tonight, looking for someone to love. She didn’t know about Leah and me, or what happened between us at the hotel. I very much doubt her mother would have told her. I admired what Jorunn just did. She was sacrificing her chance at love so that her mother might have one. Jorunn knew that she bore the duty to initiate affection, after so harshly rejecting my romantic advances, last week.Silence followed, before Jorunn finally said, “What you have shown me, Gunnar, is that there are still good men in this world. But I am still afraid to look for them.”I thought back to the day Jorunn and I went sledging. “Remember what you told me at Korketrekkeren? You don’t need to be afraid of looking for a man, Jorunn. What you need to be afraid of is being too afraid to try looking for a man. Promise me that you will push off, just like riding a sledge, and start looking. When you reach the bottom of that scary hill, you will no longer be afraid, and someone you love will be waiting there for you.”“I will, Gunnar. I promise. And thank you.” Jorunn climbed out of my bed and closed the door as she left.Christmas EveDecember 24 - MorningI woke up in the guest room bed. Hearing noises and holiday folk music in the kitchen, I dressed and went downstairs. Leah smiled and said, “God Jul!”, Norwegian's way of saying merry Christmas. Then she made me scrambled eggs with smoked salmon. Afterward, I enjoyed a slice of fruited Christmas Cake with coffee.“Leah, there is something I need to tell you. Jorunn came into my room last night looking for a man to love. In the darkness and my dream state, I thought it was you. It took a moment for me to realize it was Jorunn, and I stopped myself before going too far. Jorunn and I talked, and I confessed my love for you, to her. She understood, and asked that I give that love a chance. I want to do that. I asked Jorunn to no longer be afraid to look for love, and she agreed.”“Thank you for telling me, Gunnar. I have struggled to get Jorunn to go on dates after her father hurt her so badly. You must be a special man to find a place in her heart.”Leah sat down at the table with me, and continued; “I trust Jorunn, and now I trust you. So you will know, I will come to you tonight, bearing a lighted candle.”I said, “That sounds romantic.” My cock jolted to attention, under my trousers. I smiled and winked.Leah replied, “Wait until you see what I will be wearing.” She stood and returned to her baking, as the soft holiday music filled the busy kitchen. Leah's hips softly gyrated to the soft beat as she hummed with the lyrics.Jorunn came down later for breakfast, and after eating, she announced she would be working on edits and voiceovers for her recent videos. Since they were related to Christmas, she wanted to finish them to post them later tonight.Just before lunch, Leah led me back to the television and as we snuggled on the couch, she turned on “Tre Notter til Askepott”, a 1973 Czech reenactment of Cinderella, dubbed into Norwegian. The story was familiar, with Cinderella granted three wishes. It was enjoyable, but the dubbed dialog did not quite match the lips of the actors, so I needed to concentrate on what they were saying. Leah mentioned that this show is so popular in Norway, that storms of protest arose one year when they decided not to broadcast it. They ended up sending it out later in the holiday.Jorunn joined Leah and me for lunch. We ate Risengrynsgrot, which is rice porridge cooked with milk, sugar, and vanilla. We each had a bowl, and hiding in one of the three bowls was an almond. I suspected possible cheating such that I would be the one getting the almond, but as it turned out, Jorunn got the lucky bowl. As her prize, Leah gave Jorunn a chocolate-covered marzipan pig, an oddity for certain, but part of the tradition. There was porridge left over, and Leah said she would use it to make Riskrem, the delicious rice dessert eaten after tonight’s dinner. Solveig’s Riskrem was one of my favorite parts of the holiday season, and I was looking forward to tasting Leah’s.Leah turned to me and said, “If you want to eat, you must help in the kitchen.”Cooking was not something I knew very well, and after Leah led me into the kitchen, I let her know that. But since we were alone, I moved behind her, pulled her blonde hair aside, and nuzzled her neck.Leah said, “If you don’t stop, Gunnar, it will take longer before we eat.” But she wiggled her hips into my crotch before spinning out of my embrace.I helped Leah remove a large roasting pan from the refrigerator and put it in the oven. “That’s a strange-looking piece of meat,” I said.Leah replied, “It is called Ribbe, or roasted pork belly. It is one of the most popular Christmas meals in Norway. I scored the fat layer on top two days ago into a checkerboard pattern. Once cooked, the bottom meat stays tender while the cracklings on top get crispy.”Leah handed me a vegetable peeler and pointed to a bag of potatoes. I needed no further instructions on this. While I worked, Leah flittered around the kitchen, preparing the side dishes. She looked genuinely happy, and we talked and laughed and told tales of Christmases long ago.Just as we pulled the Ribbe from the oven, church bells began ringing from multiple sources. It was 17:00.“It seems like an odd time for church bells,” I said.Leah replied, “In Scandinavia, a new day traditionally starts at sundown, not midnight. Following the old ways, Christmas Day has arrived. It is time to eat.”Jorunn joined us in the mad flurry of activity as places were set, and food moved from the kitchen to the dining room. On the table was Ribbe, boiled potatoes, meatballs, gravy, sausages, sauerkraut, prunes, and lingonberries. Leah poured each of us a tall glass of juleøl, a dark spiced ale, brewed during Christmas all over Norway. She said at one time, a Norwegian king made it illegal to Not brew Christmas Ale. Everything was delicious, and I ate until I could stuff in no more.After dinner, we cleaned up and went into the living room to enjoy coffee, cookies, and a small bowl of Riskrem. I wondered why Leah brought out four bowls of Riskrem. Three topped with whipped cream and a berry sauce, one with only a blob of butter in the middle.Leah said, “We set out a bowl of porridge every Christmas for the fjøsnissen. The tradition evolved from the days when farming families would offer porridge to their barn elf, or nisse. The nisse takes care of the animals in the barn during winter so they don’t get sick. If you don’t do this, the fjøsnissen will play tricks on you.”As we nibbled, Jorunn set the bowl of porridge outside the front door for the fjøsnissen. Then we sat and watched an American Christmas movie on television. After it ended, Leah announced it was time to open the presents. I suspected this would happen and was glad I bought a gift for both Leah and Jorunn. We each dispersed, returned with our packages, and placed them under the Christmas tree.As expected, Leah and Jorunn shared the most gifts for each other, opening the usual mix of chocolates, clothing, and kitchen items. Then Jorunn handed me a gift from her. I opened it and found a DVD labeled, 'Christmas in Norway Tour’, along with a link and instructions to download the video if I preferred. Jorunn told me she made an hour-long video of all the things we did together over the past week, adding music and voiceovers so I would remember the now-completed tour. In exceedingly small letters, at the bottom of the instructions, I saw a link for a story with a similar name and suspected it might be one full of adjectives.Jorunn then opened my gift to her. I remembered the small camera she used this past week and bought her a new top-of-the-line digital camera. From her reaction, I did well.Leah then opened my gift to her. I purchased a genuinely nice Advent star to hang in her window, since she did not have one. It was large and electrically lit and after opening it, she wanted to hang it up right away, which we did. Then we went outside to see how it looked. Leah kissed me and whispered that the Advent Star possessed a special meaning for her this year, a sign of brighter days ahead.Seeing us standing outside, a Julenissen crossed the street and came up to us. The man, dressed in a red jacket with a matching pointed red hat, carried a cloth sack. He was older, and his white beard looked genuine.Jorunn yelled, “God Jul, Julenissen!”As the Julenissen joined us, Leah said, “Nice to see you again, Mr. Bjornstad.”The Julenissen opened a small cloth sack, pulled out a straw goat wrapped with red ribbons, and handed it to Jorunn. Leah explained that the Julenissen come around to houses on Christmas Eve to hand out presents and chocolate to the children. Often, more than one Julenissen would knock on your door during the evening. Unlike America, children get to meet the Julenissen in Norway.“It wouldn’t be the same this year without one of your julebukk!” said an excited Jorunn. Mr. Bjornstad had been coming to Jorunn’s house for a long time, and told us he likes to keep alive the old Norse traditions, such as the julebukk. In addition to handing out hand-made gifts, he tells folklore stories and tales from the days of the Vikings. What a wonderful thing to do to preserve the ancient Norse legacy of sagas and storytelling.Leah excused herself as Mr. Bjornstad started telling such a tale to Jorunn and me. He described Valhalla, where Odin and the brave warriors would train by day, and feast on roast boar and ale at night. Leah returned a moment later with four glasses of Aquavit. We toasted the season and sipped our Aquavit with the Julenissen after the story ended. We then sang a Christmas song together.Then we went back inside and watched the DVD that Jorunn made. The tour sounded exciting and full of fun, which indeed, it was. It also gave Leah another chance to see me in action. It was a full evening, and close to 23:00 when the DVD ended. We were all tired, and it was time for bed. Jorunn told us she was going upstairs to take a shower. Leah and I followed her up to our two bedrooms.A Single CandleDecember 24th - Late EveningFive minutes later, there was a knock on my bedroom door. Opening it, Leah stood there, holding a single candle, and wearing a lavender-colored silk nightgown and robe set. The half-sleeve wrap robe only partially covered her nightgown, leaving the lace-trimmed bustline and hem of her nightgown exposed. She put a finger to her mouth and whispered, “Shhh!” Then she led me by hand to her bedroom. The only light inside came from her single candle.My eyes quickly adjusted, or perhaps it was just my intent stare, “You look incredible.”Leah

Poetry and baring the soul.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Arriving at her house, Leah and I carried my clothes up to the spare bedroom. I thanked Leah once again, then kissed her.Leah softly whispered, “Jorunn is downstairs!”I replied in the same whisper, “Then kiss me quietly.” And she did.I spent the remainder of the day doing my laundry, once Leah showed me how to use her Norwegian washing machine. Leah opened the clothes drying rack, and when done, I laid my clothes out to dry.For dinner, Leah prepared salmon fillets with boiled potatoes. As Jorunn and Leah washed the dishes, I sat on the center seat of the sofa, reflecting on the day. When they finished, both Jorunn and Leah rushed into the living room, extremely excited, and sat down on either side of me. Jorunn turned on the television and switched to Norwegian National Television. I wondered what the fuss was about.“Five more minutes,” yelped Jorunn.After a brief introduction, an old black-and-white movie started. Both Jorunn and Leah snuggled up tight against me and I put my arms around them. It felt great. The show, called “Dinner for One”, featured a 90-year-old countess celebrating her birthday. She invited four friends but outlived them all. Her butler decides to impersonate each of the four missing guests. As he slips into each of the roles, he drinks a toast, and quickly becomes intoxicated, leading to numerous sight gags. It felt good to laugh along with people again. It was rather short, and when it ended, Leah told me it was the most repeated television show of all time and is quite popular in Scandinavian countries and northern Europe.Leah and Jorunn went around rearranging and straightening Christmas decorations, then announced it was time to make Julekurver. I heard of them, but never actually made one. Made of paper, they are heart-shaped and filled with sweets.We quickly cleared the dining room table, then covered it with red and white paper, a plastic rule, a plastic circle, and scissor. Leah and Jorunn both moved quickly, folding a sheet of paper of each color, and I followed their action. Then it was time to measure and cut, and fortunately, they slowed down to allow me to keep up. Using a circle, we marked a half circle and cut the excess away. Then cut strips into the paper, not going all the way across. We wove the red and white papers together in a checkerboard pattern and unfolded them into a perfect heart shape. I thought the process rather inefficient and decided to show off my engineering skills from 3M by making a fancier one. As I unfolded it, Jorunn and Leah laughed, and a moment later, I discovered one way not to make a Julekurver.After a long and active day, I was tired, so I went to bed. Both Jorunn and Leah were talking softly in the living room as I drifted off to sleep.A nocturnal visitorDecember 23rd - Just Before MidnightI was startled awake when I heard my bedroom door close, followed by a soft, “Shush!”I listened closely in the total darkness for footsteps and heard someone approach my bed. Leah must be ready to resume what we started back at the hotel! A hand pulled back the covers, and instinctively I slid toward the middle of the bed to make space. Leah slid in next to me and drew the covers back over us.Leah moved and shifted, and a hand found the back of my head. I expected her lips to follow, and they did. Soft and gentle, a wonderful way for my nocturnal visitor to say hello. Leah told me at the hotel she did not want to feel rushed, so there was no urgency. Her lips retreated, and her hand slid down to caress my cheek, as delicate fingers gently stroked me.I reached out and found her left shoulder as Leah faced me, then marveled at the smoothness as my hand traced her arm downward. Approaching her hand, I extended further to touch her hip. I began softly rubbing, but her ass beckoned, and my hand moved to cup and squeeze her firm cheek. My fingers began shooting sensations of warmth, softness, and inner firmness directly to my brain. I pulled Leah tight against me and discovered she was already completely naked.Leah swung her left leg over me and moved to an upright position, straddling my crotch. Beneath my boxer shorts, my erect cock fought for release. Her hand found my cock within its shelter but did not liberate it. Instead, her hand pushed my cock flat against my lower stomach, and she slid forward, trapping it with the swollen outer lips of her pussy. Leah began slowly gyrating, and even through the fabric of my boxers, I felt her pussy lips spreading as they slid along either side of my hidden cock.The hushed sounds of Leah cooing and moaning barely reached my ears, as dampness built between us. I reached up with both hands, found her small breasts, and used my thumbs to tease her nipples to an erection. A heavy breath followed by a long ‘uh. Oh; Ah!’ brought me close to premature orgasm, but this was not what Leah wanted, so I held back.Leah must have sensed I was close. She stopped gyrating, lifted herself, and then began inching herself up my torso. She paused for a moment and sat on my chest, then her hands reached out to touch my face. Two fingertips began touring my facial features as if Leah wanted to memorize every feature of my face. In the darkness, my senses heightened, her fingers swirled, and circled, and glided over me. I never would have imagined how erotic it felt.Leah resumed moving higher, her knees passing over my shoulders until they rested on either side of my head. I reached up to confirm what lay just inches above my face and grazed the same hairy splendor I sampled back at the hotel. Inhaling deeply, I picked up traces of the same body wash on her thighs. I was ready to dive back in, so I reached up and grabbed Leah’s hips, then pulled her pussy down toward my awaiting tongue. I paused as her short curly hair began painting her scent onto my face. The scent of arousal overpowered my senses. But? Something strange? I froze. The contradiction awoke my twilight dream state.“Why did you stop, Gunnar?” From the darkness came Jorunn’s voice! The dream of Leah's nocturnal visit was replaced by the reality of a beautiful young woman revealing her devotion and desire to this 56 year old guy.I was stunned. I couldn’t reveal the real reason I stopped; was uncertainty. Jorunn’s pussy smelled different than Leah’s! I hadn’t noticed any difference between Leah’s and Jorunn’s tall, fit bodies. If there were any, they were undetectable in the darkness, especially with only my brief exposure to Leah. “I can’t do this with you, Jorunn.” I softly and sincerely spoke.“I want to make love to you tonight, Gunnar. More than anything in the world. Am I not pretty enough? Has not enough time passed since your wife’s funeral? You are the only man in the world I can love to, without fear of being hurt.”“Jorunn, you are an incredibly beautiful woman. For months, I fantasized about holding you in my arms, kissing you, and wishing to be exactly where I am now. But yesterday, I met your mother.”Jorunn asked, “Did she order you not to have sex with me?”I replied, “It’s not that. I think I’m falling in love with Leah. We spent a wonderful day together, and she swept me off my feet. If that love turns out to be mutual, I am prepared to pledge my heart totally to her and her alone. A lifetime commitment, one I will never dishonor. The only reason you and I got this far tonight is that in the darkness and my dream state, I thought you were Leah. I never would have done it otherwise.” But you are a lovely and desirable woman. I respect you and Leah. So much that I cannot be false to either of you. And I cannot dishonor myself, by doing what I know is dishonorable.”Jorunn shifted positions and lay next to me in the bed. In the darkness, Jorunn whispered, “You are so unlike my father. He always put himself first. I was ready to give myself to you tonight. You could have kept quiet and let it happen. Then lied about it to my mother in the morning. But you didn’t. You are a better man than my father ever was, and I know you will make my mother happy. Please don’t be afraid to give her, and yourself, a chance. She really needs someone like you in her life.”I heard a soft sob and reached out to touch Jorunn’s face. She was crying. Jorunn came into my bedroom tonight, looking for someone to love. She didn’t know about Leah and me, or what happened between us at the hotel. I very much doubt her mother would have told her. I admired what Jorunn just did. She was sacrificing her chance at love so that her mother might have one. Jorunn knew that she bore the duty to initiate affection, after so harshly rejecting my romantic advances, last week.Silence followed, before Jorunn finally said, “What you have shown me, Gunnar, is that there are still good men in this world. But I am still afraid to look for them.”I thought back to the day Jorunn and I went sledging. “Remember what you told me at Korketrekkeren? You don’t need to be afraid of looking for a man, Jorunn. What you need to be afraid of is being too afraid to try looking for a man. Promise me that you will push off, just like riding a sledge, and start looking. When you reach the bottom of that scary hill, you will no longer be afraid, and someone you love will be waiting there for you.”“I will, Gunnar. I promise. And thank you.” Jorunn climbed out of my bed and closed the door as she left.Christmas EveDecember 24 - MorningI woke up in the guest room bed. Hearing noises and holiday folk music in the kitchen, I dressed and went downstairs. Leah smiled and said, “God Jul!”, Norwegian's way of saying merry Christmas. Then she made me scrambled eggs with smoked salmon. Afterward, I enjoyed a slice of fruited Christmas Cake with coffee.“Leah, there is something I need to tell you. Jorunn came into my room last night looking for a man to love. In the darkness and my dream state, I thought it was you. It took a moment for me to realize it was Jorunn, and I stopped myself before going too far. Jorunn and I talked, and I confessed my love for you, to her. She understood, and asked that I give that love a chance. I want to do that. I asked Jorunn to no longer be afraid to look for love, and she agreed.”“Thank you for telling me, Gunnar. I have struggled to get Jorunn to go on dates after her father hurt her so badly. You must be a special man to find a place in her heart.”Leah sat down at the table with me, and continued; “I trust Jorunn, and now I trust you. So you will know, I will come to you tonight, bearing a lighted candle.”I said, “That sounds romantic.” My cock jolted to attention, under my trousers. I smiled and winked.Leah replied, “Wait until you see what I will be wearing.” She stood and returned to her baking, as the soft holiday music filled the busy kitchen. Leah's hips softly gyrated to the soft beat as she hummed with the lyrics.Jorunn came down later for breakfast, and after eating, she announced she would be working on edits and voiceovers for her recent videos. Since they were related to Christmas, she wanted to finish them to post them later tonight.Just before lunch, Leah led me back to the television and as we snuggled on the couch, she turned on “Tre Notter til Askepott”, a 1973 Czech reenactment of Cinderella, dubbed into Norwegian. The story was familiar, with Cinderella granted three wishes. It was enjoyable, but the dubbed dialog did not quite match the lips of the actors, so I needed to concentrate on what they were saying. Leah mentioned that this show is so popular in Norway, that storms of protest arose one year when they decided not to broadcast it. They ended up sending it out later in the holiday.Jorunn joined Leah and me for lunch. We ate Risengrynsgrot, which is rice porridge cooked with milk, sugar, and vanilla. We each had a bowl, and hiding in one of the three bowls was an almond. I suspected possible cheating such that I would be the one getting the almond, but as it turned out, Jorunn got the lucky bowl. As her prize, Leah gave Jorunn a chocolate-covered marzipan pig, an oddity for certain, but part of the tradition. There was porridge left over, and Leah said she would use it to make Riskrem, the delicious rice dessert eaten after tonight’s dinner. Solveig’s Riskrem was one of my favorite parts of the holiday season, and I was looking forward to tasting Leah’s.Leah turned to me and said, “If you want to eat, you must help in the kitchen.”Cooking was not something I knew very well, and after Leah led me into the kitchen, I let her know that. But since we were alone, I moved behind her, pulled her blonde hair aside, and nuzzled her neck.Leah said, “If you don’t stop, Gunnar, it will take longer before we eat.” But she wiggled her hips into my crotch before spinning out of my embrace.I helped Leah remove a large roasting pan from the refrigerator and put it in the oven. “That’s a strange-looking piece of meat,” I said.Leah replied, “It is called Ribbe, or roasted pork belly. It is one of the most popular Christmas meals in Norway. I scored the fat layer on top two days ago into a checkerboard pattern. Once cooked, the bottom meat stays tender while the cracklings on top get crispy.”Leah handed me a vegetable peeler and pointed to a bag of potatoes. I needed no further instructions on this. While I worked, Leah flittered around the kitchen, preparing the side dishes. She looked genuinely happy, and we talked and laughed and told tales of Christmases long ago.Just as we pulled the Ribbe from the oven, church bells began ringing from multiple sources. It was 17:00.“It seems like an odd time for church bells,” I said.Leah replied, “In Scandinavia, a new day traditionally starts at sundown, not midnight. Following the old ways, Christmas Day has arrived. It is time to eat.”Jorunn joined us in the mad flurry of activity as places were set, and food moved from the kitchen to the dining room. On the table was Ribbe, boiled potatoes, meatballs, gravy, sausages, sauerkraut, prunes, and lingonberries. Leah poured each of us a tall glass of juleøl, a dark spiced ale, brewed during Christmas all over Norway. She said at one time, a Norwegian king made it illegal to Not brew Christmas Ale. Everything was delicious, and I ate until I could stuff in no more.After dinner, we cleaned up and went into the living room to enjoy coffee, cookies, and a small bowl of Riskrem. I wondered why Leah brought out four bowls of Riskrem. Three topped with whipped cream and a berry sauce, one with only a blob of butter in the middle.Leah said, “We set out a bowl of porridge every Christmas for the fjøsnissen. The tradition evolved from the days when farming families would offer porridge to their barn elf, or nisse. The nisse takes care of the animals in the barn during winter so they don’t get sick. If you don’t do this, the fjøsnissen will play tricks on you.”As we nibbled, Jorunn set the bowl of porridge outside the front door for the fjøsnissen. Then we sat and watched an American Christmas movie on television. After it ended, Leah announced it was time to open the presents. I suspected this would happen and was glad I bought a gift for both Leah and Jorunn. We each dispersed, returned with our packages, and placed them under the Christmas tree.As expected, Leah and Jorunn shared the most gifts for each other, opening the usual mix of chocolates, clothing, and kitchen items. Then Jorunn handed me a gift from her. I opened it and found a DVD labeled, 'Christmas in Norway Tour’, along with a link and instructions to download the video if I preferred. Jorunn told me she made an hour-long video of all the things we did together over the past week, adding music and voiceovers so I would remember the now-completed tour. In exceedingly small letters, at the bottom of the instructions, I saw a link for a story with a similar name and suspected it might be one full of adjectives.Jorunn then opened my gift to her. I remembered the small camera she used this past week and bought her a new top-of-the-line digital camera. From her reaction, I did well.Leah then opened my gift to her. I purchased a genuinely nice Advent star to hang in her window, since she did not have one. It was large and electrically lit and after opening it, she wanted to hang it up right away, which we did. Then we went outside to see how it looked. Leah kissed me and whispered that the Advent Star possessed a special meaning for her this year, a sign of brighter days ahead.Seeing us standing outside, a Julenissen crossed the street and came up to us. The man, dressed in a red jacket with a matching pointed red hat, carried a cloth sack. He was older, and his white beard looked genuine.Jorunn yelled, “God Jul, Julenissen!”As the Julenissen joined us, Leah said, “Nice to see you again, Mr. Bjornstad.”The Julenissen opened a small cloth sack, pulled out a straw goat wrapped with red ribbons, and handed it to Jorunn. Leah explained that the Julenissen come around to houses on Christmas Eve to hand out presents and chocolate to the children. Often, more than one Julenissen would knock on your door during the evening. Unlike America, children get to meet the Julenissen in Norway.“It wouldn’t be the same this year without one of your julebukk!” said an excited Jorunn. Mr. Bjornstad had been coming to Jorunn’s house for a long time, and told us he likes to keep alive the old Norse traditions, such as the julebukk. In addition to handing out hand-made gifts, he tells folklore stories and tales from the days of the Vikings. What a wonderful thing to do to preserve the ancient Norse legacy of sagas and storytelling.Leah excused herself as Mr. Bjornstad started telling such a tale to Jorunn and me. He described Valhalla, where Odin and the brave warriors would train by day, and feast on roast boar and ale at night. Leah returned a moment later with four glasses of Aquavit. We toasted the season and sipped our Aquavit with the Julenissen after the story ended. We then sang a Christmas song together.Then we went back inside and watched the DVD that Jorunn made. The tour sounded exciting and full of fun, which indeed, it was. It also gave Leah another chance to see me in action. It was a full evening, and close to 23:00 when the DVD ended. We were all tired, and it was time for bed. Jorunn told us she was going upstairs to take a shower. Leah and I followed her up to our two bedrooms.A Single CandleDecember 24th - Late EveningFive minutes later, there was a knock on my bedroom door. Opening it, Leah stood there, holding a single candle, and wearing a lavender-colored silk nightgown and robe set. The half-sleeve wrap robe only partially covered her nightgown, leaving the lace-trimmed bustline and hem of her nightgown exposed. She put a finger to her mouth and whispered, “Shhh!” Then she led me by hand to her bedroom. The only light inside came from her single candle.My eyes quickly adjusted, or perhaps it was just my intent stare, “You look incredible.”Leah

Shaun Sport goes big for the birthday with Super Bowl day coverage, crossing to Clint Stanaway, Jase and Lauren for all the hype!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Great work happens when you trust then notice exceptional cooperation and team leadership:“We value your work because you are valuable to all of us.”“Shhh. Until someone values me, I'll just take my paycheck.”“One only gets trust with trustworthiness or sacrifice for others.”What changes when recognition becomes a habit is surprising…See BoldEncounters.TV.Episode 2 with Kevin Ames goes beyond appreciation as a leadership idea and turns it into something concrete: the difference between workplaces where nobody cares about the work—and workplaces where people become the kind of professionals who naturally do great work. Kevin and Mark contrast two unforgettable service experiences, then connect the deeper thread: trust is often built faster through sacrifice than through speeches, policies, or “programs.”Inside This Episode• Two radically varied “great work” events—and their cause• Why people don't do great work if nobody cares about them• How sacrifice builds instant trust faster than anything• Why most people live “in a vacuum of appreciation"• One way to appreciate excellence now—before week's endGo Deeper — Premium Action PlanThis episode includes a Premium Action Plan (for members) of Bold Encounters Club.You'll get a simple, step-by-step way to practice elite appreciation, build trust through one measurable sacrifice, and turn “great work” into repeatable culture—not just a rare personality trait.Kevin AmesFounder, Ames Leadership InstituteLeadership researcher, speaker, and executive coachKnown for practical frameworks on trust, appreciation, and performanceWorks with leaders to turn recognition into real resultsMoments to Revisit• The “gentleman's club” jacket story reveals so much...• What thinking, “Nobody cares about their work …” creates.• “Eight out of ten… live in a recognition vacuum." Why it matters.• The friendship built through doing meaningful work together• “You only get trust when you're trustworthy or sacrifice.”Final ThoughtOrganizations don't become “the best” because they claim it. They become the best when individuals inside them decide to be extraordinary...and recoginze the extraordinary. When leaders make people feel seen, great work becomes worth doing.

Spanners, Trumpets and Kyle dig into the data and discuss the good, the bad and the ugly of the first few days of the Barcelona shakedown rodeo in this, the latest episode of Missed Apex Podcast!Give Spanners Insta a go!!!https://www.instagram.com/spannersready ⭐Missed Apex Tik Tokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@missedapexf1⭐ Spanners https://x.com/SpannersReadyhttps://bsky.app/profile/spannersready.bsky.social⭐ Matt Trumpets https://x.com/mattpt55https://bsky.app/profile/mattpt55.bsky.socialWays To Support Missed Apex:✅ Join our Patreon to gain access to our exclusive Patreon Only Discord Chat + Bonus ContentWe Only Exist Due to Our Patron Support https://www.patreon.com/MissedApex✅ Leave a tip https://missedapexpodcast.com/tipjarOn Tonight's Show:⭐Missed Apex Tik Tokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@missedapexf1⭐ Spanners https://x.com/SpannersReadyhttps://bsky.app/profile/spannersready.bsky.social⭐ Matt Trumpets https://x.com/mattpt55https://bsky.app/profile/mattpt55.bsky.social⭐ Kyle Power https://x.com/KylePowerF1We've done a watchalong!!! Now its a watchalater!! Check it out if you missed us live!!https://www.youtube.com/live/otDRikHN95w?si=lPEiGELnkWWfYbg2Race can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZH9cIXnG2kGive Spanners Insta a go!!!https://www.instagram.com/spannersreadyCome watch our iRacing Series with Spanners on comms!https://youtube.com/live/U4qkMR_GLuE?feature=shareCheck out Missed Apex Tik Tok!!!! https://www.tiktok.com/@missedapexf1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Awards season 2026 continues to steamroll ahead. Just days after the Oscar nominations, the BAFTA and WGA nominations have arrived. To help break it all down, Christina is joined by Eoin Daly, co-host of the Shhh, My Stories Are On! podcast, as they discuss the biggest talking points, surprises, and what these nominations could mean for the rest of the awards season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Shhh, My Kids Are Asleep, I sit down with my daughter to talk about the Instagram account she thought was a secret for three years. Spoiler: it wasn't as hidden as she thought. I discovered it quietly, said nothing, and waited. After a big family move to Texas, we finally talked about it all.This is an honest online convo.If you're a parent navigating Instagram, secret accounts, digital boundaries, or just trying to keep an open line with your teen, this episode is for you. No yelling. No shaming. Just curiosity, accountability, and real conversation.

Shhh cállate Chalino, nos van a escuchar!-Miaaauuuuu, Miauuuuu-¡Ya Chalino, deja de hacer ruidos!-Con un maullido estremecedor y la mirada a punto del llanto, Chalino merodeaba arrastrando la cola sobre la mesa; eran las 3:45 de la mañana, Remedios buscaba a tientas...

We Return to a Wednesday Night for the first time in years!US Govt attempts to force regime changes. Attacking brown countries… NFL playoff picture is set… Now what?Special Guest from Liquor Talk Podcast! Don't forget to support our sponsor while using our promo code “STARTING5” for 20% off at Hooksrub.comJOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP!!!https://www.facebook.com/groups/57797...THESTARTING5SHOW@GMAIL.COMFOR EVERYTHING THE STARTING 5 PODCAST RELATED https://linktr.ee/THESTARTING5PODCAST#HooksRub #WeSmokeMeat, #HooksRubOnMyMeat, #HooksRub, #HooksRubsAndSpices, #HooksRubTheStarting5Collab, #thestarting5podcast

Content note: This episode includes discussion of childhood sexual abuse, trauma, and healing. Please listen with care.Some moments reshape us before we even have words for them.In this episode of The Life Shift, we explore a pivotal life shift and the before and after moments that shaped Erin Snow's journey toward reclaiming her voice, worth, and sense of self.Erin Snow carried one of those moments for most of her life. What began as a buried truth became a quiet weight she learned to navigate on her own. And somewhere along the way, that silence started to turn into something else. A nudge. A voice. A call to reclaim the parts of herself that had been taken.Her story is not only about what happened. It is about the slow return to her own strength, the tenderness of being heard at the right time, and the courage it takes to tell a truth that once felt impossible to say. Erin reminds us that healing is not tidy. It grows in seasons. It begins in small ways. And often it starts with listening.What You'll Hear:The childhood moment that marked a clear before and afterHow silence shaped Erin's sense of worthThe long path toward reclaiming her voiceWhy advocacy became a way to healHow listening became her life's purposeThe freedom of saying something you once held aloneGuest Bio:Erin Snow is a transformative listening strategist who turns the art of hearing into a powerful tool for personal and professional empowerment. As the founder of Seacoast Listening Lounge, she has pioneered a revolutionary approach that creates a sanctuary where women can not just survive, but truly reclaim their narrative and inner strength.With sixteen years of frontline experience as a legal advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, Erin has witnessed firsthand the life changing power of authentic, compassionate listening. She made history as the first paralegal in New Hampshire to represent clients directly in family court, breaking barriers and reshaping traditional legal norms.Her work bridges trauma-informed advocacy with deep emotional intelligence, offering individuals, leaders, and organizations a pathway to genuine, transformative connection. Erin can be reached at seacoastlisteninglounge.com.Listen and follow: www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com/followSupport the show for ad-free and early-release episodes: www.patreon.com/thelifeshiftpodcastSubscribe to the newsletter: https://thelifeshiftpodcast.beehiiv.com/

In this episode of Shhh, My Kids Are Asleep, I share a simple cheat code for surviving life after vacation — building a decompression day into the end of your trip so you can rest, reset, and ease back into the week instead of crashing straight into real life.I also talk about traveling to Louisiana to visit family, reconnecting with cousins, and how it felt like no time had passed at all. Cousins really are built-in friends, and sometimes the easiest relationships are the ones that don't need explaining.We reflect on the importance of checking in on the people we love, my regret about not visiting my grandma more, and the gratitude that comes with having the means and opportunity to spend time with family while we can.This episode is about slowing down, being present, and finding small ways to take care of yourself — even after the trip ends.

Merry Christmas, everyone! Preston A Whitmore II's This Christmas may not be a super popular holiday movie, but Michael thinks it's underrated and under-discussed, so he's invited William Bruce West and David May to watch and talk about it. The movie stars Loretta Devine, Delroy Lindo, Idris Elba, Regina King, Keith D Robinson, Mekhi Phifer, and others as members of a family coming together for the holidays after a few years apart and everyone has secrets. Shhh!

Happy Thanksgiving! This week we revisit a shaman and learn not to sweat the small stuff, Elizabeth's stock is soaring at Trader Joe's and Andy explains a complicated yet nuanced food situation. It's all covered on this week's Nobody's Listening, Right? Check out our new True Crime podcast: BETH'S DEAD Learn more at: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BethsDead Support NLR Join Patreon for bonus episodes! Buy the Merch! Find us on Instagram Find us on TikTok⁠⁠ Watch us on YouTube Shop our Amazon recommendations Here ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Chapters: 00:00 Intro 03:17 San Pedro and Ayahuasca 09:29 Don't Sweat The Small Stuff 10:14 Sick Kids / Super Mom 15:21 Trader Joe's Models 21:49 Ad Break 24:47 Go Duck Yourself 26:42 Shhh It's Complicated 35:21 Below Deck 44:33 Charli XCX 49:16 Trade Joe's Sugar Momma Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's Thanksgiving in the Nix house… and this year? It looks a little different.A surprise family guest shows up, the great silent-volume debate makes an appearance (how loud is “quiet,” exactly?), and I'm trying to figure out how to grow into a new space while making traditions of my own.The kids might cook with me… which is either adorable or mildly terrifying. I also face the sad, humbling truth that I am now the undefeated baked-mac champion by default because I moved states and left all my competition behind.

This discussion features: David LaManna, Mike McHugh and James Gowell. Edited by: Tim NicholsonWe dive into our second and final week of studying 2 John 1 which is a short 13 chapters yet packed with heat. David kicks us off by sharing the background of 2 John and how easy it was for the Docetist to target the house churches due to the love followers of Christ show. James shares a real life and recent example at a recent small group and David brings it full circle in sharing the importance of discernment via the Holy Spirit.Mike shares that truth and love are inseparable and we go on a journey together imagining receiving a letter from John that he is planning to visit.This is another page turner episode so come along for the ride...it's a great conversation! Shhh, there is a bonus feature for you hardcore listeners if you listen to the end. Next week, 3 John, so please read along with us.Please help us spread the word about Thriving in the Word, and we encourage you to read it and come along for the journey. Thank you for listening and being part of the Thriving in the Word family.Have a blessed day.For more information visit: www.thrive.churchIf you would like to give financially you can do so here: www.thrive.church/give/If you need prayer email us at prayer@thrive.churchThis is a presentation of Thrive.Church©All Rights Reserved

Welcome to episode 328 of The Cloud Pod, where the forecast is always cloudy! Justin, Ryan, and Matt are on board today to bring you all the latest news in cloud and AI, including secret regions (this one has the aliens), ongoing discussions between Microsoft and OpenAI, and updates to Nova, SQL, and OneLake -and even the latest installment of Cloud Journeys.  Let's get started!  Titles we almost went with this week CloudWatch’s New Feature: Because Nobody Likes Writing Incident Reports at 3 AM DNS: Did Not Survive – The Great US-EAST-1 Outage of 2025 404 DevOps Not Found: The AWS Automation Adventure mk When Your DevOps Team Gets Replaced by AI and Then Everything Crashes Database Migrations Get the ChatGPT Treatment: Just Vibe Your Schema Changes AWS DevOps Team Gets the AI Treatment: 40% Fewer Humans, 100% More Questions Breaking Up is Hard to Compute: Microsoft and OpenAI Redefine Their Relationship AWS Goes Full Scope: Now Tracking Your Cloud’s Carbon from Cradle to Gate Platform Engineering: When Your Golden Path Leads to a Dead End DynamoDB’s DNS Disaster: How a Race Condition Raced Through AWS AI Takes Over AWS DevOps Jobs, Servers Take Unscheduled Vacation PostgreSQL Scaling Gets a 30-Second Makeover While AWS Takes a Coffee Break The Domino Effect: When DynamoDB Drops, Everything Drops RAG to Riches: Amazon Nova Learns to Cite Its Sources AWS Finally Tells You When Your EC2 Instance Can’t Keep Up With Your Storage Ambitions AWS Nova Gets Grounded: No More Hallucinating About Reality One API to Rule Them All: OneLake’s Storage Compatibility Play OpenAI gets to pay Alimony Database schema deployments are totally a vibe AWS will tell you how not green you are today, now in 3 scopes General News  02:00 DDoS in September | Fastly Fastly‘s September DDoS report reveals a notable 15.5 million requests per second attack that lasted over an hour, demonstrating how modern application-layer attacks can sustain extreme throughput with real HTTP requests rather than simple pings or amplification techniques. Attack volume in September dropped to 61% of August levels, with data suggesting a correlation between school schedules and attack frequency: lower volumes coincide with school breaks, while higher volumes occur when schools are in session. Media & Entertainment companies faced the highest median attack sizes, followed by Education and High Technology sectors, with 71% of September’s peak attack day attributed to a single enterprise media company. The sustained 15 million RPS attack originated from a single cloud-provider ASN, using sophisticated daemons that mimicked browser behavior, making detection more challenging than typical DDoS patterns. Organizations should evaluate whether their incident response runbooks can handle hour-long attacks at 15+ million RPS, as these sustained high-throughput attacks require automated mitigation rather than manual intervention. Listen, we're not inviting a DDoS attack, but also…we'll just turn off the website, so there's that.  AI Is Going Great – Or How ML Makes Money 04:41 Google AI Studi

LDV Mahi Monday Jordan comes to the show today with mixed emotions following his break on Taylor Swift last week... So today Brook gives him a chance at redemption... There is a "secret" in the show that is going to show just who the die hard, loyal shifters are and who the not so loyal ones are... What a week that was, make it to and home safe today Shifters, let's lock in for another great week! We in this together! Hit that link below to stay caught up with anything and everything TMS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/groups/3394787437503676/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We dropped some merch! Use TMS for 10% off. Here is the link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youknowclothing.com/search?q=tms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you to the team at Chemist Warehouse for helping us keep the lights on, here at The Morning Shift... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.chemistwarehouse.co.nz/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 00:00 - Intro 2:40 - Check In 7:31 - Daily Bread 11:09 - Can You Keep A Secret 18:25 - Time To Do Some Homework 28:57 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey Budget Besties—bonus episode: SHHH… we're running a secret, besties-only sale this weekend on our Simplified Budget System (editable, plans paychecks, organizes bills, separates spending)Click to reveal your coupon!What our Budget Besties are saying: “savings buckets growing + paying down bills” — Tammy; “paid off 7 credit cards and now use cash” — Barbara; “finally stopped living paycheck to paycheck” — Kathleen.⁠Click to reveal your coupon!⁠

Our Heroes gotta look up some cool art. You want to see? We're not sure if we're even allowed to show this dude. You remember Homer? No the other one. Yeah well he's hot now. Maybe. Shhh don't tell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOLLOW RICHARD Website: https://www.strangeplanet.ca YouTube: @strangeplanetradio Instagram: @richardsyrettstrangeplanet TikTok: @therealstrangeplanet EP. #1261 HOLLYWOOD'S “SHHH” TATTOO: DEAD GIRL IN A TESLA, STAR IN THE CROSSHAIRS In the neon shadows of Hollywood, a disturbing discovery has ripped through the façade of fame. The decomposed remains of 15-year-old runaway Celeste Rivas Hernandez were found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to rising music star d4vd. Her cryptic “Shhh” tattoo, shared by celebrities from Rihanna to Lindsay Lohan, raises haunting questions: coincidence—or code? As investigators probe, whispers of trafficking, grooming, and elite cover-ups intensify. Private investigator Nils Grevillius joins me to dissect this chilling case and expose how power, secrecy, and predation still define Tinseltown's darkest underbelly. GUEST: Nils Grevillius is a relentless private detective with over four decades of experience exposing Hollywood's darkest corners. Cutting his teeth on the infamous 1981 Wonderland Murders—where drugs, pornography, and organized crime collided with the entertainment world—Nils has spent his career unraveling webs of corruption, trafficking, and clandestine networks linking elites to criminal syndicates. His investigations have ranged from City Hall corruption to cross-border smuggling rings, always revealing how power shields predators. He is the author of the noir novella Luke Fitz Collection: A City of Devils, Sub Rosa, Skulldiggery, Horseplay, and Suicide Jack and the One-Eyed King. WEBSITE: https://grevilliuspi.com BOOKS: A City of Devils (The Luke Fitz Collection Book 1) Sub Rosa (The Luke Fitz Collection Book 2) Skulldiggery (The Luke Fitz Collection Book 3) Horse Play (The Luke Fitz Collection Book 4) Suicide Jack and the One Eyed King (The Luke Fitz Collection Book 5) SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!!! ⁠FABRIC BY GERBER LIFE⁠ Life insurance that's designed to be fast and affordable. You could get instant coverage with no medical exam for qualified applicants.   Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to help protect their family.  Apply today in just minutes at ⁠meet fabric dot com slash STRANGE⁠ ⁠TESBROS⁠ We're a small business built by Tesla owners, for Tesla owners. Everything we do is about helping our customers customize, protect, and maintain their ride — whether it's through our products or YouTube how-tos and reviews.  Go to⁠ tesbros.com⁠ and use code POD15 for 15% off your first order. ⁠⁠BUTCHERBOX⁠⁠ ButcherBox delivers better meat and seafood straight to your door – including 100% grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, pork raised crate-free, and wild-caught seafood. Right now, ButcherBox is offering our listeners $20 off their first box and free protein for a year. Go to ⁠⁠ButcherBox.com/strange⁠⁠ to get this limited time offer and free shipping always. Don't forget to use our link so they know we sent you. HIMS - Making Healthy and Happy Easy to Achieve Sexual Health, Hair Loss, Mental Health, Weight Management START YOUR FREE ONLINE VISIT TODAY - ⁠HIMS dot com slash STRANGE⁠ ⁠https://www.HIMS.com/strange⁠ ⁠QUINCE BEDDING⁠ Cool, Relaxed Bedding. Woven from 100% European flax linen. Visit ⁠QUINCE BEDDING⁠ to get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.   ⁠BECOME A PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER!!!⁠  ⁠https://strangeplanet.supportingcast.fm⁠  Three monthly subscriptions to choose from.  Commercial Free Listening, Bonus Episodes and a Subscription to my monthly newsletter, InnerSanctum.  Visit ⁠https://strangeplanet.supportingcast.fm⁠ Use the discount code "Planet" to receive $5 OFF  off any subscription.  We and our partners use cookies to personalize your experience, to show you ads based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes. By using our website and services, you agree to our use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://strangeplanet.supportingcast.fm/

D4VD Death Investigation: She Had His Tattoo. Then She Was Found in His Car. FBI Profiler Weighs In. Celeste Rivas and D4vd reportedly had matching “Shhh…” tattoos on their index fingers. That detail alone opens a disturbing window into power dynamics, secrecy, and control. In this segment, FBI behavioral expert Robin Dreeke joins me to unpack the non-forensic evidence that tells a story: matching tattoos, digital closeness, and the decision to wrap Celeste's body in plastic and hide her in the trunk of a car. These choices speak volumes. We explore:  – How adult predators often mark their victims with shared symbols—tattoos, jewelry, even lyrics  – Why body concealment is one of the clearest indicators of post-crime psychological strategy  – What it suggests when someone abandons a vehicle with a wrapped body inside  – And how grooming over time leads to psychological dependency, isolation, and silence This isn't just about a car and a body. It's about behavioral control over a vulnerable teenager and a trail of choices that don't add up to innocence. As of now, no one has been arrested. The cause of death is pending. But these behavioral markers raise serious, unanswered questions. You can't ignore the patterns. Because predators rely on everyone else doing just that.

D4VD Death Investigation: She Had His Tattoo. Then She Was Found in His Car. FBI Profiler Weighs In. Celeste Rivas and D4vd reportedly had matching “Shhh…” tattoos on their index fingers. That detail alone opens a disturbing window into power dynamics, secrecy, and control. In this segment, FBI behavioral expert Robin Dreeke joins me to unpack the non-forensic evidence that tells a story: matching tattoos, digital closeness, and the decision to wrap Celeste's body in plastic and hide her in the trunk of a car. These choices speak volumes. We explore:  – How adult predators often mark their victims with shared symbols—tattoos, jewelry, even lyrics  – Why body concealment is one of the clearest indicators of post-crime psychological strategy  – What it suggests when someone abandons a vehicle with a wrapped body inside  – And how grooming over time leads to psychological dependency, isolation, and silence This isn't just about a car and a body. It's about behavioral control over a vulnerable teenager and a trail of choices that don't add up to innocence. As of now, no one has been arrested. The cause of death is pending. But these behavioral markers raise serious, unanswered questions. You can't ignore the patterns. Because predators rely on everyone else doing just that.

Amy and T.J. talk about the disturbing new details emerging, after reports the decomposed body found in the trunk of singer D4vd’s Tesla was missing teen, 15 year old Celeste Rivas. The teen’s mom told TMZ she has the same Shhh tattoo as D4vd and just a short while ago, it appears D4vd, who’s been on a world wide tour, has cancelled tonight’s concert in Seattle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amy and T.J. talk about the disturbing new details emerging, after reports the decomposed body found in the trunk of singer D4vd’s Tesla was missing teen, 15 year old Celeste Rivas. The teen’s mom told TMZ she has the same Shhh tattoo as D4vd and just a short while ago, it appears D4vd, who’s been on a world wide tour, has cancelled tonight’s concert in Seattle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amy and T.J. talk about the disturbing new details emerging, after reports the decomposed body found in the trunk of singer D4vd’s Tesla was missing teen, 15 year old Celeste Rivas. The teen’s mom told TMZ she has the same Shhh tattoo as D4vd and just a short while ago, it appears D4vd, who’s been on a world wide tour, has cancelled tonight’s concert in Seattle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.