Podcasts about Sicily

Russell Shorto, author of Smalltime: A Story of My Family and the Mob, provides a historical and personal exploration of organized crime in the small industrial town of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, framing the American Mafia as a "mirror of American capitalism." The story traces the family's roots back to Sicily, where the author's great-grandfather, Antonino Scioto (later Tony Shorto), emigrated to work in coal mines before his mysterious murder in Italy in 1920. This tragedy forced his son, Rosario "Russell" Shorto, to become the family's provider at age six, eventually finding his way into the world of bootlegging and gambling during Prohibition. Russell developed specialized skills as a card and dice cheat, finding a mentor in a neighborhood "Black Hand" leader. In the late 1930s, Shorto partnered with Joe Regino, a mobster sent from Philadelphia to establish a local franchise. Their base of operations, City Cigar, became a central hub for a gambling empire that included the numbers racket, pinball, and card games, all protected by a sophisticated system of bribing local police and politicians. Shorto emphasizes the social context of ethnic prejudice, noting that many Italianimmigrants turned to the "underworld" because legitimate economic paths were often closed to them. The book also examines the internal family toll of this lifestyle—secrets, alcoholism, and the strain of living multiple lives—as the author and his father attempt to reconstruct the history of a man who never "broke cover." The empire eventually crumbled under the pressure of federal investigations led by Bobby Kennedy and local fallout from the unsolved 1960 murder of bookie Pippy diFalco. (2)1899 CAMBRIA COUNTY, PA

SCHEDULE FOR THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 7-31-20261790 SOUTH HOLLANDJeff Bliss reports a refrigeration fire in Boyle Heights has released a toxic stench and caused an explosion in local rat and insect populations. Residents remain displaced due to overpowering toxic aftereffects. Simultaneously, a massive heat dome and hurricane-driven surf are hitting the Southwest. L.A. County lifeguards performed nearly 1,200 rescues last Saturday, facing dangerous conditions and substance abuse issues on crowded beaches escaping the intense heat. (1)Jeff Bliss notes Governor Gavin Newsom is preparing for a 2028 presidential run, but past controversies are resurfacing. A Vanity Fair article by Ruby Rippey-Tourk, his former mistress and the wife of his then-campaign manager, accuses Newsom of being "careless" and "cruel" during their 2007 affair. His wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, is also being criticized for shaming Rippey-Tourk, leading to questions about the Newsoms' commitment to women's advocacy. (2)Richard Epstein examines New York City's proposed "pied-à-terre tax," which targets non-primary residences but threatens middle-class and working homeowners. Epstein argues the tax is unfairly structured, hitting condominiums at five times the rate of houses. The complex valuation process creates a "vicious circle" that could plummet property values. Consequently, wealthy residents are already fleeing, resulting in a $12 billion annual revenue loss for the city. (3)Richard Epstein turns to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, under fire for signing a document that allegedly exempts the President from IRS scrutiny regarding past and future taxes. Epstein characterizes this as a "scandalous" misuse of public trust and a misapplication of the law. He argues that if the President used his office for private financial benefit, it constitutes an impeachable offense, while Blanche should face potential disbarment. (4)Jim McTague takes a road trip through Owensboro, Kentucky, revealing a "K-shaped" economy where retail business is "dead" for blue-collar residents relying on federal aid. Conversely, Jeffersonville, Ohio, is experiencing a "gold rush" as Amazon and Honda build massive data and battery centers. However, some local residents feel overwhelmed by progress, lacking the imagination or education to capitalize on these high-tech industrial shifts and training opportunities. (5)Jim McTague reports that in Lancaster County, Republican representatives are introducing legislation that adds red tape and taxes to data centers, contradicting traditional pro-growth principles. While the Democratic-led Lancaster Cityhas embraced a lucrative data center deal, blue-collar "Trump country" boroughs remain fearful of the future. Despite these tensions, the local economy remains "steady" due to a diversified base including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and senior citizen spending. (6)Peter Huessy explains the foundation of U.S. nuclear strategy is the triad, ensuring launch capabilities from land, sea, and air. Developed after the 1957 Sputnik launch, this framework replaced "massive retaliation" with "flexible response." Huessy explains that this survivable deterrent prevents adversaries from achieving a total victory with a single strike. Despite calls for unilateral disarmament, the triad remains essential for holding at risk what adversaries value most. (7)Peter Huessy warns the U.S. now faces a tri-polar nuclear threat from Russia and China, both of which are modernizing their arsenals "gangbusters." Meanwhile, U.S. systems haven't been updated in 40 years, leaving the deterrent "fragile." Allied nations in Asia, specifically South Korea and Japan, are increasingly questioning the U.S. nuclear umbrella and considering their own deterrents as regional tensions and Chinese missile capabilities grow. (8)Henry Sokolski reports a proposed nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia is causing alarm due to potential uranium enrichment capabilities. Sokolski warns that nuclear fuel-making brings a nation dangerously close to developing a bomb. Saudi Arabia's refusal to accept advanced "protocol one" inspections is a major "red flag." Furthermore, the deal risks overturning 50 years of global non-proliferation policy, potentially encouraging other nations like Iran to demand equal treatment. (9)Henry Sokolski notes Senator John Kennedy has emerged as a dogged opponent of granting Saudi Arabia enrichment authority, labeling it a "bad idea." The agreement will automatically go into force within 90 legislative days unless Congress passes a veto-proof resolution against it. Kennedy's vocal stance may rally other senators to stop the package, potentially forcing the White House to renegotiate the deal to prevent spreading dangerous nuclear capabilities. (10)Gene Marks reports accountants in California are grappling with AI integration, viewing it as a productivity tool rather than a replacement for human consultation. Meanwhile, the broader economy remains resilient; manufacturing has expanded for five consecutive months despite high gas prices and elevated interest rates. Marks highlights that businesses are "rolling with inflation" and increasing orders for durable goods, indicating high underlying confidence despite stock market volatility. (11)Gene Marks compares public protests against data centers to the 19th-century opposition to railroads. While critics worry about land and water usage, Marks argues these facilities are imperative infrastructure for the information age and the AI revolution. Just as railroads enabled 20th-century American power, data centers are the means for moving information. Ceding this development would allow rivals like China or Russia to dominate the future economy. (12)Veronique de Rugy warns new administration rules replace flexible status for foreign students with fixed four-year periods, targeting the "best educated people on Earth." De Rugy warns this policy dissuades future scientists and innovators from choosing the U.S. Restricting these STEM graduates could cost the economy between $200 billion and $400 billion in lost GDP over the next decade, while potentially causing severe long-term labor shortages. (13)Lorenzo Fiori reports a historic heatwave has pushed the Po River to record lows, devastating Italy's agricultural heartland and water supplies for power stations. The ecological crisis includes an invasion of blue crabs, which are destroying clam populations and disrupting local cuisine. Meteorologists struggle to forecast as traditional weather models fail in the face of climate change. Tourists are encouraged to seek the cooler, historical beauty of Noto, Sicily. (14)Bob Zimmerman reports SpaceX's Starship successfully floated for a week after splashdown, providing invaluable data for rapid reusability. The company further cemented its market dominance with a $1.6 billion Space Force contract, while competitors remain grounded. Additionally, startups are emerging to solve technical hurdles for orbital data centers, such as advanced heat radiation. These advancements indicate that the future of massive data processing may eventually move into permanent space orbit. (15)Bob Zimmerman notes China continues the dangerous practice of dropping uncontrolled rocket debris on its citizens, forcing them to hide in tunnels. In the commercial sector, the startup Catalyst attempted a high-speed satellite rescue mission, demonstrating rapid launch capabilities despite technical failures. Meanwhile, astronomers have identified a rare midsize black hole, a discovery that will likely be expanded upon as the new Rubin telescope begins its sky surveys. (16)Corrections applied, pending your confirmation: Ruby Rippey-Tourk (transcribed as "Ruby Rippy," segment 2), Todd Blanche (transcribed as "Mr. Blanch," segment 4), Rubin telescope (transcribed as "Reuben," segment 16 — the Vera C. Rubin Observatory), and "burrows" → "boroughs" in segment 6. One to flag: this batch has Lorenzo Fiori (segment 14), but an earlier batch had him as "Lorenzo Fiato" — let me know which spelling is correct and I'll log it for good.

Lorenzo Fiori reports a historic heatwave has pushed the Po River to record lows, devastating Italy's agricultural heartland and water supplies for power stations. The ecological crisis includes an invasion of blue crabs, which are destroying clam populations and disrupting local cuisine. Meteorologists struggle to forecast as traditional weather models fail in the face of climate change. Tourists are encouraged to seek the cooler, historical beauty of Noto, Sicily. (14)1729 ROME

From how I go about recording my podcasts, to great Italian Renaissance art in England, to where to stay in Sicily, to the similarities between Michelangelo's unfinished "Entombment" and Pontormo's "Capponi Altarpiece," to Parmigianino's ceiling in Fontanellato, to where Michelangelo got his talent, and much, much more - this episode answers the very questions that you ask me about the great art, artists, and history of the Italian Renaissance.

Barry Strauss traces the fracturing of the Second Triumvirate as Octavian utilizes his sister, Octavia, who marries Antony to seal a peace treaty in 40 BC. While depicted as a devoted housewife, Strauss suggests she remained loyal to Octavian, potentially providing intelligence. In Rome, Octavian builds power by marrying into the high nobility and cultivating talent, specifically his "secret weapon," Marcus Agrippa. Agrippa, a brilliant military strategist, builds a new navy to defeat Sextus Pompey, a naval threat based in Sicily. Meanwhile, Antony's reputation suffers after a failed campaign against the Parthian Empire, resulting in the loss of 25% of his army. By 33 BC, the triumvirate expires, and Octavian launches an information war. He portrays Antony as an "unmanned" traitor enslaved by Cleopatra, mocking his adoption of Eastern luxuries like mosquito nets. (3)

We welcome back Valeria Luiselli—who first appeared on the show eleven years ago—to discuss her new and truly marvelous novel Beginning Middle End. Much like the shapeshifting god Proteus, who figures prominently in this story, Beginning Middle End is many things at once: a road novel, a family drama, a work of climate fiction, a feminist retelling of classical mythology, a novel about writing, about borders and migration, and perhaps even a field guide for the apocalypse, enacting a way to live and love in a time of rupture and unimaginable change.  Join Valeria, Proteus, and a host of pre-Socratic philosophers as we follow the novel’s make-shift family, broken apart and now coming back together anew, in a Sicily beset by metamorphic forces, mythic, geologic, and more. If you enjoy today’s conversation, consider shapeshifting from a listener to a listener-supporter by joining the Between the Covers community. You can find out about all the benefits and rewards of doing so at the show’s Patreon page. Finally, to explore the many books discussed and referenced in today’s conversation check out the Between the Covers BookShop specific for today’s episode.  In addition, don’t miss Milkweed Editions BookShop bookstore as well.

SCHEDULE FOR THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 7-24-20261940 BERLINJeff Bliss reports from Los Angeles, where Mayor Karen Bass's "Inside Safe" program faces scrutiny as figures show 41% of participants returned to homelessness. Encampments have expanded significantly, with Skid Row growing from five blocks to over 50. Bliss notes that organized crime cartels reportedly rent dilapidated RVs to the homeless, profiting from government stipends. Despite rising homelessness rates and disappointing results, local politicians are criticized for a lack of accountability and for fostering a "homelessness industry." (1)Jeff Bliss notes the Oakland Athletics are preparing for a move to Las Vegas, with high-profile investor Mark Cubanjoining as a minority owner to boost the franchise's profile. Development plans include a unique heart-shaped hotel on a previously failed ferris wheel site near the future stadium. Meanwhile, Hollywood faces "creative destruction" as Pixarinitiates layoffs despite box office success. Additionally, location shoot bookings in Los Angeles have dropped 13%, signaling a shift in the film industry. (2)Richard Epstein critiques the Smithsonian's "Many Voices, One Nation" exhibit for its "woke" portrayal of American history. He argues the exhibit unfairly reduces Benjamin Franklin to an "alleged racist" while ignoring his foundational contributions. Epstein highlights the complexity of figures like Thomas Jefferson, who authored the Declaration of Independence yet held restrictive views on immigration. The discussion underscores a perceived ideological mono-culture within the history profession that prioritizes narrative over factual nuance. (3)Richard Epstein analyzes the Trump administration's reintroduction of tariffs, now targeting allies like Australia and the EU under the guise of combating "forced labor." Epstein characterizes these moves as "lawfare" and "mindless isolationism," noting that these allies often have superior working conditions compared to the U.S. He warns that such policies alienate essential partners needed to counter global threats from Russia, Iran, and China, effectively driving allies to organize independently. (4)Jim McTague reports from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where Costco gas prices have reached $4.09, causing "mind-numbing" costs for residents. While some business slowdowns are noted, local diners remain full, supported by a robust retiree demographic with "deep pockets." The real estate market is exceptionally tight, with only 200 homes available as New Yorkers continue to bid up prices for high-quality housing. McTague concludes with observations on local tourism and his upcoming road trip to Kentucky. (5)Lorenzo Fiato reports Italy is battling severe wildfires in Sicily and Sardinia amid a prolonged heatwave. Fiato reports that Italians face exorbitant fuel costs, reaching $9.50 per gallon on motorways due to heavy taxation. To avoid over-tourism in cities like Florence, he recommends visiting Ascoli Piceno, the "town of the 100 towers," known for its travertine architecture. He concludes with culinary recommendations, including the traditional Spaghetti Ascolana paired with local Pecorino or Rosso Piceno wines. (6)Bob Zimmerman reports Rocket Lab has secured major Pentagon contracts for hypersonic test launches, potentially utilizing a remote new facility in Alaska. SpaceX is rumored to be planning a massive spaceport in Louisiana, while Northrop Grumman is successfully deploying robotic satellite-servicing pods. Conversely, Zimmerman criticizes "leftist governments" in the UK and Australia for stifling their domestic space industries with excessive red tape and "meaningless bureaucratic jargon," which forces young aerospace talent to seek opportunities abroad. (7)Bob Zimmerman highlights the "bankruptcy" of modern academia, citing a study where half of social science papers failed replication tests. He discusses an upcoming Falcon 9 rocket impact on the moon scheduled for August 5th and new data from the Juno mission revealing Io's subsurface temperatures. Additionally, scientists are investigating whether a suspected asteroid is actually a failed 1980s Soviet Mars probe, although Zimmerman remains skeptical of speculative theories involving alien technology. (8)Henry Sokolski examines a proposed deal to provide Saudi Arabia with nuclear power that has sparked intense proliferation concerns. While the Department of Energy initially signaled a "green light," the Trump administration later conditioned the agreement on Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords. Sokolski warns that without "Additional Protocol" inspections, the kingdom could use the technology to develop a "bomb option." This follows the Crown Prince's 2018 assertion that Saudi Arabia would seek nuclear weapons if Iran acquired them. (9)Henry Sokolski continues: the Saudi nuclear deal remains "contradictory," with the White House and Department of Energy appearing out of sync. Media criticism reportedly prompted the president to demand a "quid pro quo"—Saudi recognition of Israel—to justify the proliferation risks. Israel remains in a difficult position; while desiring normalization, it privately opposes a Saudi nuclear program that could trigger a regional arms race. The deal's progress depends on whether it is submitted to Congress by late September. (10)Peter Huessy explains "extended deterrence," the U.S. nuclear umbrella protecting allies from aggression. Huessy critiques a proposal to delegate nuclear authority to a "three-key" system involving France and the UK, arguing it would create dangerous indecision during a crisis. He notes that allies increasingly doubt U.S. resolve. Strategy has shifted toward "counterforce" targets, aiming to disable an enemy's leadership and military capability rather than destroying cities, to provide "flexible response" options. (11)Peter Huessy notes Russia holds a 20-to-1 advantage over the U.S. in "theater" or tactical nuclear weapons, which Putinuses for "nuclear blackmail" to keep NATO out of the Ukraine conflict. Huessy argues the U.S. must deploy survivable, sea-based theater weapons to restore a credible deterrent. Reflecting on the realistic horror of the 1984 film Threads, he warns that even a single tactical exchange could rapidly escalate into a global catastrophe that ends civilization. (12)Captain James Fanell reports China is escalating physical violence against Philippine Navy personnel at Second Thomas Shoal, including "poking, prodding, and beating" sailors. Fanell explains this "petulant" behavior coincides with the 10th anniversary of a Hague ruling that invalidated China's maritime claims. Simultaneously, China and Russiaconducted joint live-fire drills in Japan's exclusive economic zone. These coordinated actions signal Beijing's intent to ignore international law and forcibly challenge the sovereignty of its neighbors. (13)Captain James Fanell reports China recently conducted its first submarine-launched ballistic missile test in the South Pacific in 40 years. Fanell reports that China has shifted to a "first use" nuclear policy and is completing its triad with the H-20 stealth bomber. He uses the "boiling frog" analogy to describe China's incremental aggression, warning that the U.S.must recognize these self-evident intentions before a "shot" is taken against regional forces or allies like Taiwan. (14)Conrad Black disputes Prime Minister Mark Carney's characterization of Canada as a "middle power," arguing the term is obsolete for a G7 nation with a larger economy than Russia. He critiques Carney's attempt to foster ties with China, noting China's "tatters" economy and history of disregarding trade agreements. Black maintains that Canada should prioritize its vital relationship with the U.S. while embracing a more ambitious and patriotic view of its global influence. (15)Veronique de Rugy argues autonomous vehicles like Waymo could reduce road fatalities by 94%, yet their adoption is stalled by opposition from trial lawyers and unions. Unions fear job losses for taxi, truck, and delivery drivers, though de Rugy argues automation historically transitions workers into higher-paying, less tedious roles. She emphasizes that driverless cars would provide life-changing accessibility for rural and elderly populations who currently lack reliable transportation options. (16)

Lorenzo Fiori reports Italy is battling severe wildfires in Sicily and Sardinia amid a prolonged heatwave. Fiato reports that Italians face exorbitant fuel costs, reaching $9.50 per gallon on motorways due to heavy taxation. To avoid over-tourism in cities like Florence, he recommends visiting Ascoli Piceno, the "town of the 100 towers," known for its travertine architecture. He concludes with culinary recommendations, including the traditional Spaghetti Ascolana paired with local Pecorino or Rosso Piceno wines. (6)

C-Lo returns for an update and begins with interesting names of Mets and Phillies draft picks. Gio informs us of the last name “Sackrider”. C-Lo has more audio from Barstool's zero-point showing on Celebrity Family Feud and Stu Feiner's tryout for the team. Stu calls in from Sicily. He tells us all about being on Family Feud.

Nancy Armour's column is just the latest reminder for Gio and Jerry that the WNBA can't escape controversy, right on the heels of commissioner Cathy Engelbert's Dan Patrick drama. Sabrina Ionescu denies turning down the 3-point contest, reinforcing the guys' belief that leadership is only getting in the way of a growing sport. Next, C-Lo highlights interesting Mets and Phillies draft pick names—featuring the surname "Sackrider"—and shares audio from Barstool's zero-point Celebrity Family Feud disaster. To wrap up, Stu Feiner calls in from Sicily to dish on Family Feud, and Reggie in Queens calls back to clarify, with a quick reminder from his wife, how he drained his scrotum.

On a Feel Good Summer Friday, Gio and Jerry tackle it all: New York sports angst over the Mets, Yankees, and Giants, the latest WNBA controversies, and plenty of off-the-rails stories. C-Lo delivers updates packed with Barstool's Celebrity Family Feud disaster, classic radio montages, and viral sports moments, while Stu Feiner calls in live from Sicily. Top it off with Gio's rants on parenting advice and fake Springsteen fandom—plus an unforgettable follow-up from Reggie in Queens—for a jam-packed show from start to finish!

In this episode, we tackle some sobering news about reading habits in America and explore why The Odyssey remains essential reading. We discuss a recent Atlantic essay declaring the age of reading is over, declining book readership stats, shrinking attention spans, and the low percentage of adults reading to children. We also share hopeful developments in literacy education and why reading for pleasure still matters for sharp minds and deeper cultural understanding. Then we dive into Homer's epic: its origins, oral tradition, themes of homecoming and survival, key story elements, cultural influence, and why it continues to inspire modern adaptations. We cover translations, companion resources, and how the story connects to places like Sicily—perfect if you're inspired by the new film or want to finally read this classic.

Wildfires have raged through Sicily, southwestern France and central Spain, sparking thousands of evacuations and claiming the life of an Italian firefighter. Irish woman Emily Allen, living in Spain described the ordeal. Elaine Cobbe, journalist based in France spoke to Rachel about situation in the country.

In 1988, Dumfries and Galloway police is the smallest force in the UK: only 310 officers. Now they're dealing with the world's biggest crime scene.Detectives from all over Scotland are bussed into Lockerbie overnight. Within days, American intelligence agents make an appearance. They hole up in Lockerbie Academy, each claiming a classroom.Scottish police are determined to recover every single piece of evidence from the 845-mile crime scene. They bag everything that looks like plane debris before sending it off for forensic evaluation. The investigation rolls on for two years, spanning Germany, Sweden, the UK, and Malta, a small Mediterranean island between Sicily and Libya. That's when they make a series of breakthroughs.Myles Bonnar speaks with investigators in Scotland and in the FBI about a Libyan double agent, dubbed Puzzle Piece. Could he unlock the whole investigation?Lockerbie is produced by Caitlin Smith Additional production by Rob Wilson Sound design by Eloise Whitmore Story consultants are Innes Bowen, Jack Kibble White and Graham Russell Fact checking by Faisal Qureshi Research by Rachael O'Neill and Callum McCulloch-Nowlan Executive Producer: Gillian Wheelan Original development by Sally Greig Lockwood BBC Scotland commissioners: Heather Kane Darling and Victoria Easton-Riley For BBC Radio 4, the commissioning executive is Tracy Williams, and commissioning editor is Dan Clarke. Music by Callan Marchetti

The Valley of the temples in Agrigento, Sicily, is an archeological area containing the remains of seven ancient Greek temples, in varying states of conservation. Located along a ridge with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea in the distance, it represents one of the world's most important collections of Ancient Greek architecture. 

AP correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports extensive wildfires have hit several towns in Sicily, Italy, and have engulfed large areas in central Spain, as hot, dry weather continues across much of Europe.

Dave Mammano ran Next Step Magazine for 21 years — a print publication for high school students that grew to 17 editions and $5 million in revenue. When print died, he sold it, rebuilt from scratch, survived COVID wiping out his events business, and somehow ended up back on stage doing stand-up comedy. He now travels the country as a keynote speaker teaching businesses how to use humor and levity to grow leadership, culture, and retention. He's also entrepreneur-in-residence at the Golisano Institute and the U of R Simon School's Ain Center for Entrepreneurship.In this episode he gets into selling Next Step after 21 years and what it really feels like to let go of something you built, how he launched the Avanti Entrepreneur Network from nothing, why COVID knocked him down twice, how reviving his stand-up comedy roots turned into a full-time speaking career, what he sees in today's young entrepreneurs that gives him real hope, the value of truly disconnecting (lessons from three weeks in Sicily with no Wi-Fi), and his next big idea, a road trip TV show called The Good Business Tour.CONNECT The David Mammano Show → https://davidmammano.comROC Vox → https://rocvox.comNew episodes of Positive Blatherings drop every Tuesday. Recorded at ROC Vox Recording & Production in Bushnell's Basin, NY.Learn more at https://rocvox.com 

On this week's LuAnna: We do a proper deep dive on Sweet Bobby and Maternal Instinct! It's Anna's 45th birthday week, she's off to Sicily, and Lu immediately hijacks the chat to crowdsource a theme for her 40th next June (let us know if you can beat Rivals). Imo delivers the most satisfyingly perfect travel story ever told and Lu's still ranting about Ryanair.Plus, ranked showers, a sentimental Hairy Bikers moment, a swimming pool curtain exposing a "doughy ginger zebra", global warming doesn't exist and green energy is a farce??? Pineapple is meant for pizza and no one cares about your kid's birthdays.LuAnna: The Podcast is a Global production, available every Monday and Thursday on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.GRAB YOUR TICKETS FOR THE BIG PARTY AT EVERYTHINGLUANNA.COMRemember, if you want to get in touch you can: Email us at luanna@everythingluanna.com OR drop us a WhatsApp on our brand new number 075 215 64640Please review Global's Privacy Policy: https://global.com/legal/privacy-policy/

This week is a monumental one for the show! We are tackling the cinematic event of the year: Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey (2026). And, to make this episode even more special, we are joined by cast member Andrei Lenart!Directed by Christopher Nolan and shot entirely on IMAX 70mm film, The Odyssey isn't just a movie—it's a global experience. Starring Matt Damon as the war-weary Odysseus, the film charts his decade-long struggle to return to Ithaca after the Trojan War, weaving together his grueling sea voyage and the desperate situation back home with Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and Telemachus (Tom Holland). Fun Flix Fact: This production makes history as the very first feature film to be shot completely on IMAX film, pushing the boundaries of what large-format cameras can capture—from the desolate shores of the Scottish Moray Firth to the sun-drenched landscapes of Sicily and the sands of Western Sahara.Fun Flix Fact: The film's "Trojan Horse" sequence is a masterclass in production design, reimagined by Nolan as a towering, unsettling monument that draws inspiration from Ozymandias and Planet of the Apes, turning the ancient trick into a dark, visceral centerpiece of the film's opening act.We are thrilled to welcome Andrei Lenart to the show! Having worked on projects ranging from Kingsman: The Secret Service to Kill 'Em All 2, Andrei brings an incredible physical intensity to the screen. We'll be diving deep into what it's actually like to work on a high-stakes, multi-country Nolan set.And if that's not enough entertainment for you, we've even thrown in new trailers to watch and what you can catch on streaming. Hit that subscribe button right now so you never miss an episode of The Flixters! We're here every week to bring you the best reviews, the wildest facts, and the greatest cinema talk in the business. 00:00 Intro 01:43 Andre Lenart04:17 Who is the Goatman05:35 Avengers07:59 Arnie/Secret Level12:05 Starting Out14:21 Voice Acting15:14 Video Games18:16 Working with Jean Claude Van Damme24:24 Preparation29:07 Movie News35:06 New Trailers45:25 The Odyssey Review1:08:15 OutroThis episode is proudly sponsored by Zencastr. Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr

A special video podcast where Dan charts the course of Odysseus through the Mediterranean as he investigates the true places that could have inspired the Odyssey. Using his new Big Pad, Dan investigates the theories of ancient and modern scholars to see if he can build a plausible route that the Mycenaean king could have taken from Troy - modern day Hisarlik in Turkey- to Malta, Sicily and all the way to the Ionian island of Ithaca, where the ruins of the very real Palace of Odysseus stand...Produced by Mariana Des Forges, McKenna Fernandez and Dan Snow, edited by Matthew Wilson.You can enjoy more of Dan's Big Pad on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@DSHHPodcastYou can also email the podcast directly at ds.hh@historyhit.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Planning your dream Italian adventure or tackling tricky travel questions? This episode tackles your questions - from getting around Venice and celebrating Christmas in Sicily, to finding artisans in Florence and crafting the perfect northern Italy itinerary - plus behind-the-scenes insights into Untold Italy itself!Find the episode show notes at untolditaly.com/333Want someone who really knows Italy to help plan your trip? Our Italy experts love answering your tricky questions and designing trips that take you to the Italy you imagined - start planning hereNot sure where to start? Get the Untold Italy podcast guide with 315 epsiodes organized by topic.The premium Untold Italy app has ad-free access to our complete archive of 300+ episodes searchable by place and topicFOLLOW: Instagram • Facebook • YouTube GET OUR NEWS: Subscribe hereTRIP PLANNING SERVICES: Learn more hereJOIN US ON TOUR: Upcoming departuresThe Untold Italy travel podcast is an independent production. Podcast editing and audio production by Mark Hatter. Production assistance by the other

This week on Autonomy Signals, Grayson Brulte and Rob Grant discuss Baidu's Apollo Go robotaxi expansion in Hong Kong, the first combat strike using Saronic autonomous vessels on an Iranian naval base, and autonomous drones mapping volcanic gas clouds off the coast of Sicily.Hong Kong issued Baidu three pilot licenses covering 50 vehicles and cleared cross-district driverless trials using its sixth-generation RT6 robotaxis. The city-state's right-hand drive, left-side traffic system turns it into a proving ground for Japan, the UK, Singapore, and Australia, advancing China's Autonomous Belt and Road Initiative and setting up Baidu to export validated autonomy into left-side traffic markets.On July 12, 2026, US Central Command (CENTCOM) executed the first ever combat strike using unmanned surface vessels, deploying three Saronic-built Corsair vessels against Iran's Bandar Abbas Naval Base. The strike marks a doctrinal shift in naval warfare, altering the cost-exchange calculus of maritime conflict as tier one primes reposition themselves as mission integrators and treat autonomous hulls as expendable peripherals to their combat systems.Closing out the show, Grayson and Rob discuss researchers at the Technical University of Munich deploying an autonomous drone on the Italian island of Vulcano to map volcanic gas concentrations at a 5% margin of error, eliminating the need to fly into corrosive plumes.Episode Chapters0:00 KPMG Sponsor Introduction01:34 Signal 1: Baidu's Apollo Go Expansion in Hong Kong18:55 Signal 2: First Autonomous Maritime Combat Strike37:16: Signal 3: Autonomous Drones Mapping Volcanic Gas CloudsFollow The Road to Autonomy Indices--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary applied intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We switch to sunnier climes this week, to a posh hotel in Sicily. It’s where the TV series White Lotus was filmed, and it’s also where our colleagues at The Australian Financial Review spotted One Nation leader Pauline Hanson poolside with billionaire Gina Rinehart. So what’s Hanson doing in Europe? In today’s episode, host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal talk about who Hanson met overseas and how that plays for voters back home in Australia. Also, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave a landmark speech this week about the government’s approach to AI.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Daily Quiz - Geography Today's Questions: Question 1: Which of these countries borders Bahrain? Question 2: Which region of the world uses '.sd' at the end of its web addresses? Question 3: In which country is the city of Guayaquil? Question 4: What volcano showers ash on Sicily? Question 5: In which country is the city of Queenstown? Question 6: In which country would you find the UNESCO World Heritage site of Cappadocia? Question 7: Where is the Admirality Arch? Question 8: Which U.S. state has the largest sub-national economy in the world? This podcast is produced by Klassic Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We switch to sunnier climes this week, to a posh hotel in Sicily. It’s where the TV series White Lotus was filmed, and it’s also where our colleagues at The Australian Financial Review spotted One Nation leader Pauline Hanson poolside with billionaire Gina Rinehart. So what’s Hanson doing in Europe? In today’s episode, host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal talk about who Hanson met overseas and how that plays for voters back home in Australia. Also, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave a landmark speech this week about the government’s approach to AI.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi! This is a lil raw dog episode where we talk about our upcoming trip to Sicily, the art of throwing a good party, how much we love this house and much more!Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The southern Sicilian city of Agrigento was founded in 580 BCE by a group of Greek colonists from the nearby town of Gela with the name "Akragas." It quickly became one of Magna Grecia's most important cities and eventually defeated a Carthaginian army at the Battle of Himera in 480BCE. To celebrate the victory, a series of majestic temples were built along a nearby and known today as "The Valley of the Temples." 

It's Monday, Let's raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It's time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let's begin Exploring the Wine Glass!  You all know how deeply I love Italy—the culture, the history, and of course, the incredible diversity of its wines. Today, we are heading off the coast of Sicily to the stunning volcanic island of Lipari. This place is rugged, beautiful, and shaped by ancient wind and sea, which brings us to a winery that is making absolutely stunning expressions of this unique terroir: Tenuta di Castellaro. Through their incredible work with heroic viticulture, these wines don't just taste amazing—they literally transcend you right to those sun-drenched, volcanic slopes overlooking the Mediterranean. We are doing a deep dive with a virtual tasting hosted by the estate, sharing the story behind these native varieties and the pure, salty, mineral magic they bring to the glass. So pour yourself something good, and let's head to Lipari!  Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It's completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!   Slainte!  Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video Follow me on Instagram!   Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com. Please support our sponsors Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES

Etna is a relatively new region in Sicily which is attracting today's most dynamic winemakers as well as established names. David Gleave MW has just returned from there and brings us up-to-date with what is going on in our latest 10-Minute Masterclass. Find out the producers to watch and the grapes to look out for.Find out more at: wine-conversation.com

In October last year, a ship owned by Adani Ports slowed to less than one knot near Malta. It held that position for over seven days, directly above the cables linking Malta to Sicily. It was no accident. India's largest private port operator has quietly built a fleet of more than a hundred vessels across 12 countries. Their job is servicing the world's offshore energy infrastructure. The business grew 134% in a single year. Ports made Adani rich. But there are only so many ports you can build. What the conglomerate does next may depend on waters far from any dock. Tune in.Daybreak is produced from the newsroom of The Ken, India's first subscriber-only business news platform. Subscribe for more exclusive, deeply-reported, and analytical business stories.

(01:23) Duitsland staat bekend om zijn Vergangenheitsbewältigung: het onvermoeibaar onder ogen zien van het eigen naziverleden, met ‘Nie wieder' als nationale belofte. Maar in september kan in Saksen-Anhalt het cordon sanitaire rond de radicaal-rechtse AfD voor het eerst breken, een partij die dat verleden liever kleiner maakt en het geschiedenisonderwijs wil omgooien. Lynn Stroo, historicus bij het Duitsland Instituut, is te gast en vertelt meer.   (16:05)  Het Friese Paard zou gevaar lopen door inteelt en geldzucht. Dat berichtte Omrop Fryslân deze week. Veel fokkers zijn ten einde raad, maar toch durven weinigen er in het openbaar over te praten. Wat is er aan de hand? En is er iets in de geschiedenis van het paard dat deze problemen verklaart?  Te gast is Jorieke Savelkouls, historicus en schrijfster van Het Friese Paard. (31:29) Het lijkt de zoveelste Disneyfilm: Vaiana, in het Engels uitgebracht als Moana. Daar gaat een jong meisje, dat woont op een eilandje in de Stille Oceaan verder de oceaan in dan de rest van haar volk durft. Maar is deze film -net als andere Disneyfilms- een karikatuur van de inheemse cultuur waar het verhaal zich in afspeelt? We vragen het aan Wonu Veys, conservator Oceanië bij het Wereldmuseum.  (46:30) Deze week is Dore van Duivenbode te gast voor de recensies. Zij bespreekt een boeken een website en een tentoonstelling:  Landschap en herinnering - Simon Schama  Helen Levitt, a city at play - tentoonstelling van Kunsthal Rotterdam  Moederheil.nl - een website over afstandsmoeders (01:02:47)  Hoe kwam thee naar Nederland? Sinoloog en theesommelier Renate Heru Utomo duikt in haar nieuwe boek 'Theebladeren van Smaragd' in het verleden van de Nederlandse handel in thee. Een reis die voert van geurige theeplanten in China, via een Nederlandse theerover tot plantages in Nederlands Indië en uiteindelijk naar de huiskamers van Nederland.   (01:15:43)  OVT Doc: Basta! - portret van fotograaf Letizia Battaglia    De beelden van fotograaf en activist Letizia Battaglia (1935-2022) gingen de hele wereld over, als historisch bewijs van de bloederige maffiaoorlogen op Sicilië in de jaren '70 en ‘80. Maar Battaglia fotografeerde niet alleen plaatsen delict, ze legde ook de schoonheid van haar geboortestad Palermo vast. Wie was zij? En wat zette ze op het spel door de maffia recht in de ogen te kijken? Een audioportret gemaakt door Laura Stek, naar aanleiding van de tentoonstelling Letizia Battaglia: Life, Love and Death in Sicily in Fotomuseum Den Haag.  Met curatoren Iris Sikking en Paolo Falcone, en historicus Arthur Weststeijn.    Meer info: https://www.vpro.nl/ovt/artikelen/ovt-12-juli-2026 

It's late August, 2025, and the Spektral Krew has just landed in Perla, Sicily for their biggest investigation to date!  Before they start to head off to the spooky, mysterious island, though, they've got to get settled in, get a lay of the land, and most importantly, eat some gelato!  It's important to have priorities in life.Episode 1/9Content Warnings: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Alcohol/Drug Use, ProfanityKeeper of Arcane Lore is RoyEnoch Eakins is JohnHyun Ku is AmesMarco Proudfoot is ObieCorinna Trench is SteveThis actual play recording of Viral is a Real Play Games Podcast production.  Call of Cthulhu® is a registered trademark of Chaosium, Inc. This podcast uses trademarks and/or copyrights owned by Chaosium Inc/Moon Design Publications LLC, which are used under Chaosium Inc's Fan Material Policy. We are expressly prohibited from charging you to use or access this content. This podcast series is not published, endorsed, or specifically approved by Chaosium Inc. For more information about Chaosium Inc's products, please visit www.chaosium.com.  Viral is copyright Alex Guillotte and Bud Baird, 2022.If you want to help support the show at no cost to you, consider checking out Viral or its brand new sequel Vermis by Alex Guillotte and Bud Baird on Miskatonic Repository via www.drivethrurpg.com!  Whenever you buy a product using our link, you'll kick us a little change at no cost to the authors!https://www.drivethrurpg.com/index.php?affiliate_id=177655Our theme song, The Paranormal Is Real (Ft. Carrie) by Leonell Cassio is used under a commercial license which includes synch licensing.If you want to reach out to the Real Play Games Podcast, feel free to email us at realplaygamespodcast@gmail.com or reach us on Bluesky at realplaygamespod.bsky.social,  or via Tumblr under RealPlayGamesPodcast  If you'd like to help support the show, as well as get early access to episodes, exclusive episodes, and behind-the-scenes looks at how we make our adventures, head on over to www.patreon.com/realplaygamespod and become a Patron today!Support the show

He was born in Antioch during the years that Christ walked in the flesh in Palestine. His parents, hearing of Christ's miracles and teaching, journeyed to Jerusalem, bringing their young son Pancratius. There all three of them saw and listened to Jesus Himself, and met the disciple Peter as well. After the Ascension, Pancratius and his parents were baptised in Antioch (some accounts say by the Apostle Peter himself). The Apostle Peter installed Pancratius as bishop of Taormina in Sicily, where he worked great wonders and brought many to Christ.   A pagan general named Aquilinus, hearing that Taormina had become Christian, set out with his army to destroy the town. Pancratius instructed the faithful not to fear and went out to confront the army, armed only with the sign of the Cross. When the army came near the town, the soldiers were seized with confusion and fear, fell on their own weapons and attacked one another, and finally withdrew in terror. Thus the city was saved by the prayers of the holy bishop. Later, pagans stoned him to death, granting him a martyr's end. His relics may still be venerated in Rome.

Crime on a ThursdayFirst,  a look at this day in History.Then, Dangerous Assignment starring Brian Donlevy, originally broadcast  July 9, 1949, 77 years ago, Relief Supplies.    The first show of the series. Steve Mitchell's first assignment takes him to Sicily in search of stolen relief supplies. Steve finds himself in the mountains, battling with the bandit Lorenzo.Followed by Jeff Regan Investigator starring Frank Graham and Frank Nelson, originally broadcast July 9, 1950, 76 years ago, She's Lovely, She's Engaged, She Eats Soybeans.   A story about a new miracle health food. A professional bathing beauty named Jerry Shoulder needs protection. Then, Boston Blackie starring Dick Kollmar,  originally broadcast  July 9, 1946, 80 years ago, The Skating Rink Murders.   A girl is found murdered at a skating rink with a $50,000 diamond ring on her finger.Followed by I Was a Communist for the FBI starring Dana Andrews, originally broadcast July 9, 1952, 74 years ago, The Dangerous Dollars.  Cvetic visits the Skyline Rancho, a resort run by the Communists. He finds a mysterious airplane, ready to leave the country, carrying money owned by the Party.Finally, Claudia, originally broadcast July 9, 1948, 78 years ago, A Walk with David, and a Doctor's Problem.  Kathryn Bard and Paul Crabtree star.  Thanks to Bill B for supporting our podcast by using the Buy Me a Coffee function at http://classicradio.streamFind the Family Fallout Shelter Booklet Here: https://www.survivorlibrary.com/library/the_family_fallout_shelter_1959.pdfhttps://wardomatic.blogspot.com/2006/11/fallout-shelter-handbook-1962.html

Covering some 6,500m2 (70,000ft2), the spectacular mosaic cycle of Monreale Cathedral in Sicily is one of the largest in the world. The mosaics were created in the 12th and 13th centuries by order of Norman King William II in the Byzantine style. While the nave and clerestory mosaics depict Old Testament stories, the side aisle walls, instead, depict New Testament stories. The entire program culminates in the apse of the great cathedral with a massive "Christ Pantocrator" image. 

Dan narrates his own epic retelling of the Odyssey - following Odysseus' route around the Mediterranean. He tells the story of the many trials and tribulations the Greek hero faces on his 10-year journey home to his kingdom of Ithaca. From the Trojan War in Turkey to Cyclops' cave, to the clutches of Circe on her island near Sicily (we think), Dan travels to some of the real-world locations that could have inspired Homer and tries to make sense of what happens on the voyage.Written by Dan Snow, produced by Mariana Des Forges and edited by Dougal PatmoreYou can watch Dan's adventures in Greece in his Odyssey documentary on the History Hit TV platform. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.We need your help! Let us know what you want from Dan Snow's History Hit by filling in our anonymous survey here: https://forms.gle/PvgayWLkWGjYT4St6Dan Snow's History Hit is now available on YouTube! Check it out at: https://www.youtube.com/@DSHHPodcastYou can also email the podcast directly at ds.hh@historyhit.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MAPS Upper Lower: https://mapsupperlower.com Code: LAUNCH for 40% off. Includes male and female programs, workout videos, exercise demos, coaching videos and live coaching with Cole. In this episode the guys break down the top 5 ways to do cardio ranked from worst to best — running, HIIT, steady state, walking, and playing. Sal shares his return to jiu jitsu after nearly 20 years away, his brother-in-law going easy on him, and why he expects to drop 10-15 pounds of muscle doing it. They also get into California pressuring utility companies to issue contracts to LGBT-certified businesses and the certification process, a new study linking diabetes to a 60% higher risk of dementia and why strength training is the best prevention, Sal doing the Organifi parasite cleanse wrong, Sal's grandfather drinking gasoline to kill a tapeworm in Sicily, and Adam having a dream about Doug running a bunk bed rental business out of his six-car garage. Then they answer questions from Instagram on step-ups vs squats, strength training for a 13-year-old soccer player, whether you should stop heavy barbell lifts after 40, and the wildest gym stories from their careers as trainers. SPONSORS Troscriptions (Calm supplement): https://troscriptions.com/MINDPUMP Code: MINDPUMP for 10% off your first order. Medical grade supplements. Calm discussed on air — Sal used it to fall asleep after jiu jitsu training. Organifi (natural parasite cleanse): https://organifi.com/mindpump Code: MINDPUMP for 20% off. Two-product protocol: parasite cleanse and gut healing formula. Day 1-3 and day 4-7 instructions available on the Organifi website. Our Place (non-toxic cookware): https://fromourplace.com Code: MINDPUMP for 10% off sitewide. Always Pan replaces eight pieces of cookware, titanium nonstick, forever chemical free, 100-day trial with free returns, free shipping on orders over $135. LINKS Mind Pump Store: https://mindpumpstore.com Maps Fitness Products: https://mapsfitnessproducts.com Instagram: @mindpumpmedia 0:00 - Intro 2:22 - Top 5 forms of cardio ranked from worst to best 3:29 - Ranked #5 (worst): Running — why most people have lost the skill and get injured 9:50 - Ranked #4: HIIT — great data, appropriate for maybe 10% of people 12:35 - Ranked #3: Steady state — safe, appropriate, easy to abuse 13:54 - Ranked #2: Walking — longevity data is undeniable and anyone can do it 18:40 - Ranked #1 (best): Playing — why Sal put jiu jitsu back on the schedule after 20 years 23:22 - Sal's first night back at jiu jitsu — what worked, what didn't, and what's next 42:58 - Diabetes linked to 60% higher dementia risk and why strength training is the best prevention 44:39 - Organifi parasite cleanse — how to do the protocol correctly (Sal was doing it wrong) 48:49 - Sal's grandfather drank gasoline to kill a tapeworm in Sicily — it worked 53:09 - Adam's dream about Doug's bunk bed rental business in his six-car garage 58:21 - Q&A: Are step-ups a good substitute for squats? 1:01:12 - Q&A: Best program for a 13-year-old training for soccer season 1:04:34 - Q&A: Should you stop heavy barbell lifts after 40? 1:10:16 - Q&A: Craziest gym stories from working as trainers

According to legend, in the 12th century, the Virgin Mary appeared to King William II of Sicily while he was napping and ordered him to build a church on a hill just 7km south of Palermo, Italy. The result is one of the greatest churches of the Middle Ages - Monreale Cathedral. Next to the majestic church, whose interior contains Italy's largest mosaic, is an exotic cloister that was clearly influenced by Islamic architecture. 

We reopen the Books with a discussion of how Petrosino continues his war against the mafia and "the Black Hand", while Don Vito journeys to the USA and quietly becomes the most powerful mafia lord in Sicily, culminating in a bloody confrontation that becomes the stuff of Sicilian legend.   ***UNLOCK THE FULL EPISODE HERE*** https://www.patreon.com/c/GhostStoriesForTheEnd  

Send us Fan MailIn episode 227 of the What's the Scuttlebutt Podcast, we welcome Tim Gray of the WWII Foundation to discuss their latest project, The Road to Rome. Narrated by legendary broadcaster Jim Nantz, this captivating series takes us through the pivotal campaigns of WWII in Italy, from Sicily to Rome. We dive into the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers, the strategic turning points, and the untold personal stories along the way. Join us as we walk in the footsteps of history on The Road to Rome.Support the show

Challenging the Crooked Establishment in Sicily. Guest Author: Josiah Osgood. The Roman Republic's political landscape was heavily influenced by money, a reality exemplified by the case of Verres. Verres was the governor of Sicily, the vital "breadbasket" of Rome, where he systematically plundered art and embezzled funds. Although Cicero usually preferred defense work to earn favors, he made a strategic decision to prosecute Verres on behalf of the Sicilians. This choice was influenced by a shifting political tide and the support of powerful figures like Pompey, who wanted a symbolic cleanup of government corruption. Verres was a well-connected billionaire and a former follower of the dictator Sulla, making the prosecution a high-risk endeavor for Cicero. Cicero positioned himself as a crusading outsider fighting against a "crooked establishment" to protect the interests of the Roman people. By taking on this case, Cicero aimed to prove that he could challenge the most entrenched members of the Senate. This trial solidified his image as a hero of the law who was willing to confront the wealthy and powerful when he had the necessary political backing. 2CARTHAGE

USE CODE DONK50 TO GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH ON PATREON UNTIL THE END OF JUNE http://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys GET JOE'S BOOK Ebook, Audiobook, and Paperbacks now available! https://www.amazon.com/Highlands-Burn-Foundling-Brigade-Saga-ebook/dp/B0GSG5CNXX/ Or you can buy the ebook and audiobook directly from us: https://www.llbdpodcast.com/products/ Get Nate's band's debut album here! https://secondhomesband.com/ Hoping to get one over on their Spartan enemies, Athens is tricked by some fancy furniture and sweet chains and invades Sicily. Before the operation can even start, one commander who is trying to stop the invasion frames another for the crime of sacrilege, leading him to defect to the Spartans and convince them to join the war to stop Athens. Somehow, that isn't even the strangest thing that happens over the next two years. SOURCES: Ellis, Walter M. Alcibiades. New York: Routledge, 1989 Kagan, Donald. The Peace of Nicias and the Sicilian Expedition. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press, Thucydides. The Peloponnesian War. Translated by Richard Crawley. Strauss, Barry S., and Josiah Ober. The Anatomy of Error: Ancient Military Disasters and Their Lessons for Modern Strategists. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1990 Porter, Barry. Misplaced Aggression: The Athenian Defeat at Syracuse. Military Heritage. Vol. 9 No. 2.

The last Roman wasn't Roman.When Rome "fell" in 476, almost nothing actually changed. The Senate still met. The law still applied. The grain still came in from Sicily. A Gothic general named Odoacer ran Italy for 17 years using the same Roman bureaucracy that had always been there — and then a man named Theoderic crossed the Alps from Constantinople and built something even stranger: a Gothic kingdom that governed Rome more competently than the last six Western emperors combined.This is Episode 2 of the "Life After the Fall of Rome" series. We're going to follow Theoderic's 33-year experiment — a Roman senator writing the West's most important philosophical text from inside a Gothic prison cell, a Gothic king minting coins in the Senate's name, two parallel systems (Roman civilian apparatus, Gothic military class) held together by one man's force of personality — and watch how it all came apart not when the "barbarians" arrived, but when the empire took it back. Justinian's reconquest did more damage to Rome than every barbarian invasion combined.The barbarians didn't destroy Rome. They tried to become it. The tragedy is that by the time they tried, the system was already so broken that even the most capable outsiders could only slow the collapse.If you're new, start with last week's episode "Rome Didn't Fall — Here's What Actually Happened" linked below.

Send me a DM here (it doesn't let me respond), OR email me: imagineabetterworld2020@gmail.comToday I'm so honored to have back on the show for a second time: Satanic and Masonic Ritual Abuse, MK ULTRA, and organized abuse survivor, overcomer and now whistleblower, creative writer, gardener, talented musician, singer and songwriter, dancer, content creator, and the brightest and bravest light in the darkness, DianaA little bit about Diana in case you missed her first testimony episode, if you're new here, or if you need a quick recap: Born and raised beneath the desert sky of Las Vegas, Diana entered a world where her family's names and networks formed a powerful, shadowed backdrop. She is the granddaughter of a 32nd-degree Freemason of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine - a Purple Heart-decorated Air Force veteran - and the niece of a nuclear health physicist who worked at the Nevada Test Site. Her great-great-grandmother immigrated from Sicily with ties to the mob and was an Italian woman of esoteric power who stood at the head of tables, bold and matriarchal. On both sides of her lineage flowed bloodlines connected to nobility, samurai, and the hidden architectures of influence. Yet it was within these very structures that the fracture began.Before she was born and continuing until she was thirteen, Diana endured systematic ritualized abuse designed to shatter memory, weaponize terror, and erase the sacred autonomy of a child. There were cages and costumes, staged violence and choreographed performances. Rituals unfolded in deserts and parks. Music - meant to be a language of the soul - was turned into a metronome of fear. Electric shocks rewrote what the mind could not bear to hold. Lodges and hidden rooms became classrooms of indoctrination. Adult faces of collusion watched. She once wrote these horrors as “fiction,” the only safe way a child could tell the truth her body already knew. Yet Diana is still here.What they tried to shatter, she gathered. What they tried to bury, she unearthed - piece by careful, courageous piece. She learned how trauma attempts to divide a life into locked rooms and how, with patient love for the self, those rooms can be opened, honored, and reintegrated. She came to understand that the most radical act after systematic dehumanization is to insist on one's full humanity - publicly, powerfully, and without apology.Today, Diana stands as a truth-teller and fierce advocate for every survivor emerging from hidden violence. She speaks for the child who was silenced and for every soul who still feels watched, doubted, or alone. She knows the architecture of coercion—how it recruits authority, hides in plain sight, and scripts stories for the powerless. She dismantles it by telling her own story first.Las Vegas taught her about illusion. Survival taught her about revelation. In a city famous for borrowed light, Diana carries her own. It does not blink. It does not sell. It is the steady flame of a life remade—one that warms, one that guides, and one that calls the lost back to themselves.Her music—once weaponized against her—has become her sword and her sanctuary. As a talented singer, songwriter, and performer, Diana now channels the very frequencies that once bound her into songs of freedom, healing, and defiant joy. Her creative writing, once a child's coded cry for help, now flows as a river of truth that others can follow. In her garden she tends living things that grow toward the sun, a quiet rebellion against every attempt to keep her in darkness.Diana meets people in the dark without pretending the dark is light—then walks with them until they can see the horizon for themselves. Because she carries her own light, the shadows in places like Las Vegas—and everywhere else—lose their power to hide. Diana is not just a survivor. She is living proof that the light within us is stronger than any darkness ever devised. And her song has only just begun.

Local Silvia Riganese takes us on an inspirational walk though Sicily's capital Palermo. We visit the markets and main sights but also delve deep into local neighborhoods like Ballarò where you can feel the beating pulse of the city. Of course our day ends up on the beach with a beautiful sunset after a coffee, or three!Find the episode show notes at untolditaly.com/330Want someone who really knows Italy to help plan your trip? Our Italy experts love answering your tricky questions and designing trips that take you to the Italy you imagined - start planning hereNot sure where to start? Get the Untold Italy podcast guide with 315 epsiodes organized by topic.The premium Untold Italy app has ad-free access to our complete archive of 300+ episodes searchable by place and topicFOLLOW: Instagram • Facebook • YouTube GET OUR NEWS: Subscribe hereTRIP PLANNING SERVICES: Learn more hereJOIN US ON TOUR: Upcoming departuresThe Untold Italy travel podcast is an independent production. Podcast editing and audio production by Mark Hatter. Production assistance by the other

She lived in virginity in Rome during the reign of Valerian (253-260) — as the Prologue says, 'expelling the stench of the passions from her heart with the sweet-smelling perfume of purity and chastity.' She voluntarily presented herself to the pagans and announced herself to be a Christian, for which she was tortured to death. Her friends Vassa, Paula and Agathonica took her relics to Sicily for burial. A church was built there in her name, and many miracles were worked there.

Pope Celestine was going to do one thing in his papacy, and it might just give you some Cadaver Synod flashbacks!  In his episode, we discuss his influential mentor, Abelard, and overturned relations with Sicily, England, and France.  Book the Pontifacts Tour of Italy:  https://tinyurl.com/pontifactstour Support Pontifacts: Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/pontifactspodcast  Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pontifactspod Amazon Wishlist: https://tinyurl.com/pontifactswishlist

Last year, political journalist Zerlina Maxwell did something that most of us only dream about: she moved to Sicily.She's been speaking truth to power for years as a radio and TV host but after losing her mom and seeing Trump elected for a second time, she knew she had to make a change. And now that she's living full-time in Italy, she's seeing America more clearly than ever.She's still hosting her radio show Mornings with Zerlina and contributing to the hard work of defending American democracy, but it all feels very different now. She's able to slow down, be more intentional, appreciate time with friends, and escape the hamster wheel of busyness and to-do lists.She's not the first Black American to seek refuge overseas; James Baldwin, for example, wrote much of his groundbreaking work while abroad in Turkey. Outside of the “haze of racism and hostility and oppression,” as Zerlina put it, she can find the clarity to really examine this moment in American history.Even if you can't move to Italy (and don't be so sure you can't!), you can learn from Zerlina's journey. Every day, you can do one soft thing and one civic thing. Have a dance party in your kitchen, or meditate, or grab a coffee or ice cream with a friend… and text your neighbors about an upcoming election, or attend a city hall meeting, or donate to an organization you believe in.We can't heal a broken country without healing ourselves — and that can happen from anywhere.For a transcript of this episode, please email comms@redwine.blue. You can learn more about us at www.redwine.blue or follow us on social media! Instagram: @RedWineBlueUSAFacebook: @RedWineBlueUSAYouTube: @RedWineBlueUSA

Weekend recaps (00:00-16:30). Belmont Cameli joins The Kid Laroi on stage at his concert (17:09-29:32). Kim Kardashian supports Lewis Hamilton at Monaco Grand Prix (29:33-33:51). Dua Lipa & Callum Turner have wedding in Sicily (33:52-38:53). Taylor Swift releases new song ‘I Knew It, I Knew You' for Toy Story 5 + Wild rumors that Taylor & Travis are getting married at MSG (40:10-54:11). Weekly Watch Report: Love Island USA, Summer House, Widow's Bay + more! (55:21-1:25:33). CITO LINKS > barstool.link/chicks-in-the-office.You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/chicks-in-the-office

Exile, mercenary, Viking king. Harald Hardrada, 'Thunderbolt of the North', fought his way from Norway to Byzantium, from the streets of Constantinople to the battlefields of Sicily. He married a princess, blinded an emperor, and nearly conquered England.Today, Dr Wayne Bartlett joins us to tell the astonishing story of the last great Viking, a man who shook the medieval world before meeting his end at Stamford Bridge in 1066.Wayne's book is called "Thunderbolt of the North: Harald Hardrada, Viking King".Produced by Mariana Des Forges and edited by Dougal Patmore.We need your help! Let us know what you want from Dan Snow's History Hit by filling in our anonymous survey here: https://forms.gle/PvgayWLkWGjYT4St6Dan Snow's History Hit is now available on YouTube! Check it out at: https://www.youtube.com/@DSHHPodcastSign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.You can also email the podcast directly at ds.hh@historyhit.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.