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Christian College Sex Comedy: Part 21 Beyond Bed  Breakfast In 30 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the podcast at Explicit Novels.   Defiance is not common because to rebel is to become friendless            "What is it with you and butt-sex? Not that I mind, but you seem obsessed with it," Tawny asked. "I don't care one way or another, actually. I'm in a Christian school so vaginal virginity is a normal expectation, so it is oral and anal sex for me," I explained. "With Paige, my desire is based on her blanket rejection of the idea before we'd had sex at all. If I let her hold herself back because of an irrational fear, I would be doing her a disservice. I owe it to every lover to give it my all." "I hate Christina," Tawny muttered. "Why?" I inquired as we walked down the street. "We agreed that if either one of us were to sleep with you, we would warn the other one first," she regaled me with this bit of unexpected news. "I suppose that I could complain about you ladies making deals concerning my time and body without consulting me, or maybe how, having told me this, I won't sleep with either one of you, or perhaps I'll simply announce how I'm going to another school in another state next semester but I'm done with the bluster and pissy-ness for a while," I sighed. "Instead, I'm going to exact a promise from you two," I stated. Tawny and I stopped walking and stared into each other's eyes. "The loser has to get the winner's name tattooed on their ass. That's my condition." "That's nuts," Tawny chuckled. "I'm not going to have another girl's name tattooed on my ass." "Then drop out of your little agreement if you think I'm not worth it or that you will lose," I suggested. Tawny didn't reply, instead walking down the street once more. "We could have sex right now if you want," I said once we were side-by-side again. "You would break your pledge for me?" Tawny asked. "If you want to see Christina's ass with your name tattooed on it," I answered. "She'd never forgive either of us," Tawny noted. "Absolutely. She'd get the tat but she'd be very disappointed in us both," I agreed. "Is this how you repay me for saving you inside the warehouse?" Tawny questioned. "I'm not treating you like a sorority president or a graduating senior; I'm treating you like a desirable woman, a potential lover, and someone forced to think on an entirely personal, selfish level for once," I said. "I respect you enough to give you a moral challenge." Tawny stopped and pulled out her phone and dialed up a number but hesitated before sending it. "Hello, Christina; Tawny here," she started. "I have Zane with me outside the party and am seriously thinking about requesting him to have sex with me." I missed what Christina said. "Yes, I made him aware of the bet and he agreed anyway, but added that you would tattoo my name on your ass if we did it tonight. Is that acceptable?" Again, I missed Christina's comment. "Oh, he is very aware that you would be disappointed in him, and he did a good job of leading me on but he has no intention of following through on his little dare; he loves you too much. I almost fell for his ruse but then he revealed how much he cared about me and I figured it out," Tawny grinned at me, leaving me embarrassed. Christina spoke again. "Yes, I guess that means I might get 'Christina' tattooed to my ass. It is worth it," Tawny related to Christina. "I knew you would want to hear about this, he's still pining away for you." Christina got off a statement and Tawny laughed. "We should get together for dinner sometime, Christina, just the two of us. Take care now." "She wants you to know they won the game 3-1," Tawny told me as she put away her phone. "I'm not sure I want to marry you," Tawny mused. "You are very complicated and you could be a bit more truthful in your dealings." "My Uncle Tim sort of beat that honesty out of me but I'll make an effort on your behalf," I allowed. "Zane, that woman on the motorcycle is looking at us intently. Do you know her?" Tawny cautioned me. It was Willa and I didn't expect to see her tonight. "Willa?" I called out to the biker chick. She responded by waving a thin plastic card in my direction. It looked a lot like my fake ID I'd requested as a joke. "Tawny, hang back," I said in a serious tone. "Hey, Zane, I was curious to see your car parked down the street," Willa said as she dismounted her ride. "I thought you might be going to the Fallout Shelter and I wanted to talk with you first." "I wasn't planning on it," I replied. "Willa, this is Tawny. She's a senior at UV. Tawny, this is Willa; she's a Warlord motorcycle club member and she helped save Rio Thursday night." "Have you come to regret that decision yet?" Tawny asked Willa. Willa was uncertain for a second, then she smiled. "Not yet, but I haven't see her again either," Willa answered. "Please remember that Zane loves her dearly," Tawny said. "He'd become really upset if she ended up hospitalized or worse." "I figured that out when he took on thirty Warlords in order to rescue her after she made a colossal screw up," Willa informed Tawny. She handed me the fake ID, which I examined. "Hey," I complained, "this says I'm Ruckus Tanner, a sixty-eight-year-old black man." "No, it does not," she squawked as she ripped the card back and examined it. Since the ID said I was G. Zane Braxton, had my picture, and told the world I was 21, Willa looked up and glared at me. "Not funny," she snapped. I imagine she'd leapt through a few hoops with the Feds to get me this thing this quickly. "That's Zane being an ass once more," Tawny mocked me. "He does that to diffuse uncomfortable situations he finds himself in. The thing is, what is he uncomfortable about? Hi, we haven't been formally introduced. I'm Tawny Flores, President of the UV Kappa Sigma sorority." "Hmm, what was sex with him like?" Willa asked. "We've never had sex, she's just a friend, nothing to discuss," I interrupted. "No, I have not had sex with Zane, but I have been in bed with him totally naked. It is kind of a delicious memory I use from time to time," Tawny moaned sensually. "The thing is, what is your favorite Zane memory, and why didn't he tell you who I was?" "Zane, do you have a favorite memory of me?" Willa questioned me. "Your heels digging into my ass as you wrapped your legs around me and the tips of our tongues touched," I declared instantly. Willa blinked, somewhat startled at my accurate recall. "Do you have one of me?" Tawny inquired as she came up and put a hand on my shoulder as she positioned herself to my right side and slightly back. "Yes. It involves something about getting over 'that heartache'," I responded. Tawny squeezed my shoulder with some empathy for the memory. Willa looked to us for the context. "Him, me and his girlfriend, his real girlfriend, on another sister's bed; we were clothed and he was completely naked and totally aroused," Tawny smiled happily with the memory. "Zane, why didn't you jump her bones?" Willa looked me over. "I knew I was outmatched after that first kiss," I embellished the truth. "To be fair to Zane, he didn't have any clothes to put on and we weren't the two girls he'd been having sex with," Tawny snickered. "His confidence may have been shaken." "I find that hard to believe," Willa joked. I huffed and started down the street once more. Willa and Tawny fell in behind me in hushed conversation that I did my best to ignore. I walked down one more block, then turned to the left and entered a more occupied area. I also noted the sign for the Fallout Shelter. The Fallout Shelter I looked over my shoulder and caught Willa studying me. "Willa, do you know this place?" I asked. I figured she was actually hanging around to see if I was going to meet with Belle tonight and I was giving her some choices to make. "It's a nice place," Willa shrugged. "More of a college crowd hangout, though." "Tawny?" I inquired. "I've been inside a few times but they are more of an alternative rock crowd. But since we are here, we might as well take a look," Tawny reasoned. I was sure Willa wasn't happy with that answer but she followed us in anyway. As per custom, I was carded at the door by this solid-looking blonde guy named Bill running off toward premature baldness who could have used a few less beers and a few more days at the gym. By the look of his knuckles and face, he was familiar with fighting if not avoiding blows. He gave my new ID a cursory glance, almost handed it back, then froze. His eyes went from bored to furious in a second. Willa pushed me forward into the club before Bill could react We had to immediately race down a set of stairs because the Fallout Shelter had cut out the first floor so that the main floor was the old basement. Around the place was a series of catwalks that let you traverse the place above the chaos. Once on the main floor we migrated toward the bar. A band with a lot of volume and some sort of political message rendered largely unintelligible by the lead singer/bassist slurring or screaming his words was in the midst of their set so we got there quickly. Belle finished serving up beers to two girls who had this wiccan/goth thing going on, including dreadlocks. Belle's eyes took in the three of us, then settled back on me with a wicked gleam. "So, how did you get past Bill, who's the serious bitch, and I'm afraid I have to card you," Belle grinned. I handed her my new card. She looked it over, her grin becoming a smile. "This is a good one," she nodded, and handed it back. "Bill recognized me but Willa shoved us past him before he could punch me," I informed Belle. "He'll be down here soon enough. Lee, the head bouncer, knows about his temper and won't let him come down for a few minutes. Let me get you some drinks. Grab a table and I'll be right over," Belle told us. A small group of UV kids broke away from a table. One guy got sick, his buddy took him toward the bathrooms, and the boy/girl couple took their absence as an excuse to slip off. We grabbed their seats and took in an awkward moment. It was broken by the arrival of Belle and some beers. She put one down in front of Tawny and then Belle, then put two down in front of me. As I was figuring that out, Belle straddled me and sat so we faced one another. She had a seductive twist to her lips, part impish, part desire. She leaned in and started kissing me deeply without preamble and pushing her hips into mine. I had dire duo distraction of Belle having shed her bra behind the bar and her being in a crop-top red Harley-Davidson t-shirt. Belle kept pushing into me so I rested my hands on her hips and tried to push her back gently. Belle was having none of that. My seat began tilting back and I opted for a more aggressive strategy. I let my hands migrate up her waist and around to her back until I hooked both her shoulders. This had the added benefit of pulling the front of the shirt tight against her breasts. "Does this happen to him much?" Willa asked Tawny. "You've obviously never seen the footage of my sorority tying him to a cross out in the woods," Tawny responded. "So, yes, this happens to him more than any person I've ever known." "Does it bother you that we are both here on a Saturday night watching him make out with somebody else?" Belle inquired next. "I don't know about you but Zane needs me," Tawny mused. "He has a severe lack of guy friends so some of us ladies have to step up and be his wingman, woman." "Do you think he has a problem with male-bonding?" Willa questioned. Had I not had a mouthful of Belle's tongue pinning my own tongue down, I would have told them I had plenty of guy friends in Thailand and in my old private school. As this was going on my chair kept edging farther and farther over until it started to topple. Belle lashed out with her feet, catching the bottom of the table with her heels while her body pressed down on me. I slid my hand down her back to her jeans. I tried to wiggle a hand inside but her jeans were far too tight, a fact she gloated over. "Sorry," Belle teased me, "but you're not getting in." Me, I've always loved a challenge. I moved my hands around, popped her top button, and unzipped her pants slowly. I imagine three of us were waiting for Belle to drop the hammer on me but she didn't. When she didn't I slipped my left hand inside the front of her panties and snaked my right around to her ass-cheek. Belle was still doing her level best to overwhelm my breath control and take away my last breath. She might have forced me to break contact first if she had been able to stifle her own moan as my hands stroked her pubic hair and cupped her ass. Even as we went back to the face-dancing, I noticed more than a few covetous gazes being shot our way. Belle really was some kind of college-boy tease. I could now push my hands closer together by reaching underneath her. I rubbed against her clit with my middle and ring fingers, doubling back for the sensation before dipping into her thick, creamy, and steaming-hot cunt. My right trekked down and stretched the sanctity of her anus. Belle bucked up against me several times in rapid succession. "Should we get some ice to throw on them?" Tawny muttered. "Maybe we should get them a private room." Willa countered. For a counterpoint to the shit my other two women were giving me, I wedged a third finger into her cunt and began stroking her sweet spot. "Oh, hell no," Belle gasped. She stopped kissing me and dove into my ear which she worried with savagely applied teeth. I growled through the pain and increased my rhythm and depth of my attentions. Her anus gave way and I was fucking her from both sides simultaneously, causing her gyrations to become much more intense and erratic. Belle let go of my ear and rested her chin on my shoulder in one last ditch effort to stave off her climax. I turned on the pressure and the dam broke. I lashed up with my feet to connect with the table to stop us from falling over as Belle's body thrashed against mine and she screamed into my shoulder, the biting down with the teeth I could have done without. I was relentless and merciless to Belle now. I pinched and twisted her clit hard between my thumb and forefinger; at the same time I slipped the first digit of a second finger into her rectum. Belle hiccupped, gave a jolt, and began screaming and thrashing again. At the same time she started sobbing between screams, muffled somewhat by her fist, which she was chewing on. With the second orgasm over, I relented and let her nestle against my chest, breathing heavily. "I so need to get laid," Willa muttered. "Amen to that. And to think he's next door to me every weekend with easy access to his second story window," Tawny agreed. I began righting Belle when she pressed her hands against me and sat up. "Keep your hands were they are," she murmured playfully. "Best damn orgasm I've had in years," she directed to our table companions, "and then he stacked another righteous one on top of that. I hate to say it but Tara (her twin sister, the Sheriff's Deputy) was right about this guy; I want one of my own." "Don't you already have a boyfriend?" I mentioned. "Bill. Eh, he's got the equipment but he's a quick shooter. If I'm lucky, I get thirty seconds (ouch!) and then its 'get me another beer' or he rolls over and goes to sleep," Belle enlightened us. "How is his foreplay?" Tawny inquired. "He laps like a dog," Belle shrugged, "and his fingers are strictly in and out like a piston. Who are you again?" She addressed Tawny. Tawny finished her little spiel right when a shadow fell upon my life. Bill had arrived. "What the fuck?" Bill growled as he took in me, Belle, and what I was doing to her, mainly pumping her fore and aft at a slow, gentle pace. "I'm going to pound you," he directed at me. "Oh, shut up, Bill," Belle sneered. "If I'm going to steal one of Tara's men, I'm going to make it the new one. Besides, he's done more for me in ten minutes than you've done for me all year, and since he's not trying to bore me to death with all that sports talk, I guess this is time to say we are done. Bye-bye." "You sow," Bill redirected his anger and balled up his fists. Of course, insulting a woman makes me do stupid things. I started to withdraw my hands and stand when Belle put a finger to my lips. "Hush now, Zane," she smiled. "I got this." She looked over her shoulder at Willa. "Is that fucking chivalry or what?" she laughed at my attempted action. Turning back to Bill, "If I have to dismount this man, I'm going to stomp your ass, and you know I can. You hit me once and I put you in the hospital, or do I need to remind you?" she said evenly. "I got you this fucking job. I got you the fucking place you live in, Bitch," Bill snarled. "You can keep the god-damn job and I'll be out by the end of the month," Belle shot back. Bill clenched and unclenched his fists tightly before turning and storming off. "Okay, what was that all about?" I wondered. "Meh, this shit was getting old," Belle told me. "I'll crash with Willa until I figure out what I want to do next." Willa's look was not one of ecstatic expectation, I was positive that none of this had been planned out before we walked through the door. "Belle, I hope I haven't sent you the wrong message," I started. "I am in school and it is a girl's school at that. I only stopped in to say hi." Belle returned to her rocking motion on my lap. "Don't sweat it, college-boy," Belle grinned, "Scratch that, girl's college-boy; I do what I want, go where I want, and take what I want. So, now that you've got me off, what can I do for you?" "You, me, and Tara in a three-way," was my gut response. Belle stopped moving and Willa looked grim. Tawny, like me, was ignorant of what I'd done wrong. "Why?" Belle asked, with an undercurrent of menace that I didn't miss. "You two are like a volcano and the sea, opposites that I bet are explosive and sizzling when you meet," I related. "We are twins, Zane," Belle informed me. "On the outside, maybe, but inside, sexually, you two are very different. You are not polar opposites but more like two separate paintings that use the same canvas and set of paints but go in totally different directions expressively," I explained. "So who's better, Tara or me?" was her next question. Tawny snorted. "Two totally different women. I mean, with you, I'd like to fuck you in the coat room of a black tie affair with High Society one thin wall away," I said. I could see from Belle's expression she wasn't getting what I was saying, implying that I'd hide her away, be my dirty little secret. "You in sheer black stockings and matching garter belt and half-bra, yummy." "Whoa, I have to admit that sounds lick-able," Willa noted. Belle was also reassessing my intentions and smiled. "With Tara, I'd like to break into a bed warehouse and test out a few of the mattresses about the place, illegal and exposed to the public view," I grinned. "I'd pay to see that," Belle chuckled. "You are a keeper, Zane." "You only say that because you want to stick it to your sister," I countered. "Yeah, when I came over here, that was the main reason, but now I'm angry that she found you first," Belle bitched. "She always had better luck with the boys than I did." "Bill was 'better'?" I wondered. "He was a big football jock in high school and he didn't cheat on her too much. You can guess that I dated some real losers, mostly college guys like you," Belle smirked. If you know of another college guy like Zane, spill," Tawny teased. "I want to get me one to call my very own." "Funny, funny, funny, ladies," I coughed. "Now if I don't get Belle off my lap I'm going to hammer her here in front of the general public. Since my goal this weekend is to avoid fighting, public displays of amusement, and intercourse in general, I'm taking a walk." "Hey," Belle wiggled in on my crotch, "I'm all partial to being fucked on the table and show all these cocksuckers what they've been missing. We might even get busted by my sister and spend the night in a cell together." "With Deacon all busted up let's not do the jail thing," Willa chimed in. "Let's not make it three run-ins with the law for his first 30 days at school," Tawny added. "Three, Zane, who else has corralled your ass since you've been with us?" Belle asked. "Officer Campbell got me when I was driving back to campus," I confessed, since I was suspicious that Christina had given Tawny some of the details of that night. "Yeah, we know her too," Willa said. "Rumor has it she can get a bit frisky." "Oh, come on, I was on a date," I evaded. "She had mercy on me and I left with a warning." "You fucked her," Belle leered after studying me for several seconds. "So, did she use cuffs?" "Front, back, top, and bottom, I left her a wreck on the back seat and she was finger-lickin' good," I unloaded. "She was fantastic. She gave my date and I all we could handle." "You got Heaven involved?" Tawny gasped. "Man, my life would be so much easier," I groaned, "if the people talking behind my back kept me in the loop. Yes, I got Heaven involved. It was a hell of a way to wrap up her first date night. By the way, this doesn't go beyond us; okay?" Belle looked at me intensely once more. "Are you going to lie to me?" she whispered as she placed her forehead against mine. "Yes, to protect you if I must," I replied beneath the thumping of the bass. "That's my choice to make, not yours, Zane," Belle breathed a sugary-sweet beer aroma. "Friends sacrifice a part of themselves for the ones they care about," I told her. "Why do you care?" she asked with more than the usual curiosity. "You are worth it," I answered. Again, there was another intense stare. "Are you doing this for my sister?" she continued her interrogation of me. "Nope," I kept it simple. Yet another attempt by Belle to read my soul followed. "Let's get you cleaned up," she grinned. I pulled my right hand out slow and wiped it on my jeans. I was bringing my left set of fingers to my mouth when she intercepted me by the wrist and led me up to her lips. She sucked the juices off two fingers and then fed me the other two to take care of. I zipped her up and fixed her button before she dismounted and took me by the hand to the men's room. Being occupied by men didn't dissuade Belle one bit. She leaned against the sink while I washed up without speaking. In fact, she remained silent until we stepped back into the narrow hallway that led back to the club floor or out back by a locked stairwell. Belle led me to the door and appeared to be thinking something over. "I heard a sick rumor that your lawyers caught my sister and her buddy when they ganged up on you. The rumor is, you covered for them," Belle glared. "Why would you do something so stupid for someone you didn't know?" "Do you know that I'm jealous of you?" I responded. "Happens all the time; I'm a free-spirit that makes my own way in the world," she smiled, but it was overshadowed by her bitterness. "No. You have a sister, you have family, someone you grew up with. I have my aunt who is from another world, essentially, and that's it," I related. "That may be why I never commit to any one person," I added. "Something in Rio reminds me of my Mom and Iona reminds me of someone I wish was family but isn't. I guess I keep looking until I find what I lost." "Gone is gone, Zane; there is no getting it back," Belle told me, but this time she was showing some real empathy. "Yeah," I joked, "and that is why you always drive the speed limit and park within the lines, because that is what everyone tells you to do." "Has anyone ever told you that you're insane?" Belle's teeth shone through with her smile. "Never, you would be the first," I lied, and by the gleam in my eyes she knew it. It was well past one when I finally had the gang rounded up and headed back out to our rides. It took all of twenty seconds for a buzz-happy Rio to realize that Willa and a now unemployed Belle tagged along. When she did, her look was one of ferocity. "Oh, hell no!" she snapped, and turned toward the two Warlord ladies. "I'm going to kick your ass." "Last time I saw you, Bitch, you were half way to the city's sewage system," Belle laughed back. "Want to go the rest of the way?" Rio surged against Mercy and Barbie Lynn's restraining hands while Willa pulled Belle back, and I ended up in the middle holding them both at bay. "Calm down Rio, it is cool now," I told my buddy. "Belle, this isn't what you think." Speaking of thinking; I had to think fast to figure a way to turn this situation around. I'd hoped that Rio would be so happy, she'd have let it lie for the night, silly me. "Rio, I'd like Belle to give us motorcycle lessons for the trip this summer, and to personally give you self-defense training," I spewed forth my hare-brained idea. "What the fuck?" questioned Belle. "Fuck that noise," Rio spat. "I don't need this dink to teach me how to fight." I wasn't sure what a 'dink' was but I doubt it had positive connotations. "Rio, you haven't picked a martial arts instructor yet and I think Belle's self-taught style would be somewhat attractive to you," I guessed. I had no clue as to Belle's fighting background. "I'd rather teach a goat how to use a unicycle than teach this moron how to ride a bike," Belle growled. "I'll pay you fifty dollars an hour per four students," I offered Belle. "She's a skank," Rio seethed. Belle, on the other hand, seemed to be coming around. "Fifty bucks-, per four people? What would I have to do?" Belle inquired. She was job hunting after all. "Teach them how to ride, for starters," Valarie came to my rescue, "plus basic maintenance, road lore, and stuff like that. You'd also have to teach Rio how to not get her ass kicked." "I keep telling you people, I don't need this bitch," Rio repeated. "Fine, Rio, but tell me, who is going to be your instructor?" I countered. "It can't be Mercy." "Want your knife back?" Belle grinned as she reached into her boot and pulled out the butterfly knife Val had given Rio on Thursday. "I don't know," Rio grumbled, "have you been using it as a sexual aid?" Belle snorted. "Fuck, with Zane around, who needs one?" Belle smiled wickedly. "Two orgasms in ten minutes at a table on the club floor and that was only with his tongue and fingers." "He'd have nailed her in the bathroom if it hadn't been for that whole 'no sex' thing," Tawny added. "I should have stuck with you, Zane," Paige tugged on my arm. "See where you ended up?" "Who is the ghost?" Belle asked snidely. "I'm Paige and Zane is with me this weekend," Paige challenged Belle, bad move. Sometimes reactions pull you one way and instincts send you in another. I went with instincts and let events play out. Belle scooped Paige up under each arm and hoisted her up. "You are what, 100 pounds? A whole weekend with him and he'd break you in two," Belle observed. "He needs a real woman, not a bit of fluff." It was time for me to become involved. I reached an arm around Paige's waist and took her weight onto me. Belle was kind enough to let go so I swung Paige up until I was carrying her in my arms. Paige switched her gaze between me and Belle twice, then latched onto me. "Okay, I win," Paige announced. "I'm the bit of fluff he comes to again and again, after all." "You are the freakiest group of people I've ever seen," Hank spoke up. "A sorority president and sisters" (Leigh and Jersey had joined us), "two Warlord bikers, Christian school girls, and a porn star, no offense, Zane." "Just another day ending in 'y'," Iona whispered. I caught that zing and snickered. "No offense taken, Hank," I joked back. "I'd rather have the memories and suffer through the condemnations of those who don't know me than miss out." "Dude, if you ever need a stand in," Finn added to the joy. He and Ginger had indeed hooked up again, so we were good on that front. Ginger did playfully thump him in the chest though. "Finn, you are already sleeping on the sofa tonight," Ginger teased. "Would you rather be out on the welcome mat?" "Thanks for letting us spend the night at your place," Barbie Lynn added to the play. "What?" Finn squawked. "Oh, come on, Babe." Ginger detached from Finn and wrapped an arm around Barbie Lynn's waist, who reciprocated the gesture. "Oh, come on, Babe," Ginger mimicked, "We want a little girl time, ya know, one on one." Barbie Lynn turned her head and exchanged a heated kiss with Ginger that decidedly aroused me. I hated to think what Finn was going through. "Dudes, I'm going down to the river," Finn groaned. "Wouldn't a cold shower be better and safer?" Leigh asked. "I'm not going to cool down; I'm going to drown my stupid ass for stepping out on Ginger at the start of the night," Finn sighed. "I deserve this." "That's what I wanted to hear," Ginger gloated. She gave another quick kiss to Barbie then glided back to Finn. "It's okay, Honey, I forgive you." "Thanks Babe," Finn kissed her once more. "You are still sleeping on the sofa when we get home," she announced triumphantly. The lesson here is, if you are ever given a choice between fighting a man or a woman; fight a man. Men beat you up, gloat, then walk away. Women hold grudges, forever. "Any advice for our lovelorn?" Willa asked. "Everything fades, be it fame, passion or possessions, it all goes to dust and is lost," I said. "That's rather depressing," Willa noted. "The exact opposite," I countered. "All you are and will ever be is defined by what you do in the next few seconds of life. That is when you can mark yourself as a hero or a villain." "I can buy that," Belle mused. "Live for the moment." I could tell Iona was more uncertain about my words so I expanded. "I am not saying don't plan for the future, but don't live so much for what might be that you ignore what is going on around you right now, because no moment matters less than any other," I added. "That's my boy: Renaissance warrior-poet with the libido of Ron Jeremy," Rio jibed. "I like it," Tawny spoke up. "What would it be like to spend the whole weekend, or a whole week, alone with Zane? I wouldn't be bored." "I wouldn't be able to walk," Barbie Lynn giggled. "I'd enjoy the education," Paige noted. "I'd enjoy the peace and quiet," Vivian joked. "Zane, you have a little bit of a fan club here," Belle smiled. "Totally unwarranted and undeserved," I sighed. We arrived at the water tower and we went our separate ways. I'm sure Paige and Iona wanted to talk to me but they both fell asleep within three minutes of getting in the car. I took them up individually to my room and tucked them in before letting a sleeping Jill know we'd made it back and assuring her that we'd make it to church in the morning. Service and Supper We weren't feeling terribly chipper when Iona, Paige and I crawled out of bed, but we were conscious, ambulatory, and capable of speech so we passed Aunt Jill's inspection before heading out to church. For Paige, it would be a new experience as she normally spent Sunday morning at FFU's Assembly hall. Fortunately, she would be exploring the experience with Iona. My class was amusing as always. Somehow, no one had missed the little revolution we'd staged at university and there was varying levels of confusion, disgust, and anger with what 'I'd' done. Yeah, it was my entire fault because I was in the middle of 'God Made Man First' country. Oddly enough, Chris Gilbert stuck it out with me, jumping in on my side when more than two guys ganged up on me verbally. The second time Chris parried Mr. Coleman's insinuations of my corruption away, the gang gave up and actually got down to the lesson for the week, the Book of Samuel; namely, King Saul versus the Philistines. The lesson was that God abandons sinners. I hung on to the point that even when he knew he was going to die, Saul led his army out to fight the invaders of his homeland. I doubted any of those guys would know what kind of courage it took to fight a lost cause if the time came. "Do you make a habit of running off cliffs and into walls," Chris joked with me, then "Whoops, sorry about that, your parents and all." "It was mountain climbing," I shrugged, "so don't worry about it. Have a good week?" "Oh, peachy; I burned down a state park and robbed the Louvre," Chris stated, deadpan. "Dude," I laughed, "if you are trying to compete with me let me just say 'you win' and end the contest right now. You can have it and the grief that goes with it." "Does that include the girls?" Chris chuckled. It was odd having a real conversation with a guy nearly my age who had a clue where I was coming from. My response was overwhelmed by the crush of young ladies around us. What followed was a chorus of 'hey, Zane', 'hey, guy', and Iona and Barbie Lynn adding a 'hi, Chris'. "Hi there, ladies," and "Hello Barbie Lynn and Iona," followed up Chris. By the way he was looking at Barbie Lynn, I could tell that his perception of her had changed. He wasn't leering but there was a certain sexual curiosity that was new to his gaze. Barbie Lynn caught Chris' look, smiled, but then cuddled up to me to make the situation clear enough. Chris chuckled and shook his head mirthfully. "So is McHunky (Chris) part of the group now?" Rio broke through the politeness. "Chris is not treating me like I'm Caine so I'd hope he'd say yes if you ask him nicely," I answered. "I would say 'yes,' with the understanding that I'm older than all of you and like to live a slightly more private, video-free, lifestyle," Chris informed us. "Chris," Rio inquired, "what is the maximum number of girls you would take to bed at one time, and how many would you feel comfortable dating?" I wanted to kill Rio once more, considering we were clearly being overheard as we moved down the hallway leading to the Tabernacle. "Hmm," Chris thought it over. "Four in one bed, but I'd only feel comfortable dating one woman at a time. I'm old-fashioned that way." "That's not a problem," Rio grinned, "old-fashioned we can cure." "How about we respect different people for their differences, ya nut-job," I cautioned Rio. Rio's retort was cut off by our entry into the main area of worship. Chris waved good-bye and angled toward the front and his family. With Barbie Lynn in the lead, the rest of us moved to the far side where the FFU crowd sat together. I couldn't find Jill in her regular spot but Iona pointed out she'd joined Mrs. Wellington, the Mayor, Lance, and Felicity on the second pew, a few steps up in the world. We'd settled in after the first hymn and Pastor Bill had started the morning greeting when the two main doors to the church slammed open and a black clad woman strode in, it was Belle. It was also clear that Belle had never been in here before, had no idea where I would be seated, and was overwhelmed by the sheer number of parishioners. I don't think she cared that most of them were staring at her. She had dressed up, right? She had on a black jacket, black t-shirt, black jeans and black boots. She'd taken off her black sunglasses. I stood up, put two fingers in my mouth the way Heaven had taught me (Orienteering class, honest) and whistled loudly as I waved her over. Belle's head snapped my way and over she came. By long-standing tradition, Iona sat on one side of me and Rio took the other. This time, Paige had supplanted Iona. Belle decided that insinuating herself between Paige and I would require a crowbar and some leverage so she sat down on Rio instead. Rio grumbled, squeezed out from under Belle, and sat in Mercy's lap. Bill, with a final glare my way, picked up the service as best he could and droned on. Rio leaned into Belle and licked her cheek as a means of retaliation. Belle didn't punch Rio, for which I was grateful. I made sure to put a little extra on the collection plate, for God's sake, not the church's, when the time came around. The sermon was on the Israelites and their forty years of wandering before coming to the Promised Land. I think there was some confusion between myself and most of the flock here on who was the one farthest from the expected destination. At the end of the service my plan went into motion, with multiple women having a role to play. Oddly, despite this being a criminal endeavor, Belle was the only one close to me not involved. It was good fortune that put her at my side because with so many of the church elders gawking/fearing/lusting after her, they completely missed the real mischief makers. "Good morning, Rochelle," I greeted the mayor's wife. She turned, smiled at me, then looked over at Belle. "This is Belle, " "Belle Kennan," Belle finished up for me. I hadn't known her last name. "I know you," Rochelle was clearly thinking hard. "Did you used to collect golf balls off the greens at the country club years ago? You had a sister. Your father was a groundskeeper." "That was a while ago," Belle allowed. "Dad fucked it up with his drinking, like he did everything else. My sister, Tara, is now a Sheriff's Deputy around here." "What do you do?" Rochelle made conversation. "I'm Zane's, chauffer," Belle answered with a twisted grin. "Actually, I'm giving him and some of his friends motorcycle lessons." "That sounds promising," Rochelle continued. "Belle, can I have a few moments of Zane's time?" Belle gave me a suspiciously sexy raised eyebrow then went looking for another one of my female set. "Zane, you were right about that matter we discussed. I still don't know what I want to do with the news. Maybe we can discuss it Wednesday night?" "Absolutely," I nodded. "By the way, there seems to be a growing suspicion that you are not a very moral person," Rochelle leaned in and whispered to me. "Apparently there is some evidence of you and some other girls, " "I've never denied it," I told her. "I also believe that no one seems to care that I've foresworn sex for the weekend. I know it is not much by most people's standards but at least I'm trying to see how the other half lives." "How is that working for you?" Rochelle grinned. "Abysmally; I've been tackled, jumped on, stacked up in a shower, grappled at a party, and got a lap dance in a club," I groaned. "You should stay home more often," Rochelle advised. "I received the tackle, jumping, and the stacking at home, Rochelle," I related. "Maybe I should hide out at your house." Rochelle stared at me and I wasn't sure what to make of that. "I will see you on Wednesday; take care now," I broke the silence between us. I turned and went over to the gulf of isolation that was Sahara Penny. "Hello, Mrs. Penny. You look incredibly inspirational this morning." "Hello, Zane," she smiled, her white teeth brightening up her Lebanese features. "I was thinking that I could do the whole dinner thing with you and William tomorrow night, if that is okay with you," I looked her over. "Well, you could hardly become more of a pariah," she mused. "I would be glad to cook you a meal." "Wolves may get hunted but sheep always get eaten," I replied. "Are you a wolf, Mr. Braxton?" she teased. "I have to be worthy of your company," I retorted, which she found amusing. "I'll see you," I tacked on before heading toward the main gathering. I patiently waited for the main group of men to recognize my presence but today they seemed less than willing to. I must have really been a bad boy. I did catch Rio handing off a phone to Iona who was quietly but quickly working away on it. I had to wonder how long it would take for Lance to realize Rio had swiped it from him. Hell, I promised Raven I'd get her those books from George Mason's library and I was going to return his phone to him soon enough. "Hey, my little Butt-Monkey," Belle taunted me loudly, "are you waiting on this bunch of old fuckers for something?" The conversation stopped and heads turned our way: yay me. "Mr. Braxton," Pastor Bill snapped in a clipped manner, "when you invite some, person to our church you should consult with me or one of the deacons to see if they are appropriate." He was pointedly ignoring Belle, which I found to be both rude and unwise as Belle was the most likely person he'd ever meet who would gladly take his underwear waistband and pull it over his head and laugh while she did it. "I wasn't actually wise enough to invite Ms. Kennan but I should have because I was under the impression this was a House of God. I'll make her tithe if that's what you are worried about," I informed them. "The appropriateness of you being in this church is also in question," Mayor Wellington brought up. "How's Phillip?" Belle spoke up with a wicked sneer toward the Mayor; Phillip was one of his sons. "We had a lot of fun in high school. He was good enough to bring me by your house but he never brought me to your church." "He would have never dated someone like you," the mayor glared at Belle. "Technically we weren't looking for a relationship," Belle grinned, "but does that big four-poster bed of yours still have that dainty white dust curtain with the roses on it?" "You are nothing more than a low-down dirty whore like your mother," Mr. Gibson, the county's largest furniture seller, snarled at Belle. I wasn't sure what her response was because Gibson staggered into Mr. Lieber when I drew my hand back for a slap; everyone got quiet. Yes, I had almost committed assault in front of thirty or so witnesses who hated my guts. Oh, and one of them was a judge. "Braxton!" Pastor William thundered. "Hold that thought, Bill," I pointed to the reverend before turning back to Gibson, "Sir, you insulted a lady in my presence, so you can apologize to her or step out with me to the parking lot where we can settle this like men, because I'm morally opposed to causing needless bloodshed in a house of worship." "That's it, Braxton, you, Pastor Bill growled. "Zane!" a different, feminine voice interrupted. "Apologize to Mr. Gibson at once." "I apologize, Mr. Gibson," I grudgingly stated. "I should have you arrested," Gibson grumbled. "And I'll make sure that your little outburst with, the woman threatened. "Belle Kennan," Belle studied the newcomer and the girls around her. "Ms. Kennan goes all over the internet and is flagged with every search engine with your name and the name of your store," Christina finished. "I'll sue," Gibson fought back. "And I'll win," Christina kept coming. "This is clearly a First Amendment issue, both speech and religion. Now are we going to play nice and respect our fellow Christians or are we going to collectively forget we are all adults?" "He is not going to get away with this threat of force," Pastor Bill persisted. "Pastor Penny, are we truly basing our actions and reaction on what an eighteen-year-old playboy does?" Christina pointed out. "Clearly, leadership is called for, and since you men are the patriarchs of the church, you should be leading Zane in the proper course of action." "Mr. Gibson," Chris joined in, "maybe Zane could clean up your parking lot one afternoon as penance." I had to be sure he was helping me out here. "Gurr, alright," Mr. Gibson admitted. "That would satisfy me." I caught sight of Aunt Jill looking my way. I half expected her to volunteer my acceptance but she waited patiently on me instead, not a good sign concerning her dependence on me. "If it is okay with Mr. Gibson, I'll come over when he gives me a call and my school schedule allows," I said. "I hope that settles that," Mr. Gilbert, Christopher's father, announced. "Was there a reason for Mr. Braxton waiting around us?" He was covering for his son, not me. "I was agreeing to Pastor William's invitation to eat dinner with him tomorrow," I said. "I will have to look at my schedule and get back to you," Pastor Bill replied in a snide tone. "No problem, Mrs. Penny and I'll hit Zeta's tomorrow and we can work out something for later," I smiled. I turned and left before he could finish sputtering because not only was Zeta's one of the finest eating establishments in town, I heard rumors it was also highly romantic. I took eight steps before I nearly doubled over in pain. Christina had kidney-punched me, and hard. I turned fast enough to see Belle and Christina facing off. "Do you want to explain that to me, Princess?" Belle inquired with a false grin. "I'm Christina Buchannan and I'm wondering what you are doing here burning through what little good will Zane has with this congregation," the woman I love sizzled. "Zane, should I give a crap?" Belle joked. She didn't need me to tell her what to think. "She's the woman I love more than life itself," I explained to Belle, who regarded me curiously. "I occasionally like him," Christina remarked, "when he's not making an ass of himself." "I couldn't let them insult Belle," I countered. "If she slapped the guy, you know they would have screwed her over." "I don't need you to pick my fights, Dumbass," Belle mocked me. "These people and their opinions don't bother me. Hell, Mom whored around a lot and for all I know, Old Man Gibson might even be my Daddy. Now," she looked at Heaven, "why are you eyeballing me?" "I'm Heaven and Zane's my boyfriend," Heaven declared. "Oh, God," chuckled Belle, "when Tawny said your life was beyond description, she wasn't kidding." "If we can all agree to get along I have one last thing I need to get done and then anyone who wants can make for Jill's," I stated. I leaned in and kissed Heaven on the ear. She finally broke her glare directed at Belle to look up at me so I kissed her on the lips. "Are we okay, Babe?" I asked Heaven. She looked at me but seemed terribly upset by something that I was unclear about. She nodded and I broke away. Iona slipped me the phone as I approached Felicity. I now got to see if what I'd done had screwed up my relationship with her. "Hey, Felicity, do you know whose phone this is?" I asked Lance Wellington's fianc . "That looks like Lance's," Felicity took the device and examined it. "It is," she confirmed. "Are you going to George Mason anytime this week?" I inquired. "I was going up Tuesday to visit Lance for some kind of fraternity affair," Felicity said. "When you are there could you pick up some books for me? I checked them out but I'd have to find a way to make the trip myself and with my school schedule, that would be tough," I explained. "Zane, how does someone from FFU get books from George Mason?" Felicity leaned in and whispered. "I'm not breaking the law but I am doing it in an underhanded manner," I whispered back. "Okay," she smiled warmly, if in a rather complacent manner. "Thanks," I told her, before parting ways and making for the door. A tide of women migrated with me outside. As we split up, I caught sight of Belle putting on her helmet and sitting on her hog. "Are you coming over for supper (the midday meal in the Southeastern US)?" "Does inviting the poor outcast chick to the house make you feel better about yourself?" Belle teased me. "Does everything have to be about you and your vendetta against the Established Order?" I shot back. "I bet the girls have a blast tying you down because you can be downright irritating," Belle rolled her eyes. "We've already gone down that road with me, the cross and the sorority in the woods, so stop gloating. Now, are you coming to supper willingly or are you going to have to beat me up when I try and make you?" "Fine," Belle raised up her hands, "when I looked up 'dumbass' and 'stupid' online, they both had your portrait under the 'images of' section. If I walk in the door, you will know I've accepted your offer. Now step back before I decide you are more annoying than cute." I stepped back, joined Paige and Iona at the car, and travelled my dumb ass back home. Barbie Lynn, Valarie, Rio, and Mercy had already joined Aunt Jill in her heroic culinary efforts based on the talents of the microwave and a warm skillet. The parade of food was setting around the table when I noticed Paige had gone missing. As I scanned about, I saw Belle walk into the dining room, I hadn't heard the doorbell ring or a knock at the door. "Have we locked away the good silver," Valarie joked when she realized Belle was here. Belle didn't look amused by Val's ribbing. "It's for Rio," Valarie snickered. "Hey," snorted Rio, "Belle, you are stepping on my Bad Girl image. I'll take Grand Theft Auto and vandalism and you get burglary and guns; deal?" "Zane, Jill was looking for some explanation from me so I decided to see how far her new tolerance could be stretched. "I wanted to show Belle one of the guest rooms," I stated carefully, but with authority. "She doesn't have a place to live and since we have the space, I figure she could hang out until she puts some money away for a new place. Plus you would have someone home when you got off of work and the house would be safer. Belle can take care of herself and you, if something goes wrong," I finished. "Zane, you make my life easier one more time, I swear that I'm going to use you to redefine road rash," Belle promised. This declaration didn't stop Belle from stepping up and taking a seat. "Jill, is that okay with you? " I addressed the female lead of the Braxton household. "If you think it will be good for the house and make things safer, I wholeheartedly support your decision," Jill agreed. That done, I called out for the invisible Paige. "Paige, I don't advise you to sneak up behind Belle," I warned her. "She might not be in an understanding mood." Paige did heed my advice and appeared by me instead of behind Belle. "Your intellect may be downgraded to 'sub-par' if you keep this course of action up," she cautioned me. "Do what you will," I quoted, "for I do what I must." "The blade itself incites to deeds of violence," Belle countered to Paige. "Are you really such a fucking putz that you think you can separate Zane's passions into the parts that you like from the parts that you don't? To me it seems you are wasting your parents' money by going to college yet staying dumb as dirt." "Belle, language at the dinner table," Aunt Jill scolded Belle. I wasn't sure how Belle would take that but something else was going on at the same time. Everyone was looking at Belle too, but for a reason that had nothing to do with calling Paige names. "What? I can't quote Homer?" Belle shrugged. "I've read Sun Tzu too. Oh, and sorry about slapping the little bitch, Aunt Jill. I hang out with men of questionable parentage." "I apologize, Belle," Iona spoke up. "I thought less of you because of the way you talk and dress. That was unfair to you and a disservice to myself and the way my parents raised me." The apologies echoed around the table; Paige's silence being noted. I gave her one quick look, then joined the rest of the gang doling out the food and settling in to the routine of eating and dinner conversation. Heart Song After we ate and cleaned up the table and the kitchen, Jill to

Once beloved in root beer and medicine cabinets, sassafras was later banned as dangerous. So...is it poison or a powerful plant ally?In this episode, we're diving into the wild and winding story of Sassafras albidum—a tree deeply rooted in Southern culture, traditional herbalism, and kitchen magic. From thickening gumbo to flavoring root beer (before it was pulled from shelves in the 1970s), sassafras has played many roles—and stirred up plenty of controversy.Herbalist Matthew Hunter joins me today to shine a light on this misunderstood tree. He shares his favorite ways to work with sassafras, including his recipe for homemade sassafras root beer (yes, it's safe—and yes, it's delicious!). You can download a beautifully-illustrated recipe card here.Matthew also brings a refreshingly unique perspective. Unlike many herbalists who've loved plants since childhood, he started his herbal journey with zero interest in the plant world. He just wanted to “get it over with”—but somewhere along the way, the plants worked their magic. Now he's a devoted advocate for his local flora and an inspiring teacher in his own right.If you've ever wondered about sassafras's past, its potential, or how to use it today, this episode is for you.By the end of this episode, you'll know:► How to identify sassafras trees, both by sight and by smell► The history of sassafras use in the United States (and a surprising reason why it went out of fashion!)► Nine medicinal and culinary gifts of sassafras► Why a cup of hot sassafras tea is so great on a hot summer day► Tips for propagating sassafras trees – and why harvesting them can actually help more trees grow!► and so much more…For those of you who don't know him, Matthew Hunter is the founder of Legacy Wilderness Academy, a school dedicated to teaching Southerners how to harvest clean food and natural medicine from local wild plants. Matthew has been foraging for over ten years and is the creator of several online foraging courses, including Medicinal Plants of the Southeast and The Southerner's Guide to Foraging. He's currently on a mission to film every major edible and medicinal plant in the Southeastern US. Matthew leads foraging walks in his local area in northeast Louisiana where he lives with his wife, daughter and son. I'm delighted to share our conversation with you today!----Get full show notes and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comFor more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!Working successfully with herbs requires three essential skills. Get introduced to them by taking my free herbal jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book

This week we explore the Southeastern United States as a prime location for real estate investment, highlighting its affordability, strong cash flow, population growth, economic development, and investor-friendly regulations. We'll also compare the Southeast with other regions, particularly the Southwest and West Coast, emphasizing the advantages of investing in the Southeast.To learn more about our full-service turnkey operations, check us out online at www.spartaninvest.comConnect with Spartan!Facebook: @spartanTURNKEYInstagram: @spartaninvestLinkedIn: @spartaninvestConnect with Lindsay!Facebook: @spartanlindsaydavisInstagram: @spartanlindsaydavis

To the best of my knowledge, Kris Schultz is the second“merch slinger” I've met that went on to pursue a lyrical life as a troubadour in her own right.  My first experience was with Texas songwriter Kayla Ray as she first visited KC slinging merch for Jason Eady.  I love Kris' trajectory…. check this out.  Growing up in Topeka, Kansas, Kris was obsessed at an early age with the country songs of heartbreak and loss on the jukebox at a bar she visited regularly with her parents.  At an early age, she showed promise in several sports, especially the field part of track and field eventually accepted a scholarship to throw Javelin at Kansas State University, where she majored in Radio/Television Journalism.  While competing in the Texas Relays during her college career, she fell in love with Austin, TX.  And soon moved there with only a box of books & CDs, a small stereo, and a bag of clothes.  She walked into the city-ran Austin Music Network TV channel, asked for an internship, and soon was spending her days proof-checking videos of local music and taking in every note. But she still hadn't thought of playing music herself. After years assisting musicians as merch slinger, roadmanager and van driver, but never playing or singing herself, Kris eventually  acquired a guitar and began writing songs.She released her full-length album, Standard Issue Heart, inOctober 2021, has played such legendary venues as The Saxon Pub and Cactus Café in Texas, toured in the Midwest, Southwest and Southeastern US, has been featured in the live performance series “Songs In Places.”  Kris recently found herself in the Heartland and we connected to make an appearance on the Tasty Brew Music Radio Show happen.   Enjoy this performance and conversation with Austin transplant Kris Schultz.  Tasty Brew Music Radio Show "Showcasing the best of Americana/Roots Music in andfrom the Heartland!”Fridays 10 AM to Noon CST on 90.1FM KKFI Kansas CityCommunity Radio !!Since 2010, spinning a “tasty brew” of Americana/Bluegrass/Country/Roots Music… empowering the art of the song! "How can I listen?"Kansas City turn your radio dial to 90.1FM every Friday from 10 am to NoonAround the world use your cellphone or computer to go to www.kkfi.org and click the red "Live" button on the top left of the screen every Friday from 10 am til Noon Central Standard Time Missed it live? Or want to listen again? go to archive.kkfi.org to listen for up to 2 weeks from the date the episode aired! KKFI has a mobile app!? Download the app to listen live and see the current playlist, listen to replays, and see the entire show calendar including bios for each show & DJ. Tasty Brew Music with DJ Diana LinnFridays 10 am - Noon CST on90.1FM KKFI Kansas City Community Radio https://kkfi.org/program/tasty-brew/https://kkfi.org/program/tasty-brew/#tastybrewmusic #americanamusic #songwriter #rootsmusic #austinmusic

House Republicans are rushing to get President Donald Trump's domestic policy bill passed. South Africa's president is in the US to try to mend frosty relations. We'll tell you why the Justice Department is investigating former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Multiple tornadoes were reported in the Southeastern US yesterday, and the threat isn't over. Plus, Trump wants to build a “Golden Dome.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports heavy rains have triggered flash flooding in western Maryland and West Virginia.

Dr. Lawren Honken is a wife, mom of 3, and a board certified Obstetrician-Gynecologist currently practicing in the Southeastern US. She is also a Certified Menopause Practitioner and is completing a fellowship in Integrative Health. She serves her patients as a trusted resource, providing medical education online while advocating for patient autonomy and informed consent. Her goal is to simplify difficult concepts in women's health and for those interacting with her online to feel they have a friend who is also an Ob/Gyn.She provides so much helpful information in today's episode on women's health and how to advocate for yourself in the healthcare industry. If you like today's episode, be sure to follow her on instagram, @yourfriendtheobgyn, and share the episode with someone who could learn from her!Thank you to HxH Podcast Sponsor, A Ranger Paints. Podcast listeners can get 10% off their purchase using code "HXH10"!Follow Haven on Instagram @healthbyhaven for more health and wellness content! 

Hey guys, no solo episode today, lucky for you we have Matthew Bechard out of NYC who invests virtually in the Southeastern US. We talk fast cars, marketing, CRMs and development projects. If you want to learn more join us at https://www.skool.com/the-dirt-road-to-wealth

Send us a textThis episode features our interview with fine artist Haigan Gandy, a live wedding painter based in the Southeastern US.  Haigan is a lifelong artist and currently specializes in oil painting.  Haigan takes us through her artistic journey, sharing lots of tips and experiences that shaped her artistic style along with advice on how she guides clients towards a piece that will not only be a beautiful keepsake for them, but something that will showcase her work best.  This is a fantastic interview that you don't want to miss!Find out more about Haigan by visiting her website www.eventpaintingbyhaigan.com or her Instagram @eventpaintingbyhaigan.

Dave Codrea is co-founder of Greenleaf Capital, an Atlanta based real estate investment firm. Since its inception as a two-man venture, Greenleaf has grown its geographic footprint to encompass several states in the Southeastern US with a growing portfolio that currently includes Apartments, Mobile Home parks, and various Commercial properties.    Quote:  “Flex space can move with what you need in your business. Entrepreneurs, small business owners are normally pretty adaptable and they figure it out. They've got some wooden tables around and they make it work!”   Highlights: 2:50: What drove Dave into the world of real estate / learning more about Green Leaf 5:25: Best performing office spaces - where are they located? 10:57: Property management software 12:50: Navigating the internal debt market / Future opportunities 14:45: Kevin and Dave talk, “then and now,” with interest rates increasing 18:44: Lending relationships - keeping it local with small community banks/credit unions   Guest Website: https://www.gogreenleafmanagement.com   Recommended Resources: Accredited Investors, you're invited to Join the Cashflow Investor Club to learn how you can partner with Kevin Bupp on current and upcoming opportunities to create passive cash flow and build wealth. Join the Club! If you're a high net worth investor with capital to deploy in the next 12 months and you want to build passive income and wealth with a trusted partner, go to InvestWithKB.com for opportunities to invest in real estate projects alongside Kevin and his team.  Looking for the ultimate guide to passive investing? Grab a copy of my latest book, The Cash Flow Investor at KevinBupp.com.  Tap into a wealth of free information on Commercial Real Estate Investing by listening to past podcast episodes at KevinBupp.com/Podcast. Learn more about Kevin's investment company and opportunities for Lifetime Cashflow at sunrisecapitalinvestors.com.

“We don't have anything to gain in this. We are here in Jesus' name and we want you to see Him through us.”   Friday, September 27, catastrophic rain and flooding from Hurricane Helene hammered East Tennessee and the Southeastern US. Pastor Noah Taylor and Evergreen FWB Church immediately sprang into action, meeting the needs of those whose lives had been devastated with help from people all over the country. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #HurricaneHelene #Helene

https://www.charitynavigator.org/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/doctorwhoandcompany/support

The FULL Bob Rose Show for Wednesday 10-2-24, with the latest on last night's Vice Presidential Debate. J.D. Vance reduced the media's promotion of their own leftist views in presenting a new American reality by trouncing Tim Walz. In depth on last night's debate, plus the latest Helene recovery in the Southeastern US, and the morning's biggest news.

TW: homophobia, transphobia, suicidal thoughtsToday, April Ajoy tells her story of leaving Christian Nationalism. We also dig into what it's like being part of a queer family in the Southeastern US. April is a content creator and podcast host who uses humor to shine light on harmful, toxic, and sometimes just weird traits of American Evangelicalism. After growing up an evangelist's kid entrenched in Christian Nationalism and working in conservative Christian media, she saw the harm caused firsthand. Still a Christian, she uses her platform to expose the dangers of Christian Nationalism while promoting a more inclusive faith. April has been featured on Buzzfeed, CNN, Newsweek and more. She's been married to Beecher for 10 years and they have two daughters together.Please take care while listening, as there is discussion of homophobia, transphobia, and suicidal thoughts. If you're experiencing feelings of hopelessness or depression, please reach out to a trusted counselor or a hotline such as Trans Lifeline, which is 877-565-8860. You can get your copy of Star Spangled Jesus wherever books are sold. Follow April on all social media platforms @aprilajoy. You can hear April on The New Evangelicals podcast every Friday wherever you are listening. Support the show

The FULL Bob Rose Show for Tuesday 10-1-24, with the latest on the upcoming Vice Presidential Debate, to be simulcast with CBS on 97.3 The SKY. J.D. Vance's midwestern roots and rags-to-riches story is well documented. But Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's history in China is now being investigated by a Congressional Committee over his ties to the CCP. In depth on tonight's debate, plus the latest Helene recovery in the Southeastern US, and the morning's biggest stories on a SKY Trash Talkin' Tuesday.

Tim McDonnell of Semafor discusses the shifting dynamics of climate and energy policy in both the US and the UK. As political leaders struggle to balance energy security, climate action, and public perception, they explore the "green hush" happening in campaign messaging—why politicians are avoiding direct references to climate change and how this could impact both policy and public engagement.The Green Hushing Phenomenon:"Green hushing" has emerged as a tactic in political campaigns, with politicians framing climate policy in terms of jobs, economic growth, and energy independence rather than climate impacts. Tim discusses how this strategic messaging shift might resonate with voters, particularly those in swing states like Pennsylvania.The UK's Conservative Party and Climate Policy:Turning to the UK, they explore how political leaders such as Robert Jenrick are echoing skeptical stances on net zero commitments, driven in part by a broader conservative narrative of climate action as an economic burden. Richard and Tim highlight the similarities between messaging in the UK and the US, examining how climate denial has evolved into opposition to climate costs.Climate Messaging in Campaign Ads:The duo analyzes recent campaign ads from environmental coalitions like the League of Conservation Voters and Environmental Defense Fund, which conspicuously avoid mentioning climate change, instead focusing on cost-of-living issues and corporate accountability. What does this say about the perceived salience of climate as a campaign issue?Implications of the "Dog That Didn't Bark":Richard and Tim reflect on the broader implications of the absence of climate discourse in the political spotlight, particularly in light of recent natural disasters in the Southeastern United States. They question how this "silence" may impact public awareness, climate activism, and ultimately, policy effectiveness.Transatlantic Messaging Echoes:The conversation also touches on the global nature of climate messaging, with the same rhetoric appearing across the US, UK, and even other parts of Europe. They discuss the role of think tanks and political alliances in propagating these talking points.Key Moments:[00:03:00] - Introduction: Recap of the DNC and the notable absence of direct climate messaging.[00:10:20] - Tim McDonnell on the “green hushing” approach in Kamala Harris' campaign.[00:19:50] - The UK's Conservative Party and skepticism around net zero: Comparing US and UK narratives.[00:28:30] - Richard shares insights on climate campaign ads and their strategic avoidance of climate language.[00:37:45] - Recent climate disasters in the Southeastern US and the “silent” climate policy response.[00:45:15] - Outro reflections: The need for direct climate discourse in politics.Subscribe:If you found value in this conversation, subscribe at wickedproblems.earth for more deep dives into the intersections of climate, tech, and politics. Support our work by becoming a paid subscriber, and help us expand our coverage of climate tech issues. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer for an update and prayer on the floods hitting North Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee.Scripture Used in Today's MessagePsalm 29:10-11Have you read my book, "Takin' it to Their Turf"?If not, you may request a copy on my website, www.TomthePreacher.comWe send a copy to anyone who donates to our ministry, but if you can't do so, simply request a copy by sending us an email. Who do you know that needs to hear today's message? Go ahead and forward this to them, along with a prayer that God will use it in their life.To find Tom on Instagram, Facebook, TiKTok, and elsewhere, go to linktr.ee/tomthepreacher To support Tom Short Campus Ministries, click herehttps://www.tomthepreacher.com/support************ Do you want to have all your sins forgiven and know God personally? *********Check out my video "The Bridge Diagram" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0Kjwrlind8&t=1sCheck out my website, www.TomthePreacher.com, to learn more about my ministry and sign up for my daily email. And make sure to request a copy of my book, Takin' it to Their Turf, when you visit my website.Check out my videos on this channel to learn how to answer tough questions challenging our faith.

AP correspondent Julie Walker reports roughly 50 people are dead following Hurricane Helene's deadly path across the southeast U.S.

AP correspondent Julie Walker reports at least 52 people are dead after Hurricane Helene, and that number is expected to rise as the search continues for missing residents.

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida overnight as a major Category 4 storm, leaving at least 3 people dead and leading to massive power outages. And the Oakland A's have played their final game after 57 years. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Sept. 27, 2024.

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida overnight as a major Category 4 storm, leaving at least 3 people dead and leading to massive power outages. And the Oakland A's have played their final game after 57 years. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Sept. 27, 2024.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Mark R Anderson, author of the book Sage Among the Pines. Mark, a Fulton Books author, retired after thirty-five years of distinguished service in the Department of Defense and ten years, concurrently, as an officer in the United States Navy Reserve. He completed his most recent book, Sage Among the Pines. A graduate of the University of Maryland and the National Intelligence University, Mark's upbringing in a military family instilled a love for travel and exploration, shaping his diverse perspectives and providing rich material for his creative works. Currently, the author resides in Pinehurst, North Carolina, with his wife and youngest daughter. In his spare time, Mark is an avid golfer at Pinehurst Country Club and enjoys filming book videos, alongside indulging in freshwater bass fishing across the Southeastern US. In my book review, I stated that I was excited to read this book before it came out on the shelves. Tom and Cynthia, along with their daughter, Lexi, have a great life. Until. Tom makes a mistake. Cynthia can't forgive him. No one tells Lexi what is going on. And then, without warning, Tom dies in a military training exercise. As Cynthia spirals into depression, her daughter spirals into adolescent rage. Only a sage among the pines, in the form of a grandfather-grandmother duo, can save them. This is a healing journey - healing from loss and betrayal - as well as a forgiveness journey. It shows how complicated life can become, even when people truly love one another. I enjoyed Mark's book because his characters are real. If you enjoy character-driven fiction, then this one is for you. Subscribe to Online for Authors to learn about more great books! https://www.youtube.com/@onlineforauthors?sub_confirmation=1 Join the Novels N Latte Book Club community to discuss this and other books with like-minded readers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3576519880426290 You can follow Author Mark R Anderson Website: https://fultonbooks.com/books/?book=sage-among-the-pines Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21435889.Mark_R_Anderson   Purchase Sage Among the Pines on Amazon: Paperback: https://amzn.to/3Wc4YvR Ebook: https://amzn.to/4f8dR21   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1 #markranderson #sageamongthepines #contemporaryfiction #comingofage #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Today's Flash Back Friday episode is from #606 that originally aired on Jun. 23,2023. Dave Codrea is co-founder of Greenleaf Capital, an Atlanta based real estate investment firm. Since its inception as a two-man venture, Greenleaf has grown its geographic footprint to encompass several states in the Southeastern US with a growing portfolio that currently includes Apartments, Mobile Home parks, and various Commercial properties.    Quote: “Flex space can move with what you need in your business. Entrepreneurs, small business owners are normally pretty adaptable and they figure it out. They've got some wooden tables around and they make it work!”   Highlights: 2:50: What drove Dave into the world of real estate investments/learning more about Green Leaf 5:25: Best performing office spaces - where are they located?  10:57: Property management software - does that vary for each type of property?   12:50: Navigating the internal debt market - what is the plan for current debt in the books? Future opportunities?  14:45: "Then and now”, with interest rates increasing  18:44: Lending relationships - keeping it local with small community banks/credit unions  Guest Website: https://www.gogreenleafmanagement.com   Recommended Resources: Accredited Investors, you're invited to Join the Cashflow Investor Club to learn how you can partner with Kevin Bupp on current and upcoming opportunities to create passive cash flow and build wealth. Join the Club!   If you're a high net worth investor with capital to deploy in the next 12 months and you want to build passive income and wealth with a trusted partner, go to InvestWithKB.com for opportunities to invest in real estate projects alongside Kevin and his team.    Looking for the ultimate guide to passive investing? Grab a copy of my latest book, The Cash Flow Investor at KevinBupp.com.    Tap into a wealth of free information on Commercial Real Estate Investing by listening to past podcast episodes at KevinBupp.com/Podcast. Learn more about Kevin's investment company and opportunities for Lifetime Cashflow at sunrisecapitalinvestors.com.

Tune in here for this Hump day edition of the Vince Coakley Radio Program! Vince starts the show by talking with Weather Channel meteorologist Richard Lewelling about Tropical Storm Debby bringing flooding rains throughout the Southeast as it makes a trek up the Eastern Seaboard. Also, listeners call in with opinions about Kamala Harris' V.P. pick Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. In the second half of the show Vince talks about Kamala Harris' V.P. pick Minnesota Governor Tim Walz left-wing stance on issues, and how the Democrat party is pivoting away from its support of America's Jewish population.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disruptive thunderstorms will erupt over the southeastern United States on a daily basis through next week, helping to ease drought while also bringing dangers to those with outdoor plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's special bonus episode, recorded live from the Road to Majority Conference in Washington, D.C., put on by the Faith and Freedom Coalition, I was able to sit down with Georgia State Senator Shawn Still. While new to public office, Shawn became instantly embroiled in the Big Fani Willis RICO case surrounding Donald Trump, having been also charged in that case. We spend the opening of the interview discussing how the indictment occurred and what he has been doing since to fight it. While a few people took plea deals to avoid the cost, Shawn is focused on clearing his name and in showing everyone that he is yet another victim of lawfare. Shawn is the owner and president of Olympic Pool Plastering & Shotcrete, the largest swimming pool subcontractor in the Southeastern US. He employs over 100 Georgians in his Gwinnett-based company. During his first legislative session, he sponsored or co-sponsored 75 of the 211 Senate bills signed into law. Shawn hit the ground running for the citizens of Georgia and the 48th district. His consistent voting record has drawn the attention of multiple conservative and business-oriented organizations who trust him to fight for good policy under the Gold Dome. He was named the 2023 freshman legislator of the year by the Georgia Chamber. Take a moment to rate and review the show and then share the episode on social media. You can find me on Facebook, X, Instagram, GETTR and TRUTH Social by searching for The Alan Sanders Show. You can also support the show by visiting my Patreon page!

“Failure…A Catalyst For Personal Growth ” Join me and my guest Tim Lupinacci, CEO and Chair at BakerDonelson (BakerDonelson.com), one of the oldest (130 years) law firms in the country. Tim leads over 1,300 individuals in 23 offices across the Southeastern US. A life-long leadership student, Tim recently launched a nonprofit called Everybody Leads (everybodyleads.org), focused on empowering individuals in underserved communities with basic leadership skills and confidence to better lead themselves, lead others, and lead in the community. As a self-professed “leadership junkie”, Tim's journey as a leader began 30-years ago as a young lawyer after disappointing a boss with an epic failure. The boss challenged Tim (after significant yelling and tough love!) by saying he saw Tim as a strong young leader who needed to recognize that he was a leader, and step up to own his work, his career, and his ambitions. BTW, the “Baker” in the firm's name refers to Senator Howard Baker who was also President Reagan's Chief of Staff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AP correspondent Donna Warder reports on another day of deadly tornadoes in parts of the U.S.

Name That Bank! A show for bank geeks, made by bank geeks... Join us for an exclusive premiere of the Travillian-hosted game show—NAME! THAT! BANK! —featuring contestants Mandi Simpson, Partner at Crowe and Chris Mihok, Managing Director at KBW, who both have extensive networks with Southeastern US institutions, which is this week's focus region. How Does It Work? This game draws inspiration from the classic "Name That Tune," but with a twist: instead of tunes, it's all about naming banks! Brian Love, the charismatic host and Head of Banking & Fintech at Travillian, presents a series of clues to the contestants, pitting them against each other to guess the bank correctly. Expect plenty of laughs, friendly competition, and insightful commentary along the way. It's a short but fun episode that you won't want to miss! Can you guess all five banks?

We pay tribute to another of the great labels of the O3L era...this time shining the spotlight on the magnificent DB Recs, the Atlanta-based label founded by Danny Beard, and run from 1978 - 1997 out of his still thriving record store Wax'n'Facts. Through Danny's ingenuity, support, and incredible ear for talent, it's safe to say that the alternative music scene in the Southeastern US would not be the same without him. DB's initial release was catalogue number DB-52, 'Rock Lobster' / '52 Girls', the first single by none other than The B-52's. From there, DB gave a voice to a wide range of artists in Atlanta, Athens, and beyond, including Pylon, Love Tractor, Oh-OK, Guadalcanal Diary, The Swimming Pool Q's, Fetchin Bones, Zeitgeist/The Reivers, The Jody Grind, The Coolies, Chris Stamey, and others. This week, we each offer up our Top 5 DB Recs songs with special guests Current Rage - John Moore (rhythm guitar), Paul Lenz (drums), and Bryan Lilje (bass). In absentia is lead guitarist and vocalist Olivia Bewley. You may remember the remarkable story of Current Rage from Episode 140: The band formed in 1979 by professional skateboarders Chris Bewley (brother of Pylon's Randy) and John Moore. By the beginning of 1981, they were headlining shows in the southeast with their brash, energetic, catchy post-punk tunes. They released the indie EP Seven Songs in 1982, which became a highly coveted collector's item among fans of DIY indie rock. After Current Rage ceased to be, each of the members followed different paths, with Chris Bewley succumbing to a heart attack in 2018 at the age of 57. Coinciding with the expanded 40th anniversary reissue of Seven Songs in 2022 on Propeller Sound Recordings, Current Rage is now back and experiencing a resurgence...with a twist. Chris's daughter Olivia plays lead guitar and sings in the current iteration of the band. While she never had much of a relationship with her father, through his music, his former band, and even some of his equipment, she is able to connect with Chris in powerful, unexpected ways. During this episode, we catch up with the band and (despite not being DB Recs artists themselves) discuss the indelible impact of Danny Beard and the DB roster on them. Deep gratitude to Current Rage's manager, Robin Hall Bewley Frankland, for organizing this return visit to O3L! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We pay tribute to another of the great labels of the O3L era...this time shining the spotlight on the magnificent DB Recs, the Atlanta-based label founded by Danny Beard, and run from 1978 - 1997 out of his still thriving record store Wax'n'Facts. Through Danny's ingenuity, support, and incredible ear for talent, it's safe to say that the alternative music scene in the Southeastern US would not be the same without him. DB's initial release was catalogue number DB-52, 'Rock Lobster' / '52 Girls', the first single by none other than The B-52's. From there, DB gave a voice to a wide range of artists in Atlanta, Athens, and beyond, including Pylon, Love Tractor, Oh-OK, Guadalcanal Diary, The Swimming Pool Q's, Fetchin Bones, Zeitgeist/The Reivers, The Jody Grind, The Coolies, Chris Stamey, and others. This week, we each offer up our Top 5 DB Recs songs with special guests Current Rage - John Moore (rhythm guitar), Paul Lenz (drums), and Bryan Lilje (bass). In absentia is lead guitarist and vocalist Olivia Bewley. You may remember the remarkable story of Current Rage from Episode 140: The band formed in 1979 by professional skateboarders Chris Bewley (brother of Pylon's Randy) and John Moore. By the beginning of 1981, they were headlining shows in the southeast with their brash, energetic, catchy post-punk tunes. They released the indie EP Seven Songs in 1982, which became a highly coveted collector's item among fans of DIY indie rock. After Current Rage ceased to be, each of the members followed different paths, with Chris Bewley succumbing to a heart attack in 2018 at the age of 57. Coinciding with the expanded 40th anniversary reissue of Seven Songs in 2022 on Propeller Sound Recordings, Current Rage is now back and experiencing a resurgence...with a twist. Chris's daughter Olivia plays lead guitar and sings in the current iteration of the band. While she never had much of a relationship with her father, through his music, his former band, and even some of his equipment, she is able to connect with Chris in powerful, unexpected ways. During this episode, we catch up with the band and (despite not being DB Recs artists themselves) discuss the indelible impact of Danny Beard and the DB roster on them. Deep gratitude to Current Rage's manager, Robin Hall Bewley Frankland, for organizing this return visit to O3L! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Gasparilla Overload continues and dives into:Insights from owning both a B2B and b2c businessSales is a people businessHow to make your customer feel appreciated and valuable“You can only sell what you have in your Bag”How to deal with supply chain backlogsHow to start the day one step aheadHow to not sacrifice core values as you scaleMeet our guest, Stephen Sherman: With 20 years of medical sales and marketing experience, Stephen Sherman leads a premier team of independent sales professionals in the Southeastern US. Stephen's team represents top-tier medical manufacturers that serve the acute, sub-acute, and primary care healthcare markets.In July 2020, three families came together to keep the legacy of Heads and Tails alive after it was put up for sale at the start of the year. Stephen acquired this company and has led it to reach new pinnacles ever since.Check us out on social media @ThatEntrepreneurShow on all platforms and visit www.vincentalanci.com for more show and guest information.Have a question for the host or guest? Email Danica at PodcastsByLanci@gmail.com to get started.Music Credits:Adventure by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyadenHappy | https://soundcloud.com/morning-kuliSupport the showIf you enjoyed this week's show, click the subscribe button to stay current.Listen to A Mental Health Break Episodes hereTune into Writing with Authors here

As it turns out, not all crayfish are created equal; some species dig holes, some species displace others, and some species can only be positively identified by their genitals during breeding season! This week we welcome back Dr. Troy Keller of CSU to peek behind the curtain at the massive biodiversity of crayfish in the Southeastern US and how invasive species are changing the ecosystem. Thank you to Nia Impact Capital for sponsoring this live recording!

LIVE from the Fast Casual Executive Summit in Louisville, Kentucky, the guys catch up with the visionaries of emerging restaurant brands, unpacking their innovative concepts and roadmaps to expansion!In today's episode of Hospitality Hangout, Michael Schatzberg “The Restaurant Guy” and Jimmy Frischling “The Finance Guy” are joined by Prakash Karamchandani, Chief Executive Officer of Balance Pan-Asian Grille; Chris Medhurst, President and Chief Operating Officer of District Taco; and Chad Coulter, Founder and CEO of Biscuit Belly.Key Takeaways[00:34 - 03:07] Prakash Karamchandani: Opening an Asian restaurant after losing his finance job in the 2008 recession.[03:11 - 05:58] Growing your own produce using an aquaponics system.[06:00 - 07:40] Franchising growth for emerging brands, Pivotal Growth Partners (PGP)[07:42 - 10:51] Post-covid growth[10:55 - 13:20] Spice is Right: Prakash on the Wendy's Dave Combo[13:20 - 15:30] Crystal Ball: The next hot topics in hospitality are going to center around AI martech and back of house[15:32 - 17:21] Branded Quickfire: Five questions for Prakash[18:05 - 21:13] Chris Medhurst: Growth plans for New York and other East Coast markets.[21:14 - 23:32] What is helping District Taco catch fire? The brick and mortar story effect[23:41 - 24:56] District Taco is opening up stores in New York and New Jersey[24:56 - 27:44] Talking Back, Chris takes the mic and asks about ads[27:44 - 29:38] Spice is Right, Louisville and Carvel[29:45 - 32:37] Branded Quickfire: Chris answers 5 lightning round questions[34:52 - 40:05] Chad Coulter Founder of Biscuit Belly: Focusing biscuit business growth in Southeastern US.[37:59 - 40:05] The origin story of Biscuit Belly[40:16 - 41:15] Diving into the restaurant business and learning the ropes[41:17 - 43:34] The uptick in breakfast and brunch business[43:36 - 44:00] Fast-casual, craft-casual[44:05 - 45:19] Where Chad is seeing growth for Biscuit Belly, southeast growth[45:41 - 52:08] Talking Back: Tell Us About You edition[46:53 - 49:08] Schatzy's origin story and Branded Hospitality's focus[49:18 - 52:08] Jimmy's story and the idea of Branded Hospitality Group[52:13 - 55:07] Spice is Right: Fast Casual Summit Edition[55:13 - 58:36] Branded Quickfire

Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Quail Forever's Program Manager Andy Edwards for a conversation focused on the upcoming bobwhite quail hunting season in the Southeast. Michael Hook, small game program coordinator for South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and chair of the National Bobwhite and Grasslands Initiative – Technical Committee and Tim Caughran, PF & QF's director of field operations in the South Region, roll through a highlight reel of hunting opportunities across southern bobwhite quail states. Episode Highlights: • Hook covers his home state of South Carolina, along with Alabama and Texas. He also explains his day-to-day responsibilities as a small game program coordinator. • Caughran touches on Virginia, Florida, Arkansas and Louisiana, while stressing the importance of being willing to venture deeper into the places other folks aren't willing to go when in search of public land bobwhites. • Edwards highlights Georgia and touches on ways to use onX Hunt and your knowledge of quail habitat to seek out new areas to hunt this season. Check out Quail Forever's full state-by-state quail hunting forecast for more details.

Hawaii is experiencing the most lethal wildfires in all American history. The death toll keeps rising as the tragedy grows. In the Southeastern US, it's the middle of Hurricane season. Out West they are seeing record breaking heat waves that are leaving many stranded or dead. In the midst of whatever threat may be pressing on you, Jihi and I wanted to share our insights and training about ‘Go Bag' preparation and action. Not just for you, but for your family, pets, and loved ones. Safety has always been a top priority for us – and we know it is for you, too. Find your Spy Superpower: https://everydayspy.com/spyquiz Learn more from Andy: https://everydayspy.com/ Join the SpyTribe: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EverydaySpy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydayspy/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EverydaySpy

In this week's episode, Brian and Shipper are joined by Brandon from the 76 Tuesday Podcast as well as, the popular Black Diamond Guns & Gear YouTube channel. Though, he enjoys doing this on the side, his main gig is with his hands on the wheel of his delivery truck. Brandon spends his time traveling around Southeastern US, stopping in places like Atlanta, Georgia to drop off some tasty goodness. He started in the warehouse and eventually made his way into getting his CDL. Although, delivering cookies sounds sweet, there are many instances that turn sour. From seeing some wild Paranormal Activity, to having a miraculous intervention on the road, Brandon has been through quite a lot. So sit back, relax, and grab some cookies as Brandon delivers the sweet and the salty tales from the road! Brandon's Channels: 76 Tuesday Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@76tuesday Black Diamond Guns and Gear: https://www.youtube.com/@BlackDiamondGunsandGear KEEP US FUELED: buymeacoffee.com/hammerlane EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOOD: www.preparewithhll.com LEAVE A VOICEMAIL: 515-585-MERK(6375) EMAIL US YOUR STORIES: hllpodcast@protonmail.com Website: www.hammerlanelegends.com Gear: https://www.hammerlanelegends.com/gear YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC5TWlB5Yqx8JlQr3p3bkkMg Facebook: www.facebook.com/hammerlanelegends Instagram Desktop: www.instagram.com/hammerlanelegends Instagram Mobile: @hammerlanelegends Twitter Desktop: www.twitter.com/HLLPodcast Twitter Mobile: @HLLpodcast Produced by: Jack Merkel Follow Jack on Instagram @jack_theproducer

Your daily news in under three minutes. 

My guest for this episode is Tim Lupinacci, CEO and Chair at Baker Donelson, where he leads over 1,300 individuals in 22 offices across the Southeastern US. Tim is presently leading the firm's five-year BakerVision 2028 strategy and its Diversity & Inclusion Compact. Tim Lupinacci spent the first 28 years of his legal practice focused on helping financial institutions solve complex problems arising in commercial restructuring and bankruptcy matters throughout the country.   During his leadership journey at Baker Donelson, Tim chaired the Financial Services Department and the Women's Pathways to Leadership Committee and served as a member of the Firm's Diversity & Inclusion Committee. He was awarded with the Firm's highest award for both advancement and support of women and minorities.   As a self-professed “leadership junkie”, Tim's journey to stepping up as a leader began thirty years ago as a young lawyer after disappointing a boss with an epic failure.  The boss challenged Tim (after significant yelling and tough love!). In the three decades since, Tim has studied, read, and grown his leadership skills through hard work, being curious, trying novel ideas, failing, learning from failures, and getting better every day. This culminated in the launching of a non-profit called “Everybody Leads,” focused on empowering individuals in underserved communities with basic leadership skills and confidence to better lead themselves, lead others, and lead in the community.   Here's what to expect during the episode: What are the key qualities and attributes that make a great leader? How does effective leadership contribute to the success of an organization or team? Why is building relationships crucial for being a leader? What potential pitfalls or mistakes should leaders avoid when navigating setbacks? How can leaders determine the appropriate level of transparency when it comes to sharing information with their team? Connect with Tim Lupinacci!  Websites: https://www.bakerdonelson.com/ | https://everybodyleads.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-lupinacci/   Trust Building Action Plan – https://www.hilandconsulting.org/trustbuilding.   Mary's book is available on Amazon or wherever books are sold: Love Your Board! The Executive Directors' Guide to Discovering the Sources of Nonprofit Board Troubles and What to Do About Them.   Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don't miss a single episode, and while you're at it, won't you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated!     Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on Facebook.   Connect with Mary! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryhiland Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Facebook Group: https://tinyurl.com/inspirednonprofitleadership Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hilandconsulting Website: https://www.hilandconsulting.org

Tim Lupinacci is the CEO and Chair at Baker Donelson, where he leads over 1,300 individuals in 22 offices across the Southeastern US. Tim is presently leading the firm's five year BakerVision 2028 strategy and its Diversity & Inclusion Compact. A life-long leadership student, Tim recently launched a nonprofit called Everybody Leads, focused on empowering individuals in underserved communities with basic leadership skills and confidence to better lead themselves, lead others, and lead in the community. Josh shares with Lou many of the building blocks business authors need to build a great book on Thrive LouD ***CONNECT WITH LOU DIAMOND & THRIVE LOUD***

In the Southeast US, there's a noticeable positive difference in how people treat eachother. This difference also positively affects how business is conducted. In today's episode, Tim chats with Gideon Honeycutt and Kenneth Walker (Blaze King and Valor's southeastern sales reps) to learn more about this difference in how people treat one another in the South. In this episode, you'll learn: How to know what is actually giving value to a customer (and how it is essential that you care about this). What the tell-tale signs of well-paced relationship development are (and how going too slow or fast can severely mess things up). What it's like to sell fireplaces to regions where it's always warm outside (and how this allows for richer relationships). The Southeastern US needs to be included in conversations had elsewhere in the US. It's an amazing part of the world that deserves to be examined and learned from, as the way human interactions can teach everyone a thing or two we can improve in our own lives. Listen to this episode to learn more. Email Tim a Question for the Q&A Episode Sign Up For The Fire Time Workshop Support The Fire Time Podcast Financially Click Here to Join The Fire Time Network

Dave Codrea is co-founder of Greenleaf Capital, an Atlanta based real estate investment firm. Since its inception as a two-man venture, Greenleaf has grown its geographic footprint to encompass several states in the Southeastern US with a growing portfolio that currently includes Apartments, Mobile Home parks, and various Commercial properties.    Quote:  “Flex space can move with what you need in your business. Entrepreneurs, small business owners are normally pretty adaptable and they figure it out. They've got some wooden tables around and they make it work!”   Highlights:   2:50: What drove Dave into the world of real estate investments/learning more about Green Leaf   5:25: Best performing office spaces - where are they located?   10:57: Property management software - does that vary for each type of property?    12:50: Navigating the internal debt market - what is the plan for current debt in the books? Future opportunities?   14:45: Kevin and Dave talk, “then and now,” with interest rates increasing   18:44: Lending relationships - keeping it local with small community banks/credit unions   Guest Website: https://www.gogreenleafmanagement.com   Recommended Resources:   Accredited Investors, you're invited to Join the Cashflow Investor Club to learn how you can partner with Kevin Bupp on current and upcoming opportunities to create passive cash flow and build wealth. Join the Club! If you're a high net worth investor with capital to deploy in the next 12 months and you want to build passive income and wealth with a trusted partner, go to InvestWithKB.com for opportunities to invest in real estate projects alongside Kevin and his team.  Looking for the ultimate guide to passive investing? Grab a copy of my latest book, The Cash Flow Investor at KevinBupp.com.  Tap into a wealth of free information on Commercial Real Estate Investing by listening to past podcast episodes at KevinBupp.com/Podcast. Learn more about Kevin's investment company and opportunities for Lifetime Cashflow at sunrisecapitalinvestors.com.

The Gull-billed Tern are terns with black caps and unusually thick bills– like a gull. This lets them eat more types of prey than other terns that rely on fish. Gull-billed Terns tackle crabs and lizards on the ground, catch flies, and even steal chicks from other birds. They're found across the coasts of Central and South America and Southeastern US and California. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considers the species a Bird of Conservation Concern due to boating or construction work near their nesting colonies.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

In this #Highlights episode, we look back at our conversations with Dan Handford of PassiveInvesting.com and Dave Codrea of Greanleaf as they share their knowledge and insights on how to make your investments perform better in the midst of inflation or the current economic conditions.Dan, with his extensive successful background on educating multifamily investors, focuses on the red flags or warning signs for passive investors especially now that we're dealing with the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Dave shares his outlook on whether it is time to buy, sell or hold, based on his years of experience in investment management and operational execution. You surely don't want to miss this episode!Key Points From This Episode: Is it the proper time to invest in real estate in the midst of economic slowdown and the aftereffects of the Covid-19 pandemic?Red flags to watch out for in the underwriting or structure of deals in this kind of economic condition.What kind of adjustments to mitigate risks should be made in the business plan for A, B and C-class assets?Things to expect from the operator if you are an investor.Three major things to look for when vetting operators.The pros and cons of investing in the multifamily asset class in the midst of inflation.As an investor, what are things to expect this year?What's a good cash reserve strategy or threshold?Tweetables:“You have to be decisive and having somebody who has some sort of successful background in business is a very crucial piece.” –Dan Handford“We think about our strategy with our businesses really like a triangle of relationships. So we have our investors on one side, we have our tenants and residents, and then we have our team. And the more things we can do that really bring those three pieces together on a piece of real estate, the more comfortable everyone can be with it.” –Dave CodreaLinks Mentioned in Today's Episode:Dan Handford on LinkedInDan Handford on TwitterPassiveInvesting.comEpisode 554 full episodeDave Codrea on LinkedInGreenleaf websiteEpisode 1556 full episodeAbout Dan HandfordDan and his wife, Dennae, along with their 4 children (3 girls and a boy), reside and work in Columbia, SC. Dan has an extensive successful background in starting multiple seven-figure businesses from scratch, including a large group of non-surgical orthopedic medical clinics located in South Carolina. His family of companies has annual budgets in excess of $10MM. He is the founder of the Multifamily Investor Nation, where he educates a nationwide group (9,000+ members) of multifamily investors on how to properly invest in multifamily assets. He is the co-host, along with his wife, Dennae, of the Tough Decisions for Entrepreneurs podcast, which can be found on iTunes and Google Podcasts.About Dave CodreaDave is co-founder of Greenleaf, an Atlanta-based real estate investment firm. From the very beginning, Dave built Greenleaf to be a provider of quality affordable housing that offers unique compassion and partnership with residents. Since its inception as a two-man venture, Greenleaf has grown its geographic footprint to encompass several states in the Southeastern US. The growing portfolio currently includes Apartments, Mobile Homes, and Commercial properties. Our investment, management, and construction platforms work in sync providing top-level customer experience, impressive investment returns, and a culture of innovation and goal setting.

Have you heard of the opportunity zones? These are new community development program that was established by Congress through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The reason why the government is creating these opportunity zones is to encourage long-term investments, specifically in low-income urban and rural areas throughout the country, and bolster the economy. Now, as a real estate entrepreneur, how will this benefit you? In this last episode of our three-part series with Dave Codrea of Atlanta-based real estate investment firm Greenleaf, he discusses what an opportunity zone is, its risks and benefits, and the importance of proper underwriting when you have a deal in the opportunity zone. He also explains why it's important to look at it so that it makes sense from a deal standpoint, not just from a tax standpoint. Tune in now and find out if it's time for you to look at the opportunity zone you can invest in! Key Points From This Episode: Dave details what an opportunity zone is and why investors should look at it as an opportunity for growth.Dave explains that in opportunity zones, taxes are deferred until 2026.With taxes being deferred, is this an opportunity for buying?Dave discusses some of the risks and rewards of doing opportunity zones.Are there any changes since the opportunity zone law was rolled out in 2019?How does Dave prepare for 2026?How does Dave plan for possible downturns?What is Dave's best source for meeting new investors at the moment?Dave talks about the big challenge they are facing in Greenleaf right now.What's the number one thing that's contributed to Dave's success?How does Dave like to give back?Tweetables:“Our whole strategy was to buy value-add deals and be able to refinance them at some point between now and 2026, to provide some cash-out mechanism will refinance or through just earning money on the deal so that investors can use that to pay their tax liability that is coming out.”“I think there's definitely some opportunities outside of the original thesis of buy and hold long-term where people are going to have to make tax payments coming up in 2026.”“There's no point in taking on outsize risks to defer taxes and something that's not going to work.”Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:Dave Codrea on LinkedInGreenleaf websiteWS1555: How I Started My RE Journey in High School | Dave CodreaWS1556: Multifamily Risks and Strategies | Dave CodreaAbout Dave CodreaDave is co-founder of Greenleaf, an Atlanta-based real estate investment firm. From the very beginning, Dave built Greenleaf to be a provider of quality affordable housing that offers unique compassion and partnership with residents. Since its inception as a two-man venture, Greenleaf has grown its geographic footprint to encompass several states in the Southeastern US. The growing portfolio currently includes Apartments, Mobile Homes, and Commercial properties. Our investment, management, and construction platforms work in sync providing top-level customer experience, impressive investment returns, and a culture of innovation and goal setting.Dave co‐founded Greenleaf in 2008 and heads all operational activities of the company. He built Greenleaf to be a provider of quality affordable housing that offers unique compassion and partnership with residents. In addition to real estate experience, he has a background in financial consulting with Deloitte.

Inflation, recession, and the current economic climate are just a few of the things that businesses, including real estate, are facing now. So, is it time to buy, sell, or even hold? In the second episode of our three-part series with Dave Codrea of Greenleaf, he talks about the risks the asset class is facing and the strategies that they have to weather it.Dave also details how you can prepare for a possible downturn, the pros and cons of multifamily, and the importance of having the best team. He then shares whether they are buying, selling, or holding their properties now, their deal criteria, and the importance of transparency whether to your team, residents, or teamKey Points From This Episode: Dave elaborates on their key considerations in investing in multifamily assets.Dave gives an example of a deal that they did.How does Dave's team find the deals that they should be buying?What data should be considered in buying multifamily?Dave talks about the pros and cons of investing in multifamily.Dave's expectations of the multifamily sector for the year.Why does Greenleaf prefer not to have floating-rate debt?Will Dave continually buy, sell, or just hold this year?How many reserves do you need?Dave talks about the different asset classes that they have.Dave shares that Greenleaf has two teams, they are the commercial team and the residential team.Dave emphasizes the importance of transparency whether to your team, residents, or team.Tweetables:“When we're looking at buying multifamily, or any of the deals that we've bought in that space, there's a lot of talk of just, right now, there's a shortage of supply.”“When we're making investment decisions, we want to see exactly what's happening in the surrounding area.”“If you have a growing population area and you have an affordable product, there's going to be demand.”Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:Dave Codrea on LinkedInGreenleaf websiteWS1555: How I Started My RE Journey in High School | Dave CodreaAbout Dave CodreaDave is co-founder of Greenleaf, an Atlanta-based real estate investment firm. From the very beginning, Dave built Greenleaf to be a provider of quality affordable housing that offers unique compassion and partnership with residents. Since its inception as a two-man venture, Greenleaf has grown its geographic footprint to encompass several states in the Southeastern US. The growing portfolio currently includes Apartments, Mobile Homes, and Commercial properties. Our investment, management, and construction platforms work in sync providing top-level customer experience, impressive investment returns, and a culture of innovation and goal setting.Dave is an avid adventurer and loves all things outdoors including remote rafting expeditions, overland trips, and the local running scene. If there is a break, Dave will be outside. He has a traveling pack of 3 kids whose favorite words are “outside”. His wife, Sarah, is a physician that can fix any bump or bruise along the way on their journeys together.Dave co‐founded Greenleaf in 2008 and heads all operational activities of the company. Dave oversees investment management, capital projects oversight, financial reporting and budgeting, and operational execution with a focus on leading with innovation and goal focus. Dave built Greenleaf to be a provider of quality affordable housing that offers unique compassion and partnership with residents. In addition to real estate experience, he has a background in financial consulting with Deloitte.

How early should you start your real estate business? What are the things you need to know before starting one? Who do you need to surround yourself with to be knowledgeable in this space? We answer all these questions today with Dave Codrea of Atlanta-based real estate investment firm, Greenleaf.In the first part of our three-part series with Dave Codrea of Greenleaf, he details how he began his real estate journey as a senior in high school. He shares that his family influenced him to be an entrepreneur and that his grandmother helped him when he was in high school to buy his first rental property. He then discusses moving to Atlanta, being an operator, and establishing himself in the Atlanta market.Key Points From This Episode: Dave shares that he bought his first real estate, a rental property when he was a senior in high school with the help of his grandmother.How Dave's family influenced him to start early in the real estate business.Dave talks about his portfolio before moving to Atlanta.Dave shares that he started as an operator in Atlanta.How did Dave establish himself in the Atlanta market?Dave talks about the importance of having a mentor.How do you find the right mentor?Reaching out to people and giving them value is the best way to start in the real estate space.Dave gives tips about scaling.How has Dave's business strategy changed over the years?Why knowing what you're good at can be beneficial?Dave shares his deal criteria.Tweetables:“My grandmother was a real estate agent back when I was in high school. And I always love looking at this stuff. And, I was trying to find like what am I going to, where am I going to go in life, right? And real estate was something that always intrigued me.”“Management really led the way of understanding the market, seeing what's out there, and meeting people in the space.”“If you're going to start out in real estate, most of the people you meet that are successful in real estate, they're like, ‘Oh, I've been doing it for 50 years, you can't fast forward 50 years, you've got to start at some point.'”“We operate everything that we own. So if we can't operate it, we're going to run into some challenges. So we don't buy that stuff.”Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:Dave Codrea on LinkedInGreenleaf websiteRich Dad Poor DadAbout Dave CodreaDave is co-founder of Greenleaf, an Atlanta-based real estate investment firm. From the very beginning, Dave built Greenleaf to be a provider of quality affordable housing that offers unique compassion and partnership with residents. Since its inception as a two-man venture, Greenleaf has grown its geographic footprint to encompass several states in the Southeastern US. The growing portfolio currently includes Apartments, Mobile Homes, and Commercial properties. Our investment, management, and construction platforms work in sync providing top-level customer experience, impressive investment returns, and a culture of innovation and goal setting.Dave is an avid adventurer and loves all things outdoors including remote rafting expeditions, overland trips, and the local running scene. If there is a break, Dave will be outside. He has a traveling pack of 3 kids whose favorite words are “outside”. His wife, Sarah, is a physician that can fix any bump or bruise along the way on their journeys together.Dave co‐founded Greenleaf in 2008 and heads all operational activities of the company. Dave oversees investment management, capital projects oversight, financial reporting and budgeting, and operational execution 

This is a crossover episode with A Talk On The Wild Side podcast, hosted by Dr. Sandra Rideout-Hanzak. Dr. Mike Cherry is the Stuart W. Stedman Chair for White-tailed Deer Research at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute and has experience researching and managing deer from Texas to Florida to Virginia.  Mike and Bronson talk about deer management and habitat management in the Southeastern US as compared to South Texas. Check out the MSU Deer Lab's online seminar series (here) and choose the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop down menu.  You will have to create an account to view the seminars.  The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits. Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel (here) Subscribe to the newest addition of the NRU network: Working Wild University

The world is facing a great financial strain - what does this mean for the investment in the energy transition?On this episode of the Energy Gang, host Ed Crooks is joined by Nneka Kibuule from Aligned Climate Capital, and Sam Scroggins from Lazard. The gang starts the discussion by looking at the state of the economy. There is a surge of inflation being felt around the world. In the US, the current rate of consumer inflation is at 8.2%. As a direct result, 30-year mortgage interest rates are at their highest levels in two decades. In Europe, they brace for a rise in energy costs as winter looms near. We explore what this means for investment in low carbon energy and the cost of renewables. Back in August, the Biden Administration signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act, with tax credits that they hope will help stimulate more investment into wind, solar, storage, hydrogen and nuclear power. The bill is projected to have a huge positive impact over the next ten years, but is it already changing decisions on investments being made now? And what happens when the political landscape changes?Next, we shift our focus from the discussion of climate mitigation — cutting greenhouse gas emissions — and turn it towards climate adaptation and resilience. Recent events like the category 4 hurricane that destroyed parts of the Southeastern US and parts of Cuba, have highlighted the need for resiliency in local communities. Governments are committing money to strengthening the resilience of communities and infrastructures, but is there more the private sector can do to assist in climate adaptation? Can they generate a return from these hard-to-monetize spaces?Listen in as the gang takes a deep dive into where investors are putting their money. As always, check out our Twitter to let us know your thoughts and any future topics you want us to discuss. We're @TheEnergyGang. This episode of the Energy Gang is brought to you by Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader advancing a sustainable energy future for all. Learn more by listening to the Power Pulse podcast, where the Hitachi Energy team discusses the latest in the ongoing transformation of the world's energy systems. The Power Pulse podcast is available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or any other podcast app.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.