Podcasts about Sparkle

Christina and Jeff kick off the new year of Overtired sans Brett. They delve into Christina's impending cervical spine surgery, ICE raids, and neighborhood signal groups. How do you keep mental health in check when Homeland Security is in your alley? Tune in for a wild start to 2026. Sponsor Copilot Money can help you take control of your finances. Get a fresh start with your money for 2026 with 26% off when you visit try.copilot.money/overtired and use code OVERTIRED. Chapters 00:00 New Year Kickoff 00:41 Personal Updates and Health Challenges 01:49 Surgery Details and Insurance Woes 04:45 Exploring Surgery Options and Recovery 12:44 Journaling and Mental Health 15:40 The Artist’s Way and Creative Practices 24:31 Unexpected Alley Incident 38:10 Family Activism and Signal Setup 38:52 Unexpected End of Year Incident 39:35 Speculations and Concerns 40:13 Dealing with Law Enforcement 45:35 Reflections on Responsibility 54:43 Gratitude for Signal 59:31 Tech Talk: Synology and Backup Solutions 01:03:08 Mac Updater Alternatives 01:10:03 Conclusion and Well Wishes Show Links Journaling – The Artist's Way Signal Synology Updatest Join the Conversation Merch Come chat on Discord! Twitter/ovrtrd Instagram/ovrtrd Youtube Get the Newsletter Thanks! You’re downloading today’s show from CacheFly’s network BackBeat Media Podcast Network Check out more episodes at overtiredpod.com and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. Transcript Promise Not to Whine [00:00:00] New Year Kickoff Christina: Well, happy New Year. You are listening to Overtired and I am Christina Warren, and I’m joined as always by Jeff Severance Zel and, uh, Brett Terpstra couldn’t be, uh, here with us in this, uh, happy early 2026 episode, but I’m, I’m super excited to be able to kick off the, uh, the first pot of the year with you, Jeff, how are you? Jeff: I am good. Happy New Year to you. Christina: Likewise, likewise. Um, oh, here, here, here’s to 2026 being significantly better than 20, 25. So Jeff: So far, not so good, but I’m, I’m really, I’m really excited about 2026. I’m Christina: I was gonna say, like, like globally, globally, so far not great, but, but, Jeff: in here. Good in here. Personal Updates and Health Challenges Christina: So, um, so how are, uh, uh, how, how, how is the, I guess a, I guess we can kind of a drill into like a, a brief kind of mental health or, or just personal update thing if we want. Um, how, um. How are things for you so far? Um, I guess the end of the year. How are things with the kids? Um, the [00:01:00] wife, everything. Jeff: the, how the year ended is, and that gets us back to almost a political level. I will save for a topic ’cause boy do I have a story. Um, but, uh, generally speaking, doing really well. Like we traveled, saw my dad and stepmom in Iowa. Saw my in-laws in Indiana, had a really nice, just like generally had a really nice time off. Um, and despite the fact that I’m under a super stressful deadline over the next few days, I feel good. How about you? You got a lot going on. Christina: I, I do, I do. So I guess just kind of a, a, an, an update on, um, the, uh, the Christina, you know, cervical spine, um, saga since we last spoke a couple of weeks ago. Um, I guess maybe two weeks ago now. Um, uh, it was maybe a week ago. Um, uh, it was two weeks ago, I think. Sorry, it was, it was right before Christmas. Surgery Details and Insurance Woes Christina: Um, I was still awaiting, um, hearing back about when I would be scheduled for, uh, surgery and I’m getting, um, uh, artificial disc replacement in, um, I guess [00:02:00] between like C six, C seven of my cervical spine. And I do finally have a surgery date. Yay. Um, the bad, yeah, the bad news is it’s not until February 2nd, so I’ve gotta wait, you know, a month, which sucks. Um, I would have been able to get in, you know, uh, three weeks ago at this point. Um, had I been able to like, I guess like book immediately, but without insurance, like approval, um, I didn’t really want to do that. Um, I think, I think people, uh, can understand why, like, you know, when the doctor’s like, well, we can book you now, but you’ll just need to sign some forms that say you’ll be responsible for the bill if insurance doesn’t pay. Jeff: Oh fine. Get Where’s my pen? Christina: right, right. And I’m like, yeah, this is, you’re gonna keep me overnight just for, you know, observation to make sure like nothing bleeds or, or, or whatever’s a problem. Um, ’cause they’re gonna go through like the, the, the front of my, of my neck to, to be able to reach, you know, um, things that way and, and, and so, [00:03:00] you know, and be under, you know, anesthesia, you know, it’s, it’s, it’s not like a huge critical procedure, but it’s still neurosurgery. Jeff: is through the front of your neck. Christina: and, and, and, and, and, and again, and it’s a neurosurgeon and it’s like, you know, they’re gonna, you know, take some stuff out and try to make sure that like, you know, very, like they’re gonna be, you know, um, screwing up against my trachea and stuff. And like, yeah. I mean, like, you know, it’s, it’s not, it’s not minor. It’s not like I can just go in in an afternoon and be like, oh, I’m, I’m, I can just like walk out. Jeff: Right. Christina: Um, um, although apparently I will feel better, uh, as soon as it happens, but yeah, I mean, this is probably gonna be a six figure, you know, operation, I’m assuming so. No, I, I, I’m sorry. In, in this climate, uh, I don’t feel comfortable. Just, I need my name to be like, oh, yeah, I’ll, I’ll be responsible for that, and then be responsible for trying to track everyone down to, to pay. So that’s the frustrating thing is that, and now of course, you know, you, you get the beginning of the year, a bunch of people have been waiting, you know, to get, you know, things scheduled, I’m sure, and [00:04:00] whatnot. So I’m grateful that I’m scheduled at all. Um, I’m also grateful that right now I’m not insignificant pain, which is a really good thing because if this had been the pain level that I was in for the first few weeks, then like, I wouldn’t, I, you know, I mean, I would wait. I mean, if, if, if you have to wait, you have to wait. But, um, I, I, I might have like pressed upon them like. Is there any way we can move this up? Um, but I’m not in that position, which is good. The only thing is just that the numbness, um, on both arms. But, but, but primarily, yeah. No, I mean, that’s not gone away and, and it’s, and it’s not going to is the thing, right? Like there are a lot of people and like, and I, I’ve started now that I’ve got, got it like actually like done and like scheduled and you know, I’m going through all like the, you know, um, checklist stuff before you, you go in and whatnot. And I have like my, you know, pre-up appointments and all that stuff scheduled. Exploring Surgery Options and Recovery Christina: Um, I am starting to, to look more into, I guess like, you know, I guess recovery videos that people have put up on YouTube and, and reading a few things on Reddit. Although I’m doing my best to, to stay off the internet with [00:05:00] this stuff as much as possible. Um, just because for me it’s, it’s not beneficial, right? Like, it, it’s, it’s one thing if you know, um, you, uh, you don’t like. If, if you can separate and not kind of go down rabbit holes and like freak yourself out or whatever, sure. Maybe it can be good information, but for me, like I, I know my own kind of, you know, limits in terms of, of how much is good for me. And so I’ve, I’ve tried to keep that in moderation, but I have watched a few, you know, videos of people, you know, kind of talking about their experiences. And then of course then that gets used sent with like videos of like doctors who of course, for their own reasons, like are trying to promote like, oh, well you should do the, the, the fusion versus the, the, the disc replacement and, or you should do this versus that. And I’m like, okay. I actually watched one interesting talk that, that some guy gave it a medical conference and neurologist gave it a medical conference and it was a neurosurgeon, I guess is, is the proper term. But that I think kind of really distinctly a, it was very similar to. Exactly what my surgeon said to me, [00:06:00] um, when he was kind of explaining the differences in the procedures. Um, and, and b but kind of went into, I guess like the, the difference in terms of outcomes and, um, and it made me feel better about like that if I’m a good candidate for this procedure, that, that this is, um, the right thing to, to do and probably will be better for me long term. Um, because the, the results are, are better and, but not by a small portion, not like by like a, a gargantuan portion. But they are, they are, there is like a sizable difference between outcomes in terms of whether like the average person who needs a revision, um. For, you know, cervical spine versus getting, you know, disc replacement versus, um, uh, fusion. Fusion has been around a lot longer, and so insurance companies are a lot more likely to approve that. But in Europe, they’ve been doing the, the disc replacement stuff for 25, 30 years. Um, and so there is a lot of data on it, but it’s been a much more recent thing in the United States because insurance companies didn’t really start to do it until about five or 10 years ago. And so, and so, you know, some people will, [00:07:00] like some doctors who very clearly have an agenda on, on YouTube and like, that’s fine, like your practices, your practice and you’re comfortable with what you’re comfortable with. But they’ll be like, oh, we don’t have enough data on, you know, the types of, um, you know, discs that we’re putting in people’s, you know, necks and, and how, how long they, you know, last and, and there might be some differences in terms of if you’re doing like a multi-step, meaning you’re doing like multiple discs at once. Or if, you know, depending on like what, what, what part of the spine you’re in. And like, I, I think at this point for, for artificial disc replacement in the US they’ll do it two steps. So they can do two at once, but they won’t typically do three, although they will do three in Europe. And so there are people who will go to Europe and get the three Jeff: They’re so liberal in Europe. We’ll do three. Christina: Well, I mean, I think it’s a difference in, in that case, just a matter of like, if they’ve been doing the surgeries there longer, you know, then, then they, you know, and, and, and you know, and, and this is not uncommon in, in various forms of, of medicine, you know, where like you have different, you know, procedures and different exploratory things in different fields, in different areas.[00:08:00] So anyway, so then I get kind of trapped into those rabbit holes. But the interesting, the night, the, the, I guess comforting thing is that like, you know, I’ve been reading, you know, around reading, but watching people who were doing vlogs, like after their surgery and like there was this guy who. I was a few years younger than me, but he, you know, posted some updates. I, I guess he got his in July and he kind of did like, you know, updates, you know, kind of like, you know, this was me right after surgery. This was me, you know, three weeks later. This was me however many months later. And that was really great to see. Um, and, and his, his scar actually healed really nicely, which was encouraging. So, um, yeah, I mean, I’m, I’m, I’m, I’m hopeful. I mean, the one thing that’s interesting that, like almost the universal thing that people say, of course you have a few people who say, this didn’t help or, or, you know, this, this was bad or whatever. And, and obviously like that’s always terrible to see that, but you know, you’d have to kind of like go by law of averages. But the, one of the central kind of things is a lot of people being like, I should have done this earlier. And, and so I’m feeling good about that because that is, I, I, I, I don’t know what this says about me, [00:09:00] but like there’s was never a moment in my mind where I’ve been like, oh, I’m not gonna get the surgery as soon as I can get the surgery. That’s never even been part of my like, thought process. And, and, and, and, and it’s funny because I think that like, that is actually odd compared to almost everybody else. Um, the general public, I guess, who goes into these sorts of things. Um, or at least the people who are vocal on the internet, right? So, so maybe like, maybe there are a lot more people like me who just don’t go to forums and comment on stuff and are just like, yeah, I’m gonna get the surgery because that’s what the doctor says. There’s the right thing to do, and that’s what makes sense to me and I wanna, you know, not be in pain and I wanna be able to feel my arm and all that stuff. Um, but there are a lot of people who, I don’t know why, um, I mean, I guess the idea of surgery is, is really scary. And, and like, I can, I can understand that obviously, but to the point where they’re like, okay, well no, I’m gonna try physical therapy and I’m gonna do everything I can to avoid surgical intervention. And I’m, I’m like, no. Like, like [00:10:00] freaking cut me up, doc. Right? Like, like, like, get me in, get me in. Like, let’s get better, right? Like, I, I’m not, I’m not here to like fuck around with like, ’cause right now, because the immediate pain is not there, I could be okay. Right? Like, I Jeff: Sure. Christina: try steroids, I could try pt, I could try to do other types of therapies and be like, well, maybe that will move the nerve around. Or maybe it can get the disc like UN you know, bolt, whatever the case may be. And maybe I won’t need surgery. Um, or I could let this go on longer and continue to be weakness, you know, and, and, and in, you know, it’s not like I’m not in, I’m, I’m not in active pain, but it’s not, not painful at certain times. Not worrying about is this just going to become like a permanent way that I feel, which would be. Awful. Um, and, you know, and, and, and like, it’s not the most debil debilitating thing, like I said. Um, if, if I was in a position where I, I couldn’t get surgery, obviously I could be okay right now, but you never know. Also, like, when is it going to, to swap again? Right? [00:11:00] Like, and, and, and, and for me, I’m also, I’m like, I, I don’t wanna have to like, live in fear of doing something, you know, to my arm or my neck or, or whatever, and, you know, making things worse. So, Jeff: right. Oh, I’m glad you’re doing it. Christina: yeah, me too. So anyway, that was a long-winded update, but Wow. Jeff: Yeah, that’s intense. So I’m really glad the pain is not what it was ’cause Holy shit. Christina: Yeah, the pain was, was really, really bad. And I, like, I look back now and it’s, you know, I, I guess ’cause it’s been a couple of weeks since it’s been really debilitating and it is, and again, I don’t know like that this is me or this is like just somebody else, but I, or this is me or this is the comment with other people. Sorry. Um, is that. Like when I’m not in pain anymore. It is such, so much like, I mean, depression is like this too. It’s so much like a vacuum. It’s like when you’re in it, that’s all you can see. But when you’re out of it, like it’s so easy to forget what it was like Jeff: Yeah, yeah, totally. Completely. Christina: totally completely right. Yeah. Jeff: Yeah. I can even imagine being in the [00:12:00] situation you’re describing, knowing I have a surgery coming up and being like, well, do I want to? Which, like, to your point now, you make that call and you’re worrying forever. Am I gonna wake up? And this thing’s there. Next time it happens, I gotta wait another God knows how long before the surgery, when I’ll know it’s time. Like, you know it’s time now. Get in there. Christina: No, totally, totally. And and that’s the thing. And I think sometimes it can be. Like I said, like when you’re not in the thick of, of it, whether it’s like, you know, feeling depressed or feeling overwhelmed or, or stressed or, or in physical pain or whatever, like it’s easy for to forget like what that can be like. And so I have to just kind of like remind myself like, no, this was really fucking bad. And yeah, you got through it and now you’re on the other side of it. And so you’re like, oh, okay, well, you know, I, I, I could, you know, do whatever, but you’re like, don’t, don’t forget what that was like. Right. Journaling and Mental Health Christina: Um, sometimes I think like, and, and I, and I’m bad at remembering to do this, but new thing for the new year, I guess is why, um, it is important I think to like write things down, right. Like however we’re feeling, whether it’s, you know, good, bad, whatever. [00:13:00] Sometimes, like for me, like it is Jeff: Just like journal you mean, right? Christina: Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Yeah. Be, because it can be useful just to like look back and like, if you’re in a darker spot to remember, hey, there were times when I felt this way. Right. Might not bring, bring me back to that place. But it’s a good reminder. But also I think almost just, it’s importantly, it’s, it’s, it’s the inverse where it’s like you need to remember when you’re in a good place. What it can be like to be in a worse place. Um, because, you know, I think that’s why sometimes people make decisions they make about what medicines they’re going to take or not take or what therapies they’re going to continue or not continue. And, um, and it’s, and it’s really easy to get into that, you know, cycle of, okay, well I’m fine now, um, because you’re removed enough from what it felt like to be bad, you know? And, and then, and, and, and also I think sometimes like, uh, and this is why I wish that I’ve been journaling more over the last few years. You can really get yourself into a deep depression and not realize it. Jeff: Yes, yes. Yeah. And I feel like journaling too, just like helps you internalize some of the flags and [00:14:00] warning signs, even if you’re never looking back, like, ’cause you’re gonna process them a little bit. Christina: yeah, yeah. Jeff: can’t, I, I’ve journaled over the years for stints of time. I can’t go back into them. I almost like, I almost like bounce off the page when I try. Um, but I really have come to believe that just the act of doing it is the thing. Christina: agree. Jeff: Yeah, Christina: Yeah, I agree. Yeah, I, I usually don’t re reread my old stuff either, and I haven’t journaled regularly in a really, really long time, and I actually would like to get back into that again. I think it would be better for my overall health, but similar to you, it’s one of those things I wouldn’t necessarily revisit, Jeff: But now, you know, you have a document, you have a reason to go back into it. Christina: right. Well, but, but also, I mean, I think to your point, just the act of doing it, um, you know, and this is case, we’re both writers. I think this is the, the case for a lot of, of people who, who write like it, it is one of those things that like, that’s what will almost like cement it in my mind. You know what I mean? Like, as, as, as mattering [00:15:00] like, like even if it’s something innocuous, even if I don’t remember the small details of just that, that the fact that like, I’ve done it, like, like to your point, helps you kind of process things and kind of, you know, act more as kind of a therapeutic place. Jeff: Yeah, I don’t, when I’m writing like that, or just in general, I don’t feel like I’m writing from my brain or feel like I’m writing on my brain. Christina: Yeah, yeah. Jeff: It’s like I am actually putting the information in, not drawing it out weirdly. Christina: Yeah. Yeah. No, I, I know, I, I, I, I love that actually, I’ve never thought of it before. Writing on my brain. I love that. That’s really, that, I think that’s really profound. Jeff: Yeah. So there’s, um, there’s a kind of journaling that I wish I, I, well, I don’t beat myself up at all to be clear about this ’cause that I’m too old to do that anymore. The Artist’s Way and Creative Practices Jeff: Um, but there’s this book I read back in. Oh God, 2019 99 called The Artist’s Way by this woman Julie Cameron. And I don’t remember much about this book except for, and I probably have talked about it on this podcast [00:16:00] years ago at this point, but she has this practice, she calls morning Pages. And the idea is you sit down first thing in the morning, you fill three pages, you don’t think about what you’re writing or why you just keep the pen moving. And, and I, what I have found, that’s the only kind of real regular journaling I’ve ever done. It’s a great, great hack for me. ’cause it, it, I can do that. And I fill, I’ll fill a, you know, big notebook and I have a box full of them from over the years. ’cause again, I’m old. Um, but what is, I have never, I don’t think there’s been a single day that I’ve done those morning pages when I haven’t been a little surprised and something hasn’t emerged that. I’m like, I’ll think to myself, well shit, if I hadn’t have done this, where would that have stayed and lived and, and lodged itself. Right. Like, um, so anyway, I I’m glad you are bringing this up ’cause it’s reminding me of that and New Year is a great time to be thinking about that. Christina: Totally, totally. No, I love that. And I, yeah, I, I found the book The Artist’s Way, a Spiritual Path to Higher [00:17:00] Creativity. Jeff: Yes, Christina: and it’s like this yellow gold book, but like, apparently, and then like they, they, they, they, they sell Morning pages Journal, a Jeff: they do, of course. I Christina: Yeah. Yeah, of course. Jeff: it probably took her two decades to realize she should be cashing in on that, but she did. Christina: No, honestly, so the book, it looks like it was published the first one in 92, Jeff: Yeah. Christina: then they were selling the companion volume to the Artist’s Way as December 29th, 1997. Um, so, so like Jeff: that you’re doing this history. This is delightful. Christina: I, well, I just looked at Amazon is just kind of filling this out for me, so I’m, I’m, I’m, I’m, I’m, I’m, so at least it is possible that, that the, the book pages might have been even earlier than that, but like, good for her on like, recognizing there’s also a Artist’s Way workbook, um, now that was like a decade later, like 2006. Jeff: Yeah, that’s what I, maybe that’s what I’m thinking of. That came much later. Christina: Yeah, yeah. But, but it does seem like she got into that, like a David Allen kind of, you know, like, you know, whatever steps of highly, you know what I mean? Like, like all that kind of like stuff, [00:18:00] which Jeff: You’re letting the publisher have those meetings with you. Christina: Which honestly look good for you if you’re selling that many and whatnot. And, and if you come up with this journaling way, yes, sell the freaking paper. You should be selling PDF copies so that people can have it on their iPads now, like, you know, Jeff: Yeah. Christina: or, or, or on the remarkable tablets or whatever. Jeff: she had another thing actually I haven’t thought about in a long time. It wasn’t as useful to me long term. It helped me in the moment I. In the moment I was in, she called ’em artist dates and the idea was like, ’cause as you said in the title, it’s all about creativity. She was like, you, you take yourself out, go to a, whatever it is, a museum, a art supply shop, something like that. But with intention, like, I am going out to do this thing on my own alone because I know that it has some connection to what feels good to me about art and creativity and expression, whatever it was. That seems like a silly thing. Like it’s basically her saying, go to a museum. There was something about calling it an artist date. I think I was in a relationship too at the time where I was like not, it was not easy for me to [00:19:00] just go do something on my own. It was just a weird dynamic a little bit. So anyway, that was another good thing that came out of it. I mean, I, you don’t really have to work hard to tell me to go do something on my own, but at that time in my life you did. Yeah, she was great. That’s awesome. Christina: Yeah. Yeah. Uh, yeah. No, that is funny. Yeah. So yeah, so apparently that book was published in, in 1992 and, um, you know, uh, was immediately like, well, the first printing was about 9,000 copies. In 1992, the book was published by Jeremy Tarcher. Now part of Pink Wing Group revised and millions of copies have since been sold millions. Jeff: it was total like guru status by the Christina: Oh yeah, absolutely. No, absolutely. You know, and, and in a, yeah, she, she was, uh, she’s a, she was born in 1948, and so, uh, she’s still alive. She’s still kicking it. Um, Jeff: yeah. I think she made some new book that was like kind of a take on it, but it was a different, I don’t remember. Anyway. You’re the Christina: Yeah, no, no. Her, her list of like, of like books that she’s published is, she’s the, the most recent one. So she’s still doing the, the, the [00:20:00] writer’s way thing, living the, the artist’s way. An intuitive path to greater creativity. So I guess they did a 2024 version Write for Life, a toolkit for Writers Seeking wisdom, A spiritual Path to Creative Connection. Six week artist program. Jeff: it’s kind of like David Allen, where it’s like, wouldn’t it be nice to have created something when you were, whatever, reasonably younger, like 20, 30 years ago, that not only that you can ride for a long time, but you probably don’t feel bad about riding it for a long time. Right? Like, ’cause you can create things or have a band or something like that, that like your only choice is to ride that thing, but it gets pretty ugly. I see you Vince Neil. Um, but yeah, anyway, must be Christina: No, it ha it has to be nice, right? ’cause it’s like, okay, well no, and, and then it has all these little spinoff things, so it’s not like you have to feel like, I mean, although th this actually, this would, this would be an interesting idea for like a, a, a novel or a screenplay or something, which would be to be like, okay, you know, and people have have done like riffs on these things before on, on, you know, shows or whatever. But, so this would be an interesting story, I think to kind of focus on where it’s like you have somebody who is like, just famous for like, this, this one thing that they did, [00:21:00] and now their whole life has to revolve around it. But what if it was like, something that they didn’t like actually, like, believe in? Jeff: yes, Christina: what if you have the guru? What if you have the guru who’s like, actually is like, actually I don’t really, you know, I’m, I’m, I’m David Allen, but I, but I can’t actually get anything done. I have to have like a whole, you know, cadre of assistance to actually organize my, my, my, my calendar and my life. For me, you know, I don’t Jeff: Carol and Pluribus, I don’t know if you’re watching Pluribus, but that Yes. Her, her whole like book series. Clearly she was at a point where she’s like, yes, I should still ride this, but I cannot. That’s all right. Things changed for her. Um, okay. I have to tell you about something insane that happened to me at the end of 25. Christina: Okay. Alright. Before, before we do that, let me let Ru first, um, let’s, uh, let’s, let’s go ahead and, and get our, our sponsor read Jeff: Oh, way to remember the sponsor. We remember you sponsor. Christina: We, we, we do. So, um, I, I, I, before we hear about what happened to you at the end of 2025, let’s, uh, let’s go ahead and talk, uh, forward a little bit about 2026. So, are you [00:22:00] ready to take control of your finances? Well meet copilot money, the personal finance app that makes your money feel clear and calm with the beautiful design and smart automation. Copilot money brings all your spending, saving and investment accounts into one place available on iOS, Mac, iPad, and now on the web. And so, as we are entering 2026, it is time for a fresh start. And, you know, with Mint, uh, shutting down last year and rising financial uncertainty, consumers are seeking clarity and control. And this is where copilot money comes in. So, copilot money. Basically helps you track your budgets, your savings goals, and your net worth seamlessly. And with a new web launch, you can enjoy a sending experience on any device. And I, I know that, like for me, like this is a big deal because it’s great to like have the native like iOS and MAC OS apps, but I need to be able to access on a, on a, on a web browser. Um, I, I don’t wanna be tied just into an application model for something like, you know, um, tracking my budget. And guess what? For a limited time, you can get [00:23:00] 26% off your first year when you sign up through the web app. New users only don’t miss out on a chance to start the new year with confidence. With features like automatic subscription tracking, you will never miss upcoming charges again. Copilot money’s privacy first approach ensures your data is secure and that their dedicated to helping you stress less about money. So whether you’re a finance pro or just starting out, copilot money is there to help you make better decisions. Visit, try. Do copilot money slash Overtired and use the code Overtired to sign up for your one month free trial and embrace financial clarity today. That’s try dot copilot money slash Overtired and use that coupon Overtired and you will, as I said, save 26% off your first year. So try copilot money slash Overtired. Use the coupon code Overtired. Thank you very much. Copilot money. Jeff: Bam. Can you hear my Synology? Christina: No, Jeff: Oh, that’s funny. ’cause I, I get this. Hum. I recently com I, I’ll visit this in GrAPPtitude. I, [00:24:00] uh, I completely clean, installed my Synology after like six years. ’cause when I did. Build it. Initially, I actually didn’t really understand how to use it, and I, and I made some mistakes that because of all the stuff I put on, it was hard to sort of, I was treating it like it was gonna be an external drive and I could just kind of work with, you know, which was a huge mistake. Um, but anyway, I, it’s working so hard. It’s working so hard and it’s on my desk, which it normally wouldn’t be. So I hear this humming. Didn’t know if you heard it. Christina: I, I did not, I did not, which is a good thing. So, okay, so, all right. Uh, let, let’s, let’s go back. So what, what, yeah, I’m ready. I need to hear what happened to you at the end of 2025. All right. Unexpected Alley Incident Jeff: All right, so, um, my boys are out. They’re almost never out, but they’re both out with friends, different places. My wife and I we’re home and we were eating dinner and I got an alert from my back door ring camera, and. That almost never happens. It’s only exists to, to notify me of like alley shoppers. We’re in, in the city. We have an alley behind us and, and we get a fair amount of pretty [00:25:00] harmless alley shopping. Like it’s, is the car unlocked? If it is, you got some change. If not, I’m moving on. Um, but I like to know when they’re there. Christina: yeah, Jeff: We’ve had some bikes stolen and some people go into our garage and stuff like that. It’s very rare that it goes off less than I actually thought it would. Um, and so it goes off and it goes off at around 7:00 PM very unusual. And, uh, and so I, I, I pull it up and I look and, and I, all I can see is there’s two cars parked in the alley. I have this weird view where, um, it’s kind of a fence and then our garage. So I can see between those two things to the alley basically. So there’s two cars. That’s weird actually. And when I see some of people’s like videos about folks breaking into their cars, there’s often two that come. And so I was like, oh, okay, well it’s, I should just like go out and look. So we go and we kind of look at our, at our back window to see if we can see anything. And we’re just like, yeah, it’s weird. They’re not only parked but the headlights are off. And like, I’m gonna go out and check it out. She’s like, well first, why don’t you look at the video it recorded, which I wasn’t thinking of at all. So I pull up the video, it recorded, and I see these [00:26:00] cars park, but it’s like three or four of them come through the two that I can see park. And all of a sudden there are probably seven or eight figures running down the alley from these cars. Okay? And I’m like, well, that’s crazy. And so I walk out there and I go up to the first car and it’s got Texas plates. And around here where we have a little bit of an ice invasion, Texas plates are reported a lot. I look at the next car and it’s got no plates at all. And I look at the car after that and it’s got vanity plates, specifically chosen one with a Z. Um, and, and I’m like, oh my God. It’s the thing like ice is in my alley. And, uh, and so I come back in, I I’m like, you tell my wife, like, should probably get your coat on. I think it’s the thing is what I said. And, and we go out and sure enough, like at the end of our alley where there is a family and, and they are, um, US citizens, they’re Mexican immigrants, um, that’s where I see all these officers sort of, or these agents sort of coalescing and um, I’m gonna leave some aspects of this out. They were [00:27:00] actually, they were serving, uh, uh, narcotics warrant that ended up being totally misguided. Nothing happened of it. Um, but it was super scary. But I kind of don’t wanna say more than that because I wanna be really clear that as everyone should know about policing, a search warrant is not an indictment. Um, and oftentimes search warrants are so searching and, and, and often come up with. With nothing. Right? And, and maybe even were targeted at the wrong person. And there’s didn’t even have the name of my neighbor on it. It’s this whole thing. But the point is, it was a little different from what we’ve been hearing because there was a different agency there serving a warrant. It was the airport, airport, police department, ’cause of a package. So there was that piece, there was actually a signed warrant. ’cause everyone’s trained to say, show me the warrant. Show me the warrant. So everyone, you know, my wife and I were the first ones there. Um, and then another neighbor rolled up, and then I’ll get to the rest in a second. Um, so it, it’s shocking that it’s happening in our alley. Christina: in our alley, right? Jeff: just like, Christina: you, yeah. Jeff: what? What the Christina: I, I mean, how [00:28:00] I would feel to a certain extent would be like, I’d be like, am I in Amer in an episode of the Americans? Like, like, you know, Jeff: is, did they have to write it this way? Just ’cause how else are you gonna bring it to the people? You know? It’s, you gotta bring it to the characters. Um, so anyway, we go down there and, and there’s one, so all of the, everyone decides the airport PD guy who has no mask and is kind of like presenting like a pretty normal cop basically. And he is got a badge and a name and a number. But walking in and out of the house, all around us are these guys who are in full battle fatigues. They’ve got masks on, they’ve got ars. Um, they are, they are a weird mix of people. There’s a woman in there who’s like looking like, literally like she was cast for a movie to be, uh, an, an ice person. In this case they were Homeland Security Investigations, HSI. But it’s all intertwined at this point. Um, and then there was a guy that must have been like eight feet. That was crazy. There was a single guy that was wearing a, like a straight up like helmet, uh, for, as if he were going into battle. [00:29:00] Nobody else is wearing a helmet. Um. And none of them were talking. They were just passing through. And, um, and so we tried to engage one of them, talked to them for a little bit, do the thing you do. Hey, why don’t you take that mask off? You know, I don’t wanna get docked. I was like, uh, Christina: around. Jeff: it was like, I both understand why you don’t wanna get docked. I also feel like you’ve got the power here, brother. Um, and which was the conversation we had, um, I was like, you have a mask on. You also have your finger on the trigger of a gun. And he’s like, well, that’s not, it’s not on the trigger. This is how we hold guns, dude. I was like, I understand that, but your finger is itching at the trigger of a gun. And so he put his hands on top of the butt of the gun. ’cause it was kind of, you know, mounted the way it is. Is that better? I was like, no, you’ve still got all the power. Take the mask off. Like, at least. Um, and uh, what, what was really interesting, and I I have this sort of like wrap up that occurred to me later that kind of blew my mind is, you know, in our neighborhood, um, because ice activity has been going on all around our neighborhood, like in. Neighborhoods [00:30:00] surrounding our neighborhood or a little further out, but all within a, I could get in the car and rush out there distance. Basically we have these, we have these neighborhood signal groups. The first one that popped up was actually around my son’s school, which is very close to here and has a lot of East African and Hispanic, um, immigrants and, and, um, and so that we knew that was like, you know, people were scared there. Some kids weren’t coming to school. And so, um, some neighbors organized in such a way that they could a, have a signal, uh, communication channel. But also part of that was planning at the beginning of the day and that release time for enough people to sort of be paired up in areas around the school, but not so close that it freaks the kids out. That like if something happened, there could be sort of a rapid response. So we had that signal group. There’s a broader signal group that probably covers like a four block area, and then there’s a wider one that’s our wider neighborhood basically. And that one’s like a rapid response signal group. So these have been going. Pretty, like consistently [00:31:00] ever since it was announced that we were getting ICE and Homeland Security folks here. Um, so the network was all in place. And, and so I’m out there initially and I see all the cars. I’m like, holy shit. Wife and I go to the end of the block. We start talking to first the airport PD guy who’s there, and then the the one HSI guy who comes out. Then another neighbor, another neighbor. I go back to take pictures of the plates because folks around here are keeping a registry that you can get through the signal group of all of the makes and models of cars that we know have been at these, um, kind of ICE activities or homeland security activities, and then their license plates. And so there’s like a running log, which has happened in other cities too. So I was taking pictures of all the cars. Um, but I was pretty like, I mean, I’ve been through some shit and. Having it in your alley is very different from going halfway across the world as like an activist or something. Um, and having it ha neighbors are people we know and care about. And so knowing that, not knowing what’s happening for them, which I don’t mean to bury that lead [00:32:00] ’cause I’m kind of getting to that part, but I also want to just respect their privacy. Um, so like the thing I should have mentioned at the top is like, we know these folks and it was fucking terrifying to be standing there arguing with these HSI guys knowing that at some point, or just assuming at some point these people we know are gonna be dragged outta the house in front of us. And then it was just like this constant question of what the fuck will we do? Then? It did not happen to be really clear, uh, ahead of time. So I’m taking pictures of these cars, I’m like, oh shit. I’m supposed to notify like the signal group, but I’ve got, I’ve got all the presence I need to take pictures of cars. I’ve got the presence I need to engage these guys, which my wife was doing plenty good job of, so I could just like walk away and do the license plate thing. But when I pulled up my phone. To open signal. I opened Slack three times, like I could not, I got an S into my search, my app search, and like kept clicking the wrong thing. I was shaking. It was also freezing out and so like I’m shaking and so [00:33:00] thank God it occurred to me. I have one friend I know on this signal group that I, I know would answer the phone, so I called her. I called her and I was like, I need to be quick. Here are like the fundamental details. Can you please notify? The signal group and the rapid response people. So that was great. She did initially, the first group that showed up, which was just incredible, were like all of our neighbors, we all know this family. Like it’s not, they are just neighbors. It’s not like it’s a special offset group or something. Like they’re neighbors. So all of the neighbors show up. We have a really tight block. Um, that was incredible because it’s not like it’s a neighbor of activists. It’s what’s been incredible about this stuff from the beginning, which is like how easy it seems to be for people to pop outta their house and be like, Uhuh. Like it seems like, it seems like a lot of people are not feeling inhibited about that, which I think is really cool. And I totally respect the people that feel inhibited, right? Like, ’cause it’s just, it’s a whole thing to go out there. So we had this great group of neighbors and they were all, we had a public school teacher who was just killing it with this one HSI guy. It was so, [00:34:00] so good to watch and it felt really powerful and I think she was doing a really good job of trying to sort of like. Knock some things into this guy’s head knowing that like, you know, you’re in a dynamic that kind of you, there’s not a lot of room for things to change. Right. But given that she, it was really just inspiring watching her do her thing and then the like rapid response community showed up, which is like a mix of, you know, folks who are kind of just dedicated neighbors and then people who are sort of what you might call the usual suspects, right? Like the people you would expect, especially in South Minneapolis to show up at a thing like this. And I don’t know if you’ve heard about the thing people do with whistles around these things. Christina: Yeah. Well, I, I, all I’ve heard is that, and I ha, so all I know is I think sometimes people have whistles and kind of like, like, like blow them, almost like to alert people like that, that like, like the, like the, the, the, that like ice is there. Jeff: Yes, exactly. And that yes, that’s exactly it. And that’s been going on here and, [00:35:00] and everybody’s getting whistle. You know, sometimes when you get a good, it’s, I’m not calling it a bit, ’cause I’ll tell you in a minute why it was effective, um, in ways that I hadn’t anticipated. But, uh, you know, it’s like a, it’s, I can do this, I can get a whistle, I’m gonna get a whistle, right? Like, that’s something I can do. Like, it’s something that really caught on and there’s all these whistles being passed around and people on the neighborhood group being like, got a bag of whistles if you wanna come by. So I, ima imagine at this point that when these HSI or ICE people roll up to a thing before they get out, they’re like T minus 15 minutes to whistles, right? Like, this is how long we have before everyone shows up. And, and so pretty soon it’s whistles everywhere. I had a neighbor who kept putting off her, um. Car alarm just to make more crazy noise. We had another neighbor next to this neighbor who is a very conservative like Trump guy who, when he doesn’t like the noise that’s happening in the neighborhood sets off fireworks. And for some reason he was like, I’m gonna do the thing I do, even though there’s all these guys with guns and I’m gonna set off fireworks. But in that case, ’cause he is pissed off at all of us, like it was so [00:36:00] fucking chaotic for a minute. Um, but it was, it was an incredible thing to see how quickly people can deploy basically. Um, ’cause we aren’t like Chicago where like we’ve had a lot of activity here, but it’s been pretty quiet activity. Like, it’s like what happened here? It’s like you and your neighbors know about it and maybe 20 people showed up from your neighborhood rapid response. But like, they’re not the kinds of stories that. They’re not landing on rooftops, they’re not showing up with a hundred cars and calling people away. They’re hauling one person at a time away. And you hear about it here and there, but it’s been very quiet, unlike Chicago. Um, and so to have it given that, especially to have it show up just in your alley was like really, really insane. Um, so anyway, so it all, fortunately the, the police HSI, everybody left with nothing. They did not carry our neighbors away. They did not have any, any result of this warrant that we could tell. But of course, we’re not gonna know. Another [00:37:00] theme of this is how, how hard it is for good information to be resilient in a moment like this, right? That’s a whole other theme. And that, that’s one that gets me kinda riled up when people start after the fact or during the fact really kind of shouting out almost things that are wrong. Like the, the call that went out. For people to come. Said there were six cars in my alley with Texas plates, but I was very clear, there are six cars in my alley. One of them has Texas plates, right? So it’s like, that kind of stuff is a little spooky, but here’s what happened. So at the end it was all over. Our neighbors were able to pop out, wave at everybody, thank everybody. They had been handcuffed this family, um, in their living room while HSI figured out if they were citizens. And, um, what had what the whistles meant in this case was that they knew people were all over around the house. And that was, I’m sure, a level of comfort to know that like something’s happening out there. And then we learned later that there was an immigrant family down the block in the [00:38:00] other direction, across kind of a thoroughfare that we’re on the intersection of who heard the whistles and knew like, let’s stay in the house. There’s a lot going on out there. I dunno what it is, but now I hear whistles. Let’s stay in the house. And, um, and so it was quite a, quite a thing. Family Activism and Signal Setup Jeff: And what I kind of realized afterwards. Was we started this year. My family, my in-laws, my in-laws especially, were very, they’re, they’re, they’re very, um, active. They do kind of activist work, but it’s very like, um, service oriented. But they’ll go to an anti-war protest. They’ll go, you know, they’ll do the thing. They’re, they’re lovely people. And my father-in-law, especially at the beginning of the year, I was like, I don’t know what’s coming. Um, I hear that it’s good for everyone to have signal if we wanna be able to communicate to each other. So I wanna learn how to use signal. And so I helped him, my mother-in-law set it up. I created kind of a family group for Signal and everyone was setting up signal, right? Like at that point, not knowing what was gonna come. It wasn’t even January 20th yet. Unexpected End of Year Incident Jeff: And I wrapped up my year activating a signal network for rapid response because I [00:39:00] had masked people in my alley with guns refusing to identify themselves driving cars from out of state. That is insane. And I was like, that looks pretty tight. Season wrap up. Like, what the fuck? Because I kind of had gotten to the point, I guess prior to when ICE got here in, in the first place, I’d gotten to the point where I’m like, I don’t even really think about Signal anymore. Um, but then they came here and it, and it popped up. So that’s what, that’s what happened in my alley. Um, at the end of the year. Christina: And, and, and, and, and, and I mean, and, and, and you said, you said your neighbors are okay. Speculations and Concerns Christina: I mean, do, do you know anything more about like, like what, what happened or like what the, what the situation was? Jeff: I don’t know anymore. And that’s where I’m like a little cautious because since it was like a warrant for something, it was a narcotics warrant, right? Like, I, I have no idea what happened there. I don’t know. I can, I can only speculate. Um, but I know that the, the [00:40:00] name on that warrant was not someone that lives there. Um, so I can tell you that ’cause I saw the warrant. Um, and, and that’s the most I really feel comfortable saying. Christina: Fair enough. Yeah. I, I, I, I, yeah. I’m not, I’m not trying to like, Jeff: No, I get it. I get it. That’s me actually. Dealing with Law Enforcement Jeff: I’ve been wrestling with like, how much, even on the, I kind of like was asking people to be cautious, even on the signal, because they were sharing details about the warrant. I was like, Hey, details in a warrant. Do not share those, because that sticks to people. And like the details in the warrant were just like, no, we’re not gonna do this. Even when the guy read me the warrant, I was like, are you serious about that? He’s like, oh man, for sure. Okay, sounds good. Let’s, we’ll talk in an hour when you’re all done and you don’t have anything. Like I, I’ve been down this road before. I was a reporter for a long time, like I watched The Wire. Um, Christina: exactly. I was gonna say, yeah, I was gonna say the, the sort of reporting I did, like, yeah, I watched the Wire. Um, so would be Jeff: I said that to the guy. I didn’t say I watched the, yeah, I didn’t say I watched The Wire to the guy, but I was like, he [00:41:00] kept gaslighting us and I was like, come on man. Like you and I we’re smart people, you and I, and that was me being generous. But like, we’re smart people. You and I like, we know this thing you’re saying. It’s like, it’s totally not the case. Like when I asked him. The airport PD guy. What’s up with the cars with Texas plates and no plates and vanity plates? I don’t know, I don’t coordinate with those guys. I was like, okay, that’s weird. ’cause like here you are and they’re walking all around you. Surely you coordinated with them enough to get them here. It was just like, what the fuck? Just so much gaslighting that I won’t even get into, but it was just nonstop. But I was so proud watching my neighbors when the rapid responsible showed up. It was a, there’s always like some people in those situations where I, I, I get pretty activated around lack of discipline and I understand how that happens. But having been in like really super high stakes situations where people could, and who this was one, right? Like I don’t, I don’t react well internally to people who I feel like are working out something that’s theirs. Um, [00:42:00] and at the same time, how do we know how to process this, right? Like, I don’t, we, it was something incredible to watch Mask men and one masked woman walking up and down my alley, bumping past me with guns, with masks, with no idea, with no badges, refusing to pro produce any saying, why does it matter anyhow, saying how much threat they’re under, seeing how they get followed, like just, it was, it was an incredible thing. I had my reaction, but my reaction was based on wiring, based on really intense, unusual experiences. Um, other people, this is new to them. This kind of thing is new to me too, but, so anyway, I, I just like, I saved that. I didn’t even tell you guys when it happened. I’m like, I’ll just tell them on the podcast. ’cause Christina: yeah, no, I mean, that’s, that’s wild. I mean, like, and it’s just, it’s just, well, and, and it’s, I don’t know, it’s so dystopic, right? Like, it’s such a, like a, a terrible like thing to like have to like witness part of, right? Because like, look, yeah, there are going to be circumstances when maybe like, you know, Homeland Security or somebody else, like really actually does need to be involved and, you know, [00:43:00] um, you know, at your neighbor’s house. And like, that’s unfortunate, right? But like, there, there are real circumstances where that could be a case. Like I, I, I, I, I mentioned the, the Americans earlier, that was like, based Jeff: I need to watch that. Christina: It’s a great show. But, but the, the, the, uh, a former CIA agent was one of the, the, the, the creators. But the, um, the idea came to like, uh, one of the showrunners basically, he read an article, I think in the New Yorker or something about a, a family that like seemed like, just like the perfect, like normal family next door. And like the kids came home from school one day and the parents had been picked up because it turns out that they had been Russian spies living in the United States for like 20 years. And like, they were like actual Russian spies. And, and then that kind of like went into, okay, well, well, well, what happens then? Like, what happens to that family and, and what happens to get to that point? Like, what happens? Like if your neighbors are those things, right? And so there are those like very much like stranger than fiction. Like, like things, right? But in most cases, that’s not the circumstance. And, and certainly the way that like all this has been handled and the way that they’re doing all of this treat things for, [00:44:00] you know, like whatever the warrants were for whatever the situations are where they’re like, okay, now we’re gonna bring all these other groups in. We’re not going to have any due process at all, and we’re not going to, to bother with any sort of thing of humanity at all and then freak everybody else out, like is just, you know, then, and then it puts you like, as, as the neighbor, like in this position where you’re like, okay, well how do we get the word out? How do we help, how do we, you know, make sure that if’s something, is that if this is something that you know, isn’t what we, what we think that it is or whatever, that we can make sure that they’re not going to be. ’cause we see all the reports all the time. I mean, US citizens are getting arrested for, Jeff: Yeah, totally. Christina: the wrong way, Jeff: Oh yeah, we had a, we had a woman here probably, I think she was like in her sixties, and she walked out of her house ’cause there was something happening across the street. And in moments she was in the car, she was gone. Her husband didn’t know where she was. She was released later that day. Like we’ve had a lot of stories like that. And so that was stressful too, going in, right? Like when my partner and I went, went up to talk to this guy, I, I left down the alley to take pictures, but I [00:45:00] was like looking over my shoulder constantly. ’cause she and I have talked about how, like, can you imagine if one of us was taken and we didn’t know? And I was like, oh, we are in a situation right now where no way can I say, there’s no chance one of us will be taken. Like, no way. And you know, the longer you’re there, the more you push it a little bit, you know, not push it like physically or something, but just like push it a little more people out front. Someone kicked an ice car in, in an HSI car and got like pepper sprayed or whatever. Um, Christina: and it’s, and it’s like, don’t do that. Like, don’t like, Jeff: Well, it’s funny because, it’s funny because that per I, this is, I, I know there are people listening who will think I’m such an asshole for this, but I, to I, I feel zero apologetic for it. Reflections on Responsibility Jeff: So I am, I’m not like a huge fan, like kick the car when there’s a family that we don’t know how they’re doing and these people are around, like, don’t escalate in that way with these people. Don’t set off fireworks behind the guys that have their fingers resting near triggers. Like you Christina: That’s what I’m saying. That, that, yeah. Jeff: yeah, you just don’t do that. Uh, but here’s the part that makes me sound like an asshole and, and I don’t mind at all. [00:46:00] Um, they were, they were the only person that was pepper sprayed. And, and it was this, you know, certain people that come from outside the neighborhood. It was this very dramatic thing, whatever they pepper spray, you know, whatever. And I was like, what, what happened? They kicked the car. I was like, eh, I’m going in like, I mean like, yeah, you got pepper spray because you kicked the car. I assume you were in for that. Like you signed just like the guy with the mask who’s worried about being docked. He signed up for this dude. Christina: I was gonna say, you, you, you, you signed up for this, you, you, you, you’ve signed up because you saw Christina O’s you know, like ridiculous, like, you know, like, come, come join Ice, you know, like, like, you know, freaking social media, you know, posts or whatever, like there ads you’re doing like, yeah. Like you, you know exactly what you’re doing, so fuck off. I don’t, yeah, I have zero. Jeff: I I said you signed up for this. I did not sign up for this. I said you signed up for all of it, dude. Like you Christina: Yeah, absolutely. No, I mean, honestly, well, well look, you know, it’s the same thing like the military, frankly, like, you know, like in the, in, in the seventies and stuff, and we saw, you know, more of it then, like, I’m not saying that it was like the, the right or like nice or like humane thing to spit in the, in their faces. [00:47:00] Right. But like. Especially after the draft was gone. Like, you sign up for that shit, Jeff: It’s a tough man. I, I had that, I, that experience throughout the Iraq war where. I knew. I mean, there’s the economic draft. There’s all right, there’s all these reasons people end up in war. But at the end of the day, when I am walking around a city I love, and other Americans are there in armor and Humvees and they have destroyed a city, I feel like this is what you signed up for. It’s not what you signed up for, but it is literally what you signed. Same with police. It’s a little bit Christina: that’s Jeff: I totally respect the trauma. I respect that you’re in situations where Christina: that’s real. No. Jeff: your values. Like I Christina: Absolutely. Absolutely. And, and, and that, that is real. And, and to your point, there might be like, like economic scenarios, drafts and other scenarios where like you’re like, well, I had a choice, but I didn’t have a choice. Okay, but you knew that this was a trade off. Like you knew that this was a thing that comes with, with, with the territory. If it comes with adulation, but it comes with the bad stuff too. Right. Jeff: And if you’re killing people, I don’t feel super bad about saying that. I feel super bad for you for having to live with that [00:48:00] fact. But like I don’t feel bad for saying, Hey man, Christina: well, I mean, like, and, and it’s a Jeff: have said no. Christina: and it’s a completely different like thing. I’m not even trying to categorize it the same way. ’cause it’s, it’s not. But like, just, just like in, in my life, you know, people oftentimes will like, yell at me about stuff that they don’t like, about, like the companies like that I work for. And you know, what I, I’m, I’m part of my job is to kind of be a public face for, for those things. And that means that I get yelled at and that’s okay. And like that, that I, I quite literally knew that I signed up for that. Does that mean that I always appreciate it? That is, does that mean that I don’t get annoyed sometimes? Does that mean that I like being like tarred and feathered with like mistakes or decisions that like, I had nothing to do with Absolutely not right. But like, that’s quite literally part of my job. So, you know, it, it, it is. So I can’t like turn around and be like, oh, well, you know, you can’t, you know, like. You know, say, say this to me, or whatever. Right. Um, but, and, and again, I realize it’s a completely different scale of things. I’m not in any way trying to equate the, the, the, the two [00:49:00] scenarios, Jeff: No, but it’s, I mean, it is, yeah, Christina: but all of us, but all of us, we have jobs and we do things and like in a case like this, like if you work for those agencies, right. Especially right now, and like I recognize and I can be sympathetic that you may not have signed up. Under these circumstances. Having said that, I will say that if you signed up in the last eight years, you knew that these were things that were going in a certain direction, right? Um, I, I, I, I, I will, I will further say that like I, I’m not gonna say that like every single person is involved, but I will say like in the last eight years, you’ve, you’ve seen which way the wind was going and, and, and, and, and that’s okay. You can make that decision and, and like, I’m not gonna judge you or your character as a person for that decision. I’m, I’m, I’m, I’m not. ’cause we all have to make decisions about where we work. Having said that, that just also means like what we’ve been saying, you’re gonna have to deal with some shit. You’re gonna deal with people recording your face. You’re gonna have to deal with people being angry with you. You’re gonna have to deal with, to your point, people kicking the cop car. And if that’s all that happens and like, and, and, and, and it’s not gonna lead to another escalation point, that’s fine. I, I’m with you. I

The Sparkle Project is a podcast for moms who are done carrying the weight of motherhood alone and are ready to connect with who they truly are - their sparkle, if you will.So many of us feel overwhelmed not because we're failing, but because we're mothering inside systems that expect us to give endlessly, stay quiet, and lose ourselves in the process. This space challenges those outdated expectations and embraces a more empowered, more supported, more self-honoring version of motherhood.Hosted by Emily Rose MacDonald, a divorced mom of two on her own journey to shine a little brighter, each episode explores the realities of modern motherhood through a lens that values equity, autonomy, mental health, and the humanity of moms.You'll hear conversations about identity, emotional labor, community care, mental health, healing, and the many ways we can reclaim ourselves in a world that often overlooks the needs of mothers.If you're a mom who believes we deserve more than survival, and that our culture has to evolve for moms to truly thrive, you're in the right place.Welcome to The Sparkle Project.P.S. This podcast was formerly known as Worthy Mother Podcast, but has undergone a glow up!Send us a text

Folge 236: In dieser Folge spreche ich über einen Zustand, den viele erfolgreiche Personalberater kennen: Die gesteckten Ziele sind erreicht, alles läuft routiniert, doch plötzlich fehlt der ‚Zug‘, die Inspiration und die echte Begeisterung. Ich stelle dir eine der mächtigsten Fragen zur Standortbestimmung vor, die ich mir selbst regelmäßig stelle, um mich von Erwartungen anderer und inneren Blockaden zu befreien: „Was würde ich tun, wenn ich wüsste, dass ich nicht scheitern kann?“ Wir klären, wie du durch diese Frage deinen persönlichen ‚Sparkle‘ wiederfindest und warum es so wichtig ist, den inneren Kritiker dabei erst einmal zum Schweigen zu bringen. Es geht darum, wieder eine echte Vision zu entwickeln, die dich mit Freude erfüllt und dir die nötige Energie für den nächsten großen Schritt gibt. Wenn dein neuer Weg im Bereich der Personalberatung liegt, du aber noch nicht genau weißt, wie du ihn umsetzen sollst, lade ich dich ein, gemeinsam mit mir das Fundament für deine neue Inspiration zu legen.

Willkommen 2026 – Ein Jahr für Wahrheit, Mut und VerkörperungDeine JahresvorschauEin neues Jahr beginnt. Und mit ihm diese leise, aber kraftvolle Neugier: Was will dieses Jahr von mir? Worauf darf ich mich einstellen? Und wie gehe ich mit der Energie – statt gegen sie?Der Jahreswechsel ist kein leeres Blatt. Er ist ein Übergang. Und 2026 bringt eine Zeitqualität mit, die nicht mehr nach Träumen fragt sondern nach Ehrlichkeit, Aufrichtung und bewusster Entscheidung.In dieser Sonderepisode nehme ich dich mit auf eine astrologische Reise durch alle zwölf Monate des Jahres 2026.Nicht als starre Vorhersage. Sondern als Energie-Kompass, der dir hilft, die Strömungen des Jahres zu verstehen – und deinen eigenen Weg darin klarer zu spüren. Diese Folge ist eine Einladung, 2026 nicht zu „planen“, sondern bewusst zu leben.

This week's featured story comes from the Martin & Sylvia: More Adventures! collection. It's called "Dreaming the Garden." One wintery morning, Mr. Brown invites brother and sister to come to the farm for some "quiet work". They wonder - is it pruning? Building a new chicken coop? Making pies? But the quiet work is much more imaginative than they expect - they are going to help the garden dream. If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds and hundreds more where that came from. Try a Sparkle subscription now - for free. Go to www.sparklestories.com and click the button at the top that says "Start Free Trial," then you can listen to our giant library as much as you like, anytime you like.  Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! For many many many more stories like this one, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com Questions?  Ideas?  Requests? Email us!  info@sparklestories.com Enjoy!

Postseason coverage of Glittergate: Embrace the Sparkle fantasy football league

Year-in-Review Like a Saint + Business Sparkle is coming ✨ Welcome to the Made For Business Show, where Catholic moms learn how to do business from peace while raising kids. In today's episode, I'm reviewing the last year with you — the saint way — and sharing what I'm most excited about for early January: Business Sparkle (the girliest, pinkest, sparkliest program I've ever created). What we cover How to review your year like a saint: give glory to God for the hard + beautiful How lessons become "tools in your toolbox" (and make life/business easier over time) A real look behind the scenes: almost $950K this year + what it actually felt like Why big milestones don't always feel how you think they'll feel — and what to do with that How to tell a heroic story about your year (instead of your brain's "train wreck" story) Why the fastest way to make money is often: healing, calm, and listening to the Lord A preview of Business Sparkle (6 weeks) + who it's for Business Sparkle: the 6 sparks ✨ Desire Clarity Identity Calm Courage Fruitfulness / Gratitude ("God saw… and it was good.") Join us Under $100K/year: join the Made For Business Society Over $100K/year: join Mastermind (refine + scale) Website: catholicbusinessmoms.com Not sure where you belong? Email me: sterling@catholicmomcalm.com Key dates (early January) Jan 2: Goal-setting call (Society) Jan 9: First Sparkle call (Society normally meets Thursdays at 9am PT; one special Friday call around New Year's week.) If this episode encouraged you, share it with a Catholic mom who needs a fresh story about her year — and a little more sparkle for what's next. I'm praying for you. Please pray for me.

Dolly Parton BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.Dolly Parton, the indomitable queen of country at 79, just squashed death rumors with her signature sparkle and sass. On Wednesday, December 24, she posted a lively Instagram video from the Grand Ole Opry recording booth, decked out in full Christmas glam, declaring, "Do I look sick to you? I'm working hard here. I ain't dead yet!" According to AOL reports, this came hours after her sister Frieda sparked panic on Facebook, praying for Dolly who "hasn't been feeling her best lately," though Frieda quickly clarified it was just a minor bug and no cause for alarm. Parton opened up about health hiccups since her husband Carl Dean's death in March—nothing major, she insisted, but enough to prompt treatments near home and the big postponement of her first Las Vegas residency in 32 years. Those six glittering shows at Caesars Palace, originally set for December 2025, are now bumped to September 2026, as confirmed by JamBase, AXS, and Ticketmaster listings.Park buzz hit Dollywood too: Inside the Magic revealed on December 20 that the iconic Dollywood Express steam train shut down indefinitely for unscheduled maintenance amid Smoky Mountain Christmas festivities, a historic ride predating Partons 1986 takeover thats no small biographical footnote for her empire. Meanwhile, her touring musical Dolly Partons Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol is packing houses, with Ticketmaster noting a show today in Lexington, Kentucky, and fresh gigs lined up in Clearwater and Huntsville.Parton also got teary sharing a poignant Christmas memory on Movieguide, recalling giving her grab-bag gift to her self-sacrificing mama back in poor East Tennessee days, vowing to keep that big heart beating. Shes all about family traditions—cookie nights with nieces and nephews on the farm, golf cart joyrides, her lighting up like a sequined Santa. Fans adore her resilience amid these whispers; shell be back dazzling soon, because as she says, God aint through with her yet.Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOtaThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Send us a textMr. Sparkle drops by to chat classic, modern, easy, hard, fun, and weird shooters! Alex drops an elbow smash halfway through the episode!Shmup Wiki - digital library of shooting games, great resource of basic information, strategies, and trivia - **ShmupJunkie** - YouTube channel () focused on shooting games, with a really active and friendly discord () that has a beginner section, friendly scoring competitions, and strategy discussion - the discord also has a curated list of beginner-friendly shmups at different levels of difficulty **Jaimers** - high-level player, puts up very high level clears but all videos also include helpful commentary in the description, and often advice/strategies in closed captions ()**The Electric Underground** - a more in-depth shmup-related resource, also has a very helpful beginner introduction section ()**Boghog** - designed of the excellent Gunvein, really interesting discussions of shmup and action game design ()**Aktane's Arcade** - some very helpful quick start guides, but also more in depth conversations about enjoying and improving at shmups - very interesting stuff on shmup culture and the hobby Rob's CGP with Aktane https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/classic-gaming-podcast/id783265787?i=1000733070633 Crazy Boss Fight Mr. Sparkle mentioned that Japanese player Sairyou had been the first to 1cc SDOJ - what he meant to say was ‘first to 1cc the game with the true final boss' - check it out below https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCRI69pQpY0&t=1612s Support the show Find links for all things network related here: https://linktr.ee/polymedianetwork Find Travis on BlueSky Find Alex on BlueSky Send us an email drunkfriendpodcast@gmail.com Visit our Subreddit reddit.com/r/polymedia

Stop Saying “I Just Want to Heal” — Define What Healing Means in 2026 (After Infidelity) If you've been saying, “I just want to heal,” or “I just want to feel like myself again,” this episode is your loving wake-up call: those phrases are too vague to carry you where you want to go. Healing happens faster—and feels safer—when you get specific about what you're actually birthing next. Episode Description In this episode, Lora opens with a powerful 4-minute “next-level you” practice designed to shift your energy from surviving to creating. Then she breaks down why “I just want to heal” often keeps you stuck—and how to replace it with clear, embodied direction. You'll learn how to define what healing means for you (peace of mind, confidence, boundaries, financial stability, emotional safety), how to create the structure that makes success almost inevitable, and how to stay flexible when life pivots. Plus, Lora shares a real-life story about preparing to attend a funeral where her husband's former affair partner may be present—and how conscious planning creates safety, connection, and dignity. Top 3 Takeaways The universe—and your nervous system—respond to specificity. “I want to heal” becomes powerful when you define what healing looks like in real life: fewer obsessive thoughts, better sleep, stronger boundaries, emotional regulation, self-trust. You don't have to control the outcome to direct your life. Some desires need “hard-no” boundaries; others need “surprise party energy” where you stay open to support arriving in unexpected forms. Structure creates success. Goals aren't just wishes—they're supported by plans: the right people, tools, rehearsed responses, and simple tracking that helps you notice progress (and adjust when something isn't working). Favorite Quote “You are not supporting cast in your own life. This is your life—and you are the main character.” LOVE THE SHOW? TAKE THE NEXT STEP Don't just listen—start healing. Get your free downloadable guide on the “The Top Three Ways You Betray Yourself Every Day, and How to Stop” at www.burnoutorbetrayal.com. https://workplace-burnout.com/the-top-3-ways-you-betray-yourself-every-day-and-how-to-stop/ If you're ready to Rise Up & Reign as the creator and queen of your life, let's talk. I will walk by your side and give you the perspective, permission, and wisdom needed to turn your betrayal experience into something constructive, empowering, and transformative in all the right ways.  Learn more at www.loracheadle.com and follow me across all social! Download your Sparkle After Betrayal Recovery Guide at www.BetrayalRecoveryGuide.com, a guide designed to help you take the first steps in feeling better, so you can reclaim your power, own your worth, and start putting yourself, and your life, back together again. About Lora: Lora Cheadle, JD, CHt is a betrayal recovery coach, attorney, TEDx speaker, and author of FLAUNT! and It's Not Burnout, It's Betrayal. After uncovering her husband's 15-year affair, she turned her own pain into purpose—helping high-achieving women reclaim their identity, power, and joy. A trauma-aware coach, somatic therapist, and former attorney, Lora blends legal insight with emotional and spiritual healing for full-spectrum recovery. She is the author of FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover and Reveal Your Smart, Sexy, & Spiritual Self (an International Book Awards Finalist and Tattered Cover Bestseller) and It's Not Burnout, It's Betrayal: 5 Tools to FUEL UP & Thrive. She also hosts the podcast FLAUNT! Create a Life You Love After Infidelity and Betrayal. Learn more at www.loracheadle.com and follow me across all social! Get the support you need to find your footing, begin making sense of it all, and feel better fast. As an attorney, betrayal recovery expert, and survivor of infidelity I can help you find the clarity and confidence to create a life that you love on the other side of betrayal. Book Your Session Here: https://calendly.com/loras-schedule/coaching-session Thank you to BetterHelp for sponsoring this podcast! Take charge of your mental health and get 10% off your first month of therapy at https://BetterHelp.com/FLAUNT  READY TO START A BETTER CHAPTER? Step into the future you've always dreamed of with the power of transformative rituals with the Mindful Subscription Box. Get a monthly box full of crystals, aromatherapy, and other spiritual tools worth $120. You deserve high-quality gems, crystals, oils, and mindfulness tools for self-care that truly work. It's a monthly dose of self-love delivered right to your door! Go to www.Mindfulsouls.com  and use Discount Code LORA25 for 25% off your order!

“If women remember that once upon a time we sang with the tongues of seals and flew with the wings of swans, that we forged our own paths through the dark forest while creating a community of its many inhabitants, then we will rise up rooted, like trees.”from IF WOMEN ROSE ROOTED, by Sharon Blackie (2016)Hi Folks,I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and today brings peace and relaxation. I am delighted to bring you a podcast episode with Dr Sharon Blackie.I met Sharon at Alnwick Story Fest (tickets for next year here) and it was a true delight to hear her speak on stage. Her work commands attention of women (and men) all over the world brings us home to story and the importance of archetypes in society.We talk about the writing life, Substack, Substack notes, managing a large community and boundaries. I hope you enjoy! “Stories are the stars we navigate by; their lessons are deep and rich. Anywhere, there may be a door to another world: learn to look for it. Always leave a trail of breadcrumbs to find your way out of the dark wood. Don't maim yourself trying to fit into the glass slipper which was made for someone else. Gold is never a good goal. Never take your skin off and leave it unattended.”✨Dr. Sharon Blackie is an award-winning and internationally bestselling author, a former neuroscientist and a psychologist with a background in mythology and folklore. Her highly acclaimed books, lectures and teaching programs are focused on the mythic imagination, and the relevance of myth and folklore to the personal, spiritual, cultural and environmental issues we face today.Sharon is best known for her groundbreaking work in reimagining women's stories. As well as writing seven books of fiction and nonfiction, including the bestselling classic If Women Rose Rooted, her writing has appeared in anthologies, collections and in several international media outlets – among them the Guardian, the Irish Times, the i and the Scotsman. Her books have been translated into several languages. She has featured in several programs from the BBC, US public radio and independent filmmakers. Her awards include the Society of Authors' Roger Deakin Award and a Creative Scotland Writer's Award. Her next book, Ripening: Why Women Need Fairy Tales Now, will be published by September at Duckworth Books in May 2026.Sharon's books about women in British, Irish and European myth and folkloreIf Women Rose Rooted. September (2016)Foxfire, Wolfskin and other stories of shapeshifting women. September (2019)Hagitude: Reimagining the Second Half of Life. September (2022)Wise Women: Myths and Stories for Midlife and Beyond. Virago (2024)Ripening: Why Women Need Fairy Tales Now. Forthcoming from September/ Duckworth in May 2026.If you're new to Sharon's work - this is a great place to start…https://sharonblackie.substack.com/p/reclaiming-womens-stories Ai SummaryPodcast Summary: Sharon Blackie on Writing and SubstackThis is a conversation between Claire Venus (host of “Sparkle on Substack”) and Sharon Blackie, a psychologist and writer who specializes in mythology, folklore, and women's stories.Key Points About Sharon's WorkBackground & Writing Focus:* Psychologist with academic background in folklore and mythology* Published first novel in 2008; seventh book “Ripening: Why Women Need Fairy Tales Now” coming May 2026* Explores women's stories from British and Irish traditions, showing how ancient tales help navigate modern challenges* First in her family to attend university, from working-class background in HartlepoolJourney to Writing:* Didn't write her first novel until age 40* Transformative experience: learned to fly at late 30s to overcome fear, which gave her the story she needed to tell* Emphasizes writing must come from genuine necessity, not just wanting to be “a writer”Substack ExperiencePlatform Evolution (joined May 2022):* Migrated from blogging (which felt unrewarding) when Substack offered better discoverability* Brought 20,000-subscriber mailing list; now has 57,000+ free subscribers and 1,000+ paid* Initially loved Notes for connecting with other writers, but feels it's become too social-media-like* Values Substack primarily as a showcase for quality writing rather than community-buildingApproach & Boundaries:* Writes weekly for paid subscribers (£70/year)* Runs monthly Zoom gatherings to discuss stories* Doesn't use Chat feature—hasn't worked for her community* Has friend handle simple admin queries for protection* Clear boundaries: engages fully when invited (comments, Zooms) but doesn't respond to personal emails requesting adviceWriting Practice:* Wakes at 4:15 AM; only writes in mornings* Takes about a year to write a book, often cramming in final six months* Finds Substack articles easier than book-writing—2,000 coherent words vs. 80,000* Varies content: sometimes essays, sometimes just sharing thoughts and questionsAdvice for Writers* Build a body of work first before promoting heavily—have quality content ready when people discover you* Write from passion and necessity, not market trends* Listen to your body about boundaries—protect yourself from overwhelm* Focus on what you uniquely offer rather than finding completely new topics* Be proud of your background—Sharon now celebrates her working-class roots after years of masking themThe conversation emphasizes sustainable creative practice, the importance of boundaries, and writing from genuine passion rather than external pressure. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sparkleon.substack.com/subscribe

This week's featured story comes from the Junkyard Tales: All Together Now collection. It's called "In the Stillness." It is a cold snowy day in the Junkyard, and a single muskrat arrives through the back gate with some incredible news - she is going to have a baby! All the animals then rally to make a warm bed, provide nourishing food and together anticipate the arrival of the new baby. If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds and hundreds more where that came from. Try a Sparkle subscription now - for free. Go to www.sparklestories.com and click the button at the top that says "Start Free Trial," then you can listen to our giant library as much as you like, anytime you like. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! For many many many more stories like this one, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com Questions?  Ideas?  Requests? Email us!  info@sparklestories.com Enjoy!

 “The Word became flesh.” God has made Himself known by becoming human. John does not say the Word appeared human or visited for a while. He says the Word became flesh. When John says, “the Word”, he means God himself, His voice, His message, His heart. And then he says something extraordinary: the Word became flesh. Not a story. Not an idea. Not a dream. God became a real human being. He breathed our air. He walked our roads. He knew what it was like to be tired, hungry, joyful, and sad. God didn't stay far away. He came close. He made His dwelling among us. The phrase means to pitch a tent. It echoes the tabernacle in the wilderness, where God lived among His people and met with Moses face to face. What the tent pointed to has now arrived. God has chosen to live with His people again, not in a place, but in a person. If we want to know what God is like, we look at Jesus. 

This Sparkle Snack episode of Stay Sparked, is a warm, bite-sized conversation about seasonal rituals, reflection, and intentionally closing one chapter before opening the next.As the year winds down and we move toward the winter solstice, Betsy and John explore simple, meaningful practices for honoring seasonal transitions—without getting swept up in the rush, obligation, or overwhelm that often comes with the holidays.Together we share: End-of-year reflection rituals focused on wins and growth points Gratitude walks, journaling, and reviewing calendars and photos to integrate the year Nature-based solstice practices like walking a spiral A playful yet powerful “future gratitude” practice—writing from the perspective of the year ahead Why imagination, presence, and elevated emotion matter more than rigid goals or resolutionsThis episode is an invitation to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and consciously spiral into the new year with intention, creativity, and compassion.✨☕ This episode is sponsored by www.BecomeLucid.com Lucid is a functional mushroom and nootropic brand designed to fuel mental clarity, focus, and long-term brain health. Their flagship product is a premium mushroom coffee blend infused with clinically studied nootropics—crafted to deliver clean energy without the crash. ✨

Rewriting D-Day After Infidelity: Winter Solstice Ritual to Heal Betrayal Trauma & Stop Obsessive Thoughts What if you could go back and prepare for D-Day? Not to stop the betrayal from happening, but to soften the blow, steady your nervous system, and walk yourself through the darkest night of your soul with reverence, support, and a plan. In this deeply soulful Solstice episode, Lora guides you through a powerful re-imagining of D-Day using the energy of the winter solstice — the longest, darkest night of the year. Instead of bracing against the pain of betrayal, you'll learn how to “pack your bag” for the dark night of the soul: tending your body, nervous system, and subconscious so you can move through the darkness with preparation, not panic. Drawing on childbirth metaphors, subconscious re-patterning, and the natural arc from winter solstice to summer solstice, Lora walks you step-by-step into the memory of D-Day and back out again — this time as the woman you are now: wiser, more resourced, and no longer alone. You'll leave with a six-month roadmap for healing, micro-boundaries to support your body and soul, and a new understanding of why you're not broken… you're just ready for a different map. Top 3 Takeaways Why D-Day still hijacks your body (and how to change it) How betrayal trauma locks into the subconscious mind and nervous system, and why you can't just “decide to stop ruminating” or think your way out of it. The Winter Solstice Betrayal Ritual: Preparing for the Dark Night of the Soul How to “pretend” solstice is your D-Day, pack your metaphoric bag, and consciously walk yourself into the darkness with support, tools, and reverence — so your body learns that you can bear it and you will come out the other side. From Winter Solstice to Summer Solstice: A Six-Month Healing Map How to set micro-boundaries, tiny daily practices, and structures of accountability that quietly rewire your life over six months — so one day you look up and realize, “It's lighter now. I'm actually okay… and I'm not obsessing anymore.” Favorite Quote “The real tragedy of betrayal isn't the betrayal itself. It's failing to rise up afterward and reclaim your heart, your soul, your identity.” Apply or learn more: https://loracheadle.com/rise-and-reign Book your $97 Introductory Session: https://introductorysession.com Your healing is not about managing them. It's about finally choosing you. LOVE THE SHOW? TAKE THE NEXT STEP Don't just listen—start healing. Get your free downloadable guide on the “The Top Three Ways You Betray Yourself Every Day, and How to Stop” at www.burnoutorbetrayal.com. https://workplace-burnout.com/the-top-3-ways-you-betray-yourself-every-day-and-how-to-stop/ If you're ready to Rise Up & Reign as the creator and queen of your life, let's talk. I will walk by your side and give you the perspective, permission, and wisdom needed to turn your betrayal experience into something constructive, empowering, and transformative in all the right ways.  Learn more at www.loracheadle.com and follow me across all social! Download your Sparkle After Betrayal Recovery Guide at www.BetrayalRecoveryGuide.com, a guide designed to help you take the first steps in feeling better, so you can reclaim your power, own your worth, and start putting yourself, and your life, back together again. About Lora: Lora Cheadle, JD, CHt is a betrayal recovery coach, attorney, TEDx speaker, and author of FLAUNT! and It's Not Burnout, It's Betrayal. After uncovering her husband's 15-year affair, she turned her own pain into purpose—helping high-achieving women reclaim their identity, power, and joy. A trauma-aware coach, somatic therapist, and former attorney, Lora blends legal insight with emotional and spiritual healing for full-spectrum recovery. She is the author of FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover and Reveal Your Smart, Sexy, & Spiritual Self (an International Book Awards Finalist and Tattered Cover Bestseller) and It's Not Burnout, It's Betrayal: 5 Tools to FUEL UP & Thrive. She also hosts the podcast FLAUNT! Create a Life You Love After Infidelity and Betrayal. Learn more at www.loracheadle.com and follow me across all social! Get the support you need to find your footing, begin making sense of it all, and feel better fast. As an attorney, betrayal recovery expert, and survivor of infidelity I can help you find the clarity and confidence to create a life that you love on the other side of betrayal. Book Your Session Here: https://calendly.com/loras-schedule/coaching-session Thank you to BetterHelp for sponsoring this podcast! Take charge of your mental health and get 10% off your first month of therapy at https://BetterHelp.com/FLAUNT  READY TO START A BETTER CHAPTER? Step into the future you've always dreamed of with the power of transformative rituals with the Mindful Subscription Box. Get a monthly box full of crystals, aromatherapy, and other spiritual tools worth $120. You deserve high-quality gems, crystals, oils, and mindfulness tools for self-care that truly work. It's a monthly dose of self-love delivered right to your door! Go to www.Mindfulsouls.com  and use Discount Code LORA25 for 25% off your order!

10 months gone. New shop, no sign. Sparkle managers. Avatar understanding. 86 pepperoni. Honyakers. We're back.   NEED TO KNOW: Flat Out Friday: Feb 21 Mama Tried: Feb 22-23 Raffle bike: 2017 Low Rider S by Matt OBC $30 at https://mamatriedshow.com/pages/giveaway-bike Races Info https://flatoutfriday.com/pages/register-to-race Goofball class "bounty": pitch your build idea, potentially get $1k info.flatoutfriday@gmail.com   Partner code on flatoutfriday.com 20% off, bypasses Ticketmaster ------ THE REUNION EPISODE:   Recording in Warren's new shop the $4,000 shovelhead on Facebook Marketplace 25 pull-ups worth of core strength no sign, just vibes notebook aint full, still 100 things to do daily can't make enough bacon 86 pepperoni "Sparkle manager" "Avatar understanding" Honyaker YouTube democratizing the skills "Grinder, drill, stick welder, you can make some shit"

This week's featured story comes from the Martin & Sylvia: More Adventures! collection. It's called "A Night for Stories." One late afternoon, when Martin expresses his frustration about how the days get so short this time of year, Daddy tells brother and sister about how it is considered the storytelling time of year. He suggests that they spend the evening together telling stories and everyone gets excited. He says that stories almost always bring magic — but that evening, the magic surprises even Daddy. If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds and hundreds more where that came from. Try a Sparkle subscription now - for free. Go to www.sparklestories.com and click the button at the top that says "Start Free Trial," then you can listen to our giant library as much as you like, anytime you like. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! For many many many more stories like this one, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com Questions?  Ideas?  Requests? Email us!  info@sparklestories.com Enjoy!

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I'm too old to wear that” — or noticing how easy it is to slowly disappear in midlife? In this special holiday replay from Salty Sisters, the livestream I cohost with my friend Cat Corchado, we're joined by the incredible Jennifer Polt, founder of Making Up for Glossed Time and a two-time guest on Late Bloomer Living. Yes, this conversation starts with style — sequins, leopard print, metallic boots, and holiday outfits — but it quickly becomes something much deeper — and relevant all year long. Jennifer isn't really talking about clothes.  She's talking about permission. Permission to play. Permission to take up space. Permission to stop dressing — and living — like you're trying to disappear. Together, Cat, Jennifer, and I explore what happens in midlife when roles shift, confidence wobbles, and we're quietly asking ourselves, Is this all there is? We talk about style as self-expression, confidence as a practice, and how small choices — even what you put on your body — can help you reconnect with who you're becoming. This episode is for anyone navigating midlife, or a season of reinvention — and wanting to feel a little more alive, expressive, and at home in their own skin. ✨ If this conversation sparks something in you and you want to explore playfulness beyond your closet, you can join the PLAYshop waitlist at latebloomerliving.com/play. Go put on something that makes you feel good. And remember — you're not done yet.

Postseason coverage of Glittergate: Embrace the Sparkle fantasy football league

In 2024, Cindy's book about her and Mark's experiences living a full-time Van life was published by One Stone Biblical Resources. It is entitled One Hundred Churches: A Three-Year Journey to Witness the Joy of Authentic Christianity. The book is part travel journal, part spiritual roadmap, part autobiography, part devotional, and part vanlife guide.Come along for the ride as Cindy shares the encouraging and informative stories from her book that some of her readers are calling "addictive".

In this heartfelt and reflective episode of Inspiration Nation, Lee and Jose dive deep into the timeless wisdom of Virginia Woolf's quote: “There's no need to hurry. There's no need to sparkle. There's no need to be anyone but oneself.” Together, they unpack the importance of self-acceptance, authentic communication, and staying true to your unique voice—even when societal pressures push for conformity. From Jose's personal growth stories to Lee's musical discovery of “Make Your Own Kind of Music” by Cass Elliot, the duo highlights how embracing your true self not only sparks genuine connection but also fuels innovation, creativity, and inner peace.Whether you're navigating workplace dynamics, tough conversations, or public presentations, this episode offers practical tools and powerful anecdotes on how to stay grounded in your identity while still evolving. As Jose aptly puts it, “You sparkle most when you're not trying.” Packed with leadership insights, emotional intelligence tips, and Jefferson Fisher-inspired communication strategies, this conversation will leave you inspired to show up more confidently as you.

Today is finally the day! Today Your Mom and Dad cover “The Weddings” and the Reunion of Love is Blind Season 9. Wellllllll….even though this season wasn't “successful”, the Reunion episode was absolutely full of shocks and drama! Evan and Jess shout about Kacie's return, Joe being Joe, Nick's apology, Sparkle's news, the final couple's wedding days, and much more! SEND A “CALL HOME” VOICEMAIL QUESTION HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/yourmomanddad  THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ***TUSHY: Over 2 Million Butts Love TUSHY. Get 10% off TUSHY with the code MOMDAD at https://hellotushy.com/MOMDAD  ***BETTER HELP: This episode is sponsored by Better Help! Get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/MOMDAD  ***CASH APP: Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/pr7trxup # CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement Cash App Green, overdraft coverage, borrow, cash back offers and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. ***NURTURE LIFE: For 55% off your order + FREE shipping, head to NurtureLife.com/MOMDAD55 and use code MOMDAD55

Stop Controlling. Start Directing: The Shift That Heals Your Life After Betrayal Most women think they're “taking control,” but what they're actually doing is managing chaos from a nervous system that doesn't feel safe. Control is a trauma response. Direction is a soul response. And learning the difference changes everything about your healing, your power, and your relationships. In this powerful solo episode, Lora breaks down the difference between controlling your life and directing your life—a distinction that is foundational to healing after infidelity or any form of deep emotional betrayal. You'll hear why control feels so intoxicating at first, why it becomes exhausting over time, and how it ultimately keeps you stuck in fear, hypervigilance, and over-functioning. Lora then guides you into the energetics of self-direction—what she calls a “soul response”—where clarity, empowerment, and healthy masculine/feminine balance begin to return. Through personal stories, cultural context, nervous-system wisdom, and practical tools, Lora shows you how to stop managing the chaos and start leading your life again. If you've been stuck in fear, bracing, or trying to “fix” your partner, this episode will feel like a deep exhale. Top 3 Takeaways Control is always rooted in fear. Over-monitoring, over-planning, over-functioning, micromanaging your partner's behavior—all of it is a trauma response from a nervous system that doesn't feel safe. It's not a moral failing; it's biology. Self-direction is grounded clarity and expansion. Instead of reacting, you choose your next right step based on who you want to be. You lead your life with healthy masculine structure and healthy feminine flow, instead of trying to force outcomes. The Control-to-Direction Test Will Change Everything. Ask yourself: Am I trying to control a person or outcome? Am I acting from fear or from clarity? Does this behavior feel braced or grounded? Is this action about who I want to be, or about preventing something from happening? These four questions reveal your truth instantly. Ready to go deeper? It's where women learn to lead their lives again—rebuilding identity, regulating their nervous system, reclaiming their truth, and making empowered decisions without fear. Apply or learn more: https://loracheadle.com/rise-and-reign Book your $97 Introductory Session: https://introductorysession.com Your healing is not about managing them. It's about finally choosing you. Favorite Quote “Whenever you try to control, you're acting from fear. Whenever you direct your life, you're acting from truth.” LOVE THE SHOW? TAKE THE NEXT STEP Don't just listen—start healing. Get your free downloadable guide on the “The Top Three Ways You Betray Yourself Every Day, and How to Stop” at www.burnoutorbetrayal.com. https://workplace-burnout.com/the-top-3-ways-you-betray-yourself-every-day-and-how-to-stop/ If you're ready to Rise Up & Reign as the creator and queen of your life, let's talk. I will walk by your side and give you the perspective, permission, and wisdom needed to turn your betrayal experience into something constructive, empowering, and transformative in all the right ways.  Learn more at www.loracheadle.com and follow me across all social! Download your Sparkle After Betrayal Recovery Guide at www.BetrayalRecoveryGuide.com, a guide designed to help you take the first steps in feeling better, so you can reclaim your power, own your worth, and start putting yourself, and your life, back together again. About Lora: Lora Cheadle, JD, CHt is a betrayal recovery coach, attorney, TEDx speaker, and author of FLAUNT! and It's Not Burnout, It's Betrayal. After uncovering her husband's 15-year affair, she turned her own pain into purpose—helping high-achieving women reclaim their identity, power, and joy. A trauma-aware coach, somatic therapist, and former attorney, Lora blends legal insight with emotional and spiritual healing for full-spectrum recovery. She is the author of FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover and Reveal Your Smart, Sexy, & Spiritual Self (an International Book Awards Finalist and Tattered Cover Bestseller) and It's Not Burnout, It's Betrayal: 5 Tools to FUEL UP & Thrive. She also hosts the podcast FLAUNT! Create a Life You Love After Infidelity and Betrayal. Learn more at www.loracheadle.com and follow me across all social! Get the support you need to find your footing, begin making sense of it all, and feel better fast. As an attorney, betrayal recovery expert, and survivor of infidelity I can help you find the clarity and confidence to create a life that you love on the other side of betrayal. Book Your Session Here: https://calendly.com/loras-schedule/coaching-session Thank you to BetterHelp for sponsoring this podcast! Take charge of your mental health and get 10% off your first month of therapy at https://BetterHelp.com/FLAUNT  READY TO START A BETTER CHAPTER? Step into the future you've always dreamed of with the power of transformative rituals with the Mindful Subscription Box. Get a monthly box full of crystals, aromatherapy, and other spiritual tools worth $120. You deserve high-quality gems, crystals, oils, and mindfulness tools for self-care that truly work. It's a monthly dose of self-love delivered right to your door! Go to www.Mindfulsouls.com  and use Discount Code LORA25 for 25% off your order!

On this episode, Heather welcomes friend and interior design extraordinaire, Jared Hughes. Jared and Heather chat about how he got into design with his 6th grade bedroom, how to make sure you get the best antiques from your aging relatives, and how to work an estate sale. They take on the voicemails about holiday etiquette and gift giving.Episode Sponsors:Find Kahlúa Dunkin Caramel Swirl at retailers nationwide, including Walmart, Total Wine, Albertsons, Kroger, Ralphs, Safeway, BevMo, Publix, and more. Must be 21 or older to purchase. Please drink responsibly. [must list at least 3 retailers to be legally compliant]. For additional information, visit Kahlua.com and follow @Kahlua on Instagram.Go toSquarespace.com for a free trial, and when you're ready to launch, squarespace.com/ABSOLUTELY to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.The holidays are closer than ever, so make sure you order by December 16th to get their gift (or yours) underneath the tree in time! Visit Carawayhome.com/ABSOLUTELYNOT to take advantage of this limited-time offer for up to 20% off your next purchase. Non-Toxic cookware made modern.For a limited time, Prolon is offering listeners 15% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit ProlonLife.com/ABSOLUTELY to claim your 15% discount and your bonus gift.Shop my favorite pajamas at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows And if you're looking for the perfect gifts for everyone on your list - the SKIMS Holiday Shop is now open at SKIMS.com. Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week's featured story comes from the At Home with Martin & Sylvia collection. It's called "Holiday Delight." Between all the decorating, baking, crafting and celebrating, this year's holiday season has been a very busy one for Martin and Sylvia. When they are suddenly faced with a day with no plans, however, brother and sister don't know what to do with themselves. "Look for the delight," suggests Momma, and as soon as they do, the magic begins. If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds and hundreds more where that came from. Try a Sparkle subscription now - for free. Go to www.sparklestories.com and click the button at the top that says "Start Free Trial," then you can listen to our giant library as much as you like, anytime you like.  Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! For many many many more stories like this one, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com Questions?  Ideas?  Requests? Email us!  info@sparklestories.com Enjoy!

Week 14 coverage of Glittergate: Embrace the Sparkle fantasy football league

Things are getting so dire in the PC-building space that we had to revisit the subject again this week, primarily to discuss the sudden and shocking end of longtime RAM and SSD maker Crucial, with a deeper dive into the way the memory supply chain works and a glimpse into a very dark future where building your own PC might be out of reach for many. We also dig into some new reporting about the Steam Machine's HDMI output, and why open gaming platforms are going to be in conflict with proprietary HDMI standards going forward. Plus, the latest AI nonsense (and how to work around it) in Firefox and Google News.NOTE: We're working on freeing ourselves from the need for Adobe products, so bear with us if the podcast sounds a little different this week. Feedback welcome!Crucial press release: https://investors.micron.com/news-releases/news-release-details/micron-announces-exit-crucial-consumer-businessGamersNexus video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A-eeJP0J7cSteam Machine and HDMI 2.1: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/12/why-wont-steam-machine-support-hdmi-2-1-digging-in-on-the-display-standard-drama/Disable Firefox AI features: https://flamedfury.com/posts/disable-ai-in-firefox/The Verge on Google News AI headlines: https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/838354/googles-ai-news-bot-is-still-confused-but-no-longer-replacing-our-headlines Support the Pod! Contribute to the Tech Pod Patreon and get access to our booming Discord, a monthly bonus episode, your name in the credits, and other great benefits! You can support the show at: https://patreon.com/techpod

You Cheated. You're Not a Monster. Here's How to Understand Yourself and Become the Man You Meant to Be. You're not a monster because you cheated— you are a hurting human who never learned how to feel, name, and heal what's going on inside. And understanding that and forgiving yourself is the key to rebuilding trust, whether you stay together or not. This episode is a love letter—and a challenge—to the betrayer. Whether you're the one who cheated or you're the partner trying to understand how the person you love could hurt you so deeply, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what's really going on inside the betraying partner. Lora shares honest, vulnerable insights from walking beside her husband through his infidelity, exploring why most men genuinely don't know why they cheated, how shame and unresolved boyhood wounds fuel destructive coping, and what it actually takes to become trustworthy again. You'll learn how to move from “I'm a monster” to “I made a devastating mistake—and I'm willing to change,” so both of you can stop walking on eggshells and start moving toward clarity, accountability, and healing. Top 3 Takeaways Why “I don't know why I did it” is often true—just not the whole truth. Most betrayers genuinely don't know the root cause of their cheating because they were never taught to identify or communicate their emotions. Until they can name what they're feeling—rejection, shame, emasculation, grief—cheating will continue to be a maladaptive coping mechanism, not a “character flaw problem” to shame away. Your actions don't define your core—but your accountability does. There's a profound difference between being a cheater and having cheated. Lora breaks down how to step out of the “cheater” identity and back into integrity through nervous system regulation, consistent follow-through (“do what you say you'll do”), and small, repeated acts of honor that show you're becoming truly trustworthy again. Healing requires feeling it all—without fleeing, fixing, or deflecting. From the sticky note that said “Feel it all” to simple somatic practices like standing in your integrity, brushing off old attachments, and speaking from your gut instead of your head, you'll learn concrete ways to sit with your own shame, regret, and pain and hold space for your partner's rage and grief—without collapsing, defending, or running away. Book Your Private Session for Men, women, or couples HERE:  https://calendly.com/loras-schedule/men-s-session If this episode spoke to you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs hope on their healing journey. Your voice helps other women (and men) find the support they deserve. Favorite Quotes “This isn't about getting your wife to trust you again. It's about becoming a man who is truly trustworthy—and honoring yourself enough to live that way.” “You're not a monster—you're a human in pain who chose a harmful coping mechanism. Now the question is: who do you want to be from here?” Free FLAUNT! Holiday Reset & Book Club If this episode hit home, your next step is simple: Join Lora on December 1st for a free live FLAUNT! Book Club & Workshop — a Holiday Reset designed to move you from performance to presence in real time. You'll: Work with practices from FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover and Reveal Your Smart, Sexy & Spiritual Self Get tools to break your performance scripts and over-functioning habits Have space to decompress after Thanksgiving and prepare for the rest of the season in a different way Practice embodying presence so you can actually feel the joy you're creating Sign up free: TheFlauntBook.com You don't need to be “caught up” or have read the whole book. Just bring yourself, your copy, and a willingness to show up as you are. LOVE THE SHOW? TAKE THE NEXT STEP Don't just listen—start healing. Get your free downloadable guide on the “The Top Three Ways You Betray Yourself Every Day, and How to Stop” at www.burnoutorbetrayal.com. https://workplace-burnout.com/the-top-3-ways-you-betray-yourself-every-day-and-how-to-stop/ If you're ready to Rise Up & Reign as the creator and queen of your life, let's talk. I will walk by your side and give you the perspective, permission, and wisdom needed to turn your betrayal experience into something constructive, empowering, and transformative in all the right ways.  Learn more at www.loracheadle.com and follow me across all social! Download your Sparkle After Betrayal Recovery Guide at www.BetrayalRecoveryGuide.com, a guide designed to help you take the first steps in feeling better, so you can reclaim your power, own your worth, and start putting yourself, and your life, back together again. About Lora: Lora Cheadle, JD, CHt is a betrayal recovery coach, attorney, TEDx speaker, and author of FLAUNT! and It's Not Burnout, It's Betrayal. After uncovering her husband's 15-year affair, she turned her own pain into purpose—helping high-achieving women reclaim their identity, power, and joy. A trauma-aware coach, somatic therapist, and former attorney, Lora blends legal insight with emotional and spiritual healing for full-spectrum recovery. She is the author of FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover and Reveal Your Smart, Sexy, & Spiritual Self (an International Book Awards Finalist and Tattered Cover Bestseller) and It's Not Burnout, It's Betrayal: 5 Tools to FUEL UP & Thrive. She also hosts the podcast FLAUNT! Create a Life You Love After Infidelity and Betrayal. Learn more at www.loracheadle.com and follow me across all social! Get the support you need to find your footing, begin making sense of it all, and feel better fast. As an attorney, betrayal recovery expert, and survivor of infidelity I can help you find the clarity and confidence to create a life that you love on the other side of betrayal. Book Your Session Here: https://calendly.com/loras-schedule/coaching-session Thank you to BetterHelp for sponsoring this podcast! Take charge of your mental health and get 10% off your first month of therapy at https://BetterHelp.com/FLAUNT  READY TO START A BETTER CHAPTER? Step into the future you've always dreamed of with the power of transformative rituals with the Mindful Subscription Box. Get a monthly box full of crystals, aromatherapy, and other spiritual tools worth $120. You deserve high-quality gems, crystals, oils, and mindfulness tools for self-care that truly work. It's a monthly dose of self-love delivered right to your door! Go to www.Mindfulsouls.com  and use Discount Code LORA25 for 25% off your order!

Sometimes it just takes a bit of self-care to help lift your spirits, and for many women, a little lipstick, mascara, or blush can do just the trick. Unfortunately, good makeup isn't cheap, and when you're struggling to get by, it's far from a priority. Needham's Circle of Hope and Westborough's Give 'N Glow are teaming up with donors, influencers, and beauty companies to help women in need get a boost of dignity and confidence this holiday season. Ari Barbanell, Executive Director of Circle of Hope, joins Give 'N Glow Founder Samantha Asprelli on the show to talk about their efforts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Segment 2

Week 13 coverage of Glittergate: Embrace the Sparkle fantasy football league

Today Your Mom and Dad discuss episodes 8 and 9 of Love is Blind Season 9 where the couples have returned home and are officially living together. From meeting each other's families to seeing each other's homes to an awkward rodeo themed group party, Evan and Jess break down the drama as Joe continues to spiral, Ali finds out Anton's secret, Nick comes face to face with Kait, Sparkle is looking at pricey real estate, Edmond and Kalybriah are getting into it, Patrick sits down with Anna, and much more! ***Tune in next Wednesday (12/10) and Friday (12/12) for the final Love is Blind S9 recaps! SEND A “CALL HOME” VOICEMAIL QUESTION HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/yourmomanddad  THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ***UNCOMMON GOODS: Get 15% off your next gift at https://www.UNCOMMONGOODS.com/momdad ***HIYA: Receive 50% off your first order at https://www.hiyahealth.com/MOMANDDAD ***NUTRAFOL: Get $10 off your first month's subscription plus free shipping at https://www.Nutrafol.com with promo code MOMDAD ***QUINCE: Go to https://www.Quince.com/momdad for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns!

Welcome to a very special episode of Backstage Pass. We recently attended the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's 37th Annual Festival of New Musicals in New York City, and have created a podcast experience that will make you feel like you're right there with us! Each year, the NAMT festival shares 45 minute preview performances of 8 new musicals in development. This episode features conversations with NAMT's New Works Director Frankie Dailey, and 4 of the 8 shows in this year's festival: FINN by Chris Nee, Chris Dimond, & Michael Kooman, Love is Dead by Brett Ryback and Jeff Lupino-Esposito, Soft Magical Tofu Boy(s) by Kevin Wong and Particle by Selda Sahin, Autumn Reeser and Derek Gregor. Tune in next week to hear the other 4 shows! We also share demo recordings of a song from each of these musicals so you can get a taste of the music from each show. From FINN you'll hear “Sparkle and Shine” performed by Zachary Noah Piser. From Love is Dead you'll hear “Fully Formed” performed by Lana McKissack. From Soft Magical Tofu Boy(s), you'll hear the song “Invincible” performed by Jonathan Tan. And from Particle you'll hear "Meet Your Heroes" sung by Gabe Violett. We also interviewed Sonya Hayden and Matthew Lowy who were featured in NAMT's College Road Trip program, which shines a spotlight on university theatre programs that develop new musicals. Their musical, Taking Off! was recently developed at Michigan State University and an excerpt of the show was performed at the Festival of New Musicals. You can hear their song, “Ready for the World” at the end of the episode performed by Sonya Hayden. Check out Part 2 next week to hear interviews with the other NAMT writers, as well as more bonus content from musical theatre creators who were present at the festival. Connect with NAMT: Website: https://namt.org Instagram: @namt_org Connect with New York Theatre Barn: Twitter: @nytheatrebarn Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn  Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn nytheatrebarn.org  Pauls's personal instagram: @paulsmacs Teresa's personal instagram: @terijoyeaux Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's featured story comes from the Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar collection. It's called "December 1: Waiting." This story is a part of Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar — 25 stories for the 24 magical days of Advent in December — plus Christmas! From the playhouse to the library, from the Weber's restaurant to the Spunderful Shop, you can spend all of December with the delightful brother and sister as they follow their own Advent adventure. Enjoy a 10 to 25 minute story all the way to Christmas! The story for December 1: "Waiting" Advent is coming and brother and sister are worried — where is their advent calendar?When a curious golden envelope arrives in the mail the day before advent begins, Martin and Sylvia are surprised and delighted by the invitation inside. If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds and hundreds more where that came from. Try a Sparkle subscription now - for free. Go to www.sparklestories.com and click the button at the top that says "Start Free Trial," then you can listen to our giant library as much as you like, anytime you like.  Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! For many many many more stories like this one, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com Questions?  Ideas?  Requests? Email us!  info@sparklestories.com Enjoy!

Join us as we dissect the allure and risks associated with popular holiday gifts for kids. From nostalgic tales of tough metal Tonka trucks to modern, AI-powered toys like Sparkle the Dragon, our conversation exposes both the immediate and latent dangers lurking in children's playthings. As the lines blur between fun and danger, we reflect on safe alternatives that encourage adventurous play without compromising on safety.

From Shattered to Shining (Holiday Edition) How to Rebuild Hope, Identity & Sparkle After Betrayal There's a moment after betrayal when you look in the mirror and don't recognize yourself anymore. Not because you're weak — but because you've been trying so hard to survive, hold everything together, and make sense of a world that suddenly stopped making sense. If your sparkle feels dulled… If you feel like the woman you once were is gone… This episode will remind you: She's still in there. And hope is still in there too. ---In this powerful episode, Lora takes you deep into what really breaks during betrayal — hope, identity, safety, and the sense of who you are. Last week's show revealed that hope doesn't die; hope hides. This week, you'll learn how to begin revealing yourself again — layer by layer — so your hope can return and your sparkle can rise. Lora shares how the FLAUNT!® framework was “downloaded” years before her own betrayal, how it became the blueprint that saved her life, and how you can use these same steps to move from shattered to shining this holiday season. You'll also hear the full story behind the free December 1st From Shattered to Shining Book Club & Workshop — a guided, experiential celebration of healing, revealing, and reclaiming your joy. This is the episode to listen to if you feel lost, dulled, destabilized, or disconnected — especially heading into the holidays. TOP 3 TAKEAWAYS Your sparkle isn't gone — it's covered. Betrayal doesn't “break” you. It buries you under grief, shock, and roles you never meant to carry. Healing is not fixing — it's revealing. Hope hides beneath layers — but it's never lost. Hope disappears under masks, roles, labels, and survival patterns. When you begin to unmask yourself, hope becomes possible again. FLAUNT!® is a clinically-backed framework for betrayal recovery. Originally built for empowerment, it became the missing map for navigating infidelity: F – Find Your Fetish (joy) L – Laugh Out Loud (regulate your nervous system) A – Accept Unconditionally (what is true) N – Navigate the Negative (integrate, don't avoid) T – Trust in Your Truth (stand in who you are becoming) Rebuild your identity, your hope, and your sparkle with Lora's free two-hour virtual workshop: From Shattered to Shining: A Book Club Experience for Women Who Are Ready to Feel Like Themselves Again December 1, 11 am – 1 pm PST, 12 pm – 2 pm MST, 1 pm – 3 pm CST, 2 pm – 4 pm EST, 7 pm – 9 pm GMT, 8 pm – 10 pm CET, 6 am – 8 am AEDT (next day) Free on Zoom (+ replay) Bring your copy of FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover and Reveal Your Smart, Sexy & Spiritual Self Register at www.TheFlauntBook.com If you want clarity, grounding, and joy this holiday season — this workshop is your next step. --- FAVORITE QUOTE “You are not broken. Your sparkle has just been dulled — and together, we're going to bring it back to life.” — Lora Cheadle Free FLAUNT! Holiday Reset & Book Club If this episode hit home, your next step is simple: Join Lora on December 1st for a free live FLAUNT! Book Club & Workshop — a Holiday Reset designed to move you from performance to presence in real time. You'll: Work with practices from FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover and Reveal Your Smart, Sexy & Spiritual Self Get tools to break your performance scripts and over-functioning habits Have space to decompress after Thanksgiving and prepare for the rest of the season in a different way Practice embodying presence so you can actually feel the joy you're creating Sign up free: TheFlauntBook.com You don't need to be “caught up” or have read the whole book. Just bring yourself, your copy, and a willingness to show up as you are. LOVE THE SHOW? TAKE THE NEXT STEP Don't just listen—start healing. Get your free downloadable guide on the “The Top Three Ways You Betray Yourself Every Day, and How to Stop” at www.burnoutorbetrayal.com. https://workplace-burnout.com/the-top-3-ways-you-betray-yourself-every-day-and-how-to-stop/ If you're ready to Rise Up & Reign as the creator and queen of your life, let's talk. I will walk by your side and give you the perspective, permission, and wisdom needed to turn your betrayal experience into something constructive, empowering, and transformative in all the right ways.  Learn more at www.loracheadle.com and follow me across all social! Download your Sparkle After Betrayal Recovery Guide at www.BetrayalRecoveryGuide.com, a guide designed to help you take the first steps in feeling better, so you can reclaim your power, own your worth, and start putting yourself, and your life, back together again. About Lora: Lora Cheadle, JD, CHt is a betrayal recovery coach, attorney, TEDx speaker, and author of FLAUNT! and It's Not Burnout, It's Betrayal. After uncovering her husband's 15-year affair, she turned her own pain into purpose—helping high-achieving women reclaim their identity, power, and joy. A trauma-aware coach, somatic therapist, and former attorney, Lora blends legal insight with emotional and spiritual healing for full-spectrum recovery. She is the author of FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover and Reveal Your Smart, Sexy, & Spiritual Self (an International Book Awards Finalist and Tattered Cover Bestseller) and It's Not Burnout, It's Betrayal: 5 Tools to FUEL UP & Thrive. She also hosts the podcast FLAUNT! Create a Life You Love After Infidelity and Betrayal. Learn more at www.loracheadle.com and follow me across all social! Get the support you need to find your footing, begin making sense of it all, and feel better fast. As an attorney, betrayal recovery expert, and survivor of infidelity I can help you find the clarity and confidence to create a life that you love on the other side of betrayal. Book Your Session Here: https://calendly.com/loras-schedule/coaching-session Thank you to BetterHelp for sponsoring this podcast! Take charge of your mental health and get 10% off your first month of therapy at https://BetterHelp.com/FLAUNT  READY TO START A BETTER CHAPTER? Step into the future you've always dreamed of with the power of transformative rituals with the Mindful Subscription Box. Get a monthly box full of crystals, aromatherapy, and other spiritual tools worth $120. You deserve high-quality gems, crystals, oils, and mindfulness tools for self-care that truly work. It's a monthly dose of self-love delivered right to your door! Go to www.Mindfulsouls.com  and use Discount Code LORA25 for 25% off your order!

Today Your Mom and Dad discuss episodes 6-7 of Love is Blind Season 9…and it's getting real because the engaged couples have left The Pods and are spending romantic time together in Mexico. Evan and Jess chat about who is boiling their blood, drunk Joe, Annie's speech, drunk Jordan, Sparkle's Cartier bracelets, Edmond's foot rubbing, everyone meeting each other, and much more! ***Tune in Wednesday (12/3) for the next Love is Blind recap! THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: ***ROCKET MONEY: Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your goals faster at https://www.RocketMoney.com/MOMDAD  ***AURA FRAMES: An exclusive Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal -  Visit https://www.AuraFrames.com and get $45 off Aura's best-selling Carver Mat frames - with promo code  MOMDAD at checkout! ***INDA CLOUD: If you're 21 or older, get 40% OFF your first order + free shipping @IndaCloud with code MOMDAD at https://inda.shop/MOMDAD # indacloudpod ***ARTICLE: Get $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more at https://www.ARTICLE.COM/MOMDAD and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout!

This week's featured story comes from the At Home with Martin & Sylvia collection. It's called "Home-Grown Thanksgiving." For as long as either Martin or Sylvia can remember, they have gone to their grandparents' home to celebrate Thanksgiving. But this year, their parents have decided to host the event at home. And not only is the traditional location changing, but Momma and Daddy have proposed to cook a Thanksgiving meal with only local ingredients — which means that everything they eat will come from their own garden or from farms nearby! Martin and Sylvia wonder: what in the world will they eat? If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds and hundreds more where that came from. Try a Sparkle subscription now - for free. Go to www.sparklestories.com and click the button at the top that says "Start Free Trial," then you can listen to our giant library as much as you like, anytime you like.  Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! For many many many more stories like this one, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com  Questions?  Ideas?  Requests? Email us!  info@sparklestories.com  Enjoy!

From Performance to Presence: The Holiday Shift That Brings Back the Magic (Especially After Betrayal) What would it be like to actually feel the moment you're working so hard to create? In this powerful pre-Thanksgiving episode, Lora gets real about the way so many women — especially those healing after betrayal — kill themselves trying to stage the “perfect” holiday, only to feel numb, resentful, or empty inside. From Hallmark-movie expectations to Norman Rockwell Thanksgivings, Lora unpacks how performance, perfectionism, control, and emotional over-functioning have been culturally trained into women… and how betrayal often ramps those patterns up even more. You'll learn why performance is actually a nervous system survival response (fawn/fix), how it quietly steals your joy, and what it means to shift into deep, grounded presence — so you can finally experience the love, connection, and magic you've been trying to manufacture for everyone else. Just in time for the holidays, this episode is your invitation to stop chasing the moment… and start feeling it. Top 3 Takeaways Performance is how we manage love when we no longer trust it. After betrayal and in dysfunctional family systems, performance becomes protection. We over-do, over-give, and over-function to cover our fear that love, safety, or support won't be there. Performance is a nervous system response — presence is where the healing happens. Beyond fight/flight/freeze, Lora explains the “fourth F”: fawn/fix. That impulse to keep everyone happy, keep everything perfect, and pretend you're fine is actually a trauma response that blocks creativity, intimacy, and joy. Your joy was never stolen by betrayal — it was stolen by the patterns you learned before it. Betrayal doesn't destroy your joy; it uncovers the truth about all the ways you've been stealing it from yourself through scripts, shoulds, and chronic performance. Presence is how you get it back. Favorite Quotes “The harder we try to create the perfect experience, the further we drift from actually feeling it.” “Performance is how we manage love when we no longer trust it.” “Presence is our soul's way of being felt.” “Your joy has not been stolen by betrayal. Betrayal simply uncovers the truth about the behaviors that were stealing your joy long before.” Free FLAUNT! Holiday Reset & Book Club If this episode hit home, your next step is simple: Join Lora on December 1st for a free live FLAUNT! Book Club & Workshop — a Holiday Reset designed to move you from performance to presence in real time. You'll: Work with practices from FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover and Reveal Your Smart, Sexy & Spiritual Self Get tools to break your performance scripts and over-functioning habits Have space to decompress after Thanksgiving and prepare for the rest of the season in a different way Practice embodying presence so you can actually feel the joy you're creating Sign up free: TheFlauntBook.com You don't need to be “caught up” or have read the whole book. Just bring yourself, your copy, and a willingness to show up as you are.    Resources & Links Free FLAUNT! Book Club + Workshop (Dec 1): TheFlauntBook.com FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover and Reveal Your Smart, Sexy & Spiritual Self – available wherever books are sold  Free Betrayal Recovery Toolkit: BetrayalRecoveryGuide.com Learn more about Lora's coaching & programs: LoraCheadle.com LOVE THE SHOW? TAKE THE NEXT STEP Don't just listen—start healing.   Get your free downloadable guide on the “The Top Three Ways You Betray Yourself Every Day, and How to Stop” at www.burnoutorbetrayal.com. https://workplace-burnout.com/the-top-3-ways-you-betray-yourself-every-day-and-how-to-stop/ If you're ready to Rise Up & Reign as the creator and queen of your life, let's talk. I will walk by your side and give you the perspective, permission, and wisdom needed to turn your betrayal experience into something constructive, empowering, and transformative in all the right ways.  Learn more at www.loracheadle.com and follow me across all social! Download your Sparkle After Betrayal Recovery Guide at www.BetrayalRecoveryGuide.com, a guide designed to help you take the first steps in feeling better, so you can reclaim your power, own your worth, and start putting yourself, and your life, back together again. About Lora: Lora Cheadle, JD, CHt is a betrayal recovery coach, attorney, TEDx speaker, and author of FLAUNT! and It's Not Burnout, It's Betrayal. After uncovering her husband's 15-year affair, she turned her own pain into purpose—helping high-achieving women reclaim their identity, power, and joy. A trauma-aware coach, somatic therapist, and former attorney, Lora blends legal insight with emotional and spiritual healing for full-spectrum recovery. She is the author of FLAUNT! Drop Your Cover and Reveal Your Smart, Sexy, & Spiritual Self (an International Book Awards Finalist and Tattered Cover Bestseller) and It's Not Burnout, It's Betrayal: 5 Tools to FUEL UP & Thrive. She also hosts the podcast FLAUNT! Create a Life You Love After Infidelity and Betrayal. Learn more at www.loracheadle.com and follow me across all social! Get the support you need to find your footing, begin making sense of it all, and feel better fast. As an attorney, betrayal recovery expert, and survivor of infidelity I can help you find the clarity and confidence to create a life that you love on the other side of betrayal. Book Your Session Here: https://calendly.com/loras-schedule/coaching-session Thank you to BetterHelp for sponsoring this podcast! Take charge of your mental health and get 10% off your first month of therapy at https://BetterHelp.com/FLAUNT  READY TO START A BETTER CHAPTER? Step into the future you've always dreamed of with the power of transformative rituals with the Mindful Subscription Box. Get a monthly box full of crystals, aromatherapy, and other spiritual tools worth $120. You deserve high-quality gems, crystals, oils, and mindfulness tools for self-care that truly work. It's a monthly dose of self-love delivered right to your door! Go to www.Mindfulsouls.com  and use Discount Code LORA25 for 25% off your order!

This week's featured story comes from the Junkyard Tales collection. It's called "The Junkyard Feast: A Story of Thanksgiving." It is time for the annual Junkyard Feast. In this autumn celebration, the Junkyard animals cook special dishes in gratitude for all they have given each other throughout the year. All of the Junkyard animals enjoy this feast except one: Sergeant. He is always away for this special event, celebrating Thanksgiving with the Junkyard Warden and his family. When Ben, clever cat, learns this, he insists they do something special for the steadfast watchdog who keeps the Junkyard safe … all year long. If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds and hundreds more where that came from. Try a Sparkle subscription now - for free. Go to www.sparklestories.com and click the button at the top that says "Start Free Trial," then you can listen to our giant library as much as you like, anytime you like.  Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! For many many many more stories like this one, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com Questions?  Ideas?  Requests? Email us!  info@sparklestories.com Enjoy!

Join Christina, Sarah, and Danika as they dive into the often overlooked topic of maintaining intimacy and joy during the holiday season. From the stress-relieving benefits of physical connection to finding personal joy amidst holiday chaos, this episode offers candid insights and practical tips for navigating the festive period with confidence and pleasure. Whether it's sneaking in a quick moment of intimacy or redefining holiday traditions, discover how to make this season truly yours.

This week's featured story comes from the So Many Fairies collection. It's called "The Lantern Prince." The Prince is not like his parents. In fact, he is not like any royal. In addition to being strong, obedient, and confident — common royal traits — he is also very kind and loving. But what makes the Prince unusual is that he is kind and loving to everyone, royal and servant alike. The King and Queen hope that he will grow out of it, but alas, as he grows he only gets more loving and kind. One day he spies a poor beggar woman in the streets, and his life is never the same again. If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds and hundreds more where that came from. Try a Sparkle subscription now - for free. Go to www.sparklestories.com and click the button at the top that says "Start Free Trial," then you can listen to our giant library as much as you like, anytime you like.  Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! For many many many more stories like this one, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com Questions?  Ideas?  Requests? Email us!  info@sparklestories.com Enjoy!

#891. What REALLY happened between Sparkle Megan and Jordan on Love Is Blind? Was the proposal a mistake? Why did she walk away right before the altar? And how did she go from reality TV to real-life motherhood?This week, Kaitlyn sits down with “Sparkle” Megan Walerius from Love Is Blind Season 9 to talk through the whirlwind engagement, the shocking breakup, the reunion showdown, and the truth about what really went on when the cameras weren't rolling.Plus, Megan opens up about life now: her new relationship with Paul, welcoming baby Brooks, and how becoming a mom changed everything.So grab a glass of wine and join us for the behind-the-scenes tea, breakup confessions, and honest reflections you never saw coming.If you're LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below! PLUS, FOLLOW OUR PODCAST INSTAGRAM HERE!Thank you to our Sponsors! Check out these deals!Booking.com: Head over to booking.com and start your listing today! Get Seen. Get Booked on Booking.com!Macy's: From November 2nd to the 27th check out Macy's parade of deals for a new must-have deal every single day at Macys.com or in the app.Pura: For a limited time, get a free set when you subscribe to 2 scents monthly for a year at Pura.com.Better Help: OTV listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/VINE.Bombas: Head over to Bombas.com/vine and use code vine for 20% off your first purchase.Wayfair: Don't miss out on early Black Friday deals. Head to Wayfair.com now to shop Wayfair's Black Friday deals for up to 70% off until December 7th.Nutrafol: Find out why Nutrafol is the best-selling hair growth supplement brand at Nutrafol.com, promo code VINE.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome back to The Viall Files: Going Deeper edition.  What do you get when you mix sparkles and crystal light? An amazing interview with Sparkle Megan and Jordan from Love Is Blind. Where are they now? How is Megan handling being a mom? How is Jordan handling being a heartthrob? All that, and more. You won't want to miss it! "He started showing signs of him that was a red flag." Listen to Humble Brag with Cynthia Bailey and Crystal Kung Minkoff! Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/humble-brag-with-crystal-and-cynthia/id1774286896 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humblebragpod Listen To Disrespectfully now! Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disrespectfully/id1516710301 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCh8MqSsiGkfJcWhkan0D0w Start your 7 Day Free Trial of Viall Files + here: https://viallfiles.supportingcast.fm/  To Order Nick's Book Go To: http://www.viallfiles.com  Are you struggling with any sort of dating, relationship, or life dilemma? Do you want all the answers? Email asknick@theviallfiles.com with your question in the subject line to express interest in appearing on the show!  To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/theviallfiles   Thank You to Our Sponsors: Omaha Steaks - Bring home the legendary flavor and everyday convenience of Omaha Steaks. Visit https://omahasteaks.com for 50% off sitewide during their Semi-Annual Sale. And for an extra $35 off, use Promo Code VIALLFILES at checkout. Olipop - Get $2 off a 4-pack of OLIPOP: Works on any flavor of 4-pack, including Spongebob, any retailer at https://drinkolipop.com/viall  Wayfair - Don't miss out on early Black Friday deals. Head to https://wayfair.com now to shop Wayfair's Black Friday deals for up to 70% off. Nanit - Right now, Nanit is offering 25% off your first order, just for our listeners, with code BABY25. Go to https://nanit.com and use code BABY25. to save. Episode Socials:  @viallfiles @nickviall @nnataliejjoy @meganwalerius @jordan.keltner

This week's featured story comes from the Martin & Sylvia's Family Tree of Stories collection. It's called "Part Six: Nanni's Story." Nanni's story is about how she loved to sing to horses when her father, a large animal vet, was treating them. The horses always responded. When her father took her to the Kentucky Derby to treat one of the competing horses, a most incredible opportunity presented itself. This is a story about what magic can happen when you authentically wish to help others. If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds and hundreds more where that came from. Try a Sparkle subscription now - for free. Go to www.sparklestories.com and click the button at the top that says "Start Free Trial," then you can listen to our giant library as much as you like, anytime you like.  Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! For many many many more stories like this one, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com Questions?  Ideas?  Requests? Email us!  info@sparklestories.com Enjoy!

MUSICTwenty One Pilots, will pay tribute to The White Stripes, covering "Seven Nation Army" at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on November 8th in Los Angeles. Sad New Details on the Passing of Limp Bizkit Bassist Sam RiversSome really tragic news today about the death of Sam Rivers, the original bassist for the nu-metal band Limp Bizkit. New details are coming out about the circumstances of his passing, and it's just heartbreaking. Former Hole and Smashing Pumpkins bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur will publish her memoir Even the Good Girls Will Cry: A ‘90s Rock Memoir on March 17th. https://www.dacapopress.com/titles/melissa-auf-der-maur/even-the-good-girls-will-cry/9780306833755/ You're not gonna believe this, but it's true; Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham are now on speaking terms. https://www.nme.com/news/music/stevie-nicks-and-lindsey-buckingham-back-on-speaking-terms-break-down-frozen-love-on-song-exploder-podcast-3903657 Carrie Underwood is on top of the country world. She's now the highest Recording Industry Association of America-certified female country artist of all time. https://www.billboard.com/music/country/carrie-underwood-riaa-certification-country-woman-1236101161/ NEW RELEASESAvatar's Don't Go in the Forest contains "Tonight We Must be Warriors."The Pretty Reckless's Taylor Momsen's Pretty Reckless Christmas includes her duetting with herself as a kid from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.The Cars' Heartbeat City: Deluxe Edition is a four CD and one LP box set that adds unrelesaed mixes and a full concert.Radiohead's Hail to the Thief Live Recordings 2003-2009 gets released on CD and vinyl.The Who's Who Are You: Super Deluxe Edition is a massive box set with 71 unreleased tracks.Everclear's Sparkle and Fade 30th Anniversary Edition adds eight bonus tracks.Trivium's Struck Dead EP is their first new music in four years. TVGayle King is expected to leave her role as an anchor on CBS Mornings after 14 years with the morning show. https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/gayle-king-cbs-mornings-anchor-out-1236565036/ MOVING ON INTO MOVIE NEWS:IN THEATERS"Bugonia" (R) Trailer· Emma Stone is a corporate CEO who is kidnapped by Jesse Plemons . . . an unhinged conspiracy theorist who is convinced that she's an alien and that her company's experiments are the cause of his mother's illness.· He starts out by SHAVING HER HEAD so she can't communicate with the other aliens. (???) And he's not above torturing her to get what he wants . . . a trip to her mothership so he can make a case to save humanity."Anniversary" (R) Trailer (Opened Wednesday)· Diane Lane and Kyle Chandler are celebrating their 25th anniversary when their son brings home his new girlfriend, a former student who publishes a book with radical ideas that lay the foundation for a "unified" single-party, political system.· Things take a dark turn for the family once the book becomes a best seller and America falls more and more under the influence of the new Deep State, whose symbol is a new flag where the stars have moved to the center of the stripes."Stitch Head" (PG) Trailer (Opened Wednesday)· A light-hearted animated twist on Frankenstein's monster, where Stitch Head (voiced by Asa Butterfield) rallies the castle's other monsters to defend themselves against a greedy circus owner and suspicious townsfolk. Your favorite Halloween song, "Monster Mash", is going to be made into an animated movie. https://deadline.com/2025/10/monster-mash-song-miramax-movie-1236599994/ "The Conjuring" universe will live on with a TV series and a prequel movie. https://people.com/the-conjuring-new-prequel-after-last-rites-success-11840396"Yellowstone" creator Taylor Sheridan is developing a live-action "Call of Duty" movie. https://consequence.net/2025/10/taylor-sheridan-call-of-duty-movie-paramount/ The first trailer for Scream 7 is out and Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is back! The new movie finds Ghostface coming after Sidney, her daughter Tatum (a tribute to Rose McGowan's character from the first film), and her husband. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJrghaPJ0RY Robert Englund, who plays legendary villain Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street, served as a marriage witness for two fans ahead of their Halloween wedding. https://people.com/robert-englund-was-marriage-witness-for-a-nightmare-on-elm-street-fans-exclusive-11836520 Jesse Eisenberg is donating his kidney to a person in need. You know, Lex Luthor in Zack Snyder's DC Extended Universe . . . or Mark Zuckerberg in "The Social Network". AND FINALLYHere is Lern's Top 6 Favorite Scary Movies that you should watch this weekend:1. The Witch2. The Shining3. Hereditary4. The Conjuring5. It Miniseries, or the new movies, whatever!6. Return to OzHappy Halloween!AND THAT IS YOUR CRAP ON CELEBRITIES!Follow The Rizzuto Show @rizzshow on all your favorite social media, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and more. Connect with The Rizzuto Show online at 1057thepoint.com/RizzShowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week's featured story comes from the So Many Fairies Halloween Story collection. It's called "Halloween Story: Part One." We meet Henry - a creative, delightful boy who would very much like to be an elf. When the Halloween season begins, he throws himself into preparation, for this year he will get to try on his elf-ness! He also meets Brie, a classmate who invites him to trick-or-treat in her neighborhood. On Halloween eve they immediately see that this is no ordinary Halloween: Henry-the-Elf and Brie-the-Cat discover a "Story House," and the adventure begins. If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds and hundreds more where that came from. Try a Sparkle subscription now - for free. Go to www.sparklestories.com and click the button at the top that says "Start Free Trial," then you can listen to our giant library as much as you like, anytime you like. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! For many many many more stories like this one, visit the Sparkle website: www.sparklestories.com Questions? Ideas? Requests? Email us! info@sparklestories.com Enjoy!

If you're ready to step into a richer way of being, join us inside the School of Self-Image membership: https://schoolofselfimage.com/membership-pod/ Many women feel that a magical and expansive life requires money – the luxury bags, the designer clothes, unlimited bank accounts. But here's the truth: your sparkle isn't bought, it's embodied. This is the essence of what I call Champagne Living. In this episode, I'm revealing the core essence of Champagne Living – cultivating an abundant self-image – and the six ways it transforms your life. You'll discover how this single mindset shift, choosing to see the beauty and joy regardless of external circumstances, opens you up to bigger opportunities. Because an abundant self-image isn't about waiting for a certain dollar amount. It's knowing, deep in your bones, that you are worthy of life's finest experiences. That your shine is already here, waiting to be expressed. Here's what we cover: • The true meaning of Champagne Living and how it turns the ordinary into magic • How an abundant self-image frees you from chasing, comparing, and wanting • Why your shine shouldn't be postponed by your present reality • Everyday ways to embody sparkle through presence and gratitude • Why inner abundance becomes a magnet for expansion Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe to the podcast and leave a 5-star review! You can also listen to this show on YouTube and on all your favorite podcast platforms. How to Connect with Tonya Leigh Website: https://schoolofselfimage.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyaleigh Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TonyaLeighOfficial/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyaleighofficial/ Pinterest: https://ph.pinterest.com/tonyaofficial/ Twitter: https://x.com/tonyaleigh YouTube: https://schoolofselfimage.com/yt-tl

1. Love Is Blind Sparkle spotted with mystery man and baby (Page Six) (15:57) 2. ‘Britain's Got Talent' phenom Susan Boyle stuns fans with unrecognizable new look (New York Post) (24:29) 3. Jelly Roll confesses to cheating on wife Bunnie Xo during ‘worst moment' of his life (Page Six) (29:25) 4. NBA Gambling Scandal (NBC News) (34:00) 5. Khloé Kardashian reveals she hasn't had sex in 3 years (People) (45:29) Queenie and Weenie (1:04:21) The Toast with Jackie (@JackieOshry) and Claudia Oshry (@girlwithnojob) The Toast Patreon Toast Merch Girl With No Job by Claudia Oshry The Camper & The Counselor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices